Mostly Music

Interview: Stone Harvest

January 17, 2023 — Leave a comment

Stone Harvest is an original rock band based in Tennessee that seamlessly blends both the classic and contemporary in their music. Comprised of vocalist Levi Kelley, guitarist Matt Sullivan, drummer Blake Jenkins, and bassist Nathan Slater, the band released their self-titled debut EP in 2021. They have since been working on new music and have plans for a big 2023.

I had the opportunity to chat with the band and learn a bit more about both their history and what’s in store for the future. 

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First and foremost, what made you want to pursue a career in music?

Levi: My grandmother was and is a huge influence on me. She was a in a band where they performed on the Ernest Tubb show on Wednesday nights. I remember playing hooky from school so I could sit with her all day and sing the oldest songs you’ve never heard. After getting hitched to my grandpa who was a preacher, unfortunately she didn’t play as much as she once did. It has always been very important to me to carry on the legacy and never give up!

Matt: It’s just one of those things that made sense to me. I’ve always loved music more than anything and I’ve always been drawn to the guitar. And making music was just the obvious choice for what I need to do with my life. Even in high school, I was much more focused on my band and learning Nirvana covers than I was doing my Spanish homework or studying for my history exams. I went to college for a few years but my heart wasn’t in it. A music career was the obvious choice and it kept calling at me until I moved out to Alabama and luckily I met some guys in Tennessee who are as passionate about it as I am. 

Nathan: I’ve always played music, even as a young kid. About 8 or 10 I got a guitar and played piano a lot, but when I was around 14 I started getting serious about it and decided I wanted to play bass and a couple of friends started a band in eighth grade and been playing ever since.

Levi, aside from your grandmother, who are your vocal influences?

Levi: Most definitely Travis Tritt! He is as talented as they get, if you ask me! I learned if you don’t have the full attention of the audience, that’s when you start running across tables. That’s some straight Travis Tritt advice there, that I take with me to every show!

Who are the biggest influences for the band as a whole? Do you guys share a lot of similar music tastes, or do y’all come at it from different angles? 

Matt: I would say that we all share influences (the band) from contemporary artists such as Magnolia Bayou, Dirty Honey, and Bishop Gunn, as well as older influences of Skynyrd, Brother Cane and Aerosmith.

How was Stone Harvest formed, and where did the name come from?

Levi: I wanted to start a band where there was no real “band leader.” Anything and everything we do is always a vote from everyone. On the name I had the word “harvest” that I was stuck on as I watched a combine harvest grain, then I honestly just started plugging in a combination of words until Stone Harvest came out and I really wasn’t that stuck on it. That same day I searched on social media for some like-minded dudes, and in the post I remember putting something along the lines of “Looking for a full band to play original music with the influences of Bishop Gunn (RIP) and Dirty  Honey”. We jammed that night, but Stone Harvest was still missing something. That’s when the 4 original band members of Stone Harvest quit practically the same day, then along came Blake, then Matt, then Nathan, and Stone Harvest was complete.

Stone Harvest (2022)

What is the writing and recording process like for y’all? 

Matt: The writing process is mostly jam-based. So that’s just us sitting around playing with a riff or a chord progression and then we all kind of go from there. We sometimes will sit down together and come up with lyrics, but mostly it’s Levi who writes the lyrics and he will come up with a cool idea or phrase and then we kind of build on it from there. It’s usually all written on the spot; music, melodies, lyrics and solos. There are a few times when I’ll bring a riff in to rehearsal and we use it but usually we just start playing and feeding off of the energy of the rest of the band and next thing you know, we have a new single written. 
For our recording process we like to do it all at once, a live recording to use as a scratch track and get it as close to perfect as we can and then individually we come in with overdubs and fills and things like that. 

And where do y’all draw your inspiration from?

Matt: It’s hard to say in an umbrella answer “this is where we get our inspiration” because we try to get so much of it from random places. It could be a phrase one of us says. Or it could be something as simple as the weather outside. We have a new single we are going to release soon and it’s all about driving on a sunny day. So we try to draw from a lot of places because we don’t want our material or subject matter to get stale.

I’m glad you mentioned new music because I wanted to ask the story behind your latest single, “All The Lies”?

Levi: I remember listening to the bass line in the song “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People and thinking, “damn, we need some thump groovin’ like that in a song”. Took that idea straight to band rehearsal, and all the lies was born that night. At least I think that’s how it went, ha ha. 

