Beyond The Stage Magazine - December 2016

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december 2016

calum scott Marc E. Bassy Sir The Baptist Aquilo


Managing Editor: Addie Whelan Features Editor Gabi Talisman Art Director: Alicia Rangel Deputy Editor: Madeline Shiffer Deputy Editor: Charlotte Freitag Photo Editor: Stone Fenk

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Words: Addie Whelan Alicia Rangel Delaney DeAngelis Kara Johnson Kristen Humphries Lauren Klonowski Madeline Shiffer Sydney Russo Taylor Cleek Valerie McIntyre Photos: Addie Whelan Alicia Rangel Alyssa Buzzello Gabi Talisman Stone Fenk Taylor Cleek

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ISSUE 13 | BEYOND THE STAGE

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Dan Layus Aquilo Sir The Baptist Calum Scott Album Reviews Marc E. Bassy Emarosa Vinyl Me Please Playlist

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simple plan | cleveland, oh | novemeber 2016 | Photos by: taylor cleek

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the head and the heart | chicago, il | october 2016 | Photos by: addie whelan

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Words by Kara Johnson | Photos by Kaetlin Fehl

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I f you’ve ever heard of San Diego rock band Augustana, you know the voice of Dan Layus. The

founder and frontman of the band spent twelve years as the creative force behind their success. After many years of hard work and touring, which took them from basements to amphitheatre, the band as a unit had run its course and disbanded. Being a California kid all of his life and growing up in suburban San Diego, the Golden State has always been in his blood and a part of his music. Although this is the case, the San Diego native knew he needed a change. Change inspired Layus to move Tennessee during the summer of 2013. Venturing off to Franklin has been a great change for Layus and his family. Franklin is a town that will always be home for him. With change came a different musical community. For the first two years of his Tennessee life, Layus spent much of his time driving down Hillsboro Road to write tunes for other artists. Brantley Gilbert and The Summer Set are among those artists that have cut his tunes. As a frontman of a band like Augustana, Layus knew a thing or two about poppy fringes and guitar riffs. The sound of Augustana was catchy and the fans and radio ate every bit of it up. The frontman was great at drawing attention to the music that mattered most to him. “Boston” was the first hit from the band and came a top seller in a short time period – but with that came a love for country music and its roots that Layus had developed during his time in Augustana. “Since my early 20’s, I’ve been a big fan of alternative country, which led me to more traditional country music. I lived off of Willie’s Roadhouse on Sirius XM for three years straight.” The influence of country music and Willie’s Roadhouse is what led to Layus’ first solo country project entitled Dangerous Things released on October 21st. It’s an album that replaces Augustana’s authentic punch with acoustic guitars, softer finishes and an incredible display of vulnerability. Longtime fans may find the album to be a curveball but it’s more than that. It’s a layered piece of artistry that gives listeners a perfect look into the life of Layus who’s made a huge transformation. “Country is one thing that I can feel really confident about getting into this next phase of my career. There has been a very natural evolution in the writing and the musical approach over the course of a few albums dropping into this new solo venture,” he tells us. “This album is finally me being myself musically all the way through. I’m allowing myself to be okay with going full on American music. This new music feels like home and it’s lovely.” The country newcomer didn’t spend years creating his solo LP. No, he spent a week working on songs, mixing tracks and producing something he knew would feel like home for him. That’s exactly what Dangerous Things is for Layus. It’s not an LP mixed with large production and big band sound. It’s an LP unlike anything you’ve heard from Layus before. Dangerous Things is a stripped down version of what we know of the singer/songwriter. There is a melancholy undercurrent layered throughout but in the end of it all, you have to appreciate the beauty of it. “Writing this album was a very satisfying experience for me. I wanted to make a quick set of recordings for this project. I had enough experience of months or years of recording, re-recording, re-writing that I was ready to do a few days in the studio in front of good microphones with some real performances. After everything happened, I mixed it all and made it a record.” The latest single for the album “Driveway” was featured on Rolling Stone, a huge success and dream for every artist planning on making it in the industry. According to Layus, nothing has been so well received like “Driveway” has.

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“I have never had a rollout of a song or album so welcomed by the press in the past, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel pretty good. I felt that it was an acknowledgment that I was doing something right here.”And of course, he is doing something right. Not only has Rolling Stone featured his music but the legendary Grand Ole Opry has invited him to perform in the circle. “Playing at the Opry is truly one of the greatest honors in my music career.” For those who loved Layus before his big country debut, don’t worry about him losing his Augustana roots. Even though he has no idea what the future may hold for the band, he does know that won’t shy away from singing a few songs at every show. The band is a part of him, and he knows this. It’s essential to what he does and why he is where is today. The band he founded and became a huge part of will forever be deep in his blood. “I don’t think there will ever be a time where I won’t perform a bunch of the Augustana catalog at the shows,” he says. “I love playing ‘I Really Think So’ live. It’s got a feel that is very consistent with a lot of the newer material that I’m performing. It has always been one of my favorite songs.” There has been a huge amount of success already for Layus before going full on country. He’s toured the world and has opened up for big name artists like One Direction and is now touring with Dixie Chicks on their European tour. Performing for names like these is a big success on it’s own, and Layus is enjoying every minute of it. It’s a dream come true for the newfound country singer. To do this as a job has been nothing short of a dream come true for him, and this attitude is put on display effortless as he speaks and performs. “I feel pure bliss when I get to step off a train in a new city in Europe and find my way around a new place. There’s no feeling like that, that I can describe.” Perhaps this newfound love is the best thing that will ever happen for him. Home is what he feels when he sings country, and touring the world and playing shows night after night couldn’t be more perfect. For him, each venue and each show is different. Every show has a different feel and different tone in audience. The tone sets the mood on stage, which makes things interesting. “The smaller shows are far more intimate and revealing, and sometimes that can feel much more nerve wracking for me. You can hear every cough or sniffle or conversation and that definitely adds to the experience. The big shows are where I can just close my eyes and get lost in the moment and the songs.” Dan Layus shouldn’t just be known as the former frontman of Augustana. He should be known for the maturity, growth, and exceptional wall in country music that he is planning on tearing down. Country music has expanded a lot over the course of the years, making it all the more fitting for solo artist to make room for what he has to offer. His sound stands out amongst the rest trying to gain attention. When he gets it right, as he does in country music, it’s magical.

