mandel's music.

"literally music is the air she breathes"

[aryanarecords]

INTERVIEW WITH talk.

I am so excited to be sharing my interview with talk. , an up and coming band I met during my summer program at NYU.  They just released their first single, Alright, and I can’t wait to see what they do next!

Who makes up talk. ?

MEG: My name is Megan Bishop, and I’m originally a singer/songwriter from Chicago, Il. I describe my own music as being country/folk, and I usually stay acoustic on my recordings. Being in talk. has been a huge eye-opener for me to see the kind of music I can help create. I wrote and sang the chorus in the song and in the future, I could sing and songwrite some more. My instagram handle is @meganbishopofficial and twitter is @mmeganbishopp.

RJ: I am a singer/song writer, contemporary, modern, ballet, hip hop dancer. IG: handle: @the_rj

JUSTIN: My name is Justin Mandel, and I am a percussionist as well as producer from Los Angeles, Ca.  I identify most with indie and alternative rock but truly love all genres of music.  Typically, I create covers of songs I enjoy, random beats for friends, and original works or collaborations.  Being in talk. has allowed me to expand my horizon within the music realm.  I feel like I was a part of the entire process for the making of this song but my main role was producing, marketing, and managing.  My instagram handle is @babymandel, my soundcloud is Justin Mandel, and my twitter handle is @tallballfreak.

HUNTER: My name is Hunter Csathy and my role in Talk. Consisted of acting as the band’s art director and manager. I, as well as with the help of RJ, stylized the look and feel of our band. Because I am aiming to take on a social entrepreneurial stance in the music industry, I do not pride myself necessarily in being a singer. This being sang, talk. Brought everyone together through including everyone’s voices on the track. Those who know me refer to me as a ‘music festival junkie’ as my signature quirk belongs to my right hand, a wrist that overflows with an array of festival bands that I wear till they fall off. Fun facts about me is that I carry a passion for film and vinyl, with over 300 records of my own keeping and a disposable camera in hand everywhere I go. If that ain’t enough for your liking you can stalk me and my antics on my social media n show sum love @huntercsathyyy or follow my Spotify for some TASTY tunes @musicgooroo.

MIA: My name’s Mia Garcia and I am a producer and multi instrumentalist from La Jolla, California. I played the instruments and produced the song “Alright.” I would describe my style as R&B soul, hip-hop, funk fusion. Some artists that inspire me are FKJ, Kaytranada, Wes Montgomery, Hans Zimmer, and Ravyn Lenae. My instagram is @justmkg!!

How did you guys meet?

JUSTIN: We met at the NYU Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music Summer High School program and were paired into a group on the first day.  Not knowing much about each other, we had multiple hangouts to learn more and excel as a band.  But this was not an assignment, it may have have started that way but over course of a day, it became a friendship.  

HUNTER: From day one, it clicked. As Justin would say, “we just, well, marinated.”

How did you come up with your band name?

RJ: We all wanted it to be “fire” so we came up with the slogan “we bring the fueg,”& eventually the official name talk. sparked in this process.

What inspired “Alright”?

MEG: We first started writing about New York, and being in the city for the first time alone. We were speaking to the city at first, but then it took a little bit of a turn as RJ started writing his verses. The bridge in the song with the lyrics “open your mind, look up to the skyline, jungle and vines, running through time, but don’t eat the fruit you don’t know” is directly about NYC, because we wrote that first. Actually, Mia wrote those specific lyrics and the melody for that.

MIA: Inspirations like Thundercat, Anderson .Paak, and Mayer Hawthorne were all inspirations that brought about this project. We wanted to go for a funk fusion song that had a feel good vibe.

Did you guys all right it together?

HUNTER: We all got together and jammed up the halls of NYU. After that, lyrical ideas kept coming and eventually we had ourselves a write up. I remember that the one thing we kept from the jam sesh was the verse that started it all …. the outro. Specifically those “on and ons” you hear.

What would you classify your music as?

JUSTIN: Our goal for talk. was to create a sound that harbored each member’s unique music style in one way or another. That being said, we don’t want to be constrained to one genre specific song but rather a fusion of multiple. We classify our music as “fueg” (translation: fire… but there is no time for O). Fueg to us classifies as a unique sound, incorporating jazz, funk, folk, pop, rap, and hip hop and more!

Who are some of your musical influences?

MEG: The band talk. definitely is influenced by Chance the Rapper and Goldlink, but really we were influenced by each other’s music tastes overall.

Can we expect new music?

RJ: You never know…!

HUNTER: I mean, when it marinates, it marinates.

What was the music video making process like?

JUSTIN: We shot our music video on a Sunday and I believe it took roughly 2 hours to shoot.  We didn’t coordinate our outfits because we wanted to give each person there own creative freedom to express themselve.  Rather than being about coordinating outfits, we decided to chose a color scheme to fit our aesthetic purposes which was red, white, and black.  After we shot the footage, we went to finish the song.  Our footage was shot spontaneously!  We didn’t have a set location and we wanted somewhere unique.  We starting shooting at a random street across from the Weinstein dorm, moved to Washington Square Park, and then made our way to a asian market nearby.  After that, Hunter spent hours editing and finally, the video was made!

Who are some artists you hope to work with in the future?

