From Ashes To New 'Panic' - Interview With Danny Case

“LIKE AN HOUR-LONG YOGA CLASS”

"LIKE AN HOUR-LONG YOGA CLASS" U.S rock heavyweights FROM ASHES TO NEW drop their highly anticipated third studio album, 'Panic' featuring singles 'What I Get' and 'Panic'. To celebrate the release of their new album, vocalist Danny Case had a chat to Brendan the blind guy about the idea behind the album, the bands writing methods and much more hot 'n' spicy magic! Like, Share and Follow Keen Eye 4 Concerts on our social medias and via our newsletter at www.keeneye4concerts.com/sign-up

U.S rock heavyweights FROM ASHES TO NEW drop their highly anticipated third studio album, 'Panic' featuring singles 'What I Get' and 'Panic'.

To celebrate the release of their new album, vocalist Danny Case had a chat to Brendan the blind guy about the idea behind the album, the bands writing methods and much more hot 'n' spicy magic!

“I could not even begin to fathom that times a hundred! ”

Like, Share and Follow Keen Eye 4 Concerts on our social medias and via our newsletter at www.keeneye4concerts.com/sign-up

Nic Rollo 'Monster' Q&A

LET THE INNER MONSTER OUT!

  NIC ROLLO ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE & VIDEO MONSTER 

Perth based producer and songwriter Nic Rollo has today announced his driving, eerie new single Monster, about identifying and quelling the monster within us all, set for release on February 5.  Accompanying the track is a dark, revolving film clip, directed by Alex Montanari (Cub Sport, What So Not, Khalid) and Matthew James.  Monster follows the 2019 release of Nic’s brilliant, iridescent EP What Happened to the Kid. 

Monster will feel familiar to anyone who has said something in frustration or anger that they regret after the fact – the track is an introspective interrogation of that remorse, and what it’ll take to tame the inner monster who is responsible for those biting remarks.  Reminiscent of synth-pop auteurs M83 and indie rockers The Wombats, and mastered by pop royalty Chris Gehringer (Harry Styles, Rihanna, Halsey), the track is buoyed by glistening synths, hooky guitar and driving percussion – while Nic’s gentle vocals and arresting lyrics take centre stage.  Reflecting on the inspiration behind the track, Nic explains, “Monster was written during a previous relationship of mine when things were a bit shaky.  There were a few times that I’d said something to my ex that had started to cause fractures in the relationship and unnecessary conflict.  Monster is about that side of myself that I don’t always like  - the part that is impulsive and lashes out when I should just hold my tongue instead.”

The video for Monster feels like the beginning of a horror film – there’s a sense of suspense, as though the calm atmosphere of the night-driving scenes will not last for much longer.  It’s a beautiful watch, too – the lights passing in the night as the song plays out feels like a perfect representation of the moody nature of the music.  Speaking about the clip, Nic says, “The video for Monster is a narrative based video that features a lot of driving and aims to be aesthetically pleasing.  Matthew James, Alex Montanari and I came together to think about the video a few months back and we all had this vibe of the song revolving around driving and having dark colours. The story itself is supposed to be slightly confusing - am I driving to the burial or from the burial?  Am I burying the monster or is the monster burying me?”

The release of Monster is a killer way to kick off 2020 for this exciting young artist, as he enthuses, “It feels fantastic to finally be releasing Monster.  I wrote the song over a year ago and have been sitting on it for what feels like forever now.  To date, it is probably my favourite song that I’ve written, and I’m super stoked to finally be able to share it with people.”

Monster is out February 5.

Listen: MONSTER

Watch: MONSTER

Q&A Interview with Nic Rollo.

Q; What’s the inspiration behind your new single Monster?

A; I wrote Monster during a pretty turbulent time in a previous relationship where it felt like I kept saying things that would damage it, and inevitably caused fractures in the relationship itself.  The song is also commenting on how often, we shouldn’t be worried about other people, we should be more cautious of our own monsters.  I think the song came from the guitar line that goes throughout the song - I vaguely remember coming up with it whilst in the studio with a band I play in and instantly knew I could write something around it.

Q; Who are your greatest musical influences?

A; I used to listen to so much Radiohead when I was younger that I’m sure they’re still impacting some of my musical decisions today.  I think there’s something exciting about having weirder elements in pop music, so Radiohead definitely helped a lot there.  In terms of synth sounds and all of that, bands like Tears for Fears, Fleetwood Mac and Tame Impala all gave me a look into that world about 5 years ago (starting with Tame).  More recently artists like The Weeknd, Drake, Charlie Puth (and many others) have been really big influences on me as I’ve gotten more and more into writing pop music.  

Q; What do you bring to the live stage?

A; Aside from INCREDIBLE musical prowess (I’m kidding), I feel like the live show is pretty fun.  We’re all just up there having a good time, trying to not mess up too badly.  I’m planning on upgrading the live show over the next few months with another member and potentially starting to look into incorporating lights and visuals, which I’m super pumped about.  I’ve always been so fascinated by lighting and visuals in music.

Q; How was the recording process?

