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New Orleans, LA April 20, 2024 < Back Southern Happenings: Kriss Russ, JAYD3D!, and Coma Nights at the Howlin Wolf Rian Nickels Apr 24, 2024 Share New Orleans, LA April 20, 2024 On April 20th, 2024, The Howlin' Wolf —named after legendary bluesman Chester Burnett—hosted an unforgettable night of music featuring Louisiana artists Kris Russ , JAYD3D! , and Coma Nights . The evening's weather was just right, creating a comfortable setting that complemented the venue's cozy and intimate atmosphere. With its open layout and small stage, The Howlin' Wolf provided a space where the audience could feel a close connection to the performers. This iconic venue has a rich history, known for hosting an impressive array of blues and jazz musicians over the years. Alongside those greats, The Howlin' Wolf has also welcomed crowd favorites like Mac Miller, Chance the Rapper, and Twenty One Pilots, making it a staple in the New Orleans music scene. The combination of historical significance and contemporary talent made this night a true celebration of the spirit of music. Credit: Rian Nickels The first musician to hit the stage was solo act Kris Russ from Kenner, Louisiana. Kris has a voice with range that floated through the crowd and echoed from The Den room into the bar room of the Howlin’ Wolf. His angelic vocals brought an intimate, almost ethereal quality to the venue, captivating everyone in attendance. His dexterity of the guitar is unmistakable, with each chord he strums resonating deep within the hearts of the audience. His songs, filled with themes of getting older, love, and saving the world, carried a raw emotional depth that drew listeners into his world. In-between singing he gave us emotional monologues that pulled at our heart strings with backstory to his music, such as with his songs “If we knew then what we know now” and “ It’s too dangerous to go alone so take me ” proving that Kris Russ is more than just a performer—he's a storyteller with a gift for connecting on a deeply personal level. Kris placed us in the atmosphere of emotional healing and gave us the feeling of being understood. After his twelve song setlist, the audience was left awe-inspired and he gave a warming introduction to the next band, Coma Nights . Credit: Rian Nickels The four-piece, Coma Nights , burst onto the stage with an energy that transformed the venue from a mellow acoustic set into a lively full band performance. Their dynamic entrance immediately awoke the crowd, bringing everyone to their feet and into motion. The lead vocalist’s notes soared above the beating rhythm of the drums and the melodic riffs of the guitar and bass, showcasing a vocal range that commanded attention. The band played with remarkable synchronization, each member seamlessly aligned with the others, as if they were of one mind. As they launched into their hits like "Weekend Neighbors," "Paint," and "Storm," the audience was swept up in the pulsating beats, dancing and jumping along with infectious enthusiasm. Coma Nights demonstrated that a great band isn't just about individual talent—it's about the synergy of musicians in harmony. As they played their 10 song setlist they warmed up the audience for JAYD3D! to perform his debut album, “ Outstanding Gentlemen ”. Credit: Rian Nickels JAYD3D! took the stage with a vibe that defied categorization. His sound—a fusion of hip hop, pop punk, rap, and alternative—drew an intimate crowd eager to experience his debut album, " Outstanding Gentlemen ." As he started his set, the lighting shifted dramatically from moody and subtle to lively flashes of strobes and color, thanks to our buddy Justin, from the band Jean Claude Segal , who took over the light board on a whim and may have discovered some of his own hidden talent. JAYD3D! , along with his drummer Ty, delivered a high-energy performance that resonated with the crowd's spirit. They had the crowd going through the motions of singing, jumping, and even slow dancing. Together, they brought The Den to life and everyone together with upbeat odes to transitioning into adulthood, falling in love, and melancholic optimism. The 14 song setlist was a perfect mix of originals and his own twist on nostalgic covers. JAYD3D! played pop hits like "If It Makes You Happy" and "Bubbly," adding his signature moody pop punk twist that infused the familiar tunes with a raw, energetic edge. Along with his unique covers, JAYD3D! sang songs from “ Outstanding Gentlemen ” such as, “Three Hour Walks” and “Outstanding Fighter”. The audience, a mix of close friends, fellow musicians, and curious newcomers, were captivated by his seamless transitions and genre-blending artistry. JAYD3D! 's performance proved that music isn't about fitting into a box—it's about breaking free of the mainstream conformity and creating something new and exciting. With his vibrant stage presence and innovative sound, he turned The Den into a dynamic celebration of music, creativity, and did not fail to make us feel alive. Credit: Rian Nickels Overall, this night at The Howlin' Wolf demonstrated the venue's versatility and its ability to bring together a wide range of musical talents. It was a celebration of Louisiana's rich music scene and a testament to the power of live performance in connecting artists and audiences. *All photos by Rian Nickels www.rianmusicjpeg.myportfolio.com Rian Haynsworth www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or Comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

Cecily’s music is insightful and pleasing to the ear, a breath of fresh air with the motivation to spread her positivity through her art. < Back Cecily: Soulful Music With Ambient Affirmations Erica Machen Nov 9, 2023 Share Cecily’s music is insightful and pleasing to the ear, a breath of fresh air with the motivation to spread her positivity through her art. If you’ve ever needed the perfect soundtrack to accompany the moments your eyes are gently closed and all you see is the warm glow of your eyelids as the sunlit breeze kisses your face, look no further than the melodic musings of vocalist and songwriter Cecily. With a family who infused influences from artists such as John Coltrane, Motown, Smokey Robinson, and R&B from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, her vocal artistry brings prismatic color and warmth to the soul as the purity of her message washes over the listener and leaves an indelible mark. Cecily’s soprano octaves provide a surprising duality with her ethereal yet earthy delivery, and, as we chatted for our interview, her soothing personality left me just as spellbound as her music did. Originating from Washington, D.C., with a background in Political Science and Black Studies, Cecily's journey as an artist began as a powerful call to bring purpose and empowerment to her community . After ten years of nurturing her musical talents as a passionate hobby, she took the leap to turn her passion into a full-fledged career. Supported by an exceptional team of hand-picked musicians, dedicated management, and her husband, Cecily has achieved numerous accolades and awards , solidifying her presence as a force to be reckoned with in music world. Just as her newest release “I Am Love” delivers a simple and positive message coinciding with depth and dimension , the same can be said for Cecily herself. It came as no surprise to discover her passion for healing, meditation, and affirmations, as all of those things are revealed within her music. Cecily is simply a breath of fresh air with the motivation to spread her positivity through her art. Prepare yourself to feel connectivity as you read along with our chat. MaM : Cecily, for those just discovering your music, could you describe your unique sound and the musical influences that have shaped your style? C : I describe my music as soul music with a lot of influences of jazz, 90’s R&B, with a little bit of folk mixed in as well. I like to work with live instrumentation and real musicians in a space creating together, because I think that's how you capture the best energy. In terms of who people liken my music to, I really love 1970’s soul and R&B. Generally, you'll find a lot of sounds from that era in my music. I've had comparisons to Minnie Riperton, for example, in terms of my vocal stylings and some of my arrangement choices. People have also compared me to Amel Larrieux, who is more of a 90’s or early 2000’s R&B singer. Some of my favorite current artists who I think my music kind of likens to are Cleo Sol and Lianne La Haves , who are both from the UK. Photo provided by artist. MaM : Your parents' record collection had a significant impact on your music. Can you share how their love for artists like Miles Davis and Smokey Robinson influenced your artistic journey? C : I actually inherited my parents’ record collection. My dad passed away a couple years ago. My mom said she didn't listen to records anymore, so I could have them. Now I have a pretty large record collection. Thanks to them for that. What's interesting is that my parents are nine years apart in age, and that gave them different tastes in music. When [my mom] was a little girl, Motown was huge, and she loved Motown. Smokey Robinson is her forever crush. I grew up on a lot of Motown. My dad, he really loved jazz. He kind of came of age during the Bebop era. He loved Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane and Ahmad Jamal … A lot of jazz artists from the 50s and 60s. So, I have disparate influences. I had Motown with its classic soul sound, but also formulaic. You can kind of hear that in the way they approached things, and it works. Then, if you go to Miles Davis or John Coltrane, they were experimenting. There was thought and intention, but I definitely don't think a formula was the approach to things. It was very different kinds of things to grow up listening to. What my parents had in common is they both loved 70’s soul music. I also grew up listening to Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Gil Scott-Heron, and those type of things. All stuck with me. I'm also the youngest of four, and all of my siblings are much older than me. They had their own music tastes. I grew up listening to hip hop and R&B of the 80ss and 90s. My brother listens to house music. I was introduced to a lot of different kinds of black musical forms, and it was a great way to grow up. MaM : Your debut album "Songs of Love and Freedom" received critical acclaim and won a Wammie Award . How does this album reflect your musical vision, and what was it like to receive such recognition for your work? Photo provided by artist. C : That album was a big turning point for me creatively, professionally, and spiritually, because I put out an EP prior. That [EP] was my first project. I still like it, but it was me figuring out what I wanted to do and working with people that were recommended to me by my managers at the time. I didn't always feel seen in that process. I felt like we made the music, but I wasn't necessarily sure if it was me. When I came back around to do the process again, I was doing it all on my own in choosing all of my co writers, letting it happen organically, finding different producers, choosing my band members, and doing a lot of sonic research. It really taught me a lot about myself and was an empowering journey. I still feel really good about that album. So, it's one of my things I am most proud of. MaM : This brings me right to “Awakening Pt. 1”. It, too, was well-received and earned you several nominations and awards. Can you tell us more about the themes and inspiration behind this project? C : That project was inspired by some books that I read leading up to when I got married. We all think we know so much about love, but maybe I should actually study it like people do everything else. So, I just picked up this one book, just off chance in a bookstore, called ‘How To Love’ by a Buddhist master who passed away last year, named Thich Naht Hanh. I just read this book back to front a few times, and it was really impactful for me. The next book I read was called ‘The Mastery of Love’ by Don Miguel Ruiz. It had so many lessons and was a good way to reflect on life and what I've been taught about love. It was good to reflect on places in my thinking that needed to be revised on what love is and what love can be. Later, when reading ‘All About Love’ by Bell Hooks, I decided I want to create a project pulling from these concepts and ideas. That was kind of the inspiration for both ‘The Awakening Pt. 1’ and ‘The Awakening Pt. 2.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1D3_CJ1NZ8 MaM : You're not only a talented artist but also a healer who offers meditations, workshops, and sound healing sessions. Tell us more about how these practices are connected to your mission as an artist and a healer? C : In 2020, when things were locked down, I couldn't connect with people in terms of live performances. I also I felt like I couldn't create music in the way I was used to in being separated from my usual writing partners and bandmates. It started out when I had written some affirmations for myself in a time that was very fear-inducing. I called them ‘Affirmations for a Pandemic’. I decided, these are good, let me share these with people. So, my husband recorded me with video and audio. I put it on YouTube, Instagram, and this meditation app called Insight Timer. I was surprised by the reaction. People were saying, ‘Wow, this is so helpful. Thank you so much for this.’ Insight Timer chose the recording of it for their editorial pick and put it on the main page. I got a lot of engagement there and realized life is telling me this is something I need to dig into a little bit more. So, I started doing guided meditations live on Instagram. I love writing, I love words, I like using my voice. I started doing these guided meditations as another way to use my voice and my words. MaM : Your new single "I am Love" is generating attention. How has this song been received, and what message or emotions do you hope it conveys to your audience? C : I'm really happy with people’s response to the single. I love this song. I sometimes tend to be a little wordy and overly complicated in my writing. With this song, I wanted to write something that was simple. It definitely has depth to it. It started off as a poem, so it still has its poetic aspects. I wanted to write something that made you feel at peace and happy—just something that feels like a nice like warm summer day. You know, like where you're with someone you love or just yourself out in nature, eating good food. That was the energy of the song. … The message was really simple. As I said, affirmations are a big part of my life. I wanted to write a song that was an affirmation. The album ‘The Awakening Pt. 2’ is all about exploring unconditional love. Specifically, the kind written about in Bell Hook's book, ‘All About Love’. I had a poem where I had written, ‘I am love,’ and I thought, ‘This could be a song.’ I thought [it] would be a good way to bring forth my message of the power of love, acceptance, affirmations, and also Bell Hook's idea about simple living. She says living simply makes loving simple. I thought that was really beautiful. I'm kind of combining the two concepts of exploring the simplest pleasures in life with knowing that I am love. It’s about the belief in God, the source, the universe, or just this idea we all are connected to a genuine love, a deep, complete, and divine love. Stating plainly, ‘I am love’ can be very powerful. Even though it's a simple song and I wanted it to have … a singalong part or even something you can even two-step to; I also wanted to have some depth in there that people feel. I think the song has the combination of both. I love it for that reason. MaM : Are there any new announcements, news, or projects on the horizon that you'd like to share with your fans and our readers? C : ‘I Am Love’ is out now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7OWj3A2PRM There's a music video for it dropping very soon, and there will be some new merchandise soon to accompany the new release. The second single is coming out in January, and the new album is coming out in March. And there you have it—your breath of fresh air for the day! In a world filled with hyperbole and scattered focuses, Cecily recenters us with the ambient peace she exudes. Take a moment and explore her prismatic vocals by visiting the below-listed links. Cecily | Official Website Cecily | YouTube Erica Machen is a beast when it comes to consuming, writing about, and reviewing music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

They Deserve Some Damn Attention < Back Welcome to Flatch Keeley Brooks Oct 20, 2022 Share They Deserve Some Damn Attention With so many new sitcom titles dropping on TV and streaming platforms these days, it can be a challenge to try and catch them all. And while I do miss many new titles, I was lucky enough not to miss this one, and I’m glad I didn’t because it has become one of my new favorites, and I now find myself waiting for Thursdays just to watch the latest episode. Welcome to Flatch is a mockumentary sitcom directed by Paul Feig ( The Office , Freaks and Geeks ) and written and executive produced by Emmy Award-winner Jenny Bicks ( Sex in the City , Men in Trees ). It’s based on her British version of the show, The Country , and premiered on Fox in March 2022 . By May , it was renewed for a second season, which kicked off September 29 . When a documentary crew sets out to explore the lives, dreams, and concerns of residents in a small American town, it stumbles upon the tiny Midwestern town of Flatch, Ohio , where they discover many eccentric personalities and find more than worthy subjects in cousins and best friends Kelly Mallet and Lloyd “Shrub” Mallet , who aren’t at all shy about letting the crew in on their lives and local events. Each episode opens much like Letterkenny , with an introduction of the town and population: “ Recent studies show that Americans long for a simpler life in small towns. To explore these communities, Fox sent a documentary crew to spend time with the citizens of Flatch, Ohio—population 1,526. ” Then, we are introduced to a whole slew of characters to laugh at …or with ... either way. For starters, Stifler from American Pie , also known as Seann William Scott , plays the town minister, who is nothing like Stifler at all. He’s calm, soft-spoken, sincere, naïve … kind of a pushover, if you will, and he’s the one who attempts to guide Kelly and Shrub , who seem to refuse to grow up. And that’s funny. Courtesy of Fox It’s one thing to watch Seann William Scott as Stifler or even as E.L . in Road Trip , but it’s entirely different and funnier to watch him as this humble, pushover minister of a small town. Father Joe , as he’s known, moved to Flatch with his former girlfriend, Cheryl , who is an award-winning journalist and the editor of the local newspaper ... and quite quirky. Other Flatch residents include Kelly’s frenemy Nadine (Taylor Ortega, Succession ), who runs the Flatch Historical Society ; Mickey St. Jean (Justin Linville), who relentlessly attempts to become Shrub’s best friend; and no-nonsense favorite Mandy (Krystal Smith), a magnetic force of nature who lives life on her own terms. In the pilot, she asserts with force, “We are an upstandin’ town and we deserve some damn attention. We got two restaurants—one with menus, and last year somebody gave birth to twins, so now we got young people all over the place.” Then we meet Kelly and Shrub , who are a magnificent comedic duo to watch. Both are extremely talented, funny actors who play off of each other’s timing. Chelsea Holmes , often billed as just Holmes , is a hilariously talented American comedian, actor, and writer, and is also a stand-up comic and improvisational actor. She's definitely one to watch; I adore everything about her. Both she and Shrub are townies who spend their days hatching schemes. Courtesy of Fox And speaking of Shrub , played by the charming Sam Straley ( The Kids are Alright , The Dropout ), we learn from him and Kelly in the pilot just how he got his name. “So, his real name is Lloyd,” says Kelly. “Yeah, after my dad,” adds Shrub. “Yeah, his dad drank a lot of Busch beer, so they started calling him Bush …” and then Shrub chimes in, “Yeah, so they started calling me Shrub for, like, a little bush,” and after a brief pause where Kelly looks at Shrub as he’s looking off in the distance, he adds, “But, like, he left when I was a baby.” They both nod their heads and say, “Yeah,” and then Kelly adds, “But he probably still drinks beer.” Essentially, all Kelly and Shrub have are each other. Kelly’s father is around but has a new wife and baby daughter, so Kelly is virtually non-existent to him until he needs something. But Kelly doesn’t let this phase her trying efforts one bit. She defends him and tries to cozy up to him with no shame whatsoever. And the duo's interaction with the camera is priceless. Much like The Office … the looks, the expressions, the faces, the implications. In an interview with Cincinnati Magazine , Straley talks about the characters he and co-star Holmes play. “I’d say they’re kind of a classic duo, almost like husband and wife in a way. They’re partners for life, they’re best friends, and they want the best, but they also see what’s wrong in the other person and get so frustrated with each other sometimes, but we kind of always come together, because we’re each other’s support system.” He continued, “They’re in their early 20s … sort of at the point in their lives where they should have things together, and everyone around them is getting married and they’re still, I think, clinging on to moments in their lives that brought them acceptance. And they’re really excited about this new documentary crew and having ‘the movie people’ around and feeling seen.” When asked about his and Holmes’s individual characters, he added, “Shrub is, I’d say, more of the feminine to Kelly’s masculinity, which I think isn’t seen a lot on TV. Shrub is sort of the sensitive, artistic, detail-oriented control freak, and Kelly is the no-idea-is-a-bad-idea, throw-everything-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks one. And I think their dynamic is very much that they love each other but fight a lot. They cover each other’s gray spots in all the right ways, and they are desperately, desperately trying to find connection and a place where they fit. They’re absolute underdogs, and they’re always looking out for each other.” Underdogs, indeed. Each and every one of ‘em. AND Jaime Pressly ( My Name is Earl ) has joined season two as realtor and OG Flatch native, Barb Flatch . SHE is nothing short of hysterical and is the perfect addition to this little gem of a sitcom, which I hope has many more seasons to come. Courtesy of FOX So, I recommend adding some Flatch to your weekly musings. Yeah, there might be some cheesy jokes or moments that lag, but if you’re not wound too tight, you just might find yourself giggling at every little thing. Like we do at my house. Welcome to Flatch, everybody! Episodes drop Thursdays on Hulu and air the same night on Fox at 8 PM EST. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Scott Von Doviak's newest book Lowdown Road mixes hick cinema, blaxploitation, and 70's cinematic archetypes into one hell of a crime-thrilling story. < Back Lowdown Road: Book Review Shaun Corley Nov 14, 2023 Share Scott Von Doviak's newest book Lowdown Road mixes hick cinema, blaxploitation, and 70's cinematic archetypes into one hell of a crime-thrilling story. The 1970s saw an explosion of “car” and “road” movies, such as 1971's Vanishing Point and Two-Lane Blackto p , among others. The decade also saw the rise of the “blaxploitation” genre, seen in movies like Shaft (1971) and Dolemite (1975) . Finally, the “Me Decade” featured a wide variety of colorful, larger-than-life media personalities, such as Evel Kneivel, who held millions spellbound with their antics. The 1970s were also a time of great social upheaval. Americans’ faith in their leaders took a serious hit during the Watergate Scandal; oil shortages led to long lines at the gas pumps; the war in Vietnam raged through the early part of the decade; and drug use, especially cannabis, permeated society. The hippie, “free love” movement of the 1960s had come crashing down at Altamont and never recovered. All of these seemingly separate threads converge beautifully in Scott Von Doviak ’s " Lowdown Road" —a crime thriller that Stephen King calls “ a f**king great story … it’s a blast.” “Lowdown Road” is published by Titan Books as part of their Hard Case Crime series and is Von Doviak’s second novel, following 2018’s “Charlesgate Confidential”, also part of the same series. A pop culture journalist for publications such as The AV Club , Von Doviak is also the author of several pop-culture reference books, including “ Hick Flicks: The Rise and Fall of Redneck Cinema ” and “ The Stephen King Film FAQ ” . “Lowdown Road” follows a cast of characters who would have been at home in the grindhouse, drive-in movies of the 1970s . The action kicks off when cousins Chuck and Dean Meville rip a million dollars worth of weed off dealer Antonie Lynch. Their plan: abscond with the product to Snake River Canyon in Idaho, where thousands of people are gathering to watch stuntman Evel Kneivel attempt to jump it on a motorcycle. There, they plan to make a fortune—one that will secure their futures. Naturally, Antonie does not take highly to Chuck and Dean’s plan, and after the cousins steal his weed, he takes off in pursuit. Also on Chuck and Dean’s trail is Sheriff Geddings. Geddings’ mistress tried to use Chuck and Dean in a plan to kill her husband, Geddings’ deputy; however, Chuck and Dean threw a spanner into his works by killing Geddings’ mistress in self-defense. Now blind with anger and seeking revenge, Geddings is a man on a single-minded mission: avenge his lover by killing Chuck and Dean—and God help whoever gets in his way. Von Doviak’s “ hick cinema ” background is a huge influence on “Lowdown Road” . Chuck and Dean are just a pair of good ole boys who mean no one harm, who suddenly find themselves fleeing for their lives while trying to chase what is left of the American Dream. The types of movies Von Doviak is invoking with “Lowdown Road” also regularly featured corrupt law enforcement officials, and Sheriff Geddings is cut from this mold as well. Meanwhile, Antonie could have walked straight out of a blaxploitation movie, another nod to 70s drive-in movies. Yet Von Doviak imbibes each character with nuances and quirks that take them beyond being mere caricatures, Antonie Lynch in particular. Lynch is engaged in a number of criminal enterprises, not just limited to dealing drugs. It may be tempting to write Lynch off as a “crook” or a “thug,” but Von Doviak digs deep into Lynch’s psyche and makes him a well-rounded character. Lynch, who is also a closeted gay man, meets Julian, who is also Black and gay. The two share not only a bed and a car but also their love of movies, particularly the works of French New Wave director Jean-Luc Godard. Julian and Antonie are perfect for each other, even if they do not realize it until it's too late. Beyond Chuck, Dean, Antonie and Sheriff Geddings, Von Doviak creates a number of compelling and quirky characters whose lives weave in and out of the main story. Some of these minor characters also invoke 70’s cinematic archetypes ; for example, Chuck and Dean run afoul of a bootlegging, backwoods family who could have been plucked from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre . Uptown Mike, the short-fused biker Chuck and Dean encounter, could have come from Easy Rider. These characters add spice and color to the narrative. As befitting its influences and inspirations, “Lowdown Road” moves at a breakneck pace. Never once does the plot drag, and Von Doviak infuses it with a number of twists and turns—some funny and others devastating. The book’s climax, set at Evel Knievel’s iconic jump of the Snake Canyon River, is gut-wrenching , with twists the reader will not see coming. The book is fittingly cinematic. The 1970s were one of the most turbulent decades in American history. The pop culture of the time reflected this, mirroring the concerns and fears of a world where the illusion of stability and progress was slowly slipping away. These anxieties manifested themselves in a variety of genres, and Scott Von Doviak’s “Lowdown Road”perfectly recreates these seminal works, while adding new and unexpected layers along the way. "Lowdown Road" is currently available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and you can check your local bookstore, as they'll likely be carrying it too. For more on Author Scott Von Doviak, visit his official page at www.ScottVonDoviak.com . Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, which are far outnumbered by comics and the smell of rich mahogany. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Brothers is a Compelling Story about Rock Royalty < Back Book Review: Brothers by Alex Van Halen Nick Cline Oct 25, 2024 Share Brothers is a Compelling Story about Rock Royalty Brothers is the newly released memoir by Alex Van Halen . Most of you would know Alex from his hand in creating the legendary Van Halen . He is hands down one of the most underrated and perfectly rated drummers of the 80s (or maybe all-time). There is so much depth to the story and creation of the legendary brotherly duo Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen . This is more than an excellent book for Eddie and Van Halen fans. It is also a great book for anyone wanting to glimpse the wild animal in the music business, the struggle and achievements of an immigrant family, and a story of a bond that defined music history. Released October 22, 2024 The story starts with a beautiful introduction that tells the overall sentiment and dedication of the book. Eddie Van Halen died four years ago this year, and the effects of his legacy will never know its bounds. Alex understands that the world sees his brother as a mythical creature and lives with the guilt of his younger brother's death. He introduces the book, claiming that he failed as an older brother because he was meant to die first. He makes light in his darkness by admitting that Ed, like always, was quick to burst in front of the line. The book, which delves into themes of family, music, and the human experience, is a compelling read for anyone interested in these topics. This sentiment is the first insight into the humanity of the two brothers. It's a reminder that artists, including the Van Halen brothers, start as everyday people. They fight tooth and nail to become the people we idolize in music. Their journey from nothing to everything they ever wanted is a testament to the transformative power of music. But it also shows the struggle of losing purpose in the world that initially gave them their purpose, a feeling many of us can relate to. Every word in the book will give you a new outlook on how everything can change in your life. It can all change in an instant. It makes you understand that no one is ready for their dreams and changed lives even though people have prepared and worked for it their whole lives. Living your dream, your truth, is much different than the constant days of preparation, dreaming, working, and killing yourself for the life you crave. But the Van Halen brothers' story is a testament to the fact that it's all worth it in the end, inspiring you to keep pushing forward. The Van Halen brothers' story is a testament to the transformative power of music. Alex vividly recounts their unconventional upbringing, a journey that took two outcast kids from Amsterdam to the United States in pursuit of a life they could only dream of. The beauty and darkness of the music industry are palpable in every chapter, as you witness the hardships and sacrifices required to become a musical icon. It's a journey that turns you from an unknown into a revered entity, a transformation that is both fascinating and inspiring. This is more of a tale of triumph and legacy than a run-of-the-mill memoir. It captures the bond that Alex and Eddie had, described as a bond very few people experience in this life and any other. The Van Halen legacy is not just a legacy of virtuoso musicians, but it is a legacy of sentiment, hard work, brotherly bond, family, strife, and everything in between. 'Brothers' captures all of that because Alex is unapologetically himself throughout the whole work, which grips the reader from the first line till the end of the last page. Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen were everyday people with dreams. They found their dream. They fought for it, and they got everything they wanted. This is a book I highly recommend reading for fans of Van Halen , anyone in the music industry, striving artists of any class and caliber, and anyone who's dealt with the challenges of feeling like an outcast. The Van Halen brothers' story is a powerful reminder that even when you feel like you don't belong, you can still achieve your dreams. It's a story of triumph over adversity, and it's a must-read for anyone who's faced the ups and downs of life. To buy a copy for yourself: Amazon: https://a.co/d/hPnmIHd www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nick Cline is the powerhouse behind the Louisiana-based band, Phantum Sun , and loves checking out new music. Got something you think he'd like? Email us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

“Born in the Flames” by Branded for Exile is a non-stop ride of aggressive guitars, tight production, and loud ferocious metal sure to get your pulse going. < Back Branded for Exile: A Force in Louisiana Metal Nicole Brice Dec 11, 2023 Share “Born in the Flames” by Branded for Exile is a non-stop ride of aggressive guitars, tight production, and loud ferocious metal sure to get your pulse going. Louisiana metal has a unique vibe and sound unlike anything heard in other states. Hinting at darkness, the sound evokes visions of living in the humid swamp areas while also providing a gloomy backdrop for life. Louisiana metal is fierce, loud, and strong, but in a state oversaturated with metal bands, one band from Ascension Parish is standing out with their groove-metal style. Powerful metal outfit Branded for Exile has just released a new album, and metal fans, it’s intense. “ Born in the Flames ” features crushing riffs, melodic hooks, and powerful lyrics in a high-energy way, making for one hell of an enjoyable 37-minute listening experience. Click the album cover below to check it out! Released October 28, 2023 Branded for Exile hails from Prairieville, Louisiana, and is known for blending many styles, textures, and influences, ranging from Metallica to Killswitch Engage and everyone in between. Their music is best described as an amalgamation of aggression and emotion, resulting in a truly dynamic and cohesive sound enhanced by each member’s own set of skills: Shannon Guillot is the vocal magic; Scott Hood carries the bass; Blake Cage and Cody Derouen mix it up on guitar; and Zack Leblanc is the rhythm working the drums. Mixed Alternative had the chance to catch up with guitarist Cody Derouen and vocalist Shannon Guillot, where we chatted about their new album, the future direction of the band, influences, and much more. Take a moment to indulge in our chat, and then be sure to stream their new album on your favorite streaming service. “ Born in the Flames ” is a non-stop ride of aggressive guitars, tight production, and loud ferocious metal sure to get your pulse going. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today! Let’s dive right in with your new album, “ Born in the Flames ”. The mix sounds amazing. Tell us a little more about that. Cody : [ Jason Ogle ] recorded the bass, vocals, and the guitar, but the drums were done at OCD [Recording and Production] by Duane [Simoneaux]. MaM : Shannon, your vocals are on point. When I first listened to the song “ Silver Tongue ”, I thought about how your voice is very reminiscent of David Draiman from Disturbed because of the range of your screams. Have you gotten that comparison before? Shannon : When we first went in to record that song, to me, something was missing. It was our weakest song, so we changed some of the vocal parts to make them heavier, and it fit better. MaM : If Pantera and Disturbed had a band baby, it would be Branded for Exile. Do you agree? Shannon : Alright! Cody : I will take that! (laughter) MaM : See, this is the thing, your voice … it has hints of Phil Anselmo at times, too. Shannon : … and I am not surprised that you said that. Growing up, two of my idols were Sebastian Bach formerly of Skid Row and Phil Anselmo . There are some parts on the album that I call ‘Phil-isms’. I intentionally did it the way I felt Phil would do it. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : Your music is so high-energy and in-your-face, and your sound is so different. I feel you guys stand out here locally because of it. “ Numbered Days ” is just a badass song. Tell us a little more about how it came together. Shannon : The funny thing is that ‘ Numbered Days ’ was written in 2013. Me and the guitar player, Blake, … started [the band] Wicked River Rising and [wrote] some songs, but things didn’t work out, so we split up. … [W]hen we got Blake in this band, we still had those songs we had written, so we decided to see if we could still use them. Three of those songs … ended up on this album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXwepGnFkcw MaM : Let’s get into a little band history. Cody : Well, we’ve always known each other, and Shannon and I have played in various bands since 2003, but I was an outsider. I was never from Ascension Parish or the Baton Rouge scene. I started playing in the band Knever with Jeremy Pourcy and John Maher, and at the time, Shannon was with Black Market Halos . We were always crossing paths … playing shows and we had a brotherhood between bands in the early 2000’s. Fast forward to 2019, Knever tried to get back together a few times, but we just couldn’t make it work. John calls me up one day, though, and asks me about Shannon, and then tells me to call him, so I did. That was the beginning of the first incarnation of the band, and Scott Hood, who plays bass—Shannon already knew him from playing in Black Market Halos and Soul Erosion. Eventually, Blake Cage came into the mix from Absolum, and we all meshed. Now, as far as the drummer goes, that’s a different story. We auditioned six people. Shannon : We went a whole year without a drummer. We just could not find anyone, so we got together to practice without one for a bit. One day, a friend sent me a video on Facebook of a drummer I should check out, and I liked what I saw, so I hit the guy up. I ended up sending him some music with no lyrics, and he wanted me to send something with my singing on it. We ended up going to Jeremy’s house [Pourcy], and we put vocals on three songs, and then I sent it to him, and he said, ‘When do you practice again?’ That was it. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : How did the name for the band come about? Shannon : I came up with the name from a song I wrote, and to me, Branded for Exile stands for all the people who grew up like I did. The Metalheads, the outcasts … the ones with the long hair … the ones with tattoos … we are all ‘branded for exile’ in a way. Originally, though, we wanted to call the band Undaunted, but another band already had that name. Everyone liked [Branded for Exile] and agreed upon it, so here we are. MaM : Take us through the songwriting process. How do you approach new material? Shannon and Cody : Someone comes in with a riff. Shannon : Yeah, we’ll start with the riff, and then I freestyle lyrics to it until we get everything together. By the time that is done, I usually have the lyrics written. I like to write straight off the vibe. When we have another practice, I’ll sing the lyrics exactly as they are written to make sure I don’t have to alter them in any way, and then boom—it’s a song. Cody : As far as the music is concerned, everybody plays their part and knows their roles. You can’t have five Alpha guys trying to write one song. Somebody must step back, and another must come forward. With each song, you can tell who came forward to add their special touch. Sometimes you’re the writer and sometimes you’re the producer. Sometimes, you have to just sit back and let it happen. We live by the rule that the song is not finished until it’s recorded. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : If you guys could tour with anyone in the future, who would it be and why? Also, where do you see yourselves headed in the future as a band? Shannon : Shit … (laughter) Shannon : I think I would want to play with Killswitch [Engage]. That is my wife’s favorite band. … but it’s so hard to even imagine being able to play with so many great bands … that’s a tough one. Cody : Since I grew up on 80’s thrash, it would have to be Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax , or Megadeth . Shannon : I know there is going to come a time when I won’t be able to play music anymore, so I just want to put out as much as I can. I want to add to the legacy. I want to get older and have my grandkids go, ‘This is my Grandpa’, ya know? When I was younger, I chased the music dream. I wanted to be a rockstar, but it just didn’t pan out that way. MaM : … but what if it did happen now? Cody : I love these guys and they’re like my brothers, but I don’t know if I want to be over 50 and out on the road touring. If I was still 20 or 30, then yeah, because we did chase that dream, and I did give it 100%. I don’t think that I’m going to look back and think that I didn’t give it enough effort. If something were to happen, whatever it is, I would hope it would benefit all the bands here in Louisiana. A high tide raises all ships. If we get out there and our name gets out there, I just hope that it helps somebody else younger. To learn more about Branded for Exile and to check out “Born in the Flames”, hit one of the links below. Facebook Instagram Distrokid *cover photo by Chad Besse www.cmdbphotography.myportfolio.com chad besse www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nicole Brice loves discovering new music. Got something you think she’d like to hear? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Beyond Secret Smoker and Heavy Mantle < Back When Punk Turns Acoustic: William Edward Thompson Nicole Brice Feb 17, 2023 Share Beyond Secret Smoker and Heavy Mantle Being a native of South Louisiana and born and raised near Baton Rouge , which was always a short distance away from me, my late teens and early 20s were spent immersed in all the local music the various scenes had to offer. Over the years, though, adulthood would lead me to no longer be part of those scenes that molded and shaped me as a youth, and so, many local acts were lost to me over the years. The recent discovery of the local projects associated with William Edward Thompson led me to want to know more about this man with the incredibly expressive lyrics and perfect screamo voice resembling Geoff Rickly from Thursday . Involved in numerous projects throughout the years like Girl Scout Heroin and Jenaset , William is currently wrapped up in Secret Smoker and Heavy Mantle . His knack for writing poetic and insightful lyrics places him in the “need to know” category of musicians. Citing the skate culture that defined him as a child, William’s interest in music grew out of the environment around him. Credit: Gary Governale As a multi-talented artist, William not only sings, but he also plays bass, guitar, and drums. When asked about his different talents, he modestly acknowledges his abilities. If I could describe William Edward Thompson in one word, it would be humble. With his acoustic tunes, his voice turns away from the tone used in his other projects and instead is replaced with a softer, more genuine one. Truly, Thompson’s sound is both exceptional and classic—his colorful use of words creating an imaginary landscape full of symbolism. His thought-provoking lyrics on his upcoming new solo single make “ On Your Way ” a song you must listen to; it releases February 24 via Protagonist Music. A full-length LP is planned for release later in the year from Protagonist Music as well. Soft-spoken, polite, and modest, William Edward Thompson , known to most as Billy , possesses a rare vibe mostly absent from the scene these days—a vibe evoking the nostalgia of the iconic James Dean . His music, vibe, and charisma will draw you right in. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Thank you for carving out some time for me. I appreciate it. What led to you wanting to make a solo record? WT : I started playing acoustic more during the pandemic, and that’s what kind of prompted it. I was listening to a lot of acoustic stuff and solo artist stuff, and it influenced me in a way. Mark from Secret Smoker and I also did a cover of a Small Brown Bike song for one of their compilations with some other artists. They are my favorite band. Mark recorded the acoustic with his cell phone and I sang over it, and I thought, “Hey, this doesn’t sound bad. This can be done.” I kind of looked around at the genre we focus on, and there are not a ton of people doing acoustic stuff in our community of hardcore and punk, and I just wanted to bring it out and do it. MaM : What would you say the direction of the solo album is artistically? WT : So, with all of my bands, the music has always been full of complex sounds and rhythms, and I wanted to make it as simple as possible. When I approached the acoustic material, I thought, ‘How can I make this simple and as straightforward as possible?’ Even more so, my most recent band Heavy Mantle, that’s the direction we have been going as well. I just wanted to make an album that anyone could say, ‘Hey, I can play that. I could do that.’ MaM : What inspired the songs on the upcoming album? WT : I’ve been reading about Dharma Art for several years now, and I kind of take that approach with writing and with lyrics, too. I try to not make them overly complicated. A lot of it just comes to me. Sometimes I just sit down with a guitar and the lyrics come along with the chords. It goes back to serving the song. They’re just poems. That’s all they are. It’s not like I go, ‘This is going to be a poem, and I’m going to make it out into a song.’ It happens. It just happens in the moment. With cell phones, too, I can record anything, and it makes it much easier to retain what was written in that moment. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Have all of the songs been written for the upcoming album, or is it still a work in process? WT : The album is done. I’m still writing more songs, though … always. MaM : So, you’ve already decided on a set number of songs for the album and you’re not going to add anymore? I’ve heard you always seem to have a ton of songs written. WT : Nope. This album is done. The A and B side is done. It’s going on vinyl. That’s probably going to come out in late summer/early fall depending on the pressing plant. The single ‘ On Your Way ,’ which I recorded on my cell phone … I wanted to keep it in its purest form … [it] came out really good, surprisingly, is being released on February 24th on all platforms. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : How many songs are going to be on the new album? WT : I think we ended up with ten or eleven. I can’t remember the number. MaM : Which of your many guitars did you use to record this solo material? WT : I’ve got a Gibson Acoustic that I used. I just like the tone of it. It sounds good. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Have you decided on a title yet for the upcoming LP? WT : The LP will be called ‘ Sleep Test ,’ which is also the title track on the record. MaM : We look forward to checking it out and good luck with all you currently have in the queue. ' On Your Way ' is out February 24th on all streaming platforms. To learn more about William Edward Thompson , his music, and his bands, visit his social media platforms. William Edward Thompson | Baton Rouge LA | Facebook secret smoker | Facebook Heavy Mantle | Baton Rouge LA | Facebook Secret Smoker (@secretsmoker_the_band) • Instagram photos and videos Heavy Mantle (@heavymantle) • Instagram photos and videos @williamedwardthompson666 • Instagram photos and videos Weights & Measures | Heavy Mantle | Tor Johnson Records (bandcamp.com) Dark Clouds | Secret Smoker (bandcamp.com) Terminal Architecture | Secret Smoker | adagio830 (bandcamp.com) Split 7" | Alarms & Controls / Secret Smoker | PROTAGONIST MUSIC (bandcamp.com) *All photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or Comments? E-mail the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Mi’Kael Chalyce is a soulful vibe of reflection and relatability whose voice eloquently captures the emotional evolution of the human condition. < Back Mi’Kael Chalyce: A Soulful Vibe of Reflection and Relatability Erica Machen Mar 12, 2024 Share Mi’Kael Chalyce is a soulful vibe of reflection and relatability whose voice eloquently captures the emotional evolution of the human condition. Emerging from the musically acclaimed Nashville, Tennessee, Mi’Kael Chalyce, better known as Kael to her family and friends, has burst onto the scene with a soulful vibe of healing reflection and relatability . Passionate, bold, daring, and authentic, Chalyce is an empowered artist whose voice eloquently captures the emotional evolution of the human condition and translates the collective anguish, progress, struggle, and joy we experience on a daily basis. Inspired by vocal legends like Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige, Chalyce’s sound is a very cool blend of old school R&B mixed with the likes of Destiny’s Child and Outkast . And when combined with her strong gospel roots, her sound evokes that kind old school southern soul that’s wrapped in ambiance, truth, and pain. Mi’Kael left Nashville with a desire for authentic music after seeing business connections prevail over genuine human connections. She found sanctuary in the rhythms of Atlanta, Georgia, where her connections budded into relationships that allowed her music and stories to blossom. As a mother, educator, musician, and multi-faceted storyteller, Mi’Kael has both a history and a future worth sharing. Her authenticity and talent have shaped her into a powerful vessel spreading encouragement, energy, and self-expression. She is a triple threat in the most non-threatening ways, and she brings a sense of relatability and comfort in her music that warrants a desire to share and celebrate what she is doing. Photo from artist website We had the chance to rap with Mi'Kael recently and in that learned what a luminous talent she is. Check out our conversation below! MaM : I see that you've been inspired by legends such as Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige, as well as your gospel roots. How do you mix all those influences into your music and what do they mean to you personally? MK : Wow, that's a good one to kick off! I think it's incorporated into my music organically with the way I phrase my words, or I end the note, or end the line. You can just hear some of those influences. Those were the songs I listened to over and over growing up, so that's what naturally flows through me when I'm writing or performing. It's definitely one of those situations where it's not about where you're going [but] where you came from. Everything I pour into what I'm doing now is from back home and [I am] just taking it to the next level. MaM : Speaking of your roots and your identity as an artist, you have a cool blend of old school R&B with vibes of Destiny's Child and Outkast. How do you keep that mix while still staying true to your style? MK : I still listen to what’s on the radio now, but I try not to emulate too much of what other people are doing. I keep it fresh with my cadences. Destiny’s Child brought in that rap/sing era, and you still see that happening. I do that, but I blend that with a little of the old school southern soul sound. MaM : Your music dives into some deep topics like mental health and growth. How do you approach writing about such personal subjects, and what do you want your fans to take away from your music? MK : The way that I approach it is starting with the music. Photo from artist's website I listen and try to see what style of music puts me in the vibe of where I am in that point in time. I’m really careful about not writing in the air, as I call it. That’s writing random things just because they sound good. That's not how you create a sound that is going to translate. As I'm listening to the music, I make it fit with what I'm feeling. Whatever story I want to tell is what comes out. I don't necessarily say I want to talk about mental health. I just get it all out, and it turns into a song that’s encouraging people to tap into their mental health and self-care. It happens organically. MaM : Your move from Nashville to Atlanta must have been a big change. How does the switchup influence your music and connection with your fans? MK : In Nashville, I didn't feel as connected with the community as I do here. I felt like the musicians were work-for-hire, and we didn't get to build a true relationship or repertoire together. In Atlanta, people have been more excited to work with me, and you get people really wanting to build with you. It's just like a family, no matter who I'm singing with. MaM : “Passion and Chemistry” really hit home with your fans. Can you give us a peek behind the scenes? What inspired the tracks? MK : ‘Passion and Chemistry’ was the birth child of my divorce. I got married super young, at 19, and had a child. I was married eight years. I was out of the marriage [and] thought I was free and could have these great relationships. The first situation I got into, I was dealing with a guy who was also ending a marriage. It was a very complicated situation. I told that story through ‘Passion and Chemistry’. That song started as a country song. I have the country version from a producer in Nashville. A producer here in Atlanta gave it the feel we were looking for with more of a soul/hip-hop style. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-PE0g1HVko MaM : You mentioned your music is all about being real and speaking to the soul. How do you make sure that authenticity shines through in your music and performances? MK : I stay true to who I am [whether] I'm singing cover songs or … am with my own band singing my originals. I’m going to do it my way, in a way that speaks to my soul. I get contracted to sing jazz songs, swing, and all different types of things, but I always put what I call my Kael sauce on it to remain true to myself. Sometimes it’s difficult, but I am very creative in the way I communicate. It's just about your attitude and how you talk to people that makes all the difference. MaM : Everyone is going to be eager to know what is next for you. Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or plans on the horizon? MK : I am releasing a new single very soon [called] ‘Don't Settle’. Following that, I have a whole album in the works. By the end of the summer, you will have another full project. I am knee-deep [in] it! For more on Mi’Kael Chalyce, her music, and any upcoming shows, visit her official website at www.MikaelChalyce.com . www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Deanz is a deep soul channeling the complexities of human existence into art. < Back A Force for Change: Presenting Deanz Nicole Brice Apr 22, 2026 Share Deanz is a deep soul channeling the complexities of human existence into art. Joseph Dean Black, known artistically as Deanz , is an emerging creative force from the Lafayette, Louisiana area. His visual language carries the manic urgency of Jean-Michel Basquiat — raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically human. But Deanz isn’t an echo of influence. He’s a frequency all his own. Somewhat elusive by design, Deanz also produces an underground zine alongside his portrait work, cultivating a mystique that only deepens the impact of his art. Artwork by Deanz I first encountered his work through the cover art he created for the Louisiana band Mayrunner . The image didn’t sit still. It pulsed. It felt like something torn straight from the subconscious and pinned to paper before it could disappear. Over time, our conversations unfolded slowly, carefully — and I realized the mystery surrounding Deanz isn’t marketing. It’s protection. What he creates is intimate. It bleeds. In the months that followed, we began exchanging messages, and I found myself drawn not only to his work but to the presence behind it. There’s a veil of secrecy surrounding Deanz — a deliberate distance between the art and the man — yet what comes through is undeniable. He is more than a creator; he is a deeply introspective soul expressing himself on a frequency few dare to explore. Though he identifies first and foremost as a writer , his visual artistry speaks just as powerfully. Channeling severe childhood trauma and lived experience into his work, Deanz creates pieces layered with emotional depth and complexity. His writing and imagery move beyond surface aesthetics, confronting the human condition with honesty and intention. In a world oversaturated with noise and spectacle, his creations offer something increasingly rare: substance and authenticity. Credit: Elise Marie Mixed Alt Mag was granted an exclusive interview with the mind behind the zine and the art — and the conversation was anything but ordinary. Dive in below. MaM : I am honored you decided to speak with me today. Let’s just jump right in. Tell me a little more about yourself. Deanz : I’ve been writing for about 14 years, and this is the first time someone is writing about me. I am the ripe age of 25. MaM : Take me through all of your writing and the things you’ve done so far. How did the name Deanz come about? Deanz : Well, my name is Joseph Dean Black , and I had a bunch of stuff at work, my doodles and literature that people would touch, and I would say, “Hey! That’s Deanz shit”, and then I made a zine, met a lot of cool people, and the rest is here now. I am all literature. I started writing when I went into foster care in Baton Rouge . From there, I took everything I’ve learned, from all of the darkness in the world, and I kind of found myself in a place that’s still okay. So, I’ve just been writing. I have published and unpublished four anthologies. I’ve got a little over 800 short stories and poems . A lot of imagery, really. I don’t know what my writing style is, but I’m gonna just keep doing what I do, which is writing. Credit: Elise Marie MaM : So, you write from experience. The pain of existing. Unfortunately, they say pain makes the best art. Deanz : There are a lot of prefaces to it, too, like what I write. If you’re not ready to understand that about me or about someone else, and you read it, and you’re not in the right headspace, you can fuck yourself up with the content. I actually have a book titled “Why Joe Black” because that wasn’t the name I was born with. I changed my name when I got out of foster care, and the preface of the book states that I’ve been beaten, raped, starved, homeless, neglected, and left to the state of Louisiana. I always tell people, I promise you – everything is going to be okay. I pinky promise you. My plot twist – your dreams come true. Just stick with it. I kind of write just based on the current emotion, and I don’t rhyme. I like imagery. If I can get it on paper, I no longer have to live with it in my head. MaM : I can resonate with that. I have a journal that I just keep random quotes, bits of nothing, etc., in, but sometimes those quotes and notes fit later on when I sit down to write. Deanz : It’s so crazy that all of this is happening now, because when I got started, I had a family of five, and art wasn’t really going anywhere. I was just helping people. Now, it’s starting to get noticed. I’m not really an artist. I doodle so people will learn. I want people to be entranced by something visual because they use their visual sense before their common sense, so I’ll draw something, they'll turn it around and possibly learn something about themselves. That’s how we get better. Artwork by Deanz and Gabrielle Sonnier MaM : You’ve said a few times that you’re not an artist, but I don’t think you realize the impact your drawings have. Your art is very reminiscent of the late 70s/early 80s art scene in NYC – it’s very Basquiat-inspired, but then you release it under Deanz, and no one knows who you are, so it has this level of intrigue. Deanz : I don’t like my face to be on the internet. I’m okay with being around people, and being introduced to others in public to see people’s faces, but I don’t see a lot of value in putting yourself out there too much. Like with social media, we have to do what needs to be done. Sadly, we have to give in a little. MaM : It’s all a role. A role in society. Deanz : I understand that the foundation we have now will not carry with the generations to come. It’s not going to carry with my generation, and I understand that everything I try to put my hand in, it may be small now, but that’s the forefront. That is the basis of it. Everything that will be built will be based on this, and it will carry the next generations because we are in a renaissance. Credit: Elise Marie MaM : Yep, agreed. Deanz : All of these art forms are becoming new again. Physical media. If you don’t grab it, it’s going to grab you, and it’ll be too late. We are so much more than we have been taught to be. I tell all the youngsters all the time, they undersell us because they plan to underpay us. MaM : What all do you plan to work on in the future? What’s the trajectory look like? Deanz : I plan to start a new magazine called Humane , because we are the blue beams, we are the star people. I’m trying to remind people that first, you must be human. You are born a human, but then we are taught to be people through society, and that strips things away, or better yet, it covers it up with things they deem to be useful. If you let those things go and sit in it all, you can shed them and become human again. That’s the goal. Credit: Elise Marie MaM : How do you see yourself in the grand scheme of this renaissance? Deanz : I have a dream, and if my dream comes to fruition, I will die early. I will give my community what they need, and if I need to die, then I will. I understand that I am incredibly young to understand and feel what I am feeling, but I am so ready to give my life to ensure we remain as genuine as we can. We’re almost gone. We’re almost robots. We have a phone in our hands, and we’ve brought them into our homes, so we’ve brought society into our heads and homes. Everything we do is based on what someone is going to feel about it. I need to find a new question to ask people. I can’t tell people what to think, and I can’t tell them answers, but I can ask them questions to make them think. I understand pain that most will never. I do free art. I don’t charge anything. I don’t care to be in people’s wallets. I care to be in their minds. In my dreams, all of our dreams come true. Keep dreaming. Don’t give up on yourself. Poetry doesn’t have to rhyme. What you write doesn’t have to do be coherent. What you do doesn’t have to make sense. As long as you do it and are honest with yourself, people will get it. They will feel something. Artwork by Deanz MaM : I have a feeling you are going to change the face of art in the new era, and your work will become part of the next urban art movement. You say you aren’t an artist, but your work speaks volumes. Deanz : I don’t believe that I am an artist, and I say that to be as humble as I can, but there is a style of art now called Deanz because it is Dean’s style. I need people to feel, and if you don’t feel, then you are dead, and why are you here? Deanz isn’t building a legacy the traditional way – and that’s the point. In a city like Lafayette, where art has always lived as much in back rooms and on street corners as in formal spaces, his work carves out its own lane. It rejects polish, refuses permission, and thrives. Long after trends shift and scenes evolve, what will remain of Deanz is the residue of his presence – the life he led, the voices he amplified, and the quiet revolution of creating on his own terms. To learn more about Deanz and his work: Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Deanz (@deanzzine) • Instagram photos and videos All photos by Elise Marie Photography by Elise Marie www.photosbyelisemarie.com Photography by Elise Marie www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com mixedalternativemag@gmail.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The absurdist megachurch comedy is back with more shenanigans < Back The Righteous Gemstones Returns for Season 3 Keeley Brooks Jun 12, 2023 Share The absurdist megachurch comedy is back with more shenanigans The Righteous Gemstones could quite possibly be one of Danny McBride’s best series yet, aside from Eastbound and Down , which aired back in 2009. If you missed that series, it stars Danny McBride as Kenny Powers, a former professional baseball pitcher who, after a career downturn in the major leagues (due, in part, to his childishness and arrogance), is forced to return to his hometown of Shelby, North Carolina, to substitute teach at his old middle school. It’s well worth the comedic four-season binge, which is full of so many laughs and excellent one-liners, you’ll be repeating them for weeks. The Righteous Gemstones is an HBO series, also created by McBride, that is a dark comedy crime show that follows a famously dysfunctional family of televangelists. It is the most quintessential absurdist megachurch satire ever to hit the airwaves, and McBride does not hold back on anything offensive—that’s his thing, right? Being offensive? Yes! So, if you’re one who is easily offended, maybe skip this show, but if you are not, I highly recommend binge-watching the first two seasons in preparation for the third, which airs this weekend. The Gemstones are an over-the-top wealthy religious family living in Memphis, Tennessee, led by widowed patriarch and church pastor Eli Gemstone (John Goodman of The Connors ). Image: HBO Eli and his incessantly immature (adult) children, Jesse (Danny McBride of Your Highness ), Judy (Edi Patterson of Violent Night ), and Kelvin (Adam Devine of Workaholics ) lead the kind of opulent lives that could only be provided by church donations given in the name of the Lord. The Gemstones all live near one another in their respective mansions spread across way too many acres of property—except for Judy, who winds up living in the “regular” house, presumably because she’s female and not as high up in the church. In the first season, we learn about what the Gemstones are currently up to in their lives, which entail a lot of secrets. The opening scene of the first episode is one of the funniest baptism scenes I’ve ever witnessed. Eli (Goodman), Jesse (McBride), and Kelvin (Devine) are in China for a 24-hour mass baptism, which takes place in a wave pool at a water park because it was the only space large enough to accommodate so many people. By hour 17, the brothers are wearing down and, in true rich-kid fashion, and start criticizing each other, bickering about the right way to baptize people when, out of nowhere, obnoxious party lights kick on and giant waves begin rolling through the pool. What ensues is complete hilarity as everyone scrambles to get out of the rave … I mean waves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq3IGAHbh0U As the Gemstones return home, though, we learn the shenanigans are just beginning. Jesse receives a salacious videotape of himself and some friends snorting cocaine and partying with a bunch of strippers—completely unacceptable behavior for the associate pastor of a megachurch. The tape is blackmail in exchange for a large sum of money, but from whom? Jesse enlists his brother and sister to help keep this quiet and track down the blackmailer, just as you’d suspect a bunch of eight-year-olds might go about handling such a task. Image: HBO Moreover, Eli’s estranged brother-in-law, played by Walton Goggins (who is known for his big, white teeth in roles from Justified and Sons of Anarchy ), is brought in to lead the Gemstones’ new shopping-mall-based satellite church, which impedes on a neighboring church. Image: HBO Season one ends with stolen money, the siblings confessing their sins to Eli, and the fate of the church up in the air as Eli kicks all three kids out of the church. Season two focuses on the Gemstones’ past—namely that of Eli. When an outsider from Eli’s younger days appears and tries to pick up old pastimes, we learn Eli used to be a criminal enforcer for a big-wig bad guy. Also, an investigative reporter by the name of Thaniel Block (Jason Schwartzman of Rushmore) turns up to investigate a tip he received about corruption running rampant in the Gemstone church. That catastrophe is one big hilarious fallout you have to see for yourself. Presumably, season three will focus on what the Gemstones will do to secure their future. Rest assured, there will be plenty more moral hijinks as the Gemstones battle for power and face off against some new opposers and face some violent pushback. They’ll also get involved in the NASCAR circuit and have to deal with an increasingly popular vocal religious movement consisting of boisterous, far right-wing gun-owning enthusiasts. For more details and a full recap of seasons one and two , read this article , which will tell you everything you need to know before the premiere of The Righteous Gemstones Season 3, which airs this Sunday, June 18, on HBO and Max. Catch the trailer below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quK5D0s6Rh4 Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies and streaming nerd who watches way too much content, then faces an uncontrollable urge to write about it, even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Enigma of Depression Through a Rose-colored Lens < Back Everything’s Poetic: David Donihue Erica Machen Mar 25, 2024 Share The Enigma of Depression Through a Rose-colored Lens In a world where we are drowning in society's lies about mental health, yet we thirst for those words to be substantiated, David Donihue poetically expresses a cyclic refrain emblematic of the empathetic souls of our time in "Everything's Poetic.” David showcases a resilient determination to find meaning and beauty in life despite adversity and mental health struggles. Bringing the poem to cinematic life, David has provided his readers—and YouTube followers—with a profound visual experience. Who knew invisibility could be so expressive? Without giving away too much, I'll limit my details here, but check out the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6arQezwpJBg The repetition of the phrase "This is the most depressed I’ve ever been," followed by reflections on past instances of depression, reflects a pattern of struggle with mental health. While acknowledging one’s own mistakes and the pain inflicted by others, he also expresses a longing for life to be meaningful and poetic, even amidst an endemic sense of despair. David also explores the idea that everything can be seen through a poetic lens, especially for those who are empathetic and introspective. He finds beauty in empathy and in understanding others' struggles and traumas. Maybe that poetic lens is rose-colored, but the understanding he seems to find is entirely bittersweet. There's a sense of unity and acceptance in David's poem as he acknowledges the diversity of human experiences, from "the hurting and the healers" to "the homos and the breeders," suggesting that despite differences, there is beauty and poetry in every life story. Ultimately, this is surely a celebration of resilience and the ability to find beauty and meaning in the midst of pain and chaos. It encourages embracing empathy, honesty, and a willingness to love life even in the face of adversity. David's raw honesty truly sets the tone for a remarkable poem full of thought and character. We recommend you check out more from this insightful poet and you can do so by clicking one of the links below. www.daviddonihue.com Facebook Instagram YouTube TikTok www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

