DJ Interviews: Finding Butterflies Band

 Here's my interview with the band Finding Butterflies. Enjoy

How did you get started in music?

My father was a musican and teacher and thus, music was something I did from a very young age. I had voice, piano, and flute lessons for most of my life. My love of music was generational.  Don’s beginning in music was less traditional. He simply loved music and began playing guitar and singing on his own.  His evolution as a musician was shaped by the musicians he admired and the cover music he played with the different groups he has played with.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

My influences come from a variety of genres. Of course jazz, classical, and traditional Irish music is really all I grew up with, so I think there is some of that in our music.  But, vocally and from popular genres, I have listened a lot to Heart, Georgia Train of Bitter Ruin, Agnes Obel, Allison Kraus, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries. I don’t really try to sound like anyone else. I just think shades of all of the above just appear in our music from time to time. Don’s guitar influences are easier to pinpoint with the likes of Richie Blackmore, Steve Morse, and Steve Howe. 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

To be true to yourself. Always. And then stay the course. You will be much happier playing music that way. If you try to “be like” someone else, then you will always be a cheap imitation of something that has already been done. Listen to others, learn from others, and then make it your own. Maybe it takes off, maybe it doesn’t, but you will grow more as a musician, artist, and human being if you are true to yourself.  And isn’t that what music should truly be about?

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

Well, a couple of things come to mind. One is the eclectic influences we derive our playing and singing from, and another is that we commonly and integrally use whistle and flute in all of our songs. Even though folk rock is the genre that is most closely linked to our music, jazz pianist and composer Rex Bell once said that he thought we had created a whole new genre. Perhaps that is so. But really, we just try to be authentic, true to ourselves, and to play and sing what we love.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Our recording queue is full. We have a single, Iron Cross, being mixed and mastered which should release in late May, and we are currently recording 4 other songs which may appear as an EP or as singles. We’re not sure on the release format yet. We have also begun re-mixing and re-mastering some of our previously recorded music with the aim of releasing 12 of those songs as a “Best Of” album. We hope to be able to offer this project beyond digital with both CD and Vinyl formats.

Special thanks to them for doing this interview & I wish them luck in their music so until then  I'll catch you on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!!

DJ Interviews: The Midnight Hour Podcast

Hey there guys, DJ Dizzy here & this time around I'm doing something different I've had the pleasure of interviewing a music producer who runs a podcast called The Midnight Hour as they shared how they got started.  

How'd you get started in the biz?

CrowZone Radio, a newly established radio station in the west of England, were kind enough to grant me a 1-hour slot every week. That slot became known as The Midnight Hour because it was an hour long and my name is Midnight. Much to everyone's amusement the show didn't go out at midnight.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

The late, great John Peel and Elvira.

What advice would you offer aspiring producers?

Don't stagnate and procrastinate, innovate! Or, to put it another way, produce, don't reproduce. Do your own thing.

How do you set yourselves apart from other shows?

I do all the chatty bits on Twitter and my forum during the shows. Out of respect for the artists, I don't talk over their music. I don't treat their music as a backing track for the sound of my own voice. It's a shameful thing when artists have spent years, blood, sweat and tears putting their music together and some idiot goes and talks all over it. So listeners and my naughty Furieans can listen to great music and chat live with me at the same time, without detracting from the music.

Any new shows in the future?

The Midnight Hour is a weekly radio show that goes out every Sunday at 5pm UK time on Metal Meyhem Radio.

Midnight's Metal Grinder radio show goes out on the third Sunday of every month at 9pm UK time on Metal Meyhem Radio, with a new artist/band co-hosting with me, every month.

I'd love to work on some kind of collaboration in the future, but, as a one-person effort where I do everything myself, that's all my time gone every week. As you well know yourself, it takes so much time to dig out intel on the artists, I'd need a 36-hour day to add another show to my roster.

Special thanks to them for this interview & I wish The Midnight Hour podcast lots of luck. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! stay awesome & rock n roll!

Stream of Corruption: November 5, 2020

Hey there guys DJ Dizzy here & I wanted to share a song that I had wrote a  while back that was featured on this podcast its called Stay Frosty & I hope you enjoy it. (Its playing at the end of the show.)

Alexandra Hainsworth - Lose It with Me (Official Video)

DJ Interviews: Michael Jacob

 

Hey there guys DJ Dizzy here,  This is my interview with singer Michael Jacob. Enjoy!

How'd you get started in music?

