BIRD AND BYRON: INTERVIEW

January 24, 2023

by sara welden

From Columbus, Ohio to Nashville, Tennessee, Bird and Byron are a dazzling duo who are making their mark on the music scene one eurythmic tune at a time. Cranking out some of the most soulful and high-spirited music out there today, Blake (Bird) and Nick (Byron) are certainly turning heads. We had the pleasure of chatting with the guys before they hit the road for their first ever tour with The Criticals which will no doubt be an exceptional show, so be sure to grab your tickets and catch them out on the road!

Can you walk us through how Bird and Byron was formed?

Blake: “We grew up in the same hometown and have known each other since we were six, playing on the same little league teams and things like that. We both reconnected after college and Nick’s mom pitched me the idea to start making music with him.”

Nick: “We recorded a cover together that day of a Wings song. We felt a good connection right away and took off running from there.”

Did either of you grow up in musical families?

Nick: “My grandfather was an amazing pianist and I think I got all of my musical talent from him. He can play everything by ear so growing up around him really influenced me in that aspect.”

One of my best friends Olivia first introduced me to your music a few years ago, and she was absolutely buzzing to share with me that you guys were from Columbus, Ohio (whoop!). How did growing up there shape you both as people and as artists?

Blake: “We were growing up right around the time that Twenty One Pilots was getting popular in Columbus, so we both got to witness what their rise to fame was like. Both of us attended a lot of their earliest gigs so seeing their shows made me realize that’s what I wanted to do one day.”

Now being based in Nashville, do you find a lot of inspiration around you there?

Nick: “The scene in Nashville is overall very supportive and we feel that we’re able to grow a lot more here than in a place like LA. There’s tons of musical history here as well so it’s cool to see what came before us.”

Blake: “Nashville is like a small town compared to LA so you kind of have that small town support rather than making music in a sea of 15 million people.”

What did each of you want to be when you grew up as a kid? Was being a musician always on the radar?

Blake: “I don’t think I really knew what I wanted to be for awhile. I went to college for finance and marketing, and later philosophy, but music is something that I always enjoyed so it’s always been on my mind.”

Nick: “I was definitely influenced by my music my whole life but I never really thought of it as a career. I originally thought that I wanted to go into medicine but I eventually saw a songwriter who was my age right before college which pushed me to try writing my own songs. It kind of took off from there and I got into Belmont, which is when my career shifted.”

You both mesh extremely well together sonically, did you always know what you wanted your music to sound like or did it take some time to find your sound?

Blake: “I think we’re always exploring our sound since we both like a lot of different things. It was easy for us to mesh together when it came to writing music because we have a lot of overlapping stuff.”

Nick: “At the beginning, we were bringing all of our influences in and it was hard to figure out what we wanted to sound like as Bird and Byron rather than sounding like some of our influences like The Black Keys or Paul McCartney. I feel like now we’re in a good groove that we’re not thinking about that and we’re just writing stuff that sounds authentically like us.”

You just put out a collection of singles, the newest one being “How Love Grows.” What did the creative process look like for these songs?

Blake: “Most of those songs were made in the process of us moving and trying to get comfortable in Nashville, while also trying to nail down our production. They’re a collection of love songs.”

Nick: “It’s kind of a reflection on a new location. Living on our own as a duo is really influencing our music since we’re able to have our own creative space. The music is definitely benefitting from that.”

You guys have been posting “One Take Tuesdays” on social media for quite some time, and you guys absolutely crush every single one. They usually feature a cover or original demo. What inspired you guys to start making these?

Blake: “It was the middle of the pandemic and we were still wanting to write and record all of the time. We wanted to find something that we could consistently post and share original music and covers. It’ll hopefully keep growing and evolve into different things.”

Nick: “We released our first single as a group right when everything first shut down in 2020 but we were really keen on growing the band as a live act. When the pandemic happened, we were trying to find a way to adapt and show our creations virtually. It ended up connecting with people and we love doing it.”

Who are some of your favorite musicians, old or new?

Blake: “I’m a big Beatles fan and I’ve always been a huge admirer of Paul McCartney. I listen to a lot of Aretha Franklin, Alabama Shakes, and I also grew up on Jimi Hendrix so I really love him.”

Nick: “Listening to The Black Keys for the first time blew my mind. 50s and 60s blues and soul music are huge influences for me. Durand Jones is a big modern influence for me as well as Charlie Megira.”

You guys are about to hit the road supporting The Criticals for your first ever tour, which is super exciting so congratulations!! How are you feeling in anticipation of the tour?

Blake: “Honestly so excited. We’re bringing along a great group of guys who are super knowledgeable of the music that we’re presenting to them. These will be some of the biggest stages that we’ve played so getting the chance to play some of these cities is super cool.”

I saw your guys’ show at The Basement back in October, that show was absolutely electric and I cannot even begin to express what amazing performers you both are. I know there were also lots of family and friends in the crowd, so how did it feel playing a show in your hometown surrounded by all of that love and support?

Nick: “It’s really the best thing being able to play in the place that you grew up in and having all of that support around you. It takes an edge off and you play better and harder. It was a lot of fun.”

What are each of your desert island albums, if you could only listen to one album forever?

Blake: “Shoot! One album? I’ll have to do a few. Right now it would be If I Am Only My Thoughts by Loving, Sea of Nothing by Drugdealer, and probably The Beatles white album.”

Nick: “Mine would be Tomorrow’s Gone by Charlie Megira, I feel like that album has all of his greatest songs compiled on it. Probably also the compilation album of all of Acetone’s best songs because I could never get tired of that.”

What does the future of Bird and Byron look like? Any goals or hopes for what’s in store?

Blake: “We anticipate this tour going very well and we’re super excited for it. We just hope to keep growing. This is going to be big eventually!”

Nick: “Being able to do a cross country tour and eventually Europe would be amazing. We’re also working on our debut album that’s coming out later this year which is a big goal of ours and we’re super excited about it.”

Bird and Byron are both truly lovely and extremely talented guys, and I feel immensely grateful that I had the privilege of getting to know them at this point in their careers. It’s really special to see them during this part of their journey, because it is just the beginning! Be sure to keep Bird and Byron on your radar, I have a feeling that they have a magnificent future ahead.

FIND BIRD AND BYRON ONLINE

WEBSITE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

JOESEF: INTERVIEW

January 23, 2023

by tiffany arunarsirakul

Joesef is an artist who speaks from his soul, which is honesty. His life is his source of inspiration where everything you hear has happened to him directly. Joesef mentions how "it's sort of about how difficult life is but it's always right in the end." Joesef is going on tour in January and March this year, and we are excited to see what the future has in store for this talent!

Can you explain what new soul means to you?

Joesef: “Not sure really, soul to me has always sort of meant the truth. Do I believe whatever it is someone is singing or writing about? Soul to me means honesty in that context.”

Permanent Damage, your debut album, released on January 13th. How were you feeling leading up to the release?

Joesef: “Probably a perfect combo of excitement and completely shitting myself. I only get to release my debut album once, so I'm trying to take it all in as it's happening and not become passive amongst the madness of it all.”

How did you come up with the name Permanent Damage for the album, considering how “Caught in an Endless Sunday” was a potential name prior?

Joesef: “‘Caught in an Endless Sunday was a bit of a placeholder to be honest. I saw the words ‘permanent damage’ on a cigarette packet at an after party in Hackney. I was a bit fucked at the time but had written it down in my notes. I think it perfectly sums up the themes of the album, and fits the darkness in some of the sonics on the record. I wanted something that was instantaneous and held up this idea of something changing you indefinitely, like I was by the relationship that inspired the album.”

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

Joesef: “My life has always been the source of my inspiration, or my shite love life to be precise. Everything you hear has happened to me directly, I've always just used it as my outlet to exercise parts of myself that I have difficulty articulating day to day. I think reading a lot inspires me also, writers like Douglas Stuart and Patti Smith are people whose work I've kept close to me during the process of making the record. I'd encourage anyone getting into songwriting or having difficulty with it to read as much as possible. I fucking love reading.”

What can we expect while listening to Permanent Damage?

Joesef: “It's definitely a bigger sound than anything I've put out before. I think it sounds quite lush at times. It's probably quite dark too, I honestly don't know what to tell anyone. I think they just have to listen and make their own mind up.”

Was music something you wanted to pursue since your childhood?

Joesef: “Not at all. I always loved to sing but being from the east end of Glasgow it never felt like something I'd ever be able to make a career out of, it was so far removed from the reality of growing up in a deprived working class area. I sort of fell into music after going to an open mic night with my mate who's now my manager. I'd roasted about eight pints and went up and sang for a laugh but off the back of that he wanted to try to manage me. I spent like a year trying to write music before I found my lane, it was such a mad time. I really can't believe where it's taken me too sometimes.”

How do you find a balance between your personal life and your professional life?

Joesef: “I find it really difficult actually, because the music is so autobiographical it feels like there are no boundaries at times. Everything feels personal to me, it's hard to look at things objectively when it's your own experiences that are the subject matter.”

Which song from Permanent Damage do you resonate with the most?

Joesef: “I feel like such a different person compared to who I was when I'd written the album. I'm pretty happy at the moment and hopeful that it stays that way, so I guess ‘All Good’ is the most relevant right now. It's sort of about how difficult life is but it's always alright in the end, it has to be.”

Being from Glasgow, how does it feel to have a fanbase nationwide?

