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Interview: Bri Tolani

Multitalented Musician, Bri Tolani, is in the midst of an invigorating journey of discovery and experience which has created the space for her to find and expand herself through her artistry. I caught up with Bri for a great chat about mental health, staying in touch with her fans through social media, the touching meaning behind her recent single “Hazy” and more.

Congrats on the release of your new single Hazy”. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray.

“Hazy” is about my struggles with anxiety. The main hook “everything is just so damn hazy” refers to a specific symptom or anxiety I battle with called dissociation. It’s where the world around me feels dream-like or “hazy” and my brain feels foggy. It’s a common thing that can happen to anyone, but the feeling scared me and I wrote this as a way to releasing those emotions.

Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working in the music industry.

I have learned a lot. But the main thing I have learned is that I really like producing. I never thought production is something I would get into but as I’ve started to learn more and more about it, I love it. “Hazy” is the first song that I produced and it was such a fun experience.

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time? 

I think something I struggle with a lot is being impatient. I have these thoughts that my career isn’t moving fast enough as it should and stuff like that, when in reality it’s moving at a perfect pace. Reminding myself that these things take time and that there’s no correct way or timeline for one’s career to take off is very helpful and something I need to keep doing. 

What is your perception on the digital world that we live in and social media culture?

Honestly, it’s a love hate relationship. If it wasn’t for social media, I wouldn’t be able to talk to my fans every day. However, social media can give me very, very bad anxiety. I know I’m not alone on that one, but in general I think the digital world we are in now allows us to connect with our fans on a level artist couldn’t before, which trumps all else.

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in. 

I take pride in my sense of humor. Humor is so important to me and I love making people laugh. I also take pride (and hope to stay this way) being down to earth and real with people. I never want to come off as pretentious or anything like that. Like you saidI’m just another human and I want to always stay the same person no matter what happens in my career. 

As you are exposed to tons of stimulus, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health when you’re out on the road?

I try to implement little things into my daily routine. Itry to take moments throughout the day to just breath and try to not think about anything. My brain is so scattered all day and so many things are going through my head, so I try to clear my mind every now and then. I also never do anything that pushes me too far on a mental level – no matter what, my mental health comes first. 

If you could trade existences with your favorite cartoon character growing up, who would you choose and why? 

I would trade existences with Bugs Bunny. He’s always in a good mood and always making people smile. He’s also very energetic, which I love.  

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?

I guess just to let people know if you’re struggling mentally you are not alone. So many people out there understand what you’re going through and can relate. To my fans, feel free to DM me whenever you wish and visit my website for global mental health resources.

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Interview: Craig Owens

It comes as no surprise that the man who has had his hands, energy and knowledge in the music industry for quite some time, Craig Owens, has ventured off on his own to bring to life his most recent embodiment, badXchannels. To recap on the release of his debut EP, ‘WHYDFML’, I caught up with the eccentric spirit to discuss the conception of badXchannels, Detroit, the importance of hard work and more. 

How has growing up in Michigan and spending time in Detroit influenced you as a musician?

I think every region/city has a sound attached to it, embedded by lifestyle and culture, all through a singular musical perspective. Growing up in Flint has definitely shaped how I hear and see everything. Living in Detroit has done the same.

There has been big changes in the music industry as technology has rapidly progressed.  What are the most noticeable changes you’ve seen and experienced yourself? 

I think the art of an album rollout is one of my favorite parts. Two changes I’ve noticed with rollout strategies are more original content and quicker turn arounds. These aren’t necessarily negative changes. I love creating and always evolving. That’s what separates the greats from the rest. They reinvent, they grind 10x harder, and they make it great, no matter the current temperature of the music culture surrounding them. 

Tell us about how badXchannels was brought to life. Has this been an intention you have had in the works?

badXchannels has been in the works for about a year and a half now. It just started as a thought, I guess. Then I kept running with that thought, and this is where we are now. It felt freeing. I’m already thinking about new stuff, so like I said, we’re just getting started! 

If you were asked for advice by a human being aspiring to become a professional musician, what would you tell them?

I produce quite a lot of the time. Something I tell the artists / bands I work with is to work 10x harder than anyone else you see. Listen, learn, and enjoy what you do. Make sure it truly represents who you are and shows your talent. The rest will come. It’s all in the songs.

