Browsing Tag

piano

Interview: Brice Robell is hugely insightful on RFLCT Pt. 1

Learning more about RFLCT Pt. 1 and that feeling of being live on stage was the mission when we spoke to Brice Robell. Destroying genre lovers by just keeping it real and fresh is what we found out, plus a barrage of information about producing soulful beats with meaning.

Hello there. We appreciate your time and for joining us. First, what do you have for dinner usually and where are you currently based?
I want to thank you all as well! My wife & I have a solid dinner schedule lined up. We’ll do taco Tuesdays, pizza Fridays, and we’ll add a vegetable curry or pasta dish in between. I am currently based in Seattle so there are lots of great places to eat for date nights as well!

Please tell more about RFLCT Pt. 1.
In technical terms it’s my debut album but if I’m being fully transparent it’s so much more than that. It’s the embodiment of an independent artist’s struggle navigating the wild-west of the internet age. From manipulative algorithms to misleading numbers to social media. I truly bled my heart & soul all over this project and I hope the message comes across.

How did you first get into music and do you recall your first time on stage and what it felt like?
I’ve been surrounded by music since I can remember. Whether it was piano recitals, singing in church, or playing alongside a high school band my Dad directed; the memories run deep! I remember my first time on stage was probably around 1st grade, I went out to play a song on the piano and I couldn’t find middle C haha, so my dad came up and pointed me in the right direction. If we’re talking about actually performing in recent years, I recall performing for a school of about 500 and it was a blast, especially having them sing along at the end!

Hip-Hop, Soul, Jazz/Funk, Alt RnB and even the ambience of a film score. Please tell us more about your music style and creation process.
To quote Jacob Collier, I’m a staunch non-believer in genre. All of these genres have certainly inspired me throughout my lifetime but I’m glad I don’t have to solely choose one; it would limit my creativity. Music is a rather spiritual process for me & sometimes I just have to get out of the way. I do my best to find/create sounds that best fit the individual song; sometimes it’s arduous & sometimes it happens in two minutes.

What’s it like being a vocalist, lyricist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist in this fickle music game?
Fickle is a great word to describe the current model. Honestly, the only thing I can control is the cultivation of my craft. Personally, I plan to put my energies into live performance and building local community. I’m over the online game & the vacuum of posts, likes, comments, etc.

Do you miss playing basketball or do you still find time to have a game with friends?
I do miss the camaraderie of being on a team. I’ll shoot hoops with a couple friends here and there but we keep it pretty low-key for the sake of old injuries. We’re all 30 and below but when you play college sports it takes a next-level toll on your body.

Last, what do you wish to achieve from your music career?
Personally, I’ve already achieved it. I’m making music I enjoy & it took me 5 years to feel competent producing, writing, mixing, etc. I’ve had a couple people reach out on how a song touched their soul & that is success to me. Stream counts and likes aren’t palpable and they’re never enough; having that awareness is crucial to your peace of mind as an artist. Thanks again for having me!

Listen up deeper on Spotify.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Interview: Anni opens up the curtain Till The End Of Time

We had the pleasure of sitting down with the hugely inspiring young artist Anni lately. She tells us more about playing the piano, Till The End Of Time, her connection with John Lister and why we all needed to listen to that wise inner voice.

Hello Anni. Thank you for speaking with us today. Firstly, how did you get into performing music and what sparked your interest?

Anni: I began playing my parents’ piano and singing at a very young age. I would make up happy melodies and words and sing them whenever I was afraid or got hurt or had something coming up such as a test or a visit to the dentist. When I look back, I see that it was kind of like visualizing a more positive outcome.

Please tell us all about your debut solo release Till The End Of Time and what was the process like.

Anni: “Till the End of Time” is a song from my upcoming second album, and it deals with how our days are numbered and we ought to make the most of them. I had a lot to do with the structure of this song, and wrote the melody and lyrics. My producer took care of the more complex musical details and wrote the chords, arranged it, etc. He would have me sing harmony parts or change a few things, but it resulted in a better song.

How did you first get connected with John Lister and how has he helped your career?

