United Center

Chicago, IL

September 30, 2024

Shrithik Karthik

One of my most anticipated shows of 2024 just came to the United Center on Monday, September 30th. It was the Sweat tour by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan. When I say I was excited, that truly is an understatement.

Previously, this tour was announced before the drop of the album “Brat,” and at the beginning, it was not quite a best seller. However, nobody truly understood the culture reset that came with the release of the “Brat” album. This album was her biggest seller in her entire career, and she single-handedly sold out almost every show on this tour. Not to mention, this was a co-headlining show with Troye Sivan, who had released “Something to Give Each Other” last year, so this was a show filled with a ton of fans from all over.

The night began with Shygirl, a singer and DJ from South London, whom I was unfamiliar with. That said, I really enjoyed her set as it fits the Brat theme. She had two backup dancers who accompanied her the whole time, and her personal DJ played her songs from the back. She definitely came in with the energy for an opener and did a great job warming up the crowd. The visuals very much gave off Vaporwave vibes, especially the ones that were rally big in like 2018. They gave her practically full audio access, which was a nice touch, incredibly almost complete control of the bass, which was bumping. “Encore,” her final song, was my absolute favorite. The beat went wild, and the bass was so strong, which I enjoyed. She killed it for an opener, and I will definitely continue to listen to her music!

It was 9:30 sharp, and immediately, the lights turned off, and the arena exploded. This was the moment practically everyone else had been waiting so long for. Troye Sivan was the first to start the show, coming out right after his dancers did their moves. He knew he wanted everyone to get hyped, so he told everyone to jump right before the switch to Charli. The thing that I liked was just how good this Co-Headlining performance was. This was likely the best version of two headliners playing the same show because they kept switching off each other every three songs. Charli would play her three, then Troye, and so on, which made it really good to see two very contrasting sides of the performance. Especially so because Troye had his backup dancers and performed very artistic, while Charli performed in a filthy, natural, hardcore, trashy style but in the best way. 

Troye Sivan went off the stage, and the Green walls labeled Brat immediately came down. The Brat green was practically a trademark and had become a staple in her style. The energy was off the charts, and this was quickly one of my favorite moments of this year. Something completely unexpected was how she played the “365” remix with Shygirl instead of the original song, and in my personal opinion, the remix was just so much better. The bass was on full blast, the ground was shaking, people were screaming, the walls dropped, and it felt like my heart was about to explode. Immediately, she starts and says, “Chicago, what the F- is up,” if you couldn’t, this show was not PG. This time, her outfit started with an all-black outfit that I thought looked incredible. You could feel the entire arena go feral when that initial beat dropped. This was quickly one of the best tour intros I have seen all year, and wow, it was just a blast. 

The rest of the show was just an absolute mishmash of energy from the two artists; Troy had a more artistic performing style, beautiful energy, great vocals, dancing, and more, while Charli had more of a get-down-and-dirty style. It was just so incredible, and personally not being the biggest fan of Troye, seeing him live was such a treat and he made the experience so worthwhile in every way. The whole performance had so much depth behind it, and the stage design was unique, with a walkway down to the center stage, a highrise pillar style, and more. It was just so good.

Everything was done perfectly, playing to their demographics and the audience; Charli and Troye kept it 100 the entire show. Her ability to turn a whole arena into a rave was unparalleled, and this tour was a life-changing performance. Though this was listed as a co-headlining tour, it was Charli’s night through and through. You can’t help but wonder if she wished to switch this tour to her’s only because I and many others would pay anything to experience something like that. Giving an absolute masterclass of performance, this was undeniably one of the year’s best shows, and Charli has quite literally changed the game. A true icon she is and an absolute banger of a show this was. 

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The Concord Music Hall, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and top-notch sound system, provides an ideal setting for the duo’s dynamic performance. Concertgoers can anticipate an immersive experience with impressive visuals and lighting complementing the high-energy music. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to their sound, this event promises to be an unforgettable night of dancing and musical euphoria.

We’ll be there. Stay tuned!

In a world where electronic music reigns supreme, Slander emerged at Byline Bank (“Aragon”) Ballroom as maestros of the bass, orchestrating a sonic spectacle that transcended the boundaries of traditional EDM. The duo, consisting of Derek Andersen and Scott Land, delivered a performance on November 25th that was nothing short of a pulsating journey through the realms of euphoria and energy.

From the moment Slander took the stage, a wave of anticipation swept through the crowd. As the first bassline dropped, it was clear that this was not going to be an ordinary EDM experience. Slander’s command of the electronic landscape, combined with their penchant for genre-blurring experimentation, created an atmosphere that was both exhilarating and unpredictable.

