Soundstream Q&A

Your name:

Denis Timish.

Where are you from?

Kiev, Ukraine.

Name of band:

SOUNDSTREAM.

Who else is in your band?

Anna Pazyura (lead vocalist) and Yuriy Muktarov (MC).

How would you describe yourselves?

Our music is a blend of HandsUp and 90's Eurodance.

Who are your main influences musically?

Cascada, Scooter, Masterboy, Basslovers United and others.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Reaching more ears :)

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

Radio airplays abroad and featurings in DJ mixes.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Hard to say...

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

It would be 'We Got The Sound' since it's made in the best traditions of our music.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/soundstream-2/we-got-the-sound

Where can we find out more about your music?

You can visit our official website: http://soundstream.zz.mu

Also you can find us here:

https://www.facebook.com/SOUNDSTREAM-198804310152158/timeline/

https://twitter.com/_soundstream_

https://vk.com/soundstreamband

http://promodj.com/sound-stream

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

Expect for our new album. Hope, it'll be out this year.

TAXXESS Q&A

Your name:

I am Jim Moon.

Where are you from?

Central Texas. Mostly around San Antonio and Austin. I grew up in the country, and moved to the city later.

Name of band:

I perform under the name TAXXESS.

Who else is in your band?

I'm a solo artist.

How would you describe yourself and your music?

I make that could mostly be described as IDM. My more approachable stuff has been described as deep house, or progressive house. Most of my music is a culmination of various auditory hallucinations I was able to pin down.

Who are your main influences musically?

That's a difficult question. I've been pretty influenced by Richard D. James, and other things idm/electronic. A lot of my friends are a pretty big influence on me musically too. My favorite band ever EVER EVER is The Beach Boys, and I will occasionally go through periods where I only listen to pet sounds for months. I'm into a wider variety of music than anyone I know. I can't really name a genre I don't like, but it all ends with The Beach Boys. Mike Patton has been a pretty big musical influence throughout my life too in all of his musical meanderings. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I would like to make a living at it. Barring that I would enjoy just playing shows, and having people enjoy what I make. I'm 34 so at this point in my life I try to avoid unrealistic expectations. I think more than anything else at this point I would just be happy that people enjoy it, and it mean something to someone somewhere who isn't me.

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

I toured all over the US in my last band (I was the electronics/noise player). I sliced myself up with a knife in NY, Chicago, and Phillidelphia. The highlight musically for me would have probably been Probationer because everything about it was planned and executed right under the wire. It destroyed my computer. Let the magic smoke out of the fucker.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

The time my ego made me walk out of opening for a pretty big band. I never let any kind of ego bullshit hold me back ever again after that learning experience. I had this idea that I was done with some kind of bullshit or another and walked out of an opportunity that I will regret forever. Never close the door yourself, you know?

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

This is the hardest question so far. Probably Follow. It's a decent representation of my more melodic side, and hints at some of my weirder tendencies.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/taxxess/follow-1

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Fackbook: https://www.facebook.com/masterblaster666
Twitter is @taxxesss
to just listen to stuff theres soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/taxxess
To purchase any of my releases (pay what you want, or nothing) you can do that at bandcamp https://taxxess.bandcamp.com/
Personal webpage here http://jim-moon.appspot.com/
And I'm on tumblr here http://taxxess.tumblr.com/

I'm sure there's probably more out there. 

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

I'm currently on Reconstructiv records. I'll be releasing another album hopefully before the end of the year. It's finished, and we're working on mastering currently. 

Free EP from Haxby Swango

ELECTRO production duo Haxby Swango have released their free-to-download EP Banana Songs.

Vocalist Hutchy told RealSoundsOK: "This whole EP gives a very colourful picture of what this band is about, and it's a very strong foot forward for us."

He says influences on the EP include world music, American R&B, anime themes and j-pop culture.

The duo from York formed last year from the ashes of prog-rock band Astrae.

Have a listen below and for more info head to facebook.com/haxbyswango

Elisa Duwez Q&A

Your name:

Elisa Duwez.

Where are you from?

France.

Name of band: 

Some of my tracks are released with the name Babette Duwez.

Who else is in your band? 

I work in collaboration with DJs from all over the world, mostly Italy, Spain, Mexico, France and Argentina (the last ones are with E Duque (Mexico), Brian Varak ( Argentina), Joel Reichert (Argentina), Mario Piu (Italy), Peter Kharma (Italy), Fidel DJ (Spain) and Alex Andre (Spain). 

How would you describe yourself?

I am a free spirit:) music is a part of my life:) and writing too:) I try to express myself with the lyrics :) and I try to put in motto the carpe diem teory:)

Who are your main influences musically?

