Leaving Eden Q&A

Your name: 

Eric Gynan.

Where are you from? 

Boston MA, USA.

Name of band:

Leaving Eden.

Who else is in your band?

Eve (lead vocals), Ryan Manning (drums) and Johnny V (bass).

How would you describe yourselves?

Well, we def like to have fun! We consider ourselves rock, metal, progressive, alternative  - so that there’s really no box to put us in. We even do acoustic unplugged stuff too!

Who are your main influences musically?

Let's see, we all are influenced by so many great artists but Ryan likes Suicidal Tendencies, Johnny likes Kiss, Eve likes Janis Joplin and I like Sabbath, Disturbed, and way too many to list. Love Ritchie Blackmoore though...

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Great question! I’m not in it for the lure of $$, or even fame for that matter. I just humbly write songs that I hope people will enjoy. We do write provocative lyrics which are reality based so that maybe one could be inspired.

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

So many, that’s a tough question. Leaving Eden has toured the USA, UK and Canada sharing the stage with hundreds of the biggest national bands in the world including; Lacuna Coil, In This Moment, Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell), Ronnie James Dio, Rob Zombie, 5 Finger Death Punch, Disturbed, Marylyn Manson, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Puddle of Mudd, Korn, Killswitch Engage, BuckCherry (Jefferson Starship, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Country Joe, 10 Years After, 40th Anniversary Woodstock) Shinedown, Dropkick Murphys, Alice in Chains, Papa Roach, Bret Micheals, Halestorm,Theory of a Deadman, Avenged Sevenfold, Seether, Hell Yeah, Trapt, Dope, Soil, Fuel, Queensryche, Saving Abel, Hinder, Damage Plan, 7Dust, Sebastian Bach, SoulFly, Days of the New, NonPoint, Drowning Pool, The Misfits, The Butcher Babies, Collective Soul, MushroomHead, Mudvayne, Chevelle, Godsmack, Powerman 5000, 10Years, Taproot, Gin Blossoms, Michael Schenker (UFO, MSG & The Scorpions), Herman Rarebell (The Scorpions), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Kittie, One Eyed Doll, Uncle Kracker, Tremonti (Creed/Alter Bridge) Lamb of God, Slayer, Stone Sour, Motorhead, Blackstone Cherry, HOOKERS & BLOW Featuring GUNS N' ROSES, QUIET RIOT, W.A.S.P. Members, Steven Tyler, Ted Nugent, Lita Ford, LA Guns, Trixter, Warrant, Apocalyptic Review (featuring members of Godsmack) & many more..

We were winners at the 2014 New England Music Awards (Best Hard Rock/Hard Core/Metal Act of the Year), winners of The 2015 Pulse Magazine Music Awards (Best Hard Rock/Hard Core/Metal Act of the Year) & (Sexiest Musician "Eve") and submitted for consideration to 15 categories for the Grammys this year. 

With all that said, Sharing the stage with Black Sabbath (Heaven and Hell) with Ronnie James Dio prior to his untimely death was incredible. I think playing Woodstock Anniversary was full circle in terms of where it all started. Got to hang out with Janis Joplin's band Big Bro and the Holding Co, Jefferson Starship, Country Joe, ya man too cool!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Well, hmmm, I very, very seldom get drunk, maybe once every two years, and I remember on an off night on tour, we let our hair down (I have a shaved head lol) but anyways, ya probably want to forget doing cartwheels down the street somewhere in the Dakota’s...

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

Another good question. Let's see, we got four Albums released to date:

Pinnacle - Welcome To My World -  Between Heaven and Hell - Tied and Bound

So I guess on our Pinnacle album released by Rock Ave Records USA, “Feel Alive” where I believe the lyrics and music are inspiring; “Walk on through before the door closes, you have one shot so you better make it right. The door is wide open, why are you waiting to feel alive?”

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/leavingeden

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.facebook.com/bandleavingeden/

www.twitter.com/Leavingeden

www.linkedin.com/in/leaving-eden-39320010

www.instagram.com/leavingedenofficial/

www.youtube.com/user/leavingedenband

www.soundcloud.com/leavingeden

www.reverbnation.com/leavingedenmusic

www.myspace.com/leavingedenband

www.bandsintown.com/LeavingEden

www.leavingeden.com

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

Sure man, wanna thank ya for chatting with us here and ya, here’s our video for We Are Not Alone, https://youtu.be/lLMINm6TV3Y 

We are touring the USA, Canada and Europe so hopefully we can catch ya when we come thru! Peace!

