Tag: Jessica Golich

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Interviews

Interview: Hopesfall

North Carolina Rockers, Hopesfall, shocked long-time fans who continue to spark their Hopesfall fix with classic albums such as ‘A Types’, and ‘The Satellite Years’ in 2018 with an unexpected yet well-received comeback with the release of their fifth studio album, ‘Arbiter’. I caught up with Guitarist, Josh Brigham, for an in-depth conversation about ‘Arbiter’ his challenging and impactful journey with chronic pain and choosing to be proactive with Foundation Training, less is more mentality, the world being full of amazing people and more.

Congrats on the recent release and success of ‘Arbiter’. Tell us about the creative and recording process this time around and what you learned along the way.

Honestly the process was the same as our other records. A bunch of us get in a room together and we play each other riffs that we’ve written individually and then we jam on them until the energy feels right. Sometimes we stumble across ideas and write music on the spot which may sound simple but it can be a painstaking process. I’d say for every 20 hours of passing ideas back and forth we’ll come up with about a minute of usable material. It’s all about capturing a vibe and everyone has to agree. Recording is the payoff for all the hard work that the writing process is. Getting to go to an awesome studio to work with talented engineers and a great producer is work, but it’s really fun work. Those guys help you bring to life a sound that’s only been playing in your head. You get to make it real, it’s exciting!

I’ve been listening to you guys faithfully ever since the ‘The Frailty of Words’. I can truly state with ease that I have listened to ‘The Satellite Years’ at least 100x in full. Tell us about your time away in Hopesfall and how it served to enhance your experience in the studio while creating ‘Arbiter’.

We thought Hopesfall was dead and buried. Everyone moved on with their lives. We got jobs, got married, bought houses you know; the grown up stuff that you have to do in your 30’s. I think the time away let us appreciate all the things that were good about Hopesfall. The bonds that you make when you write together and play together. It made us appreciate how special it is to get to create music. It made us more grateful for the opportunities that have recently presented themselves.

Photo Credit: Josh Cannon Photography

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

Chronic pain. I know you asked for a thought, so I’ll need to unpack that statement. Dealing with chronic pain is a battle of will as much as it is a physical sensation. I have a wrecked spine. Years of bad posture, living in a van, headbanging, combined poor self care routines left me with a severely ruptured disc between my C6-C7 vertebrae. This disc lodged itself inside the neural canal leading to my right arm. The result was a “dead limb” and an eventual surgery to install an artificial disk. When reviewing my MRI’s after the surgery, the neurologist told me that I had the spinal health equivalent to that of a 75 year old brick mason. My spine was massively degenerated. I would have to stop doing all the physical activities that I was involved in. Long distance running, mountain biking, etc. He told me I would need a fusion surgery in my Lumbar spine in the not too distant future, a surgery that could potentially cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and put me on my back for up to 6 months. Over the next 4 years, as I tried to go about my normal life, I began paying a heavy physical toll. Cortisone injections every 3 months, muscle relaxers, pain killers all with lessening degrees of effectiveness over time. My life became muted, the pain began to take away all the activities that I enjoyed. Chronic pain eventually robs you of your identity. You become a shell of your former self. Pain turns into fear. Fear takes away hope. Essentially I was a person living in a headspace that was completely dominated by avoiding pain. That’s not living.  

Eventually I found “Foundation Training” which is a practice, a series of corrective exercises designed by a doctor who avoided surgery and had gotten himself out of chronic pain, that turned my situation around. But finding the will to embrace a new technique, to put the effort into healing your own body when everyone in the established medical field is telling you to take more pills, to have a surgery, that there is no way out; that’s a mountain to climb. Choosing to move threw pain and fear was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

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

It is what it is. I try not to judge it. The world is changing rapidly around us and I just try to keep adapting to it. Whether I think social media is right or wrong, good or bad, is of no consequence. Social media just IS, and it’s not going away, so how can I use it to help me? That’s the question I’ve been asking myself.

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 alluded to this earlier when talking about my degenerated spine and living with chronic pain. Besides meeting my wife, finding Foundation Training, finding a practice that empowered me with the knowledge to fix myself is the most important thing I’ve ever done. I was recently certified in FT and look forward to sharing this work with others who are suffering from chronic pain.

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?

Nowadays, less is more. We don’t play out nearly as much as we used to. On our most recent adventure, which was only 3 shows in 2018, I just tried to stay in the moment and enjoy what was going on around me. Getting to share the music you make with your fans was something I took for granted before. This time, I just focused on the here and now. Back in the day, I would escape into books. I would just read and when it was my turn to drive, I would just listen to my favorite bands. I wouldn’t say I was operating at a high level of emotional stability back then, books and music were my outlet.

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 world is filled with amazing people and amazing places. Try to see as much of it as possible!!

Photo Credit: Stephanie Augello Photography

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

Thanks for listening to us over the years. It’s a privilege to have this creative outlet and we are all grateful for the support!!

