Kotadama

“There is something about the energy of an involved crowd.  To look out and see a sea of people dancing along to your songs and knowing that you are making hundreds of people happy is an amazing feeling.”

In 2008, two Australian brothers – Chris and Evan Brown – set out on a journey to form a band they later named Kotadama and pursue a newly found passion in performing and recording their own music. The addition of two band members - bass guitarist Kane Burns and keyboardist/ backup vocalist Clint Fish - saw Kotadama blossom from an idea into a reality. In 2009, their first single See You Tonight reached Number One on the KISS-FM radio station in New York and held the spot for eight weeks. In the same year Kotadama formed a partnership with American producer David Kershenbaum who had worked with artists such as Tracy Chapman, Joe Jackson, Supertramp and Tori Amos. Now, over a hundred performances later, alongside the release of their debut album Dichotomy, they are making their way up the ladder to becoming a household name, one rung at a time. A recent tour to India gave them a new humbling and eye-opening experience, fuelling a deeper appreciation for the dichotomy between the different ways of living.

From love and romance to spiritual awakening... from the inability of letting go to the feeling of loss and hardship... each song from their album tells a story. My first opportunity to listen to their music came in the form of a car trip. I knew of what they had set out to achieve and the experiences that they had faced, but in the end... it was the ability of their music to captivate my attention from the very first song and constrict my throat with emotion that kindled my fondness for the band. The first track on their album, Destinations, had my fingers tapping along to its catchy beat. As I listened to the second song, Three Simple Words, teardrops formed in the corners of my eyes and my vision began to blur. I could recall my own ‘twist, turns, cuts and burns’ with romance. As each song began and then ended, I was taken on a psychological journey, full of memories that I had once forgotten. The raw emotion that seeped through the lyrics and music in each song on the album had me mesmerised. I was eager to meet the people behind the music which I had become enchanted by and was fortunate enough to be given the chance to interview Chris and Evan Brown.

GZ: How long have you known that music was something you were passionate about and something that you wanted to pursue as a career?

Chris: Around the time that I was finishing my Higher School Certificate, I watched a live video of U2 and realized that I wanted to learn the acoustic guitar. I started learning a number of U2 covers and Evan started playing the drums. It only became serious a couple of years ago when we thought that we actually had a shot at doing our own stuff.

GZ: Would you say that U2 is your biggest inspiration?

Evan: They are definitely our main inspiration. A lot of our friends weren’t the biggest fans of U2, but began to like them once they heard us playing their covers.

GZ: Are there any other bands that you’ve drawn inspiration from?

Chris: Most of the stuff I like is from the 80s. Coldplay, Snow Patrol and The Script are good, as is Crowded House. We’ve also been compared to Savage Garden a lot.

GZ: Where did the name of your band Kotadama come from?

Evan: We’ve had a number of different ideas for band names, but they were all already taken by other bands. We liked the Japanese meaning behind Kotadama, which is ‘spirit of words’, and that name stuck.

GZ: Who are the members of Kotadama and what instruments do you each play?

Chris: I play lead guitar and sing the vocals. Evan is on drums, Clint is on keyboard and backup vocals and Kane’s on bass guitar.

GZ: Has anyone else from your family been a band member of Kotadama?

Evan: Our dad Steve is the lyrical genius behind a number of our songs. When we first started playing U2 covers, he played bass for us.

GZ: What new knowledge or perspective did you gain from your recent tour to India?

Chris: After our tour in India, we began to think differently about our life here in Australia. We definitely take a lot of things for granted here. The biggest thing we’ll take away from our experience over there is the massive dichotomy in the way of life over there as opposed to here.

GZ: What have you found most challenging about the process of recording and performing your music, both as an individual and as a band?

Evan: Everything nowadays is online and it’s really difficult to get our stuff out there and noticed. You definitely need a lot of financial backing because as far as marketing goes; money talks. If you aren’t with a major label, you are constantly battling to get your stuff out there, even as clever as you are at going about it. Performing original songs for the first time is also always a bit nerving because we don’t know what sort of response we’re going to receive.

GZ: What do you love most about performing?

Chris: There is something about the energy of an involved crowd. To look out and see a sea of people dancing along to your songs and knowing that you are making hundreds of people happy is an amazing feeling.

