Don Neil Discusses His Sound, Keeping His Fans Happy And Life In Baltimore

Meet the newest artist covered by DOPECAUSEWESAID, Don Neil. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Don Neil has a fresh new sound that is perfect for every mood. Whether you’re pumping weight at the gym, hitting the clubs, or slowing down with someone special, Don Neil has something perfect for what you’re seeking.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I got in touch with Don Neil and we had a heart to heart about what matters most to him, how he develops his music, and what he’s building towards. Get to know some of Baltimore’s best up and coming talent.

How long have you been producing your music? How long has this been a passion of yours?

Well, I don't produce my own music beat wise/engineering. I'm more of a writer. I'd have to say this has been my passion since about 12 years of age. It started young because my uncle is a rapper, 100GrandMan, and I seen the nice chains and money and clothes he had. I wanted that. I started taking music my junior year in high school to my senior year. I knew it was real November of 2015 when my old team and I took a trip to Cayman Islands to perform. At that moment I wasn't just some kid saying “listen to my songs please." It was real. 

I’m merely a journalist, not a producer- but listening to your music, I imagine DOPE was particularly interested in you and your music not only because of your smooth and well produced sound, but because of your lyricism. You write and produce everything largely on your own?

I have to put this in bold: I WRITE EVERYTHING, I MEAN EVERYTHING. Now, beats and mixing- I do have people for that, that I find through various medias. I'd produce for myself but I'm picky, that weird kind of picky where I don't know what I want until I’ve found what I want.

You’re currently in Baltimore. Is that where you got your start in this business? Are you content to stay there a little while, or are you itching to get on a tour schedule or move to a different city?

Yeah, I am born and raised Baltimore. This is where I started and where I would like to take off but I know I don't make what typical "Baltimore rappers" make and that hurts me, but at the same time I learned there's nothing wrong with taking the path less traveled by. Of course I'm ready to go perform some stuff live and do what I’ve worked for, but It's not the time yet. Much more work to do.

I’ve had a tough time nailing down a “sound” that is easy to compare you to. At times, your work sounds comparable to The Weeknd; other times, more like Drake; sometimes I get more of a Kendrick Lamar vibe. Who do you consider to be your inspirations? Who do you listen to when you’re struggling to come up with new beats or thoughtful rhymes?

My inspirations in order would be Kid Cudi, J.Cole, Chance The rapper, Travis Scott, Pharrell, Drake, Kendrick, Vic Mensa, D Pryde, my friend Juice Bruns (he been putting in work and been believing in me for a while now) and of course my uncle 100GrandMan. Honestly when I'm struggling to come up with new stuff, I just don't listen to anything for a week and go do other activities. 

What do you have in the mix? What’s coming up next? Are you trying to focus on producing, or are you thinking more about your career and strategic moves to keep your fan base happy and growing?

Up next there's an EP on the way, but I’ll be dropping another song before that. I'm more on the career and making moves to get more people to listen because I refuse to make something people don't listen to. I hope this doesn't make me sound like I have an ego, but what's the point of pouring your heart out if no one can hear you?

We’re overjoyed to have Don Neil with the Dope Digital label. Stay tuned for his upcoming EP "Dear Me" which will drop in the next couple of months!

Connect with Don Neil: Instagram   Twitter

Frequent Flyer Miles

Doubtless, if you follow the website, you’ve noticed there have been significantly fewer postings as of late. With the new record label, we’ve been pretty busy diverting our attention away from writing. However, that doesn’t mean our reporters have been slacking. Music writer Carmen R. Lawrence has spent the last month meeting with several bands, conducting interviews, hitting up concerts, revamping her Spotify playlists, and flying across the country for her research. In a quick and expansive article, she wants to share all of what she’s done with you.

Getting to Know Missio

If you haven’t yet read Carmen’s interview with Missio, you’ve got to check it out on our website. After conducting the interview, Carmen stayed in touch with the guys and eagerly awaited the announcement of their Midwest tour dates. The Crush Me Tour has, indeed, crushed it as the duo has toured around the Midwest, though Carmen was unable to see their Chicago show as she had to bolt out of the city to hurry down to North Carolina to do her civic duty and catch a show with Great Good Fine Okay (see below). Also be certain to check out their new single, Twisted!

 

More Than Great Good Fine Ok in Charlotte

Bolting down to Charlotte for a casual but amazing show in the gorgeous indie Visulite Theatre, Carmen was able to snag a post-show interview with the alternative electronic group. The founders, Brooklyn-born Jon Sandler and Luke Moellman, were the gracious kinds of artists that put their instruments down after the show, got a sip of water, and walked into the audience to talk with adoring fans that had followed them around the state. Their international tour had still not over-inflated their egos and they were sweet enough sit with this reporter for a moment, Jon still in his mismatched sequined thrift store finds, for a quick interview.

Carmen (C): So how’s your time in North Carolina been?

Jon (J): It’s been beautiful. Our shows [in both Raleigh in Charlotte] have been our favorites on this tour so far.

Luke (L): We’d never played in Charlotte before.

