Mostly Music

Interview: Jake Oneal of Midnight For Now

March 18, 2023 — 1 Comment

Hailing from northern Colorado, Midnight For Now is a band that plays with all the extremes that rock music encompasses, creating a sound that is often moody and cathartic. Comprised of vocalist Andy Moore, guitarist/vocalist Ben Voss, bassist Nik Szejna, and drummer Jake Oneal, Midnight For Now hopes to offer their listeners an escape through music. They released their self-titled debut EP last year and are working on new music for 2023.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jake, during which we discussed playing live, the band’s formation and influences, and what’s in store for the rest of 2023.

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Let’s start with a really standard question. How did Midnight For Now form, and what’s the story behind the band’s name? 

JO: So we actually met on Craigslist. Andy and Ben were already making music together as a singer and guitar player, and they put out an ad looking to form a full band. Meanwhile, Nik and I had been playing together as a rhythm section for quite some time and were thinking about starting a band of our own. I came across their ad one day, and everything just sort of worked out from there.

As for the name, it relates to the transient nature of life.  We were in a spot of mutual dark bullshit but knew that at some point it would all pass. Midnight For Now is a reference to that dark hour of our lives. 

That may be my favorite story behind a band’s name that I’ve heard in a while. Did y’all have a mutual direction at the beginning, or was everyone working with different musical backgrounds/influences? And who are some of the band’s major influences? 

JO: We were pretty fortunate to all come in on the same page about the musical direction of the band. From my experience, that’s not always the case. Our backgrounds are all a little different, but we do have pretty similar influences. I’d say the band’s major influences are mainly older rock groups like Pearl Jam, Radiohead, The Doors, The Smashing Pumpkins, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. There’s a lot more that I’m probably forgetting right now, but I think that covers our bases pretty well. 

On a related note, is there anyone you listen to that might surprise people? Just based on the style you typically like.

JO: I’d say we all listen to music outside our genre, but some of the country I listen to might surprise some people. I’ve been really into Tyler Childers and the turnpike troubadours recently. 

I’ve heard of Tyler Childers and the Turnpike Troubadours, but have yet to check them out. I should probably do that, haha! What is the writing and recording process for the band? From where do y’all draw most of your inspiration?

JO: The inspiration for our music comes from just about any kind of experience that fueled an extreme feeling or emotion. For example, we have a new song called “Misunderstanding (Doom)” that came from a combination of listening to dark heavy music and watching horror films, while our recoded song “Truth” was inspired by overcoming a life altering personal situation that fueled a spiritual calling. 

A lot of our lyrical content comes from interactions with humanity and a curiosity on why we act the way we do. At times it’s beautiful, and other times it’s absolutely frustrating, but at its core, it’s usually quite simple. 

Our writing process usually starts with our guitar player, Ben, who will record an idea on his acoustic and send it over to Andy to take some time and develop lyrics. Once they have guitar and vocals figured out, they’ll bring it to a full band practice and we’ll start working on some ideas for the rhythm section. There are times when everything clicks right away, and other times where we go through a bunch of different variations before we settle on a final song. I’d say recording and listening back at every stage is immensely helpful, especially when we’re trying to work out the final details. 

You guys just released the self-titled EP last year. What is your favorite track from the record and why? 

JO: Oh man, that seems to change for me every week. Right now, I’d say “Beautiful Sun.” It has a unique drum part to it, which is a lot of fun to play, but I also like that it expresses a full range of emotion and has that really cathartic ending. 

On the subject of playing live, how is playing live and writing music in the studio connected? When you write, do you think about how it will translate in a live performance? 

JO: Oh, good question! I haven’t really thought about that too much yet. I will say, when we’re in the studio, writing and practicing, we’re doing it for ourselves. That’s our time to make music that we enjoy, have fun, and escape the world for a little while. When we play live…it’s still mostly for ourselves, but we’re also sharing that experience with the crowd, the venue, and the other bands. A lot of these people are taking time out of busy schedules and spending their hard earned money to have a good time, so we want to make sure we do our best to deliver a kickass show. 

