MELISSA MICKELSON: INTERVIEW

May 16, 2018

INTRO BY KAT VISTI

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

Being raised in an Air Force Family caused Melissa Mickelson to move around from base to base, but there was one thing that always went with her: country music. Melissa quickly developed a fan base and she has spent the last four years touring across the Pacific Northwest. Outside of music, Melissa is an activist for female empowerment and body positivity. She often sheds light on the importance of hard work and determination, and encourages female’s to take charge and be their own boss, her own success proving so. We interviewed Melissa to learn more about her latest song "Hold On" and her upcoming tour dates.

When was the moment that you realized you wanted to be a musician?

"I was singing 'I'm Proud To Be An American' in the fourth grade talent show. I remember people stopping to listen. I kept that how special that feeling was to myself for a very long time. It wasn't until about four years ago that I decided to let everyone else in on the secret."

Who are some of your musical influences?

"I grew up with classic country music. I would say my music influences lay somewhere between Johnny Cash and Bonnie Raitt."

How would you describe your music in three words?

"Real. Soulful. Fun."

You recently released your latest song titled “Hold On.” Can you tell us a little about the song and the inspiration behind it?

"I wrote this song because my husband has worked the night shift for so long. He's a first responder and it’s just about taking the time to make time. Making sure that you hold on to each other in the crazy life."

In the past few years you have shared the stage with artists such as Trent Harmon, Joe Nichols and Bailey Bryan. What were these experiences like for you?

"Amazing. I enjoy watching artists in their element and watching the crowd interact."

Do you have any advice for people wanting to get their start in the music industry?

"Keep your chin up. There will be a lot of 'no's' before anyone says 'yes'. Believe in what you do!"

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

"I am still writing songs and playing shows! I hope to have a music video in the near future! You can check out my upcoming shows on my website and social media!"

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MAURO: INTERVIEW

May 15, 2018

INTRO BY KAT VISTI

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

At just 10 years old Mauro composed his first album which led him to headlining concerts and touring the world. Mauro's impressive list of accomplishments continues to grow as he continues to be recognized as one of the young rising stars in international music. His latest song “Dubstep Heart” spent its first week hit #1 on the Pop Chart of Beat100 with 80,000+ plays as well as being named one of NY Music Hits (NYC) Best Pop Hits of 2017. Mauro is currently working on a new album and over at Unclear Mag we got more information on it as well as learned more about Mauro's music influences and his creative process to writing music plus much more!

When did you first become interested in music and decide you wanted to be a musician?

"I’ve been working and permanently creating in the arts since I was four, through painting, acting, writing and more and I’ve always loved music. I think it was a matter of time that these previous fields combined to give birth to my music career. When I was 10 years old I grabbed a guitar, wrote my first album and started performing. Being an artist, among many other things, means to me the creation of something which expresses the human condition. Writing and singing my own compositions would be one of the reasons why I became a musician definitely."

Who are some of your musical influences?

"The art of creating music is my major influence actually, because in all of these years I’ve been autonomous in the production and development of my craft."

How would you describe your music in three words?

"Chameleon, fire, ocean.

…A chameleon (the versatility in my music) on fire (it reflects my passion) sailing through the ocean (experiences that I convey through messages)."

We heard that you’re working on your upcoming album – is there anything you can tell us about it yet?

"I write every single day, but in the past couple months I finished 200 new songs that I fell in love with. They would be like 12 new albums but despite how much I would love to record them all, there’s an evident selection process taking place. On one hand, the compilation develops a palpable battle between reality and fantasy and an insatiable thirst for meaning, but that’s just the cream of the cake… the cherry is another story."

Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?

"Anywhere. Inspiration simply strikes. On a plane, walking through the city and in the depths of my shadows. I’ve written songs in almost every place I’ve been. In fact, yesterday while I was on my way to the airport I started singing the lyrics of a new song, so I grabbed my cell phone and captured it, and that happens all the time. When I was a kid I would dream of sounds and lyrics… now it lives inside me."

Do you find that you have the same process when creating music or does it change often?

