Recently, I’ve had the pleasure to interview the lovely and talented Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Nadine Carina.
Nadine Carina’s music has been keeping me company for the past few weeks. ‘Storm/Calm’ is a gorgeous track off her third EP, ‘Little bits’, which you can download for free on her bandcamp.
This great track featuring producer Gated, is perfect for unwinding after a long and tiring day. It is probably my favorite track on the EP along with ‘Gâteau aux Pommes’.
Nadine says of ‘Little Bits’, ‘these songs are a continuous experimentation of sounds and ambiences, created in my bedroom with a loop station, a MIDI keyboard, a Monotron Synth, noise of pens, wrenches, a folding ruler and my cat.’

Nadine Carina is currently working on several projects, including a new EP called ‘Things that People Love to Remember’ as well as another with New York based Electronic musician Kidaudra.
Last but not least, you might also want to check out ‘The Light’, Nadine’s collaboration with Brooklyn-based guitarist Kevin Serra aka ‘Cloud Seeding’.
To keep up with Nadine, be sure to follow her on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.

Watch the videos for ‘Chocolate and Cigarettes’ and ‘Hellow’ below.
Support this amazing artist :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

White chocolate and green tea.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

My upcoming project will be a concept EP called “Things that People Love to Remember”.
It’s 4 songs that I made in my home-studio, during 4 days that I spent in Liverpool. (a track per day!) It’s about some important things that people like and are happy to remember of.
The first one will be called “The Love” and a music video + physical copies of the EP will be released on February 2013.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

I write lyrics first and then I let myself inspire by sounds; I usually use my MIDI keyboard and some synthesizers. Sometimes I just get inspired by the sound of my guitar.
I love to make melodies and I always add them last.

How do you make a living?

By now, I’m doing a music degree at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) in Liverpool. I also try to get some paid gigs and sell CDs, and sometimes I have a part time job.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

I think it’s great; it’s always nice to know that someone likes your music.
I also like to share any new stuff I’m listening to or new music made by my friends!

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

David Bowie and plenty of other stuff I got to discover thanks to my father’s vinyl collection!

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

I love 80s music, the melodies and rhythms you can dance to. I’d love to make it myself, but I will never do it the same. I’d try to create a new vibe and experiment with sounds.

Which artists are you following at the moment?

I like Stealing Sheep, Gated, Lauren Bradford and the photographs of Lucia Moretti. Also Kidaudra, with whom I’m collaborating right now!

*Chocolate and Cigarettes*

I walk with my guitar till the end of the world
looking for happiness
I think I’ve lost my daydream
Will I find someone to look for it?
In this bright bright sky

Hey you, can you help me find a dream?
Or we can share yours
I can give you some chocolate and cigarettes

Uh Uh Uh…

Now that we are friends we should take my car
and drive along road 99
You can sing with me and my guitar
We can sing for the good and for the bad
We can sing for a love and if you’re sad
I’ll give you some chocolate and cigarettes

C-C-C-C-Chocolate
and cigarettes

Oh I feel so alone
Why?

Oh I feel so lonely
Hey Hey

Oh I feel so lonely I don’t know why.

Photo credits:

– First image provided courtesy of GB Photography.
– Second, third and last images provided courtesy of Lucia Moretti.
– Fourth image by Benno Hunziker.

‘Sleep, baby, sleep, I don’t mind if you leave, we will part in our dreams, let them come…’

Il n’y a pas de vie humaine sans rêve, pas de nuit sans rêve même quand on ne s’en souvient pas. Mais y’a-t-il des jours sans rêve? il y a des jours sans souvenir de rêve et il y a des états de veille où le rêve et la réalité s’entremêlent de telle sorte qu’on ne peut pas distinguer l’un de l’autre.
Do you remember your last dream? I do.
Last night, I dreamt that I had the chance to interview Scottish singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni…Dreams do come true sometimes :)

