Giving Artists a New Reach: Interview with Justyn Brodsky

Artist Reach is a company that offers Professional Artist Development & Elite Music Industry  Services while cutting out the middle man, "consultants", or people in the Business you potentially may be wasting money with. We are a direct source, and best of all, we are founded and operated by Professional Musicians--guaranteeing you top results based on our decades of hands-on experience on stage, and off stage; and our online presence demonstrates that our following grows daily, and sustains absolute loyalty among those that have connected/networked with it.

Interview with Justyn Brodsky of Artist Reach 

So, are you the founder and CEO of Artist Reach?

Justyn: I am. The company originally started in Spring 2013 under the name The Pact Music Society. But after successfully being offered a grant (along with the help of Digital Music News, Electric Kiwi, Sony, and the Agency Group), some development of new ideas, more crowdfunding, and an enormous response on our social media platforms...we became Artist Reach in Spring 2014 after investors exercised the idea of a name change.

Tell us how the company started. What made you decide you wanted to help artists?

Justyn: helping Artists is something I've always been prone to ever since becoming an Artist myself. God knows since music coming into my life at age 3 (I have pictures to prove this!), it's been quite the journey. I've watched the Music Business evolve, I've watched myself evolve with it, I've watched the trends and the genres go through their changes; I've always made sure to pay close attention to what's going on so I can not just keep up with the essence of times, but find my window to possibly get ahead of it somehow. Do something or acquire something in the industry that hasn't been touched on yet. Differentiation, if you will. You can always play it safe, do something that's already been done and do it well...but with Artist Reach and the audience I've built, I'm yearning to find that key factor of differentiation. Kinda like inventing, or reinventing. But helping Artists simply is something from the heart. I wanna inspire others the same way I was inspired.

What exactly do you do and why would an artist want you to represent them? 

Justyn: I operate, facilitate, and run the Company in all aspects ranging from the business side of things, consultation, teaching up to 5 instruments, and do whatever I can to make sure Artist Reach is always active and making new friends, colleagues, connections, etc. Why us? Because like said, we are dynamically run by professional musicians only. Currently there are 7 of us, myself included. Our experience in many music fields on high levels makes all the difference from your average Music Business "Network" or Music Lesson "Program". We lived and breathed the music fields for years, and continue to do so. We also personalize this experience and don't shy away from or "screen" Artists that wanna be involved because of lack of experience, knowledge of the industry, or heavy extensive touring. We have seen so many Artists start from the bottom and rise. That's why we don't discriminate. If the Artist's drive and work ethic is there along with the will to invest themselves into their career, that's where we can play the best role. Your Artist Development.

There are so many companies that claim to get artists exposure, but in the end, they seem to only take a lot of money with little results. What separates your company from all the other Artist Development companies?

Justyn: We charge our services based on the Artist's needs, their goals, and what they are striving to gain without emptying their wallets. We work with budgets and aren't afraid to show some results first before we charge someone a full quote. Our consultation is always free, and we utilize our skills and experiences combined with your needs and goals as an Artist. And I guess even though it's already been said, the biggest thing that makes us different is the fact that we are a company of professional musicians with elite skills in almost any industry field.

What has Artist Reach done? What are some of your success stories?

Justyn: We have successfully obtained grants from industry investors, 5 star reviews from many customers and affiliates, reviews and interviews on other popular music Zines and Websites, over 150,000 followers on Twitter, over 25,000 Facebook Likes, over 10,000 LinkedIn Connections, a great word-of-mouth following, and countless valuable connections and friendships.

I read your profile and it says that you work for Saturday Night Live. Are you still working for SNL and how is that experience?

Justyn: this is my 3rd season working in audio there. It's not year round, but the best thing about that is it looks great on the resume'. And you get to work with so much talent in the production stages. Unfortunately, I don't get to hang out with celebrities, but the staff and co-workers are some of the most genuine people I've ever met. I learn something new and make great memories every season I get to work in that studio. It's an amazing environment.

Since you are on the inside, have you ever tried to get your clients on the show and have you succeeded? How hard is it to get on these kinds of late night shows?

Justyn: Unfortunately I don't pull that kind of weight. But the advice I was given on many occasions is to make sure I give the producers a reason (or several) to keep them letting me come back to work on the next season. The longer you stay, the more you're looked at as family...and you never know what opportunities may come along! But so far, no one I've recommended or suggested has gotten on the show yet. But I'm always encouraged to submit new talent, and to keep discovering.

What are some of your future goals for Artist Reach and what can we expect in the coming months and years?

Justyn: Expect a very large Network of dedicated Artists with the strive to get to that next level with our help. I hope to open a bigger office, obtain more exclusive investment, and be able to do this full time where I can make this into a living, and have the position to provide a full schedule of services to any Artist looking for the best price for the best results.

Find more of Artist Reach:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArtistReachOfficial
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArtistReach
Tumblr: artistreach.tumblr.com

Interview with The Hypocrites Author: Mara K. Eton

Overview

On the surface, Hempstead looks like a typical Midwestern small town, a postcard of white-fenced American normalcy. But glance past the manicured lawns and into the windows of the offices, church basements, and fancy houses, and you’ll find the people of the cannabis culture underground. Some are dealers, and some wear suits and ties to pay for their green lifestyle. But one of them is about to make their entire world go up in smoke.

About the Author
Attending nine different schools before graduating high school, Mara K. Eton was able to experience the cultures and histories of several different states as well as the country of Spain. It was her time spent in Madrid that fostered her love of art, history, and the ability to tell a good story. Due to her mother teaching her to read at age 4, Mara became obsessed with books. By age 8, Mara started writing down her own stories and continued to read avidly. When Mara won the Lt. Governor's award for best essay in 5th grade, she figured she was on to something with writing her stories down. Mara now spends most of her time in the Southeastern United States.

Interview with Mara K Eton

All Indie Magazine: Tell me about your book. What inspired you to write and publish your own book?

Mara: The Hypocrites started out as a short story, Cracked Eggs, which is ultimately the first story in the book. The inspiration came from a commercial I saw on television back in 2008 for a product called the Roll N Grow. Who in the world would buy it besides my mom? That got the ball rolling. When I finished Cracked Eggs, I wanted to know more about the characters mentioned and what would happen if they were put into a potentially disastrous situation. I also got tired of trying to find cannabis fiction that spun the issue in a somewhat positive light and didn’t resort to the usual stereotypes you come across when you read about this issue.

All Indie Magazine: Can you tell us more about the premise of your book? Why would someone be interested in reading The Hypocrites?

Mara: The Hypocrites is not a standard novel. It’s seven short stories comprising one main story told from the points of view of seven characters involved. Sean is a woman who is pretty numbed out and is uncertain about her involvement with Jody. She seeks attention from another guy named Sam and when things don’t work out in his favor, he starts a chain of events that impacts a lot more people than just Sean and Jody. Everyone in the book is connected to each other by cannabis. By the end of the book, the reader will realize just how interconnected all these people really were. Whether you consume cannabis or not, The Hypocrites is a story about relationships and the connection to people in one’s life. It’s pretty common nowadays to have bad romantic experiences, worries about the future, strained relations amongst family members, and frustration about a job. Those are universally relatable subjects. If you’ve had those experiences, you may enjoy reading my book.

All Indie Magazine: From what you've experienced and witnessed, is the cannabis culture more common than people are willing to admit?

Mara: Absolutely. The culture is definitely moving out from the underground. But every city I’ve ever visited has a different feel about it. In LA, it’s common place and no big deal. Minneapolis is relaxed about it but it’s not openly advertised. Same in NYC. I mean, you can have some herb delivered to you like a pizza. In the South, it’s like a secret and no one really talks openly about it unless they’re in like minded company. But with the recent influx of articles in mainstream media about legalization and its medical benefits, I like to think people are taking the blinders off their eyes about it. From what I’ve read, most people in the U.S. favor legalization. That’s huge. We’re dealing with a very different landscape with this issue than we were as little as 5 years ago.

All Indie Magazine: Today, there are 22 states in the US that have legalized marijuana, but for the most part it's still kept as a "dirty secret". In your personal opinion, why do you think there is such a disparity in the cannabis culture between the mid-west and larger metropolitan areas?

Mara: I spent 11 years living in the Midwest and it is definitely a conservative stomping ground. That’s pretty much why I set The Hypocrites in a fictional Kansas town. I believe it’s a generational thing. For years, the younger set has flocked to cities where the attitudes are different. Access to technology provides us with more information than we’ve ever had access to in the past. It’s a matter of educating yourself.

Legalization itself is such a gray word. The phrase “legalization in 22 states” means something different to those who are well versed in the issue and those who are just learning about it. In my opinion, only two states have true legalization, Colorado and Washington. Medical legalization, while it’s turning the tide, is in itself rather restrictive. Some states, like Minnesota, only allow it in non-smokable form.

I feel encouraged by the progress made in States allowing access to people who really need it medicinally. However, isn’t it rather hypocritical not to also legalize it for responsible recreational use? Can’t have one without the other. But the real stigma attached to the legalization issue is with the re-scheduling of cannabis. As long as it’s still on the Schedule I list on a federal level, there is a still a lot of work to be done. Cannabis legalization has turned into a political issue instead of a health issue.

All Indie Magazine: What is the reason behind the title The Hypocrites?

