Anorak Patch: Clockwise: Drummer Luca Ryland, Guitarist Oscar Ryland, Keyboardist/Vocals Effie Lawrence and Bassist Eleanor Hellwell
These aren’t ordinary teenagers who just jam in your parents’ garage for fun….this group of talented musicians form the group Anorak Patch and are quickly rising in popularity in the UK.. let me introduce you to the band.
Q: The band is from Colchester, Essex and the teen members consist of drummer Luca Ryland, guitarist and brother Oscar Ryland, bassist Eleanor Helliwell and Keyboardist/Vocals Effie Lawrence. Whose idea was it to start the band? And did you already know how to play or did you teach yourselves as you went along?
Effie: My dad does an annual music day at Albion Pub in Rowhedge and he invited us to play there. I knew Oscar and Luca played instruments and that Eleanor was just starting out on bass, so I asked her to join, although she wasn’t too keen at first.
Q: How did you come up with the band name? Was it as simple as someone was wearing an Anorak & you thought, “hey great band name” or is there a story behind the name?
Effie: There really isn’t a story, we were torn between a few names. Milk Cottage was one, thank god we didn’t choose that.
Q: England seemed to have much stricter COVID rules than here in the US including curfews and maximum amount of people allowed in a room together or at gatherings. How did you find the time to practice between lockdowns, restrictions and school?
Effie: During the lockdown, unfortunately we weren’t able to practice or perform but as soon as the restrictions were loosened, we got together again and started writing.
Top L – R: Pitch Perfect Soundtrack, Ravi Shankar and Carly Simon
Q: To all members: What artist/bands would your band mates least expect to be on your music playlist?
Effie: The Pitch Perfect Soundtrack; Eleanor: Carly Simon; Oscar: Ravi Shankar
Q: I think I read that Radiohead was one of your musical influences. I happen to love their album, The Bends, myself. What is it about them that you love? Are there any other bands you admire?
Oscar: At the time of those interviews when we were mentioning and referencing Radiohead, it was true that we considered them as an influence but we have moved away from that artistically and listen to a broader amount of music. Eleanor: I also think that we are influenced by their uniquesound and how at the time they were upcoming and something new. I think we want to replicate that feeling now. Luca: Black Country New Road are also one of our musical influences at the moment, we really like their new album.
Q: In 2020, you released 2 singles…Beans and 6 Week Party, which was named on the BBC 6 Music Playlist. Were you guys notified ahead of time or were you surprised and heard it live as it was broadcast? How excited were you?
Effie: We were extremely excited and the week that we were on the playlist, it was very positive for us.
Q: So now 3 more singles in 2021, Blue Jeans, Irate and Delilah.. Is there an upcoming album this year?
Effie: We are very excited about our upcoming EP By Cousin Sam..it’s a change in musical direction for us but we feel positively about this and hope everyone enjoys it.
Courtesy of YouTube
Q: Plans for touring now or in the summer when school is out? If touring now, are there any dates you can share?
Effie: We haven’t gotten any dates announced for the summer but we have some shows in March coming up.
Q: Where can fans find your music and merch?
Effie: All streaming platforms…
** At the time of this interview, Anorak Patch’s latest single Cousin Sam had not been released..****
I’m sure we will be hearing from more this sensational band and maybe we will be able to catch a show if they travel across the Atlantic and hit the states!! Thanks again Anorak Patch!!
We have more interviews coming your way including Nicky Youre and The Foxies.. as always, if you have a suggestion for band you’d like me to interview, shoot me an email at mewzickkismylife@gmail.com
Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan courtesy of YouTube
If you haven’t heard of Chappell Roan, I believe this may be her breakout year and become a household name… in 2020, when everyone was shut in amid the pandemic, she quietly released a dancy gem in Pink Pony Club, when she reaches for those high notes, I swear I am hearing Sarah McLachlan’s howl while others have compared her to Lana Del Rey..
Q: What exactly is the story behind Pink Pony Club? Any relation to The Pink Pony in Georgia?
A: I went to a gay bar in West Hollywood and really was shocked by the amount of acceptance I felt for the first time ever. It truly felt like a very spiritual experience and I had to write a song about it because it just hit me so hard. And no relation to the Pink Pony Club in Atlanta. It’s actually based off of a shut down strip club in my hometown of Springfield, Missouri, called the Pink Pony. It was a hot pink building that I was always obsessed with when I was little. But sadly, it’s shut down, and now it’s painted gray.
Q: You grew up in a very small town in Willard, MO, maybe a little over 6400 people…where did you look to for your musical influences in the area? Did you grow up in a musical household?
A: I didn’t grow up with a musical household. I was mostly raised on Christian rock music. And then when I was 14, I got Pandora for the first time and I became obsessed with Drake and pop music. It was the first time I was introduced to hip hop, really. Where I grew up, there were mainly Christian and Country music, which is not what I sing, so I wasn’t too inspired by my surroundings or my culture that I grew up in. I mainly got inspired by the song Stay by Rihanna. That song made me start writing honestly because I wanted to write a song like that.
Q: You wrote a song, Die Young, when you were 16 and soon thereafter you were signed to Atlantic Records… what advice would you tell your 16 yr old self now about being prepared for the music journey to come?
A: I would say focus on self-care and focus on loving yourself because most of the time, I was in really long relationships and didn’t really get to fully experience myself as a human being. Focus on what makes you feel like you instead of trying to look like anything else, something that truly makes you happy, what you think is pretty and what you think is great over anything else, and trust your gut always. That’s what I want to tell myself.
Q: How did you come up with the name “Chappell Roan”? It’s definitely one to remember.
A: Chappell was my grandfather’s last name and I told him that I would dedicate in his honor. I would be Chappell because he passed away of brain cancer in 2016 right before my music came out so I told him I would be Chappell. His favorite song was called The Strawberry Roan and roan is a type of horse, like a type of horse hair, and it’s an old country song. That was his favorite song.
