INTERVIEW:
tamtam
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THIS might be the first time I…
have featured someone from Saudi Arabia on my site. It has been fascinating speaking with tamtam about her experiences of Saudi and spending time in L.A. She talks about her new single, Drive, and filming its video; how liberating its themes and story is – I ask whether Saudi Arabia’s strict laws regarding women and visibility have impacted her in any way.
Tamtam talks to me about a pivotal moment that changed her life; which artists were inspiring to her growing up; whether there are any tour dates in the calendar; the advice she would provide upcoming artists – tamtam selects a musician we should all follow.
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Hi, tamtam. How are you? How has your week been?
It’s been great, thank you!
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
Yes. My moniker for my music is ‘tamtam’. I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia; I am currently living in L.A. and making music but I go back to Saudi as much as I can to visit my family and home. A lot of my music is inspired by Saudi.
I don’t have a choice but, to be genuine in my lyrics, especially in songs that I write on my own - being brought up in one culture and then moving to another country with a completely different culture - has had a really powerful impact on me that I hope I reflect in my music: no matter where we are from, or how we are brought up, or what we believe in, we have the most important thing in common, our humanity, and that, alone, should unite us.
Drive is your new single. Can you reveal the story behind the song?
I wrote this song last year when I heard the news that Saudi was lifting the ban on women driving. I was so happy and inspired! I wrote the song right away...
The video sees you driving around with girlfriends through Orange County. How much fun was it to shoot?!
It was honestly one of the best days! I will never ever forget it. I was with my friends (who are in the video) which was amazing. The director, Mackenzie Mccullough, is such a wonderful, creative and humble person to work with. It really was a blast - especially driving that perfect, vintage yellow car!
As a Saudi woman; do you feel even revealing your face and making a video is a brave step?! How does life for a Saudi woman differ when you are in America, as opposed to your home nation?!
When I first started doing music seven years ago, I would say definitely ‘yes’. At that time, I had released my first single, Little Girl, where my face was blurred in the video because I didn’t want anyone to know I was doing music. But, now, Saudi is really adapting in a positive way: women can drive; the first movie theatres just opened a few months ago; live concerts are slowly happening more frequently and are more socially-accepted than before.
Because I’m in music, life in L.A. as a Saudi woman is different for me because there are so many musicians, producers and songwriters to work with and to collaborate with - that’s what I love about being in L.A. as a musician. I can also perform live anytime I want: there are more concert venues here and smaller ones too; not just huge stages. The talent that is growing out of Saudi is amazing and I know that the music there is going to grow so much more with the new laws.
Liberation and women’s rights play a big part in your overall ethos. Do you think it is vital these issues are introduced into music?
Yes, I do, because this is what the youth is listening to. They love music. Anything with a melody and a beat is more interesting to listen to than someone who is just talking; so, more people can engage with music and I believe, as musicians, we need to start sending positive messages through this power that we have.
Do you think there will be more material later this year?
Yes! I have so much more music coming out, including a collaboration with producer/D.J. Accidental Muse, which will be more of an E.D.M. project, that I’m super-excited about as well.
I believe a green Jeep and a unique experience when you were eighteen changed everything. Was that moment of independence pivotal to you?
Yes, it was. No matter where you are in the world, whether in the U.S. or Saudi Arabia, it changes everything when you know you can walk out the door and go anywhere you want. To be honest, when I first started driving here, I was terrified of the road. I wouldn’t take any freeways and I wouldn’t go very far. But, I knew that, with patience and practice, I would get used to driving…and that’s what I did.
Do you recall the musicians who inspired and motivated you when you were growing up?
Michael Jackson is always my number-one. I also loved listening to No Doubt, the Spice Girls; Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake (I still love him) (smiles). I went through an Aerosmith phase. My love for music is not specific to any genre, as you can see.
Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?
I don’t have tour dates set yet but I’m definitely going soon and will keep you posted!
Do you think you’ll come to the U.K. and perform?
Yes! I’ll probably do a show in London first. I can’t wait (smiles).
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
I hope my music reaches more and more people. I love connecting with my fans; they are so important to me.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
I just did a show in Kuwait in April for a concert called Kuwait Rising and it was amazing! I love performing live and I love feeling the energy of the crowd - it is definitely an unforgettable memory.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Patience, patience; patience…and listen to your gut.
IN THIS PHOTO: Smoke Season/PHOTO CREDIT: Natalie Neal
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Smoke Season.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
I love going hiking. Being with nature really helps me unwind and keeps me grounded.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Florence + the Machine - No Choir and Hunger
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Follow tamtam
FEATURE: The July Playlist: Vol. 2: If We Organise Our Schedules...We’ll Realise Love Is Magic
FEATURE:
The July Playlist
IN THIS PHOTO: John Grant
Vol. 2: If We Organise Our Schedules...We’ll Realise Love Is Magic
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YOU get these weeks in music where things…
IN THIS PHOTO: The Lemon Twigs/PHOTO CREDIT: Erica Snyder
are jam-packed and it is hard to keep up! This is one of them, I can tell you! Relax and enjoy as we welcome new tracks from Sigrid, John Grant and The Lemon Twigs. Tinashe, Childish Gambino and Kacey Musgraves have fresh releases – it is an exciting and fulsome week of music! Enjoy the sun, put these tunes on and indulge in all the different moves and moods; the big choruses, sultry moments and addictive takeaways.
ALL PHOTOS/IMAGES (unless credited otherwise): Getty Images
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IN THIS PHOTO: Sigrid/PHOTO CREDIT: Johannes Lovund
Sigrid – Schedules
PHOTO CREDIT: @gregswalesart
Nicki Minaj (ft. Ariana Grande) – Bed
John Grant – Love Is Magic
Childish Gambino - Summertime Magic
PHOTO CREDIT: Mathew Parri Thomas Photography
The Lemon Twigs – If You Give Enough
Alessia Cara – A Little More
The Horrors - Ghost
Kodaline – Shed a Tear
Eliza and the Bear – First Aid
Lil’ Kim – Nasty One
All Saints – Don’t Look Over Your Shoulders
Tinashe – Like I Used To
Jacob Banks – In the Name of Love
Dirty Projectors (ft. Amber Mark) – I Feel Energy
Suede – Don’t Be Afraid If Nobody Loves You
Ariana Grande – God Is a Woman
Call Me Loop – Love the Lie
Kacey Musgraves - High Horse
Gulp – Claudia
Patrick Watson – Melody Noir
Gently Tender – 2 Chords Good
Estrons – Lilac
Rudimental & Major Lazer (ft. Anne-Marie & Mr. Eazi) - Let Me Live
Anton Powers – Thinking About You
Exam Season – Strawberry Milk
Honey Hahs – Stop Him
Wande Coal - So Mi So
Mac Miller – Self Care
First Aid Kit – Running Up That Hill (Recorded Live at Spotify Studios Stockholm)
Sophia Ayana – Obsession
Not3s – Just Fine
Lily Moore - I Will Never Be
PHOTO CREDIT: Dara Munnis
Tash Sultana – Harvest Love
The Hunna – Babe, Can I Call?
Amy Shark – All Loved Up
TRACK REVIEW: Swine Tax - Never Ending
TRACK REVIEW:
Swine Tax
The track, Never Ending, is available via:
https://soundcloud.com/swinetax/swinetaxneverending
GENRE:
Indie-Rock
ORIGIN:
Newcastle upon Tyne
RELEASE DATE:
13th July, 2018
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STEPPING out and looking at a talented young band…
PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Crowder
gives me a chance to discuss some interesting areas of music. I have reviewed Swine Tax before and had the opportunity to witness their blend of music. I will speak about music from the North and whether we are still throwing as much love that way as possible; intensity and bands who have the ability to invoke the spirit music is missing; bringing that energy and directness to the stage; connections within the ranks that makes the music that much stronger – I will end by looking at Swine Tax’s future and how they will progress. I feel we are still ignoring the North of England and what is coming from there. If we look at any new musician and laud them; it seems we are not casting a net far beyond the capital. I have talked about this a lot and approached it from different angles. There is nothing to suggest the future of music is situated in London. The media is based here, and so, that is where people tend to look. You balance the sounds of the South with those of the North and there are some marked differences. I feel there is more honesty, wit and originality coming from northern bands at the moment. I am not suggesting the South lacks any bite and potential – the North is offering something a lot more intriguing and fresh. The Swine Tax boys have been playing for a little while and, so far, have managed to accrue a loyal fanbase and some great local attention. I have looked at the music of Manchester but, looking at Swine Tax and the Newcastle area, I am interested to see whether there are differences. There are some fantastic venues and artists where Swine Tax are - and a great support network. There is always that temptation, when artists get bigger and need focus, they move to areas like London. I hope the guys manage to stay where they are and do not feel the need to up sticks.
So far, they are vibing from what’s around them and seem comfortable where they are. There are, as I said, great venues around and chances to get the music to the people. It is the local support and sense of taste that makes northern music so long-lasting and impactful. There is a loyalty and passion you do not get from any other part of the country. Because of all of this; why are we still spending so much time in London and the music coming from there? I know there is an incredible scene here and wonderful movements: the North is producing epic music and should be given more love. One of the reasons why I feel this way is the band market and how the focus is still on solo artists. Again, this is another topic I have covered and investigated before – I shall not go too much into the topic again. There have been some great albums released this year but, to me, IDLES will produce the biggest statement of the year. I will talk about the band more in a later section but the solo material I have heard this year has been great. I am looking for an album that produces that extra bit of heat, force and oomph. Solo artists can do that but it has always been down to the bands of the world to bring something extra-special and intense. Swine Tax are a band with plenty of intelligence and depth – they have a raw edginess and electricity that takes their music to another plain. Tory Water, their previous single, looked at the local music industry with a sardonic nod. It has the College-Rock sounds but brought in plenty of punch and observations of the local scene. Although there are, as they observe, issues in the North that need remedy and support; the impression one gets from the song is of a band with a big future ahead. The sheer depth, story and colour they bring to the music makes you want to support them and see them do well. I feel we have ignored bands to an extent and assumed they cannot compete with solo artists. Historically, some of the finest music has been made by groups – why are we spending so much time with solo musicians?! Swine Tax have that unbeatable blend of local knowledge and focus with musical swings that stretch all the way to America. It means (they) have the ears of those in the Newcastle area but there is potential to get gigs in the U.S.
IN THIS PHOTO: Lewis Egg Dodds
One of the things that occur to me is how bands like Swine Tax can use their keen lyrical insight, established strengths and focus on the current Government. Tory Water nods its head the way of our leader but there is new opportunity to sink the teeth in. I love how Swine Tax can bring humour and accessibility alongside riotous instrumentation and ample punch. We are living in a very odd time where the nation is splitting apart and politicians are messing everything up. Whilst solo artists would be able to project something meaningful and anthemic; I feel bands like Swine Tax have more ammunition and promise. Vince Lisle, Tom Kelly and Charlie Radford take hints from bands like Sonic Youth and Pavement and splice that with embers from the local scene. They look around them and talk about how politics affects their lives; stories of lust and ambition are thrown in – quite a heady and exciting brew! The band have been picking up fans at a rate of knots since their inception and thrilling those lucky enough to see them. I have seen some great bands form but few have the same intoxicating passion and attitude as Swine Tax. I do love what is coming from music but I feel something is missing: an authority and explosion that has disappeared slightly. The mainstream media are spending a lot of time on solo artists and feel, to me, there isn’t the same sort of promise in bands there was years ago. Maybe that short-sighted assumption reflects a geographical laziness. If they did some more exploration then you could see more attention given to the likes of Swine Tax. I have been hankering for a band who can get the blood boiling and the body moving. I have mentioned IDLES already: a band that has the sound of The Clash and mix it together with modern Punk and Alternative motions. Although Swine Tax source from the U.S. (more than British sounds) and a different era; they have the same sort of majesty and can produce a truly stunning live show.
PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Crowder
The nation is looking for artists who can articulate what is happening and how their lives are being impacted. It is good to hear melody and calm in music but, at times like these, there is a desire for release and fire. My assessment paints the picture of Swine Tax as a brutish Punk band who is throwing stuff around and want anarchy. In actual truth, they can fuse spiked and spit-laden with real songcraft, lyrical acuity and exceptional musicianship. Their music is far more compelling than straight-ahead guts-and-shout. It is exciting watching Swine Tax rise and growing with every release. Their live set is extraordinary and the studio music we hear from them is like nothing else. It makes me hanker for more passion towards the North and greater exposure of the best young bands coming through. Maybe the secret ingredient (for success) is assessing what is happening in the country and reaching people in a way our politicians cannot. Their music does have a political edgy but wraps it around character studies and local commentary. I have watched music change skin the past few decades and I am seeing things drop away and not re-growing. I have lived through the tail-end of U.S. College-Rock bands and British Punk idols. I have seen movements die and be replaced by something altogether safer and less risky. We need to revoke the lost Punk and Rock spirit that excited generations and started a fire. Swine Tax have the potential to burn bright in the local scene, as they already have, and lay down a marker. The boys continue to grow bigger and more ambitious every time they put material out there. Whether you are familiar with the music coming from the North and how it varies from that of the South; it is obvious to see how small a roll Rock and Punk is playing in modern music. We can throw various arguments into the mix – changing tastes and times; few great artists to keep the flame alight; critical ignorance – but I can sense something happening and shaking.
PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Crowder
Another reason I feel Swine Tax and their ilk are able to stage a coup and gain a passage to the forefront is what they bring to the stage. You can argue a soulful performance from a Pop artist can hold the same magic and power as that of a snarling Rock band. I contend that the most impactful and hard-hitting performance comes from bands that crank the wattage and get bodies jumping. Swine Tax bring their own brand of explosion to the stage but do, as I have said, have plenty of variety and melody. They are a rounded and nourishing band that are gathering huge acclaim because of what they take to the stage. Never Ending – one of two singles they have just released – will sound, I can imagine, amazing on the stage. The guys have a great reputation in the North East and showcase established band there – showing a support and sense of comradeship you do not often witness. They have supported the likes The Orielles and Jeffrey Lewis; they mix the D.I.Y. ethic they have always possessed and bring in new-found skills and strengths. The guys will never sell-out and feel the need to get into a bright and expensive studio. They have an authenticity and accessibility we are looking out for right now. The connection and chemistry the band has is another reason why their local reputation is solid and building. There are some bands where you watch them play and they might stay in the mind for a little bit. Something is missing from their set. Maybe there isn’t the connection you’d expect or the music is too similar to their studio-made sounds – not bringing anything new and unexpected into their repertoire.
PHOTO CREDIT: Graeme J. Baty
Before reviewing one of the band’s latest singles; I want to finish on this theme and highlight the solidity in the ranks. Swine Tax’s success, so far, can be attributed to the fact the guys are on the same page and have that respect. Writing and performance is democratic and there is no muscling for leadership. They have the same goals and want to see their music go as far as possible. I am seeing some bands suffer splits because everyone wants different things and communication is lacking. The friendships present within Swine Tax makes their recorded material such a treat to listen to. They have dropped the double A-side Thorns/Never Ending and will perform at Think Tank? (in Newcastle) tonight. The single(s) have been met with big acclaim and reviews are coming in. The confidence the guys will get from the early praise will translate to the stage. They have gigs coming up but I feel, when their new material gets further out there and resonates; more dates will arrive and there could be some big dates. The guys are playing alongside like-minded, local talent and they are keen to integrate themselves with some fantastic artists. The material they have out there right now acts as a guide for potential venues and bookers. I am not sure whether Swine Tax will release an album next year or continue to bring out singles but they have this energy and focus that is impressive. I would love to see them ascend to the mainstream and influence fully. It is all very exciting and full-on for Swine Tax right now. They are picking up local support and lots of new ears are turning their way. It makes me wonder whether they can take it all the way and embark on a national tour.
PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Crowder
I hear there is more material coming from the band later in the year and, in October, they are back in the studio. It makes me wonder what form that will take. Maybe it will be another single or they are going to put a five/sic-track E.P. together. What excites me is how the band has grown from their earliest days. Maybe it is the experience they have gained or the passing of time – it is getting better and brighter for the band. I am not sure whether they have ambitions to tour around the world but I feel next year will be their time. Swine Tax have already cemented their name in the local realm and are ready to face the responsibilities of international touring. One needs stamina and extra fortitude when venturing between cities and nations. It takes more energy and discipline but I feel Swine Tax have that in their locker. I can easily see the northern band head to the U.S. and get some acclaim there. The guys have that reputation as live performers and they have thrilled fans for a long time now. I know the boys could handle the demands of a worldwide tour and what it encompasses. There are people around the world who would eat up Swine Tax and what they are all about. I have been hankering for a band to come along that can stay in the mind and get me excited about the future. I do not often go to live gigs because I feel there is little excitement and it will not be worth a trip out. Swine Tax’s reviews and reputation makes me want to see them and catch them as soon as I can. The boys are on a rise and cementing themselves as one of the finest young bands out there right now. They have already made a great name for themselves in the North – it is time for them to shift and take their music down the nation.
The opening notes put me in mind of bands like Pavement and Pixies. You get that rush of the 1990s (and 1980s) and what was coming out of American then. I guess that is what Swine Tax have always been about but, if anything, there are new elements in their music. The lyrics talk about framing the moment and breaking open an unspecified thing – placing the hero under house arrest. Our man is aching, but not stressed, and one wonders what he is referring to. The early, softer guitar opening mutates to a more squalled and rain-lashed sound that mixes with the rest of the fold. The guys come together expertly and provide instance evocation. Percussion sounds add weight and drive but are never too heavy; there is that bassline that keeps things together and leads; it stays disciplined, level-headed and focused. One of the only problems at the early stages is vocal decipherability. At times, it is hard to understand what is being sung and the mix does push the vocals a bit too low down. I imagine that is less a mistake from production and more an emotive and sonic decision. You have that murkiness and effect that adds conviction to the song. What I mean is this: you get a bigger emotional hit and feel like the hero is singing from under a rock or pillow. There is tension and a slight disconnect that pulls you in and speculate. Lyrics never really allude to a single event or person and the listener is free to interpret what the song is about. Whilst other songs in their cannon have looked at political and local areas; here, we see something that is rooted in the personal and romantic. The hero looks to be casting out to a heroine who has left him stressed and tense but lingers in the mind. It seems her scent and looks are in the brain; her eyes (wild, bright flowers) are burning holes in the soul and one gets a definite longing.
The chorus comes in, when our man is holding back at the moment, and the band really swell and explode. The guitars rapture and the percussion raises its game. All the boys turn the volume up and there is that evocative rush. You get the smell of 1990s College-Rock but there is that distinct Swine Tax skin. The rousing and bristling chorus gets the hairs standing and the mind racing. I was fully involved with the song at this point and could not get enough of it. The guys bring a real sense of thrill to the track that comes from nowhere. You could always feel things building but it is the way they switch from contemplative and open to intense that gets me – a real pleasure and something that gives the song a movement and agility. Few can deny the song lacks passion and professionalism but it is the D.I.Y. aspect of the song that makes its mark. One gets proper intelligence and songcraft but I am drawn to the sparse and honest sound that gives the song its stripes. It sounds like the band is playing from their living rooms: there is no polish that can wash the life from a song; it is a fantastic sound that gives the number much more allure and appeal. The performances are consistently brilliant and so much is thrown into the mix. Backing vocals and layers keep building; the percussion and bass work alongside one another and the chorus explodes back in when you need that hit. Our hero keeps his energy up and is committed to every single moment. Maybe my impressions of lust are wrong but it seems like there is someone in mind that is causing all sorts of problems. His head is swimming and there is a distinct sense of desire and need. Swine Tax keep the composition changing and evolving. Unexpected vocal touches and little bass lines fuse with big, anthemic rushes that delight and thrill. It is when the guys combine in vocals and there is that chanting, brotherly togetherness that you get the biggest hit. The headiness and brilliance of the song continue right until the end and you are compelled to listen to the song over and over. The performance is tight and stunning but you never get the sense things are too rigid and practised. Swine Tax leave room for breath and provide that fantastic, live-sounding feel. I have heard Never Ending a few times and discover new things upon every spin. There is guts, glory and passion running right the way through veins. I know the band will continue to record great music through their career but, right now, they are in top form and really inspired. I can only imagine what sort of reception and reaction songs like Never Ending will get when played tonight. Swine Tax show they are varied regarding their lyrics: they can go from political and local to observing something more universal and love-based. However you see their new song, and what you think it is about, it is a fantastic cut from the boys and proof they are one of the best and brightest talents out there.
Never Ending and Thorns are fantastic singles – part of a double A-side – that show how Swine Tax has progressed and what they are all about right now. I loved Tory Water, their previous offering, and its mix of local observations and political shots. They have continued that pace and brought it to a duo of gems. I wanted to look at Never Ending because it is my favourite but, in reality, both the new tracks are worthy of fond examination. I started my looking at bands and wondering whether the market is starting to turn. We have often ignored groups and are focusing a lot on solo artists. Tastes have changed and the scene is looking for something different right now. Maybe there have been few bands who can get the critics raving and people excited. The likes of Swine Tax show there is plenty of fuel in the tank of the band car. They are hungry and want to get their name out there. It is challenging keeping a band together and remaining strong, let alone getting excellent material out there time and time again. That is full credited to a trio who have that mutual respect and want the best for each other. I will leave things in a second but wanted to offer congratulations to a band that have a bright future ahead of them. Maybe the balance will not tip so there is a Punk/Rock revolution but one would not bet against big changes happening next year. I love the sort of College-Rock sounds bring put out by Swine Tax and how they interpret them. It is a fantastic brew that stays in the mind and compels further investigation. The guys have come a long way and have an ambition that will see them go a long way. Where do Swine Tax go from here? They have that local gig tonight and then, from there, they will want to get their latest material out to the people. They have studio time later in the year but they will want to tour as much as possible and visit new lands. I feel there is that demand out there and it is not long before the boys are doing headline shows down in London. International gigs approach and I feel there is a fanbase out there already. A U.S. date would be perfect and I would love to guys to get some time in, say, New York or Boston. They’d love it there and I think they’d get a lot of love. I have loved getting to grips with Never Ending – listen to Thorns, too – and what it all about. The Newcastle upon Tyne group have a rosy time ahead and cannot wait for them to clean up and conquer. If you have not heard their music and know what they are all about; get involved with their double A-side and make sure you hear every note. Swine Tax might have a great local reputation but, before too long, they will be a big name…
IN the wider world.
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Follow Swine Tax
PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Crowder
Twitter:
Facebook:
https://soundcloud.com/swinetax
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/swine_tax/
SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/swinetax
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1vcxydDAA4iMUh9gk38H4o
Bandcamp:
FEATURE: Sisters in Arms: An All-Female, Summer-Ready Playlist (Vol. X)
FEATURE:
Sisters in Arms
IN THIS PHOTO: Rising Appalachia
An All-Female, Summer-Ready Playlist (Vol. X)
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GOING into the weekend…
IN THIS PHOTO: Froya
I felt it only right to put another all-female playlist into the world. It is a selection of songs from the past few months that, to me, convey all the contrasts and emotions of the summer days. Investigate and hold close another bouquet of songs from some fantastic female artists that is guaranteed to kick off the weekend with…
IN THIS PHOTO: Sharkmuffin/PHOTO CREDIT: @mixtapemyheart
A real kick.
ALL PHOTOS (unless credited otherwise): Getty Images/Artist
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Froya – Black Macaroon
PHOTO CREDIT: @ferguson.photo
Sonia Stein – Change Shapes
Raja Kumari – I Did It
Sasha Sloan – Normal (stripped)
Dawn Landes – Keep on Moving
Ama Lou – DDD
Rising Appalachia – Resilient
Cleo Sol – Why Don’t You
Donna Missal – Keep Lying
Olivia Noelle – Fck Around & Fall in Luv
PHOTO CREDIT: Adam Antalek
Mikaela Davis – Other Lover
Sa-Roc – Forever
Kiana Ledé - EX
Mpho Sebona – No Evil
Juanita Stein – Get Back to the City
King Princess – Talia
Jaira Burns – Sugarcoat
PHOTO CREDIT: @mixtapemyheart
Sharkmuffin – Liz Taylor
Jade Novah – All Blue
Greta Jaime – Computer Games
Lily Moore – I Will Never Be
Keeana Kee – Let’s Make Love
PHOTO CREDIT: Ebru Yildiz
Anna Burch – Yeah You Know
Sinead Harnett– Body
Leah Nobel - Coffee Sunday NYT
INTERVIEW: Chasing Jonah
INTERVIEW:
Chasing Jonah
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THE fabulous Chasing Jonah…
has been telling me about the video for her new single, Feel So High, and whether the song holds personal relevance. The Florida-based artist talks about the music scene in St. Petersburg and tells me whether more material will come later in the year – she picks a promising artist we should get our ears around.
I ask Chasing Jonah whether touring, and U.K. dates, are a possibility and how important it is being up on the stage; how she spends her downtime; the advice she would give to artists coming through – she ends the interview by selecting an amazing track!
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Hi, Chasing Jonah. How are you? How has your week been?
It's been chaotic, but fun! Just finished filming another music video and I'm so tired that I'm not even sure how I'm still forming coherent sentences.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
I'm an Alternative Electro-Pop artist and songwriter currently living in St. Petersburg, Florida. My lyrics tend to be introspective and vulnerable and I tend to pair them with cinematic and electronic sounds to help drive their stories. All of my writings have been inspired by personal experiences and internal battles.
I also love dogs and key lime pie.
Feel So High is your new song. What inspired the lyrics? Does it hold personal relevance?
It does hold personal relevance. I know it comes off as a flirty and seductive song at first, but it's really about being caught in an unhealthy and, yet, addictive relationship; something you keep getting sucked back into even though you know it keeps hurting you.
It is an instant and memorable song. Did you know, once it was recorded, it would be an instant earworm?
It is definitely one of my personal favorites. It's so much fun to play and I love the synth sounds in it. You never know how other people will feel though. Releasing your art into the world is always a vulnerable process no matter how confident you might be in what you've created.
What inspired the fun music video for Feel So High?
It started as a joke in the studio between myself and the producers. We were making up preposterous scenes that involved a cat. I decided I would actually bring it to life as a joke and everyone on my team ended up loving it.
Is there more material coming later in the year, perhaps?
Absolutely! We've got a few more singles and music videos on the way!
The music video for War Paint has taken on a life of its own! Has it been strange seeing how far it has gone?!
The music video for War Paint started as a collaborative concept with some of my fire-spinner friends based out of Orlando, Florida. It was a lot of fun to create - and they even taught me how to use poi, fans and a little dragon staff so I could play with them. The song itself ended up being featured on the second season of the T.V. show, Lucifer, and that also really helped to draw attention to the video!
Being based out of Florida; what is the music scene like where you are? Are there a lot of great local artists?
I love the music scene in Florida. I currently live in St. Pete and I love that there is always a good show happening somewhere. I've also found a lot of great acts in Orlando and Jacksonville as well. A lot of us really enjoy trading shows with each other, which really helps the community.
Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?
This fall, I will be mostly touring through the East Coast of the U.S. and part of the Midwest. Some of my favorite cities that I look forward to going back to are New York, Philadelphia; Atlanta, Asheville and of some cities throughout Florida. I'm also planning on visiting some new places like Austin, Dallas; Chicago and more!
Might you be heading to the U.K. at all? Do you like British music?
