Worldwide Underground Indie Music Entertainment Magazine
dj smallz
June 2013
DEATH BEFORE SHAVING
max’s guitars customs for less
Anjeza Gega
southern smoke
unquestioning air of intrigue “Nothing is impossible, if you take the steps to believe that there will be an open door for every hundred knocks you make.” BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 1
a decades worth of experience and knowledge
Features 04 Anjeza Angie Gega UnQuestioning Air of Intrigue
09 Kennie Dubb Blazing a Trail
10 Xpress Awareness Campaign
14 Max’s Guitar Store Online Musical Instrument Outlet
16 Austin St Cloud A Hero’s Share of Pain
18 Rahat Chowdhury Broadening Musical Horizons
COVER STORY 12 DJ Smallz Southern Smoke - “Meet the Loud Pack!”
reviews 08 E-Lites The Smoking Alternative
Lifestyle 06 Five Tips for Writing Your 1st Song When trying to compose your first song
ENTERTAINMENT
19 BWD Records
2 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com
The Independent Music Label of the South
last issue
FROM THE EDITOR Having continuously been recognized throughout the music world as a vast movement with an undeniable force we at BWD Radio are now bringing you the best music and individuals within their field in a more easily digestible format; with a dedicated online magazine packed to the rafters with news, reviews, features and phenomenal artists from across the globe. Synonymous with breaking new ground and talent, our aim isn’t to deliver you an aggregator of articles; more like, the BWD Bible of breaking talent and breath taking bands turning heads and volume dials up to eleven. In each breaking issue we reveal the winners of the BWD Radio’s Indie Music Featured Artist Competition, a monthly competition where we invite you to Get On The ‘Visual’ Playlist for your chance to become one of the featured BWD Competition Winners. The winners are awarded the opportunity of talent exposure across the globe and throughout the world as part of our aim to prove a good tune isn’t limited to whatever celebrity judge endorsed single is currently riding high in the iTunes download chart. In each issue, we also bring you the newest faces in the world of modeling to watch out for in store windows, on the billboards, and in the high-street, as well as on the catwalks
Editor In Chief Veralyn Keach, Veralyn.Keach@bwdmagazine.com
Associate Editor
of Paris and Milan.
Robert Baker, Robert.Baker@bwdmagazine.com
Though that may be enough to fill the covers of most magazines, we’ll be taking things
Lead Contributing Writer
even further with exclusive ‘first-looks’ at the best in indie talent, our unique position
Robert Baker, Robert.Baker@bwdmagazine.com
within the world of media affording us the opportunity to bring you the next big hitters before anyone else and by combining the two enormous forces--presences of BWD Radio
Contributing Writer
and BWD Magazine into one with the newly launched new BWD website there is twice
Veralyn Keach, Veralyn.Keach@bwdmagazine.com
the promotion to deliver double the impact and even more worldwide exposure to its featured artists. All the freshest new faces and hottest new talent in one magazine, BWD Magazine in conjunction with BWD Radio is committed to setting the standard of what you deserve from a magazine with constant promotion through the BWD network of contacts and promoters. Did someone say BWD Promotions? The BWD Triple Threat Trio! BWD MAGAZINE’S SERVICES: Being in such a unique position affords us the ability to offer our services at ‘considerably less’ than most others, our network allowing us to expose your talent in all the right places without needless expense or additional ‘secret costs’ less scrupulous companies fill their small print and help fill their bank balances with.
Art Director Veralyn Keach, Veralyn.Keach@bwdmagazine.com
Graphic Artist Veralyn Keach, Veralyn.Keach@bwdmagazine.com
Circulation Officer Veralyn Keach, Veralyn.Keach@bwdmagazine.com
Sales Officer(s) Veralyn Keach/Robert Baker www.bwdmagazine.com
Covering all aspects of media promotion (from social media sites through to music video promotion) we are able to offer the best when it comes to brand awareness and public recognition of your name or product, without compromising either your impact or finances. For price and space availability inquiries, please contact us via the contact details to the right where we can discuss your specific requirements to ensure maximum exposure. BWD MAGAZINE: Where YOU go to get as much VARIETY in music, news, sports, entertainment and lifestyles!! MORE THAN JUST MUSIC.
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BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 3
with an unquestioning air of intrigue and...