I’m from Detroit; I have to ask. If you could recommend three restaurants in the D to a tourist that has never visited, which three would you choose and why?

First, nothing beats home cooked meals. With that said, my favorite spot is Wright & Co. On casual, lazy days, I go to Slows. Atwater is close to my place, so I go there quite a bit. Like I said though, nothing’s better than eating at home. 

If you could metaphorically affiliate the energy throughout ‘WHYDFML’ to the characteristics of an animal, what animal would you choose and why?

Haha! I definitely haven’t thought of that before, but I would probably describe WHYDFML’s energy like that of a snake. Snakes are slick and dangerous. 

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans? 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Also, be sure to check out the WHYDFML EP on Spotify, Apple Music, or whichever music service you use.

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Interview: Upon A Burning Body

Turn down for what? The full force Metal powerhouse, Upon A Burning Body,  is gearing up to deliver high-quality, straight-forward and balls to the wall heavy metal stitched together from razor sharp focus and passionate dedication. I caught up with the San Antonio proud lead vocalist, Danny Leal, whose well-executed and vicious growls surely rile up a crowd. 

For most artists, originality is first introduced through a phase of learning, trial and error. What was your experience? How would you describe your own development as an artist and the transition towards your own voice? 

I used live situations and things that I have been through to inspire me on what to write. I knew that I wanted to develop my own thing and use my own voice that was unique to me while still doing it my way. And I am here now. My style came from me wanting to create it and doing it my way. There are people who look up to you and it’s your duty to give them at least everything that you’ve got. In my opinion, everyone is opinionated these days. Overly-opinionated.

Imagine you’re watching a concert and one of the band members spontaneously combusts. You get called to the stage to replace that band member. Who’s the band and why?

It would probably have to be Slipknot. I’ve been a fan since their record came out in 1999. I bought the self-titled record right when it came out and to me, that music and what they did at the time, you could say that it changed my life as far as what I thought was heavy or aggressive music. When that album came out, it changed everything. I just didn’t think music could get any heavier at that point and then Slipknot came out and blew me away. I mean, a lot of people criticize me for that and say that there are tons of heavier bands like Cannibal Corpse and Slayer, you know, the bands that true metalheads who arguably would say are heavier, but, that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m not talking about who can growl the lowest, and whose distortion is the loudest and whose tuning is the lowest; that’s not what’s heavy to me. It’s making you feel something when you hear the music, and Slipknot definitely had this crazy, hostile, real feeling that you felt through the record. I think that with everything going as digital as it is these days, you lose a lot of the soul. And that comes through with the feeling of the music. To this day, Slipknot is incredible. Although I don’t think that I can quite steal Corey Taylor’s shoes as of yet, I choose Slipknot. 

The entire UABB gang is from San Antonio, Texas. If anyone was visiting the city and their was one restaurant that they just cannot miss, what restaurant would you recommend and why?

Although I don’t eat there anymore because I am a vegetarian, there is place called Lulu’s that have this giant foot long country fried steak. You know, everything’s bigger in Texas and if I could point anyone in the direction to furthermore prove that point, it would be there. There is also another place that has pizza three feet wide in all directions called Big Lou’s Pizza.

UABB’s music is adored by a broad audience, including those within their youth. Depression is a major factor in a large amount of many high school children’s lives. What would be your advice for these kids and have ever struggled with depression in your upbringing?

