Interview with Phil Maloney and David Fox

This weeks interview is a little bittersweet for me, I have the final interviews with Phil Maloney and David Fox that may ever be done with them again. Phil from Fighting For Ithaca and David from The Faceplants. Both drummers for their respective bands and who have both recently left their bands. Not for selfish reasons mind you, but for reasons that are respectable beyond belief, and I will let them explain to you their reasons. Drummers are usually the most underrated member of a band being behind all the action, HOWEVER if you know Phil and David they are probably 2 of the most respected and loved drummers in the Vancouver music scene. If you were at Olympia Pizza in Surrey on August 8th, you saw the end of an era. and the beginnings of a new era with FFI. It was Phil's last show with the band and the evolution from Phil to Sheldon took place. Yes Sheldon Stenning formerly of SHARKS! On Fire! now of FFI (Who I'll have next week being interviewed so stay tuned for that). And also the debut of FFI's newest guitarist, Justin Mattock (Who I interview a few weeks ago, check that out). Hell enough of my rambling, time to let Phil and David say their final words.

ITS - For those that don't know the reasons you guys are leaving your bands could you briefly explain why?

David - " Family. At the level our bands were at, it was impossible to do what needed to be done. Any serious band needs ALL members to be 100% dedicated, motivated and extremely active. For myself, i couldn't financially support my family and be a member of a band that has high aspirations. I could have stayed but it would not have been fair to my band."

Phil - "While I have really enjoyed my time in the Fighting For Ithaca, I felt it was really time to focus on my sweet bostaff skillz. I think there is a big market for someone who is able to twirl a big stick thingy, and I also think it's a good way to tell people "Stop touching my sandwiches (I make REALLY good sandwiches. And people keep touching them). Also, there wasn't enough room for both me AND Curtis's biceps in the same band, so something had to go. We took a band vote, and unfortunately I lost. Oh, and also, I have a beautiful, wonderful wife and two young kids who I love more than anybody has ever loved anything (including delicious, delicious pizza), and I kind of want to be around more for them. But mostly the first stuff I said."

ITS - What are some of your fondest memories with your respective bands?

Phil - "I have made far too many memories with far too many people over the years to even begin listing them. But they all involve the guys I have played with and interactions with fans. Usually both at the same time. There is nothing quite like the feeling of realizing that you've "made it" with your best friends."

David - "Touring was always my favourite part. I love the guys in the faceplants and we always had a great time. To name some specific shows; Inlet Theatre (multiple tour kick offs), Vanier Hall (Prince George/Largest Crowd), Park Theatre (Winnipeg/ great night), Tom Lee music hall (first all ages show with the band). To me nothing will beat my 12 hour marathon drives, hopped up on BurrBull (blueberry redbull) with the top gun sound track CRANKED."

ITS - Do you guys have any regrets about anything you have done or didn't get a chance to do?

David - "I do and I don't. I do because I wish I had toured all the way to Newfoundland/toured other continents and I wish I'd seen more commercial success. I don't because i still accomplished goals and have the fantastic memories that go along with it. I've always said that I can live with failure.. I can't live with regret. I can rest at night knowing I went for it."

 

Phil - "The only regret I have is that I was too busy loving what I was doing to make time to do things I would regret later in life."

 

ITS - You guys have touched many hearts across the country, what final messages do you have for the fans?

 

Phil - "The biggest message I have for the fans is "thank you." You have meant the world to me. No matter how many of you I've met, I have always been blown away by how amazing you are. YOU. For your own unique abilities, quirks, and spirits. Keep shining."

 

David - "Appreciation, respect, and happiness. If I made one person want to play drums, or made someone's day better, then I'm happy. The love, appreciation and gifts that were shown and shared with me touched my heart beyond measure. I'm a musician, to be validated in such ways made me incredibly happy and was very humbling. I thank you all. Support your indie scene, it is the only way it will stay alive."

"Cezar White and Spencer Paul - your efforts were very appreciated, glad to call you both friends. Tommy - I know you won't read this, but your guidance and advice were always bang on. Thank you for the support"

 

ITS - Do you have any messages you want to pass on to the drummers that will be taking over for you?

