All of that said, KIER is approaching the next chapter of life with the release of her debut, ‘Welcome to the Strange Life,’ out on all major music and streaming platforms on September 8th. We talked about the record, main characters, and more but started it all off with a little landslide…

Kendra: A few years ago you dropped a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” which, very well done. It’s one of those songs that is highly popular to cover, but not everyone can do it justice. You definitely did though. With that, were there any other songs of theirs you thought of putting your touch on before you landed on “Landslide?” 

KIER: Thank you, I always forget about that one! We recorded our cover of “Landslide” at home during lockdown, utilizing all the limited resources we had then. We made the video for a men’s mental health awareness page. We aimed to draw attention to their page and inspire men to open up about their mental well-being.

However, given the numerous requests we received for that song, we finally decided to upload it for everyone. People consistently liken me to Stevie Nicks. I take that as a MEGA compliment every time since I genuinely adore her voice. “Landslide” had been asked for a number of times, and it inevitably turned out to be our first choice. That’s not to say we don’t love playing almost all of Fleetwood Mac’s songs!

Kendra: Now you’ve got an album of originals coming in September via ‘Welcome to the Strange Life.” If Hollywood were to create a TV show based on this album, other than strange – what sort of life do you feel the main character would have in it?

KIER: What a great question! This album is a reflection of my life and experiences over the past 4-5 years. It draws heavily from the joys and sorrows of life, and everything else that falls in between. The show’s theme, I reckon, would revolve around these real-life experiences making it super easy to connect with. It would highlight how joy can often be found in the simplest things, and that intense pain can eventually lead to immense happiness. Their life, much like a rollercoaster, would be fun, emotional, and thoroughly captivating to watch!

Kendra: Again, we’re going to get a bunch of new songs, including “Gypsies Castles.” This song feels like one that many can relate to with the idea of overthinking and never really being in the moment. I feel like that definitely has to do with the rise of the internet and how much it’s caused us to not really be present. Do you think that if the internet suddenly went down tomorrow, that people would lose it?

KIER: The internet can be an intimidating place and at times, it could be challenging to break free from it. Nowadays, the distinction between reality and the virtual world is blurred. As much as I would prefer to stay away from the internet if I didn’t need it, it proves to be quite effective for networking and advertising. However, I’ve also been caught in its harmful side, which I’m sure everyone has at some point.

We often seem to be more active online than in our actual lives, which can make us feel detached from the real world. That’s one reason why I’m a big fan of performing and watching live music. It lets you be in the moment and appreciate genuine experiences. While the internet has deeply infiltrated our lives, helping many stay employed, it’s crucial to strike a balance. 

Surely, without it, a lot of us would feel aimless, maybe even jobless. So the answer is MORE LIVE MUSIC!

Kendra: That song feels like one that’s going to make you sit and think, while “Never Be Me” has this bar anthem vibe. Was this one inspired by a real-life relationship gone sour or are you just that imaginative?

KIER: For sure, I’m glad my intention showed! “Never Be Me” was written with a clear goal, to offer a heartbreak anthem for those who’ve suffered. Many of my tracks draw upon my personal life, sometimes entirely, other times only to an extent.

Being on the receiving end of heartbreak and feelings of worthlessness is something I can relate to. I wanted to write a song that reassures people they’re more than just a complicated relationship. Self-love isn’t easy, especially if you’ve felt unloved. I believe many of us struggle with it at intervals.

So, yeah, parts of the song stem from my own experiences, while other parts are written to help listeners feel a little more appreciated and loved.

Kendra: Now it’s time for a side note – with it being September AKA Self Improvement Month, I’m asking everyone to give us a song they like to put on when they are in self-care mode…

KIER: This is the first time I’m hearing about this, and I absolutely love it! It’s so fitting, being on the topic of “self-love.” I’ve been focusing on self-improvement, self-love, and self-care; because in order to give the best of yourself to others, you first need to be the best version of yourself. The list of songs that I love would be too long to write down!

Even though it’s not exactly on theme, a song I adore is “The Millionaire” by Dr. Hook. The lyrics might be far away from self-love, but it always transports me to some of the happiest moments of my life. There’s no way I can feel down when this song is playing, it’s so much fun to blast out loud and sing along to. In fact, that’s true for most songs by Dr. Hook.

Kendra: And lastly, with ‘Welcome to the Strange Life’ out on September 8th, what else do y’all have planned as we head into fall?

KIER: Once the album’s released, my goal is to keep connecting with as many people as possible. I’ll be performing solo and with the band. If anyone reading wants to hear the album live, visit my website for my upcoming gigs.

In the meantime, I’m already deep in the planning phase for the second album. I can’t seem to stay away from it, really. Writing is what keeps me sane so I’ve got a bunch to sift through and get started on.

I’m super eager for everyone to finally have the album and to attend the shows already familiar with the songs. I’ve had the album all to myself for a while and I just can’t wait to share it!

The post KIER Delivers a Yallternative Perspective appeared first on ZO Magazine.

It’s easier said than done to remain friends with people from your childhood via social media, but that’s not even close to remaining friends with them in real life. Seeing them daily and actually knowing the ins and outs of their lives in present time. Not everyone is like Kemani Anderson and Callum Connell. Friends since their days on the playground, these two have an immeasurable bond that’s taken them from kicking around the football to creating magnificent music together as Secret Night Gang. We talked about those early bonds, all things jazz, and more like their new album, ‘Belongs on a Place Called Earth,’ which is out on all major music and streaming platforms now. 

