INTERVIEW: Frances Mayhew (Fundraising and Development Manager) Caroline McNamara (Programme and Venue Manager) and Emma Stell (Marketing and Community Coordination) of Union Chapel

INTERVIEW:

IN THIS PHOTO: Union Chapel, London/PHOTO CREDIT: Daniela Sbrisny  

Frances Mayhew (Fundraising and Development Manager) Caroline McNamara (Programme and Venue Manager) and Emma Stell (Marketing and Community Coordination) of Union Chapel

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TO round off this International Women’s Day...

 IN THIS PHOTO: Caroline McNamara

I have been speaking with Frances Mayhew (Fundraising and Development Manager) Caroline McNamara (Programme and Venue Manager) and Emma Stell (Marketing and Community Coordination) of Union Chapel. I was eager to know how they became involved with the venue and what plans are in place for this year; which gigs they see as the finest there – I ask how Union Chapel keeps growing whilst other London venues are struggling.

I ask them whether is unusual, even in 2019, to see a big venue run by women; which artists (new or established) they recommend we check out and tell me whether, in their opinions, we are closer to equality in the music industry.

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

Frances: Good! Busy with some great events and Caroline has been at The International Live Music Conference.

How are you ‘enjoying’ this spring weather? Do you find more people come to a music venue when the weather is a bit less calm?

Emma: Well. I don’t know about that – January and August are our quietest times but they are complete opposite ends of the weather spectrum!

Frances, Caroline and Emma. How did you all become involved with Union Chapel?

Emma: I started here as an intern seven years ago and have not left...

Caroline: I’m the newest of us; I’ve been here just under a year. I came from a background in venues including the O2, Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena and was really drawn to such a special, intimate venue.

Frances: I’ve been here two years and I’m from a background in fundraising for historic venues including Wilton’s Music Hall - I was really drawn to Union Chapel by its magnificent architecture.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Daniela Sbrisny

Can you describe what you do and what your roles entail?

Emma: I manage marketing and comms here – so that means being on top of all the events that are going on sale; coordinating our newsletters, socials and printed materials. I also help support the fundraising efforts and other organisations based here: Union Chapel Church and The Margins Project for those facing homelessness and crisis.

Caroline: I’m The Head of Programme and Venue Management – that means that I’m shaping our programme of 250 events a year. I’m always looking to bring exciting, popular and innovative events here.

Frances: I am Head of Fundraising and Development. We’re at the beginning of an exciting, £1.8 million capital and community development phase called Sunday School Stories – which aims to create a new space for events and community use at the Chapel.

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IN THIS IMAGE: The 2018 line-up for Organ Reframed/IMAGE CREDIT: Union Chapel

How do you think the Union Chapel differs from other venues in terms of its atmosphere and design?

Caroline: Well. Union Chapel was built for the human voice. The whole thing was designed so that everyone could see and hear the minister in the pulpit but also so the minister could see and hear everyone in the Chapel. This means that we have a space with great sightlines and really wonderful acoustics – all of which helps the audience feel really close to the artist on stage. It’s a proper listening environment and sometimes, with 900 people in there, sometimes I think you could still hear a pin drop.

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IN THIS PHOTO: Frances Mayhew

It is unusual to see a music venue run by women – there are some but not too many. Do you think this will change soon enough? What does the music industry need to do?

Caroline: Well, we certainly hope so! The music industry has a long way to go to reflect more fully the diversity of its audiences and that will only make it stronger. Like every industry, they need to be open to new ways of doing things.

We are celebrating International Women’s Day today. Do you feel we are closer to gender equality or is there still a long way to go?

Frances: There’s a way to go – but it’s great to see so much momentum for change currently.

I guess you have seen some great gigs over time! Which ones stand in your minds?

Emma: For me, Low for Organ Reframed in 2017; they wrote a new piece for our organ which was epic. It’s such a powerful instrument and the way they used it blew me away.

Caroline: Mavis Staples! She brings such warmth to her performances. She has been here a few times and seems to really love the Chapel. In fact, she described it as the best place to sing in the world! She’s just released a live album of her 2018 gig which I have been playing on loop.

Frances: I’d have to say London Contemporary Voices – which was actually voted best Union Chapel gig of 2018, so I know I am in good company! Their gig celebrated female artists and composers to coincide with 100 years of votes for women. They also had some really special guests including Charlotte Church, Jesca Hoop; Maya Youssef, Deepa Nair Rasiya and KÁRYYN. It was such an uplifting evening.

If anyone else wanted to work for a music venue or get involved with coordination/management, what would you advise them?

Caroline: Get all the experience you can – a lot of skills are really transferable so, even if you start with other kinds of events or really small gigs, it super-relevant.

Can you reveal whether there are any future gigs or events we need to go and see?

Emma: Oh, goodness. I’m quite excited about Emmy the Great - who goes on-sale this morning (8th March).

Caroline: ...And if you haven’t seen Backyard Cinema’s Romeo + Juliett yet, DO! It’s just heartbreakingly romantic on the big screen in the Chapel and they are back in August.

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IN THIS PHOTO: Emma Stell

Are there any developments or plans for Union Chapel for the rest of 2019 in terms of build and new features?

Frances: Well. The Sunday School Hall is the next big project and it’s so exciting. The Hall itself is a lovely space that will hold about 200 people so it’s got real potential for events and community activities. But, it’s currently barely holding together. It needs a new roof, new floors and heating so first we need to fundraise for it. We got a huge boost before Christmas with a successful Crowdfund London Campaign - but there’s still a long way to go.

A lot of venues in London have closed recently. Why do you think Union Chapel has survived and continues to grow?!

Caroline: The support of our community really helps and is very important to us.

Is it true the venue was threatened with demolition? How as that averted?

Frances: Yes. It was scheduled for demolition in 1981 but local residents campaigned and saved it. At that point, the congregation decided to find a way of opening it up to people beyond the regular services and slowly the idea of doing events here began to take off with the venue launching in 1991.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Guildhall Saxophone Ensemble (as part of Daylight Music)/PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Hudson

Are there any new artists/musicians you recommend we check out?

Emma: A great place to come for that is Daylight Music (Saturday lunch time pay-what-you-can gigs here). They have some great performers. I’ve been really enjoying The Distant Voices Project recently, which brings together some of Scotland’s most acclaimed songwriters with people who have first-hand experience of the criminal justice system. The album is great and I’m really looking forward to seeing them here on 16th March.

Do you all get much time to relax away from music and your careers? How do you unwind?

Caroline: Go to gigs and contribute to a weekly show on Soho radio – all a bit of a busman’s holiday you might say!

Frances: I run and love to go to the theatre.

Emma: ...And I eat a bit too much cake!

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).

Emma: Anna Calvi - Don’t Beat The Girl Out of My Boy

 

Caroline: Mavis Staples’ version of Slippery People live at Union Chapel

Frances: Émigré by Alela Diane, please

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INTERVIEW: Vanessa Forero

INTERVIEW:

Vanessa Forero

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I am pleased I get to speak with Vanessa Forero...

again and see what she is up to. She is in Colombia right now so has been talking about that and whether she will be back in the U.K. soon; what the story is regarding her new single, Pablo Escobar, and how the amazing video came together – she highlights a rising act to check out.

I ask whether she gets time to unwind outside of music and which three albums are important to her; if there are going to be any tour dates and whether Forero has any standout memories from her career – she picks a rather cool song to end things with.

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

Hi, Sam! Great to speak with you again. I’m good, thanks. Currently doing admin in a tree house whist drinking the juice of the fruits of the tree next to me! The papayuela fruit!

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

Sure! I’m a happy, little; curious, British-Colombian music-making chicka who sounds like…erm…me and I’m not sure who else…! Not helping for a reference here! But, it’s song-based, English words dressed in Colombian, folkloric instruments; inspired by energy…ranging from aggression to the mystical to the sensual.

All the human colours!

Pablo Escobar is your new single. What was the reason for focusing on Escobar through song?

Cliché to say, but it all came in dream! I’ll spare you the dream details but, basically, the next morning I set to completing the story-lyrics behind the tune and through that I got to research and learn about a man I’d only really heard the name of. So, the reason began with curiosity and obedience to inspiration - which came in a dream asking to be born into this dimension; then it became an education and later a message…which you’ll see at the end of the music video.

The animated video was made alongside Malky Currie. How much direction and say did you get regarding the video?

As always with Malky, we did a lot of throwing mud and colours and illustration styles at the wall together initially; then he made a storyboard to sync with the story-lyrics and, because he’s full of creative ideas, he did that in a really creative way - and then we just guided it along together till it got to a place we both loved. This was actually Malky’s first animation, can you believe it!

Your E.P., Fuego, is coming soon. What are the main themes you address on the E.P.?

Well. ‘Fuego’ = fire in Spanish, which is the main theme. Being that it was a regular lyrical metaphor in the songs, but also it was a real energy thread in most of the songs too; whether it’s fire’s aggressive side, sensual side or its uplifting ‘revving up your inner-fires’-type of side. 

In terms of compositions and sound, how does it differ from your previous work?

I kept to my ‘no-drum kit’ rule…which makes space for loads of native percussion, shakers; seeds, tribal drums etc. and, in this record, that side is way more evident. It’s all wilder and tribal! For me, I really feel I clicked in my own pocket with this one. It’s definitely more mature, with more energy, wildness; uniqueness, darkness and fierce womanly-ness.

Having Colombian roots, how important is the country and its culture regarding your approach to music and experimentation?

It’s probably been more of a way to limit my curiosity. Because I adore making all styles of music which, luckily, I get to do for the media music job but, since I decided this side of my music would be a personal ‘scoring of myself’…‘Vanessa’ is the movie I’m scoring; then the Colombian side is a big cultural and spiritual ingredient. Besides, the instruments here are so interesting to my ears than the drums, bass and guitar line-up I’ve heard so much of.

Problem is, I can’t really play them as they’re meant to be played, which I think helps in making something unique at least! Colombian instruments played by British fingers but through a Colombian spirit! I’m confused.

You are based in Brighton. How important is the place and people to you when it comes to music?

Well. All my stuff is back there but I got stuck here in Colombia! Six months in…I really should head back soon. I miss my instruments and definitely the friends and music community there, which has been a huge support. With gigs on every corner, every night with no pretentiousness, it's just a great place to simply play for the joy of it. And, along the way, happen to get better as you do. I’m very grateful to that music family back there: great listeners, lovers and supporters of original music.

Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

So many! I feel grateful to have done the flashy stuff like live videos and a big gig at Abbey Road Studios to being interviewed by a major T.V. show here in Colombia. But my favourite personal moments are always the littler ones. The moment the song and production just clicks in the small, dark hours. Or maybe the gig that me and my ‘feather girls’ did to test the new record songs.

It was expected to be a quiet Thursday night at the local pub but, when we opened the doors, it was a packed-out house of fierce listeners, which totally encouraged us to the roof with the new material we’d kept just to ourselves. A great memory for us wildcats!

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

Oh, my. Shameful confession is that I’m so bad at listening to music; I spend so much time making it that, when I’m done in the studio, I just rather listen to the ocean, the trees or an Oprah podcast! But, ok…I’ll try. I’ll say Nick Drake’s Pink Moon for the fragrance around the house; any alt-J record for impressing my brain with their creativity and Colombia’s Toto La Momposina for hearing power, fire and soul come out of a woman.

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

I feel like I should say an artist that would suit my current style - of which I’m still not sure how to label - but I’m gonna say Tori Amos because I just adore her and I think she’d help make it a wild, musical fem-fest!

Might we see you on tour in 2019?

Well. My head wants to plan a summer tour back in Europe, but I like to ride with the wind and, so far, it’s kept me here for six months and counting! I’d like to but, right now, I’m just starting a new record with a well-known producer here in Colombia, Richard Blair, ho’s also a very good friend so, when that’s recorded at end of spring, I’ll hopefully feel the space to return and tour the new record with my feather girls. I’ll let you know!

Bloody wind hippy.

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

Oh, yes. The studio is my nest: I’m most natural there. Performing costs me but I know it’s an essential part of music. Being that it’s a communicative art! But, I heard Kate Bush and Bowie felt the same so I don’t feel too bad about that. I eventually have fun when I pass the threshold of singing out that first line. Classic introvert problems! 

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Arghh, again, lame music listener! I’d make a terrible D.J. So I’m going to big-up my Brighton punk boy pals The Damn Shebang! Check 'em out.

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

I’m trying to more these days - not been balanced there in the past. So, I’m a recovering music-making obsesser, turned more human through the power of: nut milk! Haha. Coconut milk, almond; hazelnut or a mix. I love it! Also, I’m trying to write the sequel book to one I wrote years ago on my mum’s life but, so far…I just keep making nut milk!

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’d love people to hear Chambacú by Toto La Momposina please, Sam! Thanks for the great questions, as always, and for having me on! Hugs to all from my tree house!

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INTERVIEW: Jubilo Drive

INTERVIEW:

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Jubilo Drive

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THANKS to the guys of Jubilo Drive...

who have been telling me about their new album, Late Night Early Morning, and the inspiration behind it; which one album the members hold dear; how the band got together and the importance of L.A. regarding their creativity and sound.

I ask whether they will come to the U.K. and which approaching artists we need to watch; how they unwind away from music and the advice they would give to those coming through – the guys pick some cool songs to end the interview with.

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

It’s been good! We’re still on the heels of the record release, so we’re still kind of basking in the glory of that; but we’ve also got a ton of new demos in the works. Happy to be here right now.

