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Music Reviews

Chicago Electronic Artist, Acidic Base, Releases “Tachyon”

Chicago Electronic Musician, Acidic Base, is back with another round of musical gold with the release of a batch of new singles behind the project, “Tachyon”. At the ripe age of 13-years-old, Acidic Base has put forth consistent effort toward expanding his skillset through maximizing his ability to soar through the social sphere to get his heartfelt musical delivery further out into the world. Here’s our track-by-track review of ‘Tachyon’.

Kicking off with the first and title track, “Tachyon”, Acidic Base creates an atmospheric landscape of heavy bass beats that dip and dive to incorporate a wide-range of genres in the Electronic world including Chillscape, Ambient and Downtempo which showcases his ripening ability to reach audiences around the globe. “Dawn” is a track that begins by tying in a cultural twist that leads into a Deep House explosion that instantly mimics the likes of Tiesto as Acidic Base caters to the masses with his eclectic delivery. Ending with a dose of heat, “Spectrum” drive listeners home with a bold blast that gives off the impression of a veteran curating the piece as the piano fluidly is laced in to deliver a serene landscape of House and Electronic that appeases to crowds both young and wizened.

If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Adventure Club, Suicide Sheep Remixes on YouTube and Tiesto, then keep an eye on the promising ride ahead for Acidic Base on SoundCloud.

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Music Reviews

Brooklyn Artist, Aradia, Releases New Single – “No One Can Stop You”

Brooklyn-based Musician, Aradia, has an uncanny way of drawing listeners deeper into the crevices of the soul through her multidimensional artistic world that stems from years of traveling the world and deepening her perception of life both within and around her. As an artist who has had her hands in a variety of endeavors, Aradia continues to trek forward with pride as she recently released her latest single, “No One Can Stop You”. Embracing her highs and lows throughout a lyrical journey taking listeners through a hefty dose of motivation, Aradia strips down to bare bones to show the world that there is nothing that could ever get in the way of your desires and dreams other than yourself. Through beautiful songwriting that metaphorically speaks to the wise with a line speaking of a butterfly emerging from chrysalis, Aradia approaches her artistry from her colorful and soulfully rich mind that is alight through the lens of endurance and strength.

If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Charli XCX, Lady Gaga and Halsey then keep an eye on the promising ride ahead for Aradia on Soundcloud.

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Interviews

Interview: Sad Alex

Los Angeles Artist, Sad Alex, fuels her artistry with her emotions from a candid and human stance that leads listeners and viewers back into themselves. In celebration of the release of “All The Way Over”, I caught up with Alex for a great chat about taking time to dig deeper into herself as a human being, choosing to not sugarcoat her life experience or thoughts, being in tune with reality beyond the digital world, being signed to Red Bull Records and much more.

Congrats on the release of your new single, “All The Way Over”. Tell us about the message that you intended to portray throughout the track.

Thank you! I’ve been really happy with the response. I texted my manager a rant once about the meaning behind this song which I think depicts it pretty accurately:

“Sometimes the worst thing about being heartbroken is when you aren’t anymore. It’s better to cry-drink a bottle of wine and overshare about the breakup sex to a bartender than to admit it’s over, right? It definitely feels safer. But then time passes and you start dating a barista/model/aspiring screenwriter/uber driver and you start to forget about what came before. well SHIT. I’m moving on. Does that mean you’re moving on too? does that mean we are actually, finally, ALL THE WAY over?

Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working with Red Bull Records so far?

I feel like I am having to learn more things about myself every day as I focus on my artist project. What do I wear? What should this artwork be? What is my voice? What do I stand for? Who am I trying to reach? Are drops still cool? Luckily, I’ve had a few years now to focus on these questions and feel much more in command of them than I ever have before. That being said, I still struggle with what to wear. and drops. We’ve been focusing a lot on content this year: video promos, photoshoots, voiceovers for spotify and social media ads. So, I actually feel like I’ve really had to tap into my acting chops a lot. It has been unexpectedly fun and rewarding; I audited an acting class because I was having so much fun with it. I think it’s really important to strengthen performances, music videos, photoshoots, etc. Lots of all those coming soon!

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

I think the inadequacy demon has a funny way of showing up over your shoulder even at the times when you should feel like your on top of your game. It whispers all the fears to you: “How will you have longevity in your career? What if you aren’t good enough? What if you don’t write a good song today? What if you never write a good song EVER AGAIN” and you’re just like WOAH BRO, I’m eating tacos can you take it easy? The battle of social media convincing us we are both superheroes and simultaneously not enough is also a very difficult path to navigate. Recently, I’ve been trying to practice a bit more compassion, dedicate time to just be a normal human, read more….weed helps too.

