Music
Are You Ready For Julius?
I recently had the pleasure of chopping it up with a very talented artist from the continuously growing genre of Soca. His name is Julius and his sound is coming to a fete near you!
For those who aren’t familiar with Soca music, how would you describe it to someone who’s never heard it?
Soca is a fusion of African and East Indian instruments coming together to create this unique melody and sound. Soca music is infectious, sexy, happy, feel good music; you can be in a real messed up mood but if you put on Soca music your world is just transformed and you’re taken to a happier place. Soca is good for your peace of mind.
The song “Good Oh“ tends to bring back good memories of specific wines in my past, is that what inspired you to write this song?
My writing partner Fojo and I went for an afro-beats vibe with an energetic old school flavor. Strong lyrical content not on your customary topic, we were capitalizing on the idea of the reaction a woman can illicit from an admirer, but not merely based on her looks but an all encompassing meaning of wellness, a woman who knows how to take care of herself, her mind, her body and her future…she’s just “Good Oh!” So when you listen “Good Oh” there’s no doubt it will bring out that specific wine that you’ve connected to a “Good Oh” memory.
With your experience on the stage and in the studio, where do you feel more at home and why?
Good question. Both equally feel at home to me. Onstage I love the energy, I love entertaining a crowd, the adrenaline rush, the sexiness in presenting my craft to an awaiting audience. Then you go to the studio where the adrenaline is about creating that masterpiece, the challenges, the meeting of minds, the agreements and disagreements all for one goal which is to create a strong and banging product. So to me I love both experiences, I’m at home anytime I’m showcasing my talents regardless of venue.
Have you ever thought of recreating one of the earliest and most influential songs (that still resonates today) that you were a part of, “The Future Belongs To Me“?
“The Future Belongs To Me” was a project, well a very huge project I was thrown into as a kid. So to recreate it would be awesome, I’ve actually considered it from time to time. But you know one of those creations where you can’t surpass the original? Well to me that song is one of those, but this generation definitely needs a reminder of a message like that, undoubtedly.
With Carnival season in full swing, where can we look forward to seeing you perform?
Well, I know this question is a bit past its timeframe, but with regards to all performances…presently my team is working on future engagements and everyone can keep posted to my social media pages for all announcements and expected appearances.
What has the reaction been from everyone, particularly the ladies, to “Hold Me“?
The reaction I got from fans after “Hold Me” were motivational and encouraging, some said it’s different, some think it’s very melodious. The ladies say it’s a message they would want to hear from a guy. Everyone has an opinion and I value all feedback, but overall it’s been a real positive reaction from everyone.
Do you really have no time for “No New friends“? The song is infectious enough to create new friends. How will you handle that as this song takes off? “
No New Friends” is a topic we all can relate to, it’s not about making any new friends per se, but it’s about those instances when you meet someone and you’re like “I feel I’ve known you for a long time” and then there are those people who you meet and it’s like “I don’t like their vibe for some reason, as we Trinis say meh blood doh take them” so this song is about those people who are on that same mission as you are and that is to win. Because when one of us wins we all win, team, day ones to the end.
As you can see Julius is an artist to look and listen out for. Click on the pic below to hear one of his newer tunes that will surely get you hooked! “Good Morning Trinidad“
Janita’s newest album Here Be Dragons is another in a progression of finely crafted hymns for the empowered. Whether by love, as in the silky “I Do,” or by subverting expectations, in the Beatlesesque “Not What You’re Used To,” Janita draws on lessons learned during a positively unique career that spans decades and continents. We caught up with Janita on the heels of her latest single “When It’s All Up To You” to find out three songs she’d love to have written.
—
Elliott Smith — “L.A.”
This is one of my favorite songs by Elliott Smith. I listened to the full album Figure 8 a lot while I was writing the songs on my new album, and it was a huge influence on me both melodically and lyrically. This song in particular has also informed some of the production choices we made later, like the heavier guitars you hear on my song “Not What You’re Used To.”
