Bay Area Musician, Chow Mane, continues to level-up his game through emerging himself in his work while attracting both long-time and casual Hip-Hop fans. I caught up with Chow Mane for a great chat about the drop of “Silk Road”, sharing his life experiences through his artistry, learning how to be a good cook over time, the importance of making sure to analyze your artistic journey while sticking to your own script and more.
Congrats on the recent drop of “Silk Road”. Tell us about your experience working with Oksami and what it’s like collaborating on a track during the pandemic.
I wanted to mess around with different sounds on “Silk Road”. I actually had produced the title track “Silk Road” myself; that riff for the bassline was stuck in my head for days, so I just combined that with some drums to create that funky bounce. For the B-Side, “Xanadu”, I wanted the complete opposite of that so I asked Oksami if he could help me create something a lot more flourishing and musically complex which is more up his lane. We actually worked on these two songs last year before the pandemic hit, but the process was similar. I sent him “Silk Road” and asked if he could almost flip it on it’s head to create what we now have as “Xanadu”.
Your music continues to grow as you tackle multiple genres and continue to experiment. Tell us about how being in The Bay has helped shape you as an artist.
As a recording artist and producer, I just love experimenting with different sounds and vibes. “Silk Road” was a really over the top, energetic rap song that had everybody in the studio laughing at how wild some of the bars were. I wanted to take the wild energy of an artist like Comethazine, the punchlines of an artist like Wayne, the flows of my local scene, and my own experiences in the South Bay to put together this song.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you had recently and were able to overcome over time?
Each one of my songs is true to a part of me and my experience. I don’t want to be boxed into a certain perception of identity based on one song. At the same time, it’s hard for an artist to capture everything they want to within just one piece of work, so I try my best to bring multiple facets of my personality to my music.
What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
I think social media captures a snapshot of people’s experiences but doesn’t give the whole picture. For most things I prefer to be more private, but anything that would interest fans I put out there to share.
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.
Other than music, I’m pretty happy my cooking has gotten better. I’ve been slowly learning traditional family recipes that are coming out amazing.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with someone who has guided you through your journey as an artist, who would you choose and why?
I think everyone has gone through their own individual journey to get to where they are and what works for one person won’t work for everyone. I have a lot of artists I really look up to, but I think I need to carve my own path rather than trying to follow someone else’s.
Going back to when you were 12-years-old, if you were stuck at home how we were at the peak of COVID, what would your 12-year-old self be doing?
I would probably be at home playing Maplestory and making beats on FL Studio.
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?
I’m really excited to show y’all South Bay Summer; to put on for San Jose & the South Bay and to help everyone ride out these summertime vibes for the rest of the year.
Hip Hop Artist, YONAS, is riding the high from his #GoodDayChallenge viral momentum which continues to attract millions of users on Instagram and TikTok. Though YONAS spearheaded livestream culture through maximizing the features on his YouTube Channel prior to the IG Live quarantine boom, YONAS continues to weave a fresh culture of fun into his artistry which is both refreshing and liberating. I caught up with YONAS for a great discussion about the inspiration behind “Good Day”, resilience, balancing the business side of music, being mindful of healthy eating while on the road and more.
Congrats on the success of your “Good Day” challenge so far. Tell us about the message and intention that you intended to portray throughout the track and challenge.
Thanks! I wrote “Good Day” in a time where I needed to remind myself to remain positive. I wrote it from the standpoint of “look at all these things happening in our daily lives, how can we not be happy!?” We had been sitting on the song and given how strange the times are right now, the team and I thought that it needed to surface now. We launched the challenge around it to further the messaging of positivity. Seeing how many people have taken part is nuts, hopefully we can keep the good vibes spreading!
As we are all in quarantine, how have you been occupying your day-to-day to remain grounded and driven in the eye of COVID?
I’ve been spending a lot of time with my daughter which is something I haven’t taken for granted. My work has me on the road a lot but Covid has slowed all of that down so it’s been a blessing in disguise. I’ve also been working on a ton of new demos as well as working out daily again.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
The idea of retiring from being a performing artist. When you do something because you love the artform but then it becomes a business, it’s tough to maintain your passion at its purest form. I love the business side and I’ve been fortunate to have made great money from music, but as an artist I’m in it to compete at the highest level artistically. To have the music I create exposed to the masses based on its quality. That’s really hard when you have artists like 6IX9INE, Lil whoever, etc. getting praise for average lyrics and average music all because they have extraordinary marketing dollars and shock factor gimmicks. What is the music industry really if not about the art? The percentage of artists that make it based on talent is so minuscule, it just gets discouraging at times. I don’t want to sound naive… I knew this was the industry from day one and I’ve been fighting the good fight for nearly 10 years independently. But it’s just challenging to continue fighting a machine with endless amounts of cheat codes. At the end of the day though, I’m resilient, and I found a way to set up new goals, continue to raise my profile, get back into that fighter’s mentality, and I’m now seeing doors open that can be career and life changing. Love for the arts always conquers, and always wins in the end.
