Interview with Chunjay of Royal Ruckus

Love Music : Tell us a little bit about yourself. Your background, education, your music passion etc. ??
 
The two of us are originally from Bakersfield, California, and we grew up at the same school, same church, and same neighborhood. Bakersfield is not known as a sprawling metropolis, but is better known for cotton, hay, and corn (which is funny, because the rock band Korn is also from Bakersfield). I went to college and got a BA in Elementary Education and an MA in Biblical Studies. I used to teach preschool and elementary school. I can remember one time rolling in on the tour bus at 7 am on a Monday morning after a weekend stint of shows in Michigan, and getting off the bus and going straight to work to teach preschool. I’ve always loved music. Grew up on a hip-hop, and really any music that was good was in regular rotation. I got my first radio when I was four or five, first rap record at 6, and was writing my own songs by the time I was 12.


Love Music : Your fans want to know about your new podcast.
 
Sure! Brews, Beards, and Shipwrecks is the new podcast. I think we’re about 14 episodes in, so it’s only been around a few months. It’s been a lot of fun. We talk about music and culture, beard care, coffee and beer, TV and movies, songwriting, hip-hop, you name it. My favorite part of the podcast is summed up in the by-line: “Because everyone has a story.” I have a lot of rappers on the show, but I also have non-musicians on, and even people you’ve never heard of. I’m convinced everyone has a story worth sharing, and I especially like “shipwreck” survival stories—you know, the hard things in life that have to be endured or overcome. It’s on iTunes, CastBox, TuneIn, Podbean, all the places.


Love Music : Please tell us more about your latest album "The Summer of the Cicadas"?
 
Cicadas was a labor of love. It’s a double LP of 30 songs. The first half of the record is a true Royal Ruckus record, and the second half is my solo project, though Flatline is all over that half too. It’s a concept record, and we had a lot of fun writing it, and enjoyed collaborating with a lot of old friends, including Joey the Jerk, Cookbook, and Pigeon John all of the rap collective LA Symphony, and we worked with KRUM (formerly Playdough) and Manchild of Mars Ill and Deepspace5. Shoot, the list of artists we worked with is incredible: Bonafide of Grits, DJ Sean P, kidDEAD, Spoken Nerd, Eligh of Living Legends, and several others. We are very proud to have released this record this year. https://royalruckus.bandcamp.com/album/the-summer-of-the-cicadas


Love Music : What motivates you to do your best work?
 
Simply a love of the art. There’s a lot of bad music out there, and I don’t want to make something different just to be different, I also make it out of love for the art.


Love Music : Your Christmas project?
 
Yeah, so last Christmas we got asked to be on the Invisible Library compilation, No Sleep Till Christmas, which you can check out here: https://invisiblelibrary.bandcamp.com/album/no-sleep-till-christmas We had so much fun writing for it, while waiting for Summer of the Cicadas to be released, we ended up releasing a three song EP, entitled Lonely Christmas. So one song went on their compilation, and all three went on our EP. https://royalruckus.bandcamp.com/album/lonely-christmas


Love Music : Can you please give our readers any coupon code?
 
Sure! If your readers want to buy anything from RoyalRuckus.Bandcamp.com, they can get 15% off with the code “feature” at checkout. Of course, you can also get our stuff on iTunes, Spotify, and all the things.

 
Love Music : Your fans are so excited to see your new single video. Would you like to say anything about this video? 

I like to tell people I write two kinds of rap songs: tongue-in-cheek humorous songs, and break-up songs. This is one of the break-up songs, sort of with a throw-back vibe to the boom bap feel of early 90s hip-hop. The video was shot at The Standard in Nashville, a really cool historic building. It will be going live on YouTube and at http://summerofthecicadas.com/videos this weekend


Love Music : If you could perform anywhere, in the world, where would it have to be?
 
I think it would be awesome to do a tour of Iceland or Russia or something. I have performed in Mexico, Hawaii, and Ukraine, and wouldn’t mind going back to at least two of those!

 
 

Love Music : Everybody needs time out. What do you do in your free time?
 
I like to workout at CrossFit, though I must admit with all the touring I’ve done this year, my fitness has suffered a bit. I’m trying to get back on the fitness wagon. So when I’m not doing that, I’m eating tacos, drinking beer at a brewery, or lounging at the beach. I currently live about a mile from the beach in South Florida, so I really have no excuse not to do that more. I also have two beagles and a chihuahua pug, so that takes up a good bit of my time. I also love to read, so browsing bookstores or lounging at a coffee shop reading are definitely things I enjoy doing. Oh, and going to movies alone. I like that a lot.

 
Love Music : Are you active on social media? what is the best way to follow you ?
 
Yeah, you can find us as @royalruckus on Twitter, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp, and @royalruckusofficial on Instagram and Facebook. And of course, our website is http://royalruckus.com, and the podcast is at http://brewsbeards.com

Read More

A Great Conversation with AP Coley ( Spark )

Meet the famous musician AP Coley ( Spark ), who talks about his latest release and exciting achievements of his career, in this candid interview..


