Tag: Apple Music

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Interviews Reviews

Interview With Notedead

Are you ready? Are you sure you’re ready for this? We don’t think you are, but you better get ready. Switching Styles has the answers you need with this interview with Notedead.

Introductions All Around!

Max Preuss (drums) and Trymer Martin (guitars/vocals) combine to form the band, Notedead. It all started where all great bands start, with a passion for music. The band found their start during the 2020 global COVID-19 pandemic, despite the hardships. Everything was rough. That didn’t stop them. For Notedead, this was a new beginning. The band formed in 2020 and has been rocking the world since.

Q&A Between Switching Styles and Notedead!

In an interview with switching styles, they’ve opened up about their band, their process, and their goals. Read below to get to know Notedead even better!

What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

 Music emits emotion. I long to feel what the artist felt when they wrote the song and kind of experience it together. Music is also everywhere, from malls to elevators. And rhythm is in footsteps and your heartbeat, it’s everything.

 The emotions a song can put you through makes me feel alive

How did Notedead start and how did the Covid 19 Pandemic impact your band?

 Early on in Covid times when everything stopped and when we couldn’t jam with our bands Trymer started writing his own stuff and asked Max to write drums along with it. We both quickly realized that our writing for our respective instruments clicked together.

We started ripping out songs super-fast, so we decided to continue writing under our own band together which is Notedead.

How is being an Edmonton-based band impacted Notedead?

 It’s funny because only half of the band (Max) is Edmonton based and the other half (Trymer) is from Lacombe so it’s almost a long-distance type band relationship.

 The local music scene in Edmonton has a great group of people who support and encourage us, and we are forever grateful.

What inspired you to start playing and making music?

Trymer:

 Before I got into my own music I listened to my dad’s classic rock/metal, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Foreigner, ZZ Top, etc. Anyways but I’m in grade 5 I had some project to do at school and there was another classmate who did his project, but his was on Sum 41 and it caught my eye, so I got the CD “all killer no filler” at a Walmart in Manitoba, and that cd changed me.

From there I adopted my first taste of music away from my parents and it inspired me to want to play guitar, the ball started rolling from there!

Max:

Rock band. I loved the game because I was able to some of jam along to my favorite songs while simultaneously learning a basic version of the drums. I got very good at that game, and it made my transition into real drums very easy.

My music teacher in junior high band class then asked if anybody knew how and I volunteered to learn some percussion. The rest is history, between drum lessons, drumming for my high school jazz band & winning jazz artist of the year, it’s safe to say I’m a real drummer now

What bands or genres inspire your sound?

 Counterparts, Napoleon, Dance Gavin Dance, to name a few… but it’s really so hard to say what inspires our sound, so many bands growing up shaped us into the musicians we are and what our preferences are as well.

We also use it a lot! Of dead notes haha

Describe your creative process when you write new music.

 We both write our music on Guitar Pro. being as we are far away from each other, and we both enjoy the punctualness we can read. Trymer usually comes up with the first riff and then sends it to Max and Max writes the drums and then we work together from there, writing the song section by section.

Sometimes there will be a pre-discussed idea before we start on our next track, but we always write song by song and never add too much to our plates.

What’s your favorite venue for performing? Why?

 We don’t play shows as we are only a 2 man band writing songs to share with people, but if we could Trymer would want to play the St. Andrews United Church in Lacombe as he used to play local punk shows there growing up (it’s kind of odd I know, but it was so much fun!) and Max wishes we could play at Polar Park Brewery in Edmonton but it unfortunately just closed down.

What are some of your current projects?

 Currently, we have some new music in the bank but nothing to confirm aside from our new album “Separate Paths”. However, Max is in 2 other bands, Withered Days and Sol Runner.

What advice would you give to musicians just starting?

 Listen to music as often as you can. Find something that you wish you could make your own and take that drive to make your own with your inspiration and feelings

 Don’t give up, you’re going to suck at times, but music is a lifelong partner if you let it be.

Is there anything you wanted to mention that I didn’t ask about?