Naked in Manhattan – Chappell Roan courtesy of YouTube
Q: New music out now, Naked in Manhattan… the lyrics, “Touch me baby, put your lips on mine. Could go to Hell but we’ll probably be fine. I know you want it. Baby, you can have it. Oh, I’ve never done it, let’s make it cinematic”. Is it safe to say this song is about “the first time”? Talk about the new single.
A: Yeah, it’s about what the first time like experimenting queerness and like having a crush on a girl and falling in love and kind of falling in love with your friends. Yeah, it’s about the first time.
Q: You will be opening for Olivia Rodrigo May 27 in San Francisco. Does that blow your mind? What does that mean to you?
A: I guess it blows my mind. I still don’t think it’s even hit me yet fully. I think it will hit me three days before the show or something. It’s such an honor and I’m such a huge fan of hers. She’s such a wonderful person. I’m so excited to do that and experience that. It’s a once in a lifetime situation so I’m so excited.
Clockwise L – R: Kim Petras, Harry Styles, Dona Cat, Charlie XCX, Caroline Polachek
Q: Besides Olivia, who would be an artist you would like to collab with?
A: Caroline Polachek, or Harry Styles, or Kim Petras, or Charlie XCX, or Doja Cat
Clockwise L – R: Cocteau Twins, Portishead, My Bloody Valentine, Daniel Johnston
Q: What are some artists that no one would expect to find in your in playlist?
A: Probably Daniel Johnston or Portishead to Kim Petras slut pop. I love like really pop-shit and then I love My Bloody Valentine and The Cocteau Twins.
Q: When not making music, what do you do for fun your off days?
A: I like doing makeup, thrifting and crafts and bedazzling. I like to party, haha, yeah that’s all.
Q: Can fans expect an album in 2022?
A: No but they can expect a lot of singles and a lot more music!
Q: Where can fans find your music?
A: Any streaming platform that they listen to music. They can find it on Apple Music, Spotifyand Youtube.
Thanks again Chappell.. I’m pretty sure we will be hearing your music in the clubs, bars, radio and everywhere!
Teen punk band from the UK, Anorak Patch will be one of my next interviews plus many more. Don’t forget to email me with any suggestions on who you think I should interview next at mewzickkismylife@gmail.com
Country Girl – Rissi Palmer Live at Bluebird Cafe (courtesy of YouTube)
I’m really happy that this incredibly talented artist, Rissi Palmer, agreed to do this interview with me. I was definitely lacking in the genre of country when it came to interviewing musical artists but I wouldn’t so much categorize her style or put her in a box & label it “country” per say. But as you read on, you will soon find out that she is a woman of many talents.. so for those who do not know her, let me introduce you to Rissi Palmer.
Q: You have been in the music business for over fifteen years now, what advice would you give your younger self about how to prepare for the struggles, highs and lows of the music industry?
A: The best advice I could give to a younger me or an up and coming artist is to take the time to figure out who you are as an artist. What you stand for. What sounds you gravitate toward. The more you know about yourself and your artistry, the less likely you are to be forced to do and be something you aren’t. You’ll be able to advocate for yourself and your art.
Award winning R&B songwriting & producing team: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Q: So I read that when you were a teenager, you were offered a record deal by big time producers (notably of Janet Jackson fame) Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis but you turned it down because R&B really wasn’t the direction you wanted to go. That’s very admirable that you were able to make that choice at such a young age. I can imagine some people probably thought you might’ve made the wrong decision. Did you have tremendous pressure/ and did you have a lot of support back then?
A: It was definitely a hard decision to make it I felt very strongly about staying on the path we had started down and sticking with what I loved. At that time, while I had managers, I felt more pressure from them than support. My family was extremely supportive but didn’t know a lot about the music business so there was only so much advice they could give. Ironically, I ran into Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis this past June at an event. I went to speak with them a d they remembered me and were gracious and praised me for sticking to my dreams and all that I had accomplished because of that. It was a full circle, reassuring moment.
Seeds – Rissi Palmer (courtesy of YouTube)
Q: You’ve recorded an EP and 2 albums, with the latest, Revival, in 2019. I was listening to Revival at work & from the first song, “Seeds”, I was captivated. With the words and music, it feels like I’m witnessing a powerful movement, a rising up of voices speaking out for an injustice. Can you tell me more about this song & the album? It’s obviously very personal.
Q: Thank you so much! This album was a long time coming for me. The first part of my career, I tended to play it very safe as far as the subject matter of my music. I didn’t stray too far from love and heartbreak. When I wrote “Seeds” withDeanne Walker and Rick Beresford in 2014, I had been glued to my television watching the events surrounding the murder of Michael Brown in my native St Louis, MO. I knew I wanted and needed to say something. From there, I became preoccupied with news and politics and my writing reflected that. This album is a reflection of the times we’re living in and how they reflected me personally….it’s a snapshot of me; a Black woman/wife/mother/daughter/American, in this moment.
Color Me Country Radio hosted by Rissi Palmer on Apple Music (video courtesy of YouTube)
Q: Color Me Country Radio debuted on August 30, 2020 on Apple Music with you as the host. I love love the concept of this show. You are trying to bring forth voices that are not necessarily being represented on the airwaves and basically saying to people, “Hey there is diversity in country music” by celebrating Black, Indigenous and Latine artists in country music. Did you go to Apple Music with the idea in mind? What have been some of your favorite moments/discussions on the show?
A: I started developing what became Color Me Country in early 2020 when the pandemic started. A dear friend had been pushing me for years to turn my knowledge of country music, specifically artists of color in country music, into something that I never had time for. Suddenly, I found myself with a lot of time during lockdown, so I started conducting interviews with all artists that I personally knew. By June 2020, I had interviewed 24 artists and was ready to launch on my own. Another dear friend and fellow Apple Music Country host, Kelly McCartney, introduced me to Emily Parker and Michael Bryan at Apple Music Country and the rest is history. The name of the show pays homage to Linda Martell, the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry and the first and highest- charting Black female country artist in history. Her first album was named Color Me Country and it only seemed right to name the show that.
