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Ron Howard to direct a documentary about Luciano Pavarotti

Two-time Academy award winning filmmaker Ron Howard will be directing a documentary about the late Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti.

Currently, the film has no final name and the release date has not been announced. Ron Howard’s production company Imagine Entertainment will be on of the production companies that will produce the film. The film will be written by Mark Monroe who won in 2010 the Writers Guild of America Award for the screenplay he did for The Cove (2009).

 

 

 

Interview: JJasmine

Having struck a strong chord with their fans JJasmine seem to be adding to the world of music with every key they use.

With their powerful single Demitasse released. JJasmine joined us for an interview to talk about music and culture.

Hi, how are you guys?

We’re super excited and happy. Thank you for having us!

So how did JJASMINE form?

In the autumn of 2016, Adnan came across an advertisement of a music competition that has “peace” as the main theme. He wanted to participate, but didn’t know where to start. He asked some musician friends in Jordan if they’d be up to write a song for the competition. A couple of sessions took place, but things didn’t work as planned and he was left alone again. Adnan thought he’d abandon the idea, but decided to give it one last chance, so he made a post on a Facebook group for musicians in Berlin asking if anyone wants to write a song online. Jill was one of the people who responded and they immediately had the perfect chemistry. Giacomo and Michel joined on board and we all collaborated on everything from lyrics to the video. We submitted the song 9 minutes before the deadline and won the competition later on. Since then, JJASMINE turned from a one-song collaboration to a much more serious project.

How did you come up with the name JJASMINE?

It was hard to come up with a name in two weeks, especially that we’d just met at the time and didn’t really know each other that well. We wanted something minimal yet powerful. “Jasmine” was initially suggested, inspired by the nostalgia and memories that pop up in every Syrian’s head when you ask what they miss the most. If you ask a displaced Syrian about what they miss, they’ll most certainly answer “the smell of jasmine”. Jill and Giacomo suggested that the name would look better and more original if we’d add an extra J at the beginning. We all agreed and loved the way it sounds and looks!

How did Demitasse come about and what’s the meaning behind it?

“Demitasse” was originally a little poem written in Arabic by Adnan back in 2011, when he first moved to Jordan. The poem is narrated from a refugee’s perspective and features many cultural references to the Levant region, like demitasse reading, which is a fortune telling tradition that evolved in Turkey and was very common in Syria among the elderly. The refugee speaks to their long lost grandmother and ask her to predict the future, hoping it’s a bright one.
Adnan translated the lyrics to English and sent them to Jill, who rearranged them to fit within the music that was mainly proposed by Giacomo. The older version of the song was so much different than the final product. We all composed Demitasse, recorded, mixed and mastered it. Using tons of emails, messages and Skype sessions.

Are you looking to make more music like Demitasse or is this one off?

We’re working on our debut album at the moment. We don’t think much about how the song will turn out while writing. We just go in the studio and start brainstorming! We don’t feel the pressure to fall under one sound or vibe. We love to experiment and try new instruments. Concept wise, we’re going more personal. The new songs tell our stories, or stories that happened with our close friends.

Describe your music in one word

Spontaneous

Describe yourselves in one word

Adventurers

What is your definition of culture?

To us, culture is an identity that’s based on one’s experiences in life. Unlike the common definition of it, culture is a very personal trait to us. And we express it the way we find best. For example, our own personal cultural behaviors may differ from those that surround us, or the places we come from. And by cultural behaviors we mean the things we do to define who we really are, whether they’re actions, sounds, images or words. And here comes our anti-stereotype attitude towards people who classify others based on where they come from and what “culture” is practiced there.

To find out more about JJasmine follow their Facebook here.

Listen Different: June 2017

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With the beautiful and warm weather the month of June is bringing us it is important for us to bring you great music that will make it just that much better.

Here are some songs we have selected for our Listen Different for the month of June.

Arman Cekin – Under My Fingers (ft. RONIA)

This new coloration between artists Arman Cekin and RONIA is a must listen for those that love some good trap music. Smooth bass mixed with stunning vocals, just what you need for a good summer’s day.

Oliver Tree – Welcome To LA

This uplifting song with great lyrics by Oliver Tree is perfect for those that love something different for their music playlists.

Cheat Codes & Cade – Stay With You

This stunningly produced song with warm vocals is for those that love a good electronic track with a great drop and flow throughout it.

Best Friend – Full Colour

Who doesn’t love a bit of chill hip-hop beats? This track is perfect for those want to chill out and relax in the sun or even vice versa to those that are studying over the summer. Great mix and production by Best Friend.

