INTERVIEW: Tim Freitag

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Alexis Saile 

Tim Freitag

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I have been speaking with Janick of…

 IMAGE CREDIT: Alexis Saile 

Tim Freitag and he has been telling me how the Swiss band got together and what the music scene is like in the country. I ask what the story behind the single, By Your Side, is and what it was like putting the video together; what music inspires the band and what comes next for them.

Janick discusses an album that means a lot to him; how he chills away from music; which Swiss artists are worth watching; what advice he would give to artists emerging right now – he ends the interview by selecting some good songs.

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

Hi. Great, thanks! This is Janick, the singer of the band. We’ve just announced a four-part instalment of individual, unique October remixes of By Your Side. The remixes couldn’t be more different from each other: there’s even an Electro-Swing version of it. It’s crazy! Every Friday in October we drop a single, so keep an eye on our socials or follow us on Spotify (smiles).

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

We're a band of brothers (from other mothers!), totally on our own; surrounded by a small patch of friends that help us out; steadily and continuously building up a growing, loyal fan base. We're trying to create a unique sound that levitates somewhere between melancholy and euphoria. Some say reminiscent of Bono and his band, probably because of our track, Bruises. Others compare us to Tom Odell or even Phoenix. Journalists and people in general try to put things in boxes; I like that it's kinda hard to do that with our sound: every song stands on its own.

How did Tim Freitag get together? When did you find one another?

I met Severin Graf - our bass player - in 2013 at Dynamo Zurich at my rehearsal studio. He was practicing just next door with another band and people told me that he’s one of the best bass players of the city. I knew that I needed the best people to get a great band, haha, so I watched him for a few days and what was pretty obvious was that he always drank Coke. One day, I went up to him, offered him a coke and invited him to my studio to listen to some demos. He liked it; I asked him to record on a few songs with us and play live. He said ‘yes’. That’s why he’s in the band. To keep him in the band, I sometimes still give him a Coke…but I guess that’s not necessary anymore (smiles).

Daniel Gisler is our keyboard player. He was the latest that joined the band in spring 2017. He actually told me that he has no time and could only join us for one concert. I didn’t really believe him but, to make sure that he stays, I organized a photographer that took a band photo before the soundcheck of that one concert that he said he was gonna play. After the concert I told him: “Sorry Daniel, you can’t quit; you’re now on our official press photo”. He said that’s cool and since then he’s been loyal to me.

PHOTO CREDIT: Biho Song

Lorenzo Demenga is also a founding member. He was in love with a song that we never released called Dream Again. In every rehearsal he says, “Let’s play that song”. He believes that it’s gonna be a world hit and told me once that he’s not quitting the band before he can play drums on it. That’s why I will never record that song: so he will never leave the band.

Nicolas Rüttimann is our guitarist. He was there from day-one. Actually, our first producer showed him the song, Another Heart Has Lost Its Place, and that was the tipping point. He said that, if we’re recording the song, he’s gonna be in the band. I did just that. And he even organized the shooting of the music video. Also; one of his dreams is to be on a poster with Tim Freitag in a music store. Let’s hope that never happens! I fear that if he reaches that goal that he’ll think he’s achieved everything now and can retire.

By Your Side is your new song. Can you talk about the story behind it?

I don’t really like to talk too much about the lyrics: I like that people can make up their own story or attach it to a feeling. Sometimes, other artists destroy that for me when they explain in depth what they thought. But, on the surface it’s a classic love song and the muse isn’t reciprocating with the same feelings.

Talk to me about the video. What was it like to shoot? Who came up with the concept?!

I really don’t like to swim. Never did. This year, I had a date with a girl; she wanted to go swimming; I said I’m cool with it; she went into the river of Zurich and I just sat there and watched. It was so embarrassing. After she was done we had a drink and said goodbye to each other. She never called or texted again. To defeat my swimming trauma, and to finally get a girl, I decided to do a music video in the water.

The boys staged it like a group therapy; chose the smallest spa and told me to go into the water with them. It helped: after the shooting, I started to go to the lake of Zurich almost every day at night, all by myself, to decompress. It’s actually quite beautiful. But, hey; Mick Jagger’s daughter said in an interview that she never saw his father dipping even a toe into the water…so it’s actually not that embarrassing anymore for me (smiles).

Do you think there will be more material coming down the line?

Yes, definitely. We can’t wait to release our next single by the end of November 2018. In spring 2019, we’re finally dropping the album.

You are a Swiss band. Is there a healthy and varied music scene there?

There are amazing Swiss artists around. From Blues-Metal band Zeal and Ardor (Tip: Devil Is Fine) to the Pop group Boy (Tip: Seven Little Numbers); amazing Indie artist Sophie Hunger (Tip: Tricks) or German singer Faber who is conquering Germany at the moment (Tip: Wem du’s heute kannst besorgen).

PHOTO CREDIT: Alexis Saile 

If I were to travel back to your childhoods; what sort of music would I find in your collections?

I was a big DJ Bobo fan. For Severin, our bass player, I know that he only started making music because of Celine Dion. Lolo, our drummer, still secretly listens to Kylie Minogue when he's feeling sick or down. Guitarist Nicolas never listened to music before Tim Freitag and Gisi, our keyboarder, only listens to Harry Potter audiobooks in a permanent playback loop. 

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Getting the last tracks of the album to a safe place in the recording process.

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

In 2017, we performed at the Parterre in Basel to an audience of twenty people - ten of those were friends from Zürich. Problem for us was there was an FCB match that very night!

Barely a year later, we played during the BScene to a full-house in the Kaserne Basel. But…BOTH concerts were fantastic. It doesn’t matter whether you make ten or three-hundred spectators happy; the pleasure is the same.

Which one album means the most to you would you say (and why)?

The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium

A friend introduced me to them when I was sixteen. I listened and really did not like them at all. Because I liked the guy, I really tried to understand why he likes that band. I tried for two weeks and finally I got into them. Sometimes, it’s nice when music isn’t opening up from the beginning. And, every time I listen to them, I discover new things and sounds. I also just love Cedric’s voice and Omar’s guitar playing.

 PHOTO CREDIT: Biho Song

Might we see some tour dates coming up? Where might we be able to catch you play?

After our intensive Breaking Hearts Tour this summer, we’re taking a little break. We’re playing a few gigs in Switzerland in November and December but take a step back to focus on the album recording. The record release party will be in Kaufleuten - Zurich’s oldest concert venue - on 14th April. We’re very excited. To keep up to date with our tours, just check www.timfreitag.com or follow us on Songkick.

What advice would you give new artists coming through?

Don’t dream; work hard!

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

I like to decompress in the mountains. I always do that shortly before I’d get a burnout. It helps (smiles).

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose some songs and I’ll play it here (not any of your music – I’ll do that!).

As my guys are not here, I’ll take the liberty to choose five songs that got me through:

Hindi Zahra (ft. House of Spirituals) - The Moon

CAKE - Never There

Kunzite - Minerals

Warhaus - Leave with Me

Two Face Twin - Socotra

Haha! That last one is cheating, actually: it’s a song from my side project together with the amazing singer Carla Fellinger! Check it out.

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Follow Tom Freitag

PHOTO CREDIT: Alexis Saile 

Official:

https://www.timfreitag.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/timfreitag/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/timfreitag

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/timfreitagmusic

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5apSz3CmfWa9U2zaP7KMIF

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKWZvQ1T4P2i2iKxplXISYQ

INTERVIEW: Bri Clark

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Tanya Voltchanskaya

Bri Clark

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I have been talking with Bri Clark…

IMAGE/PHOTO CREDIT: Tanya Voltchanskaya

about her current single, Giving Up, and what the story behind it is. The Australian artist discusses her musical tastes and reveals what it was like working alongside producer Jono Steer on her new track; whether there is more material coming and which approaching artists we need to spend some time with.

I ask Clark if there are any live dates booked in and how she unwinds away from music; if there is a special memory that sticks in her mind; a few albums that have impacted her hard – she ends the interview by selecting a rather good song.

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

Hey - I am good! My week has been really great, thank you!

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

I am a singer/songwriter currently based in Perth, Australia. The music I’m releasing at the moment is cinematic Alt-Pop.

Giving Up is your new single. Can you talk about the story and how it came together?

Giving Up is a song that took a little while to write...

I was witnessing a relationship break down between two people very close to me and I had to deal with what I was feeling as well as trying to be there for them; so the song took on a life of its own. It ended up being a story of the struggle to leave or to stay.

I had the chorus line - “Stop me from giving up on my love” - in another song I had written, but I felt like it deserved to be more than just a verse throwaway. So ,then, I was jamming it with my besties and I came up with a whole song melody based on the line as the chorus!

I took that to Jono Steer and we produced it into what it is now. 

How important was it working alongside producer Jono Steer?

Jono is just an incredible producer, engineer and human. It was extra-special because my E.P. was the first project he’d worked on since moving to Castlemaine - a town in rural Victoria - so it was all new spaces and we were getting to know it together, the different cafes and walking spots. He helped transform my songs into beautiful pieces of art. I learnt so much from him and I’m now getting into production because he was so easy to learn from and very knowledgeable.  Also; I’d like to live in Castlemaine now.

PHOTO CREDIT: Trevor Gerard

Do you think there will be more material coming along?

Yes! We have a five-track E.P. ready to go - and Giving Up was the first single from it! There’ll be another single release early in the New Year probably and then the E.P. and THEN the next thing. I’ve been doing a lot of co-writes recently and have probably written some of the best songs in those sessions, so I am very excited to get into the studio and record them, but also keep writing.

Were you raised around a lot of great sounds? What sort of music were you raised on?

My mum had the Tina Arena In Deep deluxe album and I listened to that on-repeat and tried to emulate everything thing she did with her voice and that’s how I taught myself to sing. But, there was lots of music in the house growing up: The Carpenters, Fleetwood Mac; Bryan Adams, Shania Twain; Michael Jackson, Queen. Then, when I was old enough to choose my own music, it was Britney Spears, Norah Jones; Christina Aguilera, JoJo; Taylor Swift, Adele; Sia, Bat for Lashes; City & Colour, Damien Rice; Butterfly Boucher, Bertie Blackman; William Fitzsimmons, Gotye…I cut my teeth on Pop and Alternative music and it was great.

PHOTO CREDIT: Hannah Lawrance

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?                         

I hope to play some bigger support shows and write with more artists and writers I admire.

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

I have a couple from this year actually…

I got to spend a couple of days writing with Aussie songwriter and all around legend, Mark Lizotte (Diesel) - one of the most generous people I’ve ever met. Also; when Giving Up was shortlisted for the 2018 Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition alongside Amy Shark and Gang of Youths, that was pretty special - and, just jumping into songwriting sessions with people I haven’t met before and being able to connect over something and create.

Also; BIGSOUND this year was a big highlight for me; I got to meet many wonderful people and form some great relationships. And, probably, number-one making the E.P. with Jono, Lawrence and Leigh. After a few days in pre-production with Jono, I went back to the cottage I was staying in and I had a listen to the songs and just cried so much because I was so happy. I called my mum and she was very confused for the first minute of the conversation! I am very lucky.

  PHOTO CREDIT: Tanya Voltchanskaya

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

It’s very hard to choose only three.

The Blessed Unrest by Sara Bareilles

I say this but I really mean Sara Bareilles’ entire discography, including her incredible covers, and her Waitress musical. She always has at least one gut-wrenching song in every album: Manhattan, Between the Lines; Gravity, Bluebird; Bright Lights and Cityscapes, Breathe Again and 1000 Times. She is one of the great songwriters, in my opinion. A true craftswoman. Listening to Sara has pushed me to never settle when I write; always search for the right word, the right phrase and the right melody. I’ve also really enjoyed her artist development, moving from minimal production when she first started to more eclectic, experimental Pop. What a woman!

Eclipse by Imogen Heap

Incredible songwriting and production. Listening to Imogen Heap gave me a license to be really experimental with my lyrics. I love Imogen Heap in all her forms, especially as part of Frou Frou. She changed the game for me with her vocal arrangement and production. I really love her Sparks album as well which was a bit more challenging to listen to. She gave me a love for the unusual and unexpected in music.

Grace by Jeff Buckley

This was an out-of-body, surreal experience. I came to this album quite late - I think I was twenty-two - when I heard it and I was driving around the North Island of N.Z. with a really great friend of mine and I was going through some heartache and life uncertainty. I feel like music comes to you when you need it - and I needed this album when I heard it. I hope that my music can have as profound an effect as what Jeff Buckley had on me.

If I were allowed to give three more albums that I love and had a huge impact on me:

Ben Abraham - Sirens

Jónsi - Go Do

Adele - 21

PHOTO CREDIT: Tanya Voltchanskaya

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

Sara Bareilles. Oh. I would just like limitless peppermint tea and some fresh fruit.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Make music that makes you happy first and foremost - and always go for a grant where possible to save your cash. Go to lots of gigs and talk to artists that you admire. Do the self-management thing, if you have the time, so you can really know what skills you need your manager to have when you take one on. Play lots of gigs but, if you don’t like playing gigs, don’t. Just do whatever makes you happy and try not to put too much pressure on yourself.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I have a few dates coming up:

Fri, October 12th - SOFAR Sounds Perth

Sat, October 13th - RTRFM Spring Music Festival at The Aardvark

Sat, 3rd November (3.20 P.M.) - WAMFest Showcase at the PICA Amphitheatre

Got a couple of shows on the horizon in Melbourne and Sydney as well, but nothing international yet.

How important is it being on stage and performing? Do you love playing your music to the crowds?

I think it’s important to play live if you want to create a really strong connection with your fans. I love playing to crowds who listen intently. There’s nothing more difficult than a crowd who is only there for their friends/family and aren’t really into music so don’t care to listen to other artists. But, also, in saying that; I know some really successful musicians who choose not to play and that’s totally fine too. There’s no ‘one way’ to do it in this industry.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Asha Jefferies/PHOTO CREDIT: Savannah van der Niet

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Asha Jefferies is a girl from Brisbane who writes beautiful Folk songs. Ariela Jacobs - just heard her unreleased E.P. and, holy moly, we’re in for a treat.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Ariela Jacobs/PHOTO CREDIT: Liam Mcguire

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

I love long walks around the river where I live. I work at an office part-time and that helps me to unwind because I’m doing repetitive tasks that I can do without thinking; it also helps when I’m stuck on a lyric because I can be doing something monotonous and then my brain will just pull it out of thin air. I love movies, good food and cooking when I can be bothered. It’s really hard to switch that side of me off, though: I’m always thinking about it.

