On June 7, 2025, Lords of Acid delivered an electrifying performance at Chicago’s Bottom Lounge, marking a significant chapter in their legacy. The show was part of their “Praise The Lords” tour, which introduced Carla Harvey, formerly of Butcher Babies, as the new lead vocalist. This addition brought a fresh dynamic to the band’s already high-energy electro-industrial sound.

The evening commenced with an intense set by Little Miss Nasty, known for their dark, seductive performance art. Their act combined elements of rock, metal, EDM, and dark hip-hop, featuring aerialists, contortionists, and elaborate visuals that set a provocative tone for the night.

Lords of Acid took the stage with a setlist that included their iconic tracks, such as “Pussy” and “I Sit on Acid.” The band’s performance was characterized by pulsating beats, vibrant visuals, and an engaging stage presence. Carla Harvey’s commanding vocals and dynamic stage presence were well-received by the audience, signaling a successful integration into the band’s lineup.

The Bottom Lounge, located at 1375 W. Lake St, provided an intimate setting for the event. The venue’s single-floor layout, with a bar at the back and side, created a close-knit atmosphere that enhanced the concert experience. While there is no seating available, the standing-room setup encouraged audience participation and energy.

Overall, the show was a testament to Lords of Acid’s enduring appeal and adaptability, successfully blending their classic sound with new elements to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers. Praise the Lords!

Lords of Acid – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Little Miss Nasty – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Chicago’s Bottom Lounge – OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Posted: May 08, 2025

MILWAUKEE, WI (May 8, 2025) – Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance has added additional artists to the lineup, since the festival’s initial release in mid-February. Summerfest 2025 takes place over three weekends, June 19-21, June 26-28, and July 3-5.

New additions to the 2025 Summerfest lineup include:

Third Eye Blind, The Mavericks, Malcolm Todd, LANCO, Mike Posner, Hoodie Allen, 311, Badflower, Dorothy, John Oates, John Waite, GROOVY, The Strike, People R Ugly, Sophie Hunter, Cil, Diany Dior, Rachel Bochner,  Landon Smith, Georgie Najar, The Crombies, Cordell Winter, Walt Disco, Local H, Haley Johnson, The Romantics ft. Mike Skill, Tierra Kennedy, Chicken P, Certified Trapper, Immortal Girlfriend, Steve Da Stoner, 414 Big Frank, Caley Conway, and many other national, regional, and local artists. 

Third Eye Blind and The Gufs have been announced for July 5 at BMO Pavilion, the festival’s final day. Reserved tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Summerfest.com and Ticketmaster.com(opens in new tab at www.ticketmaster.com) or in person at the Summerfest Box Office. All reserved seat tickets include same-day Summerfest admission.  At the BMO Pavilion, fans can choose between reserved seating (available for purchase) or free general admission on a first-come, first-served basis for all evening headlining shows during Summerfest.

Fans can also experience an elevated concert experience at the Level Up Deck located at the Miller Lite Oasis, overlooking the stage for artists such as The Mavericks, Gary Clark Jr., Mayday Parade, Billy Corgan and the Machines of God, Dispatch, and others. Tickets for Level Up are available now and include admission to Summerfest the day of the show, two complimentary beverages, and access to a private bar, restrooms, and more.

Summerfest pit wristbands are on sale now, online only at Summerfest.com and allow standing-room access to the Generac Power Stage and Miller Lite Oasis. Fans who purchase wristbands will be able to enter the designated pit area starting at 6:00 p.m. Each wristband includes admission to Summerfest and access to the stage pit area for the selected date, for an up-close concert experience with artists including Jack’s Mannequin, Bossman DLow, The Head and the Heart, Gary Clark Jr., Mayday Parade, Whiskey Myers, and many more.

To purchase tickets and view the full lineup, visit Summerfest.com(opens in new tab at summerfest.com). 

(All performances, dates, and times are subject to change)

About Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance
Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance is one of the most iconic celebrations of music in America, hosting the industry’s biggest acts for an unforgettable live music experience.  Since its inception in 1968, Summerfest continues to distinguish itself as a premier independent national music festival and has developed an unrivaled reputation, consistently featuring hundreds of performances across 12 stages, throughout the permanent 75-acre festival grounds along Lake Michigan. Summerfest will take place over three weekends – June 19-21, June 26-28, July 3-5, 2025.   For the latest information, visit Summerfest.com, or Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok: @Summerfest. 

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., producer of Summerfest, continues to fulfill its nonprofit mission of bringing the community together and providing a showcase for performing arts, activities, and recreation to the public, through music and special events.

