JULES IS DEAD: INTERVIEW

November 4, 2023

by kaleigh gieraltowski

Bright and spunky uprising emo rockstar JULES IS DEAD has recently taken the industry by storm with their newest single “My Own Hell.” From a very young age the singer and songwriter has gravitated towards the exuberant culture and excitement of the infamous emo and scene culture. JULES IS DEAD excels with powerhouse vocals and an even cooler take on fashion that is a huge element to their overall sentiment in the upcoming world of rock. They are currently working on even more music and expanding into some future touring that you will definitely not want to miss. We had the pleasure of talking with them and you can read all about it below!

I can see that you had a desire to create music at a young age. What first inspired you to learn how to play the piano, and what eventually motivated you to move onto the guitar at 14?

JULES IS DEAD: “My parents put me into piano lessons when I was very young, and I grew up playing it. I stopped lessons when I was 12. Then the first COVID lockdown hit when I was 14, and I remembered my dad used to play the video game Rock Band. So, I asked if we could bring it up from the basement. Rock Band introduced me to AFI, Fall Out Boy, and Paramore, who are now bands that mean the world to me. I was getting really good at the Rock Band guitar, so I decided to switch to a real one and try it out.”

Your newest single “My Own Hell” talks about being powerful and courageous even when you are feeling doubtful of yourself. Do you use songwriting as a way to cope and express your emotions when you feel this way?

JULES IS DEAD: “Yes, it’s definitely been a great coping mechanism for me, and being able to share how I feel and hopefully help others through the same things.”

When it comes time to tour, what kind of message do you want to spread to audiences that come to hear you perform live?

JULES IS DEAD: “I am so excited to perform live! Shows are where I feel at home, and I can't wait to be on stage. I want everyone who'd come out to see me to feel the same way. I'd hope everyone felt safe and like they could be friends with whoever's next to them. I've met some of the people I'm closest to at shows, and I hope that could happen at my shows too.”

Your charisma and talent is very impressive for being only 17 years old. How do you balance the everyday challenges of growing up and working as an artist at the same time?

JULES IS DEAD: “Honestly, sometimes it can be a bit tough, but making music means so much to me that I always find a way to balance it all. I'm pretty much just super busy all the time between writing and recording trips, school, shows, and seeing my friends.”

What advice would you give to other young individuals looking to start their own music career?

JULES IS DEAD: “I'd say to always remember what it's like to be a fan and to stay true to yourself and the sound you want as an artist. You have the ability to put your most vulnerable self in front of the world, so make sure it's the real you.”

You have a distinct style that is beautiful and eye-catching and goes perfectly with your ambience and style of music. Do you think that fashion is another way you express yourself besides creating music?

JULES IS DEAD: “Yes, definitely. I take a lot of inspiration for my look and my music from 2000s emo and scene culture. Dressing the way I dress is a way of showing what's playing in my headphones to everyone around me.”

Where did you draw the inspiration for the “My Own Hell” music video and the way it was executed?

JULES IS DEAD: “The ‘My Own Hell’ video was inspired by the music videos and visuals from the albums and movies I love. The whole video has this blue tinge that was very Evanescence inspired, and the scenes with the candles are a bit of a nod to The Craft, which is one of my favorite films of all time.”

What else do we have to look forward to in the world of JULES IS DEAD?

JULES IS DEAD: “There'll be a new single very soon, which I'm so, so, so excited for, and hopefully, before the year's out, there will be a couple of shows as well.”

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CASEY DUBIE: INTERVIEW

November 3, 2023

by lauren kovolenko

Soulful, introspective Casey Dubie is here to show off her talents! Read her interview with us and learn more about what’s been going on in her world. Make sure to give her music a listen and enjoy the great storytelling!

Storytelling seems to be your strong suit. Do these stories have a personal meaning to you?

Casey: “A lot of my songs are based on events, feelings, and observations from my own life. I hope people can feel the rawness and honesty from them and be able to connect more authentically because of it.”

When did you decide that songwriting was the way to go?

Casey: “In 8th grade I went to a talent show at our local high school and someone played a song they wrote and I remember being completely mesmerized. It seemed like such a cool channel of expression. That same night I went home and picked up my mom’s guitar and started teaching myself.”

Can you tell us a little about your single “Older Colder?”

Casey: “There’s the old saying that time heals all wounds, but ‘Old Colder’ counters this. Yes, in a lot of ways we can heal and move on from things, but they also never really leave us. That’s what this song is about, how as we move through life, we take on more painful experiences which contributes to our loss of innocence.”

What does creating mean to you?

Casey: “Creating is a way I make sense of my internal world, and by extension, hopefully help others sort through theirs as well.”