Anni: John had heard of me as a freelance singer and had me come to his studio to sing on a couple of pop songs he had written. But he also had worked on rock music and I expressed interest in this, so our journey began in creating the ‘Anni’ persona and music. The first album contained some pop, but the new one will be all rock.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Anni: Don’t leave life to chance. Imagine yourself where you want to be, visualize a better outcome and just work towards that goal as though it is unstoppable. I guarantee it will happen, based on my own experience. The best advice I can give is to always listen to your inner voice, your intuition.

Your music has passionate energy brewing from each corner and features many different genres. How would you describe your sound and your vision for your new project?

Anni: The second album, “Revealed”, is more focused on the symphonic rock genre. This is a combination of hard rock music and orchestration, blended together to create a very powerful sound. My vision is to strengthen my voice, hit higher highs and stronger lows to become the very best I can be. My lyrics have evolved too, as these songs deal with more complex themes.

When you close your eyes and imagine performing live, what does it feel like deep in your bones?

Anni: This is an excellent question. My first album ‘The Revealing’ has a title track that talks about this very thing. I start off with stage fright, knowing there is no place to hide, but then I just boldly go for it and face the audience. I feel that when the time comes for a concert, I will take over the room, I will fill it with the songs I have conceived and as a messenger, it will not make me nervous, because they are not staring and listening to me, but to the delivery, the presence and message.

Lastly, what goals do you have for the rest of 2023 music-wise?

Anni: My first goal is to complete the second album, but these symphonic rock tunes are much more complex to compose and execute, so it’s going much slower than my first album. I believe it will all be worth the wait though, and the new album should be ready by summertime. After that, I’ll seek out live venues and maybe take a bit of a vacation. I’ve also been thinking about changing my look, which could happen once the second album is done. I’m thinking shorter purple hair, but we’ll have to wait and see. I expect to continue with the symphonic rock though, as it’s a niche I feel completely comfortable with. Thank you for interviewing me! 😊

Listen up to her story on Soundcloud.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Interview: Sweet-souled London artist Niky Pasolini gives us the best possible Update

With tranquil exuberance and an ear-healing vocal output which is impossible to dislike, we had a chat with the angelic wonder who calls herself Niky Pasolini. She updates us about her brand new 9-track album, her appreciation for Holly Humberstone, and urges everyone to check out the legendary MOTH club in Hackney.

Thank you for speaking with us today Niky Pasolini. Please tell us where you are based and what are you most passionate about at the moment.

Niky: Hello! I’m based in London! And I’m pretty passionate about songwriting and The Thick of It at the moment.

We’ve just listened to your debut 9-track release called Update. Wow. Your voice is so genuine and tender, with deep lyrics that many can relate to. How did you get started in music and can you recall the first time you knew this was for you?

Niky: I’ve been playing piano and cello for ages – I was always one of those dweeby orchestra kids at school. Then randomly my GCSE music class and I went to a studio to record this song I wrote, with lots of flutes and strings, the whole works. The song turned out very cheesy but I had the best time, so I picked up the guitar and started writing more.

If you could perform live on the same stage with any musician in the world, who would it be and why?

Niky: Holly Humberstone!! If I could keep it together. I cried when I saw her at the Brixton O2.

Where do you recommend we go and find authentic live music in your hometown?

Niky: MOTH club in Hackney always hosts great artists. Also, you can find some very cool small classical concerts on Through the Noise.

Who did you grow up listening to and who are you inspired by at the moment?

Niky: I grew up listening to a lot of Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Italian songwriters like Bennato and Guccini. I’m going through a bit of a Paul Simon phase at the moment. Also, I think Wunderhorse’s new album is genius.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given to yourself?

Niky: Don’t deep it.

Last, what are your goals for the rest of 2023 and where can we find you performing live next?

Niky: I’m releasing some new singles after March! They’re more electric and poppy than this album, so that’s exciting. And I’ll be hopping around some open mics for the next few weeks. I’ll make sure to post about them all:)

Listen up to this genuine music on Spotify. See more adventures and news on her IG.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Take a Ride Through ‘Cardinal Drive’ with Tony Marino’s Piano Jazz Score

South Philly Latin Jazz musician and composer Tony Marino has been leading world-renowned jazz ensembles and producing original scores since 1975. His accoladed career that has placed swathes of scintillatingly sublime LPs in his discography is now home to his latest album, Original Piano Pieces.