Ben Maxwell – Right Now feat. Aviella

If you are in love with music that has the summer vibe you want. This song by Ben Maxwell and Aviella is just the one for you.

Olsen – The Zone

If you are in love with dance music Olsen’s ‘The Zone’ is a perfect track for you. Deep kicks and bass supported by smooth vocals is a pure house track for those that love a bit of dance music in the summer.

Moglii – Fantasy (feat. Novaa)

If you love great vocals mixed with some amazing electronic music then this one is for you. ‘Fantasy’ by Moglii is a great track mixing vocals and electronic synths, that make you listen to it on repeat time and time again.

Foresteater – Very Friendly People

If you like great bands Foresteater is just for you. Their latest song ‘Very Friendly People’ includes great vocals and production, making them a band to follow.

Otzeki – True Love

‘True Love’ by Otzeki is a pure indie electro track that will keep wanting for more. Great production supported by great vocals makes this track a one for the playlists.

Piano Club – Esther feat. Lylou

If you want something to throw you back a couple of decades with a great vibe Piano Club’s ‘Esther’ is just the song for you. It features great vocals by Lylou, that will for sure make you added into your playlists.

VIRA – Death Song

If you like something different from the usual commercial summer vibe music VIRA’s death song is the one for you. This song has lovely vocals supported by nice production. It really talks for itself.

Interview: Emilia Ali

Emilia Ali and Dwilly have released a new stunning single.

With their music careers going up and up the two collaborated on a new single ‘Dreamland’. Emilia Ali joined us for an interview to talk about the music and culture.

Hi, how are you?

Chillin b how are you!

So, how did the song come about?

Dreamland is a spontaneous track that my friends dwilly and Jake Torrey cooked up a couple months ago. Originally I’d offered to help sing a demo for them to pitch to a bigger artist but as soon as I heard the track I vibed it too much to let it go. I found inspiration from that feeling you get when you have such a strong chemistry/spark with someone that you start to prefer your reality with them over the fantasies/world you’ve created in your dreams.

Do you have influences that influenced you to adapt the style you of music you make?

Absolutely. My first and biggest influence is my mama, Barbara Kessler. Everything she sings, she feels with so much emotion behind it and I hope to emanate that as gracefully as she does someday. My favorite music ranges from artists like Daughter and The Weepies to J cole, HOMESHAKE and Petit biscuit… I love picking my favorite pieces from genres and throwing them together in a new way, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I love it.

What are your goals for 2017?

My goals for 2017 are to keep making and sharing music with new people and to eat less donuts

Describe yourselves in one word.

Grateful

Describe your music in one word.

Intimate

If you could give any advice to an aspiring musician what would it be?

There will always be someone who’s “better” than you, and that is such a beautiful thing. As long as there are people above you, there is something to learn. Surround yourself with people you admire and let other people’s light inspire you

To find out more about Emilia Ali follow her Facebook here.

David Starfire back with new remixes

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David Starfire latest ‘Karuna remixes Vol.1’ will be released on 6th on June.

With good music coming out of David Starfire recently he is back again with another release, this time a remix album named ‘Karuna remixes Vol.1’. The remixes will be focusing on the last year’s critically claimed album ‘Karuna’ music.

Some names that have remixed the original album are AMB, Soulacybin, Rorschack and Morrilo.

Here are the list of remixes:

  • David Starfire – Qilin (ft. Len Pong) (AMB Remix)
  • David Starfire – Osi(ft. HÄANA)(Soulacybin Remix)
  • David Starfire – Khong (ft. Govinda & Jamie Janover) (Rorschack Remix)
  • David Starfire – Y’wa (ft. Chi Suwichan & Len Pong) (Morillo Remix)

Interview: DJ Rush

Described my many as a pioneer and a legend in the world of Techno music, DJ Rush is one of the most exciting DJ’s in the techno world today.

With his career going strong as ever, DJ Rush joined us for an interview to talk about music and culture.

Hi, how are you?

A big Hello to you, by the way all is good another day to feel blessed.

So, what made you go into DJing?

I remember back in the early 70’s hearing the disc jockeys on the radio playing music that would make my family happy and people on the block(streets) dancing and singing. I said to myself I would like to play music myself, because it just felt right and to see how you could make people happy with music. From that point on I knew one day I would be playing music that will make people happy, but I started off wanting to make my family happy and sing, because we had such a very large family and we all lived together and music was played in our house almost every day.