MEG: It would be incredible to work with Chance the Rapper or Anderson .Paak because they are just so good lyrically. But for now, we’re working within our own circles and trying to be super creative with the people that we know.

MIA: Hoping to work with Thundercat, Hiatus Kaiyote, Anderson .Paak, and many more!!

Favorite Memory

MEG: I think my favorite memory was when we were first getting together and jamming for the first time. It was just so chill and effortless and fun, and we also learned a lot about each other.

JUSTIN: For our first writing session, we had a debacle about the word alright.  For about 5 or 10 minutes, we discussed if we should title our song this or even use it as a lyric.  The main argument was regarding the emotion of the word itself because it is neither positive nor negative, it is simply a word.  

HUNTER: When I say we brought people together, i mean it. Our Clive Davis choir brought all individuals of all groups into one TINY room in order to unify our track under an umbrella of talents. And the shirts…. OH THE SHIRTS. it was such a communal experience and from this, I have made 4 more best friends. We truly are a family.

RJ:I love this talented group of band members so much, and it was an honor & blessing to be paired with their bright energy/light.

Listen to their single “Alright” on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.  Follow talk. on Instagram and watch their music video HERE!

For businesss inquiries, contact me at [email protected]

Rock On,

Aryana

[mandelsmusic]

[mandelsmusic]

Flight of Voices Concert Review

January 28, 2018 The Village 5/5 West Los Angeles

On January 28, 2018, The Village, located in West L.A., was transformed into an unforgettable night put on by Flight of Voices.  Before entering, I knew nothing about this organization, yet coming out of the show I was simply astonished by the talent of the solo artists.  Flight of Voices is a collective of independent solo artists and every show is unique.  Their name refers to how they describe themselves as resembling, “a flight of wine, in one set you get to sample 3-4 unique voices, crossing different musical genres.”  The goal of the show is to promote the artist community, allowing artists to demonstrate their talents in front of a warm and inviting audience. Essentially, each artist is granted a chance to have their voice heard with the accompaniment of the other members involved with Flight of Voice as a backing band.  To learn more, click HERE.

The specific show I attended had the following musicians: George Krikes, Robert Richardson, Ilys, Emily Elkin, Matthew Grant, Helena Holleran, Ben Weiss, and Antix.  While this style of show is ripe for competition, I loved that they made clear it was about the group. That said, there were two performers who stood out to me.  Both Matthew and Helena carried themselves in such a humble manner, demonstrating extreme gratitude for having the opportunity to have their voice heard.  Matthew appeared to have an energetic stage presence which truly brought the group together and after the show, he openly told me that he had just signed with a label (Go Matt!).  I have seen Helena sing before online but seeing her in person was truly breathtaking.  Seeing her videos online, I thought that her voice was very edited because it was almost perfect and I was absolutely shocked when I heard her voice in person, unedited, in full beauty.  Truthfully, she has an amazing voice and the videos are minimally edited.    

Overall, each performer was astounding in their own ways.  I think this concept is genius; I love that I got to experience something so different from a typical concert, almost like a festival but in a fascinating intimate venue located in West Los Angeles.  With no two performances the same, each future show is a unique experience, one that I can't wait to return to time and time again.  Go show some support this Saturday, February 24, 2018, at the Village and experience an amazing night like no other!  

To see Helena’s performance from this show, click HERE

[mandelsmusic]

Portugal. The Man Concert Review

December 12, 2017 Royce Hall, UCLA 2/5 Los Angeles

     After seeing Portugal. The Man, also known as The Lords Of Portland, perform on the American Music Awards, I had to see them perform in concert.  I've been a fan since their 2009 release of Satanic Satanist and caught them on their 2014 co-headlining tour with Grouplove, but this is their best performance yet.  Though I was not fond of their failure to connect with the audience; they did not say a word to the crowd.  Instead, they had a “hype man,” who in truth was not that hype.  Although, I cannot complain regarding what they played, everything was amazing.

     After their performance at the AMA’s on November 19,2017, Rolling Stone published an ARTICLE LINK decrying Portugal. The Man as one of the worst acts of the night.  Maura Johnston writes, “While alt-rock acts are supposed to chafe against being ushered into the pop world, the opening disclaimer to their performance … read, in huge letters, "NO COMPUTERS UP HERE, JUST LIVE INSTRUMENTS" – came off as mean-spirited and, well, kind of silly, given that their stage setup was laden with synthesizers and pedals…”  Their December performance in Los Angeles featured the same backdrop on stage.   All in all, their claim is false; though it was a great show, they needed the sound of a computer to generate the warm vibrations which they are known for.  

     The Sumatran Tiger Song, commonly known as the “Endangered Song,” was created for Earth Day 2014.  Inspired by this tiger, there were no digital copies of the song but instead, 400 copies of the physical record were produced. Eventually the record, made out of polycarbonate material, will stop playing and become extinct.  Perhaps they only play it once a year, but of all the shows I have seen them perform, they have never given the Sumatran Tiger Song it's fair justice.  We must raise awareness for this endangered species and I believe that Portugal. The Man should spread this message at every show because much like the tiger, the song will go extinct unless it’s reproduced.  Was it all a publicity stunt?   After doing reserach, I have only found two videos of them performing the song.   My dream, is to one day see Portugal. The Man perform “The Endangered Song,” even though the modern day fans - who likely discovered Portugal. The Man through the hit single “Feel It Still” - will never understand the true purpose of the song.  I want the people to hear the song before it goes extinct, much like the tigers.  

     Regardless, The Lords of Portland provide a warm sound that can bring joy to any type of fan, whether it be alternative or pop.  The only thing missing from the night was the unique bond formed by band-audience interaction, which was nonexistent. Though they played well, I felt that the show was truly missing the fan interaction.  It almost felt like they were playing just to appease the record label, not because they wanted to.  I love Portugal. The Man, but due to the failure to play the “Endangered Song” and the lack of crowd interaction, this show was just ok.  

To listen to the “Endangered Song,” click HERE

Rock on,  Justin Mandel

[mandelsmusic]

Nic Nim Interview

Name: Nicole Nimroody

Birthday: JULY 10 2000 Nicknames: nic, nikkilove, scratchin professional, SoundCloud queen     Dream job if not music: Filmmaker? Fashion designer? Favorite activity: night drives and dancing until I am well out of breath Based: NYC 

You have just released the single “Silver,” is this a pre-release?  Can we expect to see something coming in the future?  

Silver is my first officially released single. It defines an entire new era of my music and of ‘Nic Nim’- and is clearly set apart from the tracks I've put up on SoundCloud in the past. Silver is a beginning, a start of many new things. Expect some more single releases within the coming months, leading towards an EP. I am definitely working towards an album.

Could you please discuss the process of creating your newest song “Silver”?  How long did this single take to create?  

I wrote single in May 2017. I actually have the voice memo of when I first wrote it, and the hook is totally different, it's crazy. The song definitely grew with me. I worked to produce and record with Joey Auch, the producer I've worked with for some time, and we would usually work for four hours at a time in the studio to record and produce the track. Due to the absolutely crazy schedule of a high school student, and with summer break in between, Silver took a good while to finish- but was most definitely worth the patience and dedication. I adore it with all my heart.

What genre would you define your music?  Is there a specific artist that inspired you on this track?  

Dude that's so hard for me. I'm quite a fan of bending genres and sometimes that makes these questions a bit difficult. This track specifically was heavily rock influenced. In specific- it was actually the Arctic Monkeys’ AM album that inspired that dark and moody vibe the song has. Lana Del Rey too, for sure. As for my music as a whole, I'm figuring it out. It's sort of this pop-rock, RnB infused concoction- but I'm not sure if I'll even stop there, I love experimenting with my music and different genres. I love Motown and funk, I love rock, I love indie pop- why confine myself?

I know you take fashion into your overall brand aesthetic as an artist, is there someone you look up to in that sense?  

Fashion and design are everything to me, it shapes so much of my artistry. I love everything 70s (shocker), so that includes Jackie Burkhart’s attire from that 70s show, the entire wardrobe from the film Almost Famous, Alexa Chung- but an all-time classic for me is Bianca Jagger. She is a bad-ass woman who made and wore everything feminine, graceful, and unconventionally awesome.

How did you create the album art?  Is there anyone you would like to thank for this?

Writing silver I had this entire vision of what it looked like as I wrote it- sort of like a film in my head. The wine dress, the curls, a motel sign, vintage televisions and telephones, and glitter everywhere. I decided to do a shoot for the cover to help others see the images I was seeing, and so Justin connected me with Sophia Ragomo, a super talented photographer who shoots a bunch of up and coming artists and bands. Sophia came in and I had like 6 different colored faux-fur coats and different dresses. The cover ended up being a close up of a hand sort of holding onto my shoulder. The idea of the song and lyrics was that I had all this glitter on me, and therefore there was glitter on his fingers. So I actually drenched myself in glitter before the shoot, basically painted my collar bones, and then had my friend Jack Laboz as the hand model. I sent the photograph and a font to my friend Skye who fixed up the graphic design. I think it totally depicts the image I wanted to convey to the listeners. I’m hoping to film a music video at some point for it.

Who are some of your influences from a musical aspect and an everyday aspect?  Why?  

I'm influenced a wild amount from artists and groups that are breaking genres, who treat their music like art. Brockhampton, Daniel Caesar, BANKS, Tyler the Creator, Frank Ocean, Lana Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys, Prince, Bowie- they're all sort of weird, and not like ‘look at me I'm trying to be weird’ but more like, hey look at this shit I made it’s soo me. I just love people who are honest and unmerciful-ly themselves.

What was the first record or song you bought?

She's a Rainbow by The Rolling Stones. My dad would play it in the car like all the time, I thought it was so cool how this classic Rock band whose image was based largely on sex and drugs wrote a song that sounded like a lullaby about rainbows.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

On tour? Happy? I better be in love with my life.

Who would you want to open for and why?

I'd love to open for the Arctic Monkeys- I really love Alex Turner, his lyrics absolutely mesmerize me, especially from their first album, and Alex Turner’s solo work. There are so many things I think I could learn from him and the band, being around people so artistically driven- that's the dream. Also, they’re so damn good.

Anything else you want to add?

This is just the beginning.  To stay updated, follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

Click here to listen to Silver on Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and more!