 

David - "The Faceplants are the most driven band that i have been apart of. Don't waste that; it is much more than just playing your instrument well. Don't try to fill my shoes, make your own."

 

Phil - "Sheldon- hold onto your butt. FFI fans are the most effed up group of people you will ever encounter. In a totally hilarious, fun, and heartwarming way. And in a little bit of a scary way. Don't ever try to bring back the alternate definition of "Banff." Your parts will regret it."

 

ITS - And finally any final words for your band mates?

 

Phil - "Curtis, Tommy, Jonny, Adamm, Justin, and Patty- We've shared some of the best times of our lives together. I hope you all perish in a dumpster fire so that those remain the best times of our lives. <3"

 

David - "I love these guys. I have the highest respect and admiration for all of them. They took a chance when they asked me to join the band, I didn't fit the image and was definitely a bit older. 

They looked past it and took me based on skill set and drive. People always seemed to think that I mentored them, and although I was able to bring forth my past experiences, in reality it was the other way around. They restored my faith in the abilities of an unsigned band, they are an example of what grit, determination and ability can accomplish.

 

Dan - we clicked instantly, you made me incredibly welcome and allowed me to create my own parts and mold the rhythms into my flavour. You are a beast on stage and i enjoyed our conversations on the complexities of life.

Gward - your pursuit of perfect tone makes me wet. no one will ever tetris a trailer better than us. my fellow gear head, always a true beauty and down for whatever. forever the best back tracks.

MattyG - my other half (musicly speaking, of course) i wouldn't have had this experience if it wasn't for you. you are a prime example of "It's not how much you play, it's what you play." thank you for grooving with me.

Gmack - Baby Face, my Co-pilot, Ivory tickler. thank you for staying up with me those many late night drives. you are a fantastic musician and are only getting better. don't be lazy, load the trailer. sexy sax forever.

abbrev's for life boys.. don't let the Dave-isms die.

thanks for the memories. Success is in your futures. stay the path."

 

Once again guys I just want to say thank you for all you have done for the Vancouver music scene. If it wasn't for people like you, this blog would not exist. The appreciation I have for the two of you and what you have done for the Vancouver music scene cannot be described in words. I am proud to be able to call you both friends. But more importantly, I'm proud to be able to call you my brothers.

 

If you want to contact these wonderful gentlemen, you can on social media if you havn't already been following them on twitter hit up

 

David - https://twitter.com/FPDFox

Phil - https://twitter.com/PhilthyFFI

 

And on Facebook

 

David- https://www.facebook.com/david.fox.5851127?fref=ts

Phil - https://www.facebook.com/philipmaloney?fref=ts

Review for The Deadset's song Honestly

Hey guys so I know I usually post on Mondays but I thought I would do something a little different. The other day JT Crim from The Deadset asked me to do a quick review for their upcoming single release called "Honestly" and well of course I said yes. If I had to sum up this song in one word it would have to be "Paramore". This track has an amazing pop/rock sound shying away abit from their usual pop/punk sound but still keeping with The Deadset sound that fans know and love. The song becomes even more complete with an awesome guitar solo done by JT herself. I mean come on who doesn't love a good ol' geeetahhhh solo. So on August 30th. be sure to pick up this track. It will be available on ITunes, Bandcamp and other places as well. So be sure to follow The Deadset on Social Media if you want to find a place to pick this track up. Because I guarantee you, you will want this track in your library.

https://www.youtube.com/user/DEADSETCANADA

http://thedeadset.bandcamp.com/

http://www.twitter.com/thedeadset

http://www.facebook.com/thedeadsetband

http://thedeadset.tumblr.com

http://instagram.com/the_deadset

http://www.itunes.com/thedeadset

And if you haven't had a chance to read it yet I did do an interview with The Deadset back in April and you can check that out here.
      
http://insidethescenevancity.blogspot.ca/2014/04/interview-with-deadset.html

 

SHE WILL RISE FROM THE ASHES- Interview with Tracy Weddell

Hey guys welcome back to another week in beautiful Vancouver. Or wherever you may be. This week I have a special interview with an amazing woman from Vancouver by the name of Tracy Weddell. Don't know the name? Well by the end of this, you will hopefully love this woman for her amazing beauty inside and out as much as I have and many others who she has come in contact with. The last 4 years have been a struggle in her life and she will go further into detail about that, however it seems that nothing or nobody can stop Tracy.

