PRESENCE: INTERVIEW

October 26, 2022

by alex grainger

Presence dropped his latest single “Loving Me & Losing You” on September 30th. The strikingly honest single reflects on Presence’s journey finding the joy in music again after making music and living for thousands online for so long. While reverting to his younger self to find joy, this single is one which sonically shows his growth as a musician. Presence’s experimentation on this track allowed him to push his musical boundaries and expand his sound. The music video for “Loving Me & Losing You” translates the trapped feeling visually. Read more about Presence and “Loving Me & Losing You” below!

Can you tell us what your single “Loving Me & Losing You” is about?

Presence: “I wrote ‘Loving Me & Losing You’ about my relationship between me and my music. So often in the creative world I feel like you can become a detriment to yourself for the enjoyment of others, and that’s the box I found myself in. Closed off in my room reliving my trauma over and over so I can make something for other people to hear. That’s what the ‘You’ is in the song.”

What was the creative process behind “Loving Me & Losing You?”

Presence: “I found the producer of this song (RXXXL) on YouTube about a year ago searching through obscure YouTube beat channels with less than a thousand subscribers. His sound was so unique and I knew I wanted to work with him in the future, so I reached out and we started working on original songs together. This beat is one of the first that he sent me, and the idea for the lyrics flowed immediately just based on what I was feeling at the time.”

Is there a message you are sending to listeners of “Loving Me & Losing You?”

Presence: “Not necessarily. My goal in this song was to just be honest about what I was feeling, and whatever conclusion the listener drew from that was up to them. The song is pretty open ended though and I think we all have something or someone we’re knowingly over attached to, so I knew the song would be something people could relate to.”

How has your sound developed from recording in the backseat of your dad’s Honda Accord to now upon the release of your latest single?

Presence: “When I was making my initial YouTube videos from the backseat I was pretty limited in what I could do creatively. Not just because the resources I had were limited, but my knowledge of creating music was so limited as well. Now though, with both of those things expanding, I have the ability to do so many different weird things with my voice and not just rap over a piano every song. That’s been really cool.”

This single shows personal growth of understanding what is best for you, but how have you grown as an artist through the creation of “Loving Me & Losing You?”

Presence: “I think sonically this is the most interesting song I’ve ever put out. Obviously the song is about me feeling trapped as an artist, and I think the aural representation of me getting out of that box is me expanding my sound and trying new things on this track. That along with the visuals really pushed my boundaries as an artist and have me excited to keep pushing further on future tracks.”

Did “Loving Me & Losing You,” come as a reflection on the process of understanding you may need to take a step back, or were you realizing in the moment of creating this song what you needed to do for yourself?

Presence: “It definitely came as a reflection of feelings I already was already having.”

Having been in a cycle as you say of being addicted to attention and living your teenage years for the hundreds of thousands of people online, what is your motivation now? How has this new mindset changed your daily life?

Presence: “I think I needed to remember why I started making music in the first place. When I wrote my first songs they were for me and nobody else. In a sense I needed to revert to my younger self and find the joy in all of this again.”

Having been vulnerable to your fans about the reasons for taking a step back, do you feel you have become closer with them? Do you think this provides a better glimpse into who you truly are?

Presence: “Perhaps. I’m not completely sure though. Maybe it’s a side of me they didn’t know existed.”

You also released a music video for this single — what was the creative process behind translating “Loving Me & Losing You” into a visual piece?

Presence: “Jake Heidecker, who directed the music video, is immensely gifted at turning the theme of a song into an idea that connects visually. I told him what the song was about and together while eating breakfast we mapped out the concept of me being trapped in a box while the world continued around me. Within a few days we were at the studio with a crew filming the video.”

What was your reaction to seeing the finished video?

Presence: “I was blown away. It looked better than it even did in my head.”

What are you most proud of upon the release of “Loving Me and Losing You?”

Presence: “I’m most proud of the growth in myself that’s clearly happened as a result of it. I had been holding onto a lot of feelings that I was finally able to release through writing and releasing this song.”

Make sure to stream Presence’s latest single “I’m Okay I Swear” dropping this Friday October 28th!

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ZZ: INTERVIEW

October 20, 2022

by alex grainger

ZZ released his debut album GHOST. The 19-track album follows his journey home as it leads with the feeling of homesickness to ending with his home zip code in India. The dynamic album full of hip hop to R&B beats allowed ZZ to craft his own sound and answer burning questions in his mind. Read more about GHOST and ZZ below!

Can you tell us what GHOST is about? Are you telling a story through the album?

ZZ: “Most definitely, it starts off with homesick and ends with 110021, which is my zip code in India. Everything in between is my journey getting home whether it be turning up, feeling lost, feeling love, and heartbreak.”

What’s the meaning behind the album title GHOST?

ZZ: “GHOST is me throughout this album. It’s a state of mind, a state of recklessness, living in the late night and being comfortable with being alone.”

What was the creative process behind your debut album?

ZZ: “I started with ‘homesick…’ (which originally wasn’t gonna be on GHOST until May 2022), then ‘papi’ and ‘bonita’ came and I kept on making more and more stuff, and I guess subconsciously my brain was just creating things with similar tones and themes. Halfway through I realized this has to be a full album so I got to work. One and a half years later here we are.”

Is there a track off GHOST that is your favorite? One you are most proud of? One that was the most challenging to create?

ZZ: “Definitely not. I don’t have a favorite, but I do have certain tracks I listen to more at different times. Right now I’ve been listening to ‘bliss’ a lot more.”

How would you describe your sound? How do you think you will grow into it over the next year or so?

ZZ: “I definitely love my chord progressions, regardless of the instrument as long as what you’re hearing strikes you emotionally, that’s my sound. I just hear things and know what’s right. I don’t know how to explain it. Radiohead and Tyler chords for example, not the same but f***ing sensational. TOO good.”

Having been raised in New Delhi and having moved to Los Angeles in 2020, how do you feel both places have influenced your music and this album, if at all?

ZZ: “Well, I definitely got homesick for a few months which inspired ‘homesick…,’ and everything that

came in between helped me find the sound of the album.”

What was your reaction to the finished album?

ZZ: “F***ing beaut. Perfect and cohesive.”

How have you grown as an artist through the experience of creating GHOST?

ZZ: “I feel like I got a lot of questions answered in my head and got some things off my chest while making GHOST. I crafted my sound and it’s just the beginning. The music that’s coming next is… you’ll see.”

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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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