The Orange Magazine - Vol. 15

THE

ORANGE

™

GIVING YOU THE FRUIT OF THE INDUSTRY Vol. 15

Featured Interview

Stephen Perkins

Page 14

Stephen Perkins

Professional Drummer Jane’s Addiction + Porno for Pyros + Banyan Nine Inch Nails + Halloween Jack

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Table of Contents Page 3-4 BUEL Page 5-6 Slyide Page 8-9 ARO

Page 14-19 Stephen Perkins Professional Drummer

Page 28-30 Catchy a.k.a. Vishal Iyer

Page 21-23 Motor Wade

Page 32-34 WOULF

Page 24-26 UJ

Page 35-36 Real Wib

Page 10-12 Bicky Seth

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BUEL

Smells Like Teen Spirit We caught up with talented artist named, BUEL.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m Buel, I write songs and make music videos. I live in LA.

How did you come up with the name BUEL ?

I wanted to find a name that wouldn’t chain me to be a certain type of person with it’s own meaning or associations.

B, U, E, L were some of the letters I had to use because of my birth name, I wanted it to phonetically sound close to me. With this mission in my head, I was just surfing on Google, I don’t remember how I got there, but I found myself reading Liv Tyler’s Wikipedia. I saw her mom’s name right there. Bebe Buell. I started to read about her, looked at her pictures, listened to her music and just felt a weird affinity. The last name Buell, could be my name with one L. So that’s the story.

Which artist inspired you the most growing up?

Kurt Cobain did. His lyrics, interviews, level of non - judgmental acceptance, neutralness, respectfulness, and his open mindedness is what inspired me.

How did you get into Pop Music?

I don’t know, I didn’t realize I got into it until people heard my music and said it’s Pop. Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

The last alive member of Bee Gees, Barry Gibb. Their music always made me feel safe and comfortable and calm. It makes me feel like everything is alright, which I need to hear pretty often. So it would be great to have that spirit at least in one of my records.

What’s something you learned early on in your career that made you a better artist?

That I can never be controlled by others’ vision. I was in a lot of bands before I decided to go solo and I had a lot of

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uncomfortable experiences. Being a musical artist is like a body for my soul and if I let other people’s decisions represent me then It’s worse than not having a body.

What does Pop music mean to you?

I think it means that music is easy to listen to by people. When you get used to hearing certain sounds it becomes pop. When you hear something new and feel it’s foreign, you call it other names, until you feel a familiarity to it. So I think pop means popular = familiarity.

What’s an important cause or issue you support?

I support that people with Down Syndrome and Autism should not be excluded from society and be treated like they can not add something to our society. I find people in these conditions to have very unique and authentic perspectives on people and life and that we can learn from differences, instead of comparing other people’s skills with ours and thinking they don’t qualify.

What’s a subject you’ve always wanted to write a song/sing about?

There’s not many subjects I put on hold for a while. If I want to write about something I just do :) Do you think there’s a double standard in the industry, or in entertainment in general?

I think so. I see people who get privilege from fame and money, accusing others on doing the same. I think lack of self awareness or being too programmed to protect our ego causes this trouble.

Who are some of your musical inspirations? And why?

Mazzy Star, because it felt good knowing I can sing without having to push my voice to where it doesn’t want to go.

Kate Bush, because it felt good to see someone so unique with their movements and facial expressions and hysterical lyrics. Yoko Ono, because it felt good to see someone who writes amazingly simplistic lyrics, poems about the most complicated ideologies in the world. It encouraged me to try to.

If you could cover any song what would it be?

I think I just covered Smells Like Teen Spirit because it was the one.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

If people could stop making rationalizations about why things did or didn’t work. Because things usually work for a bit until they don’t anymore or don’t work until they do. I think if people could quit treating time as a linear thing and accept that things are in constant change, the music industry would be a better place.

What makes your music so different compared to regular music?

This is not something I focus on much, but people say it’s different and I don’t ask them why either. Because I think it has a lot to do with delivery and it’s hard to describe. All I could say as an answer would be that, I try to stay focused on myself while creating. simplify mine and to write about conceptual things. Meredith Monk, because it felt good to see someone who is free to do whatever she wants with their voice.

Morphine, because I liked Mark Sandman’s way of angling others from himself in his lyrics and of course I’m a huge fan of his voice and delivery.

Do you have social media and/or a website? www.buelmusic.com www.instagram.com/buelmusic www.facebook.com/buelmusic www.twitter.com/buelmusic

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Slyide

Multi-Talented Artist When did you first realize that music was your calling?

It was kind of just something that felt right. Like a feeling that this is what i need to be doing.

Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Eminem, Lil Wayne , Diddy, and Snoop Dogg... the OGs.

What were some of the obstacles that challenged you early on in pursuing a music career, especially where it pertains to your diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum?

I didn’t understand a lot of things and became overwhelmed easily. I went through and found the things i needed that didn’t overwhelm me. Or gathered wisdom from others.

Were there other disciplines in the music business that you experimented with before you discovered where you felt the most confident and productive?

I was an artist for a time. I still drop some bars now n then. But my 1st love for music was as a pop n lock dancer. Even danced and hip-hop shows in Tucson AZ with Dj Jahmar International , Dj L3XX , Dj Touch and others.

How have your musical tastes changed overtime?

I listened to a lot of underground and mainly hip-hop before becoming a producer. I’ve grown to appreciate other genres and how artistically driven they are.

What is your opinion on the style of mainstream, contemporary hip hop?

Mainstream hip-hop is dry. Plain and simple. There is less focus on lyricism and more focus on money, drugs, sex, etc.

Hip-hop used to be about life and be being about that life. Not glam and fame. Hip-hop used to have a story to tell.

How do you see the genre evolving in the coming years, particularly with digital playing such a huge roll in the industry?

I see streaming taking over the vast majority of RIAA certification factors. Also think there is going to be a new form of physical media sorta like the cd or a track. Which will play a huge role. I believe the future of hip-hop over the next 20 years is

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going to be conscious rap and country rap. A return to lyrical values as well.

What advice do you have for other aspiring artists within the music scene and is there anything particular you would say to those with an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis?

If music truly interests you and you truly want it to be your lifelong career.... Stick with it. Autism makes you more capable to learn than others and gives you hella marketability cuz there ain’t a lot of people on the spectrum doing it on a big level. Be a leader not a follower. And remember with God all things are possible.

What is the best piece of advice you have received during your music career?

Someone close to me said in July 2020. I see you being big as a songwriter or producer not a artist. Within months of turning to producing. My career began to take off.

As a multitalented artist, what specific themes or topics would you like to explore in your music?

I’d like to hear how mainstream country artists making country rap sound. As well as producing collaborations between the big artists in multiple genres. Think Eminem, Demi Lovato, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Luke Combs and Ariana Grande on the same track.

How do you challenge yourself as an artist?

I just keep pushing. Don’t need to challenge myself as I have enough challenges already. Marketing dollars being my Achilles heal.

What artistic goals do you have that keep you motivated?

Achieving Greatness and feeling accepted.

What other endeavors do you currently pursue?

Influencer and brand ambassador roles. Searching for paying sponsors , bitcoin and cryptocurrency and the legal marijuana industry.

What is the most important attribute you would like to be known for, your legacy if you will?

Helping others. I want to bring others up using the fame I achieve. I want to give my family the world. Being a godly and humble man and never forgetting where I came from.

Where can our readers find you digitally?

The Orange Magazine baby!!!! #SlyideWithMe, also Ughh blog, A&R factory, Hype Magazine, Seize the D.A.E Magazine, Grimes Magazine, and more.

