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Gold Lemonade
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Table of Contents Page 3-6 Suburban Amz
Page 18-20 Ajda Stina Turek
Page 32-34 Kid Nebraska
Page 7-9 Elodie RĂŞverie
Page 22-24 Gold Lemonade
Page 35-36 The Great Serpent Mound of Ohio
Page 10-13 Yajna
Page 26-27 Alonzo Cartier “The Painter
Page 15-17 Zach Robinson
Page 37-38 Durand
Page 28-30 Allergic To Bullshit
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Suburban Amz ‘Fantasy Island’
Tell us a little bit about yourself? I am Suburban AMZ from New York City. My family and I moved to CT for a quieter life. I eventually got kicked out of the fourth grade public school system for rapping Eminem’s (lose yourself) in science class. I ended up getting sent to three different schools two being boarding. I call myself Suburban AMZ because my real name is ARIELLE MAXINE ZWIEBACH, but I feel I am the definition of the Suburbs. I am a product of what it is like to grow up in a small community .. but I also am different from them, I am what they wish they could be. I am the girl next door (like the movie) the sexy definition. I am not afraid to be who I am and I definitely am not afraid to push boundaries and make someone uncomfortable (in a good way) that’s what makes life fun. The mystery I bring is addictive.
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What inspired you to begin a career in music? Eminem. I was coming back from day camp in 2002, and my bus driver was playing (Without Me) on the radio. I remember hearing the line (no matter how many fish in the sea, it will still be empty without me) I asked the bus driver when he stopped at my house who he was listening to and he said Eminem. I remember laughing and thinking what kind of rapper is named after a candy. I always sang Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera but I became addicted to Eminem since that bus ride. I went inside and asked my mother If she could drive me to the local CD store. My mother had absolutely no idea who Eminem was so she let me scoop up every album he had ever made at the time, including the infamous (The Eminem Show) I would come home every day after camp and school and plug in the karaoke machine (at the time TRL made one by MTV) and I would sing over the songs (Say Goodbye To Hollywood) and (My Dad’s Gone Crazy) I related so much to Eminem because I had a horrible (relationship) upbringing. My dad was married before my mother and had two girls. My two half sisters always had an issue with my dad remarrying and having me. I always lived a split life because my father was always afraid to put them in their place and say (Suburban AMZ is also my daughter) This created a lot of anger which then boiled over into my current years. I still am a very damaged person due to the trauma of always feeling left out and different. My mom through out my life has been my rock. I don’t know what a normal relationship looks like therefor I am always single or only last in a relationship for a couple months. Music is my marriage. Thats why I do music. I don’t think I would really be alive if it were not for music. Music gives me the therapy that I could never get elsewhere. I also get to tell my story to the world through every song I write. Especially on my albums Fantasy Island and Dead Weight. I want to show people it is ok to be different. I am the definition of different. What differs you and your sound from other upcoming artists in the music industry? My sound is what I like to call therapy. There is something for everybody. When I write my music (all my own lyrics) I don’t structure things. I don’t like structure. I like people to feel the ups and downs. Whether it’s in my voice or my manic lyrics. I suffer from mania openly and I honestly think that’s what makes me special. I speak to the people who don’t know who they are on Monday and by Friday they are a whole new person. It’s absolutely amazing to me. My brand is just so psychotic. It’s all over the place but at the end of the day my fans and I are all over the place. I notice one similar trait amongst us all , we are all the (outcast) kids. We never fit in. Somewhere in life someone did us wrong. So when they turn on my music. Whether they are 12 years old or 92. They find themselves in my music. I speak on truth, and write on truth. I sing and rap on fantasy but somehow my fantasies at times can be someone’s reality. I am different because I am the truth. I don’t lie. I never give anyone the opportunity to pull the whole (when SUBURBAN AMZ said) it’s always, I know I said it and I stand by it. I can’t lie. That’s why I’m mostly alone. I am an honest person. Not many people like honesty. My fans love it. They have been looking for loyalty. I am their loyalty.
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Your latest release is out now. Can you please describe the creative process and explain the meaning behind the single? My latest release is FANTASY ISLAND. The lead single is TOO YOUNG TO DIE. I wrote Too Young To Die on my bed after we received a foreclosure notice on our house. My dad had always been successful but as a man with many problems he failed to do the one thing that a man should do. Take care of his family. I felt suicidal. Hopeless, completely gone and lost. Living a lie I say in my song. Is the truth. Many people don’t know I go through some of the craziest financial hardships because I always look good and manage to keep on going. I don’t believe in allowing people to see your pain in a way they can use it against you. When I wrote the song, I really meant I am Too Young To Die, but i’d rather die than live a lie. I was living a lie at the time. I am not anymore. I am choosing to come forward with the truth that I have no family aside from my mother, that I suffered from having very envious half sisters. I suffered from no friends and from a sexual assault. I really just did not want to be here. The song pulled me through. The album pulled me through. Fantasy Island talks about my father, my half sisters, fake friends and jealous people. I speak on it in a way where people can still dance but also feel my pain and their own. I am giving people the power to heal. The whole vibe behind fantasy island is me making fun of my family. They all call me delusional. That I live on “Fantasy Island” that I should do something else, that I am not a talented musician. So, I took their insult of me living on a “Fantasy Island” , spun it, and made an album. The skits on the album you can hear a woman scream. That is me killing off all the negative people on the (Welcome to Fantasy Island) track. The meaning behind this album is a big fuck you. I get it, want to say I live on Fantasy Island, that’s great, I am going to turn around and write an album. Everyone experiences good days and bad days, as a musician, when you have a bad day, what motivates you to keep moving and look ahead to the future? My Mother. I don’t want to end up like her. Where she loves a man who doesn’t respect her. I don’t want to end up where you feel trapped. I always flash right back to the days on that summer camp bus. Where my eyes and ears lit up at the sound of Eminem. I honestly just remember those days and the days I’d get ready and put on fake concerts in my living room. Where I’d use a tape recorder and make tons and tons of tapes which I’d call my albums when I was only in the second - third grade. I cannot quit. I am not a quitter. I’ve had moments where I just wanted to crash and burn but that gets you nowhere. I remember how far I’ve come and how I started with nothing. That’s what keeps me motivated. Knowing where I came from music wise and also my fans. I have the most amazing fans. I call them the Suburban AMZ Cult because they are there through thick and thin. They never have left me. In your own opinion, what is the most meaningful song you wrote? The most meaningful song I ever wrote would have to be Barbie World. Seems funny because of the name. I chose to stop talking to my family after being verbally and physically attacked in 2019 of July. In the song I go “drinking martini’s in my bikinis, do you see me touching my body, daddy never loved me, so I got issues, got screws loose, I just want to kiss you” That was me writing about the final straw with my family. They all made it clear they are very jealous of me. My bikini wearing, my musical life, my love of (Jack Daniels) even though I said martini’s. I was making fun of them. For making fun of me my whole life. Yes I love to be in my bikini and yes I know Daddy never loved me. I know I have issues and that’s ok. So now what? What is left to say? I turned all your insults into a song. What makes you say that one? Just the feeling I get when I remember writing the song. In the kitchen. With chicken in the oven. Right after the fourth of July. Just that feeling. The bone chills.
