No Step – Artist Interview

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Tony Coke: You’ve been making electronic music a while now… Do you feel it’s easier now, with the advancement of audio editing software?

No Step: Definitely. But there’s such an abundance of options and things you can do now that you gotta work hard not to get lost. Every plugin and piece of gear comes with thousands of presets and gigabytes of samples, and each one of them is so deep you barely use 10% of what they can do. Things were harder a few years ago, but the limitations forced you to learn just how far you could abuse your toys.

Tony Coke: I listen to a lot of music these days and think, “that dude has probably never picked up a real instrument in his life”. I don’t get that feeling when I listen to NoStep. Do you also play traditional instruments, or is it strictly mouse and keyboard for you?

No Step:My first instrument was the computer, way back in the 90s running Impulse Tracker on DOS. I started playing drums a few years later and I can fake my way on keyboards and guitars, but I’m honestly not that good at any of those. Since the beginning I was always more interested in textures and how the same instrument can sound different depending on how it’s played, recorded and so on. That’s why I love samplers in general; I can build a beat using drums from the 90s, bass from the 70s and a subway train as percussion.

Tony Coke: How has relocating from Brazil to Toronto changed your music? I would imagine your influences would change dramatically.

No Step:Music is still a surprisingly regional thing and most indie Canadian artists are unknown elsewhere. Everything you hear influences what you do, so yes, there was definitely a change.

But the biggest change was realizing there’s space for pretty much any kind of music in Toronto. People in Brazil can be incredibly conservative in this aspect, and there’s an inexplicable prejudice against anything that isn’t typically Brazilian. As someone non-typical, I’ve never really felt at home there, so moving to Toronto was liberating in this aspect. The only thing that bothers me is how people don’t dance!

Tony Coke: Your have a show coming up July 17th with the RAW: natural born artists organization. It sounds like a mix of all kinds of art. How did that partnership come about? Did they reach out to you, you reached out to them?? Have you done a show similar to this before?

No Step:I did a show at Nocturne a while ago with a few local artists and Michelle was performing with her Mantragora project (The Databats and Iderdown were also there). I didn’t know she was connected to RAW by then – only that she played a killer minimal techno set using vintage hardware. I connected the dots when the opportunity to submit material for RAW:Glimpse came up, so it was a very serendipitous thing.

I’ve played festivals and showcases with past projects, but I’ve never been part of anything as diverse as RAW. I’m really excited for it!
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Tony Coke: What’s the rest of 2015 have in store for No Step and what’s the best way for people to connect with you?

No Step:I’ve started doing livecasts from my studio recently, sometimes performing and sometimes geeking out about production. There will be a new EP soon(ish), and definitely more gigs.

You can find everything No Step at http://nostep.ca, and I’m @nostepmusic on Twitter and Instagram. Oh, and buy tickets for RAW:Glimpse at http://rawartists.org/nostep!

Tony Coke: Thanks for catching up with us and all the best on your upcoming gig and ‘Arctic Summer’!

If you happen to be in the Toronto area, here’s the info on the No Step show:
RAW:natural born artists Toronto presents GLIMPSE
July 17th at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club, 722 College St.

A multi-media showcase featuring Toronto’s best talent in Music, Film, Fashion, Visual Art, Photography, Dance, Performing Art, Hair and Makeup
An interactive event where audience members should expect to be entertained! Sip on a glass of wine, watch performances and walk around the labyrinth of art displays!

RAW also has events around the world I believe, definitely all around North America.
They combine visual, audio, and other forms of art to create a different kind of event, to stimulate your artistic receptors in multiple ways.
Check them out at http://rawartists.org

Suburban Vermin – Seattle Punk Posse Interview

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I have a close connection by default with the attitude and mindset of the punk genre, Playing in a very punk-ish band myself for many years.
Suburban Vermin drew me in immediately. While punk bands aren’t supposed to give a shit, a quick look past the music reveals that Suburban Vermin really does give a shit, maybe even two.

Tony Coke: You guys have a very impressive and professional online presence. Are yall with a label or management, or have you done everything on your own?

Jason Vermin: Thanks, Right before we started recording “Headless Over Heels,” we hired our manager Nina but since her background was in record production, she was focused on producing and mixing the record. While she was busy with that Amanda and I worked on the other aspects of the record like promotion, online presence, artwork, etc. We’ve never really worked with a label.

