Sunday, February 12, 2023

DJ Interviews: Kade Jones

Here's my interview with TTRPG music composer Kade Jones who spoke on his musical beginnigs & feel free to check out some of his tunes & more of his works via the link below.



How'd you get started in music?

Hi Dizzy. Thanks for having me!

I started about seven or eight years ago. I made some quick music using orchestral loops for a mockumentary and had no clue what I was doing, using a very basic Digital Audio Workstation, but I managed to get something together. I caught the bug and some time after that, I decided to try with virtual instruments and bought my first proper DAW (Studio One).

I got to work and created a track. The mix was awful and I think my brass and woodwind players died from lack of breath! But, I actually completed a full piece that did what I wanted it to for my D&D sessions (horse-rider going into battle) and the raw composition and orchestration wasn't half bad, in spite of the messiness of the mix.

I decided there that I'll give it a good go and began learning all I could from YouTube and other sources while acquiring some orchestral instruments. I was always into my cinematic music.


Who are your inspirations or influences?

My main inspiration from the movie world is a composer called Basil Poledouris. You may or may not know the name, but you're very likely to know the music: Conan, Robocop, Starship Troopers, On Deadly Ground – to name a few.

Other than that, I love Thomas Bergersen – One half of 'Two Steps From Hell' and the reason I started off buying EastWest orchestral instruments when I started. This was due to his and Nick Pheonix's involvement with the company and actually, you've heard their music too. A good deal of TV, movie and game trailers this century feature the 'epic music' of Two Steps.

What advice would you offer aspiring composers?

There's lots of free instruments and software out there for a beginner. Get the free orchestra from Spitfire and also their LABS software and you'll have lots to play with without spending any money. Some compositions made with these instruments sound absolutely brilliant. Enjoy the writing and don't get hung up on the technicalities, the mixing or the expense – that'll come later.

Watch at least one video every day on music composition and learn your tools! There's so much good stuff out there, including how to write with free stuff.

A friend who wants you to succeed and is as blunt as a bus with their critique is invaluable. Have a thick skin and keep them close. I do ;)

Other than that, don't try to sound like Hans Zimmer – There's already a Hans Zimmer and he's always going to be the best Hans Zimmer there ever was! Learn from the masters but don't try to be them.

In other words, be yourself and find YOUR style!


How do you set yourself apart from other composers or producers?

Versatility!

I can create an expressive, dreamy love song one day and the next, a big badass monster soundtrack followed by a banging rock track then an atmospheric Celtic underscore.

Between you, me and your readers, I'm an old rocker at heart though :)


Any new tracks or albums in the future?

I'm always working on new tracks. Right now I'm building an Arabic album and putting the finishing touches to a new flying carpet action/chase composition. This will be available soon, but I try to create something new all the time. Currently I have 65 tracks and counting on Spotify, so I'm worth a follow just to see what I come up with next!



Friday, February 10, 2023

DJ Interviews: Rogelio Ortiz

Here's my interview with hip hop artist Rogelio Ortiz who sat with me to speak on his musical beginnings.

I STARTED TO PLAY MUSIC AT A YOUNG AGE I LEARNED TO PLAY STEEL DRUMS, I LOVE THE WAY THE DRUMS SOUNDED. MUSIC CAN BE A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY TO EXPRESS WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE FEELING. WHEN EVER I ENGAGED IN CREATIVITY SUCH AS MUSIC MAKING, IM PRESENT IN THE MOMENT THIS PRESENCE ALLOWS ME TO GET IN TOUCH WITH MY EMOTIONS AND EXPRESS THEM, OCCASIONALLY IT CAN BE HARD TO EXPRESS EMOTIONS VERBALLY, YOU FIND YOURSELF UNABLE TO FIND THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY AND HOW WE REALLY FEEL, ON THIS OCCASION MUSIC CAN BECOME A SUBTLER FORM OF EXPRESSION... 


 I WAS RAISED IN AN ERA WHERE  DANCE AND RAP WAS A WAY OF EXPRESSING HOW WE FELT,   IN THE LATE 70S AND EARLY 80S I GREW UP LISTENING TO HOUDINI, SUGAR HILL AND RUN D MC AND THE GROUP THAT INSPIRED ME THE  MOST KRS1 AND SCOTT LA ROCK WATCHING THEM PERFORM ON  

HARD BEATS AND CRISPY BARS MADE ME WANT TO DO BETTER AND BE THE BEST VERSION OF MYSELF... TO ALL ASPIRING ARTIST WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE A CAREER IN THE INDUSTRY ALWAYS REMEMBER ITS VERY HARD, NO MATTER HOW YOU FEEL GET UP DRESS UP SHOW UP AND NEVER GIVE UP. 