Q: It must’ve been a proud moment to see Mickey Guyton, a Black woman country artist, sing The National Anthem at the Super Bowl during Black History Month. I thought it was pretty historic. Hopefully, it will bring more attention to her music. A few of my favorite artists, who are sometimes labeled as country but I feel are more along the lines of folk, are Yola, The War and Treaty and Amythyst Kiah… Is there any distinction in your mind when artists are labeled country but sort of cross over to other genres? How do you feel about artists in general when that happens? ( I personally find it great because I may never have had come across that artist if they hadn’t jumped genres)
A: Mickey has had to fight and advocate for herself for a long time to have this moment so it was really great to see her get the attention and opportunities that her talent deserves. I love all the artists you mentioned and have had the honor of speaking to all of them and calling a few of them friends. I think it’s awesome to see each of them branch out and experiment with their sounds. I think the worst thing you can do to an artist is stifle their creativity. Every artist that I look up to and admire is versatile and brings something to their respective genres. All of the artists you mentioned do that. While I am very inspired by country music, I am also inspired by the blues, soul music and pop and my music is a reflection of that.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram performs at The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA on March 5, 2020…. (Video courtesy of Your Music Stylist)Buy tix here: Kingfish w/ Rissi Palmer supporting
Q: You are going on tour supporting Christone “Kingfish” Ingram on March 2nd in Ft Lauderdale, FL. I saw him perform in March 2020 in Boston. He is amazing, he can shred and sing. He’s phenomenal to watch perform. What a great tour to be a part of! How excited are you to be going on tour? Are you ready for tour life?
A: I am SO excited to be touring with Kingfish and still can’t believe I was asked to do it. He’s an amazing performer and my band and I are honored to share a stage with him. I’m ready as I can possibly be. I have two little girls, so in addition to getting the band together, picking out outfits, packing and travel logistics, I’ve had to plan out their routines so that life isn’t interrupted while Mommy is on the road. It’s a lot different from when I first started touring 13 years ago!
Top Clockwise: The War and Treaty, Maren Morris, Patty Griffin, Lizzie No and Lizz Wright
Q: Who are you listening to right now on your Apple Music playlists?
A: I make playlists on the regular now so I am always thinking of what works together and what will sound good together. My current favorite playlist is one I made for Valentine’s Day called “Love, Southern Style” and it has music from The War and Treaty, Maren Morris, Lizzie No, Lizz Wright, Patty Griffin and the like. Here’s the link: Love , Southern Style by Rissi Palmer
Q: When you are not prepping material for your show and broadcasting on air, what do you like to do in your down time? Are you a binge watcher, book reader? Fun things to do?
A: Although I feel like I am ALWAYS prepping my show or doing something for my artist grant fund: Color Me Country Artist Grant Fund when I do have a quiet moment, I love to read. I just finished, “The Vanishing Half”, by Brit Bennett and it was great! I also binge watch shows while I’m working sometimes…I’m watching The Gilded Age, Euphoria and Harlem right now.
Q: Are you currently working on any new music? If so, when can fans expect to see an album?
A: I’m working on a new album now, it’s called Survivor’s Joy. I’m in the final stages of writing and plan to get in the studio in April and May. I’m hoping to have it out by the end of the year, fingers crossed!!
Q: When can fans listen to the show? And where can fans find you on social media?
A: Color Me Country airs on Sundays at 7p-9p ET on Apple Music Country. Listeners can click this link and hear the show for free when it airs live: http://apple.co/rissipalmer
Make sure you listen to Color Me Country Apple Music this Sunday, February 27th at 7pm EST.
What a great interview, thanks again Rissi!
Some people have messaged me with suggestions on who they’d like me to interview next, if you have any suggestions, email me at mewzickkismylife@gmail.com.
Next up, Anorak Patch, the UK teen punk band that has made the BBC’s Radio 1 and 6 Music playlists.
Nashville isn’t just for country music anymore.. it’s starting to find its niche in the alternative indie pop music world as well.. this is where you’ll find the band Nightly… I think you are really going to want to stop and take time out to listen to this trio of talented musicians. Here’s my interview with the band.
Q: When people think of Nashville, ALT pop music isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind. Music City has deep roots embedded in country music here. How does Nightly shake up the ALT music scene in Nashville & how do you think you stand out from the rest of the bands?
A: for sure! I think while it is heavily country, there is actually an amazing pop/alt scene that has been building here..so many cool bands and artists are moving here. there is also an amazing community. the other thing is that Nashville has some of the best songwriters in the world so it’s a great place to learn about the craft of songwriting.
L to R: Nightly members Nick Sainato, Jonathan Capeci and Joey Baretta
Q: Nightly consists of 3 members, Jonathan Capeci & Joey Baretta, who are cousins, and Nick Sainato. For Jonathan and Joey, when did you guys actually start playing together and then when did the three of you hook up and start performing and writing songs together?
A: we started in 2016, kinda without a band name just writing songs. joey and I moved to Nashville from philly and we met nick here in town. it was instant chemistry.
Q: In 2020, you released the album, “night, love you”, which is really the meaning behind the name of the band name. How did this moniker come to light? How did you decide on the band’s name? What is the significance?
Q: the first song we ever wrote was this song that we never released called “the night” and we kinda fell in love with the phrase night, love you and eventually got to night-ly or nightly.
Q: The song “older” was off the singles on night, love you. This song hit me emotionally, it definitely moved me, made me think about my life particularly the lyrics, “ I don’t do the things I’m supposed to. Overthinking, under focused. Emotional rollercoaster. Keeping it all on my shoulders. Hoping no one will notice. I’m no good at getting older.” I mean, this song could be referring to pretty much everyone yet it also seems so personal. Tell me more about this song and did it take an emotional toll writing it?
