Welcome to another amazing month of music from the incredible musicians that make up the Sonicbids.com community. We have got ten amazing musicians that will be speaking directly to the Skope readers. As always we encourage readers to dig deeper and check out their EPK’s.
Mikey Wax
www.sonicbids.com/mikeywax
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
Mikey Wax: Very cool to be featured. Thanks for the opportunity!
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
Mikey Wax: I’ve been promoting my debut album, “Change Again” since releasing it last November. I did my first U.S tour this summer which was great exposure and a chance to really promote the album. I’ve also been using outlets like facebook, youtube and twitter to push the album. It takes time as an independent artist, but I think things have been moving along nicely.
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
Mikey Wax: I think I put so much thought and creativity into this album with the lyrics and melodies, that it’s different from a lot of music out there right now. I wanted my music to have a good balance between artistic/indie and what is considered mainstream/popular. I’d like to think I reached upon something that is unique to me and no one else. Then again, it’s not so much about setting it apart as it is about writing good songs and reaching people’s hearts and minds. Every decade has a “sound.”
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans with your band?
Mikey Wax: I’ve been creating music for as long as I can reme mber. It’s always been a part of who I am. I started playing piano at an early age. I wasn’t forced by my parents to take piano lessons or anything like that. Playing was my release from whatever was going on in my life. My long term plans are to keep turning people onto my music by staying active with touring, recording new music, and being real and honest with my fans. I’d like to find a record company that believes in my songs and wants to be a part of what I’m doing musically.
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics & instrumentals?
Mikey Wax: Inspiration can come from just about anything. If I wake up and it’s a rainy day, I can sit at the piano and let that mood take over what I’m playing. Then there’s women, obviously. I’m a hopeless romantic, and a dreamer, but nothing makes me write like heartache. The thought of a snowy winter day with Frank Sinatra playing surrounded by my family and friends can make me write. For lyrics, parts of songs come right away without thinking, then once I start trying to complete the puzzle, that’s when it becomes challenging. Writing lyrics used to be way easier when I had no fear of sounding cheesy or unoriginal, and those songs were actually some of the better stuff I’ve written. Funny how it works like that. For the inst ruments, it’s just about what feels right, and what soothes the soul. When recording this first album, if something didn’t sound right with the instruments, my body wouldn’t be unable to relax till it heard what it wanted to hear.
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
Mikey Wax: I suppose the ability that your songs are just a click away from being listened to (and purchased). You don’t need a big hit on the radio to make new fans. Although a song on the radio is still a dream come true, it’s not necessary to develop your career. So far, my career has really benefited from things like facebook, youtube and twitter because it makes it easy for people to share their favorite songs with their friends. It also makes it easier for artists to develop real and meaningful relationships with people who appreciate their music.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
Mikey Wax: I’m planning on recording a new EP this November, and more touring! :)
Cougars kill Cobras
www.sonicbids.com/CougarskillCobras
LOENE CARMEN
www.sonicbids.com/LOENECARMEN
Mo Greene
www.sonicbids.com/MoGreene
Max Schneider
www.sonicbids.com/MaxSchneider
Froud
www.sonicbids.com/Froud
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
Froud: We’re delighted. Its always nice to when someone believes in what we’re doing but when Skopemag gives their stamp of approval its a huge bonus.
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
Froud: Well, We’ve had a busy year so far. We got out our first Two singles
– ‘Nostalgia’ and ‘Over Again’ in February and July – so a lot of touring and promoting those. As an independent band its always tough but so far so good. We’re currently working on releasing another two singles in the coming months. ‘Open Up Your Mind’ is the next one and were really excited by the following single ‘Staring’ as we’ve guest vocals by Una Healy from the Top UK Act The Saturdays. Exciting stuff these days.
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
We try and keep the emphasis on the song and the melody. Big memorable chorus’s, driving drums and simple guitar hooks, and trying to keep the song interesting for the listener. A lot of rock styled music these days fall into certain categories and styles but we want to keep it fresh with each song.
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans with your band?
Froud: We didn’t really set out with a plan in the beginning to be honest.
