Exclusive Interview: Dre. Delves on His Creative Tastes, His Inspirations & His New Album "1984"
Welcome to the interview, and thank you for treating our ears to your latest album, "1984". What prompted you to release such an exceptional album?
I love the 80's I feel like it was a magical time in the world, very Iconic movies and music and Pop culture in general came out of that decade, Most of my favorite artist are from the 80's like Michael Jackson, Prince, Rick James, Madonna, Bobby Brown, Phil Collins, ect. So I decided to make music similar to the music that I love.
How long was this project in the making, and what were your intentions or hopes in terms of what people will take away from it?
It took me about an entire year to make this album, I wrote every song, I composed almost every song, I did all the engineering myself, so to get it to sound right to me and my producer, IVNN I had to put in the effort and time. My intentions with this album is to hopefully open up to a new generation and as well as my own what our parents and Grandparents grew up listening to, the sounds and style of their era, I hope the younger crowd grow an appreciation for the music that came before them and I just hope the older crowd experience a sense of nostalgia.
How would you describe your sound to someone who just listened to your music for the first time?
New, yet nostalgic.
What is your creative process like? How do you start writing a musical piece? How do you begin your creative process?
Honestly I really can't explain it, I always give credit to God, he is the one that gives me the gift or sends the inspiration my way, I could hear the oddest sound or be watching TV and a song or lyric will start to pop in my head, sometimes my songwriting or productions will come from a life experience or an emotion I'm feeling at the moment.
Can you see your finished product before you start?​
I'll put it this way, I can see an outline but not the finished product, for instance, I knew I wanted my album to have a strong 80's influence, but I had no clue on what the lyrics were gonna come out as or even some of the beats because I had to do some deep diving of what a person in 1984 would've been listening to at that point, which most likely would've been music from the late 70's onto the early 80's, that's why songs like "An Evening Rendezvous" and "V.H.S." Have a 1979/1980 sound with more acoustic instruments instead of songs like "Boy-Toy" or the Title Track where it's very synthesizer and keyboard-heavy and closer to the music and sounds of 1983/1984.
Wow! Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you've recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?
My favorite song on this album would probably have to be "Boy-Toy". I have yet to perform it live or make a music video but I plan to in the near future.
What do you enjoy most about being a musician? What do you hate most?
I enjoy the whole creative process of it, how something could be going through my head at the oddest times and watching it come to life is just Amazing. I wouldn't say I hate anything but the fact of how difficult it is sometimes to get it noticed and in front of the right crowd.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I would bring it back to the old school way, if you were actually talented and had the star power you got a record deal, nowadays it's like anyone who knows somebody, who knows somebody, who knows somebody else will get a record deal even when they're not all that good or exceptional, you got artist who are signed today that have 12 writers and producers for them, 2 choreographers and 5 fashion experts to make what you see today, while there are kids on YouTube who write, produce and edit their own content solely by themselves, the music industry today has more monsters than Frankenstein's and what I mean when I say that, is when you ask who is Frankenstein? Or ask to describe him, almost everyone will describe a green monster with strictest on him when in reality they're describing Frankenstein's creation "the monster" the real Frankenstein who is actually the Doctor never gets the credit or notoriety that the Monster gets to such an extent that people call the monster "Frankenstein", yet the he's the sole creator and the monster is the made up product.
What's your motto or the advice you live by?
"Be yourself, love yourself and Trust yourself, no other person knows yourself better than you"
For our final question, is there anything else you would like to add? Any message to your fans?
Yes, I'd like to thank first and foremost Almighty God, who gave me this gift, I'd like to thank my Producer IVNN, he produced every song on my album, I'd like to thank my friends and family who supported me and also gave me constructive criticism to make the album become what you hear today and last but certainly not least I'd like to thank my incredible fans who show me so much love and support and I love all of you with the bottom of my heart, please enjoy my album "1984"
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Exclusive Interview: T.Y.E.E Delves on His Creative Tastes, His Inspirations & His New Track "Morty And I"
Exclusive Interview: Lorelei Roux Delves on Her Creative Tastes, Her Inspirations & Her New Track "Unstoppable"
Exclusive Interview: Wize Kaizz Delves on His Creative Tastes, His Inspirations & His Single "Prisoner to My Mind"
It's an honor to speak with you today. How did you get into music and for how long have you been in the industry for?
