Mick J. Clark, Exclusive Interview




 So Mick, I understand that you're from the U.K.; can you tell us about your upbringing?

Like a lot of kids I had a violent, frightening father and when he came for me or my sister we and my mum always feared he would lose control and kill us, I could always here my mum in the background shouting, 'no John no', so I put that at the end of my song, 'When Teeth Hit The Bottom Lip', about losing control.

When I was 11yrs old I saved up all my money including my School lunch money for three months till I had enough to buy my first guitar.

I played in many bands when I was young, did the Holiday camp summer season gig and came close to making it, but 'no cigar', and as starvation set in I became an electrician, but still always wrote songs.

    How long have you been doing music and what inspired you to start?

I have always been doing music in one form or another since I was a kid, but I always enjoyed writing songs and looking up 'who wrote' the hit single.

I guess I was a lucky kid because although I found 'the look of a guitar' totally mesmerising, I was very good at writing stories with compliments from teachers and I also loved to play football, which I played for every school year and the West of Kent and offered a trial to go professional. My fourth great love was animals and I wanted to be a Veterinary Surgeon. Unfortunately I became a little wayward :-) I enjoyed having fun too much.

How did you begin working with the Sonorus Record Label?

Sonorus Records approached me with a 10 yr deal for my song, 'There's Nothing Anybody Can Do', we both paid half the Promo costs but it didn't 'do it'.

So your music has over 1 million streams; can you tell us about your road to success?  Any tips and ideas you would like to share with upcoming inspiring artist?

I am a workaholic, but I have a 'can't be bothered' attitude :-( I couldn't spend hours slaving away on a guitar trying to write a song, I wait till something will inspire me or I'll just get a tune come to me, and when that does happen I can spend weeks if not months writing it, constantly thinking about it. It's taken a few years to get over one million streams, but I love to write songs and streams tell you people are listening to them which is really great. I would say to anyone, write a song 'that you like', you will never write a song that everyone will like.

Besides music, what other things you may be interested in?

My first book came out last year: Message From A Star by Michael J. Clark, Pub by Austin Macauley. (On Kindle and Kobo as well). Happy to say I got great reviews from Kircus and Blue Ink and 4/4 from Booklife. For me it was the story that is universal, 'men never growing up'.

Some friendships are written in the stars.

Thirty years after their high school graduation, former best friends, Joe and Chad, accidentally meet again in an Orlando hotel. But there will be nothing accidental about the chain of events which lead the middle-age pair on the run from gangsters, drug dealers and ambitious cops.

Deciding to celebrate their unexpected reunion, Joe and Chad share laughs and nostalgic memories over ice cold beer but soon the two, feeling low about their less than adolescent appearance, decide to visit a shop specializing in making men look ten years younger. Receiving enthusiastic reviews from their families on their ‘renovated’ looks, the two push the boundaries and continue drinking at a club.

Here begins the set-up of the harmless gents and they fall into an ever-widening circle of disasters which ensure the men must test themselves… and their friendship.

Michael J Clark’s novel is a clever mash-up of wistful remembrances of youth and the ultimate road trip. Lurching from one catastrophe to the next, Joe and Chad find out about the limits of friendship and themselves.

 


I had my ‘Empowering Song for Children  against Self Harming and Bullying’ and my ‘Anti Smoking/Drugs’ song            

put into all the schools in Croydon, Surrey,  by the Croydon Education Dept.

‘Me My Body And I’  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCbPpfIGk-s

 (an Empowering song, with Empowering words, to Empower the child, to 'Ignore'  the Bully)

You Don’t Look Cool by Teenagers.    (Kids Telling Kids don’t Smoke).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZK6lL37ry8

Global Warning song.

We Know It's True By Mick J. Clark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HICeAB0Zjho 

( which I was Grammy Nominated for this year).