What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
I love how interconnected we are. I wouldn’t have the career I do if it wasn’t for the digital world and how it allows for discovery of music and art from anywhere in the world. The culture of social media is constantly changing which always feels like you’re fighting an uphill battle. One week we’re pushing all of our fans to like my Facebook page, the next week you can’t even reach them without spending tons of ad dollars. Just a rapidly evolving space.
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 just take pride in my resilience. Life isn’t easy for anyone, and the only thing we’re guaranteed is that things are bound to go wrong at some point in life. It’s how you deal with it and how you push through it that defines you.
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 well while I’m on the road. A lot of tours just stick to the fast food/gas station world, but if I eat like that, I feel horrible, and that’s reflected in my mood, sleeping, and performances. I try to make sure I’m well caffeinated and eating healthy while on tour. It does wonders for my physical, mental, and emotional health.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with your younger self, what would you say to him?
Your life is just a moment in time. Don’t overthink it. Contribute all that you can to the world, turn over every stone, and do everything with the intention of pushing human civilization forward. Think forward. Build forward. Create forward. And when the history books are reviewed, you’ll be among those that did life the right way.
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?
Appreciate all of you. We’ve taken this movement from a kid in the South Bronx to an artist who has toured the world. Lets keep it going!
New Orleans Brass Ensemble, The Soul Rebels, have a musical synergy that takes listeners to a place of tranquility throughout their latest full-length release, ‘Poetry In Motion’. I caught up with the guys to discuss feeling limitless within their artistic endeavors, the power of discipline, how the digital world has awakened new territories for creation, equality for women, culture and more.
Congrats on the release of ‘Poetry In Motion’. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray throughout the album.
We intended for this album to portray limitlessness. As artists and based on our musical experiences, we truly feel limitless and freedom around our music. As a band, we’ve been through a lot of experiences, emotions and journeys throughout this musical life, and we feel our artistry is without boundary. This album represents a freedom of genre and style, a fusion of sounds, influences and cultures. We truly feel that this album transcends. We’re very proud of ‘Poetry In Motion’.
Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working in the music industry.
Having discipline and teamwork are qualities you learn quickly, and over time for a band comprised of eight band members like ours, we’ve learned how to have patience and support each other. Respecting every one’s voice and having a collaborative mind set has been powerful. We’ve grown to become very adaptable as people and as artists. We’ve learned that we’re most successful when we create music that’s true to our hearts and souls.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
Musicians and artists go through stages of self doubt and suffer from that. But it’s part of the process, looking in the mirror and asking questions. It’s something you overcome and learn from. But it’s always something that lives with you. We’re always questioning, it can be challenging and trying.
What is your perception on the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
The digital world has given us a lot of incredible and profound tools; to obtain information, access, knowledge and it has connected us all. It’s allowed us to connect with the world and have access to infinite information. At the same time, it’s disabled some people’s ability to be self reliant and in some sense, be original. Some times the least talented are the ones that surface. For artists, it’s important that WE always respect the process of becoming an artist, and we always start by looking within. It’s important that we don’t allow a digital mindset from overpowering and compromising our self pursuit of accessing our deepest artistic feelings and looking within. We hope the digital world doesn’t dilute and cloud our artistry. The digital world has provided a stage and opportunity for meritocracy. Anyone and everyone can become famous on Soundcloud, YouTube and Instagram. We hope these platforms and the infinite access don’t turn our society and culture into accepting and embracing meritocracy, and allowing it to be the standard. At the same time, the digital world has allowed us to share our message to the world, to everyone only a click away. Social media as been a primary driver for marketing the band and who we are, where we are and what we’re doing and when.
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.
We take pride in being hard working, humble and honest people. We have self respect, and we work very hard and try to think creatively and as innovators. We realize that we’re role models and figures within our community and culture, people look up to us. We care greatly about issues that involve mental health, equality for women and freedom of expression for all people. Issues surrounding the extreme police brutality epidemic and the unnecessary and unjust killings of people of color are profoundly important to us. We’re all in this life together, and we should all try to love each other a bit more. Civil rights, the environment, access to health insurance for all, access to education for all children, music education, human rights and providing kids with better support in our school systems are important issues to all eight of us.
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?
This is a great question. We try to stay healthy on the road. We are a group of eight musicians, we’re all close and we’re all here for each other. It can be hard to be away from home and our families while on tour. We try to take care of ourselves and make smart decisions, and have fun. The music lifts our souls and spirits. Music and performing for our fans all over the world is so healing. Performing gives us energy.
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.
