Kallen Saczkowski, aka Katchphraze, is an urban artist unlike most. As he puts it, "It's like we want our rapper to have been shot, or to have tear drops tattooed on their cheek." Well Katchphraze has none of those qualities to his name, but he does have a fresh brand of hip hop just itching to be heard among a sea of artists waiting to be heard. Check it out!
How did you start to be involved with music? Was it something thatyou always knew you wanted to pursue?
I've been writing music ever since I can remember. When I was really young I had a toy guitar that I used to pretend I was playing on stage singing songs that I wrote. I'd say I really got into writing hip hop songs in grade eight, and I can remember the track that really inspired me to write was "Bow Wow Wow" by Funkdoobiest.
Before I hit high school I was starting to record myself on a mini tape recorder, but not really playing it for anyone. Once I hit high school I started to let people hear the tapes that I was making. Eventually I'd have to bug someone to play the instrumentals that I'd buy because I didn't even have a turntable, so they'd hear me recording into their speakers and the feedback was positive. I played it for a really close friend who I had found out was wanting to dabble in making beats, and the first track that we did was called "Ones N' Toos" which I released as a single a few years later. That was really the start of it. When we recorded the "Ones N' Toos" single, that was the first time that i'd ever been in a studio that wasn't a mic plugged into the back of a computer. I'll never forget the look on the engineers face when we showed up with a computer, lyrics and not a clue about what to do. He told us after we finished that based on what he saw when we showed up, he did not expect the music to be as good as it was.
Your latest album 'Eye Can See Now' is full of commentary and what I would affectionately call "wordplay". What were hoping audiences would get out of this album? Are you working on anything new right now?
Because Eye Can See Now took a while for me to finally finish, it I had a lot of material, and a lot happened in that time. During the writing process I moved across the country and then came back, I found out what I wanted to do as a career and went back to school, I took breaks, had set backs and worked crappy jobs. I tried to include all of that in the album. I had a lot to get out of my system and I really felt like I did that with Eye Can See Now. I wanted to be versatile, and show all of the sides of me. I have two projects on the go right now, one is with a producer by the name of Sy Wyld, who also happens to be the guy that produced "One's n' Toos". This is something that's I'm really excited about because we haven't worked together musically for a while and it's a real natural, like we never left vibe in the music. My other project is with a producer named Seaton. It's more musical; he plays all of the instruments live and it's a direction that I've wanted to go for a long time.
Where does most of your songwriting inspiration come from?
I'm inspired a lot by other people, and my own emotions. Usually I write when i'm overwhelmed with a feeling or emotion but it tends to not be right away. It tends to happen once I've had sometime to think about things. At first it's like there is too much going on and I can't make sense of it so I'll try to write but usually it's all over the map. It's when I see down and I'm not really trying to write anything, that my best work happens.
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Saturday, September 12, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Shannon Venasse
While she didn't start playing music the minute she was born, Shannon Venasse's ultra-smooth vocals, mature lyricism, and compelling song writing skills have turned her into a worthwhile ambassador of Eastern Canada's music scene. Check out what she had to say to theMOVEMENTZ.
How did you first get involved with music? Did you always know that you were going to pursue it as a career?
I got involved with music when I was in my early 20's. A good friend of mine at the time was dating a person who played the acoustic guitar and I always loved watching and listening to him play. I always thought that I wasn't musically inclined because in high school I was terrible in music class probably due to the fact that I was so shy. Another friend of mine started learning to play and I wanted to jam with everyone. So one day I drove to a guitar store in Toronto and bought my first guitar, a Yamaha acoustic and gig bag. It was a struggle at first for me to learn but I kept at it and got a guitar teacher. Before I knew it I was able to sing along with my guitar and it just progressed from there. I had no idea I was going to pursue music. When I was younger I wanted to become a police officer.
If you had to explain your sound to someone who has never heard it, what would you say?
This is always a hard question for me because I'm influenced by so many different types of music. I generally say it's pop/folk/rock. I notice that when people see a person especially a woman playing the acoustic guitar and singing they automatically call it folk music. But for me each song is so unique to itself and some are more pop/rock sounding, some more folk and some even have a new country sound to them. I would even put myself into the singer/songwriter category. My music is very acoustic guitar driven that's one thing I'm sure of.