Joesef: “I don't really think about it much, but I really love meeting people who like the tunes. It’s fucking crazy. I got recognized in-and-out when I was in LA. I was like HERE? How the fuck does someone know me here. People are always so lovely to me, and it really is such a beautiful thing that I never took into consideration when getting into music, how open and honest everyone is with me. I love it a lot.”

With your tours in January and March, how do you prepare yourself?

Joesef: “I try to just get good rehearsals in, make sure I don't overdo it too. You need to be like a fucking athele to sustain yourself for a whole tour, everyone get's sick at the same time ‘cause you're always breathing in each others breath in a tour bus, but it's sort of inevitable. I always try to prioritize a bit of alone time on tour as well, even if it is just taking a whole day to go and get my washing done.”

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

Joesef: “Don't think so, everyone enjoy the album, bye x x x x.”

FIND JOESEF ONLINE

TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

LITTLE IMAGE: INTERVIEW

January 21, 2023

by mariah estran

A single Instagram post initiated the return of Little Image. The Dallas-based, alt-pop band captioned the red-hued, group photo: “We’re back,” signed with a small emoji heart. Met with excitement; fans were ecstatic to know the wait was over.

It was 2020 — a new beginning was brewing. The band went on tour and released an electrifying single titled “WORTH IT.” They were gearing up for what they thought would follow a preconceived plan. Yet, as the pandemic hit and solitary took hold, they took a step back.

“Our comeback in 2020, which looking back on it, we just were not ready for,” vocalist Jack Simmons explains. “The pandemic gave us the opportunity to figure out what we wanted to do.”

In a sense, there was no way to avoid a session of reevaluation. There were no live shows, and at the time, the outlook of in-person performances was shotty. So, filling that void consisted of full awareness of their creative vision. “It just felt like we finally had the time we needed, in some ways, to grow up,” bassist Brandon Walters explains.

They met in high school and, by 2017, released their first record, Musings. A ten-track piece that showcased their talents; through garage-band-like guitar and drum energy, coinciding with tender lyricism. It’s an album that began to report that potential for versatility as it experimented with a charming concoction of light and heavy notes.

Now, it's clear that as years passed following the inaugural release, there is room for more change.

Recounting the recent evolution of Little Image, Walters notes, “It was a different shift within the band, and we are better because of it, even though it was hard.” Similar to the rest of the world, the three had to navigate how to work at a distance. One might be in Dallas, while another is in New York. It was an obstacle that induced a much-needed dose of reflectivity. “We learned how to communicate better. We were able to dive into the songs a lot deeper because we had so much time on our hands,” Walters explains.

Unpacking those pent-up emotions — the observations of solitude gave way to new singles that pack a punch. By the fall of 2022, “LUNGS BURN” was dropped into listener's hands. Opening with a jolt of synthesizers, unveiling a new-found dance-inducing tone. As Simmons sings: “I can feel it in my bones / Things are getting pretty cold / Boy across me got no soul / And he's on the phone.”

“Our music is always open for interpretation, you know? But for us, it’s kind of this small lens on our view on certain things,” Simmons says about the song. There’s a hint at societies’ attachment to digital reassurance. The music video, directed by Sawyer Skipper, depicts the band members staring into hypnotizing, brightly lit phone screens. “We live in such a world of technology and self-image — we struggle with it as well,” the vocalist adds.

“LUNGS BURN” quite literally holds a mirror to a detached way of living, this feeling the band saw themselves beginning to dissect while making new songs. “I feel like we are missing a human connection — that’s the biggest theme we are trying to communicate,” Walters further explains. Yet, as they share this discourse through their current singles and upcoming ones, they are rekindling a form of connection. “To have people come up to you and tell you what that song means to them — that’s the cool part about music,” he says. They’re developing a connection with their listeners.

Working with producers Chad Copelin and Jeremy Lutito, their music is transforming into this multi-layered sensation. It’s not only grabbing you through thought-provoking lyricism but gripping energy. It feeds the impulse to hit replay. If a listener isn’t sifting through the witted words, there’s a chance they’re sonically immersing in the alt-pop kick.

“Jeremy was the first to kind of push us into steering away from the classic guitar and drums, bass band thing, but still being true to ourselves,” Simmons says about working on their sound. “We were able to take what we learned with Jeremey and bring it over to work with Chad and create something special.”

Opening two shows for Panic! At The Disco last fall, that special sound found its way to more ears. Attendees even sharing their praise through YouTube comments on their newest tune, “BLUE.” Some mention seeing them in concert and falling in love, as more profess that they “get all the vibes right.”

