Making his work showcased has been a mission for this artist. Owen now out as a triple threat to our beloved music scene. He has started creating skits and short videos onto YouTube. Starting to become more than a director type, he started to transition into a musical creative. He mentioned becoming acquainted with GarageBand in March of 2021. After moments of learning this he picked up guitar to start the writing and recording process. This music project was the first of its kind; “Running Towards A Wall” was the debut project. And was created within a months time. I would say he is a qualified director, artist, and audio engineer/producer.
Now after a few Singles and EPs later, Owen makes his way through open mics and gigs showcasing and promoting the “Sophomore” album. I was able to find out more into the next steps for this creative. He stated; “I’ve got a few new projects coming out soon, mainly a sort of computer game I made for fun on a website called scratch and a directors cut of a short film I made almost 2 years ago. I’m currently working on a third album, which I’m hoping to record in a real studio but we’ll see what happens. I’ve only written a few songs since sophomore came out and I’m not sure what I’m gonna keep and what I’m gonna keep just for myself.”
Owen has sounds similar to artists Loving.the.Alien, BeatrixSky, and Computer at Sea. Uniquely bringing an album of his own experimental and indie sound. Like finding a tarnished piece of jewelry at the ocean floor. You didn’t know the existence because of the vastness of the ocean. Once the sheen was discovered from the jewel; The obsession will begin. The prized jewel we discovered here is Owen Page.
Seemingly his music is from outer space. Initially I had imagined take off from the perspective of the rocket itself. The cold steel of the jet compared to the steel of the guitar strings. Friction of the pick and strums of the hand of the player compare to the cold and sharp air the pressed against the spaceship itself. The song “Nobody Knows” off of the “Sophomore” album is an astronomical journey. Led solely by guitar and vocals that reverberate throughout the track. Literally by the time you think you left the atmosphere of the song an electronic beat kicks in acting as the thrusters of the engine. Such a strong finish to a well written song.
He adds in a personal touch through his project. The grunge sounds offered in Owens’ music is obvious. It definitely refreshing to hear an artist making music for the sole purpose of creating art. This record sounds as if it was created to and for Owen, not for the masses. However the music seems very well received by a large audience. Tri Cities music scene is beyond blessed to have a creative like him.
There is a song off this album that is titled “Christopher”. A very textured and full song. Created by one although sounding as a multi member band had put it on. With a crisp and yet twangy acoustic guitar framing the song. Adding a melodic and dejected vocals. All of it is stimulated by the lead track on the guitar. The song has great dynamics to it and as a listener you get drawn in and submerged into layers of instrumentation. Each track also has its own dynamics and purpose. His song “Christopher” earns a place on my favorites in my playlist for our local artist.
Owen has no plans on stopping what he has begun. His takeover is inevitable so at this point get use to his name and music. It will be finding you sooner than later. Click into he links below to get more from him.
I’m really impressed and proud to share some of the latest music submitted here. It brought on a great forecast and trajectory of where the music scene is going. Here I introduce to you Gwen Good.
She is a 17-year-old singer/songwriter from Tri-Cities Washington, and she is only a junior in high school. Started playing piano at age 7 and has participated in a lot of piano recitals and competitions when she was younger. Gwen stated “I always loved making up my own piano melodies, but I never thought of writing lyrics.” She had started playing her dad’s guitar and just loved the sound of it. She got her own guitar shortly after, and naturally started making up little songs. This escalated into her learning how to record music on a laptop with a cheap microphone and making messy demos of songs. After a few months, she decided to release some of these songs, and she found a local sound engineer to help record her music professionally. “It was so much fun to record music in a studio, and I even brought a few of my friends into the studio to record different instruments and some backing vocals.” They ended up making what is now the EP called “Horizon” that is coming out on March 31st!
You are your biggest competition. Don’t compare your art to others, it is special because it comes from you.
Gwen Good
She brings her youth and passion into the music on the “Horizon EP”. Each track has been smothered in melancholy. The vocals come through soft and with purpose. Gwen finds the way to attach the emotions within her melodies. Her influence stems from artists such as Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lorde. This really is showcased through her own original music.
