interview
Interviews with top Beat music advocates celebrities, musicians, artists, and icons about their current and past music projects.
Ensiferum Brings the Message with Mythology and Metaphor
Photo by Morten Jensen In 1995, lead guitarist Markus Toivonen began the Heavy Metal band Ensiferum, (which means sword bearing). The Helsinki based band has long mixed their metal with traditional folk melodies, while relying on mythological concepts to bring meaning to their message. But the band has gone through enough changes over the years to almost start their own mythology. Nonetheless, Sami Hinkka now carries the lead vocals, the bass and bears most of the burden of getting Ensiferum's updated message across.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
Jillette Johnson of Pound Ridge Finds Her Voice
Photo by Jeanne Menjoulet Jillette Johnson began writing songs when she was eight years old—imagining the melodies and words as she pranced around the house. But at some point Jillette realized she had the power to someday have her own sound come from the speakers where Carol King, Billy Joel and Paul Simon echoed. By 12, she had developed enough to throw herself into the singer/songwriting New York City Club scene. Home schooled in suburban Pound Ridge, the lower east side would serve as the educational model that nurtured her songwriting passion. At the same time, the hour commute and real life immersion sufficed more than adequately in comparison to the classrooms of her peers. The foundation soon had her showcased by a number of labels and signed at 17. As such, she was successful enough academically and professionally to attend NYU and continue as an actual New Yorker. This has had Johnson never looking back—except when she needs a fresh air respite back home. Her debut album Water in a Whale certainly reflects that. It has also received critical acclaim for song writing and vocals that are wise beyond her 24 years. Still, she is far from a household name. But that's actually by choice.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
Giada Valenti Brings the Romance of Italy in Her Music
Photo by Kumar's Edit Born in Venice, Giada Valenti never sat down and made a conscious decision to become a singer. The Valenti family was inherently musical and her grandmother was a well known professional singer in the local community. Clearly rubbing off, Valenti took the stage by four-years-old, and was writing musical notes before she could pen the alphabet. Performance and music part of her DNA, she studied music theory at the Santa Cecilia Music School in Venice, and got her degree at Giuseppe Tartini in Trieste.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
"Love Won't Save Us Today"
"Love Won't Save Us Today", my newest song, is one of the most intimate songs I have ever written. This song was created after the murder of my beloved, Philip, by his ex-boyfriend. The lyrics capture what I was trying to explain to myself after this event. I was unable to function. I was no longer able to think coherently. I didn't know how to react to the world around me since it all felt too much for me. This song is somewhat nihilistic in that it tells me that I shouldn't be conscious of the world around me, that it doesn't matter, yet things should matter, and the world around me should matter as well. At the time, I couldn't see how wonderful the world could be, but I gradually rediscovered that, sure, the world can be beautiful. This dream pop single is about seeing a world that is too much, too loud, and too intense. I had to withdraw from the world around me. In a society where we are all taught that more is what we need, I believe that we may all experience this sense, probably more than we would want to admit. After my TBI (traumatic brain injury), I had to relearn every skill I now have. I have to fight to get what I have. I had to relearn writing, math, and other skills like music, mixing, and photography. Thank you for listening to my music. Things to matter, and these songs matter. - Chris Twist (Spotify)
By mysoundMusic3 years ago in Beat
The Absence of Doors
Developing a thrilling combination of Synthwave + Trance + Progressive House SonikBuster's signature sound is at the intersection where the chill night driving elements of cyberpunk lore, the motivating energy of dance music, and the playful nostalgia of game audio collide. -SonikBuster The Absence of Doors is an amazing album. The unique sound style is unlike anything you will hear out right now. Connecting on a spiritual, technological, and emotional level of sound design. Each track is unique, containing its own character, personality, a puzzle, with a solution, you feel it through every moving piece until it is complete. - Robert Turner, Electrofans
By mysoundMusic3 years ago in Beat
"Say Yeah", the new release by Isabella Armina
What made you decide to pursue a career in entertainment? I have always known that I wanted to be, and honestly was, an artist since I was a child. I became enamored with and experimented with film, acting, music and then it just grew into more avenues of entertainment as I developed and I started doing comedy, skits, content and everything else.
By mysoundMusic3 years ago in Beat
Yaniza Unleashes New Single "Paris"
Earlier this year, Yaniza released her third studio album, "New Day." The project was met with a ton of acclaim. Yaniza is now back with a new jam, "Paris." The Acoustic Pop artist switches it up a bit with a more somber, yet soothing sound.
By Meikhel Philogene3 years ago in Beat
Shelly Perel Shares "Don't try" Music Video
Shelly Perel makes her 2022 return with a fun, uplifting record, "Don't try." "Don't try" is the first single from her upcoming debut album, "Patience And Stuff." The track is chock-full of sounds that make it impossible to put the song in one lane: Alternative, Indie Pop, R&B, Neo-Soul, etc. - the song is truly genre-bending. Shelly Perel utilizes her soothing, soulful vocals to create a nostalgic, but fresh sounding jam.
By Meikhel Philogene3 years ago in Beat
It's still falling down...
Thank you for the track All Falls Down. A long time ago, when life was simpler, this was simply a song with a funky beat and great lyrics that had a great vibe to it. Those were my adolescent days with my juvenile problems that felt like true cataclysmic catastrophes. Those would pale in comparison to the things that stress me today. This song speaks volumes about the trials and tribulations one will encounter on the road to glory. I’m sure we all know how the song goes, but take into consideration the separate phases the song goes through in just a matter of minutes. Now I’m writing solely based on my own experiences and interpretations of the song. I’ve second-guessed both of my degrees from the moment I got them because it’s so hard to find passion in a field with little to no grey area. “That major that she majored in don’t make no money.” Story of my life. Because the money to be made entails becoming a person I’m not equipped to be. Selling yourself for a dollar is the theme. I thought I could find security in a field that wouldn’t deviate so far from the rules and that hasn’t been the case. The song itself reminds me that things will continue to go wrong as long as you keep focusing on all the wrongs around you. It takes a strong mind to be able to see the positives around you whenever everything seems darkest. The song will transcend time and generations because the problems depicted in the song have continued to plague our society. Many will criticize a person that decides to overlook their shortcomings for the pursuit of happiness. But those same people will also advise you to do what makes you happy. The contradiction lies in the fact that advice can only seem sound when that person is happy with their situation. The struggles we encounter will always be in abundance. It helps define us because the person that rises from being knocked down is never the same person that went down. You rise a little tougher, a little wiser, a lot more determined.
By The Omnipotent Deity3 years ago in Beat
Quando Non Ci Sei (When You Are Not Here)
A genre-bending composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from Latina, Italy, Stefano Pesapane has become a unique and wonderfully engaging fixture of the modern music scene. With a sound that journeys through smooth jazz, vibrant EDM, and downtempo grooves, Stefano’s music is a world unto itself. - BROKEN 8 RECORDS
By mysoundMusic3 years ago in Beat
The Inspiring Journey of Youth-Sensation Rapper Mukul Rock
Mukul rock is a 23-year-old Indian rapper, lyricist, YouTuber, and a dancer. The Uttarakhand boy was born on 1 December 1999 and was raised by his parents in New Delhi as his father was continuing his profession in the capital city. Mukul belongs to a family of five that consists of his father and mother along with two siblings - a brother and a sister.
By Travis Foster4 years ago in Beat
