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Cleveland

Interview: We speak to one of Cleveland’s finest drummers ever, Policy

Posted on 3 May 2023

We had the pleasure of chatting with Policy recently and this was one for the books. With Taco Bell treats, plenty of pool parties and finding out what it feels like to be one of Cleveland’s finest musicians ever, we are taken on a tremendously insightful interview to treasure.

Thank you for joining us today Policy as we’re truly blessed to chat with you. Firstly, how are you doing today and what do you feel is the healthiest meal to start a day with?

Hello, I’m doing great today, thank you. There is no question the best meal to start the day with is Taco Bell’s steak breakfast crunch wrap. Is it healthy…..I’m not sure, but I’m addicted. I could eat these things every single day. I’m a healthy guy. I hit the gym, run, play tennis and I’ve been doing intermitted fasting for the past 6 months, sometimes extreme. But the crunch wrap is what I would like to start everyday with if I could! I must stop myself from ordering if I’m driving by a Taco Bell. I must refrain from thinking about a crunch wrap after I’m done at the gym because they are right next to each other. During the pandemic, there was no Taco Bell breakfast, NO CRUNCH WRAPS! Life is good now for sure when I get to have one or two or three or……… and no sauce please!

Secondly, where in the world are you and what is the best thing to do in your local area?

I’m in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame City of Cleveland, OH USA, born and raised! I did spend some time in Los Angeles, CA, but my hometown is the C-L-E!. We’ll for me the best thing to do is to hit a couple of new venues down by the lake in what is called the East Bank of Flats area. We have a very cool outdoor venue called FWD that has major DJs performing and other events as well and has a pool for summertime. We also have a new country place called The Farm to see live country acts. Another great thing to do is hang out right here at my home which is called the Policy Palace. I just put in a brand-new swimming pool, and we have pool parties, play darts, BBQ, I set up a DJ rig and of course record in my home studio and rehearse our live projects downstairs.

Alrighty. Let’s chat about music and your new release “I’d Wait for You“. Please share all the news and the creative process behind the scenes, especially with Sergi Yaro from Ukraine.

Well, I found Sergi online, he had some a Capella’s available, and I really like this snippet he had for “I’d Wait for You”. I reached out to him and thankfully he got back to me, and we worked out a collaboration. I pretty much built a composition around his lyrics and melody. Yes, he is from Ukraine and I’m also of Ukrainian descent, so it was cool to work together and create this very cool single.

You love to work with artists all over the world. How did this all begin, and do you believe that music really can bring different people together as one?

I started to work with other artists around the world on my first record. Clair Rasa from Australia is on that record. Technology has made it so easy to collaborate with artists around the world and I needed those collaborations to finish tracks. I tend to stay on the music, business, recording and engineering side of things and love to give artists a complete empty canvas to lay on top of the music. I reached out to Airinna Namara who is from Malaysia during the first record. It wasn’t until a year later that she replied and ultimately, she is on 5 tracks on my second record “The Abby Rose”.

Please share 1 funny story from your time in the music industry you can tell us.

Well, it’s funny to look back at it now, but I come from a family of musicians. My grandfather led the band in the army and played 2nd trombone for Frankie Carl, my grandmother was singer. My mother and two uncles were in a touring rock and roll band for 25 years traveling all over the US and Canada and my stepfather was our road manager. When I was a kid, I would tour with them and hang out with the road crew, the stage was my playground. I would set the drums up, clean the piano keys, duct tape the cords, sound check the drums and mic’s, strike and do it all over again the next day. We were starting a three-month Canadian tour all the way up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and after the first show I left all my luggage in the hotel room!

Do you feel like AI will change the music scene for the better or the worse?

I think for both better and worse. I’ve just started to dive into some of the benefits of using AI in the recording process. I’m certainly against using it as what we’ve have recently seen what happened with the Drake/Weekend track. It must take its course and get reeled in as with any new technology that can change the game so much. I’m very familiar with AI and machine learning already as I’m a computer geek and like to test applications and all kinds of software including recording DAW’s. I’m on the beta testing team for Ableton.

Lastly, what does the rest of 2023 look like for you and what should your new and older fans look out for?