“Sulking in Love” features powerful ballads as gateways to the darkness that lurks beneath personal distress. < Back Shawn Williams: Sulking in Love Ryne Hancock Sep 27, 2023 Share “Sulking in Love” features powerful ballads as gateways to the darkness that lurks beneath personal distress. New Orleans native and singer/songwriter Shawn Williams loves the nighttime. “The nighttime is when we are mostly alone by ourselves, stuck with whatever’s going on, whether it’s sadness or happiness,” she once wrote on her website when describing the inspiration behind most of her songs. For 13 years, Williams worked as a radio personality and program director at various stations in Atlanta, New York, and New Orleans before she decided to strike out on her own in 2017. As a hauntingly soulful singer/songwriter with a throaty rasp and sardonic lyrics , Shawn brought forth her brand of Americana, which, according to her, is a mixture of alt-rock, country, and serial killer blues , with her first album “Shadow.” Her next album, “Motel Livin,’” which garnered favorable reviews from local music outlets like OffBeat Magazine , released in 2018. Since breaking out on the New Orleans music scene six years ago, Williams has been a mainstay on the popular local WHIV-FM country music show “NOLA Country Radio.” She has also been featured in the aforementioned OffBeat Magazine , Ireland’s Lonesome Highway , and Europe’s Country People Magazine and was nominated for three “Best of the Beat” awards last year. credit: Christopher Bryson Recently, Williams released her third album in four years and fifth album overall with “Sulking in Love,” which was produced with assistance from Mark Howard, who was at the helm on albums such as the Neville Brothers’ “Yellow Moon” and Peter Gabriel’s “Us.” “Sulking in Love” is layered and textured in sound and is like a cross between Lucinda Williams and PJ Harvey but reads more like the tale of a woman ready to move on from a relationship than anything else, hence the title of the album. “Sulking in Love” showcases “cut-throat guitar melodies fused with pure muscle jazz” as Williams’ powerful ballads build on danger, tension, and the Crescent City after dark. Her powerhouse vocals matched with her Cajun folk twang creates a sultry atmosphere for listeners to experience. “Sulking in Love” is full of surprise moments like, for example, the big solo on “Givin’ Up,” which features the guitar framed by what sounds like a vintage Mellotron, which is pretty cool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKUiTJ-StVE A few weeks ago, Shawn took time from her busy tour schedule to talk with me about her music, the Americana scene in the Crescent City, and the trials and tribulations of being a working musician in New Orleans. MaM : You worked as a radio programmer before hitting it on the road as a singer/songwriter. With the way radio is set up now, most notably in the country genre, what positives or negatives have you seen in terms of radio play for americana/country? Shawn : I've been writing songs since I was 10 and playing guitar since I was 14. In any genre, it's hard for artists to get mainstream/commercial radio airplay unless you're backed by the big labels and big money. What's great about New Orleans is that people support their local, independent radio stations, like WTUL, WWOZ, and WHIV because they play local artists … artists like Lucinda Williams or Ryan Adams who don't get mainstream support but are still big. MaM : Two years before the pandemic, you had two albums out. After we all went on lockdown, you then released your third album, "The Fear of Living, The Fear of Loving." Would you say the pandemic was the fuel behind your creative input now that you have released three albums in four years? Shawn : That third overall album was fueled by a breakup, drinking (because what else was there to do at that time?), dark times, and by the song "Change . " I first wrote "Change" and I was like, “What the hell? What else am I going to do? Let me record a whole album on my phone," which I never wanted to do because of the quality, but I went for it for fun. I wrote all of the songs within a week , played all of the instruments—some of which I've never played before—and made my album how I wanted it to sound in every aspect. I actually had a Kickstarter going at the end of 2019 to record a third album in a real studio, but when the shutdown happened, that idea got nixed. When things picked back up, I started recording the fourth overall album in 2021 and released it in the summer of 2022, and then a few months later I started recording my fifth overall album and released it a few months later. MaM : In the short time I've followed your career, you've been traveling over to Pensacola, Fla., mostly to do shows. Is it due to the pay for gigs there as opposed to gigs here in New Orleans, or the Americana scene here in the city? credit: Jessica Moody Shawn : It's due to pay and the change of the music scene in New Orleans since the shutdown; although, leading up to it, the [NOLA] scene was already beginning to derail. All the clubs on Frenchmen Street other than Checkpoint Charlie (which rarely has music anymore), unfortunately want the same sound, the same five cover songs, and that's just not me. They rip off musicians. I don't want to have my players put up with working their butts off for no money and no respect. Now I'm just playing select venues and shows, places in the city that I want to play and that respect the music and the musicians, and spending the rest of my time on the road. MaM : On your album you have a song called "Society." From what I've gathered , you've never been big on political songs. What inspired you to write that one? Shawn : Yeah, I don't think I really have any politically driven songs, other than a few lines in some songs. Last summer, I was living in my RV on a farm and staying in Pensacola for the summer while touring and doing some shows on the coast and up north. Prices doubled in places to rent in New Orleans, and I couldn't afford anything. I was pissed that I couldn't go back to the place that I was born because of gentrification and the mayor killing our city and culture. And that's how the song began, as you can tell in the first couple of lines. It also touches on the city’s crime, but how crime begins at the top and with our leaders. I also have some lines in there about the pumps, Sewerage and Water Board, and the 5G towers all around the French Quarter. MaM : One of the members of the famous Neville family, Omari, is featured on "Sulking in Love." What was it like working with New Orleans music royalty? Shawn : It was killer!!! And I've never felt so fortunate to get to work with some badasses. It was my first time meeting Omari Neville , who plays on percussion and drums on this album, Daryl Johnson, who’s worked with The Neville Brothers, Emmylou Harris , and the Meters, who plays bass and percussion plus provides backing vocals, as well as Michael Chaves, who is on the guitar, keyboards, harmonica, and tambourine. L to R: Michael Chavez, Mark Howard, Shawn Williams, Daryl Johnson, Omari Neville (from artist website) It was important to have some New Orleans musicians on the album because the city is important to me and [is] a part of my sound and myself. They were all fun and easy to work with … [we] definitely vibed quickly. I’m thankful to have Omari as part of my band and live shows now! MaM : What do you expect your listeners to get out of this new album? Also , are there any upcoming shows in New Orleans on the horizon? Shawn : Like I hope for with all of my albums, I hope they get rawness, vulnerability, and are able to connect with the album. Plus, appreciation to the guys and how incredible they did on the album! On October 1, we'll be playing at Toulouse Theatre with our friends Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue opening up! "Sulking in Love" is currently available on most streaming outlets. For more on Shawn Williams, her music, and her tour schedule , visit her online at www.ShawnWilliamsMusic.com or at any of the below-listed links! Facebook: @ShawnWilliamsMusic Bandcamp: shawnwilliamsmusic.bandcamp.com *cover image by Shannon Moon www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

It’s intriguing, it’s glamorous, and it’s full of nostalgia. < Back Book Review: Playboys, Celebrities, and Me by Dianne Dorman Nicole Brice Mar 12, 2025 Share It’s intriguing, it’s glamorous, and it’s full of nostalgia. For those who know me, it’s no secret that I have always had an obsession with Playboy magazine and Hugh Hefner . The obsession stems more around trying to figure out who the man truly was vs who he projected to those closest to him, but this book review is not about that. After doing a random search online for more books containing anything Playboy -related, I instantly found Dianne 's book and ordered it because I’ve been down the rabbit hole on that for quite a while. The book starts a little slow, but around the chapter titled The Candy Store , the pace picks up significantly, and from there, it’s a whirlwind of events, from a passionate romance with one of baseball’s greats to hanging out at the Beverly Hills Hotel and more. Click to purchase Name-dropping abounds with a who’s who of the celebrity world in the 1970s and 1980s. This book truly is an insider’s look at some of the private affairs of the Hollywood elite. Dianne does a great job of explaining the superficial reasoning behind who made “it” back then via slimy casting agents, which still applies today, and through that, she makes you realize how fake it all truly is and how we are merely actors performing in our plays. It's all there, from modeling for Playboy , Linda Lovelace adventures, and an awkward first meeting experience with the legendary Telly Savalas . Dianne ’s narrative speaks of self-confidence, love and loss, and finding oneself amid all the chaos. A blonde beauty who attracted the attention of many men, Dianne ’s career involved modeling and acting, sometimes in entertaining situations. It involved some of Hollywood ’s finest men, and most interestingly, Dianne Dorman even once dated the “ Winchester Cigarette Guy .” Notable career moments include being considered for Farrah Fawcett ’s replacement on Charlie’s Angels and being asked to be Katherine Hepburn ’s double on the film Stagecoach . Dianne also tells the tale of being chosen for a spot as a reindeer girl for Bob Hope ’s Christmas Special in the late '70s. Ladies, there is even a chapter titled The Grotto . I’ll let you figure out what that one is about. It includes a steamy narrative with Ronnie Caan , brother of the legendary James Caan , and it is sure to get your pulse going. Google what he looks like. Not bad. Dianne vividly describes the Playboy Mansion , where you feel like you were there, and I wish I could have been just once in my life. It’s sad to think that what once was is no more. Beyond the bad times I’ve read more about, which occurred at the mansion, Dianne ’s book is more positive and keeps the original spirit of what I think Hugh wanted the mansion to have. Overall, Playboys, Celebrities, and Me is a very engaging book. I recommend you check it out. To purchase your copy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bFzpjb5 www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Old Fans, New Faces, One Incredible Night! < Back Weekend Rock: Dance Gavin Dance at The Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park Jeff Crespi May 31, 2026 Share Old Fans, New Faces, One Incredible Night! Dance Gavin Dance took over The Stone Pony Summer Stage on Friday, May 29, 2026 , and delivered an unforgettable performance to thousands of their devoted fans. From the moment they stepped on stage, the energy was electric . Their music has always struck me as incredibly raw, emotional, and powerful , and this performance only amplified that feeling. Every song seemed to get the crowd going. One of the most interesting things I noticed was the balance within the audience. There was a strong presence of longtime, old-school fans who have been following the band for years, standing shoulder to shoulder with a younger generation discovering and embracing their music. Both groups shared the same passion and excitement, especially as they eagerly battled for a coveted spot at the front of the stage. Watching the interaction between the band and the crowd was one of the highlights of the night. The energy flowing back and forth was incredible , creating the kind of live music experience that reminds you why concerts are so special. Whether it was singing along to every word, throwing themselves into the pit, or simply soaking in the moment, the fans brought an enthusiasm that elevated the entire performance. The supporting lineup was equally impressive. The Fall of Troy , Wolf & Bear , and Novelists each brought their own unique style and intensity to the stage, making for a stacked bill from start to finish. Every band delivered a passionate set that perfectly complemented the night’s atmosphere. Together, they created a relentless, in-your-face experience that kept everyone engaged and energized throughout the evening. By the end of the night, there was no sign of the momentum slowing down. From the opening act to the final notes of Dance Gavin Dance ’s set, the entire show felt like a celebration of heavy, emotional, and boundary-pushing music. It was the kind of concert that leaves you exhausted, exhilarated, and already looking forward to the next time. For more on Dance Gavin Dance: Dance Gavin Dance | Official Website & Merchandise The Fall of Troy ‎The Fall of Troy - Apple Music Wolf & Bear ‎Wolf & Bear - Apple Music Novelists ‎NOVELISTS - Apple Music All photos by Jeff Crespi www.jeffcrespirocks.com www.jeffcrespirocks.com JEFFCRESPIROCKS See through a different lens! www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com mixedalternativemag@gmail.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

You Never Know < Back The Nine Lives of Paul Sanchez C.G. Smith Nov 30, 2022 Share You Never Know “Ram Das and Alan Watts would tell the story of the Chinese farmer ,who one day his horse runs away, and his neighbor says, ‘That’s too bad.’ And he goes, ‘Well, you never know.’ The next day the horse comes back leading five wild stallions and his neighbor says, 'That’s wonderful!’ and the guy replies, ‘Well, you never know.’ The next day his son’s trying to break one of the stallions and he falls off and he breaks his leg. His neighbor says, ‘Oh, that’s terrible!’ And he goes, ‘Well, you never know.’ The next day the army comes through conscripting young men for the service, and they take all but his son because he’s got a broken leg. His neighbor says, ‘That’s wonderful!’ And he says, ‘Well, you never know.’ That’s life. What looks like a wrong turn sometimes is the greatest thing that could have happened.” – As told by Paul Sanchez. _____________________________________________________________ It has been said that the best art comes from suffering. Others claim it comes from the joy and happiness that make art what it is. New Orleans songwriter, actor, and producer Paul Sanchez, formerly of the hit band Cowboy Mouth , is well acquainted with both. From his early experiences living as one of 11 siblings in a poor, working-class family in the rough Irish Channel neighborhood of New Orleans in the 60s to playing in front of tens of thousands of people on stage, Paul embodies a life lived. He grew up in New Orleans , then lived in New York in the late 80’s and has since traveled all over the world. But he still loves coming home to the Crescent City . “One of the things that makes New Orleans special to me in my travels is that it's an entrée to anywhere in the world. When you say you are a musician from New Orleans you get a respect before you even play a note that most musicians have to earn,” says Paul. There are many glimpses into this incredible life throughout the extensive catalog of music he has written, produced, or simply been a part of over the years. His lyrics can be beautiful and dark, sometimes silly, and other times dead serious, but they always tell a story. Sanchez has 11 albums out with his former group Cowboy Mouth and another dozen or so on his own and with other musicians. This includes the musical project Nine Lives , based off Dan Baum’s New York Times best-selling novel by the same name that may soon become a television series. To be this prolific you really need to have something important to convey in your music. “I don’t really think about what I’m going to write … before I start writing,” he says when asked about his process. “Often, I am writing so fast that I don’t realize what it is I have written until it is finished. Sometimes not until years later. When my ex-wife left me, I looked back at the songs that I had written while we were married and realized most of them were about being lonely and [feeling] unloved. The songs have always known me better than I have known myself. It feels like they are written by someone else who has whispered them to me as if in a dream, a gift from the universe. I hear a melody and words and I follow them to, what seems to me, their natural conclusion.” Credit: Marc Millman Paul’s first gig was filling in for a friend at a French Quarter venue at the tender age of 16, and since then he has performed all over the world from intimate gigs in private homes to multiple Jazz Fests to stadiums with tens of thousands of people. He started singing after his father passed away when he was only five years old. “My father was sort of the heart of the family, and when he died, [for the first six months] my mom [would spend] all day at the graveyard. I had five brothers and five sisters and most of them were still at home when he died. A little boy singing was prettier than a house full of people crying, so everybody encouraged me to sing. [Early] on I knew my singing made other people feel better. I didn’t know if it made me feel better, but it made other people feel better and that’s been sort of the inner quest [for] the rest of my life.” Paul wrote his first song before ever playing the guitar, and at a young age formed an imaginary band with a friend and called themselves The Possibilities . He wrote their theme song at age 6 after hearing The Monkees and Herman’s Hermits . “We’re the Possibilities,” (very 60s, he interjects), “Yes, we’re The Possibilities. We may have no style but we’re gonna try to get up high, ‘cause we’re The Possibilities, and that’s what we have: a possibility.” In his teens, Paul started learning guitar, and at 16 he played his first gig. He was then was in a band called The Backbeats , whom he formed with Ellen DeGeneres’ brother Vance . In 80s he moved to New York’s East Village to join the anti-folk scene there and learned a lot about songwriting and performing from the people he met there. credit: Billy Nova, a.k.a. William Moeller “I’d gone up to New York to be the next Bruce Dylan or Bob Springsteen . I read this tiny ad in the Village Voice that said, ‘If you want the real thing, come to The Fort at Sophie’s.’ So, I walked across the island, not knowing how far of a walk that was going to be, and in 1986 how dangerous it was. I walked into this little bar where they’d moved the pool table, and the singers were just standing under this light. There’s a guy with a clipboard, Latch – who’s still a friend, so I walked up to him and said, ‘Hey man, I’m from New Orleans, can I play?’ He pulls his glasses down and he goes, ‘Are you good?’ I went, ‘I’m pretty good.’ He went, ‘I didn’t ask if you if you were pretty good, I asked you if you were good.’ One of my friends was standing with me and he goes, ‘Hey man, this guy’s f*ckin’ great.’ Latch looks over at my buddy, doesn’t say a word, looks back at me and goes, ‘So are you good?’ I went, ‘Yeah, I’m good.’ He went, ‘Okay, you can play.’ I loved that. It was his first lesson: if you can’t own it, you can’t be it.” When asked if he wrote many songs while in New York, Sanchez says he, "worked a movie up there-- A Kiss Before Dying with Matt Dillon and Sean Young (she was crazy as a road lizard) --was staying at a friend’s place on 14th St. My friends were kind of, big people, and they were fuckin’ and I was sleeping on the couch against their bed, and it was obvious, so I was getting divorced and was depressed so I split, and I thought I’m just gonna do a shot at every bar between here and Houston St. and think about where I went wrong. I didn’t know how many bars they had in New York – it rivals New Orleans. So doing shots of Wild Turkey and on the return trip home, sometime around two in the morning I decided to call my ex and explain my side of things one more time. After she hung up on me, I went back and grabbed my guitar, drunk as shit and went on the roof of the building and wrote Light It On Fire .” Many of us remember Paul from the New Orleans rock group Cowboy Mouth , which he co-founded, toured the world with, and released many albums with over 16 years. In 1992, he met a woman who gave him her card. Paul replied to her with some demos for “Jet Black and Jealous” he had made in New York in 1987 on a Tascam four-track cassette recorder. “So, I sent them to her, and she goes, ‘I love this, I want to put it out. What I’m hearing on this record is this guy’s singing songs like he believes nobody’s ever gonna hear them.’” And that’s how Sanchez began doing solo records and in 2006, when the flooding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina washed away everything he owned, he decided to quit Cowboy Mouth and focus on his own material. Since then, he has released nearly 20 records either solo or with other musicians. credit: Joanna DeGeneres Paul suffered years where he couldn’t sing because of dystonia , which is a movement disorder that causes the muscles to contract involuntarily. With singers, it’s a chronic voice disorder characterized by spasms of the muscles in the larynx, which control the voice. “The four years I couldn’t sing were very humbling, but I took it as a grace. I took it that the universe was trying to teach me something I needed to know. I’m only at the beginning of the trail of realizing what that is and then incorporating it into the music. I’m singing different[ly] than I did before. It’s like a stroke victim learning to walk again, you know? [With t]his neurological condition, the neurons in your brain are … misfiring. From the throat surgeries, the breakup, the traveling 400 miles a week, etc., they thought I was in trauma, and they said, ‘Let’s shut this guy down.’ The way his dystonia therapist put it to him was that he had a traumatic event in childhood that began a loop of “I’m not worthy” talk, and then a second trauma in adulthood altered “I’m not worthy” into “I don’t even want to be me.” When his therapist asked why he thought this was happening, Paul said, “I think I have a profound desire not to be Paul Sanchez anymore. My brain doesn’t want to be that guy anymore. I’m now teaching my brain that it wasn’t the music; it was life.” Thankfully, a voice coach helped get Paul singing again and back on stage for our entertainment pleasure, and we are so glad he is feeling better and singing/talking again. As for influences, Sanchez credits The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen early on, connecting to the mythos of their escaping poverty through music. “[They were] all were very open about their own influences and as a fan, I listened to the people they talked about, and my musical education is a result of doing so, from Woody Guthrie to Frank Turner .” “One of the most revealing interviews I ever read was Bruce Springsteen . Back in the ‘90s he took four years away from music to go into therapy ‘cause he had wanted to commit suicide. So, after four years off course he went back to music, he made a record, he’s going on tour, and Rolling Stone sends a respected writer … to interview him. At one point he says, ‘So Bruce, are you still going to do four-hour concerts, because you know everybody loves those?’ He said Bruce grinned said, ‘Well I love ‘em too, but I found out through therapy that I also stay up there that long because it’s the only place I don’t feel worthless.’ What struck me was, he didn’t say, ‘It’s the only place I feel worthwhile.’ He said ‘It’s the only place I don’t feel worthless.’ That to me was more honest. For me, I grew up in poverty, and an abusive situation, and music was my place not to feel worthless. It’s healing. That’s why you go back to it.” Today, while many of his influences circle back to his originals, Paul says he gets inspired by songs he hears. “ Alex McMurray, Davis Rogan, Jim McCormick, John Rankin, John Thomas Griffith —great songwriters inspired me to try to write great songs.” And besides the music Sanchez creates, he’s also an actor. “Acting, for me, is completely different than making music. Making music is an expression of who I am, my essence in words and melody. When I am acting, I memorize the lines and then I say them as the director would like them to be said. More often than not, a director will come up to you right before a scene and ask, ‘Can you say it like this?’ Being a musician, I try to mimic the tone and inflection, the rising and falling of his or her voice. More often than not the director is thrilled because what I’m doing is saying it like it has been in his or her head for months. I’m not trying to put my stamp on it; I’m trying to put their stamp on it because it’s their show, not mine.” He even spent some time filming the hit HBO series Tremé , which Sanchez says was a joy. “ David Simon and Eric Overmyer are true music fans, and they treated the musicians like gold … [and gave] great advice.” Paul says the show was so real, it felt like the writers were eavesdropping on the lives of him and his friends, adding that the writers love NOLA, and it showed in the series’ writing and direction. He says they created a historical document of the culture and music of New Orleans that’ll be invaluable in years to come. And he has many interesting stories from his time filming. “We were filming a [funeral] scene in a church Uptown. [It] was packed with musicians, mostly hired extras, and I sat next to John Boutté . On a break, David Simon sat and talked to me and John . I mentioned that it was amazing to see so many musicians gathered [in one place] and how they were committed to realism no matter the cost. David Simon responded with, “It isn’t the money; it’s the emotional equity.” I was so struck by the phrase that I turned it into a song with Alex McMurray called ' Emotional Equity ,' which appeared on my release, Paul Sanchez and The Rolling Road Show - Reclamation of The Pie-Eyed Piper .” Paul notes that the NOLA music scene is far more diverse now than it was in his youth. There wasn’t much of a scene for singer/songwriters when he was young, and he credits Tréme with bringing a new perspective to the music scene. He adds that NOLA provides a unique place for artists of all ages, noting that you may not get rich, but you’ll always be playing music. He’s been around the world and performed in some amazing places, with some amazing talent, so I asked him to share some of his most memorable experiences. “When I was in Cowboy Mouth , we played a music festival in Atlanta , Music Midtown Festival , opening for Cheap Trick . The audience in front of us was 50,000 people , [and] the crowd literally disappeared down the street as it sloped down from the stage. Ellen DeGeneres had Cowboy Mouth on her show after [Hurricane] Katrina, and it was pretty special. I knew her when she was starting up: she opened for a band I had with her brother Vance DeGeneres , [which is] pretty funny looking back ‘cuz we were the hot new-wave band in New Orleans at the time, and she was just looking for a gig. It was wonderful to be on her show. It’s always wonderful to see someone you know live a dream. Credit: Facebook I feel the same way about Darius Rucker . He has always been so generous to me. In 2016 , he brought me on tour to write songs. The songs were never used, but he also brought me on stage to perform during the tour and most notably for me, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville . There’s no way a Channel Rat like me gets on that stage without somebody like him putting me there." When asked if there an album, performance, or project he is most proud of being involved with, Paul speaks of his project Nine Lives: A Musical Adaptation Live , which is an adaptation of the best-selling novel by Dan Baum . It follows the lives on nine people in New Orleans from 1965 , when Hurricane Betsy ravaged the city to 2005 when Hurricane Katrina destroyed it. Speaking of Nine Lives , it may have a new life of its own, possibly becoming a television series soon. After a disappointing experience with trying to get it on Broadway, there’s a new team of people involved with doing it right this time. “ Nine Lives has been a very interesting journey. It started in 2007. My friend Colman deKay goes, ‘Hey man, I read this book called Nine Lives , a bestseller, and I think you and I should turn it into a musical.’ I thought he was insane. I can’t write a musical. He went to bed, and I started flipping through the book. I found the scene where John Guidos goes to his first drag party with his clothes in a Schwegmann’s bag and I fell right in, and I wrote 'Feels Like a Lady.' I took it downstairs to him and I said, ‘What do you think?’ He goes, ‘Oh boy! Let’s finish it now!’ And we did. Then he wrote to Dan Baum and said, ‘My friend and I have written some songs out of your book, and we’d like to turn it into a musical.’ (After some initial skepticism), he loved it. I wish I could’ve brought it to fruition in his lifetime.” The Nine Lives record was actually made from a grass-roots organization called Threadhead Records , where people could donate money as little as $5 to help New Orleans musicians get back on their feet after Katrina . This was well before Kickstarter or Go Fund Me . Paul and his friend John Boutté did a fundraiser one night and a chance meeting helped get the funding for the record. “This guy from California walks up and says, ‘Hey man, you guys are great together; you should do a record.’ I look at him and go, ‘I just lost everything I own. I can’t afford rent, let alone a record.’ He went, ‘Well, how much do you need?’ I told him and he said, ‘I’ll get back to you.’ Being in the music business I thought, ‘Yeah right.’ Two weeks later he calls up and says, ‘Okay I have a check, where do I send it?’ I didn’t know what to say. He didn’t say, ‘I need you to sign a contract’; he didn’t say, ‘I need to hear the music’; and he didn’t say, ‘I need to own the music.’ He said, ‘Where do I send the check and promise me on your word as a gentleman that when the CD comes out, you’ll pay us back from CD sales.’ They started this thing called Threadhead Records and in four to five years’ time, they put out records by sixty artists who didn’t have the money to do it. In my opinion, it both saved and changed the face of the New Orleans Music scene for generations to come, because they gave so many artists the chance to record.” And the story for how the funding for Lives came about is quite interesting, and it involves the infamous Pepsi Challenge . “ Pepsi had this challenge where they were going to give away $50,000. We were the ninth-place contestant and we got $50,000, and then Threadheads raised another $150,000.” Paul’s industry friend, Michael Cerveris , brought the idea and the songs to his people in the theater scene, and they ended up with a playwright named Lisa D'Amour . D’Amour had gone to Dominican High School in New Orleans . She was not a true New Orleanian, although she claimed to be. She worked on Nine Lives for a year and a half and ended up trying to cut twenty of the original 39 songs, writing ten of her own. She wanted to start it all off with a slow, mournful dirge called ' I Feel Like I Wanna Die Today ' instead of Paul’s original upbeat song. “I’m like, ‘You don’t get New Orleans at all baby. We dance in the face of death,’” Paul laughs. After he parted ways with D’Amour over creative differences, she took all the same characters and turned it into a show called Airline Highway and it ran in Chicago from December 2014 until February 2015 , then on Broadway from April 2015 until June 2015 before it closed for good. “So, mid-pandemic the rights have lapsed, they don’t own my music anymore, and I get an e-mail saying ‘Hey, we found this great director who wants to do it and we’d like to pick up our option to the music again.’” After more communications and some further attempts to change Paul’s vision, Nine Lives was shelved once again. “These are my songs, and I don’t want some stranger changing them and writing lyrics for them. I told them the same thing I told my ex-wife: you can’t have my songs. You can have the clothes off my back, you can have my last dollar, but you can’t have my songs.” Once the producers let the rights to the book lapse, and Chris Joseph , who started Threadhead Records , got wind of it, he bought the rights from Dan’s widow and put Paul on as a partner. Bohemia Production Company loved it and wanted to produce it as a dramatic series that leans heavily on music. “I didn’t have a problem with that, because music is used so interestingly in television shows now. So, I said, ‘Great, run with it.’ [T]hree days later, the creative director was having drinks with an old friend who is a writer, and he says, ‘Hey, I think we’ve got our next project. It’s about a book that’s about New Orleans after Katrina .’ He said his friend put down his drink and went, ‘Please tell me it’s Nine Lives , because it’s my dream to write [it].’ Extremely serendipitous.” “For me it’s really great that it has a possible life as a tv show, because so many people are invested in it emotionally. It also captures a period of time in New Orleans that I was born and grew up in which made writing the songs possible. I didn’t have to write a Katrina Record post-flood. I wrote this thing called Nine Lives , where I was speaking through nine different people’s voices – actually like twelve to twenty different people’s voices. I was speaking about my feelings about the flood, but I didn’t have the soul crushing experience of it being [in] first-person. I didn’t realize that until later.” Credit: Facebook Nine Lives as a television series is still very much in its infancy, but its future looks very, very bright. “The vibe I’m getting is that they see it and hear it the same way we do. The fact that the writer, Frank Everleigh , lived here, the fact that he’d been through that experience of having been ostracized by his community, and the fact that I’m very passionate when I speak about it, well, they were really taken with that. They really want to have my voice in on the script. So, I’m excited to have some input on the script because the Broadway writers weren’t like that.” I smile and tell Paul that that is why the first option isn’t always the best one ... because you never know. *cover photo from artist's website To dive into Paul's discography: Apple Music: ‎Paul Sánchez - Apple Music Spotify: Paul Sanchez | Spotify Website: www.paulsanchez.com Paul Sanchez | Official Paul Sanchez transforms audiences with his unique blend of music and storytelling – at once powerful, sad, humorous, entertaining, and hopeful. Fans may know native New Orleanian Paul Sanchez as a founding member of the rock band Cowboy Mouth, with whom he has 11 albums; for his role in the HBO series TREME where he played himself; or as the creative force behind the musical NINE LIVES, a musical adaptation of the best-selling novel by Dan Baum. NINE LIVES follows the lives of nine people in New Orleans from 1965 (the year Hurricane Betsy ravaged the city) through 2005 (the year of Hurricane Katrina) and beyond. Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Paul Sanchez (@paulsanchezmusic) • Instagram photos and videos www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Send an email to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Bellas are pure 80’s glam metal, capturing the essence of rebellion and discontent with a raw sound amplifying the voices of the unheard. < Back The Bellas: Re-envisioning the Power of Female Punk Rock Nicole Brice Nov 29, 2023 Share The Bellas are pure 80’s glam metal, capturing the essence of rebellion and discontent with a raw sound amplifying the voices of the unheard. In a genre often associated with male masculinity, what comes to mind when you think of females in the punk-rock scene? Energy, rebellion, and unfiltered expression? If you said yes to any of the above terms, then you are on the right track. Having recently discovered The Bellas, the newest all-female punk band from the underground scene in New Jersey, I began thinking about how the music scene desperately needs bands like this to redefine the state of the industry overall. The Bellas are unapologetically taking on traditional feminine characteristics by challenging stereotypes and celebrating the strength and power of femininity with their music, strong style, and charismatic live shows. So, who are they? The Bellas consist of teen drummer Giul, guitarist Izzy, lead singer Abby, and bassist Charlotte. Giul and Izzy are sisters to each other and cousins to Abby. Their previous bassist, Lindsay, was also their cousin, so upon formation, they were a band of cousins. When Lindsay left for the military, The Bellas eventually found Charlotte and the rest is history. Credit: Jeff Crespi The girls burst onto the scene in 2019 and have been chugging along ever since. With a couple of singles under their belt, “Teenage Dropout” and “Cherry Lips”, The Bellas are drawing inspiration from bands such as The Runaways and The Donnas. Their infectious sound blends ferocity with teenage angst and melodic hooks. Abby’s vocals are so on point that you’ll be singing and bopping along in no time. The Bellas’ music captures the essence of rebellion and discontent with a raw sound that amplifies the voices of the unheard by challenging the status quo and I know we’ll be hearing more from them in the future. I recently reached out to the band to see if I could learn a little more, and I was able to chat with their drummer, Giul, who is an absolute doll. Take a moment to read a little more about The Bellas below, then go check out their tunes. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Guil, thanks so much for talking with us today! Tell us, what year did The Bellas come together? Giul : Our band officially formed and played our first show together in 2019 at my high school’s Battle of the Bands, but it’s something we’ve wanted to do since we were little. As kids, there was rarely a time at a family gathering when you wouldn’t see the four of us [cousins, prior to Charlotte,] planning out our lives as rock stars or imagining we were in a band together, long before any of us even began playing our instruments. Years later, as a freshman, I saw flyers in my school’s halls for a battle of the bands coming up and instantly thought of the girls. I sent them a picture of one and jokingly suggested that we “get the band back together”—to which they all actually agreed. By this point, though Izzy and I were already taking lessons and had experience playing our instruments, the four of us never formally played together. Against all odds, we got a few songs together and played just a couple of weeks later. Though it originally began as a fun one-time thing, we knew we had to continue together after the energy we felt when we performed. The rest is history! Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Who are your biggest influences musically and stylistically? Giul : Many of the artists that we’re influenced by have impacted us both musically and stylistically. Our influences include—but are by no means limited to—RATT, KISS, Mötley Crüe, Kix, and Poison, just to name a few. Their approaches to music and attitude when performing are part of what drew us to them in the first place and [are what] continue to inspire us. Not only do these bands have great music, but they also put on amazing, larger-than-life live shows—something we strive towards for our own band. We absolutely love the cement pirate style, the tall boots, the over-the-top showmanship, and all that good stuff. When the band first started out, we were also influenced by artists like the Ramones, The Donnas, and Joan Jett, which inspired our name and logo. MaM : Is there one show you have played thus far that was notable? If so, where, and why? Giul : The show that immediately comes to mind is our most recent gig at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. We played our fair share of both small and large venues, but this was easily our biggest one thus far. With so many iconic acts that have performed there through the years, this one easily stood out to us! Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : If you could share the stage with any musician or band in the future, who would it be and why? Giul : The classic lineups of KISS and RATT. They’re absolute legends in rock and metal. MaM : How do you feel about the current landscape of indie music, and how do The Bellas stand out? Giul : I’d say [the landscape is cluttered], especially with the vastness of music available on the Internet nowadays. Because of this, we make sure to stand out by putting on a good live show in a way that emphasizes entertainment and fun instead of a broader message. We prioritize style and stage presence just as much as musicianship; we want our show to be exciting in every sense of the word, and we plan to deliver in every way possible. If we can provide an escape for someone in the crowd and help them forget about whatever might be weighing them down and just have a good time, we’ve done our job. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : I see you’ve released two singles so far. Any plans to record an EP in the future? What are you guys currently working on and how do you approach the creative process? Giul : Yes, we are looking to release an EP soon! We currently have a few things in the works. In general, we’ve been starting to move towards playing original music almost entirely. I think that’s ultimately where we wanted to go with the band, so we’ve been trying to write and release more of our own content. We’ve most recently been recording a brand-new song and are in the process of adding the finishing touches! As for the creative process, we usually start with the music and then the lyrics come after. Since we are somewhat new to the songwriting process, we’re still trying to see what works. Most of the time Izzy or I have an idea and develop it independently before coming together, but we also want to try working more collaboratively in the early stages as well. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM: How would you describe your sound? Giul : Our sound is pure glam metal straight from the 1980s Sunset Strip and beyond—no filler, just loud, unapologetic rock n’ roll. MaM : Do you find it’s more difficult to get your music heard these days or do you feel technology has made it easier for you to showcase your product? Giul : It’s both easier and more difficult in different ways. Things like social media and publishing sites have made it incredibly simple to release our music and promote ourselves; if people want to hear our recorded music, it’s available right at their fingertips. On the other hand, there is so much music out there on the internet that it’s easy to get lost in the sea of other artists and songs. At the end of the day, nothing beats playing live shows for us. Not only have we met some amazing people this way, but we also put on an energetic show that you can’t fully experience by just looking at a screen. Our performance is integral to who we are as a band. The way we dress, and our stage presence is very important, just like the music is (and of course, we enjoy it!). It’s always a good time for us and we want to bring that energy to the people who come to see us as well. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : What are your ultimate goals and aspirations for the future? Giul : Keeping the ‘80s glam metal experience alive—the sound, look, and attitude. We want to go as far as we can with the band and see where it takes us. We are super passionate about performing and have a lot of fun doing it, so regardless of whether it leads to bigger opportunities or not we don’t plan on giving it up anytime soon! As the Bellas continue to refine their sound and produce new music for the masses, they are sure to emerge as a powerful force in the punk rock scene, serving as a reminder that with an unyielding spirit and a refusal to conform, anything is possible. Instagram : The Bellas (@thebellasband) | Instagram profile YouTube : The Bellas - YouTube Facebook : Facebook Spotify : The Bellas | Spotify Apple Music : ‎The Bellas - Apple Music *cover photo courtesy of Jeff Crespi www.jeffcrespirocks.com JEFFCRESPIROCKS See through a different lens! www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nicole Brice loves music and will fight anyone who doesn’t like The Bellas. Got something you think she’d like to hear? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Leave your inhibitions at the door < Back Asheville Keeps it Weird with the Return of ABSFest Tim W. Jackson May 8, 2023 Share Leave your inhibitions at the door To all of our alternatively weird and perfect friends here in the South, this one’s for you! Long an annual staple of the Asheville, North Carolina scene, the Asheville Burlesque and Sideshow Festival , also known as ABSFest, makes its glorious return after a brief hiatus. Festivalgoers are in for a wild ride over Memorial Day weekend as ABSFest rolls into town for its 14th year. Coming up May 25-27, 2023, ABSFest events will be hosted by Asheville Raven & Crone, The Grey Eagle, and The Orange Peel, and promises to bring together provocative performers from far and wide. It's a celebration of the strange, the unconventional, and the sometimes bizarre—but all in a super fun way with lots of love in the room. The event is the creation of Madame Onça, aka Lauren O'Leary, an entertainer, touring performer, author, artist, and—obviously—an event producer. credit: TheDancersEye.com ABSFest was a natural outgrowth of her life at the time as co-founder and director of the Future of Tradition Center for Folkloric Arts from 1999 to 2006 in Asheville. It was home to the fire, circus, and world dance arts, all of which were growing in popularity. Now living in Virginia, Onça is happy to bring the festival back after a COVID hiatus. “I was quite surprised to be—as everyone was—thrown from the organizational horse,” Onça says about having to cancel this and other festivals during the initial pandemic shutdown. “We haven't had it until this year because, from the point of view of long-term planning, there's a lot of people in the village artistically and administratively that make the festival happen.” Onça says it seemed they were maybe in stasis forever, just waiting for the right time to return. “This year, once everybody had made their decisions about how they were gonna handle their relationship with vaccinations and so forth and the venues went back to a more standard situation, we felt like we could plan. So, we're on.” To ease back into this first year, though, Onça says she’s made it an invitation-only festival rather than by application. “Usually we invite a few headliners, and then we invite artists to apply from all over the country. But because we knew we were coming out of a period of absolute uncertainty and into a period of still wild uncertainty, I was like, ‘Why don't we just work with folks who have done the festival with us before?’” Nonetheless, Onça and her crew have brought a world-class collection of performers for this first year back. Just a small selection includes “The Cocoa Barbie” May Hemmer (featured on cover image), “Queen of Subtle-Tease” Talloolah Love, death-defying jester Paolo Garbanzo, comedian and “professional pickpocket” Les S. Moore, belly dancer Sarah Joy, sideshow performer Opal Lechmanski, and Vaudevillian Carmel Clavin. death-defying jester Paolo Garbanzo (credit: Dave Parrish) sideshow performer Opal Lechmanski (credit: Isaac Harrell) Musical guests are friends of Mixed Alternative Magazine , Charming Disaster ! credit: Charming Disaster Charming Disaster will perform Friday, May 26 for the Speakeasy Séance, which ExploreAsheville.com says is, “like an acoustic rock opera with ghosts and pasties!” You certainly won't want to miss their performance ... or any of the performances, really. The event is all about pushing boundaries and celebrating the wonderfully weird, with workshops such as songwriting, burlesque, and making events welcome to marginalized performers who are also part of the festival. It also includes an array of vendors and a raffle, as the festival’s charity partner this year is Asheville’s feral kitten rescue, Sister Kitten. ABSfest is all about breaking down barriers and having a good time, but perhaps the most exciting thing about the event is the sense of community that it creates. This is a festival for people who might not fit into the mainstream. It's a place where you can be yourself, no matter how strange or unconventional that might be. “I’m so looking forward to being together with these wonderful people again, “Onça says, “and just feeling the energy and vibrancy of this event again.” So, if you're ready to explore the edgier side of life, if you're ready to push your boundaries and embrace the alternative, then ABSFest 2023 is the event for you. Just be prepared to leave your inhibitions at the door. Here’s a look at the array of events: World Spirit Tarot with Madame Onça Thursday, May 25, 2023 Asheville Raven & Crone 640 Merrimon Ave., Suite 207, Asheville NC 5 p.m. courtesy Madame Onça ABSFest Speakeasy Burlesque & Live Music Show Friday, May 26, 2023 Grey Eagle Music Hall 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC 7 p.m. - VIP Doors Open 7:30 pm - General Admission Doors Open 8 p.m. - Burlesque Murder Mystery with all live music played by New York City’s goth folk duo Charming Disaster ABSFest Workshops Saturday, May 27, through the day The Orange Peel 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC ABSFest offers burlesque, circus, and business workshops. Train with artists from around the country in the ABSFest Sexy Seminary in stagecraft, circus arts, fire performance, burlesque, and more. Open to all levels. ABSFest’s Big Night – Saturday Spectacular Saturday, May 27, 2023 The Orange Peel 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 7 p.m. - VIP Doors Open 7:30 p.m. - General Admission Doors Open 8 p.m. - Saturday Spectacular, hosted by Washington, DC’s sorceress of stand-up, Violet Gray For further information, visit www.ABSFest.com . Want your festival to be featured in this magazine? Email the editor at the_keeleybrooks@mixedaltmag.com . Tim Jackson is a seasoned journalist and author with a penchant for all things dark, macabre, and somewhat sinister. He lives in Tuscumbia, Ala., with his artist wife and their remote-chewing dog, Maple. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

