'THE HYPE IS DEAD' / VESPERTEEN: EP REVIEW

May 20, 2018

BY DEMI MARSHALL

Alternative indie rock/pop artist Vesperteen (Colin Rigsby), released his latest EP “The Hype Is Dead” on May 19th, 2018. Vesperteen has a lot of talented artists and producers backing this EP, further exemplifying his talent and passion for creating and performing music. Songs off the EP are co-produced by LostBoyCrow (Flor), John Feldmann (produced for Blink-182, All Time Low), and PJ Bianco (produced for Nick Jonas, A R I Z O N A). In addition to these influential producers, Vesperteen also worked with Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots, as he plays the drums on the song “Speed of Light.”

Vesperteen also recently toured with Vinyl Theatre. His tour dates have gained him a mass of support from his fan base known as the “VesperTEAM”, which has helped his music hit the ground running. “The Hype Is Dead” is a unique and energetic EP that really presents Vesperteen’s talent and style.

Dabbling with a unique blend of electro-pop and rock, Vesperteen produces a sound that is amped-up and one-of-a-kind. The EP does not rely solely on its electronic features, as Rigsby’s vocals are strong and bold. Opening with a vivifying sound and energy, “The Hype Is Dead” is led to a serene close that wraps up the EP nicely. While it is difficult to pick any “favorite” songs off of this EP, I think the songs that stand out the most and attest the most to Vesperteen’s style are “Fifteen Minutes”, “It Will Never Be Enough”, and “Blue”. These songs sum up the beginning, middle, and end of the EP, so they exemplify the flow of feeling throughout.

Opening up the EP, “Fifteen Minutes” brings to life not only the theme of the album, but also the colorful and fun nature Vesperteen provides. With catchy piano riffs and electronic melodies, this song is sure to get stuck in your head. Rigsby’s vocals range from syncopated to melodic, and are accented with high-pitched catchy background vocals as well, which add a lot to the song. “Fifteen Minutes” has an impressive amount of depth— every listen, there is something new to hear. The lyrics also perfectly sum up the title and theme of the EP. Even the first line, “Close your eyes and bow your head/Welcome to the funeral, the hype is dead” provides an idea and mood for the EP. This was the perfect song to open “The Hype Is Dead”, as it hooks the listener with an upbeat catchy song, while also introducing its message.

“It Will Never Be Enough” feels slightly different than “Fifteen Minutes.” While it is still an energetic and upbeat song, it feels more like a typical indie style song than playing with a lot of different musical aspects, which is not a bad thing. I think starting with this song, the EP begins to wind down in terms of the bold and upbeat style heard in the first half. The details of this song that remind me of many indie songs are the the drum beats in the background, and the background vocals that lead into chorus. This song’s style reminds me a lot of bands like Walk The Moon. “It Will Never Be Enough” has many strong elements, such as its vocals, as we see a lot of strength in Rigsby’s voice. He has quite a range, proving his ability to hit both low and falsetto notes. This song is a good transition into the final half of the EP.

“The Hype Is Dead” closes with “Blue”, which is a beautifully written and produced song. It is calm and soothing to listen to, and features meaningful lyrics. With lines such as “When I see blue inside your eyes, I know a storm is coming/When I see fire in the skies, I know I lost your loving”, we see Vesperteen uses a lot of poetic imagery in his lyrics. I think the lyrics, along with the soft flow of the electronic background in the song, make it one of the most unique and interesting on the EP. “Blue” does a great job of wrapping up this EP with a cool and calming sound.

Overall, Vesperteen’s latest EP “The Hype Is Dead” draws a conclusion that the hype surrounding his music is far from dead— it is just the beginning. Upon the release of this EP, I have no doubt that Vesperteen will continue to gain an even larger following, as this bright and remarkable release will help draw in an array of listeners, as he touches on a variety of musical sounds and styles.

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MELISSA MICKELSON: INTERVIEW

May 16, 2018

INTRO BY KAT VISTI

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

Being raised in an Air Force Family caused Melissa Mickelson to move around from base to base, but there was one thing that always went with her: country music. Melissa quickly developed a fan base and she has spent the last four years touring across the Pacific Northwest. Outside of music, Melissa is an activist for female empowerment and body positivity. She often sheds light on the importance of hard work and determination, and encourages female’s to take charge and be their own boss, her own success proving so. We interviewed Melissa to learn more about her latest song "Hold On" and her upcoming tour dates.

When was the moment that you realized you wanted to be a musician?

"I was singing 'I'm Proud To Be An American' in the fourth grade talent show. I remember people stopping to listen. I kept that how special that feeling was to myself for a very long time. It wasn't until about four years ago that I decided to let everyone else in on the secret."

