New Sound XXII by newsoundmagazine

>> CYN

Fall Vol. XXII 2017

Tom Petty

Ex Reyes Refuses To Forget The Greats

October 20, 1950 October 2, 2017

F eaturing :

B aby

S hakes A ngel S now

Where Are They Now?

www.newsoundmagazine.com

Ela Minus• Sam Evian • Esther Vallee• Oh Be Clever • Carrie Lane• Urboy TJ

MISSION STATEMENT

“New Sound Magazine spotlights both young, talented artist that have the potential to become the next big name in the music industry, and the truly brilliant bands which already have. We’re finding the voice you’ll fall in love with, the song you’ll play over and over, the concert you won’t want to miss.”

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

PG 8 PG 12 PG 16 PG 20 PG 24 PG 28 PG 32 PG 36 PG 40 PG 44 PG 48 PG 52 PG 56 PG 60 PG 64 PG 68 PG 72 PG 76 PG 80 PG 84 PG 88 PG 90 PG 94 PG 98 PG 102

FALL VOL. XXII 2017

CONTENTS 4

Contents

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Baby Shakes Brockhampton Ela Minus Ex Reyes Sam Evian The Land Below Esther Vallee CYN Billy Brandt Angel Snow Carrie Lane Oh Be Clever The Last Royals Urboy TJ My Life as Ali Thomas Judah and the Lion Maggie Rogers Equipment Corner Exit In Shane Guerrette Tom Petty Cold Front Yoke Lore

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR

Music is the one thing that creates an environment without having to do much except for the simplicity of listening. Its affect on an individual differs from person to person. A song can help someone go through a break up, or get through the grueling stages of high school. An album can have an ever life changing affect that inspires >>Photo by Ed Shin you to achieve something you’ve have never achieved before. Melodies can take you back to a time where you relive a great memory or phase. Music can make you feel empowered and motivated - even get you through the toughest times of your life. The goal for New Sound Magazine is to introduce new and upcoming music artists that emit their talent, self expression and hard work - which deserves recognition. As a recording artist myself, it is a relatable feeling. We work really hard on our craft because we love it and therefore becomes a necessity. And I know first hand that an artist wakes up, writes, performs, rewrites, performs, records, gets rejected, rewrites, manages, promotes, makes phone calls, writes more and then goes to sleep....wakes up and repeats the recipe. It takes persistent hard work and endless motivation to achieve goals for any career. Especially in the entertainment industry, where the internet has given immediate and easy access to get yourself out there. With that said, there are millions and millions doing so simultaneously. Now that’s where we come in. New Sound knows what these hard working artists deserve. So we support them and want the world to know about the next big thing you haven’t heard yet! We found a great team of writers here at New Sound, who have a knack of finding greatly skilled and unique musicians, bands and artists from all over the world. It has been an honor to work and read about other creative individuals, their journey as well as listen to new music. It definitely has inspired me to continue my path as a singer- songwriter and to let myself enjoy the talents of others that are on similar journeys as mine. For you never know which one of these new artists will help you get through your next break up, your tedious experience in school or help give a soundtrack to a phase in your life. As mentioned before, I am a singer songwriter who performs throughout NY state & Long Island. Currently, I am in the process of recording my upcoming EP. Get up to date news, performances and music from www.karenbella.com

PUBLISHER/CEO: PAUL CORACE EXECUTIVE EDITOR: JOE D’AMBROSI

Rick Eberle Public Rel ations

EDITOR: Karen Bella SENIOR VIDEO EDITORS: JOE MOYLES TARA HACK GABBY LANFLISI BRICE LEFEVER GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: REBECCA BRUCH JACKIE MONACO CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Alaska Valentine Olivia Perreault Kristen Catalano David Hopkins Jesse Quandt Karen Bella PHOTOGRAPHERS: BRYAN HUAYTA MORGAN HARRISON KEVIN SPIRENDIO

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

The Premier Label Services And Public Relations Agency

Entertainment & Media News 12 / Fox 5 / Verizon Fios 1 / Pix 11

Publicity • Social • Marketing Newsday / ny times / ny daily news / village voice

Artist-Venue-Festival MGMT • Booking • Promo @rickberle 516-729-6872 l www.rickeberle.com l rick@rickeberle.com 7

Power Pop Band From NYC By Kristen Catalano The rock-n-roll punk band from New York City, Baby Shakes, has been around for almost a decade and have no plans of stopping anytime soon. Their third full length album titled “Turn It Up” was released this past May and included hit singles “Another Place” and “Johnny, Let Go.” When we asked the band about their new album they said “Turn It Up is our third full-length album that we self-released on our label, Lil’ Chewy Records. We’re very involved in the whole process from writing songs/ producing, pressing records to distributing and sending them out to fans. There’s a lot of hard work and love that went into this album, we hope people enjoy it as much as we did making it!” Baby Shakes was originally formed in 2005 by three girls and in 2015 their current drummer hopped on board. Mary Blount provides vocals for the band and plays guitar, Judy Lindsay is a lead vocalist and guitar player as well, Caludia Gonzalez provides vocals as well as playing bass and Ryan McHale plays the drums. After their first album was released in 2008 they used the term “power pop” as a way to describe their music. “Power pop” is a rock music sub genre that draws inspiration from 1960s British and American rock music, typically employing a variety of musical devices.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

They described their sound as “power pop” because they are influenced by all types of music including bubble gum, punk, 50s rock n roll and mod. They are also heavily influenced by bands/artists such as the early “Who and the Byrds”, “The Ramones”, “Slade”, “Chuck Berry” and even 60s Motown girl groups. They are able to pay tribute to some of the great of the music industry while also adding their own personal twist on their songs. Their tunes are a refreshing change from the generic pop songs riddling the radio nowadays.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Their tracks are great pop tunes with a touch of punk rock energy that will get you out of your seat and grooving! After listening to their songs, I think that the best way to describe them is Beatles meet punk. The group blends well together with their catchy melodic vocals and a killer rhythm section. Baby Shakes has toured extensively over the years including around the United States, Japan, China, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Europe. All of the members still have full time jobs but hope that eventually they will be able to pursue music full time. Baby Shakes ultimate goal is to get their music out to the public and play shows wherever they can.

They will once again be going on tour later this year in Spain, the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan. When asked about the future the band said, “As for what we are looking forward to, we have a Spanish tour coming up in late November and later this month we are playing the Growlers Festival 6 in LA during Halloween weekend- the line-up is pretty insane, we are super stoked to play!” Also playing at the Growlers Festival is Mike Watt, Girl Talk, The Weirdos and DJ Johnny Basil. Baby Shakes has previously shared the stage with The Romantics, Shadows of Knight, Barracudas and Black Lips.

BrockHampton

The Internets First Boy Band

By Kristen Catalano The internets first boy band, Brockhampton, has been hard at work building an entire media company while also creating their own music. The Texas based group released two albums in 2017, one in June titled “Saturation” and another in August titled “Saturation II”. Both albums received five star reviews on iTunes and featured more then fifteen songs each. Pretty impressive for a group that has only been around for a couple of years.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Brockhampton consists of a total of fifteen members, all have their own talent and purpose to the group. The groups leader, Ian “Kevin Abstract” Simpson was originally part of another hip-hop group titled “ALIVESINCEFOREVER” but when he felt that the group wasn’t going in the direction that he wanted to he left the party and started Brockhampton. The current members of Brockhampton are Simpson (vocals), Romil Hemani (production), Ammer Vann (vocals), William Woods (vocals), Dominique Simpson (vocals and production), Matt Champion (vocals), Russell Boring (vocals, production and engineering), Ciarán McDonald (vocals and production), Jabari Manwa (production), Isaiah Merriweather (production), Henock Sileshi (creative direction), Ashlan Grey (photography), Robert Ontenient (webmaster), Anish Ochani (manager), Jon Nunes (manager), Nick Lenzini (stylist) and Kevin Doan (app design).