For the style I am doing now, I have no influence at all. It's an unique and different style with my own ideas and lyrics. I write a song, find a melody and then put the music on with DJs, so it's everything creative and new, and sometimes I take a lyric that is already exciting and make a new version of it,but the artists I like myself are Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, George Michael, Elton John, Ella Fidzgerald, Nina Simone, Bon Jovi, any rebels and wild people like me:)

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Nothing special:) just keeping doing what I'm doing and liking what I am doing :)

Oh yes:) perhaps that my tracks go more on radios :) it's always a real pleasure to listen your music at the radio :)

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

When I heard for the first time one of my track in a club:) and then at the radio :)

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Everything is part of my journey:) so bad moments are made to make you appreciate the good ones then:)

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

Change Your Philosophy, just because people are too complicated:) many time they make a lot of fuss for nothing, they always try to find problems when there is nothing at all, and want to look for fights and problems when they can just forget and forgive when the offence isn't big. People has to change the way of seeing things, and change their negative energies with positive energies... like the 'peace and love' style of the 70s:)

Where can we listen to it? 

http://www.reverbnation.com/elisaduwez 

Free embed music player from ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music? 

http://www.beatport.com/artist/elisa-duwez/260737

https://itunes.apple.com/fr/artist/elisa-duwez/id521516390 

http://www.facebook.com/elisaduwezweb

http://www.elisaduwez.com

http://www.youtube.com/larubiaibiza2010

http://www.twitter.com/babetteduwez

http://www.myspace.com/elisaduwezweb

Anyway just search on Google Elisa Duwez and Babette Duwez 

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

Id like to say THANK YOU to all my friends, DJs, and people who are following me and believe in me and what I am doing:) Id like to say thank you to you too :) 

Jessica Speziale Q&A

Your name: 

My name is Jessica Speziale :)

Where are you from?  

I'm an independent artist from Toronto, Canada.

How would you describe yourself? 

I like to describe my sound as pop/rock with soul. I do powerhouse vocals with the intent of Serena Ryder and the soul of Alicia Keys. 

Who are your main influences musically?  

I was really influenced by 90s pop and rock when I first got started in music! Alanis Morissette, Silverchair, Hanson, Sass Jordan, Chirstina Aguilera...and all those bands and artists that were in heavy rotation on Much Music (Canada's music television station) at the time! More recent influences include Marianas Trench, Sam Roberts, and Sharon Jones.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

I would love to be Taylor Swift! haha. Touring the world, playing music all the time, writing with all kinds of artists...I want to be part of the next wave of popular sound.

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

Oh man, there's so much to choose from!! haha. One of my favourite moments was this great weekend where my band and I roadtripped out to Ottawa, Ontario, for a two nights and did three interviews and a show. Then we drove back to Toronto and played one of Canada's bigger festivals, North by Northeast. It was a whirlwind of awesome! I love being on the road.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

Haha! I MISSED a show a few years ago because of a miscommunication with a promoter. I was stressing out for a week afterwards! I really value being organized and prompt, and that was really embarrassing.

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

Oooh, good question! As it stands today, I would say "Brace Yourself"! I wrote it in my teens, so it's an oldie, but it keeps growing with me. It's rocky, it's pop, and it's got that empowerment emotion that I'm fond of writing about :)

Where can we listen to it?

You can watch the official music video for it here: http://youtu.be/o8KkR0NI8KM  Or if you prefer just sound, it's on soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/jessicaspeziale/brace-yourself 

Where can we find out more about your music?

Are you ready for this?  haha 

Website: www.jessicaspeziale.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessicaspezialemusic

Twitter: www.twitter.com/spezzie

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JessTubeRocks

ReverbNation: www.reverbnation.com/jessicaspeziale

Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/jessicaspeziale

Bandcamp: jessicaspeziale.bandcamp.com/

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

Thank you so much for having me! I've been really fortunate to co-write and sing on a new track recently with UK dance artist David Bean called Come Alive! I'd love to share it with you here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDkSiQgnoE4&feature=share&list=FLq6pDv422FNRytNdd6cagig 

Please leave us a comment and let us know what you think :)

Sidibe's Metaphysical EP out now

LA singer-songwriter Sidibe has her EP Metaphysical out now.

Her music blends elements of house, RnB and pop and she says her voice has been described as "angel eggs hatching in her mouth", which - I guess - is a good thing.

She told RealSoundsOK: "At 18, I was signed to Universal Republic but left after two years when I realized there was so much more I needed to learn. 

"I spent the next couple of years getting my shit together, working with incredible talents and exposing myself to as much music as possible. I sojourned to Senegal twice so I could connect with my family there and explore my African roots. This amazing journey led to my debut EP."

That EP is available now on iTunes, Amazon, BandCamp and other usual suspects, but you can have a listen below via SoundCloud.