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Attending Kat Von D’s live performance at new music venue, The Offset, in Chicago was an unexpected delight that I didn’t know I needed. As someone who had only seen her through the lens of her makeup artistry and television persona, I walked in with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Would she be just another celebrity trying to dabble in music, or could she genuinely captivate an audience?

From the moment she stepped on stage, any doubts melted away. The energy in the venue was electric, and Kat commanded it effortlessly. Her presence was magnetic, and it was clear she wasn’t just performing; she was sharing a piece of her soul with the audience. The first few chords of her opening song sent a wave of excitement through the crowd, and I found myself swept up in the moment.

Her voice—rich and emotive—was a pleasant surprise. It carried an authenticity that felt refreshingly raw, far removed from the polished studio versions I had heard before. Each note resonated with depth, and her lyrical storytelling drew me in, painting vivid images that lingered long after the last song faded. The setlist was a perfect blend of haunting melodies and powerful anthems, showcasing her versatility as an artist. See/hear for yourself with the video/photo gallery below!

What struck me most was her genuine connection with the audience. Between songs, she shared anecdotes and insights that revealed her passion for music and the stories behind her craft. It felt personal, as if she was inviting us into her world. The crowd, in turn, was supportive and enthusiastic, creating a palpable sense of community that made the experience even more special.

As the night unfolded, I found myself completely immersed. The visuals were stunning, enhancing each performance with captivating artistry that echoed her background in tattooing and design. It was more than just a concert; it was a full sensory experience.

Walking out of the venue, I couldn’t help but smile, feeling uplifted and inspired. Sometimes, the best surprises come from the most unexpected places, and this performance was a beautiful reminder of that truth.

Click HERE for Kat Von D’s OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Together, these three acts delivered an electrifying performance that spanned decades of music, leaving fans exhilarated and craving more. It was a celebration of the past, present, and future of industrial rock, reminding us why this genre continues to captivate audiences nationwide. Speaking of which, the tour continues and the link to upcoming dates can be found here: TOUR DATES

For more information on I Ya Toyah, as well as the official websites of Cold and Orgy, please see the links at the bottom of this page.

Official Links:

Orgy

Cold

I Ya Toyah

The colossal lineup features over 65 artists across five stages, including System of a Down, Slipknot, Bring Me The Horizon, A Perfect Circle, Alice In Chains, Danny Elfman, Bad Omens, Sleep Token, Knocked Loose, and many more.

The festival begins at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 27th and will end at Midnight. That’s thirteen full hours of live music amazingness at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds!

BE THERE!

Sick New World Official Website —-> CLICK HERE!

Community College

Kirtland Ohio

Michelle Waters

As summer rolled through the campus of Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio the average festival goer might at first be confused by the music they heard coming from the multi-stage setup at Wonderstruck Festival.

Through a conscious decision, the once more pop and rock-focused fest has begun to morph into a wider variety of performances, including hip-hop and country music. In an effort to reach a wider audience, this is truly set to become the event for people who say they “Love all kinds of music”. After the sheets or rain let up halfway through day 1 of Wonderstruck, music lovers began to peel off their ponchos and trade in those protective layers for sunscreen. Yes, one of the coolest little discoveries I found at Wonderstruck this year was a crew walking around and spraying people with an airbrush gun loaded with sunscreen.

Paris Jackson

No matter your musical interests, you were sure to find something new to enjoy. Local artists were featured-mainly on the smaller Radd Stage, off to the side of festival grounds. Artists like Maybe, Mac Saturn, local favorites Wavrunner and The Vindys, Michael (Jackson)’s daughter, Paris, and true performers like Siena Liggins and Leah Kate all lit up the smallest stage of the three.

Echosmith

Looking for something eclectic? Indie artists, rock artists and hip-hop artists all rotated performances on the middle, White Claw stage. Here’s you could find artists such as Tall Tall Trees, Echosmith, The Struts, and Flo Rida on Saturday of the two-day festival. On day 2, this stage’s performance schedule included The Beaches, Tai Verdes and Nelly.

Walker Hayes

The largest stage, while at first listening seemed to feature mainly country artists, also included crowd favorites Coin, Khalid and Hembree. Folks who stuck around to the end of country star Walker Hayes’ performance on Saturday (night 1) got to see a rare live duo performance of he and Flo Rida performing their famous song, High Heels. How often do you get to attend an event where country and hip hop are so equally represented that this was possible?

Also under question was the possibility of The Struts joining forces with Paris Jackson for a duo of Low Key in Love, but that didn’t pan out. It could have been because the set schedule got a bit jumbled. But you can often only do so much with live performances. I didn’t hear anyone complaining, and really only heard how cool it was to check out such a diverse rotation of music in one place.

