Alexia Vegas Releases “There's No Way”
Sometimes being honest with yourself is the hardest thing to do when a relationship fails. It's especially difficult if the fault was yours. In "There's No Way", Alexia Vegas admits that she continues to be obsessed about her lover and fears that "there's no way" she'll ever get through her day without him. She sees him and hears his voice everywhere she goes. The worst thing of all is waking up every morning when, as Alexia sings, "The silence tells me that you're really gone."
"There's No Way" has a dark, steady and melancholy beat. The verses carry the listener through Alexia's day as she copes with a broken relationship, then the chorus breaks free, with Alexia's engagingly sweet and wistful voice souring high with heartbreaking honesty.
Alexia Vegas’ music has been called "melodic masterpieces disguised as infectious pop tunes!” She is new to the music scene but not new to the music world. At 23 years old, she is already an industry veteran with more than seven years of experience.
Oddsmokee On The Making Of ‘The Good, the Bad and the Oddy’
How does 'The Good, the Bad and the Oddy' reflect your musical journey and growth as an artist?
Great question. I believe ‘The Good, the Bad and the Oddy’ really shows listeners how far I have come as an artist and individual in the last few years. I started making music as a coping mechanism to deal with my mental health and substance abuse and share my journey with others as a reminder we are not alone. Almost four years later it has turned into a dream. This album in particular means the world to me as an artist due to the storied nature of the 8 tracks following someone's struggles with getting sober, to falling back into the pitfalls of drug use. I also feel I have really grown in the sense of intermingling genres to reflect an original sound, that is never quite the same. One of my biggest goals starting out was to blend numerous genres, drawing on all my inspirations as an artist. I believe this album in particular has brought that original goal into fruition.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for this album?
Yes definitely, I decided on 8 songs for this album. I wanted to reflect on everything I have been through as detailed as possible while keeping the Oddsmokee persona and remaining my true self. I also wanted to portray a story of the pitfalls of using substance abuse as a crutch to deal with mental health or any life struggles for that matter. Once me and Augmented finalized the release arrangement I took this album to the studio. My recording process has grown tremendously over the years. The process for this album was very much planned in sequence. I always go into the studio knowing what I’m going to lay down for each individual track. I go through hours of preparation before I record anything. However, this album surprised me, new high melodies and harmonies were not planned and came out during the recording process. This was a big step in my eyes. I never want to stop growing as an artist. This album inspired new sounds and almost forced me to get out of my comfort zone. As an artist, I never want to stop trying new things to expand my reach with my music.
Which song do you like the best and why?
My favorite song is Overdosaa. This song reflects the end of a long battle with substance abuse, and mental anguish. Overdosaa is Oddy and Jozzi, “The Bad and The Oddy'' personas of Oddsmokee, battling feelings of hopelessness while looking back on their past and expressing the anger of the life they have lived, and the dreams they never accomplished. This song is purely a sad conclusion anyone with these types of demons can ultimately come to. You hear me begging god to “take me up” and “get me away from this stuff”. With a mixture of hard grimey rap, high angelic vocals, and meaningful lyrics this sound in my opinion is very much original and one of my best pieces. I am beyond proud of this song.
What role do you feel emotions play in your music, and how do you channel them into your performances?
Emotions play the most significant role in my music. Without emotions life is meaningless. However, one thing I will say is my entire life I have had a very hard time dealing with negative emotions. The only thing that has ever truly worked, has been expressing those emotions into music through my lyrics. In terms of performances, I bring my full self to the stage and try to connect to my audience while delivering my musical truth.
Can you share a valuable lesson or piece of advice that you have learned along your musical journey?
Despite life’s challenges, we can all learn something from ourselves and the positive influences that are brought into our lives. I have recently grasped the true importance of having a “dream” or passion, and how important it is to hold onto that, and never let go.
Faded Rose On the Making Of "In the First Place"
What was the creative process like for this particular "In the First Place?"
Like most of my songs, I started with a storyline, wrote the riff on acoustic guitar, and developed lyrics and melody from there. Once the rest of the band got involved, it took on a life of its own. We like it to happen organically.
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "In the First Place?"
The whole concept behind the song is to not take things too seriously when it comes to love and relationships. Sometimes the thing you need most comes when you least expect it, and if it doesn't, you'll still be ok.
How does "In the First Place" fit into your overall artistic vision and what can listeners expect from you in the future?
The first EP was really more a of breakup record than anything else. We want this record to showcase a lighter side and introduce different sounds. We felt that "In the First Place" was the perfect opportunity to do so. This upcoming album has a lot of different elements we didn't use before and we're pretty excited about it.
How did your band members initially come together?
