THE READY SET: INTERVIEW

May 4, 2018

BY KAT H. WENTZELL

Let’s go back to 2010. Ke$ha is waking up with a bottle of Jack, Ludacris’ chick is bad, and Rihanna just wants someone to make her feel like the only girl in the world. You tap into your iPhone to launch fowl at green pigs in Angry Birds during the commercials of Jersey Shore. Little kids all over the world are going mental for Disney’s latest animated flick, Tangled. Life is pretty good, and there is another talented individual that can be credited for this year’s iconic status: The Ready Set.

Jordan Witzigreuter, also known as The Ready Set, is a singer, songwriter, and producer from Indiana. In March of 2010, Witzigreuter dropped his debut single, “Love Like Woe,” a catchy pop anthem that instantly became a classic. The song peaked at #1 on Billboard’s “Heatseekers” song list and #27 on Billboard’s “Hot 100.” Witzigreuter’s face and quintessentially “emo” fringe could be found in almost every form of pop culture media at the time, from advertisements on MTV to posters in J-14.

Since “Love Like Woe,” Witzigreuter has released a few more smash hits (“Young Forever,” “Life in Pink”) and was even featured on a few Pop Goes Punk records. He also started a side band and dyed his hair funky colors once or twice. There is no telling what The Ready Set will do next, but we’ve got some intuition... or maybe we’re just superstitious.

You recently signed to Hopeless Records. What was it like producing your most recent full-length record, I Will Be Nothing Without Your Love, with them?

Witzigreuter: "I was with Hopeless for about a year and it was great! I had already been working on IWBNWYL for a while before I signed, so the process [with the company] was pretty much just wrapping up the production and writing, and then handing the songs over. It was very much entirely in my hands on the creative end, which I loved. I think that opened me up to a lot more potential of what I could make TRS."

IWBNWYL comes off very raw and honest. What was the writing process like for this album? What were the driving influences of the record?

Witzigreuter: "[IWBNWYL] definitely is; that album was written during a somewhat odd transitional point in my life where I wasn’t exactly sure what I was really doing. It’s the culmination of a lot of wasted time and poor decision making, but ultimately an important step. The driving influences were fairly personal and real to me, more so than on previous records. [I was influenced by] a lot of happy tropical sounds too, which I thought were cool to offset the slightly sadder lyrical themes [of the album]."

Your debut single, “Love Like Woe,” came out eight years ago. How has The Ready Set changed and/or evolved since then?

Witzigreuter: "I think I’ve just gotten better overall at writing, producing, singing… all of it. I made that song when I really didn’t know what I was doing; I was sort of just making songs, seeing which ones people liked, and going from there. Since then, it’s all definitely become a much more calculated process, but I often find myself trying to get back into that headspace where [the process] is entirely pure and new."

What TRS song(s), whether it/they be from a past album or from the most recent one, would you recommend to someone that has never heard your music before? Why that/those song(s)?

Witzigreuter: "I think I’d recommend one of the newer ones--probably 'Life in Pink' or 'No Halos.' I think they both sum up the different ends of the project to me, lyrically, melodically, and sound-wise."

What are a few of your favorite memories as The Ready Set?

Witzigreuter: "[There are] too many to count… I think the earliest tours stand out a lot to me: cramming seven people into a hotel room, playing to tiny crowds, but feeling that something was growing, and that the potential was there. I think I’m always chasing the feeling of growing momentum, and things feeling new and on the brink. That’s the most valuable thing to really make sure you take in."

You mentioned on your Instagram that you have written and produced music for other artists (Lindsey Stirling, for example). What was that like? Do you see yourself doing more work like that in the future?

Witzigreuter: "The song with Lindsey was great! Making a Christmas song in the summer is always odd and cool. I’ve actually been doing a lot of production for other artists; it’s a good chunk of what I spend my non-TRS time doing. It’s definitely become more and more of a focus for me, while also definitely inspiring me to do more of my own stuff."

What is Nekokat? Why did you create it, and where do you see it going? Will there be any new music/live shows coming from Nekokat soon?

Witzigreuter: "Nekokat is the other band I’m in with Jess Bowen (from The Summer Set) and Cameron Walker, whom I write with for tons of other projects, including TRS. We’ve been slowly putting out singles and EPs over the past couple years, but I think we’ve got some really really cool stuff coming out soon. We’d love to get on the road with that project and see what happens; we’re all super passionate about the music."

Will The Ready Set be releasing a record anytime soon? What can fans expect from TRS in the future? Are there any important upcoming dates/events that fans should know about?

Witzigreuter: "I’m not sure about a full length TRS album right now; I’m in the process of finishing up the second EP that coincides with the most recent one I put out, 'V1.' 'V2' is maybe halfway done, so once I finish that, we’ll see where my brain takes me. Most likely a full album will result!"

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IRENE GREENE: INTERVIEW

May 3, 2018

INTRO BY JOE HERNANDEZ

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

Irene Greene is an emerging singer-songwriter from Philadelphia describing herself as a “moody vampire singing moody songs.” Being raised on artists such as Joni Mitchell, The Beatles and David Bowie, the influence from these legendary artists lay the foundation for her work while she brings these nostalgic sounds into the modern music world with a blend of the indie, electronic and R&B genres of today. She recently made her debut in April 2018 with her single “Platinum Baby.”

