Tag: Eclectic

Lindsay Ruth – Hot Summer [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Melancholic, introspective, dreamy.

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

I wrote the song last summer when we were all in lockdown. The fires in California were rampant, the skies were hazy and red, and the sun looked like a harvest moon. I’d sit there trying to write, make use of all this free time I now had to “be productive”. No air conditioning, I’d have sweat dripping down my face, staring at a computer screen, and feel as though I was suffocating in more ways than one.

Which is kind of what it’s like to pursue a dream in Los Angeles. It’s like you’ve been dropped in this desert, and as the years go by you become more and more disillusioned and delusional in your chase. Smothered by the heat, the mirages start to look more realistic, more attainable. If you could just walk a little further, hold out a little longer, maybe you’d make it to water. It’s a never ending heat that wears you down into a grain of sand. One of millions, lost amongst the others who came before you, and walked over by those who will come after you.

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

You know, it’s funny because I’ve always thought I had to like collaborating. And every time I did it felt as though I wasn’t being true to the song; creating some puff piece that I didn’t care about. It’s really hard for me to open up with someone I’ve just met. To be vulnerable and bold enough to speak my mind. Not to mention that I’m a control freak who likes things exactly one way, which is why I’ve taught myself how to produce and mix over the years. All that said, I should definitely get better at cowriting.

So in that sense, songwriting has never been lonely for me. I’ve never wanted someone else in that space with me. When I’m writing, I don’t feel alone. There’s something else there with you. I cherish those moments when I tap into that and it feels as though time is floating.

Favourite album of the past decade?

I have two. Madison Cunningham’s Who Are You Now and Fiona Apple’s The Idler Wheel… I don’t obsess over entire albums often. If I love an album, it’s because of the lyrics; I have to feel personally invested in them. The music draws me in initially, but what seals the deal is when lyrics articulate something so specific that I never even realized could be articulated. It’s like I’m enlightened to a new state of being when I hear it. And then when every song on the album does that for me? I’m hooked.

What do you love/hate about LA?

I want to write about LA all of the time because it’s such an elusive city. It gives so much, yet takes so much away. I love the energy. The creativity, the culture, the diversity; the fact that there’s always something going on no matter what day it is. I love being in it and amongst it; the struggle that is a vast community of artists collaborating, trying to make a living doing what they love.

What do I hate about LA? Parking, egos, and the west side are my top three. (Sorry Hollywood lovers).

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

I like to think my music is a mood setter, one that creates an introspective state of mind. Something you’d play on a late night drive when you’ve got a long road ahead of you. When there’s no one else around and there’s a clear view of the stars. And you feel at peace and connected with yourself or the world, but not without a twinge of sadness.

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

I was a goody two-shoes with a loud guilty conscience growing up. Which didn’t leave much room for getting into any interesting kind of trouble outside of being grounded for not cleaning out the cat litter. The trouble I end up getting myself into is much more subconscious. I never choose it.

Like the time I was in Rome on a college trip and got separated from my group wandering around a corner store. It was late, I had no idea how to get back to the hotel (nor did I even know the name of the hotel itself), and I spoke zero Italian. After asking various passersby, store owners, and some policeman, I got myself on a bus that I prayed was in the general direction of where I needed to go. Without knowing what my stop was, or what landmarks to look for, I serendipitously looked out the window and saw our hotel. Long story short, turns out the corner store I got lost in had a downstairs. Which is where everyone in my group had gone…

Thank you!

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Eunice Keitan – Lay Your Weapons Down [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

soulful, honest, gritty

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

This new track is about the refugee experience and was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend of mine who had spent years imprisoned – fighting for the rights of the most marginalized in his community. Even after all the trauma he went through, his spirit and hope for freedom were still unbreakable. I drew inspiration from his story and from others who had gone through similar situations. I wanted to highlight the perspective of those that have been forced into conflict and had no other choice but to fight for survival or to leave their homes. At the same time, it is also a reminder that the greatest casualties are often the poorest and most marginalized individuals.

For which lyric you are most proud of?

This is a really good question. It’s a hard choice. I’m pretty proud of the entire chorus as it sums up the experience concisely and gets to the main message of the song which continues to be relevant now with what is happening in Afghanistan.

“Now we’re coming under fire,
The odds are getting higher,
Our city’s sole survivors will watch you raze it to the ground.
Are you fighting fire with fire?
’cause greed’s a justifier,
And all that we desire is that you lay your weapons down.”

