Musician Gregg Kallor released a concept video for his song, "Broken Sentences," that sees him traveling throughout the Five Boroughs to play all 88 public pianos for the organization, Sing For Hope Pianos. Filming throughout the summer, Kallor, is seen at many notable places around the city including some great footage of him in Staten Island!
Kallor's piano playing is top notch and superb. He is able to make the music come alive with there being any words. The way expressing, feeling, and emotion comes reverberating off of the key strings is simply amazing.
Here's what he had to say about the video:
"'A Single Noon' is a musical tableau of life in New York City, and I thought it would be exciting to present a visual component that captures the buzzing, exuberant energy of the city. My first music video collaboration with cinematographer and director Alan McIntyre Smith was 'Espresso Nirvana' (think caffeinated hijinks), the sixth movement of the suite. Alan thought that the Sing For Hope Pianos program, which took place in June, would make for a stunning new music video to complement 'Broken Sentences' - the frenetic second movement - so we ran around the five boroughs chasing pianos," said Gregg Kallor.
He continued, "Creating a music video gives me a fantastic opportunity to make the music tell a story and, hopefully, to engage with people who might not yet have found their way to my music. The response to 'Broken Sentences' has been fantastic - it's gotten over 50,000 views in the first two months since its release! When we reach a million views, I'll make another video. Maybe two!"
Gregg will be performing as part of a specially assembled holiday "house band" at SubCulture's 1st Annual Holiday Concert Series betweenDecember 17th - 22nd. More info at the following link here: http://www.subculturenewyork.com/holiday
Vin Major is NYC hip-hop producer who raised himself in hip-hop culture and tries to embody the sound of genre with every beat he makes. His production is top notch, and is planning big things in the immediate future.
Who are you, what do you do?
What's up world? My name is Vin Major, I am a producer/beatmaker from New York.
Tell me about Get Major and how did you get started?
Get Major was my initial independent production label that I created years ago while in the process of evolving my music and business opportunities. I have branched off to starting my own production team known as The Tune Doc's represented by 523 studios/records.
How long have you been producing and did you ever explore other things musically?
I have been producing music for roughly eight years with a few long hiatuses here and there. I have never limited my creative opportunities and experimenting with other genres has always been my sole goal. I am currently working on a instrumental album which consists of many different genres from trip hop/ funk/soul/electronica and rock all mixed in one.
What do you feel is the connection between good rapping and good beats?
They go hand for hand, but I feel sometimes you have to know the artist you are working with and arrange music accordingly...where the artist and beatmaker do not fight to out shine each other. Many artists lack substance in certain departments of lyricism where the beatmaker would have to emphasize more characteristics in an individual track and visa versa. Sometimes the beatmaker adds too much, he leaves no room for the artist but I think you should know the people you work with and know their strong points as an artist. I know how to create music with enough space for them to be as creative and comfortable as possible.
What gear do you use and how do you go about creating your beats?
I started on Acid Pro and until this day I still swear by it. My current set up consist of a Macbook Pro, Logic Pro 9, Reason 6, Akai Mpk 25, a MPC 1000, and a bunch of midi controllers, keyboards with a lot of custom sounds and samples on my hard drive.
Who are your favorite producers and rappers?
I change my mind every day, but as far as producers I've always been a Dr. Dre fan. I admire his perfectionist craft, DJ Khalil (Not to be confused with DJ Khaled), Nottz Raw, Hi Tek, Alchemist... too many to name. I'm definitely feeling the new kids, my guy Arrabmuzik, Hit-Boy, Frank Dukes, Jhalil Beats, Cardiak, just to name a few.
Who would you aspire to sound like and have you gotten any comparisons?
I try not sound like anybody, I do not think any two artists or producers sound the same. You can deliberately tell when there is a carbon copy or one producer influences the other, but everything I do is based on feeling and the atmosphere or my mood; so I basically arrange my mood and emotions. It's still me to the core.
What rappers have you worked with, and are any of them famous?
