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WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’: youbloom | HEADROOM #8 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival.

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We all have heroes – performers and artists we’ve stayed up late into the night listening to and watching over and over. For many of us, it’s these legends and icons of music who inspire us to pursue musical careers of our own, and for that kind of life-changer, we’re eternally thankful. But what if we had the chance to live their life? Would we take it? Knowing everything we know about our favorite artists, would we want to say I WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’ and cashed it all in for a shot at walking in their shoes?

 

Six featured artists from this coming weekend’s amazing youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival tell us, in no uncertain terms, who, if anyone, they’d rather be if they WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’ and found another face staring back at them.

 

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'Gabbs Casanova, guitar & backing vox, Only on Tuesdays: ‘I would have to say Miles Davis. Not only is he one of the most amazing trumpet players to this day, but he was also a passionate and spiritual figure who refused to be pigeon-holed, which I find very inspiring. To me he represents an artist with great insight about life whose brilliant music and rejection of the status quo transformed not only jazz, but also genres like rock and fusion. It would be absolutely amazing to wake up and find out what it is like to be Miles Davis, even if just to play an improvised solo with the mastery that he did.’

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'

Alfredo Lucero-Canaan, bass, Only on Tuesdays: ‘I would love to wake up as Joe Lally, the bass player from Fugazi, only because I would get to play with my favorite band of all time.’

Only On Tuesdays blend the very best elements of folk, indie and blues and bundle it all up into a shiny pop package that’s instantly catchy and smooth. The guitar playing is superb, going tête-à-tête with the impressive vocals as the tempo-perfect rhythm section rolls along beneath it all. It’ll be gorgeous live. For fans of: Lisa Loeb, Carla Bruni, The Growlers

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'
Marcelo Loss, bass & vox, Banda Concreto: ‘I wanna be one of the biggest musicians in the world, Mr. Glenn Hughes. He is my hero – an amazing musician and a great singer as well.’

Insanely tasty heavy metal from four Brazilian rockers, reminiscent of the most fun headbang-worthy acts from the 80s, updated just the right amount for a contemporary audience. Wailing vocals, shredding guitar, machine gun drums – Banda Concreto has it all. Don’t miss them. For fans of: Iron Maiden, Saxon, Avenged Sevenfold

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'RickEy, keys, Of The Dark I Dare: ‘I would most want to be Quincy Jones because I can’t play trumpet and he can.’

Tribal beats meet soaring, soulful, dark vocals and stripped back and sultry electronic elements to create an exciting and unique sound that you can either dance or bliss out to. It’s earworm-worthy music that is going to sound incredible live. For fans of: Björk, MØ, Lamb
WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'

Kathleen Farless: ‘Freddie Mercury; he was an incredible performer, a brilliant singer-songwriter. I wish at least I could be half of his talent. He is really an inspiration and a huge influence on my music.’

Jagged beats, cabaret-inspired lyrics and rolling piano and bass make the perfect vehicles for Farless’ powerful, sweet vocals, at once tender yet inspiringly confident. With bulletproof composition and challenging arrangements, it’s seriously beautiful stuff.

For fans of: Corinne Bailey Rae, Rebecca Ferguson, Les Nubians
WOKE UP THIS MORNIN'

Erica Lulakwa: ‘I would want to be me. In life one never knows what really goes around or what other big artist goes through in their life. So I would want to be me and be an icon of my own.’

Synthy and infectious, Tanzanian-born Erica Lulakwa’s music is a funky, friendly take on Afropop, blending in elements of dance and gospel to make something totally new. True to form, African polyrhythms set the meter, as enchantingly atmospheric sounds swirl around and Erica’s voice cuts through like a crystal. For fans of: Sade, Yemi Alade, Sia Tolno

What do you think? What if you WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’ and saw another face? Who’s rock’n’roll mug would you want staring back?

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MY FIRST TIME: youbloom | HEADROOM #7 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival.

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Being a beginner is never easy, but every great artist started somewhere. Whether it’s making beats on Garage Band alone in your basement, busking on the streets of your town, or churning out your first rock tunes, learning your instrument as you go, your first time playing music leaves its mark on you forever. Often, these experiences become relegated to teenage photo albums – the stuff your parents break out to embarrass you in front of new girlfriends and boyfriends. But for a handful of people the memory they might call MY FIRST TIME plants a seed that blooms into a full-blown passion. Every time we at youbloom organize a new festival, we get the privilege of hearing all about these first band experiences. From the good to the horrible, they always make for a good story.

Read on for MY FIRST TIME stories from five featured artists who will be playing at the upcoming youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival.

 

MY FIRST TIME

Defacto Thezpian: ‘As a hip-hop artist, I haven’t necessarily been in a band, but I have been in a two-man duo named Cully Base (KUH – lee Base). The group, and how we affected other people, truly inspired me to be involved in music. Cully Base, and all of its experiences, taught me core values I still use to this day.’

Jazzy and creative, Defacto Thezpian’s smart brand of cross-genre hip-hop is mellow and thoughtful; smooth atmospheric instrumental samples ripple beneath incredibly spat rhymes, with a delivery that is sincere and energetic. It makes you listen and it makes you think. Absolutely one to watch. For fans of: Quasimoto, Danger Doom, Edan

MY FIRST TIME

Gray Tolhurst, bass, Coo Coo Birds: ‘I was in a band called Teardrop Raygun in high school. We had kind of an indie-pop sound. Our greatest moment was winning a Catholic middle school Battle of The Bands in Los Angeles. The guitarist from Extreme was the judge and for some reason he liked us. I think it was when I swung my guitar into an audience of frightened middle-schoolers that did it.’

Welcome to your new favorite garage band. Coo Coo Birds bring the fuzz and crunch with all the references to sex, drugs and rock’n’roll essential to doing justice to this timelessly rebellious musical style. They’re groovy, they’ve got swagger, and they write really great rock’n’roll tunes. You’ll love ‘em live. For fans of: The Stooges, The Black Keys, Jay Reatard

MY FIRST TIME

Madi Rindge, singer/songwriter: ‘The first band I was ever in was one called It’s All Relative with my cousin Allie. We literally named our band after the fact that we are relatives! We were about 14 and we wrote songs about our love for the Jonas Brothers. We also put covers up on our YouTube channel of Demi Lovato songs, Jonas Brothers songs, and anything Disney. Talk about obsessed. Sad to say that duo does not exist anymore but we both pursued music careers as artists AND write about things other than the Jonas Brothers.’

One of the most soulful voices we’ve heard in a long time, Madi Rindge serves up the perfect blend of style, substance, and vocal prowess with her sweet, soaring tones and tendency to ake things just a little bit funky. Her tracks take just the right amount of hooks and melodies from indie, dance and pop genres, making her perfect for both dancefloor and the pop charts. For fans of: Selena Gomez, Bridgit Mendler, Gabrielle Aplin

 

B-Rad, drums, Ambiguous Culture: ‘The first band I was ever in was called the Blenders and it was a bunch of homies I knew growing up. The guitarist’s dad was a heavy musician and guitarist and he would coach us through rehearsal. We played all the songs the dad knew and liked to play so mainly Creedence, Cheap Trick, and blues jams. We fucking killed it for being 8-10 yrs old.’
MY FIRST TIME
Andre Sinatra, MC, Ambiguous Culture: ‘To be honest, this is probably my first band I’ve been in with this many people. But it is definitely not my first musical venture. Prior to teaming up with Ambiguous Culture this year, I had actually been performing as a solo rapper under my alias, Andre Sinatra, along with my good friend Josh (aka DJ M-O) for 2 years. I’d rap/sing and he’d spin the beats. Our relationship was very band-like. And for the most part, it was a lot of great and fun times I will never forget.’

If you’re sleeping on Ambiguous Culture, you’re missing some of the most impressive independent hip-hop out there right now. It’s melodious and syncopated, with sick flow and understated, yet tight-as-a-drum beats. Observant and pensive, this is hip-hop for the dreamers. For fans of: Asher Roth, The Cool Kids, Kid Cudi

 

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:

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