Check out a galley of bands Michelle photographed during the weekend.

I’ll definitely be checking out this festival again, next year. The “Wonder Series” also includes several other stops with Wonderbus (Columbus), Wonderroad (Indianapolis) and Wonderworks (Pittsburgh), and all events feature a completely different lineup.

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Blossom Music Center

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

June 11, 2023

Michelle Waters

On Sunday, June 11th, musical icons The Cure played an impressive show to a sold out crowd at Blossom Music Center, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Known as a “goth” band, it’s actually hard to fully describe The Cure’s musical genre if you look beyond lead singer Robert Smith’s dark makeup vibe. A mix of pop, rock, post-punk, and new wave, the sound The Cure has created is just as
diverse as their fanbase.

The weather may have offered a rough start with torrential downpours and even lightning (causing the lawn area to be cleared for a bit) in-between acts. But this didn’t stop Robert Smith and his band from playing a full show. Smith playfully shared that Blossom was letting them play a little later since they started a little late. The crowd was thrilled with the band’s commitment to
their fans.

At the beginning and end of the expansive 29 song set, Smith walked around like a child at Christmas, stopping at different places on the stage to just take in the crowd. Everyone would cheer and his eyes would just get wider and his smile, bigger, as if he’d never seen anyone appreciate him and his art.

Before The Cure took the stage, The Twilight Sad opened the night with an energetic set. The Twilight Sad toured with The Cure on the last tour I got to attend, so they have almost become an extension of The Cure, to me. Lead singer James Graham’s performance is always so dramatic and captivating, as if he’s summoning energy from the concertgoers while shaking his fists in
the air. I knew I wanted to get there in time for their set because the music is great and danceable, and the energy they help build is palpable. It’s easy to see why they’ve become a go-to opener for The Cure.

Setlist for The Twilight Sad included opener “Kill it in the Morning”, favorites “ There’s a Girl in the Corner” and “I/m Not Here [missing face]”, as well as their last song, “[10 Good Reasons for Modern Drugs]”. I was able to photograph The Cure during “Pictures of You”, which is now a core memory, for me. Having grown up listening to that song, and all of The Cures discography, hearing Pictures of You while making “Pictures of Them” was surreal and powerful. They also opened with “Alone” (a newer song that originally debuted last year) and ended their first set (before their two full encores) with another new song (and one of my new favorites), Endsong. Endsong feels like a classic, emotionally floating song that takes me back to my early days of being a “Curehead”, and I’m here for it.

After opening with “Alone”, Robert Smith (Vocals and Guitar), Jason Cooper (Drums), Reeves Gabriels (Guitar), Roger O’Donnell (Keyboards) and Simon Gallup (Bass) went on to perform the classics “Pictures of You” and “Lovesong”, before “And Nothing is Forever” (another new song). Slowpaced “If Only Tonight We Could Sleep” played right before the famous flute carried over into The Crow soundtrack’s “Burn”-one of The Cure’s heaviesthitting songs. The first set wasn’t close to ending, though. Following “Burn” was Head on the Door’s “Kyoto Song”, “A Night Like This”, AND Push, followed by Seventeen Seconds’ “At Night”, “Play for Today” and another of my personal favorites, “A Forest”. The final three songs in act one were “Shake Dog Shake” from The Top, “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea” from wish, and the aforementioned “Endsong”.

We all knew there would be an encore. How could a band with such a large discography and massive fan base not have an encore? With the first part of the night sharing a fairly large set of songs that one might not see as The Cure’s biggest hits, we all knew there was more to come. Encore #1 was worth the wait. The first song, another new and touching song, was
dedicated to Robert’s brother, called “I Can Never Say Goodbye”, followed by a song of similar name from the self-titled album, “It Can Never be the Same”. One of my favorite songs from Wild Mood Swings, “Want”, came next, followed by “Plainsong” and “Disintegration” back-to-back. Enough to make this goth kid cry. I could have been happy ending this concert there, but The
Cure still had a second encore to share with us.

Much of the crowd exploded with the second and final encore, which included 9 more songs-many of which it seemed the crowd wad holding out hope to hear: The creepy “Lullaby”, the playful “Six Different Ways”, newwave “The Walk” all built the anticipation to the final six performances of the evening. Friday I’m in Love, Close to Me, Why Can’t I Be You, In Between
Days, Just Like Heaven and a grand finale of Boys Don’t Cry sent the fans into wave after wave of recognition, screaming, dancing and giddy smiles.

