INTERVIEW WITH… LOS ANGELES RAP ROCKER SMILEZ
INTERVIEW WITH… LOS ANGELES RAP ROCKER SMILEZ
| MEET SMILEZ |
SMILEZ is a rising Los Angeles rapper, musician, and producer who just dropped his debut album ‘Ur in My World’. His sound is a genre-blending mix of rock-edged hip-hop beats that he self-produces, incorporating samples. Now that he is quickly carving out a fanbase with tracks like ‘Someday’. Which samples a part of the early Aughts band The Strokes song of the same name. Then ‘Coffee Queen’, a gen z take on finding your one and only. The artist known for his vibrant sunny yellow-hued persona (all puns intended), as much as his deadpan rap delivery, answered some questions for The Reclusive Blogger, which you can read below. SMILEZ talks about his influences, debut record, and how SMILEZ acquired his name.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Thanks for taking some time out for a few questions. So, how has your 2023 been both professionally and personally, if you mind me asking?
SMILEZ: It’s been amazing, I’ve been really locked in on my craft this year. If I’m not in the studio I’m making music videos all the time. Right now I’m in Tokyo, so I’m on a high so I can’t complain about this year at all.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let's talk about how you got into the music scene, where the music persona SMILEZ came from, and how it all fits into where you are today?
SMILEZ: I’ve been making music for years since I was a little kid really. I’ve always loved punk rock and hip-hop. When I started going by SMILEZ it was just this lighthearted like fuck it why not go by some ridiculous name Its memorable which is what I liked. The name just fits the color aesthetic which Is kind of a color theme to my music videos etc. Yellow and bright colors musically I’m always on those 2 lines of punk rock and hip hop.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What was the recording and writing process like for the album ‘Ur in My World’? Was it any different that any of your past experiences creating music?
SMILEZ: It was mainly different because I was making it with the whole project in mind. Most of my older music was just kind of random songs I had made. I made this whole album at home. Recording vocals and guitars myself and producing the whole thing. I love working with people but I wanted this to be very personal so I just was like fuck it ill do it myself. I wanted it to be a transparent look at my life.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: One of my favorite tracks off the record and the catchiest as well is “Someday”. I loved how you incorporated The Strokes sample. Can you talk more about how that came together? Is the blending of rock and hip-hop something that you did for this album or is that just innate in your music?
SMILEZ: Both, it kind of happens naturally but I love that idea of mixing rock and hip-hop in a new cool way. Blending both elements of the production and songwriting. The idea of what would the strokes or Nirvana sound like if they started today always interests me.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What was it like opening up for such hip-hop and rap names like Wiz Khalifa and the passed-on JuiceWRLD?
SMILEZ: They were both insane experiences. I love performing so its just a pure rush for me. To be around Iconic artists like that was just inspiring.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What was the last album you played that had no skips?
SMILEZ: Lil Uzi Vert Pink Tape would be the closest thing to no skips but I probably would skip the track with Travis Scott.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What fictional character do you think would most identify with the SMILEZ sound and aesthetic?
SMILEZ: Pikachu, for the color theme, and Batman because that’s who I aspire to be
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Who are three artists from any type of artistic world, it doesn't have to be music, that influence you the most as a creative?
SMILEZ: Since we just mentioned Batman, Christopher Nolan as a director is inspiring for sure.
-I’m in Tokyo right now I’m definitely very inspired by the art and culture here.
-Anything that is cool and interesting to me
HEAR THIS NOW: THE MUSIC SOUNDCHECK EDITION 12
THIS IS EDITION 12 OF THE 'HEAR THIS NOW' THE MUSIC SOUNDCHECK AT TRB
Paramore is back, Arctic Monkeys dropped another brilliant song from their forthcoming album, ‘The Car’, and Sam Smith and Kim Petras team up. All these tracks and more lead edition 12 of my ‘Hear This Now’ roundup where we’ve got a bit of everything for everyone. From lilting soft melodic indie-pop to 60s-inspired Alt-Pop, then bombastic hip-hop numbers, and "Unholy” mainstream pop collabs. This is The Music Soundcheck edition 12.
You can listen to all the music mentioned here and much more in this playlist here, The Reclusive Blogger's Mixtape Melodies..
