Tag: interview

Interview with: Sticky Blood (on their latest EP Blood is Stickier than Water)

tracey and sticky blood

I dropped in at the Red Bull Studios for a quick chat with Jamie Shield (left) and Andy Nicholson (right) -aka –STICKY BLOOD about their latest EP, Blood Is Stickier Than Water, released through their label Card Bang Music and their plans for 2016.

NLM: You released your EP Blood Is Stickier Than Water back in september. How would you describe their latest release to potential fans.

Andy: It’s a difficult one to describe as we cover a broad range of sound and It doesn’t sit in one particular genre. But if we have to describe the EP it’s dark, moody anthems.

NLM: On each track from the EP, you featured different artists – from Terri Walker to up-and-coming singer Hekky, who’s been a firm collaborator. How did that relationship started?

Jamie: We known him for years, so the relationship was pretty much already there. He went away and  did his own thing and we did our thing. The time felt right when he started releasing some music that we liked and we started collaborating again.

NLM: So what is your favourite track from the EP?

Andy: Balance is a definite favourite for me and Let Me Down but my favourites change from one week to the next.


Jamie: One Bar In.

NLM: With this EP, you experimented with drum’n’bass, dubstep with electronic basslines. Is there any other genres you would like experiment in future projects?

Andy: I think we use all those sounds mix together and we’re influenced by all of them individually,  so it only seems right to pull little bits from each one and make a completely new sound.

Jamie: I think it’s all about how it sounds at the end. I wouldn’t want to give it a genre – because he (Andy) would change his mind at the end of the week!

NLM: How about experimenting with a bit a disco or reggae?

Andy: Hmm…maybe not disco…maybe dabble in a bit of R&B and dubstep and possibly reggae, a real merger!

NLM: You worked with different artists, including Terri Walker. What’s it like working with her?

Jamie: We’re sick and tired of Terri! No joke aside, Terri is like family to us, she’s been back a few years with us. If it wasn’t for her, we probably wouldn’t be where we are today. She wanted us to work on her album and we jumped at the chance. We did seven tracks in which all ended up on her album

NLM: Is there anyone else you would like to work with?

Jamie: There’s a range of singers and rappers we like to work with. We particularly like to work with  Gaby Henshaw. Although we’re happy working with artists we have, we’re always looking for  new and established artists to collaborate with.

NLM: So tell us more about Gaby Henshaw?

She’s an up-and-coming singer  who did a track for us under a different name on a separate project which  panned out  perfectly.

NLM: So what’s your plans for 2016?

Jamie: Just keep on improving on tracks and keep getting better.

Andy: The aim for this year to reach to a wider audience. We want more of our artists to release more music,  and to build on our label.

NLM: Any upcoming gigs?

Jamie: Not as yet.  We want to get to the stage where we can perform live comfortably; doing it right and sound right and carry the vibe how we want it to.

Andy: We toyed with a few ideas for a live setting, but for now we want to produce more tracks and generate a few more ideas for what we can do in that sort of environment – we’ll get there, possibly next year!

NLM: You’ve done two EPs in 2015. Will this year see you guys going a full-length album?

Andy: We’ll continue to do individual songs for now, probably next year.

NLM: Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Andy: I like to think, hopefully by then, we push out at least an album. I say that but it might take longer; we wait a couple of years and get it right. Hopefully more people will know about what we’re going.

NLM: Thank you for taking part in this interview, well appreciated it

No problem, it was our pleasure.

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Interview with: Gena Perala

gena perala

Her singles Superstar Supernova and Hoopla were one of the most listened tracks on NEW LEASE MUSIC this year. Now GENA PERALA recently released the music video to her single, Fat World…but before you check it out, come and get to know this Canadian singer/songwriter. 

NLM: You just released the video to single, Fat World (very cool production btw!). Although your effort has the fun factor, it also has a message of reckoning and accepting your personal insecurities. Are you hoping that Fat World will be the anthem for young girls to overcome society’s idea of the ‘perfect body image?

GP: Yes the Video was fun! And thanks for the props! Keep in mind though that the song is as much about sex as it is about body image. I think it’s important that we as a culture get more comfortable hearing women talk about sex but I wouldn’t say the song is anthem worthy especially for young girls. It’s also about being honest with yourself and accepting who you are, bad choices and all. I fear the sarcasm and irony might get lost on some people as well. Having said that, if this song helps anyone overcome society’s pressure to look a certain way then I’d feel great about that.

NLM: The single is coming from your 2014 album Exactly Nowhere. What’s the reception been like on the album so far?

GP: I’d say the reception has been really good. Unfortunately it’s been quite small. I’m pretty unknown but my experiences touring the album were amazing. It appealed to all demographics and genders, which was a huge measure of success for me. Some people have a hard time understanding the scope of the album thinking I’ve combined too many genres and I get that. I personally hear a cohesiveness but it’s definitely more conceptual cohesiveness than every song having the same sound. So that’s been a bit of a challenge. I would like to see Canadian radio supporting it more as well as my own city of Vancouver. I’m enjoying making videos for all the songs that’s for sure! And the videos are being received really well however small the scope.