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Throughout your musical career, have you experienced any ‘wow’ moments? Not really because I always look at myself as an equal. I believe you can be in a room with a (celebrity or a famous person behind the scenes person) but you should never let that (get you) You always have to remain vigilant and work hard and never for one second stop working. I never gave myself the luxury to have wow moments, even when my records started streaming the most they’ve ever done, I did not stop and give myself a wow moment. A Wow moment for me would be a grammy or a house in the hills. No time for wow moments. What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career? I would say you really have to have a thick skin. You have to be different. You can follow the trends and it may take you somewhere but it won’t keep you there. You have to believe in yourself and completely ignore any advice that makes you feel sideways. Always listen to constructive criticism but a lot of negative comes disguised as (constructive) 95% politics 5% talent nowadays. You have to know how to work people, connect with people, and love people. You can’t be a sensation and just have a singing voice. It doesn’t work that way. The industry can put tons of money behind you, and you can have billboards all over the world but if you don’t and cannot connect with people, this is a wasted career for you. What does the foreseeable future hold for you as an artist? More and more success. Learning experiences. Moments .. no WOW moments yet though .. until like I said! I’m clutching some award, making some speech, on some radio show … something where I can say WOW .. I need to be able to say it to have it. Did you learn any new skills during a lockdown? Yes, I learned that I wasn’t connecting with my fans enough. I didn’t know there was ways to connect with them that I was not doing. I was not doing many lives. I started doing live concerts on FaceBook and selling merchandise and talking with them day in and day out. I love my fans. I am so glad I learned new ways to connect with them.
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Anything else you would like to add? I started in Moscow, Russia. Russia is the country that started to drive Suburban AMZ, I am here because of Russia. Albania and Ukraine, and now the United States and other countries. In 2018 Russia was my top fan base. Even catching the eye of famous Russian celebrities. Do you have any social media? www.instagram.com/suburbanamz www.twitter.com/suburbanamz and google Suburban AMZ
Elodie Reverie
Ethereal, Mesmerizing, Intriguing. What inspired you to begin a career in music? In December of 2018 while I was living in LA working as a documentary production assistant I decided I wanted to learn to produce music using Logic. Although those close to me would agree it came out of the blue, they’d also agree that it made sense.
I’ve played piano since I was 5 years old, which allowed me to hone my naturally instinctive ear. In college for an assignment to create a documentary, I’d recently started voice lessons and made a documentary about my quest to write a song, deciding at the very least it would be a good portrait on dealing with gender, elite higher education, and failure, and I surprised myself and the songwriting seed was planted. I loved jazz singing so much, I even opened for Macy Gray and Wyclef Jean at a Jazz Foundation of America event for an audience of 500 people. I was discouraged by the Amy documentary, and decided to focus my efforts on documentary and moved away from music. It was always on and off. I remember when I was living in LA, I went on a karaoke date with a CAA floater and I BOMBED so I quit for months. I worked on a documentary about slam poetry called Don’t Be Nice as a post-production assistant,
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I worked on a documentary about slam poetry called Don’t Be Nice as a post-production assistant, and at the center of the storyline was an incredibly creative inspirational coach, and I think being exposed to her was formative for my creativity and decision to create my own music. In December of 2018 I set my resolution to create music. I think LA gave me the space to dream and think and let my mind wander in a way New York(where I’m from) didn’t. I stumbled into a free intro to Logic class at the Apple Store in January of 2019 and I created Fire in the Desert. I began to release music under the stage name Elodie (rhymes with Melody) Rêverie (also rhymes with melody and means daydream in French). Within a year I had 12 pages of google results, close to 200 reviews of my music, traveled to Scotland for a songwriting retreat, and opened for Hoobastank. I’m approaching 2 years and haven’t looked back. Describe your sound in 3 words? Ethereal, Mesmerizing, Intriguing. What differs you and your sound from other upcoming artists in the music industry? One key thing. I harness my emotions, and other people connect with my lyrics, voice and melodies on an emotional level. I think we should all be tak ing our time to create music we want to hear in the world, and focus on that emotion. Today, there is so much music and so much of it sounds polished and well produced but it lacks emotional depth and thus gets lost in the noise. You have just released your new single ‘Red Carpet.’ Can you please describe the meaning behind the single and the creative process? Red Carpet was inspired by an experience I had 18 years ago. When I was 10, I had the opportunity to be in a Sundance film called Pieces of April written and directed by Peter Hedges(What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, About a Boy, Dan in Real Life) starring Katie Holmes. I had a small role, but I was allowed to walk down the red carpet because Peter knew how much would it would mean to me. It meant a of a lot to me, because I’ve written about it nearly 20 years after the fact. After releasing my most recent single Under the Radar(July 2020)I saw that 68 people were listening at once on my Spotify for Artists app and I texted my mom saying that I felt like I was walking the red carpet again. Everyone experiences good days and bad days, as a musician, when you have a bad day, what motivates you to keep moving and look ahead to the future? Sometimes I do wallow, or get lost in the noise of my own thoughts. I haven’t found a quick fix, yet for whatever reason I keep plugging away. One thing that motivates me is the thought of my grand-children listening to my music. Throughout your musical career, have you experienced any ‘wow’ moments? Those moments that you stop to reflect and can’t believe you are where you are? Yes! One exhilarating moment I experienced was opening for Hoobastank at the Mesa Music Festival. I befriended a fabulous women who happened to take me to Guitar Center during the weekend I was there for the festival! During soundcheck I decided I needed a sign with my name and Instagram since I was playing on the main stage, and I texted her asking if she could get poster board and markers for me. I hand drew the sign right before going on.
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I remember singing out into the open air and she and her son were in the audience. My mother and my best friend’s parents were also there who were hosting my my mom and I for the weekend, and I employed letting go in the moment without judging how I was sounding and it was exhilarating.
I still have the sign, oh and I gained 30 Instagram followers :) In your own opinion, what is the most meaningful song you wrote? What makes you say that one? My song Skeleton Castle has an interesting back story. I wrote it on a retreat in Scotland I found off the internet led by Grammy nominated Verlon Thompson. I was the youngest person in the retreat, and the song is inspired by a family trip I went on when my parents were married. When we landed, I convinced my family to drive four hours, followed by a two hour hike in the mud to see a Castle Threave, which was home to my ancestors centuries ago. There was barely anything left of it, but I thought it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. The song is about connecting to my lineage, and also the peace I made with my family’s divorce I felt returning to a place I associated with my happiest family trip. The production is up beat so that you can move along with it and you can take in the lyrics if you want to. I produced it entirely by myself in my hotel room in London and was so excited that I recorded it the next day at StrongRoom. What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career? A career as an independent musician is well-suited to someone nerdy who will arm themselves with as much info as possible! First and foremost, focus on the music. Make music you want to hear. Learn how to produce, in a basic way. Packaging and branding is important, but think of it like this: if you see an amazing ad or Instagram for a cookie, but the cookie tastes bad, the product isn’t going to thrive. What does the foreseeable future hold for you as an artist? We will have to see! In the short term it be cool to see you watching my animated video for Under the Radar: https://youtu.be/b-DiP7Wz_PA Connect with her on her social media: https://www.facebook.com/elodiereveriemusic https://www.instagram.com/elodiereverie/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH_qu2y 8t3kS-mlOm78S3Qg?pbjreload=102 https://open.spotify.com/artist/2wgprKjXOQK YR90B6XfFQO?si=oQK4cquKSvuPAl6pr7t5QQ https://www.elodiereverieofficial.com Photos by Arthur Lang
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Yajna
Artist on the Rise
When did you first get into music? I have always been into music. I grew up in a family of musicians. My mom is a composer, my dad plays the guitar, one of my brothers plays drums and guitar. I wrote my first song when I was 10, and I performed solo in the church for the first time when I was 9. Music has always been a big part of my life, and music has always been a way for me to express myself. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been dreaming about being an artist! But to be honest, it wasn’t until after my divorce that I finally understood where to go with my music and how to get there. I needed to restart and focus on myself and my true passion to find myself again, and that was through music!
What genre of music do you perform? I would say a mix of soul/rnb and pop. I call it atmospheric/cinematic soul/rnb. I have also been working on a EDM/ pop sound that I will get myself more into. Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music? My mother has been my biggest inspiration since she has always played music for us kids and she was touring around the world when I was a kid. She can play any instrument you give her! Strong female artists such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Madonna, Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys have also been a great source of inspiration to me! They are all strong women doing their thing and have taken their talent to the stars! They have given me strength to follow my heart and to believe in my talent! My children have also inspired me a lot, showing me what true love and passion is, they have helped me become a better person and they have tought me to listen to my heart.
