Discover Music Artists and their background on Nagamag!

Maria Grönlund Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Contemporary Classical, Interview, Interview (osf), Maria Grönlund, Modern Classical, Neo-classical|

Maria Grönlund
Interview

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

MariaGronlundmusic

maria_gronlund

Maria Grönlund's Website

www.mariagronlund.com

Jaap Mol Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Ambient, Electronic, Interview, Interview (osf), Jaap Mol, Neo-classical|

Jaap Mol
Interview

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

jaapmolmusic

jaapmol

Jaap Mol's Website

www.jaapmol.com

Kristine Bratlie Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: film, Interview, Interview (osf), Jazz, Kristine Bratlie, Musical, Neo-classical, Piano|

Kristine Bratlie
Interview

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

Kristine Bratlie:
I like to call my music style a cross over between classical piano music, film, musical and jazz. It stretches in multiple directions, often even inside one song.

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Kristine Bratlie:
I am a norwegian classical pianist that developed into a composer, curios about HOW I could reach peoples heart with my music.
My musical education is from academies in Oslo, Norway and Salzburg, Austria (the birthplace of Mozart).
After turning back home, doing concerts and teaching with classical piano literature, I eventually started publishing music, both piano, chamber music and singing.
Now I live in Sweden, in a small town called Aneby.

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

Kristine Bratlie:
I started to play piano at the age of 9, and had many fine years developing. But what I think gave me that boost, that feeling of joy and meaning was when I began singing (and playing) in a gospel choir at 13. I felt this inspiration from the harmonies, the rhythm, the joy. It became really a manifestation of music in my soul.

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

Kristine Bratlie:
Tiziano Ferro "Lo Stadio"

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

Kristine Bratlie:
Ludovico Einaudi "Una Mattina"

Discover & Listen to Kristine Bratlie

Kristine Bratlie on Spotify

Kristine Bratlie's Signature Track

Kristine Bratlie on Social Media

kbratlie

kbratlie_composer_pianist

Kristine Bratlie's Website

www.kristinebratlie.com

Andrei Poliakov Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Andrei Poliakov, Interview, Interview (osf), Neoclassical, Piano, romantic, Soundscape|

Andrei Poliakov
Interview

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

Andrei Poliakov:
The foundation of my works is a well-educated neoclassical, romantic soundscape, but as soon as the music begins, it starts looking for cross-over opportunities to develop into an exciting house-party, jazz, pop, or electronic music, all these easily transforming to warm classical follow-ups – hence the eclectic style which I hope helps me tell better stories without words.
Essentially, I treat a musical genre as an additional color for the compositions, like seasoning in food; these colors help me get the emotions across and tell the stories to the listener with better precision and stronger impact:

I do not feel bound by a genre or a style, and instead I use and abuse the variety of styles to paint a deeper and more colorful, meaningful musical picture. Nevertheless, the Piano is always staying as a centerpiece of my compositions as I believe the richness and diversity of sounds of the “king of music” easily trumps any other instrument I know

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Andrei Poliakov:
I am a professional musician, composer and producer, received a fundamental classical music master education as a pianist and an oboist in Russia, and then continued with the professional musical career performing with world-renowned orchestras. Later I diversified my musical taste and capacity into jazz, rock, and pop genres, performing and recording with various bands and solo.
Since 2012 I have been living in Switzerland, Geneva, engaging into various professional activities both in artistic and business domains.

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

Andrei Poliakov:
I started learning piano at a very early age of 3 or 4 years old: my parents are pianists and music has always been in the center of my life.
When I was in school (yes, seriously underage…) my favorite pastime while cutting lessons was to grab a couple of friends, buy a box of beers, go to a nearest abandoned building (which we had a lot in Russia in the 90s), sit down on a window sill, take a sip of a cold one, and put the 6th symphony by Tchaikovsky, or the 2nd (no, 3rd… any of them!) Rachmaninov’s piano concerto on a Walkman and basically drown in emotions and thoughts… and beer.

