Unsigned & Unleashed is coming to a close and it’s been a hard fact for me to accept. A quick peek into my email will leave any procrastinator impressed by my ability to not only put something off but completely ignore it. Truth is, I wish I could keep it all up. I wish I could morph back into the teenage me who loved music more than herself, more than her life, more than anything but I can’t. I can’t go back to that girl because now I have two jobs, grad school, and my aspirations to take care of. I have all these things pulling me in different directions and I’m moving between them with less grace than I ever imagined. So, it’s time for me to put the one constant I had in my life to bed.
I started this blog when I was around 17 and in my final years of high school. There wasn’t a single thing I loved more than music, it got me up in the morning and it took me to bed at night. I didn’t fit in and not just in the old emo mantra of being an outcast. I REALLY didn’t fit in much of anywhere. I was a young black girl growing up in brooklyn who loved rock music, the color black, and Sylvia Plath. I was struggling with severe depression and suicidal thoughts. I was perceived as this weird “alternative black girl” and there wasn’t a whole lot of room for that in my community at the time. Music was my guiding light and I knew I wanted to be a part of it and combine my love of writing and music together. So, I started Unsigned & Unleashed and it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life to date.
Those who come from a history of unhappiness know how important it is to cherish the moments of joy that funnel in and out of your life. Nearly all of my most cherished memories come from this blog. It forced me to meet people, be a leader, and get outside my comfort zone. It helped me meet the most amazing and genuine people I have ever known. It gave me the opportunity to showcase some amazing bands both known and unknown and I will never ever take that for granted. It’s gotten me opportunities, contacts, and friends. Unsigned & Unleashed isn’t/wasn’t the biggest blog in the scene but it’s the biggest in my heart.
I want to thank every single band that my staff and I have ever written about, interviewed, or met. I want to thank the AMAZING publicists that I’ve had the opportunity to get to know and who gave me an opportunity to succeed. Lastly, I want to thank every person who has ever helped me out with this project (Katy, Amber, Brianna, Nayeli, Anjel, Ben, Hayley, Laura, Adriana and everyone!). I truly couldn’t have done it without your help especially this year.
If you want to do something. Get out there and do it. Thanks for all the support.
What’s your name and what do you do at U&U?
My name is Laura and I write things (reviews, news pieces, etc) when I can and on occasion take pictures at U&U. I haven't been posting here as often as I'd like to because of work and school.
When you aren’t working for the site, what do you do (work, hobbies, etc.)?
I go to school, I study German and Literature, and I have two tutoring jobs. My hobbies include sitting in front of a computer like a zombie, reading, going out to concerts, and hanging out with friends.
What made you want to pursue music journalism? Do you do anything else in the music industry?
I really love music and have taken a few journalism classes and just thought it'd be cool to write about the music I like. I don't do much else in the music industry.
Do you work for any other sites?
I don't anymore but I wrote for So Gutsy a while back. I wish I had more time to work on other sites.
What piece are you most proud of having published through the site? What makes that your favorite?
I guess the piece I'm most proud of is my first interview for the site. It was with Fine Fine Titans and while it was an email interview with no in-person contact, it was still one of the first interviews I did as a "music journalist" so I'm really proud of that. I'm also pretty proud of the few photos I've been fortunate enough to share on here, I don't consider myself as talented as some of our photographers but I'm proud of some of the photos I've shared. I never had a platform like this to share anything so just being able to post my own photos meant a lot.
What’s your favorite piece by someone else at U&U?
I love all of the work of the writers here and I think our photographers amazing. Everyone here is great and I can't really single one piece out. I do always enjoy reading pieces like "top albums of the year" or other somewhat personal posts like that because they give more background to our writers and I like to read about what music everyone else listens to.
What band would you like to shoot, interview, or review?
Oh man, this is an excellent question. If My Chemical Romance decides to get back together & tour sometime between now and the end of the site I'd love to shoot them, interview them, and review any new music they may have. I don't think that will happen though.
Honestly though, I'd love to just sit down and have a long chat with Conor Oberst. Bright Eyes has been my favorite band since high school and I' would love to shoot them live and sit down with Conor and just meet him. That would be amazing.
