Lace9: I'm interviewing David Delaney and Mark Kilianski of The Whiskey Boys, an Irish/Bluegrass/Rock/Jazz group. Welcome.
David: Thanks
Lace9: How long have you been in the music business?
David: Mark and I have been making our living at music for 2 years now. The band was jamming and performing another 2 years before that, however!
Lace9: What Genre is your music?
Mark: We play Folk music with a modern twist
Lace9: Describe your musical style and inspirations.
David Delaney
David: The Whiskey Boys are a Fiddle, a Guitar, and two voices, primarily. I play some banjo now, and if it's got frets Mark can play a solo on it that will change your life! But the original two instruments are still our core sound. We love traditional music (Irish, Old Time, Bluegrass, you name it) and folk songs, anything that sounds old or timeless. At the same time we also enjoy music written a little more recently; jazz, rock, I have a real fondness for cheesy pop like Lady Gaga, Ke$ha and 90's Boy bands... The pull of both of these two fairly contradictory batches of music is at the heart of what we play. Our old covers have arrangements, chord choices and syncopations that would have dreadfully confused the ears of people living in the time the music was written and, likewise, when we write a song or play a modern cover our final product almost always sounds like it was written a long time ago.
Lace9: Have you released an album? If so, provide some details.
Mark Kiliansky
Mark: The Whiskey Boys have one published album, Mary Come to Boston available on Amazon and iTunes, and one secret album. We're in the middle of recording our second non-secret album, "Crescent Moon." Metronome Magazine in Boston recently reviewed "Mary Come to Boston." Here's what they had to say!
"Whiskey Boys David Delaney and Mark Killianski bring the spirit of Celtic folk music to the forefront on their debut CD, Mary Come To Boston. Delaney is a fine fiddler in the Irish tradition as Killianski adds percussive and rhythmic accompaniment with his acoustic guitar to this fine collection of nine originals and two covers. The duo displays their considerable musical prowess and understanding of the Celtic idiom on the songs "Madeline The Quaker," "Carolina Blue" (written by Margaret Mackay & Jeff Butcher), and "The Sad Reel." Next time your in the city on a beautiful summer day and you hear the sounds of a fiddle and guitar piercing the air, go and check it out. Chances are, it will be The Whiskey Boys pouring listeners a finely concocted elixir of Celtic lore. Good stuff! [D.S.]"
Lace9: Where can we get your music?
David: You can find it on CD Baby, Amazon.com or in the iTunes music store. Or, even better, at one of our shows!
Lace9: Do you have any upcoming gigs? If so, where?
David: Checking our website frequently is the best way to keep updated about upcoming shows or you can "like" us on Whiskey Boys on Facebook as we frequently post about them!
Lace9: Which of your songs is your favorite?
Mark: One of our favorites is "Block Island" a tune written by Dave. Check it out under Free Music on our website!
Lace9: That's a great point, you guys have something like 30 free podcasts of your music on your site for people to listen to, I think that's great.
Lace9: In your own words, why should people check out your music?
David: If you like Folk music, Irish Music, Bluegrass Music, Old Time Music or really anything acoustically oriented, I'm very confident you'd be into our music. So if that's the case check it out!
Urban Exploration: We're are a group of electronic musicians, DJ’s, multi-media artists and performers from Leeds, that come together to create music, visual art, put on parties and showcase events and explore and experiment with technology. We combine modular synthesis, analogue hardware, field recordings and live performance to bring you original, off-kilter, improvised electronica that seamlessly evolves between ambient atmospheres and banging, dancefloor stompers!
Lace9: How long have you been in the music business?
Urban Exploration: It varies among us; 15 years approx.
Lace9: What Genre is your music?
Urban Exploration: Urbex / Electronica
Lace9: Describe your musical style and inspirations.
Urban Exploration: We have no one style and will try to maintain this for as long as we can. The live element of Urban Exploration focuses heavily on improvisation, so we never know exactly where the music will end up. Inspiration comes from the act of Urban Exploring (Urbexing) and the photography that follows suit, taking field recordings from various locations and many past musicians/bands who use hardware synths and sequencers. We bring together the analogue and digital worlds, with a plethora of equipment all synced up together and specifically constructed visuals to accompany the music.