Mara: For me, I felt it said how I feel about people who can’t live out in the open with their cannabis use, whether it’s for a legit medical reason or for recreational use. I’ve encountered a lot of people like that. They keep quiet or say one thing against their use and that pretty much makes them a hypocrite. In this particular situation, being a hypocrite is necessary if you don’t want to essentially have your life ruined by the threat of incarceration. Most people who imbibe are not violent people. Any legal entanglements due to possession and cultivation leave a mark on a person making it hard to rebuild their life. The fear of going through that makes hypocrites out of people in the cannabis community. So they end up living double lives, no matter how successful and “normal” they appear to others.

All Indie Magazine: Is this your first published book?

Mara: Yes. But hopefully not the last.

All Indie Magazine:  Is The Hypocrites and your 5th grade essay have any connection?

Mara: Not in a direct or obvious way. I didn’t know much about cannabis when I was 10, outside of what was being pushed at me via the Just Say No campaign. The essay was about a phone call my mother took about a motorcycle accident my uncle had. I was a pretty quiet kid and most adults didn’t notice me around. I remember sitting on a foot stool in the kitchen on the side of the stove when my mother was on the phone. She had no idea I was there and what my perception was until she read the essay a few months later.

My uncle involved in the accident survived and went on to live a very successful life: the wife and kids, the house, a master’s degree, etc. While cannabis was not involved in the accident (he was hit by a car), he is not out in the open beyond a few family members about his regular cannabis use. It’s kind of a joke amongst the family. But at the same time, he has the least amount of drama in his life. He is very knowledgeable about the subject of cannabis and my least uptight family member. I tried to use those elements about him in some of my characters in The Hypocrites.

All Indie Magazine: Who are some of your favorite authors and did these these authors inspire you to want to become a writer?

Mara: My short list of favorite writers, or Top 5, is J.D. Salinger, George Singleton, Charles Bukowski, Chuck Palahniuk, and Flannery O’Connor. All of them have been strong influences in some way or another. I came across all them at impressionable ages in my time. Yeah, they were definitely inspiring in my decision to become a writer.

All Indie Magazine: What is your favorite book and what are you reading right now?

Mara: I’m officially a nerd for The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. A friend told me to read it when I was 13 and just starting high school. I don’t get all super into it like some have but I just enjoy reading it. I read it every couple of years and I always dig it. I’m currently reading the new collection of short stories by George Singleton, Between Wrecks. It’s pretty solid.

All Indie Magazine: Do you plan on a national book signing tour?

Mara: Not at this time. I hope to in the future but nothing immediate has been planned.

All Indie Magazine: What is in store for you in the coming future?

Mara: I’ve started work on a follow up to The Hypocrites because I just can’t seem to leave those characters alone. Characters in the first book who didn’t narrate their own experience will have their say in the follow up about what’s going on with them now. I’m also outlining another novel unrelated to The Hypocrites.

Find out more information about The Hyprocrites and Mara K Eton at
http://www.areyouahypocrite.net/
Facebook

Purchase The Hyprocrites at:
Amazon.com
MyBookOrders.com
Barnes & Noble
iTunes

Interview with The Dance Doctor: John Cassese

He’s got the moves, he’s got the look, he’s got the voice. He is the internationally known, “The Dance Doctor to the Stars,” John Cassese. John presents music from his LP’s Never Too Late and A Night of Swing.

Mikey Jayy of The Great Unknowns Presents and Program Director of KGUP 106.5FM, heads over to Santa Monica to interview with the Dancer/Singer Songwriter, John Cassese live in the studio to talk about his Nomination for Comeback Album of the Year and his Nomination for Best Adult Contemporary Artist at the 2013 Artists In Music Awards.

To get more information about The Dance Doctor Studio in Santa Monica or purchase Never Too Late, A Night of Swing, and John Cassese In Concert, go to www.johncassesemusic.com

For a limited time, if you purchase one of his CD’s, you get a free dance lesson. Just mention that you heard our interview on KGUP 106.5FM or The Great Unknowns Presents.

John Cassese’s official biography: 

The Santa Monica, California based dance instructor/choreographer, known as The Dance Doctor, believes everyone has the ability to dance, and he and his team lead the way teaching others to trip the light fantastic. With a true appreciation for the arts, Cassese’s talents are diverse and varied. Not only is he a nationally recognized dance instructor who has trained such celebrities as Adam Sandler, U2’s The Edge, Elizabeth Hurley and Sir Ben Kingsley, he is an accomplished singer and entertainer. Involved in several facets of the arts including singing, entertaining, choreographing for film, stage, television, video and private parties, as well as producing and performing dance demonstrations, Cassese is a modern-day renaissance man. “Singing is always something I have focused on and has always been a big part of my life, but because I was dancing and teaching dance so regularly, I put my singing career on the back burner; though it was never, ever far from me. It has always been, and will always be, a great passion.” Here, for the first time ever, we are pleased to present John Cassese Music; a collection of John Cassese’s recordings, from cover songs to some very special original material. These songs will make you feel happier, put joy in your heart and a spring in your step. The first CD available on iTunes is entitled, “Never Too Late” and it features some of the most touching, emotional and romantic songs. Sing to them, dance to them or do both. We could all learn a lesson or two about living life to the fullest from John Cassese. Like his album’s name, remember it’s never too late to reach your dreams.

Interview with Willie Ames, The Great Unknowns Presents, EP 163

Today’s featured guest is a multi-award winning Folk/Rock artist from Poway, CA. While it says he lives in Los Angeles, CA, his real home is on the road and on a stage at a venue near you.

Having toured and played in all 50 states, he was recognized for this accomplishment with an award for National Solo Artist of the Year, plus he was invited to perform at the 2011 Phoenix Music Awards.

Willie Ames has been honored for several other awards and accolades including two awards at the Los Angeles Music Awards in 2010 and 2011 for Solo Artist of the Year and Instrumental Artist of the Year, plus he received another nomination for Hot Adult Contemporary Artist for the 22nd Annual Los Angeles Music Awards which coming up on November 15.

You might be asking, “how is a man whom I’ve never heard of is gaining so much attention?” Perhaps, it’s his honest lyrics and guitar play with a genre that is slowly dying from mainstream radio. As the younger generations are flocking towards more flashy scene with the likes of Hip Hop, Dubstep, and Metalcore, but the truth is, Folk Rock has never gone away. In fact, it’s more popular than ever. We just don’t hear it on the radio as often as we should.

Since the age of 5, Willie Ames has been developing his skills as a precision guitarist with the ability to play several string instruments including the 5-string banjo, steel guitar, and any current or classical guitar around. In his latest album, Night Owl, Aames demonstrates his finger picking style throw out, especially in songs like Human Race, Night Owl, and in the Fleetwood Mac cover, “Never Going Back Again”.

Throughout the 10-track album, there is distinct inspiration of musical greats like Lindsey Buckingham of Fleedmac, Dire Straits, even the vocal style of John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater, so if you enjoy music that is both modern with an American Folk Rock fusion, then you will absolutely enjoy the sounds of Night Owl by Willie Ames.

Find more from Willie Ames:
Willie Ames Official Website 
"Like" on Facebook 
"Follow" on Twitter 
Add to MySpace
Purchase Night Owl on iTunes and Amazon 

Interview with Chance You Take on The Great Unknowns Presents, Ep 162

Chance You Take is a young group of guys from Baltimore, MD with Chris Meagher on Vocals, Michael Meagher on Guitar and Vocals, Adam Christopher Henderson on Bass and Vocals, Bryan Kotcher, on Guitar, and Mikey Knaus on Drums.

Together, their music compares to the likes of All American Rejects and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, but they also have a Top-40 Pop Rock side to them that compares them to One Republic, The Fray, The Script, and Keane.

While this band is brand new and completely off the radar, their music is quite the contrary. Their newest single, “Love Again featuring Da Kid Emm” is of course, a love song, but it is much more. Perhaps to the typical metal fan, it is too “cheesy,” but not bubble gum enough to turn away the typical music lover. In fact, the song is a quite catchy and more mature than you might think. It might even be the perfect song if you’re longing for a good old fashion pop-love song. You might even find yourself singing along in your car and getting tons of attention with either shaking heads or smiles pointed your direction. They’ll be flipping through their FM dial with attempt to find what song you’re listening to, but they won’t find it. …at least, not yet anyway.

Recently released is their 5 song EP. It has a combination of love songs followed by songs about life’s lessons. Some are upbeat like, “Love Again” and “Using You” and other songs are ballads. While it may appear to be redundant from the outside, don’t just assume there is no diversity, because there is. You might be surprised how good this entire EP is.

Listen to an exclusive live interview with Chris Meagher on The Great Unknowns Presents, originally aired on KGUP 106.5FM “The Emerge Radio Networks”.

Find more of Chance You Take:
Official Chance You Take website
"Like" on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Fan and join their newsletter on Reverbnation
Purchase the Unbelieveable EP on iTunes

Interview with The Barrens, Ep 161

The Barren’s is unlike most bands you will encounter. They do not easily fit within any specific genre category. Rather, they conform to many including Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock, Alternative, and Rock, blending the familiar sounds of Pink Floyd, the Ramones, The Pixies, The Shins, Radiohead, and Temper Trap.

Founded in upstate New York, Debbie Chou, Colin Fitz, Chris Gersbeck, Mike Koene, and Jay Sharp relocated in New York City to pursue their music careers as The Barrens.

The Barrens has one previous EP called, Worming. Three years later in 2011, The Barrens released their latest and full length album and simply called it, The Barrens.

The LP begins with the title, “Claw Remains,” a very pseudo Pink Floyd song, then transitions into a very psychedelic, yet heavy metal track called, “Felt” which has an almost Black Sabbath sound with a thunderous guitar introduction played by Colin Fitz (Fitzgerald), Mike Koene, and Debbie Chou. When the song breaks into vocals, it’s hard not to compare Fitz’s voice to Black Francis of the Alternative Rock band, the Pixies.

In the next track called, “Bottem of the Well,” the band takes a new direction and delivers a sound that is both indie rock and perhaps surf rock-esk, that is more harmonious and less heavy metal, because the song is up beat, fast paced and appears to include the vocals from all five members of the band.

“In and of Ice” is not just a song, but also a journey as they incorporate the bass drum, tambourine throughout the song. Include the angelic voice of Debbie Chou, and you have a unique yet enjoyable song from beginning to end.

The entire The Barrens album is hard to turn away from. Without being aware, you might find yourself listening to every track again and again. Why? Simply because its unpredictable. There are a lot of hills and valleys and when you think you have them figured out, they change in another direction, making it even more enjoyable then the previous song. While The Barrens may fall outside of the mainstream formula, you will be compelled to give it a second glance or you may do what I did and find yourself listening for hours and hours, not realizing you were caught in a “barren” trance.

Listen to the full interview with The Barrens on The Great Unknowns Presents with Mikey Jayy, originally aired on KGUP 106.5FM “The Emerge Radio Networks”.

Find more of The Barrens at:
Facebook 
Bandcamp 
Follow on Twitter 
Myspace  
Reverbnation 
 iTunes 

Find more episodes like these in our section: Interviews & Shows 

Don't miss a single episode of The Great Unknowns Presents. Subscribe with iTunes and Zune

*COPYRIGHT NOTICE. All featured artists and writers retain all copyrights to their material 

Withdrawls: Interview with Kyle Gattison, Episode 160

Today on The Great Unknowns Presents, we have R&B, Singer/Songwriter, Producer, and Publicist, Kyle Gattison.

If you're in Hollywood long enough, you might find the R&B singer at Red Carpet events standing next to popular recording artists and you might be wondering who this guy is. He's not recognizable now, but he will be.

Kyle is laying down the ground work for his own publicity campaign. He's out there networking and meeting key people in the industry. Like a chess match, Kyle sees 10 moves ahead of himself. Each move is all part of a strategic plan to help the pre-launch of his brand new LP. Although he is in the early stages of his music career, he is out there building relationships and making friends in high places. 

By day, Kyle works as a Publicist for a company called Nati Celebrity Services. This service provides services including media relations, marketing communications, and literary productions. This company represents a wide variety of entertainers and athletes like Warren G, Slim of 112, Brad Whitford, WC, DMX, Wingo of Jagged Edge, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, and many other major famous athletes and various celebrities. 

Kyle moved to Los Angeles earlier in 2012, but has already been working harder than most major recording artists. Together with Producer, Mike Szkmczyk, Kyle and Mike are working each night on the production of his new album well into the twilight hours.

Kyle definitely has the ambition of a seasoned major recording artist. With such dedication and drive, he does not need record label executives standing over him and cracking the whip...he does it to himself. 

Currently, Kyle only has "Withdrawls" and "Life Clock"released and can be found on his Facebook page, but except more incredible music by this talented recording artist this Fall. In our interview, we sampled a special version of "Withdrawls" that was remixed by J6.

If you missed the live broadcast on KGUP 106.5FM, listen to the podcast here or on The Great Unknowns Presents

Compare Kyle Gattison with Chris Brown, Usher, Ne-Yo, Tyrese, Romeo, and J. Holiday.

Find more of Kyle Gattison: 
Official Website (New website under construction)
"Like" on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Szymczyk/Gattison Productions
Hire Kyle Gattison as your Publicist 

All My Love: LIVE Interview with Ilhame Paris, Episode 159

The name Ilhame Paris alone says it all. In Arabic, the name “Ilhame” means “inspiration”.

When you are in the presence of Ilhame Paris, you’re not just drawn to her voice, or drawn to her by her incredible beauty, you are drawn by her intense spirit as a wonderful human being. Her love for life and passion for music is not only inspiring, but contagious.

Native of Paris, France and born of Moroccan blood, Ilhame’s musical diversity not only comes from her cultural background, her musical influence comes from a wide range of sources including R&B, Reggae, French Pop, and Jazz. Some of her songs are directly influenced by artists like Luther Vandross, Bill Withers, Rose Royce, and Bob Marley.

Two of Ilhame’s proudest accomplishments is doing very unique covers for the songs, “Waiting in Vain” and “I’m Still Waiting” originally created by Bob Marley. Ilhame not only honors the legend with an incredible cover of the song called “Still Waiting”, but she gives it a unique perspective by singing it in French and Arabic. That’s not all! Ilhame performs the song with Marley’s son, Ky-Mani Marley. Together, they create one of the most astonishing covers by the Reggae legend.

Ky-Mani Marley and Ilhame Paris pose to the camera

Ilhame’s debut album called, “Just Wish It” is filled with collaborations including Grammy Nominated R&B, Hip Hop, Electronica producer, Nicolay, and Shafig Husayn, who’s most notable work was a writer for Erykah Badu. Ilhame has also collaborated and recorded the songs with T3 of Slum Village and Rap artist, Big Pooh.

Having opened and toured for artists like Erykah Badu, Dwele, Van Hunt, The Roots, and Questlove, Ilhame is demonstrating she has the drive and ambition to do what it takes to become one of the greatest emerging artists of today.

Find more of Ilhame Paris:

Official Website
Facebook
MySpace
Reverbnation
Twitter

Find more episodes like these in our section: Interviews & Shows 

Don't miss a single episode of The Great Unknowns Presents. Subscribe with iTunes and Zune

*COPYRIGHT NOTICE. All featured artists and writers retain all copyrights to their material 

Interview with Asking Alexandria: "Reckless & Relentless"

Originating from North Yorkshire, England, metal/synthcore band Asking Alexandria has previously released one full CD Stand Up and Scream, an EP, Life Gone Wild, and debuting April 5th is their latest full length LP, Reckless and Relentless.

When Asking Alexandria’s originally released their debut album, Stand Up and Scream in September of 2009, their hollowing screams, bellowing growls, crashing guitars, and electro-tech laced music just felt like it could not get any better, but their newest CD proved me wrong. In fact, they “killed” it.
Just as they started Stand Up and Scream, Reckless and Relentless begins with a building interlude that immediately draws the listener in, then comes “Dear Insanity” that nearly rips your face off with ripping cords played by Ben Bruce, Cameron Liddell, and Sam Bettley and machine-gun drum-kicking from James Cassells.

As you would expect from a metal/synthcore band, they combine a little bit of electronica in their music, but without overdoing it and without being over repetitive. Some of my criticism was there was too much electro synth in their previous work. With Reckless and Relentless, they seem to have a more solid balance, perhaps they got a little heavier. The perfect examples are “A Lesson Never Learned”, “To The Stage”, “Breathless”, “Reckless & Relentless”, and “Morte et Dabo”. There is less singing and less synthesizer.
Overall, it is more of what you expect from a metalcore band, but without any unexpected surprises and no obvious changes that would disappoint and lose their core fans. They might even pick up some new ones along the way.

Currently on their Reckless & Relentless worldwide tour, Asking Alexandria made a tour stop in Los  Angeles. I got a one-on-one interview with the band, so please listen in and check out music from Stand Up and Scream and Reckless and Relentless on The Great Unknowns Presents, Episode 105

Music in this episode include, “A Prophecy”, “Alerion”, “The Final Episode”, and “Morte et Dabo”.

Find more of Asking Alexandria:
MySpace, Facebook, MerchNOW, Twitter

Interview with Alphanaut: "From Moonbase Alpha"

Combining modern ambient and electro tones with a touch of retro synth-pop of the mid-80’s, comes Mark Alan of Alphanaut.

The best way to describe the listening experience of Alphanaut is like traveling through a space-time continuum with visualizations through music. Some may refer to this as psychedelic rock or even avant-garde synth, music that was popular among artists like Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Art of Noise, and Enigma. Creatively, Alphanaut is much more complex and combines some of each to create a whole new style.

Originally from the grunge infested scene of Seattle, Alan’s music style did not mesh well with the current trends, so Alan headed south to Los Angeles to pursue his own music identity. In 2009 Alan’s vision came into fruition and released The Lunar Age. In 2010, he released Out of Orbit. In less than a year later, Alan was already starting to lay the ground work for his soon to be released album of Little Sun, which is due to hit the market in summer of 2011.

Lunar Age and Out of Orbit shows more of the electro side of Alan’s artistic vision, while Little Sun will have more of a funk-jazz and hip hop flare to it, giving fans yet another side of Alan. I haven’t heard all his new music except for, “Satellites Crashing” and “Run”, but from what I hear I am waiting in anticipation. This new style is a whole new avenue from his typical sci-fi view point. With that said, Little Sun lyrics still faces the into the far reaches of outer space, but his two feet are firmly planted on the ground and sounds more closer to lounge music in comparison to his previous works.

Songs that take notice: “Never Been to Athens”, “Spontaneity”, “The Innocence of Time”, “Her Eleven  Eyes”, “Jennifer”, and “Mystery Loves Company”.

Find more of Alphanaut:
Interview with Mikey Jayy of The Great Unknowns Presents

Alphanaut's official website
Reverbnation
Facebook

Twitter

Purchase The Lunar Age and Out of Orbit on Amazon.com
 

*Mark Alan of Alphanaut was interviewed by Mikey Jayy. This episode was booked through Music Xray. All music was provided by Mark Alan of Alphanaut

Interview with A.Smith: "It Ain't A Game"

Swagger is the perfect way to describe the music style of A.Smith. This young R&B/Hip Hop artist from Inglewood, CA sat down with Mikey Jayy of The Great Unknowns Presents and All Indie Magazine to discuss the cusp of his early career.

Having come from a family of singers and rappers, it was just a matter of time that A.Smith decided to take a crack at it. When asked what pushed him into becoming a music artist, “Just my natural love for music.” said A.Smith.

While he compares with the smooth sounds of Ne-yo, Usher, and Chris Brown he has a unique soulful voice. Add some Pop R&B music with some deep bass behind this incredible talent and you have a recipe for a major pop star. “I want to entertain people and I want people to listen to good music,” he says.
Still in construction, A.Smith has a compilation of incredible songs including sure hits like “HD” (High Definition), “Keep It On The Low feat. Big Shane”, “It Ain’t A Game”, and “Broken”. If you’re looking for a smooth memorable ballad, listen to “Time to Move On”. A.Smith even performed a cover in honor of his idol, “Nice and Slow” written and performed by Usher.

The most recognizable feature of A.Smith is his longevity. His music is current, but it does not fit within any passing trends or gimmicks. A lot of today’s modern R&B artists are constantly over-using “auto-tune” to mask their real voices, but A.Smith refuses to subject himself to something that might be cool at the moment. Like any fade, “auto-tune” music will soon die off, but truly gifted vocal artists like A.Smith will stand the test of time and withstand the limited trends and be respected for his talent for decades to come.

Find more of A.Smith:
A.Smith featured on The Great Unknowns Presents
A.Smith's official website
Reverbnation
Facebook
MySpace
Twitter

*Music in this episode was provided by BrownGyrlz Entertainment. Interview conducted by Mikey Jayy. Interview booked through Music Xray

Interview with Audrianna Cole: "A Tragic Tale Leads to a Happy Ending"

Audrianna Cole is a future major Pop artist from Salem, Oregan. You may not have heard of her, so why am I calling her a “future major pop artist”?

…Because, Audrianna Cole is headed toward the mainstream spotlight.

Audrianna has every ingredient to become one of the hottest teen Pop artist’s in the US. Here’s why…

Audrianna Cole's sound is very commercial and diverse. Songs like, “Follow Me” could easily be heard in television commercials, specifically for fun trendy sports car. Her song, “Misplaced” was co-written and produced by Andrew Boss of LGMR, Inc. This track belongs in a romantic film.

The one song that really stands out as a potential Top 5 hit is, “Shrug it Off”. This song deserves tons of airplay on every mainstream radio station across the US and the world. It has an incredible chorus hook. The entire song is infectious and has the ability to have you singing and repeating over and over, even if you’re not fan of this style of music.

Much of the creative influences and process was definitely not achieved alone. Cole had a lot of help with multiple well-known and talented songwriters, producers, and engineers including Andrew Boss. Tracks on this album were also co-written with people like Jennifer Hanson. Hanson wrote music for Gwyneth Paltrow for her movie, Country Strong. She also wrote music for The Wreckers and Bucky Covington. Cole wrote with Michael Davey for the song “Hello”. Cole also wrote with Billboard Top 100 singer/songwriter, Mark Dawson, and Liz Rose, who won a Grammy for one of Taylor Swift’s songs. Rose is credited for songs she wrote for Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Bonnie Raitt, and several others major recording artists. Cole’s also worked with Stefan Skarbek (songs written for Amy Winehouse) and Linda Perry, formerly the lead singer and guitarist of 4 Non Blondes. Cole also worked with Joshua M. Schwartz and Brian Kierulf of KNS. KNS is know for their work with Britney Spears, Nick Carter, Willa Ford, Tarkan, Gia Farrell, and Lady Gaga.

With a recipe of famous producers, singers, and songwriters such as these talents, Audrianna Cole is well on her way from becoming an unknown 13-year-old karaoke singer from the kitchen of her in Salem, Oregon home, onto a road that leads her into becoming a household name.

All of this potential success could not be been done without her father. Had it not been for a tragic car accident that nearly took his life, it ultimately changed the course of both their lives and onto a path of music. Without that life altering car crash, Audrianna would not have been home schooled and there to help take care of her father and she may not have had time or the opportunity to create the incredible music we hear today.

Find out exactly what happened in my exclusive audio interview with Audrianna Cole on The Great Unknowns Presents.

To find out more about Audrianna Cole, join her on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, WordPress, and Youtube

Purchase her song, "Lovely"

Forewalls:Best new and unheard rock band

Pure unadulterated emotion that is infectious and addicting is what comes to mind when describing music by a young four man group from Chino Hills, CA.

Forewalls is an alt rock-punk band that has a very marketable sound that is both mainstream and commercial friendly, but they still maintain that fresh sound that is underground yet popular and original.

Their debut untitled album which is still in pre-production currently have four songs that are featured on Facebook and MySpace demonstrate a pop appeal that could compare with Simple Plan, Green Day, The Stills, with a combination of a few 80’s bands like Psychedelic Furs and The Plimsouls.

While it is hard to capture the essence of a live presence on a CD or media download, they are a band that must be seen on stage to fully appreciate their sound, yet their music is no less enjoyable to listen to on the road or on a personal mp3 player.

After nearly steeling the show at the 1st Annual Battle of the Bands at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA with an amazing live show that had the entire crowd on their feet, I was shocked that the band didn’t win by a landslide. Instead Forewalls came in a close and disappointing second place after surpassing 14 other bands.

Check out an exclusive 4-track preview not found anywhere else with a special guest appearence with the band on The Great Unknowns Presents

How did you guys get together as a band?
Andrew and Jason were in bands together all throughout high school and Eric who is Andrew’s older brother who plays bass had just broke up with his band and wasn't doing anything at the time so he was down to help out. We originally had a different drummer but he didn't work out, then Jason found Shay and we were all impressed, thus the Forewalls were formed and have been jamming for 5 months now.
So, what is some of your background?
Andrew: I’m a high-school student. I’ve been playing guitar and writing songs since elementary school. I love all genres of music with a real knack for writing lyrics, and passion for performing.
Jason is a college student at Mt. SAC and works as a math tutor for kids. He’s a wizard on the guitar, also has great skills in songs composition. He also has an uncanny talent for listening and appreciating good music.
Eric is a waiter and student and comes from a groove based reggae background, but no stranger to punk rock. He plays music because he loves it.
Shay is a high school student who plays drums for his high school drumline. He clicked with the band instantly. Instead of just keeping a beat, he really listens to what the others are doing and tries to add to the song to make it that much better, and be original.
What is an interesting fact about the band?
There are a few. Andrew and Eric are brothers. We all like to play the drums. We used to be a band called, Call Me Creature. We all come from different musical backgrounds.

Do you all have part-time jobs and are you all students?
Shay and Andrew are still in high school and will graduate this summer. Jason and Eric both work and go to school part time.
What were your motivations for getting into music?
Our motivations for getting into music is that we all have been listening so much great music all our lives that we all felt compelled to try and mimic it. After a while we wanted to make our own original and make our mark on great music.
Name the top musical influence from each member of the band
Andrew: Punk rock. Jason: Indy rock and classic rock. Eric: Punk rock, classic rock, and reggae. Shay: Metal
Have you done any big shows since you guys formed?
We are still fairly new and have not yet got a chance to play any big major shows. We have played in front of fairly large crowds like 50 or 60 people. We are always willing top play shows and are always looking for the opportunity.
Is this just a hobby or do you really want to take this on full force if someone offered you a contract?
We have always admired those who do what they love to do and are fortunate enough to get paid for it. We play music because we love it and if we could do it full time and pay the rent then we would. A record contract would be amazing.
Would you drop everything to go on a major concert tour across the west coast if an offer came your way?
Heck yeah, we would. Does a bear crap in the woods? Does the wind blow? Does Pamella Anderson sleep on her back? Does the pope wear a funny hat? The answer is yes!
How many songs are in the band's library and how soon do you think the public will get to hear the Forewalls in full effect?
We have about 20 songs right now. If we dug really deep into the archives, maybe 30, but we are constantly working on new ones and going over old ones. Chances are we are probably writing a new one right now. The public can always hear us in full effect on our Facebook or at our studio in Pomona called “Photos Brushes and Jams” or “PB&J” for short. We are always playing show and practicing there.
What songs are your favorites to perform on stage?
Um, well we all have our own favorites, but “It's Dark Here” is pretty unanimous. Other favorites include “Eyes of Her God”, “Comatose”, and “Disgraced In Different Places”.
Do your lyrics have a personal meaning or are they just musical accompaniment?
All our lyrics mean something to us. We have just been lucky that they go with our music the way they do. Lyrics mean a lot to us as far as songs go. Maybe that’s why none of us are that in to Mozart.
How did it feel to enter and play in the finals at Mt. Sac Battle of the Bands?
It felt amazing. We were sure we were gonna win the whole enchilada, but we did not see the other band coming. And, that’s all I have to say about that.
What’s in store for Forewalls?
We are practicing at least for five hours a week. Still looking for opportunities and going for them. For right now, we will probably be working on new songs and recording and getting our stuff heard.
For people who become immediate fans is there a place for people to purchase your music?

At the moment there's not. We need to record a few more songs first and get some legit CD's made. It won't be long. I give my word. In the mean time everyone should go on our Facebook page and check us out Facebook/forewalls

Find more of Forewalls:

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Forewalls presented by The Great Unknowns Presents, Ep 60

Forewalls are:

Andrew Moritz (Lead vocals/Guitar), Jason Tennies (Lead guitar), Eric Moritz (Bass/Vocals), Shay Sawyer (Drums)

-by Michael J