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How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting? I have sharpened my skills and I have found a sound that I feel represents me. I always want to evolve and I feel that music is a way for me to express different stages in life. My sound has changed from when I started, I am getting to know my voice more and more for every day. I also feel that the more you work with music, the more you understand all the hard work behind a success story!
I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us? One is when my mother booked a very talented Swedish artist, Jon-Henrik Fjällgren, to perform in the church where she used to work. This time it was my children performing on stage with him. The church was packed with people and when they started to sing, omg, not an eye was dry and it was so emotional, even my brother sitting next to me started to cry! Can you imagine angelic voices from the children together with a lovely sami jojk? It was amazing and so magical, it was so lovely like I was in heaven! in heaven! If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Love. I’m in love with music! Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why? It’s passion. I am very passionate about what I’m doing and that is my drive. I always follow my heart and I do what I feel makes me happy. I do what I love and I love what I do, for me that makes my music and art my passion. And that also makes what I’m doing something that I am always true about. Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas? That I have turned my pain into my passion. I have a message that is built on my own experience, and I want to inspire others to follow their hearts and to believe in themselves. I really believe that to be able to love others and to love what you’re doing, it all starts with self love. I have been through a lot in my life, as all of us have. I went through a tough divorce after a very emotionally tough relationship. That led to a deep depression, that I was suffering from for almost a year. It is a miracle that I’m still alive. The depression had me facing my worst nightmares and I had to face my demons. I was literally walking in the Valley of death, but I conquered death and I made peace with my demons. The love for my children, my love for music and God saved my life! I see myself as a Rising Phoenix, I have been in the ashes and from the darkness I have risen into the light into a stronger and more powerful version of myself, into a beautiful and strong Phoenix. So, I call myself a Rising Phoenix, and I have built my whole business on my story of the Phoenix. I am grateful and blessed to be working with music and entertainment. When I’m telling my story about how I survived clinical depression, there are so many out there that can relate to my story and what I’ve been through. That makes me work even harder to spread my message and that also makes me wanna help others out of depression and I am a living proof that there is a way to a happy, healthy and independent lifestyle! What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? My biggest challenge has been to find a balance between being a mother and a passionate artist. And to be a single mom in a very tough industry. I have defenitely overcome it, and I have two amazing kids that are proud over their brave hearted mom! My children are the love of my life and all I want for them is to be free thinking, motivated, loving and open minded individuals. The challenge for me have been to be combine a lifestyle of a single mom with traveling and making music at the same time. My way to have this working in the best ways, have been to have a great team of friends and family supporting me and I have a very open communication with my kids about my work. We have shared custody and I have my kids every other week, and it works great I must say! You just gotta find a tempo and a lifestyle that supports you and your loved ones, and working with music makes me a happy and passionate mother! A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? I agree 100%! It’s so true because making something sustainable and something great doesn’t come easy! If it was easy anyone could do it! I can asure you that every artist have been through some kind of struggle anf suffering. Its part of the journey and it also makes you genuine and true to your art. Because you will do all it takes to make it. No exceptions. Hard work always pays off, and if you wanna make it, you have to suffer. You will not have success served on a golden plate. That I know for sure!
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If so, how have you suffered for your art? I have put my soul and heart into my work with music and entertainment. I have spent so many sleepless nights thinking about how to make it without having any money and how to be the best mom while working my ass of to make my dreams come true. I have faced my demons in my depression, I have worked so hard Iand put so many other things in life aside. I have learnt everything myself, I am a fast learner, thank God for that. So many hours I’ve spent making music, being in the studio, working on my next move, while others are spending time with friends, having dinners, partying etc. I can give up all that, as long as I can work with my passion - music. My children will always be my first love. After family comes my love for music. How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business? It’s making it way easier to distribute your music! And it also makes it way easier to connect with your fans and people in the biz. Thanks to internet you can also work from anywhere in the world, you don’t have to be at a certain place to work, if it’s not performing of course! And also, thanks to internet you can easily have a fanbase globally, and your fans can follow you on so many platforms. I certainly makes the big world into an easier and smaller work space! If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be? I would love to see more women being on top positions running labels and shooting music videos etc. I know there are a lot of women in positions like that already, what I am saying is like in all businesses, being taken care of. This I can see in all parts of the world and all types of jobs. So I think we all need to make a change for a better world letting more women come through my mom, yeah you know almost everyone have been listening to MJ. I am blessed to have seen him live in Stockholm during his “Thriller” What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why? Michael Jackson, “Thriller” - The King of pop have always inspired me with his amazing beats and always giving his all to his music. His vocal and dance skills don’t need much of explanation and his work has inspired my music a lot. He has been working with some of the greatest names in the industry and the way his music has inspired so many generations, it’s massive! I can listen to his miusic with my kids, tour. Rest in Power, King of Pop. Lauryn Hill, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” - I have always been listening to Fugees and Lauryn Hill has inspired me and my musical journey in so many ways. Her sound and her voice is just magic to me! I love the way she mixes rap with soul and rnb and how her voice goes into your soul. Lauryn inspired me to focus on my passion for music and to focus on my sound and my message. She is a true creator and she has made a foot print for the worlds future female rap scene. 2 Pac Shakur, “All Eyez on Me” - Without no doubt the worlds best rapper! I remember the first time I listened to 2 Pac. I was introduced by my brother when I was about 17 years old, and HipHop entered my life with instant love! I have listened to his music ever since I was in my early teens and I still rank him as the worlds best rapper. His amazing poetry lyrics and outstanding ways to rap about hot topics, politics, gang violence and empowerment! Things he did for the rap culture and society will forever be remembered! I always say that hiphop raised me, and that’s partly thanks to 2 Pac. His music touched me in levels and still does. He made my heart beat for hiphop, and I am still a fan of the culture and the music. RIP in power King Shakur. Beyoncé, “Lemonade” - Queen of soul rnb. Bey has inspired me in so many ways. She is a strong female role model in the music industry, and an amazing singer! She has a message with her music and she combines being a mother with being an artist and businesswoman in an amazing way! Bey inspires me to be a female role model and to be an artist with skills beyond making music, she makes me wanna push my music and working into new dimensions!
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Prince, “Purple Rain” - I love Prince and everything he was standing for. His iconic voice and his passionate lyrics, his outfits and his way of being a unique artist! Purple Rain is one of my all time favourite songs ever and Prince made
love to his guitar while playing it. He left a legacy for all of us to love and continue sharing with next generations. He will be forever missed. Rest in Power Prince. Tell us about your current project. Right now I’m working on my next music releases, and I am so excited to soon share my new music with all of you! I have some amazing new tracks and music videos waiting to drop! I have some EDM tracks and powerful soul rnb. I am still working on my Rising Phoenix project about following your heart and finding selflove. I want to inspire people to go for their dreams and to find their inner strenght. I believe in God and in the Law of Attraction. You attract what you are. And I’m all about good vibes. I’m also about to launch my jewelry line “Rising Phoenix”. I am also pushing my documentary WOMAN. I produced it and it tells my own story from my darkest moment in life, to my highest points. You can follow me and my kids on a roadtrip across Sweden. It can be seen on Amazon Prime US and UK and also on FilmFreeway. What is the best advice you have received? To surround myself and work wit people that belives in you and that shares your vision. In this biz it’s really important to work with people that knows what the biz is about and that you can trust. So I have learnt the hard way, and I now have a great team I can trust and I am so grateful for every single one I have worked with and still working with! Also, I’ve learnt to never give up, I don’t even know what giving up is! I will always push myself and my music, my work into new levels! What is the best advice can you give someone who wants to get into the music industry? Find a great team and great people to work with. Never give up, hard work always pays off! And find your way to express yourself in your own unique way! In this biz it’s so important to be unique and to have something that people can referr to. Be true to yourself. What’s next for you? I am working on some new collaborations and I am also working on new music for my next project that I will not announce yet. I am writing on a book as we speak and also working on my next jewelry line. So, stay tuned and follow me to see what will pop up next from my side! Join the movement of the Rising Phoenix! How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? I am on all music platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Soundcloud, Amazon, Tidal etc. Check out the links in this interview and make sure to follow me on my Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and Fcebook to stay updated with my new releases and upcoming projects! You can also watch my documentary on Amazon Prime and FilmFreeway on the links below! I am so excited to share my music and work with all of you, and I can’t wait to meet you in person one day! Much love and blessings to all of you! // Yajna Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6vRcQwJni6XQcoQFeYlPu6?si=EgRaua87QoKs9W7ZECkOAw YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDjn4ac4V9o4OMNv9kXfPVA?view_as=subscriber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yajnamusic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yajnamusic Website: www.yajna.se Instagram: Yajnamusic Instagram: Risingphoenixmusicgroup Instagram: Risingphoenixentertaining Facebook: Yajna Facebook: Rising Phoenix Music Group Facebook: Rising Phoenix Entertainment Spotify: Yajna Youtube: Yajna
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Photo Sixty Minute Men at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver by Zach Rowe @downhilltrucker
Zach Robinson
Branching Out as a Solo Artist
When did you first get into music? I started playing trumpet in elementary school. My parents restrung an old acoustic guitar one Christmas when I was ten years old and gifted me a months’ worth of lessons. Been playing guitar ever since.
Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music? I had a small TV in my bedroom when I was a kid and would watch MTV and VH1 religiously; TRL, rock video countdowns, behind the music ( you name it, I watched it). I wasn’t sure on how it would happen, but I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a musician. How has your music evolved since you first began performing? When I first began performing, I was incredibly shy. I fondly remember my Dad yelling at me to “Sing into the mic!” Now, I don’t think much when I’m playing.. I just go on stage and let her rip. I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us? My favorite story happened at the Belly Up in Aspen, CO. My first time playing there I got to open for Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. For those who are unfamiliar with Karl D...he is a phenomenal saxophonist and band leader who used
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to play with Lenny Kravitz and is part of the Rolling Stones touring horn section. The fact that I was only a few degrees of separation away from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Lenny Kravitz blew my mind! Seeing that level of musicianship was an inspiration for sure! If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why? Definitely passion. I’ll be playing guitar and writing music for the rest of my life, regardless if I ever make it big or not. I am addicted to writing and performing music. It is part of my DNA, part of my essence. I wouldn’t be who I am without it.
Photo by Asia Be @justdream_photos
Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas? I would have to say my ability to write catchy hooks. With regards to all the tunes I’ve written over the years, they’ve all had solid hooks and melodies. I try to write music that everyone can get down to.
What has been your biggest challenge as a singer-songwriter? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? I was in bands for the better part of the last decade and this year (2020) has been the first where I have branched out as a solo artist. Having full creative authority was a new experience for me. Instead of arguing song structure, chorus placement, how long a solo should be, etc....I got to make all the decisions, which brought me a significant amount of anxiety. Once I got used to being in charge, I embraced the role as bandleader. After finishing my EP this Summer, I realized that I want to press on forward as a solo artist. A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art? I believe all artists suffer for their art. We all forego “normal” careers to pursue our passions full time. I often find myself daydreaming what my life would be like if I wasn’t a musician and always end up at the same conclusion: that I would be miserable doing anything else. Sure, I second guess myself daily, but pursuing music brings me a peace of mind that cannot be attained chasing after another pipe dream. How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business? The internet has taken the reigns of the music industry, even more so now that the Corona Virus has shut down the live music scene. As a new solo artist, I’m learning that an internet presence is a necessity to make it to the next level. It has made it easier for me to share my music with world, especially without the help of a major label.
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Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans? I’ve done a handful of Live stream concerts since March. To be completely honest, I’m not a huge fan. Part of it is that I don’t have a great set up for doing high-quality live performances from my tiny cabin in CO. The other reason I dislike it is that I miss the energy of a live audience. Trying to get into a performance while staring at my phone just doesn’t do it for me.
Photo with Sixty Minute Men at Bohemian Biergarten by Ryan Westcott @rywestcottphoto
If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be? I would change what Spotify pays artists. We spend thousands on recording, mixing and mastering music and get pennies for our time while their dude at the top makes millions. Also, I’d make MTV show music videos again! What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why? Calcification - Red Hot Chili Peppers I remember listening to this record on repeat for months on my CD player. It had all the balls, funk and energy of Blood Sugar Sex Magic but added that quintessential alternative flair that I grew to love about the Chili Peppers. Also, John Frusciante is one of my biggest influences on guitar. The Stranger - Billy Joel I grew up on Long Island (NY) and was raised on Billy Joel. I remember rocking out to this record when I was in diapers. Billy Joel’s songwriting skill was undeniable. I can listen to any song on this record and be immediately transported back to New York. “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” might be my favorite song ever written.
Photo below with Sixty Minute Men at The Fox Theater in Boulder by Ryan Westcott @rywestcottphoto
Moving Pictures - Rush Three dudes who sound like ten on stage. The energy, the precision, the mysticism...that’s what drew me to Rush. The first time I heard “Tom Sawyer” I was blown away. Alex Lifeson is another inspiration of mine on guitar. He played with such fierce determination, it had me hooked on their brand of prog-rock immediately. Audioslave - Audioslave I grew up on RATM and Soundgarden. This record was the best of both worlds. Chris Cornell always sang from a deep cavern in his soul that always took me to another place emotionally....he is sorely missed. Tom Morello taught me to think outside the box as a musician. “Like a Stone” is such a well crafted tune, from the haunting lyrics to the powerful guitar solo. Love this band. Reggatta de Blanc - The Police The combination of punk, reggae and pop is what drew me to The Police and this record. I remember hearing “Message in a Bottle” for the first time on the radio and was immediately hooked. Sting is one of my favorite vocalists and he is an inspiration as a songwriter. Andy Summers has this fusion - jazz element to his playing that I always admired. Stuart Copeland is one of a kind on the kit. Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album? I have a few things in the works. This weekend, I’m doing a four song video set at a library in Nederland, CO called “Songs From The Stacks”. I’ll be doing three tunes from my recently released EP “Evolve” and one unreleased track. Also, I am getting back into the studio in December to record my new single “What A Crazy World.” What is the best advice you have received? “I’ve got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.” -Larry Bird What’s next for you? Record new single, write more music. How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Check me out on Spotify or Instagram. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5CH5qpUv5CLj9hKRV4puBd?si=-yYcm-4ORhmvsDKhMxkeHw Instagram: @zach_robinson_music
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Ajda Stina Turek Music from Her Soul
How long have you been singing and doing jazz and blues? Everything started in 2010 when I enrolled in a Conservatory of music and ballet in Ljubljana, Slovenia. I was studying Jazz singing for four years. At that time, I started exploring a lot of jazz and blues music. In the beginning, I listened, of course, to a lot of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Kurt Elling, Betty Carter, Bill Evans, and Chet Baker. One of my favourite singers/artists then and now are still Eva Cassidy and Ray Charles because of the soul in their singing. You can feel every single note they sing.
What got you to write songs? (childhood trauma, happiness, money? Rarely happiness got me to write the songs. When I moved to America to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2014, it was the first time I was alone somewhere and far away from home. I was 20 years old and everything was so new to me. I needed to become an adult from overnight. I missed home and I felt lonely, though I had friends there. It was also very hard financially since I did not get the job for at least a year. Because of the way I felt, I started writing lyrics and then full songs. It helped me to feel better. Later, I also got inspired by the different life stories that people I met told me or by the current events like the start of a Black Lives Matter movement and the European Immigration Crisis. Well, your positive mindset and voice shine brighter than the sun in my eyes! Another single I was curious about was “Sonder,” where did you come up with that name. Thank you so much! In 2018, I released my debut EP “Sonder”, a set of original compositions featuring 30 musicians from all over the world. This EP describes the 4 years of my life in Boston. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and I sometimes felt like I was the only person who had problems and was sad until I started to talk to my friends about it and I noticed we were all going through some issues in life and nobody’s life is perfect. The meaning of the word “Sonder” is “the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.” That just felt like a perfect title for my EP.