Amanda Gamino: Nope not on any record labels, just doing this ourselves the old fashion way. As far as management we hired Nina Guidry as our manager to take care of the bulk of all the busy work so the band has more time to focus on what really matters.. making music.

Tony Coke: I LOVE the comic book idea!! Way to think outside the box. Did that come together because of a love of comics, or just a creative marketing angle?

Jason Vermin: I think it’s a little bit of both. I’m a pretty big comic book fan in general and it’s always been on my bucket list to make one. The process for putting together the comic book was surprisingly easy too, considering we made up the process as we went along. Other bands have had comic books before, like K.I.S.S., but I think that they’re about the band members having some sort of super natural adventure or something. I wanted this to be a companion piece to the record. I really like the way it turned out though.

Amanda Gamino: The comic book was all Jason’s idea, he got super creative and basically said, I’ve invested my own cash in this so if it sinks it won’t hurt the band fund. 

Tony Coke: You guys have been at it for a while now. Has it always been Jason and Amanda putting things together musically and business wise?

Amanda Gamino: Since i joined the band in 2008, it started out with someone else as the singer and I was just the underage guitarist, but once she was out, Jason and I decided we could split all the song writing up. After that its pretty much been us two as the main leaders, with now the exception of Nina bossing us around from time to time haha. 

Jason Vermin: There was a very, very short period of time about 7 and a half years ago where Amanda was not in the band, but things really didn’t start cooking until she joined. Musically, the work has always pretty much been and is split right down the middle 50/50 and I handled the lions share of the business side. Since we hired our manager Nina, it’s freed up a fair amount of time. She now handles the booking and business side for the most part, which gives me a lot more time to work on the creative, but not necessarily musical side. This arrangement is directly responsible for our amazing music video and things like the comic.

Tony Coke: You’ve got a buzz built about the release of the new album, what plans do you have to promote it once it’s released? Any touring in the future?

Jason Vermin: I think the first thing out of the pipeline is going to be the music video for “Headless Over Heels.” It was directed by the talented Eddie DaRoza and was filmed in sunny southern California. It even has a cameo from Unwritten Law’s lead singer, Scott Russo. That’s kind of cool, because that’s one of the kinda Warped Tour hey-day bands I’d download off of Napster back in the day. That’s going to premiere on BlankTV’s site on July 10th. Then with the record itself, not only will that be available on line and physically through our website, you’ll also be able to download the comic book digitally and read it on your tablet or computer, but it does look better in print. We’re also going to be playing some pretty fun sounding festival shows in Washington later this year, including one with D.O.A, which should be insane.  We have some stuff planned for those shows we can’t really talk about yet, but it’s really fun stuff that bands really don’t do, kind of thinking how can we market this like a different kind of event in addition to the way you’d market a concert. Between that, we’re hoping to for sure get out of town and play some places out of town that we’ve never played before.
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Tony Coke: That’s awesome! A band I play with opened for D.O.A. once in a little club, it was bad ass. I climbed up on the bar during a song and fell off.
I hope I get to hear about this stuff you aren’t going to tell us about, being that I’m obsessed with marketing and music. Amanda? Touring?

Amanda Gamino: Touring.. YES! Ive always had this dream to tour all over and play music. For promoting this record we have a lot of big shows coming up before the record will be officially release which will give us a boost on getting our music out there to new crowds and pumping them up to want to buy the CD when its officially out! 

Tony Coke: What’s the best way for people to connect with you guys? website, social media?

Amanda Gamino: Ways to connect with us; IG (Instagram) @suburban_vermin, Facebook, www.suburbanvermin.com, and reverbnation.com 

Jason Vermin: First thing any potential Suburban Vermin fan should do is go to our official website (www.suburbanvermin.com) and sign up for our mailing list. We like to give people who sign up for that a little early heads up on some stuff, as well as some Mp3s and such. Also we have some of our music up there where you can choose the price you want to pay. If you go to our Facebook and leave a message or post a comment, we’ll respond. It’ll either be Amanda, myself or our manager Nina, so that’s a pretty good place if you want to connect. 

Tony Coke: Kick ass guys, keep it up, I can’t wait to reconnect with you again here in a few months and see the stats after your new album drops and the progress you’ve made. And if you hit Texas, PLEASE let me know!