Hopesfall Social Links:

Facebook • Website • Spotify

Photo Credit: Natalie Bisignano

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Interviews

Interview: Dig The Kid

LA Alternative Pop Duo, Dig The Kid, are bringing their colorful insides forward through their music and artistry in a magnetic way that touches on their roots, transcends boundaries and spreads love. I caught up with Lisa and Cory to discuss the personal meaning behind “Raw”, the power of consistency, the boundless talent out there in this world, reminding yourself that all human beings see through different eyes and minds and more.

Congrats on how well “Raw” was received and felt. Tell us about the creative and recording process behind the track and what it personally means to you.

Cory – We really had a great time putting the song together and couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. The process of writing and recording “raw” was a bit of a balancing act of “feeling”. We wanted to tell a story not just with the word but also with the structure of the composition. At what point does the listener need to feel this and does the composition as a whole feel organic, because love and intimacy at its best should be organic. We were trying to capture that and retain it’s natural push and pull. Personally for me it was a bit of a milestone in our songwriting, in the past we’ve strayed away from more mature subject matter but it was exciting to tap into another side of ourselves for Raw and new self discovery is always a great endeavor.

What are some new techniques that you have recently learned in the studio that you can share?

Lisa – Don’t rush the precious studio time you have, even if you’re on a budget. That extra $500 you spend could be the extra magic that makes the song shine. Grab your guitar, try out some pedals, and play single notes to add depth. Sometimes, you may even find another melody that completes what you’ve been missing. Those are the best parts of recording for us. Grab the most random things to record and try those too. Try it all.

Cory – Not necessarily new but one that really helped the process on “Raw” was being fortunate enough to be able to come in weeks early to lay down a multi tracked live demo. It allowed us to be able to listen to it back and decipher within it what we might want to change or adjust. And in the case with “Raw” we actually kept the drums from that demo. No click, it added a whole new layer to the song title! it’s a testament to Lisa’s skill and professionalism in the studio that it moves so fluidly through each musical segment.

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

Lisa – We find it’s incredibly hard to hurry up…and wait. Everyone wants you right now, whether it’s a project, song or business deal. So you scramble to meet a deadline, only to barely make it, and then you wait what seems like forever. The music industry is famous for that. You have to learn to deal with certain situations individually and take things one at a time. Believe in your team and keep positive, no matter the struggle.

Cory – One that we’re constantly faced with as song writers is staying relevant in a soundscape that moves at the pace of bullet train. There isn’t really a way to predict what people will want they will just know when they hear it. To overcome that fear, we’ve tried to think less about relevance and more about consistency. Over time we’ve built a trust between ourselves and our listeners that we will buck trends in order to always produce a well thought out and uniquely constructed piece of music that stands up to our caliber of quality.

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

Lisa – The struggle is real. Everyone’s music is now based on numbers. Industry folk pass on artists because they’ll come across someone who has 500 followers on Spotify or Instagram vs 50,000. There is a world of talent out there and everyone is focused on the numbers of an artist. Now that you can buy likes and friends, how do we know what their actual numbers are? Let’s discover what an artist is really about through their music, not their status, because most of us have so much more to offer than hashtags.

Cory – Personally it saddens me a bit that as a populace so many of us can get lost in our phones, fishing for likes and follows. I grew up in the middle of that change I watched the internet connect us and inform us as it grew into and now out of our desktops and laptops and phones into our everyday vernacular. Checking our phone is part of the same routine now as brushing our teeth or putting on shoes. I think it’s about time to move past and out of the information age, and if I can dream, into a new age of understanding.

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.

Cory – I love to consume a lot of my time with movies, not just watching them but the whole production of them from their initial thought to their retrospective. It sounds geeky but it’s true! These are our storytellers these are our myths. And every once and a while they will open up a truth within you that you’ve yet to discover. And sometimes if you’re really lucky they can inspire you to create your own stories. For me it’s a constant never ending cycle of watching really talented individuals work together to produce incredible creative feats.   

Lisa – I live my life for my friends. I love being out, being apart of the world. I’m often the life of the party and I love people (for the most part). If I could pick one restaurant a day to discover, I would. It’s hard to be a human sometimes, and even harder to keep positive. When you surround yourself with people (and food) who love you, everything else is a bonus.

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?

Cory – I’ve always looked for holes in the wall. We are very fortunate as musicians that travel is part of the job, and in traveling there is so much to explore along the road. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of disconnecting with our job at hand and reconnecting with people and the world around us. We’ve been to so many unique and hidden places and meet such a wealth of wonderful individuals who want to share their lives and stories with us. It’s very honoring in fact that we get to carry a little part of their lives with us.