A; I love the recording process, I feel most comfortable when I’m in the studio.  Working on Monster was good fun since I had been so fond of the song in its demo form.  I was really excited to polish it up and see how it sounded.  I recorded it at Blackbird Studio in Perth with Dave Parkin, and had Felix Parker with me (who played those ripper guitar solos).  Some songs have historically been an emotional rollercoaster in the studio due to a number of reasons, but luckily Monster was pretty easy going.  

Q; What was the inspiration behind the music video?

A; I caught up with Alex Montanari and Matthew James, who both worked on the clip, a few months before we were planning on beginning filming to figure out the story and what we wanted to achieve.  Alex and I both had this idea in our heads about the film revolving around driving… something about Monster had a ‘driving a car’ kinda feel.  After that point the hard part was figuring out how to incorporate driving into an interesting story line and keep the video interesting over nearly 4 minutes.

Q; How would you describe your writing process?

A; Sometimes it’s manic, sometimes it’s relaxed.  I’ll typically just shit down at a keyboard and start playing chords until I come up with a chord progression or melody that inspires me to keep working on it.   At that point I’ll begin to build a track from there.  Sometimes I’ll write the bulk of the song in 20 minutes and be done with it (spending the next month or two producing it), other times I’ll spend 3 weeks trying to finish the actual songwriting (the chords, melodies, lyrics).  I guess it can be hard to put a method to being creative, so to an extent you just have to let it happen as it does.

Q; Give us an interesting personal fact!

A; I’ll give you two - I’m a literal caffeine fiend, like I drink enough coffee to be considered ¼ coffee myself.  It’s in my blood now.  I also get a stupid amount of nose bleeds during summer, I think I have really weak nose lining or something, but damn does it suck.  I’m surprised I’m not dead yet from blood loss.

BEACHWOOD - 'God Only Knows/Marbles' Listicle Feature

GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT THIS HOLDS!

WHO ARE BEACHWOOD / HOW THEY STARTED OUT?

Beachwood are a Melbourne-based electropop duo of multi-platinum producer/writer Jarrad Rogers (Charli XCX, Lana del Rey, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Icona Pop) and indie filmmaker/songwriter Angeline Armstrong. They met in 2016, when Angeline, new to the buzz of Los Angeles, found herself at Jarrad’s family Christmas party. Over lamingtons and pav, they were surprised to learn that they’d both grown up in the Western suburbs of Melbourne and had also, coincidentally, both chosen the Beachwood neighborhood in LA as their first port of call. They began writing together in Jarrad’s backyard studio, Angeline’s folk-heavy songwriting style colliding with the progressive electronic beats that Jarrad has become known for. It was two years later, at the very end of 2017, that electropop outfit BEACHWOOD was officially formed and the two began writing for the project.

SONGS THEY’VE WRITTEN AND THEIR INFLUENCES:

Beachwood have released four singles to-date. Since returned to the homeland (Australia) from their respective times in LA, the newcomers quickly found favour in both local and international markets. Their debut track, ‘Miracle’, attracted critical acclaim including several awards for their boldly artistic debut music video, winning out over Aussie legends The Veronicas, Guy Sebastian & Peking Duk at the 2019 Clipped Music Video Awards. Their second single, ‘Love Me Or Leave Me Alone’, found its way onto over 30 international New Music Friday playlists and is nearing on 1 million streams. ‘Marbles’ & ‘God Only Knows’ are the most recent ‘dual single release’ track. ‘Marbles’ features the eclectic MC Tray Haggerty from Texas, securing the duo’s trajectory of making waves across international borders. Where ‘God Only Knows’ is a bold take on the classic ‘perfectly written song’ by the Beachboys.

It’s hard to pin point a list of our influences tbh. I can say what we try and do!! We strive to make honest, lyrics that loads of people can relate to. We look to make music that makes you feel good. Helps you get through the day. We love electronic elements and using technology to create something unique. But at the same time we both love organic elements. We try and combine them as often as we can. We also try and make a bunch of the elements that create our beats ourselves. Sampling ourselves hitting things for rhythmic colour etc. Oh and there’s the vocal. That’s the most important thing. That has to be front and centre and be the best it can be. Ange does a great job at that!! I guess you could look at people like Louis The Child, Flume, Drake, The Beatles, Beachboys...something like that!

PAST/UPCOMING NEWS:

Beachwood recently played a sold out show at the Gasometer in Melbourne and are currently finishing their debut EP set for release early next year. 

FUN FACTS:

• Though spending most of her time growing up in Australia - Angeline is actually half-kiwi and half-filipino, and calls all three countries home!

• Beyond the Beachwood act, Jarrad has collaborated around the world as a producer/writer with renowned artists such as: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Lana del Rey, Charli XCX, Montaigne, Luke Steele (Empire of the Sun), Icona Pop, Bea Miller, Andy Grammar, and Rachel Platten.

• As well as being a musician, Angeline is also a filmmaker whose career was kickstarted by a mentorship with Aussie legend Baz Luhrmann and a debut short film made alongside Baz & NIDA that premiered at the Sydney Opera House while Ange was still at university!

• If Jarrad wasn’t a professional musician he’d probably have a crack at being a professional athlete!! Or a baker…or maybe a swim coach. Basically he’d be lost if he wasn’t a musician!

RACKETT - 'Machinations' Single Q&A Interview

READY OR NOT, HERE IT COMES!

Hey everyone, Brendan the blind guy here! Chatting to awesome musicians is like a drug, and even if I Tried To Quit… well, we all know I’d re-lapse, because like it or not, I Please Myself at the end of the day, and honestly, it makes me feel so Alive! If your brain hurts from the onslaught of interviews, well this will Kiss It Better for you surely! So Ready Or Not, ladies and gentlemen, RACKETT!

Brendan; Recently you recreated the name Rackett to be a solo project, and released your innovative new track ‘Machinations’, taking a more untethered electronic-punk approach to your previous pop/alternative-punk style. Apparently you’ve really found your happy place with this song, so what inspired the new direction/flavours? Has working with and promoting other artists with Beehive PR helped you with this?

Bec; I was inspired by pop music. I was listening to a lot of pop artists redefining pop and creating sounds and structures that seemed to push back against what was expected of pop. I was inspired by A.I and developing technologies and virtual realities and I wanted to create art music that was concurrent with a plastic future.

Brendan; As for the lyrics, I know first-hand you’ve got a copious amount of stories and experiences to write about, but what exactly was the story behind this track?

Bec; The track is about going out of my mind. Machination means to scheme. I had to go into the pits of myself, the illusions I had created, the delusion and find a way through the turmoil and into a future self. I had to scheme a way out.

Brendan; Currently you’re taking over the stages in Japan on quite an extensive run of shows, that must be such an amazing experience! AND THEN, after you get back from Japan, you’re hitting up Sydney and Melbourne only five days after you land home, barely enough time to shake off the jet-lag! So how are the crowds there in Japan responding? Is it a bit contrast to your Aussie fans? I mean, I can’t imagine the Japanese ladies would be as inclined to flash their boobs at you like the wild Aussie ladies here do?

Bec; Well I haven’t seen any flashing boobs, but I have seen a band give their lead singer a bubble bath mid-set. I’m actually only back in Australia for 1 day before my Australia single launch shows begin. I’ve learned so much and their are contrast in priorities here verss Australia. In Japan you must be on time for soundcheck and be present for a pre show meeting where everyone is introduced to each other There are no riders or free drinks, but the schedule is very proficient and support bands on this tour have been the highest calibre of musicians I have played with.

Brendan; I know I kind of gave a bit of a teaser to what a Rackett show brings, (you did say last time you see a lot of tits) But give us a taste of what this new Rackett brings to the stages? Will I still be compelled to flash my chest at you?

Bec; I think you’ll be compelled to dance. My new music is hyper fun, fast and nothing really below 128 BPM which is prime dance tempo. Its still punk in attitude but a future-punk that has those digital elements more present in dance music.

Brendan; Right, now I reckon it’s time we get exclusive Bec, just me and you… and all the readers. So, what would be an exclusive fun fact about yourself

Bec; A fun fact about myself? I don’t know that I can say I have fun facts, I guess that’s in the eye of the beholder. I love a random dance on the street, I love to Heely, I mix up names a lot. For example, there was a Japans band covering Blitz Screen Bob by the Ramones and I got up on stage and thanked them for their cover of ’Split-screen Bob’.

Brendan; Now for my favourite question of all, that’s right people, it’s WTF time! I know I’ve asked you this before, twice actually, and you said how early on you found a dirty nappy in your travel bag on the plane, and last year you told me how at one show, a girl you kissed during ‘Kiss It Better’ took you quite literally, to the point where you had to reluctantly pull away from her to catch up to your singing. But this time, has there been any WTF moments in Japan?

Bec; WTF moments for me have been pulling an all-nighter in Shibuya, doing the rounds of bars and ending up in a party in Love Hotel. Actually this tour has been an all-around WTF moment. Every night has been an adventure, seeing really weird support bands. Another one aside from the bubble bath one was a band that dressed as ‘Where’s Wally’ and sang Queen covers.

Brendan; As always it has been a pleasure chatting to you Bec, but we’ll leave it with one more. So, what’s next for Rackett?

Bec; What’s next is more music! I have another single out in January next year and will be reassessing more and more next year. I’ll be touring, working on my Heelys game and waiting for the future to arrive.

Nadisko - Podcast Interview, September 8 2019

THE BASICS OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC

Brendan the blind guy recently took a break from his love of rock and metal, and let Blake from Sydney electronic duo NADISKO take him through the basics of electronic music on and off stage, in accordance with the duo's new winter-warming sensation, 'Take Me Away'. Find out what goes on behind the decks on stage, why never to be a DJ in a club when Usher walks in and much more! Check out the official Keen Eye 4 Concerts website www.keeneye4concerts.com

Brendan the blind guy recently took a break from his love of rock and metal, and let Blake from Sydney electronic duo NADISKO take him through the basics of electronic music on and off stage, in accordance with the duo's new winter-warming sensation, 'Take Me Away'.

Find out what goes on behind the decks on stage, why never to be a DJ in a club when Usher walks in and much more!