Indie Ville TV #19 Camille Rae

Written by Omari Byrd


Before Thanksgiving I had a chance to chat with up and coming talented songstress Camille Rae. After playing a bunch of shows, tons of youtube videos, and hitting her kickstarter goal, Camille has definitely put in the work and is now ready to give Nashville a taste of her brand of country music, containing accents of soul, blues, and even hints of pop and opera!

DA: Camille, you have the perfect country twang! Are you originally from Nashville?

CR: Thank you! I’m originally from a small town in central Kentucky by the name of Mount Vernon, and I’ve been in Nashville a little over a year now!

DA: Great! Well now that you’ve been in Nashville for some time, I’m sure you’ve been inserting yourself into the local scene and what not, what are some of your favorite things to do here?

CR: One of my favorite things to do is going to all of the open mics and meeting new artists! I recently hit a kickstarter goal of $5,000 for my album, so I like to help guide the new artists I meet with advice that I’ve learned because I know how hard it is. Mostly I like to stay home and read books though!

DA: For someone who likes staying in you definitely know how to switch it into star mode on stage! It also speaks volumes for you to help others in such a competitive industry. What is your passion?

CR: Oh I’m most comfortable on stage, and that’s where my passion comes out as well. I love singing my songs and writing them to inspire people. I try to write songs that reach deeper into the soul and talk about things that people don’t say out loud, while still trying to leave it as an open book for my listeners to insert their own thoughts and experiences.

DA: I really like that and I can definitely hear it in your music. You have a record called “Get Outta Town” and it was very emotional and direct, I liked it! Who would you say has inspired your sound?

CR: Well I love country music, and I’m also classically trained in the arts of opera and broadway while always loving to venture in pop or R&B. Those genres have inspired my sound, but artists like Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, and Kelly Clarkson are who I’ve listened to growing up. There’s also a great  jazz artist by the name of Bessie Smith, an African-American lady in the roaring 20’s who wrote and sang about the things that everyone at the time shunned. She taught me to be bold in my songwriting, because it may not be what everybody likes to hear, but it may be what people need to hear.

DA: Wow; eloquently put Camille, thank you. How would you describe your music and how do you want it to come across?

CR: Hmmmm, that’s a really tough question to answer! I classify myself as country-pop, but it’s hard depending on which musicians I work with because the instrumentation changes the genre. My next album is country-pop, but you can find notes of the blues and r&b in my voice so I’m inclined to sometimes call it country-soul. Well when I’m singing live I’d like to be a room-stopper; because if you can stop a live bar in Nashville, then you know you’re doing something right! Everywhere else, I just want people to be able to relate to my music.

DA: Hashtag #roomstopper *laughs*, amazing stuff! Nowadays so many artists come in the game without a solid identity and let the industry shape them, however you know exactly who you are and I applaud that! Let’s say you are now able to make music with anybody ever; who would it be?

CR: There are so many talented artists, so many generations, but I’d have to say Kelly Clarkson. I love her story, her passion, and the fact that she has been and is still uncompromising in her beliefs no matter what. I’d love to do music with her because I believe our outlook on music is very similar.

DA: Hey Kelly Clarkson > Justin Guarini all day *laughs*! Now give me 1 song you’d play for people?

CR: It would have to be “I Need Me”, the album song. It’s slower, and that’s the room-stopper! I think it’s because everyone has something in their life that they can find in that song. I wrote that song as a turning point for my coming to Nashville, and taking a leap of faith. It inspires me when I sing it!

DA: I’m so glad to hear you’re inspiring people to take that leap of faith; the universe will always catch you! Well Camille last question, imagine that I give you a mic and this mic is plugged up to the entire world. What would you say?

CR: Well I’d sing because I want people to hear my music. It’s not for fame or fortune, it’s for you!

DA: Profound, like most of the things you’ve said Camille. You’re a talented professional, I thank you for your time and words, and we look forward to hearing more from Camille Rae!

For music, tour dates, and more info on Camille Rae, check out these links!

http://www.camillerae.com 
http://www.facebook.com/camilleraemusic 
http://www.youtube.com/camillerae539 

Indie Ville TV #18 Ricky of The TIP

Written by Omari Byrd


    This week I was able to catch up with rock god Ricky Dover of The TIP while they’re on tour setting stages ablaze with their 80’s classic, rockstar solo filled music. We discover why they’re called The TIP, how they’re receiving help from above, and how they’ll be filling stadiums in the future!

DA: Dude, I am very ego fueled and your music just pumped me up to another level man! Great stuff! And you’re called The TIP too? Like “just the tip”? *laughs*

RICKY: Yea man hahaha, just like that. But thanks, you should see the live show! We just wrapped up a 2 week East Coast tour with a band called Hammered Satin, it was awesome and very beneficial for both bands. We got paid, made a bunch of connections, and gained some new fans along the way!

DA: You’re clearly getting fans after performing some of this material. I thought it was extreme in the 80’s but your music is like 80’s eat your heart out dude. How long you been in Nash?

RICKY: I’m originally from Knoxville but I moved to Nashville about three years ago, did the RIM program at MTSU, graduated that in 2010 and around that time I joined a band out in Atlanta called The Booze. We were signed to a label, it was fun and great for my career, gained a lot of experience, and now I’m back in Nashville.

DA: Worrrd, very cool. Well what’s your favorite thing to do in the city?

RICKY: Just going around and checking out the other musicians in the city man, the caliber is beyond belief out here. That’s actually how I met the rest of the members! I met the lead singer at a bar in East Nashville, he said “hey man, cool hair”, I said the same, we started hangin’ out and then the rest of the band just formed organically. As soon as we started a Facebook it immediately exploded man, I’m talking producers wanting to work with us, tours being offered, it’s all happening so fast; I love it!

DA: Yea, the universe does seem to be working things into fruition a little faster nowadays, I think it has something to do with the times. Glad to see you taking advantage of it yo! Now let’s analyze your music, what artists would you say have inspired your sound and how would you describe your sound?

RICKY: A lot of 60’s and 70’s rock and roll, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and also some modern bands like The White Stripes and The Strokes. I think that back then music was made first and then pushed to markets as opposed to nowadays when they think of the market first and the music second. That’s where we went wrong. As far as my music though, it’s rock and roll first and foremost, but I make sure that it’s edgy and fun. My music’s not “fun” in a silly way, but in a “if I’m not having fun I can guarantee the crowd’s not having fun” way. With every song we write, we attack it with an arena feel and say we’re going to write this as if the whole stadium is singing along. We love having them escape into our music and have our songs take them somewhere else!

DA: Man, word to Kanye West on “Big Brother”, you guys are stadium status. Keep striving and you’ll get there in no time. Speaking of no time, if you could work with any artist ever, who would it be?

RICKY: Great question. There’s so many bands and musicians that I worship and would love to share time with, but if I could get in the studio with anybody it would have to be the late Ikey Owens. He’s a grammy award winning keyboard player who’s played with The Mars Volta, Jack White, and many others. He was actually producing our album with us when he left for a tour and suddenly died of a heart attack of the age of 38. He was such a great guy, he liked our music, and we gelled with him; so if I could work with anybody ever I would work with Ikey. I really wish we didn’t leave our time together so open-ended, so forever I’ll always wonder.

DA: Wow that’s heavy man, thanks for sharing that. I’m sure he’s still with y’all somewhere. Did you get any music down?

RICKY: Yes, he’s definitely still with us, and there’s actually a song he was helping us with that we’re still working on right now called “When I see You”. It’s going to be an amazing record for the album!

DA: Word, I’m looking forward to that as well. Well thanks for chatting with me and giving perspective on The TIP Ricky, just one more question. You’ve got one statement, what do you tell the world?

RICKY: Be true to yourself and others.

DA: Couldn’t of said it better myself. Thank you, and I’ll def tell America to watch out for The TIP!


For music, tour dates, and more info on The TIP, check out these links!

http://www.facebook.com/thetiprock
http://www.reverbnation.com/thetiprock

Indie Ville TV #17 Tyler of Diamond Carter

Wrtten by Omari Byrd

This week I got a crash course in how to be a rockstar after sitting down with Tyler of Diamond Carter. Headman of a raucous, in your face, 70’s/80’s glam rock band with funky vibes, Tyler pulls no punches and speaks on the truth behind his lyrics in this exciting interview!

DA: I’ve got to start out with the videos man; the music’s definitely there, but you’re a funny dude yo!

TYLER: Hahahaha! Thank you man, that’s my aim.

DA: You’re def the life of the party man! As a matter of fact, what are you getting into this weekend?

TYLER: Actually the band and I will be headed back to California this weekend where we originally met; we’ll be releasing new music, getting some rehearsals in, and playing shows. We’re actually going back and playing my old high school which is hilarious, because while I was there they hated me!

DA: WHAT!? You’re at the part in your career when you play your old high school already? Wow!

TYLER:  Yea dude, the triumphant return. They hated me man, but I got a call about 2 months ago from some kids at the school saying they were big fans and wanted me to come to the school and play. The only teacher that was there when I was there is the football coach, and he’s gonna get a kick out of this. It’s gonna’ be a real shit show man!

DA: Hilarious dude; you never disappoint. How’d you get to Nashville and what do you like about it?

TYLER: Well we all met up in Hollywood, they were going to school and I was working tattoo shops on the boulevard, then we clicked as a band. Next thing you know I move to Nashville then call them one night 3 months later, tell them they have to come down and they were just like “alright”! Now that we’re all down here, we love hangin’ out East with the bands we play a lot with, drinkin’, listening to old punk records, gettin’ into crazy shit the night offers. East Nashville is like a college town for punk rockers!

DA: Wow. I’m all for articulating the intricacies of an experience, and that is exactly what the hell is going on in East Nashville; well put! I like to look at Nashville as a new Brooklyn.

TYLER: Yea man, just like that! Except they’re more supportive in the South for sure.

DA: Word. Well Tyler what’s your passion in life, and what artists have inspired you?

TYLER: Well I really love poetry, but NOT spoken word poetry though. I think the only way to do poetry and not sound like a douchebag is to do rock and roll, and that is my perfect medium. The first bit of rock and roll I heard was Velvet Underground, old skateboard videos by Flip helped, that led into Jesus and Mary Jane, Primal Scream, and all types of old school British Rock.

DA: Word. So they inspired your sound, but how would you describe it and who is that sound for?

TYLER: Authentic with no pretenses man, I’m just telling my story man. From sellin’ and doing drugs in Hollywood, to my relationships with women. I just want it to be relatable for people, my real stuff.

DA: And that’s always the best man. We’re all connected, so if you tell the truth you’re bound to find a connection! If you could musically connect with anybody dead or alive, who would it be?

TYLER: It would have to be Ty Segall from Laguna Beach, he was at the forefront of flower punk, that surfy-beachy-punky-60’s type vibe. He’s an expert engineer at washy sounds, and blending the hippie movement with something more hardcore. I love it!

DA: I dig that sound too man, nice! If you could play one song for the people, what would it be?

TYLER: We’re actually putting it out when we go to California, it’s called “God Knows”. It was really rad when we were making it, we had around 40 people in the studio, we did a sing along at the beginning of it, it’s awesome. A depart from our usual debaucherous, drug songs; it’s about making an effort.

DA: Dope. As long as you know you can make it better for somebody else that’s what’s up. Before we depart though I’ve just got to ask man… what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done!?

TYLER: Shit; a lot of stuff man. Hitchiking, seeing crack dens, selling heroin, playing in illegal speakeasies from 3 to 7 AM, people giving us bumps while we’re playing. Complete debauchery!

DA: Hahahaha! Holy shit dude, you are living the rock life yo; here’s your official stamp! Thanks for tellin’ your story man, we’ll definitely be on the lookout for Diamond Carter!

For music, tour dates, and more info on Diamond Carter, check out these links!

www.diamondcartermusic.com
http://www.youtube.com/diamondcarter69
www.facebook.com/diamondcartermusic
https://soundcloud.com/diamond-carter