NataliezWorld

Soulful indie pop music artist ACHILLEAS SPAIS talks of his music, both new and old, with plans to release his debut album real soon. See what else is talked about from right below.

1. Please tell us a few words about you musical trip up to date

I started out as a pianist and studied Environmental Economics in London and Vienna before returning to Greece to pursue my music career. Active on the Athens indie pop scene, I have played in front of large crowds at various charity events and festivals including the 2019 Greek Climate Change Symposium. For certain periods I have also been regularly performing in clubs and music stages. My releases have been broadcasted on popular Greek radio stations and I have also appeared on the Voice of Greece in 2021.

2. What’s your music mission?

My mission is to bring motivation, restoration and companionship to people out there seeking for hope. With my music and other actions (e.g. policy research), I wish to change this world for the better by contributing in global efforts to confront the climate crisis. Throughout this journey, whenever things go wrong I always try to remember one thing.. The future has a great sense of humor.

3. Where are you based and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

I’m based in Athens, Greece, and the music scene here is mostly consisted of artists and bands that play folk Greek music. There are however a few local artists/bands that create more contemporary sounds with influences from abroad and I would highly recommend them. Among them there is Monika, Good job nicky and Leon of Athens.

4. How would you describe your style?

I would describe it as soulful indie pop music rich with bluesy melancholy, funky optimism and jazzy harmonic experimentation.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

As a solo artist, I have released 4 singles and a fifth one is on the way!

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

At the moment I am working on the orchestration of two new songs of mine that will be recorded in early 2023.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

I recently started busking in downtown Athens once a week! The idea is to keep on doing that as long as the weather allows and throw some live shows at popular music stages as well.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a musician?

To write, record and release a full album along with moving to London and introducing my music to the local ecosystem.

9. Where can we listen to your music and where can we buy your stuff?

My music can be found on all digital platforms (Spotify, YouTube, Apple music, Amazon music etc.).

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

The color of my voice and a few melody lines.

Alternative rock indie folk pop artist DUEL NATIVE is a solo project, whose time thus far, has had a few single's released along with an EP, with new single's expected real soon! A lot much is in the works aside from music and even doing some shows too. All of this is talked about below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

DUEL NATIVE was started by me, Stephen Choi in 2021. I’m a singer-songwriter, as well as an environmental architect, and an original member of indie band, Greyhound Green. We had the opportunity to support acts such as The Libertines, The Others, and Alabama 3 in London. For live shows and recording, I’m supported by an ensemble of musicians in Melbourne.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

DUEL NATIVE has multiple meanings. Firstly, I’m half-Trinidadian and half-Hong Kongese, born in the UK, and currently based in Australia. The duality in the name also relates to having multiple passions in life, and trying to follow them all!

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

In Naarm (the rightful name for what we commonly call Melbourne), there’s an incredible live music scene; the area has had a history of major artists - from Kylie Minogue to Vance Joy, Nick Cave to Missy Higgins, and even Michael Peter Balzary, better known as Flea was born here before he moved to New York and joined the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. There are so many local artists you should know as well - my favorites' at the moment are Nat Vazer, Hayley Mary, and Eliza Hull.

4. How would you describe your style?

Music style? It’s alt-rock indie-folk dream-pop, with some environmental science thrown in!

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

DUEL NATIVE has released three singles and an EP, which have varied from upbeat alternative pop rock in debut single ‘Sacrosanct’, through to the latest single ‘Hiding Out’, which A.I. describes as “Romantic” and “Ethereal”.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Yes! Two new singles to be released before the year is out, and some more recordings in the mix.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We just played a big show supporting a touring artist from Sydney, and have a single launch planned for the end of October in Melbourne. There’ll also be our “secret show” in December, which is only available to superfans. That’s now become an annual ritual…

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

Aside from writing, recording, and performing songs, I’m working on a lot of fascinating “green music” projects, looking at how to reduce waste in festival campsites, understanding the life-cycle impacts of releasing digital music, and exploring alternatives to PVC in records, i.e. non-vinyl vinyl!

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

It’s available on all platforms for streaming or download. Until the plastic mix is right, I haven’t pressed to vinyl yet(!), and the jury is still out on NFTs until there’s enough renewable energy to manage them.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

“In a world of robot-made music, this is human and original. I can connect with it; I want to hear more.”