GZ: What is the sweetest thing that a fan has said to you?

Evan: One girl messaged us saying that See You Tonight was their wedding song, which was very humbling. There’s also a Youtube clip of another girl singing that song to her boyfriend. Also, after one of our gigs, a guy came up to me and told me that he had been opposed to his son playing guitar but had changed his mind after seeing me play.

GZ: Have you had any embarrassing moments on stage?

Chris: At one gig, my guitar strings kept slipping and I spent five minutes on stage trying and failing to start a song. I tried three times but my guitar was so off-tune that I had to stop and retune it. It kept happening and I could not work out what was going on!

GZ: How do you guys relax when you are not recording or performing your music?

Evan: Because we are typically gigging every week, our idea of relaxing is to just chill at home. We sit by our fire and have a barbeque. We really appreciate our time at home because we’re not here that often.

GZ: Is there anything that you’ve done so far which you regret?

Chris: I don’t really have that many regrets and I wouldn’t change the mistakes that I’ve made. I think you need to have the bad experiences to be able to grow from them. Failing at something helps to educate you about it.

GZ: What advice can you give to aspiring artists?

Evan: People will often try to change your style of music. It’s important to remember why you started making music and what your individual style is, otherwise there’s not that much point in doing it. Also, a lot of people rush into signing things that they regret signing. There really is no rush because there is no overnight success, so the best thing to do is to take your time and be sure it’s what you want.

GZ: What is next on the agenda for Kotadama?

Chris: We have a second album in the works though we’re not sure when it will be released. Our next two months are full of gigs here in Australia. We’re also looking at a sponsored American tour next year and will most likely go back to India as well.

Kotadama’s Website: http://www.kotadama.com/

Kotadama’s Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kotadama

Kotadama’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kotadama

You can also listen to their songs and purchase their album online HERE.

Sasha Simon Music Editor

Life After Liftoff

In 2008, singer-songwriter and guitar player, Lee Weiss, began to search for other musicians who shared his passion for music and his love for performing. Two of his fellow music students at the Wright State University in Ohio, Jason Sigritz and Ryan Chatterton, as well as drummer Dan Malloy, combined with him to form Life After Liftoff. From winning the 2011 Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands and performing at this year’s Warped Tour to creating and releasing an EP with a number of music videos, Life After Liftoff has formulated a new genre of music branded as ‘alien pop punk’. My first taste of their music came from the first song in their EP – The Promise.

Just promise me truth

Don’t hurt me with lies

I let it all go so I’d find you.

As I listened to their positive lyrics, my heart seemed to elevate as if in tune with the catchy, uplifting music in the background. My finger hovered over the pause button, knowing that I had heard enough to be hooked onto the band; however I couldn’t bring myself to press it. The music ended and moved on to the next song – Memory Of You. Their music had a likeness to two bands that I thoroughly enjoyed, Boys Like Girls and Blink-182, though it was unique in its own way. I wanted to know more about their music and the band itself, and was presented with the opportunity to gain more knowledge in an interview with Lee Weiss and Dan Malloy.

GZ: How did you choose the name for your band and how did you form Life After Liftoff?

Lee: It came to me in a dream. I’ve always kept a notepad next to my bed for lyrics, and after my old band broke up, I came up with this name, “Life After Liftoff.” I spent the next day figuring out what it was going to be and what it was going to represent.

Dan: Lee is the man behind the band name, so I will let him tell you that story. In terms of band formation, Ryan auditioned for Lee early on and Ryan and I have played in bands for a long time. He called me up to come play. After a few lineup changes and shifts, we needed a bass player, and Lee and I both knew of Jason.

GZ: When did you decide to pursue a music career?

Lee: I have been playing and touring since I was fifteen years old. After seeing Green Day and Blink-182 play on the pop disaster tour, I knew that I wanted to always play music.

Dan: Music has been my biggest passion and a huge part of my life since I was about thirteen. I’ve been pursuing every possible opportunity to make great music since then.

GZ: Who writes the lyrics and music for your songs, or is it a collaborated effort?

Lee: I am the main lyricist but I always bounce my ideas back to the guys. Our music is very concept oriented so I always need an outside perspective to make sure I don’t get lost in my own ideas.

Dan: Lee is the man behind the lyrics and a lot of the musical ideas as well. We all play a big part in coming to the final product that we release.

GZ: From where do you draw your inspiration for your songs and music?

Lee: Real life experience is where all my song writing comes from. I believe people can relate to you as a songwriter when you talk about situations everyone has gone through or will go through.

Dan: There are so many musical and life influences that it’s hard to say. I know, like many bands, we write about love and loss, and I think our musical influences are so widespread, I can’t list them all.

GZ: What challenges has Life After Liftoff faced?

Lee: It has taken me three years to find the most incredible group of musicians and friends to work with. That to me has been the biggest challenge. But when it all came together, it was magically beautiful!

Dan: As I mentioned before, we had some lineup changed and shifting personnel early on. We’ve done a lot so far though, and we have a lot more great opportunities on the horizon.

GZ: How have you managed to overcome these challenges?

Lee: Positive Mental Attitude! Or PMA! When you believe in yourself and what you are doing, NEVER GIVE UP! That is what this band is about… if you can change your own circumstances then you can change the world!

Dan: I think we are all very driven and positive, so this is a pretty hard group to stop. Plus we have a great message that we feel a need to get out to as many people as possible.

GZ: Is there a particular person or people that have inspired your band and helped you in your journey?

Lee: My Mom, family, friends, people who are super close to me, my musical inspirations and bands that have inspired me to follow my dreams.

Dan: So many people have been a support and inspiration to us. I think the most prominent for most of us would be our families though. It’s great to see how they have all supported and encouraged us on your journey.

GZ: What does an average day in your life involve?

Lee: Wake up, turn on some music, shower, and check Facebook and Twitter. Make some phone calls to family and friends and band related business. Head to my university, go to class, come home and work on band business and/or go to rehearsal!

Dan: For me, I work a full time job, then to rehearsal or a show. And on the weekends we usually hit the road when possible and try to play as many shows.

GZ: What do you love most about performing?

Lee: The energy that comes with performing and the connection that you make with an audience; it is incredible.

Dan: Interacting with the crowd is one of my favorite parts of performing. And it’s nice that every show is unique, that way I never get too bored!

GZ: What is the hardest part of recording and performing your music?

Lee: The hardest part is staying focused in the studio. Always being around great friends while recording is just like hanging out but you have to stay focused!

Dan: I think the hardest part is getting everyone in sync and on the same page musically and mentally. Without that type of commitment, it’s hard to get very far in this industry.

GZ: What are some of your most embarrassing moments on stage or during recording?

Lee: The one thing about recording is that you realize how terrible you are at what you do (laughs). But seriously, it’s about perfection so I’m always striving for the best possible take! And on stage it has always been me falling on my face or tripping over my own two feet!

Dan: I try not to get embarrassed, though I probably should be more often. We all do a lot of silly things in the name of fun and a good show. However, it was pretty embarrassing to see the pictures of us playing at the Warped Tour when we all looked like we were going to pass out from the heat. Not exactly a smiling Kodak moment.

GZ: What is next on your agenda?

Lee: A new EP in February/March of 2012, a full length after that and tour, tour and tour!

Dan: we’ll be in the studio and traveling a lot in December to February, and the focus will be on our new EP.

GZ: What advice can you give to aspiring artists?

Lee: NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Make sure you are patient and don’t jump the gun! Be nice and respectful as possible and make sure you help everyone you can. People will be there to help you at one point too!

Dan: Don’t give up! Enjoy the good times and learn a lot from the not so good times. And always have a good sense of humor about yourself!!!

Life After Liftoff's Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lifeafterliftoff

Life After Liftoff's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LifeAfterLiftoff

Sasha Simon Music Editor

Lily Halpern

She may only be 18-years-old and new in the game, but she is taking the music industry by storm. With her debut EP released late 2010 (including three songs – Not Gonna Cry, Worth Fighting For and Wishlist) and a brand new video, Colours, she has caught our attention. As we watched her video and joined her in her journey to find true love, we fell in love with both her music and her voice. I personally have a soft spot for a sweet, romantic storyline and was delighted by the one in her video, as well as impressed with all that she has achieved at her age, from moving to New York to becoming the opening act on the “Waiting4U” tour, to producing and recording a number of beautiful songs. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to interview her and gain a little insight into her day-to-day life.

