KATIE BELLE: INTERVIEW

October 17, 2022

by alex grainger

Katie Belle just dropped her latest single “Next Ex.” This relatable pop anthem is all about never settling, to reinforce the idea to only keep those in your life that “set your soul on fire.” “Next Ex” came into Katie’s life at the perfect time not only aiding in her personal healing process but also allowing her to showcase her pop sound and grow her dynamic discography. Read more about “Next Ex” and Katie Belle below!

Can you tell us what “Next Ex” is about?

Katie: “‘Next Ex’ is kind of about playing the field and realizing the current situation is about to expire. Just realizing the person you've been spending time with isn't it, and it's time to keep it moving.”

What was the creative process behind “Next Ex?”

Katie: “‘Next Ex’ was written by a great team of writers (Fabio Campedelli, Sarah de Warren, and Myylo). It was originally pitched to me back in the spring and when I heard it I loved it. It felt like that was exactly what was about to happen in my relationship at the time and it ended up being true! The release of this song has honestly been such a big part in my healing process, which is really special.”

What message are you sending to the listeners of “Next Ex?”

Katie: “Hopefully the confidence to not settle. You owe it to yourself to cut someone off or not waste time on something that isn't serving you. Life is short, we aren’t young forever, you deserve to only surround yourself with people who set your soul on fire.”

You mentioned how the single is about a one sided relationship. Do you think “Next Ex” has taught you how to approach these relationships differently?

Katie: “Yes, absolutely. I've honestly learned so much from all of my ex's. Every relationship I've ever been in has taught me something and helped me grow in some way. It’s bitter sweet and I guess the cycle will continue, until ultimately I meet that person that will never be an ex. (:”

How would you describe your sound? How has it developed since American Idol to now “Next Ex?”

Katie: “My sound is definitely pop based, but I like to venture out into all the veins of music. As a fan of music I'm inspired by it all, as my discography grows I think my listeners will be able to hear that.

My sound has developed into a more core pop vein since American Idol. I had released one or two singles right before I went on the show and that music was a little darker, had some dance elements in it. Now i think my sound is a lot brighter and sunny, still has the dance elements but in a more Katy Perry way than Mothica.”

Do you have a favorite lyric in “Next Ex” that you feel is especially powerful or meaningful?

Katie: “I personally love the line ‘I'm never gonna call you back.’ The way we set it up sonically makes that line stand out to begin with. And as someone who has been so guilty of running back to someone who has hurt me (more than once), I love the lyric itself because there's so much freedom and power in finally being done. And literally never calling them back.

How do you feel this single has contributed to your growth as a musician?

Katie: “I think this song is such a fun addition to my library, especially since it’s played such a powerful role in my personal life. ‘Next Ex’ is another step forward in finding my place in this industry and another building block to my career and sound.”

What's next for you?

Katie: “I will be on tour in [this month]! I'm super excited, we'll be going up north to Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Boston, down to Nashville, Atlanta, and all the way over to LA! All of the dates and details are on my website!! I can't wait to see you guys out there.”

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RIKAS: INTERVIEW

October 12, 2022

by mariah estran

European indie-pop band Rikas has always had a knack for filling our stereo speakers with effervescent numbers. Tunes that bring you to your feet as you shamelessly show off a few moves.

The four-piece group continues to bestow us with feel-good vibes. As they toured throughout Europe, making multiple festival stops, they’ve still found time to work on a new project, Goodbye Sunshine.

“I mean, we always work on music – even though we’re touring,” Bassist and vocalist, Sam Baisch says over a Zoom call.

They’ve already released three tracks, “Barefoot,” “Never Leaving The House,” and the EP’s title track. All of which were written alongside Benny Sings in Amsterdam. But after they shot an email to the admired producer and Foxygen member Jonathan Rado, they found themselves in California. He invited them to work in his home studio, and they put the finishing touches on the EP.

Cali’s laid-back atmosphere and sunny disposition sneak their way into each track. Yet, it’s truly the band's opportunity to be making music together, and the gratefulness to work with other creatives that exude positive energy. “I think they’re songs you want to listen to over and over,” Baisch says. “I think, for us, as a band, we really want the message to be simple, but for us, it’s important to make people happy.”

Just watch their latest music video for “Never Leaving The House.” The small, choreographed dance numbers in striped pajamas is the proper scoop of light and fluffy enjoyment. “We all sing, we all love being in a band, we’re friends, but I think it’s important to have fun,” he says.