So what’s the follow-up for 2023? A new album, or…?

Levi: Definitely new music. We are toying with a few new ideas of how to go about releasing it, but I absolutely foresee a new single coming out in the next couple of months.

Just for fun, who would y’all most like to collaborate with?

Matt: I personally would love to work with Damon Johnson from Brother Cane. He’s been a huge influence on me and I think he would be fun to work with. Not to mention that he’s one of the coolest guys you’re ever gonna meet.

Is there any message you would like to share with your fans?

Matt: We definitely want our fans to know how much we love them and how greatly we appreciate their support over the years, we look forward to many more years ahead.

And for any of my readers who aren’t already following Stone Harvest, where can they find your music?

Matt: Your readers can find us anywhere they stream music! We are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, all that good stuff.

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Make sure to check out Stone Harvest’s latest single, “All The Lies,” on your favorite streaming service (and/or below)! You can also keep up with what the band is up to via all their socials.

Interview: Rod Rawlins of Severed Sun

January 9, 2023 — Leave a comment

Severed Sun is a metal band from central Florida. They have two EPs out so far: Strength Judged By Power (2017) and Catacombs (2021). Their love of all things heavy bleeds into their music, and the passion they have for what they do is evident in both recordings and the moment the foursome steps foot on a stage.

I recently had the chance to speak with front man Rod Rawlins about the band’s history, influences, and plans for 2023.

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MM: First and foremost, what made you want to pursue a career in music?

RR: Well first, thank you for taking time to do the interview. For me personally, I grew up listening to rock music, being introduced by my father and uncle to bands like Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, etc. Later on in life, some friends of mine and myself were riding in a car and I was singing to, I believe, Metallica and they asked if I had ever thought about singing in a band. That lit a spark uner my ass to get into a band they were putting together.

MM: Your voice does stand out, and it certainly fits the style of music y’all do. Have you ever had any type of lessons? Or are you just one of those lucky people?

RR: Well, the answer to that is yes, but not until the last couple years did I get serious vocal lessons from Natalie Hagan. I wanted to expand my vocal range and get back some of my high end that I seemed to lose or just got lazy with. I did try lessons a long time ago but only had a few because of conflicts with my work schedule. 

MM: Who are your major influences? (Both for you personally, and those of the entire band.)

RR: We have a lot of the same influences, such as Black Sabbath,Metallica,Pantera, Dream Theater, Testament, Death,Megadeth, Metal Church – the list goes on and on.

MM: Just for fun, is there any band/artist you listen to that you think would surprise people?

RR: Believe it or not, I don’t listen much anymore, but Little River Band. My dad loved them and when I hear it on a station, I have to jam it out.

MM: Who would you most like to collaborate with?

RR: Zakk Wylde, because he is a great human and awesome musician.

MM: How was Severed Sun formed, and where did the name come from?

RR: Originally there were different members in the band and they needed a singer and they met me and so I joined. But I believe it was the guitarist, Kevin, and thier drummer at the time that came up with the name. They were 4 friends from high school that put the band together initially.

Severed Sun, logo and current lineup

MM: Y’all released Catacombs in 2021. Can you tell me a little about the writing and recording process for that EP? And where do you draw your inspiration for songs, generally speaking?

RR: Our inspiration comes from feeling when we are jamming at practice, usually during warm up. The guys will jam totally from the hip and if something feels right we grab it and write. Recording was a blast! We spent, I think, 2 or 3 weekends at the studio. Everything just fell into place and the  Catacombs EP was born.

MM: What is your favorite song from the EP?

RR: I really like “Poverty” a lot. And “Fuktard,” because it’s a fun song to play.

MM: Speaking of playing, what can one expect from a Severed Sun live show? I imagine the fact that y’all enjoy jamming together translates to the stage.

RR: Severed Sun is 4 guys who love playing and it shows on the stage. We have no gimmicks or cliches, it’s just the music, the crowd, and the band. We try to give it all every show!!

MM: What’s next for the band?

RR: Another studio session is coming up in 2023, and we’re going to build another tour since our last one got cancelled due to Covid. We hope to meet a lot more new people and, hopefully, fans.

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It sounds like Severed Sun is ready to blaze a path of hard-hitting songs and shows this year! To ensure that you don’t miss out, and to get your hands on music from Severed Sun, follow them on their socials and visit severedsun.com, metalscraprecords.com, and totalmetalshop.com.

