Falcon Down Q&A

Your name: 

Daniel Childerley.

Where are you from? 

Devon, UK.

Name of band: 

Falcon Down.

  

How would you describe yourself and your music? 

I'm primarily a songwriter. I see myself as a songsmith, lyricist, guitarist and singer in that order. 

Who are your main influences musically? 

Honestly, in the same breath I like to listen to Lionel Richie, Alice in Chains, Weezer, The Police and the Beastie Boys but very few DJs have these artists on rotation slots. Too many other artists to list as I have a very eclectic taste but most nineties grunge bands had a big influence on me.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

I have always hoped to write music that is either going to get under peoples skin and get them connecting with my brand or to land a licensing deal, no matter how big I would like some recognition for my songwriting and I feel that these two outcomes would be a sign of validation for my work. 

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

Starting out as Falcon Down back at the beginning of 2014. Up until that point I had lost direction and lost more songs than I care to count. This focussed approach and adopted persona is empowering me to write authentic music, undiluted and free of heavy production. Having Stuart Epps give high praise on my track 'Flame' was also an added bonus. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

The way 'The Llamas' ended. Bad times for me musically and I fell out of love with ska music for a while. 

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

My track Blink Blink from my latest album. It's the best side of me, not too heavy or reflective and not another love song. 

Where can we listen to it? 

www.falcondown.com/mayday-mayday-pt-1-album-review

Where can we find out more about your music?

Twitter @falcon_dan

www.falcondown.com

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/mayday-mayday-pt.-1/id989958339

My first 3 full length albums, 2 EP's and Christmas single can all be found on iTunes. 

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

I really enjoy writing albums and Mayday Mayday, Pt 1 is the first instalment from the larger trilogy album titled Venez M'Aider, it will be out around Christmas time. 

I made a plan from the outset as Falcon Down that I would be forward thinking, I am on track and 2016 will see the launch of my album 'Guardians of the Analogue'. I will not be pigeon-holed into a set genre, I appreciate that this won't please everyone but I'm not about pleasing everyone. Staying true to my vision and the cross genre songs that I write is key to keeping my identity.
I don't and won't  play covers as I will not piggy back off the success of others. I remain a fan of the old school approach to making music and prefer to master pre 2006 "no one wins a loudness war". Here's hoping that some of my work grabs you and coining those famous words from Aliens "stay frosty". 

Captain A & The Commercial Monsters Q&A

Your name:

Eoghan / Captain A.

Where are you from?

North West Ireland. Donegal to be precise. It's the same rocks that make up the Scottish Highlands. It's coastal and rugged postcard Ireland.

Name of band: 

Captain A & The Commercial Monsters.

Who else is in your band?

Well I'm addicted to collaboration so there have been about 20 or 30 people through the doors over the years. I basically just borrow people from other bands so we play with different line-ups all the time. The live band right now is, with the band I'm stealing them from: Rohan on bass (Velvet Alibi), Neil on keys (Comrade Hat), Orlaith on clarinet/vox/sax (Calamity Gin), Mike on drums (The Poxmen), Fionn on guitar (The Caledonia Highly Strung Orchestra).  

How would you describe yourselves?

Oh dear, I've made about 10 albums over past ten years. I like to change genre every record. There was Asian folk, Irish folk, electric things but i suppose the main thing I do is big collaboration. The 'Dreams' record I'd say is melodic, psychedelic, experimental, layered megapop. Live we really go for the traditional band thing, big noise, lots of wig outs and harmonies and crescendos and things. 

Who are your main influences musically?

The past few years I'd say Bowie, various prog, lots of soundtrack music. My voice is in the range of Cohen and I often come back to 'I'm Your Man' when I need a kick as it was big record to me as a teen. I'm happy with noise as I am with lyrics, melody is everything though. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Exactly what I'm doing right now. Being surrounded by great musicians and making lots of sounds. More live shows would be nice. 

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

There is nothing I like more than when at the end of a gig, you can feel a buzz in the room that didn't exist before the tunes began. People are up, chatting, glowing. I think that might be what it's for. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Bad sound, lost in translation. Not good for gig goers or bands either. 

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

I'd pick something from the 'Dreams' record - it's not out yet though. From that record I've come to see 'Friday Night Amazing Light' as getting closest to what I'm trying to do on record. I barely play on it myself, I just kept instigating people to do their own thing and one morning I just woke up and this beautiful thing had emerged. Right now, only 'Richer' is public - it definitely represents the Dreams album - changing the instruments a few times in the tune without losing it, very lush sounds, collaboration, more than one singer, a bit trippy and honest. 

