Artists to Watch

Interview: Alchemy Within

April 22, 2024 — Leave a comment

Alchemy Within is a musical project based out of Bel Air, Maryland. His work is described as alternative rock that harkens back to the early 2000s, but there are no boundaries for him and the other musicians who contribute to the songs.

Having just released the new EP The Story Thus Far in March, Alchemy Within has hit the ground running in 2024. I was lucky enough to be given the chance to chat with him about how he started, influences, guilty pleasures, what’s next for the project, and more!

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Mostly Music: How did you start this project? What was it that made you want to create music?

Alchemy Within: I originally started writing solely to maintain my own mental health. Therapy helps, but it wasn’t getting the job done on its own. When I first made Alchemy Within, I had every intention of it being a full band, but I got tired of waiting for people, so I started on my own. I play a little bit of keyboard, but most of the instrumental parts you hear are by cowriters.

MM: What is your songwriting process?

AW: The process usually starts with the lyrics. I’ll have 3 or 4 lines I really like, then build the rest of the song and melody around them. 

MM: Do you have regular contributors, as far as your cowriters, or do the other musicians change each time?

AW: I like to have 1 main collaborator, and then if I have someone in mind or someone shows interest, I’ll have them join in, too. Like “Troubled Waters” and “Like A Bullet” have different drummers. I love hearing in the end product how different musician’s influences and stylistic choices blend with mine.

MM: Why call your project “Alchemy Within”?

AW: It’s probably not what you would expect. I was watching something on the History Channel or Travel Channel, something like that, and they were talking about alchemy. I was like, “Huh.  That’s kind of like what music is, right?” I wanted the word Alchemy in there, but I didn’t know how to use it, so I used a band name generator. Lol. I typed in that I wanted the word “alchemy” in there, and Alchemy Within was one of the results.

MM: It’s NEVER what I expect! But the generator did you a solid, because that’s good! Who are your major influences, musically? And what is it about that band – or bands – (or artists) that inspires you?

AW: Thank you! My biggest influences are ANYTHING Chris Cornell, Blue October, and Maria Brink. I feel like Chris Cornell is pretty self-explanatory, he’s Chris Cornell. Blue October inspires me because they just kind of do whatever they want and it sounds great. Like one of their songs has an opera singer in it!? I never would’ve thought of that, but it works. Maria Brink is hands down my biggest influence. Especially her Blood and Black Widow eras. She faced SO much adversity and showed so much growth as an artist and a person that I immediately became a fan.

MM: It is inspiring to watch someone face adversity and come out stronger on the other side, especially when much of the judgment is…unwarranted, I guess you might say? Like, it wasn’t that she did shocking or offensive things to draw attention; she just existed in that scene and caught shit for it.

AW: Yeah, she definitely caught a lot of flak that was uncalled for. Those circle pits she would start herself were CRAZY. 

MM: Is there anyone you listen to or draw inspiration from that might surprise people? What’s your “guilty pleasure”? (Not that you should be guilty over anything that makes you happy. Lol.)

AW: Usually, Maria Brink and Blue October are the ones that surprise people, but I think they’d also be surprised that I draw inspiration from Dorothy as well.

My guilty pleasures are usually one-offs by different artists, but I think it’s a tie between “Hurt” by Christina Aguilera and “Breakaway” by Avril Lavigne.

MM: I love Dorothy! Saw her (them) with Shinedown, and it made me so happy! Okay. One more of the digging-into-your-tastes type questions, then I’ll get back to the music. Lol. What would be your dream tour lineup that includes Alchemy Within? Be as realistic or unrealistic as you wanna be. I’ve had some fun answers to this one.

AW: Oh crap, that’s a tough one. Unless all of their publicly known personalities are a lie, I think touring with In This Moment and Black Veil Brides would be fun. Maria Brink’s bodyguard kind of scares me, though, not gonna lie. Haha. Myself and a few other people thought he was Jason Mamoa at first glance.

MM: I met BVB in 2018. The VIP was…very controlled, but I got to talk to Andy, Jake, Jinxx, and CC after the show. CC is just as animated as he seems. Lol. And Andy was actually very sweet. My favorite comment he made was “Don’t worry. I’ve been cried on before.” (It wasn’t about me.)

Okay. Back to the music. So I don’t wanna ask your “favorite” song you’ve written, but do you have a track that you connect with more than others?

AW: I think I connect with “Shady” the most because it’s not really about a specific event that’s come and gone, it’s about the ongoing process of self-improvement.

MM: So it’s ALWAYS relatable. You just released “Like a Bullet,” which is how we came to be here. Lol. Can you tell me the story behind that song? You mentioned it was one of your “fun” songs. What was the process when writing lyrics/composing for it?