Goodbye, 2022!

December 31, 2022 — Leave a comment

I hope this post finds all of you well. I just wanted to do a little personal blog to say thank-you to everyone who is following me. 2022 has been quite a year for me, and I hope next year is even better! It’s bound to be, really, considering I’m kicking things off with an Alter Bridge show… 😁🤘🏻

I already have two interviews lined up for early in 2023. Be ready for those, and in the meantime, feel free to revisit the ones I’ve already done. I’ll link them below. If you know of any bands I need to check out – or try to interview – leave a comment. I really want to do more song and album reviews next year, and I hope to do a bi-weekly Bands/Artists You Should Be Following post.

I will be participating in the GoodReads Challenge again. I think my goal will be 40 books this year. If you have any author or book recommendations, please share them with me!

Also, my second 30 day challenge begins tomorrow! This time I will be posting about movies. As always, I invite you to play along on your blog or in my comment section.

I never make resolutions, but I do have one for 2023. I’m not going to voice (or write) it at the moment; however, I will be very open once I’m in the process of getting it done. If resolutions are your thing, may you smash them! If not, I hope you kill whatever goals you set for yourself. It’s been a rough few years, and we all deserve a much better 2023.

Cheers!

Song Review: “4th of July” by Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band

December 27, 2022 — Leave a comment

New England’s country/rock outfit Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band have shared their latest single, “4th of July.” The track is taken from the upcoming album Lower County Outlaw, which is set to be released February 2, 2023.

“4th of July” tells the story of the first time Kristian and his wife, April, hooked up, and every aspect of the music and lyrics carries the listener through the anticipation and rightness of the moment.

Kristian has expertly crafted a composition that reflects the build-up to what is going to happen. The music starts rather slow and steady, creating tension as it climbs to its highest point. The lyrics echo the comfort and chemistry between the two, the feeling that it was meant to be, that Kristian and April had only to come to this place they both belong.

The track peaks at a guitar solo and a final chorus sung with the urgency that was felt in the pickup truck on that fateful winter’s night.

“It might be cold in the air tonight, but baby, we’re on fire…”

If “4th of July” is a sign of things to come, Lower County Outlaw is going to consist of 12 songs that play with the boundaries of rock and country, blurring into a genre that anyone can enjoy while masterfully recounting relatable stories with both words and music.

Check out “4th of July” here.

You can listen to the other single from Lower County Outlaw – “Gypsy Girl” – and preorder the album at Kristian’s Bandcamp page.

Interview: Brett Bellomy of Empire Springs

December 17, 2022 — 2 Comments

Empire Springs is a progressive rock band hailing from Birmingham, Alabama. I discovered them thanks to a friend, and when I researched the band for my most recent 3 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following, I was impressed. It was very exciting to have the opportunity to speak with vocalist/bassist Brett Bellomy.

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First and foremost, thank you so much for doing this! And congratulations on the release of your debut album [The Luminescence, April 2022]

BB: Thank you so much, we really appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!

Let’s start with some basics. How/When did Empire Springs form?

BB: Empire Springs, in its original form, started in 2016 when I was in college. I was playing bass in a different band and the singer quit somewhat unexpectedly. He had been the primary songwriter in that band, so even though the rest of the band wanted to keep playing music we didn’t feel comfortable playing his songs without him. I happened to have a few songs written that we hadn’t worked on yet, so we decided to play my songs and have me take over vocals. We changed the name to Empire Springs and started writing/recording songs under that name. The band was just a studio project for several years, but after several member changes we started playing live shows around 2018. 

Where did the band name come from?

BB: There’s a road sign between my hometown and my current city that reads “Empire” and “Blount Springs” for two separate counties. Because of the way the sign is formatted, it looks like Empire Springs is together. A few months after starting the new band I was driving between the cities with a friend of mine. They pointed out that “Empire Springs” would be a good band name and I liked the idea so the name stuck.

It really does work well. Your friend was right. So, what made you want to pursue a music career?

BB: I don’t remember a specific moment where I knew I wanted to pursue music professionally, but my parents really wanted me to go to college after high school. Music had been my primary elective/activity in high school (marching band, choir, etc) so when the time came to choose a major music was really the only thing I was interested in. 

Who are your biggest influences?

BB: For me personally I would say bands like Coheed and Cambria and Saosin influences my vocals the most. For the band as a whole it’s a little harder– we all draw influence from different places. But if I had to pick one, I think our most agreed upon band is definitely The Contortionist. 

Where do you draw your inspiration for your songs?

BB: That’s a really tough question– I think it largely depends on the songs. With our album The Luminescence, the songs came from a place of storytelling. We were really trying to make a cohesive collection of songs that work together to paint a bigger picture. Because of that, it’s not really rooted in personal experience as much. However we have some new songs (that I can’t talk too much about yet) that are all much more grounded in personal experience and my own perspective. 

Ah, okay. I’m excited to hear new music from y’all! While on the subject of The Luminescence, can you tell me a little bit about the songwriting and recording process?

BB: For sure! I am the primary songwriter for the band, so most of the time I have a demo recorded that I’ll send to the band. Everyone tweaks their own parts separately, kinda building off of the skeleton of the demo. We’ll usually bounce ideas for the demo around via email and everyone kinda works on it remotely. Since we don’t all live in the same state, when the time comes to record there are some songs we’ve never actually played together in a room. At first I found that intimidating, but now I really enjoy the long distance collaboration– the process may seem a little disjointed, but it really works for us. There’s an element of trust that we have with each other that is really unique because of our circumstances.

I found there to be a lot of complexity throughout the album, and I love the balance of mellow and heavy, clean vs. harsh vocals. Has anyone in the band studied composition? That may be a badly worded question, but I am amazed at how a mind must work to put music together like that.

BB: I really appreciate that! That’s definitely one thing I think we excel at, and we’ve definitely worked hard to be able to balance those things. Three of the four members have music degrees, and our keyboardist Chadwick actually has two– one in piano performance and one in composition. Even though my degree wasn’t specifically in composition, being the songwriter for our band has forced me to study the songs and bands I like very seriously so I can better understand my role. 

Well, that answers my next question. I wanted to say that the interlude was beautiful and ask who the pianist was.

BB: Chadwick wrote that piece. He also wrote the back half of our song “Khan” (when the piano and orchestra takes over). He’s very talented at knowing how to write and arrange for piano and orchestra, so we try to take advantage of that when we can.

For my own personal curiosity, what is the story behind “Drawing Lines”? (That was one of my favorite tracks.)

BB: “Drawing Lines” was actually the first song I ever wrote for Empire Springs. When I decided to take over being the singer, it was the first demo I presented to the band. Because the song is unusually personal for me, I usually try to stay somewhat vague when explaining its meaning. But to speak broadly, I was at an impasse in my life. The direction I felt like I should move would put me outside my comfort zone, and carried a lot of uncertainty with it. I struggled with it a lot, but ultimately it ended up being a really good thing for my life and mental health. “Drawing Lines” for me is a personal testament to that point in my life, but I think it could be interpreted differently for others. Either way I’m thankful that you and others connect with it.

I love when songs are personal to the artist, yet presented in a manner in which everyone listening can find some part they connect with.

You’ve teased a little during this interview, so I’ll ask outright – What’s next for Empire Springs?

BB: I hinted at it earlier, but we are working on some new music that I am really excited about. Hopefully some tours soon too? We are really trying to hit the ground running next year, so hopefully we’ll be busy!

Anything else you want your fans to know?

BB: I would just like to say thank you to anyone who has ever supported us. Whether that’s listening to our music or coming out to a show– It’s honestly still crazy to me that anyone would care about the songs I write, so I truly don’t take it for granted.

And lastly, where can my readers find out more about Empire Springs and get their hands on the music?

BB: We’re on all of the typical social media platforms so feel free to follow us there. As far as music goes, we’re on all the big streaming platforms as well as Bandcamp!

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As you can see, Empire Springs is gearing up for an exciting 2023! I highly suggest checking them out (if you haven’t already), snagging yourself a copy of The Luminescence, and getting ready for what’s next!

Interview: Andy Bawden of Call of Sirens

December 7, 2022 — 1 Comment

Call of Sirens is an alternative rock band from the UK who uses their creativity to take listeners on a journey. Heavily influenced by an array of artists, as well as the story behind their namesake, this female-fronted foursome is sure to have you hooked from the first note.

I recently had the opportunity to chat with co-founder and guitarist Andy Bawden about the band’s start, their upcoming single and debut EP, and much more.