A: thank you! it’s one of my favorites that we’ve ever written. I knew that the album was missing a ballad and so I was kinda thinking of ideas in the back of my mind for about a week and I just would write like a couple lines a day in my notes app on my phone..then one thursday night, I sat downand the whole song just came out in like 30. it’s deeply personal and is written about all the things I was feeling at the time. I tried to be as raw as possible and while I think it’s so coolhow people have connected to it, it’s really just about exactly the place I was in that time of my life.
Q: When I first listened to the band, I heard similarities to The 1975 and Old Swing. Who would you say has had an influence in your musical style? Or is it your own spin?
A: we definitely are fans of lots of artists and bands like coldplay, the neighbourhood, the killers and about a million others but our goal is to simply sound like ourselves. but yes, I think everyone builds on their influences.
Clockwise: Frank Ocean, Coldplay and Sza
Q: This is for each of you: Who are you listening to right now on your Spotify/Apple Music music playlist? Who would you recommend for me to check out?
Q: sza is like my favorite artist right now and has been for years. I also love frank ocean, I’ve recently been going back to coldplay’s first album.. I just love how it kinda sounds like it was recorded in a bedroom or something.
Q: You guys have been on tour earlier in your career in ‘16-‘17 & had opened for some pretty big names like Ke$Ha and The All American Rejects and performed at Bonaroo Music Festival. And now you’re going on tour and supporting The Midnight on 3/9 at Brooklyn Bowl in your hometown of Nashville. How excited are you for this upcoming tour? Does it feel good to get back out there on the road? Will there be any surprises on tour?
A: we are so excited to get back on the road. COVID has kept us from being on tour for 2 years which was so tough when it comes to the cycle of releasing music. so far no special guests during the set but we will be playing a new song and probably bring back at least one old song that we haven’t played in a few years.
Q: When on tour things can get hectic….Do you have any pretty-show prep? Any routines, superstitions before going on stage?
A: honestly not really…maybe a few push-ups to warm up the body, lots of water, a shot of tequila and we usually do a little huddle before we go on stage.
Q: Where can fans find the band’s music and merch?
I read a lot of articles about bands to watch out for and best bands of the year and a couple of magazines, (Paste Magazine and SPIN) both agreed that Drinking Boys and Girls Choir is one band you should be listening to. Despite the difficulty for many people who probably don’t understand Korean, their music transcends the boundaries of language. So let me introduce you to Drinking Boys and Girls Choir
Q: Today, I’m speaking with Drinking Boys and Girls Choir from South Korea. First off, great name of the band. How did you decide on the name? And who are the members & who plays what instrument?
A: At first, we had no idea about the band’s name, so we just practiced and made songs. After some point we needed the name and just put some concepts like, “we are drinking, we looks like teenager and we want to sing along”. That’s it. MJ sings and on drums, Meena sings and plays bassJung Hoon sings and plays guitar.
Daegu, South Korea
Q: The band is based out of Daegu, which has approximately 2.5M people (that’s 1.5M more than the state I live in here in the United States) but Seoul has 3 times more in population. Did you ever consider living in Seoul to reach a bigger audience with your music? What do you like most about living in Daegu?
A: Over 10 years ago, MJ and Meena went to Seoul to be a rockstar and came back. At that time, all the kids that doing indie music thought that Seoul was the KEY but it wasn’t. Besides, these days, we don’t need to go somewhere outside of hometown more. We can take transportation easily and we don’t need to worry about high cost of livingin the capital.
Q: Let’s talk about your music… your latest album release, Marriage License, is really good. (Mind you, I don’t understand what you are singing about) but it doesn’t matter. Your sound is so great, it’s classic punk pop, mosh pit, skate punk, head nodding fun!! Who writes the songs? What are some of your favorite tracks on the album and why?
A: We write songs everybody in the band but if you know the details you can find it on streaming site or something. We made this album with particular ideas about discrimination. So every song had their own idea and beauty. Want not to choose a favorite song.
Q: The band released a single, Linda Linda, in 2020 in two different languages that wasn’t on either album. Was this something special? What is this song about? (I’m partial to this song because that’s my name, maybe use it as my theme song? 😁)
A: Oh Linda! The song is a cover of a Japanese band named The Blue Heartsfamous song, “Linda Linda”. You should check the original song. In Japanese version, we just covered the song in our way but in Korean version, we wrote the lyrics. It is about some feelings from trashy Korean drama that Meena was watching.
Q: What do you guys do for fun when not performing?
A: Just keep rest, some workout and care snails.
Get The Most and Ellegarden
Q: This is for all of you: Who are you listening to right now on your music playlists?
A: Get The Most; Kirara, Ellegarden
Indonesian police force
Q: So I read an article that your band has had a couple of run ins with police at your shows lecturing the band on drug use. Tell me about these experiences, that must’ve been surreal.
A: The gig organizer was included on the drug use. We couldn’t understand the Indonesian so we noticed that the problem was about drug use after all situation was done. It was quite terrifying and puzzled because in Indonesia, we couldn’t find some beer easily so we thought we do not anything wrong.
Q: Have your families been supportive of your music careers? Are they some of your biggest fans?
A: We have some fans that come almost every gig and write good and touching reviews. It is also very helpful to keep doing this.
Q: Will you be going on tour in the Spring (depending on COVID situations)
A: All depending on COVID circumstances. We have day jobs so if the quarantine is not disappear, we may not go anywhere overseas.
Q: Where can fans find your music and merchandise?
A: Outside of Korea, we recommend Bandcamp…And inside of Korea, you can find some of our stuff in the venue of Naver store. Thanks!
Thank you to DBGC for the interview.. It’s great to see that punk music is flourishing all over the world.. Be sure to check the band on Spotify as well and Apple Music.