Paramore - “This Is Why”
After a four year break since After Laughter and Hayley’s “Simmering” solo work (see what I did there). Paramore are back with a new insanely groovy new song and sound taking bits and pieces of influences from everywhere. 60s beat, 70 soul/funk, The Beatles, 90 Indie, and British naughties bands like Bloc Party. A band which Hayley has been quoted as saying was big influence for this new album and era.
Click the link to see ‘This Is Why’ we love Paramore and their groovy new tune!
Antonio Sanchez (feat. Trent Reznor + Atticus Ross ) -“I Think We’re Past That Now”
The newly released music video features otherworldly animation from the Mexican animation company Animatitlan. It’s the perfect accompaniment to what is such a hard hitting track and collaboration between the trio.
Stream Antonio’s epic collab with Trent & Atticus at the link
Freddie Gibbs -“Dark Hearted”
Another banger from Freddie Gibbs this time featuring beautifully laid out minimalist production from James Blake. It’s all set against a darkly surrealist animated music video.
Explore the offbeat surrealism of ‘Dark Hearted’ by pressing play on the link here
Paige Bea - "4x4"
This track from the London Songwriter and producer is the second offering from her upcoming EP, ‘Goodbye, Then!'. Paige takes us on a euphoric journey of a new relationship (and the obsession that can happen) via the haunting mix of avant-garde electronic pop.
To feel all the feels of a new love, stream 4x4 by listening here
Tommy Newport (Feat. Jazz Cartier) - “Jackpot"
Manchester’s Indie cool kid Tommy Newport teams up with Toronto rapper and Juno Award winner Jazz Cartier on “Jackport”. The duo create what is the ultimate vibe on this groovy, soulful yet gritty track.
To stream ‘Jackpot’ press play here
THE DRIVES - “Not That Bad”
This garage rock foursome weigh out the aftermath of relationship that never really got started with a punk realness flickering through their pop melodies.
To listen to “Not That Bad” go here
ARCTIC MONKEYS - “BODY PAINT”
The second offering from the bands’ forthcoming album “The Car”. The song oozes 60s influences like the use of orchestral elements and layered melodies and harmonies a la The Beatles. Those nods to past give the track a certain air of nostalgia all while firmly planted in the roots of todays Alternative Rock sound. Plus frontman Alex Turner vocals have never sounded this strong.
To see if there’s still a trace of “Body Paint” go here
JONAH YANO - "leslianne"
If there was ever a song that could be called short and sweet (it’s under 2 minutes). This is the perfect song. The track which is the second helping from Yano’s forthcoming sophomore album ‘Portrait of a Dog’ finds the artist gracefully musing over a girl finding her way home. Along the way Yano fuses his voice with his piano work and it’s exquisite.
Find your way home to “leslianne” here
Pre-order ‘Portrait of a Dog’ here
SAM SMITH + Kim PETRAS - “UNHOLY”
Pop balladeer Sam Smith does a complete 360 and changes up his sound in his new collab with eclectic pop singer Kim Petras. In the racy music video for the new track, appearances aren’t always as they seem and things quickly get… well “Unholy”.
Get “Unholy” with Sam and Kim here
THE BAD PLUS - “SELF-TITLED”
Then there’s the visionary Jazz group The Bad Plus. A group redefining the sonics of Jazz through their unique skill set and pedigrees. On the bands’ latest release and first as a quartet the redefine what Jazz can be through dynamic musical language, refreshing soundscapes, and ultimately the drive and passion to go beyond what Jazz is, but to what it can be.
Stream their self-titled album here
MEET ME @ THE ALTAR - “SAY IT (TO MY FACE)”
The WOC pop-punk trio returns with the first offering from the bands’ forthcoming debut album. A spunky diss track to all the haters from the group who has come to have a love/hate relationship with the internet these days. From the gang vocals in the chorus, fast riffs, loud guitars, hard hitting drums, and huge hooks. These girls are ready for the limelight and representation in pop-punk is sorely needed.
PRECIOUS PEPALA - “LOOKING FOR TROUBLE”
Rising English act Precious Pepala is already making waves with her impressive voice and storytelling. At only 17 her latest single “Looking For Trouble” tackles a tale as old as time, but with a refreshing honesty, Millennial/Gen Z relatability, and a soulful pop vocal delivery beyond her years. Precious is certainly one to watch.
Madison Cunningham - “Revealer”
Revealer is the new album by artist, singer, and songwriter Madison Cunningham. While her sound may feel familiar with its heavy notes of nostalgia plucked throughout. Her vocals, lyrical delivery and choice in words and wordplay is all fresh, she’s throws in her many influences from Jazz, Pop, and even Alternative Rock. Her Folk-Americana sound is uniquely her as she often touches upon the anxieties of her generation, the hopes, the fears, the highs and lows. Which is what I asked her about when I got the chance during a small presser last month. What has been the most rewarding experience for her so far? Despite Grammy noms, doing a NPR Tiny Desk Concert, and performing on late night shows. Cunningham said opening up for Harry Styles was it. She was in awe of how gracious his fans were even taking the time to learn her songs. Although, I have a feeling some were already fans.
To stream “Revealer” go here
Duncan Lawrence - “Electric Life”
While the “Arcade” singer new single subject matter is quite heavy. It’s song about loved ones who have passed on and the transformation of deep sorrow to hope about it. Duncan masks the sorrowful nature of the song in dynamic, warm, 70s inspired sonics. The artist creating what is ultimately a bombastic tune.
You watch the music video which he directed himself here.
Buzzy electro-pop band VALLEY have an infectious and optimistic pop anthem out titled “The Problem Song”. Non-binary Bedroom Pop artist Khai Dreams returns with a new track and animated music video for their vibe heavy track “Bugs”. Queer singer-songwriter Darren Hayes (who you might recognize from the 90s band Savage Garden) makes statement in the power of vulnerability laying reclamation to the word “Homosexual” by naming his new album that title. Vancouver artist EKKSTACY drops his new album “Misery”, an album that explores Alternative music and dark side of it and life. You can also watch the music video for his latest single “I’m So Happy” here. For fans of the pop vocal or the group Pentatonix you can check out Scott Hoying’s debut track “Mars” here.
Lastly, there’s new music out from pop artists like North London’s Natalie Shay, Salt Lake City’s Addison Grace, and Canada’s Rêve. The last three all have a penchant for great storytelling that under pin either catchy beats, great pop hooks or euphoric melodies.
INTERVIEW WITH... Brit Alt-Pop Singer-Songwriter Liz Cass
Brit Alt-Pop Singer-Songwriter Liz Cass' smoky haunted timbre and emotionally raw lyrics harken comparisons to Kate Bush and Lisa Stansfield here and there. Cass uses emotion to not only effectively elevate her eclectic electric pop sounds but to punctuate the story. It instantly grabs you. A key element in her sound that’s featured on her new song, 'Near Miss', a tale of trying to figure out where you stand in love and relationships. Since both are pop-centric storyteller tracks and are on her forthcoming debut album, The Words, out on October 21st. In a new interview with Liz for TRB. Liz spoke about her childhood, her new music, and much more.
Brit Alt-Pop Singer Liz Cass
Brit Alt-Pop Singer-Songwriter Liz Cass' smoky haunted timbre and emotionally raw lyrics harken comparisons to Kate Bush and Lisa Stansfield here and there. Cass uses emotion to not only effectively elevate her eclectic electric pop sounds but to punctuate the story. It instantly grabs you. A key element in her sound that’s featured on her new song, 'Near Miss', a tale of trying to figure out where you stand with love and relationships. Since both are pop-centric storyteller tracks and are on her forthcoming debut album, The Words, out on October 21st. In a new interview with Liz for TRB. Liz spoke about her childhood, her new music, and much more.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hi, Liz! How has your year been so far? Thanks for taking the time to speak with me at TRB.
LIZ CASS: Thanks for having me :)
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How did you each get your start in the music industry? Was it something that you felt a calling to?