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

Sure thing. We’re Jubilo Drive and we’re a group of fellows who enjoy playing music together and working to create new sounds. The five of us all have remarkably different taste in music, so we play a pretty eclectic blend of Psych-Rock/Synth-Pop. Jordan sings and plays guitar. Henry plays the guitar. Aaron’s on the keys. Jacob’s on the drums and Kalyn is the bass player.

Late Night Early Morning is out now. What does it feel like having the record out?

It feels great. Many of these songs were a long time coming and many of them were written before this current iteration of our lineup, so it’s cool to see things come full circle. The response has been awesome. It feels like a weight off our shoulders. We’re lucky to have a great support system. And, of course, there is the satisfaction of completing a project and putting it out into the world. Now that we have something to show for all our work, we feel really free to just create regularly. On to the next.

Are there particular inspirations and people that inspired the album and its stories?

Very much so. Tragically, much of this album was inspired by the untimely death our founding drummer and friend, Eric Cruz. Some of the lyrical content deals with themes of grief, anxiety; depression  and the power of music. For instance, our frontman Jordan H. Kleinman wrote the opening track, When The Curtains Draw, the night his grandfather died; he played trombone with Louis Prima in 1940s Harlem and met Eric a few times, so it felt fitting to include that song on such a cathartic album.

I think the process of building this album also really inspired us to grow and evolve as a band. In our current lineup, we’re still young and still working out the kinks. Seeing this album come together taught us a lot about our band dynamic.

How did Jubilo Drive get together? Did you bond over shared tastes?

We originally formed in college; played shows a lot and recorded a few bodies of work. In 2016, we decided to take a hiatus after a few years and, in early 2017, Eric passed away in a car accident. In early 2018, we reformed to keep the project going and began recording and releasing new music, using this exercise to heal as well.

We’ve always been lucky to have members who come from different backgrounds with various and unique music tastes. While we all definitely have shared musical interests, we individually hold wide spectrums of listening habits - which we feel gives us all an expanded musical knowledge to bring to the table.

What sort of music did you all grow up around?

As we said earlier, the influences are kind of all over the place. Henry and Aaron grew up on music that most California kids were raised on: a lot of Punk-Rock, Hip-Hop; Ska/Reggae. Jordan started out on Classic-Rock and later became obsessed with Jazz and World music. Kalyn was raised on R&B and Hip-Hop but also grew up listening to many different genres of Rock. Jacob’s a Metalhead and listens to a ton of Pop-Punk and Emo (still). Our parents introduced us to all the classics.

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

Our release show was an absolute blast, especially the part where (in practices leading up to the show) we swore we weren’t going to play an encore. And then the crowd really was calling for it, so we had no choice. Most encores are premeditated but it was cool to have such a genuine, spontaneous moment. We all kind of looked at each other and realized we had to go out there and play one more.

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

Jacob: Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park is the album that got me into Rock music, so I owe everything to it.

Jordan: I know this is going to sound corny…but The Dark Side of the Moon is probably the most meaningful and withstanding album to me and has been for a long time. The breadth of lyrical imagery, the fortitude and humanity displayed by the songs’ narrator(s); experimental recording techniques side-by-side hit songs, all while being considered a critical and commercial success. I’m sorry, but it doesn’t get better than that.

Henry: Too many. But, I would lean towards albums I’d listen to as a kid, when I had a C.D. case and a booklet to look through while listening. Very impressionable times.

Aaron: By the Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Kalyn: It’s impossible to choose just one, but Nevermind by Nirvana is certainly up there. Having grown up and spent the first nineteen years of my life in Seattle, something about that sound will always resonate with me.

Being based out of L.A., how important is the city and its people to your sound?

We’ve definitely written a considerable amount inspired by landscapes, traffic and weather of this town. Most of us work and live in Los Angeles, so there is an abundance of interesting characters to observe. You get a better understanding of the world the more kinds of people you see and meet. I don’t know how to articulate it but there are definitely ‘L.A. sounds’ in our music.

The ‘Indie’ music scene in L.A. is also superb. So many friendly and talented people and most people are pretty approachable. I definitely feel lucky to be able to call some of my favorite local artists friends and sometime-collaborators.

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

The Rolling Stones, Tame Impala; Radiohead or St. Vincent among others. Our rider would include Pepto-Bismol, Haribo gummy dinosaurs; hanging out with Keith Richards for fifteen minutes before the set, a handful of JUUL pods; five La Croix and a post-set joint (where legally applicable).

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PHOTO CREDIT: Shawheen Keyani

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Keep putting out music. Keep playing shows. Find what works well for you first and try not to worry about what everyone else is sounding like. The more content you have and the more exposure you get, the better. We’ve been a band for a long time and there are days that feel like we’re still starting out - which just goes to show that there’s always something new to learn and ways to improve yourself, both personally and musically.

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

We’ve got a few things in the works right now, but can’t officially announce yet. So, we’ll say that you can catch us in L.A. this spring and definitely this summer.

If we came to one of your live shows, what might we expect?

Controlled chaos: sweaty, spectacular dance moves. Headbanging. Kalyn’s sultry gaze. Jordan dropped the mic and ran around the venue during Aaron’s keyboard solo one time. You know...standard Rock ‘n’ Roll stuff. Come ready to rock the **** out and, if you’re standing close to the stage, to get sweat on you. You might learn something new about yourself.

Might you play in the U.K. at some point?

We’d absolutely love to. A lot of us are huge fans of some big U.K. artists (Joy Division, New Order; The Cure, Cleaners from Venus; Radiohead, The 1975) so that’d definitely be a bucket list item. When are you having us?

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 IN THIS PHOTO: James Supercave

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Our friends in James Supercave just put out a stellar new E.P. Can’t recommend it enough. Check out SWIMM and SLUGS too.

IN THIS PHOTO: SWIMM

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

Honestly, most of us are still working on music when we’re away from Jubilo. We’re all pretty active in solo and side projects, so music keeps us pretty busy. We’re lucky to have a day jobs so, when we’re not there or working on music, we love to unwind with friends and chill out. Music is always playing in the background, so it never goes away.

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).

Jacob: How to Draw/Petrichor - The 1975

Jordan: Chiko-Chan - Yasuaki Shimizu

Henry: Fools - Drugdealer

Aaron: Slide - George Clanton

Kalyn: Star Treatment - Arctic Monkeys

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INTERVIEW: HEZEN

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Diego Indraccolo

HEZEN

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IT has been a couple of years since I last...

spoke to HEZEN and, whilst one or two of my questions are the same, the latest single from her is definitely not. I ask about Bring Your Alibi and ask HEZEN about current controversies involving Ryan Adams and R. Kelly and whether she feels there is a lack of protection in the music industry at the moment.

She selects some special albums and a few rising artists to watch; how important it is being on stage and how she unwinds away from the strain and stress of music – she selects a great track to end the interview with.

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

I'm good, thank you! I just arrived at my parents’ back in France, outside Paris. I'm playing my first Parisian date ever on Monday, 11th March, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to come a little earlier and help my parents pack – they're moving to Martinique, where my mum is from, in a few months. I'm also going to save the old notebooks where I used to write songs and poems when I was a kid - because people say that it's the kind of thing that one day I'll open with fondness. I've got my doubts about that but, whatever.

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

My name is Sarah. I'm a French producer/singer; living in North London for the past eight years and going under the name HEZEN. I make Dark-Pop with a neon-noir, futuristic edge (think The Little Mermaid-meets-Blade Runner).

Bring Your Alibi is your new single. Is there a story behind the song?

It started in May 2018. I had invited my friend, Laurane Marchive, over for a lyric-writing session. I had never written with someone else before but Laurane is an amazing writer so when she suggested we tried something - I was really into the idea. The week before, Harvey Weinstein had turned himself in to the N.Y. police on sexual assault charges. Being that most our conversations are about feminist issues, we naturally started to come up with an idea related to it. We wanted to write something empowering, something badass; using the trope of the weak and defenceless woman who turns out to be dangerous A.F. and takes her abuser down, like a feminist version of David vs. Goliath.

We visualised Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as our protagonist. It's the song she sings as she's getting ready in the morning, putting a nice dress on; too much makeup. To me, she represents all the people from the #MeToo movement (and beyond) who had the courage to come forward and the person the song is addressed to is all their abusers. This is a song about justice but it's also a warning: you think you're gonna get away with this? Think again.

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Do you think the recent news stories involving Ryan Adams and R. Kelly show a lack of awareness and protection from the music industry in general? Do you foresee changes coming regarding the way women are treated?

The misconducts and crimes that have been exposed in the art industries are the ones that ended up making the most noise, for obvious reasons. But, I don't think they're necessarily representative of a problem that's specific to these industries: that's just the exposed tip of the iceberg. I think what the #MeToo movement has shown, in such a shockingly democratic way, is how prevalent sexual assault and harassment are, in every industry, and how the lack of awareness and protection is just our reality as a whole: it's a system structured in a way that it protects abusers and discourages victims to speak.

We're not going to wake up tomorrow with no more sexual predators, nor in a world where victims can expect to be protected by the judicial system; the one that still today finds relevant information in the kind of clothes they were wearing or how much they had drunk when they were harassed or attacked. It's going to take time to program the kind of society we want but, if you look at history, going towards a more just and equal society seems like an ineluctable force (there's still loads to do but I'm a hopeless optimist).

I do think there's a before and after #MeToo, though. I think we've reached a critical mass, one where the problem-gangrening society cannot be brushed under the carpet anymore and people will be less and less afraid of speaking up. That's true for women - but hopefully for men and everybody else too.

As long as we keep the conversation going...

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PHOTO CREDIT: Diego Indraccolo

Might we see an E.P. or album later this year?

Bring Your Alibi is the first out of three songs I wrote last year and will be releasing before the summer. To me, they're part of the same chapter: it's called Safe & Bound. I've also started this year's chapter and I'm incredibly excited about the direction it's taking. I'm hoping to release it soon after Safe & Bound.

When did music come into your life? Did your parents play a big role?

At home, my parents played a lot of music, from Chanson Française to Classical music and a lot of U.K. and U.S. classics – Elton John, Neil Young; Pink Floyd, The Beatles; Queen...my dad is very musical and, in my memory, he'd play the guitar or the keys most evenings. I started writing songs when I was thirteen and he's been supportive ever since; buying me my first guitar and being the first to hear my demos recorded on Audacity with a computer microphone. He was hard to please. He still is.

Which artists were important to you growing up? Who do you rank as idols?

It's a hard question: I feel like so many had their own impact on me...I guess music started becoming a very personal and intense experience when I was young teenager (like most people). At the time, I discovered Nirvana, Pink Floyd; Sia, Led Zeppelin; Muse (pre-Black Holes and Revelations, obviously), Radiohead, Björk and all of them were very important to me. Muse is the band that made me want to write songs and Unintended was the first song I taught myself on the guitar (I was and still am such an Emo kid).

I heard Sia's Breathe Me on the radio and I think I stopped breathing during the whole song. The same thing happened when I heard Karma Police by Radiohead, Chop Suey by System of a Down and Is There Anybody Out There? by Pink Floyd. Later, I discovered Trip-Hop and that changed my life: Massive Attack, Tricky; UNKLE, Portishead...basically, anything that was dark and/or very sad I was an absolute sucker for.

PHOTO CREDIT: Diego Indraccolo

Looking back at your earliest work, what are the main changes/developments you have seen inside yourself?

I think I take it all less seriously. I've always used songwriting as a catharsis; as my only way of expressing and processing my emotions. But, my creative process was often painful and I lacked the confidence to express myself in an approachable way, often hiding behind words and production. I still write based on my experiences but I've now allowed fun in my work, as well as accepted being more vulnerable by being more honest and direct. It helps that I also feel more confident in my production skills and, over time, I've enjoyed simplifying, having more space and less elements.

I've definitely felt a shift in what and how I create and that really happened last year when, after working hard on myself, I came out of depression and had some sort of creative epiphany. The tree songs of the E.P. I'll be releasing are the result of it.

Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

One of my biggest handicaps in life is that I have no memory, so it's very hard to answer this question. So, I'll stick to something recent – writing Terrible Animals last year - the song I'm releasing next month - is standing out for me because it marks the beginning of getting my head out of the water and relearning the joys of music-making, which I had forgotten.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Isaac Murai

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

You asked me this question two years ago, but I guess I should come up with three different ones (smiles).

Overgrown – James Blake

It's a masterpiece. It's had a huge influence on me and it's been teaching me about simplicity.

Rossz Csillag Alatt Született – Venetian Snares

Another masterpiece. It's one of the saddest and darkest albums I've ever heard, but it's also incredibly beautiful. His blending of strings and electronic beats has shaped my music so much.

Homogenic – Björk 

I think it's the album that made me drop my acoustic guitar and teach myself production. And it probably all started with All Is Full of Love.

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

Young Fathers. On my rider, I'd want lots of olives of different kinds; whiskey sours on demand and a dressing gown.

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 PHOTO CREDIT: @sarahezen 

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

That's a good question...

To be honest, I don't do much that isn't music-related, aside from a healthy amount of procrastination and occasional Netflix evening sesh. I do love cooking, so I guess that's my twice-daily dose of unwinding. I'm also lucky to live very close to Hampstead Heath, so a walk up to Parliament Hill to look at the London skyline often helps when I feel a little overwhelmed.

