Browsing Tag

Minnesota

Species Spoke on Staying Inspired on His Experimental Grind in an Exclusive Interview

Posted on 8 February 2024

Minnesota’s Taylor Spiess, better known as Species, has been carving a niche with his experimental trap-tinted hyper-pop edge. A&R Factory pulled him from the studio to explore his musical journey, influences, and how he’s been holding dominion over the airwaves with his hit singles, Barely Breathing and Use Me.

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Species, welcome to A&R Factory! We’d love to hear more about your highly anticipated upcoming project with The Lotto Tribe, “Old Me”.

“Old Me is a story about an obvious toxic relationship. It ended with me either coping with it or breaking away from it for periods of time using different substances. Old Me is a song I wrote about that.”

How has the indie label imprint, The Lotto Tribe allowed your music career to gain momentum?

“So far, they’ve helped redistribute my entire catalog professionally and introduced better opportunities for me in this industry. They’ve also shared a lot of knowledge and helped me build a good base for my upcoming releases.”

How did your collaborations with Pardyalone and Henny Hermes come about, and are there any more collabs in the pipeline?

“Pardy grew up in the same town as me; Big Lake, Minnesota. Through mutual connections and just being in such a small community, we ended up in the same crowd. He ended up being influential to me at the beginning of my career by helping me become a better artist/person, building my image and eventually collaborating on a song titled, Sunset Drive. I played it for Pardyalone and his manager Jake, they liked it and thought he would fit on it, so he hopped on the song and killed the feature.

With Henny Hermes, it was a little different. I found him on TikTok, he was promoting a song of his and I liked his voice, so I hit him up on Instagram. He messaged me back and said he would be open to working with me, so I sent him a song I had called DANCING WITH THE DEVIL. He sent me back the verse for that on the same day and I knew we’d be making more together; the sound was just there. Right time, right place. You know? Since then, we’ve released two more collaborative records that we’ve done together, Novocaine and Use Me.”

Your previous projects like Barely Breathing caught plenty of momentum, what do you think was the key to the success of this single?

“I think the key to that project was honestly just loving the song so much and believing in the message. If you have a single that you’re confident in and you want the world to hear, it comes more naturally than trying to push a song just because you “have to drop.” Quality over quantity 100%. With Barely Breathing, I also shot a professional music video to accompany it, so that helped.”

What are your influences and goals as an artist? 

“Definitely the homie SLOE JACK. His work ethic is insane. He’s always doing something to better his craft and embracing a style you don’t hear much of anymore, all while doing it perfectly in my opinion. Also, an artist named, Kringe, for sure. He has out-of-the-box ideas and brings them to life beautifully. He’s a huge example of quality over quantity. My goal is to impact as many people as possible with my art while maintaining who I am and not giving in to pressure around me for I’m hoping a long time.”

Can you tell us about your new distribution deal with AWAL/The Orchard and being involved with the Sony Music network via The Lotto Tribe and A&R Bezel Brilliant?

“I’m super thankful to have this opportunity with The Lotto Tribe and to be distributed through AWAL. I’m grateful to the people who made it possible. I’m just excited to see what’s next and keep doing what I do.”

What does being an artist mean to you, and what are your future plans?

“Being an artist means you can voice your thoughts to be heard and help the people who listen and may face those same struggles in their own life. That’s what it should mean to anyone who’s doing this, in my opinion through music the world can come together. Stories that make people feel and a good beat go a long way! I have a few releases and some cool stuff planned throughout the next couple months. Live sessions, acoustics, and more music for sure. I’m just really looking forward to sharing my art with the world and seeing where it takes me next! So stay tuned.

Hear Species on Spotify and discover more about Species here.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Minnesota hard rock monoliths, Störmbreaker, kicked up adrenalised dust in their industriously tight single, To the Grave

Posted on 15 May 2023

In a similar adrenalized vein to All That Remains and other icons of the 00s hardcore scene, Störmbreaker kicked up plenty of dust while taking us ‘To the Grave’ with their latest single.

The cacophonous percussion, catchy choral hooks and vocals, which resound as a rallying cry as the track hits the eye of the breakdown storm, amalgamated into an unforgettable introduction to Minnesota’s hardest melodic rock outfit.

The loss of control expressed in the lyrics is inexplicably contrasted against the tight instrumental arrangement, which makes To the Grave the ultimate tour de force for the powerhouse, who has been on the airwaves since 2018, taking their juggernautical sound across the states and opening for Korn, Five Finger Death Punch and Breaking Benjamin. If anyone has what it takes to keep rock relevant, it is Störmbreaker.

To the Grave was officially released on April 28; hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stuck In a Place: Minnesota hard rockers Störmbreaker slice eardrums in half on Left For Dead

Posted on 30 April 2023

Taken off the brand new release called To the Grave, Störmbreaker destroys all innocent minds with a thunderous performance to dig the heartwrenching pain away on Left For Dead.

Störmbreaker is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie rock hard band who are bringing back 80’s hair metal to the core and love performing with a ferociously heavy style.

”Störmbreaker’s resume includes performances at venues such as the world-famous Whisky a GoGo (Hollywood, CA), Rock Fest (Cadott, WI), 7th Street Entry (Minneapolis, MN), the Cabooze (Minneapolis, MN), and SXSW (Austin, TX). We’re honored to have provided direct support to artists including Steven Adler of Guns N Roses, Faster Pussycat, Graham Bonnet, Every Mother’s Nightmare, as well as opening spots for acts including Breaking Benjamin, Five Finger Death Punch, Bad Wolves, Korn, Danzig, Chevelle, We Came As Romans and more.” ~ Störmbreaker

Smashing guitars and shattering strings without a moment’s notice, Störmbreaker is at peak form on this one. If you like roaring music with a superb tone, this is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Left For Dead from Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie rock band Störmbreaker is a song to stoke the flames away as the winds are changing. After feeling like everything is over, this is the elevating story millions needed in this rather lonely world. Heavy to the bone and never letting up, this is one of the best underground rock songs so far in 2023 without a doubt.

Listen up on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Taking Air: Minneapolis alt-pop band Not Ideal has nothing discouraging to share on Thriving

Posted on 4 February 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP1oI_P1Vjg

Shifting away from anything which wasn’t helping the entire expedition blossom, Not Ideal glides through the rainbow of opportunity after the heavy downpours with Thriving.

Not Ideal is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie alternative pop 3-piece act that has a fascinating sound which might remind some of a special time in music.

”Eller and Grage have cemented their Minnesota roots, but Oldham reigns from the fertile crescent of Manchester, England. Together, they reflect the styles, sounds, and essence of both regions.” ~ Not Ideal

With the bridge about to break and creaking open like a rumbling stomach, Not Ideal reminds us of happier times with a monumental performance to revel deep inside. This is top-notch stuff and seems to have the power of change emboldened deep within the veins of our ravenous arms.

Thriving from Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie alt-pop band Not Ideal is a sterling track which deserves all the love possible. Rampant in class and defining quality, we find an experience which will leave many previously sad hearts feeling whole again.

View more on YouTube. See more on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Old Man Sings: Sarah Streitz drops the moody gem to reflect with called Lonely Woman Blues

Posted on 21 January 2023

Executed with that gritty show-like sharpness which will please fans of the illuminated underground, Sarah Streitz sings with a world-class attitude which will soothe many a sad soul with her Lonely Woman Blues.

Sarah Streitz is a Santa Fe, New Mexico and Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie singer-songwriter who makes those timeless-like tracks to play for hours.

Cruising through with her high-heeled shoes on which shall sizzle the airwaves just right, Sarah Streitz is at her supreme best and shall bring many hearts a warm gift to treasure forever.

Gliding so elegantly like a night out with genuine friends who won’t leave you behind, as our speakers sizzle and another sip is consumed.

Lonely Woman Blues from Minnesota-based indie singer-songwriter Sarah Streitz is a must-listen for anyone who likes classic sounding music. There is a real flourishing vitality on offer here, which shall shake many stale cobwebs away. Sarah seems to sing with so much class and desire, with her expert storytelling abilities brought to the fore.

If you want a trip down memory lane, this is the perfect tonic.

Hear this fine song on Spotify. View more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

McCullyCullen Interview: Dropping heat with Slippery Situations lurking

Posted on 9 December 2022

We had the chance to speak to McCullyCullen, and this was a special chat. Showing us the progression in the production department and demonstrating love for Minnesota, we find out what makes this vibrant artist tick.

Thanks so much for your time today, McCullyCullen. Where in the world do we find you?

McCullyCullen: Thank you for taking the time to do this, I really appreciate it. I am based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Slippery Situations is your new 10-track release. Please slide us into the vision behind the release and what the project means to you?

McCullyCullen: I was making all kinds of songs from 2015 to 2018 and a lot of the songs came naturally. In late 2020, when I started to really focus on this, I had all these great ideas for this album about the ups and downs of a relationship, but it was hard to actually make the songs this time around. It took a while, but I am glad with how the album turned out and hopefully some people can find happiness in hearing some of these songs when they are going through something similar.

When you close your eyes and imagine being back in middle school with your band, what does it feel like?

McCullyCullen: Ha, we weren’t very productive at all! We had written a handful of songs in about a year, but I think if we could have continued to work together, we could have made it bigger (at least in the area). Maybe one day we can get together to re-record our old songs.

Do you feel you’ve progressed as a creative since 2018’s Culinary Arts?

McCullyCullen: I definitely do. More so in the production department. A perfect example is my song “top hat”. That is available on both Culinary Arts and Slippery Situations. The song structure is the same but the vocal production is much better so the song is easier to listen to. Other than that, I have a lot of ideas all the time, so I think my next project will be more all over the place, similar to Culinary Arts.

Who or what inspires you most in the world?

McCullyCullen: I don’t have anything in particular that inspires me but sometimes just hearing other music or talking with people inspires me.

What are your personal goals for 2023 and beyond?

McCullyCullen: I am always working on something music wise and I have plans for another project to be released next summer. Going to be experimenting with more genres as well.

To end off, how would you change the music industry for the better if given the opportunity?

McCullyCullen: I want to say that the past decade has made it so easy to get your music on platforms to listen to, so that is a big, positive change already. I think that it’s time to let new artists shine though. The big acts touring and that you hear on the radio have been music’s biggest artists for 10+ years. Some of them, even 40+ years. There’s nothing wrong with that, but at some point, there is going to be a need for new artists to take their spots.

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Listen up to this emerging artist on Spotify.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Anticipating: Sarah Streitz looks for the right time to make that move on Waiting

Posted on 26 October 2022

In the shadows for too long and taking us into a mysterious ride through the desert, Sarah Streitz rolls through and stares right through the tinted glass on her latest groovy wonder, Waiting.

Sarah Streitz is a Santa Fe, New Mexico and Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie singer-songwriter who makes that nostalgic blend of music made with pure heart.

Pouncing through our speakers with a brave intent and taking us through a complication love affair, Sarah Streitz has dropped a fascinatingly moody single to play loud when you are in a mood to think deeper than ever.

Gritty in nature and packed with a vocally striking performance, this is a striking single to plug in when you need to hear something real to the core.

Waiting from Santa Fe, New Mexico and Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie singer-songwriter Sarah Streitz is a hugely memorable release that shall rattle the core of so many who feel this monumentally riveting experience. Released from the upcoming 4th album Different Space, this is a simply stunning single which shall sharper those eardrums and get you in a dreamy state of affairs.

Hear this fine single on Spotify and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Minnesota-based synthpop act Beaut shows us that sweet romance is still alive on, ‘Hopeless Hearts’

Posted on 24 May 2022

Following on from their previous single ‘Foreword‘ and with their debut EP on the way shortly, Beaut is so pure and charming with the holding hand’s anthem of 2022 on their romance-filled new single to truly treasure forever, ‘Hopeless Hearts‘.

Beaut is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie synthpop 3-piece band that makes that sing-with-me music that will be stuck in your head for days.

Sending our tired minds into a happy glow that feels so right, Beaut is rather fantastic with a smooth single that might have you beaming with joy. The vocals are rather calming like the shooting stars above and remind you that it can really be so simple if you turn the speed down to take in every moment presented.

‘Hopeless Hearts‘ from Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie synthpop act Beaut is the call to slow things down from going way too fast, as the moonlight shines above and your spirit feels alive again like you are in love for the first time. This is a welcome message that shall help you shine the light brightly, into a whole new world of possibilities.

When you find that special soul who you connect with so naturally, it’s best to try your hardest to make it work.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see the story unfold on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Alien Of Nature sees us all moving in frantic symmetry on, ‘What Are We Trying To Be’

Posted on 24 May 2022

With another single off his well-received 12-track release ‘Motion In Time‘, Alien Of Nature asks that deep question that so many of us totally avoid or sweep under the carpet with the profound track, ‘What Are We Trying To Be‘.

Alien Of Nature aka Mike Baran is a courageous Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie alternative rock/Americana artist and Cannabis Consultant/Farmer who made the move from the smoggy climates of California to follow his creative dreams.

After roaming free with his single from May 2021 that has us gazing outside the dusty window on ‘Canyonlands‘, Alien Of Nature exhibits that calming presence which decided that music was his calling and shows his majestic storytelling yet again with his fearless attitude and soothing vocals.

‘What Are We Trying To Be‘ from Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie alternative rock artist Alien Of Nature is that striking track that urges us to make that right decision when we find that fork in the road, that will secure our destiny forever. Which way we turn is so vital – as if you make the wrong call – you will be headed down into an underground cave that could claw your soul away from your kind spirit forever, as the wild jackals look deep inside your worried eyes.

Working out which road to take, is the most important decision we can ever make after all.

Listen up to this new single on Soundcloud and see his travels via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Minnesota-based pop artist Tim Mahoney unites the world on the inspirational new single, ‘We Should Be Shooting Stars’

Posted on 20 February 2022
https://soundcloud.com/michael-j-media/tim-mahoney-we-should-be-shooting-stars

With a sincerely impassioned call for peace and humanity in a brutal world increasingly tolerant of gun-fueled bloodshed that tears so many people apart, Tim Mahoney sings with such love and care on a single all about asking us all to find a solution to this madness with, ‘We Should Be Shooting Stars‘.

Tim Mahoney is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie-pop singer-songwriter who writes from the soul as his only motivation is to help the world unite as one team.

“This song is a first for me,” says Mahoney. “I believe in every word I’m saying. I’m really hoping it just helps unite and bring people together. This can sound cliché, but I think it really needs to start with one person – you and me with this song.” ~ Tim Mahoney

Soaring high with a real message that should give you shivers all over your exposed spines, Tim Mahoney flies high like an example for us to aspire to. He sings with loving energy that appears only genuine and real, that has you shaking with inspired juices flowing in your veins as the door to unity creaks open slowly.

‘We Should Be Shooting Stars‘ from Minneapolis, Minnesota-based indie-pop singer-songwriter Tim Mahoney, a stunning message that needs to be played loud and proud all over the world as we count on each other to be better together. With superb lyrics that keep it importantly honest – and featuring ear-shaking vocals – that might cause the hairs on your body to shoot up, as we close our eyes and wonder why this carnage continues. This is that vital picture that we all need to paint together, in a calm way that has the guns down and the conversation up.

Finding a peaceful solution will certainly define this generation.

Listen up to this new single on Soundcloud and see more via the FB music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen