Getting To Know Columbus Based Artist “Sad Cash”

*This is a trigger warning to anyone that may be sensitive to discussions of drug abuse, mental health issues or any other topics that come up in this interview. I always encourage artists to share their stories even if they are not all rainbows and unicorns, because we can either relate to parts of a person’s story or we can learn from what they share, so with that said please be understanding, respectful, and thankful that music is his outlet to release experience and pain.

LLTM: What is the backstory on your stage name “Sad Cash”?

Sad Cash: Well first off, I’ll start by saying music had always been my escape for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a cult and my parents are both deacons. My parents forced me to learn piano at age 6 and then as I grew older more instrumental knowledge came pretty natural for me. I can play drums bass piano and guitar pretty well. But the name behind sad cash comes from my darkest days.. being in a relationship wish someone for 7 years and then catching them cheating on you will change you forever. I had 2 houses with this person. I gave her the master bedroom and I slept on the basement floor for the remainder of her time in the house even though she did what she did. I wanted to die everyday. There was no sunlight. I was actively trying to overdose in my sleep but I kept waking up.. I even went to the gun store and purchased a shotgun to end the pain. But on the way out I noticed a now hiring sign and decided to work there. Still Contemplating a lot every day after she left and I started life alone, the only thing that would make me feel better was producing music and I’ve been making beats on FL studio 11 since 2013. It wasn’t until after I became broken that I started signing over my beats. I ended up falling in love again with another girl. But she was a drug addict and she got me hooked on Xanax. I found her on the side of Cleveland Avenue hooking for crack money. I pulled her off a bus because I wanted to save her but unfortunately her withdrawals were so bad, she had to do her drugs or else she might die, so her dad would take her to the crack house, and I became a support system for her. I just wanted her to heal I’ve known her since we were kids. Sometimes I still see her around, but it hurts knowing how hard I tried to help, only to be left unappreciated and forgotten. You can’t help someone who doesn’t want help. But lastly the name came to me when I realized how long I’ve been a sad soul. I was writing sad songs at age 13 and I’m still doing It today. I want to make a living and send a message through my pain and if I can turn my own tears into dollar signs, then sad cash will have to be the name. But it’s more about creating music more than anything since that’s what saved my life.

LLTM: Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations and can we hear any similarities in your sound?

Sad Cash: Lund, Lil Peep, Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Brokencyde.

LLTM: What do you hope the fans get out of your music?

Sad Cash: the same thing music does for me, an escape from reality.

LLTM: If there was 1 thing you could change in the music industry today, what would it be and why?

Sad Cash: I would change how focused mainstream music is in regard to sex, drugs and violence. I live in the hood and these kids today are crazy, they listen to songs about murder and think they should go out and buy a gun or kill someone.

LLTM: Your single “City Morgue” was released on June 14th, 2023, what have the responses been?

Sad Cash: People say it’s good but not my best song and I can agree with that. The song is supposed to sound as If I’m already dead and that’s when people will listen to you, when it’s too late.

LLTM: What message do you wish you could have told your younger self?

Sad Cash: You can’t force people to be on the same page as you. As you grow older the vibes and levels among your friends and people in general with become more balanced and people will start to believe in your vision instead of hating or doubting you.

LLTM: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years and what will it take to get there?

Sad Cash: I want to buy own house and grow my own food and spread awareness about the poison they put in our everyday food. More people need to be aware about big pharma.

I want to sell so much music and merch to eventually move to a safer place and donate to a good charity and I just want to help people and ball out like drake or someone like that haha..

LLTM: What genre of music do you think is underrated, and who is your favorite artist of that genre?

Sad Cash: Shoegaze music Is underrated and “Superheaven” is my favorite under that genre. 

I will also say emo/emo rap/sad easy listening is underrated and “Velvetears” is my favorite artist.

LLTM: Has the writing or recording process begun for a new album or EP, and if so when can the fans expect it to be released?

Sad Cash: I have too many unreleased songs in the vault I could probably put together 5 or 6 albums, but they wouldn’t make sense in correspondence to each other. The next album I release will make perfect sense front start to finish. It’s titled Pain and Suffering VL1 and it is almost finished. Just waiting on a few collaborators to send me back their verses. I plan to release within the next 2 months.

LLTM: Are there any live shows planned for the remainder of 2023?

Sad Cash: None that are posted but I participate in showcase shows around underground Columbus and that is good practice for me.

First, I want to Thank “Sad Cash” for sharing his story and his music with us. For more information on “Sad Cash” from Music, News and more click on the link below,

https://instagram.com/sad_cash

Peace, Love and Music Hope R Chamblin❤

Getting To Know Craig Vittorio, Guitarist of Brooklyn NY, Based Rock Band “Tzarina”

LLTM: Is there a special meaning or back story on how the band got its name?

Craig: Nothing other than I just sort of thought that the name sounded musical. The idea came from an afternoon of watching terrible reenactments of the old Russian empire on a History channel-esque documentary.  I had always read a lot about the old Russian Czar’ (tzar), but in a specific reenactment in the documentary, I had heard someone call the queen “Czarina.” I thought that there was something musical about it.

LLTM: Who have been some of your biggest musical influences and can we hear any similarities?

Craig: Thrice, Deftones, Dillinger Escape Plan – yeah you will probably hear a lot of similarities but will also hear some elements that sort of separate us from the typical post-hardcore band.  We have pretty eclectic musical tastes ranging from thrashy black metal, to noise, to musical theatre and jazz.  There are definitely elements of that which show up in our music and our performance as well.

LLTM: What has been the hardest part about being in the music industry today? What about the easiest?

Craig: The hardest part about being in the music industry today is being a band that currently operates at our level – local, regional, semi-national.  Everything you do is DIY, from the writing to a lot of the production, the tour booking, band management, etc.  I’m not complaining at all. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be doing it – but make no mistake – it’s hard.

There is also the added aspect of trying to stay afloat as a band in this day and age. Touring alone just doesn’t cut it.  There is the constant struggle of just trying to stay relevant to the world around you.  

The easiest part is being a part of a community that you love and loves you back.  Everyone helps each other (for the most part) and really work hard to cooperate because there is a mutual respect for the grind.  We’ve made some of our best new friends in recent years through our local scene.

LLTM: When you listen to music, do you connect more with the lyrics or the instrumental side?

Craig: Instrumental – I always considered myself a “guitarist who sings” as opposed to a frontman (my bandmates are working hard to get me out of that headspace). I can’t start writing anything until I have an idea of what the drums are doing. Then I’ll build out the foundation with all the rhythm guitars and bass.  Then add to that with lead lines, melodies, and whatever electronic sounds or samples I end up using.  All of that needs to be in place for me to even start thinking about the words.  Its frustrating.  I can’t just think of words and write a song to them – but then again – I think that may be why our songs have a bit of an unconventional vibe to them which I really like.

LLTM: Who is currently on your playlist, and what song could you never get tired of?

Craig: Off Road Minivan’s new album has been on repeat for months.  Also just started to revisit Quicksand.  Their album “Interiors” is a post-grunge power trio masterpiece.

LLTM: Who has been that person in your life you have always looked up to and why?

Craig: Hard to say.  It’s been a lot of people over the course of my life.  Lots of different influences and mentors have come and gone.  One that always sticks out is my friend Nick Belmore.  He’s produced a large number of the albums that I’ve worked on and when I decided to make the leap into doing production work myself, he was always willing to help.  Either by giving me mix notes, helping me master something, rearranging a track so I hear it in a different context. 

LLTM: What do you hope the fans get out of your music?

Craig: That even the most unconventional type of music can be palatable.  So much of the music we write doesn’t really fit the typical format of intro/verse/chorus/verse chorus/bridge/outro.  Sometimes our songs are these long crescendos that just end.  Sometimes there is no outro.  Sometimes we play weird chord progressions or riffs that don’t make sense. Sometimes we play in odd time signatures. It’s just how our art comes to life and it’s my hope that they can see that and appreciate it for what it is.

LLTM: If you had to give up something for 30 days to perform with any artist/band for 1 hour, what would you give up and who would you be performing with?

Craig: I’d give up drinking to perform with Ozzy.  That’s a bold dream though.  More realistically, I’ll know I’ve peaked in my musical career when I get to play the national anthem at a minor league sporting event.

LLTM: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years and what will it take to get there?

Craig: In 5 years, I’d like to see us supporting larger bands on national bills and headlining (successfully) some smaller clubs on a regional/national tour. It would be cool to knock off some venues that are on our bucket list.

LLTM: What is the most influential quote or saying for you and why?

Craig: “ex nihilo nihil fit” – from nothing comes nothing.