"Throughout these sixteen years, there’s one accentuated trait in my process, its naturalness. I find myself time after time singing the songs as if the songs had already been composed, and I just love that. It feels genuine. As a whole, the process does vary according to the circumstance. It shifts continuously, yet its organic essence remains untouched."

Aside from your album, is there anything else we can expect from you in the future?

"A radical transformation with the new music. New shows and more are in the works. Stay tuned!"

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NOKAY: INTERVIEW

May 14, 2018

INTRO BY KAT VISTI

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

Nokay started singing in a local choir group in a small town in Pennsylvania. He learned how to play piano, drums, and marimba. He eventually started songwriting and writing poetry, and using his creative artistic abilities he started making music. Nokay released his debut single entitled "Fear" and recently released his four track EP, The One I Feed. In a recent interview with Nokay we learned more about his EP, his musical influences, and what we can expect from him in the future.

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

"I first started singing and playing piano when I was a young child, maybe 5 or 6 years old. But when I was in college I discovered music production and songwriting, so I started crafting my own songs shortly after that."

How would you describe your music in three words?

"Hybrid, evolving, and uncommon."

Who are some of your musical influences?

"I take a lot of cues from different aspects of a song. Vocally, Sia is one of my favorite performers because she always delivers a word or phrase like it’s very personal to her. Musically I look more to producers like Dylan Bauld, Ludwig Goransson, and Timbaland. And lyrically I tend to like more obscure or subtle songs like Lapsley and Kevin Garrett."

You recently released your debut EP, The One I Feed. Can you tell us a little about it and the process creating it?

“The One I Feed has 4 songs. 'Passenger' took the longest to complete, about 14 months or so, mostly because the instrumentation and overall style kept changing. And 'Fear' was the easiest to complete because the hook and production happened in a snap it seemed. All the songs begin from different starting points, some with lyrics, some with melody, etc., but they all undergo a process at the end of making the instrumentation and lyrics more congruent and specific to the experience they’re about."

What song off the EP would you say you’re most proud of?

"'Passenger' is my favorite song off the EP, for sure. It’s the most honest and true to a distinct experience, and there are a lot of different elements in it that converge in ways I didn’t predict when I started it."

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

"I’m really looking forward to performing and touring later this year, and I’ve already started working on songs for the next EP. I hope to release a single by December, and the EP in spring of 2019."

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GIVE ME MOTION: INTERVIEW

May 11, 2018

INTRO BY MADDEN LEVIN

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

A guy who solely hopes that people take inspiration from his music, Give Me Motion is an incredible musician and person. On his most recent tour with Secret Midnight Press, we were able to catch up with him a bit to learn about some exciting new content being released soon and why making people inspired was his main goal. Be sure to check Give Me Motion out on social media, as well as on music streaming devices. Trust us, you won’t regret it!

At what age did you realize that you wanted to be a musician?

"I sang and played piano when I was about 8, but it wasn’t until I plugged in an electric guitar and heard Weezer and Ben Folds Five that I thought that I could write songs and play on stage. I was mortified of piano recitals, but playing guitar and singing in band seemed much more feasible."

Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?

"In the moment. For me that means whether I’m just noodling on an instrument and I like the pattern and I then want to build it out into a song or I’m overcome by the emotions I’m having in reaction to an event in my life or an event that continues to be on mind. But it always comes from gettng swept away by the moment."

What was the process like creating Extra Ordinary?

"It was a long process. It took me about two years because I had a full time job and I went on a few tours. Jeremy Hatcher, the producer of the record, also was hopping between LA and Nashville and our timelines didn’t always overlap, so instead of rushing the process we just worked when we could. We recorded most of Extraordinary, WYBT, Autumn, and LDL/Indebted in one block and Usually, Now that I know it, and few unreleased tracks in another block, making small adjustments and overdubs along the way."

What song are you most proud of from the record and why?