Anjeza Angie gega The love and talent for modeling has inspired her love for fashion.”
W
ith an unquestioning air of intrigue and grace radiating from within, Angie Gega carries with her that intangible yet international air of mystery that leaves you feeling drawn to her presence. Albanian born, Angie began showing the world glimpses of light shining
from the inner prism of her character, the many sides of her character surfacing at age five with a passion for the arts and a thirst to soak up as much as she could find. Such an unquenched desire saw her focusses turn to the world of ballet at age seven, and with an ability only waiting to show itself as an equal to Angie’s enthusiasm, her future seemed certain. Italy, Greece, and most of Europe became her dance-floor as at age thirteen she found herself touring Europe as a professional dancer, constantly learning and absorbing the many cultures and histories of the cities and continents visited that helped start to define the person she would become. A move to Greece after graduation saw Angie study psychology at a prestigious college associated with the UK’s luminary Sheffield University, wherein her clear talent during drama class saw her approached with the offer of considering work within the field of dance, which in turn saw her laying claim to a signing contract – somehow befitting Angie’s mastery of communications and her grasp of six languages. 4 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com
However, grass grows around stationary objects, and soon Angie took the contract and her two degrees in broadcasting and communication earned from her studies to America, right to the
Nothing is impossible, if you take the steps to believe that there will be an open door for every hundred knocks you make.”
very heart of the arts and entertainment world, the city of angels and artisans, Los Angeles. Ever the altruist, Angie has reflected her elegant demeanour in the world of modelling with a view to using her recognition for the betterment of others; various assignments for charitable causes have seen her travel the world as her own ambassador for charity towards the less fortunate and giving to those who would otherwise go without. As a singer she has attained a level of recognition and success under the guise of Anjeza, a level that has seen her collaborate with some of the worlds most renowned producers. Her recent single ‘Still Believe’ is currently achieving numerable downloads on the iTunes charts, alongside other chart single and playlist pleaser, ‘Feugo’. Though enough for some and plenty for the rest, the early spark of imagination and wonder that saw Angie first become engulfed by the arts has carried her through to the world of television, appearances of some of the most phenomenal and historically memorable series and shows such as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘I’m Alive’ adding further to the list of accomplishments and accolades. When discussing the announcement of her win Angie re-enforced her belief about achieving such reward and accomplishments; ‘Nothing is impossible,’ she said, ‘if you take the steps to believe that there will be an open door for every hundred knocks you make.’ With each day affording a seemingly unending horizon to reach out and claim as her own personal playground, we can only wonder at what future plans are currently hiding behind the hypnotising Eastern European eyes of Angie Gega. Contact Information: Website: www.anjezamusic.com Twitter: @AnjezaMusic Facebook: anjezamusic Photo Credits: Anjeza Angie Gega - All Rights Reserved
BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 5
five tips for writing your first song inspiration not perspiration
You don’t need a command of the English language enviable of the greatest of play writes to string a sentence or six together when trying to compose
1.
your first song; and whilst most artists will talk in interviews about the difficulties and dramas they went through in creating their latest release in an
So you’ve been bitten by the beat and drawn to the decks and with one hand in the air and the other wrapped ‘round a pen, it’s time to write you some songs. So where to start? Whilst almost any subject or thing can be written about, you’ll probably be better inspired to draw on your own personal experiences – go with what you know, as it were.
Think about significant events or standout moments in your life and make a note of the ones that could be worked into something more. It doesn’t have to be something
effort to drive sales and appear credible in the eyes
personal or private, though; maybe you’re affronted at the recent hiking of the price
of their fans, the actual writing of a song is a fairly
of cheese? Maybe the next door neighbour’s kids have been screaming all day and
simple process…”
the Police have threatened to have you arrested if you insist on wasting their time with what they deem as ‘non-emergency calls’? Or maybe you just really like the act of blinking? Anything and everything is fair game in the writing world, the only real consideration being whether you feel the drive behind the subject matter to turn it into a song. So go nuts, think big, and open your ears as wide as possible so you can properly hear your stereo as you…
listen to your influences Whether Bono or Black Veil Brides, The Family Stone or
6 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com
2.