Kendra: When we’re little, we make many friends, but not all of them are with us for life. Thinking back, what do you think is the glue that helped connect you two for life? Was it music that bonded you two? 

Secret Night Gang: Well, as a matter of fact, it was actually football that bonded us two but then stopped going for a period of time and then regained contact again, but this time it was actually steel pans that bonded us.

Kendra: More importantly, was it jazz music because that’s one of those styles that is heavily respected but rarely executed by newer artists on the same level as Secret Night Gang. Some may use it here and there, but you have managed to make it a glorious foundation for what you’re all about. What initially drew you to jazz? 

Secret Night Gang: I think with jazz music, you’re able to truly express yourself musically and emotionally like no other genre. Of course, you can express yourself in any genre of music, but jazz is just a different language altogether, in my opinion. The unpredictability and possibility of not knowing where the improvisation of the music will take you is such an exciting element as well!

Kendra: Now ‘Belongs on a Place Called Earth’ dropped on June 23rd and comes a couple of years after your 2021 self-titled debut. What artist growth have you noticed in one another when comparing your 2021 release with your latest? 

Secret Night Gang: We have experienced more in our lives to interpret on this second album in comparison to the first album and in a lot more detail. Musically, I believe we’re inspired by different genres of music each day, and there’s a more definitive sound and direction as to what we wanted sonically as well.

Kendra: The new record may belong on Earth, but where specifically on this planet did you envision when writing and recording? 

Secret Night Gang: A mixture of our home setup, a few studios, and our band member’s home set up also! The writing came in the spare moments in different locations, and some you come out of nowhere!

Kendra: Let’s talk more about what people will hear on the new album, like “Out of My Head.” Which is not a bad thing when you catch those feels and are left thinking about someone nonstop. With that, who was the last sort of celebrity crush you could not get out of your head? 

Secret Night Gang: Well, that would be telling; that’s all part of the secret.

Kendra: And from “Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings” to “Do for You,” it’s easy to imagine that Secret Night Gang is something to experience live. Do you have any performers that you looked to when you started getting on stage for inspiration on how to control a live show? 

Secret Night Gang: We take inspiration from many bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, Bilal and Terrace Martin, and a whole host of performers, but we like to put our spin on things.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Belongs on a Place Called Earth’ out on June 23rd, what else can fans be on the lookout for as we roll into summer?

Secret Night Gang: Well, we are doing Love Supreme very soon and a worldwide festival in France, not to mention doing We Out Here Festival in August. There is definitely more planned, so what I would say is keep your eyes peeled to find out what more lies ahead for Secret Night Gang.

The post Secret Night Gang: From Football to Jazz and Back appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: ‘Wanderer’ is your seventh album, including a live one from 2015. When you look back at your debut vs what you’ve produced with your 2023 release, what are you personally proud of when it comes to your growth as an artist? 

The Intersphere: Proud is perhaps the wrong expression but we are very grateful that the creativity and our connection in the band has always carried us forward to make new albums, to find new ways to express ourselves artistically. We could always find new inspirations and open doors that we could consider exciting and were the “motor” of the band. We have toured a lot and learned a lot in the last few years, so now we can incorporate all this into our new album.

Kendra: It’s also been a handful of years since you dropped a record, with ‘The Grand Delusion’ having come out in 2018. To say a lot has gone on in the world since then would be an understatement. Kendra: Did ‘Wanderer’ act as a sort of therapy when it came to writing and recording? Like it helped give you a sense of normalcy after so much of the world was not normal?

The Intersphere: Sure. ‘Wanderer’ was mostly created during the pandemic. Therefore, all the impressions of the past three years are also more or less obviously processed in it. For us, everything has changed drastically within the last five years. Not least because of private changes, we no longer live in the same city, we have families, new responsibilities, and have partly reoriented ourselves due to the pandemic. 

Normality in 2018 yielded a new reality in 2023. But we have gone through a transformation with The Intersphere, digitalized ourselves, gained more communication, more discipline but also maximum freedom in writing without limits, allowing and implementing even more influences, which has led to ‘Wanderer’ being our biggest developmental step to date compared to anything we have ever done before.

Kendra: One of the songs off the new record is “Bulletproof” and it’s about the hold social media has on us. The idea of social media and its negative effects have been very present in music, at least in the artists I’ve been talking to. Do you think that musicians are more inclined to be turned off by the idea of social media because of the pressure to always be producing content instead of creating something meaningful? 

The Intersphere: As an artist, you have to understand that one doesn’t exclude the other. I think young artists who grow up directly with social media don’t have that problem. Every artistic move offers the possibility to express themselves in the new media and that’s what bands like us have to learn. You don’t have to do everything if it doesn’t fit the band. But there is a huge difference between being guided by the pressure to be present all the time and writing some bullshit out of your brain or creating creative and meaningful content out of your artistic work on the fly…you just have to see it and get an eye and a feeling for it. But you must never fall into the trap of letting these considerations get the upper hand over your creative work. And that’s also the idea of “Bulletproof,” that you put on an invisible bulletproof cloak that keeps all the bullshit away from you and gives you the space to think freely and do meaningful things.