"I’d have to say Usually Helping. I came to Jeremy with only the chord progressions, a loose melody, and the chorus of 'we are usually helping each other' sung in a lower register. So we built out the entire song with no lyrics which is very very unusual for me and I spent a lot of time writing and rewriting the lyrics. I wasn't finding anything that was working; I wasn’t even entirely sure what the song was about, but I had to finish it. After finally prompting one writing session with other songs opening lyrics I found 'shakedown 1995' helped me write the entire song. Now I think it’s my favorite song on the record."

In what ways, if at all, do you think your music has changed over the years?

"Extra Ordinary was certainly my first attempt at 'plugging-in' after years of Give Me Motoon being a primarily solo-acoustic endeavor. It’s the fastest and loudest I’ve played since being in bands like Eight Bit Brendan, Expansion Pack, Edisson and Too Hot to Kill.

I’ve also found the ukulele to be a great device for simplifying song structures and chord progressions. Having a uke a round has greatly influenced how I write music now."

What do you hope people take from your music?

"Inspiration. I want people to be inspired to do the hard things in their life and to follow their arrows like I’ve followed mine. I want to be an example that consistency and perseverance are just as important as talent."

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

"I’ll be re-releasing a 12 song album of fully remastered songs I’ve put out via YouTube over the past seven years. It’s titled 'There Goes Summer' and will be out mid May. I’ve also FINALLY FINISHED a music video for WYBTWIBT and it will be out May 14. It's got tons of great footage from my adventures on the road and out at sea. It's sure to inspire you to put some motion in your life. Also expect some live tour recordings and different versions of Extra Ordinary songs released on my Patreon!"

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MITCH BRADFORD: INTERVIEW

May 10, 2018

INTRO BY MELISSA TUCKER

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

Growing up in Brownsville, TX gave Mitch Bradford the opportunity to immerse himself into multiple genres of music. After moving to California, Mitch began embarking on his journey towards writing and performing his own music. His latest track “Love Is Kind” has given his fans the California country vibes they have been longing to hear. In his own unique genre, Mitch has been able to capture the beauty of love through his whimsical melody and heartfelt lyrics. Find out more below about the singer’s upcoming album, tour dates, and how he plans on evolving as an artist.

When was the moment that you realized you wanted to be a musician?

MITCH: "I think it’s been more of a growing trend than an exact moment. I played “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison at a sixth grade talent show. I think I knew then I liked guitars and songs. It took me longer to realize I wanted to write my own songs and sing them too."

Do you think the way you grew up influenced your decision?

MITCH: "I think the way I grew up influenced my tastes. I grew up in a border town so the idea of having many different influences – Americana, country, rock, folk, Latin rhythms – is normal to me. I think that’s reflected on the album. There are a lot of different styles on the record. Something for everyone."

How would you describe your music in your own words?

MITCH: "Americana. California country. Lyrics."

You recently released your latest song, “Love Is Kind” – can you tell us a little about the song and the process creating it?

MITCH: "The song structure came to me one night. I think it was on a Saturday. I knew it could be something. I wrote out the lyrics by hand in my apartment. And recorded a demo that night on my phone. The demo sounds similar to what we captured in the studio.

I think where the studio version elevated the track was the 'groove.' We found an amazing, warm sound for the song in the studio. And the song has a great beat. We recorded it on the first day. And what you hear is pretty much the track we recorded live."

Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?

MITCH: "I take a lot of inspiration from literature. And you also get a lot of good ideas when you run. Haha! I think some of my best musical ideas have come from a long run.

I try to get outside of my comfort zone. Listen to things that are normally outside my scope. Somebody recommended Vincente Fernandez to me and I’ve been checking him out. Pavarotti too. I think it’s good to get far outside your comfort zone."

What do you hope people take from your music?

MITCH: "The joy of falling in love."

How do you hope to continue to evolve as an artist?

MITCH: "I hope to write better songs. Grow as an artist both musically and lyrically. Stretch my voice and become a stronger, more confident singer. And give back to others through music."

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

MITCH: "Yes! We’re hard at work. I’m in the process of writing more songs for another album and we’re prepping a tour. More to come!"

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