The stage production was nothing short of mesmerizing, with a synchronized light show and visuals that heightened the sensory experience. The duo’s dynamic stage presence, coupled with the visual spectacle, created a synergy that elevated the performance to a multi-sensory extravaganza. It was not just a concert; it was a full-blown audio-visual journey.

What set this group apart is Slander’s ability to cater to a diverse audience. The duo seamlessly blended mainstream hits with underground gems, creating an inclusive atmosphere that resonated with both seasoned electronic music enthusiasts and casual concertgoers. This versatility showcased Slander’s understanding of their audience and their commitment to delivering an unforgettable experience for all.

In conclusion, Slander’s latest live performance in Chicago was a sonic odyssey—a journey through the vast and dynamic landscape of electronic music. Derek Andersen and Scott Land’s mastery of production, coupled with an unwavering connection to their audience, solidified Slander as architects of sonic euphoria.

Official Website: Slander

Union Park July 21-23

Chicago, IL

When you hear something that makes its return in Chicago, it’s usually some great news. One of the biggest eclectic music festival in makes its return to the windy city. Returning to Union Park, Pitchfork music festival is going to be bigger and better this year. Big Thief, Bon Iver, The smile and others headline the annual festival. With the popularity growing rapidly each year, the 3 day super festival usually book to similar artists last year. With Pitchfork Media being the curator, who knows what kind of special guests that he may bring out.

Some returning artists include Killer Mike, Jpegmafia, Big Thief, and others. Some of the female artists that’ll grace the stage include Yaya Bey, Grace Ives, Koffee and many more. With having so many artists on the lineup, the headliners balance well just as much as the undercard. Whether you want to listen to artists like 700 Bliss, Deeper, Jlin or bigger artists like Killer Mike and Bon Iver. Pitchfork Music Festival has plenty of artists to fill your listening pleasure.  

Having the festival in Chicago, the festival has plenty of artists from different regions of the country. The festival is one of those festivals that makes you feel like you’re welcomed by everybody that traveled from around the country. The music memories that’s going to be made this year will be throughout the festival.  The energy is very laid back and its one goal which is to have fun & be safe. Check out their socials to stay updated. Follow Lovers & Friends festival on Twitter and Instagram.  Be sure to get your tickets at https://pitchforkmusicfestival.com/

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Review & Photographs by Andrew Mackenzie

Yes, you did hear right! Latitude 2022, and I was lucky enough to have this as my first ever festival.  Come check out what went on…..

After arriving and setting up it was rather late so before I settled down Thursday night, I went on an adventure into the main arena and checked this place out at night which can I add was buzzing and busy and lit up beautifully I was very impressed and due to my hunger grabbed a bite to eat from a vendor down at the street feast area which is where the food venders are mainly based pricey but right now I was too hungry to argue. I wondered about and got some of my bearings but headed off to the tent and had a shower (cold as there was no electric yet) and then slept.

Friday

This is where it all began for me, and I was so excited to get out there and shoot. I headed down to the press tent via the much-needed coffee vendors (stopping for one obviously). I had my own plan for what I wanted to shoot and when, and made sure this was ok with the press team, with the ok and my gear charged I headed out regularly stopping off at the press tent to charge or go through my work between acts Over the day I attended  5 different stages getting a good feel of all the ranges of what latitude had to offer from the BBC introducing stage in the woods to the BBC sounds stage and The  main arena the Obelisk stage. Over

the day I photographed 14 acts from Larkin Poe, Rosie Jones, Russel Howard to acts like Maggie Rodgers and the main Friday headliner Lewis Capaldi. I was also able to treat myself to some of the food at the “Street Feast” latitudes main food vendor area there was another up near the family camping area too.  The day ended with shooting four artists: Maggie Rodgers, Caroline Polachek, Lewis Capaldi and Phoebe Bridgers.

Shooting Fridays events was so exciting and seeing how it all works and is set up and how the public love it, it was great to see people being nice and free after a rough 18 months of “covid-19” restrictions this although hasn’t affected Latitude.  

Friday ended with an amazing headline act “Lewis Capaldi” the crowd loved every minute of this from his entrance using Backstreet boys “Everybody” track to the end with a small firework display.

Check out next week for Part 2

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Regardless of the type of music a DJ likes to play, there are certain things that all the best ones have in common. This is no accident as there are personality traits that divide the wheat from the chaff and determine who will make it in this cut-throat industry and who won’t. Here are four things that all the best DJs have in common.

Passion

To be good at something, it isn’t enough just to like it, you have to have drive, energy, and passion.  You have to want to be the best and have the passion to make it happen.  The best DJs have decided what type of music they are passionate about and immersed themselves in that scene.  They had the passion and energy to make sure that they were noticed and that they got the breaks they needed to climb the ladder of success.