AW: So the fun part is more the melody and overall sound than it is the lyrics. In a nutshell, it’s about trying to resolve trauma and navigating the consequences/damage. The process was pretty cut and dry. I wrote the chorus lyrics/melody, and my cowriter wrote the instrumentals, then we built off of that.  I have no idea why I decided to make the song as high as it is. It only made things 10 times harder.

MM: I would say it paid off. I love the song. I think a lot of people don’t believe I listen to all the music I find, but I do. So, what are your plans for the rest of 2024 from a musical standpoint?

AW: Thank you! I’m just kind of rolling with the punches as far as 2024 goes. I’m branching out a bit and starting to work with different producers and musicians. The production aspect of my music might sound a liiiiiittle different from here on out, but it’ll still kick ass all the same. Hopefully, 2024 is the year I finally find some bandmates!

MM: And if you get a band together, you’ll book shows, right??? Because my little neck of the woods would just be so happy to see you!

Is there any message you want to give your fans (and my readers)?

AW: I will absolutely start booking shows and I’d love to come to your town! To fans and readers alike, I’m always working on something, so at any given point, there is always something new around the corner. Like I just recovered from having Covid and I was still working on music that whole time. It never stops.

MM: I think my last question would be, where all can my readers find your music? Are your songs available on every major platform, or…?

AW: The vast majority of streaming platforms, yeah. The only big one I’m not on is SoundCloud. My distributor doesn’t work with them, and I haven’t made a SoundCloud account yet.

MM: Thank you so much for your time! This has been a lot of fun. We’ll have to do it again soon!

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Listen to the latest Alchemy Within single, “Like a Bullet,” below and be sure to follow his socials so you never miss an update!!!

Interview: Viktor Vetika

April 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

Viktor Vetika is an artist who enjoys several creative outlets. Starting in thrash/metal bands, he has since ventured into writing a comic book, making music videos, and fronting a more rock-oriented ensemble that bears his surname. It seems he can do it all!

I had the fun of chatting with Vetika about music (mostly), though we did touch on the subject of his other endeavors. Read on to learn more.

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Thank you so much for talking with me! Let’s start with my standard opening question: what made you want to pursue a career in music?

VV: I was at the end of a relationship after college and I was really depressed, this was 1992. I was listening to a college radio station and heard a song that was very powerful called “Inner Conflict” by Carnivore, and it hit me differently than any other song I’d ever heard. I made a decision right after that song that I would start singing for a band. I knew I couldn’t sing to save my life, but I knew I could shout and scream like Peter Steele in Carnivore.  

How did Vetika get its start?

VV: I’ve been in many bands since the early 90s. Each band I’ve been in has been a headache. I got divorced and stopped playing in bands in 2010 to get my life back on track. I enrolled in a masters in fine art degree and achieved it in 2015. Then I was slowly feeling the music bug again in 2017. I decided this time I would be the boss and enlist musicians and play in the direction I want to go rather than letting the fate of a democracy make the decisions. I’m drawing a comic book called “United Forces” and one of the main characters in the book is me. So to push my comic, I named the band Vetika, my last name. 

I’ve had 7 guitarists for this band so far, starting with Tom Wills with a thrash song. Then Angel Lee, the singer/guitarist of Devils Envy, wrote a few of the songs off the Skull with Magic EP. Then there was Brian Ballas and Jeff Fernandez. They wrote songs for the EPs She is Magic and Power of the Pit. My old bandmate, Jason Parke, shot me over some songs, and I’m still working with him. I worked on one cover song with Ben Johnson. I have a new guy, Neid, who’s been writing songs for this newest EP.

You’ve been doing this a really long time, then. How do you stay inspired? What keeps you excited about what you do?

VV: The creating aspect of making a song, and making a music video. Every band you make music in is going to be different. I knew this would be the case for this band. I’ve worked with different guitarists in this band and each time there’s a new sound, it inspires me. 

I’m also an artist, and the new thing about my musical career is the technology I haven’t had in the past to create music videos affordably. Since making music videos during Covid, I wasn’t able to bring my band mates together to film, but I did have myself. I painted a wall in my living room green for a green screen and started filming myself as different Vetikas. In the music video “One Regret,” there are multiple Vetikas, and this started an idea that has even crossed over to my comic book “United Forces.” Using this idea of the multiple Vetikas, I incorporated the idea into the music videos “Power of the Pit” and “The Sunrise of Nothingness.” There’s a good Vetika, a bad Vetika, a scared Vetika, you get the point. Some are in this dimension, some are in other dimensions. 

In the “The Sunrise of Nothingness” video, Vetika is walking through this foreign land. The foreign land is photos of ripped foam laying on a styrofoam sheet I bought from Joanne fabric, lol. The video making really gets me off. I’m not too fond of the filming and acting out parts of the story, but I love editing and seeing the story come to life. My barometer for if the music video is working or not is when I laugh out loud at how silly a part of the video is, when I do that I know I’m on the right track. After shooting this video, I took a photo of myself in the foreign land to create the album art. 