I have worked with a few artists in the past: Big Lou (former Street Sweepers artist), Bodybaggs (Champion Muzik), Grafh (Black Hand), Cash NY, and featured tracks with Kool G Rap, Nino Bless, Joell Ortiz, and Styles P. They've gone uncredited due to legal issues and some paper work, but that's the game...I am focusing on my own project now and the artist I am working with now.
Where do you hope to take your music?
Right now I have a bunch of projects in motion. Me and my partner/engineer Mike Checks of 523 Records have been working hands on and trying new things out in the new studio. Shout out to Mike Checks, he's a very dope engineer and we have this in studio chemistry that I feel is bringing a lot of my creativity back to life. He knows exactly how I want my stuff to sound from a mixing stand point and his ear for music is phenomenal. In the long run I am just trying to create good music and leave something for people to remember me by. It's my art, it's my vent, so regardless how far it goes I just enjoy making music.
What is your take on today's hip-hop?
It's evolved for better and for worse, technology evolves, trends fade, fads have a short life span and we just entered a different age. I just take it for what it is.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Look out for my Tune Doc Saints instrumental LP. There's a few things I want to keep quiet that I can't speak on, but I am very excited about Broken Records Collective, we'll just have to wait and see (laughs). Also my future project with Drow and Damier of the Cypha, I have been working heavy with them and I think they have a bright future in this game.
Shoutouts to: Mike Checks, Hoffy, 523 Records, Bareknuckle Mafia, and SiK Boi.
(L to R)- Anadale (Vox), Louis (Drums), Anthony (Bass), and Joe (Keyboard)
This progressive rock band simply known as Jolly, is creating music a lot more complex than their name leads you to believe.
For their latest album, The Audio Guide to Happiness Part 1, Jolly infuses binaural tones in their music that are experienced through headphones. To quote them directly,"The listener is subjected to musical mood dynamics and key lyrical
triggers while the brain is fed corresponding binaural tones. These
tones are carefully and deliberately interwoven within the music to
support all appropriate peaks and valleys throughout the experience." In non scientific terms, this means every song has different emotional experience on the listener, whether happy, upbeat, or even anxious.
Jolly at the Full Cup by Justin Sarachik
The album plays from start to end as a story concept album. While songs can be listened to individually, the album is best heard as a whole. The album starts off strong with "End Where it Starts" because of its raw and heavy guitars. It's the perfect tone setter for an album filled with fantastic instrumentals laced with powerful vocals. Track three, "Joy" provides great melodies over the verse and features a solid chorus. "The Pattern" is the single worthy song of the album with overall strength in its entirety. "Where Everything's Perfect" is another one of the records strong single like tracks. It flows as a narrative story. What's really cool about this track is the overlying piano into the musical transitions. It adds so much to the music not just in the song, but throughout the disc.
Overall the album is a great listen. Hearing the transition between vocals and music is really the key of this album. Jolly does a great job of making these cues seamless and work hand-in-hand. It's a new breed of music, and it is obvious that a lot of thought and passion went into making it.
Jolly at the Full Cup by Justin Sarachik
Jolly is clearly out to be different saying about the tones, "It ads a spin. It's a bit controversial," said singer Anadale. Expanding onto their theme of "Audio Happiness" part 2 of the album is already made. "We wanted to have the songs together as a treatment. The album is done, but we don't have a set release date," said Louis. As of now, Jolly incorporates some of part 2's songs during their set now.
Asking them about how and why they came up with the current album's theme sparked a few different answers. Anadale said, "There are many trials and tribulations of reaching happiness." Joe thinks it's easily described as "Therapeutic." While, "Dynamic and emphasis of emotion," is what Louis came up with.
Jolly's previous release, 46 Minutes, 12 Seconds of Music, was a bit heavier. "The new record is our first attempt to really find our sound. It's mellower, but has the same sound," said Louis. They went on to describe how their first album was a bit rushed, because they were signed off of a few Myspace songs. The album had to come together quick for the label.
Hearing their small sample of music, a record label from Switzerland messaged them saying they would like to sign them. Jolly then got a manager and before they even got a handful of local shows under their belt, they headed for Europe, doing four shows in ten days. In those ten days Jolly was able to fully take in a small sample of the European music scene. "They are more open to new music, while people here want to hear songs they know," said Anthony. "The crowds are a lot less energetic, but they really listen. They soak in every word you say and really just listen," observed Joe.
