‘Cutting My Roots’, by Prior The End, grabs the lugs and takes us on a voyage. The album is a fresh collection of the most exquisite rock and hard rock items, and the German band has us hell-bent on the speakers for the duration.
@ Prior The End.
The new record stands out with a diverse range of styles and aspects that mark the road forward for the group who are taking off in rapid succession. The drums have omnipotent power and hit with ferocity! The guitars, as well as Alexander’s vocals, tear through the sound, leaving us wanting more.
Hello, Luis, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Ultraviolet’, what is the meaning?
When writing ‘Ultraviolet’ I tried to encapsulate that feeling you get when you’ve been down on things, or come out of a bad relationship, and you meet someone new, and they just spark you into life.
I don’t know if it’s necessarily a bad or a good thing in reality, but I think we all can relate to that feeling at one point or another.
It’s also just about having a good time! I’ve been getting a lot of Jamiroquai comparisons with this one and I can’t think of a better compliment in all honesty.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
There are so many to choose from! For me a good artist is someone who wants to make you feel something and who constantly take their music in new directions. I listen to pretty much anything and there’s so much out there nowadays. If I had to really pick some out I’d say Bon Iver, Damon Albarn, Thundercat, Eric Bibb and John Mayer.
@ Luis Morrison.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?
I think for me it’s how easy it is now to access or network with other musicians. There’s a whole world of talent out there to collaborate with and learn from!
I say that but our drummer, Ben Newton, has been playing with me in various capacities for the best part of ten years now. I hope he’s okay!
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
Not particularly, but I seem to write a lot of lyrics when I’m travelling somewhere. Must be something about it that gets my brain going. I literally wrote a track about that, it’s called ‘Stations’ and it’s on our upcoming EP.
What is your first memory of music?
Whigfield – ‘Saturday Night’ is the first song I can remember! It’s a bit of a nostalgia hit anytime I hear it now, which isn’t often! Banger still if you ask me…
Hello, Kingdumb, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Best Friend’, what is the meaning?
The track touches on a few things but the key message is that I’m apologising to someone who was close to me. We had different ways of handling things and we just got caught up in a bit of a storm. The track touches on mental health too which is something that is close to my heart and something a lot of people still don’t understand. I think there’s a lot of education and work to do on awareness which is happening now more than ever, but there’s still a long way to go.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
That’s a hard question, there are many drum and bass artists who I think are amazing at what they do and that scene has some of the most talented music makers on the planet. But in terms of popular music, I’d have to say Pharrell Williams and The Prodigy. Dizzee Rascal is mad talented as well he has done some amazing work.
‘Best Friend’ single cover. @Kingdumb.
What is the best thing about being a producer in 2022?
Probably the access to technology and markets. Social media means we can directly communicate with people who follow us and it’s super easy to post online about anything you are doing.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
I mostly write in my studio which houses everything I need, but if the sun is out sometimes I like to produce in the garden. I’ve been known to go to coffee shops to make music too. I’ve definitely also produced in the car on long journeys!
What is your first memory of music?
The earliest I think is probably hearing an Indian soundtrack for a film called ‘1942 Love Story’. I think that’s my earliest memory but there were a few key moments like hearing ‘Charly’ by The Prodigy and ‘Super Sharp Shooter’ by DJ Zinc when I was really young. Those two tracks shaped my musical tastes big time.
Hello, Shane, ‘Company’, a compelling release, where did you find the inspiration?
Thank you! The inspiration comes from many sources. Everything from people in my life who inspire me with their passions, to movies that I love, to events in my life. This song comes from a time in my life during which I was grieving the loss of a loved one and the end of a long term relationship. I was trying to quiet my mental state by constantly surrounding myself with friends or being social and just creating external noise to ignore my actual feelings. I wrote this song upon realizing that I needed to pay my underlying emotions some real attention.
Is ‘Is This Art?’ an indication of what to expect with your future material?
Absolutely! I always plan to bring this level of quality, but I also plan to unapologetically develop, change and evolve as I grow. The surface level may shift over time, but my core will always be in music that comes from honest emotional expression.
