Featured music selections on Nagamag. Everything you have to listen!

Kepa Lehtinen Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Cinematic, Classical, Interview, Interview (osf), Kepa Lehtinen, Neoclassical|

Kepa Lehtinen
Interview

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

Kepa Lehtinen:
Classical, cinematic

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Kepa Lehtinen:
I was born in Helsinki, Finland in 1971 and began studying music in childhood, eventually learning to play piano, synthesizers, theremin, and drums. I went on to study Sound Design at Finland’s Aalto University and I have since written music for many films, commercials, and TV productions. My work has appeared in award-winning Finnish titles such as Kimmo (TV series), Almost 18 (feature film), and A Stone LeftUnturned (short film). I released my first solo album, Playing Theremin, in 2018. In 2019 I released Helsinki in November and 2020 album “It Is OK To Be Sad And Dark”.

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

Kepa Lehtinen:
As a child, the Queen was the biggest. Seeing live aid on tv and year after that seeing band live (on Stockholm). Point of no return.

Nagamag:
Does your music have any underlying messages in it?

Kepa Lehtinen:
Strong melodies over anything else.

Nagamag:
Is music political? Should it be?

Kepa Lehtinen:
I have been on some political projects, including "I Have Only Just Begun,” a song for gay rights in Russia. It made Boy George cry and Madonna said it is something Putin should hear.

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

Kepa Lehtinen:
Placebo "Running up that hill"

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

Kepa Lehtinen:
Ryuichi Sakamoto "The Sheltering Sky"

Discover & Listen to Kepa Lehtinen

Kepa Lehtinen on Spotify

Kepa Lehtinen's Signature Track

Kepa Lehtinen on Social Media

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KepaLehtinen

Dale Nichols – Flauto Magico – Piano Reprise (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Features, Neoclassical, Neoclassical Features, The Latest|Tags: Dale Nichols, Neoclassical|

Dale Nichols – Flauto Magico – Piano Reprise
(Spotify)

Dale Nichols, a Canadian musician based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, deliver us a sentimental piano solo reprise of an electronic track originally composed for an award-winning VR dance production "Eve: Dance Is An Unplaceable Place". Performed with right balance between harmonies and silence which allo listener get into the story quick and enjoy the flow.
http://dalenicholsmusic.com/

Emil Smith Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Cinematic, Emil Smith, instrumental world, Interview, Interview (osf), middle eastern|

Emil Smith
Interview

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

Emil Smith:
Cinematic, instrumental world (middle eastern).

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Emil Smith:
My background as a music producer, sound engineer and singer/songwriter has shaped my approach to how I currently work with soundtracks and instrumental compositions. I have a deep interest in shaping timbre and working with transforming textures.

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

Emil Smith:
My first head dive into music was when my brother introduced me to grunge rock. I started playing guitar and instantly connected with the genre and subculture.
A few years later I met a guy who did recordings and synth programming. I was intrigued by the creative process behind sound manipulation and using the recording studio as an instrument and a compositional tool.
Since, I've played in many small bands as a songwriter, guitarist, vocalist and drummer and gradually I've been leaning towards creation and less towards live performance.
I love storytelling, and I think music is a great tool to tell a story. I bring my own story and my love of art, fiction, world music and creativity into my music.

Nagamag:
What is the idea behind the Middle Eastern instrumentation used throughout the EP?

Emil Smith:
The EP is a conceptual soundtrack for an animation project called 'Aetherreach' (in development). It's set in a desert wasteland: As the rivers are polluted by toxic waste, the drought-plagued desert tribes rebel against the tyranny of the advanced tech-nation of Aetherreach.
I wanted the soundtrack to sound middle eastern, without pointing towards a specific culture of traditional music, as the story is set in an alternate universe. This is why the instrumentation is so eclectic - I've borrowed a bit here and there: Syrian kamancheh, Armenian duduk, Turkish saz, North African percussion and kalimba - besides neoclassical strings, dark synths and glitch drums presenting the sci-fi elements from Aetherreach.

Nagamag:
Do you have any new projects coming?

Emil Smith:
I'm sketching out my first ideas for a collaborative project with world influences and dark cinematic bowed textures.
Besides that, I'm working on the score of a short documentary. In August I start a Film Scoring master degree on the National Film School of Denmark.

