Isabel Dumaa Interview on Nagamag

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

.


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

Isabel Dumaa:
The umbrella genre for my music is pop, but I would define it as indie pop or alt-pop with little elements of folk and R&B!


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Isabel Dumaa:
I have been singing since practically before I could talk, and began songwriting at a young age as well. I took singing lessons throughout my childhood, and begged my parents for guitar and piano lessons so I could accompany myself and start playing live. Since day 1 I have always wanted to be a singer and pursue music. After graduating High School I moved down to LA to do music full time, and feel so grateful I get to be working every day at something I love so dearly.


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

Isabel Dumaa:
It is difficult to pinpoint my very first connection to my love of music, but there is one early memory that sticks out. I was about 5 years old when my cousin played me You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift, and I have never fallen in love with a song quicker. It immediately became my favorite song and was pretty much all I listened to for about a year. My parents bought me my first iPod shuffle about a year later and all I had on it was You Belong With Me and 4 other songs from Fearless all of which I listened to on repeat. Taylor Swift has been a huge inspiration for me growing up and throughout my career and that was where my love for her began.


Nagamag:
What would be your dream venue to play?

Isabel Dumaa:
I was raised right in the heart of San Francisco and over the years attended many concerts and shows all over the city. Every show I went to I couldn't help but picture myself on the stage someday getting to sing in my home city. Every year "Outside Lands Festival" is held in Golden Gate Park and pretty much every young person in the bay area is there. It is essentially the coachella of NorCal. Outside Lands is such a vivid part of my growing up and every year I went I couldn't help but dream and picture myself on one of those stages, getting to play for all the people standing where I stood all those times. So a definite dream venue would be to be able to headline at Outside Lands!


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

Isabel Dumaa:
"Kiss Of Venus" Paul McCartney and Dominic Fike


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

Isabel Dumaa:
"The Walls Are Way Too Thin" Holly Humberstone

Discover & Listen to Isabel Dumaa

Isabel Dumaa on Spotify

Isabel Dumaa's Signature Track

Isabel Dumaa on Social Media

Isabel Dumaa's Website

Anne Marie Almedal Interview on Nagamag

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

.


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

Anne Marie Almedal:
Dream pop, cinematic, indie, female vocal, scandinavian!


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Anne Marie Almedal:
Former lead singer of Norwegian art-pop indie band "Velvet Belly" since the mid90's Anne Marie Almedal has beguiled listeners in her near 30 year music career. Each of her five solo albums are all landmark dream-pop releases, from "female Nick Drake" nordic noir folk-pop to the more stirring electronic comeback album "We Dance Alone". Her music has been described as "sweetness multiplied, sadness tripled, her music brings you one step closer to heaven. As fantastic as sharing the last cigarette with the one you love".


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

Anne Marie Almedal:
Growing up in the lonely (but beautiful) suburban, southern coast of Norway, music was an essential escape and soul food. For a melancholic teenager, the voice and songs of other dreamy female artists had a huge impact on my own journey into songwriting and vocal delivery. Liz Fraser/Cocteau Twins, and of course, who else but Kate Bush...first time round:-)


Nagamag:
What are your favourite tracks for the new album?

Anne Marie Almedal:
There are naturally so many songs on my new album that mean such a lot to me, written and produced during the best-forgotten lockdown, where we were all faced with ”dancing alone”, and of my private experience of coping with, and recovering from, breast cancer. Yes, I know it’s a cliché, but music can really give us the magic to breathe, heal, smile, in dark times, and despite the tough background behind the songs, I´m proud to say that they are thankfully like little angels, moments of light. So happy to share to all who want to listen! As far as fave tracks, right now I´d say ”Freeze The Moment”...
A song for those inner moments, walking in the forest, lost in the now. I wanted to capture something both dream-poppy and vaguely post-industrial....something healing, magical, happy/sad to cope with some pretty cold, heavy feelings. Somewhere where my lonely scandi-noir could feel equally at home in some imaginary futuristic misty factory landscapes. Nothing beats the pure joy of expressing loneliness in a warm haze of drum machines, broken synths and shoegaze guitars!
and also the track ”Runaway Turnaround”

