Interview with Lane Fellerdeau

"You getting tired yet? You ready to give up? You wanna be a champion or a never was? Get back on your feet when you fall, stand strong, lift your chin up, swallow your pride. You gotta play in the rain if you wanna play in the cloud son." These are the motivating lines from the spoken part of "Triumph" by Lane Fellerdeau off his newest album "2 Weeks Notice", and they speak for themselves, don't ever let anything or anybody knock you down. Lane is a hip-hop artist from Vancouver, British Columbia who was born in Sweden in 1985 and has hit the local scene with fire. Within the past year he has opened for Underground hip-hop legend R.A. The Rugged Man, He headlined his own show, also performed at Gossip nightclub in Vancouver for a charity event plus numerous other shows. Lane is full of talent and his sophomore release of "2 Weeks Notice" will prove it.

ITS - "So Lane tell the people a little about yourself."

Lane - "I was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1985.  I lost my mom to breast cancer at the age of 6.  My dad and I moved to Vancouver, B.C when I was 8 years old.  English is my second language and when in elementary school in Canada I had to attend ESL class for 3 years until I became more familiar with the language.  

I discovered Rap music in the passenger seat of my cousin’s Acura Integra and feel in love with the music instantly.  Music had always been a big part of my life as my Dad would always listen to music all year round. 

 

I have been writing and composing music for about 7 years.  It all started when I meet my friend/producer Blake Powell when I was serving tables at Milestone’s who has guided and helped me become the artist that I am today.

 

All through elementary and high school I played baseball at a very competitive level but any hope of a career ended the last year when I developed rotator cuff tendinitis.

 

Music is a form of therapy to me.  An outlet to deal with all the ups and downs I experienced growing up."

ITS - "What artist or artists have inspired you to pursue a career in the rap/hip-hop genre and why?"

 

Lane - "There was no specific artist or artists that inspired me to pursue a career.  I realized I had discovered a hidden talent and I wanted to develop it and see what could happen.  Seeing all the fame and fortune with all successful musicians in every genre is what made me start dreaming of a life as an artist.  I love creating something people can listen and relate to.  At the moment I can help people in the form of poetry and music but ultimately I would like to make a bigger difference in people’s lives.   I think you know what I’m getting at.  Money. "

ITS - "Where do you get most of your inspirations for the material that you write?"

 

 
Lane - "All the material that I write comes either from my own trials and tribulations or from my vision of how I want my future to be.  Working towards my ultimate goal and the experience along the way.  All the experiences, for the most part, that I have been through have been reflected through my song writing and music." 

            ITS - "If there was one mainstream artist that you could work with, who would it be and 

 

             why?

 

 

Lane - "It’s a tough decision between Drake and J.Cole but I think my final answer would have to be J.Cole.  His lyrical ability along with his catchy melodies is what I like best about his music but on the other hand Drake’s delivery and smooth voice is dope as well.  Either or would be a dream come true."

 

ITS - You just released your newest album “2 Weeks Notice,” talk a little bit about recording of the album."

 

Lane - "The songs on “Two Weeks Notice” range from being 2 years old to 2 months old.  Initially I started out piecing together the project with intentions of it being an EP not LP.  It was going to be called “Broken Dreams.”  It was to be focused on my baseball career and how it ended when I was in my prime stage at the age of 19.  A career looked very promising. 

But the more songs I made I started to realize I wanted to take a different approach.  Instead of making it seem like a negative album, like the pieces were broken and unable to be fixed, I decided to turn it into a positive story instead.  That’s how “Two Weeks Notice” was born.  Me and my producer Blake Powell, When They Hear Us, decided to rename the project and this is what we came up with.  Knowing that I already had 8 songs completed and 4 songs almost finished we decided to add those 4 songs and turn it into an Album. 

 

Once all the tracks were completed we structured the album accordingly bringing you the story of my “Two Weeks Notice.”

ITS - "Who in your mind is the most influential hip hop artist today?  And how about 10 years ago?"

