MusicVita Interview with Big Jet Plane

“Jack Johnson meets the Jonas Brothers. Single Cherry Tree whisks you away with its sweeping melodies and lullaby choruses.”
MusicVita.com

Big Jet Plane came together after an amalgamation of past projects, where their paths initially didn’t cross.

Upon meeting each other, True Arahill and Chris Vuoncino knew they were onto something great and they set out to make their mark on music around the world.

Hailing from North Jersey, the two quickly wrote and released three online singles including "Cherry Tree" and "Wonder Why", which will be included on their debut EP set for an early 2012 release.

In under a year the duo have quickly been recognized for their soft folk pop. Their sound combines True's smooth vocal delivery and intricate guitar work with Chris’s bass and production work.  

With large goals for the future Big Jet Plane are bound to take the UK and US music markets by storm.

We got a chance to interview these dudes;

How did you guys meet?

Chris: It's funny how we met because about a year before we actually met, we were in the same band for about a month but never got together. True left the band and a year later we needed a singer and I convinced my friend to give him a call again since everyone told me how talented he was.  That project then became just us two and finally evolved into what is now Big Jet Plane.

Whats the best album you've ever heard and why?

True: The best album I've ever heard is probably Heavier Things by John Mayer. I wouldn't normally use any of my modern influences but that record has the most amazing production and songwriting on it, I've ever heard. It applies to my style and what I like to hear.

Chris: The best album I ever heard is the second album by Brand New, Deja Entendu.  After I first saw the band live in 2006, I began to really digest every element of this record and it blew my mind how a pop punk band was able to grow so much on their second record.  The musical and especially lyrical jumps on top the emotion and the brilliance in the words continue to resonate so powerfully with me to this day.  It was also the album I used to first really craft my initial guitar playing and writing style.

Where did the name "Big Jet Plane" come from? Whats the meaning behind it?

Chris: There is no deep meaning behind the name.  We probably went through at least 5 other names before we came to Big Jet Plane.  All we did was start going through lyrics of great bands, we got to "Going to California" by Led Zeppelin and that was it.

True: It applies to my aspirations and how much I want to achieve with this band.

Your track "Cherry Tree" is stunning, whats the story behind it?

The story behind Cherry Tree is of a romance that was once present but was diminished by distance and separation and how the narrator cannot cope with the situation any longer. He breaks away from everyone and heads out west for the Spring to clear his head.

A good relationship in a duo is important to success, what are some of your idols and inspirations to your band?

True: Some of our inspirations would be John Mayer, Dallas Green, Iron and Wine, Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, The Spill Canvas, Colbie Caillait, Tom Petty, Augustana and there are just so many more that I appreciate and am influenced by every day.

Chris: This is an interesting question because we don't really view ourselves as a duo in the normal sense of the word. We want to be recognized for our music abilities as well as for our song writing but we both have wide tastes in music so it's tough to clarify that with specific names.  But I definitely agree with True's list and we often play those artists while writing to inspire ideas and listen to production techniques.

When is your EP set for release?

Chris: Right now we have one more song to demo and perfect, a few more lyrics to finish and most importantly need to decide where we will be recording the EP.  If all goes to plan it should be out by February 2012.

Finally, would you classify yourselves as music freaks? And if so, why?

True: I'm not a music freak, I just appreciate the endless possibilities of music and how it can alter your mood in seconds. Music is a very special part of this world.

Chris: I definitely am a music freak.  I have two ipods and nearly 33,000 songs.  I listen all kinds of music and at this stage basically define my life through it.  Freak is almost an understatement between my actually writing and playing, the amount of music I listen to as well as the many concerts I attend.  Music is my entire life.

Cherry Tree is out now on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cherry-tree-single/id431301864
And Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cherry-Tree-Single/dp/B004VR4OHI

For more music and further information check:
www.myspace.com/bigjetplane
www.facebook.com/bigjetplanemusic
http://twitter.com/#!/bigjetplanerock


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MusicVita Interview; Kate McGill

Replaced is the lead single from singer-songwriter Kate McGill’s debut album, also named Replaced, set to be released on November 21st  2011.

Drawing inspiration from artists such as Ellie Goulding and Bon Iver, Replaced’s ambient blend of acoustic guitars and synths highlights the frailty of Kate’s vocal. Explaining the meaning behind the song, Kate says, “On the day it was written, a friend had told me about something my ex-boyfriend had said about me, and I remember being completely bewildered by it as it sounded nothing like him.”