What audience do you hope to attract with your music? What do you want them to feel?

Casey: “Anyone! I hope my music can be a friend to people processing things in their life.”

Congrats on recent tour! What location were you most excited to visit?

Casey: “Thanks! Tour was awesome! All the shows were great for different reasons, but New York and Columbus stand out in particular. The crowds were so great, and New York just has a vibe about it that feels so alive.”

What has been your most fulfilling song you’ve worked on? Do you have a specific lyric you love most?

Casey: “Probably my song ‘Invisible.’ It’s sort of a stream of consciousness song that just poured out of me in like 20 minutes. I wrote it in my childhood cabin in Vermont. I was on the porch in the morning and the sun was shining on the water — the scene is really cemented in my mind. It’s about how loud my mind can be sometimes, and how it can pull me out of being present.

‘I just want to sit here in the doorway / watch the sun on the water sway / like Christmas lights in June / and not think about you.’”

Where does your sound influence come from? Family? Upbringing, etc?

Casey: “It’s probably a combo of a lot of art around me, as well as my own inner thoughts. I grew up on the Dixie Chicks, Carole King and this ‘greatest hits’ Beatles record, so I’m sure that had impact too!”

Are you coming out with an album soon? What’s the general vibe of it?

Casey: “I’m coming out with a deluxe version of my EP soon. It has all the original songs, plus ‘Older Colder’ and one new one. :)”

What does a day in the life of you look like?

Casey: “First and foremost, Weak Coffee (my fav coffee place in Nashville). Then I usually jump online at my day job (I do brand marketing for a tech company), hang out with my dog Moose, and maybe meet up with some friends. I’m really into pickleball, tennis, and yoga these days, so have been doing that a lot too. :)”

Where do you see your music career going in the future?

Casey: “I hope it continues to grow. I know my main goal is to continue to put songs out that I’m proud of. :)”

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COYOTE EYES: INTERVIEW

November 1, 2023

by martina rexrode

Coyote Eyes is a musical project led by singer-songwriter Jo Eubanks who recently released a triumphant new single titled “Lightning Strikes.” With a similar cinematic flourish to her other singles, Coyote Eyes is once again able to conjure up images of some of life’s most complex emotions within just a few minutes, an impressive feat for an artist with just over ten singles to her name. We talked to Coyote Eyes about the moment that inspired this release, the fascinating woman who embodies its lyrics, and where her name came from.

What does this single represent to you as an artist?

Coyote Eyes: “‘Lightning Strikes’ is extremely significant to me both as an artist and a person. Creating it was such a spiritual experience for me — it just feels like whatever higher power is out there moves through the music.”

Was there a specific moment in your life that inspired this song?

Coyote Eyes: “Totally. I was dating someone who had such a deep faith that ‘if it’s meant to be, it will be.’ Things just seemed to align for him throughout his life; he was a very successful actor, which I say because anyone who’s in that field knows what a small percentage of people experience that high level of success, and relationships had come easily to him as well. I, on the other hand, had trudged a path which felt like it was decorated with potholes and detours. Our experiences led us to have very different beliefs and brought up the question: are obstacles in life challenges or redirection? I could go on forever down that philosophical rabbit hole, but for now, I’ll just say that’s how ‘Lightning Strikes’ was born.”

What kinds of moments do you hope “Lightning Strikes” might help listeners through?

Coyote Eyes: “I’m hoping it will help listeners feel less alone and more hopeful. I often had the feeling that something was wrong with me because my path had been challenging, and that’s just not so. Sometimes the rockiest paths lead to the most beautiful views.”

The visuals for your recent singles have each been influenced by the stories of various tragic women. Who do you associate the visuals for this single with?

Coyote Eyes: “I think this story is so cool. So I’ve always been fascinated by Lady Godiva. You may not know who she is, but you’ve definitely seen the famous painting of her by John Collier — it’s a naked woman riding a white horse, covered only by her own hair. Lady Godiva lived in the 11th Century and was married to a very powerful Earl in England who instated horribly oppressive taxes in his… I guess they were districts back then? Anyways, she kept pleading with him to have compassion but he refused and said the only way he would lower the taxes is if she rode through the town completely naked, which he obviously assumed she would not do. You can imagine how humiliating that would be for a woman at that time. But, that’s exactly what she did. So in the video, Lady Godiva is conjured back to life to be able to tell her side of the story — we see her come to life from the painting and then fade back into it.”

Do you think of the stories you want to tell visually and the women they represent before or after the songs are complete?

Coyote Eyes: “After. They’re usually unrelated, but applicable.”

