Coates Q&A

Your name:

Oli Coates.

Where are you from?

High Wycombe (its just outside West London).

Name of band:

Coates.

Who else is in your band? 

My drummer is Toby Pilcher. Like any drummer should be, he’s the real backbone of the act and plays with fantastic feel, he also produced the EP that's coming out. We’re currently using session bass players for live until we can find a mainstay player.  

How would you describe yourselves?

I would describe it as lyrically driven acoustic/indie music with something to say. Too many people sing about the same old rubbish. I believe that social commentary has also become stale and there's no imagination in what people in the mainstream are writing about at the moment. 

Who are your main influences musically?

I would say I am more influenced by lyrics than I am by music. Lyrically I’m inspired by the Morrissey, Alex Turner, Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg and Pete Doherty. I grew up around a lot of 80’s indie music like The Smiths and Echo and the Bunnymen as well as 90’s music like Oasis, Blur and Suede which I think is really evident in the tunes. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

My only aspirations are in live music. I just want to play live as much and for as long as I possibly can. It’s the reason I write and the reason I play music. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

I played a show in London at the 100 club on Oxford Street, before my soundcheck walking around looking at all the pictures of people that had played there that were on the walls, it was really inspirational, one of those moments that makes you feel like you know you’re doing what you love! The venue was packed and it was a great show. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I played a show at the beginning of the year in London, I started playing a song in the wrong key. I managed to blag it until I got to the chorus and had to stop as I had no idea where I was going! One of my mates was watching and coincidently that was the only part of the whole show he filmed, he sent it round my friends who decided to make a promo video out of it for the EP! Comedians...

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

I’d say Grin and Tonic. Lyrically it encapsulates what the EP is about and has a more personal story to it. Musically it has a driving uptempo feel, I’ve opened every show with it since it was written! 

Where can we listen to it?

https://coatesofficial.bandcamp.com/track/grin-and-tonic

Where can we find out more about your music?

https://www.facebook.com/coatesofficial

https://twitter.com/coatesofficial

http://www.coatesofficial.com/

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

Yes, I have an EP coming out on the 25th September, the same date that I’ll be headlining The Spice of Life in Soho, London! 

The Human Orchestra Q&A

Your name:

JB Reed.

Where are you from?

The band is from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Name of band:

The Human Orchestra.

Who else is in your band?

Emma Borsellino (Sax), Denis Spellen, Paul Cino (Keys/Guitar), Ty Howie (Guitar/Vox), Luke Michaels (Bass) and JB Reed (Vox).

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

Alt-Folk rock … a little folksy/jazzy mixed with a little bit of rock n roll.

Who are your main influences musically?

Everyone in our band brings a different element to the table thus we all have widely different influences. Some of my personal influences include The Audrey’s, Jenny Lewis and Frightened Rabbit

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I think we’re just looking to record and find some success and acknowledgement. I know all of THO loves playing live and with the release of this album maybe Canadian tour, maybe an American tour who knows what the future may hold!

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Well we just released our debut full-length album (self-titled) and so far that has been amazing for us.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

When we had a key member drop out during the pressing of our 7” release.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

This is difficult to say because I think that a lot of our songs are distinctly different, I don’t know that just picking one song to represent the entirety of our “sound” is really all that possible. So in this case I’ll just recommend the single of our newest release that song is called “Take It Or Leave It”.

Where can we listen to it?

https://thehumanorchestra.bandcamp.com/

Where can we find out more about your music?

We’ll be up on iTunes, Amazon and rdio very soon but until then…

www.HumanOrchestraMusic.com

Facebook.com/thehumanorchestra

Twitter: Human_Orchestra

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?

Not that I can think of! Thanks so much for you’re interest in the band link me anything you write up or post and we’ll be happy to share it on all our pages and things.  

Jarell Q&A

Your name:

My name is Jarell.

Where are you from?

I am Nigerian born and raised but currently based and performing in London, England.

Who else is in your band?

I usually gig with just my guitar and effect pedal, however I do sometimes collaborate with other musicians depending on the gig or the setting.

How would you describe yourself and your music?

I don't want to sound like the cliche songwriter but I cannot really place my music into any genre, I'll say it's a mixture of all my musical influences growing up. I call it Acoustic/Soul with some African influence.