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

Emil Smith:
Sudan Archives "Oatmeal"

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

Emil Smith:
Madar Ensemble "Silence"

Discover & Listen to Emil Smith

Emil Smith on Spotify

Emil Smith's Signature Track

Emil Smith on Social Media

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lydsmeden

Muidas – Aria (Video)

Categories: Features, Neoclassical, Neoclassical Features, The Latest, Video|Tags: Cinematic, Muidas, Neoclassical, Piano|

Muidas – Aria
(Video)

Aria (Italian for Air) is Muìdas’ first single. The song is characterized by a melancholic yet soothing mood, evoking the sensation of taking off and being up in the air, among gray and menacing clouds. A well performed cinenamtic theme which goes bit further the usualy solo piano design of neoclassical and explores deeper the harmonic boundaries, spiced with tickling sound layers.

For more info visit:

www.muidas.com/blog/aria-1

https://muidas.com/blog/how-it-started-1

Boeuv Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Boeuv, Dance Pop, Future Bounce, Future House, Interview, Interview (osf)|

Boeuv
Interview

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

Boeuv:
Future House Future Bounce Dance Pop

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Boeuv:
Giannis Gkoutzioulis (Boeuv) is a 20-year-old artist from Greece. He has signed tracks with dominating labels such as LoudKult, Loud Memory, MILKSHAKE. His tracks have been supported by Bolier, Lost Frequencies, and many more. Since the beginning of 2020 Boeuv has already achieved having more than one million streams across all streaming services.

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

Boeuv:
I was 14-years-old when I first got into Electronic Dance Music by listening to Hardwell and coming across to some of the Tomorrowland live sets on YouTube. That light the spark to get into EDM. Since then, I started producing many genres with the help of countless tutorials from the internet and after a while, I started releasing my own music on some small labels. 6 years later, my alias is taking the structure that I like by achieving new goals and having releases on some of the biggest labels.

Nagamag:
What is the part that you give the most attention when you producing a track?

Boeuv:
Most of the time, I tend to give more detail to the atmosphere-ambiance of the track and the vocals. Another important part of a production is the melody of the track which has to be as memorable as possible since that's one of the main reasons that will make the listener come back to your track again and again.

Nagamag:
What is your main goal for 2020?

Boeuv:
My main goal is to release as many tracks as I possibly can and try to experiment with even more genres. I feel like trying new techniques in your productions is one of the greatest things that a producer can try since music has no limits.

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

Boeuv:
Agnes Obel "Fuel to Fire - Deezer Session"

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

Boeuv:
Josh Bogert, Laust, Um41K "Can't Say Why"

Discover & Listen to Boeuv

Boeuv on Spotify

Boeuv's Signature Track

Boeuv on Social Media

BoeuvMusic

Leena Hertz Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Cinematic, Instrumental, Interview, Interview (osf), Leena Hertz, Neo-classics, Neoclassical, New Age, Piano, spiritual|

Leena Hertz
Interview

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

Leena Hertz:
Neo-classics, new age, instrumental, spiritual, piano, cinematic

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Leena Hertz:
I am playing piano since the time I remember myself. My mom is a music teacher and my dad is a big music lover. So piano, guitars, vinyl, music players were normal things in our family. My study background is 16 years: 9 year of classical piano school, 6 years of jazz piano in Moscow College of Improvising Music and 1 year of film composer study in Moscow Film School. Before 2018 I worked mostly as a pianist. I worked at exhibitions and events in Russia and abroad, I played covers and my own music. And I noticed that the public's reaction to my music was very positive. People told me that while listening to my music they had been wrapped in memories, different images, they cried. In 2016 I initiated a movement Piano Maniacs with the idea to connect those who are crazy about piano. But in 2017 I decided to be a professional film composer. In 2018 I started to work as a film composer. Also I've been playing sacred music for Gurdjieff's sacred dances since 2009. In June 2019 I started to record my first studio album Az Esm. It was released on 30/06/2020.

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

Leena Hertz:
From the beginning of my life I felt myself as a real musician. I always played piano, sang songs, composed music. I played with rattled glass bottles that they are participants of some orchestra. I always made different noises with different things and heard music in them. Now I think that profession of sound designer could be good for me.

Nagamag:
What does the name of your album mean?

Leena Hertz:
My album is called Az Esm. It means I Am. But my music is not about myself. It's about you. You will learn something more about yourself, maybe you will recall something forgotten or maybe you'll discover something new in yourself. You will watch your own movie.

Nagamag:
Where can we listen to your album?

Leena Hertz:
Here is the link to the album: https://sl.onerpm.com/1393422220

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

Leena Hertz:
Shpongle "Around The World In A Tea Daze"

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

Leena Hertz:
Shpongle "Dorset Perception"

Discover & Listen to Leena Hertz

Leena Hertz on Spotify

Mibsy – Mon Chéri (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Features, Pop, Songwriter Features, The Latest|Tags: Electro Pop, Mibsy, Songwriter|

Mibsy – Mon Chéri
(Spotify)

Mon Chéri is a reminder to put forth the effort in a relationship. Dancing to this song with your significant other is a good start! Was born in Switzerland, and growing up her adventurous heart which filled with joy getting to travel to Africa during the summers. Wrapped up in the various cultures and mindsets that helped define who is today. A summer bright song to give good light in your day. https://www.instagram.com/miibsyy/

Fiona Joy Hawkins – Aqua 2 (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Features, Neoclassical, Neoclassical Features, The Latest|Tags: Fiona Joy Hawkins, Neoclassical|

Fiona Joy Hawkins – Aqua 2
(Spotify)

An impressionistic piano solo inspired by water from an album that is an exploration of 'now': water, fire, climate change, survival, and the vanishing of souls into the wind. Well performed and recorded/mastered with clarity offering a fresh positive outlook making it perfect for start up your new day.

Few words about Fiona Joy Hawkins:
Fiona Joy (Hawkins) is an Australian Pianist, Composer and Singer. Known asThe Piano Angel in China, she is a member of the New Age Super-group FLOW (Fiona Joy, Lawrence Blatt, Jeff Oster, Will Ackerman) and performed with them at New York’s Carnegie (Weill Hall) as well as on Echoes/NPR Radio in 2017. Fiona had a song on a Grammy Winning album in 2014, won two categories in the Independent Music Awards held at the Lincoln Centre in NY in 2016, works with Australian piano maker Stuart and Sons and also records in Audiophile forms with Blue Coast Records (content Partners with Sony for hi-res audio).

“One of the brightest lights in contemporary instrumental music, Fiona Joy is poised to move into stardom.”

- Will Ackerman, Founder of Windham Hill Records
http://fionajoy.com/

Catty.L Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Ambient, Catty.L, Interview, Interview (osf), Neoclassical, New Age, Singer, Singer-songwriter, Songwriter, World|

Catty.L
Interview

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

Catty.L:
New Age, Neoclassical, Ambient, World, Singer-songwriter

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Catty.L:
Since the age 3 I've been learning to play piano and accordion, music had become a part of my life when I was a kid. I used to sing a lot (well maybe I still do?), then started writing music on my own since I found it's way more interesting. In 2017 my first single "Tirta Empul" was released, after that I've been writing many works in the genres of New Age, Neo-classical, ambient and world music. This year 2020 I'm publishing new Single/EP/albums every month, I'm always excited to write something new !

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

Catty.L:
I don't think there's a single one moment that made my wanna be a music artist... Like I said, music is a part of my life, some everything just happened very naturally. Real music can live for us after we died, and help us being remembered by the world, and that's one of the reason becoming a music artist.

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

Catty.L:
Alexandre Desplat "The Angel"

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

Catty.L:
Olafur Arnalds "Near Light"

Discover & Listen to Catty.L

Catty.L on Spotify

Catty.L's Signature Track

Catty.L on Social Media

Catty.Lmusic

catty116

Shadi G – Disconnection (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Features, Pop, Songwriter Features, The Latest|Tags: Electro Pop, Shadi G, Songwriter|

Shadi G – Disconnection
(Spotify)

The single “Disconnection” looks at a relationship where both people know and are certain that they love each other, but on the surface they really cannot remember the reasons why. The song examines a love where the romantic sparks that initially fires up a relationship, have all but died.

It lays bare those crucial moments when each partner questions whether they are really suited to each other. It characterizes that singular, painful moment when you believe that “Disconnection” from the other, is the only answer.

Few words about Shadi G:
Shadi G is a Swedish songwriter, producer and singer whose soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics is striking the attention of some of Swedens biggest music magazines.

Schooled in classical music, growing up with music all from jazz, RnB, soul, hip hop to her roots in Persian music, Shadi is crossing borders with her own soulful sound, both in style and language.

Straight after high school she went to London to study music production and in 2016 she released her debut single “Lost”, which got her on to some of Swedens biggest music playlists.

In 2017 she started her own record label, Goldamin Records, from which the second single “Where We Go”, was released.

And now, after more than one year waiting, it is finally time for more music from Shadi. “This Love” is the first song to be released from her upcoming EP, which will be the first to be released through her own label.
http://shadi-g.com/