The SecreT ALieN UniON (Oxaï Roura & Steve Osborne). QuanTum PrimiTive F...

DJ Interviews: CULTCHILD

 Here's my interview with CULTCHILD

How'd you get started in music?

I started singing at a young age in the cult I was raised in. Then later, vocals for various Hardcore and metalcore bands in Jersey (NJHC) scene. After years of shows, and light tours I decided to go solo, and thus CULTCHILD was born. 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

This is embarrassing because I consider some. Of the artist friends too, but bands like The Banner, Defeater, Norma Jean, Carnifex, & Crim3s were my band influences, and artist like Hudson Mohawk, Rotten Wolf, Gloomstone, and MFDOOM, my list could go on forever. 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

If your going to do it, go all in. Do not be lazy. Get out of your comfort zone and change it up if it isn't working. I know artist that sit in their bubble and never grow. 

Lastly keep listening to new sounds and trends

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

I look for unconvitional sounds and experiment. I've used the sounds of woodchippers as kick drums, rain as hihats, sneaker scratches in a hallway as an instrument. You'll hear all of it in my next upcoming album "Basilisk" being released via Blvsphemy Records coming soon. 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

I don't have any scheduled gigs lined up, but I've spent most of the year playing gigs in the VR music scene via VRchat. As I stated earlier I am adding the finishing touches to my fourth LP "Basilisk." Via Blvsphemy Records (www.blvsphemyrecords.bandcamp.com). We are aiming for a release date for later this year or latest early next year. 

You can find me on every streaming platform searching "CULTCHILD"  or head to my link www.songwhip.com/cultchild 

I've also got merch available on my shop under the same link. 

Bleed the Way

DJ Interviews: Billy Browne

 Heres my interview with guitarist Billy Browne

"I was the lead singer and guitarist for Friends of Gavin in the 80s

We supported the likes of REM, The Alarm, Boomtown Rats among others on tours, as well as headlining in our own right and famous venues in the UK.

We split up and in 91 I got involved with a well known Dance act, and ended up not just playing harmonica on the song but co writing it, and it was a huge club hit in Europe as well as getting national radio play. That was Come Alive by Orchestra JB 

I then took a break from music and got married. Ten years ago I got back into music and very quickly was being  played on loads of stations all over and getting number 1's in various charts. I also recorded various covers for Specialized and Teenage Cancer Trust to much acclaim.

The last couple of years I've had number 1's with well known national stations and hits in the Heritage Charts with Mike Read. 

I started doing a radio show about 16 months ago, Billy Brown, The Housewives' Favourite on The Moaning Show which is played on 39 stations, which includes many FM Stations. It's also on Mixcloud.".

How'd you get started in music?

I started at 13 with friends and I immediately sang, and couldn't play any instruments. 

I used to go to a lot of gigs and always loved music. 

It was later that Friends of Gavin formed and I took up the guitar late, but soon adopted a style for Rythm Guitar 

Who are your inspirations or influences? 

My biggest influence is the Band Television, but was a huge fan of The Stranglers, The Clash , The Church among others.

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

If you're in it for the money then forget it,  as streaming has killed music. It's the only industry where we don't get paid for our art. Streaming has devalued music in my opinion and something needs to be done about it and quick.

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

You don't have to have a great voice. What you need is style and you can be different...being different and interesting is good. Tom Verlaine us a great example. 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

At the moment I'm focusing on my Radio show and taking a little break from music. I'm also planning to Iive in Spain where I'll probayou get a Band together. 

Friends of Gavin did reform a couple of years ago and we did two sell out London gigs, but sadly egos got in the way and it didn't quite happen. However, we did a cover of Scarborough Fair to much acclaim, and it's going to be featured in a Movie, The Vegan Vampires at the end of this year, and released as a single.

DJ Interviews: Jim Frances

 Heres my interview with Jim Frances

How'd you get started in music?