It started with me and Tom playing acoustically. When we were ready to record the first EP, I wanted to make sure we had the right lead guitarist for our song Sober. A friend of mine mentioned her brother, Charlie, who I remembered from high school as a very talented guitarist, and reached out. We were fortunate enough to have him play on the first EP, he became a great friend and has been with us ever since. He plays the lead guitar, keys, and any instrument we throw at him. Gary came to us through Craigslist. Our previous drummer actually saw the ad and called him in for a rehearsal. He's an amazing bassist and hands down one of the most chill guys you will ever meet. Pete, our drummer, was the last to join us. He was recommended by another musician friend of mine and ended up being the perfect fit. We all love Pete and his Djembe. I feel very fortunate to create music with such a great group of guys.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
Once in a while, I will come up with an intentional concept for a song, but most of the time, the songs just come to me - usually when I'm in the shower.
The Ari Joshua Quartet On the Making Of “and now it comes...”
What was the catalyst that ignited the creation of "and now it comes...?"
I love the jazz quartet, Drums, Bass, Piano, Guitar. I’d love to play in that format all day long. This recording started as a trio, Will and Joel and I did a lot of playing late at night. We played free alot. As a trio, the band was called 'Cadillac Arrest,' but we would all bring ideas to our practice sessions One of those tunes we played was. "And now it comes..." is an exquisite piece, it seems to breathe with a life of its own.
What fills you with the most pride when it comes to this track?
For me, being fully immersed in the moment, having that moment captured on tape. I take pride in knowing that when you're sincere and, and allowing your emotions to guide you, forging new and different ideas is something that flows effortlessly. Inspiration sprouts from a wide range of life experiences. I made a few what I would consider to be imperfections, but when you capture the emotions, those imperfections are rendered inconsequential, in fact they are desirable. I am most proud that I got to feel that way playing this, and listening back I resonate with it.
What specific musicians or non-musicians have profoundly influenced your work? How has this diverse range of influences shaped your artistic journey?
My father's record collection had a significant impact in the early years. I delved into that music like diving into the deep end of a pool. Reflecting now, I wonder if it was my way of spending time with him, I missed his presence. The divorce left me pretty sad, but he left behind an amazing stereo system, I learned about the blues. The record player had that thing with the circles on the platter; it lit up and would mesmerize me. The records featured many great guitar players, including Hendrix, Clapton, Santana, Bob Marley, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Our shared taste in what constitutes good music certainly brought us closer. Influences have shaped my journey, but even more so life experiences, like walking along the beach at sunrise in Cape Town, South Africa, seeing the people, smelling the air, and knowing this is part of who I am.
How do you approach creating something new and different?
I grew up in a time with lots of change on the horizon. Being a kid in Seattle during the inception and peak of the grunge rock era, I saw all those bands perform live, and we all had a sense of pride around that music being from our town. I learned all the songs I loved. They came easy to me; I would buy an album and learn it. That energy was explosive, and as a young teen, the culture was changing in front of our eyes and ears. The internet was created, and the wave was breaking.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they impacted your own sound?
Later, I discovered myself in an award-winning all-star jazz program during my high school years — the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band. Our tours brought together an incredible blend of talent, and we poured our hearts into our performances. It was a transformative experience for me. Playing Count Basie and Duke Ellington from 9th to 12th grade for 90 minutes a day. Priceless.
Anjalts On the Making Of “Code Blue”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Code Blue?"
The spark was more like an alarm I heard while visiting my high school friend at the hospital. And while I was waiting in the ER, it was intense to see the panic attacks and anxieties cause after someone experiences cyber bullying at school and getting treated properly before it’s too late. “Code Blue” was addressing that kind issue and sounding the alarm similar to how hospitals call it out when someone’s getting a heart attack.
”Code Blue” started the first song from my second album that’s currently in the works.
Can you share any interesting or unique musical elements or production techniques used in "Code Blue?"
When I was writing the song, I wanted to add an acoustic guitar movement despite the dance beat happening in the background just so the lyrics can come through in the verses. I wanted a melodic feel to the music to create a balance or harmony during the chorus with slight reverb. And it was the same thought when I played the electric guitar parts. As if something is coming towards you from far away.
What impact do you hope "Code Blue" will have on your audience ?
The impact of trying to remember how our actions can affect someone. As in the case with cyber bullying, I saw how everyone just bottles the pain up until it’s too late. We don’t have to “choose” to be so mean towards each other, when you can instead dance, have a party, crank up ‘Code Blue’ and get into the experience instead. Life is too short to add more regrets!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
My grandfather was a natural at playing many instruments and he saw me watching him play on the piano and at 4 years old, I would mimic what he did. So he realized I could just play instruments like he could, and having that in common. we would play the piano, guitar, sitar, drums whenever we could before we were told to stop making so much noise in the house. I grew up with my grandparents in the Caribbean country Guyana, South America where 87% of the land is covered by Amazon Rainforest, so many people live along the coastal areas. It’s one of the main inspiration for my first 15-song album project released last February 2023 called “Air to Fire”
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they impacted your own sound?
I tend to gravitate towards film composers like Joe Hisaishi (love anime movies), James Horner, Hans Zimmer, Tan Dun, Danny Elfman and so many more. The balance they create in their songs are so awe-inspiring. I also admire artists who passionately writes and performs their own music like David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, Prince, Freddie Mercury, Carpenters, Dolly Parton, Journey. So yes, the list is long for these incredible artists I love so much.