Interview: Dance Pop Singer-Songwriter Grace Valerie
@MsGraceValerie is a chart topping Dance Pop sensation and acclaimed songwriter originally from @Russia whose latest video "See How We Run"...
Grace Valerie is a chart topping Dance Pop sensation and acclaimed songwriter originally from Russia whose latest video "See How We Run" is an upbeat, lively and addictive visual that we featured last month. We connected with this talented artist and performer to find out how she got her start as a singer-songwriter, how she would describe her music to a stranger in three words, her goals for the remainder of 2017 and much more.
After reading our exclusive Q&A with Grace, be sure to follow her on social media to stay up to date on her new upcoming releases and all things "Grace Valerie".
How did you get your start as a singer-songwriter? And have you always focused on Dance/Pop as the genre of music you create?
I wanted to be a singer since a little girl. I was fascinated by performers and music instruments. As I grew older, I would take piano and vocal lessons and play around with different sound. But pop and dance music were always my fav!
If you had to describe your music to a stranger in three words, which ones would you select?
Groovy, sexy and fun
Tell us about a typical Grace Valerie live performance? And what do you enjoy most about being on stage in front of an audience?
Every live show is different due to many factors : venue, band or DJ, dancers or solo, the crowd, city, country etc.
I always give my all and try to gift poeple as much light and fun I possibly can! I love to interact with the crowd and get them to dance and enjoy themselves.
Which one song from you catalog would you say personifies you the most as an artist?
I think "See How We Run"
How did you connect with Brandon Hall Paddock to create your single and latest visual "See How We Run"?
He is a good friend of Klaupex who produced the track. He also recorded my vocals for "Magic" so I absolutely love working with him and Alan Notkin
If you were stuck on a deserted island and only had access to one album to listen to until your rescue, which album would you select?
Beyonce "I am ... Sasha Fierce".
What are your musical goals for the remainder of 2017? 1. How did you get your start as a singer-songwriter? And have you always focused on Dance/Pop as the genre of music you create?
My goal is to write and record more music. Working on a full EP. When I wrote my first song - I just started pouring my heart on the paper. And I kept writing and perfecting my thoughts and rhymes. And this is how I created "Magic" and "See How We Run"; I have always pictured myself in Pop / Dance world. However the sky is the limit.
Interview: DCWS Connects With Colorado Based Dance-Punk Duo Get Along
@getalongmusic is a Colorado based dance-punk duo and husband/wife (Nicholas and Cara Yañez) whose new single "Death of a Spirit Animal" is not just...
Get Along is a Colorado based dance-punk duo and husband/wife (Nicholas and Cara Yañez) whose new single "Death of a Spirit Animal" is not just one of the dopest song titles I have ever come across but is one of the best songs I've heard in a while, regardless of genre. We connected with Nicholas and Cara to find out more about this new single, their upcoming, yet to be publicly named, EP, how they know when a Get Along track is complete and much more. After reading our exclusive Q&A with Get Along, be sure to follow them on social media and share "Death of a Spirit Animal" with all the people you know who appreciate great music!
Tell us about your new single "Death of a Spirit Animal". Who produced it and how did you guys come up with that song title?
We worked with two great producers, Richard Veltrop and Glenn Sawyer, at the Spot Studios in Denver. Honestly, we had the title of the song long before we had any of the music. The title came to Nicholas in an epiphany while he was hanging Christmas lights one day- the rest is history.
Did you both know about each other's musical talents before you got married?
Yes. In fact, we were in a band together long before we had any romantic feelings for each other. I do think creating music together made our love flourish though.
What can you tell us about your upcoming EP? What's the name of it and when can we expect its release?
We can’t reveal the EP title quite yet (still finalizing things). BUT we can tell you that it is the musical culmination of many years. We’ve been experimenting with different sounds and instruments for so long; now we’re putting them all in one place. We’re very excited to get it out. Expect a late summer or early fall release.
If you had to describe your music or yourselves as artists to a stranger in three words, which words would you select?
Creative Light Beings
As artists and I assume perfectionists, when do you know for certain that a Get Along song is complete?
Great question. Well, to be honest, I don’t know if we’ve ever quite completed a song. We’ve gotten to points where we are happy with the sound but always feel there is room to grow. In fact, we are still making slight changes to songs that we have been performing live for years. I guess generally if we feel the song is conveying the message we intended it to/is musically interesting then we are happy but we are always open to evolving our music.
DOPECAUSEWESAID's powerful interview with RnB/Pop/EDM artist Edidion
Edidion is an artist with an abundance of talent who possesses an unmatched drive to become the best entertainer he can be...
Edidion is an artist with an abundance of talent who possesses an unmatched drive to become the best entertainer he can be. Edidion began his musical career in 2010 and has been on an upward rise ever since. Music critics say Edidion is the ‘next big thing’, ‘one to watch’ and recognize his unique sound and diverse style.
He's about to drop his new single 'Power' this Friday, June 17th, and believe us when we tell you that it is a perfect blend of Pop, RnB, EDM and Dance music. We connected with Edidion to find out more about 'Power', his inspiration to create music, his last project "Statistic" and much more.
Carlton Boyd
How would you describe your style of music to someone who has never heard it?
I would describe my music as unique, refreshing and cutting edge. I tap into many different genres of music to be boxed into one but you’ll always get a different vibe when you hear my music.
Describe your creative process for us.
Firstly I listen to the instrumental, get a feel for the overall energy of the beat and then I try to figure out the best story to write. Over the years I’ve gotten better at songwriting but it definitely wasn’t easy at first. I had writers block all the time!
Tell us about your "Statistic" EP. Where can it be streamed and downloaded?
Statistic is my first EP; it can be streamed and downloaded via my bandcamp page – edidion.bandcamp.com. On that EP I wanted to get a lot of things off my chest and show the world that I have depth. When you listen to the songs on Statistic they each tell a different story, the beats are different from each other as well as the melodies. I feel like I’m ahead of my time and in the future people will look back on that EP and see how creative I was.
Of all the songs you've recorded, do you have a favorite or one that personified you the most?
That would be a song called “Statistic” it’s the intro on my EP of the same name. That song was a poem that I wrote about how I feel in regards to the current state of the world and how hard it is to elevate when you don’t have the same privileges as other people. That song embodies me and the message I want to promote as an artist.
What inspires you to create music? Are you influenced by your Nigerian background and music?
My love and passion for music is what inspires me, I truly love doing it so I’m always trying to create the best music I can make. I definitely would love to collaborate with a Nigerian artist or make a song that pays homage to my Nigerian heritage, it will happen soon.
Tell us about the 'Power' single. Who produced it and how did it come together?
Power is a disco inspired song produced by Turreekk. The writing process for the song was challenging, I wrote six different versions of that song until the final version that you all will hear. I miss those classic disco/dance anthems like “I Will Survive” and “A Night to Remember”; I wanted to create that energy again in 2016 so that’s how Power came to be.
Connect with Edidion: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
Stream/Download "Statistic" by Edidion
Q&A with POSSE
We connected with POSSE to ask them some questions about their musical goals for 2016, how they got started in music and much more
POSSE is a an electronic DJ/Production duo based out of Brooklyn, New York City, consisting of Justin Rodriguez and Chris Lopez. Their music captures the raw energy of old school hip hop/breaks while infusing it with today’s progressive bass & garage scene. We connected with them to ask some questions about their musical goals for 2016, how they got started in music and much more.
Carlton Boyd
What are some of your goals for this year musically?
P: We feel we’ve really honed in our style of production and performance over the past year and a half and in 2016 we plan on really putting our nose to the grindstone, pushing as much material as possible and playing as much shows as possible.
Who are some of the artists, regardless of genre, that have inspired you guys?
P: We really take inspiration from a lot of artists, both in music and outside. The beautiful thing about what we do is we both take what inspires us - whether it be a dope track, a scene off a film, a skateboard trick, or even a drawing and fuse that into our own sound. That’s why our music has a lot of “texture.” It’s the closest thing to ’touching’ those images.
How did you guys get started in music?
P: We met in the NYC dj circuit. We where both playing shows and supporting each others events. There were many nights where we talked of starting a duo and one day we just decided it was time. Since then we’ve been in the studio.
When can we expect to hear an EP or full album release?
P: While we’re still working out the release date for the album, in the meantime we’re just fine-tuning a lot of elements as a whole for the project.
With so much technology and evolving techniques for music production/DJing, where do you see EDM going next? Could there be a new sub-genre that you see yourselves as the ambassadors or founders of?
P: We don’t know or pretend to know where EDM or pop culture is going next. It sort of feels like we are all in limbo right now, like EDM is actually growing more than ever, but nobody knows whats coming next. We are both a bit fatigued by the perfect pitch and the quantized beats. We would love to hear music with the tonal quality of today and the emotion of years prior. Old school did it better.
