Tag: album alert

A Quick Chat With…K-Riz

I am so chuffed to have caught up with K-RIZ, one of the hottest Canadian artists around, to discuss latest critically acclaimed album, ‘Peace & Love’ as well as his plans for the rest of 2021.

I don’t think there’s no need for a big introduction for this guy – by the time you finish reading this Q&A, trust me, you’ll love his music as much as I do…so let’s get down to it.

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?

K: Thank you for having me! Y’all have been showing so much love over the past year, I’m truly thankful. 2021 has been good to me. Released a lot of music this year, and I’m finally feeling as close to 100% as I can from a car accident in 2020. Feeling good and looking forward.

NLM: You released your album, ‘Peace & Love’ last month (24th September). What is the public perception on the project so far?

K: The perception has been really cool, and surprising. I’m pretty surprised by the songs people are loving. “A City Too Small,” for example, is really hitting people. I don’t really expect much when I release music, so any love shown is always a plus.

NLM: How would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?

K: The sound ranges from classic hip-hop to full out R&B songs with live instrumentation.
I’m definitely a student of the game and I embrace all styles of music, from the old to the new. So I wanted that aspect represented throughout the album.

NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?

K: I wanted to make a happier and more conscious album, but there were so many negative things in my life that I never dealt with or maybe I avoided them. In order for the music to be authentic and genuine, I had to embrace what I was feeling. An album I was listening to was The Velvet Rope by Janet Jackson. She was very raw and emotional on that record. I heard the vulnerability and I felt that was the way to go.

NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?

K: “A City Too Small” – love the darkness of the track and the bassline in the hook. “The View” – I loved how this song came together. It’s a song you can close your eyes to and drift away from start to finish. I always feel better after listening to it. “I Don’t Trust You” – it’s a song that gets me moving every time.

NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your album?

K: I hope people hear a person who is human and healing. I’m sure we are all healing from something, so I hope the music heals and shows that it’s okay to go through these things, to feel and find a way to release these feelings and thoughts.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the album, who would it be and why?

K: It would have to be Nas. That’s my favorite rapper of all time. That will always be my answer until it happens.

NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?

K: We got some visual projects in the works, as well as features. I’m currently headed back to the studio to begin work on the follow-up. Staying busy, always.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

K: The best place to find me is on my website at krizmusic.com and you can also find me on the socials.

NLM: Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in the production of ‘Peace & Love?

K: I want to shout out and thank the entire HonorRoll Music Collective. This album is a stamp on a great era for us musically. Also, everyone involved in making this album and encouraging me to release it. Y’all know who y’all are! Thank you to the people out there listening.

Listen to K-Riz’s album ‘Peace & Love’ right HERE

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Album Interview: Take My Power – Tunnel Traffic

He was featured numerous times on the blog with singles including, ‘I’ll Be Sorry’, ‘Skip’ and ‘Another Story’ plus albums ‘Age of Conviction’ and ‘Meesh’, but I’ve never formally introduce Adam Hachey, otherwise known as TUNNEL TRAFFIC to you guys. Well I’ve caught up with him, to talk about his brand new album, ‘Take My Power’ – out from the 15th July on all music platforms – and what inspired him to produce the 11-track collection.

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?

TT: Pretty great. Pandemic-wise, I feel fortunate things seem to be looking up within my circles. That and finally releasing this album have been a couple chapters I’ve been eager to close.

NLM: You recently shared your album ‘Take My Power’, where you unveiled singles ‘Gets Me Out’, ‘Through The Day’ and ‘Next To Me’ ahead of its release. What is the public perception on the singles so far?

TT: I’ve been hearing good feedback on several different aspects of the songs – the production, guitar tones, string arrangements, lyrics that stood out. I’m happy that I was able to create music that could be enjoyed in a variety of ways. I spent a lot of times with these songs and it’s reassuring listeners find a way to appreciate something from each stage of the songwriting process.

NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?

TT: I’ve been working on a project that is really complex in scope and thematically heavy, but I also had a few ideas for simpler songs bouncing around in the back of my mind. I figured I’d have some fun with those first, even if they didn’t amount to anything. When I realized the new ideas were converging on a common theme, I knew they had to become this album.

NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?

TT: I’d have to go with ‘Through the Day’. I like the way it captures the push and pull of keeping it together while facing some mental baggage, and it does it in a quirky, off-kilter way. I also want to give a shout-out to ‘Truth’, which stands out to me as having a simple song structure that progresses in an extremely satisfying way.


NLM: So how would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?

TT: It boils down to a mix of acoustic and fuzzy indie rock, all with a DIY aesthetic. I actually went with my acoustic guitar throughout the whole album and clipped the signal through my interface to get the overdrive effect. I think fans of The Microphones or Neutral Milk Hotel would appreciate the sound.

NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your album?

TT: The album explores my thoughts/emotions whenever my mental health reaches a low point. It enters some dark places, but I also made sure to include theme of love and support. I think the pandemic made these ideas universal. I hope listeners see it as an expression of solidarity in struggling with mental health and feel appreciation for their loved ones who lift them up.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the album, who would it be and why?

TT: Not sure if this is mainstream enough, but I’d have to go with Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest. He’s a versatile indie rocker with underlying quirkiness, characteristics that I strived for on this album.

NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?

TT: I have lyrics and rhythm guitar written for my next album already. I know the full arrangements will keep me busy for a while, and I’m hoping to work with other people again. I don’t want to say too much yet but it will be a bit of a pivot from my other releases.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

TT: All tunnel traffic music is available on every music streaming platform. I have accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Write to me and I’ll respond.

Links: https://linktr.ee/tunneltraffic

NLM: Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in the production of ‘Take My Power’?

TT: I sing to Jacky Muñoz on several songs on the album. She definitely deserves the shoutout here. On top of her constant support in life, she is able to listen to my work as both a fan and a critic, and I am a better songwriter for it.

‘Take My Power’ is out now all music platforms

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Album Interview: Not A Yout Anymore – Trigga Ryder

I have been following Matt Wride – aka TRIGGA RYDER – ever since he slipped me his 2016 track, ‘That’s A Fact’, so it’s an absolute pleasure to welcome back the Manchester-based spitter to talk about his latest project, ‘Not A Yout Anymore’. As I was immediately intrigued by the album’s title, I asked him what inspired him to produce the ten-track set plus his plans for the rest of the year.

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?

TR: Yeah 2021 is going good so far, definitely better than 2020. 2020 was pretty hard to be honest due to COVID but it seems like there’s hope on the horizon and stuff is hopefully going to get back to normal soon.

NLM: You released your album, ‘Not A Yout Anymore’ last November. What is the public perception on the project so far?

TR: Definitely been a lot of love for the project and people supporting the final product I feel like it could have done better In terms of numbers of streams sales etc. But I’m happy with it and these days I’m making music for myself so if anyone else buzzes of it that’s a bonus

NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?

TR: The birth of my son Dylan in 2017 inspired me and made me think wow I’m actually a grown up now, hence the title Not A Yout Anymore, also the breakup of me and his Mum which was a struggle, but it inspired me on some of the tracks with lyrics and concepts.

NLM: How would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?

TR: I’d say the project has a mixture of sounds which is something I intended by my choice of using three different producers/ beat makers there’s some Boom Bap , Grime and Modern Rap in the vein of D Block Europe and Nafe Smallz minus the auto tune which I’m not opposed to using but didn’t think it would fit with the project this time around.

NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?

It depends what mood I’m in but I’m pleased with the lead single Not A Yout Anymore. The Chorus kept getting stuck in my head so we shot a video for it with Chris Lucas of Arun productions in Bristol you can watch it here:

I also really like how the track path that I choose turned out in terms of production.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the album, who would it be and why

TR: Probably Potter Payper although I’m not really sure if he’s classed as mainstream, but I’m feeling all the stuff he’s been putting out recently and followed him Since the beginning of his career.

