Catching Up With SIZZLEBIRD

SizzleBird blends electronic dance music with the classical sound of the violin in a harmonious sound that makes your soul dance. He has worked with the likes of Jaguar, Uber, Soundcloud and Whistler Blackcomb creating original commissions for music, video and advertising.

We caught up with Sizzlebird and interviewed him with him about his music, songwriting and the way forward:

Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today? 
I'm well thanks, about to learn some basic ukulele so as to incorporate some live chords into some of my violin and electronic music fusions.

To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
I think it's a mixture of emotion and chill giving the listener a powerful mixture of orchestral chords and harmonious melodies and the relaxing violin elements.

Read the full interview on Basement Pulse...

Always Loved - Das Mörtal’s Album Released By Lisbon Lux Records

Das mörtal’s much anticipated Always Loved album has been released via Lisbon Lux Records.

Produced with the help of French Fox (one half of Lisbon Lux Records, who has previously aided bands such as Le Couleur and Beat Market), Always Loved has been described as “a moody, emotive album full of rubbery arpeggiated synths and explosive drum hits.”

The lead single “‘Midnight Rendez-Vous’ (ft. French Fox)” has already garnered attention with its edgy music video, featuring a balaclava-wearing couple creating mayhem on a night out.

Listen to Always Loved and buy here:


Always Loved Tracklist:
01 Midnight Rendez-Vous (feat. French Fox)
02 Backseat Love Affair
03 Bedtime Intimacy
04 Dark Valley Intercourse
05 Jennifer
06 Risking My Life (feat. Ghost Twin)
07 Youth Escape
08 The Curse
09 Final Survivor Girl
10 Midnight Rendez-Vous (Outro)

Follow Das mörtal:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dasmortal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dasmortalmusic
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dasmortal
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRlipsbz6aygI426aJJPe8A
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dasmortal/

Andrew Applepie + Bjurman Triumph With New Track 'Drowning World'

Andrew Applepie, an upcoming German electronic artist, loves producing music, and creates songs with everything he gets his hands on. He uses various instruments, from recorders, guitars and drum machines, to weird and wonderful pieces he’s picked up while traveling, even kitchen utensils have featured on some of his tracks. Andrew’s sound is uniqueunique and uses organic, everyday sounds using field recording. New York film-maker Casey Neistat and many more are playing his tunes in their videos and millions of people around the world are listening.

Drawing influence from modern electronic artists like Caribou and Baths as well as classic beatmakers like RJD2 and bands such as Gorillaz, Andrew is also draws influence from alternative/independent artists like Deerhunter.  Although some of his songs appear to have the feel and structure of sampled hip hop beats, he only uses parts he has played or recorded himself. Andrew has just released a single with  Sandra Bjurman titled “Drowning World” blending  the Swedish singer's raw and melancholic vocal performance with his upbeat and playful style. This combines the yin and yang of pop music into an incredibly emotional and appealing tune, starting out fragile and vulnerable, making you smile through a warped ukulele riff and leaving you with goosebumps when the chorus drops.

When asked about the track, he says: “Before we even ever talked or met up I got to hear her song "Drowning World" and I immediately felt drawn to it. I loved the melody and the song was great. I felt I could really contribute something to it. So we met up, and then I took our material with me to Maui where I made it into a new song with a new chorus and some spicy ukulele licks with my new uke I got in Kahului. Surprisingly enough everybody loved the tune!”

Follow Andrew Applepie:

Website: http://andrewapplepie.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewapplepie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewapplepie

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/andrewapplepie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrew_applepie/

Follow Bjurman:

Website: http://bjurmanmusic.se

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bjurmanbjurman/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCELxkrcpgCuedspuVuhHxSA

JACY Announces The Release Of 'Brand New ft. Myles Parrish'

The world of Future Pop is eagerly awaiting the new release of 17-year-old singer-songwriter JACY’s new single. Set to drop on June 23rd, “Brand New” features Myles Parrish of Kalin and Myles and was produced by Foolish Ways who have garnered attention for their smash hit - Flo Rida’s single, “Cake”. 