There’s a song called “Scars” that we have that people tend to gravitate toward and share with us that it helped them through tough times in their lives. I believe that the chorus is mainly what they are speaking of on that song. I love talking about this and talking to kids who ask for my advice about this at shows. My advice would be that whatever they are going through now, it’s not going to get any easier. Life is hard. It stays hard. It never really stops pushing at you. I remind them that they are young and within the easy part; they can bounce things off and there’s so many things you can do while you’re young. I tell them to do what they want to do as long as it makes them happy. You know, within the line of business that we’re in, I deal with so much criticism and so much hatred toward what I do. Let’s say that we make a decision to try another sound; we know that are going to hear about that. The industry in general in all aspects of entertainment has gotten so raunchy. I mean, I cannot believe it. Wherever you draw the line has been erased and the bar has been raised so many times; women are going up on stage naked doing the most crazy things to get attention. You see people on Youtube trying to get famous for pretty much lighting themselves on fire and damn near killing themselves just to get a couple thousand followers on their Youtube channel. Where is the line anymore? There is not one. The world is so crazy that the only thing you can do is try to do you and do something you believe in while ensuring that you are happy doing it. If people don’t like it, which many won’t, you have to know that can’t please everybody. The people who aren’t going to like it, it’s not if, it’s the people who will not like what you do, at the end of the day, if you’re happy and you believe in it, then no one can take that away from you. And that’s all that matters, because there also will be people that like it. I kind of just tell the kids that. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Prepare to do the best that you can and be the best that you can. Every human being can be happy with that. And if you’re just a piece of shit, well, then that’s just what you are and that’s what you have to live with. But, if you change and you change your mind, then more power to you. 

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?

It means the world to us to get pre-orders and to sell records in a day where metal is not selling no where near the amount of records that it used to. When I was a kid, and I dreamed to do this, to watch the industry and records not being sold along with people not really caring as much, it really upset me and it hurts. Not just because it’s my record that is potentially not getting as many sales, but because of the grand scheme of things and metal in general. I feel that people need to get back to the love of buying a record, owning it and really appreciated everything that it’s about. And everything that every artist has to sacrifice to make that record like anything else. People download music for free and steal it. I don’t go to Little Caesar’s, show up and take the pizza because I downloaded it on my phone and now it’s free? That just doesn’t happen. But it happens to us and it blows my mind that nobody in the industry has yet to be able to fix it and put a stop to it. It’s really upsetting; I wish that people would remember that artists have to sacrifice a lot to do what they do. And trust me, at the end of the day, I personally know that I choose to do it.

Jessica – For sure. And it’s not a pity plea or a request for sympathy; it’s just the reality of the music industry today especially and what musicians like yourself are directly experiencing. It’s terrible. 

Danny – Right. Our voices aren’t big enough to change illegal downloading, but to the true fans who love and appreciate Upon A Burning Body and what we’ve done, it means a lot to us if you would buy and pre-order our records. 

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Interview: Biffy Clyro

Scottish Trio, Biffy Clyro, have topped the album charts all over the world and are finding their way into the hearts of US listeners along the way. The gentlemen that are deemed Rock and Roll royalty in the UK are dreaming of more and bringing forward their highest selves throughout their artistry. I caught up with Drummer, Ben Johnston, and here’s what we have gathered along the way. 

Your songs such as “People” and “Medicine” carry a hefty energy to them; what sparked the bold message behind them?

“Medicine” is about trying to get to a place where you don’t have to rely on your medication to get through your day to day life. They are reflective offerings pertaining to the reality of everyday life.

Did the band go into the studio with a plan as to how the album was going to turn out, or did it evolve along the way?

It evolved along the way. We had a rough idea with a bunch of great songs, but we really leaked our frustrations into the lyrics and the overall album. It is different from previous material in a positive way.

How did Neil’s episode of writer’s block affect the chemistry of the band after the success of ‘Opposites’?

We just had to move forward and evolve as a band. It is very difficult when an individual loses faith in themselves entirely. But, we moved forward and through it.

How have all three of you managed to stick together for over 15 years of emotions, life-change, touring, etc? Did you perceive that you would be playing together for so long when you first started?

We were friends before we were a band. We have been hanging out and having fun since we were children. Cracking jokes. Being in a band became a hobby and transferred into a lot of fun. Being friends is certainly the recipe for longevity.

Photo Credit: Francesca Pieroni Neil

If you had the chance to create your own festival lineup, what three other bands would you add to the bill other than Biffy Clryo?

Nirvana, Ben Folds Five and a metal band by the name of Karate that was formed in Boston, Massachusetts.

From when you first started playing and throughout your career, who has been your biggest music inspiration?

Nirvana. They are the band that made us a band. Their song structures are incredible. When you talk about music, you talk about Nirvana. Also, another rock band by the name of Burning Airlines. 

Last but certainly not least, Is there anything that you would like to share with your fans before we go?

We’re sorry. We are sorry that America is such a f*****g nasty place. We are aiming to cover all over the ground. Be patient for when we come over. We will create great shows.

