Tag: Urban

knowone – TRY AND ERA [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

flexibility
ring a bell
Inspirational

Tell us a few things about your new album “TRY AND ERA”.

We have repeatedly challenged, and gained a lot of experiences that we never had before. As album title shows, they were discoveries and opportunities for us to release an album, and that they led to a new era sound! (Massan)
The life is a series of tries and failures, and the accumulation of those failures brings the unexpected best results. It’s the same with our studio work.(Hiroshi Nakamura)

Which song of the album reflects you the most?

All of the songs are true to myself, but I would say “Latin”.(Massan)
Tough question, but “SWAY”.(Hiroshi Nakamura)

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

I started my music career as a rapper, so I still listen to rappers like MOS DEF and COMMON.
I also like Mac Miller and Anderson Park and listen to them often.(Massan)
Brian Eno. His produced YMO album when I was a kid. I’ve been listening to him ever since.His experimental stance and production work is amazing.(Hiroshi Nakamura)

What would be your dream performance venue?

For Japanese, I like Fuji Rock. Overseas, I like the masonic because the venue looks like a theater.(Massan)
I would love to attend Glastonbury.(Hiroshi Nakamura)

What advice would you give to your younger self?

The sensibility that you were afraid of losing will not disappear, but will appear more clearly, so listen a lot and sing a lot!(Massan)
Just do music all the time. And don’t die. (Hiroshi Nakamura)

One last thing we should know about you?

We had a really great team to make music that people all over the world could enjoy.
Be sure to check out the music video, “Latin”. (Massan)
I’d like you to listen to the sound of knowone from Japan, far away in the East.
I want to mingle with you on streaming.(Hiroshi Nakamura)

Thank you!

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Christian Powers – 2000 Miles [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

My sound combines elements of hiphop and pop r&b. However, this is currently still in development and will continue to improve as I work on my craft.

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

The song is about a woman I care about who lives a distance away.

For which lyric you are most proud of?

“When you meet the right person, just at the wrong time.” It’s a relatable lyric that many people have experienced.

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

Personally, the best part of making music is writing something amazing. It is when your ears are most fresh to the lyrics you created.

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

Mental blocks and limits that limit my opportunity and creativity have held me back in the past. But I am now stronger than ever, ready to break through those mental barriers.

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

People with nostalgia for someone they care about are most likely to listen to my recent song.

When was the last time you danced?

I have no idea.

Thank you!

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https://soundcloud.com/christian-powers-237674213/2000-miles

Shevy O’shea – #RihannaMove [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Fluid, Versatile, Familiar

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

It’s all about the vibes, interned to make every listener dance and move!

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

I wrote a song called #greenlight — the lyric: I’m Peter piper picking peppers tongue game heavyweight. I mean every girl I’ve met probably has quoted that lyric.

Favourite album of the past decade?

Ctrl by Sza

What would you change in the music industry?

Make it more talent driven. I feel nowadays any and everything is acceptable but I miss when it was all about the complete package. Song, sound, and visual.

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

I’m a fashion stylist and spiritual leader of the first cannabis based temple in Los Angeles- the Agora Temple.

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

Probably trying to find ways to make the world a better place. My goal is to bring heaven to earth.

Thank you!

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Ethan Marino – Lemon Drop [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

In three words I would describe my sound as sweet, engaging, and fulfilling.

Pop, hip hop and jazz elements. How do all these fit together? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

In my latest single “Lemon Drop” these three elements are perfectly woven together. My pop-influenced vocals mesh perfectly with the hip-hop drums and Jazzy lead guitar line. This brings the mainstream sound with an unpredictable feel. My creative process mirrors this with my pop and hip hop influence I tend to fond ways to make it different and unpredictable.

What is the main topic of your lyrics?

Lemon Drop is a stream of consciousness freestyle of my thought process of figuring out how I feel about a certain situation.

Your music has an uplifting vibe. In which state of mind do you imagine people listen to your music?

Lemon Drop is definitely an uplifting song but within it are some “forks in the road” that provoke the listener to think about how these situations and decisions could or have been applied to their life. Most people listen to Lemon Drop when they are chilling or falling in love. A lot of my other music has been about tough and sad situations so my music appeals to many different types of people.