Rock on,

Justin Mandel

[mandelsmusic]

Rodney Chrome Interview

Birthday: 11/24/1999 Birth given name: Rodney Junior Zodiac: Sagittarius (the best sign, right next to virgo’s) Favorite food: Asian/Thai Based: Little Rock, Arkansas Nicknames: Rodney Chrome

You have just released the single “2K,” is this a pre-release?  Can we expect to see something coming in the future?  My next release will be more of a body of work, but there isn't an official release date yet, but hopefully sometime soon. I’m still experiencing life as of now and a lot of my work is a response to those experiences, so I guess we can say whenever the stars align, a more holistic story will be given.

How and when did you start making music?  I’ve always been a dancer and loved moving my body, but sometimes the songs that I listened to, I couldn't wholistically express how I felt. Eventually, I discovered that I had a niche for writing lyrics as well so there became this birth of musical talent and drive. I started recording music on the floor of my moms closet at around the age of 15, and from then on, I’ve grown every single year with discovering myself as an artist.

Being that you are a contemporary ballet dancer, is there any influence from that within your music?  Do you weave in a choreographed dance once the song is complete to have some sort of visual component?  How much does dance add to your music?  Yes, there are definitely influences of dance when I make music. It’s like a mother giving birth to a set of twins. On one arm you have a child with brains (the lyrics), and on the other arm, you have the child with athletic capabilities (dancing ). But in all actuality, as a parent, I love them both equally as they go hand in hand and coexist in harmony.

Who are some of your influences from a musical aspect and an everyday aspect?  Musical influences are little tricky to narrow down because, with todays time, I categorize individuals between artist and entertainers. Artists make great records and thrive greatly in the industry, but entertainers will always come ready to give a show. It is their job to entertain and sometimes I feel as though we lose this aspect by everyone trying to chart, and have the next hottest single without forming a body of work first. But to name a few influences, I would definitely have to say Beyonce & Frank Ocean (for his overwhelming writing skills and honesty).

What was the first record or song you bought?  The first ever record I legally bought lol was Beyonce’s self-titled album “Beyonce.”

What genre would you define your music?  Whenever people ask me this question I never know how to respond because I honestly work off of current emotions. If I want to make the most angelic alternative song at the moment, then I will. But If I also feel like spitting the illest/dirtiest 16 bars of a rap song then that’s what my body will produce. So instead of the question being towards me, I aim back towards the listeners as to how they intake my music?

Could you please discuss the process of creating your newest song “2K”? Why is it called this and what was your main inspiration for this?  The song is called “2K” because, at the time, I felt as though I was being played like the video game “2K.” So it was only right to name it after that.  Honestly, my main inspiration for this was unrequited lovers, plain and simple. But also realizing that being the beautiful human that you are, your light is more important than temporary and unreciprocated emotions.

How long did this single take to create? Could you talk about the creative process?  The process was very simple actually. I was on the plane headed to New York for the month of July at NYU’s Clive summer program and I had recently been in a situation that was toxic as far as reciprocated love, and all I could do was write. So on the play, I was just going at it, and I’m pretty sure the person sitting next to me thought I was writing like the worst Gordon Ramsay critic review lol. Once I wrote the song, I recorded it in a studio in Brooklyn, New York, then fast forward to December of 2017, here you guys are listening to my story.

I know the “ants in my eyes Johnson” is part of the intro as well as ending.   Are you a big fan of Rick & Morty?  How did the “ants in my eyes Johnson” mold the song?  Was it a big process?  Honestly, I am a false fan lol. The beat just sounded amazing and so impactful that I had to get my hands on it. No, it was not a big process at all.

What made you get into music?  My love to express how I felt, but not so much in an everyday conversation. Also being able to impact someone with my story, in a way that they can relate without feeling alone.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Who knows… I guess 10 years from now we’ll see! I mainly like to keep questions like that to a much higher power because my predictions are honestly limitless.

Who would you want to open for and why?  I would love to and I will one day open up for Beyonce. Just to go from a kid who admired her every move, to be that same kid sharing the stage with her, will one day be my career pinnacle.

Anything else you want to add?  I love everyone who listens to my music and I wish I could give all of you guys and everyone reading this the warmest hug.

-sincerely, Atlas x.o. (Rodney Chrome)

Go check out 2K on Apple Music, Spotify and more!

Rock on,

Justin Mandel

[mandelsmusic]

Genesis Be: An Artist and Activist (Interview)

Birthday: Dec 5th Zodiac: Sagittarius Favorite Food: Sea Scallops and Cajun cuisine Based: I split my time between Brooklyn, Atlanta, and Mississippi. Nicknames: G.Be NYU Majors: Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music / CAS Political Science

How and when did you start making music? I started writing poetry when I was 7 years old. When I was 12 I saw Tupac’s “Brenda’s Got A Baby” music video and I was dumbstruck. I remember thinking it was so fascinating that this man was writing about the ills in his community, bringing attention to problematic institutions… I knew that this was my calling. I began to collect instrumental beats and covert my poetry to raps. After winning a local talent show at 14, my father took me to the studio for the first time. I would go on to complete 3 original albums by the age of 18.

Who are some of your musical influences? Vincent Guiraldi. Tupac Shakur. Miles Davis. Alicia Keys. The Alchemist. Black Milk. 9th Wonder. Ebonie Smith.

What was the first record or CD you bought? When I was a pre-teen I bought Outkast’s “Players Ball” because it had the instrumental version on it. I used that instrumental to write many of my first rhymes.

