SARA DIAMOND: INTERVIEW

October 15, 2021

by tiffany arunarsirakul

Canadian singer Sara Diamond released her single "Hollywood (U & Me)" on September 10th. This song's inspiration was the various partners Sara had in the past. This song displays the strength of these relationships, helping further her career and musical endeavors. Her musical inspirations are due to her falling in love. Sara mentions that self-doubt is a challenge faced in the industry, where "it's so easy to compare yourself to others, and gauge your growth disproportionally to others' success."

Your newest single "Hollywood (U & Me)" was released on September 10th. What feelings or reflections do you get when releasing new music?

Sara: “I’ve definitely experienced an array of emotions around releases! I’ve been excited (like I was for Hollywood) and nervous for different reasons. Usually having to do with the content, and who the song is about.”

What was your inspiration for “Hollywood (U & Me)?"

S: “Hollywood was inspired by supportive partners I’ve had in my life. I’ve been fortunate to have had boyfriends that championed my career and musical endeavors. The allure of Hollywood comes with a lot of factors, so I wanted to write a song that showcased the strength of beautiful, symbiotic relationships.”

In 2000, you sang for the children's record label The Kiboomers. Did you know at the age of five that the music industry was something you wanted to pursue?

S: “It took a few years before I knew I wanted to pursue music! I did a ton of after school activities as a kid, and when any threatened to take up too much time from the other, I wouldn’t pursue them competitively. But at a certain point, at around 10, I knew I wanted to give it my all.”

You had the honor of singing both the Canadian National Anthem and American National Anthem for the Montreal Canadiens. How did it feel to be playing in front of such a crowd representing your country?

S: “It was a really beautiful experience, and I will be forever grateful for it. The crowd was incredible! It definitely gave me the performing itch.”

What is a challenge that you face in the music industry and how do you overcome it?

S: “Self doubt is a big one. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others, and gauge your growth disproportionally to others’ success. I overcome it by leaning on my team, and honestly sometimes listening through my catalogue or unreleased demos to see how far I’ve come. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!”

How do you find the inspiration and muse for your music?

S: “I fall in love. ;)”

What is an advice you would give to those who are interested in pursuing music?

S: “Do it for the love, and keep your goals close to motivate you. Surround yourself with supportive, yet critical people, and keep the spark alive.”

Considering how you are a Canadian musician, are there challenges you face when interacting with artists who are not from the country?

S: “Not at all! I love it. One of the beautiful things about music is that it brings people together from around the world. While there is a lovely camaraderie with fellow Canadian artists, I love meeting and working with people from other countries.”

Is there any additional information you would like your audience with Unclear Magazine to know?

S: “Follow me on Spotify and Instagram! (@iamsaradiamond) xx.”

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'SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER' / SAM FENDER: REVIEW

October 14, 2021

by emma schoors

Sam Fender’s ascent to worldwide attention is inevitable, and Seventeen Going Under is a lyrically pristine second album from the North Shields-based musician.

“I remember the sickness was forever,” Fender confesses seconds into the title track, not collapsing in a rasp or yell; instead switching between high and low notes, as if the recollections are both of the highest and lowest moments of his life. Every lyric after is packed to the brim with uncomfortable truth, and the closeness of “Seventeen Going Under” to Fender both as a song and as an album is clear by the time the first track bursts into, “…Well, luck came and died 'round here / I see my mother, the DWP see a number.”

The second single released from and third track on the album is “Aye,” a stinging commentary on how the working class is broken apart over issues that should be further reason to unite. “It’s a rant about my disdain for the greedy tax-dodging billionaires of the world among other things,” Fender explained in an August Instagram post promoting the single. This justified anger carries into the thundering “Long Way Off”: “I heard a hundred million voices sound the same both left and right / We're still a long way off.”

Fender pays homage to his father in “Spit Of You.” One of the lighter tracks musically, “It’s about how the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as I get further into my twenties I see so much of myself in him, especially when it comes to being stubborn,” Fender wrote. “If anything, it is a declaration of my love for him.” Love is a blinding theme throughout the entire record, but Fender recognizes how he sometimes falls short of loving himself in “Last To Make It Home:” “Though I am a soundboard to some / With myself I am not so forgiving.”

One of the many highlights of the album is “The Leveller,” a vocally divine track spotlighted by thumping drums and adrenaline-driven lyrics. “The fear is the closest thing to fun that I have,” Fender sings, a reflection that most wouldn’t be able to verbalize, which seems to be a common thread in his lyricism. If there’s one track that’s a must-listen for those struggling with the need to belong, it’s “Mantra.” Fender pleads with himself, “Please stop tryin' to find comfort in these sociopaths / Their beauty is exclusively on the surface / As they pull you side to side with all their drugs and who's who stories.” Growing up, more specifically how non-linear it is, is a deep-rooted centerpiece of the album, and Fender approaches it beautifully in “The Dying Light” and “Better Of Me.”

Seventeen Going Under is Sam Fender’s latest masterpiece, solidifying his reputation as one of the strongest artists this decade has seen.

MALACHIII: INTERVIEW

October 13, 2021

by emily harris

The singer, producer, and rapper Malachiii is working to redefine artistry within the industry one track at a time. Blending the energies of pop, rap, and R&B, his three singles have created the beginnings of a diverse and strong discography. We had the pleasure of speaking with him about his newest track, "Love Me," and the inspiration behind the project!

Congrats on the release of your newest single “Love Me!” Can you talk us through the writing process for this track?

Malachiii: “The music always leads the way. Usually the feeling that the music gives me determines the vibe of the song. I wanted to make something that told a multidimensional story of love, while also reflecting on what I’m currently experiencing in life and expressing the importance of having someone that's there for me and loves me authentically regardless of the changes happening around me.”

What was the inspiration behind the single artwork that accompanies the track?

M: “Initially, the concept for the video that I had was a love story told through a space mission, but it's meaning developed into something deeper and symbolic as well as a sort of ‘launching’ of my career and this new chapter in my life with this being my first official release with Motown.”

How do you think this single sits alongside your previously released tracks?

M: “It's a bit different, which will be common with my music because I create a lot of different music and I want that to be apparent with these new releases. I want to give my audience a taste of all of the worlds my music can live in.”

You also released a music video for the track! What was the filming process like?

M: “It was amazing! It was a two day shoot with the first day being in the desert and being in 110 degree weather in an aluminum jumpsuit was hotter than hell, but all worth it and also gave a bit of real fatigue for me to use while filming the crash landing scene.”

You also just posted the first episode of In The (Treehouse) on YouTube as well! What inspired you to film the entire process of recording?

M: “Well, as far as me and the team are concerned, we are making history and so we felt it was necessary to film as much of the process of working on my album as possible to document the history being made and to give my audience a peek into my world.”

What do you hope fans get out of seeing the process firsthand?

M: “I hope that they’ll be introduced to the type of artist and human being that I am by getting a chance to see me and hear me in a candid way while also getting an inside look at my creative process.”

As your sound transcends the usual boundaries, who would you coin as inspirations to you, from a songwriting and production perspective?

M: “Kanye, Pharrell, Michael Jackson. Transcendent artists who have inspired generations of artists and creatives worldwide.”

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JULIET OLIVER: INTERVIEW

October 9, 2021

by pankhuri bhutani

Hailing from the South Australian wine region of McLaren Vale, 23-year-old singer and songwriter Juliet Oliver first discovered country music through watching Hannah Montana as an 11-year-old. This led to her parents gifting her a guitar, and so Juliet began teaching herself via YouTube. Like many young country artists her age, it was Taylor Swift who pulled her in to the genre, which guided Juliet to begin crafting songs about her experiences as a young teenager.

Recently releasing her brand new single “I Do It To Myself,” Juliet shares a personal aspect of her life that only a few have the ability and confidence to share with the world. After coming to an unfortunate realization of unrequited love, Juliet penned down a track filled with heartfelt lyrics.

We recently had a chat with the lovely Juliet in order to discuss the process behind her latest release, as well as talk about some insights into her music journey.

Hi there, Juliet. Thank you for joining us on Unclear! How is 2021 treating you so far?

Juliet: “Thank you for connecting with me! 2021 has been challenging for all of us musicians, however I have been trying to make the most of it by writing and recording as much music as I can!”

You just released your incredible new single “I Do It To Myself.” Congratulations on that! How is this anticipation period going for you? Feeling nervous or excited?

J: “A mixture of both, actually! It’s always a little nerve-wracking putting your heart and soul on a platter and hoping that people like it. This song is so deeply personal and honest, and that is both scary AND exciting to be able share with others! The lead up to a release is always a very busy but fun time, but I am just so excited to see what listeners think of the song, and I hope they can find some shared comfort from my experience.”

Kindly walk us through the creative process of the track. How was the experience like working on the song?

J: “‘I Do It To Myself ‘ is a diary entry that I’m lucky enough to be able to share through music. I wrote the song early one morning after coming home from a guy’s house who had been stringing me along for quite some time. I sat on my bedroom floor with my guitar, and the song wrote itself in 30 minutes.

