Rolando Jasso, better known by his alias Absinth, is an American EDM producer from Houston, Texas who started producing music at the age of 12.
Category Archives: Music
Shardul Pandey Talks To Marie Parie, The Alien Pop Dance Artist & Musician
Marie Parie lives the very definition of “alien”. As a Parisian pop artist who has called the United States home since 2005, she witnesses American society from a unique point of view. Bewildered by the process of dating and motivated by the power of futuristic music, Marie shares these observations through her art. With her debut full-length album, Alien Victory, slated for an early 2013 release, Marie anticipates us strange creatures being drawn to her playful and sexy vibe.
However, the story of Marie Parie was not always so glamorous. Abandoned by her parents at birth, Marie spent her earliest years in an abusive foster home. As a creative individual exposed to harsh living environments, she expressed herself through a love of music and dance. An affinity for singing and songwriting at an early age helped Marie develop a natural talent that was soon to become her life’s aspiration.
In her teen years, Marie was rescued from creative inhibitions by a Catholic priest. Under the artistic guidance of this priest, Marie continued to grow as a performer, singing regularly in the choir of “La Basilique de Saint Denis”, “Notre Dame de Paris”, in various school performances, and even acting -such as in the film Holby City-. Once she decided to pursue her passion further and move to America, Marie arrived with nothing and nobody, once again solidifying her alien identity.
But despite the immersion into a new culture, Marie Parie was driven to succeed in her musical aspirations, performing in cities such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. Her dedication to art and charismatic nature quickly gained the attention of entertainment professionals who were eager to help the cause. As a result of this support, Marie’s first single, “Dating”, will come to visual life through a video shoot beginning late November 2011. * From Pain comes knowledge, the best gift of all and if your heart is torn, let your alien save you, be futuristic and let art heal you.
Shardul Pandey: I welcome you Marie at SANGKRIT, please tell our netizens about yourself.
Marie Parie: I would like to introduce myself to my fellow citizens in India. My name is Marie Parie, self made French Pop performer. My music is catered for all people around the world that love dancing, freeing themselves and feeling good regardless of circumstances. I invite everyone to my futuristic world to escape the daily situations and would like to thank you all for being open to receive me as well in your hearts.
My style is influenced by many cultures including Indian, spanish, French, Russian flares on some of my work, especially my second album. Being French always been into Fashion and flare. I infused a lot of that in my performances as my videos witness that side of futuristic alien. My first single “Dating” is a perfect example that witnesses the American culture with different perspective. I also had an amazing and somewhat unusual childhood, raised by catholic priests, which usually is the opposite of Pop culture. I went through a lot of hardship that made me what I am today. I consider myself a warrior that fights for my music, survival as well as my Aliens Fans. Love of music always saved me and kept me strong to face just about anything that comes to me. My song “Alien Saved me” is explaining somewhat my path. I faced extreme pain as a child, and was suicidal, yet something happened that changed my life and brought me back to life. I always wrote songs as a child, that was my only language i spoke, which was my survival mechanism from overcoming the lack of love, and the loneliness.
I came to America to pursue the American dream, alone, and with no money in my pocket and no family. All i had is talent, and hope, which was not always easy. There were times when I didn’t know how to survive the next hour. I knew I was on a mission, and knew that I will win, it’s just a matter of time. I started working with producers, creating my sound, performing, and directing my videos. I extended my awareness and realized my music touches people all over the world, especially my song “We are all beautiful”. I knew how to navigate through the wolves and find an angel at a time that kept me going. One of my first mentors is Indian, and got me to Buddhism, reading about Indian leaders. This was a turning point that lead me to get signed in France. I’m very grateful for my mentors, teachers, fans, and leaders, and as well for the talent that I’m given. I hope you’ll appreciate this part of me. My goal is still to extend my mission to support children all over the world and contribute to their well beings, as I experienced the vulnerability of a child and it’s effects.
Thank you Shardul for the opportunity to express myself and as well to share all i have with my fellows in India, as well as all over the world. Very much appreciated.
Shardul Pandey: Would you like to briefly explain your sound to people who have not yet heard your music ?
Marie Parie: My sound is infusion of futuristic sounds to Pop sound. I call my sounds “Alien sounds”. Most of my harmonies are inspired by French, English, Spanish, Russian and Idien flavors. I like to mix cultures as we are All one.
Shardul Pandey: What you feel is your strength as a performer and how would you like to be remembered ?
Marie Parie: My strength is stage presence, connecting with people, as well as delivering an amazing amusing performance. Most of my songs, I wrote them to cater to the audiance, amuse, make them dance, and relax from daily lives activities. I would like to be remembered for my music as well as a philanthropist that helps empower people, mainly children as they are the future.
Shardul Pandey: What do you think, why have you succeeded in a field where so many others have failed ? What keeps you unique ? What advice would you give to newbie musicians?
Marie Parie: My success is a fruit of my consistent effort. Since I was a child I knew what I want to do, music was what kept me alive, and then I didn’t let anyone stop me. I used all the oppositions to create fuel to go forward.
Shardul Pandey: Every new idea is a copy of a copy of a copy… Likewise you compose all of your own music; so from where do you draw ideas, inspiration or intuition from when you write songs ? How much you like this process and when you get completely satisfied with output ?
