Sound, Phrase & Fury 6.2

MAR/APR 2018

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MAR/APR 2018

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Janet Adamana

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ally Sigurdson PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR Steff Shields

SOUND, PHRASE & FURY is a Canadian music magazine out to promote musicians not usually covered in mainstream media.

All music, photos and articles used are for the purpose of spreading the knowledge of these artists and their music. We always encourage readers to support every act by purchasing releases, merchandise and attending live shows.

The Pulse Just Grows Note From The Editor

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Local Legends

Price & Takis talk success and honest storytelling

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Sounds of Saviours Industry profile on Music Heals

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(Power)Pop Psychology housepanther & their debut album Club Soda Blues.

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Artists To Watch Our artist picks for March & April

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The Most Talented Town In America Sights & Sounds on Shoreline, WA

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Pounding the Pavement Okay Mann gives it his all

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info@soundphrasefury.com @soundphrasefury facebook.com/soundphrasefury soundphrasefury.com

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+ EDITOR’S NOTE

THE PULSE JUST GROWS

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We’ve been able to develop, explore and ultimately continue towards being the best version of SOUND, PHRASE & FURY possible.

The words “insanely busy” would be an immense understatement here at the SPF camp. Our family is growing with more and more talent every issue, as our scope as a magazine and website have also been steadily expanding.

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we’ve gotten to meet, and the artists, writers, and dreamers that lend their talents to every issue, we’ve been able to develop, explore and ultimately continue towards being the best version of SOUND, PHRASE & FURY possible.

Thank you for the opportunity to continue From new collaborations to more elaborate doing what we love to do and supporting and interactive content, we have a slew of us through our growth and constant exciting things in the works for 2018 – many experimentation! of which we never dreamed we’d have the opportunity to do.

We’re just a bunch of kids with hearts full of passion and heads full of dreams, and we are When we started this more than five years forever grateful that we get to share that with ago, we just wanted a little outlet for our all the people whose stories lie within our creativity. Because of the fantastic musicians, pages and all those that read them.

And let our hearts beat Janet Adamana Editor-In-Chief

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LOCAL LEGEN

Winnipeg’s own PRICE & TAKIS have humble beginnings, but their rise to the top has been an intense and incredible ride.

From running his own online T-shirt business at age 16 in his parents' home to playing international concerts and having millions of streams online, Peter Takis is no stranger to hard work. We caught up with Takis to talk about the importance of passion and honesty. PRICE & TAKIS are living proof that anything is possible for those who have heart.

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Q&A Q&A +

STORY BY ALLY SIGURDSON

AS: How did Price & Takis start?

PT: I've been DJing since I was 17, and putting out songs since 18 or 19. Being a local club DJ was fun but I knew I needed songs to connect with markets around the world to be able to tour and build a fan base outside of Canada. About two years ago, my barber knew I was falling back from the club scene and that I wanted to focus on releasing dance music.

He knew [Mike] Price from high-school, connected us and we decided to try to make a single together.

Honestly, I expected nothing more than a song.

That record sounded great, so, we decided to keep working together and release a remix. That eventually became our "Never Forget You" remix, which, by today has probably been streamed 200 Million+ times. That remix went further than we could ever imagine. It led us to our management, our agents, our first out-of-country shows and some record labels. At that point Price & Takis was our full focus.

AS: What motivates you?

PT: The first year we started all we wanted was for a hundred people to listen, it always felt so hard to break out of the local scene and have fans in other countries. After we accomplished that, 2017's motivation shifted and we wanted to have the opportunity to travel and tour off our music. Today, we have a solid base and have played shows all over so our motivation shifted to make impactful songs. We're experimenting this year, like wildly experimenting. We're writing every lyric in-house, drawing from deeply personal stories – super emotional records. So, 2018 is about taking risks musically and being more honest; not chasing radio or "hits" at all.

AS: What’s the biggest show you’ve ever played?

PT: Our biggest shows are usually when we play at Marquee in Vegas. We love playing out there, but we've had amazing moments in Montreal, New York, Houston, etc. On February 24th we're playing AS: What do you want people to take away from mainstage EDC Mexico, so that one will be super your music? special.

PT: Our new music is very personal. It's very honest.