Abstract and Vann met when they were both apart of ALIVESINCEFOREVER, the rest of the members were recruited from the famous hiphop forum “KanyeToThe” in 2014. The group all moved down to San Marcos, Texas in order to prose musical success and grow their craft earlier this year. All of the members had different reasons for joining Brockhampton, the groups creator, Kevin Abstract, wanted to create his own media company and aimed to have his own dynasty whereas Ammer Vann simply wanted to sharpen his art. One thing that all of the guys agree on is that at the end of the day they are a family and they have each others back. Their bond with one another is the major key to their success because you must have a mutual respect and love for one another in order to work so closely together.

The self-proclaimed boy band, is actually much more then a band. This group has been able to achieve something that many before them have failed at, they have created an entire media company from scratch with little knowledge of the music industry. They have their own photographers, engineers, producers, singers, managers and even social media designers. They are able to have complete control over everything that happens with their material which is useful for a group like Brockhampton that is trying to spread messages with their music.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

On the two albums that they released this year every single member of the group was given a moment to shine and show the world their craft. They accompanied the release of these albums with awesome videos for their tracks that helped bring more attention to them. They are not able to be defined by just one genre, if you listen to the first half of “Saturation” you will think that they are just another rap group but if you keep listening then you will hear their versatility. They use minimalistic beats, singing and friendly lyrics in songs like “SWIM” and “FACE”. The albums final track with really throw you for a loop because it isn’t even hip-hop at all! “WASTE”, the final track, is an alternative rock ballad over a solo electric guitar.

The group is a completely self sufficient power house that will continue to break down boundaries, grow their brand and perfect their craft. This is not the last that you will hear of them as they have already announced that a third album, “Saturation III” will be released very soon. Brockhampton recently revealed that the Saturation trilogy will be released as a box set alongside a collection of unreleased demos before the years end so stay tuned!

Ela Minus Shy Girl Transforms Into Electronic Music Sensation By Kristen Catalano Colombian native, Gabriela Jimeno, always had trouble connecting with people and communicating her feelings. She grew up in Bogota, Colombia and played drums her entire childhood. After honing her percussion skills she moved to the United States to pursue music at Boston’s Berklee School of Music in 2010. There she double majored in performance and electronic production as well as sound design. But despite her training in other areas she stayed true to her roots and remained a drummer first and foremost. She also never lost her love for hardcore music but soon developed a similar appreciation and love for electronic music. During her time at Berklee, Jimeno transitioned from emo kid to synth obsessed producer. From there Ela Minus was born, Ela Minus is a solo project of Jimeno. Since the start of her project two years ago, Jimeno has released three EP’s in just two short years. Her newest EP titled “Adapt” was released this past February and featured four songs. Two of the songs off of this EP, “A.R.P.” and “Juan Sant” were extremely popular on iTunes. The track “Ceremony”, off of this EP is about getting bored of people not saying what they mean and offers up the idea that in todays society it is better to be polite and nice then truthful and blunt. This is an interesting idea because it is undoubtedly true, everyone is so hypersensitive these days that you have to tiptoe around just about every subject. This idea sprung to Jimeno’s mind when she experienced a break up and instead of actually being broken up with she was met with silence and no answers. This EP especially shows her growth as both a person and a musician. Her EP’s are mini symphonies of gorgeous electronic pop that anyone with an appreciation for electronic tunes will enjoy.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Although Jimeno has only taken up the identity of Ela Minus for two years it has already changed her life for the better. After performing for ten years as herself and suffering from extreme anxiety, Jimeno is able to perform as Ela Minus with no feelings of nervousness or fear. She has always been afraid of expressing her true self through her music and been scared to be vulnerable but performing as Ela Minus brings out a new side to her that even she didn’t know she had. After watching her perform you can tell that she is feeling each and every beat that she drops and is truly expressing her emotions through these tracks. A part of her solo project, Jimeno has created her own genre of music called “Tiny Dance”. This genre of music is unpretentious and honest, the songs that fall under this category do not care what others will say once they hear them, they are unapologetically themselves. After feeling free of the constraints that held her before creating Ela Minus, Jimeno donated all of her clothes to charity and only replaced the bare minimum. Jimeno has been described as an intensely shy person who is extremely particular about her craft, as a result she finds it difficult to work with others on her projects. Ela Minus is able to give a voice to Jimeno and allow her to express herself in a way that she has never been able to do. Sometimes when you let go of the image of yourself that you have been holding onto for so long and allow yourself to just have fun and be free you will be surprised with what you are able to accomplish. Nowadays Jimeno builds synths for other artists at a shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn while also performing around Colombia, New York and Mexico.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Ex Reyes

Ex Reyes Refuses To Forget The Greats By Alaska Valentine Ex Reyes is a psych-soul/future nostalgia project of Louisiana guitarist Mikey Hart. Hart’s goal for Ex Reyes is to create music that is fresh and new but draws inspiration from past musicians. He doesn’t want this project to be a “throwback” but he also doesn’t want to discredit some of his massive musical influences. Ex Reyes’ debut single “Bad Timing” was released in May 2016, his sound is best described as psych-soul.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Ex Reyes’ debut EP “Do Something” was released in November 2016. This EP was a mix of older songs that he had already written and newer tracks. Some of these sounds were as old as five years old! This EP reflects all of he musicians that he has come in contact with and those who have inspired him over his five years of touring. As a result all of these songs are personal to him, even the tittle has a personal meaning to him. Right before he released “Do Something” Hart had gotten out of a relationship, he had been putting off finishing the EP for fear that it wasn’t good enough but after the break up he had to “do something” which is where the title came from. His track “Keeping U in Line” from this EP was especially popular. His song “Bad Timing” also off of this EP was popular, possibly because of how personal and raw the lyrics were. This song is about one of Hart’s close friends who was involved in a bad situation involving guns, Hart’s initial impression of confusion and disbelieve and his mind trying to make sense of the events.

Hart is originally from Louisiana and grew up singing on the street to anyone who would listen and in his church. He has said that growing up in Louisiana, a music hub, shaped his style and sound. Hart is a bit of a nomad but his three main cities are New York City, Los Angeles and New Orleans. All of these great music cities contributed to his writing style and ideas but New Orleans seemed to have held the heaviest influence. Hart used to work as a piano man in New Orleans playing jazz type music, the jazz style of music can still be heard in his music today. He also lived in Brooklyn for ten years. In previous interviews Hart has stated Los Angeles as one of his favorite cities to write in because of everyones willingness to create. After touring extensively he made a semi-documentary along with a few other individuals about tour like titled “Thank You and Sorry”. The main goal for Ex Reyes is to include classical influences while also using modern production and technology. Ex Reyes will be going on tour soon and the touring band includes Mitchell Yoshida, Aaron Steele, Sarah Goldstone, Ian Chang, Kellen Harrison and Spencer Zahn.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

On the Ex Reyes Facebook page Hart wrote “Connecting with people through music is the only thing that makes any sense to me, and sometimes I lose my shit while it’s happening.” Part of Hart’s goal with Ex Reyes is to expose people to all of the different musicians and genres that he has been able to experience. He does this by culminating a mix of sounds and lyrics into his songs instead of sticking to just one. Hart doesn’t have a specific creative process when he is working on new music, instead he just lets happen what naturally happens, almost like stream of conscious style. I think that this is one of the best approaches because your work will be more authentic instead of some of the cookie-cuter pop that is out there today. Hart has an impressive list of collaborations including How To Dress Well, The Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr., Sia and even A$AP Rocky.

