Estella Dawn Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Pop Features, Pop Interviews, The Latest, Top Music Discoveries|Tags: , , , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
Which are the genres that describe your music style better?

Estella Dawn:
Pop/Indie/Neo Soul/Electronic/Adult alternative are probably the main genres I write in. I've never been particularly worried about sticking to one genre, what I'm feeling and what I've been listening to impacts the music I make on any given day, I like to roll with that, Sometimes it's rock/pop other days it's laid back indie, you might not enjoy every song I've written but there's a wide range of styles so something might just tickle your fancy.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Estella Dawn:
I began classical piano lessons at the age of 9, picked up the guitar a little later, around 13 and started writing more structured songs at that point. Banging away on the keys or strumming the three guitar chords I knew, it really just grew from there. Now I write in my own studio, using Logic. Recording software has helped me to expand my style and flesh out what I hear in my head. Having the ability to create beats and full song instrumentation has made a huge difference in where my songs are now, I've released 12 original songs in 2020/21.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Estella Dawn:
I can't say that there's any specific moment in my childhood that I can attribute my love of music to, it's something I've always just gravitated to. I used to make up songs from a really young age and I was always just drawn to music related activities. Songwriting has become my way to reflect on and process the world and my experiences within it.


Nagamag:
Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

Estella Dawn:
I enjoy both! However I am definitely more comfortable in the studio. It's easier to nail a vocal take when I'm not also trying to control my nerves. I've always been a pretty shy gal so I find my throat and voice do funny things when I'm performing live. I just have to work around it when I put my set together, I'll start out with easier songs and save the big belting numbers for later on. That being said, there's truly nothing like being on stage, you feel so close and connected to everyone listening, you also get to set the tone and create a mood. I think there's something incredibly special about live music, ultimately it's an experience shared between the people there that night and the performer. The show will be different, every crowd will react differently, every song will be sung/played a little different, you can't recreate that, it's like a snowflake.


Nagamag:
Who would you consider your main musical influences?

Estella Dawn:
Musically I have always been drawn to songwriters with interesting lyrics, or singers with strong vocal performances. Ultimately songs that make you feel something. I would say I draw inspiration from songwriters like Halsey, Jaymes Young and Dermot Kennedy. I also really love that artists like Billie and
Finneas Eilish created such interesting and original music from their house. That they made every creative decision from the songwriting itself to the production and everything in between is incredibly inspiring. I also really admire artists like Sam Cooke, Etta James, Julie London, Ella Fitzgerald, their songs just hit you in all of the right places. It's timeless music and you can't beat the emotion they pour into their singing.


Nagamag:
Many artists listen to genres that they are not producing music for. Which track is your favorite that is NOT similar to yours?

Estella Dawn:
Redbone "Come and Get Your Love"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which is the track from a similar artist you admire?

Estella Dawn:
Dermot Kennedy ‘Power Over Me’

Discover & Listen to Estella Dawn

Estella Dawn on Spotify

Estella Dawn's Signature Track

Estella Dawn on Social Media

Estella Dawn's Website

Christoph Sebastian Pabst – Nautilus (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Electronica, Electronica Features, Features, The Latest|Tags: , , , , |

“Regardless your mood, there's always some suitable music outhere to offer the best gift for your ears. This time we have found "Christoph Sebastian Pabst" and his track "Nautilus"; a special diamond of soothing Downtempo soundscapes. Full of peace and harmony. A short trip to the heavens.”

-Nagamag.com

Nautilus is a beautiful spherical chillout track with felt piano, guitar and unconventional beat.

Lewis Bolland Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
Which are the genres that describe your music style better?

Lewis Bolland:
Modern Classical, Relaxing Piano, Lightly Cinematic.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Lewis Bolland:
Performing the piano since the age of 7, Lewis’s home life was filled with music. His formal music education began early with piano lessons given by his grandmother Elsie. By the time he was 14 Lewis was being called up as the pianist & keyboard player in school performances and at the age of 15 he was in the rehearsal room as a student teacher, giving lessons to his contemporaries.

After composing and performing for his GSCE & A Level music exams, Lewis went on to support some of the UK’s biggest artists and toured the country multiple times as a session pianist & keys player. In late 2014 Lewis set up ‘Private Piano Tuition UK’. A modern classical piano school who teach over sixty students per week and currently holds a 100% pass rate with Royal Schools Of Music. During the summer of 2019 Lewis performed as a dinner pianist on ships across Europe and came home to start his residency with the Four Seasons Hotels in September. This has seen him go on to perform in front of celebrities, high profile figures, royalty and in the homes of some of the wealthiest families in the world.