I have the single coming out this may as we talked about, but the rest of the year looks to be continuing to work on various projects including remixes and recuts. I recently did a recut of Avicii’s mega hit “Wake Me Up” with an up-and-coming new country artist Carson Hay. The track was originally for one of my SYNC agents out of Los Angeles, CA and it came out so good I decided to release it. I also just finished an extended club mix for a DJ pool platform out of London. You can hear both versions on my official website, policymusic.net. I did a recut of “Time” by Morgin Madison (Feat. Linney) that is out on my soundcloud page, soundcloud.com/policyproductions. I have two more recuts that will be coming soon which include a track by Kryder (Feat. Sarah de Warren) titled “Lights Out” and a track title “Can We Talk About Me” by a Swedish artist name Paula Jiven. Remixes and recuts are cool because sometimes they are for contests, but they also keep your engineering skills tight. Lastly, I will get ready for summertime live shows as a DJ and as the drummer behind Carson Hay and I will continue to write for my third full-length record.

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Listen up to this fine single on Spotify.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Interview: Atlanta’s Caleb X shows us the new sound on Double Back

Posted on 23 April 2023

We had the pleasure of chatting with Caleb X recently and this was one of the books. After starting with a MacBook Air, we find out what feeling freedom in music really feels like and the creative process behind Double Back.

We appreciate you taking time out of your busy day for us. Firstly, please tell us how you got into the game and where you are currently based.

I first got into music at the age of 16 when I decided to not just write poems and lyrics in a notebook and to put it on songs instead of starting out on just my MacBook Air. Before then, I always used to watch my cousin Laure Pen make music in her room as a kid and ever since those days I’ve just been inspired to make my own path in music. After moving from Georgia, I’m now based in Virginia.

Double Back is your latest track. Please guide us through the creative process and who you worked with on it.

Double Back came about while coming up with a new sound for a collaboration project I’ve been working on with a talented artist featured on the song named Zay-Oh along with the production by Mike Lakes. I’ve been having great chemistry with both so it was about that time to put something together and showcase our talents and just create something great. Originally Double Back started with just the melody while going through some beats and once I heard one of Mike Lake’s beats everything started to click and I went on from there. Definitely one of the most fun creative processes I’ve had so far.

Which local music venues in your area should we check out?

Now, when it comes to Atlanta it’s so many to go to I can’t just name one but personally my favorites to check out are center stage and masquerade. You can always catch some dope shows there. Mainstream or underground it doesn’t matter. When it comes to where I’m based in now Virginia, the main one to check out is the Norva. Thats the go to venue here for real.

The Blue Moon. Please tell us more about your last project and what you’re currently working on.

The Blue Moon is my favorite project I’ve made so far. There’s so much that went into it creatively and just things that happened outside the process that makes that time period special to me. There were times I thought it would never get done or go the way I wanted it to but in the end things happened just how it should’ve in order to make the album what it is. I was going through writer’s block before finishing it and I just kept at it in the studio with my good friend Benzo who is featured on the album a couple times. He gave me that push when I needed it the most. he even help me get better at melodies and putting ideas together better. I even got into a bad accident that not too many people know about but that was a factor in kind of messing up my process but eventually I just used that as more motivation to keep going and prove to myself that nothing can stop me from creating. Also, while creating The Blue Moon, I finally connected with Mike Lakes. I happened to make a loose single that was originally part of the album but I ended up putting it on SoundCloud and sent him the track and he was blown away by it so ever since then we’ve been locked in and trying to make more songs and just strengthen our chemistry. The Blue Moon is definitely that project I’ll always love because it was the first time I didn’t rush the process and allowed myself to live in the moment and let ideas come to me slowly and really soak things in which is something I’ll continue to do.
I’m currently working on 2 projects actually. One is the collaboration project with Zay-oh which is titled Ultraviolet Radio and the other is a solo EP. Haven’t told anyone the title of the EP yet so you guys get the exclusive. It’s titled Dreams of Rodeo.

What was it like growing up in your area and how have your family impacted your career choice?