I think we all meet one person, at least once in our lives, who we know is really bad for us but we want them all the same. Despite knowing there were a line of girls behind me, who were all carbon copies of me, waiting to take my place when he decided to cycle onto the next, I couldn’t let go. Like smoking or drinking, he was something I just couldn’t quit even though he was so bad for me… and so, ‘I Do It To Myself ‘ was born. I took it into the studio, and my producer Jethro really brought the song to life instrumentally.”

What message would you like your listeners to take away from this track?

J: “I think the main takeaway would be it’s ok to make mistakes in relationships, it’s ok to not be able to let go of something that you know is bad for you, we’re all human and it’s ok.

A lyric that I live by is ‘if you never bleed, you’re never going to grow’ from Taylor Swift. I really applied that message to this situation. Learning from unhealthy relationships is an important lesson in life that we all go through, and I hope listeners can find some shared comfort from my experience.”

This track was created from a very personal and touching experience of yours. Were there any challenges involved in expressing such a personal aspect of your artistic side while writing this song?

J: “I write what I live. It’s my way of healing and expressing myself, it always has been. I think the most important element in the craft of song writing is being able to honestly recount an experience or a story through your own voice. It’s therapy for me. Through song is how I’ve always managed my emotions and heartache; this instance was no different. When writing the song, I wasn’t thinking, ‘Oh, this will be my next single.’ It was purely a way for me to express what I was going through in that moment. I think that this organic process is what made this a great song, so in short; no, there were no challenged that I was faced with since I was writing my pure and honest emotions.”

When it comes to creation of music, do you require a specific setting to work in or does any environment work for you?

J: “I believe my best songs are those that were written just like ‘I Do It To Myself’ was; alone, on my bedroom floor with my guitar.

For me, the process is different for every song. I try to be as honest as I can be when I write and I try to write in the heat of the moment when the emotions are at their strongest. Once I hear a melody or a lyric in my head, I have to get it down immediately. I think listeners connect on a deeper level when they can feel your raw emotions and sincerity.”

Who are the top three artists on your music playlist right now? Is there anyone on your radar who you would love to collaborate with in the future?

J: “Amy Winehouse, Stevie Nicks, and Taylor Swift are for sure my top three of all time!

There are so many great artists coming out of South Australia right now, it’s so hard to pick! We have so much talent here and so much diversity. I am very lucky to be working alongside my producer Jethro, who is equally as talented as an artist in his own right as he is a producer of other artists music. I’m very lucky to be able to collaborate with him, and be able to continue to do so in the future.”

What’s next for you, Juliet? Any plans for the rest of the year 2021?

J: “I am always writing, and I am in the studio at least once a week. I hope to keep releasing music and making new friends and followers in the process. I am very lucky where I live in the McLaren Vale wine region, we have so many awesome venues who always support us local musicians. I play solo gigs every single weekend. I am also in a Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band (I play Stevie Nicks, of course) and we play shows around SA every month. Follow my socials to see where I’m playing — I’d love to meet you!”

Lastly, is there anything that you wish to convey to your fans reading this interview right now?

J: “Life is beautiful, painful, and wonderful all at once. I hope we can all continue to connect and find comfort in this shared experience through art and music. I’d love for you to listen to ‘I Do It To Myself’ — I hope you can relate and connect with my experience.”

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'LA ON FIRE' / NYIKO: REVIEW

October 5, 2021

by mariah estran

After watching the LA skyline darken to an orange, fire-induced hue during a week of wildfires, singer and producer Nyiko found riveting similarities between the glows of success and the destruction of natural disasters. Teaming up with producer U-Tern, his latest single, “LA On Fire,” carries those thoughts through a vivid, dream-pop sound. A style Nyiko has continued to expand since the release of his LP, Honesty.

“I had the idea on the way over to Vaughn’s (U-Tern). I was driving on the highway and had the vision of flames overtaking the East LA hillsides,” the singer says. The track opens with dazzling keys. As he sings of Los Angeles burning, complete with smokey surroundings while a nostalgia-washed beat grants a dance-worthy charm alongside the battle of fighting for the Hollywood dream.

“The fire can be interpreted as the pressures of trying to “make it” — the all-too-common dream of becoming a celebrity that people have when they move to LA. A spark, or opportunity, can ignite the path for success, but on the flip-side, people can become consumed by that dream to the point where they’re creatively and professionally burnt out,” he explains.

Nyiko is no stranger to integrating a larger message within his work. He’s tackled the topic of toxic masculinity in his single “Call The Boys.” Now, “LA On Fire” sparks another conversation. Within four minutes, the listener can find themselves thinking of the wildfires that have engulfed the West Coast while analyzing the effects of the entertainment industry.

Yet, the vivid layers of synth, drums, and moving vocals wrap the song in an illuminating warmth, almost like a residual ember holding a light towards change.