I’ve been into listening to music my whole life, but creating music took a bit longer. I started playing the trombone at age 11, which I played through the end of high school and a little bit in college, and I also started teaching myself guitar towards the end of high school.  I found out in high school that I really enjoyed writing poetry, though at that time I preferred free verse.  I started to combine the interests of guitar and poetry by trying to write my own songs shortly after learning my first few chords.  After the first couple years in college I started to work more on writing music, though the songs were all pretty bad!  I kept up with it off and on through the years, until I decided to record an album in my 30’s.  I did everything at home, though it being the late 90’s early 2000’s, the knowhow and tech wasn’t there.  I have a couple songs off that album I still like, and have rerecorded recently, but the album itself was pretty much a hot mess.  The album creation itself, though fun, was more to be able to say I had done it.  I didn’t do any writing and recording for a while after that, and focused on other things, including getting a Masters in Library and Information Science.  Then in 2018 I decided to buy a computer specifically for recording.  I did some research, and bit by bit I bought the equipment I would need to start.  I’ve never been much of a singer, and was scared to death to record my voice, so initially I did a series of instrumentals in 2019, but finally I made the plunge, bought a better mic, and put my voice out there.  I still know my voice leaves a lot to be desired, but I’ve settled into singer/songwriter as a hobby.  Today I’ve gotten comfortable with the equipment I have, and though not great at any one thing, I like to think that I do my best to serve the music I write.  So far I’ve released 6 instrumental singles, 6 vocal singles, 9 Eps (including one where I partially re-recorded and remixed/mastered the previous 6 singles), and 1 full album.  In the process I’ve watched tons of videos, asked lots of questions, and been willing to learn all aspects of music creation from writing to mastering. 

 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

This is hard! Growing up my parents listened primarily to country music, though there was the occasional gospel quartet, piece of classical music, or church hymn.  The first popular music I was drawn to was The Beatles and The Monkees, though I did listen to a lot of country music on my own.  Once I started playing trombone in junior high I began listening to more classical music, and big band (specifically Glenn Miller).  Early high school, primarily to be different, I listened almost exclusively to what was termed easy listening.  I really like John Denver at this point, and would sing along to his albums to try to teach myself to sing better.  Through friends at school I got back into The Beatles, and a classic rock radio station WCSX out of Detroit, came on air.  My best friend and I began trading music suggestions back and forth, and things seemed to explode.  He introduced me to Chicago, which quickly became a favorite of mine, and I introduced him to Kansas.  I tested the waters of hair metal with the likes of White Lion, but I still hung tight to classic rock.  In college I branched out even more with King’s X, Collective Soul, Harry Connick Jr., Bryan Adams, Tom Petty, Chris Isaak, Extreme, Bon Jovi, Roxette, U2, Etc. There are really too many to name them all, but my current musical palette is quite broad.

 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

Know what you want out of music, what it can give to you, and what you can give to others.  There’s far too much selfishness out there, so be generous.  Be true to yourself.  Learn as much as you can about the music process.  Do NOT give up.  Keep your eyes open for possibilities you may not have previously thought of.  Ask questions.  Most importantly, network with other musicians.  There’s a great indie music community on Twitter that I can’t recommend enough.  Most of us are open and welcoming, love to share information, and take interest in each other’s projects.  I’ve learned and been greatly encouraged by connecting with the likes of Fuzzruckus, Kiffie, Matarison, Kelly Kintner, sideSister, Stone’s Art, RogerCMP, Aaron Smith, Elyot, and so many more I wish I could mention!

 

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

The only way I know how-just being me.  I have influences, but I never try to emulate anyone.  I realize that no matter what I do, I have my own sound, and that’s good enough for me.  I’m never going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but if I can touch, inspire, or move someone in some way, then it’s all worth it.

 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

I’m currently working on a 5 song psychedelic inspired EP that I have all the instrumentation done for, and for which I’ll be recording vocals for next week.  I’m aiming to wrap up production on that by September 16^th, to be released in October.  After that I’ll be moving on to a full album featuring my new Ukulele!  I have enough project ideas lined up to last me at least 3-4 years (14 currently), and I’m sure I’ll come up with others before those are exhausted.  To this point I’ve only been a studio musician, though I’ve been thinking about the possibility of gigging at some point in the future.  We’ll see!

DJ Interviews: Thee Rakevines

 Here's my interview with the band Thee Rakevines

How'd you get started in music? 

I grew up surrounded by music, my mam and dad were massive Motown and Stax fans and I heard a lot of this (along with loads of rock, glam rock and pop) growing up! Always wanted to play an instrument but never felt good enough…so didn't! I did buy a guitar that I occasionally picked up and plucked a string or two but really lacked focus! Then, when I was about 21 I was approached by a lad in a club who asked me if I'd be in his band…I explained that I had a guitar but had never learned to play and he said not to worry…he'd teach me! The rest is history and a succession of mod/freakbeat/garage bands followed! 

Who are your inspirations or influences? 

Musically, I'm massively into the 60s garage punk/rock/psyche that you'll hear on the Pebbles, Nuggets, Back from the Grave and Garage Punk Unknowns compilation albums. From there it was the likes of The Standells, The Shadows of Knight, The Chocolate Watchband, The Stooges, The MC5, The Velvet Underground, The Ramones, The Prisoners, The Jam, The Stones, The Pretty Things, Thee Mighty Caesars…the list goes on and on but always circles back to those kids in garage bands knocking out three chord songs with fuzz pedals and snotty vocals. That's who I want to 'be' when I pick up a guitar. I never wanted to be a Hendrix or a Clapton. Three chords and the truth for me! In terms of recent influences and inspirations it would be the artists I've met since getting active on Twitter! People and bands such as The La La Lettes, Marc Schuster, The Negatrons, Silva, Fuzzruckus, Only Rainyday Rainbow, Skoopski, The Star Crumbles, Feralman, The Long Agos, The Empty Mirrors, The Cave Slinkies and many others that I've chatted to and more importantly, listened to! 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers? 

Just do what you want to do and don't try to fit in with prevailing trends…be honest I guess, be true to your art! Also, practice till you're sick of it and get your band tight, turn up for gigs on time and be nice to people…it costs nothing! Also, social media is important. As is writing a bio for your Spotify profile…drives me mad when people don't do that! 

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

I don't think we do really. Thee Rakevines is me and a loose collection of musicians (basically whoever has some free time to get involved!). We're not trying to compete with anybody else, we're just making music we love and if others dig it too…well that's a bonus.

 Any new gigs or albums in the future? 

As I say, we're a pretty loose collective and while there are plans to solidify the line up and get some gigs sorted, it a bit like trying to herd cats at the moment but watch this space as they say! It'll happen I'm sure, it's the when is the problem! In terms of music, there are several singles that have been recorded but are waiting on mixing and mastering and a plethora of songs in the pipeline to be recorded (including a Welsh language song about a squirrel named Wyn and his efforts to gather food for his family as winter approaches!). Again, watch this space I guess! In the meantime, I'm gigging with my other band 'These Thrilling Lies' and having a blast with them!

DJ Interviews: Cheerless

 Here's my interview with band Cheerless

How'd you get started in music? - I think we were all lucky enough to have parents that were heavily into music, which I’m sure set the foundations of our individual tastes in music. Charlie (lead guitarist & vocalists) and Harry (Drummer) both come from musically talented families, I think that helps… Since our early teens we have all been in various bands, different incarnations of the same band… tbh I don’t know if we’ve got started yet. 

Who are your inspirations or influences? - They’re really varied, and it changes all the time. But I’d say Slowdive, MBV, swans, Sonic Youth, Red House Painters, Dinosaur Jr are staples… 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers? - Communicate with the sound person! Make sure you get what you want. Fake it til you make it. We are still at the faking it stage. Just have fun!! Dance. Stop dancing. 

How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers? - We aren’t as good! I don’t think we really do set ourselves apart. Maybe not trying is our thing. 

Any new gigs or albums in the future? - We’ve just released our debut single “heat”. It’s on all major streaming services, bandcamp, and soundcloud! We hope to have two or three more singles out by the end of 2022! :)