What have you learned from your time on the site? What will you take away when U&U is done?
Before I started working with the site I was a lot more shy and very introverted and I think after everything it has helped me open up a bit more. I used to be so nervous about even emailing people and I've learned to be less nervous about that. I've also become more confident in myself and my writing. I have the site to thank for that.
Do you have any words of wisdom for people who are trying to break into journalism?
I'm not exactly an expert on journalism but if it's something you're really interested in I suggest taking a journalism class somewhere. That was one of my first introductions to journalism. Sign up for a journalism internship somewhere, at a newspaper, website, or magazine. If you want start your own site and just keep writing about what you're passionate about. The reason I got into journalism is because I love writing and if you love it too then just keep doing it.
Finally, tell us your favorite memory of U&U.
I've had some pretty great experiences because of U&U and have met some cool people, maybe not in person but maybe one day that will change. I think the thing I'll miss the most about U&U is being able to share new music with people, getting to post things about some of my favorite musicians, and getting to interview talented people.
Unsigned & Unleashed will officially be done in May 2016. This blog has been a constant in my life for over 6 years seeing its fair share of new bands, old bands, song premieres, and writers. But it's time to put it to rest. I recently began a new chapter of my life, graduating from college, landing my first job, being a band manager, and trying to be an adult. Unsigned & Unleashed has been on the back burner for a while now. In between a barrage of emails and trying to make good on other aspects of my life it has become secondary and has been for quite some time. So, with that being said, Unsigned & Unleashed will be resigning from the bloggersphere in May of 2016. This gives the U&U a good stretch of time to put out some unique and fun features and give back to all those who have supported the blog throughout it's time. Throughout the next few months you'll get to know the people who make this blog possible a bit more. We'll have new features every month and introduce some phenomenal young bands in the process.
Dear You are an incomparable band from Beaumont, Texas that have seen their fair share of ups and downs over the years. Most recently, the departure of a member shook the band to their core but they have managed to return stronger than ever. The band will be releasing their new EP, I Can Only Blame Myself on October 14th. We caught up with Chris Roach to discuss the band's recent changes, what's to come, and more. Check out our conversation below!
We first started talking to you all over two years ago. A lot has changed since then including member changes, tours, a new team behind you all and more. How would you compare who you are today to who you were two years ago?
It’s definitely been a bumpy road as far as all of the changes we’ve seen. We wouldn’t take it back though, our music has grown exponentially because of it. If we went back in time and showed ourselves what we are playing and writing now, I probably wouldn’t believe it having heard it. I think we’re just now tapping into a sound that can help us stand out and above a little better.
I feel like after a major change in any band the first single they write is usually the most important for that band because it's them getting back on the horse. Can you tell us a little about the new single lyrically and what it means for Dear You?
Lyrically, it’s just every emotion we felt dealing with some of our previous problems. Anger, remorse, sadness, optimism, really everything to do with change. It’s a lot darker, and more honest, I would say. It’s letting us play around with some things thematically that we just couldn’t pull off before. The chance to re-do our style has really helped a lot, and I think we’re poised to really change how people listen to us.
What would you say is the hardest thing about being a band?
Finding the willpower to keep going after bad things happen to us. Sometimes there’s a lot of discouragement. It takes a lot trying to stick out above the other bands around, and get people looking your way. Other than that, it’s really just trying to be available to tour at any moments notice. It’s such a blast touring and we don’t want to pass any opportunities up, so we try to keep ourselves able to leave as often as possible
We really hope it can connect emotionally with people as much as we want it to. Lyrically and musically, we’ve kind of been hitting ourselves over the heads really hard to make this album bigger than anything we’ve done before, and the reaction of our fans is something we are the most excited about. We’re really hopeful to see what it can do for us in the future.
What are your plans for the rest of 2014?
Tour like crazy! And promote this album and new music as much as possible. We’ve been developing great relationships with some bands and people we really look up to, hopefully we can pull a couple of tricks out of our sleeve before the year is up :)
Thanks so much for your time. Is there anything you'd like to share with fans?
Always a pleasure, thank you guys!
