Friday, January 26, 2018

Nomination for 4th Annual Indie Ville TV Awards

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Indie Ville TV #135 Stephcynie's: Mr. Edwards

Written by: K. L. Graham


                                                                         

Stephcynie, a singer with a face full of sunshine and a career full of promise has just released her Ep "Mr. Edwards."

The title track and Ep is based on the life and inspiration of her grandfather.

One of the best parts of the Ep for is "To just share the memory of my grandfather. That's kind of my favorite thing about it."

Stephcynie says "I don't remember anytime where I didn't love music or sing."

On her move to Nashville the Houston native says "I was living in New York prior to this."

"I'm a woman of faith and I really felt strongly about moving to Nashville; I came to visit and things just fell into place place super quickly."

Since then, Stephcynie has been playing out on her own and with friends (We chatted after a rehearsal) and the busy singer just performed at SXSW.

"I sold out of all my merch!" She squealed.

Stephcynie has a lot to be excited about. Meeting new fans and colleagues at SXSW was a huge opportunity for her, and with her sweet nostalgic Ep she's also ready ready to take on new, darker material.

"Most people just know the sweet, happy me, and that is me 90% of the time but I am human, and there's other dynamics."

To find out more about the dynamics of Stephcynie's work you can visit www.Stephcynie.com. You can also find her music on all the usual places, iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Indie Ville TV #134 Luke Thrasher: Full time tattoo-er/ Full Time Intergalactic Superstar

Written by K.L.Graham            

                                                                           



Luke Thrasher, a local tattoo artist and the lead singer of the band Metal Foot is here to thrash your face off in a celebratory ceremony...but you'll have to either stop by the shop or one of Metal Foot's shows to see exactly what all the fuss is about.

Thrasher, although not related to the Thrasher tour bus company, has an equally interesting history.

"I'm from Broome County New York in a small town called Vestal..."

"I kinda bounced around for 8 years, I was in between Denver and North Carolina. My buddy lived in Nashville, I opened up a tattoo shop and kind of made it home."

Thrasher even helped run CafĂ© Coco.

An accomplished ring leader, Thrasher, a full time tattoo artist opened up Thrasher Inq. "A private VIP custom tattoo shop." He says "We're really the only one in Nashville that does it like that like that."

"I'm one of the three (tattoo shops) that have a 5 star rating in Nashville. We have a closed door policy. I don't do walk-ins.  There's no interruptions when I'm tattooing somebody, that kind of makes me different."

And then, there's the band.

"Metal Foot is an intergalactic inter-dimensional parody rap/rock group."

I asked him if he's a big fan of aliens and UFOs (I myself am completely addicted to the TV show "Ancient Aliens." But alas, he says he's not a UFO fan like me.)

Instead he says, "No, no, our band's just from a different dimension."

Onstage, Luke dissolves and "The Puppet Master" appears, an other worldly deity that is 400,000 years old with a band from another realm who are disguised as pop culture icons.

"When we're on stage you're sitting there looking at Black and White Jesus, a Carebear etc."

Interesting.

"Whodathunk" is the bands new album.

Thrasher says though "My favorite track is 'It's just a puppet show.'"

You can watch "It's Just a Puppet Show" on Youtube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jac5YvaSsnU

Thrasher and the guys...errr creatures...err your favorite pop icons...or whatever magic happens on stage, well, they're exited for releasing the song "Drugs."

Thrasher says, the bad is "Anti-hardcore drug addiction but instead is about the sacred use of drugs and universal respect."

"We teach not to be addicted...We just kinda church in the bar."

"You've never heard of anything like this before."

When asked if there were any other things he wanted to add, Thrasher or The Puppet Master, I'm not exactly sure which one I was speaking to at this part of the conversation, said that he wanted to leave you with these gems:

"It's very important for people to know that they were born free and no one has the right to take that away from them."

"The squatty potty is  a new technology that came out, most American's need one."

And with a flash, the bright wisdom of Luke Thrasher/The Puppet Master leader of the Band called Metal Foot/genius tattoo artist was gone.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Indie Ville TV #133 Stagger Moon and "She's Got to Leave" An interview with Lead Singer Ky Brazelton

Written by  K.L. Graham



Stagger Moon comprised of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ky Brazelton, drummer, Stevie Counts, former drummer turned bass player, Clark McClain, and Ken Huddleston on lead guitar hails from Middle Tennessee and has been wowing audiences far and wide.

