<![CDATA[zuketunes

<![CDATA[zuketunes - Blog]]>Tue, 20 Jun 2023 21:05:46 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Share your works of art]]>Sat, 18 Jan 2020 19:27:16 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/share-your-works-of-art

Artist: Gregory Horndeski

outsider | ˌoutˈsīdər | noun
1 a person who does not belong to a particular group. • a person who is not accepted by or who is isolated from society.
2 a competitor, applicant, etc. thought to have little chance of success: he started as a rank outsider for the title.

Yesterday I went to the Outsider Art Fair in NYC. All of you are or have been an outsider at some point in your artistic quest. As a vocal coach I don't care what your background or experience is. I care that you are giving yourself permission to release the creativity that's brewing inside of you.

Artist: Jeanne Brousseau

You may feel demons in and around you preventing you from being the artist you imagine. These demons seem to take over you at times taunting you with negative thoughts. What I find beautiful about the artwork at this show is that every artist embraces those demons and lets us know we are not alone with those feelings. Are you facing your own demons? We need your music to help us heal.

Artist: Jason Horwitz

Some of the artists at this exhibit have mental health challenges and one path to a semblance of normalcy for them is through their artwork. Several of my students over the years have these kinds of challenges and I am humbled by their bravery.

Artist: Stephanie Wilde

Anything you are thinking or feeling is valid. I do my best to make my studio a safe space for you to learn and grow. I want you to share your voice with the world.

Do you have a story about a challenge you face being an artist? I want to hear about it. Please share it in the comments. Your story may help someone start their own creative journey.

]]><![CDATA[Meet the Artist: Julia Sommer]]>Fri, 15 Feb 2019 16:25:15 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/meet-the-artist-julia-sommer

I think that the reason we hold on
to something so tight
is because we feel that something great
won't ever happen twice

Why do we hold on to things even if they are harmful? Maybe you've been told to sing a certain way or write in a specific genre. Is that really what's best for you? It's time to create your own path and follow your instincts. You've worked so hard to get where you are. Keep moving forward to the beat of your own heart.

Julia Sommer is not afraid of her power as a singer and a songwriter. When you listen to her you can't help but feel safe in her strength. She's like a force of nature that is protecting you from the negative energy in the world. There's no doubt she got this gift from her parents! I've had the pleasure of hearing and watching the development of Julia's artistry since she was in her mid-teens. Every time she posts something new I am blown away by her growth. I hope Julia becomes your new superhero of music.

Can you expand on what inspired the line I quoted and the song "Picking Up The Pieces" in general?
I wrote Picking Up The Pieces after breaking off a relationship that eventually became toxic. The song is a made up scenario about looking into our future and over time, I'll be happy and find my true self again while my significant other will regret every mistake they made and will be trying to "pick up the pieces" they left behind.

The line in the song, “I think that the reason we hold on to something so tight is because we feel that something great won’t ever happen twice” - represents a couple different emotions that I experienced during/after the breakup. It’s a mix between feeling lost, hopeful, yet fearful all at the same time. I think that people are sometimes afraid to let go of something they’re attached to or are used to. In my case, I was hopeful enough to think that we could work things out even though I knew deep down inside that it wasn’t a healthy relationship for either of us.

In your voice I hear a beautiful combination of freedom and strength - like a pure joy when you sing coupled with, not anger, but in Polish my folks used to say zdrowie. It's not just the meaning of health, but a toughness that nothing can break. Can you share a little bit about how you release such a big sound when you sing?
I’m happy you mentioned that you could hear different emotions through my voice in this song! When I recorded the vocals, my main goal was to not only tell the story with my words, but I wanted my listeners to really feel the different emotions portrayed through the sound of my voice. Throughout the verses of the song, I go back and forth between the feeling of anger, love, and sadness. However, when I sing in the chorus, (especially the last one) I really wanted to portray a combination of freedom and happiness - I put a lot of power into my vocals to really represent all of the weight that has been lifted off of my shoulders.

