If you've been following my Instagram stories lately, I've been in a bit of a 90's R&B mood. Different Ways from Toronto-based R&B singer Cyokilo (produced by Paul Nanuwa@nanuwamusic & Dj DMS) is giving me that same vibe, so into the "Chill Tunes" playlist it goes!
I love a good R&B song, especially if the artist happens to be from Toronto and has an esthetically-pleasing music video (directed by Gifty Singh) to match!
As a mental health awareness advocate, I have a great appreciation when artists step up and use their platform to raise awareness on issues people tend to stay quiet about. American rock band, A Killer's Confession (led by vocalist, Waylon Reavis) is one of those bands. The latest video for their single Numb off their upcoming album The Indifference of Good Men is an effort to encourage those struggling to speak up when help is needed, and the drastic, devastating effects of internalizing issues.
Men are 3.5x at a greater risk for taking their own lives than women, due to internalizing their feelings rather than speaking up. According to the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention 47,173 Americans died by suicide in 2017 alone. More statistics are found here. The end of this powerful video shares the Suicide Prevention Lifeline number in times of crisis. In times of non-emergency when you need an unbiased ear to vent to, dial 311 to find free help lines in your region. Talking it out long before the issues build up can make a difference. For new releases, announcements and tour dates, get social! Follow A Killer's Confession on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! @thatchickkrys
When I think of artists who are "triple threats", Cody, Wyoming-based metalcore band, Righteous Vendetta comes to mind. Their music would appeal to fans of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Bring Me The Horizon, and Asking Alexandria, but with a dash of modern pop seasoning. Armed with massive stage presence, multi-dimensional talent, and movie star good looks, I knew these guys could easily cross over to other genres if they wanted to.
In recent weeks, RV front man, Ryan Hayes released the music video for his debut pop single In The Meantime, onwhich he teamed up with RV guitarist, Justin Olmstead. Together, they are proven genre chameleons. If you're a fan of The 1975, The Weeknd and Charlie Puth, you'll dig this new single, below! Righteous Vendetta has graced stages across the globe with heavy-hitters such as In This Moment, Red, Lacey Sturm, Hellyyeah, Like A Storm, The Veer Union, Linkin Park, Rob Zombie.. just to skim the top of the list, and are scheduled to head back to Germany this fall for CVJM Loud and Proud Festival! To stay in the loop on tour dates, new releases, etc., get social! Follow Ryan: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter Justin:Instagram, Twitter Righteous Vendetta: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter @thatchickkrys
If you dig bands like Breaking Benjamin, Sevendust and 3 Years Hollow, you can add four-piece rock band, One Day Waitingto your playlist! Hailing from Hudson Valley, NY, these hard-working guys have shared the stage with some of the best bands out there within the past six years (Can we say Nothing More, Jinjer, Nonpoint, A Killer's Confession, Adelita's Way, and September Mourning, just to name a few?? Whaaat!!) Check out the video for their latest single Buried Alive below!
Like what you hear? Get social! Follow the guys on Facebook,Instagram and Twitter for updates on new releases and shows near you!
Just when I thought young people these days only listened to either pop music or super-angsty tunes, it was refreshing and an honor to meet Old Time duo, Dixie Dave Allen and Kayla Charlene. Hailing from South Carolina, together they play and write Southern heritage music. In 2019, they've just released their debut album, followed by their first European tour!
Here is my interview with them:
Between the January release of your debut album In The Heart of Dixie, to your European tour in April, your schedules must have been hectic! How do you stay centered and focused?
D: I set time for everything so that we can stay ahead. It’s really important to plan ahead so that we don’t feel rushed. I set time for practice, but I also set time to relax and reflect.
K: I keep a mindset of “I get to...” rather than “I have to...”. It takes a lot of mental work and meditation to stay positive and not be overwhelmed.
What is your favorite song on your album “In the Heart of Dixie” and why?
D: That would definitely be “Dawn on the Mountain” because that is the first song we wrote together as a duo. K: I completely agree.
What were the highlights of the European tour?