 

Lane - "I don’t have one answer for this question.  I think J.Cole and Kendrick Lamar are the most influential for the lyrics but Drake takes the crown with his delivery and voice.

 

10 years ago the most influential rapper was Kayne West.  He released Late Registration in 2005 with international hits like “Touch the Sky”, “Heard Em Say” and “Gold Digger”.  Writing some of the sickest lyrics and producing some of the best beats this was his era."

ITS - "So after the release of your Album what’s next on the road ahead for you?"

 

Lane - "What I’m hoping is next is the day I get to walk into my boss’s office and drop a copy of my album on his desk saying “consider this my Two Weeks Notice.” Haha. 

Being able to put all my time and energy into my music will produce an even better sound and quality.  The day this happens I am no longer working, I’m living..

But to be more specific Chief, Blake Powell and I are working on getting an EP recorded with Blake producing all the beats and myself and Chief collaborating on the vocals."

ITS - "Do you think music is more enjoyed for the beats of the lyrics? And Why?"

 

Lane - "I think people enjoy music for everything it has to offer.  Some people listen to a song only because of the beat and other people only because of the lyrics.  I can’t answer why because music evokes different feelings and memories in people.  I know I enjoy music for both for many reason’s sometimes unexplainable."

 

If you want to preview what you can expect off "2 Weeks Notice" check out "Refill" feat. J Blaq, Shayne LeGear, & Rani Reddy  

 

And you can also purchase "2 Weeks Notice" on ITunes here- https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/2-weeks-notice/id1000009465

Also check him out on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/itLane?fref=ts

Twitter - @ITSLANE_

 

 

Interview with Hazmat Music Crew

This week I was joined by the crew from Hazmat Music. The crew varies in location from Vancouver to Seattle. The Hazmat Crew consists of J-Clawsin (JC) from Calgary, RcThaHazard (RC) in North Delta, Mr.Morder (MM), Vicious 5150 (V) and Kinky Bitch (KB) from Maple Ridge, and Shua from Seattle, SYNZ, DZ Man, 1Del, and the rest of The Rappists. Recently RC,V and Shua all opened for RA The Rugged Man at his show in Vancouver and had a solid set. These guys are full of energy and if you ever get a chance to see one of their shows you should.

ITS - So how did you guys come up with the name HazMat?

RC - "I guess it makes the most sense for me to answer that question, since RcThaHazard was a name I had picked back in grade 9. My name is Ryan Cole Hoover, I was Rc at first but then I wanted something to go with the "H". After that I wanted a name brand to back it all so I started figuring out what would be the most ideal thing and - honestly my buddy Dekst helped me out with that because he said, you know what, hazardous material would make the most sense because of your name.'"

ITS - Who have been your biggest influences, personally and musically?
JC - "Ha, alright. Well, I'm going to throw everyone off and go with Johnny Cash, because he's one of my favourite artists of all time but nobody expects that from me. They would think Tupac, but no, Johnny Cash."

S - "Bone Thugs N Harmony."

V - "Ummm, I'm going to say N.W.A. because of the supergroup factor and I've always wanted to do a super group and make a mark in that way. I think we're starting to do something in that aspect."

RC - "For me this is the hardest question of all. I just have such a tough time answering it, so I'm just going to say any artist that can go to their full potential and display some crazy talent is influential for me. I can't say anyone specific, it always changes."

MM - "I guess since I've done music in a variety of different genres I'd have to say that Trent Reznor has really stuck out and been the biggest inspiration to me over the years, just the way he builds his compositions and layers his music, I always tend to have a "what would Trent do" mentality when working on things."

KB - "I'd have to say it's the people in my community around me and all the different genres that are being played, and styles, and everyone has their own unique little place. I just think it's great to see that there's so much out there and that there's people loving what they do, and just doing it for the love."

ITS - Being a hip-hop group from Vancouver, how alive do you feel the scene is?
 
RC - "Can I go first? My opinion - my personal opinion - is that it seems that it's a lot of divided scenes but they all - well, the people i talk to anyway - are always super down to support one another. I'd like to think that we help maintain the liveliness of the scene, and if we don't then just let us know because that's what we're all about. Just keeping shit entertaining. We want to be the scene, so yeah, let us know."

