L.E. Moon Releases “Dying and Living”
Is there a particular ethos behind the single/EP/album or any particular music styles or events that inspired it?
It's inspired by my grandpas death.
Can you briefly describe what the song/each song is about?
The song is about letting go and finding purpose in every experience, especially painful ones. Life is equally about living as it is about dying and therefore there is hope in my song's message that to feel - however good or bad is to live.
Where was the single/EP/album recorded and who was involved in its production?
Dying and Living was written and recorded in Berlin, Germany in my Bedroom and then produced with producer AdamZ
Who are the band members and what do they play?
L.E. Moon - Singer, songwriter, performer
What are the band's main influences?
Birdy, Florence + the machine, The Carpenters, Arctic Monkeys, Childish Gambino, Kate Nash
Old Man Soul Club On the Making Of “Smiling Boogaloo”
Can you share any interesting or unique stories or perspectives in "Smiling Boogaloo?"
“Smiling Boogaloo” is an antidote to worldwide pessimism. Been too long since someone said, "For fuck sake, put a smile with that, your killing me". From the top to the bottom there is a tone of disapproval, disrespect, and disregard towards the people and we can help that by not giving into it and trying at least to have a grin or three.
You see it in the shops, the bars, the streets, so yeah it's my way of saying don't let the bastards get you down to myself and all on the planet.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for "Smiling Boogaloo?"
The track was recorded very spur of the moment, I'd written the lyrics on my phone in bed at 4 a.m. that morning so as not to wake the house up. When my wife and kids popped out shopping I just went for it and it was best part done by the time they came back. I love the little guitar slide that I "borrowed" from "The Monkey Speaks His Mind", which gives it a lovely looping groove.
What has been one of your most favorite memories along the path to making this track?
To be honest I wasn't expecting to release it until my wife and daughter nodded me in the right direction. They'd listened to the demo and were bopping to it you know, always a good sign. The feedback so far has been 100 percent from all ages and ilks.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
I'm Steve Hanshaw, I've been involved with numerous band and solo escapades. Old Man Soul Club is my thing, a bubble of mine I can go to and make music as alter egos really I suppose. There's no set agenda or style intended for each song really, I just take the songs to where the song wants to go. I play in an acoustic Folk, Roots, and Blues duo "The Seventh Sons" too, we've just completed the writing of an LP and I also present a Radio show once a month for "Cultural Popcorn" on Radio 614, Columbus, Ohio.
I started playing at age 16, self-taught through years of swearing at the guitar, and jokes, I just kept going, until I sussed it and I'm still learning, I love learning. I always wanted to write songs you know, a writer of songs.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
Inspiration comes in many forms and disguises. Ideas come a lot and I have to be careful, you can have so many you don't complete the last ones. I listen to lots of different music due to presenting and researching for the radio show I do. So I guess there's some level of subconscious musings and inspiration, but mostly people give me inspiration. I really enjoy the process and can only explain it as maybe like a jigsaw or crossword puzzle, lots of different words, sounds, and images floating about and if you can get your mind to be still enough it'll all fall into place.
WickerMan On the Making Of “Shoot You Down”
What was the creative process like for this particular "Shoot You Down?"
For this song, it was inspired by the John Lee Hooker song which is an old blues song and I've always loved that graspy blues-sounding vocal so I wrote the song around that.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for"Shoot You Down?"
With all my songs, I write and produce them completely by myself. I have a little studio I created in my spare room and I shut myself in and get myself into a creative space and then it just flows. I like to start with a hook and then write the song around that single idea. As it builds up, the song slowly changes and by the time it's complete, it's usually very different from how I first envisioned it.
What are you most proud about this track?
I love the intro when the vocals first kick in, it has a real sense of the dramatic in it. The ending as well I think is quite cool!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
I first started writing music when I was around 14 or 15 and created my first band in college. I was in a metal band for 6 years and we even played a download festival in 2006. When that ended quite badly due to falling out I realise I was so dependent on other people to write the music so I started teaching myself how to write and produce by myself. I did this for a while, quite badly, and around 7 years later I joined another band, a funk rap rock band, and loved getting back into playing live and writing in a band again. Then COVID came and took that all away so this is when I decided to build my own little studio in my house so I could create whenever I wanted and WickerMan was born.
How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue pushing boundaries in your art?
