BMÅN

On your Soundcloud I read that there is a deeper meaning behind your name ‘BMÅN’. Would you like to go into it?

BMÅN stands for "Be Music Åbove Noise"

We live in an age where conformity is now considered the only acceptable way to think. Every time a thought is repeated mindlessly it is degraded in quality and meaning like in the game telephone. In a world where everyone is passing around these same thoughts the result is that we live in disharmonious noise, which is destructive to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

I am setting out to live as a model, as someone who thinks only from the original source; the cosmic music of ideas, and to bring those ideas into reality to encourage others to discover their own creative potential and bring out the music in their hearts to the world. For every person that has the courage to live true to their inner song, we will have a better, more magical, more positive world.

How did you develop your sound and figure out what styles of music you wanted to emulate?

I really try not to have a 'sound.'  My approach to music is how Bruce Lee approached martial arts "to have style without having a style."  I go into every song with the intention to create something that sounds like nothing I have ever made before and hopefully nothing like anyone has ever made before.  If the day ever arrives that I start making derivative versions of my earlier work then that'll be when it's be time for me to hang it up.  But, don't hold onto your pantyhose on that one because there's plenty of fire left in this kettlebomb.

What was the inspiration for ‘Queen Bree’ and how would you describe it to someone unfamiliar to your music?

"Queen Bree" is about a girl who broke up with me because she didn't think she was good enough to be my girlfriend.  Yet, I knew she was, but she couldn't see that.  That was my nickname for her, which she eventually rejected on the basis that "she wasn't good enough to be a Queen."  It's my hope in life through my music and other work that I can inspire many girls out there to realize that they were all born to be Queens.

You describe ‘Queen Bree’ as a ‘love trap’. What exactly is ‘love trap’?

I don't know what 'love trap' is really, I create an original genre name for every song I release.  I listened back to the song and those are the words that came to mind.

Do you have any projects you are currently working on?

Yes I am currently working on an internet project called FuturEchoes which I am really excited about.

In a nutshell this is what I call a discovery grid which collects content from across the web and presents it in a simple, easy to explore feed.

(You can check that out at FuturEchoes.com and read more about it at the FuturEchoes blog.)

Where can people find your music?

My music is currently available on soundcloud @bmanmakesmusic, on a great new app called Tradiio (http://tradiio.com/bman) and additionally many of my songs are on youtube hosted on my friend Bandit Tunes' channel.

Vasko Picasso: Artistry > Rapping

You say that you're an artist- not a rapper. What is the difference between the two?

To me being an artist is being able to be versatile. I feel I'm a total package. I write for myself and others. Not to mention, I engineer my own work. Also I don't just stick to the Rap/HipHop genre. I've been working on a lot of R&B, Pop, and EDM lately.

Do you find it hard to differentiate yourself from a rapper considering the style of music you make?

Yes I have in the past, currently I've been focusing writing, plotting ideas, and listening to inputs of others. I think in due time I'll deliver the world something unique.

You're new single, 'Gud For It', was recently released. What is the story behind the song?

"Gud For It" was a song I actually came up with back in 2013. I recorded the hook and song with some friends. We put it out but never pushed it. One day I sat down with my producer "LoopaBeats" and he cooked up this cold beat! I laid that hook and the rest happened!

Is 'Gud For It' going to apart of a bigger project?

I actually was planning to use it for my EP. Thought about how i wanted my EP to sound. Sat on the song and a few others then just dropped it! I'll use the others on my tape, it'll be out in June!

What can we expect from you in the future?

From here I'm just goin up! Working on my tape, writing out my EP "A Work of Art", and just pushing my brand. I always dreamed to be on a major label, but I feel I have to prove I deserve that check! So I'll be pushing out music, videos, performing, and learning tell then.

Where can people find you and your music?

Its all here : http://iamvaskopicasso.com

Straktobeam's Melange

What is the story behind your song ‘Melange’?

The song saw daylight as a late night jam; some of us were already packing their gear, eagerly waiting to head home after a long day of rehearsals, but then this groovy yet somehow solemn and even foreboding melody captured us and we ended up jamming for quite a bit on wards. A few rehearsals later the song was ready, without too much of a hassle. Everything just locked in place real easily. We're huge sci-fi enthusiasts, and Ville (one of our synth players) was just reading through Frank Herbert's Dune series, so immediately the theme of interstellar space travel and long ornithopter flights across the desert planet were implemented into the song. These themes probably molded the song into the krautish piece it came to be.

What do you want people to take from the song and video ‘Melange’?

 We think it represents our naïve, even child-like enthusiasm towards space, the cosmos and the prospect of unraveling the mysteries beyond our own galaxy. It's also part of a semi-canonical back story that has been around since the beginning of STRAKTOBEAM. The enigmatic Moai statues, the origin of our civilization, the origin of cosmic synth-pop... It's an intriguing and inspirational thought for us, that perhaps life here on Earth has connections to a place far, far away from the compounds of our Milky Way.

I noticed that the video is filled with 3D models . How long did it take it complete and what made you want to do it?

The script for the video was made by the band, but the idea of using 3D-printed models to execute the concept came from Julius Koivistoinen and Martin Linnankoski of Vild Productions. We played around with different ideas at first, including puppet and shadow theathresque ideas, but we felt this new fun technology would fit great with the themes and soundscapes (little bit retro, little bit retro-futuristic) of the song.

The 3D-modelling of the figures was done by Julius based on sketches made by the band members and probably took quite a while. The actual 3D printing was a fun, but also time-consuming process. There happens to be an almost-free-to-use 3D printer facility in a library in Helsinki (http://www.kaupunkiverstas.fi/) which is actually quite cool! Each figure, of which there are around 20 in the video took around 2-3 hrs to print out, if the printer chose to co-operate at all. The actual shooting was done mostly in one day, thanks to skillful planning by Julius, the director.

Being American I don’t really know a lot about the Finnish music scene. Do you think your music is influenced by where you are from?

Somewhat, sure. Musicwise, there’s a really nice synth scene in Finland, with cool bands like Aavikko, Hidria Spacefolk and Trio Tetris being a big influence on us when we were growing up. Also Finland is quite a sparsely populated country, so there is a lot of nature and wide open spaces to get your cosmic juices flowing, especially during cold winter nights. But to be totally honest, we’re that generation that’s had the Internet omnipresent since we were quite young, and thus most of our musical influences are probably from abroad.

What do you think has been a big influence on your music?

 Growing up in the 90s, in a country suffering from economic depression, we all found ourselves locked in front of soft-glowing TV-screens - be it at a friend's house or alone in your room - playing video games. This has had an impact on the way we approach music and our band's visual style. The innovations in the industry at that time, with the limitations of the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Sega Megadrive (Genesis outside Europe), is an inspiration to us still. To create such stories, such emotions with such simple methods...still gives us goosebumps.

Of course there are also musical influences involved: Kraftwerk, Neu!, Jean-Michel Jarre, Space, Add N to (X), and all the memorable synth leads and solos from various artists (see: Queen's I Want To Break Free or Michael Jackson's Thriller album)

What are your favorite synths and why?

Of the ones we actually have and play, the good old Korg MS-10 has to be our favourite. Being a one-oscillator monophonic synth with no presets but a killer filter, it’s simple and powerful instrument. Live, we use it only for bass, but on record we tend to record it a lot. Another more recent addition is the Logan String Melody II, which has one of the best string/pad sounds out there. Add a little bit of phaser and you’re on your halfway to the moon already!

If we had the money and means, we’d naturally love to get our hands on a Jupiter 8, an Arp Odyssey and a Korg Polysix, but probably have to crack out some (more) killer tunes before we can afford any of those.

To sum it up - though it sounds kind of cliché nowadays - we love analog synths with lots of buttons, no or minimal preset memory and a VCO-sound.

What can we expect from you guys in the future?

More songs and videos, to be sure. We’re currently working on an EP exploring the themes of space travel and planetary exploration, although it will probably be quite a loose concept album. We are quite bad at meeting deadlines, but the EP will surely be finished before the start of the Mars 1 mission. Our very next release will be “Arcadia” a more uptempo and uplifting track than “Melange” with a cool music video also in the works.  

On a general note, in the future we’d like to really crystallize our sound, combining simple but powerful melodies with a cosmic, but fun, atmosphere. We love to play live, but right now feel like it’s time to make some new interstellar tunes first.

Where can people find you music?

Soundcloud (which is probably our favorite place, as you get and can give good and interesting feedback):https://soundcloud.com/straktobeam

Youtube (where you’ll also find a bunch of quite interesting self-made music videos and visual collages to our songs):https://www.youtube.com/user/LOKOMOTRONICS

And of course Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3tMAftWJafpXDDOy8KUlB6

April Favorites

July Quin - "Nobody"

Quin's album, 'Dealing with Doubt' dropped earlier in the month and he murders this song like it literally nobody's business. This upbeat, yet dark song challenges you to cherish the time that you have before it's too late.

Favorite Line: They say that this is the best time when you discover your best side through all the sin that you about to commit.

Murs - "Break Up (The OJ Song)"

I recently went to a Tech N9NE concert where Murs performed and as soon as he sang this I knew he was singing about me. We all have that ONE person we love so much, but hate at the same time. This song is perfect for those in between moments.
Favorite Line: Started missing you again last night 'til I remembered all the reasons that your ass love to fight. It's like, dude I really wanted this to work, but you had to get your shit together first.

Alabama Shakes - "I Found You"

Alabama Shakes has took the world somewhat by storm appearing on shows like SNL and Letterman. With their newly released album 'Sound & Color' that I am also obsessed with I had to pay homage to my favorite song from 'Boys & Girls' that has been finding itself on every playlist I've made this month.

Favorite Line: If it's not the real deal then I don't know it 'cause it sure does feel, and I think it sure does show.

Lion Babe - "Jungle Lady"

Lion Babe slays in 'Jungle Lady' with her smokey and sweet voice. This song is cocky, but at the same time pretty humble. 
Favorite Line: Baby don't be shy let's go and fall in love. Hold each other close and watch the stars above.

Snakehips - "Poison" ft. Daniella T.A.O.L.

From the alluring instrumental to the sultry vocals by Daniella T.A.O.L. this song is so perfect for those night time spring/summer adventures when you're already a few in.
Favorite Line: I could be forgiven for giving you the run around there's no good pretending.

ArchDuke - "Ama be Happy" ft. Jenee Jones

This feel good song is perfect for those days when you wake up in a bit of a funk. I promise that if you play this you will feel invincible by the end of the first chorus. ArchDuke delivers on this encouraging song that just makes you feel...well, happy.

Favorite Line: My hearts been torn into pieces. My prides been crushed and egos been dimished. My life's been tossed to the floor to the ceiling. Up and down like I live on a coaster but still I say love keeps lifting me higher.