Name: Monica

Birthplace: Martin, TN

Currently residing: Portland, OR

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Two decades obsessed with music (and going strong)….. I collaborate well with others, engineer, play shows, write songs, experiment, and work with a myriad of different bands, artists, and genres and I’m an exploratory multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, engineer, and music director who also teaches music and facilitates therapeutic music workshops for youth at risk and I recently released my first solo folktronica album under Moniker called, “The Cruelest Month“.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Moondog, Django Reinhardt, Alt J, Bjork, Radiohead, Little Dragon, Devendra Banhart, Sufjan Stevens, Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell, Grant Green, The Meters, Wye Oak, Chet Faker, iamamiwhoami, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack, 2Pac, Frank Ocean, Jeff Buckley, Coco Rosie.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Whatever pulls on my heartstrings…”Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley never fails to move.

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

A slow morning writing in my breakfast nook. Music. A jaunt to the dog park with my pup. Music. Good food. Music. Good conversation. Music. Campfire. Bed.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I’m a good listener and always down to process with friends about their trials and tribulations.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My Martin OM-15 acoustic guitar

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Bjork

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

On Sunset Beach in Koh Lipe, Thailand

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Collaborate, write, and record more music! I would also like to help others find their voice.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

Satisfied and passionate about my life.

Name: Emaximus

Birthplace: Oakland California

Currently residing: Susanville Ca

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Ive been listening to hip hop since I was 4 years old been writing lyrics since I was 10 ten years old hip hop dance and freestylling help mold me as a MC then started recording at 19 started music marketing with my OGs from the neighborhood then hooked up with Chandler Bolt and started recording more never looking Back moved to the North Bay and opened for E-40 Rappin 4-Tay , San Quinn kept recording then Moved further North and signed with VOD Recording spent allot of time slanging Burned CD’s to everywhere I go

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

The artist of the past that made me love music and gave the vision to MC NWA, Eric B&Rakim Michael Jackson, Parliament Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One Grandmaster Flash&The Furious Five, ICE-T, TOO Short,, EPMD Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Whodini, Tribe Called Quest,
The ARTIST THAT INSPIRE me and I still listen to this day 2Pac, Scarfasce Snoop Dogg , DPG, Eminem , Notorious B.I.G.
ICE Cube, 50 Cent, Del The Funkee Homesaipen E-40 Bad Influence , Out Kast , YukMouth(Luniz), Above The Law, Jay-z, Lil wAYNE, jUVINILE , Dr. Dre, Nas

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

2Pac Killuminatii Track “Hold Ya Head, Track from Strictly For My N.I.G.G.A.Z Title Track, Thug Life -“St8 Ballin”
Eminem The Eminem Show “Til I Collapse” “Lose Yourself
Jay-Z Blueprint “Never Change”
Notorious”Juicy” “Skys The Limit”
Scareface ” Mary” The Fix-“Someday”
Yukmouth”If I Ever Ball Again”

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

Wake up get liffted after morning sex Bump my favorite tunes get grub then hit the studio for hours lay down 3 tracks come home clean up and head to a show rip the show hit the afterparty for a little bit the head to the crib and watch FX Half Baked or Adult Swim

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

I genuinely want people to succeed and I can be a motivator during their struggle

5. What is your most valued material possession?

My Headphones&IPOD

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

I would be nervous to meet President Obama I guess. I see celebrities as special people with talent but are down right basic people. Their talent makes them unique but they can be talked to regular

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

Somewhere in LA at a studio

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

Travel business, Label Ownership, perform worldwide, Help Troubled Teens and kid with mental disorders

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

I still want to be relevant writing recording and performing all over. I also plan on owning several companies in the Travel & Entertainment industries Fashion and Media. Also, I will focus on building a legacy and empire while giving back to my community and society as a whole

Name: David Gregory

Birthplace: San Antonio, TX

Currently residing: Dallas, TX

Musical past and present in one rambling run-on sentence: Well… I think it started for me in the Hill Country outside of San Antonio where me and my friends used to go see artists and bands as they would tour through the state in a really intimate setting (we were broke and young… so this was sporadic) which is where that desire to connect with people was planted for me, and looking back on my time with my first band (49 Anonymous) or my next endeavor (The Vinyl Affair) I can still say that regardless of the incredible exposure and experience I got playing with other talented musicians and friends, that in the decade or so since those shows in the Hill Country, those nights have remained some of the most formative and influential in my reasoning for becoming a singer/songwriter.

Website

1. Who are some of your favourite composers, musicians and bands from the past and present?

Glen Hansard, Bend Folds, Jeff Tweedy, Rich Mullins, Bob Dylan (Highway 61 Revisited… perfection), David Ramirez, Jeremy Casella, Chris Taylor, Sara Bareilles (Girl and SANG), The Beatles (cliché, but for a reason, people), Jim Croce, The Killers, John Mark McMillan, and one of the most under rated band of the 90’s… Third Eye Blind… ya, i said it.

2. Is there a particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

“Jesus, etc” by Wilco

“Tall buildings shake,
Voices escape singing sad sad songs
Tuned to chords
Strung down your cheeks.
Bitter melodies turning your orbit around”

3. How would you describe your perfect day?

A cool fall day in the city kicked off with brunch with friends (Is there anything better than brunch?), followed by engaging/energetic/insightful/stupid/hilarious conversations around the table with people I love. Then home/nap/couch time and a regroup that night in some perfect little listening room. Somewhere relaxed and comfortable where people can eat/caffeinate/drink and enjoy laughing and singing along with something honest.

Oh, and probably some ridiculous dance party afterwards… Don’t judge.

4. What would your friends say they appreciate the most about you?

Off the top of my head?

My brute strength, natural musk & sense of humor… just the top 3.

5. What is your most valued material possession?

A mug from a little coffee shop in Nashville called Sam & Zoe’s. Excellent memories of city that’s really special to me.

6. Who were you, or would you be nervous to meet?

Any fascist world dictator… way too unstable.

But seriously… Paul McCartney. Effortless icon. Incredible creative.

7. If you could blink your eyes and be in a favourite place right now, where would that place be?

On the porch of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO with a few good friends, an excellent bourbon and my guitar. Nothing beats the sunset in Estes Park.

8. Is there something you would like to do more of in the future?

There’s something that’s been incredibly freeing about being a solo artist for a few years now, but I miss the community and creative energy of playing with a band. Not just guns for hire or one-time collaborations, but a group of people that’s totally bought into the vision and vibe of what you’re creating.

9. Where would you like to find yourself in ten years?

This has changed a lot for as of recent. I mean, the dream is to make it big right? It has been for me for years, but as of recent, i’m discovering more and more that I’d be completely content to just be allowed to continue.I really believe that people can tell when they’re being catered to or pursued by art that is ultimately empty and only looking to make a buck, but to be able to connect with a total stranger through some form of art and identify so completely is a gift. In ten years, I’d just hope to still be able to see glimpses of those connections being made.