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Talent In Borders - Entertainment, Music & Media

A music & entertainment site featuring a variety of artists in music, film, television, books and more

Talent In Borders - Entertainment, Music & Media

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Terry Light

Terry Light talks about their new single and music video, working with Kailee McGee & his fun music favorites

Los Angeles based music group, Terry Light, have recently released their debut single, “Lately,” and independent filmmaker, Kailee McGee directed the clip for it. McGee loved the single so much that she included it in her film “The Person I Am When No One Is Looking,” and “deepened the meaning of Light’s song, highlighted its intensity, and foregrounded its indisputable cinematic qualities.”

Light released the last four minutes of the single and music video, including the part of the film that’s scored by the song. The video features McGee performing a dance on the Los Angeles streets. Light spoke with us about the music video and single, working with filmmaker and friend, Kailee McGee, on the video and her film, along with writing music and their fun music favorites.

How did the collaboration with Kailee McGee come about, and how do you guys feel about having your music in her film “The Person I Am When No One Is Looking”?

Kailee is one of my good buds, and the recording of “Lately” was wrapping up around the time she was in pre-production for her film. She heard it and was really moved by it, and the lyrics just happened to tie in to her story, so she asked if she could use it. Without knowing what it was really going to be, we agreed to it trusting her talents and taste, and it paid off in a big way. She made a beautiful piece of art and used the song in a really special way within her story.

Speaking of music, how do you guys craft your songs; do the lyrics come first or the music, or simply organically?

It’s usually a little phrase or melody that starts an idea while I’m jamming on the guitar or keyboard, for “Lately” it was the first verse just suddenly popping in to my head when I was messing around with that progression, and the rest fell in to place pretty quickly. I usually come to the crew having the structure of the song pretty much totally mapped out, and from there it’s just getting the arrangement and production to a place that feels right.

What was it like working on the music video with Kailee?

We really didn’t have anything to do with the music video, Kailee was the brains of it all, but clearly interpreted the song in such a cool way. It just worked out that it happened to be this perfect little story for the song. When we saw the film, that section felt like it could be a great music video in it’s own right, so we’re lucky that she agreed to let us use it in the condensed form on that front.

Was the idea behind the theme of the video a group effort, or somebody else’s and you guys just went for it?

The film is a very personal story to Kailee, part real life / part fiction, so maybe the song being introduced to her made it a group collaboration in an abstract meta way, but it was really just friends being inspired by each other’s art, and Kailee having the talent to pull of a pretty high wire act of a short film. Mark Hadley produced “Lately”, and Kailee got him to do the score for “The Person..” after hearing it, Mark had me come in for some background vocals for the score which provided a nice continuity to lead us in to the scene with “Lately”, so there was definitely some collaboration on that front.

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The Inoculated Canaries

The Inoculated Canaries’ Michael Rubin discuss his band’s new single and music video for ‘Sneakers’

Rock band The Inoculated Canaries are passionate about their music and with music icons such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles and Nirvana influencing their music, the group’s prowess for similar talent and legacy is evident.

The group is comprised of vocalist and guitarist, Michael Rubin, drummer James Terranova, bassist Dylan Gross and keyboardist, Brian Sweeney. The quartet is already making their name and music known, opening for such bands as The Mowgli’s, COIN, along with Wil Calhoun and and Doug Wimbish of Living Colour, collaborating a live version of “Cult of Personality” with the duo.

Most recently, the group worked with producer, Matt Squire, known for his production work with Panic! At The Disco, Ariana Grande, The Used, Taking Back Sunday, Demi Lovato, and more, to develop their sound with their latest single “Sneakers.” Squire also helped with other singles the group will be releasing throughout 2019.

We had a nice discussion with lead singer and guitarist, Michael Rubin, about the bands sound, their formation, their collaboration with Matt Squire, and their latest single and self-directed music video, “Sneakers.”

You guys’ music is founded on each of your love of good ol’ classic and grunge rock music. When did each of you know that you wanted to pursue music, ultimately play it for the masses?

Right around 2009 is when I first started playing guitar. I was kind of a misfit kid who didn’t do sports or anything like that. I was listening to Zeppelin and Floyd when all my friends were listening to… honestly I don’t even know. I think the Black Eyed Peas were pretty popular back then? Maybe Justin Bieber as well?

I remember being 10 years old trying to learn the riff from “Black Dog” and just getting super frustrated with it. I was about to give up on playing guitar forever when my mom told me to quit whining and just learn the damn song. I think I played my first real show when I was 12. I’ve been hooked ever since.

What led to you guys’ formation? Do you guys do solo work on the side, or is it solely a group effort?

The formation as it stands today just sort of happened. I found James maybe seven years ago? Then we started working at School of Rock and met Dylan and Brian. We all just sort of clicked.

The Canaries are my literal blood, sweat, and tears. I don’t know if I could pour my heart into this as much as I do if I had a side project. And besides, in the few times I have done work outside of the Canaries, I’ve always taken either Brian, James or Dylan with me.

How did your connection happen with widely known, Matt Squire?

We met Matt through a mutual friend in the business. I’m glad he made the connection because Matt is unquestionably a master at his craft. Plus, he’s also one of those guys you meet once and feel like you’ve known for years. We’re gonna be working with him again this summer and we’re all really excited to see what comes out of it.

Since you guys self-directed the music video for your new single, “Sneakers,” is that an undertaking you all are going to continue to pursue, or a one-time gig?

We are musicians first, and filmmakers third. Although, we have made quite a few more videos since Sneakers, and have definitely learned a lot with each one. Coming up with the initial concept is the hardest part. How do you tell a meaningful story without any dialogue? We’ve been fortunate to work with some great people like Tom Flynn on making these and we plan to keep making everything ourselves for the foreseeable future. People like videos, and we like making them. It’s all about the art man!