Growing up was interesting I would say. Started out on the East side of Cleveland, Ohio from birth til I was about 6. I would say it’s not the ideal place you would like to raise your children but it was out of my parents control but we were blessed enough to move to a more safe environment located in the city of Cleveland I guess you can say before we eventually moved to Georgia when I was 9. My dad bought me a karaoke machine when I was like 7 and I was the happiest kid ever. Always used to battle rap with my friends while using the mic and when it comes to family influence in music it’s like a never ending list. But my dad would always play the oldies like Marvin Gaye, Dazz Band, Ohio Players, you know all the classic artists of that time that I still listen to. My mom wasn’t too big on that music but she played a lot of Gospel and Whitney Houston when I was growing up so I would say hearing the mix of 70s music and gospel definitely made me fall in love with that type of sound along with melodies. The love of melody really hit me when my dad introduced me to Bone Thugs & Harmony music as a kid for the first time. Their sound hit me like a tsunami I swear. If it wasn’t for their music I truly don’t think I would have the type of love for music I have today. Also, I have a brother who rapped for a while and opened up a show for Bone thugs ironically and I have 2 nieces and a cousin who sing along with another cousin who produces and they all record their own music so it’s definitely always been a family thing. We didn’t go for the music, it came to us. That’s how I always looked at it. It’s something that will never leave us. It’s just part of our DNA.

Do you have any advice for new artists in the game and what are the best words of wisdom you’ve ever experienced?

As far as advice goes for new artists out there, I would say to stay true to yourself no matter what. Don’t let any outside noise take you away from the vision you have for your art. Not everyone is going to like you but there are some who will. Those are the ones that will take you further than you imagined. That’s something my dad always told me and I’ve been running with that advice ever since.

Last, what does making music mean to you?

To me, music means freedom. Music gives us artists the freedom to tell people who we are and what makes us tick. You don’t have to be the most lyrical person out there. We’re all telling our stories in our own way that connects with millions of people around the world. There’s people in different countries that don’t speak English at all and they still be vibing and trying their best to sing along to their favorite artists songs so that should show you how powerful music is. Music is the most powerful form of freedom in the world. You got to love it.

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Hear more on Spotify.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

One Glance: Compelling Cleveland rock band The Vumms takes one more chance on Maybe, I Guess

Posted on 6 April 2023

Taken from their vibe-filled 10-track album Grow Up, The Vumms just know that the long journey is all worth it all on the wonderful new single to stomp sleepy feet with and this one is smartly called, Maybe, I Guess.

The Vumms is a Cleveland, USA-based indie rock band who have a close-knit connection that shall roll a bow of heart-warming melodies right into our awaiting palate.

”Songwriters Marriott/Kogan have a deep love for 60s pop, punk rock and classic R&B, and incorporate those sounds into their work.” ~ The Vumms

Caressing our shaken souls with a catchy display with so much compassion and calming waters of belief, The Vumms are one of the most genuinely likeable bands around right now. They grace our speakers with something pure and loving, which might swap frowns into smiles.

Maybe, I Guess from Cleveland, USA-based indie rock band The Vumms is a rather sweet song for so many reasons. This is the story about believing in something which is so incredibly real and loving. Swept in romance and featuring a finger-clicking spirit to wash all worries away with a superb atmosphere and a vocal experience to hold on tightly with.

When you know your path, you just know what to do.

Listen up more on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

In The Dust: Jefe Chindrix doesn’t feel worthy of her love on You’ve Got Mail

Posted on 25 October 2022

Feeling like his heart has taken a turn down a dark road with no safety barriers in sight, Jefe Chindrix shows us the deep reality when you know you’re moving into the cold season of regret with You’ve Got Mail.

Jefe Chindrix is a Cleveland, USA-based indie hip hop artist who puts out only quality tunes that have a genuine message attached for us to unwrap like it was Christmas.

Guiding us inside his displeasure with how he was treated by someone who was highly thought of before, Jefe Chindrix is in particularly inspiring form with a vocally sound display which is intertwined inside descriptively insightful lyrics. A storytellers delight is in store for many, who need to be reminded how heartaches are dealt with by many.

