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April 24, 2020 Interview with London-based songwriter and music producer  Zizzo World

Interview with London-based songwriter and music producer Zizzo World

London-based songwriter and music producer Zizzo World began hitting the ground running in the music world in 2004. What started off as a way to entertain himself and kill some time, quickly grew into something much more serious and passionate. 

After a move to New York in 2008 and developing an insatiable craft in music production, Zizzo World began to manifest into a versatile and multifaceted producer & artist combo with his own signature sound and stylization

What are some of your earliest memories of music?

My earliest was when I was 5 or 6 years old when I was in nursery group in my origin country – Moldova, when I have participated first time in a regional festival of traditional music, and that was my first experience on the stage. I can distinctly remember the vibration — of being surrounded by love, hearts that were open, and the simple experience of Joy.

As any young aspiring artist and musician, I took later learning up the accordion, different keyboards and after guitar. My initial momentum, supported by my parents and ego’s desire to see how good I could become, took me into pursuing music by becoming a music producer and self-established artist.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?

Normally, I start by developing my song’s main melody or central chorus, I consider to be the best place to begin writing my next track. Once I’ve got my hook or key chord progression, I can build the rest of your song around it. Of course, all above has to come from a strong feeling on behind about what I have to write.

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?

I prefer both, but at this moment my focus is mostly on studio time, that is the best place where I feel in my own world – Zizzo World. Interaction with my audience has to be with some additional supports, as promo team, budgets which makes this more difficult to achieve it for now, but if my music will be well digested well by the audience, I think that moment of big engagement is not so far.

What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?

“I saw you in the UK iTunes top charts”

If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?

Of course my main genre, Pop, but also could be Dance or something electronic.

Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show

Ed Sheran, Kygo, Dua Lipa, Robbie Williams, Carla’s Dreams

What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?

My thinking about success in music might look completely different to other, but writing better and better music, receiving great feedbacks from potential fans, getting on multiple stages around the world and radio, this will make me feel a genuine performer!

One last thought to leave your fans with?

Just listen to great music! Find the story behind any artists, like me, understand their message and support! In my case, follow my music because this makes me confident and better!

Follow Zizzo World online

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April 24, 2020 Manchester music producer DEADLIFE releases new synthwave album

Manchester music producer DEADLIFE releases new synthwave album

Machester-based music producer DEADLIFE has officially released his latest album, City of Eternal Rain via NRW Records. He has been supported by influential wave Youtube channel called NewRetroWave in recent months, which led to his stream count rising to over 3.2 million plays on major streaming platforms. His debut album Bionic Chrysalis was voted as  Best Synthwave Album 2017 by publication MetalSucks, and also received commercial success on US Billboards’ Electronic Album sales top 20 chart, along with his 2019 album Singularity.

Growing up in the shabby Crewe area in the UK, DEADLIFE would spend a lot of time indoors playing video games. The music producer was a drummer in a band before pursuing his solo career in electronic music production. After several tours, he realized that he felt held back creatively.  DEADLIFE always had a vivid imagination and a more sensitive demeanor. He would use these qualities to produce music of his own liking. The music producer is inspired by the emotional qualities of video game soundtracks with his music. He has also cited influences from artists like Disasterpeace, Justice, deadmau5, Sigur Ros, Refused and Deftones.

Speaking of his album DEADLIFE adds, “City of Eternal Rain is a concept album that is inspired by the direct contrast between dark and light. That no matter how bad things get, there is always hope. The record is, like many of them, created to feel like you’ve heard it before, but you don’t remember it, to instill nostalgia in your mind and remind you of a time your memory grasps at but can’t quite recall. I’ve realised in life it takes more bravery and courage to be who you are and bare all, rather than to hide it away, which we often do, which I did in my younger years. It’s time to be honest, to directly reflect that which I feel within what I write.”

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April 17, 2020 Interview with music producer and singer Becca Stevens

Interview with music producer and singer Becca Stevens

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Becca Stevens continues her “WONDERBLOOM” campaign with a new full-length album, once again titled “WONDERBLOOM”, which was released March 20th 2020. The first track from the album is ‘Good Stuff’, 

Becca Stevens again defies all expectation, this time dreaming up a groove-heavy, dance-ready sound infused with elements of pop and funk and R&B. With its bright textures and uptempo rhythms, “WONDERBLOOM” also finds Becca achieving a profound complexity in her lyrics, ultimately redefining what’s possible in creating music that elevates and deities.

What are some of your earliest memories of music?

Rehearsing in the family band, the Tune Mammals! Getting in the stinky minivan and driving around to festivals and schools in North Carolina to perform silly/witty children’s songs with my family. Singing and performing in musicals on stage as a kid. Recording little clips of myself singing on a Fisher-Price tape recorder. Making up dances to MC Hammer and Paula Abdul. Making up rambling songs about literally everything. 

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?