J: Tonight was a little bit crazy.

L: I didn’t know my brother was coming, it was a big surprise, he got the chance to [join us on stage and] play the keytar.

J: North Carolina in general has had such bonkers audiences.

C: I noticed that, you have quite a following in this state in particular. I talked to a few fans that have followed you from show to show, that come back to see you every time you’re in the state. There was one guy I talked to that mentioned one of the main reasons he loves coming to see you is to see what Jon is going to wear!

J: So… I have a lot of different outfits, a lot of coats, I bring a lot with me on tour. And I just decide the night of the show what mood I’m in, what I’m feeling, and that’s it! It’s really as simple as that.

C: What about your opening act? The Dreamers have a very different style from yours.

J: Well we got a list of bands and we listened to them all and... it’s hard! You know, so many bands submit! We kind of just picked the one that we liked and that we wanted to work with and that we heard good things about. The Dreamers are just the nicest guys, they’re awesome.

C: Hate to ask the dreaded question but, after the tours around the southeast and up in the Midwest, what’s next for you guys?

L: People are always asking us, what’s next?!

J: It is a lot of tour, breath, tour, breath, but on February first, what do we do? It’s basically like… write music, record, make content, tour. That’s pretty much our life. And it’s awesome because you get to rotate between those four things, you just have to stay fresh on those four things.

L: It’s making music, it’s the best.

J: It’s what we want to do! We’re constantly thinking about how we can make things special for our fans, thinking outside the box, and it’s a lot of being flexible and going where the wind blows.

Thanks again to Great Good Fine Ok, who Carmen will surely see again when they make it to Chicago!

 

Catching Up With Max Frost

After trying to get an interview with the surprisingly elusive Max Frost for weeks, he finally shot back a quick message to Carmen’s personal account happy to report that he’s “working on a record right now that will be an introduction of a whole new style from me. It will be a risk, but I think in the right way. I’ll be continuing my one man band tour this November on the west coast so, if you’re around to catch a date, please do!” We’re all certainly looking forward to hearing Max’s new style and, though a personal interview is hard to get with this guy, we recommend everyone stalk his snapchat at snapmaxfrost.

Remember to follow Carmen’s Spotify playlist, “No Data, No Problems,” to keep your phone fresh with new tunes even when your data plan is running low! Coming soon will be an interview with a new DOPECAUSEWESAID artist you won’t want to miss.

No Data, No Problems

We’ve all been there: it’s nearing the end of the month and we get a message from our mobile service provider. “You’re out of data, sucks to be you.” For the next week, we’re stranded on our train rides, extended commutes, and long walks without our music and apps – unless of course we want to pay for extra data that month, which costs about $20 and our first born children.

Here at DOPE, we understand the struggle and have found a way to ease the pain. If you have a Spotify account, we invite you to follow our new playlist: NO DATA, NO PROBLEMS. Download the playlist to your mobile device while on a Wifi network and you’ll have enough music to keep you going through the end of the month. The playlist is short, a mere fifty songs, so your phone will never be overburdened with unnecessary data to store- and it’s updated every other week, so you’ll always have new music to listen to. We’ll furnish you with music that’s already chart topping as well as music featured on our website and by our record label.

To find the playlist, search for writer Carmen R. Lawrence’s profile. Carmen, one of our writers for featured artists and spotlight interviews, will update the playlist regularly. The playlist is public and live now! Download the playlist today to solve all your data problems!

http://open.spotify.com/user/crochellel/playlist/0t8CxPbSZxzSzCeTBLuT7o

15 Songs You Need On Your Halloween Party Playlist

Halloween is almost upon us. While some cultures may celebrate the holiday with traditional rituals or parades, the United States is known for celebrating All Hallows Eve by dressing up in suggestive costumes, getting drunk, and throwing serious parties. If you’re one of the party-throwers this holiday season, you’ve got a lot on your mind already. You’ve got to get the refreshments and snacks sorted, figure out how to provide enough alcohol for a good time, drunk-baby proof your venue, and get your guest list solidified in time. We certainly hope you didn’t forget about the all-important playlist… did you?

If you’re hiring a DJ to spin at your party, then you may not have much to worry about. But who pays a DJ for a hardcore house party? And don’t you think you’ll want some pump up jams for before the party anyways? We’ve hand selected for you fifteen songs you need on your Halloween party playlist, whether you’re listening to it to pregame, using it to tolerate touring your kids around to trick or treat before you throw down, or using it to underscore the entire evening. These songs, all from different genres and a variety of amazing up and coming artists, were all released in the last couple of years and are all emerging hits that your guests are certain to love. Who wants to play mainstream music all the time anyways? Throw in some variety and culture your friends’ music palettes with these must-have songs on your party playlist this Halloween.