GZ: When did you know that you wanted to pursue a music career?

Lily: I always knew that I wanted to sing, and I always knew I loved it, but really wanting to pursue it as a career happened at the end of high school when all my friends were excited about college and what was coming next and the only thing that gave me butterflies like that ever was music.

GZ: From where do you draw your inspiration for your songs and music?

Lily: I draw my inspiration from my life, friends’ lives, past and current boyfriends, crushes, teachers, friendships and experiences. 

GZ: How were you able to gain the position as the opening act for Big Time Rush and the Waiting4U tour?

Lily: My amazing manager got my music and my face out there to the right people, and they said yes. It was the greatest experience. I’m very lucky, but I’ve worked very hard and was told no many times before I heard those yeses.

GZ: What challenges have you faced as a singer?

Lily: I’ve had to face a lot of challenges as a singer. I’ve heard the word no so many times from people in the industry. I’ve been told by people I really cared about that they didn’t think this is what I should be doing. I’ve also been told to quit, but overcoming these challenges has made me stronger and more sure than ever that this IS what I should be doing.

GZ: How have you managed to overcome these challenges?

Lily: I’ve overcome these challenges because of the love and support of my family, my wonderful manager, being comfortable in my own skin and knowing myself and my amazing, wonderful fans. I can’t ever stop now. I know they’re counting on me.

GZ: Is there any particular person or people that have inspired you and helped you in your journey?

Lily: My family, manager, friends and fans have all inspired me and helped me in my journey.

GZ: What does an average day in your life involve?

Lily: A day in my life involves waking up, working out and going to the studio to record or write or film a video. If I’m preparing for a tour, I’ll have a rehearsal in there too. Some days I have voice lessons, then I’ll come home, do an interview, have dinner and go to sleep. I’m busy but I love it. 

GZ: What do you do when you are not singing, recording or performing?

Lily: I go to concerts and movies, bake cookies, spend time with friends, work out and do a lot! I love doing nothing though. Whenever I have time, I love sleeping or just curling up with a good book.

GZ: How old were you when you moved to New York?

Lily: I moved to New York a year ago; a couple of months after I graduated from high school, right when I was turning eighteen. I’ve been here for a year now and my nineteenth birthday is this month!

GZ: Why did you decide to move there?

Lily: It was either here or LA. Those are really the places to be if you want to make it, and I knew I was going to give it everything I had. I’d spent the summer before in LA working on music and I knew I was more of an east coast girl, plus my family is in Boston so I wouldn’t be too far from them. I’m still just a kid, so it’s nice to know I’m a short plane ride of couple of hours drive away.

GZ: What do you love most about performing?

Lily: I love connecting with my fans. It’s like making a couple hundred new friends each time I perform for new people, because I’m having a conversation with them through my music; telling them my story and hoping the connect with it and understand me.

GZ: What is the hardest part of recording and performing your music?

Lily: I’m so lucky because recording and performing my music is the easiest and most natural thing in the world for me. NOT recording and NOT performing is hard; it’s something I need to get out of me!

GZ: Have you had any embarrassing moments on stage or during recording?

Lily: Thankfully and surprisingly, I haven’t had any embarrassing moments on stage recently, though in 6^th grade I performed my big number in my elementary school musical with my skirt tucked into the waistband of my panty-hose. (OOOPS!) But in the studio, sometimes when we are on a break I’ll be in there listening to my iPod and I’ll start to rap along to a hip-hop song I have in my iPod and I will look into the other room and see the guys laughing at me rapping… awkward.

GZ: When will your debut album be released?

Lily: Sometime in 2012. As soon as we are done and happy with it, and as soon as we have the right people to release it with and the right plan to go about it, you will all hear it. I’m really proud of what I have so far and I’m sure I’m going to be even more proud of the final product.

GZ: What is next on your agenda?

Lily: Working on my album and going on more tours next year to get my music out there more!

GZ: What advice can you give to aspiring artists?

Lily: Every time you hear no, use it as an incentive to make the next person say yes. If you quit after one “no”, you’ll never get anywhere. Just keep doing your best and one day the right person will say yes.

Sasha Simon Music Editor

Charice Interview

On first glance, Charice looks like any other teenager: pretty, petite and filled with non stop energy. But when the sweet-faced 17-year old opens her mouth to sing – with a profound, rich and soaring 10 decibel voice from every inch of her 5 feet 1 inch body – the audience quite literally gasps. And at 13 million hits and counting on YouTube tell us, that audience is growing at a staggering pace. Fast forward to May 2010: Charice’s US debut CD is scheduled to be released on 143/Reprise Records with her single, “Pyramid” featuring labelmate Iyaz (who recently spent four weeks at #1 with his international smash hit, “Replay”). “Pyramid" will be released to Top 40 radio in March with remixes already getting airplay at the clubs.

Girlzone.com got the opportunity to ask Charice some questions. Here are her answers:

What is your song writing process? 

I DIDN'T WRITE ANY OF THE SONGS ON THIS ALBUM (ALTHOUGH I DO WRITE PRIVATELY).

What styles of music are your favorites to perform?

I LOVE POP BUT OBVIOUSLY BALLADS.  I TRY TO SING EVERYTHING!!!

What is your all-time favorite song and why? 

IF I WAS TO PICK ONE IT WOULD BE SONGS FROM THE BODYGUARD.  HOW CAN YOU RESIST!

What advice do you have for teen girls on how to achieve their dreams?

DON'T GIVE UP!  YOUR DREAMS WILL COME TRUE IF YOU STICK WITH IT AND DON'T STOP DREAMING.

Interview with Danika Holmes

Americana singer/songwriter Danika Holmes states, “Through my songs I hope to touch hearts in the tough times, as well as celebrate life in the good times.” Danika first sat at a piano as a tot, has been writing since her teens, and picked up guitar in her 20’s. After an attempt at a “normal career” and nearly finishing her PhD, Danika’s heart pulled her full circle back to where she started, with music.

Here is Girl Zone's interview with her:

Tell us a little about your new album.

Hey everyone!  My debut album is called “Second Chances.”  It’s an Americana/Pop album with a little bit of non-twangy country and some island vibes thrown in there!  I’ve been told I sound like a mix between Colbie Caillat and Jewel.  Hope you like it!  “Second Chances” is a collection of personal life stories that many people can relate to. 

What is your song writing process?

Crazy that’s for sure!  Sometimes I start with a melody I have in my head.  Other times I start with a chord progression while I’m at a piano or playing guitar.  Songwriting is a craft and as much as I’d love to wait for the lightning bolt to hit me with inspiration everyday sometimes it takes a lot of will power to write when the inspiration is not there!  I also believe in the importance of co-writing.  Not all of the time of course, but it’s amazing what you can accomplish when you work as a team and have someone else to bounce ideas off of.  Sometimes I write lyrics in a notebook, sometimes on a computer and other times I record my ideas on a handheld voice recorder.  It’s never the same process which keeps things interesting!

 
What styles of music are your favorites to perform?

I love performing high energy songs that make people smile.  However, every now and then I love performing a good tearjerker too.  As long as the song is full of emotion and people can make a connection to it, I think it’s worth sharing with an audience. 

What is your all-time favorite song and why?

It’s a song called “Free Bird” by Lynard Skynyrd.  My favorite lyrics of the song are, “If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me? For I must be traveling on now, cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see.”  This song reminds me of myself.  I love to travel and there’s a whole world out there I’m ready to see.  Later in the song he sings, “and this bird you cannot change.”  I think that’s a creative way of saying I am who I am, so there you go! 

If you could pick one thing that you know now to tell your high school self, what would it be?

I’m going to quote a line from Taylor Swift’s song “Fifteen.”  I would go back and tell myself, “In your life, you’ll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team.”  

What advice do you have for teen girls on how to achieve their dreams?

You have what it takes!  You won’t always be told that by everyone around you though.  Sometimes the people in your life who love you the most may be your biggest obstacles in achieving your dreams.  It’s not because they don’t care about you, it’s because they don’t understand where you’re coming from or are scared you will get hurt in the process.  It’s your job to make that connection for them and help them understand you better!  Know where you want to go.  You don’t have to have a clear path in your head at every turn.  There are many ways to get to the same destination of achieving your dream.  Go for it!   

Check out her music at http://www.danikaholmes.com/