Coming to terms with distant memories of youth, distant love affairs,.. ” Runaway Turnaround” is like a burnt-out polaroid snapshot of all my favourite mystical 80’s melancholy synth-pop moments, wrapped with the (thankfully) wiser know-how of who I am today... Again, this song went against my insticts of seeking solace in the ”folksy”, when feeling low, and rather choosing to being energized and reinvorgated by some life-enhancing, larger-than-life synth soundscapes, and some direct, honest feelings.


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

Anne Marie Almedal:
Edda Dell'Orso "Ennio Morricone Poesia Di Una Donna"


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

Anne Marie Almedal:
Cocteau Twins Heaven Or Las Vegas

Discover & Listen to Anne Marie Almedal

Anne Marie Almedal on Spotify

Anne Marie Almedal's Signature Track

Anne Marie Almedal on Social Media

Jon Hannz Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Hip-Hop Features, Hip-Hop Interviews, Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

.


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

Jon Hannz:
Hip Hop, Motivation, Grown man Music


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Jon Hannz:
I been writing since a young lad. As a teen I was introduced to Hip Hop, in my early twenties I began to take it seriously as a career. I then realized my passion and how I wanted my Hip Hop to come across.


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

Jon Hannz:
Listening to the greats, hearing “Children stories” and “I got it made” that era was like the 5 o'clock news for people like me growing up. That made me fall in love with the art. I will never fall in love with the business.


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

Jon Hannz:
Earth Wind and Fire "Keep your head to the sky"


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

Jon Hannz:
Royce da 5'9'' "Strong friend"

Discover & Listen to Jon Hannz

Jon Hannz on Spotify

Jon Hannz's Signature Track

Jon Hannz on Social Media

Jon Hannz's Website

Jem Bosatta Interview on Nagamag

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

.


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

Jem Bosatta:
Folk, acoustic, singer-songwriter


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Jem Bosatta:
I grew up between two homes, the fields of south England and the mountains of north Italy. From the very beginning my music was tied to places: I've always been strongly influenced by folk music. I started writing music five years ago, but I wrote poetry for many years before that and that's still at the very heart of what I do: I want every single lyric to earn its place. Right now I'm about to release


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

Jem Bosatta:
My first love is still my main love and it's playing unamplified, alone, a couple of yards away from the listener, in a silent room or on a still night by a campfire. Other music is intense in other ways, but when I get to create that particular kind of intensity, that's when I know I'm doing the right thing for myself and anyone listening.


Nagamag:
What's the new record about?

Jem Bosatta:
"Loss and Love" is a collection of six stories that all opened my eyes to something new about what it means to be a man. I was really invested in the topic when I was preparing the record, because I had the feeling that men talked a lot about mankind but we didn't really have a complex, subtle language to talk about masculinity apart from "toxic". So in these songs I wanted to recount a wide spectrum of my experience of this mysterious condition, from beautiful to dark to ordinary things.


Nagamag:
Is the record available in physical format?

Jem Bosatta:
Yes, but not like you know it. I didn't want to create waste, so together with the graphic designer Gabriel Jeanjean I've developed a really special EP product. I call it "music for your fingers": it's a lyric book that was created as a tactile, aesthetic, musical, analogue-digital journey. You can buy on my Bandcamp page - jembosatta.bandcamp.com. And if you want the CD too, I can include one in the delivery for free... but most people don't actually listen to CDs so I thought I'd make it optional.


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

Jem Bosatta:
Self "Noname"


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

Jem Bosatta:
Sam Amidon "Time Has Made a Change"

Discover & Listen to Jem Bosatta

Jem Bosatta on Spotify

Jem Bosatta's Signature Track

Jem Bosatta on Social Media

Jem Bosatta's Website

Stickleback Interview on Nagamag

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

.