*For the full Spotify playlist with even more additions, follow Carmen Lawrence on Spotify:

http://open.spotify.com/user/crochellel/playlist/0t8CxPbSZxzSzCeTBLuT7o

1. ‘Ghosts,’ by Charlie

There’s no mistaking that this is a perfect Halloween jam. Not only does it have a killer beat and her voice absolutely rocks, but the lyrics are as Halloween-themed as it gets…

Empty house full of sins, lightbulb flickering
Cracked walls caving in
Cobwebbed corners, shivering shoulders
Backing down endless halls…

You get the point. This chick is totally getting her Halloween on. It’s the perfect song to add to your playlist if you’re throwing a party where socialization is the priority, rather than drunken screaming and chugging beer, or if you’re simply looking for something to get in the trick-or-treat mood while you suit up into your costume.

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2.  ‘Exorcism,’ by Clairity

If Charlie has any competition for sick, Halloween tunes with on-point spooky lyrics, Clairity has got to be the source. Just check out some of this lyricism…

You mess, you mess with my head
Playing games so sick and twisted
Just to hear me call for help.

It sounds like the beginning of an Insidious movie! Her 2015 release, ‘Exorcism,’ is not only rife with spooky and creepy references but has a deep meaning that extends far beyond any holiday. The song, which is certainly Clairity’s greatest hit, is about an unhealthy relationship that must be ‘exorcised,’ and entirely expunged from her mind and body. Though it’s a great end-of-relationship song to jam to if you’re having a bad month, it’s also the perfect spooky song to jam to at your party, if your goal is to keep people happy but not rowdy or rambunctious.

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3. ‘Wicked,’ by Luna Aura

Alright, let’s stop being so literal: we’re not trying to make a soundtrack for a horror movie, we’re trying to party! If you’re looking to throw down and turn up this Halloween, this is surely one song you cannot forget to put on your playlist. ‘Wicked’ is the kind of song you jam out to as you strut into the party: all eyes on you and the costume you put so much work into, the bass beat and smooth voice are enough to make anyone feel like a sexy badass. After all, there’s no rest for the wicked kids like us.

Side note: if you have a chance to check out the album art, you won’t regret it. It looks like artwork straight out of the comic book series Saga and could be a stellar costume in and of itself.

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4. ‘The Grave,’ by Black Tiger Sex Machine feat. Apashe

Here’s some more music for those wicked ones looking for an absolute rave this Halloween. “Straight from the grave,” Black Tiger Sex Machine has been rising in popularity for years now but they’re still unknown enough that the guests at your party will certainly be trying to Shazaam what song this is. It’s the perfect song for when everyone’s hyped up and buzzing and feeling the undeniable urge to dance. So when you’re putting together your hype-up playlist, REMEMBER: THE GRAVE.

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5. ‘Burn the Witch,’ by Radiohead

Let’s slow it down a little bit, shall we? Everyone loves a good rager but we’ve got to come down and take a break at some point. When you’re getting the vibe from your guests that things need to come down a notch, you need to listen to it. People need to be able to take time to refill their drinks, say hi to guests that came late, find someone new to dance with because their old partner was not as fun as they’d anticipated. When you feel that vibe setting in, turn to Radiohead. ‘Burn the Witch’ certainly has an eerie sound to it, almost akin to some of Muse’s older work, but the lyrics will give you chills if you listen closely enough to discern them…

Stay in the shadows
Cheer at the gallows
This is a round up.

Don’t freak your guests out too much as you cue up this dance break, but definitely give your guests a chance to take a breather.

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6. ‘The Monster,’ by From Indian Lakes

If you’re looking for more music to keep guests engaged but give them a break from the dancefloor, this song is exactly what you need. Do your guests look pretty content to have a few conversations and have a few refills before raising the stakes of the party again? No worries! How about we pull out some more indie music with a band like From Indian Lakes. This song sounds very 1980s alternative rock and you’ll be likely to fall in love with it. Though your guests probably won’t be dancing to it a whole lot, you’re bound to see a lot of swaying hips and nodding heads, as well as people looking to the speakers clearly thinking, “What is this song? This is awesome!”

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7.  ‘The Dead Don’t Dance (IV Fridays),’ by Brooke Fraser and Suren Unka

At some point in any party, you’ll notice a few antsy guests. People have gotten their drink refills and they’re starting to get loud and rambunctious. It’s time to turn this party up to eleven. But don’t be reckless and jump wildly from mellow indie jams and alternative rock to crazy bass heavy club jams! You’ve got to ease into it, just like we ease ourselves into more hardcore drinks and shots as the night goes on! Crank up ‘The Dead Don’t Dance’ for a low key electronic jam that will get people to wrap up their conversations and start to boogie a bit more without feeling like an abrupt intrusion on their party vibe.

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8. ‘Into the Wild,’ by Wrabel

Let’s continue our foray into dance heavy jams. Your guests have certainly found people they want to party with, whether it’s a new romance a-brewing or friends that haven’t had a chance to let loose in a while. Give them something they can dance together to! It’s baffling that Wrabel isn’t more popular than he is currently. His music is always stellar and he’s got a sizable fan following, but not nearly the size he merits. This song strikes the perfect balance between seductive and plain rockability. Whether your guests want to get a bit too close during this song or they just want to let go and make fools of themselves, no one will be able to resist dancing to this song.