Smashing Pumpkins, whoever you cite as influential in your decision to step into the world of musical composition will shape the sound you make to some degree; read any artists list of influences and it’s not hard to see where
Bowie has influenced Manson or Elvis just about every artist since his first single
What about that lead into the chorus? How noticeable is it you couldn’t think
release.
of a better way to keep the momentum going so you just fudged it a wee bit and hoped it’d work? Do the riffs hook you in or does the rhythm throw you off?
Learning any new skill is easier when given examples of those in a similar vein, and much like being back at school it is only through paying attention and
Being able to spot flaws in your own work isn’t always easy, so ask for some
listening when someone is trying to give you information do we learn properly.
feedback off a neutral party. If you rehearse in a studio ask the guy on the desk; if your bedroom’s your beat-room go to a forum of musicians - there is less
Learning how to craft your own unique sound may take some time, so having
likelihood of being sold a false dawn about your skills whilst also relieving
a reference to begin structuring your magnum opus will help focus your atten-
some of the pressure of exposing your work to the world. A chance to appreciate
tions. Don’t go for a direct emulation of your influences; nobody wants a second-
how someone else hears your work will give you invaluable insight into your
rate version of an already established act. However, using the basic structure as
own skills, how far along you are and where you could do with some focus in
a template for your own creations will give you some guidance and direction in
tightening things up.
your writing as you try to figure out how you want everything to sit. But whether rock or rap, indie or underground, it can all feel rather daunting and Speaking of which…
even over-whelming if you don’t remember to…
get some structure
k.i.s.s - keep it simple, silly
Depending on where your own style may lie the
3.
basic structure of ‘intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, outro’ is one used across the board, and is as flexible as it is ubiquitous in song writing. Listen to almost any song and the same basic template will be all
Arguably the unspoken mantra of musicians, the
5.
present and correct, but alongside that simple struc-
mnemonic of Keep It Simple, Stupid should be your watch-word when first looking to write a song. No-one is saying you can’t jump straight in and compose a full orchestral score; more power to your elbow if talent has blessed you thusly.
ture will be many off-shoots and stanza’s, bridges and bits that build the song into something more, something unique to the artist.
However, no-body falls out of the womb running and quoting Shakespeare, and by constructing simple structures you gain confidence and capability in your
Listen closely and see how an intro doesn’t always jump straight into a verse
compositions. Each finished song will be both the reward and the inspiration
and a building swell just before the chorus is harder to achieve without a bridge
that push you into creating a new one, and with each new track you will get
before the two. Again, genre and style will determine how you approach your
better at building more rounded, fuller songs as you learn how better to apply
own building upon the basic foundations, and having such a simple and clean
your craft.
foundation to build on helps stimulate the creative juices as you don’t feel so encumbered by having strict rules you feel you need to follow.
They will also become the tool with which you judge your own level of abilities by, your more developed and better trained musical ear showing you where you
Once confident in your composition skills you’ll be off and running and experi-
could have improved those earlier works, what bit didn’t fit quite right, and how
menting with all sorts of time signatures and pace changes like the best of ‘em;
far you have come in composition and writing when compared to when you first
and just like ‘The Best Of ‘Em’ you’ll also want to take a moment or two to…
started.
critique and consider
It’ll become easier to spot where things could’ve been improved with the growth in your musical skill-set, and the confidence you’ll get from being able to hear how your compositions have changed and evolved will not only justify all those
4.
All the pieces are in place and the bridges are sturdy
times when writers block won and the monitor ‘fell off the table and into the
and segue between the verse and chorus and back
wall’, but they’ll also feed the musician within to become stronger, leaner, and
into a swell before leading the whole thing back into
fitter for the challenge of taking a handful of words and an earful of noise and
the next verse; but is it finished? Strictly speaking a
crafting wonders with sound-waves.
song is never finished, constantly evolving with each performance, but the basic ‘finalized’ version of it
If you can whistle you can write a song, and even if you can’t you can learn how
needs to be as close to the sound you heard in your head when you first started
to play an instrument or form a beat and string a line or two together and create
drafting it. So now it’s time to get picky.
something truly amazing.
That killer riff you open the song with is undoubtedly the best thing ever to fall
Remember what we’ve covered here, approach it with an open mind, and before
down the ears of the listener; but does it work quite so well by the forty ninth
you know it that first song will be written and ready to be joined by many more.
repetition?
Nobody got rich by just whistling, anyway.