She Lion – Ariel de Lion Interview

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To make it in today’s music industry, you have to think big and have your hands in many different things. Brooklyn based, Ariel de Lion, is a prime example of this. With radio, multiple music projects, as well as multiple businesses, he’s a busy guy, so I’m thankful to have gotten a few minutes of his time.

Tony Coke: I was up in Brooklyn at CMJ a few years ago and it seems like a cool scene. Has that been growing or evolving lately?

Ariel De Lion: Yup, things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years of 2013-2014. With a massive gentrification going on in Bushwick and Bed stuy. The good part about it is that we basically almost never go to Manhattan anymore, its all here.

Tony Coke: For other musicians out there, what would you say is the #1 most effective marketing technique you’ve utilized to spread the word about She-Lion?

Ariel De Lion:She Lion will be my 7 studio album and maybe the 10th Musical project im leading in the past 20 years of doing Music. Each project have different marketing approach, if its an underground Piece like “Hostel Ayalon”, its goes best by email lists and mouth to ear. If its Hard Rock like De Lion’s “Trash, Birds? Rats. Idea!” it goes best with a Label so most of the effort goes to find one. Here’s in She Lion its EDM with live instrument which probably will go best with good youtube video and lots of shows… will see…

Tony Coke: What is it in music that you just couldn’t live without?

Ariel De Lion: Good one, I have no idea… I’m doing Music since I’m 8 years old. Seriously I think I just have to do it, like eating, sleeping and fucking… making music and writing stories. Make me wanna live a lil bit more…

Tony Coke: Do you handle the website and social media yourself? It looks great, someone in the band must be a graphic artist.

Ariel De Lion: We have an amazing Graphic designer, Jason Naylor that came up with all the amazing graphics for She Lion, also Naty Tea took amazing Photoshoots for the cover with the first She Lion, Victoria Elizabeth, @Gypsyfoot, modeling and body painted by Badder Israel. So for your question, good stuff are never one person mindset, its a team.

Tony Coke: What’s coming up and what goals are set to be accomplished the second half of 2015?
Ariel De Lion: Apart from She Lion, I am working now on a collection documentary and a Record, that will sum up the 2-3 years we lived in The Music Wagon StART up collective in Bushwick 2011-2013, 150 people, artists, DJ’s, visionary preachers were living there along those 2 magical years and the Blue Bus. Emerging from the Lower East Side, The Living Theatre, LES.FM radio, the Ludlow studio, Mr. Bugsly present and the Rainbow gathering along with the House Of Yes across the street, Aldorado Afters with Burymeinbrooklyn under our shaking asses. I got so much materials and finally i got the time to work on something to remember, super excited. Gonna be super real s**t!

Tony Coke: Sounds like you’ve got your plate full! Best of luck and we’ll look for some cool shit coming out of Brooklyn this year.

Ariel de Lion is an Israeli-American, Brooklyn based Artist, Musician and Entrepreneur. As both a conceptualist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Ariel has led several musical and Art projects most known by DE///LION, Punk hapoalim, Casino Ayalon, She Lion and Hostel Ayalon. Best known for his Multidisciplinary approach, He is also the creative force and founder of the Start-up company and Brooklyn Art collective, Music Wagon. The founder of the Lower East Side radio station, LES.FM at the Ludlow Studio and The founder of Hostel Ayalon, non-for-profit venue in Tel Aviv, Israel.

http://she-lion.com
facebook.com/shelioninbed

3rd Twin

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3rd Twin is a hip hop artist making big noise and doing big things out of Portland, Oregon.

Tony Coke: Does the Portland hip hop scene have it’s own style, or does it align with west coast rap and hip hop?
3rd Twin: The Portland hip hop scene has a lot of talent… I think we’re one of those states that is a diamond in the rough…
Where not a small city but we just don’t have the opportunities that other big cities have
as far as music goes. In my opinion I don’t think I sound like anybody I have my own style and sound.
The rap game in general is changing and evolving and we as artists have to change and evolve with it, so in a sense you could say that’s our identity because I believe the rappers in my town do a good job with staying current and relevant but at the same time keeping Portland weird like our slogan says.