This realisation led to Kate creating a song that will reach the hearts of anyone who has seen someone change for the worse.

Kate is a worldwide success on Youtube: she has over 132,000 subscribers to her channel, and has received over 23,000,000 views – all since November 2007. In addition to this, the single Replaced has recently received airplay on Radio 2, with Janice Long airing it on her midweek show, as well recently been added to Q radio playlist.

In an unusual move, hard-copies of a 7 track CD titled Replaced will be available exclusively from Caffè Nero stores across the country. The CD is accompanied by a book which gives listeners insight into Kate’s emergence onto the scene and her rise in popularity. The release of the CD will be accompanied by Café Nero tour , which includes: 34 stores between the 26th September and 20th October and promises to be an intimate affair for her fans. The album will also be available digitally via iTunes.

Kate I went into Caffe Nero and saw your Album on the counter as I went to get a cafe latte! Awesome marketing eh? How'd you get started in music?

Amazing marketing... I am very very lucky. I started uploading really awful covers to YouTube in late 2007 as a hobby! Was really awful at singing and playing the guitar really, but somehow people seemed to like it. I uploaded more and more videos, including original songs and now here I am. With 142,000 subscribers on YouTube. Mental.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Carmarthen in Wales, but moved to Plymouth when I was very little. Grew up in Plymouth with all the fam!

You are a youtube viral sensation, when did the hits really start to sky rocket?

It was really really gradual actually. It wasn't a particular video that suddenly got loads of hits, it was all very slow and steady. Took me ages to get to like, 100 subscribers and I was completely over the moon!

We've always had times when Ex's confuse us, upset us etc, but in your case, your ex boyfriends did something that eventually inspired you to write a lot of your music. Whats the story behind that?

Basically he was a dick. Ha... and that isn't just me being a crazy ex-girlfriend. I've had many years now to review my young and naive state in that situation and I still come to the same conclusion. Ha, SO! Many many songs have been written through the upset. But every cloud has a silver lining and all that jazz! I'm sure he's lovely now!?

Whats your favourite cereal? I'm addicted to Coco Pops after 8 years of depriving myself and I've dived back in....I think I may need to see someone about that...

I actually hate cereal so this is awkward.

Whats your album of the year so far of 2011?

Benjamin Francis Leftwich's album Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm or James Vincent McMorrow's album Early In The Morning... just so good.

Tell me a little bit about Replaced, your upcoming record.

It's a culmination of all of my favourite songs that I've written in the last 4 years. Every one on the record holds something deep for me. Really deep. They're like my babies but I'm very excited that people can actually hear them now after such a long time!

Lastly would you consider yourself a music freak and if so, why?

A music freak? I guess so. I'm meant to be resting at the moment but every 15 minutes I find myself getting up from whatever I'm doing and sitting in the bathroom with my guitar and singing my heart out. It's SO MUCH FUN.

For music, live dates and further info, please check:
www.facebook.com/katemcgillmusic
www.youtube.com/user/katemcgillmusic

Replaced by Kate McGill is released on the 21st November 2011 via 1ClickMusic.

 


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All The Young - MusicVita Interview

It’s rather superficial of me to harp on about the subsidiary significance of the band’s visual allure, but boy did this foursome, fully clad in nought but black (shades n’ all), look blimmin’ sharp! It was like meeting with a couple of governmental ‘special men’ – gentlemen I express full regret if the look of Russian hit-men was not the principle ambition. However this suave, slick outfit indeed impressed me as I strolled in the pub adjacent to the WaterRats venue, King’s Cross.

Even before uttering a single word, there natural synthesis was tremendously palpable. Perhaps it was the amount of pre-drinks, pre-banter and peanuts that induced this unpretentious and merry milieu. Though I confess, I’ve never witnessed their live performances; I was somehow already inveigled by their nonchalance, unaffectedness and darn cool...

So I got on my merry way, swam straight past the prittle-prattle of social etiquettes and rocked out with the following:

So who are the f*** are you?!

(Plenty handshaking and initial laughs of course) Right, All The Young comprise of me [Ryan Dooley], my brother, the bassist, [Jack Dooley], with Will Heaney here on drums and David Cartwright there strumming guitars. I believe that’s about it.

And how did you all meet and formalise the quartet?

Back home in the sunny Stoke-on-Trent. Obviously Jack and I are brothers so we were bound to meet some time. David, was around as we grew up. At the time there was a whole hoard of budding talents, scribbling away, chasing their dreams. However, amidst the gigging, performing and subsequent parties; it was literary us who were the last men standing. Oh and Will, well we just nicked him from the band next door... Literally.