YOUR MIND IS A POWERFUL THING WHEN YOU FILL IT WITH POSITIVE THOUGHTS,YOUR LIFE WILL START TO CHANGE AND ALWAYS REMEMBER TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR FANS AND TAKE TIME OUT TO GET TO KNOW THEM AND TO ALWAYS SHARE THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF BECAUSE TO MOST ARTIST THERE FAN BASE IS A BIG BLUR,GIVE THEM PERSONAL ATTENTION AND THEY'LL BE LOYAL TO YOU ABOVE OTHERS... 

THANK YOU SO MUCH (DRACUVLAD) YOU CAN FIND ALL MY MUSIC ON SOUNDCLUD & BANDLAB AS WELL AS APPLE MUSIC SPOTIFY AND OVER 150 PLATFORMS ALL OVER THE WORL

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

DJ Interviews: Michael Sherrit of Operation Neptune Spear

Hey there guys here's my interview with Michael Sherrit of Operation Neptine Spear who sat down with me to discuss his musical career 


How'd you get started in music? 

 

I went down to the crossroads at midnight and made a pact with the…….no wait that’s the wrong story 

Started getting into rock music around 10 or 11 years old, asked my Dad for a guitar at 12 taught myself how to play, formed my first band at age 13 and have been in bands ever since, musical styles ranged from 60’s rock to Death Metal  

 

Who are your inspirations or influences? 

 

Influences are too many and varied to list as for my inspirations I would say anyone who was creating their own music, more so people who could pull off playing it live 

 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers? 

 

I would say get out there and do it, get your stuff out there, get on stage and make yourself heard! I have come across numerous people who write songs and are scared to share them for fear that people might not like them but you can’t please all the people all of the time somewhere there may be someone that appreciates what you have done, believe in yourselves people 

 

How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers? 

 

I have been told that no one sounds like Operation Neptune Spear, that could be down to several things, I suppose not many people use the guitars (Epiphone Casino) and equipment (battered second generation iPad) I use, and most bands probably spend a lot more time on the whole recording, mixing and mastering process 

One comment I did have was that the music sounds urgent and frenetic, I would go with that  

 

Any new gigs or albums in the future? 

 

No gigs upcoming, we do have a new track that is nearing completion and I was asked to do vocals on a track for a friend of mine, that is almost complete as well so hopefully soon there should be some new music to punish your ears to. 

Monday, February 6, 2023

DJ Intervews: Jasen Saffel of Jasen & Judenjay

Here's my interview with Jasen Saffel of the music dou Jaen & Judenjay as he sat down with me & spoke on his musical beginnings


My name is {JASEN JAY SAFFEL} and I am 58 years young and the lead vocalist and songwriter and guitarist of the band JUDENJAY.I am backed by {GARY WILL} on lead guitar and other instruments and {Donny Mitchell} on bass guitar and other instruments and KEN HOWARD on DRUMS. Although the lineup changes on a regular basis....


1. How'd I get started in music? 


see this guy [ROGER BERKMAN} I was about 10 years old at the time and in second grade ROGER was about 8-9 and in 1rst grade.  Not sure about that but I was at the time an artist great at drawing and sculpture. ROGER lived just over the hill from me on Anniversary Lane. I lived on Pin Oak rd. We were both raised in EDWARDSVILLE ILLINOIS. and we both rode the same bus to and from school. Well ROGER was a gifted guitarist; his whole family was gifted musically and would sit around jamming as a family daily. And we were at the time in COLUMBUS GRADE SCHOOL and in those days if you were gifted, they would let you show off to the kids. So, ROGER had been gifted by the school an assembly. He sat in the lawn with the entire grade school watching him and played guitar and banjo and sang. Everyone just loved him and his music and cheered for him. And I just thought I wanted to do that. And he came on the bus one day and had no place to sit and so I said hey ROGER you can sit here.We became great friends, and he taught me guitar and eventually put a band together called "THE OUTER LIMITS". I was already writing my own songs at 8 years of age and so was ROGER and we started off just looking for anyone who would listen to us. We would play the nursing homes and Kof C halls and VFWs.And for his MOM. with no pay. Just for fun and to get heard. That is how I got started. Looking back at in today my family was breaking up there were 10 of us and 8 kids. My parents were heading for a divorce, and it gave me an outlet stronger than the artwork I was doing. And ROGERs friendship helped. But i think it was a combination of what I was going through at home and Roger's friendship and the music.......................................................

