Step into the ethereal world of Grace DeVine, a mesmerizing indie artist hailing from the enchanting city of Miami, FL. Now she is currently based in Denver, CO and drawing inspiration from the mystical allure of the crescent moon and the mysticism of the mountains. DeVine weaves a magical tapestry of sound that blends haunting blues melodies with dreamy synth-pop undertones. Her music transports listeners to a realm where folklore and modernity dance hand in hand, creating a harmonious fusion of bluestronica and indie-pop. Embark on a celestial journey with Grace DeVine as she invites you to explore the wondrous cosmos of her sonically enigmatic creations. catchy melodies, introspective lyrics, and a blend of electronic sounds, synthesizers, and production techniques. The music typically has a laid-back and atmospheric vibe, with a focus on introspective ideas.
“Gifted Child” envelops listeners in its laid-back, atmospheric vibe, drawing them into a world of introspection and emotional expression. Grace DeVine’s captivating indie pop artistry effortlessly merges acoustic and electronic elements, crafting a dynamic sound that feels both familiar and refreshing. Her distinctive vocal tone adds an ethereal quality to each track, leaving an indelible mark on the listener’s ears.
A true wordsmith, Grace’s songwriting delves into themes of self-discovery, love, and personal growth, resonating deeply with a diverse audience. With every note, she weaves a tapestry of relatable experiences, making her music a cathartic journey for all who listen. Her ability to infuse her songs with raw emotion sets her apart in the indie pop scene, promising a future brimming with artistic evolution and heartfelt resonance. “Gifted Child” isn’t just a song – it’s a glimpse into Grace DeVine’s promising and enthralling musical odyssey.
This kick-ass alternative pop rock band, led by a badass female vocalist, unleashes a raw and electrifying fusion of gritty melodies and fierce instrumentals. Their music exudes an intoxicating vibe, as the vocalist’s soul-piercing voice seamlessly melds with the band’s wickedly talented instrumentation. Guitars churn out a wicked blend of searing chords and relentless riffs, laying down a rock-solid foundation for the vocals to dominate. The rhythm section delivers gut-punching basslines and precision-guided drum beats that inject an irresistible pulse, cranking up the band’s in-your-face attitude. Synthesizers and keyboards inject a dose of sonic rebellion, creating a rebellious backdrop that perfectly complements the singer’s gutsy delivery. The interplay between the instruments and vocals is pure dynamite, a sonic explosion that propels each track into the stratosphere. This band’s audacious fusion of alternative pop rock elements creates an immersive experience that lingers long after the final note, leaving a gloriously gritty imprint on your damn soul.
Unveil the artist’s universe. Click, explore, follow, and be inspired.
The MusicManiac Finds Out
Q: Can you tell us about your musical background and how you got started in music?
A: I’ve been singing forever! Ever since I was a kid; I just can’t keep my mouth shut.
Q: What do you hope listeners take away from your music? Are there any specific messages or emotions you aim to convey?
A: It’s okay to feel a huge range of emotions, keep your head up, and don’t be afraid to get silly!
Q: Are there any upcoming projects, tours, or exciting plans you can share with your fans?
A: I have an EP, “Taste of Heaven”, coming out September 15th along with a release show at Globe Hall in Denver! Get your tickets while they’re hot!
Q: What are your favorite aspects of being a musician and performing live?
A: I’m kind of addicted to creativity. Songwriting lights me up. I love making characters who have their own stories and complex emotions and just bringing the most drama out of them as possible. I also love pulling from my own experiences but that gets a little too real sometimes. There’s such a thrill in the flow of it all.
Q: When and Where’s the next show?
A: Globe Hall, Denver CO! September 15th!
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to break into the industry?
A: Remember why you love music and stay close to whatever reminds you of that.
Introducing Seattle’s badass indie rebel, the fierce and unapologetic force of nature known as Iffin. With a voice that’ll make your heart ache and lyrics that cut through bullshit like a knife, she’s a goddamn powerhouse. Born and bred in the rainy streets of Seattle, she’s a no-nonsense, don’t-give-a-f*ck kind of artist who’s unafraid to challenge the status quo.
Infusing her music with a perfect blend of indie-pop and punk-rock grit, Iffin will take you on a wild ride through the depths of emotion and self-discovery. She’s not just another cookie-cutter musician; she’s a rebel with a cause, breaking free from society’s expectations and daring you to do the same.