Your debut album 'The Lion's Share' was released in 2007. What types of themes/ideas come across in the album?
I was never intending on recording a whole album but I just had so much to say at the time. I was going through a really hard time in my life back then. My mother was dying from leukemia and my partner of 5 years was leaving me for someone else. It was incredibly hard for me to do anything except write songs and be able to sing them. Most of my friends at the time didn't know what to do to help me so they just distanced themselves. I guess the songs were my way of getting them to listen and it was also stress relief for me at the time. If there had to be a theme it would be that life may try to drag you down but you can't allow it to.
read more
How did you first get involved with music? Did you always know that you were going to pursue it as a career?
I got involved with music when I was in my early 20's. A good friend of mine at the time was dating a person who played the acoustic guitar and I always loved watching and listening to him play. I always thought that I wasn't musically inclined because in high school I was terrible in music class probably due to the fact that I was so shy. Another friend of mine started learning to play and I wanted to jam with everyone. So one day I drove to a guitar store in Toronto and bought my first guitar, a Yamaha acoustic and gig bag. It was a struggle at first for me to learn but I kept at it and got a guitar teacher. Before I knew it I was able to sing along with my guitar and it just progressed from there. I had no idea I was going to pursue music. When I was younger I wanted to become a police officer.
If you had to explain your sound to someone who has never heard it, what would you say?
This is always a hard question for me because I'm influenced by so many different types of music. I generally say it's pop/folk/rock. I notice that when people see a person especially a woman playing the acoustic guitar and singing they automatically call it folk music. But for me each song is so unique to itself and some are more pop/rock sounding, some more folk and some even have a new country sound to them. I would even put myself into the singer/songwriter category. My music is very acoustic guitar driven that's one thing I'm sure of.
Your debut album 'The Lion's Share' was released in 2007. What types of themes/ideas come across in the album?
I was never intending on recording a whole album but I just had so much to say at the time. I was going through a really hard time in my life back then. My mother was dying from leukemia and my partner of 5 years was leaving me for someone else. It was incredibly hard for me to do anything except write songs and be able to sing them. Most of my friends at the time didn't know what to do to help me so they just distanced themselves. I guess the songs were my way of getting them to listen and it was also stress relief for me at the time. If there had to be a theme it would be that life may try to drag you down but you can't allow it to.
read more
Friday, August 28, 2009
Elyse Simpson
I'm simply blown away by some of the teenage talent that graces the music industry in Canada. Elyse Simpson is no exception. With song writing skills to match some twice her age, and some killer vocals at her disposal, Elyse is someone to look out for. Here's what she had to say to theMOVEMENTZ.
How did you first get involved in music? Is it something that you hope to pursue for the long haul?
I got involved with music at a young age, around 6, I was listening mainly to classical music and started to take up the cello. Around 7 years later I took up vocal and shortly after began to teach myself guitar. I then started to listen to more rock and psychedelic music such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Now over the past two years, I have been working to pursue music seriously as a career and I hope to continue.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
People have told me my music sounds like Bob Dylan with a little bit more Billie Holiday vocals. Personally, I would like to think or hope it reflects the feeling that was evident during the folk movement in the 1960s in Greenwich Village but with a bit more of an edge.
Do you have an album in the works? If so, what types of themes/ideas are working their way into the songs. When do you think it will be released?
Technically I am always working on an album since I am always working on new material and writing music. In the past, I have independently released singles and plan to release more very soon, but right now I'm focusing on putting together a solid body of work before I think about releasing an album. But, it is definitely something I will do.
read more
How did you first get involved in music? Is it something that you hope to pursue for the long haul?
I got involved with music at a young age, around 6, I was listening mainly to classical music and started to take up the cello. Around 7 years later I took up vocal and shortly after began to teach myself guitar. I then started to listen to more rock and psychedelic music such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Now over the past two years, I have been working to pursue music seriously as a career and I hope to continue.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
People have told me my music sounds like Bob Dylan with a little bit more Billie Holiday vocals. Personally, I would like to think or hope it reflects the feeling that was evident during the folk movement in the 1960s in Greenwich Village but with a bit more of an edge.