We’ve performed all over the world with a wide range of artists in a wide range of countries. We work with artists spanning Katy Perry and Marilyn Manson, Nas to Metallica and everyone in between. We’ve toured and traveled through the slums of Brazil, villages in Haiti and in rural China, South Korea, Indonesia and all over Europe. A few of the most important pieces of wisdom we’ve collected, is to always be a good person and show respect, and to always let the soul lead. Having soul, passion, love and channeling it through our music has been a blessing. It’s shown us that we’re all connected because we can all feel music and share in having a soul. Soul transcends genre. Soul is more of a philosophy, mindset and approach than just a musical style, it’s an attitude and feeling. Soul is our mantra.
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?!
Being young and motivated keeps you ahead of the curve in the music industry and AK is an example of what it means to give your artistry your all. In celebration of “30 Blunts” and over 300K views on the music video so far, I caught up with AK for a great chat about substance and the distractions that he feels comes with the world of entertainment, staying positive during the pandemic, using FaceTime and Zoom to stay in touch with friends and family and more.
Congrats on the recent release of your new single, “30 Blunts”. Tell us about the message and intention behind the track.
30 Blunts is all about the temptations that we’re faced with regularly. With this song specifically I geared it more towards the temptations I face personally as a young artist in hip hop. The drugs, alcohol and all the distractions that come from this lifestyle. The message is that although I may have caught myself feeding into the distractions or at least considering giving in more than I ever had before, I still remembered how important it is for me to keep focused on what I know is important. So staying clear of the negative things and being more on top of keeping in tune with my priorities is what this song is about. I did it in the most fun while also serious way possible. And I had a blast during the creative process of the song and video that goes along with it.
I know that the Coronavirus has been really impactful on all, yet tell us the lowdown on how you have been utilizing all of your time in quarantine.
I’ve done my best to stay positive about this whole pandemic. It’s important to acknowledge how devastating it has been for so many people and it’s horrible how hard some people’s lives have been impacted by it. But I’ve done my best to stay safe and focused on tapping into my creative side and it’s important for us all to use this time to do the same. Try viewing this negative situation as an opportunity to try things that you’ve yet to do but have always wanted to. Making more music and brainstorming ideas for what is coming next for me is what I’ve been doing to keep busy, I’ll go on walks on paths around my house to get fresh air or go on drives to let loose. But I think tapping even deeper into my creative side has helped me the most throughout this time so far.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
How am I going to stay sane if I can’t leave my house or see any of my friends or outside family? I’ve used FaceTime and Zoom more than ever in the last few months to stay connected with the people I want to see but can’t in person yet. It’s a blessing that we have those sorts of apps to use during this time. So I try my best to take advantage of it.
What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
It’s scary because of how fake it can be. Some people based their worth off what their social media accounts are and that’s when I feel it becomes a negative thing for people to have. But in a lot of ways social media is amazing. The jokes, the entertainment, being able to use apps to get into shape that give you exercises and food portions for dieting, being able to video chat family and friends that you can’t see because of the circumstances. Showcasing your talents and building a following for people to all connect to. There’s a lot of positives but that also comes with a lot on the other side of it. I feel like social media is one of the biggest blessings and one of the biggest curses to my generation.
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 learned how to do a flip the other day which is pretty fire! I can do magic with a deck of cards. I’ve played sports all throughout growing up into highschool. I didn’t go to college, I chose to chase a dream rather than go that route. And I have an awesome, hardworking and supportive family.
If you could smoke a few and soak up some wisdom with anyone in the world, who would you choose and why?
JCole. He’s one of my biggest inspirations and the way he’s able to talk about real life things and help people through their difficult experiences even if they aren’t experiences he’s had personally. That has always been something I admired about him and his craft and I’d love to one day be able to just chop it up with him.
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?
I love you dearly. Thanks for rocking with me like you do <3
Toronto Musician, Nikki Jumper, has channeled her glimpse into the quarantine darkness into an opportunity to express herself through her artistry in her most candid way yet. In celebration of the release of “Apocalypse Love”, I caught up with Nikki for a great chat about the meaning behind the track, holistic health, finding confidence in oneself again, dreams of video chatting with Grimes and more.
Congrats on the recent release of your new single, “Apocalypse Love”. Tell us the message that you intended to portray throughout this release.
Thank you so much! You know, we wrote this song last summer – before this “Apocalypse” started to happen with the virus and quarantine. We went down a spiral of “what if the Apocalypse happens?” and created a little bit of a dystopian fantasy about what it would feel like to be in the Apocalypse. Even though it’s pretty dark, and we sing about things like an A.I take-over…. it’s truly a love song. It’s about finding the love and strength in yourself and those around you, even in the chaos. It’s about us vs. them, and the capability we have to fight – together.
I know that the Coronavirus has been really impactful on all, yet tell us the lowdown on how you have been utilizing all of your time in quarantine.