What genre would you define your music? I’ve published over 7 original albums, they are all different. Right now I see-saw between political trap music and sensual ambient melodic rap.

What have you been inspired by? My Grandfather Rev. Clyde Briggs is my biggest inspiration. He was a civil rights activist during segregation in Mississippi in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He was an education reformist. He and his friends made transportation convoys to transport black voters to and from voter registration sites so that they were not killed or harassed by the KKK. His house was shot up by KKK and local law enforcement while my father, my pregnant Grandmother and seven of her children slept inside. This was the atmosphere in which he operated. He risked his life to uplift his community. After being accused of providing guns to black citizens to arm themselves against the KKK incessant killings and harassment, he mysteriously died at the young age of 42. Many in my family believe he was murdered as it was not uncommon for popular leaders to be taken out silently during those times. Your readers can read more about him HERE. Ultimately I am an activist, music is just many vehicles with which I make my impact in my community.  

Could you please discuss the process of creating your newest album Poli Trap: The Escape Tape and the process that went behind the creation of it? Poli Trap (political trap music) was just a release for me. My previous project “Gulf Coast Queen” was very fun, celebratory and sexy. Just like Van Gogh, I have my seasons. I just wanted to create something that spoke about the institutions that angered me the most. The mass incarceration, lack of media literacy, the financial backing of oppressive regimes and Nations… I just wanted to get it out. Music is just therapy, keeps me from being violent. It allows me to research problems I see in society and come up with pragmatic ways to approach it. My real work is my activism, the work I do on the ground level with my community in Mississippi. Music is just my soundtrack as I do the work, well.. Poli Trap was at least.

Are there any personal experiences that have inspired you to incorporate activism into your music? Jessie Williams was tortured and murdered by law enforcement while incarcerated in a local jail in my hometown. Although the incident was caught on camera, there was no indictment. I remember the emotion of the community and amongst my friends, was anger and disbelief. My friends and I took to the streets and with the help of local black-owned radio and business, we made enough of a fuss that an indictment was issued. Right then I knew that we had power, if only we could be brave enough to use it. That was the first in a long list of protests, demonstrations, boycotts that I would be part of, or that I would initiate.  We are only on this Earth for so long, I’d like to spend my time here empowering those who are not aware of their power… by using my platform to voice grievances of those who do not have the privilege to voice their dissent.

How has your heritage shaped you as a human? My family legacy has left me void of the fear of death. This void gives me an ultimate artistic freedom. I say how I feel, at any time, in front of anybody. I have no fear of poverty or doing without, I’ve been there and I know I’ll be fine. I don’t compromise my artistic integrity for anything and anybody. This is because I know the strength and resilience of my ancestors. The only thing I fear is no longer being free to create art how I want.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In ten years I’ll probably be a politician or leading a campaign for a politician… involved in politics somehow. I don’t want to be 40 years old and still rapping. I will probably be ghostwriting for younger artists but my true calling is in political reform.

How does your role of an activist leader play into your music?  Do you use it to get it as a platform to get your message across? I keep my activism and my music separate usually. I explore my sensuality and sexuality in much of my music. It’s not all social or political. I am a human who has errors, who likes substances from time to time, who loves to dance and celebrate and who has deep insecurities. I explore all my vulnerability in my music because it is my therapy. I don’t really create music for anyone else but myself, but my activism serves my community and my constituency.

Who would you want to open for and why? I don’t really have a want to open for anybody musically. Lately, I’ve been getting into public speaking. In that realm, I’d like to open for Van Jones, Michael Dyson, Ava Duvernay or Michelle Obama.

Anything else you want to add? No, I think that is it. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts. I’m curating an event Dec 7th, 2017 at NYU that will focus on removing the Confederate Emblem from my MS State Flag. I have a new Hip Hop play that is currently running that explores the challenges of children with autism, called “Wonderland”. My new album “People Not Things” will be released Spring of 2018. Your readers can follow my breadcrumbs at GenesisBe.com. Much love.

[mandelsmusic]

The Evolution of Chance the Rapper/Concert Review

October 3, 2017 Hollywood Bowl Los Angeles Rating as artist: 5/5 Concert Rating: 4.1/5

Chancelor Bennett, commonly known as Chance the Rapper, has evolved from an unknown artist on Soundcloud to becoming a mogul within the industry.  He has gone from an absolute nobody to becoming a seven-time Grammy-winning rapper with high aspirations that are not weighed down by a record label. Though with the evolution of his career, as well as his personal evolution of becoming a father, he has worked hard to reach the top, working with artists such as Kanye West, Daniel Caesar, DJ Khaled, and more.  

Recently, I had the opportunity to see him live and I believe that his show for the Courageous Tour was much more fun than the Coloring Book Tour.  Though his tour falls in between albums, he returned to his roots, being accompanied by his former backing band, the Social Experiment and Donnie Trumpet, his former band before his solo career as Chance the Rapper.  The Courageous Tour was greater simply because of the stage presence and ambiance of his artistry.  The Coloring Book Tour was very strange and I was very confused with the affiliation of “Carlos the Lion” as well as the other characters he brought on stage.  The whole experience felt like a Muppets show, leaving me with a strange impression of him as an artist.  However, my mind was immediately changed by his redemption show of the Courageous Tour.  His touring, as well as his merchandise, are his only source of income.