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

Performing is vital to me. I'd go mental otherwise; writing songs behind my computer without ever living them in the flesh. There's an energy I find only on stage and it's such a magical moment for me when I can perform a song that's only lived in my computer until then and feel how people react to it. I've set myself this challenge this year: of having one new song per gig. The two worlds have been fostering each other - having a deadline has boosted my creativity in the studio and it's made gigging even more exciting because I get to share something new and get almost immediate feedback from people who come to my show.

But, I'm also a massive geek and I can spend days on end working on a track and not speak to another human with no major problem.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Tamino

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Recently, I discovered a few gems I'm super-excited about. There's Farai and her liberatingly W.T.F. prose and sick production; Tamino, who I fell in love with (even more after seeing him live last year at Omeara); the dreamy Imperial Daze (to catch live absolutely) but also Alxndr London, Joji and Erland Cooper...

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Imperial Daze/PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Heaton

Might we see you on tour in 2019?

That would be really nice. I'll let you know if that happens!

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).

Yseult – Rien à prouver

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INTERVIEW: Bairbre Anne

INTERVIEW:

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Bairbre Anne

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THE wonderful Bairbre Anne has been telling me...

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about her new single, 27, and its story; whether we might see more material coming along and what she thinks of the contemporary music scene – I ask her whether there are a few albums that stand out and mean a lot to her.

The Dublin-based songwriter tells me what comes next and explains when music came into her life; which upcoming musicians we should all investigate and tells me if she gets time to unwind away from music – Bairbre Anne selects a great song to close the interview with.

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Hi, Bairbre Anne. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi! I’ve had a busy week promoting my new music - but I’m very happy it’s finally out in the world.

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

I’m an Irish musician and writer of songs. I currently live in Dublin but I work with a super team in London. Working with them, I’ve already released two E.P.s: Arrows and Sparks.

Is there a story behind the new single, 27?

I wrote 27 when I was, in fact, twenty-seven; in a rut and felt completely lost. It was a song to reassure myself that everything would figure itself out and to just take things one day at a time. I think everyone needs that reassurance at various stages in their life.

Are you looking ahead regarding more material? What are your plans in that respect?

Yes. I am going to release my debut album later in the year which I’m really excited about!

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When did music come into your life? Can you remember the first song you heard?

I was always surrounded by music. My dad is a sound engineer and my mum has a huge love and appreciation for music. I don’t remember the exact song but some of my earliest memories would be going into the backroom of our house when it was dark out, turning on the light and using the reflection of the glass sliding doors as my personal stage. Belting out the likes of Hey Jude by The Beatles, all of the Grease soundtrack songs and probably some Spice Girls numbers.

Which artists were important to you growing up? Who do you rank as idols?

I started writing songs on the piano at an early age so, from around the age of twelve,  I was obsessed with any woman at the time who was playing the piano and writing her own songs – Alicia Keys, Vanessa Carlton; Tori Amos, Missy Higgins; Norah Jones etc. I was also heavily influenced by anything my older brother was listening to. He introduced me to a lot of great Irish musicians and bands - Glen Hansard and The Frames, Gemma Hayes; Damien Rice and Bell X1 to name a few.

As an Irish artist, what is the vibe like where you are? Do you think Irish music gets the attention that it deserves?

I think Ireland is known for having one of the best music scenes going! We have a lot of amazing homegrown talent going on! Dublin is definitely a hub for music. There’s always something going on; live music is everywhere.

How do you view the modern music scene? Do you listen to a lot of contemporary music?

I do listen to contemporary music and I think some of it is amazing. I think this wave of Electronic music is interesting but I’m afraid, if there’s no musical instruments on the stage, I won’t be hanging around.

Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

Getting to play at the National Concert Hall in Dublin and Ulster Hall in Belfast. They are absolutely stunning venues and standing on those stages gave me goosebumps.

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

There are too many albums to choose from: here are three of my favourites:

Imogen Heap – Ellipse

Watch the ‘making of’ documentary and then listen to it. It Is a masterpiece and she is a genius.

The Frames – Fitzcarraldo

My teenage years were made up of going to Frames gigs and screaming “Revelate” at the top of my lungs.

Gemma Hayes – The Hollow of Morning

This woman taught me what it means to write a sad song.

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

Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) – purely to sit her down and talk me through those initial years of Fleetwood Mac. They sound bonkers! The rider – I don’t know – to demand Lindsey Buckingham join the band again...and some nice white wine!

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Might we see you on tour in 2019?

Possibly. Keep an eye on my website!

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

They are both very separate things. I enjoy them both! I love going into the studio in London, and the process involved in recording new music! I also love going on stage and making the same songs sound just as good with one instrument.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Kacey Musgraves/PHOTO CREDIT: Kelly Christine/Courtesy of Mercury Nashville

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Who I’m currently listening to a lot: Theo Katzman; Kacey Musgraves; Natalie Prass; The Magpie Salute.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Natalie Prass

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

I love to travel and explore new places with my camera! You can check out some of the photos I’ve taken by looking up ‘She Shoots Green’ on Instagram!

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).

Theo Katzman – My Heart Is Dead! What a tune!

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INTERVIEW: Scott Lavene

INTERVIEW:

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Scott Lavene

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I am starting this week by speaking with Scott Lavene...

as he discusses his latest track, Methylated Blue, and how it all came to pass. He talks about filming its video in New York; which albums and sounds have made a big impression on him and what he can reveal about his upcoming album – Lavene reveals some new artists that we need to get involved with.

I ask if there are any tour dates coming up and, if he had the chance, which artist he’d support on tour; the advice he would provide to approaching musicians and which career memory stands out from the pack – he picks a cool tune to end the interview with.

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

Hi there, Music Musings and Such. I’m ok, thanks. My week’s been swell. Mainly writing and staring out of the window.

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

Yeah. I’m Scott Lavene, an Essex boy. A songwriter. I make Punk ballads and Gutter-Pop; been compared to the ’70s English mob that Stiff Records put out: Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric and Elvis Costello. High prais,e indeed

Methylated Blue is your new song. How did that song start life?

It was one of those songs that emerged, fully-formed. I was part of a theatre show last year and sat at a piano during a break, sorted out the chords and melody and then the words came fast later at home.

What was it like putting the video together? Did you have much say in terms of its concept?

It was all me. The song is set in New York and the label were kind enough to let me use the budget for the video to go there and make it myself with a mate. It was great. Few ghosts from the past and bitterly cold but it’s such a great place. You could film anything and make a great video but we chose Harlem and Coney Island.

There is an album coming later this year. Is there anything you can reveal regarding song themes and sounds?

Yeah, sure. The songs are stories. One is about having a speed habit and working in a factory, one about my dislike for small talk; one about being skint, one about the afterlife; cynical takes on modern life, weird and wonky Pop. In terms of sound, I was going for a Serge Gainsbourg-meets-Chas and Dave and I think that, by jove, we’ve done it. 

When did music come into your life? Can you remember the first song you heard?

Music has been part of my life since the start. Apparently, I took 7-inches to nursery. Every memory has a song attached. Stray Cats’ Runaway Boys is my first memory of music. 

Which artists were important to you growing up? Who do you rank as idols?

At first, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder; Stax and Motown. Cheesy Pop and power ballads. I was into old Soul music as a small kid. Then I was a ’60s obsessive as a teenager, the Woodstock lot: The Doors, Small Faces; Joni Mitchell, Velvet Underground. I lived like it was San Francisco in the ’60s but it was actually Romford in the late-’90s.I mean, too many people are important to me to list. I haven’t even put anyone from this century. I’m a nostalgic fool, really. Idols would be Iggy Pop, Tom Waits; Nick Cave, Ian Dury and David Byrne. I like songs. I like singers. I like oddballs.

Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

Steve Lamacq playing my first single. Dream come true. I can retire now.

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

Now that’s hard, but here you go.

Elliot Smith – Either/Or

It’s a cuddle. It lets you know that it’s ok to feel sad and that you’re not alone.

The Libertines – Up the Bracket

It reminds me of youth and rebellion. It’s chaotic and loose - brilliant.

The Beatles - Revolver

Perfect songs. Incredible band.

Might we see you on tour in 2019?

Yes. A couple of times. With a full band in June upon release of the album and then a solo tour in the autumn.

You have received support from D.J.s like Steve Lamacq. How rewarding is that sort of attention?

I probably care too much about that stuff sometimes but he’s a bloody hero isn’t he? 6 Music is on constantly in my flat, so to hear one of my songs on it is mind-blowing. More please. But, if my career goes down the sh*tter, I can keep that and bore my kids with it when they grow up.  

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

Tom Waits - just so I could watch him from the side of the stage. My rider would be Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, tea bags; a kettle and a trumpet. I really want a trumpet.

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

I wouldn’t say I prefer it. I could live in a studio forever. Playing live is a buzz, a fix. Making people laugh, cry and wince is pure joy and I’m grateful for every show as I’ve done my share of jobs I hate.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Shop Girls

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Shop Girls, a songwriter from Cardiff. He’s got a few songs on SoundCloud. I love him. He can’t afford to get his E.P. mastered so, if there’s any fat cats reading this, give the kid a leg-up. You already know her but I’m completely in love with Adrianne Lenker’s songs and voice. Heaven.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Adrianne Lenker

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

I live by the coast, so I swim in the sea a lot but I unwind with music and books and films.

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

The Clean – Anything Can Happen

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INTERVIEW: ELVIN

INTERVIEW:

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ELVIN

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THE fantastic ELVIN has been telling me about...

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the video for her track, Wonder, and what it was like filming it. I ask what we can expect from her upcoming E.P., The Garden, and what sort of themes inspired the songs – she reveals whether there is a standout track/personal favourite from the E.P.

I ask whether there will be tour dates coming and which rising artists we need to follow; what sort of music she loves and the albums that mean the most to her – she ends the interview by selecting a great track I have not heard.

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

I am so great! Earlier this week, I was on Resonance FM with The Lallas and, last week, Hoxton Radio with Jodie Bryant. I am so encouraged by the fact I am suddenly getting so much support from independent radio.  

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

I am a singer/songwriter-producer. I write and produce ornate, epic ‘popera,’ set in Electronic, Classical soundscapes.

 

Wonder is your new track. What is the inspiration behind it? What was it like filming the video?

Wonder is about the re-awakening and freeing of my child-like imagination. It marks the beginning of my creativity as an artist. This video is the second stage of the development of this idea as a special visual project. The characters in the video are all styled by me as toys from a toy-box - and it’s a live and acoustic version of the song.

Filming was quite the nightmare. I arrived on set to a gas leak and everyone standing outside. I had to stand on tables, flapping a dusty weird pollutant out of the room before I could even convince everyone it was safe to film. I had one shot at this - because equipment was provided for by Yamaha - so I had to demonstrate I was a worthwhile artist for them to support. Thank God we did the entire thing in one take and Raja Virdi, who has literally shot for Rihanna, London Grammar etc. etc. – and was a dream to work with.  

Once we got filming it flowed like magic under his guardianship.   

 

Your E.P., The Garden, is out soon. Can you reveal the sort of themes and songs that will appear?

The Garden is a magical world I’ve created to hold my stories and experiences. We travel via my ‘conscious stream’ by rowboat, which weaves in and out of the E.P. at different points. We start down The Garden Path at the beginning where I describe starting out on my musical journey and how that feels. We then end in a field of Lavender, where I lose my friend, Jessie.

Throughout, I use the garden as a metaphor. For example, Sweet Sensations is a blue/purple delphinium. So, in this song, I am describing the sensations I am being given in this time of my life as somebody giving me this flower and relating them in the context of a playground in the garden and riding my bicycle through the garden with this person.

Do you have a standout track from the set at all?

I am pretty excited about Valley of Roses. I love Latin and I am so thrilled to be getting away with dropping some Latin in the chorus. It’s my Valentine’s gift to all my fans as one rose is not enough! In this song, I get called back to love by a voice I can hear in the distance; the place I imagine to be a valley of roses where love exists in its purest form.

When did music come into your life? Did your parents play a big role?

Yes!  My mum is a flautist and a composer too. She taught me a great deal of what I know. My entire family is musical and actually that is my sister playing the glock and singing in the video for Wonder. She had to step in at the last minute because my glock player was sick - that’s just what the best sisters do! I am so grateful to her.

Which artists were important to you growing up? Who do you rank as idols?

The Beatles, Queen; Bowie...these guys were pretty creatively free and completely themselves. In adulthood, it’s been Marina and the Diamonds, Florence and the Machine. I love Laurel Halo too. It’s hard to pick just one idol: they’ve all been important to me in different ways.

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How important and influential is London as a base in terms of creativity? 

It’s unbelievable how much where you live inspires and influences your music. My music has definitely changed since moving back to Shoreditch. I feel it’s is so much edgier and ahead of the curve because of the fact I live in the centre of the creative universe! I meet so many interesting people in London every single day. It’s not just the music they chose to share with me but their stories and keeping me knee deep in challenging, forward-thinking conversation.  

I love it here, but it’s also important to travel too. I am missing New York at the moment. Last year, I was making music for a label in Berlin that was entirely Techno. I spent a lot of time in the incredible parks of Berlin and this, plus their Wanderlust exhibition at The National Gallery, hugely inspired The Garden.

Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

I think this past year has been one of the most incredible of my musical life and it just keeps getting better. I broke into the opening of The Ned (a hotel in bank) and it basically kick-started everything because it was there I met the marketing director of Yamaha and he gave me so much support in the early stages. But, honestly, I could write a book of my insane experiences of the music industry.

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

Usher - 8701

This album is most-closely correlated to my teenage emotional experiences. It was the backdrop to my breakups and parties.