Alongside her Breakaway Tour, an initiative aimed at middle and high school pupils to encourage them to engage with music as a means to encourage positivity, JACY has also been the voice of America’s National Anthem. She wowed the audience at  the AT&T ball park for the San Francisco Giants in May this year. JACY has also recently performed at 106.5's Endfest alongside Halsey, DNCE, Fifth Harmony, Austin Mahone, Noah Cyrus, and Alex Aiono. 

With a music career that began in her early teens, JACY has all the makings of a pop sensation. Of the new single she says: “I am so proud of it!! I think it shows who I am as an artist, it's my sound! Working with Foolish Ways, they loved my inherent tone, it feels raw and authentic. It feels right!” 




Don't miss a thing! Follow JACY:
https://www.facebook.com/itsjacymusic
https://twitter.com/JacyLeeanne/
https://soundcloud.com/JacyLeeanne/

INTERVIEW // We Catch Up With ... Tha Boogie Bandit

LA-native and Tokyo-resident DJ Tha Boogie Bandit regularly performs on the main floors of Japan’s biggest venues including ageHa, WOMB, Sound Museum Vision, and more. As part of internationally known label Peakhour Music (one of Beatport’s Top 10 selling labels), he produces trap, bass house, future bass, and big room. He is also the head of Peak Hour’s bass music sublabel Hotslice.

In addition to regularly releasing on Peak Hour Music, Tha Boogie Bandit has released singles with Chuckie’s Dirty Dutch, Deorro’s Panda Funk, and EDM.com’s AIA labels. He has had 6 tracks in the Beatport Electro House Top 100 and 2 tracks in the Dubstep Top 100, with the jungle-infused dutch house big room track “OMFG” peaking at #16. Other notable releases include his original track Krazy, his bootleg remix of Skrillex & Rick Ross’s Purple Lamborghini, and his recent collab with Lucchii “Blow Up.” In addition to having his track “El3phat” featured in Showtek’s Yearmix 2016, his music is consistently supported by major artists and included in podcasts and live sets from MAKJ, Juicy M, Chainsmokers, Chuckie, Reece Low, Glowinthedark, Dada Life, Milk N Cooks, Far Too Loud, DJ Bl3nd, and more.

He has shared the stage with some of the biggest names on the planet - Jay Hardway, Tujamo, 3LAU, Wolfgang Gartner, Kill the Noise, Bobby Burns, Tim Mason, Thomas Gold, Daddy’s Groove, Lazy Rich, Lucky Date, Starkillers, Paris & Simo, Feed Me, Nari & Milani, Danny Avila, LA Riots, Jauz, and more. His time spent in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Seoul being an international flavor to his performance.

The “wubs, hoo’s, beats and peaks” of his songs are insane, a result of over ten year of experience in breakdancing, guitar, and drums. A DJ with an unsurpassable rhythmical sense, eclectic taste, and knowledge of contemporary music history, we chatted to Tha Boogie Bandit about his music, producing, and the way forward…

Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today? 
Feeling good - sun is warm, grass is green, what more could you ask for? Today I'm gonna get back to working on a track that I have gone through three different versions of for the past 4 months and finally finish it up.


To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Eclectic hybrid fusion catchy bass dance music with a touch of the feels. I like combining genres to try and make something new and fresh, like putting together drum and bass and reggae, funk and bass house, or future bass and hybrid trap.

What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?
The Prodigy - The Fat Of The Land, Skrillex - Recess, RL Grime - Void, Linkin Park - Meteora, Above & Beyond - Group Therapy

Which other artists are you into at the moment and why?
I listen to everything from Kendrick Lamar to Getz and Gilberto (the Bossanova dudes) and try and take influences from all over. Dance music wise, I've recently been listening to a mix of Brohug, Herobust, Moksi, and Boombox Cartel. They're super consistent - every track I hear from them is pure fire. To make every track you release a banger AND something new and fresh, that is really, really, really hard to do. The biggest influences in dance music  will occasionally release a dud every now and then but to be that consistent makes me have mad respect for them.

Are there any key pieces of equipment that you are using to define your sound?
I'm not really a gearhead, but if craft beer counts as a piece of equipment, it is definitely essential to my song-writing process. That and my French Bulldog puppy.

What would you say some of the challenges artists face today in the music industry?
I think a big challenge is how saturated the music industry has become. It's great that more people are being creative and trying to write and release music, but with so much music out there, it can be tough to be heard. Another tough thing is that artists can have a pretty negative "why should I work with you, what will you do for me?" kind of attitude where everything somehow has to be "me me me". I know it might sound a bit naive, but I want to be making connections, doing collaborations, and building a community without having to think about how this benefits me or you. I sometimes fall into that trap as well, but being nice and genuine goes a long way and I have been trying to approach the community in that way.

Where do you gather songwriting inspiration? 
I listen to the big mixes like Diplo & Friends, but I find that I get the most inspiration and creative ideas when I listen to stuff I barely know. The other day I was at XLII's studio here in Tokyo (he's part of XXX$$$) and we were listening to some hardcore dancehall. I didn't leave the studio session thinking "oh yeah I am gonna make some dance hall now", but I did leave with tons of inspiration, new ideas, and ways to think about what different beats do to how people react and move their bodies.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting your music together?
Whenever I sit down and force myself to start writing a new song, it never goes well. I have to constantly be thinking about music away from the studio throughout the day to find that spark of an idea. Once I get that initial idea, I hit the studio, crack open a Lagunitas IPA and before I know it I have the basic structure of the song put together in only a few days. All of the little details are what take the longest - I can spend weeks to months fine tuning tracks or even restarting the entire project.

What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?
The best gig I have ever done was in the summer of 2011. I was still relatively new to DJ-ing at the time and it was actually my first gig in Tokyo. My old DJ partner Foxx Boogie was in Japan and we played at this huge crazy all day beach party, with a tuna slicing show, barbecue, unlimited booze for 10 hours, thousands of half-naked party-goers, and my closest friends. Honestly the best part about it was the memories with my closest friends. Friends are really important to me so being able to spend big moments together like those tend to make for memories that I will keep for a lifetime.

And the worst?
I'd like to think they were all pretty good.

If you weren't a musician what would you be? 
Probably a strategy consultant. Or I would open my own taco shop, and call it Taco Betty (my grandma's name is Betty).

Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
I recently launched a sub-label under Peak Hour Music called "Hotslice." We focus on bass music and have had about 7 releases so far, with several more locked down for release in the future. I'm also close to finishing up the material for my first EP, which I hope to release later this year.

Follow Tha Boogie Bandit on his social media links below:

http://thaboogiebandit.com/

https://soundcloud.com/tha-boogie-bandit/

https://www.facebook.com/ThaBoogieBandit/

https://www.instagram.com/thaboogiebandit/

https://www.beatport.com/artist/tha-boogie-bandit/360203

On & On // Brand new single by HVNNIBVL

‘On & On,’ the new single by producer, vocalist, songwriter, and audio engineer John J. Hannibal, aka HVNNIBVL, has just been released.

Described by Clash Magazine as “A vivid, idiosyncratic talent, HVNNIBVL is gearing up for the summer season with new cut 'On & On'. The piercing vocals are filtered through some refreshing effects, while the rattling percussion nods towards dancehall sounds.”

Although HVNNIBVL has wide variety of influences (from Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, to  Bruno Mars and Skrillex) he is also wary of defining his sound in terms of genre, citing that he is “influenced by anybody that does what they love to do, and shows passion with every ounce of doing it.”