Lisa – I think the question should be how’s your mental health when you’re NOT on the road. We get along quite well, and even though we are completely opposite, we still are into the same things. We try and respect each other’s space on the road and look out for each other. It’s when we’re not touring that brings us down. We write songs fairly fast, and when we can’t showcase them is when we get the music industry blues. It’s hard to avoid, so we throw parties at our studio here in LA. We invite tons of local and touring musicians to come jam. We remind ourselves that we’re all in the same boat and music is about a feeling, and that commonality is why we’re here.

Tell us some words of wisdom that you collected along the way of your journey of being a musician.

Lisa – Don’t forget to enjoy your life while you’re on the road to success, because your level of success shouldn’t be measured by your own standards. You are succeeding right now. Trying, is a form of success. “Keep moving, keep pushing” and don’t ever put your eggs in one basket. Hatch them eggs everywhere! 

Cory – Patience, and understanding they are the most valuable tools we all have in life. Be patient with those around you, in your job, and in life. Success takes time, no one became or achieved what they wanted overnight. Also understand that those around you see through different eyes. They will never be able to see the world the way you do so take the time to see things as they do. The more perspective you can have in life the more you’ll understand the bigger picture. The world as we know it isn’t flat, and the motives of others are no different.

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

Mongelli – We have big plans coming soon. We’re playing the long game. Prepare for new music, whether it’s on Spotify or in a Movie or TV show. And thank you for being with us and showing us everyday that we’re still on the right track.

Cory – I couldn’t say it any better, thank you for all of your love and support!

Dig The Kid Social Links:

Facebook • Website • Spotify

Photo Credit: Linda Wake Garza Photography

10 And 8 Management:

Website •  Facebook • Twitter  

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Interviews

Interview: Morning in May

Ohio Pop Rockers, Morning in May, are consistently subconsciously celebrating their ability  to be on tour and share their music that is created from the heart with the world. I caught up with Lead Vocalist, Jake Bartolic, to discuss the creative process behind ‘Survive The Night’, perceiving social media as either a platform to your benefit to promote your artistry and connect or a battlefield, having a conversation with himself as a senior citizen and much more.

Congrats on the release of your recent EP, ‘Survive The Night’. Tell us about the creative and recording process and what you learned along the way. 

The creative process behind ‘Survive The Night’. Josh (Guitar/Backing Vocals) and I wanted to write an EP that encompassed elements of all the music we love and grew up listening to. We wanted break downs and pop punk elements and all of the Feelings we could pack into 6 songs. Josh and I sat down over a couple months and wrote our hearts out trying to formulate perfect songs that people could feel confident, laugh, and just simply feel something to. We write songs for when you’re sitting in your bed at night alone from the world scrolling through your phone and seeing all the stuff you want to be or think youll never have. when you’re completely alone and your friends are gone. We wanted a medium for people to start helping themselves from within. We learned how to write and capture those ideas and really getting our troubles into songs.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with yourself as either a child or a wizened senior citizen, who would you choose and why?

I would sit down with myself as a senior citizen. If I told myself as a child everything was gonna be okay. I wouldn’t be as crazy and passionate about what I do. The fire may be doused and I would of had a safety net. Therefore, I pick my senior self and figure out what I could have done better or faster to help myself actually enjoy things in life instead of always trying to progress.

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’ve had to or always have to overcome is the doubt and struggle our whole career. “What is this for?”, “Have I wasted my whole life on something that’ll never be?’, “Am I destined to fail because I’m made for something else in life and just haven’t figured it out?”…..Over time these questions sway back and forth from worse to motivation and our progression and goals we achieve and lives we touch just prove me wrong and I love that.

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

Our perception on the digital world. I believe there’s always a balance in life. With the digital world being more accessible to get your music or whatever you’re creating out there. everyone else is as well. So it’s easier but your competition is stiffer. Figuratively we shouldn’t be looking into our neighbors yard to see what they’re doing or how well, but were forced to on social media. it could be motivation or horribly discouraging. Social Media just like anything else isn’t the problem, it’s people. A platform is only a foundation or a battlefield depending on how its used.

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.

Parts of us beyond being musicians; we’re entrepreneurs. I myself do a little bit of everything. I do woodworking, metal sculptures, skateboard, all of those as hobbies. But what the guys and I share is that we love just being therapists for people, friends/fans whatever it is we all love talking about life to others and just sharing stories. We always wanted to help lives and spread so much beauty. We don’t have a lot of time here so we wanna do as much as we can with the time given.

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?

Honestly being on the road is our dream come true and with that being said, we also get those questions “Does this matter?”, “Are we close to where we want to be?”….. We love our families and friends of course but we have different lives and none of them really know what’s going on or how far we are or the fact that people all over the world listen to our songs and were out here doing what we do. So the guys and I all share the same separation. We have something to go back to but we really don’t have anything to go back to if that makes sense. So our mental states always swaying. It’s like, ” Cool we can be on the road forever cause no ones checking in on us….oh… no ones really checking in on us.”…..So like i said there’s always a balance. We really have each other so we kinda just write the best story we can with each other.

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.