The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

Because their songs are so classic; they unite people with huge and profound statements in tandem with musical magic.

Disney Compilation Albums

Secretly, I love Disney. Please don’t tell anyone.

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

Haha. Ok. I would chose Nothing but Thieves. Besides loving their music, Dominic is a friend and he promised me he would teach me how to solve a Rubik Cube. I would ask for an infinite number of Rubik’s Cubes to be provided, because I am certain it would take that many!

Might we see you on tour in 2019?

Yes, please! Hopefully, if everything goes amazingly. If not, I will certainly do some special performances and I will make sure I let everyone on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter know and that they are invited.  

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

It’s a shame I can’t perform more because all of this was born out of simply how much I love singing. It’s basically quite expensive for me to do so, because I don’t believe in my musicians not being paid and my sound is quite epic. I did a performance once where I needed so many performers on stage with me, the stage wasn’t big enough...so I had to put two trumpeters in the crowd, which ended up being amazing!  

I’ve also had a full orchestra play my music (the London City Orchestra) which, again, was completely incredible. Because I have a big sound, it might be a while before enough people are streaming or buying my music that I can feed that back into playing for a live audience. I have so many artistic ideas I am yet to make a reality! But, I’ll need to generate some support to make this happen.

For starters, I want to bring The Garden to life! One way I could do so is with brand partnerships, so I am looking into this at the moment. Plus, I am starting to generate interest from publishers and labels now which may be able to help.  

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Rhi

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I love the fresh, new Electronic happenings in Berlin and Britain: Rhi and Laurel Halo, incredible female producers who, of course, I naturally want to support the most. Then comes my friends Titas and the Fox, who make lo-fi Electronic-Jazz.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Laurel Halo/PHOTO CREDIT: Sylvie Weber

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

No. I have very little downtime and that’s just the truth. If you want a career in music, you have to work exceptionally hard because it won’t financially sustain you, immediately (if ever). So, I work extremely hard. I make absolutely sure I make time for my friends, because nothing surpasses the importance of being a good friend. Other than this, sometimes, if I have time to unwind then you’ll find me in the steam room or on the tennis court!

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 would love it if you played my friend’s music, Titas and the Fox. His E.P. is called Coffee and Eggs; he’s one of my best friends and I’m super-proud of him releasing his first pieces of music too!

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INTERVIEW: Birthday Card

INTERVIEW:

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Birthday Card

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MY final piece of the week is an interview with...

the Brighton-based band, Birthday Card. I ask the guys what they can reveal about their new track, Shy Away, and whether there might be more material coming down the tracks; albums that they hold dear and how they have progressed as a band – they select some approaching musicians worth a shout.

The band talk about their musical upbringing and reveal which artist they’d support if they could; whether there are any tour dates coming up and tell me how they chill away from writing/recording – the guys each select a great track to end things on.

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

Josh: Hey. Our week’s been good, thanks. We’ve been super-busy writing new material, rehearsing for upcoming shows and sorting out the last few bits ready for the release of Shy Away.

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

Josh: I’m Josh - I sing and play guitar.

Leslie: Hey. I’m Leslie, drummer of the band.

George: I’m George – I play synths.

Conor: I’m Conor – I play lead guitar.

Tom: Hi. I’m Tom – bass guitar.

How did Birthday Card find one another? Have you known each other long?

Leslie: We’ve all actually been connected in some way or another over the years - a few of us went to school together and also played together in an old band. The town we’re from is pretty small so even before we started playing we all knew each other in one way or another. 

Shy Away is your new track. What is the story behind it?

Josh: The song itself is about overcoming self-doubt and anxieties. This is told through the story of a slightly awkward introduction between two people which eventually blossoms.

I’d had the lyrics for some time and was waiting for the right piece of music to lay them over. When the other guys started playing their parts, it all seemed to gel perfectly.

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

Conor: That’s right. We’ll be releasing our debut E.P. in the first half of 2019. We’ve just been in the studio with Marcus Yates, who recorded and produced Shy Away - which is also the E.P.’s opening track. That’s all we can say for now…

Looking back at last year, how far do you think you progressed as a band? 

Conor: The thing I love about playing in this band is there’s always a sense of forward momentum, of taking the next step up. We had a great 2018: releasing two singles and supporting Sleeper on their sold out tour, which was a complete privilege. A year on, we’re now putting out Shy Away, which feels to us like a big step in the evolution of our sound and, likewise, gearing up towards our first E.P. It feels like we’re really building up our following at the moment too which is amazing, because we really believe in what we do. To have that appreciated by others is a great feeling.

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What sort of music did you all grow up on?

Josh: My mum and dad used to play all sorts around the house when I was really young. One minute we’d have Nat King Cole on, then the next minute we’re dancing round the living room to Hanson. I also remember listening to a lot of The Neptunes and early N.E.R.D growing up.

Tom: Whatever was on my dad’s car stereo really: Punk, Reggae...you name it!

Leslie: Lots of Motown and R&B.

Conor: My dad has a pretty eclectic music taste so I listened to all sorts growing up - anything from The Clash and Bowie, through to New Order and Otis Redding. I’d say we all have a pretty rich musical background - in terms of listening - which all very subtly contributes to building our sound.

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

Josh: That’s a difficult question as there’s been many. My favourite memory would have to be the countless hours we all spent together waiting in Leslie’s shed before even knew the band was a band. So many of those ideas and parts that were written in there have been reused in songs that are in our current set.

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

Tom: Pool by Porches. I think all of us in the band have probably listened to it about a million times each!

Conor: Hard to pick any single album, but one favourite is Steve McQueen by Prefab Sprout. Paddy McAloon’s songwriting is timeless.

Leslie: It would probably be The 1975’s debut for me. It’s just so good!

Josh: In Search of… - N.E.R.D. My dad used to play it all the time. It brings back memories of good times.

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

Josh: I’d love to say Nick Cave but I don’t think that line-up would make much sense musically. So probably The Neighbourhood or The 1975.

As for the rider, I’d want Gucci sliders and some of that rum DJ Khalid’s always going on about on Instagram. I think it’s called Bumbu?

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Leslie: Don’t take our advice...

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

Conor: We’ve got lots of dates in the pipeline which will be announced very soon, so keep an eye out for those. Our next shows are in London on Saturday, 2nd March, playing at Thousand Island with Only Sun and next Tuesday (5th March) at Komedia in Brighton, supporting the lovely Only the Poets.

If we came to one of your live shows, what might we expect? 

Tom: Faithful recreations of our recorded material, but in a world of their own. There’s also a lot of unreleased material in there too so, if you want to hear some new songs, come and see us!

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 IN THIS PHOTO: SPINN/PHOTO CREDIT: Sam Crowston

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Josh: SPINN, for sure.

Conor: Not necessarily new but certainly on the up - I’ve been listening a lot to a House D.J. called Laurence Guy. Super-melodic and really relaxing.

Tom: I don’t think he’s particularly new but this producer called Lusine is definitely worth a listen.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Laurence Guy/PHOTO CREDIT: Esther Riess

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

George: We’ve all worked quite hard at setting up our lives in a way where we get to spend as much time as we can writing and playing new music with each other. I honestly don’t think any of us are particularly interested in spending much time away from music: we have so much fun and get so much fulfilment out of doing it. It’s more like this is what we get to do to unwind from the stress of day-to-do day life.

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).

Josh: Air Stryp by Big Red Machine

Conor: Please play Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton

George: Freelance by Toro y Moi

Tom: I’d like to hear I Need Your Lovin’ by Teena Marie

Leslie: You Don’t Know – 702

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INTERVIEW: FiFi Rong

INTERVIEW:

FiFi Rong

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IT is good to catch up with FiFi Rong as the video...

for her single, Sin City, is out and she tells me about it. I wanted to know which musicians/sounds were important to her growing up and if there is more music coming along soon – she reveals a rising artist that we need to investigate.

I ask how she feels she has progressed as an artist and whether she has any standout music memories; if there are any tour dates in the diary and whether she gets much time to unwind away from things – Rong selects a great track to end the interview with.

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

I’m very good, thanks. It’s been very, very busy as always. Non-stop challenges.

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

I’m a vocalist-songwriter and I produce all my solo work and mix them sometimes too. My music is a fluid blend of many genres and elements. The main vibes consist of U.K. Bass and Underground and my Chinese flair in vocal delivery.

 

The video for Sin City is out. What inspired you to write the song and what was it like putting the video together?

It was a real story from my past in Hong Kong and I merged a lot fictional stuff such as murder in the story and song as I was watching serial killer documentaries while I was writing the song. It was not smooth-sailing making this video but I knew exactly what I wanted so I wasn’t discouraged at any point. Delay was not denial. It was just a matter of time. I knew I had the creativity and resources to finish it and put it out into the world.

I needed to make it just right, so it took a while. 

Might we see more material coming soon? What are you working on right now?

Next up will be a collaboration song called Nahi with a Berlin label, Save the Black Beauty, on their L.P. Also, I’m working on several projects, including a solo full length and more (smiles). 

Which artists were important to you growing up? Who do you rank as idols?

There are whole bunch of Chinese Rock artists that truly integrated authentic Chinese music into Western Rock. I think that influenced me a lot in regards what I’m doing now. It was once possible but a bit of a lost art as those artists were really going through a lot of poverty and pain. It wasn’t a chosen thing: it was the society.

Musicians who insisted on doing Rock had no money, unlike today’s Indie artists. Good art can come from any place but great art sometimes come from deep suffering. Idols: true legends like Michael Jackson, Eminem and some more...but not a lot.

How do you think you have progressed as a musician since you started out?

I have more patience and tolerance of the down-cycle when creativity doesn’t flow. I’m more productive on average and I like me more in general.

Your music has a very visual edge to it. Do you think in a visual sense when you are writing songs?

Not really. My music comes from words; words come from feelings and I make music for my words/feelings and I create visual to suit the music. It’s all in one package. But, if I was a filmmaker first and foremost, I would actually write music just for visuals, yes.

Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

Hmm. There are lots of memories but what is burnt deep in my psyche has to be the U.K. tour with Tricky. It was my first time on a proper stage in O2 Academy Bristol. I almost died from fear on stage; didn’t know where to put my hands and I cried the whole night till second day as it was too scary and I was too disappointed in myself. And, on the second day, I was totally in the zone at O2. I had the time of my life. I was flying high! Then, Manchester Academy was even more amazing. I felt so connected and ‘one’ with everyone. Still, to this date, I can’t figure out how I got from day-one as a complete mess to day-two as a complete natural!?

My little mind went for the biggest rollercoaster ride of my life. I had many amazing writing experiences and good stage experiences but nothing was as thrilling as those three days. It’s like any drug: the first time gets you the highest as it’s unexpected.

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

There are too many in Chinese! But, on top of my mind, here are the English ones: 

Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon and Tricky – Maxinquaye. 

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

I’m not picky. I just need good monitor system, good lighting and a room that’s not cold so I can relax before I go on (smiles).

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I’m still new in many ways and I haven’t come through - so I can’t tell them anything I haven’t nailed. Everyone has their own path and strengths and they are the best judges for themselves.

Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?

I’m independent, which mean I do absolutely everything and I have the freedom to take as long as need. I’m in the middle of my album creation so, until that is in shape, I wouldn’t want to distract myself. 

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

Different challenges. Both are important because they make me grow. And growth is fundamental as, if I don’t grow, life loses its purpose. 

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I just found out a musician called Zoolon I’m digging. 

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

I love learning in many fields. For me, it’s relaxing and fun in order to absorb new knowledge. 

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).

Lower Dens - Truss Me

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INTERVIEW: Kudu Blue

INTERVIEW:

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PHOTO CREDIT: Kay Ibrahim

Kudu Blue

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I have been finding out about the Brighton group Kudu Blue...

and what the story is behind their new single, Mountain Song. I was keen to know what they have planned going forward and how the band formed; what the scene is like in Brighton and whether there are approaching artists worth watching out for.

The band share their favourite albums and memories; they provide advice to musicians coming through and tell me what tour dates are in the diary – they select some cool songs to end the interview with.

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

Hey! We're great been working on some music and rehearsing so it's been fun! We also had a show in Bristol at the Louisiana with Cub Sport and a show in London supporting another Brighton band, Loyal, at the Moth Club.

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

Sure. We're Kudu Blue (Tom, Owen; Clem and Creeda). We all live in Brighton and have been making music Electronic tunes together for four years now.

Mountain Song is new. How did it start life and what is it about?

We actually wrote this well over two years ago now. It came together when we were rehearsing. Since then, it's gone through a few different forms to arrive at where it is now. The track is about knowing what's good for you but finding it hard to do it and having to deal with your own reluctance.

I love the harmonies in your music. Did you always experiment with harmonies or is it something quite new?

Thank you! I’ve always enjoyed recording harmonies but it's something that I’ve got much more into with the new E.P. and the tracks that we're recording at the moment. I also find it the most enjoyable part of recording vocals now. You can get really creative with them which I love.

Might we see more material coming down the line?

100%. It might seem like we've been off the scene for a little bit but we've been writing loads so have got bags of new material on the way.

How did Kudu Blue find one another?

Tom and Owen were childhood friends; they met Creeda in Brighton as well. I moved down from Birmingham and we all just met through our love of music. We were playing together in various different bands and projects in Brighton before we got together as a four-piece.

In terms of music, do you share tastes? Would one find similar albums in your collections?