With a group of guys this talented, I asked Ky what Brotherhood means to him and the band.

"Brotherhood is when you learn to love someone.  I've got coworkers and family I consider brothers. ..It's when trials and tribulations go out the door." As for the band, Brazelton says:  "It's like we are brothers. We try to practice every Wednesdaynight. If we miss those Wednesdays, we miss our camaraderie.  Everybody's personalities just click.  I really love playing with these guys."

On his favorite thing about music Ky says "It's a good escape, well you know it can be communication.  I just have a natural love for it.  It's hard to put it in words, but it's always been there for me."

Wordless, like how his love for music makes him feel may also be how the band's latest long "She's Got to Leave" started, but certainly is not how it ended up.

"The story behind it is we were doing the live recording, John Williams was recording it for us.  We hit it in one lick.  We had the music but no words, we went back in and I started to sing to it, and it just worked."

Armed with his team of brother musicians and his own skills at improv songwriting, "She's Got to Leave" was born.

Brazelton says "'She's Got to Leave' not she had to." Turns out his bit of song turned into a trilogy.

"The EP is a trilogy of songs about a young girl named Rogue who gets to travel the world and not miss home.  The world is her oyster."

Somewhere between a concept album and just a good old fashioned country song, the EP's gem "She's Got to Leave" hits home.

Stagger Moon's sound according to Ky:  "It's got soul in it, country, Americana, with a dash of rock n' roll" is Southern Alternative at it's best.

"She's got to Leave" would fit right in alongside a Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson playlist with it's soulful sound and jolt of country rock.

As for being nominated for best song Ky says "I appreciate the nomination" and says he's a big fan of last winners and nominees including the Dead Deads and Angie Brooks.

This year, Ky's fellow band members are up for best Indie Drummer and Guitar Player.

"We love it, it's a passion."

Aside from making music, the guys also are passionate about helping out fellow Middle Tennessee Bands.

"We do a program called SLIM. We help support local independent music and bands needing help booking gigs. It's a non profit and we have a Facebook page.  We try to line up as many local bands as we can and all it is is a phone call for us."

To see the work of SLIM (@Support Local Independent Music) just visit: https://www.facebook.com/supportlocalindependentmusic


And to catch up on where you can hear "She's Got to Leave" both online and on stage you can check out:http://thestaggermoonband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thestaggermoonband
https://www.reverbnation.com/thestaggermoonband and on Twitter @staggermoonband and on Instagram: @stagger_moon

Indie Ville TV #132 Adam Searan Fusing pop singer/songwriting with country essence

Written by Andrew
                                                     


Rooted in country and Christian music Adam Searan has been playing music since childhood. You will more than likely catch him playing a one man acoustic set as he tends to take the simple, yet very effective, approach to live performance. Not only is Adam nominated for Indie Ville TV's Indie Country Artist/Group award, but has been recognized extensively for his songwriting, including receiving the grand prize in the 2014 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The singers' authentic passion and straight forward lyrical content will only ensure future success, and after stealing a few moments of the artists' afternoon, he shows no signs of slowing down.

Indie Ville TV: We wanted to start with a little bit of background, were you raised in a musical household?
Adam Searan: Yeah, my family's pretty musical, when I was growing up my dad was playing guitar, doing sessions and stuff. My dad ended up quitting. But yea we've always been really musical.

IVTV: Was it country music or variety ?
AS:  A variety, but predominantly country music or Christian music, when I was growing up we didn't really have the option to  listen to anything else besides Christian or country. I discovered rock n roll on my own later.

IvTV: Right on, I'm sure others share that story. So were you raised in Nashville or were you a transplant?
AS: Well, I was born in Ohio and my parents were divorced, but all my memories are here. My dad lived in Nashville so I pretty much grew up here, then later on when he got custody of me, ya know, I graduated here, went to school here, went to church here you know, all that stuff. So I pretty much grew up here.

IVTV: Very cool, so when did you start playing?
AS: I started playin when I was eleven.

IVTV: Eleven, so when was the first glimmer of success that let you know this is what you wanted to do?
AS:  When I was probably about fifteen I put out my first, its so cheesy man, I put out my first christian record-

IVTV: -of originals?
AS: Yeah, it was my first Christian record of originals, and it was just me and a drummer, that was it. It did really well, lots of people bought it, I played lots of shows, and ya know one thing lead to another and it kept growing and growing. I kinda knew that I wanted to do music full time when I heard Oasis's Wonder wall on the radio. I had always been singing and playing and dabbling and stuff, but then that's when I knew I had to do this, ya know what I mean?

IVTV: Right on, yes, so did Oasis convert you from the Christian music to the rock 'n roll?
AS: Ya know actually it wasn't that they converted me from the Christian music to the rock 'n roll they just made me think that there was something bigger there than Christian music, and that the world was a lot bigger than the church choir. It didn't make me say like, "AHHH forget Christian music!" But it made feel like, "Hey there is a whole world out here that might be more receptive to something a little more real." Ya know?

IVTV: Would you say Oasis is your main influence on the music you play now?
AS:  AH heck yea, Oasis, David Gray, I'm a big fan of old country.

IVTV: Yeah, yeah Willie and Johnny Cash like that?
AS: Yeah but the thing is I'm that crazy dude who's like, "Hey! let's take some of these elements that these guys are doing and let's put a little Ed Sheeran on top."

IVTV: Totally, I hear that too, in the tunes.
AS: So my thing is, ya know, I just don't-  Music is like love, there are no rules. I think the laws of energy apply to music too, like energy can't be created or destroyed so i feel the same way about great songs. Were not creating or destroying great songs were just pulling from the songs that are out there and refining them ya know?

IVTV: Absolutely, you put that a great way, I dig it.
You're no stranger to award nominations you won the John Lennon Songwriters Award in 2014. Can you tell us a little about that experience, And how that felt?
AS: So, we, My team, had submitted the song. When something's submitted I get excited about it, but I just put it out there, let people vote, see how it goes. But I'm so busy all the time I often forget about it. So I woke up one day and I got this email, It was like, "HEY! you've won the grand prize!" and I was like " Whaat!?  So yea, and they hooked me up, dude, gave me some great studio equipment, so yea it was very cool an awesome experience.

IVTV: Very cool, To depart from music a bit do you have a favorite non musical activity?
AS: UM...

IVTV: Just in general...
AS: Ya know Im a very active gamer, I love to game, in fact right now my jam is playing PlayStation while on the fitness bike, so I built this fitness arcade situation in my house.

IVTV: That's a great idea.
AS: That or I would say cooking, I love to cook.

IVTV: You could take that finesse arcade idea and run with it, open some shops..
AS: Oh its freakin awesome, I'll tell ya about it at the awards show.

IVTV: I look forward to meeting you! Last but not least, what is up and coming for you? Are you in the studio, or just out playin gigs? Whats the deal?
AS: I'm in the studio, I'm working on a new record and tons of great artists on their records, I'm super excited about things that are happening right now, I'm working on a cool live show and yea I'm booking gigs, gotta get out on the road..

IVTV: You're all over the place..
AS: I'm all over the place! so, um, yea I mean just go to iamtheband.net, and I did that because before you tell people Adam Searan and there's like five million ways to spell it so I am the band, Basically in country music I kinda am doing what Ed Sheeran does for pop,I play acoustic shows, I don't travel with a band, and that's always been since I was a kid, That's always been my fans' preference so I wanna stay true to that and I'm sticking to it.

IVTV: Right on, well Adam it was nice talking with you and I'll see you at the awards show.
AS: You will, and if have any more questions give me a shout.
    
There you have it, Indie Country Artist/Group nominee Adam Searan. Officially catch him at iamtheband.net   and it couldn't hurt to like his Facebook page if it's your jam. Keep in mind Voting for the 3rd Annual Indie Ville TV Awards ends on April 4, 2017. Until next time, cheers!

Indie Ville TV #131 Cameron McCasland and The Beast in the Cave

Written by K.L. Graham    
                                                                                   

I've been making both feature and short films for twelve years. I've made twenty plus shorts, I produced features, I did a tv  show for so long... "Doctor Gangreen's Creature Feature."

With a resume like that and a long list of awards, Cameron's kept on creating, this time with H.P. Lovecraft's "The Beast in the Cave."

What made him choose this material?

"Honestly, one of the biggest reason is because we had a location we could do it.  I found this cave about ten years ago on set."

McCasland, eager to get new work out also wanted to turn out new material quickly and with as much artistry as possible.

"Larry Underwood our producer wanted to do something fairly quickly...I have in the past taken a lot of time. I want everything to be perfect but there's something to be said about being quick on the turn around. I'm really proud of how this turned out."

Not only was a simple to story to build a great short film on, but H.P. Love Craft has a built in fan base, and with McCasland's experience with "Doctor Gangreen's Creature Feature" it was a chance to work with a creature based story line, a small cast, and that gem of a cave he had found years ago.

"It was shot in a real cave in Tennessee, we had to backpack in to do it."

The cave, is on a farm lot north of Nashville, and the parlor scene was shot in Nashville proper, at the home of Patsy Cline's ill-fated pilot.

The short film was riddled with it's own horrors, bloodied knees, latex allergies, but through the hard work of the tight knit cast and crew, a piece of Lovecraft history was made.

"It played at both H.P. Lovecraft film festivals in both Providence Rhode Island and Portland Oregon. And it will show at the Nashville Film Festival. It's had a dozen film festival screenings and was nominated for an Emmy."

The film, shot with "just firelight and a couple of LED flashlights" weaves the tale of a traveler who finds something strange deep within a cave.

Not only is "The Beast in the Cave" in the running here at Indieville, Wynn Reichert played the lead role and is up for Indieville's Best Actor award, and the film's creature creator Chuck Angall for best makeup artist.

"Joe Drake is the same actor who was in the costume for Tailypo."

Tailypo won last year, and McCasland says about this year's IndievilleTV awards "We're really looking forward to it."

So are we, Cameron, so are we.

You can watch the spooky short film here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXQeOKWuvOo

Friday, March 17, 2017

Indie Ville TV #130 Lindsay Ross – Nominated for Actress of the Year

Written by Lillian  Rhine                                        


How long have you been in the film industry?              
I only recently started training and working in the film industry. I started acting in New York doing live theater. I moved to Nashville five years ago and started singing on the General Jackson Showboat. During that time I also decided to explore a different medium of storytelling and entertainment.

Can you tell us a little about some of the films you have been featured in?
“Take It All The Way” was by far one of the most enjoyable projects I have ever worked on. I’m a singer, so to be able to incorporate two loves into one film was wonderful. I’m excited about a new, more serious film I’m shooting at the end of March.

Was making film your first love? What other aspects of the film world interest you?
My first love was reading. I would read autobiographies and biographies about anyone, preferably everyday, unknown people. I’ve always loved figuring out what people do, why they do, how they do. When I met my husband he was a cinematographer and I became interested in film through that. However, I’ve always loved acting.

What is the most challenging thing about being an actress?
For me it’s that fine balance of caring enough and not caring too much. It’s being thick skinned and vulnerable.

If you could act alongside anyone, who would it be?
My immediate 13 year old reaction to this question is Leonardo DiCaprio. (Who’s kidding who, my adult self is saying the same thing. He’s a wonderful actor). But right now I’m really into Brie Larson’s work.

What is your process or quirks when you create?
This is weird and I’m honestly unsure why I’m sharing it but I like to rehearse in my bathroom with the lights off. Once I feel like it’s a little more in my body I will turn the lights on. Like a graduation.

Tell us about your best film experience.
“Take It All The Way” ignited a confidence in myself that I am truly thankful for. There’s nothing better than getting to collaborate and do something you love with your friends who inspire you on and off the set. It won Nashville’s 48 hour and went on to win top 12 and best song at Filmapalooza. We were also chosen to be screened at Cannes film festival. Couldn’t be more excited to go to France — Au revoir!!

Do you have any advice for upcoming artists?
This is going to sound cliche but I promise you it’s not. Be you. Just go to your bathroom, sit in there with the lights off, and turn the lights on when you figure it out.

Choose one of the following topics and give a “top five”:  food, cities, bands, movies, games
V for Vendetta
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Zootopia
The Wizard of Oz
Room

****Honestly though I’m feeling TV way more right now! Here’s my top TV shows.
Westworld
This Is Us
House of Cards
Law and Order SVU

Is being Lindsay Ross the actor just a dream, a career, or a side gig?
Being Lindsay Ross the actor is a dream career. I’m thankful for every project. Each one, big and small, reminds me that I’m making a living in the industry I chose.


Website: lindsayrossactor.com
Instagram: lindsayrosstalks
Facebook: Lindsay Ross Davenport // Lindsay Ross
Snapchat: lindsayrossk
Twitter: lindsayrossk
Other: IMDB—  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6935095/?ref_=tt_cl_i4