I am very proud and pleased that WOA put out an EP with six of my 'Political songs' called:

.Spotify

‘Causes ‘ Album got to No 4 on iTunes Oct 6th.

https://open.spotify.com/album/6VmAx8iJ20RxWFk8S1pxgF?si=8n87riHxRPaXVyzdBt9qiQ

And yes I still love and play football :-)

So what's the typical day of creation for Mick J. Clark?

I spend a lot of time at the computer, Promoting my songs,( and my book ), and when I have written a song I play it over and over again so when I go into the studio it cuts down the time, because it is a lot of money.

I go running keeping fit for football.

So tell us about your latest project?

I am lucky to have had two songs come into 'my little head' :-) that I have worked on, and finished one,called:  'A Song Has Gotta Swing Like Sinatra', out now,

and the other one out in a few weeks.


Any last remarks?

It's a great life as long as you 'don't take it seriously', 'lose your sense of humour and your fried' :-)

Steve Ryan Exclusive Interview!

 


Steve, how was your upbringing in the city of Los Angeles?

I grew up in georgia but have spent a lot of time on the west coast.  My upbringing was pretty suburban. 

 

What is it like to have Prince as one of the musical influences to you?

I didn't realize that he was a music influence until a later time.  It came out in some of my singing and music style, especially the falsetto.   


So tell us about the "Miracle of Love" single and what is the inspiration of this track?


Miracle of love is about 2 things, one how love can heal things with people in general, its more universale, but more specifically at the beginning of the chorus, it talks about how someone bring out the best and the worst in you at the same time, and that a miracle ''from'' love is needed.

Give us some detail about the creative process of Steve Ryan? My creative process varies, sometimes i hear the music in my head first and then do lyrics, other times i come up with lyrics and then work on the music.  I tend to not force it, but somehow things tend to flow out on demand as needed. 


How has Covid-19 affected your musical career lately? 


It really hasn't impacted it much, I'm actually more busier now than I've been right before covid.  A lot of cowrites with other songwriters, also I've written about 20 new songs for some upcoming albums and have been working on my peace of mind and well being. 


If it's anything else you can do in life, what would it be? 


I can't imagine doing anything else, I really am happy with what I do in life now. 


Any last remarks? 


Even though we're talking about miracle, a new song I have is coming out on April 6 on the anniversary of my dad's death, it's called ''Proud of Me''.  It's been very emotional and difficult for me dealing with this and I put out that song as a way for the world to not forget him.  Everytime that song is heard, played and someone looks at the album cover, my dad will be remembered.  I will share a video link to it https://youtu.be/mWa_Vsfkmg4 and also a link for your readers to pre-save it.  That would be a great honor.  https://steveryan.ffm.to/yrpvq4o

Funktasic Players Exclusive Interview!

 


So David, What city are you from and what's it like back home?

I'm from a suburban community just 20 minutes outside of Washington DC in Prince Georges County. It's a middle-class suburban neighborhood. Like everywhere else people are getting up and going to work or working from home. As far as the music scene goes, most of the clubs, restaurants, and music venues have been closed.

From my understanding, you guys do a blend of 70's soul 80's hip hop, and contemporary Jazz; can you tell us some of your influences that brought about such a unique sound?

I think of my musical influences like a triangle. On one side you have my hip-hop roots, Tribe called quest, black sheep, Pete Rock, and CL Smooth. These days I listen to Cookin Soul and a lot of lo-fi and chill-hop. On the other side of the triangle, I listen to groups like Incognito, Brian Culbertson, Gerald Albright, Ronny Jordan, unwrapped band. On the third side of the triangle, I listen to groups like Tower of Power, Average White Band, Brand-New Heavies, James Brown band, Chops-N Soul. All those influences come together in my musical stew and make our sound what it is.

Based on your perspective, how has the industry changed from the Sugarhill Gang and Curtis Blow era that made you?

