BTW has a lovely rnb vibe and really positive vibes. What is the main idea behind it?
The main idea behind it was my trials and tribulations in my dating life This is what inspired this subject for BTW
For which lyric you are most proud of?
I swear these boys are the same thinking I was dumb enough to fall for the play. They be talking all night but they don’t ever act right. One of my favorite lyrics of BTW.
Your music has an old school vibe too. Are you into today’s RnB? Or do you prefer to listen to old classics?
I definitely like the old classics which is what inspired the track but I also love the new sounds that are out as well..
What would you change in the music industry?
What I would change is for the music industry to be more open-minded and not put everything in a box like they do.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I picture the state of mind when people want to be cheered up regarding a relationship that perhaps went wrong. I would hope this song inspires to laugh it off and move on and be proud of who you are.
When was the last time you danced?
I love to dance , I was dancing in my bedroom last night.
Los Angeles based artist Cush Wallace is showcasing his latest work titled Types of Way. His sound is characterised by deep, chill vibes. The lyrics from Types of Way will take you on a journey through the artist’s universe. Cush Wallace is using a classic instrumental to get his message across in the four-minute record. Driven by the constant hi hat loop, it is also heavy on the saturated 808s, guaranteed to make your sub shake. His flow is mostly clean and melodic with interesting moments of light use of autotune. Turn up the volume and listen to Types of Way below!
In Down South you blend country elements with a modern twist. What is your creative process like?
I create a guitar riff on top of electronic drums, then find a synth and bassline that blend together well, usually creating lryics last. They have to match the vibe!
Which song of the EP reflects you the most?
Werewolf
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Gorillaz, Billie Eilish, Diplo, NIN, TOOL, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
getting the project promoted has been a challenge. Particularly on a local level. My local independent radio station is picky
Favorite film ever?
Grandma’s Boy
What would you say is your biggest vice?
Negative thoughts. I also have high expectations that usually lead to being let down
It’s a combination of melodic, conscious and cross continental hip hop, taking the best of those three and meshing them to create what you hear on my songs
How would you describe your musical progress over the years?
Its been going from strength to strength, I thank God. I think me taking my time honing my craft throughout the years, progressing with each song and reflecting that in the music is showing and reaping the rewards my way. For example, I’ve had labels approach for management and as of a month ago this year, I was recently approached by a big music PR company that wants to work with me, which I’m excited about. It can only mean I’ve been heading in the right direction over the years
What first got you into music?
Boredom honestly. I’d like to say something more exciting but this is whats brought that excitement ultimately. I used to come home from college on days where there wasn’t much going on and just play around with a skype headset and audacity (shout out audacity for all those that know) out of sheer curiosity and from there on, began the journey that’s got me here. I also feel that this, as well as having stories to tell myself, just made it so it came at a perfect time to gel that together
Favourite album of the past year?
I wouldn’t say I had a favourite up until now with Kendrick’s Mr Morale and the Big Steppers album
What would you change in the music industry?
I think education and development on how to strive as an artist, especially for independent artists. Whilst I know this is counter productive for labels and some, I think teaching the ropes and business side of things could be incorporated as this has been abandoned over the years, even looking at how an A&R used to develop an artist for example. It’s now a lot of take take and forget everything else
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t be too be prideful for things and know that any worries you may have are miniscule in comparison to your potential and ceiling
In Sucia you blend latin elements with catchy pop sounds. Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the story behind it?
My cousin Lucí had been visiting NYC and staying with me so we could work on some tracks. Producer and photographer, Calvish, who also helped produce the track had planned for us to meet MRI and Chop Ford and once we did we realized we were in a room full of Hispanics – Me and Lucí being Ecuadorian, MRI being Colombian, and Chop Ford being Brazilian – and we thought about how fun and different it would be to do a latin collab track with a bunch of New Yorkers too. The idea came from our friend Elliot walking into the room with a shirt saying “Sucio”, which we all thought was great and that’s where the idea for the song came from.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
“First you get mad when I leave, then you get mad when I stay. I don’t wanna hear excuses, I don’t wanna play these games”
Favourite album of the past year?
Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
As of right now – but with Web3 and NFT’s becoming prevalent, the whole music industry is about to be turned on its heels. With music industry NFT’s like Pianity, and the whole idea of being an independent artist, creator, and with everyone wanting to be some sort of creator and needing the rights to certain music, the entire music industry is changing.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Just drop that shit and keep making content…GO CRAZY ON TIK TOK – That’s what I would tell myself. I hopped on Tik Tok late and lowkey regret it but also don’t want to depend my entire music career on it because I’ve gotten where I have without it.
When was the last time you danced?
Last night. I love to dance – it’s in my blood! I’m Hispanic. I grew up with music around the house, my family always coming over on weekends and holidays to party and dance throughout the night staying till 4am, and sometimes even just staying all night.