The difference between his tours demonstrates an overall growth, thus allowing Chance to flourish as an artist who thrives off of family and his manager; Chance the Rapper showcases skills that allow a fan base to idolize him.  But it all started with the support of his manager Patrick Corcoran, who met Chance through his work with Kids These Days, a local band in Chicago.  Not knowing much about the industry, Patrick Corcoran did his absolute, assuring Chance’s father, Ken Williams-Bennett, that he would be the next big artist.  

Interestingly enough, Chance is able to offer music free of charge, generating his income solely through touring and merchandise.  According to Vanity Fair, Chance says, “I make money from touring and selling merchandise, and I honestly believe if you put effort into something and you execute properly, you don’t necessarily have to go through the traditional ways.”  This mindset, although presented in a unique way, is a cover-up for Chance’s lack of clear samples, allowing him to get sued.  Chance was not able to sell Acid Rap, hence it is not playable on streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.  However, for Coloring Book, Chance cleared the samples, thus allowing him to market his music.  

Nonetheless, Chance the Rapper is a self-sufficient artist who prefers to be an entrepreneur of his own rather than being controlled by a label.  With the loving support of his family and manager, he is able to be genuine. He also influences many around him, inspiring his brother, Taylor Bennett, to follow in his footsteps.  Ultimately, Chance the Rapper has time to evolve as an artist, but as of now, he is making money by being himself. I love Chance for his truthfulness and he does whatever he sets his mind to with the help of his team.  

Make sure to check out his new single “First World Problems” ft. Daniel Caesar out now on youtube

Rock On,

Justin Mandel

Follow me on Instagram @mandelsmusic

Picture courtesy of HuffingtonPost

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Playlist & Analysis

I have created a playlist consisting of ten songs for a journey to Mars.  There is a link at the bottom to listen to this playlist but this is my in-depth analysis of each of the ten. 

My first song on the playlist Space Oddity by David Bowie. This song not only fits the theme of our cosmic journey but also takes listeners on an individual journey of their own. Space Oddity an influential song which has been used in the media landscape of today and past decades, causing a timeless renown reputation. The production on this song features fascinating panning effects, which make the listening experience “out of this world”. 

Following Space Oddity, I have chosen My Way by Frank Sinatra. This song is notably bold in its lyrics and speaks to me in a very meaningful way. In this song, Sinatra takes a retrospective look at his life, recognizing his regrets and losses, not everything he did was right, but through it all, he did it his way, and he was proud of that. This is a true song to the legacy Frank Sinatra left on the music industry because following his death no one could quite do it “his way”. Recently, my good friend’s mother passed away after fighting a courageous battle against cancer. The thing that stuck with me after her untimely death was that as she passed, her last wish was to hear My Way. For the length of time that I knew her, she had always had cancer, but lived such a bold and exciting life that you forgot she even had it. Through it all, I truly believe she lived this song to Sinatra’s intentions. In the face of great sickness, she lived her life her way, and that is something I will always remember.

Next in the queue is Tiny Dancer by Elton John, a classic anthem that I believe will never grow old.  Growing up in Los Angeles, this song always spoke to me. I thought it was the vague mention of “LA Lady”, or the fact that my mom always played it in her car, I couldn’t figure out why I loved this song so much. Earlier this year, Elton John released a music video 45 years after the release of Tiny Dancer. The music video depicted individuals living very different LA lifestyles, but all singing along to Tiny Dancer as they crossed paths. The music video captured the beauty of both LA culture and the song itself, and most importantly it captured what the song meant to me. No matter who you are, where you are, or what you are doing, this song has the power to unify a set of complete strangers because everyone knows the lyrics. While it isn’t Rocket Man, I believe my fellow astronauts and I could benefit from blasting this one together.

Next up is If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out by Cat Stevens. When I was younger, my father used to drive me to my soccer games, and we listened to an eclectic set of tunes, ranging from Garth Brooks to Weird Al Yankovic. If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out stuck to me as a track I particularly enjoyed my Father’s unique playlist. But the significance and beauty of this song is the lyrics.  I always found that my Father emphasized these lyrics in his parenting, allowing me to “sing out” and do whatever I put my mind to.  Both he and my Mom have always been there to support and encourage me throughout every step of my life. I need this song as a reminder that I have the loving support of my parents wherever I travel.

Taking a break from the classics, my next song choice is from my favorite rock and roll artist, Jack White. Jack White is behind so many influential songs and bands and to choose just one song to represent his repertoire is a challenging task. I have chosen one of my favorites, You’ve Got Her In Your Pocket from The White Stripes early album, Elephant. Jack White has always fascinated me as an artist because of his distinct branding. For each band he is in, as well as his solo career, there is a different color scheme and a new persona presented which allows the listener to understand Jack in a different aspect each time. The White Stripes had a color scheme of red, white, and black and played bold inspirational ballads. Jack White’s current solo career has a color scheme of blue and black, representing the change in his style of music to somber rock songs centering around the challenges of love. It is very important for music to be both seen and heard. White’s attention to design and branding adds a vibrant concept to his artistry and shows his anthology of sound through brands he has crafted over the years.  I love and respect Jack White as an artist greatly and cannot live without at least one of his songs. 