Quarantine has been really eye opening. I’ve been able to really dig deep into what I want to create both now and when this is all over. I’ve been feeling all of the emotions – restless, sad, angry, isolated, lonely, optimistic, happy, excited, creative, and burnt-out. Feeling all of these emotions and diving into the shadow has been really helpful for me to see the light of it all. I’ve been asking myself a lot of questions. Why do I feel this way? Why am I sad? What am I excited about? What do I really want? How can I make the most out of this time? How can I turn this turmoil into gold? What gifts will come out of this suffering? How can I make my life better when this is over? So, what I’ve been doing is using these emotions as fuel for new music, to write new songs, to dive deeper into how I feel and to be able to tap into the parts of myself I’ve been suppressing while being “busy” in normal life. It’s not easy – it’s definitely easier to numb out than to face these feelings. But I really have been enjoying this reflective time to both create new, more authentic music and to also make plans for the future that will be more exciting than before!
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
I definitely had a lot of fear and anxiety around my music and my body image. I was super worried I wasn’t good enough, and wasn’t fit enough. I had lost my confidence in myself the moment I began to listen to the opinions of others. Producers telling me that I can’t sing, I’m too fat, too old (in my early twenties!), I won’t “make it”, etc. It was a really traumatizing experience to have my dreams stripped away by people who were supposed to be helping me. I stopped singing and writing and I became super depressed. I was listening to all of the outside voices telling me I would fail. It was honestly the worst feeling in the world, to lose my power like that. Francesco saw how upset I was, how hurt I was, and how badly I wanted to be creative again. So he built me a music studio in my house. I started writing and recording again and working with my vocal coaches. I started to love and accept myself a little more every day. I decided I wouldn’t listen to anyone’s opinions and I became a ruthless curator of my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I decided to simply do what I love, make music for the sake of it, and not let anyone tell me what I could or couldn’t do. I got my power back. And it’s a choice I make every day. I’m not a victim. Now, I’m feeling much more confident in myself.
What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
I absolutely love technology. However, it’s much like money…it’s not good or bad, it only makes you more of who you are. The digital world empowers creativity, connection, and a positive impact on the world. But it also empowers narcissism, depression, and anxiety. It all depends on your filter on the world, and how you want to use it. For example, the digital world has allowed you to create an amazing digital magazine, and that’s so exciting and amazing to live in a time where you can do that! I think if we use social media to empower our thoughts, ideas, and our joy – it’s a great thing. 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 made the conscious choice to not make my entire life about being a singer. Yes, I love music, I love singing, and I find pleasure in it every day. But, when it’s my only focus – I tend to miss out on life itself and what fuels creativity. Yes, I want to share my music with the world – but I don’t make my social media numbers my #1 objective. This defeats the point of art. For me, the truest and most joyest form of art is life itself. My top priority is to live a magical life. So I make sure to have my morning and evening rituals that I love. To be in nature, move my body, meditate, spend time with my puppy and my family and friends. I love travelling and experiencing different cultures. I also have projects in the holistic health and beauty realm which I’ll be sharing more with my audience this year!
If you could video-chat right now with one of your favorite artists of all time, who would you choose and why?
Oh my gosh! I’d love to get on a video call with Grimes and Elon Musk right now. I have so many questions! Like why did you name your kid X Æ A-12? Are you planning to raise him on Mars? Will your family use Neuralink? Are you going to make an album with 100% A.I.?! Honestly, such a fascinating couple and I’d love to pick their brains!
Are there any fun or new recipes that you’ve tried cooking up during quarantine?!
For the first month, I made pasta 2-3x a day! Mostly because it’s my ultimate comfort food. Also, I actually made replicas of In-N-Out and Big Mac Sauce! It was so delicious. Tomorrow, I’ll be baking some new cakes.
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?
No matter what you want to do in life – follow your desire and joy! Don’t listen to anyone who tells you you can’t. I honestly wish I had known that sooner! Dream bigger. Believe in yourself. Do what you can to experience love, magic, and beauty in everything you do!
Canadian Singer, Olivia Lunny, is no stranger to the limelight and continues to embody her highest self through her bold, feminine expression of power throughout her artistry. In celebration of the breakup anthem of quarantine, I caught up with Olivia for a great chat about “Think Of Me”, spending time in the kitchen over quarantine, the importance of taking time to tune into yourself and meditate and more.
Congrats on the recent release of your new single, “Think Of Me”. It seems like you have gone through some soul-searching that has led you to some clarity. Tell us the message that you intended to portray throughout this release.
Thank you! and I have indeed. I’m really excited that through writing this song, and the ones that will follow, I have really gotten a sense of my sound and identity as an artist. I’m grateful for this and can’t wait to share my experiences and narrate my story as I begin sharing it with the world. “Think of Me” is a great introduction to my new sound as it showcases bits and pieces of what’s to come!
I know that the Coronavirus has been really impactful on all, yet tell us the lowdown on how you have been utilizing all of your time in quarantine.