The perfect end to a fantastic show, I loved watching seemingly disparate folks bonding, singing their favorite Cure songs together in passing and standing side-by-side, and leaving together under a foggy and rain-soaked landscape. What a perfect night for a Curehead.

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JUNE 23RD, 24TH, 25TH
‍SEATGEEK STADIUM
BRIDGEVIEW, IL

Here we are & music festival season is upon us. When you think of the most popular music festivals to attend to, summer smash is one of those that you’ll hear. One of the best music festivals in the country makes its return to Chicago and has a new location at SeatGeek Stadium. We only know that the lineup for summer smash will be stacked each day and provide an amazing experience either if you’re a summer smash vet or attending for the first time. The artists for this year features Lil Uzi Vert, G Herbo, Ski Mask the Slump God, and many more. Taking place in June, it’s only right to get your group, get your tickets and get ready to have a blast. Artists that will headline the annual festival are Future, Kid Cudi, and Playboi Carti. Something new this year is the new location at SeatGeek stadium and it’s going to be plenty of space for fans to move around, expanded rideshare locations and on-site parking. If you want to see your favorite artists for one day, make sure to purchase your tickets via summer smash’s website. It’ll be a sellout event. With each day being incredible, the whole weekend is something you don’t want to miss.  

Some returning artists include Trippie Redd, Famous Dex, Lil Skies, and others. Some of the female artists that’ll grace the stage include Rico Nasty, Ice Spice, Sexyy Red and many more. With having so many artists on the lineup, the headliners balance well just as much as the undercard. Summer smash has plenty of artists to fill your listening pleasure. Feel free to check out the small stage and witness any up-and-coming artists performing.  Be sure to get your tickets on summer smash’s website and be on the lookout for any news on the social media pages. 

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram |

Interview conducted September 13, 2022

By Dan Locke

Frayle is Gwyn Strang and Sean Bilovecky (formerly of Disengage), together who form an artistic nest of reprieve for when so many unwanted layers have been sloughed off, we are raw and worn. Yet we don’t want a cure. We want to feel the burn and freeze of reality against our skin, against our beings. From this place of embodying our senses, of tearing away the mask that covers our sacred vulnerabilities, we are able to actually begin to understand our experience and nurture it, forming a cocoon from which we can emerge indestructible.   The band is rounded out live by Jason Knotek on bass and Jon Vinson on drums.
 
Skin and Sorrow on Aqualamb Records & Lay Bare Recordings, is that invitation to the liminal cocoon: where we receive knowledge and occasional sparks of creation through our rest into discomfort. 

What is your upbringing?

Gwyn: I was brought up in a small town in a small province in Canada. The town was built on a marsh, so there’s aways lots of fog and melancholy

How did you discover music?

Gwyn: my family is very musical. When I was a kid, my grandparents would empty out their living room, and all my family would bring out their guitars, and violins and play, and everyone would dance. It was amazing!

How did you start to write music?

Gwyn: Sean made me.

So you are from Cleveland.  Why do you think that Cleveland is recognized as the capital and the birth place of Rock and Roll?

Gwyn: There are a lot of very famous musicians from Cleveland.

 What was your first performance at like?

Gwyn: I was very nervous to perform in front of people and Sean promised that our first show would be very early on a Tuesday so that I could get used to it. It ended up being a headlining show on a Friday, so I was extra nervous.

 How did you get your bands name?

Gwyn: We though Frail was a great name. It’s a lullaby word, and it is indicative of my vocal delivery and lyrical content. We broke it apart and put it back together in a different way and it seems somehow stronger than the original spelling…

Describe your music.

Gwyn: Lullabies over chaos

 Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.

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

Gwyn: We belong to ASCAP

What makes a good songwriter?

Sean: We’re still trying to figure that out.  Creating music is extremely personal but I always try to keep the audience in mind.  Not so much “will they like this”, but more “is this the best decision I can make to take them on the intended journey”.  You can’t write in hopes that people will like it.  For me it’s more about speaking clearly through song.

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

Gwyn: I think it was either Let the Darkness in or a song called Lullaby that we haven’t released.

Sean- How did it feel to be name “artist you need to know” by Revolver Magazine?

Sean:  That was definitely an honor.  We have a lot of respect for Revolver and to be mentioned by them was pretty rad.

Why was your debute album called “1692”  One of the things which happen in 1692 was 13th February » Massacre of Glencoe: About 78 Clan Donald called Macdonalds at Glen Coe, Scotland are killed early in the morning for not promptly pledging allegiance to the new king, William III of England or William of Orange.;
The cause for this madness were wild accusations of a witch being in the midst of the community. The reason for this belief of witches was sparked when these two young girls related to the priest Samuel Parris, started to act bizarre in 1692. ( The Salem Witch Trials)

 Gwyn: 1692 is in reference to the Salem Witch Trials. We wanted to create a sanctuary for anyone who’s ever felt persecuted or pushed out in any way.

What is the process of writing your music?

Gwyn: Sean and I work separately. He will create a riff, and we’ll put together a loose arrangement, then I will sing a melody over it. We’ll solidify the arrangement, I’ll write lyrics, and then we’ll mix, and Sean will master.  Since we record, mix, and master everything ourselves, we spend months on each part of the process.  

Tell me about the making of “Treacle & Revenge”?

Gwyn: I think this is probably my favorite song on the album! I wanted to make sure that the melody gave lots of space to the guitars so you could hear what they were doing  

Sean:  I was playing around with my guitar pedals and come up with an “octave up” tone that I really liked and wanted to highlight with the opening riff being all by itself.  It’s a way of saying “here we are” through guitar tone.

 Tell me about the album “Skin and Sorrow” Which comes out Sept. 23rd?

Gwyn: This album is one of mourning. I know a lot of people had many losses during the pandemic, and this album is reflective of that.

Sean:  We are constantly pushing ourselves and trying to blur the boundaries of any genres that people associate with Frayle.  We like to spend lots of time in our studio playing with sounds, arrangements, etc.  For Skin & Sorrow we also used some different amps on certain songs to give them a unique sound.

What is your favorite track on your album?

Gwyn: Mine is Treacle and Revenge. It’s just such an amazing riff! 

 Sean:  I would have to say “Bright Eyes”  The chorus riff was actually written by King Midnight that I found on Instagram.  I reached out and asked him if he was interested in working with us.  So the chorus riff is his and we wrote everything else.  I love the end result.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

Gwyn: It serves its purpose. It makes it easy to get your music out there.

  Sean:  I am definitely split on this one.  I agree with Gwyn that it serves it’s purpose and helps to attract new listeners.  The problem for me is that It gives listeners ownership for fractions of pennies. Subscribers have the ability to start, stop, and listen whenever they want. To me that’s ownership, and the artists are not compensated fairly.  What makes it even worse is that services like Spotify are spending millions to sponsor sports teams.  Ugh.

The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.

 Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?

Sean:  LOL.  I definitely did.  Gwyn:  We deal only in flat notes.  Haha.

Digital vs. vinyl?

#seanbilovecky hashtag on Instagram • Photos and videos

Gwyn: We mostly play digital. It’s just so much easier.  Sean:  We are going to get so much shit for saying that.  haha.

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

Sean:  I have Creedance Clearwater Revival songs pop into my head from time to time.  It makes me wonder what life was like for young people dealing with the Vietnam War and the end of “flower power”.  I’m also really into their guitar tones.

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?

Gwyn: I think it changed live music, at least for a while. Since there was no live music for a couple of years, everyone wanted to get back out to play as soon as possible. I think that saturated the market for awhile. I hope things will settle back to normal soon ish.

Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus to an artist career?

Gwyn: I think some people made it work for them. You had to be creative to get your music out there without touring.

Sean:  I’m not sure if it has been a plus for us, but it did force us to focus on what we can control and not stress about what we cannot.  We couldn’t tour, but we did make videos and spend lots of time in our studio.  I would say we continued to grow as a band during Covid.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

Gwyn: We both continued writing and recording during quarantine. We did some live streams and released a couple of singles.

How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?

Gwyn: We both stayed in. No socializing and made sure to keep covid tests on hand.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

We’re both creative people, so we just built on our existing hobbies. Lots of designing, sewing, painting, writing.

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MEKA NISM

Interview conducted on Nov. 8, 2021

By Dan Locke

Meka Nism lead you with her MUSIC, PERFORMANCES & COACHING on an exciting and expanding Soul Journey to bring insight, inspiration and wholeness to your life through genuine Higher Self connection and the authentic expression of your inner Rockstar self.

What is your upbringing?

 Musical Theater, Dance, Lots of Art, Tarot cards since around 13 years old, Tea parties, and many, many boxes of Costumes and Vintage hats. I have a creative family.

How did you discover music?

Bought a record player at a yard sale and inherited my parent’s albums in Middle School.  Janis Joplin was everything to me. Also loved The Fifth Dimension. Funny that they recorded an amazing version of Age of Aquarius from Hair. It’s like they were in the awareness of Cosmic Awakening. Started strumming my mom’s classical guitar and maybe strummed a bit too hard.

How did you start to write music?

Wrote songs since childhood, but got more serious at the end of High School. Started an open mic called Beatnik Night and was determined to live a creative life. 