Marie Parie: My style quite unique, though it fits in Pop dance world. I believe that I’m a channel through which music travelers through me to come to the world. Music creates itself, I don’t create it. I only allow it to come through me. When I write is usually late at night or early morning. The idea comes, and I simply recorded and work on it later. Then, I go to a producer who has a certain sound and work with them to get my sound, and won’t stop till I get it close. It’s merely rare for me to be satisfied. I think we are all apprentices. Now the singers that inspired me are many. I have respect for all artists around the world as well as the fans that support the expression of an artist in any of its forms. So, Michael Jackson has always been my hero, as I loved how he tried to heal the world, through music, and also the dance expression. There are many other artists, French Mylene Farmer, Madonna, Britney Spears stage presence…so many other.
My advice to other artist is to be themselves, love what they do, and believe that they can do it, and never let anyone put them down. Sometimes, we don’t know we arrived to the destination, till we open up our eyes, through a reflection. So do it no matter what is my philosophy. If you worried about pleasing everyone, it’s never gonna end. So, embrace the haters and the lovers, and focus on what you love to do.
Shardul Pandey: “I am open for interviewing all those individuals who register domain and opt Internet as their place of doing business” What is your opinion in continuing this ?
Marie Parie: I believe internet is the future, and interviews are ways to let the world know of what’s out there and help filter through, so it’s a great idea.
Shardul Pandey: What is your ultimate message for netizens ?
Marie Parie: My ultimate message for everyone, is to have love in their hearts, speak love, dream love and share love with everyone. That’s the route to happiness, and I think music is one way to get there, as you can hear dance music and be upset, it makes you jump no matter what, and that’s what I want people to do, is to dance, and free their souls. So welcome to MP Alien’s world, and drink the cup of happiness, while your body is shaking to the music.
[heading style=”1″]After 4 days…[/heading]
Marie Parie: Hi Shardul, Talking about my music is such an amazing thing, and love the work you did. I appreciate very much your support. I would love to hear about more of what you do for sure. I just released my first CD, and now working on a second. New exciting things to come. Thank you
Shardul Pandey: Thank you Marie! I wish all success to the first release of your music. I am now listening to it.
Today again our talk is trending upon SANGKRIT.net that means many more people across all time zones want to know about you. I am gratified that you admire it.
Whenever you want discussing any more creativity of yours, we may do so.
Marie Parie: Thank you so much. I’m so grateful for all you do. I would love to do so. Thank you again, will be in touch very soon.
[heading style=”1″]After 21 days…[/heading]
Shardul Pandey Talks To Erik Mongrain, Acoustic Guitarist & Composer
Shardul Pandey: I welcome you Erik at SANGKRIT, please tell our netizens about yourself, your story.
Erik Mongrain: Well that’s a long story but I can try to make it short! I started playing guitar when I was age 14. Prior to that, I was into sports only. That quickly changed with the music coming in and I learned all the grunge music from the 90s that you can think of! Also played some Metallica, Pink Floyd or really anything that I enjoyed listening to. After a few years that was not enough and I discovered J.S. Bach and his work for the lute transcribed for the guitar. Played a lot of that for a year, taught myself how to read music and moved on to instrumental acoustic music after listening to Don Ross. Michael Hedges came into my life when I was around 20 years old and everything changed. His approach was and still is extraordinary and I learned everything I could for a few years.
Around 23 years old I started composing the first songs for my first album , ‘’Fates’’. I was busking in the streets back then and I met 2 great people, Ben and Josée. We became friends and , even though they never were managers in the past, they proposed to manage my career that was beginning. I just went onto a TV show here in Quebec and things were slowly happening for me! YouTube came out, we put a few videos there and everything went nuts! I was not prepared for it all but I did my best. From that point, it went slowly but surely upwards. I record ‘’Equilibrium’’ in 2008 and ‘’Forward’’ in 2012. I am now working on my 4th album which should be out in 2014 if everything goes well! I am now without managers (things went sour after a few years and I figured I would be better off on my own ) and things have slowed down a bit, so I’ve started giving Skype guitar lessons and am trying to fund my career in various ways including the IGG campaign. It ends on September 2nd!
Shardul Pandey: You said you are working on your fourth album, so how far have you reached, what songs you have already recorded for this album ?
Erik Mongrain: I haven’t recorded any songs for my 4th album yet, but I have 3 composed already. I am a rather slow composer, it takes me on average about 3 months to complete 1 song! I should have around 8-9 by the end of 2014. There is ‘’Atlas’’ , ‘’Helios’’ and ‘’Tempo’’. ‘’Atlas’’ and ‘’Helios’’ are sort of linked together, both by the technique used and the feelings expressed. Think of them as point A to point B. ‘’Tempo’’ is nearly finished and it’s a song influenced by my Italian counterparts Stefano Barone & Pino Forastière.
Shardul Pandey : So what makes your endeavors unique ?
Erik Mongrain: I have always been an authentic person, I never hide behind masks. That also comes true when we talk about my music! I think what make one artist unique is if that artist creates with his own voice. As long as you don’t just reproduce the same thing over and over with different colors, or just copy something you’ve heard without research, I think you’re always going to make something unique.
Shardul Pandey: Have you made any new plans for an international tour on your skyline?
Erik Mongrain: Not at the moment, no. Hopefully some European dates in 2014 though!
Shardul Pandey: What is your foremost experience as an artist ?
Erik Mongrain: My most important experience as an artist would probably be the discovery of the acoustic guitarist Michael Hedges when I was 20 years old. It changed my vision of music, creativity and opened many doors for me.