Yeah. There are definitely artists that we all have a shared love for but we also have another side of our tastes where they are quite different. I think what's great about us working together as a group is all of our different influences come together to make something a bit different.

What is Brighton like as a base? How inspiring is the place?

It's beautiful. Coming from Birmingham, I really appreciate being by the sea and getting that fresh air every day. It is a really creative city and there's a close-knit music community here which is great. Everyone knows each other and supports each other’s music.

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

Hmmm. Probably playing KOKO in Camden. It was the biggest show we've done to date and the energy there was amazing. Hopefully we'll get to experience some more shows like that. 

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

Clem: D'Angelo – Voodoo

I love every track on that album. D'Angelo is a big inspiration for me. His music is unmistakably his and you can hear so many influences in it.

Tom: Ram Narayan – North India: The Art of the Sarangi

While this album hasn't had any discernible influence on Kudu's music, it made me fall in love with music all over again; it showed me that music was capable of a lot more than I'd previously thought possible.

Creeda: In Rainbows – Radiohead

For me, it's just the most beautifully crafted album from start to finish. The soundscape is so ethereal and it’s probably the only album I've listened to over one-hundred times and still not got bored of.

Owen: Portishead – Dummy

I grew up in Bristol and this album is steeped in ’90s Bristol Nostalgia. Such beautiful, crisp production; so ahead of its time. And Beth Gibbons’ voice still haunts me to this day. 

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

Probably Cher or Shania Twain. On the rider would be a bath tub full of Nik Naks. We’re all addicted at the moment. And some vegan toasties for Tom.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Keep plugging away. There are hard times but it’s worth it if you’re able to express yourself creatively. But also to look after yourselves and your mental-health. There are so many ups and downs that it can be tricky to remain stable in the music industry. It’s ok to take a break every now and then.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Marieke Macklon Photography

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

14th March – Lille Vega, Copenhagen (Tennyson support)

15th March – Berghain/Kantine, Berlin (Tennyson support)

17th March – Hydrozagadka, Warsaw (Tennyson support)

21st March – Le Pop-Up du Label, Paris (Tennyson support)

23rd March – Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London (Tennyson support)

24th March – The Sound House, Dublin (Tennyson support)

6th April - The Old Market, Brighton (MOVES Festival)

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PHOTO CREDIT: Bobbie Johnson/PHOTO CREDIT: Aaron Wood

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Bobbie Johnson. She's a rapper, singer and producer from Brighton. She's amazing. Cousin Kula are one of the most exciting U.K. live acts at the moment mixing Prog psychedelics with Synthpop. I saw Moses Sumney at Royal Festival Hall in 2018 - and it was one of the best gigs I’ve been to.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Cousin Kula

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

Yeah. We find time; we all like food A LOT. We like cooking and going out for food. Going to watch live bands and the occasional mad night out. Mmmmm, food.

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).

Girls of the Internet - When U Go

Cousin Kula - Jelly Love

Kelis (ft. André 3000) - Millionaire

Childish Gambino – Redbone

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INTERVIEW: Threatmantics

INTERVIEW:

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Threatmantics

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THE guys of Threatmantics...

have been speaking with me about the Welsh music scene and how they came to be; what inspired their new album, Shadow on Your Heart, and whether they have any gigs coming along – they reveal some rising acts to watch.

I ask about the boys’ record collections and tastes; which albums they count as favourites and the artists they’d support on the road given the chance – they each select an excellent track to round the interview off with.

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

Andrew: Very good, thanks. The last week has been hectic: new album being released and all. Truthfully, it’s mostly been nice to hear how people have been enjoying it. I was told that one absolutely jam-packed bar in Cardiff put our album on in full as soon as the Six Nations game between Wales and England ended. I found the idea of that quite odd. I imagine it’s a bit of a departure from the typical Welsh bar’s post-game mix of Tom Jones and Stereophonics.

Heddwyn: We did stack all the Pop hits at the top of the album, so I guess that could work. This week has been totally full-on. Shadow on Your Heart is the first album we’ve put out ourselves, so all the stuff like mailing pre-orders; getting records in shops, coordinating the online stuff - it’s been an almost overwhelming shock to the system at times. Plus, my arm still hurts a bit from printing all those album sleeves. We had an artist, John Abell, design the cover art as a woodcut and we hand printed each one. When I say ‘we’, John did most of it: I helped. It’s a really physical process that’s kind of hard on the knees as well. Worth it though. Those covers are beautiful, individual works of art!

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

Heddwyn: We are a maverick Art-Rock four-piece from Cardiff. Myself on vocals and viola; Andrew on guitar; Graf on bass and Huw on drums.

How did Threatmantics start life? When did you all get together?

Heddwyn: We formed in Cardiff Art School way back in 2005. Back then we had a different guitarist and Huw would play the basslines on a keyboard while drumming. Andrew became our guitarist just before our second album and Graf invented the role of Threatmantics bass player soon after.

Tell me about your new album, Shadow on Your Heart. Was it quite a quick album to put together or was it quite a gradual process?

Heddwyn: The songwriting and recording of it was actually pretty fluid. The sound of it was well-formed and translated really well in the studio. It’s everything that followed that took time. We had a couple of hard maybes from some labels, but it became apparent we were going to have to put it out ourselves; navigating the music industry in its unfiltered state. At times it’s been like staring into the Ark of the Covenant: faces turning to melty plasticine as you try and navigate the PRS website. On top of all that, we decided to hand-print three-hunred record sleeves! The end, however, has more than justified the means.

What sort of themes and inspirations go into the songs on the record?

Heddwyn: Musically, this is our first record with a full-time bass guitar player. As a result, so many of the songs started with bass and drums. We’d never really written that way before. It’s definitely given the record a different sound. As for themes, there are a few. The use of respectable veneers to hide lies and malicious intent is a recurring one. I used quite a few films as jumping-off-points for some of the songs on there - Heaven’s Gate, Funny Games; Office Space, The Third Man plus a few more. To set the mood, or as a spark for other ideas.

In terms of music, do you share tastes? Would one find similar albums in your collections?

Graf: Not really. I think this is reflected in the difficulty to pin down what it is that we do. We all bring differing tastes and influences to the table, chuck it all in a pot and then poke it with breadsticks until you’ve got a meal/band (I might try and get the Fondue-Rock scene off the ground. Probably not though.) Obviously, we all cross over at various points but there’s very little we *all* totally agree on except maybe Mclusky/FOTL and Gorky’s/Euros Childs.

Heddwyn: You’d find completely different tastes between my C.D. collection, my vinyl collection and what’s on my phone. It’s a complete mess before we even think about comparing it to the rest the band.

Andrew: My taste is broad - which means I do touch on a lot of different aspects of the other guy’s tastes. If I had to say a point where our tastes coalesce, it’s Super Furry Animals and Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci with a hint of AC/DC (one member might disagree with that last one).

You are a Welsh band. Do you find there is still an underappreciation of Welsh music and the quality there?

Andrew: There seems to have been a slight shift regarding attitudes towards Welsh music, in particular music sung through the Welsh language. The Internet has given an outlet for Welsh language bands to reach out further than ever and people are listening. That’s pretty heartening for me.

Graf: We are a European band. Now is not the time for pigeonholes and borders.

Heddwyn: We did record half the album in Paris after all. When we first started out, we’d get people come up to us really annoyed that we sang some songs in Welsh. Like we’d offended them somehow. That doesn’t seem to happen anymore, which is progress of sorts I guess. Though you still get people who are bitterly, stridently nationalistic about being Welsh but who really hate the language and anyone who speaks it. It’s really weird.

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

Andrew: Playing before The Zombies, ten minutes up the road from where I was born, was a big deal for me.

Heddwyn: That Rheola Fest was a lot of fun! There are so many moments from playing gigs or being on tour…or even just practice session. But maybe the thing that pokes through past all that was when we got the first box of our first album through from Domino. The feeling of pride in that plastic-wrapped bundle of legitimacy was pretty singular. It’s like when we finally finished hand-printing and then assembling our new record; seeing them all stacked up and ready to go. It’s a different kind of emotional reward to playing live. Not better, just different.

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

Graf: Super Furry Animals – Radiator

Consistently my number-one album for the last twenty years. Had it on both sides of a C90 tape and listened to it on the bus to and from college every day which, with hindsight, may well have played a very large part in me making the decision to move from the Midlands to Cardiff. Every different machine, headphones or speakers I play it on brings out a new line or melody or hook I’ve not noticed before (even now). It really is the gift that keeps giving.

Andrew: Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

I first heard it at the start of summer, right after the long slog of GCSEs. Every time I hear it now, I’m taken back to that feeling of total freedom and warm breezes. The songs are amazing too, obviously.

Heddwyn: When I was very young, I got given my uncle’s collection of Bob Dylan records. At the time, I was obsessed with The Times They Are a-Changin’ but it’s probably The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan that’s stayed with me the most, even if that’s mostly due to songs that aren’t his.  

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

Andrew: I’d support either Ariana Grande or Guided by Voices and would have all of the halloumi fries on my rider, please.

Heddwyn: I want halloumi fries! I’d love to support Micachu/Mica Levi. Thought the stuff she did with The Shapes was great and the soundtrack for Under the Skin was just ridiculously good. I’d be intrigued to see how she’d perform live now, how those two worlds would interweave.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Andrew: Don’t wait for someone else to do it for you. In 2019, it’s easier than ever to put yourself out there and control your own destiny.

Graf: You can do it. It’s in your own hands. Don’t wait for someone else’s approval. If you want to do it just get on and do it. Also, if that person seems a bit creepy or sketchy or useless it’s probably because they are a bit creepy and/or sketchy and/or useless.

Heddwyn: Don’t have only halloumi fries on your rider: get some fruit and veg on there too.

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

Graf: Firming up details of a London show in the very near-future and summer festival dates to be announced soon. We’re always open to offers.

If we came to one of your live shows, what might we expect?

Andrew: Graf climbing on something, usually.

Heddwyn: The unexpected! Guitar solos on viola, viola solos on guitar! Punk, Rock; Folk, Pop and Metal all coming at you from every conceivable angle. Oh, and Pokémon tattoos.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Silent Forum/PHOTO CREDIT: The Shoot

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Andrew: Silent Forum, Big Thing; Perfect Body, Omaloma; Los Blancos, Serol Serol; Joe Armon-Jones and PREP are all relatively recent artists I’ve enjoyed. Silent Forum recently supported us at our album launch show.

Graf: Silent Forum, Perfect Body and Oh Peas!

Heddwyn: Zefur Wolves have a new album out soon. Their last one was great. Troubled Soul is such a good song! Not sure if they count as new but I don’t exactly have my finger on the pulse.

IN THIS PHOTO: Big Thing

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

Andrew: I mostly unwind from music by learning about music. It’s a problem. I’m the kind of guy who entertains himself by researching an artist’s chart history. Read in to that what you will.

Graf: Ah. Those sweet, sweet day jobs.

Heddwyn: Yeah, I work as a sound engineer/designer. Threatmantics ties in pretty well with that - there’s a lot of crossover. Away from sound and music it’s probably films, T.V.; PlayStation - the usual. I do enjoy a pub quiz. Huw probably has the most interesting hobby: he plays flag American football for Cardiff on the weekends.

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).

Andrew: Carw - Lanterns

Graf: Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – The Wizard & the Lizard. It came up on shuffle while I was in the park in the sunshine this lunchtime which reminded me what absolute bonkers-genius it is

Heddwyn: The Victorian English Gentlemens Club - Fire in the Wife. Criminally underrated

Huw (in absentia): Mclusky - Lightsaber Cocksucking Blues. It’s what he would have wanted

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INTERVIEW: Hawksley Workman

INTERVIEW:

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Hawksley Workman

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IT is a bit of a brief chat but Hawksley Workman...

has been telling me about his single, Stoners Never Dream, and its music video; what we can expect from the album, Medium Age Wasteland (out 1st March), and whether he has a favourite cut from the record - I ask whether he has any particular favourite albums and sounds.

The songwriter reveals a few approaching artists worth a look and whether he prefers life in the studio or stage; what he does away from music and the advice he would give to songwriters emerging right now - he selects a cool song to end the interview with.

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

Great. Excited for new music to come out on March 1st, though it’s always a strange time… 

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

I’m Hawksley Workman: writes songs; does the shows; wrote a play; started a Rock band; wrote some more songs.

The video for Stoners Never Dream is out. How did the concept come together? What is the song about?

I thought it might be funny to portray babies. So full of life and promise... as stay-at-home stoner burn-outs.  

Tell me about the album, Median Age Wasteland, and its themes? How did the music come together?

There's a lot of nostalgia on Median Age Wasteland. Lots of looking back at the late twentieth-century. Some humorous stuff, some awfully sad stuff. As usual, too, there's all the standard anthropomorphizing of birds and wolves and foxes. I wrote this record in the mornings on coffee. It was mostly winter and I was hunkering down. It was my first winter in Montréal.

Do you have a personal favourite song from the album?

Definitely Battlefords. It feels like a real beautiful surprise.

Which artists were important to you growing up? Who do you rank as idols?

The Beatles, Michael Jackson; Led Zeppelin, Chick Corea; The Smiths, Bruce Cockburn and Laurie Anderson.

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Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

I played with David Bowie in a Roman coliseum in the South of France one time. That was a definite standout.

What is the music scene like in Canada right now and how do you think it differs from the rest of the world?

The scene is changing - like it is everywhere I imagine. But maybe I’m not really part of a scene and maybe I don't really know. But my sense is the new music models like streaming are having a drastic affect.