So, we’re not thinking about a live performance when we’re writing and practicing, but we do consider the venue, the other bands, and the crowd when we develop our setlist for a given show.

Still on that topic, how would you describe a Midnight For Now show? 

JO: Overall, our shows are still a direct reflection of our music: dark, moody, and cathartic.

What would your dream lineup (that includes MFN) be? 

JO: Dang, that’s a tough one! I think I’d have to go with The Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam. 

That’s an interesting combination, and I can totally see it. What are the band’s plans for 2023? And what do you feel is the ultimate goal for MFN, long-term? 

JO: We are currently getting ready to release our new single “For a While” at the end of this month, which is really exciting! We also have a few other songs we plan on releasing later this year. 

Last year was our first full year as a band and we managed to play a handful of shows in our hometown of Fort Collins. This year we’re looking at branching out a bit and playing in surrounding cities like Greeley, Boulder, and Denver. 

I think our overall goal is just to keep playing more shows and releasing more music, meeting cool people and having fun along the way. Hopefully the shows keep getting bigger and the music keeps getting better. 

What kind of interviewer would I be if I didn’t ask you to tell me a little about “For a While”? 

JO: Midnight For Now was started as a way for us to escape the pressures and responsibilities of our daily lives and just have some fun for a little while. Our song “For a While” is our way of capturing that sentiment and sharing it with others. Our hope is that our music and our shows can provide that same escape to anyone else who listens. 

For any of my readers who are interested, where can they find Midnight For Now’s music?

JO: You can find our music on Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, and anywhere else you stream your music. All of our affiliated links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/midnightfornow

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Midnight For Now is definitely a band to watch! Keep your eyes on their socials – and on this blog – for all things MFN! And while you’re waiting on the release of “For a While,” be sure to check out the self-titled EP on your favorite streaming service!!!

Interview: TJ Breedlove of K.A.R.L. (Kill All Remaining Life)

March 11, 2023 — Leave a comment

K.A.R.L. (Kill All Remaining Life) is an electronic/industrial band that formed in 2007. Since then, they have released an untitled debut EP (2009), their self-titled record in 2010, the Rapture EP (2020), and earlier this year, a second full-length album, Tractus. I recently had the opportunity to talk to vocalist/engineer TJ Breedlove about the new album, the band’s beginnings, and what the future holds for K.A.R.L.

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Thank you for taking the time to talk to me, and congrats on the release of Tractus! Can you tell me a little bit about the album? What was the writing/recording process, and where did you draw your inspiration for the writing of the album?

TJ: Thank you so much for this interview! The writing process for Tractus started in 2021 and was, at first, largely built around internal struggle with mental health and negative outlooks on the world. Gradually, as the world kept diving further into chaos, I kept gathering more to write about. Though not all tracks are negative. I wrote a track that’s on there for my wife, who has been so loving and supportive throughout this process. The album, which was initially supposed to be 8 -10 tracks, evolved into 13 tracks over time. 

For my own personal curiosity, what’s the story behind “Beg Me”? (That was one of my favorite tracks, so I’m interested in the creation of it.)

TJ: “Beg Me” is about internal anger. Built and kept inside for so long, and the violent fantasy of unleashing it. The song itself doesn’t promote violence, but as humans, we often face something that internally drives us to that level of anger and frustration. Some carry that anger for way too long and have no healthy way to release it. That song, though, was the last one recorded for the album. I had a very difficult time writing it for various reasons. 

So, getting onto the subject of you, in particular: What made you want to pursue a career in music?

TJ: I’ve always wanted to be in a band since I was very young. I grew up listening to all types of music, like metal (black, thrash, death, and nu), grunge rock, and classic rock, but industrial has always been my favorite genre, particularly Darkwave. As I grew into my teens, I gathered quite the collection of CDs from different artists. Everywhere I went, I had a portable CD player and a stack of CDs from different genres with me. I couldn’t function without it. 

Who are your biggest influences?

TJ: For me personally, I have so many. Project Pitchfork, Skinny Puppy, Spahn Ranch, Front 242, Chiasm, Jonathan Davis (KoRn and his solo stuff too). 

Is there any artist or band you listen to that you think would surprise most people?