Bravely Default Q&A

Your name: 

Mark Martindale.

Where are you from: 

Kingston Upon Hull.

Name of band: 

Bravely Default.

Who else is in your band: 

Will Machine - Guitars  

Colin Metcalfe - Cajon

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 

Americana. Acoustic rock with a country edge.

Who are your main influences musically? 

Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Change the world...Just kidding, just to enjoy what we do and continue playing for as long as humanly possible. Also a massive selling album wouldn't go amiss.

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

Running my own stage at Cottingham Springboard Festival. Putting on 30 acts over the course of one glorious weekend is just as amazing as playing a massive gig. I've done it for the last two years and hope to it do for many more.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

None, you learn from bad experiences and they make us who we are.

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

Tenfoot City. The house I grew up in was surrounded by tenfoots, it describes the city I love and there's a line in it that says ' I can never hold my tongue '...I tend to say what I think, which can get me in trouble sometimes but I find it's better to be honest and forthcoming than two faced, especially in this industry.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/mark-martindale

Where can we find out more about your music?

facebook.com/MarkMartindaleMusicHull

twitter.com/MarkMartinda1e

www.facebook.com/BravelyDefaultBand 

I also run a number of band days/nights and open mics called Humberground, for info on that go to: facebook.com/Hullunderground.

Russell Morgan Q&A

Your name: 

Russell Morgan.

Where are you from? 

Cheshire, England.

How would you describe yourselves? 

Contemporary songwriter, folk blues, jazz and soul, mostly acoustic guitar.

Who are your main influences musically? 

Right now I'm listening to Gregory Porter and Gil Scott Heron and Mia Dyson. Everything influences me if I like it and I remember aspects of good music.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

To create sounds and music and words that have meaning to me.

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

There are many things, but working and living in Vienna with Filippo and family for the recording of Begin Simple stands out as an important moment that I had the good fortune to experience.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I have nothing I want to forget.

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

I could not do that, as all are separate and unique in my opinion.

Where can we listen to your music?

https://russellmorgan.bandcamp.com/album/begin-simple

or https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/begin-simple/id1102046112

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.russmorgan.co.uk

www.rayrecodings.com

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

I will be playing some gigs, and I intend to carry on writing and improving.

Narrow Plains Q&A

Your name: 

Charlie Ferriday.

Where are you from? 

London, UK.

Name of band: 

Narrow Plains.

Who else is in your band? 

Stuart and Roger Connick.

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 

We are a trio and normally call our sound “acoustic indie”. We write and record our own, original songs that are acoustic-based but owe a lot to the indie tradition.

Who are your main influences musically? 

Many and varied but particularly Goo Goo Dolls, Ben Howard, Bon Iver, Mumford, Newton Faulkener.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

Write and record the best songs that we can and share them with as many like-minded people as possible.

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

Winning “Hard Rock Rising” at Hard Rock Café in London. Tough competition with a lot of great acts competing.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

Losing my voice when half way through a set – tried to get the crowd to sing along instead but it really didn’t work out too well!

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

Probably “So Rewind” – it’s a very popular song live and was one of the first songs that we all wrote together. It was a more ambitious song as it changes tempo, includes a samba beat and features some vocal harmonies.

Where can we listen to it? 

On most music media but here’s a link to Soundcloud: 

https://soundcloud.com/narrowplains/so-rewind-1

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.narrowplains.com

www.facebook.com/narrowplains

www.twitter.com/narrowplains

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/somewhere-in-between-ep/id504921976?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

http://www.youtube.com/user/narrowplains  

http://www.reverbnation.com/narrowplains

http://soundcloud.com/narrowplains

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

We have a new album coming out on January 22nd 2016 – it will feature 12 of our own compositions and is being released through Smart Indie.

Raising Jupiter Q&A

Your name:

Dave Aitken.

Where are you from?