MM - "Yeah I agree. It's alive, but it's segregated."

RC - "Exactly."

MM - "There's a lot of things but -"

RC - "But it's not like everyone's working together. Everyone supports one another while they still do their own kind of thing."

S - "There's lots of that. I've been doing this for a long time and there's never been a set "scene" it's just been kind of cliquey, everyone has their own group of fans and group of friends that go to these shows - all these groups of people - and it's never really connected and I think the only people who have really tried to bring all these people together - aside from Boss Records - is Hazmat."

KB - "As someone who's totally new to this, I'm surprised at how much of a scene there is and how many shows are going on all the time and how busy everyone really is with it and how much effort gets put into it. Also how many people there really are who thoroughly enjoy it and want it to keep going."

JC - "Yeah there's a lot of talented people, a lot of passionate individuals who are doing it for the music and not just the money, but it's not connected."

ITS - Nas states that hip-hop is dead, what are your thoughts on that?

V - "To build off of the last question as well, umm, I don't believe that hip-hop is dead at all. From an artist's point of view I don't believe that people are educating themselves on how to build themselves or their brand, and to a larger point build a scene, and so you've got this situation where no one thinks they can make a difference, or that it's just dead. There's so many people wanting to quickly blame other factors and say that it's dead when they can change it themselves, point one finger and four point back at you, know what I mean?"

JC - "I don't think it's dead. I think it's alive more than it ever was, I just don't think real genuine hip-hop is being broadcasted as much and mainstreamed as it once was. To be honest, when I turn on the radio I don't really hear a lot of hip-hop, I hear pop music and R&B."

S - "Yeah, he's right, what you're hearing on the radio and in the mainstream is a lot of pop and R&B, and a little bit of rap, and whatever but the rap that's happening is still a part of hip-hop. What they're doing is they're segregating one part of hip-hop from the rest of it and they're only playing that part. It doesn't mean that hip-hop is dead, it just means you're only hearing that. Hip-hop is everywhere, everyone's doing it, it's a spirit. A living breathing thing, and-"

RC - "If you don't like what you're being exposed to, then why don't you look for something else-"

S - "Exactly."

RC - "The only I have to say about that is, 'Hip-Hop is dead?!'"

Everyone - "Nope!"

ITS - What plans do you guys have for the remainder of 2014?

 
S - "More masturbation."

MM - "Well, from The Rappists camp, we've been working on Demolishious Pt.3 throughout the year which will probably come out in the Winter, and slowly compiling the material for the follow-up to Free Candy, which will more than likely be called, Get In The Van. And Vicious and I have recently completed ViciousMorder, Void Our Crimes, so we're looking forward to releasing and performing some of that material as well."

RC - "Clawsin aren't you dropping a new album on your 19th birthday?"

JC - "My what? Oh yeah, plans for the remainder of 2014, I'm going to get drunk everyday as soon as I turn 19. Just kidding. Actually, I'm not. But no, for the remainder of the year I'm going to be finishing up my new album, 'Nightmare Manipulation Vol.2' aka '2Pac Is My Dad', and just ummm, preparing for 2015."

S - "I'm seeing a BNE Vol.5 happening this year, and that's all I'm going to say about that."

V - "I'm working on a solo record myself, I don't have a title for it but it will be my 10th solo album, so -"

MM - "Call it Ten, like Pearl Jam."

V - "I'll call it, Dix. D-I-X. No, that's so not what it's going to be called. But umm, yeah BNE Vol.5 needs to happen."

RC - "The truth is BNE Vol.5 is already happening, with the collaboration between me, and Vicious, and Syco Sko'd, and BenZosa. Business Blue. 6 is what I think SYNZ and Vicious are referring to, but let me just quickly say this, for the rest of 2014 we've got, ummm, we're going to rock a few dope shows, a couple here, a couple there. But the biggest thing that I want to stress is that on 12.13.14 my new shit will be ready for all the digital carriers and all the everything's. Rhyme Or Die. And that's what's up, 12.13.14. It'll make a great Christmas gift, and it'll be on in tunes and all that shit and that's my big plan personally. And one more thing, we also have a sampler coming out as well, because we like to give that shit away at shows, and as as gifts and whatnot and yeah, that's all I'm going to say."
ITS - What preshow rituals do you guys have to get pumped up for a show?
MM - "Beers outback of the venue, for sure."

JC - "My preshow ritual - and this is for real, I shit you not - I always have to take a preshow shit. My nerves start acting up and then my stomach starts, and everything I've eaten from the day comes out, you know, when you get those butterflies in your stomach? And so I'll take a shit, smoke a joint, then rock the show."

V - "That's not preshow jitters, that's called Crohn's disease, man."

RC - "Honestly for me, I've got to smoke some good weed before I get on stage, that's about it."

MM - Yeah, a good session, some beers, jokes amongst the Crew, and we're good to go."

If you want to follow along with social media you can through

	http://www.twitter.com/rcthahaz http://www.tumblr.com/rcthahaz http://www.youtube.com/rcthahazard

And to get the rest of the contact info hit up RC and he can get that to you.

Review of Van-United by Chief Awuah ft. Lane Felledeau

Toronto and Vancouver, 2 city's made famous from an amazing hockey rivalry. Now we are in 2014 and its all about uniting cities, Hence we have Van-United by Toronto Hip-Hop artist Chief Awuah ft. Vancouver Hip-Hop artist Lane Fellerdeau. Chief initially was in Vancouver before moving to Toronto where, his career has taken a turn for the better after a few tough years. And this is the first of many collaborations from these two that we will see. With the beat coming from Blake Powell (AKA BLVD Blake) Chief and Lane lyrics tell the tale of how they are simply "Out Here". I asked Chief what lyrics meant the most to him he said, "I think the entire first verse sets the story pretty well, hence the reason I wanted to start with this one. "I'm new to Vancouver, in 06, fresh kid on the scene, didn't know anyone, and being a black dude in Vancouver, seemed like it could be used to my advantage, especially me being on OSAP, just things would be different from my high school days, "I just wanted people to get the feeling that I felt when I first landed, the production is meant to keep you hyped... just a fun track, but its an anthem as well, "I'm Out Here". The Track is available to listen and download on soundcloud so be sure to take a listen and follow Chief and Lane on social media.

https://soundcloud.com/88_chief/van-united-chief

Twitter - Lane - https://twitter.com/ITSLANE_
Chief - https://twitter.com/88_chief

Interview with Brianne Bowker

Iggy Azalea, Kreayshawn, 2 names that recently have made a big impact on the music scene, and more importantly have made a big impact in the Rap community, giving talented women the push of confidence that they may have needed to fulfill their dreams. Now the future will be impacted even further with a crazy white girl, that goes by the name of Brianne Bowker or as she is going to want to be called BMB, coming on the scene with her single "White Girl Crazy". This talented and beautiful woman come to us from Pittsburgh PA, and not only can she rap but she has one hell of a voice as well. This is definitely one talent you wont want to miss out on.

ITS - Who are your biggest inspirations personally and musically?
BMB - "Personally, my mom. She's the strongest woman I know. Musically, I was never inspired by any female rappers.. all males. I listened to a lot of Tupac, T.I., Ja Rule, Eminem, J.Cole, Drake & Kendrick Lamar. To name a few vocalists who have inspired me.. the main ones would be Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston (RIP), Trey Songz, & my new fav August Alsina."

ITS - what kind of challenges (if any) do you face as a young female hip hop artist from Pittsburgh?
BMB - "There's always gonna be challenges. I'd say the biggest one as of right now is trying to go beyond the "local celebrity" status, & get my music heard by different people all across the country."

ITS - Talk a little a bit about your song "White Girl Crazy" where did the inspiration come from in writing it.
BMB - "Well, I usually only write from experience.. so let's just say I was in a very similar situation. And I knew many other women could relate."