Thanks for having me! I was about 12 years old when I picked up my first instrument, so I have been doing music for 17 years now. For me, my interest in playing music began having music class in grade school. I got chosen to be one of the main singers for a school program and after the program it just sparked something inside of me. The following year, they started teaching my class how to play the reorder, and that's when I knew I wanted to learn how to play instruments and I wanted to learn how to play as many of them as I could.
I got more series about making music my career at age 16 when I began composing my own music. By this time I had learned how to play the Saxophone, various percussion instruments including a full set, Bass guitar, Guitar, and the Ocarina.
Congratulations on your latest single "Prisoner To My Mind", how do you feel about the newfound success and what was the motivation?
I am without words, truthfully. It didn't seem real at first. The more the days go by, the more real it feels. I'm humbled.
This song is about drug addiction. It's about the thinking process I had from the beginning stages of addiction, to "I've had enough" stage. Verse 1 being in denial, thinking I can handle it. Verse 2 coming to realize I have a problem and admitting I need to do something about it. Then the Bridge talking about what it is I need to do to get out of it..
If I am being honest, I don't know how I could describe it. It's not anything like you hear on mainstream media, that's for sure. My lyrics can certainly send you down a rabbit hole of deep-thinking. I just want to share my experiences I have had with the world, in hopes of somebody actually learning something for their own journey.
Can you talk me through some of the essentials that keep you locked in during a studio session?
Truth be told, that's something that I try not to even think about. I just gotta pretend like I'm not recording. I feel like I psych myself out and try too hard when I consciously think I'm recording. Making a beat on the other hand, that's just come second nature to me by now.
Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?
My biggest influence is the drummer for Rush, Neil Peart (R.I.P.) and also Devin Townsend, guitarist/vocalist of "The Devin Townsend Project" and "Strapping Young Lad".
What would be your dream venue or event to perform at?
This is a tough question for me, because my dream even has always been Mayhem Festival. Seeing as how I don't play heavy metal music anymore, I'm not sure how possible that is.
Where can people find you online and your music?
You can stream my music on all major streaming platforms or by simply going to wizekaizz.link
You can also go to my website at https://www.wizekaizz.com
For our final question, is there anything else you would like to add?
THE TRICK IS TO TRY!!
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Exclusive Interview: August Rayne Delves on Her Creative Tastes, Her Inspirations & Her New Single "Messed Up"
Where do you originally hail from and where are you based now?
I'm originally from Little Rock, Arkansas where I was born and raised. I just recently moved to Orlando, Florida in 2020.
Have you always been interested in music?
Growing up, I've always wanted to do music. All the other kids wanted to be doctors, lawyers and astronauts but I just wanted to sing. I think being raised in the church had a huge influence on that because I would sing in the choir and I was around music constantly. My family is also full of amazing singers so often times we would just sing random songs around my grandmothers house on holidays or we would sing together in the church choir. Simply put, music has always been apart of my life.
Please tell us more about your release "Messed Up" How did this idea first come together and what is the inspiration behind it?
So the producer who produced the song (Fantastick) sent the beat over and I managed to turn it around in a day. I was in my feelings a little bit so it was easy to just let the words flow. Those words came mostly off the top of my head well, the hook specifically, and I wanted to say something catchy and powerful to me. I think too many times I've tried way too hard to gain the attention of guys to only realize I don't have to do all that and they don't really care. You have to learn your place in people's life so you can avoid situations where someone got you all the way messed up!
You have an amazing voice. Are you vocally trained?
As I said before, I grew up in the church so, I've sung in my fair share of church choirs. The most proper vocal training I've had are the choir classes I took when I was in school. I took choir in 6th grade all the way up to 11th grade where I made all-region every year except 1 year. All region is a competition for students in choir all over the state to compete in. That was always a cool experience for me and besides the natural gift to sing, this is the most vocal training I've had.
What has remained as your constant source of inspiration?
I am constantly inspired by some of my favorite artists and my family. Artists like H.E.R, Brandy, and Jazmine Sullivan always inspire me. H.E.R is just musically genius and I've been a fan of hers since I discovered her in high school. Brandy and Jazmine have always inspired me vocally from the way they riff and run to the music they create! My family is constant inspiration because of how resilient they are. We've been through our fair share of troubles like any family but we always come back to each other. We always come back to family.
How do you deal with writer's block?
Writers block is the absolute worst! It's even more worse when I actually want to create some music but I have no words. It's very frustrating but to be honest I don't deal with writers block. I don't force anything because when I do, I become a terrible writer. I think it's important to let words flow and when I encounter writers block, I let it have its moment then when I have something, I'm back as if nothing happened!
What's a little-known fact about you that might surprise people?
I don't know if it will surprise anyone but I'm heavy into the battle rap world. I'm such a fan of it! I came across URL in highschool and have been a fan ever since. Some of My favorite battle rappers are Jaz the Rapper, Tsu Surf, Chess, and Rum Nitty. They are top tier battle rappers in my book!
Is there anything else you'd like to say before we wrap things up? Are there any words for your fans?
I just want to thank everyone who has listened to my latest single "Messed Up" and if you haven't, it's out EVERYWHERE on streaming platforms. I'm just getting started and there's so much more to come so get ready!
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Exclusive Interview: MXWI Delves on His Creative Tastes, His Inspirations & His Latest Album "Toxicity"
It's an honor to speak with you today. Why don't you give us some details about you and your story? How did you get to where you are today
Ali: This story is actually pretty funny. My mom always wanted me to play the piano because it was a dream of hers. I hated the idea of playing the piano and thought it was useless. But my parents and piano teacher didn't give up on me. They kept pushing me until I suddenly fell in love with playing the piano and this was where it all began. It was a love-hate type of relationship the piano and I had.
After years of learning how to play I finally decided to try producing and creating my own music. That was during quarantine when COVID was still starting in March 2020. I would spend most of my days in my room just learning non-stop by watching YouTube videos. It got to the point where my parents were like "why isn't he coming out of the room all day? Did he forget about us?"
Congratulations on your latest album "Toxicity", how do you feel about the newfound success?
Ali: Thank you so much. I'm honestly still reeling from the amount of support I've gotten on this new album. I remember when I used to have about 3-4 monthly listeners on Spotify, even though it was a very small amount, that didn't stop me from working hard to make more and better songs. But now with this new album, all of a sudden I have 10,000+ monthly listeners, 8,000+ streams and I'm like how the hell does that even happen so quickly. It hasn't even been a week since the album came out.
5 years ago, if someone would've told me I would be making music and hitting a million streams over one song, I would've called you crazy. A lot of my friends and family know I've always had a dream of being a pilot when I was a little kid, but of course, as you grow older, you realize what matters most to you and what's something you want to spend the rest of your life doing.
I would not trade this for anything else in the world. I feel so so grateful for having all these amazing people supporting me and pushing me to do my best, especially my family.
What was the inspiration behind the album?
Ali: The main thing that inspired me to make this album was my first album. It was terrible, I can't even describe how bad it was. And so every time I'd listen to it, I'm like what was I even thinking back then. So ever since then, I put in my mind that I want to make an album that'll make anyone who's heard the first, forget about it.
I wanted to make an album that I can rebrand myself with as an artist and an album where I can explore new instruments, new vocal styles and new sounds. I didn't want to make an album with just one genre in it. I wanted to mix between pop, ballads, R&B and more so that listeners can have a variety to choose from
What single off the album "Toxicity" do you anticipate taking off both on charts and with listeners/fans?
Ali: So far the most listened to songs on the album are "For You (Ft. Lakeith)" "Monster" and "Hold Me Close". So If I'd have to pick, I'd go with "For You".
Ali: That is really hard to pick. I have 2 favorite songs, "The Night We Met" which was released last year, and in which I'm re-recording again to improve it, and "Nineteen"
But I think "Nineteen" is my top favorite because it's really personal to me. It's a song about questioning how your future will go, will you achieve your goals, what's next for you, are you on the right path and etc. Many of us could really relate to this song.
Which title or hat are you most proud to wear outside of being an artist, and why?
Ali: I'd like to think of myself as kind and compassionate. Someone you could turn to who would be there for you and someone you can rely on.
If you had one message to give your fans, what would it be?
Ali: You guys are the incredible, and I cannot wait to share more projects with you soon.
Ali: I'd like to thank my mom, my dad and my brother for being so supportive and for always believing in me, and I'd like to thank my friends as well for pushing me to do my best.
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