Of Pitches and Jesus and Hockey

Todd Koal is really cool, and it shows in his music, a nice blend of introspective lyrics and dreamy, effervescent pop instrumentation. You really should follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, and friend him on Myspace. But read this interview first!

1)  Thanks for the interview!  You describe your music as "transcendent acoustic pop."  What exactly is transcendent acoustic pop?

Transcendent Acoustic Pop is something I came up with when I was working on my pitch. I used a website called  http://www.15secondpitch.com . It entailed a lot of writing out all the various aspects of my music and also what I was trying to communicate through my music ... It was a really good experience... as it helped me define what I was doing and how I was going about  it, as well as coming up with a catchphrase that defines my music in an interesting way that makes people curious. I highly recommend going to that site and doing the work that is required... It helps you get clear on what you are doing. As far as Transcendent Acoustic Pop as a genre... I would say it's where the song or music comes to some kind of conclusion or resting place where it can be observed without a lot of judgement, ending where it began with a new perspective.  Having said that though I'm obviously still working that out.

2) What experiences or individuals have shaped you musically? 

I remember as a little kid first being introduced to my parents music, back when actual vinyl records were all the rage. I listening to the rock opera Jesus Christ Super Star over and over and over. I probably wasn't much older than 4 or 5 at the time. I'm sure I could still sing a big chunk of that album straight from memory. It had a big influence on me. I think that's probably how I was introduced to Spirituality as well. Luckily I never had to go to Sunday school because that was the same morning my Dad would play hockey.... and of course watching him won out over sunday school everytime  I'm Canadian eh.

3) Did you always know you wanted to be a musician, or did you realize it was your calling later in life?

I started playing guitar when I was about eight. I can remember learning timing in the kitchen with my Mom and crying because I found it so difficult playing notes and tapping my foot at the same time.  I have always kind of been Physically challenged. I was in a head on collision when I was 21 and there were years in my life were my spine and neck where so unstable that playing guitar was completely out of the question. I've had major alignment issues most of my adult life but I can honestly say that I am physically stronger and straighter than I have ever been. Being a musician takes a certain amount of health. And that been a bit of a challenge for me.

I think I knew early in life that I wanted to be a musician because music had such a big place in my heart . Actually expressing myself with my voice came much later. I've always been quite shy and more comfortable being in the background. I had to blow through this personality trait before I could be comfortable being seen or heard as a musician.  Putting myself out there has been a big step in my growth as an artist and even as an individual. I am finding that I can really get behind my new EP "Spirit is Flow" although it has had to happen in its own time and space, perhaps a little later in life.  Hopefully with the time it has taken, I am a little wiser for it.

4) Some people really don't like to be compared to other artists, but I hope you won't take offense now that I do. When I listened to "Running to Stand Still," I instantly thought The Velvet Underground. And then The Cure.  (That's always a good thing in my book, by the way)  Regardless of my opinions, what musicians have inspired you most?

Wow Thanks for that Maria. I'm totally honored to even be mentioned in the same sentence as those bands. There have been a lot of musical influences in my life. The folk rock classics like Tom Petty, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan, all the way to more contemporary artists like Seal, Sting, Madonna and U2. Obviously The Beatles are on my list as are more recent pop stars like Cold Play and Pink, but the list goes on and on.... there are so many others.

5) Obviously, working without a major label to back you up is not easy for any artist. Has there ever been a point in your musical career that you felt like giving up? 

You bet ! There have been many times where it seemed like I was not making any progress. There are a lot of different aspects involved in being an Indie Artist. Learning all the social media applications is very time consuming. Communicate effectively through social media is a skill I am still working on. Doing interviews, writing songs, recording, playing live, finding inspiration, working my vocal range, shooting videos, practicing, are not always convenient and no one is pushing me to do any of these things. You really need to be self motivated and completely realistic with yourself and what your expectation are. For example ... I am working on writing radio friendly songs that people can hopefully relate to. If they don't get played on the radio does that make the project a failure? The question you have to ask yourself is "Why are you doing what you're doing?" For me it is mostly about personal growth. Learning to be a better communicator. Being more at ease with the process.  There are lots of things I'm not really comfortable doing within the whole realm of being a Indie Artist. That is where the gold is, showing up and being consistent and finding your way through. It's not easy or convenient...  kind of like life. I do find that as I keep building towards my goals it helps in being consistent and staying focused on what my next steps are.

6) Random question: What's your favorite bubble-gum flavor?