Facebook.com/Slyidewithyoboy Facebook.com/Slyideentertainment Instagram.com/Slyidemusicofficial Instagram.com/Slyideentertainment Twitter.com/Slyidemusicoff Tiktok @Slyide Slyide.com

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Search Slyide on any streaming platform. Find my remixes on youtube, just type Slyide Music.

ANEIK THE MODEL

My name is Azianeik Crumby also known as Aneik, I’m from San Francisco, CA. I am a little tall standing 5’7 but ‘5’9 in heels with beautiful brown skin, 4c type hair and a slim thick body type. I am a new upcoming fashion model / video vixen who has a dream to become one of the most well known public figures all over the nation. As of now I am modeling for clothes but I would also love to get into lingerie and swimsuit modeling as well. Aside from modeling I do arts and crafts molding and sculpting for Keychains, coasters, etc, also I am a self taught MUA looking to expand my passion for beauty. I inspired myself to become a model because I love to be behind the camera, I adore taking pictures and letting my face be seen and just being myself . Yes I am conceited but its all about self love and admiring your own beauty without being told you are beautiful by strangers. I am doing this to set an example for the younger generation to send out a message, “You can do anything you put your mind to, don’t ever let anyone tell you that you won’t make it because you will. Keep your head high and have nothing but positive energy around you.”

IG- neiksterella IG MAKEUP PAGE- paintedbyaneik Facebook- Ajay Crumby

IG: @nikkih_bookings FB: www.facebook.com/nikkihbookings

ARO

Damaged Amanda Rose O’Connor “ARO” is about to release her heartfelt debut album “Damaged”, with the dazzling theme “I accept that I am hurting but I will never give up.” An accomplished and prolific musician, singer-songwriter and actress, ARO’s talent can make the plainest faces come alive with promise.

Life is defined not by what we let go but rather by what we let in. ARO lets in an orgasmic kaleidoscope of angelic tapestries within her lyrics and compositions. A soulmate of the heart, she writes her songs candidly and passionately coming from her own life’s trials and triumphs.

What inspired you to want to work in the entertainment industry?

I grew up in New York City, I’ve been going to concerts and Broadway shows my whole life. I was always very passionate about music, my mom purchased me a grand piano for my 1st birthday. Being able to tell stories through music and acting gave me freedom to be who I was. The entertainment industry is a unique way to connect with people and create a bond that will forever have an impact on my life.

What inspires your lyrics and music?

Growing up I was mostly a loner, I never really had friends, so I found comfort in making music. Music has always been an outlet for me, it was a beautiful escape. Music has a way of touching souls, I think it’s important to have it in your life. I put a lot of emotion into writing my lyrics. I always felt like I was alone and nobody else felt the way I felt, even though I knew that wasn’t the case. Music connects people and I think it’s important to be as raw and authentic as you can when writing. A lot of people are silently suffering, and my goal is to have people never feel like they’re suffering alone.

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Was there a moment or moments in your life that seemed to change the trajectory of it?

There have been many moments in my life that have brought me immense happiness and extreme despair. I think the songs I’ve written are definitely heartfelt from all moments in my life, good and bad. My songs don’t sugar coat anything, I write how I feel, and I think that’s the best way to reach people.

Who were/are your biggest influences?

There are many people that have inspired me in the entertainment industry, but my biggest influences throughout my whole life have been Adele, Eminem, Lana Del Rey and Johnny Depp. They are all very close to my heart because I feel like I’ve grown up with them. Their music and movies have really had a major impact on my life. I relate to all four of them in many different ways. They have all been through very difficult times but yet they still managed to turn their pain into art and become successful. Sometimes being real and genuine isn’t always perfect. I think showing people a vulnerable side of you is brave and can really help someone. I am hoping someday I can be the same for someone else.

How old were you when you realized you could sing and write music?

I loved to sing and write music throughout my life, but it was never professional. It wasn’t until after high school that I became serious about making music. I started writing my album when I was 18 years old, I spent years in the studio creating music. Piano has always played a major role in my life, it defines who I am. To this day, I still can’t read music because I was too stubborn to learn. I was never the type of person that liked to be taught, I was always the “I’ll do it myself” type of kid. I’ve then since changed and am now much more open minded now that I’m older. I think it’s important to be open minded because you can never stop learning. I value people’s opinions and think that everything in life is a learning experience.

What motivated you to study acting?

I’ve always been extremely fascinated with acting. It always felt right to me, I wanted to grow up to be a story-teller.

Acting gives you the ability to live a different life in someone else’s shoes. I feel like the more characters you play, the more you learn about yourself and how you relate to that specific character. Acting also gives you the opportunity to learn about so many different types of people, places and cultures. I never felt like I fit into anything besides the arts, it was always a comfortable place for me.

What roles would you be hoping to portray?

I would like to someday play roles that are very different from me. I think it’s challenging to play someone who is the opposite from you. With acting you will always discover pieces of you that you never knew existed and I think that’s pretty amazing. In the world of acting anything is possible.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

I would like to see myself hopefully doing what I love. I would love to accomplish having my music out, I would also love to hopefully be working on an acting project as well. My dream is to definitely perform concerts someday. My main goal is to be able to find people that will relate to my music and hopefully I’ll be able to create a strong bond with people that feel the same way I do.

Are you currently working on any projects that you super passionate about?

I am currently working on finishing my album “Damaged”.

Each song on the album will tell a story about different chapters of my life. I see the album as a journal in a way.

I’ve dealt with a lot of sadness in my life and I know other people have as well. So many artists have helped me through difficult times in my life, I’m hoping “Damaged” will do the same for someone else someday. The purpose of the album is, “I accept that I am hurting but I will never give up”.

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Bicky Seth

Singer-Songwriter When did you first get into music?

I have grown up listening Scatman, The Beatles, Haddaway, Boney M and 70’s bollywood numbers from my Dad’s Music collection and later Nirvana, Green Day, RHCP, Pearl Jam etc. I was very much influenced by band music so i started learning guitar back then and later formed a band and everything started from there, I started composing music for my band and this was the corner stone for being a Music Composer.

What genre of music do you perform and why?

I was never been restricted to any particular genre, I have composed music in multiple genres such as rock, jazz, blues, classical, EDM, metal, new age etc. I work with various producers, they ask me to produce music on different genres as per their requirement whether its commercials, jingles, film scoring, songs. I love working on multiple genres. Since, a year or two I have been doing solo projects, working specially on Ambient Music, beside I am working with other production houses.

And why did you choose that style of music?

Firstly, I am very much fond of film background music. Secondly, I believe there so much chaos around the world due to people, speed, connectivity and social media. People getting restless, lonely, depressed, having insomnia. So, I decided to work on relaxing ambient music, soothing and calm music, hence this genre. Beside I am working on film scoring.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I am the only musician in my family had no such foundation but my dad used to listen music a lot, various artists from around the world and I have grown up listening to them. Other way it influenced me to create music and as I told you I am very much fond of film scoring so I decided to walk this way.

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How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

My taste in music changed over the years, It evolving, I am learning every day, every minute, getting inspired by many

talented artist around the globe. I never stopped. I never stopped creating music. I learned from my each and every past compositions, I read my previously released compositions a lot, i learn from it, i learn from the mistakes, think about the possibilities and its evolving.

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?

Sitting at studio I meet new people almost every day, talented artist, singers, film makers, music producers. So many stories. Will recollect some and try to share in another column.

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?

Joy!! As I told you, there’s so much chaos, anger around the world. I would love to spread some Joy, happiness. haha!