What was the idea behind “Sneakers,” and how did all of the moving pieces and parts come together cohesively for the video?

I’d hate to admit it, but we put together all of the shots for the Sneakers video super last minute. I think we finalized the story for the video the night before we actually shot it. Fortunately, we had two extremely talented actors who just kind of improvised their way through every scene. That video happened purely because everybody involved with making it was good at their job.

You all play mostly in and around NYC, where you guys originated. Is the eventual plan to branch to more venues on the East, and possibly, West Coast?

I’d fly to Thailand to play a show tomorrow if I knew there would be a crowd of people waiting to see us! Of course, West Coast shows would be amazing. We’re still really in the process of growing this thing, so more gigs should be coming up in the near future.

Fun Questions

Who was your first concert, and which one has been ingrained in your memory as your favorite, thus far?

My first concert was actually an Avril Lavigne show! I think maybe I was 8 or 9 years old? Best show I ever saw was Reel Big Fish with James at the Playstation theater. We had just finished a 26 hour recording session, and I had the flu. I don’t think I’ve ever moshed harder in my life. Something about having a 101 degree fever really makes you forget about making good decisions.

What was your first album on CD and/or vinyl?

My first vinyl was my dad’s old copy of Led Zeppelin II.

Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?

  • Pink Floyd – Dark Side
  • Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin III
  • Nirvana – Nevermind
  • Steely Dan – Aja
  • Blink 182 – self titled (I can’t stand Blink 182 but I know Dylan, Brian, and James love them)

Do each of you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?

For me, it has always been and always will be Diana Ross. Tell me that “Now That You’re Gone” doesn’t have one of the best bass lines you’ve ever heard in a recorded piece of music. Go on. You can’t.

Follow the band on their socials: Instagram | Facebook
Stream their music on Spotify | SoundCloud | YouTube

Valand Visuals

Valand talks about his creative vision, influences of friends and family and what’s next

Valand Visuals is the creative outlet Trushal Valand uses to feature his visionary style, and outings with his friends and family. These videos are full of life, comical and show he and his friends enthusiasm and camaraderie.

Valand’s love of the camera and behind the lens is apt as he uses strong colors, and features the interpersonal community between he and his friends with rapt attention. His work is fun, collaborative and incites the viewer to feel as if they’re not only a purveyor, yet a part of his visionary world.

Love your work with Valand Visuals, your own brand; what drew (influenced) you to create? 

Thank you! I’ve always seen myself as a creative, I have had a strong passion for content creation since a very young age but never really had the courage to release “projects” due to self doubt and embarrassment. However, I only recently overcame that barrier and have had no signs of regret ever since. Freddie Wong, a well known and successful content creator who’s visual work is phenomenal, has had a big impact on me and is someone I see as an influential figure; he is what gave me the drive/motivation to share my vision. “VALAND” is my own brand (my surname) in which I plan to venture into many different creative aspects from content creation (YouTube), Music, Video Production to Graphic work, Fashion, the list goes on. But all I can say for now is stay tuned.

You feature a lot of your close friends and family, was that intentional how they became your subjects, or did it just kind of happen?

I’d say it’s pretty intentional as I believe many of my friends and family (subjects) individually have very bubbly yet unique personality traits. It’s great being surrounded by so many like minded and talented people, allowing me to showcase their talents. On the other hand, I still feel like i’m adapting to being my full self in front of the camera, however I do plan to include myself a lot more in the future as I get more comfortable being the main subject.

What do you currently film with, and is there something specific you’d like to shoot with eventually?

Funny enough, I currently film 80% of my videos with my true love, aka my iPhone X. The other 20% is filmed on my main camera, Canon EOS 80D, which I believe is the perfect camera for both Videography and Photography. However, I currently have a prime lens (50mm) for the Canon EOS 80D, which is amazing for B-ROLL footage but not for vlogging, hence why I don’t use it frequently. In the near future (next 2 weeks) I plan to invest in myself and purchase the perfect lens. So stay tuned for a big boost in video production and more frequent content!

As you know, I dig your videos on YouTube (and even subscribe!); do you want to eventually venture past YouTube? If so, can you share what your overall goal is with your videos? 

Making a big name for myself through YouTube would be a dream come true. Eventually, I would love to venture into acting, fashion: creating my own branded garments, music and a lot more creative sides. As of now, most of my videos are related towards the partying aspect, so maybe hosting events and parties collaborating with my friends/contacts to perform their music/talent could be a possibility in the near future. Only time will tell.

Check out Valand’s recent video with his invite at London Fashion Week:

The music in your videos really sets the tone and vibe of them; which artists do you feature? 

Currently, the main artists in my videos are myself and two of my close friends – Hamza and Aaron. They’re both very talented in their craft and have big projects coming. 

Speaking of music, you and your friends create music also; what draws you to the type of music you create?

Honestly, the music we create really reflects our mood at that point in time. Most of the upbeat tunes are constructed when we’re in a carefree/joyful mindset. The more slower and lyrically meaningful songs are created when we’re in the opposite state of mind. Also, creating our own sound through interpretation of our favourite artists, but more importantly creating music for our friends to enjoy. Moreover, we will emulate our sound through different alternatives such as rock, pop and R&B.

Is a new release of music on the horizon?

For sure! Not from me personally however my boys have astounding music on the way and we are working on creating aesthetically pleasing music videos, it is just a matter of time until they’re released. A fine summer is coming. (smiles)

Watch Valand’s night out with friends in his second latest video:

Fun Questions

Who has most inspired you with your visual work?

Off the top of my head, Freddie Wong and CreaTyler for sure.

What film or show influenced/inspired you with your work? 

I wouldn’t say there is one set film or show, however many action/sci-fi films (eg. “Avengers” & “Avatar”) give me a glimpse into the endless possibilities of visual effects and camera work, which I try to implicate into my own videos.