ITS - WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN MUSIC? 

 

Tracy - "I think what inspired me to  a career in music for myself, was a two part thing..1)  Writing my songs and being able to portray them to people by singing, was a healthy way for me to let go of some of  scars and wounds from the past, from being trapped in dark places in life. 2) It is giving me the needed "PLATFORM" so to say, to be able to reach more people, to give them strength and hope, to let them know that they too can break free."

ITS - WHO HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS IN YOUR LIFE? 

 

Tracy - "oh, lol.. that's a tough one. I was on my own at a young age in life, so I got inspiration from people everywhere, everyday.  People who have faced their battles, who don't give up, who show such strength that it touches your soul. It amazes me how many people silently fight, while most people don't even see it. Those are the biggest inspiration to me, not just one in particular.  There are A LOT of strong people out there.  I'm so very excited to be able to finally get the chance to give inspiration to others through my lyrics/ my life."

ITS - THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR YOU, CAN YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED?

 

Tracy - "Just over 4 yrs ago, I was racing my girlfriend on her horses, showing off in front of friends. I didn't notice that the chin strap was missing, and the horse took the bit in his mouth and took off. I was heading toward a barbwire fence, and didn't want to get torn up, so I fell and tried to roll. I ended up 9 days in the hospital, was in and out of hospital too many times. I was bed ridden for just over two years and had a baby through those two years, (which I almost died from ) and then was told I needed to accept that I would never walk again. I refused to believe this. I had to fight to find doctors to help me, and have received vascular leg surgery, multiple injections to various areas of my back, and may still need neuro-surgery as time goes on. But I am walking again. It has been roughly a year that I have been learning to walk again and strengthening my body. I am definitely a miracle walking. I went from ordering the medical supplies to help me get out of bed, get into a bathtub, not being able to take care of my family, to being able to get back up on a horse AND dirt bike for my fundraising campaign video, and working with some of the best people in the industry to develop my "Brand"  . The battle isn't over yet, but the war is won. 

ITS - TALK A BIT ABOUT YOUR INDYGOGO CAMPAIGN THAT  YOU HAVE GOING ON.?

 

Tracy - "I have an Indygogo Campaign going called " Tray's Music Campaign, She will arise out of ashes." I have had a few technical difficulties with people being able to donate, so if anyone wants to be a part of the journey and get some cool perks , (IF IT DOESN'T work on the Indygogo end of things,) please message me at my FB link that Rob will provide at end of interview. I'm making other arrangements for if this continues to happen. I had been working with Kevin Williams productions solely on my own pay to get production of the music score and me to get ready to launch, but that's not feasible anymore at this time. We are roughly halfway done production, so I decided to send out my message, my mission, to gain a platform to reach more people than I could alone, to send them strength and light. To be the light they need in dark times. Please take a couple minutes to check out my campaign video, where I shared footage of the first time back on a horse and dirt bike (3/4 of way up Chilliwack mountain) to prove to people that just because someone (a doctor even..) says you CAN'T do something. NOT to give up, to stand strong and fight, the worst that can happen is you can WIN ! xo"

ITS - HOW HAS IT BEEN WORKING WITH YOUR PRODUCER? AND HOW DID YOU GUYS MEET?

 

Tracy - "It has been AWESOME working with Kevin Williams. He is one of the three co-founders of Nimbus School of Recording Arts. Kevin is much more than an insanely talented producer, he is a huge blessing to me. He is a big brother type role in my life, and much more. Kevin is taking what I heard in my head with my songs, and from me singing them has started to bring them to life. He is a kind, hard working, talented man, and I'm so proud to be working with him, and to be able to call him "friend". I met Kevin on social media. I was networking on Facebook, and came across him, and decided to talk to him about my dream and how it could come to be. He seemed inspired in my story, my life, and wanted to work with me. We met for coffee, talked a bit, sent him my lyrics, which he wrote back to say I had his confidence as a lyrical artist, and its been incredible ever since! He is an incredible blessing to my life, and always goes above and beyond for me, which I will never forget. I hope to make him very proud :)."