Sam Evian Sam Evian Hydrates Through Music

By Kristen Catalano After releasing his first solo project over a year ago, Sam Evian, will finally be blessing our ears with some new tunes this month with the release of his EP titled “Need You”. Evian is a Brooklyn-based songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and a Saddle Creek recording artist. His album, “Premium” was released in September 2016 and featured a few popular tracks including “Sleep Easy”, “Cactus”, “Dark Love”, “Big Car” and “I Need A Man”. This albums genre is all over the place however the main focus of all the songs is the guitar which is not surprising considering Evian wrote everything on a guitar. It is a combination of all different types of guitar music/playing. Evian produced this album on his own despite never receiving formal training in producing. In 2009, he started making records on his laptop and watching free tutorials on the internet. He never stopped and now works at a recording studio in Brooklyn that he helped build.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Growing up on the coast of North Carolina did little to foster Evian’s talents so when he was sixteen he transferred to an arts high school. His next stop was Berklee in Boston, at this time his main focus was playing saxophone so that is what he went in for. But after three years he dropped out and moved to New York. Evian uses his music as a form of therapy and his lyrics express his inner emotions about wanting to take others pain away. The North Carolina native enjoys putting himself and his emotions out there and has no reservations about doing so. In past interviews Evian has frequently used the phrase “hydrating through music”. By this I think that he means that he uses his music in order to revitalize his mind and body, he needs it to survive. When an artist feels their music as deeply as Evian does and it not afraid to put themselves out there then they will be able to connect with the audience and listeners on a whole new level. Sam Evian has been a member of the band, Celestial Shore, for almost a decade and still considers himself a member despite his new solo projects. His solo music differs from the bands music because it is calmer and more about him and his experiences. Evian’s EP, “Need You”, is a collaboration with Chirs Cohen. Cohen is an American multiinstrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer. This EP was recorded over a five day period in Cohen’s garage. This EP will not appear on Evian’s follow up to “Premium” but will instead serve as a placeholder between the two. Evian has stated that he is almost finished with his second album and is anticipating its release soon.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

On Evian’s latest single “I Remember”, he delves further into his unique sounds. He uses a lot of chiming guitars and a mesmerizing groove. This single is part of the two-song collaborative that will make up the EP “Need You”. Although Evian executes the instrumentals on this track perfectly the lyrics are the really standout of this song because he talks about his struggle with the digital age, something many can relate to. It is refreshing to hear a song that is not about relationships which is what the music world is filled with nowadays. In October Evian will be going on tour around the United States in promotion of his new EP and upcoming album. The schedule is available on his website so be sure to check it out and go see a show, you will not be disappointed!

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

THE LAND BElOW By Alaska Valentine When Erik Lindestad decided to venture out on his own and try a solo career he never imagined that his cover of “The Boys in Love” would land him a record deal with Hybris and fans from all over the world. Lindestad is originally from Malmo, Sweden and was previously a member of the Stockholm duo, “Wild At Heart” until 2014. With his new project “The Land Below” he continues to grow and develop his love for electronic beats. The sound of The Land Below is best described as a combination of Indie, electronic, retro and pop. Lindestad released his debut album as The Land Below in 2015 and his second album was recently released in 2017. His second album is titled “& You Will Be Fine” and includes the single “Made For You”. A music video for “Made For You” was released in September and a video for his other popular single “Shed Some Light” was released this October on his Youtube channel. The Swedish natives song “Don’t Trust The Rain” is featured in the 2016 movie “The Model” from Zentropa Entertainment. In 2016 Lindestad was on a music making role with the release of several singles, remixes and a four track EP. The original score of the independent short film “Fuckgirls” was also released and included all original music by The Land Below. Lindestad’s records include massive drumbeats paired with a swaying chorus that will have you singing along and off in a dream land in no time. Similar to other artists that we have heard from Sweden, Lindestad is able to incorporate dreamy and cinematic elements into a otherwise typical genre. Lindestad’s music will take you to a dream like state that you never know existed. Lindestad is currently working on a cover album that he hopes will be finished and released very soon. “Finishing the cover album that’s coming your way pretty soon,” Lindestad wrote on The Land Below’s Facebook in late September.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Esther Vallee Swedish Singer Discovered On Farm

By Alaska Valentine At the end of last year she debuted with a double a-side single, “Hard Time” and “Your Name”. But when Swedish singer, Esther Vallee, released her single “ Crush (Heartbreaker)” this past March it became an instant success. Although she has not released anything since then she recently wrote on her Facebook page that she is currently working on something new, “I know it’s been a while. There’s been silence. But not in the studio. I’ve been working my ass off to create music with my heart and mind and with so many amazing talented people. There’s so much new music I wanna show u all... soon, it’s time. Very soon.” The Swedish beauty’s sound can be desired as pop elegance mixed with a sultry voice and deep lyrics. Her range is incredible, it is hard to believe that such a soulful voice comes out of such a young singer. Her new single “Crush(Heartbreaker)” is about a crush gone bad but she delivers the song with a happy melody that will not bring you down. She has released two different versions of this song, both will stick around your head long after she is done.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Valle’s story started one day on a farm in Gothenburg. It was here that she accidentally ran into Jonas Quant, a music producer that has produced a number of big stars. He heard that she was into music and asked to hear some of her demos. Once he heard her powerhouse of a voice he was hooked, since then he has been both her producer and mentor throughout her musical journey. Esther Vallee is a name that she uses while she is performing, this “persona” that she has created has allowed her to overcome her nervousness and stage fright. Vallee’s real name is Sophie and she likes the separation between her public life and private life. Some of her musical inspirations include Tove Lo, Zara and Dua Lipa. Vallee will be going on a club tour this fall so be sure to check out the dates and see if she’s visiting a city near you!

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Rising Pop Star By Jesse Quandt Cynthia Nabozny, now known as CYN in the music world, grew up in Walled Lake, Michigan, a northern suburb of Detroit. She grinded as a struggling musician before moving to Los Angeles, and eventually was publicly recognized by pop star Katy Perry for her single, Together. As a classic Midwesterner, she worked hard to be a good student and live a normal life. Music was always a passion of hers, listening to the classics such as Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, and Carole King, with her Grandmother as a younger artist. As a teenager, Nabozny’s aspiration to be a star seemed to be a struggle, performing in talent shows and uploading Youtube covers, with little success and growth. After being denied admission to a music school in Chicago, she settled for the Management Information Systems program at DePaul University, Chicago. Still creating music, she seemed to have similar results of her teen years. Nabozny eventually decided to relocate to Hollywood and get serious, where she took the name CYN and began her professional career. Nabozny describes CYN to be a tongue-incheek name that is an evolution of the word “sin”. Being a common target for playground harassment as a young girl, CYN envisions her name to create a strong image that fights back against patriarchy and oppression, with a hope to inspire young girls to have such an attitude in their youth. The name CYN fits Cynthia well, and is an aspect of her music career that is rooted in the right places. Her passion to be a role model and relent against oppression is assuring to not only her younger fans, but for the adults that listen to her music as well.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

CYN seems to have began her professional career with the release of a single, The Only Lo Lo Lo in 2014. This piece provides a solemn vibe with a slow tempo and soft vocals. As a result, the listener connects to this music and confides in the lyrics with little distraction of upbeat, flashy instrumentals. Nevertheless, the song is enjoyable and should not be overlooked in CYN’s discography. In 2016, CYN signed to record label Unsub Records, label of Katy Perry, who fell in love with CYN after a chance meeting. CYN’s initiative and hard work are evident when her means for success is analyzed. According to Billboard, after attending the Katy Perry’s California Dreams Tour in 2011, CYN reached out to Perry’s opening act, DJ Skeet Skeet, who eventually befriended CYN and soon collaborated with her. This turn of events is what lead young Cynthia Nabozny to meet Perry. In an interview with Billboard, CYN recalled: “I found myself in Katy Perry’s living room playing my original music on a very colorful piano. It was absolutely surreal, but I got to wake up the next morning and tell myself it wasn’t a dream.” CYN’s relationship with Perry is founded by confident initiative on CYN’s behalf, along with her talent and attractive ability to produce interesting and captivated music. It wasn’t until the Summer of 2017, however, that CYN’s hard work finally truly paid off. With the help of her new record label, CYN released her single, Together, with a bang. Together is an upbeat and kittenish creation with a classically modern pop sound which contrasts with her former and chiller single. It created a large amount of press for Nabozny, being the target of a variety of music publications, such as Billboard and Flaunt. Additionally, Katy Perry even tweeted about CYN to her 104 million followers, saying: “Today this bird is gonna fly. TOGETHER is a song from a unique voice & woman. Unsub Records is proud to present: CYN.” Perry then provided a link to CYN’s single on Spotify to millions of pop music fanatics, obviously giving CYN some incredible exposure.

