INTERVIEW: Alex Riddle

INTERVIEW:

Alex Riddle

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BASED out of Houston, Texas…

Alex Riddle is in a great place to get his terrific music heard and appreciated. He tells me about his upcoming E.P., Snow White, and which song from the collection stands out from the rest – he tells me about being compared to the likes of Jeff Buckley and The National.

Riddle chooses some new artists to get excited about; which albums are important to him; if there are any gigs booked in the diary at the moment; whether we will see him in Britain anytime soon – he ends the interview by selecting an incredible Bob Dylan cover.

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Hi, Alex. How are you? How has your week been?

Great, thank you.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m a singer/songwriter from Texas. My music tends toward the eclectic but people regularly bring up names like Jeff Buckley and The National when they hear me. I am happy with those comparisons.

Snow White is your new E.P. What sort of themes inspired the songs on the E.P.?

Oh, you know, the classic ones: life and death; war and peace; crime and punishment. 

Is there a song from Snow White you would select as a highlight?

Probably Snow White, the song. It has great performances from the band and a pretty catchy chorus to boot - which I hear the kids are into these days.

How do songs come together for you? Do you set time to write or do you wait for inspiration to hit?

Where do I get my ideas? There’s not one way they happen...

Sometimes a song will hit me all at once. Sometimes I’ll finish writing it months, even years, after the initial inspiration hit.

Which artists do you count as influences? Did you grow up around a lot of music?

My influences are all over the place: I don’t try to emulate anybody in particular. What I do, really, is whenever I hear something that really grabs me, I try to figure out what it is about that thing - whether it’s a chord change or a vocal riff - that has that effect on me. I guess you could say that’s my principle for taking in influences.

You are based out of Houston, Texas. What is the music scene like there at the moment?

Houston has tons of talent, but it’s spread over too great an area. The sprawl is aggressive and it affects the culture. 

Can we see you tour this year? What gigs do you have coming along?

With any luck, I’ll hit the road for a bit after I release the album that I’m currently working on.

Do you think you’ll come to the U.K. later this year?

I would love to come to the U.K. - have somebody from the U.K. gimme a call.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

A full-length album is in the works. I’m very excited about those tunes. 

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Playing House of Blues for a music festival in Houston was very fun. I’d been going to concerts there since I was a teenager. It was a trip playing the same stage where I’d seen people from B.B. King to St. Vincent.

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang — Dislocation Blues

The Eastern Sea — Plague

Joanna Newsom — Ys

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Play out of town at regular intervals - not just every now and then.

IN THIS PHOTO: Buck Meek

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Check out Buck Meek’s new solo record (he’s the guitarist from Big Thief and a fellow Texan).

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I read Trump’s tweets. There’s just something very soothing about them.

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).

How about a tune from one of those albums above?

Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang - Changing of the Guard

This is actually a cover of a much-overlooked song from Bob Dylan’s 1978 album, Street Legal. Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang give Dylan’s rocker a subdued urgency which, to my mind, captures the true spirit of the song. Frankly; everyone should know about Changing of the Guard

Honorable mention: The Eastern Sea - Wasn’t for Love

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Follow Alex Riddle

PHOTO CREDIT: MarsHall Forse Walker 

Official:

http://www.alex-riddle.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/alexriddlemusic

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/alexriddlemusic/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/alexriddlemusic

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/alex-riddle

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/alexriddlemusic

INTERVIEW: Kris Angelis

INTERVIEW:

Kris Angelis

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THE majestic Kris Angelis has been telling me…

about her incredible single, Photobooth, and whether there is more material coming later in the year. The American songwriter talks about music arriving in her life and how she spends her free space and time; whether awards and plaudits (she has received) propel and influence her – she discusses gigs and whether she’ll come to the U.K.

Angelis provides advice for new artists and talks about her acting work; whether there are some new acts we should keep abreast of; if there are any ambitions she wants to fulfil before the end of the year – she ends the interview with a rather cool choice.

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Hi, Kris. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi! I’m busy; busy trying to get everything done involved with putting out my new E.P. My week was fun. I went up to Seattle to film an interview and performance for a show called Band in Seattle. Everyone on the show was great and I used to spend a lot of time up there and lived in the area for about a year - so it was fun to be back and the weather was gorgeous!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Hello! I’m a Folk-Pop singer/songwriter. I was born in Gainesville, FL and spent my childhood on a farm outside the city with horses and cows and a bunch of my family all living on the farm! Then, we all moved to Carmel, CA where I started acting in plays and eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and music. I have a cat named Ilean because her adorable little head is always tilting a little left-of-center due to an ear infection when she was a kitten before I adopted her. I talk about what I like to do other than music later on.

Photobooth is your new single. What is the story behind it?

It’s based on a fun night that I thought was finally going to be the beginning of something but it turned out to be the end. It’s about saving those moments and not letting them become tainted by how they turned out or ‘what could have been’. I thought it was an interesting and relatable concept how we can have such fully-formed emotions and imagined futures captured in a moment and then all that’s left is the photo.

It seems there is a personal edge and some emotional memories attached to the song. Was it hard putting the words together and casting your mind back?

Not really. I had thought about those images and memories a lot and had processed it so by the time I was forming them into a song; the lyrics came easily and it wasn’t emotionally hard to go there - especially because that song is more about the happy moments that were caught in the photobooth than the way it ended up.

How do you feel you’ve progressed as an artist since your beginning? Do you feel more confident now?

I absolutely feel more confident now! When I first started, I was terrified to co-write because I was afraid of what the other person would think and now I love co-writing. I still sometimes say things that don’t work - but so does the other person and that is why we co-write. Two minds can more quickly decide what works and what doesn’t and the things that don’t often lead to the great stuff! I also used to be so scared to sing in front of people. I would shake and barely be able to make a sound, so it still kind of amazes me that I do this! I’m not saying that I don’t still have insecurities or things I want to get better at (or try differently but that’s good).

 We need to feel some discomfort to grow.

PHOTO CREDIT: @shilohstrong

Are you working on other material at the moment? Will we see more before the end of the year?

Yes! I actually just completed an E.P. that Photobooth is the first track on. It’s called Pieces That Were Stolen, and it’s set to come out on August 3rd. I’m also hoping to put out a Christmas E.P. and possibly another covers E.P. - but that might be at the beginning of next year.

Your music has won awards and you are a celebrated songwriter. Does that recognition and plaudit drive you forward and keep you aiming high?

Yes! It definitely helps to have that outside encouragement and recognition. I’ve always aimed high but I think every little win makes you believe that the big ones are possible and, regardless of winning, you can learn a lot and get seen by more people from being part of competitions. Throwing your hat in the ring is a huge step and a win in itself.

Which artists did you grow up listening to? Who do you rank as musical idols?

I grew up listening to my parent’s records: The Beatles, the Eagles; The Platters, The Archies; Elton John, Nat King Cole; Garth Brooks and Classical like Strauss, Tchaikovsky and Mozart. Then, I started discovering music for myself and the biggest one that really launched my interested in learning harmonies and making music was Hanson. I’m still a fan and go to their shows when they come to L.A.! My bass player is actually their bass player now!

I also listened to Dave Matthews, Rufus Wainwright; David Gray, Queen, Elvis Presley; Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Monkees; Tom Petty and so many more that I’m going to kick myself for not mentioning - and then the other artist I discovered who was a huge catalyst for me in my own songwriting was Brandi Carlile. Since then, I also look up to Ingrid Michealson, Damian Rice; Ray LaMontagne, Katie Herzig; Gregory Alan Isakov, Regina Spektor; Rachel Platten, Rachael Yamagata and, most recently, Jeff Hahn to name a few.

How does your acting work and performance skills mix and blend with your musical expression?

People have always told me that I’m very expressive on stage. I guess maybe I should watch videos of myself to see exactly what that looks like other than some pretty intense faces sometimes! I guess it’s probably due to a lot of training I went through with the Physical Theater Conservatory and company I’m an original member of, Not Man Apart. We did a lot of work on grounding and using your whole body. Also, I suppose, the experience of being on stage, telling stories and getting feelings across to an audience comes through when I’m singing as well.

I try to just experience what the song is for me and connect with the audience and hopefully they feel it in whatever way it’s resonating with them. That’s what I love about music and songs: they can have so many meanings for different people and even for the same people at different times.

Can we see you tour this year? What gigs do you have coming along?

I will be on tour all over Germany, put on by Songs & Whispers, from August 21st to Sept 23rd. I am hoping and planning to do some touring in the U.S. before the end of the year and that is still in the planning stages.  Coming up, I have a couple of shows at Hahn Winery in Soledad, CA on July 1st and Aug 5th…and my big C.D. release/birthday show is on July 21st at the Hotel Cafe at 8 P.M.! You can get tickets for just $10 here.

Might you come to the U.K. and play here?

I have played in the U.K. before at the Edinburgh Fringe festival and I really want to come back! I might be able to get over there after the Germany tour.

Do you have any ambitions to fulfil before the end of the year?

My goal is to sell out the Hotel Cafe show on July 21st and to get my E.P. on the Billboard Heatseeker Charts. I’m hoping to get a lot of pre-orders and downloads in the first week to make that happen! I also really want to go to Italy; just to go there and eat delicious pasta.

PHOTO CREDIT: @shilohstrong

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

There are a lot of wonderful moments but some of my favorite times have been when I was busking at the Edinburgh Fringe festival with my twin sister. We sing melodic songs with harmonies and an acoustic guitar so, while most of the other performers could not do their shows in the rain, that was our golden time.

We would sit out along the wall of St. Giles Cathedral with an umbrella and I guess it just went with the environment of rain and lights shining off the wet pavement - and people would stop huddled under their umbrellas and listen. We had over fifty people gathered around in the rain sometimes. I couldn’t believe it! It felt magical and intimate and honest.

PHOTO CREDIT: @shilohstrong

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

Oh, wow...that’s such a commitment!

Going along with the stories of the artists who influenced the sparking of my musical career the most, I guess I’d have to say the first albums I heard of those artists: Middle of Nowhere by Hanson and the Acoustic E.P. by Brandi Carlile (along with her eponymous debut album) Those were formative and I still love them! 

Is it weird if I say my own first album The Left Atrium for the third one? Since the question is which ones mean the most, that is true. That album was extremely personal and the first time I picked myself up and did all the planning; was very hands-on with the musical arrangements, promotion etc. and it was a huge personal accomplishment and a big step in my career.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Write as much as you can - it doesn’t all have to be perfect and amazing.  Keep going. Try new things; be resourceful, persistent and polite. The ones who succeed are the ones who are left. Surround yourself with positive people who are doing what you want to do. Read and listen to music business books and podcasts.

Look up Ari Herstand’s book.

IN THIS PHOTO: Paris Carney

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Crimson Calamity, Lyndzie Taylor; Paris Carney/O’Neil Hudson (she has two projects with different names and both are great!); Dree Mon; Jon Bryant. These are not NEW but if you haven’t heard of Gregory Alan Isakov, Katie Herzig or Jeff Hahn, you should!

IN THIS PHOTO: Jon Bryant

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I don’t know if it’s really unwinding because I get competitive (in a friendly way) but I love playing games with my family and friends. We play running charades, Pandemic Legacy and D&D. I just got the Game of Thrones Settlers of Catan which I’m very excited to play once I finish all the prep work for getting the E.P. out. I’m going to get a little break soon for 4th July (our Independence Day) and I’m going to go up to Northern California and breathe the fresh air; go to the beach, drink wine among the redwoods and laugh with friends.

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).

How about I Was Born by Hanson. I think most people haven’t heard anything of theirs since Mmmbop and they’ve been making great music ever since then - with I Was Born coming out just last year. It’s my jam when I’m feeling like I want to take on the world and it would be awesome for other people to hear it and get uplifted, inspired and pumped too! (That or Muscadine (or Wine and Whiskey) by Jeff Hahn - so beautiful)

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Follow Kris Angelis

Official:

https://krisangelis.bandzoogle.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/krisangelismusic

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/krisangelis/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/krisangelis

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/krisangelis

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/krisangelis

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5NSCSZj6ourZB5Yy4j4saO

INTERVIEW: NOIA

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Viani

NOIA

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I have been speaking with the talented Canadian duo…

NOIA about their album, Maybe Forever. Ashley and Eduardo select their favourite songs from the record and tell me how they got together; what the music scene is like in Montréal is right now – they reveal touring plans and state whether a trip to the U.K. is a possibility.

The guys tell me about their D.I.Y. approach to music and what equipment they used to record Maybe Forever; if they get time to escape away from music; some new acts we need to get our ears around – they end the song by selecting some fine cuts.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi! It’s been great! We just played a really fun outdoor show and the day before we were interviewed by a local radio. Other than that; we've been enjoying the summer here in Montreal!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

To quote our bio: “Part dance-rock, part electro-pop, Montreal indie duo NOIA is the fruit of the creative collusion between musicians Ashley Long and Eduardo Noya Schreus”.

Your L.P., Maybe Forever, is out. Are there particular themes that define the album? What was it like recording it?

For this specific album, there are no themes in particular that could be singled out. In terms of recording the album, it was a fun/hard and interesting process that took place over quite a few winter months. The vocal/guitar/bass recordings took about a week; then we spent another week in Miami mixing with our friend Reuven Amiel.

Do you each have favourite cuts from the record?

Eduardo: Save Yourself.

Ashley: A tie between Too Much Attention and Ding Ding.

I believe the album was a D.I.Y.-made thing where you took care of every stage. Can you describe the sort of equipment and spaces that brought the songs to life?

Both were crucial for the inspiration on this album. We started using hardware because Ed was feeling more and more turned off with D.A.W.s (digital audio workstations.) Our hardware consists of a sampler, a drum machine and three synths. The touch of real equipment and the learning process that accompanied it refreshed everything. The other 50% was getting a jam space, which allowed us to play very loud and actually feel the sound vibrations better.

To be standing up while creating makes a big difference in contrast to making music sitting down in front of a computer. We loved it so much that we began going every day! Even when other bands were scheduled, we would wait and go late at night.

How did NOIA get together? Ashley and Eduardo. When did you meet one another?

We met through a cat (haha!). This is how we always start the tale…

We had a mutual friend from whom Eduardo adopted a cat, the wonderful El Niño.  Ed mentioned he was interested in finding a female vocalist to go in a new direction with his project, which was solely instrumental at the time. She recommended me (Ashley) and it all took off from there. He contacted me and I immediately liked him and his music. We instantly clicked, played one of our first shows at Rojo Nova - a cultural festival in São Paulo, Brazil - and the rest is history!

PHOTO CREDIT: Carlos Viani

Is Montreal a great area for creating music and finding influence?

Montreal is definitely an awesome place to make music. Finding influence is a bit harder when you want to broaden your scope because scenes are quite insular here but, if you really make the effort, you can find so many different kinds of music in this city.

Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?

We are actually going to start working on that very soon. We were very busy wrapping up everything for the release of this album: our first album! Ed has been focused on scoring music for a couple of French T.V. series (Versailles and Philharmonia), so we’ll hopefully get out on the road once he’s all wrapped up!

Might you head to the U.K. and play this year?

That would be amazing, especially since we have often been told that our music would fit well in the European music scene. We’ll let you know as soon as we confirm any U.K. shows. Can’t wait to play there in the near-future!