You’ve Got Mail from Cleveland, USA-based indie hip hop artist Jefe Chindrix is a memorable track about walking away from a relationship that has nothing left. Feeling all gassed up and ready to breathe properly again after so much trauma, this is that stimulating single so many need to hear right now. After living through his heart breaking in half, we find a tired soul who wants to start fresh and get far away from someone who is loved, but has broken that all-important bond of trust that is shattered forever.

Hear this fine single on SoundCloud and check out his IG for more movements.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Award-winning Cleveland drummer Policy shows us which way to turn from heartbreak on ‘Lost’ (feat. Airinna Namara)

Posted on 26 May 2022

Taken from the brand new 10-track sophomore album release called ‘The Abby Rose‘, Policy knows that it’s time to push away after feeling let down by a selfish soul who had him taken for a fool on, ‘Lost‘ (feat. Airinna Namara).

Mark Buchwald aka Policy is a Cleveland, USA-based indie-pop artist, award-winning drummer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, music producer, composer and sound engineer.

”The full-length LP features tracks of pop, alternative, EDM, Hip hop, and electro-pop music with talented collaborators from around the world.” ~ Policy

Returning with another terrific single that has been constructed with his signature gusto and heart, Policy reminds us that sometimes we just need to take the scary plunge and dive away from any poisonous waters.

‘Lost‘ (feat. Airinna Namara) from Cleveland, USA-based indie-pop artist, drummer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, music producer, composer and sound engineer Policy, is an ear-piercing single about that feeling that strikes hard like a thunderbolt when you know that its time to leave. Showing us that love that you gave which you feel was actually wasted, this is an ode to those who had the courage to pack their heart into the warm jacket and leave for friendlier climates. In fact, this is also a message for those who have often thought about this very moment but just haven’t quite managed it yet.

Sung with a fearless attitude and with a sizing ambience to truly be impressive by, this is a track that will leave many wondering what our next move could be.

Listen up to this brand new track on Soundcloud and see more info on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Ohio-based underground legend Mr. 44 punches away the fake hype on ‘RAP MY AZZ OFF’

Posted on 21 April 2022

Taken off his new ‘License to Rhyme‘ EP and with the assistance of 44 Records and Prhymal Rage, Mr. 44 smashes the self-doubt away from anyone who has felt the wrath of soul-sucking negativity with ‘RAP MY AZZ OFF‘.

Mr. 44 is a Cleveland, Ohio-based veteran Hip hop artist and proud father that makes a rugged blend of top-notch soundtracks to remember forever.

”With years of experience and a fan base spanning several cities, states and countries. Mr. 44 brings much experience, passion and authenticity to the game.” ~ Mr. 44

Mailing the world a sharp reminder of his superior rap mastery that has been formed over many years of practice while others were catnapping, Mr. 44 launches a wake-up call to those who were in a state of stagnant slumber, with a knockout display that urges us to never listen to those who have placed their restrictive limitations on you.

With a rugged style that is uncompromising and crammed full of family energy to warm the heart of those who have forgotten what actually matters, this is a fiercely independent track from an important voice that shines a glow on what is essential in life.

‘RAP MY AZZ OFF‘ from the experienced Cleveland, Ohio-based Hip hop artist Mr. 44, is a welcome track from an OG of the local scene. He puts his city on his back and brings his family with him, to show us that it’s all about that real connection. With so many flash-in-the-pans showing off with their easy-to-spot jewels and ostentatious chains, this is a return to what the world needs to hear. It’s all about the lyrics and the beat after all, not anything fake that has zero soul-healing powers to learn from and be inspired by.

Unity in music is what we all need more of.

Check out this new music video on YouTube and see more vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Ohio-based rapper Dooley knows that it’s going down on ‘Green Lantern’

Posted on 7 March 2022

After surviving the bullies and moving his philosophy onto a new path of what is actually possible if you believe in yourself enough, Dooley shows that dragon-like fire in his belly with the new single, ‘Green Lantern‘.

Dooley is a Cleveland, Ohio-based indie Hip hop artist who returns with the latest track off his new album, ‘Just Play My Shit‘.

”Every person in my family made music or participated in an activity that involved music.” ~ Dooley

Sending our imagination into a whirlwind of emotions that can either make or break you, Dooley raps with a style that takes his perspective into a compelling world and it feels that he is only gaining that all-important momentum like a runaway train.

