Mansions and Junipers Q&A

Your name:

Matthew Filler.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Jersey, and I've lived in NYC for a number of years now.

Name of band:

Mansions and Junipers.

Who else is in your band?

Richard Bennett, Bob Vaccarelli, Salvatore Boyd, and myself.

How would you describe yourselves?

I don't know, but here's some lit from a recent review that I like: "darkest of lullabies" / "allegiance to the cause of producing synth and guitar melodies that bubble alongside memorable vocal hooks" / "ruthless efficiency" / "wisps of OMD hanging in the vocals" / "enigmatic circular synth loops" / "melodic eddies".

-VaderEvader http://vaderevader.com/2013/02/05/mansions-and-junipers/

Who are your main influences musically?

Lots of stuff, musical and non-musical... but as for those that we literally emulate in the writing? Bowie, Depeche Mode, Talk Talk, Chromatics, Joy Division, Scott Walker... there's too many. I mean, pick one and follow it down the rabbit hole. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Good question... two-part answer:

1. To never take this for granted. To always treat it with respect. I am very fortunate to get to do this.

2. To make a living, build a glass and steel passive house, and fill it with lucite furniture. 

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

Sometimes we get our own dressing room stocked with beer. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Not really... We've never had a band member go missing before a show or anything like that. Wait oh yeah, we did.

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

Really tough question... there's a few songs that people tend to gravitate towards, depending on their personal tastes. I'm going to go with 'One' from Auto EP. 

Where can we listen to it?

http://mansionsandjunipers.bandcamp.com/track/one

Where can we find out more about your music?

Facebook will link you to everything - https://www.facebook.com/mansionsandjunipers

And you can purchase the whole darn catalog virtually anywhere, but the best prices for everyone are on bandcamp - http://mansionsandjunipers.bandcamp.com/
There's also some free downloads there as well. 

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

Yes. We are very dangerous.

Seventh Stone Q&A

Your name:

Garth Blake.

Where are you from? 

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (The smallest province with the biggest sounds).

Name of band?

Seventh Stone.

Who else is in your band?

Chris Smith - Vocals/Guitar

Steve Szwarc - Drums/Voclas

And me - Bass/Vocals

How would you describe yourselves?

If you took Living Color, Kings X, Stevie Wonder, Alice in Chains and Audioslave and turned them into different coloured clay then squished them all together and stuck sparklers in it people would say "Hey, that's almost like that band we've never heard of from Canada".  Actually you could add in a bunch more bands to the list as well. We steal from everybody equally - if you're a musician, have a recording out and are reading this, Thanks!

Who are your main influences musically?

Parliament, Kings X, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Lenny Kravitz, Living Color, Funkadelic... If it has a good groove or a nice left hook it's been an influence and most likely absorbed into our sound.  We be all musical Borg like that (yes, a bad Star Trek reference but Captain Kirk was pretty Rock n Roll).

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I'm in it for the fame and fortune and hot girls. The super awesome hot girl I've already got so I'm happy with one out of three. That being said you can't really get fame and fortune in the music industry now like you could back in the day. Now it's all flavour of the week - here today, gone later today crap. At this point I just like playing live and will be happy if I can do that for the rest of my life.

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

To date I'd have to say Seventh Stone's highlight would be our Music PEI nomination for 2013 New Artist of the Year. We didn't win which is fine by me because I'm more about the art then dust collecting shiny baubles but the nod was nice. Especially considering we're a rock band and rock bands have an extra hard time here. Unless you have a beard, wear argyle sweaters and stare at the floor like some sort of timid disconnected forest creature when you play the hills are a little steeper... 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

None honestly. Both the good and bad shape you both in life and in music. I and certainly the band as a whole have had gigs from hell but usually something better has come out of those. Professionals persevere no matter what is thrown at them but mind you, if it's an extra crappy gig stuff might get thrown back later.

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

It changes from day to day but at the moment it would be "What It Is" from our current CD "Voodoo Dolls and The Art of Misdirection". It covers most of the styles we play - a little rock, a little funk, a little crunch, a little R&B, a little guitar, a little drums, a lot of bass...