Love Music : Tell us a little bit about yourself. Your background, education etc. ??

I come from a two parent household. Had to learn the value of a dollar when I was young got my first job at 13. I trained to be a fire fighter for a year and a half, hated the politics I dealt with and never pursued it again. With my EMT certification I worked in the hospital assisting nurses for a few years. I've always wanted to help people.

 
Love Music : We been hearing a lot about you, so we notice your starting to gain a lot of attention how does it feel?

It feels great! Didn't know you guys heard about me, that's dope. The album must be doing it's job.

 
Love Music : What kind of training have you had, if any ?

Training? I've never had any training. Only thing I've done religiously is write. I used to always study different poets work and model different flows behind certain stanzas and cadences. It really helped me shape creating my own.

 
Love Music : Please tell us more about your latest release ?

My latest release "Spark" is a journey from the moment you realize your potential, chasing it, and the thrill of that journey and what life can give you on the way to your greatness. Every

 
Love Music : What has been one of the most exciting achievements of your career so far ?

Honestly, I take pride in being unsigned being a registered ASCAP musician releasing my first album worldwide, having it available for anyone to find and listen to, is the most amazing thing to me right now.

 
Love Music : What’s your goal in life you want to achieve next?

I honestly just want to inspire anyone to challenge themselves to do what they have to do to achieve their goals. I live to inspire. Shedding more light on the world and how relatable we are, eliminating the stereotypical division with more music, more events bringing us together.

 
Love Music : What motivates you to do your best work as a musician ?


Honestly just that I know it tool me some time to get to thia point. Believing in myself, my dreams and the greater change the world can be. Being able to help people through sound is why I take my time to create a product that has a universal reception to unify people, creating good vibes.


 
Love Music : Did you choose this industry, as a career or a hobby?

I just love music. I always have admired the power of music. How it affects your emotion and mood. It can actually be therapy at times. I remember listening to alot of my favorite artists thinking "I want to be apart of this". I loved songwriting ever since.

 
Love Music : Everybody needs time out. What do you do in your free time?

Kicking back smoking weed and playing video games. I like having game nights at the crib with friends. I love reading too, great motivational books, reading current events locally staying more aware of my community. Going to local events supporting independent businesses.

 
Love Music : How can people find you and follow you online?

You can go to my website apcoley.com all of my social media, music, upcoming shows and merch is going to be posted there.


Twitter : @ApColey  
Facebook: AP Coley  
Soundcloud: ap-coley

Read More

Interview with hip-hop recording artist XXMISFIT

We are sharing interesting interview of an hip-hop recording artist Danali Byrd who goes by the artist name XXMISFIT. He started at the age of 17. He has a unique and weird style and consider himself misfit or different from the rest.


Q : First of all tell us about the start of your professional career?
 
XXMISFIT : One day, I had went to a studio and jokingly made a song I had thought of. Not thinking anything of it, I posted it on Soundcloud. At this time, I was going under the stage name of “Lil Byrd,” and wasn’t serious about music. Suddenly, it started gaining plays, likes, and reposts. This song becoming my debut song, ”Bands” , hit about 10k plays in a week and that's when it hit me that I should actually start making songs and change my life around. Then one of my boys told me my style is weird, like he never heard it before, its misfit. Thats when I decided to become XXMISFIT, to account for my weird and lonesome style of rapping. Ever since then, I have dropped a couple of songs, performed in some shows, made some music industry friends, and changed my lifestyle around.

 
Q : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
 
XXMISFIT: I would have to say the wild and dark nature of Travis Scott influenced me the most. Since I was in middle school, I looked up to Travis and his exotic style of rapping and told myself, I have got to follow his lifestyle and start making music. Aside from him, Ski Mask The Slump God is also one of my main inspirers. His fast-paced vocals and weird style is basically what framed my style of rap.

 
Q : Tell us about your recent release?
 
XXMISFIT : Just recently, Ive dropped a song called “Misunderstood.” Its a two-minute song, sampled off of the “Teen Titans” theme song and basically explains my life from start to where I am now. Nobody understands me and the life I am living or things I do and that's why I am misunderstood, hence the title. Misunderstood is my motto and I will never be understood and that's what fuels my music.




Q : What kind of response you have received from the release?
 
XXMISFIT : People have messaged me saying they really vibe with the song and they understand me which is cool. Knowing that some people understand my misfit nature and rock with my music makes me want to put out more tracks so they can emerge themselves in my world even more.

 
Q : What attracts you more, performing on stage or working in studios?

XXMISFIT : There just something about being in the booth that calls to me. I get a special vibe whenever I'm in the studio working on some new songs. Everything around me stops and I find its just me and the microphone. Don’t get me wrong though, being on stage, in front of fans, snapchatting and reciting my lyrics is wild no doubt, but being in the studio attracts me more.

 
Q : What's your favorite music genre?
 
