Kelowna, BC’s Afro fusion, house and hip hop artist Edge is out with his searing new single, “Vice City Vibes (S.S.C.R.C.Y.)” — available now!
Produced by Flowers in Narnia and Ramoon, “Vice City Vibes” lands as a two-part modern-day 80s disco dream mixed with hip hop vocals and Afro-fusion. As a follow-up to his previous release, “11:11” — which sits at over 70,000+ streams and counting — Edge reaffirms his multi-faceted versatility and inventive genre blending skills through distinctly rhythmic vocals.
With sonic traces of his Nigerian roots throughout, Edge says “Vice City” is a nod to his melodic direction; a doting ode to the Abuja-born, Kelowna-based artist’s childhood influence, Grand Theft Auto Vice City, he adds that the song marks a crucial part of his creative journey. “It’s taken me awhile to find my sound, but this song is it,” he shares. “I feel the most comfortable and confident I’ve ever been in creating music.”
Edge took the Top 3 Music Video nod in the 2017 notTV Competition, and has been featured across more than 130+ influential playlists across Spotify since his breakout release in 2018. His songs have received airplay and features on CBC Radio, Coolradio93, Melodyfm88.6, Rockfm94.7, Rainbow94.1fm, Ct1r, Elevator Mag, ForTheCultureCanada, Hidden Beats, Kelowna Capital News, Independent Spirits, AnR Factory and more, and he’s opened for or shared the stage with the likes of Amine, Petit Biscuit, 88glam, Adamn Killa, Ill Chris, Golden BSP, Teon Gibbs, BBNO$, and more.
“Vice City Vibes (S.S.C.R.C.Y.)” is available now.
La Di Da Di by Doug E. Fresh, who provides the beatboxed instrumental, and MC Ricky D (later known as Slick Rick), who performs the vocals. It was originally released in 1985 as the B-side to “The Show”. The song has since gained a reputation as an early hip hop classic, and it is one of the most sampled songs in history.
Choosing the right music for your film isn’t a walk in the park. It’s almost like a treasure hunt, and sometimes you don’t even know where to start and what to look for.
In this article, we discuss some of the best ways to decide which music is best for your film. Make sure you do each one of them to make the choice easier for you.
Search Early
Many filmmakers often search for choices late in production. That’s not bad, but it won’t help you find the right score either.
It’s wise to search early because:
The song or music needs to be in line with the film’s narrative
You might want some edits, changes, or removals along the way
It will be obvious the music is tacked on top of the film
It’s best to start searching for music options during production or at least before the editing starts.
Try https://www.orchestra8.com if you’re searching for high-quality jazz or neo-classical musical scores for your film.
“Listen” to Your Film
The perfect song or musical score shows itself when you “listen” to what your film is telling you.
It may sound difficult, but you have to pay attention. Listen to the film, and listen to the mood.
What emotions does the film evoke?
How’s the pacing?
What colors do you associate with the narrative?
Certain genres, moods, instruments, attributes, or even artists will pop up in your mind after you pay close attention.
Have Multiple Choices
And don’t limit yourself to just one option.
Try searching for related genres, instruments, or artists even after you think you’ve found the best match. Give yourself more wiggle room and options.
You may find one song that does more justice to one part of the film than the other. Or you can find another artist that can contribute much more evocative music to a part of your film.
Learn from the Pros
Of course, you want to create your own film identity. You want the film and the music to be part of your signature.
However, it’s also not bad to learn from the more experienced filmmakers. We discuss directors Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Christopher Nolan.
Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese is popular for his in-depth character studies. A Scorsese character is often conflicted and struggling to keep sane. Think Goodfellas, The Irishman, Shutter Island, and Taxi Driver.
A Scorsese soundtrack is quite distinct; he loves crooners from the 50s mixed with 60s and 70s classic rock.
Super stylish, super violent — this is how many would describe a Quentin Tarantino film.
His trademarks include shots of bare feet, trunk shots, tons of pop culture references in dialogues, and many others.
His soundtrack style is distinct in that he almost always uses semi-obscure 70s rock songs. He also uses pop music that elevates film scenes and makes them simply iconic.
From mind-bending timelines of an amnesiac’s memories (Memento) to bending reality in dreamscapes (Inception) to Bane bending Batman’s back (The Dark Knight Rises) to the literal bending of time and space (Interstellar), you sure have to admire Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking prowess one time or another.
He works in collaboration with top caliber musical experts and provides a visceral, affecting experience through film and music.
Experiment, Feel It
If you already have a good idea of the music you want and the rules you have to follow, try and break them. Often, this experiment paves the way for unexpected, newer styles in filmmaking.
Then, see whether you get the “chills” while watching. If it’s good, you’ll be emotionally affected by the music and the film. If you don’t, your audience will probably feel the same.
Or Consider Silence
Some movies thrive even without music, or at least many parts of it in silence.
Think of No Country for Old Men and Dog Day Afternoon.
True, music adds impact to the scenes. But many scenes are better off with silence, especially if the scene already has everything going for it.
Are you searching for the perfect music for your film? We hope these tips help. Good luck!
For some royalty free jazz music on Youtube see this:
With the song at over 70,000+ streams and rising, Huntsville, ON’s country-pop artist Alexis Taylor has released a brand new video for her sweet ode to new love, “Cool With That” — available now!
“It’s a fun, flirty tune about that ‘puppy love’ stage of a relationship,” Taylor details. “It’s about that stage where you just can’t get enough of each other.”
That she penned “Cool With That” is par for the course when it comes to the Ontario-based singer/songwriter… You could even say it was destiny.
“Both my parents are songwriters, and have always been very musical,” she shares. “Music is a part of me… It has always been in my blood.”
Alexis Taylor has wasted no time executing on her passion when it comes to her musical prowess. Since first stepping onto the scene in 2016, she has racked up over 200,000+ streams across all platforms, played Canadian Music Week, CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, and opened for the likes of Marshall Tucker Band, Love and Theft, Meghan Patrick, Doug Seegers across his Scandinavian tour, and more.
She’s won ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the 2018 Tennessee Music Awards, and has been nominated for ‘Modern Country Vocalist of the Year’ at the 2020 Josie Music Awards this September.
And on the topic of Tennessee: While the song itself was recorded and produced in Nashville with award-winning artist and producer, John Willis (Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan), most of the scenes from the video for ‘Cool With That’ were filmed in her hometown of Huntsville — a small but popular cottage and rural region about 200+ kilometres north of Toronto. “I wanted to reflect who I am when I’m not on the road or on stage,” Taylor shares of the video’s process. “It was nice to be able to include where I grew up in this music video. Where I’m from is a big part of who I am, and it has made me the person I am today!
“I wanted to shoot something that would leave a smile on people’s faces,” she adds, hinting at her incredibly handsome, must-see co-star. “I think he adds an undeniable amount of cuteness to the song, don’t you?”
See for yourself; “Cool With That” is available now.
Acoustic-folk, country-rock singer/songwriter Rocky Michaels is issuing a resounding call to action and plea for awareness in his new single, “Our Time Is Now” — available now.
Off the Danville, California-based artist’s forthcoming album, The Great American Dream, “Our Time is Now” is a decidedly environmentally conscious song, Michaels says, and befitting of his long-standing archive of observant, engaging and relatable songwriting.
Nominated and a finalist for a 2019 World Songwriting Award, Rocky Michaels is no stranger to the music scene; first starting with the piano at age five, his finely tuned craft was first introduced en masse in the San Francisco Bay Area by way of his college-era rock band formed with friends. “We received radio play, but our style of music was labeled a bit ‘too derivative’ by some record execs,” he recalls. “This turned out to be a pivotal experience, though… It eventually helped inspire me to cultivate my own true sound and expression.
“Now I tap into life experiences to offer honest lyrics in storytelling.”
Nowhere is this more definitive than Rocky Michaels’ enveloping, softened anthem found in “Our Time Is Now.”
“We have one Earth,” he says. “We all share it.
“This song is a call to action for each of us to effect positive change, no matter how small we feel it may be.
“While I realize one song is probably not going to change the world,” he adds, “my hope is the message may help move the conversation along and serve as another opportunity to keep it in the forefront of minds.
“It was all shot in our living room,” he adds of the video’s behind-the-scenes. “I have to give credit to my teenage son, Jacob, who helped shoot my performances on three separate takes and then cropped and combined them together for one master video. It was filmed during the COVID-19 quarantine, and additional prior videos and footage were then also added into the mix.”