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

We’re working on writing and recording our next album which we hope to have ready for release later this year - and we’d like to play as many shows as possible because it’s so much fun!

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

One of our mutual favourite memories was an illegal show here in Montreal that was organized by good friends of ours. It was a huge rave in an abandoned city tunnel where hundreds of people were losing their minds (in a good way). Halfway through our set, people were so hectic we almost had our equipment knocked over. Haha! Everyone’s energy was amazing and the space was really, really cool. Soon after, we were voted Cult MTL’s #1 Best Electronic Act which we suspected (but still have no proof!) was a result of that show…

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Eduardo: My friend Michael Lucas, an amazing drummer who currently plays in a Berlin-based band called Rabia Sorda, among others; Peruvian ceviche and San Pedro cactus.

Ashley: ALL OF MY AMAZING MUSICIAN FRIENDS!  Popcorn and mango lassi.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Believe in yourself! Never forget that it’s all about having fun AND mainly be genuine: don’t emulate anybody else’s music.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Our friends Gabriel Vigliensoni, Colin Jenkins; Dengue Dengue Dengue and, if you like video stuff, Justine Durand and Max Hattler.

IN THIS PHOTO: Dengue Dengue Dengue

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

We do not unwind from music: Ed works on music scores during the day and we jam normally at night. Ashley is studying illustration among other things. In our free time, we love camping, travelling; bike trips, surfing and skateboarding!

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).

Ashley: Mort Garson - Baby's Tears Blues (I secretly call this ‘The Plant Detective’ in my head whenever I hear it. You’ll see why…)

Ed: Lou Miami - Dancing with Death

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Follow NOIA

Official:

https://www.noianoianoia.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/NOIAsound

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/NOIAsound/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/NOIAsound

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/NOIA

Bandcamp:

https://noia.bandcamp.com/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/NOIAMUSIC

INTERVIEW: Kasai

INTERVIEW:

Kasai

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THIS weekend is a varied and interesting one…

that is for damn sure! I have been getting to know Kasai better and ask about the extraordinary album, Guns to Shoot. They tell me about the album’s themes and how the songs came together; how the band themselves all found one another – I ask whether there are any gigs on the cards.

I learn which new artists we should seek out and whether, in the mind of Kasai, Rock and Alternative is healthy and making a comeback – the boys each select a song to end the interview with.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

We are fine, thanks. A pretty good week working on a new batch of songs together at our bassist’s flat.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We are Kasai and we play genuine, old-school Rock ‘n’ Roll: so; a simple four-piece setup with screamy vocals….and the occasional, with much reluctance from Jay, second guitar on some songs.

Talk to me about Guns to Shoot. What are the themes and ideas that influenced the songs?

Mostly, personal stuff which is irrelevant to everyone else. We like the listener to make up his/her own theme or story to our songs.

Is there a cut you’d each select as a highlight from the record?

Benzo: We talked a lot about what is our favourite and, usually, we can’t agree. I think one track - which is little special touch for all of us - would be Run.

Jay: Mine would be Guns to Shoot, Rose and Run…

Jack: Yeah; Run - although I’m pretty happy with how most of them came out.

How did Kasai get together? When did that spark come?

When dinosaurs ruled the earth (circa 2003); Jack and Jay started Kasai (or ‘The Juice’ as we were previously known as). I think we both were (just) bored with our lives and the life choices we had made. But, we had ideas that we could make into songs. So, we hooked up, started a band and, many lineups later, we are Kasai - with Benzo and Rich.

Although…we could be a real-life version of Spinal Tap with our live music experiences (smiles).

How does a Kasai song come together? Do you all pitch in or do will someone take a song and bring it to the band?

It’s a bit of both, really.

Someone brings an idea which can be a short riff and then the band builds a song. Or, someone could bring in a 90%-ready song and we just put finishing touches to it. The discussions could be very zen and peaceful to a full-on heated argument about where a song should go. But, we enjoy it nonetheless - apart from when Jay sulks. Jay’s sulks can last for weeks.

Usually, they are resolved when one of us buys him a lolly; ruffles his hair and tells him that we do still love him. He just needs to work on his behaviour, sometimes. He then wipes the snot from his nose; we have a cuddle, agree that Jack is right and move on.

Jay: I just want to say, I’m not happy with this response (sulks).

Do you think Hard-Rock and Alternative sounds are struggling right now? How do you stand out from the pack, would you say?!

If you’re not one of the big bands from the '80s and '90s then, yes, it’s really hard to get a crowd for yourself because the dynamic has changed. We think grass-roots live music is struggling generally as people don’t venture out too much - and we talk about this in our song, Get Out, which is the first track of the album.

How do we stand out? Honestly; we don’t do anything special. Our music is honest and that has taken us to the U.S., India (yes…you read that right) and to the Middle East to play shows. I hear we have some fans (maybe, one) in Japan, too. I think one of the things that have improved us over the years is focusing on enjoying what we are doing as much as possible. We all get lost in the music we play. We have a lot of respect for each other as musicians and jamming together is a bit like a mini holiday from all the boring stuff in life.

Once upon a time, we cared a lot more about how we looked, what our image was supposed to be; how to improve our stage presence etc. Retrospectively, we think giving a s*it about that stuff probably made us worse. It is much more fun now and we like to think that comes through in our music; particularly live.

Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?

We play in London normally and our next gig is at The Islington (in Angel) on 14th July. We are also excited to be playing the Big Red (Holloway Road) on 21st September with our mate Jamie Sloane’s (from Whisky Blood) band. We want to do a few festivals (if offered a last-minute slot) but we aim to play in the U.K. and some venues around Europe generally.

Is the stage where the music comes alive would you say? Do you all love the thrill of performing?

Definitely. I think there is a magic of playing live no matter what the genre. But, for us, playing live to a live audience is brilliant.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

Some more exposure for our album, Guns to Shoot. I think we have a great album and the lack of exposure is a killer: it is, unfortunately, about ‘who you know’ rather than ‘what you can do’ in the industry.

Having said that…we’ve already started to work on our next project so this year is going to be exciting.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

You don’t normally remember the best ones. Perhaps one was when some Dutch Osho Rajneeshs (yes, the Wild Wild Country ones) approached us when we did a gig in Pune, India (in 2009) saying we reminded them of Led Zeppelin and that we should play at The Ashram. We wanted to but we had another gig to play so we passed.

But, they came across as cool people.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Musicians we would love to support: we would say Clutch, Guns N’ Roses; Slash, Derek Trucks; Q.O.T.S.A. (Queens of the Stone Age), Foo Fighters and Led Zeppelin etc. etc.

Rider? Too long a list to type here - but most of it is for Jay…

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

1)      Don’t do it to become famous – and…

2)      All members of your band should learn a DAW as it helps with the writing.

3)      Don’t be a c*nt. There really is no excuse.

IN THIS PHOTO: BearWolves

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Two bands which are no more really: BearWolves and Bad Mother Earth. There was also an American band called Astro Van from Seattle, Washington. We played with when we were touring the West Coast and they were brilliant.

IN THIS PHOTO: Bad Mother Earth

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I Think music IS the chill away from life. Bence likes to stick his willy in a toaster while reciting The Lord’s Prayer. He says it focuses his 'chi' - the weird bastard.

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).

Jay: Down in the Flood - The Derek Trucks Band

Benzo: Touch My Blues Away (Live) - Jessy Martens and Band

Jack: Milkcow’s Calf Blues - Eric Clapton (awesome cover of an awesome song - play the original, too).

Rich: Grace - Jeff Buckley

​​​​​​​

Jay: Can I just say, on behalf of the band, thank you, Sam, for your time in interviewing us. All of your readers can download our music for free for a limited time…

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Follow Kasai

Official:

http://gunstoshoot.co.uk/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/iwantjuice

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/iwantjuice

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6LR7fcgt8NYsmWJg2epFVs?si=rudl59jUTNqw_YJ0Ix-72w

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/iwantjuice

FEATURE: The June Playlist: Vol. 4: Macca’s Back in Town

FEATURE:

 

The June Playlist

 IN THIS PHOTO: Sir Paul McCartney 

Vol. 4: Macca’s Back in Town

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THERE are some weeks…

IN THIS PHOTO: Tash Sultana

where you get a consistent stream of great songs and others where it is quite weak – nothing stands out from the pack, it seems. This week balances smaller, less-startling cuts alongside big songs from the likes of Underworld (and Iggy Pop), Tash Sultana; Kanye West and Nile Rodgers (and CHIC) – a certain Paul McCartney has released a double A-side (I have included Come on to Me).

It is great to see the Beatles legend back in action and releasing incredible material – ahead of the release of a new album, Egypt Station – and show the music world how it is done. Sit down and enjoy his contribution, and many others, to a varied and talk-worthy week of music.

ALL PHOTOS (unless credited otherwise): Getty Images/Artist

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Paul McCartney – Come on to Me

Her – Icarus

Darwin Deez – Queen of Spades

PHOTO CREDIT: @TomBeard86

Florence + the Machine – Big God

St. Vincent – Fast Slow Disco

Underworld (ft. Iggy Pop) – I’ll See Big

Kanye West - Violent Crimes

Lil Xan & Charli XCX - Moonlight

Kimba x Dawn – Version of Me

Beach House – Black Car

Father John Misty – God’ s Favourite Customer

Nile Rodgers & CHIC (ft. Mura Masa, Cosha and Vic Mensa) – Till the World Falls

All Saints – Love Lasts Forever

Amen Dunes – Believe

NAO – Another Lifetime

Pumarosa – Lions' Den

Gorillaz (ft. Snoop Dogg, Jamie Principle) – Hollywood

Meghan Trainor – All the Ways

PHOTO CREDIT: Dara Munnis Photography

Tash Sultana – Salvation

PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Hampartsoumian/Shutterstock 

Mobb Deep – Boom Goes the Cannon

Years & Years – Palo Santo

Bebe Rexha – Knees

Kamasi Washington – Connections

Nine Inch Nails – Over and Out

Ariana Grande (ft. Nicki Minaj) - the light is coming

Lizzo – Boys

PHOTO CREDIT: Dan Kendall Photography

The Magic Gang - All That I Want Is You

Marshmello – Rooftops

Demi Lovato - Sober

6LACK – Switch

Tom Walker – My Way

Halsey (ft. Lauren Jauregui) - Strangers

Otzeki - Angry Fix

Tessa Violet - Crush

Big Spring – New Wave

Elley Duhé – LOST MY MIND

Feeder – Just the Way I’m Feeling

Charlotte Lawrence – I Bet

Jaden Smith – GHOST

TRACK REVIEW: Elena Ramona - Electric Love

TRACK REVIEW:

 

Elena Ramona

Electric Love

9.4/10

The track, Electric Love, is available via:

https://soundcloud.com/elenaramonaofficial/electric-love

GENRES:

Pop; Alternative

ORIGIN:

Surrey/London, U.K.

RELEASE DATE:

14th June, 2018

_________

I realise…

PHOTO CREDIT: @MichaelSweeney

one of the pledges I made for my blog was to look only to new artists. By that, I mean those I have not featured before: many might recognise Elena Ramona and the fact she has featured here a few times. I am making very few exceptions but, when it comes to her music, she acts as an example of someone who continues to seek new excitement and explore new territory. I will come to her new song, Electric Love, very soon but, before then, I want to address music that makes its way beyond the speakers and laptops; artists who have come a long way and continue to expand their horizons; 1980s and the sounds of the decade coming back into modern music; a need to move into a wider market and broaden views; Pop and why it is shifting and split at the moment – those who have the passion and dedication to go all the way in the business. I will look, first, at Elena Ramona and how she has come a long way. I have heard her music played on T.V. shows like This Morning and now, with Electric Love, it is being heard in Superdrug stores. That might sound like a minor achievement but it is one few songwriters can claim. Not only do many thousands of people know her music and have heard it played; up and down the country, we will hear her new song filling our ears. In a competitive and busy industry; there are so few slots and chances for artists to get ahead and earn that sense of wonder. Elena Ramona has that rare honour and is being taken to heart by those in T.V. Couple that with retail backing and you have a nice spread and diverse portfolio. The reason I wanted to raise the point was to examine how much has become a little insular and anonymous in some ways.

PHOTO CREDIT: @MichaelSweeney

We all listen to what we love and, unless we interact at gigs, how often do we bond over music outside of social media? I feel we are conversing less and the act of discussing music is less physical and social. It is strange we have come to this but I know there is a way through it. Getting music played in shops and on the screen means viewers and consumers can directly interact and share their feelings; we see music reach that wide remit and it is taking songs away from streaming sites and out into the open. It shows artists like Elena Ramona have an adaptable and eclectic quality that is appealing to radio stations, producers and fans alike. I feel a spot on a daytime show or being played in a national store is a great way of transitioning to films and bigger T.V. shows. Who is to say, a few months from now, a big producer and company will not be overlooking Elena Ramona: they will knock on her door and ask if her latest cut can be used on their show. I can see that happening and know it is only a matter of time before she gets right across the nation. I have heard many people getting their music played on shows like Made in Chelsea – that may not be her cup of tea… - but it is another layer of exposure and big kudos. I feel film and entertainment is where the songwriter’s work will sound best. I can see her songs backing some great independent film or accompanying a comedic moment, perhaps. I have followed Elena Ramona since the start and her music keeps on changing and building. She is able to write something stirring and emotional and, on her next release, it will be a funky and danceable jam. She is determined to get her music beyond the comforts of home and touch as many humans as is possible. That is an impressive and ambition feat from an artist who has man more years ahead of her.

One reason why she has managed to endure and set her horizons is the variability of the music itself. I will examine Electric Love and its motions but, look back, and you see the different colours she has worn. The first few songs Elena Ramona released were fantastic and dealt with personal subjects. Whether tackling a lying boyfriend or paying tribute to her father; these songs were from her heart and showed a songwriter who was willing to change her game and not produce the same song every time. I have seen her stride out and incorporate fresh elements with every release. Look at where she is now and there is that natural confidence and intuition. The music is more positive, lyrically, and it seems her heart and head are in a happier space. Of course, there will be bad days and normal heartaches – of romance and personal realms – but the young talent is projecting summer tunes and feelgood vibes right now. In any case; we are seeing such ability and strength come from the music. Elena Ramona was never nervous and unsure but I am noticing leaps and bounds come from her. She is still in her twenties and, as she moves through her career, I wonder where her music will take her. Right now, there is that mix of Pop and Soul but I wonder whether other genres and sounds will come to play when she gets further down the line. That will be interesting to see and I know people will love whatever she offers up. I am seeing a few artists quit and limit their scope; they are retreating or playing it safe with music. Many feel the way to remain is to copy others or play in a very commercial/unambitious wheelhouse. That might seem logical to some but, to me, those who succeed and endure are the ones who take risks and transform.