Kendra: You also mentioned that with social media there’s a lack of unpredictability. I couldn’t help but think of artists like Beyonce and Taylor Swift who are incredibly strategic with what and when they post online. Do you think artists like that do that because it keeps up their allure of them, or is it more because their marketing team just runs the show? 

The Intersphere: Both. Our management always says that a noise floor caused by Insta posts, for example, is good to achieve visibility and attention. In the fast pace of today’s life, you quickly disappear from the scene and the algorithms of the portals do the rest if you do not feed them continuously. The social media of many big artists are huge marketing machines, which are mainly meant to expand the brand, products are offered there, and influencing is done, so it’s not surprising that most marketing teams create posting plans and keep a close eye on the analytics. 

There’s absolutely no lack of unpredictability. The thing with unavailability and unpredictability in Bulletproof rather describes the feeling that everything is available, achievable, and feasible with a few clicks. There is nothing you are eagerly waiting for, everything is predictable, everything is possible…Buy, Travel, Information, etc..for every bullshit there is advice, forums, and supposed experts…and thus people take away the possibility to dream, to dwell, to make efforts, or to just look at what life brings and sometimes it is quite different from what you thought it would be….and that is what makes life so worth living.

Kendra: “Bulletproof” is the third single off ‘Wanderer’ along with the title track and “Down.” When the record was just about ready to go, were these the three you sort of eyed as the singles?

The Intersphere: We recorded the album in two steps…first four songs, then another nine. “Wanderer” and “Bulletproof” were the first tracks that were ready and actually, when we came out of the pandemic, we didn’t have the idea of an album. We just wanted to release some singles first…the two songs were the strongest and the most meaningful and we then decided to shoot videos for both songs. 

As it is, everything turned out differently and now the two songs are the first singles for the upcoming album. Down was one of the last songs we wrote for the album and it was immediately clear that it had to be a single, because for us the song is a real 2.0 version of The Intersphere sound, combines all the trademarks, but still shows many new approaches and influences.

Kendra: Were there any songs recorded that didn’t make the record that we may hear down the line?

The Intersphere: We recorded and produced three more songs that didn’t really fit into the world of the ‘WANDERER’ album. All great independent songs, which are partly very different from what you know from us. We are planning to release these songs, probably at the end of the year or during the tour in early 2024 to shorten the time to the next album.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Wanderer’ out on May 26th, what else can fans expect as we continue towards summer?

The Intersphere: We will go on tour around the release date, where some dates are already sold out…we will play support for Royal Blood..hopefully, take a few more festivals, and play a second tour block in 2024. Furthermore, our booking agency is in talks for more support in the second half of the year and otherwise, we don’t want to waste any time and start working on new songs right away.

The post Time to Wander with The Intersphere appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: Was it music that initially brought you four together?

respair: Yes, collectively we all share a love for music and the deep desire to create something that makes people feel a range of emotions through sound. We met through playing on London’s music scene – and some of the band’s momentous moments that helped us become one have been at London music events, from Touching Bass to The Jazz Cafe.

Kendra: As for your sound, marrying jazz and electronic – was this always the foundation for the band or was it just what came to be once you started to play together and flesh out ideas?

respair: I think the foundation of our sound has always been fusion, a melting pot of genres. Four of us have diverse tastes and backgrounds – modern jazz, classical training, soulful vocals, electronic music and it’s this eclectic palette that we bring to our compositions. Most important for us though is not to conform to any specific style but to convey a particular state, an emotion, and to take our audience on a spiritual journey. We explore and experiment with the many facets of jazz and electronic music – but it’s that journey and story that matters the most so sometimes we refer to ourselves as psychedelic jazz.

Kendra: It all came together and we can hear that on your latest single, “Colours.” You’ve noted how this song is this “moment of introspection,” and over the past few years, we’ve had a lot of time for that. Whether we wanted to or not. Was this a song created during the thick of the global chaos or is this more a song done in hindsight?

respair: “Colours” was written in the thick of uncertainty. We had the initial version of the song written just as the pandemic hit and we completed it when we were coming out of the second lockdown and had to find ourselves again – which required collective introspection and vulnerability with each other. We have been geographically dispersed for nearly two years during the pandemic and “Colours” was the first song that we returned to when we finally got together again – it was the long-needed momentum that got us back on the respair journey.

Kendra: “Colours” will be on your upcoming EP, ‘The Original Colour of the Sun.’ Were there any songs that you were working on that didn’t quite come together as you wanted in time for this record that you agreed to put on the back burner to perhaps release down the line?

respair: To be honest, it was a challenge finalizing the track list for our debut EP because we have at least two hours of material written that we are extremely excited about. As a performing band we often start with creating songs for live performance; however, recording and producing a song is a journey of its own – and for this EP we chose the songs for this process that could create their own story. It took us almost 6 months and a number of studio sessions to transform those three songs into the fragile, intimate worlds that we are inviting our listeners to. And we of course want to be on that journey with all of our songs down the line.

Kendra: Being in London, if you had to compare the overall aesthetic of ‘The Original Colour of the Sun’ to a spot that only locals frequent, which spot would it be and why?

respair: Hackney Marshes! There is freedom and serenity, but also mystery – they are close and familiar yet at the same time somewhat magical. Marshes were also where a lot of music gatherings happened during the pandemic and walking at night you could hear distant sounds of electronic music and dimmed lights – one of our ideas for the music video for the song was actually an outdoor small-scale rave, people being blissfully free and dancing to exaltation in nature.