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).

Let’s stick with the Sara Bareilles theme: Manhattan, please

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Follow Bri Clark

Official:

https://www.briclarkmusic.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/BriClarkMusic

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/BriClarkMusic/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/briclarkmusic

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/briclarkmusic

INTERVIEW: THUMPER

INTERVIEW:

THUMPER

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THE guys of THUMPER…

have been chatting about their new single, (You’re Bringing Me) Down, and how it came together. I ask whether there is more material planned and what sort of sounds/artists the band is influenced by – they tell me whether any gigs are approaching and how THUMPER got together.

I discover what the band want to achieve before the end of the year and how the band have evolved since the start; whether there is a particular album that means the most to them; what they would tell artists coming through at the moment – they select some emerging musicians that are worth some focus.

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

We’re good! It’s been a busy week. We released the video for (You’re Bringing Me) Down and played the Friday night of Hard Working Class Heroes. The video and song has been a labour of love for us so we’re delighted to have it out in the world. The gig was mayhem.

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

We try to fuse the noise and drone elements of bands like Sonic Youth or Thee Oh Sees, with the Pop and almost saccharine elements of bands like ABBA or The Beatles. We want you to be tapping your foot while gritting your teeth.

(You’re Bringing Me) Down is your new single. Can you explain the story behind the song?

Myself and two of our past members went to see a three-act bill in Dublin a few years ago - Patti Smith, Ariel Pink and Spiritualized. While we were big fans of the first two, we had never really listened to Spiritualized beyond that album, Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space.

I was amazed at theses ten/fifteen minute-long songs that were super-minimal and repetitive but somehow really powerful in spite of, or maybe because of, the repetition. Down is a song that we had been writing at the time and the sentiment of the tune suited that manic and repetitive feel, so we robbed it.

Is there going to be more material coming down the line from you guys? What are you working on?

Down is the second single that we’ve released from an E.P. called Out of Body Auto-Message which we’re releasing in November. Up until now, all of our E.P.s have been super-lo-fi, gnarly affairs but this is our first studio offering and is much closer to our live sound. Dan Fox of Girl Band produced the whole thing and made the transition from lo-fi to big-boy studio a painless and enjoyable process!

How did THUMPER find one another? Is there a tale behind that name?

Essentially, THUMPER started off as my solo project. I was suffering from really bad writer’s block and wrote, recorded and released the first few E.P.s really fast so as to not have time to critique them too much (hence why they sound so unpolished and thrown together - they were!).

What started as a side-project quickly became its own beast as myself and a few friends started playing the songs live, eventually getting booked for festivals and packing out some shows in Dublin. We all knew each other from music college and had toured/played together in different bands over the years - so there wasn’t much of a teething period in terms of learning to play together.

In terms of music; what did you all grow up around and idolise when young?

A lot of ABBA, Beatles and Beach Boys when we were younger. Like most kids; we always graduated towards the strongest melodies and think, if anything, that’s one thing that’s stayed with us when it comes to our songwriting, still.

How do you think you have developed and evolved since the start of your career?

The most major change is that the band has changed from being a vehicle for my songs and more into a collaborative group effort. We’re in a really healthy creative space now. We’ve also done a million gigs so are probably better at actually playing.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

With the E.P. coming out in November, all we can hope to achieve is to do those songs justice live and maybe write a few more tunes to keep them company. Most of our goals revolve around writing the best music possible. Anything beyond that is a bonus!

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

The first festival we ever played was Knockanstockan in Co. Wicklow. We had only released one single - and were on relatively early - but we flukely played to a packed-full circus tent. A lot of what we had been doing up to this point was very insular - practicing in our rehearsal room or recording the music alone. The crowd at this show was wild and it was the first evidence that the music translated into a bigger setting. That show lit something in us that has lasted ever since and is definitely a high point for us.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

One album that had a big effect on us as a band is Holding Hands with Jamie by Girl Band. We all listen to different types of music and have our own tastes and opinions, but something about this record resonated with all of us equally. We all queued up and bought it in a small record shop in Dublin and played that thing to death. Live, the songs were even more powerful. When beautiful Daniel Fox reached out to get involved with our own record it was a dream come true.

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

Can we go on tour with Parquet Courts or Shame, please? We would like a bottle of whisky, a bottle of Baileys and six cups. Thanks in advance!

Can we see you on the road this year at all?

We just finished a very busy summer of touring but we’re not done yet! We will be playing The Button Factory on Hallowe’en night and are launching our E.P. in The Workmans Club on 30th Nov. There are a handful of other exciting shows in the pipeline that we can’t divulge just yet but there will be plenty of us to go around, fear not.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Focus on writing good songs and work backwards from there.

 IN THIS PHOTO: KOJAQUE

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

We’re currently listening to a lot of KOJAQUE, Just Mustard and Joey Gavin - all Irish masters of their fields.

IN THIS IMAGE: Just Mustard

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

At the moment, we eat, sleep and breathe music every day. They say when you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life - it also means you never get a day off!

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).

We unanimously vote Life by Des’ree x

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Follow THUMPER

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/hellothumper

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1iMsLpQB3kldZ9s7pne7gP

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/thumperband

Bandcamp:

https://thumpermusic.bandcamp.com/

INTERVIEW: For Esme

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Vanessa Heins

For Esme

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IT is good to catch up…

 PHOTO CREDIT: Laura-Lynn Petrick

with For Esme’s lead Mar Meredith and see what is cooking right now. She talks to me about the brilliant track, Modern Love, and filming its incredible video; what comes next and when music came into her life – she recommends a rising artist we should get behind and investigate.

I discover whether there are tour dates coming up and which three albums are most important to the band’s lead; whether she gets much time to chill and, given the chance, which artist she would support on tour – she ends the interview by selecting a great song.

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Hi, For Esme. How are you? How has your week been?

Hello, Sam! My week has been great, though quite hectic. I’m battling the fall cold that many people seem to have in Toronto right now and it’s been wearing me down.

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

Sure. I’m Mar Meredith and I’m the frontwoman/creative director of For Esmé, which I am currently performing with four wonderful humans: Charles Tilden, Karrie Douglas; Lewis Parker and Liam Cole. For Esmé is an unabashedly feminist exploration of self-love and the courage of conviction in uncertain times. 

Modern Love is your latest single. What is the story behind the song?

The song emerged when I got engaged to my now-husband and I was uncomfortable with the reaction that I felt I was getting for that - as if I had accomplished the ultimate goal that a woman can, in securing a husband. I was frustrated by it but also interested in interrogating my frustration. When I did so, I had to face the uncomfortable truth that my younger self often HAD defined herself somewhat by her relationships to and ability to attract men. I felt a surge of gratitude for having outgrown that and seeing myself as complete, independent of anyone else. 

I believe Joan Didion’s 1961 essay, On Self Respect, played a role. When did you come across that work and how does it feed into the song?

I seem to remember first reading it in the first apartment I ever had to myself. I remember scrawling “Character - the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life - is the source from which self-respect springs” on a Post-it note and sticking it right on the front face of my desktop. It stayed there for years until I switched over to a laptop full-time. It felt really important to remember that.

I revisited the essay when I was writing this record and found even more to love in it than I had any of the times I’d read it before. The essay always helps me get back on track with listening to myself and I wanted to create my own piece of art that would work in the same way, perhaps more accessibly.

The video is really imaginative and memorable! Was it a great video to work on?!

Thank you! It was a real pleasure to work on. Director Nick Tiringer approached me wanting to make a video for this song and, when he pitched this concept, it was PERFECT. I had always envisioned the song as something you needed to say to yourself in the mirror and I had gone as far as thinking about that viral YouTube girl from a few years ago, Jessica’s Daily Affirmations – so, when Nick came at me with this concept if felt like he’d read my mind! Watching everyone select their different mirror routines and interpret the lyrics individually was really special for me. I love each cast member’s performance so much.

Might we see more material next year? What are you working on at the moment?

I am working on new music (I was really fortunate to get to spend a few weeks of the summer in a cabin in the woods working on new songs) but I have to be honest that I work pretty slowly! I have a lot of songs on the go but I am still sorting out what is going to come next, conceptually. In the meantime, I have some more videos for Righteous Woman in the works that I am excited to share. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Vanessa Heins

Do you recall when music came into your life? Was there a moment you knew it was the career for you?

I’ve always loved music deeply for as long as I can remember. I have a quit vivid memory of being a kid and seeing an a capella choir perform and feeling my arm erupt in goosebumps. That was so powerful - I wanted to be able to create that level of emotional communication myself. I first started writing my own music when I was working at a summer camp in high-school but I was always singing, dancing and performing from as early as I could talk and walk. 

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

I think what I am most excited about are our upcoming tour dates. Every time we perform these songs they develop deeper and different meanings - and it has been really exciting to share that with different audiences over the past four months. So, I hope to unlock a new level of energy and sync for the show. Also, per your earlier question, I’m really keen to get further on my new songs and get them closer to being ready to record.

 PHOTO CREDIT: Laura-Lynn Petrick 

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

Hmm; this is tricky because I’ve had a lot of really special experiences working in music. I think the ultimate euphoria and the one that lasts the longest though is the moment of gratification when writing a song that really feels so right and pours out so quickly. A recent example was in writing For Others. It just poured out of me and I just knew it was right. Honestly; that’s the best feeling in the world.

Another really fulfilling memory was creating our music video for Small Talk because I got to work with a team of people I admire so much - and to work in a medium that is really exciting for me (dance). The final product was something I am so proud of. These aren’t exciting examples, haha, but the highs from playing a big festival or having a great piece of press don’t last as long or mean as much as the more personal milestones. 

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)? 

Ooo; this is hard! I feel like my answer to a question like this differs based on mood and season and moment…but here goes:

Knives Don’t Have Your Back - Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton

This is probably the record that has the longest term and biggest impact on me. It makes me feel so deeply and really takes me to an introspective place. The heartbreaking vulnerability and remarkable honesty in it is really profound. 

Cloak and Cipher - Land of Talk

This was the first L.P. I ever remember buying that I wasn’t already familiar with; when I moved into the first apartment I ever had to myself. It was the soundtrack to a newfound independence and has really stayed with me ever since. I love this band. 

Hounds of Love - Kate Bush

I frickin’ love Kate Bush so much. She’s such a creative songwriter and producer and video-maker: she’s really the full package deal. This record is such an adventure from beginning to end. I spent a lot of this summer staring at big summer skies and sunsets and The Big Sky was always in my head. Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) is such an incredible song about empathy. 

 PHOTO CREDIT: @ShootYrShow (Farrel Rafferty) 

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

Another tough one, because so much of the music I love is so different in style than my own! I’d love to tour with Robyn. She’s such a total bad-ass and she writes the best Pop songs that are also so meaningful. Plus…she gets her audience dancing - which is my favourite!

In terms of rider; I’m really not fussy. It would be pretty wonderful to have some single malt though!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Listen to your own intuition more than anyone else’s advice! And, second, working on the craft and the art is way more important than networking and social media no matter who tells you differently. 

PHOTO CREDIT: @ShootYrShow (Farrel Rafferty) 

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

We’re so excited to be hitting a bunch of cities in Ontario and Quebec this month; Guelph, Windsor; Quebec City, Ottawa; Toronto, Peterborough and Kingston. 

Will you come to the U.K. and play at some point?

Yes. We want to do this so much and are working on some relationships that can help make this happen. We’d love to come to you!

 IN THIS PHOTO: Jeremy Duthcer

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

A wonderful artist named Jeremy Dutcher just won the Polaris Music Prize here in Canada, which is a pretty prestigious award in Canadian music. He makes the most remarkable and beautiful music combining his Wolastoq First Nation roots with his classical training in Opera. It’s really incredible. 

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

My favourite place to unwind is at my cottage. It’s an island on Georgian Bay with no electricity, only outhouses and very little cell reception. There, I’m able to get in touch with myself in a beautiful way, separate from the pushes and pulls of the city and the Internet. I read, canoe; paint and draw, journal; cook and make whole days revolve around sunsets and adventures in nature - it’s my favourite place on Earth and keeps me sane. 

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).

A song I’ve been loving lately because the lyrics really strike home is Poem by Toronto band U.S. Girls 

___________

Follow For Esme

PHOTO CREDIT: Vanessa Heins

Official:

http://www.foresmemusic.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/foresmeforever/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/foresmeforever

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/foresmeforever

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/12158666992

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyWMDJEKC7w15aY1PI_Qjfw/videos

INTERVIEW: Sonal Jogia

INTERVIEW:

Sonal Jogia

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I have been speaking with Sonal Jogia…

about her new single, Alive, and what its story is. I was keen to know whether more material is coming and why she moved from Canada to Spain; which musicians she grew up around and is inspired by; a few albums that mean a lot to her – she highlight some rising artists to check out.

Jogia reveals how she spends time away from music and what advice she would give to musicians coming through; if there are going to be any tour dates approaching; how her songwriting has evolved since the start – she ends the interview by selecting a great song.

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

My week has been good thanks! Some work, some downtime…always trying to find a balance.

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

Sure I can! I was born in England and moved to Canada when I was just a-year-old. I always loved to sing. As a child, I would sing and perform for anyone who would listen to me. As I got into my teens, I became a bit more quiet about the fact that I could sing and usually just kept it to myself, besides a couple of trusted friends.

Now, I better understand that these gifts cannot be kept for oneself…they are meant to be shared and experienced together! Other than that, I am as much of an introvert as I am an extrovert. I love people I can be vulnerable with and forming heart connections and I love lifting my energy by spending time with these people and by spending time in nature - and, of course, by being creative by either writing, listening to music and playing the guitar and singing!

What is your new single, Alive, about? Is there a story behind it?

Alive is a heartfelt and emotional expression of Love; love that brings out the best in you and helps you grow and evolve as a human; a love that makes you feel safe and like you’re not alone and are always supported. Alive can pertain to any kind of love, really; not just romantic love.

We share loving relationships with different people in our lives…family, friends; our pets (who are also family) - and this song can heighten emotions of love that we share with another being. I hope people feel that when they listen to Alive. I hope it makes them feel that love even stronger in that moment.

I believe you left Canada to find new opportunity in Spain! What was the reason behind that? Are you back in Canada now?

Honestly; it was just a lifestyle change and change of perspective that I was looking for…not to mention a desire to live by the sea and to have milder winters. I also wanted to immerse myself in another culture and moving to a small Spanish town definitely gave me that experience. I can also speak Spanish quite fluently now, which was a part of the plan.