 Yes, our new album ‘Separate Paths’ is out September 9th

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Interviews Reviews

Featuring Notedead

This content was sponsored by Notedead. Thank you for supporting local music blogs like Switching Styles!!

Are you sure you’re ready for this? Are you ready for truly hardcore music? We don’t think you are, but you better get ready. Notedead is one of the most hardcore bands in the province, and they’re not stopping any time soon.

Introductions

The band formed in 2020 and has been rocking the world since. They’ve been releasing music since their debut in 2021 with the release of their Best Wishes EP. Then the single “Labyrinth” was released a year later.

Max Preuss (drums) and Trymer Martin (guitars/vocals) combine to form the band, Notedead. It all started where all great bands start, with a passion for music. Despite the hardships, the band found their start during the 2020 global COVID-19 pandemic. The covid pandemic was a tough time for Canadian musicians. Venues were closed. Live performances were limited. Finances for everyone were rough. Everything was rough. That didn’t stop them. For Notedead, this was a new beginning.

Getting Started.

Trymer started writing instrumental tracks solo during the quarantine. Channelling the pressure, uncertainty, and anxiety into the melodies, he created three of Notedead’s first songs. But something was missing, and that something was Max. As a drummer, Max had felt the impact of the pandemic firsthand. Trymer reached out and Max took to his role like a fish to water. They both quickly realized that their writing was an amazing match. That’s the exact moment that Notedead was created.

You may think you know the post-hardcore genre, but not like this. Max is a drummer, not only for Notedead but also for Withered Days and Sol Runner. His skill combined with Trymer’s artistry makes entirely unique music. This band brings something fresh to the post-hardcore genre. The band is inspired by classic rock and metal legends; Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Foreigner, and ZZ Top. That’s not all. Notedead’s influences also include contemporary bands such as Counterparts, Napoleon, and Dance Gavin Dance. Notedead is breathing a new kind of life into the genre with its music.

“A dynamic, immersive, and progressive assimilation of heavy influences. Rangy guitars work that balances urgent and melodic astutely and a pummeling vocal delivery intertwines deftly with the instrumental unit”

Raves Katie from Carry The 4 PR.

Their Music

This post-hardcore Canadian band is bringing out all the stops in their music. Notedead is bringing forth impressive drums, emotive lyrics, and an emotional connection to each one of its listeners. All their music has such a profound level of depth to it. Each note, each strum, and each word have a meaning and a purpose. That purpose is to connect with the listener within that moment.

Their most recent release is an album called “Separate Paths.” This album of 11 hardcore songs has been available as of September 9, 2022. Not even one of the album’s songs is flat when it comes to emotions. The songs all tell a story of humanity and share a part of the human condition. Pain, anger, joy, rage, and misery, it’s all there in their music.

Notedead is aiming to be one of the greats coming from right here in Edmonton, Alberta. The goal was never to impress people. It never has been. It’s been about the music. The real goal is to write great music that speaks to the human heart. Find their music online on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, and Bandcamp.

Check them out and let us know what you think!!
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Reviews

Em Beihold’s ‘Numb Little Bug’ Cover Songs.

Now it’s time for Em Beihold’s ‘Numb Little Bug’ cover songs. We’ve reviewed Em Beihold’s ‘Numb Little Bug’ before with our guest writer, Jason Greiner.

He explained, “Beihold comes at the listener with an extremely catchy vibe infused with a sense of fun even though the lyrics are actually a bit deep. It is a far cry from much of today’s pop tracks that seem to be overproduced and somewhat hollow.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fwJ8H5wWCU

This song was released in 2022, as a part of Em Beihold’s Album, Escape Sonoro. And boy did it take off. Don’t take my word for it. Since it was released, it’s gotten over 16 million views and counting.

‘Numb Little Bug’ Cover Songs

This is a fantastic song hand down. Though you know as a reader of Switching Styles, we don’t stop at reviews. There’s much more to a single song than the original. When you have a song that essentially exemplifies how most young adults feel, there’s no shortage of covers. The lyrics, “Do you ever get a little bit tired of life? Like you’re not really happy but you don’t wanna die Like you’re hangin’ by a thread but you gotta survive,” is something that resonates with many folks around the world.