I would absolutely love to! We will see where these single releases bring us! I would love to head to the U.K. next year and, yes, I love a lot of British music. Daughter has been one of my biggest inspirations as well as James Blake, Labrinth and Florence + the Machine.
Is the stage the place you feel the strongest and most free? How important is it being up there and performing to the crowd?
I definitely try to make the stage my home when I'm there. It can be terrifying sometimes, especially when it's a new audience that doesn't know you. You're basically getting naked in front of people that can judge you, shame you and/or be rude to you if they wanted - or they could love you. But, when it's an audience that already likes you, it feels as though you're inviting loved ones into your home and connecting with them on a deep level.
It's definitely a challenge when circumstances are always changing. When you start out, you can play to a handful of people or a few hundred people on different nights. Some people are so drunk that they try and talk over you and you wonder why you're there - and then some people are there because they really love the music. Sometimes, you have a sound-system that doesn't work well and you can't hear yourself, so you're just hoping that you're on-pitch the entire time and sometimes everything sounds and feel so perfect it's like you're floating on a cloud.
My goal has been to stay consistent no matter what the circumstance is; to perform like it's the best show every time.
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
I'd really love to just have great and successful releases and a really fun tour. Maybe, a few more T.V./film placements as well. Right now, I'm also working on trying to finish my new album by the end of the year.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
One of the most moving experiences I've ever had was sitting in a room with an incredible chamber orchestra that was recording the strings for a few of my songs (that will be on the next album). David Campbell had arranged the strings and he was also there conducting. I asked if I could sit inside the tracking room as they were going through the songs before they started recording. I sat on the floor and just wept. It was the most beautiful sound and feeling I had ever experienced.
I thought to myself: ‘If not a single person downloads these songs or cares to listen, everything I've been through and worked for is still worth this experience’. Even now, when I'm feeling discouraged, it helps to put myself back in that moment and envision it happening again.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Well; a few of my favorite musicians/artists right now are Janelle Monáe, Aurora and Regina Spektor but, if I stood in the same room as them, I would probably just pass out.
As for a rider, since I constantly forget to eat, my rider would have it so my green room had tons of healthy food before and after the show. That's the one thing I haven't gotten the hang of just yet: making sure I have consistent and healthy food on the road. I would also like a box of puppies, maybe from a shelter. Maybe I could even help get them adopted at the shows. There is something so magical and calming about new life, specifically in the form of puppies. That's, like, way down the road though; when I get to the point where I'm allowed to ask for ridiculous things.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
My advice would be to strive to be the most authentic versions of themselves. People respond well to honesty and it really shows in your art. It's easy to get discouraged, but when you really put yourself out there, those who resonate with what you are doing will support you. It takes time, but being able to create your unique art that really impacts people is so much better than being a flash in the pan.
Not everyone will like what you're doing and that's ok. The point is to be able to do what makes you happy and what helps you become a better person. If people really connect with what you're doing along the way, then that is a great plus.
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
At this moment, I've got a slight obsession with Aisha Badru. I discovered her by chance on Instagram and I can't stop listening to her. Her lyrics are so deep and I also love her music videos.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
I really don't get much time, especially before new releases. I do have this bad habit of working myself until I mentally and physically just crash. Luckily, I live about fifteen minutes from the beach and another ten minutes from a bay where you can see dolphins. Being in those environments really helps me re-center when I remember to take the time for myself.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Bridges by Aisha Badru. The music video for that song is a masterpiece.
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FEATURE: Sisters in Arms: An All-Female, Summer-Ready Playlist (Vol. IX)
FEATURE:
Sisters in Arms
IN THIS PHOTO: Poppy Ajudha
An All-Female, Summer-Ready Playlist (Vol. IX)
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THE ninth edition of this playlist…
IN THIS PHOTO: July Jones
introduces some fantastic talent and reveals some wonderful songs. There is a mixture of lascivious, sweat-dripping and fierce alongside tender, flowing and warming. This playlist represents the two sides of summer: those intense days where the heat gets into the skin; the nights that are more bearable but have an incredible grace and allure. Included in this rundown are tracks from Poppy Ajudha, Tracey Thorn; Little Sparrow, Beth Rowley and July Jones. It is a fantastic collection that highlights some of the finest female talent…
IN THIS PHOTO: Beth Rowley/PHOTO CREDIT: @jonnyrowley
EMERGING right now!
ALL PHOTOS/IMAGES (unless credited otherwise): Getty Images/Artist
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Lola Kirke – Sexy Song
Stephcynie – Friends
Little Sparrow (ft. Robin Dewhurst) – Baggy Trousers
PHOTO CREDIT: Olga Ush Photography
Valentina Blú - higher&higher
La Luz - Cicada
EMM – No Gods
PHOTO CREDIT: Rebecca Johnson Photography
Katie Buxton – Green Light
Georgia Box – I Don’t Want You Anymore
Mahalia - I Wish I Missed My Ex
Chelsea Wolfe – The Culling
Bella Hardy – The Same Mistakes
PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Chalmers Photography
Megan Airlie – Honey
Beth Rowley – Howl at the Moon
Tiger Darrow – American Dreamer
Rachel Cousins – Let Go
Fever Ray - Musn’t Hurry (Aasthma Remix)
Tash Sultana – Salvation
Tracey Thorn – Dancefloor
Brooke Lanziner – Relapse
July Jones – I Fall Apart
Wallace – Frame By Frame
Pip Millett – Love the Things You Do
Haneri – Feel Alright
Poppy Ajudha – She Is the Sum
katie MAC – Gold
INTERVIEW: Nia Orea
INTERVIEW:
Nia Orea
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TAKING us towards the weekend…
with a sense of calm and magic is Nia Orea. I have been speaking with the songwriter about her debut E.P., Gifted, and what it was like putting it together. She gives me a flavour of the artists who inspire her own work; how important her fans’ support is – I ask whether there are any gigs coming up.
Orea talks about her uncle managing Bob Marley and the impact that had on her; what she hopes to achieve before the end of this year; which upcoming act we should follow – she ends the interview by selecting a rather good song.
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Hi, Nia. How are you? How has your week been?
I’m great! My week’s been awesome! Soaking in most of the sun: the weather here in London is fantastic right now. Go heat wave!
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
My name is Nia Orea and I make Electronic music. I love E.D.M., Trap and Futurebass - and my mission is to take your ears and mind into my journey.
Gifted is your debut E.P. Has it been exciting putting the songs together and completing it?
Yes! This project is extra-special to me because, during the process, there were setbacks and tribulations, but the magic pulled through in the end. I also got to work with some inspiring people.
The songs mix different genres and sounds. Are you quite eclectic in your tastes? Which artists inspire you?
The sound-system was always on in our house! I grew up listening to different types of Electronic music and Soft Rock. My dad was Electronic and Dance music whilst my mom was obsessed with the '80s artists like Madonna and Janet Jackson. Our household blasted an array of genres - we had record players, tapes and huge C.D. collection. As a kid, I was also obsessed with theatrical music and soundtracks. Guess it all rubbed off on me!
Your tracks have received a lot of love online. Is the support you get from fans important? Do they give you a lot of drive and confidence?
Oh, yes! I love my fans and I love how they let me know how they feel when they listen to my tracks. Critics are also important to me: it helps me improve so that I can make sure that I hit you with something great, always.
Do you recall when music came into your life? Did you learn an instrument when you were a child?
Yes. From a very young age, I was in my school choirs and plays! I self-taught myself how to play the recorder and I did a few lessons in piano and guitar.
Is it true your uncle managed Bob Marley?! Did he instil a love of the Reggae in you?
Yes. My uncle is a legend (R.I.P.) but his motivation and true love for Reggae music and Bob are what inspired me. He worked hard, very hard, and been through so much during his time working with Bob. But, those hurdles didn’t stop him from assisting Bob in following his dreams. Music was his life, as it is mine!
Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?
Where do you guys wanna see me play? You’ll, possibly, catch me touring in the U.S. very soon. We’re working on something there and, of course, Europe. I would also love to tour Japan!
How important is it being on stage and delivering to the audience? Can you describe that feeling?
It feels great - making that connection with the people that listen to your music and story! I’m there to put on a show and make sure you guys have a great time. I wanna make sure it’s a performance you’ll always remember.
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
I would love to tour or perform with the musicians I admire and that I look up to…or even just meeting them. That would be good enough.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music - the one that sticks in the mind?
That time I performed Hero for my high-school and I sang my heart out. Yes, I can sing and, yes, I’m shy but I could not see a damn thing when I was on that stage! The person controlling the lights sucked, it was all up in my eyes. But, that was good for me cause I couldn’t see the crowd and I wasn’t nervous. Haha. I was like twelve or something.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Haha. Nice question. Skittles, but only blue and red ones. Cheetos - loads of Cheetos -, olives and feta cheese. Cans of Ting; jerk chicken and rice and peas with loads of fried plantain on the side!
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Stay focused and don’t rush! It’s ok to take a break and collect your mind. Identify areas where you’re weak and work on it.
IN THIS PHOTO: Tune (Keys N Krates)
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Keys N Krates is a talented band! Check 'em out as they are making waves right now.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
I’m a gamer so, if I’m not making music, I’m probably playing Fortnite or some other game! I also love hanging with my friends on day outs, good food and vibes.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Flume (ft. Kai) - Never Be Like You
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INTERVIEW: Rob Dickson
INTERVIEW:
Rob Dickson
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I have been talking with Rob Dickson…
about his new single, Water Rushing In, and what sort of themes are discussed and explored in the upcoming album, Looking Through Your Window. Dickson talks about his musical tastes and the scene in Yukon (Canada) – he recommends some upcoming artists we should keep our eyes peeled for.
I ask whether tour dates are coming up and the possibility of U.K. dates; what advice he would give to artists emerging; the three albums that mean the most to him – Dickson talks about writing on the road and how he unwinds away from music.
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Hi, Rob. How are you? How has your week been?
Great. I'm traveling for work in a remote community and enjoying the sights and fresh air. I’m looking forward to getting home to my family, though.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
I'm a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in Whitehorse, Yukon (Canada). I just finished my second album and I'm gearing up for its release and some touring this fall.
Water Rushing In is your new single. Is there a story behind the song?
There are a few stories embedded in that song. I wrote it in a few different parts and had to rework the lyrics a few times. It's sort of a portrait of a hybrid character I made up based on three individual characters.
One is an indigenous person, one is a dairy farmer and one is a logger. I was trying to imagine how different people experienced colonization and industrialization in Canada - and this portrait began to emerge in the form of a song.
It is from the L.P., Looking Through Your Window. Are there consistent themes and stories that inspired the music?
On this record, I wanted to try a different approach. After writing, recording and performing the songs for my first record, Proof of Our Years, which was very introspective, I think I naturally wanted to look outwards for inspiration. I started grappling with how individuals interface with the world, how our experiences and memories shape our view of the world and form our predispositions and perspective.
I was looking out and was pretty horrified by what was happening around the world with the rise of nationalist groups, politics of fear; mistreatment of indigenous people and the environment. I think that made me want to examine the perspectives of myself and those around me through the songs.
Is it easy getting reception and opportunities where you are in Yukon (Canada)? What is the scene like there?
Canada and the Yukon, in particular, are pretty decent places to live as an artist. There are so many programs in place to support the making of creative work. It is very hard to tour profitably though due to the vast distances between cities - but I find audiences are really kind for the most part.
I get a sense travel and movement influences your music. Do you write a lot whilst commuting?
I have a pretty busy schedule at home so it can be hard to find minutes in the day to write at home. I also find my mind is a little clearer and less occupied by work and general tasks when I'm on the move. So, yeah, I definitely like to write a lot while traveling. I try to play guitar and play around with melodies every night at home too - but, I find it hard to get in the right headspace to write words at home.
Which musicians inspired you when you were growing up? Did your parents open your eyes to lots of different sounds?
When I was a kid, I listened to a lot of records my dad had in the car: lots of '60s and '70s singer-songwriter music like Joan Armatrading, Billy Bragg; Neil Young and '70s and '80s Pop and New Wave like the Cure, Squeeze and The Kinks. I really liked listening to that music and imagining myself living in that world.
Will there be any live dates coming up? Where can we see you play?
I'll be playing a bunch of shows between Montreal and Toronto at the beginning of September which I'm really excited for!
Can we see you in the U.K. this year?
I don't have any dates in U.K. yet, but I'd really like to plan a U.K./Europe tour soon. I'd love to hear from anyone with an empty festival slot (smiles).
Do you have any ambitions to fulfil before the end of the year?
Plan a U.K./Europe tour for 2019!
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
I got to play a show with John K. Sampson last year. That was pretty surreal and lovely.
Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?
One Hundred Dollars - Songs of Man
The Barr Brothers - The Barr Brothers
Land of Talk - Some Are Lakes
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Focus on making the best music you can make - that's the most important thing. Work hard and be critical but have fun and remember music is a form of play. Be yourself and don't be afraid to reach out and ask people for help. Most people love to help people.
IN THIS PHOTO: Ansley Simpson
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Ansley Simpson is an incredible songwriter who is doing really great things with her music right now. I'm also really into Jennifer Castle, SUUNS; U.S. Girls and The Highest Order.
IN THIS PHOTO: U.S. Girls
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
I do try and make time to relax without thinking about my work. It can be hard to do, though; I have become a bit obsessive about it. I like getting outside and running or biking. I do those things regularly for fun and they help me clear my head and put things back into perspective. I also spend lots of time with my partner and our kids. They help ground me I think.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Where the Sparrows Drop - One Hundred Dollars
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INTERVIEW: Moderate Rebels
INTERVIEW:
Moderate Rebels
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THE incredible Moderate Rebels have been talking with me…
about their new track, Beyond Hidden Words, and how it came together. They tell me about their forthcoming album and what we can expect in terms of themes and stories – I discover how Moderate Rebels got together and what the secret to their sound/music is.