I’m hoping to bring more interviews your way in the next few weeks. Any bands you might suggest for an interview, please drop me a msg on my IG or my email at mewzickkismylife@gmail.com.
As I’ve mentioned before, I love listening to the playlists that Spotify creates for me and one of the songs that caught my ear was Pleasure by the band Betcha.. so when I like a song, I need to learn more about the artist… so lucky for me they happily agreed to talk with me.
Q: You’re based out of Nashville, a city full of aspiring musicians trying to be the next discovery.. what makes your band different from all the rest that you believe has helped your success?
A: Good question! This year we took a hard look in the mirror to find out what makes us stand out. The one thing that makes us unique is how we stay true to being a rock band, with our four personalities and playing styles blending together to create the Betcha sound. Modern music in the 2020’s has introduced so many genres and styles and we think we bring something fresh yet familiar to the alternative rock scene.
L to R: Chase Wilfork, Ben Booth, Charlie Green and Taylor Dabray
Q: The band consists of Charlie Green (vocals/guitar), Taylor Dabray (bass/keyboards), Ben Booth (lead guitar) and Chase Wilfork (drums)…you met at Belmont University, had some jam sessions and performed under a different name.. who made the decision to change the name and why? Just not feeling the old name?
A: Our band used to be “Wilder”. It is Charlie’s middle name and it fit the sound that we used to mainly play, which was much more folk rock based. We changed it to “Betcha” because we actually got a cease and desist from another band! We like Betcha a lot more though. It comes from a combination of all of our names. BE from Ben, T from Taylor and CHA from Chase and Charlie.
Q: I have some fond memories of attending college parties with that one good band you looked forward to seeing every Thursday night….were you that band? Have those fans stuck around with you today? And any crazy memorable stories from those shows you care to share?
A: Everybody loves a good college band! We started out doing a lot of weekend warrior shows at southern fraternity and college parties. We would go to school during the week and drive down and play gigs in frat backyards, basements, farms or anywhere else people would see us. One in particular, we played a UGA fraternity event on a farm in the middle of nowhere. We drove up out of Google Maps range to a little barn in the middle of a field, set up our equipment and played a show to about 30 people that were heading out there. It tuned out to be such a fun memory, playing in the freezing cold and taking swigs of moonshine from the college kids in attendance and made some lifelong fans along the way.
5AM – Betcha courtesy of YouTube
Q: Let’s talk some music…you’ve released 3 singles in 2021 with the latest, 5AM… I think pretty much anyone can relate to is the message here: “Waking up at 5 in the morning, Take a deep breath I still can’t breathe. Read a stop sign as a warning… need a reset or I’m gonna go crazy”. Talk more about the meaning of this song.. and also are we progressing towards an album release in 2022?
A: 5AM is a very special song to us. It is based out of feeling overwhelmed when other people and the world expect a lot out of you and just need to step away and have a moment to yourself. 2021 was filled with a lot of frustrating moments for our band and this song captures a feeling of us overcoming these difficult moments together. In 2022, we are definitely working towards some sort of project! It will be something in between an EP and album; but we are definitely are going to release a project.
Betcha performing at Cobra Lounge in Chicago on 12/5/21
Q: You just finished up your Winter Tour with stops in St Louis, Chicago, Boston and NYC to name a few…How does it feel being back in front of crowds again? What was your favorite city to play so far?
A: We did! This December tour was so special for us. We took a shot in the dark and were unsure about what the turnout would be, but we had soooo many fans come to our shows. St Louis, Chicago and Atlanta were some of the best but the most special one by far was Nashville. We have been a band for five years and never sold out a hometown show, and we sold out the High Wyatt and had an absolute blowout show that was one of our most special to date.
Q: This question is for each of you: A) Favorite meal on the road B) Favorite after show food C) Choice of beverage
A: This is Doobie answering for all of us on these! I know all of us pretty well and we have very similar tastes haha. A) Whole Foods when we are feeling healthy, In & Out when we are not. B) Pizza. C) Lots of coffee!!
Top clockwise: Tame Impala, Kanye, Jack Harlow and The 1975
Q: For everyone: Who would we find on your top artists on your Spotify Wrapped 2021 this year?
A: We are all over the place! Some of our top artists are The 1975, Tame Impala, Jack Harlow and Kanye.
Q: Touring can take a toll on bands…no sleep, skipping meals, late nights, lugging heavy equipment…how does the band stay grounded and stay in check so your overall mental well being is ready for each night?
A: That’s an amazing question. Mental and physical health is such an important part of being on the road. Everyone needs to have personal time and spend it how they like, however some of the best resetting things we like to do come on the off days: going to museums, going to a local gym, going to a pub for a Guinness and catching up on sleep are some of the ways we like to do that.
Thanks to Betcha for the great interview. You can also find them on Instagram at BetchaBand and on Facebook at Betcha Band.
I’m going to be posting several interviews in the next few weeks, if you would know of a band you’d like to see interviewed, send an email to mewzickkismylife@gmail.com or message me on Instagram at Music_Stylist.
See You Again – The Satellite Station (courtesy of YouTube)
I spoke with Travis Rue, of The Satellite Station, a few months ago because his voice moved me so much, I really wanted to know about the man behind the music….and special thanks to Zachisatourist for bringing my attention to this talented artist.
Q: When did you start taking music seriously enough that you felt like this was something that you wanted to focus on doing it as a career? You play multiple instruments…how many and which ones can you play?
A: I played in bands when I was in college that were pretty seriousbut it wasn’t till I started The Satellite Station and people really started to connect with the music that I considered it an option. I play piano, trumpet, French horn, guitar, bass and mandolin. I have been wanting to start picking up the violin….so maybe that is next.
Q: There are many musicians of various genres to come out of Ohio with great success like; Bootsy Collins, Chrissie Hynde, Guided by Voices, Filter and John Legend to name a few…were there any artists that you grew up admiring that you wanted to be like or follow in their footsteps?