XXMISFIT : I grew up in the era of new age Hip-Hop and thats all I listen to. After a while, I decided to branch out and start engaging in a little Rock and thats where all of my style comes from. I like to mix the two together and that's when I created my own genre, what I like to call “misfit muzik”

 
Q : Have you set some target to achieve as a music artist?
 
XXMISFIT : As of right now, I am just seeking more exposure and getting my feet wet so to speak. First year is the year of learning and making new connections. As I progress, I intend to be the one everyone knows about and make a solid standing for myself in the music industry.

 
Q : Are you currently working on any other project?
 
XXMISFIT : Yes, I am working on a EP titled “The X Files” which is releasing mid-December and a mixtape self-titled “Misfit” which is set to be released early-2018.

 

Read More

Interview with NYC based singer & songwriter Anna Basel

Check out the recent interview of NYC based talented singer and songwriter Anna Basel.

 
Q : First of all introduce yourself to our readers? 
Anna Basel : My name is Anna Basel. I am a songwriter/singer who is based in NYC. I hail from a small city in Belarus and started writing songs at the age of 12. My family is also very musical and listening to live performances was part of growing up. I came to NYC in my late teens and been living here ever since. Originally I didn’t even speak English and put my lyric writing skills on hold, however, in 2007 I stared to collaborate with various Trance/House producers for writing my own vocals and lyrics and as a result received support from maga DJ’s producers such as Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyke,David Guetta, Paul Oakenfold and many others.

 
Q : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
Anna Basel : I was listening to XM radio in 2007 to the vocal trance/house tracks and thought to myself I can do it as well. I met few people who were producing trance at that time and we made few tracks but I thought of it more as fun and didn’t expect for them to get widely played across the globe and to receive the boost and support from the fans. I also visited Amsterdam in 1998 and was fascinated with the album “Dreamland” by Robert Mills. I purchased many copies for gifts to my friends. I wanted to spread that incredible music and sound before it came into the US. As female singers my idols are Billie Holiday,Ella Fitzgerald, Blondie, Anna Netrebko,Bonnie Raitt, group “Heart”.

 
Q : Tell us about your recent releases?
Anna Basel : My recent release is from my solo project with a Latvian producer of Eurovision 2016 song “Heartbeat” Kasparas Ansons. The song’s style is Deep House and the name is “Give it Time’. It will be availalble on all digital platforms such as Itunes,Beatport,Spotify and etc. It is available now for a preview on my facebook page www.facebook.com/annabaselmusic
Also we just finished a track with the talented producer from Ukraine Igor Leus aka Natlife. It has trance/house/pop in it and it’s very catchy and memorable right away. It’s a very dancy tune:)

 
 

Q : What kind of response you have received ?
Anna Basel : I receive many great responses to my tracks. People like them and tell me that they can identify themselves with the lyrics.

 
Q : What attracts you more, performing on stage or working in studios?
Anna Basel : I am a recording artist and a songwriter. I also like to perform on stage given the opportunity.

 
Q : What’s your favorite music genre?
Anna Basel : I like EDM in general whether it’s trance/house/techno/pop. It’s very energetic and I can express my message through it. I also like Classical Rock because of the melodic guitar themes and the atmospheric vibe in the songs.

 
Q : Have you set some target to achieve as a music artist?
Anna Basel : My goal or target is to spread the love and support to people across the globe. I believe that through music it is possible as many artists have done so for centuries. Music brings people together and makes them to forget about worries or problems they are going through. I would like to reach out to the audience who like the genre I am creating in or are just discovering it.

 
Q : Are you currently working on any other project?
Anna Basel : Yes, I am always writing and working on new tracks.

Read More

Ladi Anne – Villas – AMemento for many more lives

We had the pleasure to review a new music video by an artist who’s truly making history. We are talking about the very unique Ladi Anne, who once again blew us away with her spectacle of talents.

A piece of moving art – a collaboration of music and dance to bring out the august love of a father on a precious daughter – dedicated to bloom hundreds of souls of little girls in Rwanda.

Ladi Anne, as usual swipes her brazilian soul over the piano, calling painful hearts to rest in her spirit. Innocence of a youth thrown to accept the reality, harshness, and self indulgence in pain, flows through the video, teaming with the rhythmic movements of Marion Crampe, the world renowned dancer. She gives her consoling note right into the eclectic heart to call out the deepest spirits within a soul.

Pouring her soul into the audience, Ladi introduces at the beginning the heart break of a teen. Stepping to the rhythm of her heart, Marion moves into the scene just like her soul drifting around her. Every movement complimenting the melody, sprouts feelings beneath a young heart yearning for a father’s love. Same as the hearts of street children in Rwanda receives a father’s love through MindLeaps – a non-profit organization.

The feeling of a farther’s love, the joy of his presence beautifully brought into the scene at the end. The same happiness will be enjoyed by a forgotten group of children in a society through their contribution to crate that love.

Villas is one of the most clever and unique music videos we’ve seen in 2017. Blooming in its mysterious desaturated colors contrasting the angelic music played by Ladi, Villas has truly conquered our hearts.

Read More