Who are some of your musical influences?

"I grew up with classic country music. I would say my music influences lay somewhere between Johnny Cash and Bonnie Raitt."

How would you describe your music in three words?

"Real. Soulful. Fun."

You recently released your latest song titled “Hold On.” Can you tell us a little about the song and the inspiration behind it?

"I wrote this song because my husband has worked the night shift for so long. He's a first responder and it’s just about taking the time to make time. Making sure that you hold on to each other in the crazy life."

In the past few years you have shared the stage with artists such as Trent Harmon, Joe Nichols and Bailey Bryan. What were these experiences like for you?

"Amazing. I enjoy watching artists in their element and watching the crowd interact."

Do you have any advice for people wanting to get their start in the music industry?

"Keep your chin up. There will be a lot of 'no's' before anyone says 'yes'. Believe in what you do!"

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

"I am still writing songs and playing shows! I hope to have a music video in the near future! You can check out my upcoming shows on my website and social media!"

Melissa Mickelson, Category: Artist, Singles: Hold On, Scars to Your Beautiful - Single, Melissa Mickelson - EP, Top Tracks: Hold On, I Was Country (When Country Wasn't Cool), When You're Holdin' me, Scars to Your Beautiful, Another Thing Comin', Biography: Raised an Air Force brat, Melissa developed her love for country music moving from base to base across Oklahoma and Texas., Monthly Listeners: 156, Where People Listen: Portland, San Francisco, Gothenburg, San Diego, Stockholm

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MAURO: INTERVIEW

May 15, 2018

INTRO BY KAT VISTI

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

At just 10 years old Mauro composed his first album which led him to headlining concerts and touring the world. Mauro's impressive list of accomplishments continues to grow as he continues to be recognized as one of the young rising stars in international music. His latest song “Dubstep Heart” spent its first week hit #1 on the Pop Chart of Beat100 with 80,000+ plays as well as being named one of NY Music Hits (NYC) Best Pop Hits of 2017. Mauro is currently working on a new album and over at Unclear Mag we got more information on it as well as learned more about Mauro's music influences and his creative process to writing music plus much more!

When did you first become interested in music and decide you wanted to be a musician?

"I’ve been working and permanently creating in the arts since I was four, through painting, acting, writing and more and I’ve always loved music. I think it was a matter of time that these previous fields combined to give birth to my music career. When I was 10 years old I grabbed a guitar, wrote my first album and started performing. Being an artist, among many other things, means to me the creation of something which expresses the human condition. Writing and singing my own compositions would be one of the reasons why I became a musician definitely."

Who are some of your musical influences?

"The art of creating music is my major influence actually, because in all of these years I’ve been autonomous in the production and development of my craft."

How would you describe your music in three words?

"Chameleon, fire, ocean.

…A chameleon (the versatility in my music) on fire (it reflects my passion) sailing through the ocean (experiences that I convey through messages)."

We heard that you’re working on your upcoming album – is there anything you can tell us about it yet?

"I write every single day, but in the past couple months I finished 200 new songs that I fell in love with. They would be like 12 new albums but despite how much I would love to record them all, there’s an evident selection process taking place. On one hand, the compilation develops a palpable battle between reality and fantasy and an insatiable thirst for meaning, but that’s just the cream of the cake… the cherry is another story."

Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?

"Anywhere. Inspiration simply strikes. On a plane, walking through the city and in the depths of my shadows. I’ve written songs in almost every place I’ve been. In fact, yesterday while I was on my way to the airport I started singing the lyrics of a new song, so I grabbed my cell phone and captured it, and that happens all the time. When I was a kid I would dream of sounds and lyrics… now it lives inside me."

Do you find that you have the same process when creating music or does it change often?

"Throughout these sixteen years, there’s one accentuated trait in my process, its naturalness. I find myself time after time singing the songs as if the songs had already been composed, and I just love that. It feels genuine. As a whole, the process does vary according to the circumstance. It shifts continuously, yet its organic essence remains untouched."

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

"A radical transformation with the new music. New shows and more are in the works. Stay tuned!"

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NOKAY: INTERVIEW

May 14, 2018

INTRO BY KAT VISTI

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

Nokay started singing in a local choir group in a small town in Pennsylvania. He learned how to play piano, drums, and marimba. He eventually started songwriting and writing poetry, and using his creative artistic abilities he started making music. Nokay released his debut single entitled "Fear" and recently released his four track EP, The One I Feed. In a recent interview with Nokay we learned more about his EP, his musical influences, and what we can expect from him in the future.

When and how did you first get your start in music?