…really? BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 7
e-lites
A
s the most recognized brand of e-cigarettes, E-Lites have
Smoking it is just like smoking a real cigarette; the hit you get when
made a name for themselves as the de facto name in vap-
inhaling is obviously unlike that you’re used to from a traditional ciga-
ing. Not intended as a replacement for other forms of NRT,
rette. It’s a lot less harsh for a start, the bite at the back of the throat
E-Lites are nevertheless an increasingly popular alterna-
missing. What it did do was quell my fix for a nicotine hit, however, and
tive to more traditional forms of smoking cessation that
much quicker than I was expecting. With the E-Lite I found that without
offer a remarkably similar experience to that of a real cigarette, but with
that visual reminder of how much was left/would be wasted; I was tak-
the benefits of containing none of the toxic pollutants or choking smoke
ing fewer and fewer pulls and still felt like I’d had ‘a cigarette’.
of tobacco. It feels slightly larger than a real cigarette, too, its solid construction Marketed as a smoking alternative, each cigarette is made up of two key
requiring a much firmer hold in the fingers than I was used to which
components; the white main body of the cigarette and a replaceable
resulted in one E-Lite being lost to the inner workings of a street sweep-
faux filter tip that screw together and present a very real impression of
ing cart as it hit the floor and was whipped away by the whirring brushes
the image of a cigarette– albeit one with a glowing green tip that lights
on the front.
up when you take a pull and flashes to let you know when the battery needs a charge.
After a week of first supplementing, then supplanting my tobacco intake with E-Lite I found my overall dependency reduced; the act of ‘having a
A small vent on the seal between the tip and the battery draws air
smoke’ fulfilled my need for the habitual hand-to-mouth act of smoking,
into the atomizer chamber housed inside the tip, wherein also sits the
and with the small amount of nicotine contained in the tip it certainly
sponge-like material that’s soaked in propylene glycol, nicotine, and
stops that ‘smokers stress’.
tobacco flavours. As you take a pull the atomizer heats up, the solution becomes a vapour, you inhale and voila; simulated smoking.
Stats and Facts *Contains no tobacco, no tar, and no second-hand-smoke smell
Picking the Menthol Flavoured E-Lite Starter Kit, I was surprised to find
*Does contain nicotine, and also contains water, propylene, glycol, glyc-
they didn’t just look like a real cigarette, but did in fact contain nicotine;
erol and flavourings
just in significantly reduced amount to that of a real cigarette (the lowest
*Each tip contains the equivalent of forty cigarettes
strength at 1.6% per ml for Lights and Menthol, whilst Regular strength
*The G9 battery will last an average of between thirty and forty ‘ciga-
is still only a paltry 2.4% per ml).
rettes’ before needing a recharge, and over 300 recharges before needing to be replaced.
Inside the packet there were two replacement tips, one G9 battery core,
*Considerably cheaper than the traditional forms of smoking
and USB charger. Taking a tip and the core I was able to ‘smoke’ straight away – I was sure there would be need of the USB charger before I was
Contact Information:
able to use it, so this was a surprise.
http://www.e-lites.co.uk/ Photo Credits: E-Lites - All Rights Reserved
With each E-Lite the equivalent of 40 cigarettes - and with between 300 and 400 charges before each battery needs to be replaced - there’s certainly enough mileage in each ‘Lite’ before needing to worry about running out. 8 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com
A
kennie dubb rtist, performer, musician, lyricist and social commentator,
attentions of Jaison Black Rose, an artist of the visual persuasion who
Ken Williams Jr., approaches the mantle of encapsulating
drew inspiration from the lyrics of Kennie Dubb to create accompanying
all these titles and more under the banner of the most
imagery that’s engaging and compelling, as if Cannes held an exclusive
exciting new alternative hip hop artist to ever grace a
unveiling to a new way of seeing the world as described by the words
stage in the great State of New York.
of Kennie Dubb.