Another area that keeps me inspired is that I’ve been inviting musicians from the central Florida area to collaborate with us. I’ve had Bobby Koelbe (Death), Ken Andrews (Obituary), and Adam Phillips (Indorphone, Pro-Pain) play solos on songs; Meka (Meka Nism) sing a duet with me in a song, and Angelo “Crisco” Miceli (Seven Nations) and Kevin Collado (In This Day) play drums on a few songs. Currently working on a few songs with Russel Ray (Reddstar), who is a drummer/producer. The Vetika camp keeps growing.

In your own words, how would you describe your music? If you had to categorize it, what genre would you be?

VV: The first few EPs started off as thrash/metal, but I’ve recently been slowing down and trying to sing a bit and go in a hard rock & classic rock direction. 

What bands/artists inspire you?

VV: I listened to unsigned bands from the 90s when I was starting, which inspired me because those bands were coming up with their own thing and learning how to be a band. Their music is unorthodox. Bands like Dissolve, Implode, Shaman Mary, Sheldon, Nothing Face, and Stuck Mojo. These were bands I saw live when they were just starting.  

I’m also inspired by top 40 ’80s music because it sounds nothing like what’s being made today. The funny thing is, I grew up in the 80s and hated top 40 then, but have a huge appreciation for it now.  

That happens. I like alternative rock from the 90s much more now than I did when living through it. Still on the subject of what you like, is there anyone you’re a fan of that you think would surprise people?

VV: My newest song “The Sunrise of Nothingness” was inspired by David Gilmour’s guitar playing. I love how he plays guitar. Go have a listen to his album About Face. It’s amazing.

What is the story behind that track?

VV: It’s about contradictions and hypocrites.

Tell me a little about your songwriting process. From where do you draw your inspiration? 

VV: My process is I hear a song that I like, and it inspires me to write one that is similar. Now that I’ve put out a good supply of songs, I’m leaning more on the mix/master part of the song production, which I hadn’t really focused on before. I’ve been inspired by the mixing of these newest songs and listening to the richness of the production quality. 

That leads directly into my next question. What has been your writing/recording process for the tracks on this new EP?

VV: My process is always hearing a song and telling my guitarist this is what I want to do next. He’ll take the idea and make it his own. He sends me a sample and I’ll tell him if he’s hit the mark or not. If he hits the mark, I tell him to keep going. If he misses the mark, I’ll give him directions on what to do next. When we’re done, the songs sound nothing like the songs I got the inspiration from. 

This has been the most rewarding band for me because of what I mentioned already and technology. Every band I was in up until Vetika we could never record easily, it took a lot of money. But with technology now I can get my guitarist to put together a few riffs and plug in some electric drums, get my bassist to record his tracks and then I sing over it at my house on my computer. Send it off to get mixed and mastered. I come up with the music video ideas, film them, and edit them in Adobe Premiere Pro.  

What is coming next for Vetika, and what is the ultimate goal?

VV: I’ll be putting out the next music video “Overturned” and wrapping up a few other songs for the The Sunrise of Nothingness EP. My ultimate goal is to play some shows and get word out about the band to more people. We were about to play live, and then Covid happened. I currently have a drummer and bassist from a previous band I was in, but the guitar part is hard. The guys I’ve been using are not able to play live, so I’m trying to recruit some guitarists. 

What would be your dream tour lineup?

VV: Play with Metallica. Why not play with the best to get the word out. 

Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans, new and old?

VV: If you’d like to know more about me, pick up the comic book titled “United Forces” at www.monarchcomics.com. The main character is myself and Phil Foulder. Also watch my music videos on viktorvetika.com. They tell my story as well. For the foreseeable future, all of the music videos will be about me in an insane asylum, making music videos in my head. 

And by all means, send me fan mail. It’s lonely in the asylum. My email is victor.vetika@gmail.com

Last, but certainly not least, where can my readers get their hands on your music?

VV: All streaming services.

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It seems that Viktor has his proverbial plate full, his excess of creativity finding its outlet on multiple fronts. Be sure to check out the comic book, stream his music, and follow his socials for news on all his endeavors!

Interview: The Lamplighter

April 1, 2023 — Leave a comment

The Lamplighter is a one-man band with an attention to detail. All instrumental, his music defies categorization; it’s something you simply have to experience for yourself.

I had the pleasure of talking to The Lamplighter recently. We discussed what lit the fire in him to make music, his writing process, what’s next for him, and more!

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What made you want to pursue a career in music? (Or, if not an intended career, what got you into music as an outlet, hobby, etc.?)

