Author: Admin

Hector Lee Tut – Beyond The Curve [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Carefully woven structures

Your music is an exciting blend of numerous different genres. What is your creative process like?

If I have no specific idea in mind initially, then usually I’ll jam around with some chord progressions on a piano or guitar, maybe it’s just a bassline – and then once I’ve landed on something I like, it then becomes a process of developing that idea into what sounds, composition and beats will compliment it. Sometimes I will have a defined idea in mind e.g. I want a thumping drum-break to be centre-piece, so I’ll go find one, chop it (or play it myself) and arrange it first, then fit everything else in around it. If the drums are busy, then the other instruments tend to stay in the back seat.

Which song of your EP ‘Beyond The Curve’ reflects you the most?

Probably “Pocket Change” – it’s more understated and less bombastic than “Warsaw Tombola” but underneath is quite subtle in terms of the layering of the instruments and samples.

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

Quite a long list! But I’ll try and keep it short – from the perspective of producing a song from disparate parts and also playing live on their own records, then someone like RJD2 was a massive influence, his debut is a masterpiece. Loads of late 80’s/early 90’s hip-hop – De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Eric B & Rakim as they really pushed the artform of sampling before copyright started to restrict it. They also led me down the path of classic funk, soul and jazz that I may not have found otherwise. For sheer musical chops, inventiveness and exploration then Radiohead are right up there.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?

My main hurdles are – time (I have a day job and family, so music gets squeezed into whatever spare space there is) and then also the puzzle of developing an initial decent idea into a whole song. It comes back to the time issue because half an hour here and there is nowhere near enough to get anything meaningful done.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Get a drumkit NOW! Also, challenge yourself by trying to learn to play more styles of music

You’d give up making music for…

Tough one! There are clearly many correct existential type answers like world peace, childhood poverty hunger etc, which obviously go without saying. Being more selfish…I’d go with something like taking off in boat and sailing round the world, or a ride on one of these commercial spaceflights…with the caveat that I’m only giving music up until I get back!

Thank you!

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Dani Twice – Jump [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Neo Latin Hip Hop

Tell us a few things about your new song Jump. What is the main idea behind it?

The song is about the irony of being a refugee in the United States fleeing violence and looking for a better life only to discover that violence exists due to America’s fascination with guns and mental health problems.

For which lyric you are most proud of?

“Vengo a robarles la basura” (I came to steal all of your scraps) and with it build a better future better than you could have”.
Me and my family really did go around dumpsters picking up electronics or furniture to fill our apartment with.

Favourite rapper, lyricist, and producer?

Kendrick Lamar is my favorite rapper, Visitante from Calle 13, my favorite producer.

What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?

Hip Hop to me symbolizes realness, being you to the maximum, and sharing that in the deepest and personal way you can lyrically.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Be more consistent, make friends and don’t slow down.

What is the one habit/thing you cannot live without?

Youtube music tutorials.

Thank you!

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Dax – A Lot At Stake [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Impactful, Irreplaceable, motivational

Tell us a few things about your new song ‘A Lot At Stake’. What is the story behind it?

Song with the amazing female artist Snow Tha Product. High Energy with a underlying message of staying true to yourself.

For which lyric you are most proud of?

“NEW YORK with my STATE of MIND, every STATUE is at LIBERTY to get DECLING”

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

My parents, Beethoven, Mozart, Tupac

What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?

Rhyme and poetry used to tell the stories of this messed up world for future generations.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Fck with people who fck with you.

Your biggest fear?

Mediocrity

Thank you!

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BC Roadz – D.D. [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Gritty, witty, and powerful.

Tell us a few things about your new song D.D.. What is the story behind it?

D.D. is a dark fairy tale. More like a nightmare, I guess. B.C. is just totally lost in life, putting himself and others at risk. He doesn’t realize there’s a way out until a near death experience, and meeting Doso. It’s simultaneously supposed to be absurdist. Life is hell. BC’s robot saved him. At least, temporarily.

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

The first line of the first verse. “Stuck behind the wheel and I’m not in control.” That’s how the human condition and/or mental illness does me. I am just blindly following whatever I think will lead me to some sort of peace or salvation. The more I think I’m in control, the closer I am to losing it.

Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

I’m a big fan of Atmosphere. Slug is still killin’ it. I’m 38, so it’s cool AF to see a dude that’s nearly 50 being steezy on the ‘gram. We also have the same birthday.

What would you change in the music industry?

It’s not just the industry but humanity, in general. Superficialities have harmed the industry. Great artists shouldn’t have to be sexy, interesting, or active on social media to gain an audience. Unfortunately, there’s no other way. It’s human nature to be interested in the aesthetics of someone’s life or story.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

The generic “never give up” from my father. He always liked underdogs. I feel like an underdog in this industry. I’m in my late-30s. I know my chances are slim-to-none. Never giving up means never. Never. Maybe I’ll make my first industry dollar before I die. Maybe.