Kendra: So respair is known for something that I think makes or breaks an artist and that is having a great live show. You know, it’s one thing to be able to record in a studio with all the bells and whistles but if you’re not a great live performer…well, how far can you go? 

respair: Thank you. Live performance is how we actually started and how we built a lot of the sound and connection within the band. Performance is a wonderful medium. It allows us to emote, express ourselves and connect with people. It’s the most valuable feedback you can get and the most magical feeling when you can get a room full of people to move as one, to join us in a hypnotic state, and let the silence after the music finishes to be fully heard. I believe that we can go as far as we allow ourselves to go. 

Kendra: With that, what do you think are some common elements that all great live performers innately share?

respair: This is hard to put into words because it’s more about the feeling and emotion when you know that you are witnessing something great. There are a lot of technically brilliant performers but to make the live experience truly memorable something spiritually transcendent has to happen on stage. The stage for us is our safe space. 

Kendra: Time for a side note – We’d love to know when you perform, do you have any sort of lucky charms you take with you on stage, or do you have any sort of pre-show traditions you do to ensure you have a great show?

respair: We have a pre-show tradition, we always have a private moment. I’d love to tell you more about the private moment but then it wouldn’t be private! 

No honestly, we have a group hug and remind ourselves to let go and be present in the moment and to be free, it’s that moment of calm and quiet before the show that allows us to find our centre get out there, and fully express ourselves.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘The Original Colour of the Sun’ out later this year, what else can the world expect as we focus on spring and soon enough, summer? 

respair: We will be releasing two more singles from the EP in March and April – and an amazing music video for “Hostage” shot on location with the band (it will surprise you!) We are then looking to plunge ourselves into live performances aiming for some festival appearances over the summer and a busy gigging schedule for the year ahead – but also we are planning to be back in the studio in the coming months to record some more of our material so that we can follow our EP with some more songs later in the year. Reverberate with us and watch this space!

The post A Spiritual Journey Awaits with respair  appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: My brother and I each gained a creative skillset and I’ve often thought we should combine them but we’re also siblings and even in our 30s…I feel like our mom would have to come in and break up a fight. Is that something you’ve had to work on as sisters turned musical partners, or have you two naturally been a team since you were kids? 

Nyrobi: Apart from a few cheeky wrestling matches when we were younger, me and my sister have always been super close. We’ve got very different personalities so our mom taught us from early on how to be respectful of each other’s space. It’s probably because we are so different that we do get along so well. On the rare occasions when we’ve got on each other’s nerves it’s usually to do with being “hangry.” A bit of food – and all problems fade away!

Kendra: So let’s talk about your most recent single, “Rockstar : LUNAR.” For those not familiar with how you roll, you often present singles with two sides, aesthetics. “Rockstar” delivered the metal while “Rockstar : LUNAR” leans more towards the alternative side of R&B. When you recording your first single, did you have that idea in the back of your minds to move forward that way, or was the first one said and done and you thought – this needs…more?

Nyrobi: Our SOLAR and LUNAR concept was a result of creating an extensive catalogue of songs. We were writing songs throughout lockdown where some had similar themes but different vibes and different perspectives. It was then that we realized how the ‘SOLAR and LUNAR’ versions reflected the differences in personalities and approach to life – with me being very free-spirited and sociable and my sister, Chaya, having a silent- assassin-type tone. From then it just stuck and our K-OS Family really liked it too!

Kendra: The latest version and single, “Rockstar : LUNAR,” also presents this story of realizing a relationship just ain’t working. Sadly, this isn’t something many are capable of doing. Why do you think so many hold onto hope that a dead-end relationship will magically work out?

Nyrobi: I think when people invest so much energy into building hopes and dreams with someone we can hang onto expectations. We can start questioning our worth and by holding out for the scraps of ‘love’ that feel so beautiful in the moment, the mistreatment can get disregarded.

That’s exactly what “Rockstar: LUNAR” is about – being in love with your expectations of a person and not the reality of who they are. This song shows how powerful words are and how they can be internalized to break a person’s spirit. The lyrics change from – “He said my problem is my poor mental health” to “Because I’ve got problems with my own mental health” However, the song does end on a high where self-love allows the person to break free from the emotional harm.

Kendra: Again, your music comes to us often with these varied views; SOLAR and LUNAR and I thought, well – this has to represent each of them, and I was correct. Do you feel that if you were more similar that ALT BLK ERA just wouldn’t work as well?

Nyrobi: I think our opposite but complementary personalities are definitely a big part of ALT BLK ERA. You can see the Solar and Lunar in our stage presence, in our lyrics, in the way we dress, in our photos, and in our interviews. What’s beautiful is that some of our listeners relate to me and my big energy and some relate to Chaya’s much cooler energy. Someone said we’re like “if the Queen of Hearts and Wednesday Adams linked up” and who wouldn’t want to hang with them right?!?!?

Kendra: I really enjoy the sort of yin and yang ALT BLK ERA gives because for me, as a Black girl who grew up loving ‘90s pop and R&B, but who came of age via emo and pop punk, I do have that duality in me as well. Is it safe to assume that your Spotify playlists are as varied as your style? 

Nyrobi: Varied would be an understatement!

We’ve always had a deep appreciation for world music. Growing up on old-school Reggae, Soul, and R&B. Then finding Russian Rap to K-pop to Afro Beats to Japanese Metal, and D&B.

Again, our Solar and Lunar personalities shine through with Chaya listening to R&B, Grunge, Emo, and Gothic music (in various languages) to me listening to Grime, Japanese Metal, and D&B. We both stick to our own tastes and occasionally link up in the kitchen for a throwback session.

Kendra: Time for a side note – We’d love to know when you perform, do you have any sort of lucky charms you take with you on stage, or do you have any sort of pre-show traditions you do to ensure you have a great show?

Nyrobi: YESSSS! We actually do! Our mother is a psychologist and she told us about the power of body language and how this influences your thought- processes including how confident you feel. Our pre-show tradition is to put our hands in the air and puff our chests out and this makes us feel super confident as all dominant animals make themselves bigger.

So after the occasional mini-panic attacks, we make ourselves big. Then, when our intro drops we jump and hit each other in excitement. This works so well with our band members too. We all go on stage hyped!

Kendra: Lastly, with “Rockstar : LUNAR” out now, what else can the world expect as we focus on spring and soon enough, summer?

Nyrobi: We’ve got soooo many plans!!! (and just about enough hours in the day to get through them all!)

We have a very very special track dropping on March 31st – it drops on the same day as our first headline show in our home city of Nottingham, UK – so stay tuned for that! We’ve got a few festivals booked for the summer which will be announced soon

And we’ve been spending A LOT of time in the studio working on our debut EP – which drops later this year too!

Our music doesn’t fit neatly into any one genre so we’re super excited to see how this will be received.

The post The Balancing Act of ALT BLK ERA appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: We’ll start with an easy one, how did you all come together? Were you friends before the music, or were you four musicians looking to connect? 

Robbie: We were all best mates before we properly started the band, me and Jake played a few acoustic gigs initially, then got Ethan on board to play bass and then Ethan brought Sean in on the drums. We all sort of learned our craft together through being in the band really, we still struggle to call ourselves “musicians” really, we’re just four mates in a band who write tunes.

Kendra: So listening to “Sunshine Collective” took me back to the 2000s when shows like ‘The OC’ were huge and everyone was wearing Abercrombie. Well, everyone with money so not me…but anyways, I wanted to know was that the era you sort of found yourself coming of age musically? 

Robbie: I would say so yeah, with us being born between 1998 and 1999 we probably caught the back end of the 2000s when it came to bands/artists, etc. For me personally, there was always music in the house growing up, either coming from my parents or my brother, stuff like the mod scene and then more modern indie music at the time. But as a band, we love all sorts, the music we play in the van will vary from guitar music to house music and anything in between really.

Kendra: While “Sunshine Collective” felt like a day in the sun, “Solace” delivered a night out on the town. Perhaps at a show? With that, what’s your favorite local spot to play as a band vs. your favorite to go to as a fan? 

Ethan: In Whitehaven, there aren’t many venues that can hold a band, but the one that does have them on often is the yellow earl. We go down most times there’s a band in, even a tribute act on occasions. I would have to say the same place as a “fan.” The bands that play there are more or less picked out by people in the town. It’s a place for live music and like-minded people seem to congregate there.

Kendra: We’re in the midst of the winter right now, but my mind can’t help but warm up thinking about all of the summer festivals approaching later this year. For you, what are three elements that make a festival perfect? 

Ethan: Honestly I don’t think festivals have any ideal elements. Especially in England. But if I had to pick three. I’d go for friends, music, and drink. In that order.

Kendra: So time for a side note – with love in the air, I’d love to know what is the #1 song you’d put on a mixtape as part of a Valentine’s Day gift? 

Jake: I’ve actually got a playlist called “Smooth Tony” for this particular vibe, definitely going for “You To Me Are Everything” by The Real Thing. If it needs something more up to date I used to love “Hate That I Love You” by Rihanna and Ne-Yo. Both songs make me want to let my hair down and that’s what I love about guilty pleasures.

Kendra: Lastly, what else can be on the lookout from you come?

Jake: We are currently working on some demos for an EP to be released coming up, patching up our live sets with a new setlist and really just tightening up our performance for recording. With the new EP, there will be all the jazz of new merch designs and social media content so keep an eye out for that.

The post Conversation Collective with The Northern Threads appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: We’re still grasping the idea of when and where to use the restroom at four years old, but you – you were out there embracing a natural gift. Were you singing the traditional children’s songs or were you a kid with their finger on the pulse of pop music? 

Marvi: As a kid, I was singing all sorts of songs honestly! From songs from TV shows to kids’ music to artists like Destiny’s Child, Rihanna, and Ed Sheeran; all sorts. I listened to a wide range of music from the ‘90s to ‘70s to the early 2000s since my mum collected so many CDs. As a kid, I pretty much listened to music all day every day! I particularly loved pop music but also some R&B. 

Kendra: You’ve been singing your whole life but it wasn’t until 2019 the world got your debut single, “Seeking Heaven.” It leaned more toward R&B for me than your current but the underlying alternative ways definitely felt like the thread that ties your music together. Did you grow up immersed in an alt-scene? 

Marvi: I’ve actually always been a lover of pop music, however, the producer wanted to give another feel for the track seeking heaven and I felt that for that song it worked really well, but still feel I’ll always mostly consider myself a pop/alternative or R&B/alternative singer. 

Kendra: After “Seeking Heaven” you took a bit of a break from releasing music. Is that because you were focusing on your other skills during that time? 

Marvi: After 2020 happened and I was spending lots of time at home, but before that, I was also studying for my GCSE. That ended up not happening! I did however do a few modeling shoots in that time period for Nike and worked on a few short film projects. 

Kendra: How do you feel acting and writing have helped your music over the years?

Marvi: I’ve always loved writing since I was a kid but never wanted it to be a main career, however, I loved telling stories and expressing myself. I felt acting and writing could be a side career to the music career I have and love. I loved doing voice acting for BBC, and films like ‘Me My Germs and James.’ 

I published a book which was such a huge accomplishment for me when it was released by an agency at only 14 years old about the mental health I was struggling with at the time. Writing has always been an escape for me and I’ve always done it at my worst moments. Getting to write stories and poems that other people can relate to will forever give me joy. Creating a lifelike character is extremely important especially when we crave aspects of our lives we may not have at the moment. A book can be a great escape and give confidence in ways some humans may be unable too. 

Kendra: Now let’s talk about your fall 2022 release, “In My Head.” I have a podcast about crushes so I was very much into this song because it goes well with the show. That feeling of liking someone and your mind not understanding that it can think about other things…not just the crush. That said, how do you know when you have a crush forming? 

Marvi: Haha, that’s an interesting question. The crushes I end up having are usually based on emotional connection. I personally need to feel emotionally connected to someone before it turns into anything long-lasting. I might be physically attracted to you, but if I’m not feeling your vibe or personality it isn’t enough for me to actually like you! But in terms of how I behave y’all probably see it on my face I don’t usually hide my emotions unless it’s needed.

Kendra: If you were to send your current crush an old-school mixtape, what three songs would be must-haves on it? 

Marvi: Hmmm, I would definitely send them Bea Miller “Like That.” I’ve definitely been treated harshly in the past by people and that song got me through a lot. I think Bea Miller is a very extraordinary and underrated artist. 

Also, “Hurt Again” by Julia Michaels. That song would be referring to not necessarily wanting to be hurt by them, but being open to the possibility of falling in love and doing it all over again. Lastly, “Monster” by Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes. Often people target their own cruelty onto us then blame us for being upset about it. 

Kendra: Now being that it’s a new year, have you set any sort of music resolutions for yourself?

Marvi: 10000%. I definitely want to release lots and lots of cool music I’ve written. In 2023 I’m honestly very excited for what the year brings! Especially for spring, it’s my favourite season. 

Kendra: Lastly, with a few songs out now, what lies ahead for you? 

Marvi: I’m hoping to have an EP out but honestly who knows! I wanna let the universe decide this one!

The post Seeking Marvi appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: When you released ‘Real to Reel’ and it became a critical darling, was there an air of pressure when it came time to work on new music? 

CVC: Well the album ‘Get Real’ was recorded from the same sessions as the ‘Real to Reel EP,’ but naturally we kept some of the best tracks for the album, so we think ‘Get Real’ is a genuine step up from the EP. When we came to writing new material after that though, we had another massive surge of creativity, most probably prompted by the excitement of wanting to make a really top-drawer follow-up album, which is already in the works and we’re all buzzing about!

Kendra: For your 2023 release, ‘Get Real,’ you utilized some of my favorite things as someone who loves to be in the kitchen, pots, and pans. With that, what homemade dish would you say would best compliment a ‘Get Real’ listening session and why? 

CVC: I would probably say a mix mezze sharing platter would be the perfect dish to accompany ‘Get Real’ because the album is filled with all sorts of sounds, genres, and styles of music, twists and turns, some sweet, some sour, some loud, some quiet, some warm and some cold. All washed down with a nice bottle of Italian red from lead singer Francesco’s hometown of Bardi, Northern Italy, and a shot of Welsh Penderyn Whiskey to keep you on your toes.

Kendra: You noted that while working on “Good Morning Vietnam” a lot of people around you were all about that hookup culture, but do you feel like after the solitude felt in recent years people may want to find a real connection moving forward? 

CVC: I’d imagine so for sure. Luckily for us we had something to focus on as a band and ended up making the most of the solitude by recording ‘Get Real,’ but we were craving the live/intimate side of things like playing and meeting new people on the road. Ever since we started playing again after the lockdowns, it seemed that people were keener on making the most of the chance to get out and see a gig, or just mingle in general, whether that be in a romantic way or just having a pint with friends.

Kendra: To me, there is a huge difference between someone who can make a song sound great on a record and those who can bring it to life on stage. As a band that’s been applauded for both aspects, I’d love to know if you had any musicians you watched growing up that inspired how you take the stage? 

CVC: I always loved the way James Brown would be directing his band on stage and changing song structures on the fly and things like that, which always blew me away, and I’m guilty of throwing a curveball to the band when they’re least expecting it, but they always bat it back in true CVC style.

Our live shows are also always full of energy probably owing to us being brought up watching live DVDs of bands like RHCP, Nirvana, and Rage Against The Machine. 

Kendra: Being that it’s a new year, have you set any sort of music resolutions for yourself?

CVC: Yeah, our collective resolution is for Francesco to turn on his email notifications so that he never misses any important information like our first US interview for example!!!!

Other things being just to be a tighter band, musically and personally, and to keep the faith in ourselves.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Get Real,’ out on January 13th, what lies ahead for you? 