Met him a couple of times once in Manchester and then at a gig in Birmingham and he was really safe plus he went in with his performance.

NLM: Did the Covid pandemic presented any drawbacks in the production of your EP?

TR: Yeah potentially would have had some features on the project if the rappers I had in mind had access to a studio but COVID meant they couldn’t record, also the project was started just before COVID with the intention of having it all mixed by one of the beat makers on the project but when it kicked in he ended up having other commitments to fulfil so I ended up mixing it myself which was good because I enjoy the production side of things.

NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021

TR: Working on a couple of features should have a track dropping with a rapper called Thrash Thorn from LA produced by Yello Blac who I’ve done tracks with in the past.

NLM: How can potential fans find you

TR: https://www.instagram.com/triggaryder/

https://mobile.twitter.com/TriggaRyder

https://m.facebook.com/trigga.ryder

https://li.sten.to/ZfBfshK

NLM: Finally, any special shoutouts to those involved in the production of ‘Not A Yout Anymore’?

TR: Yeah I’d like to shout out Subvert The Cynic

Trooh Hippi, Nineteen, Chris Lucas and the Raptographer also all my friends and family and anyone who helped throughout the project. Also like so say thanks to you for interviewing me and always supporting bless up.

Trigga Ryder’s ‘Not A Yout Anymore’ is now out on download/streaming sites.

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Album Interview: HomeBody – Bill Jr. Jr.

Introducing East Vancouver’s musician Russell Gendron into the blog’s interview hot seat. He’s the frontman and songwriter for indie folk band BILL JR. JR. whose third album, ‘Homebody’ was released back in January. So I spoke to Gendron about the eight-track project and whether the pandemic impacted the production of the album.

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?

BJ: My pleasure. 2021 has been great thus far. I’ve definitely had to adjust some plans and be at peace with the uncertainty around me but all in all, I’m good.

NLM: You released your album HOMEBODY back in January. What is the public perception on the singles so far?

BJ: It’s been going well thanks. The press’ thoughtful reviews we’ve received for Homebody has been fun to watch roll in and I’ve been packaging up vinyl to post every other week since the album’s release. It sure would have been nice to play some shows however.

NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?

BJ: The idea to make the album was borne from a collaboration at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity during an artist residency. I had a bunch of finished and unfinished songs about Vancouver and the idea of “home” and I joined forces with Dan Nettles and Daniel McNamara in order to bring them to life.

NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?

BJ: I like “Run Home” because it’s fun to play live and it goes on for a long time.

NLM: So how would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?

BJ: Hmmmm, pleasant, expansive, emotional and pulsing.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the album, who would it be and
why?

BJ: Is Sufjan Stevens available??? His voice is magical and devastating and I’d love to hear
it blended into this record.

NLM: Did the Covid pandemic present any drawbacks in the production of your
album?

BJ: Covid disrupted the tour we had planned so that was tough to let go of. At this
point, I don’t think that this album will be what we all feel like playing by the time
shows are happening again. Is what it is, we pivoted and I’m happy with how it
went despite the challenges.

NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?

I’ve been tucking myself away in a little cabin this spring to give myself space to write
songs. I’m not sure what that will end up looking like but I’m enjoying the process.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

BJ: Bandcamp is a great place to listen to and support our music. Otherwise, we’re all over
the internet in all the usual places.

NLM: Finally, any special shoutouts to those involved in the production?

BJ: Daniel Mcnamara and Dan Nettles!

Bill jr. Jr’ s ‘Homebody’ is available now on download and streaming sites.

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Album Interview: The Answer – B.Eveready

It’s an absolute pleasure welcoming back B. EVEREADY on the blog. The Baltimore rapper was last featured back in 2018 with single, ‘Always Major.’