Rachel Sermanni‘s debut album ‘Under Mountains’ is a hauntingly beautiful piece of work. I loved the album on first listen. Her lyrics and melodies inspire an instant dreamlike state, reflecting perfectly Rachel’s phantasmagoric universe.
My personal favorites on the album are ‘Marshmallow Unicorn’, ‘Sleep’, ‘Black Current’ and ‘Ever Since The Chocolate’ but it’s hard to choose the best song(s) as the whole thing is wonderful. The Tim Burtonesque track ‘Sea Oh See’ (aka ‘The Pirate Song’) reminds me of Claude Debussy’s words: ‘it’s the sea and its countless rhythms and presently, amongst the waves silvered by the moonlight, is heard the mysterious song of the Sirens as they laugh and pass on.’ Rachel feeds her imagination with literature, poetry and dreams recalled. I highly recommend you check out Rachel’s mini video teasers made by Quintana Films. They’re really fantastic and manage to capture well Rachel’s dark, romantic, and melancholic atmophere.

Rachel Sermanni is currently touring with Ericazette, Eroica and Mr Nosrati so make sure to catch her live! (in case you’re wondering, the names mentioned are the names of her instruments and not other touring bands!)

Links:
Tumblr
Facebook
Twitter

And now the interview part :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

Honeycomb.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

Well, the last main project was Under Mountains, the album. It was a huge project involving many people. It has been released under the label that my manager and I decided to call Middle of Nowhere Recordings. It has been 5 years or so of writing mainly on my own accumulated into a pot of other creative minds. There was the band, a group of my close friends, that helped me arrange the songs. There was the producer, Ian Grimble, who helped us all stay on track. There was the manager, Rob, who did a lot of stuff like organising promotion teams and radio interest etc.

In the new year, whilst I continue to tour the album, I am hoping to quietly publish a group of poems that I wrote. They are 12 sonnets, a sonnet for each star sign. It was a fun project that took me the best part of last year. I would like to join the world of poetry or, atleast, dip my toes in, to see what life is like. Words where the music has to be imagined. Words that have to stand on their own. Perhaps I’ll sell these along with the merchandise.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

I really don’t know. It’s very easy to make music. Just pick up an instrument and warble a bit. But to make something that later you can repeat and perform, the method is impossible to pin down. It changes with the situation. I always have books with me for inspiration and I always carry note books for jotting down ideas and thoughts and a mechanism for recording (mobile phone) if any ideas ever strike. But when it comes down to sitting down and actually writing, it is like all the note making has been processed and has finally amalgamated into something comprehensible for me to write about. It’s too difficult to explain.

How do you make a living?

I am trying to make a living doing this. Writing and playing music. At the minute, I am just touring and touring and touring and hopefully this will pay off in the future.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

Glad that it’s getting shared around. Honoured people are listening.

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

I liked Eva Cassidy when I was younger.
We listened to Simon and Garfunkel in the car when i was really young and my favourite song was Mrs Robinson.

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

Heavy metal has really cool drums…
Classical music is beautiful but I could never do what a composer does and write out layers and layers of instruments on manuscript and expect it to sound other worldly. THat is incredible.

Which artists are you following at the moment?

I have been listening to Fatoumata Diawara a lot. Ken Stringfellow has an incredible album out called Danzig in the Moonlight.

*The Fog*

Deep Deep down under mountains I have heard them call my name.
Will I play their little game and tell them deep deep down I’ve been waiting for the fighting to begin.
Hold my hands up.
Deep sleep now under skies of pressing dark upon my dress
watch it turn from white to red under the bone clean moon I am clinging to this burning,shaking bed.
Must I hold my hands up, my bloody hands up.

Mercy mercy I’ve been caught lying with my darkest thought they grabbed my wings and pinned me to the wall.
Oh light please try to hold your ground lift me up before I drown
The din creeps neath my skin and I can’t hear no goodness speak.

From the neighbouring town there’s a boy who comes to sing upon our street
I watch him from the window thinking deep deep down he’d be richer if he just became a thief but still he holds his hands out
I walk down to the river stand and shiver in the wind
throw stones and watch them sink into the icy blue let it rise about my ankles
I don’t want this darkness but the sun just falls from the sky.

Mercy mercy I’ve been caught lying with my darkest thought they grabbed my wings and pinned me to the wall.
Oh light please try to hold your ground lift me up before I drown
The din creeps neath my skin and I can’t hear no goodness speak.