PICKING UP THE PIECES by Julia Sommer

Every night
I hold myself inside this empty room
Several excuses to avoid the truth
I wanna run around the sun,
like we did when we were young, I
wanna learn to live again cause I'm
all I've got in the end

And I can't learn to let go
So tell me how's it's so easy moving on

It will hurt when you can't catch yourself from falling down
And while I smile above the sun You'll be picking up old pieces from the ground and I think that the reason we hold on to something so tight is because we feel that something great won't ever happen twice

Pick up the pieces as I fly

When you go
I lose control of senses in my bones and I seal
all that is left cause we found
harmonies and memories through our laughter
Happy ever after, after we say goodbye

I can't live no more
So tell me how it's so easy moving on

Cause it will hurt when you can't catch yourself from falling down
And while I smile above the sun, you'll be picking up old pieces from the ground
And I think that the reason we hold onto something so tight is because we feel that something great won't ever happen twice

Pick up the pieces as I fly

I can't let go
Just let me go
I won't let go

Every night
I hold myself inside this empty room several excuses to avoid the truth
Cause it will hurt when you can't catch yourself from falling down
and while I smile above the sun,
You'll be picking up old pieces from the ground and I think that the reason we hold onto something so tight is because we feel that something great won't ever happen twice
Pick up the pieces as I fly

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]]><![CDATA[Meet the Artist: Dan Toth]]>Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:47:08 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/thoughts-for-thursday-meet-dan-toth

Lost in our schemes, a consistent theme,
Always on the defensive.
Dousing the flame, afraid of the fame,
Before it's even real now.

Do you find yourself day after day working on your road map to success? You spend hours on social media, never enough on songwriting, and always on the defensive when someone asks "What's happening with your music?" I thought about the many students I've had over the years who aren't living in the moment and wasting time on imaginary scenarios. Keep your focus on what needs to be done today and you will be rewarded tomorrow.

I met Dan Toth when he came to me for voice lessons at age 14. It was apparent from the moment he stepped into my studio that I was going to be dealing with one crazy talented kid! (Emphasis on crazy AND talented!) His cylinders are always firing and he hasn't slowed down since. I'm honored that he still reaches out to me for advice and counsel on his career. I know he knows what to do, and he knows I'll always be brutally honest with him. His new EP, Human, drops February 1st.

Can you expand on what you're referring to here in this lyric excerpt? Is it what most artists are facing?
I would like to fist begin by saying this: all lyrics in any song can be interpreted in any fashion that an individual wishes to view them. That is the raw beauty of music and art; what something can mean to one person, could hold an entirely different meaning for someone else. For me, these lyrics were about my significant other at the time and our relationship- constantly trying to rationalize reasons to stay together and how we could make it work, even though we knew it would most likely come to an end anyway eventually due to our contrasting lifestyles. My goals and passions for the music industry almost seemed to be a hinderance or inconvenience for them, and would be a lifestyle that they simply could not deal with IF something were to take off...and that is a big "if." This set of lyrics demonstrates how as humans we tend to conjure up ideas in our heads about what something might be, without truly experiencing it first and knowing for sure what it could be, specifically in my case, referencing to how being successful in the music industry could impact both of our lives, but being too reluctant to stick around to find out. These lyrics are a reminder to live in the moment and don't overthink things too far ahead; it could end up constricting you so much that you simply can't move forward.

What inspired you to write the song?
The song "Human" is not only the title track on the EP, but it is also the last song that I wrote on it. I ended up writing all of the other songs first and by the time I had written the fourth song, I had a solid foundation and idea of what this EP meant to me and the message I was showcasing throughout it. "Human" is about two things primarily. Firstly, it is about a specific relationship that I was in and the different issues we faced regarding trying to force it to work. Secondly and to me, more importantly, it is about the general idea that sometimes we need to accept that we can't change certain things in life, we can't fight what is reality and we need to understand that nothing and nobody is perfect. We are all simply imperfect and beautifully, human. For determined and strong-willed people like myself, this can be an abstract concept to grasp, but it is very true and it is why I decided to write about it...to remind myself.

You've been working 2 roads: business and artistry. How you balance both worlds? What would you advise a young artists just starting out now?
To be very honest with you, this is something that I still find myself working on and I think will most likely always be working on it my whole life. I have made it a point to become educated with my industry, because remember, knowledge is power. I strongly believe that every artist should have at least a basic understanding of the business side of things in music...it will only end up benefiting them in the long-run. The trick is to not allow the business mindset to completely take over and stifle the artistic side of your brain. To answer your question in the most simplest way, it just takes practice. You need to practice wearing certain hats, but then recognize when you need to take one hat off in order to put another on. Hell, sometimes you may need to wear one hat on a part of your head and another hat on a different one! Sometimes this change can happen minute by minute depending on the situation you are in, but the more experiences and situations you can encounter, the better you will get at disciplining yourself to engage with certain parts of your brain; for example, sitting at a piano and writing a new song, but then quickly having to take a phone call regarding a contract negotiation with a producer you worked with recently and then going back to the piano to write. One thing that I do in particular to help me switch between these “hats” is to remember the specific feeling in my brain that differentiates the two. I know this sounds a little strange, but let me explain a little more. When I am writing a song or engaging in something that is using the artistic side of my brain, I get this sort of distant, detached, free flowing and colorful kind of feeling in my head. When I am engaged with something that utilizes more of the logical/business side of my brain, I tend to feel more focused, on the edge of my seat and my thoughts just feel tighter in general. By recognizing the differences in how I think and feel during the times I am dealing with either part of my brain, I can then learn to shut either off, or blend a certain amount of each together. For example, sometimes I may be writing a song, but I might be doing the structuring portion of creating the song, which requires a little bit more of the business side of the brain for me because I want to be competitive structurally so that there is a pattern that is easy to remember and that people are familiar with. The artistic part of my brain is still working, but it is working with the business and logical side in order to achieve a goal in that specific moment. As I said before, it just takes practice. Ideally you want to be able to have full control over and know when to let yourself think business, or just simply be the artist.

HUMAN by Dan Toth

Bound in my bones, yeah I'm coming home. Cause I've got a confession.
Drunk on the train to perfect the pain, this love is just a cancer.

Remember your face when you said my name?
Can't blame it on the drink now.
Refuse to be made another cliche.

Cause I can see the little signs coming through your cryptic eyes.
(I'm feeling nothing, I'm feeling nothing)
Everybody knew we'd try, hanging on a little lie.
(We're feeling nothing, we're feeling nothing)
Going through our separate lives, two planes a car a thousand miles.
(Still feeling nothing, still feeling nothing)
It's time to understand we tried, now we've gotta let it die...

CHORUS
Cause we're human, human gotta believe we're human.
Human, human, gotta believe we're human.
Because we fuck up, fake out,
Break hearts, make out,
We do anything we want.
Because we're human, human,
gotta believe we're human.

VS II
Slick as a stone, we walk on our own,
Evading all the fences.
Lost in our schemes, a consistent theme,
Always on the defensive.
Dousing the flame, afraid of the fame,
Before it's even real now.
Can't you understand, you're forcing my hand...

BRIDGE

Don't. . .
Don't say I'm overreacting now.
Cause you should've known that I'd figure it out.
Cause I could see the little lies coming through your cryptic eyes.
I could see a little light, coming through those cryptic eyes.

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]]><![CDATA[Meet the Artist: Christina Murphy]]>Wed, 23 Jan 2019 20:21:31 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/thoughts-for-thursday-meet-christina-murphy

Christina Murphy of Forever Starts Today

We are the broken abandoned and used
The outsiders, the ones with too many issues
But with breath in my lungs I’ll continue to breathe
And I know that you’d never give up on me

Many of the students who come through my studio feel like they are outsiders. They are going through changes, awakening to their gender identity, bullied, feeling out of place, and wondering if things will just be o.k. It's not a surprise that these students are the ones who work the hardest on their music and share those feelings through songs. The lyrics of "Miracle" are reaching out to those who feel left out.