Growing up in the North East of the Bronx, Kennie Dubb was unleashed
As a musician you aim to reach the eyes and ears of an audience; as an
onto the world when a ten year old; Ken Williams Jr., had taken one look
artist Kennie Dubb wants to reach the minds and hearts as well, and with
at it and realized it was just waiting for his arrival.
the upcoming release of the hugely anticipated mixtape ‘Unsung Hero’ dawning on the horizon, Kennie Dubb’s fact bringing mission of testing
His platform of hip hop chosen was to be the platform that his musi-
the limits of hip-hop’s vast skies could well crown him the world’s first
cal aspirations would launch from. Kennie Dubb quickly reached and
aural-naut.
surpassed the stars in his level of skill and subtle understanding of the
Contact Information:
genre. His lyrics a composition bought on by real life happenings and
Website: www.KennieDubb.com
personal experience, the imagination behind his lines are often forth-
Email: KennieDubb@Gmail.com
right and frank, but seldom anything other than explosive and insightful.
Twitter: @KDtheOasis Facebook: KennieDubbMusic
As should be expected from an artist capable of taking himself to the
Photo Credits: Kennie Dubb - All Rights Reserved
very front of the current hip hop revolution, creativity a much-in-demand commodity within the genre and Kennie Dubb seeming to hold the lions share with singles such as ‘Only One Way Up’ and ‘Love (You)’. Blazing a trail across the skies of the music world quickly gained him the attention of the media, with Urban Digital taking a particular interest in Kennie Dubb, cataloguing his activities and promoting his music to an audience that spans the globe. His rise to the heady atmosphere of fame has also bought him to the
BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 9
inspire, dream, believe, this is what I live by.....
W
hen the world was informed of the suicide of Kurt
Despite all our advances as a society the subject of suicide is still
Cobain it seemed almost impossible to accept
handled with an almost taboo quality, no clear answers to be given and
the icon of
no firm understanding to be
a genera-
offered by those not affected
tion with
by the individual’s passing.
what seemed to be the perfect
Which is why charities like
life would choose to end it all
CALM (the Campaign Against
in such a senseless and wholly
Living Miserably) are so cru-
unexpected act.
cial to helping prevent such actions being taken and
The unfortunate truth of the
lives being lost.
matter is he was not the first artist with what we call
Focusing on encouraging
‘a perfect life’ to have com-
people to express their emo-
mitted such an unfathomable
tions in a self-constructive,
action; INXS frontman Michael
rather
Hutchence, Joy Division’s Ian
manner-- CALM’s mission
Curtis and Feeder drummer Jon
statement of ‘…showing that
than -destructive,
Lee are just three more of the many well-known and much loved artists
there are many methods of talking about things instead of bottling
to sadly lay claim to the infamy of joining the list of exceptionally tragic
them up, with a pen, a guitar, in a diary or with just meeting friends’
losses to music.
quenched music has stepped up to help, and brought the world of music with them.
10 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com
xpress Xpress: Album Campaign
c.a.l.m Campaign Against Living Miserably in their own words.... Xpress: The Album is a seventeen track album released as part of the ‘Xpress’ campaign. Xpress is an awareness campaign on behalf of CALM, highlighting the emotional benefits of artistic expression. The album features known acts including The Strokes, The Libertines, Reverend and The Makers alongside The Cold One Hundred, Black Lights, Stalagmites, The Hyena Kill and many more.’ Being one of the best albums to be released this year for sheer quality of music on offer and choice of artists on the list, and with all profits from the album going to the CALM charity, Xpress: The Album represents not just an unbelievable album but one of the simplest, yet possibly most important, donation you could make this year.”
Contact Information: Xpress Team (photo) - left to right, Sam Price (Designer/ArtDirector), Ben Tallon (Xpress Director), Dirty Freud, (Xpress: The Album curator/producer), Danny Allison, (Photographer) http://xpressofficial.com https://www.facebook.com/CALMXpress
BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 11
cover story
W
hen talent matches ambition very little is able to
Lil’ Jon manage to sit comfortably between the launching of his own
stand in the way, as proven in the form of DJ Smallz
brand, turning it into a phenomenon on DJ Smallz ‘to do’ list – along
and his ceaseless list of ever growing music creden-
with playing to packed out houses on a worldwide tour that saw him
tials most other artists can only hope to accomplish.
perform in Canada, Switzerland, Europe and the States.
Florida born but universally known, DJ Smallz stands tall in the hip-
Current projects include working with executive producer and Grammy-
hop field; his passion and intensity for his work reaping the respect
nominated producer Drumma Boy on his latest album, Southern State,
of his fellow contemporaries and an almost rabid following of loyal
the concept of which being described by Smallz himself as Chronic
fans, bringing with them an incredible reception wherever he appears.