Shardul Pandey: What you feel is your strength as a performer and how would you like to be remembered ?
Erik Mongrain: I think that my authenticity and high regard for details while on stage are my best assets out there. I am a perfectionist! I try to compete only with myself, not the others. I would vastly prefer to be remembered as one of the most creative innovators in the world of acoustic guitar music rather than the best or fastest player.
Shardul Pandey: I am open for interviewing all those individuals who opt internet as their place of doing business, What is your opinion for continuing this ?
Erik Mongrain: I think the internet has brought artists in general a lot of good things! We can now express ourselves and manage for the most part everything from home, on our own , with no labels or big companies dictating our every move. We are free to try and create mostly!
It also brought onto the table new problems as well though. Piracy, an overload of content from every sides (public has a short attention span overall now, they move on quickly to the newest thing), countless social medias.. It’s not exactly easy to get the hang of it all and times are, in my opinion, much harder than they were a few years ago.
More freedom does not always mean more revenues or more popularity!
I say don’t give up and find the right balance for you. Follow your heart!
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Click Here And Support Erik Mongrain To Write His Next Collection Of Pieces!
[/note]Shardul Pandey What is your ultimate message for netizens ?
Erik Mongrain: Life happens only once and we have no rewind button so, don’t get through it living it as a corporation.
Shardul Pandey Talks To Alice Rose About Her Album ‘Each Is A DREAM’
I welcome you Alice at SANGKRIT, please tell our netizens about yourself.
I started out doing experimental theatre, but soon realized my true passion is in music. I have always been involved music, since I was a child, my mother and grandfather were musicians, so it runs in the family, The choice to do music was a natural one, I had to try out a lot to find out that I wanted to do. It still changes as I grow interested in new things and new directions.
How long have you been working on this Album for?
The oldest song on the album is from 2005, but the main work was in 2009 and 2010. I finished it in 2010, but the original label decided not to release the record, and I didn’t have another label for the album. It took a while to find Manual Music, and it eventually happened through the other project I do, Tiger Rose, which is techno and house music.
Tell us something about the songs which you have already recorded and which song are you most excited for people to hear from your new album?
I have done a few albums so far. “Tales of Sailing” from 2006 is a more electronica oriented album, my “Mora with the Golden Gun” album from 2007 is a road trip albm, good to travel in a car with. I did two experimental albums so far, 21 Days and 21 Days 2011. Both are free and quite imperfect to listen to. I think some of my best tracks are on there, actually, but it is not for everybody, definitely not main stream music.
I have a connection with all the songs from ‘each is a DREAM’, my new album, and am excited about all. It took a long time to choose which tracks to finally put on the record . I think ‘Teardrops’ is really strong, I could totally hear it as a sample in a hip-hop track. Also ‘Shadow Princess’ is haunting and dark. I think ‘Riot’ has the potential to become an indie hit song, a little bit like ‘Creep’, by Radiohead, has a dark and raw energy, and the duet with John Parish is very unique, he has a great voice and my friend Paul did good work on the lyrics. The absolute summer hit song of the album, is ‘Into My Heart’, which I wrote with Gabriel Ananda, it was originally inspired by a Red Hot Chilli Peppers bootleg Gabriel had made. We turned it into our own little pearl.
Tell us about the easy and hard parts of singing ? What is your best experience as an artist ?
Well, singing is all about transporting emotions, I think that it is easy to sound shallow – the challenge is to really connect with your own emotions and that way you can touch other people’s emotion with your voice, it has a lot to do with intuition and being in tune with yourself and the emotion you are transporting. Difficult to explain. The technical issues are secondary. My best experience as an artist? I have no idea… Lot’s of good ones. Maybe my most intense gig so far was this year in June, in a small coffee shop in Cologne, about 45 people in the audience. My friend Lisa on the piano, the atmosphere was magical and fantastic, everybody had tears in their eyes at one point or the other, it was beautiful.
Who were your biggest musical influences ?
It varies. As a child I was greatly influenced by classical and soundtrack music, I sang in the church choir and learned to play the violin. Also the whole Eurovision song contest, a really cheesy show, was a big part of my childhood. My sister and I were recording and performing our own songs, imagining we were in the contest. The 80s had a rich pop music life that was very inspiring for children. Later I was more into punk and indie music. I also listened to a lot of my dad’s records, Beatles and Pink Floyd. I admire Barbara Hendricks as a singer, Beth Gibbons has intense emotional message, and Björk is of course epic, lot’s of good singers and musicians out there.
What is something you learned recently about singing, and what are you learning about right now?
There is always more to learn and more to explore.
Do you try giving messages in your songs?
Well, guess lot of the songs have a message, some intentional, others more intuitive. A lot has to do with dealing with challenges and disappointments in life and rising again, after a break up, f.ex..Listen to the songs and you will know.
Do you have any new plans for an international tour on your horizon?
I wish. At the moment I am looking for a booking agent.
What makes your endeavors unique ?
I think the way i perform with my viola and my voice.
What’s next for you? What can we expect from you this year ?
My album is coming out in the fall on Manual Music. In November. We are launching the single in the end of August. So I will be really busy with that. My longterm goal is to make a good living off my music, I just wanna do as much as I can to spread good vibes and music in the world. I would like to play great gigs and record more records with good people. I just want to work on exciting music. Sing, perform,record.