TJ: I have a very weird and random collection of music. Often when I randomize a playlist, people around will hear a lot of industrial or some form of metal, then all of the sudden, Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man” will play. Sometimes, I get on a 70s kick and can’t stop listening to Zeppelin or Boston or Blue Oyster Cult. I don’t understand why some find that weird. Those bands kick ass!

I’m a big 70s fan myself. I grew up with those bands because of my parents. How did the formation of K.A.R.L. come about? And where did the name come from?

TJ: K.A.R.L. was initially formed in 2007 by me and my friend Josh [Johnson, drums/synth] as a very short-lived experimental black metal project. It soon after evolved into an industrial band. 

Josh is very talented, and I truly am lucky to have him as both a friend and fellow musician. He taught me a lot of what I know on the keys, and we both created the monster that is K.A.R.L. 

The band has other members come and go. At one point, in 2011, the band split apart due to disagreements and other personal reasons. Then, in 2018, Josh and I rebooted the project and released our EP Rapture. 

The name was given to me when a friend from our school named Ivy came up to me and introduced herself. She said “Hi, my name is Ivy. Who are you?” I responded “TJ” and she said “Hmmmmm. No, no, don’t like that. I’m gonna call you Karl, with a K.” It was one of the strangest conversations I’ve ever had, but the name stuck with me. Josh and I later turned it into “K.A.R.L. ( Kill All Remaining Life)”. Some have often referenced it meaning “all who sin pay with death” or something biblical along those lines. 

Wow, you guys have been around for a while! How do you stay motivated to keep writing, and how do you feel your approach has changed over the years?

TJ: Lyrically, we have always been inspired by world events and the overall mood it puts us all in. For example, “God Is Watching” was written about various things that made us angry at the world and what we see on TV (school shootings, war, mass casualty events, and other things of that nature), things that even though they’re always addressed, never seem to have a solution to them. Unfortunately, the world we live in keeps churning up more horrors for us (and other artists) to keep writing about.

Songs like “S/M Goddess” and “Shameless,” both from previous releases, dive into sexual desire and pursuing things outside the norm, while songs like “Shutting Down” and “Severed” dive into depression and the seemingly endless cycles of battling memories we can’t let go of.


In 2007-2010, we were also transitioning from those angry teenage years into our twenties, which had moments of chaos. That definitely fueled a lot when it came to writing. Now, when it comes to our songs, a lot of the same themes remain, but we approach them at a different, more mature angle. We’ve always used music
as a way to help us vent and truly express certain views. But all songs written are not negative or violent; some are written about forgiveness and that not all our mistakes are a life sentence.

Well, there’s definitely no shortage of world happenings to fuel y’all. And on that subject, what are the plans for 2023? More new music, or maybe some shows promoting Tractus?

TJ: I am currently writing another EP that I’m aiming to release in late 2023 or early to mid 2024. I’m actually more than halfway done. I do plan on doing some shows in the near future. I just have to tighten up a few things first. 

Speaking of shows, what would be your dream lineup? K.A.R.L. with special guests…? 

TJ: I’d love the opportunity to open up for Project Pitchfork, Leæther Strip, and Decoded Feedback. I’ve also found some other bands on FB, like SinThya, who I’d like to do a show with as well. 

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

TJ: I want to say thank you to all our fans, new and old, who have supported us throughout the years. You are truly the best part of all this. 

And last but not least, where can my readers get their hands on K.A.R.L.’s music?

TJ: Our main page for merch is our Bandcamp page. We are also on all major streaming platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, and many more. 

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K.A.R.L. has a lot in the works, and I think 2023 and 2024 are going to be big for them! You can check them out on your favorite streaming service and follow their various socials to stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the world of K.A.R.L.

K.A.R.L. Discography

Untitled (2009)
K.A.R.L. (2010)
Rapture (2020)
Tractus (2023)

Interview: Vinny Verzino of Blue Light Effect

March 4, 2023 — Leave a comment

Blue Light Effect is a band from Long Island that incorporates many elements of the rock genre in their music. Formed during the struggles of COVID-19 by people on the front line, Blue Light Effect is highly aware of the outlet offered by music and seeks to grant this solace to their listeners.