I've always been a very motivated and inspired writer. The way I think in everyday life is in a musical way. I am constantly writing notes or making sound notes on my phone of little ideas I have. Then when I get time to shut myself away in my studio, I'll look back at these ideas to keep the creative thoughts flowing. I write music for me, this ensures I don't overthink things. As my sound doesn't fall under one genre it's quite hard to fit in anywhere but if I was to try and fit in, it wouldn't be as original and as authentic as it is.
MAMA BLUE Releases “Mother Of The Night”
Hey there! It's Kate. MAMA BLUE is my musical project that I created through the love of singing and performing. Born and raised in Athens, Greece, I always had interest in alternative but yet original sounds. Originally, from Asia Minor, digging through my ancestors beautiful culture, I got super intrigued by the mythical legends, the nostalgia and of course my grandmothers, the witches of Smyrna. I said: "I have to do sth about that". I wanna continue their legacy by honouring them through my alternative progressive tunes and electronic melodies. These tunes are gonna be soon released , starting with my new single "Mother Of The Night" and hopefully all the beautiful little witches around the world are gonna enjoy and vibe with them. I hope MAMA BLUE will be discovered soon so she can continue creating her musical witchcraft.
BOSSMACHINE On the Making Of “Choices”
What was the creative process like for this particular "Choices?"
It was our first time hanging out with Jade. We were finishing up a song with her boyfriend Jack, who helped in bringing her onto the project. The four of us talked big picture about the mood we wanted to create. Once Niko and I (Austin) had an overall idea of the direction, we made a beat and a simple chord progression. With the beat playing in the background, we talked about things going on in our lives and started pulling lyrics from the conversation. It’s always cool when you work with people on the same wave and a song comes together.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for "Choices?"
We actually ended up using Jade’s demo vocals on the master. I recorded them to Cubase using an SM7b routed through a BAE 1073 and an MC77 compressor. Once we had all of the vocals recorded, Niko and I scrapped the demo beat. From there we turned our attention to sound selection. Finding drum sounds that match the vibe of the song is really important to us. After selecting new sounds, we played along with the vocal tracks; matching the groove in different pockets. Since the song didn’t have a conventional chorus we decided to add a drop. We wanted to stay in-line with the energy of the song, so we gravitated towards an ethereal/lo-fi production using electric bass and granular synthesis. It felt like building an aquarium.
What did you enjoy most about making "Choices?"
It was a lot of fun diving into a new track and making two great friends in the process.
What genres of music do you primarily focus on, and what draws you to those genres?
I (Austin) got my start in music playing in a pop-punk band. Over time my style expanded into alternative/alt-pop. Niko’s taste gravitates more towards trap and R&B. When we started working together we found a unique place that sits between both of our realms.
Collaboration is often crucial in music production. How do you collaborate with artists and other professionals to bring a project to life?
We try to create an environment where everyone is comfortable to express their ideas. Even if the idea doesn’t land, it usually sparks another idea that does. I think that we have gotten really good at playing toward each other's strengths and letting that shine through.
SEPH On the Making Of “Secrets Taste Like You”
How does "Secrets Taste Like You" reflect your musical journey and growth as an artist?
I really believe that my new song showcases my vocal talents, which is an area that I’ve needed to grow in as an artist. Compared to previous releases, I wasn’t always the strongest vocalist, but this song truly shows my talent in singing without needing autotune. I will say, using autotune in the past (such as in my song “Static Crush” and others) was more of an artistic choice rather than lack of vocal abilities, but with “Secrets” I wanted to let my real vocals shine through.
Could you discuss the lyrical themes or messages conveyed in "Secrets Taste Like You?"
This one definitely has many lyrical themes and messages. I sing “Secrets taste just like you”, which personifies “secrets”.. meaning every time I reflect on my past relationship, I think of things that weren’t so great about it, including the many secrets he hid from me at the time. I also sing in the chorus "As long as I live, I don't wanna see another day without you”, showing my devotion during the length of time that we were together. I wanted to convey that despite how I was thinking this person is perfect and so good for me, there were underlying secrets that rose to the surface and ruined what was good in the relationship. After it all happened, now I'm on the other side and yet I still have both good and bad memories of this person.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for "Secrets Taste Like You?"
To start, I usually gather a couple looping synths and then I just start binge-writing lyrics, meaning I just start typing out whatever I wanna sing about at the time. I try to come up with a melody that fits the vibe of the song and sing whatever comes into my head. For this one, I wrote “Secrets” amidst the relationship I was in (written 2 years ago, July 2021). The demo was actually called, as you may have guessed, “Without You.” I re-wrote the 2nd verse and added lyrics about keeping secrets after the relationship ended to show my many conflicting emotions. The “Secrets taste just like you” robot voice actually came from a random vocal loop I found and I just thought it sounded like “secrets taste just like you”, which fit the song very well, in my opinion.