Words of wisdom. Always be nice to everyone. No one owes you anything. Smile and be grateful you’re there. Always be on time and make everyone else’s job as easy as you can. Always help. Yes even if they’re not good to you.

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

Find the beauty in all things and create it where there is none. Something I like to say. Life’s not what happens to you, it’s how you react to it. Never see your problems as crutches only lessons.

Morning In May Social Links:

Facebook • Twitter • Spotify

10 And 8 Management:

Website •  Facebook • Twitter  

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Interviews

Interview: Sam Waks of Red Tent Records

It is when two idiosyncratic producers collide that musical magic is able to ensue. Sydney Producer, Sound Strider and Ghost in the Chill have come together to reignite both thought and feeling within their artistry and the list of label-mates on their newly founded Record Label, Red Tent Records. I caught up with Red Tent Records Founder, Sam Waks, to discuss what inspired him to bring the label to life, his psychological musings including living in an endless utopia and more.

First and foremost, introduce yourself to the world. Tell us about your vision behind Red Tent Records and what inspired you toward bringing the label to life.

Red Tent Records was hatched by myself and collaborator Ghost in the Chill as an attempt to connect disparate musical and aesthetic universes. We both have very diverse and eclectic tastes and we wanted to create a space where talents from estranged subcultures could meet and collaborate. There’s a physical element to the label as well which is based out of a studio in the french countryside. 2019 will see us expanding into the exciting new domain of immersive 360 sound and ambisonics.

Your latest album as Sound Strider, ‘Occult Electric’, incorporates elements that steer clear from the typical. Tell us about your journey of creating that release and what you learned about yourself along the way.

I’ve been into chaos magic and the occult for a long time and given the state of the world in 2018 I thought it was high time to make those influences explicit. I went quite deep into the magical creative process integrating sigils, invocation and divination into my production workflow. Normally my vocal samples are ripped from radio or tv but for this release I wanted to use some of my favourite magic books and so all the vocals you hear are recited either by myself or a computer. For those who are interested the authors I sampled are Peter J Carroll, Gordon White and Peter Grey.

Tell us about some of your upcoming releases on Red Tent Records that you are proud of.

One forthcoming release I’m very excited about is operating under the working title of ‘Mozart vs Cuba’ and will be showcasing a release format we hope to make ample use of in the future. Basically we created a sample pack with about 15 mins worth of source material ripped from original recordings we made. Half the samples are loops from a live string quartet recording of Mozart in a chapel and the other half are street recordings of musicians from Santiago de Cuba. We’ve sent the sample pack to 4 or 5 electronic producers and we will release the results as an EP.

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

I often worry that I’m not working hard enough, usually I get over it by remembering that life is meant to be enjoyed not exploited.

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

I used to be a bona fide Transhumanist, meaning I couldn’t wait for us all to upload our brains on to the net and live happily ever after in an endless utopia of our own imagining. Now I’m not so sure. At the risk of sounding like a dirty hippy, I’ve realised that we already kind of live in an endless utopia of our own imagining and I’m actually happier and more productive when I spend more time with the birds and the trees, far away from the influencers and their feeds. I will say, this attitude doesn’t really do a lot for my exposure as an artist, birds aren’t very good at building hype.

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.

For the last 10 years, I’ve dedicated a significant part of my life to renovating and maintaining a 19th century agro-industrial ruin in the french countryside. La Briche is a harsh mistress but she makes me very proud.

As you are exposed to tons of stimulus through working in the world of Entertainment, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health?

Daily meditation really works wonders. I also like to read a lot, I think the internet has kind of ruined people’s ability to digest anything longer than a paragraph so I find that a nice chunky tome is a great antidote to the hi-octane pressures of modern life.

Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for admirers of your work?

Thanks for tuning in and Don’t Panic!

Sam Waks/Sound Strider Social Links:

Facebook • Soundcloud • YouTube

Red Tent Records Social Links:

Facebook • Website • YouTube

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Music Reviews

Stories Untold – “Mrs. Blues” Music Video World Premiere

Michigan Rockers, Stories Untold, are bright-eyed and alive as they soak in the energy of one of the most enduring times of their lives as they prepare for the release of their farewell album. Their latest single, “Mrs. Blue”, is a track that simultaneously emits emotive intensity and impressive musicianship within a forceful blend of instrumental intensity and sing-along appeal. Rising from the ashes in search of lucidity, Stories Untold finds comfort in their puzzlement and lyrically portrays a state of flux with electric vocal emphasis on the feeling of crushing desperation.

Stories Untold Social Links:

Facebook • Twitter • Website

Photo Credit: Jacob Giampa

Production: Marguerite Wasinski of Stargazer Digital Media

Click below to experience “Mrs. Blues”

Categories
Interviews

Interview: Awake At Last

Delaware Rockers, Awake At Last, have proactively chosen to not allow another season of life pass without living out their Rock ‘N’ Roll dreams. I caught up with Lead Vocalist, Vince Torres, to discuss the doses of spirituality laced within their ‘Life / Death / Rebirth’ EP, writing songs about overcoming obstacles, playing video games ever since he was in high school, food as medicine, law of attraction and more.