Cynthia Nabozny started at the bottom, growing up in a modest home in the Midwest, and is beginning to see results. Her willingness to move to Hollywood with little assurance of success is enviable to many. CYN’s style is rooted from her childhood experiences and Detroit upbringing. She is sure to continue on this trend, being conscious of her self image, and being careful to be a positive role model to all. Her intentions seem pure, and her music career is just beginning to grow with the potential to be much greater. She is definitely worth listening to if you are a fan of the modern pop genre or someone interested in checking out an upcoming musician from the Detroit area. As of September 28th, she has released an even newer single, Only With You, that perfectly aligns with her witty and saucy pop genre. Check her out on Spotify, Itunes, or youtube where she has a VEVO music video for her single, Together. CYN has a bright future ahead of her with endless possibilities for positive development and growth of her loyal fan base. Music enthusiasts must be sure to keep an eye on her, especially in the next 5 years.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Billy Brandt The Star in Detroit

By Jesse Quandt Award winning Detroit artist, Billy Brandt, has the foundation of the folk-country genre mastered. Being possibly one of the only musicians in Southeast Michigan to delver such a unique style, Brandtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genuine sound and crisp instrument work brings his audience back to the roots of modern day country. While listening to his tuneful craft, Brandtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knowledge of music is extremely apparent from his eagerness to incorporate other genres into his current folky sound. For any individual interested in the folk-americana-blues genre, Billy Brandt is especially enjoyable and worth checking out.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Brandt began his career while on tour with rock band .38 Special, working as the band’s merchandiser. While traveling the country, he wrote music in a truck with his business partner, and performed at venues after the .38 Special’s shows. Upon his return to Detroit, he started Drum Dancer Records in 1993, where he helped launch a number of musicians careers such as his former protégée, Jill Jack. Finally, in 2009, Billy Brandt’s label began the series Live from Billy’s Basement, where Brandt would perform live for the camera along with other artist collaborations. Currently, Drum Dancer Records is working towards the recognition of British folk artists in the UK, attempting to spread the genre across the Atlantic, back into the United States. Collaboration with a number of other artists is not foreign to Brandt since he contributes his thematic style to a number of projects. Perhaps most notably is his time spent as the frontman of roots-rock band Grievous Angel, where he abetted to the band’s winning of Outstanding Acoustic Group and Outstanding Country Group awards by the Detroit Music Awards. In addition to his musical group success is his duo with award winning folk artist, Sarah VerLin. Together, VerLin and Brandt became well versed in the self-made “Celticana” genre, with vibrant vocals and accurate harmonies. Billy Brandt’s talent of singing and songwriting is evident in all of his work, be it his solo creations, Sarah VerLin duo, or his time as frontman of Grievous Angel. He is a classic Detroiter, with an obviously strong work ethic and rugged style. His rooted Americana-esque genre is so especial and fun, any fan of folk music will enjoy it.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

By Kristen Catalano Independent artists and songwriter, Angel Snow, recently released her first record with the music label NETTWERK titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Magneticâ&#x20AC;?. This album is filled with a new sound that Angel truly feels like is her own, her traditional americana sound but with a twist. She has added electronic beats to her music that really add to the stories that she is trying to tell the audience. Her unique voice immediately grabs your attention and makes you listen to what she is saying. Magnetic focuses on real world issues that most people face at some point in their lives. These issues range from heartbreak to addiction. She even brings up depression on some of her tracks.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

When Angel was a child growing up in Nashville her brother introduced her to Brian Eno, Aphex Twin and Trent Razor. As soon as little Angel heard the work of these great artists she knew that she wanted to create music with electronic beats that told a story. When she released her debut album “Angel Snow” in 2012 it received over six million streams on Spotify, surprising even Angel. After touring extensively she realized that she wanted to expand her style beyond what people expected of her and write music that represented her and her message. A few years later in 2014, she partnered with producer Lee Groves and began cutting tracks for Magnetic. She made regular trips to New York in order to make sure that every track was perfect. She wanted every song to tell a story and she succeeded. All the songs on this album from “Photographs” to “I Need You” uses a simple approach to discuss complicated issues. This is a great approach because a lot of the times when faced with issues like addiction or depression that may seem complicated people don’t know how to put their emotions into words because they are simply hurt or sad. Angel teased the release with the two singles, “I Need You” and “Secret” in 2016 and the release of another single “Photographs” in 2017. “Photographs” combines a snappy beat along and an acoustic guitar to tell the story of a failed relationship. After listening to this song you can literally feel every emotion that this girl experienced after her relationship failed. During the beginning of her professional career as a musician Angel refused to use sounds and lyrics that she felt were too personal out of fear that she would be judged or the public wouldn’t understand. For her latest album, Magnetic, she threw these fears out the door and brought everything she has ever felt to create a truly amazing and heartfelt piece of art. This is a good example for anyone who is not speaking out about the emotions that they are feeling out of fear of being judged, most people don’t have a monopoly on fear or sadness and many people are suffering form the same things. Speaking out and talking to someone is always a better option then holding it all in and letting tear your apart.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

“When people hear this album, I want them to feel understood and like somebody can empathize with them. I’d love to provide a little hope. I want us to be able to sit in the dark with each other and share our stories, what we’re passionate about, and who we were created to be. I want them to feel loved.” said Angel Snow. Angel has gone on to write songs for other artists including Alison Krauss’s 2011 album “Paper Airplane” that won three Grammy’s. Angel has a way of turning complex stories and ideas into simple lyrics that create a story you are literally able to visualize in your mind. Whether you have experienced some of the things that Angel sings about or you know someone who has you will walk away from this album with a new understanding and appreciation for not only Angel Snow as an artist but also human emotions in general. This album is not just a collection of songs it is a therapeutic experience that everyone can benefit everyone in some way. Angel will be on tour from September until November in both the United States and the United Kingdom so be sure to catch a show if she visits your town, you will not be disappointed!

By Kristen Catalano When Carrie Lane started off on her musical journey she never imagined that it would land her a modeling contract and a campaign with Target. Lane has certainly made her prescence know not just on the music scene but the scene in general in her short time in LA. Her first EP, “California Freak”, was released this past June and was met with rave reviews. Her sound is described as sultry and alluring, similar to Lana Del Ray.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

The Los Angeles based singer and model wants to appeal to the indie scene but has been stereotyped as a pop singer based on her Taylor Swift like appearance. Throughout her childhood Lane performed musical theatre and played Wendy in Peter Pan when she was just four years old. As she got older she realized that she wanted to start performing her own thoughts and feelings and began writing her own music at eighteen. The model states Amy Winehouse, Lana Del Ray and Carol King as some of her biggest influences but also listens to a lot of heavy metal bands where she draws a lot of her inspiration. Her first single, “If I Cant Be With You”, features deep, sexy lyrics accompanied by upbeat instrumentals and beats. These instrumentals/ beats highlight her unique voice and reminds me of a jazz singer. The lyrics are about wanting to be with your lover 24/7 which Lane said was a problem when she was younger. She has since learned from her past mistakes and wanted to tell her story in order to help other young girls realize that you don’t have to be with your significant other all day every day. This is a good message because most young girls become obsessed with whoever they are dating and lose a lot of their friends which is not healthy.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Lane’s diary-like EP is a melting pot of pop genres and real world issues. Some of the songs are more upbeat and happy while others are moodier and deal with serious topics. The topics that Lane tackles on this disc include love, heartbreak and life. She used a lot her her experiences while living in LA and the people she met along the way to write the four songs included on the EP. Through her music Lane hopes to inspire others to find their voice and speak up for what they believe in. The Target campaign that Lane is involved with, “#RealGirls”, attempts to bring body positivity to young girls in a world that judges people mainly on their looks. Lane has suffered from diabetes for almost fifteen years and uses her experiences with this disease as a way to fuel this campaign. Despite her best efforts to spread positivity and awareness she has received a lot of negative feedback from people saying that she is not “plus size” and doesn’t belong as a part of this campaign. This is unfair because everyone can feel insecure about their body whether you are a size zero or ten. Body shaming anyone is wrong, whether you believe them to be plus size or not, and that is what this campaign is about.

By Alaska Valentine Oh, Be Clever set out on a mission a decade ago, to become global superstars and be able to spread their passion around the world to all different types of people. Their single, “Love You Now”, that was released in 2016 brought them one step closer to their goal. This song is a bit faster then their other tracks includes soulful indie lyrics mixed with an electronic beat that accentuates the lead singers unique voice.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Brittney Shields and Cory Scott Layton joined forces to create “Oh, Be Clever” in 2007 but they did not have the most traditional meeting. They went to the same high school in Utah but were each in rival bands that were constantly trying to one up the other. After the tension between the two groups came to a head in a parking lot a fight ensued. During this altercation Shields and Layton realized that they were done with this childish feud and ran of together to create meaningful music. Their first single, “Next 2 U”, was released in 2014 and met with rave reviews. The group wrote this song when they were both going through very bad breakups and through every emotion they were feeling into this track. It is easy to hear the pain and heartache that these two artists were experiencing during this time in their life. “Next 2 U” not only served as a cathartic experience for the two, it also landed them a deal with the “Sony Record Label”. Following the release of their first single they released a few more singles including “My Religion”, “Lost You”, “Paint Me Gold” and “River”. All of their tracks tell a different story, including tales about love, loss, depression and even suicide. Their 2015 single, “I Will Carry You”, delivers a particularly strong message to anyone who is depressed or having suicidal thoughts. With this song the duo hoped to remind these individuals that are feeling hopeless that they are loved and important, that the world will not turn without them. This is an important message because sometimes something as simple as a song can change someones way of thinking. Oh, Be Clever planned to release their first EP in February of 2016 but instead released “Love You Now” in May. However they are still working on their EP that will include six songs packed with raw emotions and real-world issues. Although this group may have been having a slow start into the music industry they are not to be ignored and have endless possibilities if they continue to stay true to their sound and create music that touches peoples lives.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

By Kristen Catalano When Eric James met Mason Ingram in 2010 he knew that he had met his match and The Last Royals was born. Since then the two have since gone their own ways but still remain close friends and inspirations for one another. Eric James has continued to release music under the bands name “The Last Royals” with his most recent album “Never Be Alone” released in September 2016. James has also released a lyric video for the single “Promise You” this past August. James and Ingram first met while recording a record to benefit “Restore NYC”, a charity focused on ending sex-trafficking and restoring the well-being and independency of foreign-national survivors. The band first had an eight song release titled, “A Week and A Day”, that consisted of songs that James originally recorded in late-night laptop sessions. Ingram expanded on these songs by adding instrumentals and electronic beats that helped convey the emotions behind them. Their work was successful enough to land them a record deal with Ooh La La Records.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

The Last Royals released their first selftitled EP with Ooh La La Records in 2010. The song “Crystal Vases” from this EP was a radio success and was added to SiriusXM’s regular rotation where it was in the stations top eighteen countdown for five consecutive months. The guys then started working on their debut album titled “Twistification” which was released in 2013. This album is best described as pop mixed with rock and roll. Ingram on the drums adds a darker, serious essence to the album that helps the songs develop and fully tell their story.Their album gained them a lot of press attention and they played numerous shows in NYC. The Last Royals set out to create a record that not only entertained their fans but also told a story. As a result, this album was extremely personal and when they felt that the label wasn’t doing enough to promote it they took it personally. After many creative differences with the label James refused to finish the tour and was not allowed to release any new material for a year because of his contract with the label. Finally in 2014, The Last Royals gained freedom from the label and reconvened to work on some new stuff. They wrote an entire album before they both decided that they hated it and their sounds just did not blend well together anymore. James wanted to write an album that was as personal as possible and felt that the best way to do this was alone. You are more honest with yourself then anyone else, you know what you have went through better than anyone else so it makes sense that he needed to write this album on his own. James decided to keep the name The Last Royals and released “Never Be Alone” as a solo project. Before the album was released James released a series of singles including “Miles Away”, “Promise You”, “Tragedy” and “If You Wanna Say I Love Your Say I Love You”. This album has gone back to James’ original style and is a lot better then his earlier stuff. It has a combination of smoothindie pop and electronic techno that makes you visualize him writing the songs. The songs themselves are like diary entries, James could not have gotten any more personal with this album.

The glowing, vibrant instrumentals paired with dark, real-world lyrics takes a special musician to pull off as well as James did. After having three kids and losing his mother-in-law to suicide in just a few short years James life has been anything but easy which is why I think that writing from the heart comes so natural to him. When you lose someone close to you as a result of suicide you learn to talk about your emotions more and ask the hard questions. It is not hard to determine why he chose to title his album “Never Be Alone” because his songs make you realize that other people are feeling the same emotions as you and even though it may feel like it you aren’t alone.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

By David Hopkins What comes to your mind when you think of Thailand? You may think of beautiful sandy beaches, scuba diving in the Andaman Sea, parties, and Isaan music. You may even think of the popular noodle dish phad Thai or the rough, tough, violent sport of Muay Thai. What doesn’t enter your mind is that Thailand has a vibrant hip hop culture that’s been relevant since the early 1990s. Thailand has their fair share of deejays, b-boys and b-girls, graffiti artist and rappers, such as the boy, UrboyTJ. UrboyTJ knows what it takes to be a Thai hip hop/pop star. He jumped into the hip hop game early on, as a teen, being one-third of the group 3.2.1. At that time, he was known only as TJ. Gwyn and Poppy made up the other two-thirds of the group. 3.2.1. saw great success under the Kamakaze label. Their first hit “Shake it”, put them on the map.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Years later, 3.2.1. released the single, “Ruk Dtaung Bpert (Naaen Ohk)” featuring the popular Luk Thung artist Baitoey R Siam. The popularity of the song was matched only by the hand and chest thrusting dance that’s performed by the members of 3.2.1 throughout the video. The song “Ruk Dtaung Bpert (Naaen Ohk)” translating to “Love Must Be Open (Chest Pains), is a clue to why the artists are performing this funny and amusing dance move. Needless to say, this video and dance moves went viral in a matter of days. But after a long run with 3.2.1. TJ, in 2016, ventured off on his own into a solo career thus becoming UrboyTJ. As a solo artist he has yet to release an album. This doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy in the studio. He’s released a string of singles, that have become hits, starting with his first solo hit “Khaao Gaawn (Rebound).” Go to any hip hop event around Thailand and you’re likely to hear “Khaao Gaawn(Rebound).” Honestly, this is a smooth jam. It’s has that twostep type of feel to it. Even I tried to sing a little of the hook. With the success of his first hit he started making noise around the hip hop scene, announcing to folks, strongly, that he’s here to stay. Hip hop is not only about balling, the playboy lifestyle, living it up with beautiful girls and money, it’s also about expressing how you feel. UrboyTJ may rap about balling and living it up, but also raps about guys that may have low self-esteem and not confident in themselves, especially when talking to girls. In two of his songs, he raps: “Chun aht doo mai dee tur eng gor kong ja mai koey son jai (I may not look good; you wouldn’t be interested in me)” “Chun aht doo mai dee tao rai (I may not be very good)”

In the first song, the narrative is of him confessing his love for a girl that already has a boyfriend. Despite the fact that she has a boyfriend, he still tries to get her attention. In the second song, he refers to himself as a lonely boy that’s trying to get the girl, that he admires, to talk with him. UrboyTJ also summoned some giants in Thai hip hop for features in a couple of his singles. Not only did he rap alongside two members of Thaitanium, arguably the most well-known hip hop group in Thailand, he also grabbed assistance from Twopee, from the group Southside, another juggernaut in Thai hip hop. Urboy TJ has carved a lane out for him for his solo vehicle to ride on. Even though he has seen a ton of success in the early years of his career with the group 3.2.1. He’s still continuing his wave of hits to this day.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

By David Hopkins There are times in life when the sound of a voice can literally lullaby your worries away, putting you at ease. Careening through the airways is a voice, reaching cars stuck in traffic, people jammed inside train cars and people walking down the footpaths of Bangkok. That folksy, emotional voice is that of Kanchanapat Vuttara, nicknamed Pie, the vocalist and guitarist of My Life as Ali Thomas, a.k.a. MLAAT. Bangkok is a city with a plethora of live bands filling the pubs along the many sois (streets). Whether you long for a cover of the Eagles, Linkin Park or Thai classics, you’ll find a band that suites your musical needs. There are of course bands that write and compose their own music from the ground up. MLAAT wasn’t always a trio. The origins of My Life as Ali Thomas begin with Pie as she began playing guitar and singing in the sanctuary of her bedroom. Within the walls of bedroom came the birth of Ali Thomas. Later Pie was introduced to Rag, the second member of MLAAT, at the now closed Cosmic Café.