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Tegan & Sara | Boston, MA | october 2016 | Photos by: Alyssa Buzzello

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Words by Maya Alfia | Photos by Addie Whelan W ith three EP’s, a handful of singles, and a forthcoming There’s something interesting about the way the internet

album, Ben Fletcher and Tom Higham of Aquilo are on track to a successful year. A band that performs their fourth ever gig at Glastonbury, is featured in Rolling Stone, and catches BBC Radio 1’s attention without even having an album out yet is sure to last a while. With their soft and emotional electronic & ambient synth, their music is sure to get you hooked. Despite living a stone’s throw away from each other in their already-small town in England, Aquilo weren’t formed until after they had already met multiple times. With their differing ages, they never really thought of each other as the potential bandmates they would soon become. Playing positions opposite each other in rival bands, although they claim “it was always too nice to be a rivalry.” they faced each other time and time again due to the their hometown’s small nature with a limited number of gigs to play.

can pull together people who were already so unknowingly close. Living just a few doors down from each other, they never realized the potential they had together until Tom heard a song that Ben had put on SoundCloud and offered to play music with him sometime, thinking of it as nothing more than a jam session. From there, things only grew. This new creation’s naming process became frustrating, only coming up with names that were far too corny or just plain terrible (some examples they recalled were “Oculus”, something reminiscent of a spell from Harry Potter and/ or a Transformer, and “Factor and Hime”, their last names). After endless lists with names they just didn’t like, they settled on Aquilo after Tom’s mother had suggested it, defining it as “Greek mythology for northern wind”. It began to resonate with them.

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This tedious naming process came just before the releasing first single, “Calling Me”. However, there were songs that came even before that; the specific song that drew Tom into Ben’s Soundcloud was called “Oh My God”, something that Tom now describes as “really, really, really sad.” It was notably very acoustic and calm, targeting exactly what they were both inspired by at the time. As they began to write and play music together as a group instead of individuals, their intent became clear. The acoustic roots they were founded on starting delving into something much more electronic and complicated than what they had started out with. Songs that were written with guitars were developed into something much more than just that. When reflecting back on this time, Ben remembered how slowly it all happened, and how it’s still happening; their influences, and therefore overall sound, is constantly changing. It’s hard to pinpoint one exact place their inspiration emerged from; inspiration is subjective and can result from anything. When asked if their hometown at all shapes their music and creativity, Ben replied “so many people say it, it must be the case.” It’s true that music journalism projects connections that aren’t really there onto artists, but in certain ways, it must be true. Inspiration comes from what’s around you, either good or bad. The duo grew up in a small, sheltered little village where they could go downtown, get a drink, and play a gig when they wanted to. The question in its entirety seems obvious, yet questionable itself; Tom joked about how he doesn’t look out his window, notice the grass and sheep, and use that to write. Instead, they began to explicate their inspiration based on experiences they’ve had. Experiences are often great for reflecting back on your life and choices. While their hometown was a weaker inspiration, the duo absolutely agreed that experiences shape their music almost more than anything else. They noted their interest in writing in different points of view and thinking about how other people perceive specific situations. Perspective is important, especially for the topics they named as recurrent themes, such as relationships. They like to look at the “bigger picture” and looking at a situation from afar, rather than projecting their own selfishness onto the other person in order to seem like the one who’s always right. It not only makes for a greatly written song, but also an eye-opening process. Ben grew up listening to his dad’s English soul and folk music, as he was in a band when Ben was a child. He recalled loving Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, and Laura Becker as his first encounters with music. His love has not faded, however; he told an anecdote of a Steely Dan concert he attended in New York last year, catching only a few songs as it was in between two concerts Aquilo had booked for the night. He confidently named it “the greatest night of his life”, even if his love for Steely Dan doesn’t directly show up in the traces of Aquilo’s music. Tom, on the other hand, was always into the progressive scene, citing it as what he grew up on. He named Explosions in the Sky as one of his all-time favorite bands because of the amazing atmospheric vibe of their music. His love for metal music began as a kid, which is admittedly hard to picture when you look at Aquilo’s soundscape. The two bickered over the universal love for Pearl Jam in their hometown, with Tom telling Ben, “I think all of your mates loved them, all of my mates hated them.”

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Tom recalled some of the artists and genres they looked to for influence when Aquilo began, such as progressive music from the U.K. scene, specifically an artist called Fake. He recalls exactly what he loved about it: “great lyrics, great melodies and that was exactly what I wanted to work with.” What really impacted their gradual change to electronic were bands such as Mount Kimbie, which Ben described as “really minimal electronic.” As Aquilo keeps releasing music, we can begin to see which points mesh together and point out the changing style of the group.

With many singles already out, the duo have often created music videos to fit the sound of their songs. Their videos are very theatrical and often follow some kind of plot, as opposed to many electronic songs which will try to avoid plots altogether. The two voiced their love for British drama shows and stated how they loved the look of their videos with that new, gritty vibe with the importance of a story and plot. Many times, they try to direct videos that don’t directly depict what the song says, but instead something that compliments the song while remaining creative.

As for their new music, the band was very hush-hush on the release date of their new album (but they do exist - both the release date and the album - and they are coming). Many people have helped out in the process of making it; artist Oliver approached them with an interest in developing Aquilo’s music and helped them make “Silhouette” as well as three songs from the forthcoming album. When Oliver approached them, they were joyed because “that’s the world [they] want to be in.” Everything seems to be going smoothly and they feel like the album is going well; it has exactly what they want on it (which is why it seems to be taking so long).

Keeping up with Aquilo is hard these days. Tours, festivals, recording… you will always find them doing something that will keep them ahead of the game. While on their U.S. tour with fellow English artist Lapsley, they had nothing but nice things to say. They told us about the first time they met her, which was right before their respective sets at Glastonbury Festival years ago. They were in the same practice room right under a train station, never even thinking about the possibility that both of them could tour together years later.

Their new single, on the other hand, was just released, and the process of it wasn’t too different from their album recording process. They had many people help out and get involved in it by having some friends over and holding writing sessions. They both remembered how their friend Ed played a big part by busting out some chords for a few hours, which they officially declared “sick.” They wrote the song around Ed’s chords and proclaim it as “probably the most exciting song;” it adds a new flare to their music, as Ben admitted he and Tom are not the best at writing upbeat songs, as they feel more comfortable writing slower songs that are closer to their comfort zone. However, finding and creating a great upbeat song that matches Aquilo’s sound expands their diversity and makes them a great band all-around.