When she’s not tearing up the stage, you can catch Iffin exploring the underground scene, throwing up her middle finger at the mainstream, or sipping whiskey like it’s water. So, buckle up, motherfckers, and join Iffin on this kickass journey of raw authenticity and unbridled passion. Get ready to have your mind blown and your soul awakened by this fierce indie queen. She’s not here to play nice – she’s here to leave a mark that’ll echo through the ages. Let’s fcking rock! 🤘😈🎸
Embracing the city’s iconic grunge heritage while infusing it with folk storytelling, her music takes listeners on a powerful journey through emotions and experiences. With a guitar in hand and a voice that carries the weight of the world, Iffin is a true embodiment of Seattle’s alternative spirit, forging a path that’s entirely her own in the vibrant indie music scene.
Her music is a captivating fusion of grunge and folk, weaving together the raw and rebellious energy of ’90s Seattle grunge with the heartfelt storytelling and acoustic elements of folk. Picture a raspy and hauntingly emotive voice, reminiscent of the grunge greats, evoking feelings of both vulnerability and defiance.
Her guitar playing is equally expressive, alternating between hard-hitting power chords and delicate fingerpicking patterns that accentuate the introspective and introspective nature of her lyrics. The sound is raw and unfiltered, capturing the essence of the gritty streets of Seattle.
In her grunge-inspired tracks, you’ll find that signature distorted guitar sound, coupled with driving rhythms that transport you back to the heyday of the grunge movement. The lyrics, often delving into themes of alienation, inner turmoil, and societal discontent, resonate with a generation seeking to make sense of their place in the world.
On the other hand, her folk-infused compositions take a gentler approach, revealing a more vulnerable side to her artistry. The acoustic melodies flow gracefully, providing a perfect canvas for her introspective storytelling. Her folk sound embraces themes of personal growth, love, and the beauty of nature, creating moments of solace and reflection.
In both grunge and folk songs, Iffin seamlessly blends her influences, crafting a sound that’s uniquely her own. It’s a raw and soulful journey, where every note and lyric bears the weight of her experiences and emotions, leaving audiences with an unforgettable and deeply resonant musical experience that pays homage to Seattle’s musical legacy while carving a path for the future.
The MusicManiac Finds Out
Q: Can you tell us about your musical background and how you got started in music?
A: Oh dear. I’ll try to keep this brief. I grew up in Boston where my dad was active in the indie rock scene throughout the 80s with a band called men and volts (my mom later joined too). He’s always been in bands and hung out with other guys in bands from that period, always taking gigs where they can find them and throwing big parties where they all got together and played for each other. So my brother and I were going to gigs since before we were born, and naturally we started a band as soon as possible, which for me was at age 10. We got our first gig when i was 11; My dad had let my brother and me jump on stage between sets and i guess we made enough of an impression on Rick Berlin (formerly of Orchestra Luna) that he booked us on the spot. that’ll be 22 years ago this December!
Q: What or who inspired you to pursue a career in music?
A: This is a funny question for me because it never felt like there was a choice involved. our family life always revolved around music and our many gigs. Summertime in our family was always about the big parties my dad’s music friends would throw where we all got to play for each other. Etc.
Q: How would you describe your music style or genre?
A: Oh God, I would love to know. I am recovering rock critic and since leaving those ambitions behind I’ve developed a strong distaste for the idea of genre altogether. Not to say i haven’t had my fun with it. In previous projects i usually tried to subvert genre with silly neologisms like “dandy punk” and “heavy petal” which still feel applicable to me. But since I’ve mellowed a bit with age, i try to be at least a little bit useful. the current term I’m using is “lesbian chambergaze” but i still feel like that’s missing the experimental elements that i feel set me apart. Just think of it as pop music where the song itself is the instrument.
Q: What’s the story behind your latest album or single?
A: I call it my “gay polemic.” I mean, Seattle is weird, man. Nothing makes that clearer than coming out as trans here. I was deeply involved in the north Seattle music community until i came out, and then practically all of those people just straight up chased me out. Since then I’ve had to start pretty much all over. Thankfully I’ve found a much stronger and more supportive community that doesn’t chill with my rapist so it’s gotten better. But you can imagine what a traumatic break that was, especially given how much socalled DIY bands supposedly stand on principle. So a lot of the songs I’ve been writing have documented the process of reckoning with that. This most recent EP, PICARO I, reflect several stages in that process, but i feel they express most clearly how far I’ve come since leaving all my cis normative bullshit behind, both as a songwriter/producer and as a person. This is basically the first thing I’ve released since i figured what it is i actually have to say, and whom i am saying it to. Not much of a story to the release itself. I had the songs ready and i wanted to put something out that was more up to date than the old stuff.
Q: Can you walk us through your songwriting process?