Hence, the music that has influenced me the most, comes from the second half of 19th – first half of 20th century – and I must admit, most of it is Russian music or music with Russian roots. Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Skryabin, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Stravinsky – but also Mahler, Bruckner, Richard Strauss – these composers influenced my taste the most. Depth of thought, wide array of emotions, unimaginable soundscape and extremely clever and elegant arrangement solutions; beautiful harmonies and melodies…

Being a teenager, I of course dived into the world of rock and pop music, starting with The Beatles - the band that still remains my all time favorite, and all the usual suspects: Queen, Michael Jackson, Metallica... and this journey continues to date.

Nagamag:
Is there a story behind your latest release "Moonlight" and would you like to share it?

Andrei Poliakov:
I dedicated this short piano essay to the Moon and to the most beautiful village in the world: Céligny - a tiny little place in Switzerland, where I live.
Céligny is inhabited by incredibly kind, smart, and very warm people, has an unbelievably rich and beautiful nature, and stunning views along with very old historical houses drowning in floral multi-coloredness, and there is #MontBlanc 🏔 on the horizon... and don't get me started on the birds' chirping and singing...

Once it was a home for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the latter is buried in the old cemetery of the village.

Céligny is an unfathomably cozy place on this planet, and I feel very blessed to have had a chance to engrave my very intimate memories of this village.

I have actually composed the Moonlight in the heart of a former water mill!

And then one early morning in February I woke up and couldn’t fall asleep again. I decided to go for a walk and took along a video camera, and there was a full Moon in the skies! I was so enchanted and intrigued by mysterious flair of that morning that I couldn’t stop the camera running - and then I decided to use some of that footage for the video of this track.

Nagamag:
Is Moonlight going to be a part of a bigger project you are working on right now?

Andrei Poliakov:
Yes, this new solo piano release “MOONLIGHT” is continuing to form my live album “Moonlight & Sunshine”, and it follows the previous releases of 2020: “Declaration of Love”, “Lullaby”, and “La Promenade in Paris”
The “Moonlight & Sunshine” album has an uncommon approach for the neoclassics genre: every next release features 2 different versions of one motive, coming to life as a piano solo piece, interpreting a narrative in the moonlight, and as a fully arranged piece, revealing the same story under the sunshine.

The album has been evolving live on the major streaming platforms as a playlist (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and others), thereby gradually forming the full album as new pairs of tracks are released.

The album Moonlight & Sunshine on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3MCyNWldBXCbZdLKehspn2?si=882c2e2dc09d4074

In a few weeks I am planning to follow up and release the fully arranged track called "Sunshine", which is inspired by the melodics of Moonlight, but features a duet of piano and violin (played by a very talented violinist from Russia) and other instruments.

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

Andrei Poliakov:
The Beatles "Here comes the Sun"

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

Andrei Poliakov:
Ludovico Einaudi Una Mattina

Discover & Listen to Andrei Poliakov

Andrei Poliakov on Spotify

Andrei Poliakov's Signature Track

Andrei Poliakov on Social Media

funkypianoplay

Andrei Poliakov's Website

www.funkypianoplay.com

Mythos Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Electronica Features, Electronica Interviews, Features, Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Electro-Acoustic, Electronica, Interview, Interview (osf), Mythos|

Mythos
Interview

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

Mythos:
Mythos is electro-acoustic music featuring beats, synth, acoustic guitar, piano and vocalese. Mythos was signed with new age label Higher Octave Music during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Mythos:
For 25 years, Mythos has been creating timeless, ethereal music fusing electronic beats with vocalese, piano, acoustic guitar, synths and sounds from around the world. 2021 marks the 25th Anniversary for the duo of Bob D’Eith (producer and piano) and Paul Schmidt (acoustic guitar) with special guest performances from Jennifer Scott (vocals), Jasmin Parkin (vocals), Rene Worst (bass), Pepe Danza, (percussion), Niko Quintal (percussion) and many others.
Bob’s father spent many years trying to convince him to work with his brother’s talented friend Paul. When Bob was trying to create music for film and television, he teamed up with Paul to co-write together. As Bob and Paul started producing music and working with Vancouver session players Jennifer Scott and Rene Worst, it became apparent that they had created something special. Mythos was born. In 1996, Mythos released the “Introspection” EP independently. The first single “November Dance” (in instrumental dance track with no lyrics) was released and much to the surprise of the artists became a commercial radio hit and retail success. “Introspection” went on to win a WCMA Award and was nominated for a JUNO Award. “Introspection” was picked up by a Bay area label entitled XDOT25 and released internationally.

The second release “Iridescence” was released briefly in Canada, however Max Amadi from XDOT25 pitched Mythos to the Malibu based label Higher Octave (Virgin/EMI0). Max’s suggestion of the pairing of Mythos with the brilliant fine artist Gil Bruvel led Higher Octave to release the 16 track self-titled “Mythos” (1998) that went on to be released in 33 countries and sell in the high five figures. Hot on the heels of the success of “Mythos”, Higher Octave released “Reality of a Dreamer” (2000) and “Eternity” (2002). Mythos spent years in the Billboard charts and was added to many essential compilations in the time. Mythos was also used for “Victoria’s Secret” Cannes runway production during this time. Mythos won a second WCMA award during this period.

Once Higher Octave merged with their parent label, Mythos moved over to Alula Records/Allegro (Oregon) releasing “Purity” (2006) for the world less Canada that was retained by Adagio Music/Pacific Music/Warner. For a few years, Paul went to Korea to teach English and Bob developed his career building Music BC (a non-profit music industry association) and his entertainment law practice. In 2012, Bob and Paul re-united for the album “Journey” released through Adagio Music/IODA (2013). In 2014, Adagio Music released a “best of” series of Mythos tracks including a special Vinyl release. A new Album “Journey” (2018) was released on Adagio/The Orchard.

2021 is Mythos’ 25th Anniversary and this year we are pleased to release “XXV” a 14-track album including 5 new tracks and 9 fully remastered classics. The lead-off single “Legacy” featuring Cam Blake (Bob’s son and Indie Rock artist in his own right), uses progressive rock and electronic elements and was produced with returning performances by Jennifer Scott and Rene Worst. “Fly Away” is going to please many Mythos fans, getting back to Mythos’ musical roots. “Bonum et Malum” explores the dichotomy between good and evil, sadness and joy. “Progression” is a piece that evolves through the addition of ever complex melodies, all woven together into a tapestry of sound. “Recuerdos de la Alahambra” originally composed by Francisco Tárrega and arranged for guitar and strings by Mythos, features a beautiful classical guitar performance by Paul Schmidt. The balance of the tracks (November Dance, Brazil, Planinata, Alchemy, Ascent, Icarus, Surrender, Eros and Spiritus) are a selection of Mythos’ most enduring tracks from previous albums fully remastered for the digital environment.

Mythos continues to have a large following around the world with over 2 Million streams a year from over 90 countries.

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

Mythos:
From Bob. In pre-school my teacher recognized my rhythm while playing toy drums. I was very fortunate to have had amazing mentors when I was young who inspired my love of music. This has lasted my entire life.

Nagamag:
What is special this year?

Mythos:
2021 is the 25th Anniversary for Mythos. Bob D'Eith and Paul Schmidt have been partners in this amazing project for all this time, creating timeless, ethereal music that defies genre.

Nagamag:
Why do you think that the project has lasted so long?

Mythos:
From Bob, for me it is a question of balance. If I am not creating, I don't feel alive. Mythos has given both Paul and me a great outlet for our expressions over the years. I really cherish that.