Every new Elena Ramona song has her blend of qualities and D.N.A. in them – there is a distinct stamp and sound one can associate with her. What one gets is fresh endeavour and motivation from someone who is able to step into any territory she feels fit to explore. Not only does Elena Ramona have a voice that could belt out a big Pop song or seduce when singing tenderly; she loves to write about a number of different subjects and does not want to be pinned and honed. It is easy to see why people are falling for her music and why it is getting into some very important hands. Music, being busy and competitive, means each artist needs to think big and how they can make a success of their careers. It is all very well having big dreams and striking high but you need to be able to execute it and create something original. People can see through artists who mimic and feel it wrong to show individuality. I know there will be more material from Elena Ramona and one wonders what she will create on her next offering. She is more alive and desiring than she has ever been. One wonders how long it will be until she is standing on some big stages and getting her music to some huge crowds. The reason I make this declaration – or ask the question – is the sensation one gets from the songs. You are part of the process and have something physical and immediate. The songwriter wants people to get together and talk about her music; those who do not move and feel connected to Electric Love need to get themselves checked over! All of the energy and physicality one gets from her latest single is part of a plan from someone who wants to play a bigger role in the industry. She is setting her sights on success and reaching as many people as is possible. I know that achievement will take a while but she is making all the right moves and creating some incredible movements right now.

I will chat about Pop and why there are dangers and joys in the sector but the 1980s, oddly, comes to mind. A lot of artists are putting the decade’s music into their own – many might claim that has been the way for a very long time! Some see the 1980s as a jokey and minor time that offered little beyond big hair and commercial Pop. We forget all the brilliance that was around there and, with artists putting the 1980s into the modern day, there is new appreciation and fascination. Not everything from the 1980s is great: there was some rather dodgy Pop and some movements (like New Romantics) had some bad moments. What was great about the 1980s was the variety we had then and some of those terrific and fun Pop-makers. Look at icons like Madonna and Kylie Minogue – and those around them – and we have artists who have endured for decades. I feel we are bonding with 1980s-inspired sound is the fun and sense of nostalgia that we get. There is a beguiling quality and strange energy that we feel and, just short of getting the mullets back out; we have that link to the past and a, well…something that is lacking in many songs. By that, I mean (the 1980s-inspired songs) take us back to the decade but updates the sound. Those artists who are borrowing from the 1980s are not lazily repeating and not adding their own touch; they are presenting their own version and taking it in a new direction. It is not only the more commercial Pop artists of the decade the likes of Elena Ramona are inspired by. Look at the decade as a whole and what was happening then. You had the division of chart Pop and bigger bands who were less concerned with commercial success. We had so much happening and a variety of tastes and sounds playing alongside one another in the decade. More and more, artists are taking guidance from the 1980s and marrying it with modern production.

PHOTO CREDIT: @MichaelSweeney

I will move onto a new consideration in a minute but I am compelled to look at the 1980s and why we are hooked on it. The 1990s, of course, plays a bigger role in modern music but I am glad we are not overlooking its predecessor decade. It can be risky taking from that time and making it fit into our times. There was some real cheese back then and I am not sure many would be willing to hear something like that now – there is a reason it is dated and unable to exist now. Listen to Electric Love and there is not an overt and explicit take on the 1980s: what we get are suggestions of the Pop from back then and the sort of joy and giddiness that defined the biggest hits. I wonder whether people are looking around modern music and considering whether optimism and uplift are being removed. Many bigger artists are introverted and creating songs more personal and emotive. It is great to write like that but, when you get that in spades, it can be quite exhausting and samey. I am always on the look out for music that provides scintillation and energy without seeming shallow and predictable. That is a tough challenge but, when it does happen, it gets you in a better frame of mind and does something wonderful. In another sense, there is a new generation coming through who are not being raised on music from the 1980s. They are being brought up listening to modern stuff and might be unaware of what came before. New artists are bringing the 1980s back to the fore and ensuring the best of the decade is kept alive! In the case of Elena Ramona; she is exploring new ground and showing how adaptable she really is. There are Pop artists who are willing to do that and continue to seek: others are less capable and that is causing some troubles in music.

IMAGE CREDIT: Ben Couzens

There is a new album out that is causing divisions among critics. I shall not name it – it is from an American Pop artist – but her latest work has been given some four-star reviews and some rather poor ones, too. Some claim the music is vacuous and filled with trite observations and songs that have no soul and depth. Others claim there are anthems and modern Pop numbers that stand the test and get into the brain. It is weird seeing how different people can have such diverse and polemic views. It shows that Pop is not immune to interpretation and demands. I think there are a lot of modern artists who try to write something catchy and nuanced and, rather than do that, come up with something hollow and misguided. It is tough making something that gets into the head and brings something new to the game. Pop is a genre that has its critics and always struggled to find widespread acclaim. There are so many artists who produce trite and sugary music that does nothing to the head or heart. Rather than be troubled and feel we need to do something about it; it is best to celebrate those who are giving the genre a good name and providing their own take. British Pop, I feel, has a different flavour from that of the U.S. The nations have their natural stars and they have their own style. Look at Elena Ramona and I get the impression she takes a little from U.S. Pop/R&B and some shades from British Pop. It is a nice balance and cuisine that reminds one of the 1980s but keeps your head right in the present. The music she is writing walks that tense line of familiar and personal. Rather than write lyrics that are cliché and ill-defined; she is penning words that get into the brain and conspire repetition but have depth and edge to them.

PHOTO CREDIT: @MichaelSweeney

Her sounds are quite sharp and sassy and she tops that off with big vocals and plenty of heart. With Elena Ramona, you get the sweetness and vanilla-cool vibes; plenty of tease and allure with plenty of body and tang. It is a heady and exciting brew that makes for fulsome and long-lasting music. Elena Ramona has kept her ear to the ground and gauged what people want and who people are responding to. There are some bad Pop artists and those who make music for charts and those who do not really have deep and excellent tastes. Instead of go for something simple and commercial, her latest gem is a more ambitious and personal song that challenges the head – it moves the body and mind at the same time. I wonder whether there is a new romance, or old dream, that compelled the music to come alive. We can all relate to the views and lines that are laid out in the song. Not only can we bond and understand the song but there are so many different elements fizzing and working away to intrigue future listening. I wonder whether Elena Ramona will go into R&B/U.S. territory for her next song or look to the 1990s for inspiration – maybe something E.D.M.-inspired, perhaps?! The world is hers and you can sense a young woman who does not want to settle and conform. Those who venture and look around them are always going to reach a wider remit. You have those who want to remain limited and not stray too far from what they know. That is all well and good but I wonder how much artistic satisfaction you get. Elena Ramona wants her music to get as far as possible and reach new people every day. I feel there is something to discuss when it comes to her future and where she might head.

PHOTO CREDIT: @MichaelSweeney

The songwriter is based in the South and has an official website out right now. She is building her arsenal and planning more music. I can see the sparkle in her eyes and hear how much music means to her. Local radio performances and chats have come out and she has built a great name for herself. What I would like to see if the songwriter gets around the country and take her music further. Being based where she is; there is not a hugely varied and successful music scene. There are a few Pop artists and good bands but it is pretty quiet and unspectacular when you think about it. Look to London (rather than Surrey) and you have much more choice and choice coming from the place – much cooler, credible and successful. The people are nicer and more ambitious there and a bigger platform for musicians to play. I know Elena Ramona has played London dates but I feel that is where she needs to set her views. Even if she does not move there – I would advise she does in the future; to get the opportunities she needs – the sheer scope of venues and crowds means she cannot deny the draw. Many financial constraints limit touring but she is someone whose music can be taken to heart by those in other nations and continents. Getting out of the local mindset and thinking bigger is crucial. Every new song gets her stock rising and shows she is in this for the long haul. Her arresting voice and original songs are making their way up the country but I would like to see the artist look more to London and the bigger cities. International touring is a future possibility and, to get there, that London acclaim needs to arrive. She has the ammunition and talent to carve out some territory in the capital. I wonder whether she might consider some more dates up there by the end of the year.

It is all well playing locally but, if the country/town has a limited scene and does not produce many big artists – and has very few good venues – then that can cause an issue. I can see Elena Ramona get to bigger cities and tour in places like the U.S. Her music has that accessible and familiar quality that can translate and cross borders pretty naturally. I want to see her get her body out there and attack these cities. She has done a lot in her local area but there is a big world waiting for her. Eclectic Love is a song that warrants a big platform and could thrill a willing crowd pretty much anywhere. She has a collection of great songs under her belt and would be able to produce a great set for the fans. Consider areas like London and Brighton; Manchester and Glasgow and she could enjoy a great reception and find good success. She is one of the most promising acts out there at the moment and I know how hard she works to get her music heard. Right now, as she has a fond following and great sound; taking things that bit further and thinking bigger is essential. I can envisage Elena Ramona being a national artist who will tackle big festivals. 2018 has been a busy year for her and, looking ahead, the doors are opening before her. The fact so many stations and people are reacting to her music means she is striking a chord and doing something right! She is business-minded and very smart; there is that willingness to adapt and bend; she has knowledge of the industry and passion to succeed and remain. All of these ingredients and chemistry means she could create a huge bang and do something sensational. 2019 will be a vital year and one where we might see an album (I feel she is ready) and the young artist travel around the country and get her music to the masses – maybe some foreign dates would be involved.

Elena Ramona’s latest track comes out of the traps with chatter, vivaciousness and plenty of light. You hear some voices mixed and fast; there is a great sense of confidence and electronic strobing that fuses into the skin and excites you. I was hooked from the off and followed the song closely. The heroine is seduced by a smile and seems to have fallen for someone. Maybe it has been a rather hard road to lust and love but there is someone in her mind that she cannot forget. She is hypnotised and it seems this love is forever – I wonder whether it is a man being looked at or someone from the past; a friend maybe. As you decipher whether romantic passion or loyalty are being looked at; you are attracted to the bass and electronics; you get a mixture of Pop and Disco; some little shades of Rock and Soul melting into one another. Maybe the vocal, at times, is a little low down in the mix – the composition getting more attention than the voice; it can drown some of the words – but it is the way the vocal plays with the music and leads it that is fascinating to see. Elena Ramona can work in any genre and is able to create truly fantastic music. She has that affinity and knowledge that means she can step into 1980s-inspired Pop and make it sound completely natural. Electric Love is that simple celebration of something pure and unadulterated. You get impressions of the weather – a thunder that remains under her beating heart – and a joy from the heroine. Rather than look at love and affection in a small and ordinary way; there is this heightened and dramatic tone that builds images and big visions. You get the sense this romance is heating up and there are some issues lurking underneath. Maybe it has been challenging getting to this point or some obstacles along the way.

PHOTO CREDIT: @MichaelSweeney

What is obvious is the sense of desire that is working away and how fulfilling this love is. The chorus has that big 1980s hit that pumps and vibrates; it pushes and dances with wide arms and a huge smile. You are caught by the chorus and are taking back in time as you do. The heroine cannot get enough of this electric feeling and does not want to escape the feeling. The listener is sucked into the song and cannot help but move their feet in time to the music. The sunny vibes and energy that comes from the track mean many festival-goers would love to hear it. Electric Love has that outside sensation and openness that could get the crowds singing and bouncing together. There is a whoop and changing electronics; the song mutates and goes through stages as we follow the story. At every interval, there is that fascination and joy that keeps smiles on the faces and the body motivated. It seems like the hero has been on her mind for a long time and this moment is the coming together. Never salacious and explicit; there are tease and tension that creates a palatable rawness. The heroine desires that touch and satisfaction that seems to have been missing from her life. You listen to the song and see that balance of simplicity and complex. The chorus has that charm and catchiness that lodges in the head: the verses explore the story and provide more language and possibilities. When they are brought together, you get a full and intriguing song that we can all take something from. As the weather is hotting and things are getting sweatier; the sunshine and seductiveness you get from Electric Love seem like a perfect soundtrack! It is another accomplished and confident offering from a songwriter who is determined to change the music industry and nestle herself among the very best out there.

Electric Love is a fantastic offering from a songwriter who continues to evolve and impress. I have mooted the possibility of touring and national recognition. You have to wonder how long it will be until Elena Ramona is being called to the big festivals and has the chance to reach the world. Her music continues to grow and, with every release, she is reaching more people and standing out. I am so pleased for her and know what hard work and commitment she offers music. I am not sure whether an E.P. is due before the end of this year but I am sure there is big demand for more music from her. Let’s continue to back Elena Ramon and share her music as much as we can. I am a big fan of her work and cannot wait to see where she goes next. What strikes me is how varied and changing her music is. She does not stay in one genre and keep things limited. You get a wide and challenging sound that continues to shift and subvert expectations - that is a quality few possess and I feel will get her all the acclaim and success she deserves. The songwriter will keep her head strong and have her visions set on future glory. Electric Love shows she is ready to battle and has all the components to remain for many years to come. A fantastic song that gets right into the brain and stays with you for ages; Electric Love is a stunning thing that one will hear played in Superdrug stores. I am excited for Elena Ramona and wonder what her next move is. Only she knows that but it is true when I say I am not the only one…

WHO will be watching with great interest!

___________

Follow Elena Ramona

PHOTO CREDIT: @MichaelSweeney 

Official:

https://elenaramonamusic.wixsite.com/website

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/elenaramona90

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/elenaramonamusic/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/elenaramonaofficial

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5bUE6ronjsaGdIoeVGfFoj

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmVSlZvqOYKf3qp0bA8b8Bw

INTERVIEW: Alexander Biggs

INTERVIEW:

Alexander Biggs

___________

I have been listening to Car Ride…

by Alexander Biggs and excited to speak with its creator. Biggs talks about the song and whether there will be more material this year; how it feels getting traction from some big radio names; whether Melbourne (where he is from) is a great musical landscape – Biggs talks about idols and tastes.

I ask him whether there are gigs booked and how he spends time away from music; whether he has a favourite memory from his career so far; how being on stage makes him feel – he ends the interview by selecting an underrated Bob Dylan track.

___________

Hi, Alexander. How are you? How has your week been?

My week has been good, thanks.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m Alexander Biggs and I write songs and sing them.

Car Ride is new. Can you reveal the story behind the song?

I like songs most when I have to experience them and find an understanding in them for myself. The song is out in the world and is now the property of anyone who listens to it - so it’s better if I ask them what it means.

Might we see other new cuts coming later in the year?

Yeah. I’m pretty eager to put more music out pretty quickly. It’s best to act quickly on recorded music because, a lot of the time, the songs have been around for a while and they can quickly become old songs. A few of the songs were written right before recording this year, though, so thankful I’m excited about them still.

Past songs like Out in the Dark and Tidal Wave have been backed by BBC Radio and gained a lot of love! Does that give you a lot of heart and encouragement?

I really appreciate the support that I’ve had from radio all over the world and from streaming services but I try not to think too much about it. I’m thankful of the encouragement but I feel my time is better spent encouraging myself and trying hard to believe in myself than to get it from any outside sources. Getting encouragement from anywhere outside of myself runs the risk of affecting my efforts.

PHOTO CREDIT: Al Parkinson

Which musicians made a big impact when you were growing up? Who do you count as idols?

Growing up, I was really into My Chemical Romance and Paramore, so I suppose they’ve had an impact on me in their own subtle way. At the end of my teens, I was introduced to Elliott Smith too, who was a pivotal artist for me. I try not to idolise anyone because everyone’s out there trying to do their own thing and make their own way and I should be doing the same.

Less looking out, more looking in…

You are from Melbourne. What is it like recording music there? Is it a fantastically supportive and compelling part of the world?

Melbourne is a diverse and supportive part of the industry in Australia. I think it’s only as supportive as you are willing to be involved, though. I see artists every now and then visit or move here and almost expect to be held up and supported but it still takes time like any other community. I like writing and recording in Melbourne because it’s an inspiring place to live.

Can we see you tour this year? What gigs do you have coming along?