I started music when I was 8 year-old back when I was a child playing drums with my brothers and my father in our house. We had a huge studio, so we spent there all our evenings playing & composing music.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

My major influence is Stevie Wonder: I love his voice, his chords, his melodies and his arrangements.

I also love Bill Withers and George Benson. 

My huge influence in the way I understand drums is the band called Earth Wind and Fire. As a vocalist I am a huge fan of James Ingram and Peabo Bryson.

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

My advice is to follow your dreams and your inner voice. You always have to keep on practising, keep on writing, keep on singing. Never dare give up those key things until you manage to find your way! The only way to succeed is to understand what you really want to achieve and try again & again till you feel this inspiration living in yourself and in your inner light. 

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

First of all I see myself as a melodist who loves writing melodies that I mostly enjoy to do. Also I see myself as a drummer who writes melodies. This singularity being a drummer makes me understand even more better musicality and this puts an extra groovy feel to my soul.   

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

First at all my gigs were impacted by the current lockdown period: like everyone else all my gigs and all my bookings were canceled so far. Indeed I had more than 20 forecasted gigs. It's a terrible situation: everything today is delayed and stuck. As soon as we recover from the same situation as before the lockdown, we're gonna go on gigs and tours around France and other places (Europe, Canada...) according to the potential opportunities.

Secondly about the future album: I am working on a new single which is going to be released next June.

Additionally I am working right now on a new album in French. Nowadays, I spend all my nights writing melodies and chords. Indeed writing in French is not the same effort and thing as writing in English. 

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

DJ Interviews: Thomas Sands

 

How'd you get started in music?

I started playing the guitar in school when I was 14. I and a classmate were taken under the wings of our music teacher who was a professional musician and songwriter, and when he left the job, my classmate, me and another friend of his formed a band, and we played together for about 5 years.

 

After my military service I sold my gear and left my hometown and the band. A couple of years ago, about 35 years later I met my old music teacher who urged me to start playing again and that was the beginning of the Tom Sands adventure.

 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Oh, that’s a tricky question. I like a lot of different styles, from rock to jazz. I’ve always leaned in the direction of smooth jazz with a touch of funk, listening a lot to Mezzoforte, Stanley Clarke, George Duke and Dave Weckl. But I also love Earth, Wind & Fire, Level 42 and countless other artists. I love funky slap bass lines and horn sections.

 

If you wanna hear some of it, here’s a playlist of musical influences: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2214kBg4lSyv7fJ9qqPSos?si=NqUFlTp9T1e35Y2w1eRAtw

 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

Be yourself and above all listen to yourself. If you think your tune rocks, then it’s a great tune! You don’t need to be perfect or do perfect music, the important thing is that you mean what you say with your music.

 

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

Well, I don’t know if I’m much different than other independent singer/songwriters, I think we are all driven by a need to tell our stories. I for one use music as a vent, letting out some steam when things in life go south, to react to events and people around me (I know what you want is based on the failed relationship of my wife’s son, Gotta be frank and Damned if I do both stems from bad experiences at work), to show some love and affection to my close ones (Lullaby for Cornelia is for my beloved youngest grandchild, Mr. Christmas is a lovesong for my wife).

 

If someone reads this and cares to listen, here’s my Spotify artist link:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6dJoJa3rWaN0CAyBNcZ4Pa?si=jL4K9pHiQFuwkFx8bSFIcg

 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

My songwriting is a result of what happens to me in life, so yes, there will always be new music coming! When it comes to gigs and playing live, that’s not really my forté anymore.

DJ Interviews: Chucky Trading Company

Hi guys, its your old pal The DJ  & here's my interview with the band Chucky's Trading Company as they shared their musical beginnings. Enjoy! 

How'd you get started in music?

I started playing loudly and badly with friends in high school in Johnson City, TN, then moved into more acoustic music with a folk rock group known as Three a.m. We started making a little money playing at a Mexican restaurant and bar called the Chucky Trading Co. Several years later this group broke up and I took a pretty long break from being a musician. About a year ago I took some songs I had been writing to some really talented musician friends and they loved the songs, so we decided to form a collaboration to develop and record this new music I was writing. We took the name of that old Mexican restaurant for the project, calling ourselves Chucky Trading Co. The key other member of this collaboration is Everett Young, who is producing the project. Everett has been a professional musician and producer for many years and he has his own band called Kicklighter. These days, Everett mostly composes film scores.