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9. ‘Hypnotic – Vanic Remix,’ by Zella Day

At some point, we want no more nonsense in our playlists! There will come a time in your night when your guests will be at least a few drinks deep, feeling good, and they will want to turn up. Give the people what they want! It’s time to get a good, sexy song that everyone can start dancing to. If Zella Day knows anything, it’s how to infuse her songs deep into your bones; it’s nearly impossible not to sing and dance to her music, and that’s when listeners are sober. This song is certain to transfix all your guests and pull every nervous dancer or designated driver to the dancefloor.

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10.  ‘Monsters,’ by Ruelle

You’ve got no place to hide.

Ruelle is certainly not kidding: this song is going to keep everyone on the dance floor and sipping their drinks. The best part of this song is that its heavy beat and hypnotic sound are sure to ensnare the attention of all the parties feeling the beat. The means that whatever drama that is threatening your party – because there is always some drama, like someone who drank too much and is either throwing up or crying incomprehensibly – that drama will go entirely unnoticed because everyone will be too busy digging into this beat to care.

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11. ‘Psycho,’ by Rozzi Crane

As your party goes on and the night grows later, you’re likely to experience a few staples of Halloween parties. People will surely be going overboard with the booze or getting swept away in the romantic Halloween excitement, and you’ve got to have a secret weapon if you hope to keep your party on its rails and extending late into the evening: something that will distract the party from the dude that just ran outside to vomit in the hedges, or something to cool the loins of the couple desperately looking for a secluded place to retreat to. Enter The Voice protégé Rozzi Crane and her self-loving song, ‘Psycho.’ The song is one of those ever so slightly divisive jams that will get all the ladies to rally together and remember they didn’t come here to find a hookup and it’ll get all the guys to either desperately try to win their dates back or get them to rally together in efforts to play hard to get. Sure, it could incite a bit of hookup drama but more importantly, it’ll inspire a self-loving mosh pit in the middle of your party (and every party needs one of those).

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12.  ‘Raise Hell,’ by Dorothy

Consider Dorothy’s album “Rock is Dead” for any occasion you want to feel like a tough son of a gun. Dorothy has some amazing pump up jams on her 2016 release, the most popular of them being ‘Wicked Ones’ (which also has a great Halloween theme, if you’re interested). We urge you to peruse all of “Rock is Dead,” since Dorothy has so many rockable songs that have already been featured in video games (like Telltale’s The Walking Dead) and movie trailers (like War Dogs); any pro can see that Dorothy is going to do quite well for herself in this industry. No matter what you think of most of her songs, you’re likely to love the blues infused ‘Raise Hell’ and it’s impossible to hold still while listening to it. 

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13. ‘Paranoia,’ by Max Frost

If you’re loathe to let go of Halloween playlist classics, like Rockwell’s ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ (the song commonly mistaken to be Michael Jackson’s, though he was only a featured artist), we totally understand. Further, we urge you to keep the classics in your playlist; as great as new music is, every party enjoys hearing classics they’ve listened to their whole lives. However, if you’re looking for something new to replace the (let’s be honest) mediocrity of ‘Somebody’s Watching Me,’ one of our favorite emerging artists has a great hit for you. Max Frost’s most popular song, ‘Paranoia,’ is perfect for any Halloween party as it keeps that psycho-thriller feel while it throws down a beat that you can drink, dance, or socialize to.

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14. ‘We Are Skeletons,’ by Urban Cone

We caution you listeners: give it a second. Urban Cone has a very unique sound and a very interesting tone to most of their songs, but their intros are not for everyone. It really only takes the interesting group a few measures to reconcile the dissonance they create at the top of their song ‘We Are Skeletons,’ but it’s just long enough to turn some people off to the entire song. Give it a moment and it won’t be long before your head starts bobbing, your feet start tapping, and your shoulders start shimmying. It’s the perfect song for a blooming romance or for tipsy partiers!

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15. ‘Dark in My Imagination,’ by Verona

Our final suggestion is a bit more dated than the rest of the list but just as crucial an element on your Halloween playlist! If you dig more of the creepy, ominous music in your playlist, like Panic! At the Disco’s cover of ‘This is Halloween,’ Evanescence, or Fiona Apple type music, you’ll fall in love with Of Verona and their eerie, dark tone. ‘Dark in My Imagination’ is another one of those songs with deeper and kind of depressing tendencies but, when played on the right occasion (say, at a Halloween party), all that really matters is that the music is cool and creepy and a bit haunting.

MISSIO: “Yes Men” Climbing To The Top

It sometimes feels rare to hear an electronic group that breaks barriers and produces a wholly unique sound.  I, for one, attend musical festivals often and find that the electronic sounds sometimes blend together into one manufactured sound.  With booming bass that crawls up your legs, tempos that build into the drop of a new beat, and familiar rhythms and tempos that seem interchangeable between artists and songs, electronic music has managed to become fairly uniform overall.  If you’re desperately in need of an electronic group that breaks the mold and revitalizes your love of the genre, you’ve gone to the right place.

