Welcome to another amazing month of music from the incredible musicians that make up the Sonicbids.com community. We have chose a select group of 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.
Vices I Admire
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/vices-i-admire/
Skope: How long have you been making music and what do you love about having music in your life?
Dave: I’ve been making music for ever since I can remember doing things that are worth remembering. Haha! I hate to be trite, but music helps me think and feel things clearly; it keeps me going and it gives me purpose.
And I suppose that is a good thing; if music didn’t have such a huge impact on me, then what in the hell am I doing with my life? Haha!
Skope: When are you most inspired to create music?
Dave: Usually I’m most inspired to write when I’m doing something entirely different. I try to make sure that writing music is an active pursuit of every one of my days, however, quite often — and often enough that my sample size is quite large — I’ll get inspiration to create while I am participating in other, more tedious, daily tasks. So, I think I get my best writing done when I’m cleaning the bathroom or something. I just make sure my phone is by me at all times in order to guarantee that I will record the ideas as soon as they come.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Dave: What are we promoting? I’d say we are currently pushing our latest compilation, “Love Songs for the Love-Impaired” https://soundcloud.com/vices-i-admire/sets/the-hotness
And our latest studio release, “Fables” (2013) https://vicesiadmire.bandcamp.com/album/fables
We’ve got a new album scheduled for release in the summer next year and we’re shooting our next video in the coming weeks. Also, Dan (our bassist) has a couple re-mixes of old Vices material that we will be dropping soon this month! So come find us on Facebook and watch for new content!
Skope: Where do you turn to hear and discover music, social media, Pandora, FM radio, etc?
Dave: I’m a regular visitor on Songza. I also drop by TheMusicNinja pretty often. Pandora doesn’t blow my mind with new music, it does a good job of presenting me with older artists in a similar style to one I’m more familiar with, but new music? I dunno, I don’t remember the last time Pandora has given me the brand new hotness.
Songza blows my mind pretty regularly though. FM radio, on occasion will send something new and interesting to my ears. But I’m rarely rocking terrestrial radio.
Skope: Do you have any new Youtube videos or Soundcloud singles posted online we should hear?
Dave: Totally. Check our latest video for The Wicked Sun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5NUrE1nkTs
Here’s the latest sampler from SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/vices-i-admire/sets/the-hotness
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Dave: We’re currently writing our next album, we’ll have new music dropping sometime next month! Check us out on the Facebooks: https://www.facebook.com/vicesiadmireband
The YouTubes https://www.youtube.com/user/vicesiadmire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vicesiadmire
Eden the Cat
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/eden-the-cat/
Paige Bryan
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/paigebryan/
AfriCaliGenre
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/africaligenre/
Rob Flame
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/rob-flame/
Seb Black
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/sebblack/
Skope: How long have you been making music and what do you love about having music in your life?
I’ve been making music longer than I can remember… literally. I honestly couldn’t even tell you what instrument I started on or where I learned. After a traumatic experience when I was young, most of my childhood just kinda got blocked out, and I seriously can’t remember a time when music wasn’t a part of my life. A few years back I ran into a girl who knew me when I was young. She sang a song to me that I apparently wrote when I was 8 years old, and that – for some reason – she remembered pretty fully, even though I didn’t remember it at all.
And while I do love living a life that revolves around music, I would say it’s just as much a curse as it is a blessing. A lot of people choose a career or life in music because they love it, but for me it was never really a choice – it’s just all I know. I often wish I could toe the line a little more and live the more ‘stable’ and ‘standard’ lifestyle, but that’s just not me. It’s not an easy life, and most people couldn’t hack it the way we do it, but for me and all the other that call Emery Street Studios home (again, literally… we live there), there’s just no other way.
Skope: When are you most inspired to create music?
“When”?… Well, that seems like a strange question. Inspiration doesn’t use a watch, and in general neither do I. What I can say is that I tend to be inspired by contradiction. Whether that’s in my personal life or the world around me, I find that a lot of my music deals with topics I feel the need to speak up on. I guess you could say I’m inspired to write when I feel like I have something meaningful worth commenting on.
For example, there’s one song off the first album that deal with some pretty intense student riots which took place in Montreal not too long ago… right outside our studio actually (check out the video for Got No Twist to see some of the turmoil that inspired me). And there’s at least one song on the new album that deals with religious extremism.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
While there’s some really exciting stuff going on around Emery Street Studios, as far as my own music goes we’re pretty much just trying to keep the momentum going with the last album. It definitely hasn’t reached all the audiences we would like it to, so I’m still trying to spread some of the videos as much as possible. Here’s one of my favorites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC0us49imR8
Skope: Where do you turn to hear and discover music, social media, Pandora, FM radio, etc?
Honestly… I don’t. Most of the new music I come across is from bands coming through our studio and that we gig with. If anything, mainstream music will come to my attention in magazines and other readings about the industry. I mean, I’m obviously not isolated from it. But really, I spend much more time making music than I do hunting it down, and I tend to come across new music rather organically.
Skope: Do you have any new Youtube videos or Soundcloud singles posted online we should hear?
Always! We’ve been releasing videos fairly consistently for songs from the last album, and have a new one coming out shortly for the tune No Friend of Mine, which was actually featured in George St Pierre’s video The DNA of GSP . Then, by the time we’re done releasing all the videos for the last album, the new one will be just about finished, and we’ll get to start on the next round. We’ve got some great ideas and I can’t wait to start that process. Since we do all the videos ourselves, they’re constantly getting better.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Right now I’m putting together the new album which will hopefully be ready near the beginning of 2015. That’s really the most interesting and exciting thing for me personally. But the first album is getting a re-release in Europe and that’s going to be really cool also. It’s truly amazing to have people behind us and promoting us half way around the world, in places I’ve never even been.
As for online, people can check me out on Facebook. I try to stay fairly active there, posting news about my own music or stuff from Emery Street as often as possible. A lot of it right now is focused around the launch of our new studio (formerly belonging to the Arcade Fire – now going by the name Grand Lodge No. 24), but I’ll be re-focussing on my own stuff pretty soon.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Seb-Black/280577755312032
Brandon Castro
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/brandoncastro/
Skope: How long have you been making music and what do you love about having music in your life?
Brandon: Well ever since i was a kid, like around 4 or 5, i would actually sing songs that were on radio at the time & put my own lyrics to it. My parents would always really find it weird but little did i know at the time, it was the very beginning stages of my songwriting. Yes i am a pop singer who actually writes the words you hear on the songs. Every lyric i’ve ever put in a song has 100% come from my crazy brain. It’s not an outlet to me, it’s something i was born to do. Music is everything to me. I see myself doing nothing else but making music. Some people say that’s a terrible idea because you have to have a back up plan but i say, if you don’t put your all in something you want to pursue, how can you ever say you tried your best?
Skope: When are you most inspired to create music?
Brandon: Most every song i write is when i’m in my bedroom dancing around in a t-shirt & underwear to insane instrumentals that i’ve been sent from producers. I feel like the “mainstream” or “pop culture” is very based on being held to do specific things. I like to create music that people can dance to but has a deep underlying message to it. I songs sometimes about my relationships & those relationships happen to be with boys. Just because that makes people feel uncomfortable doesn’t mean i’m going to change it. Music is such a beautiful thing. It makes us feel so many different types of ways & we use it in a variety of situations in our day to day lives. If i can make people feel amazing feelings the way music has always done for me, while giving them lyrics to dissect and understand, then i know that the music was received in full.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Brandon: My new single ‘Feed My Soul’, i really love the instrumentation & flow of that song. The lyrics is all about that amazing feeling when you hear a certain type of song that metaphorically feeds your soul. Like the feeling you have when listening to your favorite song or a song that you haven’t heard in a long time, Maybe the sounds they used to style the song made you feel a certain type of feeling, those feelings is what is the song is about. It took me about a year to write & get everything the way i wanted it to come across before release.
Skope: Where do you turn to hear and discover music, social media, Pandora, FM radio, etc?
Brandon: Feed My Soul is now out on every online music platform such as iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Google Play, iHeartRadio, Beats Music, etc. Even some radio stations have been playing it & i couldn’t be more blessed. A BIG thank you to everyone who went out & supported the song. All other music i will be releasing on my social media pages which will be linked below.
Skope: Do you have any new Youtube videos or Soundcloud singles posted online we should hear?