Where can we listen to it (direct link)?

https://www.facebook.com/SeventhStoneMusic/app_155326481208883

Song #9 but feel free to have a listen to any of them, spread the musical love or love the musical spread.  Whatever works for you.

Where can we find out more about your music?

We are primarily Facebook and Twitter animals though there is an old MySpace kicking about. Here be some FuNky links for anybody who has an itchy clicking finger:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SeventhStoneMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seventhstone 

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/voodoo-dolls-art-misdirection/id563043773

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

Music speaks all languages, knows no borders and judges no one.  We are just happy to have a little of it speak through us. 

The Neo-Kalashnikovs Q&A

Your name: 

Moss Bioletti, I’m the drummer of The Neo-Kalashnikovs.

Where are you from?

Auckland city, New Zealand.

Name of band:

The Neo-Kalashnikovs.

Who else is in your band?
There's three of us, we are all siblings. My sis Volita Pearl is the singer and guitarist and my brother Gabe is on bass.

How would you describe yourselves?

Sexy.

Who are your main influences musically?

Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Arctic Monkeys, Queens of the Stone Age, The Kills, Band of Skulls, Blondie, Joan Jet and The Killers to name some out of a billion.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

That Beatle status, raging success and mounds of money. I aim to sell 50 records then 100 records then 1,000, all the way up to a million.

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

Finishing our first album and getting a great reaction. Putting yourself and music out there is a thrill and humbling if people actually like it. Getting 2000 downloads so far has been a real buzz.

What’s the moment you want to forget?

Being lost in downtown in LA walking ominously close to skid row and thinking about grabbing a box and sleeping in it. No jokes.

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

Diamonds because it’s rough and tumble indie rock n roll.

Where can we listen to it?

Yyou can listen to it, get it for free or buy it you wanna show some love on bandcamp: http://theneokalashnikovs.bandcamp.com/


 

Where can we find out more about your music?

We are on twitter: https://twitter.com/neokalashnikovs

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theneokalashnikovs

Instagram: volita is on instagram @neo_kalashnikovs

Our official website: www.theneokalashnikovs.com

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

People ask us a lot why we gave our album away for free and I want to give an official answer. Before I released the album as a free instant download it was just sitting on my hard-drive. I thought to myself I really wanted people to hear my music and become fans, so I let everyone enjoy it for free. I'm going to finish up five albums this year and give them all away for free to our fans. Once we hit the 20,000 download mark it might be wise to start charging lol but that's not far away. The Neo-Kalashnikovs will be playing heaps of gigs to show everyone we mean business and make sure we get our sponsorship deals.  

Mozart's Sister new EP available to stream

THE new EP by Montreal-based Mozart's Sister is available to stream through Dazed Digital ahead of its release next week on Merok Records.

Mozart's Sister is the solo project of artist Caila Thompson-Hannant and the new EP Hello is the follow up to 2011's self-recorded and released Dear Fear.

It is her first official release through Merok, which is famed for previously unearthing the likes of Crystal Castles, Klaxons and SALEM, having stepped in to take her to the wider world.

You can find out more about her work via facebook.com/mozartsssister, mozartssister.bandcamp.com/, twitter.com/mozartsister or at merokrecords.com

And you can listen to the Hello EP below...

To The Wind to release debut album in May

SEATTLE five-piece To The Wind will release their new record Empty Eyes on May 6th.

Produced and engineered by Sam Pura (The Story So Far, The American Scene) at The Panda Studios in Fremont, California, Empty Eyes is the band’s full-length debut and their second release via Pure Noise Records.

"We’re extremely excited to release these new songs for everyone to hear," said frontman Tanner Murphy. " There's so much variety on this record, we feel that everyone can relate to any song."

To The Wind formed in 2008 when brothers Ryan and Tanner Murphy, along with cousin Cory Lamb, joined their friends Matt Farage and Anthony Laur in an effort to start creating music that they loved. 