Another musician who I draw inspiration from is John Bonham, the drummer for Led Zepplin; he was truly was the backbone of the band and created a unique sound from jazz but applied it to a rock aspect, thus changing the possibilities for rock as it had not been seen before.  The band captured this interesting drum beat by using the Glyn Johns recording method which had not been seen before but after, was widely used by most bands because they loved the amazing quality and simplicity of the technique, consisting of 4 microphones.  But the band was able to work so well because Bonham was able to get in sync with the guitar player; typically, the drummer gets in sync with the bass player to get the best rhythmic feel but Bonham got in sync with the guitar player and if you listen to Fool in the Rain, you can see the tightness between the guitar and drums as they change constantly through the phrases.  Within Fool in the Rain, the drumbeat is absolutely insane!  Bonham plays a steady polyrhythmic 4/4 beat, meaning that he is playing two beats simultaneously; the first beat is executed through the triplet high hats which are accented by opening and closing them and adding ghost notes on snare in between; yet Bonham adds a twist by doing a swung half-time shuffle with his bass and snare drum which is difficult on its own.  Although the beat is challenging on its own, he adds more difficulty by play with the piano and guitar which are a 12/8 time signature which adds a syncopated triplet feel to the song that anyone can groove to.  To me, Bonham is what made Zepplin great and in totality, it was his drumming within this song that truly allows an audience to groove to.

The next song chosen has a lot of sentimental value as a musician; Nights & Weekends by Cold War Kids was the first song that I ever recorded. It was the song that motivated me to expand my skills and learn about production. I began by listening to every individual instrument track and was amazed by the production quality, with the smooth transition from electronic type drums to an ambient acoustic sound that comes in strong for the chorus.  I was truly inspired by the album as a whole because it was a different direction that Cold War Kids portrayed; originally being a band that produced songs focusing on the problems of and containing an instrumentation of a rock band, Cold War Kids tried a different approach, adding electronic samples on top of the live drums into the piano and guitar heavy tracks.  I was motivated to make my rendition of this song because I loved the vibe of the entirety of the album but this song in specific stuck out because of the catchy chorus and interesting transition from electronic to acoustic drums.  I also really love the organ and feel that it should be used as a staple for their sound.  My initial recording was very poor in quality being that it was my first recording ever and I was using a single microphone for everything, yet I recently redid it to show how I have evolved as an artist and I find that there is still room for improvement, though it is decent. 

Transitioning from this, I Sumatran Tiger by Portugal. the man which is also known as the endangered song.  Interestingly enough, there were no digital copies of this song but instead 400 copies of the hard copy record were produced and eventually the record, made out of polycarbonate material, would stop playing and become extinct.  The message clear, if we do not do anything, then the species will go extinct.  Portugal. the man created this song with the intent of the song becoming extinct unless reproduced.  But this exclusivity tactic is very fascinating and has been practiced by many artists such as Jay Z and Beyoncé, ultimately it doesn’t work because eventually it will go to other streaming services but this concept of extinction unless shared within the community is like no other.  Not only is this a genius tactic to promote the preventing from extinction but it is also an amazing song.  Sadly, it will be overlooked by their one hit wonder Feel it Still but the endangered song will forever hold a place in my heart being that it is a masterful medley of instrumentation, high pitched male vocals, and a message like no other. 

Directly after this, I have chosen Alright by Talk.  Talk is a band I was honored to become apart of during my time at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU this past summer. I chose to put this song on my playlist as a reminder that you can accomplish great things if you work hard. As a band, we wanted to create a song that encapsulated all of our diverse musical talents. I am very proud of our band’s hard work on this track. My primary role was as a drummer, but we all worked hard on co-producing, branding, and managing to create a cohesive end product, that sounds pretty good.  But taking leadership for this band, we produced a book that is like no other, which gives the consumer a visual representation to enjoy as they listen to the song. 

To close out the playlist, I have selected Do You Realize?? by The Flaming Lips. I honestly love everything about this song form the beautiful instrumentation to the incredibly powerful and realistic lyrics. The Flaming Lips adds tasteful elements to transform the track to a galactic melody by using robot generated noise, crazy synth sounds, and random church bells.  Wayne Coin, the lead singer of the Flaming Lips, inspires me as an artist through his authenticity and creativity. This is one song I cannot live without.

Check out the playlist on youtube!

Rock On, 

Justin Mandel

Follow me on Instagram @mandelsmusic

[aryanarecords]

The Evolution of Tyler the Creator & Rating of Flower Boy By Justin Mandel

Panorama Music Festival

New York

Rating of album: 4.5/5

Dear viewer,

My name is Justin Mandel and I am a 17 year old musician from Los Angeles, California.  I identify most with alternative/ indie but truly enjoy all genres.  I met Aryana in a practice room at NYU, where we filled the room to capacity each night and had a jam along.  I have absolutely no experience with blogging, so I hope you enjoy.  

Tyler the Creator is known for being a very strange person and with that, he was able to construct a brand that is currently thriving.  He began his journey in 2007, seeking excellence within the rap community and ultimately creating an image for himself.  Over time, he gained a following not only in the rap industry but also in the fashion industry, creating strangely patterned clothing to appeal to the masses and to construct his overall image as an artist.  For an artist, I believe it is necessary to carry a brand and Tyler does so from the beginning of his career until the present day by simply being himself.  His character truly plays a role within this album as well as how he presents himself.  