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Interview: Icon For Hire

Ever-blooming Rockers, Icon For Hire, are bringing their passion forward through their electric stage energy and synergy that captures the hearts and spirits of their fans worldwide. I caught up with Ariel to discuss the importance of remaining close with her family, protecting your own wellbeing, becoming more in tune through sustainable living, the release of “Hollow” and much more.

Congrats on the release of your new single, “Hollow”‘. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray throughout the new track.

Thanks, it’s been so rewarding hearing everyone’s feedback and take on the song. We wrote this as a social commentary on mental health, how vulnerability culture has changed what and how we share-and how that impacts people’s struggles. It’s awesome that people are talking about their pain, but at what point does that become unhelpful, and how is this affecting the people who need help the most? These are some of the questions we’re asking inside the track.

Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working in the music industry.

Ariel – I have learned to be much more resilient, to not let my own value rise and fall based on what the band is doing. I have to have my own back, and get my validation from the inside, rather than seeking it from our audience. I think that is how I stay sane; I don’t reference our social statistics or what people are saying about us as a measure of “how I’m doing”, I have to protect my own well being.

On a lighter note, I’ve also learned how to apply an entire face of makeup in a dark moving vehicle without a mirror, so there’s that!

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?

A challenging thought I find myself having pretty regularly is “This is too hard.” Sometimes I wish I had a normal job, could leave work at an office, and then come home to make dinner and not be obsessing about all the unfinished tasks on my to-do list. The work-life balance in this field is pretty nonexistent…but that’s also sort of of the point, right? I want my life to be my work, the intention was always to be myself for a living, and I am so grateful that is the case. So I am usually able to comfort myself with that-we all have to pick our pain, and this is the pain I’m choosing. And the good always outweighs the struggles.

What is your perception on the digital world that we live in and social media culture?

I am fairly certain we couldn’t have a career without it. Being an independent band, we live and die by our fans, and without social media and digital streaming, we couldn’t reach them.

That said, I think we’d all be better off if we could take breaks from it-a few hours a day, or maybe a full day a week. It’s that compulsion to check our phones and get that dopamine hit that freaks me out. The comparison culture is real. I discipline myself to only be on one social platform, and use a 3rd party app to post to the others. I also make it a habit of trying to notice if I walk away from a social platform feeling worse than when I started scrolling. If so, I unfollow whatever was making me feel that way, and have more discipline next time to not search that hashtag or whatever it was that triggered the feeling.

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in.

I am proud of my relationship with my family. I live far from them, but we still have awesome phone conversations. I am also becoming really into sustainable living, trying to reduce single use items like paper towels, plastic razors, plastic bags. We moved recently and I donated a lot of crap-and I have more peace in my life and home because of it. I could see myself slowly becoming more minimalist as time goes on….we’ll see!

I will say that I don’t feel like I hide my human side from our audience. There’s not really a “musician me” and a “regular me”. For my own sanity, it all has to be the same, authentically just me showing up, without trying to project an alter image. So I regularly share my insecurities and things I’m wondering about, through my book, the music, as well as on socials.

As you are exposed to tons of stimulus, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health when you’re out on the road?

When you figure that one out, please let me know! I really do ration my energy on the road; I won’t talk very much during the day, and then sort of come alive at night during the meet and greets and the show. Anyone who’s toured with us knows I like to keep to myself on the bus-I wear headphones so I can ignore people without seeming rude, which I know sounds awful! I like to close the bathroom door or even just the bunk curtain and have my introverted time. Whenever I have the chance, I leave the venue and head to a local coffee shop, again with headphones, and I usually recharge by journaling.

You have toured with a wide variety of musicians over the past years and have played at some major festivals. Tell us some words of wisdom that you collected along the way.

The biggest one is probably “enjoy the journey”, as cliche as that is. It’s really easy to only see one moment in your career as a stepping stone to the next one-“If we do well at this festival, maybe we’ll get invited to play that festival.” That’s no way to live.

Something we learned through being Warped Tour, after the fact, was just how important it is to make relationships with other bands. The entire summer we were either on stage or at the merch table, doing signings, taking photos, selling t-shirts. By the time the evening barbecue started, we were usually way too worn out to come hang. That was a regret. It would have been healthy to add that element of fun, plus it would have been nice to get to know some of the other bands a little bit better. If we had a chance to do it over, we would make it a point to connect with our fellow friends in the scene.

 Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?

Today, I feel like telling our fans to just stay in their own lane and try to love their crazy beautiful selves. If you don’t fit in with what society expects of you, maybe that’s because you’re actually a total badass and aren’t ever going to fit the norm. If you feel trapped in your tiny town, maybe thats because you were made for something way more exciting. If you feel awkwardly small inside your own life, it’s probably because you have a big, beautiful life waiting for you to start living it.

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Interview: Flawes

London Alternative Pop Band, Flawes, are in the midst of a whirlwind of excitement as they continue to spread their wings and challenge themselves to become the best that they can be as musicians and human beings. I caught up with the guys to discuss the upcoming release of their debut album, ‘Highlights’, always having someone to talk to while on the road, the importance of taking time away from your phone, learning to enjoy the moment and more.

Congrats on the upcoming release of your debut album, ‘HIGHLIGHTS’. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray throughout the new album.

Thank you, ‘Highlights’ represents the journey we’ve taken as a band over the last three years. Our sound has naturally evolved and we couldn’t be happier with where it has ended up. These 12 songs are quite literally the highlights from the writing process.

JC: The album features a series of open letters to myself as well as a few songs about love and heartbreak. I like to let the listener attach their own sentiment to the music so a lot of the lyrics are fairly ambiguous.’

Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working in the music industry.

JC : I always struggle to enjoy the moment, i’m always concentrating on the next thing. One of the songs on the album ‘Take This Slow’ is all about telling myself to slow down. It’s a work in progress!

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time? 

JC: Another song on the album ‘Don’t Count Me Out’ was all about a time where I was unfairly written off. Instead of giving in, I decided to fight back and prove them wrong. Everytime we play the song live I take myself to that time and place. Sometimes I get a little carried away! 

What is your perception on the digital world that we live in and social media culture?

FE: I think it’s easy to live your life through your phone, reaching to your pocket when you’re at a gig instead of appreciating it in the moment. I’m always trying to use mine less but it’s super hard to do so, especially when you’re on a tour bus for hours and hours! I’m definitely an advocate of using phones less. 

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in.

FE: I’ve recently fallen in love with cooking – I never thought I’d enjoy it as much as I do! There is something very satisfying about cooking for friends or family, especially when the food goes down well. I also love keeping fit and reading, I’m clearly the old man of the band.

As you are exposed to tons of stimulus, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health when you’re out on the road?

FE: One of the benefits of being in a band (as opposed to being a solo artist), is that you have friends around to talk with. Hearing different perspectives is a really helpful way of getting out of repetitive negative thought patterns. 

You have toured with a wide variety of musicians over the past years and have played at some major festivals. Tell us some words of wisdom that you collected along the way. 

HUSS: Treat people how you’d like to be treated, be polite & friendly to everyone you meet and most importantly, enjoy doing what you love. 

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?

HUSS: Thank you for having such great taste in music, this is only the beginning. 

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Interview: Bent Knee

Boston Band, Bent Knee, are stepping into a new realm of musical creativity that pours forward an atmospheric touch that leaves listeners swooning in an electric rush. On the verge of the release of their new album, ‘You Know What They Mean’, I caught up with Courtney to discuss growing into a better team player, the dream of taking a yoga training course in the future, the importance of cultivating your sense of self and more.

Congrats on the upcoming release of your new album, ‘You Know What They Mean’. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray throughout the new release.

Like most of our albums, I don’t think there’s a definitive message behind YKWTM as much as the hope that folks enjoy listening to it. When we were writing the songs we were focused on finding infectious grooves that make you want to move. In the studio we worked on capturing sounds and performances with a lot of attitude. It’s simultaneously our most accessible and more experimental album to date, and we’re all enthralled with how it turned out. 

Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working in the music industry.

It’s important to cultivate your sense of self. I think it’s easy to get thrown around if you’re trying to read other people’s expressions or parse through different pieces of advice. It’s a volatile industry where just because something worked once for somebody is no assurance that it will be a good thing for you. It helps to be at peace with yourself and the decisions you make, rather than feeling pushed around. At a micro level, being on the road or at shows can be challenging or fun, depending on how much you can meet your own needs in a graceful way. I was always somebody who tried to take the temp of the situation before deciding on what I want. Over the years I think I’ve become better about understanding and articulating what I need, which has counterintuitively made me a better team player.