2.  Who are your influences? 

My influences were first and foremost my friend ROGER BERKMAN from a friend's level...He was a sort of grade school hero of sorts that guy who could get the entire school in his hand, but he was an ELVIS fan and so was his MOM and my MOM everyone's MOM lol. ROGER had 3 older brothers who like all kinds of rock n roll hard rock n roll, but ROGER liked CCR and ELVIS and his roots were in folk. He could do that great finger picking stuff I could not do. His DAD & UNCLE were folk/country/bluegrass guys. So, they could do all of that banjo's and ukes and guitars and such. My MOM was a song writer and poet and loved ELVIS and country music as well. I had 5 brothers and two sisters, so I got. A bit of everything however my main influence came from the fab four THE BEATLES.I found and old record called "SOMETHING NEW THE BEATLES" and played it once and was hooked. From then on, I wanted a band with friends who all sang and played and wrote their own songs. To me they are the greatest band of all time. And I set out to have a band like them. To this day i try to put their influence in my music somewhere................

3. What advice would you offer aspiring performers? 

Be yourself and make a part of your sets "ALL ORIIGINAL MUSIC" we set out to be sure to do that as no band can copy originality and there is nothing better than seeing people enjoying your own songs. Seeing them dance to them and hearing them ask you about them. We would sandwich our songs in-between covers that we knew people liked and it was like an arrow pointing to the unknown song of ours and it helped people remember our song. Whatever your influences are it will come out in your music. but "Don't be afraid to just be yourself. I have had many moments because I took the risks when others told me not to do it at all. Follow your musical heart and soul and mind. The Beatles were not afraid to experiment with music.................


4.How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers? 

Practicing when you are sick of it to be tight is one way. Many bands are sloppy because they feel they do not need sound checks or practice. I have had many of great musicians not put their best foot forward because they have an ego and do not feel they need to do a sound check or practice. They get to the gig and are setting sound all through the first set. They would say I have been playing for {X} number of years I do not need practice. We practice and do sound checks. But the main thing is "DO ORIGINALS" this is another thing many musicians do not want to do. But it's what sets you apart. If all you can do is covers, you may corner yourself. Work on harmonies as well. Tight harmonies are huge and let everyone who wants to sing if they sing well. People love seeing friendship and happiness and teamwork on stage it spreads the love and enjoyment of music. unless you are a solo act of course...........

5. Any new gigs or albums in the future?

I am hoping to record some new songs and do some new song videos. And I want to get back out there and play live again. Covid and the economy issues have halted playing live for me since 2019. So yes, I am hoping to get with GARY WILL who also plays LEAD GUITAR and produces and mixes and masters our JUDENJAY recordings. GARY WILL also does his own solo stuff and plays with other bands as all of these guys do. As much as I would like to be selfish and keep this band to myself many guys are here and there, so it really depends on money and time for each other. The days of a band being just for each other seem to be gone. 

Sunday, February 5, 2023

DJ Interviews: Patrick Dubuc of Big Bite Games

Hey there everyone its DJ Dizzy here Now normally I interview musicians & singers but this time I'm doing something different, I'm spotlighting a TTRPG creator who has a music based game coming out called Rock Of Ages & his name is Patrick Dubuc of Big Bite Games. He sat down with me to speak on how he got started, You can check out his latest project at the end of the interview so sit back & enjoy.



1. How'd you get started in tabletop gaming?

I think that it started naturally. Let me explain. I always been a game master so I started, many years ago, to write my own adventures, create my own magic items and monsters...

But I really got into TTRPG about 10 years ago when Colin Chapman (at the moment, owner of Radioactive Ape Design), accepted that I write for an upcoming book (Twisted Armaggedon, a supplement for Atomic Highway). While the book never was released, I still have what I write and send it for free at fans that want to expand on Atomic Highway's Core Rules.

After that, I worked for D3 Publishing and did a couple of small contracts left and right.

It's only in 2022 that it really become a passion with my participation to the Breathless Jam. The rest is history!


2. What is it you like about tabletop games?

I think TTRPGs are fun, stimulate our imagination, and promote social interactions in a world where we are all hiding behind our cellphones and PC screens.


3. Which games do you cite as an inspiration?

Commercially, I really enjoyed Pathfinder's game world. It's rich, deep, and complex.

