by Madison Blom | Feb 20, 2018 | 5 to 7, Uncategorized
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.
___
As you can see, there is a lot going on in the lives of these two up and coming artists!
by Madison Blom | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Based in Vancouver, BC, Gena Perala has just released her newest visual single “Good Girl,” which embodies several emotions and topics that have been combined with tactful artistry that is notable for an artist at such an early stage. This new single is the first since her independent album Exactly, Nowhere which was well received by critics and fans alike. “Good Girl,” has been scheduled to be part one of a three part EP that is going to be released one song at a time as part of a larger concept album. Not only will this have all of her fans on the edges of their seats, but it will also give listeners a chance to enjoy all of the work that she has put into her new releases.
Not only is her music easy to listen to, but it also has the unique ability to create an atmosphere for the listener. In her new release, the single opens with a series of “ooh’s” and “ahhs” which sets the stage for the rest of the “haunting” lyrics, beats and rhythms that seems to be one of Perala’s signature sounds. Not only does her music create an atmosphere, but it also exudes a kind of delicate power that also adds to the nuance of the music. As time goes on, those who know her are excited to hear more of what this artist has to offer.
Keep up with Perala here.
by Abby Trapp | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Toronto native Kira May found her love for music when she released her EP Health in 2014. Her album Sense, which releases this spring, takes us through the journey of her struggle with anxiety and depression. I had a first look into her video “Muscle Memory,” her latest single from Sense.
The video opens with a woman clothed in white sitting in a room, dimly lit. I didn’t notice it until about the minute mark, but she is also wearing decorative rainbow eyes. “Muscle Memory” really starts to heat up about the three minute mark when different colored paints bleed out of the woman’s body and mouth. Not in the creepy way though, as it is mesmerizing and almost cathartic. I took away from this video is that letting your colors bleed, showing that you are human is easier when you just drop the veil.
Keep up with Kira May here.
by Kayla Hutton | Feb 20, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Los Angeles based band
The Great Sadness – consisting of members Stephen McNeely (drums) and Cathy Cooper (guitar/vocals) – say they are “upset all the time and they put it in their music.”
When looking into The Great Sadness I started by getting acquainted with the video for “Underground” from their album Weep that was released in April of 2017. Maybe I just have a sick sense of humor, but I found nothing sad about this song while watching as the pair rode bicycles through a cemetery, stopped at the ice cream truck, the laundry mat, and hit up the massage chairs. As I was mid-laugh at the comical occasional middle finger, things got creepy and in their skull masks it felt as if death was out for a walk.
With lyrics boasting, “In this place, underground, there is no God,” one could embrace the sadness behind that realization. The further I descend into this album, the tonal quality and the words themselves do capture all that is wrong in the world. It is a sad place that we have created and The Great Sadness doesn’t sugar coat a bit of it. Cathy has an un-dusted gritty rasp to her voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin, Stevie Knicks, and early Melissa Etheridge. The music has a murky humidity that generates a grass rooted southern swamp rock feel as well as that D-tuned sludge grunge feel (don’t think Nirvana’s Nevermind album, think Nirvana’s Bleach album).
Being a D.I.Y. band and paying for your recording, production, pressing, touring can leave you financially depleted. The Great Sadness truly has a love for creating music no matter the cost and their hard work has paid off as they reached out to all of you to help release Weep on vinyl. Given the style of music, you want this on vinyl.
The shining moment for me was the song “Tonight.” A droning sometimes psychadelic darkness seems so fitting as she sings loudly, borderline a scream while maintaining great vocal control, “this dance through hell has done us in, hold me love, my breath is thin.” The Great Sadness is best described by this scenerio, if only Linda Blair (the original Exorsist movie, the possessed girl) had a band.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Brand new British quartet GRDNS – comprised ofJacob Lyons, Cameron Harrison on bass, Sam Gledhill on guitar, and John Fitzpatrick on drums – just released their debut single “Night Dance”. With a sound that is self-described as “Northern England Psych”, the band oozes obvious psych pop influence. While “Night Dance” is light, the guitar sets a mood perfect for ethereal, crashing cymbals to vibe out to.