Night after night playing together at the Cosmic Café, Pie and Rag scored a deal with Tigger Twins record label. During the time with Tigger Twins, Oaks was added on bass and J joined as the drums. Under the Tigger Twins label, MLAAT put out the album Live 001, with the band, Young Man and the Sea. Live 001 including two songs that would later be featured on their first album. MLAAT later left Tigger Twins to sign with Warner Music Thailand. During this period, J left and there was a new addition to the MLAAT family, Taw, their new drummer. MLAAT then released their first album, “Paper.” MLAAT sets themselves apart from the rest by recording their songs in English. There is absolutely no need to learn the Thai language to understand their music.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

The songs on the album is a mixture of feelings conveyed through Pie’s voice. Pie seems to be inviting us to take a ride on her emotional roller coaster through other her side. The band’s name itself actually reads “My life as another twin,” noting that in Greek, Ali Thomas means “another twin.” The album winds through feelings, with lyrics about love that has since past and other emotions. Songs meander through slow rhythms to hypnotic to bouncy and upbeat, which isn’t a bad thing. The cathartic lyrics are expressed through Pie’s “twin” Ali Thomas. Her voice swoons out from under the guitar and the drums, sometimes barely audible, hovering above a breathy whisper. Elements of folk mixes with ambience sounds and alternative rock to create the sounds of MLAAT.

My Life as Ali Thomas has been active around Asia, with playing two times in Taiwan once at the Taichung International Cuisines Festival in 2016 and also returning a year later with a chance to play at the Golden Melody Awards & Festival 2017. MLAAT’s song “Only Reason” was also included in the soundtrack for “Our Love” the movie. MLAAT talents extends beyond their music. Pie is making a leap into acting. She’ll be appearing in the upcoming film, Die Tomorrow Die Tomorrow, directed by Nawaphumrong Ratanrit. Ratanrit has been making a name for himself by writing screenplays and directing award-winning independent films. The question is: Who is Ali Thomas? You’ll have to listen to their music to get the true persona of this semi-fictional character. My Life as Ali Thomas has found a successful way to empty the over-running soul of emotions through a vessel. MLAAT’s music feels like a Saturday afternoon in a café, bookstore or any place that soothes the mind and soul.

College Student Wows Pharrell By Kristen Catalano

When people thing of the music scene a couple of different cities may to mind including New York, Los Angeles and Nashville! The last one is exactly where a unique group of men were able to come together to create some pretty incredible music. Judah and the Lion are an American alternative band from Nashville, Tennessee that formed in 2011. The band is known for their relatable lyrics paired with hard-hitting, unique beats. Their latest release is the deluxe edition of “Folk Hop n’ Roll” which was released this past March. The band consists of six members including Judah Akers on the guitar and lead vocals, Brian Macdonald on the mandolin and backing vocals, Nate Zuercher on the banjo and backing vocals, Spencer Cross on the drums, Dylan Oglesby on the rhythm guitar, accordion and backing vocals and finally Daniel Weatherby on the piano.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

This unique group started with playing mostly Christian music, their debut EP “First Fruits” is themed around worship. The band blends a mix of folk and bluegrass styles to achieve their unique sound. Their debut studio album that they released in 2014, “Kids These Days”, was very well received and entered several Billboard charts. The album placed number two on the Bluegrass Albums Chart, number nine on the Heatseekers Albums Chart and number fifteen on the Folk Albums Chart. Their track from the album “Kickin’ da Leaves” accumulated more than 100,000 streams and made Spotify’s Viral Fifty Chart! The bands second album, “Folk Hop n’ Roll” was released in March of 2016 and reached number two on the Billboard Heatseekers Album Chart, number seven on the Billboard Americana/Folk Albums Chart and number seventeen on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart. On their newest release, the deluxe edition of “Folk Hop n’ Roll”, they included four new tracks and a special string quartet arrangement of “Take It All Back”. On their album the band creates a sound that is entirely theirs with a mix of earthy, roots music and a touch of hip hop, you for sure have never heard anything like it.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

The guys are no strangers to touring, they have toured nationally over the past few years. The appeared with Twenty One Pilots on their “Emotional Roadshow Tour” from January to March 2017. After they wrapped up with Twenty One Pilots they began a headline tour in the United States. They credit their popularity and success to their extensive touring and hard work. The band prides themselves on establishing themselves without help from a big-budget major label. During an interview with Teen Vogue the band said “We wanted to create an environment where people can come and let go and be themselves. People are really conscious of their reputation, but they should be able to leave that at the door and come in and have a good time. We don’t want to take ourselves too seriously, and at the end of the day it’s a group of guys having fun together.” when asked about their performances. The band is still currently on tour through next April, be sure to check out all of their show dates and venues on their website, judahandthelion.com, in order to snag some tickets! Judah and the Lion have only been around for less than a decade but they have made quite a roar in the music scene.

Maggie Rogers College Student Wows Pharrell By Kristen Catalano

Nowadays Maggie Rogers is known as an American musician, singer, songwriter and producer from Easton, Maryland. But Maggie Rogers rose to fame a year ago after her song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alaskaâ&#x20AC;? was played for Pharrell Williams during a master class at New York University. Even though this was the first time that Rogers received this type of national attention she has been working hard on her music, practicing and honing her skills, since she was a kid. When she was just eight years old she learned how to play the harp and by middle school she was playing piano, guitar and writing her own songs. Once in high school, she fell in love with banjo and folk music. The summer before her senior years she attended a music program at Berklee College of Music where she won the programs songwriting contest.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Attending this program and winning the contest only fueled the fire inside Rogers to create and during her senior year of high school she turned a broom closet into a studio. It was in this makeshift studio that she recorded what became her first album, “The Echo” in 2012. Rogers used this demos in her application to New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. She was accepted into the school and during her sophomore year she released another folk album titled “Blood Ballet” (2014). This album was very deep and personal and forces the listeners to dig deep into their own emotions. While studying abroad Rogers discovered a new genre of music, electronic. She instantly fell in love with the sound and her music began evolving.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

While writing “Alaska”, the track that went viral because of its ability to leave Pharrell Williams speechless, she was able to unite all of the different sounds. This song was written in just fifteen minutes and is about a hiking trip that Rogers took. The viral video of Pharrell Williams reaction to her song also caused her other albums, “The Echo” and “Blood Ballet”, to be streamed hundreds of thousands of times in just a few weeks. In addition to “Alaska”, she also released two other singles, “Dog Years” and “On and Off ” which are included in her debut majorlabel EP. Her EP, “Now That the Light Is Fading”, was released in February 2017 and was rated five starts on iTunes.

Roger’s latest release was this past September when she released the single “Split Stones”. Once again this song was well received by the public and has a five start rating on iTunes. This song is a great pop song that draws inspiration from nature and will have you out of your seat dancing in no time. Rogers wrote on her website that she wrote this song in college but never officially released it until now. On her Instagram Rogers referred to this song as a “parting gift” as she is planning on taking some time off from touring to focus on writing and creating new music. In the handwritten note on her Instagram Rogers wrote, “My EP told you everything I felt during my last semester of college. It’s time for me to tell you the story of everything that’s happened since.” Who knows what this versatile musician will come out with next but with Pharrell as cosigner then there is no doubt it will be fantastic.