Do you remember what your first album was on CD/vinyl? 

My first ever CD was probably Jay Sean.

Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?

Romance movies, couldn’t name specific ones but I enjoy watching a lot of them.

Connect with Valand Visuals on Instagram.
Subscribe to his YouTube Channel here.

Quinn Henry Mulligan

Quinn Henry Mulligan talks about his new single “Older,” its music video, and working with his twin brother

Musician Quinn Henry Mulligan knew he didn’t want to work the nine to five grind, sitting in an office cubicle, yet there he was, doing just that. His band also had just broken up, and Mulligan found himself at a crossroads as to whether or not he was still a musician. Thankfully, he was and still is.

Mulligan decided to continue pursuing his love of music, and in 2018, took on a heavy feat of releasing an album a month, for the entire year (and in our interview with him, mentions that he will not do it again). His latest single, “Older,” is about the many facets of life, and the choices that we make, good and bad and the effect they leave upon us. Mulligan is a genuine storyteller, speaking to himself and others who feel the same way about life.

Mulligan spoke with us about “Older,” his life experiences, he and his brother’s twin connection, and where his passion for music comes from.

Your new single “Older” focuses on the less creative aspects of life; i.e., a mundane office job. What life experiences contributed to this video and single? 

I don’t know that any specific life experiences contributed directly to this video/single.  I think it’s more the culmination of years spending the majority of my time making money for other people, rather than spending that time following my own passions. With each year that passes the fear that I will never make a living doing the things I really love to do grows… thoughts like that can be pretty anxiety-inducing for me. That being said, I think that’s true for most folks out there.

I loved that you released twelve albums, one for each month in 2018. That’s quite a huge and successful feat, and congratulations! Was it harder than you thought it was going to be? What was that experience like, and would you do it again? 

Thank you! Yes, it absolutely was harder than I thought it was going to be. I’ve always been fairly quick writing and recording a song, maybe doing a few in a day if I’m feeling productive. I was a bit cocky going into this project, perhaps. I didn’t account for how much life can just get in the way of a project like this. You have to do SOMETHING for it every night. Record a song, mix a song, etc. 2018 also happened to be one of the toughest I’ve been through personally, so finding the energy to push forward was tough at times. Still, the act of just sitting down and doing the work no matter what’s happening in your life can be extremely rewarding, and I found myself doing things in a way I maybe wouldn’t have if I only worked when I was feeling inspired. Would I recommend someone else do a similar project? Absolutely! Would I do it again? Hello no!

Where does your love of music stem from, and what about music specifically, drives your passion for it? 

I definitely blame my mom for my love of music. And yes, I mean blame. She cursed us! (My twin brother and I) She showed us a TON of bands as we were growing up from a lot of different genres and eras.   Having my brother to explore music with certainly helped as well.

As for what “drives my passion” for music, I think it’s the fact that it lets me explore thoughts and anxieties I might have without being critical of them. Most of the time I sit down to write a song I do so without much intent or ideas about what I want to write. Sometimes it’s not until I’ve listened a few times that I know what it’s really about. Songwriting is my way of having a conversation with myself without a filter. Sometimes it helps me work through a tough point, sometimes it results in complete nonsense. Most of the time, it’s cathartic no matter what comes of it.

Reverting back to “Older,” and the music video for it; what was it like working with your brother and having him direct you?

My brother and I have been working together for our entire lives. Being twins, we’ve been partners in almost everything we’ve done. It’s a unique and extremely special bond that is hard to describe to anyone who isn’t a twin. You are extensions of each other. So, in that respect, working with him is just easy, for lack of a better word. We do argue though and that can get awkward for other people, I’m sure. It usually produces a better idea though and it sounds more intense than it really is. We REALLY know how to push each other’s buttons if we want to. We tend to work with good friends that know us, so they’re probably just like “ah, good chance to take a break.” (laughs)

What’s next for you throughout 2019? 

Through 2019 my brother and I will be working on some films and scripts. I’m working on new music as well, getting ready to write and record a full-length album. I’m very excited to take me time with something, having just spent a year pretty much rushing through everything. And of course, I’ll be playing shows as well.

Fun Questions

Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite, so far?

My first concert was Billy Joel. Of all the shows I’ve seen, my favorites have been David Bowie and Portland house shows with bands like Animal Eyes, The We Shared Milk and And And And. Portland is just so damned full of good bands.

What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?

First tape: Pink Floyd’s The Wall

First Vinyl: David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

First CD: Either Nirvana – Nevermind or Jimi Hendrix – Electric Ladyland

Which five artists and/or albums would you not want to live without? 

Couldn’t live without Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen (the early stuff), David Bowie, Grizzly Bear, and Townes Van Zandt.

 Which musicians and/or artists have had the most profound effect on your music and writing?

I think the musicians who have had the most profound effect on my music would have to be David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Grizzly Bear, and Leonard Cohen.

Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure? 

Guilty pleasures? Journey. Probably Journey. That and survival shows… doesn’t matter how bad they are. Shove someone on an island with a stick and a box of tape and I’m interested.

Find Quinn on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Stream Quinn’s music on YouTube | Google Play | Bandcamp

Jonny Dee

Jonny Dee chats self-love, romance, debut album and music video for ‘You’

San Diego-based musician Jonny Dee labels his music “psychedelic hip-hop,” as he blends influences from the 60s and 70s (David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Prince) to create his sound. He also likes to rap about self-love, romance and reflection, instead of money, women and drugs. He fuses all of these elements with rock, pop, funk and soul.

His debut album, The Human Experience, released in spring of 2018 features many of these genres with a rock sound as the main focus. The early demos from this album were recorded at his apartment, and then later re-recorded and mixed by sound engineer Sean Powers. With his recent music video and single for “You,” Dee is hopeful in his future true love that he knows is out there waiting on him, and he’s ready and looking for it.