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First and foremost, thank you so much for doing this. I really appreciate your time. So let’s dive right in. What made you want to pursue a music career? 

AB: As a teenager when I was learning guitar and writing my first song I like most people dreamed of being a huge rock star. Over the years as I played in different musical projects whilst working normal day jobs I realised that making it big was very very hard and was very much a 1 in a million chance. I was cool with that. Once I accepted that my music was going to be a pursuit of enjoyment and release rather than something I relied on to pay my rent, I became more free creatively. Music is still my release and escape, but do I always have that hope of making it big? Of course.

Who are your biggest influences?

AB: In terms of music I was brought up with country rock and British R’n’B of the 60s/70s. Bands like the Eagles were huge for me in terms of songwriting, and bands like Dire Straits, Led Zeppelin, Cream as well as more progressive bands like Rush. Later on I immersed myself in all subgenres of rock and metal, but these early sound sources still to this day influence the sounds and songs I contribute to. Each band member has an eclectic and diverse range of musical influences, and we try to bring elements of all these styles into our music somewhere.

I noticed the varied tastes from your Spotify playlists. Y’all definitely run the gamut of genres. So I’m curious; for you personally, what made you pick up a guitar?

AB: My dad was a pro country musician in the 70s and showed me my first chords. And I learnt by books and listening to the radio and CDs. I started playing in school bands in my teens, as well as in my dad’s semi-pro bands. My godfather is actually country music star George Hamilton IV. So I have grown up with music. In terms of guitarists, I learnt from the usual – Slash, Marty Friedman, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, etc.

Who are your favorite guitarists?

AB: Don Felder, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Alex Lifeson, and Adam Jones are my personal top five.

And just for fun, what is something you listen to that you think might surprise people?

AB: I’m a bit of a musicals fan. My favorite film growing up was Singing in the Rain. I am also a huge fan of Les Misérables. And I am a massive Taylor Swift fan. Saw her live at Wembley on the Reputation Tour a couple of years back. Great songwriter, master promoter, and shrewd businesswoman.

You have a background heavy in music and have played with quite a few bands. Tell me how Call of Sirens came together.

AB: In early 2021 off the back of a solo home recording project I had completed during UK Covid lockdowns, I was keen to find some collaborators to write new music with. On meeting bassist and dynamic songwriter Nick, we started to develop ideas and new sounds between us. We eventually introduced a female vocal and drums to the mix as we developed our sound and style. With a couple of personnel changes over the past year we are now a solid quartet, with Connor [drums] and Leilani [vocals] being the correct and final pieces of the puzzle.

Call of Sirens (2022)

What is the songwriting process for the band, and where do y’all draw your inspiration from?

AB: We unusually start with a riff or a chord progression then match that with a theme or message we have been exploring. It can be a thought, a feeling, a concept, a historical story, etc. We then develop it into a rough song structure and phone video ourselves playing it, then share it around the band so we can feedback and work our own parts. Once we get into the practice room, because we have done a lot of the work remotely, things usually come together pretty quickly into a final product. The legacy of the pandemic is that we created ways of working that in many ways were more efficient and more collaborative. These have continued for us as it works.

With your tendency to follow a theme or concept when writing, what is the story behind your latest single “Kenopsia”?

AB: ‘Kenopsia’ is a noun found in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig. It is…

“The eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that’s usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet—a school hallway in the evening, an unlit office on a weekend, vacant fairgrounds—an emotional afterimage that makes it seem not just empty but hyper-empty, with a total population in the negative, who are so conspicuously absent they glow like neon signs.”

The song is the story of a girl trying to find out where she is in this new dark and empty world. In every corner she sees ‘after images’ (ghosts) of people she might have known, but she can’t quite see them. She slowly realises that she is actually alone. She is a victim of this ‘Kenopsia’. 

The band name grabbed my attention immediately. Where did it come from?

AB: I was obsessed with the idea of ‘the siren’ (a less than virtuous mermaid), a creature who would call sailors to their deaths. Mysterious beings that some believed were real, and are still real today. The theme influenced some of our early songs and the possible visuals were interesting also. It seems to fit well for us in terms of having a female lead singer as well as the general vibe of us as a band and also our approach to theme-based songwriting.

It sounds like you have a vision for this band and a lot to work with. So tell me, what’s next for Call of Sirens? 