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

It's really hard to say. That list might change every day but at this moment: Joni Mitchell - The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Bruce Cockburn - Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws and Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage. 

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?  

Well, goodness. I'd say that music is a calling, which is to say it is the life that chooses YOU, you don't choose IT.

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Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?  

There's lots of tour dates posted and still being announced at hawksleyworkman.com.

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

I love both. I really, honestly, don't have a favourite.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Daniel Romano

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?  

Daniel Romano, Andy Shauf and Donovan Woods.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Andy Shauf/PHOTO CREDIT: Zach Caddy

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

Music kinda just lives in my skin - at least that's how it feels. I like riding my bike and lifting weights too.

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'd love to hear Laurie Anderson - Gravity's Angel. Thanks for this!

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INTERVIEW: Izzy Thomas

INTERVIEW:

Izzy Thomas

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TO start this week...

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Izzy Thomas has been discussing her new single, Trouble (Pull the Trigger), and what it is about; if we might get some more material soon and the albums that hold a special place in her heart; the artists she grew up listening to.

I wanted to know whether there will be tour dates and how Thomas’ songs come to mind; which artists she’d support if she had the opportunity; which rising artists are worth a look – she ends the interview by selecting a great new song.

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

Hectic as always but can't complain!

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

I am a half-British, half-Iranian recording artist that writes songs with a mixture of Alternative-Pop, along with the soul of Blues but the attitude of Rock.

Trouble (Pull That Trigger) is your new single. What is the tale behind it?

Trouble (Pull the Trigger) is an anthem for anybody who has felt belittled or like an outcast in their life. This song’s about standing up for yourself towards the B.S. that stands in your way! I feel like, especially for women right now, this is a big deal.

Is there going to be more material coming later this year?

Definitely. My next single is getting mastered today. I have visuals and a story for its music video in my head!

Which artists were important to you growing up? Who do you rank as idols?

Michael Jackson, I’d say, was the biggest influence; Queen, vocally and, for her message, Christina Aguilera. Her first Stripped album - where she wrote with the likes of Linda Perry and Alicia Keys - was absolutely amazing. It was so diverse but still represented her.

How do songs come to you? Will you set time aside to write or do you let inspiration hit? 

A bit of both really. I think all songwriters agree that you can put in the work and have a cool song but, when it comes from a particular happening or emotion, then often the song will kinda just fall on your lap.

Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

Last week, I was premiered by Billboard! That was pretty cool. I don’t know...my career is surprising me all the time.

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

Michael Jackson – Bad

Dirty Diana is my favourite song!

Christina Aguilera – Stripped

Honest, real and raw.

Green Day - American Idiot

Very political but for all the right reasons. This sound smacked me in the face when I was a kid. I really got more in to Punk after this.

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

Bishop Briggs is really cool; Lenny Kravitz, someone like that! I'd request Jaffa Cakes on my rider - vegan Jaffa Cakes though!

You campaign for Autism Awareness. What was the reason for getting involved for that charity? 

My brother has Asperger’s syndrome. I think, if a young person like myself was visiting schools and educating young people on what it actually is, my brother would have had a much easier childhood. I would have too.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

A lot of voices will give you a lot of different pieces of advice: don’t forget to listen to your voice...and your gut!

Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?

Tour, maybe, in a few months. I plan to (definitely) do a few festivals this year. 

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

I like the freedom of playing live: in the studio everything's a little too perfect and nothing’s spontaneous. Performing is when you get first-hand experience of how your song is going down with the listener. 

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Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

KilliT are an awesome new Rock band who are also friends of mine. Donna Missal is cool; Gareth Esson and Finding Kate.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Donna Missal

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

I like to be around my friends and family. I’m easily pleased! It’s important because it keeps me grounded. I love going to this shooting ranch in Camden. We fire at targets and it’s the most fun thing!

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).

Finding Kate - Drowning 

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INTERVIEW: SVRCINA

INTERVIEW:

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SVRCINA

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MY only interview of the weekend is with SVRCINA...

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who has been telling me about her new single, Insecure, and filming its amazing video. I ask whether there might be more material coming along and what it was like finding Insecure on Spotify playlists; what Nashville is like as a base and which rising artists we need to watch out for.

SVRCINA discusses her musical process and upbringing; how she unwinds away from music and the albums that mean the most to her – she selects a pretty cool song to end the interview and provides some treasured memories from her career.

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

Oh my heavens, hello! Thank you so much for asking! I’m doing well and my week has been wonderful so far. The weather in Nashville has been a bit cold and rainy but I’ve been cosy working from my apartment, drinking endless amounts of coffee and tackling more administrative aspects. BUT, starting tomorrow, I’ll get to be creative and have writing sessions the rest of the week! I hope your week is off to a spectacular start also!

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

Yes! My name is SVRCINA and I’m an independent, Alternative-Pop artist based in Nashville, TN. Originally from Dearborn, MI, I moved to Nashville in 2010 with my parents at fourteen after signing my first publishing deal. Living and working in Nashville has been a slow and steady journey and the artist I am now is not the artist I thought I would be when I moved...but I’m so grateful for the refining process.

A study abroad trip to China in 2016 really sparked something in me and it led me to start expanding and exploring what collaboration looked/sounded like with creatives in other major music cities around the world, like London and Berlin. The process of traveling and meeting so many new people and experiencing different cultures has really inspired and shaped the music I’ve been creating. It’s been an adventure experimenting with blending Pop and light/ethereal elements with global flavors, merging Nashville with the international music community. 

Insecure is your new single. Is it based on personal experiences? 

So. I confess the song wasn’t initially inspired by a specific experience but, on many occasions, I have related to the overarching themes of being willing to recognize when you’re in an extremely unhealthy relationship and regaining a sense of freedom and independence by establishing personal boundaries. It’s an important song for me because, even as a little girl, I can remember so many instances of wrestling with severe insecurity; trying to please everyone around me to the point of simply not being truthful and feeling totally paralyzed in fear. I found that trying to play the field of ‘people pleasing’ accomplished quite the opposite every single time and, whatever situation I was facing, it always escalated in the wrong direction with all parties involved.  

The confidence expressed in the song isn’t embracing being arrogant but rather advocates being both loving and honest. I don’t think I really grasped that it was possible to be both at the same time but, as I’m learning that it is, I’m also learning that, when necessary, it’s really okay to draw healthy boundaries.

The video looks pretty cool. Was it cool working on that?

It was such an awesome experience! I am in total awe and admiration of Bree Marie Fish and her crew for her amazing creativity for this video. We had a brainstorming session with Bree and my manager and team at Resin8 Music, Wendy Duffy and Emma Smith. We really dove in and talked through the core message of the song and what would aesthetically feel authentic. Bree’s concept sparked from the themes of recognizing when a relationship is unhealthy and exercising the freedom to establish personal boundaries. We also talked through the project as a whole and certain goals we are trying to accomplish visually, combining ethereal and sophisticated elements with a global feel wherever possible.

Creating a music video is new territory for me, so it was majorly helpful to process everything together and really stretch myself to think outside the box in how a universal concept could be expressed in a different, artful way. After our round table discussion, Bree created the video concept and sent our team a treatment and there was no question in our minds that this direction was a super creative way to go. 

What was it like seeing the song promoted by Spotify and featuring on their playlists?

I just went in waves of crying! Haha. I’m definitely a sentimental person and was constantly overwhelmed - knowing how many people are involved - and worked so hard to bring the song to life. As an independent team, everyone was so generous with their creativity and have been relentless advocates. So, to catch a glimmer of Spotify’s support and see it start to immediately resonate felt like the biggest high-five and hug for our entire team. 

Might we see more material coming soon?

Yes! We’re releasing a project, single-by-single, and have some collaborations sprinkled in between! Our next release is a collaboration set for March 1st with Enhanced artist Man Cub. I wrote the topline with a dear friend and collaborator, Michael McEachern, and am super-excited about it. The next single from my project is set for March 29! 

Which artists were important to you growing up? Who do you rank as idols?

Growing up, Christian and Praise and Worship music were foundational for me and I gradually started expanding and fell in love with Country music and then Adult Contemporary and other genres (you could say that I’m an old soul). I would come home from school and practice different songs from artists like Natalie Grant, Brooke Fraser; Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill; Reba, Patsy Cline and Céline Dion. It’s a bit all over the map but, once I moved to Nashville and started working, that’s when my perspective started to shift and even more so in the Pop/Electronic space starting in 2014. I have always been drawn to singers that are super-emotional.

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Nashville is where you are from. Is it a great city to get inspired by and find opportunities?

Although I wasn’t born in Nashville, it has truly become my home. The journey of living and working in Nashville has been completely transformative and I can’t overstate how much I’ve learned here and how grateful I am for the community. The city is growing and evolving just as much as the people and it’s been so exciting to have a front row seat to the changes, to watch up and coming artists/producers/writers of all genres succeed and play a role in being creative.

There are so many that I’m completely inspired by and, on the whole, I’ve found the community to be extremely supportive of one-another and openhearted to collaboration!

Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

That’s so tough. I have so many.

But, if I can combine a set of memories, early last year I took a giant leap of faith and spent three months living and working in Berlin, Germany. In that season, my publisher was an arm of Kobalt Music and the Kobalt Berlin team was extremely gracious to pair me with many producers and writers in the local community. I fell so in love with the city, the people and the creative community there.

Everything about that season was so far outside my comfort but it was a pivotal and most refreshing time of creative and personal discovery. And, in that time, the lightbulb went on in so many ways for me and my team and helped us set the course for the artistic direction visually/sonically with all these new releases!

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

Definitely a pretty eclectic mix here but here we go:

Rascal Flatts - Feels Like Today

I confess the song God Bless the Broken Road was the original spark that inspired me to want to be a singer. At eight, I essentially heard the song and saw the music video and somehow determined that singing was something I wanted to do in some form or fashion for the rest of my life. I would come home from school and run down to the basement in our house, turn on the album and practice singing to all the songs for hours. I love the storytelling aspect of Country music and this was my first introduction to the genre. 

Brooke Fraser – Albertine

I don’t even remember who introduced me to this project but I remember buying it when I was twelve (probs my mom buying it; thanks mom!), and it was the first artist I was exposed to that wrote all her own songs. I would listen to the album from top to bottom, over and over again; reading every word in the C.D. lining and enthralled by how beautifully poetic the lyrics were. And, even in my limited understanding of the meaning to most of the songs, I was inspired by the idea of using music as a vehicle to say something meaningful.

Ellie Goulding - Halcyon Days

I have one older brother, Dallas, who’s four-and-a-half years older than me. After he left for college and started working, my mom would always encourage us to not lose touch with each other...but for us to do everything we can to build/strengthen our relationship no matter what direction our lives took. My brother is a true music lover and has such a great ear. He started sending me artists he was discovering and sharing new music became a way we started building a genuine friendship.

I remember this album was one of the first that he shared and I completely fell in love with every single song and even more with the idea that we’d found something to relate to each other. Right around that time, I was also just beginning to explore pop music artistically so this album became a significant reference point. 

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

Great question. There are so many artists I would honestly fall over to support. I feel like I’d probably say someone different in different seasons but a dream would definitely be to support an artist like Clean Bandit. I love their creative approach, infusing global elements and the way they collaborate with other artists. They’re super-inspiring to me and supporting them would be a total slice of heaven.

And, ideally, I’d keep the rider vibe super-low-key but I confess coffee would always be embraced with an open heart (and is very essential to my creative process and overall existence).

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I’m learning so much every day and I’ve barely scratched the surface but maybe the first thing that comes to mind is to embrace the slow and steady process of creative exploration, enduring rejection; doing a deeper search for the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ and seeking true wisdom from those you trust. I learned there are no shortcuts around the process of refinement and, while it can feel excruciatingly slow and painful, growth upon a solid foundation is crucial for longevity. 

I also believe it’s super-important to not allow your heart to be hardened/jaded by disappointment and rejection. Both are part of the process and it will wonders for your level of joy, if you can allow them to build within you character and perseverance and embrace an element of flexibility for your journey to go in maybe a different direction than you thought.

Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?

I believe so, yes! We’re planning for an L.P. release show in Nashville sometime mid-May and looking at possibly some potential tour dates in the late May/June realm!

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

In this season of being an artist, performing is a definitely a newer element to incorporate - but a hugely significant one for me. My manager, Wendy Duffy, and I and our growing team have been spending the last five years really digging into the artist development process and everyone has been so patient and gracious. But now that my project is coming together, I’m so ready to start sharing it in the live setting.

As for preference, I don’t think I have one. I love the creative process. Being able to dig for the best performance in the studio and creating melodies never gets old but then, once it all gets put together, being able to express a song live is totally fulfilling in a different way!

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Daniella Mason

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

There are so many incredible artists in the Nashville area that are slaying and super-inspiring. To name just a few: Super Duper, Daniella Mason; Sam Tinnesz, Fleurie; SOLARSUNS, Sarah Reeves; Stela Cole, Brigetta and Jon Santana. 

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IN THIS PHOTO: Sarah Reeves

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

I do love music so much, so working is definitely not something I dread. But it is important to step away and refresh! I'm a fervent advocate of a quality dinner party. Haha. Probably one of my favorite things in the whole world is wrapping up the day and just sitting at the kitchen table, or sharing a cup of coffee with my mom or family or friends and having quality/deep conversations about life.

Sometimes, I feel like a granny but I really do love sharing stories; hearing/learning about other people’s lives and just chatting - maybe playing a card game or some antique shopping or something delightful like that. And, if it’s super-low-key (as in, I’m by myself), deep cleaning/re-organizing is an extremely relaxing/satisfying option. 

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).

Human - Daniella Mason

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INTERVIEW: Bellah

INTERVIEW:

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Bellah

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THIS is definitely the final interview of the week...

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and I have been speaking with Bellah about her music and the new track, Never Loved. She reveals its story and discusses the upcoming E.P., Last Train Home. I was curious to know which albums have made the biggest impact on her and whether she prefers the stage or the studio.

Bellah talks about future plans and highlights some rising artists to watch; whether there will be any tour dates and what advice she would provide musicians emerging – she selects a cool song to end the interview with.

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

Hey! I’m great, thank you. My week’s been good too.

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

My name is Bellah. I’m twenty-two, London-born Nigerian; originally from North London but now I reside in Essex. I grew up doing musical theatre and so I developed a love for music and the arts from there. I started writing and creating my own music when I was seventeen and I’ve been working on me and my music since then.

Never Loved is your new single. Is there a story behind it?

I had a weird and frustrating end to a previous relationship and I was looking to him for closure but he wasn’t willing to give me that. So, I had a bunch of unanswered questions and it was infuriating. They say you should write down your feelings apparently and so I started writing diary entries and that did not help one bit. Haha!

So, I guess the song was the closure I needed.

It is from the upcoming E.P. Last Train Home. What sort of themes and experiences do you bring to the tracks?

Last Train Home is literally my thoughts recorded. Every song is different but fits perfectly on the E.P. (It’s actually quite weird). They’re not all love songs - which I thought was needed because I wanted it to be as me as possible - and I don’t think I’m at a stage in life where I can write those and actually mean it.

Which artists were important to you growing up? Who do you rank as idols?

Michael Jackson, Lauryn Hill; Destiny’s Child, Luther Vandross; Usher, Justin Timberlake; Ne-Yo…the list goes on really.

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

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill; So Far Gone (mixtape) – Drake (I know it’s not an album but O.M.G.) and Off the Wall - Michael Jackson

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is self-explanatory: I mean, to me, they all are but that album really showed me what it was to be an open book. That album was incredible.

The So Far Gone mixtape is actually a masterpiece. I was thirteen, singing about things I had no business singing about and I loved every minute of it. Lust for Life, Sooner than Later; Houstatlantavegas - absolutely amazing.

Off the Wall has my favourite song of all time on it - Rock with You. Michael is a genius and this whole album just makes me feel warm.

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

I would love to support H.E.R., Kehlani or Ariana Grande.

And my rider would just be excessive amounts of Chinese/Japanese food, Fiji Water; strawberries, raspberries; grapefruits, mangos; strawberry lemonade and a humidifier.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Study and work on your craft until you become undeniable; never stop learning and listen to the people around you that you consider more advanced or more credible to you.

Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?

I couldn’t tell you if I wanted to (haha), but hopefully.

How important is performing? Do you prefer it to life in the studio?

If you asked this question a year ago I would have told you I preferred performing but spending time creating and writing holds a special place in my heart now so I love performing and life in the studio equally.

What is your favourite career memory so far?

A stand out moment for me in music was when I performed at a local festival in 2014. It was held outside in a tent and for the whole day before I performed it was clear skies and then, ten minutes before I performed, it started pouring down with rain. This forced everyone - whether they where attending the show or not - to huddle into the tent. So, I got a much bigger crowd than I expected and fate just so had it that my now managers were in the audience. I had dancers and backing vocalists; it really felt like my concert!

 IN THIS PHOTO: Summer Walker

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I’ve been obsessed with Summer Walker. She’s really cool.

What do you think of the modern scene and the sounds coming out?

I think music is evolving as it does and as it should. I’m happy that music has more influences from around the world now as well. I’m here for the fusion of genres and creating new sounds. I also love that R&B is making a comeback!

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

I don’t really but, when I do have time to myself, I love travelling and eating. Food is amazing. Haha!

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).

needy - Ariana Grande

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INTERVIEW: Matthew Gordon Price

INTERVIEW:

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PHOTO CREDIT: Taylor Harford

Matthew Gordon Price

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THIS time around...

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I get to speak with Matthew Gordon Price about his new single, Grow Old Together, and how that came to life. I ask what sort of music compels him and what he has in store going forward; some approaching artists we need to check out and how he unwinds away from music.

Price discusses his tour plans and gives advice to upcoming artists; how his music has evolved since his earliest days and which artist(s) he’d support on tour if he had the chance – he picks a cool song to end the interview with.

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

It’s been a bit hectic and we’ve had lots of practice for a few live sessions which are coming up but, apart from that, just focusing on the new releases

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

I was born in Somerset, originally, and now live in Devon. I’m in a few projects currently but my main focus is my original material which currently showcases an Indie-Folk vibe but I’m always writing different types of tracks – Classical, Indie; Rock-y-Folk stuff so, in the future, there might be a surprise or two.

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When did music arrive in your life? Did you discover it young?

Ever since I was young, I’d always be found creating mix tapes or listening to my parent’s collection of music which ranged from Bob Marley to Queen.

Are there any musicians you consider to be idols and big influences for you?

My Favourite band is and always will be Queen (maybe The Kinks. Haha) but my main influences are Damien Rice, Noah Gundersen and Keaton Henson.

Can you talk about your new single, Grow Old Together, and what it concerns?

It has a different pace to what I usually write but I really wanted to get my more upbeat Folk tunes out this year and I feel this track will have a few people saying “this is different”…hopefully. The song itself is about how sometimes you feel you’ve found the one you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with but end up being wrong…and then you fall into something new but you’re wrong again (haha) until finally you actually get it right.

Do you feel like there might be even more material coming later in the year?

I have a few more tracks lined up which will probably appear on an E.P. together. They will be Arrows and Everything I Could.

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How do you feel your music has changed and evolved since the early days?

I’ll be honest: in the early days I couldn’t really sing, couldn’t really play a guitar very well or write very well. Haha. So, I’ll say that, hopefully, it keeps changing and I keep experimenting with sounds to really craft songs that I am proud of and that people enjoy.

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

I wouldn’t say a fave memory but I’ll say that sometimes when you have a gig or even live session where you almost lose yourself in the moment and you’re really gone. Hard to explain but I’ve had it a few times and nothing comes close to that…well, currently, anyway…

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

Keaton Henson - Romantic Works

A Classical album by one of my fave musicians – it’s perfect.

Damien Rice – O

This is, by far, my fave album and it’s because Damien Rice. Simple

Queen - Greatest Hits

It got me through my whole childhood and it’s still up there as one of my faves.

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

I’d love to support Mumford & Sons, Matt Corby or Damien Rice. My rider would have to include bottle of Honey Jack Daniel’s; Papa John’s pizza and probably some Dreemys from Aldi.

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What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Practice a lot. Write a lot. And email every venue at least three times (if they don’t reply to you the first two times - persistence is key).

Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?

We have a few for 2019 and festivals but we can’t announce anything yet I’m afraid. More info on www.matthewgordonprice.com.

How important is it being on stage and performing to the people?

It’s funny as I started music because I wanted to entertain, then I learned how to play and write and then became much more involved with writing for myself and thought I’ll play what I want etc. But now I’m in the middle and realise you got to please the crowd but also you have to write for yourself.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Noah Gundersen/PHOTO CREDIT: Eric Tra

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Allen Stone; Noah Gundersen; Jamie Yost; Drakes Island.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Jamie Yost/PHOTO CREDIT: Richie Bolgiani

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

I usually get Monday to Thursdays off from singing but usually we are doing some sort of admin and sometimes we do have to practice.

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).

Drakes Island – Only Passing Through

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INTERVIEW: Callaghan Belle

INTERVIEW:

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Callaghan Belle

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THANKS to the terrific Callaghan Belle...

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for telling me about her recent single, Dear Detroit, and what it is about. I ask her about her base of Detroit and how she views the music of the present and the icons of the past; whether there are particular records that have inspired her and whether there is more material coming along.

The young songwriter discusses artists she counts as idols; who she’d support on tour if she had the chance; whether there is any advice she’d give to rising artists – she picks an excellent song to end things on.

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Hi, Callaghan Belle. How are you? How has your week been?

Thank you so much for having me! My week has been chaotic and exciting. I’ve been waiting to release music for a long time.

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

Yes, of course. I’m a songwriter and musician from Detroit but I currently live in Los Angeles. I’ve been working behind the scenes as a songwriter for a few years - but now I’m finally releasing material as an artist.

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When did music arrive in your life? Did you discover it young?

It’s funny...I can’t remember a time before music and I don’t know why it started. When I was really young, I’d write a couple songs every day. At some point, my mom realized I had about ten notebooks full of lyrics. From there, my parents were supportive. I didn’t realize there was anything unusual about a little kid writing music: I thought everyone was doing it.

Which artists do you count as role models and inspirations?

So many. My current list includes The Beatles, Lana Del Rey; Kelly Clarkson, JoJo; The Pretty Reckless, Troye Sivan; Dolly Parton, Led Zeppelin; Aly & AJ…I could go on.

Dear Detroit is your new single. Can you reveal the story behind it?

I wrote Dear Detroit after a meeting at The Beverly Hills Hotel where I’d been told that my music needed to be “more about guns” and conflict. It was ignorant advice coming from people in such a privileged environment. But it inspired me to write about the internal battle that takes place when you move away from home. This is a song about feeling homesick for a sense of belonging, whether that stems from a person, a place; an emotion etc.

Thinking about Detroit, do you have any thoughts regarding the changing sound of the city and your favourite Detroit icons?

Wow, great question. My fascination with Detroit icons started very young - Anita Baker is actually my godmother. So, I grew up around one of the most soulful voices in history. I think it’s incredible that Motown, Bob Seger; Eminem etc. all come from the same city. To me, that says so much about Detroit and its depth.

What is Detroit like for a young songwriter? Is its slight inner-city regeneration a positive sign?

I’ve lived in Los Angeles for almost three years now so I’m kind of ‘the outsider’ who shouldn’t comment on the state of the city. But, when I was growing up, I was pretty isolated as a songwriter. Right before I moved, some friends of mine bought a church in Corktown and turned it into a recording studio. The goal was to create a collaborative place for musicians to meet and work. Now it’s this full community of artists and songwriters and it’s absolutely beautiful. Progress like that contributes so much to positive regeneration. 

Do you feel like there might be even more material coming later in the year?

Yes! It’s crazy to admit this but my first album has actually been done for two years now. People kept telling me to wait to release it and I listened for some reason. Now, people are asking why I still want to release it. You just can’t win. (Laughs). But, Sovereign is my baby. So, it’ll be out later this year. I’m also releasing a song called Paranoia on February 22.

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

My favourite memory is probably working with JoJo. It was one of those moments where I had to be professional but my inner ten-year-old was absolutely freaking out. She’s the reason I started singing, so working with her and listening to her sing my lyrics was just surreal.

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

In no particular order:

Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson

I learned to sing from this album! When I was eight-years-old, I would sing along to Since U Been Gone at the top of my lungs during every car ride with my mom. Kelly has been my vocal inspiration for as long as I can remember.

Born to Die - Lana Del Rey

This album changed my entire approach to songwriting. Lana sings poetry. Her music showed me that you can paint a story and create an entire persona through your lyrics.

Beatles for Sale - The Beatles

This album just brings me back to my childhood. I was raised on The Beatles.

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

I’d love to tour with any powerhouse female artist. Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande; Kelsea Ballerini -I’ll go any genre. That’s the goal. Are we talking dressing room rider? I’m pretty low-maintenance. I’d probably ask for a piano and a jar of peanut butter. (Laughs).

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Ugh. I’m a new artist coming through! (Laughs). I don’t feel entitled enough to give advice yet. But, I guess I’d say just do your thing. You will get so much unsolicited advice about your sound, your look and your choices. At some point, it will overwhelm you. Take it all with a grain of salt and follow your instincts. You don’t want to launch a career on a song you only half believe in. Do your thing.

Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?

I’ve wanted to tour since I was a little girl. So, yes, hopefully sooner rather than later.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Sasha Sloan

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Some new artists I’ve been listening to lately are Sasha Sloan, Alec Benjamin; Bahari, Lennon Stella… I could go on.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Lennon Stella

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

I actually go to school in my free time: I’m majoring in political science. So, after a day in the studio, I come home and read about political theories. (Laughs). It definitely doesn’t help me unwind. But, I think the key to not burning out is achieving balance. So, on an ideal chill day, I’m completely unplanned. I’ll spend time with my friends. I love road trips. I love traveling. Going to the beach, hiking; playing the piano. Being spontaneous and creative is key.

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

There’s a song called Janey by Foy Vance. It’s a few years old but it’s helped me repeatedly pull through heartbreak and grief. I’m sharing just in case anybody needs to hear it right now

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INTERVIEW: Shayfer James

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Acid Test Photography  

Shayfer James

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WITH an E.P. out in the world...

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I have been speaking with Shayfer James about Hope and a Hand Grenade and the latest track, Mercy Down. James talks about music arriving in his life and which three albums are most important to him – he recommends some rising artists to check out.

I ask what his home of New Jersey is like in terms of music and whether there will be tour dates; whether he feels it is important to put spirit and uplift into his music – the musician picks a great live track to end the interview with.

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

Been a damn fine week, thank you. In fact, the highest-streaming week on Spotify I’ve ever had, so that’s exciting news!

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

Certainly. I’m a singer-songwriter, performer and film composer from New Jersey, U.S.A.