The video features Teodora Marcella as the “significant other” that Dee is looking for, and she’s imagining him by her side, while Dee sings about the love he hopes to have with “her.” The video is a hopeful antidote for those waiting on their true love to eventually love them body and soul.

I love your vision with the rap music you create, along with your influences. What creative influence drives your words about self-love, romance and introspection? 

I think a lot what drives my ideas of self-love & romance is a lack of both in our culture. It’s “not cool” to love yourself, or express love through romance these days. It feels like we’re taught to want to change ourselves, rather than embrace ourselves; lust and sex are much more popular in our culture than romance and love. I’ve learned through experience that once you learn to love yourself, it’s easier to love others & the planet around us. I think the ugliness in the world around me inspired those ideas.

Where did your desire to create these lyrics and type of music stem from? 

It’s kinda cliché and boring, but love (laughs). I wanted to make a song about love for all of the people who aren’t in love, without excluding those who are. I think everyone gets the feeling every once in a while that everyone’s in love or in a relationship except them. We all get lonely, I wanted to make a song to give us all some hope. To let everyone know that there is someone or something out there for them and not to worry (smiles).

Your debut album, The Human Experience, blended different genres; what’s your writing and recording process like?

Some songs start on guitar, some piano, some bass; sometimes I’ll just have a little melody in my head, and I’ll start with that. My writing process is very “feel” oriented. I just write what feels right. I normally record as I write too. I like to record all of my instruments while the ideas for their sounds are still fresh in my head.

You label your music “psychedelic hip-hop.” What does this mean to you?

It’s just the best description I could come up with (laughs). My music incorporates a lot of different genres. Soul, funk, hip-hop, pop, psychedelia, & rock can all be heard in my songs. I like to blend all of the sounds I listen to, ha!

The vision behind your music video for “You” is beautiful. Was it your or the director’s idea behind the theme of it, or both? 

Well, thank you, it was definitely both. The main themes of the video were my ideas. The producer, Miles and I, worked together to come up with the specific scenes to display the story I had in my head. We had a great time putting it all together and even more fun shooting it. We’re both really happy with the way it came out too, so thank you again.

Fun Questions

Who was your first concert, and do you have a favorite? 

First concert was TCL when I was way too young to understand what was going on (laughs). My favorite so far would be Khruangbin. They sound amazing live.

What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl? 

My first album I remember buying was N’Sync’s No Strings Attached. I had it on cassette (laughs). I also had a Nintendo Cassette player, that I thought was the coolest thing ever.

Which five artists and/or albums would you not want to live without? 

Five artists that I couldn’t live without would be : Prince, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), Miguel, David Bowie, Outkast.

Who has been the most influential reflecting on music in your life? 

Hmm…Depends on the day (laughs). I’d say Prince. I wouldn’t be playing instruments if it wasn’t for the Purple One.

Do you have a guilty music or entertainment pleasure? 

I don’t really feel guilty listening to it, but I jam to some really pop-y stuff sometimes. Some She & Him, a little Taylor Swift, some old Blink-182 or Green Day. But I don’t feel guilty listening to it (laughs). I love that pop-y stuff.

Find Jonny Dee on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Stream his music on iTunes here.

John Paciga

John Paciga; ‘it’s all about achieving an emotional, entertaining performance’

Theater actor, singer and musician, John Paciga, has a knack for the dramatic (effect that is), whether it be for the stage, playing a large venue or a small venue, Paciga shines on all platforms. His musical prowess has been compared to legends like Billy Joel and powerhouse , John Legend.

His recent new music video, “The F-Word,” was born out of Paciga’s admiration of one of his biggest musical heroes, Ben Folds. Paciga began school at Yale University last fall, and landed himself a coveted spot in the a cappella group, Spizzwinks, which is the oldest a cappella group in the United States.

The group will be performing for thirty-six months throughout every continent, excluding Antartica, and Paciga has only just begun. “The F-Word” isn’t what one assumes, except it’s about being friend-zoned while in high school, or better yet, college and adult life, as it still happens at all stages in life.

Paciga self-directed “The F-Word,” and his full-length album, No Alibi, is available across all digital platforms. Discover what all Paciga chatted with me about Ben Folds, his music video for “The F-Word,” singing in Spizzwinks, and his love of music and theater.

You have a love of theater and music. How do the two help you express your love of them both when you play? 

John Paciga: I always try to let my acting experience inform my performances at the keys. Whether I’m recording in the studio or playing a live show, I think it’s extremely important to imbue the performance with a degree of theatricality. Like acting in a play or a musical, it’s all about achieving an emotional, entertaining performance that captivates the audience without being bland or too over-the-top.


It’s known that one of your biggest musical heroes is Ben Folds…can you tell us why and what do you most revere about him?

John: Ben is equal parts musician, storyteller, and comedian. His songs are extremely entertaining and uniquely his. He can tell a compelling story while dazzling you with his piano chops while making you laugh hysterically. Some of my favorites are “Zak and Sara,” “Rockin’ the Suburbs,” and “Song for the Dumped.”  He can also tell heartbreakingly beautiful tales as he demonstrates with songs like “Brick,” “The Luckiest,” and “Landed.” He’s completely unabashed and unapologetic in his craft, something I admire greatly.

You landed a highly coveted and revered spot in the a cappella group, Spizzwinks. What are you most looking forward to during your time in it? 

John: Being a Yale Spizzwink is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’ll get to travel all over the world—all expenses paid—while making amazing music with my best friends. In a couple weeks we’re traveling to Iceland for our Spring Tour. In May we’ll be touring Asia, singing the music we love and making unforgettable memories. Who could ask for more?

Was the theme behind your new music video for “The F-Word” your idea, or was it a more collaborative process?

John: I created the concept and storyline for the whole video. I sat down about a month before the shoot and mapped out every scene, line by line, finding the moments that could pack the greatest comedic punch. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without the help of my fellow Spizzwinks and some other close friends, who were gracious enough to lend me their time during finals week last semester.