CVC: We’ve also got two US tours and a headline UK tour in the diary, as well as recording our second album, and a long list of festival shows! Hopefully, we’ll see you there!

The post CVC with a Glass of Whiskey appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: Around what age did you realize that music was most likely going to be the path you traveled down in life? 

Even Funkier: Unlike some people who end up pursuing music I didn’t have a particularly musical upbringing, and it was probably my early teens before I found myself thinking about music all day. I played guitar and bass in a couple of bands and dreamed of hitting the big time, and we obviously never got close, then I got into DJing towards the end of my university years… but it’s only really these last couple of years that I’ve started to take it seriously and try to make something out of it. 

Whilst I’m traveling as far down the music path as I possibly can, it’s still very much a side project for now – I’m making very little money out of it and I need to pay the bills somehow, but I spend almost every spare moment on trying to make a go of it. Who knows where it could lead? It’s my passion in life and I’ve already taken it way further than I ever really believed I could. 

Kendra: So much of my knowledge of London comes from pop culture and watching ‘Drag Race UK.’ Which, the queens often note the various scenes depending on where they reside and perform. Being in South London, what would you say that area brings to London’s overall music scene that you may not get in other locales?

Even Funkier: That’s an interesting question and not one I feel I can give a particularly enlightening answer to. London is huge and I’m sure that different parts have different grassroots music scenes, but living quite far out in a little corner of South London it’s not something I’ve really noticed…although there’s still musical heritage around here – David Bowie did his first gigs not far from where I live, and Stormzy went to school just down the road. 

One of the great things about London is that it’s this huge melting pot of styles and scenes, so there’s something for everyone, and every DJ’s audience is out there somewhere. Of course, this means there’s loads of competition, but I just try not to worry about scenes and cliques and just carry on doing what I’m doing. Hopefully, some scene somewhere will like it! 

Kendra: Being a DJ you don’t just perform out and about, but take advantage of streaming by going live weekly. Was this something that came about during the past couple of years? 

Even Funkier: Absolutely. I jumped on the live-streaming bandwagon during the first lockdown, although a bit later than some others, and I’ve carried on doing it most weeks ever since. I don’t usually get that many viewers, but that doesn’t bother me – I treat each stream like a little gig, make sure I show up on time, and try to learn from it. I’ve also got quite clever at turning it into a few different pieces of content. Even though I’m playing in real life a bit more often now I’m going to try and keep streaming. If nothing else it might be the only opportunity to get on the decks and play music out loud that I’ll get that week! 

Kendra: So let’s get to “A Fraction of Your Love.” What headspace were you in when it came time to bring this all together? Because let’s be real, the past couple of years – especially for creatives – has been rough. 

Even Funkier: It’s been rough in so many ways, but for people in my position (I have kids, a full-time job, and not much time!) it’s actually been a huge opportunity as well. I’ve been wanting to start producing music for over 10 years now but it took lockdown, and in particular being gifted a few months off work as a result, to actually force myself over the hump of it being too difficult and everything I try to make sounding rubbish, and just do it. So yes, whilst I really do feel for the creatives who made their living out of performing live, without lockdown I don’t know if I’d ever have started getting music signed. 

In terms of my headspace when making this tune, I’d spent the previous two years relentlessly making and releasing as many tunes (mostly edits and reworks) as possible, learning and improving as much as I could along the way. When I made A Fraction of Your Love I felt like I was well into my groove – being able to come up with ideas and turn them into something quite effectively. My little process of making and refining a tune was (and still is) working pretty nicely, and as you’ll hear on the track I’d started experimenting with some acid bassline sounds to try and put a unique stamp on my productions. Not all of my productions end up being good but I think this one turned out pretty well! 

Kendra: Today electronic music is ingrained into mainstream music and is no longer thought of as this niche genre. Do you feel as if there are still some elements or styles of electronic that have yet to be embraced by Top 40 Radio? 

Even Funkier: I’m perhaps not best placed to answer that as I’m laser-focused on doing what I do, which is really only a tiny slice of electronic music, and one that harks strongly back to pre-electronic days as so much of it is based on old samples. But I think that whilst a lot of electronic music has indeed now gone mainstream, and that’s a good thing, it’s also a good thing that a lot of it hasn’t and probably never will. Electronic music to me is all about pushing the boundaries and sometimes that doesn’t have mass appeal, and that’s just fine. Not everything can be mainstream – some people want to hear something different. 

Kendra: Speaking of which, you host a radio show. Are there any hosts from radio, TV, or podcasts that you looked to as inspiration when you first got started?

Even Funkier: Honestly not really, I just decided to do my own thing. I’m part of a little community of DJs and music fans who call ourselves the Disco Waltons, and lots of us have our own radio shows and mix series. So I guess I took inspiration from some of those shows that I’ve been listening to for a while – There’s Spin City on MyHouseRadio, and sadly no longer broadcasting DiscoDaze on Open Tempo FM. I listened to both of these before I started my own show, and I guess without copying them directly they gave me the idea and drive to create something of my own. 

Kendra: Being that it’s a new year, have you set any sort of music resolutions for yourself?

Even Funkier: I turn 40 in February, and I want to make 2023 really count. My main focus is going to be on music production, and getting this to a higher and more consistent standard that I’m happier with, and doing it quicker. I want to make more original productions that are worthy of release on bigger and better labels and define my own sound more clearly. I’m hoping to collaborate with some other artists too. There’s also lots of work I need to do on building my brand, making connections, all that sort of stuff that isn’t directly related to music but is still so important to succeed these days.