Your ‘Life / Death / Rebirth’ EP is laced with spiritually rich doses of lyrical wisdom. What personal experiences led you toward taking that creative route with the release?

I had reached a point where I thought a lot about the afterlife, and what it means for most people. I’ve seen plenty of movies and read some amazing books that had described it and I wanted to explore one based on what I think mine would be like. There are themes of anxiety and depression, themes of love, and themes of heartbreak, and self realization.  

Tell us about the profound connection that you have developed with ‘The Awakened’ and what it means to you.

The Awakened is still in its infancy, but I think that gatherings like “The Awakened” are key to success in this modern era of the music industry. I believe that an artist, and their fanbase are symbiotic in nature and anything that can remove all the smoke and mirrors, and put an artist directly in front of their fanbase should be explored. We sing songs about overcoming the obstacles we face while trying to chase our dreams and we hope that it will inspire others to experience an “Awakening” of their own. We want to be the voice in the back of your head that tells you to “Pick up that Paintbrush”, or “Write that song you’ve been working on.”….together we can be a support group that helps each other find ways to live fulfilling lives.

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

This industry is a hard one to navigate, and the recent success has boosted the band onto a slightly larger platform. I struggle with anxiety and there have been plenty of triggers that send me into chaotic thought processes. Like all artists I think we always ask, “Are we good enough?” or “Will anybody really listen?”, but the one thing that always remains constant to me are the voices of our listeners who loved a song that helped them through a hard time, or finished a drawing, or project they were working on while listening to us. Every wall that I come up to is met with hundreds of extended hands to inspire me to continue to push forward so that I can continue to inspire them. But when I take a step back and realize I’m just a piece of “The Awakening” myself, I don’t feel so anxious, or it’s a more excited form of it.  

Photo Credit: J Marko Washle of Life of the Party Entertainment

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

Truthfully, I find it difficult to navigate. It has been both a burden and blessing for us in this band, but overall I’m beginning to understand it more. For the first time we live in a world where artists are right at the fingertips of their fanbase and the people who support them. I think that the digital era is revolutionary and i’ve seen how it’s transformed artists and given us the tools to scream our visions on the largest platforms ever. It is highly competitive, but I love that it gets us right in front of the people who support us. I think that like all cultures it has its positives and its negatives, but without it we wouldn’t have been able to do what we do today so it has helped to guide and challenge us.  

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 music more than anything and it has always been a comfort for me through everything.  I’m also however very interested in telling stories and have also considered paths as an author, or writer. I always like to tell stories with my music in a visual way. I’m also a bit of a nerd and have been playing games like Dungeons & Dragons since high school. I love the thought of exploring other worlds, and crafting worlds for people as well. I’m also very interested in psychology and I enjoy the study of the mind. I’m also an avid believer in the law of attraction and try to live by it every day.

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 wish I had a good answer for this but truthfully it can be a bit of a struggle still. I try to occupy my mind with other worlds to weave and get involved with and tend to be a bit of a daydreamer. I try to eat as healthy as I can and the band always goes to the gym while we’re traveling to exercise and create positive habits. Sometimes I’ll play a video game, or read a book or draw. I try to stay sharp and creative.  

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.

Be ready to wake up early. I love playing festivals, but they’re a grind from dawn till dusk. However the hangouts afterwards are always worth it. Another huge piece of advice or word of warning would be that the high highs can come with low lows. It’s important to reflect on the good times when you are faced with difficulties or bad times. I also think that it’s usually a good idea to follow your gut. Sometimes if you have a bad feeling about something or sense a disturbance in the force just take yourself out of the situation.  

What has been your favorite new city or country to explore while on the road? What stuck out to you?

I’m in love with cities like New Orleans, and Nashville. The culture and vibe is just very vibrant and competitive and there is music everywhere.But I’ve also fallen in love with some of the aesthetics of New England, and we have made amazing friends and fans in Virginia. I love going south because it stays warmer usually and everyone is really friendly. The musicianship of some of the artists i’ve met in Nashville are mind blowing, Canada was amazing as well. Everything was just slightly different and It was amazing to explore a new city with a slightly different culture. I love all of the pieces that make up the tapestry of what we do.  

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

I just want to reach out and let them know that we wouldn’t be anything without them and as we come up on this new year and this new album there isn’t a better time to get involved. We finally found some people who believe in our vision and we can’t wait to show them what we have in store next. We want ‘The Awakening’ to be felt by all of our fans and loved ones and want to inspire and continue to grow alongside them and pursue fulfilling lives.  

