Doug Stalnaker Q&A

Your name:

Doug Stalnaker.

Where are you from?

The United States. Born in Ohio, grew up in West Virginia. Now living in New Mexico.

How would you describe yourself and your music?

My genre is ‘psychedelic folk.’ I record my songs in my garage with the Audacity digital audio editor. I use acoustic and electric six-string guitars as well as an acoustic twelve-string guitar.

Who are your main influences musically?

John Lennon & Paul McCartney, Nick Drake, Donovan, Pete Ham, Kurt Cobain, and Ian Curtis.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I am a songwriter first and foremost. My goal is to have my songs performed and (hopefully!) recorded by others.

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

Being signed by my publisher (Voice Ranch Music, BMI) only a month after I began sending out my demos.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Nothing worth mentioning. I wouldn’t want to forget a negative moment in any event. It’s better to remember and learn from one’s mistakes, however big or small they may be.

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

There are several – ‘Another Piece of You,’ ‘Youngstown Girl,’ and ‘She Is the Sun’ come to mind. If I have to choose one I would say ‘She Is Anyway.’ It’s a Psychedelic Folk love song that contains what I feel are some of my best lyrics and chord progressions. I used acoustic six and twelve string guitars to record it.

Where can we listen to it?

https://youtu.be/sm-wTz8w0Dk

Where can we find out more about your music?

Twitter: - https://twitter.com/RadioFreeINFP

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6yYqX_AK7cUDK5dalLGgKg

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/doug-stalnaker-1

ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/dougstalnaker

I have more songs uploaded on YouTube at the moment.

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

My peculiar brand of psychedelic folk is just a small contribution to an indie music scene that is so very organic, vibrant and diverse. Social media/the internet are powerful tools that have enabled me to connect with songwriters and musicians I would have not discovered otherwise. Indie music is not an ‘either/or’ ‘you or me’ – it’s a communal effort and I believe that we need to support each other via Twitter, sharing links, and word-of mouth. The more music the merrier!

Agony In The Garden Q&A

What is your name?  

Mack Perry.

Where are you from? 

Dayton, Ohio.

What is the name of your band?  

Agony In The Garden.

Who else is in your band?  

It’s just me at the moment.

How would you describe yourself? 

Rock, metal, alternative band and a bit of everything in between.

Who are your main influences musically? 

Ronnie James Dio, Mark Tremonti, Alter Bridge, Sevendust, Dishwalla, Dream Theater, Breaking Benjamin, Joe Satriani, Andy James.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

I want it to be whatever you need whenever you need.

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

Releasing Where Olympus Dwells, Agony’s premier EP.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

I can honestly say I haven’t had a moment like that yet.

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

Where Olympus Dwells. This song says no matter what you’re going through as long as you wake daylight never dies. It’s never too late.

Where can we listen to it? 

https://soundcloud.com/hearyou-3/sets/agony-in-the-garden

Where else can we find your music? 

Official Website    

Facebook    

Twitter    

Pinterest    

Instagram    

YouTube    

Google+    

Soundcloud

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

No this was a perfect interview! I humbly thank you for that. I would like to thank everyone for listening Agony. You’re the real rock stars!

Little Moon and Fox Killer Q&A

Your name: 

Little Moon (Katherine Berger).

Where are you from? 

Cleveland, OH.

Name of band: 

Little Moon and Fox Killer.

Who else is in your band? 

Fox Killer (Todd Berger).

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 
FoxKiller and I are midwesterners who’ve travelled and pursued living life in polarization to the status quo. Although we are reserved, and unpretentious, we feel compelled to push ourselves out of staying comfortably quiet and just want to love others with our music. We’re willing to be transparent with our art to be candid about our life’s journey.
Fox Killer and I create experimental electronic music, of which we write, perform, produce, mix, and master ourselves. Our diverse musical preferences help us blur the lines between genres. We employ a fusion of synths, acoustic modeled loops, and traditional rock instrumentation, that gives an ambient shoe-gaze rock vibe, with driving back-beats. Our music incorporates a build up of breathy vocals and densely layered musical arrangements. It’s our goal to make these songs cinematic soundscapes that feel evocative and other worldly. We've penned these songs to inspire others to explore God and all His surreal beauty.  

Who are your main influences musically? 
Some influences are: Tycho, Massive Attack, Dj Shadow, Radiohead, Múm, Aphex Twin (85-92 Album), Björk, Billy Corgan, Sonic Youth, Beck, Sigur Rós...