I go back and forth spending time in both Spain and in Calgary, which is where I grew up in Canada. I was back recently to record the most-recent E.P. and to do some shows. I can see myself spending more and more time there in the future. Having finished recording the new E.P., I’m at the stage where being there would be better for me on a professional level as an independent artist.

Are you already looking ahead to new material? Might we see more songs next year?

Well. If everything goes according to plan, then you’ll see some more songs this year! With the completion of the new E.P., Alive is just the first of a few singles I plan on releasing this year. Exciting times!

How do you think you have evolved and changed as a songwriter since you started out? Do you feel like you are writing in a more natural way?

Writing for me is definitely very instinctive. It can often start with a catchy melody or a couple of phrases that I just can’t get out of my head and then I just run with that. Sometimes, I end up composing entire songs in my head because I can just hear it all before I sing it out-loud or pick up the guitar. Lately, though, in the past couple of years I’ve also taken to co-writing with other musicians and songwriters. That has been a really great experience for me because it has allowed me to learn different techniques and processes when it comes to writing.

It’s interesting to see how other people approach a song. This has really been helping me grow as an artist and a songwriter. As well as getting to know other creative minds to collaborate with, these relationships often grow into friendships…which is such a gift.

Can you remember when you decided to go into music? Was there a single moment where you knew you had to follow it?

Wow. Well this, for me, has been a process - and a long one at that. I can’t pinpoint one single moment: it’s been many moments and experiences throughout my life that have lead me to the realization that, when you have a purpose; when you have something that gives your life meaning then that’s what you go towards. I now understand that this is what my life was leading me to: to music. It brings humanity together and connects us.

It’s a very powerful thing to be able to see how something that comes from your heart can affect people on such an emotional and spiritual level…in the same way it affects me. Once you feel that, you can’t help but want to experience that with others.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Well. I would like to have some tour dates set for Europe by then, which I’m working on now. There’s no better way to experience these songs then to share them live! I also plan to release a couple more singles and, eventually, the E.P. I don’t have a firm date set for the release of the E.P. yet, though; I’m aiming for the end of this year! I’m also practicing a lot and trying to improve my guitar skills. Since I’m fairly new to the guitar in these past few years, I’m spending time training and getting my live acoustic set ready to go on the road!

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

I have a few that really stand out for me - and those have to do with the way people have experienced my songs. I’ll mention a couple of these that had the most impact…

There is a song I wrote which is on my first E.P. that has to do with finally having the strength to walk away from a relationship that is not healthy and no longer serves you. I had somebody share with me that, when her fiancé left her, she was so broken and she sang this song over and over while looking at herself in the mirror to help her find her strength again. I get goosebumps just writing about it now because I hoped that song would help people to feel empowered!

Another memory is a more recent one which involves a live performance at an open mic night in Calgary. I was singing a song off of the new E.P. called Where I Wanna Be and, after I took my seat, a guy came up to me to ask me if I could write down the name of the song and my name in his notebook. As I was writing; I asked him what he wanted it for and he told me about his struggle with mental illness and how this particular song came to him at the perfect moment in his life as he was feeling very low and vulnerable at the time. He was so grateful for having received that gift right when he needed it the most. I decided to get his contact info to send him the song, which hasn’t even been mixed and is still unreleased.

These are two examples of how music really connects us and how it brings healing. 

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Haha. It wouldn’t be surprising to those who know me that all of my selections are going to be '90s albums! So, let’s go…  

Mary J. Blige - What’s the 411?

There was nothing that I didn’t love about this album. From the hard beats, to the beautiful harmonies; to the passionate vocals. I would listen to it over and over on-repeat without ever getting sick of it! I loved all the elements of Hip-Hop, Soul and R&B all fused together. It truly is a timeless album. She really set the stage stylistically for artists in similar genres who came after her - including me!

Erykah Badu - Baduizm

The beginning of Neo-Soul! This beautiful woman is so self-assured. I love how she expresses herself in her songs. She is just very connected and in-tune with herself and the universe and it really comes through. I find her songs to be really healing on an energetic level. She really knows how to transmit a feeling and elevate your vibration…love her!

Jodeci - Diary of a Mad Band

JODECIII! Oh, Jodeci. Their songs could go from hopelessly romantic and all about love; to very explicit, get down and dirty styles. I remember there being a lot of controversy surrounding the band…from drugs, to partying; to domestic abuse, to not coming through with their commitments - just real-life humans trying to figure it all out. And the music…THE MUSIC! I love how synthesizer-based these songs are, with smooth bass-lines and killer harmonies. It was very impactful for me.

My friends and I would listen to this album while chilling at home; cruising around town, at parties…it didn’t matter where. You think it would be mainly women who would have been diehard fans but men loved them just the same. Lots of memories with this album! I think that’s one of the main things that make it stand out for me.

This was a tough question. Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo; Michael Jackson, Sade…how do you narrow it down?! But, I had to so I did. Thanks for asking this!

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

You really stumped me with this question! I’m going to say Tina Turner. I love how she has stayed relevant over many decades and has evolved with the times. I love her energy and delivery on the stage and the thing I love most is her resilience. She has endured some very tough times in her personal life and has always risen above them through her music, mindset and spirituality.

As for the rider; it would entail being able to spend personal time with her, such as joining her in her meditations and meals - because that is where you can really connect and get to know someone on a human level. Oh, and maybe a duet. Haha! This is all seems like a fantasy - but we know anything is a possibility in the entire realm of possibilities. Either way, it has been fun to give this some thought as I had never thought about it before.

Can we see you tour soon? Where are you playing?

Soon, yes, but I’m just in the process of getting started with tour plans. I’m going to be booking some dates throughout Europe for the winter and then in Canada in the spring and summer. So, be on the lookout for that! At the moment, I’ve just returned to Spain from Canada after having finished recording the new E.P. so touring is definitely high up on my list of things I’m working on right now.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Well. Being a fairly new artist trying to break through myself, I would tell them the same thing I try to do myself. Keep your focus on your craft; on your art; on your creations. You have to be happy first with the music you’re putting out there and you have to believe in it. Deliver your songs from your heart. Music is about connection…vulnerability…openness…unity…so use it as such!

And then, of course, find a balance between this and treating it as a business. That is where I’m at right now: trying to find that balance and understanding that there is more to it than just making the music and performing. It can be daunting, but I’m learning as I go along! 

 IN THIS PHOTO: Joanna Borromeo/PHOTO CREDIT: Tieran Green Photography

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Oh, yes. Absolutely. Joanna Borromeo, Forest Blakk; Jocelyn Alice, TassNata…and there are many more that I love but these ones for sure. Check them out because they all have that special something!

IN THIS PHOTO: Forest Blakk

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

Up until now, I definitely have. My way of unplugging and reconnecting with myself is to spend time in nature. I love to be anywhere by the sea and especially love to be in it, so coastal Spain is an amazing place to be for me. I love waking with my dogs out in the vineyards and olive groves. Up until now, working on my music and chill-time have been pretty balanced.

But, now, as at the moment I am just a one-person team; I am spending more and more time on my music and launching this new project. That is my main focus and what is taking the front seat right now. I believe that it’s always important to take down time for yourself. Stillness is important for keeping the mind right, for gaining perspective; for flow, creativity and inspiration. That will always be an important part of the process for me.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Haha. I appreciate that! I’d love to hear something by JP Cooper. I love Closer, September Song; She’s On My Mind. Too many good ones to choose from! Any of these songs would be great. Thank you!

And…thank you so much for taking the time to get to know me and my music better. It’s been a pleasure!

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Follow Sonal Jogia

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sonaljogiamusic/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/SonalJogiaMusic

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/sonaljogiamusic

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7fBc0nbvj2oK0VLjEtgQAG

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/sonaljogiamusic

INTERVIEW: MALKA

INTERVIEW:

MALKA

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THE wonderful MALKA…

has been telling me about her latest track, Don’t Leave Me, and what comes next for her. She reveals the music she was raised on and the albums most important; how she balances music with motherhood and running a record label – I ask whether we can see her on the road before next year.

MALKA talks about the importance of being on stage and how she transitioned from life in a band (6 Day Riot) to working solo; whether she has any advice for artists coming through; which emerging artist we need to keep our eyes out for – she ends the interview by choosing a great new track.

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

I'm fine, thanks. My week has been busy. I run my record label myself so release dates are always a bit manic.

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

I have been making music for years; initially with my band, 6 Day Riot which was in the Folk-Pop genre. I was the lead singer and songwriter. After three albums, I decided to go solo and started my project MALKA which is Alternative-Pop. I write a lot of music for T.V. and film too.

Don’t Leave Me is your new single. Is there a story behind the song?

There is. A friend of mine was going through very hard time and I wrote this song for them.

How do you think you have grown as an artist since the start? Do you find yourself adding new elements to your work?

Yes. I have definitely developed as an artist. I think you gain confidence the longer you have been making music. You strive to create something new: you don't follow you try to lead. And, so, I am no longer afraid of not conforming: in fact, I find it is my goal not to.

Might we see more material next year?

Yes, indeed. I have written the album! I just need to find some time to head into the studio and record it all. I am really excited about it. It is a big step forward sonically.

Can you tell me what sort of music you grew up around? Which artists struck your ear?

I used to listen to The Beatles and The Carpenters with my mum as a kid. But, in terms of my own favourite artists, Kylie has to be up there. She has always been a favourite of mine.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

As ever, for more people to hear my music and to gain enough exposure to keep doing what I am doing.

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

Probably playing at Glastonbury with my band, 6 Day Riot. We had no real expectations but rocked up to a full tent and it was the best feeling.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

OK Computer - Radiohead; Graceland - Paul Simon and Rumours - Fleetwood Mac.

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

David Bowie. That would have been amazing wouldn't it!

And, rider-wise; nothing crazy like a bowl of brown M&Ms or anything like that. But, maybe an Espresso Martini. That would jump-start the show nicely.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Don't get frustrated when you think things are not getting traction immediately - the best things come to those that keep on doing and don't give up.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I have a few dates booked in for November:

13th Nov: Servant Jazz Quarters, London

23rd Nov: Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh

24th Nov: The Hug and Pint, Glasgow

I will head out on tour to promote the new album next year.

How important is it being on stage and performing? Do you love playing your music to the crowds?

It is absolutely one of my favourite things. I love performing. I love connecting with the audience and finding out their favourite songs and it just makes me feel so alive to be on stage.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Seaker/PHOTO CREDIT: Buzz

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Yes, have a listen to Seaker - a solo artist/producer from London.

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

I don't get any! I have two kids…I write and produce the music; I run the record label and I lecture in Music Business too. I am lucky if I get any sleep. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. If I get a spare minute, I love doing Pilates. And I love just hanging out with my little family.

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 the new Seaker song Fireworks, then?

I can help to promote someone else while we are here. Thanks (smiles).

___________

Follow MALKA

Official:

http://www.malkamusic.co.uk/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/malkamakesmusic/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/malkamakesmusic

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/malkamakesmusic/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6w42VEfAMHWaHur8tUnGxC

YouTube:

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

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/tantrumrecords

INTERVIEW: Dani Wilde

INTERVIEW:

Dani Wilde

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ALONGSIDE her brother Will (as The Wildes)…

Dani Wilde has released a cover of the Joni Mitchell classic, A Case of You. I speak to Dani Wilde about why she recorded the track and what it is about Mitchell that attracts her; what sort of music she grew up around – whether Brighton is a great base for young musicians.

Wilde reveals whether there are tour dates coming up and what it is like being on stage; the advice she would give artists coming through; if there are particular albums she holds dear; how she unwinds away from music – she ends the interview by selecting a great song.

__________

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

Hello! My week has been great, thank you. When I’m not touring, I lecture Music History and teach Vocal Performance at Britain and Ireland’s Modern Music Institute - so I’ve been juggling that with being a new mum and also gigging and recording.

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

Sure thing. I signed to Ruf Records, a European Blues record label back in 2007 and, more recently, VizzTone records in America. I’ve spent the past ten years touring all over Europe, Canada and the U.S.A. and I’ve been lucky enough to chart in the Country charts and the Blues charts in Europe. 

Although I often get pigeonholed as a Blues artist (and I do love the Blues), I’m more of a singer-songwriter inspired by many roots genres from Country to Gospel; Folk, Americana and Blues. My new record is really Folk-meets-Acoustic-Soul’ but you can hear the Blues in my note choices as a vocalist and the harmonica accompaniment.

A Case of You is your new track – recorded with your brother, Will. What was the reason for covering the song?

I’ve always been a big Joni Mitchell fan and her album Blue is in my top-ten-favourite albums of all-time. I actually decided to cover this song though after Prince died. I’ll be honest; even though I loved Prince’s music – songs like Purple Rain and How Come You Don’t Call Me - I didn’t delve fully into his back catalogue until he passed away. I came across a cover of Prince singing this Joni song and I really fell in love with it. That was when I started performing the song live. This coincided with me being pregnant with me little girl and so the song took on a whole new personal meaning for me.

I was touring out in Europe until three weeks before me due-date and when I performed this song each night with my huge belly on stage I would sing it for her. The lyric “Part of you pours out of me” really resonated with me - the concept of not knowing where I end and my little girl begins and how much I loved her even when she was still in the womb.

That’s why I decided to record this song.

Is there something about Joni Mitchell and the way she writes that attracted you to her?!

I was introduced to Joni Mitchell’s music by my high-school music teacher. She is a poet - her lyrics are just beautiful and her use of imagery is so unique –; she really paints such vivid pictures with her words. I also admire Joni Mitchell for her unusual vocal phrasing. There is no-one quite like her and as a vocalist I feel I have learned so much from listening to her records.

Give me a sense of the music you grew up around. Was it quite varied?

I grew up listening to my dad’s record collection: Bob Dylan, Motown; the Blues and ’50s Rock ‘n’ Roll. I grew up busking and playing Dylan covers in local pubs. My first professional gig was a support for Folk artist Maddie Prior (Steeleye Span) at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon. I was seventeen and I played a set of original acoustic material blending Blues and Folk influences. I was born in 1985, and so I also listened to a lot of the great ’90s pop singers such as Whitney Houston - who had a huge impact on me as a female singer.

You are based in Brighton. Is it a great area in terms of music and inspiration?

Yes. I came to Brighton to get my university degree. It’s a huge creative hub and a great place to meet like-minded musicians. I’ve recorded in studios across the world such as in San Diego, Washington D.C.; Berlin, Liepzig and Madrid – and so it was nice to record my last album, Live at Brighton Road, for VizzTone records in my hometown using Brighton’s best session players.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

I would love to see my new single, A Case of You, chart in the Folk/Blues charts. I’ve got a big tour of Europe booked in for this coming autumn. I’ll be taking my baby girl, who is now eleven-months-old, on the road with me which is a dream come true.

