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Interviews

Interview: CloZee

Toulouse Electronic Musician, CloZee, has surrendered to her inner calling through continuously revealing layers of her kaleidoscopic musical vision through albums that move you such as her latest, ‘Evasion’. I caught up with Chloe to discuss her emotional sensitivity laced within her artistry, the importance of being honest and generous, intimate recording processes, upcoming Spring 2019 tour and more.

Congrats on the success of ‘Evasion’. I perceive that your music and delivery is just as much of an inner journey as it is outer. Tell us about what you learned about yourself throughout the creative and recording process. 

Thank you! I particularly learnt that I feel better about my music and in my life in general when I follow my current mood and feelings when a compose a song. I can’t force myself to try to create  bangers when I’m feeling emotionally sensitive. This is probably my most emotive and intimate work so far because of that. 

What is the most bizarre everyday object that you have used as an instrument throughout your time as a musician?

My set of keys. Love to add those « clings » sounds to the beat.

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

I think just confidence, in general. Still working on it though. It’s not totally there, but that’s what makes me work harder everyday so I don’t know if I want to totally overcome that feeling.

Photo Credit: Eric Allen

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

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the digital world and the social medias. I hate a lot of things about it, but I currently can’t live without if I want to spread my music and do what I love. I also met awesome people thanks to that. I’m all about it when it’s used in a 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. 

Being honest and generous.

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?

Good sleep (whenever it’s possible), good food, a good team of people and friends, and awesome fans are the key to stay excited and healthy on tour. 🙂 

You have toured with a wide variety of musicians over the past years and have played at some major festivals. Tell us your perception of the difference between crowds in the states vs. crowds overseas?

Every crowd is different depending on the countries and type of events. I’ve experienced awesome crowds everywhere, and I had bad experiences too haha. I guess the only thing is that outside of America or Australia, my type of music isn’t very popular or known, so I never know how it will accepted and appreciated, because the scenes are very different. But this is also what makes my life exciting. 

Get tickets HERE to The CloZee Spring Tour 2019

If any of our readers have never been to France, what are some of your favorite urban exploring spots that you recommend to check out?

Toulouse, Bayonne, Lyon, Montpellier

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

I love you all, thank you for being here. I hope you’ll like the future music I’m working on!

CloZee Social Links:

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Interviews

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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Music Reviews

France Electronic Artist, Sound Strider, Releases New LP – ‘Occult Electric’

Electronic Soundscape Master, Sound Strider, creates a technically rich experimental journey into a colorful world of musical exploration throughout the release of his latest LP, ‘Occult Electric’. Here’s our track-by-track thoughts.

Kicking off with the first track, “Helpless Cogs”, a psychedelic trip into a vibrant investigation into intention mimics the likes of Merkaba in their ‘Language of Light’ days with a blissful musical ride into a realm of expansion as Sound Strider draws focus toward awakening tenderness and love within listeners that are aligned with his serene energy. The second track, “Hail Eris”, slowly shakes listeners back into living as the song glides by incorporating the sounds of nature and the natural world into our modern-day influx of bloody entertainment. “Plague of Wizards” is the third track that teases the trickled mind with manic instrumental highs and lows that are sobering in their simplicity yet perplexingly intricate enough to lead the mind to wander. Closing out with “Embracing Chaos”, Sound Strider is simultaneously out of this world and down to earth as he, as stated, puts the feeling of placing a question mark after reality into listeners through an atmospheric array of kaleidoscopic musical appeal.  

It is evident that Sound Strider utilizes his music as a source and tool to induce a state of wellness and spiritual musing and curiosity into listeners. Having recently pursued and taken action toward the next level by creating his own Record Label, Red Tent Records, Sound Strider is taking strides toward sharpening his box of musical tools and gifting himself with the ability to create his own rules. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Merkaba, Bonobo and Desert Dwellers, then do yourself and your heart a favor keep an eye on the ride ahead for Sound Strider on Soundcloud.

Sound Strider Social Links:

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