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WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’: youbloom | HEADROOM #5 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival.

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WELL I WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’

YOU WERE ON MY MIND.

 

Making one’s way in the rugged terrain of the music business means knowing your passion, honing your skills, and sharing who you are with the world. And it can be a daunting process, not for the fainthearted.

So what would you do if you WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’ and found not yourself staring back, but a musical icon of your choosing? Would it make things easier? For five featured artists from the upcoming youbloom Los Angeles Music Festival and Summit, the answers vary. Read on to hear their thoughts…

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'

Case Bargé: ‘I wouldn’t want to wake up as another artist. My goal is to grow into the best artist that I can be. I feel that nobody can do or be you better than you.’

Like a dark dream shot through with sharp-as-a-knife clarity, Bargé’s music blends ambient tones and synthy, electronic landscape sounds with rhymes so deftly spat you get the sense they must be red hot. It’s top class hip hop with more than enough food for thought for a feast. For fans of: Tyler, the Creator, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q

 

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'

Kiana, Rocky’s Revival: ‘That’s a super interesting question!! Wow! I mean, I think every artist is unique in their own way, and has their own story. It’s hard to say ‘I would definitely be him or her’. I feel like I’d like to get inside the brains of a few artists such as Paul McCartney or Brian Wilson – for songwriting purposes. But I’m pretty satisfied with being me (ha). That’s not to say I think I’m amazing or anything, it’s just, I can’t imagine what it’s like to be someone else. Does that make sense?’

Exquisite instrumental arrangements underpin clever and thoughtful lyrics delivered with deft harmonic skill and a powerful sense of confession. A heartfelt yet wry take on the singer/songwriter duo genre. For fans of: Sarah Bareilles, The Pierces, Nerina Pallot

 

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'

Brother Neil: ‘I don’t think I’d like to be any of the musicians I admire or listen to from the past. Their individual sounds that appeal to me are usually a result of the struggle or hardships they’ve pushed past with their love of music. Specific sounds are the result of persevering over adversity.  I love so many musicians and artists but I don’t want to live their lives. Aren’t we lucky to get to listen and learn without their pain? Ask me who and when I’d like to see play or play along with and we’ve got a different conversation.’

The always bewitching mix of meandering acoustic plucking and aching brown-eyed soul is a winning combination no matter which way you spin it. Brother Neil has this craft nailed, and he takes his time letting listeners know it. Songs meander from Sunday-morning-love-confessional to spring-in-your-step adventure tunes. Expertly played, with uncommon chord changes to make it that much more exciting. For fans of: Lord Huron, Horse Feathers, Stephen Stills

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'

Jon, Shannon, Brian and James, drums, bass/synths, guitar, and guitar/vox, Silent Generation: ‘That one’s easy: the Beatles in February of 1964, because that was the beginning of “Beatlemania”, which was one of the most famous historic events in pop culture. You can see what a blast they were having during that time.’

Triumphant electro-pop for everyone, booming drums drive swelling tides of synth, with confident vocals riding the high. Reminiscent of some of the best late 80s offerings of similar genres, and irresistible catchy. Sure to be an effervescent live show. For fans of: M83, Empire of the Sun, Two Door Cinema Club

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'

Luke Clerkin: ‘John Lennon. Not only was he a fantastic musician and songwriter, he also used his celebrity to bring change to the world.’

We are so excited to welcome youbloomDublin 2016 artist Luke Clerkin to sunny California for youbloomLA 2016. We really loved his performance in Ireland and now west coast festival goers will get a chance to enjoy the heart-on-the-sleeve musical stylings that make him so good. Underneath the acoustic sensibility and raw, tell-all vocals lies a darker heart, giving voice to a big bad beyond we can’t wait to sink our teeth into. For fans of: Tim DeLaughter & The Polyphonic Spree, Brendan Benson, Josh Rouse

 

 

MY FIRST TIME: youbloom | HEADROOM #3 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival

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MY FIRST TIME is youbloom | HEADROOM‘s look into the variously-colored pasts of featured youbloom Music Festival artists, asking them to break out the veritable top secret diary of rock n roll history and tell us what they can remember about their very first band experiences.

From the kiddie-rock virtuosos and those who sweet-talked their way into Glastonbury (?!?) to the one-chord wonders who kinda hate us for asking…it’s all about the springboard – even if for some it’s a little rusty these days.

Take a look.

 

MY FIRST TIME

Charlotte Fontaine, The Fontaines: ‘The Fontaines is the first band I’ve ever been in! We’ve gone from cringe-worthy-why-didn’t-our-parents-tell-us-we-sucked to figuring out our sound and enjoying ourselves. It’s a constant evolution.’

The Fontaines are geniuses. Having managed somehow to fuse together the best pop beats and vocal hooks from the 60s with the fuzz and crunch of indie rock, the musical result is a crash, bang and wallop of a song set that is at once sultry and incomprehensibly ferocious. Like a caged beast, as all the best rock should be. For fans of: The Kinks, Imelda May, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

 

MY FIRST TIME

Hillary, Man Made Time: ‘I’ve been in different vocal groups before but this is the first band I’ve been in and it’s the best.’

 

Alex, Man Made Time: ‘When I was 16 I was in a metal band called To Dust. We only played one show. I was so nervous that I only invited one friend.’

Minimal and synth-driven, soft yet fierce, Man Made Time make music for the intelligent electronic lover. With polished vocals smoothed over an undercurrent of pulsing beats and finger snaps, dreamy melodies and a soulfulness that belies their contemporary edge, they’re the perfect band to listen to when you’re feeling like something that little bit…better than the rest. For fans of: Ciara, Angus and Julia Stone, Lauren Aquilina

 

MY FIRST TIME

Ang P: ‘I’ve actually just started experimenting with a band honestly. We feel like it’s the next step that we need to take to appeal to a bigger audience. The difficult thing is finding the artists willing to really put the work in though. It’s hard to find someone willing to see the bigger picture and the goal. A team can’t move unless the proper pieces are in place. A car is the example I always use. You can’t move without tires. People don’t wanna be tires, they want to be the shiny paint. Well the car doesn’t move without tires. So we’re still searching for the correct pieces but that’s the beauty of the grind. The challenge. It builds character.’

Jersey-born, Olympia, Washington-based Ang P is an emcee and hip hop artist with a firm foothold in the authentic, gritty side of his genre, writing and executing his music with a fearless lack of pretense that is damned refreshing in this increasingly lifeless, no-flies-on-me age. Instantly relatable, with clever lyrical and stylistic choices, his grooves get your head nodding, and before you know it, you’ve learned a thing or two. For fans of: Aesop Rock, Buck 65, Sims

 

 

MY FIRST TIME

Eve Williams, singer-songwriter & keys: ‘It was in the house music competition at school (we had houses as in Gryffindor, Slytherin etc. Mine was called Spencer ). We killed Let It Be. When I say we killed it, it really was stone dead but we won anyway.’

Recalling the great lady vocalists of decades past, Eve Williams is a woman armed with a beautiful, powerful voice capable of carrying entire albums with its frank, expressive, engaging timbre. Hypnotic and soulful, we can’t wait to see her live. For fans of: Rickie Lee Jones, Laura Nyro, Rachael Yamagata

 

MY FIRST TIME

 

Ruth Mc Cartney, backing vox, Great White Lies: ‘I guess my first foray into proper music was with a choir. For a small, community choir we managed to blag our way to some amazing gigs, playing Glastonbury and Electric Picnic in Ireland and singing with some great performers.  We have had our dodgy moments too in fairness but it’s still going from strength to strength with new members all the time and an ever expanding repertoire and a history of great gigs to match.’

Great to have them back and even greater to see them play live, Great White Lies blend jazz, 60s soul, and singer-songwriter styles so seamlessly it’s hard to tell what genre you’re helplessly bobbing your head to. Addictively groovy, captivating and skillful tunes. A true surprise. For fans of: Natalie Merchant, Stevie Wonder, Minnie Riperton

 

Were you once a miniature Michael Jackson or Madonna in the making? Share your story with us in the comments below:

 

 

BEFORE I DIE: youbloom | HEADROOM #2 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival.

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You don’t have to have a bucket to have a list: BEFORE I DIE is youbloom | HEADROOM‘s ultimate question: When all is said and done and they’re carving your name into granite, what are the Top 3 things you want to have done with your time in the world of music?

 

Five featured artists from our upcoming youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival narrow it down for us in this week’s edition of HEADROOM.

 

 

BEFORE I DIE

Dame Neema, F.Y.I.: 

1 | Put out an album on a major label that will be at major retail chains for sale.

2 | Tour the world performing songs from albums I’ve released.

3 | Be considered one of Top 50 MCs of all time

This is smart and seriously well-produced hip-hop that leaves no stone unturned in terms of composition. Every opportunity for a great riff is taken. Every hummable melody and razor-sharp hook is put to use, making for an instantly danceable, ridable, head-noddable record. Do not miss this one. For fans of: Consequence, Rhymefest, The Alchemist

 

BEFORE I DIE

Danny Cieplinski, lead vox, The Vigils:

1 |  I already achieved one of them when we recently recorded She’s Gone. I don’t imagine I’ll ever write another song that’s as important to me personally as that one.

2 | I would love the opportunity to perform our music around the world, in Australia in particular.