What you feel is your strength as a singer and how would you like to be remembered ?
My strength as a singer is that I am very versatile and sing with emotional depth. I just care about making beautiful music, not really thinking about how to be remembered.
What does success mean to you?
True success is to be able to align your life according to your values. Being able to do what I love in my life is a privilege. On a commercial level I would like to be able to make music a full time profession, still working on that.
What is your ultimate message for netizens ?
Do what is true to you, Concentrate on YOUR music.
Shardul Pandey Talks To AWKWORD, A Lifelong Activist, Sociologist & Rapper
Shardul Pandey: I welcome you AWKWORD at SANGKRIT, please tell our netizens about yourself ?
AWKWORD: AWKWORD (@AWKWORDrap) is a lifelong activist, a sociologist and a rap/Hip Hop artist who is in the midst of finalizing the first-ever 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project, World View. Organized almost exclusively through the Internets, World View features contributions from every continent, approximately 20 countries and all U.S. regions.
The album is sponsored by The Morgan Stanley Foundation and The DJ Booth and will be available via DJBooth.net, as well as iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Bandcamp, AudioMack and other online locales. All proceeds from World View are donated to Guns 4 Cameras, a 501c3 nonprofit that goes beyond the gun exchange, working to eradicate street violence through the education and empowerment of at-risk youth. Topics covered on the 25+-track album include mass incarceration and police brutality, poverty, imperialism, war, rape, freedom of information, drug abuse, depression and suicide, loss, teen angst, personal contradictions and individuality, perseverance and hope, the music industry and much more.
I will be dropping a brand-new video for my single “Throw Away The Key” on mass incarceration, stop and frisk, police brutality and systemic injustice and inequality. The video is sponsored by the New York Civil Liberties Union and Occupy The Hood and will be world premiered on 08/06/13 exclusively via RapGenius.com. Once it goes live there, though, it will be available to all (via youtube).
Shardul Pandey: So what is your ultimate message for netizens ?
AWKWORD: If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.
Like Anne Frank said, nobody ever got poor by giving.
- We are losing our privacy and civil liberties every day — and this will be the end of democracy (not terrorism).
- For the poor and people of color, there is hardly any democracy (or justice) today.
- We all have a right to information, and there is no greater and more equal source than the World Wide Web.
“If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.”
— Juan Ramón Jiménez
“Anything a writer writes should be written with the urgency of someone holding a gun in their mouth.”
— Maya Angelou
Shardul Pandey: I am open for interviewing all those individuals who own their domain to somehow create virtual wealth in webspace since sustaining freedom is mostly built around domains running wonderful utilities in webspace that human-beings enjoy. What is your opinion for continuing this?
AWKWORD: First off, let me say thank you for everything you do to help further this mission — and for thinking of me in the same light.
As I believe you know, I am a major support of Aaron Swartz, Edward Snowden, Wikileaks, etc.
Also, it was on myspace that the idea for World View was first born, as I was inspired by all the music producers from around the world who were on there back in 2008 who asked me if they could remix songs off my solo debut. World View today is an extension of that, with many of those remixes and much more completely new music.
Further, as the domain owner of AWKWORDrap.com, I continue the tradition of private, individual ownership of Web space.
Shardul Pandey: It is really great to own your domain individually because you value your freedom. Such a tradition of individual ownership of webspace must get followed by all. What Ladar Levision could do with lavabit.com as absolute owner of domain that google.com registrants cannot ever do being a publicly traded company. I wish you freedom. Thank you!
Shardul Pandey Talks To Marie Martin About Her Debut Record
I welcome you Marie at SANGKRIT, please tell our netizens about yourself.
I started with the violin at 5 years old.. but we always sang at home cause my dad used to sing as a side job.. so, lots of music at home! My sister also sings. Then I really sang for the 1st time at 12, for the junior high school orchestra.. and then sang in a couple bands in my home town.. I moved to Paris at 19 and started singing and playing the violin for several artists.. and more and more through the years as a background vocalist for recording sessions.. (French TV stuff,etc.. and also a couple lead vocals for movies in France.. )
If you want more details…here is the link to my bio.
I moved to NY 6 years ago and started writing songs around 2007.. I became a lead singer in NY.. after meeting lots of musicians at Jam sessions.. slowly but surely, I developed my solo career.. We also started a trio 3 years ago called SoNuvo with 2 musicians from Ohio.
How long have you been working on this project for?
It’s been a little more than a year. We did a gig at BAM in Brooklyn in June 2012.. and exactly 1 year later, we were in the studio to make the record.. between BAM and the studio, I’ve been working on it with Dion Tucker, the musical director.
Which song are you most excited for people to hear from your first album?
That’s a tough one because each song is different and has it s own identity..
I d say “Nena”.one of the 2 songs I wrote for the record.. because some people know it but it’s been arranged by Lionel Loueke and now it’s like a new song almost! it’ll be a surpirse to some people..! Also the new tunes that Dion Tucker wrote!!
Who are your biggest musical influences ?
Stevie Wonder, Prince, Sting, . Also Rachelle Ferrell has great technique, Chaka Khan, Tania Maria , Minnie Riperton Me’shell Ndegeocello”
And I listened to a lot of acid jazz, soul, r’n’b, fusion, musics from several countries in Africa, jazz, etc.
What is something you learned recently about singing and what are you learning about right now?
Technique wise, I learned that if we want to, we can always improve our singing.. I have improved my highs the last couple years.. I can sing higher now.. for ex. I realize how powerful singing is and I realize the beauty of the effect it has on people who listen or sing themselves.. It is pretty unique.
Do you try giving messages in your songs?
The last song I wrote is an Afro beat tune .. I wrote the music.. Helene from the band Les Nubians wrote the lyrics.. after I gave her an explanation of what I wanted the song to to be about.. it is a pretty strong message for the young generation.. a message of freedom, open mindness, free will… eyes open to the rest of the world.. etc
Do you have any plans for an international tour on your horizon?
Yes, the idea is , for the next few months, to do gigs in Morocco in September, in France in October and November, and NY and Ohio in December. after that, we plan to go to Japan with the trio SoNuvo.
What makes your endeavors unique ?
Ok. I guess the diversity makes me and my music different from others.. due to several factors:
My background: I have a mum from france, brittany (Brittany had not always be a french region.. it was independant for a while.. celtic region.. it has a very strong identity with traditions,etc. Music has a huge place in our celtic culture..)
My dad is from Algeria. his family is from spain.. So, I grew up hearing a lot of spanish tunes.. and my dad listens to and sings lots of different things.. from french pop music to soul music, to fusion, to jazz, to world music, etc.
My travels: I lived in Paris, London and New York.. The last 6 years in NY made me improve my jazz and soul music skills.. so, I guess I still have a european type of sound , mixed with a very soulful and jazzy thing, but also mixed with my background of spanish-french-arabic melodies and intonations sometimes!
My musical experiences: And I’ve had the chance to be apart of various projects with so many different genres.. pop, soul-funk, jazz, hip hop, afro beat, carribean, brazilian, and more… i started music as a classical violin player.. I ve experiences improvisation too..
All these things I guess, makes me sound like I do.. and makes me write a diverse repertoire of songs!
I can t really stick to one sound, one genre.. I love to mix the things I like.. and never do the same thing over and over all the time.. I like challenge, and I like change in general.. I like to surprise people too!
So what’s next for you?
The next step is my record, showcases, CD release parties in Paris and NY. I would like to tour with this project and also with the trio. and keep on working as a recording artist and also keep on collaborating with people from all around the world on several projects.
There is a message we would like to spread. Through the lyrics of the songs, the cosmopolitan side of the record (musical diversity and working with artists from all around the world). I hope this record will travel all around the world and I would like to play concerts, do workshops, talks, in order to share my musical, vocal and traveling experience. I also would like to get people from all backgrounds to sing together , play together, get people united through music and choir… I would like them to discover the power of playing music and singing together… Its union, well being and therapeutic virtues.
What you feel is your strength as a singer and how would you like to be remembered ?
I think the fact that I am versatile.. I can sing in different genres, mix them.. I started with classical violin.. then sang in a funk band, and then pop music, soul, I also sang with a hip hop band, Caribbean bands.. now I sing also jazz, I sing in Spanish, french and English.. I guess it surprises people most of the time.. and It makes it so much richer for me to explore so many genres and even mix them together.
Also, The fact that I am an instrumentalist in the 1st place and that I am a lot into rhythm gives me a good sense of rhythm and people say I have a great ear.. I guess music theory + violin helped a lot.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is definitely not only selling a lot of records and having millions of fans.. I feel successful if people tell me after a concert that they were touched by my voice,etc. that my music moved them.. etc.
What is your ultimate message for netizens ?
That the support for that type of project is way more than the support of 1 singer..A lot of people are involved in this adventure… and I will keep on trying to have as many artists as possible joining this adventure.. visual artists, more lyricists, arrangers, musicians… I will be involved with Blues up.. a music crew that has started a charity campaign..so, a part of thr $ for the Cd s will go for that.. and other charities.
One of the messages also here is to tell people to keep hope, no matter what, and to peruse their dreams.
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Help Marie To Release Her First Record
[button link=”http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/marie-martin-s-first-record-le-premier-album-de-marie-martin” color=”#ff0000″ size=”3″ style=”1″ dark=”0″ radius=”auto” target=”blank”]Contribute Now[/button] [/note]
Shardul Pandey Talks To Jamison Murphy About His Debut Record
I welcome you Jamison at SANGKRIT.net, tell me about yourself ?
My name is Jamison Murphy, and I’m a 24 yr old singer/songwriter from Lakeville, MN. I’ve been playing music for 10 years and writing songs for 7. During that time, I attended and graduated from high school in my hometown of Lakeville, MN and college at St. John’s University (Collegeville, MN). I spent the past year modeling in New York City to save money for studio time.
My hard work has finally paid off—at the end of summer, I’m bound for Los Angeles, CA to make my debut record with Grammy-nominated producer, Warren Huart. Warren’s work is well-known by many music lovers; he produced both of The Fray’s first records (“How To Save A Life,” and their self-titled LP), Augustana’s “Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt” LP, James Blunt, Howie Day, etc…
This opportunity is a dream come true for me. To help lighten the travel/lodging expenses incurred by my band and I during our recording sessions in Hollywood, I launched my own Indiegogo campaign. See the campaign trailer for my whole story. There are also links to my songs, photos, and videos in its gallery, but here’s a direct-link to my first and only single’s music video I released in March, 2012, “Chapters.”
How long have you been working on your first Album for?
