Chris Flaskas Q&A

Your name:

Chris Flaskas.

Where are you from?

Born and bred on the famous Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Who else is in your live band?

I have been predominately been a solo multi-instrumentalist for some time now but as of late have finally formed a small band. I use a drummer trained in Middle Eastern percussion, and switch between a bassist and a lead guitarist. I play guitars, didgeridoos, harmonica and do vocals. 

How would you describe your sound?

I have branded my sound as "Earth Rock" which is a colourful mixture of roots, indie, rock, blues and folk. We have been described to be extremely uplifting, upbeat, funky and powerful with a touch of tribal spirit. 

Who are your main influences musically?

My Dad has probably been my biggest hero and inspiration. Since I was a grommet he's been gigging with many different bands. I also dig Xavier Rudd, John Butler, Ash Grunwald - actually theres too many to list. I'm really influenced by many genres and artists. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

My goal is to travel abroad globally playing shows, sharing my music's message and to becoming recognised as a key Australian singer-songwriter talent in the industry for my compositions. 

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

Wow there have been so many highlights. I get a huge buzz off playing to big crowds. Some happy memories: 

1. Fans coming up and expressing how much my music has touched there heart and changed their life. 

2. Playing MainStage at local festivals. 

3. Supporting The Black Sorrows, Ash Grunwald, Wild Marmalade w/ Paul George from Tijuana Cartel, Kooyeh and many other Artists I love. 

4. Recording my first Album (A NEW SUN), my E.P (When The Gold Is Gone) and finally my latest Single release (Kings Of High). 

5. Touring. I love it.  

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

My capo exploding at an intimate show and the parts shooting in people’s faces. Haha funny, but not funny.  

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

Ohh Maybe "When The Gold Is Gone". It’s tribal raw roots, what I love and do best. 

Where can we listen to it? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvLOj8M3Zlg

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.chrisflaskas.com

https://www.facebook.com/ChrisFlaskasMusic/

https://twitter.com/flaskas_chris

https://soundcloud.com/chris-flaskas

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

Music has become more than an self-expression for me it’s become a way of living and viewing life. Each and every song is so special capturing a snippet of time in the past or future at that very moment it was created. I have come to see the importance for music in our world and am grateful as an emerging artist to understand this truth and share the heart of music with you all. Cheers for the recognition.  

Album coming from Gaunt Story

GAUNT Story will release new album Nothing Holds You Like A Song on April 27th.

It is the third album by multi-instrumentalist Rob Ashworth and the first international release under fledgling label Leise Laute Records.

You can listen to the single Seas Of Life - out now - below and for more on the artist visit facebook.com/gauntstory

Static In Verona Q&A

Your name:

Rob Merz.

Where are you from:

Chicago, IL.

Name of band: 

Static in Verona.

Who else is in your band?  

I do everything in the band - from playing all the instruments and singing to producing, mixing and mastering all the recordings. I even do all the album art, web design and promotion. After being in several bands, it’s nice to not have a committee telling you what to do.

How would you describe yourself?

A recent review very eloquently described it as: “Dreamy power pop weaving around an eclectic mixture of experimental, electronic and rock, as sound bursts with creativity and intrigue.” 

The music I strive to make is always based around catchy pop songs, but with elements of experimental, electronic and ambience surrounding them. I love strong harmonies and melodies, but also love a wall of sound.

Who are your main influences musically?

I listen to many types of music (rock, pop, jazz, classical) and I like to think I draw influence from all of it. I love artists like Beck who can really do any genre of music, but ultimately it still sounds like a Beck song.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

To get as many people to hear my music as possible by any means necessary. Whether they buy it, stream it, burn it or download it. I just love people listening to it.

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

My latest album, Everything You Knew Before You Knew Everything took over four years to record and I went through a lot during it (my parents separated, my children were born, I moved to a different town). There were times where I thought I would never finish it. I was suffering from some writer’s block, so I created it in a somewhat unique way where I recorded all the music first and then I’d listen to it over and over again (in the car, at home, etc.) and write lyrics in small doses when something hit me. So basically I wrote 13 songs at the same time (which is about as productive as it sounds). After several years of this, I got really used to hearing the songs as instrumentals and was worried about messing them up with lyrics and vocals. But when I finally sang on that first song, it was very liberating. Kind of like that first time you drive a car by yourself. After that, the rest of the songs took shape and I was really excited about finishing the album. It finally came out earlier this year.

So I would say the highlight so far was not only finishing and releasing the album, but the amazing reception it has received. It’s amazing to know all my hard work paid off in the end.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I really don’t have any regrets about anything musically. I think every bad experience, every bad song or bad show is a learning experience to make you stronger in the end.