Jolly at the Full Cup by Justin Sarachik
The band agreed that one of their greatest moments as a band was that first show in Europe. They arrived to Holland to a crowd of over 1,000 people. They met up in Europe after two hour train rides and connected from three different countries. The setting just made for an epic performance, and an amazing moment for the band. It also set the tone for what was to be a big fan base in Europe. They get help from their joint European/American label of Inside Out (Europe) and Century Media (U.S.) In return, Jolly helps to spread Inside Out in America.
In the next five years Jolly hopes to be doing more touring in Europe, recording, and making a living off of music. In the immediate future, Jolly will be doing some east coast touring before heading back to Europe in the fall. They have a video release coming soon that is in the process of being edited. Right now it's under wraps and top secret.
Jolly at the Full Cup by Justin Sarachik
Jolly would also like the readers to know if you go tohttp://www.jollyband.com/promo and type "Sibandguy" you can get two free downloads courtesy of the band.
"As of now Ghosts of Eden are unsigned, but I predict that it won't be long at all before the record label bidding wars begin."
- A Geek Girl, Blog Critics (Jun 19, 2010)
"Unable to suppress its taste for melody, Ghosts of Eden blends elements of hard-core punk with commercially minded heavy rock. The band hits hard as its songs build to anthemic crescendos..."
- JIM FUSILLI, Wall Street Journal (Oct 13, 2010)
That is just some of the press Ghosts of Eden has been pumping out over the last year or so, and deservedly so. GoE exudes passion and seriousness through every one of their tracks. The quality of the recording, the catchiness of the songs, and the level of musicianship is fantastic and greatly appreciated.
Ghosts of Eden have been making the rounds throughout NYC playing bigger and bigger shows as the year has gone by. Now with their release of a new ep this July around the corner, they are looking to gain new fans in whatever way possible. So go ahead, take a listen, read what they have to say, because I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
Where'd the name Ghosts of Eden come from?
It comes from a presence we felt at our very first rehearsal studio. We weren't really sure if it was a good band name or not, but we needed one badly at the time and this worked. A lot of people seem to dig it though, so I guess it's not too bad after all!
Where do you draw your sound from? Describe "Velvet Grunge".
"Velvet Grunge" is a term one of our crew members came up with. We define it as "Grunge/Alternative Rock laced with a little bit of sexy, hints of hardcore, punk and metal." Many of our fans tell us we have a unique sound which is really flattering. We're really not trying to sound like anything nor are we trying to reinvent the wheel but it's nice to be recognized as having an original sound. We just try to write songs that we'd want to hear ourselves. We're definitely children of the 90s so we're pretty heavily influenced by the Alternative and Grunge scenes. However, there are a ton of other bands that we draw from too, like: The Cure, Dream Theater, Incubus, Genesis, Pixies, The Cars, Metallica, etc. How did you all get together?
Well we were all in our own bands to begin with, but one day Rich and Dean, our old drummer got together and started this new project called The Ghost is Lost. Originally it was post-hardcore influenced with melodic vocals. They invited me [Tom] to come jam with them since they were both tone deaf and we eventually evolved into this "Dark Pop" sorta thing, like mellow Brand New.It definitely took a while to nail down our own sound and vision but in time we had it. We didn't think it would become anything serious until we started recording demos and sharing them with people. Everyone would tell us "Damn guys, this is really good." We knew it was good but didn't know what to do. Eventually we just decided to get a bass player and make it a real band. Dean knew Miles from playing in bands together in high school so he invited him over one day and eventually we stole him away from his metal band. After a year, we were in need of a new drummer and since Benny was good friends with Miles and familiar with our music, he stepped in as a stand-in because he was already playing guitar in No Change for Machines. Eventually he came on as full time and the rest was history! It's been true love ever since!
Describe the NYC music scene, and how do you fit in it?
It's a melting pot of sound. There are theatrical bands, pop bands, metal bands, bands with violins, emo bands, etc. You wouldn't think any of those would go together, but we're all pretty supportive of each other. I think Facebook also keeps everyone in tune with the goings on of each other. There is definitely a sense of community thanks to social media and people like Gotham Rocks and No Mercy Metal. How do we fit in?Good question. We definitely have a great rapport with the people in the scene. We try our best to support everyone and help build the community. We also try to pull in other bands who aren't a part of it yet. It's a great feeling knowing that you don't have to look far to find a group of like minded artists who you can just grab a beer with, catch a show or talk music.
What are the long term goals for the band, and what have you accomplished thus far?
I think the long term goal is to play in front of as many people as humanly possible. We want our music heard by everyone. We are very proud of the songs we have written and we want to grow our family of fans who feel the same way. When we play to 100 to 200 people, we can always hear everyone singing along to our songs. I think it would be amazing to hear 10 or 20,000 people singing along. I think we've accomplished a lot considering we have only been playing live for a year and a half. We've played sold out crowds at Gramercy Theatre and Highline Ballroom. We've also played Six Flags Great Adventure which was a blast. We also sold out of the first 1,000 copies of our first record, Ignorance and Lies. I think our fans can relate to our music and that's what we want to keep conveying moving forward.
Biggest rockstar moment/biggest failure?
Biggest rockstar moment was definitely playing for a sold out crowd at Gramercy Theatre. There were so many damn people. The adrenaline was insane and 30 minutes seemed to go by in 30 seconds. We can't wait to experience that again. I really don't think there are any failures if you're doing what you love. I think you can make mistakes but you should learn from them. We've played some horrible shows though where there were 5 people there. That kinda sucks, but we still go up there and play like it's the Garden regardless.
What's the coolest fan story you have?
Our fans are awesome, but hearing one of our fans say that our music saved her life has definitely got to be on top of the list. You do this stuff because it's your passion and you love to create and you love to hear back what it is that you made, but when you see someone's life actually moved by it, it's overwhelming. At first you shrug it off because you think "Seriously?" but then you think about the music that changed your life and the songs that you hung on to during tough times and you realize that it is possible. I think no matter what our future holds, we'll always be grateful for at least touching that one person's life.
Tell me a little about the new EP coming this summer? In short: it's badass! We went in knowing what songs we wanted on it, and then we wrote a new song specifically for it and now that we're done recording we're pretty blown away hearing it all back and we haven't even began mixing or mastering yet. We knew the songs were good, but I think our fans are going to be very happy and I think we're going to make new fans because of it as well. It's definitely a bit heavier and more rocking than the first record. Also, I think there is more of a theme and the songwriting has more focus. People will definitely be able to relate more. However, you can still sing a long to all of the songs. That part of us will never go away. We like to write songs that we would want to hear. The choruses and guitars are bigger than the first record and I think that's going to stand out.
Are there any touring plans with this album?
Absolutely! We are in the middle of planning and scheduling our tour right now. We're probably only going to plan out July, August and September along the East coast, and then we have a few out of the box ideas for the fall which we hope work out the way we have planned. We're coming to a city near you though!
The EP is called, Ignorance and Lies, any story behind that?
We called our first record Ignorance and Lies for several reasons. First off, it comes from the lyrics in the song "Eliot Ness" but it certainly has its own meaning. It especially has its own personal meaning to each of us, but in short, we went into making this record after a short dark period with some people who thought they knew what was in our best interest as far as our career and our music goes. We didn't see eye to eye and we felt like they were misleading us and taking advantage of us. We felt that it was best to start from scratch and make our first record on our own; the way we wanted it to be; the way we knew it could sound. It was a risk and we lost quite a bit of money but the product we got far surpassed our expectations. To me Ignorance and Lies represents what we fought our way out of in order to get to where we are today.
Where do you guys hope to be in 5 years?
On a beach in Fiji, sipping Mojitos brainstorming the next record (laughs). But seriously, we just want to be able to be playing for more people. We want GoE to be a household name, relatively speaking. We want to be able to say we busted our ass to make our dreams come true and do what we love for a living.
Anything else you want to add?
We just want to thank you for taking the time to put this interview together with us. We appreciate the support. Stay tuned for our new record which comes out in July 2011!
.JPG)