Do you have an album in the works? If so, what types of themes/ideas are working their way into the songs. When do you think it will be released?
Technically I am always working on an album since I am always working on new material and writing music. In the past, I have independently released singles and plan to release more very soon, but right now I'm focusing on putting together a solid body of work before I think about releasing an album. But, it is definitely something I will do.
read more
Monday, August 24, 2009
Amy Campbell
Amy Campbell serves up a type of musical storytelling that feels relevant to the present day, but still has that classic, "old time fave" feel. Lovers of country, roots and certain types of folk will surely appreciate the maturity and emotional connectedness of what Campbell has to offer.
Campbell's latest solo album, 'Oh Heart, Oh Highway' is a special two-disc collection, complete with a book of illustration and prose. The result seems like it would make for a perfect artistic package. Here is what Amy had to say about this project and other aspects of her career:
How did you first enter the world of music? Were you always interested in pursuing it as a career?
I've been playing music in one form or another my whole life. I studied classical piano up until I started university. I picked up the guitar when I was about 13... Somewhere in there I started writing songs. After university I found myself in a band that did pretty well for a few years, and I've been playing music professionally ever since.
You have a very unique and interesting sound. How would you describe it for people that have never heard your music?
I consider myself a lyricist first, and all my songs are built up from the lyric. Live, I play acoustic guitar, and I use open and alternate tunings to create a fuller, richer sound. When I'm in the recording studio I use other instruments - percussion, organs, etc - to accent and colour what I do as a live solo artist.
I understand that your solo debut album, "Oh Heart, Oh Highway" is a double disc album with a book of illustrations and prose included.Why did you decide to incorporate all of this into your debut?
It wasn't so much a decision to do it this way, but rather once I had the idea it would have felt like selling the project short not to follow through with it. I spent a long time trying to wrap my head around this recording project, and it wasn't until I saw the over-arching story depicted in the album begin and end that the physical product began to make sense to me.
Where does your song-writing inspiration usually come from?
I'm moved by those moments of emotion that are universal. I like to create a space where any member of the audience can insert their own experience and relate to me and to each other. I try to identify the emotional core of a situation and let the words wend their way back out into a song...
Who are your favourite artists, and how do you think they have influenced your song-writing (if they have)?
I've definitely been influenced by the artists that have gone before me. Most particularly by talented women like Joni Mitchell, Ani Difranco and Patty Griffin - strong musicians and innovative guitar players as well as excellent lyricists. More recently by people like Sarah Harmer and Leslie Feist - artists who write their own material, follow their own paths creatively, and definitely know what to do with an instrument.
Campbell's latest solo album, 'Oh Heart, Oh Highway' is a special two-disc collection, complete with a book of illustration and prose. The result seems like it would make for a perfect artistic package. Here is what Amy had to say about this project and other aspects of her career:
How did you first enter the world of music? Were you always interested in pursuing it as a career?
I've been playing music in one form or another my whole life. I studied classical piano up until I started university. I picked up the guitar when I was about 13... Somewhere in there I started writing songs. After university I found myself in a band that did pretty well for a few years, and I've been playing music professionally ever since.
You have a very unique and interesting sound. How would you describe it for people that have never heard your music?
I consider myself a lyricist first, and all my songs are built up from the lyric. Live, I play acoustic guitar, and I use open and alternate tunings to create a fuller, richer sound. When I'm in the recording studio I use other instruments - percussion, organs, etc - to accent and colour what I do as a live solo artist.
I understand that your solo debut album, "Oh Heart, Oh Highway" is a double disc album with a book of illustrations and prose included.Why did you decide to incorporate all of this into your debut?
It wasn't so much a decision to do it this way, but rather once I had the idea it would have felt like selling the project short not to follow through with it. I spent a long time trying to wrap my head around this recording project, and it wasn't until I saw the over-arching story depicted in the album begin and end that the physical product began to make sense to me.
Where does your song-writing inspiration usually come from?
I'm moved by those moments of emotion that are universal. I like to create a space where any member of the audience can insert their own experience and relate to me and to each other. I try to identify the emotional core of a situation and let the words wend their way back out into a song...
Who are your favourite artists, and how do you think they have influenced your song-writing (if they have)?