How did you find your sound? Are there any artists or groups who have had an influence on your musical development?

Coyote Eyes: “I think I always knew what sound I wanted, but it took me a while to A) find the right people to help me get there, and B) give myself permission to fully explore what I wanted to sonically. When I was younger, I felt like I ‘had’ to pull back, or I guess round my edges to fit into a mainstream mold. I was most inspired by film scores of the 90s and 90s grunge and kind of alt-pop. I love lyrical poetry. When Lana Del Rey first came out, I was really inspired by her because she has such substance and fearless expression — she’s not afraid to be equally feminine and have a razor-sharp tongue.”

Where did you get the name Coyote Eyes from?

Coyote Eyes: “It just kept coming to me. But ultimately, the Coyote is representative as the one creature who can’t be defined or categorized — she’s both dark and light, funny and ominous, spontaneous and calculating, hunter and hunted.”

What is your biggest goal with this single?

Coyote Eyes: “You know, I’m really hoping ‘Lightning Strikes’ will end up in a romantic drama or some film with a really tragic, yet victorious storyline. I don’t know, it’s just so epic and moving, and regardless of the lyrics or even my voice, there’s just something about the music that stirs emotions we can’t necessarily define.”

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DELA KAY: INTERVIEW

October 20, 2023

by martina rexrode

With her latest single, Dela Kay is presenting a side of herself that is eager to show the vulnerability and complexities of modern dating. “Let You Down” is her first release since last December and one that you aren’t sure to forget. Dela is gradually becoming an emerging voice in the world of alternative-pop music, and we had the pleasure of talking with her about this new single, the inspiration behind its lyrics, and her biggest goal moving forward! Keep up with Dela on social media (@delakaymusic) to be the first to know about new releases.

Your newest single “Let You Down” is officially out! What was the inspiration behind this song?

Dela: “‘Let You Down’ originally began with me imagining the perspective of the other person in a previous relationship of mine, but quickly turned into a reflection of my own feelings. It’s about the trust, vulnerability and fear of self-sabotage that comes up when dating someone new and the process of navigating through that. It’s the first single I’m releasing off of my new project and one of the very first songs I wrote with my producer and co-writer, Stefano Pigliapoco. It’s a very upbeat song and one of the more pop driven songs I have. I’m so excited for my fans to hear it and think it’s one a lot of us can relate to.”

Did the process of writing “Let You Down” differ in any ways from past releases? Do the lyrics touch on any subjects you’re tapping into for the first time?

Dela: “I think writing was a little different because it was one of my first few writes ever with Stef, so we were both still getting in the groove of writing together. But honestly once we wrote the chorus, writing the rest came together super quickly. I touched on a similar subject in an older song, ‘The Worst Part,’ as far as working through self-sabotaging tendencies and insecurities. ‘Let You Down’ is definitely a different vibe–although it touches on the fear of self-sabotage, it is also really hopeful and the struggle of trusting something new when it feels good.”

This is your first release of the year! What kind of growth have you seen in yourself as an artist and a songwriter since the release of “Daughter” almost a year ago?

Dela: “I’ve grown a lot! ‘Daughter’ was a very one-off song specifically done for my dad, so it wasn’t my typical sound, much like ‘The Worst Part’ or ‘Old News.’ They always say you have to find the right producer, and I genuinely feel like Stefano and I collabing was a perfect fit. He had been doing a ton in the alt/emo scene and that’s stylistically more so where I wanted to go. I had been developing my sound with producer and friend, Ryan Dulude, and so when Stefano joined in, it really felt like I had a strong team officially locked in.”

Does “Let You Down” hint at themes or stylistic choices fans can expect in future releases?

Dela: “I think it’s the perfect first song for my fans to hear to gear them up for my upcoming singles. I have a lot of songs that are even more in the alternative lane moving forward, and I’m just super excited to show my fans everything as a whole project.”

How has your Nashville upbringing influenced the ways in which you go about songwriting and creating music?

Dela: “I grew up in a very musical household, so songwriting and storytelling was always at the forefront of all of my music, making sure everything I was creating had a strong foundation. I’m really strong with finding melodies, so I typically like to make something melodically first, and then seeing what feelings it evokes and then moving forward writing lyrics.”

Which artists have had the biggest impact on the evolution of your sound throughout the years?

Dela: “Paramore, Avril Lavigne, The Maine, Green Day, Blink-182, Maggie Lindemann, Charli XCX, Kim Petras, The Story So Far, and WILLOW to name a few.”

What is your biggest goal after having released this new single?

Dela: “I honestly just want to gain momentum, gain more fans, and have it open up more opportunities for me business wise, and also hopefully allow me to be able to tour more! I’m excited to keep it moving forward with all of this new music from this project — so many songs coming that I absolutely love and think my fans will enjoy, too. :)”

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PHILINE SONNY: INTERVIEW

October 17, 2023

by mariah estran

Indie/pop artist Philine Sonny is giving listeners a taste of what’s to come.

Recently releasing her newest single, “Drugs,” her enthralling movie-like soundscape and lyricism paints the scene. The German-based singer is introducing the story that will play out as the EP Invader — set for release next year.

“I do remember that while writing, I always had a very clear vision of how the two characters in the song look like,” she says about creating “Drugs.” Her thought process dives into each visual aspect the song can convey. When developing the track, she thought of who she was describing, what they see, and even where they live. The result became a moment of illustrative lyricism coated in a spirited guitar.

Preparing for the EP release, she mentions: “I think it’s bolder than what people might be used to from the first EP.” A project guiding her along as she learns to let go while embarking on the new chapter of her creative tale.

In the meantime, the singer talks with us about the new single “Drugs,” working on the upcoming EP, being a DIY artist, and what inspires her along the way.

You’ve recently released your single “Drugs.” It has such a moving, cinematic feel of being fearless. Tell us more about developing the track and understanding how to express these emotions.

Philine: “I actually wrote ‘Drugs’ a few years ago now — at the same time I wrote ‘Lose Yourself.’ They’re sister tracks, in a way. They both come from the same place of me feeling limited by my anxiety and overall cautiousness. While ‘Lose Yourself’ focuses more on the invisible aspects of struggling with that, ‘Drugs’ is about what happens after you’ve decided to live a more careless and reckless life, all in the context of growing up in a small town, falling in love and aiming for a brighter future.

I don’t remember if the song and lyrics came to me easily. But I do remember that while writing, I always had a very clear vision of how the two characters in the song look like, how it feels to be around them, what the place they live in looks like, what she would say if he asked her one of those questions in the song — so it was just about finding the right words to describe what I was seeing; just like a movie that was there first and I just had to retell the story.”

How would you say “Drugs” introduces us to the overall story of the upcoming EP Invader?

Philine: “I always feel like I’m too much and squeezing myself into others' lives, which is the central idea of all of the songs on the EP. The main character in ‘Drugs’ is doing just that. He'd sacrifice anything for her, which he thinks is a way of showing love and showing that you care. In reality, you can’t just do that. You can’t just attach yourself to someone, love bomb them, and offer yourself to them over and over again even after they’ve made clear they don’t need or want your help because you think that’s a nice thing to do. You need to take responsibility for your own emotions.

That's what I feel like I’ve learned in therapy, and what I think in hindsight is what ‘Drugs’ is about.”

I understand you have a DIY approach to your sound and visual imagery. How is the EP heightening those skills?

Philine: “When I made my first EP, I was still in the process of learning how to produce, record, and write. It was also my first time releasing music, so the whole procedure was very new, and I didn’t think about many things until they needed to be done, you know?

Now I know what is about to happen, so I can think about the visuals in a bigger context, which is so much fun. So, for the video, I chose a technique called ‘mixed media animation,’ which means you print out each frame, scrap each one with a small knife, draw on it, burn the edges, whatever you like, basically, and then scan it. The scans I knew would be great for merchandise and vinyl design, cover artwork, and so on, plus the analog style works great for press pictures too.

The first time around, I wouldn’t have considered all these things from the get-go, so I feel like now the whole project makes much more sense, and I can be so much more creative in every aspect of making the EP, which finally makes it feel like a cohesive piece of art.”

So far, how would you describe the sound we are going to hear on Invader?

Philine: “Oh, I think it’s bolder than what people might be used to from the first EP. I’ve had so much fun trying different sounds, sometimes weird ones — I loved cranking up the gain and screaming into the mic from across the room. I wouldn’t say it’s experimental or something like that, it’s still warm and emotional, but I’ve definitely arrived on my new path of learning how not to give a fuck.

The EP feels like the first step in the right direction, and I’m very excited to get back to producing to explore more in that direction.”

Who have been some of your musical inspirations as you piece together this project?

Philine: “A huge inspiration has definitely been Dijon — that’s where the idea for all the roomy stuff came from. Wunderhorse made me keep it rough in the parts that needed it, and Paolo Nutini’s ‘Last Night In The Bittersweet’ was an inspiration for my bass and drum sound.”

What can listeners expect in the meantime? Possibly more singles and visuals?

Philine: “Yes, there are five tracks on the EP! There’s gonna be more handmade visuals by me and more exciting things that I still have to keep secret.”

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