The unofficial title given to this album is ‘Scum F**k Flower Boy,’ creating two personas for Tyler; the first half, ‘Scum F**k,’ being his old past, and the new title ‘Flower Boy’ being his new present.  Personally, I believe this is an album that must be listened to as a whole without interruption rather than playing one song in specific because of the correlation amongst each song, tying the one masterpiece together.  The idea behind it is to return things to the way they used to be by listening to records as entire albums.  It truly is a masterpiece and is similar to but different than his other album Cherry Bomb.  I did not enjoy Cherry Bomb as much as Flower boy simply because Flower Boy offers more of Tyler.  What I mean by that is that in Cherry Bomb, Tyler the creator has many featured artists, leaving him with one song that he did all by himself.  Not to say that collaborations are bad but that album didn’t give me an idea of who Tyler is but in contrast, Flower Boy takes you on a journey of the evolution of Tyler the Creator. The first song of Flower Boy is ‘Foreword (feat. Rex Orange County),’ which starts off with a hip-hop vibe but evolves into an alternative/indie vibe through the fantastic vocals of Rex Orange County, thus allowing a smooth transition for the next song ‘Where This Flower Blooms (feat. Frank Ocean).’  In ‘Where This Flower Blooms (feat. Frank Ocean),’ rap is very prevalent but Frank Ocean truly adds his own spin on it and again gives an alternative vibe which I enjoy;  being that alternative, indie, and rap are my favorite genres I am able to enjoy this lovely fusion and look at him as a role model within the alternative rap community.  Following this song is an interlude better known as ‘Sometimes…;’ This 36 second song  puts us, as listeners, into a new dimension, thus transforming our location into somewhere such as a car, being that it sounds like a radio broadcast.  This peaceful interlude serves as a smooth transition used to make the next song even more prevalent.  ‘See you Again (feat. Kali Uchis)’, possibly my favorite song on this album, begins with rap but then transitions to a synth driven indie song that makes you want to sing and dance.  My favorite thing about this song is that the lyrics and they roll off the tongue; before this album, I never truly heard Kali Uchis, but after listening to this song, I will continue to listen to her because her voice is beautiful! Something about the lyrics in this song just hit me every time, especially when Kali comes in saying “can I get a kiss?  And can you make it last forever?  I said I’m ‘bout to go to war and I don’t know if I can see you again.”  These lyrics are very simple yet profound and add more texture to the song, as this technique is used multiple times within the album.  In contrast, ‘ Who Dat Boy (feat. A$Ap Rocky)’ is very aggressive and exudes anger, and it is completely different from the rest of the album; when seeing him in concert, I found that song to be the most hype and it truly got the crowd energized!  Following this is another hip-hop track, ‘Pothole (feat. Jaden Smith),’ that, towards the last minute, dilutes to a jazz influenced track of excellence; this is an excellent transition because ‘Garden Shed (feat. Estelle) is a true medley of instrumentation, mostly guitar and synths, with a snippet of rap in the last minute of the track; however this song is a new version of Estelle and truly gives her a new image that we as listeners haven’t heard before.  If I recall correctly, her most famous track is ‘American boy (feat. Kanye West)’ and I find it interesting that Tyler decided to use Estelle, someone who had a one hit wonder and has been in the shadows ever since; because it ends on a jazz vibe, I believe that this is perfect transition for the following song, ‘Boredom (feat. Rex Orange County),’ which gives the listener a completely new atmosphere and allows us to be transported into a southern california beach environment.  Boredom is my second favorite song on this album and is similar to the vibe of see you again but instead uses the voice of Rex Orange County to produce profound vocals in a beautiful alternative-esque tone.  There are many songs within this album that I did not discuss simply because I would be writing a novel if I did.

Overall, the transitions on this album are absolutely breathtaking and the difference among the tracks in this album are thought provoking.  This album is overlooked by many, but in truth, it should receive more recognition as it attempts to reach multiple audiences.   Also, Tyler the Creator has reached new heights in his fashion line, collaborating with Converse and selling out in seconds.  Previously signed with vans, Tyler decided to make a change and, as a result, was beyond successful.  The Converse One Star was released in 4 colors on August 3rd. On top of this, he had many different strategies to release the shoes as well as shirts, jackets and more.  When posted on his website, he sold out instantly, thus making the resell value sky-rocket, as his merch is in his demand currently. Although he appeals to skater community, his clothing can be worn by anyone!

As an artist, Tyler has created an outstanding brand that has a long lifespan.  Not only can he continue to generate revenue through excellence in music, but also within his clothing line, Golf Wang.  On top of this, he has his own music festival, Camp Flog Gnaw, which is Golf Wang spelled backwards.  He is also known for being a director with an amazing eye; most people don’t know that he directed the music video for the song ‘Glowing.’  Either way, he is an artist who will always remain true to himself and for that I respect him. If you haven’t heard his new album, Flower Boy, go check it out. It is truly a work of art.

You can listen to the album on Spotify and Apple Music.

Rock On,

Justin Mandel

Follow me on Instagram! @ babymandel

Picture: Mass Appeal

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(talk.)