Kicking off the project is a song titled “Butterfly”. The song is chilling. Chord progressions strum in parallel with the ups and downs in life. Some chords are bright and light like the warmth of springs newly found sunshine; with the occasional darkened and heavy chords carried like the scars left on your skin. But with the right timing things can start to heal. You hear elements of alternative indie sounds. Keeping it simple and easy. Layered guitars and vocals is all you need. And with this song, that’s exactly what you get. Drums come in and out adding a more subtle dynamic through it. After the first listen I had personally become very interested. This would be my personal favorite song from the Horizon EP.
Frankly the next song is a flag ship song off the project. She has combined more alternative-indie sounds with a touch of folk. Layered instrumentals draw you closer in to this sound. Synth embellishments add a nice texture into her sound. Listen in closely and listen to the mix. “Horizon” is one track that can have you zoned into active listening. Trying to pin point the individual instrumentation. Gwen, fantastic work with this project. You shot for the moon and landed on a whole other planet.
Check into the links below to stay within her social loop. She has an amazing project releasing on the 31st of March. I encourage you to pre save it on Spotify. This may have been the first time you have heard Gwen Good. But it won’t be the last.
theMusicManiac Finds Out
Q: Out of the 5 songs on the EP, which was written first?
A: I believe Horizon was the first song I wrote on the EP. And then I decided it would be the title track before I even wrote the other songs because I liked the name. It was also the last song we recorded in the studio, which was fun because we added more synth layers than some of the other songs.
Q: Do you have a personal favorite song from the EP?
A: My favorite song on Horizon changes every day, depending on my mood. Today I would say Until It Got Dark because I’ve been listening to a lot of folk music lately.
Q: What kind of feedback have you received from your music?
A: I’ve only had a few of my friends listen to the EP, but the feedback has been positive so far! I’ve had people say it gives them Lorde or Taylor Swift vibes.
Q: How does the song writing process work for you?
A: I usually start with lyrics. I’ll overhear someone say a phrase that sounds cool, or random lyrics sometimes come to me during school, and I’ll type it into my notes app on my phone before I forget it. I have probably hundreds of notes on my phone with lyrics. Once I have the lyrics mostly figured out, I mess around with some chords on my acoustic guitar and figure out what works for the song. And then I record a demo on my laptop with some drum and synth ideas.
Q: Next show?
A: I am playing at Tumbleweed Music Festival the first weekend in September and I have some more shows in the works for this summer!
Q: What’s up next for Gwen Good?
A: Right now I’m trying to focus on getting good grades and making it through high school. I’m going to keep writing music, hopefully I’ll eventually release an album which would be really fun! I’d also like to travel somewhere to play a concert, that would be exciting!
Fian is a band based in Seattle, Orcas Island, and LA. From day one, Fian has pursued its chaotic and flagrant vision with an adamantine belligerence.With 5 members in their DNA make up they are able to create some indescribable music together. I will do my best to actually describe it.
This band wrote a song called “Cain”. It’s such a jazzy and fun storytelling song. Really taking music from our local scene to a greater level. The song itself has a hybrid theme to it all while being cohesive. Under taking many twists and turns, you are guided through an eclectic demonstration of the talents within their musicianship and song writing. Kicking it off with a ragtime style drum introduction. Slowly follows in the keys and profound vocals. The year seriously feels like 1950s. Fian has added in a world sound element to its music and yes, the appeal is universal. I can see this song doing well in a license deal being put into a motion picture.
The way the band can capture a feeling from over half a century past is well beyond my comprehension. My belief is that the soul from the vocalist is from another dimension of time; also a beyond his years talent. But another noteworthy mention is the added theatrical manor of the words sang. There is not one second that is left lackadaisical. The overall effort is truly displayed in the record. I was captivated by how light a flip of a switch the group goes from a big band Chicago sound; immediately to a jazzy Latin fusion yet metal sound. I mean it sounds crazy but that is how it works out to be in my head.
“Nosmirc” has the most radical of time changes. The time signatures shift throughout, which causes the hair on my neck to become raised. Their way of capitalizing on this many time through a song is observed. But also it coincides with the songs unique melodic structures. Imagine a constant back and forth battle of hot and cold.
The melancholy of the guitars fuzziness and synths reverbs flood the song immediately. And then swarmed into a fast and swiftness of the chilling strings and rhythm section. It’s quite ferocious actually. Meanwhile the vocal meistro lays down the most canorous lyrics in an essence of a narrative. I enjoy the introspective discussion it allows as you listen in. There is a lot of soul brought in to the lyrics. It reminds me of a man who is coming to terms with a God, and asking all the question he is needed to have answered to feel contentment truly.