That engagement, that admiration towards “BLUE,” is heartwarming to observe. The band grew with this song over the last couple of years. They explained that it took several transformations after being written pre-pandemic. There were production alterations and new elements incorporated, such as the bridge. They share that this was the song that aided them through the unpredictable state of the pandemic. “It’s funny that music can help you get through things,” Walters says, as Simmons nods in agreement. “Very rarely is it your own music that’s helping you get through something.”

Little Image – as with the rest of the industry – was aware of how long it might take for things to feel normal, for that bond between listeners and musicians to return. Yet, it never derailed what the band could be or what they could develop.

2022 proved how they overcame their hurdles. They have entered a new era, yet it is only the beginning. "LUNGS BURN," and "BLUE" are just the preface. The whole story, the album is soon to come. That search for connection pushed them onto a new playing field — one which is inching towards higher fates.

The new year already includes a tour with Colony House. Walters reflects on what’s happened and what’s to come, “The whole thing with us is we want human connection — this gives us a little bit.” His sincerity rang through a closing note, “When we are able to meet people when we can, it’s a special part of being a band.”

FIND LITTLE IMAGE ONLINE

WEBSITE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

'END OF IT ALL' / DWLLRS: REVIEW

January 12, 2023

by sara welden

“End Of it All'' is an exceptionally earnest new release from DWLLRS, a California duo consisting of Bren Eisman and Joey Spurgeon. At its core, the song is an anthem for all of the lonely hearts. Throughout the track, DWLLRS takes us on a melodic journey of recognition and yearning, alluding to the many heartbreaks of life while also acknowledging that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The hauntingly beautiful vocals and piano set the tone for the song and are accompanied by lyrics like “Before you love somebody, better love yourself.” With refreshingly candor lyrics like these, DWLLRS allude to a lesson that is often difficult to learn, but necessary to understand for a person’s growth.

“End Of it All” is a musical whirlwind of emotions that concludes with reassuring optimism. “At the end of it all, I hope I lived it a little different than just being alive.” Life is full of low points and loneliness, but it is also full of genuine, outpouring love and light. Through “End Of it All,” DWLLRS reminds us to seek solace in life’s highs while also having the courage to embrace the lows.

MAX DRAZEN: INTERVIEW

January 9, 2023

by iliana calderon

Up and rising artist Max Drazen has released his latest song, “Not Because I Loved You” and answered some questions about the new song and its meaning. He also talked about his musical inspirations and other genres of music he’s worked with. Drazen is set to release new music in the new year and hopes that his fans are excited.

Can you tell us a little bit about what your newest song “Not Because I Loved You” is about?

Max: “‘Not Because I Loved You’ is about my most recent relationship. It was really hard. There were times when I was being manipulated and gaslit and made to feel like all the problems in it were my fault. So when it ended I felt relieved but I also felt a sense of heartbreak. I didn’t love her but everything I went through during the course of those few months was traumatizing. It felt like a new type of heartbreak for me.”

Has this song differed from your previous releases at all in regards to concept or production?

Max: “‘Not Because I Loved You’ is the first of a string of new music. I recently feel like I found my sound. To me, being an artist is all about taste and I didn’t truly love the stuff I put out before it. I still believe those first few songs are great but not necessarily stuff I myself would listen to. It’s really important to me that all the stuff I release from now on, I love and feel unique to me, not just quality songs that I think people would like.”

You’ve listed some of your inspirations as Smino, J. Cole, The 1975, and Two Door Cinema Club. Did you grow up listening to different genres of music?

Max: “I grew up listening to everything. My parents’ favorite artists are storytellers: people like Elton John and Billy Joel. Storytelling became important to me from a young age. When Spotify became popular I branched out from classic storytelling artists and got into alternative music, R&B, and hip-hop. The reason I think pop suits me best is I can use all of those influences and turn them into one song. My goal is for my stuff to feel relatively genre-less as a result of my listening habits and inspirations.”

Where do you currently find most inspiration?

Max: “I mostly find inspiration in unique sounds and production. I often listen to Smino because his stuff is so boundless. His producer Monte Booker uses so many sounds that are, for a lack of better words, weird, but because of that really unique and cool. I gravitate towards sounds that feel like they have been untouched or unheard.”

Is there a genre of music you’re specifically looking to work with?

Max: “On top of my artist project, I write for a lot of other artists. I feel like what separates me from many people is my songwriting. This year my goal is to work in as many genres as possible in order to use the creative side of my brain in different ways. I feel like being able to write in any genre makes me a better artist. It allows me to pull from any inspiration and make it my own.”

Is there anything we can expect from you in the near future?

Max: “You can expect a ton of music this year. I’m super excited for people to be able to consume my music in more than just singles. With that will come live performance videos, a lot of dope content, and a glimpse into my process as a songwriter. I’m also starting live shows this year which I’m super excited about. I’m so excited to get into it all this year.”

FIND MAX ONLINE

WEBSITE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK