On your podcast and in your YouTube video, you talk about how The Crush was about evolving as a band and how much time went into actually creating this new sound. You’ve since even released The Crush 2.0 which further pushes the sound of the album. How do you think you have changed as a band since the beginnings of this album to reinventing it now?
I think the biggest change has been being more comfortable in our own skin. We’ve always attacked an album thinking “is this song cool? Does this work? Does this sound like us? What do we sound like?” And now we know what we want, how we can get it, and when it’s something we feel that fits us. What is that you ask? Well, we’ve just said Marina City is a feeling, not a genre. And if it feels good then we are going with it!! It’s more of an internal change.
You all come from a diverse background so how has this affected your musical influences?
We have struggled with wondering if this is an advantage or a disadvantage but again that’s why we feel we have changed so much in the last few years. We are confident it is an advantage and it makes us unique.
The first book I ever read by Donna Tartt was The Goldfinchand I bought it on a whim.
Yes, this was back in a time in my life when I didn’t have a list a thousands of books to read and I would just go out to a book store and buy something that caught my eye. What a time!
Needless to say, I was completely captivated by this introduction to Tartt’s writing. I had some really intense conversations about it with the English teachers at my high school–because I was cool like that.
Which brings to mind the question: why the heck did it take me this long to read another one of her novels?
Remember that list of thousands of books to read I mentioned before? Yeah, it might have something to do with it…
But, at last, I have picked up another one of her novels and I pretty much didn’t put it down again once I got started.
Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality they slip gradually from obsession to corruption and betrayal, and at last – inexorably – into evil.
Full disclosure: I was contacted by a music press company that has sent me information about this band and requested that I write a post about them. However, I have not received any compensation for it and it is still my decision to talk about them.
I have a few different thoughts when it comes to music being released during this time of lockdown. On the one hand, if there was ever a time were the commentary of music was needed–and the ingenuity of musicians to reinvent how the create and share–it is in this kind of world.
However, on the other hand, I find myself craving songs that are more than just DIY efforts. Songs that have something to say about this new world and what their personal experiences are with it.
What Major Moment has here is a melodramatic attempt at doing this. Oddly, I find that the music video has more commentary in it then the song itself.
Background from the Band
Major Moment delivers a message of strength and unity with their explosive new anthem, “The Flood”. Spearheaded by two Russian-born vocalists, award-winning Major Moment has developed an intense and unique cinematic rock sound mixed with contemporary electronic elements, and is on a mission to inspire others to pursue their dreams and live a life of purpose. On their new single “The Flood”, the soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics were inspired by a French proverb” Aprèsnous, le déluge”which translates as “After us, the flood.” This story is important because it signifies that after those in power leave, there is no concern for the rest left behind. When people choose to leave others high and dry, they believe that the ones they abandon will never recover. In Major Moment’s case, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Andrey and Sasha (Vocals /Songwriting / Synths) went back into the studio days after losing 4 band members in one day and made the decision to push forward stronger than ever. They realized that the new music they were creating was just the catalyst they needed.
At first, the lyrics were about the band’s issues but as the concept developed, Major Moment saw a bigger scope for the track. Right now, the world’s people have been left high and dry as the powers that be have no concern for the people they govern. In this light, all people of the world are perceived as the flood. This realization was the band’s “a-ha” moment and became the focus of the track. In a time when so many people are only concerned for themselves, Major Moment’s “The Flood” is here to remind us that we are all connected. We are here to support each other, lift each other up, and despite our differences, we all bleed just the same.
VYCE//VERSA: This is just the beginning for us There’s so much more coming your way!
From the band:
“…. when we first began to write ‘Life is Temporary’, that was the very first song we wrote together with Vyce/Versa. It was kind of an experiment almost if you will. You know, who’s going to step up? who’s going to take the lead? who’s going to offer the most? You never really know until you get in there and start working!
What’s the greatest thing that you could have hoped to happen? Well, we did just that and we begin to feed off each other perfectly. It was almost within seconds that we formed a bond and cycle to begin the birth of all the other songs on the album as well. ‘Life is Temporary’ takes you down that road, sitting at the end of the bridge, down to your last couple of dollars type days and reminds you that there is so much more to live for and fight for. Life has so many ups and downs. You can never keep up. Hopefully this song gives the listener the energy and the motivation to get through whatever it is they might be going through whether it be big or small. Every song that we write has a message of positivity and strength. There will always be light at the end of the tunnel.”
TGC: I actually never really thought about it. I was drawn to drums at a really young age and started playing at 15. I taught myself because my dad didn’t want me to learn. It wasn’t “ladylike”, he said! It didn’t stop me, I still play today;) Then, over the years of high school, as you know… there are a lot of emotions involved in a teenagers tiny brain… I started writing. I had a lot that I needed to let out. A lot of anger and frustration. I taught myself how to play the guitar and little by little, I made little demos of my songs, playing the drums, guitar and bass to them. It just became a habit. It still is my sorta therapy today, when I need to “explode” . Musically, I don’t think anyone really inspired me, but emotionally, I want to inspire people and make others feel good through my music. I want to connect and share my stories because I think that we can all relate.
It might not sound obvious because we play hard, fast paced Rock music, but … it is there;)
What is your creative process like? Do you start with lyrics? Instruments? Concept?
CH : Tarah makes the demos and when she gets it done, she sends it to me. For each song, she’s giving me the feeling and groove and I’m doing my own thing with it.