HVNNIBVL says of the new single: “Making 'On And On' was interesting because it was a track that came to fruition with different intent at the beginning. I wanted to make an accessible song, something everyone could enjoy, but something that didn't completely follow the EDM craze going on in pop music right now. With that in mind, I had the idea to make a Pop collab with an EDM producer with less of a 'drop' and more emphasis on the song itself. I originally made a layout of the song to send to some bigger producers to see if they wanted to recreate parts of it with me remaining the singer and writer. After noticing a busy period for most of the people we reached out to, my manager and I had been listening to it and he said to me 'yo this could actually make a really great stand alone track'. I had it in my mind all this time to gather a production collaboration, but failed to realize that I actually had laid out a damn near finished song already. After establishing that we could move forward with it as strictly a HVNNIBVL track, I added finishing touches to the production and we were ready to move forward."

HVNNIBVL is currently working on a new and once again entirely self composed EP, and is working with both notable and up and coming artists alongside plans to begin officially touring in Summer 2017. Watch this space!

Listen to ‘On & On’ below, and buy here.

Follow HVNNIBVL:

Website: http://hvnnibvl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hvnnibvlmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HVNNIBVL

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/hvnnibvl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvnnibvlmusic/

INTERVIEW // We catch up with... High Stakes

Brady Hine and Jayden Russo are the enigmatic brand HIGH STAKES.

These two producers have had a number of releases, their sound climbing the the ARIA charts and garnering the attention of many publications along the way. The duo are aiming for new heights in the house /electro scene, and their latest track ‘How We Do This’ has received an extremely positive response.

We chatted to the two producers about their sound, their musical inspiration, and upcoming releases….

Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today? 
We are good. Just going over a few last things in one of our newest tracks!

To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Our sound is deep, full of bass and groovy. Made 1000 feet under the ocean in a submarine.

What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?
Golden features XXIV was something that gave us a lot of inspiration. Also some new releases from from various artists like JDG, Drezo, Zhu and Jaysounds has influenced our sound, while still adding our own twist to bring our own flavour to the track!

Which other artists are you into at the moment and why?
JDG has been putting out some huge tunes at the moment which we are taking a lot of inspiration from. Drezo is also someone we like to keep an eye on. His tracks are definitely something unique with a ton of energy!

Are there any key pieces of equipment that you are using to define your sound?
We use some select plugins for our producing side including Serum and Spire. We are able to create some pretty unique and cool sounds that define our style. Our effects channel is mostly stock plugins, but we do have a few which we use to make things a little more crisp, but we won't name.

What would you say some of the challenges artists face today in the music industry?
Today's artist face many challenges, one is creating something original. With so many artists starting and ones that have been in the scene a while, it becomes difficult to make something unique, or sound different to the rest. We like to really put in the hard yards and to make our tracks unique and make sure they are of high quality.

Where do you gather songwriting inspiration? 
Ideas for our tracks can come to us at any time. Quiet days at home or nights out, both have their advantages. Both can provide inspiration which can give us some pretty cool ideas. Also listening to other genres of music can give us some awesome elements or ideas to add to our tracks, which can create some different styles in itself.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting your music together?
We write our songs many different ways. Usually depends what idea we get first for a track is how it's started. Most times that is a melody, but we have created tracks starting with the drums and percussion then moving onto the melodies and leads. It doesn't really matter too much for us, as long as we are vibing the tune and the flow as we make it, it gets completed!

What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?
Schoolies 2016 was amazing, the kids have so much energy and love to party hard. For a young bunch, it was such a great experience!

And the worst?
We haven't really had a bad gig. Can't name one. Let's see what the future brings haha.

If you weren't a musician what would you be?
If we weren't musicians I don't really know what we would do. Probably something like scuba divers at a trout farm haha.

Do you have any particular gigs or festivals that you dream about playing?
The Met Brisbane would be massive for us and is definitely a dream of ours. Any gig is awesome to play, especially festivals so we don't get too picky. Just enjoy the journey and have fun!

If you could perform alongside any other band or artist, living or dead, who would it be?
JDG or Drezo would be unreal to play alongside! Both bring such energy to their shows and it would definitely be a mad time.

Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
We have an EP coming very soon! We have just polished off the last track and completed a massive collaboration with another up and coming artist. We are super excited for its release. The tracks have a bit of a new twist to what we usually out out so hopefully people enjoy and like what we have done!

Listen to 'How We Do This' below: