Twin Shadow Announces New Album "Caer" and Shares Two New Songs
Twin Shadow, the project of George Lewis Jr., is back to announce his new album "Caer"...
Twin Shadow, the project of George Lewis Jr., is back to announce his new album. Caer (pronounced: ka-air) is the artist's fourth album to date, and is set to release on April 27th via Warner Bros. Records / Reprise. To coincide with the announcement, Twin Shadow is sharing two new tracks from the album: "Little Woman" and "Saturdays," the latter of which features Haim and was played today as Zane Lowe's World First on Beats 1. This spring, Twin Shadow will play a run of tour dates that include appearances alongside Beck and Alt-J as well as a performance at Houston's In Bloom Music Festival.
About Twin Shadow and Caer:
"Sometimes I feel like I have to take a fall to essentially get to the next phase of my life," Lewis says about Caer. "It's happened over and over. I've been through so many musical phases and through so many relationships with friends and lovers. I always feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down and thinking, 'This is the only way forward: onto the next thing.' It's sort of destructive, but I guess I thrive on rebirth."
Falling is a theme that surfaces throughout the album, which is why Lewis called it Caer - the Spanish word for "to fall." The album serves as a powerful lens through which Lewis explores his own personal sense of falling, as well as what he has observed about a world that feels as if it's declining. On a larger scale, Caer feels extraordinarily current, given what's going on culturally and politically right now. "The patriarchy is falling apart," Lewis says. "Our perceptions of who we are as human beings, because of technology and machines, are falling apart. We're living at a breaking point, and a lot of the themes on the album are talking about these fault lines." Lewis refers to such fissures on "Saturdays" (which features Haim). "It's a love song," he says. "'Saturdays' is the heaven place you go to when you're in love or even with friends, feeling your youth. But it's also about my feeling that the world is starting to tear itself apart and maybe we're falling through the cracks. But when you're laying in bed next to someone you care about, none of that seems real."
Lewis feels that Caer is something of a sister record to his 2010 debut album, the lush, gauzy Forget, in that it's a record with hidden doorways and secret passages; more is revealed the more time you spend inside of it.
Lewis is part of a lineage of artists who constantly experiment but still manage to create the soundtrack to people's lives, like Prince and David Bowie. "Those are the artists who just keep giving it to you forever. It's 'forever' music. To me, that's the greatest thing in the world."
Tour Dates:
3/23 - Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory*
3/25 - Houston, TX @ In Bloom Music Festival
4/10 - Magna, UT @ The Great Saltair^
4/24 - Eugene, OR @ Double Tee Concerts^
4/25 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Concert House^
6/24 - Monterrey Nuevo León, MX @ Auditorio Banamex^
6/26 - Mexico City, MX @ Pepsi Center^
* w/ Beck
^ w/ alt-J
Stream/Download "Hidden" EP by Toronto Songwriter and Producer Kayobe
After receiving critical acclaim for electronic recordings under different monikers, Kayobe is Kevin O' Brien's first solo project and his new release is the EP "Hidden"...
After receiving critical acclaim for electronic recordings under different monikers, Kayobe is Kevin O' Brien's first solo project. With production experience in the realms of pop, hip hop, jazz and electronic music, Kevin has been generating buzz in the Toronto scene as a sought-after songwriter and producer.
Kayobe's "Hidden" EP is comprised of six songs, each fusing different genres and styles while all maintaining that Kayobe "watermark", so to speak. It's hard to select our favorite song off the EP, because each of the six take the listener on a journey in their own way. If you are ready to take the "Hidden" trip yourself, be sure to stream/download the EP and follow Kayobe on his social media streams below.
Stream/Download "Hidden" EP on Spotify
Connect with Kayobe: Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud
Stream/Download "Neon Colors" Album by Electro-Pop Artist Amaris
"Neon Colors" is the recently released album by Dutch producer, singer, author and actress Amaris...
Amaris Wenceslas is a Dutch producer, singer, author and actress from Switzerland. She is the singer and producer behind Ámaris and EDM project Geiko – female electronic dance music, the first album of which was released in 2014. In 2017, Amaris released two new albums simultaneously: "The Hollow", a new Geiko album, alongside "Neon Colors", her first step into a new genre. "Neon Colors" is comprised of 11 songs and is available to stream and download on Spotify below.