I've definitely been influenced by the artists that have gone before me. Most particularly by talented women like Joni Mitchell, Ani Difranco and Patty Griffin - strong musicians and innovative guitar players as well as excellent lyricists. More recently by people like Sarah Harmer and Leslie Feist - artists who write their own material, follow their own paths creatively, and definitely know what to do with an instrument.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Imaan Faith
With 600,000 YouTube and MySpace hits, backers like Johnny ‘J’ and Colby O’Donis , and nothing but good things to say, Imaan Faith is showing us what the airwaves are missing.
Just a month after his album’s debut, Let the Truth be Known (G.U.T.S./DEP/Universal) was listed fourth in The Toronto Star’s T.O. Top Tens, beating out music legends like Sarah McLachlan, Roots, and Def Leppard. If that isn’t enough, Imaan Faith’s debut video for “Haven’t seen U Smile” received an honourable mention for Outstanding Canadian Music Video at the 8th Annual Toronto ReelWorld Film Festival, and has already received over 300,000 views on YouTube.com.
Mixing North American hip-hop with Middle Eastern style, Imaan Faith’s album is an expression of his experiences and values as a person as well as an artist. Let the Truth be Known was eleven years in the making, and if there’s one thing that’s clear from listening to the final product, it’s that this rapper has faith. It’s his name after all.
When did you decide you wanted to make music?
I was always into music. Since day one, my family was really music oriented and growing up my brothers always played music. When I decided music is what I wanted to do was when I heard 2Pac. I wasn’t much just into rap. I heard everything, but when I heard ‘Pac, that was it for me. He really hit me with his words on how we can change and be positive. I was arrested when I was 14-15 and I had nothing to do but listen to ‘Pac and write. My brother saw my passion and he really gave me my push, then I started getting into producing when I lived in New York.
What truth do you want to share?
The truth I’m trying to share with people is don’t be fooled. All that stuff you see on T.V. and read in newspapers ain’t all real. Most of these rappers ain’t gangsters they’re just selling you an image and I don’t do that. I can’t do that. I’ve been blessed to be around real people that know what’s up!
Read More
Just a month after his album’s debut, Let the Truth be Known (G.U.T.S./DEP/Universal) was listed fourth in The Toronto Star’s T.O. Top Tens, beating out music legends like Sarah McLachlan, Roots, and Def Leppard. If that isn’t enough, Imaan Faith’s debut video for “Haven’t seen U Smile” received an honourable mention for Outstanding Canadian Music Video at the 8th Annual Toronto ReelWorld Film Festival, and has already received over 300,000 views on YouTube.com.
Mixing North American hip-hop with Middle Eastern style, Imaan Faith’s album is an expression of his experiences and values as a person as well as an artist. Let the Truth be Known was eleven years in the making, and if there’s one thing that’s clear from listening to the final product, it’s that this rapper has faith. It’s his name after all.
When did you decide you wanted to make music?
I was always into music. Since day one, my family was really music oriented and growing up my brothers always played music. When I decided music is what I wanted to do was when I heard 2Pac. I wasn’t much just into rap. I heard everything, but when I heard ‘Pac, that was it for me. He really hit me with his words on how we can change and be positive. I was arrested when I was 14-15 and I had nothing to do but listen to ‘Pac and write. My brother saw my passion and he really gave me my push, then I started getting into producing when I lived in New York.
What truth do you want to share?
The truth I’m trying to share with people is don’t be fooled. All that stuff you see on T.V. and read in newspapers ain’t all real. Most of these rappers ain’t gangsters they’re just selling you an image and I don’t do that. I can’t do that. I’ve been blessed to be around real people that know what’s up!
Read More
Monday, August 10, 2009
State of Shock
Congratulations to State of Shock on getting signed with Universal Republic! Jesse Wainwright, guitar, and founding member, talks to theMOVEMENTZ about this great news and the band's highly successful first album, Life, Love & Lies.
After months of diligently trying to break into the U.S. market with album's first single single "Money Honey", State of Shock has been signed to Universal Republic (Amy Winehouse, Taylor Swift, Mika). "We were bashing our heads against the U.S. market for months and months. All the labels were saying, ‘it's good but it's a little too commercial, it won't sell'".
"Money Honey" was added to satellite radio in the U.S., where it hit number one within six or seven weeks. "As soon as it hit number one, all of those labels that said no, were calling us saying ‘we'll give you whatever you guys want'. The people spoke and then the label had to listen."
The band's formation was a gradual process that began in 2000, with Jesse, and Johnny Phillipon (drums). Both had been playing in bands together, but ultimately went on to form a band on their own. Jesse recommended Cameron Melnyk as the band's singer, whom he had grown up with. Allison Toews responded to an ad for a bass player, and according to Jesse, "it was like this perfect little family". Simon "Kadooh" Clow, joined a couple of years later as the second guitar player, and State of Shock, as we know it, was complete.
The latest album, Life, Love and Lies has had quite an amazing year, contributing to State of Shock's Juno Nomination for Best New Group, and "Money Honey's" commercial radio success. Jesse tells us that the record is a collection of songs about their experiences on tour after the release of their first record Guilty By Association.
"When it was the four of us, we toured Canada for about two years in a van. We all went through these ups and downs, and personal issues in our lives, and that's basically what spawned the material for Life Love and Lies. That's why it's called Life Love and Lies, because it's 10 songs about the last two years of our lives. Every song on the record is about something that happened to one of us."
Read more
After months of diligently trying to break into the U.S. market with album's first single single "Money Honey", State of Shock has been signed to Universal Republic (Amy Winehouse, Taylor Swift, Mika). "We were bashing our heads against the U.S. market for months and months. All the labels were saying, ‘it's good but it's a little too commercial, it won't sell'".
"Money Honey" was added to satellite radio in the U.S., where it hit number one within six or seven weeks. "As soon as it hit number one, all of those labels that said no, were calling us saying ‘we'll give you whatever you guys want'. The people spoke and then the label had to listen."
The band's formation was a gradual process that began in 2000, with Jesse, and Johnny Phillipon (drums). Both had been playing in bands together, but ultimately went on to form a band on their own. Jesse recommended Cameron Melnyk as the band's singer, whom he had grown up with. Allison Toews responded to an ad for a bass player, and according to Jesse, "it was like this perfect little family". Simon "Kadooh" Clow, joined a couple of years later as the second guitar player, and State of Shock, as we know it, was complete.
The latest album, Life, Love and Lies has had quite an amazing year, contributing to State of Shock's Juno Nomination for Best New Group, and "Money Honey's" commercial radio success. Jesse tells us that the record is a collection of songs about their experiences on tour after the release of their first record Guilty By Association.
"When it was the four of us, we toured Canada for about two years in a van. We all went through these ups and downs, and personal issues in our lives, and that's basically what spawned the material for Life Love and Lies. That's why it's called Life Love and Lies, because it's 10 songs about the last two years of our lives. Every song on the record is about something that happened to one of us."
Read more
Monday, August 3, 2009
Dayna Manning
If Dayna Manning doesn't become a household name within the next few years, I will have a real bone to pick with the Canadian music industry. This lady has everything that it takes, plus talent! :)
At the same time it is nice to feel as though you are witnessing something great before everyone else knows about it, and that's how I felt when I first heard Stratford native Dayna Manning's 2006 release Folkyo. The whimsical and harmonious combination of soothing vocals, raw emotion, and great production value is something worth commenting on because very few artists achieve it on a regular basis. Especially when, like Dayna, they do it all on their own.
Dayna releases records on her own label, runs her own business, and writes her own music. While you can't always tell just from listening to her songs, she has a reputation of being quite the stellar guitar player, a trait that draws some notable guitarists in the biz to her intimate live shows.
Today Dayna is working on a live album that, according to her, is going to be very raw and will include the best songs from her three records to date, Volume 1(1997), Shades (2002), and Folkyo (2006).
When you get to the end of this interview, make sure that you take a listen to Dayna's pop-ballad, "In The Meantime", from Folkyo. If that's not a hit-worthy song in the folk, pop or rock worlds, then I don't know what is!
Interview: Dayna Manning
Occupation: Singer/songwriter
Sound: folk-rock, thoughtful pop, country (sans cheese)
What separates you from the crowd?