His son wasn’t the only outside influence for the track; Michael’s tapped Nashville-based producer Dan Ford to help helm the release. “I felt extremely fortunate to work with Dan,” Michaels says. “While I had my own vision for the song, he tactfully balanced my wishes with his own professional guidance.”
At over 95,000+ streams across Spotify and counting, Canadian alt-rocker Matt Graham and Graham Show Music has released his sophomore EP and title track video — Follow Your Dreams — available now!
“The song ‘Follow Your Dreams’ is an anthem meant to be motivation for anyone who wants or needs it,” Graham offers. “The opening line is ‘every morning you wake up and see nothing but future hope and destiny.’ The chorus is to ‘live the life you never lived, dream the dreams you never dreamt, and never spend the energy on time not well spent.’
“What I wanted to offer was the message that you can go after anything you want in life,” he continues. “If you never give up, success will one day come.”
It’s a mindset Matt Graham can personally attest to.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, and raised — for the most part — in Peterborough, Ontario, Matt Graham counted music and the guitar among his easiest passions alongside mountain biking and snowboarding. In fact, a paper route at age 12 helped the young artist save to buy his first Fender, a Stratocaster. “It was very similar to my idol’s at the time,” he says, recalling Jimi Hendrix’s axe of choice.
From there, Graham played in several bands and groups growing up before heading to college to learn about business and the industry. “All the while, I was still writing, and playing small shows around town,” he says. “Those particular songs may never make it into production, but they were fun to write.”
At one point, Graham set his sights on Canada’s West coast, and — after a brief stint in Vancouver — headed north to the mountains, ultimately and unknowingly laying the early foundations for an album release. “At that stage, I decided the mountains and the snowboard scene was more appealing,” he says of the eight years spent in the Whistler area. “But I did meet a friend and fellow musician, Darren Chambo, and we formed a band — The Chambo Graham Show.
“We’d play in weather ranging from -30 to +40 at the base of Whistler mountain, facing the gondola, and just doing it for the love of it. In that location, millions of people walked by every season, and it was great exposure.”
Between The Chambo Graham Show, solo work, and collaborating with his brother Dustin, Graham has performed in events surrounding some of the highest profile world-class ski events as well as the 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Games. “My brother volunteered in some interestingly cold weather and rain, but for the love of the game and to represent our country. We performed around 12 sets of music at various venues, including the ski jump and Nordic cross-country events, the downhill, and the bobsled and luge track.
“It was a great experience to see the world’s countries come together to share in a common goal and vision,” he adds. “The memories were priceless.”
Ultimately, Matt Graham moved back Ontario-way, purchasing a home studio and continuing to work diligently and hone his craft.
His debut single, “Life,” premiered in 2018, ultimately appearing alongside follow-up singles “Between Moments” and “Nothing Can Be Undone” on his breakout five-track EP, Between Moments — released in 2019 via Sonorous Records and distributed in partnership with Universal Music Group.
This year’s three-track EP, Follow Your Dreams, lands as a testament to the mantra.
“Follow Your Dreams” isn’t the only track that uplifts listeners with inspiring messages by way of music. “‘You’ starts out with the lyrics, ‘it doesn’t matter what you believe in, I believe in you,’” Graham explains. “It is meant to be like a parent telling a young child words of wisdom.
“Go after it. If you believe it, you can create it.”
If there’s two things Albuquerque, New Mexico and Montreal, Quebec have in common, it’s that they’re big fans of American dancehall/rap-fusion pioneer Nawlage, and they’re no stranger to summer heat.
And Nawlage wastes no time turning up the heat on both with the release of his new single paying honour and homage to them both, “ABQ to Montreal feat. Jawny BadLuck” — available now!
Landing ahead of his forthcoming release, Influencing Since 2k5, the track features Jawny BadLuck and circles the story of a girl who’s left the desert for more Northern pastures.
“We wanted to capture the idea that a girl from ABQ — where Jawny BadLuck is from — was moving to Montreal, a place where they still appreciate and embrace Nawlage’s classic music as if it was still new,” Nawlage says. “I’ve never been to Montreal, but I noticed my Spotify streams at one point were mostly from there.”
As for Jawny BadLuck’s participation, it was an instant ‘yes’ from the New Mexico-based artist. “When Nawlage played this beat for me the first time, I knew right away I wanted to hop on the track,” he shares. “It was an honour to work alongside one of my favourite producers and colleagues.