Interview: Austin Based Singer-Songwriter and Producer MedizenKid
We connected with singer/songwriter and producer MedizenKid for this exclusive interview because his single "Wake Up Now" is one of the standout tracks...
MedizenKid is a melodic singer/songwriter and producer who fused Indie/RnB and Pop into a smooth catchy sound. We connected with MedizenKid for this exclusive interview because his single "Wake Up Now" is one of the standout tracks we have featured thus far in 2018 and we believe that this year will be when he breaks through. You can jump on the bandwagon now before it becomes cool to be a MedizenKid fan by following him on his social media streams and sharing this interview and "Wake Up Now" with some friends.
Describe your creative process for us when it comes to creating a new song. How do you generally start and when do you know that a song you've been working on is done?
I love this question! I get asked this quite a bit. It normally always starts with me and my acoustic guitar. I mess around with some chords singing random melodies. Most of the time the words that first come out are the final lyrics in the song. I am my best when I am really feeling a new idea. I always wanna jump in the studio right when an idea comes; when it's fresh, otherwise it is possible to fizzle out and I lose passion if I come back to it later.
I know when it's done when I have put my whole heart into the track, all the necessary spaces are filled and I've heard it a thousand times.
You mentioned in your bio that you played in several different bands; how did those experiences help mold you into the artist we see before us now?
Loving these questions :) My two biggest projects growing up were Lake Sun, the reggae band I wrote for and Rhombii, a psychedelic/Indie fusion project. These bands were a lot of fun and they motivated me to keep writing but eventually I just didn't see a long future with them so I moved to Austin. I really started studying the music scene and what is in right now and after studying artists like BlackBear, Dysn, and Lostboycrow i started fusing an RnB/Rap/Alternative/Pop project of my own.
Congrats on the release of your single "Wake Up Now". What motivated you to write and produce the song?
How it started was with a broken heart from an ex..lol. I feel so much of my music comes from the strongest of emotions and attachments us humans have. Ben Leal (a great producer) who helped make the beat and vocals sound pro, him and I have been really inspired by an artist and friend Lostboycrow. We listened to some of his tracks and tried to feel LostBoy's world and the beat was born.
What's next to come after "Wake Up Now"? Can we expect the song on an upcoming EP or album this year?
Yes; my buddy From LA (LostboyCrow) suggested I reproduce a track called "Winter Winds" and this could possibly be the EP name as well. Looking like it will be out late March/early April but maybe sooner.
If you had to describe your music to a stranger in three words, which ones would you choose?
Humble...Heartfelt...Sensation
Lauren Auder Announces Debut EP and Shares New Single "These Broken Limbs Again Into One Body"
19-year-old singer/songwriter @laurenauder_ announces his debut EP, due out March 16th, and releases new single "These Broken Limbs Again Into One Body"...
Lauren Auder is a 19-year-old singer/songwriter born in the United Kingdom and raised in the south west of France. Lauren honed his craft in his teenage years producing and lending his baritone drawl in the underground french rap and experimental electronic scenes. Over the last two years Lauren has been developing his own sound in bedroom studios across provincial France and London, adopting the ethos of classic era baroque pop to fuse elements of post-rock and soul with modern classical, ambient and experimental electronics. Lauren's debut EP "Who Carry's You", due out March 16th, is the result of this fusion - a deeply intimate 5-track suite of songs from the mind of a unique and singular, rapidly evolving talent.
Find "These Broken Limbs Again Into One Body" and see full details on "Who Carry's You" below.
Interview: UK Based Pop Artist Dol Vita Talks About Her Eclectic Sound and Cultural Influences
@MyNameIsDolVita is an eclectic and fashion forward pop artist out of the UK who just released the official video for her single "Dream". Naima Karp connected with Dol Vita for this exclusive interview...
Dol Vita is an eclectic and fashion forward pop artist out of the UK who just released the official video for her single "Dream". Naima Karp connected with Dol Vita for this exclusive interview to discuss the dichotomy between being an indie artist and attaining mainstream success, her cultural influences, importance of fashion in relation to her music and creativity, and much more.