You started as a guitar player for the Orlando punk band “Dirty Barby”. How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

Well, my first guitar was my Mom’s classical guitar, which yes, we still have, then I got a Fender Strat and promptly covered it with fake blood and real blood from trying to smash it on stage like The Clash. It was pretty warped and an artist took it from me a couple of years ago to make some strange art project out of it.

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

Well, I am honestly looking for a couple of new guitars, so I’ll have to let you know what I discover.

How was it to play at CBGBs?

Legendary. So very Punk Rock. Those bathrooms, though. Historical.

Describe your music.

This is a challenging question. Raw, passionate and eclectic, maybe. I draw from so many artists, time periods, dreams and cultures. At my core, I am a performance artist looking for spiritual authenticity. That’s why Epic, Alternative Metal has my heart and has been my main sound. With Goth Industrial, Thrash, and even Death metal accents. There is also the love of Japanese Pop/Rock like my “Origami Girls” project, alternative punk caberet, folk rock like my “Mad to Love” album, and experimental theater like the Creature Cabaret & CFL Witches Ball that I perform with. I think music should be a transformative experience, so I thrive in diverse collaborations and LOUD expression from the depths of our collective soul.

What was your first performance like?

I remember playing my first solo acoustic set downtown in a real club and reinterpreting amazing female artists like Tori Amos, Jewel and Janis Joplin, along with a few expressive originals. That’s the set that got me hired by Dirty Barby and some theater jobs as a teenager.

Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.

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

Yes, BMI 🙂

What makes a good songwriter?

Honesty with poetry for lyrics. Wild passion with control for melody. The expansion of consciousness with the ability to edit.

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

I think it was “Circus Clown is Crying” I really don’t think I have a recording of it. might have to do a throw back to Meka Nism & her Rusty Tears and get Zel to bust out his baritone sax again.

What is the process of writing your music?

There’s no method to my madness. Give me something to make noise with and some great friends. Something will happen. I really should release all the music I recorded with Yukari Ikeda, Hide Ultrabide and others in Japan. There was lots of capturing true moments of raw expression.

You played SXSW.  How do you think SXSW will do next year with live music opening up again?

It’s always wonderful, even as we get more creative to keep people healthy. They already have so many outdoor stages. They can make it work.

How was singing the National Anthem at Earthday Birthday 25?

What a true honor and privilege. It was the greatest joy to bring the Rock spirit to our American story with the Highest Respect. Will definitely always mean a lot to me.

You have opened up for bands like Offspring, Limp Bizkit, Body Count, Otep, Hellyeah, Inflames, Jonathan Davis and Death Angel.  Has any of the bands given you any words of wisdom about the music business?

I do remember talking deeply with the singer of Trapt about vocal technique. At first, he was honestly a bit confused by my operatic approach to rock music, but then he told me to keep just being me, that there was beauty in my uniqueness of sound and presence and to keep going. Also, with Avatar, they said it took 10 years to get noticed as a new, emerging band, lol. So, looking at this list of bands and all the successful artists that I know personally, the secret is to never stop creating. If you are an artist, be an artist for life. Whether you make it big or not, you will have lived your greatest life.

Why did you pick Germany to record the EP “The War Inside”?

Producer/Engineer Lasse Lammert is top notch. His ability to get layered guitar tones is unmatched.  He’s on the leading edge of amp profiles:

It was also very special to go to a place covered in Medieval castles to record an album about facing the darkness we all fight internally. “The War Inside” had a textured tapestry of sound due to the adventure of its’ creation.

Tell me about the making of the video “Trailblazer”?

Jim Dougherty is an amazing director to start off with. This was so fun to make with many talented people behind the scenes. This video featured many cameos of brilliant local artists and personalities like Supa Dave of WJRR, Sumner Mormeneo, Daytime Dracula, etc. Most especially Lady Cimorene of Phantasmagoria. She was our spark of fire as her gothic ballerina self with dancing flames and she also helped us all transcend this time period and take on a more Victorian appearance with costumes from Phantasmagoria. The message of the Trailblazer music video was that all the tales of drama and tragedy, as well as all the hopes and dreams of the people living 100+ years ago are all gone now. So “This is the One Day you have to live, Chance you have to Give” since you are Alive and Breathing NOW, you might as well live your life to the fullest and not focus on the drama, but see what good you can create all around you.

Tell me about your new single “The Day Fell”?

Totally got the opportunity to record it at the amazing Apex Arts Studios in North Hollywood, CA. Shana Ballard and her studio family are brilliant and talented. I played this song for her and she had me record it as raw as possible. Fragile, the way it was written.  Shana connected to the story and intuition of the song that I wrote on my friends’ (Sue & Hans) piano in the middle of the year, July 2020 right around my birthday. Everything was different. It seemed that the world (Worldly and personally had fallen apart.) I was temporarily homeless during quarantine, all shows canceled, work lost, disconnected, unsure what was going to happen next. So, I started playing and this is what came out. All of it, including the optimism of the new age of Aquarius, the Fifth Dimension. The world is changing, we are Ascending into a higher frequency of existence. The chaos will lead to Awakening and Peace. May we let go of the old programming, the limited ways of thinking, the hate, the fear, the self deprecation. So we can become the greatest version of ourselves. I’m definitely looking forward to a brilliant future for us all.

How was it to work with Michelle on the violin?

Michelle Jones of Violectric is an amazing talent and beautiful person. We actually had a zoom session in different cities to capture the essence together. I sang her my strange ideas of the tension of the strings and she soared with it on violin and viola. Most excitingly, she added sweeps of falling throughout the song, they give me chills and really bring the feeling of the song to life. I love her and what she brought to this song. I can’t wait to create more with her.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

It’s awesome. People can share music across the world and transcend all previous language and location boundaries. Yes, there are some links to work out for getting creator’s paid probably, but it’s being addressed.

The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.

Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?

Cool question. Keep music in schools and we will not have to forget.

How has your music changed since the single “Bring the Sun Back”?

That was the first song that I wrote after returning to the states from my time living in Japan, so some of the song is in Japanese. I felt so lost between cultures, so out of place wherever I turned. But music was my constant, and creating art with the different people that I get to meet in this life is my greatest joy. So much has changed, “zembu”, like everything. I’m grateful for the journey. Everything lost makes space for new treasures and experiences. I was looking for some Light in my life and I definitely found it. I found it within, and in everyone. I found it in my flaws, in my courage and the blessings all around me. I hope that I can bring more light to the world through music. Let’s see what happens next.

Digital vs. vinyl?

Both. All. Give me music in this moment and forever.

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

Kate Bush has the song called “Rocket’s Tail” that features The Trio Bulgarka in this vocal soundscape and the shred of the rock guitar style of David Gilmour. Kate soars with her insane vibrato and quirky storytelling. This song brings together different genres and cultures to make something not only incredibly beautiful but rare, surprising, and moving. I love the twist in a good book or movie, but to achieve that in a 4 minute song is truly an accomplishment.

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?

Not at all, people love live music. Challenging times right now for sure, but it will work itself out. It’s definitely going to be different. More outdoor stages, more virtual, more creativity. Yes, heavy impact and a painful process being out of work for so many, but like any crisis, I do feel that it is leading to a Neo Renaissance. Fresh perfectives, coming through trauma and tragedy. Oh, the Art will be Amazing!!!

Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus to an artist career?

Well, it’s been a chance to change. To meditate and reinvent. Many of us are still struggling to work, play shows, tour, survive, etc. Luckily, organizations like Musicares are helping where they can, but looking forward to artists being able to create a livelihood for themselves and their families again. 

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

Writing music, experimenting with a podcast called Ascended Heart Navigators, studying energy work like Theta Healing with Michelle Orwick and starting a Philosophy Phd program in Mystical Research online. 

How has your training in Shaman/Spiritual, life coaching helped you during the lockdown?

Meditation and gratitude are life savers for sure. It’s  a privilege to help support others with their spiritual healing and do tarot card readings as TeaandTarotEmporium.com

Honestly, I healed a severe back injury that has had me suffering for 3 1/2 plus years through meditation and energy work with Michelle Orwick during this hiatus. Mind over matter is real. We have so much more power than we usually let ourselves understand. I recommend mediation to everyone.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

I did paint, do yoga, bake a lot of gluten free cookies and get back to studying Japanese a bit.

How was it to tour Japan?

Magnificent. Everything I experienced was intensely beautiful. So much discipline and attention to detail in every aspect of life. I play over 150+ shows as J-pop/American Rock duo Origami Girls with Yukari Ikeda, solo acoustic death metal as Ms. Meka Nism, and experimental opera with Japanese Butoh dancing and Japanese/German/American avant garde theater collaborations. This means that I saw hundreds, if not thousands of other performers. Some of whom were dedicating and sacrificing all other parts of life to live their art. There is so much ritual and intention woven into daily activities. Once your see this depth of the art of life, you will always see things differently. Looking forward to going back whenever possible and building a bridge between music communities.

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

Yes, for sure. Most bands I know are working hard to afford to keep the band alive. So build your value in new ways, do what you can to develop your brand in the ways that are freely available.

The show Star Trek introduced people to the holodeck: an immersive, realistic 3D holographic projection of a complete environment that you could interact with.

Today holograms are already being used in a variety of ways, such as medical systems, education, art, security and defense

Performers like Tupac, Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Buddy Holly, Ronnie James Dio, Marylin Monroe, and Whitney Houston have done it already. The band ABBA just announced that they will be doing a comeback together after nearly 40 years as holograms on their next tour.  With ABBA it was with the help of George Lucas.

If the cost was down to the point you could do it also, would you be willing to do Holographic concerts in our living room?

That sounds awesome!

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?

Any Art, Performance and Mystical Research.

What is your happy place?

Here. In my heart. I’m happy wherever I am, especially watching Cross_Prime stream on Twitch.  Cross_Prime is the name of his channel. He is amazing.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to sell their entire song catalog for $140 Million.  In the past year, a lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks ($100 Million) , Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, K.T. Tunstall, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year.  Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Neil Young sold 50 percent of his worldwide copyright and income interest in his 1,180 song catalog to Hipnosis Songs Fund limited. Once you get to the age of about 70.  Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artists based on sales, airplay and streams.  A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985.  And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.

The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax-friendly concerning estate planning.

Someone who was totally against selling his rights was David Crosby.  He did not want to sell his publishing rights.  And it was not an easy thing for him to do.  But by making a deal with Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group, it took a big weight off of his shoulders.  He could pay off his house and cover other bills.  And now he doesn’t have to work for a living.  It should be noted that David is battling tendinitis in his hands which hurts his ability to play guitar.

Do you think you would be willing to sell your back catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?

Wow, that’s Thought-provoking. Definitely a case by case decision to make for each artist.

There are many platforms out there that allow artists to get their music heard. Artist Republik, DistroKid, Tunecore & plenty others offer distribution services. These services enable independent artists to put their music on some of the most popular streaming services globally, from Spotify to Apple Music & everything in between. If you’ve been in any part of the music industry in recent years, you probably know someone that has distributed a song.

(I use the new distribution company Vydia now)

Spotify reports that in 2021 there are about 8 million artists on the platform. Of those 8 million artists, about 57,000 are raking in a whopping 90% of the total revenue from streams. That means that .71% of the artists on Spotify are making good money. In 2020, there was a total of around $5 billion paid out to artists on the Spotify platform alone.

Therefore it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.

What do you think that could mean to the independent artists?

Well, that’s one of the ways that I witness the Recording Academy serving the community; to advocate with Music Creator’s Rights and stay informed about the issues effecting us most. They are helping stay aware of these changes in our industry. It is an honor to be involved in their District Advocacy campaigns as one way to support. 

Over half a billion active users around the world share their favorite music on TikTok either with something like dance challenges and lip-sync videos or creating a funny skit or candid camera moment.

TikTok has become a great platform for music promotion, sharing songs, and finding new listeners.  In which it has become a place for music artists to earn revenue when people use their music.  Which in many cases the daily promotion on TikTok has led to huge boosts on other platforms like Spotify, Facebook and YouTube.

TikTok does this with the algorithmically generates a feed of content for each user, which you see as the displaying of #. The more a user engages with content, the smarter TikTok gets at guessing what kind of videos the viewer wants to watch.

Because a song can go viral because of this.

Sony Music and Warner Music Group-, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed 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? Probably. It seems like It has become a strong platform to connect with people. Other friends have definitely used Meka Nism songs in their posts, So it seems like the logical next step.

Breaking news: TikTok is launching TikTok Radio, a full-time SiriusXM music channel going live this summer. The station will be available in vehicles and as a streaming channel on the SiriusXM App, desktop, and all connected devices.

Some of the on TikTok include Cassyette, YukoEXE, Ashinikko, Palaye Royale, Josh Dun (Twenty One Pilots), Yungblud, Morrissey, Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, Gene Simmons,  and Mick Jagger.

The station will be part of a new TikTok collaboration with SiriusXM and its subsidiary, Pandora, to jointly promote emerging talent.  Do you think this platform could become a force in the future of streaming music?

Sounds likely. May they pay royalties to artist fairly.

How did you become a GrammyU Mentor?

By being a member of the Recording Academy and currently serving on the board as a Governor on the board of the Florida Chapter, I was aware of the opportunity to volunteer for this awesome program.

Anything you would like to say in closing.

Gratitude to all the support. I love that I get to make music, and love that I can share it with you. Take the opportunities life gives you to create wonderful things and live your Highest possible timeline.  Mad Love to All, Meka Nism *^*^*^*

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