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

I always have a hard time picking one song for people to listen to because to understand my sound you really need to hear several songs so they don’t get labeled as just pop or shoegaze or electronic. So I’m gonna cheat and pick two:

Friendly Fires: This was one of the first songs I finished for the album and I released it a year before the entire album was complete on a free teaser EP called “Some Things You Knew” (which is still available on Bandcamp and staticinverona.com). It was a song that I could hear very vividly in my heard but was worried I wouldn’t be able to get the same sound on record. There are 8 or 9 tracks of vocals that intertwine and it was a complete headache to mix but in the end I think it surpassed my original idea. I think it shows my pop sensibility but also has elements of electronic, mixed with the layers of guitar that I love. The album also contains a bonus track with a striped down remix of this song that really showcases some of the subtle nuances buried within.

Black Windows: This was one of the first songs I started for the record, but one of the last ones I finished. It has some of the most personal lyrics I’ve ever written, but it was a long road to get there, with probably 10-15 different drafts. I think it showcases not only my lyrical ability but the different layers of instruments I like use. At one point I think there’s drums, several tracks of vocals, guitars, piano, organ, Rhodes, horns and synths all playing off each other. I’m really proud of this one.

Where can we listen to it?

Friendly Fires: http://staticinverona.bandcamp.com/track/friendly-fires-2

Black Windows: http://staticinverona.bandcamp.com/track/black-windows

You can also hear the Friendly Fires Remix here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARyf8EdGaKk

Where can we find out more about your music?

Website: http://staticinverona.com

Bandcamp: http://staticinverona.bandcamp.com/

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/staticinverona/

U.S. iTunes (also on iTunes in several different countries): https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/everything-you-knew-before/id847888403

Twitter: @staticinverona

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Static-In-Verona/126836710706649

Also the Japanese label ThisTime Records just pressed my album on CD (everywhere else is download only) and there is limited stock available on their site: http://thistimerecords.shop-pro.jp/?pid=78580379

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

I am currently working on a follow-up album tentatively titled “Anyone Anymore” and I am really hoping to cut down the recording time drastically. Hopefully it was be ready to be released in Spring 2015. Whether it will be an EP or a full-length, I’m not sure yet, but either way it will probably be free (or at least pay what you want). I have one song completed and six more with music, not to mention another 3 or 4 b-sides from the last album. The song “Heavy Hands” from it is already on Soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/staticinverona/heavy-hands-rough-mix.

New track from To Be Frank

UK producer To Be Frank has unveiled his new track Shot.

After three EPs in the past year, the Suffolk artist - described elsewhere as "suave electro" - has spent the summer putting the finishing touches to his debut album, due out at the end of the year.

Things have been going well for Frank with performances at Reading and Leeds, and love from BBC Radio 1 and 6Music, including a session at the Maida Vale studios.

But Frank told RealSoundsOK: "Shot was written at a time when I was struggling with a lot of things around me. It's about fighting for your art and giving everything you have despite what people think."

More news on the album is expected soon. In the meantime, have a listen to Shot and find out more about the artist at tobefrankmusic.com

Meresha Q&A

Your name:

Meresha.

Where are you from?

I’m from South Florida, but was born in Warsaw.

How would you describe yourselves?

Musician/alien/vegan | Soon to take over da world :-)

I'm mainly a vocalist, but I do play guitar, piano and drums. I usually write all the words and music on my songs, as well as play all the sounds.

Who are your main influences musically?

About six years ago I got into Paramore and their lead singer Hayley Williams. I travelled almost 20,000 miles to go to their concerts in Chicago, Long Island, Warsaw, Atlantic City and Baltimore. I was hooked. Last week I met the band in person before their show in West Palm Beach. I cried. You can see my video about the meeting on my YouTube page.

Right now I also really like Disclosure, Aphex Twin, Flying Lotus and James Blake.

From the classics I love Freddie Mercury of Queen, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. You can see my live Led Zeppelin covers on my YouTube.

I like eccentric songs of many genres – alternative, electronic, rock, pop, R&B, rap.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I’m going step by step. I want to build a sustainable life as a musician. Right now I'm releasing song by song. I'll probably put out an EP later this year.

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

Probably my debut concert at B.B. King’s at the end of last year. People who supported my crowdfunded EP “Lunatic” were there to hear the songs live for the first time.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

There were a time the gear wasn’t set up right and a live performance was not good. Lesson learned.

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

“Acid Bass” is my current favorite. It's a dance number and uses some original synth equipment. Hope you like it!

Where can we listen to it?

