So you’ve gotten this unweildy aircraft of a music career off the ground, and you’re – stably enough – coasting on the thermal currents. You’ve dealt with turbulence, and maybe even a storm or two. Respect.

It take serious cojones to launch yourself into the puzzling, seductive atmosphere of rock ‘n’ roll. But the point is you’re here. Each time you step on stage, upload a new track, or even just show up to practice…you’re flying, man.

 

But have you ever stopped to ask yourself where to? Who’s in the cockpit of this thing, anyway? You went to all this trouble to get aloft, so pencil your destination into the logbook there and set your course.

 

Cooper (bass & vox, Ultra Violent Rays): Before I die I need to:

1|  Tour Europe.

2|  Record with Brian Eno and Chris Coady.

3| Hang out with David Bowie.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall: who’s the noirest of them all? The Ultra Violent Rays aren’t exactly violent, but they do craft a masterful, cold sultry sound that promises something hot-blooded despite being surrounded by a kind of endless chill. Lovingly produced, carefully communicated electro-class for the space rogue in all of us. For fans of: Joy Division, Gary Numan, Patti Smith

Kevin Proctor (songwriter/keys/guitar, Direct Divide):

1| Play a HUGE European music festival with my own music.

2|  Learn as many different instruments as I can.  It really is the best way to appreciate the people around you.

3|  Release an EP or album every year of my own music for 20+ years.

Razz: (songwriter/vox/violin, Direct Divide): “I only have one musical goal: to make people recognize that electric violins belong in rock music.”

It’s a curious thing, the electric violin. At once impossible to ignore and signature (what would The Who’s “Baba O’Reilly” be without it?), it’s a rarity in rock and pop music; its full range of sounds as yet uncharted in the more well-known genres. Putting it front and center are what Direct Divide do, which is both brave and intriguing, their unique sound complemented by tight rhythms, searing vocals, and intelligently placed guitar melodies. For fans of: Lourds, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Andrew Bird’s darker stuff

 

Stefan Pomplun (bass, DENMANTAU):

1| I definitely want to explore more musical genres with and without the band. A different formation like a big band or a solo project are things I want to be part of one day. I would love to be able to play genres like jazz, electro, or even classical music!

2| I would love to be part of forming a festival. It’s a thing friends of ours have talked about for years and it would be great if our musical contacts could make it possible to form our very own festival!

3| My band set the goal to be the first band on the moon. (The Cardigans don’t seem ambitious enough to pull through on that one, so we’re taking over!)

They arrived in Los Angeles on a mission: to be the biggest band in the world. German born and bred, they’ve honed their chops and are stopping at nothing to share their tightly-woven, bohemian, insanely danceable music with every pair of ears from here to the moon. Set to be a highlight show at youbloom LA, you really need to see these guys. For fans of: the good Pearl Jam stuff, Jack Penate, Paolo Nutini

 

Robert Blue Moon(poet/emcee/other vox, Crvscxnt Moon): This is a tough question, but I think from now on until I carry out these goals they will always be at the top of my list.

1| Some of my biggest musical goals would have to start off with becoming a master in all things music; I will not leave this world happy if I am unable to master the piano, guitar, saxophone, as well as producing, singing, writing – the whole nine yards. I want to reach such a high level of  skill that I will be remembered when it is all said and done as the one who did it all. I feel that if I set the bar pretty high with my first one, I will do my best to follow up.

2| A close second would be to use my musical platform to attack the “norms” of this world. We have been lead to believe it is okay for so many things that frankly shouldn’t be at all, such as a mother (living) on the street with her children;  families where the father or mother have to starve themselves so their children are able to eat…I want to use my musical platform to fix things to show people the dark side of the world and be the person who begins a movement for real change. So much music out there these days may uplift people, but if the artists themselves do not get in on the ground floor with the people who they are uplifting, then how can we as musicians expect to make true change?

3| This leads me into my next goal: music is about feelings and I want the people who listen to my music to feel as if they belong somewhere. We all want to feel loved and know that we matter, but above all, I believe people primarily want someone who understands them. If I can do that, well, by the end of my career I will be the happiest man alive.

Whip smart and acerbic, yet feel-good and uplifting, this is a group with cunning musical abilities and a tangible desire to venture beyond the well-tread environs of intellectual hip-hop. Crvscxnt Moon blend soul and gospel into a refreshing helping of music with something to discuss. For fans of: J. Cole, Blackalicious, Mr. Lif