You self-directed the music video too; has that always been a desire of yours, or did it happen by chance? Would you do it again?
John: I had this very clear vision in my head of what I wanted the video to be, and I just rode out the creative flow that began when the idea first popped into my head. I’ve directed a couple of original one-act plays and it’s definitely a labor of love. But as challenging as it is, I’ve always been attracted to positions of leadership. Directing this video was a blast and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Fun Questions


Who was your first concert and your first theatrical play you remember seeing?

John: My first big concert was Van Halen at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ with my dad. We always listened to their songs before my little league baseball games to get hyped. When they got back together to tour we knew we just had to see them. And it was epic.

I’m not sure if it was my first Broadway show, but I’ll always remember being blown away by The Lion King. It was one of my favorite childhood movies and seeing the Broadway production truly immersed me in the  world of the Pride Lands.

What was your first album on CD and/or vinyl?

John: One of my best friends from high school recently got me a turntable to get me into vinyl. The first record I spun was Ben Folds’ Rockin’ the Suburbs, and I have to say that I’ve caught the bug. The same friend recently got me Dear Evan Hansen—my favorite musical—on vinyl and I’m only freaking out a little bit.


Which five albums or artists would you not want to live without?

John: There are SO many more than five that I couldn’t live without but I’ll do my best: The Stranger (Billy Joel), Off to the Races (Jukebox the Ghost), Rockin’ the Suburbs (Ben Folds), Ever After (Marianas Trench), and I’m completely certain I won’t be able to live without Ben Platt’s debut album, Sing to Me Instead, once it drops.


Who would you most like to collaborate with in theatre and performing music?

John: For music, the dream would be to collaborate with Ben Folds, Jukebox the Ghost, Ed Sheeran, or Taylor Swift.  For theater, Robert Lopez (a former Spizzwink himself!), Ben Platt, or Lin-Manuel Miranda.


Do you have a guilty music or entertainment pleasure?

John: I LOVE Taylor Swift’s latest album, Reputation. Only reason why it’s remotely “guilty” (I will never be ashamed of loving her music. How could anyone be?) is because a lot of people I know are bigger fans of her older songs and don’t like the new direction she’s taken with Reputation. Yes, her old stuff is brilliant, but I’m all for re-defining your sound and brand, shocking people with something totally unexpected and innovative. Also, her lyrics are incredible, all around.

Connect with John Paciga on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Ryan and Pony

Ryan and Pony talk collaborations, artists who have lasting impact on them, their favorites, more

The duo, Ryan and Pony, stemmed from the Twin Cities pop-rock group, Melismatics, who’ve played with Soul Asylum, and worked with Jon Auer of The Posies and Dan Wilson of Semisonic, among others. The group toured non-stop, and won a legion of fans, and also having their music placed in shows like “Laguna Beach,” “The Hills,” and “Degrassi,” and many more.

Ryan and Pony have released a new music video, feauturing themselves as cartoons, with their new single “Fast As I Can.” In the video, they battle evil specters in a fantasy landscape, and good always comes out on top, which is fun to watch with their exciting new video. The track also features drummer, Peter Anderson (The Honeydogs, The Ocean Blue, and Run Westy Run).

We caught up with Ryan and Pony and chatted with them about the work they’ve done through the years in music with a variety of bands and artists, some of the artists who’ve had a profound impact on them musically and personally, and what it was like filming and working on “Fast As I Can.”

You both have worked with some major bands and artists along the way. What set the path to combine and write and produce music as a duo?

Ryan: We had been touring with our band The Melismatics for well over a decade, and it became obvious that the band needed a break.  We all had to step away to recharge and get a new perspective on what we were doing—and why we were doing it. We were still writing a lot of material and it was moving in a new direction.  We needed a vehicle for the songs, and our record label, Pravda suggested we make an album as Ryan and Pony. We thought it would be a cool way to involve some of the incredible musicians we have befriended and worked with over the years as special guests.  It really started to evolve into a new band with drummer Peter Anderson. Ryan and Pony has it’s own musical identity that is totally separate from The Melismatics. It’s cool to keep both things alive and we have this new vehicle for our creative output.

Pony: Around the time Ryan and I got pregnant, we were at the tail end of touring and working The Melismatics “Rising Tide.” It made sense for us to take a break because we had worked very hard and we were feeling burnt out.  We played 150-200 shows a year for many years. It seemed like since I am a woman having a baby, a lot of people assumed I was done making music when really I was taking a much needed break. I was kind of lost in the shuffle of life as I went through an existential crisis and became a mother, so Ryan was the glue that put Ryan and Pony together -not allowing my music career to die or his. I am very thankful for his drive and passion.  And I’m thankful that he reignited that back into me as music is an aspect of my identity.

Which of the artists that each of you have worked with, have had the most lasting impact on you musically? 

Ryan: I think Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum has really impacted me as a songwriter.  He has this crazy balance of skill, craftsmanship, sincerity, irreverence and defiance.  I’d have to say that Jon Auer of The Posies, Grant Hart of Husker Du, Phil Solem of The Rembrandts, and Dan Wilson of Semisonic have also impacted me in a similar way—they are all great writers.  The power of a great song is immeasurable. I’ve always been about the songs first and foremost, so working with them has really stuck with me.

Pony: I think everyone I’ve crossed paths with has impacted me. The main person that seemed to be a huge gateway for my music career was Mark Mallman. I learned how to play spontaneously because Mallman was the first person I played with live who would randomly have us jam or take a song to a different place than what was rehearsed or what was on the recording. The first time I experienced this was a rather humbling experience, but at the same time very fun and interesting. Mallman would go off on these crazy spoken word tangents and have the entire crowd captivated like he was a Pied Piper. He even had the entire band enthralled. He kept you on on your toes wondering what would happen next.  It was surreal to experience.