Because of their roots in England, we had to ask about the differences they felt between U.K. and U.S. crowds, and they named plenty. While U.K. crowds in their experience were often more reserved and quiet, U.S. crowds are more upfront, unafraid, and outspoken. Americans will shout at the band and voice their opinions without receiving flack for it; Tom noted his appreciation for these qualities. These two were never afraid to be honest and joke around, never taking themselves too seriously, which is greatly refreshing in these modern times. These fresh faces and their amazingly intense, emotional, and reflective music have reached a level different than what we’re used to seeing. They’ve been pursuing and enjoying music almost their whole lives and have come to a point where they should be appreciated, too.

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Photos and Words by Gabi Talisman and Sydney Russo

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D eveloping a love for music is a personal process that, over time, becomes part of our personality. It begins with the music our parents feed us and continues with the mainstream music society popularizes, but in the end the music we love is the music that helps us understand our life and the lives of the people around us. For some people that love and dedication to music begins in our teen years, but for some a love and understanding of music is so instantaneous that a life without it, simply, never existed. This is the case for Chicago based hip hop artist Sir The Baptist, who claims his love for music began “straight out the womb.” In a sea of carefully crafted “unique” artists, Sir The Baptist still has little competition. He is constantly changing himself and his music, all while making sure he is staying true to himself and where he started. Each change he makes, Sir states, is with conscious intent. “When you get to a place where people are watching, you gotta make sure you don’t lose touch with what you’re here for. Everything is conscious.” Speaking specifically during our interview about the outfit he was wearing that day and that it took him over and hour to pick it

out, because regardless of the situation he wants to stay true, like he says, everything he does is on purpose. Sir has spent his career thus far staying true to himself. Sir was born on Chicago’s South Side, home to many of his influences, including Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. Born to heavily religious parents, he grew up surrounded by spiritual influences and music. Blending his two worlds, religion and music, and with that making a name for himself in the music world as an individual with a message that was ready to be heard. Sir says “in the church you have two options, you become a preacher or a musician, and I always found myself mixing both.” This statement stand true in his music, specifically his bombastic track “Raise Hell.” The video for the song features protest groups often considered to be under the radar, as well as a choir and Sir himself, bouncing through the desert with seeming abandon, but a longer look shows the precision behind video alone, setting aside an already powerful song. The striking image of Sir in all white, seeming to be more energized and driven than feasibly possible while singing of never stopping, fighting for what he believes in until he reaches the end of it all is not so clearly offered by many artists today.

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The thoroughly planned ideas behind who Sir The Baptist is and wants to be are all over his live performance as well, not just in his recorded and videoed work. The same intentional Sir The Baptist from his music videos dances and sings like he does not have a care in the world, because he’s so sure of who he is: his confidence in his intentions is intoxicating, the audience cannot help but get into his performance. A lot of young artists claim to know who they are, with fantastic videos and catchy songs, but Sir is one of the most comfortable performers we’ve ever seen. It’s possible this awe inducing calm and preparedness is because, as he says, he wanted to do this “straight out the womb”, but again his religious upbringing and performing within the church shine towards his success today. Sir’s religious background is deeply rooted in his words and performance, and those skills speak volumes. In many instances religion and hip hop do not mix, but in Sir’s case the two go hand in hand. His religious background is not the only influence Sir branches off of to create his music. Growing up in a bustling family with twenty two brothers and sisters all of which, Sir says, have a passion for music, has been a huge influence in and of itself. Twenty one of his brothers and sisters are singers and one of them is deaf, but “is still in tune with the music”, according to Sir. With music constantly happening around him, it is not hard to see why Sir The Baptist is making waves now: he has been for many years, albeit within his family. When asked who influences him professionally, who he thinks of when he’s working on new tracks, members of the industry or otherwise, without hesitation Sir said his family. “My father”, Sir told us when asked about his dream audience member, citing that he passed before he was able to see the artist his son has turned into. With inspiration rooted in both family and religion Sir has made quite a name for himself since bursting onto the national and international music scene. Recently he was featured on the “Birth of a Nation” soundtrack that dropped to accompany the acclaimed movie earlier this year. Besides being featured on that soundtrack, Sir has also released music throughout 2016, and became a dependable and highly anticipated festival act throughout Summer 2016, playing Lollapalooza, Voodoo, Bonnaroo and more through the United States. As his fan base grows we cannot help but wonder what to expect from the up and comer in the year ahead. When asked where 2017 will bring him, Sir told us, “A balance of applying the music: you can make good music, but if you don’t apply it to the

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world then in the next six months it’s gone. I put out “Raise Hell” a long time ago, right? Let’s say like about a year ago. If you take that record right now and put it out right now it’s still relevant, you know, so everyday I get a chance to reapply that song.” Keeping his music tuned towards being relevant, but relevant throughout time as opposed to the latest fad is the mentality of an artist with a long term plan: Sir The Baptist does not seem to be ready to hang up the towel any time soon. With his constant reinvention, conscious choices and drive to apply his music, we don’t think Sir the Baptist will have any trouble staying relevant in the years to come. In a world in which we are constantly seeking out a fresh take on current situations, Sir the Baptist is the type of artist we like to keep on our radar. His music, stage presence and personality stay up to date, fresh, but in the way a beautiful suit or black dress never go out of style: there is no reason to change what is already working, and when the attention to detail is as thorough as Sir The Baptist’s is, we’re pretty sure it’s already working.


The Hunna | Pittsburgh, PA | novemeber 2016 | Photos by Stone Fenk

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Words by Addie Whelan | Photos by Gabi Talisman

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T wenty-eight year old Calum Scott is suddenly taking the world by storm. Within the last year, he’s performed and competed on a mega television show, toured internationally, and signed a record deal with one of the biggest labels in the world. Signing with Capitol Records earlier this year, Scott’s following has escalated around the world, selling out iconic venues like The Troubadour in Los Angeles and playing the formidable Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 Arena later this year. Hailing from a small town in Northern England, Scott’s voice has already started to get international attention. His voice is deserving of the attention it is getting: the hype is worth it. Full of passion and dedication, Scott prides himself in his humility, his pride and most importantly, his connection to family and friends. Between the quick ascent and the public spotlight from his rise to stardom, Scott believes it’s his family and friends that keep him grounded.

my friends and family,” Scott explained. “I’m lucky that my band are basically like my friends anyways so I have a great time. I haven’t got like a ridiculous rider or anything, I just want to stay grounded.” From on tour to promoting his album, Scott’s family has been one of the biggest reasons that he has stayed true to who he is, which he also believes is a huge influence on his sound.

