Album – Page 2 – RCRD LBL

February 16, 2022

February 16, 2022February 16, 2022 Mew Zikwryder

Interview with classical composer Sven Helbig

Image credit: Sven Helbig

Sharing his new album Skills, German composer Sven Helbig gave us a taste of what to expect with the release of the album track ‘Metamorphosis’ ahead of the official release. Drenched in passionate violin arrangements, this classical track carries a tense but intriguing atmosphere nonetheless. The musician shares that this album was inspired by people around him, exercising their abilities to create new and wonderful things. Also featured on the album, is the noteworthy track ‘Flow’, which takes a more adventurous route with its blend of electronica, string instruments, and ambient embellishments. Today we present an exclusive Q&A with the composer below.

Describe your sound for us. What do you want people to feel when they hear your music?

My sound consists of classical instruments in synthesis with subtle electronics. For the new album, I used French horns and tuba beside a string quartet. I can’t say what people should feel. I am transmitting energy and I hope it finds some receivers.

Which 3 artists have influenced you the most growing up?

John Tavener for his deep spiritual composing, the drummer Questlove for the incredible joy he pours into my body with a simple 2 and 4 in their right places, and Stevie Wonder for everything.

How did you discover your particular sound?

I always loved the musical waves that an orchestra or classical instruments, in general, can produce. This is very different from any other sound source, and I wanted to work with this type of musical energy.

Tell us about one of the first struggles you faced (as a group or a solo artist) and how you overcame it?

It took me a long time to see sense in making my own music, after growing up with the masters and their complex perfection. Do we need more music? That doesn’t matter! Am I good enough? That doesn’t matter either. It sounds simple but finding those two answers was incredibly hard for me.

What are the most important pieces of equipment to you?

For creation: My brain, my intuition, a pencil, and paper.

On stage: I couldn’t live with a laptop.

Music for the individual or the masses – which do you want to create?

I can’t answer this. It is a typical western-world-21st-century-question. There is a difference between whether by “for the masses” you mean the audience of Johann Sebastian Bach, or that of McDonald’s. Bach’s music was created for the masses and still is accessible for everybody. I wouldn’t make music that is only limited to a few individuals.

Do you have a favourite memory of your career so far?

Yes. The most touching moments have been the after-shows with my choir project. When a choir of St. Petersburg or Minsk or Cuba is singing folk songs for you, in a pub after the concert, that is incredibly moving.

If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist living or passed, who would it be?

I would very much like to collaborate with Ryuji Sakamoto. His work was with me for so long and it would be a dream to write something with him.

What kind of message are you trying to send with your music?

My music is made to make it easier to stand up again. I want to share energy for this. Every one of my projects is written in search of leaving a foggy time and finding a new way out.

What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?

I am looking forward to performing my new album Skills live. Especially being invited by the London Contemporary Orchestra to perform with them at Southbank Centre makes me very excited.

Skills track ‘Flow’ features on the Spotify playlist XPERIMENT_GROUND.fm

Follow Sven Helbig:

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Soundcloud

November 17, 2021

November 17, 2021November 17, 2021 Mew Zikwryder

Singer Lauren L’aimant shares electronic album ‘Motions’

Having spent the past couple of years collaborating with some of electronic music’s finest producers and carving out a path of her own, Lauren L’aimant can now reveal her debut EP ‘Motions’ via her own label, The Loved Ones.

Lauren’s own productions and writing style ticks the boxes of many genres, and yet seem to be original in their sound, using vintage and modern synths for an electronic edge, combined with the timeless sound of the piano, which Lauren fell in love with and learnt to play by ear as a kid. Her aim has always been to create music that takes the listener on an emotional journey.

Speaking from experience with every song written, Lauren’s words are relatable and healing, gelling cohesively with the soulful and heartfelt sounds she selects to craft each song.

Speaking on the EP as a whole, Lauren recalls “‘Motions’ is a body of work that has been in production for over four years, and it finally feels like the right time to put it out into the world. Each song represents a particular moment within my relationships; the one that I missed out on. The one where I was consumed by lust. The one where I accepted the other person for who they truly are. The one where I took the burden. The one where it all ended. The one where I lost my brother. When I listen to these songs, I’m transported back to those times, and I think about every motion and every [e]motion I went through at that time. As always, it’s cathartic, and allows me to reflect on how far I’ve come, not only as a musician, but as a human being.”

Follow Lauren L’aimant:

Facebook Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music

November 4, 2021

November 4, 2021November 5, 2021 Mew Zikwryder

Alternative duo WARBLY JETS share music documentary video

Image credit: Erina Uenmura

Alternative duo WARBLY JETS (Samuel Shea and Julien O’neill) share a documentary entitled Making of MONSTERHOUSE, which documents the process behind their newest studio album, MONSTERHOUSE (out November 12, 2021 via Rebel Union Recordings). EARMILK hosted the premiere.

Speaking on the documentary, Samuel Shea said,

“We love being in the studio writing and recording. We enjoy the process that goes into making a record as much as the final product itself. We wanted to share that side of what we do with our fans and listeners. I’ve always enjoyed getting any insight into the process of how a record I love was made. The idea was to be able to offer our fans that same exciting feeling of giving a behind the scenes look into how we do what we do. I hope that it’s a special experience for our supporters.It’s always a strange feeling for me looking back at any older version of us. We learned a lot during the process of making MONSTERHOUSE. It’s nostalgic to watch it all back.”

Julien O’neill continued,

“We knew this album was going to be a big undertaking and a turning point in direction stylistically. It felt really important to not leave everyone in the dark and bring people along for the experience. It’s great to see how it evolved from the early days to the end. A LOT morphed in the process of writing and recording. From album title and concept to all the songs being finalized in the moment. Knowing where this album landed in hindsight, it feels really special to watch many of those original moments happening in real time. We’re pulling back the curtain for the first time. We’ve always been very vague about our process and haven’t really allowed any cameras to follow us behind the scenes before this documentary. We wanted to give people an insight to how we do what we do, what it takes to do what we do and how seriously, or not, we approach making music. It’s a companion piece to an album that took every inch and resource we had to make possible.”

MONSTERHOUSE is the Los Angeles-based duo’s second full-length studio album, following their critically-acclaimed, self-titled debut released in 2017. The new LP is packed with high-energy, genre-fluid tracks that exhibit WARBLY JETS’ studio chops and production prowess. With sonic references ranging from Rick Rubin and Beck, to Beastie Boys and early 2000s hip-hop, the album explores the place where humanity and technology meet—grappling with all the questions and doubts that come with living in the information age.

Follow WARBLY JETS:

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Instagram

November 2, 2021

November 2, 2021November 3, 2021 Mew Zikwryder

Interview with honest alternative pop musician Rich Delinquent

Stepping into the L.A. music scene in 2019, Rich Delinquent has established himself as a refreshingly honest alternative pop act. Rich Delinquent’s music draws influence from Flume, The Weeknd, and Blackbear who are all known to switch it up with finesse, whenever they deem fit. Set to release his album Sadboi on the 5th of November via 24-8 Records, the Australian music producer has shared some eclectic alternative pop gems with us these past few months. An advocate for mental health in the music scene, Rich Delinquent wants to create awareness of all the negative spirals one can find themselves in when chasing fame.

Rich Delinquent fill us in on his upcoming work and influences below.

What are some of your earliest memories of music?

I can still vividly remember the moment I saw a guitarist, Steve Morse from the band Deep Purple play live at my first concert as a child. That was the moment I knew I wanted to play guitar and be on stage performing.

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

I’ll always start with writing the instrumental bed followed by the chord progression, melodies, and drums. Once this is done I write the top line (sometimes collaborating with songwriters), then track the vocals, finish the producing and finally mix the song down.

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

I honestly don’t have a preference, it all goes hand in hand and is all equally rewarding. For me, It’s like asking someone if they prefer to eat or drink.

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

One of the biggest drivers behind me making music is to connect with people through my songs. Receiving messages saying that one of my songs helped someone reconsider suicide, helped get through a breakup, or even just turned someones day around means the world to me.

These messages mean a lot more to me, the high streaming numbers or a shout-out from a peer.

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

I’ve put together a Spotify playlist called Delinquent Radio, so I guess it would be that. A wide range of music from EDM, hip-hop, and metal.

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

The Weeknd, Bring Me The Horizon, Blackbear, Flume, and Whipped Cream.

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

I have huge goals of headlining festivals and winning Grammy’s, but that doesn’t dictate success for me. A successful music career is one in which you can touch as many people as possible on an emotional level. That’s a real success.

One last thought to leave your fans with?

I am just really excited for this album to be out in the world. It’s been a long time coming; from writing the songs in lockdown in Melbourne, Australia to moving to LA to pursue music. It’s been a journey. This is my debut album and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with everyone.

Album track ‘She’s Happy?’ features on the Spotify playlist POP_GROUND.fm