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?

For a long time I felt like I was a bad person, and I had a wicked confirmation bias that ensnared me in some sad basement corner of my life. Some of my bandmates and friends started seeing therapists for various different reasons, and I decided to start working with one myself. With their help, personal work, and time, I’ve dug myself out of that sad pit. I feel good about myself, and I feel more vividly alive than ever have. On sunny days I find myself looking at the sky and getting emotional about the bright blue and the energy radiating in the atmosphere. 

What is your perception on the digital world that we live in and social media culture?

It’s a lot to take in! I love Instagram and I get a lot of inspiration and encouragement from it. Still, I don’t like how much of my time it tends to eat, and how quickly my phone becomes a Instagram machine rather than a telephone. When I come off tour, I often try to delete social media off my phone to get back into a rhythm of life. If I’m in line for something I actively try to stare at the wall or look around, and avoid tuning into social media.

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in.

Lately I’ve been really focused on yoga. One of my life goals is to take a teacher training course by the time I’m 35, but for now I’ve been trying to practice every day. I’m proud that I vary between hot sweaty yoga and restorative yoga, so I’m not just going to sweat or exercise so much as for my mind. In the last year I ran a half marathon and a 10k, which made me feel really great. I was never super athletic growing up, so I felt really empowered knowing I could run long distances like that. Cooking and baking are also big passions for me, and I’ve been really interested in photography, drawing, and watercolors, too. 

As you are exposed to tons of stimulus, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health when you’re out on the road?

Being on the road is not a big chore for me (I’m lucky). Usually if I’m feeling rough, I just need to listen to myself and do whatever I’m aching to do. It’s always refreshing to walk somewhere alone, or even hop in a ride share to go do something I really want to. Sometimes taking a nap, reading a book with my nice headphones on, or drawing can really make me feel better. On most days I do yoga while we’re waiting for soundcheck, and that helps ground me a lot. I think the toughest aspect of tour is the waiting. Waiting for people to go eat, waiting for lines to be run, waiting for loadout, etc. etc. It’s good to find ways to make that time active and engaging, and avoid being  bummed out staring at my phone. 

You have toured with a wide variety of musicians over the past years and have played at some major festivals. Tell us some words of wisdom that you collected along the way.

I can’t think of anything anyone specifically said to me, but we’ve certainly toured with a lot of kind and thoughtful people. For some reason I thought that people got meaner or more entitled towards the top of the food chain, fighting for the limited space available of being a “big band”. What I’ve learned is that it seems there’s plenty of room for kind and hardworking people, and most folks try to help each other out whenever they can. 

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?

So grateful that there are folks out there listening and enjoying our music. We hear you and we see you, and we’re very grateful for your support and your positivity! 

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Interview: American Grim

New Jersey Rockers, American Grim, are steadily making their way into the hearts of Rock lovers around the globe with their infectious riffs and stage presence. On the brink of the upcoming release of ‘Ultra Black’, I caught up with the guys to discuss the discomfort of losing a loved one, learning the value of defeat through martial arts, learning through observing fellow touring bands and more.

Congrats on the upcoming release of ‘Ultra Black’. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray throughout the new album.

In a world where nothing is given and your trying to find your purpose, “Ultra Black” did just that for us. We wrote Ultra Black in a very dark time in our life as a band. This is an album about overcoming your weaknesses and gaining control of your demons.

Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working in the music industry.

Patience is the key, stay humble, and your nothing without a vision. 

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time? 

Losing a loved one. Seeing firsthand how life can end so quickly. The discomfort may never end, but through that hardship it is made clearer that life is an incredible give and needs to be lived to its full potential. When you realize how fast it can all end, the little problems in life can fade away and allow you see things clearer. 

What is your perception on the digital world that we live in and social media culture?

I think as much as it gives a chance to create, it gives a chance for everything to be less genuine. We will continue to embrace whatever form a media we can to tell our message, but nothing will ever compare to seeing us perform in a live environment. 

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in. 