This phrase has a lot of interpretations but for the use case of the band, II see it as a commitment to the authenticity of the music. Nothing meaningful comes from inauthentic expression. The power and resonance should come from a genuine place, from real experiences and emotions

LLTM: Has the writing or recording process begun for a new EP/Album, if so when can the fans expect it to be released?

Craig: The recording for our debut LP has been done since mid 2021. We’ve been slowly releasing singles off of that LP over the last few years, but the complete collection of that album will be released in October of this year.  

It was intense as the recording took place mostly through the pandemic.  I didn’t have my bandmates by my side in the studio to help shape things, provide input, or even perform their own parts.  Outside of drums (which were performed by our producer, Nick Belmore) and backup vocals (performed by Mark), everything was arranged performed by me.

LLTM: What does the touring schedule look like for 2023?

Craig: Nothing on the books. My first kid was born back in February of this year so we haven’t had much time to gig, let alone rehearse.  2024 I anticipate we will kick things into high gear with supporting the release of the album.

It has left me a lot of time to flesh out new ideas – some of which we’re going to the studio this summer to start nailing down.

For more information on this incredible band, from music, news and more click on link below https://www.facebook.com/tzarina.official

Peace, Love and Music Hope R Chamblin❤

Weekend Wrapup Concert from July 21st 2023 Featuring KrashKarma. Artifas, SilverTung, Faith In failure and Bava Choco

So, let me start by saying this was mine and my husband’s first concert of the year, so with that alone we were so ready to get back into our element since life has had a hold on us lately. This post is mostly to show pictures of our experience and I know that You can’t necessarily get the talent aspect of this show but believe me it was jam packed of talent, tons of energy and overall, just what we needed.

The two local opening bands were “Bava Choco” and “Faith in Failure” they both were a good start to the show. We have seen “Faith in Failure” once before and they always bring the energy, and “Bava Choco” was good too and was the first time we had seen them.

So here is where the bombard of pictures starts, first “SilverTung”, I’ve listened to them for years and actually did an interview with them in 2017, so it was exciting getting to see them live and getting to talk to them after the show. If you haven’t heard of them, check out their newest single that was released last month (June 2023) called “Crutch” the audio video listed below, as well as some pictures that I took. I’m just going to say the obvious that Speed (Lead Vocalist/Guitarist) has had to have either been to a deathcore show like “Oceano” or has seen vidoes or maybe he has no control on how his body reacts to music.

Then “Artifas” came next, and I’ve also interviewed them not to long ago and I have listened to them for a little while so I knew they would bring it for sure and man they did not disappoint! They tore up the stage! So much energy and they poured it into the audience. If you get a chance to see “Artifas” live please do, you will be amazed by their performance!

KrashKarma was the headlining band, and they were definitely up for the challenge to keep a crowd going after the two powerhouses “Silvertung” and “Artifas”. They started out walking through the crowd with a megaphone and a drum and it was pretty awesome. Overall, such a great show and an amazing lineup! Please check out all the bands Facebook links below for new music and upcoming shows.

https://www.facebook.com/bavachoco https://www.facebook.com/officialfaithinfailure https://www.facebook.com/Silvertungband https://www.facebook.com/Artifas https://www.facebook.com/krashkarma

Peace, Love and Music Hope R Chamblin❤

Getting To Know Cary Parsons of Hard Rock Band “Dark Remedy”

LLTM: Is there a special meaning or back story on how the band got its name?

Cary: We formed this band right before going into the COVID-19 pandemic, we didn’t have a name at the time, we looked at this band is our remedy for what was going on, the dark times the world were going through, and with that Dark Remedy was born.

LLTM: Who have been some of your biggest musical influences and can we hear any similarities?

Cary: We pull inspiration from a lot of bands, from classic rock/metal, death metal, to our peers currently on rock radio, to prolific songwriters even from outside of the rock realm.

LLTM: What has been the hardest part about being in the music industry today? What about the easiest?

Cary: I would say the hardest part is adapting to the ever changing landscape we are in, things are done a lot differently than they were even as little as 10 years ago, it’s a constantly evolving realm that you have to be willing to adapt to. The easiest thing is the help of technology. We all have home recording studios, and using technology we are able to track remotely and that alone save us a HUGE amount of time and resources, allowing for a faster flow of content for fans.

LLTM: When you listen to music, do you connect more with the lyrics or the instrumental side?

Cary:  I think the first thing that grabs me is the melody, whether it be a vocal hook or an instrumental hook, and then I listen for how everything else supports that melody.