ITS - I'VE HEARD YOU ASSOCIATING THE PHRASE" SHE WILL ARISE OUT OF ASHES" WITH YOURSELF,. EXPLAIN WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU.

 

Tracy - "I have referred to that phrase MANY MANY times lol. I truly see my life that way, not only from the very visible physical angle, where I couldn't walk anymore and was told I never would again. Having to re-learn how to do simple things we take for granted like walking again, but also in my life, I went through very dark places, in many ways in my life, (there is going to be a biography on it in the future, it's still in discussion phase) I have been through them all. But even though I've had times of my life where I used to pray every night for god to let me "come home". Things were THAT bad, I was built back up again, STRONGER than ever, this time to live with enough strength to share, to be able to give it to others, to help them raiup and out of those dark oppressed times in life. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes. NEW STRENGTH AND NEW LIFE ARISES. ;)"

ITS - IF YOU HAD ONLY ONE FOOD TO CHOOSE TO SURVIVE OFF OFWHAT WOULD IT BE?

 

 

 

Tracy -"It would soooo be SUSHI ! :)  I love sushi."

 

If you want to check out Tracy's Indygogo campaign you can click the following link\

 

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tray-s-music-campaign-she-will-arise-out-of-ashes

 

And if you want to follow her on her journey in her aspiration to become a musician you can follow her on Facebook

 

https://www.facebook.com/tracy.weddell.77?fref=ts

 

 

Interview with Tom Macdonald

Happy BC Day and welcome back to another week with us at Inside The Scene. This week I was joined by a Vancouver Hip hop artist named Tom Macdonald (Mr. Mac). Tom never was always a musician, he pursued a career as a professional wrestler. I'll let him tell you all about it. Tom is a very mysterious guy and the name of his website describes that very well, (whoismrmac.com). He has worked with another Vancouver artist, Matt Brevner. I'll stop rambling on and get right to it.

ITS - What was your inspiration in pursuing a career in music?

Tom - "Honestly, my inspiration for pursing a career in music was that my pursuit of a career in professional wrestling had come to an end. I started wrestling when I was fourteen. Was on my first show a couple months after I started training. Wrestled on Pay Per View and on a bi-weekly TV show by the time I was eighteen. I just developed a lot of bitterness toward the industry. Guys were telling me I was going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread from the first day I got in to a ring, so…by the time I was old enough to drink I’d heard it all. That stuff goes to your head when you’re young. I was super confident in myself and guys didn’t like that. I was out-shining people twice my age every night and I wasn’t shy about saying exactly that. It just got to a point where I had to walk away from it all. The politics were overwhelming. Guys were trying to hurt me (unsuccessfully, I might add). It was my time to ride into the sunset. I’d had enough. I’d always LOVED music, though.  2 Pac’s “All Eyez On Me” was the first record I ever bought. I’d been writing poetry since I was old enough to hold a pencil, so, I put all of my energy into that. The poems developed into rock songs, but, I didn’t have the voice for that type of music. Then, the rock songs developed into Hip-Hop and R&B songs. The rest is history."

ITS - Who have been your biggest influences in your career?

Tom - "Man, there’s a lot. I’ve said it a million times, but, Robert Plant is my dude. I grew up on classic rock. Zeppelin, Floyd, Steppenwolf, The Beatles, Jethro Tull. Those guys made real, honest music. I know I don’t make anything that sounds like what they did, but…they’ve influenced me more than I can say. Im a big Kanye West fan too. I think his music has a lot of integrity and, like myself, he produces a lot of his own stuff. Also, he’s really outspoken. I think we’d get along. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is a pro wrestler, but, I still find myself being inspired by him. He’s just a guy who didn’t put up with any bullshit and overcame every obstacle put in his way to become the best of all time. Politics, broken necks, family problems - overcame it all. His work ethic and moral fibre is totally admirable. My less critically acclaimed influences are probably the most important, though. My Dad. My Mom. My sister. They’re the most incredible group of people a guy could ever hope to go through life with. They’ve supported me whole-heartedly from the jump. They tell me what they think is good, what they think is bad, what they think I should do next. They’re probably my biggest influences in life and in music."