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

It’s both a nightmare and the most powerful tool we have. Some of my most notable achievements so far this year have been in the digital space: the “All The Way Over” game available in the app store, the campaigns we’ve been running on Instagram and Spotify, and the coverage so far for the latest single on the dsp’s to name a few. I have a lot of new fans reaching out via Instagram from the Spotify + YouTube coverage we have received (thank you Mr. Suicide Sheep and everyone else supporting!) and those are some of the most rewarding messages I receive- people truly connecting with the music and wanting to know more about the project. I am doing my best to keep up and connect with all of them because I truly love that aspect. However, it’s important to maintain a separation and remember that there is a real LIFE happening all around us, at all times. That’s way cooler than life on our phone. So, I try to disconnect as often as I can and focus on the human stuff.

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 take pride in being as real, blunt, and honest to a fault as I can. I don’t want to sugar coat anything. I’m over trying to make it look like I’m killing it when I just took the bus to my session cause of a lyft surge. I definitely am doing better now than I ever have, but LA is expensive AF and the music industry is tough. My goals now are more to enjoy life and what i do and who I’m with. Hopefully success and wild riches comes with that, but at least I have a good time. 

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

I think the key is to remember to take time for yourself. I am so excited to go on tour; I have been rehearsing with the new band and am stoked. I’m down to have fun but i also want to have a voice after show. I value my alone time hella and even if I need to cover myself with a blanket in the tour van for 20 minutes to get my head right I will do that so I am not overwhelmed with the social aspect of tour.

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

Danny Phantom was hot AF. And had a pretty cool secret life situation going on. And prob got laid a lot; sounds cool.

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

People ask me how I chose my name, and I think a lot of people think I arbitrarily chose “sad” to jump on the emo train or something. My last name is actually “saad”, which is palestinian and pronounced with a long a, but has been mispronounced as sad since I was a kid. I was called saadface, saadski, and saad alex for as long as I can remember. On top of that, I obviously struggle with my own share of mental health issues, and for a long time my songs were mostly sad too, so the name change stuck. But a lot of my upcoming releases are also tapping into my sarcasm and humor, which is also part of the meaning of “sad” for me. The name allows me to be more honest about my personality and also connect with my heritage. Shout-out DJ Khaled– fellow Palestinian, hit me up let’s make another one.

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Interviews

Interview: Annette Lee

Singaporean Artist, Annette Lee, is living out her dreams and dipping her hands in a variety of creative endeavors that allow her to bring her compassionate and open heart forward. In celebration of the recent release of “Song For The Underdog”, I caught up with Annette for a great chat about overcoming thoughts of comparison, her day-to-day work as a Digital Creator with SGAG, persevering despite the odds, using her artistry to show empathy and more.

Congrats on the release of “Song For The Underdog”. Have you experienced being the underdog in any of your endeavors? If so, how do you perceive that feeling served you?

Thank you! I’ve often felt like the underdog growing up. It seemed like the odds were stacked against me – I was never the cool kid (which definitely led to getting bullied), definitely not a rich kid, my family was dysfunctional and I was constantly falling ill – the list goes on. But I also grew up hearing stories like the one of the Tortoise and the Hare, and believed that like the underdog can win. So that feeling, coupled with the hope I had, definitely spurred me to press on despite the odds, allowing me to see some victories in my life, so I really wanted this song to be an anthem for anyone out there who is in a place in life similar to where I was in my hardest times. That said, and there are also new odds that come with each passing day, leaving me to feel like an underdog once more.

Give us a rundown of a day in your life of being a Digital Creator/Comedian with SGAG.

Everyday looks different for me! Depending on what phase of video production I’m at, I could be coming in to work and brainstorm ideas for a video (sometimes they’d be videos for brands who work with us on sponsored content), or writing a script, or out on set directing/acting in a video.

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

I used to struggle a lot with comparing myself with others who seem to have had it ahead in life and feeling like I’m not good enough, and feeling anxious about not achieving as much. But over time, I’ve discovered – in the spirit of the fable of the tortoise and the hare – that it’s not how you start but how you end. And how I overcame it was reminding myself constantly to compare myself to who I was yesterday instead of to the people around me.

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

The digital world is very much a false reality. I think social media culture causes us to see extremes, the worst of news and the best of our peers – both of which can easily cause us to fall anxiety or depression. Seeing bad news being amplified definitely can cause fear in people and cause us to lose hope, and seeing the ‘perfect’ lives of everyone else can make us feel like we aren’t good enough. That said, there’s also so much about the digital age that allows for good news, great art, and useful tools and knowledge to be more accessible than ever before – and it’s also able to enrich us in so many ways.