The Lamplighter: My dad was a garage drummer, so I think I have always been hypnotized by music, at least as far back as I know. I remember when Prince released Purple Rain, I was completely captivated by that album. Later, I joined the school band (as a drummer, of course) and found big band jazz. In high school, I was in both orchestra and jazz band, but outside of band I was pretty much a metalhead. I met a guy who was a guitar player mainly into New Wave and Post Punk, and he introduced me to a bass player into punk rock, hard rock, and some psychedelic stuff. The three of us formed a band and wrote some pretty crazy stuff. All our influences came through woven together like a sonic tapestry. They were my best friends, we had a special connection and it was awesome. We played our first Hollywood gig at 15, and by that point, I was in it for good. Creating and playing music was my purpose.

How did The Lamplighter get its start? And what is the significance of the name?

TLL: Well, I was born and raised in L.A. I was in numerous bands, playing countless gigs all over the place. It was a blast for many years. But life eventually brought me to the PNW away from my L.A. musician circle. I found myself musically alone, drifting and struggling to find like-minded musicians who were also dependable (crazy, I know) and eventually almost gave up. One day during a long hiatus, I was listening to funk and jazz in my garage, thinking, “Maybe one day it will happen again,” and then I heard The Budos Band for the first time. They relit my fire. It was then I decided “Screw it! I will just do it myself.” I taught myself how to play guitar many years ago, so learning the keyboard wasn’t too difficult. I started writing, and after the first coupl of songs, I named myself The Lamplighter. 

The name is from my family’s business dating back to the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It was a sign shop called Lamplighter Neon. I always thought the logo was really cool, so I used it. I actually redrew myself as the logo. My family gets a kick out of it. 

So, aside from the drums, are you completely self-taught?

TLL: I am self-taught. After I started playing in the school band, I just couldn’t get enough. My aunt had an old beat-up acoustic guitar from the 70s that she gave me and an old beginner guitar book. It smelled like an old attic, but I learned how to (cut up my fingers), then tune it on a basic scale, then how to play “Yankee Doodle.” I later stumbled across a bar chord and it kinda sounded distorted and from there…you guessed it… “Smoke on the Water.” Haha (seriously). After hooking up with a real band, I would fidget on the other guys’ guitar and bass between jamming. They would just keep me in the corner of their eye and sometimes I think they’d get a little concerned. Haha! But then I started coming up with riffs and it was game on.

Wow! I’m so impressed by people who have the drive and patience to teach themselves. And since everything comes from you, I’m gonna ask you to describe your music in your own words.

TLL: This is a hard question because I never want to give people the wrong impression. They are all instrumentals, and I perform all instruments. I sometimes describe it as funk-infused rock oddities, or energy. It really is just a recipe formulated by my mood, and whatever influences surface that day. I don’t ever want to be a “Metal” artist, or “Punk,” or “Jazz,” or “Funk,” etc. I like all those styles, and more, I just try to let them flow through me. I hope that doesn’t sound lame. A person described one of my songs as “If Twin Peaks and Mad-Max had a child, this would be the soundtrack.” I like it.

What bands/artists inspire you?

TLL: Oh geez, so many. I’d say off the top of my head… Jane’s Addiction, Primus, Funkadelic, Firehose, Fugazi, Clutch, Fu Manchu, Frank Zappa, The Vandals, Dinosaur Jr…..I could go on for days. 

(I just noticed how many bands in that list start with the letter “F.” I wonder if there is a correlation there, or if when naming influences that letter just lingered? Hmmmmm. )

Tell me about your approach to songwriting? What was the process like for Ultraviolet Catastrophe?

TLL: I remember hearing David Bowie talk about not writing music to please other people, and when it starts sounds crazy, you are on to something good. Also, I think it was Prince who said something to the effect of letting the music write itself through you. You essentially become the instrument. So that is kinda what I try to do. I like groovy bass lines with some funk in them. I drive my drums hard at times but add some swing to them and sneak in some old funky riffs. Then I frosted the cake with guitars and/or keyboards, depending on where the song took me. There are a couple of smokin’ leads in there. There are also some eerie processed keys in there. Some songs make you want to dance, others take you on a trip, one tells a story. After I arrive at an “almost done” stage, I let it sit for a week or two and then listen to it again. This album took me a year to finish. I have a 9-5 job and I never want to rush and I definitely don’t ever want to write the same song twice.

Is there anything in particular that inspires you to write, anywhere you draw inspiration from? I’m usually asking this question about lyrics, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t apply to the music itself as well.

TLL: I see music in the world, in everything… a mood, a song I heard, a day at the beach, cruising the city, watching a crow walk across the fence….music is an integral part of life…fundamental.

Do you have a time or certain state of mind that is more conducive to writing than others? I ask because I write short stories and I tend to get motivated late at night – unfortunately – and when it’s really quiet. But I know other people who thrive in chaos, so… 

TLL: Oddly enough, I get a lot of new ideas in the morning shower, and again around 10 a.m. at work. The shower thing I read has to do with the state of your mind being kinda released from daily stress and all the other things one has to think about so the creativity flows past the blockage, so to speak. The 10 a.m. thing is weird and I can’t explain it. It’s like all of a sudden I will be just going through the day, then 10 rolls around and WHAM! I’m head bobbin’ to a bass line, or struttin’ to a drum groove in my head. When I realize what I’m doing, I kinda sheepishly look around and a coworker is like..”New song?” Yep, lol. The struggle is trying to remember them when I get home. 