 ITS - What was the inspiration behind writing your most recent release “Wannabe"?

Tom - "Well, I’d just returned home from Europe. I was on tour with Onyx for the better part of a month. I had a tough run on my first tour through Europe, man. Onyx fans are purists. They don’t fuck with ‘new’ hip-hop, really. They like that classic sounding stuff. Sample based boom-bap rap. So, I mean, if you’re familiar with my music, you know that’s something I just don’t do. I respect it. I appreciate it. But I don’t fucking like it. It’s just not me. Im someone who makes music because I communicate my feelings poorly otherwise. It means something to me. It’s not some shit that the crowd is always going to be able to sing along to or clap their hands to or whatever, so…you know. I had a couple tough shows where people were like, “Yo, fuck this guy. Im not tryna hear someone sing about their life - I’m tryna party with Onyx”. So, when I got back to Vancouver I got offered a spot on Kool Keith’s tour through Europe and I was like “Alright, lets go to the studio and make some performance songs”. That’s what we did. That’s what “LeeAnn’s Son” was to me. Performance tracks. Songs you could get a little crazy to. Not all of it, but, a big portion of it. When we were like ten songs I deep I was like, “Alright. We got a bunch of bangers for shows. I need to do something real right now. Something true to me.” That’s when I wrote “Wannabe”. In the midst of all these party tracks…I was doing a lot of partying, haha. I’d just got out of a relationship and I was sort of depressed about some other stuff. Sometimes you just lay in bed or look in the mirror and you’re like “This isn’t who I want to be”. That’s the vain I wrote “Wannabe” in. “This is not the way I wannabe”. Done."

ITS - How would you describe the hip hop scene in Vancity, and what can other aspiring hip hop artists do to get themselves noticed?

Tom - "Haha, man. I’m going to have to be careful about how I answer that question. So, I guess that means the hip-hop scene is sensitive, really. Seriously, though - it’s cool. It’s small. It’s not even a blip on the music industry’s radar for the most part. There’s a few of us doing our thing and there’s a lot of bullshit. Same as the hip-hop scene in any Canadian city, I think. That’s about all I can say in regards to the scene without pissing too many people off. Most of the music is stuff that I’m not really a fan of. Not saying it isn’t quality, it just doesn’t interest me. I make a really different type of hip-hop than what the majority of artists in Vancouver make. There’s some really great guys out there, though. I could definitely see a handful of dudes going on to bigger and better things in the near future. As far as what an aspiring artist can do to get noticed…that’s an entire interview on it’s own. Everyone always says this, but, it’s the truth - be yourself. Make honest music. Even if you’re not the most talented rapper on the block- a relentless work ethic goes a long way. Stay true to yourself and don’t be discouraged by the nay-sayers. TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF CANADA."

ITS - What plans are in the works for Mr. Macdonald in 2014?

Tom - "Lots, man. I can’t really say much at this point. I hate to be the guy who leaves the party and then shows up on the doorstep again fifteen minutes later. I’m working extremely hard. I’ve got tons of new material. My plans will reveal themselves as they actualize in my life."

ITS - A fun question I like to throw in, if you could choose one type of food to live off of what would it be?

Tom - "Shit, man. One food? I dunno. The only thing I eat every day that I don’t get sick of is a tuna-melt after I work out in the morning. I guess that’d be it. A lil tuna. A lil cheese. A lil avocado.  Some pickles.  A lot of Miracle Whip. That’d probably tie me over."

 

If you want to find out more about what's coming you way from Mr. Mac you can among various social media.

 

www.whoismrmac.com
www.facebook.com/TheRealMrMac
www.youtube.com/AllstarTWest
Instagram & Twitter @ TheRealMrmac

And Now you can check out his video for his recent single "Wannnabe"

 

 

Album review for The Bushido Project by Brevner

Hey guys this week, I took a step back from the interviews because I had to do a review of this amazing album by Vancouver's very own Matt Brevner. Released back on November 11 2012, this album titled "The Bushido Project" kind of flew under the radar to most who are not active in the underground local scene. For those of you who don't know what the term "Bushido" means, it means "The way of the warrior". This 14 song album has some great tracks with some great features like "Fishes" ft Erma La Douce, "Pride" ft Stevie Ross" , and "Dark side of the moon" ft Mr. Macdonald. One track of the album called "Sinners" is my personal favorite song, simply of the sample from Metrics "Artificial Nocturne" off their "Fantasies" album. When asked what his favorite lyric on his album was Brevner was quoted as saying "I don't know if I can pick a favorite lyric, Each one is equally important to me." And when I asked him his favorite track he said "My favorite song on the record though is definitely "Not To Blame" because I think it's helped a lot of people deal cope with stress and lack of self confidence." If you don't have this album in your library yet head to http://thebushidoproject.bandcamp.com/ and pick it up now. Until then check out the video for the song "Dark side of the moon" ft Mr. Macdonald here

Intervew with Nicki Meier

Hey friends welcome back to another week with Inside The Scene, where we continue to showcase local bands and artists. This week, I was joined by 15 year old Nicki Meier, a talented and beautiful country farm girl, who has been singing for about 8 years, and has recently advanced to the top 6 in the Valley Voices Vocal Competition (We will get to more of that later). Nicki has been working with some amazing names in the local music scene such as Ben Klassen, Willis Taylor and Victoria Duffield. I'll let Nicki explain to you guys what she's all about.

ITS - Hi Nicki I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview.

Nicki - "Thank you so much for choosing me for this!  I am so excited."

ITS - Explain a little bit about yourself briefly.

Nicki - "My name is Nicki Meier, and I am a 15 y/o pop country singer.  I spend most of my time on our dairy farm, and I love it.  I have been singing since I was about 7 years old."

ITS - What inspired you to pursues a career in music?

Nicki - "The music itself has inspired me in so many ways.  Music is an expression and the words of a song help to inspire and motivate many people.  It just fascinates me how something as simple as a song can do that.  Music can be taken to so many levels.  Every age, every culture, even male and female can all relate.  It can be used for every part of life.    This is all inspiring to me, and I love having a part in it.   Just knowing that I can be on stage, and whether I am singing the anthem, or at a funeral or a wedding, or even a competition, I have the ability to touch people with my music.  Amazing."

ITS - Who has been the biggest inspiration for you?

Nicki - "Dean Brody.  Because, like me, he started in a small farm town and his music is amazing!  He has a way of telling a story in a song and it comes across as if you are watching it on film.   It was my dream to sing with him, and last year I got to do just that.  JRFM had a night with Dean Brody at their radio station, and told him about me and a Facebook page I had started called, "I Wanna SING With Dean Brody", and he allowed me to stand beside him and sing a song called "Bob Marley" with him and it certainly was a dream come true.  While I was star struck, he still seemed to be just a normal guy.   But it was a memory that I will cherish forever!  Taking the time for a 14 year old girl, was something that I will always appreciate!!"

ITS - Talk a little about becoming one of the top 6 finalists in the Valley Voices Vocal Competition.

Nicki - "I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Valley Voices Vocal Competition!!   There is such an amazing pool of young talent in BC and it is really hard to get out there and find venues, or good quality competitions to compete in.  This is one that you know you are getting great advice each round you are in.  It started as an audition, which led to them choosing the top 25.  I made it to the top 25, and then they had a Facebook voting segment.  The top 15 would advance to the Semi-Finals.  I tried my hardest to get as many votes as I could but came up shy and didn't make the top 15.  To my surprise, the organizers, DarcyD Vocal Studio, Brad Styba, Lisa Witt and Angela Harris of Fairwind Entertainment, called me the night that voting ended, and told me that they had decided to make it a top 16 instead and award me the Wildcard.  It was such a shock and such a great surprise because a Wild Card vote had never even been mentioned!  They said that my talent, and the way I have handled myself throughout the entire competition was something they were so proud of, that they couldn't let me not advance. I was shocked!   So, I made it to the top 16! 