“My sister [is my biggest inspiration], she’s put up with hell. My sister is easily my biggest inspiration. In terms of my general inspiration, my mom and my friends are an incredible inspiration to me. Obviously [my career in music] is happening in the space of a year, so we’re all still trying to get used to the fact. I’ll be on the road, in Mexico, going to Brazil or meeting with my label in LA, and even [interviews]. My family and my friends can’t even believe that this stuff is happening. They never treat me any differently and they keep me grounded and [another “[When I’m on tour] I have to have communication with inspiration is] my fan base. Without them, I wouldn’t be my mom, I’ve got to at least get in touch once so that I doing what I’m doing and they’re a constant inspiration to stay grounded. Also, [I like to have] just a few things that me and a constant support for me. I love each one of my remind myself of home. I like things that remind me of fans with all of my heart” Scott said enthusiastically.

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But for Scott, there’s more to his fans than just people who know his music worldwide, it’s always back to his family. Most importantly, his sister, who was the first one to really be a “fan” of Scott’s work and pushed him to perform live. Combined with the influences of his mom, Scott’s career started and developed with the help of those first “fans,” his mom and sister. “My sister has always been the performer in our family, she’s done it forever. I’ve always been in it too, but I feel like the start of my singing was probably due to my mum. Everywhere we went in the car, she always played ballads. So it would be Elton John, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, Meat Loaf. She would always play those in the car and I think that’s why my sound developed. Just taking it back, I was always interested in music, I went to music school as a drummer. I’ve got a natural sense of rhythm as a drummer and it was great for me because I was never anywhere near the front of the stage, I never wanted to be the center of attention. So I got to focus on the drums. But once I saw my friends getting jobs and being able to go on holidays, I didn’t fall out of my love of music but I fell out of studying aspect of it and I wanted to get a little more independent. Four years down the line, making cups of tea and shredding is nowhere near as fun as I thought it would be, so by chance I was in my house at my mums. My sister had left her singing equipment in her house, so I went on the singing equipment and sang my heart out. Not thinking anyone would listen to it. She was actually listening on the other side of the door, and was actually in a local singing/karaoke competition. I ended up on stage next to my sister at the competition. That was about six years ago. And now, ever since, she’s believed in me every step of the way and she’s pushed me to audition for Britains Got Talent. We went as individual acts but we went to that together. And she started my hunger and my passion for music, so ever since I got on stage for that karaoke competition, I’ve felt the burning rage in my stomach and that’s like something I want to do for the rest of my life.”

“My sister actually went first [on Britain’s Got Talent]. She kind of got a very sort of crappy treatment from Simon and he stopped her mid performance [. . .]. She has an unbelievable voice. She’s my big sister and she’s my biggest inspiration. So that really took a toll on me. Then I had to go on, I had a brief talk with my sister. I went on stage with, as you can imagine I was so nervous, it just became about me and my sister. And I just wanted to be there for her. Then when I started, I just kind of forgot about the judges and the cameras and I sang with everything that I had to prove that it was, I was singing for me and my sister and so, while I was singing, I wasn’t thinking about what was next or what the results might be, all I wanted to do was get back and be with my sister. And when Simon hit the buzzer, it just shook me to the bone. And if you watch the audition video, I spend half of that time with my hand on my face because it didn’t feel like it was even real. And the rest is history,” Scott explained.

That first performance alone in his house led to singing on Britain’s Got Talent, the television show that also found the likes of Susan Boyle. His performance that garnered more than ninety million views on YouTube alone, plus the weekly television audience, leaving Scott with a massive following and an astonishing number of fans. Although Scott and his sister, Jade, went into the auditions hoping to both make it to the finals, his sister was immediately cut by Simon, a move that Scott deemed as “crap” right away.

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Although Scott only has a few songs released right now, Scott’s sound has already taken shape. Even though he’s influenced by some of the biggest names in music like Celine Dion, Elton John and Whitney Houston, his biggest inspiration is his close family, tying his success back to how important they are to him and his work.

more about the relationships you make with people all across the world,” Scott continued. “One thing I really would like to do, especially with my album, I want to have a place where fans can go to and I’ve got people who I’ve helped people go through a rough time or people who I’ve helped with their confidence to get them through a tough breakup. Music is like the best medicine, I feel like there’s “I would describe myself as a genuine kind of guy, which nothing compared to it in the world.” I hope comes across in my music. I’m the kind of guy that writes songs that make you cry, I do apologize in Scott’s fans have been waiting patiently since early in 2015, advance. I just write from my heart and I’m still working when his initial audition for Britain’s Got Talent swept the on my upcoming album, which will probably be out in internet, but his British fans that saw the audition as it the springtime next year. All of the songs on there are I’ve aired have certainly been the most patient. co-written. It’s all experiences I’ve had or stories I’ve had from those closest to me. I’ve just tried to be really honest, “My British fans have been really really patient. There which I hope comes through in the music and comes haven’t been any new songs, they still follow me and they through in the sound. It’s an album that speaks a lot. As still support me. So I guess I want to say that music is just well, there’s a lot variety in there that’s upbeat and happy around the corner and there will be a new single out on stuff. Obviously the single out there right now is about Friday [November 25th]. And my album is just around the unrequited love and watching the relationship blossom. corner. And for everyone to just bear with me, everyone is I have a new single [that came out] actually on Friday so patient. I’m writing so much and just making sure that [November] 25th, and that’s more upbeat and hopeful and it meets expectations. The fans deserve a great album and about all of those feelings like adrenaline and the hands on that’s exactly what I plan to give them. Thank you to every your ass and all of that. So there’s some really nice variety single one of them, wherever in the world they are, it’s of the song. It’s all really genuine, all sincere and all from an absolute privilege and honor to sing for them in their the heart.” hometowns and I hope to do it for the rest of my life.” That developing sound was on display on Scott’s recent US tour dates. Performing both covers and originals, Scott’s first tour drew those first fans brought in by his debut with Britain’s Got Talent, excited to finally see Scott live, but newly important for Calum Scott, brand new fans. Scott agrees that fans are easily the reason why he gets to live his dream every day, why he gets to travel the world and why he continues to tell his stories through his music. “Without fans, you could be the most talented person, but you could never leave your house. Without those people who pay attention to your music, it’s just a hobby. I think with me, it’s a case of respect. I respect every person that is my fan, no one has to like my music or like every post. It’s a really great thing to have that support coming in every day. It’s very overwhelming and I get such a boost out of talking to my fans and having that personal relationship. They’re also the people that buy your merchandise and songs and come see you on tour, I think that at least the fans deserve acknowledgement. The more that they feel like they’re part of your story, part of your journey, the more rewarding it’s going to be for you as a singer. It’s