Lace9: Have you released an album?
Urban Exploration: We are currently working on our debut release. Please add us on Facebook to keep up to date with details.
I've been officially in the music business for 2 years now.
What Genre is your music?
I'll probably be labeled as R&B/Soul but I'd preferred to be known as a great singer able to deliver great music across genres.
Describe your musical style and inspirations.
I love all kinds of music. My first love is R&B/Soul, but I love good Funk with a strong bass line and groove. I love when a lead guitar can come in and kill it and make you think the vocals were just the accompaniment. I do sing Gospel, Jazz and some Pop but I don't like my music to have a watered down feel. I think Gospel should hit hard like Hip Hop, Jazz should have strong instrumentation and Pop should have great lyrics and metaphors. As a trained dancer, I enjoy the intensity of a good Opera, the fun of Bollywood and I absolutely LOVE salsa too so I'm working on a Salsa song and I really hope it is well received.
Have you released an album? If so, provide some details.
I have released one single, "Lost and Found" written by Monty Wells who is now with Def Jam/Island Records.
Monty and I were at a meeting with The Collective, a group of singers that work together to promote each other's music and business ventures and Monty played the chorus for me on his acoustic guitar and I cried. I cried because it spoke to that part of life when you're standing there wondering, "What am I gonna do now? Let life just happen around me or make a move." And having took so long to really declare myself a performing and recording artist, the song just really hit me at my heart. It also reminded me of my friends that feel like their lives have been derailed and need the arrow to just tell them where to go.
Singing at the Capital Hill Premium Tobacco and Cigar Bar
— with Capitol Hill Premium Cigars.
I decided not to release an entire CD but instead release the singles one by one, as people don't buy entire CD's anymore unless its an established artist. Besides, that's the way we hear them on the radio even after a CD is released if you don't buy it on the release date; every month or few weeks, you hear a different single off the CD until you've been sucked in, right? I figure if I get you to like every single, you'll come to every show and not feel like you got jipped. It also requires me to make every song HOT instead of having a CD with a few good singles and then some fillers. I hate that!
Where can we get your music?
My first single is on iTunes, Amazon.com, Spotify, Napster, all the major digital music retailers. You can also check out some of my performances on my YouTube channel, username MissHam2001 or just search for Keyona Renee Ham. I love performing live; I think that is the true test of a good vocalist.
Do you have any upcoming gigs? If so, where?
I will be singing at the Pre-Reception for the Executive Leadership Council on Thursday, October 20th at the Gaylord National Hotel at the National Harbor in MD. The ceremony will also feature Diana Ross and Kool and the Gang. On November 18th, as a part of the closing ceremony for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 100 year anniversary, I will open for the Godfather of Go Go, Chuck Brown at Howard University in D.C. I am also working on finishing my CD project and raising money through kickstarter. The link is: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/search?term=Keyona. The project will be up until November 1st. All donations receive a gift, either free download, copy of the CD with a specially designed T-shirt or at the highest level, copy of the CD, T-shirt and entry to one of my live shows after the CD is released.
Which of your songs is your favorite?
My favorite song hasn't been released yet; its a tie between the dance track and the rock and roll song, so hard to decide. But I do love "Lost and Found."
In your own words, why should people check out your music? Provide any other info you think we should have here.
I think music lovers will enjoy the choices I make in terms of releases. I will release a CD and it will be titled "Her Stories" as the songs will be the thread that runs through the life of every woman discovering how to love, live, be powerful, run her world and somehow not lose her mind. To hear a real voice instead of music that is loaded with autotune is what the music world needs. We need to stop accepting garbage.