I ask how important it is getting on stage and performing; which upcoming artists we should have a listen to; whether there is any time to unwind – they reveal what gigs are coming up and pick some cool songs to end the interview with.
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Hi, Moderate Rebels. How are you? How has your week been?
Hello. Good, thanks. We’ve had a good week. People have been kind enough to play the new Moderate Rebels song on the radio and also write encouraging things about it…so; we’ll smell the flowers along the way, why not?
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?
Moderate Rebels is a collective of friends, based in London, that get together to make music that hopefully is of its time (i.e. now). We call ourselves ‘anti-music’ as the emphasis is on feeling and ideas rather than technique or cultivating musical skill. We work with our limitations and look to make music we like - that’s it, really.
Beyond Hidden Words is your new single. What is the story behind the song?
Uses of language, generally, seems to be a running theme in Moderate Rebels songs: what words are used to justify all kinds of behaviour and their different potential meanings – and, also, what is and isn’t said is part of that too. But, we feel this is a really hopeful song…maybe about breaking through all of that; getting past those slippery words, and what’s not said, and into strong feelings and people joining together…to look to put a stop to things that they don’t feel should be going on.
It is from your forthcoming album. Can you reveal any titles and themes that are explored?
How language can be used and misused is certainly in there. Also; how the energy and glorious noise of music can genuinely lift up your feelings and, therefore, from that start to make a better day, perhaps…
It lifts us - so that’s why it’s coming out into the world, really.
Do you think there is a secret ingredient in your music? How would you define the ethos and sound of Moderate Rebels?
It’s not a secret as such, but actively not thinking is a really big part of what’s going on for us. The music seems to arrive in an unconscious way: we don’t try to write it. We didn’t try to record this album or the last; they just arrived. Embracing our limitations is important, as is simplicity: “Use as few words and chords as possible” we say. Around the first album, someone said Moderate Rebels were “simple but complicated” which we liked.
How did you two find one another? Was there an instant spark?
There are many members of Moderate Rebels - but only some people will show up for photos…others only play at gigs; others do artwork or go to the studio etc. We found each other the usual way, really: friends, other music groups; parties, friends of friends etc. Some people will be involved in some things but not others.
It’s a fluid set up, which suits everyone.
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
Not to be funny here, but we don’t hope to achieve anything, really: we’d like people to hear the music we’ve made and we want to play some fun shows. Maybe make another album after that. There’s nothing we want to chase with this; making the album we want to make and putting it out into the world is the achievement for us. There’s nothing much to win and nothing much to lose beyond that.
Have you both got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
We had a very good time playing Rockaway Beach at Butlin’s in January - and the first Moderate Rebels live show - where we really didn’t know what was going to happen. It could have been a total disaster…it was very exciting. That went so well that we decided to write more than just the one song we had at the time.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Kanye West. I do think he is one of the all-time greats. Yeezus may well be my album of the century so far...
Vegan curry on the rider, please.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
The only advice we have to offer is…don’t listen to anyone’s advice…we don’t think that’s the
best way to get to the point of doing whatever it may be that you would really want to do.
Where can we see you play? Do you have any gigs approaching?
11th August at Tooting Tram & Social; another gig in October in London, plus a few more…and then we are doing a U.K. tour in late-November around the album.
How does your live set usually sound? Will you be playing new album tracks or dipping into your past work for upcoming gigs?
Some shows we’ve done have just been thirty-minute versions of one song: sometimes, we do six songs. There’s no constant. New and old songs probably, yeah. But, they will be different from the album versions and, sometimes, pretty different. We’re not particularly interested in faithful reproductions - you can listen to the albums for that. We want to make unrepeatable live moments if we can.
Is it important getting on stage and putting your music to the people? What kind of buzz do you get?
Very important, really. It was the reason we carried on with Moderate Rebels, after the first show, and did more music. If our gigs are approached correctly by us then it should have an unpredictable element and tangible risk of collapse in it…which seems to bring the best out of the group and also make it more engaging than just another gig for the audience.
We would much rather risk the odd disaster here and there and reach for something special than be just reliable or professionally slick. Personally; we’re just not inspired by that kind of stuff and we have no desire whatsoever to be light entertainers.
IN THIS PHOTO: Rodents/PHOTO CREDIT: Habeeb Giwa
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
South London’s Rodents are fun. Quite like what I’ve heard by The Blinders, too.
IN THIS PHOTO: The Blinders
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
Losing ourselves in music, listening and playing, is one of the main ways we unwind. Cycling about the place is also a favourite. Apart from that, the usual: books, films; art, dancing etc. Nothing that special.
Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Kids See Ghosts (Kanye West, Kid Cudi) - Reborn
Arctic Monkeys - American Sports
Spacemen 3 - Big City (Everybody I Know Can Be Found Here)
Mark Pritchard (ft. Gregory Whitehead) - Come Let Us
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Follow Moderate Rebels
INTERVIEW: AKIVA
INTERVIEW:
AKIVA
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WITH Donald Trump parking his orange backside…
in the U.K. for a few days; it seems like a perfect time to speak with AKIVA about their new single, Ammunition. They talk about figures like Donald Trump and the impact they are having on the world; how the band got together and the sort of artists they are influenced by – I ask whether there will be gigs and more material before the end of the year.
AKIVA select a new act we should be looking out for; whether there is any chance to chill when not making music; which artist they’d support on tour given the chance; what advice they would offer upcoming acts – the guys each select a song to end the interview with.
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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?
Pretty special. We released our new single, Ammunition, and watched England get to their first World Cup semi-final in twenty-eight years. Doesn’t get much better than that!
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?
We’re AKIVA. There are four of us and we’re from Bedfordshire. We’re into analogue synth. loops; drum-beats with a groove; rolling basslines; Stones-y guitar sounds and big choruses. Our sound was probably originally inspired by all that Electro-Indie crossover stuff that came out of the nineties: The Charlatans, Primal Scream; UNKLE; Black Grape; Doves; Stereo MC’s etc. – and, also more recently, the likes of The Horrors, Jamie T and Beyond the Wizards Sleeve. We’re also big fans of trying to use music to get a message across - particularly in the volatile climate we currently live in.
We were recently described as ‘George Orwell-meets-The Killers’ - which is not far off.
The video for Ammunition is out. What was it like working with Wayne McCauslin on it?
This is the second track we’ve worked on with Wayne and hopefully won’t be the last. He’s a real talent. We’re huge fans of his animation style. He totally gets our music and where we’re coming from and has the ability to take the messages we’re trying to convey in our songs to a whole new level with his visuals. He’s a real pleasure to work with and we feel very lucky to have crossed paths with him.
The song is getting a lot of great feedback. How did it come together? Is there a story behind the track?
Thanks. Yeah; this is actually quite an old song. We’ve been playing it live for a few years but never record it until now. It was originally inspired by the many hasty and disastrous military interventions made by the U.K. and U.S. the last ten to fifteen years: Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya; but it’s also a more general reflection on the international military conflict in general and how it rarely results in any positive outcomes. Unfortunately, with some of the lunatics we have in power at the moment, it feels like another one is not far away.
In a weird way; do twisted leaders like Donald Trump give you plenty of inspiration?! Are you ever surprised by what is happening in the world?!
There’s certainly plenty to write about at the moment! Yeah, Donald Trump is an imbecile (I’d like to see him in a room with De Niro) but I think he’s a symptom of a wider problem rather than a cause. There’s a worrying trend towards rising populism, nationalism and mistrust of others in all countries at the moment - and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see it get stronger. As long as inequality continues to rise, which it shows every sign of doing, more people will find crazy populists with dangerous ideas appealing.
The current climate feels very much like what I imagine the period before the Second World War to be like. I often used to wonder how it was possible that someone like Adolf Hitler ever got elected to power but, having lived through the few years, I can see how it happened. It’s a worry.
How did AKIVA come together? When did you all find one another?
We all went to school together. Rob and Dave are brothers and were at junior-school with Malc. I moved down from the North and met the others at secondary-school. We started out by messing around with guitar riffs and trying to learn the odd cover that we could play to our mates in the school talent shows and stuff. In the sixth-form, we started to take it a bit more seriously and set up camp in Dave and Rob’s foam-plastered garage - much to the disappointment of their neighbours.
That’s when we formed the band properly.
Is there going to be an album or E.P. coming from the band later in the year?
Yes, there is. We have another single called Broken Ship which we’ll be releasing later this year as part of a four-track E.P. There’s a theme of conflict and political tension that runs through all the tracks on the E.P.
Which artists do you take guidance from? Who do you all count as idols?
There’s a long list! We take guidance from anything we like, which is quite a lot. We love all the classic old stuff like The Rolling Stones, The Who; The Beatles, The Kinks – they laid the blueprint for male guitar bands and you can’t help but be influenced by them.
We’re also quite into Electronic music and were influenced by a lot of early-nineties Rave and Dance music and bands that took that feel and crossed it over into the guitar space like The Stone Roses and The Charlatans - as well as the likes of The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers. More recently, we’re big fans of The Horrors, Tame Impala and Everything Everything: three amazing bands with incredible layering and sonic detail in their tracks.
What do you hope to achieve before the end of 2018?
Hopefully, to just get more people to hear our music and see our videos. We’re pretty proud of what we’ve created and we want as many people to hear it as possible.
Have you all got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
We’ve been together as a four for a long time and we’re really tight mates. Some of my favourite memories are from the adventures we had when we were first starting out. I’ll never forget a time we hired a van for a gig in Greenwich and Rob, our bass player, was driving us all down (bass players always drive the van!).
He crashed it into a massive concrete bollard as he tried to reverse-park into a tight space outside the gig venue. He then proceeded to grind the side panel backwards and forwards on the bollard whilst trying unsuccessfully to get it out. It just got worse and worse and we were pissing ourselves laughing.
For some reason, that one always sticks out in my mind. It just reminds me of a time feeling very free when nothing seemed to matter. That’s what I love about being involved with music – when it allows you to feel like that.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
I think it would have to be The Stone Roses. Us supporting them on a stage in Manchester and then joining them at the end of their set for I Am the Resurrection. I think I’ve had that dream about fifty times.
The rider would be sixty-eight lemons and eighty-nine tins of red, white; blue, black and gold paint. Maybe we’d throw it all over ourselves and the crowd in the encore for a great big, united; Jackson Pollock, paint-splattered psychedelic groove-out.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Be prepared to graft: put some serious hours in and just keep going. There’ll be times when it feels like nobody’s listening but don’t let it set you back, just keep on. Never stop trying to learn from the music you love and trying to refine and improve your art. The ultimate pleasure in it all comes from realising you’ve created something you didn’t think you were capable of.
Where can we see you play? Do you have any gigs approaching?
Yeah. We’re playing at Pennfest on Friday, 20th July. We’re on the main stage at 2:45 P.M. It’s a pretty big gig for us. We’re on before The Bluetones - which is pretty special for us as we’ve always been big fans. I think we played a cover of Slight Return in our first-ever gig. We’re also playing The Finsbury in London on Saturday, 8th September.
IN THIS PHOTO: Hookworms
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
One of my favourite bands at the moment is a band called Hookworms from Leeds. They’re incredible: full of sonic layers, bleeping analogue synths; Krautrock beats and howling vocals. Right up our street. I’ve not been able to see them live yet. They don’t tour much as they all also have full-time jobs (something we can identify with!). Their latest album, Microshift, is brilliant. Go and check it out.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
Not really. We don’t tend to do much unwinding. In the age where all music is free, there’s not much money in it for smaller independent band like us (and Hookworms!); so you need another job to pay the bills. When we’re not working, we tend to work on the band, whether it’s rehearsing, writing; recording or working with visual artists on the graphics and videos. There’s never enough time.
I remember watching that Ian Curtis film, Control, and thinking how knackered he must have been in the scenes when he’s working full-time in a Macclesfield office before jumping in the car and driving down to play in London…then back up to Macclesfield for work again the next day. It can feel like that sometimes but it’s all good. Wouldn’t want it any other way.
Music’s a pretty addictive thing and I tend to spend most of my time thinking about it when I’m not doing it. Whenever you do get a break, it doesn’t take long before you want to dive straight back in.
Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
With pleasure. I’ll go for Can’t Do by Everything Everything. I absolutely love this band. Their music is so clever, layered and intricate but still has loads of catchy Pop hooks in it. You can love their tunes after one listen but still find something new each time you go back to it. They recorded this in the same studio we recorded Ammunition and Luke - one of our engineers worked on it. That was quite inspirational for me.
Malc (Guitar): The Horrors are right up there for me. Top band and their last album, V, has some of their best work in my opinion. The track I love most is Press Enter to Exit which has sounded ever-better cracked loud in the summer sun. I challenge anyone to hear that awesome grooving bass and not nod their head or shuffle their feet. Add to that the huge distorted drum break and grinding machine guitars and you have a dream track for me....oh, yeah, and it has a doorbell in it. Cool, hey!
Dave Merc (Drums): My choice is Electric Man by Rival Sons. Love that guitar riff and solid drum beat
Rob (Bass). I’ll go for an old track – Dying Days by Screaming Trees. '60s Psych vibes with soulful vocals. My favourite to listen to in the car on long, hot drives on my own
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INTERVIEW: Domanique Grant
INTERVIEW:
Domanique Grant
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I have been chatting with Domanique Grant…
about her debut single, Investment, and what its tale is. She talks about her upcoming E.P., Playhouse, and the themes that inspired the songs; which artists were important to her growing up; why the Canadian thinks her nation is producing so many great artists – Grant gives some useful advice to upcoming songwriters.
I was curious to know whether there will be any touring dates and which new artist we should follow; if she gets time to relax away from music – Grant chooses a classic song to end the interview on.
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Hi, Domanique. How are you? How has your week been?
Hey, Sam! I’m great. Soldiering through this intense Toronto heat but loving the sunshine.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
I’m Domanique Grant and I’m a singer-songwriter from Toronto that love’s making music that reminds people to feel something. I’d say, genre-wise, I’m a fusion of Pop, Soul and World - and I’m usually compared to fusions of artists like Sia and Sade, but you tell me (smiles).
Investment is your debut single. What inspired the song’s creation?
Yes! Investment is my debut single - and I’m so happy to finally share it with the world.
Investment is about what we’d get in return if we were able to quantify all that we’ve given up for relationships. I had a blast working with Grammy and Juno-nominated producers Kuya on this record and they really brought it to life. Investment was inspired by a bad dating experience that simultaneous coincided with seeing friend after friend giving their all in long relationships, only to see their partners take all that they could, leaving them with little.
I really wanted to talk about the non-committed culture of dating in big cities alongside failed relationships and losing yourself after all is said and done...but, I wanted to talk about it through the lens of picking yourself up and starting all over again.
It is taken from your debut E.P., Playhouse. Can you reveal what sort of themes and stories you drew from to create the songs?
Well. I grew up living in quite a few big cities around the world, from cities in South America to East Africa. When you travel a lot growing up, you experience the world a bit differently and Playhouse really takes those real experiences - stories, I guess - and turns them into themes. The songs are all pretty personal as one of the underlying themes that Playhouse explores is how these experiences shape the meaning of home for me.
The E.P. starts from that perspective and ties it to conversations about relationships, identity; dream-chasing and more.
You moved between continents and was a motivational speaker. How did you settle into music – did you learn a lot from those early years?
I definitely did learn a lot.
In a strange way, the motivational speaking and travelling really informed my music today. I grew up playing instruments like the cello and piano, writing poems and shower-singing to the greats. I was just an odd, curious kid. Odd kids don’t always fit in and, I guess, that’s where reminding others that they do (fit in) turned into speaking. For a while, though, I felt like I just didn’t have anything important enough to write about. I actually really settled into music when the travelling got the busiest because I needed another way to share my experiences living in new places.
After settling back in Toronto, I was invited to be a part of a Dora-nominated theatre production where I was asked to include original music that connected with my life. After the show sold out and was nominated for a number of awards, I realized that this was something that I wanted to do and that’s when I started recording.
Have you always been into music? Which artists struck your heart growing up?
Music has always been a part of my life in some form. I was obsessed with a bunch of artists growing up. A few of them were Alanis Morissette, Sade; Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley. I’d almost always have one of their songs on-repeat. They all told stories in a way that made you want to jump into their songs and celebrate, while still managing to affect you emotionally.
I am seeing a lot of great Canadian artists emerge. Do you think there is a reason the nation is providing so many great musicians?
Canada has an incredible industry that supports the arts and I think that - aside from the raw talent that has always been here - we’re really fortunate to have funding and resources that also support artists at all levels. The rise in artists like Drake, Justin Bieber and The Weeknd have also put Canada on the map - but, I also think that Canadians are hard workers and talented and that just speaks for itself.
Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?
Tour dates will be announced really soon at Domaniquegrant.com and I can’t wait to share.
Will you visit the U.K. this year and see us?
I’ll definitely be in the U.K. in 2019: another adventure that will be a first! We may be there sooner, though. I’ve heard incredible things about visiting and, aside from the incredible talent and fans there, you guys have this amazing chocolate with cornflakes that I can’t find anywhere else!
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
Finally sharing music with the world and (just) enjoying the process of a lot of firsts - including my first E.P., my first tour stops and more. I get butterflies thinking about it.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
I’d say one of my favourite memories was doing my first TED Talk. It was on my bucket list and it was an experience that I’ll never forget.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Errr; that’s a tough one there are so many artists that I love. Definitely Sade, Beyoncé or Sia right now…I can’t choose. Just because I’m also a '90s kid I’d have to say that, if the Spice Girls ever did a reunion, I would opt for a sixth spot (smiles).
Rider-wise. Hmm; well, seven random things, in no particular order, would include:
1. Raw honey
2. Marshmallows and liquorice (my embarrassing love)
3. Hot yoga studio
4. Lots of mangoes
5. A puppy (Mariah Carey-style, just to say that I did it…plus, I love animals)
6. Fenty makeup – just in case mine ran out
7. A humidifier
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Create music that you want to hear and be true to yourself (smiles).
IN THIS IMAGE: Chloe x Halle
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
I’m a huge Chloe x Halle fan; though they’re getting pretty popular so I don’t know if they’re new anymore.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
Not as much anymore. I love nature and love yoga so I think I’d be somewhere climbing mountains until I got to a dramatic flatbed to stretch in (laughs). That, or binge-watching until the new Game of Thrones season comes out. I also love a good book!
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman. One of my favourites.
For anyone reading that needs a reminder to live and appreciate exactly where they are...
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INTERVIEW: SEIL LIEN
INTERVIEW:
PHOTO CREDIT: Jimi Rae
SEIL LIEN
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THE majestic and wonderful…
SEIL LIEN has been telling me about the single, I Am Fire, and her fantastic new E.P., A Little While More. She talks to me about getting into music and the sort of influences, musical and parental, that helped guide her career – I ask which songs from the E.P. SEIL LIEN responds to hardest.
The songwriter discusses touring and explains the importance of being up on the stage; a new artist we should follow and watch closely; whether there is much time to relax away from music – she ends the interview by selecting a rather good song.
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Hi, SEIL LIEN. How are you? How has your week been?
Hwat! This weather! Just back from Glasgow, caught Mr Matt White (our bass/guitar player) playing with The Temperance Movement at Trnsmt Festival; I then hung back to see the folks and get things organised for our Scottish dates at the end of the month.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
I’m SEIL LIEN (pronounced Seal lee-in). It's my Chinese name: my mother's Scottish and my dad’s Chinese. It means ‘little lotus’.
It started as a little underground arts band creating live ambient landscapes, improvising and collaborating with different types of artists. It eventually mutated into a more structured band format but I have tried to stay true to its roots, placing a lot of importance on creating atmosphere.
I am interested in I Am Fire. How did that song come together and what does it mean to you?
I had written the main guitar riff and had penned a couple of variations of the song. When I took it to the producer (and artist in the same name) Rico he got it; he could feel what I wanted to put across. We did a fifteen-hour session. It was a cold, dark Christmas night and we ripped it apart and put it back together again.
It’s not a blow-by-blow true story but certainly relatable. It’s kind of about admitting that you're sabotaging a relationship - it’s not my story but it’s a narrative I've certainly danced with on more than one occasion.
IN THIS PHOTO: Frank To (who designed the artwork for I Am Fire)
Can you tell me about the cover art for the single and how that was put together?
An old school acquaintance was making incredible artwork and he is being hailed as one of Scotland's most exciting contemporary artists. In his current work and the piece he did for I Am Fire, he manipulates and sets fire to gunpowder. It's really special!
The E.P., A Little While More, is out. Do you think there are particular themes and stories that go into the songs?
It’s all true in one way or another...
I wanted the songs to create a mood rather than just the words painting a picture. It's important to me that music is emotionally tangible. I worked really hard on that and really hope it comes across.
Is there a song from the E.P. that stands as a favourite? Which tracks means the most?
Hmmm; not really. Although, if you had a gun to my head: I Am Fire is my favourite to play; Chase the Devil is my favourite to sing and A Little While More is my favourite to hear back.
Do you recall when music came into your life? Was there a moment or artist that lit that fuse?
My dad plays classical Spanish guitar. I have memories of sitting by his feet watching him play things like Suite Española No. 5 Asturias. This passion for Spanish and Latin American guitar was passed down from his father. I’ve inherited the most phenomenal record collection and I’m very much influenced by it.
I was a teenager in the '90s; I was into all the typical grungy stuff – Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Alice in Chains. I'm not sure who lit what to be honest…
PHOTO CREDIT: Jimi Rae
The moment that lit the fuse for this particular project I can actually pinpoint. It was seeing a music and dance collaboration between Nitin Sawhney and Akram Khan. I was so blown away, I came out of the theatre and said: “I want to do that”. That’s when I started working with dancers and started creating 'atmospheric' music. It was the beginning of SEIL LIEN.
Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?
I’m playing at the Hope and Anchor in Islington on 18th July and I’m very privileged to be opening for Sylvain Sylvain from the New York Dolls at his book launch in Glasgow and Edinburgh on 26th and 27th July respectively.
IN THIS PHOTO: SEIL LIEN at Bush Hall supporting Sophie Barker (Zero 7 singer)
Is the stage the place you feel the strongest and most free? How important is it being up there and performing to the crowd?
Ha, well. I was always a reluctant performer: I’m naturally shy but the need is greater; it’s the strangest thing and I’m sure that’s a common story in the history of performers. I dropped out of art school so had to find another artform to express myself….
I didn’t really think about the consequences until the love for songwriting was greater than my fear of the stage. It's a pretty special way to connect with people, which is ultimately why you do it...so, very important!
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
I want the album to come out and for the people who get it to have the opportunity to get it and then we can all hook up and have a…party?
IN THIS IMAGE: The limited edition version of the single is available here
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
Getting the funding from Creative Scotland to make the record. I felt free!
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Nick Cave - and vodka martinis.
IN THIS PHOTO: SEIL LIEN and band setting up at the National Portrait Gallery, London/PHOTO CREDIT: Talya Jacoby
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Find your voice, get a mentor and carve your own path.
Some years ago, dealing with different commercial producers and major labels, I was always told to try and write ‘happy tunes'....which I'm not very good at! One of these times, I went to Rico and he said something that has always stayed with me and influenced a lot of my later choices: “Everyone. Everyone gets spat out the other side. The most important thing is that you can live with what you put out into the world. That you can look back and be proud of whatever happens”…
For me, that nailed it. Integrity is everything and, if no one likes it, so fuc*ing what. You made a bit of art that was good for you at the time...
Hey; well done you!
IN THIS PHOTO: La Luz/PHOTO CREDIT: @sub_lation
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Well; it’s probably not new but it was new to me. I was painting in my studio the other day, the sun was streaming through the window and it came on BBC Radio 6 Music: La Luz - California Finally. It was perfect: I wanted it to last for at least ten minutes.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
When you work in the arts, it’s tricky because it’s not a job you can put away at 6 P.M. and go home - and now you have to smear your every move over the socials it’s now even harder to separate your home life from your ‘work’. In the moments in-between, I walk my dog; I paint, I sketch; I write, I listen to records...
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Well. The sun's still shining and I'm off to the studio so, hey, La Luz - California Finally!
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INTERVIEW: Caplin & Massiah
INTERVIEW:
Caplin & Massiah
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BEFORE I wrap up the day’s work…
I have been speaking with Zeeteah Massiah and Paul Caplin of Calplin & Massiah. They have been telling me about their formation and the anti-Trump message behind All You – I ask them about Donald Trump and how they feel about his state visit to the U.K.
The duo reveals whether more material is coming and if touring is a possibility; the sort of sounds that influence their music; which new artists we should get behind – they each end the interview by selecting a song.
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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?
Hi! Our week has been exciting but a little exhausting as we race to get our new video ready.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?
We are Zeeteah Massiah and Paul Caplin; a husband-and-wife musical partnership. We’ve made two Zeeteah Massiah albums together and we’re now releasing our first track together as a duo, Caplin & Massiah.
How did Caplin & Massiah get together? When did you find one another?
We first met in 2005 when we were both visiting the same person in hospital. Zeeteah was living in Germany at the time but we kept in touch and over the next few years, our friendship grew into a romantic and musical partnership.
All You is your new single. I believe there is a strong anti-Donald Trump message. Was there a particular speech/moment from him that influenced the song?
Like so many people, we used to regard Trump as a joke, just a buffoon. As his campaign for the presidency gathered momentum and he gained in confidence, we began to be alarmed by the things he was saying and the popular support he was attracting. Now, as our song says, we don’t think it’s funny anymore. Paul says: “If there was one single turning point for me, it might have been the notorious and nauseating video clip of him mocking a disabled reporter”.
He is coming to see us in the U.K. on a state visit. Do you think he will be met with a lot of fury and protest? How do you think he is changing/affecting the world right now?
Major protests have already been organized around the country, including a huge march in London. It’s reassuring that people perceive the danger to all of us of allowing people like Trump to gain political power and are willing to do something to make their feelings known. How is Trump changing the world right now? He’s dragging the global economy down and sabotaging people’s sense of right and wrong, true and false.
Will there be more music from you in the coming months? What are you working on?
Zeeteah performs regularly at clubs around London. Catch her if you can! We’re preparing an album of her live performances and writing new Caplin & Massiah tracks. More soon!
I get splashes of Bajan and Reggae in your sounds. Can you give me an idea of the music you both grew up around?
Zeeteah was born in Barbados and grew up with Calypso and Reggae. As a teenager in London, Paul was into everything from Mozart to Psychedelic Rock. The two of us have been through so many stages of musical development and enjoyed so many different musical styles. We love it all.
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
Our immediate goal is to promote our new single, All You, and the message behind it. After that, Zeeteah’s live album and new Caplin & Massiah tracks.
Have you both got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
We both have so many…but:
Paul: Going from zero to famous overnight with Haysi Fantayzee - and the first time I wrote a song for Zeeteah.
Zeeteah: Singing with Tom Jones on a world tour. It was one long, crazy party (and what we’re doing now).
If you could both support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Zeeteah wins this one: Shirley Bassey. Tthe rider is that they get to sing a duet.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
All that matters in music is what you feel when you hear it. Make people feel.
Where can we see you play? Do you have any gigs approaching?
Zeeteah has lots of live shows coming up. Just google ‘Zeeteah gigs’.
How does your live set usually unravel? Will you be playing new album tracks or dipping into your past work for upcoming gigs?
‘Unravel’? Hopefully, it doesn’t do that…
Zeeteah’s live shows cover a huge range of music, including our albums and classics that she loves. Caplin & Massiah is mainly a studio project but we’ll be planning live shows once we’ve finished our first album.
Is it important getting on stage and putting your music to the people? What kind of buzz do you get?
Zeeteah: it’s absolutely my favourite thing.
Paul: I’m happiest in the studio - but watching Zeeteah perform is absolutely MY favourite thing.
IN THIS PHOTO: Lady Leshurr
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Lady Leshurr; Sherrie Silver (dancer) and Laurence Jones.
IN THIS PHOTO: Laurence Jones
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
Not at the moment! But, in general, we make plenty of time to relax. We’ve just moved out of London and it’s so easy to chill in our new home in the country.
Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Zeeteah: Bonnie Raitt - Something to Talk About
Paul: Nina Simone - I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
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FEATURE: Shaking Rumps, Rebellious Parties and Brass Monkeys: The Beastie Boys and Me
FEATURE:
Shaking Rumps, Rebellious Parties and Brass Monkeys
IN THIS PHOTO: The Beastie Boys/PHOTO CREDIT: Glen E. Friedman
The Beastie Boys and Me
__________
EVERY one of us can recall…
the sounds and albums that struck our ears at a very young age. We might not be able to locate that first moment; when music stuck in the mind and the world seemed like a much more interesting place! I can recall the sort of music I was listening to when I was in primary-school but, by the early-1990s, there was this strange, awesome force of nature: the Beastie Boys. I first discovered them when the band’s album, Check Your Head, was released in 1992. The album – the third from the clan – was met with critical praise and acceptance. There were some who felt the vastness of the cross-pollination was, at times, confusing – they admired the ingenuity and boldness. Stormers like Gratitude and Jimmy James were atom bomb-sized mindblows that sounded unlike anything else I had ever heard. My only exposure to Hip-Hop and Rap at that time was with the likes of Arrested Development and De La Soul – two U.S. outfits that were more ‘Flower Power’ and peaceful in their mantras. They combined wit and humanist outlook with something less controversial and more colourful. I would be greeted with the opposite end of the spectrum a bit later down the line: Public Enemy, N.W.A. and their ilk would open my eyes in a very different way! Check Your Head fascinated me because of its sheer number of tracks (twenty) and the fact it possessed economy – there were short numbers and no song really drags.
After having something genuinely thrilling to talk about in the playground; I went back and ‘caught up’ on the Beastie Boys. Their 1986 debut, Licensed to Ill, contained their hits, Fight for Your Right and Brass Monkey – stone-cold classics that could be chanted, sung and hummed without too much disciplinary backlash! Paul’s Boutique – the 1989 masterpiece that, at first, divided critics – seemed to suggest what Check Your Head would be but, in a way, reached further than any Beastie Boys album. It remains untouchable and, when I heard it around age eleven, I could not believe all these samples and sounds fusing together to create something cinematic, biblical and head-melting. I still get the same feelings and effects at the age of thirty-five. The reason I am bringing up the Beastie Boys’ work now is that their memoir, Beastie Boys Book, is out on 30th October:
“A description on the Beastie Boys’ website called Beastie Boys Book as “a panoramic experience” and “a book as unique as the band itself.” It will cover the entirety of the group’s career, “revealing and very funny accounts of their transition from teenage punks to budding rappers; their early collaboration with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin; the almost impossible-to-fathom overnight success of their debut studio album Licensed to Ill; that album’s messy fallout; their break with Def Jam, move to Los Angeles, and rebirth as musicians and social activists, with the genre-defying masterpiece Paul’s Boutique.” No doubt the book will also touch on the Beastie Boys’ later years, including the tragic death of MCA in 2012”.
I will be rushing out to get it for a couple of reasons: the fact the band is, sadly, without all of their founding members makes me wonder how they address the death of MCA (Adam Yauch). I wonder, too, whether new material will come in the future – is it possible to have a Beastie Boys record without Yauch?! Michael ‘Mike D’ Diamond and Adam ‘Ad-Roc’ Horovitz would be able to capture some of the spirit - but I wonder whether there would be a very discernible and noticeable gap?! (More on that later). Anyway…back to my experiences. Growing up in school meant inevitable discussion of Pop titans like Michael Jackson and Prince (bit of Soul and Funk in there) and, by the early-1990s, we had Grunge and Britpop coming in – the former died, I’d say, when Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) did in 1994; the latter sort of peaked a year later. There was that inevitable class-clash of Oasis (northern, working-class) and Blur (southern, lower-middle-class) and the styles each possessed – the more empathic, weed-infused togetherness of Oasis (that would be more coke-fuelled by 1997’s Be Here Now) and the cerebral, anthemic sounds that were always more Pop than Rock. Beastie Boys were the illicit and thrilling conversation that would bounce between buddies and newly-initiated – they were an American band and, at a time when British sounds were celebrated; it was almost taboo to mention a U.S. group with such passion!
Ill Communication and Hello Nasty (1994 and 1998) were the two albums when my love was cemented and indelible. The former record was not as lauded as previous efforts but, with the mighty Sabotage among its twenty tracks; who could resist the empathic and exhilarating song?! Its video, too – at a time when MTV was a thing and videos could only be seen on T.V. – raised plenty of laughs and school-yard parody. Gone (almost) were the samples and heavy use of older material: the boys brought more live instruments to the party and, whilst more organic in feel; the record still had that kaleidoscopic and cut-and-paste feel. Music at that time, from my experience, was a lot different to what the Beasties were serving up. Grunge was introverted and, at times, bleak whilst the Britpop shakers – throw Suede and Pulp into the blender! – were talking about their modern lives and the adventures, joys and missteps of existence. Beastie Boys went outside the nucleus and introduced people like me (and my chums) a side of America – and, for that matter, the world – we had never seen. From the early days (Beasties) of fighting for their right to party; the band were talking about strange characters, throwing in impressions, jokes and samples. It was more street-tough than the British alternative and, at the same time, seemed like a cooler and more elicit taste.
Almost like looking through the slat at a neighbourhood speakeasy: me and my clique knew the password and, as such, were welcomed into this heady and delirious world. Beastie Boys stood in the middle of the fire of Public Enemy and N.W.A. – black groups who were concerned with police violence, social injustice and discriminatory leaders – and the ‘ice’ of De La Soul and Arrested Development – an ethos that promoted coolness, fun and greater harmony. I am not suggesting Beastie Boys are/were the ‘warm water’ – although, if one stuck their hand into the Beastie Boys trough they’d pee themselves (I’ll drop the metaphor!). Regardless: the mid/late-1990s was a time of transition, discovery and growing up, for me. I was moving through high-school and, with it, the first tastes of what it was to be an adult. Holding my hand and keeping me company was the music of the Beastie Boys. One of my fondest memories of their music was listening to Intergalactic (Hello Nasty) in a school mate's, Stefan, bedroom. The window was open, the sun was shining and a game of footie was imminent – the pheromones of an enduring five-a-side swept through the neighbourhood like the smell of doughnuts at a fat camp! That song was the tip of an iceberg that combined Latin wiggle (Song for Junior) and Longue-Pop (Song for the Man). Intergalactic was the city-stomping, machine-processed gem that combined a sample from the 1985 film, The Toxic Avenger (as adapted from Rimsky-Korsakov’s arrangement of Mussorgsky’s A Night on Bald Mountain) and a sound effect one can trace to Resonator from the 1986 film, From Beyond.
The fact a single song could combine such disparate and unusual sources shows how far ahead of their time they were. Their eclectic and scattershot (in terms of sounds) albums made me look more closely at music and compositions. It was not only about big choruses, familiar tableaus and the sounds of the top-forty: now, as adolescence academic took a big grab of the testicles; Beastie Boys were there ensure I got through things and strode on. I can trace my discovery and passion for music to the likes of Kate Bush (a true icon of mine) and The Beatles. Beastie Boys was my first real taste of American music: something far away from the scents and sights I was raised on and grew up around. If song titles like The Negotiation Limerick File (Hello Nasty) didn’t provoke further investigation then I/we knew you weren’t that cool. I had a lot of love for the chart-approved sounds but the Beastie Boys were the cool boys bringing beer to the bike sheds and cracking awesome jokes – it was a wonderful experience, indeed. The 1998-released record was the end of the ‘traditional’ Beastie Boys sound. I often associate To the 5 Boroughs as a new era and phase. Not only was it the first Beastie Boys album to be released in the twenty-first century (2004) but it came after a six-year gap (the longest between any Beasties album). Songs like Ch-Check It Out and An Open Letter to NYC harked back to the earlier, innocent sound of the band and led many to proclaim (To the 5 Boroughs) the most complete and stunning album since 1989’s Paul’s Boutique.
IN THIS PHOTO: Adam 'MCA' Yauch
2007’s The Mix-Up and Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (what happened to the first part, you may wonder!) fared pretty well – the latter especially so; considering the cancer diagnosis delivered to MCA, it is amazing it got made at all. In fact, the reason there is no ‘part one’ is that of Adam Yauch’s cancer diagnosis. The band shelved the planned Hot Sauce Committee Part One and released Hot Sauce Committee Part Two instead – they were going to do a two-disc release but, following Yauch’s death in 2012, that was scrapped. I was five days shy of twenty-nine when MCA died and it felt like losing a long-term friend. It was a heartbreaking moment and I can only imagine how much shock and loss there was in the Beastie Boys camp. It was, to them, like losing a brother: the much-praised Hot Sauce Committee Part Two had a bittersweet quality. The boys were on top form and it seemed like they were producing the most exciting and natural work since their inception. Yauch’s death, aged forty-seven, was the last time I truly listened to the Beastie Boys. I felt things were over and it was a long time before I even heard one of their songs. The reason I have got back into them in a big way goes beyond the forthcoming memoir. I am, sure, fascinated to see what the surviving members have to say and get an idea of how Beastie Boys formed and how influential New York was in the 1980s.
Mike D and Ad-Rock have promised not to perform under the banner of Beastie Boys out of respect for MCA – one wonders if that means both artists will cease recording altogether. Although it is sad we will never get another Beastie Boys album; the fact they enjoyed four decades of fun, success and brotherhood is a huge achievement! Not many artists in this day and age can boast that longevity and sense of meaning – there is nobody quite like Beastie Boys. It is the fact Beastie Boys are unique and blew open the doors of Hip-Hop. From touring with Madonna (1985) and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (only a month before Adam Yauch died); it was a wild and amazing time that changed the world. It is a shame there is nobody like Beastie Boys out there in the world: maybe they were this celestial one-off that laid such a benchmark that nobody could legitimately follow it! I am pumped to get their memoir in my hand and bring back some tremendous memories. I have recovered from the gloom that filled my heart following MCA’s death in 2012 and (am) finding endless pleasure in spinning Beastie Boys L.P.s to my heart’s content. Right now, Ill Communication and Check Your Head are top of the pile – Paul’s Boutique is never far away and always there if I need an instant blast of gratification. If you are unaware of the Beastie Boys – or have been a bit neglectful regarding their albums and what they mean – I urge you to get back into the swing and let their music do its work. A perfect afternoon would be listening to their albums and laughing, cheering and singing at the embarrassing riches that come forth. Whilst one of its founding brothers has departed the world; it is clear the spirit and genius of Beastie Boys will live on…
PHOTO CREDIT: Lynn Goldsmith
FOR generations to come!
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The Beastie Boys’ memoir, Beastie Boys Book, is available from 30th October through Spiegel & Grau/Random House
ALL PHOTOS (unless credited otherwise): Getty Images/Associated Press
INTERVIEW: Megan Airlie
INTERVIEW:
ALL PHOTOS (unless credited otherwise): Beth Chalmers Photography
Megan Airlie
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I have been talking with Megan Airlie…
about her incredible new single, Honey, and what its story is. Airlie discusses classic singers and how they influence her; whether the scene in Glasgow, her hometown, has a great scene; which new acts we should get behind – she tells me whether Pop music, in her mind, has lost some of its depth and soul.
Airlie shares some favourite memories from music and reveals her ambitions for the remainder of the year; whether she gets much time to unwind away from music – she ends the interview by picking a song I had never heard before.
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Hi, Megan. How are you? How has your week been?
Great! Resting this week after the week previous - because I was playing XpoNorth and TRNSMT festival.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
I’m a twenty-four-year-old singer-songwriter from Glasgow. I take a lot of influence from Jazz, Blues; Folk, Soul and anything I can dance to. You can find me playing solo or backed by a wonderful band. Some of them I’ve been playing with for a long time - which always makes for an electric show.
Honey is your new single. Can you tell me the story behind the song?
It was written five years ago now. It’s an easy breezy love song that was sparked out of a relationship I had. It denotes a more innocent time where you are totally engrossed by a new love and you want to spend every minute with them. In reality, the relationship itself was not all sunshine - which is why wanted to elude darker tones in the music video.
It seems to evoke memories of classic singers like Billie Holiday and Judy Garland. Are these artists you are inspired by?
Yes, definitely; especially Judy Garland. I have listened to her from a very young age,
Do you find more beauty and personal possibility taking from older music and the romance of the chanteuse? Do you think modern music lacks true soul and depth?
Pop music, way back when, definitely evokes a more romantic and, it seems, they thought more of what they were trying to say, whereas Pop music today seems less personal and is just a means for dancing and churning out ‘hits’ as fast as possible. However, there is music I feel - not in the charts - that still has the same push of passion and emotion. People still have soul!
Is there going to be more material arriving? What are you working on?
You can expect another single within the next couple of months - and I am currently working on new material to record and release at the end of this summer.
You are seen as one of the best new singers coming out of Scotland. Do you think the country gets the attention it deserves? What is the music scene like where you are?
