Saskia Griffiths-Moore, The Interview Series.

Saskia Griffiths-Moore
Photo Credit: Saskia Griffiths-Moore

Words By Joey Rochert.

Hello, Saskia, Let’s talk about your new album, ‘Together In Love And Separation’, what was the inspiration for creating the album?

Chandra Chakraborty reached out to me having heard of me as a folk singer and invited me over to play music together, tempting me with the offer of dinner too – how could I say no? Once we started playing we knew we had something beautiful and unusual here and set about creating an album project right away to show the world!

What was it like working with Chandra Chakraborty?

Chandra Chakraborty is a truly extraordinary human being. She moved in with her musical guru’s in her teenage years and they even helped arranged her marriage. In her culture it is extremely rare to find women who are empowered to perform and sing throughout their lives and music is not just a fun hobby for someone like her, it is something she dedicated decades of her life to, gave up living with her family for and it exists within a spiritual tradition. Without making a fuss about it, all of that tradition, that sacrifice, that intense dedication and spirituality is fused into who she is and how she performs and it has been an honour and privilege to work with her.

Saskia Griffiths-Moore
Photo Credit: Saskia Griffiths-Moore

Which composers in the current industry inspire you the most?

I am inspired by strong female vocalists of the western folk traditions, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Eva Cassidy, Gillian Welch to name but a few.

Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment? 

I like to write on my boat. I find the peace and quiet of nature to be my best inspiration and while my boat is nothing fancy, floating on the water surrounded by trees and birds and knowing that no-one can hear me makes me feel safe to experiment. I will accept the living rooms of friends as a close second and of course, recording studios as a third favourite.

What is your first memory of music? 

Titanic! Remember the song ‘Near, far, wherever you are…’ – my earnest little 5 year old brain absorbed that song and I used to hum it to myself hoping someone would hear me and think it was nice and ask me to sing it properly. They almost never did but I grew a somewhat secret obsession with singing that only came out in my teenage years.

Photo Credit: Saskia Griffiths-Moore.

Lady Marga MC, ‘Never Can Give You Up’ (System Addict Janski Mix)

Lady Marga MC

Words By Joey Rochert.

Lady Marga MC brings new life to the forefront of the scene with her take on the Five Star classic, ‘System Addict’. The new release, which features original member Doris and Felix from Basement Jaxx, is one to write home about it and easily smashes through the industry gates!

Lady Marga
@ Lady Marga MC

‘Never Can Give You Up System Addict Janski Remix’ is the official title for the track, and it leaves us gripping to the speakers from the get-go. The energy is real, and the passion from all members is challenging to fault!

You can pre-save here.

Photo Credit: Lady Marga MC.

Julia Thomsen, ‘Walking In A Dream’

Julia Thomsen

Words By Joey Rochert.

With her latest piece, “Walking in a Dream,” Julia Thomsen transports us to a state of bliss. She does not hold back with her performance here and she charms with a richness that is the ultimate respite from the daily madness. 

Julia Thomsen
@ Julia Thomsen

The arrangement of the piano and violin in “Walking In A Dream” is absolutely stunning, and the way that each instrument is layered on top of the other has us clinging to the arms of our chairs with glee. The path is not like many others, and it is accompanied by profound feelings as it unfolds.

Photo Credit: Julia Thomsen.

Rofi James, The Interview Series.

Rofi James

Words By Joey Rochert.

Hello, Rofi James, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Who Am I To You?’, what is the meaning?

This song is written about a scenario where you’re out with a group of friends and the person you’ve been dating is flirting with someone else. You desperately want them to stay with you but at the same time you want to know what your relationship status is.

Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?

We’re influenced by several artists at the moment including One Republic, Imagine Dragons, Stereophonics and many more.

Rofi James
Rofi James

What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?

After two years without the ability to perform live, the best thing about being a musician in 2022 is definitely the fact that we can play shows. It’s an amazing feeling hearing your song being sung in a crowd at a show, or on the radio. Playing live is extremely rewarding, and one of the most enjoyable parts about being a musician. It’s also extremely fulfilling putting pen to paper and writing a song that means a lot to you, and even more so when you hear how it has affected or even inspired\helped a stranger during a difficult time in their lives. There can be a certain ‘magic’ in the room sometimes when a group of musicians get together and perform, everything clicking in place, an audience connecting with the band on stage, and energy exchange going from the band to the crowd and vice versa.

Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment? 

It varies, Ronan usually comes up with a hook or a chorus which could come to him at any moment and we all usually go out to our producer Dave Skelton’s studio and piece the song together with the larger production in mind for the track.

What is your first memory of music? 

Ronan’s family are all musicians and have always had music in his home since he was a child, his Dad took him to his first gig when he was 10 to see U2 in Croke Park. Jamie’s earliest memory before learning the drums was hearing ‘Money For Nothing’ by Dire Straits and ‘Run To You’’ Bryan Adams and instantly wanting to learn an instrument. Joe is a massive RHCP fan and was instantly drawn to the bass guitar after hearing their music. 

Photo Credit: Rofi James.

Hank Quillen, The Interview Series.