*Eggshells*

Preparing flowers she is faced with the man to ghosts is laced
A ribbon.
No amount of soul she’s giving
She don’t know what to give.
Sit in empty rooms together, she wants to fit the shards together
Find out what they lost when they lost him.
She fears she’ll crack the eggshells but the pendulum still swings
Delicate door, unhinged, is within sight.

As this rose it knows the
Cost of those who’re lost at sea.
These waves won’t carry everyone and they won’t carry me.

This tree is anchored to the ground
The birds take flight, the blossoms bound
I won’t let them fall I won’t let them fall.
Don’t make this cold for me I feel it snowing at my feet
Taking me down upon my knees, I think I need you.
I think I need you to know.

As this rose it knows the
Cost of those who’re lost at sea.
These waves won’t carry everyone and they won’t carry me.

She took the anchor from the light
Strength to hold but not lose sight
Togetherness is harder still, sleep easy in your bed at night.

Douglas Dare is a talented singer-songwriter and performer based in London.
His first album entitled ‘EP1’ is a truly gorgeous collection of songs with heartfelt vocals and beautiful arrangements. Douglas Dare says that he’s inspired by Patrick Wolf, Rufus Wainwright, Thom Yorke and PJ Harvey. I first heard the ballad ‘Thirty-One Pages (Caroline)’ and was immediately captivated by it. ‘Glorious Feeling’ is another song that I really like. Douglas also wrote a piano score for the short film Dorset by Night, directed by Steven Banks. Watch the great live performance of his tracks ‘Flames’, ‘Sticks and Stones’ and ‘London’s Rose’ below.

Douglas Dare will be supporting Emanuel and the Fear at The Wilmington Arms in London on 22 October 2012. You can get your tickets here.

And now the interview part :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

I’m a vanilla kind of guy. Can’t beat a classic.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

I’m currently writing for my next EP and have become really interested in the stories of children who were evacuated during the war, it’s an experience that is so far away from my own but yet I think it’s something we all can relate to.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

I start with lyrics. I write poems or short stories, not all of them turn into songs though.
I also try and write on different instruments even if I can’t really play them; I’m lucky as I live with musicians so we have a lot of instruments to pick from! Most recently I’ve been writing on a miniature children’s keyboard using those funny drum sounds.

How do you make a living?

When I’m not writing or gigging I’m coordinating gigs in East London for a lovely little charity.
I meet a lot of musicians and promoters and get to go to a lot of gigs too! I’m very lucky, it doesn’t feel like work at all but ultimately I hope my music will support me solely.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

Share away! I think the more people that can hear the music the better. I think illegal downloading is stupid but I think there’s enough free music out there now that people don’t need to illegally download, which is nice.

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

When I was a kid? Well, I admired performers like Elvis and Michael Jackson (probably because my parents played them all the time) but my hero’s were Bill Withers, Cleo Laine and Chris Martin – a very mixed bag I know!

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

I like this question… I secretly love R&B but could never make that myself, wouldn’t mind doing a little colab with Beyoncé though!

Which artists are you following at the moment?

There’s this little known band from the North-west of the UK called The Burning Leaves.
I heard them on the radio at 4am one drunken night at University and recently I’ve been in contact with them and we’ve been sharing music.
I felt like all my Birthday’s came at once! They’ve got some beautiful songs and such understated arrangements. Their music was recently featured on the film ‘Last Ride’, definitely one’s to watch.

download track Sticks and Stones

*Sticks and Stones*

It’s oh so hard to spell it out
When the words are locked
Behind his closed mouth

And to tear them from
That wired jaw, I’d likely find
What I’ve been searching for

And now I can see their tongue was meant for me

‘Cause I can’t decipher these marks left on my bones,
As they disguise the words with their sticks and stones

I’m lost within the hottest room,
Ablaze with their noise
That I can not run through

And now I can see their tongue was meant for me

‘Cause I can’t decipher these marks left on my bones,
As they disguise the words with their sticks and stones

And I’ll see in time as the ringing dies
And I’ll see in time as the ringing dies

download track here

*London’s Rose*

What’s above these walls, empty land and empty calls?
Echoes numb through these halls but lying back can feel it all

Oh it’s quiet down here
It’s quiet down here
It’s quiet down here
Down here

Entire world under the street, soiled air you cannot breathe
Lines and lines of shoeless feet, one hundred beds under a sheet

Oh it’s hot down here
It’s hot down here
It’s hot down here
Down here

White mosaic hedge rows, with sign posts overgrown.
Destination unknown where’s London’s rose, where’s London’s rose?