After reading this Q&A with Dol Vita, be sure to stream/download "Dream" and follow her on social media to stay up to date on what's to come from this talented artist.
In a world where a lot of indie artists belonging to your sound have gone mainstream, such as Lana Del Rey, how do you stay low-key and avoid selling out? Your work seems quite introspective, and it’s hard to maintain a sense of self awareness in an industry like this.
I really love that indie has gone mainstream, it’s kinda like a kudos to all those bands and artists who have worked so hard for their work to be noticed and appreciated by the masses. I guess for myself though, I don’t really have any fears about selling out because I have many genres and platforms from which I take inspiration. To me, each and every song I write kinda has its own vibe. I like to think that you can be mainstream without selling out, you know by not committing to one particular sound or vibe that people like but by reaching out to everyone in a spectrum of ways.
Has being inspired by cultures such as lolita, kawaii, and pin up, helped you develop your own sense of individuality? In a lot of the cultures you cite being inspired by, individuality and standing out from the crowd seem paramount.
Oh most definitely! Not only did it help develop my sense of individuality but it helped me get through some really dark and lonely times. School was an incredibly difficult time for me because I never fit in. I had many obscure interests and influences from a young age and this made me stand out; when you’re a kid standing out is not what you want as most kids won’t understand your old/cult movie, music and fashion influences. I was always a target for bullying during my childhood and even though I knew why, I never let it push me to becoming something mainstream, something that I wasn’t. I feel like that really sculpted me into who I am today. I don’t get embarrassed by my image and I have the confidence to wear what I want and look however I want because I could not care less if someone doesn’t like it and that is my individuality in it’s self.
When adopting cultures that you’re not a part of, like kawaii or drag, how do you draw inspiration without appropriating from them?
Kawaii is the culture of cuteness in Japan, so this can be anything from music, cartoons, fashion and art. Anyone who enjoys or draws inspiration from these things can be within the Kawaii culture so I wouldn’t say I wasn’t a part of it. However, drag can be a tricky one because when you think of a Drag Queen, you think of Ru Paul etc. a man who likes to play the role of a women for art. But in actual fact anyone can do drag, women can dress up and play the role of a man. Lady Gaga has been known to do this for her single Artwork for ‘You and I’. Her general fashion, hair and makeup is also a prime example of being inspired by drag culture. Very over the top, concept outfits which tell a story in themselves. I draw so much image inspiration from Queens like Sharon Needles, Adore Delano and Violet Chachki. I love the fact that the popularisation of Drag has inspired and taught so many boys AND girls that if they want to play dress up and role-play a character of any gender then they can without prejudice. That is beauty of drag.
What’s the importance of your fashion within your overall music and creative energy, and the relationship between the two in terms of your creativity?
For me, I have always seen myself as an Artist rather than just a singer. Your body is a canvas for the art in which you feel like portraying and the marrying of both the fashion and the music can tell a really special story. I love playing around and mixing with the two because it really affects the mood and delivery. My fashion choices and inspirations also change from day to day. One day I can be wearing all black, y’know skinny jeans and a leather jacket, then the next I’ll be in all pink wearing a cute dress and the next maybe wearing all vintage 50s pieces. My favourite thing is mixing my inspirations together to get my own really unique look. Fashion definitely aides me to feel a certain way and helps me get the creative vibes flowing because I feel 110% Dol Vita.
You described your sound as “eclectic”. Could you tell us more about where you get inspiration from, and who shaped your sense of musicality growing up? Since pop culture also has importance in your work, can you also discuss your influences in that world?
Surprise, surprise my influences growing up were indeed very broad. I had some really strong influences from my Dad as he’s super into his music and again has a broad taste. We would listen to 80s bands like Supertramp, Bronski Beat, REM, also lots of classical movie scores and also synth like Wendy Carlos. My dad has had a huge impact on my music taste, I remember when I was a teenager I used to sync my iPod up to the home computer iTunes because my dad has so much music that wasn’t of my generation. I would listen to Bryan Ferry, Andy Williams, Elton John and Simon and Garfunkel and it spurred me to dig deeper into older music. I discovered a really keen love of music pre 60s like Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
My pop culture influences however don’t include music, by pop culture I mean the culture of our 21st century and the mainstream things that have influenced us all, including Movies, TV Shows, fashion and public figures/icons. Despite being a vintage girl and soul, I am very connected to the current day happenings and influences. I love mixing the old and the new, this could be making a song with a trappy beat and modern flow but with vintage influences like trumpets or a 70s rock vibe.
You say that you live in decades before your time - can you tell us about being an old soul, and how that contributes to or affects your music? Does this play into your music carrying vintage twinges combined with contemporary vibes, and how?
Carrying on from what I was saying the end of the previous question, my old soul definitely shines through my music and fashion and I love mixing it with my contemporary influences. I think living in decades before my time also affect what I write about because if I’m feeling a bit more dated and Billie Holiday the song might be more of a sad, lustful love song in which I’m the Damsel in distress. However, if I’m feeling a bit more contemporary and Dua Lipa the song may be more about me being the Heroine and having the power. Women have gained the freedom and power to be so much more than under the power of a man and I love being able to write in both the old and new mindset. Not forgetting our roots musically and emotionally as women is very important to me
How did spending your formative years in NYC affect you as a professional, an individual, and a musician? What tips can you give on the hustle, not just as a New Yorker, but as a creative entrepreneur generally?
I was just a kid when I lived in New York but it’s a time of my life that will never leave me and stays with me as I grow up. I saw life illuminated with lights, glamour and success. I would be taken to broadway musicals, ballets and glamorous department stores, so performance and fashion was always something I looked up to and wanted to excel in as an adult, I just wasn’t sure which path I would take. It’s weird though because my Mum has always been a successful city business woman, very driven and powerful which is why we lived in New York and as much as I look up to her and think what she does is amazing, it was never something I saw myself doing. In regards to the hustle… I think not being afraid to reach out to other people is very important. Somethings can’t be done or gone through alone and as creatives we need to lean on and use each other as much as possible because when two or three or however many heads become one, you start to create some innovative, breakthrough ideas and to me that’s what the creative community is all about.
A Cozy Soundcloud Playlist to Combat the Freezing Cold
While you’re hibernating and avoiding below freezing temps, get all snugged up with these cozy tracks to get you through this long winter...
It’s unreal outside. Blizzard season is in full swing, we have three humidifiers out, and have drained every bottle of lotion in the house trying to combat our all dehydrate everything. While you’re hibernating and avoiding below freezing temps, get all snugged up with these cozy tracks to get you through this long winter.
Stream "Nightmare (Dreams of a Songwriter Vol. 1)" by Futuristic RnB/Urban Pop Artist Colvin
Chicago based futuristic RnB and Urban Pop artist Colvin has just released the first installment of his "Dreams of A Songwriter" Series...
Chicago based futuristic RnB and Urban Pop artist Colvin has just released the first installment of his "Dreams of A Songwriter" Series, which in his words, "is a series of EPs and small projects that tell the story of my life and the way the world is seen from the viewpoint of a songwriter and Creative". Entitled "Nightmare (Dreams of a Songwriter Vol. 1)", the six song EP features the title track and video "Nightmare", which you can see HERE. Stream the EP and follow Colvin on his social media streams below.
Interview: San Francisco Based Producer Poplar Tree Talks About His New EP "Paper Places"
We connected with San Francisco based producer @nicholasyiu for an exclusive interview to discuss his new EP "Paper Places", find out how he managed to juggle his career and music...
Poplar Tree aka Nicholas Yiu is a San Francisco based producer and engineer who just released a six-song EP entitled "Paper Places" (check out our review HERE). We connected with Poplar Tree for an exclusive interview to discuss the EP, find out how he managed to juggle his career and music, as well as how he connected with the featured artists who appear on "Paper Places".
After reading our Q&A with Poplar Tree, be sure to stream/download "Paper Places" and follow him on his social media streams to stay up to date on what's next from this talented producer.
Tell us about your stage name Poplar Tree; what does it personify for you?