What do you hope to achieve in music?    
We hope to connect with people on a deeply spiritual level and create beautiful music atmospheres that are undeniably inspired. We write thoughtful lyrics that don’t drag people down into some deep-pitted depression. We also try to create unique blends of sounds that hopefully defy the stereotypes of EDM instrumentation and worship music, to disrupt the stylistic ideals often found in both genres.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
After the debut of our “Release the Stars, pt.1” EP, a couple people have written to us, sharing how this music has affected their perception of who God is in a very beautiful way. You know, we get that everybody is in a unique and delicate place with their perceptions of faith. But the feedback we’ve heard so far is that our music unpretentiously causes one to rethink their deep held views of faith and religion. So in all seriousness, in our minds we’ve already “made it” in this musical journey… by touching even just one man's heart.  

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
When mixing and mastering each song, we ran outside in the dead of Cleveland winter, to repeatedly preview the tracks through our car’s sound system. It’s sort of our right of passage for each song. As you can imagine, it’s no small job for the two of us to pull off each track. We meticulously worked (and froze our asses off).

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
“This Shallow Grave” is a great representation of the contemplative nature of our music. This song was written based on my personal struggle with the spirit of the fear of death. And my victory upon realizing that when Christ rose from the dead, he disempowered the spirit of death. So I now can live every moment of life empowered, in peace, and confident that it is not fear, but the gentle Spirit of God who will come to meet me at my end. 

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/releasethestars

Where can we find out more about your music?
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/LilMoonFoxKillr
FB: https://www.facebook.com/LMATFK
WEB: http://www.littlemoonandfoxkiller.com/

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

We’re in the process of completing our first full-length recording, and you can get more info and future tour dates at LittleMoonandFoxKiller.com

The Nonsense Buffer Q&A

Your name:

The Nonsense Buffer.

Where are you from?

Born in Cleveland, OH, but mostly grew up and lived in Western Oregon and on The Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

Who else is in your band?

Collaborations with artists from all over the world, including here in the States, the UK, Greece, Canada, Portugal and France.

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

I technically consider myself a jazz musician. I do my best to thoroughly explore music, and have no genre barriers. I've been a serious musician since I turned a teenager, and have seriously studied the electric bass and voice. I just started playing the drums seriously the last couple years. I record everything on my laptop and other cheap recording equipment. I've never recorded in a major studio and have only set foot in one once.

Who are your main influences musically?

The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Rush, Chris Cornell's Projects, Dream Theater, Swollen Members, Sublime, Devin Townsend's Projects, The Roots, '30s & '40s Vocal Jazz and '50s & '60s instrumental jazz.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I want to end the cloning of The Mainstream Industry Mind.

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

Within the last two weeks I have recorded the greatest music of my life solo.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

When I was not able to play music for seven years.

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

My new song Suffer Hungry. It's my greatest recorded achievement.

Where can we listen to it?

ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/antipoliticalnonsensebuffer

Get Band email for free at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NonsenseBuffer

Bandcamp: https://antipoliticalnonsensebuffer.bandcamp.com/

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

I've been on the internet since 2009. I've never paid for any kind of advanced service from the sites I use. All my exposure in from personal contact with fans and fellow artists. I'm all about being independent from the mainstream, and hope to build an honest and honorable career that fits within my belief system of how the musical art should be expressed.

The Jericho Harlot Q&A

Your name: 

Jonny Burial.

Where are you from?

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Name of band: 

The Jericho Harlot.

Who else is in your band? 

Brandon Gray and Mike Mulholland.

How would you describe yourselves?

We call ourselves a mix of Green Day, Alkaline Trio and the Foo Fighters. Mostly because that's who we have been compared too most often.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Get good music in the hands of  folks that can appreciate it! We are constantly creating, recording, and re-inventing everything we do. We just want people to appreciate it! And love what we love!

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

Playing with Icon For Hire and Five Iron Frenzy in the same month was great! Huge fans of those bands. Sharing the stage as a professional, with bands you already love is the best part of this business.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

We played this "shall remain nameless" music festival in some field in Kentucky. It was like a commune. It was pretty rough.

Where can we listen to your music? 

www.reverbnation.com/thejerichoharlot is the easiest place to listen for free. Or on Spotify, SoundCloud, etc.

Upload your music for free at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music?