I’m hoping to be back for the end of the year.

You live show has been celebrated and noted. Is the stage where you feel alive and free?

I’m not entirely sure I feel alive and free. Some days, the stage is a place to celebrate and some days it’s just a place that I work. There are so many underlying factors.

Do you have any ambitions to fulfil before the end of the year?

I want to release a lot more music and tour more overseas.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

I don’t have a favourite but the first memory that came into my head was when a stranger left me a drink on the bar and a story with the bar staff - that I reminded him of a younger self. I was at university and playing shows around town under a different name. I probably sucked. I remember wondering about that person and their story; whether they were happy.

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

Hard to say: I have a rotating list…

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Keep trying...

IN THIS PHOTO: RAThammock/PHOTO CREDIT: William Patston Photography

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

RAThammock, Mickey Cooper; Phoebe Bridgers (she’s not that new), Buck Meek (he’s not new either but his new album is ten/ten).

IN THIS PHOTO: Phoebe Bridgers

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I feel like I’m always doing something with music, whether that’s playing or listening or recording or talking about it. I unwind with more music. I did a meditation camp for ten days a month and a bit ago where you aren’t allowed to speak and when I came back I thought that I’d forgotten how to sing.

After that, I feel musically rejuvenated and inspired - so, I suppose I would say meditation courses help.

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).

Wigwam - Bob Dylan

_____________

Follow Alexander Biggs

PHOTO CREDIT: Al Parkinson  

Official:

https://alexanderbiggs.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/biggsalexander/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/biggsalexander

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ecqKW5XAse2iABt1eDvvo

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzLKRtPvch-0Xma_za6B4eQ

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/alexanderbiggsmusic

INTERVIEW: Toya Delazy

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Superbalist 

Toya Delazy

___________

THERE is so much to draw the eye and ear to Toya Delazy.

PHOTO CREDIT: Alisson Chaigneau

She has been telling me about her epic new cut, London Town, and moving from South Africa to London; what it is like being cast as the first black Powerpuff Girl; if there is a new artist we need to look out for – what sort of tour dates are coming up.

Delazy tells me how she got into being an M.C. and songwriter; what ambitions she wants to fulfil before the end of the year; if she gets chance to chill away from music; what we can expect going forward – she ends the interview by selecting a rather fine song.

___________

Hi, Toya. How are you? How has your week been?

I'm fine. My week has been hectic as usual; lots of stuff happening - I got back from attending the Midem in Cannes last Friday where I was part of two panels and also part of their first-ever songwriting camp -  I've been moving house as well for the first time since I arrived in London.

It feels like an upgrade after sharing for three years and I'm still in the East which is like a dope area; so I'm feeling kind of good. Currently, I’m preparing for a live Facebook interview which is going to be for the launch of the new season of The Powerpuff Girls - as the partnership has been renewed after the successful addition of the first black sister (Bliss)!

And it's only midweek...

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I am a pianist, singer; rapper and producer; originally from South Africa, now settled in London - my genre of music is whatever vibes me in a Jazz/Electro/Hip-Hop-sorta-way. 

 

London Town is your new single. Can you tell me what the story behind it is?

It's about the London mentality, especially in the arts scene - how we get around the city getting interconnected; it's about the melting pot boiling over. I feel I have finally gotten to the place where I fully understand the city and know how to move with it instead of letting it overwhelm me. So, it basically celebrates London as a cradle of diversity and multiculturalism.

PHOTO CREDIT: Simon Wisbey

What was it like working with Rymez on the track? Did the collaboration add to the intensity and flow of the song?

He is a star! I first met him through D.J. Sbu who is one of South Africa's biggest self-made entrepreneurs and C.E.O. of Mofaya - South Africa's first black-owned energy drink. He was making tunes with him and invited me over. A year later, I called Rhymez up for some studio time after I wrote the bassline of London Town (and lyrics); I needed someone to help me package it nicely.

He was so humble and really great artist; a real pleasure to work with; open to collaboration and he loved the fact I had worked on the bass already. Chill guy!

Do you think there will be more singles out before next year?

Yup! Some of the songs I recorded in Cannes at the Midem songwriting camp are going to be released: one of them is in collaboration with Elvis Crespo; I can't say too much. Magical vibes!

PHOTO CREDIT: Claire Bilyard

I understand you will voice the first black Powerpuff Girl? How does that make you feel?

Really great; bearing in mind the history The Powerpuff Girls has and the impact they have made in the animation world and kids worldwide. I used to love them growing up: it's like living a childhood dream; more excitingly is the positive spotlight on Africa and diversity in the animation world. It's really sparked exciting conversations which is great. It's a movement that had to happen.

Are race and inequality something that is not being tackled enough in modern music? Do you think there is an imbalance that is affecting black artists?

Modern music has no race or inequality: it’s the purest; the furthest it can be from some authoritarian model. Modern music is the epitome of freedom. The problem is old mentalities which seem minced into every modern success story. It's clear that people just want a chance to be themselves and feel alive - we want tolerance and equality and anyone against that is a social pariah.

PHOTO CREDIT: Alisson Chaigneau

How did you get started as a songwriter and M.C.? How important is London and its energy regarding your creativity? 

I started writing songs from an early age as I started piano from the age of nine; after high-school, I started playing in pubs in Durban, South Africa - I joined cyphers and attended lots of local art events just so people could get to see me.

London destroyed the restraint I had and allowed me to function as my honest self. I threw myself into my artistry and that type of freedom is rare to find. Also; the city squeezed me and made me really face the reality of being a musician and I didn't run back to Africa where I was more comfortable - being uncomfortable is the key ingredient to unlocking yourself and find yourself. So, musically, it's been amazing: so much to sing about so many emotions to deal with...

PHOTO CREDIT: Richard Hanson

Which artists are most important to you? Who do you recognise as idols?

Artists that are humble but have all the reason not to be and artists that are genuine and original:

Black Coffee - first met him when I hit the African scene and he was already established. I always admired him since then; thereafter, we would bump into each other at international events and he is still the KwaZulu-Natal bro I remember looking up to when I was young - and now making a serious name for himself in the world. 

Can we see you tour this year? What gigs do you have coming along?

Yes. My European tour is coming along so far on my calendar:

Cologne Pride - 7th July 

Bristol Pride - 14th July. 

Do you have any ambitions to fulfil before the end of the year?

Yes. I have to make all my buddies know how to replicate a Zulu ‘Q’ sound: it's like watching a dog with peanut butter on the roof of the mouth when everyone is practising it, but the joys of hearing a Non-Zulu utter their first "Qoh" is so satisfying.

Also; I would like to get London Town on one of the big radios after it reached number-three on the Club Chart - hoping the music video shows the vibes and peeps love them to be honest... 

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind

Performing at the Apollo Theater in Harlem for the first time, as part of the Africa Now series, made me feel like I was spearheading the voice of the next generation.

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill

If it wasn't for Sister Act, I would have never discovered her! Her selfless desire to feed the heart with her voice; her lyrics and soul really helped shaped me into mixing my piano with Hip-Hop.

Nirvana - Nevermind

The wild spirit of freedom they brought with them; the musicality and the ease at which it was all done - remarkable band. 

Nina Simone - I Put a Spell on You

How the vulnerability in her voice was the most beautiful thing to channel the keys (and vice versa). How she lost herself in the moment and meant every word while still putting the Soul and Jazz into the keys - breathtaking artist. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Frostee

 What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Keep going: it's a hill all the way. Stay original, because everyone else has been taken. Don't take it too seriously; have fun and, if you don't love it, then don't do it. 

IN THIS PHOTO: Che Lingo

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Che Lingo. I love the way he raps articulately and pensively! One of my favourite artists at the moment…

 Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Yes. I make the time – otherwise; living every day in the studio or in your bedroom; waiting for performances to come up can do your head in. I learnt to take better control of my compulsiveness. 

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).

Ok. Please play me Muzi (ft. Tiro) - Questions

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Follow Toya Delazy

PHOTO CREDIT: Superbalist 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/toyadelazy/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/ToyaDelazy

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/toyadelazy

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4I0iGnuW9JgdWr6WsFIHj5

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmsaJ7grao4XDh2wj26Ra8Q

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/toya-delazy

INTERVIEW: Dawson Reeve

INTERVIEW:

Dawson Reeve

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MIXING busking with international performance…

there are two sides to Dawson Reeve. I have been talking with the London-based artist about busking and whether there will be touring later this year; what inspired his new song, Hurricanes; if there is more material arriving shortly – Reeve discusses his musical idols and favourite new artists.

I ask whether there is a treasured musical memory that sticks in his mind; a few albums that are especially important to him; whether there is an opportunity to kick back outside of music; what advice he would give to artists coming through – he ends the interview with a stunning James Blake cut.

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Hi, Dawson. How are you? How has your week been?

Great, thanks! I spent last week visiting family, eating cream teas and surfing in Cornwall - and the weekend busking around London’s Bankside in glorious sunshine.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m Dawson Reeve; a Derbyshire lad who now calls London home.

Hurricanes seems to document a sense of fear and holding back. How much of the song is about having to deal with hard conversations and emotions?

It’s funny you should say that…

I wrote Hurricanes after a tough conversation with my girlfriend at the time. Literally, she walked out the door and the song just poured out. Songwriting is very cathartic for me: it’s a snapshot of how I was feeling at that moment in time. Hurricanes is about the power of words; how just one sentence can destroy a relationship of years.

I notice an evolution with every cut. Do you think you are growing stronger with each release?

I hope so! I’ve been sitting on these tracks for a while so it’s great to finally get them into the world.

Might we see more material this year?

Hurricanes is the second track off of my Circumstance E.P., which is being released on 11th July.

How did you get into music? Did you grow up around a lot of different sounds?

We were given an old out of tune piano for free when I was six, so I started taking lessons. I went through school doing my Classical piano grades, then took up guitar and drums at fourteen. I played in Pop-Punk bands though secondary-school. I also played in a Jazz orchestra growing up so had a really eclectic grounding in music. I’ve always been on a musical path but didn’t find my voice and songwriting until I was studying a Leeds College of Music around nineteen, where I moved away from Classical and more to contemporary compositions.

How did you transition from busking to making your own stuff? Did you learn a lot of talents and skills from busking?

Initially, when I started busking in Leeds seven years ago, I didn’t have any of my own songs. I was a timid teenager and I’ll be the first to admit my voice wasn’t up to much. Seven years on and hundreds of hours performing and perfecting later, I’m still busking today and I know I’ve grown in so many ways; partly from the skills I’ve acquired playing in the streets. You have to own the space, you have to give a performance that is going to make someone stop in their tracks and want to listen.

I love seeing people connect with my music and busking gives me the opportunity to connect with hundreds, if not thousands, of people in one day. Also, I’m on their level; not on a stage miles away, so I can talk to people and tell them about my music.

Can we see you tour this year? What gigs do you have coming along?

After a year of pretty much non-stop touring, I’m having a little break to write new material. You can catch me playing at The Ned on 18th June and an intimate show at Escargot on 3rd July - both in London. After that, I’ll be booking Sofar Sounds gigs around the U.K. to try out new material and, of course, you can see me playing on the streets around Bankside.

You have toured all over the world! Is it the different faces and new places that draw you to the road?

I’ve always had an innate desire to travel and explore and I’m lucky that I can combine this with my music. I love discovering new cultures and sounds. I was in Colombia in February and music and dance is everywhere. The atmosphere in a smoky, sweaty salsa club in Cartagena with a live band was something I will never forget. 

Do you have any ambitions to fulfil before the end of the year?

I would love to get some visuals to accompany my music - any videographer out there hit me up!

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Performing at the House of Blues Anaheim, in L.A, in front of 2000 people for the Loop Station World Championships (in 2013) was a definite highlight for me, as was touring the West Coast of the States afterwards.

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

Origin of Symmetry by Muse was the first album I really got into. Matt Bellamy’s vocal and Classical/ Rock crossover style blew my mind.

One by One by the Foo Fighters was also one of the first albums I listened to and transports me back to being an angsty teenager. Plus, everyone knows Dave Grohl is the Nicest Guy in Rock.

I don’t really listen to many albums all the way through anymore, in the age of Spotify playlists, but one album I could never get tired off is James Blake’s self-titled debut. It was like nothing I’d ever heard before and he is still one of my favourite artists. James Blake has definitely been an influence on the E.P., especially on a track called Hitting Home. 

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Work hard, be persistent; experience as much as you can.

IN THIS PHOTO: Kevin Garrett

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I’m a big fan of Kevin Garrett - check out Coloring (or ‘Colouring’).

Also; Rhys Lewis - Reason to Hate You is a tune!

IN THIS PHOTO: Rhys Lewis

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I love to be active; mainly running and swimming. Running gives me a chance to think and, when I swim, it’s almost like meditation. I don’t think about anything apart from what lap I’m on. I’m always going on spontaneous trips, too. Nothing like a new city and new experience to spark an idea for a song….

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).

It’s got to be The Wilhelm Scream, possibly my favourite track from the James Blake album. Thanks for having me!

_____________

Follow Dawson Reeve

Official:

https://www.dawsonreeve.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/dawsonreevemusic

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/dawsonreeve

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dawsonreeve/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1N1OuNnTL51ylNQNPQMbVo

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/iamdawsonmusic

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/dawsonreeve

INTERVIEW: Roz Yuen

INTERVIEW:

Roz Yuen

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I have set time aside…

to talk with the amazing Roz Yuen about her stunning E.P., Feel So Good. The single of the same name is out so I was curious what thought process started that song – and what themes go into the E.P.

Yuen moved from Australia to Berlin and talks about the German capital’s allure; how young she was when music really struck her; if there are British tour dates later this year; which new artists we should show some love – she selects three albums that mean a lot to her.

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Hi, Roz. How are you? How has your week been?

Great, thanks! This week has been a nice balance of working in the studios and time hanging with friends in the sun.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m a Berlin-based vocalist, songwriter and music producer from Melbourne, Australia. I make downtempo Electronica-Pop with an experimental edge.

Tell me about the single, Feel So Good. Can you explain what inspired the song?

The song is about a type of intimacy you share with strangers. I had just moved to Berlin without knowing anyone. It can be an isolating and lonely experience. However, when you have a clean slate it can feel really liberating, too. You get to share that moment in your life with people who have no perceived ideas about who you are. It’s a special type of bond or closeness.

It is from the E.P. of the same name. What sort of themes inspired the songwriting?

A running theme behind my three-track E.P. is intimacy. I draw from my experiences and like to tell stories about the people I encounter; the city’s natural rhythm and flow and the sounds that create its atmosphere.

It seems Berlin is important to where you are now. Is the city a perfect place to make and promote your music?

For now, yes! Berlin is chill, progressive and at forefront of things that really excite me like immersive audio-visual experiences. I also get amazing opportunities to meet and collaborate with creatives from all around the world.

Do you think the music you are producing now is your best? How have you progressed as an artist, would you say?

I am making music that is an authentic expression of what I want to say - others can decide what they think it is my best. I have gained more confidence in my music production skills and realising the creative vision in my head. However, I’m always learning and growing with each song I write.

How did music come into your life? Which artists made an impression on you as a child?

My dad tells me he used to catch me singing in my cot. My parents exposed me to The Beatles and ABBA. I also remember singing along to Belinda Carlisle’s Runaway Horses on C.D. which belonged to my aunt.