My EP Paper Places is very emotional and close to my heart. In 2017, I moved to a city called Alameda in the San Francisco area and the EP tells the story of my first year in a new life in a new city, new job, new relationships, new friends, and new opportunities. When I finally finished my EP, I was wondering what to name it when I started reading the “Alameda” Wikipedia page. In Spanish, Alameda means “grove of poplar trees” and I thought it would be fitting to dedicate the EP to the city, my home. As an added bonus, it was really cool that the poplar “populus” species was the first tree whose full DNA code had been determined by DNA sequencing.
Congratulations on the release of your "Paper Places" EP. Tell us about your creative process for the project. How long did it take to write and record?
Thank you for having me on this interview! I’ve been wanting to produce an original EP since 2015 but didn’t know how or where to start. I really started thinking about it in May 2017, looking at who I wanted to work with and what I wanted it to be about. My musical inspirations were Ember Island, Owl City, Emmit Fenn, and Porter Robinson. It took 6 months to finish my EP from lyric writing to mastering, and 2 months for design and release, about 8 months in total.
Were there any songs that you decided not to include on the EP? If so, why?
I had two songs that I decided to leave off the EP, “Mazes” and “Outro”, originally intended as opening and closing songs. Both were instrumental and in the end, I wanted my first EP to be focused on the human voice as the centerpiece, so I decided to exclude those two tracks.
How did you connect with your vocalist collaborators on the EP, Megan McDuffee, Rosendale, and Shannon Tse?
I really think the human voice is the most beautiful instrument, and I am so fortunate to have met the awesome people I collaborated with. Megan McDuffee is a rockstar game developer and film music composer who I met on Craigslist, who has been so awesome to work with. Rosendale (aka Brian Wang) is a good friend I met during my college years at UC Berkeley, where we sang in the same acapella group (Go Bears!). Shannon Tse is a medical student in the UK and a 3rd connection friend who I met through a friend back in Hong Kong where I grew up, and though we’ve never met in person (yet), we clicked immediately. I like working with vocalists from a wide range of life and geographical backgrounds to get different and unique musical flavors in my tracks.
You're not just a musician, you work full-time as an engineer at a smart glass startup. How do you juggle your 9-5 responsibilities with your creative side as an artist and producer?
I try to find time after work a few days per week to play with ideas and collaborations. It’s so much fun to work on music projects, so I always look forward to it when I get home. I also enjoy doing little “sprints” on the weekend where I sit and produce uninterrupted for a few hours straight. The juggling is tiring, but so worth it!
Stream/Download "Paper Places" EP on Spotify
Connect with Poplar Tree: Website | Twitter | Soundcloud
Review: Poplar Tree's "Paper Places" EP
If cover art were ever an indication of what a project might sound like, "Paper Places" by @nicholasyiu definitely delivers a sound that correlates with its space themed artwork...
If cover art were ever an indication of what a project might sound like, "Paper Places" by Poplar Tree, definitely delivers a sound that correlates with its space themed artwork. The EP’s intro track “Cradle”, helps set the mood of the entire project by delivering a smooth, spacey instrumental accompanied by angelic vocals from Megan McDuffee. The project’s second track, “Faces”, is a more love driven piece, featuring vocal appearances from Elizabeth Grace & Shannon Tse. Our favorite track from the entire project, “Time”, provides a sound that will have you reminiscing on all of your past failed relationships and have your wondering what could have been. The EP ends on a strong note with another strong vocal appearance by Shannon Tse in "Paper Place", layering her unique sound over a new-age acoustic type of arrangement.
All in all, Poplar Tree's four track "Paper Places" EP is a very well put together project that taps into a musical genre that you do not hear everyday on popular radio (*that is a good thing). Poplar Tree successfully took sounds, samples and instruments that most would deem “experimental” or “dreamy”, and crafted a masterpiece that’s ahead of its time. If he sticks with the same recipe, Poplar Tree has the capacity to be the face of a new sub-genre.
Stream/Download "Paper Places" EP on Spotify
Stream/Download Artistnameleon's Newly Released Debut EP "Never Too Late"
Created in collaboration with producers, Young Guavo and ethancx, @artistnameleon newly released debut eight-track EP "Never Too Late" has a little something for everybody...