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

Stickleback:
Experimental, Down-Tempo, Varied


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Stickleback:
Started my music career playing in bands in my teens, having some success with funk/ hip-hop bands in the 90's, playing at Glastonbury Festival, Womad and various other venues around the UK and Europe. I quickly got into the electronic side of things and have been producing music ever since.


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

Stickleback:
The dance music scene in the UK during the 90's was a huge influence on me and I grew to love the electronic possibilities that were starting to open up around this time.


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

Stickleback:
Massive Attack "Teardrop"


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

Stickleback:
Tipper "Tit For Tat"

Discover & Listen to Stickleback

Stickleback on Spotify

Stickleback's Signature Track

Stickleback on Social Media

Suzanne’s Band Interview on Nagamag

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

.


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

Suzanne's Band:
Country, Blues, Pop


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Suzanne's Band:
Suzanne has always been involved in music in some way, shape or form such as choirs, ensembles and solo singing performances. In 2016, upon the urging of a friend, she started playing guitar and it opened the door to songwriting and public performances in a band setting. In 2017, she was moved to start her own music business Suzanne's Band with the focus of writing, producing and performing songs having a vintage sound along with heartfelt understandable lyrics; something sadly lacking in today's music environment. Listeners both young and old have been drawn in to the messages and the positive vibes. In just a few short years, she has grown an impressive fan base, a thriving You Tube channel, produced two Christmas singles, an EP, two albums and been nominated into the Grammy (Recording Academy) organization which is no small feat these days. She uses one band for recording and another band for public performances. She enjoys playing classic rock, pop and country along with her originals in her home state of Texas in the United States.


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

Suzanne's Band:
I remember as a toddler how much I loved to play records and sing along. Being a dancer too, my body loves to move with music.
When I retired, I wanted to do something every day that I wouldn't ever get tired of. Music was the one thing I knew was in my soul
and that I needed to bring out into the community.


Nagamag:
Do you do anything musically outside of your business?

Suzanne's Band:
Yes, I'm involved in two different groups. I play guitar or piano every Sunday with my church band. Every Monday, I'm part of an over 50 in age and also number of people that go out to all the assisted living and over 50 in age communities in our area and perform a one hour variety music show. This brings music to those who never get to go out and hear their favorite songs any more. These folks don't have radios any more or other electronics to hear music familiar to them.


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

Suzanne's Band:
Styx "Don't Let It End"


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

Suzanne's Band:
Brandi Carlisle "The Joke"

Discover & Listen to Suzanne's Band

Suzanne's Band on Spotify

Suzanne's Band's Signature Track

Suzanne's Band on Social Media

Suzanne's Band's Website

Minorarc Interview on Nagamag

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

.


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

Minorarc:
Minorarc is by no means strictly "Progressive Metal". The project had its origins (under a different name "Mystral Tide") as darkwave with strong classical piano influences. These orchestral and cinematic flavours co-exist with a mixture of Prog, Djent and experimental electronica.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Minorarc:
Since the early 2000s I have been an active multi-instrumentalist and community-founder for underground and experimental music. A classically trained violinist, my modern musical journey began in Tokyo. The first project “Mystral Tide” performed at numerous industrial and darkwave events, including as a guest artist for Japan’s “Seij minus aC” at Leipzig’s Wave-Gotik-Treffen in 2002. Returning to Australia in 2003, I helped establish a decade-long series of concerts (Enzyme), including events for the Melbourne Fringe Festival, all to showcase and expose dozens of independent Australian experimental musicians.

Over two decades, I've periodically recorded and performed as “Minorarc”. The music shifted from synth-heavy dark electronica, into a new world of progressive metal and post-rock. An expression of despair and regret, crafted through piano-driven melodies, non-traditional song structures, and a wide variety of stringed instruments.