Classical meets electronic. Or to use your title, Classics Unleashed. Tell us a few things about this project.
A project I’ve thought about ever since Wendy Carlos released her electronic version of Bach. It was pretty radical to interpret a classic work and take it right out of the purist comfort zone. And I’m pretty sure these rock stars from the past would have been all over these electronic instruments!
What first got you into music?
I wish I knew… I was only four…
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
I feel that I constantly get inspired by so much talent out there! Especially from artists that pour their passion into their art.
What would be your dream performance venue?
It might be a bit of a long shot 😉 but performing at the International Space Center floating around the planet would be the ultimate.
If you were asked to rescore a film, which one would you choose?
I’m not sure about stepping on someone else’s work. But way back in Toronto, our band NRG did live film score performances to Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. We experimented a lot with sounds, and whatever gear we could get our hands on. Back then, our friend Larry ran the 16 mm projector and the three of us were buried in gear. It was a blast!
If Bach were alive today, what kind of you music would he produce?
His music could possibly be so intense that mere mortal brains would explode.
Latin but with a vivid pop sensibility. Tell us a few things about your new song Bonnie & Clyde. What is the main idea behind it?
On this music I wanted something more dancing and a little more Latin, when I composed the title came very quickly because while playing I sing in loop this “Bonnie & Clyde” then I found logical to write his story, but without returning in a text of violence of as it was in his history, but on the connection, the love that can be created in a couple and that can have no limit… but thought in positive…
What first got you into music?
It is my parents who passed on to me the love of music, at home we listened to a lot of music, and very early I wanted to make some! and with time I left to the discovery chooses my instrument “the Guitar”, I am autodidact, I learned everything by looking, encouraging, and of course hours and hours of work… and the passion of the composition took to me very quickly, and since that made of long years that I compose, I arrange and I direct in all my productions.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
I love both, but the greatest pleasure is when I hear my composition finished in the studio! At the beginning there is just a guitar and some vocals, then everything is built with the musicians in the studio. In concert it’s a little bit different, I have fun but there has to be some magic otherwise it can get boring very quickly! But when the magic happens, the evening can be crazy, and magical.
What would you change in the music industry?
There is too much and there is a lot of confusion, the public does too much zapping, and many artists who do not work with machines have difficulty to get out and be heard! and unfortunately the earnings decrease more and more! Earning a living today is becoming more and more difficult! Even the public doesn’t buy our CD’s anymore, we have to do concerts with very little money! And more over the platforms do not pay us or very, very, badly! The public doesn’t even support us anymore or almost not via donations! this last is possible on our pages with specific tabs… Yes, the future is not very positive…
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I remain very positive, and I thank the people who leave me comments like on my Youtube channel, very encouraging. There is an audience that is created with time, even if I am in a style and a musical world anything but current. But to believe some comments my music makes them dream, dance, escape, I imagine them, and for an artist like me there is nothing more positive and gratifying.
When was the last time you danced?
This morning during and after the shower! Just before I played the guitar and started a new song that made me dance…
MY MIND contains a melodic, nicely manipulated flow uppon a heavy trap beat. Tell us a few things about it.
Well the instrumental was produced by Garret Adams (Beats by G). We were in the studio together looking through some samples, and this guitar one popped up. It caught my attention and so Garret worked his magic on it. As for the song itself, I was in the studio alone one night, pulled up the beat and it just kind of happened. When I listened back to It I was like oh whoa this delivery is different than what I usually do, but It’s really catchy.
For which lyric you are most proud of
I really like a few lines from a previous song I released (Enough Of The Truth). I said “I got nothing to do, every day I been stuck in a loop, Tell me the lies had enough of the truth”
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
My overall favorite Artis and even lyricist would have to be X (XXX Tentacion). I guess My Favorite Producer would have to be the homie Garrett (Beats By G). He’s made the beats for every song I’ve put out haha.
Most iconic emo rap track ever?
It’s hard to pick. It might sound cliche, but Star Shopping by Peep is one of my all time favorites still.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I don’t really make party music or hype music. I would say the music I have out now is like solo car ride late at night type of music. I feel like some of it is great to listen to if you’re emotional or going through a rough patch. It’s also good if you’re just chilling and need something cool to listen to.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Long story short, After I turned 21, I went out drinking at a bar for the first time. Everyone was feeding me shots/drinks because it was my first time out. By the time we were about to leave I was very loose. We were going to walk to a friends house close by, but I wanted to get my weed out of the car in a near by parking garage. I got to the car, got my Backpack with bud in it and found a can of spray paint. My drunk self proceeded to start tagging different parts of the garage. In the middle of my painting session a cop rolls right up next to me in the garage. I didn’t have time to reason with him, got cuffed instantly, the cop found my weed, and I got brought to the station to stay the night. Nothing major, but definitely a ridiculous story.
HipHop Paranoia 