After sitting with it for about a year, I recorded it at Vaughan Music Studios, where I’ve been recording music since late 2016. Matt Hagberg added his own magic production touches to it and that’s how you can now hear the final version on streaming platforms! Shoutout to Matt for working so hard on my robot voice too… the demos sounded pretty wild…
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I’ve always known I wanted to be an artist ever since I was a kid. I loved drawing, painting, singing, dancing, writing, etc. However, I didn’t really get into songwriting until I was 13 though, with a silly song I wrote called “The Little Things” (It was bad…). Since then, I got back into writing songs in college. I tentatively called my “first” album “The Unforgettable High” and wrote a ton of demos in my notebook at school (they will definitely never see the light of day). Then, my twin and I decided we wanted to do some performances with our friends in a band called Mighty Kites. We called ourselves “Twinzsz” (pronounced just like “twins” but with two extras “z” letters). It was mostly cover songs at first and then I dabbled around in GarageBand. Suddenly I found so much inspiration from loops I was playing around with. I wrote this one song called “You” and thought it was incredible (it’s not…) so I called Vaughan Music Studios to schedule a session. We met Matt there and made a bunch of new songs for an EP called “Afterglow” (released in October 2017). The demos I wrote in my bedroom were absolutely terrible, but Matt (at Vaughan Music Studios) turned them into real sounding pop songs (Thanks again, Matt. You are incredible.)
Can you share a valuable lesson or piece of advice that you have learned along your musical journey?
As I’m still on my musical journey, it’s hard to say I have a lot of advice just yet. I will say though, however, that you should never give up on your songwriting. Just keep writing, writing, and … writing! Try to find inspiration through your experiences in life. The hardships, the ups and downs, and the triumphs. But never give up on yourself or your craft. Your voice matters despite the many people who won’t believe in you. And if you don’t have a lot of fans or people listening to your music yet, just know that someday there will be someone who tells you that your song really spoke to them. That’s why music matters so much and you should never give up on yourself.
My Name is Ian Releases ‘GO BANANAS GO BANANAS GO BANANAS GO BANANAS GO BANANAS’
‘GO BANANAS GO BANANAS GO BANANAS GO BANANAS GO BANANAS’ is My Name is Ian’s 8th studio album. The record is full of the trademark blend of catchy pop melodies, witty lyrics, and infectious energy. Songs about hating your life, loving your life, Norwegian families, coconut crabs, 90s television shows, feeling like a loser, not trusting the government, and Peppa Pig. There is something for everyone.
The album was released digitally on the 21st of July, with a limited edition run of 100 vinyl records following in late August.
Creatures of Cardiff, My Name Is Ian have already built a back catalog that would have taken The Stone Roses millennia to mirror. Since 2010 their output has dealt with break-ups, breakdowns, mysterious lion paintings, and characters from the Tom Hanks movie Big. This restless productivity has seen genres including but not restricted to lo-fi, bedroom punk, garage rock, prog, and anti-folk, all filtered through the pop-oriented cranium of frontman Reginald Foxwell.
Impressively prolific and prolifically impressive, bittersweet but unbroken, My Name Is Ian requires your immediate attention.
Bunny Alex On the Making Of “Habits”
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "Habits" and the story it tells?
I would say that the main inspiration for “Habits“ was escapism and summer. I was feeling down and a little lost, and so I tried to imagine a story where everything has a happy ending; a love story, a summer setting and a hopeful main character who falls for all the clichés and feels untouchable. I wanted the song to be upbeat and fun, but with a dreamy and almost nostalgic and sentimental touch. “Cruel Summer“ by Taylor Swift and “Jackie Onassis“ by ELIO were definitely playing on repeat.
Can you share any memorable experiences or stories from performing "Habits" live?
I’ve loved performing that song live. I think it has a certain energy, and I usually reserve it for the end, as a way to tie everything together. I remember playing at the 2ubeXtra festival at LIPA in Liverpool, and as soon as that bass came in I could feel this sense of connection with the audience. By the last chorus, I had people singing along to the “Everybody loves Paris, we should go sometime“ line. Not to mention my amazing band, who were dancing and vibing along. That was really special and one of the most fun experiences I have had on stage.
How do you feel this single represents your artistic identity or musical evolution?