Where can we listen to it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGc_1O_e9ZY

Where can we find out more about your music?

Website:  www.captainaandthecommercialmonsters.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Captain-A-The-Commercial-Monsters/164274777611?ref=bookmarks

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

Place all of your negative thoughts into a tuna sandwich, hand feed it to a crow.

Carlos Wilde Q&A

Your name:

Carlos Wilde.

Where are you from?

If home is where the heart is – the answer is Ireland.

How would you describe yourself and your music?

An eclectic and versatile singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composing in a wide range of music genres.

Who are your main influences musically?

I tend to listen to most genres since I firmly believe that great exponents can be found in each and every one of them. Rock, pop, soul and many more (the list is endless) have given us many delightful moments. My own path reflects all this.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

To enjoy my eternal love affair with it.

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

To have been able to survive so far, in a difficult, changing world remaining faithful to my principles.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying, you’re not doing anything. I’m a doer – so, no regrets

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

I couldn’t possibly answer that question.

Where can we find out more about your music? 

http://carloswilde.bandcamp.com

http://www.reverbnation.com/carloswilde

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

https://www.facebook.com/CarlosWilde.Music

https://soundcloud.com/carlos-wilde

https://twitter.com/carlos_wilde

http://www.fandalism.com/cwilde

https://plus.google.com/+CarlosWilde/about

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/carlos-wilde/a5/a19/909

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

Just want to say thank you. Your willingness to give my music some exposure through your blog and Twitter feed is truly appreciated. Best of luck with your projects.

Free To Grow Q&A

Your name:

Jeff Patch.

Where are you from?

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Name of band: 

Free To Grow.

Who else is in your band?

Amanda L. Moss, Dick Violette, Alex Tattersall, Joeseph Bonnell, Catherine LeBlanc, Susan Thompson and Justine Koroscil.

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

A mix of folk, rock, progressive, and East Coast in a classic rock blender.

Who are your main influences musically?

Just to name a few…Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Stan Rogers, Tori Amos, Thom Yorke, Janis Joplin, Maynard James Keenan, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, RHCP, Clapton, America, CSNY, Jim Croce.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

World domination.

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

The release of our debut album that precipitated:

a) A live album release show last November where we played to an appreciative and enthusiastic packed crowd.

b) Getting a number of positive reviews of our recorded music shortly after release.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Probably, when at a family oriented festival gig, I accidentally referred to Joe (lead guitar player) as Dick (bass player). Someone else said don’t you know the people in the band? I answered yes, I was just thinking about Dick and had Dick on the brain. There ensued an awkward silence amongst band members and the crowd.

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

That is tough given our eclectic style

Folk rock – Fiddlehead

Rootsy blues rock – Wash The Dishes

Folk/East Coast – Angel in the Snow

Progressive – Imperfection and/or Icestorm

Where can we listen to it?

All those tunes can be streamed at Bandcamp, with an option to purchase ;)

http://freetogrow.bandcamp.com

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Official Site: http://freetogrowband.ca

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/freetogrowband

Instagram: https://instagram.com/free_to_grow_band/

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/free-to-grow/id927162156?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

but note that we get more of what you pay if you purchase to support us on Bandcamp

http://freetogrow.bandcamp.com

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

Contact us at about whatever you want at freetogrow2013@gmail.com

Eternal Fox Q&A

Your name: 

Michael Fox.

Where are you from?

Hailing all the way from Oxford.

Artist name:

Eternal Fox.

How would you describe yourselves and your music? 

I think me and my music surprise each other because it changes genre from time to time because I feel like if I kept releasing the same sound people would get bored as well as myself. Also the music mainly a way to express myself in a weird and wonderful way. I also think now that I've changed my artist name away from Mikeey I can really stick to my roots and remember to be myself and have a fresh clean start!

Who are your main influences musically?

I have so many inspirations in the music industry, but when doing pop my inspirations come from Marina and the Diamonds, Shamir Bailey and Sia. In an indie sense of influence Lana Del Rey, Gabriella Cilmi, Clare Maguire and Tom O'dell. In a rock genre my major influences are Marilyn Manson, Against Me! and Placebo. My rap influences are Kanye West, ASAP ROCKY, Azealia Banks, DEV and Brooke Candy.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I just want to release music and occasionally make enough money from it to make videos and more music and that's all I want.

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

My highlight must have been being able to feature in a music video by Candy Says. I think this is my main highlight because it's getting my face out there and I can always look back on it to keep me rooted and stay true to myself.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I want to forget all these name changes and old music which I really never connected to.

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

Well in fact I actually haven't released any music under this name yet but if I have to choose a song it would be "Model, Maybe Actor".

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/iammikeey/model-maybe-actor

Where can we find out more about your music?

My main archive is Twitter follow me there www.twitter.com/@mikeey_fox

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

Keep an eye out for the new music under my refreshed name and prepare for the ride!

Pal Zoltan Illes Q&A

Your name: 

Pal Zoltan Illes.

Where are you from?

Budapest, Hungary.

Name of band:

pZi - Pal Zoltan Illes.

How would you describe yourself?

A multi-genre instrumental composer and producer on a personal crusade for instrumental music, and through his sounds on a crusade for higher morality, culture and the improvement of personal awareness by inspiring through story-telling in the purest language of music. You can expect a high variety in my music, which ranges from classical soundtrack music through electronica, chill, ethnic fusion to dnb and electronic poprock. Always melodic, clear, sometimes complex, sometimes simpler. My focus is to create somehow unique compositions forging from different traditions of music, telling stories, drawing diverse internal panoramas for the listener. 

Also I'm creating as many impulsive and effective videos for my music as possible, to further the expressive value of the instrumental tracks. I'm a highly social man who's very much interested in the reactions and feedback of the listeners, fans and fellow musicians about my music, and always ready to further the cause of similarly minded musicians and artistic, cultural causes.

Who are your main influences musically?

Jeremy Soule, Beethoven, Brahms, Vangelis, Vibrasphere, Inon Zur, Megadeth, The Sentenced, Iron Maiden, Front Line Assembly, Mike Oldfield.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I'm aspiring to reach out for those who still prefer instrumental music and who love to hear stories unfolding through musical non-vocal means. Aspiring to provide a musical flag for the listeners to carry moral and cultural causes along the road. Aspiring to give his own share in keeping the cultural value of modern music in diversity, starting with strong roots in traditions and blending with new ideas, new currents from the big swirling pool of contemporary music. Intending to be a secure island of instrumental music paradise, continuously providing high value, culturally and humanly meaningful content, let it be music or videos for his music. In my opinion, a more educated, morally and culturally advanced society can be the only way to further evolve humanity.

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

The road I tread on is full of highlights for me, all and any of the positive feedback from any listener, fan or fellow artist who was moved or inspired by my music, let it be arriving to me on any media. My biggest highlight was receiving warm and very positive comments from seasoned composers or musicians whose words I highly appreciate as they themselves are bringing enormous cultural surplus to our sometimes starving world, which act of them is the biggest achievement I can imagine in a musician's life. This is what brings me forward to hone my skills, compose and produce new music and to try to reach out for even more listeners and at the same time to get to know more of those cultural treasures created by other artists.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Any failure or not so perfect step brought me to where I stand now, and all of those remind me of how I arrived here and why I should move forward. None of those moments I'd want to forget.

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

Ode To Hope - a classical/electronica cross-genre fusion track. It represents two of the strongest worlds I incorporate most often into my music: intensively composed, suggestive classical like music against modern popular elements of electronica and poprock with a positive, humanly clear message.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/pal_zoltan_illes/pzi-ode-to-hope-classicalelectronic

Where can we find out more about your music?

Official site: http://www.p-z-i.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/illespal

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

spotify: https://play.spotify.com/artist/65G8CunMcyAjK10qqSGjk3

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/pal-zoltan-illes/id842751023

GoogleMusic: https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/Pal_Zoltan_Illes?id=Acuqyzle3zn6rd3z7nadsctihly

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B00J2IPGQE?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Pal%20Zoltan%20Illes&index=digital-music&search-type=ss

BandCamp: http://palzoltanilles.bandcamp.com/

reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/palzoltanilles

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

I'd like to give a personal shout-out for some of my fellow artists in no particular order: Gregory Blank, Massimo Ghianda, Almark, The Synesthesis, Dragon Rose, Foreign Technology, Jill Beaulieu. Also want to thank for the continuous support in no particular order: Evil Blacksheep, Zira, Kenny Darkreine, Sam Jones, Andy Museboat, Regina Horst, Steve Ness, 

Also here's a few playlists with a selection of my different genre tracks, you might want to consider to add:
https://soundcloud.com/pal_zoltan_illes/sets/compilation