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

Let listeners judge. Let them listen to my music, my composition my soul. They will decide. I know only one thing, no matter what, I will keep producing music.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge?

If so, how?

Lack of Support and Money. I am still suffering, Long, long way to go.

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?

If you call it Strive then I totally agree. The notion of suffering for your art has been around for a while. Beauty of art always has to come at the expense of pain and suffering. I believe great art comes from great pain. Just my opinion.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

Well internet has totally changed the music industry, A powerful tool. The Music Industry in an Age of Digital Distribution. It is really easy to create music and distribute around the world just in one click. Super easy to download, accessible to all.

If you could change anything about the music industry.

What would it be? Please explain.

The rates creators and rights owners earn from streaming are currently fractions of pennies. A songwriter or rights owner needs to see millions of streams to make any substantial income from this revenue stream. Streaming services are the biggest platforms for consumers to listen to music, but those that make music are not able to make a sustainable living solely off income from those sources.

The rates need to be higher so that those who create music for a living are actually able to earn a living.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

There are hundreds, if you want to ask me five then I say Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd, Revolver - The Beatles, A Night at the Opera - Queen, Led Zeppelin IV , Passion and Warfare - Steve Vai and All Hanz Zimmer’s Soundtracks Tell us about your current project. Please explain.

I am currently working on few ambient composition along with some orchestral piece and a full length album which will be releasing this year. The list is damn long.

‘Pluviophile’ is my very current project. Its a single which will be live soon. Thanks to my sound engineer and buddy, Siddharth Menon. He is really working hard to make this happen.

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What is the best advice you have received?

Don’t give up! Just because your self esteem is dragging you down or your time is running bad or you think you’re not worthy. It will be hard and it will take time, you will be where you want to be, just do not give up.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

I call them believers. Well my music is available on all major music streaming platforms. Easily accessible.

Where are you from city, state, town, country?

I’m from Kolkata (city of Joy, Art and Culture), India Do you have social media?

Yes, I do like most of the people and I am pretty much active on them.

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/bickysethofficial Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/seth_bicky Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/bickyseth Twitter- https://twitter.com/seth_bicky Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_71zredMJI5tBD7Ni5gkw Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/0RQRQ4N5pd04Pp5MRR9xXc Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bickyseth/1528623431

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Stephen Perkins The Beats of A Different Drummer

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“The passion for techno is older than techno itself. The passion for drums is older than their invention. And the time will come when the reason for both surpasses them”......Dan Van Casteele Stephen Perkins, drummer of Jane’s Addiction is a show in himself. He is an animated avalanche faster than God on a skateboard, loud as a tsunami with the power of a nuclear blast, but has the dazzle, blaze and sparkle of fireworks on the 4th of July. The backbone of the band Perkins becomes one with the drum kit.

We’ve had several conversations regarding Think:EXP however I never asked you how you got to this space?

Let’s back it up a little... I found the drum set as a piece of art when I was 10 or 11. I would stare at a drum set and it would look like a sculpture to me. It wasn’t only a musical instrument, but it sparkled. It was loud. There was this magnet pulling me. Even though I didn’t have any chops or a serious understanding of what to do with a drum set....I just loved looking at it and getting close to one. When I was around 10 or 11 or 12 my parents ended up giving me drum lessons here in Los Angeles. It was on a practice pad. I didn’t have a drum set at home, so I practiced on pads and pillows for about two years. I would put on a Stones record or The Beatles or Jackson 5 and I would play on pillows.

I would find a rhythm and a different type of response from each pillow surface and try to get into this at home. It wasn’t till I was about 13 after my Bar Mitzvah that I was able to afford a drum set with my Bar Mitzvah money. After my Bar Mitzvah I went and bought a drum set and it was an awakening. It was loud, it was noisy, the response was different than the pillows.... I had to re-learn and kind of re-digest what hitting the surface was and what the response was and the sound that came out of it. That was almost like a rebirth of drums for me. But now I had a musical instrument that had melody and the sound of cymbals that resonated three or four seconds, maybe even 10 seconds. I would have to reflect on that as a drummer.

What kind of music were you first influenced by?

My first love for drummers, were jazz drummers. They were so musical, and they all sounded so different from each other.

I loved Motown and rock but the way I interpreted drummers they all sounded the same. With the jazz drummers everyone sounded different.

I wanted to be a jazz drummer, so I started swinging and playing the jazz records. But, no one in Los Angeles at my age was buying jazz music or playing it. I couldn’t find a trumpet player or saxophonist or even a pianist. It was really all about bass and guitar.

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Everybody was playing bass and guitar and learning Sabbath and Zeppelin. I started to realize the kind of rock drummers that I was attracted to were actually jazz influenced. Ginger Baker was swinging, and Ringo and Charlie and Bill Ward from Black Sabbath were really swinging back there. They were influenced by jazz guys like I was. But being surrounded by Marshall guitar rigs and Ampeg amplifiers you’ve got to play harder. You can’t lay back you’ve got to step on the gas. The experience I had at age 14 and 15 was exploring the rock drummer and how to play hard and powerful and not lose that swing. Kind of when Tarzan goes up one vine and is flying through the air before he grabs the other vine. That’s how I see the drum set. You’re steady, you’re holding and then you let go, and then you look for the next one. That’s how the drums are to me like a big wave on a ship. You go up and down. You’re safe on the surface but you definitely feel the movement and it’s not consistent. It’s different. A big wave will take you up higher and a small wave will bounce you small, and that’s how I kind of see the role the drums have in rock ‘n’ roll and in jazz.

Cool So, I was able to find great players but not fantastic musicians at 14/15. I found guys that would enjoy playing the rock ‘n’ roll stuff, but the easier stuff like the Ramones or AC/DC. I kind of started playing rock ‘n’ roll on the simple side of drumming in a sense, but still very athletic. At 15/16 I met Dave Navarro. Dave was a master on guitar and I thought “this is a guy I can play with.” Most guys weren’t obsessed with their instrument as I was and Dave was a natural. So finally, I met somebody that I can play with an explore some of the harder stuff, like on the strip you met all of these guys hanging out at the bar, and then getting on stage, and then hanging out down the street at the army surplus store buying spiked boots. They were just some of the more progressive bands that still rocked but we’re thinking out of the box. There were some real chops going on. That expanded our pallet, there were more colors. We weren’t just black and white players, we had orange and blue and yellow. So at 16 we started a metal band called, “Disaster.” We actually gigged the Troubadour, the Roxy, the Whiskey.... and at the same time Motley Crue, and Ratt, and Poison, and all these bands were playing there. So, I got to hang out with Tommy Lee. I got to hang out with Stephen Pearcy, the singer from Ratt. Even though I was 8 to 10 years younger than those guys I felt like I could do what they were doing.

They were just up there having a good time, wearing make up and ripped up T-shirts, and that’s what I decided to do. It seemed possible. It didn’t seem out of reach. When you were a kid you looked at people like Led Zeppelin and you think to yourself that you can never be like that, they were from another planet. But one of us and we were one of them. You just had to step on the gas and find yourself a good team that was all in the same state of mind and then it’s possible. If you have one weak link you were going to fail. We realized that “Disaster” was a good stepping stone. But we needed to start something new, a little bit more concentrated. So, the summer of 85 me and Dave were looking for a bass player to do a power trio and my girlfriend at the time had an older brother who was in a band with Perry, the singer for Jane’s. They were in a band called PsyCom, Psychological Communication.

Great name.

My girlfriend told me they were starting a new band and looking for a drummer. Perry was 26 and the bass player was 24 and I was only 17, so they weren’t looking for a teenager. They tried out a bunch of drummers maybe 10 or 15 drummers their age and my girlfriend suggested they try me.