We are everywhere on the internet..here is a few links that are the best ways to track us down!

www.facebook.com/thejerichoharlot

www.twitter.com/jericho_harlot

www.reverbnation.com/thejerichoharlot 

www.youtube.com/thejerichoharlot

Updates, music, and info also available on: iTunes, Amazon Music, BandCamp, SoundCloud, Spotify, XboxMusic, and just about everywhere else.

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

Well....we just want to bring a great show to a city near you! So feel free to contact the band about booking! We love playing new places, for new people. And always up for making new friends!

Free track from Miss May I's new album

US metalcore band Miss May I have released their new album Rise Of The Lion via Rise Records.

The Ohio band are giving away single Refuse To Believe here and have released a video for their second single Echoes, below.

Frontman Levi Benton said: "Echoes as a song means a lot to us and is filled with sadness. I feel this video really expresses the darkness and sorrow losing a loved one has on you."

Bassist and backing vocalist Ryan Neff added: "It is a very different track compared to the rest of the record, and everything else we've written, which makes it one of my favorites on the record. I'm stoked for everyone to hear this new tune!"

Rise Of The Lion is the band's fourth album and the first to be produced by Terry Date (Pantera, Deftones, White Zombie, Bring Me The Horizon).

Miss May I will be playing the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival in the US this summer, joining the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Trivium and more and will also play a string of European festivals - including Download in the UK.

For more on the band visit missmayimusic.com or mmiriseofthelion.com

Beau Austin Q&A

Your name:

Beau Austin.

Where are you from?

Los Angeles California, USA. Recently relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Who else is in your band?

Mostly just me as a solo act, however depending on the show and town I'm in that night a few may friends may join me.

How would you describe yourselves?

I like saying "poetry with a soundtrack" singer songwriter/ art rock style with punk rock roots.

Who are your main influences musically?

The Clash/Joe Strummer, Velvet Underground/Lou Reed, Les Paul, Leonard Cohen, The Ramones, Bob Dylan, Johnny Thunders.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

Just to always be creating. I love painting, writing and playing guitar so I ultimately hope to be able to do so full time while discovering & promoting others in creative fields. I love nothing more than sharing my work or others with the world, there's always something for someone that will be a passion.

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

Just looking back on all my years touring in punk rock bands and making great records, it's absolutely a highlight seeing my progression as an artists and person, those first few years being dead broke, sleeping on floors, driving 18 hours between shows, etc and always smiling truly made me who I am today.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Of course.. Maybe haha.

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

Right now it would be "I adore" - it's autobiographical and really reflects I feel on how much the your mind will mess with you when you should just be happy and enjoying the moment, yet something that a lot of us deal with on a continuous basis with a variety of things.

Where can we listen to it?

Reverbnation.com/BeauAustin 

Sell music on Amazon at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music?

Facebook.com/BeauAustinMusic 

Reverbnation.com/BeauAustin           

On Twitter: @Beau_austin and Instagram: @beau_lindsay

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

Just that I truly appreciate the interest and I am truly grateful for the amazing fans and artists out there that keep art alive. I always respond to everyone individually and can't thank ya enough.

Raven X Q&A

Your names: 
Khâos - all music & instruments.
Nÿx - all lyrics and vocals.

Where are you from? 
Ohio, USA.
 
Name of band: 
Raven X.

How would you describe yourselves?  

Nÿx: The music takes you on so many different emotions. I don't think there is just one label to put us under. It's strong and in your face at times, but it also changes and takes you to a completely different ride at times.  

Who are your main influences musically? 

Nyx: I have so many!!! Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth, Karyn Crisis from Crisis, Anneke Van Giersbergen, Bjork, Ihsahn.  
Khâos: Ihsahn, Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, Starofash, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

Nÿx: All of it! hahaha. I just hope people enjoy this CD enough to keep going back to it. To play Raven X live is definitely another dream also.

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

Khâos: The release of our debut CD "Essence Without Light" would have to be the highlight so far. After years of work, to finally see the day come that the album was released to the public was a very exciting day!! 

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

Khâos: There is really nothing that I would like to forget. Everything we have gone through has help us to learn and move forward. It hasn't all been fun, but I wouldn't change anything.

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

Khâos: It's tough to pick just one because each of our songs have a different quality to them. We really tried to make an album that didn't sound the same from track to track. If I had to chose just one song. I would probably have to say it would be "Broken Light" because it contains many of the qualities and dynamics that are found in the other songs. 

Where can we listen to it? 

Nÿx: http://ravenx.bandcamp.com/track/broken-light

Where can we find out more about your music?

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RavenXofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RavenXofficial
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/essence-without-light/id606536504
Bandcamp: http://ravenx.bandcamp.com
ReverbNation: http://www.ravebnation.com/ravenx
Store: http://www.BatZugeRecords.com/store
LastFM: http://http://www.last.fm/music/Raven+X
Label: http://www.BatZugeRecords.com/

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

Khâos: Nothing comes to mind, but we really appreciate the interview. 
Nÿx: Thank you!! :)

Petals And Thorns Q&A

Your names:

Mia and Johnny.

Where are you from?

Cleveland, Ohio USA

Name of band:

Petals And Thorns.

Who else is in your band? 

Just the two of us.

How would you describe yourselves?

We are a dissonantly melodic electronic, rock duo. Lead by the beauty of a female voice and fuelled with poetic verses of insight through introspection and observation. All the while, the music is set to the back drop of a synthetic groove with an accompanying soundscape that ranges from haunting piano tones, sine waves, and dirty crunchy guitars.

Who are your main influences musically?

Mia: Delerium, Garbage, The Doors, Tori Amos, Julee Cruise.

Johnny: Nine Inch Nails, Type O Negative, The Birthday Massacre, Switchblade Symphony, A Perfect Circle.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

We would just like to get out of Cleveland someday.

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

Shooting our own DIY, self produced video, "Habitual Ritual".

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Paying to play out of our own pocket.

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

"Habitual Ritual"; it's the catchiest. 

Where can we listen to it?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKrbAkMvXU0

or

www.petalsandthorns.net/music

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Website:  www.petalsandthorns.net

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/petalsandth0rns

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/petalsandthorns

ReverbNation:  www.reverbnation.com/petalsandthorns

Myspace:  www.myspace.com/petalsandthorns

Soundcloud:  www.soundcloud.com/petalsandthorns

Youtube:  www.youtube.com/petalsandthornsmusic

Vampirefreaks:  www.vampirefreaks.com/petalsandthorns

Google+:  plus.google.com/111270648510174360692/posts

Last Fm:  www.last.fm/music/Petals+And+Thorns

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

We'll be opening for "Lestat", on October 12th at Peabody's.  In addition to that, we've been putting together a podcast featuring some of our musical influences, as well as promoting some of our friends. The podcast should be available in the next couple of days. :)

Joe Moorhead Band Q&A

Your name:

Joe Moorhead.

Where are you from?

I grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Most people laugh at that, as my music is all about island living. The vibe definitely comes from the years back and forth to the Virgin Islands and not Cleveland.

Name of band:

Joe Moorhead Band.

Who else is in your band? 

The band consists of four members. Myself (Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals), Jonny Morrow (Lead Guitar), Tyler Lovell (Bass Guitar), and Justin Banks (Drums).

How would you describe yourselves?

The whole band is very laid back. We take the music very seriously but we really don't take ourselves too seriously. No divas in this group. Most would probably describe us as modern day hippies. 

Who are your main influences musically?

People describe our music as Jack Johnson meets Sublime. As those are two artists I personally love, the bands influences range from Ali Farka Toure to Red Hot Chili Peppers. We listen to music from all over the world and are influenced by anything new or unique to us.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I can honestly say that if we have the opportunity to still be playing music together in years to come we have achieved everything we wanted to in music. We are living our goals and dreams right now.

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

The highlight of our career so far has been being able to sustain a living as musicians. As most musicians will tell you, that is a very hard task and we feel extremely lucky to have that success.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

We had been on the road a long time traveling through Iowa to Nebraska when our van broke down. We were in the middle of nowhere. After we got towed to the nearest mechanic we found out it was going to take at least four days for parts to come in. The show was in just a few hours so we had to borrow a car from the mechanic to drive to the nearest rental car company (over 45 miles away) to then back track, unload our trailer into the rental cars, and make it to the show. I am happy to say we have never missed a show but that was a test to our mental stability and our bodies exhaustion.  

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

It would have to be the song Bad Day off our new album, Tides Are Rising. The title of the song is almost an oxymoron. Though the lyrics talk about a bad day in the islands, to me, a bad day in the islands is better then a good day anywhere else. The song is fun, not too serious, and laid back. It encompasses the essence of what this band is all about.

Where can we listen to it? 

You can see the video for the song, "Bad Day", here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XECfOUWuoV8

Where can we find out more about your music?

http://www.joemoorhead.com/

https://www.facebook.com/joemoorheadmusic

https://twitter.com/joemoorhead

First track from Blood Fueled Empire

THIS is the first single from Blood Fueled Empire's album Saints Of The Underground.

The band is the rap-metal side project featuring Jay Scary and Joe Dogg of Tears of the Dying with new Sony/Koch recording Jag Da Apostle, Ill Will of the Ghost Smokers and Brenden Seditz of 740 Wiseguys studios.

There may be a bit of bad language but we're all adults here (or at least have fake ID) so have a listen below.

And if you want to find out more about the band visit www.twitter.com/empiblood

There's also a Q&A with Jay in Tears of the Dying mode here.

Free EPK from ReverbNation.com

Poor Remy Q&A

Your name:

Adrian Galvin.

Where are you from?

New York/Ohio.

Name of band:

Poor Remy.

Who else is in your band?

Andrew D’Amico and Kenneth Polyak.

How would you describe yourselves?

Indie folk, freak folk, desperate victory drinking music.

Who are your main influences musically?

The Avett Brothers, Akron/Family, Modest Mouse, The Beatles, Radiohead, Animal Collective.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

To be felt. We don’t think we are all that into having enormous fame or fortune (even though maybe fame without the fortune would be ok). But mostly we’re in this for ourselves. It may sound selfish, but music is an exercise in self-exploration for us, in challenging ourselves to take a risk, to jump. Making music is terrifying. We just want to be better at being who we are, and we think music is a way of getting there. It makes you constantly question yourself, and then asks you to put that doubt into the world. It forces a complete reckoning with all your bullshit every time you pick up a pen. We think its ballsy. Music doesn’t really have to give us anything, we are mostly just learning more about who we are by doing it, and we’re having a blast doing that.

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

This past year we returned to Kenyon College, where we graduated from, to play a show. It was pretty magical. Everyone we loved was there and screaming along with every word. It really put into perspective how much community and support we have behind us. We believe that music finds its most monumental role as a binding agent. And when we experienced our music doing that, man oh man weren’t we set at ease.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

When we fight. I know that sounds stupid and childish, but we really are like a collection of three clingy girlfriends, and music is boyfriend to us all, and we all want him more than he wants us. It’s very frustrating. So you know we all have a very different relationship to music, so we don’t always see eye to eye. But its a shame when we feel ridiculed by each other and feelings are hurt. Like all people, we struggle to express ourselves in our relationships, and even though we can do it draped in spotlight in front of a crowd, its still really hard one on one, in the moment. When we respect each other and feed off of each others ability to communicate, it is reflected in our music and it’s awesome. When we don’t respect each other nothing gets done. That's our constant struggle, and its a struggle we think it’s worth constantly battling for. So, its not something we want to forget after all. Come to think of it, I don’t think I ever want to forget anything. You can learn and grow from anything you pay enough attention to, even if its a shitty experience.

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

Well recently we released a single from our upcoming October release. The third track on the EP,  “Wrecking Ball” is a lot about a certain kind of self destruction. Not the violent pill popping kind or the deranged murderous kind. This song explores the idea of self sacrifice. Not like martyrdom, but a kind of letting go. It’s really hard to let go - of people, of habits, of your own feelings. Wrecking ball is a monument to the notion that there must be destruction for there to be re-birth, re-creation, re-invigoration. We have to sacrifice ourselves and whatever we’re holding on to in order to keep becoming. We’re always changing always growing, but that means we have to be able to shed the skin of a student to become a teacher, shed the skin of boyhood to become a man. This is really difficult sometimes. “Wrecking Ball” honors this struggle, and dares the listener to move on.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/poorremy/wrecking-ball

Where can we find out more about your music?

poorremy.com

soundcloud.com/poorremy

@poorremy

facebook.com/poorremy

Google - they know all about us!

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

YES! Well other than gearing up to release our first music video and second EP, we have just joined an awesome community of local musicians to form a collective called ‘Garden Party’. The group is made up of some kids who came out of Berklee in Boston and moved to Brooklyn to play music. We’re honored to team up with the likes of Bear Language, The Rotaries, Tei Shi, Yellerkin, Figaro, Butta Baby and James Rapp in this effort to bring more music to the community by helping, learning from, and supporting each other. We’re pumped about it, so we wanted to let you know! Thanks so much for interest Greg, talk soon!