AB: Our debut music video for “Kenopsia” will be live before Christmas, with our next single “Gravel Tree” being released on 20th Jan, and our debut EP itself called Gaia being released on 24th Feb.

From 14th Jan to 5th May 2023 we will undertake a 7 date tour in support of the EP’s release. This will predominantly be around the south of England. More information can be found at callofsirens.com/tour.

What can fans expect from those live performances?

AB: A very energetic live performance but with some more considered moments. We always focus on producing sounds that make people want to listen and appreciate a theme or story. We very much want to take people who come and see us on a journey in the 45 minutes we have them focused on us for. It’s more of an experience than a gig.

I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on the upcoming EP. Did y’all use a thematic approach to the record, as with “Kenopsia”?

AB: Yes. Gaia is Greek for Mother Earth. Nick [bassist/songwriter] came up with the title for us to work with. We really liked the idea, but we then had to link all the songs to it.

Our take is “the death and struggle of the feminine. Seeking to find the balance again in one’s self and in the natural world around us. Abandoning the world of man in favor of the mother. “Gravel Tree” [written by Nick, set to be the second single] is more linked than the others. It specifically connects to the Gaia theme, whereas the others fit in that they are about searching for something – a person, a ghost, a greater meaning, oneself. I guess that’s the loose overarching theme of the EP.

What is your favorite song on Gaia?

AB: I like them all. Two are my compositions and two are Nick’s. My favorite to play live is “The Monsters,” as it’s fun and energetic, but “Gravel Tree” is the best song, moody and interesting, and the lyrics are amazing.

The track listing is as follows – “Kenopsia,” “The Monsters,” “A Stranger (To Myself)”, and “Gravel Tree.”

Anything else you want your fans to know? 

AB: Just that we are very grateful for all the likes, follows and comments on our socials and also the wonderful amount of streams and listens of our music over the past few weeks, and hopefully the next few. We are very happy that people are excited and interested in what we do.

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Call of Sirens is going to be quite busy well into the new year. Be sure to visit the band’s website for more information and follow their socials so you don’t miss anything. And keep an eye out here, as well. I’ll be sharing the singles as they drop!

For a glimpse into that wide array of influences I mentioned, go peruse their personal Spotify playlists.

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. 

**

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

Interview: Wes Grissom of Ancient Sins

November 19, 2022 — 2 Comments

Ancient Sins is a rock/metal project founded in 2008 by vocalist/guitarist Wes Grissom while deployed overseas. Taking various music and lyrics that Wes had written over the years, the band put together its debut album Never Back Down, which was released in 2018. Since then, life has been hectic, especially given the standstill caused by Covid, but Ancient Sins is coming back strong. Not only has Wes played shows with the likes of Quiet Riot, Powerman 5000, and Saving Abel, he has also been working on Ancient Sins’ sophomore record.

I recently had the chance to speak with Wes about his start in music, his various influences, his writing process, and the new music on the horizon.

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MM: First and foremost, how would you describe Ancient Sins’ sound? Who are your major influences?

WG: When I was working on [the debut album] Never Back Down, everything was led by Alter Bridge. One Day Remains was the record that kick-started me back into playing guitar. Other bands that influenced me during that record cycle were Nightwish, Shinedown, Hammerfall, and Disturbed. Now, with the new album, I’m still heavily influenced by Alter Bridge, and Tremonti, as well as Five Finger Death Punch and some instrumental metalcore. It’s really a mix of everything I listen to.

MM: You said One Day Remains got you “back” into playing guitar. When did you first start?

WG: I wanted to play as early as 3rd grade. I told my mom I wanted to play guitar in the after-school band and she said no, so I started on classical instruments. I didn’t really start on guitar until I was 16. I had played a couple of times before that, but I didn’t get my first guitar until right after my 16th birthday.

MM: And what made you want to play to begin with?

WG: It was actually an old VHS of Garth Brooks live in concert. I don’t remember the title, but it was in the early 90s – ’93 or ’94 – when Ty England was his guitarist. That dude was phenomenal and was ultimately who got me interested in playing. The one who ignited the fire later on, who got me back into it, was Mark Tremonti [Creed, Alter Bridge, Tremonti].

MM: Did you always want to be a vocalist as well?