MISSIO, the alternative electronic duo consisting of David Butler and Matthew Brue, completely alters the way you think of the genre.  None of their songs sound familiar to any other group in the genre and, better yet, none of their songs sound similar to each other.  They are an entirely unique duo with truly inspired music, and they seem to be gathering fans and speed quite fast. Though Matthew and David only united forces a year and a half ago, they’ve already been making a mark on the international music scene.

Upon hearing some of MISSIO’s amazing work and getting to know their amazing, albeit brief, history, I reached out to the group to see if either of the men would spare a moment to talk to a journalist/adoring fan.  Matthew Brue, the electronic angel that he is, was overjoyed to talk to his fans and quick to agree to an interview.  Get to know more about Matthew and his groundbreaking work in alternative electronica with MISSIO.

Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview, I can’t wait for some of your fan base to get to know the men behind the music.

Matthew (M):  Thank you again for the opportunity.

MISSIO is a surprisingly young band: you only joined forces with David Butler back in January of 2015.  Can you talk about what ideas and hopes you two had for your music when you planned to produce?  Furthermore, I’d love to hear about your journey from newbs on the scene to viral hits.

M:  It seems to be a very uninspiring answer and I wish I could make us sound as though we actually knew what the hell we were doing (laughs)!  But, honesty is preferred by most ‘so I’ve learned.’  Up to this point, we have stumbled into a lot of opportunities by simply saying yes. We would rather make mistakes, all the while moving forward, than be fearful of taking risks and have nothing to show for it.  Our process goes like this: 1. We’re inspired.  2. We write songs.  3. We release the songs.  I’ve been blown away by our supporters who genuinely ‘make the music go around.’  It’s their incredible efforts that help get our music heard with their passion for what we do.  They are the ones that have helped us go from ‘newbs on the scene to the viral charts.’  It’s something we both can’t say thank you enough for.

You guys have a lot of amazing music and, unlike a lot of mainstream electronic artists, each and every song I’ve heard sounds entirely unique.  If I tried to compare MISSIO’s portfolio of work to another artist’s, I would really struggle to pinpoint someone similar (which is awesome; mad props and kudos go out to you).

M:  Thank you, that’s something we strive for in the studio.  It’s really encouraging that you notice our work in that regard.

Do you have any personal heroes in the industry that inspire you and your work?  What about in your direct work with MISSIO; do you and David have any influences or inspirations you hold close when hard at work producing new music?

M:  In this day and age, it’s incredibly difficult for me personally to hear a song that genuinely impacts my emotions on a level to where I need to listen to the song for days on end.  There’s just such an influx of music currently that it takes me a while to find that ‘thing’ that every artist is looking for.  As a collective duo, we’re both inspired by the production elements of hip-hop tracks such as older Jay-Z and Missy Elliot.  They’ve always just done it right in our opinion.  As far as personal heroes, I would have to say Thom Yorke (RadioHead) and Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), and on a producer level Rick Ruben (Grammy award winning producer).

I have to also note some of your covers that I’ve found.  As a huge fan of The Cranberries, I love your “Zombie” cover; it updates the song for a new generation of listeners.  Further, I think I personally like your cover of Lana Del Rey’s “West Coast” better than the original (blasphemy, I know).  What inspired you to produce covers of these particular songs?

M:  Together, we both look for darker sounding tracks that speak to us on another level than just “that beat/riff is cool.”  Both of those songs spoke to us in ways that resonated with us as artists.  We came to the decision early on that we will not release something that we expect people to relate with if we cannot relate with it first.  We’re not interested in covering a song because it’s popular and will “get the plays up.”  We want to be releasing material that gives people that emotional impact that we’re all looking for in our lives.

Your latest release, “I Don’t Even Care About You” has some stellar songs on it, but I won’t lie: the titular song is absolutely addictive.  It has the sound of a song heard on soundtracks to badass movies; it fires up the body and, personally, it makes me feel like the toughest chick in the room.  It also tends to lean even further from what I’ve been trying to define as your ‘typical sound’ (like I’ve said, that’s been really difficult).  It definitely feels like this song was motivated by something different than the rest of the E.P.  Any backstory behind the creation of this awesome song you’d like to share?

I’ve had an interesting past with a lot of struggle that has led the way for the content of most of the songs you’ve heard from MISSIO.  “I Don’t Even Care About You” describes the mindset of depression.  In a way, depression can be a beautiful reality as it allows people to experience a very honest emotion.  At the same time, though, it’s aggressive, it’s rugged, and, often times, it’s f****d up.  We wanted to convey in the verse melodies the honest emotion of depression while keeping the track aggressive in its form.

After watching the music video for “Can I Exist,” I definitely had tears in my eyes.  When writing and producing the song, was it always your intent to make it so politically charged and topical to the racial crimes of today?  If not, when did you realize you wanted this song and music video to address this issue in such a bold and powerful way?

M:  Like I said, a lot of our songs deal with the difficulties of real life.  “Can I Exist” is another one of these songs that was actually written to describe depression and the effects that addiction can have on a person.  It’s important to us to be working with people who understand these dark realities of life, as well as artists who we are fans of.  Jeff Ray (writer/director) has been a long-time friend of ours and actually approached us about creating a video for the song.  He had a vision that he presented to us that incorporated the racial issues we’re still experiencing today and we knew the video had to be made.  It always amazes us to see what can happen when art inspires more art.  We believe that this video made the song even more impactful to those who will continue to listen/watch.