 Bubble gum

7) Any new plans for 2011?

Yeah I'm planing on shooting a Video Album of all of the songs on my new EP Spirit is Flow in the spring. Pretty much bare bones and raw... very acoustic not a lot of fluff. I'm sure I have a couple songs stirring around inside me somewhere ... so writing would be a good bet.

I'm also wanting to get more grounded with social media and putting myself out there. It's probably my weakest link, so I really need to work on it and I am learning, but more importantly to me... it's pushing my boundaries of comfortable. There's no evolution in comfortable and I am interested in growing as a person (spiritually) and evolving personally.

"And the further I go.... The less I know"

Hey just like that song... 

What's it called ?

I think it's this song.

Indie Artist of the Week: Rebel Bran

First of all, thank God for Josette. I spent the last week in art camp and this one struggling to get an extra honors credit.  If it were not for her keeping up the blog, I would have a a nervous meltdown and died.  Really. 

Anyways, I had the opportunity to conduct an interview with Serbian singer-songwriter Rebel Bran last Saturday.  The same day I though I could just skip taking my ADD meds (I'm just adorable sometimes).  I do hope my random topics aren't too confusing. 

Enjoy!

M: You're from Serbia, correct? Can you give us some of your history?

RB: Yes, I was born in a small town south of the capital Belgrade in central Serbia.

M: How do you feel your childhood in Belgrade shaped you musically?

RB: Belgrade has a special place in my heart. All my best memories are pretty much connected to that city, especially from the time when I was at the university. The best time of my life - lots of late night working, but even more partying with friends and my band.

M: Yup, sounds like college

RB: For sure.

M: Did you always think you would be a musician?

RB: Pretty much. I always new I will be doing something creative. I started with art very early through my school, but as soon as I managed to get a guitar, I knew it will be a life long love!

M: Was there anyone or anything that influenced you to pursue music? Sometimes, it's a dream, of course, but we need someone to give us that push in order to actually be proactive about it.

RB: It was more than anything a stranger! My mum was singing beautifully and she instilled that love in both my sister and me, but the crucial moment was when Srecko (Lucky) became our family friend. He had a profound influence on me, not only with his voice, but as a male figure in my life.

M: Can you elaborate?

RB: He was our neighbor for a while, and very quickly he was attracted buy our constant singing. So he joined us and we would spend hours and hours singing around our dining table. He had a voice that was out of this earth! As my father left us very early, I started looking up to him and very soon I decided I want to try to sing like him one day. I don't think I ever got that good

M: Well, you do a pretty impressive job anyway.  Any other musicians that inspired you?

RB: Thank you.  Well, I was lucky enough that my step father was a multi-instrumentalist and when I managed to buy my first guitar he was the one who taught me my first chords. He was also an art teacher, so he had a great way of teaching you how to start playing songs very quickly so you don't get bored, as most kids do. So in about 6 months time I already started composing! It was an amazing feeling. One of my very first songs I ever composed is actually on my CD. It's called Old Story, and it's about 30 years old almost!

M: Lucky. My parents turned out to be the musically-impaired ones in their family.

RB: That's too bad

M: Eh, they make up for it.

RB: I'm sure they did, all comes with a reason!

M: And we (my siblings and I) found inspiration elsewhere. Nobody's perfect.

RB: As long as they support and encourage, they are great!

M: Exactly. And they have.

RB: Great

M: Do you prefer to sing/write in Serbian or English?

RB: I have been writing in English for a few years already. Too much hassle to rewrite them. I am becoming more comfortable in English, but I do both. All depends on the feeling and the moment. It's kind of funny but I think you can actually feel things in two languages

M: Oh, certainly.  My first language is Spanish and I think or feel "bilingually" all the time.  It can get a little confusing, though

RB: Yes, I know exactly what you mean

Are you from Mexico originally or from Europe? Sorry, perhaps some other latin american country...

M: Oh, I'm from the U.S., but my mom is from Mexico, and she would only speak to me in Spanish.

RB: Trying to preserve their roots

M: Yes. Or just a rebel. She didn't want to send me to school either.

RB: Oh, interesting! I like rebels

M: Yes, I learned a lot from her.  Anyways, back on topic. What's your songwriting process?

RB: When I get into the mood it feels the best. I know something good will come out. I do have an idea what I want to express. Usually I look for some unusual chord combinations that fit the mood, then comes a theme phrase, than the melody and the lyrics go side by side.  With the right inspiration a whole song can be done in a couple hours.

