APRIL JUNE: INTERVIEW

May 7, 2024

by martina rexrode

Rising dream-pop artist april june’s newest single “starstruck” is out on May 10th. Evoking a sense of clarity accompanied by a piano-driven instrumental, “starstruck” is just one of april’s film-inspired tracks from her forthcoming EP out this August. She taps into themes everyone is familiar with in a unique and refreshing way, making her an artist to keep an eye on this year. To keep up with april, follow her on social media (@apriljune19) and be on the lookout for her spring and summer releases!

You’re gearing up to release a new single! What can you tell us about “starstruck” and what this release adds to your growing discography?

april: “‘starstruck’ is a departure from my usual production style, as it's quite minimalistic and revolves around embracing the simplicity of its elements. The backbone consists solely of the folk-inspired acoustic guitar and slightly pitched-down vocals, which set the direction for the entire song.”

How did the film True Romance inspire the atmosphere and the lyrics of this single?

april: “I never grow tired of the final scene; Patricia Arquette's character's monologue is perfect.”

Following that same thread, I read that you have this writing exercise where you compose a song while watching a film on mute. When did you first start using this method?

april: “I remember reading an interview with Dev Hynes where he mentioned this method, and I thought it was absolutely genius. I've been using it ever since.”

Which types of films produce the songs you’re proudest of? Is there a certain cinematic vibe that you find yourself returning to again and again?

april: “Anything by Sofia Coppola or Eric Rohmer is almost always guaranteed to be a good starting point.”

Where else do you pull inspiration from for your songwriting?

april: “The way people talk about things, I always keep a little notebook on me where I try to jot down anything that catches my attention when I'm out and about.”

I don’t know how much you can tell us about your upcoming EP, but I’d love to hear a bit about the process of putting together a longer project after focusing on singles for so long. How easy or difficult was it for you to collect a solid group of songs for an EP?

april: “I've never been into highly conceptual albums. Instead, I tend to prefer albums that read like a collection of thoughts and diary entries from a certain period of time in the life of a musician.”

Which themes does the EP tap into?

april: “Obsessive love, luck, gambling, and destiny; a bit of nostalgia (is that ever not a theme in music?); addictive personality; objects of desire.”

How are you feeling about the thought of releasing “starstruck” soon?

april: “Just like with any release, it's a mix of feeling nervous and excited at the same time.”

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THE BAND LIGHT: INTERVIEW

May 5, 2024

by sara welden

From high school theater practice to now rehearsing for shows playing alongside artists like Quarters of Change and the Jonas Brothers, THE BAND LIGHT is a Nashville based pop-rock group who are rolling out their unique and vintage sound across the country. The band took the time to chat with us about early beginnings, touring, their brand new singles, and more which you can read below!

I read that you all met through your high school’s student production of Footloose. Who or what initially prompted the conversation about starting a band and making music together?

THE BAND LIGHT: “When Footloose was canceled due to Covid, we all decided to get together and make our own versions of the songs while in quarantine to honor the excitement we all had for wanting to do the show. When that was finished, we just started writing a few songs together, and that felt so right. We knew that the connection we had through the music was special, so we just started to write more and more and build the connection with each other more and more, and then THE BAND LIGHT was a genuine product of our shared love of music and connection.”

What does your friendship look like outside of work? What do you guys do when you aren’t performing or making music?

THE BAND LIGHT: “We have the type of friendship where ‘doing things’ together isn’t a necessity. We can do anything together and it’s a blast because it’s each other, you know. But we enjoy seeing movies together, obviously making music and just jamming, and we love to go to Jack’s house to hang out. His fianceé always cooks for us and we heavily look forward to those nights. Shout out Lydia!”

Because of your theater background, I have to ask, if your music could have been the soundtrack of any musical or movie, which would it be?

THE BAND LIGHT: “Well, I think it would be wrong to not say Footloose, right? But honestly, I would say our own. It has always been a dream of ours to make a movie or musical and write the music for it. We have so many plans outside of just music that hopefully will come to fruition one day.”

You guys recently supported Quarters of Change on a few stops of their “The Portraits Tour.” What was that experience like? Can we expect some more live shows or a tour in the future from you?

