This Fabulous Beast Q&A

Your name: 
Ryan Richardson.

Where are you from? 
Originally from Mesa, Arizona, but have been living in New York City since 2006.

Name of band: 
This Fabulous Beast.

Who else is in your band?
Phil Gold on drums and Alex Hornbake on bass.

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 
Fun. Upbeat. Unafraid of genre-jumping. Not complicated. 

Who are your main influences musically? 
The Beatles, Beach Boys, The Kinks, The Who, Roy Orbison, David Bowie, Buddy Holly, etc.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
Just to never run out of ideas and always keep doing this. To keep writing and creating. And to not be afraid to try new things. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
I've been playing in bands for 20 years now. I've had highs and lows, but mostly of my own accord. The key (to me) is to never expect anything to come of this, but continue doing it because you love it. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
I want to remember everything. The bad shows. The bad songs. The bad lyrics. I hope to never forget any of it.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
Maudlin Paupin' Man. Simple. Direct. Fun. It's the type of tune I'm best at. 

Where can we listen to it? 

http://thisfabulousbeast.bandcamp.com/track/maudlin-paupin-man


Where can we find out more about your music? 

You can find us on iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, Soundcloud. And on Twitter we're @thisfabbeast. Facebook is no longer band-friendly. The posts from your page only reach a small percentage of people that "like" your page now... so I prefer not to use it. 

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask? 
Whether it comes to simple songs or complex songs, the key is that you enjoy writing and playing them. You need to be proud of your material even if others think it's not cool or hip. Who cares. People's tastes in music change all the time. I just keep doing what I do and don't let others influence my decisions in any way, shape, or form.

Weslynn Q&A

Band name:

Weslynn.

Where are you from?

We are from Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Who else is in your band?

Our band consists of Jared Geyer, Greg Olin, and Kevin Holmes.

How would you describe yourselves?

We like to think we are very fun people to be around, who we are always ready for an adventure. We put out hearts and soul into the music we create together. When we write music we tend to be honest and that ties each of us emotionally to our songs. We write about the good, and even the bad things in life. Our music reflects who all three of us are as people and musicians. 

Who are your main influences musically?

We are influenced by a lot of different great artists: Augustana, Tom Petty, John Mayer, The Maine, The 1975, Coldplay.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Collectively we all want to keep playing our music that we are passionate about for as long as a possible. Our music delivers something more personal than your average pop song. We would love to get on the road and play live for more and more people every year. 

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

After one year as a band, we think the highlight of it all is meeting fans who are so passionate about the music we make. They are so supportive and kind to us. It is an amazing opportunity to meet new people in person and create new relationships with each to them. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Every second about being apart of Weslynn is amazing, there's nothing we would want to forget about this experience. Everything that happens, good and bad, are part of the process and we love every minute of it.

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

One song that could give a good representation of us would be Shining Night. It was the first song we ever wrote together has a collective group. The lyrics are hauntingly true for us and really set the tone for what we would create later in our career. 

Where can we listen to it?

Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/Weslynn

Where can we find out more about your music?

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WeslynnMusic

Twitter - https://twitter.com/WeslynnMusic

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

Our debut EP Is going to be released on iTunes on October 31st! 

Arizona to self-release debut EP

POST-hardcore band Arizona will self-release their debut EP The Hunter, The Gatherer on October 20th.

The Essex quintet made a name for themselves through BBC Introducing in their home county after it showcased their first singles.

Frontman Jacob told RealSoundsOK: "The next year is hopefully going to be a busy one for us.

"We are well into writing for our full-length debut and I don't think we will stop until that has been torn apart and meticulously analysed from every angle.

"Festival season next year is certainly something we're excited to hit and just look forward to branching out after the release of the EP."

You can listen to the single Black Hart below and if you like what you hear find out more at facebook.com/ArizonaUK

Debut song from Kacy Hill

THIS is the video for Experience, the debut track by LA alt-pop artist Kacy Hill.

Despite its title, the song was one of the first made by the Phoenix-born singer after she "found herself writing music by accident".

You can watch/listen to the video below and head over to kacyhill.com to find out more.

Abstrakt Q&A

Your name: 

Manny Garcia.

Where are you from? 

Arizona, USA.

Name of band:

Abstrakt.

Who else is in your band?

Oddfather (Vinnii Otchkov) makes the beats.

How would you describe yourselves? 

Open-minded and profound. Challenging conformity with lyrical fluency that strives to avoid promoting materialistic desires. I try to reach the masses and spread positivity by reminding people how connected we all are. And how we need to think for ourselves and detach from worldly desires that keep us imprisoned. 

Who are your main influences musically? 

Strangely, classical rock has the most influence on me. Along with alternative and metal music since that's what I listened to before I even tried rapping. I grew up on 70's and 80's music. Waking up to my mother cleaning the house jamming out to some classics. Although the two most influential rap artists to me would be Ab-Soul and Immortal Technique. 

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

Making my local art scene more prominent and expanding it's culture across the state and hopefully the country. I don't care about fame. I am fine with a few real fans that can take my music and appreciate the meaning behind it all. 

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

Getting my first album release date on my 21st Birthday. Get a copy! August 30! Gross Poetry is the name! 

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

How many others are striving for the same goal and the difficulties that come with trying to be known. 

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

Catacombs. It's lyrical, fast, powerful, and filthy. 

Where can we listen to it? 

https://soundcloud.com/abstraktart

Where can we find out more about your music?

https://www.facebook.com/abstraktmusicMAN.E

https://twitter.com/AbstraktMANdotE

Mitchell Kidd Q&A

Your name: 

Mitchell Kidd.

Where are you from?

I reside in Phoenix, Arizona.

How would you describe your music?

High energy groove rock.

Who are your main influences musically?

Early Pretenders, early Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots, Blink 182 and The Cars.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

To put out material that I love and am proud of and to have as many people as possible get the opportunity to judge for themselves.

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

Seeing my studio project come to life as a "live" show and also winning two songwriting contests in the 2013 calendar year.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

None of it. The very few things that could have been better are being learned from. I want to remember everything.

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

I Work Best With A Gun To My Head because it showcases the energy, the inspirational lyrics, the not taking myself too seriously and the musicianship displayed in this project.

Where can we listen to it?

http://www.reverbnation.com/mitchellkidd

Learn how to make a free Electronic Press Kit

Where can we find out more about your music?

https://twitter.com/1mitchellkidd
https://www.facebook.com/mitchell.kidd.33
http://www.reverbnation.com/mitchellkidd

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

One person wrote every word, sung every note, played rhythm guitar, bass, drums and piano. on three songs. I played lead guitar and have brought in the top lead guitar players from my community as well as the lead guitarist from KORN.
I thank you for an opportunity to get my music heard by a larger audience. I do believe the songs cross boundaries that multiple genres can appreciate.
I am not trying to copy the next big thing, I simply write what I hear in my head and don't release a song unless I, and I alone, love it.

New single from The Summer Set

ARIZONA'S The Summer Set have revealed their next single and official video for crowd favourite Boomerang.

The five-piece power pop rockers have enjoyed a successful headline run in the UK, as well as performances at this year's Slam Dunk Festival.

Their fourth full-length Legendary is out now on Fearless Records.

New sounds from The Summer Set

THE Summer Set will release their highly-anticipated new album Legendary, on April 15 via Fearless Records.

Tipped by Alternative Press as one of the Most Anticipated Albums of 2013 and Kerrang! as one of the New Bands For 2013, the albums release follows a year successful UK touring with the likes of We Are The In Crowd, Mayday Parade and All Time Low.

"Our new album is officially called Legendary," said singer Brian Dales. "This is a record about being the best version of yourself as you can. I couldn't be more proud of my band and our new team at Fearless Records. 