Being Scottish, I have the internal pride in being so. So, yes, I always feel it deserves more attention, not just in music. The music scene is vibrant and bursting out the seams. Glasgow, in particular, you can walk down one street and hear multiple different types of bands playing. The scene itself in Glasgow seems to be quite cliquey, as if you have to earn your stripes before being accepted, but it is a warm environment to be in, mostly.
PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Chalmer
Which artists and albums did you fall for growing up? When did music come into your life?
Michael Jackson’s Bad, Fiona Apple’s Tidal; Reuben’s 3 and Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions
There was always music around; from the Britpop and Punk my dad listened to; to the '90s Grunge and Alternative scene my aunt was a part of. I would always be listening to noughties and '90s R&B on the music channels. I started playing the saxophone when I was twelve and then started to take singing seriously when I was seventeen.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?
To have a solid record in the works and to get some good support slots.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
Probably getting the opportunity to play XpoNorth this year with my band behind me. People were so lovely and responsive and I made a lot of contacts. I kept thinking: ‘Yep; this is definitely what I’m meant to be doing’.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Fiona Apple, for sure.
Rider: ideally, this would be good coffee and a bottle of red wine.
Can we see you on the road at all? What tour dates are coming up?
Currently, no tour planned but, hopefully, that (touring) will happen in the near-future.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Stick at it. If you’re enjoying what you’re doing then the likelihood is someone else will do.
IN THIS PHOTO: Harry & The Hendersons
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Harry & The Hendersons and Russell Stewart - both Glasgow-based, Scottish artists.
IN THIS PHOTO: Russell Stewart/PHOTO CREDIT: Delilah Niel Films
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
Doing music is my chill time and escape from normal day to day life. I can’t seem to tire of it. I don’t get enough time to do it as I work a nine-five job.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
There’s new music coming out from a Scottish band, Awkward Family Portraits - and their new single, Baby Blue, is out soon
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Follow Megan Airlie
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MeganAirlieMusic/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/megan_airlie
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mgnairlie/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC221Z0R3vDb8_AMWxUC5U6A
SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/meganairliemusic
Spotify:
INTERVIEW: Lindsay Ell
INTERVIEW:
PHOTO CREDIT: BMG/BBR
Lindsay Ell
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HAVING played Country 2 Country…
PHOTO CREDIT: Luke Dyson
back in March, the talented songwriter Lindsay Ell has barely had time to put her feet on the ground and relax. I have been asking her about the album, The Project, and which songs she views as highlights; what it was like playing the illustrious Country 2 Country – she reveals what comes next for her.
Lindsay Ell explains how important Nashville’s people and sounds are to her; which artists inspired her at a young age; if she has advice for upcoming songwriters - the U.S. songwriter reveals some treasured musical memories (catch her play Borderline, London on 16th Oct and Night & Day Cafe, Manchester on 17th Oct).
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Hi, Lindsay. How are you? How has your week been?
Great! It’s nice to be back in Nashville for a couple days.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
I am a now Nashvillian, as of eight years ago: I’m originally from Calgary, Canada. I play Country with flares of Soul, Blues and Rock in it: kind of like if you combined Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban and John Mayer together.
PHOTO CREDIT: Luke Dyson
Talk to me about Country 2 Country. What was it like playing there?!
Playing Country 2 Country for my first time in March was a bucket-list moment. There is an energy in The O2 that is hard to describe in words. Fans in the U.K. have such a passion for music and you can feel it standing on stage at The O2. They care about every word you sing and every note I play. It’s nice to have an audience that is right in the palm of your hands.
Your album, The Project, is out. What is the derivation of that title? What was the first song that started the album?
The first song that started The Project was Waiting on You. When my producer and I sat down for our first music meeting, it was a bluesy tones of Waiting on You that made us both look up from the speakers and be like: ‘We have something here; this is where we start’.
I wanted to call the album The Project because it felt like a science project of me discovering who I am. It was like I was going through different forms of experimentation to putting together the puzzle of what I wanted my debut album to look like. So, when we were looking for a title…The Project seemed like the only thing that was right.
PHOTO CREDIT: BMG/BBR
Are there themes and story arcs that connect the songs? Do you have a favourite cut?
The overall theme of the record is me being at a happy point in my life; writing from a place where I’m grateful for what I have; the friends that surround me and the love in my life. From a place of happiness like that, you can write from a perspective that allows you to appreciate things you don’t always notice.
My favorite song would be a tie between two. I really love the song, Castle, because I feel, musically, it allowed me to really get some of the guitar tones recorded that I wanted to express on this record. Castle also talks about not taking for granted the things that surround us every day. Sometimes, in life, we get so focused on always getting the newest and brightest next thing: bigger houses, faster cars….no matter where we’re at, we always find a way to want more. Castle talks about trying to look at everything you have, today, at this moment - and being grateful for it.
My other favorite on this record is Worth the Wait. I feel that, sometimes, we need to work too hard for the things we want in life and, therefore, need to wait longer than we want for them. But, it’s in the fight and the journey that what makes it really worth it in the end.
What comes next? Will there be more material this year – or do you want to get this album out and as far as possible?
I am currently writing the next record as we speak and am so excited for fans to hear this new music. I feel that Kristian Bush, my producer, and I will be getting into the studio near the end of this year. So, you might be able to hear sneak peeks of something near the end of the year - but, new music will probably be coming in 2019.
PHOTO CREDIT: BMG/BBR
Do you recall the musicians and albums that inspired you when you were growing up?
Shania Twain was a huge role model for me growing up. Sheryl Crow and Tuesday Night Music Club was a record I played on-repeat. Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan; Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton were all huge influences to me growing up.
Based out of Nashville; how important are the city and its people regarding your sound and drive?
I love living in Nashville. It’s such a beautiful community here of which I feel supported by my peers and fellow artists. Nashville really cultivates a family atmosphere - which is rare and sometimes hard to find.
PHOTO CREDIT: Luke Dyson
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
In 2018, I want to solidify getting a top-10 on Country radio as well as securing a major tour for next year. We’ve had such an incredible past year – and, over the next few months, we’ll be planning gigs. So, 2019 should be exciting!
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
There are so many amazing memories. Getting to tour with Brad Paisley on the Weekend Warrior World Tour was so incredible; being able to trade licks with him on stage every night.
Playing at the Country Music Association Awards for my first time, playing the guitar for Carrie Underwood was amazing. Also; having my first official feature on Keith Urban’s Graffiti U album (on Horses) and getting to play it live for the first time with him a couple weeks ago was a moment I will never forget!
PHOTO CREDIT: Luke Dyson
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Find out what you want in your heart and never lose sight of that.
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Follow Lindsay Ell
PHOTO CREDIT: BMG/BBR
Official:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/officiallindsayell/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/lindsayell
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lindsayell/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/lindsayell
Spotify:
INTERVIEW: EMM
INTERVIEW:
EMM
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IT has been a pleasure…
speaking with EMM about her new single, No Gods, and how it came together. The U.S. songwriter talks about the feeling in her country right now; whether she thinks female artists are put into holes and boxed-in; what she hopes to achieve before the end of the year – EMM discusses overcome psychological hurdles and coming out the other side.
I was keen to know which three albums are most important to her; some upcoming musicians we should keep an eye out for; whether she gets much time to chill away from music – EMM ends the interview by selecting a fantastic track.
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Hi, EMM. How are you? How has your week been?
Hey, Sam. Thanks for taking the time. It’s been pretty busy - just prepping for a show on Sunday and working on promoting my first release. We also have a second release coming August 3rd called Dirty so I’m preparing for that as well.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
Sure. My artistry is built around integrating solid messages I’m passionate about into easily-digestible Pop songs. I write and produce everything I make and I have a soft spot for women’s issues. I was raised by an Opera singer and a Classical harpist so Classical music is in my blood - but I am really inspired by people like Freddie Mercury, Prince and Janet Jackson.
No Gods is your new single. It seems to look at corruption and governments. Is there a particular inspiration behind it?
When we aren’t empathizing with each other, we end up dehumanizing one another and people get treated poorly; whether that’s through a screen on Facebook or through harmful rhetoric in the lives of our political leaders. A lack of empathy is so dangerous. The chorus of No Gods says: “You can’t make me wanna be like you - out of my mind”. It’s in reference to the divisive and harmful conversations we have with each other, particularly over social media. The verses are about the irony of using ‘God’ to justify treating humans like sh*t.
I believe that every single human being is sacred and should be treated like they have sparks of divinity within them - no matter the race, gender; sexual preference, amount of money...whatever.
Being based in the U.S.; is it quite a stressful and divided time? Do you think things will improve?
I think, for my generation, we all feel afraid sometimes when we see what’s happening in the world. But, I have a lot of faith in Generation Z. They seem to be much more tolerant and kind than some of the generations that came before them.
It seems you take risks and do not like to be boxed-in. Do you think female artists are defined and pushed to perform a certain way?
Yes. Absolutely. I think women in music have a long history of men trying to control what they do behind the scenes. Women that know what they want or take risks are usually considered a threat to the order of the system. Part of the problem is (just) that there aren’t enough women in power at the labels yet. I think, a lot of times, we’re afraid to say something political or anything that could make men that are writing our checks feel uncomfortable. It’s a big part of why I stay independent.
Do you think more material will arrive before the end of the year? What are you working on?
Yes. My squad and I wrote about fifty songs in five months - and we have about twenty we absolutely love. Several of those will come out this year.
You had to tackle New York at age sixteen and faced psychological troubles and industry evils. Did that experience give you strength and a harder skin – has it been hard adapting, in a way?
I talk a lot about mental-health on my first mixtape, Burning in the Dark. I had to process through a lot of awful experiences. There were a few very dark years for me where I had a lot of suicidal thoughts. I am healed now and I’m thankful that I went through what I did because a lot of other people have told me that the music I made in that period helped them choose to stay here. So, yes, it was super-hard. But, I feel kind of unbreakable now.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?
I want to tour. I mostly want to keep working hard every day and doing what I love. I know what it’s like to have to work for ten dollars an hour and barely make rent so I’m honestly just so thankful to be making money and waking up every day and making music.
PHOTO CREDIT: @ksarrico
Will there be any tour dates? Might you head to the U.K. at all?
I will definitely come to the U.K. when I tour. When the announcement comes out, it will be on my website…still in rehearsal mode now, though.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
I look back really fondly on the songs I wrote in my childhood and adolescent years. There’s something really magical about the songs a girl writes in her room with a guitar or a keyboard before anyone has told her to try to be marketable. Haha.
Which three albums mean the most to you would you say?
Songs in A Minor by Alicia Keys
Because it was my first C.D. as a kid and I played it a million times. I also ended up getting my start in New York surrounded by her team so it will always be special to me.
The Writing’s on the Wall by Destiny’s Child
Because it taught me how to love myself as a young girl.
Control by Janet Jackson
Because it never stops inspiring me.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
I am obsessed with Coldplay. I would love to open for them. My rider would probably just be a lot of food. I just love eating.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Hmm. There’s so much. Everyone has an opinion about what you should do and you can try to learn from them but, at the end of the day, you are the artist. Your vision is what matters. Find people that respect that. Also; don’t expect anyone to work harder to make your career pop off then you do. If you’re getting a thousand doors slammed in your face, you’re definitely on the right track.
IN THIS PHOTO: Diana Gordon
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Diana Gordon. She’s a genius. I’m completely obsessed with her. I am also obsessed with this guy, Extremely Bad Man. His music is so soulful.
IN THIS IMAGE: The album cover of Extremely Bad Man's album, Love Is Pure (out 13th July)/IMAGE CREDIT: Russ Murphy
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
I love being on the water. I’m originally from a town on Lake Michigan, so any time I can swim is awesome for me.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
I think you should play Kool-Aid by Diana Gordon. Can’t go wrong. Thanks so much for your time, Sam!
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Follow EMM
INTERVIEW: Stephen Chopek
INTERVIEW:
Stephen Chopek
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THE awesome Stephen Chopek…
provides a full and revealing interview where he talks about his latest single, Radio Caroline, and whether he has any direct listening experience with the legendary pirate station. I ask Chopek about future plans regarding material; which artists have been influential to him – he talks about the music scene in Memphis (where he is based).
The songwriter looks ahead and reveals touring plans; which upcoming artists we should get behind; a couple of treasured memories from his career so far; the advice he would give new artists – he ends the interview with a rather unexpected, if memorable, song selection.
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Hi, Stephen. How are you? How has your week been?
Hello, Sam! I’m doing well, thanks. I spent most of last week getting settled after returning home from the first leg of my summer tour. (During the second half of June, I drove 4500 miles for eighteen days through ten states to play twenty-one shows in nineteen cities.) I’ll be home for July before heading out again in August.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
The short story:
New Jersey native and Memphis resident, Stephen Chopek is currently on tour in support of his latest single, “Radio Caroline”. He's travelled the world as a drummer with some of today's top artists. More recently, he's writing his own music which has been described as "a skillfully crafted tapestry of folk, roots, punk, and pop”.
To fill in the blanks: I was born and raised in New Jersey and started playing the drums when I was nine. I played in bands, school groups and youth orchestras throughout grammar and high schools. In college, I performed with percussion ensembles and Rock bands. During that time, I also started writing and recording my own music on a four-track cassette recorder. After graduating university, I studied privately with Billy Martin (drummer from Medeski Martin & Wood) and Jazz percussionist Leon Parker. Through my studies with Leon, I was introduced to guitarist Charlie Hunter. That meeting led me to become the drummer in Charlie’s band from 2000-2002. After that gig, I toured with John Mayer for a year; then Marc Broussard, Jesse Malin; The Alternate Routes, Todd Carey; The Everymen, The Pimps of Joytime and many others.
