Recently we had the particularly amazing opportunity to interview Raju and Chai about their creative process and where they see themselves going forward in the music community! This is what they had to say….
What was it that inspired you to start writing music?
Chai: I think my exposure to music outside the radio scene showed me how multidimensional music. My brother also opened me to both many genres and types of music, and both of these, paired with finding artists such as Frank Ocean and Coldplay, helped me develop my writing style.
Raju: I’m assuming it’d be a surprise to everyone, but its my little sister who inspired me to write music. She started both singing and writing before me, and seeing that kind of talent from someone who was 10 years old at the time brought both singing and songwriting out of me.
In a hundred years, how do you want people to remember you and your music?
Chai: i want people to remember my music as something that matters to them, helps them learn about themselves, and reminds them about certain times. Thats the type of music i consider the most powerful.
Raju: I definitely want to be remembered as an artist who provided meaning in his lyrics and used his platform to give people something they could hold close to their heart and relate to during all the moods an individual can go through. I want my music to be remembered as a force that brought people together and helped when people needed to hear the right words.
When you are having a mental writer’s block, is there something that you do to get those creative juices flowing?
Chai: i like to watch documentaries or interviews on my favorite artists to get more insight on their creative process. It really helps me push past the mental barrier and try new things that keep me going.
Raju: I like taking a shower, because mentally i can keep coming up with endless melodies and lyrics that rhyme and maintain a flow when im in there. The only difficult part is remembering what was particularly relevant to what i was working on after i get out.
Being an up and coming artist also means a flood of new fans and social media contacts from people who appreciate your music–has there been an experience that has stuck out to you with your fans?
Chai: not particularly, because It all still feels new to me. However, this makes any form of support i receive, whether in person or social media, so incredibly important and vital in terms of what it does for me. It gives me a reason to give back in the form of music.
Raju: The support i received from my classmates really struck me. People who i saw everyday but never talked to made me believe that they were numb to my existence, but seeing how they were responding with such pride and faith in me after hearing my stuff gave me more faith in my ability and in other people.
Out of all of your songs, which one is your favorite to perform or the one that gets the band pumped?
Chai: Probably “Diamonds.” It really sets the tone and puts everyone in a good mood, including myself. It follows a universal concept of having fun with people you care about, and its simple, which makes it enjoyable to everyone.
Raju: Definitely “Ambition.” Everyone ive showed it to loves it the most out of all my songs, and i think its a good expository of how i can bring a very intricate flow without compromising lyrics or melody. Its definitely something that reflects my true self in terms of music, and the beat goes hard too.
What is your current guilty pleasure song or album?
Chai: flower boy by tyler the creator is definitely my guilty pleasures because i hopped on the bandwagon for that album, having never listened to tyler before. Nonetheless he’s now a huge inspiration.
Raju: Im gonna have to say everything by Lil Uzi Vert is my guilty pleasure, because some of my friends bag on his lyrics and “repetitive” flows that are found on many trap songs. However, i dont share these views, nor am i really guilty because i actually take pride in listening to a nas song and then going to uzi right after, for example. Both of them inspire me, nas more lyrically, and uzi more melodically.
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As you can see, there is a lot going on in the lives of these two up and coming artists!
Out of Rochester, NY is the best thing you’ve never heard of, Ovtlier. (Though, you may have. These guys have a pretty solid and steadily growing fan base, so excuse us if we’re behind on the times here!) For fans of Shinedown, Sevendust, and Beartooth comes this break through, rock radio-friendly tune “Break” off of their E.P. What doesn’t kill you. The music is rhythmically focused, tight, and leaves no gaps.The lyrical content is a shining moment for those who have reached that breaking point and refuse to be held down by anyone or anything. A very universal and relatable topic, the message is delivered as if it were the advice you take away from hearing the story of someone who lived it.
Just because “Break” is the pastiche of a genre they fit well into, don’t think they lack originality. Ovtlier has a very real and sincere vibe rather than the typical add-on by a major labels producer inserting commercial hooks. The chorus is powerful with a slight increase in tempo and a great unity between a punchy metal riff and applied harmony. The mixing and production quality is top notch and radio-ready. These guys aren’t missing a thing. They came prepared with a skilled arrangement, real life lyrical content, a good balance of originality and commercial appeal. They even look the part with a semi-harsh but freshly showered image. It’s not about “if” these guys will be signed and be the next big thing, it’s when. They have every right to be the ones who choose their deal and guys, don’t let any label take away that true honesty that sets you apart.
So, listeners, if you want bragging rights, “I heard them before they were huge”, here it is, it’s Ovtlier‘s “Break”.
Acoustically-driven alt indie rock musician Michael Vickers might hail from Leicester, but the message in his music is universal. Thankfully, he is currently working on an EP to release in early 2018, and new tracks are emerging from this project to give us a little taste of what’s to come. Though his new track “Every Time We Meet” won’t be out until Friday, we actually have the official U.S. streaming premiere of it for you right now.
The tambourine and bluesy sound of the harmonica drive the track, as Vickers reflects on the good times and the feelings associated with those memories. A follow up to his track “Won’t Stop Believing” (which hit number 42 on the iTunes Singer Songwriter charts), Vickers has similar hopes for “Every Time We Meet”, and we can’t blame him. Co-written with Michael Tedstone, Vickers paid homage to his recently passed grandfather by playing his harmonica on the track, a sweet and heartbreaking facet to the song that gives it a bit more meaning for Vickers himself. His heart-wrenching vocals take you on a journey through the “butterflies” and insane positivity that comes with love. It will absolutely put a smile on your face, so why not take a quick break with it?
“Every Time We Meet” is out November 17th. Keep up with Michael Vickers here.
In September, Boston’s folk/indie rock talent Griffin Robillard released his 9 track, full-length album titled Cracks in the Ceiling. Flooded in a sharply nostalgic feeling, the album itself was written while Robillard was living in Copenhagen. You can almost feel the growth he was experiencing while writing the piece, as his vocals are flooded with emotion as he brings you into his world with the mid-tempo, almost anthemic, title track, bouncing into the more upbeat and soulful vibes of “Ghost” before getting slightly more twangy, then bluesy/jazzy, in his instrumentals with third track “Because I’ve Told You”.
“Reel to Reel” slows things down – has the structure of a Ben Folds-type track – weaving a narrative speaking to his significant other that is slightly specific, but still very vague, perhaps for the sake of universality. While “Artifacts” picks things back up exponentially, it is with sixth track “Faithless” that we are brought back out of our seats, encouraged by the sound to move. “In Your Own Way” houses similar surf pop vibes to the instrumentals in Gin Blossoms’ “Found Out About You“, causing us a few moments of reminiscing on our 90s selves.
It is with “Nothing to Show” that things get very serious, both lyrically and instrumentally. It’s like Robillard has decided to rip his heart wide open in this one, simplifying the instrumentals slightly to really showcase the words as he croons the track into a 70s style rock stunner. “Tired of Being Cruel” is your last taste of Cracks in the Ceiling, a lot more upbeat in its composition, though melancholic lyrically as he begins the song with the line “tired of being cruel to you.” Self reflective, honest, raw. That’s what we’ve come to love about Robillard, and – while we’re plenty happy with this release – we’re already excited to hear what comes next from this talented musician.
Cracks in the Ceiling is out now. Keep up with Griffin Robillard here.
Chicago collective Mutts – comprised of Mike Maimone (keys, vocals), Bob Buckstaff (bass, guitar), and Ian Tsan (drums) – have had an incredibly busy few weeks, having just released their new EP Stick Together amongst re-released videos for included tracks “Neighbor” (ft. Jennifer Hall) and “Tin Foil Hat” while simultaneously opening for Company of Thieves on their reunion tour. Even with all the buzz around the EP itself – for which the title is a clear political (and human) statement in these times of trouble – we wanted to make sure everyone got their ears on it. Because these five tracks are certainly something special.
“I’ll Be Around” starts the EP in the most soulful and serene way, deep, raspy vocals serving as the standout aspect while Maimone lets you know “you don’t have to be alone tonight,” serving comfort in a very audible and strong way. Second track “Neighbor” – and its accompanying DIY video – is simple, a testament to the power of trusting in the people that surround you. Jennifer Hall’s vocals add a layer of beauty that makes the song feel more universal and hearty, keeping upfront honesty as soulful as its predecessor. And seeing as third track “Let’s Go” played often during the Cubs’ World Series run at Wrigley Field, this one is already an upbeat fan favorite that can honestly be played in any situation that you need a little bit of an energy boost.
By the time we get to “Tin Foil Hat”, the energy is already up and we’re properly prepared for both the track and its quirky music video, also created in its entirety by the guys in Mutts. Its fun nature almost makes you feel as though the song is a fun one, but its message is very anti-hate and incredibly important. (“Get yourself a tin foil hat and get the government out of your head.”) After such a direct and important message is delivered in such a creative and fun way, the only way to round out the EP is to bring the energy down slowly with “Don’t Touch It”, a track you can absolutely sway your hips to, but we can’t imagine for a second anyone head banging to.
If you want to prove us wrong, though, you’re welcome to post a video and let us know.
Stick Together is available now. Keep up with Mutts here.