I’ve been spending lots of time in the kitchen, I recently rediscovered my love for listening to vinyl again, I’ve also taken up stretching and meditation frequently. As chaotic and scary this time has been in the world, I think it’s been a necessary reset for everyone. I’ve also written a few songs in quarantine. It’s a very strange time in the world but i’m grateful for my health and to music for helping me navigate my way through it.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
Great question. Being a future oriented person I tend to think very far ahead and this can lead me to asking myself the uncertain question of “what’s next..?”. Being forced to slow down and take time at home has taught me to live more in the present and trust that being fully present will result in being more productive and content! The future is unknown but embracing that as something that is exciting is the best thing one can do.
What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
A blessing and a curse. I think it’s incredible we all have the ability to reach such varied audiences and connect with others through social media. I think it’s also negative however, that everyone is constantly (whether they’re aware of it or not) comparing their lives to others. Something I’ve found amazing is creating my feed on instagram a positive space to come and be inspired through. I follow lots of health and wellness pages now, daily quote accounts etc, social media can be as wonderful or as horrific as you create it to be… I think it’s so important we all chose to use social media in a healthy and smart 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 love movement, whether that’s running, stretching, taking intense workout classes or doing yoga. For me Mental wellness is just as, if not more, important than physical health. Fitness gives me clarity and makes me feel balanced mentally and physically.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with someone who has guided you through your journey as an artist, who would you choose and why?
My brother (who is now also my manager). Along with helping me navigate this crazy industry of music, he has always been someone I look to for inspiration. He approaches life with the “nothing is impossible” mindset and seeing him apply that and have success in his own career has really motivated me to pursue the things I want in life. He has also taught me to have an abundance mentality and my perspective and outlook on the world has been much more positive since understanding that.
Are there any fun or new recipes that you’ve tried cooking up during quarantine?!
I’ve been really into trying 4-5 ingredient healthy baking recipes! I’ve made lots of cookies, pancakes and muffins so far!
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?
Stay safe, stay healthy, the world isn’t on hold it’s happening as we speak! Do something that makes you happy today and everyday.
Norway Rockers, Mantric, have joined Solid State Records and are still in the midst of celebration during quarantine as they have put out their latest release, ‘False Negative’. In celebration of the recent release of ‘False Negative’, I caught up with John Robert Mjåland for a great chat about the trajectory of the album, the advantages of technology, taking personality tests, hanging with the family during quarantine and more.
Congrats on the recent release of your new album, ‘False Negative’. Tell us the message that you intended to portray throughout this release.
Thanks! The album has been baked together over the last three years, so I don’t feel like there’s a red thread in our lyrics, it’s definitely not a concept album, and we’ve all been writing lyrics, so they differ a bit. Maybe one theme, or something that comes close, could be “relationships”; how we interact with people, what values and beliefs we hold, motions and emotions. When we were brainstorming the album title, Tor, our guitarist, came up with the medical term “False Negative”, which works as a back layer for the album figuratively speaking, but we had no idea then that the title would hit the nail on the head clinically speaking, exactly when the corona epidemic hit the western world.
I know that the Coronavirus has been really impactful on all, yet tell us the lowdown on how you have been utilizing all of your time in quarantine.
In our family we’ve been able to work from home, so we’re lucky to keep our jobs, but it’s been difficult to get work done with kids hanging over and maintaining homeschooling, kindergarten and online work meetings at the same time. So I’d have to say we’ve been more busy than ever, but maybe not so productive. And I know one shouldn’t complain, probably a lot better to be in a crowded house these days than quarantined all alone, but right now I wouldn’t mind a few days of loneliness. Highlight of the day is to go outside and find a desolate place and just do something with the kids, and then have some grown up time in the evening when everyone is in bed. Anything on tv that makes you think of something other than coronavirus has been very welcome in our house.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
My wife has pointed out to me, more than once, that I can be overly meticulous at times, and especially these last few weeks where everything floats and everything changes from one day to the next, things have been challenging for me.. and needless to say my environment. I think it has to do with being in control, which isn’t easy nowadays, so stepping back, taking a deep breath, trying to take things as they come and deliberately don’t give a crap about everything has been helpful. I’m still working on this, but the current lockdown has put things more in perspective.
What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
The advantages of technology are incredible, not just the equipment we keep around us every day, but also the amount of information more or less anyone can access around the world. I also like following technological development and try to keep up to speed, but everything goes so fast these days. I’ve enjoyed watching Westworld among other great shows, and I think it brings up some important issues on the pace of technology and artificial intelligence, and I’m not so sure how sci-fi something like that will be in the near future. I think we will have to make many ethical considerations and decisions along the way as we make advances, and I hope and think technology in the end will save us from rather than speed up world disasters to come. As for social media, I’m not very positive. I think it’s generally destructive, and for young people growing up today I think it’s more damaging than rewarding. If you take a look at someone’s social wall online, almost everything is bragging in some way or another, very little is information or actual sharing. Many posts are sugar-coated to portray a perfect life and seldom represent reality, and young people growing up might not see the distinction between “professionals” making money on social media and their friends trying to do the same thing on a lesser scale. Building your own self esteem on social media is particularly a way of dragging others down at the same time. Maybe I’m being a bit cynical here.