‘Company’ single cover. @Shane Pi
How long does it take you to fully put together a track like ‘Company’?
It really varies, some of my best songs come to me all at once fairly quickly. For example, “Your Own Devices” was pretty much written in one day and the recording process took a few months, then mixing was another couple months. “Company” is a unique example where it was spread over about two and a half years. I wrote the chords and liked them a lot, but it did not turn into a song until about a year or so into its conception. It went through various slower iterations until I realized that it should probably be more of a dancey bop than a slow waltz. Once I realized that I recorded it and mixed it over the remaining months. I would say that in this case the amount of time was necessary.
How do you know when a song is ready to sign off?
It is really hard to tell honestly. I still hear some of these tunes even after release and think “oh it would be so cool to add x,y, or z to it.” My rule of thumb is that once I am at a point where I am just trying to figure out what to add it is probably done. Ideas get stale and I think that momentum is important. You kind of hit a point of diminishing returns where everything you change makes it sound worse and that is how you know it is done.
What is your plan for the rest of the year?
I will be performing and recording lots of music! Playing a few shows in Boston in May. My sister is having a baby so I will be there to visit and spread some music. In June I am back to Nashville for some more shows. For July I am going to the east coast again for a few more shows that are still to be determined, but we’re scheduled for one in Brooklyn on July 27th so you’ll have a chance to catch me there for sure. There’s also plenty of undetermined shows that I can’t quite confidently speak on yet. I plan to get some more music out by the end of the year too! I have plenty of backlogged material that I am itching to share with the world. Keep an eye out.
Glitch Project, the Italian dream team, have outdone themselves once again with their latest single, ‘Shivers.’
@ Glitch Project.
It’s a track that continues the band’s foray into a new domain of alt-pop, and it’s put together with a confidence that even the harshest critics would struggle to criticise. The music is invigorating, and the girls’ electronic way pays off by adding yet another string to the bow. The vocals also make an impression with their mesmerising tonality and lyricism.
Sabi Pitt, the master of ageless feel-good music, is back and better than ever with his new album, ‘Keep On.’
@ Sabi Pitt
The Caribbean hitmaker holds nothing back in his aim to make us all feel amazing, which he achieves so effectively throughout his new album. Furthermore, ‘Keep On’ combines afro-pop with a variety of other styles to create a journey that we may lose ourselves in again and again. His vocals achieve a new level of sophistication, and the music captivates for all the right reasons.
Spectral Display are well and truly back with their new single, ‘Back On My Feet’.
@ Spectral Display
The best way to describe this new single from the Dutch quartet is contagious pop. In recent years, they have been dropping hits left, right, and centre and they continue to impress with each new release. Furthermore, ‘Back On My Feet’ has a summer beat that will propel them to even higher heights, and Paul Simon’s vocals will leave us delirious with excitement.
Michel kicks out his groove with an enticing bass lead and a sanguine guitar rhythm that rattles the speakers.
Hello, Anna, ‘Don’t Be Sad’ is a compelling release, what is the inspiration?
Thank you so much, that makes me so happy to hear. It was co-written by lyricist M.Alexander and me, and musically I was inspired by the feeling of the lyrics and wanted to create a melody that connects a timeless type of songwriting and melody with a new twist in the style of the song and the energy. As I wrote the song I went through a catharsis of emotions and the song is like a journey emotionally.
The pop-rock vibe you have stands out among other artists in the same genre, do you think there should be more pop-rock bands topping the charts?
Yes, definitely. To have more genres in the charts in general, and more pop-rock driven music should really be on the horizon. There is want out there for new sounds in the mainstream.
I am very happy to hear that the vibe stands out, as the vibe and energy of the music is one of the most important things for FREELEVEL!
@ Freelevel.
Do you prefer working in a band or on your solo material? Or both?
What a great question. I have to say both, complement each other and actually merge together quite a bit. All my songs can be played stripped down by the piano or with a full-on arena band.
As a solo artist, to be able to immerse in the energy of a band is really wonderful. To create unity with the band and express themselves together as one is amazing. As a solo artist, it’s great freedom to play in different genres, settings and different kinds of music, but it can be a little lonely sometimes.