Fian is a musical group that is set on a trajectory of success. The way that their music is composed is to appeal to large and diverse audiences. If you haven’t yet to heard of them I will encourage you do download their songs I mentioned above. If you want more on them click into the links below and stay connected.
The MusicManiac finds out!
Q: How did the band Fian come together to start writing music?
A: I met our first pianist, Hudson Reed, back in 2010 slinging Christmas trees at Molbaks. There wasn’t really any expectation but we decided to hang out and try writing a song. It took about 3 hours to finish our first one which gave us a solid unrealistic expectation for how songwriting was going to go in the future. After writing a few more I convinced my childhood friend Josh Nelson to come by and play guitar with us. He also recruited a friend of his, Jacob Kaufman to play drums. A few years later we decided to record some of our songs for posterity. We asked a friend from LA named Harrison Scannell if he would be interested in coming up to Seattle to record bass on the album to which he replied “yes, immediately.” It was supposed to be just a one off recording for us to just have but it hooked everybody. That was our self titled record that came out in 2015. Harry became a permanent member and after Hudson left the band a few years later he stepped in as the lead songwriter on the music side. Robert was in a band called Raphael with whom we shared a lot of bills maintained a friendly rivalry. After Raphael broke up we recruited him to fill the expansive void on keys our friend Hudson had left behind. As a very piano heavy band, this role was a pretty vital one to fill. Around this time, Jake our drummer, had a career change and couldn’t play anymore so we eventually found Christian Rider through some friends in another ally/rival band Grand Arson. That’s the line up that lead to the completion of “Notes from the Underground.” Though often dealing with geographical challenges throughout our history we’ve become even more collaborative over the years. Everyone is deeply involved in the song writing process.
Q: Which song from your current album is your favorite and why?
A: I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite and I think the rest of the guys probably feel the same. They’re all so different so it kind of depends on my mood. I sank hundreds and hundreds of hours designing and building a ludicrous set and running production for a live music video we made for the last song “Nosmirc (Notes from the Underground)”. Life and limb were risked by all for sure and I’m quite pleased with the final product so that’s definitely an endorsement for that song. “Persephone” is good brutal fun that goes in all kinds of weird directions. Right now, Robert and I are doing the arrangement for a local choir’s rendition of “Joy of the Morning” so that one has been very interesting to me lately.
Q: Do you have any advise for aspiring musicians?
A: We’re all pretty much of the opinion that hard work is extremely cool. The sort of laid back persona of certain musicians that like to exude a sense of ease or that they’re “too cool to care” is pretty uninteresting to us. We like being and seeing other musicians teetering on the precipice of failure and somehow pulling it off. This means writing songs you aren’t good enough to play…yet. So yeah, practice practice practice. Ignore the current trends and only make music that you like. It’s so futile to try and please anyone else. If you want to play in a group setting, look for band mates that are kind and good people with ambition. Being in a band is such an intimate relationship it’s essential that it’s not toxic. They don’t need to be the best, they just need to want to become the best. Be humble enough to aspire to your heroes but be egotistical enough to try to dethrone them. You better believe that I’ll be better than Jeff Buckley someday.
Q: What can fans expect when they come out to your show?
A: Our shows are always different. Given the geographical hardships I mentioned earlier, we are often down a member or two. But it’s important to us that the music never comes off as “less.” So we rearrange songs frequently to work in whatever ensemble we are running with. It’s always a kitchen sink though. This is probably pretty obvious, but we don’t really subscribe to the notion of genre for our records or our shows. So hopefully our audience will endure some solid emotional and physical whiplash.
Q: Do any band members have any preshow rituals? If so, what are they?
A: I try to sit in the quiet if I can but I usually end up busying myself with some nonsense, or pacing. Robert will sometimes play air piano. Christian is ostensibly the picture of calm. Harry likes to loosen up with no more than two beers. We always try to have a quick huddle beforehand to psych each other up and Robert always makes the same, stupid goddamn joke but it just wouldn’t be right if he didn’t.
Q: When is the next show?!