Oh alive down here
Alive down here
Alive down here
Down here

Take us back up to the top, take us back up
Take us back up to the top, take us back up
Take us back up to the top, take us back up
Take us back up to the top, take us back up

Photo credits:

– Image provided courtesy of Dusan Kacan.

Links:

Like Douglas Dare on Facebook.
Follow Douglas Dare on Twitter.

Get ready to have a good time with Burnt Ones.
Burnt Ones is a great San Francisco three-piece who describe their sound as ‘hologram rock’.
The band is made up of Mark Tester (Vocal / Guitar), Amy Crouch (Drums), and Brian Allen (Bass). Their new 7-inch ‘Meet The Golden One b/w Luv’ came out last March on Burger Records/Gold Records. You can download their track ‘Bury Me In Smoke’ and see the video for ‘Meet the Golden One’ below.
Burnt Ones will play on May 16 w/ Thee Oh Sees, Mallard and Warm Soda so make sure to buy tickets now before it’s all sold out. Do not miss them!

And now the interview part :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

Mark: LSD flavored.
Brian: Pistachio, Pistachio.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

Mark: We just released a 7-inch on Burger Records for our songs “Meet the Golden One” and “LUV”. We have another 7-inch coming out in June on Fuzz City Records, which is a label run by Matthew Melton (formerly of Bare Wires, currently of Warm Soda). We recorded two songs to tape with him, which is the first time we’ve recorded with anyone outside of ourselves. Right now we are also wrapping up our second full-length, which will hopefully come out in the Fall.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

Mark: Lots of trial and error, lofty expectations and effects pedals.

How do you make a living?

Mark: I have no idea … I don’t think I do.
Brian: About 25 hours a week people ask me for food and I go get it for them.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

Mark: I love it.
Brian: Yeah the people that get the most stressed about shit like this are typically doing alright for themselves.

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

Mark: Kurt Cobain.
Brian: Kurt Cobain.

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

Mark: Thrash metal.

Which artists are you following at the moment?

Mark: Cosmonauts, Apache Dropout, White Fence, Heavy Cream, the Mallard, the Abigails.
Brian: All of the bands Mark mentioned. Pretty much everything Burger puts out is great.

download track Bury Me In Smoke

Feeling nostalgic for the ’90s? Well don’t worry I got exactly what you need. Let me introduce you to a fantastic Brooklyn based band called Total Slacker. From left to right we have: Tucker Rountree, Emily Jane and Ross Condor. The band’s name is a reference to Richard Linklater’s film ‘Slacker’.
My personal favorites from their debut album ‘Thrashin’ are ‘Magical Date Night’, ‘Thyme Traveling High School Dropout’ and ‘Psychic Mesa’.
The trio (soon to be a quartet!) is currenty working on several projects so keep your eye on them!!
Read the interview below and check out the rad video for their track ‘Crystal Necklace’ here.

Interview kindly answered by Tucker Rountree :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

Prolly cookies and cream, but i always get straight choclate.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

Were doin a really fun and interesting split 12″ record w one of my favorite bands, FRIENDS… on a japanese label called Sixteen Tambourines.
Were actually covering eachothers songs. Were doin “friend crush”.. I think they r recording our tune off our 1st LP; “magical date night”.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

I wish i knew, it would make things a lot more economical if i had a system.
Sometimes i just wake up and have a song in my head. Other times music is the farthest thing away from me.

How do you make a living?

Glad to say our music and playing shows is is starting to pay off!!

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

Ahh i think its great, and im flattered people have our mp3’s n such!

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

Tom Petty, Rivers Cuomo, Michael Jackson, hmmm, Miles Davis.