The standout single, Cardinal Drive, is a cinematically rich composition that sets a debonair tone throughout the enlivening score, which simultaneously emanates a sense of melodic ease as Marino works through his globally respected signature flair across the ivories.

With reverence for a myriad of genres from across the world, the instrumental piece refuses to fit in a monocultural mould as Marino seamlessly shifts through a flurry of time and key signatures. In a frantically paced world, Original Piano Pieces flows with a tempo that will efficaciously compose the soul.

Listen to Cardinal Drive via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

From tragic inevitability, hauntingly filmic beauty is born in Rico Friebe’s single, This Day

Folk singer-songwriter, Rico Friebe, has unveiled the hauntingly filmic second single from his upcoming debut album, Word Value. Born from tragedy and hope, the vividly redolent single, This Day, explores the inevitability of the days we fear the most, alluding to our inability to avert discourses we are compelled to run from.

There is a profound grace in the alchemic vocal layering that spills soul across the stabbing minor piano keys that torridly flurry through the soundscape to reflect the phenomena we have to accept we can’t overcome. In concept and execution alike, This Day is a masterful piece that has left us with plenty of anticipation over the debut album.

Listen to This Day on Spotify from December 23rd. Await the alchemy in the debut album, which is primed for release in early 2023.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ma Bell aka Kathy Bell Interview: A True American hero

https://www.facebook.com/mabellfishingblues/videos/?ref=page_internal

Sometimes in life you meet someone who just wants to sing for the love and nothing more. This is the story of Ma Bell aka Kathy Bell. She is the ultimate underdog and loves making others happy. A selfless soul awaits.

Hello there Ma Bell aka Kathy Bell. How are you doing today and have you found that the music scene is properly back in your local area?
Ma Bell: I have found that this last year has been incredibly busy. I feel the music scene is definitely back.

You’re a DJ and also a songwriter with Bob McGilpin. Please explain how that fusion started and how creating songs makes you feel?
Ma Bell: I began in music at an early age, playing piano in the Church of God where my grandfather preached for 57 years.
I always had a passion for music but never thought I was good enough and had to go through quite a lot before believing in myself. I had written a silly Tobacco Barn song due to seeing a barn smoking with my friend and manager, Ruth Brown. She said write that into a song but I had no idea how that could be a song. A friend said get ahold of Bob McGilpin. I have to say he is the very best and not only is a co-writer but an amazing Friend. We now have 2 songs. America She’s Cryin co-written with Bob McGilpin a Platinum hit but also Freedom Truckers co-written with Bob McGilpin that has hit platinum twice.

Never too old to dream. I love your motto. It’s so true. Do you feel you’re in a dream while on stage and living out your destiny?
Ma Bell: I absolutely feel it is my dream. I have had the dream of performing on the Grand Ole Opry Stage one day since a child. I never give up on that and work hard. I have gone through sickness etc and am chasing my dream late in life, but still believe it can be possible as long as I never give up and keep working hard.

Who do you make music for and where do you call home?
Ma Bell: My home is in a very small town in Indiana called Sheridan. I make music when an inspiration hits. It is usually something from life. It can be funny or it can be serious.

Do you have a favourite song that we should definitely hear you sing live?
Ya all come! I love having fun in character as “Ma Bell” with my audience. The more they sing and tap feet, the more animated I become.

Can we spot you live before 2022 ends or do you have some events slowly cookin’ on the stove for 2023?
Absolutely, that would be awesome!

Find out more on her Facebook page.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Underground Edmonton rapper MusseDese drops excellent new single WONDER

Enticing us in with a mystical intro beat to boom loud all day, MusseDese keeps trying and isn’t giving up as he looks to the heavens and sees the person who he’s working hard for on the street banger called WONDER.

MusseDese is an Edmonton, Canada-based indie hip hop artist who started out performing on the guitar and piano with sublime skill interwoven throughout.