I get that. Sometimes inspiration strikes me when I don’t have the option to write it down. Lol. Back on the subject of Ultraviolet Catastrophe, do you have a favorite song from the album?

TLL: Not really. Sometimes, I dislike a song more than the others, but that depends on my state of mind. The first song I started promoting was “6 o’clock Jump.” It has groove, energy, and a nice structure… I think 😉

What are your plans for 2023? Can we expect any new music?

TLL: Well, I sort of fell behind the ball with Ultraviolet Catastrophe. I didn’t start putting it out in the world until this last December. It has had some good traction, though, even charted #2 twice on the “Radio Indie Alliance.” So I will continue to raise awareness of it because there are many people who have not heard it yet. I have put a lot into it, and I hope it reaches people. According to Spotify, it has been played in 6 continents….woo hoo! I need to find some penguins in Antarctica to get a Spotify so I can hit all 7.

But new music for sure, always. I am actually finishing up a second release. I went a different direction with this one, and it should be out at the end of April or early May.

And last but not least, where can my readers find your music?

TLL: My music is on all the platforms. Spotify, Pandora, Bandcamp, Youtube, Itunes, Apple Music, Last FM, etc. I have an Instagram and Facebook. For us appreciators of “old media”, I have CDs on Bandcamp. They come with stickers, because stickers are fun.

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If you enjoy music that is different, intricate and unique, you certainly should listen to The Lamplighter. A lot of energy and feeling goes into his craft, and it is evident in every riff, groove, and beat. As stated, you can find his music on your favorite streaming service, and you can keep up with his creative endeavors by following his socials.

Interview: god.i.am

March 25, 2023 — Leave a comment

god.i.am is the solo project of self-taught, multi-instrumentalist Howard King. Focused on originality and bringing his own uniqueness to the genre, god.i.am offers up a fresh take on doom metal with his debut EP, hanc aeternum, infinitum nihil 23.23.

I had the chance to talk with him at length about his start in music, his writing process, the concept behind his album, and more!

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So firstly, tell me a little bit about you. What drew you to music in the first place? 

Howard King: When I was an infant, my mom said I would get tupperware containers, coffee cans and arrange them, get some wooden spoons, sit down and go at it, haha! I’m sure it sounded like shit, but that’s how I ultimately became a self-taught drummer. And that’s where it all began. As a teenager, I got my first drum set. The first song I played on it was “Living After Midnight” by Judas Priest. It just flowed naturally, and I just kept branching out and getting better. I drummed in numerous heavy metal bands, then discovered at a practice that I had a knack for the bass and fell in love with it, too! I’ve always had an ear for music and can hear all of the instruments in most songs, so I just play by ear and figure them out. I never watch tutorials or videos to learn songs. If I can’t get a certain, intricate part like it is on the recording…I just say fuck it and play it my way!!! But, that’s why I prefer writing original music. I have a particular playing style as a drummer and a bassist, so what’s mine is mine.

So you’re entirely self-taught? Wow! 

HK: Yep, I’ve never had any lessons. Be that good or bad is entirely up to the listener. Either way, I’m cool with it. I also don’t read music. Hell, I don’t even fuck around with tabs or playthrough videos for other bands’ songs. I simply have an ear for it. When I come up with my original music, I just hear what I hear…play what I play…and keep what I like.

Once you really started focusing on learning, who were your biggest influences? Was metal always your style of choice? 

HK: My influences aren’t really that extensive, and I don’t put any emphasis on them with my own preferences and playing style. I’ve played and practiced a variety of music over the years, so I don’t really have a favorite style of music or musician, with regards to drums and bass. Memorable drummers would be Clive Burr and Cozy Powell. Memorable bassists would be James Dewar and JD DeServio. With that being said, anytime I write my own music, I ALWAYS make a point to not copy any single musician or band. So, while I love and respect those guys that I listed, I don’t try to compare myself to them or emulate their styles of play within my own music. This makes my songwriting methods completely unique to me.

No one in particular inspired you to learn drums, bass, etc., but your preferred style to listen to inspired you to create what you do?

HK: I can’t really say that any one particular musician inspired me to play music. I just always knew music was inside of me, so I simply made the effort to let it come out. I’ve never had to force it out, though. It simply flows from its origin. 

As far as my Doom Metal project, I just decided that I was over “rock and roll” and “heavy metal.” I’m not knocking them, but I’ve always preferred the blues. So, my progression into Doom Metal just made sense to me. It’s actually just heavy, down-tuned blues anyway. I have several basses, and my go-to bass is my favorite 5 string bass that I tune to Drop A, and both of my acoustic drum sets are modeled after classic kits, for that heavy, classic sound. I have written dark poetry for years, so I turned some poems into song lyrics, wrote some new shit, and fuckin boom!! Through my song arrangement style (lyrics to music, for the most part), my Doom songs were born.