Awake At Last Social Links:

Facebook • Website • Spotify

Photo Credit:

Adrienne Beacco

Categories
Interviews

Interview: Mae

Virginia Rockers, Mae, have consistently stretched beyond boundaries to experiment with sound while infusing their artistry with frequencies to obtain special musical components that provoke and support healing responses from the mind and body. I caught up with Lead Vocalist, Dave Elkins, to discuss the dynamic creative approach taken for ‘Multisensory Aesthetic Experience’, the importance of remaining present, creative freedom working with Tooth & Nail Records, being mindful of breathwork, meditation, remaining in tune while on the road and more.  

Congrats on the recent release of ‘Multisensory Aesthetic Experience’. Tell us about the creative and recording process of your fifth album and what you learned along the way.

It took a lot longer than I think we expected it to take. I made the record at my studio right outside of Nashville. I started making the record in December of 2017 and the album came out in November of 2018. It took us about seven-eight months of 2018 and even a bit of time before that. It was certainly one educational process.

From my perception, it seems as though you guys approached ‘Multisensory Aesthetic Experience’ from a multidimensional artistic approach that encompassed far more than just the music. I have been listening since the days of ‘Destination: Beautiful’ and ‘The Everglow’, and it seems as though through this release, you created a sensory experience that subliminally showcases the maturation of your artistry. You are stretching into the fields of science, neuroscience, the incorporation of mindfulness, sensory balance, resonation and more.

Wow, I really appreciate you saying that. Back when we made ‘Destination: Beautiful’, we were just kids in the studio with an opportunity to experiment. It was our Bass player’s studio at that time. Therefore, any idea that we had whether that be sonically, lyrically and emotionally, we tried to execute. We wanted to try to convey something and we were willing to take that time to find that place of sonic expression. Ironically, in my studio around 15 years later and now, that is the exact approach that we took to make ‘Multisensory Aesthetic Experience’. We were able to spend time learning so that the sounds that we were hearing in our heads and the ideas that we wanted to approach with our minds were available for at least try.

Oh yeah. How refreshing it must have been to not have the potential pressure of a record label deadline for the album. As of recently, bands and musicians have been pushing out content on a steady six-month per release basis which I perceive stifles the natural creative release.

Yeah. We released ‘Multisensory Aesthetic Experience’ with Tooth & Nail Records which is the record label that we had our earlier records out on. They have always been so encouraging and enabling. We are told that we are going to go make a record and it is a joy to be able to go make exactly the album that we want to make. That is how we approached this latest release which always ends up being a good situational experience. You don’t feel any pressure, all you see and feel is opportunity.

Yeah, and that is where your core thoughts and feelings spill forward from you and through you without thought. 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 was 20-years-old when our first album came out and I am 37-years-old now. A lot of changes have happened in my personal life which will now be a part of my artistry moving forward. Moving to the studio was a huge accomplishment for me. I was just bouncing around at other studios and working with other Producers while learning to become a Producer myself over the years, and I finally have my own space where we can just create. We made the most recent record at my studio as well. It is nice to see other artists come in and take their time to make music and feel invited to my studio and space too.

I bet, as you have created your own intimate atmosphere that mimics you. You guys have been going since 2003. How do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health when you’re out on the road?

That’s a wonderful question. Breathing.

Yes, actual breathwork. You’d be surprised; I have learned through experience and conversation that majority of individuals are indeed not in tune and/or knowledgeable of their ability to reach states of euphoria and tame the body and mind through their own breath.

It’s so important to slow down. It is so important to breathe. It is so important to meditate, to contemplate. And to do so with a postere of gratitude. There is so much going on to deal with and struggle with and have upon that can bring upon anxiety, doubt and even hopelessness. Those are all real things that don’t go away.

We all subconsciously collect excess stimulus without even knowing it.

That is exactly right. On our new album we have a song that closes out the record by the name of “Flow” which is an example of a particularly meditative and contemplative piece. It was very intentional for both ourselves and our own creativity and for all of our listeners. We really wanted to give traditional Mae songs and lyrics to sing along to and think deeply about, yet we wanted to create some instrumental songs while experimenting sonically to lead others and ourselves toward reaching a meditative and contemplative space.

Did you pay attention to and/or tune the hertz and frequency of the music while creating it?

Yeah, we did. We took an emotional approach. We took a mathematical approach. We just really made share that when we were putting these sonic and esoteric ideas together that we were hitting our sweet spot which invites as many people in to get contemplative, to meditate along with us.

Powerful. How do you proactively tend to yourself on the road?

Right now, I feel that it is important to be present. Touring is something that I have been a part of ever since I was 19-years old. At one point, I was just excited to be on the road. And then there was another point where I was wrapped up in the industry, statistical side of success and asking questions. I was always asking how many tickets that we had sold, what were the numbers at the merch table, etc. I found that to be really distracting in hindsight. It is really important to be present. The moments while on stage connecting with our friends in the crowd mean the world to us. As I mentioned, I am 37-years-old now and I started touring when I was 19-years-old; to still be able to do this is great. It is more so about meeting people at shows now and meeting as many people as I possibly can. They are escaping from their day-to-day lives to listen to our music and sing these songs back to us. There are so many people at shows that share their stories with us and share how our music has complimented and inspired their life experience. It is really important to be present to all of that. Those are the moments that will stay as imprints on my brain over the years to come.