TGC: Yeah pretty much. The docu-series we have on youtube, describes it better.
Basically, I write the whole song (music and lyrics), then I send the demos to Coralie as she explained. Coralie has really good technique and she is just a better drummer so for the parts that I can’t play, we just go over them together at rehearsal. The studio versions don’t necessarily show how great of a drummer Coralie is, so I like to have instrumental parts in the live shows. First of all, so that WE don’t get bored playing the same songs over and over again, then for the audience to hear something new and different every time they see us, also for the “live” effect. I also think that there is more adrenaline when you just don’t know what is going to happen! Finally, because we are just two chicks on stage, Coralie is next to me so that everyone can see her, and then she goes off playing solos and whatnot, our audience really notices what she does. A lot of times after shows, people come up to us and say ” WOW! I had no idea drums could sound like this” because people don’t really SEE what is actually going on behind a drum set. Unless you are a drummer looking for drum videos.. like we do!
The second song of the Kurukulla sessions is out! The Ladies of Tarah Who? Have chosen to play a very old song called “In A Rush” . A song written in 2006, when Tarah made the decision to move from Paris, FR to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of music. Here, the Ladies of Tarah Who? Are taking a break from the agressive punk rock you may be used to. 😉 we hope that you still enjoy!
Full disclosure: I was contacted by a music press company that has sent me information about this band and requested that I write a post about them. However, I have not received any compensation for it and it is still my decision to talk about them.
Rock music is one of those genres that I’ve been listening to my whole life. I know, most people have a father who’s a big fan of some classic rock band but for me it was mostly my mother’s influence. She gave me a childhood full of boxes of vinyls in the closet under the stairs and a knowledge of Def Leppard’s Hysteriaso deep in my brain that I actually can’t remember the first time I heard that album.
So when I sat down to listen to this album and I was instantly hit with those hair-metal vibes I grew up on I knew that I was in for an interesting ride.
Background from Band
PERSEIDE was born from four childhood friends who decided to form a rock band in 2001, as they were just teenagers. Ten years later, they were crossing the frontiers to share their music widely.
In 2018, they decided to go into the studio again to record their debut album, which is going to be released early 2020.
PERSEIDE is still there, stronger than ever and ready to take these four eternal teenagers as far as possible…
“PERSEIDE delivers a modern metal ranging from pop to metalcore, with heavy rhythms and old school guitars, catchy choruses, all tinged with electro synths and intense vocals…”
My biggest inspiration was my grandmother. She used to sing lullabies by my bed when I couldn’t sleep.
She had a beautiful and calming voice. Actually she was always singing around the house.
I remember vividly that as she sang along by my bed all my fears went away and then I understood singing itself and music makes me calm and fearless like nothing else in the whole wide world you know that “zone in” thing. Music is pure magic. And then when I started to write little songs and poems for myself I was around 11 and I realized – I can only express certain emotions and thoughts through writing and singing. Back then those emotions were like “I curse the day I’ve met you boy…”I was desperately in love with a boy who picked another girl in the class… Can you imagine – man I’ve got some very deep sh*it inside me back then at the age of 11 (laughs).
2. What is your creative process like? Do you start with lyrics? Instruments? Concept?
Mostly I start with an idea alone. I write sketches or whole lyrics. Other times I’ve got the melody and the lyrics all at once.
Then I sit down with my guitarist or pianist friends and we work together to unfold the story.
Sometimes we just start a conversation about what’s happening to us and then write a song about it.
We wrote “Misuse” (unreleased yet) with Barna Gulyas, my guitarist/songwriter friend, this way.
Lastly I go to the studio with a producer and we work together until I feel like it’s the closest to the feeling possible.
I’m a highly emotionally driven person when it comes to songwriting and I’m always looking for new ways, new methods.
Nowadays I’m working on my guitar skills – watch out Frusciante! (laughs)
When I was a child, I couldn’t understand why I was directed towards the pink isle at Toys R Us. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to be a Boy Scout like my brother with a wolf name and instead was a Spark where everything was pink and rainbows. I couldn’t understand why I was separated into the group of girls where they played games about cooking and caring for plastic children and putting on fancy dresses to go nowhere.
I couldn’t understand why I had to do these things I didn’t like. The only answer I got was “because you’re a girl.”
I couldn’t understand what that had to do with anything.
It’s been a long time since I read a book in verse but I honestly fell in love with this book so quickly. It’s not just how clearly I could see something of myself in the story about Michael getting a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle instead of a Barbie for his birthday. It is one of those novels that I find compelling from a narrative and character standpoint that also has gorgeous word-play.
You know a book is good when you get to the acknowledgements and exclaim “No, give me more story!”
A boy comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen – then at university he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. A bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness. Sometimes, we need to take charge, to stand up wearing pink feathers – to show ourselves to the world in bold colour.
Wasting Time’s upcoming single, “My Limited French” is set for release on July 24th on all streaming services. It’s a 3-minute pop-punk song inspired by the beginnings of a new relationship that took place on a road trip to Montreal. The song will be part of our second album, “Once More Without Feeling”, which is getting a release in the fall.
“My Limited French” and most of the rest of “Once More Without Feeling” were recorded at Drive Studios just north of Toronto with Steve Rizun. The band is really pleased with how the sessions have turned out and can’t wait to release the song. A music video will be released in early August.