I chose “Habits“ as my debut single because I think it embodies who Bunny Alex is so well. Happy but sentimental, naive but completely aware, hopeful yet unsure. The lyrics are visual, personal, and clever. I’ve always loved vocals and harmonies that almost seem to melt into the rest of the music, and this song is full of that. I really want to keep evolving with each new release, while still staying true to my own artistic voice.
Could you share some of your musical influences and how they have shaped your sound?
I already mentioned Taylor Swift, who is one of my biggest inspirations, I’m a huge Swiftie! The stories she tells and her whole evolution across different styles and genres is just amazing, and her lyrics are written with so much care and intelligence. I also love MUNA (one of the best live performances I’ve seen), Anna of the North, ELIO, The Japanese House, Lorde… I can never get enough of that modern indie-pop, electro-pop pop sound. No one exists in a vacuum, and these artists have shaped the artist I am today in almost every way.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as a musician?
For now, I will keep releasing and working on music and cool content. In the long-term, I would love to do an international tour someday, see all these different places and connect with different people from all over the world. Of course, it would also be a dream come true to work and collaborate with some of the people I’ve looked up to my entire life. I think most musicians, including me, just want to make music for as long as they can and use it as a way to understand the world around us, and share that with others. That’s what I want to do.
UNKLFNKL “Goth Girl”
Gabriel Maga, aka UNKLFNKL, teams up with Jake Hays on the genre-bending single, “Goth Girl,” taking a nostalgic drive past teenage years, reliving the agony of an unattainable crush. Angsty, hard-hitting, punch-throwing, but emotional and cathartic “Goth Girl” hits all the right spot, itching those unscratchable pain in teenage years.
The inspiration for this track goes all the way back to high school. Thinking of a crush out of reach, “Goth Girl” rides between hormones, impulse and the overwhelming experience of being a teenager. A part of the past somehow becomes alive through “Goth Girl.” Armed with a ground-shaking, powerful electronic drop, a guitar, stretching the envelop of indie pop, the single has the taste of memory yet breathing the air of the present. “Goth Girl” is one of a kind yet highly relatable.
UNKLFNKL is a top 100 Glabal Shazam electronic artist with releases under Universal, Warner, Soave, Magic and Effective. “Goth Girl” is a bold departure from UNKLFNKL‘s previous work, separating itself with a mainstream finish and an innovating edge.
Silvia Josefina ‘Spring Broke
The sonic world of Silvia Josefina begins at “Treehouse,” the passion for exploration meets the fear of the unknown, but fear, in that story is only a brief fleeing of thoughts. Curiosity always wins. With a dash of nostalgia and childhood innocence, Spring Broke begins its journey. Inspired by a bout of anxiety, the album sees Josefina at her bravest and most honest moments.
“Sin” contemplates on the inevitable moral struggle that follows our action, stripping away the skin, diving deep for truth. “Idk” circles back to another crossroad, of a simple but emotional entangled question. The duality of harshness and warmth then wraps up the album in the introspective “Death” and “Warmth.” Spring Broke is confessional and highly relatable. It doesn’t shy away from the questions we ask ourselves each day, no matter how big they are or how small they are—it’s the very human experience that connects us all together.
Hailing from Indiana, Josefina is a self-made artist and scientist. With crystal clear visions and an uncompromising spirit, she crafted and molded and produced every sound in the tracks of Spring Broke. Her sound, which fused industrial, pop and electronic, embraces life’s journey of warmth, sin, death, and the simple but complicated experience of being alive.
Ann Marie Nacchio ‘it's been a day, a week, a month, a year’
Unconventional, inspired, and rebellious—Ann Marie Nacchio’s it’s been a day, a week, a month, a year features thrilling sonics and honest storytelling. The album sees the breaking and rebuilding of structure and form in dynamic, confrontational manners. Continuity and departure creates friction in between songs. “Kismet” journeys to the deep ocean of truth through a filmic lens, opening in the massive, ground-shaking sound of a grand piano. Clashing, explosive, bizarre and dark-entranced, Nacchio’s stunningly smooth vocal in contrast with that is simply breathtaking.
“Loose-Lipped Love” is simply impressive. Its industrial grunge soundscape creates such a drastic vibe, while the airy background vocals spiral and swirl through an awe-infused trance. Even though it’s ginormous in its world-building scale, the track doesn’t lack intimacy and emotional vulnerability. Nacchio’s expressive vocal pulls your heart strings. “Maybe” highlights a Phoebe Bridger dairy style storytelling with emotive, orchestral soundscapes. The dynamic “Dead Flowers” then travels back to cinematic, heartfelt piano, while “Manic” induces a hypnotic, mesmerizing experience. What channeled through her is just incredible. it’s been a day, a week, a month, a year is inspired and eclectic.