Are there going to be any tour dates coming up? Where can we see you play?

I definitely intend to tour Europe. I did a lot of gigs when I was in Melbourne. However, since moving to Berlin in August 2017, I have focused on writing new work and developing my skills as a music producer. I absolutely love performing live and can’t wait to get stuck into it.

Will you come to the U.K. and perform here?

I have a strong affection for the U.K. having lived in London for two years. I’d love to perform there again. So, the answer is ‘Yes!’

Do you have any ambitions to fulfil before the end of the year?

I am already working on songs for my next E.P. My ambitions are to finish the tracks and then partner up with a label to release them in early-2019. In the meantime, I’ll also be doing some shows.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

A defining moment in my music career was when I volunteered as a Performing Arts Leader to run a choir for the U.K. homeless charity event, Crisis at Christmas. In the middle of our rendition of Stand by Me, Sir Ian McKellen walked in and watched us perform. It reaffirmed why I invest so much and devote my life to making music. Music is a human need which has the power to connect you with other people and lift you up at your lowest.

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Her soulful vocals and witty dark lyricism have gotten me through some tough times.

Massive Attack – Mezzanine

This textually-rich Trip-Hop gem has been highly influential in shaping my sound.

Burial – Untrue

Words that come to mind when thinking of the album: ‘timeless’, ‘visceral’; ‘ambient’, ‘melancholic’ and ‘warm’. It’s aspirational.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Patience, perseverance and passion for the journey are what will sustain you through the highs and lows of a career in music.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I am a huge fan of TOTEM from Copenhagen who makes new wave Synth-Pop. An amazing songwriter and hardworking music producer - it makes me think of New Order and The Cure.

I also rate Icelandic artist, Breazy Daze who has just dropped a lo-fi and dreamy single, She Knows.

Another hot tip is DJ Chick’n and the Cuntry Roosters; a British all-female trio that combines Punk and Techno. When their music is released it is going to go off - and I will be in the audience joining everyone.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I am a bit of a workaholic and music-obsessed. However, my favourite unwinding activities include baths, lazing around on a picnic rug in the park or wandering around contemporary art museums.

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).

On my recent trip to London, I picked up several vinyl records from the lovely people at One Little Indian, including an L.P. from French artist, s a r a s a r a. I’d love for you to play her track, Love, which was co-produced and mixed by Matthew Herbert. It reminds me of Björk and Fever Ray.

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Follow Roz Yuen

Official:

http://www.rozyuen.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/rozyuen

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/rozyuenmusic

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rozyuen/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Slr0cVSxZ3TwN4dKDrWOo?si=cMXkM2RKST60xTEU15oHyQ

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/rosalineyuen

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/rozyuen

Bandcamp:

https://rozyuen.bandcamp.com/

PHOTOS:

Colette Pomerleau

ARTWORK:

Marice Garcia Rosell

INTERVIEW: me&you

INTERVIEW:

me&you

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THE sibling duo of me&you…

are an exciting proposition I was determined to find out more about. They have been telling me about their latest single, Georgia, and how that song was born. I discover why they spent time in a campervan in New Zeeland and what we can expect from their Chasing Trails EP.

Connor and Karlee talk about talk about their influenced and whether they will be touring outside of California; new names we need to get our ears around; whether they’ll come to the U.K. – they end the interview by selecting a couple of corking songs!

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Been well! Hope the same for you!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please

Hey, world; we’re Connor and Karlee and our band is called me&you. We’re a brother-and-sister duo from California and have been playing music and writing songs together ever since we can remember.

Georgia is your latest single. What can you reveal about it?

Georgia came about two years ago now. We wrote it while living in a campervan in New Zealand together. It’s a song about people getting the love that they deserve and not settling for anything less…and it sounds great in the car with the windows rolled down in the summer.

Or, at least we think so...

What can you reveal about the Chasing Trails EP? How did it come together? What sort of themes do you explore?

Chasing Trails was a concept born from living on the road. While living in the van in New Zealand; we’d wake up every morning and have no plans. We’d just get up and go and not worry about where we ended up, as long as we were enjoying the process. That became a big metaphor for our lives and for our music - and thus the Chasing Trails EP was born. This E.P. is about following our paths and not getting in the way of our ourselves.

Connor and Karlee. When did ‘me&you’ come together? As brother and sister; does the music come together naturally?

We have always played music together in many capacities: talent shows when we were kids, high-school Pop/Rock bands and our previous band, Connor and Karlee. We were ready for a change and weren't quite sure what that meant yet. One day, we were having this discussion about wanting to be a band that makes people feel like they can relate to our music - and us.

We’re just some kids that love making music and we want other people to feel the way we do when we write a song. We want to bring people together, not apart; especially in today's world.  We kept saying “All we’ve got is me and you…”; we used that as a lyric in one of the songs on the record...so, we called the band ‘me&you’.

Who do you count as musical influences? Did you grow up around a variety of sounds?

Oh man; we could bore you to death but, if we gave you a shortlist, it would probably include: Lord Huron, John Mayer; Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot; Glen Campbell, Carly Simon; James Taylor and lots and lots of others. I guess we’re an ‘Indie-Folk’ band but we are heavily influenced by a lot of Pop music as well: bands like The 1975, Coldplay; Justin Timberlake etc...

Is it true you spent late-2016 traveling around New Zealand in a campervan?! Was that an experience that led to songwriting and inspiration?

It is true. We lived in the campervan for one month traveling around New Zealand. We’d basically get up every day and start driving. It led to a lot of unexpected adventures (hel-biking; bungee-jumping, mountain climbing…) and gave us the freedom we needed to just sit down and write. We needed some isolation - and we definitely found that in the van in N.Z.

Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?

We plan to start doing some touring this fall; starting with California and branching out from there.

Have you performed in the U.K. at all? Might we see you here?

We have not, yet…we definitely plan to come to the U.K. to do some touring in the near-future.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

In 2018, we are really trying to get our music out there and heard. It’s a weird time in the music industry: full of Spotify playlists, YouTube channels etc. Ultimately, we really just want to have our music heard by people and, hopefully, have it affect them and do something for them the way it did for us.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Karlee and I were at a songwriting retreat back in April and we had an opportunity to play Georgia acoustically in front of all of our songwriting friends at the retreat. During the bridge of the song, we sing “We all get broken we all get lost/we’re always hoping love will come” over and over and every single person joined in and sang as loud as they could. It was one of those moments of pure expression and emotion that are so hard to get.

The power of that many people in a room singing about something real is pretty untouchable. You start with this little melody on acoustic guitar and hope it means something to someone someday. That night we finally felt like someone got it...

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Wow; that’s a loaded question. If we had to choose, it would probably be someone like Coldplay. They're so iconic and such great songwriters. Plus, they play in stadiums for the most part. So, that would be cool.

Our rider would probably include whiskey and chocolate. We’re very simple people.

Karlee: I would argue for someone like Brandi Carlile. She’s a huge inspiration to me and she plays in beautiful theatres – and, yes, whiskey and chocolate are a must.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Connor: Our advice would be to never stop writing songs: no matter what happens in the music world, it always starts with a song.

Karlee: I would also add that success is subjective. It can be achieved on many different levels: you don’t have to be selling out stadiums to have a career in music. As long as you’re happy and doing what you love, you’re set...there’s no hard and fast formula anymore so don’t compare yourself too harshly to other creators in the business.

IN THIS IMAGE: Gregory Alan Isakov/IMAGE CREDIT: Blue Gabor Caleel

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

If we had to name a few: Gregory Alan Isakov, Manzanita (from our hometown); Madison Cunningham is great – as are The Night Game and our friend Augustus James.  

IN THIS PHOTO: Madison Cunningham

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

We do; we have to make time for it. It breathes fresh air into everything. We try to get up to the mountains as much as possible. We backpack, mountain bike; hike and do anything and everything to get us outdoors. It inspires most of our music and allows us to escape.

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).

Connor: This song is absolutely beautiful and everyone should hear it: The Paper Kites: Nothing More Than That

Karlee: Oh. I’d have to choose one of my favorites right now: Feelings - Madison Cunningham

 

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Follow me&you

Official:

http://www.meandyouofficialmusic.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/meandyouofficialmusicpage/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/meandyouofficialmusic/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ZDcNtEgHqEHULaJvduq7X

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXNViVLDq12u_GUuzz8pRw

INTERVIEW: Francois Klark

INTERVIEW:

Francois Klark

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HIS new album is out…

so I have been speaking with Francois Klark about Love and whether he is pleased it is out in the world. He reveals what sort of experiences inspired the album - he talks about the lyric video for the standout track, For You.

I was eager to know which artists and albums the Toronto-based musician is drawn to and whether there are going to be tour dates. South African-born Klark tells me how he relaxes away from music and which new artists we should be aware of.

___________

Hi, Francois. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi, Sam. Great chatting with you again. The week has been great, in spite of a small YouTube scare during which an online bug erased my YouTube channel. It is all fixed now, though, so you guys can check out the new lyric (for) For You again. 

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Sure thing. I’m a small town South African choirboy, graphic design drop-out and music graduate now living in Toronto, Canada. I spend most of my time on mountains; anywhere that is close to trees and large bodies of water and behind my baby grand piano writing songs. I’m a massive science fiction fan, which might explain my love for using big synths and vocoder. I’m also a romantic, so recording music with just raw vocals, piano and a string section makes me very happy.

Growing up In South Africa instilled in me a deep love for world music and, as a result, I find that music from different cultures often bleeds into my music production choices. 

Are you excited your debut album, Love, is out? How does it feel knowing it is out there?

It feels great knowing that it is out there...

It’s been finished, but unreleased, for quite some time because my team and I decided to hold off on the album release until we released a few singles first. Needless to say, I’ve been itching to get it out for a while now. 

Is there a song from the album that stands out as a personal highlight?

For You is, by far, my favourite. When I listen back to it, it makes me feel like I am back in my home country of South Africa. It was also my favourite song to work on because some of my closest friends were the musicians and featured artists who worked on it with me.

What sort of experiences and stories did you draw on when writing the songs?

The songs were all written over a long period of time during which I went through very formative experiences. I initially wrote each song as a way to deal with things that were happening in my life as I was going through it.

Always - coming to terms with every aspect of who I am; Please Stay - dealing with a long-distance relationship that was falling apart; The Only One - discovering my relationship with music as I was growing up. Some songs I wrote to tell made-up stories (Run, Spaceman and Giving My All). I wrote For You in order to unpack an issue that I am very passionate about - children's rights, freedom and safety. The song is also very closely tied to my childhood and my love for my home country, South Africa.

​​​​​​​

Toronto is where you are based. How is life for a young musician there? Is it a great place to make music and feel inspired?

This beautiful and bustling city is an amazing place to live in as a creative person. My direct community of fellow songwriters and musicians are very closely-knit and incredibly supportive. This community, along with the support of the Government of Canada and an organization called the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), makes it possible for independent artists like me to pursue our creative ideas and make a career out of it.

Very thankful to now call this city home….

Which artists inspired you back then? Do you remember the first album you bought

Some of my earliest inspirations as a kid were Lauryn Hill (The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill), Alanis Morissette (Jagged Little Pill) and Erykah Badu. However, my first album purchase happened long before I discovered these powerhouse ladies. I am slightly embarrassed to tell you that my first album purchase was the soundtrack of the Disney film, Beauty and the Beast. In my defence; the orchestral arrangements and songwriting on that album were amazing.

Do you have any ambitions to fulfil before the end of the year?

Beyond music and promoting the Love album, I would like to take a university Spanish course and visit Oaxaca, Mexico during Dia de los Muertos.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time in music?

Definitely, my years performing with and travelling through all of South Africa with the children’s and youth choirs that I sang with. 

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

Crash - Dave Matthews Band

D.M.B. made me fall in love with painting pictures with words and telling stories with songs. I have a high-school buddy to thank for passing this album on to me and introducing me to D.M.B. (thanks, Dirk!) This album is pretty much the soundtrack to some of my favourite memories. 

Cloudburst and Other Choral Works - Eric Whitacre, Polyphony and Stephen Layton

This is, hands-down, my favourite album of all time. Turn off all the lights, lie down in your favourite place; put on some really good headphones and have your mind blown. If we could hear the universe sing: this is what I think it would sound like. 

Phase (Deluxe) - Jack Garratt

From the first to the last song - a masterpiece of songwriting, musicianship and the most imaginative and creative production.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Write all the time; surround yourself with truly genuine and good people. Make true friends, not contacts; don't follow trends - trends will pass by the time you're ready to release your music. Be true to what comes naturally to you. Find a purpose for your music - it wasn't given to you to serve you.

IMAGE CREDIT: @jazzy_okami 

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Kyan. I Just recently discovered him and I am really excited about the music he is making.  Canadian musician Anomalie also blows my mind.

IN THIS IMAGE: Anomalie/IMAGE CREDIT: alihassanein.com

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I think it is very important to spend time away from creating music and working on the business side of music – especially, once I finished a release. It is only through living life that we are exposed to new things and experiences that will, in turn, be the subject matter of new songs. 

I unwind by going outside; going for a run, working out; going travelling and doing things that scare me a little bit (spelunking: jumping off a bridge into a river…I’m yet to skydive.)

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).

Do You Remember (Grey Remix) - Jarryd James

__________

Follow Francois Klark

Official:

https://www.francoisklark.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/francoisklark

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/francoisklark

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/francoisklark/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6pWdTbfpN654qlN83k3O0P

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClc1ZCpVACsgPB2mjLR1W6Q

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/francoisklark

INTERVIEW: Esther & Fatou

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Dirk Leunis

Esther & Fatou

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I have been speaking with the Belgian duo of Esther & Fatou…

PHOTO CREDIT: Dirk Leunis

who talk to me about their new track, Home. I ask them how they got together and what new material is coming up – they discuss working with Gaetan Vandewoude.

Esther & Fatou tell me what the scene is like in Belgium and whether they will come to the U.K. and play; whether there are new acts to watch out for; what advice they would give to fellow artists emerging – they both share a favourite musical memory.

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Hi, Esther & Fatou. How are you? How has your week been?

We’re totally fine. So happy that our new track, Home, is released.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We’re Esther & Fatou; a Pop/Folk duo hailing from Belgium. We’re known for singing in harmonies, often accompanied with guitars.

Can you tell me about Home and how the song came together?

We wrote Home a few years ago on a summer evening. Home is that type of song where the songwriting process went very smoothly. Everything came together very quickly.

What was it like working with Gaetan Vandewoude on the song?

A year after the writing; we decided to work on the song with Gaetan, our dear friend and producer. Although it was very clear from the beginning where we wanted to go with this song, recording it was a crazy/unforgettable ride. To us, Home became an ‘on-the-road’ song. We’re very happy that the song got released just before summer.

Home follows the wintery debut track, At Night. Do you feel yourselves exploring new ground and sounds with every release? Might there be more material before the end of 2018? What else are you working on?

When we started recording our E.P. with Gaetan; we decided to choose five songs that stand together for our identity but are not too similar to each other. We’re very happy with the result and can’t wait to release the E.P. 

It’ll be released in the fall of 2018.

How did you two meet one another? Was there an instant connection?

We live in the same, not too big city, so getting to know each other was not that difficult. It was because of Esther's boyfriend that we finally decided to come together to work on music. You know: we both liked to sing; we both liked to listen to Folk.