We’ve been wanting to say for awhile how thankful we are of everyone who continually sticks with us, offers us words of encouragement, and takes the time to make friends with us. It’s really easy to blow a band off and go on about your day, and the people that didn’t do that to us, that gave us a solid chance, they are some of the best people we have ever had the pleasure to meet. We think about you guys every day! You’re the reason we keep making music.
U&U Album Review :: The Lonely Biscuits - Things Sure Have Changed
“We make phunky phresh music” is the proclamation on The Lonely Biscuits’ website. Upon listening to their EP, Things Sure Have Changed, it’s hard to disagree. With an extremely addictive sound that fuses soul, hip-hop, a little jazz and a dash of rock together with success, the indie, Nashville-based group have created something not only – dare it be said – unique as all hell, but also interesting enough to make an impact in the heavily-populated music world. Sure, when boiled down, Things Sure Have Changed is essentially an album about girls, but its damn good album about girls with a subtly exotic aesthetic as well as a complete and joyful disregard for the limitations or trappings of the word “genre.”
“Casual Vibes,” the first track of the EP, is addictive from the get-go, featuring dance-able guitar riffs and a Jamaican flair. The song should maybe be called “Good Vibes” instead of “Casual Vibes,” because that’s basically what the track leaves the listener with. A nice, steady rise is achieved by slowly layering additional instruments over the original guitar line. The overarching indie feel is a nice contrast against the hip-hop quality of Grady Wenrich’s vocals in the chorus. The bridge, with its repeated lyrics, loses some of the charm of the charm, but the groovy guitar riffs carry it forward. At the end of the day, it’s a fantastic opener.
“Kinda Steady” is probably the best song on the EP, continuing the lovely contrast between vocals and guitar instrumentation. The Lonely Biscuits are fresh and fun with an interesting outlook on music that is hard to ignore. This second track is particularly good with a light-hearted feel, though it still manages to portray the solid production and impressive songwriting skills throughout Things Sure Have Changed. It’s a fantastic track for the lazy, hazy days of summer. The lyrical repetition of “she was a smooth young thing” is positively great, as well as the vocal work on that line. Wenrich and John Paterini’s vocals are enthralling, enchanting and entertaining together.
“Stay” begins with a different vocal sound than the two other songs – slower and more deliberate. Wenrich’s hip-hop vocals jump in soon after the soulful guitar riffs intensify. The chorus, driven by a fantastic drum beat, finger-jam-style guitar work and Paterini’s vocals, is again, light-hearted, but overall memorable. Paterini’s parts feel like a younger, simpler Jason Mraz piece, with Wenrich’s vocals making The Lonely Biscuits something that sticks out in a good way, drawing attention with an unintentionally-cooler-than-you-without-trying vibe. Their sound is just so laidback and fun to listen to, and that idea really seems to drive the EP.
A slightly more alternative, almost grunge-y vibe is played with in the beginning of “Tone It Down,” accomplished by a slow drum line. However, the group soon falls back into their regular tone, now comfortable and delightful to the listener, very easily with a slight change in guitar and more cymbals from the drums. Wenrich’s vocals tell us a fast-paced story about a thwarted relationship and having to come to terms with his ex being with another man. The only problem with Things Sure Have Changed is that, already at the halfway point, all songs have been focused on women. They’re fresh, intriguing songs about girls and the experiences detailed through the lyrics are all different, but the overall theme of the EP has not reached a different territory.
The beginning of “Pool Day” showcases subtle guitar and drum work that The Lonely Biscuits seems to easily create. The song encompasses the end of summer with simple but quick-witted lyrics about a planned pool day getting rained on by the approach of fall. The slightly more toned-down song is good to hear, as is the swingy feel. The bridge slows down the chord progression of the guitar, creating a shining drawing-out of the beat. Overall, the track is extremely listen-able with heavier guitar chords closing out the song.
“Things Sure Have Changed” closes out the EP, creating a more mournful sound than the other songs. The contrast of the instrumentation against Wenrich’s vocals is, as usual, lovely, reminding the listener how cool this band’s sound really is. Okay, it’s another song about a girl, but again, it’s a really good song about a girl, short and sweet. The song ends on Paterini’s vocals: “oh my, you’re still my daydream,” a lonely, achingly sweet and honest close to an inventive and heartfelt album.