2001.
As a DJ he has already established himself as being one of the most
With any extra hours in the day Smallz somehow manages to find
exciting leaders in his field, clearly holding the reins of power with a
are filled with working alongside his DJ crew, The Loud Pack, and
firm grip yet deft touch. By successfully launching his own Southern
overseeing his own production company, The Prescription. The media
Smoke brand, Smallz brings with it the reputation his name and music
have also been requesting their own piece of his time with appear-
have rightfully earned, a genuine credibility to the brand that money
ances on MTV’s Direct Effect and appearing within the pages of the
simply cannot buy. Alongside is DJ Smallz own Southern Smoke Radio,
seminal publications in the world of music – including but not limited
which has taken to the airwaves on Sirius Satellite Radio & Dish
to the Rolling Stone, USA Today, XXL Magazine, and widely read and
Network to showcase new talent and fresh mixes.
respected newspapers; USA Today and the New York Times.
In turn this has helped propel both major and independent artists into
His name may be Smallz, but his acumen and entrepreneurial exper-
a worldwide arena, the respect carried by the name DJ Smallz ensuring
tise are showing the world it’ll be the only thing about this hip hop
a level of immediate fan attention to the artists he aligns himself with.
artist that is.
Musically, and collaborations with Big Boi (Outkast), Ludacris and
12 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com
DJ SMALLZ
With a great beard, comes great responsability; Death before Shaving.”
www.DJSmallz.com www.SouthernSmokeUniversity.com www.MeetTheLoudPack.com www.iNeedThePrescription.com
BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 13
max’s “GUITAR STORE”
Max’s Guitar Store is one of the successful independent stores finding its
South American Tropical Fish breeding business, Max knew only too well
audience and customer through embracing the online worlds bringing
the long hours and longer days that awaited anyone starting a new busi-
together of people from far and wide into a local community. A bespoke
ness from scratch if they were aiming to succeed; of time spent away from
online musical instrument outlet specializing in high end name brand
the family home and those closest to him in some unspoken and uneasy
refurbished guitars, the focus on affordability for the consumer without
compromise of the lost time being worth the reward in the end.
compromise on the product has earned the company a reputation many businesses would be envious of.
‘I wanted to be able to manage my own time and I wanted to be able to manage my business from any location in the US from a tablet, laptop and
The epitome of embracing the ‘American Dream’ it was after one day
smartphone.’
deciding to turn a part-time hobby and full-time passion into a lifelong future that Max’s Guitar Store went from being a ‘Dream’ and started to
A musician himself, Max had already amassed a mental catalogue of guitar
become a reality.
knowledge during his years as accomplished guitarist and enthusiastic collector; talent behind the plectrum meant he understood what people
Already well-educated in the world of finances through his own successful
14 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com
wanted from their instrument in how it played and felt, the expectations
of a musician looking to invest in what could possibly be the guitar they
‘I started out with the purchase of 5 refurbished guitars. I managed to grow by
wrote their million selling hit single on, and the importance of owning an
investing every penny earned back into the business.’
instrument that feels as perfect in the hand as it does personal in choice. Business experience behind the drive and once vested with a modest capital
Alongside a strong future Max’s Guitar Store has also built a strong reputa-
from a start-up loan, Max’s Guitar Store was launched.
tion, with the list of selected manufacturers they deal with recently growing to include master builders of hand-crafted custom guitars and basses,
Knowing quality of instrument didn’t have to mean lack of affordability, Max’s
Brubaker Instruments.
first step was in securing a reliable source to supply instruments. ‘I’m very happy that I was able to add Brubaker Instruments to my line-up, ‘I came across the website of a centre of used instruments. I contacted the centre
Luthiers that makes basses and guitars for professional musicians.’
immediately and placed my first order for 5 “refurbished” guitars the same day. Those were beautiful instruments, basically brand new without a mark; every
This forging together will see the ties Brubaker has with over thirty of the
single guitar was setup to perfection.’
world’s most well-known and respected manufacturers of guitars strengthening the stores range and also affording its customers that most desirable
Once assured of the products’ quality and the haste with which they sold, Max
of pieces amongst musicians; a hand-made custom guitar. With a wealth of
strengthened the relationship between himself and the supplier by securing
necks and body wood, and any number of pick-up and hardware configura-
him as the stores main source, building the reputation and integrity Max’s
tions to fill up the 100+ hours each instrument has lavished on it during its
Guitar Store has become known for.
build, a lack of imagination really is the only reason you’d be walking away empty handed after a virtual visit.