Belgium is where you are based. Is there a varied and promising music scene where you are?

We both live in Leuven and are very familiar with Het Depot, one of Belgium’s finest and most beautiful venues. Het Depot is like our second home for the last eight years. We met a lot of musicians and like-minded people at Het Depot, but also discovered an incredible amount of new musical talents. For us, a place like the Depot has been very important. We not only have our rehearsal space there but also made friends for life also made friends for life. At Het Depot, we philosophized long nights about life and music and... 

Have you performed in the U.K. at all? Might we see you here?

We have never performed in the U.K. Of course, we would love to play some venues there!

 What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

We finished recording our E.P. two years ago so we’re writing new songs, probably for a full album. Gaetan is also excited to dive into the studio again, so we’ll start recording again soon. Of course, we hope to play some nice venues in Belgium and, hopefully, outside our little country (smiles).

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Esther: I remember discovering The Beatles. It was because of my brother. When I dove into their songs, I was immediately hit by the way they sing in harmonies and the way the construct their songs. The record, Revolver, is my all-time favourite record of The Beatles. For me, discovering The Beatles was the very starting point of the music I’m listening to right now - and the music we’re making.

Fatou: The times I discovered Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan or more recent music like Bon Iver; I was stunned by the power of one voice and some beautiful guitar picking. It really got me through puberty but still hits me every time I listen to it. It’s also a good reminder that less is often more.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Definitely, Paul McCartney!

On the rider: a good bottle of red wine to share with Paul while talking about music all-night-long (smiles).

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Such a cliché, however, so true: try to stick to your own sound. Avoid trying to look too much like someone you like. We’ve been searching for our own sound for years and we’re still exploring but that’s the best part of the whole road. We feel like – because we took our time – our music is becoming more and more like ‘us’.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Anna Tivel

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Esther: If you’re into the new Folk scene you should surely check out Anna Tivel, Siv Jakobsen and Phoebe Bridgers. Also, the debut record from LUMP - a collaboration between Laura Marling and Mike Lindsay of Tunng - is a treat.

IN THIS PHOTO: LUMP

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).

Erase & Detach – Isbells

We picked a Belgian song! This is a song from Isbells; the band of our dear friend and producer Gaetan Vandewoude. Before we met, we saw Isbells playing this song and we got totally blown away. We were like: ‘We want to work with that man!’. Sometimes, dreams come true (smiles).

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Follow Esther & Fatou

PHOTO CREDIT: Dirk Leuni 

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/EstherFatou

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/estherfatou/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/estherfatou/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5q3T3RgGwXtvEG0KFVRvD3

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQFo6qEd7G8

SoundCloud:

BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOS:

Izra-Marie Jans

INTERVIEW: THE WLDLFE

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Nitish Durbha

THE WLDLFE

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THIS week is already off to flyer…

PHOTO CREDIT: Nitish Durbha

as I now get to speak with THE WLDLFE. I have been wrapping my ears around the new song, Towel, and was determined to find out more – and discover what it was like filming its unique and sensational video.

I discover how the Indianapolis band are progressing and what they have coming up; whether there are tour dates coming up; the sort of artists, new and past, they are reacting to; when the guys all got together – they each select a cool track to bring the interview to a close.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

We are doing well! It’s been a busy couple of week since releasing Towel and such - but a good kind of busy.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

For sure. We are a band called THE WLDLFE and we are from Indianapolis, Indiana. My name is Jansen, and the four other members of the band are Carson, Geoff; Jack, and Jason. We’ve been together for about two-and-a-half-years now and we aren’t planning on quitting any time soon.

Towel is your new single. What is the story behind it?

Towel has gone through a lot of different phases but I think that’s why we like it so much and one of the reasons why it feels like one of the tracks we’re most proud of. I wrote the verses a year or so ago and couldn’t figure out a good hook and a few months ago the chorus came to me at like 2 A.M. and it just was the perfect fit. Even though it’s a bit of a ballad, I feel like it’s kind of an anthem for those who have felt what it’s like to be in love with somebody who drives you crazy.

What was it like shooting the vertical video for the song?

It was definitely a little bit of a different process than a lot of the other videos we’ve done. We found a gem of an Airbnb in Muncie, IN which is a pretty small town and it turned out to be the perfect setting for the visual. We didn’t really shoot the video much differently than any other video and the vertical-ness of the video was brought together in post-production. We’ve been working with Brad Wong on all of our visuals for a while and he just keeps getting better and better.

The Towel video definitely feels like he took it next level and we really couldn’t be more pleased with how it came out.

Was it cool working with (director) Brad Wong? He seems to have a pretty good sense of concept and visuals…

For sure. Like I said; we’ve worked with him quite a bit and he’s always been great. He’s supe-open to what we have envisioned for the project and I think that’s why we keep calling him back. He certainly knows how to get the most out of what we want the video to look and feel like.

How did THE WLDLFE get together? When did you start making music together?

This will sound like a joke, but we all kinda met at ‘Camp Rock’. Jason, Jack; Geoff and I all met each other at a camp called Orangehaus at Anderson University when we were in high-school and that all led us to attend college in Anderson. We all reconnected there and that is where the band was born. Carson is my younger brother and so I met him when he was born but he joined us in January of 2018 - and having him on the road with us has been awesome. He really felt like the missing piece for us and he has really helped us kinda reach where we wanted to be as far as live performance goes as well.

 Do you remember when music first came into your life? Which artists inspired you all?

We really all grew up listening to different music. Carson and I grew up on Journey and John Mayer. Geoff’s second cousin in Rick Allen from Def Leppard so he grew up listening to ‘80s Hair Metal. Jack and Jason both were into Hardcore bands like Underoath and Dance Gavin Dance - so, there is definitely a wide range of influences for all us. I think that plays to our advantage in a lot of ways though and it helps us look at music through, maybe, a different lens than maybe bands who grew up listening to the same music.

You are based out of Indianapolis. Is there a pretty healthy music scene there?

It’s growing and there are lots of plans to help improve the music scene in Indy. We’re excited to be one of the bands that are helping that expansion.

Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?

We are headed out to the West Coast in July and we’re super-pumped for it because we haven’t been able to get out there until last summer…

7.6 - Memphis, TN

7.7 - Kansas City, MO

7.9 - Houston, TX

7.11 - Phoenix, AZ

7.12 - San Diego, CA

7.13 - Anaheim, CA

7.15 - Dallas, TX (SAY INDIE! FESTIVAL )

We are working on more dates in the fall as well but we are excited for this week in July. It’s gonna be a fun trip.

Might you come to the U.K. and play?

Hopefully, soon! We would love to make it across the pond. Geoff’s family is actually from London so we know we at least would have a place to crash.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

It sounds like the boring answer but we just want to be better than we were last year. We want to grow and reach more people obviously but we always want to put the best records we can and put on the best show we can. That’s what we pride ourselves on.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

I would say our favorite moment to date was this past April. We were playing in Lynchburg, VA. We had heard that we had a good following in the town but I don’t think any of us expected the kind of response we got at that show. It was just a special night in a packed record store and we definitely will not forget that show anytime soon.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I think all of us might answer this question differently but I would love to support Jon Bellion. I think he is just a creative genius and a good example of how hard work and dedication to your craft pays off. He’s not the flashiest but he always puts on a good show.

As far as a rider goes, I think we would all agree on a lot of pita and hummus. Like a lot of it.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

One thing (I think) I’m super-happy we did off the bat was to invest in good-quality production. When you have a professional-sounding product, it’s easier to promote your music. Bloggers pay more attention and so do online publications. Making music can be expensive but I would definitely encourage people to make that investment because it definitely pays off.

IN THIS PHOTO: PHANGS

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Our buddy, PHANGS, is a guy out of Nashville who has been killing it lately. Super-genuine dude as well.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Lots of NBA 2K18 and Mario Kart. If we aren’t on stage, when we are on the road we are usually pretty glued to those games. We all have jobs on the side and, when we aren’t touring, we are usually preoccupied with those as well.

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).

Phangs (ft. Truitt) - Dry Eyes

Dwilly (ft. Kyle Thornton) - Birds & The Bees

Charlie Burg - Phlliip’s Bicycle (Dan Sagher Remix)

Ry-Lo - New Friend

Kacey Musgraves - Lonely Weekend

____________

Follow THE WLDLFE

PHOTO CREDIT: Nitish Durbha 

Official:

http://thewldlfemsc.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/The_Wldlfe

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/thewldlfe/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/the_wldlfe/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Vvj76fff5uAw10W1sW54W?si=GY9aWoiERVGf_2VmhXyDuQ

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCGbzS8dmQW_D6zzPZBES7g

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/wldlfemsc

INTERVIEW: MYLK

INTERVIEW:

MYLK

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IF your Monday lacks any fizz and hope…

then do not give up just yet! I have been speaking with the variegated and captivating MYLK about her latest track, Haiku, and where she sources inspiration from. The Manchester-based artist tells me about music entering her life and whether we will receive more material this year.

MYLK shares her ambition for the coming months and tells me how she relaxes away from music; what advice she would give to new songwriters emerging right now – she ends the interview by selecting a rather colourful and energised track.

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Hi, MYLK. How are you? How has your week been?

Hello! I am good, thank you! My week has been okay; just the usual production and songwriting!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I am a U.K.-born, Japanese producer/singer/songwriter! I generally make J-Pop-influenced music mixed with a variety of E.D.M. genres and styles! I like creating a bubbly, happy vibe with my music.

Your single, Haiku, is out. What is the story behind the song?

It has a personal meaning. I went through a lot in my past. The light in the song refers to my goals and my life - as well as the fact that I never gave them up! I want the same for everyone else to value their life and goals.

It was written in the 575 haiku format. Was it difficult to fit the world around that format?

Although I took some time to think about it, I didn’t find it too difficult. Perhaps, because I used to like writing poems including haikus when I was young; so, maybe that helped the process.

Might there be an E.P. or more singles coming later in the year?

I have a collaboration with Michael White coming out on NCS this month! I have other collaborations that need finishing up and I do also have an E.P. on the way!

Were you very young when you caught the passion for music? Was there a reason you stepped into the industry?

When I was fifteen, I was bullied a lot in school. Ultimately, I ended up dropping out because it got really bad and it affected my mental-health. It was around then that I found a passion for music production as an escape. I remember spending five-days-straight wondering what all the dials did on FL Studio 5 (which was my first ever DAW).

After a few years, I initially I gave up on my dream to become a successful producer. But, when I met some friends who were full-time in the music industry, I decided to give it a shot!

You have come a long way and amassed a huge following. How important and encouraging is that support to you?!

I love all my fans. It's nice to have dedicated fans, too! They really lift my spirit up when I’m reading lovely comments from them (or messages)!

Which artists inspired you back then? Do you remember the first album you bought?

Around the time I discovered music production, I listened to a lot of Pop/J-Pop/Trance/commercial Dance music - and I was actually a Metalhead as well. I don’t actually remember the first album but I do remember my first single and that was Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz.

Can we see you tour this year? What gigs do you have coming along?

I don’t have any upcoming gigs and I’m not sure if I will tour yet, but I definitely would love to tour someday!

Do you have any ambitions to fulfil before the end of the year?

Yes. I would love to release all my unfinished tracks this year! I’ve held onto some of them for a couple of years now!

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

My favourite memory is definitely my trip to Japan to play my first-ever show!

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

Ironically, I don’t actually listen to music that much; especially not albums: I tend to listen to a couple singles here and there. I feel like, if I listen to music too much, it would interfere with my creativity – so I like to keep it minimal!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Be yourself! Experimentations is always a good thing because it’s a great way to find fresh sounds. Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous and try something new! I know that certain set of genres follow a certain set of techniques or structure (or style) but music is art and there are no rules! I always like to go with the flow when I’m producing.

IN THIS PHOTO: kirakira

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

You should definitely check out kirakira – I met her when I went to Japan for my show with Moe Shop (who you should check out, too) I don’t meet many female producers and this girl is super-talented and adorable too!

IMAGE CREDIT: Moe Shop

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I do! I used to unwind by snowboarding regularly but I haven’t been regularly for the last couple years. These days, I like Netflix and chill and I also like the odd walkies outside – and I love eating out! I love food.

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).

Kirakira -ずっと好きLおRDおFSHAKE

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Follow MYLK

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/mylkofficial

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mylkofficial

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mylkofficial/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4o66UJPzUonUgENhbqpHRX

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/yukyukyuki

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/mylkofficial

FEATURE: Young Hearts Run Free… Studio 54: The Music, Mayhem and Majesty

FEATURE:

 

Young Hearts Run Free...

IN THIS PHOTO: Studio 54, New York City/PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Norcia/Getty  

Studio 54: The Music, Mayhem and Majesty

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THERE is a lot of talk about…

IN THIS PHOTO: Studio 54/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images

and renewed interest in the legendary Studio 54. It was a mecca for excess, lacking inhibitions and debauchery in the 1970s. Perhaps it is the years between 1977 and 1979 where its glorious first era began and ended (that is subject to reinterpretation and expansion!). The club existed previous to that but the celebrity-attracting years put the space on the map and was the go-to club in New York. For those who need a brief history of Studio 54; Wikipedia provides a neat and handy breakdown:

“Studio 54 is a former nightclub and currently a Broadway theatre, located at 254 West 54th Street, between Eighth Avenue and Broadway in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The building, originally built as the Gallo Opera House, opened in 1927, after which it changed names several times, eventually becoming CBS radio and television Studio 52.

In the late 1970s, at the peak of the disco dancing and music trend, the building was renamed after its location and became a world-famous nightclub and discotheque.[4][5][6] The nightclub founders spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on professional lighting designand kept many of the former TV and theatrical sets, in the process creating a unique dance club that became famous for its celebrity guest lists, restrictive (and subjective) entry policies (based on one's appearance and style), and open club drug use. Founded and created by Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager in 1977, it was sold in 1980 to Mark Fleischman,[7][8][9] who reopened the club after it had been shut down following the conviction of Rubell and Schrager on charges of tax evasion. In 1984, Fleischman sold the club, which continued to operate until 1986”.

IN THIS PHOTO: Steve Rubell, Michael Jackson; Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Cherie Currie of The Runaways at Studio 54 on 31st May, 1977/PHOTO CREDIT: Bobby Bank/WireImage

You listen to stories from those who survived those heady days and would think it was Caligula’s stag party! The rampant drug-taking and loose sexual morals – the awareness of H.I.V. and other S.T.D.s was not as acute as it is now – and there was a sense of the 1960s’ free love and looseness that was transposed and reignited in those four walls. In fact, it was not only the dancefloor and main arena that played host to coming-together and outrageous activity: every toilet and corner of the building witnessed sexual lewdness, wild drinking and drug-taking. It sounds like the sort of club Satan would frequent if he has a bucket list but, in actually, Studio 54 was a space where people harmonised and shared a love of music. There was drug-taking and sex and, whilst moral indignation and outrage closed Studio 54; when the lights were up and the music was on; it was a church for Disco-lovers and those who wanted an escape. I will end with a soundtrack/playlist that collates some quintessential Studio 54 jams but there seem to be two sides: the music played there and the evocative score; the goings-on of the patrons and the reputation it gained. There is a new documentary out that looks at the club and what went on behind closed doors. Whilst some critics have accused the piece of being dry and lacking real revelation – if it were not a documentary then more liberties would be taken and it would be more explicit – but it shows why it was such a sought-after destination and how the club progressed and, sadly, ended.