 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

I listen to almost all types of music. Songwriters like Paul Simon, Lennon/McCartney, Joni Mitchell, etc., from the folk rock era are big influences. I also love classic guitar rock. More recently, Elliott Smith, Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Beck, Lori McKenna have been big on my rotation. I really love the music I am hearing from current indie artists I have connected with on Twitter.

 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Well, just keep making music! If it’s in your blood, keep doing it and keep growing as artists. Chase your dreams, not somebody else’s ideas about what you should be dreaming. Work with other artists and push out of your comfort zone because there is always more to learn.

 

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

I’m not sure I do, or at least I don’t worry about trying to be different. I just make the music that is in my soul.

 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

We’re working on our first CTC album for this collaboration, due fall 2021!!

Special thanks to them for doing this interview & I wish him lots of luck in his music. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside!

DJ Interviews: Fire hill Music

Hello people DJ Dizzy here & this is my interview with Fire hill Music. Enjoy! 

How'd you get started in music?

We met at a corporate job and started discussing our love for writing music.  From there, we began writing, and writing, and creating, and writing.  Until we had over 40 pieces constructed and they needed to be finished.  So we narrowed it down to five songs to focus on and seven years later we released our first single BELIEVE in August 2020. 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Coldplay, Mumford and Sons, Pink Floyd, Dave Matthews Band, Dispatch, Avett Brothers 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Things will never be perfect, whether it’s timing, finances or relationships, but if you have a good product you have to get it out there or you will never know.  You just never know, that is kinda our motto.  Anyway, we know more people are listening and watching now versus when we created in our basements and never released anything.  So…….you just never know!!

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

We are a songwriting duo. We write and play all original material, but it can be sung by us or with other musicians.  We have written songs in a multitude of genres so we will be collaborating with many artists, we hope!   So far we have written a pop/protest/support song called Believe to show our support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.  Then we  followed it up with a pseudo rap song called Somebody’s Bitch and in January 2021 we released a suicide prevention and awareness song called The Chamber, which has now garnered 14K+ YouTube views.  

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Maybe an EP down the road, but for the rest of this year we will be releasing singles every few months with a few collaborations scheduled.  We are very pumped & super grateful!

www.firehillmusic.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg0cAcQyPR01fx7HILrCX-A?view_as=subscriber

Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/6f1rti1er9Al2g3fHBMnES

Special thanks to them for this interview so until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!

DJ Interviews: Charles Boulevard

Hey there guys DJ Dizzy here & this is my interview with Charles Boulevard as he shared his musical origins. Enjoy!

Pavel Holada

from Charles Boulevard

 

How'd you get started in music?

I always wanted to be a musician. Guitarist and singer. It was only natural to write music, put the band together, play live. Charles Boulevard is just a dream come true for all of us, as we  play music that expresses everything we really are, no pretending.

 

 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

We were all big fans of the Beatles as kids, but there has been so much great music since the 60’s. Everything from Country to Metal has left some impression.. When I started my first band, I wanted to be a great guitar player and play some heavy, angry stuff. These days I am much more into song writing and coming up with thoughtful, colorful music. We like Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, The Kinks, Counting Crows – these are probably those we all agree.

 

 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Enjoy the music, because that is all that counts. Take your own way. There is a lot of advice out there about how to become a better player, better composer or whatever, but music should be fun, it should come naturally. Enjoy the groove and find your inspiration!

 

 

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

We don’t think about it this way. We are just ourselves. We love those colorful guitar sounds and the combination of American and British grooves. It's exciting to absorb  those influences, and interpret them  to create your own sound.   

 

 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

We have just released our first album called Rendez-Vous! which has 18 songs.. There are no gigs planned because of the pandemic situation, but we can be seen on SessionsLive.com pretty often. But of course, we are working on new material for our next album. We love songwriting, creating something new is always exciting! Our next album should see release early next year.

 

Links:

https://twitter.com/CharlesBouleva2

https://www.instagram.com/charles_boulevard

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvnJC3b9vVyokee9W_WoX5g

https://soundcloud.com/charles-boulevard

 

Charles Boulevard: Rendez-Vous!

https://open.spotify.com/album/3D9lULhRx5YPUKCelB0Qs6

Special thanks to him for doing this interview & I wish him lots of luck in his music. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside!

Interview with Paradise Rose pt 4

How'd you get started in music?

I played in school band from 8 years old.  When I was 14, bought Led Zeppelin four and bought my first bass a month later. Knew I would want to play the rest of my life.

Who are your main inspirations or influences?