"I first started singing and playing piano when I was a young child, maybe 5 or 6 years old. But when I was in college I discovered music production and songwriting, so I started crafting my own songs shortly after that."

How would you describe your music in three words?

"Hybrid, evolving, and uncommon."

Who are some of your musical influences?

"I take a lot of cues from different aspects of a song. Vocally, Sia is one of my favorite performers because she always delivers a word or phrase like it’s very personal to her. Musically I look more to producers like Dylan Bauld, Ludwig Goransson, and Timbaland. And lyrically I tend to like more obscure or subtle songs like Lapsley and Kevin Garrett."

You recently released your debut EP, The One I Feed. Can you tell us a little about it and the process creating it?

“The One I Feed has 4 songs. 'Passenger' took the longest to complete, about 14 months or so, mostly because the instrumentation and overall style kept changing. And 'Fear' was the easiest to complete because the hook and production happened in a snap it seemed. All the songs begin from different starting points, some with lyrics, some with melody, etc., but they all undergo a process at the end of making the instrumentation and lyrics more congruent and specific to the experience they’re about."

What song off the EP would you say you’re most proud of?

"'Passenger' is my favorite song off the EP, for sure. It’s the most honest and true to a distinct experience, and there are a lot of different elements in it that converge in ways I didn’t predict when I started it."

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

"I’m really looking forward to performing and touring later this year, and I’ve already started working on songs for the next EP. I hope to release a single by December, and the EP in spring of 2019."

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GIVE ME MOTION: INTERVIEW

May 11, 2018

INTRO BY MADDEN LEVIN

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

A guy who solely hopes that people take inspiration from his music, Give Me Motion is an incredible musician and person. On his most recent tour with Secret Midnight Press, we were able to catch up with him a bit to learn about some exciting new content being released soon and why making people inspired was his main goal. Be sure to check Give Me Motion out on social media, as well as on music streaming devices. Trust us, you won’t regret it!

At what age did you realize that you wanted to be a musician?

"I sang and played piano when I was about 8, but it wasn’t until I plugged in an electric guitar and heard Weezer and Ben Folds Five that I thought that I could write songs and play on stage. I was mortified of piano recitals, but playing guitar and singing in band seemed much more feasible."

Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?

"In the moment. For me that means whether I’m just noodling on an instrument and I like the pattern and I then want to build it out into a song or I’m overcome by the emotions I’m having in reaction to an event in my life or an event that continues to be on mind. But it always comes from gettng swept away by the moment."

What was the process like creating Extra Ordinary?

"It was a long process. It took me about two years because I had a full time job and I went on a few tours. Jeremy Hatcher, the producer of the record, also was hopping between LA and Nashville and our timelines didn’t always overlap, so instead of rushing the process we just worked when we could. We recorded most of Extraordinary, WYBT, Autumn, and LDL/Indebted in one block and Usually, Now that I know it, and few unreleased tracks in another block, making small adjustments and overdubs along the way."

What song are you most proud of from the record and why?

"I’d have to say Usually Helping. I came to Jeremy with only the chord progressions, a loose melody, and the chorus of 'we are usually helping each other' sung in a lower register. So we built out the entire song with no lyrics which is very very unusual for me and I spent a lot of time writing and rewriting the lyrics. I wasn't finding anything that was working; I wasn’t even entirely sure what the song was about, but I had to finish it. After finally prompting one writing session with other songs opening lyrics I found 'shakedown 1995' helped me write the entire song. Now I think it’s my favorite song on the record."

In what ways, if at all, do you think your music has changed over the years?

"Extra Ordinary was certainly my first attempt at 'plugging-in' after years of Give Me Motoon being a primarily solo-acoustic endeavor. It’s the fastest and loudest I’ve played since being in bands like Eight Bit Brendan, Expansion Pack, Edisson and Too Hot to Kill.

I’ve also found the ukulele to be a great device for simplifying song structures and chord progressions. Having a uke a round has greatly influenced how I write music now."

What do you hope people take from your music?

"Inspiration. I want people to be inspired to do the hard things in their life and to follow their arrows like I’ve followed mine. I want to be an example that consistency and perseverance are just as important as talent."

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

"I’ll be re-releasing a 12 song album of fully remastered songs I’ve put out via YouTube over the past seven years. It’s titled 'There Goes Summer' and will be out mid May. I’ve also FINALLY FINISHED a music video for WYBTWIBT and it will be out May 14. It's got tons of great footage from my adventures on the road and out at sea. It's sure to inspire you to put some motion in your life. Also expect some live tour recordings and different versions of Extra Ordinary songs released on my Patreon!"

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