Created in collaboration with Sweden-based producer, Young Guavo, NY's very own, producer-pvyso, and one of the hottest producers coming out of OKC, ethancx, artistnameleon's newly released debut eight-track EP "Never Too Late" has a little something for everybody. Featuring an eclectic mix of futuristic trap, 80's synth music, new wave RnB, and an even a bit of pop, one thing is for certain, "Never Too Late" will do everything but disappoint.
Stream/Download "Never Too Late" EP
About artistnameleon:
Georgia native, artistnameleon, is an independent recording artist based out of NYC. With no label or investors, he put his entrepreneurial mindset to use with a recently launched t-shirt line, ANL Tees, that sold out in a week before it even hit the online store. Now with 5 singles and an 8-track EP, Never Too Late, on Spotify, Pandora Radio, iTunes, and more, a music video on BULLETT Magazine and VEVO, along with several performances in NYC under his belt, artistnameleon is quickly building his fan base and paving the way for independent artists everywhere.
The Neighbourhood Releases New EP & Announces Headlining North American Tour
@thenbhd has just released their new EP "to imagine" and announced their headlining tour...
The Neighbourhood has just released their new EP "to imagine" via Columbia Records, which was preceded by singles "Stuck With Me" and "Scary Love." In addition to the new EP, The Neighbourhood is announcing a headlining North American tour that will see the band play 15 shows across the continent (including sets at Coachella) with more dates to be announced soon. "to imagine" serves as the follow up EP to the band's "HARD" EP that came out in September.
Tour Dates:
4/6 - Denver, CO @ The Ogden
4/7 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
4/9 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SODO
4/10 - Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre
4/11 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
4/13 - Indio, CA @ Coachella
4/20 - Indio, CA @ Coachella
6/18 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
6/19 - Richmond, VA @ The National
6/20 - Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
6/22 - New Haven, CT @ College Street
6/23 - Albany, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall
6/25 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
6/26 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
6/27 - Cincinatti, OH @ Bogarts
Review: Camila Cabello's Debut Album "Camila"
As a pop singer who chooses to embrace her heritage with her style and production instead of chasing formulaic trends, @Camila_Cabello debut album "Camila" is sure to please longtime fans as well as new ears...
Since her time with the group Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello has definitely grown into her own style, making her a force in the pop scene. With Fifth Harmony’s past three albums finding moderate success and critical acclaim, Cabello is looking to make a strong start to her solo career with her debut album, "Camila". As a pop singer who chooses to embrace her heritage with her style and production instead of chasing formulaic trends that are popular among too many artists, Cabello’s debut album is sure to please longtime fans as well as new ears.
The traits of Cabello’s style and sound that allowed her to stand out among her former bandmates are still evident in her debut album. The album manages to have a strong pop charm, using Cabello’s natural talents and combining them with pop and sensibilities of the musical heritage of her Cuban background. “She Loves Control” is an excellent example of this. While this style diverts from the heavily RnB influenced style of Fifth Harmony, this is a welcome change that allows fans to appreciate Camila Cabello’s talent and versatility.
While fans of her singles “OMG” and “Havanna” may expect more upbeat and club friendly hits, they may be surprised at the album’s use of a subtle and slow approach to production that showcases the young songstress’s lyrics and singing ability. “Something’s Gotta Give” and “Real Friends” are prime examples of Cabello’s ability to showcase her talents on a song without letting the instrumental do most of the work. These songs are featured more towards the bottom half of the tracklist, showcasing Cabello’s ability to create romantic, love-filled songs before going back to business as usual with up-tempo track “Into It”.
Fans of "Cabello" will appreciate the artist’s style and her being herself on the album, setting her own style with the combination of Latin Pop, Traditional Pop and using sparse production to showcase her vocal and writing talents, but some may find themselves wishing the album contained more songs of a particular style or genre. Also, fans may crave a little more flare from the singer’s debut album, expecting more exciting pop bangers to appear. The album still proves that Camila Cabello is indeed ready to take her spot among the top pop stars soon, as the 20-year old songstress can only get better with time as her ability to create ear catching singles that compliment her voice and style continues to grow!
Stream/Download "Camila" on Spotify
Interview: NYC Indie Pop Singer Giselle Discusses Her Latest Video "Child Idols"
Our next exclusive interview is with NYC indie pop singer @giselledotus who may be most notable for singing the 2015 viral hit “diarreah song” featured on FX...