I showed up, they gave me an audition, and with the very first song they said “oh shit this is what we should sound like.” I told them “I had a guitar player, my buddy Dave who is just like me, he’s on fire.” It took about a week or two before I convinced the guys that my buddy Dave was going to be a better fit then Ed the guitarist they had in the band.

Ed was also 25 or 26 and didn’t have the fire or the hunger that I had. We brought Dave over and just like my audition they chose Dave. This was “Jane’s Addiction.” The sound at that moment is really what you hear through the whole career, an electric, sensitive, dynamic band, paying attention to the poem. Perry wrote great lyrics, not about cars and girls,...he wrote a song called “Had A Dad”, about God and losing your faith.

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These were real lyrics. I could take the lyric and get emotional...not only the baseline and the guitar solo, I’m connected to the words. Then we started writing songs around his words. His words weren’t lyrics. He didn’t say the same things four times. He said one thing and then he moved on. It’s was a poem. The music had to conform around the identity of the lyrics and the placing, the way he would place the syllables. The poems and the electricity that me and Dave brought, the bass player Eric was a 180 degrees from me and Dave. I’m connected to the words. Then we started writing songs around his words. His words weren’t lyrics. He didn’t say the same things four times. He said one thing and then he moved on. It’s was a poem. The music had to conform around the identity of the lyrics and the placing, the way he would place the syllables. The poems and the electricity that me and Dave brought, the bass player Eric was a 180 degrees from me and Dave. He just liked to write baselines that just repeated itself. That’s all he did.

That’s when I started realizing the power of the rhythm section. I kind of put it in one of my favorite artists MC Escher.

You have the white duck and the black duck. You don’t know which one you’re looking at, but it’s a pattern. That’s kind of what the rhythm section should be. It fits together and one without the other doesn’t make sense. You can’t have the white duck without the black duck. They fit together. That’s how Usher put it. I started to see the Base line and the drum part as this union. We had great poems, we had a lot of electricity with guitar, and a lot of sensitive topics that Perry had brought to the table to sing about..... wasn’t about getting laid or paid...there was something deep in that.

We had this great moment with the music and the lyrics and the combination....we all had different record collections, we all dressed different, we all had different had some records out. It seemed like the strip was coming to an end.

This strip was getting signed and most of it was crap. There was this urge and moment when heavy-metal and post punk both hit the ceiling. There was nothing left, friends, we were inspired by different music, art and books.... it wasn’t like four of the same guys, it was four different guys. That was in 85/86 and the post punk thing in LA hit the ceiling.

Some of the bands weren’t going to get any bigger. They did it, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, they were all there. But there wasn’t anything growing bigger than what they did. We already had Fishbone and Chili Peppers, they And then?

Jane’s Addiction...we would play these late night after hours parties that started at 1 AM. The strip would end at midnight so you would see at a Jane’s Addiction party all the cats from the strip, Poison, and the others needed a place to go out all night. The post punk guys were putting on the party and we were the band. Jane’s Addiction was the house band. We had an audience full of an eclectic, colorful LA scene Full of movie makers and film directors and rock and rollers, punks, artists, and I was only 17 years old. Most of these cats were in their mid-20s. I felt a little intimidated hanging with these older cats. But then again with what we were bringing to the table, they wanted to hang with us.

Where is this energy coming from? Where is this excitement coming from? For our first show, the Chili Peppers, X and Fishbone, they were all there. They put us on their shoulders....they said, “You guys are mixing it up!” Everybody in LA wanted music to succeed. They said “let’s make music and change the world.”

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Yeah So, the Jane’s moment was just the perfect storm of Punk and metal coming to an end in a sense. Something new needed to be stirred up into the blender. Eric and Perry were listening to Joy division, New Order, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Echo and the Bunnymen, Iggy.....Me and Dave heard of these bands but we were more obsessed with Iron Maiden and The Scorpions. So, they opened up our eyes and gave us a whole other record collection. As a drummer in a parallel world I was obsessed with jazz and rock but then I got a little antsy and started buying African records, and Indian records. I would think what about an African beat to poem. So, I started to find my own voice as a drummer hybriding all these influences. I was around guys that accepted and encouraged it. I would always take cues from Perry. If he was singing about something evil,l I would think evil. If he was singing about something beautiful I would think beautiful. I would let the lyric drive my emotional and organic drumming performance and not just be the Motown clock, which I think is important but I’m not that. I didn’t grow up in Detroit. I didn’t have a funk background. I grew up in LA where there were drum circles in Venice with half naked people playing drums and smoking weed. So it was a little more Grateful Dead, organic, social music in a sense. That was really the storm of Jane’s Addiction. Our first record we did live at the Roxy because we didn’t want anyone to step on us or try to produce us. After that we had a bidding war which we thought we deserved but now looking back...wow. We had Capital, Geffen, Warner, and a bunch of labels. Like I said everybody on the strip had already gotten signed, so we thought as you get better you get signed. That’s the MO. But they weren’t looking for the blonde haired David Lee Roth singer, they were looking for what was next.

And you were what’s next.

Geffen offered us an amazing deal, but they had just put out the “Appetite for Destruction”, the GNR record, and they kind of wanted to have the West Coast rock scene. We didn’t want to be produced and put together. So, Warner Bros. was fantastic in the sense that they let us produce our own record, our own artwork. “We just want to show the world we are part of LA.” They told us to make our best record and they would put it in every record store. They were willing to give us choices of managers and agents. Warner Bros. was going to have to work harder because we weren’t a Warner Bros. band. We weren’t the Doobie brothers, we’re not Van Morrison, we are a punk band. Warner had to rearrange the world a little bit to make it work for us. They didn’t care how long the song was, if there was cussing, .... they just wanted to know what we were doing and how to get it out there. So, looking back now, wow how lucky! There was a perfect marriage. So that was the first Warner’s record called “Nothing Shocking”, the second record was “Ritual.” It was kind of more progressive like Genesis and Yes and Rush. It was more of a progressive playing as opposed to punk rock because we’d been on tour for two years and we knew how to play. We really had a great live band. The “Ritual” record was basically just putting the mics up and doing in the studio what we had been doing on stage for the last two years. That probably was the best we could be. The friendships were strong, the recording session was great. The memories from the tour, the museums we went to, the bus, this all went into the “Ritual” record. You could hear friendship and a bond. Then we toured for another year and we started to diffuse. I think a great manager would’ve said “take a break”. We had a good manager and he said “keep going.” The good manager wanted to get it done, The great manager would’ve seen the future. We didn’t have a great manager and we broke up.

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That’s sad.

Everybody asked us what we were doing. We just had Lollapalooza....we had just coined the phrase “alternative music.” We have just told the world that this is relevant and we could go into Madison Square Garden and sell 20,000 seats. Echo and the Bunnymen couldn’t. Everybody was in shock, but we didn’t know any better. We did five years of the same thing, with the same people. Suicidal Tendencies opened up for Jane’s for about 2 weeks so I was already friends with them. They had made a record that I played on and they showed up for the last show in Hawaii, and I was heartbroken. The day we broke up they told me that they were offered to open for Ozzy for two months on “The No More Tears Tour”, and asked me if I wanted to come with my band Infectious Grooves. So that was the way to heal my broken heart from Jane’s Addiction. This was a metal scene and I was just rocking the alternative scene for five years. So now I’m on tour with Ozzy and surrounded by all these metal heads so I made new friends with all these cats. It opened up a whole new door in the social type of heavy metal scene.

