We find out more about this singer and songwriter below.
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
Listening to Motown in the car with my mom on my way to school, Playing Hole in my headphones under the blanket in my room when I was supposed to be asleep. Rummaging through my dad’s cd collection and discovering Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell. Magical…
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
I usually like to start with me and a piano. I typically come up with a baseline, melody and lyrics simultaneously. Once I’ve written the song I’ll think about the type of production I envision for it. From there I’ll present to the producer I think would be the best fit to help bring the song to life. If they’re into it, we’ll get to work producing the track together.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
That’s a toss-up, but I think I have to say that I like the process of creating music a little bit more. That’s what made me fall in love with music in the first place. I love the feeling of birthing a new piece of music. Every song is my favorite song I’ve ever written when I’m writing it.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
I remember and cherish any time anyone has ever told me either in person or online that one of my songs meant something to them. There’s no better feeling than knowing you had a positive impact on someone through a melody you crafted or words you wrote.
If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?
It would be the perfect mix of bright shiny pop, hip hop, alternative pop, indie R&B, and musical theatre.
Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show
Right now I would definitely be spinning Kah-lo’s latest single ‘Melanin’, some Caroline Polachek, Sudan Archives, Taylor Swift’s latest album Folklore, and Avenue Beat’s jam ‘Fuck 2020’.
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
I would like to achieve a sense of fulfillment within myself in creating authentic songs that represent my life experience. I make music because it brings me joy. I always go back to that truth if I start to feel societal pressure to “be somebody”. Success means being me, and I’m already myself. When I look at things through that lens, I feel very successful indeed.
One last thought to leave your fans with?
Hang in there. Every day is a new opportunity. Rest when you need to. Eat nourishing delicious food. Take a bubble bath. And listen to my new EP Millennium Fig
London-based electronic/alt-R&B/Hip-hop duo E L E V N S made their debut in 2019 with their first single ‘Let Me In’ hitting Spotify’s New Music Friday on release day. They have been busy travelling between London, Paris, NYC and LA performing and finding artists to collaborate with, including getting endorsements from companies such as Soundbrenner and ROLI.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
Gramm: I was lucky to be part of a band when I was 15 years old. My first gig was probably the best memory I have and also one of the reasons I’m into music. The excitement mixed with stress before going on stage became like a drug. I only started producing at the age of 25 and hearing the first song done from scratch without having to work with other producer was quite a proud moment.
Aurelian: I started playing the drums when I was 12 and I was listening to a lot of different things like Michael Jackson and Blink-182. I had a few bands and like Gramm, performing live became a drug. I would go to jam sessions and play with other musicians for hours. I realised I could produce and write music myself after listening to Ben Kenny, bass player for Incubus. He made an EP where he recorded everything and that was the moment I started producing but it only got serious in the last 5 years for me.
If you could paint a picture of your unique sound, what would it look like?
It would look like a KAWS painting, lots of colours and dynamism.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
We really believe that the more people you work with the more magic you can create. But we don’t really have a specific process. We always start the two of us and then we send a beat to an artist we know or that we found on Instagram. We especially target some artists we love by scouting on Spotify and then reach out to them on IG. With overseas collaboration, most of the time artists would write, record themselves and send us the vocals. From then we wrap up the production. But sometimes we would have a session at ours or in a studio with some friends or artists and do everything in one day.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
We’re more coffee guys than juices so a nice flat white or latte would work best (laughs)! To be more serious, it is the vibe a sound or a drumbeat can create. Creativity is something you need to cease when it comes because you can’t invoke it. For us, it is a lot about the vibe and good energy that things, like travelling and being surrounded by cool people, bring to us. The opposite of quarantine basically (laughs).
As an artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
Spotify should remove the number of streams, followers and monthly listeners like Apple Music does so people would judge less on the number of streams and focus more on the music.
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
It is awesome! We can really feel the energy they bring and how they interact with us. As we feature different vocalist along with the show, the vibes change often and it keeps a nice dynamic. One of the best crowds we had was when we played Sofar Sounds, people are really here to listen to the music and you can bond with them easily.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
The most memorable one was being added to Spotify New Music Friday on our first ever release ‘Let Me In’. That was insane! We didn’t have any fan base, a few followers on Instagram but that was it (laughs)!
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
We would like to do big tours, travel the world, connect with new people and have fun with our music. Obviously there is all the fame and being able to live off your music but when people move their head to the music and we can see them smile and enjoy, this is a success!
What’s on your current playlist?
There’s a lot of music but here’s a little list (laughs):Â
Goner (feat. Audrey Mika) by Souly HadÂ
Blueberry Cadillac by Landon Sears
Blue World by Mac Miller
The Plug (feat. Drelli) by Party Pupils
Backyard by Kota the Friend
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?
We are currently working on releasing a song a month and we’ve got some amazing collaborations mainly coming from the US with Atlanta based singers Zach Paradis and Jaylon Ashaun again and Danny Diamonds from Boston. We are also working on a new live set to perform when things will be back to normal after COVID-19!
Inspired by the likes of John Mayer and Sam Fender to name a few, rising musical prodigy Andy Martin has just shared his latest single ‘Heat Of It All’. The single premiered via the acclaimed CLOUT Magazine and was recorded at the renowned Airlock Studios owned by rocker Ian Haug (Powderfinger and The Church). Born in Australia, Andy is currently based in Brisbane where he is working on his debut EP via Arts Queensland. His previous single releases have received a jaw-dropping stream count of over 80 000 on Spotify alone.
We find out what makes Martin tick in this exclusive.
Were there specific artists that inspired you when you were working on the chord progressions for your new release?
In regards to the actual chord progressions… I don’t think any artists directly influence my movements of chords. I am definitely influenced by the sounds and melodies of other artists, but in regards to chord progressions I kind of write the chords around the melodies in the voice and instruments that I hear in my head. Sometimes it’s just natural, sometimes there’s a longer thought process that goes into it, but all of the time it is something that reflects/highlights the melodies.
Describe the experience of recording your latest release at Ian Haug’s studio.
I have recorded all of my upcoming tracks out Airlock and the experience is surreal. Not only is the facility state of the art and gear out of this world, but the history embedded in the studio is amazing. Every time I go out there, I see another piece of amazing musical history that has come out of Airlock. To see the artists that have recorded out there and the amazing musical memorabilia on display is just surreal and inspiring in itself. I have been recording with James See and him and I seem to have forged quite a formidable relationship and the process is just getting better and better. I plan to record future releases out at Airlock also.
To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Indie Rock, with a touch of Pop!
Which three albums have influenced you the most creatively?
This one might surprise some people. A lot of the time it is in fact folk/singer-songwriter music that inspires my songwriting. Here are three albums that got the creative juices flowing for my EP. Over the last few years, it has been.
Ben Howard – “I Forget Where We Were”
Sam Fender – “Hypersonic Missles”
John Mayer – “Born & Raised”
Describe the experience of recording your latest release at Ian Haug’s studio.
I have recorded all of my upcoming tracks out of Airlock and the experience is surreal. Not only is the facility state of the art and gear out of this world, but the history embedded in the studio is amazing. Every time I go out there, I see another piece of amazing musical history that has come out of Airlock. To see the artists that have recorded out there and the amazing musical memorabilia on display is just surreal and inspiring in itself. I have been recording with James See, and he and I seem to have forged quite a formidable relationship and the process is just getting better and better. I plan to record future releases out at Airlock also.
Tell us about the key pieces of equipment that you use to define your sound?
Firstly, brass instruments. In every single track on the upcoming EP, I am playing either Trumpet/s or Flugelhorn. This really, well to me, fills out the sound of the chords and adds a touch of sweetness/brightness to the tracks. If you listen hard enough, in most parts of the tracks, you will be able to hear the horns.
Also, the pedals I use/sounds I try and get out of the guitars to add variety to the song. A lot of the time on the upcoming tracks, I am playing multiple guitars with sounds that you wouldn’t expect to work together. Whether it be a tube screamer/chorus/hall reverb combo on one guitar (on the bridge pickup) and then an Overdrive/Delay/Tremelo combo on another guitar (on the neck pickup)… I believe the sounds that are coming out are familiar to the listener, but interesting. I love playing around with different sounds because sometimes it can just add
another element to the music.
Were there specific artists that inspired you when you were working on the chord progressions for your new release?
In regards to the actual chord progressions… I don’t think any artists directly influence my movements of chords. I am definitely influenced by the sounds and melodies of other artists. But in regards to chord progressions, I kind of write the chords around the melodies in the voice and instruments that I hear in my head. Sometimes it’s just natural, sometimes there’s a longer thought process that goes into it, but all of the time it is something that reflects/highlights the melodies.
Is there any “non-musical” ingredient that is essential to crafting your sound?
Inspiration. I never stop getting inspired… I think that is the key ingredient. I listen to a lot of folk music, pop, jazz, fusion, rock, punk, electronic music…. just a whole lot of everything and I appreciate and love them all for so many different reasons. I only hope the listener/creatives will get inspired by my music as I do theirs.
Studio work and music creation, or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
BOTH! In the studio, as I am working on my own with a producer, it means that I have all creative licensing to try out weird and wonderful sounds, which sometimes stems new ideas to get the wheels in motion.
But… and I think (well I’d hope) this would be the same answer for many artists, but nothing beats playing live on stage, interacting with the audience and just genuinely having a good time. Sometimes you can go to a free gig and have one of the most amazing experiences of your life… you can’t get that out of many (if any) industries in the world. I love music and feel a sense of pride and love performing it to people. That’s why COVID has been so hard on so many artists.
What has been your most memorable performance so far?
Playing a headline shows to a max capacity venue (around 350 people) without even having any music released. That was pretty special.
This was after 3 straight days in a studio and all of us were knackered… but this really capped the recording.
To see that many people at your own personal gig, without any music out in the world, is something that I believe is pretty special.
And which performance would you prefer to forget?
Once we played a gig down the Gold Coast and our guitarist’s amp wasn’t working.
We played out first song (which ended up being more of a stripped down version of the song) and then had to stop to sort it out. Half an hour later, with nearly half the crowd leaving the show, it was because the amp wasn’t switched on. The gig was fine from there on and you’re never gonna have the ‘perfect’ set, but I remember that gig vividly.
Any new or emerging artists on your radar?
Hope D & Sycco out of Brisbane… definitely check them both out. I can’t wait to see what’s next for these two because their latest singles have been on repeat every day for me.
Also, High Tropics from up the Sunshine Coast. Their new tracks rock and I have been listening to ‘Wait For You’ since the day it came out and still can’t stop listening!!
If you could collaborate with, or perform alongside any artist, who would it be? And why?
John Mayer. Since I was about 10/11 he has been my favourite musician.
I am in awe of his songwriting, phrasing, and melodic structure. Every album of his has resonated with me for different reasons and I genuinely don’t think I would’ve picked up a guitar in the first place if it wasn’t for him.
To sit down and pick his brain about music and life would be amazing. To collaborate would be even better. To perform alongside would just be surreal.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
Cafe Owner. I love the hospitality industry and always have. I would love to run my own cafe if this whole music thing doesn’t work out.
However, I am so stubborn and have always known in my head, from a very young age, that I would do great things and it is amazing that the pieces of the puzzle are finally falling into place!
Tell us about any upcoming shows or releases you have in the pipeline. I have an EP out in November of this year and am planning shows around this. I have been working hard in the studio and can’t wait to share this music with the world.
In regards to live shows, I haven’t announced anything at this stage but there are definitely bookings in place. With COVID-19 it has taken a toll on venues and artists so I just feel blessed that venues are showing interest in having me perform at their venues in these tough times.
Pop singer Valdii originally hails from Canada, where he went on to study music in his native city of Toronto. In the years to follow Valdii was swiftly spotted by Warner Music, who signed him up to a major-label deal as the lead singer of Eleven Past One. Their debut release, ‘The World is Ours’, became a gold-certified smash hit earning over a million views on Youtube alone.
Choosing to strike out as an independent artist, Valdii released his first single, ‘Toxic’ in June this year. We’ve included his latest single, ‘Comfortable’ for your enjoyment below. It’s one of our favourite parts of the industry, watching the artists develop into their unrestrained selves. We decided to sit down for an interview with him and learn a little more about this rising talent.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
Some of my earliest entries into music appreciation would have to be singing and performing with my older sister in our family home. We would put on ‘shows’ for our family where we would sing, dance and even have outfit changes. Also, I was raised singing in the Church, so I began to hone my singing voice and performing talent from there really.
If you could paint a picture of your unique sound, what would it look like?
Well, that’s a little difficult to answer myself, but I would have to say that my voice stands out from the rest. I’ve had many people tell me that there’s something about it. It draws people in. I think growing up singing gospel music is a bit of a reason for that. And when you put that kind of a compelling voice-over catchy pop production, I think there’s magic there.
What are some of your key musical influences?
I usually like to answer this question without quickly jumping to the most common Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston answer. I feel like my musical influences really stem from many different people. It could be my brother that influences me to be great because he’s so great at playing the guitar. It could be Justin Timberlake because he was one of the first big musicians I saw in concert. Mostly, when I’m making music and producing, I’m thinking of what music is most listened to and then I try and put my own spin on it.
What’s on your current playlist?
Sam Smith – ‘How Do You Sleep’, Ed Sheeran feat Khalid – ‘Beautiful People’, Old Dominion – ‘One Man Band’, Lewis Capaldi – ‘Someone You Loved’, The Chainsmokers & Bebe Rexha – ‘Call You Mine’, Billie Eilish & Justin Bieber – ‘Bad Guy’… I could go on, but you get the idea.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
Usually, I’ll set aside a certain time frame to have writing sessions/writing trips and I’ll team up with successful writers and producers to have these sessions where we just create together and we end up writing a song in a day or two then producing it right after that. I’m always jotting down ideas in my notes on my iPhone, whether it’s one word, a couple, a full sentence or even more. So most of the time on these writing trips I’ll go back into my notes and see what I’ve culminated over the past little while and I’ll pick and choose what I’m feeling to write about or what’s most important to me. Other times, I’ll just sit down on the piano and start writing spontaneously.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
Honestly, being around a successful creative team gets my juices flowing. For me, it’s usually being in the right place and being surrounded by the right elements. I feel like that’s where my best music thus far has transpired.
As an artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
I would probably change the way artists get paid, and how much they get paid for their music/craft. I think streaming has sort of robbed artists a bit, but I realize that this is where the industry has landed for now and you just have to evolve with it. Go with the punches so to speak. I think I’d also change the way radio chooses to play an artists song. If the song is a great song, I think music directors at radio stations should take a chance with it, like the old days, instead of waiting for the song to get millions of streams.
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
It’s super amazing when you see and hear people singing the words to your song while performing
