'HIGH TIDE' / SLEEP HOUSE: PREMIERE + INTERVIEW

August 18, 2020

by emily harris

August 18th is a day set in the history books for alternative pop band Sleep House. It’s the day New Jersey natives, Nick Gardyasz, Adam Mink, Evan Marcinko, and Nick Marchinko, are set to release their newest EP, High Tide. High Tide — their most dynamic and wide-ranged release yet — is centered around the notion of hope and becoming able to accept changes in life. Originally formed in 2016, the band themselves have firsthand experience in growing and changing within the music industry. This three-track record comprises the third studio-release for the band following their Valentine’s Day dropped single entitled “Stephanie.”

High Tide fully encompasses the 70s inspired rhythm and chilled-out vibe the band is known for. It’s no surprise the band is fans of The Strokes, John Mayer, and The Beatles. Their intricate lyricism follows the pattern of that of John Mayer, their guitar riffs follow that of The Strokes, and their simple yet swelling choruses remind you of those found throughout The Beatles’s discography.

The EP’s leading track, “Skydiving in Dubai,” begins with a thirty second musical interlude, fully letting the lyrics soar when they kick in. The vocals are almost silky and easily puts the listener at ease with the easily remembered chorus. This precedes the second song, “Clementine,” a mellow song with lyrics that clearly paint a beautiful storyline — of one person telling their older self that life gets better. The EP ends with “You’re Still My Favorite Thing.” The third and final track is truly the underdog of the EP. Although starring the band’s usual sweet-sounding guitar riffs, the chorus booms with the melodious addition of a stronger guitar presence than usual. The EP ends on a simplistic note, fully bringing the EP into one cohesive image.

I’ve come to decide that their sound fits perfectly as the soundtrack to a scenic drive. Its simple and wholesome melodies allow you to focus on everything around you and put you at utter peace. If you’re looking for a band to put you at ease, look no further than Sleep House.

Prior to the release, I had the chance to talk to the band about High Tide and what their plans are for the future!

Congratulations on the announcement of High Tide! Can you tell us about what you want fans to take away from this new release?

Sleep House: “Thank you so much! We hope our fans love this record as much as we do. Coming to the studio every week to work on this EP is what kept us going during these hard times, so we hope this EP can be there for our fans too.”

What was the inspiration behind the EP title, High Tide, and the artwork of this release?

SH: “The artwork was inspired by a painting Nick M. found while he was in Arizona last summer. The music for High Tide felt very spacious and raw to us, so we wanted the artwork to reflect that. Our friend Rob hand painted the artwork himself.”

As this is your third EP, how does it feel to be releasing new music again?

SH: “It feels very refreshing! This is the longest we’ve spent working on a release, so it feels incredible to finally show everyone what we’ve been doing.”

As this EP centers around the notion of changing and growing, how do you think you’ve grown from the creation of the band to this newest release?

SH: “We’re all completely different people now! We started when we were 15, and now most of us are about to be 20 now. Our music tastes are a lot bigger than before, and the music we make has grown to sound more mature as well. One thing that has stayed intact is the joy we have making music with each other.”

What was the writing and recording process like for the first song of the EP, “Skydiving in Dubai?”

SH: “This song came really fast, writing wise, and we really felt like we could do a lot in the studio to it to spice it up more. It’s definitely the most energetic tune on the record and in our discography and I’m really proud of that one.”

What is the backstory behind the second song of the EP, “Clementine?”

SH: “Clementine was originally a song called Grace that I had written as a love song for an ex-girlfriend back in the beginning of the band. We never did much with it and kept it in our pocket until it came time to figure out what we wanted this record to look like, and because of it’s summertime feel to it, I felt I could rework it and make it a more unique and interesting song. Out came Clem, which lyrically is almost a response to the old version and telling my old self that things and life gets better as life goes on.”

Can you talk a little more about the placement of the songs on the EP? Did you always want “You’re Still My Favorite Thing” to end the record?

SH: “‘Skydiving,’ because of the high energy, we felt would be a good starter to the record, and ‘Clementine’ after it allows for the energy to stay but also brings it down to a chill vibe a bit. We definitely knew ‘Favorite Thing’ was a special one and would be a perfect ending for the EP from the beginning. The progression from high energy to complete chill vibes we felt was a perfect order for the EP to be in.

What new things can we expect from you after this EP drops?

SH: “We have lots more surprises with High Tide to come, as well as shows hopefully sometime soon, and we’ll definitely be releasing more music down the road.”