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

Well i dont like the word nEVER. But i like the idea of composing for a small chamber orchestra, and trying some modern ideas within that vein.
I really like Philip Glass and Steve Reich sometimes.

Which artists are you following at the moment?

Ahh i really like listening to DIVE, thats my friend Cole Smith’s band of whom actually played on a few tracks of our record. Really enjoying Weird Rivers, also.

download track Thyme Traveling High School Dropout

*Thyme Traveling High School Dropout*

im a thyme traveling high school dropout
im a thyme traveling high school dropout

im traveling through thyme
with adventures on my mind
i got a doobie
it turns out marijuana
isnt illegal in the 18th century
i went to bethlehem
to see baby jesus on his birthday
it turns out those wise men
sure know how to throw a good party

joan of arc and miles davis
amelia earhart and JFK
these are the people
these are the places that id like to visit
on my journey through thyme

i saw martha washington
kiss thomas jefferson i swear to gawd
it turns out ol george is alittle more progressive
than we all thought
and ghandi was there but he
couldnt even cared any less i confess
he said fuck this independant fake democracy
itll never get off the ground

joan of arc and miles davis
amelia earhart and JFK
these are the people
these are the places that id like to visit
on my journey through thyme

im a thyme traveling high school dropout
im a thyme traveling high school dropout

Last year, Canadian band Shimmering Stars released their debut album ‘Violent Hearts’, with the catchy lead single ‘I’m Gonna Try’.
I found myself playing their track ‘Sabians’ over and over. Such a beautiful track and album.
The band is made up of Rory McClure (vocals and guitar), Andrew Dergousoff (vocals and drums), and Brent Sasaki (vocals and bass).
You can download their track ‘When I See You Again’ below. This gorgeous track will be featured on Shimmering Stars’ upcoming EP, ‘Ghosts Past’, due out March 5th via Almost Musique. You can pre-order it here. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Jason Molina’s Medical Fund.
Highly recommended.

Interview kindly answered by Rory McClure :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

Candy Cane Chocolate.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

Our first record was about alienation, anxiety, depression, fear… really uplifting stuff.
Our latest EP is about hope and redemption. It’s dedicated to Jason Molina.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

Copious amounts of drugs and alcohol.
We record in my parent’s garage in Kamloops, though recently we recorded in an established studio. I used to do most of the recording myself but the band is becoming more collaborative and democratic as time passes. It’s hard to adjust one’s authoritarian tendencies, but Andrew and Brent are really easy to work with so it’s been pretty painless.

How do you make a living?

I don’t make a living! I’m in school. Thank god for student loans. Brent and Andrew have real jobs.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

Official answer: don’t do it! Buy our shit!
Real answer: sharing is caring.

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

From the age 12-15 it was definitely Kurt Cobain. Then Lou Barlow, Sonic Youth, Bob Pollard. Pixies.

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

Riot Grrl punk rock. But I can’t for pretty obvious reasons. Cajun music. Zydeco. I love that stuff!
I wish I was born in Louisiana.

Which artists are you following at the moment?

Women. Broken Water. Manic Attracts. Lost Lovers Brigade.

*Sabians*

When we were animals and we wandered
Through the forest in the twilight
Underneath the canopy that hides the stars
But our desires shine naked and true

We were members of a star worshipping cult
In 6th century syria
Wandering through the desert and chasing shooting stars

I tracked you down to industrial town
Wreckage surrounds you when I found you
The heart of winter you were crying
You couldn’t speak I’ve been chasing you in my dreams

I will find you

download track When I See You Again

*When I See You Again*

When I see you again I’m gonna love you so
Honey don’t you know
I’ve been spending all my days just dreaming of you
What else can I do

Oh! Oh! When I see you again

You gotta hold on me
I love you recklessly
And I won’t you to know
Tell me where and I’ll go

Oh! Oh! When I see you again

I’ve had doubts in the past but I’ve got none of that
All I have is a heart on fire for you
I’ve had doubts in the past but I’ve let them go
All the others I’ve known are nothing but ghosts
I’ve had doubts in the past but they’re all gone now
All the others I’ve known are nothing but ghosts

