Author: Admin

REYA – Heat [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Dreamy, seductive and layered

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

I wrote Heat with wonderful producer Jack Arentz at his studio in Melbourne, Australia. We took influence from bands like The Internet in an attempt to create a r&b/pop song with elements of trip hop and lofi. Heat centres around the idea of wanting someone so much physically and emotionally that it becomes frustrating and you can barely contain your feelings. We tried to create that sense of frustration building with the gradual layering of harmonies throughout the song 🙂

For which lyric you are most proud of?

I think the line “smoke clouds are rolling in, and I can’t see past the haze” is probably the one I’m most proud of just because I like the visualisation it gives me.

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

The Internet as I stated previously, Erykah Badu, Frank Ocean, Solange to name a few. I’m also a huge fan of jazz such as Miles Davis, snarky puppy. And also shout out to Melbourne singer Angela Librandi who has been inspiring my singing for many years.

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

Self doubt. I’m sure every artist goes through it. It’s a tough industry and people can be …not so nice sometimes, so I think finding belief in myself and perseverance when things haven’t gone to plan or when other people have doubted me has been the most challenging.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Sing because you love it, don’t worry about how much money you make or what other people think. If you do what you love people will hear that passion in your music.

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

The most trouble? Very interesting question… those are secrets I will have to take to the grave with me haha

Thank you!

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The Woods – A Changing Light [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Ethereal Ghost Soul (type stuff)

Tell us a few things about your new song “A Changing Light”. What is the story behind it?

I always find it mad when I hear the makers of work that have inspired and carried me say that they questioned if what they were doing was worthwhile, and maybe even considered scrapping what they were doing. This song is about how much we all doubt ourselves in the things we do. I wanted to pay tribute to everyone who feels like this and tell them they’re actually lighting sparks in the world & making a difference every day. Like with this song- recording the parts in my studio on my own in the Scottish countryside gives me a massive freedom, but it’s also easy to doubt myself and the worth of what I’m doing- I don’t have a team to high-five me after laying down my beats ha! So yeah, especially in this environment, I wanted to make something uplifting that says ‘I know you doubt yourself, but keep going- you’re all killing it’!

What first got you into music?

Bit of a random path. To get out of maths at primary school my mate & I volunteered to sing in a local music competition. I sang ‘The Duck & The Kangaroo’- epic tune. In an odd turn of events given that this was in rural Scotland, this led to a scholarship to a pretty famous choir in Cambridge, where I sang around the world and on tv, and got deeply immersed in classical music. Then at University in Aberdeen I spent an inordinate amount of time in record shops discovering leftfield hip hop, jazz & electronic music- fair to say I became a bit obsessed. Spent the proceeding years trying to work out how to create these sounds.
I was really lucky when I was in London that I discovered CDR, a place for music producers to try out tracks and share ideas in a club setting. I learned a lot here, especially from the founder of CDR Tony Nwachukwu (Producer, Beats guy of Attica Blues and Music Tech Guru).
Over time I’ve come to realise that all these elements probably play a part in the music I produce and the sounds going round in my head, which is cool.

Favourite album of all time?

Sooo tough to choose, so I’ll choose a compilation(!)- Headz 2B Mowax compilation album has been around for a while and still feels like the freshest and most innovative music you’ll hear. I never tire of it!

Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?

Yeah probably, though it’s good that Bandcamp is pushing hard and doing it from a more artist-centric angle (yeah Bandcamp!). Spotify itself is brilliant in theory and I’ve discovered so many awesome artists from it. Spotify’s payment structure on the other hand is god awful and I suspect it’ll be forced to change otherwise there won’t be many artists left to feed it in the future.

Which book should we read while listening to your music?

Pretentious answer- The Old Man & The Sea- deep emotional exploration in the raw wilds.
Maybe more honest answer- Comic book series Yehuda Moon & The Kickstand Cyclery- Thoughtful, Funny, Uplifting, and Beautiful. Life in a bike shop= Life.

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

I’ve been in quite a few dumb ‘situations’ that should have led to trouble, but generally the universe has chosen to let me off a lot. I once climbed a flagpole in a town centre as a dare on a night out, and as the police inevitably came to take me away I stayed up the pole until they eventually got bored of shouting at me and left. There’s probably an analogy for life somewhere in there…

Thank you!

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Ashley Tamar Davis – My Name Is Ashley [Full Album]

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Ashley Támar Davis is Grammy-Nominated Composer/Vocalist, Music Supervisor, Broadway Vocalist, Author. Ms. Davis new album My Name is Ashley, is an 8-song funk/rock project featuring Mononeon, Jason Moran, Mark Kelley, Eric Harland, Jellybean Johnson and more.

Ashley’s story spans from being a member in the original female group Girls Tyme (Destiny’s Child) to performing in acclaimed Broadway shows and headlining a tour with Prince. Despite struggles with her journey an independent artist, overcoming opposition at nearly every turn, she continues to thrive. The release of her latest project has had to survive the vortex of legal wrangling over the Prince estate, entrapping projects she and her mentor developed together. Her latest achievement is securing the music supervision position for the highly anticipated, “That Damn Michael Che” show for NBCUniversal on HBO MAX and creating her own production company, Syren Entertainment+Media Group (SEMG): a multi-dimensional production and creative development company synthesizing entertainment, arts, business, edutainment and technology address the historical lack of diversity in the capitalization and development of creative and cultural arts, whereas her first contractual event will produced for the City of Houston.

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Lowly Light – Candy Lied [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Emotional. Eclectic. Energetic.

Tell us a few things about your new song “Candy Lied”. What is the main idea behind it?

“Candy Lied” is an alternate story of Lou Reed’s character from “Walk on a Wild Side”. What if Candy never went to New York City? She battles her internal demons of self-doubt, fear of the unknown and thoughts of ending it all. Questions if there is enough strength to learn from mistakes and use them as fuel to keep going.
It was easier to externalize my own feelings using this character to paint a picture. Showing the feelings and thoughts that I sometimes battle with, as so many others do as well. And of course the need to try and dig out of a tough mental state. We all need a positive mantra of reinforcement to make it through such times.

For which lyric you are most proud of?

It’s a tie between the start of the second verse and the bridge.

“Can’t deny, mistakes are a path

Leading to no point on a map”

“Every closed door could be something new

Just don’t let the handle hold you”

What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?

Writing. When you get in the zone and ideas come flowing, there is feeling of being high. Of course then there are the longer periods of slower struggle but solving a puzzle of a song is part of the fun. As the saying goes, it’s the journey, not the destination.

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

Creating an overall sound for Lowly Light that encompasses different styles that make sense taken as a whole.

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

Regarding “Candy Lied” specifically, for those who don’t know my music, hopefully an open, inquisitive mind. My goal was to place sounds and words with intent to deliver subtle surprises. The song evolves as it goes along and the lyrics build on a theme while moving through different emotional states, from darker to lighter.

When was the last time you danced?

Last time I danced was March 2020. The last weekend before the lockdown in New York. It was a friend’s dinner party that evolved into a dance party. We listened to 90’s British music interspersed with some Billie Eilish. Since it was late and there were neighbors below, we tried to dance as quietly as possible, which was of course ridiculous but a lot of fun.

Thank you!

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Maria Rodhe – Happy Ending [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Naked
Rhythmic
Rich

Tell us a few things about your new EP “Happy Ending”. What is the main idea behind it?

It’s my story told of hunger for love in a time where social media and dating apps play games with our minds.I share my not so nice experience but it does have a happy ending. I love happy endings!

Which song of the EP is your favorite?

No Guts

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

Beatles, Lady Gaga, The Cure, Ariana Grande, Zara Larsson and The Weeknd

What would be your dream performance venue?

Madison Square Garden.

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

Any. My songs are not sad even if they touch base upon Sadness.Before the party, at the party, on the way to work, in the shower or even in the bed with your loved one. Anything goes with these ones!

You’d give up making music for…

Shoot me. If I cannot. Honestly. I cannot see a reason at which I would have to give it up.If anything would threat my children or family then I’d of course consider it. Let’s not jinx this one..

Thank you!

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A.D. – Whoa Feat. MC Beastly And Weez [Interview]

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Tell us a few things about your new song “Whoa”

“Whoa” was originally gonna be a solo track but I was in the studio chucking beats around with MC Beastly and Weez and I told them I have this one to hand because we were looking for something weird. They gravitated towards this one so I told them I’ll take my verse out, we’ll extend the beat to create a 3rd verse and we’ll get it cracking. I also re-wrote the hook to be catchier and voila…”Whoa” was born!

How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

I’m actually on the verge of changing my creative process as I’d like to stop using leased beats as much (keep your ears peeled for song I’ve produced myself!) but usually I’ll jump on something like YouTube or dive into my inbox where producers have sent me beats and I’ll pour over those until I get something. I usually know the mood/vibe I’m going so I’ll search by that. There’s not really a number of beats I’ll go through before I strike gold, sometimes it’ll be the first beat I click on, often times it’ll be within the first 10 beats, sometimes I’ll be 20+ beats in and still haven’t found something. Once I land on it though it’s time to get cooking and so then I’ll start writing my lyrics in direct accordance with the beat, taking into account how the beat varies and matching my bars to that. It doesn’t take me long at all to write my songs from beginning to end (these days it’s never really more than 2 hours including time to practice and perfect the performance of it) but once I’ve got it done and dusted I’ll record a video of me doing it so I remember how the song is meant to sound/so I can hear it back and eventually I’ll lay that down in the studio.

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

It’d either be “I’ll always show love and I’ll always show respect // But I’ll die before I ever claim to be content” from my song Content (the last song I wrote right before my dad passed away in 201or “My dear beloved pops, I’ll do my best to stay alive // But I can’t believe I lost you at the age of 25” from my song Letter To My Dad

Favourite album of the past decade?

Of the last decade?! I can’t choose! I’ll just go with my favourite album of the last year which is “The Off Season” by J. Cole.

Trap music came to rule the world, but at the moment the genre feels stagnant. What does the future hold for hip hop in general?

The great thing about Hip Hop is that it’s ever-evolving and only getting stronger and more popular year on year. Think about how things started in Hip Hop from the 1970s and where we’ve ended up…the past gives way to the present and that’s simply what we’re seeing with trap. It’s already going into drill music and that, too, will give way to something new.

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

Some of my fans tell me they’ve got my song in their gym playlists so I imagine they’re trying to get hyped and motivated whenever they’re listening. Otherwise I imagine they’re looking for a vibe while they’re driving so they’ll bump my music.

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

I’d say it was when I was falsely arrested for suspicion of possession with intent to supply. I wasn’t actually in any trouble whatsoever and the police even admitted to me that they didn’t think I was a drug dealer but purely because I was with people where drugs were found nearby THEM that’s why they arrested me. I’d never been arrested in my life and I was furious that I was targeted for it when they knew and I knew that I was innocent. It was also extremely embarrassing to be put in handcuffs in front of a growing crowd of people for a crime I didn’t commit. I’m a person who likes to avoid trouble at all costs so I don’t take chances with legal things. I don’t drive without insurance, I don’t dabble in drugs, I don’t pick fights with anybody, I just keep myself to myself and live my life accordingly so to still be singled out by that really made me feel a certain type of way at the time. Being a young black man never gets any easier

Thank you!

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Lara de Belder – Overtime [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Sexy Jazz Pop

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

I started with the bass line for Overtime. I imagined it on a double bass and thought it had a bit of a cheeky swagger, then heard this walking chromatic blues bass for the pre-chorus which added a quirkiness. As I started to write the lyrics whilst feeling the groove of the bass it unfolded as a song about hypnotic attraction to someone. The idea in my mind is based on a few real life incidents. Imagine being at a crowded house party where everyone around starts to become a little bit blurred as your focus is completely drawn to this one person who seems to completely capture your attention and you can’t keep your eyes off them. The quirky blues walk captures the feeling as they come closer to you, then maybe they meet your eyes before they then pass by. The music then for me encapsulates a blurring between fantasy and reality but that hypnotic attraction remains throughout. The ‘do do do ba dow’ harmonies are also supposed to be part of this fantasy feeling and are inspired by close harmony female vocal groups from the 40s and 50s.