    The top 16 competed for the top 6 in the Semi-Finals.  The songs I chose to sing, were "Not Ready To Make Nice" by The Dixie Chicks.  I chose this song to encourage others that they do not have to sit down and take bullying.  This song has inspired me when I was a victim of bullying, and it's words were so encouraging to me.  The other song I sang, was "My Hallelujah Song", by Julainne Hough.  A song that to me, speaks of "That Moment" when you know you have done well, and things are going just right.  THAT...is your Hallelujah song.  Our judges were Victoria Duffield, Chiko Misomali, and Ryland Haggis.  I respected and learned so much from each of their comments, that win or lose, there was still opportunity to learn.  I was so excited to hear I was chosen as the top 6!!

    So now, we will be competing on Monday, August 2 at AgriFair in Abbotsford in the Finals.  All 6 that were chosen are amazingly talented.  It is going to be a really tough competition!"

 

ITS - Who are some artists you would like to work with (local or not) and why?

 

Nicki - "I would LOVE to work with Dean Brody because I find him to be a very inspirational person, as well as an amazing writer.  Sitting down with him would be the most amazing thing!  I am a pop country singer, but my heart always stays with the old time country music.  I love Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton...they are all amazing!  And being in the same genre as any of them, to me, is amazing.   I try to always add a couple of old school songs to every set when I perform because I feel, without them as the platform for country music, I wouldn't be doing what I do now.  On an even bigger scale, I would also love to work with Carrie Underwood because she is a crazy powerhouse singer and I love challenging my vocals with her songs.  And...like her, I started out singing to the cows on our farm."

 

ITS - Final question - If you could choose one type of food to live off of what would it be and why?

 

Nicki - "Definitely Mexican!!  I don't know if that counts but a lot of my family is from the states, and having Mexican is just something that reminds me of the time spent with my far away family.  Last year I was invited to sing at a wedding in Arizona and the friends we stayed with made Mexican food every day for us!!  Best food ever!!"

 

Again Nicki thank you for doing this. I just want to be the first to say, the way you have handled yourself through you young career is already amazing. Remember to stay as humble as you are and strive to become the best, and WE the people of Vancouver will rally behind you no matter what.

 

If you want to contact Nicki or follow her journey on social media you can on:

 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicki-Meier-Music/828555227169657?ref_type=bookmark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphbjSf-c22Wwh4TVzi3MEg

 

Watch the video here of the song that launched her into the Top 6 here. Nicki Singing "Not Ready To Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks.

 

 

CD Review for Celeb The 1 Lost From Love Mixtape

This week is a late entry, but hey better late than never right? So this week I decided to do a review on a mixtape put out by Celeb who has brought us recent hits "Second Chances" ft KT and "My Boo" ft Craig Smart. Produced by "Jazze Pha" who has worked with artists such as Missy Elliot, 2Pac, Notorius B.I.G. the "Lost From Love" mixtape is definitely a great introduction to the world on the talent that the first Lebanese Canadian rapper that is Celeb. Working with XOXO Entertainments very own Adam Hurstfield (Elise Estrada, Desire, Ray J) is a big jump in his young career and will surely bring out some amazing hits. The title track "Lost From Love" ft. Sid has a great beat being joined by a piano all while Celeb raps about his struggles of finding himself as an artist, while trying to find the love of his fans. And his track "Next 1" ft. Sid is straight and to the point letting us know that he is the "Next 1" to look out for in the industry.



 
If you want to follow Celeb on social media you can in the following ways

 
ITunes - https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/celeb/id296785818
Twitter - https://twitter.com/celebthe1
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celeb/261589137200604
Instagram -  @CELEBTHE1
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/Celebthe1
Download The Mixtape Here - http://www.celebthe1.com/lfl/

Check out "Second Chances" ft. KT here

And Also "My Boo" ft. Craig Smart here