Photo by Marcelo Chagas on Pexels.com

Now I’ve kept you waiting long enough, here’s a list of Switching Styles’ favourite covers of Em Beihold’s ‘numb little bug’ for your listening pleasure.

Rock Cover by Our Last Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLT4OTeOxXM

Rock Version by Rain Paris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPpEqXtkv9o

Vocal Cover by YellOw22

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHtX_n8xGVI

Duet Cover by Ni/Co

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZNrgRdLTh4

Tell us in the comments below which of these covers resonates with you the most. If we missed your favourite, share it with us on your favourite social media!

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Reviews Switching styles

Otis Stacks Feature

Are you looking for a new tune to vibe to? Let Switching Styles show you the synth soul sounds of Otis Stacks.

Introduction

Otis Stacks’ music is something else entirely. It’s certainly not something you’d expect – vintage synth soul with some hip-hop beats.

Although the name of the band sounds like a single fellow, it’s a team. Otis Stacks is a collaboration between JustMike also known as Micheal Munch, a Danish producer from Copenhagen, as well As Elias Wallace, a singer/songwriter/emcee from Los Angeles, California. Their talents combine into something completely different.

The Story Behind the Sound

Few bands tell you exactly who they are. Otis Stacks isn’t the name of the singer, the musician, the producer or really anyone involved in the band. It’s a reference to the soul musician, Otis Redding.

Redding is a famous singer, considered to be one of the greatest singers in American history. Take a listen to a few of his songs and you’ll know why he was nicknamed the king of soul. He’s known for famous songs like “Try A Little Tenderness,” “These Arms Of Mine” and “Cigarettes And Coffee.”

The second name? Well, that’s a bit more of an obscure reference. Stacks is an intentional misspelling of the Memphis label Stax. This was done intentionally to give a nod to the legendary label in which Redding recorded both “The Dock Of The Bay” and “Respect.”

They explain their sound as, “using vintage synthesizers and Rhodes keyboards, munch has created a soulful soundscape for Wallace’s songs about loss, reconciliation, and the universe of space that people who love each other often find between them”.

Song Suggestions from Otis Stacks

This band has some amazing songs that go great on a chilling or studying playlist. Check Otis Stacks out on YouTube, YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer

Final Thoughts

Otis Stacks has lyrics that slap. Their songs all have a fantastic vibe combining hip hop and soul for something completely bumping. From, “walking through the city with no cares /  walking down the beach to slow stares / top floor elevator no stairs / but I’m not at home and it’s not fair “ to “I’m / and I kinda hate myself for / even being in this place”, there are written words that his audience relates to.

These lyrics slap. What more can you want?

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Interviews Switching styles

Dabbledob Q&A

Using music as a way to mix together sounds, bytes, and especially genres, Dabbledob has a way of bringing you into his world solely with his music.

Using music as a way to mix together sounds, bytes, and especially genres, Dabbledob has a way of bringing you into his world solely with his music.

His most recent album is called, “Millennium Edition“. It was released in February of 2020 with fantastic styles and a nod towards the Star Wars universe. Check him out on SoundCloud, Apple Music, YouTube, and all of your favourite streaming services!

Q&A With Dabbledob

Below is an interview between Switching Styles and Justin Patterson, better known as Dabbledob!

Can I get your full name for the article?
Justin Patterson but my alias I produce under is Dabbledob.

What is the inspiration behind Dabbledob?
I was in a terrible garage band in the mid-2000s and I would write bass lines or guitar riffs occasionally that just wouldn’t fit what we were doing. There were some I still saw value in and moulded over time into songs for the solo project ‘Dabbledob’

What is your position in the music industry?
I’m not sure how to answer that. I guess I don’t really have one. I have zero training and very little equipment. If I could position myself in this industry, it would be to help others get started.

What does being a musician mean to you?
It’s really hard to even call myself a musician lol. The phrase ‘fake it til you make it’ comes to mind in this instance. If one person heard my music and it inspired them to do something positive, that would be really cool though.

How did you start in music?
I guess it would be going to church as a boy and hearing my grandmother and mother sing in the choir or listening to my mom sing in the car. I also have vague memories of sitting on my grandfather’s lap and him teaching me a few simple songs on his vintage organ he had. I guess that kinda sparked something inside me.

I always had a curiosity for music after that but failed to pursue it in school because it wasn’t really ‘cool’ to be in the band in high school. I still kick myself for that decision. Some guys at the school formed a band and I went to one of their concerts. A ska/punk band called the Spit valves headlined and the singer told everyone there to turn off the radio and start making music. He looked mean so I did it.

What impact has music had on you personally?
Music helps everyone get through the hard times and it gives people something to associate the good times with. Playing music is a really unique bonding experience with your friends also. We practiced every Sunday in my bedroom of my Mom’s condo while she was out. Those poor neighbours. It gave us a reason to get together each week when we might not have otherwise.

How would you describe your sound?
I would like to say it’s like sitting on the beach of a distant, yet familiar planet. It has elements of heavy dub, old-school ska, and of course more classic reggae styling. I try to put a lot of work into the details.

Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
Musically, hopefully producing and collaborating with all sorts of different people.

What are some of your current projects?
I’m working on my second CD “Now Hear This”. I hope to release it in August 2021!

What would you like your fans to know about your music?
I want people to feel the way I felt when I first heard genres I was unfamiliar with and that I release it from a place of humility.

What advice would you give to new and young musicians?
Start making music. You have to start somewhere. I’ve gone back and listened to early recordings, and they are rough, but you have to get started. Also, ‘finished not perfect’ has been a mantra that has really helped me. If you’re a perfectionist, you’ll have to get over that at some point.

How has Covid impacted the music industry?
It’s really hard for me to say, but I know there are so many talented bands who could barely afford to travel previously. There are so many hidden costs involved, it’s hard to break even sometimes. So I have to imagine it’s really hurt the small guys’ way worse and that’s a real shame, they are the heart of the industry.

Do you think that the music industry will bounce back after Covid?
Without question.

How do you think it’ll change?
I think the ‘virtual concert’ is going to be huge. I have a friend who was playing every night on Facebook Live during the lockdowns and it was so cool. Once they are able to integrate VR into it on a bigger scale, that’s going to be awesome.

Is there anything I didn’t ask about that you wanted to mention?
Nope. Everyone stay safe, make good decisions, listen to some reggae music!

Check out more of our interviews with musicians like Dabbledob on Switching Styles!!
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Interviews

Audience Survey About How You Listen To Music


We need your help with this audience survey. There are so many streaming services for music out there! YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal; There’s so many to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. Switching Styles is looking for that start with a survey about our audience’s preferences for online streaming music services.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfegV4jpauXZlDv94WMbyZ3NwxSRJlCzoA1LaFVNa3AK9Tv3A/viewform?embedded=true

What is this survey for?

We’re reaching out to our audience to learn what they use primarily and which streaming music service is the best. Overall, this is going to be based on personal preference as well as how the services perform for music lovers and music makers.

We are trying to figure out

  • What streaming service most convenient for our music lovers
  • What streaming service that benefits music makers the most
  • Which one is the best of both worlds?
  • How is the best way to engage with our audience?
Where can I find the Survey?

The survey is a simple click away – https://forms.gle/HUzG5gJwhb3Ah2mD9

Feel free to share it with your friends!

What is Switching Styles going to do with this Information?

This is one of the steps in a research project that Switching Styles is doing to better bring music to its readers. Not only will this survey explore some of the preferences of our readers but also help us reach out the best we can with the music you love.

The ‘winner’ or most supported streaming service will be the primary service that Switching Styles uses for embedding music into their articles. As well as where Switching Styles will be curating playlists for their music to expand the lists of music you read on switchingstyles.ca.

If most of our audience is using a specific music streaming service, why wouldn’t we?

Where can I see the final information?

As always, all of our projects are available right here on the website, switchingstyles.ca.