I had never really considered that doom metal was a variation of Blues. You just taught me something. Why call your project god.i.am?

HK:  I wanted something different. I didn’t want the more common buzz words such as “electric, mono, orange, fuzz, weed, green, etc…” in my project’s name, so I went with something personal. I already knew that I was going to write occult-themed, dark lyrics, so I just drew from my past. There is a line in a movie that states, “As god of my world…” I’ve always loved that fuckin’ line, on a lot of levels. That concept has always meant a lot to me, so I came up with god.i.am … the .i. in that makes it personal and unique to me and singles me out as the god of myself and all that .i. see. 

“god.i.am, of all I see. Not god of you, I’m god of me.“ -from a god.i.am song

So what is your writing and recording process like? Where do you draw inspiration for your lyrics (or poems, as the case may be)? 

HK: My process is actually quite simple. Since god.i.am is a solo project, I’m the only one involved in the song writing process. That’s why I love it so much. I’ve never been difficult when working with other musicians. But some of them can be, so fuck that shit. I’ll do it all myself!

So, I’ll screw around and come up with a riff on my bass that doesn’t sound like any I’ve heard before. Then, typically I “hear” the words I’m gonna use (usually a chorus) and I always “feel” how I’m gonna lay down my drums…so boom! That’s it. All final recording is done at a friend’s studio.

As far as my lyrics/poems, not to beat a dead horse, but I truly don’t get inspired by any outside sources. They just flow from the source within, and I put them on paper. They might hit while I’m alseep, or driving down the road. I really never know. But I have never sat down and said, “What am I gonna write today?” That doesn’t work for me at all. There is just a natural flow involved. And they come out when they’re ready, and if I ignore that, they are easily forgotten.

As someone who has dabbled in writing short stories, I totally get the “if I ignore it, it’s easily forgotten.” I can concoct an entire scene in my head and I’ve lost more of them than I care to count. So, what are your upcoming plans for 2023? 

HK: I think that’s cool that you write, and that you get where I’m coming from. Shit, I have poems in my stash that are still on napkins, haha! When they come out, I’m grabbing the first thing I see to write on. Sometimes, if I’m not near my notepad, that can be anything from my palm, a napkin, to an unsent text on my phone that I can go back to when I’m near some paper. When that kind of internal shit hits, it’s forever lost if I don’t act on it. I think that’s by design, though. So it simply is what it is.

It’s funny that you bring up short stories. My debut EP, hanc aeternum, infinitum nihil 23.23, is theme-based, and I intend on writing a short story to tie everything together. I haven’t decided what to title the story yet, but it will definitely be a bit of a mind fuck for the reader, all while bringing the 5 songs from my EP into one continuous flow. I don’t want to give up too much about it right now, but I will certainly let you know when it’s done.

My plans for 2023 are to set my Doom Metal music on fire and spread it out upon the masses. Doing this shit DIY-style is very labor intensive. I also want to finish my short story and see about getting it published. My personal music is always on the edge of my brain, so I write new shit everyday…and there will be another EP at some point this year.

A short story to go with it? I’m definitely intrigued! Can you tell me a little about the theme of the EP (if you can do so without giving too much away)? What does the title translate to? And do you have a favorite track? If so, which one and why is it your favorite?

HK: The album title translates to “This eternal, infinite nothing 23.23”.

Haha, I have no favorites. I’m a little partial to every one of them (shameless plug #666). I did all the guitar work on my 5 string bass, and that’s a little different from the guitar perspective, so I had a blast creating the songs. Drums and bass are my 2 favorite instruments, so I was able to bring out the best in what I do on both instruments with the songs on the EP.

The theme of the EP is based around a girl that innocently dabbled in the occult, but ended up taking it too far – and found out that there are eternal consquences. It’s not the “newest” storytelling idea, but the theme/story is absolutely my idea, so that makes the story unique to me. I really think you’ll dig it! I know that I’m having a lot of fuckin’ fun with it. 

The short story, the theme and music of the EP is all so very personal in so many ways. I have to release this creativity that’s swirling around in my mind, or I believe I’d be consumed by it. Wait, I am consumed by it, haha! It can truly be maddening at times. But it’s a good kinda crazy. Hell, it keeps me off the streets!

Will the new EP tie in to this one, or is it going to be a completely separate work? 

HK: Oh, trust me, it’ll be a continuation. Her story is far from over. Good or bad, it’s eternal.

Well, I think that about wraps it up. Is there anything you’d like to add? Any message to your current and future fans? 

HK: My message would be, that I go out of my way to never sound like anyone else Doom Metal-related. I’ve scrapped my share of songs because of that. So, I hope everyone enjoys my music and appreciates my efforts at being original in sound and approach. 

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To keep up with everything god.i.am has going on, follow his socials and stay tuned here; he is an interesting artist, and I fully intend to share whatever comes next!

Getting To Know Awesome Ray Ray (Interview)

November 30, 2022 — 1 Comment

Awesome Ray Ray is an artist that knows no creative boundaries. Filled with energy, promoting positivity, and crossing a wide range of genres, he has something to offer for everyone. I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Awesome Ray Ray about his start in music, what inspires him, his recent appearance at Blue Ridge Rock Festival, his latest single, and what’s on the horizon for him.

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MM: First and foremost, can you describe your sound in your own words? 

R: Sometimes it’s like this raspy, bluesy southern gospel rocker vibe, then mix that in with rap, trap, and hip hop, sprinkle a little bit of heavy metal, R&B and EDM, then you have a “never really know” what to expect mix that is “Awesome Ray Ray”. 

MM: Who are your biggest influences?

R: Limp Bizkit, LL Cool J, Jelly Roll, Drake, Linkin Park, Korn, Post Malone, Slipknot, Kendrick Lamar, Gym Class Heroes. 

MM: With such a wide variety of genres mixing in your sound and your list of influences, who would be your dream touring mates? Or just a dream lineup that you’d be on?

R: Definitely Limp Bizkit, Jelly Roll, Travis Scott, Gym Class Heroes

MM: That would be a killer show. So, on to another standard question. What made you want to pursue a career in music? 

R: I’ve been a lover of music since I was a little kid. I picked up my first pair of drumsticks at the age of three, and that’s all she wrote. Listening to music has always been therapy and a way of coping with stresses of life. And writing/performing it literally does the exact same for me. 

MM: In regard to drumming, was there anyone in particular that inspired you to pick up those sticks?

R: Gene Krupa, Quest Love (The Roots)
John Otto (Limp Bizkit )

MM: Describe your songwriting process, and where do you draw most of your inspiration for songs? 

R: Normally I hear a melody or I’ll hear a guitar riff, or a beat/instrumental and my mind will just start going crazy. I usually have to write it all down quickly. My inspiration normally comes from real life experiences, or whatever I’m feeling in that exact moment. 

MM: Tell me about your experience performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival.

R: It was absolutely life-changing. For that being my first show ever as a solo artist,I felt a lot of pressure but was extremely thankful for the opportunity. The second my foot hit that stage and I opened my mouth and saw the crowd reaction, I knew immediately this was home. Every aspect from driving down, to parking my tour bus, to meeting the stage managers, sound engineers, staff, security, helpers, fans, national acts, regional acts, etc. Just the general reception that I received from everybody, it was absolutely amazing. Not a lot of artist or bands get that experience for their first show, so I’m incredibly grateful, and Blue Ridge will forever have a special place in my heart. I absolutely look forward to going back and performing again. 

Awesome Ray Ray at BRRF (2021)

MM: For anyone who was unfortunate enough to miss you at BRRF (like myself), what can concertgoers expect from an Awesome Ray Ray live show?

R: A lot of energy, positive vibes, positive reinforcement, a mix of different styles of music, some serious moments, and definitely some funny moments. I’ll crack a joke in a heartbeat. Lots of smiles and laughs, and a lot of high fives and hugs.

MM: It sounds like a very positive, feel-good experience, and we can all use a bit more of that. While I have you here, I wanted to be sure to touch on your latest single. Can you tell me the inspiration behind “Last Desperado”?

R: Absolutely. “Last Desperado” was originally a hip-hop song that I wrote a few years ago. I produced a hip-hop instrumental, and wrote it about being cocky/confident, while still trying to encourage people and spread a bit a of a positive message. I know those two seldomly go together but I decided to give it a shot. One of my good friends, and one of the most amazing, talented, producers/guitarists, and overall human beings, that I’ve ever met by the name of William Baker (formerly of Hallow Intent), reached out to me after playing Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2021. [He] was taking on some production projects, and I sent him this and said “Hey bro, can you add to this? Throw in some guitars and heavy metal? You know? Do ya thang?”. And WOW did he! It turned out awesome! Like I knew it was gonna be good, but I didn’t know it was gonna slap so hard. And perform this well stream-wise. I’m incredibly thankful for his friendship and help/support on this record. And there will definitely be more where that come from soon! 

MM: I really like that message. So often we think of confidence in ourselves and empathy for other people as separate things when in reality, you can have both. And now we come to the final, all-encompassing “What’s next for Awesome Ray Ray?”

R: I have a lot of music/videos that are gonna be coming out soon, booking shows, being a part of other projects hitting the road, and just straight up following my dreams while inspiring and encouraging others to do the same. 