3 | Lastly, striving audaciously high here, I would ultimately like to be viewed, at least by some, as the Joe Strummer equivalent of my generation! Gene Vincent, Lou Reed, Phil Lynott, Stiv Bators, Michael Hutchence, Lux Interior, Peter Steele, the Ramones…It’s rather sad and pathetic to think that there’s no one under the age of 50 that comes remotely close to their level, representing and defining Rock ‘N’ Roll the way they did. I like to think it’s never too late. And there can only be one Bowie.

The best thing about rock ‘n roll in the late 50s and early 60s was undoubtedly its IDGAF sentiment, a vibe that’s been echoed through the decades by some of the very best artists and bands to coif their hair and pick up a guitar. The rebels behind the Vigils serve up exactly this calibre of quality rock, keeping the torch lit for generations to come.

For fans of: anything Phil Spector ever touched, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Cramps

 

BEFORE I DIE

James Cottriall:

1 | My number one goal has always been my dream from the moment I first strummed a guitar: to play at Madison Square Garden. I don’t care if it’s a sold-out headline show or in the foyer at a convention…I won’t rest until I have played in that building.

2 | The second goal is to play on every continent in the world, including the Antarctic. I’ve already played North America, Europe, Asia and Africa so I am well on my way to achieving this, but there’re still a few to go!

3 | Finally, number three would be to write a song for another artist that became a global smash, so that everyone sang it and loved it but no one really knew it was me responsible for that awesomeness: the unsung hero.

Confessional and heartfelt, with carefully placed synthy elements and a born-for-the-radio pop groove, James Cottriall’s music is as satisfying as a summertime road trip with best friends or the glint in the eye of a new crush. The production is perfection and Cottriall holds his own as a talent to watch. For fans of: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Noah and the Whale, Peter Bjorn and John

 

BEFORE I DIE

Paige Byrd, guitar & vox, The Captain’s Son:

1 | Tour the world.

2 | Get a parody about me/us on South Park.

3 | Build a recording studio in which I record my stuff and help other artists develop.

For fabulously loose-hinged min pop masterpieces, with jangly guitars and a fuzzed-out vibe that resists having the finger put squarely on it, The Captain’s Son sound like they time-traveled to every era of rock n’ roll, taking the very best elements from each and returning with a freakish, beautiful creation that’s impossible to turn off. Brilliant stuff.

For fans of: The Black Keys, early Nirvana, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Who

 

BEFORE I DIE

Mackenzie Robert, vox & songwriting, HERØINE:

1 | To have never given up.

2 | To have created dialogue around God’s word.

3 | To have created a powerful community for my fans.

Want powerful electro-pop anthems with white hot vocals and made for the dancefloor grooves? Look no further than HERØINE, whose epic, beat-driven tunes are the glorious dance-pop gems you’ve been waiting for. Sure to put on a superb performance at youbloomLA; fans of slick, sexy electro won’t want to miss this. For fans of: Sia, Clean Bandit, Zara Larsson

 

So what’s on your list? If you had to write a BEFORE I DIE, what three things would be most important to you? Let us know below:

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE: youbloom | HEADROOM #4 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival

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It’s not always easy to know what your purpose is in life, but it’s even tougher to make THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE and consider a backup plan should a dream fail to see the light of day.

 

Five incredibly talented artists set to play our upcoming festival are up to the challenge, however, so we asked them: if you had to choose another road, where would it lead? Read on to find out what they said.

 

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

Dre DiMura, guitar & backing vox, Evol Walks: ‘Well in addition to my career as a musician I also spend a great deal of time acting, so I imagine I would be on set making films. I’d actually really like to live in London and do Shakespeare. Doing Twelfth Night or maybe playing one of the artisans in Midsummer Night’s Dream, or Brutus in Julius Caesar. There are too many great parts! I’ve also thought about becoming a journalist or moving to Italy to teach English.’

Endlessly catchy riffs and smart hooks form the backbone of Evol Walks’ songs, in parts a nod to shamelessly badass 80s hard rock progressions, while in others an ultra-contemporary fuzz chug…thing. It’s tough to categorize, which we LOVE, and it’s got guts. The kind of stuff to break things to…or just hold your lighter in the air and bang your head. Fantastic. For fans of: Le Butcherettes, Black Lips, The Kills

 

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICEAdriana, vox, Tigercide: ‘Probably an archaeologist.’

 

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

Brendan, synths, DJ, Tigercide: ‘I would be a mushroom farmer and movie director. I would still wear black.’

For everyone currently frothing for the music from hit Netflix series Stranger Things, the resurgence of smart, sexy electro pop made well is a dream come true. Enter Tigercide, who have all the elements – throbbing beat, atmospheric synths, otherworldly vocals – and they know exactly how to put them together to create a sonic escape for the listener that evokes your most Nintendo/John Carpenter nostalgia. Ones to watch. For fans of: Gunship, Shit Robot, The Phenomenal Handclap Band

 

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

Victoria Scott, lead vox & songwriting, The Blue Dolphins: ‘Last year I said I’d be a novelist and this year I can say that I have the first draft of a novel that I am currently submitting places. I love words, in song or prose. The crafting of them entertains me infinitely. Words are powerful! I think ‘yes’ and ‘no’ are the two most powerful words in the world, in any language.’

A favorite in LA in 2015, the Blue Dolphins are back, their sound evolved even further, blending clear, pretty vocals with south-of-the-border, surfy sentiments, and a growing confidence. Unabashedly succinct, feel-good tunes from a duo who, from the sounds of it, are well on their way. For fans of: The Sleepovers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, a sweeter, less fuzzy Mika Miko
THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

 

Grover Anderson: ‘I love the English language and I love theater, so I’d probably be teaching at a high school and doing community theatre on the weekends. But I’d definitely be that cool English teacher who plays vintage vinyl records during tests.’

Wistful and clever, the wonderfully proficient Grover Anderson weaves together songs that mix youthful whimsy with heartfelt daydreams, delivering them to eager ears with a stripped-back, pure and well-considered expression. From the acoustic gems to rockier grooves, It’s the perfect road trip music, and it’s sure to be a killer live. For fans of: Paddy Casey, Josh Ritter, Ryan Adams

 

What’s your backup plan? It might be THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE but you never know if you’ll have to make it someday. Let us know in the comments below:

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’ : youbloom | HEADROOM #1 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival

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WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’…

From the sultry streets of Ireland’s capital city to the sunny shores of southern California, the youbloom festival train never stops.

Next stop: the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival, and it’s approaching fast so it’s time to dust off the HEADROOM hat and get back in the conductor’s chair for the only place on the internet where independent musicians can come together to share their wildest, most WTF stories, hopes and dreams.

It’s a crazy world out there for a musician – luckily we’re here to share the crazy for all the world to see.

As always, we’ve asked four of our phenomenal artists who will be playing their hearts out at the upcoming festival to share a little something…personal with us. And the answers are pretty dang interesting, if I do say so myself.

Today’s question: If you woke up tomorrow as any other artist or musician, living or dead, who would you want to be and why? Check out their answers below, as well as bios for each artist and links to their music.

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’

Huxley Rittman, singer/songwriter: ‘I’d like to be someone somewhere between Hendrix and GG Allin. I think they’re sort of at two different ends of the spectrum of abnormality. Regardless, they will always remain the only ones of their kind.’

An act we’re pleased to welcome back to the youbloom stage, Rittman is an artist who brings fresh footfall to the well-hiked trails of acoustic storytelling. He makes it more about the listener than about himself, which is dignified and refreshing. Like a relaxed, neofolk Dylan instantly persuasive and warmly addictive. For fans of: Nick Drake, Hudson Taylor, Mark Kozelek

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’

Kalina, vox, piano & ukelele, Rocky’s Revival: ‘I would definitely want to be Paul McCartney. He is my favorite Beatle. He redefined music and the music industry. McCartney wrote brilliant and innovative songs. I would love to be a part of the band that created pop culture and changed music forever.’

Exquisite instrumental arrangements underpin clever and thoughtful lyrics delivered with deft harmonic skill and a powerful sense of confession. A heartfelt yet wry take on the singer/songwriter duo genre. For fans of: Sarah Bareilles, The Pierces, Nerina Pallot.

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’

Matt Jaffe, Matt Jaffe and the Distractions: ‘I’d like be Hank Williams. I think he wrote the most perfect songs. Although he wrote in a populist form, the fluidity of his songwriting has the same divine inspiration that people attribute to the likes of Mozart. His voice is plaintive, yet confident, his lyrics are desperate, yet self-effacing. Although he died way too young, his legacy is just stunning. Songwriting is the cornerstone of my love for music and pure songwriting doesn’t get much more brilliant than Hank.’

With a confident delivery, speeding tempo, and bruised lyrics reminiscent of the road-weary performers who spent entire lives on tour, the surprisingly young and massively talented Matt Jaffe and the Distractions will take you from barroom to boulevard and back again. Super enjoyable and one to watch. For fans of: The White Stripes, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Cage the Elephant

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’

Tim Jarzabek, drums, No: ‘If I had to wake up tomorrow as any other artist, God forbid, I would wake up as Keith Moon one second before he died. I would hate to be anyone except me. I’d rather be dead.’

Refreshingly refusing to be pinned to the board of any one genre or playing style, the band NO lend their considerably talented hands to an impressive array of sounds, weaving them together to create music that is singularly smart and enticing: a rare ability. For fans of: Spring King, The Beach Boys, The Beta Band

What about you? If you had to brush the teeth of a legendary musician when you got out of bed tomorrow, who would it be? Let us know in the comments below.

 

 

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