I hope people start to feel like they can connect with AS: What’s next for you in the world of music? our stories more personally. Our past songs streamed PT: Friday, April 6th we release the first single well but I don't think people really understood our off of our upcoming album. It's by far our most story and that sucks as an artist. The new music this experimental song, and it is much darker than our spring will change all that. Lyrically, it's as honest as past records. I'm excited for April in general. 50% we could be. chance the world goes crazy and loves it. 50% chance it's too weird and they hate it. But it's an AS: Who are your greatest influences? honest and creative song so we're proud and ready PT: I'm a huge fan of the vibe San Holo, Ekali and for the world to finally hear it.

Illenium create. Hip-hop wise, Kid Cudi is my all time favorite. Kendrick Lamar, Kanye, Jay-Z, of course. Stay up-to-date with Price & Takis through Facebook.

When it comes to innovating in pop music, I'm a com/PriceAndTakis, and through twitter and massive fan of Major Lazer. instagram @priceandtakis.

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SOU NDS OF SAVIOURS

March is Music Therapy Awareness Month, so we spoke with Music Heals, a Canadian non-profit organization raising funds for numerous music therapy programs across the country.

Executive Director, Chris Brandt, takes us through the life-changing benefits of music therapy and how music fans and artists can work together to help provide much-needed programming across Canada.

STORY & PHOTO BY JANET ADAMANA 8

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INDUSTRY +

A child sits nervously underneath a tiny wooden desk.

Everything around him, from the bright fluorescent lights to the other children’s laughter, terrifies and stirs his nerves. A senior lies dazed in a fog, unable to recall her own name or recognize her reflection. She knows something, feels something that is just too far beyond her grasp.

For the past five years, Vancouver non-profit, Music Heals, has been raising funds for music therapy programs across the country. Since its start, the organization has given away $1.1 million to programs across Canada. These programs help a wide array of clients from at-risk youth, those in palliative care and burn units, to those living with Products of their experiences combined with the dementia, mental health issues and various levels unfairness that is life agonized and frustrated; of the autism spectrum. unable to comprehend or communicate with the world outside.

There is an instinctual connection that people have with music that helps build the foundation of And then they hear it. music therapy and makes it a successful method against numerous emotional, social and physical A familiar melody. It becomes a soothing sound, barriers. “There’s no music part of the brain,” says a call full of comfort that beckons them from their Music Heals Executive Director, Chris Brandt. “Music imprisoned minds. The woman gets a flash of her is everywhere, so if someone damages their brain youth, dancing and laughing. The child slowly with a concussion or stroke, music can be used to moves from beneath his fortress, as he sings softly rewire the brain because it is everywhere.” along to his favourite song.

Brandt has seen a plethora of success stories from These are just some of the valuable ways music youth with social anxiety learning to integrate into a therapy can be used to heal. crowd of their peers, to a young man who found the motivation to work through his physical ailments . . . by learning to play the drums.

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+ INDUSTRY

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It’s a one-to-one connection, of finding that music that connects with them, that works with them, that motivates them.

Music therapy lends much of its success to its accredited therapists and the time they take to tailor their sessions to clients’ needs and passions.

“It’s a one-to-one connection, of finding that music that connects with them, that works with them, that motivates them,” says Brandt, “to help them go through rehab, or distract them from the pain, or to get them to want to play along.”

Music therapy sessions run all across Canada, but there are very few funding resources, with no coverage available through Canadian healthcare.

Although each program varies depending on the specific needs of its clients, group sizes and level of experience of its music therapists, it takes about $15,000 to fund one day of programming a week for one year.

Music Heals grants about $15,000 to every program it funds to gift an additional day of therapy. “If a program has a music therapist one or two days a week, we can add another day, and they can see, on average, about 400 more clients,” says Brandt, “Whether that’s in groups or individuals, that’s an extra 400 client hours added.”

The organization runs numerous fundraising events and programs throughout the year including its annual Strike A Chord gala which takes place in Vancouver and features big Canadian acts including Sam Roberts, The Sheepdogs, Big Sugar and Serena Ryder.

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Music Heals also blends fans’ love for music and artists’ love for performing with Covers for The Cause. The online platform connects artists from all over with fans who want to hear their favourite bands cover specific songs. Fans receive cover videos in exchange for donations to Music Heals.

Covers for The Cause runs all-year-round, with the benefits of fans getting a personalized video while the artist gets new content to share.

Although Music Heals is based in British Columbia, it works closely with cities across Canada, with all money collected going towards programs in the province the funds were raised in. The organization's reach has also recently expanded overseas, with a partnership with Chiltern Music Therapy in the UK introducing the iPod Pharmacy where patrons can donate old iPods to music therapists in England.