Indeed. As a touring musician, you are constantly out on touring cycle collecting and then taking the time to reflect when you get off of the road and artistically refresh yourself through the recollection of your experience.

Absolutely. We are in the middle of tour right now. We just played Sacramento last night. Being on the West Coast is wonderful in January. The weather has been great. A lot of touring musicians do not tour in January because they are playing their music in parts of the states where it wouldn’t be very wise to tour in January. We planned this out and are really happy to be around 50 and 60 degree weather every day and a lot of sunshine. As I mentioned, it is all about meeting people on this tour and the music is all about self-expression for me.

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

I am really proud of the album that we made. It does hit on many levels. The multisensory aspects of it are incredible. We have sight in the form of virtual reality content that accommodates each song on the new album that includes a VR viewfinder. The artwork for the album was created by a good friend of ours who is a wonderful painter and artist who has synesthesia, therefore, when she is listening to music, she is seeing colors and imagery in her mind. As we were making ‘Multisensory Aesthetic Experience’, we kept sending her the music throughout the process and the album cover is actually her interpretation of the 11 songs on canvas. We have all of these other options to create multisensory experiences for listeners and I really hope that people start to get into that because we are starting to include that in our live performances as well. Every night on stage, we play one song where if you do have that option (which you can buy at our shows!) you can bring it to the show and it really enhances the experience. Thank you so much for all of your support. 

Mae Social Links:

Website • Facebook • Spotify

Categories
Interviews

Interview: Kaleido

Detroit Rockers, Kaleido, are a bundle of Motor City soul, electric energy and fearlessness which has been artistically translated into the inspiration behind the creation of hit tracks such as “My Enemy” and “Open Your Eyes”. I caught up with Lead Vocalist, Christina Chriss, to discuss overcoming anything through knowing within that you are capable of doing so, her choice to end a battle that she has faced for years, upcoming new music and more.

You went all out throughout the release of your single, “My Enemy”, which is accompanied by a beautiful music video. Tell us about your personal experiences that led toward the creation of that track.

Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, right? That’s part of what makes it awesome. You need the clouds and storms to appreciate when it’s clear skies & sunny. There are ups, and there are downs, there are friends and, of course, there are enemies. Sometimes there’s a blurry line between, and ultimately a lesson to be learned. Most of us can remember our first experiences with an enemy in the schoolyard… and as life goes on sometimes, we discover a different type of enemy. One that lives inside our head, inescapable and lurking in the shadows, chiming in consciously and unconsciously every day. Sometimes our greatest enemy is ourselves. No matter the type of enemy I’m experiencing, whether physically or psychologically – ultimately, I know I must overcome it. That’s what this song is about. Finding strength, rising above & conquering.

Fellow 313 born and raised here. Tell us about your experience growing up in Detroit. What neighborhood/area did you live in and how has the city of Detroit served to enhance your artistry.

I grew up on the east side in a blue-collar household. I experienced a lot of different situations and people from a young age. Detroit’s been an underdog for a long time and it has inspired me to work hard and persevere. When nothing is handed to you your whole life it makes you appreciate what you have because you work your ass off to get it.

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

I’ve gone through some big changes in my life personally and professionally lately, and it has caused some emotional turmoil. As I mentioned earlier, I understand that life is full of highs and lows, but it’s always a challenge to get back up when you feel down. I believe everything happens for a reason and the biggest challenge is finding the positive in a negative situation… and then turn it into a song.

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

It’s really great to keep everyone connected, but I feel that it’s creating a whole new beast to deal with in the mental health department. A resounding theme throughout my responses here is the good vs bad in life, and finding balance. I feel that social media is an awesome thing, but don’t forget there’s still a whole real world out there.

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 a compassionate, humble human being who genuinely cares about others and the world. I strive to make the world a better place through spreading light, hope and positivity.

Photo Credit: Evil Robb Photography

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 to get wrapped up in an unhealthy lifestyle in this industry. It takes a lot of self-control and will power, and I can admit that personally I have battled this for years. I don’t drink anymore, and it’s honestly one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself. I’m awesome, and I’m just even more awesome without alcohol. Eliminating that alone has done wonders for my health – emotionally, mentally and physically. Being on the road is very mentally stimulating and I absolutely love it. New sights, cities, and people every day is inspiring and invigorating.

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.

Hard work, dedication, persistence, authenticity and staying humble are major keys to success. Everyone has an opinion. Don’t let anything or anyone stand in your way. The word “No” serves as a powerful catalyst.

Is there new music coming from Kaleido in 2019?

YES! We’ve just finished recording it and will be releasing it later this year. Stay up with us on social media for release dates!

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

I love you, KaleidoFamily! Thank you for your positivity and support. You inspire me and I can’t wait to give you our new music. It’s the best and most personal yet!