Favorite song you did listen to this summer?

My favorite song this summer has been Ruthless by Midxwst.

Favorite music related film?

I love the perfect pitch movies.

Future plans?

As we keep growing my main goal is to build a massive community of people who know to use love in all of their interactions and don’t worry about things they can’t control and build a happy and loving world together. My company “Dead To The World LLC.” owns a recording studio and concert venue in Bradenton Florida. We use this space for artist development. My overall goal with this is to have a Dead To The World Headquarters in every city where any kid that wants to be in entertainment can go and get everything they need to put them in a position to be the most successful and positive with their career.

Thank you!

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Macarena – Patience [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Alternative R&B that’s honest, mellow and soulful.

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

Patience has a mellow but beat heavy sound. In this track I express the fragility of knowing what to do next but not having the courage for it yet by lyrically explaining the thought process behind patience. With an underground hip hop inspired outro, producer Lady Groove adds a new dimension to the track. Similarly to my track Mañana, which received Dutch Coverage on 3voor12noordholland, this song is LGBTQ inspired.

What is the main topic of your lyrics?

I keep all of my lyrics very personal. Most of the times it’s about self-acceptance and letting go. I really try to create a lyrical safe-space with all the songs I write.

Favourite album of the past decade?

Mac Miller – Swimming is always on repeat.

What would you change in the music industry?

I would change the amount that different artists work together on collaborations. I feel like we should all collab more.

Favorite music related film?

Green Book.

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

I would work as a teacher, which I’m also doing right now. So nothing much would change.

Thank you!

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Phillip Good – Let me in, my lady [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

vibe , humble, positive

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

This song was meant to let people know its okay to be hurt! The heart heals, also don’t let your past dictate how you treat someone in the future. Make it case by case.

Which is your most personal and honest lyric?

Im a train wreck, im a fast car moving, im a point away from losing!

Favourite album of all time?

Michael Jackson – any album

What would you change in the music industry?

Nothing, its a challenge and I love it.

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

Raising my daughter and trying to coach and motivate others.

Future plans?

To make a top 40 hit and inspire others one song at a time.

Thank you!

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Richard – Unstable [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Confusing.Mental.Deep

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

I wrote this song after the deathof my brother and it’s impact it hadon my life. With grief sometimes we ebb and flow in and out of being able to handle it and other times it getting the best of us. I wanted the lyrics and beat to reflect that pendulum of an emotiona roller coaster not only grief sends us on, but also just general things in life especailly early trauma.

For which lyric you are most proud of?

“Don’t do shit straight, not even date”, this line lets people know yeah I am this and that, but I can spit too

Favourite album of the past decade?

Ooooooo fav album would be probably Ctrl by SZA I play that thing everyday still

What would you change in the music industry?

The perception that queer men have something to offer and can be just as creative and lyrical. Also, I would like to change the ways music is released nowadays, I feel like artists do not give fans enough time nowadays to let music saturate and digest. Even people who used to dropalbums like every 3 years are not dropping one every year so I feel like the good stuff gets lost.

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

When not writing music i I usually just be chillng with my spouseor doing something with my friends, I am social as a mofo

Future plans?

uhmmmm, I do want to recruit artists and make my label bigger, maybe some small initimate tour to support my record coming in the fall, surpass 100k streams collectively, defintely moving to Seattle soon get establshed in that area, and learn guitar too. I ben playng paino for the last couple of months and my skills n that are definitely getting better. I want to be a multi instrumentalist

Thank you!

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Wotts – Before [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Experimental electro hip-hop

Your new track ‘Before’ has an anthemic vibe. Tell us a few things about it.

Over the last year we’ve started to embrace the idea of going big and not shying away from making music that hits at a more emotional level. It’s been challenging for sure, especially coming from a minimalist hip-hop foundation, but it’s also been a lot of fun. “Before” is definitely our first legit attempt at making a pop song, but what’s cool is that it came together really naturally. I love artists like M83 and Tame Impala who can make these big pop anthems, but at the same time, not sacrifice when it comes to themes or lyrics. I think a lot of that influence is on this track.

Your sound is mostly electronic. Which is your favorite synth (analog or digital) you always use on your productions?