In our interview, Nacchio revealed that the whole album poured out of her a few years ago in one set. Read the full clip below:
Punk Head: I like your cinematic style of storytelling. It’s very refreshing! How was the writing process for It’s been a day, a week, a month, a year?
Ann Marie Nacchio: The songs just poured out of me a couple years back—I was feeling particularly inspired at the time. All the songs are about the same subject, and all were written within a year of each other. I teamed up with producer Adam Tilzer to bring these songs to life in early 2022, and it was almost as if it was still being written—many of the songs moved in completely unexpected directions.
PH: Since your debut album, Little Dangers, you have released two EP. That’s very prolific compare to most musicians. Where do you usually find your inspirations?
Ann Marie Nacchio: From life experience. These songs are very dear to me, and very personal. I was defintiely a little nervous to put these songs out in the world, like I was being "seen." it's been a day, a week, a month, a year is a phrase I would often say, especially at that time in my life, so I felt like it encapsulated the entire EP. This EP is actually part 1 of a larger whole called The Outward Spiral, which was just released this March 3. Both have been written for some time, it just took a little while to actually record them.
PH: What’s your favorite song on It’s been a day, a week, a month, a year? Can you tell us more about the song?
Ann Marie Nacchio: It is really hard to pick a favorite; it's like trying to pick a favorite child! If I did have to pick though, I probably have two, both which I love for different reasons. “Friend” is among my favorites because I think it is a prime example of my writing style, both lyrically and harmonically. I consider it to be the best song I've ever written (though some may disagree). I am proud of how densely packed the lyrical content is-- every line comes fully loaded with information, from the way they are said to the adjectives used. It's all very deliberate. It is also a complete and accurate retelling of the experiences that led to the writing of the entire EP. My other favorite would be “Loose-Lipped Love,” mostly because of the epic transformation it underwent. It began as a finger-picked acoustic song and Adam turned it into a grungy, almost industrial groove, which is right up my alley. It's also a fan favorite.
PH: Is there a pivotal moment in your creative journey?
Ann Marie Nacchio: I've been performing my whole life, as well as been writing songs my entire life, so neither performing nor writing anything would have been particularly pivotal for me. I would say, however, that my debut release was really important in my creative journey. All debut releases are important, but Little Dangers is a sort of greatest hits of all the songs I've written since college. I recorded and engineered everything myself for the most part. It took years to finish, because of life getting in the way, but that release sort of opened the floodgates, as I had this entire EP written before it even was able to come out. I was completely ready to go once it was released.
PH: What’s coming up next for Ann Marie Nacchio?
Ann Marie Nacchio: I'm working on some new music, doing some co-writes as well, but I haven't entered the recording stage just yet. I think my focus will be more on singles for now, and I'm hoping to have a single out before the end of the year!
Dani Slovak “Drowning in Fire”
“When you see me, or rather hear me, I want you to remember that you got this and that great, beautiful, and extraordinary things can come out of anywhere.” —Dani Slovak
Inventive soundscapes and powerful sonics weave together with Slovak’s sensitive, evocative vocals. Unapologetically revealing lyrics bleed through captivating melodies, bursting into many powerful moments of catharsis and realization. “Drowning in Fire” is intense, imaginative, epic and haunting, but moreover, it’s a song that needed to be heard.
From being just a rough idea in Slovak’s head, the song poured into a demo one day and from there, it patiently waited for the right person and the right time. Many nights and days later, “Drowning in Fire” was born, along with its message. Slovak opens himself up to be vulnerable and real about the demons he faces.
“Drowning in Fire” is about self-destruction and the struggle of meeting others’ expectations, which again is wrapped up in a storm of short-lived situationships. “I wake up drenched in stranger’s odour as I’m slowly getting older,” is raw and honest. “I know I’m toxic to myself, I ain’t no angel, I’ll burn in hell,” captures the feeling of inadequacy and the frustration one has toward oneself when unable to make a change. By peeling his heart out in the open and showing all the broken and the rotten, Slovak speaks to these complicated, damaging yet humanly relatable feelings that many struggle with, silently and alone.
Sometimes, it may feel like the rest of the world doesn’t understand what you are going through, but he proves you wrong. Through vocalizing things that are unspeakable and often avoided, Slovak cracks the suffocating silence wide open. “Drowning in Fire” makes everyone who is going through the same thing feels less broken and alone, and that is the deeper message that Slovak aims to deliver through all his music. He speaks about queerness, inclusion, and transparency with unapologetic music that’s full of strength. His music is like therapy, putting feelings and experiences in perspective.