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Can you give a behind the scenes perspective on the overall experience of making the song? Sometimes it is hard to write, and then sometimes it feels so easy and natural. How I do it is I sit in a coffee shop with my computer and I start writing the lyrics. I sit there until I finish and that sometimes means a few hours. At least 3-5. Then I would go home and sit behind the piano and play different chords and try to sing the lyrics over, try to find the melody to the song. That would take a few days. I would get back to the song every few days to find fresh ideas or to play with something I am not satisfied with. It is a long process to get to the final version of the song, but when you do it is a good feeling, you feel accomplished. Then sometimes I start writing the song and I never finish it just because it does not work. The fun part then is to record the song and collaborate with different artists who also bring some fresh ideas to your song, so the song at the end sounds great! That is my favorite part - when I hear the song produced. Describe it to us the first time you wrote a song? I was sitting on my bed in Boston. I remember I was feeling very lonely; I missed my home in Slovenia so much. It was in December, so the Christmas lights were on and it was cold and snowy outside. I was sitting in the dark, looking through the window, and there it was in my thought, the first line of the song: “It’s winter outside and inside of me”. I got inspired in a second, so I took my notebook and wrote the lyrics with the melody. The title of the song is “Such Long Time Ago” and you can find it on my EP “Sonder”. Who gave you the support to keep writing in the beginning? Who did you play the early songs for? I think I got the support from my roommates, whom I would show the songs to and they would give me advice and suggestions on how to make it sound better. I also think my harmony teacher at that time had a lot to do with it because he would give us monthly writing assignments, where we would need to compose a melody with cool chord progressions and different forms. What do you feel like when you play one of your songs and people applaud? Is it an affirmation or an irritation? It is scary to perform your songs sometimes because, of course, you want people to love it and accept it and it might not happen that way, but I am grateful that my songs were and that people find themselves in the lyrics too. For me, it is an affirmation and it pushes me to write more. Professional songwriters spend years on their craft. Why not use their songs? I actually love to sing songs from other artists. As a jazz vocalist you start by learning houndreds of Jazz standards, so all you do for a couple of years is studying other artists’ songs and trying to make them a little yours too by changing few notes or tempo or few chords etc... What is better about a song sung by the writer? If you are singing your lyrics, you know exactly why you wrote them and how you felt when you did. You know the back-story so the emotions can be very strong and the audience can feel the strong energy when you perform the song. In addition, you can sing it freely, changing the melody anytime you want because it is your song. You can do whatever you feel with it. Are you more of a singer or more of a songwriter? I am more of a singer, but I also do like to write songs, maybe not as often as I like to sing. You can wake me up in the middle of the night and ask me to sing, I will do it, which I cannot say for the songwriting. I do not practice writing every day but only write when I feel it. Singing in different languages may sound easy, but that’s not a feat everyone can achieve. How did you get to this point in your career? I love languages! The sound of them. I speak Slovene, English, and Spanish, and I used to understand Italian and knew some Portuguese words, just because I have friends from all over the world. Since I have been studying jazz singing, I needed to study many Brazilian songs from Tom Jobim,
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Djavan, Gilberto Gil, etc… and whenever I was doing classical repertoire; I was learning Italian, German and French. I think I just have an ear for languages and being exposed to so many international friends and listening to them speaking their native language helped me. Timing is everything! What was the feeling like when you performed these songs for the first time?. The feeling was magical when you get the applause of course but before that, it is kind of scary, haha. You do your best but cannot escape the thought that people might not like it. You’ve been doing this independent thing for some time now, and the music business has changed a lot since you came out. How do you continue to adapt to this changing culture, especially in this digital-driven world? Well for me it was hard since I am not a person who would want to spend a lot of time on social media promoting myself and my music but I am working on it because I know that now this is the only way to get your music out there and to stay connected to people. Especially now during COVID, I am trying to post cover songs every single day. It is good to keep myself busy since there are no concerts now, to keep practicing the styles I usually do not sing and to broaden my repertoire. From a marketing standpoint, what are you doing differently today than you weren’t doing five years ago? The only thing I am doing differently is that I’m being more daring and confident as I was before and try not to care as much as what people think of me but believing in myself and pushing forward no matter what. So, how do you stay creative without being frustrated in this industry? Well, it is hard! Especially if you are doing something different and not something that is currently trending. I think the most important thing is the people you surround yourself with, who support you, give you the push to move forward, and do not give up. My parents are my biggest supporters. As an artist, outside of growing your fan base and touching more people, why do you continue to push forward? I think if I did not have music and if I was not able to sing I would not be happy. I cannot imagine myself working in an office every day from 9 am – 5 pm. I experienced it and I was getting very frustrated. I like to have my schedule and create my day, well maybe I do not get a monthly salary, but I am still happy because I love what I do. What other artists do you love in your musical space? I listen to many different artists and do not have a favorite one. Some of the artists I like to listen to now are Gregory Porter, Daniel Caesar, Beyonce, Erykah Badu, Ricky Dillard & New G. Your music is similar to a lot of these artists: What keeps you motivated in this soul genre? I would love to know if you find any similarities to other artists. I was figuring that out already. You know I heard one of the important questions an artist should know how to answer is also which artist is similar to you, and I do not know the answer to that question. Since I have listened to a lot of different music, when I write, I write very diverse. That is why my EP is not just jazz, but it is also blues/rock’n roll, Latin, soul, and RnB. So, what’s next for Ajda Stina Turek? In these coming months, I will be recording a duo album with a vibraphone player Vid Jamnik, here in Slovenia. There are going to be both originals and some jazz standards on the album. Plans are also to pursue a Music Master Degree in the following year, do not know where yet, but I am open to many options. WEBSITE: www.ajdastinaturek.com INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ajdastinaturek/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ajdastinaturek SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lULe2XofpyUMm2zYonXoQ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmv-BndVbofENZ5Jp0DFPWQ?view_as=subscriber
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IGNITE APPAREL’s focus is in fueling creative expression of designs and ideals from around the world. “We IGNITE the fuel to Be different, Think different, Act different with passion and love for the art”.
Gold Lemonade A Dynamic Duo
Hailing from the West of France and inheriting a passion for music which was sparked by her influential DJ father at a very young age, Lya Lewis has traveled the world showcasing her spinning mastery and uniquely-redefined dubstep/ EDM genre flavor. As a female producer in the DJ/hip hop industry, Lewis is making waves and changing perspectives. She is known for her striking persona, high-energy sets, and funky, blended scores. Artist Jvgg Spvrrow (pronounced ‘Jag Sparrow’) is the Carib-style vocals, and lyrical whiz kid behind the hip hop/ EDM concept duo, “Gold Lemonade”. Growing up in the French Caribbean, Spvrrow discovered his passion for hip hop early on as he spent much of his time in St. Martin and the West Indies. He eventually left school at 16 to pursue music on a local scale. He then later released a solo single that was in rotation on many online radio stations around the world. These endeavors eventually took him to multi-platinum partnerships and shows in France, where he met DJ Lya Lewis. This marked the induction of their creative collaboration. Known for his gritty demeanor, hard-hitting vocals, yet smooth flow and clever lines, Jvgg is part of the inventive, yet contemporary sound that makes Gold Lemonade a modern success. He sings and writes all the lyrics, often quoting St. Martin as his inspiration for his work, saying it’s the birthplace of his heavy cultural rhyme. The winning combination has propelled Gold Lemonade into creating hits, turning them into a quick success. The duo has been ecstatically working on new projects around the clock alongside Jackie Jackson. “I’m rushing and trying to get everything in line so I can just roll down the train track. At this moment, everything’s looking good,” said Jackson. “With plenty of new releases, and a growing fan-base, Jvgg and Lya are serious about creating a stealthy body of work that ties in their diverse artistic background in the form of a unique pairing.”