Brandon: Not at the moment. Right now, I am focusing on making my new music as perfect as possible for my loves.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Brandon: I have so many things coming up. I am gearing up to shoot the video for ‘Feed My Soul’. I’m going to be releasing new music next year for sure & i’m working on all the visuals for that. If all goes well, some touring will be in the works & just trying to have a good time so my fans can be happy. With my passion comes my fans who are a blessing. They are my everything. I get a lot of messages about how much life can just get them down & thoughts of giving up on life but i want to show my fans that, Whoever you are, Where every you come from, Never give up on anything that you want to do or the person you want to become. You are valid in this world & just know that I love you & will always be here for you on this crazy train we call life. I’m so exited & happy because this is my first ever interview with anyone as an artist so I want to say thank you for being the first people to believe in my vision & music. xoxo.
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/brandoncastromusic
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/brandoncastrox
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/brandoncastrox
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/brandoncastrox
Tumblr: http://www.brandoncastrox.tumblr.com
Gentle Jamie
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/gentle-jamie/
Skope: How long have you been making music and what do you love about having music in your life?
What’s up Skopemag! My name is Gentle Jamie, I’ve been making music since the mid 90’s, initially through the battle rap scene, and on through my work with the group The Argyle Pimps, and into my solo career. The best part about having music in my life is the opportunity to tell a weird story. My material is quirky, with an emphasis on rhyme skill, and an even heavier emphasis on the art of strong storytelling. Donnie Yen once stole my girlfriend. Google him, kids.
Skope: When are you most inspired to create music?
I’m usually at my best creatively when breathing in my city. I’m from Fresno, which is in Central California, and is widely considered by outsiders as the “arm pit” of California. Geographically, when you look at the map of California, we are clearly the belly button, arguably the penis of California. These people have no idea about geographical layout, and cannot be trusted. Being the “arm pit” means carrying an underdog approach, a chip on the shoulder approach to life at times. I MC like a guy that knows he has to work harder to get you to care. Fresno is a tough city, one that doesn’t just welcome new things without a tug of war, so winning my city with my quirky sound feels good. I’m also at my best after watching films from my childhood, mainly 80s slasher horrors films, and listening to West Coast rap from the 90s, aritsts like E-40, NWA, and my favorite MC of all-time, DJ Quik.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
I’m currently promoting my first solo project, “Survivor Series” and working on my next album, tentatively titled “Orca.” Survivor is a series of tales, many of which are based on true events, “Orca” will be similar, in that most of the tracks will feature stories in rap form.
Skope: Where do you turn to hear and discover music, social media, Pandora, FM radio, etc?
Being an MC on a budget, I turn to places like Soundcloud to seek out new, young, hungry producers to welcome into the fold, and make magic with.
Skope: Do you have any new Youtube videos or Soundcloud singles posted online we should hear?
My album is on both Youtube and Soundcloud, many of which can be tracked down at http://www.gentlejamie.com. Also, while you’re on Youtube, search “Gentle Jamie Pisses On Himself During Rap Battle” and brace yourself.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Next on deck for me is the “Orca” album. But, before that happens, burrito is going to happen. I’m hungry! Find me online at www.gentlejamie.com, and be my friend on Facebook by searching Gentle Jamie. Thanks Skope!
Kelly Paige
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/kelly-paige/
Skope: How long have you been making music and what do you love about having music in your life?
I started playing bar gigs at about 15, singing with my friend John Joiner, but I used to write songs on my Little Tykes Recorder when I was just a kid. I would just sing whatever popped into my head into that little plastic microphone. It was a red and yellow plastic tape recorder with a handle… I carried that thing around everywhere.
Skope: When are you most inspired to create music?
I think part of being a writer is learning to find inspiration in every day life. Little, mundane things have hidden wisdom in them, and I really make an effort to draw it out and make it tangible… But being drunk and in love helps too.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
I’m hopefully releasing a single in the very near future so I’ve been trying to get people pumped about that… It’s called “Don’t Be”. It’s Adele level depressing, but sad songs have always been my favorite. I hope that when people hear it they can feel a little less lonely. We’re all a bunch of heartbroken saps who just want to be loved, and that’s ok.
Skope: Where do you turn to hear and discover music, social media, Pandora, FM radio, etc?
Mostly through social media and word of mouth. My friends have pretty great taste, so that makes it easy. If I hear about somebody who is great live, it always grabs my attention- it’s so rare these days.
