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Tag: Life Beyond The Music
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Interview: Ali Caldwell
Soulful, grounded in positive intent and delivering a Motown vocal style that listeners could never forget, Ali Caldwell is it. I caught up with the New Jersey Musician to discuss the Summer of 2019 release of ‘88’, her experience on The Voice, keeping her family and best friends close while touring, clearing space for a healthier mindset and more.
Congrats on upcoming release of ‘88’. Tell us about the creative and recording process in the studio and what you learned about yourself along the way.
‘88’ is scheduled to come out Summer 2019! The process is going really well and I am working really hard to make it perfect.
Let’s talk life beyond ‘The Voice’. How have you handled spreading your wings and transcending as a musician ever since you have moved on from your experience on the show?
After my time on The Voice I realized that I have grown so much as an artist. I have grown in my performance skills as well as vocally. Seeing the growth made me want to keep going harder, and I was very proud but well aware that I still have some growing to do and was ready to take on the world after coming off of such a platform on a high note.
Showcasing the human in you, what is a challenging thought that you recently had and were able to overcome over time?
I would worry about what people thought of me. If I was pretty enough. IfI was the perfect weight, if my hair was straight enough. Many non-productive thoughts would constantly run through my head so much that at one point it took control. Basically, lots of over thinking. Through growth, self-love and realization, I am in a much better head space then where I used to be but AS A HUMAN. I learned not to be too hard on myself and realize that no one is perfect.
What is your perception on the digital world that we live in and social media culture?
I do believe that social media has literally taken over not only our younger generation, but the world. I admit It’s fun, but some don’t know how to separate the internet world from their actually reality, and to me that’s the scary part. But overall, I love the positive things about the internet and social media. I love the ability to touch and talk to my fans globally at the click of a button. For me it’s my vehicle to spread love and positivity worldwide.
No career path or number 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 always taken a lot of pride in my relationship with my family. My grandmother is literally my heart, putting a smile on her face always makes me proud. I’m very proud of never getting in any trouble as a young lady coming out of high school and figuring out this thing called grown up life. I remained focused on doing whatever it takes to accomplish my goals. Being a focused and driven woman in a male dominated world especially in this industry; I take LOTS of pride in that. As a young girl I’ve always been one to never like to ask anyone for anything including my parents. I’ve always wanted to prove to them I can figure it out on my own and I have been doing just that for years making my parents and myself very proud. I take pride in being the best person i can be and spreading as much light and positivity to those I come in contact with.
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?
Massive amounts of prayer! I’m never afraid to pick up the phone and call my parents, grandma or best friends to bring me back to reality, and keep me grounded and humble. I make it a habit of keeping the circle of people around me clean and beautiful. I believe the energy we keep around us is very important when it comes to mental, emotional, and physical health. Peace and a stable mind are everything to me. I love life drama-free!
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.
There are a few things I never forget. Some very important people have shared with me as advice and uplifting words of encouragement while touring and traveling (to name a few!) which are….
“Be Yourself, It’s Okay”
“Perform like it’s your last time”
“Leave it all on the stage”
Patti Labelle once told me, “People will hate for no reason, but your job is to remain a class act, smile, love them anyway, and then kick their butts later!”, and these words I have always kept with me and it helps me so much every day.
What do fans of Ali Caldwell have to look forward to in 2019?
My new album, ‘88’, will be released in the Summer 2019. new videos, more collaborations with some of my favorite singers, more show dates and a possible States tour and European tour. Of course, my limit is beyond the stars so who knows. I do know 2019 will be special. How special? MyAlikats (fans) and followers will have to stay tuned to watch and see.
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?!
I absolutely adore my Alikats. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. Without their undying support I wouldn’t have a following or a career, so I’m beyond grateful for each and every Alikat that loves and supports me and my journey and my dreams. I truly feel like we are riding this thing together. I can say thank you over a billion times and never get tired! It literally means the world to me. I’m very excited to share this new music. I can’t wait!
Ali Caldwell Social Links:
Facebook • Spotify • Instagram
New York City Musician, Anne Steele, is embodied and abounding with self-love throughout her recent release of her latest EP, ‘Made Out Of Stars’. Here’s our track-by-track thoughts.
Kicking off with the first track, “Obsessed”, Anne’s instrumental style mimics the likes of the modern-day musical flair laced into songs composed by artists such as Purity Ring and Phantogram as Anne’s voice carries out a youthful vibrancy that is compelling to the light heart. The second track, “Better”, is Anne’s lyrical proclamation to demanding better when it comes to her interpersonal relationships and stands tall in her decision to put herself in the driver seat of her life. “Love Somebody” is the third track that begins with an EDM beat that showcases Anne’s ability to reach into the souls of listeners of all walks of life as lyrics that make you stop in your track pour forward naturally. The fourth track, “I Miss Those Days”, lyrically travels back to days of struggle as Anne feels a place of comfort in the direction that her life is heading. “Love Can Take Us There (2019 Nash Overstreet Remix)” is the fifth track that is an absolute banger that laces in the early 90’s of House and Techno instrumentally as lyrics that are fun and inviting welcome a night of free and fluid love. The sixth track, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, puts a twist on the Tears for Fears classic in a delightful way with Anne’s Pop vocals that mesh with the psychologically intriguing lyrical subject matter. Closing out with “Love Can Take Us There (Acoustic Version)”, Anne believes in the love that she has found and makes it known from a grounded and mature place.
