MAR/APR 2017
•
1
2
•
MAR/APR 2017
MAR/APR 2017
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.
Put The Spark Back In Your Eye Note From The Editor
4
Behind The Hustle Nicole Havs on hip-hip and her upcoming EP
6
Mother of Sound Industry Profile on Wolfsbane Music Co.
8
We’re All Ears 12 Our artist picks for March and April
info@sound-phrase-fury.com @soundphrasefury facebook.com/soundphrasefury soundphrasefury.com
MAR/APR 2017
•
3
+ EDITOR’S NOTE
PUT THE SPARK BACK IN YOUR EYE Welcome to our March/April 2017 issue. We’re busy getting ready to ring in the spring with new artists and new projects we’re hoping to launch this summer. As always, this issue has been a blast to make as we’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with some amazing artists and hearing awesome new songs. With this issue we sat down with some really inspiring people who totally encapsulate the essence of being a passionate music lover; ones who have worked their asses off to get to where they are and where they are headed. It was an honour to meet and work with them, and I hope you’ll find within their stories, the motivation to keep the fuel in your own fires.
The bright finish line to wherever you’re running
4
•
MAR/APR 2017
Janet Adamana Editor-In-Chief
SOUNDPHRASEFURY.COM
MAR/APR 2017
•
5
BEHIND THE
HUSTLE PHOTO BY RACHEL CAMPBELL STORY BY JANET ADAMANA
Winnipeg’s R&B and hip-hop scene is about to discover its new MVP. Nicole Havs has been singing for years as backup and guest vocals for various acts, but now she’s stepping into her own spotlight. With new gigs and collaborations lining up one after another, it’s clear this momentum won’t be slowing down as she reels in the rewards of her constant hustle. On the cusp of releasing a new mixtape and album, Nicole sat down with us to talk hip-hop, her new sound, and determination it took to open for some of her favourite artists.
6
•
MAR/APR 2017
JA: Let’s start at the beginning; how did you get started in music? NH: My mom was an opera singer and she would sing at local events. She lived in Slovakia and she was an opera singer there. When she moved here she got into the Slovakian community and started singing opera. When I was a little kid I wanted to follow in her footsteps so I would sing with her sometimes. When I got older I started doing talent shows. Urban Stars was the first singing contest that I did. It was all across Canada. They came [to Winnipeg], you would do auditions and if you got to the next round you went to Toronto. I took a break for a while because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. Then I found the producer I’m working with now. Our styles really work well together so we started making a lot of music and now we’re working on a mixtape that’s going to be dropping soon and an album that will be coming out in a couple months.
“
Q&A +
I don’t want to be just hip-hop. I have some pop songs I have some EDM even, and I’m also working on some alternative hip-hop. I don’t want to restrict myself to one genre.
JA: Can you tell me a bit more about the producer you’ve been working with? NH: His name is Peshanakwut. He has been doing this for about a decade now. He has a home studio and I just go there. It started when he wanted me as a vocalist on some of his songs. Our styles really went well together so we made our own music. He would make beats for me and I would write to them and he would be featured. JA:So it’s a nice little collaboration that’s on-going now. NH: Yeah. I was going to do an EP of just my songs but we had so many songs together that worked well, so we’re going to do an album with the both of us. JA: You had a pretty big gig recently at the Park Theatre – what was that whole thing like? How’d that come about? NH: Well when I found out SonReal was coming to Winnipeg, I was like, ‘ohmygod I need to get on this show!’ so I found out where he was going to be performing and the [venue] owner. I contacted the owner and asked him if I could open up for [SonReal]. At that point in time I didn’t do any shows by myself. I was just a backup for another guy I sang with – Ben Tamana - so I e-mailed the owner my show history with Ben and he was like, ‘oh, I don’t think it’s going to work. They don’t really need someone to open.’ I
“
then basically just kept prying him (laughs) and finally he said yes. I got on the SonReal show and I guess the owner liked my work ethic, so he said if I wanted to get on any shows at The Park Theatre to just ask him. A couple of days later he asked me if I wanted my own show. JA: What influences your musical style? Where do you find your inspiration? NH: My music is about my life, but I try to make it different and not so dramatic. When I first came out, my first single was, I guess, pretty dramatic, but I’ve been working towards more feel good stuff. I’m working with another producer right now, Sketch Williams. He’s also been in the industry for a long time. Right now we’re working to get a bunch of songs out. His style is different than Peshanakwut so there’s variety. I don’t want to be just hip-hop. I have some pop songs I have some EDM even, and I’m also working on some alternative hip-hop type things. I don’t want to restrict myself to one genre.
Check out Nicole Havs at Soundcloud.com/ NicoleHavs. Keep your eyes out for her new single, “Dangerous” with Peshanakwut and White Rhino on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play.
MAR/APR 2017
•
7
MOTHER SOUND OF
Olivia Mayes lives and breathes music. The founder/owner of Wolfsbane Music Co. management label, music site and promotion company – started her career as a YouTube star showcasing bands from her hometown of Indianapolis. Since then, she’s tackled every aspect of music management: from running shows, booking, advising to promoting and creating full marketing plans for her bands. Olivia spoke with us about her start in music, and her ever-growing passion and enthusiasm for helping independent bands.