Stoke-On-Trent doesn’t seem to be the cultural, indeed musical, nucleus conducive for a band of your calibre and aspirations to develop within. Would you agree?

Truthfully, yes it was hard to crack the scene here in Stoke. Properly hard. And we are only here today because of the culmination of years of individual thought and pursuit before we aligned. But when we came together, it finally felt like this was more plausible and possible. We were all contributing to one another’s styles and it just simply felt right, irrespective of surroundings, the look’s we’d get for the way we dressed or for the banter we’d receive from the locals town chavs!

And what was it like trying to be accepted by the home throng? Was it all mixed receptivity?

Yeah again it can difficult. Our sound isn’t exactly mainstream, and Stoke pretty much only bows to the mainstream. So initially it was tricky. However, going back now, we are properly recognised and acknowledged. We just sold out our last gig there; and ah mate, that was an incredible achievement for us. We were all in such high spirits when we came off our sell-out. The feeling you get when you know that all these people are coming here just to hear what you love doing is beyond words.

So which artists were you most inspired by whilst writing and producing your own material?

We are all huge fans of the 80’s and 90’s Brit-Pop sound. I think that’s most reminiscent within our own work. I’m [Will] a massive fan of The Clash. But of course, we were all hugely influenced by The Smiths, The Cure and The Stone Roses akin. But if we had to watch any of them live, it would most definitely have to be The Clash. They are just quality.

What do you think of the deluge of such institutions like the X Factor, Pop Idol and so forth? Do you believe the Music Industry is becoming rather ‘cabin-cribbed’ as a consequence of them?

(After a elongated pause) Hmmm. Well if you ask me [Jack], I’m not a fan. Yeah I appreciate what they are trying to do for hopeful musicians; however you can’t just help feeling it’s all for a wider, more powerful entity – Simon Cowell and crew wanting to fill and gap in the market. And once filled, objective completed, roll on next year. That side of things doesn’t sound cool to me.

The musicians and artists unearthed from these conduits are said to be less creative and almost puppet-like?  Would you agree?

Yeah completely. When you don’t really have a narrative, no story behind you or a shared history then how can you be truly accessible, let alone timeless? Yes it’s undeniable that many who have been hovered up that channel are extremely talented; but I would say when your told what do, what to sing, what to wear, it’s kind of shitty, glorified karaoke!

I hear you’ve only just come back from Canada, after some time recording your latest instalment. What was that like gentlemen? Make any friends?

Ah we absolutely loved it! We were properly looked after out there. There was like a whole area which was specifically built for musicians to record and produce so felt right at home. Yeah, we’d love to go back, as we had so many top nights out there too! We were singing with a tramp at three in the morning, so yeah, we made friends!

And finally what it is you guys want people to reflect of when they hear your name?

Fresh. Uncompromising. Our music should provide you with a little escapism. Any good music is there to be slammed on and rode on the tidal wave of it.

All The Young are set to ablaze the indie rock'n'roll sound. The answer to their victories and sell-out gigs seem to reside in the unremitting dedication to melodic and sentimental sounds. They have most certainly earned their strut and the self-belief fortifies this proficiency. These charming fellas were truly a pleasure to talk with and their natural zeal was infectious. I walked away feeling rather upbeat and perhaps even a little smug. Somehow I get the feeling I snuck an interview just before they exhaust from the humdrum and frolics of questionings... Good luck gentlemen.

Avneesh Arora – Online Editor


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MusicVita interview with The Fallen Drakes


The Fallen Drakes are a four piece indie/rock/pop band from Dublin, Ireland. The band consists of Brian McGovern (lead vox/guitar), Nabil Ali (drums/vox), Hyder Ali (bass) and Michal Bartolen (Mickey on lead guitar and vox). Last week the lads released their new EP, “Death of an Actress” and boy are we glad they did!

The EP opens with the song, “Masquerade”, which starts off with the sound of the electric guitar softly being plucked, quickly followed by vocals, the beat of the drums building up momentum, joined with the rest of the instruments for a more fast and upbeat chorus. The lyrics (which are a reoccurring theme throughout their four songs) touch on love or relationships, which everyone on some level can relate to. The words “she wants to lay me on the firing line” and “I convinced myself I’d never go”, makes you think of an explosive ending. The whole song makes you think of two people stuck in a rut, one wants out the other wants in letting go, forgiving, hiding secrets, walking away. Sounds morbid and a bit heavy, but it’s not, it’s rather poetic and in a strange way uplifting.

“Don’t Cry” opens with a strong and fast rhythm and then slowing down for the pre-chorus repeating the name of the song, “Don’t Cry” over and over again. They pick up speed for the chorus, you get to hear two very different style vocalists harmonise in a different key. A soft alto accompanied by a tenor, giving a variety of pleasing sounds to the ears and with the echo of the backup vocals it brings a nice mix to the music. Their vocals are crisp and clear, you can hear the lyrics perfectly.

The third song on the EP, “Lights on” is a real get up and go song. It makes you want to get up dance like a mad thing and maybe smash a few plates at the same time (MusicVita does not encourage plate smashing). Once again the instrumental is strong upbeat and like the other songs it has a pop/rock feel to it. This song is catchy and it is their shortest song on their EP, but it’s not too short that you’re left feeling the piece of music is unfinished. It ends abruptly and leaves you satisfied.

The final song, “Love Again” the music sounds like a faster version (only for a few seconds at the start) of Alkaline Trio-“Radio.” They are two completely different bands with two completely different sounds, but the opening has that vibe. In this song you can hear an Irish accent that has a kind of an American twang to it. You probably don’t know what I’m talking about if you haven’t listened to it, but if you have you’ll know what I mean (hopefully), especially when the singer sings the word “floor.”

Their lyrics are thought out, and you can really tell these guys put an effort and a half into their music. All of the tracks on the EP may stick to the same topic of relationships, but that’s the only thing they have in common. They all have a different instrumental and vocal feel. Maybe you agree, maybe you disagree, that’s entirely up to you, after all YOU are the listener.

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

If you have already familiarised yourself with the review featured on our review page, and now wondering why you are reading this interview well, it's because I have found a new love. A new found love for The Fallen Drakes that is. After obsessively listening to their new EP “Death Of An Actress” I decided to chat to dummer and backing vocalist Nabil, to get to know more about the band.

So, can you tell our readers how you all met?

Well myself and Brian along with my twin brother Hyder were all travelling around America in 2009, Hyder and I met Brian randomly in some bar in Memphis. He was up on stage singing away at some open mic night and we became great friends immediately. We then decided to play music together once we had returned home from travelling.

Once back in Dublin we figured out we needed a lead guitar player and Mickey Mac had been playing in different bands in Dublin (since he moved to Ireland from Slovakia five years ago), and he was looking for a new band so everything just fell into place soon after

The Fallen Drakes great name for a band. How did you come up with the name?

During around Christmas time, when we first formed the band, that coca cola advert with the Santa slays and coca cola trucks was on TV. In the ad you here the chant, “the holidays are coming, the holidays are coming” and our guitar player Mickey thought they we're saying, “the fallen drakes are coming, the fallen drakes are coming”, so it stuck with us from there.

How do you brainstorm your songs, how do you go about writing them?

Basically one of us might come up with a riff, melody or idea and then we all try add to it and use all four of our inputs into the song. Sometimes it comes together quick, but sometimes it takes a lot longer with slaps around the face before we are happy, but we get there eventually.

Any musical influences?

We all have such diverse tastes in music, but bands we look up to right now would be up and comers like Two Door Cinema Club, Temper Trap and more established bands like The Killers, The Script and Snow Patrol.

Any weird fans?

Our parents are a bit strange. Especially when they throw knickers up on stage.

That's parents for you. What advice would you give others starting up a band?

If you are really serious about making a career in music, then it will take a lot of hard work. It's not just about playing gigs, nowadays you have to take into account how much exposure you can generate online. Being able to market yourself correctly and being different to make your band stand out, to build a solid name for yourself. This coupled with the ability to write great songs and play a solid live show is a winning combo! We are all willing to put 110% into the band and if you set your goals and stick to them you will see the results.

What's the best and worst gig you’ve played?

Well, any time you go to play a gig in a new area you have never been, it can be hard and disheartening. If not many people turn up and not many people know your name, but this is natural and happens to every band starting out. That's why you keep going back until you have built up a name, then it's great to see the progress in fans the next time around! So they would be the worst gigs rather than any one specific gig.

The best gig to date has to be our recent début EP launch we played in The Twisted Pepper, Dublin. We had the venue completely packed out and the crowd just went nuts. The whole night was crazy signing autographs and having our pictures taken, it was an overwhelming feeling and reminded us that our hard work does indeed pay off.

