Indie artist Retro Kid joins us for an interview to talk about his sound and origins.
Hi, how are you?
Hi, Jake here. Just recovering from a couple of DJ sets in London from the more dance based side of the project.
So, how did you come up with the name Retro Kid?
The name Retro Kid comes from the idea that basically you are never too old to enjoy electronic music!
When did you decide to start working on music?
I have been working on various projects for about seven years now, but Retro Kid basically came out of a bar called ‘Jolene’ in Copenhagen’s meat packing district. This is where I met one of the singers Christian and it all kicked off from there.
Do you have anything exciting in the works?
At the moment I am working on music without the band. Taking it down a bit more of an electronic production route to get the name out. Will pick up with the band after summer, but now the dj stuff makes more sense. It is nice to have many options open.
Outside of music do you have any hobbies that you like to escape to?
I personally love to cook, I find it very meditative!
Describe your music in one word.
Fucktronica
Describers yourself in one word.
Headstrong
If you could give any advice to any aspiring musicians out there what would it be?
Keep going, push on and don’t give up. Listen to yourself musical self and keep advice at arms length.
What is your definition of culture?
Multicultural
To find out more about Retro Kid follow his Facebook here.
A band formed by a group of friends EXRCM is becoming a band to watch in the world of music. With their first English language EP ‘Loite’ out recently, the band joined us for an interview.
Hi, how are you guys?
Hey! We are great, thanks!
So, how did you come up with the name EXRCM?
Well, our name used to be EXERCOMA, which comes from the Greek and means “Beyond the limits”, but then we decided to keep only few letters.
When did you decide to start working on music?
Everything started few years ago when we were still in high school. We were just friends with the common passion for music. We started to play and we became a “famous” high school band. After a while, we realised how important music was for us and we started to take it seriously. It wasn’t anymore a simple hobby, it became much more, something much more important. It started to play an important role in our lives. It became so important that last year we decided to leave our hometown and to come to Berlin. We were looking for challenges and opportunities. And now here we are!
Do you have anything exciting in the works?
Absolutely! We are now focusing mainly on our live performances. We wish to start a tour in the next months and we want our live performances to really represent who we are. This is why now we are working hard on it. We want to realise concretely what music is for us, which means a combination of songs and visual. So we are now trying to add visuals and make our performances more electronic.
Outside of music do you have any hobbies that you like to escape to?
We all have different hobbies actually. I love movies, Tommi loves to read and Beso, instead, loves playing drums.
Describe your music in one word.
Genuine
Describeyourselves in one word.
Honest
If you could give any advice to any aspiring musicians out there what would it be?
Learn how to work in group and collaborate
What is your definition of culture?
Culture is what transforms a group of people into a community
To find out more about EXRCM follow them here on Facebook.
With their latest EP ‘Remedy’ released the trio band Son Lux joins us for an interview.
Founded in 2007 by front man Ryan Lott, the band expanded into a trio in 2014 with Ian Chang and Rafiq Bhatia joining. With their latest EP ‘Remedy’ out now, the trio joined us for an interview discussing the sound of the latest EP and what it represents.
Hi, how are you guys?
Hanging in there
So, what was the source of inspiration for your latest EP ‘Remedy’?
We made ‘Remedy’ in the week following the election. For us, it was the only way to cope; it was our way of trying to make sense of the new reality around us, of reaffirming our values, and of redoubling our efforts.
What made you decide to donate all the money made from the EP to Southern Poverty Law Center?
The SPLC is an organization dedicated to serving the most vulnerable members of American society. They do everything from monitoring hate groups to providing teaching materials to decrease bias and promote tolerance. They also litigate anti-discrimination cases — the founders were civil rights lawyers working in Alabama in the early 70s. You can learn more at splcenter.org.
In the immediate aftermath of the election, we saw the SPLC immediately step up to catalog and spread awareness about the uptick in hate crimes, intimidation, and abuse. We’ve also seen how they work on the person-to-person level by hearing about how they’ve engaged with friends of ours who have been targeted and threatened. And it’s important to us that they’ve been working effectively at this for decades now. In general, like with anything else, I think those of us who are relatively new to this kind of engagement have a lot to learn from people who have been in the trenches for a much longer time.
In the third track of the EP ‘Stolen’ Arrington de Dionyso played a custom instrument bromeophone, what was the experience like working with a new instrument and how do you feel it fitted your style of music?
Our music is often built around a sound that fascinates us. Sounds that feel personal, unprecedented and ephemeral are particularly interesting, so it makes a lot of sense to work with sonically adventurous musicians. Arrington has a unique approach to making music, and often sounds ancient and new at the same time (he also throat sings and plays a variety of wind instruments).
We love the EP and the artwork for it. Did you set out to make an EP with certain messages or did it come out from just jamming around?
We hadn’t planned on any specific message or format, so it came into focus of its own accord. More than anything, it reflect where we were at emotionally at the time.
Would you say the EP is a statement of rebellion against the current political power or a commentary?
Yes, it is both a rebellion and a self reflection
Last but not least, If your EP could change one thing in society what would it change and why?
Complacence.
To find out more about Son Lux click here to follow them on Facebook.
Dynamic and refreshing band Kagoule have been shifting themselves into the music world ever since they began making music and their impact is starting to get notice.
The band is due for their second album in the upcoming year after the success of the first album ‘Urth’. This is our interview with the cool band Kagoule.
Hi, how are you guys?
Hey, we’re good dude
So, how did you come up with the name Kagoule?
Can’t really remember how exactly it came about but i think it might have been in a P.E lesson at school. It just popped out and was the first name none of us painfully cringed at which meant it had to stick.
When did you decide to become a band?
A couple of us used to jam covers in music class at school and then i guess we realised that we enjoyed playing the most when it was us 3. Did a couple school shows and then not long after my parents got us our first gig at our local pub. There’s a video of it somewhere! I guess that was the beginning of Kagoule.
Do you have anything exciting in the works?
Currently crafting our second album. It’s all down now and we’re just finishing off mixes. We are super excited to get it out there
Outside of music do you have any hobbie that you like to escape to?
Eating wood, drifting cars, drawing caves, origami, charging my phone
Describe your music in one word.
Dizzy
Describers yourselves in one word.
Dizzy
If you could give any advice to any aspiring musicians out there what would it be?
Be friendly, don’t be a dick to your fans, the other bands or the people working at the venue. Calm down your ego and chill out. Too many bands these days strolling around like they’re demigods. It won’t get you anywhere!
To follow and find out more about Kagoule check out their Facebook here.
Swedish musician Rain on Monday is one of the promising rising talents today. His debut single ‘Kill My Love’ is a refreshing single featuring great vocals and production. This is our interview with Rain on Monday.
Hi, how are you?
I’m fine, thanks. The summer is almost here in Sweden so I can not complain.
So, how did you get into music?
I was around 10 years old when I really got into music. I saw together with my big sister a U2 concert on MTV and after that I was stuck. Around the same time when I learned my first chord on the guitar, I immediately started to write my own songs and recorded them with my cassette tape recorder. That’s how it all started, I still have all the old cassettes stored in a box at my parents house.
How did you come up with the name Rain on Monday?
“Rain on Monday” is based on my given name Raimond. After I’ve been playing in different bands for quite some time I started this has a solo project, but I don’t want it to be so obvious either. So I played around with some words and came up with the name “Rain on Monday”.
What inspires you to make music?
Life and different kind of emotions is what inspires me most.
Describe yourself in one word.
Calm
Describe your music in one word.
Honest
If you could give any advice to an upcoming musician what would it be?
Follow your instincts and keep on having fun.
What is your definition of culture?
For me is culture a way to express yourself in different art forms. I also like how different art forms interact with each other, for example how music can affect the feeling of a movie scene or a dance performance etc.
To find out ore about Rain on Monday follow his Facebook here.
Hip-hop artist Wes Krave has released his latest single ‘Dream of Getting On’
Dreams, hopes and success. The latest single by Wes Krave features just that. Currently, expanding his discography with more and more impressive music Wes Krave’s latest single puts him on a map as a name to watch. The single was produced by Fourtune Ave and all vocals were recorded by Wes Krave.
The dark pop artist HEXEN is relevantly unknown in the world of music. However, her powerful and moving music is starting to put her on the radar. This is our interview with her.
Hi, how are you?
I’m good, I’ve got tea and an evening of drawing merch designs ahead of me.
So, how did you come up with the name HEXEN?
I had a few names before I morphed into HEXEN. I re-incarnated a few times through the years, but now it just feels like the right word. In the end the universe just gave it to me and I ran with it.
When did you decide to start working on music?
About two years ago it started pulling me towards it. I’ve always done music in some way or another, but limited myself due to a lack of confidence. For about six months the idea sort of bubbled around my brain, and then one day I walked away from my entire life and started again with music as my primary focus.
Do you have anything exciting in the works?
I’m going to be putting out a single a month for the rest of 2017, plus a video or two here and there. There will be a heavily visual element accompanying most new works.
Outside of music do you have any hobbies that you like to escape to?
I’ve always done visual art & creative writing. They’re not escapes though, all of my creative work (visual art, writing, music) ends up informing each other. Outside of creative work I’m mostly just focusing on exploring reality.
Describe your music in one word.
Gothpop
Describe yourself in one word.
Tempestuous
If you could give any advice to any aspiring musicians out there what would it be?
Just do it. Stop wondering if you’re good enough. Trust your instincts not your anxieties. Don’t place limits on yourself.
What is your definition of culture?
Human curation.
To find out more about HEXEN follow her on Twitter here.
We had a pleasure of interviewing of the very talented musician Mezo. His latest single Human Contact is out now with a great official video supporting it. Here is our interview with him.
Hi, how are you?
Everything is great, trying to live life to the fullest & focused on creating good art. Been a little retrospective about the loss of so many great musical artists in the last year or so. Many great ones like George Michael, David Bowie, Prince & most recently Chris Cornell, makes me wonder if their is a bit of curse for the artist.
When did you decide to start working on music?
I honestly remember making up what I thought were songs around 5 or 6 years old but I first stated really working with instruments, drum machines, programs, & samples in my early teens.
Do you have anything exciting in the works?
Yes, I am working on new material & more specifically working with a few music supervisors on some film placements for some of my newest material. Also, I’m currently working with my co-writer / producer Andy Anderson on some new talented artists projects (w.o.l.f. pack 6) that encompass multi genres. Future r&b, pop, electronic. & even a bit of reggae.
Outside of music do you have any hobbies that you like to escape to?
Besides music, I really love films & studying some of my favorite actors. I am a professional actor as well & I enjoy learning monologues. One that I have been recently working on is the Christopher Walken one on “Lions” and I also love another one Johnny Depp did in “Black Mass” at the dinner table. Both of them are little sinister, maybe I’m a bit crazy.
Describe your music in one word.
Existential
Describers yourself in one word.
Conscious
If you could give any advice to any aspiring musicians what would it be?
Pray to God you have great connections & money. lol Seriously, just be truthful & study the greats. Every great artist that you love never believes in their heart that they are as good as those that they have admired & been inspired by.
What is your definition of culture?
Culture to me is when sub groups of people gravitate to what they believe is highest standard of their personal taste. These groups help to elevate their brand of art, music, literature, fashion & philosophy.
To find out more about Mezo click here for his Twitter.
“Dressing well is a form of good manners.” – Tom Ford
It is essential to wear a good fitting suit, too loose or too tight can ruin the look. When it comes to suits you need to pay attention to details such as the fit, size, length and movement. You need something that fits just right. A good fitting suit will make you feel confident, so here are the tips for wearing a perfectly fitted suit.
1. Length is everything
Starting from the top, the suit jacket sleeve must end mid cuff of the shirt. Too small the full cuff of the shirt will be on show and too long the cuff won’t show at all. The hem of the suit jacket must end mid palm of your relaxed hand. If proportions are wrong it can look odd.
When it comes to trousers it can be hard to get a good fit and length the same time, a perfect length would be that the hem of the trouser sits on the shoe nicely with a small break so there is only the most subtle crease there is.
2. The suit should lie flat on the body.
When I say the suit should lie flat on the body I mean that it doesn’t wrinkles so much that the suit is too tight or that the suit has heavy wrinkles that it’s too big. The shoulder seam should lay flat on top of your shoulder, it should be similar to the length of your shoulder bone for the suit to fit perfectly around your body.
Next, is the trousers, another way to judge if it’s too big or too small is the back of the trousers. The fabric should fall smoothly over the bum. If it’s too small the trousers crease and if it’s too big it bags and creates heavy wrinkles.
“Looking good isn’t self-importance; it’s self-respect.” Charles Hix
3. The right fitting of the suit jacket
For a perfectly fitted suit jacket the collar should sit nicely against the shirt collar. If not the collar of the jacket will either have a gap between the shirt collar and the jacket collar or the back of the suit jacket will wrinkle upwards.
The area underneath of which the shoulder and sleeve seam joins should have a smooth line if the suit jacket is too small it will dip and show off the shoulder padding which is not ideal.
4. The final look when the button of the front is closed
Another key thing to look for when finding a perfectly fitted suit is how it looks when the button at the front is closed. So do up one button and check how it looks. If the suit is too small the front will create distinctive creases. A well fitted suit should remain flat against the body.
Producer and guitarist Derek VanScoten better known under his alias Cloudchord has dropped a new stunning remix.
With his career progressing up and up Cloudchord has released a new remix of Savoy’s ‘Living Colour’ which features Father Dude. The remix is beautiful, full of modern synths driven by stunning drum patterns. If you like the original you will definitely love this remix, as it brings it into another life. Cloudchord’s talent is definable unquestionable with his latest work backing it all up.