THE BAND LIGHT: “The Portraits Tour was a fantastic experience. The QOC guys are the best and we really look up to them a lot. We relate to them in a lot of ways, and so it was fun to get to hang out with them and get to play some of the best shows we’ve ever played in the meantime. We are itching to get back on the road and play more as soon as we possibly can!”

Your two most recent singles “Lover Girl” and “Flower Song” are really great! What does your typical creative process look like when it comes to making songs? Who typically contributes what?

THE BAND LIGHT: “Thank you so much! Our creative process really changes with the seasons, but this upcoming cycle of songs mostly started with Konnor and Trevor; since they live together they come up with the initial rough ideas, and then they bring them to Garrett and Jack and they are fantastic at helping mold those rough ideas into fleshed out bodies of work. Sometimes the process is the other way around too. We have a very piecey creative process, but it has worked in a beautiful way.”

If you could go back and visit your high school theater selves now after all you’ve accomplished so far as a band, what would you say?

THE BAND LIGHT: “Keep going, and keep pushing. The best is yet to come. :)”

With your 2024 already off to an amazing start, what can we expect next from THE BAND LIGHT? Any items on your bucket list as a band?

THE BAND LIGHT: “We have plenty of new music to share in this next year and are extremely excited for everyone to hear it! We are also looking forward to being on the road and being able to give something to the people that have been supporting us! As for our bucket list, I know we all would love to play stadiums, get our own pinball machine, and have our own Fortnite skins.”

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PRESENCE: INTERVIEW

April 8, 2024

by mariah estran

“I started writing as a means of expression” — singer-songwriter Presence says about his work. He recalls when he was twelve and wrote his first song for his mother's birthday. It was a preliminary stage full of emotive words of love and admiration. As he grew older, he never lost that vulnerable side. Instead, he grew closer to it.

“When I got to high school, I started posting videos of my songs, and then people resonated with them,” he recalls. “It was this realization of, ‘Oh, okay, people do appreciate honesty and vulnerability.’ So, it is something that I should keep doing, and I have.”

Now, in 2024, Presence is preparing to release his debut album. He’s already dropped his single “SCARED OF THE FALL!” and listeners got a glimpse into his elasticity when it comes to sound. Working alongside producer Sweater Beatz and Gianni Taylor, the pop-punk sound packs a punch as he sings about growing from the personal obstacle of being secluded.

As he’s created his upcoming album, he’s become more confident as an artist — proud of the finished product.

Presence took a moment to tell us more about “SCARED OF THE FALL!,” what it’s been like creating a debut album, and sharing vulnerable stories.

You’ve recently released “SCARED OF THE FALL!” I understand it's the fear of learning how to open up. But what more can you tell us about the story behind the track?

Presence: “I worked with producer Matthew Rad, and we made some super cool stuff. I remember going home; I felt so pumped about what we wrote. Laying in bed that night, I was like, ‘Man, this was a perfect day.’ Then, there was that fear. This serendipity immediately turned into this unnerving feeling of ‘something bad is probably going to happen.’

The last time I remember feeling that was when I had left the country for the first time. I got back home, and I was pumped to tell my dad. On the drive back home, he's like, ‘While you were gone, we didn't want to worry you, but we have to go to a funeral.’ Then, ‘Actually, your mom is taking care of grandma because she's been in the hospital sick. And Uncle Michael, his liver failed, he's in the hospital.’

All of these things happened at once. So, for a long time after that, I became very closed off for an extensive amount of time. I cut off a lot of people in my life and made many decisions that I inevitably regretted.

That's what this song is about. It's that period, also me growing out of that and not realizing I had. I opened up to my co-writer Gianni and Sweaters about what I'm telling you now. Then we wrote ‘SCARED OF THE FALL!’ in a few hours. It was the most therapeutic experience — the process that got me over the hump.”

Your music tackles these deep topics, whether that be heartbreak or even things like depression. Why is it important to share these vulnerable sides with your listeners?

Presence: “I started writing as a means of expression. The first song that I wrote — I was twelve years old, and it was my mom's birthday. So it was like a means of expressing this feeling towards someone that I love.

But even that stems from going to therapy prior — I used to have panic attacks — my therapist used to say, ‘Write down your feelings — that might help out.’