USP

There are plenty of good DJs around, even great ones. To be one of the best, though, means that you have to stand out from the crowd, and this means that you have to have a USP (unique selling point) and know how to work it.  It might be the way you mix records or the way you interact with the crowd that gives you that edge. Whatever it is, the best DJs have honed their unique talents to perfection.

Ambition

All the best DJs have ambition. They have been told they are the best in the business many times over on the way to the top and it might have been easy to stay where they were and be adored. However, to be able to play to massive crowds at all the biggest and best clubs they needed to have a keen sense of ambition and the drive and determination to get to the top of their game. This has helped them realize what they needed to do to get ahead and helped them to keep moving upwards when they could have rested on their laurels and had an easier life.

A Head for Business

Being a DJ is a business just like any other and to be one of the best you have to have a brilliant head for business.  You need to know what works and what doesn’t, keep ahead of the competition, have an excellent product to sell, and the right tools to do the job. It is imperative to have the best decks for your sound and it might take you a while to figure out what these are. As well as having the right tools for the clubs, the best DJs also have the right tools for their business such as a Lenovo home business laptop so that they can keep on top of bookings and make money.

Look closely and you will find that all the best DJs have these four traits in common. It is no accident that they are at the top of their game.

Interview conducted March 22, 2021

By Dan Locke

Armada Of Secrets’ music is wildly bass and drum driven with intense, raw vocals that blend abstract dance and rock elements into one fresh sound that listeners can enjoy. It’s relevant, untamed and the band themselves have struggled to define their sound for years, but it’s infectious once heard. let’s just call it Post-punk Power-Pop Dance-Rock…

What is your upbringing?

Carl – I originally was raised a catholic, my mum from Irish Decent and my Dad from London, then basically turned into an emo/goth/punk…. I think you could write a story just on that info 😇 

Caroline I was raised in Africa in quite a liberal family where I was allowed to be open-minded to new ideas and was taught to respect others with differing behavior and opinions to mine.

How did you discover music?

carl -My dad played a lot of music when he would be home at the weekends, and from a young age I would spend weekends with my family, at a social club, where you always have Irish, country and contemporary live bands playing. 

Caroline ah, those were the days… 

I developed a love of music from my father who had a varied taste in music. I can’t say I have one favorite genre I listen to. I go with what speaks to me.

How did you start to write music?

Carl – I started to write before I could play music, and decided to pick up the bass through a teenage love of Blink 182 and Brand New which started to develop my musical and lyric writing. It was a never-ending snowball effect from there

Caroline: started at around the age of 12 or 13 really just trying to Express my feelings and emotions in my diary. It slowly developed into poems then lyrics and music.

Describe your music.

Carl – We’re still working on that; we need to know what you think? It got to the point where, on our last release, we put down our genre as Post-Punk-Power-Power-alternative-Dance-rock? please let us know … Caroline: It’s just Rock & soul?

Carl- How did you get your first bass, and do you still have it?

Haha yes, my parents weren’t sure if I would be serious about it, so saved up my pennies and bought a cheap Encore bass, wacked stickers all over it, and tried to make sense of how it worked and where the bass fit. then after year my parents saw the progression and I got bought an Epiphone thunderbird. Which in hindsight were a blessing and a curse. A curse because they are such top-heavy basses, which made me grip more. This was a blessing, as it taught me how the throw the bloody thing around. I still have both of these tucked away. I don’t think I will ever sell these. Too many memories.  

What is your bass of choice now? Year, make and model?

i’ m using a couple at the moment, the sound differences really play to each song which is important with our limited set-up. I’m using a customized By Sims Guitars, LTD ESP with a load of cool modifications, lights, woolly mammoth bone, new age ‘sims Quad pick-ups. IT’s a lot of fun to play with. I also use Fender and a great custom company from America Called ‘Marco Bass guitars’. and one more that gets a lot of use, are my Warwick Basses, I can’t argue with how different / the purpose each one has.

Caroline: omg do you have so many, 

What makes a good songwriter?

Caroline: Being able to speak from your heart and lived experience and making it relatable to your listener.

Carl – I think that’s a good answer, or you could judge it by how much money the song makes? Seems to be all about the money these days… 

What is the process of writing your music?

Carl – We really do all angles, which could be individual ideas, ideas while touring, or when we are warming up for rehearsals. One thing, which is actually my favorite bit of the set, is we build in a time slot, each live set, to do a live jam, and just see what comes out, usually from these, we get some ideas. We feel we are right in the moment on stage, so why waste it 

How did your band form?

Carl – I started taking riffs, /vocal hooks ideas to some different drummers, the main catalyst for this being that a band I was in at the time had a show, but only the drummer and myself turned up. so rather than pull out, we decided to do a set just the two of us. Then whilst attending a music college shortly after, Caroline walked in, and I asked her as soon as I saw her what she thought of what I was doing, and then it just seemed like a match made in heaven (or hell?).