LIZ CASS: I started singing when I was really young as I was a choral scholar. But I really got into other genres of music as a teenager and had a real urge to move to the big city and try and make it as a singer. I didn’t really care about anything else and ended up ditching my A-levels and hot-footing it to London. I was introduced to some amazing people and started writing songs with Fraser T Smith and met one of the heads of Warner Music who came to see me sing at a big concert in Leicester Square. But ultimately I wasn’t really ready for it all and had no idea what kind of artist I was. So I guess I blew it back then!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Going back to your childhood a bit, did you grow up in a musical family? Was there a band or artist that in particular felt like home for you?
LIZ CASS: My parents weren’t musicians but Dad had a great vinyl collection and got me really interested in all the great artists and bands from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Artists like Kate Bush, Sade, and Fleetwood Mac definitely have an influence on me and my music. The 80s is my decade. I love great baselines and synths are my heaven.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Moving ahead… Can we talk about what your typical creative and writing process is like and how has that evolved for you as you’ve developed as an artist?
LIZ CASS: I wrote this album with Ed Graves who has an amazing studio in Bath called Rainbow Wood. Before we started working together I still didn’t have much confidence as a songwriter as I’d taken a long time out of the industry and I was really just experimenting with him and had no expectations of where it was going. But we just clicked and the music flowed. Being in that beautiful studio, the outside world melted away and as he started playing chords on the synths or strumming on the guitar the melodies and lyrics just started flowing out of me so quickly and easily. We’re so in sync. By the time he’s got a structure together for the song, I generally have all the lyrics and melody ready and we lay it all down. I’ve never had such an easy writing process with anyone before.
I’ve really figured out who I am as an artist through 3 years of writing sessions with Ed. I have stories to tell and I know how I want to deliver them. Now when I go to the studio I have the confidence I never had when I was younger and I know how to translate my thoughts and ideas into songs that represent me and the kind of music I love. It’s been a long road to get here but now I feel happy to keep experimenting and evolving. Got there in the end!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let’s discuss your latest single “Near Miss”, how did that song come together? What’s the backstory on it and how was the creative process?
LIZ CASS: It was inspired by a romantic situation I was struggling with. Being caught up in that no man’s land where someone is hot and cold and not ready to commit, so you don’t know where you stand. I was feeling quite low and confused and writing is like therapy for me, so I headed down to Rainbow Wood. I think we wrote that in about 6 hours from start to finish! I was feeling quite punchy through my frustration and wanted killer beats and baseline to get it all off my chest. It was definitely the start of a new direction for my music after a lot of wallowing during Covid. I just want to make more upbeat fun pop music for a while now.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: If you were to describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard it in only three words. What words would you choose?
LIZ CASS: Emotive synth pop!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Lastly, what is up next for you on the horizon, Liz?
LIZ CASS: My album is coming out on 21st October which is exciting. It’ll be strange to send it out into the world after three years of writing it but I’m so ready. I’ve got a live show in London on 10th September at Laylow and I’m planning more gigs this autumn around the album release. I have a covers EP ready to be mixed of some of my all time favourite songs which I hope to release early next year. And then I guess I need to crack on and finish the next album! Stay tuned :)
Stream Liz Cass's new single “Near Miss” which is out now.
MYYLO // “CYBORG” - SINGLE REVIEW
Myylo, the Nashville based emerging pop singer-songwriter dropped his new single 'Cyborg' today. The uber catchy song mixes the singers penchant for idiosyncratic lyricism, catchy hooks, unique melodies and his notable falsetto. The song evokes the spirit screw ups in love and heartbreak oh so well leaning into the singers whimsical vibe, where he often draws inspiration from not only classic 70s singer-songwriters like Carole King to pop artists of today such as Kim Petras and Rex Orange County. The Twilight Zone intro to the song says it all and truly introduces you to Myylo as an artist.
"One thing I'm proud of with this song is that it manages to address something heavy while sounding joyful. I'm literally wishing I could talk to God to figure out why I F'd things up with my ex. Its like, yeah, my personal life may be a dumpster fire right now, but we're still gonna dance about it and laugh through the tears." - Myylo
Listen to Myylo ‘Cyborg’ -https://open.spotify.com/track/29zBLebxWlO4CBuZp59ZJZ?si=ldKUSnfqR7aHmx32uTqQ4gMyylo Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myylomusic/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/myylomusicFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyyloMusic/