‘Made Out Of Stars’ travels through a compelling lyrical narrative that dials back into the simple pleasures of life that are often overlooked or taken for granted. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Ingrid Michaelson, Colbie Caillat and Sara Bareilles, then keep an eye on the ride ahead for Anne Steele on Soundcloud.
Photo Credit: Christopher Boudewyns
Anne Steele Social Links:
Facebook • Twitter • YouTube
Genre-bending Singer/Songwriter, Bobbie Morrone, is creating a lane of his own through fusing remnants of Soul, Blues, Funk and Rock ‘N’ Roll throughout the release of his upcoming full-length album, ‘Lonely St.’. We snagged a copy of ‘Lonely St.’ prior to its upcoming February 4th, 2019 release; here’s our track-by-track thoughts.
Kicking off with the first track, “Behind the Walls”, Bobbie begins by strumming into what can be anticipated as a bare-all songwriting spill through the title yet quickly shifts into a highlight of Bobbie’s soothing vocals that mimic the likes of Jason Mraz in a way that tugs at the hearts of listeners. “Get By” is the second track that is a smooth lyrical ode to simply being able to live free doing what one desires to do while taking the risks that lead them toward leading out their most fulfilling life experience; it’s the simple things that gets Bobbie Morrone by. The third track, “Whiskey and Water”, shows the Blue side of Bobbie as he lyrically travels through his moral compass guiding him toward only giving and sharing his love with another that is true and aligned with their mutual best intent. “One of a Kind” is the fourth track that is a romantic and heartfelt work of songwriting beauty that showcases Bobbie’s jaded heart cooling off and trying to come back around to a healthier space and emotional environment.
The fifth track, “Holding On”, slows it down into a moody Blues spill that shows the vulnerable side of Bobbie that is welcoming to both those hanging out around a hole-in-the-wall bar and/or simply enjoying the company of loved ones in the living room. “I Can’t Fall That Far (Intro)” is the sixth track mimics Death Cab For Cutie’s emotion yet travels through soundscapes akin to MUTEMATH which speaks highly of Bobbie’s musical influences throughout the album. The seventh track, “I Can’t Fall That Far”, reaches into the soul as Bobbie’s vocals soar over simple lyricism that reaches into a place of truth that has been blinded by illusions blocking the road toward his clarity. “Walk Away” is the eighth track that carries out a Jack Johnson instrumental feel and slowly walks into a state of lyrical grace that is abounding with good intent, awareness and positive thoughts while his life heads in a new direction. The ninth track, “I’ve Got It”, takes listeners down an Indie Rock ‘N’ Roll turn as Bobbie lyrically contemplates his ride ahead and what energy he will allow into his space moving forward as his focus sharpens. The eleventh track, “Jam”, leaves a picture of a cowboy slowly walking through a West Coast desert while kicking at sand with his boots within the listener as a Blue and Jazz influenced instrumental jam slides into the album at just the right time. Closing out with the title track, “Lonely St.”, Bobbie softens into a place of love and light as he shares exactly how he currently feels within songwriting that is crisp and tranquil.
‘Lonely St’ is a must listen that is well-produced, emotionally serene and lyrically light. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews Band then keep an eye on the ride ahead for Bobbie Morrone on Soundcloud and set a reminder for the February 4th, 2019 release of ‘Lonely St.’
Bobbie Morrone Social Links:
Facebook • Website • Bandcamp
Seattle Band, The Cool Moonmist Mountain Band, take listeners down a musical rabbit hole of a genre-blending explosion of positive energy throughout the release of their latest album, ‘Live In Studio – 11/14’. Here’s our track-by track thoughts.
Kicking off with the first track, “Live in Studio – 11/14″, which comprises of three tracks in one, listeners instantly enter a space of Liquid Trance that mimics the glory days of Commander Tom as a fluid and poised synergy is created and delivered over a hypnotizing groove that soothes the mind and sparks thoughts that are sublime. Meshing “Planer, “Terra” and “Evolver” over a Psychedelic Trance instrumental feel throughout the remainder of the 23-minute release, the guys of The Cool Moonmist Mountain Band bring creative musings and experiences that they have digested out in the wilderness musically forward in a way that naturally leads listeners to be engrossed in the tranquilizing sound that has been blended together with the intent to inject a state of ease within others.
The Cool Moonmist Mountain Band comprises of a variety of seasoned human beings who are composing works of musical art in a way that is compelling, dynamic and fulfilling to hear for the well-worn listener. Even if you aren’t necessarily inclined to travel down the road of expansion when it comes to your musical palette, if ‘Live in Studio – 11/4’ by The Cool Moonmist Mountain Band is simply playing in the background where you’re located, curiosity will spark and you will be intrigued. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Boards of Canada, Four Tet and Tycho, then keep an eye on the ride ahead for The Cool Moonmist Mountain Band on Soundcloud.
The Cool Moonmist Mountain Band Social Links:
Facebook • Twitter • Bandcamp
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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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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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