On the indie scene, I really like A Couple of Drakes' Deadbelt for the visual, the innovative game mechanics and the possibility to play Solo OR with a partner!


4. Do you have any advice for people who want to get involved in tabletop?

Read! A lot! Buy some games, study their mechanics and the reasons behind them, find a teammate if possible and maybe start with an existing SRD or a game jam!


5. Any new projects in the works?

Yes! I am currently working on Rock of Ages which is part Rockstar Career Sim and Monster-of-the-Week TTRPG. 

Basically, Rockstars (Players) evolve in a metropolis called Paradise City as Rockstars. In this city, lyrics and song titles can become reality, thanks to an unknown force which is also responsible for giving them the tool to fight all matters of supernatural threats: The Power of Rock!


I also have tons on the backburner:

A Darkwing Duck Fan Game (that wil be available for free).

A Pokémon meets Iron Chef TTRPG where players roams the world looking for inspiration, best ingredients, and compete against other chefs to become the best chef in the world.

A comedy, space exploration, sci-fi TTRPG called USS 404: Planet Not Found where players are part of a ship's crew and in search of a perfect play.

All that and so mucn more... My head is constantly boiling with new ideas!



Special thanks to him for this interview & I wish him luck in his work. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!


Big Bite Games Link 

Saturday, February 4, 2023

DJ Interviews: Marty Nolan

 Here's my interview with singer Marty Nolan


How'd you get started in music?

 

I have played acoustic guitar since about the age of 16.  I’m now 61.  At 16, I learned a handful of chords, then I would write down lyrics to songs I liked, and then try to figure out the chords that went with lyrics.  As to when I started recording and posting songs, that has only been in the last year or so, hence the name “Late Start Productions”.  Really, because we were not going out much during Covid, I had time on my hands and started pulling out old songs I had written during my teen years and in my twenties.  Over the years, in between raising three kids and everything going on in life, I still would write songs now and then.  In the last year I have written many more and I enjoy doing it very much.  It is a great to have an artistic outlet very different from what I do for a living.  During Covid I also pulled out an old banjo I built back in my 20’s.  I can play that a little bit but was never very good.  I’m a better guitar picker.

 

 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

 

I grew up on Rock & Roll.  My friends and I were into bands like Aerosmith, Rush, Led Zeppelin.  Then, once I started playing acoustic guitar, my influences were artists like Neil Young & Bob Dylan.  Eventually I discovered singer/songwriters like John Prine and Townes Van Zandt and they blew me away with their storytelling and simple deliveries.  I would say that would best describe most of the music I create – singer/songwriter.  I change up a few songs now and again according to my mood.  Today, I am in awe of the Avett Brothers, the Lumineers and spend some time listening to Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Radio.

 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

 

Explore.  In my youth there was nothing like what exists today for new artists.  No Spotify, YouTube. Today, you can post music so easily and connect to other artists that you find interesting.  People will even include you on playlists sometimes and help you promote your music.  In the end though, keep it fun.  You can enjoy making music your entire life even if you never sign some big contract.  You can find peace making music alone, you can do it with just another friend or two or you can put together a band.  Making music is great therapy.  Make some music, get it to where you like it and then post it on sites where someone might listen to it.  Again, nothing like this was possible 10-20 years ago.

 

How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

 

Lyrics.  It has to be the songwriting.  I have an “OK” voice, so it will not be that setting me apart.  And, candidly, there are just so many notes one can use to create a song.  You have to change up the tempo or the combination of notes to make something original.  Certainly, there are artists who stand out musically and I love them.  I am an admirer of them.  But I am not that gifted.  I am a pretty good guitar picker and that’s where it ends.  After that, it has to be the lyrics or how I arrange my songs that carries me along.

 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

 

Haha, I have never done a gig.  I was pretty cautious just putting my first music up on YouTube.  I’m not a shy person but I was so timid about it I used the name Late Start Productions and used an old picture of my grandparents as my cover photo.  But, after a year or so, I am not embarrassed by my music and I think some of it is pretty good.  My brother and I trade songs back and forth and we often comment “I have heard worse stuff than this on the radio”.  So, the future will be continuing to release my songs under the name Late Start Productions.  If I have get the opportunity to perform live I will share that on one of the sites where I post my music.  My biggest hope or wish is that some artist would hear my song, like it enough to want to record it, and then put the resources behind it to really produce and mix it.  I fly by the seat of my pants and do what I can.  I would like to hear one of my songs done by someone who really knows what they are doing.  That would be really fun to hear.