FIL OK is just himself, creating music that is a blend of electronic, soul, experimental, pop is just so him he says. With that, he himself goes into talks about his music, his albums, and much else in the works and plans ahead.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Fil OK is just me. I used to run London Electroclash NagNagNag in the 00s, and now I make electronic music, alone and with guests.  

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

It's a pun on Phil Oakey - singer with seminal 80's electro pioneers The Human League.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

I live between London and LA, and also spend much time in Berlin. These places all have vibrant music scenes, with too many great local artists to list!

4. How would you describe your style?

Electronic - eclectic - heartfelt - soulful - experimental - original - pop - very me!

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

There's about a dozen albums available on my OK Music Bandcamp - and plenty more music in the pipeline.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Yes I'm working on a couple of new albums right now - one instrumental and one with full vocals.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

I've played live this year, and hope to get some more dates confirmed soon.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

To continue pushing our envelope forward and evolving artistically.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

My website has everything I've ever done on it: https://www.filokmusic.com, and you can buy my music at the OK Music Bandcamp:  https://filokmusic.bandcamp.com.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

I'd like them to know that it comes from the heart - and if they keep their heart open whilst listening then  there's a chance we will connect.

CREE RIDER himself goes into discussion about his craft of music, releases so far, and what is up next for his music and himself.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

With pleasure! We sort of came together as another band of mine, Cree Rider Family Band (https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XRXBKYzi8ShXOANoYJb1p), took a break. Scotti Iman (drums) was already playing with Family Band, so he hopped over to this new project, along with a St. Louis stalwart bass player he worked with often, Simon Chervitz. I invited the preexisting chemistry they had to the rhythm section for this band. I filled it out with multi-instrumentalist (pedal steel, electric guitar) Adam Donald and called it a day. When Adam moved to Nashville with his other band, Cara Louise (https://cara-louise.com/) , it opened up a spot for one of my favorite secret weapons in St. Louis, Scott Swartz to take over the pedal steel/electric guitar position. 

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

The name of the act is Cree Rider, so it’s just my name. I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together. I am the Walrus.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

I am from St. Louis, MO, where we are trying to get away from saying “local” bands, to saying “St. Louis” band, ha. We have a rich “St. Louis” ;-) music scene, which has traditions back to the creation of Jazz and Blues. We also have a long history with country music, we even have an old honky tonk on the outskirts of the county where it is said Hank Williams played, all those years ago. Our particular scene owes a lot to alt-country music legends Uncle Tupelo, who started just outside of town in Belleville, IL, and which sort of created a rootsy edgy country rock style that our band can sort of be grouped with. 

St. Louis is a place where you can afford to be an artist, but it’s hard to really be recognized because it’s not a hub of the music industry in the US. In that regard though, you can create art and music at your own pleasure and will, and not feel the pressure and demand of the industry dictating your choices. It leads, what I find to be, a lot of passionate and incredibly talented bands, who are creating music for the right reasons. Not to be discovered or to profit, but to share their soul. It’s a delicate balance, and although many eventually leave the city for those music hubs, it’s a wonderful place to live and develop a unique sound and vision.

I would say check out Falling Fences, River Kittens, Grace Basement, Beth Bombara, Al Holliday…just to name a few.  

4. How would you describe your style?

We play Cosmic Americana. Basically, a blend of aspects of American musical forms (in this case, Country, Rock, Blues, Folk) and add our own cosmic bend to it. We want you to feel familiar, but then we want to expand your mind.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

I had some releases prior to the Family Band which can be found on all digital platforms, and then Family Band did 3 albums from 2013-2017. This current incarnation of the band started in 2019, and we have now released 3 singles, one on our own, and the past two with the help of The Animal Farm Music in the UK. We are rooted in sort of an alt-country sound, but as stated above, we like to push the boundaries occasionally into a more cosmic realm, like in our new release “All of the Love” (https://open.spotify.com/album/5OD8s7zd7unNYCANmkDbNm)

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Yes, we plan to keep releasing singles for now. We have probably 3 in the can, and 3 more will be in process soon.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

Right now we are playing frequently in the St. Louis/midwestern US region. We hope, as we release more music, that we’ll soon have some more opportunities to get on the road and bring the music to the people.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We keep it simple. We write, we rehearse, we record, we release, we play out. This is the now and the future.. We hope that through our diligence and also with our partnerships with labels such as Animal Farm, that our music will continue to find it’s audience, and we will be able to do all these things we already do on a larger scale.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

You can hear us here https://open.spotify.com/artist/0TfbFbaiFSdfRU8SHjCa3f or anywhere you may stream your music. You can find us more directly at www.creeridermusic.com

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

I want them to feel embraced and engaged, but I also want them to remember a feeling of wonderment and possibility. We are all here now, experiencing these times together. I am here with you. I want to connect.

Swedish Heavy Metal band Fidite Nemini released their new single "Burn the Witch". The single was recorded in Loud Drums Studio in Billesholm, Sweden and mixed/mastered by Micke Rosengren.

Check out the new single linked below:

https://open.spotify.com/album/4D6hqQM5VdTPFDvDRcaN2O

Fidite Nemini was formed in 2021 by Simon Söderberg (Guitar/Vocals), Johan Karlsson (Bass/Vocals), Andy Whitehead (Guitar) and Marjan Probic (Drums). The members decided to join forces from other bands whose voices could not be heard and create their own band that will play an old school style Metal. After only 1 month rehearsal the band played their first gig in July 2021 at the Rock n Rona Rockfest and continued to play throughout Sweden at smaller gigs and Festivals. During this period the band released 2 singles "Reality Insanity" and "Black Magic" and are now working on a full length album.

SG5, the first ever music group officially in collaboration with one of  the World’s most recognized  IPs, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, announces today that they will be signing with WME for Global Representation, effective immediately. SG5 will be represented by Ben Totis and David Bradley at WME. SG5 says “We are very honored to sign with WME, a home to so many amazing artists! We can't wait to see what the future holds and are very excited for everyone around the world to hear our music and see our live performances in the future.”

SG5 announced their U.S. debut in June via Rolling Stone, and is co-managed by one of Japan's largest entertainment companies LDH Japan Inc., and Global powerhouse Three Six Zero. The group has also enlisted Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer BloodPop® who will serve as Executive Producer and co-Creative Director of the band. SG5 consists of 5 members: SAYAKA, RURI, RUI, MIYUU, and KAEDE.

In their first international interview with Rolling Stone, MIYUU elaborated on SG5’s debut and overall goals; “Being able to collaborate with Sailor Moon is such an honor and a dream come true. I have experienced a lot as an artist in Japan, but the environment surrounding SG5 is like no other, so I’m very motivated. I hope we can show the beauty of Japanese culture through our entertainment.” Without any official music released yet, SG5’s debut intrigued and captured the attention of U.S. media such as Billboard, Hypebae, Just Jared, and more.

Spawning from the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon World, SG5 is an intergalactic pop supergroup that protects the universe from evil, injustice and negativity. Blending Japanese talent with Western edge and an I.P. that has inspired billions of smiles, their goal is to destroy the forces of darkness with the most powerful weapon of all: music. Grounded in lore that is 30 years in the making, SG5 is a modern interpolation of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon for the new generation of the in-the-know stans, with the blessing of Miss Takeuchi herself.

Hailing from all different walks of life, these 5 women exist in the Sailor Moon universe together and heavily reference the main protagonists of the series. Members SAYAKA, KAEDE, MIYUU, and RURI all come from the girl group Happiness, which debuted in 2011; and RUI comes from her own group iScream, which debuted in 2021. By joining forces and morphing together their individual talents, SG5 and their upcoming album will be an unstoppable force.

Italian Black Metal band Athiel released their debut EP "Birth from Darkness". The release was recorded/mixed and mastered by  Mario Tamponi  in his home studio.

Check out the release linked below:

https://athiel.bandcamp.com/releases

Athiel was formed in 2021 at Sardinia, Italy as a one man project by Dann. The band was born to bring back the voices of darkness, and the song lyrics entirely dedicated to death, chaos and necromancy.

Groovy go getters SOUL BLAST has been active for quite sometime now, releasing a couple of album's along with some EP's and other materials as well. The band talks of their content, including some all new music, with the main focus to just having fun along the way!

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

We’re from Katowice (Poland). Band was formed at the beginning of 2017. Since that time we have released 2 LP, 4 EP and 3 SP. We’re very busy as you can see 😉. We’re just friends playing heavy and groovy music and have a lot of fun with it. 

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

It’s simply sounds good and define what we are going to do with our music. It has to be a blast for your soul, the good and positive ones. 

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We are from Katowice, the capitol city of Silesia in Poland. Its known to be a coal mine region in the past, it’s definitely changing but you still can dig some interesting bands rad music. Depend on what you like. Our region is the homeland for such a famous festivals like Metal Hammer Festival, Tauron Nowa Muzyka, Off Festival and many more. 

4. How would you describe your style?

Hmmm, it could be groovy crossover hardcore. Our music is an energetic, dynamic and juicy mixture of different styles of groovy riffs.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

As we mentioned before, we got:

2 LP: The influence lab (2018) and Spam me (2019),

 EP: Juicy, groovy cake (2017), The rolling riffs (2018), Are you fake enough ? (2021) and Celebritization (2022), 

and 3 SP: Dot PL (2018), 996 seconds around hope (2020) and Freakin’ awesome (2021)

Expect grooves and hairy riffs „in the sauce” of the 90's. 

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Definitely yes. We have some ideas and riffs but one should wait for the results. Stay tuned for results.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

Yes, indeed. 

We constantly touring, visiting smaller and larger clubs all over the country. We do hope, we’ll be able to play abroad next years. 

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

Rehearsals, playing and touring, recording and…repeat. But first of to have fun of what we’re doing. It’s a hobby, and as long as we have fun we will be doing this.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

Follow us on https://soulblast.bandcamp.com/, all music platforms and social media. 

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

It was worth to dive into their tunes and enjoy the vibes, cause they’re real.

Well crafted together band ROBBIE RUSSO AND THE MONKEY BUTLERS has put together a unique style of their own creativeness. With this, they have gone on to release an EP, and are currently in the studio working on all new music! Some shows have also been played with a whole lot else in the works as well. The band discusses all of this all below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

We all met at the University of Birmingham. We were all studying music. My intention, upon arriving at the university, was to form a band; quickly I sought out a two guitarists, a drummer and a bassist – looking for a Thin Lizzy-esque style. The guitarist and I had grown pretty close in that time and he took a great interest in it too. So we organized a first rehearsal and when I walked in the room was occupied with a few extra members. Saxophone, trumpet and piano. I was reluctant at first, but as soon as we started playing together we all felt a spark. Since then we haven’t stopped playing. 

Our first gig was a Christmas charity gig where we just played a few Christmas covers. Even though a small affair, it still placed us firmly on the map. Ever ready to give an overly exaggerated performance, we were not quickly forgotten and found it soon played in our favor; playing all sorts of affairs and invites. I worked the band hard throughout our time at uni. We played more gigs than any other band in our sphere, charity event, conferences, galas, balls, functions, festivals. If you want to be the best live band, there’s no better practice than diving in. We still make huge efforts to be the best live band around playing about two big gigs every month. 

Over the years the shape of the band has changed. Members have left, got better jobs, can’t commit their time – all that one would expect from the pressures of modern day life. Nevertheless, we have all remained best mates.

Our current band format goes: 

Robbie Russo – Front man/acoustic guitar 

Richard Schaeffer- lead guitarist

Altus Chan – Trumpet/Backing vocals

Jacob Plumtree-Jones – keys

Conor Sharphouse- Bass

Charlie Pollard - Drums 

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

It wasn’t until our second year at university that we really ramped up the band as a serious endeavour. As all university expatriates will know, first years are spent wasted (literally), wasted having fun and being rather naughty. 

So as second year came round we decided the first thing our band needed was a name. The majority of us came up in the summer to practice and start really taking things seriously; dedicating hours a day to coming-up with an interesting band name. 

One afternoon we have ourselves a deadline and came around to the thought that ‘monkeys are cool, ‘everyone loves monkeys’. And so names were thrown out their like ‘King Monkey’ and other Monkey based atrocities, until our guitarist remembered an episode of the Simpsons which featured a quick sketch about Monkey Butlers. We were sold.

That’s the one! It encapsulates our good-natured, funny, primal performances and, of course, our dedication to serve up quality music aha. 

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

After leaving university a lot of us split and went out back home but we still have a firm basis in Birmingham. Playing with many bands around there and countless gigs. Though we have had plenty of other gigs in London and elsewhere, Birmingham will always be our home. We have met plenty of other great bands around their such as The Creature Appeal, Whate, Mosaics, Melts and Red Zest. I have to say that the city is brimming with musical opportunity and, being a resident of London myself, it’s so much friendlier and easier to meet like-minded people. Yep I can say with certainty, the Midlands is where music is really cooking right now.

4. How would you describe your style?

No matter how many times we have been asked this we always struggle. We like to think our sound is uniquely our own, crafted through years of playing primarily our own material. However our influence has always been strongly old-school, with a strict composition style very much emulating those of old. So I guess you could best say our sound-world is akin to that of Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Roxy Music. And yet, we encapsulate the wild performances, energy and soul of artists like Queen, Otis Redding and The Doors. There’s only one real way to find out, and that’s to come down to one of our gigs x

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We released an EP a month before the pandemic which kind of put a spanner in the works. It features two songs. Well-produced, high-energy pastiches that, at the time, were out most popular live songs. They’re comedic, yet hiding elements of truth, and we really pushed ourselves in the studio to get a sound that was anything other than boring.

Our lead singer and primary songwriter, Robbie Russo, also has a load of his demos available on Spotify. One can listen to the music straight from the source before it gets to the band. Honest, personal and introspective ruminations on what it means to be a struggling artists in the 21st century.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

We are heading into the studio again in October and plan on releasing some more of our fans favorites' tunes. We’re very excited.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We have just finished a stint of playing almost a show a week for the last couple of months or so. At the moment we are planning on taking it easy and working on our recordings to make sure our next release is going to sound as good as possible .

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

I don’t think people understand the real hardships artists have to endure. It’s not just a hobby. We are baring our soul because we want it to be heard. There are always so many questions and anxieties one suffers: ‘how long can I keep doing this’, ‘will this ever sustain me financially’, ‘how long before I need to bend and get what’s deemed a REAL career’, etc. 

But every time we have been blighted by these questions, the weight of them has been alleviated as soon as we start playing together. The fun we have, the sound we make together - it’s a real affirmation and it’s just keeps us believing that as long as we keep playing we’ll be happy. So I don’t ever want to see an end in sight.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

Best head over to Spotify, there you can find me Robbie Russo and our band’s EPs. All you’ve gotta do is search The Monkey Butlers 

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

I think at the end of the day we just want to be remembered, full stop. Sure we’d like people to know us for our fun, honesty, making people smile and dance – but just to leave a lasting impression, any feeling at all, that means enough to us!

High energy emo punks PINKY'S BRAINS has been around for a short while, having some changes happen in-between, whilst also releasing a debut album, with working upon all new material expected out by the end of this year. The band has had some shows occur with much else in-store too. See what the band says about all of this below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members. 

Pinky’s Brains consists of Justin Scalia Guitar/ Vocals and Justin Velez Drums. Formed in the summer of 2021 after Justin S saw an ad for a local Battle of the Bands. Justin S recruited Mike W on drums and Nick McGrew on bass. while in the studio They Recruited Jake Metheny on Lead Guitar. in May of 2022 Nick parted ways with the band. In July of 22 Justin V joined on drums. and in September of 2022 Mike had to take some time away from the band to spend some time with his family back in NJ and Jake parted ways. 

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

Growing up in the 90's I’ve always loved the Animanics and Pinky and the brain cartoons, in college i had a pink Mohawk and the name Pinky stuck with me. I had some demos recorded with friends back in PA and used the name Pinky’s Brains for it and just decided to run with it. 

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We are based out of Charleston WV, there's a small local scene where everyone is very supportive of each other. its more like a brotherhood. some of our favorites are Hurl Brickbat, Hangman's Ghost, 5 star rebellion, and GLDN.

4. How would you describe your style? 

High energy punk, with hints of 2000’s emo.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works? 

We released a full album in May called "Up from the ashes". They can expect relatable lyrics and a lot of fun.

6. Do you have any new music in the works? 

Yes, we are currently in the process of recording a new album. expecting to release the first single before the end of the year.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out? 

We had a show on Oct 1 at The Pizza Den in Salem, VA.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band? 

Record a bunch of music, play a bunch of shows, maybe get that mega deal we all hope for. and having a lot of fun along the way.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff? 

You can stream our music on Spotify, and Bandcamp. Been working on getting our merch store up and running. But if you message us on Facebook or Instagram we can send you some stuff.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

High energy from the first song to the last. Makes you wanna get up and party

Facebook.com/pinkysbrainswv

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Pinkysbrains.bandcamp.com

Spotify : Ready or Not! 

Apple Music: Pinkys Brains

www.pinkysbrains.com