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’ve taken some personality tests over the years and also followed quite a few podcasts that take on the “Big five” tests in a talk-show format, so I think I have a good idea of where I’m at personally as well as compared to others. What struck me was that I’m maybe not the most empathetic person after all, meaning being able to put myself in the place of others. I don’t take pride in this, and was a bit hard to swallow at first, but I acknowledge this somewhat lacking trait and actually try harder to empathize with others and try being more open minded about people. It has awoken a feeling in me, maybe because I’m conscientious by nature, but being aware and reminding myself helps in this case, and I think it’s possible to make some personal changes although it’s usually very difficult.
Tell us about your experience so far with Solid State Records. How has being a part of the label enhanced your artistry?
Being on Solid State has been good so far, just being on board and knowing there’s a label with people into your music, wanting to share it with the outside world. Obviously, they have a much larger network than us as a band, so they’re busy spreading the music. Promotion is half the job when the record is done, so simply making an album available on Spotify or iTunes wouldn’t do the trick.
Are there any fun or new recipes that you’ve tried cooking up during quarantine?!
We’ve taken things quite easy, I must admit we’ve eaten more hot dogs and pancakes than usual, but we’ve also gone hiking with our backpack stove to justify everything. The kids have also been a bit more eager on making treats while staying inside for so long, so we’ve had desserts more or less every day lately. We even had dessert for dinner one day, a promise made to our youngest daughter a long time ago, which was just as easy pulling off when they’re getting desserts anyway. This was a success by the way. We’ve also used our fair share of random food coloring to spice things up and gone through all our kits for making slime and homemade soaps.
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?
Stay safe in these strange times! Go outside and into nature if you have the chance, bring your hammock and check out our new album.
Los Angeles Musician, Leah Capelle, has been utilizing her time for good and spending time at home giving her fans live-stream shows. I caught up with Leah in the midst of quarantine life to discuss the deep and personal meaning within her debut release, ‘triptych’, her passion for film and graphic design, coming back around from a period of isolation, cooking and more.
Congrats on the recent release of your new LP, ‘triptych’. Tell us the message that you intended to portray throughout this release.
Thank you so much! ‘triptych’ both is and isn’t a concept album, if that makes sense. The thread throughout the record is my story of growth that was both painful and beautiful. I had been very comfortable, and very happy for a long time – until I gradually wasn’t. Yet, my unhappiness was inexplicable to me. And unfortunately, that unhappiness led to a series of poor decisions that completely upended my life. Now, looking back on it I truly believe I needed that push. My greatest art comes from times of uncertainty, and I believe this to be my most pure, most relatable piece of art to date. The core message of the album is this: it’s okay to be sad, to have flaws, to make mistakes, to miss people. It’s what you do with those mistakes and that emptiness that ultimately shapes who you will become, and the process itself – though terribly difficult to understand in the moment – is what makes all the difference.
I know that the Coronavirus has been really impactful on all, yet tell us the lowdown on how you have been utilizing all of your time in quarantine.
I have been surprisingly busy in the time of Corona. I thought I would be losing my mind with boredom but being in an album cycle takes up a lot of bandwidth. I’ve also been fortunate enough to continue having part-time work on the side, so promoting ‘triptych’ and working has taken up the bulk of my time. But in down moments, I’ve been reading again! Right at the beginning of the shelter in place order, I power-read “Breakfast of Champions” by Kurt Vonnegut, and am now almost done with his post-apocalyptic novel “Galapagos.” I binge watched Tiger King along with the rest of America, and finally watched all of Rick and Morty. I’ve been trying to meditate (which I’m terrible at) and have moments of peacefulness throughout the day, as well as cooking more diverse meals for myself (something I’m also terrible at.) And of course, video-calling with friends and family on a more frequent basis than usual which definitely helps keep me sane.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
It’s an irrational yet common fear amongst artists but I’ve been having the challenging thought that I’ll never write as good of songs as are on ‘triptych.’ I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself to start writing the next album, which is crazy since ‘triptych’ came out only two weeks ago! I was sharing these concerns with my friend and fellow artist David Ramirez, and we were working through the feelings I had of restlessness for the “next thing.” It was helpful to talk it all out, and I realized that literally no one is putting pressure on me to write any new music besides myself. So, right now, I’m working on giving myself space to just be in this moment, without forcing myself to be creative.