Equipment Corner Ditching the Traditional Pedal Board By Karen Bella

As a professional guitarist with many professional guitarist friends, I am genuinely amazed by the amount of work many of my colleagues put into their effects pedal configuration. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not uncommon, especially among the older classic rock guys, to see 20 or more delays, choruses, reverbs, compressors, octave boxes, harmonizers and other assorted effect pedals in different sequences, all elaborately patched and powered according to the individual artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liking. While multiprocessors have been on the market for almost 2 decades, many old school guitar players still opt for the individual pedals and unique boards that house them. Many of the boards and cases being home made.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

I have been a big fan of Line6 multiprocessors for about ten years now and am on my third generation with the Pod HD500X. The unit features extraordinary depth, character and versatility. The Pod HD series comes with a collection of HD amps and guitar effects that deliver the breathtakingly detailed tones. I can create soundscapes and textures that open up a window of possibilities when laying down tracks on original tunes. As a session player, you really want to carve out some unique sounds that are distinctly yours. The goal is to create a sound that producers can identify quickly and know it’s right for a particular production. I get a many calls from producers who want the sound they heard on a specific track and they know I can come in and duplicate that sound quickly without much time and hassle. With studio time being as expensive as it is, you can see how that might be attractive to producers.. Of course the HD500X comes packed with hundreds of sounds that can dial up your favorite guitarists sound with a single click. For live performance this is especially helpful if you play in a cover band that performs a wide variety of music. One thing that turns some players off to multi-effects units is the learning curve and time it takes to program all the sounds you might use in a live performance situation to predictable volume levels. Also the amplifier modeling could conflict with the natural characteristics of some classic tube amps that many players love. The HD500X comes complete with the usual assortment of spring reverbs, distortion, fuzz, octaves, EQ, chorus, compression, and so on, but there’s also some cool unique effects like the Voice Box, Reverse Delay, Synth-O-Matic, Obi Wah, and U-Vibe. I often use up to eight effects simultaneously.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

I mostly gig with a Blackstar 100 watt tube amplifier through a 4x12 speaker cabinet, which provides lots of good clean power but can lack the character found in some vintage combo amps and that’s where the amp modeling in the HD500X coms in handy. The ability to dial a Supro, Bogner, Fender Blackface Deluxe Reverb or Hiwatt Custom 100 in an instant allows me to access a wider palette. For me the convenience of having multiple signal chains available at the push of a button and one simple unit to maintain is well worth investing the time it takes to really get the most out of the unit for both live and studio applications.

Unwavering Rock Venue of Nashville By Karen Bella

New Nashville. This is a household phrase in the midst of Music City’s newfound and intensive growth. Luxury condos appear out of thin air, entire blocks are transformed overnight, and thousands of people flood the metropolitan area from all over the nation. The city’s recent boom leads many to reminisce lovingly of a different time, a different city, even five years ago. They scour their memories of less traffic and less construction cranes crowding the streets as if decades had passed since their arrival in Nashville. Indeed, the shifts in atmosphere are prominent, but the spirit of the city is in full force as a hub of American culture and dreams. Neon lights and honky tonks, of course, remain, lighting up lower Broadway well into the early morning hours, but turn an ear away from the sound of telecaster virtuosos and brand new cowboy boots clapping against the pavement and you will find another street untouched by the curse of being America’s newest hotspot. NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

The Elliston Place ‘Rock Block’, home to tattoo parlors, clothing chops, and even a soda shop that has been in business since 1939. Sure, there are new condos towering over the block, but the dive bars and venues remain, including the infamous music club Exit/In, opened in 1971. Exit/In was rock n roll’s answer to the stereotypical country label Nashville received over the years since the inception of The Grand Ole Opry, and in true rock fashion shook the foundation of what a music venue in Nashville can accomplish. Hosting today’s music legends while still in their prime and its fair share of mythological stories and antics, Exit/In became the headquarters of counter culture in Music City, a title well deserved to this day. Jimmy Buffet was the first artist to play there before his success. The Red Hot Chili Peppers had Thanksgiving dinner there well before they were selling out arenas. Steve Martin took an audience out for burgers in the middle of his set while performing there. The list of artists goes on infinitely. Today Exit/In has changed very little, a renovation here or there, a new coat on their signature black painted walls, but certainly no demolishment at the hand of condo developers. Exit/ In evolves with Nashville, in fact, playing a firm role in the evolution of the musical culture in the city to this day, all the while staying true to what cemented its place on Elliston. The millennial need for craft brews and multi genre bending bands on any given night is met at Exit/In, the monoculture shines bright against its blackened walls. Hell, you may even catch a country show there. As for the next hair pin turns our fast paced society will map out? Time will tell, New Nashville may be in full swing, but it will have to change to suit the needs of Exit/In and the rock block, rather than vice versa.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

By Kristen Catalano Having only been on the music scene for a short amount of time it was a surprise to everyone, including himself, when Shane Guerrette surpassed 70,000 Youtube subscribers this past September. The singer, songwriter and guitarist released his first single this past April, “Wound Up”, which was meet with high praise. The music video for his single has reached almost 20,000 views. This single was produced and recorded in his bedroom but you wouldn’t even know it. There is nothing that a studio would add to this album, the instrumentals and vocals can be clearly heard. The instrumentals have an advanced, old school feel but they do not overpower the vocals. Guerrette’s vocals in this song remind me of a cross between Ed Sheeran and Adele, they are packed with emotions. Guerrette’s connection to his music can be heard and felt after listening to “Wound Up”. I suggest listening to the song a few times because each time you will hear something new or get a different experience, his voice is not one that becomes annoying.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Growing up in a family filled with music Shane Guerrette always knew that he wanted to pursue music professionally. Guerrette’s mom is a singer, his brother drums and his sister sings, plays piano and guitar. He has stated his brother and sister as his strongest musical influences because he grew up listening to them play. Guerrette is from Latham, NY. Guerrette also regularly uploads covers to his Youtube channel, these covers have brought him a lot of media and celebrity attention. Some of his more popular covers such as “Yellow” by Coldplay and “Riptide” by Vance Joy has been viewed over 100,000 times! Even though these are other artists songs Guerrette puts his own personal twist and style on each one. One of my favorite covers from his channel is “Team” by Lorde. When covering this song he uses just a guitar and his voice which makes your really listen to the lyrics. Some of the lyrics get lost in the original version of “Team” because of all the added sound effects and instrumentals. His vocal range and chord style is insane for someone so young and as soon as you hear his voice once you will remember it for the rest of your life.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

His covers range from Harry Styles to The 1975 to Coldplay. It is rare to find a twenty year old artist that doesn’t create pop or hip hop music. His uniqueness will take him far in the music industry because he stands out. His music is influenced by blue and rock, two of the more emotional/personal genres of music. Guerrette has an appreciation for all music genres, this is important in the music industry because the only way that an artist can stay relevant on the music scene is to adapt and grow. Many artists fail to do that and that is why they are “one hit wonders” or fade out after a year or two. With Guerrette’s talent and his open mind I don’t think that he will have a problem making a career out of his passion and taking the world by storm. With his masterful talent and skillful execution Guerrette is not one that you want to miss, he has the possibility of being musics next big thing!

T o m p e tt y

October 20, 1950 - October 2, 2017 “Last dance with Mary Jane/ One more time to kill the pain.” by Karen Bella

This is perhaps one of the best-known lines from a 90’s song by one of our most loved American rock stars. These lyrics seem even more poignant with the recent passing of Tom Petty, a singer/ songwriter who not only created emotional, oneof-a-kind music, but also thought-provoking, oneof-a-kind videos that became instant fan favorites. If you’re old enough to remember the MTV days of the mid-90’s, you can’t help but recall how frequently ‘Mary Jane’s Last Dance’ aired. I remember seeing this video as a young girl in elementary school, and can still feel the haunting sense of tragedy and mesmerizing questions it raised: A deceased ‘sleeping beauty’ is kidnapped and serenaded by a forensic pathologist? He takes her home, dresses her up, applies make-up on her, makes dinner and dances with her? Who exactly is this guy? And more-so, how awesome is this song? MJLD is a song that was equally enchantingly groovy and eerily bittersweet, and the video captured and illuminated that perfectly. That catchy guitar riff pieced together with some classic harmonica playing backed by a strong drum beat made the song move. The icing on the cake was Petty’s Bob Dylan-esque voice, turning a brilliant song by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers into a work of art. Throughout Petty’s career, he released music that was clearly influenced by other great bands and artists, however no one sounded quite him. Petty brought a vibe that was laid back, but at the same time, filled with an energetic rhythm; a vibe that brought a feel of 90’s California, if one was able to define an entire culture with a particular sound.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Many of Petty’s songs became instant classics such as “Free Falling”, “American Girl”, and “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”. Petty has stated that he was always “consumed” by his music and felt personally committed to artistic freedom and control, a major factor in why his musical style remained so unique. Having made such a major imprint on the music scene for the past four decades, his passing seemed to come as a massive and incomprehensible shock to music fans, and for a while, chaos reigned as the news burned like wildfire and social media went crazy. First reports were that Petty had died. Then came news that he was still alive but on life support. Then he had died again, and then again was alive. No one knew what to believe, and many awaited legitimate information to clarify rumors of his death….

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Finally, the information straightened out and the sad news was delivered: Petty had suffered a full cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu early Monday morning, October 2nd 2017, and had been rushed to the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, California. There, several hours later, he passed away at the age of 66 - just a few weeks before his 67th birthday. It was reported that he was surrounded by his family and bandmates. Born in Gainesville, Florida on October 20th, 1950, Petty was drawn to musicians such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles when he was a child to emotionally escape an abusive father. Playing the guitar became his sanctuary and shortly after dropping out of high school at 17, he worked his way up to becoming a songwriter and front man in a local band. In ’74, he put together his first band, Mudcrutch. After a marriage, the birth of his two daughters and a move to Los Angeles, Shelter Records signed Mudcrutch, who broke up shortly afterwards. It wasn’t long before Petty resurfaced with a new band, and “Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers” was born. After their self-titled first album struggled and Shelter was bought out by MCA, the band signed with Backstreet Records, where their second album, “Damn the Torpedoes” sky-rocketed. Finding themselves sudden superstars, the band continued their success collaborating with artists such as Stevie Nicks, touring with Bob Dylan, and releasing hit after hit.

Spending frequent time with Dylan resulted in Petty’s teaming up with him, along with George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne to form “The Traveling Wilburys”, who released a triple-platinum album in 1988 and won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance. Petty’s deep loyalty to the two bands resulted in not only a solo album with joint efforts by both, but continued collaboration between the bands over the years. In 1993, Tom Petty and The Heart Breakers released their Greatest Hits album which included “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”. The album stayed on the charts for six years; an achievement rarely accomplished by recording artists before then and since. Petty and his wife of 22 years, divorced in 1996, and the turmoil resulted in his developing a heroin addiction. Eventually, Petty got his life back on track and continued to release more albums and tour the world with The Heart Breakers. His continued achievements included being inducted into The Rock in Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 with The Heart Breakers and performed at the 2008 Super Bowl XLII Halftime show. He also successfully managed to bring the band that started his career, Mudcrutch, back together again. Tom Petty’s legacy will live in his music. His memory will be forever engraved in the hearts of all those he touched with his music and those musicians for whom his career achievements will serve as inspiration. Rest Peacefully, Mr. Petty. And know that you are missed.

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Releases debut album, begins US tour

By Olivia Perreault Canadian pop-punk band Coldfront just dropped their debut record, Float Around, and have returned to the US to tour through November. Float Around features singles “Float Around” and “So Typical,” released through Equal Vision Records. Bandmates Michael Kelly, Chris Casarin, Tom Stewart, Jared Cipak and Paul Szachlewicz explained that the record took inspiration from their experience of being a band for the past three years. Since their formation, they’ve released three EPs, performed their first show at Warped Tour’s Toronto date, as well as performing alongside artists like Silverstein and Counterparts at KOI Fest. Although their older music was more hardcore influenced, Casarin said the band focused on different melodies and chords for this album, taking a more pop-driven route. Their music still has an edge, but not quite the screaming listeners would recognize on previous EPs, he explained. Additionally, this album is mainly revolved around break-ups and both the good and bad feelings afterward, Kelly said. Coldfront is supporting Ghost Key on their tour through October 22 and will open for Hot Mulligan from November 3 to November 26. Kelly said that thus far on tour, although the shows don’t bring in hundreds of people, there are still fans who know them. “We’ve been seeing people at every single show so far who know the words to the songs,” Kelly said. “Specifically the new songs, which is really cool to see because that means people are listening to the new singles and those are new fans that we didn’t have in the past.”

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

The group hasn’t toured much in the US, so they’re starting to build a fanbase here. They’re headed out west for the first time to states like California and Arizona, but it will be there second visit to places in the midwest, including Texas. Although right now, they might have a stronger presence in their home country, Kelly hopes they will see a change after this tour. Coldfront hasn’t been in the states for long, however, this isn’t their first tour; the members have been touring throughout the past five years between this band and previous bands, yet Kelly is excited that they are taking a “level up of sorts.” They’re getting the opportunity to see new places, meet new fans and are excited for this leap. Right now, Coldfront is focused on their tour and making it the best it could possibly be. Early next year, they are going to move back into writing mode and put together some new singles, but for now, want to focus on promoting Float Around. One day, they’d like to play on Warped Tour - but rather than just one date, they want to play the entire tour. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” Casarin said. “We’re all chill guys. We’re not there thinking that we’re better than anybody - we’re just like everybody else. We just want to hang out, play some catchy music and have fun.” Catch Coldfront on tour with Ghost Key or Hot Mulligan. To find tickets visit Equal Vision Records and for more information, music and more, visit Coldfront’s Facebook page.

Takes a step forward musically, creatively

By Olivia Perreault Yoke Lore, the solo project of Adrian Galvin, is on a mission to create art that people can connect with, while also providing something fresh to the music scene. Galvin, a New York native, stopped by The Sinclair in Cambridge, Massachusetts this past Tuesday, opening for Aquilo. He took the stage with “Beige,” a dreamy, soft track off his latest EP, Goodpain. Throughout his set, he rocked on the banjo, filling the room with a mellow vibe and captivating vocals. He continued with “Safety,” off of his 2016 EP, Far Shore, along with the single “Only You,” which he preceded with a little background information. Although there are a lot of love songs named “Only You,” Galvin told the crowd that this isn’t one of them; the song is about picking yourself up once you’re in a bad place in order to succeed and get better. He even quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

The set was very eclectic - offering a variety of sounds, which Galvin explained in an interview before the show. He said he writes pop music, but can definitely see an indie vibe in his work since he plays folk instruments. If he went through the history of music that he’s drawn to and was raised on, he said his unique sound would make sense. “I wanted too many things,” he said. “I want the honesty and the grit of folk music with the catch of pop music, but with the heavy hitting quality of hip hop - with the real human quality of country music.” While Far Shore revolved around relationships - both ending and starting - Goodpain is more about Galvin and the world. He said the EP is a lot about his relationship to his listeners, writing and the music itself. Additionally, Good Pain is more electronic and very vocal heavy, Galvin explained. “I think because there’s more of me in [the EP], I think my experience of it is different,” Galvin said. “This is way more personal, way more fragile for me. I think when I play it, it’s a lot more rewarding.”

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM

Galvin, formerly of Walk the Moon and another solo project, Yellerkin, decided to try something different with Yoke Lore. As an artist, he believes it’s important to allow change and growth to occur. He explained that he knows what it’s like to work in a room with certain people, but was interested in finding out what would happen when he made something by himself. However, he said there are times where he will want and need to work with other creative individuals, since “the times you learn the most about yourself is through a relationship with others.” “I’m trying to articulate things that nobody says but I’m trying to say them in a way that everyone can understand,” Galvin said. “Art needs to be useful so it could be important. I need to offer something in my songs and I want people to gain some nugget of insight or knowledge so they can use it their own minds and have better, easier lives.” Currently, Galvin is on tour and has new music he is getting ready to release, along with some remixes and a Spotify session. Instead of focusing on a full-length album, he wants to put out music consistently and steadily progress on his road to success. Yoke Lore is touring through October. For tickets, music and more visit YokeLore.com.

100

NEWSOUNDMAGAZINE.COM