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

Mythos:
Miles Davis "So What"

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

Mythos:
Enigma "Return to Innocence"

Discover & Listen to Mythos

Mythos on Spotify

Mythos' Signature Track

Mythos on Social Media

mythosmusic

mythosimages

mythosmusic

Mythos' Website

www.mythosmusic.com

Matan Arkin Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Electronica Features, Electronica Interviews, Features, Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Electronic, Electronica, Folk, Interview, Interview (osf), Matan Arkin|

Matan Arkin
Interview

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

Matan Arkin:
A mix of Folk and Electronic

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Matan Arkin:
Drummer,dj,pianist

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

Matan Arkin:
Bach, Minuet

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

Matan Arkin:
Dino Valenti "Children of the Sun"

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

Matan Arkin:
Thom Yorke "The Eraser"

Discover & Listen to Matan Arkin

Matan Arkin on Spotify

Matan Arkin's Signature Track

Matan Arkin · Matan Arkin - The Kingdom

Matan Arkin's Website

soundcloud.com/matan-arkin

Sacha Hoedemaker Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Atmospheric, Cinematic, Interview, Interview (osf), Neoclassical, Piano, Sacha Hoedemaker, Soundtrack|

Sacha Hoedemaker
Interview

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

Sacha Hoedemaker:
Cinematic Piano.
Often, his music is compared to film scores. Soundtracks.
Atmospheric Piano.
There is always a story in his music. A universal story.

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Sacha Hoedemaker:
Sacha started playing piano at the age of 8. After two years of piano lessons, he quit. Thinking; this is not for me.
Then he was cast as a musical accompanist at the age of 14 in a school musical. He fell in love with musicals and wanted to learn everything there was about musical theory. How were songs built up and what were recurring patterns, etc. He quickly realized that he had a good ear and started exploring different genres. After a couple years he was playing professionally for semi-pro singers as well as in theaters and restaurants as a background pianist. Always listening to how his music had an effect on the room.
This skill then became useful when he tried improvisational theater. He scored scenes with the same ears as listening to a busy restaurant. What is needed in order for the 'audience' to have a good time. Connecting music with emotions and stories. That's what makes him a highly sought after musical director.
Sacha is now a musical improviser. Envisioning a story and letting go of all that is distracting, through meditation and mindfulness. Using all his gathered knowledge about music in the last decade, and focusing it on his craft by creating a listening experience. On a daily basis, he plays for Europe's biggest improvisation theater called Boom Chicago. He graduated from the Abbey Road Institute in Amsterdam in 2020 and currently is running a growing home-studio called The Music Maker. At the start of 2020, he was looking for more creative outlets and he joined several collaborative projects, one of them resulted in an Emmy win. (#CreateTogether) He is the pianist for Dr. Peacock (in Concert).
He started releasing music during the pandemic, in August 2020, and has been growing his presence on the classical piano market ever since.

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

Sacha Hoedemaker:
Yes, after I had discovered that I could play anything.. I took on the challenge of learning Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. It took me a full week, but I managed to do it. I couldn't contain myself and kept playing new songs every day. From Classical to Pop and from Jazz to Gabber. Seeking to challenge myself, was a driving factor for me to keep coming up with, and taking on creative projects.

Nagamag:
What is your goal in terms of music?

Sacha Hoedemaker:
It has been a dream of mine to score a full feature film, as a composer.
Starting small, my initial goal is to create several cues, or score a short film. Help conveying a story in any way that I can. Too many stories are silenced, I see it as a my calling, to help tell some of those.