How do you know when a song is ready to sign off?
It’s a kind of mysterious thing where I feel it. In the writing process, sometimes it just happens, the song pours out and sometimes it takes a lot more work. In production, it’s when the energy is there and the different elements needed are there.
That said, with almost all my songs, I have other versions in my head that I want to realize, with orchestrations or other things.
Do you have more releases planned for this year?
Yes I do! Not really ready to talk about it yet, but working away. And if any producers or music people out there read this, be in touch!
Hello, Deanna, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Work It Out’, what is the meaning?
‘Work it Out’ is a song about not wanting to give up on a relationship so easy. I was really going through the motions and doing my best to save something and hoping that we could find the strength to get through it. It’s about being open and honest about how you feel and being safe in that. It’s a reminder to myself that although I am strong, but also human, and strength isn’t always about dealing with things alone or taking all the blame. I’m happy I wrote something that people can connect to on that level, and that can be related to different things; people tell me they have added it to their gym playlists which is cool. In a sentence, Work it Out is a song about strength.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
Absolutely. It’s a reminder that your age doesn’t determine your ability to accomplish your dreams. I I think Doja Cat is cool. She’s a great performer, writer, has great style and presence and doesn’t take herself too seriously. I like that.
@ Deanna Chase.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?
The best thing about being a musician right now is the freedom to create and express myself and share my work whenever I want. It’s also cool that I can connect with fans whenever I want too. It’s not all plain sailing and I am still real hungry to grow and do more, but the time will come.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
I wish I had a cooler answer than the studio but that’s the truth. It’s like being in a bunker, I can escape and indulge. It’s like a switch goes off and suddenly, I’m in the zone. It has a lot to do with the environment too, I am constantly hearing new sounds and inspired by the creative people that surround me. Just this desire to create the best music flares up in me.
What is your first memory of music?
I would say dance class, watching Chris Brown on TV and hearing my mum sing around the house.
Thomas Cole is a New York City-based American actor, model, and music artist.
Hello, Thomas, ‘Late To Bloom’, a passionate release, what is the inspiration?
Thank you so much… it really is. “Late to Bloom” is actually inspired by one of my favorite artists, Ava Max.
During the peak of COVID, my best friends and I would hang out at my New York City apartment, drink rose on the rooftop, and dance to Ava Max. It was a unique opportunity in the sense that we had the time to really get to know ourselves, our passions, and our dreams.
Lyrically, I wrote a little bit about that feeling, while bringing in lots of metaphors for a dying garden, hanging on for dear life, and once given the resources to grow, it THRIVES!
Musically, Electropoint sprinkled in some 80s goodness and had some fun with the synths and drums. I’m very happy with how it turned out and the music video just drives the whole message home.
Does ‘Late To Bloom’ serve as a reminder to all to never give up?
Absolutely. It’s a reminder that your age doesn’t determine your ability to accomplish your dreams. I feel like we all feel this pressure to be able to completely define ourselves by a certain age, which is WILD to me because we are forever evolving, growing, and learning. It’s okay to move at your own pace. It’s never too late to grow into the flower you were meant to be.
@ Thomas Cole.
What was it like working with Electropoint again?
Electropoint is my main man! I love working with him. He brings out my creativity while also harnessing his own, and, as a result, we make magic! As a new artist, he’s really helped guide and mentor me through the song-making process, setting my expectations and celebrating our hard work when it comes together as a complete project. At this point, I can’t see myself working with anyone else!
How do you know when a song is ready to sign off?
It’s just a feeling, you know? My process is pretty straightforward. I listen to the track a thousand times and start to hear melodies. I figure out what it is I want to say and how I want to say it. And it all kind of comes together. Sometimes I’ll sit with a song for months, making little tweaks here and there. Simultaneously, I’ll start thinking about the visuals. The cover art, the video, the teasers. Once those are lined up and ready to go, I feel confident the song is ready for release!
Do you have more releases planned for this year?
I sure do! You’ll hear one, maybe two new songs this year. We’re about to shoot a video for the next single. #StayTuned