Hope and a Hand Grenade is your new E.P. Can you reveal what sort of themes inspired the songs?

The general theme was that hope really cannot exist without hopelessness; that we can’t expect things to be good or positive all the time. Life is an endless, beautiful; wonderful and perpetually more fascinating cycle of creation and destruction.

Mercy Down is the latest video released. What was the reason for the concept behind the video? Do you get much say regarding direction etc.?

I came up with the concept and directed it myself - though the D.P. Christopher M. Elassad had a huge hand in bringing the shot footage concept to life. I couldn’t have done it without him. The editor, Chris Wronka, was super-patient with me as I found more and more stock footage to help get my point across. I’ll leave the reason for it up to the watcher to decide (smiles).

Even though there are some dark tones in your music, you like to create a sense of uplift. Do you feel it is important to challenge the listener?

I think, even in everyday conversation, we either overthink or don’t think enough about how our ethics inform our social performance. I don’t know if it is important to challenge listeners but I do think it’s important to balance truth and rhetoric to tell a story in a way that is truthful but also entertaining.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Luz Maxine Nienow Castelazo

When did music arrive in your life? Did you discover it young?

Indeed. A pretty terrible accident almost took two of my fingers when I was very young. My mother nursed my hand back to health on the piano, so I’d say it discovered me thanks to her.

New Jersey is where you are from. How inspiring is the music around you and the history of Jersey?

New Jersey has an amazing history in every way, including musically. I mean, Frank Sinatra, The Four Seasons; The Misfits, Sugarhill Gang and Bruce Springsteen? It wasn’t just because I was from N.J. that I listened to these artists: they were all iconic and a big part of the music I was raised on.

PHOTO CREDIT: Cyrience Creative Studios

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

I think my favorite memories are always built around letting go a bit more. Trusting the talents and decisions of other artists I work with. Micromanaging is fuc*ing exhausting and it’s amazing to be surrounded by talented people who make it totally unnecessary.

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

Nat King Cole - Nat King Cole at the Piano

My favorite singer of all time in his perfect element.

Sam Cooke - Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963

Raw, unchained genius. His energy is palatable. So amazing.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand

I love T. Bone Burnett’s production on this album and hearing these two legendary singers take on familiar songs in truly unique way makes me so happy. I love falling asleep to this album.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Acid Test Photography/Joe Velez

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

That’s a tough one! I think I’d want to open for Elvis Costello, Fiona Apple or David Byrne - each for different but equally exciting reasons. My rider would be really simple: a bottle of Bluecoat Gin and some chocolate-covered pretzels with sea salt.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Keep going. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. 

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PHOTO CREDIT: Acid Test Photography/Joe Velez

Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?

I’m trying to be really strategic with touring. I’m watching my Spotify numbers and, as listenership increases, I start looking for good clubs and fans that can help me promote in the area. Right now, I’ve got my eyes on Chicago, Seattle; San Antonio and Los Angeles. It isn’t really necessary to get in the van anymore. I go where I know I can make my fans, the promoters and myself happy.

Might you come to the U.K. and perform at some point?

Would absolutely love to perform in the U.K.! I monitor regional streaming closely and will certainly plan a trip when the demand is there.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Brian Lawlor

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I have the pleasure of occasionally playing music with a total genius named Brian Lawlor. He’s a level of composer and keyboard player that is just astounding and humbling to me; exists as comfortably inside the box as he does outside of it. He’s playing keys with me at the E.P. release show in N.Y.C. on March 8th (at Rockwood Music Hall).

Really excited about that! I also really dig Coyle Girelli’s Love Kills record. It’s great throwback songwriting with a more polished modern production vibe.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Coyle Girelli

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

I enjoy silence a lot of the time I’m not creating. Silence is where all the good sh*t happens. I’m also really enjoying my NES Classic.

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’d love if you played Bring It on Home to Me from Sam Cooke - Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963

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INTERVIEW: SUMif

INTERVIEW:

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SUMif

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THE fantastic SUMif has been telling me about...

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her latest single, Obvious, and what its tale is. I wanted to discover which artists she grew up around and whether we might see more material coming along – SUMif reveals when music became her life and what life is like in San Francisco.

The U.S. songwriter chooses a few albums that are important to her; whether she will come to the U.K. and play; the artist she’d support given the chance and some rising musicians we need to follow – she chooses a cool track to end the interview with.

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

Fabulous! I just got back from a week skiing in Japan actually!

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

Sure thing. I’m SUMif. I’m based in San Francisco, California and I make Electro-Pop music. My main goal is to make you dance, or bob your head...or move at least a little. 

Obvious is your new track. What is the story behind the song?

Obvious is about the moment when I met someone who opened my eyes, who allowed me to see my truth clearly. At the time, I had been avoiding the reality of a certain situation but, all of a sudden, the answer was sitting in front of me in plain sight.  

Is there going to be more material coming along this year?

Always and forever will you be getting new material from me! But, yes, I have a little E.P. coming out very soon followed by many new singles and another E.P. 

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Do you recall which artists you were listening to growing up?

Yes! Lots of The Beatles, Sheryl Crow and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Those are the distinct names I can remember my parents loving, so they were often plated at home or in the car. 

Was there a moment when you realised songwriting and music was your calling?

I wrote a song my senior year of high-school about a boy (lolz) I met who lived across the country. We met at a pre-college summer camp of sorts. I was crazy about him and wrote this poppy little song on my acoustic guitar and sang it for my school talent show.

Someway, somehow, my song ended up getting voted our class graduation song  the song they play when you throw your hats up in the air…in front of the three-thousand-plus people in the audience…usually a song like Green Day’s Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) or Vitamin C’s Graduation would win.

It was the first time in my life that others saw my art and especially my songwriting as something worth paying attention to. I used this song to audition to the music program at NYU and, when I got in, it further led me to believe in myself as a songwriter. 

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You have become a San Francisco staple. How important is the area and the people?

S.F. is truly home. I could gush about the beauty of the Bay area for ages. I arrived in S.F. six years ago knowing essentially no one. I built a life there, one that I am so, so proud of. I am surrounded by the most fun brilliant excellent supportive people I could imagine there - they’re my family.

On top of that, I’ve able to build up my music project there and am a big fish in a little pond. In the Bay, they play me on the radio and I’m a go-to support act for smaller Pop acts that come through town. These are things that wouldn’t happen to me in L.A. where there are so many people trying to do exactly what I am.   

Do you have a standout memory from your time in music so far?

So, so many but, in this moment, I would say playing Pride on the main stage last summer. It was beyond my wildest hopes for the performance. The sun was shining; it was hot (very rare for S.F.) and there were somewhere between five-hundred and one-thousand people watching me but they weren’t just watching; they were jumping and singing and...it was everything. Playing at Pride and waving around a rainbow flag was really a true symbol of freedom for me and my journey with coming out and coming to terms with being gay. 

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

Odesza - In Return

Cinematic-Pop that makes me jump and pretend to bang on drums no matter where I am or what I’m doing. I’ve seen Odesza live over ten times – they truly embody my goal of making people want to move with my music. 

Tove Lo - Lady Wood

Tove Lo is an incredible songwriter, performer and artist. She is one of my biggest inspirations.   

Jack’s Mannequin - Everything in Transit

This album came out right around the time I got my first car, where it held a permanent position in the C.D. player. Each track was and still is Pop-Rock perfection in my book.     

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

Tove Lo. My rider would definitely have a ton of Harmless Harvest Coconut Water and RX bars. 

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Be authentic, be unapologetically yourself and don’t give up when it gets frustrating or hard - because it will be frustrating or hard most of the time. 

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Do you think there are going to any tour dates coming up?

I sure hope so. Right now, just S.F. on March 1st for Noise Pop Festival.

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

Dying to! Help me make it happen?

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Dagny/PHOTO CREDIT: Jonathan Vivaas Kise

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I’m a HUGE Scandinavian Pop fanatic…and my faves right now are Dagny, Sigrid; LÉON and ALMA.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Sigrid

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

I travel quite a bit, so I essentially save up my ‘chill time’ and my spend time away from music while seeing new places. My greatest passion aside from music is exploring new places but, when I’m at home and living a normal week, I tell myself that, if I have time to watch T.V. or a movie, then I have time to work on music.

So, I try not to do many ‘wind down’ activates. I am working on reading more though! I am learning French and, while it’s not really unwinding, it is something completely different that I do enjoy. 

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).

Hmmm. SO hard to pick just one song. But, right now, let’s go with Flight Facilities – Clair de Lune. Thanks so much!

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Follow SUMif

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INTERVIEW: Rasha Jay

INTERVIEW:

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Rasha Jay

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I am a little late putting this online...

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PHOTO CREDIT: Jordan Tempro 

but I have been speaking with Rasha Jay about her new single, Red Coat. I ask what it concerns and what we can expect from her upcoming E.P., High Dive – Rasha Jay talks about breaking down boundaries and when music came into her life.

The songwriter discusses a few albums important to her; whether she has plans for this year and what it is like stepping into Blues – a genre dominated by men – and whether there are challenges – she picks a great song to end the interview with.

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Hi, Rasha Jay. How are you? How has your week been?

I am well, thank you. My week has been great!

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

I am Rasha Jay; a singer and songwriter from the U.S. in the Alternative/Blues genre, mostly. Blues, mainly, because of how my voice comes across, I suppose, and Alternative in how I write my songs.

Can you tell me when you got into music? Were there particular records or artists that inspired that passion?

My family tells me that I’ve been singing since I was two or three; a relative would teach me Gospel songs on the front porch. I don’t recall it but seems about right! I was deeply drawn to music early on, hearing melodies and singing all of the time. Prince’s Sign o’ the Times album sticks out for me - I think it was mainly a black cover. I recall opening the album and reading the lyrics and being fascinated with the grooves.  

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 PHOTO CREDIT: @sayjor

You play in a Blues-Rock/Alt-Blues mould. It is traditionally populated by white men. Were there any hesitations stepping into that world?

No hesitations at all! It’s about storytelling and standing firm, singing your song. I have a song to sing and I rest on great shoulders; those unbridled voices I admire so much. I want to push it forward. I want to expand the story.

Do you think it is important that artists break down walls and barriers in order to bring about progression and evolution?

Yes, absolutely! I love the classic songs like everyone else but they’ve been done before. (And again and again as they should be). But, I’m more curious about what’s around the corner; what’s going to be a part of that lexicon that we can look back on in years to come? And, personally, am I pushing myself to seek new ways to convey my thoughts in song?

Red Coat is your new single. Is there a story behind it at all?

Red Coat is a song that I wrote, in part, years ago but it didn’t make my first E.P. It was something that always lingered around my mind, though. I sang the guitar riff all the time - it wouldn’t leave me. The song is about the murky, thick part of knowing yourself and how love can be abrasive. It’s also about how other’s behaviour can keep you from giving all that you have. To keep a part of yourself wrapped up is, I feel, perfectly fine and it happens within every relationship.

Can you reveal any details about your upcoming E.P., High Dive, and the sort of themes explored?

High Dive is a short journey about exploring different emotions, those that are conflicting and those that are tough. And, purposely, the songs have questions posed within the songs. They are questions that people ask of you and you ask of yourself.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

Yes. I can’t wait to release this single and its video! I’m also going to give listeners an inside view about how Red Coat was made in the studio with my co-producer, Katmaz. I can’t wait to go home to Maryland and sing these new songs live for my hometown and I’m planning my E.P. release show.

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 PHOTO CREDIT: Jordan Tempro 

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

My favorite time so far...that is tough!

But, I will say that playing live is my favorite thing to do and I am fortunate to know some talented musicians. One sticks out: my first show at The Twisted Elm in New Jersey a few years back. I’m playing with a new guitarist, Mike, and when my set was done they yelled “One more!” I was so shocked and humbled. Mike and I didn’t plan anything.

I looked to him and said “Plush by Stone Temple Pilots?” He nodded ‘yes’ and hit the chords. I had no idea if he knew it. I ended up doing two more encores that night. He knows every song. I keep him close to this day!

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

Michael Jackson - Thriller

For every reason imaginable; all the reasons. I used to close my eyes and wish that P.Y.T. was written for me. And, I was like, six-years-old! 

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Anita Baker - Rapture

My aunt and grandmother had her poster on their walls! She was my earliest female representation of a Rock star. I hadn’t heard a voice like that and I watched everyone who heard her songs have so many different responses. Some would get quiet and sway, others would jump up and sing out. That is real power.

Janet Jackson - Control

I danced and danced to this album as a kid. I knew every move she did on the videos; I was Janet in my mind. I thought I wanted to be both dancer and singer. I still dance but it’s reduced itself to jumping around and hip-swaying.

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

The Arctic Monkeys! My rider would just be a huge fan and some water. The fan and water to help me not faint at the thought of opening for them.  

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PHOTO CREDIT: Jordan Tempro

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I would say that whatever you are creating, know that everyone won’t be on board and you’ll have to ride alone. And that’s alright. Keep going.

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

I’m working on that, I promise! I played in the U.K. previously. Looking to head back there as well.

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 IN THIS PHOTO: Katmaz

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

My producer, Katmaz. His music is brooding and bubbling all at once. He gets me and my dark style and Red Coat couldn’t have sounded the way it does without our sync.

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

I unwind by listening to more music - I don’t want to get away from it. Late at night, I’m always looking for shows such as Rick and Morty and The Great British Bake Off.

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).

In true encore fashion, Plush by Stone Temple Pilots

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Follow Rasha Jay

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