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 and digital creator that you take pride in.

I always believe that people come first no matter what. So as an artist, while I enjoy creating work and feel a need to do so, but I always think of how I can show love through my work, and how I can show love to others in my daily life. So I take pride in knowing that I understand the brokenness many people face, and that I can use my art (be it music or comedy) or my personal capacity to show love to just one person who’s hurting or struggling.

As you are exposed to a lot of stimulus working in the digital world, how do you proactively take care of your mental and emotional health?

We’re so bombarded with noise in the digital world, and so many people are addicted to their phones and don’t even realise it. I find it so important to consciously take time off my screens and disconnect for a while as often as I can, to find my thoughts in quiet and solitude, instead of letting the noise overwhelms me.

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

Probably Perry the platypus from Phineas and Ferb, because he is a house pet who is secretly a spy detective. You can’t have a cooler double life than that haha.

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

Thank you for paying attention to my work – I can’t do what I do without you guys and I won’t take your support for granted. And I hope that you stay thankful and kind and never take life too seriously! 

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Interviews

Interview: Go For Gold

Arkansas Punk Rock Band, Go For Gold, continue to unfold with a dynamic punch of meaningful lyricism and infectious instrumentals. In celebration of the recent release of “Let Me Go”, I caught up with Guitarist, Jared Williams, to discuss being a part of the InVogue Records family, anxiety and criticism being a double-edged sword, trading existences with Spongebob Squarepants and more.

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

The new single is about a bad relationship but from an honest middle ground. It’s not colored by an individual perspective. It encompasses the mistakes on each side and takes into account that they are both at fault. 

Though a broad question, what have you learned about yourself and what skills have you developed through working with InVogue Records?

Our main take-away so far is that working with a label will not instantaneously put us where we want to be. Teaming with InVogue gives us a real shot at making it; a shot a majority of artists don’t have, but this is where the work truly begins. Nick Moore has walked in our shoes before. He provides expert advice from the business side as well as from being an artist. We just have to be smart enough to utilize the tools him and his team provide us with in a way that creates success.

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

I struggle with anxiety and am overly critical of my own abilities. These traits are a double-edged sword. They force me to push myself but they can also leave me in a terrible place mentally. I end up feeling overwhelmed and often like I’m not good enough. I tend to push all of these feelings down into myself. For various reasons, it took me a long time to acknowledge that I had these issues.

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

This is kind of a loaded question! I feel that it is a blessing and a curse. It’s a great way for new artists like ourselves to connect with people. We can find/create audiences we may have not been able to if we had started our career at a different time. It also creates a larger demand for content. As an artist, we can’t sit still if we want to survive. We have to continually be creating and advocating for our seat at the table.

As a person, social media can be mind-numbing, divisive and have negative effects on a person’s perception. It’s important for people to connect in more intimate ways when possible. Nothing will ever take the place of face to face human interaction. Meeting people in-person provides us with their true identity. It allows us to develop a greater understanding of who someone is as compared to a tiny blurb on a Twitter thread.

Photo Credit: Kurt Lunsford

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 currently finishing up my DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) degree. This has been a seven year journey that comes to an end in July/August. I’ve always been attracted to a challenge and love to push myself.

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

I think that music is the way I’m proactive about it. Up until recently, I completely ignored my mental and emotional health. I drained myself empty. Music is the main outlet that I utilize to vent my frustrations. I think that’s why people connect with it. We all get stressed out. We all can beat ourselves up from time to time. We also can learn to keep our heads up.

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

I would be Spongebob Squarepants. I love that show to this day. Even in high school, I had full episodes completely memorized. It’s a classic. Spongebob is light-hearted and easy going. He works a job he loves and seems to have time to hang out with his friends on top of that. Spongebob is living the dream and he knows it.

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

Thank you to anyone and everyone who has taken the time to listen or talk to us. We do this because we love it and the fact that you all have connected to our music or ourselves in some way is completely overwhelming. Welcome to the cool kid’s table.

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Concert Reviews

Concert Review: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Cleveland Hip Hop Legends, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, rolled through to Detroit for a show abounding with classics that have served to solidify their spot as the greatest Hip Hop group of all time. As a group of brothers who shine within beyond the glitz and the glam, the Cleveland hustlers have made an impact in the game over practically every single rhyme that they spit that will indefinitely stand the test of time. Dishin’ out 10 strong studio albums, Bone Thugs have impacted individuals throughout the world with the pure facts of life on the streets. Tracks such as “1st of tha Month” and “Mr. Bill Collector” showcase the real life scenarios that majority of society faces and the humble manner that Bone Thugs have always expressed the nitty gritty of life have kept them above par when it comes to raising the Hip-Hop bar.