Here’s some very beautiful music I’d like to share with you: Luke Rathborne‘s Double EP ‘Dog Years / I Can Be One’. His songs always seem to take me somewhere else when I listen to them.
I came across this NYC based artist during one of my insomnia nights and he quickly became one of my favorite songwriters. His track ‘Dog Years’ immediately won me over. I also love ‘Cold Breeze’ (Check out his incredible live performance of that track here). His lyrics and music are haunting and authentic. Luke vit ses chansons et ceux qui l’écoutent le ressentent aussi.
Digital tracks can be downloaded on his Bandcamp, and if you purchase his vinyl, a book of poems titled L.A. written by Luke Rathborne himself comes along with it. How great is that!

Luke Rathborne will start a European tour the 28th of February with French actress and musician Soko. Get ready for the sha la la da’s!!

And now the interview part :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

I like chocolate ice cream.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

The upcoming project is about sticking it to the man, and the law.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

If I could figure out a method, I’d probably stop trying!

How do you make a living?

I don’t! ;)

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

I don’t mind it. The more the merrier.

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

I like the way you spelt that. People like Lou Reed, the stooges.

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

Probably free jazz or a more restricted, less free type of jazz.

Which artists are you following at the moment?

I’m actually following Carl Weathers down the street as we speak.

download track Dog Years

*Dog Years*

My friend and me moving through the cobwebs so high
we can go fly, we can get high
my friend and me looking for the strange sensation
down at the station
ol’ Five and nine
my friend and me looking for the melody so plain
sweet in the night, homecoming Queen

This is the Dog Years,
don’t let them go on by
This is the Dog Years,
don’t let em’ take you down for size

My friend and me fell into a dream just the other day
heard what you say,
we heard what you say
my friend and me looking for the strange sensation
down at the station,
ol’ Five and nine
my friend and me looking for the melody so plain
sweet in the night, homecoming Queen

CHORUS

And it’s one thing, that you really love
it’s your love, don’t let it change
it’s one thing that you really want
it’s your love, don’t let it fade..

*Motor City*

Billy’s mom has got me pinned,
and it’s starting to begin
baby let your motor run, motor run
these days are gone,
I feel left out and I don’t know what is on

Oh, oh..

Walkin through the dirty streets
how to be, baby you get less hurt,
what’s worth, it’s on..
wanna get a heart attack, walk back
honey don’t know how to act,
walk back, it’s on..

CHORUS

Walkin past the same car,
the same blocks
baby you wanna talk, you’re on top
don’t know why or how to act
wanna stare
baby you can take that
don’t brag,
grasping ar the wrong hook
it’s how it looks,
baby you can back down, back down
people always wanna die, won’t stop
don’t know what I’m doing now

Oh, oh..

CHORUS

His Clancyness is Jonathan Clancy, a Canadian singer-songwriter living in Bologna, Italy, who makes lo-fi, dream pop music.
To get into his world, go ahead and have a bite of ‘Summer Majestic’, a fantastic track to start off the week. Make sure you also check the cool video made by Jamie Harley for this single. Another of my favourite tracks is ‘Mistify The Ocean’ from his debut album ‘Always Mist’. I love the lyrics and atmosphere. Last but not least, his latest project is a collaboration with a great band called Shimmering Stars. This new release came out just today! (Oct. 31st). Be sure to get a copy! You can stream the tracks ‘Carve a Peach’ and ‘Not Growing Up’ on SoundCloud.

Follow His Clancyness on Twitter and Facebook :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

J: Of course cookies and cream. Love that combination. Or mascarpone flavor haha, nice and fatty.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

J: I would say the last one, the 7″ single out on Sixteen Tambourines is probably about love and mistery and getting along. Most songs are about that, it comes naturally.
And even more recently i’ve had the pleasure of releasing a split with a Canuck band called Shimmering Stars, it’s another 7″ and it’s out on Norway label Splendour. I don’t know, the main song Carve a Peach is probably my fav HisC tune so far, it just came out so effortlessly!