Sometimes though, I like to force myself to create a feeling. It's very exciting seeing the progress when the emotion was not initially there, but you create it

M: Yes, it's amazing to see what you can accomplish if you focus on that goal. But it is hard for us artists to work while uninspired, right? I bet life would be a lot easier if I were born an accountant.

RB: Yes it is much harder, but I have learned that you can create the inspiration yourself, and then it all starts unrolling as if you were in the right mood to begin with.  It's quite exhilarating

M: That is cool.

  

What are your next plans?

RB: I have so many plans... Over the years I have accumulated over 60-70 songs, so I sorted them all out and started practicing for my next CD

M: That's a lot of songs.

RB: There are 5 more waiting to be finished. See, if the things went the regular way in my life, it would have all been done now. Who knows, maybe it's even better this way. I am also working on my new all instrumental CD, I have about 7 songs ready

M: I haven't been alive too long, but I'm starting to learn that things don't usually go the way we planned. I figure that as long as you try your best, and not compromise yourself in the process, you're doing a pretty good job.

RB: That is the way to think, I believe it's very true. I have no regrets, it was the way it was. I believe that I have a much deeper outlook on life and my own experience from this perspective, so the final creative product should be even better. I hope people will be able to identify with it and that it will touch them in some way

M: I agree with that.

Okay last question from my sister and co-blogger, Sofia:

If you were on stage, and the world was watching, and the world could only hear one more song, what would you sing?

RB: Should I ask: of my own songs or songs in general?

M: Whichever

RB: That's tough… It's weird, but the only song that comes to mind as the last song ever that the world should here would be "Amazing Grace". I would love to sing it only with a piano.

M: That would be fitting.

RB: I guess

M: Well, thank you so much for your time, and I'm sure this won't be the last time we hear from you!

RB: Thank you so much, this was fun! All the best with your blog, I will be checking it regularly!

As always, friend Rebel Bran on MySpace, like him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter.

Indie Artist of the Week: GTaa

GTaa reminds me a lot of The Cure, minus the melancholic streak.  Depeche Mode and Tears for Fears also come to mind, but, really, this dude's got a sound that's all his own.

His music is whimsical, clever, and engaging.  It's like 80's pop rock (with a trace of new wave?) reincarnated in the 21st Century. It has all the classic elements, but doesn't sound dated.

So... follow GTaa on Twitter, become a fan on iLike, and check him out on Youtube.

Indie Artist of the Week: Jensen Keets

I should probably explain why I've been absent for these past weeks (finals, if you must know), and how I'm chillin' it out in Sunny California, but I won't.  That's not interesting.  What is interesting is an interview I had the opportunity to do with the lovely singer-songwriter Jensen Keets.  I could go all fan-girl for days about what a good lyricist she is, and how her voice is far far better than most singers on the radio,  but, I'll let you find out for yourself.

First of all, we’d like to thank you for the interview!  You’re a fashion designer and musician.  I find it really impressive and inspiring that you haven’t put one talent on hold in order to focus on the other.  How do you juggle both professions?

 Oh my...it is a juggle indeed.  I have currently been trying put the gas petal more on my music to accelerate in that career, but it has been a huge challenge.  Because I work for a small firm, I have always worn several hats besides just designing.  Sometimes it requires late nights in the office.  All companies are trying to recreate themselves to generate capital from new areas now because of the current economy and technological changes.  The squeeze keeps getting tighter, and the number of hats keeps growing.  It's tough.  The plus side is I have learned this incredible trade, and that I have been able to pay a mortgage and finance my record through my job in fashion.  I love both fields, but my heart finds more joy in the expression of music.

There are several musicians that are also known for their unique fashion, for example, Madonna, Elton John, or more recently, Lady Gaga. Are there any such musicians that you look up to or have inspired you?  

Oh definitely Madonna.  I love her.  She is always creative, and has such sassy, tasteful class.  There is nobody that does it better than her.  I admire her on many levels.  In the early years her shock methods were brilliant.  She is an incredible artist and a brilliant business woman.  She has always tested the limits by using fashion, dance and current urban trends, to make her music more than just music.  It was an entertainment experience.  Michael Jackson was also a huge inspiration for me regarding this.  That mans talent blew my mind.

We were all blown away by your song “Expectations.” (Actually, it’s worse than that.  It’s stuck in our heads, and we’ve been singing it constantly.) What’s the inspiration behind it?  

I believe it started out by wondering about myself and a bunch of my single female friends...    There seem to be many attractive, and successful women here that just can't seem to find steady romantic partners.  I find it to be somewhat of an urban epidemic here in NYC.  Ha.  New Yorkers are extremely friendly despite their reputation.  However, many people here have, "what do you want from me?"  shields held high, guarding them.  Most people live here because they have big dreams, big expectations, therefore agenda is priority.  In addition, our society influences many people into feel a false need to constantly upgrade, setting their expectations high on ego and materialistic status symbols.  From their cell phones, to careers as well as personal relationships.   The choices seem unlimited, so turnover is prevalent.  In a nut shell, it's about all the expectations of all these outside influences that we place on ourselves.  I believe it's deceptive.  It's much more fruitful to focus on our happiness from within.   

 

Many modern musicians have songs that deal with social issues.  However, you’ve done the same without making your songs sound corny or repetitive.  On the contrary, your lyrics are poetic, frank, and, overall, impeccable.  All I can ask is, how do you do it?  

Wow, first of all, thank you.  That's an incredible compliment.  I really have to pressure myself to write.  I'm a bit of a procrastinator, or some like to call it a percolator. :)  I book studio time a month ahead, then I casually think about what I will write about for a couple weeks...but I never really start writing until around the 3rd week when the heat is on.  Then, I'll hit coffee shops, and sometimes bars, and starting writing everything going on in my head.  I will write for hours and let the world around me disappear.  Then, ...well, sometimes this part actually comes first, it depends,....I will sit quietly in my apartment, without looking at anything I wrote and I will just feel what comes.   Usually a major piece of the song just comes to me in lyric and melody together.  It's sort of a third eye, out of body channeling that occurs.  I usually hear it in my head first, then pick up the guitar and work that part of it out.   Finally, I labor over the lyrics 1 or 2 days before the studio session (sometimes stay up all night) to work around that part of the song that came naturally.  Many times I'm still writing in the studio.  Also, I go back to my pages of journaled writings from the coffee shop and pull bits out.  It's only recently I've starting picking up the guitar first and working out different progressions I like.   

When did you become interested in music?  Can you remember the first song you ever wrote?

  Ever since I was a little girl, I 've always been in love with all types of music.  I remember the first time I actually thought I could sing.   I was at my best friends house....I was probably about 7 yrs old singing "On The Radio" by Donna Summer at the top of my lungs.  Music never really propel me at that time because soccer took over my world as a young girl.  I then became turned on again later at the end of my Senior year in High School.  I started singing for my church as a song leader on Sundays.  I had a really slow start in writing songs, because I had no musical training, and I wasn't sure where to begin.  I think I wrote my first song around 1995.  I wrote two songs back then, and yet again time got away from me.  I was busy climbing the corporate ladder in the fashion industry.  Then, after my Mother died of an inoperable brain tumor in 2003, I really woke up and realized that life is extremely short.  You have to go for all your dreams right now, because you never know when your mortality card is up.  So, I literally started manifesting making an album.   I started taking guitar lessons, and through my guitar teacher at the time, Karyn Kuhl (formerly of SexPod), I met my producers, Barb Morrison and Charlie Nieland, who I knew could help me achieve my vision.

Who or what is the inspiration behind your work? 

Well, besides the obvious repetitive single NYC woman challenges and stimulus, there are a couple other variables.  One being, as I mentioned above, that my Moms death really had an effect on me to utilize my creativity and my voice, with all my soul, while I have the opportunity to do it.  The second inspiration has been music artist Sarah McLachlan.  There is something about her music, her voice, and her songwriting that has continued to propel me to keep moving forward.  As an active philanthropist with Lilith and women's rights, her music school SMMO in Vancouver, and ASPCA, etc., she has inspired me to keep it real and make my music more than just a pretty love song.  Music is incredibly empowering and healing.  It seems obvious to tie in charity whenever possible.  

Anyone you’d really want to duet with?  

That might obviously be Sarah McLachlan.  I would also like to duet with Billy Joel.

What can we expect from you in the future?  

I intend to get a lot more performing under my belt.  I am current working on figuring out a way to free up more time to tour.  I will continue writing, of course.  I would like to make this more of a disciplinary part of my schedule.  In addition, I would like to start designing some specialty leather and faux leather jackets to offer under my own label.  It's all just the beginning.

You know what to do ;)


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Track to download: "Expectations" It will get stuck in your head.  Don't say I didn't warn you.