A: I have been influenced by so many artists over the years. Some more than others at different times in my life. I would say the artists who have influenced me the most are Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Gregory Alan Isakov, Counting Crows and Andrew McMahon in all his projects.
Q: Your latest album release, Only Human, it’s pretty obvious you’re an amazing songwriter…listening to the title track lyrics, “just try to keep myself from drowning, trying to keep my head from pounding, life’s short and we fail sometimes cause we are only human.” It’s pretty much the perfect song for every person on the planet. I felt like I was being swept up in a range of emotions. Was it difficult for you to write this album?
A: Well, I definitely appreciate the kind words! Writing is something I do everyday and is a daily struggle. Some days go better than others, but I try to finish a new song every week. That means for every song you hear there are likely 4-5 that you don’t. During the time I was writing and recording the Only Human album, I probably wrote between 45-50 songs. Some were not great and have been thrown away…and others were saved for future projects. Writing never feels easy.
Q: What does Travis Rue do when he’s not writing music?
A: I spend time with family and friends. I try to spend as much time as I can outdoors either running or hiking. I am ALWAYS reading a book. Currently “Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty.
Q: What are your Top 5 books that you would recommend to someone like me who needs to read more and watch less tv?
A: I love to read so this the perfect question for me. Here are some of my favorites I have read recently…. 1) BearTown by Fredrik Backman2) The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein3) All the Red Rising books by Pierce Brown4) Big Little Lies by Liane Moriartyand 5) An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
Q: Who would you credit to have helped you the most in your career in terms of support and always being there for you during the ups and downs in your songwriting process, success and overall happiness?
A: I have to call out a few people here. First, my friend and producer Michael Estok. He has been critical to the success of The Satellite Station. And the songs would not be near as good if not for him. Alex and Beth at AlexRainBird Music. They introduced me to my first real audience and have been so supportive of my music ever since. Lastly, my wife, Mariah, who has put up with my ups and downs as an artist and all the times I play the same section of a song over and over again until I just get it right.
Q: Cats or Dogs? Kayak or Canoe? Mountains or Lakefront? Camping or Glamping? Summer or Winter?
A: Definitely Dogs… I have a Shorkie named Winnie… Canoe…….This is a tough one…can I pick a lakefronthouse in the mountains? Definitely mountains over oceanfront.. Glamping….I like being outdoors but have limited survival skills…. Summer over Winter but I would pick Fall as my favorite.
Q: Will you be taking the album out on the road in 2022? How do you think these COVID restrictions will affect this winter’s touring as opposed to 2020 where it was pretty non existent?
A: Yes! Hoping to ramp up the tour schedule in the near future. I have a close member of my family that is very high riskso I have been careful but plan to start increasing the show volume soon! I, also always working on new music!!
Stay tuned for more interviews..coming up interviews with Betcha and The Burning Lights.. if you have a suggestion on who I should interview, drop me a line..
To Be Alone – Laden Valley recorded live at Uptown Sound in Providence, RI
There have been many exciting things happening in Newport, RI this month… including the filming of Hocus Pocus 2 in Washington Square & Man vs Food at The Hungry Monkey on Broadway but TONIGHT at The Jane Pickens Theater at 7pm is Laden Valley’s debut album release party.
Q: So it’s great to see a band from my home state of Rhode Island, having such success and loving what they do.. The band consists of Evan St Martin and Dave Sarazen. How did you and Evan get together to form the band, did you know each other from previous bands you’ve performed with?
A: Dave and I met 3 years ago when Dave showed up an hour early to a Bible study at my house. We didn’t have any context for the music we’d done in the past, but there was a guitar in my living room and we kind of got to playing right away.
Q: Your voices blend so well together & the harmonies are so beautiful..especially on your single, “Do You Love Me Still?”..it’s just music to kick back and relax in a hammock… each of you have played in bands before Laden Valley… is the style of music that you are creating now some of your best work?
A: The style of music we are working on now is intentionally divergent than anything either of us have done before with other projects. We knew we wanted to focus heavily on vocal harmony, which lends itself to folk music, but we also wanted to be careful not to pigeonhole ourselves. Laden Valley, more than anything else, is a space to stretch out and take a shot at the kinds of music we’re into at the moment or have been wanting to do for awhile. I wouldn’t say it’s better than anything that we’ve done previously, it’s just a bit less genre specific.
Q: What are some of your favorite venues to perform at in Rhode Island and why?
A: There are a bunch of great venues in Rhode Island. The ones we’re most interested in are the ones we haven’t played. Jane Pickens Theater being one. We knew when we were coming up with ideas for an album release show that we wanted to do it at a theater. During that time I went to see Jaws at Jane Pickens and thought this is the place!
Q: So the show is tonight, Haunt The House is supporting. Will there be any surprises or guest appearances? How pumped are you guys for tonight’s show?
A: We’ve put together an amazing band for this show. Even though we the front bandas a duo, the music goes through a lot of hands during the recording process. I’ve always said that to truly represent recordings in a live setting that we’d need 8 people. We managed to pull together 7 for the show and I have to say I’ve been blown away by how things sound at rehearsal.
Q: Where do Dave and Evan consider some of the best late night food found in RI, especially after show performances?
A: After the show at Jane Pickens, I’m headed to Perro Salado for some tacos.
Q: Favorite music festival played and favorite music festival wishlist.
A: We started playing together right around the time the world shutdown, so we haven’t played a festival yet. At the top of the wishlist, without question: Newport Folkand Telluride Bluegrass.
Top clockwise: Vampire Weekend, Andy Shauf and Grateful Dead
Q: Who would be the most surprising artist to be found on either of your Spotify/Apple !used playlists?
A: I doubt if it’d come as a surprise (and I’m definitely not speaking for Dave) but Vampire Weekend and The Grateful Dead have been in heavy rotation for several months now. And also the latest album from Andy Shauf..
