Category: Interviews

IDN – Kaleidoscope [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Kaleidoscopic, unique, sound collage (if that’s a descriptor)

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

Kaleidoscope is the product of my own style developing and blossoming. Over the past two years, I’ve experimented with countless genres and techniques in Ableton Live (my production software) and have pushed myself to listen to an insane variety of music from almost every genre imaginable. From this, I began to understand what aspects I loved in each of these genres, and learned how to apply those inspirations into my own work, combining multiple genres into one. I think the result is really unique sounding, which is great, because I’m not fulfilled by making something someone has already made.

Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?

I love collaborating, although it can be hard to translate two artists’ brains into one piece. I do have a couple new songs in the works with other producers, singers, rappers! Songwriting can be lonely, but I prefer to have complete creative control over every part of my art. This, in turn, makes Kaleidoscope a 100% IDN experience – every ounce of every song was handled by myself. I understand the joys of collaborating, but for my personal projects, for now, I like to make sure what I’m putting out is a true form of personal artistic expression.

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

I definitely enjoy writing/producing music more than performing, however, I haven’t yet performed live with Kaleidoscope. My first show is on April 17 at Sonia Nightclub in Cambridge! If anyone is around, please come, it’s going to be so much fun. I’m looking forward to performing and I’m putting a lot of effort into making sure it’s a fun, danceable, and trippy experience for everyone.

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

The biggest challenge I continue to face is social media and marketing. I can’t wait for the day where I have a team who believes in my art and can help me get it to more people. I consider myself very tech-savvy, however I loathe the performative aspects of social media, and I don’t do any of the things other artists tell you to do in that regard; Reels, TikToks, vlogs, ads, etc. I just don’t care, and I currently don’t have the demand. Social media has always been emotionally draining to use consistently.

Favorite music related film?

The Lovers Rock episode of Small Axe by Steve McQueen single-handedly got me obsessed with dub and reggae, and led me down countless rabbit holes of inspiration. It’s about an hour and shows the incredible energy of reggae/blues parties in the UK ’80s.

One last thing we should know about you?

I am constantly creating new music and working on my art, one way or another. I have dreams of combining my interests in visual media, fashion, music, and dance together – but for now, come to my show on April 17 if you’re in the Boston/Cambridge area, and look out for new music soon! Thank you!

Thank you!

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ET – Savage [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Genuine, Kind, & Passionate

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

This song is pretty unlike anything I’ve ever written… I don’t usually do songs where I’m stating things like “I rap the meanest and hit the cleanest.” This song was written and recorded probably like two years ago but I kept it because there are moments where I feel really good about something musically I’ve done so I want to talk my shit. I don’t do it often but when I do it’s a really fun thing to create.

For which lyric you are most proud of?

The bar I like the most is definitely “I’m a bull no secret, bars I’ve exceed” and it’s first few lines for a reason. From the very beginning people have opinions especially when it comes to music and wanting to pursue it as a career. A lot of people maybe even family are going to ask you if this is really what you want to do with your life and maybe even tell you things that make you doubt yourself. Never let anyone else make you feel you are incapable because more often than not, you will exceed things even you didn’t thing you could surpass. I’ve done a lot of growing these past few years and see tremendous progress in the way I create, the quality of the production, & the way I vision my music career in the future. I will continuously break the barriers they say I can’t.

Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?

Honestly, I don’t think there is one particular underground hip hop sound. There are so many artists who bring their own unique sound to the table and sure some sound similar but there’s still a hand full of musicians who are becoming masters of their craft. So many people sleep on the underground.

What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?

Hip-hop culture is something that has inspired me from a young age. To express your opinions and emotions in your music and in your own way to share to the world is an amazing thing. To have the ability to write something I’m feeling and create something that another person can relate and possibly even feel seen from is the greatest thing in the world.

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

When I’m not doing music I am most likely working my day job. I have a full-time job where at the moment I’m working about 50-55 hours a week so it can be really difficult to create music and market releases at the same time.

What would you say is your biggest vice?

I think my biggest vice is just being impatient and frustrated when things don’t go according to plan. There’s definitely a struggle sometimes within myself where I almost have to check myself for feeling like I should be further than where I’m at and I should be putting more hours in musically even though I work so much. Getting flustered when things don’t go accordingly probably also comes from working a lot so my time is super important to me. It’s a continuous struggle but I’m learning to deal with it as I go.

Thank you!

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Long Term Parking – Luxury Luxury [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Real, unclassifiable, raw.

You blend in your music many different elements. What is your creative process like?

It’s mainly a daily job. At the beginning, you have a vision in your head. Then you need the courage to step out of your comfort zone and you need to be patient. You progress step by step and often you get lost, then it’s important to admit it and come back. You know, I think about music all the time. All three of us are such musical chameleons,
then there are no boundaries to limit you.

Which song of the album reflects you the most?

Depends on the mood. The songs together create a mosaic and when it all fits together and you start to feel that way, you can hear the story of the whole record – that’s our point.

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

Peter Gabriel can experiment and still be understandable.
Kendrick Lamar, who didn’t go wrong. Frank Ocean, how real he can be.
And bands with a recognizable sound like
Arcade Fire, Radiohead or Vampire Weekend.

What would be your dream performance venue?

Wherever there are listeners who are crazy about our music.

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

Without prejudice, with an open mind, ready to travel through music.

Future plans?

Promoting the album in every way to get our music to as many potential listeners as possible.

Thank you!