I met Christina Murphy when she joined my online course, "Vocal Lessons Aren't Boring!" I was surprised to learn she never had a voice lesson before. The stamina needed to perform the high energy rock of her band, Forever Starts Today, takes training. I've always had a soft spot for Pop-Punk rockers because they release their sound with complete abandon. Christina has this gift but behind the sound is a tenderness. She won't let go until she reaches your heart.

Who are the "outsiders" you sing about and what inspired this song?
"Miracle" is a song about real hope, love and thankfulness. I wanted to write a song that people could listen to when they were at their lowest of lows, that would instill hope and encourage them to know somebody’s on their side; whether that’s a family member, friend, us or a higher power. Nobody’s perfect, we’re all “broken inside” and despite the abuse we’ve been through, there is always somebody who believes in you (even if you don’t realize it). Someone is rooting for you to succeed no matter how damaged you may feel. Although Forever Starts Today is not a Christian band, I myself believe God is the one in my corner and I try to be thankful for that every day. I want my place in Forever Starts Today to be a reflection of his love, light and acceptance. If anyone out there feels like they don’t have anyone who cares, I hope you know you’re not alone; this song and this band cares about you! I run all our social media. We’re only one message away ❤️.

I know you enjoy dirt biking. How does that influence you as a performer?
I raced motocross for 10 years and have been riding dirt bikes for 15. I was inches from going Pro, actually. After 3 back-to-back trips to the hospital, I decided to hang up my racing career and turned to focus on the other half of my heart… music! The drive and ambition you have to have to be successful in that sport absolutely channels through Forever Starts Today’s songs. I’ve always been a tomboy; one of the boys. Girls can do anything the same if not better than the boys. I’ve always loved the grit and STRENGTH other male Pop-Punk vocalists have in their music and just because Forever Starts Today has a girl singer, I don’t let that hold us back from having the same power. I think that comes through in songs like “Optimist” and “Last One Standing”. Even more so though, I’d say my competitive side comes to life in our live shows. I’ll climb whatever I can get my hands on, stage dive, head bang like crazy and bounce around because I’m competitive with myself. I want to catch every single person's attention in that venue. I WANT THEM TO NOTICE US. I want people to have fun watching us live. A Forever Starts Today show isn't a success (to me) unless I can get the crowd smiling. If people drive out & spend their money on us, then gosh darn it, I'm going to make sure they have a good time!

MIRACLE by Christina Murphy

We are the broken abandoned and used
The outsiders, the ones with too many issues
But with breath in my lungs I’ll continue to breathe
And I know that you’d never give up on me

I’ll give my heart and ill sing it for you
A light in the dark that will guide my way through
I’ve waited so long
For a miracle
(For a miracle)

I am who I am, selfish and used
Broken inside despite the abuse
You believed in me so
With breath in my lungs I’ll continue to breathe
And I know that you’d never give up on me

I’ll give my heart and I'll sing it for you
A light in the dark that will guide my way through
I’ve waited so long
For a miracle

(Ahhh ahhhh)
(Ahhh ahhhh)
(Ahhh ahhhh)

I’ll give my heart and ill sing it for you
A light in the dark that will guide my way through
I’ve waited so long
For a miracle

Listen to more of zuketunes artists here.

]]><![CDATA[Meet the Artist: Justin Angelo]]>Thu, 17 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/thoughts-for-thursday-meet-justin-angelo

Don't you feel the rise and fall like Rome or just like Greece?
We’ll just stand there, shake our heads and then fall down to our knees
And then ask why

When I read those words in the lyrics to "Lady Liberty" they reminded me of the times I felt overwhelmed in life. Sometimes we get paralyzed with fear and try to justify that fear by blaming others. Take a deep breath and find out the facts. You may not get all the answers but it will lighten the load in your brain.

