Music Interview

REFLECT

By Isaac Davis Jr., MBA

Perhaps one of the most talented intellectual hip-hop artists that I have had the pleasure to interview REFLECT promises to take the hip-hop culture to a new level. He certainly is off to an auspicious start with his conscientious lyrics that touches on every aspect of today’s life issues. JC Internet Radio is proud to present this great interview to our online members. Enjoy!

Isaac: Thanks for taking the time to speak with our online community REFLECT. Let's talk about how you first got your start.

REFLECT: I suppose my mother sparked my interest. She is a great vocalist and she is always singing. Growing up I was surrounded by a lot of music and I was taught to value it.

I wrote lyrics from a young age but kept it to myself. One of my boys sold me a dual cassette player that you could hit record and play and then record your voice into it. I would play a Miles Davis song in the background through another CD player while beating on the counter top with my fist and a pencil for the kick and snare and record that as a beat. Then I’d play the beat and get my face right up to the speaker and rap and sing into it. Later, I got my first drum machine from a DJ who was moving away to college and I got a keyboard and a 4 track tape recorder and taught myself how to use it. Then you couldn’t get me away from it.

Isaac: How would you describe your music?

REFLECT: If you really listen and let it, it’s gonna hit you in the chest. The music is soulful. Bluesy. My goal is always to make songs that have the same vibe a powerful film has when it leaves you staring at the screen unknowingly sitting through the credits while you digest what you just witnessed.

Isaac: What kinds of music are you influenced by?

REFLECT: I love old soul music and respect artists like Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes. More contemporary artists that I always listen to include Tupac Shakur, Lauryn Hill, Common, Alicia Keys, D‘Angelo, Nas, Jay-Z and Anthony Hamilton. I am influenced by producers like Norman Whitfield, Mark Batson, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, DJ. Preemo and the Soulaquarians with JayDee and ?estlove.

Isaac: What can fans expect from the debut album HOPE?

REFLECT: It was healing process for me to make the record. Since I put so much of my heart into it, it has become a healing record. It is strong and honest and lends a liberated emotion and sense of strength. I was taught to create music that gives back energy rather then robbing people of it. I really feel ‘Hope wuz Here’ succeeded.

Isaac: You have a powerful message to say in your lyrics? How did you first decided that you wanted to tackle this through your music?

REFLECT: I was told in high school that I wouldn’t even be a footnote in history. I have encountered too many great people and great stories for them to be forgotten so I am writing my own history, recording my story. Everybody wants there voice to be heard and everybody wants to be remembered. This is the medium that is working for me to do it. Music is the first thing in my life I didn’t have to wrestle with to be good at. Of course, I put in my work and I continue to practice and study but I don’t feel like I am fighting up hill.

Isaac: What do you consider to be your personal style, what clothing brands are you rockin' right now?

REFLECT: I don’t have brand loyalty, but I know what I like. I have to be comfortable. I am a sneaker head so my shoes have to be on point other then that it’s like Ghandi said, “it does not require money to be neat, clean and dignified.”

Isaac: How do you feel about the music industry today and about hip hop in general?

REFLECT: I hear all the talk about people thinking today’s music trash and saturated and how much better it used to be, but that is always up for argument because every generation thinks THEIR music was better.

The biggest difference now is that music has become so readily available through technology that if you only like two songs off someone’s record you only have to get two songs then mix them with the others that you love. It is great for the music fan; it’s a “have it your way” approach. I mean really, if you could watch your favorite TV show without commercials wouldn‘t you? I think it forces artists to avoid filler tracks.

I see the importance of a model like that of STAX and MOTOWN era with the focus on creating a single and then touring to push a record. Artists have gone back to having to put in work past the studio to break through the noise.

Converse to that, technology has also made it possible for anyone to record there own music and put it up on the Internet next to an established artist. I think its great for kids but in the same breath you have to know your role. Having recording equipment doesn’t make you a producer. The same way having a microphone doesn’t make you a singer or an emcee.

Isaac: What do you feel that you will bring differently to the game?

REFLECT: There isn’t any artist like me that’s played the game yet. I have my own identity my own vibe. I tell my truth and I give it everything I got.

At the same time, I am a student of the industry and I understand the importance of creating something with value. Quality. When you get my record, you get me. It’s not a board room that is making decisions on how the album will go together, it’s just me. I mean, I was even the one to hit record!

Isaac: What are some other projects that you are working on now?

REFLECT: I have been performing in Toronto, New York, my bathroom and anywhere else I am given the opportunity to perform.

I am working with an animator on a video for ‘New Day’ from the album Hope wuz Here and I will begin preproduction work for the second album around April and look to have a single ready by May. Also, I recently completed a mixtape that will be available free by download through my site in a week.

Isaac: Where can fans locate you on the Internet?

REFLECT: There best bet is to hit the website www.reflect-music.com. I am new to the social networking scene on the Internet but I have a MySpace www.myspace.com/reflectchange and I am now on Facebook under artist pages REFLECT. I love the emails so keep ‘em coming reflectmusic@gmail.com

Isaac: Give some shout-outs to your peeps.

REFLECT: I’ll throw a shout out and a thank you your way Isaac for allowing me the opportunity to do the interview.

Shout out to all those who show interest in this interview.