LLTM: Who is currently on your playlist, and what song could you never get tired of?

Cary: Right now on the playlist is nothing but current rock bands, our peers. These are really exciting times we are living in for rock music, there is so much killer music flying under the radar. My answer today for what song I wouldn’t grow tired of would be Versus Me – Terrified.

LLTM: Who has been that person in your life you have always looked up to and why?

Cary: I (Cary) have always looked up to anyone that has had serious staying power, you could use James Hetfield of Metallica as an example, the simple fact that he has managed to write relevant great music for as many decades as he has is very inspirational and admirable to me.

LLTM: What do you hope the fans get out of your music?

Cary: We hope to provide the soundtrack for their lives, we have a pretty diverse sound, and as we release more and more of our songs, we think there will be a little something for everyone no matter what they are going through in life.

LLTM: If you had to give up something for 30 days to perform with any artist/band for 1 hour, what would you give up and who would you be performing with?

Cary:  I drink 2 energy drinks every morning to get me going. If I had the chance to jump up there with Metallica I think I could give that up for 30 days. Fair warning, I would probably be pretty grumpy, but hey that’s rock n roll!

LLTM: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years and what will it take to get there?

Cary: We hope to be playing to large capacity crowds around the world. It’s going to take a whole lot of work on our part, and a whole lot of love and support from our fans! We are confident we can get there though.

LLTM: What is the most influential quote or saying for you and why?

Cary:  ” If you set your goals ridiculously high and it’s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success” – James Cameron, this really resonates because growing up trying to make it as a musician sounds like crazy talk, everyone will say you don’t have a chance, but if you don’t shoot for the moon, and be willing to have some failures, you will never know.

LLTM: Has the writing or recording process began for a new EP/Album, if so when can the fans expect it to be released?

Cary: We are always writing, I don’t think there has been a moment in time for this band that we were not writing. This year we have so far pushed 3 singles to radio, with a 4th on the way. We have plans for an EP coming very soon. Stay tuned.

LLTM: What does the touring schedule look like for 2023?

Cary: We are focusing on releasing new music for 2023 and plan to hit the rock hard in 2024.

For more information on “Dark Remedy” from music, news and more click on link below https://www.facebook.com/DarkRemedyBand

Peace, Love and Music Hope R Chamblin❤

Getting To Know the Highly Talented Hard Rock Band “Vonavibe” From Athens Greece

                                   
Photo Credit: Peggy Psarrou

LLTM: Is there a special meaning or backstory on how the band got its name?

Vonavibe: The band was originally called Vice Versa. After we landed our first major label deal we realised we needed a name that would be unique. We already had the logo with the double VΛ so we started
experimenting with vowels. Hence we discovered the word “Vona” which means hope in Icelandish.
Vonavibe means a sense of hope.

LLTM: Who have your fans compared you to, and do you agree?

Vonavibe: Both the fans as well as the press have compared us to Shinedown, Three Days Grace and Volbeat. This was a huge compliment for us as we love these bands and have nothing but respect for what they have achieved. We believe it is only fair to agree that they have influenced us in a pretty big way.

LLTM: If you could speed up anything, what would it be, and what would you slow down?

Vonavibe: Definitely speed up the endless hours in the studio and slow down the touring schedule! Take a breath and get a chance of getting to know the city before we move on to the next one.

  LLTM: What has been the fans’ feedback to your latest album “Bleed To Life”?

Vonavibe: Well given the fact that the album’s production was finished back in 2020 and has been sitting on a shelf due to the pandemic, the word “relief” would be an understatement. Subsequently the amount of positive reviews we have received from people who are not actually fans of the genre is what has
empowered us most.

LLTM: What seems to be the fans favorite single off the album, and what about your favorite?

Vonavibe: So many different opinions to tell you the truth. “Run n’ Hide” is definitely the one that people have listened to most but “Hold On”, “Left For Dead” as well as “Vonavibe” have stood out, which is also the reason we released them as singles.

 LLTM: If you had the ability to walk in the shoes of anyone, who would it be and why?

Vonavibe: That’s a tricky one. At first I would say someone who admire and has been an inspiration since my childhood, like James Hetfield. However the more I think of it I would have to say the president of the
United States, simply to get a grasp of what is actually happening with this f@#*ed up world or ours.

LLTM: Who is your biggest musical inspiration today compared to 5-10 years ago?

Vonavibe: Tool, for sure. Metallica were easily a huge inspiration when we started out but as we grow both spiritually and musically, bands like Tool are surely a major inspiration.

LLTM: What’s more important passion, drive or raw talent, and why?

Vonavibe: I think that passion and drive are more or less the same thing and firmly believe they are the key to anything that resembles success. Talent is surely something that will help you realise a goal or a dream more easily however it is the sheer determination that will enable you to overcome whatever obstacles life may throw at you.

LLTM: Has the writing and recording begun for another album, if so when can the fans expect it to be
released?

Vonavibe: The writing for the next album is already done for the next album and we are a few songs short to finish the writing for the one after that! Lol! Given the fact that a band can have all the time in the world to release the first album but only a few years before the next one, I think it is safe to say that by the end of next year you will be hearing the first single.

LLTM: What do the live show/ tour dates look like for the remainder of the year?

Vonavibe: We are playing a few shows in November and December in Greece and then we will embark on a European tour which is still in the planning process.

For more information on Vonavibe, from music, news and more click on the link below https://www.facebook.com/Vonavibe

Peace, Love and Music Hope R Chamblin❤

Getting to Know Travis Jones (Singer/Songwriter) of Oklahoma Based Rock Band “Nine Left Dead”

LLTM: Is there a special meaning or back story on how the band got its name?

Travis: So, when I named the band my sports number was 9 and I was struggling with the idea I had been abandoned by God to die hence the meaning 9 being myself was left to die. 9 Left Dead. But 9 Left Dead was actually my side project that the band would just take the name from. And the actual meaning would change for us as life kind of unfolded and told more of the story to us. That was more like chapter 1.

LLTM: Who have been some of your biggest musical influences and can we hear any similarities?

Travis: I’d say the biggest as far as combined from the band’s influences would be Foo Fighters.  And as far as hearing similarities I’d say no because we just aren’t that good yet haha. There are lots of bands that influenced us to play music in general like Seether, Shinedown, Skillet, Papa Roach. But I don’t really know if we have any sound similarities but if we did it wouldn’t hurt my feelings.

LLTM: What has been the hardest part about being in the music industry today? What about the easiest?

Travis: The hardest part is for sure making money. With streaming you basically give your music away for free. Which is fine, just as long as fans are showing up to shows and grabbing merchandise to support you. The easy part is if you are willing to work, the streaming and the social media opportunities are endless as far as getting your music out there.

LLTM: When you listen to music, do you connect more with the lyrics or the instrumental side?

Travis: Lyrics 100 percent! I want the story to be about me and something I feel in my heart even if its pain.

LLTM: Who is currently on your playlist, and what song could you never get tired of?

Travis: Civil Wars, NF, Bad Omens, Thrice, Badflower, Crowder, Asking Alexandria. Dustin Kensrue of Thrice the song Not Enough.

LLTM:  Who has been that person in your life you have always looked up to and why?

Travis: My brother T. Everyone loves him and he never meets a stranger. He is the definition of what love should look like in the world.

LLTM: What do you hope the fans get out of your music?

Travis: HOPE. Just to know we are all fucked up and we all feel alone but we aren’t.

LLTM: If you had to give up something for 30 days to perform with any artist/band for 1 hour, what would you give up and who would you be performing with?

Travis: I’d give up sweets which if you knew me, you’d understand how big that is. Crazy enough it would be a toss-up between Halsey or Shinedown.

LLTM: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years and what will it take to get there?

Travis: Playing sold out shows and getting the opportunity to change the world with our music. Hard work and some luck haha. Also, just the fans helping us spread the love of our music.

LLTM: What is the most influential quote or saying for you and why?

Travis: Comparison is the thief of joy. Because trying to compare your life to anyone else’s life is just robbing you of your journey. It can also take you to dark places and can take some of the joy out of your life that you need to survive. It also breeds hate.

LLTM: Has the writing or recording process begun for a new EP/Album, if so when can the fans expect it to be released?

Travis: Absolutely! This first one is dropping September 1st it looks like now and the follow up one will be in the early spring of 2024.

LLTM: What does the touring schedule look like for 2023?

Travis: We’ve got a few shows at home opening for some great national acts and we also hit the road with Tantric for a few dates in August. We are working on more but 2024 is going to be extremely heavy touring for us.

For more information on “Nine Left Dead”, from music, news and more click links below https://www.facebook.com/9leftdead

Stream/Download “Blaming Us” https://bfan.link/blaming-us

Peace, Love and Music Hope R Chamblin❤