When and how did you first get your start in music?

IRENE: "As a kid I was exposed to lots of different types of music, mostly 70s artists like David Bowie and Joni Mitchell. When I was 12 my grandmother urged me to learn the piano, and it was all downhill from there."

For those who don’t know you yet, what would you tell them about your music as a bit of an introduction?

IRENE: "My music is sad and spooky, just like the person writing it. A guy in a bar once described me as Punk Patsy Cline, and I identify with that quite a bit."

Who are some of your musical influences?

IRENE: "Kate Bush, Fiona Apple, David Bowie, Jane Birkin."

You recently released your debut single, “Platinum Baby”. Can you tell us a little about the song and the inspiration behind it?

IRENE: "Platinum Baby is a self deprecating, but sweet confession of love to my partner. That despite all the stuff that has gone wrong in my life, I deserve true love."

Was it hard to choose a song for your debut? Why did you initially choose “Platinum Baby”?

IRENE: "It wasn’t hard to decide because I felt that I captured a semi-happy moment of my life in Platinum Baby, which as you’ll find out is hard for me to do. I wanted to start out on the right foot before I get to all the really dark shit."

Is there anything else we can expect from you soon?

IRENE: "I’m putting out a spooky, 1960s inspired music video for “Platinum Baby”, co-starring my partner Mason Summit so be on the lookout!"

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BROKENCYDE: INTERVIEW

April 27, 2018

BY KAT H. WENTZELL

Scene queens and kings, rejoice! The legendary Brokencyde is making a comeback in 2018. Brokencyde is a crunkcore group from Albuquerque, New Mexico comprised of David "Seven" Gallegos and Michael "Mikl" Shea. Brokencyde is most popular for its screamo dance hits such as “Freaxxx” and “Teach Me How to Scream,” as well as its unapologetically “DGAF” attitude. Raccoon eyeliner, helmet hair, and high top Converse may have died with the “scene” scene, but Brokencyde has not. In fact, the boys are back and better than ever.

Your most recent album, All Grown Up, was released four years after Guilty Pleasurez. What was the writing/producing process like for AGU?

Shea & Seven: "All Grown Up was our first independent album since we started Brokencyde back in ‘05. [Before writing it,] we were fresh out of our record deal with Suburban Noize, and we [knew we] wanted to take [our next record] back to our roots, to when BC13 was just a duo. We recorded the album where we felt most comfortable, in Sev’s home studio, and we used beats produced by [artists] Tristan and Mike Cee to give the old school crunkcore sound."

What is the purpose of the title All Grown Up? How does this record compare to your other records?

Shea & Seven: "The album was titled 'All Grown Up' [because] we’ve grown up and have mastered our sound, and we’ve evolved into a more mature lifestyle. We’re still all about having fun and being yourself, [but now] in the most upscale way."

Brokencyde has been accredited with pioneering the “crunkcore” genre. What exactly is crunkcore? How do you think Brokencyde has influenced the genre and other artists that have followed its lead?

Shea & Seven: "Crunkcore is a lifestyle. It’s all about being yourself and being happy, with a little bit of [partying]. The sound is a mashup of hip-hop and screamo. We pioneered a sound 10 years ahead of its time. You could turn on the radio today and it’s all you’ll hear, the only difference is [that it’s] now more acceptable."

You released your debut mixtape, The Broken!, ten years ago. How has Brokencyde changed since then?

Shea & Seven: "Brokencyde started off a duo, and the only difference now is that we’re all grown up! [We’re] still the same old Brokencyde piercing through the youth’s eardrums like nails on a chalkboard."

Every musician/artist receives criticism. How do you deal with mean comments?

Shea & Seven: "We smoke a blunt and laugh about it. We’ve grown tough skin over the years and couldn’t care less about what anybody has to say. We do this for our fans and for the love of the art. Being the first to do something different is never easy."

If you could describe your music in three words, what would they be?

Shea & Seven: "Baby. Making. Music."

You both have been hinting at new music on your Instagrams for the past few months. What can you tell us about upcoming album?

Shea & Seven: "We have a lot of surprises in store, including lots of new music and videos. This new music is on a whole other level, and we’re excited to release it into the wild."

Will you be touring anytime soon? What is a Brokencyde show like?

Shea & Seven: "We will definitely be hitting the road in 2k18 so be ready to party! A Brokencyde show is unlike any other show you will go to; [there’s] lots of screaming, lots of moshing, and most importantly, [it is] a place to be yourself."

What’s in store for Brokencyde in 2018?

Shea & Seven: "Brokencyde IS 2018!!"

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STILL + STORM: INTERVIEW

April 23, 2018

INTRO BY SERA SNYDER

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

90’s grunge is the first thing you’ll think of when listening to Still + Storm, fronted by Chicago’s own Rachel Raymond. Her style is alternative indie, with an alluring yet melancholy sound. Rachel’s voice is accompanied by her partner, Dave, who assists by creating the instrumentals to make her songs really come to life. Listen to their EP “Break Away” and feel almost as if you are having a direct conversation with the two of them. The EP definitely evokes emotion, although the overall tone is not sadness, there is joy behind the scenes.

