Fall Issue, 2016
CENTER STAGE Music Center Corp.
“Disconnect”
Intona • Harness Your Creativity • Britlin Lee
THE TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF Angela O’Reilly MANAGING DIRECTOR Veronica Sanchez CREATIVE DIRECTOR & HEAD DESIGNER Christiana Kaimis GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ethan Lubin TEAM WRITERS & EDITORS Kelby Khan Ulises Amaya
CONTRIBUTORS Britlin Lee Intona Lauren Little Mariana Duarte Santos Matt McGuire Melanie Ramos
Search for CSMusicCenter Facebook & YouTube Center Stage Music Center www.CenterStageMusicCenter.com
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CONTENTS
4 Letter From the Editor
6 Harness Your Creativity
Cover photo by: Matthew Baur
Photo by: Michael Rathsam
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9 Intona
Write a Song in 10 Easy Steps
Photo by: Washed Up Media
21 Backstage with Kelby Khan
20 Sit Down Session with: Britlin Lee
23 Playlist: A Time for Solitude
Photo by: Michael Rathsam
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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here’s a part of me that will never get over that back to school excitement. You know, that “I can’t wait to go to staples and get a new planner and 6 unnecessary boxes of highlighters and colored pens” excitement. Despite the fact that I haven’t been in school for 5 years now, the Fall will always make me want to organize my life and start working on the creative endeavors I’ve successfully ignored over the summer. This issue has great tips and tricks on how to disconnect from the distractions of social media, set up your perfect creative workspace, and harness all of your creative energy in order to successfully start and finish those projects that have been floating around in your heads. We will also meet a band that puts a fresh new spin on that old school alternative 90’s rock sound we love and miss so much.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Enjoy, Angela Lee Editor & Author
ABOUT CENTER STAGE Center Stage Magazine is a branch of Center Stage Music Center, a teaching studio in Westbury, New York. Since opening our doors in 2011, our goal has always been to create a comprehensive learning experience beyond what is taught in the classroom. This magazine is a natural extension of that goal and aims to provide an even greater array of musical knowledge for general readership and the budding musician. Written by musicians for music lovers, our desire is to bring all the diamonds in the rough to the masses and to inspire the next generation of artists, musicians, and listeners.
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LAUREN
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HARNESS YOUR CREATIVITY Written by Kelby Khan
Brainstorming new ideas is always an exciting time for any artist. However, there will be times where creativity may seem to dip. The ability to spark your own imagination depends on your capability to manage both internal and external distractions. While there is an element of spontaneity to being creative, here are three points to help you channel your next composition, painting, book, or anything else you put your will to!
“REMEMBER TO LET YOUR IDEAS 6
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Consistency: If there’s one thing you remember, it’s to have consistency. If you don’t schedule even just a small amount of time on a habitual level, your work is never going to get done. Maya Angelou used to take a taxi to the same hotel room every time she wanted to write. Another writer I know makes a pact with himself to write ten pages each day, for better or for worse. An alternative could be to play around with time; write, compose, paint, etc. for a proposed amount of time without stopping. Repeat this process each day. With this mental preparation, the mind and creative musings have an easy conduit in which to begin traveling through.
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Staging your Environment: Your environment plays a huge part in drawing out your creativity. Here are some tips to help perfect your workspace atmosphere: • Create your Workspace: Is your equipment easily accessible? When I first moved into my new apartment, my output of songs dramatically declined because I did not have a designated musical workspace. Setting up my keyboard took anywhere from 10 - 20 mins. While it may not seem like a lot of time, minimizing your set up time is paramount for getting spontaneous ideas out! • De-clutter: Are you comfortable in your designated work area? Try cleaning up clutter if you have any - being organized is an easy but effective way of relaxing the mind. • Set the Mood: In every recording studio I’ve been in, there’s always some sort of light control, whether it’s a dimmer, candles, or different colored lights to help set the mood. • Reduce Distraction: Is your area distraction free? Make sure you pick a time and place where roommates, siblings, etc. won’t be barging in to bother you. A no-TV/Cellphone/ Electronic Device area is best if it can be achieved.
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Channel your Mood: While logistics are a big part of staying productive, another crucial part is your mental state. The amazing thing about creating is that any emotion can be used to develop an idea. The idea that one has to always be happy, relaxed, or in a moment of zen is obviously helpful, but realistically tough to replicate each day. In fact, many authors, composers, and artists were well known for creating their best works while often in a mood of despair. Channeling these moods can come in a variety of forms; some people meditate, others like drinking coffee and powering through their work, Beethoven was known for talking a long walk each day. There was recently a study reported by the BBC that said, a little bit of alcohol could help pop the lid off of creative inhibitions!