A: Usually it starts on guitar – I’ll stumble upon a chord progression or something, lay down a scratch track and then start fleshing it out. Lyrics generally come last – I can’t write without a melody, and I can’t settle on a melody if i haven’t figured out what the rhythm section is doing. Usually the bass takes the longest – it’s my first and best instrument, and generally winds up doing most of the heavy lifting in the finished arrangement.
Q: Are there any specific themes or messages you try to convey through your music?
A: I don’t want this to sound like a weasel answer, but I think the theme I return to most often is the political consequences of emotional ambivalence. usually I’m imagining some kind of conflict in which both parties feel aggrieved, and then deliberately creating confusion around which one is speaking from line to line in the song. Not to harp on this, but when my friendships were all blowing up after my transition, I couldn’t help being struck by how I was totally polarized from those people emotionally, but our emotional logic seemed identical. and once i noticed it there i was seeing it everywhere – we’ve relied so long on this charged, moralistic language to navigate conflict that we’ve forgotten how to actually make honest judgments and hold one another accountable for things. But what we have become great at is performing the desired response instead, in the interest of maintaining our social position, well past the point where it would align with morality or even logic. This is easy enough to recognize in say, electoral politics, where the idea of meaningful morality seems to have been abandoned altogether in favor of placating Nazis – yes, I’m looking at you Mayor Harrell and your murderous contingent – but I wanted to draw attention to the fact that the same forces are at work in socalled “punk” and leftist spaces like the ones I was in too. I guess you could call it the aestheticization of politics – aesthetics are morality, or they’re supposed to be, and we need to get on board while we still can. The first track on the EP articulates this the most clearly – “don’t act like it’s never crossed your mind/there has to be such a thing as crime.” It’s sarcasm – the speaker, a contemporary fascist in all but name – demands the performance of crime and punishment not out of moral rectitude but rather the desire to complete their emotional aesthetic, which is to say, blind spite. But the intention is hopeful. the solution to any problem the song presents is always to swallow your pride, face the truth, say the true thing even when it hurts to do it. The end of the song I talked about above ends on a turn into sincerity – “there must be something more to life/than crimes and what punishments suffice.” I believe in human imagination, but only inasmuch as we’re willing to use it y’know? I work with children and I tell them all the time, when you can choose to do something even when you don’t want to, THAT is the meaning of freedom. That’s my gay polemic in a nutshell I suppose.
Q: How do you feel your music has evolved over the years?
A: It would be difficult to think of a way in which it hasn’t! Luckily it’s all very well documented, for better or for worse. It’s funny, cause when I first got started writing songs I just wanted to write jangly shoegaze pop songs (tho i had sidelines in maudlin folk and rudimentary drone). Then I spent my twenties making cerebral art rock music. Now I’ve come around to doing all those things at once and I think I’ve finally got this figured out. It’s all been a matter of refining my technique and letting go of my fear of being judged for what I like and what moves I want to make. So I guess what’s different now is that I’ve become fully unstoppable.
Gwen Good comes back to it like she never left. With her newly released song “Fifth St.”. She definitely isn’t missing any opportunities grabbing new listeners with this track. The softness and emotions left into the recording is concrete and won’t be leaving. In a previous write up on The MusicManiac Blog she mentioned that she draws her inspiration from artists such as Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lorde. Go listen for yourself!
A love song that displays loss; It lyrically discusses the internal monologue of an old love. A long time ago there might have been a once fond feeling of love. However listening into the lyrics…it sounds like reminiscing the good times.
“5th Street” by Gwen Good
So much brightness to such a dark song. You hear an abundance of melancholy in all her work, but there is something with “Fifth St.” that is exposing her emotions a little bit deeper than usual.
The acoustic guitar lays down a railway for the song. It allows a lasting cadence for the vocals to shine through. Although they are in opposition of one another I might add; The brightness to the song is hit by all the right notes on the guitar. With heavy and heartfelt lyrics and vocals to grab the attention of the listeners ears. You are dragged into this song as if it was an undercurrent. When “Fifth St.” starts you are teased with innocence of a young artist, you will get very matured sounds and emotions throughout the entirety of the song.
Yes, Gwen Good outdid herself again. At this trajectory who knows how far she can go in music. At a young age this artist has such a strong foundation to make and market music as the best in the industry do.
Click into links below to follow more about this music artists releases, shows, and just the day in the life.
The MusicManiac Finds Out
Q: What’s the story behind your latest album or single?
A: I wrote Fifth St, my latest single about the feeling when you are no longer in someone else’s life and the pain that can come from it.
Q: What do you think sets you apart from other musicians in your genre?
A: One thing that might set me apart from other musicians is I’m very much a DIY person, making my own cover art (like the painting I made for Fifth St) and doing all of my own marketing for my music, although I think that’s pretty common with smaller artists!
Q: How do you feel your music has evolved over the years?
A: When I wrote my first EP, Horizon, I was still learning how to put a song together. And now with my newer music I’m really focusing on creating more developed stories with my songs. I think my vocals have gotten better as well, the more songs I make.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to break into the industry?
A: I would tell aspiring musicians to focus on making the music really good first. Once you’ve done that you can work on growing an audience, but the music should always come first.
Q: What are your goals and aspirations for your music career in the future?
A: I’m starting to record a second EP and my goal is to really step outside of my comfort zone and create something unique and authentic to me.
The Sleepy Haunts are an alternative indie pop/rock band. Offering “Bubble Grunge” influences from artists like Beabadoobee and Beach Bunny.; while drawing inspiration from artists of the 1990s like The Cranberries and Alanis Morissette. This group is based in Seattle, WA, The Sleepy Haunts makes music that celebrates comic book pop culture while exploring the insecurities and struggles of adolescence.
“Peter Parker” by The Sleepy Haunts is a fanfare as far as I am concerned. An instant ear worm. The nostalgia I received goes back to the summer of 2002. The pop punk music was at an all time high through out the movies and television. Hollywood still idolized those punk groups. The Sleepy Haunts are now reviving a new rendition of pop punk music with an influence based off of a classic superhero.
The tones from the band are perfectly matched. Sharply distorted guitars riff throughout the track. Bright high end notes lighten up the sound like lightening strikes through a thunderstorm. Vocally you can hear an explosion of angst as punk music demands.
I hear influence pour in and overflow with this group of artists. The Sleepy Haunts have sounds similar to Paramore, Tonight Alive, and even The Regrettes.
Energetic and catchy would be the best ways to describe this new track. “Peter Parker” has a blend of rawness which is stemmed from the punk rock tones and songs structure. Also aligned in tandem with a more melodic hook provided by the vocals and lyrical content that we can all relate to…A friendly neighborhood superhero.
Click in below to follow and get more involved with the The Sleepy Haunts
Rad Max is a rad wave dance punk band from Portland, OR. They were voted most likely to play the training montage song in a straight-to-video b-movie. In between so-bad-it’s-rad movie nights, this band blasts out ridiculous songs about alien radios, convenience stores, and magical shutter shades.
“Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.”
– Ted “Theodore” Logan
Rad Max is a band that is as down to earth as it comes. Just like the convenient store they frequent, the group has a rigid punk exterior and an inside filled with sweet treats and items to make your house a home. This four piece dance punk band offers music with glorified tones and riffs. Mastering the punk sound, and then displaying it before their audience via social media platforms through posts and videos. Rad Max also finished up a tour of the country where they were spreading their Rad Max seed throughout the land.
“So Convenient” has a pretty badass drum track on it. Not going to lie, it goes hard as hell for dance punk. With heavy high hat patterns wether if it’s an opened note accented or just the thunderous 32nd note beat. The drums are leading the way into the chorus. Which I need to express is a fanfare. Such an ear worm. I have literally been singing along all day. Somehow I ended up making time for a Slurpee break. Yes, I did stop by a convenient store and pick up a tiny 64oz blue raspberry Slurpee.
I mentioned glorified tones and riffs previously and the why is simple. The stringed instruments add that punk aspect. It’s dirty in the best way. The combination of instrumentation is classic. Every member owns their instrument. The vocals tracked were done so well. Lyrically the song is describing a walk through a mini mart. But the way the lyrics get sang out and portrayed is anything but mini. Loudly and proudly Rad Max stands out of the music scene with their latest smash hit “So Convenient”.
Go support, follow, and indulge in the finest dance punk music on this side of the Mississippi River. Rad Max social media links are labeled below. Enjoy their lyric video of “So Convenient”.
The MusicManiac Finds Out
Q: When and Where’s the next show?
A: We’re taking a little time off to do some more recording for the next album, but we’re back playing live again on September 23 at The Firkin Tavern with Tragic Lovers and Radio Weekend (SEA).
Q: So far what’s been your favorite show? Why?
A: We just got back from tour and had an awesome time at the Golden Bull in Oakland. Great sound, great staff, and there are stairs at the back of the stage so you can make a rock star entrance.
Q: How does the group feel like so convenient was received?
A: We’ve had a lot of great feedback around it. It’s gotten a little radio play and we always have a fun time playing it at shows.
Q: What would you do if you found $100 at band practice?
A: We’d all get monogrammed, day-glo hip packs.
Q: Other than being so convenient, why are convenient stores better than grocery stores?
A: Where else can you get beef jerky, a tiny rose in glass, and a brain freeze at the same time? Plus, if you’re lucky, maybe some guy will be practicing his kung-fu moves in the candy aisle.
A Morbid Movie Joke was created by dAVE Inden as attks th drknss. The entire record was made in Seattle, WA. You will find no greater family man then dAVE. Up to this point much of the music dAVE has made was inspired by his daughter and being a father. The song titles are all inspired by different events or phases in their relation from the very beginning through getting married and having their daughter.
The title of the record, A Morbid Movie Joke, comes from a time from before they began dating where dAVE’s wife made a joke regarding a swarm of bees outside a coffee shop. It was swirling about and there seemed to be hundreds or thousands of them just outside on the street. People were very curious as to what was going on and started to go outside. dAVE’s wife made a joke about the movie My Girl and how if people weren’t careful they would end up like Macaulay Culkin’s character. dAVE instantly fell in love and wanted to be with her from that moment forward.
The record is five tracks. The songs are presented in chronological order from the start of everything up to present day. The sounds all come from samples either recorded by dAVE or created in Reason by dAVE. There are field recordings from dAVE’s phone, loops of sections from generative synths and other instruments, grain synthesis, and slowed down audio that is unrecognizable from its original form. The improvised performance of each piece, except for the last track, was done on a Roland SP-404MKII and recorded directly to the final version.
I’ll be happy to talk about the first track of his project. As “Swarm of Bees” is a literal masterpiece. The instrumental sounds bring on a luxurious and the most decadent sensation. Layered amounts of xylophones overwhelmingly consume your ears. And it is very intense and intentional. Behind the xylophones it’s abundantly clear the sounds of crystal tones are peaking through. Almost halfway through this 7 minute song, a quite unexpected moment occurs. An almost haunting experience of piano comes through. I imagine a grand piano in the middle of a large foyer. Playing on its own. I know an eerie thought right?
A project full of experimental and improvisation. That’s a great way to explain the soundscape of the second track titled “There is a Wild Horse Loose in the Rage Cage”. There are alternating rhythms via synthesizer. Very full of dynamics. The intensity is set a few times through the song and restarted as a looping warped conundrum. With an amazing outro, the song switched gears to a more radical cadence.
His music is beyond our world! Literally there is a song attks th darkness has that is specifically created for aliens. Yes extra terrestrial beings are eating this song up. EDM can’t even compare. The song is a literal fry in the mother board. The song “Is that a distant call of a conch shell or is that the shower again”. It took me a moment to find the best way to describe this track; the best way it’s described would be literally a music software having multiple and back to back organisms. And it’s rigid and distorted sound comes off as 1990s dial up internet. Alternated rhythms are pulsating and leading the way through this song. This was my favorite one to listen to while in bed with my partner.
Spend some time listening to this radical and out of this galaxy sound. It’s experimental and interesting improvised music will lure a mixed batch of listeners. But be aware you will most likely have a short in the mainframe of your brain.
Q: Where have you performed? What are your favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows? How do your work and creativity relate to the world and what it the role of music in society?
A: Since returning to making music after a number of years I haven’t yet performed live in Seattle. But, I do hope to at some point this year. I am currently working on something that I can use for a live performance. In the past when I was more active in this project I was living in Northern California and I performed at music venues around the San Francisco Bay Area. My fondest memories of performances were in the smaller DIY spaces like house shows and community centers.
Q: How would you describe the music that you typically create?
A: I describe my music as experimental electronic. Each track is typically instrumental. I look to use a variety of both analog and digital instruments to create soundscapes of sorts while the composition and performance process is improvised making for moments of music that may never occur the same way more than once.
Q: How does your work and creativity relate to the world and what it the role of music in society?
A: My creative work is mostly focused on trying to capture feelings I have and to encapsulate moments in time. As I have become a parent I have really tried to slow down and relish in small moments. Making improvised music is both fun for me, but also helps me focus on the idea that moments in our lives can’t really repeat the same way ever and making music that is always different reminds me of how special it can be to share something with folks that can never be the same way again.
Q: What’s your favorite food and drink?
A: Favorite food and drink would be pizza and coffee either together or separate. They both work for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in my opinion. But, that is likely from a childhood of watching a lot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and living in Seattle. Even so, I’m just fine with that. 🙂
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.
