Milo Gore, a musician on a mission to make mental health a more widely discussed topic, has released the music video for ‘Noise Gone Dancing’ via Red Van Records (RVR). The single is taken from his upcoming album, How Do You Cope While Grieving For The Living? which will be released in a few short days.
On the album, listeners will be able to find some his known works such as ‘Green Eyes’ and ‘Jerry Can’ (a song filled with tiny easter eggs for the upcoming album). However, there are a few more songs on there that will resonate with everyone. Hot tip: we’ve been specifically instructed to keep our eyes (and ears) open for ‘I Hear You’.
Keen to learn more? Here’s the full tracklisting for the album:
1. Noise Gone Dancing
2. Green Eyes
3. Jade
4. FARE
5. A Collaboration Of Our Grief – feat RMC
6. Jerry Can
7. MEDS
8. I Hear You
9. Homegrown
10. Eyeliner
11. Complete Peace
12.The Endless War
Be prepared: the music video below will take you through the five stages of grief as you’ve never seen them before.
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
Manchester-based singer/songwriter Ellysse Mason began to make serious musical waves. In the last year alone she’s sold-out Manchester’s Deaf Institute, headlined Academy 3 and racked up over 1.5million streams for her debut single ‘Hunt Me Down’ on Spotify.
As she moves to bigger venues and festival stages, she is becoming a live act to be reckoned with. Dark, haunting melodies combine with deft guitar playing to create an ethereal, otherworldly sound that has drawn comparisons to Joni Mitchell, Billie Eilish and Massive Attack.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
The first Artist I really remember falling in love with was Jack Johnson. I saw him on a video from a live show he did when I was about 12 and that inspired me to take up the guitar and perform. A bit further down the line, I discovered Joni Mitchell, in fact, I don’t even really remember when it was specifically. I was going down a bit of a rabbit hole of the 60s and 70s music and I just remember realising one day that I was a huge fan of hers all of a sudden. She definitely influenced my early vocal/writing style. As for production, I’ve only just started to think of myself in those terms, but I do remember the impact that Moby’s track “Porcelain” had on me and it’s still one of my favourite songs.
What are some of your key musical influences?
At the moment the stuff I’m listening to that’s influencing my material most is probably: HAIM, Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish and 1975
If you could paint a picture of your unique sound, what would it look like?
It would probably be a scene set in outer space… but weird.. If there was a 1960’s Motel/Diner on the moon… Something like that… With neon.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
I always put the melody first. Everything else comes after. But I do work with the production in mind for very early in the process. I always sit and write on logic just using it to play guitar or keys and vocals through, so I have the effects or the synths running right from the start and have an idea of the vibe from the beginning.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
When I hear a PROPER good tune. One that gives you the fuzzies. It makes me wanna write straight away.
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?
At the moment I only really know one scene and that’s the one in Manchester. Everyone here supports everyone else. It’s a great place to be a musician so I feel really lucky to get to do what I do.
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
My first big headline show was for my last EP launch and we sold out Deaf Institute in Manchester. It was amazing to play to a full house at a larger venue like that for the first time. I’ve played bigger shows since, but that one was really special. And the buzz you get from the crowd being fully involved in the music and singing along to your songs is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
I played at Band On The Wall last year and when I played one of my new songs (I Could Make It Better) as a solo performance in the middle of the set (I was playing a full band show btw), the whole crowd erupted, and then the applause just kept dying down and then swelling back up, over and over again, as you get at much bigger shows. It was such an amazing feeling!
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
I just want to reach as many people as I can and hopefully make enough from each album so that I get to make another one… Anything else on top of that is just icing on the cake.
What’s on your current playlist?
Phoebe Bridgers – Dua Lipa – Sam Fender – Lana Del Rey – The Weeknd
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?
The plan is to release a string of singles this year on the run-up to an album at some point in the not too distant future. With everything that’s going on, it’ll probably be a little slower than planned, but everything is still in motion, and once lockdown lifts I’ll be back to full speed!
Music producer Jaime is known for his forward-thinking production skills, switching between future bass, electronic and touches of hip hop and R&B, Jaime has worked as music director, producer and drummer for some of the biggest names in the German-speaking European markets, including R&B and hip hop artists Cassandra Steen.
While rising vocalist and songwriter Sherly is heavily influenced by alternative R&B ballads and early 2000s aesthetics, encompassing elements of Nao, Ashanti, Amerie and Lianne La Havas.
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
We’ve always been music addicts since our early childhoods. Sherly: I grew up listening to a lot of RnB and Hip Hop like Brandy, Whitney, and Tupac with my mother and aunts. These influences are deeply rooted in my present style. Jaime: I was always drumming on anything I could find. So the pans and pots from my grandma had a hard life. This vibe developed over the years… that´s why I´m a drummer and music producer today.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
Every single song starts differently. Sometimes Jaime hits some interesting chords. Sometimes there is a topic that I come up with. Sometimes you got one catchy hook line that is the fundament of the song.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
Sherly: I love to play live! To connect with the audience and being able to move people with the voice is such a good feeling and very special to me.
Jaime: For me, both worlds are very important. I won´t miss playing live getting direct feedback to your art. I love seeing the audience freaking out! But rather I won´t miss all the studio work. Playing live is the “don´t think, just let it flow” part of our job. And the studio work is about thinking a lot what you would give to the people, jamming on synth and drums for hours… simply lose yourself to find great sounds and topics!
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Sherly: My first concert. A lot of my songs talk about personal events and experiences. To share those intimate thoughts with an audience for the first time was so exciting and unforgettable.
Jaime: For me it´s the fact that all the response and support make it happen to be just a musician for the last years. I’m doing music almost every day working for my project or other artists. I think this is a big gift and every single day a new memorable response!
If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?
Sherly: I wouldn’t always play the newest releases but a collection of songs that give you chills.
Jaime: Just music nobody else would play in a radio show… 😀 From Amon Tobin over weird Flume tracks to The National… Simply to show the people that we have some really amazing art out there!
Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show
Sherly:
Snoh Aalegra – ugh, those feels again
Ama Lou – DDD
Anderson .Paak – Ventura
Definitely Kaytranada – 99.9.% He is in my Playlists for years now!
Solange – A Seat at the table
Jaime:
Flume – Hi This Is Flume
Amon Tobin – Isam
Baauer – Aa
Chance The Rapper – Coloring Book
The National – Boxer
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
Jaime: It would be totally awesome to get a nice international standing in this business. With my solo project but also as a producer! Playing some big Festivals every year and a big tour to every album release. This must not be a big stadium tour. It would be totally cool to play locations with 1500 people but always sold out!
Sherly: Success can look very different. It can be a number one chart entry or a Grammy. But my biggest goal is to play at the most renowned music festivals for RnB music with other artists that I admire.