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

Jeff Buckley taught me a lot about delivery and the importance of being raw/authentic.
D’Angelo taught me the joy and possibilities of using vocal harmonies to create soundscapes. Joni Mitchell and other singer-songwriters from the 60s and 70s taught me how to tell a story with detail, sensitivity, and depth.

How Important are political statements by music artists? Can music have an impact on politics?

I think that music can be a powerful tool to inspire conversation and bring awareness to issues in our world/community. It can also reflect the collective emotions and perspectives of the people and help them to feel seen and represented. In the end, each artist decides what they feel compelled to say at that moment and how they choose to process what is happening in their environment. I can think of several big artists that have used their platform to impact politics. I try to write music that will help people understand different perspectives and situations. Hopefully through that people will be able to make more informed and empathetic day-to-day decisions about things that might be affecting their communities. If it goes far enough to even affect who they put in office, then it’s a bonus.

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

wow. hard question. I’m not sure. Possibly anything from Alejandro González Iñárritu or Oliver Stone.

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

I think that choosing to go into music was the most ‘trouble’ I’ve gotten into! It’s a path that always puts the artist in a vulnerable position financially, emotionally, psychologically, and artistically, especially if you have something to say. However, if music calls you, it’s not a choice but a necessity.

Thank you!

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narcissus x becki fishwick – friends in high places [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

epic, mancunian electronica

Tell us a few things about your new song Friends In High Places . What is the story behind it?

Its a torch song inspired by the likes of Billie Holiday where the protagonist grieves for a love lost before eventually finding herself again in the payoff of the last lines of the song. The track is completely elevated by Becki Fishwick who delivers an incredible vocal on it.

What is the story behind your name?

narcissus is drawn from Greek mythology & was meant to playfully allude to the absurd vanity of being in a band. The story goes that narcissus ultimately kills himself by drowning in a pool whilst admiring his own reflection. Take from that what you will.

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

We enjoy both obviously but we would say that we are primarily a studio band who love nothing more than the writing & recording process.

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

To get heard and to get paid fairly for your work from certain major streaming platforms! Obviously the genie is out of the bottle with streaming but the #BrokenRecord campaign does give artists a glimmer of hope for change in future.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t concern yourself with the outcome, trust in the process and serve the song.

What is the most useless talent you have?

Giving witty answers to ridiculous interview questions.

Thank you!

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Meggy Katigbak – My Song [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Thoughtful. Loving. Honest.

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

I composed this song years ago when I learned that someone very dear to me was going away. Unfortunately I was not able to convey my feelings to this person before they left and instead wrote a song about it.

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

I don’t find songwriting as a lonely process at all. On the contrary, I always feel heard whenever I write and compose songs, even if no one has heard them or even listens to them at all. Whenever I finish the melody and lyrics of a song, I feel as if my thoughts were fully conveyed not just by the words, but by the music that communicates what words cannot. Whether someone listens to them or not, I always find comfort in the fact that I have shared whatever it is that I needed to release, and if anyone wanted to somehow understand what I think and how I feel, they only need to listen to my music.

I do prefer collaborating with other people. In fact, if my words and melody make up the skeleton of the songs that I write, it is the talent of my brothers, Tommy and Teddy, that adds flesh and life to these songs. My brother Tommy creates the instrumental and my brother Teddy mixes and masters the whole song. Sometimes when the only thing I can share are the words, I ask my brothers Teddy or Tommy to compose the melody and I am always amazed by the outcome.

So, yes, I love collaborating with other artists because I know that my thoughts and feelings only represent a small part of reality and that the contributions of other people matter.

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

Our High School music teacher was the most honest composer I ever met. Her songs and melodies touched and inspired generations of students and I often remember my High School days as both joyful and peaceful because her music was always in the background.

I can’t think of one artist who influenced me, but my music is highly influenced by Broadway music.

What would you change in the music industry?

Hmmm. I don’t know, to be honest. Maybe… nepotism? Gatekeeping? Sexism?

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

That I couldn’t say! Though I can share the films whose scores I do love— Casper, Pride and Prejudice, and Titanic!

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

With my music? Finding the strength to keep going. 🙂

Thank you!

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Satre – Alone [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

I really don’t know what to say …..

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

“Alone” comes from a feeling, a sensation. It does not come from any pre-packaged idea.
I let it all come spontaneously, this applies to every song …..

For which lyric you are most proud of?

I really like “The beginning” .. which is only instrumental ….

Favourite album of the past decade?

It’s difficult, in this period I listened to a lot of New Wave … The Cure, Joy Division, etc …. yesterday I was listening to Lil Peep

What would you change in the music industry?

I don’t know much, but from what I understand there are some circuits reserved for a few where it is difficult to enter. I would hope that other alternative circuits will be created, to give visibility to more artists.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

To be less reserved …. and to work a lot from a very young age

You’d give up making music for…

I’d give up making music for … just thinking about it hurts me

Thank you!

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Wotts – COLONIES [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Experimental electro hip-hop

Tell us a few things about your new album.

Our new record COLONIES is a complete switch up from what we’ve put out before. We used to be a full on hop hop band, but this time around we decided not to limit ourselves on the creative front. It’s different, it’s multi-genre and not at all ‘the destination’; but it showed us what we’re capable of and we’re excited about where it’s gonna take us next.

Which song of the album is your favorite (if any) and why?

“I Hope She Sees This Bro” – I think the song turned out beautiful! Plus, it’s a nice change-up from what we usually produce, so it was a lot of fun to work on.

Favourite album of the past year?

Gotta give it to Tyler the Creator for Call Me If You Get Lost. Dude continues to knock it out of the park.

Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?

100%. Who knows if that’ll be the case in 2-3 years, but whether artists like it or not, they hold most of the cards. Blowing up on Spotify won’t guarantee stardom, but it’s definitely a step in that direction.

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

I’m thinking they’d either be playing it while riding around in a car and enjoying the weather, so sober, or at a party and feeling good!

When was the last time you danced?

Last night, actually! And I may do it again this evening.

Thank you!

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Momoko Rose – Humans Weep [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Soft. Dreamy. Ethereal.

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

Humans Weep is about becoming jaded by everyday life. The simultaneous mundanity and tragedy of human daily existence.
A phrase that comes to mind when thinking of this song would be “people work so hard to simply exist”.
While creating the music video for the track, I took this theme and further explored it through the lens of modern loneliness and how we cope with this through escapism.
The internet landscape and recent lockdowns have shone a light on the alienation and uncertainty we can feel towards human relationships, despite being more connected and accessible to the public than ever before.

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

In Humans Weep, I think the chorus shows the most facets of my personality in the simplest way.
“What if I wake up and all my friends are gone, all I’d realise is I’m not loved by everyone.”
Sarcasm is a major part of my personality and it comes through with this line.
Of course there is no way that everyone I meet will like me, so in a way I’m telling myself to “get over myself and my ego”.
I’m also making light of the possibility of losing everything, during a time when I felt I had lost my friends, my family and my home.
“What if I wake up and all my friends are gone, all I’d realise is I’m not loved by anyone.”
The second line takes a more serious tone. It’s very direct and shows my fear of never truly being understood.
I’m a walking contradiction, telling myself to not take things to heart while still taking them to heart.

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

Joanna Newsom. Freak folk singer-songwriter, angelic harpist and wife to Andy Samberg – she almost doesn’t seem real! Her music isn’t on Spotify which is a little frustrating, but she is well worth the minor inconvenience. I rate my favourite artists by how much they can make me cry and the track Cosmia from the album Ys never fails me.

What would you change in the music industry?

I think in Australia specifically people’s perception of the arts in general needs to change. Although it is a multi-billion dollar industry, it isn’t valued like this is the case which has been shown through the government’s lack of prioritisation in supporting the arts industry throughout covid-19. This undervaluing of cultural pursuits is especially pronounced for me as a Japanese-Australian, when Japan is a country where arts and traditional crafts are a major part of it’s cultural identity. Art is universal as it is a conduit of the human spirit, which transcends superficiality and materialism.

What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?

Possibly the film Her. Set in the not too distant future, the film follows a man who writes other people’s love letters for a living. Depressed due to his impending divorce from his childhood sweetheart, he upgrades his operating system which includes an AI virtual assistant. The OS has a female voice and the ability to learn and grow psychologically, so the protagonist finds himself growing increasingly intimate with it. If that doesn’t speak to the themes of escapism and modern loneliness in Humans Weep, I don’t know what does.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

Probably something else really nerdy and/or creative. Making art, anime or gaming related content. I’d probably also be better at Japanese.

Thank you!