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Leo – Helicopter Leaves [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Melodic, punchy, introspective

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

Stevie Boi Jr. is a 9 song 29 minute visual album available on YouTube compiled of cartoon animation and real life imagery. From my childhood upbringing, to the relentless pursuit of my career you are able to hear, see, and feel all of the highs and lows of Stevie Boi Jr.’s journey. Find out how I power through the day on tracks like “Morning Routine” and watch as I reflect on my childhood while questioning the laws of human consciousness on “Decades.” Listen as ‘Stevie Boi Jr.’ calls out the mainstream media and their underlying agenda on the song “Same Old Sound” followed by metaphoric struggles through the valleys of the Utah Canyons on my song “Canyon Call.” Listen to the pain in Stevie Boi Jr.’s voice as I foreshadow a broken heart from a past lover on the closing track “Deja Vu.” Needless to say, my album “Stevie Boi Jr.” takes us on a rollercoaster of a journey through my mind and emotions as I rise to the top.

What first got you into music?

As a kid I loved to play the drums and sing. When I was younger I loved 70s music because of my father. Artists with wide vocal ranges such as Freddie Mercury of Queen, Stevie Wonder, and a Elvis Presley caught my attention. Newer soft rock such as John Mayer, Cold Play, and Dave Matthews band I appreciated also at a young age. It wasn’t until 7th/8th grade that I discovered my love for RnB and Hip Hop inspired by artists such as Usher, Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, The Creator, Mac Miller, Childish Gambino, Joey Badass and all of Beast Coast, and others. Seeing artists like these form their own brands and independently make careers off of their own music/art put a fire in me to achieve this for myself.

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

Current Joys and his album “Wild Heart”

What would you change in the music industry?

All the things that are glorified in the mainstream. Focusing on raw authentic music and art rather than the cheap sex/drugs/money propaganda. Also for labels to start giving full control and ownership to the artist and their work while not taking most of the money they earn.

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

Listeners who like smooth melodic upbeat music that puts them in a mood of positivity. I touch upon relatable subjects such as experiences with romantic relationships along with our relationship to ourselves and well being. Also anyone looking to dive a little deep into spirituality and their own connection to the universe.

You’d give up making music for…

Nothing. I couldn’t possibly do so if I tried.

Thank you!

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Nadirah X – Nobody’s Coming [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Introspective, Emotional, Love.

Tell us a few things about your new song “Nobody’s Coming”. What is the story behind it?

The song is an examination of society, what we have been taught to believe spiritually, mentally and also and examination of self, understanding our power lies with us. Freedom is within us. Olaf Blackwood’s vocal interpretation of that sentiment is beautiful.

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

From Nobody’s Coming? Wow, the entire song is personal and an honest observation, from my view of our world. How one is treated because of color, gender, sexuality, economics. The line“…they’re giving us all of these things while they are taking our girls…” is how the dangling carrot (money, sex etc) distracts us, it places us on a hamster wheel so to speak and people will do anything to acquire the things we are told we must acquire to be recognized.

Favourite album of the past year?

Right now I’m bouncing between Jazmine Sullivans Heaux Tales and Adele’s 30.

Why is sexism, and even outright misogyny, so pervasive in Hip Hop culture?

The seed planted many moons ago that this is a mans world and women are just here to facilitate that journey carry’s on in every aspect of society, and of course, art is a reflection of the time and space we are in. I think its changing though…

Photo by @theartistcaps

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

When I’m not writing I’m listening to music, observing the world. I also love binge watching tv shows, when there is time.

One last thing we should know about you?

I love watching stand up comedy and horror films!

Thank you!

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nasmore – #The_Deal [Interview]

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

The latest song is called “#The_Deal” with the brilliant hip-hop/rap singer RyanMusiq with whom I previously worked on multiple singles. While there are about a million songs about relationships in this world, “#The Deal” delves into the hard parts. It’s brutally honest, direct, authentic and very relatable.
Interestingly, it’s a multi-genre hybrid: hip-hop/rap vocals over a pop-rock bed. Initially, it was designed as a cinematic rock song. But when we started working on lyrics and vocals, I realized that turning it towards hip-hop/rap would be a big win.

How would you describe your musical progress over the years?

I’m sure it evolved, and hopefully, it is getting better. My genre spectrum keeps expanding and delving into hard rock at the moment, and I now work with some legendary musicians. 2022 showed a great start and hopefully will be fruitful! I already have three songs scheduled for release and working on another five.

What first got you into music?

I grew up too fast. I was a 5-year-old kid when our family friend, a conservatory of performing arts professor, discovered a perfect pitch in me and the tendency to feel and understand the music. Based on her recommendations, I was sent to a special music school where I received formal and comprehensive musical education from the age of 5 until I turned 1Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, and hundreds more constituted my world throughout my childhood. My professor was very conservative, coming from the old school of musicians who dedicated their whole lives to music without compromise. I learned music history and composition and spent countless hours playing the piano every day. And I was performing 6-8 performances every year, including solo concerts. After school, my career had a 90-degree turn, away from music and into the IT world, and it’s been so until late 2020 when I felt that I had lots to “say” in musical terms. I attribute it to the pandemic, lockdowns, and the need to keep active.

Favourite album of the past year?

“Mercury – Act 1” by Imagine Dragons

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

I wear multiple hats on this project: songwriter, music producer, performer, marketing analyst, promoter, graphics artist and videographer. I guess the biggest challenge is that one cannot clone themself. ))

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

Great question! I hope they can listen to my music in any state of mind, and it doesn’t have to match the song’s mood. Some time ago, I sent one new song called “Safe in my dreams” to a group of music lovers for a review. One of the participants graded this song 1 out of 10 and indicated that according to her, the song was horrible because it made her cry. To me, it was the best compliment.

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

It would be hard to live without seeing my family and my friends.

Thank you!

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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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