I also have a slew of other things going on. I am a Licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor and love promoting a healthy life which is why I started my blog Pixie Dust Potent - One More Dress Size at http://keyona-pixiedustpotent.blogspot.com. The camera does not hide anything! And you can tell when a is gasping for air so I am determined to stay fit and healthy and try to be an example for those trying to life a healthy life and lose weight. It's title, Pixie Dust Potent from a label I was given by co-workers saying that I must have some kind of pixie dust that keeps people (especially men) intrigued by my presence. The first installments are about my journey to lose one more dress size. So far, I've gotten a good response especially from those that can relate to the struggle with weight and image. With my new body, I've discovered a love for modeling and styling so I am loving that! And, as if that wasn't enough, my wonderful make up artist, Evie Thompson and I will be launching a new Internet Radio show in the Fall called "Speak on That." We have begun taking responses to the topics on Facebook under Speak on That so anyone can join in on the discussions. They absolutely get heated. We'll be talking about everything and also feature indie artists and small businesses.
Keep up with Keyona on her facebook page or follow her on twitter @SweetMsHam
I suppose our style is 'girl rock'! We have two acoustic guitars and a stomp box and create a powerful live sound. Our songs feature interchanging lead vocals and intricate harmonies over what has been described as 'rhythmically exact' strumming. It's difficult to find an act to use as a comparison, although we have been compared to Fleet Foxes, a female Mumford and Sons and the Dixie Chicks.
Our current inspirations include Mumford & Sons, Noah and The Whale, Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn and acts that fit into that genre. In our youth we've been fans of acts as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Take That and Hanson!
Have you released an album? If so, provide some details.
We have just recorded an EP featuring 7 of our songs, which we plan to release very soon.
Where can we get your music?
When the EP is released it will be available online and at gigs.
Do you have any upcoming gigs? If so, where? July 1st, Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe
Aug 7th, Devon Rox Festival, Main Stage
Aug 17th, Live Room, London
Aug 20th, Offshore Bar, Torquay
Aug 27th, Collaboration Festival, Rogue Stage
Aug 28th, Watchet Festival, Main Stage
Which of your songs is your favorite?
The Gift
In your own words, why should people check out your music?
Until now, girl bands (and many female solo artists) have been manufactured by some music mogul that has moulded, shaped and controlled them. The focus has been on flaunting their sexuality and looks to sell recycled songs to a particular market just to make money for the manager...i.e. X-Factor clones. We are redefining the genre 'girl band'. We write and perform our own songs, have a unique sound, won't be dictated to or controlled, love to play live, like to party and we ROCK!
Your Website URL: http://www.expat-records.com/Drifter_Menace/
How long have you been in the music business?
15 years
What Genre is your music?
Hip Hop, Rap, Experimental
Below is an original sketch created by an outside artist, but made available for purchase on many products exclusively in the Hand-Drawn store, with permission from Drifter Menace:
My style is not like many that you have heard before. Yes i rap over my production, but its not like any other type of rap you have ever encountered. Drifter-menace was inspired by the fact that i find myself approaching different genre's of music. And totally reinventing the way the rule book has said it should be. Drifter, I travel from genre to genre. Menace, disrupting the natural flow of things. My inspiration is life itself great experiences everyday good or bad
Have you released an album? If so, provide some details.
I've not released an album as of yet. I'm actually hard at work on it right now, The title will be I AM DRIFTER-MENACE. And I'm aiming for a late 2011 release on my record label Expat Records. But saying that i have my E-P which was released in march of this year on Expat Records Go Go Get it features six hard hitting tracks, with deep meaning and addictive compositions. It's out now for download.
Where can we get your music?
iTunes Amazon
Below is original artwork created by Lace9 available exclusively on Drifter Menace products in the Hand Drawn Store:
I have no planned gigs at the moment, being so locked into my album, and trying to complete it. Gigs will be drafting in after i have completed it.
Which of your songs is your favorite? Celebrate your liberty
In your own words, why should people check out your music? Provide any other info you think we should have here.
I have over a decade in the UK music scene, and manage to strike a balance with different genre's of music and a really surprising and unique way of rapping. My lyrics content to anyone and they can relate to my style of music , the sound will have you coming back for more and more and will surprise you every time you listen. the catchy hooks and hard hitting production and diverse style has made me what I am today.
available on Amazon and iTunes, and one secret album. We're in the middle of recording our second non-secret album, "Crescent Moon." Metronome Magazine in Boston recently reviewed "Mary Come to Boston." Here's what they had to say!
