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INTERVIEW: Jilly Anais

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Jilly Anais is an urban pop artist currently looking to take over the pop and R&B worlds with her unique take on the genres. At only 18, she’s released her debut single, “The Juice”, to rave reviews and is currently looking to release an EP later this month. With budding potential and a drive to take her wherever she wishes, Jilly is destined to go far and I was recently able to speak to her about her music and her hopes for the future.

How would you describe your music to those who have never given it a listen?
I would describe my music as edgy and fresh; I have a different sound that sets me apart, a sound that I’m excited to show the world!

Who were your musical influences growing up?
Growing up, and still [to] this day, my musical influences are Beyoncé, Aaliyah, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

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INTERVIEW: Dean Roland of Magnets & Ghosts

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Magnets & Ghosts are an alternative rock duo from Los Angeles, California. Formed by friends Dean Roland and Ryan Potesta, the pair recently released their follow up to 2011’s Mass, and I was able to discuss with Roland the EP and how he feels 2014 was for the band.

How would you describe Magnets & Ghosts to those who have never listened to the band before?
Melodic music just trying to understand where it all begins and ends.

How did the two of you come together and how did you settle on your sound?
Ryan was going to Berklee [College of Music] in Boston. We worked together on a couple of Collective Soul projects and realized we had [a] similar taste in music. We bonded over that and that was the genesis.

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INTERVIEW: Marissa Dattoli of Crystalyne

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Crystalyne are a pop-punk band from Toronto, Ontario. Since I last spoke with vocalist Marissa Dattoli, the four-piece have gone on to accomplish a lot, including a Japanese tour, an opening slot at Family Channel’s Big Ticket Summer and a successful run of their breakout single ”Punks Don’t Dance”. With plans to record new music in the new year, the band are hoping to top 2014, and I was recently able to catch up with Marissa to discuss it all.

It’s been a while since we’ve properly spoken! How have you been?
We’ve been great! 2014 has been a crazy [and] exciting year for us.

“Punks Don’t Dance” has received a lot of attention this year, with plays on Family Channel and the radio, and over 167,000 views on YouTube. Did you ever anticipate it being this popular?
Honestly, no, haha. I mean, we were really excited about the song when we heard it all tracked and produced, but at the same time, we were hesitant as to what people would think about it. The Navigate EP was a little edgier that The Remedy EP, [and] we were afraid as to how our friends and fans would receive the new songs and sound - “Punks Don’t Dance” in particular, since it was the poppiest. But everything went over really well! We are blessed to have the most supportive people in our lives [who] let us be us, especially our fans.

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INTERVIEW: Painted Faces

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Painted Faces are an indie rock band from London, Ontario. Blending their love of punk rock with a genre that’s making its progression back into the mainstream, the band are aiming high – and landing on their feet. They released their new EP, Vinyl Signs, this past September, and I was recently able to discuss it and how this past year has been with the up-and-coming four-piece.

How would you describe Painted Faces to those who have never listened to the band before?
Well, we grew up listening to punk rock, so that’s definitely the base of all our musical upbringings. But as we’ve matured, we’ve definitely embraced what every genre has to offer, and would describe our sound as indie rock with punk undertones.

Who would you say were your musical influences growing up?
We all had very different influences growing up and it’s helped everyone add a different flavour to our current sound:

Kyle Wakeman: Saves The Day, Get Up Kids [and] Jimmy Eat World.
Nik Pilecki: Belvedere, Strung Out [and] Lagwagon.
John Havaris: Guns N’ Roses, Weezer [and] Bon Jovi.
Trevor Rowe: Movielife, Green Day [and] Jimmy Eat World.

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INTERVIEW: Nikk Banos of Defy You Stars #2

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Defy You stars are an alternative rock band from Denver Colorado. Since we last spoke, the band have accomplished quite a lot, reaching 4,000 “likes” on Facebook, recording their debut album and announcing a headlining show. 2014 has definitely been a busy year for the guys and I was recently able to catch up with vocalist Nikk Banos to discuss how he feels it went.

It’s been a few months since we last spoke. How have you been?
I’ve been good! Kicking it back before things start moving forward.

The band’s gone through a bit of a line-up change since then. How has Nikko [Evans, bass] adjusted to being in the band?
It’s been super natural and it feels right. I can’t imagine playing with anyone else in the band. We get along so well and it’s been a good time.

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INTERVIEW: Scottie Noonan of Fossil Youth

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Fossil Youth are a pop-punk band from Enid, Oklahoma. The four-piece, who recently signed to Take This To Heart Records, will be releasing their label debut this coming February, and I was able to discuss it and much more with vocalist Scottie Noonan.

How would you describe Fossil Youth to those who have never listened to the band before?
Scottie Noonan: We consider ourselves to be pop-punk/emo, but on an even broader scale, we’re just a rock band. We see it as a perfect combination of our different musical influences while still building originality at the forefront. Our upcoming EP is going to be more brash and loud, but we’ve also found ways to mellow out and play with different vibes.

Who would you consider your musical influences?
Noonan: Yellowcard, Fall Out Boy, Cartel and Panic! At the Disco.
Derek Neef: (Early) Fall Out Boy, New Found Glory and Brand New.

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INTERVIEW: Matt Chila of Major League

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Major League are an alternative rock band from New Jersey. The four-piece, who are out on tour with Mayday Parade, are currently celebrating the release of their new album There’s Nothing Wrong With Me and I was lucky enough to discuss it with guitarist Matt Chila.

How would you describe your music to those who have never listened to Major League before?
Catchy, upbeat and hard-hitting alternative rock.

The band has gone through a line-up change this year. How was it for Brian to move into the lead vocal position after Nick’s departure?
It didn’t take long for us to become comfortable as a four-piece. Brian’s really stepped up as a frontman and a singer and I think it really shows on this record.

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INTERVIEW: NIkko Evans of Defy You Stars

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Defy You Stars are an alternative-rock band from Denver Colorado. The three-piece recently welcomed Nikko Evans as their new bass player and I was able to discuss with him his hopes for the band, as well as what got him into music.

Who/what got you interested in music?
When I heard “Feeling This” by Blink-182 I [knew I] wanted to start playing music because I thought Travis Barker was amazing – I still think he is amazing. I decided I wanted to be in a band and get lots of tattoos.

Can you play any other instruments?
In addition to bass, I also play drums and guitar.

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INTERVIEW: I, Benign

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I, Benign is the solo noise project created by Aaron Wallis. Wallis, who has taken his love of music in a direction that’s different than most, is steadily making a name for himself with his unique sound and recently, I was able to discuss it with him.

How would you describe noise music?
I would describe noise music as the complete absence of music. It can be anything from ambient droning to a full-on wall of sound with ear piercing feedback. Even though noise musicians will use the same equipment for their performances, no two “songs” will ever sound the same.

Who would you say are your noise/musical influences?
My early influences to start creating experimental music were bands like Einsturzende Neubauten and artists like Merzbow and Hanatarash. Now, I’m influenced by the local noise scene and all of the people who come out to support.

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INTERVIEW: Malcolm Sanderson of Through These Words

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Through these words are a metalcore band from St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. With the release of their latest album, Revision, this four-piece are shaping up to be one of the province’s most promising acts and I was able to discuss their year with drummer Malcolm Sanderson.

Let’s start with an introduction: how would you describe Through These Words to those who have never listened to the band before?
Our sound has changed over time. Our first EP, Challenger, had a southern, metalcore feel [whilst] our newest release, Revision, differs with every song, as there are a bunch of different aspects like hardcore, metalcore and punk.

What made you want to get into music?
I grew up in a musical family. My father and brother are both guitar players and my mom used to be a pianist, so I was always around music. I just kind of found my way to drumming over time.

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