How I started affected the trajectory of what I kept doing — in regards to writing, that's all I knew how to do. When I got to high school, I started posting videos of my songs, and people resonated with them. It was a realization of, ‘Oh, okay, people appreciate honesty and vulnerability.’ I should keep doing that.”

You’re about to release your debut album. What has it been like creating this larger body of work and working with producers for the first time?

Presence: “For a long time, pre-releasing music, there was a lot of stress because I felt a lot of imposter syndrome.

The process of working with other people and creating this larger body of work — I'm confident enough to say I'm proud. These stories will resonate with people and are worth being told.

I feel better about the music because I've crafted a vision. Writing the songs alone was super healing. Like in the moment, I wasn't thinking about that (the album), I was thinking about making the best song — getting these feelings off my chest. It was super therapeutic writing ‘SCARED OF THE FALL!’ We just repeated that process twelve more times.”

I want to mention your sound. You’ve always had this way of mixing pop with heavier, alternative vibes. But how would you say your sound has evolved?

Presence: “My sound has evolved as I have as a person. Sonically, we wanted to take people through all of these different journeys. Even though the music is super emotional, it's not all-somber. Each song has its personality, which goes hand in hand with how I feel daily. I don't know who I'm going to be tomorrow.

There's an R&B track, a pop-punk track, and a piano ballad. I'm excited to show people what I'm capable of. I boxed myself in for a while — this is what I have to do. Nobody would know if I didn't at least try it.”

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HOPE VISTA: INTERVIEW

March 26, 2024

by abby crabill

Hope Vista, former lead vocalist of alt-rock band, VISTA, is continuing her music journey by consistently adding new songs to her music portfolio. Her single “Worst for You” is one of the newest additions to the list. The 2000s-inspired track combines with R&B to create a dark pop sound that defines Hope's unique style. She has also become more involved with demoing out and pre-producing her own songs, to ensure the sound is just right. It's safe to say that we can expect a lot of new music from Hope Vista throughout this year.

How did you first start getting interested in creating music?

Hope: “My dad was an incredible jazz guitarist. I used to observe him playing guitar at home, and he was truly a master of his craft. Jazz music was in his soul. I wasn’t interested in playing jazz music as a kid, but I knew music was something I also wanted to do just by watching him. He inspired me to explore this creative craft.”

For those who may not know, how would you describe your current sound?

Hope: “I’ve been calling it ‘phantom pop’ lately. Dark, eerie, rooted in pure pop. Some nostalgic Y2K production thrown in, but still synth based and following pop structures.”

What are some key similarities between your current music, and that of your former band, VISTA? What are some key differences?

Hope: “I don’t really think there are many similarities sonically. VISTA was very alt rock, my solo music is pop-based. VISTA did utilize a lot of synth elements towards the back half of our discography, but it was still established as a subgenre of rock. I don’t really lean that way as a solo artist.”

What is your favorite aspect of creating music/performing?

Hope: “I’ve only played one show since the COVID-19 pandemic, and I genuinely miss performing. I used to tour regularly with VISTA and it was freeing to expel my energy onstage in that capacity. I crave that kind of physical output. But writing, recording, and releasing music is a completely different beast. It’s a more tedious process, but one that’s truly rewarding on a release day when you throw your art into the world. I’ve always felt compelled to write lyrics, but I think experiencing the whole process from idea to release is fun in its entirety.”

Can you tell me a little bit about your newest single, “Worst for You?”

Hope: “It’s a very nostalgic-based kind of pop. I really live in the Y2K pop world, that era of music is one that I digest every day. I studied it growing up because it really defined pop as an entire genre. When I was piecing together the demo for this, I found myself gravitating towards different sonic elements that represented the R&B side of 2000’s pop. So I found my footing there, and tied that in with the story of a college relationship that went wayside. It packaged together really well, and the final product came out to be this super R&B leaning, guitar-driven pop track that’s held together by a strong narrative.”

How would you describe your writing/creating process?