Our next exclusive interview is with NYC indie pop singer Giselle, who may be most notable for singing the 2015 viral hit “diarreah song” featured on FX, which collectively garnered nearly 500,000 views on YouTube. We connected with Giselle to find out more about her work of art visual "Child Idols", as well as her latest mixtape "not ready to grow up" and much more.
After reading our Q&A with Giselle, be sure to stream "not ready to grow up" and follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to stay up to date on all things "Giselle".
Your video "Child Idols" could be an art installation at Art Basel; it's a true work of art. How did you develop the treatment for this video and what do the dancers and their choreography represent?
Thank you so much. I am proud of what our team accomplished, especially so quickly. This was Pat Christodulidis’ directorial debut. I discussed with her some elements I pictured in the video. That same day I received a call from Pat to come back to her house. She and her husband proceeded to act out the entire video from beginning to end. She came up with this amazing concept while incorporating everything I wanted. She just got it and I am grateful she agreed to take this project on.
The dancers represent society’s ideals of perfection. They are released into the world to influence and pull you in. The actors in the video represent people in our society. I’ll leave it up to interpretation what I represent, but I love the twist at the end. Not everything is what it appears to be.
Tell us about your viral hit “diarrhea song” from 2015 which was featured on FX. How did the song end up there and were you surprised by the overwhelming response to it?
Originally, I was hired to write & perform operatically with the band SweetPro (they wrote and performed the music for the show since season one). At some point during the session, I was asked if I could do other genres. Louis C.K. wrote the lyrics, which we listened to from a voice memo off his phone. The band and I took that and created “Please Shit on My Dreams” a.k.a. the diarrhea song. The song ended up being this odd and beautiful tune. If you close your eyes and pretend the words have a different meanings, it really is a beautiful song.
Describe your creative process for your latest mixtape "not ready to grow up".
Adam Tilzer and I worked together on this entire mixtape wanting to have a cohesive sound and mood. I am very comfortable working with him because he knows exactly what I'm looking for. We are lucky to have incredible friends that came on to play and sing. You can see everyone that worked on it if you look at the info on YouTube.
It all started with "Child Idols." We had to get something laid down so that the dancers would have music to dance to. This was the first time we shot videos before the music was even close to being finished. Each time I write is different, but for the most part I write in chunks. I can’t tell you how many verses were finished on the Staten Island ferry on the way to see Adam.
Concept wise, what does the mixtape mean to you and what do you want the listener to take away from the experience of listening to it?
It was not until it was finished that I realized what it was about. Writing these songs forced me to explore my insecurities. I have a lot to work on as a human. I was opening up about aspects of my life that I don't usually share. I definitely don't think I'm the only one who feels the insecurities of failing, disappointing, and having to face responsibilities.
I want people to listen and feel something. Even if they don't care for it, I hope they feel its sincerity. I don't think it's a particularly uplifting album except for "I woke up," which isn't even written about my experience. However, I think it’s good to sit down and feel shit. Deal with your insides.
What will you miss the most about 2017 and what do you look forward to the most in the new year?
That's a tough question. 2017 definitely proved to me that my team and I can create some amazing things under crazy conditions. It brought me closer to everyone on our team. They lifted me up when I had my doubts.
I look forward to making more music and continuing working with the amazing musicians and artists that have been there for me.
Stream "not ready to grow up" on Soundcloud
Connect with Giselle: Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Website | Facebook
Maggie Schneider Covers Taylor Swift's "New Years Day" and Will Drop Brand New EP "Tinted Glasses" on January 12th
Atlanta based pop artist @rockin_mags is kicking off 2018 with a bang, with her recent cover of Taylor Swift's melodic tune, "New Year's Day"...
The bright-eyed and bubbly new artist, Maggie Schneider, is kicking off 2018 with a bang, with her recent cover of Taylor Swift's melodic tune, "New Year's Day." To help bring in the new year, Maggie is set to release her brand new EP, entitled Tinted Glasses next Friday, January 12, 2018. With a culmination of fresh, honest, and open-hearted lyrics, Schneider writes her songs about her love of life and optimistic point of view. The 4-track EP, produced by Rian Dawson of All Time Low at Track Happy Studios, is about navigating life, relationships, growing up and delves into how her life has changed since her debut release, Insomniac.
