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18th March 2013
5Q: Sariah
Download: Kill The Lights (ONErpm) (iTunes)
In preparation for WMC 2013 (Winter Music Conference), this week’s 5Q is focused on one of NYC’s hottest underground dance vocalist, Sariah!
Winter Music Conference is a weeklong electronic music conference and festival, held every March in Miami. DJs, promoters and fans from around the world make the trip each year to see EDM’s biggest and emerging talent.
We caught up with Sariah, who’s latest single “Kill The Lights,” is igniting dance floors and one of our “must see” artists for this year.
1) You recently released the new, infectious dance track, “Kill The Lights.” How would you say your sound has developed? Give us an insight into your writing process.
I love that word, “infectious!” Beginning with the writing process, I have grown so much as a singer, actress, friend, daughter, and lover that I really feel it all connects with my music. I really wanted a POWER house record. I wanted something that would make my audience feel alive, sexy, courageous, and unique! This track, “Kill The Lights” did that for me the second I began working on it with Marisol Credle and DJ Cova. My sound has developed into more than just a dance track and I want it to become an anthem heard around the world!
2) Many argue that in today’s music industry, it’s better to release fewer tracks more frequently. What are your thoughts on this? Also, I’m sure I speak for a great deal of your fans when asking if there are plans for a full album of tracks?
I really feel that it is important to constantly be working on the next. I love my producer, DJ Cova, because he always teaches me that it’s about your next song. Keep pushing forward and creating because that is how you grow and continue to find yourself as an artist. It is important to focus on each track you release and give it its journey for your fans, the crowd, the DJ’s and radio. But, I honestly feel there are no more rules! Artists should do what they want to and release however many songs they feel is great for them. I’ve been exploring into film and theater which is constantly inspiring me to write new music!
3) I’ve noticed you’ve been receiving quite a bit of press in Miami surrounding WMC (Winter Music Conference). Can you tell us a little about the festival and your previous experiences performing there?
I always have a wonderful time at WMC! My first year was the best because I met SO many DJ’s and producers from around the world. That’s why I love it so much. Then, each year I am able to catch up with them and meet more people they are connected to. I met Jellybean Benitez who produced many of Madonna’s early tracks, David Guetta and many more! This year should be a great time as well. I look forward to “Kill The Lights” being a part of the Promo Only record passed out this year, too!
4) Rumor has it, “Kill The Lights” will be debuted live at WMC. When and where can fans catch a live performance?
Your rumor is true :) I will be performing at The Palace on March 24th and a few others! Please check out my Facebook page for all of the events I will be performing at LIVE! www.Facebook.com/Sariah
5) Final question, is it really “All About Sex”? :)
Isn’t it?! :)
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12th March 2013
5Q: Emii
Download: Time To Move On + Freakier Freak (ONErpm) (iTunes)
For this week’s installment of our artist interview series 5Q, we sat down with LA’s sultry, dance-pop princess, Emii! From her collaboration with rap icon, Snoop Dogg, to her multi-million view music videos on YouTube, Emii is quickly rising up through the ranks to the top of the dance charts. As her latest single, “Time To Move On,” makes the rounds on MTV and major press outlets, expect big things in 2013 from Emii.
1) For anyone just discovering your music, how would you describe your overall sound?
An upbeat blend of soulful pop/dance!
2) Your new single, “Time To Move On” (released today), has been described as a “sugary-sweet, synthed-out pop tune.” What was the inspiration for this track? Take us through your approach to songwriting.
Sometimes we all need a little push to move on from the bad situations we get stuck in. I was inspired by my own past experiences as well as the experiences of close friends, so I had to get the message out through my music. Never settle for less than you deserve!
3) On your previous record, Snoop Dogg (aka Snoop Lion) made a cameo appearance in the song and music video for “Mr. Romeo.” What was it like working with such a legendary music icon?
Snoop was amazing to work with and he’s definitely one of the coolest cats in the music biz. I’m incredibly thankful for that experience and I look forward to future collaborations.
4) Your song “Time To Move On” just premiered on MTV. That’s got to be pretty exciting! How has this exposure impacted your music career?
I AM excited! It was incredible exposure for the new single and it’s definitely the best way to kick off the new release. I have a lot of great things in the works and I can’t wait to share them with everyone!
5) Last question, will you be touring any time in the near future and if so, where will fans be able to catch a glimpse of your live performance?
Absolutely! I am working on the details now, but NYC is looking like my first stop on the list. Check Emii.net for updates as my team will be posting events soon!
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17th September 2012
5Q: CULTTASTIC
Not every musician has the same story. It doesn’t always start with a Fender Stratocaster for Christmas; sometimes it starts on the mats. CULTTASTIC, originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, began her early life as an ice skater/gymnast and later turned to electronic music and started DJing for serious tours and release parties. Now she’s ready to reveal her debut original work.
DOWNLOAD: I’m the Night
Do you identify as more of a DJ or a songwriter? Did you really DJ for an M.I.A. party?
I identify as a producer/DJ. I compose my music, perform and record vocals, mix and master. I create and edit my music videos and images, although I’m always looking for visual collaborators. Yes, I totally DJed one of the official Universal Music CD release parties for M.I.A.’s album /\/\ /\ Y /\ in 2010.
There seems to be a resurgent goth-indie-pop scene now with Black Atlass, Charli XCX and Crystal Castles making a new album…is that an accurate genre for you? Can you give the genre some context?
I make space-goth cyber dance.
Goth as a part of any genre is an extremely grotesque aesthetic inclination. Its influences branch out from the high and late Middle Ages to elements of vaudeville to Gareth Pugh.
I never pay attention to what genres are trending as much as I pay attention to what I like. I think Crystal Castles is phenomenal and has always been a bit ahead of its time. Although, I feel that relevance in general is not as connected to time as everyone wants to believe, and I consciously try to avoid falling into that short-term memory glitch that pop culture imposes on anyone.
How did you make the move from Ukraine and how were you a serious figure skater/gymnast? What’s the Ukraine music scene like?
My family left Kiev when I was 1 or 2-years old. First we lived in Italy for a few months, and then we moved to Houston, Texas. I’ve only gone clubbing in Kiev once. This was maybe 3 years ago, and they played some really nice trance.
I competed as an international level rhythmic gymnast through high school. My mom is a figure skating coach, and I’ve been skating since I was three. I still skate, and I do a lot of elaborate spins and footwork, but I’ve always been deathly afraid to jump.
What have you been up to since you got the MTV Iggy coverage? When can we expect a full-length LP?
In June, I went on the “Extreme Positivity Experience” tour with Shock Diamond and Nu Depth. We live-streamed the performances in each city. I’ve also been working on my full-length album, which should be out by the end of this year. I’ve been living in Cambridge, MA studying to get my master’s degree in journalism because I wanted to explore the process through which the media to some extent shapes everyone’s beliefs. More importantly, the media tells people what to think about.
You suffered a back injury that affected your sense of touch. How do you feel these days and does it still affect your music?
I was doing really intense contortionist stretching and had a little accident. When I could barely move my hands, all I wanted to do was use them to play piano and produce music. This lasted for a few months, serving as a continual reminder that physical life is fragile and that not everything that is available today may be available tomorrow.