‘Green Lantern‘ from Cleveland, Ohio-based indie Hip hop artist Dooley, shows us a highly motivated artist who flows with a rugged intensity and does things his own way. This is the type of feet tapping track that is best to play when you need to take the next step, to move onto a new passage that is ultimately best for you, not anyone else.

Hear this bouncy track on Spotify and see more news via the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I Will Be Here: Cleveland’s Policy and Amy Jo Scott make the most of the hours with ‘Past The Upset’ (Remix)

Posted on 15 July 2021

Taken off the full length sophomore album ‘The Abby Rose‘ which is due for release in 2022, Policy and Amy Jo Scott help us to understand that there will be changes so we need to quickly set ourselves fully free on the piano-filled new single that is named ‘Past The Upset’ (Remix).

Mark Buchwald aka Policy, is an indie-pop multi-instrumentalist, music producer, DJ, composer, engineer, and drum doctor, who is based in Cleveland, Ohio. He is joined by the lovely fellow Cleveland native and vocalist Amy Jo Scott, on this inspiring track all about holding on tight to your morals and dreams no matter what.

This is a soothingly melodic track of substance that features calming vocals and a sweetly toned background that helps us to forgive and forget all the worries that have been circulating unhealthily in our hearts. Her vocals are smoothly tipped and sung with such pure intentions, that has you feeling so much more hopeful than before.

‘Past The Upset’ (Remix) from the Cleveland-based indie-pop artists Policy and Amy Jo Scott, is the story about showing strength when there is so much confusion around in the world. Things can seem hard-to-face, but as long as you have people there to help you through it all, you can survive any devastating flood that comes your way. After all, we are soldiers that can get past anything we set our minds to conquer courageously.

Stream this new single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Feel Like I’m Flying: Stazia never grows tired of that special person on the RnB-fused ‘I Choose You’

Posted on 20 June 2021

After recently signing to Global Exec Records through CEO Daniel Rucker which followed her days in The Unit Band, Stazia is here to entertain us with the smoothly textured loving single about being with someone who makes your heart beat faster named ‘I Choose You‘.

Stazia is an authentic RnB artist from Cleveland, Ohio-based artist who sings with so much love and tender care. She makes that peacefully inspiring music that is crisply tendered, and sung with an exquisite aura of candle-lit energy.

With a sensually classy style that has you smiling deeply, her style is smoothly tipped and you feel her passion on each lyric, as she tells you her inner emotions. This is the type of song that you feel intensely smitten – her love is so evident and she wants the world to know – that he is completely hers and wants to spend as much time possible together.

‘I Choose You‘ from the sumptuously elegant Cleveland RnB solo artist Stazia, shows us a confident woman who knows what he wants and feels like she is floating in the sky. She wants them all to herself – as her eyes shine in happiness – the heart is happy and totally content. Love can really be so simple, if you let it.

Stream this loving new single on Spotify and see the journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

She Said She Miss Me: Cleveland rapper Visq doesn’t know who to trust on ‘Shade’

Posted on 11 June 2021

With a darkly-lit ominous beat and street-filled vocals mixed with straight up lyrical heat, Visq tells us all about keeping his eyes fully open no matter what the temptation on ‘Shade‘.

Visq is a ferocious underground Cleveland, Ohio-based rapper. He makes that real music that is all about stories from his life and features emotionally charged music, that is all about the different feelings that he experiences.

”Visq is a DVISION of characters based on emotions, moods, and experiences. Each song that is created is based on the emotion and mood of that particular feeling.” – Visq

‘Shade‘ from the Cleveland, Ohio-based rapper Visq, pulls up the umbrella on those who dare to cause him issues, whether it be friends or lovers. He refuses to let them get him down in the slightest – and swarms bee-like on the mic to shred through the noise and get to the star-lit road – where he is ultimately headed. This is a head-strong musician who will put his shades on, no matter the climate.

We are thrown into is a street-laced track full of intrigue that will please the emerging underground hip-hop fan out there, who celebrates the underdog mentality.

Stream this new single here on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen