Artist Spotlight

Meet Tone Troy, A Multi-talented Artist who Is Rewriting History In The Music Industry

Known to bring out the “powerful dance music experience” anywhere he steps, is none other than a multi-faceted artist, Tone Troy. He is a Platinum and award-winning artist who has become immersed in the ever-House Music scene of New York City. From firefighting throughout Manhattan to performing on some of the biggest electronic music stages in the world, he has quickly surged up the ranks as one of New York’s premier music producers. His musical taste is shaped primarily by the surging presence of Brooklyn nightlife.

His familiar yet new-age sound comes with unstoppable force as he releases his high-energy hit “show me”. His commitment to the musical history of the past and present has led to a collection of productions that are guaranteed to have a crowd emotionally invested from start to finish.

Listen to “show me” on Spotify:

Hello there, welcome to Honk Magazine. Can you tell our readers about what really inspired you to write music?

Tone Troy – Writing music came a bit later into my music career weirdly enough. So I was DJing in Brooklyn for a few years before I decided to give the production a try. Thankfully my background in digging for music helped in creating a bit of a sound for myself.

When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?

Tone Troy – I think this really came to light after my first gig in London. Fortunately, my music has taken me to places I never thought I’d go to. I saw my name on a poster outside of this club I was going to play in Shoreditch, and it was such a surreal moment. I knew then what I wanted for this and what I wanted for myself.

Tell us what is so unique about you and your music?

Tone Troy – Well, I am currently balancing a life working actively in music and as a firefighter in NYC. There are a lot of sleepless nights on both sides of the coin here. My music is unique in the idea that I never want any of my songs to sound the same. I want to one day be able to do an open-to-close set with just my music and have every song have the right place at the right time in the story of the set. I’ve had songs that are perfect for a daytime brunch, and tracks that only work at 3 am in a basement. I want to be able to write a complete story with my prior works and have each song sound like it’s from “Tone Troy”.

Can you tell us about your latest releases and what inspired you to create them?

Tone Troy – As of March, I dropped a little passion project EP that’s an ode to some more old-school house. That is a 3 track EP called “Show Me”. Definitely not geared for club play, but something I made in my off time and enjoyed enough to want to get people to hear it.

Next track I’m very excited for. I have a collaboration with Kyle Kinch on one of my favorite labels. Our track is called “Pheromones” and it is definitely going to shake up the clubs. I’ve been a fan of Kyle for a while and we connected on IG. I think we banged the track out in like a week. It came together so perfectly and I can’t wait to see how it is received.

Can you give us a brief insight into your upcoming projects?

Tone Troy – After the track with Kyle, I have another one coming out with my friend Will OB on Purple Tea in May. Waiting on a few other contracts to be sent on some other tunes so I can’t open up on those just yet, but one label interested is one I’ve been trying to get on for a bit. Outside of the records, my collective “The Assembly” should be kicking off our boat party series in NYC sometime in May/June, and that’s always a good time. I’m very excited about the warmer weather this year!

What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?

Tone Troy – Take it day by day. Don’t overwhelm yourself. At the end of the day, your creativity needs to thrive for you to succeed. Give yourself space when needed, and know when it’s time to work.

What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) that you are passionate about?

Tone Troy – Fitness and video games. Ironic because they don’t go hand in hand at all.

Any last piece of advice for those artists who just started making music?

Tone Troy – This isn’t a competition. There is room for everyone in this industry. Connect and make a team. A rising tide brings up all ships.

How can our readers follow you online?

Tone Troy – Follow me on Instagram – @tonetroy

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Artist Spotlight

CircleKSK ignites an anime-metal collision on “UnBreakable Turn” ft. Anya J

On their exhilarating high-octane track “UnBreakable Turn,” CircleKSK and guest vocalist Anya J aim to combine the technical prowess of Nordic metal with the urgent melodies and dramatic flair of an anime opening sequence. Creating a cinematic and adrenaline-fueled tune with a melodic edge, CircleKSK has risen to prominence as an innovative act.

The deliberate fusion contributes to the single’s captivating nature. J-Pop and anime-song sensibilities contribute emotional hooks and sweeping, catchy lines; precision, dense riffs, and a sense of weight are brought by Nordic metal. Echoing the song’s vivid melodic contours, Anya J’s heroic and personal vocals and demeanor heighten the dramatic impact of the performance. The structure is based on the standard narrative progression: lively, evocative parts leading the way to more somber ones that ground the emotion.

The production relies on contrast so that lighter parts sparkle and heavier parts thud with satisfying force. As if CircleKSK were creating music for the eyes as well as the ears, this piece could serve as the score for a dramatic scene or the music for a violent montage. Not everything is surface-level, though; the emotional core remains. Anthemic and deeply personal, “UnBreakable Turn” combines the vigor of youth with the gravity of experience.

An assuredly inventive single that fearlessly asserts new territory, “UnBreakable Turn” by CircleKSK is sure to please fans of big, dramatic music that isn’t hesitant to mix sweetness and steel, as well as those who enjoy cross-cultural mashups. The single, which has been lauded by curators and tastemakers worldwide, is a strong statement about artists who fearlessly combine cultural genres, showing that passionate J-Pop melodies and intense Scandinavian metal can coexist in one unforgettable track.

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Artist Spotlight

Garth Adam keeps the flame of Journeysong burning with the new single “Three Fires”

Garth Adam‘s latest single, “Three Fires,” evokes a warm dialogue in a subdued studio that is intimate, contemplative, and subtly victorious. Adam candidly discusses the exhilaration of uncovering self-assurance in both himself and his songwriting, and this revelation serves as the driving force of the track. At its essence, “Three Fires” is a straightforward commemoration: the delight in transforming a modest idea into something extraordinary through patience.

Adam’s vocal style resides comfortably within a folk-influenced pop genre, which he characterizes as a blend of Neil Finn and The Lumineers, interspersed with elements reminiscent of Coldplay and James Blunt. The reference point is beneficial yet not confining; “Three Fires” represents Adam’s unique creation, an accessible, melodic composition that prioritizes artistry over novelty. The single, recorded in joyful sessions in Perth with long-time collaborator and producer Melvin Tree, exudes the warmth of musicians collaborating in a circle, with the vintage Studer analog desk imparting an analog glow to the final recording. Melvin, Dave Kelly, and a select group of skilled music students contribute backing vocals that enhance the track with harmony and impart a subtly communal, authentic quality.

The lyrics of the song emphasize Adam’s preferred motifs: travel, journeys, and the subtle transformations that occur during the voyage. However, it is not overly forceful; the songwriting is elegant, transitioning from observation to insight with effortless fluidity. Adam’s delivery conveys satisfaction; he is a songwriter who has witnessed minor concepts evolve into completed songs and has learned to trust that process.

“Three Fires” serves as a testament to the notion that skill and perseverance can transform a mere spark into something luminous. For aficionados of melodic songwriting with an analog essence, Garth Adam’s latest work is a comforting, exquisitely crafted ember to accompany one on their journey. It is a song that encourages repeated, soothing auditory experiences.