You’ve been featured on TV shows, Spotify has been promoting you guys like crazy on their viral charts, and you seem to be blasting your way to the top of the charts.  Are you and David excited about the prospects of having a touring lifestyle and dealing with the fame that will accompany it?  Because, I’ve got to say, it seems like you’re speeding down the road to success!  Are you excited for what’s to come and to find how far down this rabbit hole goes?

M:  Yes!  We’re both super excited to see how the music is continuing to grow online.  It’s weird to think about but, every time I see a number of plays on a song, I always have to remember that a person is behind each and every one of those tally marks.  We could not be doing this without the amazing people who listen to us on their way to work, school, etc.  Right now, all we can do is continue to be inspired, continue to write songs, and continue to be grateful for these opportunities we get.  We have a lot more work to do and have all the intentions in the world to ensure that we remain humble and grateful people.

Finally, the age old question: what’s next?  Your E.P. just dropped in July and it’s amazing; looks like you’ll be performing in Texas in October; but what next?  (No pressure, but please say “a big tour that reaches Chicago…”)

M:  I don’t necessarily know what I’m allowed to say!  But I promise you will be hearing a lot from MISSIO in the next year.  Recently, our collaboration with the electronic artist Skrux was released September 26 via MrSuicideSheep.  And, of course, we hope to make all your dreams of tours come true this year!

Connect with MISSIO: Website   Twitter   Instagram   Facebook

Carmen R. Lawrence is a freelance writer currently located in Chicago, IL. Though she writes about topics as varied as craft beer, theatre, and video games, writing about music is a passion and a pleasure. Follow her on Twitter at @carmenrlawrence or find her on Facebook at carmen.lawrence1

Seduction Has A New Name: Max Frost

Most of the songs we’ve been jamming out to have become tired.  Our sexy playlists that were once filled with songs by The Weeknd, Nick Jonas, and Rihanna have grown to bore us.  It’s time for something new, something that gets our hips swaying soft and our blood running hot. It’s time to find a new beat, free from the ties of memories of crazy nights past.  We’re craving something fresh, different, novel to listen to.  Enter Max Frost.

The young musical artist (only twenty three years old) has a unique sound all his own, though he’s comparable to other experimental indie artists such as Robert DeLong, Big Data, and WE ARE TWIN.  Max has been performing for live audiences since he was only twelve and has been in multiple bands, including Joy Ride and Blues Mafia.  The Austin community rallied around him, believing him to be a promising blues guitarist, but Frost surprised them all by going solo.  He’s a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and, most importantly, he has an amazing sense of how to mesh different genres together to create a fusion of Electronica, Blues, RnB, and Pop.

Oh, and did we mention how adorable he is?  Because this man has definitely nailed his sex appeal.

If you know any of Frost’s music, you’re not one of many.  You may have heard his biggest hitting single “White Lies,” for which he earned himself a record deal with Atlantic Records.  However, the quality of his music and lyrics has only increased as he’s grown up and gained more experience, and the music community is starting to take note.  His most popular song from his latest album, “Intoxication,” that is currently grappling its way up the charts is “Let Me Down Easy,” a sexy and smooth jam that reminds us of the stylings of Chet Faker.  The entire 2015 album is a solid and cohesive piece of work; indeed, it’s so good that it recalls the days when we’d actually pay for CDs and listen to entire albums on repeat.  His sultry and soft voice is enough to turn anyone on.  Max Frost has created some solid jams for all occasions, for both when you feel you have to dance and for when you’re retiring for the evening with a special friend in tow. 

Max Frost is certainly on the rise.  Connoisseurs of fine emerging artists ought to make an effort to see him before he hits our radio waves.  He’s currently touring in Germany, but he’ll be making a return to the west coast of the United States soon.  Check out his tour and pick up “Intoxication;” soon enough, you’ll be hearing his familiar songs everywhere.     

Connect with Max Frost: Website   Facebook   Instagram   Twitter

 

Upcoming Tour Dates

Carmen R. Lawrence is a freelance writer currently located in Chicago, IL. Though she writes about topics as varied as craft beer, theatre, and video games, writing about music is a passion and a pleasure. Follow her on Twitter at @carmenrlawrence or find her on Facebook at carmen.lawrence1

Interview: Sick of Sarah On Fame, Their Band Name, And Live Shows

Sick of Sarah is the hot chick punk band you’ve been missing in your life.  Whether you’re looking to get some rock fueled angst out of your system or just looking for a visceral, authentic band experience, Sick of Sarah is the perfect band for you.  While the band of badass chicks has been around for a decade and has appeared at some of the best music festivals, like Warped Tour and South by Southwest, they haven’t busted through to our radios and Spotify accounts… yet.  Sick of Sarah is becoming a demanded name around the country; they’re names headline concerts, benefits, and music festivals from coast to coast.  In fact, Charlotte, North Carolina houses an immense fan base to the band.

