DJ Interviews: Joseph Obeiz

 Here's my interview with singer/rapper Joseph Obeiz as we sat down & spoke on his musical beginnings

How'd you get started in music?

 

1) Growing up wasn't easy for me and it was filled with sad experiences  well when I lost my twin sis,  I couldn't concentrate until I started doing songs freestyle and I found peace every time I sing so I decided to go into music professionally..

 

Who are your inspirations & influences.   2) My inspiration would always be 2pac, Vector, Pop smoke

 

What’s your advice for any aspiring performers & musicians? 3) My advice would always be to do whatever makes you happy as happiness is the source of becoming great  How do you set yourself apart from other bands & artists?

 

4) every song i do is about my life and am not just doing music to impress people but to inspire people.   Any gigs or albums in the future?   5.) I'm currently working on my 4 track EP S.A.D (Sadistic, Artistic,and Dependable) dropping November 6 2023

DJ Interviews: Danni Steffanetti

 Here's my interview with singer, Danni Stefaanetti who sat down with me to discuss her musical beginnings

How'd you get started in music?

Early on I heard my dads old rock n roll records, Peter Frampton, The rolling stones & blues guitarists. Great music was around me but it wasn’t until I picked up the guitar at age 8 and haven’t put it down since!

Who are your inspirations or influences?

The GREATS from all genres, Elvis, The Eagles, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dolly Parton & Hendrix to name a few. 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

Be authentically your own style, if you don’t have a big marketing budget find creative ways to do it, same with recording, don’t let anything stop you! Trends will come & go! Follow what you deep down love!! 

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

Finding what makes me unique & letting the people decide! Does my music move them? Well that’s the goal & I truly hope it does :) 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Yes all my upcoming gigs are on www.dannistefanetti.com

And on bands in town!

My new album Danni’s Diamonds will be released as singles! I’m so excited about my new singles and the first one to drop is on September 8th called - “You Got Me Thinking of You” 

DJ Interviews: Regilio Gil Rillen

 Here's my interview with Regilio Rillen A.K.A. Gil who sat down with me to discuss his start in the music scene.

REGILIO RILLEN | Walboomers Music

Regilio Rillen a.k.a Gili, was born in Suriname and moved to the Netherlands at the age of 4 together with his parents and his 5 siblings. He has been active in the music industry for over 30 years as a performing artist (piano/keyboard) and have played in various Caribbean music formations in the Netherlands. His music career started after he realized his sensitive nature , and started to accept himself and his emotions more and more. Now he is known to use these built-up emotions to empower himself in his music. As he grows older he feels consumed by music, and making new music has become an addiction for him. Even though he has no backgrounds in classical music, his compositions recently are becoming closer to that genre. He gets his music and visions often during his sleep. He receives emotions, visions, and images from past lives and different entities, and uses this as a source of inspiration for his music.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsf45K43UxAhPjnXr_59zaJhsbEDTDdUH&si=MoLkDP3O7Ak5JsIQ

https://open.spotify.com/album/2NtgsAqIBBKtArkUrEkIvn?si=w-YF2QGPQr2ulg-IrCKIfw

* Any new gigs or albums in the future?

I’ve more than 200 songs to release!

* What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

I think the main thing is to be true to who you are, what makes you unique and you. Don't try to be someone else. You can never go wrong if you be true to yourself.

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

The biggest thing that you, as an independent artist or musician, can do to for your own career is to find a way to set yourself apart from the pack. In a world of copycats and knock-offs, this may seem an impossible task. However, hundreds of thousands of artists have found ways to become innovators and leaders rather than imitators and followers. A very effective way that you can do that is to be the first at doing something that no one else has done yet.

DJ Interviews: Kate Stanton

 Here's my interview with legendaary singer Kate Stranton as she sat down with me to discuss her musical upbringing''

How'd you get started in music?

As far back as I can remember, I have loved to sing. My father has told me that I would climb onto things and sing gibberish as a toddler. I would walk the fields and creeks behind my house just to get away and sing to myself. At around age 10, I started choreography to my floor routine music in gymnastics. I had so much fun creating the dance and tumbling passes to instrumentals! This instilled the idea that perhaps I could create my own songs. One of the first songs I wrote was called “Come Back”. I had recorded my brother’s video game music, wrote lyrics and a top line melody, then shared the cassette tape with my friends at gymnastics. In my teens, I worked at a record store and started to save my money for guitar lessons. At 17, I played an original acoustic number called “An Ode to Caterina” at a coffee house called Strange Brew for a going away party for an exchange student. In my 20s, I wrote songs with a good friend and indie band out of Columbus, Ohio. I did some coffeehouse gigs here and there. I am proud of the co-writing I did with longtime friend Marianne Kesler in our songwriting duo Every Lovely Thing. Since the pandemic, I’ve been trying to find my own way. I’ve been experimenting and collaborating with other artists. I’ve been trying to grow as a writer and as a person.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

My first thought is Tori Amos. I found her music during a dark period in my life. I felt like she was a friend that understood! This is the power of music. 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

I believe all artists must wrestle with fear. If you have a song in your heart, it’s not a mistake that it is there. Share it with us. The pain of regret for not trying is worse than the pain of making mistakes. Do it anyway! :)

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

I have a deep need to spread hope. I want to live more authentically and encourage others to be their true selves. I sincerely hope my music inspires people and soothes them after a rough day.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

I am currently working on a cycle of songs called “Ghosts & Angels”. I’m also hoping to continue working on new material. I will let you know when I have an upcoming gig!

DJ Interviews: The Last Ghost

 Here's my interview with  The Last Ghost

How'd you get started in music?

I started in music in Edinburgh in 1994 with a band called Back Door. I was on bass and sometimes drums. In 1996 I got serious in music with the band, The Rain. 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

The obvious ones are the older ones like  The Beatles,  The Who and Pink Floyd. I'm also a Paul Weller nut but far too many others to mention. 

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

If in doubt, just do it. You will fail at first then get better. If you love it and enjoy it then you have already won the lottery. Enjoyment and experiences from music are worth more than money and fame. 

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

I'm unique in that in only really started doing solo music seriously into my 40s after a few years if bands then doing nothing for years and years. Also I keep finding new ways to write songs all the time. I am still learning at my age. 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

I am currently working hard on my 6th album. I have 20 songs I am trying to get down to 11. I hope to release it in September this year. 

If you fancy checking out my music, it's all here:

https://linktr.ee/thelastghost

MUWAY 3.6.9 ( Oxaï Roura/Guiana+France & AcidCat/Japan). Eshu In Muwa.

DJ Interviews: Oxai Roura

 Here's my interview with singer, Oxai Roura

How'd you get started in music?

I started music as a drummer when I was 2,5/3 years old. In fact, my late father initiated me to the art of drumming. As a kid, I also loved to sing. I never stopped drumming and singing ever since; even if, on my musical path, I also learnt other instruments such as guitars, piano, electronic instruments... and many different traditional instruments from planet Earth (such as Senza, Kalimba, Congas, Djembe etc.).

Who are your inspirations or influences?

When I was a teenager I listened to different kinds of metal music (Thrash, Death, Grindcore…); My favorite metal band is Cynic (Progressive Metal) their album named Focus is incredible ! Then, later I seriously thought of becoming a jazz man, because creators such as John Coltrane, Steve Coleman, Ornette Coleman & Thelonious monk impressed me a lot with their original concepts & creations. I’ve also been deeply influenced by Minimal Music (with composers such as Steve Reich and Lamonte Young) and original electronic music (composers such as Björk and Aphex Twin). Dub Music is also another strong influence that I have…and, of course, I must not forget to mention sacred traditional music from various parts of the world ( such as Africa, Amazonia, Himalayas...) !

Also, I would like to say that my growth as an artist have been influenced not only by musicians and composers, but also by other types of artists like Baba Credo Mutwa, David Lynch and Salvador Dali.

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

Keep a deep and unbreakable faith in life and in yourself. Stay focused on love, joy and light. You are a unique being. No one else can offer to the world what is hidden deep inside of your heart and soul. Cultivate honesty and integrity towards yourself and towards the audience.  Cherish your dream(s) and believe, with all your heart and soul, in yourself, and in your dream(s)... even if nobody else do so. Self love and love of all beings and life are keys for real & durable success... and for a good holistic life !

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

In truth, I don't compare myself to anyone else. What is the point, what is the use? The fact is that I'm very intensely working on one goal, at least since 2003 ( with my very first solo project called The Exu Experience Atabaques N'Bass Vol.1) which is: becoming the best imaginative and creative artist I can be; and share (new) original and very unique concepts & pieces of art with the whole world.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Oh yes: indeed ! Actually I'm working on several international projects with different fantastic artists. They are all amazing! 

We're in July 2023 right now; so, I will first begin by talking about an awesome collaboration I'm doing with an "award singer and recording artist" from Alabama, USA. His name is Keyon Harris. Together we created a piece of art called "No More. Multidimensional Version 1". We released it on July, the 1st, 2023 on Youtube and BandCamp. ( Youtube Link For your readers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqi8juOt59U )

So, we're now thinking of creating other songs together, and these songs could become an album. I also have to say that, in this very cool creative project, we're blessed to work with two fantastic visual artists who are Wrix2 (Aka Whitney Rix Victory 2), from the USA; and OrYon CreaTion, an extremely talented young artist from France.

Now, in 2023 I also released, on my Youtube channel, a very unique piece of art I created with an awesome artist from Japan named AcidCat. Our project is called MUWAY 3.6.9 and we already released an original video called "Eshu In Muwa"; and then, we released, in May 2023, another version of this song dedicated to the Japanese audience...and it was recorded live in Tokyo ! This video is also available on my Youtube channel and on AcidCat's Youtube channel. ( Youtube Links your readers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfxyjb_VJnM & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7KVsTuHjfA )

Therefore, we're now working on different new ideas and songs; and our goal is to release an album together in the future.

Besides, you may also hear of another collaboration I do have with an original Aborigenese artist from Australia named Boorook. Our music is very interesting and we may play it live in Australia and/or in Europe in the future...

Last but not least, in 2019, I began a collaboration with a star from Burkina Faso, West Africa. His name is Séonifa Dabiré AKA Judicaël Dabiré. We already recorded a live studio session called " Hybrid Napala. Initiation". We will perform together on stage, in France, soon. Also: we will record new songs, in a near future, and we will share them in the form of an album with the whole world, probably in 2024. God willing.