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How did Gold Lemonade come into existence? We met each other at a recording studio in Paris called “Arts Digital Studio”. Jvgg was working on his solo project and Lya was composing an album for another artist. Lya needed English vocals and lyrics for some of her demos, so she approached Jvgg for a collaboration. We recorded some features for Lya’s solo album, and we vibed together so well, that we decided to form a duo, known as “Gold Lemonade”.
Where does the name Gold Lemonade come from? We were looking for the perfect name as soon as we began collaborating together. We wanted something that represented the both of us, and funny enough, we both enjoyed the fast-casual restaurant “Lemonade” in Los Angeles at the time. Lemonade represents being fresh and sunny, which truly encompasses our brand, and the word “gold” draws inspiration from being shiny and authentic, which describes our personalities. Your style is unique, fusing hip-hop and electronic dance music together. Where do you see this newfound genre going in the future? We wanted to do something that was original, that no other artists had done before. Hip-hop and electronic dance music are the highest ranked genres right now, so we decided to fuse the two together and create a unique sound. We really think this is the direction that music is going to start going in, and we want to ride this new wave. How did you meet Jackie Jackson and what does your relationship mean to you? Lya met Jackie by happenstance at a café in Las Vegas. Lya was visiting the United States to pitch her new project to various venues, and Jackie was seeking a producer to compose a track for one of his artists. The two began collaborating and have been working together ever since. We believe that meeting Jackie was sheer destiny, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds working with such a legendary figure in the music industry. We still have so much to learn! What is one of your most memorable music video shoots and why? “How You Feel” is our most memorable music video shoot due to it being the most difficult. The video was shot in the cold of winter in the South of France, making the various production elements much tougher to execute due to the windchill. Regardless, we were extremely happy with the results and it is one of our most cherished videos to date.. “Yeah Yeah” is the second most memorable video that we shot due to there being such a positive vibe on set.
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Everyone was happy to be on set, and we were surrounded by close friends who participated in the shoot. The video was shot in the deserton a dry lake bed in Nevada, and it was truly a beautiful setting. Who are your biggest musical influences? Jvgg’s biggest musical influences are Richie Spice, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Tupac and Lil’ Wayne. Lya’s biggest musical influences are Sade, Tina Turner, Supertramp, Radiohead, Portishead, Tupac, Eminem, Joshua Redman and Maceo Parker. You just took home two awards at the Independent Music Awards, how do you feel achieving something so distinct so early on in your career? We are truly surprised that we won, and it is a big honor knowing that prominent individuals in the music industry have recognized our work. To have our work hand-selected by a judges panel truly feels like a stamp of approval, and it’s the best feeling in the world. We hope to win more awards like this in the near future! With the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, what have you guys done to adapt? The COVID-19 pandemic has really allowed us to adapt to the current times, as well as connect with our fanbase on a much deeper level. We were able to participate in a “Unity Festival” consisting of a lineup of prominent electronic dance music artists to raise funds for multiple charities in France. It seems that everything is going virtual, and we look forward to participating in more virtual festivals coming up. We have been able to connect with our fans on social media and get their feedback on our music. Many of them participated in a social media remix contest that we launched, where we will publish the work of some of our most talented fans on an upcoming remix EP. and playing at massive nightclubs, venues and festivals. What are you looking forward to the most in your career? We are most looking forward to touring the world tivals in every major city. With the current times, we appreciate the human connection even more, and we can’t wait to connect with our fans on an in-person level once again. Aside from that, we look forward to collaborating with many of our favorite artists, and launching our own label in conjunction with Critically Amused where we can mentor and produce up and coming artists who are deserving of a career. We also look forward to giving back to our family and friends who have done so much for us. How do you see your career advancing in Las Vegas? Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world, and this is not by mistake. The city is quickly being put on the map in the music festival scene with large production shows calling Las Vegas home, including Life Is Beautiful and the Electric Daisy Carnival. We can’t wait to perform at these festivals one day, as well as the major nightlife and day life venues up and down the Las Vegas Strip. Any upcoming projects or final thoughts that fans should know about? We have been consistently releasing new singles every month, and plan to continue to do so. We have a big project scheduled to drop in September, and we are excited to share it with the world! We also have a new music video for our single “Lemon Step” that will be released in the next few days. As far as shows go, we are participating in another live streamed festival that is set to take place this Fall.
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Alonzo Cartier
“a.k.a. The Painter”
Artist Name? Alonzo Cartier aka The Painter
Style of music? Inspirational, Hip Hop, street edgy story telling.
What made you get into the music industry? The absence of my father initially, he was in jail most of my life for selling drugs. I had no true male guidance so I turned to writing music . How long have you been on this grind? A easy consistent 20 years for sure. Who is your favorite artist and why? Jay Z, he is literally the blueprint to me to this game. No one has done it like he has. He set the bar extremely high to say the least. Second is Pimp C merely because I was able to witness how he moved first hand.
If you could do a callabo with any artist who would it be and why? Older artist Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Newer artist H.E.R, Chris Brown, Jhene Aiko, Ty $ Sign, J Cole, and Kendrick.
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How would you describe your style and the message you want to put out into the world? Naturally original! unforced, extremely authentic and true to who I am. Very coded & personal from my hooks to verses, the most vivid paintings you can find on my side of the map! until I reach yours (lol). What are your goals when it comes to music? Providing a financially free lifestyle for my two little ones through my passion is always the ultimate goal of mine as well as consistently feeding ONLY my painters aka my fans. What projects do you have going on currently? Possibly “The Ticket 2 ep “ by 12/24 at the same time working on my next album Loyalty Issues. Tell us about your current music projects? NNtroverted is my latest project to date. It was released of 9/11 this year. It has been received really well and opened a lot more doors! my team and I are pretty excited about it. Any lessons learnt from your musical journey? To many! and still learning! as long as i continue to just be true to myself i will be fine, but I am loving the journey. Any people you want to shout out? Yes YOU Ms Martha! Overly appreciative for this opportunity! Shoutout my daughter Judy Jetson who has a birthday coming up! Shoutout to everyone who worked on making NNtroverted such a dope project.. be looking forward to more hits ! Shoutout to Jason Pruitt in the USA Navy one of my most favorite people in the entire world. Shoutout to Beat Masta Wes! Your saying is? “ .. if I was .1 percent wack I would have been quit! Unfortunately, God made me the best so here we r! lol”. What would you like people to get out of your music? Simple, Inspiration!
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Allergic To Bullshit Next Level Performance
ALLERGIC TO BULLSHIT - Independent Record Label, Editor & Publisher is a group of innovative, up & coming conscious artists from many countries across the pond collaborating using Discord. I support the group in promoting, distributing and marketing their artwork. I also provide a creative as well as a functional mixing/mastering service ALLERGIC - (Zimbabwe born, U.K. based D.A.W. Engineer/Producer/Recording Artist) Almost my whole family are musical so it became quite the contagious habit from my early childhood. Since I was young I pondered the process required for a song to actually get to my ears through the speakers. It intrigued me and I wished that someday i would be involved conjuring this magic.
I enjoy experimenting with different genres, converting the sounds to 432 Hz and transforming them into something completely different. Sometimes I just throw sounds at the wall and see what sticks. I am extremely eclectic and my music has multiple worldly influences. Obsessed with making instrumentals with no real genre for the past 10 years I decided to merge my love for unique ambient sounds with heavy 808 trap basses and percussion. I also delve into my own version of funky 4X4 at times. My intention is to get you up and dancing. I enjoy studying this wonderful craft with it’s infinite possibilities. I came from a R’n’B background, where I used to only feature on the choruses of my friends rap songs. Until they said I couldn’t rap, inspiring my passion to improve and disprove them... Now, I try to be a “jack of all trades” as I aspire to independently produce, market and promote myself and others involved in A.T.B. Music.