How did you get your bands name?

Carl – as cliche as it sounds, it fell into place whilst one day thinking ‘what should we call this, when it originally was just 2 people (before Caroline), and listening to bands like Brand New, which can have interpreting, intricate lyrics, and the name just seemed to come to mind, I remember turning to my partner at the time and going ‘how does this sound?’, she went wow! at least that’s how I remember it?

What was your first performance together like?

Caroline: It was raw, unfiltered, and liberating. 

Carl – we got the bug, and when we ended up having a hiatus, that was the main thing I missed most. So, during the last year, it’s always been a blessing when we got to meet and play together.

Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?

Caroline:  Not in my knowledge – are we?  Carl: we need a manager, don’t we?

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

Carl: we actually have a really old EP, where there is an older version of our first (and biggest single) Bleeding Me Dry. We are really proud of that song. So much so we re-recorded it for our EP Kiss &Tell

How has your music change since Bleeding in dry to Tragic Love?

Carl: We loved releasing Tragic love last year, we incorporated a lot more synth into it. We like to keep things as raw and powerful as possible, and always have experienced with additional sounds. but on this track, it was really fun to experiment with adding even more. The new record we have coming out in the summer will have a mix of songs with just bass and some with added synth. 

Maybe we just can’t make our mind up at the moment and just like experimenting.

What is the backstory to the video Superstition?

I love this series of videos, it’s basically series. The 1st is bleeding me dry, where you see the characters as young (it’s actually my cousins) and then old (this is my grandad) watching the performance. At the end of that video, you can hear ‘UP in the lights’ which was our second single, and the video is us in a studio. Then we go to video 3 ‘Black Dulwich’ Where you see the band has gone, and it’s just grandad by himself, who walks to the stage to start the next song. This then leads to the 4th video, Superstition, where he then turns the record over, to start the song. We had a great time recording Superstition, we try to put our stamp on any covers that we do. We are all very family orientated, so it’s great we got to incorporate them into this.

How do you stay healthy while performing?

Carl: Water water water water! and a towel haha 

Caroline: I try to exercise daily and try to foster a positive mental attitude supported by affirmations.

carl: with how energetic the set is, we need to make sure we keep our stamina up

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

It’s such a complicated issue isn’t it. but ultimately, we’re glad more people can have access to our music

Digital vs. vinyl?

Bitcoin vs gold? A vinyl still looks and feels cooler, it’s just hard to get a playlist and transport a vinyl player!

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

Carl: Sic transit Gloria by Brand New. I’m a big fan, and it’s one of those bands that definitely changes you and gives you a different insight to life. The Brand-New phase comes and goes, sometimes it’s best NOT to put it on.

Caroline: I hope you get to meet your hero – Skunk Anansie. It hits home pretty hard every time. sometimes a good thing, sometimes not.

Both (Pfizer and BioNTech) and Moderna have concluded Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the both vaccines, it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?

I actually have mine booked in for tomorrow, and my second one in 12 weeks. People in the UK are getting it more and more and it seems – and like a few mandatory jabs a lot of have already, I think a lot of people will want the full vaccination so they can do more activities. 

Caroline: I’ll be having my soon as well, due to my job as a social worker.

How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.). It’s now looking more and more likely by the day that we have found a way to live with it. 

Carl: This is important so no one has to live their lives in fear. I think it has taught the world how we can generally be cleaner. Who would have thought we would be living through a pandemic? Whenever I’ve toured in Asia, it’s always been mask / clean hand protocol. The extra measures don’t seem to be too hard to follow. As you said, we are going to have to live with it, the same as flu season. It’s a gamechanger. The world will never be exactly the same. 

If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

 Caroline: we are certainly looking forward to getting back, so hopefully, it’s still there…

Carl: It’s definitely going to change, but I think with a never-ending goal to bring it back to its former glory. It’s going to be up to the public demand, ultimately, which will decide the fate of the live music industry. We will play to anyone that will listen.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

I was in a great place when it started, but I did lose my mind a little bit, but thanks to having this project to work on, and seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, I seem to be back. I was already a little crazy, so can’t be too straight. Started to re-learn German, play more piano, more bass (obviously), but there was a time where there was not motivated to pick it up and do anything. Not the first time I lost my mind, won’t be the last but was definitely more obvious in the last year. BUT the songs that have come out of it, are killer. Will take any win we can.

Caroline: always be the crazy one…. which is hard when you’re trying not to go crazy.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

Carl – I must admit, playing a bit more piano, TV (the queens’ gambit and tiger king and rick and Morty got me hooked) was great, but also ended up doing a few Warhammer 40k bits and listening to some of the stories on audio-books. This stuff wasn’t around on audiobook when I was a kid. I think I just love a good story.

