Wednesday, July 9, 2025

The Moment That Hooks Us in Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad


Hey there all, normally I do music reviews but this time around I'm sharing a review of a music anime thats been really close to my heart That of BECK Mongolian Chop Squad, it's a really well-done anime & story along with it so if you haven't had the pleasure of seeing it it's something that I highly recommend. so have a look & be sure to post your comments on things.


Tuesday, July 8, 2025

DJ Interviews: Brook Hodges

 Hey there folks here's my interview with indie singer/rocker Brooke Hodges who shared her humble begging's of her career


How'd you get started in music? 

My mum had a guitar which she'd learnt on as a child. One of the teachers at my primary school ran a group lesson on a lunch time, so I went along to that with my mum's guitar and learnt to play hymns. After that, I was self-taught. I was at secondary school when Brit Pop was at it's height so everyone was playing the guitar. I've dabbled in various bands over the years, but then really started writing my own stuff a few years ago during lock down.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

I love good songwriting, anything with a hook and good lyrics, lyrics are really important I haven't got time for songs where they don't make sense! Fleetwood Mac have been a definite constant in my life and I love a lot of other 70s stuff, like Neil Young, John Martyn, Toto. I've recently been listening again to Ben Folds Five who were my favourite band when I was a teenager, they have some brilliant songs, there's  a lot of humour in there which I really like too and I try to bring that  into my writing at times.

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

Get up and play! Find local open mics or acoustic nights with a welcoming host and do lots of it. When I was about 13 or 14, we went on a family holiday to Tenerife and there was a live band who played in a bar every night. I was persuaded to get up and play with them, I was beyond nervous and I didn't have a go-to repertoire at that time, it was a bit of a car crash, but we went back the next year and I was prepared and played every night and loved it.
I've only recently got to a point where I don't routinely feel terrified getting up to play, but it definitely gets gradually easier the more you do it. The other thing that I find really useful is to video myself. I joined a Facebook 'Live Lounge' during lockdown where a load of musicians posted a song a day. Prior to that, I would perform but would never listen back to what I'd played for fear of it being awful. Watching my videos back was so useful both for tightening up my performances but also in giving me confidence to realise that what I was doing actually sounded fine.

How do you set yourself apart from other bands or singers? 
There are so many talented songwriters and performers out there, I'm not trying to set myself apart, I just want to be amongst them. But my songwriting is very honest and raw and people seem to connect with that which is lovely. 

How would you say that music has inspired/made an impression on you? 
Writing music allows me to express ideas and emotions that I really can't communicate in any other way. Often writing songs allows me to work through what's going on inside and make sense of it. Listening to music can play with your mood in such incredible ways, from the euphoria of being at a gig where you can feel the music vibrating your bones and everyone is singing along, to the days alone at home wallowing in heartbreak with Jeff Buckley and Radiohead for company.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?
I've got a few gigs in Sheffield lined up in the coming weeks. The next one is at Mester's Tap on 16th July. My next album is taking shape, I've been writing a lot recently and I'm hoping to start recording early in 2026.


Special thanks to both her & Grace Williams for her collabaration in helping with this interview So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside!

--

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

DJ Interviews: TokyoSOng

 Hey there everyone its your old friend DJ Dizzy here with an interview as done by band. Tokyo song who sat with me to talk about their musicial origins





How'd you get started in music?

I've always had a head full of music that's been itching to get out of me... I was tinkering with some layered wall of sound orchestral indie when training to be a producer back in the late 1990s, and a chance meeting with Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets) and him being bowled over by the weird Beach Boys, Nick Drake tunes I had gave me the belief maybe I had something. Through a few more chance meetings with different folk led to a deal with the Beastie Boy's Grande Royal, festival tours and putting out some songs internationally as the 'Justin Lewis Orchestra', fast forward three years and the label closed and I was back to square one..