Off the forthcoming release, Maggie released "Chuck Bass," a feminist anthem that encourages women to stand up for their rights. Schneider continues, "it's a sassy song about women valuing honesty and integrity in relationships, over wealth and status. It's about how I can't be bought. My song is a positive reminder of how much strength we have as women, and I think that this is an important topic to be expressed in music. It is up to us to celebrate each other and make a difference in the world without diminishing out male counterparts." Inspirer coins Schneider as one of the "voices for a new generation of feminist badasses" and fans can view the brand new music video for "Chuck Bass" here!
Also off the forthcoming EP, Tinted Glasses, comes "695 North Avenue" which released in November via Sick Snaps. They stated "Schneider combines her singer/songwriter style with a bit of a pop-rock touch to bring the song to life...Her writing is upbeat, but will fill you with feelings of nostalgia through her storytelling approach in her lyricism." The song is about the Atlanta-based venue The Masquerade, which she coins as a major part of building her musical career. As an ode to her hometown venue, Schneider continues,
"It's a place dear to my heart, and I feel like I've grown up there. 695 North Avenue was the original address of the venue before they moved to another space last year, and it will always serve as my musical home. So many of my favorite memories took place in this building, from singing live with State Champs to a sold-out crowd, to dancing the nights away with my best friends. I am so thankful for all of the moments I've spent at The Masquerade, and for all of the support that the management and crew have given me over the years. This song is dedicated to them and all that they've done for both myself and the Atlanta music scene as a whole."
Connect with Maggie Schneider: Website | Twitter | Instagram
10 Songs You May Not Have Heard in 2017 (That You Really Should)
These ten songs are not only some of my favorites released in 2017, they are also tracks that I think should have gotten much more attention...
The ten songs below are not only some of my favorites released in 2017, they are also tracks that I think should have gotten much more attention. Give each a spin to take a trip through some of 2017’s best.
1. “too bad” by dollys
“too bad” is the great intro track to dolly’s final album, “tense,” released in July 2017. It’s also too bad it was their last album, because it’s a great one.
2. “Plimsoll Punks” by Alvvays
Alvvays got its fair share of attention in 2017, but it was tracks like “In Undertow” and “Dreams Tonite,” with their official video releases, that were the face of the album. “Plimsoll Punks” and “Not My Baby” might be the best on the album (though it’s a great release from beginning to end).
3. “Close Encounters” by C.R. and the Degenerates
This track would have been a perfect inclusion in Twin Peaks: The Return, and it’s a bit of a different sound for C.R. and the Degenerates. Thankfully, it works, creating a moody, introspective, dreamy song you won’t forget.
4. “Pls” by Flower Crown
If Slowdive’s self-titled 2017 release wasn’t enough shoegaze for you, then dive into Flower Crown.
5. “Global Warming” by Binary Star
Reminiscent of “Mathematics” by Mos Def, both with an immediately engaging beat and with the weight of each verse.
6. “Expect The Bayonet” by Sheer Mag
With a bass line as catchy as any classic Motown tune, but mixed with some grit and a punk ethos, “Expect The Bayonet,” is well worth repeated listening.
7. “Learning Curve” by Make-Overs
South Africa’s Make-Overs bring us fuzzy, noisy, pure garage goodness with “Learning Curve.” From beginning to end it sounds as if the track is about to burst apart, but it just barrels forward with a track that must be even better live than it is on record.
8. “I Was A Fool” by Sunflower Bean
Another great female/male vocal trade-off from Sunflower Bean, driven forward by a bass line that keeps you bouncing from beginning to end.
9. “Couch Surfin USA” by YJY
Technically this track was released in 2015, but the updated version was also released on YJY’s first (and sadly last) full-length album in 2017. There’s a reason they included it on both their debut 2015 EP and their final full-length—it’s great.
10. “Daisy” by Wavves
This is a new sound from Wavves, with some strange, but awesome samples included alongside their beachy, California punk ethos.