Kaleido Social Links:

Facebook • Spotify • Website

Categories
Music Reviews

West Coast Indie Folk Musician, Cindy Jollotta, Releases New Single – “Ghosts”

West Coast Indie Folk Musician, Cindy Jollotta, lyrically yearns to turn back the hands of time and get another shot at connecting with an individual who she once perceived differently throughout the release of her latest single, “Ghosts”. Accompanied by a music video that is set amongst a balance of the natural world and the reality of her life back at home, Cindy Jollotta gets down to the bare bones of her feelings throughout “Ghosts” in an inviting and enlightening way for those who are currently experiencing heartbreak.

Having spent some time in Europe on tour in 2018 followed by dates throughout the states which started on December 18th, 2018, Cindy is globetrotting around the world and spreading her love for music in places and environments that captivate the intimacy in which she approaches her musicianship. As a proud supporter of LGBTQ, body positive, sex positive and women in the music industry, Cindy is a thought-leader who has aligned her music with her mission of using her platform to welcome any and all walks of life into her world fully as they are. Carrying a potent degree of mystery while lacing in her roots and musical history, Cindy Jollotta shines throughout “Ghosts” which is her first time spreading her wings and dabbling into a solo project away from her band, The Podunk Poets. Setting the trajectory for what’s to come in 2019, Cindy Jollotta is in exploration mode and her artistic prowess continues to bloom. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as LeAnne Rhymes and Shania Twain, then keep an eye on the ride ahead for Cindy Jollotta on Soundcloud.

Cindy Jollotta Social Links:

Facebook • Website • YouTube

Categories
Interviews

Interview: Great Good Fine Ok

Brooklyn Duo, Great Good Fine Ok, have racked in a consistent 1 million monthly listens on Spotify and continue to ride the high tide into the new year with their latest release, “Easy”. I caught up with the guys to discuss balance and making sure that you are taking care of your part in your interpersonal relationships, their three latest singles, escaping from stimulus while on tour and more.

“Change” and “Touch” are great introductions to what is to come within your upcoming album release. Tell us about your creative and recording process so far and what you have learned along the way.

The creative process has been the same since the very beginning. Luke creates the music, sends it to me, and I write the lyrics and the melodies. Or sometimes the opposite, I’ll have a melodic or lyrical idea and bring it to Luke and we’ll work that way. After that initial step, we go back and forth and polish up everything together, but it works for us to separately do the things that we are best at.  This band has taught me the power of collaboration. Years ago I thought that writing with other people could water down my “vision”, but on the contrary, I was limiting my vision by relying solely on my particular skill set.

If you could go back to day one in the studio, would you have thought that both singles would have turned out the way that they did?

Both “Change” and “Touch” (mainly “Touch”) evolved considerably since the day we started them.  Hearing a song take shape over time is part of the joy of what we do. When we started “Touch” it had a very edgy electronic vibe that reminded me of the band Muse.  As it progressed and we added lap steel and acoustic guitar it turned into something completely different.

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

For me, 2018 was filled with a lot of life extremes. Love, death, joy, pain and everything in between. I do believe that you learn more from the pain, so in that sense, I am grateful.  Looking at it like that makes it easier to overcome these things.

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

Similarly to the way some people are more equipped to do drugs recreationally, and some people, for whatever reasons, should never do drugs, I believe some people are more equipped to handle the social media vortex.  You only see the extremes. Famous/successful people, rich people, or people failing or battling hard times. Most of life is somewhere in between, and that is a much healthier place to focus. I use social media to reach our fans or connect with friends. Period. I try not to get caught up in just scrolling and I know that most of what I am seeing is not reality. Some people have a harder time with that, and it can be triggering and dangerous. I have mixed feelings about the digital world. In some ways, it is endlessly good, but I worry about what it is doing to the generation of people who never lived without it.  

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 a good friend, family member and partner is important to me. Interpersonal relationships effect me on an emotional level much more than my career does.  I like when I can nurture those things. I take pride in being kind to others and making a constant effort to see the forest through the trees.

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?

There is a lot of down time and traveling when we are on tour, so we try to use those times to center and escape from the stimulus. We try to exercise, eat healthy, and explore different cities – helps us stay sane.

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 have collected along the way.

I heard the frontman of one of the bands we toured with say something along the lines of, “You shouldn’t get nervous because wherever you are, you deserve to be there.” I am paraphrasing, but I often think about this sentiment.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with either yourself as a child or yourself as a wizened senior citizen, who would you choose and why?

I would definitely talk to the wizened me. I’d rather learn from myself, than teach myself. The child me would definitely benefit from talking to me, but he needs to learn certain things on his own. So does current me, but…I’d still love to know the things I’ll learn in the next 50 years.

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

We are excited for the next chapter. Lots of new stuff coming.

Great Good Fine Ok Social Links:

Facebook • Twitter • Spotify