Check out this interview I recently did with front man Vinny Verzino, in which we discuss the band’s beginnings, the debut album, and what’s in store for Blue Light Effect in 2023.

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How did Blue Light Effect get its start, and where did the band’s name come from? 

VV: Our name incorporates a few things, such as the deleterious effects on one’s health from blue light exposure. Also, Blue Light Effect comes from connecting that health motif to first responders, their trials and tribulations, and our support of them. The name also reflects our commitment to mental health awareness and preservation, as blue lights, particularly in train tracks, have to do with suicide prevention.

Blue Light Effect was forged in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Realizing the therapeutic impact and mental reprieve music had on us, we began writing songs and recording our debut album. The band consists of first responders, frontline workers, and a registered nurse, so this much needed hobby became an outlet and vehicle for venting during such terrifying and unpredictable times.

What do you feel is the band’s goal?

VV: We hope to inspire people with our music to conquer all frontlines that they may battle on and never give up fighting the good fight. 

In your own words, how would you classify Blue Light Effect? I mean, “rock” and “alternative” as far as overall, but I didn’t think y’all really fit into an easily definable box.

VV: We don’t really put a label on our music. It’s hard for us to really allocate the music to a genre because some of the songs are pop, then rock, then heavy or hard rock. When writing the album, we kind of just let it flow and didn’t really stick to any genre parameters. 

Who are the band’s biggest influences? 

VV: The list among us 4 is pretty long, but here goes… Linkin Park, Incubus, Disturbed, Iron Maiden, Misfits, King Diamond, Creed, U2, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains, Judas Priest, The Offspring, Sevendust, KISS, Alter Bridge, and of course, some 80s hair metal!

That’s a good list! I’m a huge fan of Alter Bridge myself. And the variety certainly explains the lack of genre parameters. So what is the songwriting process for the band?

VV: Usually, the foundation of the music is written, then the lyrics and vocal melodies are experimented with to see what fits the song the best. And finally, the production comes in once the music, musical changes, and finalized vocals are solidified.

You’ve mentioned the debut album a couple of times. Tell me a little about it.

VV: It’s called Songs From the Frontline and incorporates songs that reflect different battle fronts. Those fronts range from imminent mental health crises, loss of loved ones, depression, addiction, and other internal struggles. However, the album also evokes a positive and motivational tone towards conquering such frontlines – addiction, mental health issues, etc. – and rebuilding oneself after an internal cataclysm. That’s what is depicted in the song “Wreckage.”

What are the band’s plans for 2023?

VV: Our plans for 2023 are to play as many shows as possible, finish some more music videos, perform and video another acoustic performance, and network with music lovers to try to get our music out there as much as possible and promote the new album. 

In the name of promoting the album, where can my readers find Songs From the Frontline?

VV: They can find us on every digital music platform. iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc. 

**

It has always been a belief of mine that music heals, and Blue Light Effect is working hard to let the world know “you are not alone, and you can get through this” – a message I think we all need. Follow Blue Light Effect on their journey to spread a sense of connection and positivity, and if you happen to be in the vicinity of Lindenhurst, New York, the band has a show at The Village Pub on March 25th.

Interview: Corey James of Carbonstone

February 18, 2023 — Leave a comment

Carbonstone is a multi-faceted metal band hailing from Baltimore, Maryland. Having existed in various forms since 2005, Carbonstone blazed back onto the scene in 2021 with the release of Dark Matter and has been unleashing their creative energies almost nonstop ever since.

After a random hopeful post stating that I would love to interview the band, vocalist/guitarist Corey James was all in, encouraging me when I teetered on the edge of giving in to my nerves. This led to an enjoyable conversation about Corey’s start in music, the formation of Carbonstone, and what the band has in store for their fans in 2023, including their big show March 25th at Power Plant Live in Baltimore!

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First and foremost, thank you so much for talking with me – and for volunteering to do this at all. I guess I’ll start with something generic. What made you want to pursue a career in music? Was there any artist or band that specifically made you think “I wanna do that”? 