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There you have it! Awesome Ray Ray has a lot of exciting things for y’all to look forward to. You can find his social medias and the streaming services that have his music at the link below! And be sure to check out “Last Desperado.”

Socials, merch, streaming

3 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#35)

November 12, 2022 — 1 Comment

All three of these bands were at the recommendation of a friend of mine, and they all hail from my home state of Alabama!

1. Stay Lost: Post-hardcore. For fans of Underoath, Alexisonfire, Every Time I Die, etc. Stay Lost will be playing Nuclear Winter Fest in Columbus, Georgia, on January 21, 2023. For more news and show announcements, be sure to follow their socials! First, though, check out their latest single, “Fraudulent.”

2. Empire Springs: Progressive rock. For fans of Muse, The Mars Volta, Queensryche, etc. Empire Springs released their debut album The Luminescence in April, and they will be supporting Covet at Zydeco in Birmingham on December 9. Here is “Ascend,” one of my favorites from The Luminescence.

3. Reclaim the Empyre: Metal. For fans of Darkest Hour, Dying Wish, Lamb of God, etc. Reclaim the Empyre is going to be in Tallahassee, Florida, on December 10, as well as Nuclear Winter Fest along with Stay Lost and others in January. They released a new track entitled “Wake” back in July.

3 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#34)

September 30, 2022 — Leave a comment

1. Bleed The Sky: Metalcore from California. For fans of Chimaira, Code Orange, Lorna Shore, etc. Bleed The Sky parted ways with their vocalist this year, but they have said they intend to tour in early 2023. Check out their song “The Devil Will See You Now.” This track was released during the pandemic and was the band’s first song to reach one million streams on Spotify.

2. Frost Koffin: Metal from Texas. For fans of Pantera, Iron Maiden, Black Label Society, etc. Frost Koffin just released Southern Misery in November 2021 and have been touring with acts such as Bather and The Acacia Strain since. Here is the first single from the album, “Texas Bullwhip.” Frost Koffin just wrapped up a tour in February, so keep an eye on their socials to see what’s next!

3. Holomvmt: A progressive hardcore/melodic metalcore band consisting of members from Pennsylvania and Ohio. For fans of From First To Last, Erra, Northlane, etc. Holomvmt just released “Kintsugi” back in July, but their socials have been silent since then. Hoping for news and/or new music soon!

https://youtu.be/Fg6tr0eKx_Q

3 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#33)

August 12, 2022 — Leave a comment

1. WolveSpirit: From Germany, a band that encompasses many variations of rock and metal, including blues, psychedelic, melodic, groove, and a nod to classic. For fans of Billy Idol, The Rattles, Wolfmother, etc. WolveSpirit is currently recording their next album, Titanium, in Nashville. For now, you can check out their other albums, including their 2022 release, Change the World. Listen to their latest single, “Don’t You Know,” and be sure to follow them on their various socials and streaming services.

2. Love and a .38: Rock from California. For fans of AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Kix, etc. Love and a .38 has been playing as many shows as possible in the aftermath of the pandemic, sharing the music they wrote during those two years for the first time live. Here’s a single from 2021, entitled “Stand and Fight.” Keep an eye on their socials for news and show dates!

3. Ivy Black: Melodic rock with just a hint of pop hailing from Scotland. For fans of later Pink, The Donnas, The Pretenders, etc. Ivy Black just welcomed a new bassist to their ranks, and in February they released the track “Take Me, Break Me.” Give it a listen!

3 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#32)

July 22, 2022 — Leave a comment

It’s been ages, but I’ve decided to pick up where I left off and continue telling y’all about the bands/artists I come across on my various social medias that y’all should know! Yes, it used to be five bands/artists each post. However, I decided that was too much for the reader and didn’t offer enough focus to those featured. So…let’s dive right in, shall we?

1. Overthrone: Metalcore from the UK. For fans of Fit For a King, Wage War, etc. Overthrone released their sophomore album, The Path of Destruction, earlier this year and recently supported Dropout Kings at a show in Birmingham. Check out their latest single here and visit their socials for more!

2. South of Eden: Rock from Ohio. For fans of Greta Van Fleet, Dorothy – a mix of classic and current rock, or as I have heard it called, “vintage rock.” South of Eden has several shows coming up, and they have been teasing new music soon!

I have seen them live and I highly recommend getting to a show if you can. The band is very energetic, Ehab’s vocals are amazing, and Justin is one hell of a guitarist. (Plus, they’re super nice guys!)

3. Mac Saturn: A mix of rock, blues, funk, soul, and R&B from Detroit, Michigan. Another vintage rock band in the vein of Dirty Honey, there are definite elements of classic rock & roll such as Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers incorporated in their sound. Mac Saturn is currently touring and just did two shows opening for The Black Crowes! I recently shared their latest single, “Mr. Cadillac,” when I posted about the California Dreamin’ Tour, so I’m gonna give y’all a different track here. This is called “Diamonds.”