Exclusive Artist Interview: Masonx

Hailing from the northern west coast scene of Eugene, Oregon, rising multi-musician, artist and producer Masonx (derived from his birth name, Mason) has been on an insatiable industry incline since hitting the ground running in the market around 2020, so far proving that his multifaceted signature sound is not only a fresh one, but innovative as well – combining elements of several genres and styles to create something that is not only effective, but authentic and original. His experience as a musician and producer is very apparent and he really showcases multiple angles of his skill, spirit and writing style in every release – which is why we feel he deserves to be highlighted in this exclusive interview feature.

Specializing primarily in instrumental tracks, Masonx conjures up an Alt-Rock/Dreamwave oriented musical concoction and flavor with his utilization of guitar, bass, synth and drums for material that is all self produced, self performed and self written, respectively. He currently has two albums out and has a slew of material in the works that will be slated for release sometime in the near future. With his very active and determined mindset in the forefront, we decided to sit down with Masonx for an exclusive interview regarding the past, present and future.


How long have you been active under your artist name?

Officially online as Masonx for almost three years now!

What music scene/city do you currently represent?

I am currently living in Eugene Oregon and it is full of creative people, luckily i have a few collaborations in the works and finally getting out there as a producer.

The pandemic has really thrown a wrench into the live music experience and for artists altogether. How has it affected you and your career (if at all)?

The pandemic has been really chaotic youre absolutely right, tragic things have happened and that usually causes artists to create as a coping mechanism. I guess the same goes for me.

What are some of your music influences?

The main ones I can think of are Enigma, Thievery Corporation, Flying Lotus and so many more.

What kind of concepts do you tend to write about as an artist? Shine some light on that.

My first album ‘ Paradise Matrix ‘ is a concept album about the future of mankind, where technology is headed and a possible alien presence on this planet. The second album is more organic and less intense, ‘Sacred Gardens ‘ is the concept of finding solace during hard times, its more down to earth and calm.

If you could put together a dream show or tour, what bands/artists would be on the bill?

Good question! Probably a tour with Thievery Corporation and play some downtempo type tracks I’ve been working on! Someday I hope!

When is your next release coming out?

August 7th! This album is going to be awesome should be out on all major online outlets. Very excited to share what I’ve been working on.

What’s in store for you for the rest of 2022 and going into 2023? Give us the goods.

I have so many plans for this year and have so much music in store! An ambient album, a vaporwave album and a drum and bass type album. Also several collaborations with other talented musicians. Good things in store!


Connect with Masonx:

•Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6EMJ1G8UO32O6d60Ze0ZqB?si=wyH2sQMwTuycjJJHCBrh9g

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infinite_future/

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Exclusive Artist Review: The Harmalators – “Two Great Minds Think Alike” Album

We’ve had The Harmalators duo on our platform before, and they have yet to do disappoint. Since that time, the elite Californi-natives have put together another plethora of colorfully eclectic songs with top notch production value and songwriting technique versatility – some which have landed them in award/charting positions. Comprised of eight amazingly blissful textures and structures that melodically soar throughout the musical landscape, the two brothers in The Harmalators have truly hit it out of the park with their 8-track collective, titled ‘Two Great Minds Think Alike‘, an exercise in innovation, thoroughness, blissfulness and so much more that’ll captivate your musical aura and ambience.

Opening track “Love On Fire” really emphasizes their vocal melody approach, all while keeping that indie feel at the forefront with several facets of different instruments playing their respective roles. Each vocalist really helps enhance the other and you can tell that their togetherness and solidification really puts the melody strength into the writing structure in its entirety. It’s a brilliant intro to the album that will easily entice you to listen to the duration of the record in its entirety.

“Where Would I Be Without You” is a much more simple listen but is undeniably a much more basic structure – and that is held to the highest regard. It’s a shorter song, one that is easily to take in as a classic, and could definitely be heard as an intro to one of those 90s sitcoms (a GOOD one, by the way). Another facet of this track is to find it impossible to get it out of your head. From its title track lyrics, addictive melody structure and just overall charming presence with its well-put-together.

Overall, ‘Two Great Minds Think Alike’ insatiably showcase both brothers’ strongest points in both production and performance value in ways that entice any listener to hear what they’ve put together over the years together and solo-wise as well. They’ve put out a small catalogue of their innovative gems in the past foür😝 its time, but this 8-track collection of highly-produces bliss will definitely turn some heads; especially when an album like this is in the band’s arsenal.

“Two Great Minds Think Alike” have also garnered them some award status. Including…

If this is the first time you’ve heard the first time you’ve heard The Harmalators, then it definitely won’t be the last!