After lengthy spell away from the blog, he returns to discuss his upcoming album, ‘The Answer’ coming out tomorrow (26th February). Find out what events inspired him to produce the album – trust me, his reasons will truly resonate with you…have a read below...

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?

BE: Pretty good so far. My family is dealing with some health challenges, we had some COVID scares, but everybody is well & on the road to recovery, so I can’t complain. We’re blessed.

NLM: You are about to drop your album ‘The Answer’, where you dropped singles ‘2BLACK2STRONG’ and The Answer (Intro) ahead of its release. What is the public perception on the singles so far?

BE: It’s been a good reception so far. The Answer (Intro) is a direct response to the book on the cover of the project – “The Negro A Beast or In the Image of God?” – and people are loving the truth I put in the track. 2BLACK2STRONG is a conscious turn up record that everybody has loved from day one. Hopefully it blows up the way I’m thinking it can.

 

NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?

BE: After dealing with the police-involved murders from last year & the protests, I felt like I had to have a project that was exclusively responding to that moment. Not to mention what was going on with the political scene. I felt like if I didn’t have something to say as a Black man, I wasn’t the artist that I thought I was. So I dug deep and came forth with these 7 tracks to speak to the times we’re living in. I feel like this expresses my point of view & thought process as a Black man in America in 2021.

 

NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?

BE: I love the first two singles (The Answer (Intro) & 2BLACK2STRONG) definitely – they stand out for different reasons. The Intro is the mission statement of the project. It just speaks straight to the heart. 2BLACK2STRONG is a record that could spawn TikTok challenges, dances, and go up in a party while giving our people pride. Outside of those, I think it’s a tie between Ferguson & 3:57AM. Ferguson is a record that I definitely shed some tears to once I finished it. It talks about the riots, but also the 3 protest leaders that died under very suspicious circumstances. 3:57AM is a record that embodies the feelings you might be feeling at that time of the morning when you are being consumed by some of these thoughts. It partially feels like a dream, and then you think about what matters most to you as an individual.

NLM: So how would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?

This is a project that is sample-heavy but embraces trap sounds. It sounds like Black Revolution & Black Liberation over a beat.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the album, who would it be and why?

BE: It’d probably be Kendrick Lamar, because I feel like this project is my version of To Pimp A Butterfly, and I’d love to hear him over 2BLACK2STRONG.

NLM: Did the Covid pandemic presented any drawbacks in the production of your album?

BE: It presented some challenges when it came to recording because my regular studio was shut down for a while. But we overcame that challenge pretty quickly, so outside of that, we’ve been able to keep it moving.

NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?

BE: I definitely have a bunch more music coming for this year, and I can’t tell you everything that’s coming down the road, but I will tell you this: this will be my most prolific year of dropping music by far. Coming not too long after this project is the deluxe edition of my #GS2 EP, led by a single featuring MC Bravado & Kxng Crooked, so you know I’m serious with it out here.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

BE: You can find me at my website BEvereadyRap.com, Twitter @BEveready, IG @b.eveready, or at my Bandcamp – Beveready.bandcamp.com.

NLM: Finally, any special shoutouts to those involved in the production of ‘The Answer’?

BE: Well, I definitely want to thank my wife who is a constant source of inspiration. The producers (Anno Domini, Synesthetic Nation, Baltimega, Alex Collins, Makaih Beats, Big Shot Beats), features (Jay Charles & Scholarman), and my studio & engineering folk (Lineup Room Studio, Brandon Lackey, MooseJaw, Beauvallis & Steel Tipped Dove). I appreciate what everyone brought to the table to make this project happen. And thanks to NEW LEASE MUSIC for allowing me to share this project with the world.

And just because y’all are my people, you can stream the project here before it drops anywhere else: https://beveready.bandcamp.com/album/the-answer 

B. Eveready’s album, ‘The Answer’ is out on 26th February

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