Caroline: I have just developed a new found love for ashtanga yoga and have discovered that I love challenging myself.

Caroline- Are you still working out with 5k and 10k runs?

Hell no, I fell off the wagon…. but I do hope to get back to running at some point.

What did you mean by the statement “What else did you expect from a black chick and a white guy?

Carl – Haha we’ve had that up there for years, we’ve always been serious, but not so serious. Racism is something that confuses both of us (and like our music, we like to ask the questions), so what did you expect? Was it this(us)? The world really is a simple, lovely place when you take away all the BS

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?

Carl YouTube / Netflix – i definitely watched A LOT more tv and it on in the background more during this pandemic. Usually, I would just watch the NFL when it’s on and only have TV on in the background…that seemed to change during the lockdowns.

Caroline:  Netflix, plus a new love for K-pop! and K-pop drama…man it’s wild

Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on live-streamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.

How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?

Carl – There’s always going to be a way to do it if the people demand it. IT does seem like the last 10 years have just been a barrage of restrictions on the internet. There are so many platforms’ people are ‘exclusively on’ and they are all showing their purpose and age demographic. like mini cults! But the one positive of the Facebook pages, is now people have to do the whole songs themselves, no backing tracks…

How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?

Caroline Answers on a postcard, the great thing about this, is that you’re making it up half the time anyway, so it’s just a different hurdle you got to give. We had recently engaged in an online clues-based game to get our fans to find a new track by solving clues! which was really fun

Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.

There is more of it than ever, and you could spend a fortune on no results, we don’t have a lot of cash, so we try to send it wisely. The downside about not being able to tour is obviously the lack of merch sales. But it meant we set up a couple of online shops where you can get contemporary and bespoke items of ours. If you like a band, buy a t-shirt or a mug 

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

Carl – when I first saw that they did a Tupac of Michael Jackson and Tupac, I was blown away, and that was years ago! So, God knows how good the quality is now. Is this the part where we also get smell-o-vision???

Caroline: depends on who I have running around my living room!

Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, which provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” .”
What is Waterloo music bar Blackpool doing to save the UK important independent venues?

Carl – This is a venue we have a lot of respect for, which we haven’t been able to get to yet because of the lockdown. The team that runs it there, has so much passion, in particular, Ian from Waterloo. These are sort of venues that are important for the UK music scene, and unfortunately, we have seen several shut down (some of which we played on our last tour, 500 capacity venues) and Ian at the waterloo, along with some other venues just went ‘enough is enough. They have set up ‘save the 40’ which I believe now is more than 40 venues. There are great things like purchasing tickets in advance, buying a beer in advance (which we are all looking forward to) plus other innovative ways to help support local venues. It’s going to be up to the public to bring this music scene back to life when we are allowed to do so. 

In the past, if a musician stops doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice-over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?

Carl – Acting, or something creative at least, Ironically all the things that have been put on hold during a pandemic. It’s hard to know what other options are out there when nothing is open. It’s such a hard question with my checkered past, I do hope I’m never forced to make that decision. BUT if the opportunity arose, I think a wedding/party planner. After seasoning for so many bands playing weddings/events, I think I could organize the heck out of a good wedding! are you getting married? Give me a call… We’ll even come to play for you!

Caroline: I’m currently a social worker, helping women in London through abuse and neglect, it’s a heartbreaking, yet rewarding job. IT does remind me how much I love doing music though. 

What is your happy place?

Carl – Right now, it’s somewhere comfy with a beer and some good music or a good TV show… a year ago I would NOT have mentioned tv, but here we are. Ask me again in a few months when we can play, my happy place ultimately is being on stage, at the moment, with the sweat on my face and the adrenaline pumping. As we do this interview, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so I am hoping we can get some normality back for that soon. 

Caroline: anywhere that isn’t lockdown haha, well at the moment I think that’s what the whole world has been figuring out, where are our happy places? 

Spotify just deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. Was your saved?

Carl – Ha, yes, we were – we also have our tunes on other sites as well, but it is interesting that it scared a lot of people, like when Facebook went down before realized there were other options. That’s a downside of not owning the original recording, right? 

Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?

Carl – We actually made a tiktok years ago, but never really engaged – might have to log on to see what all the fuss about!  
Caroline: I scroll through, it’s amazing how creative people get!

Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners With Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival For July 23-25 Event In Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set For September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration In Louisville, KY
Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days And Shifts From Spring To November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set For October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?

Carl – How and where do we apply? They look great! We are going to be all vaccinated soon and will be following any guidelines that the authorities put in place. for England, that looks like it could be the summer!
Caroline: Carl has toured America before, but I am yet to experience it, he says the Americans are a wild bunch to play for!