Chicago field reporter Carmen Lawrence sought out the bands manager, Michelle King (an awesome lady and badass manager, she might add), for an exclusive interview with the band’s front runners, lead singer/guitarist Abisha Uhl and drummer/backup vocalist Jessica Forsythe. Jessica and Abisha were gracious enough to take a few minutes out of their busy schedules on their way to perform at a music festival to answer some questions and shout out to their fans.

To start us off, I’d like to get an answer for curious fans like myself: where does the band name, Sick of Sarah, come from?

Abisha:  The name actually came about when my roommate, Sarah, was telling me she was sick of her own name.  She was drunk, it was funny, and we needed a name!

You guys recently left your label, Adamant Records, after working with them for years.  For the first time in your careers, you’re self-releasing your work.  What drove the choice to leave, and how has the transition been?

A:  We wanted to be more in control of our music, so we parted ways with our old label.  It was a difficult decision, but necessary.

You recently got to work with Belinda Carlisle (lead singer from The Go-Gos, for fans who forgot).  How was that experience?  That kind of work can be overwhelming!

A:  Yeah, we got to perform with Belinda at the YouTube studios last year.  We were on a show with her called Breaking Band on AXS Television.  We also toured with The Bangles a few times and that was amazing.

Your music is certainly reminiscent of the chick-rock style.  You’re popularly compared to groups like Tegan & Sara, Paramore, and Sleater-Kinney.  All that aside, who do you hold up as inspirations as songwriters, instrumentalists, and performers?

Jessica:  We love all those bands you just listed!  I grew up listening to 90’s alternative rock: bands like No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bush, Weezer.  I love Dave Grohl (guitarist, singer, and songwriter from Nirvana and Foo Fighters), his story inspires me.  There’s so much great music out there right now.  I recently learned about Borns and recently had a chance to see them perform for the first time in Minneapolis – amazing show and I loved their sound!  Shout to out their drummer Kristen, she killed it!

Speaking of live performances, it’s clear that live performances are really visceral experiences for you both.  You get into your songs in a way many performers aren’t wont to do, and I can see a real connection to your music.  Could you talk a bit about the meaning of live performances to you both?

A:  I take performing very seriously.  I want listeners to feel the same way I did when I wrote the lyrics.  People won’t believe in you unless you believe in yourself.  I always want to give the audience the best I can.

J:  I love performing!  It’s a lot of fun.  The fans who show up to our shows make it all worth it to me.  I can’t do as much interacting as I wish I could behind the [drum]kit, but I love smiling out into the crowd and watching people rock the f*** out.

South by Southwest is a huge music festival, known for showcasing bands with limited fan bases and launching them towards lucrative careers.  How was the festival for you this year? Can you talk a bit about your experience, walking into that high-stakes arena of performance?

A:  SXSW is always so much fun!  The vibe you get in Austin, especially during the festival, is surreal.  Good music, good food, good people.  This year we got to perform with a wide variety of musicians, which was great.  I can’t wait to go back next year.

On that note, you’re about to arrive in Utah to perform at Women’s Red Rock Festival!  This year marks the tenth anniversary of the festival.  With Sick of Sarah being just a bit older than the festival, you’ve got to be pretty pumped about this opportunity (and it’s very clear that they’re excited to have you there).  Anything you’d like to share with fans eager to see you?

J:  Yeah, we’re actually driving to Torrey [Utah] now!  The mountains are beautiful and I am so eager to meet all the wonderful, beautiful women Jeri has been telling us about!  Especially since this is the festival’s tenth year anniversary.  We’re so excited to be a part of it.

A:  We can’t be more excited to be a part of this festival.  Jeri Tafoya is the founder of WRRMF and she is the best!  I’m so happy she invited us to play this year.  Really looking forward to this event.  Plus, Utah is beautiful this time of year.  I want to see some stars!

You guys have been busting your asses for over a decade now.  Your music is certainly getting noticed and you’ve got fans everywhere clamoring for you.  All it might take is one big performance to reach a new level of fame.  Are you two in this for the long haul?

J:  We’ve definitely been going hard with this for a long time and have had the opportunity to see the world and meet some incredible people.  It’s definitely a tough industry to break through.  It’d be great to live off strictly playing music someday!

I heard about Sick of Sarah on a recent trip to Charlotte, where a friend had heard your music and couldn’t believe you weren’t on the radio.  You’ll be returning to Charlotte for a benefit concert in October that directly impacts LGBTQ+ businesses, which is raw awesomeness. What does this benefit concert mean to you two?  Why are you willing to come all the way across the country that supports this community that so admires you?

J:  We met our good friend Maureen, who was on the chamber of commerce committee, at a show last year at The World Famous Milestone [a popular Charlotte club].  She asked if we’d be interested in performing for the benefit concert.  We love and support the LGBT community everywhere and we love the idea of helping people in the LGBT community receive grants to pursue their dreams in business.

