Music

Interview With London-Based Australian Producer Seekay

We had the chance to chat with London-based Australian producer Seekay, who recently released several singles, all home to incredibly beautiful soundscapes, vibes, vocals, and arrangements. He talked to us about his work, the artists that inspire him, as well as his unique mindset when it comes to the meaning of art and music.

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Hi Seekay, hope you are well and healthy! How are you handling the second lockdown? How are you spending your time?

Lockdown is OK for me. I tend to spend a lot of my time alone. I like a good party as much as the next guy but It’s a choice, it lets me think. Sometimes I feel I’ve lived huge tracts of my life locked down emotionally so I’m match-fit for a pandemic. Let others decide on my course. Don’t do it.

We fell in love with “Wiser,” as well as with your previous releases. Please tell us more on the meaning behind your new song, “Wiser”?

“Wiser” is a song about abuse and also when we are young or scared, how we endure It’s a song about how when we are young we often mistake abuse for “cool” and allow ourselves to be treated horrendously because of that. We meekly surrender our sense of self to others. It’s about naivety and growing. It’s about pain, lots of pain. Someone once said the only question you need to ask the other person before you getting into a relationship is “how mad are you?”. Wiser suggests you also ask “Is this person helping me be the best that I can be and am I reciprocating?” If you are being abused in any way – GET OUT NOW.

We are curious to understand the way your collaboration with Chloe works out, could you share with us some of your secrets for such a powerful chemistry?

No. I write ‘em, she sings ‘em. We go on with our lives. We have not met or spoken. I heard her voice on the internet and sent her some songs. She was gracious enough to sing on them. We go on with our lives. Like I said I’m pretty much a loner….who knows maybe she is too. Maybe there’s a connection, maybe not. It’s a song, a microscopic imprint in the fullness of time.

What is the main difference in your approach to composing the melodies on “Wiser,” “Fall,” and “Hold”?

I write thematically – “Hold” is about loneliness, “Fall” is about depression and “Wiser” is about abuse and growth. They’re an emotional trilogy. I can’t write songs without elements of relevance and authenticity to me in them. I’m patient with songs. Start and return to the same song again and again. Sometimes its days sometimes weeks or months until I feel it’s right….sometimes never.

We have read that you don’t like speaking much about your personal story but you could tell us a little bit more about how you came to produce music?

Pain. Lots and lots of it. Life. Hindsight. An inability to do anything else I consider even remotely worthwhile.

Which artists inspire you?

All of them. Musically when I’m high I’m partial to Satie’s “gymnopedie 1” on repeat with loads of compression, distortion, delay and reverb added to the basic melody. I might follow that up with some EDM or psychedelia. I usually always finish with “Gimme Shelter” by the Stones….just the intro…..the way Keith Richard weaves the instruments and vocals through the arrangement are magical. My favourite poem is “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot . My favourite more recent poets are Galway Kinnell and Ted Hughes “Crow” even though Ted doesn’t seem to be the nicest of people. My favourite play is “Oleanna” by David Mamet and I also like Edward Albee and painters Rashid Johnson, Edward Hopper and when I’m high, Jackson Pollock and Australian First Nations painters – 60,000 years of continuous history. I used to like Lucien Freud and Francis bacon but now they just depress me. My favorite author is Patrick White and his book The Vivisector….it’s a tough read but the final third is beyond words incredible. It would never have survived the Spotify world.

Well…….you asked!

What are you currently working on? Any new projects?

I write. I think an EP soon. Who really gives a shit? If not me, someone else. People will always connect with good lyrics and music irrespective of who fronts the circus act. I write to heal (myself mainly) if it helps even one other person it’s all worth it. The Cosmic Dao is an indeterminate force or principle that latently contains all things and spontaneously generates the universe through its constant rhythmic fluctuations. Humanity will flourish only if its day, or “way,” is attuned with this. The wise is so attuned to the Dao that his actions leave no traces of themselves and so pass completely unnoticed. That’s my goal musically – for the songs to join the flow. Me, completely. Unnoticed.

Thank You Seekay!

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Music

Award-Winner Ludlow Creek Releases 2nd Album, Sets Hometown Date For Release Party

With singles from the album gaining global recognition, the long-awaited album from the Dayton-based award-winning band has been released.

Defining their signature sound as ‘modern classic rock,’ celebrated Dayton-area band, Ludlow Creek has finally unveiled their latest album, “Which Way is Forward.” Released on September 16^th, 2022, the album is dubbed as Ludlow Creek’s magnum opus, featuring some of the band’s best songs to date. “Stoney Lonesome Road” from the album reached #51 on the UK iTunes Rock Songs chart. Two other singles have helped the band rack up more than 50K Spotify streams in 2022 alone. These achievements propelled the group to a 2022 International Singer Songwriter Association Award win.

The band posted to their Facebook page: “IT’S HERE! ‘Which Way Is Forward,’ our brand-new album, is now officially released and available on all the major streaming services… Amazon, Spotify, SoundCloud, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc. You can hear samples of all tracks at those outlets and make digital purchases for your listening pleasure. We’ll also have “W.W.I.F.” CDs available for purchase when we formally celebrate the release on October 8th in Tipp City, Ohio. Tickets for the Release Party are going quickly. You can secure your tickets(s) at https://www.ludlowcreek.com/wwif-tickets/.”

Having started their musical journey as a cover band in Ohio, Ludlow Creek is a group of close friends whose musical aspirations brought them together, beckoning them to start creating original music. The new album serves as a prominent milestone for Ludlow Creek, as it is their second full-length studio album. This album signifies the expansion of the band’s discography and the evolution of their musical prowess.

More details about Ludlow Creek can be seen on their official band website at http://www.ludlowcreek.com.

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Artist Spotlight

Talented reggae artist “Yeza” Is Rapidly Gaining Popularity With Her Fantastic Music

Known as Yeza, Monique Chambers is a reggae/dancehall artist from St Andrew, Jamaica. Having developed her sound through working with numerous artists/producers, Yeza started showcasing who she was as an artist, landing herself some major gigs.

Talented and hardworking artist, Yeza overcame this by honing her craft and working at constant improvement. Her creativity and ability to send thoughtful messages through musical lyrics have also built a solid foundation for the artist she is today. I had a quick interview with Yeza and you would be amazed by what her ambition and goals are. Check out the interview below.

Let’s start off by introducing yourself, you know the basics like name, age, where you’re from. As much or little as you’re comfortable sharing.

Monique Chambers artiste name Yeza. Age 31, from St Andrew Jamaica. I am an authentically cultured, bold unapologetic feminine force with a touch of grit and street; this translates to the sound of “rude girl roots” in my music which is culture meets street, always seeking to uplift the people through the message.

Talk me through your creative process.

Starts with inspiration which can come from anywhere, I then play with Melodies and may come up with words before I write. I then write to an instrumental to create the perfect synergy.

How do you solve productivity/scheduling problems and reduce overwhelming situations?

Communication, meetings and also taking time out to recharge and then come back strong.

What’s the best advice you ever received concerning music?

Nothing solid comes to mind. I would say it’s been more of affirmations and stuff that I’ve discovered on my own, such as; learning to understand yourself and what you want to contribute to the art is a great foundation or starting point to becoming great at what you do.

What is still your biggest challenge?

Balancing all the parts happening all at once. Music is a whole world by itself; the music industry has so many arms and legs that you need to tend to equally. Even with the help of my team: which I am grateful for, the attention to all the areas can become challenging at times. I’m not the biggest lover of social media, and I am not very extroverted so this can becoming challenging especially in this field.