Without a doubt my pride and joy is my Roland Juno-106. I’m blessed on this one because It’s in amazing condition and I got it for an insanely low price. There’s just something magical about it and I’m pretty sure it’s been on every song since I copped it.

Favourite album of the past decade?

If we’re talking this decade then I really enjoyed Fuck Art by The Dirty Nil!

What would be your dream performance venue?

The Nude Bowl out in the Desert Hot Springs, California

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

Before getting into music I was a huge graphic design nerd. I made shirts, album covers and concert posters for bands in my city and it was an absolute blast. For sure if I wasn’t doing music, I’d still be doing that.

One last thing we should know about you?

Our record COLONIES drops on August 19th! It’s our first album where hip-hop isn’t at the forefront, but we’re stoked about how it turned out and I think it’ll give people a good idea of where we’re going.

Thank you!

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https://open.spotify.com/track/6SLjewxEItH3IfihlyRWMk?utm_source=embed_v2&go=1&play=1&nd=1

SUPER FREDDY – MERCURIAL [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Vibey, reflective, danceable.

You blend different styles in your music. Tell us a few things about your creative process in general.

My approach to music is fairly straightforward – I take inspiration from elements of my life (both stories and sounds) and find ways to represent them in ways that people can relate to. Because of my varied background and experiences, I have found that blending different styles better reflects my identity and ideas.

Your themes include physical distance, diaspora and third culture experience, disconnection from one’s roots and family, as well as feelings of loss and change. Your music however has a very positive groove vibe. Tell us the main idea of this very interesting EP.

I think that the EP’s goal is to reflect these two sides of life. The project is a concentration of the thoughts and ideas that I had during 2020, especially the ideas of physical distance and disconnection from one’s roots, which is represented by the electronic music influences. I also wanted to include a positive groove to the project to reflect my African (Cameroonian) heritage, where much of the traditional music makes you move and tells stories in various ways.

What would be your dream performance venue?

I think that my music and performance style is best suited for a kind of festival, where people can dance and get wild and feel connected – something like Osheaga or SXSW. I can also see myself performing in a stadium environment, with an elaborate and conceptual stage performance.

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

I’ve been listening to Odunsi the Engine a lot recently! I’m not sure that he’s a hidden gem anymore, as he’s quite known in many places, but people that I’ve spoken to recently haven’t known about him.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

As basic as it is, the advice that has really changed the course of my music career was about staying true to myself. It’s tempting to follow trends and listen to others’ opinions, but, when you create art, the point is to stay true to your vision, perfect it, and find your audience. There will always be people who want to hear what you want to make.

One last thing we should know about you?

I’m always working on new projects, and always trying to outdo what I did last. Stay tuned and follow what I’ve got coming next!

Thank you!

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Instagram

Akso Heart – Changes [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Distinct, Melodious and vibrant

Tell us a few things about your new song ‘changes’.

Changes is my second single, and the message continues from my debut; as a song that encourages transformation and change for anyone who feels like there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel. There is and you’ll get through this!

You want your music to be uptempo and fun. But there is still emotion in it. How difficult is it to achieve this in a song? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

It is quite difficult but I feel necessary. Music for me needs to move you, make you feel. And even if the message is upbeat, you need to be able to connect with the listener. That can be through lyrics , melodic choices and instrumentals. I hope my musical choices helps people understand that the song although is about being excited about the change in our lives in the near future…still comes from a place of pain, frustration and sadness.

Favourite album of the past decade?

Great question but so difficult to answer. I’d say it’s a toss up between Channel Orange by frank ocean and janelle monae the archandroid. Frank was able to bring an album that has such a unique flow – a while since we had an album that really tells a story in such a fantastic way. Janelle gave us such a novel album, showcasing sounds that were unexpected but mesmerisingly brilliant! Both artists are so incredible.

A PhD student writing music. How do these two fit together?

As a phd student there’s a lot of writing, a lot of analysing and a lot of independent work. So when you step back it’s not much different to being an artist/ songwriter. As an artist I had to write, analyse and work solely. They both share that sense of isolation sometimes as the projects are bespoke to the individual…. So in a way they fit perfectly.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Everything is okay, your time is now and the world is yours for the taking.

Thank you!

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