Skope: Do you have any new Youtube videos or Soundcloud singles posted online we should hear?
You should hear all of my YouTube videos! Check out my channel at youtube.com/kellypaigemusic or start with this video of me performing my song “Baby Don’t Go” at 12th and Porter in Nashville:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wafm6h97bU
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
I’ve been working on a EP with producers Brandon Darner (Imagine Dragons) and Kieran Kelly (Angus and Julia Stone), so hopefully that will be out before too long. Keep up with me on instagram and twitter, and like me on Facebook for updates!
twitter.com/kelly_paige
instagram.com/kellypaigemusic
facebook.com/kellypaigemusic
Bellusira
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/bellusira2/
Skope: How long have you been making music and what do you love about having music in your life?
I started writing songs on my guitar & bass around the age of 15, I had a few bands I had put together back in New Zealand and was writing songs based off of a lot of my musical influences. At the time I wasn’t creating anything that was incredibly original but I was learning the value of each player in a band and the roles each player should adhere to. I was into a lot of female fronted bands like L7, Bikini Kill, Hole, Skunk Anansie growing up as well as heavier groups like Sevendust & Deftones so the goal was to always find a sound somewhere in between all that while still keeping the songwriting values of my favourite records by Bruce Springsteen, Crowded House, Neil Young etc.
Music is not something that I can’t have in my life, i can’t really function without picking up my acoustic at least once a day, i sort of don’t know myself otherwise. Creating music and always trying to better myself as a songwriters is a daily goal for me. Always pushing myself to be better than the day before.
Skope: When are you most inspired to create music?
I find when you try and create set times to write it isn’t that productive. Creativity is something that comes to you at random times throughout the day so the idea of trying to bottle creativity, i personally have always found hard. It may work for some people but I have always struggled with that.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
We released our debut album Connection in June 2013 while in Australia. Since then we have moved over to America and are now based in Los Angeles. We have tracked some new songs which will be set to be released around Feb 2015. We are currently working on doing a large American tour to help support the release as well.
Skope: Where do you turn to hear and discover music, social media, Pandora, FM radio, etc?
Generally I go down to a record store and buy a cd, i am a big fan of owning the music, reading the lyrics, checking out the artwork. It’s very personal to me and something that I definitely do not get by downloading a mp3 for free. I am still a big believer in a record being a journey for the listener and track 11 being just as important as track 1. Not this idea of throwing together one off 3:30 minute radio songs to please the industry.
Skope: Do you have any new Youtube videos or Soundcloud singles posted online we should hear?
You can check out our latest single Cachango here:
Here is the link to our youtube channel also:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfmbQVYXWZd1D_LbBb2ew6w
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
2015 is set to be our biggest year yet, we are currently locking down dates for a very big American tour (over 40 dates so far) and will have released our next record, which we are pretty excited about getting out to everyone.
You can find us online here:
https://www.facebook.com/bellusira
https://twitter.com/BELLUSIRA
http://www.reverbnation.com/bellusira
http://instagram.com/bellusira
Georgia Sound
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/georgiasound/
Skope: How long have you been making music and what do you love about having music in your life?
Shannon: I started taking piano lessons around age 5 and sang in choirs growing up. I remember trying to write from pretty much as long as I can remember!
I love how music is always there no matter what else is going on and for whatever mood I’m in. It’s a stable part of my life I find.
Ryan: I picked up the guitar when I was 14 and started writing my own material at around 16. It was all grunge/alt rock inspired music. Nothing close to what we’re doing now. I love that music can take me away from day to day life and how you can get lost in an interesting chord progression or melody. Even though it’s just for a few minutes, an amazing song has a powerful effect on me.
Skope: When are you most inspired to create music?
Ryan: It definitely comes in waves. At the moment, I’m in the zero inspiration phase, haha! But when it comes, it’s almost always random these days. Just a simple melody pops into my head, and after assuring myself it’s not just something I’ve already heard, I’ll work at it until have something concrete. It’s mostly music first for me , then lyrics. A good rhythm coupled with a strong melody pretty much tells the story already, you just gotta find out what that story is.
Shannon: it depends. Sometimes lyrics or a melody comes when I’m driving or doing a normal activity and other times I sit down at the piano and make an effort to come up with a song.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Ryan: Georgia Sound of course! We’ve put a lot of time and effort into creating as much of an original sound as possible, without going off the deep end. Our upcoming full length album is much different than the EP. I guess we’re trying to promote an album that has a new sound…a new feel…a new timbre that most people might not be familiar with.
Skope: Where do you turn to hear and discover music, social media, Pandora, FM radio, etc?
Ryan: When I’m listening to the radio, I tune into CBC2 or CKUA. Good Canadian stations. In the online world, Spotify let’s you filter the genres you want to hear. It’s a great online radio app. Muzooka is a very new site to discover new music. It has a voting option built in and our tracks are currently sitting at the top, along with our recent single ‘Love Can Change”. There’s always new music rolling through, I’ve found a lot of great music through Muzooka.
Shannon: I listen to CBC radio 2 almost every time I’m in the car. I find out about so many new artists on there! YouTube of course, and agreed with Ryan that Muzooka has been a great addition for musicians.
Skope: Do you have any new Youtube videos or Soundcloud singles posted online we should hear?
Ryan: Our most recent release “Love Can Change”, which is also the name of the album, is on Youtube and Soundcloud. “Love Can Change” is the first song we have released that has a full band and production. It’s a huge step forward compared to our EP, which you can also find on those sites.
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Ryan: We’re currently awaiting the master tracks for the album, then who knows, we might release a song or two before the year is over *wink *wink. We’ll also be filming our first official music video in the early new year, along with the release of the album in January. the entire album will be available on Youtube, so don’t worry if you can’t make it to the CD release!
Them&Us
https://www.sonicbids.com/band/themandusofficial/
Skope: How long have you been making music and what do you love about having music in your life?
Ami: I’ve sang/performed pretty much since I remember, Its been an intrinsic part of my life.. forever!
For me, music Is a key to a lot of happiness and doors that I don’t know that I could present in any other form. It makes me feel whole.
Lee: Yeah me too, its like a habit and a real labor of love. i can’t leave it alone .
Skope: When are you most inspired to create music?
Ami: Well, there are two ways I personally like to work. I either push myself to get in and really concentrate, or the moment hits me, and that could be at 4am! When it comes to writing a song, It has to be real to both the creator and the listener, I really try to give a lot to make a song mean something other than words.. because nothing compares to the pure & real energy from the heart & soul.
Lee: Im mostly inspired in the day. I like to have a track name in my head ahead of starting a track.I always get a better result that way, a good name can be a great catalyst for inspiration.
Skope: What are you currently promoting the most via an album, tour, single etc?
Lee : We’re actually doing pretty well on all levels.. not one less than the other. We love performing live, and as a new act its really important to be seen live. Nothing works better promo wise, than having a wicked live show.
Ami And performing live is so much fun. its where we really feel at home. We are a very visual/sensory band, so live shows always feel like the best place on earth.
Skope: Where do you turn to hear and discover music, social media, Pandora, FM radio, etc?
Ami: Honestly, everywhere! There’s nothing better than heading into London Town, and finding new amazing live bands. We really like to watch live music a lot, its so inspiring.
Online, I guess I see new things from friends on Facebook, twitter etc. I know when something grabs me. For instance. I found out about Young Fathers via someones Facebook thread, and now they are one of my favourite bands of the year.
Lee: yeah me too, i get mostly switched on to music by friends posting stuff, The radio sometimes, or out clubbing. We watched Basement Jaxx live last week, they were awesome. Also Bad Rabbits a little while back too, they were wicked live!
Skope: Do you have any new Youtube videos or Soundcloud singles posted online we should hear?
Ami: We have actually just released a track “One Day” as a bit of a festive special. Its got a very happy, winter vibe- and we wanted to give something to our fans as a gift before the year was out!
You can watch/listen here!
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xGeciggCsc
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/themandusofficial/one-day-themus
Skope: What is coming up for you & where you at online?
Ami: Lots, lots more in store for 2015! A lot more live gigs too. Its crazy how long after you actually make the music, it feels like a lifetime for things to start surfacing. We are going to be releasing our first official EP early next year, and it’s so very exciting.
Lee : We can’t wait to get these new songs out, we’re really proud and excited that its finally happening! watch this space!!
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