IN THIS PHOTO: Grace Jones at Studio 54 in March of 1979/PHOTO CREDIT: AP

A film was released in 1998 and, whilst it did not get too many hot reviews; it was an interesting interpretation of the club and what it was about. I guess, even with all the money in the world and an 18 certificate; could you truly capture the magic, murkiness and haze that wafted through the floor in the 1970s?! Maybe it would be too crude and voyeuristic showing how things really were at Studio 54. There is another documentary that looked at Studio 54 but, in actuality, there is no single and unifying representation that authentically and adequately distilled the true essence. Who were the types of people who were being let in (and excluded) from the club in the 1970s?

“Celebs in the late 1970s pretty much had to go to Studio 54 or risk being left-out and permanently excluded.  The nightclub had its regulars: Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Halston, Cher, Diana Ross, Brooke Shields, Michael Jackson, Calvin Klein, Bianca Jagger, Liza Minnelli, Rudolf Nureyev, and Debbie Harry…. but to list every celeb who graced its disco floor would be nearly impossible: Stallone, Beatty, Travolta… it was a who’s who of the disco-era’s “beautiful people”.

But a special place was reserved downstairs for the most beautiful of all….

Rumors of Studio 54’s exclusive basement are the stuff of legend.  The club, famous for excluding the huddled stinking masses of normal people, had an even more exclusive area downstairs!  God only knows what sort of debauchery took place down there, because there was plenty of debauchery to be found even on the main floor…”.

IN THIS PHOTO: Studio 54 (circa 1970)/PHOTO CREDIT: Waring Abbott/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

There is a lot of legend and rumour regarding some events that supposedly happened in the club. Bianca Jagger, in fact, did ride a white horse through Studio 54 during its birthday celebrations and there were enough illegal activity and carnality to offend even the most conservative New Yorker during that time. It is a shame the noise and essence of Studio 54 extended past the building and created this bad reputation. What we did get, away from the celebrity and illicitness was a booming and evocative soundtrack that remains peerless and effortless inspiring. The Disco giants congregated through the speakers and exhilarated the hungry club-goers. It is a shame there cannot be a Studio 54 active and remaining today. Maybe Disco would seem a bit kitsch and short-lived – the novelty of a genre that has all-but-died might wear thin – but it might not be the worse idea! Perhaps there could be a Dance or Pop club but, in New York, there is nothing like Studio 54. In 2018, laws are tightened and there are noise curfews; there are strict checks at doors and we could not expect a loose-lipped and ethically ambiguous 1970s hangout to appeal to authorities during this time. It would be closed very soon and it would be a very bitter lesson.

IN THIS PHOTO: A woman dancing at Studio 54 in 1977/PHOTO CREDIT: Waring Abbott/Getty Images

I guess we have to celebrate what it was and, for a brief moment, what it gave to the world. Steve Cuozzo, writing for the New York Post last year celebrated forty years of salaciousness and sensation:

“…No Big Apple nightlife venue of the last half of the 20th century ever made as big a splash on the popular culture as Studio 54, which opened 40 years ago this week. As an editor who worked in the same room where Claudia cranked out story after story about the latest antics there, I was near-desperate to explore the belly of the beast myself.

The sidewalk was a scary zoo of drunk and drugged clubgoers jostling for position. Everyone under the giant marquee was yelling, “Steve, Steve” (for ­co-owner Steve Rubell) or “Marc, Marc” (for all-powerful doorman Marc Benecke).

 IN THIS PHOTO: Dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov with Bianca and Mick Jagger at Bianca's 1977 birthday party/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/AP

…Studio 54 was a seductive engine of denial that the city was inexorably sliding into a tailspin. We hadn’t heard of AIDS yet. There were half as many murders in 1977 as there would be in 1990. Even so, omens of doom were all around. The broke municipality had to fire thousands of cops. A power blackout prompted looting and arson that laid waste to much of my childhood Brooklyn neighborhood. Hundreds of thousands of residents flew town on the heels of Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” move to Los Angeles.

Forty years later, the city hasn’t collapsed — quite the opposite. And a new Studio 54, or anything like it, would be impossible today”.

IN THIS PHOTO: Bianca Jagger rides in on a white horse at during her birthday celebrations at Studio 54. PHOTO CREDIT: Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images

How many of those fabled and seemingly-exaggerated tales are actually legitimate?! One of the most famous events, Bianca Jagger riding on a white horse in 1977, has been confirmed:

“Bianca Jagger riding through the club on a white horse in 1977, Schrager says, actually happened as people retell it.

"It wasn't planned for Bianca to get on the horse," he says, adding they had intended for it to be ridden solely by a nude model posing as Lady Godiva, led by another nude model in painted-on clothes. Press photographers invited to capture celebrity guests sent the image far and wide. "That was the mother of all photo ops," Schrager adds.

It also began what would be a series of live animals brought in for special occasions, including doves for Jagger's birthday, livestock at a party for Dolly Parton, an elephant that posed for photos with Linda Blair, and, in December of 1977, a leopard and a panther. Included in the book is a letter from New York City Department of Health reminding Schrager and Rubell that wild animals in bars violated two different health codes”.

IN THIS PHOTO: Diana Ross at Studio 54 in New York City in 1979/PHOTO CREDIT: Bettmann/Getty Images

Rolling Stone documented a few of the best-loved and most notorious stories from Studio 54’s history:

“Although their songs were must-plays on the dance floor, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic found themselves unable to clear Benecke's ultra-strict door policy on New Year's Eve 1977. "We were invited to meet with Grace Jones at Studio 54," Rodgers told Sound on Sound in 2005. "She wanted to interview us about recording her next album. At that time, our music was fairly popular – 'Dance, Dance, Dance' was a big hit – but Grace Jones didn't leave our name at the door and the doorman wouldn't let us in." They waited around until the early morning hours. "We stood there as long as we could take it, until our feet were just finally way too cold. We were really totally dejected. We felt horrible."

The men sulked back to Rodgers' apartment just a few blocks away. "We grabbed a couple of bottles of champagne from the corner liquor store and then went back to my place, plugged in our instruments and started jamming." Aching from the rejection, Rodgers and Edwards poured their anger into the music. "We were just yelling obscenities: Fuck Studio 54 ... Fuck 'em ... Fuck off ... Fuck those scumbags ... fuck them! And we were laughing," Rodgers described to Haden-Guest. "We were entertaining the hell out of ourselves. We had a blast. And finally it hit Bernard. He said, 'Hey Nile, what you're playing sounds really good.'"

Within half an hour they composed a song called "Fuck Off." After some lyrical tweaking they arrived at a slightly more Top 40–friendly title. "First, we changed it from 'fuck off' to 'freak off,' and that was pretty hideous. ... Then, all of a sudden it just hit me. One second the light bulb went on and I sang 'Aaaaahh, freak out!'" Released as "Le Freak" that September, the song would become Chic's first Number One and biggest hit. Perhaps understandably, Rodgers now considers Benecke a friend”.

IN THIS PHOTO: Jerry Hall, Debbie Harry and Palmona Picasso were among the celebrities who frequented Studio 54/PHOTO CREDIT: Ullstein Bird via Getty Images

The sex-filled imaginations and nude-hipped partnerships were not all that exaggerated it seems – although there was a ‘special area’ where one could go:

“Once you found yourself inside the hallowed grounds of Studio 54, the next place you wanted to go was the fabled basement; a cavernous, dingy, decidedly unglamorous space decorated with damaged banquets, pillars of rolled carpet and set pieces from past parties. It was down here that the privileged few were invited to indulge in their wildest desires. "Celebrities headed for the basement. Getting high low-down," Grace Jones wrote in her 2016 memoir. "Not even those who got inside the club could all make it into the basement. You'd stumble into half-hidden rooms filled with a few people who seemed to be sweating because of something they had just done, or were about to do." Security men brandishing walkie-talkies discreetly patrolled the area, removing any uninvited gawkers. The secluded corners furnished with mattresses quickly became a popular feature”.

There have been endless stories and testimony from those who were there and others who wished they were! I would love to see an exhibition open, in London or New York, that replicated the setting and sounds (and smells) that would have been experienced first-hand in the 1970s. It would not only act as nostalgia but a beautiful glimpse into Studio 54’s glory, history and sad demise. It was always doomed for closure – it is no shock people took umbrage and did not want the club near their doorstep. In any case; the most affecting and important memory from Studio 54 is the amazing music that was played and cherished by everyone who visited. Go and see the latest documentary/film about Studio 54 – it is gaining some great reviews, too – and get an idea of what the N.Y. space was all about. I wonder, in these safe and unsure signs we will ever see anything as meteoric, controversial and magnetic…

IN THIS PHOTO: The New Year's Eve party of 1979 made headlines around the world/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images

IN our lifetime.

INTERVIEW: The Lighthouse

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Thomas Ost 

The Lighthouse

___________

I am new to the wonders of The Lighthouse…

but it has been great investigating their music and talking with the guys. They have been telling me about their single, Headlights, and what it is all about. I was eager to know what it was like working with Huub Reijnders on their E.P., Joyride – they tell me what gigs are coming up and whether a U.K. stop is coming.

I discover how the band got together and how their music has evolved; if there are new artists we need to keep our minds open for; whether there is any sage advice new artists need to take on board – the guys each select a song to end the interview with.

___________

Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi, Sam! We’ve had a fun week so far. It’s pretty calm on the band’s side because we have some students in the band who are preparing for their finals - but we did a show for national radio yesterday and we got back the mixes for some new songs we’re working on. So that’s always nice!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We’re a five-piece Indie outfit from Belgium Our influences include artists like The Wombats and The 1975 but there’s a lot of different genres creeping in left and right. Overall, we’re quite the sucker for a good Pop song but, from time to time, we do find ourselves writing songs that don’t necessarily really fit the Pop structures or sounds and these tend to be our personal favourites.

So, we’re curious where that road will take us. Headlights, definitely, is one of those! We had a break-through year in Belgium last year and now we’re aching to branch out to other territories.

Talk to me about Headlights. What is the inspiration behind the song?

The song is mainly about how closely love and fiction are connected throughout the night and regards nightlife romances as if they were a bit unreal because they are experienced in a haze or a foggy state of mind. It’s hard to say where we picked up inspiration: most of the time we start off from a musical idea. In this case, the song sort of developed around the almost choral repetition of that main sentence: “Shut off all the headlights”.

When working on the arrangement, this song really took off in a totally different direction in comparison to what we’ve been doing up to that moment. But, we all instantly liked it. It’s a little more synth-based than our previous work and also a bit less cheerful and more ambivalent. That’s definitely a side of our sound that we want to explore more in our new work. Lyrically, Willem (Keys) matches the mood of the song to the right words once the arrangement is done; so they draw inspiration primarily out of the overall vibe of the composition, infused with impressions and feelings you pick up in everyday life.

It is from the E.P., Joyride. Was it cool working with (producer) Huub Reijnders on the E.P.?

Definitely! We discovered Huub through mutual friends who had recorded with him in the past and, although they play a totally different style of music, we knew Huub is a really versatile producer. If you look at his track record, he really did it all; from Punk-Rock to the biggest mainstream acts, but he always manages to find the right colours to make the songs shine.

We all think that’s really important: the song comes first. It’s a thin line between favouring sound or song but Huub keeps us on the right side of that line without neglecting the other side. On top of that, he’s really cool and fun guy to work with too.

How do you think your new material differs to the stuff you were producing at the start? Have you brought new elements into your sound?

We started out as a typical five-piece listening to late-2000s Indie-Rock like Two Door Cinema Club, Vampire Weekend and the likes and that’s also where we got the first inspiration for our sound: mostly guitar-based with a single piano or synth-line. Along the way, we incorporated other influences; mostly by adding more electronic or synth-based sounds to our guitar-based framework. We also took a slightly different approach to writing. Whereas we used to write while jamming, we now take to the DAW in a much earlier stage. This allows us to experiment with different sounds and layers early on in the writing process and this resulted in more intricate, less straightforward songs.

But, it’s an ongoing process. We’ve succeeded in creating a pretty recognizable and coherent sound with our last E.P. but, as we’re working on new material, we’re discovering new sounds and using some new instruments. So, our sound is still evolving and our songwriting skills are still maturing.

PHOTO CREDIT: Diederik Craps

How did The Lighthouse get together? When did you all meet one another?

We’re in a steady formation for about three years now but, before that, there have been some other formations. Bram (Vocals) and Willem (Keys) started off as an acoustic duo and, along the way, they added more musicians and instruments to the band; changing out a bandsman every once in a while to eventually end up in the current formation since 2015. Everyone knows each other through mutual friends one way or another. We all live or lived in and around Leuven around that time so it wasn’t that hard to bump into each other.

Belgium is where you are based. Is there a pretty active and opportunity-lean scene there?

It’s a pretty strange country music-wise, because the linguistic border between the French and Dutch-speaking part also divides the country culturally and, definitely, musically in two very distinct markets. The French-speaking south of Belgium tends to look very much to France for their musical preferences while, in Flanders, we’re a little more U.K./U.S.-oriented.  Because of this, there’s almost no exchange of bands/artists between the North and the South and, as a result, the Belgian market is very small. This makes it very hard to make a viable living out of being a musician.

Even with frequent national airplay and playing the big venues and festivals, it’s nearly impossible to earn a living as an upcoming band without looking to venture abroad (and that’s a really big step). At the same time, there’s a pretty vibrant scene being infused by several professional music-education programmes and a lot of ‘amateurs’ with big aspirations (like ourselves). This makes for a lot of ‘competition’ but also for a good breeding ground for a melting pot of styles and scenes. There are quite a lot of opportunities for gigging but there are only so many top venues that can host a decent club show. So; once you’ve entered that stage, the options are way less manifold. We’re still spoiled with a lot of world-class festivals, though, so that kind of makes up for it.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jokko

Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?

We actually just finished a club tour through Belgium and the Netherlands. We do have some festivals lined up for the summer but the main focus is on writing new songs at the moment.

Is a small tour of the U.K. a future possibility?

It’s definitely a future possibility. We’ve had some U.K. fans asking us to come over a while now. We even had some of them make the trip to our release show in Brussels last November so we can’t wait to return the favour! But, there’s nothing planned at the moment. Hopefully, 2019 will expand our touring range to the U.K.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

As said, we’re currently focussing on writing and we’re slowly working towards a first full album but it’s too early to tell when that would actually see the light of day. We do feel our debut album should be a sticker. We want to leave our mark with this one, so everything has to feel right about it. We’re aiming for the first half of 2019 but we really can’t make any promises there.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

There have been a couple of definite highlights so far.

Playing the Sziget Festival in 2015 is surely one of them. This happened pretty early on in our current formation and immediately made for a pinnacle of our young musical careers. But, last year was really one long-lasting rollercoaster. Our music got picked up by national radio, giving us the opportunities you dream of as a kid. It’s really hard to pick one favourite. Playing Pukkelpop for almost 10,000 people was really awesome - but our first sold-out headline show in the legendary Ancienne Belgique club was also very fulfilling experience!