In 2008, I took a yearlong break from drumming for a volunteer position in New York City with Americorps (which is kind of like a domestic Peace Corps). During that time, my music pursuit switched from drums to guitar and vocals. I took guitar lessons, worked on my singing and wrote new songs. For most of 2009, I was busking in the N.Y.C. subways during the day and attending open mic events at night. It was a big learning curve to step out from behind the drums and onto center stage. I got back into drumming full-time in 2010 while continuing to write songs. See Through, my first solo album, was recorded and released in 2012. Playing local shows eventually led to out of town gigs and then solo tours along the east coast.
Matters of the heart brought me to Memphis in 2014 and I’ve been here ever since. (My then-girlfriend and I got married in October 2017.) I keep busy in and around town playing drums with some of the many great artists currently making music in Memphis: John Paul Keith, Any LaVere; Motel Mirrors, Dave Cousar; Mike Doughty and Shannon McNally to name a few.
In 2015, I released two E.P.s and my second album, Things Moving On Their Own Together, and supported that with U.S. tours throughout 2016. I released a third E.P. in 2017 (and more touring). My new single, Radio Caroline - with The Ballad of Cash & Dean on side-B - was released online and on 45 R.P.M. vinyl in April. The new album will be out in the fall (with more touring).
Radio Caroline is your latest track. Do you remember when Radio Caroline was on the air? Why did you decide to write about the pirate station?
The original Radio Caroline was before my time so I don’t remember when it was on the air (but I listen to it now online). I’ve always loved music that came out of England in the early-1960s. Through learning about those bands, Radio Caroline was often mentioned as an important part of the music scene at that time. They were a U.K. pirate radio station founded in 1964 that broadcasted from a ship on the open waters to avoid the BBC’s control of the airwaves.
They played records that no other station was spinning but that a lot of young people wanted to hear. It was music that eventually made its way to the masses and changed the world. I always appreciated their support of early Rock-and-Roll and admired their D.I.Y. ethos. My song is a humble tribute to their efforts and the impact they had.
Do you think there will be more material coming along? What are you working on right now?
There is definitely more material coming along. My new full-length album, Begin the Glimmer, is recorded, mixed and currently being mastered. The artwork is complete and the first single will be out soon; followed by the release in October.
Memphis is where you are based. What is the city like in terms of inspiration and local talent?
There are infinite sources of inspiration in Memphis. So much has happened here in terms of the creation and development of popular music. Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King; Ike Turner, Johnny Cash; Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis; Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley; Al Green, Booker T. & the M.G.’s; Big Star, The Oblivians; Lucero…and the list goes on. Music history in Memphis is deep and you can trace its roots with a short drive down south along the Mississippi River.
The current scene is also rich with incredible talent in many genres - Jazz, Blues; Country, Americana; Garage-Rock, Roots; Punk, Experimental; Metal, Singer-Songwriter and Hip-Hop. It’s a tight-knit community so there’s also a lot of collaborating.
Memphis has a rawness that’s encouraging for artists of all levels to try different things and grow in new directions.
How did music come into your life? Which artists did you bond with early on?
Music came into my life through my parents’ records. There were a lot of American Songbook standards by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin; George and Ira Gershwin and Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn. Singers like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles; Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hartman; Tony Bennet and Joe Williams. There were also contemporary albums by The Beatles, Billy Joel and Paul Simon. The ‘modern’ music was what initially resonated with me; along with my older sister’s collection of Joan Jett, Go-Go’s; Adam Ant, Duran Duran etc.
My parents encouraged music lessons for my sister and I at an early age. My sister Claudia is now an in-demand violinist based in New York City. She’s been working with Moby, Hurray for the Riff Raff and Father John Misty. I tried different instruments before the drums chose me. I’ve been following them ever since and they’ve taken me to many incredible places with amazing people.
You also work as John Mayer’s drummer. Is that experience something you bring into your own work?
Absolutely. All of my previous work/play opportunities have been valuable learning experiences. Those lessons stay with me as I move on to each new phase of my career.
Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?
I was on tour in April through the Midwest and along the East Coast in June. In August, I’ll be heading to Arkansas, Oklahoma; Kansas, Iowa; Minnesota, Wisconsin and Missouri. During October, I’ll be going through the South and back towards the East Coast.
Might we see you in the U.K. at all?
Radio Caroline D.J. Chris Pearson recently asked me the same question. I don’t have any plans at the moment for U. K. tour dates but I’m working on it. I’ll be sure to let you know when I’m on the way.
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
My goals for 2018 are releasing new music and getting it out to the people. I make sure that my songs are available on the major online platforms and do my best to play live in as many cities as possible. It’s a one-man D.I.Y. operation right now so I’m doing all that I can in a 24-hour day.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
There are so many that it’s hard to choose: some are from long ago and others as current as earlier this year. The first one that comes to mind is when I was on my first tour and realized that I was making a living as a full-time musician. That was a powerful moment….
More recently, I was traveling through the Midwest and had an eleven-hour drive from one gig to the next. I played in Fargo, ND on Saturday night and had a gig in Appleton, WI the next day. That normally wouldn’t have been such a long drive except for the fact that I decided to take a detour to Hibbing, MN and see the childhood home of Robert Zimmerman (A.K.A. Bob Dylan). It was totally worth it. I spent a beautiful sunny Sunday morning in Hibbing then made it on time to my show in Appleton. It turned out to be one of the strongest performances of that tour (and the venue made me a vegan pizza for dinner).
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Opening for David Byrne would be fun. He’s such a unique and forward-thinking musician, visual artist and author. An all-around visionary. Truly inspiring.
My ideal rider would include lots of healthy treats: raw fruits and veggies, hummus; almonds, dried figs and dates; sourdough bread, maybe extra dark chocolate (with no sugar). Non-alcoholic beverages: water, peppermint tea; green tea, chilled seltzer; oat milk for the cold brew coffee concentrate. Also, a towel. Perhaps some clean socks. Nag Champa incense would be icing on the cake.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Remember it’s called ‘music business’ for a reason. ‘Music’ = study and practice your craft. ‘Business’ = enjoy the work because you'll be doing a lot of it. (Usually more business than music.) Be nice. Stay honest.
IN THIS PHOTO: Julien Baker
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
My friend David Freeman recently released a beautiful album of original, instrumental compositions called Overview Effect. There’s a Memphis artist named Julien Baker who’s a fantastic songwriter, guitarist and singer. I like the new album from Snail Mail. Also, be sure to check out MonoNeon.
IN THIS PHOTO: Snail Mail
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
When I’m on tour, I look at a map every day and find the big patch of green. I’m usually able to find a park reasonably close to the venue. With so much time spent driving and in cafes for office hours, it’s important to be active outdoors. That means walking/hiking when I’m on the road and bicycle rides when I’m at home. Daily exercise of any form is the key to overall well-being. I also maintain a daily Vipassana meditation practice which began in 2009 when I went to my first ten-day silent meditation retreat.
I keep a vegan diet, so I’m always interested in trying new plant-based recipes. Visual art is also part of my exploration of the creative process. For a while, I was making collages from found objects and, recently, I’ve been getting into photography.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
The Banana Splits theme song.
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FEATURE: A Trump Suit in a House of Cards: Songs for the Forty-Fifth President of the United States of America
FEATURE:
A Trump Suit in a House of Cards
IN THIS IMAGE: U.S. President Donald J. Trump/IMAGE CREDIT: Bryant Arnold/Cartoon a Day
Songs for the Forty-Fifth President of the United States of America
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JUST when you thought the nation…
IN THIS PHOTO: British Prime Minister Theresa May/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/Press
couldn’t get more nervous and on-edge; we are preparing for the visit of President Donald Trump! He lands in the U.K. on Thursday and I am sure, with our Government cracking and shifting, he will bring his delicate, diplomatic and humanist touch to the situation! In regards to his upcoming visit; he has been telling reporters how he views the unravelling situation in this country:
“Donald Trump expects to see a country in “turmoil” when he lands in the UK on Thursday for a two-day visit he said would make his subsequent summit with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki seem “easy”.
The president spoke to reporters on the south lawn of the White House on Tuesday morning, before boarding Marine One to begin his trip to Europe, which will begin with a Nato summit in Brussels.
He repeated familiar criticism of Nato and spoke warmly of Boris Johnson, the British foreign secretary and Brexit leader who resigned from the government of Theresa May on Monday. Trump said Johnson had been “very nice” and “very supportive”.
“It’s going to be an interesting time in the UK and certainly an interesting time with Nato,” Trump said, over the noise of the helicopter. “Nato has not treated us fairly but I think we’ll work something out. We pay far too much and they pay far too little. But we will work it out and all countries will be happy”.
PHOTO CREDIT: Reuters: Kevin Lamarque
If this were a visit by former President Barack Obama, then you can bet people would be lining the streets and cheering as he arrived. As people frantically stock-pile bottle of piss and get all their out-of-date food from the fridge; it seems Trump will be met with something a lot tangier and more rotten. He does not have too many fans over here (or anywhere in the world). Aside from Nigel Farage oiling his chest and making sure his tongue is at its most flexible (use your imagination…); there is going to be much protest and disgust lining the streets of the country. It seems, when he heads to London and faces the outrage of the people; things are going to be very tense and vocal:
“More important than what Trump says is what Britain says back to him. And the most significant element in that collective answer will be the series of rallies and demonstrations planned for the four-day visit. It is of the highest importance that these marches are both populous and peaceful. Nobody can predict how many will turn out to protest in cities across the UK – the centrepiece being the national Together Against Trump march and rally in London on Friday afternoon. But put it this way: I would be surprised if they were sparsely attended”.
We will be very peaceful and restrained on that Friday but there will be plenty of hostility aimed at the embittered and disgraced President. To ‘honour’ his visit to us; I have compiled a selection of songs that sum up Donald Trump and his ‘charms’. Whilst Three Lions creeps back into the public consciousness and becomes our (unofficial) national anthem; there are a few other songs that could, for a brief time, well be…
IMAGE CREDIT: FriendlyStock.com
ON the nation’s lips!
INTERVIEW: Ella Poletti
INTERVIEW:
Ella Poletti
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I am squeezing in one more interview…
and speaking with a fantastic talent coming out of Los Angeles. Ella Poletti tells me how she came to work with Out There on the new song, What to Do, and what the track is about; if she is going to bring us more new music before the end of the year – the artists that inspired her when she was growing up.
Poletti chats about her cover versions and getting love/support from streaming sites; whether there are aims/ambitions to cover before the end of this year; a new artist we should listen to carefully – I ask which artist, if she had the chance, she’d like to support on tour.
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Hi, Ella. How are you? How has your week been?
I’m well, thank you! My week has been great. I hope yours has been too.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
Of course! I’m Ella Poletti. I am twenty-years-old. I’m originally from Bloomington, Indiana but I currently live in Los Angeles, fulfilling my dreams of becoming a Pop singer-songwriter.
What to Do is out. Can you talk about how the song came together?
I’m super-excited that What to Do is out now. It was such an easy and fun song to create…it kind of just came to us so quickly. I think that, in total, it only took a few hours over a span of two days to write all of the lyrics and melodies.
It sees you work with Out There. How did you two hook up? What did he add to the song?
Out There and I met through a mutual friend and we kind of just hit it off immediately. After chatting and sharing projects that we were both working on, we knew we had to collaborate. He had already started on What to Do and essentially just needed the top-line melodies and lyrics. He showed me the instrumental he had made and I loved it - so we agreed it collaborate on writing it and then release it together.
Do you reckon they’ll be more music coming? Are you in a productive frame of mind right now?
There is lots more music coming! I am working on some great stuff right now that I can’t wait to share with all of you. There will definitely be more music before the end of the year, that’s for sure.
Your cover versions, especially a take on Shawn Mendes’ Mercy, have proved hugely popular. How do you inhabit other people’s music so personally and with such passion?
I love putting my own spin on other people’s music. I have stopped doing so many covers now, to focus more on my original music, but whenever I would cover a song, I would first really listen to the lyrics and see how I relate to it. One of the many great things about pop music is that it can be really easy to connect with what the artist is saying.
You have received lots of streams and amassed fans. Is it a bit crazy seeing how far you have come?!
Honestly, it feels like my dreams are becoming a reality. It is very exciting to see the world enjoying my music and it’s so exciting to see my fanbase grow so even more people can enjoy the music I’ve worked so hard on.
I especially love the flexibility of your voice. Have any particular artists helped shape your vocals/style?
Ever since I first started singing, I was immediately attracted to Pop music. All of the hits of the early-2000s were definitely a big influence on me - especially Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney and Leave (Get Out) by JoJo. I also used to listen to Norah Jones on-repeat every night - so I think that was where I got my jazzy/Blues style from, vocally.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?
There will definitely be more music released before the end of 2018 and, by the end of the year, I should also have a long list of new original music, features and projects I’m working on for 2019.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?
Probably, the first time I ever heard my voice recorded on a mixed and mastered original song. The feeling of creating something that didn’t exist before and hearing it back professionally recorded is so inspiring and amazing. It also made me realise that my dream of having a song played on the radio is a lot more reachable than I could ever have imagined.
If you could support any musician alive today, who would it be?
Maroon 5 is my all-time favourite band. I mean, they’ve basically been on top-40 radio and charting for nearly twenty years! That’s almost unheard of for a Pop band nowadays. I am a massive fan of them and admire their music and ability to have such a long career…that would be a dream!
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
I would just say to never stop doing what you love and to connect with others that have similar dreams. This can be a really difficult path to chase if you don’t have people to do it with you. It is an amazing feeling helping each other grow and coming up together too.
IN THIS PHOTO: Sigrid
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Sigrid is my favourite artist that’s breaking through right now. I’ve listened to her for a while now and I had the pleasure of seeing her live as well. She is amazing!
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
I’m working on music most of the time; but, when I am not, I honestly do what everyone else does. I love being outdoors and doing things like hiking or going to the beach. But, just spending time laying low with friends is my favourite.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Thank you! Sigrid’s Don’t Kill My Vibe is a fave of mine and a great summer jam.
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