QUEEN'S PLEASURE: INTERVIEW

May 5, 2021

by mariah estran

Dutch rock group Queen’s Pleasure is no stranger to winning over a crowd. From playing The Kooks’ aftershow in Amsterdam to the Dutch outlet 3voor12 naming them the best act on their 2020 showcase, they’re a euphonic force. And their debut EP Panic From Dublin is further confirmation.

Fuzzy guitar riffs become entangled in explosive drums. It’s a sound that makes you miss discovering bands by stumbling into clubs. Their style can hit like garage-rock while deeming similarities to Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines. Queen’s Pleasure has made a jaw-dropping entrance that leaves you wondering what move they will make next.

However, the stellar EP did not come without its challenges. There was talk of a potential breakup and overcoming creative stubbornness while producing with Edd Hartwell. Vocalist Jurre Otto and bassist Jelmer van Os join us to discuss developing the EP, how they have grown as musicians, and what they hope listeners take away after listening.

The band has just released the debut EP Panic From Dublin. It’s a powerful little number wrapped in excellent storytelling. What aided the inspiration for these tracks?

Queen’s Pleasure: “The main inspiration for the songs on the EP are all the things we’ve gone through as a band and as young adults in the last five years. We’ve experienced really good and fun times, but we’ve also had our setbacks and fights. ‘Panic from Dublin,’ the title track, is an especially personal one.

We wrote the song when the band was not feeling as good as it usually was, we were having some internal problems and I think in those months we almost broke up twice. When we wrote the song the feeling in the band was not as good as it used to be. So, when I wrote the lyrics it was really a reflection of the time we were in and the struggles we had to go through as a band, that was the main inspiration for the song. But I think we have definitely transformed those bad personal experiences into a song we all really, really love.”

I read that the group produced this project with Edd Hartwell! What was that experience like while honing in how you wanted the EP to sound?

QP: “First of all, it is amazing working with Edd, he became a really good friend of ours. But in the beginning, we were a bit too stubborn and opinionated on how we wanted our album and/or EP to sound. It took us a while, but we slowly adapted, and we opened up to different opinions. We can learn a lot from him still and we hope to make some more great things with him.”

How do you feel like this project has documented your growth as a musician?

QP: “We formed the band in the beginning of 2016 when the drummer was only 14, so playing and writing together also meant growing up together and discovering new sounds and new music. I think the EP really reflects the paths we have taken musically.

We’ve had our ups and downs and written a lot of songs in these past five years, some heavy, some tragic and some songs are about just being young. So this project is a good summary of five years of Queen's Pleasure and I think it’s a really good introduction, and we’re eager to release more.”

Again, Panic From Dublin is a striking introduction that showcases the time spent to develop each of your crafts further. What do you hope listeners take away after listening to this EP?

QP: “We hope they can hear us having fun and enjoying ourselves. It is so great to be in a band with all of your friends and make music, and experiences with them. We’re going to continue progressing and developing as a band. Writing new songs, playing live (if possible) and recording as much as possible.”

Is there one song you feel encapsulates the story this EP tells? If so, which one is it and why?

QP: “The title track tells a very important story. It is about us having a pretty rough time, to the point where we were all thinking of a breakup. We are happy we started talking about the problems we encountered and shared our thoughts and feelings towards each other. That really saved us and made us stronger as a band. This song and EP wouldn't exist without this struggle, so now we are here sharing this story.”

What’s next for Queen’s Pleasure? How do you all hope to keep pushing forward regarding your music?

QP: “We can’t wait to share new music; in the lockdown we made some great songs and soon they will see the light of day in the form of an album. We hope to play live again and hopefully do some shows in the UK and in the US. We’re gonna grow and develop ourselves and really take our sound to the next level.”

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'UNFINISHED CONVERSATIONS' / IAN NELSON: REVIEW

May 1, 2021

by emma schoors

Ian Nelson’s latest track, “Unfinished Conversations,” is an excellent look at love and the self-destructive fear that surrounds it.

“Thought is so cunning, so clever, that it distorts everything for its own convenience,” Jiddu Krishnamurti wrote in “Freedom from the Known,” the novel that inspired Nelson’s second single. There are an abundance of examples of this in everyday life. But none more pungent, none more gruesome, than in love.

One of the first examples of Nelson reflecting on these ideas appears in the pre-chorus: “I lie to myself, say that you’re not the one… then I run away.” This self-awareness grips Nelson through the track, and holds on tightly until the very end.

Musically, “Unfinished Conversations” is full of tension, determination, and vulnerability. The track opens with the simple sound of crickets, a testament to the quietness that comes with having to be totally alone with oneself.

Soon, though, a melancholic guitar part cuts through the silence, and makes way for Nelson’s vocals: defeated is the best way to describe them at first. As the song progresses, and the lyrics turn to a place of positive change rather than one of painful stagnation, his voice begins to grow in strength. Nelson decisively sings, “Enough of disappearing, ‘cause I know now not to fear it.”

“Passion is a rather frightening thing because if you have passion you don't know where it will take you,” Krishnamurti wrote. This fear of the unknown so often results in unfulfilled dreams, unlived moments, and unfinished conversations. Nelson breaks through these barriers as the song nears its end, and listeners are left with an inspirational story of self-discovery.

Ian Nelson’s “Unfinished Conversations” is a confirmation that his musical endeavors are rooted in passion and authenticity, and that wherever he goes next, true love of his craft will follow him.

JAMIE MILLER: INTERVIEW

April 30, 2021

by danielle holian

Born and raised in Wales, Jamie Miller is turning heads with his social media presence of 778k on TikTok, and 408k on Instagram showcasing his amazing musical abilities.

Before discovering his voice, his earliest musical inspirations range from gospel, R&B and social classics moving forward to modern talents from the likes of Bruno Mars and Sam Smith. He relocated to London at the age of 18 to appear on UK broadcast television in 2017; he eventually moved to Los Angeles to work on his own original music, to date, receiving over 20 million views across platforms.

He's back with his brand-new track “Here's Your Perfect,” which was co-written with Gian Stone who's worked with the likes of Nick Jonas, Justin Bieber, and Selena Gomez. The music video was directed by Andrew Sandler, who's worked with the likes of Machine Gun Kelly and Yungblud. It's safe to say Miller is on the rise to great success.

Unclear Magazine caught up with Miller to discuss his musical background, new track “Here's Your Perfect,” and much more below.

Who or what are your musical influences?

Jamie: “My musical influences are Bruno Mars, Tori Kelly, Justin Timberlake… the charisma and vocal style they have is impeccable, I just love them so much.”

What inspired your new single “Here's Your Perfect?”

J: “I wanted to write something real and genuine. ‘Here’s Your Perfect’ was almost as if I was writing in my journal but turned it into a song and I think that was really cool.”

You co-wrote this track with Gian Stone who's worked with the likes of Nick Jonas, Justin Bieber, and Selena Gomez. How did this collaboration go?

J: “Working with Gian Stone was a pleasure. He’s one of the nicest guys, but also one of the most respected, so to have him want to work with me was such a dream come true. It’s cool to have validation from producers like Gian, that I’m good enough to be where I am today.”

Andrew Sandler, who's worked with the likes of Machine Gun Kelly, and Yungblud, directed the music video — why did you choose to work with him on this particular track?

J: “I’m lucky enough to call Andrew my friend, and I wanted to work with him because I felt like my music took a turn towards being more authentic to who I want to be as an artist. I remember playing him the songs and saying, ‘hey I want you on this, can I connect you with my team?’

He’s so honest and he fell in love with the songs too, it was awesome to have someone be so passionate about your vision. When he said he was on board I was so excited.”

What has been a highlight for you in your career, thus far?

J: “A definite highlight would be getting to work with Andrew and Gian. Also having people like Tori Kelly and Demi Lovato (and other amazing acts) find and comment on my videos online… but I would say getting to work with people behind the scenes has been a real highlight!”

If you had the opportunity to work with any act from the past, present or future, who would it be?

J: “I would say Bruno Mars, he’s my idol. He’s incredible and his vocal ability is absolutely crazy. I would just love to do a collab with him.”

Finally, what’s one fun fact about you for our readers?

J: “Fun fact about me, I’m a sucker for rom-coms. Call me stupid, but it’s my guilty pleasure… not sorry about it!”

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'FRAMPTON FORGETS THE WORDS' / PETER FRAMPTON BAND: REVIEW

April 24, 2021

by emma schoors

Peter Frampton is one of the most fundamentally underrated guitarists of all time, and his longevity as a musician is on full display with April 23rd’s “Frampton Forgets The Words.”

1976 was a defining year for then 26-year-old Peter Frampton. The bright-eyed, golden-haired guitarist was suddenly plastered on the cover of every magazine, and his live double album “Frampton Comes Alive!” was flying off of shelves in every record store imaginable. He really was coming alive in the public eye, and this excitement was evident in every interview he gave.

“People are buying my life when they’re buying those records. I hate to sound bigheaded or something, but that’s the reality of it. Suddenly, everything you’ve been doing means something,” Frampton admitted to Rolling Stone’s Cameron Crowe that same year. Make no mistake, however. The English musician had been working relentlessly at his craft for over a decade by the time he struck massive popularity as a solo artist: namely in The Herd and Humble Pie.

It’s not uncommon to hear that Frampton never again lived up to the success that “Frampton Comes Alive!” brought him, and that is precisely why his later work is so overlooked. Frampton didn’t let up musically when the hype surrounding his most popular album subsided. Everything from 1981’s “Breaking All The Rules” to 2010’s “Thank You Mr Churchill” is well-worth listening to, and each and every record tells a unique story, with Frampton’s guitar often acting as a vocal addition to his actual voice.