‘The instruments come from major manufactures and wholesale distributors, discontinued models and or are factory finish 2nd models; overstock & unsold
With interest from several well-known guitar manufacturers encouraging the
first quality new-old stock, or discontinued brands they may have available from
attention of a global market, the continued expansion of Max’s Guitar Store
time to time.’
will soon see it pushing at the edges of its online store.
Interest led to inquiries which in turn led to the placing of orders and even-
Photo Credits: Max’s Guitar Store - All Rights Reserved
tual snow-ball effect of growth in both reputation and stock that has seen
Website: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/maxsguitarstore
Max’s Guitar Store a business with a strong future.
Twitter: MaxsGuitarStore
BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 15
Facebook: Maxsguitarstore
Austin
st. Kloud freedom and the pursuit of maintaining same is natural
A
s a former coast guard, Austin St Kloud could be placed
ity stands behind the microphone to deliver an artist’s voice across the entire
into the camp of unsung heroes who make the world a bet-
scope of his work; with only one mind to steer the song. Austin is able to bring
ter place yet see little of the recognition they deserve; if it
you around into his world as if waiting for you to arrive, effortlessly, picking
weren’t for the self-penned and unbelievable album Chloe’s
you up with the fluidity of his compositions and letting you drift through the
Pet Rhino, showing not only can this particular hero sing but
visions of sound and inspirations while revelling in the wonder of it all.
the betterment he brings through his musical enrichment of the world is
‘I want to blaze a new trail for Artistic musicians,’ he reasons when discussing
being widely recognized and acknowledged.
his win with BWD. ‘I want to push down the doors and walls of the sandbox
Born with a natural gift for music, father of five Austin displayed his prow-
they want us ALL to play in.’
ess from a very early age; by age five he’d already surpassed the teachings
To describe is to define, indeed, and though comparisons with such musi-
his father had given him on guitar, and before he was a teenager Austin had
cians as Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, and even the most singular of musical artists
added bass guitar and drums to the growing list of instruments falling under
Beck are duly awarded without hesitation, it is with some reluctance Austin
his command.
takes such luminaries to heart.
A succession of garage bands throughout high school saw Austin gar-
‘I say never judge a book by its cover. Some have called me a breath of fresh air
ner the experience and insight into performance and composition, though
in a musical landscape void of artists willing to try anything new, but I am just
grow disillusioned by the unmatched level of creativity and passion for
me. I am just a man with goals and dreams like everyone else--Freedom to create
the craft in those around him.
artistic music! ‘
Indeed, such experiences turned
Freedom and the pursuit of
Austin away from the music world
maintaining same is natural to
entirely, the coast guards instead
a hero, drives them to pursue
where he would remain until the
their desire despite and possibly
undeniable impulse to create and
in spite of whatever challenge
perform called him back to the
or trial that may stand in their
shores of sonic waves and reso-
way. Though Austin St. Kloud has
nating soundscapes.
already taken more than a hero’s
The bright lights and big ideals
share of pain in his life, it is in
of Las Vegas became his first port
his music and Chloe’s Pet Rhino
of call as Austin began seeking
we find the anchor that is his
other musicians to create music
inspiration and passion for us all
with. However, after a fruitless
to hold onto.
search, the promise held by those bright lights faded and along with them any thoughts of being able to find the right mix of musicians he could define as his band.
Contact Information:
While tragic in execution, the circumstance with which Austin took the lead and began his career as a solo artist is why Chloe’s Pet Rhino is as unique and thoroughly satisfying an album as it is. The passing of a second born son is an
Email: reakinpetrhino@gmail.com
experience none should have to know the feeling of; though Austin carries the
Twitter: @AustinStKloud
weight of its knowledge, it is within the passion of his music that we see the
Facebook: Chloes-Pet-Rhino
full range of his emotions and talent others had failed to convey. Playing bass and lead guitar, drums and keyboard, this one man band of abil16 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com
Photo Credits: Austin St. Kloud - All Rights Reserved
I want to blaze a new trail for Artistic musicians,’ he reasons when discussing his win with BWD. ‘I want to push down the doors and walls of the sandbox they want us ALL to play in.”
BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 17
Rahat Chowdhury broadening his musical horizons From the shadows of the Bronx to the spotlight of the stage comes hip hop artist extraordinaire, Rahat Chowdhury, a musician with a handle on the beat that transcends the proscribed notions of the genre to mix heritage and music into something a little bit more special, more unique and fresh than most others. Having moved from the dusky streets of Bangladesh to the shores of opportunity in the USA, it was within the Bronx’s influential surroundings that Rahat first found his latent musical talent piqued. Practice fed the hunger to improve, quickly seeing him become a rapper held in some regard by his fellow and more experienced contemporizes whilst still only a teenager. An introduction to hip hop by his best friend saw the world shift slightly and Rahat’s focus shift to this new form of creative composing. ‘I started off in my bedroom with a cheap computer mic and no idea what I was doing,’ he immodestly revealed. ‘I feel like I’ve grown so much as an artist over the years.’ It was when first his attentions and then his heart were captivated by the girl who would go on to become his fiancé that the insatiable drive to musical perfection started seeing him standing head and shoulder above his fellow artists on the scene, defining and honing his craft, and realizing the sounds he felt were his emotions; put into music for all the world to experience, as well as, win the hand of the fair maid along the way, too. As an outlet for expression, Rahat found music to be a malleable, almost acquiescent platform to expose the raw nerves of inspiration in an unflinching and uncompromised view. Such was the case behind the phenomenal single ‘A Seraph’s Gift’, the release by Rahat a tribute in the memory of his best friend and inspiration behind his love of hip hop. ‘When blogs or magazines like this one show me some love it really makes me feel like I can do this,’ he says, ‘makes me realize that there are people out there who enjoy my music and believe in my art.’ Currently broadening his musical horizons through expanding into Electronic Dance Mix with the single ‘Anthem Flow’, the prolific Rahat Chowdhury has released yet further proof of his talents with the free to download album, ‘Awakening’- a title that, after experiencing Rahat’s latest display of his artistry within music for the first time, feels very apt indeed.
Contact Information: Website: www.echosofrahat.com Email: rahat.music@gmail.com Twitter: @rahat_music
18 • BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com
Facebook: pages/Rahat/256872331043604 Photo Credits: Rahat Chowdhury - All Rights Reserved
bwd records, llc independent music label of the south BWD Records, LLC ‘The Independent Music
Owing to their unique position within the
Label of the South’. Taking over a decade’s
world of music BWD were able to snap up
worth of industry knowledge and experience .
and sign Florida based artist 5 M.I.C-Z to their new label, an artist that brings with himself
BWD Records, LLC - ‘The Independent Music
a level of credibility that owes everything to
Label Of The South’ - is the culmination of
musical talent and dedication and nothing
BWD’s vast expertise in the field of music and
to a cynical self-styled back-story and whose
artist promotion; not content with simply
first release on the label – ‘Head Turna’ – has
waiting to see what single or artist reaches
firmly established the label as serious com-
number one BWD Radio took their position
petition to the established status quo.
of being known globally as the leaders in discovering new indie acts and on the 26th
Continuing to set the standard for others to
of October 2012 launched their own record
follow BWD Radio has proven again the need
label, BWD Records. Dedicated to finding the
to change and adapt in this never static land-
best as-yet unknown talent out there BWD
scape of media and music is key to continued
doesn’t limit itself to one specific genre;
growth and success. Pushing where others
rather it extends its horizons to include all
are content to stagnate is the secret behind
genres such as rock, metal, hip hop and dance
where BWD Radio currently find themselves
amongst others. A smorgasbord of scintillat-
today, and with the launch of their own label
ing new acts are presented under the BWD
in BWD Records it gives you some idea of just
mantle, representing the best of the best and
how far BWD Radio are aiming to go.
most unique in their field, such as you have come to expect from one of the industry’s top
– BWD Records, LLC
media professionals.
‘The Independent Music Label of the South’
BWD Magazine • www.bwdradio.com • 19
V i s i t w w w . B W DR e c o r d s . c o m o r w w w . F a c e b o o k . c o m / B W DR e c o r d s . l l c