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Scott’s career doesn’t feel like a short one, even from where it sits now. From touring internationally after only releasing one single to performing in front of millions on live television, Scott’s talent and charisma will push him to the next level. Reflecting on his past tour and one of his favorite moments, Scott realized truly how far his career has come as quickly as it has. “[My favorite moment] was probably playing my first sold out tour at The Troubadour in LA. It was a very special moment. People from my label there that were from before I got signed, really it was an incredible feeling playing that. I cried actually, I’m not embarrassed to say. That was probably one of my favorite moments all of tour. Just like general moments of tour overall, like looking out over the crowd and knowing that they all paid for a Calum Scott show and people sometimes waited or camped out overnight, it was a great feeling. Very humbling. If I had to choose one moment, probably that show at the Troubadour. That was incredible.”


With Scott’s passion and determination for music and staying true to his roots, his career is sure to succeed. Not only is Scott unique in his sound, his personality strives to do everything he takes on with gratitude and passion. Scott’s album is due out soon and while finishing out his 2016 playing gigs with some of the biggest names in the industry, he’s sure to finish the year off right - 2017 better be ready for Calum Scott.

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grouplove | Boston, MA | october 2016 | Photos by: Alyssa Buzzello

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Album Reviews 22, A Million Bon Iver JagJaguwar Bon Iver has been the designated musical shoulder to cry on for years. Justin Vernon has provided us with albums compiled with what seems like a soundtrack to the most melancholy movie ever made. We were first introduced to him in 2008 with For Emma, Forever Ago, with songs such as “Skinny Love” paving the way to his career’s later successes (including multiple Grammy Awards for his later work). Although his earlier albums have often been described as acoustic, calming, and tear-inducing, 22, A Million steps away from those generalizations to introduce a more electronic, synthesized sound that creates a futuristic approach. To those who have never listened to Bon Iver before, 22, A Million is a strange introduction. The tracks are titled oddly and Vernon’s normally-soft voice paired with piercing electronic sounds can be deterring, whereas For Emma, Forever Ago might be kinder. His long-time fans, on the other hand, will appreciate the experimental progression. Some tracks really channel new exploration, while some stay close to Bon Iver’s earlier roots. By opening the album with “22 (Over Soon)”, listeners and fans are kept close to their memory of the band with its soft nature, but also become aware of changes that begin to affect the rest of the album. It finishes with “00000 Million” guiding a similar effect; it holds a minimalism that keeps possibilities as open as possible for the next project. Other songs exude the stern differences from past albums, such as “10 Deathbreast”. Its jarring autotuned vocals, shrill samples, and synthesized instrumentation create a certain electronic track. The songs themselves, while different in its melodic elements, are not sheltered from Vernon’s songwriting style and manner of storytelling. Vernon is in as much of an existential crisis as he was when he wrote his first album alone in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. 5/5 - Maya Alfia

Dangerous Things Dan Layus Plated Records Augustana’s former lead vocalist Dan Layus has been quiet for awhile, until he moved to Nashville, wrote for some big name artists and now has a debut solo album out entitled Dangerous Things. The album isn’t what you’d expect. Forget about the sound of Augustana and think more along the lines of Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam and Hank Williams. Yes, Dan Layus has gone country and it’s a beautiful transition. Layus collaborates with The Secret Sisters on about half of the tracks on the album. Their vocals add a little bit more of the pop sound but it’s not overbearing. The group stands out in songs “Four Rings” and “Only Gets Darker”. “The Nightbird” adds a little Billy Joel influence with a beautiful piano/vocal style masterpiece. They are also featured on the title track, a nice tune about having self-awareness. It’s a good tune but not the highlight. The real winner of the album is “Driveway”, a song of reflection Layus wrote about during a neighbor’s’ divorce. The instrumentation throughout the song take a sad tale and infuse it with so much sorrow that it’s impossible not to listen. “Destroyer” and “Enough For You” are other highlights, putting Layus’ distinct vocals on display. Dangerous Things brings a darker tone to country music but Layus pulls it off well, especially in “Call Me When You Get There”. The lyrical content is strong, and the Augustana frontman certainly knows how to capture one’s attention with a story. Every track has a melancholic feel but collectively, the entire album is full of mesmerizing and captivating sweet sounding melodies, which are peaceful yet haunting. He has a sound that stands out amongst the rest of the country/folk singers in the genre today. Dangerous Things is a perfect debut and adds great room for growth in the country genre.4/5 - Kara Johnson Download: “Driveway,” “Enough For You”, “Destroyer”, “Only Gets Darker”

Download: “33 GOD”, “8 (circle)”, “00000 Million”

Sabrina Carpenter may be a big time Disney Channel star but her sophomore release of EVOLution showcases her talent in a much broader format. She isn’t just an actress and she’s not you’re the average girl. Carpenter is a force to be reckoned with.

EVOLution Sabrina Carpenter Hollywood Records

Since her debut album of Eyes Wide Open, the Disney superstar has grown exceptionally over the course of the last couple of years. She is wise beyond her years when it comes to songwriting and the personal growth she encompasses is evident on EVOLution. The album opens up with lead single “On Purpose,” an excellent move as it makes a true trademark of where the album is going. It starts off with fresh pop beats that carry throughout the album but it’s not what you would expect. There’s a profound sense of maturity in Carpenter’s voice, especially in tracks like “Feels Like Loneliness,” “No Words,” and “Shadows”.

