Interview: DCWS Gets to Know Melbourne Hip-Hop Duo Headlines
Stimulated Media and @stimulateursoul founder Maggie Tra connected with Melbourne hip-hop duo Headlines for an exclusive interview to pick their brains about their new release “Stepped On”, and much more.
Headlines are a Melbourne based hip hop duo consisting of MC and prolific freestyler Aye One and MC/Producer dstnce. They have been writing and recording songs together since 2015, and recently released their new single “Stepped On”.
Stimulated Media and Stimulate Your Soul founder Maggie Tra connected with Headlines for an exclusive interview to pick their brains about their new release, what’s next, and much more.
Tell us about your latest release and what inspired it?
It’s just a fun, dusty, chopped up jam about taking on adversity and naysayers and telling them where to go.
How did you first start in the music industry?
We released our first EP about a year and half ago. Since then we’ve been doing any and every show we can and working on heaps of new tunes.
What are you working on next?
Our second record; we're hoping to have it ready to go by the end of the year.
What advice would you give others?
Don’t sweat the small shit.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
It would be dope to rock a DJ Premier beat.
What’s your favourite studio snack?
Usually some zataar and pizzas from the Lebanese bakery and couple beers to go with it.
Interview: Joseph Baldwin Talks About His New Single "Mymind"
Friend of the DCWS brand, @MaggieTra from @stimulateursoul connected with Melbourne based singer-songwriter Joseph Baldwin for an exclusive interview to discuss his new single “Mymind”, which we’ve recently featured.
““Mymind” was created in a time where I was feeling kind of isolated and alone. I had just moved out and was living by myself at the time. I wanted to create something that kind of helped me in that situation, something that explores loneliness but still finishes with a sense of hope”
Tell us about your latest release and what inspired it?
“Mymind” was created in a time where I was feeling kind of isolated and alone. I had just moved out and was living by myself at the time. I wanted to create something that kind of helped me in that situation, something that explores loneliness but still finishes with a sense of hope. So whenever I would listen to it, it would remind me of the loneliness and how I got out of it.
I thought it would be a good time to release it at the moment because so many people are faced with loneliness right now, and I hope this song can uplift them in whatever way that may be.
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Binge watching The Office, I'm a lame Office fan!
How did you first start in the music industry?
I'd been writing for a few years and wanted to share what I've created with my family and friends, so I decided to release a collection of my music as an EP late last year, 'On My Way to Her'. I guess that would be my starting point!
What are you working on next?
I'm currently working on my next EP. I'm about 3/4 of the way through, so hopefully that will be out late this year or early next!
What advice would you give others?
I think in terms of music, to just make as much stuff as possible. That's the only way to get better! My philosophy is that you have to write a certain amount of bad songs before you find a good one, so keep on writing!
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
Jon Bellion. He is my biggest influence and I think it would be awesome to work with him on something! You gotta dream big!
Who is the dopest artist you know?
I don't know many artists personally, but those I do know are pretty dope! Earnest Jackson is one of my favs!
What’s your favourite studio snack?
Snowpeas, especially when they're cold! They're so crunchy and funky and I love them.
Interview: Belgium-Based Urban Electronica Artist JoBee
DCWS sits down with urban electronica artist JoBee to talk about her ability to fuse genres, putting women in the front and what lies ahead for the future...
JoBee Project is an artist you need to know, originally from Poland but now residing in Belgium the multi-talented singer has the ability to take you on a journey through time and space. While she dabbles in soul, electro and gets hip hop producers on her project she is not limited to one genre. Not does she have a powerful voice, she’s also an activist and creator or all woman hip hop collective Supafly.
We sit down with JoBee and talk about her ability to fuse genres, putting women in the front and what lies ahead for the future.
Your album fuses so many genres together, is there one that sticks out to you the most?
Not really, I love them all, separate and together in a blended fashion. I used to be the leader of punk and grunge group, before I went into jazz education for several years. I do feel I am first of all a jazz singer, as that is how I started my training at the beginning of my musical journey, eventually experimented with electro, beats and trip hop or hip hop beats. It is a fusion indeed, and I really love it all. My melodies come from the heart, and the influences are countless. In Poland my album is listed under 'alternative' music and I love it, as I do see myself as alternative artist, even though at times it's 'too polished' and close to pop. I like to call it magic pop, cause why not?
You run women's collectives and are an activist, how important is it for you to stand up for woman in the industry?
Putting women in music and arts in the front has been of key importance for me for years. Empowered women should empower other women, and that was my starting point when, in 2009, I met Jeanette Petri aka Jee Nice, the editor in chief of Anattitude Magazine (the first and only existing international Hip Hop magazine on print, to present the female side of Hip Hop culture), when she was about to finish the 3rd issue of her magazine. I was already at that time running my radio show on Fm Brussel radio, and thought I could help out to connect with other music minded people, as I instantly loved her work so much! Together we decided to throw a big release event in Brussels! We wanted to bring together a team of creative and motivated ladies with a heart for hip hop, exactly in the spirit of Anattitude. We got together the urban photographer Lizairo, CYMO-blogger & music manager Nadia-O, singer/DJ Fatoosan, music manager Vaneeshua and musician/DJ MikiGold. It was instantly clear that we were on the same page when it came to the rich culture of hip hop. Our first event took place in October 2009 at Tavernier in Brussels and was a huge success. That’s when Supafly Collective was born as a collective and started a long-lasting and inspiring journey. In 2010 we got a weekly live radio show on BRUZZ, the capital’s largest radio station. I have been a radio host already since 2008, so I moved from Implosief to Supafly radio show.
It has been a beautiful and enriching journey, it is so important to highlight the presence of women in music, and specifically in hip hop, oftentimes I am the only girl on the line up of music events, that has to change, that is my main drive also as feminist and activist and artist, and I will never stop!
What projects are you working on next?
A real bee is always busy buzzing and creating, so is me, JoBee! Future looks very bright! I am currently working on several collaborations with both female and male rappers, several producers, as well as on my own EP with a Belgian producer!
You are about to hear more about JoBee in near future! New videos coming up as well, I am working with an amazing creative film director from Poland. Also, concerts and a new tour from spring! Stay tuned fly bees.
Who would you love to collaborate with?
If I could collaborate with anyone! The list is countless, but if I had to choose one living artist today that would be Flying Lotus! Yes! We met for the first time in LA in 2008, and I remember playing his tunes on the radio in Belgium when he was still unknown at that time, blew up very rapidly! Then we had a chance to hang out in Rotterdam with him and my Supafly crew in 2009- fly times- I wonder if he still remembers me! Need to ring him.
Who do you listen to on repeat now and why?
My music is very eclectic. Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Rage Against the Machine rocked my teens and I was a punk band leader for years. Then I took a break and I turned to jazz and pop - I love Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, and Bjork.
At the moment I'm listening a lot to Bjork and Fatima, they are a huge source of inspiration. I also listen to a lot of rap. Princess Nokia and Cardi B are very inspiring characters because her music is a mix of hip-hop and punk. It's all the punk attitude!
Any chance you'd come over to the states and perform?
Absolutely yes! I already did a tour in NYC in 2013 with over 10 gigs I miss and I think its high time to fly back! I love the States! See you soon!
5 Tips For How to Get a Music Blogger’s Attention
@maggietra is a Writer, Publicist, and the Director of @stimulateyoursoul. Here are her tips for how artists can get a music blogger's attention.
So you’ve made your music and now you’re ready to release it into the world. Scary right? The hard part is done, but the even more difficult task is yet to come. I see so often great music being lost into editor’s blogs because of the way that they approach them. Some artists’ simply just add a link, no hello, no how are you, no bio, nothing. Building a relationship and having a press kit are just a few things that will ensure that your music will at least be listened to. Having seen so many submissions over my years, I thought I’d share some key points on what you should be doing as an artist to get into blogs.
1. Build a relationship
Editors receive emails every single day, depending on how big the media is it could be up to hundreds a day that they have to go through. To ensure that your submission can be considered you will need to build a relationship with them. At least add one question to the email that you intend to send them, ask them how they are and do a little research on the editor. If they just attended a music festival, ask how it was, or perhaps ask them about their favourite food. It’s random, but it will get their attention and probably make them laugh a little. Be genuine, but remember to never be fake and over-do it. They don’t want someone to kiss their butt.
Read the full article here -- https://thecabportal.com/blog/5-tips-for-how-to-get-a-music-bloggers-attention