Now in 2022, Minorarc has released its second full-length album, “Untold”. A largely instrumental work summoning elements of modern metal and djent to portray emotive unease, offset through the reverberant and powerful effects of classical piano, the warmth of cinematic synth pads, and delicate touches of acoustic mandolin and guitar. “Untold” is accompanied by the release of “Blind Remixes”, featuring a variety of fellow Australian independent artists, and “Overburden”, a sonic side-dish and reflective continuation of “Untold’s” themes.


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

Minorarc:
My first connection to a love of music came from my first purchases (and rentals) of music albums on CD and Cassette, in my early teens. There was a whole world of music to explore, and without preconceptions I was able to simply find albums that struck a chord with me personally. Artists that made my love of music grow, including Fields of the Nephilim, Pink Floyd, Ministry, Alice In Chains, Nocturnus, Solitude Aeternus, Bathory and more.


Nagamag:
What was the concept behind your release, "Untold"?

Minorarc:
Originally I'd wanted the album to be completely instrumental, and tell a story and convey emotions purely through the "feel" of the sounds. Along the way though, during the two years of recording that took place, a very limited selection of the tracks began to just sit better, with some vocals. "Victim of That Before" features vocals by a Melbourne artist and friend, Trayce of Neverembers. Her poetry sets the scene for the album, with a seaside vision and references to drowning and loss.
The album was designed to feel quite claustrophobic, yet also shed occasional moments of light and positivity. Ultimately though, my hope was to convey a story about an innocent soul's final moments, as they drown (either literally, or metaphorically), and suffer strange visions and recollections as the dark waters slowly close. Hope, in hopelessness.


Nagamag:
There is rumor of a companion release for "Untold", can you tell us more about that?

Minorarc:
During the months immediately after "Untold" was completed, we kept recording works in the same vein, and of a similar theme. They now form a release titled "Overburden" which will come out in March/April 2022. Stylistically, they have greater contrast between ambient sections and metal components. Heavier, yet also lighter. We like to think of it as a "side dish" to accompany "Untold".


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

Minorarc:
Bliss "Quiet Letter"


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

Minorarc:
Sithu Aye "A Future With No Colour"

Discover & Listen to Minorarc

Minorarc on Spotify

Minorarc's Signature Track

Minorarc on Social Media

Minorarc's Website

Gifts From Crows Interview on Nagamag

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

.


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

Gifts From Crows:
I like to think of my music as classical music for a post-rock audience. Neoclassical is probably the best genre though as it includes a lot of artists, like me, that use classical instrumentation but are not quite classical in the true sense of the word. Neoclassical is a broad church and easily encompasses artists that weave electronics in with the more traditional orchestral instruments.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Gifts From Crows:
Since I was a teenager I have been passionate about composing and performing music and have been involved in many post-rock / electronic bands and studio projects. Whilst I played guitar and synth during those years, my first love was always the piano and Gifts From Crows really feels like coming home.
Writing orchestral arrangements is a relatively new undertaking for me but one that feels very natural and intuitive. Hearing my music performed by the Northern Film Orchestra for the first time was an incredible experience and I have carried the learnings from that into the new album, 'Stories in Slow Light' which features a lot of live performance mixed in with the samples and the piano.


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

Gifts From Crows:
I grew up near and went to school in Macclesfield in the north of England - home to one of the greatest bands of the post-punk era - Joy Division. I can still remember taking home their album, 'Closer' and playing it for the first time. I had shivers running down my spine listening to that music and it still affects me the same way today. That was when I truly understood how powerful music could be and also when I realised that I wanted to try and produce something that gave other people the same feeling. Whilst you never feel that you even get close to those levels, there is always the hope that the next piece of music will be transformational.