The band previously self-released a couple of EPs, and most recently celebrated their Pure Noise Records debut EP, No More Than This. This year is shaping up to be a busy one for To The Wind, who plans to spend most of the year on the road in support of their new record. 

Free music player widget at ReverbNation.com

https://www.facebook.com/tothewindnw
http://tothewindnw.com
http://www.twitter.com/tothewindnw
http://www.instagram.com/tothewind

Exciting Willy Moon to drop new album

NOT many artists are described as a hybrid of Cab Calloway, Michael Jackson and The Ramones - so step forward Willy Moon.

The 23-year-old is due to deliver his debut album 'Here's Willy Moon' through Island Records on April 1.

It is was written, recorded and produced all on his own (with a few tracks being produced by Pulp's Steve Mackey), and he doesn't like to waste time with the 12-track record just 29 minutes long.

The London-based New Zealander said: "My album is short like my songs. I always loved the relentlessness and excitement of that first Ramones album and there's something of that spirit in there. I think it will surprise people who've only heard Yeah Yeah, there's some slower, more atmospheric songs on it and one that even last for over three minutes...ha!"

Willy spent last summer playing festivals across Europe, including Cannes film festival and recently made his debut on BBC2’s Later… With Jools Holland, while Apple picked up his Wu-Tang-sampling barnburner ‘Yeah Yeah’ for its latest iPod ad.

The album is available to buy on iTunes here.

He is also heading out on tour on support of the album with the following dates:

05/03 - XOYO - London (Sold Out)

22/03 - O2 Academy - Birmingham

23/03 - ABC 2 – Glasgow

25/03 - Deaf Institute - Manchester
 (Sold Out)
26/03 - The Haunt - Brighton
08/05 - Electric Ballroom – London

Tickets are available here.

And he will also be performing at this year's Isle of Wight Festival in June and Reading & Leeds Festival in August.

Check out his latest track below...

JFXMUSIC to drop new single in April

JFXMUSIC have announced details of their new single TRAFFIC, the track will be released via the self-run independent label DACYLA RECORDS on April 8th.

TRAFFIC is a true introduction to the South London duo who bring energy to the party with this track that evokes mischievous nights in clubs, dancing into the early hours and being the soundtrack for those memorable nights that become legendary stories.

JFXMUSIC are duo Henry ‘Reks’ Nwasokwa and David ‘Blaks’ Blake. Both born in December 1988 in London, they grew up next door to each other and found a mutual love for both music and Arsenal FC. Since then the only thing that has changed is that Reks and Blaks don’t just listen to music together, they now write it together.  

Though being fairly new to the mainstream scene JFXMUSIC have been putting the work in and creating an admirable underground buzz. The pair have sold over 3,000 mixtapes independently, performed with the likes of Emeli Sande, Sneakbo and Ed Sheeran, toured the UK and Europe and now have set up their own label DACYLA RECORDS, with TRAFFIC being the first official release.

www.twitter.com/jfxmusic

www.facebook.com/jfxmusic

The Beautiful Game Q&A

Your names: 

Jason Crowley (Singer) and Lawrence Bonavia (Guitarist).

Where are you from?

Kilburn/Camden, North West London, England.

Name of band:

The Beautiful Game.

Who else is in your band?

 Jan-Vincent Velazco (Drums), Steven Foxley (Guitarist) and Spencer Leeming (Bassist)

How would you describe yourselves?

Pulling guitar music out of the gutter, with anthems, beats and a lyrical edge.

Who are your main influences musically?

Oasis, The Jam, The Strokes, The Libertines to name a few.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

We want to establish ourselves firmly with our target audience, gain more and more fans, play in bigger and better venues and ensure our albums are of excellent quality, content and progress as a band and writers. 

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

Playing the O2 Academy Islington to a packed crowd.  This was our biggest gig to date and the audience loved it.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Playing The Silver Bullet in Finsbury Park to three people with awful sound.

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

Getting By But Only Just.  It captures the bands live energy, a definite anthem, with a bitter sweet lyrical theme.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/wearethebeautifulgame/getting-by-but-only-just

Where can we find out more about your music?

Official Website: http://www.wearethebeautifulgame.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/wearethebeautifulgame
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BeautifulGameUK
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wearethebeautifulgame
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/thebeautifulgameband
Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/thebeautifulgame
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/wearethebeautifulgame

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

Our brand new single From Angels To Enemies will be available to download from iTunes etc on Monday 6th May.  You can also view the video now on youtube here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14LwsBc9C-A

Incidentally the video only cost us 100 quid and a bottle of Lambrini, not bad.

Hildamay Q&A

Your name:

Tom Spencer.

Where are you from?

Sidcup, Kent, England.

Name of band:

Hildamay.

Who else is in your band?

Oliver Jeffs, Sean Keane, Tim Lawrence and Chris Carvel.

How would you describe yourselves?

Adventurous, musical, energetic, outgoing.

Who are your main influences musically?

Anything from the Police to Deftones, we all listen to such a wide variety of music that shows when we write new material.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

We aspire to be able to be in a position where we can keep playing/writing/performing music to a wider audience.

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

Probably being able to head into the studio to record our first full length, or maybe playing Reading & Leeds festival last year. That was rad!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I’d say breaking down on our way from Slam Dunk (North to South). We were about an hour away from the venue, broken down in Northampton services on probably the hottest day of the year. At one point it looked unlikely that we would make our stage time, let alone the festival. Luckily we got back on the road and I think made it within 20 minutes before doors. That moment is the sort of stuff that nightmares are made of!

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.facebook.com/hildamay

www.twitter.com/hildamay

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/miles-away/id569676447?ign-mpt=uo%3D2

Check us out on Spotify

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

We will be Touring the UK in March, it will probably be the only UK tour we do this side of the summer so be sure to check us out!
And thanks.

Jagwar Ma set for exciting 2013

Jagwar Ma emerged last year with the captivating single 'Come Save Me'. Combining the earworm melodic sensibilities of 60's sunshine pop with a tightly euphoric modern electronic edge, the Sydney-based duo of Jono Ma and vocalist Gabriel Winterfield quickly sent ripples across the blogosphere and heralded the arrival of a fresh-faced dose of kaleidoscopic, danceable psychedelia.

Now, armed with new single 'The Throw' and a forthcoming debut album due later in the year on new independent label Marathon Artists, Jagwar Ma have entered 2013 in no uncertain terms. Already greeted with unanimous excitement by a rapidly growing international fan-base and enthusiastic supporters in press and radio alike, ‘The Throw' is a giddily disorienting and exhilarating seven-minute whirlpool of psych groove projected through a prism of pulsating acid house and 90’s rave, culminating in a strobe-lit vocal mantra and trance-like rhythm.

Signifying the bands rapid strides, Jagwar Ma will be embarking on a set of European dates supporting Foals as well as playing a select number of UK dates, including headlining an NME Awards show February 26^th at Birthdays.

Jagwar Ma play the following live dates:

21.2 Sheffield, Bungalows & Bears
22.2 Bristol, Start the Bus
26.2 Birthdays (NME Awards Show), London
15.3 Brussels, Belgium, AB (Sold Out) (supporting Foals)
16.3 Amsterdam, Holland, Paradiso (Sold Out) (supporting Foals)
18.3 Hamburg, Germany, Markthalle (supporting Foals)
19.3 Berlin, Germany, Astra (supporting Foals)
20.3 Cologne, Germany, Live Music Hall (supporting Foals)
23.3 Lyon, France, Transbordeur   (supporting Foals)
25.3 Paris, France Olympia (Sold Out) (supporting Foals)
26.3 Lille, France, Aeronef (supporting Foals)

 
www.facebook.com/jagwarma
www.soundcloud.com/jagwar-ma
www.jagwarma.com
www.twitter.comjagwarma
www.facebook.com/marathonartists