Hope: “In the past year, I’ve started demoing out and producing my own songs. I don’t work on the final production from an engineering perspective, but I’ve been doing all of my own pre-production and songwriting. I’m finding all of these different sounds and piecing together the tracks, writing the melodies and lyrics. I used to write solely with either an acoustic guitar or just a cappella, but I found it incredibly difficult to explain to a producer what type of production I was hearing in my head when I’d write that way. Writing with a guitar or a cappella is incredibly bareboned. I needed to dig deeper than that to identify and solidify my sound now as an artist. So nowadays I sit and demo out the song in full instrumentally, and kind of hum different melodies out loud while I’m putting together those puzzles. The rest falls into place naturally.”

Currently, who are some of your favorite artists to listen to?

Hope: “JoJo, Fletcher, Tate McRae, Kacey Musgraves.”

When you're struggling to create new music, who, or what, motivates you to write?

Hope: “I like to listen to Broadway cast recordings to dig into some refreshing inspiration. Musicals are always written with such depth, and I find it motivating to pull a part the layers and find the root of the music.”

What is the most important thing that you hope your listeners will take away from your music?

Hope: “I’ve always said that I hope listeners find just a little piece of themselves in the music I write. Even if it’s a smidge — something small that connects them to one lyric in particular or the overarching story — that connection point is so important to me.”

Are there any projects/performances that we can look forward to from you in the future?

Hope: “I’m planning on releasing a lot of different music this year, aiming for one single a month to stay consistent!”

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LOGAN AVIDAN: INTERVIEW

March 24, 2024

by martina rexrode

With her latest single “CARRIED AWAY” Logan Avidan taps into her vulnerable side, opening herself up for listeners to relate to. The NYC-based singer’s influences range from Mazzy Star to SZA, highlighting the feminine power and emotions she focuses on in her own music. This single is her fourth release in just six months and is sure to give listeners an even deeper preview into what to expect from her eventual debut album.

Congratulations on the release of “CARRIED AWAY” and on the music video! What does it mean to have this specific single out for fans to hear?

Logan: “I’m somebody who can get really existential and overthink everything, so this song was a place for me to put all those feelings. I can hold onto a thought or an idea and get so carried away, but there’s always a release or realization at the end. A light at the end of the tunnel. This song is a constant reminder of that.”

It’s an introspective one! What kind of inspiration did you tap into for it? Was it something you found in your everyday life as a working model, actor and musician living in NYC?

Logan: “A lot of the inspiration came from how I was feeling about my relationship with someone. That feeling when you have so much to say but the words aren’t coming out right. Living in NYC can sometimes feel overwhelming, and when I’m overwhelmed that can oddly be inspiring because I’m stepping out of my comfort zone.”

The music video shows a realistic depiction of how someone can get both carried away in a party environment and carried away within their own mind when they’re alone. Can you elaborate on that?

Logan: “The music video shows the viewer that you can get carried away within your mind in any environment. Whether you’re at a party, on vacation, or anywhere that you’re ‘supposed’ to be having fun, you can still get carried away in your own thoughts and feel alienated.”

What can you share with us about the process of creating this music video? Who directed it and what’s their background?

Logan: “My good friend and director Savannah Kodish and I wanted to gather all of our friends for a night out. We told everyone to meet at my brother’s place in the east village where we danced and had some drinks. Then we went to another bar for a bit and then to my friend’s place in Brooklyn. Savannah and her DP Ilona Tuominen basically guided the night. This was the first of three music videos I made with Savannah and there’s more in the works! She’s from Miami, moved to NYC for college and now works as an art director. We have such a fun time working together and I can’t wait to share what else is in store!”

How does this song fit into your full body of work so far?

Logan: “For the production of the song we wanted to capture that early 2000s pop radio sound that I used to listen to growing up. Most of my work pulls inspiration from that sound and era.”

Can we expect it to be on your upcoming debut solo album, Hot And Bothered? What can you share about the album and what can listeners expect from a longer project of yours?

Logan: “‘CARRIED AWAY’ will definitely be on the album! I feel like nothing is ever officially done until it’s out because there’s always room for change and I like to surprise myself.”

Is there one big goal you have for yourself once your album drops? And what’s next for you artistically whether it’s music, acting, or modeling?

Logan: “My goal is to continue learning and growing and letting music guide me to new and unfamiliar roads!”

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