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

J: I record and write at the same time, or I hum tunes while I’m riding my bike home in the afternoon and record little dododododadadas with my voice. If I record the song it usually happens really really fast, i’m not very patient and so i have to work quickly to be satisfied. If not I tend to leave unfinished songs forever and ever.

How do you make a living?

J: I work at a radio, I choose the programming and do a million other little things to keep an independent radio alive.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

J: I’m fine with it, because in the end it is what makes me travel and see other people.
I do think though that listeners should acknowledge the work behind for example and LP or 7″, the drawings, the photos, everything has to be connected to the music. Only that way you can enter a higher level.

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

J: Mmmm, axl rose in tight pants and then maybe thurston moore.

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

J: I just love straight up old time garage rock, even noisier garage rock, and I think you have to have a ton of personality to rise above the million bands that play this genre… in my dreams I play in a dirty garage punk noise band.

Which artists are you following at the moment?

J: I’ve been really loving the new Woods album and the Kurt Vile one and I’ve been relistening to John Lennon so much in the last couple of days.
What else… saw The Fresh & Onlys and Sonny and the Sunsets back to back the other day and it was great.

download track Summer Majestic

download track Mistify The Ocean

*Mistify The Ocean*

And if you mistify the ocean
then you can mistify my heart
and if you mistify my heart
well then I suppose you’ve mistified
everything (that) blinds out dear
now you can grip the bare essentials
far more luck
far more luck

Can’t you see?
We have forgotten,
in retrospect,
I’ve got the ocean
for you, for you

And if you mistify the ocean
then you can mistify my heart
and if you mistify my heart
well then I suppose you’ve mistified

Can’t you see?
We have forgotten,
in retrospect,
I’ve got the ocean
for you, for you

You’ve lived the life you chose
You’ve lived the life you chose
But I don’t know your game
But I see love the same
You chose the life you lived
You chose the life you lived
But I don’t know your game
But I see love the same
Yes I do

I’ve been digging their music from the moment I heard it. Let me introduce you to the Souljazz Orchestra‘s brand new project: ‘Slim Moore and The Mar-Kays’. This time, the Souljazz crew combines his talent with Jamaican-Canadian singer Slim Moore along with the One Faith Gospel singers.
The result is outstanding as the band brings you that authentic soul and funk sound from the ’70s. Check out their excellent cover of Syl Johnson’s classic ‘Is It Because I’m Black’. ‘Introducing Slim Moore and the Mar-Kays’ is an album that I will keep in heavy rotation for a long, long time…
Spread the word! :)

The record release tour will start on October 13th in Ottawa (CA). Don’t miss them!! (the complete list of confirmed dates can be found here).

Interview answered by Thibeaux Toussaint.

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

That’s hilarious… OK, I asked some of the others,
I didn’t get everyone though…

Slim: Pralines and Cream
Mary: Pear Gelato
Thibeaux: Fresh Lemon

What is your last or upcoming project about?

Slim Moore & the Mar-Kays’ debut album is made up of deep, gritty, orchestral soul music.
Lyrically it deals with various subjects: love lost, love found, poverty, racism, war, spirituality… Sounds heavy, but I don’t think it comes off that way on the record.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

With Slim Moore & the Mar-Kays, Slim and I write most of the songs together. I’ll usually come up with the chords and melody, and some ideas for lyrics, and then Slim’ll add his own personal experiences and vocal phrasings into the tune.
Once we have the gist of the song down, I’ll write up charts for the other players, and then it usually comes together pretty quick from there.

How do you make a living?

I’m a full-time professional musician, and most of us are too. Some of the other guys also take on other jobs to help supplement their income: Slim sometimes works in landscaping or construction, Arland works in a restaurant kitchen, Matt teaches sax, Nicholas teaches trumpet…
It’s hard, most of us live below the poverty line, but it’s a calling, I don’t think we could not play music.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

It’s frustrating… We sometimes have trouble paying our rent and bills, and then we find out thousands of rich kids with fancy computers are stealing our music. :-)

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

I can’t speak for everyone else… My musical heroes were guys like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Jimmy Smith, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown… Those are the early, serious ones, I guess when I was about 11-12.