I'm hard to put in a category. I'm folk and pop and rock and country. People get confused at first, but once they get into a few different songs, they get it. Also, I think I'm unique because I play many instruments and I take part in the production and engineering of my records and have a really good grasp on the guitar.
What was your approach to creating Folkyo?
Low budget, do it yourself. It turned out to be my best record I think.
What can we expect from your future release?
I'm working on a live album. Very raw, the best songs from my three records. It will be done when I get a few more live recordings. I thought I would have it finished more recently. We were recording these two sold out, back-to-back solo shows here in Fort St. John BC last weekend. The night before I put a knife through my left index finger, the one you put on the the neck of the guitar, which doesn't work when you've sliced it to the nail. I was devistaed, but there was no way I was canceling sold out shows, so I spent the day learning how to play a lot of my songs with three fingers, tuning things differently and changing some songs from guitar to piano. I couldn't play some of the really fancy guitar stuff, but I got through most of it. The recording turned out pretty good in spite of the accident, but we're missing a few key songs.
What's your favourite song of yours?
"A Walk On The Moon". It's the first song I wrote, when I was 15, and now at 30 I cannot believe wrote it at 15. I also am very proud of "In The Meantime"; I really like the melody.
Describe the music scene in your hometown, and in Canada?
Stratford ON, where I'm from, is a challenge because most of the economy revolves around professional arts. It's hard to have a healthy local arts scene when you don't even have a theater in town that you have access to because it's unionized and there's no way you could afford to put something on there. I found it oddly competitive there, and necessary to leave to get noticed.
Read more
At the same time it is nice to feel as though you are witnessing something great before everyone else knows about it, and that's how I felt when I first heard Stratford native Dayna Manning's 2006 release Folkyo. The whimsical and harmonious combination of soothing vocals, raw emotion, and great production value is something worth commenting on because very few artists achieve it on a regular basis. Especially when, like Dayna, they do it all on their own.
Dayna releases records on her own label, runs her own business, and writes her own music. While you can't always tell just from listening to her songs, she has a reputation of being quite the stellar guitar player, a trait that draws some notable guitarists in the biz to her intimate live shows.
Today Dayna is working on a live album that, according to her, is going to be very raw and will include the best songs from her three records to date, Volume 1(1997), Shades (2002), and Folkyo (2006).
When you get to the end of this interview, make sure that you take a listen to Dayna's pop-ballad, "In The Meantime", from Folkyo. If that's not a hit-worthy song in the folk, pop or rock worlds, then I don't know what is!
Interview: Dayna Manning
Occupation: Singer/songwriter
Sound: folk-rock, thoughtful pop, country (sans cheese)
What separates you from the crowd?
I'm hard to put in a category. I'm folk and pop and rock and country. People get confused at first, but once they get into a few different songs, they get it. Also, I think I'm unique because I play many instruments and I take part in the production and engineering of my records and have a really good grasp on the guitar.
What was your approach to creating Folkyo?
Low budget, do it yourself. It turned out to be my best record I think.
What can we expect from your future release?
I'm working on a live album. Very raw, the best songs from my three records. It will be done when I get a few more live recordings. I thought I would have it finished more recently. We were recording these two sold out, back-to-back solo shows here in Fort St. John BC last weekend. The night before I put a knife through my left index finger, the one you put on the the neck of the guitar, which doesn't work when you've sliced it to the nail. I was devistaed, but there was no way I was canceling sold out shows, so I spent the day learning how to play a lot of my songs with three fingers, tuning things differently and changing some songs from guitar to piano. I couldn't play some of the really fancy guitar stuff, but I got through most of it. The recording turned out pretty good in spite of the accident, but we're missing a few key songs.
What's your favourite song of yours?
"A Walk On The Moon". It's the first song I wrote, when I was 15, and now at 30 I cannot believe wrote it at 15. I also am very proud of "In The Meantime"; I really like the melody.
Describe the music scene in your hometown, and in Canada?
Stratford ON, where I'm from, is a challenge because most of the economy revolves around professional arts. It's hard to have a healthy local arts scene when you don't even have a theater in town that you have access to because it's unionized and there's no way you could afford to put something on there. I found it oddly competitive there, and necessary to leave to get noticed.
Read more
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