NLM: Out of interest, what’s your favourite track on the album and why?

GP: I don’t think I have a favourite track. I like to say “they’re all my children” but there are certain things that I really love about certain songs. Fine is so simple and hauntingly pretty and the opening verse is quite perfect if you know the story behind it. Hip Hop and Cartoons means a lot to me. There’s the shock value of course but it also expresses my respect and gratitude to Hip Hop and to shows like The Simpsons and South Park for speaking hard truths in a way people can hear. Life is hard is one of my favourites lyrically and of course Exactly Nowhere, for many reasons, one being that it brought me my album title.

 

 

NLM: You’ve been described as a cross between country singer/songwriter Jewel and electro punk singer/producer Peaches (personally New Lease Music think you’re the 21st century version of Tori Amos). Have you had any other comparisons?

GP: Wow, thank you. I’m honoured to be compared to all those talented women and yes I’ve been compared to a lot of people actually. None of which have been insulting. I think the Jewel meets Peaches description just communicates well. The lyrical singer songwriter meets the shocking unapologetic conceptual artist.

NLM: Who are your musical (or non-musical) influences?

GP:Many many influences. From Folk artists to Pop and R&B, Trap, Soul, Hip Hop – So many influences. Poetry is also a big one.

NLM: If you were to collaborate with just ONE chart-topping artist of today, who would it be?

GP: Ok so I had to go to the billboard charts to see what my options were and the stand outs that I would want to collaborate with because I think we could make the best music together are: Shrillex and Diplo, Drake, Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd. I think I’m going to go with Shrillex and Diplo but if Drake calls, I’m ready.

NLM: So what are your plans for 2015 and beyond? Do you have any upcoming gigs?

GP: I am currently in the studio recording my next album. I also have an electronic collaboration I’ve been working on that I’m loving and my band Tomgirl is probably going to work on a new EP as well. I’m also going to continue making videos so expect to keep seeing those.

NLM: How can potential fans reach you?

GP: I am on all the usual social medias and it’s great to hear from fans!
Website: http://www.genaperala.com/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/genaperala
Twitter: https://twitter.com/genaperala
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenaPeralaMusic
Instagram: http://instagram.com/genaperala/
Join Mailing List: https://tinyletter.com/genaperala
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/exactly-nowhere/id655239649

NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other profession would you do?

GP: Dancer. Or Public Defender probably.

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Exclusive Interview with: Nino Wes

Nino Wes

This time it’s R&B singer/songwriter/producer NINO WES‘s turn to be in the interview seat. The co-founder of the now-defunct hip-hop group, The Breakfast Club, has been making waves here on NEW LEASE MUSIC with his super slick song, You & Only You (the third most popular track on this blog). Now it’s time to read about the man behind that sweet, sweet music.

NLM: First of all, I would like to say congratulations on new partnership with Ingroove Music Group. So tell us  what to expect from this beautiful relationship ?

NW:  Thank you. It’s a new opportunity to distribute my music digitally worldwide. The group breakfast club is now an independent record label. “Breakfast Club entertainment”

NLM: So what other projects do you have in the pipeline?

NW: I have the breakfast club album consisting with original members and I’m planning a solo EP as well.

 

 

NLM:  Let’s go waaaayyyy back to the beginning: at what point did you say: ‘Yep I wanna be a R&B artist?’

NW: I’ve always known I wanted to do R&B, so I can’t really say there was a day I decided to pursue it. I’ve been singing since I was a child.

NLM: What’s the reception been like on your music so far? 

NW: I’ve been getting good feedback from what I can see. I’m in California and  I reside in the San Fernando Valley. Last year the city put on an award show “the 818 awards(area code for my city) and I was fortunate enough to receive the “best male” R&B” award. That was cool because receiving the local acknowledgement lets me know that I’m on the right track.

NLM: You have a real slick discography. Tell me, what’s your proudest work and why?

NW: So far…ummm I have this song that me and my guys from breakfast club did. It’s called “Bite me”. I’ve been talking and ranting about this song for a while now lol but I’d have to say that one.

 

NLM: How would you describe your music? Would you compare yourself to any of your music influences?

NW: My music is honest. At the end of the day I want to give you a feeling to remember. I can’t compare myself to my musical influences just yet cause I haven’t put in half of the work they have put in. I’m barely getting started.

NLM: You co-founded and also a member of the group, The Breakfast Club which is completely different to your sound as a solo artist. How did this venture came about?

NW: I started the group with my partner Kid Soul. And at the time the whole dance craze called “jerkin” was happening in Los Angeles (still world wide too) he was working with the new boys at the time(hit single “you’re a jerk”)  once we met, at first he was going to help me as far as pursuing my solo career but he presented me with the idea for the group because the demand for that type of music(jerkin) was high at the time.

NLM: You also  produced out-of -sight tracks for a string of  artists. Who are they?

NW: I’ve worked with “Mann”(buzzin ft 50 cent) hip hop duo “Kids in the Hall”. Me and breakfast club producer “Vegas Blake” produced a record for Ciara ft rick Ross last year “Boy Outta Here”.  I’ve had a chance to work with LA-based artists:  Eatbeeff, The Fly Guys, Khleo Thomas, Shawn Chrystopher, and many others out of Los Angeles
NLM: If you had a chance to collaborate with a mainstream artist, who would it be and why?