There was Zach Wylde on the guitar for Ozzy, one of the greatest guitar players ever, there were just some great metal guys. So, I was out there for a year with them and the whole time Perry and I were talking about

our next band Porno for Pyros. Perry needed some time off. He wasn’t interested in being on tour like I was. I am an athlete. Perry was like “oh cool we just broke up I’ll call you in a year.” A year went by and we prepared to do Porno... we knew we’d never find another Dave Navarro but we had a great guitar player name Pete Distefano. So, we thought let’s write Porno songs around poems and rhythm. So, the Porno record really brought my drumming to another level.

I stripped the regular drum set and I brought bongos and chimes and all these weird instruments that were percussion but less of a drum set. I was able to explore more of that Latin Indian type of rhythms. That’s how the Porno record came together. The first Porno record was written day after day at my house. The second Porno record we traveled the world with acoustic guitars and bongos. We went to Fiji, Bali, Tahiti and Mexico.

How cool.

The second Porno record was more song driven and the first one was more of a rock record. The band went through a big change which was exciting. The work ethic wasn’t there like Jane’s Addiction. We weren’t obsessed with getting on a bus and a van and playing everywhere. I think that even though the Porno music was so deep and fantastic the band itself wasn’t a workhorse. During that whole time, I really wanted to play more drums so I started a band called Banyan.

I decided let’s not have a singer so I didn’t have to step on the poem or get in the way of the poem. We just played. We made three Banyan records wth EMI which were mostly instrumental with a couple of vocal moments. But that kind of gave me a chance to spread my wings as a drummer. Porno broke up, not officially. We just stopped playing. Banyan kept rockin’ and then in 97 we had Flea and Navarro and started doing Jane’s shows called The Relapse Tour. We did about 40 shows. It was amazing.....what a tour. We made a movie out of it called “ Three Days.” The movie kind of taps into the weirdness that was happening then. We really didn’t have any plan. We just wanted to go on tour, so we did about 40 shows and that was about it. All of a sudden I heard Tommy Lee was looking for a drummer. He had a band called “Methods of Mayhem.” I called Tommy and asked him how could he be looking for a drummer? He told me he wanted to get on the guitar and sing and that he needed a drummer. Fuck yeah, I said “I’m your man.” I love Tommy. I love his drumming and his work ethic is unmatchable. So, we would join together around noon and play together for about 2 hours and the band would show up from 2 to 6 and then at six he would say “Perkins you and I are going all night.” Tommy wanted to play for hours upon hours. He was almost like my workout coach. Then we went on tour with a whole other group of musicians, the new metal musicians. Through the years I’ve been fortunate to have punk rock, Nu Wave, and heavy-metal hard rock musicians around me. I still strive for jazz players. I kept thinking one day I’ll meet a trumpet player or a saxophonist.

Well?

When I got to hang out with Scott Page that was kind of like full circle, getting back to those instruments that really speak to me.

This is an amazing story.

I’m just hungry to play. I just need to play. Then about two years ago Norwood and Scott approached me about doing Pink Floyd music which has grown into what we know as Think:EXP, and the power of what Derek Day brings and Kenny Olson...it’s just obviously top quality players. My love affair with Derek Day is what I’ve always had with players.

I love brave. I love groundbreaking and rule breaking players. As a drummer you can’t break too many rules because you want people to move their butts. But I love being around people that are trying and are brave and are courageous on their instrument. I’m 52, Derek is 26, Scott is 60 something and it doesn’t matter. We’re just playing music.

Of course, if you’re an athlete one day you have to put your glove down because you can’t keep up with 20-year-olds.

But a musician never has to. So, the whole time my drums are my love and my backbone. Then of course meeting my wife Cindy and having Eden gives me so much more to play for, so much more food for the creative side. To show Eden, my kid what’s it’s like to get on stage .... show him the power and the glory that you get from seeing other people enjoy your music. That to me is the reason to do it. To make people happy. It goes back to when I was eight or nine. I saw a movie and it was the “Benny Goodman Story.” They had the real drummer from Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa in the movie. They show Gene doing a drum solo in the movie and the camera goes to this conservative couple. The husband is tapping his hand on the table and the wife says, “Can’t do that, we’re conservative.” Then they go to her feet and she’s tapping her foot and I thought “that’s for me.” You can’t stop what drums do to you. My favorite thing about drumming is seeing people react.

I’ve watched you play and you’re a show.

It’s just coming from the heart. It’s not planned, it’s not premeditated, it’s happening. It’s going to be different tomorrow and it’s different than yesterday. Just be in the moment.

Make sure you tune-in to Stephen’s new endeavor, “The Rock N’ Talk Show”. The Orange Magazine wishes him the very best!

Instagram: @therockntalkshow | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPaQEqoVwfBmyIzEExDQEJw

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Motor Wade International Band

We caught up with international band, Motor Wade.

When did each of you get into music?

Bhavneet: I started playing keys and harmonica in 3rd standard. But discontinued when marks dropped :D :P. I picked up guitar again in 2006. Then kept on playing at a slow pace throughout so far. Was involved with a few groups over the years, it got serious when I met Motor Wade folks. Played a lot of cover songs but then realised it’s the right time to get to some originals as well.

Rakesh: I always loved music but started pursuing it seriously during my college. I one day bought a guitar & since then I have been into music.

Varun: I was attending Carnatic vocal classes when I was in class 6. But music piqued my interest significantly when I was in class 11. It was around this time I started exploring classics like Oasis and The Beatles. I started out singing, and I felt like exploring instruments as well. I’d tried my hands on violin and mandolin before, before switching to bass. I spent hours listening to music across genres, interviews and clinics, and developed a good ear. I got my first bass on 26th August 2018, and it has been a different life from then on.

Santosh: Interest in music started fairly late in my life, about when I was 17 years old. But when it hit me, there was no looking back. It was a re-discovery, a liberation.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

We really can’t point at a single person or an isolated incident which inspired us to pursue a career in music. Overall the freedom of expression, happiness and satisfaction it gives keeps us driving. Especially when someone genuinely appreciates our music, that acts as a rocket fuel. The understanding we have as a band has improved and it’s starting to show in the music as well. Things which as a process used to take time are getting smoother day by day.

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How has your music as a band evolved since you first began creating music together?

Music has been a great medium of expression for all of us. One could say a lot without saying. Our taste differences in the band helped to add multiple dimensions and color to the music that would come to make.

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?

Desire. It helps you to dream. The other emotions mentioned here can be interwoven with desire - the desire to experience joy, the desire to deal/not to deal with anger, the desire to follow one’s passion, and the desire to make oneself proud. A lot of songwriting prompts here. xD! Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique a band in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

Openness, natural and free form of expression. Our creative differences have actually helped us in bringing out interesting elements in the songs we’re working on. Our songs (work in progress) are an amalgam of personal elements combined with a variety of influences, with each song driven by a member of the band while the others contribute and bring the song to shape.

What has been your biggest challenge as musicians? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

One of our challenges has been to find forums to take our music to a wider audience. In that way we are very thankful to xs10.

We are making efforts to make ourselves visible to the listeners and we have let the art speak for itself. We want to pour our heart out via our music.

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?

Partially agreeable, suffer may not be the right word, may be “you must work for your art”. It does take quite an effort to get your music to people’s attention. And the music business is not an easy place. Sacrifices/ compromises are needed. Constant work and consistent discipline is required. It’s as they say “nothing comes easy”.

We have made sure to overcome our personal challenges to meet for a common cause, setting aside our differences and united by passion for music. We try to seize every opportunity to display our art to justify its importance.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet has actually twisted the topography of the music business. The emphasis during the cassette and CD age was on album making. The internet age has emphasized more on live streaming, bigger outreach and digital platforms for music.