I'm a huge Maiden fan and Steve Harris showed me that the bass doesn't have to take a back seat to anyone.  I also was influenced by Geezer Butler and John Paul Jones.  Another bass player I think is underrated is Frank Bello from Anthrax.

How would you say music has impacted your life?

Music helped me overcome a tough period when I was just getting into high school. It helped me by having an outlet to deal with the trouble I had fitting in with kids my age. It's given me a way to express myself as a person and just has been a huge part of my life.

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

Focus on practicing fundamentals. Learn to care and maintain your instrument.  Listen and learn to appreciate bassists from more than one style of music. Be a team player and focus on the music and business, not on the parties and lifestyle.

Any new gigs or works in the future?

We got some great shows across the area and looking forward to building a fan base across the region.  I'm also hoping to record some more tracks and keep putting out a high quality product.

DIGNITY OF ASSHOLES - ANARCHOPUNKS

DJ Interviews: Dignity Of A Hole Punks Band

 

Hey there guys its The DJ & here's my interview with the Dignity of A Holes

How'd you get started in music?

 

We are dignity of assholes a band from North Jakarta Indonesia formed in 15th October 2009 who loves to play Punk Rock.

Were just best friends who have the same vision of having fun and critisizing by music and gigs. Founded by the Esha Gembel (story teller), Aang (bass) and kartubi asep  (lead guitar).

Dignity of assholes was named coz we were assholes that came from a small city but we have the dignity to fight through our music (that no one here thinks its a good idea) so ya we called ourself assholes for this

Who are your inspirations or influences?

This is a hard one but yes we grew up listening lots and lots of rancid

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Just keep on making ur own stuff dont care have fun on what you do

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

Were from indonesia and we critisize through music! We write our songs base on story telling

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Were working on a new album and will be released in a couple of months our album will be a story of a movement in jakarta indonesia!

Special thanks to them for doing this interview & I wish them luck in their music. So until then I'll catch yu on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!

DJ Interviews: Another Dead Hero

 

How'd you get started in music?

Most of us picked up our instruments in high school. There was a lot of great metal/ rock music around at the time and we decided we wanted to be a part of that. I think the iconic sound tracks to the Tony Hawks games probably had a major influence in introducing us to good music!

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Each band member has their own inspirations but we all collectively agree that Linkin Park and Deftones were massive inspirations and influences when it came to creating our music.

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Try and work the online audience. Practice hard and look for similar bands to play with live. Try to build up a local following and remember to have fun.

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

We don’t really spend much time trying to set ourselves apart from anyone. We have always made the music we enjoy using our natural play styles. I think bands can sometimes put too much effort into trying to be different and that can be a negative thing. Especially when you are having to change your style/ personality.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Unfortunately, we don’t have any gigs planned at the moment due to COVID-19 but we do have a brand new EP being released on April 30th. You can hear it on all major streaming platforms and we will also be releasing a music video over at our YouTube channel which you can find at www.youtube.com/adhthing

DJ Interviews: Black Cart

 Hello everyone DJ Dizzy here & this is my interview with a band who answer to Black Cart as they shared their musical origins. 

How'd you get started in music?

So in about 1974, Les F (vocals and bass guitar) and Ray (guitars) who had been school chums decided to form a band. We had no musical equipment or knowledge but we loved rock music and thought it would be cool to start a band-we were not the cool kids! We knew a friend who had an electric guitar and who could play a bit, so we co-opted him into our first band. Quickly after that, included in a few personnel changes, John our keyboard player also joined. After playing at school concerts and similar events we started to realise we wanted to take it more seriously, so we set about practicing every Sunday and started to get fairly regular gigs. We’ve never looked back really!

 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

We have a very broad set of influences and have always loved bands like Queen, Pink Floyd, Genesis and Thin Lizzy…however we also love the bluesy sounds of Eric Clapton and BB King as well as The Beatles, Beach Boys and even the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Les P our drummer is the biggest Dream Theatre fan ever!

 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Spend time learning your craft-there’s no substitute for the fantastic learning experience of playing live, however big or small the venue. It really builds character and allows you to develop (as well as getting an instant reaction to your material!). Oh, and also, never give up!

 

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

We simply try to stay true to our own belief that writing the best songs in a collaborative way and then pushing one another for what we call “incremental improvements” will yield a song we can be proud of. We will often start writing a song with one idea in mind but as we workshop it together, a whole host of different approaches will be brought to bear on it-it’s really important to keep in mind that what counts is “what’s best for the song” rather than any one individual’s preference. We also like to ensure that our songs are accessible-there’s no point in producing over long songs that people can’t get into-we like to make sure that people will hear us once and then look to come back for more!