“L.A.” is incredibly melodic, but there’s an elusive, haunting quality to it. It feels like you’re always trying to reach it, catch up to it somehow. The backing vocals accentuate that feeling. In my mind, the song paints such a vivid picture of the ephemeral, fickle nature of L.A., and the similarly transient nature of the main character. Elliott Smith himself? I don’t know exactly how he does (did) it, but I’m certainly in awe of it.
Radiohead — “There There”
So hypnotic. So badass. Could the production possibly be any cooler? The melody is intricate and beautiful, and I can relate to the lyric from every which angle: as the singer, as the one being sung to, and whether in love relationships, friendships, or with total strangers. The subject matter simply comes up in life in so many ways all the time… I recently tried to express similar notions as I was writing a song, only to remember that it was already done here perfectly. Goddammit.
Punch Brothers — “Julep”
This song is simply magical to me. It’s made me bawl my eyes out at a Punch Brothers concert two separate times. It’s like that viral video that was circulating some years ago of a baby moved to tears when her mom sings a sad tune. I’m that baby when it comes to this song. It simply hits some sort of primal button in me and keeps pressing it until the very end.
—
While you’re at it, check out Janita’s video for “Digging in the Dirt,” a funky and faithful rendition of the Peter Gabriel classic.
Jay Som’s Melina Duterte and Palehound’s Ellen Kempner join forces as Bachelor – a musical powerhouse whose new record Doomin’ Sun drops May 28th on Polyvinyl.
Kemper and Duterter recorded the album during two weeks of mutual appreciation in California. Three visceral singles have been released in the lead-up, including the Pixies-flavored “Stay in the Car” and the sprawling “Anything At All.”
Bachelor has also announced the Doomin’ Sun Fest, a one-day livestream featuring Tegan & Sara, Courtney Barnett, Adrianne Lenker, Jeff Tweedy, Japanese Breakfast, Julien Baker, and more.
Two men that look suspiciously alike meet outside a fictitious Brooklyn hot-spot – six feet apart.
MC Krispy E: Very nice to meet you. (squints) Have we met before?
Electronic Device: Maybe?
MC Krispy E: Is the rest of the band joining us?
Electronic Device: (pause) I am the rest of the band.
MC Krispy E: You are Electronic Device? What’s that about?
Electronic Device: Uhm, yeah, it’s like a pen name. You know what that is, right?
MC Krispy E: I have some idea.
Electronic Device: It was actually the name of one of my dad’s companies back in the day before…
MC Krispy E: (looking at his watch) Wonderful. So… it says here you have a new single called “All Things Come to an End” inspired by the death of your brother.
Electronic Device: Yeah, after my brother died I recorded songs as a form of therapy in his old bedroom in Staten Island.
MC Krispy E: And now I read that you have cancer. Am I supposed to feel extra sorry for you?
Electronic Device: Uhm…
MC Krispy E: It sounds like this album is going to be super depressing.
Electronic Device: It’s not, I swear. I was looking for some happiness while recording these songs, there’s not much of an agenda beyond that.
MC Krispy E: What kind of music is it?
Electronic Device: I wasn’t really thinking about influences while recording, but listening back I hear some Concrete Blonde, some Cracker.
MC Krispy: So bands no one is interested in?
Electronic Device: What the hell, man?
MC Krispy: Sorry, it’s almost like I can’t help it. What’s the single about?
Electronic Device: I hate saying what a song is about because everything is up for interpretation.
MC Krispy E: Humor us.
Electronic Device: I can say that “All Things Come to an End” has multiple narrators, some of which are unreliable.
MC Krispy E: (stares)
Electronic Device: And that one day I was at my Dad’s house and when I turned the corner into the hallway my Dad thought I was my brother for a moment, which was super sad because of course I couldn’t be.
MC Krispy E: And then you wrote a whole song about that.
Electronic Device: I guess so. When you put it that way…
MC Krispy E: (yawning) Tell us when the single come out.
Electronic Device: The single is out now. The album comes out in 2021.
MC Krispy E: Well, good for you. And good luck with that cancer thing.
Electronic Device: Yeah, you too.
MC Krispy E: Thanks. What?