With so much growth on the horizon, their biggest goal in 2018 is to raise enough money to be able to gift every dollar that’s been applied for in British Columbia, and continue to expand throughout the country.

Learn more at MusicHeals.ca, Facebook.com/ MusicHealsCanada and through twitter and instagram @musicheals_ca. Learn how you can help at Musicheals.ca/How-To-Help and CoversforTheCause.com.

SPF 6.2 ARTISTS PLAYLIST Snag a listen to the artists featured in Sound, Phrase & Fury 6.2 on Spotify.

SoundPhraseFury • SPF 6.2 Artists

SOUNDPHRASEFURY.COM

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(POWER)POP PSYCHOLOGY Indie-pop group, housepanther’s Bailee Woods talks mental health as inspiration, songwriting as therapy and their upcoming album, Club Soda Blues STORY & PHOTOS BY GRAEME HOUSSIN 12

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In the emoji plushie and knickknack-adorned apartment of Bailee Woods, her black cat CJ is never out of sight. CJ bounds from the couch to the windowsill in seconds flat before spinning herself around in Woods’ office chair with sheer momentum.

Woods is a perfect mirror for CJ. The creator and figurehead of Winnipeg-based power-pop band housepanther is a ball of energy, even when fighting off the flu. “I know that sometimes I can be a lot to handle for certain people, and I feel like people can kind of relate,” says Woods. “Or, they’re like, ‘whoa!

You’re a lot.’” housepanther, named in honour of CJ, records and performs with a rotating troupe of collaborators including Jeremy Smith of JayWood, Cory Sulyma of Two Crows for Comfort, Nick Mann, Ben Mak and Connor Yarish. “I wanted housepanther to be a collaborative thing so people could add their own creative touch to it,” says Woods.

Q&A Q&A +

Woods describes her music as 'power-pop for the anxious peeps.' Drawing inspiration from the grunge rock bands of her childhood and the 'surf-y garage rock' she fell in love with while in university, Woods says songwriting is her way of dealing with her own mental health issues. “It’s like, ‘okay, I’m feeling sad or pissed, I’m just going to sit down and write something out of it.’”

After months in the making, housepanther’s debut album Club Soda Blues is set for release on March 23. The 12-track album will feature all three singles alongside new works and songs only previously performed live.

“Pink Stucco Houses,” about the passing of a close family friend, and “Morning,” about a crazy, long breakup, are both songs deemed standouts by Woods with “Morning” typically being the closer in her live sets. “It feels like I’m reading something out of my diary,” says Woods. “That’s the song that’s most emotional on the album, the closest one to Woods has previously played in bands including me I guess.”

Spacebutt and Electric Sweater Pouch before performing her first solo show as housepanther Club Soda Blues’ release will be shared with R U S in September 2017. Since then, housepanther T O W L, another Winnipeg-based band releasing has released three singles: “Rinse, Repeat,” “Train their debut self-titled EP, in a collaborative doubleStation Floors” and “Can’t Believe They Killed Off release show called Rustcat Bonfire at X-Cues Cafe Marissa Cooper.” & Lounge. It will feature performances by both housepanther and R U S T O W L as well as Cannon Woods’ music has a dreamy, ethereal quality to Bros. and Juniper Bush. “They’re all amazing it, giving off a mood that walks the line between people,” says Woods, “and I’m really excited to be a somber and content. It contrasts well with her part of their release as well.” grounded, brutally honest lyrics that deal with topics like mental illness, breakups, and online dating.

Tickets for the housepanther and R U S T O W L release “I hope that [my music] can help other people out, show are $10 at the door. For more information, follow essentially,” says Woods, “and make people feel like @housepantherband on Instagram or like their page they’re not crazy for having emotions.” on at Facebook.com/housepantherWPG.

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ARTISTS TO WATCH – New Tunes & New Tours

FATHER MOUNTAIN

Alt-Rock • Owensboro, Kentucky

Kentucky quintet Father Mountain blesses our ears with moody, ethereal alt-rock that has the power to move both your deepest wells of emotions as well as your body. Equally energetic as they are affecting, their brand of rock blends underground indie-rock, folk, 90s power-pop and a tinge of emo. Fresh off back-to-back North American tours and kicking off spring touring again throughout the southern United States with a stop at SXSW; we’d be surprised if you don’t see them hitting up your town and painting it ‘Grey’.