FLOW”
Whichever way you choose to harness your creative energy, just remember to let your ideas flow - never analyze while you create. Capturing your creativity and expanding on it is not always an easy task. There are many ways to do it, but remember - the finished product won’t be realized without consistency. Utilize the ideas given here, talk to other artists who have done the same, keep attacking your goal, and never give up until you are satisfied with your initial idea!
Photo taken at Niagara in NYC
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MARIANA
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DUARTE SANTOS
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PHOTOS BY: MATTHEW BAUER
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For long Islanders, Mulcahy’s is a bar that just about everyone has been to at least once; whether to grab a few drinks with some friends, or to dance the night away and sing your heart out to a Bon Jovi cover band. Every once in a while, a spontaneous outing to this local hot spot can turn into a pretty awesome musical discovery. Sometime in the late throes of spring, while casually enjoying some drinks with friends, a local band began to set up on the large stage near the bar. While I would be lying to say that it wasn’t the female lead singer’s fabulous blue hair that initially caught my attention; it was the captivating guitar riffs, driving bass lines, and tone of her vocals that made me instantly nostalgic for the 90’s alt bands I loved so much. Intona’s enthusiastic performance hooked and reeled the crowd in closer to the stage and made everyone pay attention. You could feel the genuine passion and energy in each of their songs. As Intona’s set went on, it was hard not to dance along to the catchy tunes they played. The raw rock instrumentals, mixed with modern groovy-pop vocal melody lines made for a sound that was both refreshing and old school at the same time. After the show we were able to catch up with Intona’s members (Miranda Campanelli: lead vocalist, Sean Ageman: drums, Richie Gelorum: guitar & Mike Greenberg: bass) to find out more about this local up and coming band.
PHOTOS BY: MATTHEW BAUER
Written by: Angela O’Reilly
I knew Intona was going to be something different
Tell us how you came up with the name Intona? Richie: I was driving on the expressway into the city and the name ‘Intona’ just popped into my head. Sean: It’s allegedly the Italian word for intonation and in my head I thought “I don’t even care if it’s right or wrong. It sounds cool, lets go with it.”
How did you each get into music? Mike: So I was in middle school and I was going through that “finding yourself” stage. You know, trying out for sports teams and failing, haha. Some of my friends were into music and played guitar, so I bought a bass from one of my friends for 50 bucks and locked myself in my room for 4 months. I basically taught myself. From there, I took some private bass lessons and went on to get my associates degree in music. Richie: My parents would play a wide range of music when I was growing up and thats where I fell in love with music. I remember my neighbor gave me a burned CD with Solar Squeeze on it and I really wanted to learn that track. It was then that I picked up the guitar and started taking lessons. Sean: My parents took me to a Rolling Stones concert when I was 4 years old and that was pretty much it for me. I knew I loved music and wanted to pursue it. When I was 12 years old I used to go to this video arcade place called Jillian’s just to play a game that had an electric drum set. I guess it clicked then that I needed to be a drummer. Miranda: I have always loved music from a young age. My dad is an amazing guitar player and vocalist, which is definitely where I got my voice from. I sang all throughout high school and was in some bands. I eventually went to college for music because I knew that was going to be the only thing I would ever want to pursue. CENTER STAGE
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PHOTO BY: WASHED UP MEDIA CENTER STAGE
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So, how did Intona form? Sean: Well, Mike and Richie were in a band together when they were 14 years old. Me and Mike were in a band in about 2010. And then Mike and Miranda went to school together. Mike came up to me and Richie asking if we wanted to work on a pop project that him and Miranda were doing. Although I wasn’t into the idea of a pop band, I knew the day that we all met up to jam for the first time that Intona was going to be something different. The instrumentals of our songs definitely have a funk/rock/progressive feel. The melodies of the lyrics and the nature of Miranda’s voice gives it those pop overtones.
How would you describe your sound to new listeners? Mike: Bands like Sublime, The Dirty Heads and Slightly Stupid have similar sounds to us. We make funky groovy music with catchy vocals over it. The difference with us is that we have Miranda singing. People think of No Doubt or old school Paramore when they hear her voice.
Tell us about your songwriting process.
With the state of today’s music industry, what inspires you to do what you do? Richie: The love for it; it’s a part of me. I don’t care if we make it big or not, this is my family and I love making music with them. Miranda: Yes exactly, there’s nothing else I would rather be doing.
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PHOTOS BY: MATTHEW BAUER
Richie: We all collectively write the songs. We generally start with a basic A B A form and then either I will write a chord progression or Mike will write the bass line. Sean will then add the drum line, which can completely change the feel of the song. Mike: Our very first song, Galaxy, came about because I wanted to take the chord progression knowledge I learned in school and come up with a simple song. I brought it to Richie and he made it a million times better by adding ornaments and a bridge. From there we all just collaborated on every song. Miranda: We all write. I solely take care of the lyrics and the melodies though.
Where can we listen to Intona? Sean: We have two EP’s out right now. The first EP, Intona EP, has three tracks which were recorded in the first few months that we were together. Our most recent EP, Live Sessions at Westfall Recording Studio, is comprised of two live tracks. One is our rendition of “Geenie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera and the other is an original.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WASHED UP MEDIA
"This is my family, and I love making music with them"
Buy Intona’s EP’s on ITunes here: http://apple.co/2bjJYvo Stream Intona on Spotify: http://bit.ly/2btZoxs Check out www.facebook.com/Intonaband to stay tuned for future shows and albums PHOTO BY: WASHED UP MEDIA CENTER STAGE
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WRITE A SONG IN 10 EASY STEPS Ulises Amaya
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ursuing any creative endeavor can be difficult. As artists, we should constantly push ourselves to evolve. However, we can often find ourselves repeating old habits and rehashing the same formulaic material. If you’re seeking to expand your artistic boundaries, here are a few tips to break old habits.
1. Challenge Yourself Musically Listen to material that is foreign to you. Listen to music you don’t like. You don’t have to listen to an entire album, but go outside of your comfort zone. Try to find the essence in something you’ve never listened to before. I once watched an interview with renowned guitarist Steve Vai discussing this very notion. He brought up the idea of listening to the Bulgarian Women’s Choir. After giving them a listen, not only did I find it compelling, but also immediately saw parallels between them and the vocal gymnastics of music I listen to, such as Dirty Projectors. The point is that inspiration doesn’t always come to you. Sometimes you have to seek it out.
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“WAY
That may sound blasphemous, especially in today’s minefield of lawsuits over intellectual property and ownership. But the only way we move forward is by building on the past. I’m not saying to write new lyrics over the exact same chords and melodies without giving credit (like Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys initially did with Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen” to get their hit “Surfin’ USA”.) But as a personal exercise to develop a technique, emulation is invaluable. See if you can write a blues song in the style of Muddy Waters, or a strophic formed song like Bob Dylan. Learn from the masters through transcription. I think of the author Hunter S. Thompson who famously wrote out Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald novels. Steal from your heroes – just keep it in the drawer.
3. Write About Something Brand New If your desire is to be a songwriter then you need to be able to draw from many sources and write about many themes. Write a song about birds like Bob Marley, or about the purging of natural beauties like Joni Mitchell. It may amount to nothing but just the journey itself can lead to new ideas. Try to write from a different perspective – If you’re constantly saying “I”, then start from “He” or “She”. It sounds simple because it is. But changing perspectives can alter your approach just enough to find something new .
4. Create A Word Collage Your mind is vastly powerful but it does need a little kick-start sometimes. Writing out emotions and specific words you think could be used in a song can help build bridges from one place to another.
THE ONLY
WE
MOVE FORWARD
IS
BY BUILDING
ON
THE PAST
It’s easy to always start a song the same way (i.e., a chord progression). But it can be helpful to write from a riff first or begin with lyrics. Try starting with a melodic line and then harmonize it. No one way is correct and each can open different doors for you in the writing process.
6. Change The Harmony We all know the three rock and roll chords and the overused pop tropes. Challenge your ears and make that V chord minor. Borrow from the melodic minor. Add an extension, or make the melodic note the #11. It won’t always sound right but it doesn’t have to. The idea is to vary your approach so that you can find what sounds right to you. If you don’t know what those sentences are all about then the next tip is even more important.
7. Know The Language You can tell a story with very few words and there’s nothing wrong with keeping things simple. However, the quality of your story will always be limited by your command over the language. Music is a language and expanding your vocabulary and knowledge of how to construct sophisticated sentences will set you apart and, at the very least, make what you create more interesting. Stretch yourself out.