On the contrary, it has downplayed supporting music as a career, upcoming artists face challenges as piracy or free art is exercised without boundaries. It has also provided listeners and music enthusiasts with option paralysis.

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The best of both worlds would be a great platform to uphold the art of making music in the coming days.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

We haven’t done any live-streams, yet. But we would absolutely love to do it.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

Music Industry has been compressed and confined.

We would like to see more live show opportunities and sustainability. A re-birth in music vinyls, or copies would be great making it a tactile experience.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make each of you who you are today? And why?

Bhavneet: GnR’s Appetite for Destruction was the one that got me. I am totally crazy about the solos that Slash plays.

Rakesh: It’s definitely The Wall by Pink Floyd, Roja

by A.R. Rahman, Greenday’s American Idiot, Stadium Arcadium by RHCP & Toxicity by System of a Down.

Each of these albums is way different from the others but there is one thing in common. They all are genius compositions. The song structure is not very common yet the songs are popular among every common man.

Each of these albums is way different from the others but there is one thing in common. They all are genius compositions. The song structure is not very common yet the songs are popular among every common man.

Varun: City Of Evil by Avenged Sevenfold has shaped my music persona. I’m a sucker for harmonies, be it vocal or instrumental. This album has both. Raspy vocals with several layers delivered with immaculate control, melodic lead guitar harmonies, solid bass rhythm that packs a punch, and intricate yet catchy guitar solos appeal to me a lot.

Santosh: Dark side of the moon, In absentia.

Both albums are a sonic spectacle, they are great pieces of art to experience.

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

Currently, an “untitled” album is in progress.

The songs are based on several concepts and emotions.

What’s next for Motor Wade?

Motor Wade is young, there are new doors to open and newer places to be. More music would follow as it falls to place. We are looking forward to playing live and reaching out to the world with our own material.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

Fans can access our music on all major streaming platforms by searching “Motor Wade”. They can also head down to motorwade.com to learn more about us.

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UJ

Indie-Pop Artist

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When did you first get into music? Please explain.

I was always surrounded by music from an early age. My father had collected cassettes of Indian and international artists and I remember me and my sister would listen to the cassettes from start to finish and sing along till we knew the songs by heart. But I really got into music when I started taking guitar classes at the age of 16. Soon after I started writing my own songs and I recently started producing my own tracks.

What genre of music do you perform and why?

My genre of performance usually revolves around Indie Pop. I tend to slip in hints of different genres to keep it more experimental. I think I can express myself more fluidly through the genre. But lately I’ve been experimenting more with Lo-Fi and I am curious where it will lead me to.

And why did you choose that style of music?

I think I am still in the process of choosing the style of music that I want to make. In my latest EP “Aazaad”, there is very little similarity between two songs as far as the style of music is concerned. I tend to go with the flow and the vibe while working on a song in the studio.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I never wanted to become a musician or a songwriter until I took my first guitar lesson. I remember being embraced by the instrument just playing it day in and day out and learning new techniques. The moment I held the guitar I knew I wanted to make music for a living and slowly I found myself turning towards writing songs and producing music and I’m loving it.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

I think an artist never stops evolving when it comes to making art. When I first started writing my own songs, I realized that the songs didn’t quite connect with other people, they sounded very immature or I guess I didn’t have anything exciting to write about that would interest other people. But I’ve found that telling a story through my music almost like a screenplay was what attracted people to my music.

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?

Sadly, I’ve never shared a stage with a huge celebrity but I’ve performed live with a lot of talented musicians. Once me and my band were performing a new year’s gig at a pub which was supposed to last for 2 hours tops but we ended up playing a 3 hour show and my guitar string broke right at the end of the final song.

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?

I think the desire to make the ultimate song that I could ever make drives me more than anything and that ultimate song is always the next one. I’ve always tried to push my boundaries to be more technical while producing a song or be precise as to what words I want to use while writing it. For me a song may come out of any emotion but the desire to make a whole product out of it that the world can listen to is what drives me to stay in this business. What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

The biggest challenge while performing live for me is letting go of the mistakes that happen in a live show. Every show is not going to be perfect. There might be some technical issues and not all notes are going to be hit perfectly, it’s an artist’s job to overcome that and not let down the vibe of the show. I’ve not been able to overcome that completely but I am trying hard to go easy on myself while performing. A drink before the show seems to help a lot.

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 think every person suffers for making it big in this dog-eat-dog world and artists are no exception. Being an artist in India of any kind is already a tough job and moreover being an independent artist is the toughest. The mental turmoil of whether or not my efforts would be enough to make it in the industry have had the worst effects on me. But it’s true that you must suffer for what you really want because then the success would taste even more sweeter.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

This digital age has brought people closer than ever before. The internet is a crucial tool in the music industry nowadays. It’s a bit easier to reach your audience. Making music with artists around the world and collaborating with them which would have taken a lot of effort before the internet, is now so easy. Even the production tools such as DAWs are now online. You can work on a song together without being in the same room in real time. Social media if used properly can be the greatest tool an artist can ask for. Reaching your fans has never been this easy.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

The only thing that I’d change is building up opportunities for budding artists who have got so much more talent and are struggling their way through the industry. There are a lot of opportunities already but I would love to see big labels to put in more energy than they already do for artists that don’t have resources to reach their audiences because they have beautiful stories to tell through their music.

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What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Death Magnetic – Metallica Bombay – A R Rahman So far so good – Bryan Adams Ghost stories – Coldplay Freedom – Akon There are more albums and artists that inspire me and I look up to them but I have been listening to these albums since I started taking music as a career. They hold a special place in my heart.

Tell us about your current project. Please explain.

I am currently working on a Lo-Fi/Chill project which is going to release very soon. The song is about life in general and how you lose your way in life but you realize that people around are lost in their own ways too and you have to find peace within that uncertainty.

What is the best advice you have received?

The best advice I’ve received is to stay consistent and keep at it. It might seem hard but if you prioritize your work it becomes much easier. The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

They can listen to my latest EP “Aazaad” on all major music streaming platforms. Follow and subscribe to my social media and YouTube channel for more updates and new projects.

Where are you from city, state, town, country?

I am born and raised in a small town called Akola in Maharashtra but I am based out of Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Do you have social media?

Yes, you can follow me on the links below.

Instagram - http://instagram.com/ujripper YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzmyjc-8RxWl3rcoA1WW9Tg Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3aPIRIEIjZwC3FAvcjf7gE?si=Q_F-sYddSx61FvamRnJKbA Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/UJwithoutadoubt Twitter - https://twitter.com/UJwithoutadoubt

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www.rsvpcigars.com

Catchy

a.k.a. Vishal Iyer When did you first get into music? Please explain.

My journey with music first started when I was 14, I was inquisitive to explore how music was made so I was going through my iPad which was first bought and I started drawing random MIDI Notes on an application called Auxy. Since I was 14, I was also listening to a lot of Electronic Dance music by various artists like Martin Garrix, Avicii, Calvin Harris, DJ Snake, Nucleya and many more which pulled me into the curiosity of music-making. Since I am also inspired by my Indian culture so this made me get my fusion influences. After that studies came in so I was not into music that much but I was more into playing acoustic guitar and singing and consistently listening to various music.

At age 19 when I was in my college’s second year of Engineering, I started to produce music again seriously through my laptop this time experimenting and creating my own unique sounds. So from there on I went on consistently creating music with early listening influences of Electronic music and Indian Folk music.

So, in 2020 a biggest change in my career happened when I got signed to Songdew as an artist. From there on it has always been an uphill journey with them and they are always helping out to grow more and more with each day.

What genre of music do you perform and why?

I do not have a fixed set of genres currently as I am totally into experimentation. As experimentation gives me my unique style of fusion music which I love to create using my influences.

Otherwise, I love to perform all different kinds of music as they all together give me an edge to experiment and learn more and more.

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And why did you choose that style of music?

I chose experimentation as a way to go for my music style as it depicts my own self that is being versatile as an artist.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

It was my listening ability and curiosity which slowly developed the love for the art with age. Since music also runs in my blood as my grandmother is a Carnatic Music teacher and my mom plays western and Carnatic Violin. So these all things together have somehow shaped me up as an artist and made me fall in love with what I create.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

With time and age, my music has evolved into very beautiful art. As when I was young I was only and only thinking about sticking to a particular genre is Electronic music but now it is all about the courage to experiment and stand out and be unique with my sounds.

Even as a songwriter my lyrics have more beautifully matured than before. And I would say learning and growing never stop as an artist, I am always trying to improve with every song I create.

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?

Well it’s a very long way to go, but informally I have met Shankar Mahadevan Sir. He is very humble and a down to earth person. I hope to reach my new goals and perform soon in 2021.

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?

It would be passion which would help me stay in this tuff business as passion is the one which attracts various energies and helps to be determined, focused and disciplined.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

I think since the industry is ever growing and overflowing with new talents and ideas, I would say the biggest thing would be to be myself while making my songs.

The uniqueness comes from the unique sounds which I use to create my music.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

The biggest challenge for me as a performing artist has been to be consistent and bring new ideas to the table everytime I start creating something, well so for this yes I have been able to overcome it with time, I learnt not to pressurize myself for generating unique ideas and also learnt to go with the flow. The practice of meditation and reconnecting with nature has also helped me to overcome this challenge.

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? Please explain.

Well according to this phase I would say the statement is a bit true as in Life change is the only constant, to support this I would say Life is full of ups and downs, so hence the suffering and rising.

Also in the hardest times you go the most, even in these sufferings if you are able to fight and overcome it then you will be stronger than before with your art!

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The Internet is the main source through which my music is reaching a very wide audience even without physically having a concert up there in other countries. The Internet has also helped me to gain more fan base through online communities both local and international.

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If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

One change I would suggest is that each and every artist should be pushed and should be helped to reach more and more audiences as people in our country (India) are stuck in a notion that film/bollywood music is only music available to them.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

So here are my Top 5 Albums/ Singles which have inspired me along my journey 1) Vande Matarm album by A.R. Rahman The first ever music I listened growing up and the first song ever which gave me goosebumps and soulfulness. Can’t express the feeling in words as words can’t express how it feels on listening to it each and every time!

2) SAGA - I & II by MEMBA The most amazing artists who have their own sounds and unique vibes that’s what I strive for such an amazing album creates a very unique experience in your mind. A must listen.

3) Cold/mess by Prateek Kuhad This song is soo close to my heart, what a beautiful voice and what an amazing composition this is. Just close your eyes and feel it! This has been my go to song in easy listening.

4) O sanam by Lucky Ali He is one of the greatest legends ever will ever be as my childhood was full of his songs not only O sanam but also Tere mere Saath a masterpiece I would say! Been on repeat for ages now.

5) VED album by Ritviz His songs are soo good and have been on my playlist ever since so unique and happy songs to uplift your mood! I have fallen in love with his album VED especially songs Udd Gaye and Liggi are my favourites 6) Bass Rani by Nucleya This is how my brain started recognizing Indian electronic music. He has served as an inspiration ever since he released the album!

Tell us about your current project.

So currently I am working on a singer-songwriter, it will be released by the end of January. It would be something very different from usual which I do.

About the song - The song’s name is “Madhosh Hai”, captures the terminology of space in a relationship. The song is a small story of a dilemma between lovers either to love or not to love too much that the other is longing for space.

So the confusion between them is expressed through the song. We all face the issues of relationship in our day to day life, so a real-life story influenced the lyrics. Emotions of love are very confusing sometimes it requires space to harvest the feeling, so Madhosh Hai is the phrase used to describe the madness of the lover’s heart, making him fall in love with her so madly. The song is a live version with live guitars and vocals.

Well, I will be releasing a song at the end of month. It’s a singer-songwriter called Madhosh Hai. The song emphasizes the Space terminology in a relationship.

What is the best advice you have received?

The best advice I have received would be, “NEVER GIVE UP” follow your intuitions and vision, dreams do come true.

Also never let success get to your head, stay balanced and focussed everytime.

What’s next for you? Please explain.

I have got a lot of amazing music coming up in different genres - Electronic, Folk, Hip-Hop, Lo-Fi and much more. It would be a very big surprise for everyone, and would be totally unexpected. So excited to release them all very soon with Songdew. So, all my music will be the result of my courage to experiment with my sounds and create some very unique vibe.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

Fans can access my music through all streaming platforms on SongDew, YouTube, Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, Gaana, JioSaavn, Apple Music, iTunes, and many more.

Where are you from city,state, town, country?

I am from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFpWBIhzGLVeLr3nMuEAkyw Instagram- www.instagram.com/catchyproductions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/catchyproductions/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/Vishaliyer3 All in one link - https://linktr.ee/Catchyproductions

WOULF

Artist on a Mission How long have you been in the music game and how did you get started in the first place?

I’ve been making music since 2013, but I’ve been around creators my whole life. My family has DJs, musical artist, dancers, and poets. So, I had it all in my blood ever since before I was born. I use to burn CDs on a broken screen everyday after school after recording in mixcraft on my moms laptop. She hated when I took her laptop. But I knew it would lead to days like this. My first microphone came from my Casio keyboard I got one year for Christmas and ever since then I use to have everybody from my school record at my house. I started recording at bigger studios in my city such as “Top Of The World Studios”, “Clockwork Studio”, “Bulkley House”, “Kultivation Studios”, and eventually finding my home studio with my dawg Antoine Christopher at “The Arcade” What’s your stage name?

My stage name is WOULF. Stands for - Working On Uplifting Life Fully.

Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?

Ever since I could remember I was introduced to jazz music first. Boney James, Rick Braun, Stanley Clarke, Herbie Hancock. Growing up in a Jamaican influenced home I heard a lot of Capelton, and Sizzla growing up also.

Which artists are you currently listening to? And is there anyone of these that you’d like to collaborate with?

Right now in my playlist I got SiR, 704 Chop, Rod Wave, Brent Faiyaz, Don Toliver, and that new Roddy Ricch. I would love to get a record with Don Toliver and SiR on the same record, Or Roddy Ricch, and Brent Faiyaz.

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Have you suffered any ‘resistance’ or skepticism from within the industry and fellow artists, and if so how have you handled that?

I use to until I stopped letting that get into my head. They could never stop what’s been destined for me. I use to take advice from people...I stopped. I learned to boss up and listen to the ones who have my back and my best interest.

Do you consider video an important part in promoting and marketing your music? Where can we find your latest video?

Of course! Music videos bring the audio to life! It brings body to the audio. Shows what the artist wants the world to remember. My latest video for Light Show is out on YouTube and on my website at www.longlivewoulf.com. https://youtu.be/08t9PNOm_cc Studio recordings or performing live in front of an audience, which of these do you prefer most and why?

Performing live hands down. Having a live audience and being on stage is where I really shine. That’s my strong point and I love when it’s all eyes on me. I love performing a song and having the crowd interact and engage with me.