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/meresha/meresha-acid-bass

YouTube (Audio vid): http://youtu.be/zq_QQyKfEwM

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Website: http://www.meresha.com

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/mereshas

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/meresha/id752338410

Instagram: http://instagram.com/mereshas

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mereshas

Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/artist/0z6j3MncRCFuW77JhhPx8b

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mereshas

Bandcamp: http://meresha.bandcamp.com

Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/meresha

Google+: http://plus.google.com/+Meresha

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

You can get a free copy of “Fool Don’t Be” here: http://fooldontbe.viinyl.com

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

Tathagata Ghosh Q&A

Your name:

Tathagata Ghosh. Friends call me Tat.

Where are you from?

Calcutta, India.

Who else is in your band?

Only me. I am a solo musician.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a guitarist. Other than guitar I also play bass, keyboard, drums. All the instruments in the solo albums, I play myself. I don’t like to be restricted in a single genre. Thus my songs vary from genre to genre. The only thing common between them is they are all instrumental guitar music.

Who are your main influences musically?

Obviously instrumental rock music is my first love. All guitarists of G3 are my most favorite. Then I heard Dream Theater. Again more the instrumental progressive music blew me away. I also liked Blues, Jazz and Country music. But that G3 and DT stuck on my head. More recently I came across Post-rock and Electronica music. They made a great impact on my music.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

My music is instrumental. I want my music to speak words without speaking words. I want my music not only to be heard but to be felt. I want my music to be loved.

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

Being able to connect with international audiences through different social sites. Also discovering new music and getting inspired every day.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Being with my previous band. (I am not against bands. In fact I am forming a band right now.)

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

No single song can represent my music, since all my songs are different from one another – in style, genre, sound and techniques. The title track of the album “It’s Not Real” is definitely the best song of the album with respect to techniques. The second album “A LONELY TREE” was totally different from the first album. In this album I emphasized on melody. The song “We’ll Run Away Together” from this album is definitely a good song to listen to.

Where can we listen to it? 

http://tathagataghosh.bandcamp.com/track/its-not-real

https://soundcloud.com/tatgee/well-run-away-together

Where can we find out more about your music? 

Bandcamp:       https://tathagataghosh.bandcamp.com/

Soundcloud:     https://soundcloud.com/tatgee

Myspace:         https://myspace.com/tatgee

Twitter:             https://twitter.com/tatgee_music

MTV:               http://www.mtv.com/artists/tathagata-ghosh-tat/

Youtube:          https://www.youtube.com/user/MrTatgee

Reverbnation:   http://www.reverbnation.com/tathagataghosh

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

Google+           http://google.com/+TathagataGhoshTatgee

Maxime Solemn Q&A

Your name:  

Maxime Solemn.

Where are you from? 

Belgium.

How would you describe yourself? 

I'm a solo artist focusing on metalcore. I play the guitar, piano, bass, violin and I do the screams/vocals as well. When it comes to visual appearance, I'm mostly inspired by the Japanese rock scene (visual kei and such). 

Who are your main influences musically?

I've got lots of different influences for every instrument I play or write lines for. When it comes to vocals, I've always admired Tim Lambesis' work (that's a pretty controversial topic right now though). As for the guitar, I'm a huge Galneryus/Syu fan. I also love Hans Zimmer's compositions and that kind of writing will be prominent in my next releases.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I've got both individualistic goals, as well as goals towards others. Hearing from someone that my music inspires them or helps them, literally makes my day. But of course, I have some personal goals as well... I'd love to tour Japan one day! 

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

There were two things that really touched me. The first being the fact that I became "Band of the Week" on CrescendoTV. That felt amazing. The second one was getting fan art... It's not really a highlight when it comes to success or anything, but to me, getting a gift from someone because they like your work is the best feeling in the world.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

There's no moment I want to forget. Every moment of my musical career defines me as an artist and as a human being. Bad moments make you stronger and wiser, whereas good moments are extremely motivational.

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

That's a really tough one! I've got new songs in the works that represent me much better, haha! If I can use unreleased songs; Scorched Wings. If I can only use what I have released so far; Take The Hits

Where can we listen to it?

https://www.youtube.com/user/0SolemnJudgment0/videos 

I uploaded every song of mine to my YouTube channel. They're available on Spotify, iTunes and Amazon as well. 

Where can we find out more about your music? 

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

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MaximeSolemn

Official Site: https://www.maximesolemn.com 

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

Look out for my future releases! I can promise right here, right now, that it's going to be amazing. I'll be focusing way more on the melodic aspect and the choruses will be filled with huge touching violin melodies!

Goddess Q&A

Your name:

Ben Gibbs.

Where are you from?

Marion, North Carolina, USA.

Name of band: 

Goddess.

Who else is in your band?

I am the sole singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. I'm currently putting a band together for live performances as until this point I have just been a studio project.

How would you describe yourselves?

Goddess has a sound that blurs the line between beauty and sadness. Most of my songs come from a pretty lonely place. Lyrically, they're pretty intelligent and usually have some sort of mystical undertones to them. It's a perfect mix of jazz, pop, and folk.

Who are your main influences musically?

As a kid, I was obsessed with Elvis. Jumpsuit era Elvis. My influences are pretty varied. I listened to Elton John only for awhile as an early teenager, then as a late teen I only listened to The Who. Then I really got into everyone from Stan Getz to Todd Rundgren to Sun Ra to Chic. I can listen to my music sometimes and say to myself "Ahh, I know where you got that from", even though Goddess doesn't really sound like anyone who influenced me.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

All I really hope to achieve is to write and record songs as they are presented to me. I just think that good songs are already out there in the ether's, and they will make themselves known to people and its their job to accurately represent them. I want to keep making albums and doing some live shows and making people smile for a short time. I would really like to do a few tours in Europe.

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

I've never really had commercial success or anything like that, but living in New York was probably the highlight of my career. I played drums in band up there, and we played all over the city, and were a part of some really amazing things. Especially to a kid from a small, hick town. New York also completely broke my heart and sent me into a totally new dimension in my life and began writing my own songs when I got back to North Carolina. But I really walked around in a complete state of heartbreak for several years afterward and I think people can hear that in my music. I know I can.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Never really wanted to forget anything, but once I was playing a show and a fight broke out and my friend got punched and got his skull fractured, went into a coma and was in ICU for 5 days. Eventually he made a full recovery but I have always resented the fact it happened. It made me hate alcohol, really.

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

That's a tough one. I would probably say a song from the first record called "A Life Ain't A Life". It says 'a life ain't a life without another life in your life, we all need someone to wait by the window'. It sounds like a very depressed song about being lonely, and it is, but it's actually about how suicide rates go up around Christmas time because the way big corporations market products and the whole 'holiday' mood. And it's totally phony. People are told how they need this or that or to have people around but they actually don't. It's okay to be alone. The subtle line in the song says "I need a lover to hold, because that's what I was told", that's the line that signifies a manipulation.

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/goddess-8/a-life-aint-a-life

Where can we find out more about your music?

You can go to my official page at www.beholdgoddess.com. Also, you can follow me on twitter: @Goddess_music

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

If you like my music, share it!

Isotherme Q&A

Your name:

Jeffrey Kirn.

Where are you from?

New York, USA.

Name of band:

Isotherme.

Who else is in your band? 

Just me, though I sometimes collaborate with other musicians.

How would you describe yourself?

Composer/guitarist/keyboardist working in a primarily electronic medium. I like to use ambient electronic as a starting point, but also mix in a collage of sounds, textures, jazz and classical harmonies and field recordings.

Who are your main influences musically?

Thelonious Monk, Pink Floyd, Genesis, King Crimson, Aphex Twin, Brian Eno, Piano Magic, Miles Davis.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I wish to be recognized as a thoughtful and creative composer. Not looking for riches or fame. Would love to be able to sustain myself financially through composing/recording and film music, but in reality, that's a very tough thing to achieve. Having fun with all of it, though. 

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

Any time someone tells me that music I wrote made them cry or gave goosebumps. Also, I see my music as a sort that takes listeners on a journey. When someone tells me that they felt and enjoyed that journey, I feel I've succeeded.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Acoustic gig in NY in 1995.  Small stage. I stood under the heater for two hours with hot air blowing on my 12-string acoustic, knocking it out of tune repeatedly. Bartender made me pay for the "free" beer because it sounded so awful.

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

Angle of Isolation. It is a composition with references to earth science and geometry, but it is a sound collage that's really about love. The "angle of isolation" is the angle which our arms form when embracing someone. I feel this piece displays my use of melodic textures, creating atmospheres and communicating through sound, as well as notes and chords.

Where can we listen to it? 

https://soundcloud.com/isotherme/angle-of-isolation

Where can we find out more about your music?

https://soundcloud.com/isotherme

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

I'm very thankful to Greg for the opportunity to particpate!

Debut headline show for To Be Frank

TO Be Frank has been making a few waves over the last few months and he has now announced his first headline show.

He will play at Basement, The London Edition, on Monday, December 2, and follows hot on the heels of the release of his EP Half The Man.

Frank said: "I had the opportunity to perform at some amazing places so far this year, but this is the one where I really get to put on a show. I can't wait."

Those amazing places include UK festivals Reading & Leeds, Wilderness and Latitude. He has also already been announced on the line up for next year's SXSW.

The London show is free entry, but you need to register and apply for tickets online - clicky here.

For more on the artist, visit www.tobefrankmusic.com