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

For me, the highlight has been performing to children in the slums in Kenya. I’ve been fortunate enough to use my music as a fundraising tool to help provide children in Kenya’s slums with educational opportunities. I’ve worked with a charity called Moving Mountains to build classrooms and to deliver music education. I also support Toto Love Orphanage for children with HIV and AIDS in Embu, Kenya. When music can be used to put smiles on the faces of kids in need, and to make a real difference to their lives, that, for me, is what life and love is all about.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

I don’t think I could pick just three albums - a lot of the Blues records I love were recorded before the days of albums. I love albums that make people question their own social conscience such as Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are a-Changin’ and Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On.  

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

That’s a tough one…

Most of my heroes are sadly not still alive today. I’d love to open for Al Green or Van Morrison. Or maybe Paul Weller or Bob Dylan. I’ve been lucky enough to share festival bills with some of my heroes such as Bobby Womack and Koko Taylor whilst they were still alive.

In regards to my rider; labradoodle puppies and orange Smarties, obviously - and some sushi, prosecco and pumpkin spice lattes!  

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Create your own luck. Being in the right place at the right time means putting yourself in every potential right place whether that is your web presence; busking, gigs, local support slots; local radio and so on. Just share your music with the world at every opportunity and inevitably people will start to take notice.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I’ve got a U.K. show in Coolham, West Sussex in December. Before then, I’m out in Germany, France Luxembourg and Switzerland. In January, I’ll be up north in the U.K. at The Great British Rock & Blues Festival. Blues Matters are hosting an all-female stage there with myself and Dana Gillespie.

How important is it being on stage and performing? What sort of feeling do you get when up there?

I love it. It feels like a spiritual experience sharing your emotions through song and you can just feel it when the audience feel that magic too. That’s what it’s all about.

 IN THIS PHOTO: YEBBA

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Yes. I really love YEBBA - ‘YEBBA’ is ‘Abbey’ spelled backwards. Abbey Smith is an amazing artist from the U.S.A. who has so much emotion in her voice it’s insane. She is a spectacular talent. She fuses Gospel with R&B and Acoustic-Soul. Her songs, My Mind and Evergreen, can be found on YouTube.

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

I unwind by playing with my little girl - reading her stories, taking her swimming; pushing her on the swings in the park, taking her to feed ducks and escaping the city for days out in the countryside.

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).

YEBBA - My Mind (Sofar NYC). Abbey Smith wrote and recorded this after her mother committed suicide. I just find her voice mesmerising

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Follow Dani Wilde

Official:

https://www.daniwilde.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/DaniWilde1987

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DANIWILDEBLUES/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/75Fysjl73jB4dHfN0Yb1iB

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6TcC1Lm-W1eY0-8l4-dYgg

INTERVIEW: Alexis Keegan

INTERVIEW:

Alexis Keegan

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I have been speaking with Alexis Keegan…

about her new track, Gospel, and whether there is a story behind it. She tells me how she got into music and which artists have been most influential; a few albums that she holds dear and whether there are any tour dates coming up.

Keegan talks about future material and which memory from her career so far stands in the mind; which rising artists we need to get behind; what advice she would give to musicians coming through at the moment – I ask how she chills away from music.

__________

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

Hey! My week has been awesome. Had a viewing party last night for my new music video which was so fun!

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

I’m just a girl currently living in Los Angeles who loves R&B and believes music can change lives like it changed mine. Also; I’m a dog mom to the cutest Puggle named George. Haha

 

Gospel is your new single. What inspired the song? Does it come from a personal perspective?

After spending many years writing and recording songs about heartbreak, I was so ready to put out something that wasn’t about my broken heart:  I just wasn’t in that place anymore. I was working on my upcoming E.P. with producer Andrew Williams and we called in my friend Dom Williams to co-write a few songs. At the beginning of our first session, Dom said that he wanted to play us a song he had written that he thought I would like.

As someone who always has a hand in the writing, I was on the fence about it. But, once I heard this song, I was so blown away and had to record it. I grew up in a gospel choir but am not very religious so I LOVED the way this song had the Gospel-Soul feel without it being a religious song. I also loved the lyrics of basically telling someone to get their actions right or they will be kicked to the curb. We wanted to create a female version of CeeLo’s Forget You…just a super-fun, sassy; attitude-filled song.

What sort of music did you grow up around? Did music come into your life quite early?

I was obsessed with big Soul voices growing up…all the greats like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey; Aretha Franklin and then, later on, Christina Aguilera. I also really loved The Beach Boys. Their harmonies are insane. I have such amazing memories of going to a Beach Boys concert every summer with my dad. It was such a childhood highlight.

I love your vocal and its raw edges. Is it quite hard to get your found sounding like that?

Oh, thank you so much! I think growing up listening to those Soul singers; I just kind of pulled them into my own style.

Do you think there will be more material coming down the line?

Definitely! The plan is to release a full E.P. at the beginning of next year.

Can you remember when you decided to go into music? Was there a single moment where you knew you had to follow it?

I have always loved music and have wanted to be a singer my entire life but, when I was little, I was really shy. I would sing, but locked in my bedroom into a hairbrush with no one watching. Things changed a lot when I was in seventh grade. When I was twelve-years-old; my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I truly believe listening to music was the thing that got me through it. I would listen to Mariah Carey's Butterfly over and over again. Something about it just spoke to me in a special way. Towards my dad's last stage, I sang the song for him and he responded and smiled.

From that moment forward, I made a promise to myself that I would use my voice and music to help people get through hard times the way that music helped me. From there, when I entered high-school, I joined the MLK Jr. Gospel Choir where I became the only Caucasian member and one of the lead singers. It was one of the best experiences of my whole life and really brought my out of my shell. It was the priority for my life from that moment forward.

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

One memory that sticks out in my mind is the first show of the first tour I ever did. I opened for Ron Pope and the first show of the tour was in Philadelphia. Since I am from New Jersey and I went to college in Philadelphia, my whole family and so many friends came out. This was also a sold-out show so it was just insanity! One of the coolest nights of my life.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)? 

The first album I was ever obsessed with was Mariah Carey’s Music Box album

I remember having it on a cassette tape and it really was the first taste I got of a female that could REALLY sing. 

Whitney Houston’s Greatest Hits album is definitely on the list

I played that so much that it literally stopped playing. Haha. In high-school, my friends didn’t want to drive with me anywhere because I only played that album. Whitney is just my ultimate queen and such a huge influence on wanting to be a singer. I wish I could have had the chance to meet her. 

The third album and probably the most important is Mariah Carey’s Butterfly

Because that song is one of the reasons I got through my dad passing away.

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

Oh, wow. The dream would be to open for Mariah Carey! Since she plays such a huge role in my life, that would just be a dream come true. I’m excited even thinking about it. Haha.

My rider would be pretty minimal. Probably would just need bottled water, hot tea with honey and some gluten-free pretzels (I have a small addiction. Haha).

Can we see you tour soon? Where are you playing?

Hopefully, the beginning of next year! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for updates!

 What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Early on, the things I was told and what appeared to be most important is likeability and physical appearance. As a teen, I put a lot of pressure on myself to look good because that’s what the magazines told me. To be a young girl and to feel the need to focus on sex appeal, I now know it doesn’t matter who you are; what you look like or where you come from…the most important thing is focusing on what you’re passionate about, what makes you truly happy and staying true to yourself. I would tell new artists to focus on those important things. 

 IN THIS PHOTO: Allen Stone

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

My newer obsessions have been Allen Stone (seriously; his voice is insane!) and Maren Morris. Maren’s album is the first in a long time that I can listen to from start to finish and love every single song. 

 IN THIS PHOTO: Maren Morris/PHOTO CREDIT: Austin Hargrave : Photographer

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

Because music is my everything; I have to make a conscious effort to unplug and take a break sometimes. And Los Angeles is such a busy city that it can get exhausting. My favorite thing to do is drive up to a little wine country area a couple hours outside of L.A. - the towns are Solvang and Los Olivos. It’s so quaint and beautiful. Plus, I love wine (smiles). It’s really nice to go up there a few times a year just to clear my head and relax; wine in one hand, dog in the other.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

I feel like dancing so let’s blast Whitney Houston -I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)! 

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Follow Alexis Keegan

Official:

https://www.alexiskeegan.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AlexisKMusic

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AlexisKeeganMusic/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/58U2dw8DQDSvmEJjvwToN6

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/alexiskeegan/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/alexiskeegan

INTERVIEW: Johny Dar

INTERVIEW:

Johny Dar

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THIS is not the first time I have spoken with Johny Dar…

but he is a busy man so there is always something brewing in his camp! I have been speaking with him about YOUNOTUS’ remix of his song, Be Free, and how that project came together; whether there is more work coming down the line and what he wants to achieve before this year is through.

Dar reveals a few albums that are special to him and how his love of fashion and music intertwine; who he considers as musical idols and whether he takes from past music and mixes it with his own expressions – he ends the interview with a great song selection.

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

Bitching. From London Fashion Week to a Paris trade show; I am now enjoying my weekend in Amsterdam.

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

If you really want to know who I am - your question will be answered with my next song… - I am a child that never stopped playing. I see life as one big playground. My art is always true to an emotion that is aching to respond to what life brings my way.

Your song, Be Free, has been given a remix by YONOTUS. How did you come to hook up? What do you think of the results?

Bitching. The wizards of P.R. put it together. We are an arranged marriage - but with a great looking baby; what do you think?

Is there going to be more material coming along do you think?

Don’t have to think about that one: once I start, I don’t stop. So you can expect much more…

Who do you rank as music idols and inspirations? Did you grow up around a lot of music?

Looking at my pictures being a kid; I tried hard to look like Michael Jackson…and, eventually, after he turned white, we looked alike (smiles). So; I started with wanting to be Michael Jackson and then realised that Johnny Cash is not so bad.

I didn’t grow up around a lot of music which drove me to discover the music within me, so it worked out in the end.

I know you are a big fashion lover and have graced catwalks around the world. How does fashion and music intertwine do you feel?

If you wanna see architecture as frozen music, fashion can be the bendable music - or body music. To me, in one way or another, it all ends up being music since everything is vibration when you break it down anyway! You can be satisfied with just creating a song or, in my case, I need more and have to keep expanding into the song of life; whether that’s building a car or creating a fashionable piece. I just keep creating so it all intertwines within my grander creative vision.

Do you draw from other artists when writing music or come at things from a fresh perspective?

I do my best to forget everything that I know about art, music; fashion and design before I am able to find that space of having an inspiration. As an artist, I don’t believe in sitting there and attempting to produce anything - other than finding greater flow or ease within the best medium to express my emotion in that moment.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Staying alive till the end of 2018 - cause I have many projects that are coming to their final stages before the next chapter of Johny Dar unfolds in 2019. From Art Forever to Dardelica to my novel, Darya; to the complete IQ-ME series to the launch of my new fashion collection and my body-art book, Wild Wild World. 2019 is gonna be rocking.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Pink Floyd - The Wall; Bob Marley - Greatest Hits and Jimmy Hendrix - Electric Ladyland

Those are just classics that never cease to inspire me.

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

Björk. I will bring aliens from the skies and rock it all…  

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

You can make a living copying others, or you can be great being you. If you are not an artist with the ability to come up with an original idea and concept in any moment given then it will be difficult in the times to come since artificial intelligence will be taking over.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

We have a world tour coming up…ask my manager the details!

 IN THIS PHOTO: Kaizen Karnak

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

So many. Two who played at our event at London Fashion week, Slackbaba and Kaizen Karnak, both are super-talented and rocked the party.

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

I paint to unwind.

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).

Santana - Put Your Lights On

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Follow Johny Dar

Official:

https://johnydar.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JohnyDar

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/johny.dar.5/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3mTekwi2ewzlxAdih6IAjA

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCETMTHu3unObULKFYI96XxA

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/johnydarcreations/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/johnydar

INTERVIEW: Big Lonely

INTERVIEW:

Big Lonely

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IT has been cool speaking with…

Jake of Big Lonely about the new single, Ticket, and how the Canadian band found one another. He talks about the upcoming album, Bad Magic (out on 12th October) and what inspired the music; how they have evolved as a unit since the start and whether any tour dates are coming up.

The band members each select a song to end with; Jake picks an album that means a lot to him; which approaching artists are wort checking out; how he spends time away from music – he provides some helpful advice for musicians coming through.

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

We are great! This has been a very excited week for us having just released our new single. Feels good to release some music again. 

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

We’re a band from Burlington, Ontario (Canada) called Big Lonely. Pleased to meet you.

Ticket is your new single. Can you talk about its background and story?

I wrote the first incarnation of Ticket three years ago. It’s about one of our original band members (T.J. Bowman) who left the band and what it was like to go on as a band without him.  Years before Big Lonely started, T.J. and I were in high-school together. I was very new to writing music, and T.J. was one of the few people who I trusted enough to show the first songs that I ever wrote. He told me I would be his “ticket to the top”.  I wasn’t.  (We’re still best friends).

It is from the album, Bad Magic (out on 12th October). What sort of themes and ideas influenced the songs?

The main theme of Bad Magic is misplaced belief: the morality of allowing others to believe in you, while you don’t fully believe in yourself. A lot of the album is about the idea of asking everything of someone and just hoping you’re worth the time and effort given.

Can you talk about how Big Lonely got together? When did you meet?

T.J., Cole; Ciaran and I all grew up and met in Burlington. We started the band in 2012 in London, Ontario together while we were in college. When T.J. left, we added our new college friends Taylor and Andrew.

In terms of music; what did you all grow up around and idolise when young?

We all come from different musical backgrounds and tastes, but I think Radiohead is a common denominator. 

How do you think you have developed and evolved since the start of your career?

Our first two albums dealt a lot with heartbreak and angst. Now that those things are no longer present in my life, I have to deal with everything else. Bad Magic is a mature progression of lyrical themes and personal growth. Musically, I think, over the years, we have become a little less sporadic and introduced a refined focus on rhythm and groove.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Releasing our album this October will be a big milestone for us. We hope to bring it to as many people as possible and in as many ways as possible.

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

A few weeks ago, we rented a school bus filled it with fifty of our closest friends and fans; drove everyone out to an isolated barn in rural Ontario and hosted an intimate album preview show called The Bad Magic School Bus. It was probably the most unique experience we’ve had as a band and one we won’t ever forget.

Which one album means the most to you would you say (and why)?

Building Nothing Out of Something by Modest Mouse stuck with me all through high-school and helped carry me through the aches and pains of being a young, angsty teen. It was also a major inspiration for me, musically.

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

We would support the Baha Men (of Who Let the Dogs Out? fame), and on our rider we would ask only for the dogs to be let back in.

Can we see you on the road this year at all?

Yes! We will be touring throughout the fall in support of our new album. All dates can be found at www.biglonely.com

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Be nice to all that you meet.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Pineapple Girls/PHOTO CREDIT: @L.A. West

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Elementals, Pineapple Girls; Fonfur, Sweet and Lowdown; Clementine, Huttch and Thick Picnic.

IN THIS PHOTO: Fonfur

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

Whenever we get the chance, we vacate to our drummer Cole’s cottage and play copious amounts of ‘Spikeball’. Though I wouldn’t call it unwinding, we take it more seriously than we take music.

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).

Elementals – Angel Static

Pineapple Girls – Sleeptalking

Fonfur – Denim Dogs

Sweet and Lowdown – Bad Coffee

Huttch – Get Up

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Follow Big Lonely

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/BigLonelyBand

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/biglonelyband/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3f8MQIW7c15h431lHmmHfI?si=mj1ee6KjQDmeUTiUqXX-aQ

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLswC4lIfDXZ8zYiGkbvPHw

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/biglonelyband/

INTERVIEW: SHIRAN

INTERVIEW:

SHIRAN

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SHIRAN has been telling me about her…

track, Zehere, and what comes next for her. I ask what sort of music she grew up around and what she hopes to achieve by the end of the year; if there are albums that are important to her – she recommends some approaching artists to look into.

I ask SHIRAN whether there is any advice she would give to artists emerging right now; how it feels being on stage and delivering music to the people; whether there are tour dates coming up – she ends the interview by selecting an interesting track.

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

Hi. I’m and it was a great week.

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

I’m SHIRAN and I’m a thirty-one-year-old from Israel. In the last years, I tracked my Yemen roots and created songs from my grandmother’s stories of the Yemen (Aliyah). The songs were produced by my husband, Ron Bakal, and came out alongside a groove band and, together, we created a new style: Middle East-Afro beat.

Zehere is out. What is the inspiration behind the song?

The song describes my grandmother’s sister - a young girl named ‘Zehere’, and her family who moved to Israel from Yemen. All that she can think about is running away from the place she lives, to explore the world outside. The song was written from her sister's point of view: “Just be back, Zehere/Your time to see the world will come”.

Can you talk more about the video? Who came up with the concept and what was your reaction seeing it back for the first time?

My husband, Ron Bakal, and I met with the director, Vadim Mechona. After we told him Zehere’s story, together we created the concept of the video. Our idea was to bring the East together with the West - the old with the new and, finally, to bring Yemen into TLV 2018.

The first time I saw the video, I was very proud and excited about the results.

I believe an album is coming up. Are there particular themes and stories that have inspired the music?

Yes. The album concept came from the stories. I tracked my Yemen roots and created songs from my grandmother’s stories of the Yemen (Aliyah).

Might we see more material/singles coming down the line?

Yes.

Can you recall when music came into your life? Which artists did you follow?

Music came into my life when I was sixteen-years-old. That was the time I started to sing and discovered the music. At that time, I was listening to singers like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson; Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé and a lot of Israeli music.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

I hope to bring my music to as many places in the world as possible. I hope to create a lot of music and be proud of it. 

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

I have a lot of memories. My favorite one is the time that Ron and I worked in the studio on one of the songs, Yatim. This song was written by the inspiring life story of Haim Malihi (Ron’s grandfather) that made an Aliyah from Yemen at a very young age; after being orphaned from his mother. The song describes the journey and the dream that he had to get to his heart’s destination.

The work on the production of the song was magical and the creation was amazing. It was clear to us how to create the musical journey of the song because of its strong story.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Balkan Beat Box - Shout It Out

I really like the album's musical production and I think this is one of the best bands from Israel.

Aziza Brahim – Soutak

I love her music and her voice. This album excites me because it is produced accurately to her truth and humility.

Omar Souleyman - To Syria, With Love

I love the groove and the rhythm of this album.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Music requires patience, persistence; willpower, determination and faith.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I’m going to perform at two festivals in Israel: InDnegev and the International Music Showcase. We’re now working on summer 2019 tour dates in Europe.

How important is it being on stage and performing? Do you love playing your music to the crowds?

Being on stage and performing is the most important thing!

After all the work involved regarding music and everything around it, I’ll always remind myself  that, in the end, I decided to make music because of my strong desire to sing -  especially with my own music on stage.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Quarter to Africa and Malabi Tropical.

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

I’m trying as much as I can - especially when my husband is my musical producer. So, most of our time, we’re playing music, creating music; making a decisions about the project. We sleep with it and wake up with it. So, it's important for us to do things that are not related to music like watching movie and traveling the world.               

The main thing I do to chill is sport (like swimming and running) or just taking a walk through the beach and pass time by the sea.

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).

Warni Warni - Omar Soulyman

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Follow SHIRAN

Official:

https://batovrecords.com/artists/s-h-i-r-a-n/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ShiranAvrahamOfficial/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4sJyVLje7OBYbgNuwwFj6S

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbkvlIBmm2gNmCYOLckCaqQ

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shiranmusic/ 

INTERVIEW: Lexytron

INTERVIEW:

Lexytron

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THIS interview sees me speak with Lexytron…

as she talks about her debut single, Blackmail. I ask her how she got into music and which artists she grew up around. I was eager to learn where she heads next and whether we can catch her on tour – she highlights a rising band we need to get behind.

Lexytron tells me which musician she’d support given the chance and what her favourite memory from her career so far is; the three albums that mean a lot to her; if she gets time to unwind away from music – she ends the interview by selecting a great song.

__________

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

Hi, Sam. It’s going well. I’ve played a couple of low-key shows in South East London this week with Marco Meloni, who has mixed my album. He had a former career as a recording artist in Italy and now produces, mixes and teaches music. He is so passionate, so versatile and it’s a joy playing with him.

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

Simply put, I am a girl musician who writes songs and sings them. I have recorded an eleven-track album called Something Blue, which I worked on with Mike, the lead guitarist of indie rock band City Reign. The album crosses genres and does not fit neatly into a musical box - I can’t help it. I learned Classical piano and violin from a young age but I have Rock ‘n’ Roll in my blood.  

Blackmail is your debut single. Is there a story behind the song?

The song is open to interpretation. I have described it as the Devil’s take on a love song, which is alluded to in the music video. The overarching theme is unbalanced and unreciprocated lust which borders on obsession.  The music helps lighten the somewhat shady undertones!

It is from your forthcoming album, Something Blue. What sort of themes inspired the music on the record?

Each song has its own theme but broadly - rejection, loneliness; lust, love and female empowerment with a spatter of social commentary. 

How did music come into your life? Did you grow up around a lot of different stuff?

Music has always been around me. My dad used to play Beatles tapes to put me to sleep but I had no idea who they were at the time so I guess I was hypnotised. I remember being really scared of Eleanor Rigby - there’s some really chilling strings on that song – and it’s a wonder I didn’t have nightmares. He also had a lot of different music playing in the house and in the car. He is Greek so it was everything from Savopoulous, who is like the Greek Bob Dylan, to South American panpipe music via more traditional Rock ‘n’ Roll dad-music like Bruce Springsteen and 1960s compilations.

When did you decide to get into music? Was there a moment you knew it was for you?!

My mum sent me to piano lessons aged six as my sister was learning so, in a way, she made that choice for me. Apparently, I used to watch Fiddler on the Roof as a toddler and imitate playing the violin in the mirror, so I started to learn it too. The moment I remember consciously becoming a music ‘fan’ is when I was about seven and my dad put on Sounds of the Sixties on BBC2 on a Friday evening. It was the first time I had seen The Beatles. I think it was a black-and-white performance of She Loves You.

Something connected in my head and heart (perhaps from the earlier hypnosis) and he handed me over his tapes which I started to listen to in my bedroom while playing with my Barbies and Polly Pockets. 

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

The album is finished so, for the rest of the year, I want to get out and play for people and get the word out about ‘Lexytron’. I just want people to hear and enjoy the music!

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

I played The Prince of Greenwich and there were some Ukrainians in town. I have a song called Gypsy Blue which has an Eastern European folkish flavour to it and they lapped it up and started wooping, clapping and joining in. Given that they had never heard it before, it was a nice feeling! Making someone’s night or bringing meaning to a moment in their life, no matter how fleeting, makes it all worthwhile.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Rubber Soul by The Beatles

It’s always hard to pick a Beatles album, but this album walks the tightrope between Rock ‘n’ Roll and Folk and is easy on the ear but with a lot of depth. I don’t know how they managed it. Each song has its own personality and emotions. I think that is why I strive to write ‘different’-sounding songs and to not hide my feelings in them.

In My Life is so short but it says so much - it took me a while to learn to play the superfast harpsichord solo myself - and it is so intricate but delightful and poignant. I’d like that song played at my funeral, but I performed it at a friend’s wedding.

Funeral by Arcade Fire

Sonically, this is such a beautiful album. I am a big fan of the band, but this will always be their high-point for me because of where and when it hit me. I am from a small town but I have since lived in many different cities, including two capitals, so perhaps I connect to that feeling of escapism on a deeper level.

Neighborhood #1 in particular is so dramatic and uplifting in the way the music builds up. They are perhaps the best musicians I have seen live. There is so much going on the stage and so many instruments! They may have classical sensibilities, but to me they are Rock ‘n’ Roll.

American Idiot by Green Day

This is the album where I finally understood why all the cool kids at school liked Green Day (I then went all the way back to 39/Smooth and moved forwards) and also introduced me to the world of Punk music which I did not grow up on. My dad was more of an Old Grey Whistle Test kind of guy so it was not something I ever heard in my house and my other source of music was the charts and radio. The songs are ambitious in structure and message.

A song like Homecoming is a gas of Who-like proportions. Billie Joe is a lyricist with no pretension and he writes very autobiographically and without filter. I admire that greatly. I think the reason he is perhaps not given the same kudos as other Rock icons is because he is still alive and kicking and making music in various guises. 

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

Why not aim high? Paul McCartney - just to have an opportunity to meet him and thank him.

I would put my mum’s home cooking on the rider. My mum is Persian and food is a big part of her culture. Her cooking is not just about good food but it represents giving love. That’s why I always have eating marathon when I go home as she goes overboard to compensate for me not being there all the time. If Paul tasted it, he’d definitely want to hang out with me more! Win-win.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I’m a new artist so I could do with all the advice I can get - perhaps to support our fellow artists!

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

Yes. In support of the first single, I’m playing locally:

30th October - The Reliance, Shoreditch

3rd November - The Allsop Arms, Marylebone

7th November - Lyttelton Arms, Camden

11th November - Plough, Bloomsbury

I will be announcing some more shows, hopefully outside of London, once the next song and album comes out! Stay tuned.

How important is it being on stage and performing? Do you love playing your music to the crowds?

Hugely important and I am looking forward to getting to play more and more because I love it. It is great to see the reactions of people to the words you sing and the sounds you make. When the crowd gets that, their positive energy is intoxicating and invigorating! You don’t want it to stop.

 IN THIS PHOTO: False Advertising

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

False Advertising – they rock.

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

I love cooking and eating - food is an event for me. I love exploring the city of London and beyond, given that I am a Northerner.  I love travelling to other countries too. I have been very fortunate that I grew up getting to go to Greece almost every summer but I am making it my mission to see as much as I can while I’m in this world.

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).

Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam - A 1000 Times

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Follow Lexytron

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Lexytronmusic/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/LexytronMusic

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTcDgF0GOE8IxYDqhK-fCAQ

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-353045116

INTERVIEW: Stone Jets

INTERVIEW:

Stone Jets

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FROM a trip to Leeds…

it is over to Cape Town, South Africa as I speak with Stone Jets. They have been discussing their current album, Memory, and the stories/themes that go into it. I was eager to learn how their U.K. tour is going (their last date here was on 1st October - they completed the interview during the tour) and how the band found one another.

They tell me about their musical tastes and what they have planned going forward; if there is a strong and interesting scene in Cape Town right now; which approaching artists we need to look out for – they end the interview by selecting some great songs.

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

Hey, Sam. We are great, thanks. The week has been amazing - filled with gigs and sightseeing.

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

We are a three-piece band of Soul musicians from Cape Town, South Africa.

Memory is your latest album. What sort of themes and ideas go into the songs? Do you have favourite cuts from the record?

Yeah. Memory is our latest offering and it mainly deals with the joys and woes of taking time to relive certain memories and pausing the ever demanding ‘now’. The record is so new; we still love them all the same.

How did Stone Jets get together? Do you all share musical tastes?

Given and Manfred met at a studio and Eduan joined the band as the drummer when the decision was made to grow the duo into a band. We have intersecting tastes that make it easy to share a love for the art.

Cape Town is where you are based. Is there a strong musical scene there right now?

Yes. We are currently based in Cape Town. There is a strong wave of musicians in Cape Town and, like many creative city hubs, it - Cape Town - faces challenges that affect the scene.

The band has evolved and changed through the years. Do you think you are at your strongest and most focused right now?!

Yeah, we have grown. Thank you for noting that. I think we are even more determined. I truly believe that our current U.K./Ireland tour is fortifying our motives and focus, personally and musically.

You are in the U.K. touring at the moment. What has the tour been like so far? Do you like it over this way?!

This tour has been everything and more we could have thought of. The reception and feedback has been extremely invaluable. We do like the music scene and music culture here.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

2018 has dished up amazing challenges and milestones and, if we can complete 2018 having completed all that tours we still have, then that would be a massive achievement.

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

Unanimously, it would be receiving that email and confirmation for our first International tour.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

Given: Phantom of the Opera - Original London Cast

My mom played this C.D. when I was growing up.

Manfred: Tananas - Time

Steve Newman’s guitar playing on the album inspires me.

Eduan: Alter Bridge – Blackbird

The music and Myles Kennedy’s voice make it so great!

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

Fleetwood Mac. Our rider would have endless pizza, time with the band (Fleetwood Mac) and endless boiled water.

Are you going to be touring more later this year? Where are you heading?