Wow, where do I start? I would say the industry has changed dramatically since the Sugar Hill gang days. Everything has changed from how you record your music, how you distribute your music, and most importantly how you make money! I'm the perfect guy to talk to about this because I've been around for a while and have seen it all! The industry was built solely around selling records. Nowadays it's all about fan support, and fan engagement that's what drives the industry in 2021. What you want are engaged fans that will stream your music, come to shows, and buy merchandise. I could do an entire interview about this topic but to keep it short and sweet I'll stop here.

So you started out sampling soul and funk music; who are some of the notable acts that you worked with?

If I understand your question correctly I'll answer it this way. The acts I've worked with, in the past most people would have never heard of. You have to remember that I worked for small independent labels and the artist that I worked with were unknown and up-and-coming. I was the guy you called when you wanted to sound like the big boys but had a limited budget.


  So you're in the studio starting from scratch; what are some of the tools and directions you take to craft a project?

In my younger days, I would sit down and write music all the time for no specific reason other than just to get ideas out of my head onto tape. These days I only write when I have a specific project to do. The Funktastic Players have a specific sound that I adhere to and it's pretty old school. You know, acoustic drums, electric bass, Mark one, clarinet, Hammond B3, brass section, and lead saxophone. I'll sit down in my studio at my computer and lay the drum parts first. Then I'll add the rhythm guitar and usually build from there. Depending on the song I will collaborate with my partner Kevin Croom. He's a fantastic keyboard player and creative mind.

Tell us about your latest project

"This latest project is entitled" This CD Is on Fire". Originally I just wanted to release a single but it mushroomed into six songs that I cut down to five. The first song I wrote for this project was Funk Baby Blues. After that, I told Kevin that I thought about doing one of James Brown's tunes. He had already started to put together Get up Offa That Thing so I decided to finish it. Kevin and I both had concepts for Moody Melody so we mixed them together and as always it turned out great. The song I Got Soul was just a groove that I had flying around in my head that turned into a song. Daydreaming was Kevin's idea. When he sent it to me at first I didn't want to do it but I fell in love with the tune and put it together. It really highlights our jazzy side in fact feel this entire project highlights our funky soulful jazzy mix well!

Besides music, what are other types of things you like to enjoy?

I'm an avid classic car and Hot Rod lover. I love resto-mods, street rods hot rods, and classic cars of all types. I love going to car shows with my camera (iPad) and taking lots of pictures. It's my second passion. Unfortunately, The pandemic has killed that for the foreseeable future.

How has it been for you since Covid affected the United States?

For me, the consequences of Covid 19 have not been too bad. I'm more of a recording artist than a performing musician anyway. The musicians I use all have home studio setups and we email parts back and forth. It’s the perfect way of getting projects done during this pandemic and it really hasn't changed how I work. As a side note, I would advise all musicians to invest in a home recording set up It really will be your lifeline during the pandemic and after it.


 If there's anything you could be doing besides music, what would it be?

I'm already doing everything I love to do that's why I’m still doing it after all these years. I love it! Being a recording artist encompasses all my skills and talents. I write, record, produce engineer, mix, and master all of our music. Then I shoot all the photos, create all the artwork, edit all the videos handle all the marketing and promotions. As I said I'm already doing everything I love to do!

any last remarks?

I'd like to thank all of you who stream our music and watch our videos. Fan support and fan engagement is what it's all about


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlbkspkRoMw

Currie Wayne Clayton Jr FLYAH INTERVIEW






WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO CURRIE WAYNE CLAYTON JR READ THE INTERVIEW BELOW


 1. So tell us about your upbringing:  How did you get into making music?

     
 I am "Musician born, American Made"!  I was born in Burlington, NC and named after my musician father, Currie Wayne Clayton Sr. 
 I was always surrounded by music.  My musical career began as a drummer at the early age of 3.  Winning several musical contests in my earlier years, my love for guitar came at the age of 14.  My talents are 100% God given and I am totally self taught in all the instruments I play . . . guitar, drums, bass, fiddle, keys.  Singing, writing and producing have all come naturally to me as well.

2.  Touring the United States is a Major accomplishment.  Can you tell us about your first tour?
I moved to St. Louis from Delaware in the summer of 1993.  My GF at the time landed a job as lead vocalist for the lounge band '7th Heaven' so I packed my things and made my way to St. Louis.  I eventually met many of the bands that performed at one of the biggest night clubs in Sauget, Illinois - Pops Saloon!  It was notorious for bringing in top talented bands.  I was scouting for my next band to be a part of and join.  It so happened a great band called John Doe was looking for a guitar player and singer.  My GF and I both joined and started touring the Midwest and South East for about 3 years.

3.  So how did you meet the band Molly Hatchet?
My friend "Booger Man" was a tattoo artist and he was giving Molly Hatchet's bass player, Andy McKinney, a tattoo.  He told Andy about me and he said he wanted to meet me.  I had a Harley and borrowed one from my dear friend for Andy to ride. Andy and I went riding all day.  A week later I received a phone call from Bobby Ingram, lead guitar player and owner of  the band, for an audition at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC.

4.  I understand that you're the co-owner of Cabin Fever Studio Productions so tell us about your operation and how does it contribute to you being a musician?
Being a musician means that you have to have a great ear and you are usually on a shoestring budget.  LOL  So you learn how to record your own music such as a 4 track to a cassette to a 6 track to a zip drive and Roland VS2400 to Spectral aka computer recording which brings me to now . . .  We have a Hybrid Studio Analog To Digital!  I have been recording since 1987.  I always dreamed of owning and operating a Top Notch Studio and GOD has put me smack in the middle of one!  A to the Men!  So now I have the luxury of recording myself without rushing and putting things out there that I wished I would have fixed!  It's also great to have other musicians come in and record and be a part of making their songs and dreams come true!  I love being a producer and engineer as well as an artist/musician.

5.  I see that you are a multi-talented artist.  Does music run in the family for how did you acquire such gifts?
It is all GOD given talent.  I am self taught on all the instruments that I play.  It also runs in the family!  My father, Currie Wayne Clayton Sr., was a Guitar/Harmonica/Piano player and vocalist.  My mother, Betty H. Baron, was also a singer, mostly in the church chorus.  Both of my sisters, Joyce and Jill Clayton, are musically talented as well as many of my cousins!

6.  So tell us about your latest project and the creative process behind it.
I've been recording many of my songs that I never got around to recording.  Owning the studio, I have time to do it "my way, my time".  I record as it comes to me, listen and step back from it and give it a chance to breathe.  Then I will go back and change what I feel needs changing or rearranging.   I have also been working on the studio, putting new gear and pieces in place.

7.  So what do you have planned for the future?
With GOD'S hands in it, the sky's the limit!  I am hoping to be a big hitter and be a major part of  the music and recording industry as Producer/Engineer/Musician/Vocalist and to land several songs as #1 hits on the charts!  (Thus the name for our record label, Charted Records!)  

8. Any last remarks?
You have to believe it to receive it!

https://curriewayneclayton.com curriewayneclaytonjr.hearnow.com cabinfeverstudioproductions.com ChartedRecordsLLC@gmail.com https://www.youtube.com/c/CurrieWayneClaytonJr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curriewayne/ Instagram: www.curwayclay.com

ELECTRO-POP ARTIST, MONICA LIONHEART, RELEASES NEW UPBEAT ALBUM- FULL INTERVIEW



So Monica I understand you are originally from Puerto Rico, Do you remember much about home, and do you believe you have Caribbean influences in your music? 

Aside from my previous music being in Spanish and English, it generally did not delve too deeply into the Latin side. I think this track, and the record for that matter is a direct reference to reggaeton and the sounds we hear in the Caribbean. While I only spent my childhood in Puerto Rico, they were some of my happiest times and these are the sounds that echoed in my environment. 


Where do you find the inspiration for your retro Pop sound? 

The music I listen to incorporates warm analog synths and so generally I prefer more of a retro sound. 