Ryan and I met playing in Mallman’s band together.  Ryan really impacted my career as well, obviously. We fill out where the other cannot and some of the roles we play can be interchangeable and sometimes not. We creatively work well together. Push each other when we need to be pushed. Back off when we need space. It’s always been a very organic ebb and flow.

When Ryan joined Soul Asylum I noticed on a deeper level what an amazing lyricist Dave Pirner is and how engaging the arrangements and chord structures were. I thought to myself, “I need to write better lyrics and better songs if I continue to write.” I also always felt pushed to be a better player just by watching Ryan’s ethic. Ryan joining Soul Asylum ignited this war for me to get my music career back. I’m still fighting.

This is your first time presenting yourselves as a cartoon in your new video for “Fast As I Can.” Can you explain to us why you both chose to release it as a cartoon? 

Ryan: We became aware of the director and artist Sara Miscavage through Soul Asylum.  She had made cartoon characters of that band, and it was clear she was incredibly talented and amazing.  I had always had a pipe dream of making an anime music video, and we finally had a way to pull it off.

Pony: I really like the ideas of music videos giving a narrative and letting the creator/writer run away with it. Sara did such an amazing job with not only that but with her mad animation skills. What talent!

Whose idea/concept was behind the video for “Fast As I Can”? 

Ryan: Sara completely came up with the story line and concept.  She listened to the song over and over and came up with the idea. We were blown away by how cool it was.

What’s next for Ryan and Pony? 

Ryan: We are finishing up a new full-length album.  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter for the details on that.  The plan is to release videos for as many of the songs as possible.

Pony: Releasing our album and more videos!

Fun Questions

Who was your first concert and do you have a favorite?

Pony: My first concert was The Steve Miller Band. I was 15. I love Steve Miller, but it was not my favorite concert. The venue, lighting, and sound was horrible. My favorite concert vacillates between Iggy and the Stooges at First Avenue or The New York Dolls in Austin, Texas. Both concerts were so epic.

Ryan: Oh yeah those were great shows!! My first show was Sugar at First Avenue.  This was Bob Mould’s band after Husker Du. It blew my mind. I’d have to say my favorite concert of all times was seeing a band from Minneapolis 12 Rods playing in the 7th Street Entry at an all ages show early in their career.

What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?

Pony: I distinctly remember stealing my older brother’s AC/DC “Highway to Hell” cassette and listening to that obsessively at age 6. That was when my love of the guitar began.

Ryan: I bought Prince’s “Batman” Soundtrack and Husker Du “Warehouse: Songs and Stories” with money I made mowing someone’s lawn as a youngin’.

What five albums or artists would you not want to live without?

Ryan: I’ll go with artists: Joy Division, Radiohead, The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin

Pony: You know your asking me to cut off a few of my fingers here? Lou Reed Transformer, The Doors, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, Patti Smith, and Neil Young

Do you have a guilty music or entertainment pleasure? 

Ryan: I don’t really believe in guilty pleasures.  I think if you like something, you shouldn’t be ashamed of it.  But… I’ll say that one form of entertainment I really do enjoy is going to theme parks.  I really love watching our 4-year-old daughter experience those kinds of things—and I love really fast roller coasters! Ha!  

Pony: Bob Seger.

Follow and connect with Ryan and Pony on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Julia Othmer

Julia Othmer discusses the creative energy she gets from her music and performing, working with her producer and music video director, more

Singer-songwriter, Julia Othmer, writes gorgeous songs that resonate with her listeners. It also resonates with music supervisors of such televisions shows in which her music has been featured, including “Witches Of East End,” “The Lying Game,” “Army Wives,” and “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” Her music has been applauded by popular publications like Billboard and independent publication, The Deli. She’s headlined some of the most lauded stages in the country, including Knuckleheads Garage in Kansas City, and has been featured on WXPN’s All About the Music Festival in Philadelphia.

With her new single “Purple And Gray,” featured on her upcoming album, SOUND, is a powerful and emotive single, and the video accompanying it is shares the mood of the song. She also shares her holiday single, aptly titled “Bring Peace For Christmas,” featuring toys and desktop objects turned into participants in an annual winter dance. Both music videos are directed by James T. Lundie, who also produced SOUND. Check out both videos in our interview with Julia, where she discusses her songs, working with director and producer Lundie, her special holiday traditions, and more.

You’re a woman of many talents, mostly known for your songwriting credits, which have landed in the popular shows Army Wives and Degrassi: The Next Generation, among others. Where did your love of music come from? 

Julia Othmer: Loving music was my first memory – I remember hearing a song and wanting to somehow be inside of it. I continue to have that desire.

What creative energy do you get from writing and performing, and is there one you prefer over the other? 

Julia: Writing and performing are my expressions of creative energy – transmutations of it. I sort of fear and love them both – I sometimes have a fear of performing badly or with disconnection; the fear of not having anything left to write. But working through those fears gives me more pride and pleasure when I feel I have done well. There’s a curious agony and ecstasy to it all. 

What I love most about writing and performing is the connection and intimacy it can facilitate with people listening & the people you make music with – songs can build these bridges between us – create a space for us to congregate – allow us to have cathartic experiences with strangers. I love that.

Your latest single and music video for “Purple and Gray” is featured on your upcoming album, SOUND…what was the writing and recording process like for it? 

Julia: “Purple and Gray” showed up one evening when James started playing guitar, I started singing, and we pressed record. It just flowed naturally and then I tortured myself for weeks and months on getting it right. Often when I am writing and improvising, I see the music as shapes and colors and pictures. I saw so many different stories in the song. It was hard for me to settle into it. In the end we used a lot of what happened in the first take, but exploring all of the possibilities helped us to arrive back where we started. 