Since it’s my debut record, I feel like I’ve been working on it my entire life! You only get one “first record,” so unfortunately, I’ll never get to relive this experience in quite the same light again—I’m not taking anything for granted.
Which song are you most excited for people to hear from your first album?
The track list for the record hasn’t been finalized, so I can’t make that call yet. What I can say is: There’ll be a lot of stylistic variety from song-to-song. I don’t want people to listen to the record and feel like the same song’s on repeat.
Who were your biggest musical influences?
Singer/songwriters: Sleeping At Last, Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, James Blake, John Mayer, Ed Sheeran
Bands: Stateless, Coldplay, Sigur Rós, The Fray, OneRepublic, Augustana, Twenty One Pilots
What is something you learned recently about singing, and what are you learning about right now?
A while back, I didn’t really know my voice at all. I’d hear an artist with a great voice and wonder, “How come I can’t sound like that?” So, I’d try emulating my favorite vocalists ’cause that was my idea of ‘what sounds good.’ It wasn’t until the past year or so that I actually learned and accepted what my voice sounds like. It’s unique, but all my favorite singers have unique voices—some people will like it, some people won’t, and that’s okay.
Do you try giving messages in your songs?
Absolutely. I write songs with respect to remembering the past fondly, keeping your chin up in the present, and having faith in the future. I try to help people celebrate the good times cope with the bad times.
Do you have any plans for an international tour on your horizon?
None right now, but having a record under my belt should present a bunch of new opportunities. I hope touring is one of them.
What makes your endeavours unique? What’s next for you? Tell me if you have any long term goals?
I also feel like working with Warren is pretty special. I feel so lucky; most artists don’t have the opportunity to work with such a legendary producer for their first record.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I feel old! In this day and age, most musicians seem to start out so young! I took time to focus on my education, get my college degree, and save up my own money. 24 is still young, but now that I’m about to hit the studio, I’m giving music my best effort. My only long term goal right now is to finish the record, get people to hear it, and go on tour.
What you feel is your strength as a singer and how would you like to be remembered?
I think my greatest strength is songwriting. I try not to write without having a good reason to. Once a concept inspires me, I just run with it and hope for the best. I’d like to be remembered as someone who helped—just, in general. I want to leave as much love in my wake as possible, and so far, music has been the best way for me to do that.
What does success mean to you?
I don’t, and never will, measure success by money or fame. I solely measure it on whether or not I get to continue making records after this one, because that’s what I love to do—write, record, and perform.
I am open for interviewing all those individuals who opt internet as their place of doing business, What is your opinion for continuing this ?
I think you should continue interviewing. You asked good, thoughtful questions. The internet is the present and future of business. Definitely continue doing what you’re doing!
What is your ultimate message for netizens?
That I appreciate anyone who’s listening to me/reading this. This is my dream, and it’s coming true because of others showing interest and supporting me. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without the help of other people. Thank you for joining me on what I hope to be a very long journey! To hear my whole story, visit my Indiegogo page, watch my videos, hear my music, and, if you see fit, donate! Every cent counts and is greatly appreciated. This is my once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Shardul Pandey Talks To Laura J. Evans About Her 6 Song EP
Laura J. Evans is a singer originally from South Wales valley in UK. Now she is living in LA. Laura started singing from an early age and now music is the biggest passion of her life. She is also a songwriter and is writing songs from over 10 years.
I welcome you Laura at SANGKRIT, please tell our netizens about yourself ?
I have been singing ever since I could speak, I did my first show when I was 5years old singing an old folk song called ‘The Wild Rover’ and then I guess it went from there…I didn’t stop. Growing up in Wales I was always surrounded by music, my aunty and uncle were singers, and I looked up to them like my very own popstars, I just knew at very young age, I loved music and singing live. I decided to leave Wales to study at a theater school in London, Sylvia Young Theater School, which little to my knowledge at the time churned out very famous starlets… Amy Winehouse was at school with me, and at the time i just remember thinking everyone was soo gifted and talented, i felt very lucky and a little scared at times to be pursuing my career with these kids! :)
How long have you been working on this project for ?
I have been working on this project for almost a year and a half.
Which song are you most excited for people to hear ?
I am super excited about a song I wrote with my producer and co-writer Jeff Zacharski called ‘Remember When’… it has such a sweet sentiment and great vibe! and its more of an upbeat song, I am a sucker for ballads! so i’m excited to share something new.
Who were your biggest musical influences ?
I grew up listening to the Jackson 5, Mariah Carey,Whitney Houston, The Carpenters, the Eagles, Sterophonics, and more,i feel like they all have influenced me.
What is something you learned recently about singing, and what are you learning about right now?
I learn something new everyday! ha I used to beat myself up about not being able to sing something perfectly or hit a note clean, but now i think I am happy with what i can and can’t do vocally and sometimes imperfections can make you stand out as an artist.
Do you try giving messages in your songs? If so, what are they?
I always have a story to tell in my songs, and they are usually about everyday life stuff….which am sure most people can relate to.
Do you have any plans for an international tour on your horizon?
I would love to do an international tour!!! watch this space…?:)
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You Can Support Laura By Contributing To Her Project
[button link=”http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/laura-j-evans-is-making-an-ep/x/3772348″ color=”#ff0000″ size=”3″ style=”1″ dark=”0″ radius=”auto” target=”blank”]Contribute Now[/button] [/note]
What’s next for you?
I am just excited to make this EP and get it out there in the world!