Yes, we are. We will be back in South Africa: Johannesburg, Durban and East London by the end of the year.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Just do it and push on through - and only listen to people that want you to be more of yourself.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Lili Caseley

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Yeah. Lili Caseley (U.K.); Olly Flavel (U.K.) and CrossCurrent (Cape Town).

IN THIS PHOTO: CrossCurrent

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

Yeah, we do.

Given: I run and go hiking.

Manfred: I am an amateur luthier.

Eduan: Developing the emerging Whole Foods movement

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).

Given: Aretha Franklin - Tracks of My Tears

Manfred: Läpsley – Operator (He Doesn’t Call Me)

Eduan: Vulfpeck - 1612

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Follow Stone Jets

Official:

http://www.stonejets.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/stonejets

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/stonejets

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/stonejets/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/stonejets

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1RqKaZtnoko0n8YpgLNZkx

INTERVIEW: Sunflower Thieves

INTERVIEW:

Sunflower Thieves

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THE superb Sunflower Thieves…

 ARTWORK CREDIT: Adam Illingworth 

have been speaking with me about their new track, Two Halves, and what the reaction has been to it so far. I ask Amy and Lily how they found one another and whether they have shared taste in music; whether there is more material coming along – they select some rising artists that are worth checking out.

Sunflower Thieves tell me about the albums that matter most to them and whether there are any gigs coming up; how they feel being on stage and sharing music with the people – they each select a song to end the interview with.  

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Hi, Sunflower Thieves. How are you? How has your week been?

Hello! We’re great, thank you! You’ve caught us the day after our fabulous gig with Wildwood Kin in Leicester – so, yes, we’ve had a great week!

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

We are Amy and Lily! We are a female-fronted Pop-Folk band originally from the East Midlands and now based in Leeds. We take inspiration from the likes of First Aid Kit, Gabrielle Aplin and Lucy Rose. We combine delicate harmonies, honest lyrics and driving rhythms and, along with our wonderful band, we play all over the country at as many different shows, events and festivals as possible.

I believe Two Halves stems from personal tragedy. Can you explain the story behind the song?

Two Halves is an incredibly personal song, so we don’t go into too much detail regarding the story behind it. The song was inspired by, and a reaction to, a close friend in a vulnerable place. Lyrically, the song portrays the reassurance and care that is necessary in a friendship, without it becoming overwhelming. We have been so touched by some of the messages and responses we’ve had since the release and how people have interpreted it.

Might we see more material next year? How far ahead are you looking?

There will definitely be more music coming out next year. We are writing and starting to demo new work as we speak. Since the single, we have also released a live band performance video, as well as a live acoustic version - so definitely have a look at those if you haven’t already. We have also been performing at a few Sofar Sounds gigs this year, which will produce some live videos on their YouTube channel!

We are super-happy with the reception Two Halves has received and we can’t wait to follow it up with new material. We also have a whole bunch of new merch to be announced soon which we’re pretty excited about, as it’s been a while since we last had some and a lot of it is brand-new.

Can you remember when you got together and started making music?

We have always been close friends - from a very young age - and have always shared a passion for music, particularly attending live music events. Through the very creative community we grew up in - and the everlasting support and encouragement from our families - we started playing open mics and local events, before beginning to write our own material.

We became ‘Sunflower Thieves’ about three years ago before releasing our debut E.P., Hold the Storm, in early-2017. There was no funny or particularly memorable moment when we decided on the name; we just liked the contradiction between something beautiful and something negative.

Since then, we have stepped up in both our music and performance; been joined by a drummer and bassist and played all over the U.K. at more and more exciting shows.

Do you have shared music tastes? What was the sort of music you were raised on?

We have lots of shared musical interests and lots of different ones too. We often share music with each other that we’ve just discovered and we have many albums and songs that remind us of our childhood with strong memories attached to them. We both sang in a local choir, attended piano lessons and joined wind bands/orchestras when we were younger.

Amy: I went to a lot of Country, Singer-Songwriter and Folk gigs with my family - artists whom I still listen to and love…

Lily: KT Tunstall, Joni Mitchell and The Cranberries.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

We would like to have booked/played a Sofar London show - and have a plan for our next single!

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

Amy: My favourite memory is our debut E.P. launch which took place in February 2017 - the day before my twentieth birthday. We held an intimate gig in a friend’s house (which used to be a bank), decorated the place with fairy lights and bunting; had homemade cakes and invited all of the people who had supported us until that point. It was amazing to play with the band to that special audience for the first time and to have a physical copy of something we were so proud to share and had been working towards for so long.

Lily: The first full-band gig we played in Leeds at Oporto - that was a lovely evening and I remember feeling very happy and proud.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

Amy: I am most inspired by and absolutely love Carole King’s Tapestry album. My parents introduced her music to me and I find so much emotion and honesty in her writing. Her songwriting career inspires me.

Lily: Like I Used To by Lucy Rose was a big influence for me getting into songwriting properly.

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

Lucy Rose again; she’s an absolute angel.

We would need herbal tea and Oreos; some cute fluffy animals backstage and lots of houseplants onstage!

Might we see some tour dates coming up? Where might we be able to catch you play?

We don’t have a tour planned at the moment but we have a fair amount of gigs coming up! We update all our socials with upcoming gigs when they are announced and in the run up to them so you won’t miss them if you follow us!

6th October: Derby Folk Festival (Fringe Stage)

11th October: No.28, Belper (supporting The Herron Brothers)

28th October: Hockley Hustle, Nottingham

4th November: Lending Rooms, Leeds (supporting Saltwater Sun)

26th November: LS6, Leeds (headline gig).

Is it fun performing? What has it been like getting out there and performing in front of the people?!

Of course! Performing is often the best part of doing this. It depends on what sort of show it is as to how nervous we get. Funnily enough, it’s more nerve wracking performing in front of an audience we know than one we don’t. We love performing with the band as this gives our songs a new life and lifts the atmosphere of our performance.

However, at our recent Sofar Sounds shows we have been performing as the original duo with just an acoustic guitar and this is fun in a different way; giving us more flexibility with our performance and a more intimate atmosphere.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Support others and they will support you. The more work, practice and time you put in, the more you will get out of it. And be true to what you want to do - don’t let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain way or product a certain type of music. Don’t let the passion get lost.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Laurie Illingworth

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Amy: So many! If I had to choose from recent gigs - Cozen (Leeds) and Laurie Illingworth (Nottingham)…

Lily: Sfven and Green Gardens.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Sfven

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

Amy: Music isn’t all work, so going to gigs and writing music is relaxing! Other than that, my go-to relaxation is a nice coffee and cake with friends.

Lily: Chamomile tea and fairy lights.

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).

Amy: What Am I Here For - Jade Bird

Lily: Beautifully Unconventional - Wolf Alice

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Follow Sunflower Thieves

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/sunflowerthieves/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/sunthievesmusic

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-497232891

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sunflowerthieves/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC22uxwKH1zMy99L29pmUw4w

INTERVIEW: Mr. Koifish

INTERVIEW:

Mr. Koifish

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EVERY interview provides me with a chance…

to investigate an artist more fully and in great depth. I have been chatting with Mr. Koifish about his new single, The End, and how he will follow it. The Danish artist tells me how he moved from the band Turboweekend to his solo work and which artists inspire him.

I ask what whether there are any gigs coming up and which albums are important to him; if he has any special memory from his career so far and whether Denmark is producing lots of great sounds right now.

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Hi, Mr. Koifish. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi there; I’m good. It’s been an interesting week so far. I just played my first show with Mr. Koifish, which was great…and now I’m preparing for my next single, Hang Our Coats; it’s out Oct 12th so all very exciting.

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

My name is Morten Køie and I live in Copenhagen, Denmark. My new project, Mr. Koifish, is a place where I can fit all my big inspirations into one.

Can you reveal what your new single, The End, is about?

The End is about new beginnings but also about saying goodbye to what you thought was safe ground; about taking that leap you need to take to move forward and to believe and stay true to yourself while doing that.   

You have come from the band Turboweekend to step out alone. What was the reason for that?

We tried writing our fifth album in Turboweekend for about two years but had too many differences as to how we could make that work. So, we decided to stop and go and do new music separately. I had been writing songs for Mr. Koifish for some time and had this feeling that now was the time to get it out there and see what could happen - and here I am doing an interview; so far, so good. Ha ha...  

Is there going to be more material from Mr. Koifish in 2019 do you think?

Yes; I know there will be. I will have my second single come out the 12th October and a third one in January. And, if all goes according to the plan, I will release an album in March 2019. I have started my own label with two friends here in Copenhagen called Emailing While Intoxicated Records so we can basically do what we want which is a big difference compared to what I was used to when working with major labels.

As a Danish artist; do you think the country has a strong and interesting scene? What sort of sounds are popular right now?

Lots of stuff is happening here. Many different styles are emerging. Labels to take a look at could be Crunchy Frog, Posh Isolation; No3 - that’s already many hours of listening.

How did you start in music? Were you raised around a lot of music?

I started playing the violin when I was six and moved on to bass and guitar as a teenager. My mom played the piano and my granddad the violin so, yeah, there was music while growing up. But, my own true love for music started when I started composing with my friends at the age of around thirteen or fourteen-years-old in my teenage band. I haven’t really stopped writing and playing ever since and don’t think I ever will.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

I hope to have a good idea how my album is gonna sound. Fingers crossed.

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

I remember getting the first rehearsal space as a teenager. My friend’s dad gave us half of his own studio and lent us gear for free so that we could practice and then it was just a matter of turning up and playing. Many great times were spent at that place. I’m still very grateful for that.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

This is always a difficult question. But, these three albums are albums are ones I have been listening to a lot throughout the years. They each have their own interesting sounds and have been a huge inspiration for me. 

Beck - Mellow Gold

Because it’s just a great and honest album filled with great melodies and weird samples. 

D’Angelo – Voodoo

Mind-blowing production and songwriting - and I love his voice.

David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

So many great songs and great musicians on this album. 

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

I would love to support The Voids. I’m a big fan. Never cared much about riders - as long as there is a good sound tech and a good crowd I would be happy. 

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Do as much as you can on your own to begin with. Get help from friends you know; have good taste to choose the right songs to show to people and practice as hard as possible so you know you will blow the crowd when you are on stage.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

No. Not yet, but gigs will come at some point. Keep an eye on social media for announcements of tour dates.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Liima

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

BLVK IRIS is a new, cool Danish producer I like. He’s put out two tracks. Liima’s new album, 1982, is also great and a great live band as well.

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

Not much but I love what I’m doing so that’s okay. I like to relax making food and hanging with friends and my family. 

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).

Amen Dunes – Song to the Siren

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Follow Mr. Koifish

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/misterkoifish/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/67XNrsEa6gap4IKSaSZKGn

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/mrkoifish

INTERVIEW: Marvin’s Revenge

INTERVIEW:

Marvin’s Revenge

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I have been talking with Marvin’s Revenge…

about their current track, Overlook, and what its background is. The Derbyshire-based band tell me how they all got started and what sort of music they are inspired by; whether there are any gigs coming up – they recommend some rising acts to look out for.

The band tell me about the influence of U.S. music and whether they all share tastes; which albums are most important to them; what they want to accomplish before the end of the year – they provide some useful advice for musicians coming through.

__________

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

Hey. We are great, thanks! It’s been an exciting week.

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

We are a three-piece Grunge band From Wirksworth, Derbyshire - which you’ve definitely never heard of. There’s Luke Eaton, who sings and plays bass; there’s Oliver Sammels-Moore who plays guitar and Job Gregory who plays drums and sings a little.

Overlook is your new single. What is the tale behind the song?

Job used to mess around with the main guitar melody a lot - as just a little riff I’d come up with - but then he built on it a bit and bought it to practice and it kind of evolved into what it is now. The recording of it was a bit of a surprise; we spoke to someone high up at our college and they recommended we get in a studio right away so we ended up recording this in Dubrek Studios in Derby within a month of that conversation.

Might there be more material coming along next year?

As a matter of fact, we are planning out the next single as we speak so you can expect that for January/February time. We think we like this new song more than Overlook, so be excited I guess.

Do you have shared music tastes? What was the sort of music you were raised on?

We are all into very similar stuff: The Beatles, Radiohead; Q.O.T.S.A. (Queens of the Stone Age), but then also we all have our own things we were raised on like Nirvana, Sabbath; Led Zep - all the good stuff.

It seems like American music is important to you. Would you say the U.S. and its history is important to you?

We love music from anywhere really but I suppose the U.S. just has a thing for producing massively influential artists - and its history is important to anyone who likes music because it started what we listen to today.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

We want to have another single recorded and ready for the New Year. I think that’s the main goal.

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

Our joint-favourite memory is probably from when we were recording D’EP in Luke’s bedroom just because it was so fun to do and it felt new and we were all chilled out about it.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?  

That’s a really tough question...

For Job, it’s Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age because the drums are crazy.

For Ollie, it’s Paranoid by Black Sabbath. It was the first album he bought and he learnt pretty much every part of it on guitar...

And for Luke its Roman Candle by Elliott Smith; he says “Cuz it’s good”.

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

Probably IDLES, because they are growing really quickly and it seems like it’d be hilarious just being around them.

Our rider would just be like twelve cans of San Pellegrino (Blood Orange flavour); loads of Jammy Dodgers and maybe a few beers.

Might we see some tour dates coming up? Where might we be able to catch you play?

Well. With focusing on the single loads, we haven’t booked to many gigs at the minute but we are always playing around Nottingham so you can look out for us there.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I’m not too sure as we are still pretty small and don’t have loads of advice to give, but just make sure you are enjoying it I guess because otherwise it gets pretty boring pretty quickly. Also; play live lots and lots and make sure you’re playing the absolute best you can.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Clonk

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Hell, yeah. There’s a band called Clonk who haven’t got any music out as of yet but you can find them on YouTube and they gig around Nottingham. There’s Youth Hotel too which have some new music out on Spotify and it is awesome so check that out.

IN THIS PHOTO: Youth Hotel

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

We all have our own hobbies but, really, most of what we do every day is something to do with music; whether it’s writing, practicing or just listening. To unwind, we mainly just go out with friends to be honest.

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).

Okey dokey…

Ollie’s choice is Bullet in the Head by Rage Against the Machine

Job’s is Rock me Amadeus by Falco

Luke’s is Stupidity Tries by Elliott Smith

Cheers!

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Follow Marvin’s Revenge

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/marvinsrevenge/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/marvins_revenge

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/44bCHF7imUjwB6XkoDGg0s?si=-f_9o7hNTdCrb44lEnQwvQ

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/marvinsrevenge

INTERVIEW: Eddie Otchere

INTERVIEW:

Eddie Otchere

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I am starting the day by speaking with…

 IN THIS PHOTO: Eddie Otchere

a talented photographer who has gone from the bustle and colour of London to the stillness of the countryside. Eddie Otchere talks to me about that and how he got into photography and what sparked that passion. I have been speaking with him about the much-anticipated Bass in the City weekend (next week) - it is part of London’s City Life Festival; a month-long run of events across October celebrating the unique diversity and vibrancy of the capital. (For full details of events, check-in here).

Otchere tells me why we need to get involved in the events and also gives advice to new photographers coming through; a few albums that have inspired him; what he hopes to achieve by the end of this year – he tells me whether he gets time to unwind away from photography.

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

Not bad! Celebrated the winter equinox by visiting a Neolithic tomb. Good times!

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

I am Eddie Otchere. I live on Planet Earth and I don’t know how it works. I take pictures habitually and also professionally. I like life!

City Life, coming in October, is your (Bass in the City) event that celebrates seminal sounds of London. What made you want to start that event?

London, some time ago, found the cure to racism. It involved all people, all crews; all shades, all creeds; all sexes, all classes under one roof raving. We wanted to shout about that.

Break down the event. Is it going to happen in stages with music and food etc.? What form will it assume?

A linear sequence of conversation, bants and rant coupled with some liquid and solid refreshments plus a bag of tunes.

If you were trying to pitch the event in a single paragraph…why should we all come down and get involved?

Let me save you some space…

When was the last time you had a good boogie? When was the last time you heard a good story? Exactly! See you there.

In terms of a defining London artist, who would you highlight? How do you think the city’s music has changed through the years?

Jimothy Lacoste is my highlight of 2018. And our music in London is taking itself less and less serious.

Tell me how you got started in photography. What was the reason for pursuing it?

I found a camera and I like to see what things look like photographed. It is my obsession. Choice doesn’t fit in.

You are renowned for iconic photos and working alongside artists like Biggie Smalls. Which photos is your proudest moment would you say?

Smoking a blunt with Snoop Dog and his dad and not coughing.

Did you grow up around a lot of Rap and Hip-Hop music before you got into photography? Is there something about those sounds that captivated your imagination?

I grew up during the golden age of Hip Hop and it gave me my swagger, my voice; my sounds and my amazing dance skills.

It seems like you have swapped music and the city for the countryside and animals. Was there a reason for the change? How does snapping animals differ to artists?

I am looking for good air. London has terrible air. Shame because we need it. That said; country animals love having their picture taken although they don’t seem that interested in the picture. 

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Clear my overdraft, pay all my bills, get rid of my credit cards, bank account and be off grid with a tanked up Monzo card.

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

When I tried to charm Mariah Carey by telling her that, when I get high, I get psychic. Her response taught me, ‘really’, is the most sarcastic word in the English language.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Marvin Gaye - I Want You

He preaches the joy of oral sex.

Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing

He preaches the perils of masturbation.

Marvin Gaye - Hear, My Dear

He preaches the tragic consequences of infidelity.

What advice would you give to those who want to follow in your footsteps?

Stay hydrated. Wear good shoes. All film photographers have the most wondrous angels and digital photographers are unpaid workers for Mark Zuckerberg. Poor bastards; they lost their virginities on the way to the bank.

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

I unwind by helping old photographers do their shopping. It gives me perspective and free biscuits.

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).

R. Kelly - A Woman’s Threat

Must add that I recently broke up; still bitter about it so I’ve been adding sugar to my tea. It does not help, but R. Kelly does

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Follow Eddie Otchere

Official:

http://otchere.photos/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/dhagren

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dhagren/

INTERVIEW: Neuromantics

INTERVIEW:

Neuromantics

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MY last interview of the day…

is with Neuromantics as they tell me about their new single, Solaris, and how its amazing video came together; what the story behind their name is; what they have planned coming up – I ask if the guys each have a favourite album.

The band talk about their musical tastes and their favourite career memories so far; if we can see them on tour soon; how Neuromantics got together and found one another – they end the interview by selecting some great tracks.

__________

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

Hey there! We are doing well, thanks. The week has been busy but fun. We’ve had a couple of rehearsals, played a show and have been promoting the release of our first single Solaris (off our upcoming debut album, Crimes of Passion).

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

We are Neuromantics; a four-piece Alternative-Rock band based in London made up of Daniel Pye (vocals/guitar), Andrew Gambell (guitar); Daniel ‘Dani’ Timóteo (bass/vocals) and Edgars Ozolins (drums).

Can I ask about the name, ‘Neuromantics’? I get impressions of big hair and Spandau Ballet! What is the origin of the name?

Andrew: The name comes from the William Gibson novel, Neuromancer. We played around with using ‘Neuromancers’, ‘The New Romancers’ etc. but ‘Neuromantics’ just seemed to have a certain ring to it.  

As a side-note: for those of you familiar with the novel, we’d like to clarify that no one in the band is associated with hacking or artificial intelligence in a future society!

Daniel T: Interesting that you mention Spandau Ballet...

We recently played in Islington and I believe that’s where they formed. However, the New Romantic Pop culture movement of the '70s is a bit before our time. No one in the band has a quiff, mullet or wedge hairstyle! We did have a big list of potential names, though. There was some funky stuff there. We all seemed to like Neuromantics.

Solaris is your latest track. Is there a story behind the song?

Daniel P: There is indeed. I can confirm from the outset that it is not based on the 1972 Soviet science fiction film or the 2002 film with George Clooney…or the computer operating system that all share the same name. It’s also got nothing to do with the Power Rangers character.

Story-wise; this can be broken down musically and lyrically/thematically. From a musical perspective, I’d been busy at home writing a lot of songs and thinking what combination of these songs would work effectively on our first album. We’d discussed having a good balance between the up-tempo rocky songs and more mellow melodic tracks and needed a few pacier, heavier tracks in the repertoire. After a bit of playing around, the verse riff and chord progression came into being. We then collectively developed the song, building the layers and construct you hear in the final track. We think it’s quite high-energy and reflective of the sound we wanted to illustrate on the album.

I like to leave lyrics relatively open for interpretation to give the listener a chance to formulate their own unique connection to the song. However, on a personal level, the song examines themes of self-doubt; the challenges and fears associated with taking risks, finding who you really are and ultimately playing with the notion that life itself can be interpreted as a ‘show’ - and it really comes down to us as individuals as to how our unique show is going to be performed.

Who came up with the concept behind the video? Do you guys get involved with the storyboards and concepts?

Andrew: We were playing a gig at Soho and one of our friends came to watch the show. After the set, we were telling her of our plans to make a music video for the first single. Coincidentally, she works at a film company and gave us the details of one of her colleagues who had recently left to go freelance. He also happened to be a musician, so we thought this could potentially be a good fit.

By this stage, the band had narrowed down the first single to a selection of three tracks and had some music video ideas. We met with the filmmaker and sort of put him on the spot by showing him the songs and asking what initial thoughts sprang to mind. He reacted with a plethora of ideas and was keen on the project. He showed us some of his other work which was quite impressive, so we decided to go with him. He then went away and listened to the songs in further detail and came back with some specific concepts for the three shortlisted songs. We liked the Solaris idea and the whole band was onboard with Solaris being the first release.

Edgars: We reviewed the script/concept ideas and offered our input, particularly for the vignette scenes where the band members stumble across different people in the forest, which acts as this sort of alternate reality. However, we let Reece (the filmmaker) lead in terms of the direction of the video. He provided the storyboard and schedule in advance of the shoot but was quite adaptive during filming to capture shots/moments on the fly as they came to him.

We had some funny moments shooting the forest scenes. Unfortunately, we don’t have a blooper reel but it could be something worth developing. I think it just took us a bit of warming up to get into character! Reece would reinforce the fact that we have just woken up in tattered clothes; are in a forest with no recollection of how we got there and that there are random people out and about. You’d be a bit freaked out, right?

You guys hail from different parts of the world. How did you find one another?

Daniel P: Years ago, I was backpacking around Europe and ended up in Budapest along the way. I was in this big dorm room in a hostel and noticed a guy in the room with a guitar which proved to be a good catalyst to start a conversation. This person was Andrew and he also happened to be travelling around. We explored the city and became friends, although in the end he returned to London and I returned to Sydney. Unbeknownst to us at the time, this encounter would lay the initial foundation for the future Neuromantics.

A few years later, I was volunteering in a hostel in Latvia. Yes; I know hostels are a recurring theme here! Turns out one of the guys who worked there was big into music and we had a few jam sessions there which were good fun. This happened to be Ed.

Fast-forward another year and I was at a bit of a personal crossroad (no hostels were involved) and was flirting with the idea of moving to London. I reached out to Andrew and Ed and asked if they’d be keen to start a new band if I was in town. They were down. I moved over. We started playing but were missing a key ingredient. Some bass.

Daniel T: This is where I enter the story…

I moved over to London from Portugal and was waiting tables with Andrew. At work, he told me about a new band he was in and that they needed a bassist. I told him that I play bass - not too long after I came along to practice. I got along well with the guys and liked the sound. I always enjoy working on new music and given I’d previously played in a lot of Punk bands back in Portugal, the idea of being in a band of a different style was quite intriguing. Then Neuromantics as it is today was officially born!

Do you have shared music tastes? What was the sort of music you were raised on?

Andrew: ‘Yes’ and ‘no’. We all have an electric mix of musical interests which we try to filter into our music. I’ve been fortunate to play in bands and make music across a variety of genres including Pop, Indie; Post-Punk and Techno but would say I was raised to whatever was on the radio at the time.

Edgars: I was raised on Smokie as a child but moved on to more heavy stuff like Metal and Alt-Metal when I was younger and then kind of drifted towards more modern Rock like the Foo Fighters and some lyrically heavy Rap music like Spose and some Latvian rappers (I’m Latvian for the record).

Daniel P: My dad played guitar too, so I loved listening to bands like Led Zeppelin and other stuff from that time with him. I played a lot of Jazz when I was learning but then started to get into alternative and indie rock as well experimental rock such as Sigur Rós.

Daniel T: Cat Stevens, Leonard Cohen and some of the '80s pop that was around. As I mentioned, I’ve played in a lot of Punk projects so I got into a lot of Punk bands from around the world. There might be too many to mention though.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Edgars: We are currently unsigned, given Solaris marks our first release. Off the back of the single, we’re aiming to generate label interest and get signed. We’ve also got our first album mixed and mastered and ready for release, so we’d ideally like to release the album by the end of the year. We’ll keep gigging around London and, hopefully, be in a position to do a tour next year to support the album release; whether that be in the U.K.-only or also include some other locations in Europe. We’d love the opportunity to play in some new cities and countries. We are also working on a number of new songs which we are excited about. We are continuing to develop these further in preparation for album two.

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

Daniel P: Back in the day, I was in Slovenia and I was trying to hitch a ride to Ljubljana. I made a little sign on an A4 piece of paper and ten minutes later was lucky enough to find a ride. I got talking music with the gracious French driver and it turns out he was a guitarist/singer. We decided to play some tunes in the park back in town and were approached by a local guy asking if we wouldn’t mind jamming with his friend and hanging with their group. We agreed. We met the friend - this tall, physically-imposing guy with a long ponytail and beard.

Suddenly, he asks if we can play Stand by Me. I wasn’t expecting that. He had an amazing voice and the group was super-friendly. This sticks in mind because it really exemplified the fact that music can bring people together in a positive environment, despite any differences people may have.

Andrew: We all know gigging can be tough if there isn’t a crowd. Or even worse – no crowd. I remember playing a gig in a previous band where the only human in attendance besides the band was the sound engineer. He eventually left the room and we were left with one audience member: a three-legged dog. The show must go on, right? We finished the set. Hopefully, the dog enjoyed the show. Also, it did serve as a good opportunity to get some extra practice in with discounted drinks at the bar.

Daniel T: I have so many that it is hard to pick one. However, what comes to mind initially is Avante in 2013. Avante is a big cultural and music festival in Portugal that attracts hundreds of bands that are both local and international acts. I played there with one of my previous bands and there was a huge crowd with everyone singing along. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to hopefully experience that with our band now.

Edgars: Back home in Latvia, I found myself busking at 4 A.M. and gradually people came over to see what was going on. All of a sudden, there were about fifty people jamming out and feeding me alcohol. It was a really fun night, from what I remember. A more recent memory was having our track played on the radio in the Netherlands last week. That was pretty cool.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

Daniel T: A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide is always on my playlist for every occasion. I connect with the music.

Edgars: System of a Down - Hypnotize. It was the first C.D. that I ever bought.

Andrew: The Velvet Underground & Nico - Velvet Underground; because I never get bored of it.

Daniel P: No Name Face by Lifehouse. I relate a lot to the music and see similarities with our sound to some Lifehouse tracks.

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

Daniel P: We were all talking about Incubus recently so would elect to support them. They have made some amazing records; are actively touring worldwide and their shows seem to really go off. Although there have been a couple of line-up changes, it seems they have been pretty good at maintaining stability in that department which is something we’d like to emulate.

Rider for me would be Vegemite and butter on toast. As a kid, I’d smash that after school like there was no tomorrow. Over here, my work bought Vegemite for the team. The jar did not last long with me around…

Andrew: I’d take the box-set DVD of Sex and the City. Always good to have a bit of pre-show entertainment…

Daniel T: Reese’s Pieces. It’s this peanut butter candy and it is so good. It’s good for the band, too. Sometimes, I bring some snacks for everyone at rehearsal so we get a bit of extra energy.

Edgars: A fridge full of Monster energy drinks (sugar-free). Playing drums is a good workout.

Might we see some tour dates coming up? Where might we be able to catch you play?

Andrew: We are primarily playing around London at the moment as we focus on getting coverage of the single and work on preparing for release of the album. You can catch us at St. Moritz club in Soho on 6th October and at Hope and Anchor in Islington on 9th November. We expect to be playing a few more London shows this year. As mentioned earlier, we’d really like to do a tour following the release of the album that will take us to some new destinations. We’ll make sure to keep everyone posted about these developments.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Edgars: Design a realistic game plan and stick to it as much as possible. When we formed, Daniel said we’d have an album recorded after a year. At first, this might have appeared too ambitious as our first recording project but we set up a plan and timeline, got to work and got it done.

Daniel P: Follow your passions and don’t be afraid to take chances. It’s never too late to do what you love in life. Also, cherish the moments of creativity and fun with your bandmates. They are special.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Edgars: There are so many talented artists and bands around the world to choose from. I came across a local band called Crown Commons not too long ago and they have some cool stuff.