A: Next show is at Factory Luxe on Friday March 3rd with Obol and The Whole Bolivian Army. TWBA is a Northwest institution and this is their last show, Obol is quite possibly my favorite band in Seattle. Needless to say, I’m very excited about this one.
My dear old friends have came back to Earth with momentum; And from another planet I might add. Buried Blonde is a group with an out of this world sound. What if they are aliens? Seriously, what if? They made it a legitimate question here with their latest release “Perfect Machine”. Check out the latest song now, which is out on all platforms now.
I was in for a ride myself; So buckle up so you don’t get hurt. The initial impact isn’t so bad, it is the spiraling and descending….Allow me to start at the beginning. So proper I know. Head bobbing music caused by an off beat strumming pattern and a high hat lift on the ANDs of the rhythm. (one AND two AND three AND four AND). I hope that makes sense for people who don’t know how to count. LOL. But on the serious side of the review. You hear the characterized classic rock and grunge sounds from Buried Blonde. A lot of true brightness from the guitars although still maintaining an distorted edge to it. The vocals are true to the band. Adding another texture of grit. The combination of it all is really a euphoric thing. And as soon as you are comfortable with it. YOU GET SLAPPED IN THE FACE!
Like a flip of the switch, and off to the races we go. Holy sh*t. The breakdown is like a motherboard that is actively frying. The anxiety caused is a side affect of the abrupt and radical change. The fuzziest and most distorted bass sound in the history of all bass sounds sends a jolt to your eardrums. Leaving disarraying connection in the brain. Comprehension is gone. Yes, the motherboard in my brain had fried. Like chicken or shrimp would be left. Crispy.
Q : What kind of feedback have you received from this new track?
A : We’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response. People really like the groove and the breakdown. We’re always widening the circle of people we send our press kits out to and have received a ton of requests for more music from new contacts, so we’re speeding up our plan of getting back in the studio for our first full length album.
Q : Have you ever performed this song live?
A : We’ve been performing this song live for almost a year. It’s the one song I (Lauren) don’t play guitar on and it’s been a fun journey figuring out what to do with my hands. We have played an acoustic version at our unplugged series and I play djembe.
Q : Was there any notable experience either in studio or while writing this song that is worth sharing?
A : This is the first song we’ve recorded with Aniela, our bass player and the first song we’ve recorded that was written by Nick (lead guitar). It’s also the first song we’ve recorded at Jesse’s (engineer/co-producer) new studio in Lake Steven’s and we had a very fun sleepover and Jesse drove us to breakfast in his sick van.
Q : When is the next show!?
A : We have two shows this month. On the 14th we have the third show in our Whidbey unplugged series and on the 24th, the Central has let us bring our unplugged line up to their stage.
The album as a collective project is one of their best to come out to fans. When I listen I hear so much depth and texture to it all. With a nostalgic sound. I would say this record is going to be a household name. Like everyone has heard of “The Dark Side of the Moon” right? This is our generations Pink Floyd. Okay let me pause that thought here so you don’t think I’m full of sh*t. And just let me explain.
“Heart of Stone : Smoking Gun” has that feel good vintage aroma to it. I mean it figuratively as you can’t smell sounds. But let us say you could smell a sound, it would reek like an antique shop vinyl. I think the duo is from a past lifetime. Or maybe living it over again. The record has 1970s music written all over it. I mean this as the room sound is full, the air molecules are moving around in the room and you hear that; you can hear everything. Speaking to the band members about this I was able to find out more about the making of the album. Dylan was really not too much help about the process as he mentioned he was actively using Cocaine and MDMA during it. What the f*ck….Was my first reaction as well. He mentioned; “We just kept it to the core of the song and ran take after take until it was as perfect as possible. That I remember.”
Now I move over to Joseph who wasn’t impaired throughout the studio sessions. I was able to get him on FaceTime talking about this creation of “Heart Of Stone / Smoking Gun”. I was able to get him to elaborate more on making this record. He said “Recording is always time consuming, I think we put a total of 80 hours of recording and mixing. Along with the numerous takes and being satisfied. It’s mania inducing, but it’s a crazy kind of love. I hope this project inspires other; and I’m excited to share it with the world.” With that said, if you have been following this duo you may have known or remember a falling out. There was a period of years that these two friends parted ways into other projects.