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GEORGIA KU: INTERVIEW

August 17, 2020

by pankhuri bhutani

Hailing from Los Angeles while having her roots from England, this artist started her journey in the music industry as a songwriter. Having written songs for some iconic artists like Rita Ora, Fifth Harmony, Skrillex, and Kiiara, she also penned the platinum collaboration “Scared To Be Lonely” by Martin Garrix and Dua Lipa.

Georgia Overton, who goes professionally by the name Georgia Ku, is not only a phenomenal songwriter but also an insanely talented singer. She has amassed over one million monthly listeners on her Spotify Channel. Her insane vocals powered NOTD & Felix Jaehn’s chart-busting international smash “So Close.” The single garnered over 214 million Spotify streams, and grabbed the nomination for “Dance Song of the Year” at the 2020 iHeartRadio Awards.

Georgia’s 2020 EP, Real (Atlantic Records) has instantly grabbed the attention of the listeners by the first single “Lighthouse.” Georgia reveals insights into her music journey and hints on upcoming projects in an interview with Unclear!

Hi Georgia! Thank you for joining us on Unclear! For the people who have yet to be introduced to your music, kindly tell us something about yourself!

Georgia: “Thank you for having me! I started my career as a songwriter, and after a few years in the game I decided to sign a record deal! I just released me debut EP ‘Real’ which I’m so excited about and continue to write for others behind the scenes.”

When was the moment you realized you wanted to set out in the music industry?

G: “I have sung my whole life, but I decided I wanted to take it seriously when I was 16. My parents sat me down and helped me map out my future career, they supported me fully and encouraged me to go after my dreams. I went on to study music for three years before venturing out to LA, and that’s where I was fortunate enough to start my career as a songwriter.”

You just released your debut EP Real. Congratulations on that! What was the creative process like with the EP and did you face any challenges during the making of all the tracks?

G: “I tend to not go into sessions thinking I’m going to write for my project, but there was something about each of these songs, they were so specific to my story that I couldn’t give them away. I actually finished the EP during quarantine so it was a lot of finishing from home which was different but exciting and productive! I’m so proud of the journey and all of the hard work that went into these songs from their very stripped form to what they are now.”

You have garnered more than one million active monthly listeners on your Spotify Channel. How does it feel to know that your music has such a global influence?

G: “Ahh, I’m so grateful, I just love that people are listening! I love receiving messages from fans about how my music has inspired them or got them through a hard time, that’s my ultimate goal!”

You have created some phenomenal tracks till now and have worked with some amazing artists including Rita Ora, Fifth Harmony, Skrillex, Dua Lipa, Martin Garrix and many more. What is the biggest lesson that you have learned in your music journey so far?

G: “I think to believe in yourself for a start, always be willing to grow and learn your trade. There were a lot of times I was thrown into sessions I felt were too big for me, but I think knowing your own strengths and what you bring to the room is important, especially when collaborating with such talented people.”

What are you currently listening to? Who are your musical inspirations?

G: “I’ve been in kind of a throwback mood. Lauryn Hill is one my biggest inspirations so I’ve had her on repeat. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Christian worship music on the Worship Now playlist on Spotify. In this weird time, it’s really been helping to lift me up.”

What is next for you, Georgia? What can the fans expect from your upcoming projects?

G: “Right now, I have a few more features coming out very soon. I’m still writing for other artists and continue to write for myself, even during this pandemic I’m trying to stay creative otherwise I might go crazy! I would love to be doing live shows but I have no idea when that will be possible again. I guess I just want to keep trying to be a light for people, interact with fans and share encouragement especially in a time where people are feeling a bit confused and lost.”

Lastly, is there any message that you wish to convey to your fans from all around the world?

G: “I just want to be a light. Alongside making authentic music and letting people into my story, I want to use my platform to create a safe space to open difficult conversations and push brands/projects and movements that I’m passionate about.”

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MANYFEW: INTERVIEW

August 16, 2020

by pankhuri bhutani

Having been supported by some talented artists like Cheat Codes, Don Diablo, Cheat Codes, R3HAB and many more, ManyFew is an upcoming duo currently under the spotlight with their new track “Get Close,” which they released on July 31st.

Jacob and Victor are two brothers that share an everlasting bond of music and are constantly sharing their passion to millions of people by showcasing their talents. Their single “Makin’ Love” has garnered over two million streams on Spotify alone since its release in October 2019. They also have a monthly radio show called Electronic Heaven, which draws over 500,000 listeners per month.

We talked to the duo in a really fun interview where they revealed insights into their music journey.

Hi there! Thank you for joining us on Unclear! For the people who are yet to be introduced to your music, kindly tell us something about yourself!