STANDOUT TRACKS: “Kinda Steady,” “Pool Day,” “Things Sure Have Changed”
Hungry for more? Check out the band performing live here.
We recently had the chance to catch up with frontwoman Jenny Mann of Blameshift.With a new album, Secrets, up on iTunes and a killer new music video for the title track just recently released, Blameshift is taking the rock world by storm. Perfected with the help of Erik Ron, whose resume includes Panic! At The Disco and VersaEmerge, Secrets positions Blameshift to climb even higher up the charts. Jenny took time out of a busy schedule to discuss the honesty behind the record, some of the inspirations that cultivated Secrets and what it's like to be a female vocalist in a male-fronted world.
Tori (U&U): Introduce yourself! Tell me a little about who you are – where you’re from, your favorite animal, the one thing you can’t leave behind when you’re on tour.
Jenny Mann: Hey, my name is Jenny and I'm the lead singer of Blameshift. I was born and raised in Long Island, NY. Although I have an apartment in Long Island, I spend 8 months out of the year in a bus traveling the country! My favorite animal is a dog. We have been dying to get a tour dog, but it's probably not such a good idea! I absolutely couldn't go on tour without my custom ear plugs. Those things are life savers. I don't go into any show without them.
Tori (U&U): You guys hit the road a lot. What is it like being on tour all the time? What’s the best part? What’s the worst part?
Jenny Mann: Tour is always an adventure. When you tour as much as we do, you get to experience a lot of highs and some lows as well. Still, there is nowhere else I would rather be than on the road. For me, the best part is getting to travel, getting to see the country and getting to meet new people every night. Meeting people and experiencing new places is the most rewarding part of touring. The hard part about touring is being away from friends and family. It's challenging to be away for months at a time but the pay off of being on the road far exceeds any of the struggles.
Tori (U&U): Tell me a little abouty our new release, Secrets. What are some of your favorite tracks on the album? Why?
Jenny Mann: We recorded this album in North Hollywood, California, at Grey Area Studios with producer, Erik Ron. We just released the album a little over two weeks ago. The lyrics range from stories that have happened more recently to things that I have been holding on to for years. It runs the gamut of emotions and definitely has something everyone can relate to. My favorite song off the album would definitely have to be the last track called "Wherever it Goes.". This was actually the first song we wrote for the album and it was recorded originally as a demo almost a year before. We loved the song so much and felt such a connection to the performance and vibe of the demo, we actually used it, as is, for the record. The song is a slow jam and definitely not a typical Blameshift song. However, I think it really shows our fans a different side of us and I really like that.
Tori (U&U): Are there any particular artists or bands that have inspired your own work? If so, who?
Jenny Mann: As a band we have a lot of different influences. For me, I grew up doing musical theater and that had a big part in shaping who I am as a vocalist. As far as bands that have inspired me, Taking Back Sunday, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Used, Thrice, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy are some of the artists that have shaped who I am as a musician.
Tori (U&U): There are, unfortunately, not a whole lot of female-fronted rock bands these days. What would you say to other young women who would love to be in your shoes, but aren’t sure how to make that dream come true?
Jenny Mann: Being a female in a predominately male-fronted industry is both a blessing and a curse. Female lead singers often walk a fine line between being loved and being hated. Unfortunately, even with the huge success of female rock bands like Halestorm, Paramore and In This Moment, it is still rare to find a girl fronting a band. I get asked for advice all the time and I love to offer as much as I can based on my experiences. I usually tell girls to master their craft as much as possible and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. However, I have found that sometime girls will try to over compensate to appeal to a male market and I'm very against that. Be yourself, be honest and practice, practice, practice.
Tori (U&U): How did you choose “Let Go” for a single track from all the other songs on Secrets?
Jenny Mann: We chose "Let Go" along with the help of some industry friends that we really trusted. It's hard to pick a single when you are the ones who wrote all the songs and have attachments to all of them, so having some outside opinions is very helpful. We liked that song because it's a strong, in-your-face rock song with an unforgettable opening riff. This was our first song to go to radio and we thought this would appeal to rock fans alike.
Tori (U&U): “No Apologies” is a really badass anthem that I particularly enjoyed from your album. What were some of the inspirations and ideas behind this song?
Jenny Mann: Thanks so much. This is one of my favorites as well. It's funny that you ask about the inspiration behind this song. This song is extremely personal to me and is about a person (can't mention my relationship to them because it's not a very nice song) who did me wrong after I put a lot of trust in them. It's a true story about a situation that I was put in recently. I had so much to say to this person but couldn't actually say it, so this song was my way of getting it all off my chest.
Tori (U&U): Every band and artist is continually different, so I’m always interested in individual songwriting processes. What’s yours like?
Jenny Mann: I think our writing dynamic is pretty unique considering that we spend most of the year on the road and not much time in a practice studio. What usually happens is when it comes time for us to record, we lock ourselves in a studio for a few weeks prior and write as many songs as possible. Then, when we head out to LA to record, we just hash it all out in the recording studio. But, like most musicians we are coming up with new ideas for songs every day.
Tori (U&U): Is there a specific feeling or idea you want listeners to walk away with from Secrets? If so, what is it? Why?
Jenny Mann: I want people to walk away from this album feeling the honesty behind it. As a song writer it is extremely challenging to translate your real life experiences onto paper and then into a song. On this record, I felt like we were able to lay everything out of the table and it felt so good. I hope that when people listen to it they can take our songs and apply it to their own lives and feel a connection. That's what making music is all about - that personal connection to the listeners.
Tori (U&U): Where do you see yourselves as a band in five years?
Jenny Mann: In five years I see us still making music and still touring. This is a business that you cannot predict, no matter how hard you try. All we can do is work hard, keep pushing forward and hope for the best.
1. Tell me a little about yourselves – your names, what instrument you play, your favorite food, and what TV show you hate the most.
Well, my name Leighton and I play guitar and sing for Lydia. I think my favorite food is probably chinese food. I don't watch much TV but maybe that old army show M.A.S.H? When that theme song comes on I get a stomach ache.
2. Devil, your latest release, feels more upbeat and light than the majority of your previous releases. As a few reviews have suggested, your work on Illuminate or Paint It Golden is suited for dark, rainy nights, not the summer day-feel on Devil. What influenced this change in tone?
Nothing in particular to be honest. I just try and capture different sounds/moods of music the best I can. This one happened to turn out more up beat. A lot of my writing comes subconsciously, I think, so maybe that's how my life is currently?
3. What aspects of your sound, if any, did you strive to keep congruent to previous works on Devil? Why or why not?
No, I really try to approach writing as if I were a new band and this was my first record. I really don't like when bands put out the same thing over and over. You can't stop in the middle of writing and say, "We better put a dancey part here cause that's what were known for."
4. Your music often shows remarkable craftsmanship and a delicate attention to detail. What is your songwriting process like?
That's true, we do try and pride ourselves on the details. I think that's what separates a good record from a great one. I personally try and go with a whole bunch of ideas in the studio, and then I let the dudes and producer tell me what's good, and what's shit. Otherwise I just second guess everything. I'm very counter productive when by myself.
5. What images or messages do you hope to convey to your listeners through music?
I mean, I don't have an agenda or anything when putting out records. It's still just fun to me to pick up a guitar and strum, but I would hope it brings some kind of joy to people. Especially in down and out times.
6. You’ve been back from hiatus for almost two years now. What has changed for you as musicians and band members?
Well the "hiatus" was really because of a problem I had with a former member. We couldn't get along and so I decided to do a farewell tour. A few days before the farewell tour he decided he didn't want to go and left town. Everyone else in the band has and still gets along incredibly well, and do to this day.
7. What was touring with The Maine and The Arkells in 2012 like? Would you repeat the experience?
It was fantastic, both those bands are incredible people, and friends of ours. I would do that tour again in a heartbeat. Fun nights for sure.
8. What do you have in store for your fans?
We are recording about 5 more tracks for the Deluxe release of Devil in about a week and that will be released with some video's in a few months. Hope to see you guys on the road!
Unsigned & Unleashed caught Nick Santino performing at Newbury Comics in Braintree, Massachusetts to celebrate the release of A Rocket To The Moon's new album, Wild & Free. Check out more of their photos from the event HERE.