Not a Rock and Roll Loser < Back Born to Perform: Dr. Joe Burns Nicole Brice Mar 9, 2023 Share Not a Rock and Roll Loser Influence … what is it, really? We all have people, places, things, or ideas that influence us in life via various forms, and this next musician I’m going to tell you about is no exception in the realm of inspiration and influence. I first met Dr. Joe Burns when I was a student of his at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La., back in the early 2000s. I graduated from SLU in 2005, so it was a long time ago, but when I was reacquainted with Joe , it felt like no time had passed at all. One of my favorite memories of Dr. Burns is when he would stand in the front of the class and tell a rowdy bunch of kids to pay attention to him by stating, “Pay attention to me, because I have a tie,” as he pointed to the necktie he was wearing with his collared shirt. He taught me so much, and as a Mass Communications major, I took so many of his classes, that most of my college memories include thoughts of happenings from within his classes. In fact, I credit Dr. Burns as being the one who truly taught me audio and video production because without his instruction, I would not know all I know today—of course, the hands-on experience I had working at 90.9 KSLU FM, now known as 90.9 the Lion , might have helped a tad bit, too. Back in the day when I called SLU home, the Mass Comm department was small, and we were like a family of sorts. I miss that time, and most of all, I miss that era. It truly was much simpler then. Going into this interview, I knew three things about Dr. Burns: he loved Eddie Van Halen , he had previously worked in radio full-time, and he had a great sense of humor. After speaking with Dr. Burns for over an hour and a half (because neither of us could shut up), I learned there is so much depth to his identity and the things he has accomplished and continues to accomplish is just plain remarkable. As one who has led an amazing life, he remains deeply humble. First and foremost, Dr. Burns is a communications professor at SLU , but he also is a f ather, a husband, a producer, a musician, an author, a podcaster, and a master woodworker. He even built his own recording studio, which he aptly titled Loser Studios as a nod to one of his albums, Rock and Roll Loser . Joe’s quirky take on rock music is entertaining, comedic, and sincerely authentic. Take a moment to read this interview, then go check out his latest music release Tools of the Trade via all streaming platforms. It’s very nostalgic for me to hear, because many of my old college buddies make guest appearances on the album in various forms, and it’s just a damn enjoyable album, as all of his releases are. Joe Burns is the epitome of the modern-day Renaissance man. credit: Gary Governale JB : You called a little early! MaM : Well, according to my phone, it says 14:00 on the dot … 2 o’clock! JB : Nicole, my gosh, Nicole! I haven’t seen you since you actually were in my classes. How have you been? MaM : Man, life has been crazy. I want to tell your story, though. You have one of the most distinct voices I have ever heard, and I can always tell it’s you, no matter what. Give me a little background info about where you were born and raised, because I remember you saying you were from Ohio back when I took your classes, and I know you went to Bowling Green University , correct? JB : That was for the Ph.D. I was born in Flint, Mich., actually … back when you could drink the water. It seems that I was always in a new place growing up. In 5th grade was when I made my way to Ohio—specifically Solon, Ohio , which is a suburb of Cleveland , and I grew up in Cleveland through the formative years: 5th grade all the way until the end of high school. That’s my Ohio connection, and I consider Cleveland, Ohio, home. MaM : That’s cool how you have that Ohio connection. My mom is from Ohio, too. She is from a little town called Ashtabula, Ohio , which is right there on Lake Erie . I had the pleasure of visiting up there in 2009 and just fell in love with the area. When did you first pick up guitar and start playing? If I remember correctly, you are a music junkie just like me, and I know you like Steely Dan and Van Halen . Give us a little more info about your music background. JB : Well, my mother put a gun to my head and made me play saxophone (laughs), because that's what a young boy should play … something to be in the high-school band. And, well, she decided one day to play guitar. So, she took lessons at the local cooperative, and we had this really piece of crap Stella guitar that my dad bought, probably from Sears . And she kept coming home with her lessons, and I would have the lesson in 10 or 15 minutes, and my dad finally said after a couple of months, ‘Why don't you just give the guitar to the kid because you're not getting it, and he's got it in about 10 minutes now?’ He probably paid for that for a year afterwards, but I just started getting better and better and better. And I remember I was invited, because all I had were acoustics, these cheap little things that we got at garage sales. And we—one guy asked me, ‘Hey, do you want to be in this band?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I'd love to,’ and my dad talked to the local music guy because I would always go into the same little music store, and the guy said, ‘Oh, yeah, Joe could play rhythm guitar in a band right now.’ Easy to do. And I had gone in there and apparently picked this one guitar off the wall 10 times. It was a Morris electric in Cherry Sunburst . As a matter of fact, it's hanging on the wall right behind me. It maybe is the most balanced instrument I've ever had. You can't even buy them like that anymore; they don't make them. So, I took it and bought a cheap little amp from a friend, and that's when I started playing it: on my 15th birthday. That's really when it came to fruition. And I remember writing my first song on that guitar. I can remember most of the lyrics. It's really sad. (laughs) credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, 15 years old was when you decided, “This is it—I really love guitar, and this is what I want to do,” and you’ve just kind of done it as a hobby over the years, or did you want to do something serious with it? JB : I wanted to do something serious with it all the time. Here's the problem: I'm 6’4” and about 250 pounds, and in Cleveland , when you're that big, you don't become a musician. I was a football player. I was a wrestler. I threw shot put, and music always had to go on the back burner. It's just the way it was. And I mean that; I'm not trying to be clever about it. It's, you know, when you're within the top 10 biggest guys in the high school, you don't get to go play guitar. I played in bands with people now and again, but nothing ever came of it. It wasn't until I got out of college that I started to perform with bands. I was recording with the radio stations, but it wasn’t until I got out of college that I had the opportunity to perform. And, I remember the first real band I was in was a band called Theory. Our first album was going to be called ‘Hypothesis.’ How horrible is that? And then I picked up with a local band that was actually very good, and [I] did a lot of gigging. It was called Rick and the Rockets, and I was one of their rotating guitarists. I was a rocket, and that's pretty much how it went. MaM : So, you mentioned above that you were working in radio, which I know you had a huge career in, so tell us a little more about that. JB : I was not going to go to college and my parents said, ‘Oh yes you will,’ and I said, ‘Oh no I'm not! I'm gonna get on a bus. I'm gonna go out to California , and I'm gonna join up with a band.’ So, what they did was bribe me with a car. Now, don't get me wrong—it was a nice car. It was a ‘79 Camaro with a 354 barrel, you know, powder blue interior. Oh, yeah. If I wasn't ugly and fat, it would have brought the chicks a runnin’. (laughs) MaM : (laughs) Oh yeah, that does sound nice. JB : And I started playing in little bands in college here and there. But what was wonderful is, I got into radio and then you see radio took over, and I would go out now and again with a band. I would sit in with people. I would do a track here and there. But, you know, for 12 years, I ran radio stations and kept everything up and running. MaM : Which radio stations did you work for? JB : I started in Pennsylvania at Titan Radio . That was my college station. I was at two different stations during college—full-time gigs. That was WKST and WFEM . Left there, went to Oklahoma City for KCGK ? I can't remember exactly. I don't think it exists anymore. Left there for WQLT in Florence , Alabama . Left there for KG107 in Utica, New York . Left there for 92 Gold in Southern Pennsylvania . It was actually the Hagerstown, Maryland market. And after that, I quit and went back for a Ph.D. I got the masters while I was running the stations in Pennsylvania. MaM : Wow. How did you end up in Louisiana, of all places, after an incredible career like that? JB : Simple. I got the masters while I was in … and, and by the way, I got the masters on a bet. I used to use the questions in the morning. One of the bits that I did was … ask trivia questions, but they came from the MENSA book, the genius thing. And somebody joked to me, you know, ‘Hey, why don't you go test MENSA? You think you're so smart and all that.’ So, I went, and I tested for MENSA, and you go through about four IQ tests, and I scored above 140 on each of them. So, they invited me to go to York, Pa., and try out to get into the MENSA Society. I took tests and failed. You had to be in the top two percent. I still have the piece of paper because no one believes me. I scored in the top three percent, and I said to them, ‘Don't you people round up?’ And they said, ‘No.’ It’s just with my master's degree, I couldn't find work as a professor, so I kept calling all the rejection letters, and what I kept getting was, ‘You don't have a Ph.D.’ So, [I] went to Bowling Green . I applied to two places: Bowling Green and Kent State . Went to Bowling Green because Kent State said no. Did three years, because they say the average time to get your Ph.D. is five years, and I said, ‘Well, my wife doesn't want to be here very long.’ Bowling Green is nice, but it's just south of Toledo, so you can tell it's a little grungy-greeny. So, finished that up in three years, as quick [sic] as possible. I won the dissertation scholarship. What I didn't win, though, and this still makes me angry to this day, was ... I was up for graduate student of the year, and the woman who was doing the interview told me that she wouldn't vote for me because I, ‘stalked the students.’ MaM : What?!? JB : I didn't stand in one place and lecture to them. I walked around and I engaged them, and I made them speak. This woman is just sitting there filled with liberal arts confidence, right, and I said, ‘Radio communication. This is radio. This is television. We don't play well with introverts. You must understand what we do here.’ She didn’t like that very much, and so, I lost. credit: Gary Governale MaM : I’m assuming getting the job at SLU is what brought you to Louisiana, or was it something else? JB : Yes. Yeah. Well, no—here’s the thing. I got a job immediately. In fact, I was the first in my graduating class to get a job, and it was at a university I absolutely loved. It was one of these little richie, rich schools, and you would think the kids would all be complete jerks and all of it. No, they were great. And it was a school that had money and gorgeous radio stations. It was everything I wanted. It was two hours outside of New York City . So, this whole time we're trying like crazy to have a kid, and we couldn't seem to do it, and my wife finally said [she couldn’t] go through another northern winter. She's from Alabama. I met her when I was at WQLT . So, I kept giving her the chronicle, “Higher Education.” That's the magazine that tells you where the jobs are, and I applied to everything that she wanted me to. I was given two job offers. One in, I think it was Marietta, Ga., at Southern Polytechnic University. I would have been a computer professor. The other one was at Southeastern Louisiana University , and I took it. MaM : So that’s how you ended up here. You were all over the northern part of the U.S., and you get transplanted back down here. (laughs) JB : I don't know what's a better life, and I mean this … I don't know what's a better life because none of my cousins, and both sides of the family—mom and dad—none of my cousins have anything more than a B.A., and I'm not putting that down. Look, a bachelor's degree is, is an impressive thing, but none of them have over that. I am the only one that holds a master's degree. I think one of my cousins does, too, but I'm the only one to hold a Ph.D. … and you ask yourself, ‘Is it better to do what I did and move all over the United States, or is it better to stay put in one place?’ See, all my friends who stayed put in Cleveland all still get together and they all have a good time together. Me, on the other hand, it's a weird existence, and anybody who has had a job where you move all the time [knows] it's hard to make lifelong friends. My wife and I have lived in nine different states. MaM : I admire the fact that you have lived in so many places and have experienced so much. I can completely relate to what you said, though. I went on Apple music recently, to check out your music, and did you know there are two other musicians with the name, Joe Burns? JB : Sure … and there is a soccer player and an ex-football player. It is a very common name. I always tell people, ‘You gotta put that Ph.D. after it to find me!’ But the thing is, every time you put that in, it's not my music that pops up; it's my books, because I had a real success for a good, long while there with creating web pages, and [it was] right at the beginning of the internet and teaching people how to make web pages, and it ended up in a series of five books. That comes up long before the music does, but you know … time marches on. MaM : Refresh my memory on the titles of those books, so I can let our readers know about them. I think it was “HTML for Dummies” or “HTML Goodies?” JB: It was Goodies. ‘HTML for Dummies’ was some corporate thing, and I always hated it because the idea was you have to admit you were stupid to read the books. (laughs) JB : It was ‘HTML’ mainly because, you know, the books were about how to make a website. It was ‘HTML Goodies,’ because the first thing I ever did was put a series of cute little images up online, and my father made the statement that, ‘Oh, look! You got all these little goodies for people to give away.’ So, there you go: ‘HTML Goodies.’ There it was, and now it’s five books. It's been reprinted in at least three languages that I know of. MaM : Wow, that’s impressive. JB : One of them is Polish. (laughs) MaM : I noticed you released an album in 2017 prior to this most recent release. “ One Hell of a Story ” was the title, and I was wondering if that was the first time you had released music on your own? JB : No, as a matter of fact, that was the second album. Here’s the thing … I have always been an extremely pragmatic human being, meaning there are people that if they're not perfect when they come out of the gate, they get very upset and they quit. I put out an album called ‘ Rock and Roll Loser ,’ and you'd have to go to my YouTube channel to hear some of the songs, and there's about three songs on the album, which I think are very, very good, and I'd like to re-record them, but the rest of them are pure crud. MaM : (laughs) JB : I've had people say to me, ‘I listened to ‘ Rock and Roll Loser ,’ and it's terrible,’ and I said, ‘You're absolutely right!’ But you see, I recorded that entire album on a laptop, and the drums were all fake and I didn't understand to put in drum fills. It's horrible, and I urge people to go listen to it. If you want to hear a couple of the very good ones, listen to ‘ Believe ,’ which I really want to re-record, and [then] listen to ‘ Misinformed .’ Those are the two that are actually really good songs. They're just not recorded well because I didn't have the equipment. credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, when you released that, you just released it strictly on YouTube? JB : No, there's a website: www.RockandRollLoser.com . I refused to put out any music and expect someone to give me money for it. I don't want 50 cents or what have you getting between you and you listening to my song. So, I put it out. I just thought it was the greatest album in the world. This happens constantly. You know, you write something, and you go to bed thinking they're gonna hand me the Pulitzer this week, [then y]ou get up in the morning, you listen to it or you read it and you go, ‘What was I … was I drunk?!?’ MaM : (laughs) JB : I go back and listen. The song ‘ Rock and Roll Loser ’ is cute, but it's not much … it's not much more than me figuring out what the heck I'm doing. I'm playing in a couple of bands. The big one at the time was called Impaired Faculties. It was all professors from Southeastern. MaM : I remember hearing about them. Dr. Robison—wasn’t he a part of that? JB : He was the other guitarist. He's the one that came to me, and we played a little bit together and he said, ‘Okay, you and I have got to play dual guitars. We must.’ And I said, ‘Okay.’ So, the whole thing was supposed to be just a fundraiser, and then we discovered we weren’t that bad, and so we kept going. We recorded a couple of songs that nothing's ever happened with them, and then, I wrote a song called ‘ Water Line ’ after the floods, and we made a bunch of money by selling at a dollar a pop, but it was a fundraiser. The whole time, I was doing my radio show or, rather, my podcast ‘ Rock School ,’ and I kept building my home studio and I kept getting better equipment and better equipment. So, when you listen to the second album, which is called One Hell of a Story , you go, ‘Oh my gosh, the songs are getting better.’ And then a year later, my wife and I put out a Christmas album called ‘ Let's Get the Jingle Bell Out of Here ,’ and again, better. We had real success with that. We got on a CD that was sent out, and we were the nobodies next to Sia and Kelly Clarkson and Barry Manilow , and it got sent out to all these radio stations. We had phenomenal success with that album. It got 400 different radio stations to play it. I then started messing around musically with a buddy of mine. You probably remember him: Rusty Gregoire. Do you remember him? MaM : Sure do! I stayed good friends with him for a long time. Now, we’re just Facebook friends. JB : He and I started recording together and I think we have five or six songs, and they're really good. We need to record a few more and put it out, but again, with him … better. I hadn't recorded for, it had to be two years, and I finally just had all these songs that I had written for all these other people. By the way, I put out an entire album called ‘ My Key ’ with a singer named Naomi. If you go to any of the streaming services and you search ‘ My Key ,’ Naomi - N A O M I, Naomi, you'll find that one, and you'll listen to the other albums … and then you’re like, ‘When did you learn to play piano … and saxophone?’. I brought pros in to do all these things, and I think it’s sonically beautiful. credit: Gary Governale MaM : We’ll have to check that one out. JB : I don’t know how to explain it. I guess I don’t sit in a room and play chord after chord after chord, praying that somehow, I’m gonna come up with something. What I do is—in my car—I have found that to be at your most creative peak. Sit still, and let your mind go somewhere. If you sit and force yourself, and you go, ‘It’s time to write a song,’ you’re not gonna do it. Just keep your mouth shut and let your brain turn into clouds, and that’s where the riffs start coming. MaM : So, you mentioned previously that you build your own guitars. Do you play your custom guitars that you’ve built? JB : I built all my guitars. Literally, built all my guitars … and I set the whole system up, and that’s what I did. MaM : What type of blueprint do you use to build your guitars? JB : See, I buy a kit, and all I use from the kit are the neck and the body. I don’t use the crappy stuff. I do all my own electronics. I buy all different pick-ups. I always make a point of finishing them in different colors, and then I call for them by color when recording. MaM : Tell us a little bit about this latest album that you have released. JB : Well, it’s called ‘ Tools of the Trade .’ Why? I don’t know. My wife suggested it, and I thought it was okay. When you listen to ‘ Whadaya Say ,’ it goes to a jazz place in the middle, and the entire solo is played note, harmonic note, harmonic note, harmonic. The second song is called ‘ Not My Circus, Not My Monkey. ’ It has what’s known as a waterfall of harmonics because I want people to go, ‘Wait a minute? What the heck was that?’ It’s a heavy song, but right out of nowhere comes a harmonica. I don’t want to keep playing 145. I want every single song to make people go, ‘What?!? What was that?!’ credit: Gary Governale MaM : I did notice that each track is different and each one reels you in in a different way because of how unique they are. If you were to hear them consecutively, you would not know they are by the same artist. JB : Yeah, I’ve had people say to me, ‘Hey, look, ‘ Not My Circus ’ sounds like Nuno Bettencourt.’ If you write a song that sounds like somebody else, you’re not doing it right. I’ve gotta be honest, there is a little bit of Eddie Van Halen in everything I play, but it doesn’t sound like him. I write these songs and put them together and pray they don’t sound like anyone but me. I’ve probably got seven or eight more riffs just sitting in a file somewhere because I’m probably going to do it again. Somebody said, ‘Why would you release 18 songs in a row?’, and I said, ‘Because I’ve got another 18 … just give me a year.’ MaM : Do you have any plans to play any live shows? Have you thought about maybe doing some local gigs in Hammond? I’d come see it! JB : I’d love to do it, and I’ll contact you when it happens. I want to get out there and do it by myself. I’m not in a band right now, and I think it’s simply because of time. I’d like to get out there like a troubadour. Me and a guitar and do it about once every other week. My wife has even said to me, ‘Why are you not out there playing?’, and I think it’s just because I’m 58 and I’m lazy, but I don’t even need to get paid. I mean, give me some beer and maybe some food. The last time I played a gig, I went three hours straight and didn’t even take a break. I would just like to get up there and strum chords. I can tell you that I’m not a big requests person. I will show up and do a show, and if someone comes up and says, "Play ‘ Margaritaville ',’’ I guess I could, but that’s not my thing. MaM : I know quite a few local musicians who get zany requests when playing live. Like, people like to yell, “Play ‘Free Bird’” at live shows. Not sure why, but they just kind of laugh it off. JB : Wouldn’t it be wonderful to actually learn ‘ Free Bird ?’ The entire 10 or so minutes of it. Some drunk guy in the audience could go, ‘Free Bird!!’, and I could go, ‘Okay!’, and literally play the entire song. MaM : And I would love to see that, and I’d be cheering you on! So, Rock School Records is the imprint you are releasing your music under. Have you used that for all of your releases? JB : Yes, so DistroKid , they wanted a name of a record company, so I had to make something up. I call my studio, though, Loser Studio because the first record was ‘ Rock and Roll Loser .’ It was called that on purpose, because I had it in my head that if what I’m about to create is pure crap, then if I call myself a loser first, then you really can’t make fun of it. credit: Gary Governale MaM : As far as releasing the music, I know you have it on Apple Music, but are you releasing it on other platforms? Where is your music available? JB : I send it out to every venue that will accept it. It’s on Pandora, Spotify, and Apple, and I use YouTube as kind of a fun thing. The first single off the album, and I’m going to really start pushing it soon—it’s called ‘ Tickets Please ,’ and it’s got a video. By the way, there is also a video for ‘ Bad Idea ,’ which is also on the album. There are actually quite a few videos, but you have to go to my YouTube channel to find that. Just know that if you type in “Joe Burns,” you gotta put that Ph.D. behind it. I did have the entire album up there, but once I put it up, I immediately got a copyright strike from a company that makes ukelele music. MaM : (laughs) JB : I laughed at them and took the whole thing down, and I’m sure once I put it up again, I’ll get hit again. I’ll show them, though, that I have the original audio files and everything. MaM : So, your “Rock School” podcast / radio show. I know it used to run on KSLU. Is it still going? JB : Oh no, I’m still doing it. We have won several radio Emmy ’s, probably seven, and we’re now on 32 radio stations, two networks, and the NPR network. We’re trying to get on with the Armed Forces Radio Network . Haven’t heard anything about it, and I think our weekly downloads are somewhere between 25 and 27,000. My wife is actually my co-host now. The thing is, we kept running out of studio time, and I brought the whole thing to my studio. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Ok, last question, are you only using your home studio for recording your personal stuff, or do you plan to open it up to other musicians? JB : I’ve thought about it. I’ve got some ideas. I’ve thought about running wires to my gazebo and then have them record a show for 45 minutes, and then the band will walk away with maybe a five-song demo and a live recording … put it all on a jump drive for them. MaM : Any parting thoughts or words? JB : I really just want, like, 20 minutes of your time. Give my music a listen, and then pass it on to your people. This is a hobby for me. I’m trying really to create some quality music, and I hope you see it that way, too. To check out Joe Burns and his music, hit one of the links below! Joe Burns PhD - YouTube ‎Joe Burns on Apple Music Spotify – Joe Burns Rock School on Apple Podcasts Joe Burns Rock.com - Home Page (joeburnsrocks.com) Joe Burns, Rock and Roll Loser - Homepage Joe Burns - One Hell of a Story - Home Burns Christmas - Home *All photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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A New Era of Synths < Back NITE: Revamping New Wave Nicole Brice Mar 31, 2023 Share A New Era of Synths While doing my daily scroll on Instagram recently, I came across a duo performing a cover of Local H’s ' Bound for the Floor' and I was instantly stopped in my tracks. I’ve never heard anyone cover this song, and with Local H being a favorite of my brother’s, I felt compelled to check it out further. Intrigued, I turned the volume all the way up to take it all in. After listening to the song, I had to know who these guys are who decided to cover Local H ? As it turns out, their name is NITE , and they hail from Dallas, TX . NITE is an electronic rock band comprised of twin brother producers Kyle and Myles Mendes . They are also joined by drummer Phil Helms ( The Vanished ). The trio is inspired by alternative music of the 80s and 90s, and their sound has been described as darkwave, post-punk, post-industrial, and dream pop. I think their sound is just amazing, creative, and full of artistic flair. Credit: NITE The brothers have released three full-length albums , along with several singles, remixes, and an EP, and they’ve also had the prestigious honor of touring and performing with bands like The New Division, Small Black, Vision Video, Clean Bandit, A Flock of Seagulls, Actors, Midge Ure (Ultra Vox), Magic Sword, Men Without Hats, Night Club, and Berlin—yes, the Berlin. Say whaaat?! After enjoying the Local H cover, I wanted to hear more, and that’s when I discovered their Spotify page full of musical goodness. They’ve even taken on the task of covering an iconic grunge tune by Alice in Chains to make it all their own. Their cover of ' Would? ' is fresh as a shirt straight out of the dryer and is truly remarkable. You must check it out. I reached out to NITE to learn more about who they are behind their sound, and luckily, I had the opportunity to speak with both Kyle and Myles . They’re so much fun; I almost didn’t want our conversation to end. We promise you’ll be just as entertained by them as we are. MaM : Good Morning! How are you? Myles : Hey, I’m doing well. Thank you so much for setting this up. Kyle’s here, too. MaM : Hey Kyle! So, I wanted to start with what made me gravitate towards you guys. That Local H cover is awesome! Very few people give props to Local H and, in fact, my brother is a huge fan of theirs. I want to know your story, though, and I want to convey it to our readers so they can learn a little more about you. So, you guys are based in Dallas, correct? Born and raised there? Myles : Well, we were born in Canada, actually. Kyle : Winnipeg. Myles : Yep, we live in Texas and have for most of our lives, and I would consider myself a Texan more than anything, but we do visit Canada a lot and have played several shows there. MaM : Awesome. So, let’s talk production. I’m assuming you record and produce your own music, but do you also do work for other musicians as well? Myles : We do it for other musicians. We also make music for other companies and do commercial work as well. That’s a new thing for us. We haven’t went [sic] public with it, but we do have a song in a Ford Mustang commercial in China. MaM : Wow! That’s impressive! Myles : It’s not a NITE song, though. It’s just something we produced for commercial work. MaM : Eh, it still counts. How would you describe your music? I was listening to the two EP’s that are on Spotify, and on your first EP, it’s more of a New Wave sound with a little techno. I hate saying “techno,” because it’s a more of an electronic sound, but with your second EP, you add in a little more fuzz and it has more of a rock vibe. Y’all’s cover of “Would?” is insane! I have never heard that song covered in that way, so tell us what inspired you to cover that specific Alice in Chains track? Myles : We, well, just like you said, we have more of that pop/new wave sound in our roots, but I feel during COVID, we started gravitating more towards industrial music. Credit: NITE MaM : Ministry fans? Myles : Yeah, we love Ministry, too. We love that whole sound. Skinny Puppy, too. You name it, we probably like it. There is definitely an industrial accent with our music, and we wanted to bring that back a little but also not take the pop away. We really like early Ministry. Their first album was great. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzNdbw3Ah3s Falling Apart official music video MaM : “With Sympathy”… yep! In fact, I put that down in my notes as a comparison for your music. Your first EP reminds me so much of that album. Myles : Thank you. I love that. That’s an honor to say it. We actually got into Alice in Chains late in the game. I’ve always known about them and who they were, but when I heard the song “Would?”, I thought, ‘Man … this could have been a Joy Division song’—even the comparisons from Layne to Ian Curtis’ life. … [A]nd you know, they both ended tragically. I felt “Would?” is a post-punk song in its own right, though, and I felt like I needed to hear it industrialized. It was also kind of the kickstart to colonize a new branding with more of an industrial sound. I didn’t try to sound like Layne, nor should I even try, but I felt that we took a different vocal approach to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXUwsbxuKZU Would? by NITE MaM : I completely agree. So, what do you guys want to accomplish going forward? Myles : Well, that’s a good question. I mean, we keep putting out music, and it was last year that our new song “Your Ego is Gone” was released along with the EP you heard. We are due for a new single, though, so we’re going to try and put one out before the tour this summer with The New Division. I think July is what we’re aiming for. We hope to have a single out by then. MaM : You mentioned a tour. Is this going to be a national tour? Myles : Right now, it’s just going to be a Texas tour. We’re hoping for a national tour later on this year with a band called Empathy Test. The New Division actually remixed our song “Life and Love”, and it has amassed many plays and was shared by New Retro Wave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW4I8b6Avd8 Love and Life (New Division remix) MaM : Oh, I haven’t heard that yet. I’ll have to check it out. Does anyone ever give you guys a Tears for Fears comparison? I hear a tinge of that, too, in your music. Myles : Well, we are big Tears for Fears fans, and a lot of people do reference [them] with us. We are twins, though, and we’ve grown our hair out a little because, as kids, we were in a military school where we had to have shaved heads. It was a juvenile program called Young Marines. We weren’t juvenile delinquents or anything like that, but our parents felt we needed a ‘life experience’ and we got one. We also made a vow to grow out our hair afterwards. My dad loved the music of Kiss and a lot of the 80’s hair metal, so I guess you could say that’s why we have hair like we do. Kyle : It’s not a perm. Yeah. We don’t perm our hair. We have naturally curly hair. Credit: NITE MaM : That’s awesome that you naturally have that 80’s vibe going on. (laughs) So, you guys have a very fresh synth sound. How do you achieve that? I want to know what gear you use. Myles : We make our music through a software called Reason. We record pretty much everything through that, and a lot of our synth sounds are created with that, too. We also have Korg Minilogues we use. MaM : Nice. Myles : Another thing that people have taken notice of is our matching guitars, especially since we’re twins. We are currently playing Fender Jaguar guitars. Kyle plays bass, I play guitar, and they’re pretty much identical. What else, Kyle? Oh! We also have a drummer that sometimes plays with us, and he uses a full drum kit—the traditional one. He also plays with triggers, and that’s also how we capture him. His name is Phil Helms. He’s a veteran of the music scene, and so when Kyle and I were in middle school and high school, we actually listened to his band on the radio, and now he’s playing in our band. His band was called The Vanished, and then after that, they became Seven Channels. They’ve changed the name, but they’ve been touring for years. They’re kind of like an emo rock band. Credit: NITE MaM : See, that name sounds familiar. I bet I know their music. Myles : They had a single that was on national radio. It was called ' Favorite Scar '. That was a big song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=772vUNTWiJg Favorite Scar by The Vanished MaM : Ok, as soon as I get off this call with you guys, I’m going to check it out. There are many bands out there that I may not have heard because of how over-saturated the scene is. Kind of sad, actually. (laughs) Myles : There’s so many bands who had somewhat of a career and then, you know, it goes away, but with Spotify, at least you can look it up and go, ‘I remember this song from, like, 15 years ago.” They only had the one hit, though, unfortunately. MaM : Right, but even Spotify is kind of new to someone like me. I remember back in the day when you had the CD store and that was it. Hell, most of the CDs I used to buy were because of the cover art and whether it was in the genre of music I liked, and then I would listen to the music to see whether I dug it or not. So, new single coming in July … when do you plan to release a new EP? Myles : That’s a good question. I feel we are still learning. I’m seeing a lot of our friends are just garnering a good bit of success, and we have an album’s worth of material. I just feel if we released an entire album right now, we would kind of be hindering our growth. I think we’ll do what is called ‘waterfalling’, where we just keep releasing one song at a time and add a song to the EP every time we release one. Our next release might be the EP plus the new song. MaM : I think that’s an awesome plan. So, back to the Local H cover. What made you decide to cover them and their song “Bound for the Floor”? Myles : We love their music. They’re a duo, and we’re primarily a duo. Phil, our drummer, has always been in the trenches with us, per se, but he’s older and he can’t come out with us to a lot of the shows. He has a family and can’t make it to every gig, so we perform more as a duo. [So], we were just really inspired by Local H being a duo. Plus, we loved the song. Listen to the cover here: https://www.youtube.com/@wearethenite/shorts MaM : Are you guys just releasing everything independently right now? Any interest in being on a label? Myles : We don’t have a label or anything like that right now, but we were a part of Cleopatra Records at one point, and we put out ‘Sleepless’ and an album called ‘Reborn’ through them. After leaving Cleopatra, we put out a remix album, and now we’re on this industrial, you know, crusade. MaM : Guys, we really love what you have going on and can’t wait to hear more. Any parting words or anything else you want our readers to know? Myles : We’re grateful that we’ve gotten to open for so many cool bands over the years, and I feel we’ve been fortunate so far. I feel we’ve seen our audiences grow, and that’s really encouraging. We are just hopeful and we’re positive and we do what we do because we love it. Discography: · I Am Not Afraid - 2013 · Reborn - 2017 · Sleepless - 2020 · Sleepless Remixes - 2021 · Hallelujah Your Ego is Gone EP- 2022 To check out the music of NITE, hit one of the links below and be sure to follow them on social media. NITE (@wearethenite) • Instagram photos and videos www.wearethenite.com https://www.youtube.com/user/wearethenite NITE | Facebook Nite | Spotify Hallelujah (Your Ego is Gone) EP | NITE | Nite (bandcamp.com) Profile / Twitter ‎Nite on Apple Music www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nicole Brice is a lifelong music guru who covets her vinyl collection, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Got questions or comments? E-mail her at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Pure energy, speed, and catchy lyrics < Back VOID: Lafayette’s Answer to the Modern Thrash Metal Scene Je'an-Paul Keller Jul 9, 2023 Share Pure energy, speed, and catchy lyrics Coming up August 19, 2023 , Louisiana’s own metal masters VOID are set to perform at Rad Fest 2023 at PARC International in Lafayette, Louisiana , and they are the first in our installment of interviews with all the acts on the bill. These guys are the new face of heavy metal and if you’re not familiar with them yet, you soon will be. The five-piece powerhouse of thrash metal goodness known as VOID formed in Lafayette, Louisiana, in 2019 by the Davenport brothers, Jackson and Logan, who grew up loving bands like Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Anthrax, to name a few. I truly went into the void when I listened to their debut album Horrors of Reality . It’s pure nostalgia and an excellent nod to the mid-to-late 80’s thrash metal days of the past—Jackson guitars and Marshall amps that punch through your ear drums straight to your brain. The current line-up is Jackson Davenport (vocals), Gabe LeJeune (guitar), Logan Davenport (bass), Alex Bernard (guitar), and Aaron Landry (drums). Credit: Chad Besse Everything about this band is pure energy and speed, with catchy screaming lyrics that will make you think, make you laugh, or make you get lost in your own mind; either way, VOID’s music will leave you wanting more. These guys almost incite a riot every single night they take the stage due to the intensity of their shows, and they love interacting with their fans. Ready to emerge from the Louisiana metal scene and take the world by storm, VOID is like a pack of hungry sharks and is quickly gaining local and national attention. Tearing up the Gulf Coast with their in-your-face riffs, ripping dueling leads, melodic harmonies, tasteful bass lines, and fast and precise drumming, VOID is a band you need to check out now . Not to mention, they have insanely visual music videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyGsY3EmGIQ Official Video for 'Voodoo' Currently on tour with Labyrinth and Life on Mars , I recently caught up with Jackson and Lily Shea, the band’s photographer and videographer, to rap about who they are, their live videos, and what the future holds for them. Here’s your chance to get to know a little more about VOID , then afterwards, be sure to catch them at Rad Fest 2023 in August. MaM : I’ve been listening to your album for the last two days and I really like it. The thrash metal sound totally brings me back to my childhood and growing up in the eighties. Jackson : Awesome, man, I appreciate that. MaM : Who or what has inspired your sound? Jackson : We formed back in 2019, and we were very driven by Black Sabbath, weirdly enough. We wanted to play stuff like Black Sabbath but heavier. Then, over the years, we [went] through a few different line-up changes, and we found thrash metal. You know, coming out of the big four, we found bands like Exodus, Testament, and Forbidden. I think those three bands are very big inspirations to us and still are with the music that we write today. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : Awesome. I actually thought you guys sounded a lot like Anthrax, MEGADETH, old school Metallica, and old school Slayer. Jackson : Those are definitely sources of inspiration as well. Whenever we started playing thrash, we wanted to be Metallica so bad, and then we kind of just grew out of that and found the better stuff, I guess. I mean, I still got [sic] love for Metallica, but that’s basically where it all came from, I guess. MaM : What would you say influences you to make music? Jackson : Music is a way for me, and I speak for all the guys, and I say this, but it’s a way for us to basically escape from our problems and stress and get together and work on something as a team to make something awesome that we’re all proud of. So, we always look forward to writing new music, because it gives us an excuse to go out and work as a team and create something. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : Can you tell us a little more about how your band initially came together? Jackson : It started with me and two buddies. We were jamming some old Black Sabbath songs in the garage and were like, “DUDE, let’s start a band,” and we did. We all had musical differences, though, and kind of parted ways after that initial jam session, but the name VOID and the idea just kind of stuck with me and I ended up finding the people that had the same vision I had, and we just kind of started it from there. MaM : Love the name for the band and was wondering if you could give us a little background info on it? Jackson : So, it actually goes back to the whole Black Sabbath thing. We worshipped Black Sabbath and wanted to play music like that. We were playing at a party a long, long time ago, but we didn't have a name and decided on VOID because of “Into the Void” and the whole Black Sabbath imagery thing. It just kind of stuck. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : I love your sound and your tone. What mic do you use? And whenever you generate your voice, what kind of vocal exercises do you do beforehand? Jackson : I'm the worst person to ask about this, but usually I'm using a Shure SM 58 for vocals. For other shows that are more like DIY, I have this one vocal mic that belongs to our drummer that I like to use. I cannot think of the name right now. I make sure I drink a lot of water with honey in it, too, because that helps. I'll run through scales with my voice, too, before shows and usually it helps lubricate my throat. MaM : I’ve noticed your fans like to join you on stage sometimes at shows. How does that make you feel? Jackson : It's awesome, dude! It's so cool, man. Makes me feel like all our hard work is paying off when people sing our songs with us. MaM : Your whole look and your music videos and images are quite unique. Will you shed a little light on the inspiration behind some of the videos you guys have done? Lily Shea : It has become second nature to have my camera out all the time because I never know when I'm gonna strike gold, but the music videos are just such a blast and everything we do is impulsive. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : Was the video for “Voodoo” shot at a real cemetery or on a studio set? Jackson : It was shot at Fright Trail in Scott, Louisiana, which is almost like a haunted house attraction because it's all woods and creepy. MaM : You guys did a bad-ass cover of Megadeth’s “Sweating Bullets.” Is there a particular reason you decided to cover that song? Jackson : We've only played that song maybe two or three times and it was because at a jam practice one time, I started singing the words “sweating bullets” in a Dave Mustaine-sounding voice and then we discussed playing it. We initially ran through it as a joke, but it sounded kind of cool. We played it for the next few shows after that until we got tired of it. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : Can I ask how tagging Snoop Dogg for the “Feeding Frenzy” video came about? Jackson : We are so stupid and think that we're so funny. “Feeding Frenzy” was a brand-new song at the time, and when I was typing out the captions for the video, I asked the guys in the band what else should I put. ‘Is that all that I should put?’ Someone in the band mentioned tagging Snoop Dogg, so I put in the captions, “Everybody tag Snoop Dogg,” and I got so many comments tagging him because of it. Snoop never did see the video, but I’m sure he would have loved it. Credit: Chad Besse MaM : What does the future hold for VOID? Jackson : Right now, we are working on a new single. We want to put out new music by August or September as a refresh for our fans. We probably won't do another full length for about a year or so, but we are also in talks with some big-name bands to play shows, too, so we’ve got quite a bit coming up. To experience VOID for yourself, be sure to check out one of their links below, and don’t forget to catch them at Radfest in August! • VOID • | Instagram, TikTok | Linktree Void | Spotify *cover photo courtesy of Chad Besse Je’an Paul Keller is a member of the 501st Legion and a huge sci-fi nerd. He’s also a HUGE music lover and is very passionate about drawing, sketching, painting, and making cosplays and movie-accurate costumes. The force is strong with this one. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Get ready to rock around Downtown Lafayette on August 19, 2023 < Back RAD Fest: A Lafayette Festival for Those Who Rock Nicole Brice Jul 11, 2023 Share Get ready to rock around Downtown Lafayette on August 19, 2023 What is RAD Fest? I bet that’s the question creeping into your brain right about now, so allow me to shine a little light on that. RAD Fest is the brainchild of Grant Duhon, lead vox for the rockin’ Lafayette-based punk band Subliminal Landmines . It’s a hard rock festival that got its start in 2022 and is forging ahead this year with bands set to take the stage from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Parc International in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, on August 19, 2023. Featuring talent from in and around the area, RAD Fest is a showcase for those making buzz on the local scene, allowing them to bring their mad talents to larger crowds in a festival atmosphere. Festival organizer and founder Grant Duhon says of the festival’s origins, “I love spreading music and I love sharing music, and I feel one of the reasons I was put on this earth was to spread peace, love, happiness, and inspiration through music. I wanted to create a festival that shared the local music, not just Lafayette musicians, and obviously it all started in Lafayette, but we have some bands from other areas in Louisiana as well.” He continues, “Ventruss is from Baton Rouge and Zizzi is from New Iberia. I just want to spread the sound and the music from this area in a festival-style environment. At first, it was going to be called Punk in the Park, but I found out that name is already taken. Also, too, the festival doesn’t just cover punk music; it covers all rock music. So, that’s where Rock Around Downtown (RAD Fest) came from.” This year’s line-up includes the heavy hitters: Zizzi, Chump, Ventruss, Disjunct, Mayrunner, Life On Mars, Subliminal Landmines, Night Revival, Stella Vir, Endure the Affliction, and VOID. With such a stellar line-up, the festival looks to provide a memorable day of entertainment, fun, and awesome tunage, not to mention the food they have lined up for the festival just makes our mouths water thinking about it. Food vendors include Twerk City Tacos, Saucay’BawBQ, and The Munchie Wagon. T-shirts and merchandise will be available for purchase, and if you have last year’s t-shirt and you wear it, you can gain admission to the festival for FREE this year. The plan is to continue this tradition going forward, too. This is an all ages event, so bring the family, and pre-sell tickets are still available for purchase, so check out their social media for more details on RAD Fest 2023! Facebook Rock Around Downtown Fest (@rad_fest) | Instagram www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

Lafayette’s progressive metal and metalcore band delivers heavy sounds with spicy lyrics < Back Endure the Affliction: Music to Empower Mind, Body, and Soul Je'an-Paul Keller Jul 31, 2023 Share Lafayette’s progressive metal and metalcore band delivers heavy sounds with spicy lyrics Coming up August 19, 2023, Louisiana’s own metal core/progressive metal band Endure the Affliction are set to perform at Rad Fest 2023 at PARC International in Lafayette, Louisiana. They are the second in our installment of interviews with all the acts on the bill. These guys are the new face of progressive metal/metalcore in the area and if you’re not familiar with them yet, you soon will be. Endure the Affliction is a well-orchestrated mixture of progressive metal and metalcore that embodies melodic metal and embraces their Louisiana roots. This five-piece group of talented musicians formed the band in 2018 in Lafayette, Louisiana, and currently consists of Deion Lanthier on guitar and vocals, Ryan Tyler on lead vocals, Brett Dronet on guitar, Joshua Domingue on bass, and Kyle Roberts on drums. credit: Chad Besse A sound reminiscent of true, deep southern darkness metalcore, Endure the Affliction belts out a powerful and passionate message that will shake your soul to its very core. They have been through different member line-ups and many personal hardships through the years, but those experiences taught them how to endure all of the afflictions the world throws at them. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, their lyrics are about overcoming hardships in life such as suicide, racism, and drug addiction, just to name a few. Their music video for the song "Identity" demonstrates the battles inside we all struggle with on a daily basis. The powerful riffs of the dueling guitars and soaring vocals are so intense, they’ll have you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Their listeners have told them they are a gateway into the wonderful world of metalcore, and I, for one, could not agree more. Their EPs “Origins” and “Evolve” are full of so much energy, they’ll leave you feeling motivated to conquer all roadblocks that you face. Exactly the type of music one wants to hear on any given day. Recently, I had the chance to sit down with vocalist and guitarist Deion Lanthier, where he told me some great stories about the band’s history and took the time to explain the band’s overall message, which is focused on healing and feeling uplifted. These albums will empower your mind, body, and soul for the greater good. Check out our conversation below, then go listen to their music. You won’t regret it! Deion Lanthier - Photo credit Chad Besse MaM : Who or what has inspired your sound? Deion : Well, it’s kind of hard to say. We’ve been through a few original members. Originally, the idea was to be like a cross between hard rock and metalcore, but it ended up not being that because we all have different influences. Originally, with the original singer being … an older guy, he was more influenced by the classical heavy metal, where the rest of us are more influenced by metalcore-type of stuff—maybe a little bit of Djent—but we really don’t try to sound like anybody too much. We just kind of do our thing. Whatever we write, if we like it, then we just roll with it. Everything’s always middle, of course, but we just gotta roll with it. We all have a bunch of different influences. MaM : Primarily what was your main influence? Deion : The biggest influence for me, personally, … would probably be All That Remains, because that was the first metalcore band I heard. They definitely had a lasting impact on me and a big influence on the way that I write music. MaM : How did you form? And how did you meet the other members of the band? Deion : Well, it was me and the original drummer that started the band together, but it was weird. I didn't know the guy but I saw him on Facebook, and I mistook him for someone that I went to school with. I was like, ‘Hey, man! I didn't know you played drums,’ and I guess he got confused too, because he was talking to me like he knew me. So, we didn't find out until a few messages later [that] we don't actually know each other. Then I said, ‘Hey, you want to start a band together?’ I was looking for a second project at the time. I was actually in one project at that time that wasn't really making too much progress. So, that's how we got started. credit: Chad Besse MaM : I take it everybody catches on pretty quickly and everybody gets into the groove? Deion : Oh, yeah, absolutely. We all have really good chemistry, and everybody is very, like I said, very talented. Everybody brings their own unique influence, and everybody's great songwriters. That's the most important part, right? MaM : So you all contribute to it. It's kind of like the band Queen, where everybody just puts in their own influences and brings everything to the table, huh? Deion : Oh, yeah, absolutely. Generally the process would be for me or the other guitarist, but we come up with the melodies on guitar first, and then the drummer puts the drums to it. Then, bass and vocals [have to] get written next and need to get written simultaneously. But, it's very guitar driven, usually. Once we have the bass line down, everybody just kind of makes suggestions, and we go from there. So, it's definitely all-five-members-in type of thing. MaM : Most definitely! What influences you to make music? Deion : OH, MAN! Just the love of it! But, aside from the generic answer? (laughs) I've been through a lot of things in life at an early age and music was really what helped me get through it all. Aside from the normal teenage angst, you know, I’ve been through some pretty dark stuff that I feel like if I wouldn't have had music, I wouldn't have been able to deal with it properly, maybe? Music helped me put my emotions into context. I think it helped me learn to manage my emotions and things like that … work my way through things. I want to be able to do that same thing for other people. That is what drives me to keep doing it. credit: Chad Besse MaM : Oh yeah, definitely. I noticed overcoming hardships is the driving force behind your music and in your message. What hardships do you think the listeners overall relate to the most? Deion: We've been told any time we talk about suicide, that's a pretty heavy topic for people, as well as the drug addiction songs that they really connect with—even the more generic songs, like one of our older ones called “Rise.” It's just about rising above a hard situation. Everybody really connected with that one. Even though it's a very broad message, they seem to like it a lot, and that’s something they say they don't get from metal a whole lot. So they're very surprised by it. They all kind of latch onto it. We take pride in that, and that's why we stick to it--even with the vocal exchange. The lyrics may be a little different, but the message is still the same. People seem to really like that positive message. Even though we talk about the darker side of things, we always try to lyrically make it to where you can come out of this bad situation, and you can get through it. MaM : Can you tell me more about the lyrics for “Identity”? Deion : Well it's both general and specific, because it's basically my life. I was a little selfish when I wrote it, but it's relatable because it's true. It's a little bit of racial-identity type of stuff but at the same time suicide attempts and drug addiction. I've been through all of that stuff. But, with the racial thing, I'm mixed, so I've had to deal with stupid stuff from both sides. I had an identity crisis growing up, and that's why it's called, “Identity.” It took me a long time to work that out … realizing that I didn't need to be that way for anyone else in particular. I needed to be who I wanted to be, regardless of what anybody else thought. Also political leanings and stuff like that. You can't let other people influence the type of person that you should be. You have to decide that for yourself. So that's pretty much what that song is about. It's a little all over the place but cohesive at the same time. I try to fit a little bit of everything in there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjetVWu0gto MaM : I totally identify with that one the most. Can I get a little background info on your band name? Deion : Endure the Affliction refers to the human condition—existence itself and the fact that you have no choice but to just endure it. You work your way through problems. You go through life. You figure it out, and that's just it. It's a simple message. It's just a fancy word. Fancy words to relay a simple message. MaM : Do you use any specific pedals to achieve y'all’s sound? Deion : Yeah, I use a Line 6 Helix. I have an EVH over an orange cab, but I plug my Line 6 Helix into that. Most people just use the Line 6 Helix by itself, but I don't do that. The other guitarist has a smaller version of that called the Line 6 POD GO. He uses that for all of his pedal stuff. We're the only two. The bassist uses a straight clean bass tone. He doesn't do any crazy stuff. MaM : You have 99 monthly followers on Spotify and it's growing. Do you think they relate to the overcoming hardships in the lyrics? Do you think that's what draws them in? Deion : I believe so. We talk to our fans, you know. We're not the rock-star diva type. We don't have a huge fan base, but when they come, they come. They show up, and we talk to them. They all say that that's the main thing they like about the music: The lyrics are relatable. They love that we're not black metal. Basically, we’re out there singing about stuff they can't relate to. I think, also, the draw is because we're so melodic for a metal band. A lot of our fans are people that don't listen to metal, believe it or not. We're kind of a gateway band locally. MaM : Any future plans and aspirations for the band? Deion : YES! We would like to tour. We plan on trying to do a little miniature tour at some point, maybe one or two weeks. Nothing fancy, but definitely that. We hope to release our third EP by October. We [have] a couple more songs to get written and recorded, then we'll be good to go. Nothing too big, besides RAD Fest, obviously. For more on Endure the Affliction, you can check them out at any of the below-listed links. For more on RAD Fest, click here . Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enduretheaffliction.la/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enduretheaffliction.la/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EndureTheAffliction Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0YkC97oMGPhF8ivqYFXHHo Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/endure-the-affliction/1471728402 Bandcamp: https://enduretheaffliction.bandcamp.com/ Je’an Paul Keller is a member of the 501st Legion and a huge sci-fi nerd. He’s also a HUGE music lover and is very passionate about drawing, sketching, painting, and making cosplays and movie-accurate costumes. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

28 Days Later is one of the best zombie movies ever made, having popularized the fast zombie craze of modern-day cinema and terrified moviegoers around the world with its horrific scenario. < Back 28 Days Later: Feast Upon This Keeley Brooks Oct 18, 2023 Share 28 Days Later is one of the best zombie movies ever made, having popularized the fast zombie craze of modern-day cinema and terrified moviegoers around the world with its horrific scenario. Rating: 5 out of 5 raging zombies Growing up as a Gen Xer, I was, of course, aware of George Romero’s infamous zombie canon and was intrigued by the whole concept, but it wasn’t until the mid-2000s when a friend made me watch 28 Days Later (2002) that my intrigue completely changed. Not only was 28 Days Later my first introduction to the brilliantly talented Cillian Murphy ( Oppenheimer ), but it was also my first intro to a new kind of zombie beyond the slow, dread-inducing shufflers of the 20th century. Prior to watching 28 Days Later , I’d never seen (or even considered) fast, vicious, blood-thirsty zombies, and the idea was so horrifying to me that after watching it, my zombie interest turned into obsession. Although Nightmare City (1980) is often credited as the first movie featuring fast zombies, it was 28 Days Later that popularized the fast zombie craze of modern-day cinema and terrified zombie lovers and moviegoers around the world with its horrific scenario. And don’t get me wrong: While I love the concept, if fast zombies ever appear and start chasing us and we’re running together, I will trip you in my effort to reach safety. I’m kidding. Following the aftermath of a deadly viral outbreak in Great Britain, 28 Days Later focuses on Jim (Cillian Murphy, of Oppenheimer ), a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma 28 days after an accident to discover bustling London life completely obliterated and in total destruction, not another human soul in sight. After wandering the streets alone and easing into a church, Jim realizes the horror of the situation he finds himself in when he is chased by raging, bloodthirsty, once-human creatures. credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures It’s only after he’s rescued by a couple of survivors that he learns what has happened. Nearly a month prior to Jim’s awakening, a group of eco-terrorists in Cambridge freed a lab chimp from its cage, not realizing the chimp was infected with a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus called the “Rage virus.” Unlike what we’ve seen in other zombie movies, one does not have to be bitten to be infected. All it takes is one drop of blood from an infected to drip into your eye or mouth or an open wound, etc., and that’s it: You’re done. Within seconds, the virus overtakes its host, completely morphing him/her/them into a violent, vicious creature that aggressively salivates for one thing: bloody carnage. Case in point: Check out what happens to Brendan Gleeson ( In Bruges ) after a drop of infected blood gets in his eye (warning: the scene below is intense): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzdxUlCNPLA While this scenario is indeed horrifying, heart-pounding, and hair-raising, it’s not what makes 28 Days Later such a terrifying film. The fact that what was once the military has set up a blockade and is broadcasting protection as a cover to lure female survivors into sexual slavery so they can repopulate the world does. And this is where the movie really gets delicious, as Jim jumps into action to save the only two females he’s come to know—one being a minor. 28 Days Later shows what happens to society in a frantic, post-apocalyptic crisis. In such a scenario, you’d like to think that when there’s a common enemy to fight, humanity would band together, but it doesn’t happen like that: The law breaks down, forcing humans to self-regulate, and self-regulation always leads to a form of anarchy, which is what we see here. 28 Days Later is arguably the first zombie film to successfully show the true breakdown of humanity and those effects in a post-apocalyptic crisis. Furthermore, while these fast zombies serve as a symbol of loss and meaning amongst a plethora of society vacancies, they also serve as metaphors for society's need for immediate, mindless consumption of, well, everything. So where there are multiple interpretations of a zombie crisis between all zombie movies, one thing that remains standard throughout all of them: Human beings can’t be trusted to take care of each other in the middle of a crisis where there is no collective hope because consumption has taken over. There’s a lot about 28 Days Later that is hands-down masterful, including its horror within the horror story, but what I love the most is the way Director Danny Boyle juxtaposes the terror of what is happening with the beauty of nature (i.e., colorful geometric tulip fields and sprawling English country sides)—ironic since nature is where viruses originate. That alone is what easily makes 28 Days Later one of the best zombie movies ever made . In addition to its stellar narrative, the actors each give outstanding performances riddled with inherent fear, the cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, and the creative editing techniques as well as the soundtrack nicely drive the tension and pace of the movie, allowing the viewer to oscillate between safety and fear as 28 Days Later moves through its cycle of death, destruction, and rebirth. In 2007, a sequel released called 28 Weeks Later , but it was not written by 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland ( Ex-Machina, Sunshine ), was not directed by Danny Boyle, nor did it feature Cillian Murphy and his character Jim. Some liked it; some didn’t. However, there is hope. Word on the circuit is that it looks like Garland, Boyle, and Murphy are teaming back up to bring us another sequel, which will likely be called 28 Years Later . I don’t know about you guys, but I’m already waiting with my giant bucket o’ popcorn and my safety blanket. Oddly enough, while 28 Weeks Later seems to be streaming multiple places, 28 Days Later is not currently streaming anywhere but is available to purchase and is well worth the fee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcDhdb6J3rM Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with a voracious appetite for entertainment consumption and an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches, even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Top 5 Nostalgia Picks for November 2024 < Back Way Back When: Nostalgia Picks for Your Playlist November Nicole Brice Nov 2, 2024 Share Top 5 Nostalgia Picks for November 2024 This month’s tracks have no themes. There is no rhyme or reason to these tunes. I simply hit “shuffle” on my iPod and typed up these tracks for you! 1. The Specials – Little Bitch I became obsessed with this band in high school when I discovered them. This song and ‘ Concrete Jungle ’ will forever be my favorites. This is just a fun song to listen to. 1979 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohvZczJ6BUI 2. Joy Division – Heart and Soul It’s Joy Division ! ‘Nuff said! 1980 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0asSzzf6HPw 3. The Animals – House of the Rising Sun I have been obsessed with this song since I was a child. It has this eerie and creepy feeling to it. 1964 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4bFqW_eu2I 4. Bratmobile – I’m in the Band It's one of THE songs that defined my early 20s. Bratmobile is one of those bands that do not get the recognition or credit they deserve. 2002 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjarVoYsovM 5. The Strokes – Hard to Explain College – this song reminds me of college. One of those early 2000s gems. 2001 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXkm6h6uq0k Hey, if you don't like these, cool. If you've never heard them, check them out! Love and light, Nicole www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Disjunct is redefining the sound of music for a new generation < Back Disjunct: Technically Gifted Musicians Who Push Boundaries Nicole Brice Aug 23, 2023 Share Disjunct is redefining the sound of music for a new generation In a society where music has become synonymous with formulaic beats and predictable melodies, occasionally a band emerges to challenge the status quo. Disjunct, an up-and-coming experimental band that formed in 2021 as a jam project in Freetown, Louisiana, became more serious about their craft in April 2022 and began seriously writing and playing more live shows. The band consists of Brock Bonin (guitarist), Tony Struhldreher (drums), and Trent Hebert (bass). These guys recently played Rad Fest 2023 in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, and their set was nothing short of remarkable. As we watched guitarist Brock Bonin play last Saturday, MaM Lead Photographer Gary Governale and I both remarked, “Damn, that guy is good!” Credit: Gary Governale Disjunct is a band unafraid to experiment and push boundaries. Blending elements of psychedelia, progressive rock, djent, and jazz, their music defies categorization. Their ability to seamlessly merge different styles and genres results in a truly original sound that leaves a lasting impression on listeners. Disjunct refuses to be boxed in, constantly striving to transcend musical expectations, and with band influences ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Primus to Chon, the end result “is a culmination of our preferences that mesh together to form a new and unique sound,” says founding member Brock Bonin. Credit: Gary Governale When it comes to live performances, Disjunct draws the line in the sand. The band’s synergy cannot be missed because, like a fine-oiled machine, each member brings their unique flair. The passion with which Disjunct performs is an unforgettable experience. If you missed their set at Rad Fest, bummer—but rest assured these guys have much more on the horizon for the remainder of 2023 and beyond, and we’ve got a small snippet of their performance for you below. We were able to ask Brock a few questions about Disjunct, so check out a little Q & A and then stay tuned for more from these guys! https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_d92ed01f39994c248c47df31396eb27c/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 MaM : I can’t seem to find any music for you on Bandcamp or Spotify. Where can I find your music? BB : We are actively working on putting together recorded music for our listeners. There is an EP dropping this fall, with new single releases to follow shortly after. MaM : Are there any notable shows you guys have played yet besides Rad Fest? BB : Disjunct preformed Marsfest as well as the Festival International after a party hosted by Artmosphere. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Who or what influences you to write music? BB : A large part of our writing process comes from the general idea that we want to stay original. Most of the music has been written from the ground up based on ideas that presented themselves organically during jam sessions. MaM : Where do you see the band headed in the future? BB : We have plans to grow together as a group and mature our music into a more cohesive sound. Things to look forward to are a heavier ambiance, extended-range guitars, and more technical proficiency all around. Disjunct is a band that is challenging conventions, turning heads, and offering a breath of fresh air to the local music scene. To learn more about Disjunct, visit them on social media via one of the links below. Instagram : Disjunct (@disjunctband) • Instagram photos and videos *Cover Photo - Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Nicole Brice just loves music. It doesn’t matter the type. Do you have something you think she should hear? Hit her up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Dodies’ music blends powerful riffs with fearless creativity. < Back Unfiltered and Unleashed: The Dodies Redefine Raw Power as a Dynamic Duo Nicole Brice Jul 5, 2025 Share The Dodies’ music blends powerful riffs with fearless creativity. As a child of the 90s, I’m really enjoying the wave of nostalgia in the world currently, especially when it comes to music. I can honestly say we had some of the best music back then. It was raw and impactful—not overly polished, yet still perfect. This sentiment perfectly captures the sound of the next band I have for you, The Dodies , and believe it or not, this band is nowhere near new, but they’re new to me, and now they’ll soon be new to you, too. Credit: Facebook The Dodies are a grunge, alternative, garage rock band from the southern deserts of Israel, but when they are in the states, they call Texas their home. From the first listen, it's clear they are destined for greatness due to the tremendous sound that radiates from the speakers with every note played. Their poetic, introspective lyrics are paired with a deep artistic flair , featuring loud, crunchy guitars, heavy basslines, and powerful drums at times. However, they can also switch gears and perfectly orchestrate a softer, more poppy sound, as if it comes naturally. With their secret weapon producer, Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal , this duo has crafted a sound that is uniquely crisp, tight, and full of energy, and I am obsessed. Credit: Facebook Music, at its core, is a personal experience for each of us. I strive to keep my articles authentic and genuine. When I hit play on my iPod to explore The Dodies’ discography , my initial reaction when that first song started playing was, and I said it out loud, “This is so good!” The Dodies consist of two musical talents: Yoni Avittan , the primary vocalist and guitarist , and Ran Aronson , who handles background vocals, bass, keyboards, and drums simultaneously. Watching Ran perform in videos is astonishing; I genuinely have no idea how he maintains the stamina to keep up with everything. It’s truly remarkable. Yoni Avittan’s vocals are always spot-on and showcase an impressive range, soaring like Justin Hawkins of The Darkness . He embodies the quintessential strong frontman with his hypnotic presence and sheer unfiltered talent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ILZKGmFVLc 'Boiling Point' LIVE Since 2020 , the duo has released three full-length albums , and one live album , a notable achievement in an industry often flooded with EPs and singles. Each album was created with precise attention to every detail, down to the order of the songs and the artwork and remind me of some of the great albums of the past for their artistry. In 2020 the Dodies released, It’s One Hell of a Ride , and it is a non-stop journey of exceptional music. Every track is strong, with not a single bad one. One standout for me is the lead track ‘ Boiling Point ,’ which even has a fantastic video on YouTube . I find myself dancing around in my kitchen when I listen to it, but truth be told, this entire album is exceptional, and deserves some serious listening time, so be sure to dive in. Released April 24, 2020 In 2022, Floating in Limbo was released, and it is another amazing album. While listening to it, I couldn't help but wonder: can these guys produce anything less than great? Released April 20, 2022 2025 marked the release of Dreamism , which starts off a bit softer before diving into the signature sound The Dodies have developed, and one can clearly hear a Radiohead and Muse influence with some of these newer songs. Once again, every single track on this album is killer. All killer, no filler, as I like to say. Released February 28, 2025 But, believe it or not, The Dodies don’t just stop with music. Yoni is currently working on a book to complement their trio of albums, bringing everything together full circle. Dynamic, insightful, and brilliant, this duo is poised to blow the roof off modern music. Read on to learn more! MaM : How did the partnership with producer Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal come about? Yoni : We recorded our first album in Austin, TX at Orb Studios . Matt Noveskey knew someone who helped us reach Bumblefoot , and he loved our music. We were really wanting to push it over in the states, and Matt Noveskey was key in helping us reach other people. MaM : One thing I noticed when listening to your three albums this morning was that with his involvement, you have defined your sound. Your sound is your sound. It’s refreshing to have come across your band. Yoni, your vocals are extraordinary. Have you ever gotten the comparison to Justin Hawkins from The Darkness ? Yoni : That is the most frequent one. I do love The Darkness , but I don’t listen to them that much. I listen to that British trio of Radiohead , Muse , and Coldplay – early 2000s type of stuff. That’s mostly what I listen to. Credit: Facebook MaM : Your voice has such range. Is there something you do to warm up or keep it in shape? Yoni : Well, sometimes I do have to do some warm-ups before shows, because if I don’t, it won’t be as good. It is a challenge to sing high. MaM : I can only imagine. With you being a duo, how does that work for a live show, or do you bring in extra musicians to complement what you do? Ran : We don’t usually bring in any additional players on stage. It works for us. It suits the genre, as well, because we do want to keep it basic and rock . I don’t think it would work if we were a prog metal band or something like that. Credit: Facebook MaM : How do you even keep up to play that many instruments? Ran : It is very physical, for sure. I feel like the more I do it, the more I get better. It gets better the more we practice. Working with Ron , with Bumblefoot has been one of the biggest contributions to our sound. He told us that’s your sound – keep it simple. Same thing you do live and just go to the studio with it, and stick to it. It’s very easy to fall into tracking and overdoing it. MaM : I think it’s impressive as hell that it’s just you two in the band. You have such a thick and full sound to your music. How did it come about with just you two? Yoni : Well, it was just more efficient for us. It was more efficient to tour with two people, too. Ran : There are definitely advantages sound-wise, logistics-wise, and we actually used to be a three-piece, but yeah, we just love it in all aspects. Credit: Facebook MaM : Three albums under your belt, and now you have just released Dreamism , which I love the album cover, so my next question is, who designed the cover art for that release? Yoni : Well, I guess I just thought about what correlates to the name of the album. An image of an influx of info in a person’s head – addiction to dreaming and seeing excessive dreaming as a type of sickness or overthinking. We reached out to a certain artist to help with it, and he did a good job by taking a thought I had and making it his own. Ran : His name is Spencer , and we came across him and found all his work. MaM : Album art is big to me, and I still focus in on it because I feel the artwork brings it all together. The cover sets the tone. Ran : It’s getting easier to fall into AI-generated covers. You can spot it right away. He did a great job, and it has his aesthetics with the collage. Yoni : Also, we’ll be coming out with a book called Dreamism with the same cover to go with the album. MaM : Tell me about this. That sounds awesome. Yoni : The novel is about a young musician from southeast Texas who falls in love with his psychiatrist. I then detail their connection and how it helps him overcome depression. The first part of the book is titled “It’s One Hell of a Ride.” The second part is called “Floating in Limbo”, and the last part is called “Dreamism.” The music goes along with the story, and that’s pretty much the premise. It’s my life’s work. Credit: Facebook MaM : I love that, and love that it’s based upon the three albums! I can’t wait to read it! How did you get the inspiration to do something like that? Yoni : Well, I just went to therapy, and that was basically it, and it went well. (laughter) MaM : I love that – so you based it on your life? Fictionalized it. I love that, and I just love the whole creative process. Where do these ideas come from? How do we bring these ideas to fruition? Is there anything you’d like to tell us about the book that you didn’t touch upon? Yoni : It’s getting ready to go, and I’m editing it now. We’re very excited, and we’re gonna post a lot about it online, and try to push it. MaM : What’s the release date? Yoni : I don’t have a release date quite yet, but we’ll let you know. Credit: Ben Anderson MaM : How would you describe your sound to a new listener who has just discovered it? Yoni : I keep switching the genres. Usually, I just say we’re a rock band. It is kinda grunge . MaM : How did you get influenced to do the garage band type of music you do? Yoni : I mean, I guess I listen to a lot of early 2000s rock , but I do feel that the 90s rock captured something that has yet to be topped. The screaming in that music was the best and one of the last great things we ever had. The younger generations right now are still really into grunge and early 90s-style music. That’s pretty much what I grew up with, even though I didn’t grow up in the 90s. Credit: Facebook MaM : I feel like the '90s were one of the last times musicians were truly creative and authentic. By the late 90s to mid-2000s, it had lost its creative spark and become more of a mass-produced, cookie-cutter type of thing. However, look at the industry. The industry stopped pushing garage bands and music with heart and started pushing prefabricated music with no substance. I agree that it was the last great time for music. Yoni : Even in the early 2000s , though, I agree that it was more fabricated, but at least something was going on, you know. I think that after social media, and the rise of social media, it has deteriorated more. MaM : Well, that’s the whole TikTok generation. Some of these artists are like, it’s been great for my music, and I’m like, how? People are hearing snippets, and then they’re not coming to shows, so where is the incentive in that? Yoni : Yeah, they just don’t know what great is. (laughter) Ran : It’s crazy, you hear like one specific part of a song, so you don’t even know the whole song. Let alone an entire album. Yeah, we’re one of those bands who still believe in the concept of albums and want to tell a longer story. A longer, deeper story. Credit: Facebook MaM : What inspires you to create, and how do you find your lyrical concepts come to fruition? For example, I’m a writer and an author, and sometimes a phrase or word will pop into my head when writing a piece, so I’ll write it down somewhere, and then I’ll assemble it all into something at the end. Take us through the creative process. Yoni : Yeah, I feel pretty much the same. I have an idea for a song or lyrics, but I would rather have a melody to go along with it first, so I can fit the vowels correctly with whatever the song ends up being. I don’t want to stick lyrics that have nothing to do with the melody that I’ve written. The melody has to come first. Ran : Yoni writes the songs, and what usually comes to me is the melody and lyrics, and then we work on it together. It becomes a mutual joint process after he has pretty much written the song. We then keep building stuff on it and add new parts. We try not to overdo it and try to give the proper respect for the lyrics and melody. We love to keep it simple. MaM : You don’t force it. You let it happen organically. Ran : Yeah, we don’t force it. If we feel that there’s a place for a violin part or something similar, we add it; if not, we don’t force it. Credit: Facebook MaM : How long does it take you to develop a song? Yoni : Yeah, there’s no formula for it. I guess some songs can take a few months to perfect, and some a few minutes, but overall, if it’s not really there after we first write, then I think it’s kind of useless. I know a lot of songwriters who would have a verse, but nothing else other than that. Ran : Some of the songs from our newest album, ‘ Dreamism ’, we had already recorded even before we recorded ' It’s One Hell of a Ride '. They were already there. We had the concepts early on, and didn’t want to record a song that didn’t fit there. By the time we got to the studio to record the music that had already been in existence for a few years, it had changed, because we kept playing on it and kept working with it. It evolves. MaM : What would you like to achieve in the next five years? Where do you see yourselves musically and professionally? Yoni : I’m embarrassed to expose my wildest dream. MaM : You can keep it vague. Yoni : We want to push the music and book together, and hope that it works. We’re trying to add a deeper aspect to our genre. As The Dodies continue their artistic journey, we can expect even more amazing experiences to unfold. These talented individuals showcase their divine gifts with every note sung and every word spoken, and I can't wait to see what they create in the future. Their latest album, Dreamism , is now available on all streaming platforms. However, to truly appreciate The Dodies' music, I recommend starting from the beginning. Play their first album and immerse yourself in their entire discography . To learn more about The Dodies: The Dodies Store Instagram: The Dodies (@thedodiesband) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify: The Dodies | Spotify Facebook: Facebook Bandcamp: Music | The Dodies X: The Dodies (@TheDodiesBand) / X YouTube: The Dodies - YouTube *All photos are sourced from The Dodies' Facebook page. If any photographers would like credit, please reach out. If it wasn't noted, I couldn't find it. I would love to give proper credit. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Email us at: mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Zizzi’s music is an innovative approach to storytelling with a nod to the classic rock masters before them < Back Zizzi: A Rock ‘N Roll Force to Be Reckoned With Nicole Brice Aug 23, 2023 Share Zizzi’s music is an innovative approach to storytelling with a nod to the classic rock masters before them In a world filled with countless musical acts, it takes something truly special to stand out amongst the crowd. Enter Zizzi, a band from New Iberia, Louisiana. Fresh off their killer performance at Rad Fest 2023, the band has just released a new single called, “South Carolina Woman”, and it’s bluesy, fierce, and just plain rocks. Formed in 2019 with five guys who hardly knew each other and had never really pursued music, Zizzi is emerging as a force to be reckoned with because of their innovative approach to storytelling. Credit: Gary Governale - Zizzi at Radfest 2023 in Lafayette, LA August 19, 2023 The band is currently comprised of some exceptionally talented musicians: Evan Zizzi on lead vocals; Austin Stoltz on drums; Devin Boutte on lead guitar; Gray Walker on bass, vocals, and rhythm guitar; and Andre Broussard on bass and rhythm guitar. If Led Zeppelin, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Alice in Chains had a band baby, it would be Zizzi. Heavily influenced by the classics but providing a well-rounded retro sound, these guys are on to something and are on the rise, so take note. Drawing inspiration from Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and sounding like Andrew Wood from Mother Love Bone, Evan’s vocal delivery allows the listener to feel the trials and tribulations that come through in the music and brings a soulful melodic voice to the band’s dynamic sound. Drummer Austin Stoltz provides the driving beats that underpin Zizzi’s catchy tunes, while Gray Walker and Andre Broussard add depth and groove to the band’s compositions. Devin Boutte’s ethereal guitar playing brings it all together. Credit: Gary Governale The band’s trademark sound can be described as a fusion of alternative rock, blues, and classic rock with their music exploring themes of love, self-discovery, and the human experience. Offering a fresh take on alternative rock, their music is quickly garnering recognition locally, and they are undoubtedly a band to watch out for in the coming years. We were able to chat with vocalist Evan Zizzi recently to throw him a few questions, so check out a little Q & A below and then go check out their new single and much more! Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Any other notable shows besides Rad Fest that you guys have played? EZ : Every show is memorable and always allows us to see where improvements can be made. If we had to pick, it would either be when we won Battle of the Bands at Fred’s in Tigerland in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in Spring 202,2 or our recent show at Rock ‘N Bowl in Lafayette, Louisiana. Both crowds were electric, and we fed off the people. We tend to downplay our abilities and criticize our performance like we are Simon Cowell on American Idol, but we’ve packed out some nice venues, which always makes us feel like we are doing something right. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : How did you hear about Rad Fest? EZ : We were a late addition to Rad Fest but were stoked to be invited to play at the festival. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : What influences your lyrics, daily happenings or abstract ideas? EZ : You know … lyrics are strange. Sometimes we have an idea of what the motif of the song is originally meant to be, and we stick to it and develop it. Other times we start with an idea, and it turns into an entirely different musical piece once our process is complete. Ultimately, we want our lyrics to allow each individual listener to feel a certain way and to develop their own meaning. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Where do you see the band headed in the future? EZ : We have done covers for so many years but recently the gears have shifted to focusing on our own music. Being with a group of guys like Zizzi has been a gift. We would advise everyone who is hesitant to form a group, is filled with self-doubt about their abilities, or has stage fright to just say, “F**k it!” and take the jump. Life is scary and short, so why not go make a fool out of yourself and play shows for $20 in someone’s backyard and make some of the best friends you’ve ever had? There’s something magical about the days when we were ignorant idiots just trying to be rock stars, begging for someone to give us a chance. We have been blessed and somehow the stars aligned for us to do what we do. It would be a crime and an injustice to everyone who’s helped us out or supported us along the way to not see this storybook adventure to its final chapter when we finally get the girl and barely make it home before our parents get back from their trip. Credit: Gary Governale As they continue to refine their craft and break new ground, there is no doubt that Zizzi’s influence will continue to grow, shaping the future of the music industry. Be sure to check out one of their links below and show them some love on social media. Facebook : Facebook Instagram : Zizzi (@zizziband) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify : Zizzi | Spotify *Cover photo - Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Nicole Brice just loves music. It doesn’t matter the type. Do you have something you think she should hear? Hit her up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Bud Gambrell has compiled a journey through music in “Sidetracks Music Hall”—a memoir rich with local history < Back Sidetracks Music Hall by Bud Gambrell: Book Review Nicole Brice Sep 20, 2023 Share Bud Gambrell has compiled a journey through music in “Sidetracks Music Hall”—a memoir rich with local history When Bud Gambrell first contacted me to read his newly published book about the now-defunct Sidetracks Music Hall in Huntsville, Alabama , I had never heard of it … but I was intrigued. After reading the meticulously orchestrated memoir from cover to cover, I became engrossed in the history behind a truly unique establishment that not only touched the hearts of the patrons who frequented the space but also had a lasting impact on the musicians who played there. “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” offers a unique perspective on the magic of those live performances and on the lasting impact of the energy the space provided. Bud’s attention to detail in firsthand accounts from musicians, employees, and fans presents an engaging book that leaves no stone unturned and immerses readers in the vibrant atmosphere that was Sidetracks Music Hall . Though only open for a few years, the venue had a huge impact on the area that persists even today and is felt in the narratives of local musicians and patrons who offer a rare glimpse into the passion and dedication that goes into running a music establishment. Released June 8, 2023 The narrative of “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” seamlessly intertwines Gambrell’s personal anecdotes with the historical evolution of the music space, and through his encounters with renowned musicians—both big names and rising stars—the author offers readers an intimate glimpse into the creative process and the inner workings of the music and restaurant industry. What sets “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” apart is Gambrell’s ability to paint vivid portraits of the artists he met. From poetic songwriters to energetic performers, Bud captures the essence of their unique musical styles and personalities in moments that provide an intimate connection between the reader and the musicians, evoking a deeper appreciation for their craft. Gambrell’s attention to detail pulls the reader into the heart of what Sidetracks Music Hall was, not just to the locals, but to the artists and musicians who frequently took the stage there. It is worth noting that while “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” beautifully captures the spirit of live music, it also touches upon the challenges faced by the industry. Credit: Bud Gambrell “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” is a compelling memoir that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the world of live music in Alabama . Through evocative storytelling and insightful reflections, Gambrell not only pays homage to various musicians but also sheds light on the unique power of live performances. Whether you’re a devoted music fan or are just simply curious about the magic that happens on stage, this book will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the music that moves us all. In order to get a better feel for the love behind the narrative, I reached out to Bud, who’s also a photographer, for a deeper knowledge of the lasting legacy Sidetracks Music Hall has provided. MaM : Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. Give us a little background info on you. BG : Well, if I go back to the very beginning, I was born in Louisiana but raised in North Alabama. I’ve been a music lover my entire life and have actually been accused of being a music snob a few times. I’ve looked it up in the Urban Dictionary, too, and the first definition of it is definitely me. I’ve been going to concerts for a long time, and when they first opened Sidetracks Music Hall, I didn’t know that much about it. I knew that they were trying to cater to original bands and musicians, but one day I just started going and it just kind of became a second home to me. It just had something about the place … this aura. It’s hard to explain if you weren’t there, but the atmosphere was amazing. MaM : What gave you the idea to write and compile your book? BG : I actually got my idea when I was at Sidetracks last year. I was there shooting Ace Monroe and I was talking to the road manager. We were discussing my coming up to shoot a show they were playing at the EXIT/IN, and we were sitting at the bar, and I saw a book for this venue right there and the idea came from those who had chronicled and circled back all these bands and acts that had played EXIT/IN. It was around this time, too, that I found out Sidetracks was closing. Various logos of Sidetracks over the years MaM: How long did it take you to compile everything? BG : Well, I started on the book, and within a month, Sidetracks closed. September 4, 2022, was the last night. By the first of October, I had already started doing interviews and talking to people. Around the holidays, though, I almost abandoned it because it was so much, but by the first of the year, I told myself that I needed to finish it. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, but the inspiration came about because of my love for the place. It was a true labor of love. MaM : You mentioned photography earlier. Give us a little more info about your work in that arena. BG : Well, I’ve always been a hobby shutterbug ... I remember being in the Boy Scouts and taking pictures with a camera, but I can’t remember the model, and they don’t make them anymore, but it was a Kodak shaped like a box and you had to look down through the top of it and there was a thumb button to take the pictures. So, I would take those cameras on camping trips, and I’ve always had some type of camera around, but three years ago in 2020, to keep from going stir crazy, I got a drone and started with that. Several people told me the photos and videos from it were great and that I should become a professional and the next thing I knew, I was starting a photography business. Ace Monroe with Bud Gambrell at Sidetracks Music Hall. All of the photos on the wall behind them were shot by Bud. MaM : So, where do you like to shoot? BG : Right now, I shoot some local stuff at some bars, but a good bit of what I’m doing is at our local civic center. They’ve got four rooms there, and you’re shooting photos and listening to music, so it never feels like work. I got to shoot Joe Satriani last year, which was a dream show, and I’ve shot Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, and ZZ Top, too. Joe Satriani - photo by Bud Gambrell MaM : So, as far as all the bands and musicians that performed at Sidetracks over the years, who was your favorite to see and shoot? BG : Damon Johnson is one. I’ve been a fan of his for over 29 years, since his first or second album came out, and I’ve never had a chance to see him live until he played Sidetracks. Them Dirty Roses was another one, which I mention them a good bit in the book. There are so many, honestly, but if I had to pick just one, it would be Tab Benoit . I’ve actually got a picture on my office wall that I took of him, had blown up, and then had him sign it. MaM : How would you say Sidetracks Music Hall touched you personally? What takeaways do you have from the entire experience of seeing live music performed there? BG : It was the atmosphere. It had a home vibe and just always felt head and shoulders above everyone else. You know, there were nights I would go there by myself, and it was never a consideration whether I should or not because it always felt safe. It felt like home. Some nights, I could go and know half the people there, and some nights I didn’t, but by the end of the night I did. I wasn’t intentionally looking for a new place to hang out when I found Sidetracks, but the more I started going there, the more I realized how awesome the place was. It had this Cheers- type vibe where everyone knew your name, and to be honest, I don’t think I ever saw one fight the entire time I was there. I saw a lot of funny stuff, but never anything bad. Nobody at Sidetracks was ever in a bad mood. To experience the nostalgia of Sidetracks Music Hall yourself and to learn more about the establishment, Bud Gambrell’s book “Sidetracks Music Hall” is currently available for purchase on Amazon. The link is below, so be sure to check it out! The book is currently available via paperback, hardcover, and on Kindle. Side Tracks Music Hall: Gambrell, Bud: 9798396341999: Amazon.com: Books www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Huntsville’s International Musical Youth Movement Invades the Camp < Back Off The Charts: How Today’s Youth Are Reviving Rock Music Bud Gambrell Oct 21, 2024 Share Huntsville’s International Musical Youth Movement Invades the Camp When I first had the idea for this article, I didn’t realize how much fun it would be. The idea came to me as I was watching a podcast . This podcast is a favorite in Huntsville as it showcases local talent, much like the article you are reading now. Pickletato is the name of the podcast. Don’t ask me about the name. Ask founder and interviewer Bill Neal . Bill and I first met in August at The Alabama Smoke Show . I hope you read my article on The Smoke Show in the August edition. Pickletato was also in attendance. On September 15th, Pickletato released an edition featuring this guitarist, who happened to be 13 years old, you read that right, 13! As I watched the podcast, I felt the urge to know more about this young phenom, Carson Merritt . See the entire Pickletato podcast here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcIJFjT3dN8 Since Bill had a connection with Carson’s parents, I reached out to see if he could arrange an introduction. Shortly after I asked, I received the phone number of Carson’s father Rod . I put in a call to Rod Merritt . We had an outstanding conversation. Within this conversation, I saw the layers of this story start to unfold. The main headline is that we are talking about a barely 13-year-old guitar player. He doesn’t just play guitar. He is good! In my opinion, he plays way beyond his years. Credit: Bud Gambrell The next layer of the story showed itself as an exchange student from Germany. It just so happens that Henri Schröder also plays guitar—and he is also very good! What are the chances? I then learned that Carson takes lessons from Preston Black . I have heard of Preston for several years. His reputation precedes him. Preston is also an excellent guitar player. By excellent, I mean EXCELLENT ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhYwpA-LMzA Ok, now I’ve got enough to go with to write a story. Then, I discovered Carson would play live with Preston ’s band Buck’d Up on Saturday, October 12th . Not only was Carson joining Buck’d Up on stage, but so was Henri ! You don’t have to ask me twice to have a good time! Credit: Bud Gambrell I arrived at The Camp around 5 pm. I will call it 5ish because when you work in this environment, you must be used to “musician time.” Walking up to the stage area, I had to decide who to talk to first. Again, there are a few layers to this story. In the natural order of things, I decided to talk to my good friend Bill Neal from the podcast Pickletato . He had previously interviewed Carson and was somewhat familiar with the talent on hand. OTC : Bill, I must credit you because if it hadn't been for Pickletato , I'd never have heard of Carson. Tell me how it came to be that Carson was on your podcast. Bill : I had Buck’d Up on the podcast, and they talked about Carson , and this kid is amazing. So, after that podcast, I went and watched videos of him. I was like, man, I got to get this kid on my podcast. I asked Preston if he could reach out to his parents to see if I could have him on Pickletato and Preston asked if I could wait a little bit because he didn't want to have one of his students above the other. So, I waited a few months and contacted his dad personally instead of asking Preston . I didn’t want to put him out since I consider him a good friend. That was one of our first live performances on one of our podcasts. We've always wanted to do it. We didn't have the equipment and everything ready at the time to have bands on there, so Carson agreed to do a little live performance there. He was fanatic about it. I mean, he was so excited! It was the first podcast that he's ever done. He was super excited, and it made us feel good that he was excited to do it! Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : What is your impression of Carson? Bill : He's well above anybody I've seen at that age, and you know we're talking, he just turned 13, so he's been this good for a couple of years. I asked him how he got so good as a raw talent. He said, ‘Well, I'll spend 6 hours on 30 seconds of a song.’ He's just in it! Credit: Bud Gambrell As I talked to Bill , I noticed a man standing near the stage with a big smile after sound check. We spoke on the phone but haven’t met yet. I know a proud parent when I see one. This had to be Rod Merritt , Carson’s dad. As I approached Rod , it was as if we had met before. We exchanged greetings, and then I had questions about his son Carson . OTC : Tell me your story of Carson’s guitar-playing journey. Rod : It kind of just started randomly, watching it. We watched a show, and he said, 'Man, I like this music.' And so, he decided to pick up a guitar. We figured it was going to be a phase. We realized within a few months that it wasn’t a phase. He took it seriously. He taught himself for the first eight months, and then after about eight months, we're like, ok, this kid potentially has something, and he's taking it to where it is now. OTC : How long has Carson been playing the guitar? Rod : Two and a half years! OTC : Is that in people years or dog years? (laughs) Rod : (laughs) No, people years. It's been a short amount of time, and you know you must have some natural talent. I know I'm biased in saying that because it's my son. But at the same time, I mean, he does have a natural talent for it. He also has a work ethic, and he's very fortunate that he's been surrounded by the guys who are Buck’d Up or even his first guitar teacher, Pat Bryant . He is a U.S. Navy veteran, and was in the Navy's band for over 20 years. Carson has been surrounded by good musicians and people who lift him and encourage him. I think it's brought him up several levels, and he's had a passion for it. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : I’m sure that you took him. What was Carson’s first concert? Rod : It was just this year. We went to see Metallica in September up in Chicago . So yeah, he got to see the mighty Metallica . It was Metallica , Ice Nine Kills , and Five Finger Death Punch . And he loved it! And then, just a couple of weeks ago, we went to see Megadeth and Mudvayne up in Nashville . So, he's gotten to see big shows. Earlier in this article, I mentioned that the Merritts are hosting an exchange student from Germany. What are the chances that a family with a son who is a guitar wiz is hosting an exchange student who is also a guitar wiz? Henri Schröder is an exchange student. I pulled him aside after sound check to have a conversation. Before I get into the questions, I will say that Henri was such a wonderful young man. Just picture him smiling while you’re reading his responses. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Henri, how long have you been playing guitar? Henri : I've been playing the guitar for eight years, but I started playing the guitar passionately about four years ago. Before, it was more noodling around. OTC : What made you want to be a guitarist? Henri : Since I was young, I have wanted to play the drums, and my parents always tell me, oh, that's too big. And then I looked for the next instrument in my coolest instrumentalist, and it was the guitar. So I started playing guitar. It's just an amazing instrument, which is not easy to play. OTC : How did you happen to be an exchange student in a household with a family member who played guitar? Henri : That was not a coincidence. I wrote an application, and a few more months after I sent it to my agency, they told me that they had found a family that was also really interested in music and that their son was playing the guitar. And I was pleased about that. As soon as I got to know Carson , I knew I wanted to go to that family. That's how it happened. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : What is it about music that makes you feel passionate? Henri : Music can help you out in every situation. If you are sad or happy, you can always have music. Even if the times are not that good, music can help you out of that. That's what music has meant to me. OTC : I noticed during soundcheck that you and Carson have some chemistry while playing. Henri : Definitely! I’ve known Carson for two months and Preston for around two weeks. Both of them are very loving and just amazing people. It's like we are in our bubble and really like each other! Preston Black is the guitarist in the band Buck’d Up . He has played in the Huntsville area for many years and taught guitar for 21 years. The other members of Buck’d Up are Alex Mercieca , who is on bass and lead vocals, and drummer Rob Buck . This band gets my respect for being a badass power trio and for sharing the stage with these young men. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Preston, at some point, Carson's dad brought in a prospective new student named Carson Merritt. What did you think when this student came in and sat down and played for the first time? Preston : Well, I was blown away! Because he was only 11 years old when he first started and was already good! He had already been playing for around a year, a year and a half, maybe two years, or something like that, but he was already good at that age, and it just blew me away! So we got him up on stage maybe six months ago, something like that after he first started lessons, and he blew everybody away! That was here at the camp also. I think he was, by that point, maybe 12 years old. He's a natural! Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : This makes me think of the videos on YouTube of a young Derek Trucks at the age of 13 playing with the Allman Brothers . His playing was far advanced for his age. How is this even possible? Preston : It's amazing! I've been teaching full-time since 2003. It's weird to say, but in all those years, I've only had a handful of younger students who were naturals when it came to guitar. But Carson is the youngest, especially in lead guitar playing. All that stuff is natural for him, and he works hard! It's not just that he can naturally play. He works hard! As an instructor, I am more of a guide than anything else because he does all the work and figures out a lot of stuff on his own. So that in itself is impressive, especially for an 11-year-old! Now he's 13, but he's a very mature, brilliant kid. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : As a teacher, you've taught people of all skill levels. What does it mean as a teacher to have somebody so determined to practice like he does? It's like he is driven to play this guitar and improve. Preston : It makes my job easy. All I do is, you know, steer him one way or the other. I like to focus on the things that interest him because he will work the hardest on those things. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Rob, as the drummer for the band, what were your thoughts when Preston presented the idea of having a 12-year-old play onstage with Buck’d Up? Rob : I'm all about it, man! I started playing when I was three, so I've been in this my whole life. To see fresh talent, good talent, and God-given talent come in, I couldn't ask for any better. Yeah, bring him home. Let's go! Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Alex, before you got to play with him, had you heard him play yet? Have you seen him play before? Alex : Preston had talked to me about it and told me how good he was, but then I was blown away when he got up there and started shredding away! He didn't miss a beat. It’s like we had practiced with him for months. But everything just fell into place. Perfect! My comparison between Carson and Derek Trucks wasn’t about their playing styles. These two have opposite playing styles. That comparison was regarding their age. It also had to do with their demeanor onstage. Both have excellent control over their emotions while playing. I asked Bill Neal if he had noticed that, too. OTC : Bill, you've seen Carson play before, and this kid's barely thirteen years old. What's your impression of his stage presence? He doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all. Bill : That's one of the things I asked him on the podcast. I asked him, 'I’ve seen you play up with Buck’d Up .' I'm like, 'You don't even seem fazed. Are you nervous at all?' 'Well. No, not really.' It doesn't make sense because I'm sure you're the same way. We picture ourselves at that age, and there's no way I would be able to do that. Maybe if I had the talent, but I've never been able to do anything like that, so he's well above anybody I've seen at that age. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_0a2f4a5e5c9c4828bc34c15864edf72e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 I enjoyed my time with Buck’d Up so much that I asked them a thought-provoking question to get a deeper look into who they are. OTC : If you could collaborate with one artist or band right now, who would it be? Preston : I’ve never thought about that. I guess it would be somebody like Steve Vai because I listened to his music yesterday. It had been a while since I had listened. I used to listen to it all the time when I was younger. I'm just blown away and amazed by how he composes. He's a good guitar player, but compared to his guitar playing, the composition of the music he writes is way more complicated and musical. He's a better composer than a guitar player, so I would like to pick his mind and brain and work with him. That would be fun! Rob : I already get to collaborate with some of the best dudes right here! But, if he were alive, I would say Dimebag Darrell of Pantera . I'd love to sit and play with him for a day. Alex : I'm going to take Rob’s approach to this answer. I’d love to collaborate with Victor Wooten , sit down with him, and learn some writing skills. In the past, I thought it would be really cool to sit down with Cliff Burton and get some things going with him, even during his years. He is better than what I was expecting to see. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : What first got you into music? Carson : So there was this show I watched called Cobra Kai , and one of the characters, Miguel , sets his ringtones to Round and Round by Ratt . I love the guitar on that song. So, I wanted to get a guitar to learn that, and then I expanded into different genres, and it's been enjoyable! OTC : What inspires you to pick up your guitar and practice? Carson : I want to be amazing and join a band someday. You know, I want to make it my career. If I practice, I can work further towards that. OTC : Do you enjoy practicing? Carson : Absolutely! Check out this video of Carson practicing here: www.facebook.com This was a bucket list solo for Carson. Two years and a half ago when he first started learning to play the guitar, we had no idea that at 13 years old... | By Angel | Facebook This was a bucket list solo for Carson. Two years and a half ago when he first started learning to play the guitar, we had no idea that at 13 years old... OTC : What do you enjoy about practicing and learning new things? Carson : It's just super fun! Honestly, it's beyond anything I can explain. You know, just that feeling of a pinch harmonic or a harmony. It’s just beautiful! It's just a beautiful instrument! OTC : What is the best piece of advice that another musician has given you? Carson : My guitar teacher, Preston , once taught me that you might have to work four hours for a three-second part of the song, and even though talent is a part of it, it's mostly work ethic. OTC : As a guitar player, you have a favorite guitarist. Who is your favorite guitarist? Carson : Kirk Hammett of Metallica . OTC : Shouldn’t your answer be Preston Black tonight? (laughs) Carson : (laughs) I didn’t know we were doing that. I also like Dan Sugarman of Ice Nine Kills . OTC : So, tonight you're playing with Buck’d Up , but could you get up there and play with any band right now? Who would you play with? Carson : Ice Nine Kills . They're my favorite band. OTC : What strengths do you think make you a great musician? Carson : Determination and work ethic. If that last answer is insufficient to blow you away, you haven’t been paying attention. Carson Merritt is barely 13 years old. When I was 13, I was unsure if I understood what those words meant. Carson not only has raw talent, but he also has the drive and determination that will carry him far. As I sign off this edition of Off the Charts, I will say one last thing. Rod and Kelly have done an outstanding job with this young man. Not only does he play guitar beyond his years, but he is also very polite and respectful. Those are a few qualities that I wish more people possessed these days. Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com bgambrellphotography.com Bud Gambrell Photography Bud Gambrell Photography is a locally owned and operated photography business in North Alabama. Call or email us today for an appointment. Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell Pickletato www.youtube.com Pickletato All the good names were taken https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn8DviNRyjlHA4AaxxmLs5Q?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555703570599 Preston Black www.prestonblackguitar.net Home Facebook: www.facebook.com/BuckdUp Instagram: www.instagram.com/pressed_in_black/ YouTube: www.youtube.com Preston Black Instagram for Buck'd Up: www.instagram.com/buckdupband/ Alex Mercieca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amercieca78/?hl=en TikTok: Mercieca (@alexandermercieca) | TikTok Rob Buck Facebook: www.facebook.com/rob.buck.71 www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Godzilla: Minus One deftly balances social commentary with eye-popping monster action amid personal trauma, drama, and guilt. < Back Godzilla: Minus One: Film Review Shaun Corley Dec 11, 2023 Share Godzilla: Minus One deftly balances social commentary with eye-popping monster action amid personal trauma, drama, and guilt. With a dense mythology, many argue the Godzilla franchise has drifted away from its original intent. While entertaining, the new Godzilla movies lack the social commentary that made the 1954 original so iconic. Fans looking for a Godzilla film that deftly balances social commentary with eye-popping monster action need look no further than this year’s Godzilla: Minus One . Directed by Takashi Yamazaki ( Parasyte: Part I and II ), Godzilla: Minus One is a back-to-basics approach to Godzilla , taking its cues from the original 1954 Godzilla film, perhaps more than any other Godzilla film to date. Godzilla: Minus One features not only one of the best-looking Godzillas ever, but it also remembers that people are just as essential to these movies as the monsters are. Godzilla: Minus One also dispenses any notions of heroism on Godzilla’s part, instead showing him as a primordial force, one that never relents and can never be killed. Photo: Toho Studios The original Godzilla film is a stone-cold classic, a potent allegory for the devastating effects of atomic radiation on both Japan and the rest of the world. Released in Japan in 1954, Godzilla introduced the movie-going public to the behemoth, and to the concept of “kaiju” as a whole. Godzilla made his way to Western audiences two years later when an Americanized version starring Raymond Burr ( Rear Window ) was released: Godzilla, King of the Monsters! However, during the transition, studios emptied Godzilla of his anti-atomic bomb context. While King of the Monsters! is a perfectly fun monster film, it lacks the punch and the heft of the Japanese original. Since 1954, there have been a few different Godzilla franchises, both in Japan and America. Each of these took different approaches: For example, in Godzilla’s Shōwa-era depiction (Japanese political era from 1926-89), he was a champion of humanity; the Heisei era (Japanese political era from 1989-2019) restored his reputation as a destructive force. Then there is also the Millenium era , which identifies films in the Godzilla series released from 1999-2004, as well as two different American reboots—the most recent being 2024’s Godzilla X Kong . That is also to note nothing of the various spin-offs, such as the Mothra films, Rodan , and others. Godzilla: Minus One is set shortly after the end of World War II and sees Japan largely in ruins. Koichi (Ryunosuke Kamiki, of The Great Yokai War ) is a kamikaze pilot who abandons his post in the war’s final days. Landing on Odo Island, Koichi bears witness to Godzilla’s first attack on humanity. During the ruckus, Koichi has a golden opportunity to end Godzilla’s reign before it starts. However, he freezes up, and Godzilla destroys the base, killing everyone except Koichi and another man named Sosaku (Munetaka Aoki, of Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part I - The Final ). Riddled with survivor’s guilt, Koichi desperately tries to put what he saw behind him. Fate has other plans, though, as Godzilla returns even bigger and more powerful than the first time. Now Koichi must overcome his trauma to help save Japan. As both the American and Japanese Godzilla films began moving away from the social and cultural commentaries, Godzilla became one of the good guys, often rising up to turn back other monsters, such as King Ghidorah. Photo: Legendary Pictures This was particularly true during the Shōwa era of Japan. While the Heisei era returned Godzilla to his destructive ways, the most recent American films have, once again, made him a hero. Godzilla: Minus One dispenses any notions of heroism on his part, instead showing him as a primordial force, one that never relents and can never be killed. With this return to villainy for Godzilla comes the social commentary for which the first movie was known. The 1954 version famously dealt with the fallout of the first atomic bomb tests; two such bombs were dropped, both on Japan. This incident scarred the Japanese psyche, and Godzilla was the result. The 1954 Godzilla was also released as the Cold War was ramping up, and the dangers of atomic radiation were on everyone’s mind. Godzilla tapped into these fears and doubts. Godzilla’s atomic aspects are baked into the character and are indeed present in Godzilla: Minus One . These issues, however, take a back seat to explorations of trauma and guilt . Koichi very much has PTSD, which holds him back both in his career and his life. He meets Noriko (Minami Hamabe, of Let Me Eat Your Pancreas ), a young woman living in the ruins of postwar Japan. Koichi cares very much for her, but his past will not let him love. Kiochi and Noriko (Photo: Toho Studios) Likewise, Koichi’s relationship with Sosaku, the other survivor of Odo Island, is also frayed: Sosaku is angry at Koichi for not opening fire on Godzilla when he had the chance. A key plot point of Godzilla: Minus One is Koichi’s attempts to get Sosaku to join the anti-Godzilla team. Sosaku and Koichi reconcile just in time for the final battle against Godzilla. In giant monster movies such as Godzilla: Minus One , it can be tricky balancing the monster action with personal drama; sometimes one gets little attention. However, Godzilla: Minus One blends the two well. Godzilla looks as good as he ever has—a remarkable feat given the film’s relatively low budget. The special effects, particularly when Godzilla activates his “atomic breath”, are first-rate. The human drama also sustains Minus One . Koichi’s anti-Godzilla team is perfectly cast, and the viewer is left with the impression they are a genuine family, one brought together not by blood but by shared traumas. 2024 marks 70 years of Godzilla. In that time, he has been many things to many people: hero, villain, and protector. While this has made for some fun movies, it ignores the original subtext that made the first Godzilla film so good: the social commentary. However, Godzilla: Minus One brings the monster back to form, using him to discuss themes of guilt, family, and trauma . Godzilla: Minus One is currently in theaters. Catch it on the big screen while you can! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7DqccP1Q_4 Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, which are far outnumbered by comics and the smell of rich mahogany. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

It's all green to me! < Back Way Back When: March Playlist Picks 2025 Nicole Brice Mar 3, 2025 Share It's all green to me! March automatically makes me think of the color green—green for St. Patrick’s Day, green for positivity in the spring, just green. Let’s see if I can keep a clever theme for these song suggestions. 1. Green Day - 2000 Light Years Away Green Day certainly has come a long way from their earlier music, but to me, their earlier music is the best because it’s less polished and more authentic. This is one of those tunes that always transports me back to the early '90s. 1991 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhea380bYp0 2. Hum - Green to Me Hum is one of those hidden 90s gems when it comes to bands. They toured with prominent bands back in the day, which is how I discovered them. To say this band and song are underrated would be an understatement. 1998 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4VY15Q2_NU 3. Gorillaz - O Green World Gorillaz burst onto the music scene in 1998 via Damon Albarn of Blur fame and Jamie Hewlett . A virtual band, Gorillaz is best known for its cartoon videos with characters. ‘ O Green World ’ is one of those album tracks that is a little more obscure but so fantastic because of its intricate sounds. Check it out! 2005 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f01sIr-y6PY 4. Incubus - A Certain Shade of Green Incubus ’ first album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E. , sounds nothing like their albums that came after. ‘ A Certain Shade of Green ’ is one of those high-energy Incubus songs that just reels you in. 1997 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCml8Th66mM 5. Master P - Pass Me Da Green Just a fun song. “Pass me da green, I need some weed with my Hennessy.” 1997 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_yBoAuKTcU Hey, if you don't like these, cool. If you've never heard them, check them out! Love and light, Nicole www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Reviving Britpop < Back A Wave of Nostalgia: The Clifftones Nicole Brice Feb 22, 2023 Share Reviving Britpop Ever so often, I will stumble upon a musician whose sound truly resonates with me all the way to my soul. This holds true with Boston singer/songwriter, Scott Clifford. Scott goes by the handle “The Clifftones” on Instagram, but he is a one-man show. He sings, he plays guitar, he makes his own promos, he produces and records his own music, AND he is one awesome guy. A fellow Veteran of the armed forces, such as myself, when Scott and I first connected, we were able to talk military, and that was initially how the conversation started. Scott served in the 82nd Airborne Division overseas in Iraq but has since ended his enlistment. His smooth, soulful voice is truly beautiful, though, and it puts me in such a calm space. I am certain it will do the same for you. Over the past few years, Clifford has released several original singles, but with his latest release, he has decided to pay homage to those who have inspired and influenced him since adolescence. “The Exchange St. Sessions” EP is available March 1st via all streaming platforms, and I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy. It has been on repeat for the past two weeks. This EP of cover songs is hauntingly beautiful and gives me the chills … the good kind you get when the music is truly special. With Scott’s renditions of such classics as “Fade into You” by Mazzy Star and “The Drugs Don’t Work” by The Verve, it’s as if I’m hearing this music for the first time. With a voice that is a cross between Ryan Adams and Tom Waits, I insist that everyone give a listen to his newest release launching soon. You will thank me; I’m sure of it. Scott and I sat down to have a lengthy discussion recently about his music, his career in the Army, and just everything in general. Take the time to read about this incredibly talented man, and then go check out his Instagram for everything Clifftones related. MaM : Good Morning! So, how’s it going? SC : It’s going alright. I was actually going to crack a joke with your text that said, “Alright, I’ll call you at 11:15.” I was going to say, “I don’t know what unit you were in, but it’s 11:18 here already … and then I realized you are an hour behind me.” (laughs) MaM : I forget that I’m in a different time zone from others sometimes, being in no-man’s-land Louisiana. (laughs) SC : At least people are polite there. MaM : Well, kinda sorta. My family isn’t from here. Dad is from San Diego and mom is from Ashtabula, Ohio, so I’ve always been the odd ball, but let’s get this started. First, I love your accent. I know I probably have a southern accent from being down here. (laughs) SC : Well, I wouldn’t say I have a thick one, but I wouldn’t say you have a thick one either, but now, if I have a drink, it really comes out. (laughs) MaM : So, I know you had mentioned prior to this that you were in the military. 82nd Airborne? SC : Yep, so I was stationed at Ft. Bragg and did basic at Ft. Benning and then did AIT at Ft. Gordon. MaM : I did both my basic and AIT at Ft. Jackson. SC : What was your MOS? MaM : It started out as 71 L, but when they did some restructuring, the nomenclature changed to 42 L, but no matter what the number was, was always a clerk. I think I processed more Article 15's than anything. It was as if someone was always in trouble. (laughs) SC: I was a Commo guy. I laughed when you had mentioned the “E-4 Mafia” when we spoke another time. MaM : It wasn’t like the opportunities weren’t there to advance past E-4, but I was happy with my MOS, so I figured, why change it just to gain rank. So, I was E-4 my entire military career and I like to say we knew stuff, but we didn’t want the responsibility. (laughs) SC : Oh, I’m one of ya. (laughs) Yeah, after my 15-month deployment to Iraq for the surge, I just didn’t really care about advancing. I got home from my deployment and just wanted out. That was in 2010, though. It’s been a while. MaM : Same. Ok, so let’s talk music. I could talk military forever. Give our readers a little more background info on you. SC : I am Scott Clifford, and I’m 38 years old. I live in Boston, Mass., and I’m inspired by Rock music, and from an early age always wanted to emulate my favorite artists. I like being able to convey feelings, thoughts, and experiences through music. It’s an outlet for me. While I’m from Massachusetts, I’ve lived and travelled all over the world. I am an 82nd airborne combat veteran, as we already spoke about, and while I’m glad I’m out, I am glad I served. Fun fact: While in Iraq, I managed to get ahold of a guitar and laptop, and in the rare event we had free time, I would make spoof songs with my friends and fellow soldiers. I made a song called “365 in the 325” (325th Infantry Regiment) where me and some of the other guys would sing about the monotony while serving and various broken promises our unit/leadership made. After my time in the military, I studied towards a bachelor’s degree and later a master’s degree in the United Kingdom. I loved living in the UK, and the music scene there was incredible. MaM : When did you first get the itch to make music? SC : The first time I recall music registering in my brain as something fun to do was when I was around four or five years old. I remember my grandparents having an old electric keyboard. I can recall slowly playing the piano from the highest note to the lowest, all the while daydreaming about a little red riding hood storyline in my mind. I really believe this is where I sort of picked up or wired my brain for melody. With every note, I associated a feeling and a picture in my mind. I still do! MaM : Name one influential person in your life who you can credit with putting you on your path to making music. SC : I was lucky as a kid. I remember my dad realizing that I was starting to care less about sports and more about music. He bought me my first guitar. That’s when I realized I didn’t just want to be a fan of music but also someone who creates music as well. Because of my age, I had just missed the Grunge movement, and then here comes this Brit-Pop stuff, which you know I love. In fact, I ended up talking to one of the Gallagher brothers. There is a third one, who is not famous, and he found me on Instagram a while back, and he said to me, ‘You know what your problem is?’ And I’m thinking, ‘Oh, here we go …’ (laughs) He says to me, though, ‘You’re not doing anything new.’ I’ve had so many people say that I’m stuck in the past with my music, but if I sound 80’s, 90’s, or even 60’s, I take that as a compliment. MaM : Well, you know what they say: What was once old will become new again. That’s just the nature of the game. What is your favorite type of music, and who is your favorite artist or musician? SC : My favorite type or genre of music? I’d have to say it is Alternative Rock with a solid Pop leaning. By that I mean everything I’m writing now is heavily based around hooks and a verse/bridge/chorus-sort of structure. Not only do I want the songs to be catchy but also meaningful with the lyrics (the hard part). One of my favorite musicians would have to be Noel Gallagher of Oasis, obviously. The way he crafts a song is often simple but so melodic and anthemic. MaM : What is one of your most memorable live shows you have played? SC: Live music … my experience playing live consists mainly of small pubs and open-mic nights. One of my favorite times playing was while I lived in England. A few of my friends knew I played the guitar and volunteered me to play. Learning all those Oasis songs as a kid paid off that night! MaM : Where do you see yourself headed in the future as far as your music career? SC : Well, so far, it’s looking like an eventful 2023. I’m releasing the acoustic five-track covers EP followed by an Originals EP. I’m also in talks to collaborate with an electronic artist from Europe (trying to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit) and possibly creating the soundtrack for an indie film set in NYC, not to mention planning some live dates and limited run merch for the upcoming EP. Exciting times! I’m still navigating the world of Indie music, but I’ve been fortunate to have had some talented musicians and artists reach out to talk about my work. It’s beyond flattering and tells me I’m on to something. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_59a03b7d4ac641a0bec0c110e048e560/720p/mp4/file.mp4 To check out Scott’s music, be sure to follow him on Instagram and then download “The Exchange St. Sessions” EP out March 1, 2023! The Clifftones (@clifftonesmusic) • Instagram photos and videos The Exchange St Sessions (2021-2022) by The Clifftones - DistroKid Music | The Clifftones - Scott Clifford | BostonMA Spotify – The Clifftones TheClifftones (@clifftones) / Twitter *All photos provided by the artist* www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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Seven Kings Must Die < Back The Last Kingdom Finally Gets a Sequel Keeley Brooks Mar 16, 2023 Share Seven Kings Must Die I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a movie enthusiast who LOVES to watch anything that has bloody good ass-whooping in it, whether it be John Wick with his “I’m not f**king around” gun fights and bone breaking, Donnie Yen and Michelle Yeoh flying around with their beautiful but deadly martial arts, or Rocky and Ivan Drago duking it out with some hefty punches right to the kisser. Ask the one person who knows me best, and my husband will tell you I get most excited watching depictions of the ancient brutal fighting styles of early tribes like the Vikings, the Danes, the Saxons, and the Gauls—any historical fighting styles prior to the 12th century, really … the kind featuring bad-ass sword fighting, as well as a host of other deadly weapons like fists, teeth, feet, elbows, heads, knees, bow and arrow, axes, knives, spears, and shields, not guns. What can I say? I love blood and gore, and I love the artistic style behind intelligent fighting (and, yes, the savagery). It’s not only entertaining to watch but it's also full of such visceral, raw emotion that a viewer can’t help but feel its effect through familiarity, at least in emotion. If there’s a movie or series featuring early tribes, you can bet I’m watching it. Multiple times. In fact, as I write this article, I’m rewatching all five seasons of The Last Kingdom , and you should, too. Netflix is dropping a sequel to the series next month, so now’s the time to catch up. When Vikings slammed into the History channel, I was glued to every episode, as I’m sure the rest of America was. I was sad when it ended in 2020, but luckily, I had a chance to remain in that era with the final season of The Last Kingdom , which aired on Netflix shortly thereafter in 2021. I missed this series when it hit the streaming giant in 2015, but I was beyond elated to have found it by 2019. In case you haven’t seen it, don’t worry. I’m about to drop some knowledge on you. The Last Kingdom is a fantastic heartwrenching British historical fiction television series based on Bernard Cornwell’s novel of the same name. Cornwell is an English-American historical fiction author with the penchant for writing historical fiction, besides Philippa Gregory, but her focus is different. It’s the first novel in Cornwell’s “The Saxon Stories” series (2004), which tells how the nation of England began under King Alfred the Great. While the series is spectacular, if I do say so myself, it does not follow the books true to form, and that’s due to things like production value and time. Cromwell’s story introduces us to Uhtred of Bebbanburg (aka Uhtred Uhtredsson and/or Uhtred Ragnarsson), who, as an adult, is played by the very delicious Alexander Dreymon ( American Horror Story ), a German-born actor with yummy, good, womanizing looks. As a young Saxon noble, Uhtred is kidnapped by Danish Vikings and raised as a Dane in Ragnar Ragnarsson’s kingdom, but it’s not the same Ragnar you’re thinking. Different time periods. While in captivity, Uhtred is woven into Danish culture, language, and religion for years before a series of events places him in the service of King Alfred of Wessex, played by the very talented David Dawson, whom you may remember from Peaky Blinders . credit: Netflix And don’t worry if you can’t necessarily understand, remember, or pronounce character names throughout the series. I couldn’t either until I put the captions on, and according to interviews Dreymon did with Collider , Winter is Coming , and YouTube , he and most of the cast couldn’t either! While watching, think of season one as a long preface to everything unraveling between seasons two and five and now, beyond. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxPApTGWwas As a side note, if you’re a Succession fan, Shiv’s husband Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) is in the first half of episode one as Uhtred’s father, Uhtred the Elder and Earl of Bebbanburg. So, that’s fun. Uhtred’s entire journey through life is spent fighting to reclaim his ancestral home of Bebbanburg in the Saxon kingdom of Northumbria (today known as Bamburgh on the Northumberland coastline in England), which leads him into and through the unwavering depths of human emotion as he grapples with his persistently split loyalties between his many oaths, his conflicting cultural identities, and his quest for retribution. credit: Netflix credit: Netflix I won’t spoil everything on the off chance you haven’t seen the series, but by season five, Uhtred and King Edward (Alfred’s son) are at odds with King Constantin of Alba (Scotland), a discerning leader who enjoys rocking the boat that is Northumbria. And while the finale finally does bring Uhtred home, it remains blatantly obvious he has much more to do before laying down his sword and trying to enjoy the rest of his life as a free nobleman. In late October 2021, Netflix announced a sequel to the series. Seven Kings Must Die is a two-hour standalone film set to portray events from Cornwell’s last three “Saxon Stories” novels. Let me be clear here, though: The movie will not cover everything from the last three books, but I suspect it’ll give us the gist of what all goes down. Expect it to pick a few events from the books to emphasize as we follow Uhtred in his attempts to unite England after King Edward’s death, so we’ll see him embroiled in a huge, albeit violent and bloody battle for the crown. “Rival heirs and invaders compete for power,” the film’s official synopsis reads. “And when an alliance comes seeking Uhtred’s help in their plans, Uhtred faces a choice between those he cares for most and the dream of forming a united England.” In the newly released trailer, a character is heard saying, “You know the prophecy, Uhtred? Seven kings die. All of Britain will be united.” So, that explains the title. One thing I can tell you about this film, though, is that there will be blood … lots and lots of blood and a big ole battle full of savagery. Sweet! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqCYw_o5lng While the film is not drawn from the final book in Cornwell’s “Saxon Stories” saga, it is drawn from one of the earlier novels, the sixth book “Death of Kings.” It includes a section where a prophetess predicts a relentlessly gloomy future for Uhtred and King Alfred’s dream of a united England. Says Aelfadell, "Seven kings will die, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, seven kings and the women you love. That is your fate. And Alfred's son will not rule, and Wessex will die, and the Saxon will kill what he loves, and the Danes will gain everything, and all will change, and all will be the same as ever it was and ever will be." The scene was cut from the television series, and according to Den of Geek , that particular passage is framed more as a Danish attempt to unnerve Uhtred than a legit prophecy. But, if you’ve seen The Last Kingdom or read any of the books, you know there are aspects of truth in there. Throughout The Last Kingdom , Uhtred’s lovers often do die, and we’ve seen plenty of kings as well. There’s a good bit of speculation about who, exactly, the seven kings are, but the trailer offers up some hints, as does Reddit . Among those battling for the crown are the late King’s son Aethelstan and the discriminating King Constantin, played by Rod Hallet from Ant Man and The Hitman's Bodyguard . from The Last Kingdom's official Twitter page Netflix also released a first look at a new character making his debut in the movie. Danish leader Ingilmundr is joining the war; he makes his first appearance in “War of the Wolf,” the 11th of Cornwell’s books. He has major influence and will have a big hand in the tragic events that affect Uhtred’s family. There’s a hot chance we’ll all wind up hating him before the story concludes, but one thing’s for sure: He will have a crucially important role. from The Last Kingdom's official Twitter page Now is the perfect time to catch up on the series, regardless of whether you have or haven’t seen it. It’s an incredibly fascinating journey with some very memorable characters, like Brida, Uhtred’s childhood friend in captivity and first love; Father Beocca, a Saxon priest who has known Uhtred since he was a boy and knows his true birthright; and Finan, a lovably fierce Irish warrior sworn to Uhtred. There’s also lots of drama, emotion, love, and savagery. Seven Kings Must Die releases April 14, 2023, on Netflix. After the movie, if you’re craving more historical fiction to watch, I highly recommend getting into Britannia on Epix and Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla and Barbarians. Vikings: Valhalla is a sequel to the original Vikings series, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi4YnwFT7Gk and Barbarians is about a Roman officer’s conflicted allegiances that lead to an epic historical clash and the rebellion of the Germanic tribes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cA7kwBSUaU Britannia originally started out as an Amazon Prime series in 2018 but was acquired by Epix in 2020. It is set in A.D. 43 when the Romans invaded Britain led by General Aulus Plautius, who is determined to succeed where Julius Caesar failed and conquer this mythical land at the very end of the Roman Empire. In it you’ll see Yellowstone favorite Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton), Mackenzie Crook from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies (you’ll love his character; he’s captivating!), and The Walking Dead Governor from season three David Morrissey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhDAFAbv9e0 Alright, entertainment enthusiasts, get to entertaining yourself with some ancient historical fiction adaptations and be sure to let your voice mail pick up any calls. You’ll thank me later. Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches. Even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

tmdistant takes us on an expedition through sound with his new track “grow into the blossoms”. < Back tmdistant: Music Beyond Boundaries Erica Machen Nov 30, 2023 Share tmdistant takes us on an expedition through sound with his new track “grow into the blossoms”. Combustive —that's the first word that comes to mind when contemplating the musical stylings of tmdistant . As a young twenty-something British black man, what you see isn't what you get … or what you expect. And that's precisely what he aims to deliver to his listeners: the unexpected. With his newest track, “ grow into the blossoms ”, tmdistant soars well past delivering the unexpected. In taking a first listen to "grow into the blossoms", I'd like to declare: Mission accomplished! This shoegaze track exudes not only alt-rock and electronica vibes but also manages to incorporate subtle R&B influences. For those unfamiliar with the genre of shoegaze, it's a fusion of obscured vocals, guitar distortion, effects, feedback, and overwhelming volume. The convergence of deeply emotional lyrics and vocals, coupled with genre-bending tones and stylings, beckons the listener to close their eyes and absorb the song's message. With lyrics like "Finally, I'll leave" and "Did I make a big difference", listeners quickly realize "grow into blossoms" isn't as sublime as assumed. This listen undoubtedly evokes curiosity and emotion throughout the journey. An artist recognized for seamlessly blending indie, pop, alternative, hyperpop, electronic, and rock, tmdistant has earned praise from outlets and tastemakers like AFROPUNK, Wonderland, EARMILK, and more. He has also received editorial support on various Spotify playlists, showcasing the expansiveness of his musical influence. Releasing today, November 30, 2023, tmdistant's newest single marks the beginning of a new era for him as he delves into the realms of shoegaze. After exploring the interview of the mind behind the music, you won't want to miss the fantastic aural experience that is "grow into blossoms." MaM : Thanks so much for talking with me today! Give us a brief intro and tell us how you came to be known as tmdistant. t : Hey, my name is tmdistant, I am an artist from Essex UK, but I originally grew up just outside of North West London. Growing up in London, a lot of people had code names. Mine was T for a long time. Then I added the M, because that’s also a part of my first name. It stands for “trust minimal”, which says a lot about me and my music. The distant came over time, because I started to realize that's who and what I am. MaM : Your music has been described as a unique blend of genres, including indie, pop, alternative, hyperpop, electronic, and rock. Can you take us back to the beginning of your journey and share what initially drew you to explore such a diverse range of sounds? t : When I first started releasing music in 2020, my manager created playlists to inspire my music. He would show me so much music that I’ve never heard of and so many different genres that I never listened to or even tried to learn from. So, that, in turn, made me think of music differently and start to try different things. Then, it made me take pieces from different genres and styles and mesh them together, therefore creating my own genre of music. I used melodies from slower folk music and R&B music, putting them on indie, indie-pop, folk, rock, indie-rock, alternative rock, hyperpop, and all sorts of shoegaze beats. MaM : "grow into the blossoms" is the first single from your upcoming EP, "vivid memories of dreams I've never had". It seems like a departure from your previous work, with a shift towards shoegaze and alternative music. What inspired this evolution in your sound, and how has the process been for you? t : ‘grow into the blossoms’ is the start of a new era for me, and it wasn’t even a move that I made purposely. I wanted to try something new and step into a new realm, and then that song came out amazing. So, I decided to make more music geared in that lane, and that’s when the EP was born. I’ve always loved alternative music, and I’ve been on it for a second. So, I thought … why not delve deeper, dig deeper, and go for something darker and more interesting for a black man like me, who also looks the way I do. I like shocking people. Being who I am, I get judged before they even see or know what I am about. So, I wanted to give people something they don’t think I can do. MaM : Your single "I don't need a therapist" spent an impressive nine months on the Apple Music playlist “Glitch”. Can you share some insights into how that track came together and on the significance of it finding a home in such a notable playlist for such an extended period? t : ‘I don’t need a therapist’ was such a different song for me at the time, and I loved it. That song made me go into the rock side of music more, and it is beautiful. The song connected with so many people, and the editors at Apple seemed to connect with it as well, so it stayed in their playlist, Glitch, for such a long period of time. It was a perfect fit. It was such a big moment for me to even be added there, because it was still so early in my career. I still think about it 'til this day. It was written in a difficult time in my life, where I needed to talk to someone about what I had going on, but I didn’t feel like I could talk to anyone. I just wrote all my thoughts into a song talking about how “I don’t need a therapist to save me, I'll put my heart in a song”. That’s how I coped with most of my problems, and people felt that too and related to that. MaM : You've gained support from various Spotify playlists, including “Our Generation”, “New Music Friday UK”, and “Alt. Pop”. How does it feel to receive such recognition, and do you think these placements have played a role in shaping your audience and musical direction? t : The recognition I have garnered over the last year has been so surreal, and I can’t even explain how much it has made me and the team feel appreciated for all the hard work we’ve been putting in, grinding to make things work, and they did very well, and they continue to. I wouldn’t say these placements changed anything for me other than realizing who my audience is. So, I have to keep that in mind, which is super important. It has let me and my team know what we’ve been doing is working. It gives us hope for the future and helps us plan ahead. MaM : It's fascinating that you're actively involved in the London club scene and perform live weekly. How does your interaction with a live audience influence your music, and what kind of energy or experience do you aim to create for your listeners during your performances? t : Performing is my second favorite part about being an artist, other than creating the music. I am trying to perform at every chance I can, whether it's weekly or monthly. This year, it was a couple of times. Sometimes when I’m making a song, I'll be thinking about how it will make people feel when I perform it or how well it will sound when I perform the song. So, I tailor it to fit that on some occasions. I want to make people feel something when they’re in the room with me. In life, we all are so desensitized to everything. When I am singing, I want people to feel more than they usually do in their day-to-day life. That’s the experience I tend to create in my performances. MaM : Planning a small tour in Ireland and London early next year and making it free to reach new potential fans is a bold and interesting move. Can you tell us more about your decision to take this approach and what you hope to achieve by connecting with your audience in this way? t : My manager had the brilliant idea to do this tour as a way of meeting new people and making new fans. So, it is perfect as I step into a new lane, creating a new fan base to add to the one I already have. As well, this being my first tour, we wanted to take advantage of gaining experience and venturing to places we haven't been before. MaM : Your upcoming music video for "grow into the blossoms" has us intrigued. Without giving away too much, can you share any insights into the creative process behind the video and how it complements the overall theme of the song and the EP? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvjYhlL1QjU t : This video was meant to be DIY and homegrown, just like the song. I shot and edited everything myself, just like the song. I mixed the song myself. So, I wanted to try and do everything else to the best of my ability. I shot it in an abandoned train station. The song needed a video that would match the vibe. The train station got the vibe perfectly because it gave me a sense of loneliness and solitude. MaM : What is next on the horizon for you? What should we look for soon? t : The next thing is to keep working on my craft and getting better in every aspect of the meaning: more shows, better music, improved performances, and a bigger presence on social media. I want to make friends with all of my fans and supporters. I want everyone to feel welcome when they come to my shows and listen to my music. I want my music to be a safe space for everyone that relates to it or finds comfort in the words and instruments. Don’t forget, “ grow into blossoms ” is out today. Go ahead and check it out in its entirety. We promise you won't be disappointed. Stay up to date on all things tmdistant by visiting any of his below-listed links. tmdistant | Spotify tmdistant | Instagram tmdistant | Facebook tmdistant | TikTok tmdistant | YouTube *all photos courtesy of tmdistant Erica Machen is a beast when it comes to consuming, writing about, and reviewing music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Empowered < Back Rockin 4 Jesus: The Next Great Band You Haven't Heard Yet Nicole Brice Oct 22, 2022 Share Empowered Many bands label themselves and label themselves wrong. Case in point, Baton Rouge 's own, Empowered . A Christian Rock band fronted by Benny DiChiara with Shane Madere Jr. (lead guitarist, backing vocalist), Jeff Maddox (bass and background vocals), Mic Capdeville (percussion and background vocals), and Justin Burdette (guitarist and background vocals), this band has a serious unique sound that needs to be heard and is much more than just Christian Rock. With lyrical content that pulls at your heart strings, Empowered proves they are a band you should take notice of and listen to. credit: Gary Governale Empowered got its start in 1998 and was the brainchild of DiChiara who had previous success on the local music circuit singing with various secular bands. In 2011, they released the album Soulcry to modest success, but it wasn't until 2019's Three Days that the band really began to pick up steam. Three Days was produced by Mikey Howard of 7eventh Time Down / Love Journey Music and showcases the Empowered sound in all its glory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TIny6LmI7c To follow up the success of Three Days , Empowered have recently released their third EP, Yahweh-Nissi via Slingshot Records , an Indie label based in Baton Rouge , LA. The title track is straight up in your face rock-‘n’-roll with a hardcore message and the rest of the EP is a finely produced melodic journey of love and Jesus that will leave you singing at the top of your lungs. Empowered performing at Yes Fest in Baton Rouge, LA on October 15, 2022 credit: Gary Governale Shane Madere Jr. , lead guitarist for Empowered , said of the sound he achieved for recording the title track, "I used a combination of my Ugly Amps Big Ugly 100 on the Ugly Channel plus an emulation of an Xotic BB Preamp from my Fractual Audio AX8 unit to get the sound I was looking for." Shane definitely got it right and the guitar has a nice crunch with the sound emulating the stomps of an army on the march. When I asked Shane of his guitar influences, he cites Eric Johnson . “My solo sound and even the notes I used on the studio recording of Yahweh-Nissi was very much influenced by him. He writes very melodic solos that fit the song." Shane Madere Jr. (guitar) credit: Gary Governale Recently, Empowered took the stage at Yes Fest 2022 to play their new EP in its entirety at the state fairgrounds in Baton Rouge sharing the bill with 7eventh Time Down and Kari Jobe amongst others. Their set was a powerhouse performance of finely tuned music that left you wanting more. Justin Burdette (guitar) credit: Gary Governale Of the experience playing Yes Fest , DiChiara has said, “Playing Yes Fest in Baton Rouge was such an exhilarating experience, not only being on that stage, but the ministry aspect of it as well. It’s an amazing and humbling thing to see God work things out for our good – but only if we are looking to see it." Mikey Howard of 7eventh Time Down with Benny DiChiara credit: Gary Governale He went on to say, "A special thanks to all of the artists who we got to share the stage with. It wasn't just about meeting other artists and hearing about their ministries, but we also got to share the stage with our mentor/producer/friend/brother in Christ, Mikey Howard . We sang our new radio single ' Jesus Can Heal The World ' and it was an incredible moment." Mikey Howard took the stage to perform "Jesus Can Heal the World" with Empowered credit: Gary Governale Empowered 's sound is definitely unique and DiChiara has said of their sound, "Well, it’s not necessarily that we're trying to write to a sound. Over the past two records, we do seem to have come into our own. Someone said if U2 married Daughtry , we’d be their band baby." Jeffrey Maddox (bass) credit: Gary Governale When asked what inspires the band, he went on to say, "The inspiration simply comes from God . Yahweh-Nissi was a direct discussion between He and I, and I was told of the direction for the title track. It’s simply a war cry for believers to rally with Jesus and take it to the evil that seems to be everywhere in the world right now. I think that the rest of the record points everyone in that direction as well. Who’s gonna rise tonight?". These guys in Empowered are definitely on the rise and people should take notice. Mic Capdeville (drums) credit: Gary Governale Empowered 's new EP, Yahweh-Nissi , is available NOW on all streaming platforms and you can learn more about the band via their social media and YouTube . Empowered | Facebook EmpoweredOfficial (@empowered_rockin4jesus) • Instagram photos and videos EMPOWERED - YouTube ‎Empowered on Apple Music Empowered | Spotify *All photos by Gary Governale * www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Them Guys have a sound embodying Louisiana music's rich, genre-bending spirit. < Back Them Guys: A Deep Dive into Louisiana’s Musical Treasures Nicole Brice Oct 3, 2024 Share Them Guys have a sound embodying Louisiana music's rich, genre-bending spirit. Louisiana, synonymous with the vibrant sounds of jazz, blues, and zydeco, has long been a fertile ground for emerging musicians. One such gem in its musical tapestry currently is Them Guys , a band from Vacherie, Louisiana, that has carved out its niche in the Bayou State’s eclectic scene by consistently getting its brand out there with a busy schedule of non-stop shows all along the Gulf coast. Formed five years ago, Them Guys started when various members were growing tired of the cover band music scene. The desire to create an original and definitive sound led the lifelong friends to join forces, and that union has given birth to a band with a consistent vision of where they want to go and what they want to accomplish. Credit: Gary Governale With too many musical influences to count, the Them Guys sound combines each member’s distinct style for a well-rounded listening experience that defies categorization. They’re not nu-metal , but they sound like metal at times. They’re not just straight rock ; there’s some melodic thrash there, too. How do you categorize the sound of Them Guy’s music? You can’t. It’s just a combination of all things that makes their music enjoyable, and their sound embodies the rich, genre-bending spirit of Louisiana music. Them Guys is Chet Tabor on drums, John Waguespack on bass, Benjamin Kliebert on lead guitar, and Nick Oubre on lead vocals/rhythm guitar. In just five short years, these multi-talented and multi-faceted individuals have released three albums that showcase the band’s collaborative evolution from inception to now, culminating in the definitive Them Guys sound with the aid of friend and producer Ross Johnson. Ross is just as important to Them Guys as the members themselves because, without Ross, Them Guys' live show experiences would not be as phenomenal as they are currently. With Ross behind them, Them Guys not only have consistency with each performance in terms of sound, lights, mixing, etc., but they have a secret weapon for putting on the best performance imaginable no matter what venue they step into. Humble, focused, and determined, Mixed Alternative Magazine recently sat down and chatted at length with the men of Them Guys about their beginnings, visions for the future, and more. No topic was off-limits. Them Guys are a beacon of hope for the Louisiana music scene because of their dedication, enthusiasm, and readiness to help all succeed. They bring a product. Not just the music. Read on below. MaM : Thanks for meeting with us today. Let’s start with a bit of band history for those not familiar. Tell us about how Them Guys came together initially. Chet : In July 2019, we came together as Them Guys but weren’t named yet. We actually started as a Chevelle tribute band. John : Nick and I were in another band together but didn’t have a name yet. We were working with another guy, and things fell apart, so Nick was the one who suggested we start a Chevelle cover band. We only wanted to do it if Chet played drums, though. Chet was in, so we got together and jammed, and that was it. We became a Chevelle cover band. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Interesting. Why Chevelle? Nick : I don’t know. (laughs) Chet : He’s a big fan of Chevelle (points to Nick). They’re not my favorite, but I respect their music. The idea is that it’s not complicated to play, and you can quickly come up with ten or twelve hits to put on a setlist. Everyone knows the songs, too. It was also easy to intertwine some non-Chevelle covers because they fit the bill. We were 100% covers starting out. MaM : People always make fun of me because I’m not a fan of Chevelle, but their music doesn’t do anything for me. It just sounds basic. I respect them as musicians, but that’s about it. Chet : That was part of that mainstream sound at that time. One of the things we’re looking to do going forward is not necessarily to capitalize on any mainstream sound. Still, the music can be generic enough for the vast majority to enjoy. Take, for example, a band like Korn ; you must like Korn to listen to Korn. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Yeah, they have always had a distinct sound. Chet : I think Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin , and bands like that have cornered the market to attract the most listeners. They make great music with a significant following. We intertwine with so many bands and do it intentionally … She Might Be a Beast , Silverdose , Drab , This Beating Heart , Branded for Exile , and we play with these bands purposely. It’s all part of the elevation process. The better we do, the better those bands do. We feel like this Louisiana music scene is astronomically better than most, and that even includes the Gulf Coast. Many of these bands don’t get the acknowledgment they deserve either, but we will keep putting the work in and try to lift others in the process. John : There wasn't that camaraderie when I first started playing music. Some thought they were better than others. It was cutthroat. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Tell me a little about each of you. How did you get into music initially? Nick : I started as a drummer and was playing in three bands. One day, I decided I didn’t want to be a drummer anymore. We all grew up with each other, so that’s how we know each other. Chet : Yeah, Nick has the most unique story because he’s the best drummer in the band, by far. MaM : But he doesn’t want to play drums. John : My story intertwines with all of this. Chet : It’s been this exciting path because I came in with over 25 years of experience. Not necessarily playing live, but the experience. I’ve always been a drummer, though, and I can remember being on stage with John, and his voice went out, so I moved him out of the way to take over on vocals. I sang ‘ Simple Man’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd the first time I did it. Nick, though, by far is the most talented drummer in this band, but it doesn’t stop there … he plays guitar and bass and even sings. Nick Oubre by Gary Governale MaM : He’s a one-man band. Chet : Most of Them Guys' music is Nick’s guitar riffs. He writes 90% of the guitar riffs. Ben : … and I know I have a microphone in front of me all the time, but I can’t do public speaking. (laughter) John : I started playing in 2013 when I was taking guitar lessons. The guy I was taking lessons from needed a bass player and asked me if I wanted to. I was thinking, ‘Ain’t nobody wants to play bass.’ (laughter) John : He tells me that Chet has a bass at his house, and we’ll ride over to get it. He gave me four songs to learn, so I called him the next day and told him I had learned them. He didn’t believe me, so I went to his house to show him I had learned the songs. Once he realized I did know them, he gave me four more to learn. The next night, I learned those four songs, too. He then called Chet to tell him he had found a bass player. We went to Chet’s house, and he was on drums, but we ended up playing all eight songs, and then that was that. We ended up learning 40 songs in total. Ben : What band was that? John : Super Nutria was the name of the band. Chet : Funny story: I wasn’t even supposed to be in the band, but here I was, deciding on the bass player. (laughter) Nick : I was too young to play live yet. John : We did that for about three years, and then I quit the band. They played for a few more years, but then it died out. Chet : That was my decision. We were active and always playing shows, but it was time to move on. John : So, the guitar player from Super Nutria and I decided to continue playing music together under the name Soldiers of Ana – which is short for Louisiana, so technically, Soldiers of Louisiana. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : I love that name. That’s very clever. John : Nick has a tattoo of the band name on his leg actually. (Nick points to the tattoo on his leg) John : We ended up calling up Nick, who was going to play the drums, but we needed a singer. Nick said he would sing, but I only thought he played drums. So, we have this little, tiny amp, and I just plugged in the microphone straight into the amp with a background song playing on my phone. I had him sing to that to see if he could, and he did, and it was incredible. It was a Judas Priest song he sang. MaM : Which song? Nick : ‘ Painkiller ’ – it was when I still had my falsetto singing voice. John : He sings this song, and I’m just blown away. We started as a three-piece band and learned a 40-song set to only play one show together for his dad’s birthday. It just fell apart. After that band fell apart, we decided to start another band, and once again, it was covering songs. Slayer , Metallica , Black Sabbath , Chevelle , Pink Floyd … Ben : Yeah, it was a diverse list. John : It was a crazy list. Before we got active in the scene playing, I had some personal stuff come up, so that band ended. I ended up selling all my equipment after that. Nick was the one who bought a good bit of it, and then a co-worker of mine bought all my bass stuff. Ben : We grew up together and have been friends forever, with the music being secondary. Initially, I took on the role of lighting tech for the band. Eventually, the band had some issues arise, and we needed a guitar player. I’ve been playing guitar my whole life. I knew the music. I knew the guys. It was a perfect fit. We didn’t skip a beat, either. Benjamin Kliebert by Gary Governale MaM : Where did the name for the band come from? Ben : Well, it was either that or free beer. (laughter) Chet : We used a few names, but before transitioning to the original material, Brittany drew a picture of Louisiana with a voodoo doll … John : … and at the top it said Them Guys. Ben : Once we saw the image on the shirt, that was it. John : … and you can’t forget it. Like, we saw Them Guys the other night. MaM : It’s the perfect name. The logo, too, is impressive. Chet : That’s about to change, but we plan to rebrand or slightly revamp. That original logo with the state of Louisiana picture and then the voodoo doll is, by far, our most popular design to date. We haven’t sold that shirt in three years, either. John : Everyone still asks for it because they like having the Louisiana logo there. Chet Tabor by Gary Governale MaM : Let’s talk performances. Tell me about your best and worst shows so far. Ben : We haven’t played our best show yet. Chet : I can’t say that. We’ve had some good ones, though. In my opinion, the best show so far was Jeff’s benefit at the fairgrounds. There were 500-600 people there. There was even a rainstorm that came through. It looked like a Creed music video. (laughter) Chet : It was a rough show – a sea of heads. They loved it, though. John : This brutal thunderstorm started blowing all the lights down. It pushed Nick’s guitar off the stand, breaking the head. Everyone was getting soaking wet, but no one left. Everyone stayed and rocked out. Chet : That’s one of two. The second-best performance, though, was the Hometown Throwdown. Experience-wise, it was the show at Zina’s Place in Thibodaux . We rolled up four hours before showtime and thought it would be a challenging show. It turned out to be a packed house, and we were asked to play songs we had never played before, which we were cool with. There were 130-140 people, and it was just a great time all around . Now, the Hometown Throwdown was on a different level. It was one of the most professional productions, and we did everything ourselves, from the production to the lights. We had 590 tickets sold, but in a venue that houses 3,000 people. It could have been better, but the performance was insane. It was an experience. Ben : Everyone had a great time. John : We even catered food and drinks for the bands. Everyone was taken care of. Ben : Worst show? Chet : The worst show was at Southport Hall with 4 Mag Nitrous . It had a great line-up, but no one showed up. Ben : Like eight people showed up. Chet : Yeah, that was two years ago, and then coincidentally, the next night, we had a great show in Texas and ended up in a magazine and on the news because of the show. Friday night was a bad show. Saturday night, holy shit. John Waguespack by Gary Governale MaM : You all have different music influences. Who would you say helped to influence the Them Guys sound? Chet : We have three or four consistent across the board – Black Sabbath and Alice in Chains are a couple. I love Nonpoint . I also like Limp Bizkit and Godsmack , too. Sevendust , too. Nick and John’s G.O.A.T. is Black Sabbath. Ben’s is Megadeth . Ben : Yeah, definitely Megadeth. Chet : When you step back and truly listen to our music, you can hear the influences of Black Sabbath, Alice in Chains, and even some Godsmack in the beginning. There’s even a little Breaking Benjamin style there. We have established the Them Guys sound now and don’t focus on who we sound like. We had to find it, and now we have it. Our philosophy is to one-up ourselves and be better each time. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Man, ya’ll have the right formula. If you guys could share the stage with any band or musician in the future, who would it be? Ben: Megadeth (lots of discussion) John : They’re all dead. (laughter) Chet : Realistic level— Nonpoint . We’ve met the band and worked with them before. They are great to work with, and we would love to share the stage with them. They wore one of our shirts on stage at a show, too. It was one of the last shows on their tour. John : We threw a shirt at them. The drummer caught our shirt in his chest. He walked backstage after that, switched to our shirt, and played the rest of the show wearing it. Photo courtesy of Chet Tabor MaM : That’s so awesome. You can’t get better exposure than a t-shirt. It's the best branding ever. Where do you see the band headed in the next five years? Any new music? Chet: We believe the production quality is as important as the music, so we’re doing a big push on ‘ Delusions .’ Moving forward, we will continue to record with Ross so it can be the best product ever. We have about six or seven songs that are written. A couple are recorded. We have a Jelly Roll cover, too. I can’t wait to record it either because it’s perfect. John : It’s got our style. Our elements. Chet : The bigger picture is that we want to jam. It's as simple as that. We are also in this to elevate. We see the path forward and want to continue it. With a solid discography and an ever-growing fanbase, the future looks bright for Them Guys. They continue to play shows extensively, bringing their unique blend of rock music to new audiences. As they look forward to the next chapter, it’s clear that Them Guys are more than just a band – they’re torchbearers of Louisiana’s rich musical heritage, keeping its traditions alive while pushing the boundaries of what it means to make original rock music in the 21st century. To experience Them Guys' music for yourself, just hit one of the links below. themguysofficial.com THEM GUYS Official Band Page Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THEMGUYSOFFICIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/them_guysofficial/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThemGuysOfficial2019 Photos by: Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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Joe Burns has an innate ability to make you laugh out loud in this non-stop ride of hilarity. < Back The Book Nook: We'll Try and Get That on For You Nicole Brice Mar 8, 2025 Share Joe Burns has an innate ability to make you laugh out loud in this non-stop ride of hilarity. I just finished reading a phenomenal book , so I felt inclined to share my thoughts with all of you so that you, too, can enjoy this honest and heartfelt narrative of the glory days of radio. We'll Try and Get That on For You is the latest from author Joe Burns. Burns has published books on web design and other creative endeavors in the past, but this is his first book of this nature, which I call an autobiographical comedy fiction satire masterpiece . No seriously. This book is a " Sandlot " narrative with " Anchorman " antics. I could see it being made into a hilarious screenplay. Click to buy Reading this book was personal because Joe Burns was one of the many phenomenal professors who taught me when I attended Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana . Some of my fondest memories of college include his classes. He taught me so much, and now, after reading this book, I realize why he was so knowledgeable. If you talk with Joe in person, he is just a shy, goofy, and loveable human who is too smart for his own good. Did you know that he once took the Mensa test? More about that can be found in our interview with him on our website. As I write about him, it's difficult for me to type just his name without the "Dr." attached to it. Behind the scenes shot from our photoshoot with Joe Burns back in 2023. Trying on his guitar. Notice I'm sporting the KSLU shirt. Forever proud to have worked there. We'll Try and Get That on For You is a story told through the eyes of the 'intern,' aka Joe Burns . With tales of morning show DJs running for governor, procuring votes with promises of Taco Tuesday becoming mandatory, to vivid details of characters, this book is a riot of entertainment. It's funny, it's entertaining, and it never lets up . Radio contests and shenanigans abound, even going as far as stealing the thunder from another local station promoting a concert by the Beach Boys . With his innate storytelling ability, Joe Burns brings these events to life with such detail that you find yourself laughing out loud. The book is filled with unexpected humor, from an electrocution to a death threat, and even getting told off by multiple clowns. Yes, clowns . Reading Joe’s retelling of the events of 9/11 unfolding while he helped facilitate local coverage on my former college radio station, 90.9 FM KSLU , now known as 90.9 The Lion , felt personal because I was a student at Southeastern at the time. I will never forget how I stayed home from classes that day because I was just exhausted. I love that the university utilized his radio experience and expertise on this day because if you’ve ever heard him speak, he truly does have a gift for radio. When Joe gets to the part of the book about his later career outside of the station that shaped him, he recounts the ending of radio with personality and the beginning of formulaic conformity in radio. It’s a bittersweet ending as he sums it all up and updates the later years of the cast of characters once they had moved on from the beloved Z-107. There are many other surprises, so I will not spoil them for you, but do yourself a favor and immerse yourself in this vivid and entertaining narrative. It’s fun. Buy here: We'll Try and Get That on for You: My Life in Personality Radio: Burns, Joe: 9798892110600: Amazon.com : Books *Photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Non-Holiday Comedy Recommendations to Keep You Laughing During the Break < Back Giggle 'Til Your Heart's Content Keeley Brooks Nov 16, 2022 Share Non-Holiday Comedy Recommendations to Keep You Laughing During the Break The holidays doth approacheth, my friends, and while to some they signal a reason for the season and hold an attachment to gratitude and religion, to others—the children of the world … (i.e., me)—they signal time off from work and/or school and sometimes adulting. They also signal movies. Lots and lots of movies. New and old, which is awesome, but sometimes favorite holiday movies are played deep into the ground on TV, or there's such an influx of holiday content playing continuously that it starts getting monotonous. And for many of us out there, this time of year brings on Seasonal Affective Disorder, and to those of you, I extend my heart in compassion and genuine effort to entertain you, even if it is just temporarily. Whatever your case, being the giant movie nerd I am, I thought I’d share some of my favorite non-holiday comedies with you (in no particular order) in hopes maybe you haven’t seen one and get the chance to appreciate it. Even if you’ve seen them all, give ‘em another viewing and giggle yourself silly. Release those feel-good chemicals! As Good As It Gets (1997) – This one is in my top three favorites of all time. I relate so much to Jack Nicholson’s character, and the story as it unfolds is just sweet and beautiful to see. Nicholson plays Jack Udall, a very successful, rich romance novelist. He’s also a misanthrope (one who dislikes humankind and avoids society) and asshole with a pretty severe level of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Udall says what he thinks when he thinks it, and he’s quick to say what he feels, even if it’s offensive. He doesn't care. And 95% of the time, everything out of his mouth is offensive ... and hysterical. This story is about the unlikely friendship that forms between him, a single mother and waitress (Helen Hunt), and a gay artist (Greg Kinnear). Also stars Skeet Ulrich, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Harold Ramis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8FGdJUqAp4 Groundhog Day (1993) – Who doesn’t love Bill Murray? He emotes the exact way I feel about things a lot of the time, and that makes me giggle. In this flick, he plays a hilarious narcissistic, self-centered weatherman who finds himself trapped in a time loop on Groundhog Day, and he has to live the day and it’s events over and over and over until he sees a way to work it to his advantage and the experience ends up changing who he is. When you’re feeling salty and sarcastic, pop this movie in and sit back with some popcorn. And a blanket because it’ll make you feel cold even if you’re warm. Also stars Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliot, Stephen Tobolowski, and Harold Ramis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmdXJ_1aGz0 What About Bob? (1991) – I couldn’t talk about Bill Murray without mentioning this little gem of his, which I adore. Murray plays Bob Wiley, an annoyingly loveable obsessive-compulsive neurotic. He’s also a hypochondriac who drives his psychotherapist completely batshit after tracking him and his family down on vacation. This one is nothing short of hysterical. It’s a must-see. Also stars Richard Dreyfuss, Julie Hagerty, and Kathryn Erbe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk9iWXsdB-8 Bad Words (2013) – Ah, a Jason Bateman film starring Jason Bateman. This movie is absolutely HILARIOUS for anybody watching, but definitely if you have kids (and don’t get offended easily), you have to watch this movie. Bateman plays a 40-year-old misanthropic a-hole who finds a loophole and enters a regional spelling bee. He cracks me up with his dry sense of humor, and here he’s hurling insults at every turn, mostly to the kids. Kathryn Hahn appears as a journalist covering the story, and she and Bateman’s character form a friendship with hilarious benefits. Bateman’s character also proves he has a heart as he befriends a young speller feeling pressure from his parents to win. No lie, I watch this probably once a month. Maybe two. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWibxfADyRc The Change-Up (2011) – I also can’t mention Jason Bateman without doing the same for a few of his flicks. This one is so funny that it’ll have your face hurting from laughing so much. Let me go ahead and say if you’re wound a little too tightly or are easily offended, go ahead and pass on watching this movie. Bateman and Ryan Reynolds are best friends who find themselves in a Freaky Friday-type situation after they take a leak in a fountain boasting a Roman statue in the park. Bateman’s character is a hot shot lawyer who is married with three kids—two of them being two-year-old twins and the other in elementary school. Reynolds’s character is a weed-smoking, part-time actor in the prime of his sexual life. What ensues is absolutely hilarious and you’ll be wiping the tears from your eyes and having to catch your breath. A definite MUST SEE. Also stars Leslie Mann, Olivia Wilde, and Alan Arkin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6itcrqLzAOk Horrible Bosses (2011) – Can you tell I’m a Jason Bateman fan? This gut-busting flick also stars Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Julie Bowen, Megan Duchess of Sussex, and (sigh) Kevin Spacey, who plays the perfect horrible boss. Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis are best friends who love their job but hate their bosses and would love nothing more than the grind ‘em into the ground. So, they hatch a hysterical plan with the help of Jamie Foxx. This one is in my top three favorite comedies. I guarantee you will love it. Who hasn’t had a horrible boss they hated before? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpUeQV8sdOc Larry Crowne (2011) – This little romantic comedy kind of flew under the radar in the wake of summer releases, but it stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Cedric the Entertainer, Wilmer Valderrama, Rami Malek, Rita Wilson, Taraji P. Henderson, and Gugu Mbatha Raw. Tom Hanks is Larry Crowne, a middle-aged divorced man, who finds himself on the unemployment line after a wave of corporate downsizing. Drowning in debt and unable to find work, he enrolls in community college, where he becomes part of a community of misfits who are trying to carve out a better future. A definite heartwarming comedy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gecFWdSkng4 The Big Lebowski (1998) – I LOVE THIS MOVIE. One of my all-time favorites, and Jeff Bridges’ character is actually based off a real-life character by the name of Jeff Dowd (aka The Dude). Here, Jeff Bridges is The Dude, a loveable, easy-going, weed-smoking bum who loves bowling. Weed and bowling. And his rug. And his car. That’s his life—until he’s mistaken for The Big Lebowski, millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski, and he finds himself getting roughed up while watching his precious rug get peed on. In search of recompense, The Dude tracks down The Big Lebowski, who offers him the job of being the bagman and delivering the ransom for his kidnapped wife. He’s aided and hindered by his pals Walter Sobchack (John Goodman), a Vietnam vet who owns an ammo shop, and Donny, master of stupidity. Also stars John Turturro, Julianne Moore, Sam Elliot, the late, great, and very missed Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Tara Reid. As was the case with most Coen brothers’ movies, the dialogue is what drives the story. And this one’s full of some pretty excellent dialogue you’ll be quoting for the rest of your life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd-go0oBF4Y Dumb & Dumber (1994) - Again, call me a giant child; I don’t care. I agree. I happen to love Jim Carrey (and his Ace Ventura movies) and think he brings a hefty level of comedy to everything he does just by being himself, and that is awesome. Here he and Jeff Daniels (also very funny) are best friends who are complete idiots. They set out on a cross-country road trip to Aspen, CO, to return a briefcase full of money to its rightful owner, Mary Swanson (played by Lauren Holly). What ensues builds mishap upon hilarious mishap throughout their entire journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l13yPhimE3o Liar, Liar (1997) – This is my absolute favorite Jim Carrey movie, along with the Ace Ventura movies. Carrey is Fletcher Reed, a divorced, smooth-talkin’ pathological liar, who is also a conniving ace attorney. When his kid makes a birthday wish that for just one day his dad couldn’t tell a lie and it comes true, Fletcher’s world is turned upside down and inside out on one of the most important days in a huge case that, if he wins, could earn him the title of partner. Five stars all the way. Also stars Maura Tierney, Cary Elwes, Swoosie Kurtz, Cheri Oteri, and Jennifer Tilly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1no75lpOiw Uncle Buck (1989) – A John Hughes (director) treasure. All of his movies are, really, but this one in particular is because of the late great John Candy. When his brother and sister-in-law have to leave town suddenly to care for her ailing father, and after trying everyone on their list of people to look after their kids and having no luck, they’re left with no choice but to call in the lazy, unreliable, carefree Uncle Buck (Candy). His youngest niece (Gaby Hoffman) and nephew (Macaulay Culkin) take to him instantly, but his oldest niece does not; she’s a straight-up bitch to him … an angst-filled teen who gives him hell. Seeing these two bat her angst back and forth makes me giggle. And it’s relatable. I mean, don’t lie: who out there hasn’t been a complete and total bitch to someone at some point in your life? Also stars Laurie Metcalf and Anna Chlumsky. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y89NT00spBY Bridesmaids (2011) – The more I watch this movie, the funnier it gets. This one is so relatable because we’ve all either worried about or at some point felt like we were losing a best friend to marriage, until we learned differently. Here, a hilarious competition between between the bride’s (Maya Rudolph) best friend & maid of honor (Kristen Wiig) and a bridesmaid & close friend (Rose Byrne) over who is the bride’s best friend ensues and threatens to upend the maid of honor’s life and relationship with the bride. This one’s a total treat and also stars Melissa McCarthy, Rebel Wilson, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jillian Bell, Chris O’Dowd, and Ben Falcone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNppLrmdyug The Hangover Part II (2011) – You didn’t think I was going to talk about Bridesmaids without mentioning The Hangover , did you? While the original Hangover is hilarious in its own right, I find the sequel funnier. We had the chance to meet the guys and let the first experience with Alan sink in; now that we know the characters, everything they get into is that much funnier. If you haven’t seen the movies, they focus on three best friends who allow the oddball brother of the bride in the first flick to tag along on the bachelor party, who then drugs the other guys for a fun night in Vegas. Now part of their “wolf pack,” the sequel finds Alan (Zack Galifinakis) and the guys (Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper) in Bangkok, Thailand, minus the groom from the first movie, played by Justin Bartha). This time they’re celebrating Helms’s character’s impending nuptials with his bride’s brother. Again, Alan drugs everybody and they have a wild night of partyingin Bangkok, followed by no recollection of it the morning after. In both movies, they lose someone: the groom in the first and the bride’s brother in the second. Watch the second one and you’ll see why it’s a favorite. Also stars a very funny coked-out Ken Jeong, Paul Giamatti, Mike Tyson, Jamie Chung, and Jeffrey Tambor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohF5ZO_zOYU Blazing Saddles (1974) – If you’re gonna scream at me about your sensitivity, I can’t hear you. I don’t care what PC society says, this movie is damn hilarious. IT’S SATIRE, people, and that means it’s poking fun, specifically in this movie, at American culture, racism, religion, and politicians. Lighten up a bit on all fronts and enjoy some of the most quotable dialogue ever. Stars Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Mel Brooks, Slim Pickens, and a whole slew of other funny actors. Dinner for Schmucks (2010) – This one kind of flew under the radar. It wasn’t a big hit, but that doesn’t mean it’s not big fun. Paul Rudd is a rising executive who works for a boss who hosts a monthly event in which the guests find and bring the biggest idiot, and whoever wins gets a career boost. After declining the invitation to attend, he changes his mind after meeting Barry (Steve Carrell), who builds dioramas using stuffed mice. The boss’s scheme backfires when Barry’s blundering good intentions send Tim's life into a downward style, threatening a major business deal and possibly destroying his relationship. Absolutely hysterical. You’ll definitely be wiping some laughter tears away with this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tjY1bgChRA Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010) – Again, I love horror comedies … Dead & Breakfast , Shaun of the Dead , Tucker & Dale vs. Evil . This one is Shaun of the Dead meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre and is a gory comedy about two affable rednecks, Dale (Alan Tudyk) and Tucker (Tyler Labine), who are also best friends trying to enjoy a quiet vacation at their new cabin in the woods. Things take a bloody turn when some ignorant college kids mistake them for a pair of murderous hillbilly psychos. I’d watch Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine eat breakfast. I’ll watch anything they’re in. If you’re a fan of these actors or of horror comedies, this one’s a must-see gem you'll keep in your collection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0hJSCqqIs4 O' Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) – Another Coen Brothers gem. They truly outdid themselves with this one, which is a wonderful little saga of three escaped convicts in the 1930s Deep South who are seeking a buried treasure. Their hunt is based on Homer’s The Odyssey and stars heavy-hitting comedic geniuses George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson, John Turturro, John Goodman, and Holly Hunter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HnWeWcE5n8 Shaun of the Dead (2004) – I love horror comedies. This British film by director Edgar Wright follows the hilariously bloody adventures of underachiever Shaun (Simon Pegg) and his best mate Ed (Nick Frost) as a zombie apocalypse breaks out. HYS. TER. IC. AL. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aHsShBRS6k The Money Pit (1986) – Tom Hanks is one funny man. He’s a fantastic actor who portrays such relatable characters, they can’t help but imprint upon your soul. This is one of my favorites of his. Walter (Hanks) and Anna (Shelley Long) struggle to keep their relationship together as their newly purchased-for-a-steal mansion starts falling to pieces around them. The two have no choice but to watch in hilarious horror as everything disappears into The Money Pit. Hanks and Long have a fabulous chemistry together and their arguing and reactions to what is happening are nothing short of gut-busting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yNszKUvSx0 Funny Farm (1988) – I’ve always been a Chevy Chase fan … as far back as I can remember. Here he is former sportswriter and wanna-be novelist Andy Farmer, who moves to a small farm in Vermont with his wife Elizabeth (Madolyn Smith), who secretly aspires to be an author, to work on his novel. They quickly realize the locals are not as welcoming as they’d like, and the farm is more distracting than they thought. You’ll be laughing your butt off while feeling a bit of holiday spirit well up inside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hnt9dt2crQ Orange County - Absolutely a movie that gets funnier every time you watch it. Colin Hanks is a smart high-school student with a dream of being a writer and his heart set on going to Stanford, until his guidance counselor (Lily Tomlin) accidentally sends the wrong transcripts with his college application. Hanks is horrified and he spends the rest of the film trying to prove he's actually a good student with a terrific grade-point average worthy of going to Stanford. Some of the funniest actors on the planet star, including Catherine O'Hara ( Schitt's Creek, Beetlejuice ), Jack Black ( School of Rock, Tenacious D ), Harold Ramis, Chevy Chase, John Lithgow, Mike White, Nat Faxon ( The Conners ), and Leslie Mann ( 40-Year-Old Virgin ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-YZqO6amd4 www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Bangin' Out the Hits < Back Tank and the Bangas C.G. Smith Jan 5, 2023 Share Bangin' Out the Hits In the fall of 2015, my wife and I had been living in New Orleans for nearly six months. A co-worker had been talking up this band to me for a while, so we made the trek across town to The Maple Leaf bar on Oak St. to catch the show. The band was New Orleans’ own Tank and the Bangas. Their high-energy, infectious performance and wonderfully arranged music changed our idea of what a local band could be. From that point on we were fans and made it out to every Tank and the Bangas performance we could. These days the ticket prices are a little more expensive than in those earlier days, the stages are usually much bigger, and their music has evolved a bit from those early club performances, but the group is still just as grounded as they ever have been. credit: Jacob Walker I had the good fortune to be able to sit down with the group at the Uptown New Orleans restaurant Molly’s Rise and Shine after business hours and talk about their beginnings, their evolution over the years, and what the future holds for the now twice Grammy-nominated band. MaM : First off, I want to thank y’all so much for being here. I also wanted to thank Lauren and Mason of Molly’s Rise and Shine for letting us use this unique space. We are very grateful. Is this the first time you’ve been here? Tank : Yes. Norman : Yeah, I’ve never been here before. MaM : The chicken biscuit is fire. Tank : That’s good to know. (playfully) What? You think we just like chicken or something? Albert : What about the vegan options? Tank : What? You think we’re vegan or somethin’? Norman : The chickens were vegan. They only fed them grain. [laughter] MaM : Your hard work has led to so much success. It really shows – how much you all enjoy performing for an audience. How did y’all deal with the pandemic? Not being able to tour, did it help or hurt the band? I know "Friend Goals" came out of it, but overall, with the pandemic, how did it affect you? Tank : I think both, right? The only hurting I would say is because it’s hard to get back into the specific rhythm of touring. The world still is a bit scared, so the numbers aren’t exactly the same as they were pre-Covid. I would say that is the only hurting, but the helping, I mean, we got "Friend Goals." It’s such a good little EP. We had fun making it. Before that we were on tour so much. It was a nice little break at the perfect time. We needed it. We was [sic] like, ‘Oh my gosh, people cook regular food and sleep up in their regular beds, and go for regular walks?’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxeKuEm8gio Norman : After being off schedule for like weeks, and weeks, and weeks, it was like every day at eleven o’clock, ‘What y’all doin’? Y’all still up?’ Yeah, we wide awake, doin’ nothin’. Tank : I watched Paternity Court a lot. I ate a lot of crawfish. Norman : I really got to sit with myself. I was like, ‘Wow, this is how I am? Okay, gotta change some stuff.’ Some of it’s cool, but I got to know me a little bit during Covid. Albert : Oh yeah. Tank : Yeah, we all had those little moments. You know I was cool while we was [sic] on break, then the next shit came around and I was like, ‘Wait a minute, what’s goin’ on with the schedule? Wait a minute now, wait a minute! What you mean we are cancelling again?' ‘Cause you know, of course, we had to survive. We thought of creative ways to do it. We had a lot of little shows with virtual performances, which is cool and lame all at the same time. (imitates interacting with a virtual crowd) ‘Throw your hands up!’ Albert : Only the ends of songs are lame because you finish with a big finish and there’s just crickets. Tank : And there’s nothin’. Just a bunch of hearts and thumbs up and, ‘Love you guys!’ Norman : But we appreciated such silent love! Albert : You just hear hard breathing like ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestants. Tank : (imitates hard breathing at the end of a performance) ‘Thank y’all, thank y’all!!’ Norman : It means y’all were sittin’ there watchin’ this happen, so it was definitely appreciated for real. The band used to have the occasional parties in the backyard of Tank’s Auntie Tee Tee’s house in the Lower 9th Ward back before their breakthrough with NPR’s Tiny D esk concert. MaM : The backyard parties at the Yum Yum were so much fun. My wife and I went to at least two or three of them. Any plans to do anything like that in the future, or is that just off the table now? credit: Shambala Festival 2022 Tank : Oh, no. We definitely want to do that in the future. We miss it. Every time we go in the backyard, we’re like, ‘We gotta get one of these goin’ again.’ We just never know when Auntie’s gonna feel like doing it, honestly! We all have to be in the mood at the same time, so that lets you know how beautiful – how everything had to be lined up so perfectly and feel like doing one. It takes a lot of work. Albert : Big, big picture though, Norm and Ta talk a lot about, ‘What if we did a festival? What if there was [some]thing that was a hub, a Bangaville thing? The idea of community … especially performance community is always going around. Norman : Bangafest. Tank : Bangafest sounds dope. MaM : I’d go! Tank : I know you would! Norman : We don’t even have to travel for that! MaM : From Tank’s run with SNO, to those early open mics, to playing major festivals on the biggest stages in the world, can you tell us about some of your best and not so great moments? Tank : Whoa, mmm. Let me see ... best definitely was um, .... all the time! We have a good time! The best memorable moments: Coachella, Jimmy Fallon, The Apollo, Glastonbury was beautiful. Norman : Yo, I got a bad one. We were in Germany, and we didn’t have our luggage ... Josh : We didn’t have our clothes! Norman : We had to perform in our pajamas. Tank : We was [sic] in a barn. Norman : The gear was all wrong. I had a Motif instead of a Cronos. Oh man, that was a day. Tank : Yeah, that was a crazy one. Norman : We were still in another country playing music, doing something we love. [Tank talking about the mural where we did the photo shoot:] Tank : That [mural] was painted by an artist, not just done online? MaM : Yeah, hand painted for the restaurant by an artist named Ken Cox. Albert : The process of breakfast on acid. Tank : That’s some crazy color right there. Albert : The cost of your eggs. MaM : Your version of “What the World Needs Now,” I was blown away by it when it first came out and I just heard it again on shuffle the other day. How did that track come about? Any stories from that recording? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tm5oSdEFvU Tank : It was supposed to be bigger, something different than it was. Josh : It was on some heal-the-world, Quincy Jones-type stuff. It was a lot of fun to be able to call friends, people we cared about, and family members as well to help us create that entire New Orleans ordeal. It was such a great thing to be a part of and find all those voices in the right spots. Norman : It came out beautiful. Josh : And we had to do it in like one day or something! Albert : We had people come in on schedules, that had to come in for 45 minutes. Oh, we gotta stop and do this trumpet part! Okay, get outta’ here, come on! Thank you, man! Alright, see ya!” Josh : David Shaw came in so late at night. Tank : I love David on that. I just wish we would have [sic] got him recorded singing on it. I loved him on it. I loved everybody on it. Especially since we were just getting people that we wouldn’t even normally day to day work with, but we knew in the community. I loved what everybody added to it. It was perfect. Josh’s nephew, my niece--we were crying when Sunny was doing her poem and the children was [sic] singing. I think that was the last time we was [sic] all together. It was just so special. It really was what the world needs now. MaM : For the time we were all in, it was perfect. Tank : I know. It really felt awesome. Josh : That was a fire question. No one ever asks that. MaM : You’ve already worked on projects with some amazing artists. Who are some of your dream collaborators, past or present? Tank : Present – we’ve done with Layla, that was a dream for sure. Alex Isley is a dream, and Robert Glasper ... people that we just put out there that we can’t believe that we was [sic] able to make music with later on. Josh : That Blue Note whole thing was fire. Tank : Blue Note was amazing. Josh : That’s a whole list of people that was special. Tank : Juno is a future collaborator for sure. Kendrick Lamar and Stevie Wonder. credit: Jacob Walker Norman : Amahd Jamal, I’m waiting on that. Albert : Can we go to the past? Do they have to be living? Roy Hargrove, you know he passed, but man, that’s music that I grew up with and really stuff that shaped me and made me seek out sounds like this band. Norman : Same, yo. You talkin’ ‘bout ‘Like Water for Chocolate,' that’s Roy. That’s a Common album that D’Angelo, Roy, Questlove, all of them did, RH Factor. All that shit. Albert : The ‘Straight Ahead’ album. His Cuban album? He’s so good. Josh : All right – Kirk Franklin. Take that. I wanna work with him. Norman : Listen, I really want to work with Warryn Campbell. If you [sic] out there, [if] you hear this, somebody send it to him. If you know him, if he’s your cousin, tell him Tank and the Bangas want to work with him. I ain’t jokin’. Tank : For some reason I don’t feel like that’s very far away, even though we don’t know him. I feel like it’s a degree of separation. MaM : I know faith and family are important to you. With all the touring and recording y’all have been doing, how hard is it for you to find time away from the band for family, etc.? Is it easier to get that time now that you’ve had some success? Norman : I try to take some intentional time to focus on the family. MaM : Wasn’t it in your rider that you had Sundays off so you could play at church? Norman : That was back when I was playing at church more, but that isn’t really my focus anymore. Kids though? Got ballet comin’ up, art class comin’ up, we skatin’ … tryin’ to keep them out the Matrix, man. I’m tryin’ to give some real people time, you know what I mean? I didn’t get a lot of people-time growin’ up, so I figured out a lot on my own. I don’t want them to have to do that. Aside from that, God is everything; church ain’t. credit: Jacob Walker MaM : What are some of your favorite things about being a ‘Banga’? Josh : Easy. The best part about it is it’s me. I don’t have to be nothin’ else or put on to be nothin’ because it’s literally … me. Just like she don’t [sic] really gotta do nothin’ [sic] to be Tank, that’s just who she is as a person. I really like watching how other people interpret what a Banga is to them. I really enjoy that part, but I don’t know; I just be myself. Being a Banga is just kinda who we are as us. Albert : I think the best part of being a Banga is getting to make and participate in making, for me, the music you dreamed of making as a child. Josh : Big facts. Norman : I realized over the years [that] we are therapists, we are healers. We bring in vibrations, which water responds to, and 75% of that is standing in the audience. When we was [sic] first starting, people would come to the shows over and over and I was like, ‘What the hell? What is wrong with these people? We just seen you last week! This is the same show, goofy; what you doin’?’ Tank : It is not the same show though, never! Josh : It’s not the same show though. MaM : My wife and I were one of those crazy people at every show we could get to, especially that 2015 - 2018 time period. We were obsessed. “Themeparks” was one of our wedding songs. Tank : That’s sweet! Norman : Didn’t we write that on Golden Drive in Chalmette? Tank : I think so. Norman : We wrote that in my living room! Tank : I had a relationship, and I just wanted to talk about all of the good parts of it, and the fun parts of it, you know? That’s what it was for. Some people really are just muses. MaM : Josh, as musical director, what has changed as far as how you’re presenting those older songs these days? Josh : Boredom. It’s ten years of playing a certain song and you want to try it different. She (Tank) really gets creative at moments, and she can get bored too, so two people who can get very whimsical and creative and want to change things on the fly. credit: Jacob Walker Norman : At the last minute. Josh : I just said on the fly! Tank : Aren’t you in my brain? Aren’t you in my spirit? Josh : Even in those times it’s a lot of fun. I think a lot of times we’re really just trying out different things because we get to. We can. We have the capability. The truth is, the more we push ourselves to do more stuff, the better we get at it. Norman : We’re free. The reality is the melodies fall out the sky sometimes; we just catch ‘em. We sat in rehearsals, and we had to take a little break and wrote like 3 songs in 6 minutes the other day. Stuff just happens. We stay open. Tank : Growth is real. Ain’t [sic] nobody in this band in their fresh beginning 20’s anymore. We don’t even jump up and down as much as we used to. [laughter] MaM : I remember a show y’all did at the Ogden when you broke it all down. I heard your songs presented in a whole different light. Tank : We love to calm it down. People don’t think that we know how to calm it down because we’re such a big sound, but it’s our most favorite thing to do—at least it’s definitely mine. You hear the lyrics, you hear the music, the intention. It’s quiet, it’s soft, it’s beautiful, it’s heard, it’s felt. I love those type of shows. That’s how we started out. That’s why Tiny Desk was really nothing for us. I was nervous, but as far as calming it down, it’s nothing for us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKzobTCIRDw Norman : I didn’t know nothing [sic] about it (Tiny Desk). All I saw was T-Pain do it with a keyboard player. I thought, ‘Oh, it’s gonna be easy.’ I didn’t grow up listening to NPR. I was like, ‘Cool, it’s an open mic; that’s how we started.’ MaM : Josh, as musical director, how do you decide – do you just naturally stretch your legs on a song, or do you say here, we’re gonna arrange it this way? Josh : A little bit of both. Sometimes we stretch out naturally, sometimes I say let’s try this. We’ll try stuff in rehearsal to see if it sticks. If it don’t [sic], we’ll leave it alone, if it do [sic], we’ll push it.” MaM : You ever just throw shit at them live? Josh : Yep, yeah, they good [sic] enough to handle that. They superbad. The fun part is, if we fall on our face, we’re good enough to carry ourselves so nobody even knows it happened. We’re creating a chord progression as we go sometimes. We’re having fun. Tank : Their ears are so crazy. Sometimes they even hear what I don’t hear. Josh : I think that part makes it very easy for us to be able to ‘float.’ Norman : Growing up in church too, you know, anybody [can] get up and sing in any key, talking about praise and testimony ceremony ... Josh : Most of the time, it’s the wrong key! Norman : ... If you doing [sic] it right and they change key and you don’t follow them, then it’s your fault. If they start in the right key, you learn to move with them, you learn to just flow. Yeah, church got me ready for it.” MaM : Do you guys approach performances today any differently than you did in those early days? credit: Ruthie Herman, WOUB Albert : Carefully. From behind. [laughter] Norman : Prayerfully. We always pray; we always rehearse. Tank : It feels more intentional now, to me, if anything. More mature. You want to get it right, you know? It just feels a little more intentional, but I still have my moments of freedom that I do love. You know, Josh tries to reel it in a lot, which is a good and a bad thing to me. You know, like, let me be who I am, [and he’ll be] like, ‘Don’t stay there too long!’ I’m like, ‘Shut up!’ [laughter] The band recently performed its very first residency at the famous Blue Note venue in New York City in November of 2022. MaM : How was Blue Note? Josh : It was amazing. Norman : It was an honor to be in that room. The artists that we had come and join us—Keyon Harrold, Isaiah Sharkey … Norah Jones. Josh : Man, the type of people that came through, not even just the artists. Norman : Yeah, the people that came through just to kick it with us, the stage was so dope. Josh : Yeah, all of that was just wild. Norman : Y’all thought enough about us to come through; thank you. MaM : I have to ask this question, Tank, since my dad is such a huge Norah Jones fan: How did you become friends with Norah? Tank : It’s so crazy. All of it was kind of magical, even things I didn’t even know until a couple of years ago … how things was [sic] working out for us to meet. Jelly (singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph) was doing a session with her husband, and she invited him to the show (at One-Eyed Jacks). I don’t know if she knew that Norah was his wife or not. They ended up going to the show, Norah was pregnant, and she was hearing me do all these little crazy voices. Someone told me that she was in the house. Then she text [sic] me one morning when I was at Waffle House and she wanted me to do a video with her, a really silly song. Of course, I said yes. I didn’t know what it was about. It was a silly song. It was really silly about men who don’t think that women take a shit. L to R: C.G. Smith with Albert, Tank, Josh, and Norman MaM : I still remember how cool it was when she came out during your second performance of your Alice in Wonderland at the Music Box here in town. Tank : Mmmmmm, the purple piano. It was really special. Anybody that was a part of those shows just knows it was so special. It takes a lot to do a Music Box. Hats off to the people who do it and run it. It’s hard to explain, too, when people ask what it is. Josh : Shout out to Danny Elfman, because he sure helped with the ideas in that space too, like the orchestra. MaM : It’s just such a cool space. Tank : Yeah, it’s crazy. Hard to explain. You be [sic] like, ‘It’s a musical space where they use pieces, materials of old houses and they make instruments. You can’t explain it. You have to go there; it’s an experience. MaM : So, the hardest question for artists to answer, how do you describe the Tank-and-the-Bangas sound? Tank : (repeats) You have to go there; it’s an experience. Norman : (repeating an answer Albert came up with before) It’s genre-fluid. Josh : It’s a struggle to explain it to ourselves, but according to the Grammys, it’s one of those ‘progressive R&B albums.’ [laughter] Tank : That’s funny! They did the best they could to categorize us. I think just the fact that you’re Black, they already want to put R&B on you. They like [sic], ‘Well, it ain’t [sic] just that, so let’s go ahead and put it in progressive.’ I don’t mind, especially with this album. It’s where it needs to be at [sic] with this album, that’s cool. I love it, I’m happy to be nominated. Josh : I mean, [for] some artists it’s easy and [for other] artists it’s very, very hard to do. Tank : You can describe the song which is at hand, but to put them all in a thing? To literally say that the same band that made ‘Outside’ made ‘Heavy,’ or the same band that made ‘Heavy’ made ‘Brady’s,’ or the same band that made ‘Brady’s’ made ‘Eggs Over Easy,’ or ‘Eggs Over Easy’ - that’s the same band that made ‘Easy Goes It,’ or ‘Anxiety.’ ‘Mr. Lion’? That same girl, she did ‘Dope Girl Magic.’ So, it’s really hard. It’s whatever we was [sic] feeling at the time. Josh : This entire same band has done a lot of these songs with an orchestra, so maybe they’re a classical band. Tank : It’s all over the place. MaM : I always loved “Drummers." That’s a different kind of song. Tank : We love that one. That one never got recorded and it has so much more to it, too. It’s really cool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE5tHVbWNJA MaM : Were there any moments where you were working on, writing a song, and just astonished yourselves, like, “This is gonna be good!?” Josh : ‘Ants.’ Tank : ‘Stolen Fruit.’ Norman : ‘Rhythm of Life.’ Albert : ‘Stolen Fruit,’ and ‘Black Folk.’ Tank : Yeah, anybody comin’ in the studio, you need to hear this! This is so special. Albert : So much so, that it slowed down progress. Like any new visitor, after we had gotten like a rough for ‘Stolen Fruit,’ anybody came in, Tank would be like, ‘Turn down the lights.’ Tank : Turn down the lights, light a candle, and play this for them. Norman : (imitating Tank) ‘Shhhh. (dramatic pause) Play that one.’ Albert : It was like a whole afternoon of that, it was great. Then we did ‘Black Folk' and [it] was, like, a live take. A bunch of us were playing in the room, and the take you hear from Tank, that’s just her on a 58 (Shure 58 live microphone). Everybody was playing in the same room. We tried to do the vocals in isolation, tried to do other takes, but it just didn’t have that … it didn’t have that thing. Man, that was a magical moment. I remember when we were playing that and I was like, ‘This is great!’ Norman : We should do an unplanned live album. Just press record and start playing. Albert : Directly to vinyl. You can do that. You can press it directly to vinyl. Tank : I’ve done that. I did that with ‘Eggs Over Easy.’ It was a freestyle. MaM : So, we are an entertainment magazine. What are some shows y’all are watching lately? Tank : I feel like we’re never watching the same thing. We talk about it more when we’re on the road, ‘What are you watchin’ right now?’ Albert knows that I have to eat and watch somethin’ from Netflix. Norman : I know how to make this cool: Say one show you think the other person is watching right now. Tank : (to Norman) Oh lord, a documentary? A Christmas show? Norman : I’m watchin’ the Nature Channel. Josh : (to Tank) Wednesday ? Albert : (to Josh) Anime, or, I don’t know, big, high-budget crime, like action-y? Josh : You know what? You’re kind of in the space, ‘cause I saw something like that. Knives Out on Netflix; the [sequel just] came out. Tank : (to Albert) You watchin’ some type of cartoon in the morning with your girlfriend. Albert : I’ve been watching season 6 of Rick and Morty and it’s stellar. It’s a return to form. It’s some of the best stuff they’ve had going on over the past few seasons. Highly recommended. Josh : (to Tank) Just say Wednesday already and get it over with. Tank : We ain’t done with Wednesday , so no. Norman : 432 playlist on Spotify. 432 hertz. Yo, why when I play it on the speaker, I can actually feel the highs, the lows, and the mids. It’s in your chakras. It’s like we really do resonate at that frequency or somethin’ because you can feel it through the speakers. I don’t get it. Tank : 432 Hertz? That’s the playlist? Norman : Do that, then type playlist. They got a bunch of different genres. Get ya [sic] chakras right. Josh : I be [sic] watchin’ Forged in Fire . I had to think about what I’ve been watching. I be [sic] watchin’ people making beaucoup swords and all that stuff. Norman : Then they try to see which one’s stronger. Josh : Then they be [sic] choppin’ beaucoup stuff with it. Man, these cats are wild. MaM : They make a Hattori Hanzo blade? Josh : They probably have done one at this point, but they be [sic] doin’ all kinds of fantasy weapons as well. Norman : Based on historic, like the way they would build them at this time or that time in history. MaM : What are some creature comforts on tour, anything that connects you with back home? Albert : A nice bowl of ramen. Norman : Coffee and good greenery, I’m good to go. Facetime with the baby. Tank : My phone so I can watch TV. Albert : An eye mask. Tank : Headphones. Gotta have them headphones. Gotta zone inside them headphones. credit: Jacob Walker Norman : Drum machine, that MPC one. Josh : I’ve been without my phone on a whole tour before. I lost my phone, like, the top of the tour, and I didn’t have my phone for, like, six weeks. It was weird as hell. Norman : That’s gotta feel good! You ever leave your phone at home and be way across town and be like, ‘Oh well.’ That shit feels so good. Josh : I was on the other side of the world. It was not the same. Tank : First of all, I would never do it because where the hell ... how am I gonna get home? I need that GPS. Momma gonna call me, you know what I’m sayin’? Now you need to stay in touch, AND I gotta listen to the regular radio? Oh no, I need to plug in, so I got my own radio. Norman : Turn that radio off and listen to the radio in your head. Tank : That’s too much [sic] thoughts! Josh : Being over there, there was no radio, and there was barely television. I wanna play drums. I hope they don’t have a bad drum set with some bad cymbals. That is a real horrible thing. Tank : That was not a good answer though; he’s talkin’ about something that you don’t feel at home with(out). You hit drums every day. Josh : I’m telling you, no, no, no, on TOUR. Tank : Josh needs some wings with barbeque sauce. Josh : No, listen, wait ... Norman : You gotta hear this man out about them [sic] drums. Because if those drums ain’t [sic] Yamaha special just like Josh needs ... [laughter] Tank : We about to get a DIVA! Josh : Look at this, you see this? (shows me the palms of his hands) This happened to my hands years ago, playing the wrong kit with the wrong sticks. My entire hand turned purple, and I couldn’t close it. So, I was playing drums like this, (Josh shows me half-open hands, as if he is delicately holding sticks with his fingers) but my hands were really like ... Norman : I wish y’all could see through this mic. [laughter] Josh : (wrapping up his defense of saying drums are a comfort on tour) A good drum set, an amazing drum set, and amazing cymbals, and amazing sticks. I can make tour with that and good vibes. Tank and the rest of the group continue having fun teasing Josh. Albert begins calling out to Tavia, "Ta! Ta!" to have her stop the insanity. Albert : (to me, as the hilarity wanes, feeling sympathy for me having to try and make sense of all the talking over each other) You just write this out, right? You transcribe this, right? A lot of it will be just asterisks - inaudible, asterisks - inaudible. MaM : Ok, Tavia says ten minutes left. I gotta get to the Grammy nod. Grammy nod number two. I’m sure that first one was an incredible experience. Tank, are you as nervous? Will you have a speech ready this time if you win? Tank : I think we could write a speech. I’m not as nervous this time. Norman : You gonna write it? I’m gonna wing it. Albert : The best things in life are wung [sic]. Tank : Then it goes, (imitates the music cue to get off stage) [to] get us off that stage. Albert : There’s four of us! That’s bullshit! We EACH get the allotted time! Josh : It’s the allotted time times four. Tank : Yeah, you use your privilege, see how far that gets you! Norman : They will never call us back! Tank : Albert said, ‘Excuse me, white man speaking! That’s not fair.’ Albert : Hey, if La La Land can take an Oscar, we can do this. Josh : Boy, you stupid! Tank : It’s exciting, definitely less nervous-y. It’s more exciting for sure, because [the] first time is very cool, but this time, it’s for the work, so that just feels just really dope. Josh : The entire body of work. [The first Grammy nomination] was us being really good coming out to them. That’s awesome, but this one is very awesome because it’s for everything that we’ve put in. Norman : Real talk, real talk. Tank : I would really like to win it. credit: Jamelle Tate, courtesy of the artist Josh : Not just one song, not one video; it’s the entire thing. Norman : The first one, all the other artists had radio hits. We didn’t have any hits on the radio, and they still had to say our name. Y’all had to put songs on the radio to win. Tank : You know how you say, ‘Since you guys made it,’ ‘Since your big success,’ ‘Since your breakout,’ you know how you keep saying that? We don’t feel that way. Y’all don’t feel that way, right (Tank asks the Bangas)? Like we’re some breakout stars, like we’re up there? Norman and Josh : No! Albert : Oh God, no. Josh : I feel like we’re new to somebody every day. I feel like because we’re new to at least one new person every day, that’s eventually gonna happen. MaM : So since she got y’all on the clock, is Tavia the special sauce for this whole thing? Josh : Facts. Albert : Oh yeah. Josh : She’s working right now. If you look right there, you can see her answering emails as we speak. Norman : We wouldn’t have gotten Tiny Desk without Ta, ‘Think Tank’ would have never happened without Ta, ‘RandoMe’ would have never happened without Ta ... Coachella, none of that. Tank : (looks to Tavia) Ta, I’ve been doing this. Norman : Shit, you was [sic] on the sofa. She picked you up off the sofa. Tank : Who was on the sofa? Norman : Tank Ball. That’s why I say you better understand! Tank : Boy, I’ve been doing this … My friend know [sic] she met me while I was on my journey. Norman : Ta said, ‘Come on, get in the studio, girl; you want to do a CD, come on.’ Tavia : I nurtured her journey. I think both Tank and I may have tapped into something that was deeper for both of us that we didn’t know was there. Granted, I met her doing poetry, which is what she wanted to do. She wanted to travel with her poetry book. She did not want to do a poetry show unless she had an album. Gus Bennett was put in my ear and he said, ‘I’m only telling you that I did a spot with Raj Smoove.’ I don’t know why Gus thought that I was the person. Tank : I don’t know why anybody thought you was [sic] the person to tell! Tavia : I know! Tank : No, I mean in my own self. Norman : Because you was [sic]! Tavia : One of Tank’s mentors pulled me to the side, spoke to me, and said I should really pursue this. They saw something in us that we didn’t see ourselves. We both just went full-fledged into it. When I met Tank, she had just quit her job and I was working two jobs and going to school. I thought I was really gonna be in an office job at the USDA or something. Other people were trying to get Tank to do things, but they were trying to get her to do what they wanted her to do, and not what she wanted to do. I was like, 'Let’s do what you doin’. I’m down for the poetry, like, let’s make this poetry album.' Everybody else was tryin’ to get her to do jazz songs and stuff, but she wasn’t feelin’ that.” credit: Erika Goldring/Getty Images [laughter] MaM : Y’all been together what, a decade now? Tank : Over a decade. Tavia : Twelve years with Tank and the Bangas, 13 years of friendship between me and Tank. MaM : So much great music. What’s the future hold? Josh : I don’t know – more stuff. Whole [sic] lot more stuff. Tank : We would love to get our book together. Norman : It’s comin’. Tank : We want to create an affirmation book for adults like us, and kids, and teenagers, because we have a lot of quotes that we live by and that we share with each other. We would love to do that. We would love to get more into big soundtracks for great movies; we’ve been offered those opportunities before. The world actually believes that we put on one of the best shows in America, [so to] have that stage and those things offered to us to make it what it’s supposed to be. Be more disciplined, more consistent. Just falling in love every day with what we doing. It’s not always easy, especially for myself. Definitely this year I’m going to make some resolutions, which I haven’t done in a while, honestly. Norman : Will you make a resolution? Whoop whoop! Tank : I feel made fun of. I thought this was a safe space. Norman : First of all, it’s a safe space. That was Kirk Franklin. I don’t know if you don’t know.” [laughter] Tank : Tavia, I’m not feeling safe. Let’s go. Norman : You need to self-care more. Your pants say self-care. If you want some self-care pants, they on TankAndTheBangas.com . Tank : Oh my lord. Norman : ... and they on Tank right now! Albert : More good music, Tank and the Bangas 2022 and beyond – for the kids! Whoooo!” For more on information on the outstanding talent that is Tank and the Bangas, their albums, their shows, and all, well, all things bangin', visit them online at https://www.TankandtheBangas.com . *Cover photo from taken from artist website. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? E-mail us mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

While Auto-Tune may have a permanent place in the industry, it is the authentic voices that endure and stand the test of time. < Back Auto-Tune: The Great Debate on Perfection’s Place in Music Mo Thornton Mar 18, 2024 Share While Auto-Tune may have a permanent place in the industry, it is the authentic voices that endure and stand the test of time. Imagine for a moment a world without Tracy Chapman’s voice coming through your car speakers, those rough, urgent notes warning us, “We better leave tonight or live and die this way”. If Auto-Tune had been around in 1988 and used to pitch correct Chapman’s outlier contralto voice, the artist in her authenticity might never have been recorded. Chapman recently made history as the first Black woman to win a Country Music Association award for her smash hit “Fast Car”. She could well have been one of thousands of talented musical artists who never reached an audience beyond their hometown, and I daresay the music world in general, and Luke Combs, in particular, would be the poorer for it. In case you missed the news, Combs’ cover of Chapman’s “Fast Car” was awarded Country Music Association’s 2023 “Single of the Year”. Credit: Getty Images A full decade after Tracy Chapman’s award-winning and now history-making release, Auto-Tune arrived on the scene. The technology was invented in 1997 by geophysicist and engineer Dr. Andy Hildebrand, who applied mathematical algorithms to interpret sonar-generated data to help oil companies locate fuel deposits, an endeavor that made him quite wealthy. A Seismic Shift In 1989 Hildebrand left the lucrative field of seismology and launched his own company, Antares Audio Technology. As the story goes, he asked colleagues what should be invented. Someone jokingly said the world needed a machine to give her the ability to sing in tune. It was a eureka moment for Hildebrand: the same math that he used in oil exploration could be applied to pitch correction. “When voices or instruments are out of tune, the emotional qualities of the performance are lost,” the patent for Auto-Tune stated. That was quite a bold and sweeping assertion, one that has proven divisive in audio entertainment circles ever since. Ed Sheeran, Celine Dion, Bruno Mars, and, yes, even pop icon superstar Taylor Swift, are among the famous artists who refuse to use Auto-tune live. On the other side of the fence, Grammy-winning Rapper T-Pain, Nicki Minaj, and Cher are in favor of using the vocal modification software and other synthesizing techniques. In fact, Cher’s 1998 comeback megahit “Believe” is often cited as the first major commercial use of Auto-Tune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZXRV4MezEw “The Cher Effect” has become synonymous with the over-exaggerated application of the software that creates an interesting combo of human and robotic vocals. Clearly this was not an attempt to mask Cher’s real voice but rather was an obvious and ear worm-creating technique that successfully contributed to the singer’s career reboot. Local Musicians Weigh In While the debate continues to rage on and play out on the international stage, local musicians also weigh in on the pros and cons of Auto-Tune. Mike Ball, who plays multiple instruments and performs with The Bubbanauts , a country band out of Huntsville, Alabama, says he uses pitch correction to ensure his voice is in tune before tackling certain songs. Mike Ball (Credit: Karen Ball) “I’m not against the use of the technology, but I am against hypocrisy,” says Ball, president of The Huntsville Traditional Music Association. “Auto-Tune is a tool but, in my opinion, should not be used as a crutch or a cheat-sheet in place of talent. In music, like anything else in life, if one person is too far out of tune, it’s going to create chaos rather than harmony.” Another Huntsville-based musician and songwriter, Ricky j Taylor , who has played rock, bluegrass, and folk music, among other genres, says he doesn’t see the benefit of creating an expectation of perfection when music is an art and expression of the human condition. Ricky j Taylor (Credit: MoonTown Photography) “These are my sentiments only,” Taylor says, “but some of the most expressive music is born from struggles and hard times, and I don’t know why that should be stripped of human qualities—human imperfections.” A physicist as well as a musician, Taylor does see the advantage of Auto-Tune for post-production adjustments in studio recording. “No doubt, Auto-Tune is a time- and money-saving tool,” he says. When used to correct a note here and there or adjust for something like a mic that was repositioned during recording, few refute the technology’s value. Sophie Buck is a multi-instrumentalist who performs solo and with groups that play old time, folk, Celtic, and roots music. A senior at Middle Tennessee State University, Buck is tech-savvy, like many of her generation. She says pitch correction technology is a powerful tool that, when applied, can be constructive or destructive. Sophie Buck (Credit: Valeri Buck) “I think it all comes down to the goal of the individual artist,” Buck says. “If the goal is to capture raw, human authenticity with the [inherent] imperfections, Auto-Tune might strip the music of that essence. However, if the goal is to create a highly polished or computer-generated project, the software is an asset.” “Sure, Auto-Tune has its place,” Taylor agrees. “But it can be a slippery slope when it becomes so widely accepted that live performers rely on it.” Taken to the extreme, if the software enables anyone to sing perfectly in tune, why not have that singer be a hot Urban Cowboy or Barbie Doll 10 in looks? And who decides what is “hot” and who is a “10”? And what exactly constitutes “perfect”? Is perfection hitting a note and holding it, or is it finding a thread of emotion that runs through the veins of everyone listening to a vocal cry of need, loss, love, hope, or grief that elevates it beyond the individual to the universal? Imperfectly Perfect Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” and Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” testify to the commercial appeal of imperfectly perfect voices. If that reference feels too lost in the mists of history for today’s music scene, just look at one of many viral video clips from the 2024 GRAMMY Awards ceremony of Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs performing together. Two incredible talents who differ in age, music genres, race, and orientation seem to have found something that defies differences and creates connection. That something is the fact that “Fast Car” is a timeless song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEqb6xbeuCo Though Auto-Tune may have a permanent place in the music industry, it is a comfort to know authentic voices, like Chapman’s, have an enduring place in the human expression that is music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? 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Stream this NOW! < Back Halloween with a Horror Master: Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities Keeley Brooks Oct 4, 2022 Share Stream this NOW! There are many masters of horror out there and topping the list for nearly two decades has been Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. With top nods under his hat like Blade II , Hellboy & Hellboy II: The Golden Army, and Pacific Rim , he’s perhaps best known for upending the horror movie scene with 2006’s dark fantasy feature Pan’s Labyrinth . The master is fresh off the heels of last year’s Nightmare Alley , which is currently streaming on Hulu if you haven’t seen it, and he’s back this month on Netflix with his latest collective work of art, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities . Curiosities is an eight-episode anthology series created, produced, and hosted by Del Toro. It will feature a slew of material he wanted to bring to audiences in a smaller format than the typical feature-length film. And, apparently, according to our sources, we can expect to see and hear many of the tales and anecdotes the filmmaker writes about in his memoir Guillermo del Toro Cabinet of Curiosities: My Notebooks, Collections, and Other Obsessions. Netflix calls the series a curated “collection of unprecedented and genre-defining stories meant to challenge our traditional notions of horror” by carefully selecting a variety of writers and directors to bring the tales to life. There’s a tale directed by The Babadook ’s Jennifer Kent, another led by Firestarter ’s Keith Thomas, and even originals written by H.P. Lovecraft with screenplays penned by Mandy co-writers Panos Cosmatos and Aaron Stewart-Ahn (you should totally see that movie if you haven’t yet, by the way; it’s some bloody, ass-whooping fun that includes one very badass Kevin James), and The Dark Knight wordsmith himself, David S. Goyer. With such a variety of talent in the mix, on top of having del Toro at the helm, there’s absolutely no way these terrifying tales won’t stick with you like. Kind of like that moment in Nope when we had the big reveal: everyone lost their shit. Me included. I will never look at clouds the same way again. Ever. The collection also features a slew of your favorite actors, from Tim Blake Nelson ( O’ Brother, Where Art Thou? ), Andrew Lincoln ( The Walking Dead ), and F. Murray Abraham ( Mythic Quest ) to Rupert Grint ( Servant ), Ismael Cruz Cordova ( Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ), AND, one my actor-comedian faves, DJ Qualls ( Supernatural , Road Trip ), among other well-knowns. Sounds pretty righteous, right? It is! Mostly. Here’s the rub: rather than all eight episodes dropping at the same time, which is pretty standard for Netflix, Cabinet of Curiosities will drop two at a time over three days as part of a special Netflix & Chill’s Halloween Event. Even still, that’s not so bad. The first two episodes of the series will be available at midnight on Tuesday, October 25, with subsequent episodes premiering two at a time over the next three days. All eight episodes will be available to watch globally on Friday, October 28, just in time for Halloween weekend. If you haven’t seen the official trailer, which, I have to say, offers up quite a cozy Gothic feel with some horrifically beautiful but frightening monsters, you can watch it here . You’re welcome. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Tony Biggs < Back DJ Skillspinz: A Classically Trained Master of Combining Textures and Beats Nicole Brice Apr 7, 2023 Share Tony Biggs With so many aspects of music production being prefabricated these days, I’ve managed to find a man who is still mixing it up the old skool way. (Yes, we spelled it like that on purpose.) As a lover of hip-hop and rap my entire life, what initially drew me to DJ Skillspinz was his insane scratching techniques. Using nothing but his talent, turntables, and an ear for combining beats , he showcases his mad skills with each new mix he releases. His choices for his combinations are diverse and fascinating, and they showcase his knack for individuality in a world oversaturated with conformity. Based in Georgia with over 210k followers on Instagram alone, people are definitely loving what he's doing. Antonio “Tony” Biggs, aka DJ Skillspinz , is an Army veteran , a disc jockey, a producer, and a composer, who is widely known for music on the Peacock series One of Us is Lying , on S1E1 of the Netflix series Gentefied , and on the Starz program Step Up . He was an extra in the BET movie Redeemed as well and has produced/deejayed for GhostFace Killah’s Theodore Unit , Play (of Kid ‘n Play ), and Def Jef , Grits , the Ambassador , and Grammy artist Lecrae . Other credits include Xbox 360 ’s Project Gotham Racing 4 , and he is an Akai MPC Beat Battle Round 10 champ. What has this man not done, seriously? With an impressive history of production and music, further samples of his work can be heard on the Ghostface Killah Theodore Unit album 718 , where he produced track number 14 , and on the Rapland Records House Party Conversions album with Play of the famous rap duo, Kid ‘n Play . Additionally, Antonio was also nominated for a Dove Award for his debut album Reintroduction of the DJ and is the first Christian DJ to release a turntablist record on Rescue Records . His current album, Table Manners: The Mixtape , is available via all streaming platforms, and there’s even more new music on the way. He shared with me some mixes he plans on doing, but I was sworn to secrecy, so you’ll have to follow him and see what he releases in the future. We recently had the opportunity to chat more in depth with this turntable master to learn about his fascinating career and life, so, after you finish reading this, you’ll want to go check out his Instagram page. It is full of things sure to make your head spin, kind of like a record. Photo provided by artist MaM : Man, I am so impressed with all of your song combinations, because I am a huge, HUGE fan of old-school hip-hop. Some of the stuff you’ve done with A Tribe Called Quest, I’ve been like, “Damn … this is awesome!” So, how did you get into making music for TV shows and movies? TB : That’s something I always wanted to do [ever since] I was a kid. I am a big horror movie fan, and when I was 13—maybe 15—I used to record on cassettes different sound bites from my favorite horror movies and use that to make music myself. I guess you could say it came from my love of horror movies. I always wanted to do something in film and television, and so it just fits. Eventually, I started making beats , which got me into hip-hop . Being involved in the industry has led to great opportunities to submit my music to people for consideration. The rest is history. MaM : You’ve had your music licensed to Netflix and Peacock. I mean, dude, that’s awesome. Were you surprised to see your song on TV? TB: Well, the [Netflix] supervisor didn’t let me know it had been placed in the show, and sometimes that’ll happen, but it was crazy! I kept watching Gentefied and they played another one of my songs. I ended up with two songs in that one show. MaM : Wow, that is incredible! I read you were nominated for a Dove Award. Tell us a little more about that. TB: That was really cool. I think back then I wasn’t really focused and aware of what was really in front of me. I was younger and wasn’t really paying attention. I wish I could go back, honestly, to do it all over again and be more aware of what was going on around me at that time. I was just so focused on making more music and doing other things. Photo provided by the artist MaM : How old were you when you got that nomination? What year was that? TB: My record came out in 2000 , so it had to be later that year. I think I was 23 or 24. MaM : I also see that you were the first Christian DJ to release a turntablist record on Rescue Records. Are you still signed to a label, or are you just doing things independently? TB : I’m independent right now, but I was the first Christian DJ to do that. Of course, there were other DJs before me, you know, doing Christian hip-hop and other stuff, but no one had put out an actual turntablist record. It was a blessing to be able to do something like that, and there hasn’t been anyone else since me to put out another record like that. MaM : You were a trailblazer then and you still are because no one else has been able to do the same. I find these days that creativity is lacking because of all the prefab apps out there that do everything for you. TB : I think it takes away from the culture and from the skill used to create when you can press a button and have the computer scratching for you. You don’t really need a DJ . That’s what I hate, but it’s kind of a blessing and a curse with technology. Everyone thinks they can be a DJ now, but, for example, my sister recently bought herself a DJ controller, and now she talks like she’s a DJ . I’m over here thinking, ‘Why do you have this?’ MaM : See, all the technology scratching for you is just not the same to me. TB : I guess you gotta get in where you fit in, right? It is what it is. MaM : So, what first got you into DJing and music? TB : That’s a great question. I was in a group with my brother and a good friend of ours. He lived right across the street from us. We were probably 9 or 10 years old. We had a little rap group and my uncle, who is from up north and used to come down and visit all the time, heard us rapping. He kind of took us under his wing and took us to a friend’s house where we did a little demo. The guy recording us went around the room asking each of us what we did, and my brother was like, ‘I’m the rapper,’ and my friend was like, ‘I’m the rapper, too.’ They get to me, and I go, ‘I’m the DJ ’—mind you, I did not have any DJ equipment, but once I said that, it just stuck and we went from there. I always just wanted to be a DJ . It's crazy to think about. I can’t recall one specific DJ who made me think, ‘That’s what I wanna do.” Now, I used to use my mom’s turntable sometimes. I used to take her stuff apart to see how it worked. She would bring records home, so I guess I can credit her as being the one to introduce me to hip-hop. I remember her bringing a record home by the Fat Boys and telling me to listen to [it]. It was ‘ Jailhouse Rap’ and it stuck with me. She had also brought home a record by Roxanne Shanté . After that, though, I remember I was hooked. A 12-year-old DJ Skillspinz / Photo provided by artist MaM : So, she didn’t care you were taking apart her turntable? Wait, did she know? TB : I don’t think she knew. I used to take her speakers apart, too, just to see how they worked. MaM : Then you put it back together the same way so she never noticed? TB : Yeah. Still to this day she doesn’t know. MaM : Well, she does now! (laughter) MaM : So, let me ask you: Who are you inspired by from that period of growing up? TB : I would say Jam Master Jay was a huge influence, ya know? I mean, Jazzy Jeff was a huge influence, too. DJ Magic Mike from Vicious Base and DJ Scratch from EPMD , too. I love all those DJs . I love a lot of DJs . MaM : I miss the music from that time period. I would love to bring it back and teach this generation what good rap and good hip-hop is. TB : That’s one reason I’m doing what I’m doing … [to] keep it alive. I used to think there wasn’t a place for it anymore, and I tried to create new stuff for the newer generation and stuff. I was just sitting down one day, and I was like, ‘I’m gonna put this mix out, this Wu-Tang one,’ and it just took off! I was like, ‘Oh shoot! People are still out there still loving this.’ MaM : Yep, like me. I was creeping around on your Instagram page and was like, “Man, this dude is awesome!” TB : Thank you. MaM : Just being honest. I love everything I’ve seen so far. My next question for you would have to be, at what age did you officially start DJing with your own equipment and everything? TB : Here’s a funny story. My aunt, God bless her soul, she bought [me] my first turntable. I used to watch Yo! MTV Raps and I saw the turntables the DJs were using, and I thought to myself, ‘Man, what kind of turntables are they using?’ A guy from my neighborhood had this magazine called J&R Music World . It was in New York , and that is where my aunt is from. I was looking through the book one day and came across the turntable all the DJs were using [and] I knew I needed that turntable. We had a family gathering and my aunt knew I loved music, [so] I told her about the turntable I had seen. She told me that if I made As and Bs on my report card that she would buy me my first turntable. A young DJ Skillspinz / photo provided by artist MaM : How old were you at that point? TB : I was in high school … 9th grade. … I ended up not making [all] As and Bs on my report card; I actually made a C. I went back to my teacher, though, and I was able to convince her to change my grade to a B. (laughs) I went right [then] and called my aunt to tell her the news, and about a week later, I came home from school one day and there was a turntable sitting in the chair in my living room. From then on, it was uphill. MaM : That is really cool you had your family’s support. What did you say to the teacher to get your grade changed? (laughter) TB : See, I was supposed to be reading this story. The whole class was reading this book, and we had to fill out a form showing where we were in the book. My teacher told me I was supposed to be further ahead than I was. I explained to her that I had made a mistake and filled out the form wrong and that I really was further along than I had written, and so she changed my grade. MaM : Dude, nice. I wish I would have had those powers of persuasion back in the day when I made a C. (laughs) DJ Skillspinz in Waco, TX / photo provided by artist TB : I want to throw this in there, too, about the turntable. My aunt only bought me the one turntable and I needed a second one, so, [I worked at a program for teenagers during the summers] and used the money to purchase the second one. MaM : Nice. So, you live in Georgia now, but is that where you grew up? TB : I am from Columbus, Ga ., born and raised. MaM : Never lived anywhere else? TB : I lived in Nashville, Tenn ., … then [when I was 18] in California for a while in South Central . MaM : What made you decide to move out there? Did you always want to? TB : Nah, I was trying to pursue music and had family [who lived out there]. Then, this guy who claimed to be a manager took me down a little path for a bit. You know, [you’re] learning [and] just trying to trust people because they say they’re gonna do certain things and, well, you live, and you learn. MaM : Yep, that you do. When did the music stuff start to take off for you? Where were you living when that happened? TB : I was back in Columbus . [I’d made] a mixtape, and [this guy out in California had a copy and he] ended up leaving the tape at someone’s house, and that someone gave it to somebody else, and that somebody gave it to this A&R with Rescue Records . [This] A&R guy was a former dancer of Vanilla Ice ’s. (laughs) MaM : Oh my gosh, wow. (laughter) TB : Yeah, well, let me tell you a funny story about that. He heard my mixtape and was like, ‘We need to find this kid,’ [so] they [contacted] me and wanted to sign me. The crazy thing about that is, I remember Vanilla Ice coming to Columbus [on tour] and my brother and I used to sneak into concerts, but [at that time], I didn’t want to see Vanilla Ice . We had gone in and seen who we wanted to see, but I remember being outside the Civic Center and I could hear Vanilla Ice telling the crowd to say stuff to his DJ . I didn’t want to hear that. The crazy thing is, this guy ( A&R rep) was inside dancing with Vanilla Ice , and we didn’t even know each other. Come years later, and this same guy signs me to the label. MaM : Whoah. That’s insane. That’s something I like to call a universal happening. It all comes back full circle. TB : For the record, though, I respect Vanilla Ice , and I love what he did for hip-hop , pushing the culture forward. MaM : Definitely, I agree. If people like Vanilla Ice hadn’t come around, I don’t feel there would be an Eminem. He paved the way, even with as much hate as he got. As far as current projects are concerned, are you working on releasing any additional albums? TB : I’m about to do another album. ‘ Table Manners ’ is new, but I have a few mixtapes I want to put out but just haven’t yet. I’m gonna do an actual project because people have been hitting me up about it. … I have some things coming up that are so freakin’ dope, so [there’s more coming soon]. Photo provided by artist MaM : Last question: Do you feel the platforms musicians have to release their music on these days is sufficient, or do you miss the way things used to be? TB : Honestly, I miss how things used to be. As I was saying before, it took you having to have talent to get signed and technology is a blessing and a curse, but I think either you have it or you don’t, and you shouldn’t rely on technology to get you a record deal or to get you hundreds of thousands of followers. That’s crazy when you think about it. Things have been watered down so much. I wish more people would take the time with their craft to refine it. To check out the work of this genius of the turntables, be sure to hit one of the links below! The Meet-ups | Dj Skillspinz Make The Bass | DJ Skillspinz (bandcamp.com) ‎DJ Skillspinz on Apple Music DJ Skillspinz (@djskillspinz) • Instagram photos and videos DJ Skillspinz | Spotify Dj Skillspinz | Facebook Episode 23.1 DJ Skillspinz - YouTube www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nicole Brice is a lifelong lover of hip-hop from the late 80s and early 90s, and will often have A Tribe Called Quest blaring in her car. It annoys her kids. Want to be featured? E-mail her at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Muscle Shoals artist on songwriting, artistic identity, and why songs are everything. < Back Bay Simpson Is Writing Muscle Shoals’ Next Chapter Zach Taylor Jul 6, 2026 Share The Muscle Shoals artist on songwriting, artistic identity, and why songs are everything. Bay Simpson speaks with the confidence of someone who knows his roots, even as he’s still discovering where he’s headed. And that’s important when your hometown is Muscle Shoals, Alabama. For many, Muscle Shoals is almost mythical. Even if you’re not in the music industry, you probably know the legend. For me, it always felt like a landmark on the way to Pickwick Lake —a monument more than a living, breathing town. It’s a place frozen in black-and-white photos, old studio walls, and legendary names. But for Simpson , it’s more than legend—it’s home. For him, Muscle Shoals was fishing, the river, and growing up surrounded by music—long before he could grasp the size of its shadow. That’s what made talking with him so interesting. Credit: Bud Gambrell Bay is anything but dismissive of the past. He lights up when talking about The Beatles, Tom Petty, The Who, The Everly Brothers, Zeppelin, the Stones —all the giants whose songs endure far beyond the moment they were made. But he’s also keenly aware of what it’s like to be a young artist today, where music has to compete with algorithms, shrinking attention spans, and the endless demand for content. Sometimes, it’s just content for content’s sake. In other words, Bay Simpson isn’t trying to outrun Muscle Shoals’ history. He’s trying to keep it alive—without getting trapped by it. Graphic from the June 26, 2026 show at Mars Music Hall in Huntsville I sat down with Bay backstage before his June 26, 2026 show at Huntsville’s Mars Music Hall. We talked about his name, Muscle Shoals , songwriting, time, regret, ' Fortunate Son ,' artistic identity, and why, even with all the booking agents and PR, no one will ever care about an artist’s career as much as the artist themselves. *The following conversation has been edited lightly for clarity. MaM : Let’s start with your name. What is the origin of Bay? Bay Simpson : There was an indie artist named Bay Chandler . My mom was about seven months pregnant with me, and I think she was going to name me Seth or something. Bay Chandler came and played at the little white amphitheater on campus, and my mom saw him play and loved the name. She said, “I’m going to name my kid Bay.” MaM : Do you associate your name with anything? An image? A feeling? Bay : Not really. I’ve always felt like my name made me unique because not many people have it. I like that aspect of it. When I think of a bay, I think of something closer to the ocean, for sure. Credit: Bay Simpson MaM : You come from the Muscle Shoals world. It is in your blood, and it has this almost mythological weight for people. Was it special to you growing up, or was it just home? Bay : It was both. Growing up in it, being around FAME through my parents and stuff, you learn the history of it as you get older, and then it becomes cool. But to me, it was just a really cool place to grow up. I was on the river a lot. My dad was a big fisherman, so I was always familiar with the river and the lakes, whether it was Wilson, Pickwick, or Wheeler. I got to know the land pretty well, as well as the music scene. There’s definitely a mythical thing about it, sure. MaM : Smallmouth, largemouth, or spots? Bay : I’ve probably caught more largemouth than anything else, but there’s nothing like catching smallmouth. MaM : What do people get wrong about Muscle Shoals? Bay : In the music world, people see Muscle Shoals and associate it with the 1950s or 1960s . But there are still many mainstream ties in the modern day. Jason Isbell is from the Shoals. He grew up writing at FAME . That was his first deal. Chris Tompkins is from the Shoals, and he’s one of the most decorated songwriters in modern Nashville country. John Paul White is another current Shoals guy who had a ton of success, won a Grammy , and played on the Grammys. The misconception is that Muscle Shoals is a thing of the past. It’s still a thing. For me, I just want to carry it on. I want to keep it current and add to the legacy. Credit: Bud Gambrell MaM : That brings up something I think gets overlooked. People think about the product, but you’re talking about songwriting. Do you think songwriting is an underrated part of the music industry? Bay : Oh yeah. I think it is what makes the icons who they are. Nobody would see Tom Petty or Paul McCartney as these Mount Rushmore figures if they didn’t have songs people will sing forever. The Beatles were sixty years ago, and people still know so many choruses of so many songs. As an artist, yeah, you can have a hit. You can have a moment of success. A lot of people do. But some of them are more memorable than others, and to me, that goes back to the songs. Ultimately, we’re in the songs business. Songs are everything. Credit: Bud Gambrell That idea—that songs are what survive—became the thread running through the rest of our conversation. I found myself thinking about the music I grew up loving, especially the influence of the Seattle scene. Some songs live on, even when the artists who wrote or performed them are gone. The music endures. Bay Simpson may come from Muscle Shoals , but he’s not interested in treating that legacy like a museum piece. He’s focused on what lasts, what fades away, and what it means to make guitar-driven music in a world that often feels more interested in content than in actual songs. From there, our conversation turned to influence, time, attention spans, regret, and the sound he’s still chasing. Credit: Bud Gambrell MaM : Listening to your music, I picked up on some Beatles influence. Was that a major influence for you? Bay : I have a lot of Beatles influence. I have a lot of Tom Petty . I have a lot of ’90s influence, too, and much of that came from The Beatles . I’ve studied so many bands. Most of the iconic rock bands of the time. I was a Zeppelin fan and a Stones fan primarily, and then it wasn’t until later, probably five or six years ago, when I first got into my twenties, that I really started to appreciate and understand The Beatles. Credit: Bud Gambrell MaM : One thing I noticed in your writing is how often the idea of time shows up. “Time Waster.” “A Thousand Years From Now.” “Too Old for This.” “21st Century.” You’re still in your twenties, but time seems to weigh heavily on your mind. Why do you think that is? Bay : I think a lot of it comes from the stuff I’ve always been drawn to. It is typically the stuff of the past. Those are my biggest influences. Being in this modern era of music is tough, man, because it's less about the music and more about who can make the best social media content. To me, that is unfortunate. There are still people whose music rings true, and that is the reason people like them. BlackBerry Smoke is an example. But I am constantly thinking, “What would it have been like fifty years ago? What will it be like fifty years from now?” We are already in a place where attention spans are so short. I’m only in my twenties, and I’m sitting here thinking, “If people’s attention spans are only about ten seconds now, what are they going to be when I’m seventy?” I stay in that headspace. Plus, I’m a nerd. I’m a Star Wars nerd. I like old alien movies. Space, time, and all that stuff are cool to me. MaM : There is angst and regret in some of your songs, especially the breakup songs. But then you also cover “ Fortunate Son ,” which is interesting because that song carries a lot of generational anger. Do you feel any dissatisfaction with the world you inherited, or am I reading too much into that? Bay : I would not say that exactly. I am a big believer that everything is relative. There is nothing new under the sun. History repeats itself. My reason for covering a song like that is, first, because I love it. That is some of the coolest music ever. And second, my granddad was a Vietnam veteran, and he has told me stories about flying into battle listening to that song, which is crazy to me because it is literally like a scene from Forrest Gump. I do have moments where I think, “Man, I wish I had existed in a time when music seemed to be the thing.” But then I also have moments when I think maybe it has always been a bit of a gimmick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akKsPtkq9zM Fortunate Son - Bay Simpson MaM : So maybe it is less about dissatisfaction and more about bringing back a sound or a feeling that you think still has a place? Bay : That is more so the deal. An artist's career is so challenging. I love it, don’t get me wrong. I would not do anything else. But I would not be doing it if I did not feel I had a space to carve out for myself. If I did not feel like I had something to say or that I could fill a space that needed to be filled, I do not think I would be doing it. And I do feel that way about what I do and who I am as an artist. MaM : In ten years, what does Bay Simpson sound like? What sound are you chasing? Bay : I feel like the sound I am chasing is already there in a lot of respects. I feel like the way I sing is already pretty unique, and I know who I am as a songwriter and as a player. For me, the focus has been on how to get to the next level. That comes with putting in the time, putting in the hours, and figuring out how to really connect with fans. A lot of luck plays into music and who blows up and who does not. But the ones who stay in it and keep working are the ones who get those breaks. So, I am just going to keep writing, keep doing what I love, and keep writing what I want to say and what I want to hear until something really breaks through and goes to the next level. Credit: Bud Gambrell This is where the conversation struck me personally. Bay Simpson transitioned from an artist with songs I could relate to into an artist and a person I could relate to. Bass fishing and Star Wars helped, sure. Those things made him human. Familiar. But what connected with me most was the struggle. The grind. The strange, frustrating reality of trying to make something meaningful in a world that often rewards visibility before substance. As a debut independent author, I have experienced firsthand many of the struggles Bay referred to: shrinking attention spans, constant content creation, the pressure to promote yourself, and the waiting. Always the waiting. Waiting for the right person to notice. Waiting for the work to break through. Waiting for talent, timing, effort, and luck to finally land in the same room. There are plenty of sayings on motivational posters about how the only things you can control are yourself and your work ethic. There is truth in that. But it is naive to believe dedication, work ethic, and even raw talent automatically translate to success. It takes more than that. And Bay knows it. Credit: Bay Simpson MaM : As you’ve grown and become more established, is there anything you used to have to do yourself that you can now hand off to somebody else? Bay : That is a big misconception in the business. Even the people who are successful still have to keep their hands in everything. I have a booking agency, but you still have to hound it to get gigs. That is just how it is. I have PR. I have people like that, and they are great, and they do a great job. But as an artist, especially now, there is no shortage of artists out there trying to get everybody’s attention. You have to be the one who drives the ship. There are certain things I have handed over, but I still keep my hands in everything I do. Nobody cares about my career as much as I do, and that will never change, no matter how big it gets. Credit: Bud Gambrell MaM : You have a rider. What do you put on your rider? Is there anything funny on there, and what does it say about you? Bay : My rider does not have anything crazy on it, and that probably says a lot about me. I am just pretty professional. I just kind of roll in. I am not one of those high-maintenance people. I just want some Coke and some water . Throw us some pizza or put some chips out. Something like that. MaM : You put a lot of emphasis on songwriting, both your own and other people’s. If one artist could cover one of your songs, who would it be and why? Bay : I would probably bring somebody back from the dead and say Prince . Somebody like Prince is just the coolest. Very artistic. I think he could do a cool version of “ A Thousand Years from Now .” MaM : Tell me about the origin of "Where Do I Go From Her." When I saw the title before hearing the song, I wondered if you had written down “Where do I go from here?” after a heartbreak and then scratched off a letter. Bay : It was just one of those clever things that falls out. It does not come from trying. Somebody probably said, “Where do I go from here?” and I thought it would be interesting if you changed it. It is a breakup song. Sometimes, if I have a title I know is really good, then it becomes about coming up with the coolest possible melody. I took that into a co-write and ended up with that jangly chord progression. I am a big fan of The Who , so I like acoustic-guitar rock and the way you can use acoustic guitar rhythmically, kind of like Pete Townshend did or like The Everly Brothers . That was one where I wanted to write a song with a driving acoustic track. I had that rocking chord progression, and it just kind of fell out. There is not much science behind it. You just do it until the heavens, or whatever you want to call it, open up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6JSVbHA7ig Where Do I Go From Her by Bay Simpson And there it goes. Bay Simpson may be chasing something old, but he does not sound stuck in the past. He sounds like an artist trying to figure out how to make songs matter now. In a world built on clips, scrolls, and seconds, that might be the most Muscle Shoals thing about him. Go check out his music today on your favorite streaming platform. It's incredible. Credit: Bud Gambrell Where to find Zach Taylor: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/zach-taylor-author/home TikTok: zach taylor, author (@zachtaylorbooks) | TikTok Facebook: Zach Taylor Books Facebook Where to find Bay Simpson: Website: http://www.baysimpson.com TikTok: baysimpsonmusic (@baysimpsonmusic) | TikTok Instagram: Bay Simpson (@baysimpsonmusic) • Instagram photos and videos Facebook: Facebook Spotify: Bay Simpson | Spotify Apple Music: ‎Bay Simpson - Apple Music Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com Website: https://bgambrellphotography.com Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Phantum Sun’s music blends the ethereal with the visceral in a lush atmospheric fusion. < Back Phantum Sun: An Immersive Journey Through Sound Margo Leblanc Aug 26, 2024 Share Phantum Sun’s music blends the ethereal with the visceral in a lush atmospheric fusion. Phantum Sun , a Louisiana-based band from Lafayette known for its unique sound and dependability, has recently surprised the local music scene with its unwavering work ethic and drive. But why? What started it all, and who influenced them? Who is Phantum Sun ? Phantum Sun is grunge with a bit of rock and a little alternative . They don’t have one specific category that their music falls into. The band makes music for those who appreciate the artistry of creating songs. Phantum Sun started because of Nick Cline and Alec Louviere's high school aspirations to create together. In 2023, when long-time friend Drake Lasseigne joined the two, the line-up became complete, and here we are. The trio is full of spirit and angst, shown heavily in their music. Nick is on vocals and guitar, Drake is on bass, and Alec rounds it all out on the kit. Credit: Facebook Phantum Sun’s music balances the familiar warmth of nostalgic tones with a forward-thinking approach to composition. Lyrically, Phantum Sun is all about introspection and emotional depth. The lyrics aren’t always straightforward, but that’s part of their charm. With three singles under their belt, the band’s latest song, ‘ Robbery ,’ was released in May 2024 and is reminiscent of early 90s alt-rock by The Smashing Pumpkins , Screaming Trees , and Buffalo Tom . Mixed Alt Mag recently had the opportunity to speak with the guys from Phantum Sun about their music, aspirations, and more. Take a moment to learn what makes this band so unique below. MAM : Thank you for speaking with me today. First, who inspired you to pursue music, and how did they influence your original songs? Alec : Anything 80s related to rock' n’ roll got me to get up and start learning drums. Feeling the beat and sound of that era made me want to get up and do the stuff these guys were doing. Drake : I’ve been interested in music since I was a kid but didn’t have an outlet to learn to play an instrument until middle school. I took up saxophone, but it’s not the type of music I was into. My dad loved the look and sound of the grunge movement in the '90s, so he showed me the hard bass lines of Krist Novoselic and the melody powerhouses Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell . No questions what inspires me to make music. Nick : My biggest inspirations were my love of blues, grunge, metal, and everything really. I grew up listening to Ozzy Osbourne , Metallica , Stevie Ray Vaughan , Soundgarden , Green Day , and Alice in Chains . Eventually, I found myself fascinated with garage rock, which was my tipping point regarding sound and songwriting. All my influences have now fused to make one absurd amalgamation of tones, influences, and passion. It all ties together to make up the sound of Phantum Sun. Credit: Facebook MAM : How would you describe writing new music and the process that goes with it? Alec : I like to feel what the other two put together, then come in and see what fits the style we’re going for in that specific song. Drake : Nick writes the guitar parts and lyrics, so whenever he shows them to us, I watch and listen to what he has to say and start thinking of bass lines that match to get the best bass line I can for that particular song. Nick : I usually write many lyrics and guitar parts per day. Then, I bring the melodies, guitar parts, and lyrics to the band. After that, we jam and feel out the idea until it sounds like what we want as a unit. Credit: Facebook MAM : Who would you love to collaborate with one day? Why that person? Alec : I’d personally love to collaborate with Tommy Lee , just to study and learn about his drumming style. Drake : Definitely, Dave Grohl . Dave is my favorite musician and seems to be a genuinely good guy. He knows so much about the industry that I could learn from. Nick : I would love to collaborate with Jack White . Jack is why I picked up the guitar five years ago, and I haven’t put it down since. His guitar tone and passion for music would make for a wicked collaboration that would lead to me learning more as a musician. Credit: Facebook MAM : Where is your favorite venue where you’ve performed so far? I know you guys have been playing shows like crazy. Alec : I enjoy outdoor venues, partially because we can be as loud as we want; it feels freer, and the crowd tends to engage more. Drake : The 19th Hole in Houston, Texas has been my favorite so far. The bar's vibe has been immaculate every time we’ve been there; the stage is huge, and the sound guy is amazing and does such a great job. Nick : My favorite venue is a toss-up between Artmosphere and the 19th Hole . Both venues have shown unimaginable kindness to me and the guys. The vibe and sound of both venues keep me wanting to come back more and more every time we play there. Credit: Facebook MAM : That’s awesome. Having the support of the venues is enormous, in my opinion. What skills have you learned along the way that help you to be productive as a musician? Alec : After learning bits and pieces from other bands that we’ve played with, I’ve learned to practice consistently, but also being patient really helps when it comes to drumming. Drake : To me, it’s the chemistry between Alec, Nick, and me on and off stage. It never gets tedious or tiring if you trust each other. Nick : Practicing, trust in the process, hard work, networking, and the ability to learn from the smallest lessons are all skills that I have adopted and built on to become a more productive musician. Credit: Facebook MAM : What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses in being musicians? Alec : I think my strengths and weaknesses go hand in hand; it’s weird. I’m still learning as we go. Drake : The ability to blend what Nick does on guitar and Alec does on drums into something that makes the song thicker and heavier. My weakness is my age, which is due to my lack of experience. I’ve only been playing bass since 2021. Nick : I think my greatest strength as a musician is my never-ending sense of wonder and passion for music. It keeps me on the path of learning and evolving as a songwriter and musician. My greatest weakness is my need to be too hard on myself. Credit: Facebook MAM : Outside of music, what other hobbies and interests do you have? Alec : I know it’s probably not a “cool” thing to admit, but I’m a huge wrestling fan. I’m all about anything WWE . I also love puzzles, if anyone needed more proof of me being a nerd. (laughter) Drake : I’m a big outdoorsman. I love hunting and fishing, especially here in my home state of Louisiana . I feel so comfortable when I’m either on stage, on a boat, or in a duck blind. Nick : Outside of music, I am deeply interested in learning about anything I can, writing, watching horror, fantasy, sci-fi, etc., reading comics (preferably DC), and whatever else sparks the ADHD fuel in my head. Credit: Facebook MAM : What would you be doing if it weren’t for your interest in a music career? Alec : In all honesty, I have no idea. I never really had a backup plan. Drake : I’d probably be going to college for something related to the tech industry, but I never really had a plan B in mind. Nick : I would be in a field related to writing. Writing has always been my second love, after music, so anything dealing with that would be great for me. With their first tour approaching this fall, Phantum Sun continues to work hard to make a name for themselves in the local scene and beyond. If they come to your town, take a chance and see them live. You might just be a little surprised. They are a band built on hopes, dreams, and aspirations of someday making it big with raw talent and an unconditional love for music. That love fuels their drive to pursue no other life paths besides making music for the masses. To experience the music of Phantum Sun, just hit one of the links below. Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/5PdjxAClNtSIyvvnj2vgsU Apple Music : https://music.apple.com/us/artist/phantum-sun/1710758804 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@phantumsunofficial Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/people/Phantum-Sun/61556703719338/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/phantumsunband/ www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Margo Leblanc loves listening to music, writing about music, and discovering new music. Do you have a band you think she'd like? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Adventures of Pecos Hank < Back Dark, Moody, Mysterious, and Daring Keeley Brooks Feb 22, 2023 Share The Adventures of Pecos Hank Twenty years ago, when I was in my early stages as an entertainment writer in Baton Rouge, La., I was out covering some local bands when I discovered and fell right in love with a Texas-based opening act called Southern Backtones. I loved their vibe, their presence, their tone, and their music. Not only did the Backtones resonate with me, but they also resonated with everyone else in the room that night. So, I did what any self-respecting writer would do and walked right up to them the second they came off the stage. And I’m glad I did, because it landed me a friend for life in their lead singer, Hank Schyma. We bonded over our love for bands like Pulp, Radiohead, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and Portishead, and over our love for film—specifically the movie Clay Pigeons . (Shout out to my fishin’ buddy!) Schyma, now widely and most popularly known as Pecos Hank, is really one of the most unique individuals you’ll ever meet. He’s quite the popular singer, songwriter, musician, photographer, videographer, filmmaker, and snake charmer/wrangler on several scenes, but that’s not what makes him unique. It’s who he is at his core and his authentic perspectives, as well as his genuine kindness, that leave the lasting impression. His music deeply expresses a lot of who he is, which is a southern badass with a big ole heart. credit: Jay Dryden Oh, did I mention he’s also a professional tornado chaser? Because, for real, he is. He’s the kind of tornado chaser you might’ve seen in the 90s cult classic disaster hit Twister : in love and obsessed with tornadoes, daring to get up close and personal with them, and passionately unafraid yet deeply respecting of one of Mother Nature’s most powerful storms. When he isn’t Hank the musician or videographer or photographer, he’s Hank the tornado chaser and storm expert. Pecos Hank with a giant twister on his tail. Not only is Schyma talented at what he does, but he’s also very passionate about it. Dude spends half the year tracking storms and chasing one of Earth’s most stunningly terrifying energies, and he’s highly sought-after for his footage and live reports during tornado season by many news and weather outlets, including The Weather Channel. He also reports to the National Weather Service when other chasers don’t beat him to the punch. He has also served and continues to serve as a storm consultant on major motion pictures—most recently on Supercell , which is an upcoming disaster movie releasing March 17, 2023, starring Alec Baldwin, Skeet Ulrich, and the late Anne Heche. Not only was “a boatload” of Schyma’s tornado and lightning footage used in the movie, but also two of his tornado pictures were spliced together to create the image seen on the movie poster. The poster image originated from these two photos of Schyma's: credit: Hank Schyma Videos of his are littered throughout the trailer and movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Cs2DlZ15g Hank witnessed his first tornado in 2002 and captured the fastest tornado ever documented back in 2014, and on May 31, 2013, he was there in El Reno, Okla., to witness and capture the widest tornado ever recorded at 2.6 miles wide. photo credit: Hank Schyma On May 25, 2019, while chasing and documenting storms in Oklahoma, Hank discovered a specific type of transient luminous event (upper atmospheric lightning) called a GhOST, or Green emissions from excited Oxygen from Sprite Tops—in short, green upper atmospheric electrical discharges or green mini-auras. In the photo below, if you look just above the brightest part of the picture, you'll see a faint green hue that casts an afterflow across the sky; that's a GhOST. photo credit: Thomas Ashcraft “I video recorded some sprites over a storm … Later, when I reviewed the footage, I noticed a mysterious green afterglow above some of the larger sprites,” says Schyma. SPRITE stands for Stratospheric/mesospheric Perturbations Resulting from Intense Thunderstorm Electrification. They are large-scale electrical discharges occurring high above a thunderstorm cloud and are often reddish orange in color. Based on their shape, there are three types: jellyfish, column, and carrot SPRITEs. Hank tells me he then teamed up with photographer and SPRITE chaser, Paul M. Smith . “Yeah, this one I’m pretty proud of. [A] buddy and collaborator of mine, Paul Smith, and I discovered a faint green glow that occurs high above thunderstorms after powerful lightning strikes. Think of a random, brief aurora that lasts about one second,” explains Schyma. “We shared the footage with scientists and others on social media. Nobody had heard of it before. Many argued it might be a camera sensor artifact. Over the following weeks and months, Paul captured multiple other GhOSTs at high resolution, silencing the skepticism. This opened doors for us to directly chat with all the real scientist rock stars of meteorology.” The pair worked together to create this educational video explaining transient luminous events. Give it a watch and check out these atmospheric wonders for yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGPQ5kzJ9Tg So, yeah—see? He’s a general badass full of no fear and multi-leveled awesomeness. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, in the Pecos River Valley, Hank formed Southern Backtones in the late 90s with drummer Todd Sommer and guitarist John Griffin. As far as their sound goes, think American Southwestern dark, ethereal, gothic-y rock mixed with lonely echoes and moody twangs so delicious, they’ll leave your mouth watering … but not before they cast a spell on hidden parts of your soul and lull you in by the heart strings. They've often been described by media critics as, “Brit-influenced rock with roots firmly planted in Texas” and “moody voodoo rock that intertwines with Spaghetti Western and devil-may-care rock ‘n roll” ... windswept and gritty. In 1999, the Backtones headlined the Levi’s/Stage Stores promotional campaign with their hit song “ Fallen Angel ” from their first album, Los Tormentos De Amor , a self-described psychobilly surf punk album with cult Spaghetti Western twang. That resulted in the band touring through 80 towns across Texas in the first ever stretch Hummer, playing on top of it in retailer parking lots. Footage from those shows wound up as the basis for the Levi’s campaign and was even featured on MTV. Their second album, Unreleased Studio Tracks (2002), holds three surfy Tex-Mex cuts with vintage tones, and their third is self-titled Southern Backtones and released in 2006. It is pure dark indie rock with a heavy art movie soundtrack orchestration and was widely popular, hailed by Airplay Direct as "a beautifully dark cinematic embracement of Brit-pop and psychedelia in a philosophical search for more bohemian influences." IT IS SPECTACULAR. All of its songs longingly ache for a movie to come along and do dark justice in playing out their premise. They’re dark, bold, sexy, and mysterious. Tunes “Forever” and “Everything” were featured in the 2005 indie feature film Drop Dead Sexy with Jason Lee and Crispin Glover, and the music video for “Forever” saw regular rotation on MTV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSlcKZj3gCQ Personally, my favorite song from their self-titled album is “Glamorous.” Because I love it (and you) so much, click the image below to hear the siren song, but be careful: You will be compelled to listen to it twice, then you'll be compelled to listen to the entire album on repeat. I promise it's just as sexy and menacing and alluring as “Glamorous” is. (wink) Over the years, Southern Backtones evolved and now consists of Schyma, Sommers, and a pretty bitchin’ viola player named Jo Bird the Fiddle Witch , one of the founders of Two Star Symphony , Houston's best-known creators of contemporary classical music for more than a decade. Schyma says of her, “She is such a wicked force of nature, that our whole new sound has grown around her.” She is, indeed, ferocious with a fiddle. Hank recently took some very precious time of his to catch up with me and rap about old times, music, tornadoes, and snakes, as well as what the future holds next for Pecos Hank. MaM: Shit, man. It’s so good to be talking with you after all these years! Thanks for catching up with me. Let’s see, you’re a very unique artist full of many, many, many talents. You sing, you write, you play music, you make videos, you take pictures, you chase tornadoes—I don’t even know where to start with you, so I’ll start at the beginning! PH: Well golly gee, Keeley. Bless your heart. That’s might dern sweet of you. MaM: Ha! You were born and raised in Houston, but do you claim any other areas? PH: Mostly Houston, with a side of Dallas and Huntington Beach, California. MaM: When did you know you wanted to pursue music, and where did the inspiration come from? PH: At age 13, I knew rock and roll was my calling. The electric guitar was the Siren. MaM: Musically, your influences then and now … hit me. PH: The Doors, The Cult, and Danzig hogged my cassette player, until I discovered Elvis. From there, it was Robert Johnson, Chris Isaak, Dick Dale, Muddy Waters, Ennio Morricone, and The Reverend Horton Heat. After a decade of burning out rootsy 1-4-5s, I did a 180 [after] becomingly heavily inspired by Brit-pop. [That was] shortly after I met you [when] we connected admiring Pulp, BRMC, Radiohead, and Portishead over many, many cocktails. Great times! MaM: We did! Those indeed were some great times! So, what kind of success did you guys see over the years, and how has that success contributed to where you are today? PH: Success? Ha ha ha! Nobody down here wants to listen to all that shit fused together. So, we thrived in the small dives, making enough money to pay for gas and bar tabs. [Twenty years ago], thirty people packed in the [former] Red Star Bar in downtown Baton Rouge and it was a good night for us. We worked hard, though, and scored some decent CMJ radio airplay on the East and West Coasts. That helped us put cheese on our Whataburgers. MaM: What was the Backtones most popular album? PH: It was always the most recent one, 'La Vie En Noir.' (Click image to listen.) We were inspired to change themes and make something new rather than sound like a broken record. You get sick of your stuff when you play 75-100 shows a year. This disappointed a lot of old fans, but for everyone one we lost, we gained two—including you and (friend) Sam. MaM: I know for a fact (smile) that one of your favorite and most influential groups is the English rock band Pulp. This is Hardcore is one of my all-time favorite albums, and I have you to thank for that. Have you ever had a chance to meet or speak with Jarvis Cocker, and are you stoked about their comeback tour next year? (Click image to listen.) PH: That album was a game changer. I’ve never heard of Pulp ever playing in the [American] South. Nobody down here wants to hear that shit. (laughter) But I bet they could pack 40 people in the [former] Red Star Bar! MaM: Oh, no doubt! So, after Griffin left Southern Backtones, you spent some time in the acoustic performance area, often as one half of a duet with viola virtuoso Jo Bird of Two Star Symphony. Talk to us about the dynamic between you two and how you got together. PH: Jo was always the darkest, most beautiful artist in the Houston music scene. She sat in with all the best bands, while I gawked on the sidelines. For some reason, she still hangs out with me. MaM: Let’s talk about El Reno Blues , which was your first solo album with a new approach. Talk to us about what that approach was, how it was new for you, and how it was received. PH: In a three-piece band, when you lose a member to crack or a better gig, a big chunk of your sound is lost and replaced with another. When we lost Griffin (to a better gig) and replaced him with Jo, we weren’t the same. Package that up with a different brand, and voilà. … Todd (our drummer), being the badass he’s always been, is now also our bass player. We had our first gig as a trio with him on the upright bass last fall 2021. The show must go on. He does have a 9-5 gig and can’t always make the weekday gigs, but Jo can. So, she and I do a lot of duo gigs on the side. Over the years, some magic has emerged from that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR_F0e1UdZc MaM: Tell us what you’re up to today in a musical sense. Writing? Playing? Recording? Touring? Being a general badass, who’ll never forget his super-bitchin writer friend he met 20 years ago? (laughter) PH: We’re currently halfway through a new record. I suppose when that’s done, we’ll have the impulse to tour where we can. Is the Red Star still open? What about the Bayou? Or the Thirsty Tiger? MaM: (laughs) Well, I don’t think they’re open under those names anymore, but the amount of venues that’ve opened up in Baton Rouge is insane. You’d have no trouble booking there. Where are you currently playing, and what can you tell us about BowiElvis Fest? PH: Just the usual places in Galveston and Houston. Fifteen years ago, I started a festival here called BowiElvis Fest . David Bowie and Elvis have the same birthday, January 8, and every year we have a big party with lots of bands playing Elvis tunes, Bowie tunes, and our own tunes. Splice Records has taken control of it, and man, does it swing. MaM: Dude, that’s awesome. And it sounds like so much fun. So, when I met you, you were known as Hank Schyma, but your identity has evolved into Pecos Hank. How did you earn that nickname? PH: I adore and snuggle (and charm and wrangle) rattlesnakes and tornados. credit: Hank Schyma My bestie, Emilie, pasted my face over a cartoon of Pecos Bill (a fictional cowboy and folk hero in stories set during American westward expansion into SW Texas) . He had a rattlesnake for a lasso and was riding a tornado. It was meant to be. MaM: Let’s jump over to your filmmaker status. When did you notice an interest in filmmaking, and how did you cultivate that? PH: I’ve always loved tinkering with video and made a few low-budget thingies, but I don’t think I deserve that title until I’ve completed something more substantial. Texas Honky Tonk legend Johnny Falstaff and I have completed three scripts. The only thing we need now is 10 million dollars. MaM: Yeah, that’s all we need, too. (laughs) I understand that when you were fronting the Backtones, you also directed, produced, and starred in a full-length blood-thirsty indie film. Tell me more. PH: Johnny Falstaff and I spent five or six years making Honky Tonk Blood . It’s a murder thriller that slithered through the Houston music scene at the time. For many of the bands, clubs, dancers, and artists of that era, it's a deliciously crude little time capsule. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_WJM_thk80 MaM: You also did the same with several music videos. I’m all ears. PH: Yeah, [music videos] are only four or five minutes long and don’t take five or six years to make. The time and money spent on an MV that lives forever on the inter-thingie is much more bang for the buck compared to touring. MaM: Now, rap with me about this tornado-chasing business. What drew you to tornadoes, then to chasing them, then to chasing them professionally for multiple different outlets? PH: I was drawing and sketching tornadoes before I could spell it. It began as a dream, became reality, and then a career. Weird, huh? MaM: When did you first get into chasing, and what was your first chasing experience like? PH: I feel like I’ve always been chasing storms. Whether it was just running into the front yard to see the lightning or driving my first car out to the fields for a better view of the coming storms, it’s always been an obsession. In 1995, Hank joined KHOU-TV’s news team working as a camera operator, which gave him the opportunity to work under their head meteorologist, Dr Neil Frank. Schyma gained professional storm-chaser status in 2007, when he was appointed as KRIV’s exclusive in-house storm chaser. MaM: You started photographing and filming your chases and the emergence of these beasts in a most gorgeous light. How up close have you gotten? Any close calls? PH: As close as you can get without your eyes getting wet! (laughs) Sorry, that’s a line from Old Gregg . Please tell me you’ve seen the Mighty Boosh's Old Gregg . Technically, I’ve been inside several weaker tornadoes and had too many close calls with powerful ones. I’m trying to cut that out. MaM: Unfortunately, I have not seen that one, but it’s now on the list! Do you ever get scared while chasing? Has a ‘nado ever shifted suddenly and seemingly come straight at you? PH: The weekly commutes from Houston to [Oklahoma City] are way more terrifying than tornadoes. I’d guesstimate [that] every 25 times I piss my pants almost getting killed by a distracted driver on I-45, I piss my pants from one tornado not doing what it’s supposed to be doing. MaM: What’s the most frightening tornado-chasing experience you’ve had? PH: It’s hard to compare that time you almost died with that time you almost died. The most recent was in 2019, when I accidentally positioned in front of a rain wrapped around [a] ¾-mile-wide beast. You think to yourself [that] any second now you could be rolling or flying. MaM: Talk to me about these weather, science, and nature documentaries you’re creating, and what kind of twist should we expect? PH: I can’t tell you the twist, that would ruin it. (laughs) For those interested, you can visit his Pecos Hank Patreon page and subscribe to watch his weather, science, and nature videos. MaM: You also create zoology and geography videos as well. Do tell. PH: Whatever neat-o thing I stumble across, I hope to document well. Whether it’s auroras over Russia or whales in Tahiti, I love it all. MaM: How is a typical year split up for you between music and chasing? PH: I’m always torn between music, critters, and storms, but lately music and critters are only getting the leftovers. Half my year is dedicated to capturing severe weather. To all my loving fans around the world, keep your Covid away from me! (laughs) MaM: You print and sell your photos of your tornado-chasing experiences. Have you seen a big demand to snatch up your shots? PH: It can always be bigger. photo credit: Hank Schyma photo credit: Hank Schyma MaM: Tell us where all you chase, how you decide where and what to chase, and what happens after destruction settles? What do you and your team do? PH: Most of the time, I chase alone anywhere from North Dakota to South Texas, Thailand to Australia. For two weeks a year, I join Dr. Anton Seimon’s scientific field operations team hoping to gather data that helps us understand [more about] tornadoes. Anytime we see destruction where human life may be impacted, we try to assist any way we can. Sometimes it’s just letting victims use our phones, and other times we are driving them to hospitals. MaM: Will you ever stop playing music or chasing tornadoes? PH: Only if I’m physically incapable. MaM: What’s the harmony you’ve found between making music and chasing tornadoes? PH: I score all my nature videos with my own music. Who’da thunk you’d sell way more records chasing tornadoes than touring? MaM: What’s next on the Pecos Hank agenda? PH: It’s 6 a.m. Time to go to bed. MaM: Okay, okay, haha. Tell people how they can find and keep up with you? PH: Just google 'tornado.' And he’s not kidding. Pecos Hank is everywhere accompanying the word tornado . For more on this music, snake, and tornado-wrangling cowboy, and for more on Southern Backtones, you can find all your heart desires by stopping by any of the below-listed sites. www.PecosHank.com Youtube @PecosHank Instagram @PecosHank Facebook @PecosHankOfficial Twitter @PecosHank Youtube @SouthernBacktones Instagram @SouthernBacktones Facebook @SouthernBacktones www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Alabama Smoke Show proves that the future of music in Huntsville is bright! < Back Off The Charts: Alabama Smoke Show Bud Gambrell Aug 1, 2024 Share Alabama Smoke Show proves that the future of music in Huntsville is bright! On June 20, 2024, I booked a photography gig for the Alabama Smoke Show at the VBC Mars Music Hall in Huntsville, Alabama . At that time, I wasn't sure what it would be. I thought that I was booking just another show. To my surprise, this was more than just another show. As I looked closer at the lineup, I saw some familiar names. Several artists I knew were playing. You may have become familiar with Brandon Elder in my last article, and you’ll hear more from him in this piece. Yours truly arrived early to learn more about the Alabama Smoke Show, where I found my way backstage to spend time with old friends and make some new ones. Of course, one of the people I had to hunt down was my new friend, Brandon Elder. After my last article on Brandon , our paths crossed several more times in public. Isn't it wild how life works sometimes? I pulled Brandon aside first and asked his view on The Alabama Smoke Show. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Brandon, what have you been up to since we last spoke? BE : Man, I'm just gigging and trying to stay out there. I've been looking forward to this show! OTC : For those who may not know, tell us what the Alabama Smoke Show is. BE : So, I think this is the first year that they've done the Smoke Show, and it's just a lot of local, good guys just coming together and trying to put some country music together that people will enjoy. It's also a chance for all the local artists that play to take a breath for a minute and get to hang out and just have a night together. We don't get to see each other a whole lot. We all know each other, but we never see each other. We're all playing at different venues, so the Alabama Smoke Show is where we can get together, have a good night, and play music. OTC : There is a lot of talent on that stage tonight. What does it mean to you to be playing on that stage tonight? BE : Honestly, I'm just happy to be here! Most of the guys who will be on stage tonight are buddies of mine. There are only a couple of them that I have never met. Three of them went to the same high school I went to, so it's fun to be with these guys who share my interests, enjoy the music, and have a good time. As I was hanging out backstage talking to the artists, I managed to find the organizer for the Smoke Show. When I learned who it was and dug deeper, I was surprised by a few things, mainly his age. At 18 years old, Jonah Evans put together The Alabama Smoke Show. Unbelievable. Jonah organized the event, booked the bands, and sang in the headlining band. He has been super busy leading up to the Smoke Show. OTC : What led you to want to organize The Alabama Smoke Show? JE : I'd say there are just a lot of young guys in Huntsville, in the North Alabama area, that people have turned their heads to because we're, you know, we're young. We should be heard because we are talented musicians, and I think we can hang with pretty much anybody. I want to let it be known. OTC : How did you decide on the artists to invite? JE : We opened for 5ive O'clock Charlie in Falkville, so I've been friends with Mike for about two years, and he told me he had a son named Jude. And then I knew Dylan through Jude because they were in a band called the Debriefers. Brandon and I went to the same elementary and high schools. I found Caleb on TikTok and became good friends with him. Then Dawson Slade I saw him on American Idol . He's my age, and he's good! And then Kade Pierce hit me on Facebook a while ago and wanted to write something. He's got some pretty dad-gum good songs, so I'll have him out for the writer's round. And then came Kam [Jones] , who was big in the Huntsville scene, and Jude told me I must get this guy because he's got some pretty good songs, too. I love original music, so anybody who can write a good song will like it, and I will try to help them out the best I can. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Now, Jonah, walk me through the process and the time it took to put this all together. JE : OK, I had this big show idea about a month and a half ago for a prominent global young artist showcase, and I wanted it to include everyone young and coming up—you know, the next generation of young Huntsville staples. I tried everywhere I thought would say yes, and my last shot was the Von Braun Center . I just sent the email, man, and it went straight from there. OTC : You must be kidding me! With this much talent, this show took only a month and a half to assemble. JE : Yeah, that was a month and a half of work. I did a lot of behind-the-scenes work, but we sold out the whole top row about an hour after tickets went on sale. It'll have a bigger turnout next year. I know it. Don't get me wrong, it was a great turnout this year, especially for something only advertised for a month, but I anticipate bigger crowds. The plan is to get a date down in December next year, and we'll have a lot more time to advertise. Credit: Bud Gambrell While I was hanging out backstage, I ran into Bill Neal. Our ventures are similar because we both aim to promote artists and music. Bill runs a podcast called Pickletato . Trust me on this. It is a fun podcast. I will leave a link at the end of the story. OTC : Bill, tell me what you are doing tonight representing the Pickletato podcast. BN : So, tonight was the first time we went live. We were going to go live on YouTube, but we had some technical issues we weren't prepared for. We tried testing this out two or three days ago but couldn't get YouTube to work for reasons beyond our control. We were able to go live on Facebook , though. We just wanted to show people familiar with us some backstage stuff happening and get people out here for the Alabama Smoke Show . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-KtaobRGSU OTC : What is the overall goal for your podcast? BN : The overall goal is to get the podcast as big as possible. Once again, it's not selfish; the reason is that when somebody comes on the podcast, we want them to be exposed as much as possible. We're not getting any income from this. It's all on us. That shows people that we're not doing it to become Joe Rogan or anything like that. The main goal for the editor and I is that when we bring someone on the show, it will show their talent and story. OTC : Tell me how Pickletato began and why you do it. BN : My son and I discussed it in October and November 2023. Something happened to me that made me think, man, I know many people who have some great stories, and I needed to get these people out there because they should be famous for their actions. Some of their stories are just phenomenal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0fqrDyKE2A OTC : After launching it, have you changed how you produce the podcast? BN : If you compare the first season to what we're doing now regarding the intros, the outros, and the editing, the video is much better than it was in the first season. It has turned into something that we're proud of. So, we initially talked to a couple of people around here. 'Hey man, I want to start a podcast, but I want to do it because I want to get your story out there.' We just started talking to people, and they agreed. We didn't want any money, while we didn't have any money. After the first season, we're like, man, we got some excellent stories here. Let's step our game up with each season. So, for the second season, we invested in better cameras, and this season, we did some lighting, so we're deep into it now. Regarding funding, we're still not monetized on YouTube or anything. We're doing it independently to get people's stories out there. It's not about us. It's about the people we're interviewing, and that's the big reason why we're doing it. Credit: Bud Gambrell A couple of the band members I was familiar with were the singer and guitarists for The Alabama Heathens . I first met Jude Roberts through his father, Mike. Mike is a long-time staple in the Huntsville Music Scene. Off The Charts may have an article coming up sometime in the future that will feature Mike. While backstage, I pulled Dylan and Jude aside from the band The Debriefers because I had previously met them while filming a music video for another well-known local band. We had a great conversation; read more below. OTC : Jude, what does it mean to you to share the stage with all this talent at Mars Music Hall ? JR : I'm honored to be able to play on this stage. I've seen a lot of acts that I look up to on that stage, like Gov't Mule . I've seen Drive-By Truckers , Gary Clark Jr. , and Primus . All these big-name acts have shared this stage, and I'm honored to be able to share it. It is truly an honor! If you told me a year ago that I'd be playing in Mars Music Hall, I would have called you crazy! OTC : What do you like most about the life of a musician, and what do you like the least? JR : The music! It doesn't matter if you've had a bad day. But if I have a terrible day and go practice or play a gig, that makes me feel better because it's what I love to do. I wouldn't trade it for anything else. Driving home from Muscle Shoals at 3:00 in the morning is not very fun, though. OTC : What was the funniest thing that happened to you while you were on stage? JR : At a frat party in Birmingham, AL, I was playing, and somebody came up and licked my guitar mid-solo. I continued to play, and it was getting licked simultaneously. And then, not even five minutes later, you see them vomiting across the floor. I did not let him lick my guitar again. OTC : I’m not sure what to say to that. That is an insane story. (laughs) Dylan, what does it mean to you to be playing here tonight? DJ : Man, it feels great! We're stoked to get this opportunity. We never thought we'd be here this soon. All my idols have been here, so it's very special to me. It means a lot! I'm stoked! Alabama Heathens have been a band for about a year, so closing out our big July run by playing at Mars Music Hall is very special! OTC : What got you into music? DJ : I listened to records. When I was growing up, my father always had some music on the record player. OTC : What is it about music that makes you feel passion? DJ : The energy of the songwriting. If you hear an in-depth songwriter, you can almost feel like you've walked in their shoes. Credit: Bud Gambrell As we approached showtime, I asked Brandon Elder about his mental preparation for a performance. OTC : Do you follow a process or ritual to prepare for the stage? BE : You would need more time to put it in the article. (laughs) I'm just kidding. I can tell you what we've done all day. We sound-checked, and once everybody finished sound-checking, we had some pizza and then wrote a song. We hung out and jammed, had a few beers, and had fun with the day and the event. OTC : You all wrote a song backstage? Tell me a little about it or who was involved. BE : Every artist in the Alabama Smoke Show was in the room. It was a song that I had had an idea for. I had four lines written for the song. We were bouncing the ideas off each other, and I said, hey, I got this song, and everybody liked it, and we just rolled with it. It's not finished, but it's close, so hopefully, you'll hear that soon. Credit: Bud Gambrell Later in the evening, Brandon asked me if I wanted to hear a new song. You know I did! Honestly, I had no idea what I was about to hear. Brandon , accompanied by fiddle player Joanne Moger , began to play a song called House Divided for me . I am glad no one took a picture of me during that song because you would have seen my jaw all the way on the ground! It was a fantastic song, and I hope you will hear it soon. Be on the lookout! Backstage was like a cast of characters, and I loved every moment. Another musician I was previously familiar with was Kam Jones . Kam is a songwriter in Huntsville. He can be found playing in town solo or with his full band. I have enjoyed seeing both, and he is truly remarkable. I swore I wouldn't tell this part of the night, but why not? Before I started my recorder to do the interview, Kam twisted my arm. I mean, he had it twisted high and tight to do a shot of whiskey with him. I tried to say no, but he insisted. Ok, maybe he didn’t have to twist my arm all that much. Read on below. OTC : Kam, tell me a little about the Alabama Smoke Show from your perspective. KJ : Jonah approached me to do this, as did everybody else. As far as I know, this was an idea that he put together. It is his brainchild. He's gathered some incredibly talented songwriters and performers here tonight to put on a hell of a show. OTC : Now, Kam, you have already played your set. Tell me what it was like up there. KJ : It was very joyous and a lot of fun! I felt like I had some good friends up there, and we were having a good time. Everything was light and loose! OTC : Do you have anything coming up that you would like to tell us about? KJ : My single, ' Southern Weather, ' is coming out on August 28th, and I'll be all over town in the meantime. OTC : Where can we find the new single? KJ : You can find it anywhere you listen to music. My grandmother says Spoofify, but it's called Spotify . At first sight, the Alabama Smoke Show could have been brushed aside by most fans due to the age of the musicians. Please take my word for it: this event had the caliber of seasoned artists way beyond their years. Hopefully, this will be an annual event; I will watch for the dates if it returns next year. It's not often that I get to hang out backstage. My role as a photographer is usually at the front of the house or in the pit, but tonight, I arrived early to hang out backstage and talk to the artists I knew, and I’m glad I did. I encountered a remarkable group of people, and I can’t thank them enough for talking with me. After the night, one conclusion was clear: Huntsville has always been rich in talent. The youth on stage proved that the legacy and future of Huntsville's Music Scene are safe. The rising stars who performed at Mars Music Hall will carry the music torch in Huntsville for years. I know it. Thank you for stopping by and staying with me for this latest edition of Off the Charts ! As always, please drop me an email with your thoughts. Please tell me what you like or dislike about the column and articles. You may even have an idea for a future article; email me . Somebody, please send me an email. Getting an email up and running costs millions of dollars, and mine needs to be used! Just kidding. It didn’t cost millions, but I have your attention now. I would like to hear from you! Reach out! Help me shine a light on all our great talents in Alabama and beyond! Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com Website: https://bgambrellphotography.com Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tzk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell Where to find Brandon Elder: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandoneldermusic/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandoneldermusic/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xiJP2U4qbFDWoD9ebOpZA Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/brandon-elder/1004631456 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BrandonElderMusic Where to find Jonah Evans: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jonah-evans/1702943396 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jonahevansmusic?si=EY9zEUUSaQgt4foQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonah.evans.144/about_details Where to find Kam Jones: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamljonesmusic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KamLJones?mibextid=ZbWKwL TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kam.jones.music?_t=8oUF4fCuewY&_r=1 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@kamjonesmusic?si=MH1qp_8gSbPIAQqr Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eCCb48zuqQN57fKgNjd8F?si=EmjLMVSiTBiI4dWYMGJJ_g Where to find The Alabama Heathens: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/99-miles/1705293419?i=1705293420 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3yif0RCKe3Oy7h2ow6hQFn?si=MpTR10vwQB6OPW_eb8Sg0A Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealabamaheathens/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551809874041 Where to find Jude Roberts: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juderoberts290/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069812147038 Where to find Dylan Johnson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanjohnson.music/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/H0fqrDyKE2A?si=oQwEftT1Beyu_f8l Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100060446756708 Where to find Pickletato: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pickletato Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555703570599 pickletato@proton.me Instagram: Pickletato (@therealpickletato) • Instagram photos and videos Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Finally getting the treatment it deserves in a gorgeous new edition from Criterion Collection < Back Chilly Scenes of Winter: The Cult Classic Returns from Obscurity Shaun Corley Jul 27, 2023 Share Finally getting the treatment it deserves in a gorgeous new edition from Criterion Collection Chilly Scenes of Winter , directed by Joan Micklin Silver , is a romantic comedy—of sorts. On the surface, it has all the trappings of a rom-com: Man meets woman and quickly falls in love with her; the woman does not return the affections, leading the man to try and win her over. This plot has been done to death in movies, but Chilly Scenes of Winter elevates itself above the crowd by subverting tropes every step of the way. Hard to come by, the film has been released in a gorgeous new edition from the esteemed Criterion Collection. Chilly Scenes of Winter , based on the Ann Beattie novel of the same name, focuses on love, marriage, and 1970’s lifestyles. The film had a somewhat checkered production history. As recounted on one of the disc’s splendid special features, producers and actors Mark Metcalf ( National Lampoon’s Animal House ), Amy Robinson ( Julie & Julia ), and Griffin Dunne ( This Is Us ) purchased the film rights to the novel. Micklin, who had read the novel and heard the trio had procured the film rights, asked to direct, and they said yes. Released initially through United Artists in 1979 under the less-than-creative title Head Over Heels , the film was a commercial flop. Part of this can be attributed to United Artist’s indifference to the film, as well as meddling from studio executives. United Artists also were not sure how to market the film, running an ad campaign that portrayed it as a zany romance story—and it is anything but. However, in 1982, United Artists—through their new United Artists Classics line—decided to give Chilly Scenes of Winter another try. The film’s original producers, as well as Micklin, were given the chance to make the movie they wanted but were unable to in 1979, and all they had to do was cut the original ending. This new version of the movie was much more successful with critics and has become a cult film. Boutique label Twilight Time released a Blu-ray edition in 2017, which is now out of print; the film has never streamed on any major services either. Thankfully, the Criterion Collection has come to the rescue, saving Chilly Scenes of Winter from obscurity by giving it the loving treatment it deserves. On the back of the package, Criterion calls Chilly Scenes of Winter an “anti-romantic comedy,” and that is an apt description. Charles (John Heard, of Big and Home Alone ), is a civil servant living in Salt Lake City. He meets Laura (Mary Beth Hurt, of Lady in the Water ) while at work and becomes smitten with her, as she is temporarily separated from her husband. Over the next few weeks, Charles and Laura develop a relationship that comes to an end when Laura decides to return to her husband Ox, played by producer Mark Metcalf. Charles cannot accept the relationship is over, or that it was even much to start with, and becomes obsessed with her to a point modern audiences may find a little uneasy to accept. It is a testament to Heard’s acting that viewers can still find a shred of sympathy for Charles, even when he is clearly in the wrong. Part of Chilly Scenes of Winter ’s appeal is that practically everyone has been in a situation where they were in love with someone who did not reciprocate. Charles is in love with Laura; Laura, on the other hand, is still uncertain about her place in the world after leaving her husband. Laura is confused, as is Charles—he cannot see their relationship is doomed from the start. Mary Beth Hurt plays Laura perfectly and viewers can see, even in their most loving and passionate moments, a spark of uncertainty about her, as if she is not 100 percent into this relationship. The film’s original ending skewed this ambiguity, opting for something more palatable to mainstream audiences. When Chilly Scenes of Winter was re-released in 1982, the original ending was cut, giving the film a still somehow more satisfying conclusion. Criterion has included the original ending as part of its supplementary features, allowing viewers to make up their own minds on which one is better. Other supplements on the disc include new interviews with Chilly Scenes of Winter ’s production team, as well as a 2005 interview with Mecklin. The two features complement each other well and are a joy to watch, as the creative teams behind the movie share their tragedies and triumphs working on it. The film was clearly a labor of love on the part of everyone in front and behind the camera, and it shows both in the finished product and the disc’s supplemental features. Forty-four years after its first release, Chilly Scenes of Winter continues to resonate with audiences. Its themes are universal, and they continually topple tropes of the romantic comedy genre. Its DNA can be found in movies such as High Fidelity, Her , and many other subversive romantic comedies. Long hard to find, the Criterion Collection has brought it back into print in an amazing new edition, which you can find here . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6wjmt0vWsQ Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, but they're far outnumbered by comic books and the smell of rich mahogany lingering in the air. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Trust Them 'Cuz They're Young, Talented, and Handsome < Back SaxKixAve: Much More Better C.G. Smith Jan 18, 2023 Share Trust Them 'Cuz They're Young, Talented, and Handsome Most musicians are lucky to have one successful project. In a world where there are anywhere from 50,000-100,000 songs being released every day, the market is oversaturated and the chances of breaking through this noise are harder than ever. Musicians who actually do break through and have any kind of success with one group is a rarity, let alone those who can take on and do well with multiple musical projects. New Orleans duo SaxKixAve is comprised of award-winning rapper Alfred Banks and Albert Allenback , saxophonist and flutist of the twice Grammy-nominated group Tank and the Bangas . These two artists are plenty busy with their main gigs, but thanks to the suggestion of Tavia Osbey, manager of Alfred and of Tank and the Bangas, that the two work together at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, these artists started a side project that is truly something special. Their first record, “ I Don’t Wear Suits ”, was released in April 2020 and is a celebration of this collaboration, and the duo has been performing those songs in front of live audiences whenever they can find the time to do so. SaxKixAve is currently finishing up their follow-up record, and I was lucky enough to be able to have them both over to chat about that, about how they make this project work with their busy schedule, and about some of the band’s highlights so far. MaM : I’ve heard a couple different versions of what “kix’ed” this all off. How did this insane, wonderful experiment begin? Albert : Well, Tavia—the manager of Tank and the Bangas and the engine, the logistic and business/life-path mind behind it all—hit me up and said [Alfred] was looking for beats. She said, ‘I know you make beats. Let’s get you in the studio together and see what happens.’ Alfred : It was great … I like Alby. He’s good money. We crack wild jokes. He sent me an email of beats, I picked one, I wrote to it, knock this one out. It was right when COVID hit. So yeah, I got in the studio with this dude, [and] we laughed for about three or four hours before we even started really recording. I thought, ‘This is a good guy.’ We recorded ‘Tawny’ and I guess he liked what I did. I loved it, and we just kinda kept goin’, kept goin’, kept goin’. Then it was like, ‘Hey man, you wanna make this a thing?’ Albert : It was like a 'Step Brothers' moment. Alfred : Yeah! He was like, ‘Yeah!’ I was like, ‘Aight.’ [sic] Albert : Are we in a band? Alfred : Are we a band?! Albert : Yeah, I think so! Alfred : (to Albert) Do you remember how we came up with the name? I know we joke about it. Albert : I remember us opening a Word document and trying out different fonts and stuff. I don’t think we tried it phonetically. I don’t think we ever would have tried this dumpster fire of a phonetic pronunciation—have you ever tried to say it fast? Albert then attempts to say the band name SaxKixAve quickly several times in a row. Albert : No, it’s terrible. Why did we do this? Maybe we should shorten it to SKA and say we’re bringing ska back and hire a trombone player. (laughter) Alfred : Definitely. Nah, I think this is one of the best things I think I’ve ever done. I enjoy this so much. In 2018, Banks was named "Best Hip-Hop Artist" at the Best of the Beat, presented by New Orleans' premier music publication, Offbeat Magazine . He followed that up with the 2019 Big Easy Award for Best Rapper, presented by Gambit Weekly . credit: Gary Governale MaM : It’s opened you up. Not just personally but creatively, too. You’re now singing a little bit. Alfred : Definitely. [Singing] was something I always wanted to do, but I didn’t really have the producer to help bring it out in the right way that would make me sound good, because my voice doesn’t have a lot of range. I can hit some notes but not too crazy. So, someone [who] could make something that could make me sound even better than I am … I think Albert does that. Rapping to shit I wouldn’t normally rap over—he’s down to go there with me. He’s down to do some really wild stuff, and I’m down to at least try and see what happens. In 2020, the two performed live as a duo for the first time at an Onbeat Session for Offbeat Magazine filmed at Loyola University. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiYRqaIQaDc Alfred : That was the very first time we had ever performed together, ever. How nerve-wracking was that?! Albert : It was terrifying. Alfred : I was scared out of my mind. Albert : (to Alfred) Doing this thing with you, having to do it live and perform the songs, I’ve become a much better piano player the past two years, and you don’t put a lot of pressure on me. We don’t put a lot of pressure on each other. Alfred : I don’t know how to read music. I’m not about to insult or critique someone when I don’t even know what you’re doing. Albert : I’m not a rapper—I’ve tried. It’s more difficult than it looks! (from the album “I Don’t Wear Suits”): MaM : So, have Albert’s rapping skills have gotten better? Alfred : I think Albert has more skills than he thinks. Maybe he couldn’t be a ‘rapper’ rapper, but (to Albert) you’re a good writer. You might not have rapper swag per se, but you could rap. Albert : I could deliver it, but it might not be believable when attached to a body—MY body. (laughter) Alfred : (to Albert) You really understand how songs go. He’s a dope-ass writer outside of being a musician. Albert : I just got [sic] to say this: As my rapping skills have improved, so, too, have Alfred’s declined. (laughter) It’s perfectly even, the way things have gone down. It’s more of a parasitic thing. (to Alfred) I think I’m stealing your rap life force. (laughter) MaM : Your songs have a wonderful mix of silly and serious. What’s y’all’s vision for what SaxKixAve is now and what it can be in the future? Albert : I think we want to have this digestible funny thing, because we’re both naturally funny and when we get up on stage, we’re not sure what it is, but something happens between us that generates what people have been calling entertainment. (Alfred breaks out in laughter.) Some sort of passable thing happens. We want it to be funny, but we want the funny to help communicate. Our natural state is tinged with melancholy. Our natural state is more depressive … more low energy. So, if we have this high-impact thing that’s kind of funny, then we can get in things; there's no other way to say this: We laugh so we don’t cry. It’s something that I’ve … learned watching Tank—how do you interface with the audience? You can be doing the best stuff in the world, but if you have any contempt or if you’re just holding the spoon of baby food out of reach of a toddler, that’s just rude. You should interface with the crowd so you can get it to them. We want this mix of goofy so we can be ultra-serious, and we want to be ultra serious so the funny stuff is even funnier. Alfred : I disagree with everything he just said. I’m here for the money. (More laughter ensues.) Alfred : We’re both very serious. We’re both really good at what we do—like, obnoxiously good at what we do. In the back of my mind, it’s about making how good we are palatable. Sometimes being really good can push people away like it’s not even relatable. I think the comedy takes the edge off. It’s like, ‘Let’s just vibe and have fun. Some of it is just on the cuff, but we give ourselves that room. In our other situations, there’s a lot of structure. For us, the future, people are going to hear … the music is going to be even much more better [sic] than it is now. More jokes. It’s just going to be unapologetically amazing. Albert : SaxKixAve: much more better [sic]. Alfred : That’s grammatically correct. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Was there a moment when you both knew you had something? Alfred : That [first] recording session. I always tell that story [about the song] ‘Tawny’ when I say [the word] crib. [Albert] was like, ‘Dude, can you yell ‘crib'?’ and I was like ‘What?’ Albert : Like 15 times. Alfred : I had to yell it and I was like, ‘Why am I doing this? This is stupid.’ Then he played it back and I was like, ‘Oh … yeah.’ That was the first time I trusted him. (to Albert) When did you feel like we had something?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLpjIRY0OuU Albert : When I knew we had something was when it was backed up by a crowd. I think we were doing Tip’s (Tipitina’s) or something. You said a few things in a row that I didn’t find very funny, but people were losing their minds. They were also losing their minds with the songs, and I was like, ‘What’s happening?’ There are things that only happen once per show [like] Alfred [going] off on this freestyle thing; we usually do this at the show. He’ll just freestyle rap for, like, five minutes. You’ve seen it: People hold up stuff out of their pockets [for him to rap about]. As I see the crowds more and more, I’m just like, ‘Wow, well let’s just be honest and a little unsure of ourselves, because apparently somebody likes that.’ MaM : Your dynamic—when you come together, it’s something you wouldn’t expect, I think, from seeing you both in your respective projects. It just works somehow. Alfred : I think that shit’s amazing, too. That Tav (Manager Tavia) ... maybe she didn’t see SaxKixAve, but she just thought we’d do good together. I don’t see Al all the time. We’re both doing our own thing, but every time I see him it’s like we were just hanging out yesterday. I don’t know if it’s because of our same sense of humor—the way that we’ve come to some recent discoveries about ourselves, but we just gel really well. (to Albert) Outside of the music, I can actually hang with you; that comes through, too. [Another] moment I knew we had something was [during a show] when the mic cord came out, I put [it] back in maybe halfway through the verse, and I finished the song. We had another song after that, but I was like, ‘Yo, Al, audible, play a beat.’ I freestyled about me f**kin’ up, and the crowd lost their minds. I was like, ‘Yeah, we got somethin’ here. I don’t think we can lose. This is incredible.’ That shit was dope. (to Albert) What was the first big show we did? I think when we did Performance Inception ... when you opened for yourself? Albert : Yeah! When SaxKixAve opened for Tank and the Bangas at one of The Broadside shows [last year]. Alfred : That was the first time I think Tank and the Bangas had [sic] saw us. When they came back and said, ‘You guys are amazing,’ I was like, ‘Yeah, we’re lit. We are LIT.’ credit: Gary Governale Albert is known for wearing short shorts all the time. MaM : Albert, is it hard for you to be behind the keys when people can’t see the full leg action? Albert : We’ve been workshopping methods to get around that, talking about maybe having a video feed that’s right under the piano, directly pointed at the legs and maybe running some sort of monitor behind Alfred so it’s just my knees constantly while he raps. Alfred : (to Albert) I know you’re joking, dude, but I’ll tell you this: You know what everybody says? They don’t even talk about your bun first; they talk about your legs. I’m not even joking. Everybody [sic] like, ‘Dude, the guy with the legs.’ MaM : I hear you’re working on your next record. Is there a title for it? What can we expect? Will it be similar to the first one? Alfred : There IS a title . (to Albert) Are you cool with that? Albert : Let’s do it! Alfred : (begins to count down) One, two, three … Albert : Wait, on three or right after three? Alfred : Like, ON three. One, two, three: Albert’s legs. (laughter) Albert : Ahhh! Sorry, ok, ok … Go!” Both together : One, two, three … ‘Nectarine Peels.’ Albert : Yes, we know you don’t peel nectarines, [and] we address [that]. MaM : It makes people think, and that’s the point. Alfred : (laughing) It’s provocative, man. Albert : It actually came from a text message. (to Alfred) Didn’t you just send the words nectarine peels or something? I was like, ‘Nectarine Peels?’ Alfred : Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! Albert : So, I said it has a kind of a ring to it. It seems to mean something, and then immediately I went and wrote this little melody and song at the piano when I got that text. I sent it to Alfred the next day. We’ve taken it to mean a whole lot of things thematically. A big part of it is ambition and its corrosive effects on how we think people see us, how we see ourselves, how we want people to see us, and how we want to see ourselves. That’s one of the main themes of it. I think we’ve made some of our best songs ever. It’s about the same runtime [as ‘I Don’t Wear Suits’], but there’s six real songs. Alfred : I feel like the first project, as great as it is, it was us figuring it out. I think for this one, it’s like, ‘Okay, this is dope, but how do we refine it?’ Keep it us, keep it funny, keep it light or, in some instances, not even as light. We have a song where we switch the topic seven times within the song … switch the energy. We kind of have an idea of what we are now. credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, no sophomore slump, then? Albert : I think this [album] is way better. We’ll see if people like it, but we have this thing: We love dance music, and we love old school hip-hop. So, we kind of find this thing—we have this sliding scale between boom bap and dance sometimes, and it’s really cool. You see little seeds of that on ‘I Don’t Wear Suits.’ We’re putting the very final touches on it. We’re almost completely finished. We’ve got great features: Mega Ran is on this, Pell is on this, LeTrainiump is on this, HaSizzle’s on this … Alfred : Who else is on there? Albert : Is that it, or is there one more? Alfred : I think Albert Allenback is on it. (laughter) Albert : There’s a fledgling rapper named Lyriqs da Lyraciss from New Orleans, and he’s on this record. Alfred's original rap name was Lyriqs da Lyraciss. Alfred : Bless his little heart. That guy, that guy left us around 2015. Bless his little heart. Albert : That was the first rapper I ever sent beats to. He left me unread. credit: Gary Governale Albert explains how he first tried to work with Alfred back in January of 2014. Albert : I’d been making beats for, like, two months but you couldn’t tell me they weren’t the greatest thing in the world. So, I sent him this impassioned paragraph about how I’m studying music at UNO (University of New Orleans): ‘Here, I made these beats, they’re real songs, and they’re great. Here’s nine of them. Check these out. I don’t use any samples.’ I wrote this to a prospective business partner [and] said, ‘I don’t use any samples. I make THESE biscuits from scratch.’ Alfred replied, ‘Word.’ Alfred : Yeah, I’m bad with that. So, here’s a little secret about me: I get overwhelmed really fast. I get about 20 to 30 DMs a day, and I can’t let one go unanswered. (to Albert) I’m just very bad with that, right? I’m the worst with that. Albert : But you’ve gotten better. You set much better boundaries now, and I’m proud of you. Alfred : I’m trying. Let me ask you a question, Albert: How did you hear me? Albert : I think it was this list in Gambit [Weekly]: the five worst rappers you need to avoid. Alfred : I was number three. Albert : You were all five! (Laughter ensues.) Alfred : I’ve just always wanted to know how you found me. Albert : Must have been someone from UNO shared a video or something. I honestly do not remember how I became your friend or followed you. You were constantly updating your status. MaM : His social game is on point. credit: Gary Governale Albert : It still is to this day! Alfred is just a fountain that you just put digital cups in front of and he says, ‘Here, take more, my child.’ I don’t have that. My fountain is not on. Alfred : It’s out of necessity. It won’t get done otherwise. I want to be successful. I don’t have money, so I don’t have a person promoting me all the time. So, I literally have to promote myself all the time. So, I just have to respond to that message. It can’t go unread. Albert : (to Alfred) I learn a lot from you, self-promotion-wise. I feel embarrassed and goofy just to be here sometimes. Just to be on planet Earth. I think there’s a lot of people like me. You’re going to post the thing you love to do and for some reason, you feel like it doesn’t matter. It can be some huge stuff and for some reason, we get in our heads and self-consciously you feel like it doesn’t matter, no one cares, but that’s not true. Alfred : (to Albert) I admire you about how much you detach yourself from it. I think that’s the illest shit ever, because I could never be that way and I admire someone that can. Albert : You inspire me. Like, when we make a video or a skit or something, or make an announcement, the only reason it gets done or posted with any kind of schedule or intensity or intention or commitment is because I feel obligated to live up to what you got [sic] goin’ on. So, I really appreciate your help in sharing more and feeling less embarrassed about self-promoting. I come from that tradition of people of ‘don’t talk about yourself too much.’ Alfred : One of the main things of this group, I really want people to know Albert Allenback as a solo act. I want people to know him because he’s really good. I just want people to know this motherfu**er is amazing. Drop your nuts, Cuz! Albert : Well, thank you. I will take that into consideration when it comes time to lower my testicles. credit: Gary Governale MaM : You both have your successful projects. How do you find time to do SaxKixAve? Is it just those slivers of free time? Albert : Yep, when we can; that’s the only way. We have conversations. We’re like, ‘Hey, you know what? I still really like you, still like doing this, but I’m busy right now.’ We’re really good at being able to keep a good, professional relationship. We’re close, but I think maybe there’s a part of us—some internal kill switch—that doesn’t let us get too close or something? It works really well. Alfred : (to Albert) I respect you and your time. I think one of the things you did early on was lay the boundaries of your time. I think I did that very early, too. I respect that. I know that when you’re running with Tank and the Bangas, you’re busy as shit. When I’m dolo, I’m busy as shit. We both respect each other’s time. So, when we HAVE time, I try to be as malleable as possible, given his schedule. I do a lot of shit, but I do have a little bit more free time than he has. So, I’m like, ‘Yo, when you free?’ ‘I’m free here.’ Done. Albert : That is how it goes. That is true, and you text back FAST. Alfred : That bitch always [sic] in my hand! credit: Gary Governale credit: Gary Governale MaM : There’s a lot of artistic freedom in SaxKixAve. How do you keep from floating away into the creative stratosphere with this, because it seems like opportunities are limitless. What keeps you both grounded and productive? Alfred : We do have some form of an outline of what we expect from each other. We go into the studio with this blank canvas. It’s not huge though. It’s a nice-sized canvas that we can throw a bunch of shit at and scrape off the paint that doesn’t work. We aren’t just throwing darts at the wall and seeing what sticks.” Albert : Fortunately, we know that we can do a lot of things, but I think we’ve also seen enough people try to do too many things. We have made a concerted effort to at least make an attempt to identify what we do the best That keeps us in the same bowling lane. Alfred : Definitely. Otherwise, you start making all kinds of weird shit. Not the good weird but that bad weird. That Chris Cornell and Timbaland-weird stuff. MaM : Things that just shouldn’t exist. What have been some highlights on stage so far? Alfred : So, a guy at Tipitina’s was saying my job (freestyling to things people hold up) was easy because people bring out the same things, and I was like, ‘Dude, I can literally freestyle about anything.’ Albert : (to Alfred) He was giving you shit because, ‘You can prepare for a phone and a lighter, and a comb, and keys.’ Alfred : So, I was like, ‘Go ahead, do whatever.’ I didn’t know that they had got [sic] together because Albert, him, and one other person were just pulling shit onstage, and I just knocked it out every single time they brought something out. That was one of the bigger eruptions we’d had. Albert : We had a Shop Vac, and a dolly, a partition, and a barricade … Alfred : … an ice chest, an orange cone. I just freestyled. The reaction of the crowd … felt good. French Quarter Fest was, by far, top five of my favorite shows I’ve done with you. Albert : Yeah. We had a drummer; it was great. Alfred : The story behind the set is so crazy. Albert : Oh yeah. It was horrible rain, and we weren’t gonna’ get to do the set. Pell stayed, but HaSizzle and LeTrainiump were gonna sit in with us and the rain messed everything up. Everyone else had other stuff to do, but then they let us do like 35 or 40 minutes and that was amazing. One of my favorites was from that Tip’s show as well. It was either a girls’ weekend or a bachelorette party—I couldn’t read the t-shirts—but they did NOT like us. First of all, we came out to this song of Alfred’s called ‘Too Much,’ which is a beat I made, and it is entirely his fault for picking it. (Albert laughs) It’s a wild, ecstatic, frenzied beat—wild music—and we came out to that hard. We came out swinging; we were spinning around and jumping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p-_D-Kh6X8 There were eight to 10 older women in matching sequence and t-shirts, who just wanted to celebrate Karen or whatever. They were not having it with us. I pointed them out and said, ‘Hey, I know we came out swinging, but we’ll get you back.’ By Alfred’s freestyle, they were into it and having a great time. My other favorite: We played a show [at a gallery] and there was a drum set up on stage. Alfred was doing his freestyle, so I grabbed a cymbal and walked it into the crowd, held it up, and Alfred rapped about it. I didn’t put it back, which is what got me in trouble. This drum set belonged to a kid at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts), and this 14-year-old kid came up to me after the set and he was pretty pissed. He wanted to fight me. I felt more like I related to him than anything because when I was 14, if you had touched my saxophone, I’d be like, ‘What the f**k is wrong with you? Where do you get off touching my shit?’ So, I understand, but it was funny because this fourteen-year-old kid really wanted to fight me because I moved his cymbal. Something clicked where I knew I was now an adult, because I didn’t feel like I was another fourteen-year-old being dressed down; I felt like I was able to take my lick. ‘Hey, you know what? I’m actually sorry and I understand why you feel that way, and I shouldn’t have touched your shit without asking.’ credit: Gary Governale MaM : I know y’all have jokes. What’s your favorite joke right now? Albert : What’s the difference between a chickpea and a garbanzo bean? (Silence for a few moments as the joke goes over my head.) I’ve never had a garbanzo bean on my face. (Much laughter ensues.) Alfred : There’s no way I could ever top that. MaM : Your social media videos are pretty funny. Do you guys sketch them out before you do them, or do you just hit record and go? Alfred : Definitely sketch them out. Albert : We fancy ourselves, against our better judgement, as some sort of amateur sketch comedy team. We are NOT. That’s why we make music. Listen, we’re musicians first; we’re not Saturday Night Live writers, okay? This is a means to an end. Don’t hold us accountable for this. A lot of our videos are Alfred doing funnier shit in the moment than either of us could’ve come up with just writing it out. Alfred : Yeah, those videos are great. I think we’ve had two go viral. You know its popular when you get those assholes that are like, ‘This shit isn’t even really that funny.’ Those trolls. It’s like, ‘Yes! We did it, baby!’ (laughs) Albert : At least they feel something. We spend much more time than we’d care to admit coming up with these. Alfred : I really enjoy doing it. I don’t enjoy it as much as the music, but I do enjoy creating because we both have funny shit in our head, and we live in a time we can legit act it out. Albert : And it feels like a break from the music. It feels like going into woodworking or something. There’s no pressure on this. I’m just building a cabinet; I’m not making my life’s work, which is what the music can feel like sometimes. You have to step back and be like, ‘Hey, chill out, because this is putting pressure on you.’ Spoiler alert: You don’t make great things when you feel a lot of pressure. Maybe some people feel like the pressure gets it going for [them] but for me, I have to be in a relaxed state and let good things happen; otherwise, I’ll shape myself into all kinds of molds that aren’t me. Alfred : I ain’t [sic] gonna lie, I enjoy pressure. I think back to, like, 2010 when I was freestyle battling guys and that feeling of being scared shitless out of my mind, jumping on stage in front of these people, not knowing what I’m about to say and just reveling in it. Being like, ‘Oh, I just can’t wait … but what if I f**k up? This is great; I love it.’ Albert : (to Alfred) Props to you. That’s amazing. That’s like being a stand-up comedian. I could never imagine. Alfred : I may sound cocky, but I’m very much an amazing rapper and I am looking for a moment to stumble. I want to f**k up because I want to learn where I f**ked up at. I want to perfect that and do it again and be much better at it. Albert : Sometimes you just want to feel human. (laughter) Alfred : Seriously, though; I really do enjoy the pressure. Pressure makes diamonds. credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, Albert, you’ve been making beats for a long time. You have a decent back catalog of tracks to pull from. This new album, is it pulling from that or are you coming up with new stuff on the spot? Albert : Some of it is brand new, some of it is ideas that I’ve been working on for years. You make these things and see what comes out. It’s new to everyone else, but it’s something you may have been working on for so long. I got some advice really early on. I forgot this fella’s name, but it was the first time Tank and the Bangas were playing a super lounge at Essence Festival. We were getting to hang out at Essence, and it was awesome. Kelly Price’s music director was there. He said he had started making beats late in life. He said, ‘Just make it and hold on to it because you might like it, but you never know who will.’ I’ve really taken that into account. I have probably over 1,000 songs or song ideas. At this point, I’ve been making beats and writing songs and doing full productions for almost 10 years now. I have a lot built up; it’s just a matter of, ‘Man, you remember that one I made a long time ago? Let’s see if that works.’ That’s how I get to a lot of good stuff, and then seeing what Alfred does. It’s like two comets hitting. Now I’m more likely to try a few more things and be like, ‘You know what? This is working. We’re going to go with what works, what’s good, how he said that this time, and how he was feeling this time, and how I was feeling right here.’ Just going more with using the stuff as it happens, instead of, and this is a nice tie-in—this is what ‘Nectarine Peels’ is about—instead of making yourself a delicious, fragrant, niche, sub-variant of a peach called a nectarine that some people are going to love and that some people aren’t even going to know about or care about … trying to force yourself into being an apple or an orange or any of the other Renaldo and LeBron-level fruits. You can do that, or [you can] stay being your nectarine delicious self and probably make yourself and a lot more people a lot happier than if you’d tried to be a banana. Alfred : I disagree with everything he just said. (laughter) Albert : SaxKixAve: much more better. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Is there anything else you’d like to say about the new record? Alfred : This new album slaps. Albert : It’s good! Alfred : ‘ Nectarine Peels’ ... I'm very proud of it. I like it. MaM : How many tracks are going to be on it? Alfred : About nine in total. Three skits. Albert : It’s like a 23-minute runtime, but it’s, like, nine tracks. We don’t want anybody to have to skip a song because they want to skip one of our stupid skits. I want to give people total control. Honestly, just take the skit off the album if you want, that’s fine, but we want to give people the option. Alfred : This album is amazing. Albert’s production on it is nuts. The songs came out so good. Lyrically, I feel like I’m doing some really cool things on here, jumping out of the box on stuff. We’re just having fun, and I really think people are going to like it. Currently, there is no release date for SaxKixAve’s second album, Nectarine Peels , but you can check out their website for any updates and be sure to follow them on social media. YouTube: @saxkixave1922 Instagram: @saxkixave Facebook: facebook.com/Saxkixave Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/saxkixave *All photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Email us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Stella Vir are progressive-infused sounds full of spatial concepts < Back Stella Vir: A Modern Ambient Rock Abyss Je'an-Paul Keller Aug 8, 2023 Share Stella Vir are progressive-infused sounds full of spatial concepts Coming up August 19, 2023, Louisiana’s own Stella Vir is set to perform at Rad Fest 2023 at PARC International in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. With tunes full of howling guitars and crisp clean vocals, this band hails from Hessmer, LA and they are the third band in our installment of interviews with all acts on the bill. The band was formed in 2019 by Josh Ferguson (vocals), Justin Theriot (lead guitar), Waylon Wilkinson (bass), and Shane Landry (drums). Gaining a following on the local scene due to their energetic performances and catchy, melodic songs, Stella Vir’s debut EP “Meridian”, released in 2020, is so good that you’ll want to turn the dial all the way up to eleven to engross yourself in the soothing sounds. And if you have an iPod handy, pop in those headphones and disappear into the abyss. Credit: Ahnvee Photography In 2022, the guys released their follow-up EP “City Lights”, continuing the band’s evolution with a more mature sound and showcasing more complex songwriting. With songs such as “Getaway” and “Full Speed” that provide ferocious guitar licks, Stella Vir is quickly solidifying itself as one of the most promising of all the up-and-coming rock bands coming out of Louisiana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHJVthKtAVA Each member feeds off their own unique styles and the band has managed to find a cohesive sound that is distinct and one all their own. The band has the talent, the drive, and the sound to make it big and with their continued touring, Stella Vir is sure to become one of the most popular rock bands in the country. You must see them live to experience their sound in all its depth, truly. With a love for all things sci-fi, I was able to chat recently with Josh Ferguson, the lead vox, about everything from the band’s name to how their unique sound is achieved and his love of everything sci-fi related. Geek out with us and get lost in space by learning a bit more about what makes up the band known as Stella Vir. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiK3Zq57YTU MaM : I dig your music. Who or what inspired your current sound? JF : So, I've been I've been playing music for about 20 years, and in the late 90s/ early 2000s. There is just something about the grunge era and when emo came out. Post-hardcore bands as well, such as Finch and Thursday … I really got into all of those styles of music. My writing style has always been somewhat of an emo-derived kind of sound. It's just a blend of all kinds of music that makes us what we are. MaM : With so much going on in the world, what influences you to make music? JF : It's kind of like a sickness. I had quit playing music about five times now, but I wake up some mornings with just ideas in my head. I feel like I can't do anything without writing these ideas down, and the next thing I know … I'm writing music in a band again. It's just been in me, and my guitarist. We've been writing music together for 20 years, and it's just something we can never shake off. MaM : Can you tell our readers how your band initially came about? JF : I went on tour with a band, and then when that tour finished up … I decided to be a husband, and a dad, and not really play music anymore. My guitarist from over 20 years ago … [He] and I started talking again. We decided to do something different. So rather than trying to write music that we thought people would like or would get people to go to shows, we decided to start writing stuff that we would wanna listen to, and that's where we ended up. The first song we wrote together is on our ‘Meridian’ EP! It is called ‘With Fire Comes Truth’. It's one of the most fun songs that we have to play. It's just about not caring what anybody else says [with the message to] just burn the world down if you must … TO BE HAPPY! Credit: Ahnvee Photography MaM : Love the name of the band. How did it come about? JF : So, Stella Vir! At first, we had decided on the name Meridian for the band. In the process of uploading our music to social media … We realized that there [were] 63 bands named Meridian at that time. Obviously, we can't go this route if we want anybody to find us. We spent a couple of days trying to think of something that would be original, and my buddy Justin, [who] plays guitar, mentioned Stella Vir, which in Latin is roughly translated to Man of the Stars. We are all just really into space-related themes. We were all in love with it as soon as he said it, and we never looked back. It's just the idea of extra-terrestrial beings in space looking down on us, and the planet Earth. That's the kind of vibe that we make all our artwork around and our merch. I absolutely love the space theme. I can't get enough of it. MaM : So, growing up? What sci-fi movies or series played a huge role in developing the concept for the band? JF : I'm a huge fan of Guardians of the Galaxy . I'm a huge fan of Star Wars . We are all fanboys of Star Wars . I also listen to a lot of podcasts that are sci-fi based, fiction, and non-fiction. Whatever I can find, I eat it up. I remember going to the NASA space center when I was a kid, and I really got into the whole idea of space. So, anything I come across, I'm just a huge fan. MaM : Are there any specific things that you like to use to achieve your sound? JF : Honestly, the main goal that we've had as a band from the beginning is we just wanna be natural. We want to write stuff that we can perform live, and we don't need a huge production to do it. If you hear us on the radio, when you see us live, or when you hear us on Spotify, it's nothing different than what you heard on our albums. Our main goal has always been to just be real, and natural. We don't spend a whole lot of time on post-production. It's just whatever we can play. We just put it on a track like that to make sure everything stays as real as possible. MaM : Do you have any specific brands of guitars or bass guitars that you like to use? JF : I have a Gibson Explorer, and I have an SG that I use. The other guitarist, he likes Fender. He also has a Gibson Les Paul, and that's his main guitar. We both really got into AXE-FX within the last two years. It's really simplified our consistency as far as our guitar tone goes. Every time we plug in, we know we're gonna sound the same regardless of the venue. That's really the main thing. We try to have a strong guitar front. The AXE-FX and Gibson guitars … That's our go-to. Credit: Ahnvee Photography MaM : What types of amps are you currently using? JF : We both started digging into the AXE-FX. For the last few years, I was using a Marshall DSL 100, and [the other guitarist] was using a Friedman BE-100. We try to stay in that Marshall, Friedman, Mesa/Boogie kind of sound on the fractal, but before you know it, you're dialing into six different cabs and five different amps. It's just kind of all over the place. Whatever sounds good for that particular song. We may switch it up for different songs, so it's kind of hard to nail that down. I can't say enough about the AXE-FX. You can do anything with it. MaM : Do you consider “City Lights” a concept album? JF : I wanna say the first song on that album was ‘City Lights’. We actually had that one written before we created the first album. I wanted to do a concept album, but I have two kids and three jobs. To write a concept album is a lot more time-consuming. The songs are kind of pieced together about different things. It's just about different things that have happened to us in our lives. That's what that album is all about. I wish I could say that it was a concept album, but I haven't had the time to really go down that rabbit hole. Hopefully, for this next album … That is the direction that I wanna go, and we'll see what happens. MaM : Any future plans or aspirations for the band? JF : I think RAD Fest is gonna open a lot of doors for us. You would think that social media would make it easy for people to get their music out. I think it makes it more difficult because there is just so much stuff thrown at you in a day. I think that a lot of stuff gets overlooked. RAD Fest is gonna be huge for us. Huge for all of the other bands too. I think it's gonna open the door for us to get shows with bands that we might not have been able to play with before. People will be able to see us that have not ever heard of us before. So, I'm looking forward to that. This is gonna be our biggest show, and I'm really looking forward to that. I can't wait to see what happens with it. MaM : Can I get any information about the new songs you are writing? JF : There's a new song that we play that is called ‘Anything at All’ and it is, by far, one of my favorite songs. We have a live version of it on our YouTube page from our last show if you wanted to check that out, but it's just a high-energy type of song. We try to keep our shows full of high energy, and that's probably the most pulled-up song that we have. MaM : Are there any memorable shows you have played so far? JF : We played at the Cajun Heartland State Fair last year. We're hoping to get on again this year, but I think we missed the deadline to apply. That's a cool thing that the Cajundome allows local bands like us to do. I can't say enough about the local scene in Lafayette. You have all these bands wanting to put on big shows and include us. The Cajun Heartland State Fair is probably the most notable thing that we've done so far, and I think RAD Fest is gonna be right there with it. Credit: Band's Facebook MaM : Do you have any other plans in the future after RAD Fest? JF : We do. We've been tracking some new songs, and hopefully, before the end of the summer, we'll have a release date for ‘Anything at All’. Then, we're gonna start working our way up to a full album release. That's the most exciting thing we have going on right now. I love writing music, and we all love recording it. That's definitely on the horizon. Facebook: @Stella Vir Instagram: @stellavirmusic YouTube: @stellavir8290 *cover photo by Ahnvee Photography https://www.ahnveephotography.com/ Je’an Paul Keller is a member of the 501st Legion and a huge sci-fi nerd. He’s also a HUGE music lover and is very passionate about drawing, sketching, painting, and making cosplays and movie-accurate costumes. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Alabama Heathens are off the charts! < Back The Alabama Heathens: Southern Grit Meets Raw Rock Energy Bud Gambrell Apr 18, 2025 Share The Alabama Heathens are off the charts! Could there ever be a better way to begin an interview than with tacos ? That’s right, tacos . The only thing that could have made it any better would have been beer , but none of us were day-drinking, so the beer will have to wait another time. When I contacted Jude Roberts of The Alabama Heathens and asked about an interview, he picked the location for lunch. He chose a local restaurant, and away I went for a talk with Jude and The Heathens' lead singer, Dylan Johnson. It’s unusual for an interview to begin with a video, but in this instance, I feel it may be necessary to tempt your musical taste buds. Take my word for it. Turn this up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrO3XsywlzU The Alabama Heathens - Here for the Whiskey I have known these two young men for a couple of years now. If memory serves me correctly, I met them both while shooting a video for Jude’s father, Mike Roberts . That was the second music video for 5ive O’clock Charlie , Mike’s band , for which I had shot a drone video. Jude brings up a funny story about the shoot later in the interview. Stay tuned. Mike Roberts is a musical staple in the Huntsville music scene. Our story goes back several years. I met Mike several times and saw him play with 5ive O’clock Charlie and Travis McCready . Around 2021 , our friendship just seemed to bloom. Mike has become one of my favorite people to run into, either by accident or a planned lunch. He is genuinely a good soul! That day was also the first time I saw the now Alabama Heathens play. At that time, they were playing together under a different band name. I was working, so I didn’t get to listen closely, but from what I can remember, they were very good. If you know Mike , you know he always wears a smile and has wonderful things to say. Much is the same way with Jude . The apple didn’t fall far from the tree in this case. Dylan and I have gotten to know each other better, too. He is also always a pleasure to work with and become friends with. Unfortunately, I do not know his father. They say your children are a reflection of you. If that is the case, his father is a wonderful man. Fast-forward to July 2024 . The Alabama Heathens performed in The Alabama Smoke Show , if you remember the article I wrote for that event. Seeing those guys play on that big stage at such a young age was impressive. I have seen them since, and they keep getting better. During our lunch, we spoke at length about many things. I couldn’t tell you much about our discussion, as I was not recording that part. The banter and laughs did not stop. The parts I recorded are in the sections you are about to read. My first question was for Dylan . Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Dylan, tell me, who are the Alabama Heathens? Dylan Johnson : The Alabama Heathens are a southern rock band out of North Alabama. On lead guitar , we have Jude Roberts . On drums , we have Ethan Chandler . On bass guitar, we have William O’Rear . And I'm on lead vocals. We pride ourselves on authenticity. I think we bring an old soul to our original music. OTC : What's the story behind the band's name? Dylan : It comes from a song I wrote two years ago called ' Alabama Heathens .' I wrote it about my buddies I grew up with. I felt like we were, you know, hometown heathens, I guess you could say. I can't really remember who mentioned it as the band name. I was initially against it, but maybe Jonathan said we should be The Alabama Heathens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbjEJIiVTTw The Alabama Heathens EP OTC : What got you into music? Jude Roberts : Well, my first instrument was the tuba in 6th grade, and by the end of 6th grade, I got braces. I didn't want to play because, you know, braces suck when you're trying to play a brass instrument. Michael Cline said, ‘Hey, you should play bass instead.’ So, Michael Cline got me playing bass. I've been into music since before I came out of the womb. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography I would like to give you a side note: Michael Cline plays bass for Mike Roberts’ band, Five O’clock Charlie . OTC : Why is that? Jude : My dad was reading a music theory book in the lobby while I was being born. I remember crawling on stage at an early age, maybe two or three, with headphones on while everybody played loud guitar amps and drums. And I've always just been around music, you know. I took my dad's CDs to go show the kindergarten class or the pre-school class. But I didn't really get into playing music on my own until Michael Cline got me playing bass, and until I heard The Clash's London Calling album. The entire album is golden! Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Dylan. what got you into music? Dylan : Well, I think listening to records at such a young age. And the earliest I can remember, I feel like it was the radio, too. Driving to school and riding in the car seat are the earliest I can remember. It was Johnny Cash . I guess it was the voice that I loved the most. I think it was ' Ring of Fire .' That was my favorite song. Kiss was another band that I loved as a kid. I would bang my head on my car seat. OTC : Were these your parents' records? Dylan : Well, some of these came from the radio, you know, from 95.1 The Rocket . My dad's records got me into wanting to play music. I just grew up listening to Bob Dylan , and Steely Dan was always on the record player. So much so that I would turn the record player off because I kept hearing the same song repeatedly. And then what got me into wanting to play was when I was 12, my dad took me to my first concert, ZZ Top . The production, the lights, the sound, the interaction of the crowd, you know, watching people cheer and laugh and cry, and seeing what music could do to somebody. It just hit me right away! I feel like I was born into it. Bud Gambrell with Jude and Dylan from The Alabama Heathens OTC : What are your main influences? Dylan : Ohh, man. I mean, musically, I would have to say one of my biggest influences would probably be Neil Young . As a songwriter, he has his sound; nobody else sounds like him or writes like Neil Young . Bob Dylan is the same way. Maybe it's because I was named after Bob. It's the reason that I'm so into him. But I just grew up on that music. OTC : Jude, what are your influences? Jude : My most significant influence is my father . You can't escape the DNA. That DNA influence , I guess, is a weird way to put it. I've always heard him playing, and he was my first reference for an electric guitar player and what an electric guitar player should be. That was my first taste of hearing music, and I love Jimi Hendrix . I'm a big Duane Allman and Derek Trucks fan on slide guitar . I'm a big Rory Gallagher fan, too. I like Paul Kossoff from Free and Mick Ralphs from Bad Company . For the longest time, I said my three significant influences were Mike Roberts , Jimi Hendrix , and B.B. King . I've added Rory Gallagher and Duane Allman to that list, making it five . Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Now you guys just did some dates in Florida. Tell me how that went for you. Jude : Oh, that was great! That was fun! We played Docie’s Dock in Fort Walton Beach , which you can't see, but I'm wearing a hat they so kindly allowed me to keep. It was a warm reception for our first time playing in Florida . The crowd had their attention on us, which you can't say for some venues. We just had a great old time! OTC : Dylan, tell me some things the Alabama Heathens have coming up for this spring and summer. Dylan : Tomorrow, we'll open up for a band called The Skeeters in Fort Payne, Alabama. That should be a massive gig for us! We're looking forward to that! I know the Alabama Smoke Show is coming back on July 19, 2025 . I'm not exactly sure who is all on the bill for that, but I'm looking forward to playing Mars Music Hall again. That's a staple of Huntsville , so I'm very grateful to be a part of that. Hopefully, we will visit Minnesota to play some shows around August or September . We're getting that worked up for about five days or something. We will try to sneak our way from Tennessee to Kentucky and Minnesota . I think it would be cool if we could get that done. We want to try to get some real touring going on. I mean, that's our main thing. Plus, we've been in the studio. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Speaking of that, I’ve seen pictures of you in the studio. Can we expect some more new material coming soon? Dylan : Absolutely! Hopefully, by mid-summer, our song ' Throw the Dog a Bone ' should be coming out. We've already been in the studio and cut it. We're excited to put some new music out! I think we're just going to do singles for the next couple of months and see where that takes us, and hopefully be prepared, you know, by next year to do a full 12-song album . OTC : Speaking of singles, the latest one is ' Here for the Whiskey ' . I've heard it, and I’ve watched the video multiple times. I love this song! Jude, tell me a little about how the initial idea and the song's recording came about. Jude : Well. ' Here for the Whiskey ' was written by Dylan Johnson, James LeBlanc, and Jonathan Moody. They had a recording sent to me when I first joined the band with all of the original songs to learn. So, you know, I joined the band not long ago compared to these guys. And I just figured out how to add slide guitar to the songs. Playing in a band with two guitar players is pretty hard to figure out where you're supposed to fit. We had a pretty good idea of what we were doing, but Jeremy Stephens at Clearwave Studios helped us orchestrate and arrange it to be more professional. OTC : I think the slide stands out on a great song. You mentioned Duane Allman . Where do you get your slight guitar influence from? Jude : Again, my dad was my first slide influence. The first riff I ever learned was ' Whole Lotta Love ' by Led Zeppelin , and he showed me how to do the slide part. I've been playing the slide technically since I first started playing guitar, but I didn't get into it until I heard Derek Trucks playing slide . Derek Trucks is probably one of the greatest guitar players ever to walk the earth. So that led me back to Duane Allman . I've been listening to Elmore James . Warren Haynes is a huge slide influence on me. Warren plays slide in the standard tuning instead of an open tuning like Duane or Derek. We play many songs, and it's easier for me to go ahead and play in standard tuning. I don't want to have to switch guitars if I want to play slide. I just put my slide on my finger. George Harrison is also a considerable influence. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : Have you gotten any feedback from the new song yet? Dylan : We posted it on Facebook , and I've received a lot of great feedback from friends, family, and fans. We also put out a music video for it, which was super cool! It has almost 1000 views. I'm not sure what the streaming aspect of it looks like, but I think it's done pretty well so far. OTC : We have worked together a couple of times. We’ve done photo sessions together, but I think the first time I met you, Dylan, and Jude may have been the first time I met Jude. We were in the field on a rainy day, shooting ' Fast Country ' for your dad's band, 5ive O’clock Charlie . Do you remember that? Jude : Oh, I remember that like it was yesterday. OTC : I think y'all were still called the Debriefers at the time. Now, that's an interesting name. Tell me about the name Debriefers. Jude : Before I do that, I will say the biggest thing I remember about that day is Bud Gambrell dropping a smoke bomb on us! I looked back at my drummer, who's also named Dylan. Dylan Hurley. He is a wonderful human being! Seeing the expression of terror on his face as he got engulfed by smoke , and then slowly but surely, the entire band got engulfed. I watched the video. We all just looked panicked and confused! Then we're just engulfed by smoke, and you see Bud leaving the crime scene. (laughter) I add a little smoke to everything he remembers about that day. Well, it was supposed to be a “little”. The smoke would make the video more visually appealing, right? Somebody back me up here. Mike? Duane? Dylan? Anyone? If one smoke bomb was good, two smoke bombs would be great. Anyway, it was funny, a little? Here is the video . You be the judge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvcDRB_2MF4 Fast Country by 5ive O'Clock Charlie Jude continues to explain the name of his previous band. Jude : The Debriefers is a spin-off of the Panty Droppers , a beautiful name. Dylan Johnson came up with that. We tried for a good month or two to figure out a name. Band names are hard. Man, it's just like a song title. You must find the right one but can't use any old name. So, I decided to do some Grissom academics and make it Debriefers . So, we were able to be school-friendly. OTC : Dylan, surely, there's something else you remember better about that day than the smoke. Dylan : Well, there was a damn downpour. I remember that. Yeah, I remember it rained like crazy! We were on a trailer. We were on a gooseneck trailer set up with a great sound system. And we had a crowd we were playing for. We played ' Whipping Post .' It was a bit rocky, but we had a good time that day. I remember it coming down in a downpour out of nowhere and packing up all that PA equipment in the rain. We were in Duane Walker's cow pasture. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography Duane Walker also plays in 5ive O’clock Charlie. I met Duane at a Blackberry Smoke concert before I knew he was joining 5ive O’clock Charlie. We started a conversation and became friends, as if we’d known each other for a long time. OTC : What are your long-term goals for the band, and what are you most excited about in the future of your music? Dylan : To go on tour. I mean to live that tour life and play music. We could have shows like we do back home, but out on the road. The main goal is to play our music to people who want to listen to original music. Make them dance. You know, make them cry. It's a compliment to make somebody cry with your song because it means they're living it. You know what I mean? I'm not afraid to listen to music and cry. Because, I mean, that shows its authenticity. You know what I mean? For the long term, man, I'd love to get an album, a couple of albums under our belt, and eventually be headlining shows instead of opening them. Our brand can sell, make people happy, and have a promising career. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : The headline shows are going to come. Trust me, it's coming. How do you define success as a musician? Jude : Playing something new every night that makes you happy. And if it gets you off, then great. If it gets the crowd off, too, then that’s what you're looking for. Being a musician, you're never going to be satisfied because you're always going to be working to be better or working to do something differently. So, having shows and getting paid for what you're doing is the goal: I'm happy if I can pay my bills by playing my guitar. But if I can be creative and expand my knowledge as a human being and musician, that's what you want. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : What's the most important thing you want people to take away from your music? Jude : I want people to know who I am and what I've been through by listening to my notes, lyrics, and everything I put forward. I want people to feel like I did when I heard Jimi Hendrix or Derek Trucks for the first time. I want people to have an excitement for life that drugs can't give you. The enthusiasm that only music and God can give you. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography Dylan : I want somebody to be able to listen to our music and relate to the hurt, the heartache, and even the good times of it. You know what I mean? I would hope that when people hear us, they don't think that we're just some other, you know, local band that's trying to do it. I mean, this is our full-time gig. This is full-time for me, and it is for Jude. I know that we put our heart and soul into this: traveling, playing, and riding. The writing is about things that we know. We're not trying to be somebody we're not, which happens often in this business because you get offered all this stuff, and then you buy into it. But I don't think we've ever settled for mediocrity either. I don't ever want to do that. And I want people to know that and keep on listening. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : If you could perform anywhere worldwide, where would it be and why? Dylan : Veterans Park in Priceville, AL. (laughs) Dylan : My first thought was the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville . The history there! I got to see Jason Isbell for my first show ever at the Ryman. He's one of my all-time favorites. Who wouldn't want to play at Red Rocks ? I guess it would be the Ryman , just because it's the Mother Church! Everyone sits on church pews , and all eyes are on you. Jude : Well, it would not be Veterans Park in Priceville, Alabama. (laughter) Jude : I also want to say the Ryman because my father has played there , and I feel I owe it to myself to have two Roberts play at the Ryman instead of just one. That would be cool! I would also love to play at one of the Fillmores or the Apollo Theater in New York . I’m a big fan of old R&B , blues , and soul music . Man, the Apollo is where all those guys were at. B.B. King , James Brown , and you know all those greats. So, that'd be cool to play that room. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC : What's a fun fact about yourself that your fans may not know? Jude : Musically or not, musically? OTC : It can be either—just a fun fact about yourself. Jude : I've pissed on an Irish castle, and I found out later that it's a felony. I don't know if you can publish that, but you can. I'll give you permission. (laughter) OTC : As long as we don't say which one, they can't press charges, right? Jude : I reckon. I'll tell you which one. OTC : Let’s not invite the law into this. Jude : I was walking around, and I, you know, I had to go. It's really beautiful in Ireland ! It's beautiful with a lot of places to go to take a piss. (laughter) Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography Dylan : I used to be on a pool team. I love to shoot pool. I love playing golf when I'm not working. I have several hobbies. I love the gym. I try to eat clean. I don't eat the best, but I like physically caring for myself. I do kickboxing and boxing and run and all that. I enjoy that kind of stuff. I don't know if that's a fun fact. But that's what I'm doing when I’m not playing music. I'm either shooting pool, playing golf, or boxing. Credit: Bud Gambrell Photography OTC: One last question. If you had the chance to meet your favorite rock star and ask him or her one question. Who would you want to meet, and what would you ask them? Jude : I have two answers. Do I only have to give one? OTC : Two will be fine. Jude : My first one is Jimi Hendrix . He was always creating and on the forefront of just new shit and pushing everything to its boundary and to its edge and making new boundaries. And how did you do that? That'd be my question. How did you consistently break boundaries? OTC : Ok, number two? Jude : The second would be Gregg Allman . I would like to ask Gregg Allman what microphone he used on Eat a Peach . I've been wondering about that for the past month. Dylan : I mean, if I can meet anybody and ask anything, it would probably be Neil Young , honestly. How did you produce an album like Harvest ? You know, where does that sound come from? Who writes that? It's kind of the same with Bob Dylan . How does somebody write that kind of music and continue to write that kind of music in their late 70s? I would ask how they have made it this far. Being on the road and not losing their minds. I'm sure they're crazy, but you must be crazy to do what we're doing anyway. OTC : Do you have anything else to add for your fans, listeners, and new potential fans? Dylan : Man, come out and see us! Come talk to us. Buy a T-shirt and ask for a sticker. We'll give you a sticker. Follow us and like our music. We love y'all! We want to meet y'all and create a family, you know, that wants to support us. And we want to hear from you. You know what I mean? Just let us know if there's a certain song or anything you want to hear. Jude : Rock 'n' Roll isn’t dead, so come out and fucking rock with us! You heard Jude! Get up and get to a show to rock with this band. By all means, catch them between sets or after the show and introduce yourself. You will not meet a more sociable bunch of young men. Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! *All photos by Bud Gambrell Photography www.bgambrellphotography.com Bud Gambrell Photography Bud Gambrell Photography is a locally owned and operated photography business in North Alabama. Call or email us today for an appointment. Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com Website: https://bgambrellphotography.com Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell My new book: Bud Gambrell Photography by Bud Gambrell | Blurb Books Where to find the Alabama Heathens: YouTube: Alabama Heathens - Topic - YouTube Facebook: Facebook Instagram: The Alabama Heathens (@thealabamaheathens) • Instagram photos and videos Where to find Dylan Johnson: Facebook: Facebook X: Dylan Johnson (@D_JohnsonMusic) / X Where to find Jude Roberts: Facebook: Facebook www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com D o you have something that Bud should check out? Email him at the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link