"It's liberating. I feel like we're starting to go in the direction we've always dreamt of. We can't wait for our fans to experience this album!"

To serve as a preview for Legendary, The Summer Set have premiered a new song titled Maybe Tonight, along with the single's video.

Broken Romeo Q&A

Your name:

James Turpin.

Where are you from?

Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Name of band:

Broken Romeo.

Who else is in your band?

My brother Steve Turpin on lead guitar, Ari Sloane on bass guitar, and Matt Ringnell on drums.

How would you describe yourselves?

Alternative rock with some classic rock, and hard rock edges.

Who are your main influences musically?

Depends on who you ask in the band. Steve and I are big Queen fans. I am also a big U2 fan. We are influenced by bands like STP, Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters, and Muse. We all dig music from the classic era (Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, etc) and we also love a lot of the Metal band pioneers. We like many of the same bands but we also all have different tastes and listen to different things….in the end it works out good in the song writing process as everyone’s influences are well represented in the material we produce.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

We hope to connect with and reach as many fans as we can. Ultimately we hope that when all is said and done we can look back on the band and the music, and be proud of what we have done.

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

I would say the highlight so far was the making of and release of our last record Desperation Daze. We were very proud of that record!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

There was a show several years ago where a previous drummer thought it would be a great idea to drink several shots of tequila before we played..the end result was a most disastrous gig!

If you could choose one of your songs as an advert for your music, what would it be and why?

Tough question…I can't speak for the rest of the band but I would say the song “1 In A Million” which was the first single off of Desperation Daze. I feel that it is one of our stronger songs, and incorporates many things that Broken Romeo does both sonically and musically.

Where can we listen to it (direct link)?

http://www.reverbnation.com/open_graph/song/10460466

Sell music on Amazon at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music?

For more info go to: www.brokenromeo.com

Or e-mail us at info@brokenromeo.com

On the web:

www.Facebook.com/BrokenRomeoAZ

www.Twitter.com/BrokenRomeo

www.Reverbnation.com/BrokenRomeo

www.Myspace.com/BrokenRomeo

www.Soundcloud.com/BrokenRomeo

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

We start tracking our new album in May 2013! We hope to release the new album in the Fall. Be sure to Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter as we will have many updates on the progress of the new record!

Smallz The Cat Q&A

Your names: 
Meredith (vocals), John (guitar), Nick (bass), Michael (Drums).

Where are you from? 
Colorado slash Arizona… ColoZona?

Name of band: 
Smallz the Cat.

How would you describe yourselves? 
Pop punk in an Alkaline Trio or Bayside kind of way… like a darker pop punk, but we feel like that is going to shift the more we change and write and grow as a band.

Who are your main influences musically? 
Insane Clown Posse, Justin Bieber, Cradle of Filth, Lady Gaga, One Direction, Sublime and No Doubt.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
Orgasms. Straight up orgasms.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
Punching that bartender at our last show… because Smallz aint no bitch.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
Punching that bartender… cuz Smallz doesn’t know if we are now banned from that bar.

If you could choose one of your songs as an advert for your music, what would it be and why? 
We have a lot more to write, but out of the songs we have, that would be Slow Yellow. It showcases the essence that we have found in our music up to this point.

Where can we listen to it? 
http://smallzthecat.com/Social_Media_Linx.html for the time being.

Sell music on Amazon at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music? 

You could visit us on Twitter, Facebook, Reverb Nation or at Smallzthecat.com 

Anything else you’d like to say about your band that I forgot to ask? 
Ehh… not a whole lot. We have been a band in concept since February 2012 but we have really been a solid band since about August 2012, so we still have a lot to work out and grow as a band.  Since we are so new we haven't gotten much recorded. We are working on a demo right now and after all of our school schedules and the business of the holidays chills out we will be putting it up on Reverb Nation and our website (smallzthecat.com). 

We work hard and we play hard and have a damn good time doing it. We really appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen and get into our music.