I met Justin Angelo several years ago at the LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival. He was a young ambitious singer/songwriter and eagerly shared his work with me. For a couple more years I would run into him there and listen to his progress and answer questions he had on the voice. One particular year as I was walking through the lobby of the Marriott Hotel I heard a great singer and guitarist. I had to see who it was. It was Justin! His hard work and determination over the years paid off.

What was the inspiration behind this song?
There are many elements and phases in this song and its lyrics so let's break this down a little.

Sonically I wanted the drums to have a “Paint it Black” by The Rolling Stones feel and groove, Secondly I wanted something more Latin based in my songwriting catalog but more specifically a Cha Cha to Rumba feel. Inspired by songs of Crosby Stills and Nash like “Helplessly Hoping" and the specific phrasing in the first verse, Santana, The Rolling Stones, a few Jason Mraz songs and also because my dad was a professional conga player so I tend to want to flow with the inter-tonal and percussion counter rhythms.

Lyrically on the other hand I wanted to be able to wash over certain “touchy subjects” as politics, national landmarks, history, and above all a message that both sides of the spectrum in terms of audience can understand and side with such as “Watching Lady Liberty sip our money from a silver spoon” or “Don’t you feel the rise and fall of Rome or just like Greece” using national landmarks and points in history as a universal language as everyone feels that things can be improved and other terms such as "It’s like the pedal to the gas” stating a car which everyone can relate to the comparison.

I really do believe fundamentally the best songs are ones that everyone can resonate with in some way, and this song in my opinion holds arguments both ways and can be painted to support any one's opinion. in the bridge part of the song using key “togetherness" terms like “keep your mind wide open, while your hearts filling up with devotion.”

Not necessarily giving out my direct opinions and beliefs but rather showing the feeling others can hold as their own, and that's what music is for me- a resonance all my own and all your own.

LADY LIBERTY by Justin Angelo

Sitting Somewhere solitary, staring at the moon
Watching Lady Liberty sip your money from a silver spoon
The country runs like clockwork it’s like the pedal to the gas
We don’t fix our problems someone does on our behalf

We’re moving just like pawns on a chessboard wait and see
But you claim nothing’s going on, there’s no conspiracy
Don't you feel the rise and fall like Rome or just like Greece?
We’ll just stand there, shake our heads and then fall down to our knees
And then ask

Why, oh why, oh why, can’t I feel the light,
And some say how, oh how, why here, why right now, now, now

You stick your nose in business just where it don’t belong
You yell out facts on the Internet that you haven’t researched at all
And I’m just devil's advocate here, pointing out the flaws
Cause if you never find your way then you’ll never escape at all
And still ask

Why, oh why, oh why, can’t I feel the light,
And some say how, oh how, why here, why right now, now, now

And we said try to keep your heart wide open
When your mind’s filling up with devotion
When the fire’s burning hot like molten
Why do you think that you’re so broken?

Why, oh why, oh why, can't I feel the light
And some say how, oh how, why here, why right now, now, now

Listen to more of zuketunes artists here.

]]><![CDATA[Meet the Artist: The Parkers]]>Thu, 10 Jan 2019 14:17:25 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/thoughts-for-thursday-meet-the-parkers

Anya & Kate Parker-Lentz of The Parkers

Photo by: Cesar Sindoni Jr.

We woke from the American Dream
We’re lookin' for an Ambien to put us back to sleep again

I don't know about you, but the news can drive me batty at times! My own personal escape is to listen to what young voices are saying about the state of the world. Too many adults say kids are lazy and out of touch. I call that fake news. They know exactly what is going on and they are writing and singing about it.

The lyrics to "Wasted Generation" by The Parkers were inspired by the way people view their generation. I am forever grateful that students like Anya and Kate have come through my studio to grace me with their wisdom. We may have the knowledge of the past, but they have the creative visions for the future.