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

Sacha Hoedemaker:
Vulfpeck "1612"

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

Sacha Hoedemaker:
Elliot Jacques "Kaleidoscope"

Discover & Listen to Sacha Hoedemaker

Sacha Hoedemaker on Spotify

Sacha Hoedemaker's Signature Track

Sacha Hoedemaker on Social Media

sachahoedemakerofficial

sachahoedemaker

Sacha Hoedemaker's Website

linktr.ee/sachahoedemaker

Alberto Rizzo Schettino Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Acoustic, Alberto Rizzo Schettino, Ambient, Cinematic, Cyberpunk, Downtempo, electronic music, Epic, Ethnic, Glitch, Industrial, Interview, Interview (osf), Neoclassical, Orchestral, OST themes, World Music|

Alberto Rizzo Schettino
Interview

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

Alberto Rizzo Schettino:
I write original music for film and video games. I play piano and keyboards and in the years I have gathered quite a collection of synthesizers, guitar amps and FX pedals. This definitely drives my music towards those instruments as I like to mix elements of electronic music (ambient, downtempo, glitch etc.) with more traditional orchestral instruments (strings, brass, percussion) and ethnic sounds from Africa and the Middle East. I try and mangle these original acoustic sounds from world music to be 'assimilated' by the machines, while still retaining their contrasting features. I try to maintain a delicate and constant fight between an industrial, cyberpunk and somehow dystopian sound palette and a more organic, classical setup with roaring strings and epic orchestral elements. I guess a lot of my work with techno artists and the club scene plays a role in what I imagine would be the sound of the streets and the underground in a distant future.

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Alberto Rizzo Schettino:
I've worked as a pianist/keyboardist for artists, bands and recording studios, mostly as a session musician. I've had my good share of live gigs in rock, acid jazz and fusion setups in which I would bring my keybards, guitar amps and guitar pedals and kinda force the stage to accept my sounds. I am not a fan of playing 'realistic instruments' live, and unfortunately you can achieve pretty good ones these days with keyboards.. but for me it's either acoustic piano, vintage keys or straight up synthesizers and mangled sounds. There's no in-between. In 2007 I opened my own recording studio, called 'Fuseroom' and I started producing records and keeping the facility open to music education programs. In the past years I went back to my role of composer and joined some game development companies (among which were some good friends of mine, from high school) to write original music for their video games. Getting back to writing music by myself was an adventure and somehow reconnected me with an artistic self that I had kept asleep for a while. It was a good time to get back at it and I was able to use this momentum to release a new solo record, called 'Future in the Past', highlighting some of the most iconic elements of my sound and songwriting, in the soundtrack genre.

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

Alberto Rizzo Schettino:
As a kid I was lucky to have friends who one day told me on the phone: "We're making a band. What do you want to play?". It was that simple. We wanted to move from air guitars and air drums using broomsticks and empty soda bottles to playing for real. I looked around, I had a small digital keyboard I had been playing since I was in primary school and decided that I wanted to play piano and go to a real teacher. I started both classical and modern piano together and never stopped taking lessons from the day. At around 18 I felt like I had to choose and was captivated by modern music. I've played in pop/rock bands, jazz ensembles, small freestyle and acid jazz bands etc. especially when I moved my beautiful (but small) town of Firenze (Italy) to continue studying in Los Angeles. I cannot remember how many people I've played with and whose projects I joined. From there on I kept on studying, moving cities, attending to more music academies in the US and in Europe. If there was one constant that never left me is that I do not partake in projects that I do not like. I just cannot do it. I've studied to be a professional musician and I am happy to provide others with my expertise but I have to hear some kind of pulse in the project. Exposure, fame, money, you name it.. they just do not cut it in the end as I cannot go to sleep and look at myself in the mirror if I am doing something I do not genuinely and directly enjoy. I guess that spontaneous phone call from my friends when we were kids really left a mark.

Nagamag:
Is there a cliché or recurring pattern in the way you come up with a new piece of music?

Alberto Rizzo Schettino:
With the passing of time (and things become more recurring or fixed, with deadlines, revisions, team discussion, production supervisors and so on) I noticed that I start working on a song only after I can hear it in my head 'enough', over the course of a couple days. It is kinda funny to say that but once I receive the initial brief for a new music project and the team or production sends me guidelines for the vibe they are looking for, I do not sit at the instrument and try to put down ideas. I just let things breathe for a couple days and I start thinking about a tune. It might happen at the worst time or before falling asleep. If the idea is good, in a couple days I can always recall the main theme and at least the B-section that answers it. That is usually the right time for me to sit down, turn my computer on and start writing music.