Laden Valley patches
Q: Where can fans find your music and purchase some of your merchandise?
A: Wherever you can stream music! And if you want merch, you’ll need to be at the show TONIGHT if you want to get some!!
Thanks Evan and can’t wait for the show! Tonight 7pm at Jane Pickens in Newport. Haunt The House will be supporting the band. There are few tickets still available, you can purchase here: Laden Valley Album Release Show
Make sure you follow Laden Valley for all their latest news and music at http://www.ladenvalley.com/ and you can also find them on Instagram at ladenvalley.
And don’t forget to follow my blog for all the indie artists you may or may not have heard before including my upcoming interview with The Satellite Station Music. http://yourmusicstylist.org
See you at the show but until then I’m Your Music Stylist!!
So Far So Good – Great Good Fine Ok courtesy of Youtube
Well, I have been on a bit of a hiatus but am back now so this was the last interview I did before taking some time off. This is a band that should be part of your everyday playlist because of their feel good sound and hopefully after you learn a little bit about them, you will be adding & sharing their music with others. Here is Great Good Fine Ok…..
L to R: Luke Moellman and Jon Sondler
Q: So the band consists of Luke Moellman and Jon Sondler…now is it true that you met one night & you already had written a song together by the next morning? You must really have some great chemistry together… How did you guys end up meeting in the first place?
A: Most of a song! Luke and I met and became friends about 9 years ago when he was living around the corner from me in Brooklyn with my close friend and piano player. One night after not seeing each other for months, we ran into each other on the street of Manhattan and decided to write a song together. He sent me a track that night and i was instantly inspired to write the lyrics and melody, “You’re The One For Me” was born.
Q: Was it easy to think of the name for the band? What are some of the other names that you considered?
A: Great Good Fine Ok was a name I’d thought of years earlier. I have no clue what inspired it. I kept in my mental bank of cool band names and when it was time to put a name to our project, I unveiled it to Luke. His response was, “I don’t hate it.” So it stuck.
Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop ) is a subgenre of new wave music that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument.
Q: Synthpop is how most people have described your music so what do you think of the controversy surrounding the difference between synthpop and synthwave? Some people take issue with the two being lumped together. (Synthopop emerging from 70s-80s New Wave & Synthwave emerging from 00s EDM/electro)
A: For the first few years, our music was more ethereal, dreamy…. and yeah synthy. Synthpop felt like our genre. Over the past 8 years, we’ve evolved and expanded our palate a ton — i think indie pop or just pop feels more accurate at this point. We still absolutely use synths, pulling inspiration from both the 80’s and newer electric sounds. I didn’t know there was controversy about it!
Q: Not only does the band write their own songs but you also do a lot of remixing for other artists’ music… who are the some of the bands that you’ve worked with in the past & some remixes you really had some fun with?
A: Luke is the producer/mixer/engineer behind the remixes. He’s done some absolutely incredible ones throughout the years. Most recently he did one for the TwinXL song “Slow Heart”. Some of my faves were remixes he did for Foxes, X Ambassadors, Morgxn, Le Youth and one for St Lucia that I contributed to with some vocals.
Great Good Fine Ok’s eponymous fifth EP
Q: In 8 years, you’ve teamed up for 5 EP’s: Body Diamond, Remixes Vol I, Easy (Remixes), GG Four and the latest Great Good Fine Ok… how long does it usually take to create songs? and do you guys make anytime for yourself?
A: Some songs take longer than others but we are usually working on something….we love making music! We are also extremely meticulous and picky about what sees the light of day. That said, we absolutely make time for other things. We both have hobbies, families etc. It ultimately helps the art to focus on other passions.
Progress (not the official video)
Q: I want to bring your attention to your single, Progress, released in 2020. This is the song that brought me to the discovery of your band. Why this isn’t on more playlists is beyond me? I am campaigning to get this in rotation somewhere!! Absolutely one of my faves…Is this about a relationship going through some issues?? Tell me more..
A: Thank you! We really love this one too! “Progress” is about realizing that it’s okay to make mistakes, evolve and figure out how to make things right. We relased it during a time in this country when many people were revaluating priorities and figuring out better ways to move forward — it felt timely..
Q: Since you have done so many collaborations with other artists, do you already have an artist in mind before you get set to write the song?
A: We love collaborating and feel so grateful to have worked with some of our favorite artists over the past year and there are still a couple more coming! Sometimes we’ll start a song with another artist with a collaboration as a goal. Sometimes we’ll reach out to an artist later who we think could add something amazing. We’ve done it all sorts of ways!
Q: Where can fans find your music?
A: Fans can find our music everywhere music is found!
Thank you for the great interview! I have a couple of interviews coming up with The Burning Lights, The Satellite Station and Laden Valley. Stay tune for more..
When I first reached out to Jack about an interview I assumed he was in a couple of bands but it’s actually like 6+ bands and he’s probably joined more since I spoke to him in early June. So lets find out what drives him to want more..
Q: At what age did you first pickup an instrument? And how many can you play?
A: In 5th grade, I started playing the viola, but that wasmainly because I had to play an instrument of some sort as a school requirement. I began writing and teaching myself to sing in 5th/6th grade, but I began playing guitar in 7thgrade. After a few years of that, I quickly learned bass guitar, out of a lack of bass playersand in the past few years, I’ve been teaching myself drums. Most recently I took a piano class at school, so I now know a little about that too.
Q: You grew up in Hingham, MA…what are some of your favorite places you and your friends like to hang out at & where do you guys usually get together to play music?
A: Some of my favorite places to hang out with friends are Cronin Field in Hingham, which is a recreational area behind the town hall; Turkey Hill, a very scenic hill by Weir River Farm; and downtown Hingham. The Shipyard was also somewhere I went with my friends a lot because there was a movie theater there. As for playing music in Hingham, there really aren’t a lot of venues besides the South Shore Conservatory, so the only places I’ve played music in Hingham are at my house with my band mates or at Hingham High School’s Annual Singer Songwriter Showcase.