Anything you would like to say in closing.

If you like us, tell a friend, you never know who might think you’re cool for it.

Carl – Plus be nice to each other, it’s about to get weird.

Caroline: find that happy place and don’t take it for granted.

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Video review by Kahlil Crawford

Okayama/Japan based producer Yunosuke Senoo aka Lycoriscoris has been producing electronic music since 2009 and has released two albums and digital EPs on a Japanese indie label. His subtle fusion of organic melodies and futuristic electronic production has won him numerous support from the likes of DJ Koze and Michael Mayer, who released his ’Transient EP’ on Kompakt sub-label KX in 2016. He made his debut on Anjunadeep in 2018, contributing a track to the iTunes #1 Dance Album ‘Anjunadeep 08’, before following up with the 6-track ‘Drop EP’ in 2017 which has since notched up 1 million streams. They were first introduced on KEXP, NTS Radio, BBC radio, and through DUMMY Mag. Lycoricoris album ‘Flight’ is set for digital release and on vinyl on Friday 25th May 2018 via Anjunadeep. He performs live by using a laptop, playing the piano, and other hardware. He has successfully left an intense impact on the likes of “DOMMUNE” and many other label showcases. And he performed with The Field, MARK FELL, Andreas Tilliander, Moritz von Oswald in Japan. His work is not only as “Lycoriscoris” but as composer who makes songs for TV and web commercials. He is always challenging to discover the possibility of new music, and to keep making an organic sound by using Analogue and Digital equipment.

Fluid soundscapes segmented 

by marigold plates flashing murkily ~

weaving in & out of industrial vessels.

Patterns alternating to floating wastelands;

Aquatic sculptures,

rippling, parsing foam

Waves glisten in isolation ~

recalling their source.

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Interview conducted on October 30, 2020

By Dan Locke

LP Giobbi is the forward-thinking, boundary-breaking artist disrupting dance music today. Widely known for her bass-rattling house beats and electrifying live performances, the Oregon-born, Los Angeles-based legend in the making is a “creative multi-hyphenate” (Billboard): an inspirational producer, DJ, label owner, curator, music director, feminist, entrepreneur and self-proclaimed Piano House Queen. Since first breaking into the scene in 2018, she’s become one of the fastest-rising artists in dance music, with both Billboard Dance and Your EDM anointing her as an emerging artist to watch.

How did you discover music?

I was raised by deadheads so music has always been a part of my life. I have vivid memories of gathering around my dad’s record player on Sundays while we listened to the Grateful Dead or any record from their massive record collection (my mom used to manage a record store in her 20’s so their collection is huge and priceless.) My mom took me to many concerts in the womb so it was really part of my life since inception 😉

What was your first performance like?

I started piano lessons in 2nd grade so my first performance was a piano recital where I hacked out twinkle twinkle little star or something. 

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

Under the Covers. I wrote it in college (lyrics and piano) and it felt like it came out of somewhere other than me. it was wild. I ended up recording that song with the first band I was in but it never got released.

You study at U Berkeley; how did you get the idea of mixing dance music with your classical jazz piano?

I really went super far away from Jazz when I first discovered dance music. But while touring with Sofi Tukker, Tucker suggested I add a piano into my set to jam over some of the dance tunes. So that is when I started slowly combining the two. Now most of my tacks have piano and I use a lot of my jazz music theory to come up with the chords that make up my piano loops. 

How often do you play piano while on stage?

Pretty much every time. If I have a gig in a club then I may not bring the piano, but if touring with a live act who plays on a stage then I definitely bring it!

How did you get together with SOFI TUKKER to create FEMME HOUSE? And why did you decide to do it as an educational project?

Soph and Tuck have always supported and encouraged me to empower women however I can through music. I co-founded Femme House though with a longtime friend Lauren Spalding (I started a publishing company, record label and touring party called Animal Talk with Sofi Tukker.) It wasn’t until I heard Grimes produced her own records that I even thought I could have the role of the producer. It’s hard to become what you don’t see so I knew I wanted to create a supportive environment for other women to learn and empower themselves 

How was it to have your single “Meet Again Ft. Little Boots” named Today’s Dance Anthem on BBC1 Radio by Mistajam?

Mind blowing. 

Tell me about your newest single “Take Me Higher”

Hermixalot gave me that vocals years ago and I have been trying to make a track good enough for it ever since. It finally came together this year after making one high energy, more proper piano house version (Scuff Your Soul) and then a more melodic, journey of a version in Take Me Higher

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

Touch of Grey by the Grateful Dead. I never got to see them live yet that song makes me feel nostalgic for something I never experienced.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine? Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

I have found myself musically. Before the pandemic i thought I had to make big energy tracks. But when the pandemic hit it felt weird to make bangers. So i leaned into my jazz piano side and worked on finding beautiful chord structures and more meaningful song structures that have more of a journey to it. The music I’m making now finally feels like me. 

One of the things you’ve been doing during this time is creating a thing called LP Giobbi’s House Hymns live DJ sets every Saturday, where you play positive, joyous, uplifting house music. How did you go about starting this?

When the pandemic hit, I was feeling pretty lost and confused and scared (I lost 52 shows in a few months.) So, my partner reminded me that every Sunday I used to listen to music with my family growing up instead of going to church. He said “those are always your favorite memories to share with me.” so I thought I would continue the tradition to help heal myself and was hoping others would feel the same way. 

How is your parents shuffle dancing coming along?

THEY ARE CRUSHING OUT. My mom’s new nickname is Twinkle Toes. 

If you couldn’t do music, what would you like to be doing?

I’d be a midwife or a doula. 

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Interview conducted on November 19, 2020

By Dan Locke

Anna Storm is a Pop-R&B artist, whose music radiates confidence and oozes swag. Built upon the desire to encourage others to step out their comfort zones and be fearless, Storm has crafted a sound not to be reckoned with.

What was your upbringing like?

I grew up in a small preppy town in Connecticut. My family was pretty conservative and old school, but I was always a lot more creative and eccentric than my upbringing or environment. I was raised to value education and hard work, and excelled in academia. My parents taught me the value of work ethic— I needed to get straight A’s— I became a perfectionist. I always put pressure on myself to be “the best.” My biggest competition has always been myself. I was a pretty shy/introverted kid and was bullied a lot for being “different,” but loved the spotlight. I guess I was kind of nerdy— and still am. LOL.

How did you discover music?

When I was around 4 years old, my “cool” babysitters burned me a cassette tape (tbt) of some current pop acts such as TLC’s “Waterfalls” and Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It.” Even though I was a toddler, I was obsessed with that tape and learned all the songs on it. I would belt TLC’s “Waterfalls” 24/7like a little diva. I’m pretty sure no kid my age even knew who TLC was. Since then I’ve been addicted to pop music.  

How did you start to write music?

When I was 11 years old, I was hooked on Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, & Mandy Moore. I was so drawn to everything about bubblegum pop— from the melodies to the beats to the lyrics and the fashion. I decided that I was going to try and write a bubblegum pop song, and so I sat myself down in my aunt’s house and wrote my first song, “Morning Dove.” Its kind of sounded like TLC’s “Unpretty,” and the lyrics were pretty cheesy AF— “I saw a morning dove/who will bring us love/from the skies above/from the skies above/the lights will shine/and I will make you mine/and the morning dove/and the morning dove will sing.” I ended up working with my middle school music teacher on an arrangement for that song and performing it in the school talent show. 

Describe your music?

My music is upbeat pop music, although it is also very genre-bending. Although I’ve been heavily influenced by the top pop divas, I also have a huge spot in my heart for hip-hop music. I rap in a few of my songs, and I think there is definitely a hip-hop vibe to my persona. I’ve collaborated with rappers in my music— some of whom I looked up to growing up— which is so awesome to me! My music is very self-empowering, fierce, powerful, catchy, in your face, unapologetic, and #slay AF. After all, I am Anna Storm and I #slaylife. I want fans to listen to my music and feel like they are fabulous and can achieve anything they want to in life! 

What is instant fame? Referring to instagram?

Instafame is the name of the game LOL! Nowadays if you have 10K+ followers on IG, you are perceived as being “famous.” Everyone spends all day long getting lost on social media, so if you have a lot of followers on any given platform, an outsider will view you as “the shit.” This is opposed to back in the day before social media, the pop stars in the late 90s/2000s had no IG, so they were not instafamous, they were traditionally famous and you were bombarded by them on tv (MTV/VH1, etc) all day long. The channels of viewing have changed, so you have to adapt to the times. Now you gotta do it for the gram! #Slaylife!

What makes a good songwriter?

A good songwriter is able to channel their feelings and life experiences and synthesize it/distill it into a finished product which resonates with a lot of people. Good songwriters are in tune with their environment and human kind, and they are champions of presenting the human experience. They have the ability to make you feel a certain way— to evoke emotion— whether it’s making you feel happy, sexy, bossy, like a queen, sad…so on, so forth. They capture emotion in a three minute or so composition— which is truly a powerful thing.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

Well my first original song, as previously mentioned, was “Morning Dove,” when I was 11. My first recorded original song was “Give It Up,” on Damon Dash’s mixtape “The Roc Files Vol. 2.” It was a pop/r&b/hip-hop banger, and was very catchy. It was definitely a song for the clubs and very seductive— I sang on it: “I know you want me/you want to taste this/body shots on me/and I’m the chaser.” At that time, I was a member of a hip-hop collective in Connecticut called “The Blaqout Crew,” and my producer wanted me to sing, as well as rap. I rapped in the second verse of that song, I kind of sounded like Ke$ha, but after that song, I thought to myself— why don’t I try to rap more? 