Sign up for email updates to not only get information on the survey but also updates on merch, contests, and events. If you want to see more content and updates from behind the scenes, do check out the Switching Styles Patreon page.

Can I give more of my opinion beyond the survey?

Yes, please do! If you are interested in being interviewed as a music lover or music maker about this survey, contact us through email at switchingstylespublication@gmail.com or through your favourite social media sites.

Thank you for all of your time reading through and for answering the survey!!

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Interviews

What can Fans do to support the music industry?

*Cover Photo by Cristian Ungureanu*

As the pandemic continues, it shows the industries that are more vulnerable and susceptible. The Music industry is being hit hard during the pandemic as their main source of income and customer interaction has been limited. Live music specifically has been hit rather hard.

“So many artists live so close to the bone. We’re really seeing just how vulnerable our artists are in a community. I think a lot of a lot of people are panicked and that’s really affecting any kind of validity to do anything meaningful to the creativity. So yeah, just overall this is definitely sort of a real cloud of anxiety,” Explains Miranda Mulholland, Artist and Chair of Music Canada’s Advisory Council.

How can you support your favourite artists?

Talking with the musicians themselves. There are several ways that a fan can support their favourite artists. Cody Blakey; a local recording engineer, Leshan Masikonte; of Melafrique, Phillip Rodda of Medical Pilot, and Angeles Joselito; the owner of Apollo Entertainment Company in interviews with Switching Styles, discussed the best way to help artists during a crisis.

Support their Streaming Services

“If everyone has a much free time as the memes on Facebook are saying, looping songs on Spotify is always a great way to boost those streaming numbers!” said Rodda.

Bands put their music out there on various streaming services such as Spotify, Youtube Music, Amazon Music, Apple Music, ITunes and so on. Having a membership on a streaming service such as Spotify is a great way to offer support for a range of different bands. It allows access to countless songs without paying an exuberant amount. Yet artists are still paid for their work’s popularity.

Buy Merchandise

“Even before Covid-19, the music merchandise industry was worth multiple billions of dollars worldwide and I would not be surprised if that remained the same this year,” Phillip Rodda, a member of the band Medical Pilot, explains that, “For a lot of local and regional sized bands, merch like t-shirts and CDs are the key to a band’s financial health. Even if the live shows have stopped, these bills still need to be paid and merch gives fans a way to help out as much as possible”.

This may seem fairly obvious but it’s the most direct way to pay the band for being the band you know and love. It directly benefits the band.

“If you have any spare money please contact a band directly to ask to buy their merchandise. Don’t go from a streaming service or Bandcamp unless they are extremely far. If you message a band and ask to buy their merch they would be over the moon! Every little bit helps,” Blakely admits.

Share & Engage

This is your time to show off your favourite band on social media. This can be as simple as liking an Instagram post or sharing a Facebook event. It can be as in-depth as signing up for newsletters or tagging the band in your own posts.

“In all seriousness, just engaging on social media goes a long way. Seeing comments from people showing support is one of my biggest mood boosters, especially when I’m stuck awake late at night thinking about how much it sucks not being able to play a show,” said Rodda.

Why is this important? What is it important to support the music industry?

The Music industry is one industry that provides an outlet not only for musicians but for music lovers. It’s a way to find comfort during these stressful times.

During the pandemic, Canadians report, through an Abacus Data Survey, they are consuming more music than usual and finding comfort during these difficult periods.

  • 35% say they are listening to more music than before the pandemic started.
  • 31% say they are watching more video content from musicians online than before.
  • 31% say they are watching more music videos than before.
  • 24% say they are watching more recorded live concerts than before.
  • 55% agree they have found a lot of new content online about music and musicians they love during the pandemic.
  • 43% say they have discovered new artists during the pandemic

“It’s an important time to be supporting locally when making money through performing isn’t possible,” explains Joselito, “The music industry is important because we keep the space we occupy from being boring. Imagine what the pandemic would be like if you didn’t have the opportunity to listen to music. While we aren’t an essential service, we are definitely important.”

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