As Rikas prepares to release Goodbye Sunshine on October 29th, they took time to tell us more about the upcoming project. They share more insight on working with Jonathan Rado, being in California, playing festivals post-pandemic, and if we can expect a US tour.

I spoke to you all last year when your tracks “Stereo” and “Overthinking” were released. The work has not stopped since then. Now we have “Barefoot” and “Goodbye Sunshine,” which carry this bright, summery vibe. What inspired this new chapter?

Rikas: “I mean, we always work on music — even though we’re touring. I think the last songs we put out felt good because we wrote them all together as a band. It felt relieving because, after COVID, we had the chance to get back into the rehearsing room and have fun together — just enjoy being in a band again.

For some of the songs, ‘Barefoot’ and ‘Never Leaving The House’ — we were in Amsterdam last summer. For a week, we got invited by Benny Sings, and we worked on a bunch of demos.

I feel like the new songs breathe more, it’s a band again.”

You got to collaborate with producer Jonathan Rado on this EP. What was that experience like, and how did it help the creative process?

Rikas: “It happened really fast because we sent him an email a month earlier. Our whole band is a big fan of the music he has put out with Foxygen and the number of records he’s produced.

We wrote him an email, sent him our demos, and a week later, he wrote back. He was like, ‘Come to LA, we’ll record some songs.’ He invited us into his small backyard studio with all these analog microphones. He works very vintage.

I think the funny thing is we had a lot of respect because it kept a lot of pressure on us. In the end, it was the complete opposite. He’s just a fun person, he gave us a lot of confidence.”

You all shot “Goodbye Sunshine” at Joshua Tree, an iconic California spot. How was shooting the video and spending time in the desert?

Rikas: “It was exciting for us because none of us had been to the West Coast.

We had a day off from the studio and were like, let’s shoot a video in the desert. We were inspired by this movie called Paris, Texas (Wim Wenders).

We had two friends with us in California (Linda Ambrosiu and Lisa Nguyen) — they’ve come on tour with us a lot to take pictures, they’re kind of behind-the-scenes people of this band. They brought a vintage camera — we shot this video in one day. Not a lot of budget, but a lot of fun.”

I feel that the California essence is heard throughout these new tracks. Would you say that was the feeling you wanted these tracks to possess? Or maybe a happy accident?

Rikas: “I think it was pretty much how it turned out. We were kind of living the dream over there because everything was a little bit slower. It’s not like when we are at home recording stuff. We worked a lot, but we also had a lot of fun.”

You all have been touring, playing multiple festivals. What has it been like being on stage again and playing these new tracks for an audience?

Rikas: “It’s been amazing. We love being on stage because, I would say, we’re good at it. It’s cool to have the interaction again.

This summer was special because it was great to go out and do the thing we love.”

Now that you are gathering this traction, playing shows, getting listeners' input, and actually seeing them react. What do you hope listeners feel after listening to the upcoming EP?

Rikas: “With our band, we tend to play around with different musical styles. I feel like this new EP, and with more music coming out, I like that they’re upbeat. I think they’re songs you want to listen to over and over.

They give a vibe, a feeling. As a band, we really want the message to be simple, but for us, it’s important to make people happy. We all sing, we all love being in a band, we’re friends, but I think it’s important to have fun.

It’s hard to explain because we want them to feel good.”

I know you already have a lot going on, but what can we expect next? More shows, maybe stops in the US sometime soon?

Rikas: “For next year we have a lot of things planned. I can say, we’re planning to come to the US, we’ve been planning that for years. We have a fanbase in Japan, which is cool. That happened without a label, now, we might plan to go there. For sure, we’re going to play a lot of shows and festivals in Europe again.

We don’t like to put too much pressure on us, but I think we’re planning on releasing a whole body, an album. I think we have enough songs now to be ready to be recorded as a whole album.”

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CHRIS LANZON: INTERVIEW

October 10, 2022

by tiffany arunarsirakul

Australian artist and songwriter Chris Lanzon uses music as an outlet for self-expression. With the “Melancholy Trilogy,” Chris is able to evolve with his music over the last three years, so you can find repeating themes and stories throughout his work. In this interview, Chris addresses the pressure to "capture attention" with everything shared on social media, but also praises social media platforms as a way to network and interact with other talents and his loyal fanbase. Chris ends our interview by giving advice to not give up and to not be someone you are not. We appreciate his words of wisdom!