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

Daniel T: We all have full-time jobs too, but I wouldn’t define that as being chill-out time. We all have annual passes to Thorpe Park. They were running a deal promotion and we jumped on it. The Saw and Colossus roller coasters come highly recommended. Besides that, we all have our own outlets.

Daniel likes to play basketball and is a self-proclaimed table tennis pro; Andrew spends time painting (he has a big piece on display in his living-room); Edgars has been getting into cooking and is getting better at that and I enjoy going to concerts with friends and checking out the various arcade centres around London.

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).

Daniel T: Silverchair – Untitled

Andrew: Death Grips – Up My Sleeves

Daniel P: Solkyri – Home

Edgars: Foo Fighters – My Hero

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Follow Neuromantics

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/neuromanticsband/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/neuromanticsofficial/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCARSzQ3Ka5y02gYgQBb54uA

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/neuromantics

INTERVIEW: Evan Petruzzi

INTERVIEW:

Evan Petruzzi

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THE fantastic Evan Petruzzi…

has been telling me about her new single, Breathe, and what she hopes to achieve with it. I ask the Long Island-based artist how her career got started and which artists are important to her; a few albums that are important to her – I ask whether there are any approaching artists we should be keeping an eye out for.

Petruzzi talks about her touring plans and what she hopes to achieve by the end of the year; whether she gets any time to relax away from music; the advice she would give artists coming through – she ends the interview by selecting a fantastic track.

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

Hey, Sam. I’m doing pretty well, thanks! It’s been a good but busy week gearing up for the release of Breathe.

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

Definitely. I’m a singer/songwriter from Long Island, New York. I’ve been playing music all my life and learned many different instruments like piano, trumpet and guitar, to name a few. I write about personal experiences a lot, but I love to write about real world issues because I think one of the best ways to reach a person is through music.

You can be blind to movements like MeToo and Time’s Up, but music always has a way of opening your eyes. My music is influenced by what I listen to so the style of music I write is very hard to define because I like pretty much any genre from any decade. I like to say I have a James Bay vibe with an acoustic guitar.

Breathe is your new single. What inspired the song? Does it come from a personal perspective?

So. I actually wrote this song years ago when my best friend was going through a rough time. I wanted her to know that, no matter what, I’d be there to lessen the burden and ‘breathe’ for her when things got too overwhelming. It's meant to be a feelgood song that inspires people to never give up and to help those who are troubled and can't help themselves. There’s also a surprise meaning to this song which will be shown in the music video which will be released October 8th!

Might there be more material coming next year? Are you working on other stuff?

There’s definitely going to be more material next year and possibly this year, as well. I write every day and some songs I keep to myself but others I share with the world. Writing music has always been an outlet for me and I always say; I’ve yet to write my best song.

Long Island is where you are based. Is there a good and varied music scene there at the moment?

Long Island has a cool music scene. My first gig, not including talent shows, was at this hip little coffee shop. There’s a ton of venues around the island and we pretty much have every genre you can think of. It definitely has a great indie vibe for sure.

In terms of musical influences; which artists are most important to you? How did you get into music?

I was actually born into music. My dad is a professional trumpet player who has his own big band and used to sub on Broadway and my mom has been studying voice since I was in the womb. I’ve grown up listening to some great music ranging from Miles Davis to Carole King. Some of my top favorites are James Bay, Foy Vance; Fleetwood Mac, Amy Winehouse and Lily Kershaw. I could probably go all day naming artists I love but I’ll stick to those.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

By the end of 2018, I would love for Breathe to have touched and helped one person who has listened to it. Whoever it is, I hope by the end of the year it reaches someone who needs to hear these words; who needed to feel the support and give that person the courage to reach out and ask for help. I hope when people watch the video, it opens their eyes to other issues.

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

I have a few top memories but I think my all-time-favorite was playing at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Just standing inside that place knowing all the incredible legends who’ve played there was incredible - but to be able to say I played my original tunes there is surreal.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Ahh…this is always such a hard question for me.

The Wild Swan from Foy Vance

The entire vibe of that album always transports me, but I especially love Fire It Up and She Burns. His writing has always inspired me and I think that album has influenced my music in so many ways.

Lioness: Hidden Treasures or Back to Black from Amy Winehouse

Lioness was released after Amy passed and it is filled with unreleased recordings that always hit me hard such as Our Day Will Come and of course, to no surprise to anyone who knows me, Valerie. However, I will forever be haunted by Back to Black and Love Is a Losing Game.

Rumours from Fleetwood Mac

It’s such a classic and songs like Songbird and Go Your Own Way, I could listen to them forever. I actually covered Go Your Own Way recently and it was such a fun experience arranging it in my own style.

I kind of cheated with this question but these answers probably change every day.

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

I’d want to support James Bay. My ultimate dream is to support him, even for one show.

Everyone knows I love food am a health nut. I’m also a vegetarian so my rider would be some money for food so I can go find a nice Italian place to get eggplant parmigiana from. I’d like to have some comp tickets for my family and friends.

Can we see you tour soon? Where are you playing?

Yes, you can! Right now I have two shows coming up and one in the works. October 7th at 7 P.M. I’ll be playing a free show at Rockwood Music Hall in N.Y.C. with my band for the release of Breathe. Then, I’ll be headlining a show November 18th at The Bitter End in N.Y.C. as a ‘What We’re Thankful For’ show for Thanksgiving. That one starts at 7 P.M. and there are some great acts supporting.

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

Honestly, one of my goals is to just travel the world with my guitar and play wherever I can. The U.K. would for sure be a goal to play. Maybe sometime in the next year or so.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I feel like I’m a new artist myself but, if I were to talk based on my experience thus far, I’d say never let yourself get discouraged. You have to be willing to put in the work, play any shows you get and, most importantly, you have to be ready for rejection. The music industry is a constant uphill battle but, if you hone your craft, love what you do and never lose sight of yourself and your goal then you’re golden.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Dan Sadin

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I always love digging deep and finding new or unknown artists. I’ve been vibing to Dan Sadin’s E.P. lately. Julia Knight’s new single Like I Used To has also been on-repeat a bunch.

IN THIS PHOTO: Julia Knight/PHOTO CREDIT: Galore

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

It’s funny; music has always been my way of unwinding. When I’m stressed, I find myself making playlists or writing it all out. If that fails, I’ve been training in Krav Maga for years, so that’s one way I let off some steam. Otherwise, I do the classic Netflix binge and hang with my dog. Sometimes, I’ll just plop down on the floor and my dog will curl up next to me (or walk all over me) and I just let myself be and hang with her for a bit.

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).

Hmm; let’s do Valerie ’68 by Amy Winehouse…I know, what a shock

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Follow Evan Petruzzi

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Evan_Petruzzi/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/EvanPetruzziMusic/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/EvanPetruzziMusic/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/evanpetruzzi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TScZ6zJkavDy0tqoGqiCf

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/evanpetruzzi

INTERVIEW: Speqtrvm

INTERVIEW:

Speqtrvm

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I have been speaking with the Swedish band Speqtrvm…

about that unique name and what they can reveal about the new song, Too Much. I wanted to know what the music scene is like in Sweden right now; how they got together and what they have coming along in terms of more material and gigs – they recommend some rising names to watch.

The gang pick some albums that mean a lot to them and tell me how they relax away from music; whether they have shared tastes in music and whether they each have a treasured memory from their careers so far.

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

Hello! It has been a tough week: lots of things happening to each one of us and even Sweden (who is currently without a government). Other than that, it’s pretty good; same ol’. How are you?

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

We’re a Swedish band consisting of four diverse individuals who are really into the major seventh chord and artists who are using it. Big love for modern music influenced by retro sounds.

Why ‘Speqtrvm’?

We had our first gig booked and needed an official name A.S.A.P...

After pondering for quite some time, Adam noticed the scattered light from a prism creating a tiny rainbow on the couch right next to me and said “What if we were just called spectrum?!”. And the more we thought about it, the more sense it made since we’re all like on different spectrums, like musically. We seek influence from each of these spectrums and try to add them together.

The name also matches our vision as a band which is to compose colorful music that sort of creates vivid images in your head (the origin of the word spectrum meaning image or apparition). The spelling with a ‘v’ instead of a ‘u’ was inspired by CHVRCHES - and the ‘q’ is mainly there to mirror the ‘p’ and to keep the spelling as unique as possible. That’s why we spell it ‘Speqtrvm’…

S P E Q T R V M.

Your new single, Too Much, is out. Can you explain the background and what inspired the track?

Mikael: I wrote this song after a deep introspection that changed the way I perceived things, forever. Together, we wanted to recreate the feelings of a retro-futuristic tune.

Is there going to be more material coming down the lines?

Yes! The next songs are in the recording and mixing phases. We have a handful of projects in the bank and about as many in the writing stages. One single left to be released this year!

You are a band based out of Sweden. Is there a good scene there right now?

When hasn’t there been? (Winks).

Sweden has produced several groups who often seem to get a greater appreciation abroad. Especially with bands like Dungen and Goat who dare to experiment outside standard music formats. Not that other countries have more listeners, but it may be less obvious within the Swedish culture because we usually show love to something in a modest and humble way.

Can you remember when you got together and started making music?

We all go back since at least high-school and we all went to high school for music. But, we didn’t become a band until a couple of years ago.

Do you have shared music tastes? What was the sort of music you were raised on?

Adam: Well we all had our phases with heavier music. Lots of Classic-Rock, Indie and Prog music. And, in recent years, more synth-based and Electronic music accompanied by popular music.

Mikael: Personally, most of the music I've heard from my childhood was Latin American music. My dad used to play Bolivian Folk music from groups associated with the traditional Andean dance Caporales. My mother showed me Chilean Neo-Folkloric poets and singer-songwriters Victor Jara and Violetta Parra, who later inspired me by their strong lyrical themes. Nowadays, it can be music from Gypsy-Jazz to Black-Metal and everything in-between.

Josef: I grew up listening to '70s and '80s rock music but nowadays I’ll listen to anything as long as it resonates with me in some way. I think we’re all open-minded but share the love for Electronic music more than anything!

Ande: I grew up with a lot of Hip-Hop and Reggaeton because of my siblings. Then, I started to like Grunge bands like Nirvana and successively started to discover new genres of music. 

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

We will continue finishing more songs; release the last single from our upcoming E.P. and create a better foundation for our sound and musical identity.

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

Adam: In high-school; playing the last gig with my Rage Against the Machine cover band, which both Mikael and Ande were a part of at times. We were just playing like a well-oiled machine and it’s probably the most fun I’ve had on stage so far. One of my favourite memories overall actually.

Mikael: Many memories, but the first thing I can think about is the day I traded my guitar with Axel from Ruby Empress. I've always wanted a great ‘Jazzmaster’ and it felt unreal to make a perfect trade with someone from a band you followed and digged a lot from the start of their carrier.

Josef: Lots of different memories but the most amusing one has to be when I played with a Death-Metal band I was part of at the time at a kindergarten Christmas party. There were kids head-banging like crazy right in front of the stage and their parents were just staring while we just went about with the bizarre situation! We were in our lat-teens and didn’t bother to ask about any details about the live show so it was totally unexpected when we arrived at the venue and saw five-year-old kids in the audience.

Ande: We had a gig at a festival in our hometown Norrköping called Black Christmas Festival which was a great experience. It was me, Mikael and some old acquaintances who played in a Black-Metal band called Eingana. That’s something I will always remember.

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

Every musician need all the support they can get in their musical circuits since they all deliver art to the world in their own creative way, almost for free.

Talking about riders; we would want to include mind-bending images, dreamy lights and things that enhances the visual and auditory atmosphere at our shows.

Might we see some tour dates coming up? Where might we be able to catch you play?

We’re focusing on being in the studio for now but, hopefully, in the next year. You can follow us on our social medias for more updates. Looking forward to play more live gigs.

What advice would you give to new artist coming through?

Patience, dedication and having fun - obvious things with a small balance. There are artist who seeks for confirmation in unnatural ways without putting a value on themselves which results in stress instead of joy.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

Adam: Probably Pure Heroine by Lorde

I must’ve listened to it just under a thousand times. I’ve always found her voice to be soothing and delectable…and her lyrics simple, but intriguing. It’s probably the album that first got me into Electronic music. I remember when it came out and how I perceived life at that age. Listening to it now makes me very nostalgic and it has gotten me through a lot of low points.

Mikael: Devotion by Beach House

There is no album that can affect and touch my feelings as much as this one. It reminds me of both the toughest and greatest times in my life.

Josef: I don’t really listen to whole albums anymore but Masters of Reality by Black Sabbath is probably the album I’ve listened to the most during my teenage years. I was completely taken away by the album is simple but powerful riffs and malevolent atmosphere.

Ande: That’s a tough question since there is a large variety of albums. But, if I have to choose one, I’d choose If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late by Drake. It gets me every time and I always get chills from the beats.

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Adam: Girl in red. I’ve been listening to her a lot lately. She only has five songs so far, yet she’s successfully shifted my friend’s sexuality within an hour of recommending her music. She (my friend) identifies as bi but likes girls even more now. I view that as an accomplishment. Perhaps not my accomplishment, but an accomplishment nonetheless.

Mikael: I would recommend Danish producer and artist Molina. She has the vibes of a modern-day Kate Bush Electronica but with her own touch of innovation. Her latest track, Hey Kids (with Late Verlane), really made me open my eyes for the interesting and fresh direction she's heading for! Curiously; we share the same last name but are not related in a way. At least from what I know...

 IN THIS PHOTO: Molina/PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Liisborg

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

Adam: I quite enjoy cooking and playing with my two kittens. Although, they stress me out more if anything.

Mikael: I have a pretty busy ordinary life. So when I get time chill away, I'll play music.

Josef: Besides Speqtrvm, I’m also employed full-time helping local bands and arranging music events and stuff so I’m always busy with music in one form or another! Unwinding for me is mostly being around my family and our dog but I also try to meditate.

Ande: When I don’t play music, I work both as a barista and with personal assistance. Besides music, I love to work out!

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).

Mikael: Simoon by YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA

Adam: 4am by girl in red

Josef: Acid Rain by Lorn

Ande: Anymore by Surf Rock Is Dead

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Follow Speqtrvm

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Speqtrvm/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/speqtrvm/

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/speqtrvm

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dnDqM2Iuen5gcYCBjkQgy?si=XerASB8nTIqS3BaNeYw2yA