JA: You’ve already had quite the career in music. Take me back to the beginning – how did you first get involved? OM: When I was 15 my father and I were talking about what I wanted to do about my new found love for YouTube. I expressed interest in wanting to meet people like writers and actors. He told me about press-passes and how to obtain one. I spent about six months writing emails and learning about how to do that. All that time, my older sister, Aubrey, who is an Indianapolis music scene alumni kid, kept telling me I should talk to this certain music venue and listen to certain bands. I ignored her for about six months. One day, with no YouTube channel, no resume, no credentials at all, I got my first ‘yes’ from the American
8
•
MAR/APR 2017
Idiot Musical that was touring the fall of 2012. That was almost a year after I first started looking and I got to interview the very first person under LivMayesTv (the name I chose on the fly for my YouTube channel) on my 16th birthday. There were several months between when I got accepted to interview and review that musical. During that time Aubrey showed me a couple bands and I fell down the rabbit hole of local music. I remember finding ForeverAtLast, Full Monte, and The Day After the first time I searched for locals on ReverbNation. I also found a band that convinced me to go to my first local show which was in a tattoo shop and scared the crap out of the 15-year-old me! It was “scary” then seeing a band with a screamer in a tattoo shop. Now I would kill to go to that show again!
INDUSTRY +
JA: So you kind of always knew you wanted to do something in the arts by the way of promotions? OM: Oh yes! I always knew I wanted to do something that wasn’t “normal.” Ever since I was little I thought of different ways I could live the life I wanted while not having a “day job.” Some people love their desk job, but it is not for me. I was inspired by a vlogger on YouTube, Charles Trippy. His confidence and words of wisdom inspired me to think about what I wanted to do with my life. When I found it, I went after it and didn’t think twice. I just knew I had to chase that dream. I just had to modify my plans as I went. I have always loved drawing, painting, writing and playing music, but never felt passionate about something until I became a fan of local music and truly saw that world I never knew existed.
I was maturing and LivMayesTV just didn’t feel right anymore. I expanded my company and relocated websites. Wolfsbane Music Co. is the name of my management label, music site and promotion company. Along the way I have learned photography, graphic design, band and tour managing and have been able to add all of those to my resume.
JA: So tell me more about Wolfsbane Music Co. What sort of things do you offer artists and how do people get involved or be apart of your roster? OM: Well, I have several branches of my company. My website where I feature music news, bands of all popularities, genres and exclusive content, like music videos and new songs. That is done with the help of a few people who write articles and help keep it active. Any band can go to the website and find me on the JA: Well it seems like you’ve already done so much team page, submit their band to be featured and I will of that! Correct me if I’m wrong, but your always get back to them for an interview or get information growing list of things: started with Liv Mayes TV, to give them a push on the site. We strive to make the you’ve worked at your local venue the Hoosier “local” music not so “local” anymore. Dome, booking your own shows in Indy, working with MSMFest and now Wolfsbane Music Co.? I manage all the bands under my label. That is my “day OM: Yes! I started with Liv Mayes TV, and became a job” and where I work the most. For all my bands, I show runner for the Hoosier Dome and spent a couple offer graphic design work, photography, my collection years really learning about the music community and of contacts, booking shows locally and nationally, building my career and experience there. Earlier this everything you can really imagine from a manager winter, I left the Hoosier Dome, because I wanted to try including music feedback and social media marketing. new things, work new places, and see what else this I even make a couple bands practice in a show setting city had to offer. I currently primarily book at the Irving so I can tell them what I think they should do differently. Theater now, which is a music venue in Indianapolis. I really push my bands to be the best they can be. They I have worked with MSMFest for 2 summers now and are my babies, and best friends. These bands I have have stepped higher and am helping book it this year. I put my heart and soul into, and I constantly work to started Wolfsbane Music Co. to give myself a new start. make them bigger and better.
“
I have always loved drawing, painting, writing and playing music, but never felt passionate about something until I became a fan of local music and truly saw that world I never knew existed.
MAR/APR 2017
•
“ 9
+ INDUSTRY
I have managed Freshman Year and Exit 52 for a little over a year now, and they have become family with each other and myself. We all usually hang out when we’re not working. They all call me Mom (laughs). Promoting has been a big part of Wolfsbane, and I wasn’t expecting that. I was asked to be the advisor for the Irving Theater, and started being asked to book shows. Now I book shows 3 to 4 times a month and bring bands of all kinds to the venue. I adore working with so many genres. From folk and acoustic, to pop punk and metalcore. Anyone can contact me at wolfsbanemusicco@gmail.com or through my website or Facebook to inquire about being booked. JA: Oh that’s so cool! So you’re basically a Jane-ofAll-Trades! So what’s next for you and your bands in the upcoming months? OM: Thank you! Several bands are currently writing and recording new music and we are working on new albums. This is THEIR summer. They have a lot coming up and we all are going to work hard to make this summer great for all my bands! I am working with MSMFest quite a bit and am really looking forward to that. But I just plan on booking all that I can, traveling to see more shows, and growing to be the best I can be for myself and everyone I help!