NW: There’s so many but one person I’d collab with now? I like BJ the Chicago kid. His stuff is dope, he keepin’ that soulful r&b alive and he does hip hop. Soul of a Woman is the album.

NLM: How can potential fans make contact with you?

NW: You can connect with me on Twitter IG FB @ninowes everything. Check my site out on ninowes.bandcamp.com

NLM: finally, if you were given three wishes, what would they be?

NW: First wish: is to wish member of breakfast club “skoo boii” and his family peace.
 Wish two: is to one day be in a position to help people.
Wish three. End all police brutality and racism.

 

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FIRST EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH: Rob Forte

Rob Forte

If you’re a regular NEW LEASE MUSIC visitor, you may have checked out ROB FORTE’s music, including his debut mixtape, S.O.UL. Now it’s time to find out a little more about The Academy emcee and his reason behind his latest project. Remember, you heard it first on NEW LEASE MUSIC!

NLM: You recently release your debut mixtape, S.O.UL. Describe the story behind the project?

RF: When I first came up with the project idea, I was originally going to create another EP. But I had so much going on in my life that I decided to release a full project. Funny thing is I wasn’t going to name it S.O.U.L., I was going to name it “Forte Thoughts” because it was going to be a project of straight venting (which it kinda still is), but I really just wanted to be honest. Everything in the project that I said is honesty, whether it’s my thoughts or current situations. I started listening to different types of artists like Kevin Gates and I started to relate to the honesty. So that’s why I called it S.O.U.L. Simply Outta Utter Love. The love for the art as well as soul music in general.

NLM: What has the reception been like towards your new mixtape?

RF: I’ve been getting all types of texts and phone calls and whatnot from people pouring out their love for it. Before I released it, I told the rest of the members of The Academy that this project was going to be one of those projects that people will gravitate towards. And I was right.

NLM: What’s your favourite track on the mixtape and why?

RF: Honestly I have several. But if I had to pick one then it would probably beeeeeee……..SOLO. Reason why is because it literally illustrates a session with me and the homies. The conversation at the end of the song was me and homie Rod Markie. Funny thing about it is we’ve had that conversation SO MANY TIMES. So when he came through to record the skit, it was organic because it’s literally real life conversations that we have.

NLM: Let’s take a look into your early life…what did you do before getting involved with the music industry?

RF: I did a lot of things. Some negative and some positive. But I try to keep straight positivity in my life. But if you mean totally getting involved with music, I was in school. I started taking rap music seriously in high school when I met my homie and The Academy emcee Bonz. He invited me to his crib where he had a studio and from then it was just progression. I made music before, here and there, but that was when we were lil jits running up and down the streets doing what we were doing.

 NLM: At what point did you want to become a hip-hop artist?

RF: I would say probably in my senior year of high school when I rapped in my first cypher. This producer I knew invited me to a cypher but we had different lunches. So I skipped class and went there and rapped. From then on my notoriety built and I started getting all types of love. That’s when I started noticing that people actually saw something in me. So I kept going hard.

NLM: Who are your musical influences?

RF: I have three main musical influences: Common, Mos Def, and Kanye. Common, who is my favourite artist, because of his content and lyricist, Mos Def because of his versatility in rap styles, and Kanye because of his general artistry and confidence. But I look a lot into different artists and distinguish whether or not I like them if I can feel them. If I can’t feel the music a certain way then I don’t pay too much attention to them.

NLM: Would you compare your sound to these musical influences?

RF: I don’t think I can compare my sound to anybody at this moment. I made sure that I couldn’t. In high school I was compared to people like Jay Electronica, Andre 3K, Common, J. Cole, etc… But now that I’ve grown, I told myself that I can’t try to sound like anybody else. So that’s why I choose totally different production than what you normally hear, I do different things on a track, etc….

NLM: So how would you describe your music to someone who has never heard your tracks?

RF: I really don’t know (laughs). I’ve been in situations where people would ask me who I would compare myself to and I would just tell them no one. Then I would play a track and let them decide. By the time they’re finished, they wouldn’t know either (laughs). But if anybody finds out, please let me know!

NLM: If you were to collaborate with a chart-topping artist of today, who would it be?

RF: That’s a tough one. Ummmm….I think I probably would want to collab with Ross. We from the same city so I think we would be able to relate on certain things that go on throughout the city and put together a real soulful joint.

NLM: What are your plans for 2014 and beyond? Do you have any upcoming  gigs? Please spill!

RF: Right now I’m just focusing on continuing to promote S.O.U.L. Bonz and I are currently working with my manager with the set-up of the Numb The Pain for Your S.O.U.L. tour for the fall. We started the summer locally. So by the fall we should be all over Florida and probably hit Georgia and the tri-state area.

NLM: When can we expect another project from you?

RF: I don’t know. That’s a good question. I am in discussion with my homie Sway (producer of Turnt Up) about making a joint mixtape but I don’t know what’s going to come out of that. So we’re going to talk more and see.

 

 

 

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