After discovering composers such as Ludovico Einaudi, Hans Zimmer and Yann Tiersen in piano lessons with his grandmother, Lewis fell in love with writing modern classical and started working on an EP with close friend Ben Selley. Following six months writing originals and re-arranging well known tracks Lewis & Ben recorded their debut EP ‘TIME’ at Air studios, London and released it on the 19th August 2019 under ‘Bolland & Selley’.

‘Moments’ is the first solo release from Lewis in 2021 and was inspired by the different seasons and the feelings they conjure up during the course of a year.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Lewis Bolland:
I remember my grandmother teaching me how to compose and I fell in love with writing piano pieces. Most days I would write a new piece just to get better and better and I still love composing just as much today!


Nagamag:
Many artists listen to genres that they are not producing music for. Which track is your favorite that is NOT similar to yours?

Lewis Bolland:
Sigala "Sweet Lovin'"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which is the track from a similar artist you admire?

Lewis Bolland:
Ludovico Einaudi "I Giorni"

Discover & Listen to Lewis Bolland

Lewis Bolland on Spotify

Lewis Bolland's Signature Track

Lewis Bolland on Social Media

Lewis Bolland's Website

Peter Aries Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Electronica Features, Electronica Interviews, Features, Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

Photo by Huba Adorjan


Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Peter Aries:
I'm quite "genre-fluid", but I mostly identify myself with electronic genres such as synthwave and trance, which is why I chose "This is the 80s" as my signature track. I do however mix in other genres, and have been incorporating quite a bit of classical themes in some of my tracks. Which for me made it feel quite natural to try out a classical only themed release. Thus "Stories" came to be.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Peter Aries:
I've been playing the piano since I was 10 and I started making music on the family's first computer when I was 14 (I used Fasttracker back then). My first official (or known rather) release was in 2006, an EP called "Finally" which was only released on CD. Since then I've released over 100 tracks in various genres and styles. I've mostly worked by myself, but I have also made some collaborations with artists such as MarsTv and Social Ambitions. My most streamed track of all times is currently "When All Things End", a collaboration I did with the very talented vocalist and artist Karin My. She has recently released a new album, so definitely go check it out.
Unfortunately the music doesn't pay the bills yet, so I work as a product manager as my daily job. I have great colleagues and it's quite a challenging job. I still feel like I learn new things every day. However, if money was not an issue, if I'd have to choose occupation between music creation and product management, music would win every day of the week. :)


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Peter Aries:
For sure. It was at my day care, when I was 4 or 5 years old. Someone played Super Mario Bros 1 on Nintendo while at the same time someone else played something on a keyboard in the room. I thought the sounds I heard were so incredibly cool that it sparked something within me. So there and then I knew I just had to play the synth when I got old enough. So it's my one true call in life you could say.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Peter Aries:
Vangelis "Tears in Rain"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Peter Aries:
Pylot "The Return"

Discover & Listen to Peter Aries

Peter Aries on Spotify

Peter Aries' Signature Track

Peter Aries on Social Media

Peter Aries' Website

Kit Kido – Bonnie & Clyde (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Features, Pop, Pop Features, The Latest|Tags: , , , |

“Stringy pace, clearly standing rhythm patterns and bass sound. A strong overall view of depression and melancholy shown by -Bonnie & Clyde- while having some weight of trip-hop sound. A distinct voice with synth sounds create the perfect backdrop for the most discerning listeners.”

“Тягучий темп, отчётливые партии ритм-блока и баса. Характерная общая картина депрессивности и меланхолии лишь выделают -Bonnie & Clyde- из общей массы trip-hop звучания. Приглушённый голос и звуки синтезаторов создают идеальный фон неповторимого настроения для самых искушенных слушателей.”

-Nagamag.com

Kit Kido is a contemporary torch singer that blends lyrical storytelling with digital soundscapes. Noir synth sounds, loops, guitars and a touch of 90s nostalgia create the perfect backdrop for her dystopian love stories. Between the present and the future, Kit Kido finds herself in that thin line where reality meets fantasy.

https://www.facebook.com/kitkidomusic
https://www.instagram.com/kit.kido/
https://twitter.com/kido_kit

4am Kru Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Electronica Features, Electronica Interviews, Features, Interviews, The Latest, Top Music Discoveries|Tags: , , , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

4am Kru:
4am Kru grew from a love of old school jungle, hardcore & early 90s rave. We take inspiration from all sorts of music, from R&B slow jams to 80s film soundtracks. Our favourite Jungle tunes from back in the day often reinterpret great bits of existing music in homage & we like to do the same! From the beginning there's always been so much variety within the framework of the 94' Jungle sound.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

4am Kru:
4am Kru is a duo at the core, plus a number of talented collaborative artists. Howie & Stu are at the production helm. We both met years ago touring in different bands, cutting our teeth in the London live scene. Jungle is the point where our tastes intersect & we started 4am Kru to bring that sound to the stage & feature some incredibly gifted artists we've met along the way.
Right now we’re working with super talented singer Layla Sibelle, and continue to work with superb vocalist SHANTÉH. There’s a whole extended family of artists who are part of our writing and live performance crew and we're excited to take 4am Kru to the stage.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

4am Kru:
Howie: When I was a kid I remember being given jungle mix tapes that had been passed down from some older kids we knew, they were actually going to these raves, whereas I was too young. These tapes featured Shy FX, DJ Rap + all the gold from early Lucky Spin and Kemet releases. At the time I was learning to play bass guitar; then suddenly Jungle entered my world and it changed my whole thought process. It really pushed me in so many ways and still does.
Stu: I'm the same, some '92 hardcore tapes made their way to me when I was a kid and I remember listening while playing with my Star Wars toys in the bath and being blown away by this music I knew nothing about other than it just sounded otherworldly and cool.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

4am Kru:
Paul Giovanni "Corn Rigs"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

4am Kru:
Decibella "Outta London"

Discover & Listen to 4am Kru

4am Kru on Spotify

4am Kru's Signature Track

4am Kru on Social Media

4am Kru's Website

Maria Grönlund Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Maria Grönlund:
Neo-Classical, Modern Classical, Contemporary Classical


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Maria Grönlund:
You may know Stockholm’s Maria Gronlund from her weekly live stream ‘Meet Me At The Piano’ on Facebook. Or from her debut album ‘Songs of a Sad Sailor’, which was a Spotify Classical Pick. Or even from her short collection last Autumn called ‘Colors of my Mind: Pt. 1’, which was the first of three releases that will go to make up her next LP ‘Colors of my Mind’. Part 2 of the collection is nearly upon us with three pieces of neo-classical imagination due later this month.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Maria Grönlund:
There was a lot of music and singing in my family, and I was five or six years old when we inherited a big, black, shiny piano from my grandfather. My mother had always dreamed of learning how to play the piano, and she found us an Austrian piano teacher named Helga, who taught us both to play in her house. I was tiny, and I got my lessons at a brown piano in her basement, and then I stood and peeked into the living room with the two grand pianos standing opposite each other, while my mom got her lesson. I was totally fascinated by the instruments and imagined they were like fairy tale ships to another world, since they gave out such amazing sound. I've been in love with the piano ever since.


Nagamag:
Tell us more about the project you're working on right now!

Maria Grönlund:
I'm in the midst of a project called 'Colors of my mind', which will culminate in a full album released both digitally and physically, and with an online album experience which will feature the creation process of the music and all the art involved. Artwork merch will also be an important part of this project.
It all originates from a lengthy, filmed joint improvisation I made together with an artist, Madelene Egerfält, where she painted what she heard me play and i played what I saw her paint. We both came into a state of flow and had a really intense experience. The painting is just amazing, and I feel it depicts both her and me, and the situation it was created in.

I've used the musical material from this occasion and built it out to ten piano pieces that I release in three rounds. EP Colors of my mind Pt.1 was released in the late fall, Pt.2 now in March, and Pt.3 and thus the full album is planned for late spring/early summer this year.


Nagamag:
What's the ethos behind your music?

Maria Grönlund:
I feel so rich having music in my life. It helps me cope with stress and difficulties. I often play to calm myself down and to sort my thoughts and feelings out. My vision is to share the feeling of relief and joy I get from playing with people who might need it.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Maria Grönlund:
Imogen Heap "Earth"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Maria Grönlund:
Poppy Ackroyd "Time"

Discover & Listen to Maria Grönlund

Maria Grönlund on Spotify

Maria Grönlund's Signature Track

Maria Grönlund on Social Media

Maria Grönlund's Website

Bjorn Rydhog – I Don’t Wanna Be Alone (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Blogwave, Blogwave Features, Features, The Latest|Tags: , , , , |

“There are moments we feel boredom and loneliness in a totally decaying world. This is the right time to pick some fine music and give ourselves a breath of hope. Bjorn Rydhog is here to offer his best work for this purpose. Don't miss his new single "I Don't Wanna Be Alone".”

-Nagamag.com

Together with producer Johan Sigerud (JRSS) and co-writer Olof Gråhamn, Bjorn Rydhog continues to take his melodic indie pop into an electronic and beat-based realm. Melancholic progressions are blended with a modern retro sound inspired by M83 and The Weeknd. A logical continuation of their previous collaboration, the single ‘Just to Be with You’, which was released in 2020 and was picked up by Swedish radio.

"The single ‘I Don’t Wanna Be Alone’ shows an electronic direction I’m currently exploring. The tracks of the song were recorded separately at our different homes. I guess the creation process, as well as the theme of the song, reflect the distant and lonely, but also creative times we currently live in”.

https://www.instagram.com/bjorn.rydhog

Adam Tsarouchis – Esthimata mou (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Features, Jazz, Jazz Features, The Latest|Tags: , , , , |

“Our breath holds from the captivating voice of -Adam Tsarouchis- pouring an endless stream of his soul in our souls. His song -Esthimata mou- lays between Brazilian bossa nova and classical jazz. Exotic jewel of an exquisite compilation.”

“Дыхание перехватывает, когда пленительный голос -Adam Tsarouchis- льётся нескончаемым потоком из души в душу. Его песня -Esthimata mou- это танец жанров бразильского bossa nova и классического джаза. Диковинный бриллиант в изысканном ассортименте.”

-Nagamag.com

a Greek Latin bossa nova song

https://www.instagram.com/adamtsarouchis
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5cfNAD7gcHnxquTrdLQTPg
https://www.facebook.com/AdamtsarouchisOfficial

Jaap Mol Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Jaap Mol:
My main genre is neo classical. But I tend to expand it to ambient electronic music with some beats where I feel they add something to the music.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Jaap Mol:
I started taking classical piano lessons when I was about 6 years old. I don't exactly remember why it were piano lessons and not another instrument, but I kept playing for years. I even played church organ for while, but discovered I'm way more inspired by a piano.
When I was around 15 years old, I discovered punk bands and that was all I wanted to play from that point on. So I bought a bass guitar, started a band and quit my piano lessons when I was 18. Since then I played in all kinds of bands, mostly pop punk, but also bands inspired on those really cool emo core bands from the zeros which I still love.

But when I finished my study, that musical environment dried up and so did the bands. I went back to my keys, sang in a a capella group and worked on some music on my own but never really got back to it; life happened and I got a job as a teacher. Back then I thought I'd never do any serious music at all ever again.

But then a friend of mine started a band and needed someone to play keys and that's how I got back into music. It worked out really well and I started playing in bands again, but this time no punk and bass guitars, but keys in pop, pop-rock and electro pop bands.

Meanwhile I discovered that my love for pop music and my interest in quiet piano and string music could be mixed pretty good and I started experimenting with what turned out to be the neo classical ambient music I create now. But I am always tempted to try new styles and experiment with other genres. Right now, for example, I worked on a live show for which I remixed all my tracks into an ambient electronic hybrid DJ-set.

That's what I love about music the most; I get bored quite easily, but never with music. It's an endless source of inspiration.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Jaap Mol:
I think, funnily enough, that first feeling when I heard a punk track on the radio has been one of the most important moments to spark my music career. I waited for weeks, glued to the radio, to record that one song to tape, because I never heard anything like it. That was a really important moment, because that was when I realised that it was actually possible to create something myself.


Nagamag:
What inspires you to create new music?

Jaap Mol:
Everything I create in music always starts with a sound I love. That can be the sound of a beautiful old piano, something I come up with when tweaking a synth, or just a sample from a plugin in my DAW.
I'm not a very technical player, and at first I saw that as a limitation. But I learned that to be really creative, you have to set boundaries and limitations, and mine forces me to really dive into a sound I love, and create something beautiful from that. I'm embracing that now, and I'm really happy with how it turns out.


Nagamag:
What does your creative process look like?

Jaap Mol:
I like to do a lot by myself. I'm kind of a control freak, so when I didn't find what I wanted to create elsewhere, I wanted to master the whole process. I compose and produce while writing, just like pop records.
Sometimes I ask other studios for help because they have better equipment, but most parts I record at my own place. I like to do the mixing myself as wel, because a lot of mixing happens during the production.

I like to work with concepts for my music, so that's why I prefer to do al the artwork, photography and video's myself as well. To master all theses parts of the creative process takes a long learning curve, but I like to be curious and just love discovering new things to improve. It's an infinite playground.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Jaap Mol:
Sufjan Stevens "A Little Lost"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Jaap Mol:
Jon Hopkins "Echo Dissolve"

Discover & Listen to Jaap Mol

Jaap Mol on Spotify

Jaap Mol's Signature Track

Jaap Mol on Social Media

Jaap Mol's Website

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