Perhaps “Thumbs” is the smartest song on the album with strong lyrical content. It has a larger than life chorus and a message about going against the grain and marching to the beat of your own drum. It’s brilliant and we give Carpenter props for singing a strong message that those her age need to hear. Another empowering message comes in the promotional single “Run and Hide”. Vocally, it will leave the listener speechless. Overall, EVOLution extends to the more confident side of Carpenter with sultrier vocals, and of course, change. That’s what EVOLution is all about. It’s about the change that evolution can bring, and Carpenter proves this with poise, grace and maturity on EVOLution. Comparing EVOLution to her debut Eyes Wide Open, we can definitely say that it’s her best piece of work she’s ever created. 5/5 - Kara Johnson Download: “On Purpose,” “No Words”, “Thumbs”, “Run and Hide”

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Album Reviews (continued) High Times For Low Lives The Griswolds Wind-Up Records The Australian alternative pop band, The Griswolds, are back with their sophomore album High Times For Low Lives. The record can be described in two adjectives: fun and different, but for this band, it’s a good different. The band’s first album, Be Impressive, was a mixture of alternative synth pop and indie rock with a catchy tracklist. High Times For Low Lives is taking in a whole different sound direction, however it’s a good thing because it shows the band is even more talented than we thought. Performing the new album live has really drawn new fans in, especially with the new twist. High Times For Low Lives has an influence of the rock band Tame Impala and also a hint of Michael Jackson, which you can hear in the tracks “Birthday” and “YDLM” featuring indie hip hop artist Lizzo. The band plays with a lot of funk as heard in the opening track “Role Models” and R&B in the tracks “Feels So Right” and “Rufio”, which also has a hint of MJ influence. The Griswolds took a turn into experimenting different sounds and the results turn out to be an A plus. High Times For Low Lives is a must record to listen to in 2016. 5/5 - Valerie McIntyre Download: “Feels So Right,” “YDLM,” “Role Models”

Integrity Blues Jimmy Eat World RCA Records It was earlier this year that Jimmy Eat World fans found out that a new record would be released this year. Fans were overjoyed with excitement about their favorite band from middle school coming out with new music, but it seems those fans only know about “The Middle”. However, with Integrity Blues, listeners will realize that Jimmy Eat World will no longer be overshadowed by their old favorite song. Integrity Blues is probably one of the most emotional albums in the alternative rock community to come out this year. You can feel for lead singer, Jim Atkins’ emotion and pain throughout the album. You find yourself relating to most of the songs like you did in Bleed America, but you get more in deep with lyrics and the music production in each track. This makes Integrity Blues almost feel like a sequel or child to Bleed America. Jim Adkins’ advancement as a lyricist can be revealed in tracks like “Through,” “You with Me,” and “Pol Roger.” Some tracks like “Pass The Baby” and “The End is Beautiful” is almost like a calm, cool, and collected tracks that take you to this journey into your inner emotions and if that was Adkins’ goal then goal achieved. Integrity Blues is an incredible new addition to Jimmy Eat World’s discography, making it a close second to Bleed America. Rather than being known for “The Middle,” fans can focus on the brand new album instead. 5/5 - Valerie McIntyre Download: “Pol Roger”, “Through”, and “Sure and Certain”.

She’s a had a huge year with hit after hit taking over the Billboard charts. 2016 has been a great year for the 18year old, and the time has finally come for her to release her highly anticipated debut album Sit Still, Look Pretty. It’s been a wait we’ve all been waiting for, and it’s to our satisfaction, it was worth it.

Sit Still, Look Pretty Daya Artbeatz

Daya has been a huge success since her 2015 release of her self-titled EP, while continuing to spawn hits like “Don’t Let Me Down” with electronic duo The Chainsmokers, “Hide Away” And “Sit Still, Look Pretty”. Every hit Daya has delivered has made its spot on the Billboard charts, letting the world know that she soon will be a household name.

and “Legendary”. Another lesson you must learn while listening to the LP is that ladies are in charge. It’s evident in the title track “Sit Still, Look Pretty,”which isn’t the only song that displays girl empowerment. EP tracks “Thirsty,” “U12,” and the only ballad on the album “Back To Me” are also featured. “Back To Me” is a definite highlight, showcasing the credibility and potential in Daya’s voice as she allows the audience to dig deeper. “Cool” is an ultra-cool song that will invade your headspace for the next month.

Gems like “Got The Feeling” and “Love of My Life” are just as fun. They bring a message about never giving up when it comes to love, and that alone is so important. When you listen to Sit Still, Look Pretty, we can promise Album closer “We Are” makes it clear that Daya is well you that you will find crafty and catchy pop beats with a on her way to the top. Sit Still, Look Pretty is an album touch a sass and ambitious behavior in every track. The that demonstrates poise and dignity, making it one of pop superstar doesn’t mess around in songs like “Dare” the best debuts of 2016. ⅘ - Kara Johnson Download: “Sit Still, Look Pretty,” “Cool,” “Talk,” and “Love of My Life”

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Album Reviews (continued) Oh My My OneRepublic Interscope Records

Point Oblivion Darke Complex Universal Music Group

OneRepublic is back with their fourth album, Oh My My. The band went in a different direction for this album, creating an eclectic album, incorporating songs that could fit on their previous album and experimenting with new sounds.

The sophomore slump is a very real fear for fresh new bands. It’s not uncommon to kick up a mountain of momentum on a debut release only to not meet the bar next time around. On Point Oblivion, Darke Complex not only meets the standard set by 2015’s Widow but exceed it on every level.

The album begins with “Let’s Hurt Tonight.” The song itself isn’t bad, but it’s not necessarily the best choice to open an album up with. It’s not representative of the album as a whole, and listeners may stop right at this song. The next few songs on the album are some of the best, including “Future Looks Good,” “Kids” and “Choke,” which are definitely representative of “typical” OneRepublic songs. They are well done and show the talent of the band.

As early 2000’s nu-metal influence continues to ooze into modern metal and hardcore music, Darke Complex prove that they get it better than anybody in this clearly deliberate love letter to Hybrid Theory-era Linkin Park. Whether it’s the neck-shattering-headband-riffs (“Out of Options”) or frontman Vincente Void’s occasional Shinoda-esque spoken verse (“Nothing Within”, “Abandoned”) this is clearly one of the most inspired records of the year.

The album then transitions into more experimental tracks, including “A.I.,” featuring Peter Gabriel. It’s a little strange and sounds like two songs in one. First, it’s an upbeat track that later transitions into a slower beat to showcase Peter Gabriel’s voice. “Born” combines elements of a typical OneRepublic song with newer elements, though it could do without the autotune at the end of the song. “Fingertips” is a memorable song that combines a slower song with weird electronic beats that oddly work together. The album comes to a close with three solid songs, “Wherever I Go,” “All These Things” and “Heaven.” The first is a solid song and a great choice to be a single for an album. “Heaven” is a great closing track because it’s well done and memorable. It’s the kind of the song that makes the listener want to come back for more.