Nagamag:
What was the inspiration for the new album, Stories in Slow Light

Gifts From Crows:
Each piece was inspired by a different photograph by artist Helena Whitten. I found that by sitting at the piano with one of Helena’s photos placed where the sheet music would normally rest, I could literally write music to accompany the scene in front of me, as if the score were hidden inside the image.
I find Helena’s photos incredibly emotive. They are simultaneously timeless but also contemporary and speak to so many of the challenges that humanity is facing today – the fragility of the planet, the transience of life, loneliness and mental health. It is all there and these are also the themes that I explore in my music.


Nagamag:
How did the video for The Empty Mirror come about?

Gifts From Crows:
The song was inspired by a photograph taken by Helena Whitten at Poltimore House in Devon which depicts a solitary figure in front of an oval frame where a mirror used to be.
The track evokes the memory of our ancestors and imagines all the living souls who have passed in front of the now long gone mirror. The protagonist appears to be channelling these spirits out of the ancient walls of the house, at times contorted by the energy flowing through her and then flowing with serenity.

The video for was shot on location at Poltimore House but this time dancer and choreographer Kristine Berget reprises Helena’s role from the photograph and we follow her as she moves around the rooms and hallways of the crumbling mansion.

We worked with Kristine before on the video for 'Without Beauty' and so I knew her choreography was good but her performance on The Empty Mirror was extraordinary and the film directed by Corey Rid really brings the whole work to life.


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

Gifts From Crows:
Joy Division "Love Will Tear Us Apart"


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

Gifts From Crows:
Wim Mertens "Struggle For Pleasure"

Discover & Listen to Gifts From Crows

Gifts From Crows on Spotify

Gifts From Crows' Signature Track

Gifts From Crows on Social Media

Gifts From Crows' Website

Merunisa Interview on Nagamag

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

.


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

Merunisa:
Alternative R&B, R&B, Pop, Indie


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Merunisa:
North West singer/songwriter Merunisa, takes inspiration from the likes of Kehlani, Abel (The Weeknd) and Jhene Aiko creating her own unique sound and adding twists to the alternative R&B genre. Better described as a cross genre artist, Merunisa has demonstrated her ability to own sounds outside of her 'range' like on drill infused track, 'JET' in contrast to her meloncholic vibes on 'Broken & Bruised'. Currently, performing unreleased tracks live, Merunisa is constantly appearing across the UK underground scene. Working on new music at every opportunity she gets, the singer/songwriter is patiently waiting for the right time to release the rest of her discography for the world to hear.


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

Merunisa:
My first connection of love to music would definitely be my love for The Lion King soundtrack. When I was a child I was obsessed with the theatric's of the vocals each character had and how much feeling they had in their voice. My love for music has grown since then as I've ventured into other avenues as I've searched for what my sound is, genres like Alternative R&B and R&B/Soul


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

Merunisa:
Rema "Iron Man"


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

Merunisa:
Kali Claire "Bad Habits"

Discover & Listen to Merunisa

Merunisa on Spotify

Merunisa's Signature Track

Merunisa on Social Media

Anton Kling Interview on Nagamag

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

.


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

Anton Kling:
Melodic, Organic, Progressive, Minimal with a lofi touch


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Anton Kling:
I started in a music program called E-jay when I was 8 years old, then when I was 12 I started making music in fl-studio and when I was 16 I started in Ableton live where I create music these days. I have been making music since I was very young but I started to take it more seriously in the last 6 years.


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

Anton Kling:
I don't remember the first connection with music because there has always been music played at my house when I was young. I remember when my dad showed me Kraftwerk for the first time and I was in awe. But the biggest thing has to be when I discovered Daft Punk at a very you age. I sat on our computer in the early days of the internet and found their music and that just changed everything. I just couldn't stop listening to them, all they did was so new and interesting for my ears. I guess that was when I truly fell in love with electronic music.


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

Anton Kling:
Red Hot Chilipeppers "Californication"


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

Anton Kling:
Extrawelt Zu Fuss

Discover & Listen to Anton Kling

Anton Kling on Spotify

Anton Kling's Signature Track

Anton Kling on Social Media

Load More Posts
Go to Top