Discovered by the late and great, Eazy-E, back in 1993 when they was first signed to Ruthless Records, Bone Thugs have created musical masterpieces that balances out lyricism which candidly faces the life backlash that stems from life in the penitentiary while influencing hope in listeners that desire to create the changes in their lives that will lead them toward peace. Collaborating with some of the greatest musicians of all-time such as Phil Collins, The Notorious B.I.G. and Mariah Carey, Bone Thugs consciously uplifting appeal continues to skyrocket and attract global listeners.

All Photo Credit:

Jessica Golich

Daryl Thomas, CEO of NeverNotWorking with Krayzie Bone

Grab your tickets HERE for the remaining dates on the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s 2020 tour. 

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Concert Reviews

Rising Musician, Poppy, Shows Her Range Along ‘I Disagree’ Tour Stop In Detroit

Rising Musician, Poppy, has been on one hell of a ride ever since the recent release of her latest full-length album, ‘I Disagree’. Making her way to Detroit for an idiosyncratic and unique show at The Majestic, Poppy proved that her artistry continues to bloom as she took the stage with full force and an alluring, dark presence that was both captivating and magnetic to the infatuated crowd.

Playing a mixture of her tracks including “BLOODMONEY”, “Nothing I Need”, “Sick of the Sun”, “Play Destroy” and an unexpected cover of “All The Things She Said” by t. A. T. u., Poppy shined while keeping her idiosyncratic appeal in tact while concertgoers sang along to every note. Crossing over fluidly within her artistry to create her own comic book, Poppy is unafraid to break all of the rules to showcase the depth that she’s developed within. As a performance artist, musician, fashionista, YouTuber and more, Poppy has given her artistry her all and continues to empower fans with a sense of independence and freedom.

 

ALL PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Golich

Grab your tickets HERE for the remaining dates of the ‘I Disagree’ world tour.

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Concert Reviews

West Coast Hip Hop Musician, Warren G, Regulates Sold-Out Crowd in Detroit

West Coast Hip Hop Musician, Warren G, stormed through Detroit to regulate the sold-out crowd ahead of his long-time friend and collaborator, Snoop Dogg.

All Photo Credit: Jessica Golich

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Music Reviews

Toronto Independent Musician, Delyn Grey, Releases New Single – “Battle”

Toronto Independent Musician, Delyn Grey, approaches one of the worlds most prominent current epidemics with grace throughout the release of their emotively rich new single, “Battle”. As the world becomes more conscious of the mental health struggles that individuals face day-to-day, artists are becoming more candid in their approach to showcasing that the battle is the field in which we shed light on our opportunities for growth amongst the variety of changes that we have to create to become a better version of ourselves. Mixing the beautiful vocals from Lead Vocalist, Delyn, with storytelling lyricism that tackles the highs and lows that an individuals encounters throughout mental disarray, “Battle” faces the present day and leads listeners’ toward opening their minds to the reality of mental health and how we can all contribute to the betterment of society by being more empathetic within our approach toward an individual facing the frightening disease both inside and out.

Unafraid to distort the version of mental health that a listener may have conceived from societal perception, “Battle” is a beautiful ode to hope in the light of dark. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as PJ Harvey, Tori Amos and Poe then keep an eye on the ride ahead for Delyn Grey on SoundCloud.

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Concert Reviews

Hip Hop Legend, Snoop Dogg, Fires up Sold-Out Crowd in Detroit

Long Beach Legend, Snoop Dogg, rolled into Detroit with his impassioned presence that carries out good vibes and positive energy to ring in a celebration at The Fillmore in Detroit. In honor of his latest full-length album release, ‘I Wanna Thank Me’, Snoop came through for a sold-out crowd that sang along to every note as he took hella tokes on stage. If you’re talking longevity in the game, one major part of Snoop’s claim to fame is his ability to dive into the past with diehard fans by playing tracks such as “Forgot About Dre”, “Lay Low” and “I Wanna Fuck You”.

As an entrepreneur and business mogul, Snoop Dogg has his hands in a variety of endeavors within the Cannabis world including his recent collaboration with Israel-based business, Seedo. Snoop has also ventured into the Vegan and plant-based world and has teamed up with Beyond Meat and Dunkin’ Donuts to roll-out his ‘Beyond D-O-Double G’ Sandwich. Grab tickets HERE to catch the Long Beach Legend, Snoop Dogg, along the remaining overseas dates on his ‘I Wanna Thank Me’ tour.

ALL PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Golich

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