One last thing we should know about you?

Many people make music. Many people have aspirations. However, BC & Doso are not many people. We are simply a horny MC and his robot friend. Also, Doso is asexual. He does not have sexual thoughts, at all. Please don’t send Doso any sexual DM’s. I repeat, please don’t send Doso any sexual DM’s.

Thank you!

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Cassiel – Polar [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

My homies would say it’s fun, funny and exciting

Tell us a few things about your album Polar. What is the story behind it?

I just wanted to make Polar to kind of sum up my sound that I’ve created after my first year of music. Just to let people know, you know? It’s an album that has really wide variety of sounds to show the versatility I have on different kinds of instrumentals. I love Polar because I feel like it’s an embodiment of my feelings towards relationships/certain people that I’ve been with.

Which song of the album represents you the most?

I think Frostbite or Bodybag are good songs that encapsulate my inner conflicts with love and relationships. I didn’t really dig too much into my life on this project so it’ll definitely change in the future but yeah, those songs are the closest thing I’d say.

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

I think it’s no secret that I’m influenced heavily by Juice Wrld but I think I’m inspired more by Tyler, The Creator and Joey Bada$$ because of their story. Like I relate a lot more to those guys coming from pretty much nothing and becoming some of the greatest artists of our generation. Joey Bada$$ especially, hearing that he started off using free beats on YouTube like me, really gives a lot of hope that I can go further than I think.

What would you change in the music industry?

I think I’d want to make it easier for new artists to break into it without needing to be rich and pay for features, promotion, etc. But I think that’s more the mentality of the community having a bias towards hearing a song on radio and thinking it’s better than something they found on SoundCloud just because it’s on radio, you know?

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t be scared of what you want to do just because you think people might make fun of you. I probably would’ve started making music a lot earlier if I took this advice as I only started because I was out of high school and people wouldn’t make fun of me.

Future plans?

Right now I’m waiting for my room to be fixed after flooding wrecked everything pretty much. So I can’t really record but I’m hoping to just drop some singles until a bit more hype is built for another project. I really want to be more personal and dig a little deeper on some other issues that aren’t just love and heartbreak.

Thank you!

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V-Train – A Wandering Soul [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Chill, Sad, Hopeful

Tell us a few things about your album A Wandering Soul. What is the main idea behind it?

“A Wandering Soul” is my second album with Lo-fi Hip Hop as the main genre. Each song describes the different moods I’ve felt in the past. They range from sadness and rejection to happy and hopeful. While only one song contains lyrics, you can still understand the feelings each song is trying to convey based on the tile and the sounds presented in each song.

Which song of the album reflects you the most?

The more I think about it, I think the song “Gloomy Morning” reflects me the most. I’ve frequently struggled with Anxiety and Depression and the feeling of waking up every morning to those emotions has been difficult. As a good dose of medicine, I create this song that expresses the feeling of waking up and dreading the challenges they new day may bring but encouraging myself to persevere and have the strength to move forward. Something not only to encourage myself but to encourage others.

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

My mother was and is my main inspiration. She was a very talented piano player and I’ve grown up watching her practice every day on the keyboard for church. When she’s not playing, I would experiment on the keyboard. She also noticed that I could keep a good rhythm and encouraged me to play the drums. Eventually I would play the drums for my church and my school. She has passed away 3 years ago and every music I create is to remember her and her legacy. As for artists, I’ve been mainly inspired by J Dilla as he is considered the godfather of Lofi Hip Hop and other producers like Timberland, 9th Wonder and the Alchemist.

What would you change in the music industry?

I don’t know if I would change much in the music industry but I think that the streaming services should pay the artists a little more money for their music.

If you were asked to rescore a film, which one would you choose?

I think I would rescore the Spider-Man film “Into the Spider Verse”. I feel this movie is perfect for my music since the setting is New York. The center of East Coast Hip Hop and Miles Morales seems like a chill dude. I cam imagine him listening to Lo-Fi music while he’s studying.

What is the most useless talent you have?

Singing. I can sing decently well but I’m not too confident in including my vocals in any of my songs. Also I’m not great at remembering the lyrics even to my favorite songs and since I play so many instruments, it is not a talent I would ever focus on or need.

Thank you!

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Vickie Davies – Fade Away [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words.

Contemporary, Avant-Garde, and Soulful

Tell us a few things about your new song, Fade Away. What is the main idea behind it?

“Fade Away” is about depression and the self-deprecating thoughts that fill our minds daily.
Vickie wrote this song because she genuinely thought she was losing her mind and needed help. We sometimes suffer quietly and never reach out for help until it’s too late.”

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

The first part of the bridge is how I feel most days.
“My body’s on fire. I’m running on smoke. I’m tired of fighting.”

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

Mary J. Blige, Emily King, and James Blake.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?

Consistently producing and releasing music. I have a hard time scheduling time and getting inspired to write new music.

If you were asked to re-score a film, which one would you choose?

I would choose the film “The Secret of Moonacre.”

Your biggest fear?

My biggest fear is losing my family in a tragic accident.

Thank you!

Eli Ladon – Clean Energy [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Spiritual. Dark. Lofty.

Tell us a few things about your new album ‘Clean Energy’. What is the main idea behind it?

Clean Energy is an album meant to create a connection with the heart and minds of those who are lost.

Which song of the album represents you the most?

Trauma is the song that represents me the most

Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?

Jay- Z favorite lyricist. Juicy J favorite producer. Playboi Carti favorite rapper

What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?

Hiphop symbolizes creativity and creation imo. It was literally made from nothing but inner city emotions

In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?

On shrooms. The whole album was written on a trip

One last thing we should know about you?

I will responsible for changing the content in hiphop. This is my mission.

Thank you!

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Ms. M|CHL – New Heartache [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

A. Vibey + B. Melodic + C. Haunting

Tell us a few things about your new song ‘New Heartache’. What is the main idea behind it?

It speaks to a situation most of us have been through, in that you meet someone and are excited for the future. You are certain this time it is forever! But when it falls apart and ends, those familiar feelings of disappointment and loss return. Brand new but also very much the same as before.

What first got you into music?

I began singing in the church with my grandfather at the age of After my first performance, I knew I wanted to sing for the rest of my life.

Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

Lol, other than me?! Ha, ha! There are so many amazing artists that have not been given their flowers yet. I live in Los Angeles so I am blessed with some of the greatest in the game in my backyard. Jennah Bell and Damon Turner are the first two that come to mind. Check them both out, their work will change you. For Real.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?

Of course there are many challenges with being an Indie Artist. All of which are frustrating at different levels at different times. Currently, having to be a creator, and also a business mogul at the same time is very stressful. I am solely responsible for everything I’m doing and that can be a lot of pressure at times. But I love this work so much, and I won’t stop fighting for it to be shared with as many people as possible.

In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?

Hmm, well, I would say any state where they are open and available to feel. Whether you are emotional or amorous or just trying to relax, I want you to be able to tap in and just enjoy the vibes. And if my music helps you process or feel something, even better.

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

Oh my God! I love this question! I’m not sure how to answer though. I am pretty boring when it comes to illegal adventures and whatnot. I was also a mostly good kid, but my mom had one reoccurring problem with me… We moved around a lot in rural Oklahoma when I was young. Back then cell service was very expensive and even if you called on a landline, it was long distance rates just about everywhere. I kept running up my mom’s phone bill and she would beat my ass! But I would miss my friends so much, I would sneak phone calls to them all the time. Every month when that bill came in I would be so scared! Lol, I learned to control myself eventually but damn! Being a preteen was a trip!

Thank you!

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Rose Dees – Eat Your Friends [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Alien discovers bass

Tell us a few things about your new album Eat Your Friends. What is the main idea behind it?

its the third story in my discography about an alien who comes to earth
its a simple premise in the first one its about my mental health and history so it vaguely makes a fiction of those things as shes captured by humans but learns to love life on earth, second was a bust out story where she falls in love with a human which mirrors other parts of my mentality, she lovers her so much she puts her in a memory loop that makes her believe her friends survived
this one though is about love sex and recovery, as the alien always mirrors me and I happen to be in a wonderful relationship. all that though never distracts from just making interesting dance music and growing in my skill there.

Which song of the album represents you the most?

sonically prolly K4SET’s track (K4SE this Joint), Lyrically (Hello)

Favorite album of the past decade?

I cant choose one so Ill give the 3 most relevant Madeon’s(Good Faith) Skrillex(Recess) and clipping(there existed an addiction to blood)
all these have had months long repeats in my headphones.

What would be your dream performance venue?

I dont really know, as long as theres lights and good subs, I dont really have any one in mind. Id just be happy to be on a stage at all Im southern so Im easily humbled and grateful for anything I achieve.

In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?

cant- part of the reason my music is through an alien persona is I dont always feel like a human myself, dont get me wrong I am one, but im neuro-divergent and that often makes relating to others difficult if we dont share some hyper obsession of mine.

You’d give up making music for…

Millions of dollars and Motherhood. but I dont plan to barter it. ideally Ill get all 3.

Thank you!

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