WG: I always enjoyed singing. I used to sing on the way to and from work because I had an hour’s drive each way. When I was starting Ancient Sins, I did put out some feelers for a vocalist because there was a certain style and range I was looking for. I wanted that upper tenor range, and I kinda had it; I’m getting better at it. Eventually, I decided “if you want it done right, you’ve gotta do it yourself,” so I took on the role.

MM: Who are your vocal influences?

WG: Myles Kennedy [Alter Bridge, Slash] is my primary influence now. Back in the day, it was the metal singers of the 80s: Bon Jovi, Dio, Steve Perry [Journey], etc.

MM: I can certainly hear their influence on songs such as “Curse the Rain” and the title track from Never Back Down. Now, let’s move along to your third role, songwriting. What is your process?

WG: I piece the songs together like a puzzle. I write sections – the chorus, a verse, a bridge – and then, based on the song title or the licks I have at the time, I decide which direction the song goes in from there. Is it going to be a melodic journey, a down-and-dirty, fast, heavy riff, or is it something that will repeatedly take a new shape until it gets where I want it. I want to be different, but at the same time I want my songs to be something people can latch on to in their own lives. I may be able to bring somebody a form of solace.

MM: I know a lot of artists let what’s happening in the world bleed into their lyrical content, while others pointedly attempt to avoid it. For you, personally, where do you draw your inspiration for songs?

WG: Life, in general. Life experiences. Situations we’ve all been in – relationships, a death in the family, things like that. I’m slowly developing a good way to convey my message to the audience in a way they can connect with. I’m gradually doing it better.

MM: You recently played with Powerman 5000. What was that like, and do you have any more upcoming shows?

WG: Playing with Powerman 5000 was an absolute honor. All of them were humble dudes, and it was a trip hanging out with them and talking. Not even talking shop, just talking like regular individuals. Filling the opening slot for that show was an incredible experience, and it was my biggest crowd to date.

I was also direct support for Saving Abel earlier this month, and had a show with Firing All Cylinders and Deep Within. We’re trying to solidify dates for the Showcase Showdown in Vegas, an experience I won from ITNS radio, but I haven’t been given the exact date I’ll play yet.

MM: You have mentioned your new album a few times during this conversation. Tell me a little bit about that, and how soon can we expect a single?

WG: Initially we were looking at a single this month [Nov. ’22] and the album release in December. However, Paul, who is stepping in to play drums on the new album, as well as producing it, has been on tour with Dead Original and Smells Like Nirvana for the last three months. We had to push everything back. Right now, tentatively, probably February 2023 for the album release. Once we complete the record, we will decide which song will be the lead single. I might pull an Alter Bridge and release the title track as a lyric video before sharing the official first single. I’ll keep you updated.

MM: Great! I definitely look forward to it, and we’ll have to chat again when the album drops. Thank you so much for your time.

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To keep up with all things Ancient Sins, be sure to follow the various AS accounts across social media, and check out Never Back Down on your favorite streaming service.

My Lack of Posts

October 11, 2019 — Leave a comment

I didn’t share a new music post on Sunday; there have been no updates to the playlist challenge and no featured band or album of the week. I’m pretty sure there won’t be any posts next week, either. I apologize to the followers who actually pay attention, but everything kinda went to hell recently.

My grandmother has been sick and in the nursing home for a while. She was diagnosed with COPD and congestive heart failure years ago. Otherwise, though, she was healthy.

She has had stomach issues her entire life, and for the last couple of years she’s been in and out of the hospital, complaining of nausea and pain. Well, last week she was once again in the hospital for those symptoms. Her doctor told her that there was nothing else he could do unless she allowed them to do an endoscopy and actually figure out why she had those symptoms. She refused the procedure. My mom asked her why and my grandmother said she didn’t want to know. If it was serious, she felt like they couldn’t help her anyway. (Bear in mind, she’s 89.)

My mom and I both talked to her last Wednesday, right after she was released from the hospital and sent back to the nursing home. The very next day, my great aunt called and told us that she was dying.

She is in the final stages of COPD and congestive heart failure. Her lungs are filled with fluid. She is no longer responsive, though that could be because they are keeping her dosed with morphine for the pain. She has a DNR in place, so basically they can do nothing but make sure she’s comfortable.

I ask that anyone who reads this send up a prayer, positive thoughts, or whatever it is you do. This is a very difficult time, especially for my mom, and we need all the comfort we can get.

Thank you.