JA: Anything else you want to add? OM: Yes, actually. This has been a 5 and a half-year journey and there is absolutely no way I could have done it on my own. Sometimes I have had to, but not for a long. I have met so many in this community and found a family that I wouldn’t have had without them. I have the love of my parents and sisters, but I never had something like I do with this community. For years I have struggled with my depression and anxiety to an intense level, even to this day, but I have so many people I can call or text when I am in need. I have met them all through this music scene. I even met my boyfriend thought the music community. I have had a lot of suicidal thoughts, but I have always had someone to tell me I am worth it, whether that is by listening to a song or getting a phone call. These people have made it so easy to be myself, and before I met them I didn’t know who I was. Especially Freshman Year and Exit 52, I have had many moments of uncertainty about myself, but they always pull me up and inspire me to work harder and be the best I can be. This is my life. It has been rough at times, but I would do it all over again. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I know a lot of people make comments like that, but I have never had the opportunity to express my true and raw feelings I have about the community and I really want to share that with everyone.
Like Wolfsbane Music Co. at Facebook.com/WolfsbaneMusicCo. Check out Wolfsbaneco.com and hear new music from independent artists from all over. Get in contact with Olivia and her team through wolfsbanemusicco@gmail.com
10
•
MAR/APR 2017
More interviews, reviews, streams and videos
Independent Music Magazine
SOUNDPHRASEFURY.COM
MAR/APR 2017
•
11
12
•
MAR/APR 2017
+ WE’RE ALL EARS COMPILED BY JANET ADAMANA
The year may have just started but 2017 has already given us some sweet new tunes and new artists snagging our attention. Check out our artist picks for March & April.
MAR/APR 2017
•
13
+ ARTISTS TO WATCH
POP/ROCK/SOUL ALBANY, NY
GIRL BLUE
PHOTO BY LEIF ZURMUHLEN
14
Facebook.com/GirlBlueMusic GirlBlueMusic.com
Girl Blue instantly caught our attention with her single, “Fire Under Water.” The tune from her 2016 EP, I Am Not A Star, gave us all the soulful feels and chills that only come from listening to the best and most moving songwriters.
@girlbluemusic girlblue@girlbluemusic.com
Her musical style melds together elements of alt-rock, pop, soul and blues and brings audiences addicting and catchy jazz vibes matched with unfiltered emotion. Combine her sound with her theatrical stage presence, it’s hard to find a reason not to love Girl Blue.
•
MAR/APR 2017
+
ARTISTS TO WATCH +
Facebook.com/LowSpeech LowSpeech.Bandcamp.com @lowspeechband lowspeechband@gmail.com
Listening to Low Speech brings one back to the days when emotional wounds run rife. Digging deep into the depths and pulling out a hand full of your heartstrings, the LA-based quartet take emo to a whole new level. Their latest EP, The Only Constant, is jam-packed full of sorrow-tinged vocals against a melodramatic backdrop reminiscent of Real Friends and Balance and Composure. With a sound (and EP title) as somber as this one, Low Speech is bound to speak right to the minds and hearts of emo and alt-rock lovers everywhere.
+
LOW SPEECH
EMO/ALT-ROCK LOS ANGELES, CA
MAR/APR 2017
•
15
+ ARTISTS TO WATCH
DAISY
POP/ROCK GILBERT, AZ
Facebook.com/DaisybandAZ
@DaisyBandAZ daisybandofficial@gmail.com
+ 16
•
MAR/APR 2017
Giving us The 1975 vibes with a dash of Anberlin is Arizona-based pop-rock quartet, Daisy. With their little dreamy synth elements and catchy pop melodies, it’s hard not to dance when a Daisy song comes on. Their debut EP, Beauty of These, takes listeners through a bit of an emotional rollercoaster – from the giddy, happy starter “All My Life” through to the mournful, “If I’m Telling The Truth.” Daisy offers up a sweet and solid pop-rock record. Since the release of their debut EP, they’ve been steadily on the show circuit, and are set to play at South by Southwest.
ARTISTS TO WATCH +
Facebook.com/VirginiaTo VegasOfficial VirginiaToVegas.com
Pop singer/songwriter Virginia to Vegas solidified a permanent place on our playlists with his take on charming feel good songs. Derik Baker - the Torontobased musician behind the highly-addictive EP, Utopian – has created a euphoric blend of electro and indie-pop. While many pop songs tend to take shortcuts with mediocre lyrical content hidden behind repetitive beat drops, Baker offers up a neatly refreshing take on the genre with genuine storytelling and carefully crafted beats. Keep your eyes and ears out for the Canadian artist that’s sure to be your new favourite pop star.
@virginiatovegas martin@waxrecords.com
+
VIRGINIA TO VEGAS
POP TORONTO, ON
MAR/APR 2017
•
17
18
•
MAR/APR 2017