Hi Chris, how are you? Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself?

Chris: “Hey! I’m better than ever, thanks for asking. I’m an artist and songwriter from Sydney, Australia. I’ve used music as my outlet for self-expression ever since I could remember. When I’m not making music, I’m typically overthinking until I end up making music again [laughs]. I just released my first song in a while, it’s called ‘June’ and I’m so excited that it’s finally out in the world. It’s a taste for what’s to come from my upcoming EP, which I can’t wait to share.”

With your music influences being Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, and The 1975, would you say your music style has been shaped by them?

Chris: “Absolutely. These are my top three for sure, and their respective songwriting and production approaches have been a huge influence on my style. I think what makes them all so great is the way they’re able to fuse genres and inspirations to create something new, fresh and exciting. I try to do the same with my music.”

How has life shifted ever since going viral with your cover of “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls?

Chris: “That was such a cool moment. I’ve always enjoyed taking songs I love and making my own versions of them — I find it’s actually a great way to learn about songwriting, and helps to develop your own unique style. So, it was something I just made for fun, and to see so many people connect with it has been really special. It has helped the rest of my music reach more people too, which I’m super grateful for.”

With the EP and short film Melancholy, what did you learn in the process? Do aspects of the storytelling follow into your new works as well considering how it is known as the “Melancholy Trilogy?”

Chris: “I learned so much with that first project. At the time of making it I felt so unsure of who I was, or who I wanted to be, and I wanted to use the project as a vessel to explore myself more deeply. I wanted to dive into parts of myself that I was shying away from, and in the process I learned a lot about myself and started to form a clearer picture of who I was as an artist, and as a human. I think every time I set out to work on a new project I’m hoping to do something that challenges me and forces me to evolve, so these three projects I’ve made so far feel like a connected journey, which is why I think of them as the ‘Melancholy Trilogy.’ I’ve documented my growth as a person over the last three years through these songs, so there are a lot of connected themes and stories that I try to flesh out in the visual world too — hence the short films and music videos.”

What was the inspiration for “June?”

Chris: “‘June’ was quite a mixed bag of inspirations, which is actually what I love most about it. There were some personal experiences and feelings I’ve had that were driving forces behind it, but I co-wrote it with my friend Demi, so it has some of her perspectives and emotions in there too. This approach is what made it lend itself to having another artist involved, so when Eluera added her verse in there, it just felt right. I think the song captures that feeling of ‘getting so close to a good thing, but it doesn't work out’ which is so universal, so it was nice to show multiple sides of that feeling.”

Did you always want to pursue the music industry?

Chris: “Like I said earlier, music has always been something I’ve turned to in order to express myself fully, and also just to grow and heal as a person. So it honestly feels like a necessity for me. It’s not something I actively chose to pursue, but more something I need to do for my own survival. That sounds super dramatic but that’s the only way I can describe it [laughs]. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

How did it feel being a finalist in a television music competition as a teenager?

Chris: “That was a whirlwind. I’m grateful to have experienced that so young because I learnt so much from it, but it was a super confusing time. I was literally 13 years old. I had no idea what I was doing — so to have all that exposure at such a vulnerable point in my life was super weird. But it taught me a ton really quickly, so I don’t regret it. I don’t think I’d be where I am now without it.”

How does social media shape your music? Do you also base the influence of your music through your fanbase?

Chris: “I try not to let it shape my music making, but it certainly has an impact on the way the music is presented. I think there’s a pressure to ‘capture attention’ with everything you share, which can be draining. But I also think social platforms can be a great tool for finding new artists and inspirations, reaching new listeners, and even for collaborations. It’s also just so nice to be able to connect with my listeners there, from all around the world. It definitely helps me see the influence my music is having, which is super cool.”

With yourself having an active Discord server, would you say this is your main platform to communicate with your fanbase/friends?

Chris: “It’s a great platform to communicate directly with my fanbase, but beyond that, it’s more a space for the fanbase to exist and communicate with each other! Everyone can interact in there, so it’s not just me posting something, and everyone else reacting to it. It’s like a giant group chat. It’s so cool seeing people make new friends just through listening to my music.”

What is advice you would like to give to those who are interested in pursuing songwriting and singing?

Chris: “Don’t give up, and don’t try to be anything you’re not. The most valuable thing you can offer as an artist is your own voice and perspective. Everyone has something to say, so tell your truth through your songwriting, and sing in a way that channels your soul. The rest will come.”