 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

We’ve recently launched the band’s debut album Coming Home (available on all streaming platforms and on BandCamp as a beautiful CD!)…but we are working hard remotely at the moment on some cracking new songs that we think people will love, and that will result in some more singles over the summer and hopefully a second album not long after that. In terms of playing live, we’re itching to get back to that as soon as possible once it is safe to do so-be patient, it’ll be worth it!

Special thanks to them for doing this interview & I wish them lots of luck in their music. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!

DJ Interviews: Selina Hawkins

 Hey there guys DJ Dizzy here & & here's my interview with Singer Selina Hawker Enjoy!

How'd you get started in music?

When I was 10 I’d never done anything much, hadn’t been in any school shows then suddenly decided I wanted the part of Nancy in the school production of Oliver. It was a very musical school and I remember my mum saying ‘Come on Selina, just go for a small part, I don’t want you disappointed!’ She had a point, but no, I was determined. Two sweet old ladies in the audience noticed my singing potential (yes, I did get the part!) and recommended that I joined an operatic group called ‘The Ivor Evans Opera Company’.  They actually performed full-on Grand Opera!  It was amazing being on stage with an operatic chorus but I quickly wanted to be the soloist.  I studied classical singing, then Opera singing when I was old enough, went to the Junior Royal Academy in London, did a classical music degree and then a postgrad diploma.  I really enjoyed perfecting my sound and have had some success in semi-professional opera singing as you’ll see if you do a quick google search on my name.

 

But after a while I started wanting to write music, and instinctively I write in a pop/RnB style much like the music that I grew up listening to.  So I retrained myself and did a vocal course at the London School of Contemporary Performance.  I’ve just finished my first year on a professional songwriting course at The Songwriting Academy - based in London, but full of international mentors and writers. I love writing and performing my own music, it feels very much like I’ve finally found my niche and although it’s been a bit of a curved route here, I do feel like my classical training was useful in understanding music and the process of diaphragm-supported singing.

 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

I listen to so many genres, and I think everything I listen to is absorbed into the writing of my own songs, so you’ll hear a big genre crossover.  Dua Lipa and other pop princesses are massive influences for me, I love Destiny’s child and other 90s/00s RnB, Ella Fitzgerald, Norah Jones and more jazzy pop, and there’s even a bit of country pop that shows itself in some of my songs like ‘A little bit perfect’ and ‘Counting the Stars’.

 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

There are so many scams out there, so always take advice from other Indie artists before you take on any promotions or sign any contracts.  There is a vibrant, supportive band of Indie writers on twitter particularly, but also Insta, who are great for advice and that’s how you’ll get onto your first small playlists.  I go to my publisher every time something new comes up and invariably the answer is no, don’t do it!

 

When you’re first starting out, take short videos of yourself singing and use hashtags to build your loyal following.  Start while you’re young because it takes a long time to build things up and get noticed and there’s a lot of funding out there for young performers. Just make sure you include a parent or someone older you trust in all your bookings and promo, so there’s always someone to get your back – I’ve needed people to step in a few times where creepy internet stalkers have started going too far!

 

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

 

I’m unusual in a few respects – that I can write catchy melodies, good lyrics, understand chords and theory of music and also can record my own top level vocals. It’s more usual to just have one strong point, and then collaborate with number of other people to create songs.  I tend to just collaborate with a producer as that’s the weakest part of my writing.  But I know there’s loads of singers out there who find it hard to write original material, so I feel lucky that I enjoy that side of it.

 

My next step is to work on my vocal production skills as I’ve started writing top-lines for EDM tracks recently and it would be great to understand how to manipulate the vocal recording to make it sound really professional without the need of a producer. 

 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

We’re still in lockdown in the U.K. so the first gig I’ve booked is for the end of August in Lowestoft. I’ve decided not to book much until lockdown is lifted and we’re 100% sure we’re not going back - But I have so many songs written and recorded during this period that I’m going to be super-busy getting them all released and promoted.  I can’t wait to share my new material with you all. I’ve gone in a more dance direction, alongside the pop, so I hope to release these in time for Ibiza and the holiday season.  Fingers crossed that we get to go away this year!

Special thanks to her for doing this interview & I wish her luck in her music. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! stay awesome & rock n roll!