Hank Quillen

Words By Joey Rochert.

Hello, Hank, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Treading Water’, what is the meaning?

Treading Water came about from the feeling I hope most people can relate to at sometimes being overwhelmed with things that might be going on in one’s own life. Whether that be personal(relationship, career, finances, and such) or what’s going on all around us as we watch the news. Pandemic and all the struggles we as a global community have had to deal with to get past it.

Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?

Chris Stapleton, Foo Fighters, Bob Dylan(he’s still going strong)

Hank Quillen
Hank Quillen

What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?

So many opportunities for independent artists in this day and age. Great time to be creative and have options to get that work out into the world.

Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment? 

Not particularly, I’m constantly writing whenever the moment hits no matter where I’m at. I do have a music room I like to rewrite and refine to finish songs up.

What is your first memory of music? 

Listening to KISS, having pictures of them in their makeup on my walls, drove my parents crazy. Also Eric Clapton’s song Promises, remembering making my older sister play that over and over on her turntable.

Photo Credit: Hank Quillen.

Natasha Vroegindeweij, ‘Sometimes I Wonder’

Natasha Vroegindeweij

Words By Joey Rochert.

Natasha Vroegindeweij blows our minds with her incredible musical talent with the release of her newest track, “Sometimes I Wonder.” Because Natasha handles music in such a wonderful way, she takes us on a voyage that we won’t forget in a hurry, and for that, we are extremely grateful.

Natasha Vroegindeweij
@ Natasha Vroegindeweij

The singer-songwriter excels throughout the whole of the piece, and she exhibits her high calibre by providing a performance that is on par with that of some of the finest in the game at the present moment. Natasha makes an impression from the very first time we listen to her, and by the time the performance is through, we are left wanting more of what she has to offer. She accomplishes this by speaking with conviction and by meditating on both her own life and the world around her.

https://www.facebook.com/tashajanevr

Photo Credit: Natasha Vroegindeweij.

Mr Jayvic, ‘Let Love Lead The Way’

Mr Jayvic

Words By Joey Rochert.

With the release of his brand new track, ‘Let Love Lead The Way’, Mr Jayvic is quickly climbing the music industry ranks. The song is out now and is one of those rare releases that keeps getting better the more times it comes on!

Mr Jayvic

The single also features Aisha J, and they work together brilliantly and exude a certain assurance in their performance. Their ability to communicate their feelings is captivating, and even though the message is relatively predictable, there is a fresh vigour emerging out of the track. It is one that continually draws us back in for more.

Photo Credit: Mr Jayvic.

Saskia Griffiths-Moore & Chandra Chakraborty, ‘Together in Love and Separation’

Saskia

Words By Joey Rochert.

The new piece that Chandra Chakraborty and Saskia Griffiths-Moore have created, entitled ‘Together in Love and Separation’ has us completely enthralled. This album is incredibly euphoric in every way imaginable, and the duo’s ability to combine western and Indian musical traditions into a single piece is truly remarkable.

@ Rupert Hitchcox.

Vocally, both of them fly with unparalleled assurance, and they captivate us with every movement of their timbre when they are performing. The new album brings a classical aura that derives mainly from the traditional music of India, but it also includes layers of current and nostalgic folk music from the west, which adds additional flair and excitement to the overall experience.

There are a total of eight tracks on the album, and every one of them contributes something novel to the music industry. Because of this, you will not want to miss them performing live on July 19 at Cecil Sharpe House in London alongside the renowned London Chamber Orchestra, which will be led by Úna Palliser.

More information on the show at Cecil Sharpe House can be found here.

Photo Credit: Rupert Hitchcox.

Kingdumb, ‘Basic’

Kingdumb

Words By Joey Rochert.

We are all dancing frantically around the room to the most recent offering from Kingdumb, ‘Basic’. The prolific rate at which the music producer is putting out new songs for us to enjoy hints at the enormous discography that he possesses.

Kingdumb
@ Kingdumb.

The song ‘Eastern Peak’, which also makes its debut, has a vibe that is somewhat different to ‘Basic’ but yet works nicely alongside it. It is clear that Kingdumb is driven by his passion for electro, and if he continues to hit all of the right notes—which he is—it is only a matter of time before he competes with the most accomplished players in the game.

Photo Credit: Kingdumb.

Little Moses Jones, The Interview Series.

Little Moses Jones

Words By Joey Rochert.

Hello, Moses, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘City Or Country’, what is the meaning?

City Or Country is a song that gives you great examples of what it’s like in the city and country. Which one do you like? City Or Country?

Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?

Laura Pausini, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Earth Wind & Fire

Little Moses Jones
Little Moses Jones

What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?

The best thing about being a musician in 2022 is that we are getting the live music scene back, and the support from the fans!

Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment? 

There is no certain place I write in, but wherever I write, it must be peaceful with no distractions. I love writing in the mountains!

What is your first memory of music? 

My first memory of music was when I was on stage with my dad at 4 years old dancing to him play the blues and the Joker outfit my dad wore with the little balls on the shoes and face paint. I didn’t know what to think about it, but I knew it was fun:)

Photo Credit: Little Moses Jones.