Then hopefully alongside all of that, I’ll still be able to find the time to listen to, seek out and support the music that I love!

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘A Fraction of Your Love,’ out on January 6th, what lies ahead for you? 

Even Funkier: I’ve got a few releases lined up for 2023 already but beyond that, who knows? I’m hoping I’ll have the opportunity to play some fun DJ sets – I love playing out more than almost anything else and it’s something that makes everything else I do feel worthwhile. Who knows, maybe I’ll pop up at a few festivals over the summer? 

Whatever lies ahead though, I’m going to just try and enjoy the journey. I’m excited about what the future might bring, and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share music that I’ve made and music that I love with others.

The post A Fraction of Even Funkier appeared first on ZO Magazine.

People often talk about the people who’ve bridged the gap between the pre and post-internet world but what about the musicians, the bands? When Fujiya & Miyagi started we still bought tickets at retailers and didn’t constantly hold up phones at concerts recording videos we were not going to watch later, but for some reason needed at the time. It was simpler, but as is with life – we all adjusted to the tech-boom of the 21st century, including Fujiya & Miyagi. 

We sat down with their own David Best (vocals + guitar) to talk about how things have changed since forming, what their present sound hints at for the future, and of course, Fujiya & Miyagi’s new album, ‘Slight Variations,’ which drops on September 30th. 

Kendra: The fear of Y2K and not having to take your shoes off at the airport. The world was a different place when Fujiya & Miyagi first got started. When you all began this journey, you each had to have had some goals in mind – over 20 years later, what’s still on that bucket list in the back of your mind? 

David Best: Back then It seemed a bit unreal to be able to fly to all these places we’d always wanted to and play to audiences who were interested in what we did. I don’t think we had any preconceived ideas of how it would be or a career master plan. We just sort of went with the flow. There are still lots of avenues to explore for us. It feels like we are living in a golden age of music technology and the future in that respect is unwritten. It would be nice if we could explore new ways of making records. There’s talk of a more live-sounding record at some point, but I’d equally like it to go in a less conventional direction too, maybe simultaneously.

Kendra: Time to talk about your September 2022 release, ‘Slight Variations.’ Being that we’re all a slight variation of who we were yesterday and the day before, what do you think has been the most impactful thing you’ve done over the years as an artist that’s been able to allow you to grow into the musician you are today? Touring, getting to know other artists, writing, etc…

David Best: I can’t speak for the others but personally there was one major change that helped me get more from what I contribute. I stopped writing anything down or pre-planning songs. One of the ways we used to work was to write the bare bones of a song on a guitar and with a notebook then convey that idea to the others who would add their input and flesh it out or take it somewhere else.  

Now I just start recording and see what happens. It’s especially useful relating to words and how they fit in a song. Once I’ve got some music I’m happy with I just record some vocals without any pre-planning and see what happens. Then I keep the bits I like and get rid of the bits I don’t and do another take. It helps make it a song rather than some music with words on top.

Kendra: So one of the songs that can be found on ‘Slight Variations’ is “Digital Hangover,” which, I mean, we’ve all been there. The constant scrolling, the neverending emails. It’s all a bit much. Are you someone that can and often does try and unplug, or are you still trying to combat this modern-day addiction? 

David Best: It’s tricky not to as so much of the running of the group is tech-related now, like all the social media stuff, streaming platforms, and checking orders on Bandcamp. Some of that is great. What does my head in is spam emails. They are relentless. Most think the group is a design company and they are offering us help with our website hosting. I am guilty of pretty much being glued to my phone though. I feel like I’m missing a limb if I don’t have it near.

Kendra: Now over the years Fujiya & Miyagi has been featured on several TV shows, but if you could pick a current small screen favorite to place a track from your new album on – which track and TV show would you pick and why? 

David Best: I really enjoyed ‘Severance.’ That would fit in with the “Digital Hangover” idea. My favourite ever show is ‘Twin Peaks’. It would be a dream come true to have our music on that or anything Lynch-related. I’m up for ‘Stranger Things’ using one of our songs in a key moment that propels us to the top of the charts too. Maybe in season five, they could go to the future 2007. 

Kendra: You’ve noted that your release isn’t just about the present but also represents where you plan to go in the future. Do you always have the destination mapped out or is the future of the band more of an idea at this point?

David Best: There tends to be one or two songs per record that often points to the next one. ‘“New Body Language” off the new record shares a few threads with “Fear of Missing Out” on the previous one. “FAQ” on ‘Slight Variations’ explores new ground for us which would be good to take further in the future. 

You also have to agree on the destination before you set off there. Another thing that can change an idea of a record is the length of time it takes to write and record it. This new record took a long time to make and as a result, it incorporates lots of different styles and ideas. Our previous record was done quite quickly so was formed around a central idea. 

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Slight Variations’ out on September 30th and a couple of dates already booked this fall, are you already looking ahead to 2023 possibilities? 

David Best: As travel opens up we hope to visit places old and new. We’ve never been to Japan so that’s something I think we’d all like to experience. Mainly, though, I think we are just looking forward to playing live again and seeing people dance.

The post The Slight Variations of Fujiya & Miyagi appeared first on ZO Magazine.