DAYS GONE BY: INTERVIEW

September 22, 2021

by danielle holian

Days Gone By are a metalcore band based in Jacksonville, FL. After finding each other on social media, they clicked right away birthing the creation of the band. Recently releasing their brand new single “I Should Have Never Gone Ziplining,” we caught up with the band to discuss all things music.

What sparked the creation of Days Gone By?

DGB: “Days Gone By has been a band for about four years. All members are residents of Jacksonville, FL and have always been huge fans of the metalcore genre. None of us knew each other prior to forming the band, but found each other through word of mouth/social media. We all have extensive experience in live performances as well as catalogs of released original music. We all clicked perfectly when it came to our personalities/goals for this band. Goals being the next big band to bring back that 2010’s era metalcore feel.”

Who or what are your musical influences?

DGB: “We all enjoy a plethora of genres from deathcore, pop-punk, emo, metal, to even country. The culmination of our different tastes came together for what made the most sense being the metalcore genre…catchy but heavy! Influences include Wage War, A Day to Remember, Blessthefall, Dragged Under, Beartooth, and Asking Alexandria.”

Tell us about your new single “I Should Have Never Gone Ziplining.”

DGB: “This song was actually written over two years ago by guitarist Jaimy and drummer Trent. We always believed it was among the best songs we had to offer and had a lot of relevancies to the current climate of our society. It is about struggling with your self-image in a fake world. The name is a South Park reference because we don’t take ourselves too seriously and the episode fits the message of the song perfectly.”

And how has your music evolved since you began?

DGB: “When we started, we had very concise goals for songwriting as well as how the songs were written. That has changed in that we all have advanced in having home studios as well as everyone’s songwriting contributions. We just want to love the songs we play and no longer care which member writes them or even if it fits our ‘metalcore’ genre. Some of the songs we already have written and plan to release are quite a bit different from what our fans have heard so far.”

What are you most proud of as a band?

DGB: “Probably the success of our first single ‘Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute.’ (It has over 336k Spotify streams.) Also, selling out our first show with Red Handed Denial and the venue running out of beer due to the unexpected turnout!”

FIND DAYS GONE BY ONLINE

INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

GINA NAOMI BAEZ: INTERVIEW

September 20, 2021

by danielle holian

Actress, singer-songwriter, influencer, and YouTuber Gina Naomi Baez has released her new single “Liquor Love.” The track narrates the need to wean toxicity out of your life. Alongside her musical career, she also flourishes in acting having landed roles in Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It,” “Orange is the New Black,” and numerous Off-Broadway and regional theatrical productions, she's currently turning heads noticing her multi-talents. With this said, her love and passion for songwriting and music has always been the true driving force behind her creativity, with the artist using her platform to spread messages of positivity.

Baez has also seen great success with her YouTube channel which has built an impressive following. Her infamous "Lizzo's Truth Hurts x Hocus Pocus" parody music video went viral after Lizzo herself reposted it, as well as Bette Midler. The channel features creative, unique original music videos, covers, and parodies of popular songs and has garnered worldwide recognition from the likes of PEOPLE, Entertainment Weekly, Access Hollywood, The Huffington Post, MTV, Perez Hilton, FOX, E! ONLINE, Ryan Seacrest, Yahoo News!, Stylist and much more! Baez has also just landed a co-star role in the CBS TV show, “FBI!” Propelling in all areas of the industry, Baez is clearly a force to be reckoned with.

Unclear Magazine caught up with Gina Naomi Baez to discuss her talents, new single “Liquor Love,” and much more below.

Congratulations on your new single “Liquor Love” — what inspired the storyline?

Gina Naomi Baez: “So many different scenarios in my life inspired the storyline of ‘Liquor Love.’ The listener can take it as it is and think it’s about drunk love, but for me it is actually about toxicity in your life. Whether it be a habit, a love, a friend, a job. The things that aren’t serving me or making me the best version of myself. It’s a song about deciding to face all of this and finally make a change.”

And who or what are your musical influences?

GNB: “I have such a wide range of musical influences. Some are Taylor Swift, Sia, Celine Dion, Sasha Sloan, Idina Menzel, Bette Midler, Lennon Stella, Katy Perry, Ingrid Andress, Lauren Aquilina, dodie, and many, many more!”

Tell us how you got into songwriting — what inspired the drive to create your own material?