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Oh so many, I've already mentioned a couple... I really need a t-shirt that says 'I don't believe in God, but I do believe in Mahalia Jackson', Flaming Lips, Tim and Jeff Buckley, Aretha F, Radiohead, Portishead and lots more besides. In the more modern world I'm super hyped about hey nothing and find their passion, honesty and song writing beauty, Olivia Dean is bringing something special and Jacob Alon is soothing my speakers right now. Love artists that write from the heart.

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

The most important thing is to be yourself and know you don't need to be perfect first time. Finding yourself as an artist and a singer is a process - and the important bit is to stay in that process. Bad shows, recordings that don't go anywhere or times when you are unsure where you are heading are all part of it - but just keep heading somewhere, keep learning and don't get too distracted by what works for others. This is your journey as an artist and what works for others isn't what will work for you - stay in the process and find out what special thing you bring to the party, and then attach big bright lights to that and sing it loud and like your life depends on it.

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

I don't sing like anyone else and I'm more of a singer and a songwriter than a musician. With Tokyosongbird I play everything - which brings it's own challenges and charm, on a good run great things happen by accident and everything falls neatly into place... on some of the stuff you wont hear it's like one of them Bob Dylan songs where he asks everyone to switch instruments. The thing is I'm always looking for beauty and emotion in everything I write. Songs just appear through me and I spend my time trying to do the music in my head justice, and deliver the vocal performances these songs deserve. Maybe in this stretching to find the right quality and capturing the emotional meaning and these struggles adds to the unique emotions of my songs.

How would you say that music has inspired/made an impression on you?

I suspect I would be in trouble if I didn't have music. Listening to the opening bars of Ok Computer or Mahalia Jackson singing at Louis Armstrong's 70th birthday concert, having had to leave her sick bed to get up on that stage. In the modern day we've managed to cheapen music and let it become way too much about posh kids from stage school - but nothing grabs your like great authentic music written from the heart, nothing transports you like a singer giving everything, or a band just reaching their peak.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

I've an album almost finished, but I feel like you have to earn an album these days as an artist so suspect that will be next year. My next single in the autumn is going to be a duet about a couple of high school sweethearts that broke up and re-meet in middle-age, both single again and finding the flame is still burning - and rather fine it is sounding too.   

Special thanks to Lee Christian & Grace Williams for their help in this & you can check out Tokyo Song's music via the following links. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside!

TokyoSong Music 



Saturday, June 7, 2025

One more day by Kayvon Harrris

 

Hey there its your old friend DJ Dizzy here & I've got a new song by none other than Keyvon Harris, Its called One More Day & its a special dedication to all of the father's everywhere in honor of Father's Day

You can feel free to listen to it by way of the link below & its evadible thru both Apple music & Spotify 

so feel free to give a listen & to all f the Father's everywhere here's that you all have a happy Father's Day 


One More Day - Keyon Harris

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

DJ Interviews: Ingvi Thor Kormaksson

Hey there one & all its your old friend DJ Dizzy here & I'm back with another interview this time around enjoy

Intoduction: Award-winning Icelandic composer (and crime author!) Ingvi Thor Kormaksson has a new single 'So Nice' out with his band project Latin Faculty in three forms - English, Icelandic and Instrumental out now on all platforms.


How'd you get started in music? 

   I started playing drums in a boarding-school band. I'd had some
   basic training in a boys' marching band, and some piano lessons as well.
   I remember we did a lot of Kinks covers. Next winter I was in Reykjavik, and
   bought an electric organ (Farfisa) and took private lessons in Jazz theory,
   playing chords on piano along with my mentor grabbing whatever instrument
   was handy to play the melody line. That winter set me going to start playing
   in Dance and Rock bands on keyboard for the next twenty years. Lots of practice that way. When I quit that business I realised I didn't enjoy that stuff at all and turned to songwriting, and played in a Blues/Jazz ensemble (JJ Soul Band) for a while. The band made four albums filled with our own music. Besides that I made albums with various Icelandic singers, that my friends produced, always with versatile top-notch musicians. Lyrics were in Icelandic, but some of this stuff is found as instrumentals on an album called Instrumental Collection.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

First influences were from the beat-groups of UK; Kinks, Animals, Stones, Beatles, etc. Later came War and Steely Dan. Then as I delved more into Jazz-Fusion, it was Headhunters (with Herbie Hancock), the funky Ramsey Lewis Trio (from the early seventies). Brian Bennett drummer from the Shadows was also a big influence with his solo album, Change of Direction. Also the cool and soul jazz guys; Horace Silver, Lee Morgan and many more. Then, not least, is the Brazilian influence in all its splendour, the songwriters and the performers.
   
What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

   I really do not have any advice as a performer, as I tended to stay in the background, but as a songwriter I have only one advice: stay true to yourself and what you stand for.  

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

   On the second album I did, I tried to do some stuff that I thought would be popular, with catastrophic results. That album is nowhere on music sites yet, and maybe never will. It's possible I'll look at it later, and see the bright spots.
   But after that fiasco I decided that I would write only the music that popped up in my head in a natural way, even though it was very much possible that no one would like my endeavours at all. But usually music finds its way to people, if only few, who appreciate it.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?


I quit playing myself in public twenty years ago but occasionally lend a hand in a studio. Latin Faculty is a collective of musicians, friends and friends of friends, performing my music in the studio only, not elsewhere. So the music is only for recording and eventually being published on music sites. Maybe there'll be a few CDs made. I like CDs, which definitely must mean that I'm old! My current radio single 'So Nice' with Latin Faculty is out now in three forms - English, Icelandic and Instrumental - on all platforms via the HYRNJANDI imprint now.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

DJ Interviews: Saphira 79

Hey there guys its your old friend DJ Dizzzy here, & here's my interview with up & coming soundscaoe  Saphira 79 who sat down with me in my little temple to talk of her musical orgins.


1. How’d you get started in music?

I’ve been making music since childhood, but it wasn’t until 2021 that I started sharing it publicly. Music has always been a part of my life - experimenting with sounds, creating melodies, and expressing emotions through it. Over time, my passion evolved, and I decided to release my own tracks to see where this journey would take me.

2. Whom would you cite as your biggest influences & inspirations?

I draw inspiration from many sources, from the ethereal soundscapes of film scores to the hypnotic energy of techno. Artists like Boris Brejcha and MRAK resonate with me, but I also find influence in other genres, from IDM to cinematic music. My goal is to create something that blends these elements into a sound that feels unique and immersive.

My influences started with Modern Talking, Sandra, and Jean-Michel Jarre. Later, I became fascinated by techno music with artists like Marusha, Paul van Dyk, and Scooter. I was fortunate to witness the emergence of both Techno and New Age music, which had a huge impact on me. I’ve listened to almost everything, but Enigma influenced me the most—their music was something truly special and new to me. Beyond specific artists, a lot of my inspiration comes from the emotions and atmospheres I perceive in my surroundings. Sometimes, I even hear beautiful melodies in my dreams that touch and inspire me deeply.

3. How would you say music has had an impact on your life?

Music has been my way of processing emotions and experiences. It has helped me through difficult times and allowed me to connect with others in a way that words alone never could. It’s more than just a creative outlet - it’s a way of navigating life and expressing what often feels indescribable.

4. How do you set yourself apart from other artists & performers & what advice would you offer any aspiring performers?

I think my sound is a mix of cinematic depth and driving techno rhythms, often infused with mystical or otherworldly elements. I don’t follow trends but instead focus on creating something that feels true to me.

For aspiring artists, my advice would be: stay consistent, experiment fearlessly, and don’t get discouraged by numbers or algorithms. Focus on refining your craft and building genuine connections with listeners - it’s a long game, but authenticity always finds its audience.

5. Any new gigs or upcoming albums in the future?
I’ve been releasing new music consistently - over the past six months, almost every week. Starting in April, I plan to release a new track about every four weeks. My latest music video, Emerging Realms, is an experience of its own. It speaks for itself - sometimes, music and visuals say more than words ever could. Some of my recent tracks include Seven Days Raging, Keep Dancing On, and All Time, which has a more playful, lighthearted vibe.

I’m also working on more projects, including music videos and possibly something bigger - so there’s definitely more to come!