Things kinda snowballed. We had a few songs we wanted to lay down and see how they turned out. Once we heard the results we had to decide on a direction because we knew it was something we could all get stuck into, and it kinda came from humble beginnings. We have an album of songs written and demoed to good quality, but then we luckily found a production team we love working with – The Nutheads – so its a great process now. Its just a matter of time until we have the full album finished and on the selves. Plenty to look forward to!
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics & instrumentals?
Froud: What comes naturally i suppose. We try not to over think things and keep it as ‘us’ as possible. Lyrics are always something tricky for me personally. Its the balance between getting the story across and how much of yourself you want to incorporate. Some of the songs are very personal and that’s pretty obvious but others are more subtle and more about how I presume other people are dealing with things. I guess its day to day interaction rather than arty musings! On the instrumental front we all have a vast array of influences so getting them to work together is how our sound came about. That’s the natural end of things for us. Also our guitarist is a former Young Guitarist of the Year in the UK so its tasty licks everywhere. The hard thing is picking one! Not a bad complaint i guess!
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
Froud: The accessibility of it all. For me its more of the social networking that’s exciting. It’s the direct contact with people that are genuinely into your music. Sure there’s always the gigs but people are more honest and direct in the digital world i find. Maybe its the safety of it all? Also the ability to distribute you music worldwide and have the ability to win over fans on that basis is something that and independent band would never be able to achieve without the digital platform that bring us all so close.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
Froud: The next few singles are probably our best yet so keep an eye on us for the forth coming releases which will ultimately lead to the full album, sooner rather than later we hope.
Hannah Madison Taylor
www.sonicbids.com/HannahMadisonTaylor
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
HMT: It’s really an honor to be one of the A2W artists chosen and featured on Skopemag.com.; or as my friend Shay would say, “It’s Strut.”
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
HMT: I have been promoting my Ep, ‘It Is What It Is’ to radio, t.v.,etc. And preparing my band for a short tour, and working on new material.
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
HMT: Well, first the sound.It?s a really eclectic blend of Pop with an R&B fuse.The other thing that really sets my music apart is the fact that it captures moments and characters.The listener can really lose themselves in the songs for a few minutes.
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans with your band?
HMT: I have been creating music my whole life. However, I didn’t start writing songs until I was 17 years old. My long term plans for myself and my band are touring, a record deal, and ultimately, to be doing this in 20 years. I would love to have a career like Carol King. She’s done it all, she’s still doing it, she’s a legend, she’s respected, and she still seems to have stayed “Carol”, which can be very hard in this industry.
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics & instrumentals?
HMT: I’m inspired by everything around me: The news, billboards, movies, my life, my friends’ lives. Instrumentally, I am really inspired by bass and guitar. As a dancer, I am inspired by certain movement; And the sound of water is really inspiring for me when I write. Confession: I’ve come up with an idea for a song in the shower, and stayed in the shower until I finished the song. Haha.
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
HMT: The most exciting aspect is that people can access your music anywhere in the world-instantly. The other day I found out I had a fanbase in Australia, all because they heard my music online. How cool is that?!?
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
HMT : I’ll be releasing an LP in early 2010. I’m doing a contest to allow the fans to help choose the songs that will be released, and to choose their favorite song for the first video release.The band and I will also be touring quite a bit.
Rebecca Rudolf
www.sonicbids.com/rebeccarudolf
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
Rebecca Rudolf: Wow it feels great! I’m super excited! Skopemag.com is such an awesome music internet magazine… so I’m quite honored to have been chosen as an artist to watch!
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
Rebecca Rudolf: Well I just finished two new singles, called “Unconditional Love” and “My Hero,” that you can hear clips of on my website www.rebeccarudolf.com. And I’m in the early stages of working on another new awesome song that I won’t disclose details about just yet…it’s a surprise! LOL. This new song takes a bit of a new direction for me, but it’ll be a lot of fun. I have a music video in the works. And, my song “The Fine Line” has been nominated as Pop Single of the Year at the 2009 LA Music Awards….which is such an honor. I’ve been invited to walk the red carpet with the other celebrities at the awards show and to be a presenter for the Hollywood F.A.M.E. Award for VH1’s Roc Doc “Do it for the Band.” Two major tv/music stations in Brazil who promote my music will be covering me at the event! So I’ve been busy and excited about all of this as well!
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
Rebecca Rudolf: My music is very entertaining with catchy melodies and a “get up and dance” feel…but what I really think sets my music apart is that my lyrics are very thought provoking and relatable to people. My music will definitely spark your spirituality and encourage you to search for something more in life. My music talks about different life issues and feelings that a lot of us face, and how to look to God for the answers and deal with each situation in a positive and uplifting way. I feel that my music inspires a message of strength, identity, dignity, and empowerment that’s not heard in a lot of other pop music out there today.
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans?
Rebecca Rudolf: I’ve been involved in the performing arts since I was four years old. I was always training in dancing, singing, and acting while performing in shows. I never really thought about creating my own music until highschool. One night I went to a concert for a well known rock band from Belarus (that I personally love), and, in the middle of the concert, I just suddenly had this overwhelming inspiration and desire to start writing and creating my own music! The day after that I wrote my first song! My long term plans are to keep making more music and to reach even more people worldwide, to cut a full album, to continue performing as much as I can, and to make music videos with a lot of awesome dancing in them to put all of that dance training to good use. LOL!!!
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics and instrumentals?
Rebecca Rudolf: The inspiration for my lyrics comes from my own life situations, my feelings , and situations I’ve seen close friends and family go through as well. I’ve always had a strong belief in God and that has been an anchor for me in coping with all types of issues. And I desire, through my music, to offer others this same anchor for their lives that I’ve found to be so meaningful in my life. Instrumental inspiration for my music is generated from my own personal ideas, as well as from certain sounds or beats I may hear from other favorite artists of mine. But I am constantly working on creating my own sound that’s unique to me.
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
Rebecca Rudolf: Well the internet makes the impossible possible! It’s exciting to be able to get your music out to people all over the world with the click of a button, and then connect personally with these fans through the web as if they live next door! It’s just incredible that you can be an internationally known musician before you even start touring internationally.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
Rebecca Rudolf: You can look forward to more amazing music with a full album coming soon; new weekly video blogs to keep you up to date on where I am and what I’m doing; and, finally, fabulous music videos to keep you entertained!
Magnuson
www.sonicbids.com/Magnuson
Sudden Storm
www.sonicbids.com/SuddenStorm
Skope: How does it feel to be chosen as an A2W artist on Skopemag.com?
Sudden Storm: It is both very exciting and a huge honor to be chosen as an A2W with Skope Mag.
Skope: What have you been working on and promoting recently?
Sudden Storm: Most recently I have been busy in the studio wrapping a second cd. We are also preparing a launch for the cd with a new web site.
Skope: What about your music do you feel sets it apart?
Sudden Storm: I feel our music is set apart from the usual blend, mostly by our unique blend of vocal stylings with a familiar feel of music that is both energetic and exciting to our audiences.
Skope: How did you start creating music and what are your long term plans with your band?
Sudden Storm: I started creating my own music and performing at a very young age, 13 actually was my first live performance, I grew up around music as both my parents were singers, as for the long term plans for my music and band? I just want to enjoy this ride untill the wheels fall off.
Skope: When you are creating music what do you use as inspiration for lyrics & instrumentals?
Sudden Storm: The inspiration for my music comes from so many different venues, That range from something I’ve seen or heard to events in someone else’s life, but something will draw an emotion within me, be it happy or sad and I simply wish to convey that emotion musically.
Skope: What is the most exciting aspect of being a musician in the digital age?
Sudden Storm: Being a musician in the digital is amazingly helpful to the independant artists who can now both record and sell thier music, also for networking and promoting, the options are limitless.
Skope: What can we look forward to that our readers should know about?
Sudden Storm: Be on the look out for the second cd , wich is a solo project for lead vocalist Todd Ellegett, the band is still alive and kicking, but the new cd is a little different from what our listeners may have been accustomed to and we thought we would shake it up a little bit, with the help of band member and longtime best friend Sil Canonico, The new cd is awsome! Watch for it, it is titled ” Long Road” by Todd Ellegett
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