Tell us something about the beats and music production on your releases. Do you write and compose them or do you work with other writers and Producers?

The beats I use and chose for my songs and projects are different and blend with me and my style well. With the latest release Light Show I hooked up with my main producer Menaco for this one. We have a few records out and a whole archive of songs tucked off. I don’t use writers, but when I go to the studio me and Antoine Christopher my Engineer sometimes help channels my energy for the direction of the record. When me and Antoine work on records I get my hands into the production part as well, I’ll come up with melodies and apply to them to chords through the midi keyboard in either logic or FL studio.

On which of your songs do you think you delivered your personal best performance so far, from an emotional and technical point of view?

Coupe, because it’s a fan favorite. It’s a vibe, a bop, a slide, whatever you want to call it, it gets the people moving.

That’s what I love to see. Movement let’s me know I got you emotionally invested, whether you jumping up and down or your swaying left and right, I got you locked in.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in a genre overflowing with new faces and ideas?

I still have fun with my shows. I use to work in retail for a long time so in order to get a sale you have to build trust with your clientele. I translate that to my crowds big or small. I can be WOULF with no buzz and rock a crowd because of how invested I am with them or I can be the popping artist WOULF and lose that connection and have a really bad show. I stay invested with my people because I take em to the moon. I’m the pilot and they are my passengers, I gotta make sure they enjoy their flight and help them defy-GRAVITY. 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?

Passion fasho. If I ain’t got passion, a love for what I do, then why the hell am I doing it in the first place. Having passion can and will lead me to my goal. Music saves my life and I could never abuse it.

Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?

The formula. Hearing the production and letting my feeling and my stories resonate through the microphone. So you could say the actual recording process.

Tell us something about your songwriting process. What usually comes first the lyrics or the beats?

This really depends...sometimes I have words that come to me before a beat because I have stuff I need to get off my chest. Other times I like to hear the production first then ice the record. I usually come up with hooks first, then the verses. Sometimes I’ll record 10 hooks and come back weeks later just to add the verses. I need some breathing time to get my thoughts straight for the records sometimes.

How involved are you in any or all of the recording, producing, mastering, and marketing processes of your music. Do you outsource any of these processes?

I like to get involved with the recording and producing part, but not to

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much mastering just because that really takes a certain training of the ear. There are artist I’ve talked to in the industry who will send a record to 3 different engineers just before it reaches the mastering engineer. I’ve also worked on beats with producers in a sort of production ring where one producer works on percussion, another melodies, and so on. So when it comes to the actual track I get all my records tracked out to get the best sound and mix possible. I take care of all my marketing and promo.

The best piece of advice in this business you actually followed so far, and one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?

The best piece of advice I would say i have followed so far is to bet on yourself. You’re the investment and you’ll only go as far as you let yourself. Advice I wish I had took more of is to never doubt yourself and If you’ve got an idea...run with it.

At this point, as an independent artist, which is the one factor you desire most, and feel will undeniably benefit the your future (for example increased music distribution, better quality production, more media exposure, bigger live gigs etc…)?

Bigger Gigs. Arenas, Festivals, in-studios. Those would help push me to a whole new level. I’m strong in the live performance area more than anywhere else. I take people to the moon! Increased music distro is always a plus.

Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites, as fundamental to your career, and indie music in general, or do you think it has only produced a mass of mediocre “copy-and-paste” artists, who flood the web, making it difficult for real talent to emerge?

I would say both honestly. It’s helped my career gain traction and helped me gain an audience quicker by allowing my music to have more exposure. Also putting me in front of the industry right at peoples finger tips. On the other hand it might allow for less originality from others. It’s easy to consume music through social media and easy to become microwavable too.

Could you tell us something about your latest music releases and where fans can find them?

I wanted to do something different this time. I’m proud of my city and where I come from. This is that hometown city vibe that can go for anybody’s hometown, not just subject to one city. I treat every city I go to like its mine, like I’m back in Cleveland. When it came to the visual, I wanted to highlight Cleveland for those who have never been here, I wanted to show that Cleveland is on the map and we have some heavy hitters out the city; I’m a heavy hitter. Although I’m proud of where I come from, it’s the trenches where I come from but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m broke now, but I’ll be rich soon. “Had a dream I made this song to get my family out the hood”; I said that line because I’m not the only one betting on me. I sat on this beat until I came up with the perfect words because I knew this song was it. I don’t have all of the jewelry and flashy sh*t right now, but my presence shines bright. That’s what Light Show is about’’. You can find Light Show on all streaming platforms and the visual is out on YouTube.

What do you think is the biggest barrier you have to face and overcome as an indie artist, in your quest to achieve your goals and wider spread success?

The biggest barrier for me has been finances. Being able to invest into your craft, as well as taking care of your own personal needs. Music videos, tours, merch, production, etc and I still would have to find ways to eat, buy clean draws, transportation etc. It’s rough but sometimes you have to take certain risks to see the reward.

What is the ONE thing you are NOT willing or prepared to do EVER, in your quest to achieve a successful musical career?

Change what I stand for. As a man, I have morals that I wouldn’t switch up or change because I would let my fans and most importantly myself down. My fans grew with me and seen my beginnings. That’s like me turning my back on what we created together and I could never break the bond and trust we have.

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www.aryelnicolepr.com

Real Wib

Pop-R&B Artist When did you first get into music?

Music has always been my passion since childhood.... And I always used to get these new rythms and tunes in my head... Which I left unrecorded until a certain time... And decided that I need to make them into songs.

What genre of music do you perform and why?

I perform pop/r&b cause I like to send Alot of Energetic and emotional meanings through my song.

And why did you choose that style of music?

I faced Alot of struggles in my life... So when I meet another person who goes through the same things... I wanna help and support them through the message in my songs.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

My Inspiration For music would be ... The negativities in my life... Cause I don’t think there is a better way to channel my hurdles and problems... In a positive way than through music... By sending a Message to all of em who suffer there.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

In the very beginning of course just like everyone else I started of with a YouTube video... Gradually stepped into the Professional way of making a song... And improved in terms of my song writing.

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?

Most of my performances were solo.... So I haven’t shared or had an experience with an famous artist.

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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?

Passion Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

I think that my way of song writing is quite different from other artists... Usually as I’ve seen artist write about their life... In thier songs... But my songs comfort the listeners and help them... By sending a message to them What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Performing Live Is kinda hard for me... Cause when I see huge crowds I get nervous... But when I saw that people love listening to me...and are enjoying it... It helps me sing without being nervous.

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 don’t really think we need to suffer... Cause if we put out heart and soul into something we love doing... And feel that it’s really good... Then I believe that there are many people who can also see It from my perspective too... So eventually we can grab attention of the audience if we are genuine.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet has played a massive role in the music business... It has helped many independent artists like me.. to showcase our music... And reach out to the world.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

Well I think that the true talents should get more of the stage to show themselves.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

Alec Benjamin - Narrated For You One Direction - Made in the am Anne Marie - Speak your Mind Lewis Capaldi - Divinely inspired to a hellish extent Niall Horan - Flicker I think these albums have a Meaning that speak from themselves.

Tell us about your current project.

I’m working on my next single.

What is the best advice you have received?

To not give up on your passion.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

I’m up on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, iTunes, YouTube Music and various other music platforms as “William Issac Bennet” Where are you from city,state, town, country?

I’m from Bangalore, India.

Do you have social media?

I’m Up On Instagram and Facebook: @realwib

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Photo by @joshpshanks

Baileysinger-songwriter Elora Facebook: @baileyeloramusic + Instagram: @baileyelora YouTube: Bailey Elora + SoundCloud: Bailey-Elora