Every time a fan expresses that our music means something to him or her; the thought that your music really has an effect on peoples’ lives…that’s always special as well.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

It’s difficult to choose between an artist that we greatly admire or ones with a huge crowd. We’d love to open up for Bon Iver or Phoenix just to let them know how much we love their work. But, in terms of an enormous superstar audience, we would have to wait for Oasis to reunite or the next Daft Punk show, whenever that will be.

As for our rider, we’re pretty satisfied already. A few beers to lighten the mood are all we need! But, when we really can push the limits a masseuse and a personal cocktail guy would be nice.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

When you’re in a band, your bandmates are not just the guys you happen to make music with: they’re also your best friends. When practice is over, or after a show, don’t go home and get a beer together: have a party and dance the night away! Also, play as many shows as you can because it’s the best way to keep growing as a group - and you get to know so many interesting people.

IN THIS PHOTO: Kid Astray/PHOTO CREDIT: Marius Midttun 

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

We’ve been jamming out to Kid Astray, a band from Norway. Their latest E.P. has a couple of great earworms. (Shout-out to Joanne!). Talking about Norway, we’ve taken a great liking to Sigrid and songs like Don’t Kill My Vibe or Plot Twist!

IN THIS PHOTO: Sigrid/PHOTO CREDIT: Jonathan Vivaaskise

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Well. We don’t, actually. But, we can honestly say that, even though it’s a lot of hard work, music is the unwinding for us. I don’t think we’ll ever get tired of writing new songs and trying out new ideas. There’s nothing like starting with a blank canvas and ending up with something that could eventually reach an audience of thousands. It’s like a proud sense of accomplishment you can’t really compare with anything else.

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).

Yannick (Bass): Ultralight Beam – Kanye West

Nick (Guitar): Bonfire - The Hunna

Bastiaan (Drums): Press Restart – Walk the Moon

Bram (Vocals): Only We’re Naked – Zak Abel

Willem (Keys): Don’t Dream It’s Over - Crowded House

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Follow The Lighthouse

PHOTO CREDIT: Zoteye 

Official:

http://thelighthousesound.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheLighthouseSound/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thelighthousesound/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eMo1TcmUaZvrxsne6TO8y

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKmwdJEJftKdCV31EaL0g6A

FEATURE: Spotlight: IAMDDB

FEATURE:

 

Spotlight

IAMDDB

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IF you are looking for an artist who brings…

plenty of power, attack and amazement to music then you do not need to look much further than IAMDDB. She is a stunning artist who first came to my attention with her incredible 2017 E.P., Hoodrich Vol. 3. Songs explode from the speakers and you are helpless to refute the drama and force that is coming through. Standout cuts like Conjouring and Trophy have the authenticity you’d expect from a decades-lasting artist. One might listen to the street-smart and raw vocals of IAMDDB and think she is from The Bronx or the Manhattan. In fact, the brilliant artist is based around Manchester and is one of the finest new talents we have. She was born Diana Debrito and her Angolan father was a musician. The upcoming star has been writing since a child and taking influence from all sectors of music. After a hard relationship split, she travelled to Angola and immersed herself in the Jazz scene over there. Even though she is a new name to many people; IAMDDB has been recording for a while now and is making her way through the scene. Eyes and ears are turning her way and you cannot help fall for her music. One looks at the songwriter and is struck by her beauty and fashion. You are intoxicated by her movements and incredible sounds; floored by the sheer confidence and skill that projects from every line.

I mentioned the U.S. familiarity and how she rivals the finest and freshest R&B/Rap artists from there – she is ours and we are not going to give her up! Her songs are typically one/two-worded and they have a sense of focus and economy that many artists lack. The spits and flows and vivacious; the rhymes and wordplay are amazing and you can hear a wide and eclectic musical upbringing come through in every song. There are Jazz moments and elements but you get a real smack and attack of American Rap and modern-Britain Urban sounds. Although based in Manchester; you know IAMDDB could easily slot into the South London fold or survive over in the U.S. for a few years. Her name is growing legs and I have heard IAMDDB played on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 Music. Her 2016 E.P., Waeveybby, Vol. 1 is an early sign of brilliance – songs such as Childsplay showing a rare soul and incredible sense of belonging. There are no nerves – none I can detect – with IAMDDB and you know she is going to go all the way in the industry. We have some great R&B/Rap artists like Nadia Rose and Stefflon Don but, to me, nobody has the same qualities and abilities as IAMDDB.

There has been a lot of talk concerning the young artist: she has not given too many interviews herself and is letting her music do the talking. The video for Drippy is out and is an arresting and alluring video that perfectly supports the song. She came third in the BBC’s Sound of… vote for this year and was interviewed by them. Asked when music came into her life, and when she started writing; she told the BBC this:

“…Around high school time, and I did music at college. But when I went to Africa, that's when I started really understanding, OK, music is actually what I want to do. I started producing, engineering, learning the in-betweens of music, not just lyricism and the beat.

Writing's always been second nature - I can write anywhere, under any circumstance. Anything can inspire me. It feels very natural to write”.

She extolled the virtues of being an independent artist – not having any sh*t from labels and being controlled – and is acutely aware of a certain shyness and where she came from. IAMDDB talked about being independent and why it means so much to her:

“I believe in myself enough to not let anybody take control of what I do with my art. I'm always up for taking criticism that can improve it, but with regards to creative control, I feel like that's so essential for any artist to have.

For me, music is my therapy. That's where I express myself. That's why I'm so honest with it. I speak about personal issues. I speak about other people's experiences”.

It is illuminating and wonderful listening to her create music and talk about her life. Her influences include Bob Marley and why his music is so significant – everything she does is influenced by him and the way he used to move. Although modern artists like Jorja Smith, Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch are important to her; Bob Marley seems to be that icon that is behind everything she does and what she is about. Another interview she conducted (last year) talked about her as a female artist and she talked about having a strong presence and the fact it can be quite intimidating being around people. IAMDDB is not someone who alienated but she has this strong and independent vibe that relies on nobody and comes through with intensity and no crap being thrown in – it is not ego but a self of assurance that might put some off. It is the passion you get from IAMDDB that amazes and fills every sense. She is a genuine artist and true talent that cannot be taken for granted and is set to take the music world by storm. I have not met IAMDDB but she is someone I am keen to interview and find out more about.

There are few who can make Trap/Hip-Hop sounds that have so much spark, colours and energy. Her rhythms are phat and there is sexiness in the voice that draws you in and can take the breath. Someone who has that Jazz-like sound and can seduce; turning into a full-on street warrior who owns the concrete and can take you off your feet…it is an intoxicating concoction that we need in the music industry right now. I have been listening to IAMDDB for a while and wonder whether we will see another E.P. this year. She is heading out on tour and people are falling over themselves to get close to her. That independent spirit means, unlike her peers, there are few collaborations. IAMDDB has worked alongside others and been remixed but, when it comes to her strongest material, there are no other voices but hers. We are hearing of female artists being overlooked and being taken for granted right now. It is true they have fewer rights (compared to men) and imbalance continues to cause arguments and debate. IAMDDB is one of those artists who blows away the argument and shows what amazing music is being made by women right now. She is not one to get drawn into the debates: her spirit is pure and she makes music that feels natural to her; she will succeed and is as strong as any male artist out there. Watch her grow and see the Manchester-based artist conquer the world. Bob Marley may be gone but, strangely, you seem to get embodiment through IAMDDB and some of his qualities running through her blood. However you see IAMDDB; you cannot deny she is an artist who is ready to do things her own way and…

DOMINATE the world of music!

__________

Follow IAMDDB

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/iamddb

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/IAMDDB/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/iamddb/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/IAMDDB

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7za6M9P94wuMsOVCHopTsI

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdADIhED9-Plw02DwWqFPZA

PHOTOS: 

Getty Images/Press

INTERVIEW: Christopher Haul

INTERVIEW:

Christopher Haul

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HIS new single is released tomorrow…

so it was a great time to speak with Christopher Haul about If You Found Love. The songwriter explains its story and what it was like shooting the video (out tomorrow); what inspired his debut E.P., Something's Changed - and the artists who are important to him.

Haul reveals his influences and when music arrived in his life; what sort of gigs are coming up; what advice he would give to new artists; a few albums that are special to him – he ends the interview with a pretty rousing track!

___________

Hi, Christopher. How are you? How has your week been?

Hey. I am really good, thanks. I’m enjoying this lovely weather but my hayfever is really suffering. Urgh!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I am Christopher Haul; a singer and writer from South Wales – I am releasing my debut E.P. called Something’s Changed.

What can you tell me about If You Found Love? What is the story behind the track?

If You Found Love is a feelgood song about coming across that someone or something you have a strong connection with and, essentially, love. It’s about holding on to it and not being scared of giving it your all.

It seems like the video was pretty cool and interesting to shoot. How much fun was it to make?

Thanks. Yes; the video was fun to make. It was in Central London on a Saturday and we filmed it right in the middle of all the tourist attractions in London. People were stopping in their tracks to watch what we were doing. Some people came up to me for an autograph and a photo which was quite sweet.

Phil Whitehead co-writes. Was it a good experience working with him?

Phil is a great guy and we both get on really well, which makes it much easier to share ideas and collaborate; then, neither of us feels like we are not adding to it or feeling left out.

Can we expect any more material later in the year?

ABSOLUTELY! Now I have my first E.P. ready, I am back in the studio recording my next one. I am listening to a lot of '80s Synth-Pop for inspiration. 

You have modelled and worked in musical theatre. Was music a natural move for you? Was it nervewracking making your first moves?

Growing up throughout the '90s, music seemed to be a natural thing for me. I loved all the big boybands, girlbands and film soundtracks like Titanic (My Heart Will Go On), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Everything I Do) and The Bodyguard (I Will Always Love You).

 How has your music tastes changed through the year? Does your background in music theatre go into your own music?

I would say I have always loved Pop music: you could say I am a bit of a ‘Pop Tart’. But, I have found myself listening to more old-school sounds like the Eurhythmics, even ABBA. The music is pure genius. I don’t really mix the musical theatre stuff with my music. I had so many people telling me over the years how good I would be in musicals as well as on stage performing my original music that an agent of mine asked would I be up for it. I thought, ‘You know what. I would try anything once’; so I did it and I loved it!

Can we see you tour this year? What gigs do you have coming along?

Yes. I am currently doing gigs throughout U.K. and Europe. I will be performing in Sitges this Sunday (17th June). I am in at the East Barnet Festival on 7th July; Croydon Fest 14th July. I’m in Hamburg at The Paul Schmidtchen Theatre and Cardiff Pride in August. 

 Do you have any ambitions to fulfil before the end of the year?

I am always setting myself goals and pushing myself. I would love to release my next E.P. before the year is out and get a number-one record from it (you have to think big, right?!). Also; I am working on my own clothing brand called House of Haul which I am hoping to launch in the next couple of months.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

My most favourite memory with music was probably when my cousins and I used to put cassette tapes in our little mini-stereos and plating What’s Going On by Four Non Blondes and scream at the top of our lungs: “WHATS GOING ON!”. Hahah! 

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

The three albums that mean the most to me are probably:

Backstreet Boys - Millennium

Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard (soundtrack)

Sia – A Thousand Forms of Fear

(If you ask me in twelve months this might change).

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Keep focussed and work quietly on what it is you want to do. Depend on nobody and don’t take things so serious - and enjoy the ride. Oh…and believe in yourself: the universe will work it all out.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Other than ME?! Haha. I saw a great artist called Bekah at a gig recently and Valerio Lysander. He has is quirky and great!

IN THIS PHOTO: Valerio Lysander

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I do try and unwind by taking time out at the beach and listening to the waves. I fell asleep at the seafront in Aberdeen the other day and the waves were hypnotic. It was so relaxing. I like to unwind by lighting as many candles as I can and just playing music and relaxing.

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).

Ahh. Thank you!  Could you play Sia’s Alive. That’s the sort of mood I am in right now!

__________

Follow Christopher Haul

Official:

http://www.christopherhaul.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/C_Haul

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/christopherhaul/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/c_haul/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/c_haul

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3KaqaEcMGu2IWbHzACf768

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr--2v3E35-jLdSWEqjlAmQ

INTERVIEW: Gg

INTERVIEW:

Gg

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MANY of us have had…

rather unconventional lives and experiences. Gg has been involved with Russian mobs and had the sort of ‘excitement’ many of would not even dream of! I have been talking with the Russian artist about her latest track, Freezing, and how she is getting on.

She lets me into her world and discusses future material and whether she has progressed as an artist; if there are any tour dates approaching; whether she gets time to chill way from music – Gg tells me what the scene is like in Russia right now.

___________

Hi, Gg. How are you? How has your week been?

Hey! Kind of obscure, to tell the truth. I’ve been totally drunk at a Russian film festival; had a fight with a taxi driver (and had to defend Theresa May from an Armenian taxi driver in Moscow; no kidding) and all week have been trying to oppose being brainwashed by my fiancée’s mother. She’s a lovely lass, although Putin knows nothing about brainwash compared to her…

So, as you say in the U.K.: I’m fine, thank you…

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Well. I’m Gg. I play Electro-Pop songs. I’ve got long legs, ginger hair; deep texts, a rich voice and poor friends from Russian mobs. I’m timid, modest and s*it but, if people ask “Who’s your daddy?!” - scream my name, God save the queen!

What can you tell me about your new song, Freezing? How did the song come together?

Well. I could say about broken hearts, recite some John Clare; but, to tell the truth - it was damn freezing in Moscow and I had just watched the last season of Game of Thrones.

Is there going to be more material later in the year?

Oh, yes: my third single and an album. I’m going to release a new album with some weird stuff. I don’t know how I came up with it….

Do you think you have progressed as an artist since your earliest days? Do you grow more confident with each release?

I’d say that I’m getting closer to my secret dream: an E.P. all in cockney.

You are a Russian artist. Is there an active musical scene there right now?

I've just released an album. It’s kind of different in my mother tongue; kind of makes one think about how, in different countries, you become a different person - a nice, comfortable schizophrenic feeling. Generally, nothing is going on (on) the Russian stage. Let’s forget about politeness for a second: modern music belongs to the U.K.

Do you remember how you got into music? Were there particular artists that influenced you?

Bach. My parents took me to a Bach concert in my hometown. It was the ‘90s; we were in Russia; there were people dying all around, people got nothing to eat - and here it came. I haven’t caught my breath since that night, to be frank. It almost felt like Bruce Wayne – although, he would break in Russia.

Can we see you tour this year? What gigs do you have coming along?

I wish I could answer ‘yes’, but we’ll see...

Do you think you’ll be playing in the U.K. at all?

Definitely. I’m honoured to have the chance.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

I’m going to make my own movie. As for music - the last few months were too busy; I’ve got to have some time off. Also, build a house; give birth to a son, plant a tree and all this - while looking gorgeous.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Yeah. I do: every time my tour manager Steve begs me to bring him a Russian wife. It's nice to feel powerful; what can I say?!

Which three albums mean the most to you, would you say?

‘The White Album’ (The Beatles) by The Beatles; Highlands by Halsey and Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Stop. Reflect on yourself. Understand yourself in this particular moment. Accept that you can’t do it; not now, not later…not ever. Cause it’s all mine. Joking. Play your own music.

Never give in.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

No. I don’t, actually. To unwind I write screenplays and sail; sometimes, simultaneously. I adore sailing.

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. It’s going to be Scooter’s Fire, then! My sweet childhood memories of Russian Disco-Dance. My favourite lullaby…

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