As humble as he is in his music, Slovak is as real as a person can be. “I am the same person in real life as you see on my social media or hear in my music,” he stated. “I am all about inclusivity; rather than trying to portray myself as this great artist.” Instead of putting up walls, he uses music as a medium to reach and help more people who just need to know that they’re not alone.
Punk Head: I love the imaginative soundscapes and how deeply evocative “Drowning in Fire” is. Can you tell us more about the song?
Dani Slovak: I wrote a part of this song in my head in summer 2021. I used to do this a lot (writing songs only in my head) because I did not have the skill, yet to produce or make the songs I would have in my head, but I would remember all the songs that really meant something special to me and I wanted to finish them one day. This was one of those songs. Literally a morning after a one night stand, I woke up with this melody and words “I wake up drenched in stranger's odour as I'm slowly getting older,” I looked into the mirror and thought that I could no longer recognise a person who I used to be (that's the hidden meaning behind the obvious one of me being a man-whore), immediately followed by the part “I know I’m toxic to myself, I Ain’t no angel, I’ll burn in hell.”
Then, summer 2022, I saw an advert on Soundcloud for a production contest for KIA - the task was to create a song around their synth—production-wise I went all out; I created all the sounds in the actual song, except for the snare and the guitar, with their synth, which quite frankly is not a good synth, but somehow I just followed my inspiration and I made it work. I only had 17 hours to make the whole song and I wasn’t even sure if I had the production skill to create it, but I knew it was time to finally make “Drowning in Fire”—took me about 15 minutes to finish the writing and then I spent the rest of the time on recording, producing and mixing.
I’m not even sure if those people from KIA listened to it, but I thought it would be a perfect song for one of their car commercials, so I submitted it—never heard from them. Then, in December 2022, I remember I had this track I really love, but is quite lacking that professional sparkle, so I messaged Mike Dwyer, with whom I worked before, because I knew this track would be a perfect fit for him - and it was! He just made it sound so much better and all his notes and changes made this track into a song it is today and I am very proud of both of us.
PH: Was there any challenge that you encountered while making the track?
Dani Slovak: I think, the lack of the production skill, as I said before. However, for the past year, I have made it my only priority to “feel good,” no matter what I’m doing. I I make songs that way; I just start making a song with the intention to have a good time whilst doing it, even though I have no idea what I am doing. A lot of times I am producing and I don’t even really know what I am doing, or what I’m pressing, but I just know that I am loving what I’m doing, so I just roll with it. I am so glad I started doing that and now I know there will be no challenge for me as long as I feel good.
PH: What is your creative vision as an artist?
Dani Slovak: I am the same person in real life as you see on my social media or hear in my music. I am all about inclusivity; rather than trying to portray myself as this great artist, someone unapproachable and who thinks he’s better than everybody, I irradiate a clear image of someone you would meet in a dive bar, to whom you could tell your whole life story and would feel safe around. And that’s my vision as an artist, when you see me, or rather hear me, I want you to remember that you got this and that great, beautiful and extraordinary things can come out of anywhere. There is so much beauty and potential in everyone, you just have to give people the benefit of the doubt - in people you’d never say it about, like your sibling, parent, or a best friend. So my creative vision is to connect and make music that one day could make that person on the other side of the world, who has no one, feel like someone out there, someone they’ll probably never meet, completely understand the essence of their being and will always have their back.
PH: Who are your biggest influences?
Dani Slovak: If we’re speaking music influences, it’s definitely Adele.
PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?
Dani Slovak: I was raised with a mindset to put everyone else before me. It’s kind of self-destructive, when you truly think about it, albeit beautiful, but it also means, I will always have your back. We got this guys! Life is too beautiful not to fight for it. Oh, and also I’ve known I wanted to be a psychiatrist since I was 12, I think.
Thy Veils “Upstream”
Ethereal soundscapes and blossoming sonics introduce you to the latest single “Upstream,” from Thy Veils’ forthcoming album Next Forever. Immersive and mystically expanding, Thy Veils really surprise you with their unique aesthetic. On a quest seeking the source of inspiration, they take you on a journey, downward and inward. The deepening feels like ascending, but the ascending is so grounded that at one point, you realize that the real destination is nowhere you haven’t been.
“Upstream” is a spiritual enlightening track. Through chaos and challenges, one discovers the truth. Intuitive percussion and traveling vocals become the hypnotic, fleeting fantastic traces that leave you wonder. The expansion leads you to what lies beyond the obvious. Genre-bending, the track is filled with ever-evolving imageries. Emotively, “Upstream,” is deeply evocative. It connects with something deeper inside of you—the emotions and thoughts buried underneath our superficial perception.
The unique spiritually aware sonic cocktail in “Upstream” seems to be able to penetrate those thick, worn layers inside of us and remind you of feelings and things you’ve long forgotten. It supports and enriches that original fire within everyone. The source of our creativity and imagination. The intuitive, raw core that is so often being clouded and hidden and misled by what’s happening on the outside. “Upstream” invites you to reconnect and refocus, feeling it beating and burning again.
If you like what you hear, be sure to stay tuned for Thy Veils’ upcoming album.
Marcus Smith “Day After Day”
Life is hard, but in Marcus Smith’s music, you’ll find courage, passion, and love that heals and recharges you for the fight, today or tomorrow. “Day After Day” is a funky fusion where earthy, confessional lyrics meets world percussion and captivating melodies for a rich, groovy moment of the present. Uplifting, hard-hitting, warm and mesmerizing—everything that makes a piece of music so good are there. For everyone who understand defeat and hardship, “Day After Day” hits hard.
Although the inspiration of the song comes from a rather darker time of Marcus Smith’s life, he channels something courageous and encouraging—a piece of art that is based on life but rises above. “Day After Day” feels like a tight hug followed by a lift-up to cheer you up. In our interview, Smith describes the songwriting being cathartic and healing for him, but listening to the tune, it seems that he’s healing the world, pulping his creativity and introspection and love into a song, drenched with Cleveland’s musical landscape. The sonic world Smith created just want you to stay in there forever.
Read our interview below and learn more about the tune and Marcus Smith as an artist.
Punk Head: I love the eclectic blends of sonics in ‘Day After Day.’ Can you tell me more about your journey as an artist?
Marcus Smith: I’ve been making music for the last 18 or 19 years. My first group was in 2004 in high school. We were together for about 11 years before we went our separate ways. Those years with the band really helped to perfect our songwriting skills early and I’ve been able to use that with everything I’m doing now. It’s really cool to see the growth.
PH: What is the creative process like?
Smith: My creative process feels very accidental. What I mean is, rarely do I sit down with the intention to write a song anymore. It’s usually when I should be doing something else, I’ll hear a melody I like and hum it into my voice memos app. If it’s catchy, I’ll keep coming back to it adding little bits each time. I also have pages worth of 1 off song lyrics in my phone. I’ll wake up in the middle of the night just to jot something down. My brain works in weird ways
PH: What do you like the best about this track?
Smith: This track is a vulnerable song for me. I often put my entire self into my songwriting but this one felt like emotional release for me at the time. I remember feeling down on myself because I hadn’t really written anything in a while. I was debating if maybe this is where I end my music career. And the line in the chorus ‘day after day, I’m always moving forward’ hit me like a Mike Tyson jab to the face. The first lyric I wrote and the first in the song is ‘no matter the setbacks and steps back, I’ve just gotta press on.’ Which was the full embodiment of how I felt in that moment and that’s the coolest thing about this song.
PH: How has growing up in Cleveland, Ohio affected your music?
Smith: We get all four seasons so probably the biggest thing the city did for me is Seasonal Affective Disorder lol. But joking aside, I grew up with so much local influence from Bone Thugs n Harmony and Kid Cudi to Chip Tha Ripper and Al Fatz. We have an amazing local music scene and it continues to grow. My music is kind of a reflection of that. I’ve always gotta stay as Cleveland as I can!
PH: What would you like to say to your fans out there?
Smith: Thank you so much for your continued support. Check out the new single ‘Day After Day’ wherever you stream music. The music video is available right now on YouTube. Follow me on social media and check out my website for all the new merch I just released
Shadowbanned “Lennon - McCartney”
From Shadowbanned’s The Two Towers LP, “Lennon-McCartney” reflects on the creative rivalry and 9/11 survivor’s guilt, tackling the unpredictability of life: change. The creative partnership of Lennon-McCartney is the most successful collaboration in history (by records sold), but their relationship ended with a clash. The time was good pre-9/11, but for many people, the attack forever changed their life. “Lennon-McCartney,” aligning with the rest of the Two Towers LP, contemplates on the best and worst of life.
Jak June’s smooth and charismatic pop vocal can makes you ears pregnant, but the nostalgia, introspection, and heart in the song is what moves souls. Its rich blends of influences feel like there are actual ghosts living in the soundscapes. For those who have experienced the currents of life, “Lennon-McCartney” certainly hits hard. It evokes lost feelings from the past and new feelings you don’t know that are there, while the warm and luscious sonics wash them through the currents, like the tide. “Lennon-McCartney” is immersive as it is heartfelt.
Read our interview with Shadowbanned below and learn more about the song and influences.
Punk Head: I love the smooth blend of genres in “Lennon-McCartney.” What's the story behind this song?
Shadowbanned: This one is an indie synth ballad about the creative rivalry between John Lennon & Paul McCartney, which resulted in (arguably) the best pop music ever - plus it's about 9/11 survivor's guilt. I know that’s a weird combination, but I reckon those two themes are connected. That connection is: nothing ever stays the same, no matter what we might want or fear - bad things become good, good things become bad. Then it all changes around again! Change just is, for better or worse. Live in the present, right? Meanwhile, the track definitely blends genres, I agree - and thanks for noticing! But which genres? Bieber-pop meets Prog Rock? 70’s Billy Joel meets Sam Smith? Whatever the case, genre-tension is key to the ‘Shadowbanned sound,’ for sure.
PH: What do you like the best about this track?
Shadowbanned: Jak’s voice rules. The Moog rules. Just push until you feel it.
PH: What motivates you as an artist?
Shadowbanned: Creating a little story someone else might listen to and enjoy and bounce off of. Also: thumbing a nose at genre conventions, plus loving and respecting musical genres - at the same time.
PH: Who are your biggest influences?
Shadowbanned: Joni Mitchell, Public Enemy, Everything But The Girl, Kacey Musgraves. And Lennon - McCartney, obvs.
PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?
Shadowbanned: Dang, if I do have some fans, I feel so grateful and privileged?! Thank you so much for listening, it means the world to me, truly.
MOTE “Hello Divine”
“Hello Divine” is probably one of the best offerings from Mote, Berlin’s rising new love. Compare to his previous release, “Industrial Love” that leans more into alternative rock, “Hello Divine” finds itself in a predominately electro-pop sonic environment. Like a deep night drive that has its moments of sensuousness and intense longing, navigating through unbearable loneliness and adrenaline-infused escapes, the tracks takes listeners on an emotional roller coaster.
“Hello Divine” begins in the humble pulsation and fleeing of bent sonics that evokes a monstrous, drastic, and horrified feeling even in the slightest. A dystopian, industrial landscape comes to mind, and so are the grit and grim that comes with. The sensation of dark wave and electro-industrial weaves into a horror-infused drive down the most scenic, alternative pop soundscape that triggers every strand of your most sensitive nerves and tenderest feelings.
Mote’s smooth and charming details a heart-wrenching reflection on desperation, materialism, escapism, and loneliness. His infectious melodies are multi-layered, beating through different sonics and vocal, creating an ever-changing, yet hypnotic mood that feels very addictive. At times, those hard-hitting pause of repetition lurk from underneath right before the chorus pushes you high up. At times, it’s the slightly mutated riffs that seem to gaze deep into your souls.
The desire of “running away” and for “you to stay” centers around a female figure, but the track leaves plenty room for interpretation — anything that would make you happy and offer an escape, “you’re bringing me back to life.” Though simple and direct, the lyrics reveal a kind of exposed vulnerability that feels stirring. The vaguely evocative track hits very differently.
SINGLE REVIEW: MAIYANAI “FINE”
Discovery
Photo credit: Yhali Yanai
Known for her unapologetic lyricism and versatility, the Tel – Aviv, Israel-based artist MAIYANAI brings another brutally honest, contrasting single “Fine” tackles self-worth. Inspired by the moments that we seem to mumble on “I’m fine,” but deep down, we know how exhausted we are, “Fine” speaks directly to that experience and offers a moment of goofiness and fun, reclaiming your power with an anthemic statement.
The captivating chorus takes you further down the road of self-exploration, “Fine” swirls between funk, rock, and hip hop in a smooth, groovy vibe. Kaleidoscopic soundscape you could never get bored of. MAIYANAI has a laid-back, unique, flavorful voice that catches your attention instantly. She has no trouble being sweet, mellow, jazzy, or dark, always surprises you with her various sides.
Celebrating who you truly are and dancing the pain away is the spirit of “Fine.” From the center of its being, the song embraces its true self in the current stage with no excuse or explanation. In a sense, MAIYANAI’s lyrics feel almost cathartic and raw, carving the deepest thoughts and feelings into the sound wall.