What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
I feel that social media and the “digital world” are a double edged sword. They have become absolutely crucial for promoting art, sharing music and obviously provide the opportunity to connect with others in ways that were never possible before. But the digital world can also be extremely toxic. I struggle with knowing that I need to post certain types of content consistently and tailor each piece to each individual platform, while also simultaneously wanting to turn off all my technology and sit in a garden. Social media also makes it more difficult to not compare yourself to other artists or really other human beings. I’m fortunate to have a very supportive creative network in which most of us are musicians but of course, pangs of jealousy can pop up when your friends and peers are “more successful” than you at any given point in time. I think navigating social media is the crux of our generation – allowing it to be a platform from which to promote and connect while not letting it be something that consumes your whole life.
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 like to think of myself as a passionate learner and creative person in many senses outside of music. My day-job is in film and I love graphic design, interior design, video editing, etc. I spend my time doing lots of creative things that have nothing to do with music, which in turn makes the time I spend doing music even more special. I also have a business degree, and hope to start my own company someday nurturing young, up-and-coming artists. Another dream of mine involves designing my own house or compound out in nature somewhere like possibly Wyoming. I picture it to have little guest houses for my family and friends along with an on-site studio. I also have this little dream of opening a coffee shop / wine and beer bar that has a stage for singer/songwriters that I would book myself to perform. Lastly, I love hiking, scuba diving, and traveling to new countries and cities I’ve never been to!
There is a very deep and personal meaning throughout ‘triptych’. Has your perception and approach toward your interpersonal relationships changed throughout your journey toward healing?
Oh absolutely. Many of the songs on ‘triptych’ were written during a time in which I essentially isolated myself from being close to other people. It was terrible, but I wasn’t being a good friend in those moments and had to take the time to focus on my healing. During that time I was acting in self-serving ways and no longer listening to the concerns or advice from the people closest to me. I’ve learned so much throughout the whole process of creating this record as it forced me to take long and hard looks at myself, my behavior, and my bad habits and process them in real time. I feel like a completely new and improved version of myself now, two years after the start of this journey. I’m insanely grateful to everyone for sticking by my side through all of it.
Are there any fun or new recipes that you’ve tried cooking up during quarantine?!
As I mentioned before, I’m not a very creative or inventive cook. I pretty much cook just for the sake of sustenance. But I’ve been refining my favorite pasta recipe: sautéed red onion, baby bella mushrooms, sometimes sweet potato, red bell pepper, and whatever other yummy veggies I have in the fridge with olive oil, salt, pepper, and red cayenne pepper. I also add vegan sausage, sliced and crisped in a cast iron skillet. I’ll use whichever pasta fits my mood that day – either tortellini, gnocchi, or good old farfalle and top it with pesto and parmesan. The trick is to mix the veggies, sausage, and pasta all in a skillet once it’s been cooked to get the pasta crispy! Super easy to make in a large batch and have leftovers for when I don’t want to cook again later, which is most of the time.
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?
I know these are really scary times for everyone. The level of stress is skyrocketing, and there is so much uncertainty. If you can, try to take time for yourself every day. It’s okay if you don’t feel motivated – it’s okay if you’re sad.
As for me, I’m doing my best to stay connected and do lots of live streams on social media. I hope you’re enjoying “triptych,” and I’d love to hear from you! You can reach out to me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! We will hopefully all be able to be together soon, and I’ll finally be able to play these songs live for you all.
Minneapolis Musician, Megan Hamilton, has derived inspiration from Hip Hop’s roots to deliver the version of her truth throughout the 420 drop of her latest single, G.R.E.A.M. In celebration of 420 and the release of “G.R.E.A.M.”, I caught up with Megan for a great chat about the all-encompassing story behind the track, using quarantine time as a break from being on tour, blueberry strains, cooking while staying home and more.
Congrats on the upcoming 420 drop of your new single, “G.R.E.A.M. Tell us the message that you intended to portray throughout this release.
G.R.E.A.M. was an idea that followed my initial concept. I told Will he should rap about anything green he could think of. Naturally the first thing that comes to mind is weed but I really didn’t want this to be a “Yo I smoke weed” kind of video. We wanted it to encompass the environment, the power of money, how green is life. Then I thought of G.R.E.A.M. and everything fell into place.
I know that the Coronavirus has been really impactful on all, yet tell us the lowdown on how you have been utilizing all of your time in quarantine.
I’ve actually felt that this was such a welcome and well-needed break from touring. I’ve been hyper productive and spending most of my time streaming or scheming about streaming. It’s a really fun new hobby and I’ve really enjoyed learning the technical aspect.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
This goes hand in hand with the question above. When COVID first hit, I felt a lot of pressure to be prolific and lucrative, while competing with more people than ever before. We’re all constrained to streaming outlets right now, and making sure I wasn’t just another drop in the bucket has been really important for me. I think it’s the little details like streaming transition graphics and well organized advertising campaigns for upcoming streams that make all the difference. Troubleshooting until it’s perfect has consumed a lot of my time, but I don’t regret it at all and it’s alleviated so much headache that I see others dealing with.