Corey James: So, long story short, I grew up a military brat. My family and I were always on the road to keep up with base relocating. My mother always had several cassette tapes on repeat during those long drives. One of those was “Voodoo Lounge” by The Rolling Stones. That’s really where I got my first taste of Rock music as a child. (We actually have a full studio cover/remake version of “Paint It Black” out there in the internet music streaming pool!) My mother was also really heavy into Sci-Fi cons during my earlier years and would always bring my brothers and me along to them. She would dress us up in costumes and enter us into giant masquerade contests at the cons. Being 8 years old up on a stage in front of bright shining lights and several hundreds of people cheering was an incredible experience. I was instantly hooked by the feeling.

Fast forward several years…I found the band Korn.  That was a completely life-changing moment for me. I was truly bitten by the music bug and knew that I had to pursue it! I already had a love for performing, so having an intense love for music alongside that only felt right. I saved up my allowance and bought my very first guitar a few weeks later!! I’ll always remember that summer! I couldn’t put the thing down!

So that kind of answers my next question, to an extent. Besides Korn, who are your other major influences? 

CJ: There’s so many, haha! I was pretty damn obsessed with the band Orgy in my high school years. Those dudes could do no wrong! I also listened to a lot of NIN back then as well. I suppose I’ve always been drawn to artists that weren’t/aren’t afraid to do things differently when it comes to their sound. A completely off the wall artist that I listen to religiously is Ghostemane. That guy is just insanely talented!! 

I loved Orgy. I still wanna see them, even though I think Jay is the only original member left. For my own curiosity, what was the first song you learned on guitar?

CJ: The very first song that I ever learned to play on guitar was actually “Come As You Are” by Nirvana!! Easy peasy.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

CJ: Oddly enough, I would have to say Ghostemane, and that’s for several reasons! Again, his sound is just so fucking wild. I really feel that we would come up with some really crazy sounds on a collab together!! 

I think there would definitely be a shared adventurous spirit there. So, in regard to the band, how and when was Carbonstone formed? 

CJ: I formed the band waaaay back in 2005 originally under the name “Unspoken”.   Similarly like Jay and Orgy, I am the only original founding member still around. 

Where did the name Carbonstone come from?

CJ: So long story short…Alcohol. Haha!! Our new name was originally supposed to be “Carved In Stone” but when you say that out loud with 12 or so beers in your system, it slurs out as “Carbonstone” !! I had a large party many moons ago and told a friend our new band name while inebriated. He repeated back to me “Carbonstone? That’s the new band name??”…..And the rest was history! 

📷 Chrystal James

Well, you know what they say: no great story ever started with a glass of milk. Haha! Or down here in the South, every great story starts with “hold my beer.” 

So, y’all released Dark Matter in 2021. Can you tell me a bit about the writing and recording process for that album? Or just your songwriting approach in general?

CJ: A song usually starts with just myself and a guitar. I’ll mess around with writing a ton of riffs until one speaks to me. Once that happens I’ll start to really flesh out the song (structure/vocal melodies). That can take as much as a few hours or up to a few days/weeks, depending on how inspired I am. “Scream” was literally written in a few hours! (The holidays are always a GREAT time for me to write, haha!!) Once I feel that I have a solid song, Neely [songwriter/guitarist] will then add a bit of his leads into it before we demo the song in its entirety.  After the demo is completely done, I’ll listen to it about a billion times, picking it apart, making notes and finalizing lyrics. Eventually we bring the song into Tony’s (synth player/producer) studio, where we then shred it to complete pieces and begin rebuilding and recording it from the ground up. This is where all the extra polish and synths make their way in! Fast forward roughly 13-15 hours at Tony’s and the song is finally complete!! It’s a TON of work, but we all love doing it!!

Speaking of “Scream,” what’s the story behind that song? (It’s actually the first original I ever heard by y’all, followed by “Pins & Needles.”)

CJ: Ah, awesome!! Those are two very different songs for a new listener to be introduced to us by!! Yeah, so as I mentioned, “Scream” was just one of those songs that practically wrote itself. We had literally just dropped our new album (Dark Matter) at the end of October 2021 and I was messing around with the guitar one evening. It literally just happened and then our usual songwriting/recording process took place. I remember all of us laughing in the studio about how it totally should have been on the album!! Haha!! The song is pretty much an anti-hater anthem. I wrote the lyrics around the idea of someone out there constantly bashing/belittling you to the point of snapping.  It’s just a big giant fuck-you song to anything/anyone in your life that attempts to drag you down! 

With “Scream” being a non-album single upon its release, can we expect it on an album in the future? Like…2023?

CJ: Oh, for sure!! “Scream” will absolutely be included on our next body of work! We’re still working on the next album as of now, but we have some really killer plans to release something brand new VERY soon!!

What is next for Carbonstone? I know there’s a tour in the works, and y’all are hitting the studio in February, right? 

CJ: Ahh, yes! We definitely have some really big surprises in store for 2023!! One of which is indeed a “little trek” down south! We also just announced two separate festival appearances (Maryland Day Festival, 3/25 in Baltimore, MD, and Rock On The Hill Music Festival, 5/13 in Hanover, PA.) 

And yep, that’s correct!! We will be entering the studio in mid-February to begin recording some new material! It’s been a bit since we’ve released anything, so I’m definitely chomping at the bit!

So with that tour coming up, tell me (and the other misfortunates who haven’t seen y’all) – what’s a live Carbonstone performance like?

CJ: Ordered and structured chaos, haha!! On top of writing and recording, everyone’s schedules are so crazy that we all literally have to bounce dates/times back and forth just to book rehearsals.  When we finally do get up on a stage and perform, everyone kind of just gets into their own personal zone and just cues off of everyone else’s energy. We also always have our nightmare bear “Frankie” up there with us getting the crowd hyped up! He’s a huge fan favorite! It’s a really wild time because no show we play is identical to the last! 

You’re making me really hope for an Alabama show! And here’s another fun question that ties in: what would be your dream tour lineup that includes Carbonstone? 

CJ: Hmmm, a dream tour lineup… That’s actually a tough question. I think I would have to say Korn, Static-X, Orgy, and us as the opener. A whole bunch of Nu Metal nostalgia! That would just be absolutely INSANE!!

That would be a phenomenal lineup! Okay, I have two more questions for you. Is there anything you want to say to your fans, new and old?

CJ: To all of our beautiful and amazing fans, Thank YOU!! We literally can’t do any of this without you!! You all make the hardships and battles of being an artist so truly worth it!! ❤️

And last but not least, where all can my readers get their hands on Carbonstone’s music?

CJ: You can find our music in all of the usual places! Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify etc..We’re literally everywhere!! Thank you again!! 

**

And that’s a wrap! Y’all make sure to follow Carbonstone’s various socials and watch for updates (particularly those Southern tour dates; I tried to weasel details out of Corey, but mum’s the word right now).

Listen to my personal favorites here:

Can’t leave out a Deftones cover!

A Whole Lotta Good, But Also Some Bad

January 31, 2023 — Leave a comment

Hello, all! I hope this post finds you well. I just wanted to jump on here and give y’all an update on things.

I have four interviews in progress, though one seems to have stalled out because of circumstances beyond his control. I’m really looking forward to sharing them, Carbonstone’s in particular. I have also been receiving emails from various promoters requesting that I share singles and tour dates for bands they represent. I was followed on Facebook by Paul Crosby Management, which is cool (and if you’d like to follow too, here’s the link 😉).

I have almost finished yet another book for my Goodreads reading challenge, so keep an eye out for my next update post about that.

As for the bad news, I had to miss the Alter Bridge show in Nashville because I was too sick to go. I went to my doctor yesterday and he put me on an antibiotic and a medicine meant to break up congestion and help keep my lungs clear. I was gutted to skip the concert, but there is a bright side. I should be well in time to enjoy my brother’s visit this weekend! And we may have missed Alter Bridge, but I’m taking Mom to her first Shinedown show in April so… I guess we’ll recover. Haha.

Thank you to everyone who even acknowledges this blog. Drop a comment if you’d like, telling me something good – or bad – that has happened lately, or just how you’re doing today!

Cheers!

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!