Being primarily a musician and martial artist. I have learned the values of defeat. Over and over again. You must live balanced. I constantly put myself in bad positions while fighting, just to workout of them. When training is over, it’s like I’m recharged to take on life and all the crazy things it throws at me. This translates to staying composed in high pressure situations with the band, on stage or just in life in general. 

As you are exposed to tons of stimulus, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health when you’re out on the road?

I try to eat the same way I would eat at home, focused around a high protein diet. I workout when I can, and just tell myself ” You are doing what you always wanted to do, play music”. 

You have toured with a wide variety of musicians over the past years and have played at some major festivals. Tell us some words of wisdom that you collected along the way. 

I think being around bigger and more established bands makes you level up. Its not easy to tour, especially for a long time. So you pay attention to what these older bands are doing, watch how there production and crew operate and how they work as a team. 

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?!

Our Latest single “Nightmare” has reached just under 1 million views on Youtube. We just want to thank everyone for the support of our new album ‘Ultra Black’. We are truly looking forward to getting a chance to meet you all on the road! 

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Interview: Axel Thesleff

Helsinki Electronic Musician, Axel Thesleff, has found pieces of himself through his uncanny creations of music that leave listeners feeling more in tune with themselves after every listen. In celebration of the new release of “Unity”, I caught up with Axel to discuss operating in the music business, remaining present while on the road, overstimulation, music being a communion rather than a competition and more.

Congrats on the release of “Unity”. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray throughout the new track.

Thank you! The song has a hopeful and empowering melody to it, which I associate with overcoming fear and hate. The track also features a sample of Carnatic singing from South India which has a very peaceful vibe and adds to the theme that way. It’s all very abstract of course but for me the song is about peace, love and unity, and overcoming the obstacles that keep us from achieving them.

Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working in the music industry.

The past few years have been a pretty crazy ride for me and my team and I’ve definitely learned a lot of things. Operating in the music business independently has had a big learning curve, and it has been a great joy to learn from every moment of the journey. The whole industry is in a big structural change due to disruptive technologies and countless start-ups offering services that enables small teams like mine to operate on a global scale, which is amazing. When it comes to the music itself, one big aspect especially of late has been developing and streamlining the live show. In electronic music there are no fixed methods on how to perform a live show and finding the solutions that best suit you is a long process. After touring extensively in the US earlier this year the live show is now more solid than ever. I’ve also come to love the stage and don’t find myself that nervous before the show anymore. One big reason for this is feeling very comfortable with the technology and the way in which I perform.

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time? 

I would say self doubt and second guessing myself. It’s important to be objective about yourself and your craft, but that also means not being too hard on yourself and fully standing behind what you do. Also, having too many thoughts and mind chatter in general has been something that I’ve been working with by meditating and it’s something that I’ve noticed an improvement in over time. Ultimately it’s about losing the illusion of the self.

What is your perception on the digital world that we live in and social media culture?

It’s a two sided issue. On one hand they have brought us closer together and democratized music production and music industry in a big way. I can create a track in my home studio by myself, and release it worldwide straight into people’s pockets, it’s really amazing when you think about it. So it’s been a game changer in many ways. At the same time it has created an explosion of information. Everyone is competing for people’s time and attention. Social media can also create negative effects, like making people feel isolated, left out and “less than” if they compare themselves too much with other people’s posts, which at the end of the day are often just a glorified version of what the reality actually is. But I think overall the digital world has had better consequences on people than negative, we just have to learn to navigate the landscape in a more conscious way. 

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in.

I try to be as present in the moment as I can in everything I do, weather enjoying nature, traveling, spending time with people or doing nothing in particular. I’m trying to appreciate everything that life throws my way and learn from everything as much as possible. I have the mentality of being a lifelong student so to speak and never stop learning about new things.

As you are exposed to tons of stimulus, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health when you’re out on the road?

I’m someone who’s very prone to overstimulation and too much mind chatter. On the road you’re meeting new people everyday, going to places you’ve never been to before and exposing yourself to things you’ve never been exposed to before. Also the rough schedule and sometimes bad diet throws things off balance which exacerbates the imbalance even more. I tend to do a lot of mindfulness meditation when I’m transported to another place and it helps a lot. I try to observe everything that happens in my mind without being carried away by any thought. It grounds the mind and clears it from unnecessary clutter. 

You have toured with a wide variety of musicians over the past years and have played at some major festivals. Tell us some words of wisdom that you collected along the way. 

Just be your authentic self and present in the moment, don’t try to pretend to be something you’re not. Don’t look down on anyone and take other people seriously. Don’t obsess about the game, but instead try to be the embodiment of what got you here in the first place which is the shared love we feel towards music. Music is not a competition, it’s a communion.

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?!

Thank you so much for supporting me and for all the positivity I receive from you every day! It’s amazing to see that what I create matters to people and humbling to know that people can relate to it and find value in it. I will never stop doing what I’m doing and I’ll do my best to be the best version of myself for you.

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Interview: Laura Cox

Guitar Goddess, Laura Cox, has taken the world of the internet by storm through her idiosyncratic approach toward bringing her guitar and music dreams to life. I caught up with the lady who strums right into your heart for a chat about the upcoming release of ‘Burning Bright’, remaining grounded and kind with your fans no matter what you’re enduring, using YouTube to maximize her career, gaining confidence and more.

Header Photo Credit: Clement Coupin

Congrats on the upcoming release of ‘Burning Bright’. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray throughout the new album.

Thank you! Burning Bright isn’t the title of one of the songs on the album, but it’s a positive message. It’s about evolution, being yourself, growing up, personal battles, etc. I think it’s a perfect name for this second album. When you listen to the 10 tracks, you can relate to this “Burning Bright” theme every time, even if the songs and the lyrics are quite different and mean something else.

Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working in the music industry.

I mostly gained confidence. I used to be a bit shy, afraid of upsetting people, and thinking about other people’s feelings and expectations before thinking about mine. Being an artist also means you have to stand by your convictions, and be able to say “no” when you don’t feel like doing something. You’ll never be able to please everyone and you have to accept that.

Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time? 

I’ve always considered myself as a guitarist more than a singer. My challenge is to put both skills at the same level, because I realized singing was as important as playing guitar (if not more!). I’m working on that, and I have the feeling that my efforts are starting to pay off. We’ll see how it turns out. 

Photo Credit: Christopher Crenel

What is your perception on the digital world that we live in and social media culture?

Although everything has become digital, I’m really glad to know that Rock n’ Roll fans still buy physical music. Our fans are “old school” music lovers, they keep on buying cds and vinyls, and I think that’s a very good thing. I have nothing against the digital side of music, it’s very practical, it’s easier and cheaper… But the packaging of an album (cover, booklet,etc.) is also part of the product, part of the art.

Social media is a big part of the game now! I originally come from Youtube, so I think a lot of people discovered me on the internet, I can’t deny that, although I like the “real” and “live” part better. I try to be active on these websites, it’s all about balance!

No career path or amount of followers negates the fact that you are a human being that has feelings. Tell us about some parts of you beyond being a musician that you take pride in. 

I’m a simple girl! I think I’m an easy-to-be-around person, and I can get along well with everyone. I also tend to not take anything too seriously, but I’m not sure that’s a good thing! Anyway, I know how to put things into perspective.

As you are exposed to tons of stimulus, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health when you’re out on the road?

It’s easy, living with the boys in my band, sharing the same passion, the same moments of happiness and disappointements, ups and downs moments… We know how to take care of each other. Having each other’s back makes us stronger. Being a team is really important, and that’s what keeps us “healthy”.

You have toured with a wide variety of musicians over the past years and have played at some major festivals. Tell us some words of wisdom that you collected along the way. 

Even if you’re in a bad day, you have to be kind to everyone. The fans are the most important thing in your musician life, because you are able to make a living of what you love, thanks to them. That’s the best gift in the world! Don’t be too stressed out, or afraid to go on stage, to jam with other musicians. In the end, what matters the most is to be yourself and have fun. If you’re enjoying the moment enough to let go, people will feel that and enjoy it too, even if it’s not perfect. Everything you do can have an impact on someone, even the tiniest details, so you have to be sure to set the right example, especially when it comes to young fans that see a role model in you.

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?!

Keep on listening to good music! Keep Rock n’ Roll alive! It has a bright future, and it’s mostly thanks to you.

Laura Cox Social Links:

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