GNB: “I got into songwriting when I was in middle school but then never really took anything seriously until after college. I know it sounds cliché, but I was definitely inspired by Taylor Swift and I found country/folk music to be a lot like musical theatre where the song told a story. I was fascinated with lyrics and the ability to emote feelings in such unique, clever ways. I taught myself guitar and started writing and haven’t stopped since.”

And what do you want listeners to take away from your music?

GNB: “I always want my listener to be transported in some way. I really think music is so magical. When I hear a song that makes me forget everything else, that feeling is indescribable and I always strive for that in my songwriting. In ‘Liquor Love’ I wanted the song to feel like you were being surrounded and drowned in the music.”

You dabble in many different talent avenues from acting, singing, songwriting, influencing, and YouTube. What attracted you to the arts, especially as a career?

GNB: “I always loved the arts since I was a little girl. I was obsessed with musical movies like Wizard of Oz and Funny Girl. I had dreams of being a performer on Broadway. Then in 8th grade I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; a form of cancer and it was almost like I became an adult very quickly. I appreciated life in a way my peers didn’t understand. The arts were the one thing that got me through it. The arts literally saved me, I knew it was what made me happy, what brought me true joy and what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It was going to be a career for me, not just a hobby.”

You've had much success in acting having landed roles in Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It,” “Orange is the New Black,” and numerous Off-Broadway and regional theatrical productions — what's your dream role?

GNB: “My dream role is Eliza in Hamilton on Broadway.”

To anyone who dreams of working in the entertainment industry, what advice would you give them?

GNB: “I would say to stay true to who you are and to not give up.”

How has the pandemic helped your creative juices?

GNB: “The pandemic was a whirlwind of emotions for me and I really leaned into songwriting to express each and every one. I have so much music right now and I’m soooooo eager to release it all!”

What drives you forward as an artist?

GNB: “I feel like I have this spark in me that is constantly striving and working for more. Yes, it might become dull from time to time, but I know if I keep going and persist I can do anything. Anytime I think of giving up, I think of me as a little girl with cancer and how grateful I am to be alive and follow my dreams.”

And finally, what’s one fun fact about yourself for our readers?

GNB: “Halloween is my favorite holiday!”

FIND GINA NAOMI BAEZ ONLINE

WEBSITE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

'PAINT THE ROSES (LIVE IN CONCERT)' / LARKIN POE + NU DECO ENSEMBLE: REVIEW

September 17, 2021

by emma schoors

Roots rock is undoubtedly powerful on its own, but “Paint The Roses (Live in Concert)” by Larkin Poe and Nu Deco Ensemble elevates it to a new level of stunning vigor.

“Sometimes” eases listeners in, not straying noticeably far from the 2018 Venom & Faith track’s original demeanor at first. As the song progresses the orchestral elements seep in, and the performance’s individuality is carved. “Back Down South/Blue Sky” is marked by soulful vocals and booming percussion. The original is sharp and impactful, but this rendition is especially cinematic (though cinematic could easily be used to describe the entirety of the live album).

Sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell pay homage to their late grandfather on “Mad as a Hatter.” Emphasizing the fear that comes with having your own thoughts and memories stolen from you, the lyrics are a heartbreaking yet realistic look into what battling mental illness can entail. “I know what time is / Time is a thief / It'll steal into bed and rob you while you sleep,” Rebecca sings solemnly. Each line weaves a story of confusion, hurt, and most importantly truth.

Tracks like “Danger Angel” and “Tears Of Blue To Gold,” both from 2020’s “Self Made Man,” do their original forms justice while introducing new, softer musical features. “She’s a Self Made Man” is a triumphant end to an equally triumphant live album: “Oh, like it or not I don't give a damn / Lord, have mercy, I'm a self-made-man.” The setlist as a whole is simply brilliant, and ending on lines like these is nothing short of poetic.

Larkin Poe and Nu Deco Ensemble’s “Paint The Roses (Live in Concert)” is a stunning, orchestral take on some of the duo’s most well-loved songs.

DEVIN KENNEDY: INTERVIEW

September 15, 2021

by brittany and everly ormiston

Sunday mornings: the smell of freshly brewed coffee, windows open filling the room with crisp air, music quietly playing throughout the house, almost as if you are in a daydream. Devin Kennedy’s newest EP has listeners experiencing SunDayDreams with every click of the play button. The EP is a “soundtrack to reflect on your whole summer” time and time again. There were 12-15 individuals who helped bring Kennedy’s vision to life, including co-writers Whakaio Taahi, Lukas Costas, and Dan Burke. Songwriting is the most vital piece when creating a project because it effectively communicates emotion and is complimented by other aspects, such as the artwork and music videos.

Imagery is woven throughout the new EP and Kennedy’s discography as a whole. The third track on the EP, “Hurt U,” includes the lyric “but you hit me like a shot of caffeine.” This is a perfect example of imagery being portrayed lyrically. A music video also allows fans to see the world through the artist’s eyes for the duration of the song. Kennedy stated, “The visual side of being an artist is so important to the brand, finding fans, and growing [as an artist].” He is involved in the creative process of his music videos every step of the way from the planning and concepts to the final editing. For the video “Sundress,” Kennedy sparked the idea to add transitions and have him “fall into different locations.'' The viewers are intrigued from the very beginning when he falls back onto the bed and sits up on the beach. There are also many “easter eggs” throughout Kennedy’s music videos, including the magnets on the refrigerator that spell out the title of the track and his initials in “Hurt U.”

SunDayDreams is a perfect way to describe Kennedy’s life at this moment in time. His ever-changing sound indicates he is willing to take risks and think outside the box. Kennedy mentioned, “I am always working towards a better version of myself, and I like to keep people guessing and on their toes.” Kennedy’s authentic and unique artistry entices fans to keep wanting more. “The whole reason I really got into being an artist, and got into writing and producing was to play live. That was my first love musically,” stated Kennedy. He hopes to tour across the country in the near future when the opportunity presents itself. A few of Kennedy’s bucket list items is to perform at a music festival, such as Lollapalooza and Coachella, and to play at larger venues in Los Angeles he grew up going to.

Summer has come and gone, but you can relive your favorite moments by listening to SunDayDreams. This EP has made such an impact that the simplicity of a sunflower reminds listeners of Devin Kennedy and the positive vibes he radiates.

FIND DEVIN ONLINE

WEBSITE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

INHALER: INTERVIEW

September 14, 2021

by emma schoors

When Inhaler first put pen to paper on It Won’t Always Be Like This years ago, there was no way to predict how punctual the words would become. Still, the band latched onto its timelessness, and the title track of their knockout debut album was born. Bright, loud, and unashamed, tracks like “Who’s Your Money On? (Plastic House)” and “Cheer Up Baby” are pops of thrashing color, while “My Honest Face” and “In My Sleep” make way for weighty bass lines and introspective lyrics. A hunger for live music has earned the Dublin-based band sold-out shows around the UK and US — we had the chance to talk to them all about it.

Did you all grow up around similar music, or are there varying musical backgrounds within the band?

EH: “We’ve got a lot of different inspirations. I think we kind of look at it as a Venn diagram of The Stone Roses, and Oasis, and Joy Division in the middle, and then we’ve got all these different little branches. The lads are really into rap and all that. I am as well, but I’m now in a Bob Dylan phase of my life whereas they’re in techno, so it’s an interesting little combination. I think we take that in our stride and we definitely try to replicate it in our music.”

What song from the album went through the most changes before reaching its final form?

RK: “That is a good question. I’m just trying to think of what the answer is.”

JJ: “‘Cheer Up Baby’ took the longest to get right. We were recording that for a long time.”

EH: “A really long time. Also, because it was kind of the most simply formed, and one of the oldest tunes, so I think we were second guessing ourselves a lot about it. We just made so many different versions of it, and in the end just ended up with something that was really similar to what we first came up with, and it worked, you know? I think you often do that when you have a lot of time in the studio just to experiment.”

How did it feel to hear the finished album for the first time?

RK: “I was going to say it’s hard to put it into words, but that actually wasn’t what I was going to say. I was going to say I can’t really remember when that was. I think we had a listen to it the day after it came out, maybe? Lads, I can’t remember. For the Jack Saunders thing, maybe? That was a good moment, where we all kind of enjoyed the album for the first time and we all sang the songs and stuff. There’s just a lot of hard work put into it, so I think it was just very rewarding. It’s nice to have something that you can kind of see after putting in a lot of work and seeing a result throughout the week of when it came out. Still, today, with people sharing it and enjoying the songs.”

What are you most proud of as a band?

EH: “This album, I think. But then often there’s times when we are driving home after a gig, where we just kind of turn to each other and go, ‘This is really nuts, what’s happening.’ So all those moments, you kind of just have that real proud thing. I think most of the time we’re just too focused on what we have to do next. We don’t really stop and think about it. When you do get a chance to, it’s pretty amazing.”

FIND INHALER ONLINE

WEBSITE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK