PETER RAFFOUL: INTERVIEW

June 23, 2023

by lauren kovolenko

Enjoy the thoughtful words of singer/songwriter Peter Raffoul in this interview with him where we discuss just about everything. Hailing from Nashville, Peter brings storytelling to a whole new level with his introspective lyricism. Check him out and enjoy his answers!

You were born in Canada but are now based in Nashville. How did this come to be and how did your upbringing influence you?

Peter: “Canada will always be my home, and will always be such a large part of who I am. I’m so thankful to have grown up there. I feel like the culture of my hometown has been such an inspiration and influence on who I am as an artist. But I have found a second home in Nashville and it has been such an immersive experience musically. Like many others, music brought me here, but specifically, the reason for the move was to develop as a songwriter and an artist. It’s been amazing to call Nashville home for the past five years.”

Congratulations on your EP! What has been your favorite song to perform so far?

Peter: “Thank you! It’s tough to choose one because I think that changes from tour to tour. But most recently, it’s been ‘Call Me.’ It’s a song that I wrote alone in a hotel room, that I now get to share with people in rooms all over the country.”

What was the songwriting process like on “Book Club?”

Peter: “‘Book Club’ started in a laundry room of a Holiday Inn in Seattle. I brought my guitar to mess around while my clothes were in the washer. I had been to a book store earlier that day and when I began to mumble words, the line ‘if you wrote books I would start a book club’ kinda fell out. I thought it was weird and unique in a way. So I brought the idea to a writing session in Nashville with a friend and great collaborator named Tony Esterly, and he was down to give it a shot. We didn’t overthink it, and when the session was over we had a song.”

Do you have any major influences for your music? Who are they?

Peter: “I come from a very artistic family, and I’d say they’re my biggest inspiration. Being creative growing up was always encouraged by my parents. And my older brother Billy, who is also an artist, has been such a great influence on me.”

Being a rising musician is a difficult feat in the modern world, how have you been making yourself known?

Peter: “Just by trying to be as authentic as I can with my music and how I carry myself as an artist. I think there’s so much out there these days, but the best way to connect is by being yourself and hoping that that’s what encourages listeners and fans to come along for the ride.”

In the future, will you have a full album? Is there anyone you’d like to collaborate with?

Peter: “I’d love to have a full album released in the future, I have music in the works right now and plenty of songs that I can’t wait to share. But how they’ll be delivered is still up in the air.

It’s hard to say just one or two people who I’d like to collaborate with. Being in Nashville, I’m around so many people that have so much talent and bring so much to the table.”

Has music always been the path you wanted to take? If you weren’t making music where do you think you’d be?

Peter: “I think in a way I knew this was always what I wanted, but it took me a while to let go of everything and just jump into it. I used to be a barber and really enjoyed it. I’ll still do a haircut here and there. I guess that’s what I’d be doing if I wasn’t doing this, but there’s nothing quite like making music.”

Do your songs have personal meaning to you?

Peter: “Yes, they all do in one way or another. My favorite kind of music is stuff that makes me feel things on a real level. I always try to be true to myself in the music that I make, and I hope that people who listen to my stuff feel that, and can relate to it in their own way.”

Can we expect you to tour as a headliner soon? Where is a place you definitely want to go?

Peter: “As soon as I’m able to, I would love it. It’s a dream of mine to tour as a headliner. But it would be hard to name just one place. Anywhere that wants to hear my music, I want to go play there.”

When you aren’t creating, what are you doing?

Peter: “I try to spend my time with family and friends as much as I can when I’m not creating.”

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THAVORON: INTERVIEW

June 8, 2023

by mariah estran

“Even with the rollout of this project, sometimes I catch myself being like, ‘Is this too much?” Thavoron asks himself as we sit on a Zoom call. The singer-songwriter and self-taught producer’s inviting demeanor sets the tone. He’s candid while talking about his new album, Tommy Loves You. "I think that is what I am constantly craving for in other people's art,” he says, sitting in his living room. “Being able to find a part of myself, topics that are hard to talk about and articulate.”

Growing up, Thavoron searched for just a piece of the entertainment universe that looked like him — felt like him. As a queer Cambodian American, that representation was not necessarily overt. “I think, growing up and seeing that — it was something that I wanted for myself so badly,” he shares, adding that it was almost a peculiar manifestation. Feelings quickly transformed into motivation to formulate that space on his own and with music.

“I had been making music secretly since I was sixteen or seventeen,” he confides. Writing became that response to feelings of seclusion while also trying to unwrap the adventure of adolescence. By the time the pandemic hit, there was that unusual push to pursue the project due to the circumstances. He released his album Ugly in 2021. It became a critically acclaimed piece that introduced us to his gift for conjuring raw emotions from start to finish.

Now in 2023, we are brought into the next chapter. Tommy Loves You is an introspective journey that serves as a letter of recognition on growth and understanding. Powerfully opening with “18,” the moving expression describes the impact of past relationships and the traumatic effects they can hold. “That was just a feeling that I had been feeling for so many years, and I didn’t know how to fully pinpoint what it was like,” he explains about the song. Those reflective lyrics heighten as emotive vocals float over a divine intertwine of poignant guitar notes and grand saxophone. “I think through writing that, it was very liberating and cathartic at the same time. I wrote that song during a time I really needed to hear it.”