Respect to all people who provide me with inspiration and all those who genuinely care about me and what I am doing. It’s only the beginning.

Isaac: Final words....

REFLECT: I understand the overwhelming amount of artists with projects attempting to get your attention. I will not yell in your ear for you to look my way. But, I hope you find the time to sit through the record without rushing or judging too quickly. Give me your time and we can light up the dark. You give me your ear I will give you my heart.

Still a Star,

-REFLECT

REFLECT

Music Promotion via MusicSubmit.com

Music Interview

with Guitarist Dan Chrzan of Redliner

By Isaac Davis Jr., MBA

This next band is going to make you bang your head against the wall with their non apoplectic lyrics, hardcore sound, electrifying guitar playing, and insane in the brain drum set. These are all the things that you have come to expect from any true Heavy Metal band. Well, Guitarist Dan Chrzan of Redliner knows how to get down with the guitar and it shows in his deliverance when he is performing. Add the other members of the group to the mix and you have one of the hardest rocking Metal bands out there in the music industry currently. Check out this recent interview that I had with Dan. Enjoy!

Isaac: How did Redliner get started?

Dan: Back in the summer of 2007, I was looking to get something going and I needed a singer for a start. I found Jim (Santora) online because he was in a band that I knew of. I told him that he would sound better if he sang over my riffs. After I contacted him, we collaborated and created great chemistry. Then we found our drummer Don (Valentino) and bassist Steve (Tortu). Redliner was then born.

Isaac: Where did the name Redliner come from?

Dan: Well, we always record our practices. After one practice, we were listening and noticed that the music was redlining. Not sure who said it but someone suggested Redliner. It then stuck. Funny thing though: we were originally going with the name Redline Infraction because its a hockey term and we all pretty much are big hockey fans, but it's too long of a name.

Isaac: Who is Redliner's primary audience?

Dan: Our audience is varied. People of all ages like us. We have age range of 18 to 80--lol.

Isaac: What distinguishes Redliner from other bands playing in the music industry?

Dan: We actually have guitar solos in our songs and our singer sings and not screams or growls. The musicianship is tight because everyone knows music theory, which is rare with today's bands.

Isaac: What has been the most challenging aspect of building this band?

Dan: Having everyone on the same page as far as direction of the band and achieving the same goals.

Isaac: How do you get booking agents to pay attention to your band, among all the competition?

Dan: Promote to the max. Getting our name all over the web. Our singer Jim does an awesome job of that so kudos to him!

Isaac: let's talk about you as the guitarist for the band. What is your personal background with how you got your start playing the guitar?

Dan: I started listening to music at the age of 6 when I first heard "Get Back" by the Beatles. From that point, I was hooked on rock and roll music. I started playing guitar at the age of 11, took lessons for a while just to get basic theory and chords but quit after a year. Eddie Van Halen said it is way better to learn on your own as opposed to going by the book so I took his advice--lol.

Isaac: What are the major frustrations you have faced as an artist?

Dan: Well, I played with some great and some crap musicians but most of them are not serious about really making a name. They wanted the glory but were too lazy to work for it. So, one of my biggest regrets is wasting my time with those guys. I'm glad I'm in this band with these guys.

Isaac: Which are your favorite local venues to play and what makes them attractive to you?

Dan: Bank Shots in Stanton, Delaware because it's out of state and we got a great reception playing there--might have been our best show this year. The people are great and really understand and appreciate original rock and roll. We also did a show in Philly at place called Joker's which is no longer there but it was a great show! The sound system was incredible and the stage was huge--good vibes too!!

Isaac: Are there places you haven't played that you would like to play?

Dan: The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey because it is Jersey's premier club. Everyone from Dokken to Disturbed to Lindsay Buckingham has played there. It would be incredible to land a gig there opening for a national because they get major radio promotion there and it can only help the band name.

Isaac: Who has been some of the great guitarists that have influenced you as the guitarist of Redliner Rock?

Dan: My favorite guitarists include: Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads(Ozzy), Carlos Cavazo(Quiet Riot), David Gilmour(Pink Floyd), BB King, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Pete Townsend, and of course: Jimi Hendrix. I can go on and on but these guys are major influences.

Isaac: What are you hopes for you and the band for 2009?

Dan: To get exposed anyway we can as well as radio airplay worldwide. Also, we would like to branch out as far as playing shows. We would like to play as far away as we can. If that means getting on a plane and playing a festival in California, we'll do it.

Isaac: Give some well- deserved Shout outs...

Dan: Shout outs go out to my wife, my parents and extended family, my band and their families, Ray from Nottingham Pizza(the subs are awesome, Bro!), my friend Andy, Katie and Mike Patrick, Leroy(band photographer), Wayne(our recording engineer), J from Mean Venus, and all the bands we shared the stage with(too many to mention).

Isaac: Final thoughts.....

Dan: First off, thank you for this interview. It's really appreciated. Keep an eye out for Redliner--2009 is going to be a big year for us and that starts in late January when our cd "Vengeance" is released. After that, you'll be hearing a lot about us. Most importantly, thank you for this interview. It's really appreciated. You can also check us out at www.redlinerrock.com

Official Website

www.redlinerrock.com

Special Thanks to Jim Santora - Redliner