K: We were visiting a castle in Aberystwyth- a beautiful town on the coast of Wales- and a woman jumped out of her car and said “Hey are you Dixie Dave?”. Her name was Rose, she is a fiddle player from Wales. She took us to her home and played music with us. It was the most serendipitous moment of my entire life maybe. Our favorite part of playing music is sharing folk songs with people who love what we do. I will never forget it.
That sounds like an incredible experience! You two are a gorgeous, young couple. Have people had misconceptions about what kind of music you play prior to actually hearing your music?
D: Yes. Everyone assumes that it’s bluegrass because there is a banjo and what we do is Old Time.
What do you enjoy the most about the genre of music you play?
D: I love everything about it. The way it makes me feel, the music, the history, and the fact that it’s our heritage.
K: I love how universal it is. There are songs for every emotion, but somehow I find a way to dance to even the high and lonesome songs.
If you were to go on a dream tour with any artists -dead or alive- who would you tour with?
D: Oh man. Roscoe Holcomb, Doc Boggs, and the Skillet Lickers.
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
K: Pursue what you love fearlessly and have fun doing it. Never stop growing and learning.
D: To quote Brisco Darlin from the Andy Griffith Show- “If you’ve got time to breathe, you’ve got time for music.”
It's always exciting to see artists from your local scene get out there and do big things like gearing up to tour Europe and opening for national acts at a notable music festival in your city.
I got the chance to chat with frontman and guitarist, J.C. Sandoval of Toronto-based alt-rock band The Crooked about all that and then some! Here is the interview:
How did you all meet?
I’ve known our drummer Dell’Orso through the Toronto music scene for many years now and then the both of us met our bassist Russ in a similar fashion. We may or may not have met our lead guitarist Neelesh through the Casual Encounters section of Craigslist.
[laughs] What are the highlights of the band’s career so far?
We've done many things in a short time, but getting asked to play the main stage at Norway’s Rockstream Festival this summer is it for us right now. We’re beyond excited for this show when we tour Europe
Photo: Kirsten Sonntag
this summer. We’ll announce dates soon.
That's amazing! Congratulations! That sounds like an amazing opportunity! Favorite thing about playing your style of alternative rock?
From the start, we’ve always tried to be unconventional within rock music. For example, we fused calypso rhythms with heavy guitar riffs on our song Tarot Cards. Lately, we enjoy adding subtle dissonance to our songs. We’re essentially tricking the audience into liking something “ugly” by rewarding them later with something pretty or familiar. What is your favorite song you guys play live?
At the moment it’s an unreleased song called Villain. It’s getting a really good reaction from the crowd. We’re planning on recording it this month, and releasing it in the fall as a single. I see you guys are playing a showcase at CMW on May 11. How do you prepare for events like that? Is the prep any different than that of regular shows around the
Photo: Dylan Weller
city?
Nothing prepares you for a big show like hitting the road. We’ve almost completed the Uncivil Service Tour. We have one more show in Barrie on May 9, and then play with Danko Jones at Horseshoe Tavern for CMW the following Saturday.
Photo: Kirsten Sonntag
If you were to form a dream tour with artists -dead or alive- who would be on it with you?
We would love to form a tour where we open for ourselves in disguises and play extremely bizarre music. That “band” would then amass a large cult following, which would demote The Crooked to openers for the next tour. This is the kind of stuff we think about. [laughs] I would be interested in seeing this happen! If there was one message you would like to spread to your fans, what would it be?
We think the world right now could use less conformity and a lot more of the peculiar. Open your ears, open your mind and open your heart.
Amen! Thank you so much for your time, J.C and I look forward to seeing what's next for the band! For upcoming tour dates, announcements and new music, get social! Follow The Crooked on Spotify, Facebook,Instagram, and Twitter! @thatchickkrys
TL: It’s a split with our friends from Damage Control with a brand-new guitarist that has brought a lot ofnewer sounds and ideas to the table. It’s a lot heavier, more southern and riffy compared to our older stuff.
What is your favorite part of playing live?
TL: Definitely the three people that show up that are trapped there and are forced to listen to us… they accidentally showed up and don’t know what they are in for. But actually,the energy in the crowd. It’s always what fuels us every time no matter what. Least favorite?
TL: Fucking up, forgetting parts. We ALWAYS have a technical breakdown or some kind. Sinco kicking out a cord 75% of the timehaha.
What would your dream show be like? Where would it be?
TL: Big fields, barn burner shows…we’re an easy band to please.
If you were to collab. with artists -dead or alive- who would you want to work with?
Photo: STS Promotions + Cuts Media
TL: Would love to do a CD where Devin Townsend does the producing for the album. Would love to work with Adam Dee from Killswitch Engage, Dave Grohl can't miss that…and The Gorgeous if they were still playing shows.
If a restaurant had a meal named after the band, what would be in it?
TL: It wouldn't even be a meal; we would be a sauce. Donair sauce called Trauma Sauce.
TL: Whenever we have played in Waterloo it’s always been fucking bananas, anywhere in the tri-city area has always been a highlight.
We are trying to rebuild a hardcore community/family and that’s really a big highlight for us so far. There is a lot of support coming from everyone in the scene and we just love it and want to keep building on top of that.
Anything else you would like to add?
TL: Just want to give a few Shout outs to Damage Control,
Hellbent, Sinner, Watering hole, Fragment, Single Wound, Mr. Hands, Common Oath, The Hoff Brothers, Eddie from 414 Recordings, Jesse Alarcon, Terry, Samantha for taking our pictures ALL the time, and Pizza Balls. Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to seeing what's next for you guys! For upcoming shows, announcements, new music releases, etc., get social! Follow Trauma Lanes on Facebook , Instagram and check out their site!
Sometimes your ears stumble upon a band that takes you to another era (or a hybrid of a few) you weren't even old enough to enjoy. Toronto-based rock band, Drop Top Alibi is one of those bands! Here is my interview with frontman, Brandon Gregory!
I hear you guys are back in the studio cooking up some new
music! Can you spill some details on what the flavor of the
new tunes will be like?
BG: Yes we are! And it’s such a great feeling. These songs are definitely a lot more mature
and fearless from a songwriting point of view. We’ve spent the last few years really
trying to figure out a way to blend the darkness and the light that exists in all of our
styles. Led Zeppelin and Alice in Chains are two great examples. Zeppelin could go
from Immigrant Song, into The Rain Song and nobody would bat an eye. Alice could
go from We Die Young to No Excuses and the fan base would sing along to both.
That was something we always wanted to achieve, and knew we could. The key has
been to stop giving a fuck really. It’s good to have both, and each song still undeniably
sounds like us.
Photo: Josh Qubti
Having a solidified line up that has been touring and writing for a year now has made
a huge difference as well. We are in tune with each other and are having a lot of fun
blending everything and anything to see what can happen. Drop Top is definitely still a
heavy and grooving band, but the spectrum of sounds and groove elements have
become far more in depth. But again, the key has been being fearless and not giving a
fuck. What are your top 3 favorite things about the songwriting
process?
BG: Comradery is definitely one of them. It’s always a rewarding process when one
person pitches an idea for a section, or maybe has a verse and a chorus ready but
nothing else really, and everyone gets an opportunity to bring an idea forward. Brandon
typically comes up with the original ideas or has a song about 75% done, and then
everyone leaves their mark. Some times the groove or pocket will change, someone will
have a different melody idea, harmony starts to come into play and of course tone
selection. That’s Dylan’s specialty, and it adds so much to the overall mood of the song.
For me, when I’m writing on my acoustic at home, and I really start to feel
like I’m onto something, that rush is unlike no other. It’s excitement, anxiousness,
anticipation, nervousness, and even extreme happiness or sadness depending on
where the music is taking me. It’s always exhilarating, and that feeling of “Oh man I
fucking can’t wait to show the boys,” always puts me in a good place. Lastly, the element of the chase and the fact that we are all in it
Photo: Melissa Aquino
together trying to
make the song exactly what it should be. That chase doesn’t end until you’ve received
your final master back, and it is by far the most rewarding part of the process.
Production, mixing, and arrangement are all so important to the songwriting process,
and it is the part that everyone has a place to speak every time. Sometimes, someone
will write a song front to back and not much needs to be worked on. When that
happens, other than writing your own part for yourself, input doesn’t need to come from
everyone. But the chase -until the song is mastered and all finished- involves everyone,
and truly is a team effort.
Brandon- your vocals are unreal. I’m sure others would agree
it’s very Vince Neil meets Axl Rose, with a modern twist. Any
tips on how you keep your voice conditioned for gigs? BG: Thank you Krystal, I really appreciate it! Honestly, the biggest help for me has been
my experience singing in choirs. I went to the University of Windsor for two years
studying guitar, and I had to do ensemble credits while I was there. I always opted to
sing in choirs, and learned how to use a technique called “head voice.” That has saved
me from having to belt my lungs out to sing high and with power. Preparation on show
day usually entails making sure I haven’t eaten too much to close to show time and a
couple shots of vodka. It’s important for your body to not be doing anything that drains
energy, like digesting. Plus smoking is a no go, until after the show and only if it’s green.
What are your favorite things about performing live? Least
fave? BG: Our favorite things about it are definitely connecting with the crowd through our
music, feeding off their energy and channeling it into our performance. The sheer
workout of a high energy set is always fun, and meeting new people and hanging out
after the show is great too!
It’s safe to say the least favorite thing is lugging gear around.
If there were a fair food (like weird food at the CNE) named
after the band, what would be in it? BG: If something was ever created and named after the band, it would more then likely be
some sort of moonshine. May contain pure gasoline.
Photo: Michelle Pellegrino
It's safe to say, that would be the the craziest thing served at a fair!What are some of the highlights of the band’s career so far?
BG: We’ve had the opportunity to work with some legendary people like Norwood Fisher
(Fishbone) and Gilby Clarke (Formerly of GnR). Their mentorship and friendship have
been invaluable, and we are hoping to get back to LA soon with our new tunes! We got
to tour with Gilby in 2017, and party with him and his family in LA when we went down
there to visit earlier that same year. Working with him at Metal Works was an amazing
experience as well. The wealth of knowledge that man has about rock n roll and how to
make it is amazing to be around.
We did a tour run throughout the summer of 2018 supporting our single Heavy Metal
Baby, which was a blast. Lastly, the current recording process we are in the middle of
has been great as well. There are no timelines, no clocks, and everything we’re trying to
make happen sonically is coming together! We are very excited. Having a five-time Juno Award-winning producer in Michael Hanson who is both fearless and creative has been
a blessing.
Sounds like good times all around! If you were to form a dream tour with any artists-dead or alive-
who would you tour with? BG: This question is too hard to answer! Maybe a dream festival line up with bands like;
Led Zeppelin, QOTSA, Aerosmith, Guns n’ Roses, Soundgarden, Queen, The Stones,
The Beatles, Hendrix, Oasis, Chili Peppers...We should probably stop there!
Anything else you would like to add?
Photo: Josh Qubti
BG: Rock 'n' Roll Ain’t fucking dead! It’s hard to see that sometimes in North America,
where hip hop and club music is the big thing. All across the world, rock music is
thriving, and there is an uprising of youth that feel alienated from current pop culture,
who want to rebel and be heard. Bands like Cleopatrick have made this abundantly
clear to us.
History repeats itself. We just came out of a disco phase with EDM, now we’re in a
time with mumble rap that is reminiscent of Glam Metal in terms of decadence, excess,
and bad behavior. So what comes next? An alienated generation of suburban kids who
don’t identify with any of that bull shit. Last time that happened, Kurt Cobain came
along. We’re excited to see how the next chapter pans out, and we hope to be a part of
a movement that makes these kids feel like there is something to be a part of.
#DTARNR Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to seeing what's next for the band! Like what you hear? Get social! Click here to find Drop Top Alibi on social media! @thatchickkrys
