Introducing Interview: MONOGEM

Refinery 29 named MONOGEM a “trailblaizer of gender fluidity in the entertainment industry”, and we caught up with the ethereal alt-pop artist to discuss this, her latest single  ‘Shade’ and MONOGEM’s origins…

Welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about how MONOGEM came about?
In 2014, I decided to take a detour from my singer-songwriter/Jazz solo project and explore the realm of electronic music. A monogem ring is a supernova remnant which rang true in so many ways for me at the time. The largest monogem ring was found near the Cancer constellation, and being born on 22nd June, this felt like the perfect moniker for me to use to dig into another side of myself. I’m having the time of my life evolving with every release, every interview and show!

We’re loving your latest single ‘Shade’, which we’ve played on the radio show, can you tell us a bit more about this song?
Thank you for the love! I’m so happy this track is out in the world. This song is so me, the lyrics are some of the most honest I’ve written so far. I wrote it as a reminder to stop hiding my truths, even if they aren’t pretty. As an artist and a woman, I’ve felt the need to brush whatever I’m feeling under the rug, pull myself together and put a smile on my face for the big show. When I allow myself to be truly present in every moment, happy or sad, a better version of myself comes out to play. And that person showed up the day I wrote this song.

Listening to your newer music it feels like this has a much more complex layered feel to it, would you agree with that? Has there been a change in your writing/creating process?
Definitely. It’s all part of the evolution of this project and it’s so exciting to be at the centre of it. I studied Jazz at Berklee College of Music… for whatever reason I used to cover up that training and simplify my creative writing process. But now, I’m embracing it more than ever, and it feels really, really good.

Your have been described in such a variety of ways from “a soulful blend of the past and the future” to “a trailblazer of gender fluidity in the entertainment industry”… Do you feel that you fall into any of these descriptions?
I’m always honoured when someone takes the time to write about my music and what they take from it. It makes me feel like the art I’m making is being received in the way that I intended… What a beautiful thing.

LA, where you’re based, has a great music scene with so many artists who are emerging – do you feel part of a strong music community over there?
It’s taken time to develop a strong music community here, about 5-6 years for me, but wow do I feel it more than ever now. Especially after my headline show at School Night last night, I’m definitely home.

Amazing! How was the gig and how would you describe your live shows?
I am over the moon about last night’s gig. The live show features an all-female band – Neara Russell (keys/synthbass) and Valerie Franco (drums) – and they are ridiculously talented. I usually sprinkle in some special guests, like last night my long time friend and collaborator, Adam Tressler (guitar), joined us as well as my friend Hailey Niswanger on saxophone. I am so lucky to work with powerful and skilled musicians. The show is dynamic and sensual. I am very proud of where we are at in this very moment and am excited to keep improving.

And more importantly are you planning on coming to the UK anytime soon??
I’m dying to get to the UK!  Hopefully in 2019.

What’s the rest of 2019 got in store for MONOGEM?
More music and more tours!

Finally as we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out?
Lately, I’ve been really into Maiah Manser, Doe Paoro and CLARA-NOVA. All LA-based female powerhouses I am lucky to call friends.

A big thank you to MONOGEM for answering our questions! Fingers crossed for that UK tour date in 2019!

‘Shade’ is out now and you can find more from MONOGEM via Soundcloud.

 

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Introducing Interview: Bellhouse

Having received acclaim from the likes of Clash and Earmilk, Swedish electro-pop artist Emma-Lee Andersson – aka Bellhouse – has just released her shimmering new single ‘Like You Loved Us’. A flowing celestial soundscape filled with Andersson’s impassioned soulful vocals, it’s a majestic alt-pop gem.

We caught up with Bellhouse to find out more…

Hi Bellhouse, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Thank you so much! I create powerful pop-music from the heart that I think can give people all kinds of different emotions, which is the purpose of music!

Your new single ‘Like You Loved Us’ is out now – can you tell us what it’s all about?
For sure! It’s about this pure (and sometimes not very pretty) uncontrollable desperation when two people who used to be everything to each other try to convince themselves that they can move on and remain friends when they are clearly not over it. Desperate enough to hold on, even at the cost of hurting the other.


You’ve been compared to the likes of Allie X and Zella Day, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
That’s great to hear, I love ‘Paper Love! It varies a lot, and I get inspired by new artists all the time, but I’ve looked up to and gotten inspired by Stromae and Purity Ring for a long time even if my music is pretty different from theirs.

How is your local music scene? Do you go to see lots of live music?
Unfortunately I don’t at the moment, but I love to do it, so that must change!

And what can fans expect from your live shows?
They can expect me and an amazing band who goes all in since this is what we love most to do. Hopefully the fun we have on stage catches onto the audience!

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any new/upcoming bands or artists you’d recommend we check out?
There are so many amazing new bands and artists, but I recently discovered GRANT who I think is simply amazing.

And how do you feel the music industry is for new bands at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
There is so so so much music coming out everyday so it’s definitely difficult to get noticed, and it’s really important to have something unique that makes you stand out, but if you know who you are and where you want to go, you just need to keep fighting. Sometimes it takes a bit of time, but if you really are a great, original musician, I think you will get there!

Finally, what does the rest of 2018 have in store for Bellhouse?
I will be writing new music and keep getting it out there!

Huge thanks to Bellhouse for answering our questions!

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Video Premiere: Calista Kazuko – ‘Sweet Jailbird’

Having studied at London’s Royal Academy, and received acclaim from the likes of Sir George Martin, with tracks of hers being used by Stella McCartney as catwalk openers, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Calista Kazuko is now set to release her debut album next Spring.

Taken from the album, ‘Sweet Jailbird’ follows previous single ‘Press Stop & Rewind’ and showcases Kazuko at her most theatrical. Written in collaboration with Elliot James Frisby, the track oozes a dark aura as bluesy hooks flow, building with a cinematic grandeur to showcase the full soulful power of Calista’s vocals. With a playful spirit, she fuses together a nostalgic jazz-infused musicality with a unique, gritty edge. A truly majestic offering from this sophisticated and innovative artist.

Made with film-maker Philip Reinking, the beautifully shot and subtly haunting new video for ‘Sweet Jailbird’ is out now. Watch it here:

Calista Kazuko’s debut album Empress is out Spring 2019. Pre-order here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Introducing Interview: Tokyo Taboo

GIHE faves Tokyo Taboo have long been blowing us away with their immense, riotous live performances and seething energy, and so it’s with excitement that we heard they’re set to release their second album very soon!

Taken from the album, latest single ‘No Pleasure Only Pain’ rages with the band’s trademark ferocity as whirring hooks race alongside tremendous beats and the immense power of front-woman Dolly Daggerz’ vocals.

We caught up with Tokyo Taboo to find out more…

Hi Tokyo Taboo, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
We are Tokyo Taboo – a punk, rocker duo with weird visual ideas, lots of energy and acrobatics on stage!

How did you initially get together and start creating music?
Dolly auditioned Mickey when she was in search of a guitarist for her solo project. There was an old guy who made up his only chords, a guy who couldn’t play guitar at all and Mickey. The rest is history!

Your new single ‘No Pleasure Only Pain’ is out this week – can you tell us what it’s all about?
Dolly’s lyrics came from her realisation that she was sabotaging herself with alcohol and lusting after the wrong kinds of things that cause only pain. The song is about when you know something or someone is wrong for you but you still can’t stop thinking about how good it would feel to have it/them. Animal impulses basically that drive addiction and bad behaviour!

You’ve been compared to the likes of Deap Vally and Juliette & The Licks, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
Madonna is a massive influence for Dolly along with Freddie Mercury and Bowie. Dolly is a big believer in the importance of commanding a stage and bewitching an audience! Any performers who are compelling to watch with that sense of unpredictable showmanship are going to be a massive influence on us.

How is your local music scene? Do you go to see lots of live music?
We put on a lot of shows with other bands (especially female fronted acts). When we are putting together a line up we like to choose female fronted acts over male as the industry is so male dominated. We love to go to see live music and performance of any kind. Dance, aerialists, acrobats – all art inspires us.

We’ve been blown away by your live show many times! But can you explain what fans can expect from your live shows?
Dolly likes to push herself to the max. The last show we did in Canada involved Dolly doing a bridge (one handed back bend) whilst singing the final two minutes of the last song, high notes and all. She likes to jump on things (she climbs a lot on the bar or on high tables). She also likes to climb up poles and hang upside down off them. Our set is high energy with a lot of audience participation so it’s not one you can stand back and be detached from.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands you’d recommend we check out?
We are big fans of Polly Pikpockets, Yur Mum and Healthy Junkies, and are planning another show with all three in 2019! Watch this space!

And how do you feel the music industry is for new bands at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
The music industry sucks and will always suck for bands starting out as there are so many sharks out there that you need to blacklist and so many lessons to be learnt that you only learn from going at it! It is, of course, difficult to get noticed but perseverance is everything!

Finally, what does the rest of 2018 have in store for Tokyo Taboo?
Our single launch night is on the 29th of November at Fest in Camden. We are then releasing our new music video the following week. We have been spending a lot of time at the moment booking festivals and planning for 2019. I don’t think we’ll stop working on music until Christmas Eve. But we love it so who’s complaining?

Huge thanks to Tokyo Taboo for answering our questions!

‘No Pleasure Only Pain’ is out 30th November, and you can catch Tokyo Taboo live at their single launch at Camden Fest on Friday 29th, along with Bugeye, Thunder On The Left and HAWXX and Bled The Fifth.

 

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