Where did you get the idea for the name ‘Still + Storm’?

"It comes from the Brand New lyric 'They say that the captain stays fast with the ship through still and storm'. I love the dichotomy of calm and chaos. We all have both within us. We also weather both within others."

How would you describe your music in three words?

"Aching, hopeful, relatable."

Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?

"In other people, usually. Maybe they have broken my heart in some way or are breaking their own. It usually comes from a place of hurt or an attempt to understand a situation."

Do you find that you have the same creative process all the time or does it change often?

"For me, it changes constantly. Sometimes the lyrics come out before the music and vice versa. I usually need to sit and be focused. Dave, however, gets ideas often and everywhere. You can find him singing into a voice memo on his phone at the grocery store. He really takes the time to channel his energy into writing. When writer’s block hits, I go to Dave. We act as sounding boards for each other, in music and otherwise."

You recently released your new video for your song ‘All of These Things’. Can you tell us a little about the song and the concept of the video?

“'All of these things are not what they seem' - it depends how deeply you choose to look. At the time, I was feeling lonely from self imposed isolation and was reflecting on my anxiety issues. The lyrics in this song are dark, but the music is purposefully hopeful. Despite my initial objections, the video features me primarily, with very little footage of Dave. We wanted to create the feeling of isolation and longing. The video was shot in Seattle by our friends Sara + Daniel, which helped incorporate my 90s grunge nostalgia."

What do you hope people take from your music?

"I love when a song speaks to some part of my life or experience. I would be honored to provide that for someone else. A soundtrack to a memory… past or future."

Is there anything else we can expect from you in the near future?

"New music, and hopefully more often."

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'17' / THE GREETING COMMITTEE: SINGLE REVIEW + INTERVIEW

April 21, 2018

REVIEW BY EMMA SCHOORS

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

The Greeting Committee’s new song “17” packs all the best types of sounds into one song.

It starts with the melodic guitars you’d expect to find in any great modern album, but leaves you wanting what’s to come when the vocals and guitars both kick in at full blast. It’s simply a song that urges you to dance. (And you should act on that urge!)

The lyrics, such as “I always thought blood was thicker than water”, are ones to remember and sing along to in your head, as the catchiness of the tune coincides with the meaning of the song. The drums aren’t overwhelming, but rather a series of claps, which is a refreshing take on what is modernly overdone in a song geared around the beat.

It’s really quite the jam, for lack of more professional words. Perhaps that’s the point. Check out our interview with lead singer Addie and the band's socials below!

When was the moment you guys first decided to make the band together?

Addie: "I had been playing music by myself for about a year or so, at least performing publicly for that long, and I just dreaded being on a stage by myself. I could hear where the drums, bass, guitar, etc. should be, but it was just me up there. I played a coffee shop show that went horribly wrong, and that was when I said enough. I called our guitarist, Brandon Yangmi, who at the time would occasionally write with or accompany me. I told him I wanted to make a band and the rest is history."

How would you describe your music in three words?

Addie: "Cry For Attention."

You just released your single “17” – can you tell us a little about the song and the inspiration behind it?

Addie: "'17' is a song I wrote about my relationship with my dad. He’s my hero, contrary to what the song will lead you to believe. Growing up and reaching for independence pushed me to make decisions I’m not exactly proud of, but also decisions that were completely necessary in discovering myself. I was your typical punk kid who wanted things done my way. It’s funny. I remember him telling me when I was younger, 'Addie, you will do whatever it takes to get what you want. It’ll serve you well one day when you’re older, but right now it’s driving me crazy,' or something along those lines. This song is me openly realizing and confessing that maybe I shouldn’t have always fought back so hard when it came to his direction or perspective.

Why did you choose “17” to be your first single off your debut album?

Addie: "It was the first song we wrote for this album that really got our team’s attention. Team meaning managers, our label, other people we trust. You have to listen to the people around you, especially when their job is to look out for your best interest."

What can we expect from the rest of the album?

Addie: "I’m unbelievably excited for this album. You can expect to hear anything from soul, amazing background vocalists, and horns to a pushing kick with driving guitar riffs to me basically crying at the mic for three minutes straight."

You’re currently on tour as support for Jukebox The Ghost. How have the shows been so far?

Addie: "The shows are AMAZING. We were not expecting to see such fun, interactive, large crowds. And Jukebox The Ghost is fantastic. They’re so kind and talented. They deserve the world."

What cities have been your favorite so far and what cities are you still looking forward to on this run of shows?

Addie: "The first night in Philly was one for the books for sure. There was an unreal energy in the air. I’m especially looking forward to Los Angeles, Portland, Columbus and Denver. Oh, and apparently Salt Lake City has some secret magic we’ve yet to see, so that’ll be exciting."

Aside from the album, is there anything else we can expect from you after the tour is over?

Addie: "We’re hoping to get a music video out for '17' which will be really cool. We’re all very passionate about the arts surrounding music, and film is my personal favorite."

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