How did you come up with the name DJ Rush?

I was inspired by this dj back in the 80’s, his was DJ R and he would play the most amazing music. I would follow my sister to this club just to hear this DJ play, so I decided ill call myself DJ R out of fun, because I am a JR. since my father and I have the same name, so I decided why not use D in front, because I am an expiring DJ, but I knew I couldn’t take some one else name, so I decided to say DJ reckless because I was also into doing tricks and scratches (we all went through that phase becoming dj’s). Later when I was in high school a dj friend said hey man you always in a rush, your name should be Rush, and from that point on in 1985 my name has been DJ RUSH.

What is your source of inspiration when making music?

My source for making music comes from everyday life, I can be inspired by all types of events that is happening, even this interview can inspire me to make something. I like to make music that makes me happy and when I’m happy I can make people around me happy. When you hear my music even with vocals, people can laugh, sing alone, and smile, this is how I felt when I heard the music coming from the radio in the 70’s/80’s. Can you close your eyes and imagine being in a club and you hear music that makes you feel so good and some with vocals that make you say OMG, I can relate to that or this is funny that you how to let loose and go crazy.

Outside music do you have a hobby that you like to escape to?

When I am not doing music, I love to spend my time traveling back home to see family and spending most of time with family, it’s not a hobby but it must be said as I am a family man, I believe family comes first and I owe so much to my family. I also like to draw, from females, faces, sketches anything that comes to mind. Since I am older and living in one of the most beautiful countries, I find myself tasting wine and exploring restaurants a lot.

Describe yourself in one word.

There are many words to describe me, but ill say the first thing that comes to  mind.

Generous: reason why, if I can share my my time, experiences, knowledge  and other things with some one then we all can benefit some how.

Describe your music in one word.

My music is Energetic

If you could collaborate with any artist ever dead or alive who would it be and why?

I would love to collaborate with Grace Jones, as I love her style and character, this is the definition of doing your own thing and being who you. Her ideas and talent is so over the top, you feel her passion. I feel I have the same out look.

If you could give any advice for any aspiring musicians out there what would it be?

If you’re going to put you hands into the music business, do for the right reasons, do it for the love and the passion, not for the fame and money this will come later with success and hard work. Find what makes you happy and make a brand around that and show your creative side and follow your own rules, stand out for being you and not for being some one else or what some else is doing. We need more people to stand up and be creative and keep this music scene fresh and moving forward and this is why we need more creative people to take us to the next level. It’s hard to be notice or heard, but if you’re doing for the love of it, then it doesn’t matter, because time and patients comes success. Just be true to yourself and don’t let anyone say you can not do it.

What is your definition of culture?

WOW you can interpret your own definition of this word in so many way and be creative with it. I would say qualities that people bring together to express a level of something to do with Arts and music and build a society within that.

To find out more about DJ Rush you can follow him here on Facebook.

New Baby Driver trailer has been released

With just a few weeks away from the Baby Driver film being released, the film has been given another trailer.

The film has currently bagged great reviews with an amazing 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The films cast includes Lily James, Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Eiza Gonzalez, Jon Bernthal and Ansel Elgort as the main character Babyy. With such great cast, the film is expected to do very well, especially considering the film is directed by Edgar Wright.

Interview: River

New York born musician River is a fresh face in the indie-pop scene, but with his talent it is no doubt he forecasts himself a bright future.

With his debut EP ‘Kayuta’ released, the young and promising River joined us for an interview to talk about his music.

Hi, how are you?

Fantastic! Just watched a thunder storm from my window.

So how did you get into music?

I’ve always loved music, but it wasn’t until a few years ago I gathered the courage to pursue it. Just started writing and producing on my own.

How did you come up with the name River?

It actually came from the Springsteen song “The River”. Which is arguably his best song I think.

How did your song ‘Kids’ come about?

I wrote it about how the future seems so bright and easy when you’re a kid, but as you get older things like money, relationships, and other pressures change your decision making process. The writing was quick for me and then I had an AMAZING producer named Matt (www.mattjamesdougherty.com) take my demo to another level. He really helped nail that wistful, yearning feeling.

Who/what influences your work?

So many things. Other musicians, my relationship, my surroundings. My new EP Kayuta was all inspired my spending time living here on Kayuta Lake in upstate New York and my experiences.

Describe yourself in one word.

Ready.

Describe your music in one word.

Nostalgic.

What is your definition of Culture?

The first thing that came to my head is change. People are always changing, the times change, and along with it culture changes. Each generation creates their own….not exactly a definition!

To find out more about River follow him here on Twitter.

Interview: Danny Starr

Self taught musician Danny Starr is becoming a noticed name in the world of music.

With his latest EP ‘Elixir’ released Danny joined us for an interview to talk about his music.

Hi, how are you?

Heyhey I’m very well thank you!

So, how did you get into music?

I’ve always loved music and it’s always been a huge part of my life. My dad introduced me to Gorillaz, MJ and Amy when I was really young, and every drive we went on, to school or to rugby training, we’d be blaring tunes out. When I was about 7 I started doing MJ dances in the living room when we had big family dinners and I’d be messing around with my dad’s vinyl collection. I only started playing music when I was about 13 after I saw a friend of mine singing ‘Wonderwall’ at a school concert. I went home and asked my mum if I could get guitar lessons, and she told me to teach myself with her old acoustic. So I dug it out of storage and, being left handed, I had to learn it upside down. After a few months I got my hands on my first acoustic and started writing my own tunes from then. My mum’s always been my guinea pig for new songs and she’s never failed to come to a gig.

How did you latest single ‘Elixir’ come about?

After releasing my debut EP ‘Darling’ last September, I got such a good response from it that I was filled with motivation to write more and record more music. I was writing so much that when we hit the studio to record the EP, I came up with a new song on the second day in the studio which ended up on the record. The label I released both EPs with, The Animal Farm, have always been passionate and excited about my writing and that just made the process so fun. I count myself really lucky to have this creative outlet through which I can share my feelings and experiences with people who want to listen.

What are your goals for 2017?

I’d love to have an album out by the end of the year, and even better for that album to be released through getting a record deal. I just wanna keep making music. One of my favourite parts of being a musician and a songwriter is playing live, so another big aim for me for this year is to play more shows outside London, and hopefully sell out a few headline gigs. Playing festival slots is something I’m seriously looking forward to as well.

What is your perfect way of making it big in the music industry?

I’d love for someone to come along to one of my gigs, completely get what my music is about, connect with it and feel passionate about supporting me to keep creating and sharing my songs with whoever wants to listen. As long as people are listening and enjoying my music, I’ll be happy. If that’s selling out a couple hundred capacity venue every month or it’s having my songs played every day on Radio 1 while I’m doing an arena tour, I don’t mind.

Describe yourself in one word.

Motivated.

Describe your music in one word.

Honest.

Any advice for aspiring musicians?

Just keep on doing what you love. Listen to as much music as you can and go to as many gigs as you can. You can learn so much from other musicians and never confine yourself to a style. Don’t force it when you’re creating, just let it come to you. Songs you smash out in an hour when you’re in the zone and the creative juices are flowing are usually gonna be better than songs you have to grind out for weeks. If you’re struggling to write, take a break and try again tomorrow, and suddenly it’ll come to you. And my biggest tip, never miss an idea. Carry a phone to record melodies or lyrics you come up with wherever you are, coz if you forget something sick you’ll never forgive yourself.

What is your definition of culture?

That’s a hard one… culture to me is everything that makes up a character. It encompasses every aspect of someone’s life and everyone really has their own culture because no two people have lived the same life. You can learn something new from everyone because everyone is different.

To find out more about Danny Starr click here to follow him on Facebook.

 

Interview: Demob Happy

Exciting and full of life band Demob Happy have been on the rise in the recent years in the music world.

With their latest single ‘Dead Dreamers’ out now, lead vocalist and bassist Matt Marcantonio joined us for an interview.

Hi, how are you?

I’m great. We’re on the road and it’s sunny. Another summer day spent in a van.

So, how did you come up with the name Demob Happy?

It was gifted to us by a generous family member who thought it sounded cool.

How did the band form?

We met at college years ago and came together cus we had no one else to play with, then we discovered that it gelled.

Do you have anything exciting in the works in the upcoming year?

Yeah a lot, we’re on the verge of recording a new album. The songs are great and the best stuff we’ve done, so I can’t wait to get started.

Outside of music do you have any hobbies that you like to escape to?

Amateur interior design and archaeology.

Describe your music in one word.

Pseudogrunge.

Describers yourselves in one word.

Lovers.

If you could give any advice to any aspiring musicians out there what would it be?

Don’t listen to anyone and do it your own way.

What is your definition of culture?

A paradox. Culture tends to die once it’s been defined.

To find out more about Demob Happy click here to follow them on Facebook.