Don’t let the comparisons dissuade you; Point Oblivion is more of an unashamed homage than flat tribute and comes equipped with plenty of modern flavor -- a trap mix interlude you can easily sneak into a college party playlist (“Marking Targets”) and breakdowns that even the firmest nü-metal non-believer will blush at (“Detox”). That’s part of what’s so impressive about Darke Complex: revitalizing a genre that many might prefer stayed dead without embarrassing themselves or feeling at all like a gimmick. Point Oblivion is the best parts of early 2000’s rap/rock revitalized by modern hardcore and metal conventions. It may take a moment to warm up to the idea but upon reaching third track, “One of Us” (a seamless combo of synthesizer, clean vocals, and heaviness), the potential of Darke Complex must be recognized. Tracks like “Abandoned” and “Erase” see the band in a less aggressive light, offering tracks you still feel and that Darke Complex has a knack for songwriting beyond being as heavy as they can possibly be.

In the end, Oh My My is a decent album from OneRepublic, but could definitely be better. The band experimented with different sounds, but it didn’t work out as well as it could have. While it’s not as great as their previous album, it’s has some really great tracks and definitely worth a listen. ⅗ - Delaney DeAngelis

It’s actually rather impressive, considering that Point Oblivion is only the band’s second release and first full length record. If the progression and improvement on display here is anything to go by, Darke Complex is absolutely a band that any fan of heavy music should be watching in te years to come. Should KoRn’s infamous “Family Values” Tour ever return from the nü-metal shadows, except to see Darke Complex’s name proudly at the top .4/5 - Taylor Cleek

Download: “Future Looks Good,” “Dream,” “Heaven”

Download: “Detox”, “Void”, “One of Us”

One of the most highly anticipated releases of the year, Unfinished Business, marks the beginning of a new era for newly-solo Nathan Sykes. Previously using his talents in the wildly popular boyband, The Wanted, Sykes shows just what he can do on his debut album.

Unfinished Business Nathan Sykes Global Entertainment

The mixture of R&B and pop is heavily consistent throughout the entirety of the record, but branches off within certain tracks. The opener, “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait,” is a high energy, Timberlake-esque track that is full of drama and great R&B hooks. Sykes’ debut single as a solo artist, “Kiss Me Quick,” also has this same style, making it the perfect song to dance to. For the pop side, look to “Freedom,” a song that would not have been out of place on a The Wanted album. Immediately following, “Twist,” a swoon-worthy, fun track that will be sure to be stuck in any listener’s head. “I Can’t Be Mad,” the first true ballad on the record, is raw in nature and offers the opportunity for Sykes to truly showcase his vocal talents. The range that he displays on

this album is very impressive. “Famous” is the current single and offers a calmer sound that also features stronger songwriting. Rapper G-Eazy makes an appearance on “Give It Up,” a past single, and it’s nice enough; but a mixture of the two artists’ voices would have been nice. G-Eazy’s verse seems isolated from the rest of the track. The album closes with the anthemic “I’ll Remember You,” that pulls together all the influences on the album and creates the perfect closer. Whether a die-hard The Wanted fan or someone who has just stumbled onto Nathan Sykes as a solo artist, Unfinished Business will be a great addition to any music collection. 4.5/5 - Lauren Klonowski Download: “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait” // “Kiss Me Quick” // “I’ll Remember You”

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Words by Delaney DeAngelis | Photos by Addie Whelan

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M arc E. Bassy is no stranger to the music industry. He’s worked in it for years, including as the vocalist from the band 2AM and writing songs for other artists. Now, he’s gone solo, hearing his own voice on his songs and gaining mainstream success with his song “You & Me,” featuring G-Eazy. “It feels like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’ve been able to produce and write something for myself,” said Bassy. “It’s done well in the mainstream so it’s a great feeling.” Bassy started the song like most of his songs—on the guitar and piano. He put together chords and melodies together, and then his producing partner, Count Bassy, gave it the reggae flair. “It was sort of like a ballad almost, just vocals and pianos and he flipped it and gave it the energy and feel it has now,” explained Bassy. “I think that’s why it did so well on radio and why it continues to do so well.” When he was writing for other artists, Bassy explained that the three main aspects were “an authentic feeling, an original idea, and [to] make it something that the masses could latch onto.” Now, he uses his experiences as a guide for how he writes for himself. “I try to take something that is very personal to me and turn it something everybody can feel.”

Not only does Bassy write his own songs, but he also has his company, Bassy Creative, where they create 99% of the content, from the cover art, to the videos, to the music. “I think nowadays with music...artists have to really take control of their brand and look, their styling, their everything,” said Bassy. “We try to keep everything in house and just grow, and the better I get at writing songs and creating music, the better I want my photographer to get taking pictures and editing videos, the better I want my managers to push me,” elaborated Bassy. “Bassy Creative is like a family and we just use my voice as the sort of catalyst to push us all forward but we’re really all equal in it.” While music is his “everything” now, it wasn’t always the case. Bassy grew up in San Francisco playing basketball. “Music was just this other thing that I always loved, and always listened to, always connected with on a really, really deep level,” explained Bassy. “But it never even occurred to me that was something I could do.” When Bassy was around the age of 16, he described himself as “that little white dude in high school who was always rapping.” Back then, though, the only white rapper was Eminem. There was no Mac Miller or college rappers yet. “I listened to Bay Area gangster rap,” said Bassy. “ I knew I wasn’t that guy, I always felt like I couldn’t.”

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It wasn’t until his friend introduced him to a band called the Red Hot Chili Peppers that music started becoming a reality. He formed a band with a guitar player and a drummer, and he realized he could sing, too. “I kinda knew I could carry a tune a little bit, but I didn’t really ever sing before, and I was like ‘Oh, I can come up with some catchy shit, like that’s easy,’ and I did, and then I started singing,” he explained. “I was just getting good feedback on something that I hadn’t really tried hard,” said Bassy. “Once I felt that positive energy, and then once I realized I could write a song about something I was actually going through, and that made me feel good, I was like fully hooked.” Soon after, he left school and moved to L.A. with one of his band mates, getting a record deal in 2009 with his band 2AM Club. Since 2014, he’s released his solo music. His most recent release is his EP, “Groovy People.” As for new music, “All I can say about new music is there’s an abundance of it on my hard drive and coming very, very soon,” he teased. Bassy has a clear idea on what he wants his music to be. “I want my music to be a bridge between Travis Scott and singersongwriter music,” said Bassy. “I really love the energy of modern hip-hop music and that’s what I come from, I party to, but at the same time, I have a very vast appreciation for classic pop songwriting.” Bassy cited Bob Dylan and James Taylor as some of his inspirations, along with soul musicians like Donny Hathaway, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. “My uncle told me it’s hard work to know what you like,” he said. “That’s always really resonated with me.” Bassy elaborated, talking about how it’s important for artists to understand themselves in order to know what they like. “If you’re creating art, it’s all about the editor inside of you,” he elaborated. “I know how to play guitar, I know how to play piano, I know how to write a pop song, I know how to rap a sick G bar verse, I know how to construct harmonies, but it’s all about what do I choose to actually put out to the world. That’s the hard work.”