  1. I’m either inspired, or I have an assignment which leads me to seek the inspiration I need to pull me in.  
  2. I pick up an instrument and start noodling, or open GarageBand/Logic and record a drum loop or a bass line or a texture, or start journaling, or start singing a melody wordlessly or with words, or start walking in a circle and thinking, or lay on the bed and ask myself questions, etc… 
  3. I follow whatever part of the process is most inviting and serving the song to the best of my ability. 
  4. I try to avoid shutting down the process by listening to my inner critic too much early on. Keep moving. Follow what’s working. Don’t think too much. 
  5. I keep my eyes and mind open for sparks, or cues from the muse. (Once the inspiration is ignited, and the muse is involved it’s much easier to get along with my inner critic). 
  6. When I find the spark or moments that are working musically/lyrically/narratively, I write it down/record it/capture it in some way.
  7. When I lose the plot, I ask myself questions like: How can I best serve this song? Who’s speaking in this song? Where are they? What are they doing? What story are they trying to tell? Does the music tell the same story as the text? etc. I come back to these questions over and over and over again to reset, clarify, and refocus. 
  8. Stay committed till I find the feeling that it’s done. Like baking a cake, you can often smell when it’s done before you open the over to look. And I comfort myself with the knowledge that I can always change it again tomorrow. 

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?

A balance of all three! Triangle! Triptych! Trinity!

What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?

My favourite responses though are when kids like my music. Kids singing or dancing along to my music is the highest form of flattery. When people tell me that my music has helped them through really hard times. I keep those words in a special compartment in my heart that I try to remember to draw from/remind myself of when I’m down about my career or artistry. Memorable responses have also been times when my music has disturbed someone so much that they felt the need to storm out in the middle of a song, write me a letter about how much they don’t like it or write a scathing review. Learning to lean into those responses as well and see a bit of humour in what’s happening there.

If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?

ALL kinds of good music. Music that inspires me. Traditional music. Music with beautiful stories. Music that defies categorization. Music from all over the world. I think I would choose a theme or feeling for each episode and make a playlist that plays into the theme or feeling… oooh I’m ready to start this radio show.

Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show

1.Juana Molina 2.Bassekou Kouyate Ngoni Ba 3. Wye Oak 4. Bothy Band 5. Snoop Dogg

What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do, then you will be successful.” (Been digging around for who said this. I’ve narrowed it down to either Albert Schweitzer or the Buddha.) I would take this one step further and say if you love what you are doing, then you ARE successful. But like anyone I have dreams I associate with success in my field, like touring with my band in a tour bus, playing Madison Square Garden, winning a GRAMMY, or making enough money on the road that the schedule is less than brutal.

One last thought to leave your fans with?

Make the music/art/live the life that inspires you. If you create something hoping to impress others, and they aren’t impressed, then you’ve wasted your time completely. If you make something you aren’t terribly excited about and it does impress others, then you are known for something you don’t believe in. As long as you are creating things/making choices you believe in, then it is time well spent.

Follow Becca Stevens online 

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April 17, 2020 Walker’s Cay releases new song ‘Tell Me’

Walker’s Cay releases new song ‘Tell Me’

Carrying the torch from where melodic rock bands like Journey, Def Leppard, Styx and Heart left off, Toronto’s Walker’s Cay ushers those classic influences into the 21st Century with two new tracks. On April 10th, 2020, the four-man band featuring Gold and Platinum-status lead vocalist Gary LaBarr, guitarist Mike Swain, bassist Tim Morrissey, and drummer Dave Pistilli will release “Tell Me” and “Why Oh Why” (MTS Records.)

“These guys are right in my wheelhouse,” said Michael Stover of MTS. “Those classic tunes with the big vocals, powerful drums, screaming guitars…that’s what I grew up with. So, to be working with a talented band like Walker’s Cay makes total sense for us. They are taking the best parts of the past and bringing them forward in their own style. 2020 is going to be huge for Walker’s Cay!”

Walker’s Cay gets its name from an “out island” in the Bahamas. It was visited by Gary LaBarr, (a private pilot), and some friends back in the late 1990’s. Not only did this beautiful island stand out in Gary’s mind throughout his life, but the name of “Walker’s Cay” did as well. Gary LaBarr has gold and platinum record status for his work in various original band projects, working as a musician, producer, and arranger. Mike Swain is considered to be the “technical wizard” for the band, due to his 30-plus years as a licensed control technician at a nuclear power plant. Mike is also a professional recording engineer, specializing in the Pro-Tools recording platform. Tim Morrissey comes to Walker’s Cay with quite the resume as a professional bass player and recording artist. He is a “gear geek” in regards to his intense interest in achieving that “perfect” bass sound. With a rock/jazz style type of percussive education, David “Dave” Pistilli lays down the tasty “back-beat” that Walker’s Cay is known for.

Follow Walker’s Cay online 

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