L to R: Sun Mask, Friday Life and Wave Goodbye are just a few of the numerous bands Jack is a part of.
Q: Jack, you are in a multitude of bands…you also produce, write the lyrics and promote your music as well. Name all the bands and projects you are currently involved in.
Friday Life: my longest lasting project. It’s an indie rock/post punk band with a lot of 80’s influence. I sing and play guitarin this band. We’re playing a bunch of shows this summer and beyond.
Wave Goodbye: my solo project. It’s a lofi bedroom pop project that I’ve released music under since 2018. This is where I go to write very emotional, honest music without the stylistic frills of my other bands. Since it’s a solo project, I play all the instruments and sing as well.
Sun Mask: This is a shoe gaze/noise rock duo formed with my brother Brendan during the pandemic. As with Friday Life (which Brendan is also in), I sing and play guitar. Things have slowed down a bit with this band having so many things on both our plates but we still have some tricks up our sleeves, so stay tuned.
The Dream Thieves: I play drums in this band, which I joined in November 2020 after meeting the frontman, J, in August of that year. We’ve been working on some demos which will hopefully be put this summer if all goes well.
Suburban Windows: This is a beats project I have on the side for fun. It’s more a hobby than anything, but it does help me hone my production skills.
Keegan Turner: I don’t believe this is a long term gig but I currently play bass in Keegan’s backing band. I took up that role after he reached out in June of this year.
I am also working on another side project, which is more of a surf pop based, but it’s still in its infancy so there is not much to say about it at the moment. I also have a single in the works that I recorded with Jack McLaughlin, Friday Life’s bassist. That projectis called Shipwrights. I also played bass in The Understatementsreunion show on August 6th..
I write most of the lyrics for the bands in which I sing and play as well..As for production, it depends on the project, but I am working on being able to do that.
Q: You do some DJ’ing as well… where can we find you regularly spinning? What is your equipment of choice when you DJ?
A: I actually only DJ on WDOM PC Radioon campus. I have a show called Tune Raider, which is derived from Tune Raider, a booking company that I run (which is starting to get up and running again now that shows are coming back). I mainly play a mix of underground songs from the past as well as local music that deserves more recognition. Currently, the show is on hiatus due to school being out, but once I go back in the Fall, I cannot wait to get back on air.
Q: Now that you are a full time student at Providence College… how are you able to balance all these bands and courses during the full time school year?
A: I am really only able to balance all these projects with school because they are not all active at the same time. Friday Life often goes on a bit of a hiatus during the school year due to three of the members going to different colleges. Sun Mask also shuts down a little, meaning when I am at school. I only have Dream Thieves and my solo projects toconcentrate on. However, I am aware once that I finish school, I am going to have to make some hard decides about what stays and what goes.
Q: How many EPs & albums do you have recorded? Which one are you most proud of?
Here is a list of my recorded works:
Friday Life: – Demos [EP], hello. [EP], Each Passing Summer (acoustic) [Single], Every Time (Ultrasound Sessions) [Single], Where Are We Going? [Album].. There are a few covers/demos on SoundCloud, as well as a joke song called BEANOS on Bandcamp, but those don’t really count in my book.
Wave Goodbye: split ep with sadwaves, exhuming what we were [EP], I have no idea what this is [EP], there is a light that never goes out (the Smiths cover) [Single], nothing ever goes as planned [EP], California friends [Single], oh no [EP], two blue songs [Single], now you’re gone feat the mudskippers [Single], the graduate [EP], drag me down [Single], back to square one [Single], youth songs [EP], no more heroes [Single], tell me it’s alright (even if it’s a lie) [Single], summer [EP]
Sun Mask: Shimmering Heat [Demo] [Single], Into The Sea [Demo] [Single], The City [Demo] [Single]
Suburban Windows: Beat Tape 2020 [EP], cinema [Single], phantom frequency [Single], really nice day [Single]
I have contributed drums to two Puddlejumper songs (an indie rock duo from UChicago). New Lies & For Remo Muse
I also used to release work under the name Above Suburbia during my early high school years. That was my first ever musical project. Shallow (Just Another Wallflower) [Single], Growing Up Staying Young [EP], Fear [Single], Above Suburbia [Album], Shallow (Just Another Wallflower re-recording [Single], Shallow (Junkyard dog remix) [Single], Fake Flowers: B-Sides, Demos and Rarities [Album], Echoes From Some Fictional Landscape: The Lost Album [EP], Don’t Ask (Single with the Toxic 70’s), Best Above Suburbia [Album], Someone Out There [Single]
I am most proud of, Where Are We Going album by Friday Life. It was our second time going to a studio (the first time did not go well) and to truly hear the songs come together was amazing. I fully intend to improve upon this album on the next album but I am still really proud of it.
Q: Will we be seeing you perform this summer anywhere? Where can fans find your music?
A: Friday Life have performed a lot this summeractually but we’re going to focus more on writing but we’ll still play a few shows here and there. Friday Life, Wave Goodbye, Puddlejumper and Keegan Turner have music on all streaming services but the best band sites to use are Bandcamp and SoundCloud. There’s more material there. Friday Life and Wave Goodbye also have websites. Wave Goodbye & Friday Lifeand these have several links to other sites.
Wow! I have to say that is a lot of material you have out there. Even some national acts that have been around for a few years, I do not think they have a catalog as extensive as yours. Hoping to catch a show of yours in the near future.
Thanks again Jack for a great interview.. The summer has been flying by so fast and I’m trying to fit all the interviews in a timely manner..
I have interviews with Great Good Fine Ok, Of Tik Tok fame Bear Bailey, Roanoke, Gentle Temper and many more..
I have a giveaway coming up on my Instagram coming up in celebration of my 50th Interview, which was 2 interviews ago.. stay tuned to music_stylist on IG.
Music To Your Ears 