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

Tough question. There’s a few for this one but I’d say right now ‘playin’ out a part again but will I stick it? Oh no…’ is one that resonates. Being an actor I like the idea of exploring the roles that we play as performers and also the roles we play in life – the narratives we create for ourselves out of our own experiences and beliefs. This lyric alludes to the fact I’ve felt this way more than once, and there have been times in the past that I was worried I was always going to fall victim to these hypnotic feelings for someone so strongly that I wouldn’t ever be able to commit to one relationship, aka to stick to the part I’m playing instead of being pulled off-course and going elsewhere.

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

I’m a lover of lots of different genres, I’d say my biggest influences currently include Celeste, Melody Gardot, Jacob Collier, Erykah Badu, Jamiroquai, Lizzo, Robyn, Shura, Jessie Ware, Liane Carroll, Jamie Cullum, Amy Winehouse and Anaïs Mitchell.

What would you change in the music industry?

Gosh, another tough one as there are a lot of problematic elements of the industry. Right now I would say the fact it is so age-obsessed. I would take away the cultural obsession it seems to have with youth. It’s not healthy for anyone whether you’re very young or older. Age is something we have no control over so I’d prefer to see everyone feeling free to celebrate their real age in honesty instead of feeling the pressure to lie about it in order to attract more fans or label interest. It’s tough because there is a real encouragement of artists to be young or say we’re younger than we are. But the more we perpetuate it, the longer the culture will last.

Favorite film ever?

Impossible to say I have one favourite. I love Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe – beautiful film! I’m a big fan of Labyrinth with Bowie and the Jim Henson team, and I really like Studio Ghibli movies and love Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away and Nausicaä

You’d give up making music for…

Probably Acting haha, my other passion. Or else, I’ve considered training to be a therapist or Life Coach. I’m really interested in psychology and have taken a lot of great courses that have taught me a lot about the power of the mind and engaging with life in a more proactive, empowering way. So I would seriously consider working with people in that area if not music.

Thank you!

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Iris Bonet – What It’s Like [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Old-school, experimental, unique

Tell us a few things about your new song “What It’s Like”. What is the story behind it?

I wrote What It’s Like because I was feeling very heavy with the current state of the world. Everything I saw looked like “doom & gloom” and it felt like the only thing getting me through at the time was looking back at memories. It made me wonder if we’d ever get back to those things. That’s why I got the lyric “do you remember what it’s like.” It seemed like the last couple of years have gone on forever. I also decided to do the production myself on this one because it felt very personal and I knew the feel I wanted.

What first got you into music?

I started music at home. We’re a very musical family so I was born with the ability to sing. I then got into band in middle school where I started with percussion and as I got older got very heavily involved with music in church.

What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?

I definitely enjoy writing music better. I’m a bit of an introvert and get in my head a lot so performing live makes me really nervous. I’m trying to get over that though!

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

My biggest challenge is promoting myself for sure. There’s a part of me that feels like I shouldn’t really talk about what I do, but I know it’s necessary. It’s just really awkward for sure.

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

Most of my music is pretty mellow and chill so I think they’d listen either when they’re relaxing or in their feelings. Most of my heaviest lyrics come from when I’ve gone through something traumatic and I think that resonates with a lot of people.

You’d give up making music for…

Oo that’s tough to think about, but I’d give up making music for my daughter. If me making music stopped her from achieving something or from her happiness, then no question, I would quit.

Thank you!

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DIANA BIDÈA – Lifeline [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

soulful, powerful, genre-bending

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

Lifeline is a song about temptation and vices. Using your vices to feel a little closer to consciousness. We all have a lifeline, it’s about how you use it and if I have the willpower to avoid it.

For which lyric you are most proud of?

“I never said I needed savin’ I just needed a safe haven”

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

Snoh aalegra was a big inspiration to this track, just based off of her production alone, but vocally I am always influenced by soulful powerful women. Alicia keys, Adele, lady Gaga, are such some of the women that inspire me.

What would you change in the music industry?

I would change the constant need to fit into a mold, because great legendary music doesn’t fit anywhere. The music that stays on the radio, or in people’s minds for decades is the stuff that isn’t going with the grain of the times, it’s a new innovation of sound, and we can’t hear these innovations if we don’t allow them to exist outside of a mold.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

The best advice I have ever gotten was from a teacher who was giving a lesson on auditioning, he said “do not forget, you have a right to be here”, something so simple yet so powerful when repeated to yourself can completely eliminate your imposter syndrome. When you’re in a room with a lot of important people, or people that you might feel are more experienced than you, it’s easy to crawl into a shell and hide yourself, but if you just remember that you have just as much a right as anyone else to be in your position, you’ll be okay and you’ll stand up straight again.

What would you say is your biggest vice?

My biggest vice is probably feeling like I’m never doing enough. It’s a lie that my mind will tell me over and over again even while I am overwhelmed. It causes me to feel paralyzed like I do not want to work on anything and I just want to go out and party.

Thank you!

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Elly Kace – Nothing (feat. Jas) [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

This is a tricky one- I think open, cathartic and free are perhaps the clearest words to use.

Tell us a few things about your new song “Nothing”. What is the main idea behind it and what is your creative process like?

“Nothing” is the first track dissecting a larger concept that makes up my LP, “Nothing I see means anything”. I sonically examine and meditate on each word of that sentence through the record- and the track examining “Nothing” very quickly became about anger and rage. The feeling of being stuck in and defined by a box and the injustice of it. I wrote the song by meditating on vocal loops on each letter of the word “n” “o” “thi” “ng”- these loops are layered into the backing track as the spine for the rest of the instruments to land on. You can hear that the best in the beginning. That grew into lyrics sharing my personal experience facing the realities of how society has defined me by my body. I wanted to honor my anger in this track so it could shift and change.

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

For me its the bridge:
“Have you ever felt emaciated?
Close to nothing as you can be?
It is a foreign feeling
to bloom away from the lady like roots
the male gaze gave me.”

Because it is probably the most honest and raw moment from my personal perspective. I have literally starved myself in my life to fit into the boxes others needed me to fit into and growing away from that is so strange- also great. I have many friends who have expressed to me they feel the same. It felt really vulnerable to sing that and share that with others who have felt it.

Your vocal delivery is impressive. Tell us your favorite vocalist!

Aw, thank you! I am not sure I can choose ONE favorite vocalist. I am pretty old school, so my mind jumps to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Barbra Streisand first- but I am also a huge fan of Dolores O’Riordan, Sarah MchLaughlin and above all, the queen- Beyonce. If you can’t tell, I listen to a lot of singers and a lot of styles, and I feel a bit guilty to not list at least twenty. But I will practice some self control here and leave you with these six. 😉

Favorite album of the past decade?

….I will try! Im really in love with Deacon by serpentwithfeet and What Now by Sylvan Esso- but there are so many more! Alt J’s “this is all yours” AND Beyonce’s “Lemonade” have been evergreen favorites for me FOR the last decade, so that must be listed.

When not writing music, how do you spend your time?

I do a lot of yoga, astrology study and meditating. This record got me involved in Tibetan singing bowls as healing practice and I have been super focused on how sounds can heal. I also practice singing a lot (I’m a professional opera singer too), and love to interpret the works of other artists. Other than that, I spend lots of time with my amazing partner in crime and our cute cat Lyla making pizza and hanging at the farmers market in Brooklyn.

Should we expect an album in the near future?

Yes! “Nothing” is the first music video release for my first ever concept album “Nothing I see means anything” which releases on 11/19. I am really looking forward to discovering who it belongs to. 🙂

Thank you!

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