The album carries these sentiments throughout — a continuous recall of words that remind oneself of self-love, even once unpacking complexities of the past and childhood. “I think all of these songs are very explorative,” Thavoron says. “In terms of fully feeling a feeling, instead of surface level acknowledgment.”

Through seven tracks, he’s delivered raw subjects that might otherwise be sugar-coated or slightly manipulated to soften the blow. Falling too quickly for someone is told in “Struck,” followed by “Nervous,” which exposes the fierce rush of a new romantic encounter. Then, it concludes with “Twin Sized Bed," the observation of when he fell into the arms of isolation and learned to pick himself out of it. Unveiling himself through creating this album ignites a strength to remain open. “The common ethos of the project is finding yourself accepting making mistakes and making wrong decisions — whatever spectrum that lies on,” he adds when depicting what each song means to him.

Initially recording the demos in his bedroom, Thavoron then collaborated with Philip Peterson and Spencer Edgers. They layered an array of striking percussion, cello, and woodwind tones to accentuate his soul-stirring vocals, subsequently transgressing into a heightened, heart-swelling experience that pulls you in. There’s no choice but to live in each moment, each word, because of purposeful sonic emphasis. “It’s finding ways to make it as emotional as possible without feeling out of place,” he says. “I just want to pay respect to each emotion I was feeling and make the listener immersed in that world.”

The realm Thavoron created — Tommy Loves You — tackles the challenge of letting people in. He describes that these songs and stories sit close to his heart. As he allowed himself to produce with others and, ultimately, permitted himself to be open with listeners — a strikingly organic collection is made. “I’m always about whether I can make people feel seen by my music or feel validated,” he says, thinking about the possible impact.

This well-rounded homage to the past; and who he is becoming and going next is why the album title contains ‘Tommy.’ The middle name he grew up using to feel ‘normal,’ not yet recognizing the culturally assimilating nature. Thavoron has reclaimed these feelings and salvaged them to create a project that includes us in the reflective endeavor.

“What I want people to take away from the project, in general, is kind of that inner love from your inner child is over-encompassing over every arch of your life,” he says about the album. “It’s important to make space for that — the capacity to be selfless.”

As he mentions his childhood, he concludes with final words to his past self, dedicated to Tommy: “Never stop being yourself, and never stop loving hard because you’re going to learn so much about yourself through that and in others, in whatever form that exists.”

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CALEB HEARN: INTERVIEW

May 31, 2023

by brittany and everly ormiston

Singer/songwriter Caleb Hearn wears his soul on his sleeve through reflective lyricism, captivating vocals, and an effortless blend of folk and indie pop. In past tracks, he zeroed in on relationships and lessons learned. Caleb digs even deeper with his new EP 1200 sq ft by uncovering his family roots, and telling his story from childhood to present day. The project as a whole displays an organic sound with an acoustic guitar leading the way. With the elegant instrumentals and Caleb’s soft yet powerful vocals, the message of each track is crystal clear to listeners. Through his unmatched artistry and undeniable talent, Caleb is paving his way through the music industry and making it known he is here to stay.

Your new EP 1200 sq ft is now out in the world! Describe how you are feeling in three words.

Caleb: “Excited, eager, and nervous.”

There was a Zoom release party for your new EP. Tell us about a few moments you shared with your supporters during that time.

Caleb: “For most of the recent releases, I’ve been doing release parties, and they’re one of my favorite parts about releasing new music because I get to interact with my fans face-to-face. On Zoom, I played everyone the new EP and watched their live reaction to hearing the songs I’ve been waiting to share with them for so long. In addition to sharing the music, I told everyone the story and inspiration behind each song, making it feel more intimate despite being online. I also teased some future releases to get fans excited about what's to come!”

Thinking back to the creation of 1200 sq ft, what is your most treasured memory?

Caleb: “My favorite memory was sitting with Marc Scibilia in the studio and listening to the finished version of the song together. Marc and I quickly became friends throughout the song-creation process, and it was extremely special to sit with him and listen to what we created. I also got to perfect the song with him in real time, which was super cool since I usually send my notes to collaborators online.

Similar to your songwriting, John-Luke Carter (p/k/a Mokita) utilizes honest storytelling and illustrates personal life experiences. Describe the time you spent working with Mokita to create “1 day you will.”

Caleb: “It was incredible working with Mokita since we clicked instantly, and writing with him felt very natural. We finished most of the song during the first session we had together, and then I met with him again to finish the song. I worked closely with him throughout the entire process, and I’ll hopefully create more projects with him in the future.”

The music video for “1200 square feet” perfectly depicts the emotions centered around your childhood home, and when your parents separated. Viewers can feel the love to heartbreak timeline through the acting and cinematography. What was the creative process for this video, and how did you provide direction for it?

Caleb: “The concept for the music video stemmed from an idea I had about depicting my childhood through a child actor. I met with the director, Maya Sassoon, about this concept, and we brainstormed my childhood memories. After doing this a few times together, Maya was able to weave them together to create a plot for the video. The video is extremely special to me because even though the content is displayed through an actor, the scenes are very genuine to what I went through.”

