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Interview: National Skyline

Posted 4/2/12 3:45 pm EST by in Artist Interviews, Friendzone, Interviews, Jersey Shore, Teen Mom

Soundtrack recently reached out to Jeff Garber, the man behind the stellar band National Skyline. National Skyline has been creating and releasing music since the early 2000's, and they're no stranger around MTV. NS's music can be heard prominently throughout The Hills, Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, and Friendzone. NS recently released an incredible full length album, Primitive Parade, that weaves deep elements of sonically unbeatable beats and emotions throughout. Top to Bottom, this album is beyond pleasing to the ears and worth your time. We posted the full album stream at the bottom of the interview. If you like what you hear, run out and grab it.

++ National Skyline interview ++

ST: Where are you from and how has that influenced your music?

NS: I'm from the Mid-West, specifically right outside St. Louis. Michael Stipe from REM graduated from my high school, which was a big deal. So I've been raised on indie music since I was a kid.

ST: What did MTV mean to you growing up and what does it mean to you now?

NS: It was very important for my development musically. I used to record MTV's 120 minutes and learned to play guitar by watching where people put their fingers.

ST: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and why?

NS: My favorite groups are Deerhunter, Washed Out, and Tame Impala. I'm a fan of any group that really delivers a dark hook. I tend to like sad music, I guess. Music that has emotional context.

ST: If you could work with one artist dead or alive, who would it be?

NS: I'd like to be a fly on the wall at some recording sessions for sure. Maybe U2's Unforgettable Fire or Radiohead's OK Computer.  I'd just like to be in the studio while they recorded those albums. Maybe I'd get coffee for people.

ST: Many of your songs deal with themes of love, heartbreak and the bittersweet. Where do you gather inspiration for your songs' subject matter?

NS: I write stream of consciousness lyrics. 90% of the time my final lyrics are the first ideas that popped into my head while I was writing the song. I try to make sure the words sound good. I guess I'm subconsciously bittersweet and lovelorn, now that I think about it.

ST: Real World or Jersey Shore?

NS: Jersey Shore nowadays, but I've spent lots of time with the Real World. I remember the first season, which was a looooong time ago.

ST: If you could be known for only one of your songs, which would you choose and why?

NS: I'm partial to a song called "He Was Lost". It's lyrically dark but the music is upbeat. A perfect balance of yin and yang.

++ Interview by Jaron Lum

+++ Purchase National Skyline's latest album 'Primitive Parade' here

++++  Stream the album 'Primitive Parade' below

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Interview: Desoto Jones

Posted 3/20/12 10:00 pm EST by in Artist Interviews, Interviews, Jersey Shore

Soundtrack recently caught up with the Philadelphia band Desoto Jones. They've had numerous song placements across many MTV shows, most notably Jersey Shore.

++ Buy their Latest Release  'Inward Telescopic' here ++

 

ST: Where are you guys from and how has that influenced your music?

DJ: We are all from New Jersey, directly across the river from Philadelphia. Adam and Owen Staszewski are brothers and grew up playing together.  Ean and Adam Francois went to the same high school only about fifteen minutes away from where Adam and Owen went to school. Greg Townsend is from a bit further north in New Jersey. Philadelphia really had a vibrant music scene while we were growing up. Ean, Owen and Adam were heavily involved in the hardcore, metal and punk underground scenes of the early 2000's in New Jersey and Philly. I think that definitely had an influence on us, but I'd say the music that influenced us all and made us start playing was grunge during the early 90's.

ST: What did MTV mean to you growing up? What does it mean to you now?

DJ: MTV was really important to us all growing up. Seeing videos of bands we loved, finding new bands, watching breaking music news, and live performances on the Video Music Awards all made us stop in our tracks. Nirvana Unplugged, as well as Pearl Jam Unplugged (and their Video Music Awards performances) are vivid memories for us. MTV was truly was an integral part of our adolescence.  What does MTV mean to us now? Words cannot describe the intense feeling of nostalgia as the theme song of Beavis and Butthead launches the show into new episodes. Amazing. Hearing newer bands through the various shows and how MTV is shedding light on how important music is when paired with visuals to create certain feelings is simply brilliant. We also can't describe how much the folks at MTV have done for Desoto Jones by placing our music in various shows. It provided a platform for us to gain invaluable exposure. Who would have thought that the channel we grew up worshiping would be using our music in their programming?  Surreal stuff.

ST: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and why?

DJ: Some of our biggest musical influences include 90's bands like Pearl Jam, STP, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, and so on. They were a major part of our formative years and left a huge imprint on our sense of what rock music is and how great it can be. That is our one common thread. Individually, we don't listen to the same music. But we feel that is part of what makes us a strong band: the ability to have a common vision of what we want to hear in songs and what is missing from modern alternative rock music. A lot of new music today seems to pull from 80's and new wave so we are proud to have roots in rock.

ST: If you could work with one artist dead or alive, who would it be?

DJ: Kurt Cobain because the guy could muster more musicality and passion in a few chords than others could do in their lifetime.

ST: If your music was a food, what would it be and why?

DJ: If our music was a food it would be a Doener Kebap (a turkish sandwich found in Germany). A confluence of different ideas, tons of substance, and a nice balanced approach. Punk rock prices, delicious results.

ST: Real World or Jersey Shore?

DJ: Jersey Shore - because you can hear us on the show!

ST: If you could be known for only one of your songs, which would you choose and why?

DJ: As far as material already out, I would say "Unreliable" because it has great melody, but isn't sugar coated. It has parts in it that musicians and fans alike can appreciate.

++ Interview by Jaron Lum

++ Follow @desotojones | Official Website ++

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Interview: Ruth

Posted 2/24/12 8:02 pm EST by in Artist Interviews

(artist: Ruth)

Ruth is a Pacific Northwest band headed by chief songwriter Dustin Ruth. They've toured with the likes of Relient K, Switchfoot and Emery. Ruth has built a solid base of rabid fans and undeniable songs. Soundtrack sat with the band recently for this very informative interview.

ST: Where are you from and how has that influenced your music?

Ruth: I was born in California but grew up in Washington state in a small town called Brush Prairie about 20 mins from Portland OR. So I guess I got a bit of a countryside upbringing, but still had the city of Portland to go to shows and check out bands and artists. There were lots of bands when I was in high school learning to play and write that were making names for themselves around Portland. Everclear, Dandy Warhols, Elliott Smith, later on it was the Shins, and nowadays the Decemberists. Seattle is only 150 miles from my home as well so when tours would skip Portland a lot of times we'd catch them in Seattle. I'd say the Northwest produces a lot of my favorite music genres. There's a lot of heart behind the songwriting from here. In other words most of the bands from Seattle or Portland that made big names for themselves did it on passionate writing. Less about gimmicks. I'd say that idea of believing what you're singing was influential.

ST: What did MTV mean to you growing up? What does it mean to you now?

Ruth: MTV meant TRL growing up. That and the Real World. It was a peephole into life after high school. I would watch shows like TRL and dream about what was possibly in store for me and my music when I got out of high school. I was never the "Indie Cred" dreamer. I wanted to write music that I thought everyone including the jocks and cheerleaders might like.

ST: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and why?

Ruth: Like most people, the band and I go through phases on what we listen to. We all used to be real big on Third Eye Blind, early Everclear, Nirvana, Foo Fighters back in the 90's. While on the road we listen to a lot of Radiohead, The Shins, your standards like Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Tom Petty and The Beatles, but I think the band that takes the trophy for most time in our van's cd player while on the road would be Weezer. The Weezer record we spent the most time listening to hands down would be Maladroit. We love the guitar tones on Maladroit. That record inspired myself and the Nick (the lead guitar player) to really think about what pedals and amps and guitars that we were using to record. The funny thing is most of that record was recorded on a Gibson Explorer with mini hum buckers and most of our stuff was being recorded on a Gibson Firebird with mini hum buckers. I think naturally we were drawn to those tones. I don’t know of any other record with guitars that sound as good as that Weezer record.

ST: If you could work with one artist dead or alive, who would it be?

Ruth: I think I would work with Ethan Johns (the producer). As far as I know he's still very much alive. I first heard of him in about 2002/2003 when Ryan Adams first solo record came out "Heartbreaker". The production on that record was amazing. I love how it's mixed as well. Very up front vocals. After that I bought several records just because he produced them, a Kings of Leon record and a Leona Naess record. I think Ryan Adams and Ethan Johns probably had a bit more chemistry than what I've heard on other records he's done. That being said, it'd be a tight race between him and Sir Paul McCartney.

ST: If your music was a food, what would it be and why?

Ruth: I think if Ruth's music was a food it'd have to be a McDonalds happy meal. All American, universally enjoyable, and there's always a quirky bit to it, like the toy you get.

ST: Real World or Jersey Shore?

Ruth: Old school Real World. Like 90's Real World.

ST: If you could be known for only one of your songs, which would you choose and why?

Ruth: If I had to choose one "Ruth" song that has been recorded for people to know it'd probably be "Want to be Alone" off Payola. Any band person that you ask that question is most likely going to give you a song off their most current release because you're always most excited about what's new. However, there are some songs I've written for the next Ruth release that myself and the band are really excited about. So I'm sure that answer will change.

++ Interview by Jaron Lum

++ Follow Ruth on Twitter

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Interview: Stealing Signs

Posted 2/16/12 10:59 pm EST by in Artist Interviews, Video

UK band Stealing Signs have been creating a buzz throughout MTV shows with several key music placements. They're quickly becoming a go-to artist when it comes to needing impactful songs for shows like Jersey Shore. They've recently been earning some key radio spots in their own backyard on powerhouses like XFM and Radio 1.

++ Buy their new EP "Luxembourg" here ++

The band recently sat down with Soundtrack for a quick interview:

ST: What did MTV mean to you when you were growing up?  What does it mean to you now?

SS: My memories of MTV growing up are of attractive girls dancing whilst wearing denim short shorts, MTV crop tops and sun glasses. I see MTV now as an iconic figure that has helped launch the careers of many bands with the added bonus of attractive girls wearing short shorts, crop tops and sun glasses.

ST: What artist/band has influenced you the most?

SS: The Foo Fighters are probably the biggest influence on our band. Their music doesn't always effect our 'sound', instead I would say that we are more influenced by their stage presence and musical values.

ST: If you could work with any artist alive or dead, who would you pick?

SS: Obviously we would work with Michael Jackson. The guy was built to write and perform music! Who wouldn't want to work with him? Plus, you could learn some fricking awesome dance moves at the same time.

ST: If you could be known for only one of your songs, which would you choose and why?

SS: I think 'Stampede'. The song has got a light and a dark side. It shows off our dynamic abilities as a band. I think the lyrics are easily relatable to a huge number of situations as well. If we were only known for one song, I'd want it to be massively ambidextrous and that's 'Stampede'

++ Interview by Ernesto Elias

++ [ WATCH THEIR NEW VIDEO ] Stealing Signs "Batteries"

Get More: Stealing Signs, Batteries, Music, More Music Videos

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Album Review and Interview with Bombs and Bottles

Posted 1/27/12 6:02 pm EST by in Album Reviews, Artist Interviews

(artist: Bombs and Bottles)

 

+ Bombs and Bottles Album "EP" Review:

Sleek, sexy, and dark, Bombs and Bottles EP ‘Tonight’ sets the mood track-by-track.  Bombs and Bottles, also known as Harrison Zafrin, has put together a cohesive set of songs that paint a picture of a night on the town; from getting ready (“PreGame”) all the way to the end of the night (“When The Lights Go Out”).  Utilizing a myriad of electronic sounds, Bombs and Bottles has created the soundtrack to your Saturday night.

++ Download the EP for FREE here ++

+ Bombs and Bottles Interview:

ST: How would you describe your music?  Do you think you fit into a genre?

BB: When I create my records I leave room for experimenting with different sounds. My music is always evolving from record to record. I start with a base electronic sound and incorporate elements of many sub genres. This provides me with the freedom to create something new, unheard and different.

ST: What did MTV mean to you when you were growing up?  What does it mean to you now?

BB: I was raised on MTV.  It was one of my top five most watched channels.  Music videos were and still are something I really enjoy (especially Britney Spears in her short school girl outfit), and I definitely remember trying to catch TRL every day after school.

ST: What artist/band has influenced you the most?

BB: Trent Reznor.  He is a genius beyond mortal men.

ST: f you could work with any artist alive or dead, who would you pick?

BB: I'd love to work with Trent Reznor, but I know creatively that Trent and Bombs and Bottles don't really mix.   Therefore I'd love to work with another one of my favorites, Jon Gooch (Spor/Feed Me).  The amount of production knowledge I could learn from him is probably endless, and that's knowledge that I definitely want.

ST: Jersey Shore or Real World?  Why?

BB: Real World.  My mom and I have watched every season including the challenges and I think it just holds high sentimental value with me.  Regardless, I watch my fair share of Snooki and Co.

ST: If you could be known for only one of your songs, which would you choose?

BB: At the current moment that track would be” When The Lights Go Out” from my most recent EP “Tonight”.  That was just one of those songs that when finished, even after listening to it 500 times I could still feel the "newness" of it. Plus, I get a thrill knowing thousands of college kids are banging to my voice daily.

ST: Where can we find your music?

BB: You can find my music on Soundcloud, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, iTunes, Amazon, and most importantly my website- www.bombsandbottles.com

ST: Do you have any upcoming shows/performances?

BB: I recently completed production on the soundtrack for this seasons MARLON GOBEL Autumn / Winter 2012 Runway show during New York Fashion Week. It will premier at the show and be available to my fans shortly after.  I am presently recording more material and preparing for a tour later this year, which will incorporate live performance elements.

++ follow @bombsandbottles

+++ Album Review & Interview by: Ryan Aceto

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Wallpaper. Discusses His Collaboration with Cee-Lo and River Cuomo

Posted 1/13/12 2:00 pm EST by in Artist Interviews, Interviews

Hot on the heels of his new record deal with Epic Records and his 2012 Artist To Watch nod, the multi-talented Wallpaper. sits down with MTV News to discuss his collaboration with Cee-Lo and Rivers Cuomo.

Get More: Music News

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Interview: Ginger Sling

Posted 10/20/11 9:02 pm EST by in Artist Interviews, Interviews

(artist: Ginger Sling - photo: Scott Witter)

Soundtrack recently had the pleasure of sitting with Ginger Sling and talking about growing up, music, Influences, and the importance of music getting placed on TV. Ginger's career in songwriting is beyond fantastic and very interesting -read her bio here. Don't forget to grab her new EP

++++ Purchase Ginger Sling's new EP here ++++

ST: Where are you from?

GS: I was originally from Chicago, Illinois. My family moved out West to California to escape the snowy winters. We ended up in south Orange County.

ST: We're all products of our environment to a certain extent. How did growing up in the suburban environment of Orange County influence your music?

GS: To be honest, there were few hispanics at the time when I moved to Orange County. I was one of the only brown kids in a white school. I definitely felt out of place and was shocked by the materialism that ruled 9 year olds lives! I did not fit in at all (wearing my hand me down 70's bell bottoms in the 80's. Not cool.) Anyway, instead of trying to fit in, I rebelled. I was bitter at the clicks and how lame everyone was. When I reached middle school I discovered rock and metal music. It made me feel like I finally fit in somewhere. From there I got into more classic rock, alternative rock and a lot of Punk Rock. Growing up, most of my weekends were spent at punk shows. They were plentiful in the OC. Although the OC is conservative there were a lot of all ages venues and a lot of local bands playing out all of the time.

ST: What artist had a major impact on your decision to become a 'professional musician'?

GS: I can't really pinpoint a particular artist that inspired me to become a professional musician. I do have to say that I fell in love with the idea of playing bass by hearing Rush and watching Getty Lee. After that I'd have to say that by just being able to go to so many live shows as a kid made me feel like it was a possible career choice.

ST: Your songs are absolutely impactful and arraigned so well. Can you share your recipe for your songwriting?

GS: Ha. "Impactful?" I blush. I don't feel like I have a good recipe at all. I wish that I did. I am constantly questioning myself and the whole songwriting process. Ultimately, I just hope that my music does something good in the world, even if only in some small way.

ST: Beatles or The Stones?

GS: BEATLES! I have been obsessed since I was 16. No question.

ST: You had two song placements in Jersey Shore lately. Tell us how you felt when you watched the show and heard the songs.

GS: I am thankful for the placement but have to honestly say that I felt a little awkward knowing that my mother in law had watched it. Lots of boobs.

ST: How important is it these days for artists to have their songs placed in TV / Films?

GS: It is a big deal. I feel like it offers artists legitimate work. Most people wont sell millions of records or tour arenas and stadiums. But, if you can sit down and write a song and record it, you can still make a living. I am extremely thankful for music placement in Film and TV. Hint hint. :)

ST: Give us one music guilty pleasure living in your iPod or on your turntable at home.

GS: I just had a dance party in my living room to "Aint Nobody" by Rufus and Chaka Khan. It is currently on my record player. I don't hate the Pointer Sisters either! "Slow Hand" anybody?

 

 

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Soundtrack Interviews Penguin Prison

Posted 9/30/11 11:30 pm EST by in Artist Interviews, Interviews

(artist: Penguin Prison)

Penguin Prison hails from New York City. The band recently visited the N.Y. and L.A. MTV offices to perform a few songs from their forthcoming self-titled album Penguin Prison. You can stream the new songs and pre-order the new album here

While in L.A., front man Chris Glover sat down for a short interview

ST: What did MTV mean to you when you were growing up?

Chris: When I was growing up, MTV was the main way I learned about music. I would definitely watch MTV a lot. I was into Alternative Nation and 120 Minutes the most. Nowadays, it's still important for bands, but more so online. The new MTV Hive site

ST: What artist/band has influenced you the most?

Chris: I like a lot of different music of course. I was really into Nirvana when I was little. For awhile I was mainly in the Wu-Tang Clan. There have been many phases.

ST: If you could work with an artist alive or dead, who would it be?

Chris: Michael Jackson definitely. I would love to produce a song for him.

ST: Jersey Shore or Real World? Why?

Chris: The Real World. I watched that in the early 90's. The one with Puck in San Francisco was a good season.

ST: If you could be known by one of your songs what would it be and why?

Chris: Don't F**K with My Money. It's a fun song and people seem to like it best, so do I

-- interview by Ryan Aceto

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