8. Change That Line Don’t believe that anything is too perfect to alter. This is especially true when working with a partner. It can be frustrating when your collaborator is too rigid. If the rhyme isn’t working or the phrasing just isn’t hitting right, change it!
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2. Be a Copy Cat
5. Start Differently
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“INSPIRATION DOESN’T ALWAYS COME TO YOU. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SEEK IT OUT.” 18
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9. Be Still My song-writing professor at Hofstra University once told me that he would go to church to reflect on what he had written so far and listen for what comes next. Sometimes we hit that roadblock and aren’t sure where to go. Close your eyes and listen to what is inside. Great artists often refer to works as already completed before they ever lifted a pen. Somewhere out there, the song is already written. You’re just a scribe.
10. Keep Running The Tap Nothing works for everyone so you’ll have to experiment and see what works for you. If you’re interested in pushing your artistry to the next level then you must be willing to challenge yourself and what you’re used to. Rest assured that you will create a lot of material that will probably never make it out of the sketch book or demo stage, but that’s alright. To paraphrase Annie Clark of St. Vincent regarding songwriting, it’s like water out of a faucet. If you haven’t run the tap in a while then the water will come out a little dirty and brown. But if you let it go, the good clean stuff will make its way out.
MATT
M GUIRE C
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SIT DOWN SESSION WITH... Britlin Lee is a composer for film and television as well as a session singer and professional songwriter. You can hear her singing as the high soprano soloist in the upcoming true story turned film, 6 Below (2017), featuring Josh Hartnett and Academy Award Winner, Mira Sorvino. Britlin’s own composition has been featured in a Sci-Fi film for Shark Week (2016). Her writing style can be categorized as a balancing act between darkness and light with hints of romantic Impressionism and sea-like atmospheres. She also has a love for diving into futuristic tones inspired by Ex Machina, and the earthly sounds of medieval times. Upcoming releases also include a Christian-contemporary single she composed for recording artist, Beth Waugh, titled Follow Your Own Rainbow, as well as her very first meditation/positivity album on iTunes. While attending the Aaron Copeland School of Music, Britlin premiered her first opera titled Fiora, which was featured in the music documentary, What Would Beethoven Do?
IN THIS SIT DOWN SESSION: Britlin walks us through her songwriting process and gives viewers invaluable tips and techniques that will help composers of all styles.
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BACKSTAGE WITH KELBY KHAN “Our band is looking to get more shows hopefully with more reputable venues. We don’t have a manager - How do we navigate through this crazy booking underworld???” l Rathsam
- Valencia Denver, Colorado
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Dear Kelby,
Branching out to bigger venues requires a few things. You need to know someone (obviously the easy way). Or, you need to have a crowd. If you find that your smaller venue shows are getting packed, it’s a good sign that you’re ready to level up. A simple email describing your band and the amount of people you can guarantee to bring in will usually land you a gig. Just make sure to communicate what you can or can’t do, and if you must cancel, try your best to give a month’s notice! Other ways to land some better gigs is to put together a quality “electronic press kit” or EPK. This usually is a web page documenting your shows, any music you have, a bio, and any press reviews (if you have them.) Having recorded demos or a well-produced EP will definitely help in generating a booker’s interest in your band. In summation, be communicative, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and be relentless when it comes to finding new gigs!
Photos b
Not having a manager can obviously be a big setback when you want to get bigger gigs, but there are definitely things you can do to help your band out. What most of the bands I’ve worked with have done is to elect a designated “administrator” to contact bookers. This person should be the most responsible, personable, communicative, and organized out of the group. Make sure to save the contact info from past venues you’ve liked playing - this will be your jumpingoff point. If you establish a friendly rapport with the booker of a venue, and you bring in a decent crowd, most places will be happy to have you back.
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Good Luck! -Kelby CENTER STAGE
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A TIME FOR SOLITUDE Intro - The xx Big Boy - Balam Acab Breathe - Telepopmusik Slow Blues (Instrumental) - Wu-Tang Loud Pipes - Ratatat Say Yes (Instrumental) - Wax Tailor You Wish - Nightmares on Wax Feel it all Around - Washed Out Space is Only Noise If You Can See - Nicholas Jaar Mykonos - Fleet Foxes New Slang - The Shins White Daisy Passing - Rocky Votolato Metamorphosis Two - Philip Glass Gaspard de la Nuit - Ravel
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