Nagamag:
If you only had to keep one musical instrument, what would it be?

Alberto Rizzo Schettino:
This would be very challenging. I certainly consider the acoustic piano as my foundation but I have so many instruments that I like for their specific sound palette, some of which have almost healing properties when played, in my opinion. I would have a very hard time parting from my Voyager, Polysix, Juno-6 and Hammond, as well. Please do not make choose! ;)

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

Alberto Rizzo Schettino:
Andy Summers Mysterious Barricades

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

Alberto Rizzo Schettino:
Ola Strandh Tom Clancy's The Division (Original Soundtrack)

Discover & Listen to Alberto Rizzo Schettino

Alberto Rizzo Schettino on Spotify

Messergeist Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, The Latest|Tags: Dark Melodic Techno, Interview, Interview (osf), Messergeist, Progressive House|

Messergeist
Interview

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

Messergeist:
Dark Melodic Techno and Progressive House

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Messergeist:
I’m a full time music producer and musician since 1998. Mainly working in the metal and rock scene, I’ve always had a deep love of mixing organic music with electronics elements, my former band Sybreed is a perfect example. Currently guitarist of the band Samael, I’ve started working on full electronic music during the 2020’s lockdown when I’ve initiated the project Messergeist.

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

Messergeist:
My dad was a musician, both my parents are music lovers so I’ve bathed into music since my very first breath. I’ve always wanted to be a musician, I remember a Depeche Mode concert in 1993 that gave me chills, but maybe my need of becoming a music artist was when I've heard the track "Mouth For War" from Pantera in the early 90's

Nagamag:
What are your plans with Messergeist in a close future ?

Messergeist:
I have a few more tracks ready that I’ll release as singles. The next one will be called « Dawnopolis » and will be released in April with a video by the artist Fractually who already worked with me on my previous single « Blurred »
I also have a remix of Kiephil’s track « Tunnel Vision » coming out on March 27th, remix with whom I won a contest in the Metapop community earlier this year.
Also working on a hard techno project with my friend Pseudo Pulse. The first EP will be out somewhere this spring.

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

Messergeist:
Depeche Mode "In Your Room"

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

Messergeist:
Boris Brejcha "Future"

Discover & Listen to Messergeist

Messergeist on Spotify

Messergeist's Signature Track

Messergeist on Social Media

messergeist

Messergeist's Website

messergeist.bandcamp.com

Paul Cook & The Chronicles Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Pop Features, Pop Interviews, The Latest|Tags: alternative Country, Folk, Indie Pop, Interview, Interview (osf), Paul Cook & The Chronicles|

Paul Cook & The Chronicles
Interview

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

Paul Cook & The Chronicles:
Folk, alt. Country, Indie Pop

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Paul Cook & The Chronicles:
Grew up listening to 50s/60s music, along with whatever was in the charts at the time. Started playing guitar aged 11. My first proper band got signed to BMG, the second band to EMI, then I went solo as PC&TC, and my first solo album was Rough Trade Stores Album 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?

Paul Cook & The Chronicles:
As soon as I heard The Beatles I knew I wanted to be in music. And then I used to see The Monkees TV programme as a kid and wanted to be in a band.

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

Paul Cook & The Chronicles:
Solange "Cranes in the sky"

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

Paul Cook & The Chronicles:
Phoebe Bridgers Garden Song

Discover & Listen to Paul Cook & The Chronicles

Paul Cook & The Chronicles on Spotify

Paul Cook & The Chronicles' Signature Track

Paul Cook & The Chronicles on Social Media

paulcookchronicles

cookchronicles

Paul Cook & The Chronicles' Website

paulcookchronicles.com/

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