ITS - A question I like to ask hip hop artists is that Nas has stated in the past that "Hip Hop is dead" what is your stance on that statement?

BMB - "Hip hop will never die. When a dope rap beat comes on it runs through my veins.. that feeling could never be explained nor replaced."

ITS - What plans do you have for the remainder of 2014 leading into 2015?
BMB - "My plan is to drastically expand my fan base, everywhere I go I want people to acknowledge me as "BMB"."

ITS - Final question- a fun question I like to throw in, if you choose one kind of food to live off of what would it be and why?
BMB - "Oh wow that's tough! But ahhh I'd probably have to say Italian food. I couldn't imagine never eating pasta again."

Thank you again for taking the time to sit with us and do this interview. If you want to followthis lovely girl on social media and get all the upcoming information on what she will be doing you can here.

Instagram/Twitter: xo_bmb
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bmb412
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/bmb412
If you want to check out her track "White Girl Crazy" you can here

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

Interview with Doom Squad

Edmonton, also known as the "City Of Champions"or "Oil Country". Home of k.d. Lang, Captain Tractor, and many others. But now is the time for Underground Hip-Hop and in comes Doom Squad. DS consists of 3 members Kryple, NineLivez & Trippz and these guys bring raw flavor with their raw talent. They recently opened for R.A. The Rugged Man in Vancouver, and this was my first exposure to them, and got me interested right away, with their I.D.G.A.F. attitude.

ITS - Who is Doom Squad and how did you guys form as a group?

 

Kryple - "Doom Squad consists of 3 members, Kryple, NineLivez & Trippz. We were all solo artists that worked together for years before forming the group. Eventually the chemistry just brought us closer together as artists and it just clicked. The name Doom Squad came from NineLives' older brother Blaklistid (RIP) and is in his honor."

ITS - Who have been your biggest inspirations to outside a career in music personally and professionally?

Kryple - "As a group we inspire each other by playing off each others talents. We always strive to be better then the other but in a good way, and that how we have grown and continue to grow as artists. Individually we all have different upbringings and motivators because we all come from completely different walks of life."

ITS - Being a Hip Hop group from Edmonton, how does the scene there differ from Vancouver?

Kryple - "There's not much difference between any of the hip hop scenes in Canada in our opinion. All the cities have a lot of struggling artists and very few that are successful in the venture. That being said Vancouver has a lot more successful & supportive scene than Edmonton does, but they also have a more condensed and bigger population."

ITS - Nas stated hip hop is dead, what is your opinion on that?

Kryple - "Fuck that, Hip Hop is more then alive & well."

ITS - What plans do you guys have for the remainder of 2014?

Kryple - "Subscribe to our social media outlets and find out!"

ITS - Talk a little bit about your song IDGAFuck.

 

Kryple - "The song is IDGAFuck.. Pretty much sums it up, this is our favorite track to perform, and you can see us perform it on the Merkules L.A.S.H. Tour across Canada this September."

 

ITS - Final question- a fun question I like to throw in is, what pre show rituals do you have to get pumped up for a show?

Kryple - "Nothing really, we just smoke a bunch of weed and vibe out to music that gets us pumped."

 

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

 

www.youtube.com/kryple

www.facebook.com/pages/Doom-Squad/213025185382980

Instagram:

@kryple | @doomsquadfamilia | @doomtrippz

Facebook:

John Kryple | Stevie NineLivez | Noel Steven Wysocki

 

Check out their track IDGAFuck here

 

 

Interview with Josh Graham

Ohio, home of Bone Thugz-N-Harmony the pioneers of Hip Hop in the Midwest United States in the '90's. Fast forward to 2014 and the new beginning of Hip Hop/R&B in Ohio brought to you by Josh Graham, a multi-talented artist, who has flow and one hell of a voice. When you think Ohio, you don't immediately think of Hip Hop, but by the end of this interview I hope you change your view, and that more aspiring artists gain confidence and rise to do what they love. I'm not going to give a long drawn out introduction on Josh Graham, I'm going to let his interview and his music speak for itself.

ITS - Who have been your inspiration personally and musically?

 

Josh - "NAS and Amiee Winehouse have been my major influences. NAS was my influence because he is one of the few remaining real lyricists in Hip Hop and he was always willing to stay that way. Amiee Winehouse taught me that having music that sounded different from others and having a singing voice that wasn't like any other on the planet would sell and make you a star. Be different, it will make you stand out. Personally there are four people who inspire me. They keep me motivated, give honest opinions of my music and whenever I'm feeling down and defeated, they can lift me back up. They are my music manager Dj Black Ceza, Brandon Newsom, Emily Lough and Alyssa Swerington. Always by my side and all of them are highly talented!"

 

ITS - Talk a little bit about the hip hop scene in Ohio, and where you would like to see it in 5 years.

Josh - "Truthfully, there isn't much of a hip hop scene in my part of Ohio. Those who are, i've never heard of them. I tend to do my own thing and stay away from falling into the trap of “local star.” I want to send a message to the world not just my city. You have to think of the bigger picture. Being a local celebrity is nice but why waste the talent you have by staying here, or falling into a cover band. Something that happens alot. We have very few artists and an overrun of cover bands. When you ask these artists if they dreamed of making it they normally respond with yes but its ohio, nobody comes here. Which is the exact reason I market away from here. According to my soundcloud statistics, i'm popular in Turkey. Which is crazy! In the future I hope to see more artists venture out of Ohio or for more record labels to see the untapped talent in Ohio."

 

ITS - Nas has previously stated that "Hip Hop is dead" what's your take on that statement?

 

Josh - "Completely true! Its hard to find a real lyricist these days. Most mainstream artists don't care about having a message in their music anymore. In my opinion they are writing lyrics as fast as possible so that the turnaround time is quicker, which means more money. Hip hop these days is always the same subjects drugs, sex, gangs and drugs. As an artist writing about those particular subjects limits how many fans I can make. No thirty five year old mom wants to hear about someone getting high. They want something they can rock to and their kids and at the same time can also hit that teenage market. This is why I do multiple genres. Im only trying to create as many fans possible by relating to more people. Hip hop that told a story and tried to change the world is dead. I hope to help bring it back somehow."

 

ITS - Who do you think 10 years ago had the biggest influence in the hip hop game, and who do you think is the biggest today and why?

Josh - "Eminem. I know I sound similar to him but i've done my best to separate myself as an artist. He is himself and I am me. He influenced music dramatically with his off the wall lyrics and lyrical vocabulary. He forced artists to up their game. In my opinion Eminem is the best rapper ever. He can go missing for years then drop an album and won multiple grammys with it. Who else can do that?"

 

ITS -  If you could pick one artist to collaborate with who would it be and why?

Josh - "Tevin Campbell. Crazy right? I was barely four when he came onto the music scene with “Can we talk.” He is my favorite singer of all time. I’d kill to do a song with him. He was so talented but overlooked by too many. It was around the time Price and Micheal Jackson were fighting for King of Pop and sadly he just didn't receive the credit he deserved. I recently heard he is trying to make a comeback."

 

ITS - Talk a little bit about your song "HIghway".

 

Josh - "my song called “Highway” features my good friend Callie Rowe. It means alot to me because despite it being older, it shows me how far ive come since then musically and personally. Most people think the song is amazing but when i hear it, its simply my motivation to create an even better song."

 

ITS - Final question- a fun question I like to throw in what are some rituals you have to get pumped up for a show?

 

Josh - "I like to sing my own songs to myself. Dance some and then go out and rock the place!"

If you want to follow Josh on what I'm sure will be an amazing journey and to keep up with what's going on musically check him out on social media.