MusseDese draws his inspiration from his own experiences and interpersonal relationships. Musically, his influences consist of J.Cole, J.I.D, and Smino. However, Musse is determined to keep his sound his own, using social media and posting on “open verse challenges” to exemplify his diversity, Musse enjoys to focus on his lyrics and meaning behind them, attempting to allow the listener to feel how Musse is feeling.” ~ MusseDese

Bouncing back no matter the cuts and almost-deaths, MusseDese swarms the beehive and swats away anyone who is getting in his way towards the honey.

WONDER from the Edmonton, Canada-based indie hip hop artist MusseDese is such a punchy performance and shall drill a hole of significant substance to remember forever. Slicing up our imaginations like nothing before, this is a scintillating track to play loud when extra inspiration is needed.

Listen up on Spotify. See more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Alex de León counts the ‘Minutes & Hours’ in her compellingly tender piano pop narrative of lost time

London-based Mexican singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Alex de León has released her captivatingly tender single, Minutes & Hours. The instrumentally minimalist single captures the ephemeral nature of time, where the sands that are always pouring can leave the best of us behind.

Anyone with a proclivity towards burnout will resonate with the lyric, “I wish I could stop and smell the flowers, but all I see are minutes and hours”. It pulls you into the depth of this intimately vulnerable single which blossoms to the tune of the gentle neo-classic piano keys and her soft Tori Amos-Esque vocal harmonies.

Alex de León’s single Minutes & Hours was officially released ahead of her upcoming debut EP of the same title. Stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hold Your Ground: Downcutting Streams uncovers those fears forever on The Landscape of Denial

With an assortment of breathless sounds to be enchanted by, Downcutting Streams returns with an ear-piercing single to be completely enchanted by on The Landscape of Denial.

Downcutting Streams is a location hidden indie alternative project that features some of the most exquisite vocals you’re likely to ever hear.

Inspired by moral dilemmas I see in the world, as I fancy myself a good observer, I wrote the lyrics which, if you look closer, you can recall your own situations you’ve had, have or will face.” ~ Downcutting Streams

Featuring the calming flute, the well-performed guitar and that stunningly healing piano, Downcutting Streams has unquestionably created one of the more fascinating underground songs to swim into our earlobes this year.

The Landscape of Denial from indie alternative project Downcutting Streams is an experience that is hard to explain unless you have been inside this whirlpool of wonder with the volume on max. Sung with a heartfelt meaning and with an intricately mesmerizing style that could shock all senses awake, this is a noteworthy effort indeed.

See this dynamic video on YouTube and see more on her IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Spotlight Feature: piano rock pioneer Anthony J Fink let the emotion pour in his alt-rock EP, Feel the Rain

As an extension of his commitment to advocate for mental health and spread awareness of the detriment of depression, addiction, and suicide, Michigan’s strongest lyricist and fiercest piano rock pioneer, Anthony J Fink, has released his latest EP, Feel the Rain.

Each of the five singles is a triumph of blazing piano pop-rock-inclined candour, but Fink reminded us why the EP format is so important. From the optimism proclaiming piano pop-rock ballad of an opener to the experimental baroque rock electricity of Masquerade, which gives all of the energy of a rock opera, to the closer title single, which harnesses broadsiding grungy emotion, Feel the Rain is a journey. The final destination? The affirmation that this world breeds disillusion and a tendency to numb the pain but that doesn’t eradicate your power to resist and overcome it.

Rarely do singer-songwriters, of any ilk, achieve such momentously complex and multi-layered productions that absolutely consume you. The Feel the Rain EP made an essential artist out of Anthony J Fink, especially for any rock-inclined seekers of sonic guidance through our vapidly trying times. Buy it. It’s cheaper than therapy.

In his own words:

“Feel the Rain touches on many things. Loss is a big focus. My parents passed away when I was very young due to alcohol addiction. I have struggled with relationships in general in my life and with addiction. This coming January, I will be alcohol-free for four years.”

Feel the Rain is now available to stream on Spotify or purchase on apple music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast