Orlando, Florida: Artist – Sea Mountains, comes to us with her first video. With influences of DreamPop, chillwave, hip-hop, vaporwave and experimental.
Buy her latest EP from Bandcamp Florescence
Follow Sea Mountains on Twitter
Baltimore solo artist Adryelle creates a range of styles, including DreamPop, Experimental with smooth vocals. Influenced by both, Tori Amos and Depeche mode. Her latest album ‘The Waiting Room’ is album of the week. Priced at 3 dollars until Sunday through Weatnu Records. Add this great music to your collection.
Artist Collective #5
“You could search the world for the finest musicians and not find what you’re looking for, when instead that music is in your own backyard. Ashleigh Antolini captures the soul of what it means to be an artist. She is the embodiment of today’s new Electronic sound, coupled with DreamPop, Witchhouse, Experimental, Jazz and Avant-Garde. We were most pleased to have a moment with her. She is also an up-in-coming musician to the indie electronic scene in Florida.”
Hello, how are you today?
Ashleigh: I’m great! Super excited, how about yourself?
Good to hear that, thank you, great here, and thank you for having this interview today.
Ashleigh: Of course, thanks for wanting to interview me!
I would like to introduce your music properly to #WEATNU. Could you say what you do musically?
Ashleigh: I am a singer, songwriter, recording and performing artist. I also play guitar, not a lot of people are familiar with that, because the majority of my music is electronic.
You have a very unique sound, certainly pushing the envelope on the avant-garde pop.
Ashleigh: Why thank you!
I must say, that you are a fantastic vocalist. Was this your first love?
Ashleigh: It was! I fell in love with the whole artistic concept of expression through music. I have been writing songs from as early as I can remember, when I was about 7 or 8 I would wait for everyone in the house to leave and set up my stuffed animals on my couch and perform for them. (ha-ha embarrassing fact).
Great story. [laughs] I understand that you are working in tandem with Shark Anthony, do you and he write music together or does he produce alone?
Ashleigh: Shark Anthony is the main producer I work with. He is someone who has adapted to my style so perfectly, I can always count on him to create something exactly what I am looking for. We have a lot of songs together, (on both of our soundclouds) and a lot more coming out. We are actually in the midst of discussing an indie type project to work on together very soon. For the majority though, I write and sing and he produces.
It’s always good to find someone whom you can fit well with musically. It is amazing work, as I am more impressed with your latest EP Vicious Cycle, and this is my 3rd time to listen.
Ashleigh: Thank you! It was just a short something I wanted to put out after going on a sort of hiatus in music for a couple months.
What kind of music are listening to these days?
Ashleigh: I can pretty much listen to anything, besides country haha. I just can’t seem to listen to that. Some of my favorites are, Bon Iver, Pink Floyd, Phantogram, The Xx, Arctic Monkeys, James Blake,The Black Keys, Explosions in the Sky, Sylvan Esso, the list goes on haha.
How long and how did you get into writing Electronic?
Ashleigh: Well I have never imagined myself singing on this type of music. It has always been just me and my guitar, I have Shark Anthony to thank for this. We have known each other for years and we both knew we each made music and one day I went over his house and he wanted me to sing on one of his tracks called “Hey” for his album “In Depth” (which is out now on his Soundcloud). Long story short, he has kept making beats for me after that, and I just fell in love with the whole dark electronic ambience of what he has created for me, it can really set a perfect scene in your head, other than just playing with one acoustic instrument. He has really helped me come into the local music scene, and I owe a lot to him.
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A match made in Heaven.
Ashleigh: Literally haha
I hear a lot of Jazz influences in your music, do you have any faves?
Ashleigh: I do like to incorporate a jazzy vibe into my sound. Norah Jones and Aretha Franklin are great!
They are. Do you orchestrate the chord progressions in the work between you and Shark Anthony? Lunar Leaks B-Side is catching my ear at the moment. Just amazing work.
Ashleigh: Thank you! The song I have on the Lunar Leaks album, “Running With Wolves” (an acoustic track) the guitar on it, is all played by me. The majority of music there I have sung on, with production by Shark Anthony, has been me just going crazy looking through all his Ableton files and I would say to him “I need to sing on this! Sometimes I’ll play something on guitar or make a weird sound, and he’ll say “I need to sample this!” and we’ll just create from there!
Also, on Lunar Leaks B-side, not only has production from Shark Anthony, but there is also production from my friend TheHighStreet, on the track, “Midnight Walker”
Though you might be modest about this music, it is without a doubt, real talent.
Ashleigh: Thank you, there is a lot of talent musically down here in sunny South Florida. #FRIENDLAB
You’re welcome. You may not realize this but #WEATNU works with artists from all over the world. Have you heard any thus far?
Ashleigh: I have just been coming back into social media really, so I have just recently discovered #WEATNU and what it is all about. I have been enjoying the 24 hour radio #WEATNU [OUR]. Some songs on there are very impressive. There is such variety, it really cleanses the mind pallet.
Glad to hear that J Did you find someone you like through #WEATNU [OUR]?
Ashleigh: I’m still discovering all the talented people that are a part of #WEATNU. I think everyone what I’ve heard so far has been great. A song that really stuck out to me while listening on the radio, was called “Pack it in America.” So different, such a dark creepy like vibe. It was amazing though. You can tell they really put a lot of effort into it!
That would be Lightfarer. That song chills me to the bone. It is indeed haunting. He speaks the truth.
Ashleigh: Indeed it does!
You’ll be glad to know that you we’ll be releasing that album to Weatnu Records in the next month or so.
Ashleigh: That’s great, can’t wait to hear it!
About your song writing once again. Are you learning or mixing your own tracks as well?
Ashleigh: I have dabbled here and there with Ableton, I am definitely learning more and more about mixing and mastering, but honestly that stuff takes years. Props to all these producers out there because this stuff isn’t easy. You can’t just jump into it, it takes a lot of time and practice.
I’ve been mixing and mastering for 15 years, and you are right. No tool in existence can give you golden ears. Takes years. But I believe you would do well. Do you write keyboard parts etc, play with VST’s and make your own rhythms as well?
Ashleigh: I have created a couple things using Ableton, with a plug in MIDI keyboard, some conga drums, guitar, and other plug-ins. I love to mess around with all of Shark Anthony’s toys. There are actually some hidden files on his computer that he doesn’t even know are there that I have created doing all that stuff while he wasn’t around! I guess he’s going to find out after reading this now though [laughs]
Ha-ha, sneaky. You could call the next album, ‘The Hidden Files’
Ashleigh: Haha very true!
Are you playing in venues around Florida?
Ashleigh: I have played at places like The Funky Buddha, a music festival called Moonfest, and a lot of bars. I am hungry for more shows though! It’s been a little tricky for me to network in this area. I am still semi new to this music scene around here so I am still trying to be respected and make a name for myself. I’m showing people that I am serious and confident in the sound I can bring.
That’s all that matters, but with your drive and talent, I’m sure you indeed go far. Your music rivals with the likes of FKA twigs. I hear something new coming to the world of avant-garde indiepop, this is new and fresh music for the next generation. The hip-hop attitude is also quite impressive on these EPs and albums, very underground. Listening to Lunar Leaks, another highly impressive album.
Ashleigh: Wow thank you, she is indeed talented so that is a compliment. Those are the songs that I introduced coming into this music scene. The first songs I’ve ever created with Shark.
It’s all amazing work! Are you self-taught?
Ashleigh: Vocally?
Vocally, musically.
Ashleigh: I took singing/ guitar lessons when I was about 14 only for 2 years at most, then from there I mainly taught myself everything I know now.
What influences you as a musician?
Ashleigh: My life has influenced my music. My life, my experiences. Everything that I have gone through in my time on this planet, all the pain, all the joy, I have and will continue to put that into my music.
Beautiful answer.
Ashleigh: Some people say the majority of my music is a bit melancholy and dark. Maybe that is the majority of emotion I have been feeling lately. I can’t fake an emotion for a catchy song. If I’m going to feel sad for a year, I’m going to write 50 sad songs instead of trying to fake an emotion for one happy one.
How are you writing music with Shark Anthony, just picking up the mic and singing while he produces? – The mic quality is amazing btw!
Ashleigh: A lot of the things I record are already written. Some of the songs I have released though are actually free styled, (like the song Retrograde) I just picked up the mic and just started singing and we ended up just keeping it because it was sang off pure raw emotion. His mic is a Shure Beta87a, that is the one we mainly record with.
A very clean sound.
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Are you working toward another album?
Ashleigh: I am in the process of recording new songs for a potential EP. I just put out a new song called Defeat: Imminent, which is a little teaser of my newer sound and what those songs are like. A new EP is definitely in the near future!
Great to hear that and we’ve also heard Defeat: Imminent just recently.
Any future plans?
Ashleigh: Potentially put out an album, maybe host my own showcase of local talent, get signed, moved to LA became a millionaire. You know, the little things ha-ha!
And a final question: What is your favourite video game of all time?
Ashleigh: Call of Duty: EXO ZOMBIES ha-ha, I don’t know. Mario Kart!
[Laughs]
Ashleigh: Two completely different games!
Thank you Ashleigh for doing this interview with #WEATNU DM today. Good luck to you and your future in music.
Ashleigh: Thank you so much!
#WEATNU Digital Magazine – Interview and intro by Almark
“Original and passionate ‘DreamPop’ artist Adryelle. was kind enough to have a interview with us. Her music is comfortably wrapped in melancholy moods, while happily combined with influences of Depeche Mode and Tori Amos. Listen to her love of music, art and the future of her career.”
How are you today, Adryelle? – Pardon me for asking, but is this is your name or artist pseudonym?
Adryelle: Yes, that is my name! I’m doing very well, enjoying the warmer weather. How are you?
I’m good thank you. We are very glad to have this interview with you today here on #WEATNU DM.
Adryelle: Thank you, I am glad to be apart of it 🙂
Your music reminds me of Tori Amos and Depeche Mode? Beautiful combo!
Adryelle: Yes, thats how people have described my music.
Maybe also with a hint of Grimes so people are saying?
Adryelle: Yeah, I’ve got a lot of that too as well, similar with Banks, Kate Bush and Taylor Swift! haha.
What best describes your music in terms to a new listener/fan?
Adryelle: I would say electronic dreampop. Or chillwave. Your latest album ‘The Waiting Room” is out now on WEATNU Records. People are hearing this great music, any thoughts?
Adryelle: Yeah, its awesome to be apart of WEANTU and all of the artists involved. It’s a great community. I think there is so much music out there now and its hard for people to zone into specific genres. Providing a context for listeners is a great way to present specific music to the world and cut through everything else. And I think WEANTU is a great context for that.
We’re very glad to have you with us. The opening song on your album – ‘The Waiting Room’ – reminds me of Tori Amos’ Spark. Are there personal references to this song?
Adryelle: Thank you, but no, there’s no references to that song.
Just a burst of inspiration one day, poetically speaking?
Adryelle: Yes, I wrote the lyrics separate from the music, it didn’t come together all at once like a lot of songs do. But the lyrics and music worked well with each other. I worked on the music first and just kept building the layers up.
How do you normally approach song writing?
Adryelle: There are so many ways. Sometimes I will have a beat I’m working on and it will inspire a topic. Sometimes I will have a lyric and get an idea for the music. A lot of the time I will write a beat in logic and come up with a melody and then hear lyrics within the melody, and that will be the start of the lyrics. Then, I might just write the basic song on the piano or guitar. So there isn’t just one approach for me!
So you create via midi controller to Logic?
Adryelle: Yes, I have a midi keyboard I use, like my microkorg, or drum machine. I also have some vintage yamaha keyboards I use sometimes. Or then I will also record using real instruments as well, it could be on guitar or ukulele.
When did you begin your life of music?
Adryelle: I wrote my first song (which wasn’t much of a song) when I was 12. I played it for my friend Sarah and she laughed at me!
We’d like to hear that! [laughs]
Adryelle: Oh that is long gone 🙂
And were you trained vocally? – Beautiful vocals by the way!
Adryelle: I did take vocal lessons in college, I did 2 semesters of vocal training. And thank you 🙂
So music is very much a career as well as a passion for you?
Adryelle: Yes, very much!
How is the career of it going?
Adryelle: It’s going well!
I understand you’ve written and had your music played on BET and other television networks?
Adryelle: Yes, i had music on a few commercials that were aired on those networks
Are you still working in this direction? Adryelle: Yes, I would really like to get my music placed in some feature films. I’ve always thought it would be fun to score a film as well, dark ominous tones!
The ultimate dream even for myself.
The entire album of The Waiting Room is brilliant. Has it been well received on radio in various places?
Adryelle: Thank you. Yes, it has been played on a lot of internet radio. As far as traditional radio, I have not submitted it yet, but I do plan to submit to some college radio stations.
I’m sure it will be well received. This is first time I have listened to the whole of this album completely and every song is a work of art. How long did it take to complete?
Adryelle: It took about a year I think. Some songs I had laying around and just needed to put them together or finish them. I recorded it within about 6 months though. I definitely knew I wanted the album to be more electronic than my older stuff and knew what I wanted for it, so I think having that direction helped a lot.
While we are on the subject of Electronic, do you care to go over your past influences on how you came to write electronic-based music?
Adryelle: Sure. When I first started writing I was really into a lot of 80’s music and my first album had a lot of electronic elements. I moved away from that, but have always wanted to go back. I love how much you can do with electronic sounds. Its a whole other world. You can set whatever mood you want to set. I think my past stuff has some electronic elements but it isn’t full electronics.
When did you make the full transition? Adryelle: Well, The Waiting Room is my first album that is all electronic. My older stuff had elements of that sound but had real instruments as the base. I did a lot of piano based stuff.
So you start with a clean project, writing from the ground up, especially on the drums? Adryelle: Yes, definitely.
You mentioned once, that you use Reason as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)?
Adryelle: Yes, I wrote a lot in Reason for The Waiting Room album, I additionally used Logic and Pro Tools. Now I’ve transitioned to using Logic primarily.
I personally get chills when I hear ‘The Waiting Room‘ title track, do you think others get them as well?
Adryelle: I’m not sure. I hope it effects people in some emotional way. As with all music, I think that its a success once you have reached peoples emotions. These songs on ‘The Waiting Room’ are pop-laced and catchy, such as with ‘Rainbows’ there appears to be a R&B sound, does this come from any influences?
Adryelle: Yes, I am heavily influenced by HipHop stuff. I’ve always loved Hiphop!
Oldschool?
Adryelle: Yes, definitely!
Very cool, it had a more soulful edge back then. How is the general music scene in Baltimore?
Adryelle: Baltimore is cool. The scene is very diverse. There is a lot of avant garde, experimental electronic underground type stuff here as well as singer songwriter stuff. Its very eclectic and people are pretty supportive.
Is this well known, because I was clueless to it?! lol It’s great to hear that! Have you heard of Lie Craze? She writes an experimental ElectroPop sound.
No. I’ve not yet heard of her.
A collab between you two would be great, she’s one of our artists on #WEATNU.
Adryelle: Oh awesome!
Are you currently playing live anywhere? NYC by chance?
Adryelle: Yes, I’m playing in DC at The Treehouse Lounge on Thursday April 9th with The Starlight Natives. I just played in NYC about a month ago. That was a lot of fun and I hope to go back there soon.
Great! So you have other labels you’re on?
Adryelle: Yes, im on Single Engine Records which is a Baltimore based net label.
Working on new music?
Adryelle: Yes, currently I am working on a new album, in the process of writing that.
Any dates, or is that secret in the vault 😉
Adryelle: No, I dont have any dates yet, but I’m thinking sometime in the summer or fall 🙂
And where would you like to play live that you haven’t? Could go for the next SXSW?
Adryelle: I really want to do a west coast tour, and also Canada as well as Europe. I get alot of requests to come out to those areas. I think I might stay away from SXSW 🙂 Although you never know! I also want to play in Austin
Just like the 4AD artists, would you like to be apart of that?
Adryelle: Of 4AD?
That’s where Grimes went after the Arbutus label.
Adryelle: I’d love to get onto 4AD Records! This music is very suited for their sound. You have a few remixes on the album. One is ‘Kiss the Daylight (SiLenCe Remix)’ – great work.
Adryelle: Yes, my friend Mike Baker did both remixes you hear on there. He is amazingly talented! He also has his own project at www.silencetheory.com
Any other plans for the future?
Adryelle: Yeah, my future plans are to tour more, as much as I can.
Awesome. Any final thoughts?
Adryelle: I guess just to keep an eye out for the new record sometime in the fall. Also, for people who are interested in staying updated, I have a mailing list you can sign up for at www.adryelle.com. Also thank you so much for this interview 🙂
One final question… Favorite coffee?
Adryelle: Zekes!! It’s a Baltimore thing!
And Thank you, Adryelle, for having this interview with #WEATNU Digital Magazine, and good luck with your future!
Adryelle: Thank you!
Interview by Almark – #WEATNU Digital Magazine Buy “The Waiting Room” on WEATNU Records
It isn’t everyday that you hear clear and precise quality, pop-related music. But this is experimental mind you. Ashleigh Antolini is soulful, her strong but trained style of singing is combined with R&B and experimental all in one. Do You Know, Vicious Cycle EP – Produced by Shark Anthony is Witchhouse/Dreampop in modern day with a hint of jazz, classical and DnB. This is good music, the rest of the EP will not disappoint. She has been slowly showing her music to #WEATNU, this of course won’t be the last time.
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