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Crystal Rose – It’s Raining in Here [interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Imaginative, sensitive, innovative

You blend vocals with electronics in a very interesting way. What comes first in your music? Lyrics or music? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

The electronic part of the vocals was a lot of fun- it’s mostly me singing through a guitar wave pedal. The first time I tried it out, drummer Guy Paz turned the dial on the pedal while I improvised background vocals over some of the songs. Andrew Forman added on some reverb and sounds during his mixing process. As for my writing process, I think everything stems from improvisation. For most of the songs on this album, lyrics and music grew simultaneously. I draw from journal entries for inspiration- try to let the song just happen. “All We Can Do” and “Pancit” were co-written with Guy Paz. On “Pancit” he set up the “overseas family” section on guitar and I added the melody/lyrics. “All We Can Do” was an improvised session that grew between us as he played drums and I sang/played guitar.

Which song of the album reflects you the most?

All these songs felt very real to myself in the moment when I was writing them. “Mud Wood Stone” was one piece I had to stick with and mold until it felt right to the meaning, so I guess it’s extra personal. It speaks to creative openness-and connecting womanhood to the generations of women before. “Cycle” was one that sprouted in a quick couple of hours- the drums were prominent in my head- so it’s particularly special to me too. And “Pancit”! Because it’s inspired by my mom’s story- growing up in the Philippines.

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

I am inspired by so many ! Guy Paz’s innovation and energy on the drums. Andrew Forman’s mixing and special sounds. Nick Hakim and his mentorship. Solange! Kate Bush the queen. Ever innovative Betty Carter. Of course Bjork. Brooklyn muses like Xenia Rubinos, Noia, Annique Monet, Alyssa Mcdoom, Judette Elliston, Louisa Rosi…..so many… Milton Nacimento!

What would you change in the music industry?

Oy. I work. And then spend it to work on these projects. It’s hard. So something to make it easier?

What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?

Mermaids with Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci. 💙

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

I wasn’t “in” trouble too much but I’ve had to “deal with” a good amount of troubles. That’s a little vague because these things are difficult to talk about.

Thank you!

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Fer Guinea – Tryna get some [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

My sound is smooth, sensual and feminine

Tell us a few things about your new song “Tryna get some”. What is the story behind it?

Tryna get some is about opening the doors of your soul to someone with whom you share a deep spiritual connection. I wanted the beat to reflect sensuality and the strings to illustrate beauty. I wished to create through this track the journey that it is to fall in love.

For which lyric you are most proud of ?

I think I am always proud at the end of every song I write just because of it coming to life, every lyric I write is just a part of who I am.

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

I am simply in love with the whole process, from writing to performing. I take great pleasure in each of these fields because it is deeply linked to creation.
Writing is much more of an internal exercise which allows me to express myself through music which is priceless; whereas performing is an outward process which allows me to connect with an audience and improvise on the spot and that is immeasurably special to me.

Your song has a very cool chill groove. Tell us a song with a groove you wish you had composed yourself.

I absolutely Dig minimalistic grooves. I would say that the simplicity but yet fullness of Lady From D’Angelo is the song I wish I would have made myself. The bassline is just divine !

Which book should we read while listening to your music ?

To be perfectly honest, I would not necessarily recommend to read a book while listening to my music but surely to roll a nice joint and relax hahaha

Should we expect an album in the near future?

The answer is yes ! Always expect more music, I can’t stop creating. There is a lot more music coming in the future, I have an EP finished which “Tryna get some” comes from and an album is already in the writing. As long as I’m still here I will always make music.

Thank you!

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Rj Bacon- Low Ambition Day [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Cocktail Lounge Jazz

Tell us a few things about your new work.

Low Ambition Day is the fourth in a series of clubby, lounge Jazz albums I wrote and recorded at my small studio in Sydney. I try and give the feel of a late night bar or jazz club, with a bit of a retro vibe. Its kind of old fashioned but I hope it works. We are still in lockdown here, so it’s the closest I get to going out

Which song of the album reflects you the most?

Low Ambition Day. It’s written tongue in cheek, and originally about politics, but became an ironic lament- haha

Favourite album of the past decade?

I don’t know if it was released in the last ten years, but I have been enjoying Combo 66 by John Scofield, really nice, timeless stuff. I love the St Germain album, Tourist, as well- I find myself listening to that quite often.

What would be your dream performance venue?

Ronnie Scott’s in London. But I just dream at home in the studio!

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

Well, we are in lockdown still, so I do a lot of home schooling with my youngest daughter-that keeps me very busy.

One last thing we should know about you?

I am currently putting the finishing touches on the next album, that will be released in the coming months. It is a pretty cool, bluesy jazz piece that’s coming together quite nicely, I think. I’ll keep you posted:))

Thank you!

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