Alexandra Duparc (aka SKANDRA) recently skyrocketed to fame after her husband’s TikTok video – where he confesses they blew their life savings on her new music project – went viral. SKANDRA explains why now is the time for her own solo music, reveals the inspiration behind new single, Rivers , and shares how TikTok has helped her find an audience.
New Zealand-based husband and wife production duo, Khandro Music (aka Junelle and Abraham Kunin) explain how they have released a unique album of mantras and teachings by The Dalai Lama set to music, entitled Inner World . The duo reveal how they collaborated with The Dalai Lama on this project, why he agreed to be a part of it, and why it took five years to come together.
Merging Technologies’ Anubis music product manager by day, songwriter and artist by night – Ricardo Ryan discusses the surprising use cases that have emerged from locked down Anubis users, and how he is using the interface to record his solo material.
We sit down for a chat with Sam and Lewis from British indie RnB group Easy Life, who were due to play some huge international headline tours and festival slots this year before the pandemic struck. The boys discuss how they’ve been honing their production techniques in lockdown, using their time to focus on a new album, and why Fender guitars are always their number one choice.
Rising British R&B artist, Abisha gets candid about the way her music documents her transformation through the years, particularly in regards to representation and self-acceptance. She shares how it felt to grow up being the only biracial, queer woman in her hometown in Devon, why music is her biggest form of release and therapy, and why recent single, One Night is an apology in the form of a song.
A/J from LA quartet, Saint Motel reflects on the success of their hit song, My Typ e – which has been used by FIFA 15, Pro Evolution Soccer 2016, and is the Now TV theme – although the indie pop band want to be known for more than that one song. A/J talks about the band’s songwriting evolution, the inspiration behind new single, Preach , and why The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was always planned as a trilogy.
KT Tunstall shares how she’s been keeping occupied during the lockdown period, and looks forward to her upcoming live stream concert at the world famous L.A. music venue, Whisky a Go Go – which takes place tomorrow (November 7). KT talks socially distanced gigs, and why she’s a proud supporter of the #WeMakeEvents campaign.
At just 16-years-old, singer-songwriter Willa Amai has already proved herself to be an artist of great talent and character. Taken under the wing of the esteemed Linda Perry, the L.A. native charmed audiences with her stripped-back cover of Daft Punk’s Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger , and has won acclaim for her rendition of Dolly Parton’s Here You Come Again , which she recorded with Dolly herself. Willa is currently in the studio with Perry working on her forthcoming full-length debut album,...
As the UK heads into lockdown part two, we revisit our podcast with Jayli which took place at the start of the first lockdown. She is a London-based DJ and producer who was born into music thanks to her dad, who composed for the likes of George Harrison and Monty Python. Jayli shares her experience of being a female DJ and producer, why her Select Mixcloud subscription may save her DJ career while all gigs have been cancelled, and delves into her recent single, Dance or Dive.
British singer-songwriter RJ Thompson allowed himself a lot of creative freedom when writing, recording and producing his new album Lifeline , which poignantly explores themes of his childhood and mental health. Thompson discusses his early tours with Midge Ure and Jools Holland, as well as how he combined technology and music on his latest record to offer fans a more immersive experience.
Orlando Higginbottom, better known by his stage name Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, describes how his latest EP was inspired by the sounds of birds singing louder than ever during the silence of the lockdown. He explains how what began as a series of musical greeting cards to isolated friends evolved into a truly unique project.
The busy career of London-based songwriter and producer Peter Rycroft has seen him work with the likes of Kehlani, Ella Eyre, Lewis Capaldi, Jason Derulo and The Vamps in just a short space of time. Lostboy talks about the pressures of breaking through as a producer, his creative process and workflow, and his own artist duo project AboutAGirl, which he has been working on throughout this year.
Swedish artist Molly Hammar reveals why being signed to a major record label in her teens did not fit with her artistic vision, leading her to go her own way to flourish under her newfound creative control. Molly gets candid about body positivity and talks about the inspiration behind her single, Alone .
As executive director of the In-Ear Monitor International Trade Organization (IEMITO), Mike Dias has observed and facilitated the growth of the now booming IEM industry from the very start. He tells us about his early career experiences with Jerry Harvey, what is driving demand at the moment, and how he plans to use his expertise within his new role at premium microphone manufacturer Earthworks.
Spending a couple of weeks in Nashville did wonders for UK-based Billy LeRiff, Johnny Faires, Marc de Luca and Ian Wilson - and would go on to inspire a lot more than their band's name. We catch up with Billy about the band's evolution, and staying creative during lockdown.
Croydon-raised, Brighton-based singer, songwriter Oz reflects on how growing up in her family’s pizzeria – favoured by actors, musicians, drag queens, go-go dancers and old-school London gangsters – gave her a unique perspective on the different walks of life, and how this went on to inspire her songwriting. Signed to a major label aged 15 but pushed in the wrong direction, Oz explains how she regained her identity on new EP, Jupiter , and why it encourages listeners to be the master of their ow...
LA-based band, The Midnight, explain how their pastiche of 80s synth wave music has seen the band grow an online cult fascination to a legion of dedicated fans worldwide over the short space of a few years. The duo explain how thoughts of nostalgia inspired their new album, Monsters .
We speak to Jordan and Jaden from Auckland, NZ-based collective LEISURE, who have recently returned to playing live in their Covid-free home country. The band discuss what it’s like to be playing shows again, their chemistry when it comes to making music together, and the release of their psychedelic new EP.
We sit down for a chat with British electrosoul duo MakeYouKnowLove, who have topped the charts as songwriters and producers for the likes of Zayn Malik, Rita Ora and Craig David. The pair discuss their creative inspirations, the relaunch of their own artist career, and using their platform to spread messages of hope and love in a world of bad news and negativity.
LA-based songwriter and record producer Ian Kirkpatrick has worked with some of the biggest names in pop, including Dua Lipa, Jason Derulo, Justin Bieber, and Britney Spears. He goes through some of his recent collaborations, how he’s been delving deeper into production techniques with oeksound plugins, and why Steinberg’s Cubase will forever be his DAW of choice.
Amy Macdonald reflects on her early success with huge singles Mr. Rock & Roll and This Is the Life, and how she stayed true to herself despite the sudden fame. Back with brand new album, The Human Demands , Amy reveals the inspiration behind the album, and her personal favourite track.
Rising Northern Irish singer-songwriter, Brooke secured a spot in the semi-final of The Voice this year - just as the show took a hiatus due to Covid-19. Brooke reveals how she used the unexpected downtime as an opportunity to release her debut single, Attention – inspired by the inner thoughts of an obsessive ex.
Recording engineer, mixer and producer, Joe Barresi explains how he got the nickname 'evil' while working on a Judas Priest record, and how he went from studying classical guitar and music theory to working with bands including Tool, Queens of the Stone Age, and Slipknot. Barresi reflects on producing Queens of the Stone Age’s debut album (who at the time did not have a record deal), engineering and mixing Tool’s 10,000 Days , and more recently their 2019 album Fear Inoculum , and why Celestion ...
At the start of pandemic, we spoke to Xylo Aria, the founder of Music Production for Women, who reflects on her own music production journey, and explains why removing the fear factor is a crucial step towards welcoming more women into the world of music production. https://headlinermagazine.net/
Karen Harding reflects on her time on the tenth series of The X Factor , and being approached by MNEK to collaborate on her first single, Say Something . Harding reveals how she found her songwriting groove after a period of feeling out of her depth, and discloses that she had a feeling that recent single, Undo My Heart (put together with Digital Farm Animals) was going to be a monster hit when she first heard it. https://headlinermagazine.net/
We sit down for a chat with guitarist and one half of rock band BONES UK, Carmen Vandenberg, who has been writing and recording new music in the Italian countryside during lockdown. She tells us about early career tours with Jeff Beck, making it big in the US, and her love of Fender Strats and Telecasters. We also find out how the band use their platform to tackle and bring awareness to injustices in society, and how they celebrated their recent Grammy nomination in true rockstar fashion.
Los Angeles-based, award winning composer/music producer Haim Mazar made a name for himself in recent years for his unique approach to musical storytelling and his eclectic work resume. Recent scoring credits include the Netflix Original comedy series Sneakerheads , which saw Haim compose an original score with auto tuned vocals and electronic beats – pure to the genre of hip hop while still traditionally serving as the emotional voice of the story. https://headlinermagazine.net/...
We go behind the brand with Anthony Mattana, founder of recording platform Hooke Audio, who discusses the company’s goal to transform sound by empowering smartphones to record in higher quality. Meanwhile, the 3D immersive audio specialist reveals all about his latest product Hooke Lav, the world’s first wearable, wireless, pro grade Bluetooth microphone.
Having amassed fans all over the world with his enthusiasm for music production and unparalleled sunny disposition, Dutch singer-songwriter Blanks reveals the inspiration behind his first EP release, Cheap Sodas and Ice Cream Kisses , and why new track, Favorite Nightmare was inspired by confusing and disorientating feelings in the fallout of a break-up. Blanks talks about going viral on TikTok, his go-to production techniques, and why he enjoys the challenge of recreating a song in just one hou...
Australian artist Bel is unashamedly and unwilling to compromise in her approach to music and everything that goes with that. We chat to her about her T1 project, which serves as an introduction to the new Trilogy EP, tying together three singles: Better Than Me , Spectre , and Good News . According to Bel, every word from T1 comes from the depth of her soul, and whilst it’s terrifying, she is excited to share her goals, incentives, plans and vulnerabilities. https://headlinermagazine.net/...