How was it to work with Daman Dash?

Being from the East Coast, I always loved Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella records, so when I was asked to be on Damon Dash’s mixtape, “The Roc Files Vol. 2,” I was ecstatic! I think I was the only pop singer on that mixtape LOL— Jim Jones & Cam’ron were included on that project and here I am this little teenybopper from Connecticut getting on a mixtape with rappers I love. It was pretty surreal, and I thought I was pretty freaking cool at the time. LOL!  

Tell me about “Versace Shade”?

“Versace Shade” is my newest single, and is a new-wave dance electro-pop record. It’s my third official single, and has a driving bass and catchy lyrics. I based a lot of the lyrics off people’s opinions of my social media persona/fame, which is very tongue and cheek. People are very entertained by me, but as with all art, not everyone gets “it,” and that’s ok because you will have that with anything you do in life. Despite outside opinions, I rejoice in the song because I know my self-worth, and discover that “I’m the phenomenon.” It’s a great record to play when you’re driving, at the clubs, getting ready, or really anywhere— it’s upbeat and very danceable. And really, who doesn’t love to twerk in their living room? I LIVE for it! #Slaylife

The song was composed by Ikuma Matsudam, and written by you and Josh Stevens. Can you tell me the role each of you had creating the song?

Ikuma is an amazing musician and composer and did an incredible job making a catchy, energetic, yet eerie/dark song. Josh and I work great as a team and he’s helped me write my first two singles, “Confident,” and “Red Bottoms & Sandy Beaches.” He really gets my brand and my lingo; he could probably be hired as my official “douchey” hashtag writer on IG— that’s how in touch he is. So, in writing the song, we both bounced ideas off each other and it resulted in this “ultimate party anthem.”

Why is “Versace Shade” the ultimate party anthem?

“Versace Shade” is the ultimate party anthem because the best is infectious and draws you in— as soon as you listen to it you are hooked and reeled into the marvelous world of ANNA STORM. LOL! Welcome to StormVille: A world where you are self-empowered to be whoever you want to be— you can wear what you want, say what you want, have what you want, eat what you want, 0 “fu**$” given, no apologies— it is a fabulous world! You are free to celebrate YOU and love yourself, and that is the ultimate reason to party! If you aren’t making tons of tequila shots, making luscious duck faces, and twerking your butt off to “Versace Shade,” then I’m feeding you tequila shots until you do! LOL! 

What did you decide to create the YouTube series Confident?

I wanted to give people an insight into the character of Anna Storm! I spent a lot of time in New Jersey in the guido scene and wanted to provide fans with a look into that lifestyle. I basically lived the Jersey Shore at one point in real life, so I wanted to delve into that in my “Confident” series. The in your face, confident, and ballsy attitude of the people in New York and New Jersey helped inspire me to be more fierce myself. That was a way for people to see a layer of me, and how I developed my confidence. It also was a way to make people laugh, since the NJ culture is such a different world than most places in the US.

How was it to be a part of Metropolitan Detective as Linda Hotson?

I went to acting school growing up and was in plays, but really have been focusing on my music. However, I have had several acting roles that come my way. The first was a movie about Anna Nicole Smith called “Anna Nicole,” where I played Anna’s doctor and actually received a Royal Wolf Film Award for “best-supporting actress” for my portrayal. After that I got the role of Linda Hotson in the Metropolitan Detective series— it was very fun and I kind of played the vixen/starlet role, so it came naturally to me. LOL. 

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

I’ve been eating copious amounts of carbs, pizza especially— I need to keep my title of Pizza Queen/#Carbslut and I am not letting a virus stop me! LOL. I’ve been working on music, making douchey IG videos for my story, hanging out with my boyfriend, and still slaying. I never want to lose momentum regardless of what happens in life— I’ve been “slaying safe,” but still pushing through— I’m a fighter and a boss betch, I don’t let anything stop me.

If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?

If I couldn’t do music, I’d probably just be a professional carbslut/pizza connoisseur and just enter pizza eating competitions for a living. I actually won one several years ago in AZ— it was a 32-inch pie with four toppings on it and you needed to finish it in an hour or less. That definitely would be my life calling if not for music. I’d out eat anyone, after all, I am a perfectionist. LOL! 

Anything you would like to say in closing?

 Grab your umbrellas, cause it’s #StormSZN b**tch3$! #Slaylife! 

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