Kendra: When it came to being involved in music, were one of you in the school band first or something like that, and then the other saw and said, hey…I wanna do that too? 

Aiden: Well, we both loved music from an early age, thanks to our dad playing his CDs in the car for us when we were little kids. Growing up listening to everything from Incubus and the first few Linkin Park CDs to stuff like Seal and Moby, I think we quickly both developed an appreciation for lots of different types of music and just the power of music in general to convey different emotions. Then when I was about four I was given my first drum kit and it kind of just went from there. 

Kendra: Whenever siblings are working this closely together I think, couldn’t be me…I love my brothers but we can’t even get through a board game without some sort of fight. Do you have an internal switch you can flip when it comes to music that makes you focus on the writing and recording and not so much the little things we tend to do that can rub our siblings the wrong way?

Aiden: Yes and no. Right now, at this point in our career and having been in a band together for nine years, we’ve gotten good at being able to separate personal stuff from band stuff and have learned how to treat each other the way we would if we were in the same band but weren’t brothers. It definitely wasn’t always that way, though. We used to bicker constantly, verbal fights at every single band practice that sometimes came to blows. We used to literally be like the brothers from Oasis haha! We’ve mellowed out now and we get a lot more done so it’s a win-win. 

Kendra: So your sound immediately took me back to the good ol’ days of Hot Topic, right in the center of my high school experience when I was borrowing my friend’s Taproot albums. This style of rock was everywhere in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s but has since sort of left the mainstream. Of course, the tides are always changing so what made you say, trends be damned – we’re keeping this style alive and well for a new generation? 

Aiden: It’s just the kind of music that we’ve always loved the most. Bands like Taproot, A Perfect Circle, Onesidezero, Hoobastank, all had something in common to us, and it was the ability to weave beautiful melodies and harmonies into heavy, aggressive music. When Connor and I started writing music, that’s just the kind of stuff that came out and it’s become a huge part of who we are. When we try to translate our messages and emotions into music, it comes out as heavy rock that has as much melody as it does aggression and energy. 

Kendra: Which, you are with two albums already out in the world and a new single this year, but it’s been a minute since your last album. It dropped in the before times AKA 2019 and in between then and now A LOT has happened. Did any of the chaos of the world at hand inspire your 2023 single “Floating Away?”

Aiden: For sure. We wanted to come back in a BIG way after the whole Covid thing and just really deliver a record for our fans that was the best, most passionate album we could possibly put together. We used those years to grow and refine our sound, polish the rough edges, and experiment with new sounds and styles that we hadn’t had the courage to explore in the past. The result was the record I think we’ve always wanted to make. Third time’s a charm. 

Kendra: With that, you’re also gearing up for another release this year. Are we talking LP, EP? And you’re working on that with Jim Wirt, who’s worked with the likes of Incubus and Hoobastank. Was there anything non-music related he said that you took to heart that you’ll utilize from here on out? 

Aiden: We’ve got a whole new record, baby. We’re so stoked to put it out this year and just let the fans have at it. I think it’s going to really broaden our appeal and gain us a lot of new followers. Working with Jim has been amazing. I can hardly consider it working, but I guess it technically is because through all of the drinking and fucking around we somehow always magically end up with perfectly produced and recorded songs hahaha. 

Jim is literally one of my best friends in the world, he calls me almost every day just to catch up and he’s taught us so, so much about music and everything that comes with it. We’ve got a lot of love for that guy. I know the Centershift guys feel the same way, as does pretty much every band that Jim has ever worked with. He’s family, for sure. 

Kendra: Time for a side note – So Easter is my favorite holiday. Don’t ask me what the holiday is actually about because it’s only my favorite. After all, I love Spring and the candy is top-notch. With that, if you were to receive an Easter basket, what sweet treat and album on vinyl would you hope was in said basket? 

Aiden: I’d like to end up with a bunch of Cadbury Creme Eggs and ‘Clumsy’ by Our Lady Peace on LP. I’ve got the CD but that’s one I’d love to have on vinyl. Pretty sure Connor has the vinyl, so Connor, feel free to take this as your cue to try and cram that record into my Easter basket. Connor loves Peeps and Black Licorice jelly beans, and I’m pretty sure he’d love some good old Barry Manilow in his basket. 

Kendra: Lastly, with “Floating Away” out now and more on the way, what else can people expect as we continue into Spring and soon into Summer?

Aiden: People can expect us to keep putting out some kickass music, at regular increments, for the rest of our natural-born lives. And even after that, you might get a few posthumous releases. This music is our life, and we’re just getting started. Anyone who’s on board with us now should strap in for the next 70 or so years and rock out with us the whole way. We’re never stopping, no matter what. And that is a promise. 

The post Keeping Rock Afloat with Groudstate appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: In the past year, you’ve dropped so much new music from an EP to “Come On Sugar,” which you penned on the best thinking seat we have in modern times – the toilet. Whether it’s the toilet or the shower, the bathroom seems to be this commonplace of creativity. Do you think it’s because it’s one of the only places we can truly be alone with our thoughts? Unless of course, you’re a parent – I definitely burst in on my mom to ask about fruit snacks and whatnot back in the day. 

Ray Flanagan: The bathroom is definitely a place for solitude. There is something about pushing out a turd that conducts creativity.

Kendra: After listening to “Come On Sugar” a handful of times back to back, I wanted to ask – if you had to compare the last person you crushed on to a cup of coffee – what would the flavor profile me and why?

Ray Flanagan: I barely know the difference between Maxwell House and a French Press. It would definitely be sweet, and maybe it would have cinnamon in it. And maybe cayenne. Somewhere between a nice night on a good porch and standing at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and looking outward into the cosmos; a pure wonder.

Kendra: Like I said, I listened quite a bit to this song because it took me back to the mid-00s when artists like Paolo Nutini were owning the airwaves with genuine adult contemporary music I fell in love with as a kid thanks to the likes of Sheryl Crow and Matchbox Twenty. There’s this new documentary about the genre out now discussing its rise, but for you – where do you think of the current state of AC and AC rock? 

Ray Flanagan: I don’t have any opinions on the current state of AC. I do sometimes listen to “My Favorite Mistake” on repeat.

Kendra: So I did want to bring up your musical family, The Mean Machines. You’ve noted they’re like brothers to you, and with that, I’d love to know what TV siblings would you say you all are most like when you get together? 

Ray Flanagan: Great question. Somewhere between ‘Home Improvement’ and the cast of ‘Spongebob.’

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?

Ray Flanagan: So many great love songs. Off the top of my head, Bruce Springsteen’s “If I Should Fall Behind” from Live in NYC because I’m a sentimental fool.

Kendra: Lastly, with “Come On Sugar” out now, what else is in the works as we head towards the spring?

Ray Flanagan: Planning on making a full-length record this year with The Mean Machines, and hopefully getting out of town some.

The post Sweet Sounds with Ray Flanagan appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: Over a decade’s worth of solo projects out there, and another out this October, what do you think ‘Midwest Sorrow’ says about your growth as a songwriter when comparing and contrasting your previous releases? 

TINO: I think artists find “their” sound after a decade. You know what you do well, you know what works for your audience. The line between consistency and complacency can blur. ‘Midwest Sorrow,’ when compared to the rest of my catalog, says I’m not afraid to take risks and even fail. I’ve dabbled in some heavier subject matter and sprinkled in singing sparingly but I’ve never totally leaned into them like I have on this project.

Kendra: Now it’s easy to see that you take in an NFL game here and there during football season. Plus, you’re in a state with not only two teams in the league but a big college team as well. With that, what NFL player do you think would best represent ‘Midwest Sorrow’ and all that it’s about; past or present?

TINO: Since it’s called ‘Midwest Sorrow’ I should stay in the Midwest, so this project is most like retired Chicago Bear Devin Hester. Devin, who was drafted as a cornerback, ended up becoming a legend as a return man. He also played WR to a lesser degree. I feel like ‘Midwest Sorrow’ isn’t going to be what people think it should be. Special Teams is often an underappreciated facet of the game of football and I think this project may suffer from some of that, but for a few people this will hit home like a Hester return to the house. 

Kendra: On this record, you keep hip-hop at the forefront while marrying it with not only neo-soul elements but also tender emo-inspired moments. The latter has always been filled with angst, pain, and emotional turmoil, which to me speaks heavily to the Black experience in America. Back in the day, I was usually one of three Black people at those emo/pop punk shows but over the years it has become a bit more diverse. Do you think that’s because more Black folks are taking note of the deeper meaning of emo music?

TINO: I think we as Black people are forced to grow up so fast we miss those impressionable years when emo music caters to things like young love, growing apart from friends, and teenage angst. We are taught themes in the popular forms of our music like trust no one, and be heartless so no one can hurt you which is all survival stuff. Newer artists like Kenny Mason and Steve Lacy are dabbling in that space Emo music comes from, and I think Black people are finding gateways into the genre as music homogenizes. 

Kendra: Let’s talk more about what’s on ‘Midwest Sorrow’ like “Abandon.” This one feels centered around a romantic relationship but it did feel like it could mirror a friendship as well. It hit me because over the past couple of years I’ve felt this sort of abandon myself in regards to a social life and that FOMO feeling. With that, do you think it’s harder to lose a partner or a best friend? 

TINO: It’s always going to be harder in my opinion to lose a true partner as they are your best friend, so you lose out twice. The person you want to talk to most about what you’re going through is also the person you can’t, making it even more brutal. I had one of my best friends ghost me out of nowhere and stop replying to all forms of communication and while it hurt it doesn’t compare to a breakup I’ve had when love was involved. 

Kendra: In another, “Smoke & Mirrors,” you mention the Annexation of Puerto Rico. Is that a reference to ‘The Little Giants,’ and if so – do you think that is the supreme kids’ sports movie?

TINO: I was worried no one would get that reference, so kudos to you. Now, while I do love “Little Giants,’ I think the quintessential kids’ sports movie is the OG ‘Might Ducks.’ It wins on so many levels for me. I love how “inner city” kids come together and find a way to be suburban kids. Coach Bombay can overcome the trauma inflicted upon him by his coach that he didn’t know he was suffering from to show his players there’s a way to have fun and be great on and off the ice. It also introduced me to the band Queen in the closing credits. 

Kendra: Time for a side note: With Thanksgiving being right around the corner I’d love to know what artist’s discography are you most thankful for?

TINO: Despite his recent antics I have to be most thankful for Kanye’s discography. I don’t think there is a TINO if I didn’t become obsessed with ‘College Dropout’ and ‘Graduation.’ I consider ‘Midwest Sorrow’ to be my ‘808s & Heartbreak.’ This experimental project varies from what I’ve done before. I’m hoping to learn lessons from this record that I can apply in the future like he did with ‘MBDTF.’ 

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Midwest Sorrow’ out on October 15th, what’s on the horizon as we head closer to 2023?

TINO: I’ve been fortunate to have my music reach places I’ve never been. One of those places is Rennes, France. I’ve got a vinyl collaboration project through label StereoPhonk with its owner DJ Marrrtin on the way in November. DJ Marrrtin found me through Bandcamp and reached out for a song or two collabs during the pandemic and that blossomed into a 7 track EP. His production takes me back to my boom-bap roots and we created an updated version of the music I was making when I first picked up the mic so it’s a full 180 from ‘Midwest Sorrow.’ Next year I plan on getting back in the studio with my Safe Money partner K.Carter for a follow-up to our 2021 one self titled project

The post The Midwest Sorrows of TINO appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Being the former secretary of my middle school Fat Kids Club, you know I’m a lover and appreciator of all things food. Today, as a home baker looking to go pro one day, I was delighted to be able to intertwine my kitchen adoration with my musical side when talking to the one and only Nefertitti Avani. She’s an R&B songstress whose latest single, “Raw,” is certifiably fresh and ready for mass consumption. We talked about the steamy single, the video, and more in this back and forth exchange – and for more, check out her EP, ‘Oh, Ok,’ out July 7th!

Kendra: As a lover of all things pop culture, I couldn’t help but notice the little homage to Janet when it came to the cover art of “Pri Va C.” Was she someone who initially got you interested in pursuing music?

Nefertitti Avani: Yesssss! Janet is an icon and one of the strongest performers I’ve ever witnessed. I’ll always love Janet.

Kendra: You’ve been dropping songs online for a decade now. What are some major lessons you’ve learned then that have helped you continue as an artist today?

Nefertitti Avani: Wow…so I remember releasing my very first song “Oxygen” and waking up the next day to other people selling it all over the internet. I couldn’t believe it. That sent me on a journey of how to protect my intellectual property and maximize my income. I learned about soundexchange, Harry fox, mlc, isrc’s, etc on that journey. And that lesson definitely contributes to my independence as an artist today.

Kendra: If you were to listen back to your 2014 mixtape, how would you say you’ve grown as an artist when comparing it to your current releases?

Nefertitti Avani: I’ve grown in so many ways that contribute to my artistry. I’ve learned love in a more in-depth way, which heavily influences my content as a writer and the frequency I accomplish in my vocals. And then, time and experience just make us stronger performers in general. I’m a stronger singer, stronger writer, etc just from time and experience.

Kendra: So listening to “Raw,” it’s very sultry, very reminiscent of the R&B that dominated the mainstream back in the ‘90s thanks to artists like Boyz II Men, En Vogue, and Ginuwine – and there is a lot of talk about how that style of R&B got a bit toned down over the years. Are you here to bring bedroom R&B back to the forefront?

Nefertitti Avani: I love this question, thank you. Please grant me your patience as this answer will be detailed, but nutritious. R&B is short for rhythm and blues. Blues is a language that communicates the spaces we experience inside of love, passion, pain, endurance, and the transformative alchemy that should take place in the bedroom. And rhythm is the pulse; the carrier; the delivery service. And that pulse keeps the messages of blues circulating through the listener; the receiver; the lovers. So yes, I am definitely bringing bedroom R&B back to the forefront because love-making won’t be a lost art in my book. Not while I’m on this planet.

Kendra: “Raw” also features a lot of food references throughout. With that, if you had to compare your current singles “Raw,” “Buss It,” and “Serious” to a three-course meal what would each be? Think appetizer, main course, and dessert (or cocktail).

Nefertitti Avani: Ooh funnnn. Ok, so “Raw” would definitely be an orange, mango, and frozen banana breakfast smoothie with a wheatgrass shot. “Buss it” is definitely tacos with pico, guac, lettuce, the whole nine. Then “Serious” is a funnel cake with whip cream and fruit and just delicious toppings. I know you’d never guess that I love food!

Kendra: And when it comes to the video, it cooks up a whole lot of steamy situations. I was like, okay – I can’t hate the male casting here! His great looks aside, what I like about this video is at the end it serves as an inspiration to shoot your shot with someone. Are you someone who when they see someone they’re interested in, they just go for it?

Nefertitti Avani: Oh yes my co-star Jamaal Watkins; beautiful being inside and out. And to answer your great question: Yes, I go for it every time. I can’t imagine laying in bed at the end of the day regretting I didn’t act on something I wanted. I always, always go for it!

Kendra: Lastly, it’s still kind of hard to have a definite answer when it comes to future plans given the current state of everything, but as far as what you can control when it comes to your career and creativity – what do you have planned in the coming months for yourself?

Nefertitti Avani: Love it. Well, I’m anticipating some really cool collaborations. I’m excited to connect with different producers across the globe to create more unique canvases to paint lyrics over. I’m looking forward to writing music in a way I’ve yet to. I’ve been watching myself grow more popular and talked about which gives me complete jitters. You know I’m not an artist for fame. I truly love writing and creating music. I desire to be an example to the world of what following your heart leads to…that for me just happens to come with a side of popularity. But I want people to be inspired more than I don’t want to be famous so, yeah. I’m willing and still very gracious to have my gift.

The post Dishing with Nefertitti Avani appeared first on ZO Magazine.

So yes, we talked about Warped Tour but we also explored how the family dynamic plays into band practice, their rural setting, and ‘Marks on the Wall,’ which crops May 14th.

Kendra: As someone who spent a lot of summers going to Warped Tour, I was excited to see you have a little history with the festival. Then you were a pop-punk act playing the Ernie Ball Stage in a scene dominated by guyliner, skinny jeans, and bangs that covered the faces of 90% of the people in attendance. Fast forward to today and those styles, that era of music is so iconic and celebrated. When you think back, is it ever weird to think you were a part of that time in music history?

Brittany: Honestly it makes me feel old, haha. At the time I didn’t think about a moment in history, my music taste has changed so much but I am proud of what we accomplished and always serious about the music we made. Our daughter does refer to it as old-time music now.

Shannon: I thought we were the coolest thing since sliced bread. It was such a supportive group of musicians and we learned a lot from the scene. We toured mostly back then from other bands hosting shows and swapping gigs, it seems like that’s not as big of a thing as it used to be. I was young and infant-like in my musical taste but it did open my eyes to more genres by being a part of that time.

Kendra: Around that same time, life took an unexpected turn and you stepped away from music. What did you do between then and forming Shannon Clark & the Sugar, and was there a singular moment that each of you felt ready to create again? Did one of you feel ready before the other?

Shannon: I didn’t do much, I’d pick up a guitar once and a while but I didn’t write anything for over three years. I wrote one song for my daughter the night before her funeral then nothing for years. Then as the kids got older and would want to sing or create, we started exploring music again. I started writing about my kids at that point.

Brittany: I remember hearing Shannon singing our song “Carry Me” about our daughter. He was just starting to write again and when I heard it, it sparked something in me, and I wanted that love and healing power of creating music to be a part of our lives again and we slowly started to play and write together once more. It’s something hard to step away from but a true musician I think always comes back to it.

Kendra: So I read this is a family band. Then I looked at the pictures and before I found the answer – I was like, are they siblings? Cousins? There was no way I would have ever guessed this was parents and their daughter. Do you get that a lot?

Shannon: Not as much as I’d like, haha. We started our family young. I appreciate that comment though, we have always been fun energetic parents and we are very close as a family and as friends.

Brittany: Those of us who want to feel young, feel young. Those of you who want to feel old, feel old. I love this comment/question!

Kendra: Kendra: With the parental units being so musical, was no one surprised when Navie started to shine musically?

Shannon: She started singing harmonies to Ryan Admas songs at 7 on our kitchen table; she always loved to sing. She sang with Glen Hansard in front of thousands of people when she was four. so one was surprised.

Brittany: We never pushed our kids into it though. We created an environment of music and creativity, but no pressure. We wanted the kids to love it but if they were interested in other creative pursuits, we let them. Our son is into science and loves to build things. He likes to sing, but not like Navie did.

Navie: I have always loved singing and performing. I can’t imagine my world without it.

Kendra: I have talked to siblings and couples but I don’t think any family bands like this. For them, they tend to say that the family dynamic never comes into play when it comes to music. They’re all equals. Is that how you three roll as well?

Shannon: Interesting questions…I’m not going to lie and say we don’t argue as a family when we are practicing music because we do. We try to be equals, we all add to the music and we all try to work together but like any band or any family sometimes being a parent and a child in a band can have ups and downs.

Navie: I always feel like I should have as much input as everyone else and I do, but obviously my parents have more experience but that doesn’t mean I give up easily. I do love to argue.

Kendra: Let’s talk about your May 2021 release, ‘Marks on the Wall.’ It’s far from the pop-punk you used to do, but still has an alternative edge to it, but if you had to compare this album’s overall sound to a place in Darke County, where would be and why?

Shannon: Darke County is a very rural farming community. Born from hard work, long hours, and late nights. The people here mostly are proud and deeply rooted in family and tradition. They have strong opinions on matters close to them. Typically, communities like this I would say are not very artful or creative but Greenville is special, we have a Center for the Arts and a smaller group that brings culture and variety to our town. The record reflects some of that with tales of prohibition moonshining (Red River) to dealing with Alzheimer’s (Blank), it really is rural Midwest Americana music and it reflects in the cornfields and the wide-open spaces.

Kendra: It should be wherever the IT place is because this single, “Let It Ride,” had what the OG ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell would call the IT factor. From start to finish, amazing. Can you tell us a little more about how this song came to be?

Brittany: We wanted to have just a simple, honest song. If you listen to the record enough, you’ll come to know a lot about us. “Let it Ride” is an anthem and very much the prevailing attitude in these parts, we deal with it, and move on.

Shannon: The funny thing is this song was originally just a soundcheck in the studio, we were warming up the first night to get levels and just started jamming it. Before we knew it the producer, Mark Howard, was like “cool we got it.” We were confused at first but he had the tape running and we had created this beautiful take that’s on the record. No pressure, so we did what the song says…we “Let it Ride.”

Kendra: When you break down “Marks on the Wall” which three songs, in particular, would you say best represent each of you and your musical aesthetics and abilities?

Brittany: “Houses” because Mark pushed me out of my comfort zone and I did things I was very proud of.

Shannon: “Thousand Times” for me because I had to let go of the original idea for the song. This song was not supposed to be on the record, but I played it for Mark one day before we started recording and he loved it, so we wrote the rest of it in the studio on the fly. It’s very different from what I normally write and was special to me.

Navie: “Blank,” I am so proud of this song and Mark really pushed me to sing soft and create interesting harmonies and I just love the feel of it, but “Grumpy Sun” is definitely an anthem for me!

Kendra: Lastly, it’s getting a little easier with the vaccine rollouts, but it’s still kind of hard to have a definite answer when it comes to future plans given the current state of everything, but as far as what you can control when it comes to your career and creativity – what do you have planned in the coming months for yourself?

Shannon: Yes, it has been rough. I’m so proud of this record and I wanted to tour with it and share it with music lovers but it’s so hard to book big tours right now. We are trying however, we have some small tours booked throughout the spring and summer, and we are going to aim for a bigger tour in the late fall, early winter. Also just keep promoting online and hopefully, when things get better, we will get the chance to share more with people.

The post Ride with Shannon Clark & the Sugar appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra: From when you started messing around with music to when you took that next step, it was about three years. What prompted you to start thinking about music as something you could do as a career instead of just a hobby?

J’honny: My friends and random people who would happen to hear me record made me consider putting together my first project. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, and from the responses, I get from my music I’m a damn good shot. It wasn’t an easy process though because criticism is sometimes tough to digest but it comes with the game. That’s not something that’s going to stop me though.

Kendra: It’s gotten better in recent years, but for a long time therapy and the Black community weren’t something we saw too often. You’ve noted that music was your release, was that because you were on the fence about traditional therapy, but wanted…needed a way to get your thoughts out?

J’honny: Absolutely, I used music as my therapy for some of those exact reasons. There aren’t too many people you can open up to without getting some type of shunning response. And there are some things you can’t talk to your relatives about. Most therapists in my area aren’t Black and don’t have any knowledge of the Black community, so it was kind of like me getting these thoughts out than listening to myself vent over and over again and breaking down the issues while reciting the lyrics.

Kendra: Along with needing some form of release, you’ve also mentioned how horror movies served as a bit of inspiration for you. If you could go back and have any of your songs in a horror movie, which song, movie, and scene would you choose and why?

J’honny: I like this question; one of the songs I envision being in a horror film is “I Can’t Lose,” and the movie I imagine it in is ‘Final Destination’ right at the end when you think it’s over, then death starts the chain of killing again.

When the credits begin to roll, that’s when it should be played. Because the song is about having all the nicest things possible but you will still end up in the same place regardless because death doesn’t lose. Apologies if it got dark, but horror isn’t a bright place.

Kendra: This last year has been well, a lot, for many but on top of everything going on in the world – you had a baby girl in 2020. How did becoming a father, during a pandemic, during a time of so much racial tension, shape the music you wanted to make going forward as well as what you wanted to do with your career?

J’honny: Man it was the greatest and worst feeling ever. I’m so proud and happy to have a beautiful healthy little girl, but when all that was going on I felt selfish by bringing her into all this madness. It’s already a lot to be wary of as a Black man but now as a Black parent, I have to be even more aware than just myself.

The pandemic helped with creativity, as well as the protests. I had the opportunity to join a couple of them and just seeing all of us united was beautiful. I pushed ‘Euphoric Metamorphosis’ back during that time just so I could bask in that unity. Plus, if it wasn’t the right time, I wouldn’t have felt right.

Kendra: You’ve dropped a couple of records in the past two years, how do you feel you’ve grown as a lyricist from your 2019 debut to 2020’s ‘Euphoric Metamorphosis?’

J’honny: I think I’ve grown more in production value, flow, and creating different pockets a lot better. I wouldn’t call myself a lyricist per se but there are some songs where I get some bars off, but people tend to gravitate toward my melodic records more.

Kendra: It’s hard to have a definite answer when it comes to future plans given the current state of everything, but as far as what you can control when it comes to your career and creativity – what do you have planned in the coming months for yourself?

J’honny: I learned that the hard way last time I “planned.” I think this year I’m going to try and implement a different sound into my arsenal. I’ve been listening to a bit of Daft Punk lately and I’ve been working with an animation artist on my next visual. Also more getting some more merch for my supporters. All in all, just wanting positive energy for everyone.

The post J’honny Just Can’t Lose appeared first on ZO Magazine.

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Kendra: The guitar that you felt you’d ignored too long that eventually kick-started you to making ‘Home Movies Are Time Travel,’ what would you say is the most cathartic song the two of you have made together thus far?

Superdestroyer: Oh wow, yeah that’s a good question. I think that the song-making process, in general, is fairly cathartic for me, but especially anything where I yell a lot haha. Maybe “1-800-GOLFTIPS” just because it is a pretty aggressive song. I took up drumming about eight months ago and I’ve found it to be therapeutic to just play drums until I’m tired. This album is mostly about the appreciation of the people I love in life, so I think just living in that headspace was probably good for me.

Kendra: After the two of you had the content of the new album ready to go, it only took a week to record. That was the end of April, so you’d probably been quarantining a while by then. Did you plan on making new music this year or were you itching to do something by that point?

Superdestroyer: Before I recorded this album, I had just received masters for an entire LP that I ended up scrapping because I liked this album so much more. I record pretty frequently–I actually think I have more unreleased than released songs right now. I’ve had some extra time lately so whenever I have an idea I sit down and record it. Lately, things have been coming together pretty quickly so I’ve been capitalizing on that. I definitely knew I wanted to release something this summer, I just didn’t know it’d be ‘Home Movies.’

Kendra: You’ve noted this album was written for your pet hamster, Daphne. I think anyone who has a record revolving around them would get a bit of an ego. Has it gone to Daphne’s head at all?

Superdestroyer: Haha, Daphne lives a better life than I do, but despite that, he is quite the mannerly little guy. He’s been keeping me company during the quarantine so he’s earned a shout out. Plus, no one has ever given me better feedback.

Kenda: Looking at the record now, which team on “Legends of the Hidden Temple” do you feel would best represent the overall tone of the album?

Superdestroyer: Oh, Blue Barracudas hands down because that was my favorite team. Maybe an episode where they compete with the Orange Iguanas because this album is shades of blues and greens with hints of orange in my head.

Kendra: ‘Home Movies Are Time Travel’ made me think, what if they were? What if those old school, antiquated VHS home movies were little portals to the past but the influx of video recordings due to technological advances bogged down the portal system so now we’re all stuck in this continuous loop? Okay, I went a little out there. A simpler question, do you think the fact that everyone has a little video recorder in their pocket today has taken away the charm of home movies?

Superdestroyer: Don’t even get me started on space-time. I am incredibly fascinated by notions of time and space and how the two are intertwined with perception. In my real life, it’s something that I actually have to read a lot of philosophy about, so it’s something I find myself thinking about a lot. Like, if time travel can only occur from the point time travel is created, and if we couldn’t interact with the past in a meaningful way, then we are essentially participating in a very limited form of time travel.

We can be in the crowds at historic events, we stand next to historical figures and see moments occur in real-time, and most importantly, we can revisit some of our favorite moments shared with people that we love.

I think the fact we can all document our time and make that accessible to others is amazing. We all get to work on these small-scale immortality projects where people will be able to know us—or at least a public version of us—in a way that is very thorough. We have videos, pictures, social media, etc. that work as modern journals that people can sort of immerse themselves within on a whim. To me, that seems a lot like time travel. Moments exist longer than a moment now. I have no idea why I think about this so frequently but it’s something I’ve really been into lately.

Kendra: On top of ‘Home Movies Are Time Travel,’ you have a live album called ‘Pets’ that you said you’ll be updating this summer. What exactly is a live album and is it something that’s ever complete?

Superdestroyer: I don’t know how long live albums have been around, but I’ve only become familiar with them over the past few years. They’re albums that are updated after release. Sometimes people will intermittently update over months, sometimes it’s only immediately after the release that people really bother, but my goal is to just sort of cycle back to ‘Pets’ after every few albums and see if there’s anything I’d like to change. I suppose it could be finished, but it’s as likely that you only think it’s finished until you realize you want to change something. It’s not something I’d like to do with all of my music, but for that album, I feel like there are still things I’d like to revisit and rework here and there. ‘Pets’ is essentially three songs re-recorded plus four new, so the album was recorded in the spirit of improvement.

Kendra: Usually, this is where I ask people what they have planned in the coming months but with the world in a strange place right now, plans aren’t as concrete as they typically are. You can go ahead and let us know what you have tentatively planned but can you also share a song that never fails to get you through when the world around you feels like a mess?

Superdestroyer: Well, I’ve recorded the majority of another LP, but it isn’t quite done yet and I don’t know when it’ll be out. I also recorded a collaborative EP with Leave Nelson B that we might try to release this year. He’ll have an LP out in September that he just sent me and it’s unbelievable how good it is. For the near future, I’ll probably just be working on stuff for Lonely Ghost. We released some very cool music lately. Winnebago Vacation released a song called “Can’t Say” that reminds me of Caring is Creepy by The Shins and I’m in love with it. Slimfit also released an EP called “There’s Never a Reason Not to Party!” that people could check out.

A song that helps me get through stuff is “Before I Move Off” by Mount Kimbie. It has a melancholic, sort of dissonant, ambient sound that seems to comfort me whenever I’m struggling. I highly recommend their music in general!

Superdestroyer’s ‘Home Movies Are Time Travel’ drops August 14, 2020.

The post Superdestroyer: Time Traveling Hamsters appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Emily Keener started her journey as an Americana darling but has since evolved into a mature indie-folk force to be reckoned with. Not afraid to wear it all on her sleeve, she is baring her soul and then some on her May 22nd release, ‘I Do Not Have to Be Good.’ We talked about her changing up styles, the new album, and more in what is our second back and forth.

Kendra: Last time we talked it was 2017. ‘Breakfast’ was out and topics like your time on ‘The Voice’ were on the table. It’s been three years, how’ve you been?

Emily Keener: To me, 2017 feels like a lifetime ago. I’ve been doing well and putting a lot of focus into the creation of the record I’m releasing in May. As soon as I released ‘Breakfast,’ I was in the studio working on demos for this new project. It was a challenging process with many twists and turns, but well worth it.

Kendra: Since then you’ve changed your style and overall sound. You’ve done away with the Americana girl next door and have replaced her with a more mature indie-folk woman who isn’t afraid to let her various moods shine bright. Were there personal highs and lows that came with that transition over the past few years that led to this artistic transition?

Emily Keener: Absolutely. My songwriting has always been my way of expressing what’s going on in my innermost world, so I think the music deepened with me as I matured and began to navigate more complex experiences. I feel most authentic when I’m able to articulate my emotions through lyrics. I like my style and sound to reflect that openness, even if it’s uncomfortable for me sometimes. When I’m on stage and when I’m recording, I want to bring everything to the table and embrace the full depth of feelings. That’s the most meaningful approach for me.

Kendra: It’s not uncommon for artists to switch gears in terms of genre. P!nk was rapping when I was in middle school and now’s a mainstream pop artist. Then you have Madonna who has adopted so many styles, she’s almost run out at this point. So for you to go from Americana to indie folk, it’s not unheard of, but like Madonna – do you think you’ll continue to try your hand at new genres as you evolve and grow with each passing year?

Emily Keener: Yes, and I look forward to experimenting in this way! I don’t restrict myself to any one vein of music as a listener, so I don’t plan to restrict myself as a creator either. Whether or not I’ll be able to genre-cross in an artful way is yet to be determined, but I’ll try my hand at anything. Honestly, when judgment is set aside, even terrible attempts can be really fun.

Kendra: Your last couple of releases had what they say, a lot of cooks in the kitchen. So there were a lot of hands doing this and that, that wasn’t necessarily yours. Now, you seem to be the head chef on ‘I Do Not Have to Be Good.’ Would you say this album is your independence day in a way?

Emily Keener: This album was the first time I really stepped into the light and started making production decisions. On previous projects, I was still so green and my focus was more centered on learning from the creators around me. Those experiences helped me understand the recording process, and how to use the studio as an instrument. I started to feel comfortable enough to voice my ideas and explore new avenues. Dalton Brand and I co-produced the record, and he gave me a lot of breathing room to experiment. His production choices elevated mine, and vice versa. I feel good about the direction that we moved in and even better about being in the driver’s seat this time.

Kendra: Again, you’re not one to shy away from darker content, but has there ever a time you a song has come to mind and you thought…okay, maybe that’s a little too dark, pitch-black even?

Emily Keener: I hardly ever shy away from an idea, no matter how dark it is. Writing is my catharsis for difficult emotions, so I don’t usually stop myself. Whether or not I finish the song and perform it is another thing entirely. There are a few tunes I’ve set aside because they feel overly-dramatic. Going back and listening to those one’s kind of feels like flipping through an old diary. I’ll give it a “yikes, girl. Chill.” and then move on.

Kendra: Let’s talk about “Boats” and the idea of these treasured relationships we all have. I think now, more than ever, we’re realizing how important the people in our lives are due to not being able to see them like we used to. How much does this song mean to you now amidst all the craziest we’re dealing with right now?

Emily Keener: Releasing “Boats” feels more topical and meaningful than I had expected it to. Obviously, our new world situation kind of came out of the blue. Relationships of all kinds are being tested, and I know a lot of us are reevaluating the connections in our lives. The people that really matter to us, the things we may have taken for granted, the love we value the most. This has been on my mind and heart a lot. My hope is that the song can be a comforting reminder that even when we’re apart, we can still find ways to express love and appreciation for each other.

http://youtu.be/M4LGNy8Lj2k

Kendra: Usually, this is where I ask people what they have planned in the coming months but with the world in a strange place right now, plans aren’t as concrete as they typically are. You can go ahead and let us know what you have tentatively planned but can you also share a song that never fails to get you through when the world around you feels like a mess?

Emily Keener: Originally, the plan was to do some touring to support the record. That’s off the table now, so I’m trying to stay focused on the present and find other ways to connect. Even short-term plans feel strange to make, so it’s a day by day game.

These days I’ve been enjoying “In Another Life” by Sandro Perri. There’s a pared-down 5-minute version, and an unedited 24-minute version that feels like a little universe you can meditate on and get lost in. It’s dreamy and expansive; something about it has been lifting my spirits lately.

The post Emily Keener: Independence From Good appeared first on ZO Magazine.

Kendra” What initially inspired you to try your hand at music?

Henry Blaeser: Music has been my one priority for as long as I can remember. But it wasn’t until around maybe late 2016 that I shifted exclusively towards production & making my original stuff.

Kendra: Your 2019 release alongside CoastalDives, “Divey,” was part of this double single/EP. It had a more electronic vibe void of lyrical content. Different from your latest single, “Of Love.” What caused the switch in not only overall tone but the choice to add your vocals this time around?

Henry Blaeser: After recording “Of Love” with an album’s worth of vocal material, I decided it was time for a change…and to throw some people for a loop. Producers I admire like Laurel Halo, Bibio, or Yves Tumor have more of a “portfolio” catalog occupying vocal music, instrumental/dance & score/composition realms. I wanted to keep the groundwork I set for myself as wide as possible.

Kendra: As someone who has dipped their toes in both sides, which do you feel is more emotionally cathartic to create, a song with or without lyrics?

Henry Blaeser: Both are equal – If the song is good! All elements of sound carry the potential to evoke lasting emotion during the creative process.

Kendra: Listening to “Of Love,” it’s got this sensual vibe to it. Is that something that has always come naturally to you?

Henry Blaeser: Hahaha I agree! It’s technically a love song. As I’ve boiled down which influences to embody as a vocalist, it’s felt natural to reference the crooner-ish or R&B-style approaches. My favorite vocalists are in a lot of other people’s “guilty pleasure” or “this guy is insufferable” category, but I felt I had to embrace it.

Kendra: For me, it’s been hard to be creative this year amidst all the coronavirus stuff. Has that in any way impacted your creative spark or are you relishing in the downtime?

Henry Blaeser: The crisis has gifted me with an extremely productive time. It somehow has helped me further reassess priorities. I’ve also entered the early stages of a new project of which I have excessively high hopes for.

Kendra: Usually, this is where I ask people what they have planned in the coming months but with the world in a strange place right now, plans aren’t as concrete as they typically are. You can go ahead and let us know what you have tentatively planned but can you also share a song that never fails to get you through when the world around you feels like a mess?

Henry Blaeser: I can definitely say that my next release(s) are unwaveringly in motion unless the internet somehow crashes due to overuse amidst the crisis. And I have a playlist dedicated to combating less-than-optimal days/moods. The spearhead track is 2005’s “All The Wine” from The National. Never-ever fails!

The post Henry Blaeser: High Hopes Of Love appeared first on ZO Magazine.