Thank you both so much for talking with me and sharing your time with me.  To wrap up this interview, I’ve got one question everyone always seems to pose and is always just as hard to answer: what’s on the horizon for you two?  You’ve had an amazing 2016, one that is unparalleled by a lot of bands rising to mass popularity.  I’m sure you’ve got some big dreams and plans for what’s to come!

A:  We are currently writing.  We’ve been writing a ton!  New music is coming and we can’t wait to share it with the world!

Connect with Sick of Sarah: Website   Facebook   Instagram   Twitter   YouTube

Carmen R. Lawrence is a freelance writer currently located in Chicago, IL.  Though she writes about topics as varied as craft beer, theatre, and video games, writing about music is a passion and a pleasure.  Follow her on Twitter at @carmenrlawrence or find her on Facebook at carmen.lawrence1

Five Acts to Watch Out of Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza opens its gates to the public tomorrow.  The music festival, located in Grant Park in downtown Chicago, is a national attraction and has been a guiding agent for many bands on the road to fame and glory.  Some of the many bands that have stopped at Lollapalooza before even hitting the radio include Kings of Leon, Jon McLaughlin, and Cage the Elephant.  Needless to say, Lolla can do a lot for a music career.

Every year, a few bands explode out of Lollapalooza and suddenly appear on our car radios.  A year ago, for example, fans heard the musical stylings of fresh new artists like G-Eazy, Glass Animals, and Twenty One Pilots and wondered where they’d been all their lives; since they graced the Lollapalooza stages, they’ve all had songs hit the radio and top charts.

Which bands will erupt out of this year’s Lollapalooza?  Who are the must-see bands that we’re sure to hear on the radio in a few months and we can brag to our friends, “I saw them before they were cool?”  Here are five artists to watch out for out of Lollapalooza:

1.  Local Natives
Local natives of Los Angeles, this young band of high school friends formed in 2008 and has been growing steadily ever since.  Their brand is marked by dreamy melodies and every instrumentalist pitches in for their harmonic vocals.  The band is already making strategic moves as they approach their time on the Lollapalooza stage; they’re putting the finishing touches on their latest album, “Sunlit Youth,” which is set to release in just a few months. Perfect timing; just when Lollapalooza fans get nostalgic for their days in the sun, they’ll remember Local Natives and buy their latest album.
Local Natives performs at on the Bud Light stage of Lollapalooza Sunday, July 31st, from 4:45 to 5:45.

2.  The Arcs
While The Arcs are new on the scene, their style certainly isn’t.  Formed by Black Keys singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and instrumentalist Leon Michaels, The Arcs was formed in 2015. Dan confessed to the press, “I just wanted to do my thing and get extra weird;” and that is exactly what The Arcs has done.  While you can definitely hear some of the classic Black Keys sound in The Arcs’ music, they have a fresh new flair that comes off sometimes folksy, sometimes more tech rock.  Their summer tour has had them bouncing all around the United States, including Asheville, North Carolina, and they’re already selling tickets to their west coast tour.
Check out The Arcs on the Lakeshore Stage Thursday, July 28th, from 7:30 to 8:30.

3.  Cashmere Cat
Rising quickly in popularity, Cashmere Cat is an abstract electronic music producer fresh out of Norway (he’s also gone under the alias Final at worldwide DJ championships).  His collaborative style and smooth, mellow remixes make for great lounge music.  Though he’s still gaining popularity and recognition for his remixes, his work with Jeremih, Ariana Grande, and Lana Del Rey has helped and Lollapalooza is sure to speed up his momentum.
Cashmere Cat will be on the Pepsi Stage Thursday, July 28th, from 7:45 to 8:30.

4.  Flosstradamus
If you prefer electronic music intended more for a club than for a lounge, it won’t take you long to fall in love with Flosstradamus.  Known for their heavy beats, this DJ duo of Curt Cameruci, aka Autobot, and Josh Young, aka J2K, doesn’t like to label themselves as electronic artists; instead, they dabble across house, R&B, electronica, and techno to produce their own ingenious genre.  These trap DJs have been famous in Chicago for years, and they’re about to become famous worldwide.
Flosstradamus will be performing in their hometown of Chicago at Lollapalooza Thursday, July 28th, on Perry’s stage from 8:30 to 9:45.

5.  Frightened Rabbit
Founded back in 2004 in Glasgow, Scotland, brothers Scott and Grant Hutchison and their friend Billy Kennedy started the project for fun, self-producing their first album before being picked up by Universal.  The group thought their big break might come at the South by Southwest music festival in 2007 but, while it certainly boosted their sales and recognition in the U.S., it didn’t quite launch them into the forefront of pop rock genre.  After years of waiting for another great opportunity, perhaps Lollapalooza is just what they need.
Frightened Rabbit will perform on the Lakeshore Stage on Friday July 29th from 5:00 to 6:00.

Carmen R. Lawrence is a freelance writer currently located in Chicago, IL.  Though she writes about topics as varied as craft beer, theatre, and video games, writing about music is a passion and a pleasure.  Follow her on Twitter at @carmenrlawrence or find her on Facebook at carmen.lawrence1