Johnny Hoffman and the Residents had pioneered through the United States back in 2016. After a three week tour from Seattle,Wa to Boston,Ma the two had dismantled. Through major life events and the grace of God the two were meeting their destiny. They were able to get back together after many years. And put out a masterpiece they had left off with. Joseph also expressed to me these words. “It was interesting, coming back after a long time and rekindling friendship. Actually didn’t plan on coming back to it. I think we both kind of needed each other.”
I’m am sure after listening to the record that you were both destined to make music together. Otherwise you just wouldn’t get such great songs out.
I’ll refer to the first song I listened to off their album. The titled song “Scratch”. It is a slow and bluesy one. Allowing a spacing out grove to dance along and move to. Now they are a two member band so the two work smart with adding in smooth dynamics. JHOFF give off a slight vibe of another local Seattle group. You actually better know of them. The Presidents of the United States of America. Yeah and those guys rock. This song has an alternate beat of clicking and clacking that totally leaves your jaw dropped. It reminded me of The Presidents for sure. Anyways, shortly after the foundation is in place the lyrics flow. The vocals are soft and intimate. Joseph works his words together eloquently. Brittleness of the lyrics are heard throughout the track. Almost as if he was reminiscing a place he was in to inspire the words in the first place. But on the flip side of the coin you find the heaviest noise. The instrumental breakdown is roaring and metal sounding as F*CK! You can also hear the drumsticks cutting the air as it slaps on the Tom-toms. Which is always a huge win. This song itself touches levels of classic metal with a stapled grunge flavor.
Lastly a song so worthy it’s in their record name, “Smoking Gun”. Which is pretty much two songs within itself. The first hearty chunk of it is all instrumental. The bluesy riff is like a dance between the guitar and drums. It is led by a sliding note on the guitar. The beat is alternated from the high-hat to the ride swiftly and then back to its original form. Afterwards you get this kind of “chorus” thing? I mean there are no lyrics but I guess it’s something different than what was going on previously so i think that counts. You become slowly engulfed into a crashing cymbals and Wahhhhh pedal battle. It’s a strict on the beat hit that the duo lash out on and build. Dynamically it gets in your face and will wash out into the “verse”. The first part of the song. And this whole process becomes all too well-known. Drastically you are side swiped by a crescendo. Like an eruption going off inside ( just say your favorite venue inside your head ). But as the ashes settle from this you are left listening to a post apocalyptic sounding jazz outro. Big waves in the natural tones of the guitar. Really full and deep Tom hits. The last portion of the track put me as a listener on my toes. I was so thrown off I am pretty sure I even proclaimed the Lords name in vein.
Zari Alexandria is a 19-year-old singer/songwriter based in the Seattle-Tacoma area in Washington State. After participating in her first performance at nine years old, Zari knew she wanted to pursue performing for the rest of her life. In middle school, Zari joined the choir and became more comfortable singing in front of other people. In high school, she joined musical theater and the chamber choir to develop her voice and performance skills. She started songwriting at fourteen, which further challenged her artistic abilities.
Zari considers herself a “pop” artist who isn’t afraid to engulf herself in other genres. She strives to expand her creativity and showcase versatility in her music. Her 2021 project, The Songbook Opens, demonstrates her goal by including music genres such as pop-rock, singer-songwriter, and alternative in the mix. The stand-alone single “Take Me Back to Seventeen” was her first jump into a dance-pop sound while including her storytelling roots.
And her newest release, Congratulations, I’m Angry, dives head-first into various sonics (dance, R&B, indie, etc.) and storytelling methods while showcasing growth and maturity in production, vocals, and lyrics.
“Is or isn’t it” is my personal favorite off of this project as it brings me a glimpse of the 1990s. Taking me back to listening in to music on the old car radio. Wow before iPods…Sh*t. Do you remember the era before iPods?
Zari has melted genres together to make some wholesome music. You may think wholesomeness as suggesting good wellbeing. But lyrically the song is contemplating love. And how to prevent the worst that love can offer. I’m a huge sucker for heartbreak music so Zari you got me with this song. It’s saved in my Apple Music library and will be played often.
I believe there will be a beyond bright future ahead for Zari Alexandria. I’m certain her talent of songwriting will be taking her music career to great heights. Her voice will draw in new listeners; and catching attention of anyone with a pulse. I can even see other artists needing Zari to help with writing a song or my hopes is that she also has partnership in collaboration. I can see her music being sampled into other artists tracks. Although it is more familiar to modern Hip-Hop and Rap music I can see an abundance of opportunities for her music in this space as well.
It’s incredible to hear the variety in which Zari Alexandria is able to deliver her music. “[Gotta Get] Over You” you will obviously hear its homegrown Dance-Pop influences; with an underlying emotional aftertaste. The combination of this kick and snare beat screams out pop-punk. Definitely a song you can turn up to. The power of music is one I still can’t fathom. How Zari is able to just connect these little bits of different genres into one prized piece of art? This artwork we get to share with her. Tied tightly in a ribbon, perfectly wrapped. Thank you, this is a glorious gift.
Just wow, “Congratulations, I’m Angry”is a smash. 20 minutes of journeying through 6 tracks; and all of this released on the November 4th. As I listen in a am reminiscing the last decade of music in the area. And the bands here can look at her work here as something to strive towards. A project that offers more than a genre. It is almost a collection or collage of sounds.
The MusicManiac Finds Out
Q: Describe your creative process when you write a new song?
A: My creative process always changes. Sometimes, I start with the melody. That could be on my ukulele, or me randomly producing an instrumental on my DAW. Other times, I have lyric ideas, and I think of a tune as I am writing the lyrics down. On rare occasions, I write all the lyrics without a melody in mind. Then i make the melody later while making adjustments to what I write for timing purposes.
Q:What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?
A: The storytelling aspect makes me feel the most passionate. It’s how I best express myself and my feelings. Using songwriting as an outlet is super helpful. It keeps me going. I also love connecting with other people through my music, especially in a relatability sense. I love hearing different interpretations people have with my lyrics, along with the emotions they feel, which makes me want to write more
Q: What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to ten years?
A: Accomplishments: More releases, more shows, and more listeners! More specific goals: I want to record music outside of my bedroom, in a real studio. I also want to work with more musicians- other songwriters, producers, etc. in person instead of doing almost everything by myself or virtually. I hope those happen in the next few years.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of music?
A: I don’t have many hobbies/interests outside of music. I do love watching YouTube and hanging out with my friends. Everything else is related to music (going to concerts, performing in an a cappella group, etc.). I wanna try acting, and cook more when I have the time to do so. Y’all can hold me accountable for that!
You’re always going to be most welcome into this attic. They blew the dust off the old boxes, knocked off the cobwebs from the spiders, and swept up nicely for your arrival. It has never been so nice listening up here as we bring back the three piece group to the blog. Up in the Attic is back with another swift hit.
It is so refreshing to get another dose ofUp in the Attic. This new single they have is full of brightness. The recording of “Growing Up” is produced very well. With a great balance of sounds, from the upfront ukulele and vocals to the underlying synth and backing vocals. I enjoy having to dial my ears in to point out the instruments. And I find ironically enough that as soon as you catch yourself tapping and singing along the song takes a wild twist. The brightness is engulfed with depressed chords and it feels as if storm clouds came in unannounced to stop the sun.
“Growing Up” had me reminiscing all my 30 years of life. I am smoking weed out of my bong and writing a new single review for this kick a$$ Tacoma band. My parents are probably rolling over in their graves but I guess this is growing up.
The lyrics are so descriptive and almost guiding. Speaking on what someone may have expected or hoped for out of life. And yet all of this wondering has us left us feeling stagnant. Maybe I am speaking on behalf of everyone when I should not. Nonetheless the storytelling lyrics paint a picture of what it may feel like. I hope you find this song as comforting as I have.
The MusicManiac Finds Out
Q: Did you write this song in the attic? If not, where?
A: I actually wrote “Growing Up” back at home in California on my bed in my senior year of high school. It was about the time in senior year where the year was coming to a close and I was feeling like the future was about to smack me in the face. And that suddenly I would be packing boxes of all my stuff.
Q: What was the writing process like with this new song “Growing Up”?
A: The process was really fun. I had never produced anything or used a DAW before. It was the first time I had written and recorded anything without any help. The song got put together in garage band of all places. But it was cool to add in the piano and bass line all by myself in my closet. Yes I put the whole thing together inside my closet with a blanket over the door. It was my makeshift recording studio.
Q: What kind of feedback have you received from this new track?