 

Twitter @itsjoshgraham

Instagram itsjoshgraham

Facebook facebook.com/jgrahamoffical

Soundcloud jgraham928

 

Also check out his track that we talked about "Highway" here

 

https://soundcloud.com/jgraham928/highway-ft-callie-rowe

 

And if you want to purchase this amazing track you can

 

itunes http://bit.ly/1qrM12E

amazon mp3 http://amzn.to/1lRcnvs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interview with Candice Sand

Welcome back and week with Inside The Scene. Things are starting to pick up and get a little busy. This week I was able to catch up with Canadian musician Candice Sand. This talented singer comes from us from Toronto but was born in a small town in Saskatchewan called Melville, and just finished up a tour of Canada with stops in Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, to name a few. Candice began singing when she was 8, and continued on through school, ending up in Brandon University's Faculty of Music studying Opera. From there she went to Edmonton and expanded her studies, studying Jazz, and all contemporary styles of music. Candice has recently been working with Kuya Productions (who are known for their work with Canadian singer JRDN). She released her recent EP titled "Against Concrete Walls" on July 29th. Candice has a voice that you wont want to miss out on, so hop on board and enjoy the ride.

ITS - Who has been your biggest influence in your life personally and musically?

Candice- "Personally, my parents. Naturally they make up the person that I am and there are things about each of them that I look up to. Also, they've taught me my values and I'm so grateful for it because it keeps me grounded. It helps me remind myself what is really important to me... in the big picture of life."

"Musically, that's a BIG question! When it comes to song writing, I was first inspired by Jewel and John Mayer, James Blunt too. Later on it moved to Alicia Keys, Emeli Sande, and now Lianne La Havas. The singer in me is inspired by all those big voices out there: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera... their amazing skill makes me push harder to see what I can do with my instrument, my voice."

 

ITS - Where did the name come from for you latest EP Against Concrete Walls?

Candice - "It actually comes from a line in my single "I Got This", which is also on the EP and I call "I Got This" my personal anthem. I put a lot of thought into everything I do and when it came to naming the album, it was my sister's idea to take lyrics from a song on the EP. She suggested "Against Concrete Walls" and the more I thought of it, the more I loved it. It fit so well with everything I was feeling when I wrote the album. Small town girl in a big city, trying to rise above... and by "rise above" I mean to rise above all the doubts, all of the gray... rise above a sometimes cold world. It's about empowerment. Sort of my way of saying I'm not afraid anymore. The line: "I'm strong but so small against concrete wall, filled with possibility throw all uncertainty away."

ITS - What is one of your favorite tracks of the EP and why?

Candice - "Man you are stacking some hard questions haha! I love them all for different reasons... I really do. BUT if I had to choose, I think I would say "Oh Darling (This Is Love)". I've always been sentimental and aware of time passing... AND how I want to hold onto certain moments in life, but I know I can't. That's what this song is about... and I feel it every time I sing it."

ITS - You just finished your tour in Canada, what has been your favorite moment so far, and where has been your favorite place to play?

Candice - "The whole tour was GOLDEN! Seriously, such great responses from city to city, seeing all my friends and family along the way, and making new friends! My favourite moment was after the show in my hometown (Melville, SK). We went back to my mom's house, popped a bottle of champagne, and toasted to amazing first tour! I was just so blissfully happy. I felt so fulfilled, by the stage and by the love & support I felt the from everyone along the way. That moment was the best. My heart was full."

ITS - Final question - A fun question I like to throw in, what pre show rituals do you have to get you prepared for a show?

Candice - "I'm crazy for preshow rituals haha, ask my guitar player Neil! I love low calorie Gatorade to stay hydrated (especially on the road) and lots of water... licorice tea to soothe my voice... ricola lozenges... I warm up my voice with a few scales and spoken exercises in the early afternoon... I stretch out my muscles. Seriously, it's a whole thing haha."

Be sure to follow Candice on social media, to get all the latest in what will surely be a tremendous career.

www.twitter.com/candicesand

www.facebook.com/candicesand

www.candicesand.com

www.youtube.com/candicesand

If you want to buy her EP "Against Concrete Walls" you can here on ITunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/against-concrete-walls-ep/id890178291?ls=1 

Also check out her video for her song "Go On" ft. JRDN