“There’s a really cool vibe and layer of fun when we work in the studio together.
“Nawlage talks about this girl that makes him want to hit the gym and make more money — who doesn’t?! — so he can go visit her,” Jawny BadLuck continues, speaking of the song. “Then I mention several times about needing to make money to support the lifestyle of literally flying from ABQ to YUL to see this girl who left ‘Burque’ for Montreal until she returns to the University of New Mexico.
“I love that Nawlage talks about some of the diners like The Frontier and 66 Diner that are super nostalgic for myself, having grown up here,” Jawny BadLuck continues. “Any true ‘Burqueno’ knows and respects those spots.
“I can’t wait to see Nawlage’s face when he bites into a cinnamon roll from The Frontier, or a chocolate shake from 66 Diner… Pure bliss!”
Born in Oceanside, California, and raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Nawlage first took to rapping in high school, going so far as to build his own home setup to work consistently on his own music and that of artists in the area.
Without his knowledge, his sister began posting his music on MySpace, leading to him being labeled the #1 unsigned artist with his song “1393 Miles Away.” That same year he sold the song to the Honey Family in Korea, becoming his first major placement, and promoting for clubs and creating relationships with DJ’s in the area — most notably, DJ Styles. Soon they became close friends and collaborators; one day, Styles sent him a beat and encouraged him to sing on it, which resulted in the freestyle “Way You Grind.” High praise affirmed, Styles then sent three more, one of which was “Husband and Wife” produced by Vinyl Shotz, which soon became a regular in Styles’ set. Unbeknownst to Nawlage, who was living in Florida at the time, the song gained momentous traction in the North East and his name was spreading like wildfire, prompting a move back to Boston for shows and appearances.
As he gained popularity, Free World Muzic helped the groundbreaking artist record a song with Latin artist Fuego in 2009, and Rick Ross in 2010. It wasn’t until 2012, with the support and encouragement of his management Free World Muzik lead by Sparky and Yaks, that Nawlage fully embraced his position as a dance-hall artist with a feature from French Montana on his previous smash “Husband and Wife.” The track went on to become a single off French Montana’s mixtape, Coke Boys III, and has its own official video.
More recently, Nawlage transitioned back into studio life to work behind the scenes; he founded NdroiDBeats with artist/producer erikmvsxn, and is currently at Alex ‘Mixed by Lex’ Romero’s Grandbay Recording Studios where he helps artists achieve their musical dreams.
But that doesn’t mean performances are fully off the table, he muses.
“I got a call from a club promoter in Montreal to perform, and weeks later, I met a girl that was from there who explained to me how much people out there loved my music.
“I’m very intrigued to find out I have lots of fans there, and look forward to one day performing there — both this song, and my classics that they appreciate.
“In a way, to pay homage and show awareness to the love and support from that area, I’ve wanted to put ‘Montreal’ in a song title of mine for months now. That also influenced the song.”
Canadian pop punk rapper Hollow River has unleashed some fun, fast-paced sonic chaos just in time for summer in this, his latest single, “Known To Lie” — available now!
“This song is basically from the perspective of a liar, and that framing allowed me to take the song to some really creative places, lyrically,” says the man behind the moniker, Mark MacDonald. “It’s hard to tell which lines mean a lot and which are nonsense, which is a skill the best liars have mastered.”
Hollow River first fledged his music career interning at Hamilton’s legendary Grant Avenue Studio (Daniel Lanois, Gordon Lightfoot, John Cage) before heading to Boston, Massachusetts to attend Berklee College of Music — where he currently resides — to pursue a double major in music production and engineering/songwriting.
Time not spent studying revolves around furthering his craft, including freelance production and mix work with a variety of artists, and songwriting and arrangement consulting.
His efforts are quickly becoming noticed; “Mark is a talented and adaptable musician who can evolve on a dime when he needs to,” says Berklee Songwriting professor, George Woods. “(Mark is) committed and dedicated to what he does.”
Award-winning songwriter and producer Pat Hanlin — who MacDonald is mentored by as a production assistant at Hanlin’s Revivalhouse Records & Film — agrees, adding “(Hollow River’s) super power is the tone of his writing; it’s raw and real and really well composed, lyrically.
“The guy’s a maniac in the studio,” Hanlin continues. “You know anything Hollow River releases is going to BUMP!”