Who are your main influences musically?

I've had so many musical influences throughout my life, you could say I get influenced by every music I listen to but a few stand out like; Jason Mraz, Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, John Mayer, Nora Jones, Alison Krauss, Asa, Michael Jackson, Nneka, Bryan Adams...... the list goes on.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

If you had asked me what I hope to achieve in music a year ago I would have said "to win a Grammy" but after a year of hectic gigging, recording, writing and producing I would currently say my main music goal right now is just to be heard and be appreciated. I have come to learn that people are more comfortable with what they are already familiar with, so it becomes difficult for up and coming artists to really break through into a new fanbase.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

So far the highlight of my career is me being able to finish my self-produced E.P, Nights With Farida. One of my life goals was to write and produce an album in a professional studio. This year I had the opportunity to achieve that and although it wasn't a full album, I was able to write and produce an E.P as part of my major project for my MA in Audio Production at the University of Westminster.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Although there have been some down sides in my music journey so far, there is really nothing I would want to forget as it has all been part of my journey and it has built me as an artist.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

If I could pick a song of mine that represents my music, I would pick "Where Has It Gone". It has a bit of all my influences in it, the musicality is quite minimal and although I know what the lyrics are about, it is full of metaphors and is open for the listeners to make their own interpretation of the song, therefore making it more relatable.

Where can we listen to it?

You can listen to my EP here. https://soundcloud.com/jarell-ebuka/sets/nights-with-farida

Where can we find out more about your music?

Facebook: facebook.com/Jarellmusic

Twitter: twitter.com/Jarell_Quotes

Instagram: instagram.com/jarell01/ 

Afternoons In Stereo Q&A

Your name:  

Greg Vickers.

Where are you from?  

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Name of band:

Afternoons In Stereo.

Who else is in your band?

Just me.

How would you describe your music?

Jazz-influenced EDM.

Who are your main influences musically?

Jazz music in general, down-tempo and deep house, fusion, ambient, instrumental soundtrack music.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

To continue to follow my creative muse as long as she is willing to inspire me.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 

Opening (DJing) for The Budos Band.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

I could stand to forget a few of the tracks on my first album.. :)

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 

Soul Sugar. All of the signature elements are there - the rhythm, the jazz, the mood and the groove.

Where can we listen to it?

Via my record label's Bandcamp page - timewarpmusic.bandcamp.com/album/retrospective

Where can we find out more about your music?

My website - afternoonsinstereo.com

My record label's website - timewarpmusic.org/ais.html

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?  

The new release 'Retrospective' is a comprehensive look back at the funkier electronic music from my output. It was designed as a bookend to last year's 'A Jazz Odyssey' release, which explored the jazzier and mellower productions from the back catalogue.

Geeta Q&A

Picture by Meliza Ash

Your name: 

Geeta.

Where are you from? 

Montreal but now living in London.

Who else is in your band? 

I play solo and I also play with Marc Olivier (guitars and other sounds).

Who are your main influences musically?  

There`s a lot...Ennio Morricone, Nick Cave, Patti Smith, Shirley Bassey, Leonard Cohen, Serge Gainsbourg...

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

To push and challenge myself to make my compositions better and more interesting and always staying true to myself. Writing and performing music is what gives meaning to my life so I'm just enjoying every step of this amazing journey and If people can relate to it then that`s even greater.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?  

Many...Most concerts, festivals, residencies and tours I have done and all the amazing people I have met along the way.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?  

Many...haha..playing in these funny places, auditioning the wrong people, concerts where everything goes bad... but it`s still funny souvenirs and a great laugh.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 

Gossebumps. I always seek the sensation of goose bumps in everything I do.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/geeta_lightbulb

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.geeta.ca
Album available on Bandcamp:  https://geeta.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Geeta/210044302360486

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IH-6jwgc9w&feature=youtu.be

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?  

Album launch is on September 23rd at The Social in London. All my concerts info is on my website. www.geeta.ca

Handguns turn Disenchantment into a positive

PUNK poppers Handguns will release their album Disenchanted on November 13th via Pure Noise Records.

The LP is the Baltimore band's third, following their debut Angst in 2012 and Life Lessons two years later.

Vocalist Taylor Eby told RealSoundsOK: "Disenchanted is a collection of songs about the way I've felt over the past year.

"It deals with the concept of how certain things you once loved can become the one thing you hate, are disappointed in, etc, and how feeling that way can make you become a pessimistic, jaded person.

"Everyone stepped their game up on this record from bass parts to drums and everything in between and we are extremely proud to share it with you."

Guitarist Brandon Pagano concurs. He added: "This record voices our frustration with the world around us. Disenchanted may sound like a negative word, but it should be seen as a catalyst for realising what's really important to you.

"Disenchantment is the first step to cutting the bullshit from your life. We found ourselves at a crossroads of sorts and we decided to face our demons head-on with this record.

"Thank you to every single fan that's stuck by our side. We hope you enjoy it."

Check out the promo below and for more head to facebook.com/handgunsband

Sunshine And The Blue Moon bring us video for Lucy

SUNSHINE And The Blue Moon have released a video for their track Lucy.

Shot by a pal on super8 film in winter, the band from Toronto, Canada, say they had no intention of using the footage for a music video.

But they told RealSoundsOK: "It just looked so great we thought we might as well use it for something. 

"I think it's safe to say we're a pretty nostalgic bunch. We get our music on vinyl or tape, we take our photors and shoot home videos on film, we drive around in a big old boat of a car, anything that brings us a little farther away from the pervasive technologies that dog all of our daily lives."

SATBM have signed with The Hand Recordings and will be releasing their debut album soon.

In the meantime you can watch the video for Lucy below and find out more at facebook.com/sunshineandthebluemoon

Blue Genes Q&A

Your names:
Kay, Steve & Megan Lee.

Where are you from?
Wrexham, North Wales.

Name of band:
Blue Genes.

How would you describe yourselves and your music?
I’d describe us as a family trio, focused on tight three-part harmonies and guitars. We love contemporary country music and try to produce a range of country styles in our own music.

Who are your main influences musically?
I would say that our main musical influences are bands like Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band, Dixie Chicks and Lady Antebellum. They each have a distinctive style but all their songs are very different, each of these bands have great harmonies and demonstrate amazing musicianship. We aspire to do just that.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
We each have different goals, Stephen and I have spent a long time in the music industry and at this point we’re just focused on making music that we really love. We adore performing with our daughter and watching her music grow, getting to be a part of her musical future is an honour. Megan is just starting out in the music industry and her thirst for experience is unquenchable. She hopes to have a long successful career in country music and we as parents are just happy to be part of the ride. We are performing and writing regularly and to see some success with these songs would be a dream come true. Megan seems to be reaching a young audience who are completely new to country music. We now know so many young people who have fallen in love with country music because they are interested in Megan’s songs and the music that she enjoys making, that’s a great achievement in itself I think.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Stephen and I have travelled the country for 20 years, we've recorded, and made TV and radio appearances but I would say that this venture as a family is the highlight of our career. I would also say a highlight for all of us was performing our own songs to some great country festival crowds and seeing them really enjoy our material.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
I really don’t want to forget a thing, we learn the most from our worst gigs. If you fall off the stage once it makes you more cautious in future.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Probably “Small Town”, it was the first song Megan and I wrote together and the track has great harmonies and a killer guitar lead break. The lyrics are really edgy but Megan’s pure vocal is a contradiction to the message and compliments the song. I may have said “Something You Can Kiss” but that’s not out until October for you to listen to, but I assure you it’s a great catchy track with great harmonies and really sassy lyrics.

Where can we listen to it? 
Check out our sound cloud https://soundcloud.com/bluegenes-1 and keep an eye out for the release of “Something You Can Kiss” on iTunes this October.



Where can we find out more about your music? 
https://soundcloud.com/bluegenes-1
https://www.facebook.com/BlueGenesCountryTrio
https://twitter.com/BlueGenesTrio

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?
We love making our music and we hope people will love listening to it. Country music has always been about the simple things, enjoying the good times and loving your family. We hope we can show everyone that families who enjoy music together are the strongest families.

Jonny Debt Q&A

Your name: 
Jonny Debt.

Where are you from? 
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in the centre of the Canadian Golden Horseshoe aka Steel City.

Name of band: 
Jonny Debt.

Who else is in your band? 
Adam Neumann on bass, Sid Lundaigh on drums.

How would you describe yourselves? 
Extremist, great friend, sentimental, good instincts but very stupid, sailer, sexy cowboy.

Who are your main influences musically? 
Van Morrison, Santana, Leonard Cohen, The Doors.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
One Top 30 that gets played on 102 The Edge and 20 years on the road.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
First time seeing an all ages crowed dance and smile to my music. Made me feel like I was doing something real.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
I have been in a lot of bar fights. There's always some drunk guy in the country starting with me when I'm performing. I can be in such control but sometimes I just lose it. I know letting your emotion control you is all ego but I told you I'm stupid. I recently paid for a friend of mine to train to the Netherlands from Germany to set this blogger straight. The guy was super-rude to me for no reason, thought he could get away with it cause I'm from Canada and I am so vindictive. I actually paid for someone to visit him instead of taking my girlfriend to the movies. There's a lot of shit like that I regret after sleeping a couple days and getting my head straight.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
I would pick God Song (final produced version to be released on soon to be released next album). It's my masterpiece, my life's work. It's better than me as a person, it's that lil bit of greatness in everyone that I look up to I was lucky enough to capture in a few lines.

Where can we listen to it? 
There is an old version of the song still on YouTube. I will soon have the final version on my bandcamp, but here is the link to the original even though the old recording embarrasses me a bit.  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI59Pe4Fv5w



Where can we find out more about your music?
https://www.facebook.com/thejonnydebtband 
The likes on Facebook help me get more shows so I'm trying to use it more. I'm on iTunes as well.

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask? 
Touring Europe three times this up coming year, Germany, Canada this September and back to China this October.  
All the new stuff Produced by Steve Bigas at Porcelain Records, best studio on Earth and last of its kind. The new single waiting to be mixed by Dan Weston, these two are a dream team.
Also there is a fourth secret member to Jonny Debt Band and we have done four co-writes and he has shows up to two recording and three gigs out of the last 100. His name is Bryan Jangles and I hear he is working on a solo project you might want to keep a look for. He is extremely talented songwriter and performer, unfortunately not always available due to substance control problems.

Ikes Q&A

Your name:
Ikes.

Where are you from?
North London, UK.

How would you describe yourself?
I’m a rap artist. I think my sound is along the lines of “musical rap music”. I try to drag influences from other genres to add a more complex hip hop sound.

Who are your main influences musically?
I listen to and draw inspiration from a wide range of sounds such as Jay Z, Coldplay, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean and Kanye West.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
All I’ve ever wanted was to connect with people; I tell these stories to hopefully touch someone who may be going through the same thing. My aim is for my art to be heard and seen across the globe.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Last year I released a single called “No Commercial” which topped the college hip hop radio charts in the States. Big moment for me as it basically said that my sound was accepted across the border and could actually be a success on a bigger scale. Onwards and up!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
I think every bad moment is a lesson, so no regrets just blessings!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Tough question, but I’d pick In My Head from my upcoming project Outside|In.

Where can we listen to it?
All streaming and digital online stores when it’s released Sept 18th.

Where can we find out more about your music?
http://soundcloud.com/ikesmusic
http://twitter.com.com/ikesonthereal
http://facebook.com/ikesmusic

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?
I think you’ve done a great job covering all bases guys! Outside|In is out Sept 18th and you can pre-order it now (https://itun.es/gb/ghGe9) and get “Pray For Me” right away!

New single teases forthcoming Foreign Films album

ALT-pop outfit The Foreign Films have released the single Empire Of The Night.

It is taken from Side 3, the six-track teaser to a full double album due out in early 2016.

Bill Majoros, the man behind the music, told RealSoundsOK: "With Empire Of The Night I wanted to juxtapose an up-tempo Stax/Motown/Mod groove and my love of 60's girl groups with a surreal emotional narrative.

"The character in the song has fallen into the ocean and his life flashes before his eyes.
Maybe he survives maybe he doesn't... On another level it's about the mystery and magic of darkness, the dazzling beauty of the sky at night.

"To me the best songs are deeply personal and universal at the same time. This song is an archetypal painting of contrast..day to night, night to day, ocean and sky. It's about a journey into the heart of darkness."

You can watch the video below and listen to all of Side 3 at theforeignfilms.com