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How did you get influenced by the music industry in the early days of your life? The music industry gave me the impression that only cool rich kids who bump gangster rap were good enough to excel in music. I felt as if I wasn’t “cool” enough to my peers to fit in at primary school in Zimbabwe, Africa. Gangster rap was forced on the mainstream youth, the so-called “black music pop culture”. As a dialectic, this was a strong influence considering my multiple ethnicities and challenges that came with taking the more rebellious, conscious path in life.
Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry? My inspiration came at an early calling and I was fortunate to be surrounded by many talented musicians at home such as the matriarchs that raised me. At a young age, I realized through my upbringing, how connected I truly was to music and creating something original through sound. Independent American rappers were a huge influence to my interest in the music industry. These pioneers in the conscious rap world paved ways for those like me. What are some of the biggest problems you have encountered in this journey of music? My biggest hurdles have been my own internal pursuits for perfection with compositions and improving my voice as an instrument. I have found that the destruction of ego has been akin to the ego that builds an artist up as an idol, breaks them into someone new, humble them by the lessons of the universe or can be the death of them as a character. In my opinion, music is a tool for letting go of such identities, creating alter ego’s and embracing change. I would say as artists, we “curse” ourselves and create spells vowing to essentially live by. My internal work on the ego is a never ending journey. Being a musician what do you enjoy the most about it ? Music gives me enjoyment and a sense of purpose through the release of emotion it brings to let something that may be imperfect out into the world to be experienced by others. I do my best to explain with each song, a painful yet joyous rebirth of sorts. A labour well worthwhile and soul satisfying. What is the name of your last album and how did you come up with the name? My debut self produced album is an ongoing compilation of collaborations with international artists, entitled “WITHOUT WORDS”. I was inspired with this title as I was thinking to myself while camping with a friend. We were both getting so much done without words being spoken. Our duties were almost intrinsic and synced to perfection in accordance with our camping responsibilities. We were scenic and in silent observation, organized and in tune with nature’s rhythm. What or who inspires you to write music? Independent journalists influence me the most as their voices hold an air of urgency. They have been extremely suppressed in the world, in my opinion. My biggest songs are in fact inspired by the topics covered on the 24/7 international streaming media, Infinite Plane Radio with Tim Ozman. As a music/video producer and researcher of The I.P.R., my responsibilities are a constant reminder to reflect and promote critical thinking in these most challenging times. Featured tracks with official videos include: “FEPE AKBAR”, “DYSTOPIA” and “AUTOHOAX”. I also featured in “WAKE THE MASSES” by JT33, also featuring Empress Infinite and Lean Dion. Are you planning on any collaboration with any artist and if so who and why? I enjoy collaborating with like minded and experienced artists and my goal is to maintain a platform internationally for these independent conscious artists to get their voices and experiences heard. Dark Matter Digital Media & The Phoenix Enigma Talk Radio, offered to showcase my productions, “ELEVATE” and “THE PHOENIX” as intro segments. I was also an accredited sound engineer of mix/masterer and video creator/director for Empress Infinite’s first 2020 single release, “BOW DOWN BABYLON”. Which is the best song you have ever released and why? The best international song I have ever released is “THE PHOENIX” ft. myself, Empress Infinite, JT33 & Lean Dion. This track was picked up by The Phoenix Enigma Talk Radio as their theme was an appropriate topic. “THE PHOENIX“ was the most difficult production I have ever executed and I almost gave up several times. All the artists were from different time zones and vocal tracking was sent virtually then mixed and mastered in my home studio in the U.K. This production was quite meaningful symbolically with each artist having such unique angles. Each verse in itself is a climax. “The artists featured did my beat true justice lyrically and blissed me to the max!”-ATB
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What is the message you want to give your fans and our readers ? My message to those reading this would be one of confidence. The mind is all powerful so be confident in your abilities to express yourself in different ways. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself in uncomfortable situations. We are much more powerful than we think and are capable of an infinite number of creations. The greatest growth comes from pushing past your own breaking point, procrastination and self doubt. Never giving in to failure whatever your preferred art may be. How did you learn to sing, write, and play music? I learnt to sing as a youth in the choir at primary school surrounded by a family of 8 singers as inspiration at home. My Grandmother was my first piano teacher but once she bought me a keyboard, the loud Yamaha hip hop beats began to ensue. I enjoy incorporating singing into my raps and sing most choruses. Charlie White, an early mentor, taught me how to structure my rhymes better to suit almost anything as well as gave me my first real opportunity to compose beats on Logic software back in 2003. I am grateful for the time and attention he took to guide me. Currently, I am working on some full song/video compositions for 2021 which include: “BIG DREAMER”, “BALLAM”, and “VALENTINE”, as well as assisting other artists with videos/ lyrical content and my sound engineering expertise. If it wasn’t for your music career what would you be doing right now ? Creating productions has brought me a sense of discipline and purpose. I couldn’t imagine where I would be without the gift of music. What album did you grow up listening to? I grew up listening to The Score by “The Fugees” because my mother said it had a good message of empowerment and the lyrics were conscious and clean. Who are some of your music influences? My musical journey began with my mother, who was a vocalist and my father, who sang and played percussion in a band. Inspiring artists I continue to collaborate with include - Charlie White, MVP DaHardwareVandal, Empress Infinite, JT33, MR Dondidilly, and Lean Dion. Do you have social media? You can find all my links & info here - https://deets.co/atb
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www.rsvpcigars.com
Kid Nebraska
For the Love of Music
How did you get influenced by the music industry in the early days of your life? When I was really young, my dad won tickets to a concert from a local radio station. I think the name of the group was “Reality Check.” They were a hip hop group, and it was the first concert I’d ever attended. They were dancing and rapping and doing backflips off the stage, and it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. I was hooked. From then on, music was a huge part of my life.
Who inspired you to be apart of the music industry? My biggest inspirations were Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. At the time I was playing guitar, but not all that seriously. Then one day I heard Jonny Lang on the radio. At first I thought, “Eww, that’s old people’s music,” but then the DJ said he was 15 years old. When I heard that, I immediately went to the record store and bought his album “Lie to Me” and the book of guitar tabs for the album, and I learned it front to back. In that same time frame “Blue on Black” by Kenny Wayne Shepherd started playing on the radio and it was the coolest thing I’d ever heard. After hearing that, I went back to the record store and bought “Trouble Is” and the book of guitar tabs, and that’s where much of my style developed. What are some of the biggest problems you have encountered in this journey of music? Being a musician is not a peaceful journey. There’s a lot of self-doubt, there are people telling you you’re wasting your life, there are people telling you you suck (even if you don’t). It’s difficult to filter out the signal from the noise. Pile on the fact that you never make enough money and most music careers die before they ever get started. I sort of gave up after my first serious band broke up. We’d been together for 8 years and toured all over the country. If I couldn’t make it with them I didn’t think I could make it with anyone, but the itch never went away. I was still writing and practicing even without a band, and eventually after the sting of the break up subsided, I got serious about making music again. Since then, I’ve been living the dream.
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Being a musician what you enjoy the most about it? I love making music. For me, there’s not much better than playing a great show. One of my biggest goals in life is to be a great musician and performer, and there’s no better way to do that than to play lots and lots of shows. Even if I never get my picture in the Rolling Stone, if I can keep playing lots of shows and progressing as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, I’ll be happy.
What is the name of your last album and how did you come up with the name? “It’s About Time” is the name of my most recent release. I came up with the title because I’d been playing music professionally for many years, but always as the guitarist for other artists. I knew I was a decent singer and songwriter and I’d wanted to record my own stuff for many years, but never built up the courage to do so. When I finally did, the name just seemed to make sense. It’s also the title of a track on the album I consider one of the most honest songs I’ve ever written, and one I hope will inspire other people to have the courage to follow their own dreams before they run out of time. What or who inspires you to write music? My wife is a big inspiration for a lot of my music. She inspires all of my love songs in some form or another, and she also inspires my angry songs and my drinking songs. When you’re with someone long enough, you’ll run through every range of emotions with them and whether she likes it or not, I write about them all. I’m also very inspired by my audience. I really want to make music people enjoy listening too. Isn’t that kind of the point? When I’m crafting a song, my audience is at the forefront of my mind. I want to invoke as many emotions from them as possible. As long as you can make someone feel something with your music, you’ll continue to have a career. Are you planning on any collaboration with any artist and if so who and why? I love collaborating with other artists and my goal is to bring in guest artists for every project I create. “It’s About Time” is full of collaborations, first and foremost with my band; Travis Muzney on drums, Jon Packard on bass and Todd Laird on guitar, mandolin and cello. These guys are so good I just let them do their thing and the songs are better because of it. Beyond that, I brought in my friend Taylor Madden to direct and produce the music video for “Go” and he killed it. The video itself stars my friend Becca Daigle, who’s a badass martial artist, as well as several other martial artist friends of mine. For the album artwork I had my buddy Logan Bartels of Bartels Creative do the design and for the track “Don’t Need Much,” I had my friend Elizabeth Becker record some amazing background vocals. For my next album I already have two duets written, one with my buddy Dylan Bloom in mind and another with a fantastic local singer named Sarah Land, and I’m hoping that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Which is the best song you have ever released and why? I would say “Go” really struck a chord with people. I knew it was a good song when I finished it, but the success of the music video far surpassed my expectations. Personally I think the song “It’s About Time” was a big step for me so I’m probably most proud of that one. What is the message you want to give your fans and our readers ? If you like a musician, let them know you support them. Go follow them on Instagram, go like their Facebook page, and go stream their music as much as possible. Even if you never spend a dime on their art, those little steps can help them earn the money they need to keep going. It’s been difficult for musicians to earn a living for quite a while, but 2020 has taken it to another level. Your support means the world. How did you learn to sing, write, and play music? I’m mostly self-taught with spurts of instruction here and there. I had some voice lessons very early on, but stopped singing for a long time before I started again later in life. For guitar I started learning on my own and took lessons here and there from different instructors. As for songwriting, it’s always been something I’ve enjoyed. My mom has a tape of me from when I was 5 or 6 years old singing a song I wrote called “She’s My Favorite Girl.” I also remember writing a song called “Paper Crane” around the same time. I’d started a “band” with some girls down the street and we called ourselves “The Colorado Rockers” though I’m not sure why, considering we lived in Nebraska. If it’s wasn’t for your music career what would you be doing right now ? I’d probably be making a lot more money doing something a lot less fun. I’m currently a Jiu Jitsu and self-defense instructor, so I’d probably be doing more of that.
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What album did you grow up listening to? The first album I ever bought was “Michael Jackson: Bad” and the second and third albums were a Beach Boys Greatest Hits album and a Kenny G album. I was all over the board. It wasn’t until I found the blues that I fell in love with a genre. Who are some of your music influences? I’m influenced by all the great guitarists I grew up listening too. Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd started me on the path. From there I found Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of my biggest influences. After that it was a Native American blues band called “Indigenous” and all the brilliant blues legends like Muddy Waters, BB King, Albert Collins, and Buddy Guy. Do you have social media? Yes. You can find me on Instagram @kid.nebraska and on Facebook.com/kidnebraska
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The Great Serpent Mound of Ohio Music is in Their DNA
Who or what made you decide to get into the music industry and why? Music chooses you. Not the other way around. It’s in your blood. It’s in your DNA. I grew up the youngest in a large household so my siblings influenced my early listening. This was the 70s, the golden age of Rock. What is your stage name, and how did you come about picking that stage name? Explain. I don’t use a stage name. And is there a meaning behind your music? Explain. Each piece has a different meaning. Is everything has a common theme it would be boring.
What was the name of your first single? Who were your biggest writing influences? The first single by GSMO was “Sweet Blues”. A swampy rocker. Can’t say it was influenced by anybody in particular. As far as writing influences go, I suppose lately I’ve been influenced by Wayne Coyne, Jim James or Jeff Tweedy. Why did you decide to sing /rapping rather than play an instrument? Huh? I play guitar and sing. What kind of things inspire you? The weather, pandemics, politics, and love. How much practice do you practice at your craft a week? Varies. Depends on the project I’m working on. Let’s just say I’m always working on something When do your ideas come to you? Could be anywhere. The shower, the car, and a dream. What was your experience like when you did your first show? I can’t remember that far back.
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If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why? I’d like to record an album with Pat Gubler. Aka PG six. He’s an awesome musician and a great collaborator. We’ve recently become friends via the internet. Do you follow a formula when you write? I usually come up with a hook first, and work from there. How was writing for artist A different than for artist B? I only write music for my own projects. Which song you have written is your favorite and why? Currently I really like “the sun holds its secret” from our new album. It combines two different time signatures, some interesting instrumentation. Some of the likened it to a Pink Floyd type song. That was certainly unconscious, but there’s a Roger Waters influence in there for sure. Which song did you have the most trouble writing? we worked for several weeks on “the sun holds its secret”. It started out as a demo that I made with a loop pedal for guitar. we tracked it but it wasn’t quite right so we went back and retraced. The whole band put quite a bit of time into that one. I’m pretty proud of it. What’s next? we are completing part two of our “de tempo rum” album. and we are rehearsing for live performances for next year. While we’re rehearsing we will be writing as well. Do you have a website or social media? https://www.facebook.com/greatserpentmound/ De Temporum Pars I, by The Great Serpent Mound of Ohio, 11 track album https://thegreatserpentmoundofohio.bandcamp.com/album/de-temporum-pars-i https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCffAXB6O6jOLVbtpBpU-qIQ
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Durand
Talented Storyteller
How did you get your stage name? My music is about me and my life and there is just so much real I didn’t want a rap name, so I wanted to use my real name, Durand. Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry? My biggest inspiration music wise I would have to say Eminem for sure.
What are some of the biggest problems you have encountered in this journey of music? I came to realize that this isn’t going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination. You need money to promote and market yourself. If you don’t invest in yourself you will get nowhere because no one is going to hand you a fucking thing! Being a musician what do you enjoy the most about it? Music is therapeutic to me. it gives me that ability to let everything out I wanna say and how I want to say it! What is the name of your last album and how did you come up with the name? My most recent project is called “Story Time”. I named it that because every track on it had a story to tell. kinda self explanatory lol. What or who inspires you to write music? Idk if you would call it inspiring but my kids make me want to do this. They are the ones who keep the drive and motivation for me to stay at it. that’s why I mention them a lot in my music. Are you planning on any collaboration with any artist and if so who and why? I do have hopes of working with a few artists in the future, but as of right now I’m focusing on myself. Which is the best song you have ever released and why? I would have to say my best song ever released is called “Dad” on my second album called “Underground Mainstream”.
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It’s a story about the relationship I had/have with my father. it’s my best to me because it’s the realest song i feel I’ve written. What is the message you want to give your fans and our readers? Just know that we all are going through shit we don’t want to and some people’s lives are better than others. we just have to accept that and have to keep grind’n and keep push’n to get through the day! How did you learn to write or sing, rap or play music? I basically taught myself to write lyrics. You know you just write what you know, what you lived and what you see. If it wasn’t for your music career, what would you be doing right now? If it wasn’t for music and my family, I would probably be in the streets hustling still. What album did you grow up listening to? Marshall Mathers LP Who are some of your music influences? Eminem, Ab soul, The Weeknd, Kxng Crooked, and Tech N9ne. Do you have social media? Instagram: @Durandrobertson // Facebook: @Durandrobertsonohio // Twitter: @Durandrobertson Tik Tok: @Durandtherapper Give us one streaming link. https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DzEm22FnmBmQZQf6hwegc?si=lvj5iZa-S5GbamvU3lTfvw
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Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. World Health Organization Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/ novel-coronavirus-2019 CDC Frequently Asked Questions https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources Coping During COVID-19: Resources For Parents https://childmind.org
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