Thank you for the opportunity to chat with you Chris. Is there anything else you would like to let us know?

Chris: “Thanks for chatting with me! I’m honestly just excited to keep putting music out into the world. My third project is almost ready to share, so stay tuned for that! It’s my favorite thing I’ve made so far, and I can’t wait for people to hear it.”

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CASEY BISHOP: INTERVIEW

October 5, 2022

by mariah estran

In 2021, Casey Bishop took a chance. Walking through the doors of American Idol, she had no stage experience but a mighty voice that complimented her love for rock ‘n’ roll.

Bishop made it to the Top 4, gaining confidence in front of an audience and some major recognition along the way.

But now, in 2022, the singer-songwriter is ready to be known for her own music.

Last week, Bishop released her self-titled debut EP, a project including six songs that bring Bishop’s energetic, alternative sound to the forefront. Her fierce vocals packing a punch over heavy guitar strums and sturdy drumbeats.

Producing with Chris Greatti and co-writing with Willow Smith on “Don’t Talk!” and “Bad Dream,” the EP is bound to show the world exactly what she’s here to do.

“The thought of people relating to my music the way I relate to my inspirations, that’s exciting for me,” she says.

Casey Bishop took time to tell us more about her EP, what inspired her, working with Willow Smith, and what she hopes listeners take away from her music.

You’ve released your self-titled debut EP, what was the process like creating this record?

Casey: “It was fun and a lot of growth because it’s my first ever EP. We didn’t know we were going to come out with an EP – we wrote ‘Kerosene.’ We wrote that in May of 2021, and since then, we’ve done co-writes.”

You wrote “Don’t Talk!” and “Bad Dream” with Willow Smith. They’re such energetic alternative numbers. What was it like working with Willow?

Casey: “She is so kind and so inspiring. I feel so inspired every time the session is done. She’s amazing, really creative.”

You competed on American Idol last year. How did that opportunity help you grow as a performer?

Casey: “Being on stage and feeling more comfortable on stage. The show was amazing, and I feel so grateful for everything because of that show. Since it was a competition, you feel a little bit judged, and it’s like, now, you don’t have to worry about that. I’m still adjusting to that because American Idol was the beginning of everything for me.

They’re two completely different things, and I am still getting used to them.”

Fans know you from the competition, but now you’re introducing who you are through this EP. How has it been stepping into your own?

Casey: “It’s amazing, especially that people like my music. That’s like a big deal to me. I met someone at a restaurant, her name was also Casey. She said she was a fan of my music and not a fan of mine from American Idol. That was a first and such an amazing feeling.”

What do you hope listeners take away after listening to this EP?

Casey: “I hope that some people can relate to me – that’s exciting. The thought of people relating to my music the way I relate to my inspirations – that’s exciting for me.”

Who were some of your inspirations while working on this project?

Casey: “Fiona Apple, Alanis Morissette, No Doubt, The Pretty Reckless, Meg Myers.”

What’s your favorite song from the EP?

Casey: “It’s between ‘Denied’ and ‘Kerosene.’ But right at this moment, ‘Denied.’ It’s the only song I wrote by myself in my room. It’s the most vulnerable song and the saddest. I really love how it turned out.”

What do you have planned next?

Casey: “I hope to tour! I’m gonna continue making music, but I would love to do shows.”

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NYIKO RELEASES MUSIC VIDEO FOR 'LA ON FIRE'

September 28, 2022

by mariah estran

After much anticipation, LA-based artist Nyiko has returned, dropping a visual for his latest single, "LA On Fire."

Now, the scene is set for the indie-pop tune. A reflection on the recurring natural disasters, and a metaphor for the lasting effects of the entertainment business. Through the film direction of Milo Mitchell, the LA lifestyle is front and center in the newly released music video.

“Milo and I are part of a movie club that meets up to watch low-budget and fringe horror films. With that shared connection, we wanted to make a video that drew inspiration from the more bizarre and campy horror films,” Nyiko explains.

With three characters: a photographer, dancer, and skateboarder, we see Nyiko play mad scientist. He overlooks their lives through television surveillance, but when a few buttons are pushed, things escalate. Smoke appears, each person taken over, engulfed by the overwhelming aspects of the Hollywood dream.

Through use of over-the-top, silly horror, it allows that nostalgic, dance-inducing sound to flare. Burning that memorable chorus and illuminating keys right into your mind.