Keep up with GRDNS here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Feb 19, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Moving forward from a difficult situation is sometimes hard, but Nashville-based, New Jersey born artist Jess Nolan makes the situation easier in her song. In her new song “Mistakes”, Nolan uses her soulful voice to keep her head up and move forward, embracing life as it comes and continuing on.
“Mistakes” is full of a soulful guitar tune and brass tones. The song encourages the listener to continue to walk through life despite what has been thrown their way. Jess Nolan’s song is exactly what the title says it is: “learning to embrace your mistakes.” The song encourages the listener to use his or her trials and tribulations as a platform to move forward. “Mistakes” is the right song to encourage the listener to grow and learn from what they have been through in life.
Keep up with Jess Nolan here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Feb 19, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
If you’re looking for a video unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, we’ve got you covered: Tide Pods meet Britney Spears. For Elisabeth Donaldson’s directing debut, the multi-talented artist teamed up with indie piano rockers Molly Rocket to create a cover of Britney Spears’ legendary hit, “Toxic” while simultaneously creating satire that brings the current state of affairs in America to light. The video utilizes the infamous 2018 Tide Pods trend to show how crazy it is that, while there are much more important things to be worried about, America is focused on tiny balls of laundry detergent.
Exposing cultural decay while creating entertainment can be a tricky thing to pull off, but Donaldson achieves it. Visually, the video sticks to a Tide Pods themed color scheme, outfits, and locale (aka the laundromat). Who wouldn’t want to try some of the tasty meals shown in the video: Tide Pod cereal, eggs, pizza, etc?? Props to Donaldson for a directing debut worth noting, and Molly Rocket for a unique and unforgettable performance.
We think Britney would approve.
Keep up with Molly Rocket here: Instagram – Facebook – Twitter
by Veronica DeFeo | Feb 19, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Need a little pick me up as this winter drags on? Check out the new record from John, Jack, and Charles of Monsterwatch! The Seattle-based punk band is soon to release their sophomore four track EP called Z O T, featuring “Brain Twist”, “I Don’t Get It”, “Lost My Car” and an already-released single, “Big Sin”. Z O T was produced and engineered by Steve Fisk and displays the flexibility of Monsterwatch’s music following their previous record, Blabbermouth, and a few other singles. From a classic, intense punk song like “Brain Twist” to a more mellow, but still upbeat track like “Lost My Car”, Monsterwatch has created a treat for fans and new listeners alike.
“Brain Twist” is the leading track on the EP, and will do just as the title suggests for the listener. With authentic screamo-punk sound and emotion, it is reminiscent of Carbon Airways’ “Razor Edge”.
“Brain Twist” is followed by “I Don’t Get It”, which follows the vein of the previous song. If you’re feeling angsty, this is the track for you. Filled with “you just don’t understand” vibes and a head bobbing beat, this is punk at its purest.
“Lost My Car” is one of the most approachable songs for those not used to heavier punk, tinged with some perfectly placed piano moments. “Lost My Car” has a slightly nostalgic sound to it. If The 1975 were a punk band, this is a song they’d put out; however, it is still 100% Monsterwatch’s own sound. It’s a great transitional song into the next song on the EP, a single which has already been released: “Big Sin”.
“Big Sin” has a bit of a Talking Heads sound to it, and along with “Lost My Car” definitely fits what Monsterwatch labels itself as: groovepunk.
Every track is filled with killer guitar and screamo vocals that are controlled yet unapologetic. We can’t wait to see what Monsterwatch does next.
Z O T is available March 2nd.
Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – Website – #monsterwatch
by Abby Trapp | Feb 19, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
LA based Little Monarch captured attention and success with the release of their self-titled EP in 2016. There is no slowing down for the indie pop trio though. They recently flew into 2018 with a new video for the song “No Matter What”. The video starts with a group of friends traveling to the beach and hiking through the hills. It captures the essence of nature while encompassing the solidarity of friendship.
“For the video we simple wanted to capture the care free sun kissed feeling of the song,” say Little Monarch of the video.
Keep up with Little Monarch here.