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

Hmmm… I love hip-hop, especially the old school 1980s and 1990s stuff, but man I couldn’t see myself rip it up on the mic myself… :-)

Which artists are you following at the moment?

Some of my favourite current artists are Lee Fields, Charles Bradley, Sharon Jones, Raphael Saadiq, YAW, Build An Ark, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Quantic…

*Is It Because I’m Black*

The dark brown shades of my skin
Only add color to my tears
That splash against my hollow bones
That really rock my soul
Looking back over my false dreams that I once knew
Wondering why my dreams never came true

Is it because I’m black, somebody tell me what I am supposed to do
Something must be holding me back
Is it because I’m black

In this world of no pitty
I was raised in the ghetto of the city
Mama, she worked so hard to earn every penny
Something must be holding me back
Is it because I’m black

Like a child stealing his first piece of candy and got caught
People around life’s corner somewhere I got lost
Something must be holding me back
Somebody tell me is it because I’m black

I’m sick and tired of paying dues
I’m sick and tired of being used
Nothing’s gonna hold me back no more
Step aside
I’m coming through
It’s my time
It’s my time

*How Long*

Don’t know when I’ll see you again
And you know that ain’t easy
Don’t know when you’ll come back again
And it driving, driving me crazy

How long how long baby you gonna making me wait
How long how long baby time keeps wasting away

How long (how long)
How long (how long)
How long (how long) baby tell me how long

You know I’ve been loving you for so long now
And I don’t know what to think
When I Look in your eyes and I don’t see me
It blows my mind

Never thought our love so deep
Can’t get you out of my head
I can’t eat, I can’t sleep
Keep thinking about what you said

How long how long baby you gonna making me wait
how long how long baby time keeps wasting away

How long (how long)
how long (how long)
how long (how long) tell me how long

So you know open your heart baby and just let me in
Let me come back to you
I’m a make it alright

I’ve been down, down so long
Now I’m really starting to hate it
Why can’t we just get along
Why is this so complicated

How long how long baby you gonna making me wait
how long how long baby time keeps wasting away

How long (how long)
How long (how long)
How long (how long) baby tell me how long

Don’t you know I know you still love me
Yeah I know you still love me

Longtime friends Nick Benton and Lucy Wilson create music under the name Carousels.
I discovered this great Guildford based duo a few weeks ago while browsing the website Abeano. Their track ‘Here To Me’ has been fitting my recent mood. Watch the self-made video for ‘Carousel’ below and listen to another track ‘Sleep’ on their soundcloud. They will be making their first live show for Binnacle festival in October so if you like what you hear, I urge you all to buy tickets!
I cannot wait to listen to their debut album.
Highly recommended.

And now the interview part :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

We don’t eat ice cream very often, but when we do it’s usually something pretty boring and standard, like mint choc-chip…

What is your last or upcoming project about?

Carousels is about drones and repetitive metronomic drums. It’s quite minimalistic in it’s production and arrangement, and relies heavily on strong melodies and hooks.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

It really varies – sometimes an idea can come from another piece of music, and sometimes it can come from a spontaneous idea… That being said we always like to start with a basic drum beat and tempo and then work from there. We often use different guitar tunings that confuse us, which is really helpful as it forces us to just listen to the sound of the chord rather than think theoretically…

How do you make a living?

Lucy manages a hair salon in Guildford, and I (Nick) bounce around various jobs.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

I don’t know really… We’ve only just started, so we see it as a positive thing at the moment, but it would be nice if people paid for our eventual releases…

download track Carousel

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

When I was a kid I used to love Hank Marvin and The Shadows and I vividly remember owning a cassette tape of ‘Tainted Love’ by Soft Cell. I think the first song I properly fell in love with though was ‘Yellow Submarine.’ Lucy liked Madonna.

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

I would love to be able to arrange music for an entire orchestra – something really big and cinematic… Either that or write something really lyrical like Nick Cave.

Which artists are you following at the moment?

Mainly our friends projects – Seams, Palmistry, Sunless, Fractures, they’ve all written some really great music recently… The last album we both bought was Skying by The Horrors and we really enjoyed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmxIlPTy1L4

download track Here To Me