Album Interview: Lightheaded III – Dizzy Rambunctious

DIZZY RAMBUNCTIOUS is one of the few producers featured on the blog over the years for his dramatic, attention-grabbing bangers. So when he dropped his latest project, ‘Lightheaded III, I had to hunt down this New Jersey beat master to find out how he comes up with such out-of-sight productions in the 12-track set.

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

DR: Ummm 2021, is definitely something else but it’s definitely better than last year haha. I’m hanging in there for sure

NLM: You released your album, ‘Lightheaded III’ back in June. What is the public perception on the project so far?

DR: Yes, I released it back on June 25th. my fans were very excited when they found out that I was finally dropping the album after teasing it with multiple snippets, new listeners enjoyed it as well because last year I started twitch streaming during the start of the pandemic/lockdown, I stream playing video games and I would play my music in the background so that new viewers can hear it and follow up on my entire discography. Those people from the gaming community I created joined a live listening session I hosted for lightheaded III before it dropped on midnight on all streaming platforms and they had a great response to it.

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

DR: The sound of the album is definitely dark and very spacey, it will definitely uplift any emotion you’re feeling when you listen to this album from front to back, it’s like you’re entering into my mind if that makes sense haha

NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?

DR: So basically what inspired this album is of course when lightheaded II dropped back in 2018 it was about a heartbreak from a relationship. Lightheaded III is a follow up after me finally recovering from that heartbreak but then other life situations hit me. Job loss, friend’s cutting me off, and dealing with anxiety from the pandemic/lockdown. It’s been hard but I’m in a great position right now in life mentally such as being in a very healthy relationship and having a better circle of people who I can trust.

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

DR: I love this question! Definitely my favourite songs has to be “The Deep End” with my bros Free Samuda and Lil Bear because When I was making the beat for it, I was in the mood like “Don’t fuck with me, don’t make me go off the deep end” and I was very excited when I heard the final product, F.E.A.R as well because the title is the main message of the album. You face everything and rise.

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

DR: No matter what you’re going through with life, it’s only temporary and you will overcome it.

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

DR: interesting, I like this question. I usually would wanna feature artists that are not really too too mainstream but like people know them really well, but if you’re talking mainstream I would say Don Toliver because he would’ve made this album so much more spacier and his sound would’ve definitely fit so well with the album.

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

DR: Yes I do actually, I’m currently working on the 5th instalment of “The Blu Tape” series, I’m hoping to get it out there before the year ends if not early 2022.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

DR: You can find me on the block! Just kidding haha but you can find me on Twitter/Instagram @Im_DizzyR and “Dizzy Rambunctious” on all major streaming platforms.

NLM: Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in the production of ‘Lightheaded III’ ?

DR: I definitely would like to shoutout the features on the album. TRPLSVN, Free Samuda, Lil Bear, Donnie Durag, & Willy Gonza, without them this album wouldn’t have the sound and direction it has.

Dizzy Rambunctious latest project is now out

Album Interview: Da Street Poet – Natty Boi Zoe

I caught up with New Yorker NATTY BOI ZOE for the second time, to discuss his latest album ‘Da Street Poet’, out now for your pleasure, how he coped during the pandemic and his plans for the rest of 2021. Why not check him out below…

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

NBZ: 2021 been crazy in every direction but I’m good mentally and physically, just Learning to adapt to these new changes

NLM: You released your album, ‘Da Street Poet’ back in May. What is the public perception on the project so far?

NBZ: So I got good reviews, nothing negative but their always room for improvement…

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

NBZ: It’s more on the Poetic and Hip-Pop side…

NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?

NBZ: Life is my biggest inspiration, I really love music it’s a part of my soul…

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

NBZ: We Litt , Get Right and Winners Circle – that’s the mind frame I’m on right now in every aspect…

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

NBZ: Acceptance, growth, greatness, self confidence and self worth in ones own abilities…

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

NBZ: Brent Faiyaz my Boi is killing it right now, very talented

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

NBZ: Yeah I’m working on my new EP amazing new sound coming up…

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

NBZ: Instagram NattyBoiZoe everything

NLM: Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in the production of ‘Da Street Poet’?

NBZ: Shout out to my producer juice cannon, Dice Cannon, Smitty, Gerald.

Da Street Poet is out now

Album Interview: Don’t Come In Here – Oloff

Ever since OLOFF graced this blog with his album, ‘Life’s Got You Riveted’, which was placed at #6 on New Lease Music’s Top Ten Albums of 2016 list, I’ve been so mesmerised how this Bristolian artist experiments with different genres without fear. So I’m absolutely pleased to have a chat with him about his album ‘Don’t Come In Here’. So sit back and have a read as this convo this an absolute belter. Enjoy!

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

O: You’re welcome. 2021 has been kind of crazy, I’ve released 2 albums and gone through a breakup. I have a 3rd album and a book on the way. I’m keeping extremely busy, time is passing by quite slowly.

NLM You released your album, ‘Don’t Come In Here’ back in March. What is the public perception on the project so far?

O: I haven’t done enough to promote it so I don’t know. I’ve temporarily given up on promoting music because I don’t have the time or the money for it, so right now I’m focusing on building up a catalogue and not paying any attention to the numbers at all. Then when I have some leverage I will have loads of songs already released.

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

O: Electronic experimental hip-hop. Drugs.

NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?

O: I had a bad acid trip a couple of years ago and this album was kind of the culmination of my efforts to get over the things I saw on that trip. It was also about being stuck in a room during lockdown, the ups and downs of my relationship, and at times also the fun/humour of living such a life and experimenting with weird substances. In the end the theme is about trust I suppose, not really being able to ever fully trust people but having to do so for your own sanity.

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

O: Parsons and Be Yourself. I think Parsons is the best sounding song I’ve made and I think Be Yourself is the most meaningful.

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

O: Do whatever you can to be happy, stay true to yourself, be wary, get outside as much as you can.



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


O: Good question. I think Kevin Gates would be interesting, because it would be such a different sound for him, but some of the themes are kind of similar (love, trust issues, substance abuse etc.) Maybe a verse on I Don’t Wanna Know.

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

O: Yeah, shortly after this I released Oak Tree which I think is a masterpiece. I also have a project called Sameways coming out in the next few months. And a self-help book, which I think is going to be really good and will help a lot of people with their depression. I’m also regularly releasing singles and videos on my YouTube channel.O

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

O: @oloffmusic on Instagram, Oloff on spotify or YouTube.com/OloffMusic

NLM: Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in the production of ‘Don’t Come Back Here’?

O: Just me. So, hang in there Oloff! You big bald c**t.

Don’t Come Back Here is now out

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.

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.