So you graduated from two colleges, One of them being Berklee College of Music. I also went to school for recording. In my experience, it was great to get the additional knowledge, but when I arrived at school, I was already gifted in music. Was it a similar experience for you? 

I think while at Berklee what I really got out of that experience were the people that I met. They were instrumental in provoking inspiration and together we shared experiences that shaped me into who I am today. 


How did you develop the concept for these songs? 

I wanted to take an audio picture or to create a sonic representation of a memory. It is what happiness sounds like to me. This music is light and upbeat and reminds me of my childhood.  


Who produced the track? 

I produced, wrote, mixed, and mastered it. 


Will it be available worldwide? Yes


How would you describe the mood of this track? 

Upbeat, fun


Are you planning a tour in the close future? 

Depends on how the world is doing


Working with bands like Zigmat and Pacha Massive, what were some of the key things that brought you guys success?

I think creativity is the main thing that brought us together and a passion for sharing music with the world. 


So besides being the talented Monica Lionheart, what’s life like outside of music? 

Currently, I live in China and have enjoyed learning about Chinese culture, and traveling in Asia. I incorporated some traditional Chinese instruments such as the Pipa into the music, particularly in the track called "Sweet and Spicy" off the upcoming album Bodega Beat which will be released April 2, 2021. 


PRESS RELEASE 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ELECTRO-POP ARTIST, MONICA LIONHEART, RELEASES NEW UPBEAT ALBUM WHICH BLENDS REGGAETON AND TRAP

SINGLE: BAILA - OUT MARCH 26 FULL ALBUM: BODEGA BEAT - OUT APRIL 2

Recommended if You Like:

Bad Bunny, Black Eyed Peas, Shakira

Brooklyn-based electro-pop singer-songwriter, Monica Lionheart, will release her new album, Bodega Beat, on April 2, 2021. This album is the follow up to Lionheart’s successful Spanish/English album, Indian Summer, released on the Latin Alternative label, Nacional Records in 2012, which Pop Matters called “a compelling debut, one worthy of revisiting time and again.” As well as Monica’s 2nd solo record, Missed Connections. While her first album had a Latin alternative pop feel, listeners received something different with Missed Connections, which featured more upbeat, electronic-pop rock tracks. Produced by Steve Wall (Pearl and the Beard) with Dan Molad (of Lucius) and Ryan Alfred (of Calexico), Missed Connections featured hit singles like Run and Strangers, which Confront Magazine described as a "moody yet dreamy electronic-pop.”

After graduating from the Berklee College of Music and New York University on scholarships, Lionheart was the front woman for a number of successful bands before going solo. As the lead singer and principal songwriter of the explosive NYC electro- rock band, Zigmat, Lionheart was praised for her vocal agility by Billboard, who called her “the band’s secret weapon.” With Lionheart at the helm, Zigmat landed sync licensing deals, including a national commercial starring Gisele Bundchen. The band also toured much of Europe, garnering features on national Spanish radio as well as in Vanity Fair and Blender. Following Zigmat, Lionheart later joined Pacha Massive, a Latin alternative band, on Nacional Records who toured frequently, sharing the stage with artists like Morcheeba, Taio Cruz, Ozomatli, CafĂ© Tacvba, Los Amigos Invisibles among many others.

Being a solo artist since 2011, Lionheart continues to receive accolades for her music. Music videos for tracks from her Indian Summer album were added in to MTV and VH1 rotations and received features in Latina Magazine, Remezcla and Billboard Magazine. Bodega Beat is also getting rave reviews, including from Paste Magazine, who says the artist “brings a freshness to the electro-pop genre with her distinctive vocals that are both haunting and enchanting.” Be sure to check out Monica Lionheart’s new album, Bodedga Beat, out April 2, 2021 and her first single “Baila” out on March 26, 2021.

For More Information: https://instabio.cc/3030800JGPew

WWW.MONICALIONHEART.COM

STREAMING PRE-SAVE https://smarturl.it/s8kyi8