Connect/Listen:

•https://twitter.com/hbarmalators
https://www.facebook.com/harmalators

©️ Artist Reach, LLC | ASCAP | All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Artist Review: Polyphonic Exophilia – “Volume 1” EP

Hailing from the musical landscapes of Hadeland in Norway, Progressive/Alternative collective Polyphonic Exophilia (abbreviated as PPXP) are comprised of several elite musicians with years of collective experience under their belts. On top of being a band, they also run a fully functional recording studio as well as an independent label, operating as a unit that is 100% authentic and DIY – doing just about everything themselves. Known for their very progressive Alt-Indie signature sound, the PPXP collective has put together a dynamic EP series that is comprised of three releases that will take place throughout 2021, and their debut effort from this series is their debut EP ‘Volume 1’.

Solidified as chapter one of the EP series, ‘Volume 1’ is comprised of four anthemic tracks and sequences that really showcase PPXP’s musicianship factors, production value and artistic merit. Each song offers up several flavorful soundscapes that put effective spotlights on each member’s ability as well as the band’s collective style. Opening track “Crocodile Tears” is a perfect example of their progressive formula with several genre textures which includes their Alt-Indie flavor alongside diligently crafted Jazz, Fusion, and Funk elements. This track has an insatiable groovy rhythm section and utilizes dynamic tempos and time signatures that really add crucial elements of their writing style. The lead instruments contain crafty guitar melodies, atmospheric keyboard leads and smooth solid bass lines that tie it all together. The song has a jammy feel with several measures of buildup that eventually lead to a powerful climax, giving the listener a sense of anticipation that is very engaging as well as exciting as the grooves play out. The unique skat-like vocals are cleverly written alongside a melodic duel female vocal, really adding to the flavorful components that are heard throughout the track’s duration. Overall, this track starts the EP out very strongly and also sets the tone for the rest of the record as well.

Second track is “Omoi”, another dynamically rhythmic track with a more uptempo groove. Once again we have a heavy presence of keyboard and guitar leads that really lead the way in terms of melody and progression. This track also has atmospheric and spacey textures, giving the song significantly more ambience in the overall aura. This track is a little more subtle, but is just as effective and well-written. Third track “Post-Traumatic Growth” is another jazzy and atmospheric track that highlights more of the band’s dynamic vocal leads and melodies. Their charismatic approach on this track is cleverly executed and really adds several multi layers to the mix. It’s another brilliant chapter to the EP that highlights PPXP’s signature sound. Closing track “Even Monkeys Fall Out Of Trees” is a groovy number that effectively ties the EP together into one solid anthem. This song combines almost every element from the previous three and still offers up touches of new flavors. The simple yet groovy bass line really carries a lot of weight on this track alongside an ambient piano melody that highlights the song’s key signature. This is also another jammy tune that plays out with solid buildups and climaxes, keeping you engaged with every instrument from start to finish. It’s a brilliant closing track that will easily entice you to start the EP over again for another round of each song.

This debut EP really puts PPXP on the musical map and is a record that is completely ahead of its time. Their craft is very multifaceted and versatile throughout each track’s duration and really highlights each members’ ability in several crucial ways. This EP will definitely have you anticipating what the other two subsequent EPs have in store – but regardless, it has insatiable staying power and will easily become one of your favorites of 2021 so far. ‘Volume 1’ released in June and is currently available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and several other digital music streaming platforms.


Connect/Listen:

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Exclusive Artist Review: Dizmation – “Aves Nocturna: 1, 2 & 3” EP

Emerging from the musical landscapes of Dublin, Artist/Producer Dizmation continues to flourish throughout the Indie market with his distinctive and innovative signature sound. Known for his diligently detailed production techniques and multifaceted song structures, Dizmation throughout his career has put together several releases that showcase multiple angles of his skill sets which highlight his insatiably crafty production as well as performance value, and how strongly projecting how effectively they parallel each other. Now in 2021, with the recent release of his newest EP ‘Aves Nocturna: 1, 2 & 3’, Dizmation continues to raise the bar to reach new heights with his highly innovative structures and multi layered measures; proving that this is easily his best effort yet.

Structured into three interconnected chapters (1, 2 and 3), the ‘Aves Nocturna’ trilogy peels back many versatile layers as each track’s duration plays out. Part one, titled “To Owls”, starts out very rhythmic, atmospheric and effectively showcases well-executed melodies that have strong staying power. The first half of the 5+ minute runtime brings the listener on a hypnotically visceral journey into futuristic soundscapes and climactic buildups. The synth leads are very anthemic and really carry the torch throughout the song’s detailed structure, all while paralleling a rhythmic and progressive tempo with several percussive textures. The second half of this track brings every layer to the forefront along with an accompaniment of mid-to-high range vocal melodies, making their highly regarded first appearance on the record. These vocal parts are not only brilliantly written, but the composition itself at this stage of the song brings a sense of subtlety that really highlights Dismation’s songwriting ability. Overall, Part One really sets the tone for the rest of the EP and strongly grabs your undivided attention.

Part Two of the ‘Aves Nocturna’ trilogy, titled “To A Distant Star”, blends an atmospheric piano progression with a synth/string lead alongside textures of acoustic guitars, percussion additives and a smooth, punchy baseline that ties the structure together. This song’s aura is very dreamlike in the first half, then eventually cruises into an energetically uptempo climax that is also accompanied by high range vocal melodies. This song showcases a brilliant demonstration of continuity and continues to highlight several angles of Dizmation’s performance and production value.

Part three, titled “We Live Here”, operates a little more like a progressively Indie ballad, but with a more anthemic approach. The half-time tempo in the verses blend diligently with the uptempo chorus and really shines light on the melody-driven chord progressions as well as dynamically layered rhythm section. This track in particular brings the entirety of Dizmation’s signature sound to the forefront full circle, tying together the trilogy in a way that is effective and impressionable for anyone listening to his music perhaps for the first time. All three songs on this trilogy play equally vital roles and strongly demonstrate the multifaceted angles of talent that went into them. It’s a record that truly showcases Dizmation’s musical vision and keeps the listener strongly engaged and invested from beginning to end. The EP is available exclusively on BandCamp and will easily become one of your favorites of 2021.


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Exclusive Artist Interview: WHYNE

Emerging from the musical landscapes of Italy, Artist/Producer WHYNE began producing in 2013 and is known for his distinctive and versatile signature sound and remixes, mastering his craft on software including Logic Pro and Ableton. He quickly began gaining traction, eventually getting his name out and subsequently began producing for other artists and collaborators until 2018 when he decided to designate his focus completely on his own material as a solo artist. Though WHYNE is relatively new to the market, he has several years of hard work and experience under his belt as well as a formal music education from the Italian Conservatorio. He takes inspiration from several different industry heavyweights including Skrillex, Daft Punk, Billie Eilish, Our Last Night, Lady Gaga, Lauv, Fall Out Boy and a vast array of others. Now with WHYNE ready to emerge into the market in full force, we got a chance to do an exclusive interview with him, tapping into his background, influences, and what the near future has in store.


How’d you come up with the artist name Whyne?

It comes from my birth name Alex Wayne, which can translate to WHYNE. Whine means like the act of crying, maybe crying to yourself ‘cause you’re scared of not being good enough, so it’s like a name with added irony, like I’m calling me little and crying, but it’s not like that, I had a time in my past where I cried so many times because I felt like I was not enough, and now it’s enough – I’m not crying anymore, so I call myself WHYNE as sort of a way of teasing myself.

What music scene/city do you currently represent?

I currently represent Italy, but my dream is going to the US.

The pandemic has really thrown a wrench into the live music experience and for artists altogether. How has it affected you and your career (if at all)?

The pandemic makes me think more about myself and it has also helped find the true me and what I really want in my career.

What are some of your music influences?

I take inspiration from various artists from Skrillex to Two Steps From Hell, Illenium, Our Last Night, Slander, Billie Eilish, Noisia, Whitney, Lady Gaga, Excision, and I can go on with Porter Robinson, Daft Punk, Lauv, Fall Out Boy, Kiiara…I don’t want to put my mind on a “cage” of just one genre. I produce what I feel in that moment, from future bass to glitch hop, from dubstep to pop…etc.

What kind of concepts do you tend to write about as an artist? Shine some light on that.

I’m a difficult person to understand, I think in a strange way. I write about life experiences, they could be happy or sad. I like to talk about people on my social about their stories and trying to take what they feel and bring that to my track. Every time I write lyrics or a track I imagine myself in a place – every time it’s a different place, like a beach in the morning or woods in the night, that’s helped me to look at what I’m doing from another point of view and has also helped me to tell a “story” with my track.

When is your debut release coming out?

My debut release will be out at the end of July / beginning of August.

What’s in store for you in 2021? Give us the goods.

I have so many tracks ready and so many artists to collaborate with, I wanna bring a new light to the world through music.


Connect:

•Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/imwhyne
•Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/imwhyne
•Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/imwhyne
•SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/4NSFyGDQxELbvnKF6

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