Your director for “Purple and Gray” and “Bring Peace for Christmas,” was also your producer for SOUND, James T. Lundie. What’s it like working with James creatively and personally? 

Julia: It’s brilliant and unnerving and challenging and easy and curious and constantly changing. We have episodes of highly collaborative interactive sessions. We also have times where we work individually in isolation and then do a show and tell of what we have done and figure out how our different pieces fit together. When I play him songs that I am working on, I not only get his perspective on it, but it also helps me to know for myself what I feel about it – the sharing of it creates a mirror of my own – sometimes it is easier to see or hear things as a reflection. We are definitely harder on ourselves that we are on each other, but the dynamic keeps us pushing to get it better and better.  

We can both get really intense while we are working – we don’t hold back.  We allow ourselves to become really vulnerable and we also call each other out when we know something isn’t honest or true. Some of our exchanges can get defensive and dramatic. But all of the back and forth lends to a deeper intimacy and trust and allowance of one another and what we want to express.

“Bring Peace for Christmas” is a great ode to the holiday season. What about Christmas excites you the most, and what does Christmas mean to you? 

Julia: Our version of holiday celebration is like a Winter-Solstice-Thanks-Giving combination – celebrating life and love and family and friends and food. If we are in Cornwall, we jump into the ocean and take a bone-chilling swim with the seals, drink mulled wine on the beach, and warm up by the fire in the drawing room playing games and having a good laugh. There is a lot of cooking and baking. We take long walks and eat huge amounts of food.  

We don’t really worry about the gift exchange bit. We love giving gifts but doing that on ‘required’ days tends to feel really stressful. You are far more likely to get a gift from me on a random day than on your birthday or a holiday. 

Fun Questions

Who was your first concert, and do you have a favorite one, thus far?

Julia: First concert – Michael Jackson.  My brothers took me. I swore Michael was singing just to me at least once or twice. I think everyone in that stadium felt the same way – an effect of his brilliance as a performer.

Favorite show – Pink Floyd – Before witnessing their concert, I had no idea how completely encompassing a show could be. 

In a similar way but on a completely different scale, I once performed a concert with Regina Spektor and watching and hearing her created some of my most vividly lived musical moments. Her lyrics were transporting – intimate, imaginative, honest, fantastic. Her performance on the keys was sublime.

What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl? 

Julia: Indigo Girls was the first album I remember buying.  I would listen to my older brothers’ vinyl – The Beatles, The Cars, Neil Young, The Who – but not a lot of, if any, female singer-songwriters. It got me building my own music library.

What five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without? 

Julia: There are definitely artists and albums that have been highly influential to me, but I could always play their music back in my head, in my memory. I could figure my way around it.  

I would have a hard time not being able to sing or having an instrument to play. I don’t know how I would be able to work around that…

Do you have a guilty music or entertainment pleasure? 

Julia: The New York Times crossword puzzles – especially Saturdays and Sundays.

Connect with Julia on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Glorybots

Glorybots talk ‘dark alien pop, music videos for singles ‘Dream About Nothing’ and ‘Afterlife’

Glorybots are making interesting and unique music that is not only intriguing, but incredibly appealing. They leave some to the imagination, calling their music “dark alien pop” in which mastermind and musical force behind Glorybots, Jalal Andre elaborates on more in our interview.

Glorybot’s latest singles “Dream About Nothing” and “Afterlife” are their catch, and are simply catchy, with folks listening bopping their head along as they listen, or getting into the groove with a little dance possibly. Glorybots success and talent derives from drummer, Ben Hilzinger, co-producer, Don Farwell, and the main man himself, Jalal Andre. Andrew used to be the frontman of the rock group, Echo Texture, based in the Pacific Northwest.

“Dream About Nothing” is a dark insinuation of a song; “Afterlife” is a fierce and fast-moving squall. Both tracks are capable of generating some seriously altered states in listeners.

Read our interview with The Cure loving, experimental brain behind the musical connisseur, Glorybots.

Firstly, why do you guys call your sound “dark alien pop,” and who came up with it first? 

Glorybots: For years, my go-to instrument was the guitar… but, for this project, I wanted to incorporate more digital/synthesizer elements from the onset.  So, I began writing pieces for the album by playing around with keyboard sounds and riffs.  There was a lot of trial and error, both in the song writing process and in developing overall themes and arrangements, but as the songs evolved, I consistently chose similar sonic signatures that were a bit dark and alien-sounding (to my ear anyway).  At the same time, many of the songs retained more of a traditional rock/pop structure in the verse/chorus arrangements, and when I realized that the evolving soundscape reminded me of an alien sci-fi movie soundtrack, “Dark Alien Pop” seemed like the perfect description for what was being created.  Admittedly, I had to go back and nudge a few songs in that overall direction, and the blend of alien soundscapes is variable in each song throughout the album.     

Where does the name Glorybots derive from? 

Glorybots: The name, Jalal, means “glory” and I liked the idea of the band being a bunch of nameless bots (sarcastically) in search of fame and fortune.

Jalal, you’re the main-man behind Glorybots; how do you get other folks involved in your projects, and how do you go about choosing the ones you want to involve?

Glorybots: I have always loved working and interacting with people, and I think there’s a synergy and beauty that’s created when you can incorporate other people’s perspectives and ideas into those of your own.  When it came to this project, I wanted to push my own limits, and surround myself with others who would understand that, and were easy to get along with.  I put out a few feelers and basically assembled the group of musicians through my own instincts and/or the suggestion of good friends.  I was also lucky that no one said “no” to my initial requests!  But each person brought a lot to the project in their own, unique way, and I am eternally grateful for that.  

Were the concepts for each video, “Dream About Nothing,” and “Afterlife,” already fleshed out, or did they evolve during the making of the videos? 

Glorybots: Each video was modified a fair amount during its’ respective making.  For “Afterlife,” I worked with local Seattle director Carlos Cruz to develop the ideas, and we met on several occasions to brainstorm and develop the idea of an alien being abducted by humans and then transformed into a Glorybot.  When Hobby Creative Studio actualized the video, they really brought those ideas to fruition, but they also developed entire alien landscapes, an operating room, they hung signs portraying human abductors, and they developed the doctor and alien action figures; many of these elements went way beyond what I had envisioned.  They even 3D-printed many of the props in the video, which was like icing on the cake for me.  

For “Dream About Nothing,” I wanted the video to provide a few shots of the band and highlight Glorybots’ live performance (featuring Ben Hilzinger on drums and Ian Sides on bass).  I worked with directors Carlos Cruz and Thai M. Tran, who developed much of the content within the interleaved vignettes, which we all felt was critical to differentiate the video from a “traditional” band performance video.  On the day of the shoot, though, there were some small snafus (we couldn’t use the colored smoke we wanted to use, for example) and a few of the scenes didn’t capture as expected on video.  To our pleasant surprise, other scenes, including some of the band’s performance and several vignettes, were more dynamic and captivating than we had initially anticipated, and those were further modified under the guidance of Ronnie Dennis, Director of Photography.   

How do you feel music videos give you another outlet of creativity for your  music? 

Glorybots: I think videos offer a limitless potential to share a song’s story by offering a visual accompaniment that becomes an active, incorporated part of the music.  To me, music videos are an extension of the song, in both the visual story that’s conveyed, but also in the dynamics that are created by framing the video component within the musical piece.  Nowhere else is that done.  In any other format (movies, TV, etc.) the music is set to the film/scene, but in music videos, the video is set to the song… and that dynamic is both unique and powerful.  It adds another dimension to the song, and if done correctly, can really drive the song in an unpredictable direction.   

Fun Questions

Who was your first concert, and who is your overall favorite, thus far?

Glorybots: My first concert was Depeche Mode, and they were great, but my favorite live performance was The Cure, followed closely by Sigur Rós.  

What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl? 

Glorybots: I honestly don’t remember my “first” album, but my favorite early album was Japanese Whispers by the Cure.

Which five artists and/or albums would you not want to live without? 

Glorybots: The Cure (especially the Japanese Whispers album), Radiohead (especially The Bends and In Rainbows albums), Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails, (Untitled) by Sigur Rós, and Dummy by Portishead.

Do you have a guilty music or entertainment pleasure?

Glorybots: I “occasionally” hum a Journey song every once in a while!

Nuke The Soup

Nuke the Soup talks new single,’Network,’ accompanying music video and latest album ‘Deeper’

Nuke The Soup‘s Mark Davison has released his new single “Network,” which touches on Davison’s frustration with commercialism in society, and Davison plays the part of “both helpless consumer and puppet master.” “Network” is the first single from Nuke The Soup’s recent album, Deeper, which features original songs by Davison, showcasing his indelible songwriting.

The album features such prolific talent with drummer Chester Thompson of Zappa and Genesis, guitarist Garry Leonard of David Bowie, and produced by Kevin Killen, who’s work is featured with David Bowie, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. The album was also produced by Fugazi drummer, Brendan Canty.

We discussed Nuke The Soup’s outlook on commercialism in society, his new single and music video, “Network,” from his album, Deeper, his writing and recording process, and our classic fun questions.

With your new single “Network,” you take on a huge issue of commercialism in society. Can you elaborate on this?

Nuke the Soup: Yes. The advent of the 24 hour news cycle meant filling up space and finding the advertisers to pay for it. Doing so led to the trivialization of serious issues, such as war, to sell ad space. The end result is that society is now more calloused towards human tragedy. We see it all – everyday.

Was the theme behind the music video for “Network,” your idea or a collaboration of a variety of ideas?

Nuke: The words and music of the song are mine. I collaborated with director Rob Fitzgerald on the story line for the video.

“Network” is from your latest album, Deeper, out in May of this year. You enlisted some top-notch musicians to play on the album. How did you connect with them originally?

Nuke: I am fortunate to have known drummer Chester Thompson for many years. He’s originally from Baltimore and a friend of a friend. Guitarist Gerry Leonard is a good friend of producer Kevin Killen, so we recruited him for this record.

Can you share with us the recording and writing process of Deeper?

Nuke: The album started with the song, “Feel of the Ocean.” Once I wrote that, I felt the need to keep going. The song, “Deeper,” was mostly written during the last Nuke the Soup project, but I finished writing that next and it became the focal point which I wrote other songs around. We recorded 4 songs, then another four, including Network, and then three more to finish the album.

Deeper focuses on the theme of mortality; what led you to explore this theme?

Nuke: It was not intentional, but I guess when you reach a certain age these thoughts start to filter into your consciousness more often. During the recording, I went through a period where I thought I had something seriously wrong with me. And after months, I did discover a serious infection that required a major root canal for a molar, but fortunately nothing life threatening.

What’s next for you? A tour perhaps?

Nuke: More videos! The next video to be released will be the song “Deeper.” After that, “Feed the Fire.” I plan to play some acoustic dates at some radio stations we are getting airplay on. Still open to bringing the band out again for special events.

Fun Questions

Who was your first concert?

Nuke: The Supremes, Baltimore Civic Center

What was your first album on vinyl, cassette, and/or CD?

Nuke: I think Hermans Hermits was one of my first albums. I had a number of Beatles 45s. I think Paint it, Black and “Ruby Tuesday” were some of my early Stones.

What five albums or artists would you not want to live without?

Nuke: Roxy Music’s Avalon was on my CD player for quite a while. I think The Shins’ melodies are amazing. I am floored by the emotion in some Sufjan Stevens tracks.

Do you have a guilty music or entertainment pleasure?

Nuke: Only thing I feel guilty about is listening to too much CNN on satellite these days, instead of music.

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