What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
Well currently it’s much different than usual. But I’m stoked that this new avenue has provided a new unique learning opportunity and the actual time to learn it. We’re always so busy making excuses. What’s your excuse now?
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 guess I take pride in my dedication to my craft. I’ve played shows to no one, I’ve had releases not go as planned, I’ve had shows cancelled (now more than ever), but I just keep going. Honestly this is all I know and I’ve accepted that. I think perhaps that mindset is what keeps me moving. There is no Plan B. This is what I’m supposed to be doing, this is what I love. What else matters?
What are your current favorite strains and how do you use them to benefit you medicinally?
I’ve always been partial to anything blueberry, but I can’t honestly say I have a favorite strain. Every strain seems to benefit me medicinally, aside from occasional anxiety from a strong sativa. I mostly use it to calm my stomach, or help out with the ol’ hangover.
Are there any fun or new recipes that you’ve tried cooking up during quarantine?!
I’ve been doing a lot of cooking lately so yes! I made a grilled cheese eggs benedict recently on my Toast & Jam brunch live stream, and that was super delicious. Last night I made some stuffed mushrooms and bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, and today I bought some gigantic Tiger Prawns that I’m probably gonna throw on the grill!
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?
We’re gonna make it through this y’all and we’ll be better than ever!
“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know.” – Rene Daumal <3
Back in action in 2020, Anna Dellaria continues to shed down to the soul and embraces her bare bones throughout her songwriting style that naturally tugs at the hearts of listeners. I caught up with Anna for a chat about the recent release of her new single, “Sorry Doesn’t Work”, finding passion through her philanthropic contributions, gratitude for the things that are often overlooked, dreams of playing Outside Lands and more.
Congrats on the release of your new single, “Sorry Doesn’t Work”. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray throughout the track.
Thank you! Honestly, the message with this one is more of a question. What can I say or how do I fix/take back the pain that someone I love is feeling? For me, it was following a fight with someone I loved and I had said words that I didn’t ultimately mean but knew would sting in the heat of the moment. Afterward, I was left with this desperation to take back those words or just console the person and make it better but ultimately knew that it would be out of my control.
You have worked with foundations such as Beyond Differences in the past. Tell us about your philanthropic contributions and what they personally mean to you.
I’m really looking forward to doing more work with organizations like Beyond Differences to bring awareness to causes I think all of us can relate to and unite around. Beyond Differences was special because it focuses on giving young teens tools to be kinder towards one another and feel less alone. Programs like “No One Eats Alone” Day where literally every student is paired up with a new friend at lunch or tools on how to handle cyberbullying. I think it’s important to take care of our youth right now – they are the future.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
I love this question! I’d say the overall question of “am I good enough?” or the thought of “you’re not doing enough” comes to mind frequently. Often that’s initiated by social media, or having a day of feeling “off”. What I’ve found to be helpful for me is to physically get out of my head/house. Often I’ll force myself out for a walk with only the expectation of “just go to the corner and back” and 95% of the time I end up walking a few miles with a fresh perspective and sense of gratitude cause I’m not huddled over on my screen watching everyone “do better” than me. Dogs are the same thing – find an animal if you can to just literally remind you that the world is so much bigger than yourself and you’re doing the best you can.
What is your perception of the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
I have a really mixed opinion on it. Frankly, I think social media is particularly toxic because it’s become a platform for us to usually post a “highlight reel” of our lives that inevitably makes others feel inadequate or alone. At the same time, I think the digital world, in general, have allowed friends and family to connect, and as an artist, it’s allowed me to share my music without having to go through the big pearly gates of a major label like it used to be. I guess a good way of putting it is it can be used for evil as much as it can be used for good haha.
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 being an active family member and trying to find gratitude in the things around me even when it’s hard to accept. There’s always been this weird guilt inside for feeling bad while having a roof over my head & pursuing my dream when so many around the world are in worse places. However, I try to utilize that guilt to be kinder to those around me and do little things to raise awareness for those who need it.
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’ve found writing to be really helpful, even if it’s just like a single paragraph. Other times I’ll make sure to stay in touch with loved ones or try to find a routine someway that creates a sense of stability.
If you could jump on any festival roster that’s been released already for 2020 and play a set which festival would you choose and why?
A little tricky now with the ongoing virus, but Outside Lands is a dream festival of mine. It’s 20 minutes from where I grew up and was one of the first music festivals I ever attended in high school, so it’d be surreal to be on stage one of these days looking back.
Photo Credit: Lilly Duran
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?
Thank you for your support and love and stay safe. <3
PHOTO CREDIT: 
Photo: 
Photo Credit: Lilly Duran