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vancouver sleeep clinic | cleveland, oh | novemeber 2016 | Photos by: taylor cleek

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When American post-hardcore band Emarosa announced a fall headlining tour with Anarbor and Cold Collective, we knew this tour would be one for the books. 131 is the fourth studio album by the band and it was released early in July through Hopeless Records. The energy from Emarosa’s album and performance were indescribable and Beyond the Stage were there to ask vocalist Bradley Walden a few questions before a show. Read on for our full conversation.

Words and Photos by Alicia Rangel

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Beyond The Stage: How did Emarosa come to life? Emarosa: It was long before me. A lot of them went to high school together and started playing music. There were various members and it just kept growing.

BTS: What’s your favorite song to perform from 131 and why? E: I don’t know yet. We’ve only playing these songs for a couple months. There’s not one song off of 131 that I don’t like playing. I like playing all of them.

BTS: What bands influence your sound? Can you name a few bands that have inspired you over the years? E: Everybody’s different. Everybody in the band is really different. I pull a lot of pop, R&B, there isn’t one band that I try to pull from cause then you’re not being genuine, you’re trying to be somebody else.

BTS: We saw on your Twitter that you’ve been doing voice/ songwriting lessons per show, can you tell us a little more about that? E: I have 35 students roughly and I teach all of them via Skype. I also give voice lessons on tour. I do one per show because I like to give the one person the attention of that day to teach them. Kind of something special for someone that wants to learn his or her craft or learn as an artist and I love doing it. When I’m at home I give lessons, when I’m on tour I still give lessons, it’s constant.

BTS: We’re loving the artwork on 131, we’ve noticed a fox in your recent of your artwork starting with your previous album Versus and your latest 131, does the fox signify anything for Emarosa? E: I think it’s kind of happenstance that the fox has become an icon of the band and it’s constantly evolving along with the band. I think the artwork is a perfect representation each time of what the music represents.

BTS: How does the fox represent the music in 131? E: You can look at the fox and you’re not sure, it’s very regal. If you look at it from two albums ago to the last record versus this album, it’s constantly changing. In this album, you listen to the music and you look at the fox, you make your own interpretation of what it represents. There’s lot of the nuances in the artwork that we put there.

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BTS: You have a very energetic approach to your live shows, how do you recharge? There’s times where I walk out because I’m not in the mood to play a show. It’s totally normal. I’ll feel very tired, my voice is tired or we’ve just had a long drive. A lot of the times it’ll take a crowd to just start. When we played New York it was SOLD OUT. I really didn’t know what to expect. New York is too chaotic for me but the second that we started playing the first song, whole crowd started yelling the words and that was the energy. That was what fueled me up for the rest of the set. There’s going to be days when you’re just not in the mood and when the crowd gets in like that, it’s what carries you through it. BTS: What’s the dynamic between the band on the road? Are there any pranks or things that have become a tradition? E: We all pick on each other just like any band would. We watch “The Office” a lot lately. There aren’t too many rituals. We’re just kinda a shoot from the hip kinda band. We don’t always do little huddles before set. On shows that we know are special, we feel something special, we do stuff like that. It’s all very erratic. There’s no plan or routine.


BTS: Has anything happened to you while out on tour that has become your most memorable performing experience? E: New York. New York was my first sold out tour in the US and London was my first sold out show with the band. It’s been kinda surreal because last night was sold out in Dallas and to see the growth of this band in so long is pretty crazy. So every night has been a little surreal because this is the first proper headliner with this band. It’s been wonderful; it’s been amazing, I’m very happy to be part of it. I think this tour is actually what’s going to be the most memorable. BTS: What’s it like touring with Anarbor? E: I’ve played with Anarbor before so I’m so glad they’re back. Their new record is my favorite record the band’s ever made. So when we were looking for support the very first band that popped in to my head was to get Anarbor because I knew they were back and ready to tour. We got them on the tour and it was so great because I love that band. BTS: What’s next for Emarosa after this tour? Are you currently working on new music? E: No, I am not ready to write any music right now. I’ve exhausted myself from what I have to say at the moment. When the time is right we’ll start writing again, it’s just not there now. Right now we’re concentrating on this tour and making sure these shows are the best.

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Words and Photos by Addie Whelan here’s nothing like turning the calendar to December and that small moment of panic hits you. It’s time to buy gifts for friends, family members and maybe even a significant other. If you’re like most of the BTS staff, this is the T most stressful part of the holidays. Enter Vinyl Me, Please - a vinyl subscription service originally formed in Chicago, IL. Each month Vinyl Me, Please (VMP) will curate an exclusive press of a record (Record of the Month) and mail it to the music lover in your circle. Each month, they will receive: • The Album of the Month - an exclusive and limited-edition pressing that is worthy of your time and attention - boasting special features such as unique packaging, colored vinyl, custom inserts, etc • An original 12”x12” art print inspired by the album • A custom cocktail recipe pairing • A $25 promo code for the Member Store, which provides access to curated, exclusive and limitededition records (free shipping for U.S. members and discounted shipping for international members) • Access to special Vinyl Me, Please events • 3, 6, and 12-month membership options available Pricing ranges from $100 (3 Months), $175 (6 months) or $309 (1 year). Details can be found on http://www.vinylmeplease.com And a special offer for BTS readers, we’re giving away TWO Vinyl Me Please exclusive pressings. For a chance to win Lapsley’s Long Way Home or Wilco’s A.M., visit us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for more details.

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Love On The Weekend - John Mayer Best Of Us Go Down - Aquilo Robbers - The 1975 Lung - Vancouver Sleep Clinic 8 (circle) - Bon Iver May I Have This Dance - Francis and the Lights Daydreaming - Radiohead Walk Away - LANY Kids - OneRepublic On Hold - The xx A Head Full of Dreams - Coldplay The Way I Do - Bishop Briggs XO - Nightly What Side of Love (Acoustic) - Parachute

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