What venue would be your dream venue to play at?

Well being fans of the UFC, ( Ultimate Fighting Championship ) we travelled to an event in the M.E.N arena in Manchester last year, the place was just crazy. We loved Manchester,and we said right there and then, it would be a dream to play somewhere of that style of calibre........we are allowed to dream!

Any upcoming shows?

We are up and down Ireland for the next two months, trying to hit a lot of new areas with our début EP “Death of an Actress.” We are also playing a few showcase gigs in London on April 7th in The Hope and Anchor, Islington, April 8th in Native Tongue and April 9th in the Spice Of Life, Soho. We are really looking forward to the shows, London is such a great city!

http://www.facebook.com/thefallendrakes

- Jessica Riley

 


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MusicVita interview with John Themis



A musician, one of the world’s top guitarists and passionate songwriter, John Themis has had Top Ten and Number one success performing, producing, arranging and writing for artists from Cat Stevens, Kylie Minogue, Elton John, Craig David, Lemar, George Michael, Rod Stewart, Gabrielle, Will Young, The Spice Girls, Dido, Boyzone to Tori Amos, Cher, Bryan Ferry, Dolly Parton and Malcolm McClaren. He has had number one successes including Emma Bunton’s “What Took You So Long” (the most played record in Europe and the UK for the first half of 2001 (Music Week/Phono).

At the moment he is at Number one in the Irish album charts with an album he produced and wrote songs on called “The Two Of Us” by an artist called Christie Hennessy . This album includes great Irish legends such as Christie Moore, Mary Black, Paul Brady, Maire Brennan of Clannadd and more. He wrote with Kylie her top 10 “Please Stay”. He also wrote 3 of the tracks on the Sugababes album “One Touch” and wrote Javine’s winning entry for Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 “Touch My Fire”. Charlotte Church’s latest hit single “Even God” was penned by Themis.

As part of his musical career he became Musical Director and producer for Boy George+Culture Club. He is one of the UK’s most highly respected writers, guitarists, arrangers, producers and performers.

John’s other projects include playing guitar for Stevie Wonder’s collaboration with Blue entitled “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” and playing guitar and other instruments on Dido’s “No Angel”. He was a featured soloist for Chris de Burgh’s 60 piece orchestra, and arranged strings and conducted the orchestra for Victoria Secrets’ fashion productions with Mary J. Blige and Andrea Boccelli. He wrote the music for Christian Dior’s TV advert for the perfume “Addict” and featured as a soloist on films such as “The Saint”, “Othello” and Michael Kamen’s “Don Juan de Marco”. John wrote the BBC’s Olympic Theme Tune 2004. He has also had success writing for theatre co-writing songs with Boy George for “Taboo”.

John is highly respected for his technical musicianship; Students at the Berkley School of Music, the Guildhall and the Royal Academy of Music and Leeds College of Music have studied John’s compositions as part of their curricula.

How did you get into music?

When I was 8 I used to secretly take out my brother's guitar from it's case and muck about with it until he caught me and instead of telling me off he gave me my first lesson!

What do you believe is the best piece of music composed?

What is the best meal ever cooked?
What is the best painting ever painted?
What is the best film ever made?....

If you were to compose for films, what advice would you give up and coming composers?

Make sure your score represents the true emotion of the film or scene that you are trying to portray and don't show off.

You've worked with a great deal of world famous artists, who would you have loved to work with if given the opportunity?

Steven Fry. He is a genius. Yes I know he is not a musician. I have to work with artists however, and most of them are generally a pain in the bum. What would I do for Steven Fry?? Hmmm.. I don't know maybe just make the tea so we could have some interesting chats! Joking aside, most of the people I work with are not really genuinely inspiring except for a few, they know who they are. I'm not impressed easily however, if he were alive, Zawinul of weather report.

What's your opinion on the current state of the music industry?

It's gone to the dogs. Music has become cheap, writers cant make a living, x factor has hijacked the industry and is churning out loads of mediocre karaoke singers. Have you ever questioned why they don't let you do any original songs? Because there is no way of measuring the demographics, whereas, they know how much of the population likes Motown, Queen, etc so they select the songs for the contestants to sing which appeal to a certain audience so that they can maximise profits by maximising viewership and charging more for ads. Nothing to do with music. it's a cancer that needs a serious dose of chemo.

What's your favourite instrument?

Human imagination.

Lastly, would you consider yourself a music freak?

Yes

...If so, why?

It's the reason why I was put on this planet and I would die without it.


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