A: The feedback we’ve been getting is nothing I ever expected. People are coming up to me and saying how much they like specific parts of the song or the whole thing. It’s been really exciting.
Q: Have you ever performed this song live?
A: I have performed it live! We haven’t played it like full band yet but I’ve played it at a kombucha shop acoustically.
Q: Was there any notable experience either in studio or while writing that is worth sharing?
A: I think the only notable experience was just really feeling the feelings as I was writing the song.
Q: When is the next show!?
A: We’ve been kind of on a hiatus but are currently working up to a really big show for us that our school’s radio station puts on called KUPS Fest in December.
Misery does in fact love company, and this electronic pop trio has a crowd. Throughout the last eight years Beatrix Sky has been on well heeled show bills and additionally has released well over four full-length projects. On September 23 this year the curve ball was thrown at us and we received a two single drop. I have been pretty hooked into these two new tracks. They are an instant add to my Spotify playlist and were on repeat for a day or so when I had discovered them.
The Pacific Northwest music scene is home to this electronic pop group. And we are left asking ourselves; “Are they a dream or a nightmare pop band?” Beatrix Sky may be the one to to pull the trigger and get your heart to stop. Next track, they may be the one to stop the bullet. The confrontation must be made to find out.
“Misery Loves Company” is a eerie and cold song. It brings on a vintage sound caused by its retro synth keys and the accompanying of a fanfare chorus. Vocally this song is an ear worm. The lyrics are relatable and easy to consume. It’s somber which I can appreciate. “Misery Loves Company” should be in a movie. Like imagine this, Main Character 1 and Main Character 2 are getting into a NYC taxi cab on a late Thursday night out, and it’s raining heavily in Manhattan that night. The clock strikes 12:39am. This song should be in that scene.
Another release of the same project is a song titled “Chemical Imbalance “. I find this amusing because I just remembered I have not taken my bipolar medicine for my chemical imbalances in my mind. Beatrix Sky is another artist I appreciate because in her vocals she has strong control over her dynamics. Soft and emotionally sang throughout the first portion of the song. And with a swift hit, the full band is boiling. All instrumentations hit forte and a guitar solo enters and exits. Allowing the transfer back to the songs original softened form.
I can see how their music is drawing out so many people to their shows. They have music that is absorbing. Click in and see and hear it for yourselves with the “American Spirit” music video..
“I’ll remember you, if you remember me.”
– Beatrix Sky
The MusicManiac Finds Out
Q: What inspired you to start playing and making music?
A: Well I started playing piano at a young age. I took years of private piano lessons which eventually gave me the skills to start writing my own music. I didn’t really have a good grasp on song writing until I was in my twenties. Some personal experiences triggered me to start writing my own songs and after that point, I was hooked!
Q: What do you like most about playing music?
A: For me I think it’s the escape. It puts me in a different state of mind. Whether it’s being on stage or at home messing around on my keyboard, it always takes me to a better place. I just feel more at peace when I’m playing music.
Q: Are there any artists who inspire you? And what qualities do you admire about them?
A: There are SO many artists I’ve drawn inspiration from throughout the years. But if I really had to narrow it down, I think Lana del Rey, Beach House, and Grimes are my main inspirations. When I heard LDR’S “Video Games” for the first time, I thought it was one of the most beautiful songs I’d ever heard. Her voice is so angelic. She really made me want to hone in on my craft.I felt similarly when I heard Grimes for the first time. I love her heavy use of synths, electronic beats and the fact that she produces her own music. That’s another goal I’d like to achieve someday. I also just love her sense of style! She’s funky.
Q: If you ordered food at a band practice, what do you all decide?
A: I honestly can’t say I’ve ever done that before. My bandmates and I usually just drink beer at practice. However, my former drummer’s roommate accidentally ordered an extra pizza one time and we were down to help him out with that 🙂
Q: What is the best advice you had received?
A: “Don’t tell anyone you’re making plans” That still hits.
Lastly I will mention they are performing live in Seattle, Wa on November 13th. The Central Saloon will be hosting the show. Beatrix Sky will be set to perform with bands Elska and NV Electronica.
Gaby is an American-Icelandic singer/songwriter. She riddles modern pop with dreamy electric blues. Raised in India and Turkey and she now calls Seattle home. DeSpain spent her previous years traveling Europe and Asia. This shaped her love of pop, music for the masses, a genre most likely to connect with others regardless of language or cultural barriers. While keeping an edgy and electric pop structure, DeSpain dives deep into her collection of haunting memories and wild experiences with introspective lyrics. A world weary poet, she takes difficult topics while dodging a lagging and dreary atmosphere. Lush, fluid, tongue-in-cheek, sensual, and nostalgic, Gaby aims to comfort and commiserate.
Gaby DeSpain yet again continues to shock the Seattle music scene with another hit single titled “I’m in love with my daydreams”. This composition has a taunting instrumental track as its backbone. Feeling the synthetic chords strum and a brash reverberation of sounds escaping the speakers. It all creeps and crawls to your body. The brightness of sound coming from the guitar and piano bring out a whole texture to the music. As Gaby sings into the masses.
You hear an extensive amount of melancholy. The soul from Gaby DeSpain is beyond her. It almost sounds as if she has had multiple times on this earth. She so clearly understands pain, grief, and sorrow. She parades it in her music, in her lyrics, and you can even hear it in her breath. The idea of optimism isn’t out of question with DeSpain either. Some heart felt lyrics mention running fingers over scars. And even with being molded is still able to be in love with her daydreams. Her message is resiliency and strength. I hear the discomfort and do no know her causes of it. But I also hear the self love. I hear an example of moving forward and healing. With music like hers, it will be understood by anyone and everyone. All walks of life will be able to connect to that one feeling. Whichever it may be. The heartache. Or the betrayal. The joy or the contentment. It just might be a simple want of something more. As a listener I am drawn into the bigger picture. Listen and see what’s inside the frame.
If you are into ambient pop music click into the video above. “Flash Flood” is a combination of both mentioned genres. Gaby is a connoisseur of her craft. The waves she has produced with this single alone is considered tidal. On October 28th of 2021 this song was released to the fans of DeSpain. She has gained well over 11,000 views from the world within the first year. She has a charisma about how she portrayed her song. Showcasing the out of this world scenery is part of the artistic frame.
Questions and Answers With Gaby DeSpain
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Kimbra. She’s so talented and inventive.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
I can’t believe you exist!
What is the most useless talent you have?
Twisting my hand around 360 degrees and contracting Covid. Not sure which one is more useless.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I’d still be in the arts/entertainment industry. Fashion or film
What’s next for you? Personally or professionally?
In October I’m releasing another song and apartment hunting in LA!
Jbswoopa & Goose. Friends since elementary school in Lake Stevens. Their 5th studio record was created in Lake Stevens, Wa. On August 26th of 2022 Wildcat Click released their highly anticipated project. “Get Apps” is a six track project that slaps the sub out of the subwoofer. Wildcat Click is a hip-hop / rap group that has performed The Fisherman’s Village Music Festival in Everett,Wa a couple times and have drawn in new listeners and fans ever since.
“Off-Key” is a perfect song. It’s kind of an Alternative / Hip-Hop song that puts out a West Coast beat and vibe. The intention of “Wildcat Click” comes from their inspiration of the bay area and funk music put out through their music scene. Hearing sounds like the artists Rappin 4 tay and RBL posse.
“Monopoly Money” flexes their egos. Money counting, graphic tees, adidas, and a winning mentality. I mean, the beat on it is balanced. The low end on it quakes. The rumbling bass in the car pushed through my chest. The high end…Well I was high as hell the first time listening to it so it was a good experience. Try it.
You’ve probably heard other rappers say that they started from the bottom. Wildcat started at the top, and it’s all down hill from here.
Wildcat Click
They are found all over the internet. All platforms. Look them up and listen. You hear a bunch of great lines and phrases. Very funky and eclectic dudes putting out music since 2018. There will be a copious amounts or nut busts and sexual references, but hey it’s all included with the use of drugs. I condone it 100%. It’s a lifestyle.
“Time Well Wasted” is a self titled track off their 2018 record and it includes all of the above mentioned topics. The skill sets from them in their earlier stages of song writing is superb. The beat owns a popular upbeat flow, and Goose comes off the rip with confidence and long phrases. Jbswoopa can compliment from the opposition. He flows choppy and melodically. The duo tears apart from the modern fad on emotional hip hop music.
