MAX FROST: INTERVIEW


INTRO BY TAMARA CHAPMAN

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAX FROST

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAX FROST

Previously featured in one of the largest Pepsi campaigns to date and featured in a NY Times spread, Max Frost has an endless amount of success coming his way. Produced by Fitz of Fitz and the Tantrums, Frost has an upcoming album set to drop this summer. Read more in our interview to learn about his success thus far and his plans to work with legendary artists like DJ Mustard and Elton John!

 

You recently released your new single ‘Good Morning’ – can you tell us a little about the song and the process creating it?

"Good Morning was sort of the 'breakthrough' track for this record. I decided when I moved to LA from Austin last year that I wanted to completely change my style and create music that felt brighter and more open. I made Good Morning the first day I woke up in LA. It was the start of a new life for me. It was a rebirth."

 

You also released a music video to go with the song! What was it like filming it? Do you have any favorite memories from working on it?

"It’s hard not to have fun making a video when you've got a choir, marching band, and are rolling around making a mess in an RV. Shooting it in Austin made it feel especially right. My favorite video I've made to date for sure!"

 

‘Good Morning’ was also recently featured in a Pepsi commercial during the Oscars. How did it feel to know the song was already getting so much attention?

"It was such a blessing especially because I feel like the commercial fits the song so perfectly. Sometimes songs feel forced in commercials but this felt like a perfect match."

 

This summer you will be releasing your first full length album – what can we expect from it?

"I'm calling the album Gold Rush because it marks my move to LA and my creative evolution into this new sound. It's all songs that are episodic in moments of my life over the past few years. Its unfiltered and in your face story telling with gritty production but pop relief."

 

We also heard that you have upcoming projects coming later this year with Elton John, DJ Mustard, and Whethan – can you give us any insight on these projects?

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAX FROST

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAX FROST

"All I can say at this time is that Elton John is a total legend and so easy to work with and down to earth despite his legendary status. Whatever happens with the song is peripheral to the experience of getting to work with him which is one of the honors of my life."

 

Aside from those projects and the album, is there anything else we can expect from you? Any shows?

"Over the past few years I've developed what a one-man show when I tour. The stage is set up like some sort of spaceship of instruments where I travel around and give the audience some insight into how these tracks come together while still delivering a performance. It’s something like a juggling fire act meets a rock show."

 

 FIND MAX ONLINE

WEBSITE     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM     FACEBOOK     YOUTUBE


SAM FELDT: INTERVIEW


INTRO BY KAT VISTI

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAM FELDT

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAM FELDT

Dutch DJ Sam Feldt released his debut album "Sunrise To Sunset" which encompasses a wide variety of music genres that lead Sam to open up more creatively and make a connection with people through music, which is the universal language. We interviewed Sam to learn more about the success of his remix of Permanent by Kygo and his most recent Heartfeldt Poolparty in Miami!

 

This past November you released your debut album ‘Sunrise to Sunset’. What was the process like creating the album?

"It’s been an amazing musical journey. I worked on the album for more than 2 years and because the songs on the record are so diverse, i never got bored during the whole process. I’ve been in the studio with country singers, rock bands, r&b singers, rappers, all sorts of producers and above all: my very own talented band. This really opened up my creativity and allowed me to experiment and bend the rules of the electronic genre."

 

Were you nervous at all to release the album?

"To be honest, it’s always exciting when you do something for the first time and releasing your very own debut album is definitely a bit nerve wrecking, but in the end you just want to share the music that you’ve been working on for so long with all your fans from around the globe. I’m also really proud of the end result and working together with all these amazing artists was a true blessing. So yeah, a bit nervous but in a healthy way."

 

You also recently released your remix album ‘After the Sunset’ – when did you first decide to do the remix album?

"Well, the 24 tracks that were released on my album From Sunrise to Sunset were not necessarily all made with the dancefloor in mind. Many of the tracks would find their home on the radio, but in order to play these tracks myself during my dj-sets I thought it would be a great idea to have some of the original tracks be spiced up and transformed into clubbangers. So with that idea in mind we reached out to producers we thought would be perfect for the job."

 

Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?

"From life in general. I know it may sound a bit cliché, but life can be a rollercoaster with ups and down and all these different experiences can be a form of inspiration for new songs. Music is a very universal language and the perfect medium for expressing emotions. I’m always trying to translate the story that I try to tell in the best way I can, so focusing on a certain emotion, no matter the style or feel, is very important and not to overlooked. Always ask yourself what the essence is you want to translate to the listener or feel you need to express."

 

You also released a remix of Kygo’s song ‘Permanent’, which received a lot of great feedback. Did you expect the feedback to be so great?

"Well, first of let me say I’m honored that I was able to do the remix for such a great artist. I recently went to his show in Amsterdam and enjoyed it a lot. With the remix I did my best to keep the feel of the original there but not without that special Sam Feldt flavor. I’m really happy with the end result and I’m happy and thankful for all the positive feedback."

 

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

"I’ve got a lot of things in the pipeline, which I can’t wait to share with you. I’ve got a new track, a lot of gigs and festivals that are announcing their line-up soon, so keep an eye out for Sam Feldt because it’s going to be an amazing summer. There are also other things that will be announced around Sam Feldt in the near future that have to do with my new year’s resolution. 2018 so far has been awesome and I can’t wait to share what we got in store for you and the rest of the year."

 

FIND SAM ONLINE

WEBSITE     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM     FACEBOOK     YOUTUBE


THE FAIM: INTERVIEW


INTRO BY KAT VISTI

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

 

PHOTO BY MAX FAIRCLOUGH

PHOTO BY MAX FAIRCLOUGH

If you love Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco, you're going to love The Faim! This upcoming spring the band will make their debut in the UK by going on tour with Lower Than Atlantis and afterwards they'll tour across Australia and New Zealand with Sleeping With Sirens. The Australian four-piece band recently released their debut single entitled "Saints Of The Sinners", which was named as BBC Radio 1 Rock Show’s “Rockest Record.” The single was produced by music icon John Feldmann and co-written by Pete Wentz. In an interview with the band, we got to know more about them, their music, and what's next.

 

What would you tell those who have not heard of you yet as a bit of an introduction to you guys and your music?

"What you see is what you get. No cheap games, no gimmicks. We just love music and the connection it creates. Our music reflects our journey in life as a band and all the deepest fears, secrets, hopes and dreams that we have. These songs are the rawest parts of ourselves, all for the world to see."

 

You recently released your debut single “Saints Of The Sinners” – what made you decide to release this song as your first piece of music?

"It was in debate for a while on what would be the best song to release. We wanted a song that reflected our energy and passion in the live performance. It’s a great reflection of our journey and it felt like theright time to put this message from The Faim out into the world."

 

What was it like working with John Feldmann and Pete Wentz on the track?

"It was an incredible experience. Being able to sit down and just talk about the core of what we wanted to write about really helped find a message we feel so strongly about. John and Pete are such talented, down to earth musicians with a wealth of experience. Their understanding of what makes great music is undeniable."

 

You also released a music video for the song – how did you make sure the video really brought the song to life?

"We kept it true to ourselves. No crazy effects and costumes, just a good reflection of our personality and energy as a band. Performing the song was critical because we felt that the best way to reflect our relationship with this song was in our live performance."

 

This spring you will be playing your debut shows in the UK with Lower Than Atlantis – are you nervous at all?

"Definitely don’t feel nervous about performing. Maybe a little about the flying but we’re more excited than we ever thought we would be. Times going slow counting down the minutes till we get to start playing. We’ve been wanting to tour for a very long time and to finally have the opportunity is so exciting."

 

What are you most looking forward to from these shows, as well as the ones in Australia and New Zealand with Sleeping With Sirens?

"Getting to meet new people and perform in new places. It’s so exciting for us to really push ourselves as a live band and show the world our passion and connection to these songs. We’re all pretty new to travelling and being able to see parts of the world touring is truly incredible."

 

What can we expect from your other upcoming music sound wise?

"On top of crazy passion, intensity and love, an element we’ve always kept in mind with our music is diversity. It reflects our personalities, journey so far as band, different chapters of our lives and diversity really helps us showcase this. Having the opportunity to experiment with songwriting and not feel any restrictions sonically or conceptually is a huge part of our writing process."

 

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

"You can expect to see more sides of The Faim. More songs, more shows, and a few hidden projects in the works."

 
 

FIND THE FAIM ONLINE

WEBSITE     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM     FACEBOOK


RUBY ROSE FOX: INTERVIEW


INTRO BY TAMARA CHAPMAN

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

PHOTO COURTESY OF RUBY ROSE FOX

PHOTO COURTESY OF RUBY ROSE FOX

Boston based feminist Ruby Rose Fox is a fighting force in the music industry. Charting in the top 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, she’s on her way to the top of the chain. With her sophomore album expected to drop later this spring, we had the chance to discuss her music endeavors and how she plans to use her platform for good.

 

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a musician?

"I was five and had taped Roy Orbison’s Only The Lonely off the radio. I thought it was 'Holy Bologna.' I put on a show for my parents and knew exactly what I wanted to do. They laughed. I was already a 'serious artist.'"

 

You recently released your music video for your song ‘Freedom Fighter’, which features you running through a warehouse to catch a bullet to save a child. Where did the inspiration come from for the song and video concept?

"I wish I could take credit for this one. It was entirely conceived by our director Ben Phillipo. This idea came before #Metoo exploded although, of course, there were many school shootings still happening. When he pitched me on the idea I thought, 'This man gets me and he he gets my work.' Strangely, most ideas are not released to the public until months and sometimes years after it’s creation. When works of art are prescient to their time, it’s usually unplanned."

 

Especially from the recent school shooting in Parkland, why do you think it’s important to bring awareness to these issues? 

"Because we live in a very flawed democracy that is looking more and more like Mike Judge’s Idiocracy everyday. I think we all need to unplug from Hulu and Netflix and start asking ourselves how we can actively improve our communities. For me this was starting a program called Gifted this year that give voice lessons to teens in Boston with no music education."

 

As an artist, do you feel that you have a special voice to bring awareness to these issues?

"Every woman when she taps into her person power has a unique perspective and often it’s a deeply compassionate one. I am not a mother and may never be one, but I definitely approach art with a maternal fierceness for justice and humanity."

 

This spring you will be releasing your sophomore album, ‘Salt’. What can we expect from the record?

"Salt is a cinematic rollercoaster intended to reflect the personal and political Zeitgiest using binaural (ASMR) recording technology often used by virtual reality to create a deep sense of intimacy and sensation in the listeners body. ASMR is currently a massive YouTube internet phenomenon and Salt is one of the first completely ASMR focused records. Many of the lead vocals were recorded while moving around the binaural mic especially a song called the Matador in which the microphone is the matador and I am the bull. It was a thrill to make. We made a lot of mistakes but it was a journey into figuring our how to create intimacy. It’s currently streaming on our Ruby Rose Fox Members page in RubyRoseFox.com."

 

What do you hope people take from your music?

"Empowerment mostly. I hope they take what I take from all my favorite music. That they are not suffering alone."

 

Aside from the album, is there anything else we can expect from you in the near future?

"Yes! So much. I’m currently starting writing and design for a one-woman show using the record called Salt: Offline. Finishing a book about acting for songwriters called Love Your Ugly, and playing with my new Roland 808!!! I will also be looking to expand Gifted as a model so other artists can teach in their communities."

 

FIND RUBY ONLINE

WEBSITE     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM     FACEBOOK     YOUTUBE


'WOULD YOU MIND' / FRIDAY PILOTS CLUB / SINGLE + MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW


BY EMMA SCHOORS

PHOTO BY EMMA ZANGER

PHOTO BY EMMA ZANGER

Friday Pilots Club’s new video for their song “Would You Mind”, directed by Jon Levert, is packed full of simplicity, if that concept ever struck your interest. (It did ours!) The band is bringing gloomy, dark, and sultry undertones to modern rock and redefining the genre where most strive to become someone else. Their new visual appeal takes a turn for the better, as the song is interpretive, yet not too busy, and the video is as well. The video takes the audience through a situation of somewhat ironic revenge in a relationship full of secrets and misuse, detailing the opening of darker doors in the concept of love and trust. The actors had to perform the scene in just about two minutes, in order to correctly slow down the video to the four minute song. It’s quite attention grabbing. The elements of surprise and confusion play in during the middle and end, as the plot takes a turn for the evil in finding out darker secrets in the relationship. The song radiates power and confidence in such a darkened time for music. Perhaps it represents what all of us feel on a wider scale; lost, somewhat confused, yet finding out more and more about ourselves and the people around us on a day to day basis. Watch the video below!

 
 

FIND FRIDAY PILOTS CLUB ONLINE

WEBSITE     TWITTER     INSTAGRAM     FACEBOOK