Based in Cork, Ireland.

Name of band:

Raising Jupiter.

Who else is in your band?

Raising Jupiter is basically the name I put my music out under. In a "live" situation I either put together a band and mix it up between full electric and acoustic shows.

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

I like to think the sound is ever evolving and rocking!

Who are your main influences musically?

I love Rush and Johnny Cash for example.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

To be doing this full time is the dream!

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

Recently released the Chrome EP, which was mixed and mastered by the legend that is Beau Hill! The EP has been getting great reviews and a tremendous amount of airplay around the globe.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

None really - all part of the experience!

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

Give me the News.

Where can we listen to it?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B011BFPMO6/ref=dm_aw_dp_sp_bb_sfa

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.facebook.com/raisingjupiter

@raising_jupiter

www.raisingjupiter.com

Ian Britt Q&A

Your name:

Ian Britt.

Where are you from? 

Sheffield... and Manchester.

Who else is in your band?

Just me. It's lonely but much simpler.

How would you describe yourselves? 

I'm an acoustic singer songwriter. I've been putting out music for around 10 years and it's been somewhat eclectic/schizophrenic. The main threads being strong melodic content, classic songwriting structures with honest, confessional lyrics and a decent bit of wit. I'm accessible yet unique. Your mum will like it, but also your cool twit mate will find something in there that he could tip his hat too if he pierced the surface (not that your cool twit mate will have the time).

Who are your main influences musically?

Early on it was things like Paul Simon Graceland, Randy Newman, Talking Heads. Now it's anything that catches my ear. From Elbow to Ezra. The Lumineers to Led Zeppelin. If it's good with a bit of a pop ethic, I'll lap it up. (I love face melting dub-step, but sadly it doesn't find it's way into my recordings).

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I hope that my achievements in music help me build my strength towards getting my Gold Swimming Certificate. 

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

I've played South By South West and Radio One Live Weekend, which were amazing experiences. I toured in Holland extensively for around four years, supporting some big artists over there, doing national Dutch radio/TV and playing the mecca venue in Amsterdam, The Paradiso. I've also had a bunch of my music on TV and adverts. My music has been on Hollyoaks in excess of 100 times, so I'm king of Teenage Telly Boppers. I had a few huge breaks in the US and Canada on TV shows The Real L Word, The L Word and Parenthood with a song I recorded in a toilet in Manchester. As a result I gained a ton of new fans over night and the song in question has now had 6.6million hits on Spotify. Not bad for a fully independent artist. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

None of it. Every moment helped me learn something. I know that sounds totally tie-dye. But it's true. 

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

The Shape Of Us. It shows my truest, most simplest expression of my music. It's from the base of a song like that, that everything else has come and been built on. I think that song is where I got that form the most perfect. My voice has changed a lot since then and I know more about recording than I did then. But it somehow managed to capture that magic (even if I was sitting in the toilet when we recorded it!).

Where can we listen to it?

https://youtu.be/q49eyWkrac8

Where can we find out more about your music? 

http://ianbritt.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/ianbritt1

https://www.facebook.com/ianbrittmusic

https://twitter.com/Brittmusic

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/ian-britt/id73443350

https://ianbritt.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/ian-britt

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

I am releasing a new EP called "Guardians" on Nov 13th and will also be releasing 2 FREE acoustic versions of songs off the EP before then as a taster before the main course.

The first free song is available right now for free:

SEE THE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/mg2NAfAtpAA

DOWNLOAD THE MP3 FREE: http://www.dmfdigital.com/releases/view/release/72

The next free song before the EP will be available on Oct 17th so join the mailing list today and don't miss out! 

http://ianbritt.com/mailing-list 

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! 

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/ 

Hey Vanity frontman Marc Halls goes solo

HEY Vanity frontman Marc Halls will release his solo EP Bittersweet Memories on July 13th.

He is teasing it by streaming the single Playground Swings, which you can listen to below.

Marc told RealSoundsOK: "Late last year I went through a bit of a strange phase. For the first time in years I had no real musical plans; no tours, no release, I was uninspired to do anything musical. 

"I started focusing pretty much all my attention on negativity, sitting around all day watching upsetting documentaries and getting bitter at the state of the world. It put things in perspective and made me realise that I've spent way too much time stressing over my 'musical career' as if it were anything but something I just love to do." 

While maintaining nods to his rock roots, the artist from Witham, Essex, heads towards a folkier, bluesier sound with his solo work.

He added: "After a well-needed kick up the arse from a close friend, I started writing again and these songs were suddenly pouring out of me. Everything I wrote seemed to be about the bands I've been in, friendships and relationships I've formed and lost, and most of all, how much I regret taking it all too seriously. 

"Bittersweet Memories was the result. It's the most honest, D.I.Y recording I've ever released, I recorded and mixed everything in my 'Man Cave' (garden shed) using only whatever I had in there. I even restrung my first ever guitar for the first time in ten years (£30 acoustic from Argos) and recorded two of the tracks with that, turns out it sounds awesome! 

"This EP is a very simple, stripped back piece of work. My next release is going to be bigger and louder, but this is just what I wanted it to be."

Marc appeared at the Field Day festival in London over the weekend and has more dates lined up including in Brighton, Eastbourne and York.

For more visit www.facebook.com/marchalls

Mo Evans Q&A

Your name: 

Mo Evans.

Where are you from?
I'm from Scotland!

Name of band:
I call them the nonsense, but generally speaking the band and I are under Mo Evans.

How would you describe yourselves?
I'll leave that to the listeners I think. Quite honestly I don't know how I'd describe myself...confused?

Who are your main influences musically?
Influences? Album wise at the moment I've really loved Bombay Bicycle Club's new album, or Ben Howard's, quite recently got into Gillian Welch too. However my most common comparison is Jeff Buckley, which is nice as I'm a pretty big fan of his.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
I'd like to have people enjoy listening to my music. Would be nice to do it for a living.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Highlight of my career would probably be the lovely people I've met through it. There is some amazing talent out there and I've had the pleasure of working with some of the best, both personality and musically.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
The moment I want to forget? Working in retail.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
Well, that's tough as you will have only heard four songs of mine. I'm always changing the way I write so I couldn't tell you. But let's just say the second track of my EP 'Close My Eyes' purely because I've really enjoyed performing it live recently. How's that?

Where can we listen to it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n39ap2ewCmc

Where can we find out more about your music?
www.moevans.com
www.facebook.com/MohanEvansMusic
https://soundcloud.com/moevansmusic
https://twitter.com/moevansmusic
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/mo-evans/id936763656

Acoustic Journey Q&A

Photo by Anthony D'Angio www.frography.com

Your name: 

Andrew Jones.

Where are you from? 

Brackley, Northamptonshire.

Name of band: 

Acoustic Journey.

Who else is in your band? 

Ben Gurney & Andy Sammons.

How would you describe yourselves? 

We are a beers and barbecues kinda country music.

Who are your main influences musically? 

There are so many great artists out there at the moment its difficult to say. I guess we owe a lot of our sound to the likes of Big & Rich, Rascal Flatts and Chris Cagle, but that has developed into our own style over time as we write and play together more.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

It would be amazing to head out to Nashville and play some shows over there for the homegrown country fans. We just love to play live and that's where our main pull is in our opinion. Getting some acceptance from an American audience would definitely be a high point.

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

Playing at C2C Country to Country 2015 has to be the highlight thus far, a great crowd for our set and meeting so many amazing people, both artists and fans. Also, getting to share a few beers with the UK’s rising country music stars really made the weekend awesome!

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

Missing a support slot with our friends Dexeter due to illness was not my best moment, can’t help being ill though I suppose.

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 Real Good Feel Good. We try to keep all our tracks as upbeat feel good tunes and relate to our younger years (not too long ago) hanging out at St James’s Lake in Brackley, drinking beers and cooking out on disposable BBQs, much to the annoyance of the dog walkers. It’s quite a small town so we generally knew who they were! We still get out to the lake a couple of times a summer but not so easy now we all have full time jobs and families to look after.

Where can we listen to it? 

https://soundcloud.com/acousticjourney/real-good-feel-good or you can download it from iTunes.

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acousticjourney

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AcousticJourney

Website: http://www.acousticjourney.co.uk

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/acoustic-journey/id923125519