ManyFew: “Hi! It’s a pleasure to be here :-) We’re brothers and dance music producers from Sweden! We love to DJ and travel around world, love humor, and we’re always trying to see things from a positive perspective.”

When was the moment you both realized you wanted to set out in the music industry?

M: “Well, we’ve always been dreaming of working as music producers but we didn’t have any experience in it. We went from club DJs to producing our own songs and we started sending out those tracks to different labels, taste-makers etc. and we received some good advice and feedback, and from there we decided to go all in on it :-)”

You recently released your new track “Get Close.” Congratulations on that! What kind of reaction were you looking forward to from your fans?

M: “Thanks! The song has summer vibes to it and we want to share sunny dance feelings, especially during such difficult times, so we hope that people can feel happy when listening to this song.”

What was the creative process like with the track and did you face any challenges during the making of the track?

M: “It’s always challenging producing new songs, as we have so many ideas going on, but we love it! This spring we came up with the first idea of this song and we were dreaming about the summer and the beach life.”

You have created some phenomenal tracks and have amassed over 500,000 active monthly listeners on your Spotify channel. What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from this journey?

M: “To continue to have fun and enjoy every moment of this journey! As mentioned before we really just hope to spread positivity through our music and our sets!”

Out of all the tracks that you have created, which one was the most fun to work on to you?

M: “Of course we’re happy with all of our songs, but some songs we have a closer relation with. ‘For You’ is for example one of those tracks. While producing it we didn’t have any plans on where to release it. We spent a whole day in a studio in London producing the song, it was lots of joy we were buzzing after leaving the studio in the early morning.

‘Makin’ Love’ is also another example of that, we came up with the first idea after joining a pool party in Miami during Miami Music Week last year. We sent it out to some radio and club DJs and they all came back with cool feedback and then we felt, ‘yeah, let’s release this one.’ Those moments are amazing, when we receive good feedback and we go back into the studio doing some tweaks and then send it.”

How did the name ManyFew come into existence? What was the idea behind it?

M: “We were looking at antonyms for something that looks and sounds cool. We were playing around with different words and then ManyFew came up. We love to produce ‘many’ different types of songs and not only focusing on just one sound.”

What are you both currently listening to? Who are your musical inspirations?

M: “Except dance music, we both have similar type of music taste. We love pop, R&B, hip hop, soul and funky records, and for us it’s been important to listen to different kinds of music and style while producing. Our biggest musical inspirations, to name a few, are Quincy Jones, Max Martin, David Guetta, and Mark Ronson.”

Lastly, I would like to ask you if there’s any message that you both wish to convey to your fans from all around the world?

M: “We feel so grateful for all the support we are receiving from all over the world! Thank you everyone so much 💜 We’ll see you all soon in a dance floor somewhere around the world.”

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'CARSICK' / MARO: SINGLE REVIEW

August 14, 2020

by andrea hoffman

Lebanese artist Maro’s newly released debut single “carsick” sounds like a song you would listen to on a summer night with the windows down. His effortless vocals and acoustic guitar mix easily with an almost bedroom pop feeling beat to create a single that you won’t be able to help singing along to.

Although he’s only 19 years old, Maro can not be written off as an artist that isn’t serious about his work. He’s played piano since the 2nd grade, written his own songs since he was 15, and even taught himself to play guitar all while growing up in chaotic surroundings that often left him feeling lonely. His determination to create authentic music that he’s proud of shines through with this song and especially because of his honest lyrics about his own on-and-off relationship.

As a debut single, “carsick” has only created more anticipation for future music releases by Maro, as well as excitement to see how this new artist continues to grow. No doubt his music will attract a dedicated following that will continuously support him throughout his music career that has only just begun.

PAYTON SMITH: INTERVIEW

August 13, 2020

by meghan brianna

Louisiana native Payton Smith has been on the up since performing at the CMA festival back in 2018, where he was offered a record deal. His self-titled EP features four songs which were co-written by Payton himself. The EP also showcases his musical talent with Payton playing the guitar in each of the songs. Accumulating nearly one million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, Payton Smith is making himself out to be a household name. We got the chance to sit with Payton to discuss his intro to music, his recent release, “Ready Set Summer,” as well as what’s to come in the future.

For our readers who aren’t familiar with you or your music, can you share how your musical journey began?

Payton Smith: “My musical journey began when I was 14 years old. My family and I went up to Nashville for a vacation and one day I decided to play in the lobby of the hotel we were staying at. I played for about three and a half hours and got a good little crowd watching. One of the people in that crowd knew a session player in Nashville, who I ended up meeting the next day and the day after that. That player ended up introducing me to Buddy Cannon, who produces all of Kenny Chesney’s records. He is such a great song guy, and for me I was just starting out writing songs by myself, so I really wanted to follow his lead on learning how to write songs. He started setting me up with co-writers and that’s where the journey began. Crazy how it can be right place and right time.”

How would you describe and classify your sound if you could fit it into a category?

P: “I truly believe that your influence is a reflection of your sound. Over the course of four years in Nashville, I was always trying to find that sound that made me stand out, yet still sound like me. Sometimes it takes a second. But I grew up with my mom playing 90s country, my dad playing rock ‘n’ roll, and I loved listening to Keith Urban and Eric Church. Anything that has energy and rhythm is what appeals to me. I’m all about finding things that make you want to move and when I go into the studio to record a song, I’m always thinking about the rhythm and syncopation.”

What is your writing process? What usually comes first when creating something new? A melody? A lyric?

P: “It all starts on guitar for me. I normally come up with a melody on guitar first or a riff that inspires what I’m going to say. Some of my favorite musicians always say that the music is trying to say something, so I feel like my job is trying to say what the music feels like. Inspiration can come from anywhere. I may have a title on my phone or a voice memo of an idea. A lot of times I like to start with a concept more than a title. The concept feels like the northern star when writing a song and I always try to follow that.”

Your most recent release, titled “Ready Set Summer,” was released back in February. Can you explain the creative process behind the song as well as the meaning behind it?

P: “‘Ready Set Summer’ is actually the oldest song that I’ve released yet. I wrote it back in 2018 with Larry Mccoy. To be honest, I just wanted to write a really fun summer song, but I wanted to add a lot of color and make it appeal visually when you hear the lyrics. Referencing things like ‘Oscar Meyer’ and ‘Coleman cooler’ really add a lot of imagery to the song. That track is rockin’. It definitely shows more of my rock ‘n’ roll side. Especially that guitar solo. We wanted to try to make it a straight up pontoon/lake/river anthem.”

We’re more than halfway through 2020, what have you finished already, and what are you looking to get done for the remainder of the year?

P: “Well, we had a lot of big plans for 2020. I had my debut single out ‘Like I Knew You Would,’ which has garnered over 20 million streams across all platforms. That’s been a lot of fun to watch. We were going to be out on tour with Chris Young and Scotty McCreery for most of 2020, but unfortunately that has been rescheduled. It’s been a lot of fun to connect with the fans on social media during this time. That’s what music is all about. Connection. And what I would love to do is to release as much music as we can over the course of this next year.”

Can you share some of your upcoming projects?

P: “We are definitely looking at playing some more drive-in shows. Even looking at doing some socially distant shows throughout the remainder of 2020. We played one drive-in show this year and it was so cool and amazing. I want to do a lot more of that. And get new music out as soon as possible.”

What song would you want new listeners to listen to first to get the best grasp of your sound?

P: “I love every song that I’ve recorded and released. All of them tell my story and is a huge representation of my sound. The two songs that I would say represent my sound the best though would be ‘Like I Knew You Would’ and ‘Creek Don’t Rise.’ They are both different from each other, but because I play guitar on those tracks and they say what I want to say, it still feels very much like me. I found that over the past couple of months, I’ve been writing very freely and not putting myself in a box. If it feels good, let’s roll with it.”

What is one lyric/line you’ve written that resonates the most with you, either from a released song or something unreleased?

P: “There’s a song that I played on my Grand Ole Opry debut called ‘Daddy’s Boots.’ That song is very personal for me because it talks about my relationship with my dad. There’s a line in the second verse that goes, ‘Moved from Louisiana to the middle of Tennessee. Ripped up the roots they planted for me to chase a dream.’ That says it all right there. That is my story. I have incredible parents that support all of their kids’ dreams. The first time I ever played that on the Opry stage, I got a standing ovation and it was the most incredible moment of my life.”

Where do you see yourself musically in five years from now?

P: “It’s so hard to say where I might be five years from now. Obviously pushing myself musically. Always trying to get better at writing, guitar playing, and pushing myself vocally. I love that we live in a generation where people see music for just music. Maybe not necessarily for the genre that song/artist might be. If it makes you feel good, you’re going to listen to it. And I love all kinds of music. I always see myself in country music.”

Do you have a message to your fans? Do you have any words for people who have yet to discover you and your work as a musician?

P: “To the fans, thank you for relying on music during these tough times. Music is a universal language. It can make us reflect, get excited about the future, and help us tell our stories. I cannot wait to get back on the road and see all of you soon. And to the people I have not met yet, or who not heard the music yet... when we are back out there... we’re gonna be coming with everything we got. So be ready. It’s gonna be good.”

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