Tony Coke: What made you decide to get back in the game?
3rd Twin: Well 1st of all I should’ve never left the game in the 1st place… I spent 6 years away from music and that whole time I felt like a piece of me was missing. I mean my life is just one really long rap song so I never stop writing and creating music I just stopped recording and pursuing music.
And looking back on it now that was probably the biggest mistake I ever made because I was lost without it.. I truly believe God blesses you with talent and if you don’t use it, he’ll take it away from you…
And when I got back on the stage for the 1st time. It was like it all started to make sense, I felt like me again. It was like I came back home…
I said to myself, “This is where I belong!” I knew then what I had to do..
And the rest as they say is ‘History in the making’.

Tony Coke: How has music made a difference in your life?
3rd Twin: Music for me is therapeutic. And I swear This **@%t is in me and not on me. I couldn’t stop rapping if I wanted too…
I mean making music recording and performing is the greatest feeling in the world to me. My
music has taken me places I never thought I would be, it has shown me things that I never thought I would see as well as giving me and my family opportunity’s we probably never would a had. So even more than changing my life it, became my life, and like I said before without it I’m lost.

Tony Coke: What has working with Thorncity Syndicate done for you and how did that come about?
3rd Twin: Not to sound too dramatic but Thorn City syndicate has saved my life. It’s a label that I started with my best friend and godfather to my son… Na’eem “Name” Hall. He’s always been my biggest fan and supporter. And to be honest, he probably was the most disappointed when I stop rapping. And I’m sure he won’t admit it but I think he kinda trick me… ’cause he asked me to just record 5 songs and he’ll pay for it…
Just so he can have some of my music to listen to!!!
But deep down I think he knew that would spark something in me… And boy was he right…

_DSC0668Tony Coke: What’s up next for 3rd Twin?
3rd Twin: Right now up next for 3rd Twin and Thorn City Syndicate, we’re actually involved in a few great new up and coming, game changing movements, but first and foremost is finishing up my long awaited, highly anticipated and long overdue first solo album.
It’s been a long time coming and i’m extremely excited to finally release my first solo project called HIT’M EP/Documentary ‘History in the Making’ with newly acquired partner Matrix Media Group NW, a Social Media Production Company located here in Portland, Oregon.
This puts the final pieces of the puzzle together and really allow us to take things to the next level.
It gives us the opportunity to really focus on putting as much content out as possible.
The plan is to put the project together and get out on the road, push our movements and share my story to the world.
One of the movements we’ll be pushing is Thorn City Syndicate’s agreement with South Beach Miami based upscale advertising agency, Art Deco Images, to represent their new Music Store 2 the Future, and become our exclusive advertising agency to promote the brand and its artists like me with its “Go Green” Point of Purchase Concepts through the advancement and acceleration of QR code technology placed within Point of Purchase concepts and capabilities in a variety of styles of technology.
ATM video point of purchase ads, interactive video mirror ads, taxi-screen ads, point of purchase t-shirts, sunglasses and more.
Be on the lookout its going to be a game changer www.musicstore2thefuture.com

Next up is a Music Video distribution agreement with Revohloo Studios the music game will never be the same REVOHLOO – THE REVOHLOO-TION OF MUSIC VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT Powered by
Revohloo-tionary technology Revohloo is reinventing all aspects of music video entertainment, from creation to monetization, by partnering with Artists, Directors and Producers, in some cases Revohloo Studios will even fund the production of Artists IMVMV or Revohloo with no recoupment required by Revohloo Studios. Revohloo is also partnering with directors in effort to encourage the adoption of their technology Revohloo is offering Directors and Producers the opportunity to share Revohloo’s portion of the revenue, in effort to create a self sustainable and vibrant digital music industry. Revohloo is developing a premium consumer music video platform to help recording artists and labels create a superior end-user experience for fans. They’re focused on increasing the total number of engagement of any artists music video and premium content. Their technology allows fans to create 256 versions of a single music video. Revohloo creates a new and needed revenue stream to monetize music video entertainment.

Tony Coke: Sounds like you’ve got your plate full! I’ll be sure to keep up with you to see how it goes and please keep us updated.

You can keep up with 3rd Twin via the following links.

http://www.3rdtwin.com
http://www.thorncitysyndicate.com
https://twitter.com/Gemini_3rd_Twin
https://www.facebook.com/roymoore3rd
https://soundcloud.com/3rdtwin12/honesty