The lyric “it was only 1200 square feet / it wasn’t much / but it was enough for me” references being thankful and appreciative for what you have. How did your upbringing affect how you navigate life today?

Caleb: “So much of who I am is because of the people I grew up around and the experiences I had as a child. Honestly, I didn’t have the most perfect childhood, and there were certainly negative parts. However, I’ve realized that there is just as much I can learn from the negative aspects of my upbringing as I can from the positive. I look to different experiences I had as a child as examples of what to apply — or not to apply — to my life.”

Who do you consider to be your biggest role model(s) and/or inspiration(s) for the music you create?

Caleb: “I look up to many different artists for inspiration depending on what aspect of the process I’m working on, but one of my biggest inspirations is NF. I have a lot of respect for how vulnerable he is and how he isn’t afraid to push any boundaries. I also am inspired by artists including Justin Bieber, Lewis Capaldi, and John Mayer.”

You have had several life-altering experiences over the years, and know what it is like when everything changes at a moment’s notice. What are a few ways you stay present in the moment, and allow yourself to enjoy the little things?

Caleb: “Recently, I’ve prioritized spending more time with the people I love since I realized how short life is and how easy it is for my career to consume me. I realized that if I constantly work on music, I won’t have anything to write about because I’ll never experience anything. Switching my mindset to understand the importance of fully living life definitely helped me become more present.”

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TAYLOR SWIFT / 'THE ERAS TOUR' : REVIEW

May 21, 2023

by betsy brody

GAYLE got the crowd started with her energetic self-written songs, including her latest single “don’t call me pretty.” She also did a beautiful cover of Elton John's classic “Benny and The Jets.” She ended her set with her breakout hit “abcdefu.”

Next, Phoebe Bridgers took the stage and mesmerized the crowd with her sweet melodic vocals. She was joined with the rest of her super talented band. Her songs are very emotional story type songs, and her setlist included her hits like “Kyoto,” “Scott Street,” and boygenius’ “Me & My Dog.”

Let's go back to arriving at the stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, for the second of three sold out concerts in Philadelphia, Taylor Swift's hometown shows. The first thing you notice is all the amazing outfits the fans are wearing from cowboy hats, cowboy boots, homemade t-shirts, and sparkly outfits each reflecting their personalities. Fans were also exchanging friendship bracelets, referring to the line from “You’re On Your Own, Kid” from Taylor’s latest album, Midnights: “Everything you lose is a step you take / so make the friendship bracelets / take the moment and taste it / you've got no reason to be afraid”

Taylor truly appreciates her fans, and it feels like 70,000 friends in a room singing songs with her for three and a half hours, not to mention the 10,000+ fans in the street outside the stadium who were listening and singing along all night. This being her first tour since 2018, Taylor has since released four brand new albums along with two rerecorded albums. The Eras Tour celebrates each era she has had since the start of her career, almost all of her albums getting their own batch of songs sung each night. Each song was an amazing production from the outfits Taylor wore to the props, to the musicians and dancers, and to the acting and emotions. Some of the outfits were the sparkly red outfits from the Red era (singing “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” and “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” and the beautiful flowing gown from the Speak Now era (singing “Enchanted”). Another highlight was Phoebe Bridgers returning to the stage to sing “Nothing New,” a vault track from the rerecorded version of the Red album. Taylor is a master singer-songwriter and storyteller and truly involves the audience in every song. The light up bracelets each fan was given added to the amazing production — from creating hearts during “Lover,” falling snow and leaves during “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” and lighting up with the Pride flag during “You Need To Calm Down.” This is a tour no one should miss if you are lucky enough to score tickets.

'SAME LOVER' / SEMLER: REVIEW

May 19, 2023

by sara welden

Los-Angeles based musician Semler has returned with a strikingly bold new single, “Same Lover.” The track serves as our first glimpse into the artist’s new project and tells the story of two people who connect over a shared trauma. “I wrote this song about meeting up with someone while I was on tour who had experienced the same heartbreak I went through with the same person who dumped me after being born again,” Semler explains. The track warms up with gentle instrumentals and delicate vocals before quickly gaining traction with a swelling tempo and a beat that comes crashing through. Opening with the lines “I think you met me on a whim, right? / But I’ve thought about you for my whole life,” Semler sets the scene. We get a deeper glimpse into the artist’s emotional inner workings when they add, “She loved you too before she went cold / So now we’re sitting in the same boat.” “Same Lover” is a dreamy-pop fusion that is full of sentiment.

Capturing the attention (and ear) of thousands of individuals worldwide, Semler has made history as the first openly queer artist to hit Number 1 on the iTunes Christian music charts. Semler describes the track as “Just some straight up queer poppy fun and maybe a dash of hair metal in the bridge,” they beam. “It works, I swear!”

Semler’s sincere storytelling abilities shine through in “Same Lover” and the track is a true testament to the exemplary artist that they are. Give “Same Lover” a listen and be sure to keep your eye out for Semler, an artist whose music is full of transparency and is beautifully earnest.