Fast forward to 2021, and the beautifully determined musician and his band are back with a new album of tributes: “Frampton Forgets The Words.” Frampton’s Inclusion body myositis muscular disease, which will one day take away his ability to play, isn’t stopping him in the slightest. In fact, it seems to be a driving factor to keep making music for as long as possible.

Standout tribute “Reckoner,” originally by Radiohead, is equal parts melancholic and alluring. While the original track puts a large emphasis on percussion, Frampton’s version is a captivating, guitar-based interpretation.

Speaking of guitars, a star-studded bunch of guitars are featured on the album; these are included but not limited to Frampton’s 1954 Les Paul Phenix, as well as a 1958 Fender Telecaster, previously used on the musician’s 2019 effort “All Blues.”

“We call them tributes, because we wouldn’t be doing them if we didn’t have the utmost respect and were huge fans of those artists,” Frampton told the Sun-Times in an April 2021 article, about his performances of songs by the aforementioned Radiohead, George Harrison, Roxy Music, Lenny Kravitz, and more.

Closing the album is a tribute to Alison Krauss’ “Maybe.” Frampton’s ability to speak with his guitar is perhaps most gorgeously showcased here. The original song’s lyrics come to mind as Frampton gently “sings”:

“Maybe I can stand alone.

Maybe I'm strong as stone.

Even though the bird has flown,

Maybe he'll fly on home.”

“Frampton Forgets The Words” is a stunning record front to back, and it proves what was already so clear about Peter Frampton: his love and admiration for fellow musicians is part of what makes him such an incredible musician himself.

CAMINO: INTERVIEW

April 23, 2021

by emily harris

The debut EP of Camino is here. Burning Fire is nothing short of a journey through the power of soul music — both sonically and lyrically. Commonly referred to as a mix between Lewis Capaldi and Post Malone, Camino has found a perfectly niche sound to rest himself in. The five track EP is nothing short of powerfully eclectic.

Congratulations on the release of your debut EP, Burning Fire! How does it feel to have a complete work out in the world?

Camino: “Amazing! A long time coming, I’m so pumped I could scream [laughs].”

The EP is named after the first track of the EP, “Burning Fire.” What inspired you to name the EP after the song?

C: “Burning Fire is my favorite song on the EP and I wanted as much attention to go to that song as possible — that’s the honest truth. The song is about my aunt passing away from cancer and me wondering how my uncle, who just lost his wife of 60+ years, must feel. To me burning fire is like everlasting love to me. Like the epitome of missing someone with every fiery passion inside of you.”

What was the writing and recording process like for the second track, “Home?”

C: “I was lost and didn’t know who I was anymore. I looked myself in the mirror and asked, ‘why am I so unhappy?’ I realized it’s because I had a lot of hate and hurt in my heart. I wanted out. I sat down and got back to the basics of why I started music in the first place, and for me it was a finding-myself-again song. One of my favorites.”

The lyrics of “Loving You” are nothing short of a gospel soulful vibe. Can you talk about the backstory behind the lyrics and production of this song?

C: “Yeah, I mean I was in a relationship where I really loved the girl with every fiber of my being and it didn’t work out. I wanted to write about that experience and how it made me feel. ‘I’m just a stranger in my home’ is one of my favorite lyrics from that song because your home is supposed to be your happy place and somewhere to relax. And when she wasn’t there I felt so alone. I had to write about that.”

“Fiddle” is unlike any other track of the EP. Why did you choose to place this song on the EP?

C: “Because I want my fans and listeners to hear how diverse the album will really be. Yes, I have the sad ballads and anthemic pop soul records, but I also have these upbeat fun records. It’s one of my favorites, I’ve never heard a song like Fiddle before in my life.”

The EP ends with “Better Than Me.” What is it about that track that felt like the perfect ending note?

C: “It’s a ballad. I wanted to end the EP on a soft note and leave you wanting more. It’s so emotional and vulnerable and powerful. It’s a great ending to the EP to tie everything together.”

There is an obvious soulful pop inspiration throughout the EP. How did you come about finding that sound and creating within it?

C: “Growing up in Mississippi, I was exposed to the blues and soul music early on and I loved the passion, realness and rawness of blues/soul records. I wanted to write songs like that always. Records that make you feel something.”

How has the way you approach music changed since the release of your debut single “Riot?”

C: “Drastically. That was more of an experimental time in my career where I was still trying to find my sound and feel comfortable with people hearing what I put out. Still a great song, but at the end of the day it’s not ultimately how I want the world to hear me. This EP is truly me.”

What track would you recommend to a new listener?

C: “Burning Fire, no question. If you have ever lost someone close to you or just miss someone in general, this record is perfect. It helped me a lot off the edge. I hope it will do the same for others and give people something they can relate to.”

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