For more information on Sidibe, visit soundcloud.com/sidibemusic or sidibe.bandcamp.com

Ambrose Chappel and the Infamous iKashFlo Q&A

Your name:

Daniel John Ballinger aka Ambrose Chappel.

Where are you from?

I'm from Southport, by Liverpool, and rapper iKashFlo is from Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Name of band:

Ambrose Chappel and the Infamous iKashFlo.

How would you describe yourselves?

Funky hip hop fused with house and electro.

Who are your main influences musically?

My influences are Mr Oizo and German producer Siriusmo.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Just to make people dance and be happy and to be recognised.

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

Playing Proud Camden a club in Camden Town London, also being interviewed on BBC Radio merseyside, where Dave Monks said we "have a distinctive sound and had made an impact on the Liverpool music scene".

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

None so far.......

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

The song "Pick it up" is one of my personal favourites as it has our signature bounce. Although the track "Freak" is special as its the first one I sang on which completely changed things for our sound. When I'm producing a track the keyword is "BOUNCE"

Where can we listen to it?

http://soundcloud.com/ambrose-chappel

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.facebook.com/pages/Ambrose-Chappel/505331279590107

twitter.com/ambrose_chappel

Blizzard shares Kids Of The Night

UK underground starley Blizzard has shared his new track Kids Of The Night, taken from his Testing The Water EP out on March 30th.

Produced by Dukes Avenue, the track has already received airplay from Radio 1 Xtra and you can listen to it below.

For more on Blizzard, visit twitter.com/iamblizzard or facebook.com/blizzarddubs

SoulKing Q&A

Your name: 

My name is Johan Dahnberg, but from time to time I perform under the name DJ SoulKing.

Where are you from? 

I'm from Falkenberg, Halland, Sweden.

Name of band: 

SoulKing.

Who else is in your band? 

You find BenBolt and SadArms here as well, also known as Lars Hillerström and Björn Karlsson. But, if you look deeper you'll find more important folks in the band, more or less regular. Raymond Aguilera, Blind Pony Ricards, Da Happy Toasta, ScratchCat, Harold Easy and many more. We are family.

How would you describe yourselves? 

Very nice people. Happy and curious. Without limitations if you speak music. We let our music take the way it like to go. So, the result is very diverse. Smooth pop, jazzy things, German beer-drinking music, gay house, pub music, electro and so one. Cool to make; but perhaps hard to wrap in a parcel for the market.

Who are your main influences musically? 

French -00 music like Cassius, Daft Punk and St Germain, and of course Kraftwerk and also we must mention the British big beat movement with Fatboy Slim and Chemical Bros, even if they are not the coolest inspirations to out in 2013. But it's true. And we have a deep interest for film scores and soft jazz, old school hip hop and 80:s pop and Italio Disco. And progressive 70:s acts like Pink Floyd and Gentle Giant. So. Yeah. Diverse.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

It would be lovely to make a living out of it. For me I'm happy when I am in the studio. So, money, yes, would be nice. But no luxury over the top fame income. But more goals? A massive radio hit would be nice. And a club hit. I love when people enjoy my creations. And I can speak for all of us when I say, that we would LOVE to make music for a movie. Definitely.

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

Oh, we had a lot of attention in our early phase, when PPQ and Tricatel released our music; the feeling when our first 7" single arrived from London was hard to beat. When SoulKing was performing our Astrid Lindgren show live in the presence of Astrid's daughter (and got a brilliant review in the newspaper for it) was another kick. But, all the moments in the studio when it all got perfect, that is what matters most.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

In fact it must be our own lack of drive to take care of the small success we had. Of course we should have took a plane to London and Paris when we were hot there, not just waiting for someone to call for us. But, that is who we are. Make us entrepreneurs, and the SoulKing spirit might disappear.

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

Yeah, thank you for asking after the upper description of our music... Well, then I must choose Get To Me from our latest release Just One Of Those Summer Days In The Life Of A Swedish King of Soul. It contains our slow disco beat, our basic instruments Roland Juno 60 and TR 707, and is a typical vocal chorus without verse, I guess that is SoulKing song writing in a nutshell ...! Lovely tune, by the way.

Where can we listen to it? 

https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/get-to-me/id704644395?i=704644478

http://open.spotify.com/track/6OPuI0uZ7yI9EaovHAzQqG

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Try facebook.com/soulkingfalkenberg and you cover most. And our record label White Line Recordings has useful info at facebook.com/whitelinerecordings. We try not to tweet or instagram. As I said, SoulKing is a bad, bad entrepreneur.

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

I love talking about SoulKing, so it's sad there are no more questions. More to add? Well, SoulKing recorded like a 100 tunes between 1999 and 2005 and after that we basically been wondering what to do of our production. White Line Recordings releasing our material is brilliant. And we have made ourselves two promises: To record again, and to perform live with our most club fit material. Good? Yeah!