FatherMountain.com • Facebook.com/Fathermountain • FatherMountain.Bandcamp.com

JETTY BONES

Pop-Rock • Columbus, Ohio

Jetty Bones shakes up the pop-rock scene two-fold with their catchy folk, pop and rock mixture. They’ve already kicked off a busy year touring and opening up for Tiny Moving Parts and will embark on a spring tour with poppunk powerhouses Knuckle Puck and Boston Manor. The female-fronted group shows no signs of slowing down and will undoubtedly spend the rest of the year spreading their woeful yet hope-filled lyrics and addicting, upbeat dance-rock vibes to gratified audiences everywhere.

Facebook.com/Jettybones • Soundcloud.com/JettyBones • @jettybones • @jettybonesmuisc

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MAR/APR

COMPILED BY JANET ADAMANA

We’ve compiled a collection of artists who are bound to make a lot of noise in the new year.

THE WILDHOOD

Pop-Punk/Alt-Rock • Niagara Falls, Ontario

Melding elements of early 2000s alt-rock and millennial pop-punk, the Wildhood sparks a full nostalgia overdose into its listeners. Matched with a lyrical repertoire bursting with yearning and the enchantment of youth, the Canadian quintet captures both the pains and the pleasures of being young and free. Kicking off 2018 in the studio with new material set to be released early this year, we’re fully expecting The Wildhood to fuel that momentum and make this their year.

Facebook.com/TheWildhood • TheWildhood.Bandcamp.com • @thewildhood

GRANDSON

Hip-Hop/Rock • Toronto, Ontario

Political rap-rock at its absolute finest - pulling plenty of inspiration from our problematic systems, grandson splatters his gripping poetry against a backdrop of potent vibes, throwing fuel on the fire of societal change. Like a new-day Zack de la Rocha, grandson melds his coarse, piping vocals with raw aggression and creates a soundtrack perfect for a global riot. With the world thrust into a constant fight for long-awaited change, we’ll sure be hearing plenty of new material from the up-and-comer, as he continues to make a mark in the industry and stir the political pot.

GrandsonMusic.com • Facebook.com/GrandsonMusic • @grandsonsucks

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THE MOST TALENTED TOWN IN AMERICA Just outside one of America's most iconic birthplaces of music legends, sits a tiny town brimming with undiscovered, castaway crooners of yesteryear. Steff Shields dives into the hidden gem of singing talent that is Shoreline, Washington.

STORY & PHOTO

BY STEFF SHIELDS

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SIGHTS & SOUNDS Q&A +

There is hardly a music lover alive who is unfamiliar with the stamp that Seattle, Washington has left on the industry.

The crowd quieted as a man made his way to the standing microphone that had taken precedence over the small dance floor. He was small, with a receding hairline, a clip-on phone case and his t-shirt tucked into his jeans. Despite his outward appearance and the first impression that he gave off, everyone in the bar seemed to know him.

A short 20-minute drive outside of Seattle, sits All over the room, voices dropped into hushed Shoreline, WA. The town itself serves as an “out of whispers while slow notes announced Canada’s the way” tourist spot, providing access to Seattle greatest songstress. Swaying in time with the slow without the sky-high prices of hotels or B and B’s. but recognizable introductory notes, the small There is something seemingly sleepy about the man grabbed the microphone and began belting outdated architecture and nostalgia of the town, out Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”. Within a but it has not escaped the musical influence that its few bars of nostalgic greatness, the man with the cellphone clip-on gave way to an honest showman. neighbouring city has to offer.

The next singer grabbed the neck of the microphone like Steven Tyler, pushing his hands to the sky; with . . . gyrated hips that had been made nearly invisible “You alright?” A party member pushed through a through frantic motion. crowded but narrow hallway en route to a twoseat table. Half empty pitchers and highball glasses This first act was enough to embody the idea of littered tabletops, waiting to be pushed over in the not judging a book by its cover, but as the night shuffle. There was one two-seater table left crowded progressed, my eyes were opened to a world of conflicted imagery, frenzied pop culture, and many amongst pool tables but in full view of a DJ booth. a pitcher.

This Northern city has acted as the birthplace of modern grunge, Carrie Brownstein, Chris Cornell, Jimi Hendrix, and continues to house and produce thousands of musicians every year. While chords are struck, and speakers are blown in town, something secret sits just outside the shadow of the needle.

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The main pull to The Viking was not its outward appearance but a chalkboard sign that advertised “Happy Hour” as beginning at 11 am. During the early hours of the afternoon, the bar is not much to look at.

The front door opens up into a bar area to the righthand side and a row of pool tables to the left. The Viking is not a heritage bar, in fact, the staff working there had very little to tell us about the property itself.

What we were told, was that there is live music once in a while and karaoke seven days a week otherwise.

With a few hours of driving under our belt and an uneventful night ahead, there was no turning down a night of karaoke in Washington.

musical acts of all sorts. The narrow dance floor and Technicolor light show were acting as a last spotlight for singers, rappers, and crooners of all kinds. Over and over the karaoke lineup changed from Sinatra’s “My Way” to Leanne Rimes “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” and Ginuwine’s “Pony”. One female singer even made the jump from “Zombie” by the Cranberries to Nelly’s “Grillz”.

As it turns out, The Viking acts as a haven for unattached music enthusiasts. Many of the patrons there that night had previously been attached to failed

Whether you are a part of the music industry or just a music enthusiast, The Viking is a must-see of the Washington scene.

When asked why every person in Shoreline seemed to fall into the ranks of a professional singer, the most common response was no more than a shrug of the shoulder. Singers flocked in waves, some of them waiting more than an hour for their shot at As the sun set and we returned to the two-storey the microphone. “It’s the only thing to do” one man property, patios were full of twilight smokers and responded, still sweating from a lively rendition of strobe lights. Once it had become apparent that there “My Way”. It would seem as though limited late night was more to The Viking than a host of early drinkers, options has produced a town-wide lineup of singers and rockstars. there was no turning back.

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The Viking acts as a haven for unattached music enthusiasts. Many of the patrons there that night had previously been attached to failed musical acts of all sorts.

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More interviews, reviews, streams and videos

Independent Music Magazine

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+ Q&A

POUNDING THE PAVEMENT STORY & PHOTO BY CANDACE HOULE CH: What started your interest in music?

KM: I played music for a long time when I was a kid.

I played piano and guitar, and when I was in high school, I played in bands. I liked to write songs in my early teens, and I played in a band and toured around Canada when I was 16 & 17. I decided it was what I wanted to do so I went to school in Edmonton for Jazz and Classical composition and then I went to school in England, called the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. There I studied songwriting and production, and that was just it. I mean, a music degree is not that useful, but it was good to understand what it takes to make a living. I moved back closer to home in Winnipeg and tried to get into the scene. I’m still trying to get in.

was cool. It was a lot different from what I expected it would be. I was 20 when I moved [to Liverpool], and I thought it would be the same because we all speak English, but it's a lot different. Liverpool, in particular, was eye-opening because every night there was like five or six bands I could see even on a Tuesday. There's always stuff going on which is kind of like Winnipeg. There's always a lot of good music.

I was in a music school, and all my friends were in bands, so it was a good environment to learn those skills.

CH: Paul McCartney helped write your song, “Without you Dear.” What was that experience like?

KM: So the way that worked out was Paul McCartney CH: What was it like being in Liverpool and being co-founded [the Liverpool Institute for Performing in a completely different environment than the Arts]. Of the people who major in songwriting, they pick a handful to have one-on-one sessions with Winnipeg music scene.

KM: Before going there I had never actually been in Paul, and I was lucky to be picked. I met with him a the Winnipeg music scene. I played around a few few times. Usually, I would bring some songs, and times, but I'm actually from Brandon [Manitoba]. It he totally left it up to me. I could bring in nothing,

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Q&A +

From a quiet life in Brandon, Manitoba to living and learning in Liverpool, Katlin Mathison, has always had his eyes on professional growth. The brains behind Winnipeg’s Okay Mann, talks about his drive to being the best musician he can be, the Liverpool scene, and his one-on-one co-writing session with Sir Paul McCartney. or I could bring a finished song and kind of run it by him. I chose to go halfway and picked a few songs.

There are other songs that I co-wrote with him that I had written most of, and I just worked it through with him; rearranged the structure or added a word here or there. He's super nice and super chill. It was really weird. I was sitting holding a guitar. He sat at the piano, and I’d play through the song, and he’d be like ‘play the chorus again,’ and he would start playing it on the piano, singing and just doing anything. That was so crazy having him sing what I wrote. That was kind of cool.

As far as musical influences, I’ve been listening to a lot of Tallest Man on Earth and Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and Frightened Rabbit. These are artists that resonate a lot with me. I've been listening to some older stuff like John Prine, just classic good songwriting lately. But as far as the inspiration for the drive, it was actually my roommate Dylan MacDonald. He plays in the Middle Coast. He and some other musicians started this thing called The Song Club, where you have to write, record and send in a song every week. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. Even if you turn out a song, and you’re like ‘yeah I probably won't use that,’ it’s just a good muscle-flex.

CH: You recently recorded in Iceland correct?

Sometimes I’ll write a classical piece, or sometimes KM: I shot a video in Iceland in December. That it's more a pop tune that I'm not going to use, it’s just was a stopover to recording in Norway for the next getting good writing. record. The Little Mersey EP that came out two or three months ago was recorded half in Liverpool CH: You are starting to establish yourself in and half at home. I just sent files back and forth. I've Winnipeg’s music scene. You’ve played with had some success in Norway in the past, so I like to a number of different bands, Finn and Micah go there a couple of times a year to just write with Visser. Do you prefer doing solo stuff or do you some people I know there. I like to keep the industry like playing with a band? contacts I have there; keep a good relationship. I KM: I do like the band. I do play with a group now actually have a gold single in Norway from when I with Okay Mann. I'm lucky that I have a lot of friends was 20. It’s pretty funny how it’s a pop song. It’s weird. that are really talented and I trust. It is good to take what I put in the initial direction of a song or an CH: What are your inspirations when you're idea and then flesh it out with them. As far as live trying to write a song, you’ve mentioned that playing, I prefer playing with people. Going back to you try to write one song per week. that Liverpool thing, I chose it because when I was in KM: It’s a lot of everything. I listen to a pretty wide high school, I was always fronting bands and when scope of things, like classical or hip-hop, which I I moved to England, I thought I wanted to get better don't think directly correlates to my music but it at not fronting bands. In England, I was in a whole does kind of trickle in there somewhere. I think bunch of bands, and I was never a singer. I played your ears are always recording whatever you hear synths or I played bass, or backing things up just to so the more you put in, the more you take out of it. kind of get better at it.

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I'm basically just trying to get better at everything that I can whether it's writing, recording, the business side of things, design stuff or whatever.

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CH: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Do you see music as a full-time gig or do you see it just being a hobby for you?

KM: I can certainly make ends meet with music now.

I like to stay really busy. I'm most productive in music when I'm also doing other stuff. In 10 more years, I think I'd like to be working in the industry, probably not as a performer. I'm giving it my all right now and pushing that. I'm basically just trying to get better at everything that I can whether it's writing, recording, the business side of things, design stuff or whatever.

I just want to get good at those things. That's what it's all about, skill building for me right now. I would like to see myself working more so in the industry, either out at a label or a PR agency. I'd like to see a manager but I know I’m not that organized. I'm kind of building the skills for them now. I'm doing marketing at Skip the Dishes and then playing fulltime too.

Q&A +

I’m also trying to expand to some new markets. I've been fairly good at hitting the markets I know I have pull in – Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Lethbridge, that kind of thing. I'd like to get out more so I'm planning a tour of British Columbia in May, and I'd like to get further to Eastern Canada later this year too.

CH: Okay, last one! What is the origin of the name, Okay Mann?

KM: Okay Mann comes from the movie, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. It's one of my favorite movies. Steve Zissou is this guy's purported father, and he comes up to him and introduces himself as a grown man like ‘hey I'm Ned Plankton’ or whatever and Steve just goes, ‘Okay, man.’ It’s the most harsh shutdown but it's also kind of polite. I laughed at that really hard. I've gotten into the habit of saying that to people whenever there's not a built-in response; like ‘oh I'm really tired’ or something where there's CH: What new projects are you working and not really anything you should say but you should what's coming up for you? say something. I just say ‘okay man’ all the time.

KM: For Finn, we're working on an EP. We’ve been writing and recording a lot. We've got a bunch of It also works on another level like, ‘I'm okay, man.’ new tunes I'm quite excited about.

I write sad songs, but I’m okay, man. The reason there are two N’s in Okay Mann is that I was touring For me, I'm also doing lots of weird stuff. I've been in Norway quite a lot when I was conceiving the ghostwriting a lot of raps for UK artists. I just write project, and man in Norwegian would be MANN. and record them and send them back and then they From a graphic design standpoint, it’s four letters so usually re-record them. It's a fun thing that I don't with four letters, it's easier to fit into things. attach my name to. For Okay Mann, I'm working towards a few singles and then maybe an EP. Most of them are already written. The music video is done. Right now it's all about building out a team because for the last [EP] I virtually did all the PR and Stay up-to-date with Okay Mann through Facebook. all that myself. I'd like to build the team around this com/okaymannmusic, and through twitter and time. I'm just writing a lot, trying to get better at instagram @okay_mann. everything I can and then building a team.

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