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is just pursuing and doing what i love, reaching a bigger audience and sharing my music and having fans that love and support me as an artist means everything!
What is your ultimate message for netizens ?
First of all Thanks you f for finding this interview and supporting my Indiegogo campaign to help get my EP out there! If I can reach a bigger audience with my music and share my stories this way, sing, perform live and make just 1 out of 10 people in the audience, smile, cry, laugh, get goosebumps, or wanna buy my record! then that’s another little piece of my dream fulfilled! :)
Shardul Pandey Talks To Amber Noir About Her Debut Album
I welcome you Amber at SANGKRIT, please tell our netizens about yourself.
I feel like I’ve always lived in a musical world. Instead of bedtime stories my dad used to tuck me and my siblings in and sing songs with us. I did a lot of musical theater in high school and later dabbled in opera, or as I like to call it the vocal olympics. You wouldn’t think it, but opera is a workout! I moved from Colorado to Hamburg Germany right out of High school where I lived for about 5 years, during this time I met my producer Nick Nowottny. I liked his long rockin died yellow emo hair, and he liked my wife beaters, and excessive eyeliner. Seeing that we were both such badasses we decided to try to write some music together.
Several years later, though our fashion choices have changed, Nick and I have a friendship and musical connection that I think will last a lifetime. We often joke that we are musical soul mates. I’m in Germany again right now and we are writing my first album together.
http://youtu.be/-eL_YM2aUu4
How long have you been working on your first Album for?
I came to Hamburg to record this album about 5 months ago. We are almost finished with the recording, which is good, because my visa runs out in August and I have to go back to the US!
What makes your endeavors unique ?
I think the connection between Nick and I is what makes this album unique, and the distance that I had to cross so that we could create this album together. I came all the way from Seattle because I know I could not have written the kind of album that I wanted to write with anyone else.
How would you describe your up coming album?
Well today we wrote a song about lasers, and yesterday we were working on a classical piece inspired by old fairytales. The album starts out classical and evolves into a more electronic feel, there is also some opera in it which I like to incorporate because it feels a little otherworldly to me. I love music because it can transport you to another place. When you are in your car driving to work, and you hear a song you love, you can go somewhere completely different in your mind. I hope when this album is finished it feels like a grand adventure.
Which song are you most excited for people to hear from your first album?
It’s really hard to chose a favorite, but the song I think I am most excited about is called Soft. It’s the most classical song on the album, and to me it feels very old and romantic.
What’s next for you?
I’m going to go back to Seattle once we are finished recording, and I plan to start touring the Album in Europe next Summer.
What does success mean to you?
I think success definitely means something different for everyone. I don’t connect success to money or status. I think it’s all of the little joys that make for a rich life, and I try to learn something new everyday that interests me! Knowledge and happiness make me feel successful.
I am open for interviewing all those individuals who opt internet as their place of doing business, What is your opinion for continuing this ?
I think you should definitely keep up with interviewing people who do business via the internet. it’s a great mutually beneficial relationship.
Shardul Pandey Talks To Raymond Hogge, A Musician From ‘CODES’ Band
I welcome you Raymond at SANGKRIT, please tell our netizens about yourself ?
I was introduced to music at a very late age. Until the age of the ten, the only albums I remember being in my home were Michael Jackson’s ‘BAD’ and the soundtrack to The Good The Bad and The Ugly. It wasn’t until a cousin of mine introduced me to act such as Nirvana, Metallica and Smashin Pumpkins that my eyes were opened. Since then I’ve been so passionate about music, and mainly, guitar based bands.
Tell us something about your band members: Daragh Anderson, Niall Woods & Eoin stephens ?
Daragh’s a mean bowler. Eoin’s a excellent cyclist. And Niall will always kick my ass at Top Trumps.
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Where you all met and when exactly you guys decided to form a band together?
We’ve all known eachother for some time. Mainly through meeting at gigs and festivals. At some point, myself, Daragh and Eoin were chatting about all our favourite music, bands, setups etc.. and we just said, ” hey, we are all into the same stuff, why don’t we write some songs together”.
I hate the idea of saying “it was fate”, but we did gel together very quickly and it was pretty effortless.
And where did your band name come from ?
We do like our puzzles and games. That, and a short name looks huge on posters.
Which song are you most excited for people to hear from your second album?
Tough one. I can only speak for myself really, but there’s a track that seems like quite a different route for us. It’s very minimal. Especially drum wise. I call it the Indie-Urban-Electro Song.
Who were your biggest musical influences for your second album?
I guess we looked at a lot of our favourite band’s follow ups to their own debuts. We also listened to quite a few experimental bands. Especially those who wrote in unconventional time signatures. That really influenced certain elements of this album, however we still wanted to keep it appealing to everyone who was our first album.
Your album has a crowd-funding campaign so which crowdfunding perk do you wish you could keep for yourself ;-) ?
The “CODES Dine With Me” perk. I do love a good meal that I didn’t have to cook. Especially if I’ve got a welsh narration all the way through.
Do you have any plans for an international tour on your horizon?
Of course. We’ve had a lot of demand from our European fans and hopefully this time around, we’ll have the ability to bring our show our there.
What makes your endeavors unique ? What’s next for you?
I don’t believe we’re unique. I guess we simply try to do what’s right for us. It seems to work so far.
Next we’re going to hopefully complete this album, shoot out a single soon and release the album in early 2014.
What does success mean to you?
Just having the ability to keep playing and writing music. Especially if we can keep doing it in a new place every day.
What is your ultimate message for netizens ?
Sometimes it’s the smallest actions that can create the biggest reactions. Always keep doing what you love.
[note color=”#2DA2BF”]You Can Support CODES In Making Their Second Studio Album
[button link=”http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/codes-second-album?c=home” color=”#2DA2BF” size=”3″ style=”1″ dark=”0″ radius=”auto” target=”blank”]Contribute Now[/button] [/note]
Shardul Pandey Talks To Kayla Nettles, A Country Music Artist
Kayla started taking her voice lessons from an early age, when she was just few years old. She participated and won various singing contests and performed all over the country.
At the age of 16 she made her way to Hollywood with American Idol. Afterwards she came back to Nashville and started working on her own CD which is now brilliantly produced and written by some of Nashville’s best. The music has been recorded and now she is planning its release party. You can be the part of this special event & help her make Nashville history by supporting her crowd-funding campaign here.
I welcome you Kayla at SANGKRIT, please tell our netizens about yourself?
I am so grateful that I was able to grow up where music always a part of my life. When I was three, my father shared his love of music with me and would bring me up onstage to sing with his band. At the age of nine I was invited to perform at the MGM Grand in Vegas and I believe that was the turning point of when I really wanted to make this my career. My mother took the time to learn about the music business and she does everything she can to help me live my dreams. Her love and support are always here for me when the journey gets tough.Traveling from town to town for shows gets difficult at times for us with my 5 year old brother but he is a trooper! Growing up in a small town in Florida my friends and family have always been here for me and their support gives me the courage to keep going!
What is something you learned recently about singing, and what are you learning about right now?
My voice get stronger everyday with the techniques and warm ups I do. I work for a vocal studio here in Nashville, “Brett Manning Studios” and I learn something new everyday! I believe it’s not just about being a good singer and being able to sing a song with high range.. When you’re listening to someone sing you want to be able to close your eyes and believe every word they are singing and feel the emotion they are putting into the song. That is what sets you apart from the others.
Do you try giving messages in your songs? If so, what are they?
Of course! I feel like the most important part of songwriting is when the song comes from your heart. If you mean what you say and have been through what you write about I believe your fans will appreciate you as an artist and be able to connect to you and your songs on a more personal level. My inspirations don’t always come from boys, or going through hard times. I love to look on the bright side of situations and have uplifting messages for my songs.
Do you ever feel like the music industry is very competitive and that people will not hear your music?
Do you have any plans for an international tour on your horizon?Being an artist and living in Nashville, Tennessee I’ve been turned down more than once. There’s different ways you can deal with rejection and the way I deal with it is I turn completely to my music. Even if every time you’ve tried before you’ve lost. I believe it’s about getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again.
Nothing in the works right now..! Staying busy on tour throughout the U.S. It has been a blast being able to meet so many amazing people and share my music with them!
What’s next for you? What can we expect from you this year ?
I wanted to make an EP that would stand out from the crowd. A few ways I was able to achieve this was making sure I put the work into releasing a quality product. I have a structure to my EP, I took the time to pick original songs that I believe people can relate to and have a better understanding of who I am and where I want to go as an artist. I am really looking forward to the C.D. release party in the near future! Be Prepared to get NEW MUSIC, TOUR DATES, and EXCITING NEWS about my adventures around the states! Keep a lookout for upcoming Youtube video covers, original music and me just being goofy(:
What singers were you influenced by?
Being a songwriter as well as a singer, I look up to many of the writers here in Nashville. Taylor Swift being so young when she released her first single “Tim McGraw” has definitely made an impact on me, plus she is a great songwriter and performer. My vocal coach, Brett Manning has taught many successful artists and has always given me support and courage through my musical journey. It has been an honor working with him and for his studio “Brett manning studios” as well as writing songs with him. Martina Mcbride and Faith Hill have always inspired me. Their vocals are so powerful and I love the topics their songs are about, very personal and I can relate too many of them.
Do you have any long term goals?
I feel what helps me stay on point is to create a “Game Plan” With a reasonable amount of effort on my part and a reasonable amount of faith in the journey.
I constantly revise my game plan as my life, career and my goals change as well. Of course I have many goals I would like to accomplish and check off my list but I’ve realized in this business you are always learning new things to become a better artist, so even if I am able to headline my own tour in the next few years I know I still have a lot to learn!
Tell us about being on American Idol and what you learned about yourself from the experience.
Words can’t describe the sights, sounds and feelings you experience being a part of one of the most popular shows in America! It was an overwhelming, chaotic at times but amazing journey. 400,000 people auditioned for season 11 of “American Idol” so I am very proud of myself for making it through “Hollywood Week”. It was an honor when all three judges said YES after I performed and shared my story with them. Being on the show I’ve learned to appreciate my talent and how to connect with my audience on a personal level when I am singing. I am more comfortable singing a variety of genres and confident when I am on stage. It’s a life changing experience!
What is your ultimate message for netizens ?
We all have dreams, hope and fears; we have all been bruised and broken. I believe music HEALS and god has given me a beautiful gift to be able to touch someone with the lyrics or melody in a song and it is an amazing feeling. When you dream and have ambitions, and actually work towards them then your future has a goal.. an aim.. something is in store for YOU. Never give up on what you love.