Why do you think older people view your generation the way you describe it in your song?
I think it is in the nature of any older generation (we will get there too and see it about those younger than us; and of course when I talk about older generations and our generation I'm not specifically talking about you or Kate or I or most people we know personally. We are lucky to be surrounded by intelligent, thoughtful, open people of all ages/backgrounds.) to see youth as rebellious and outspoken without real experience or knowledge. Which to a large extent is true, at first, but it is important to us to stress that every generation has gone through rebellion, struggle, and large learning experiences to adapt to the world. The strange and unique vantage of each new generation is that, at first, they have a very keyed in perspective that is unfettered by the past. Learning the history is one thing and adapting is very different than a generation who has lived the history and is (perhaps) struggling to hold things together. I can't speak to everyone in my generation, but I think I have seen my peers be generally understanding of the discrediting. There has been a big movement, especially in New York and involving some of my friends in local politics, to not dwell on scare tactics or discrediting, and to keep pushing with what we know, what we are learning on our own, and what we can learn from the generations who have the experience we don't.

WASTED GENERATION by Anya Parker Lentz, Kate Parker-Lentz, Mike MacAllister, Julie Hardy
Produced by Mike MacAllister & Julie Hardy
VERSE
Bright smile, soccer captain with a 4.0
Bored eyes, burned out, see how far he can go
He sits in class, he knows his facts, we know he’s lost his mind
His higher education is getting higher all the time

PRE-CHORUS
We woke from the American Dream
We’re lookin' for an Ambien to put us back to sleep again

CHORUS
Welcome to the wasted generation
Run by dealers and corporations
Strung out on strangers’ medication

Welcome to the class of desperation
Paradise, “life’s a vacation”
Giving up’s the new sensation

VERSE
Wake up, wipe off the mascara from her cheek
Cheap thrills, diet pills, makes her eyes feel weak
She smiles mean, goes to extremes, lives life like it’s pretend
Comatose and overdosed, fake lovers, fake friends

PRE-CHORUS

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Fake lovers, fake friends, living life like it’s just pretend
Fake lovers, fake friends
Fake lovers, fake friends, living life like it’s just pretend
Put us back to sleep again
One nation under the influence

PRE-CHORUS

DOUBLE CHORUS

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]]><![CDATA[Meet the Artist: Kyino]]>Thu, 03 Jan 2019 17:27:56 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/thoughts-for-thursday-meet-kyino

Issa summertime feeling
Wanna get lit for no reason

The start of a new year is the time to let go of anything negative that happened in the past and embrace the future with positive optimism. I find that listening to uplifting music always helps me get into that headspace.

I met Kyino in one of my online courses called "Vocal Lessons Aren't Boring!" after he won a contest on ReverbNation to study with me. I went through hundreds of submissions but his video was so heartwarming that I just wanted to meet him and hang out with him! We all need to carry the summertime feeling throughout the year.

I asked Kyino to share his thoughts about "New Style."

What is the song about?
"New Style" is a new age island pop record with an old school Jamaican flow. "New Style" mixes a back in the day Jamaican sound with elements of current pop over a deliciously addictive pop beat, that guarantees to have listeners dancing. It transfixes listeners in a colorful and perpetual summer with a fresh melody and catchy hooks. "New Style" speaks to lovers of fun and carefreeness. It taps into the memory of some of the things that are enjoyable about summer and acts as a vehicle that allows us to take those memories with us long after summer has passed. "New Style" is about a feeling that one enjoys. I speak specifically about summer, fun, beach, etc. because those are things I enjoyed about growing up in Jamaica, but it could speak to anything you find enjoyable, making money for example, grinding, making a comfortable life - you know; your style, any style, it's a lifestyle and that's the "New Style."

What inspired you to write the song?
My inspiration for this song came from memories of home. As you know it's always summertime in Jamaica and so having lived in the U.S for a number of years and only getting a few good months of sunshiny weather a year I felt inspired to reminisce and this song came about. This is a scaled down version of the original but the essence of it remains true. And I told it in a way that even if you have never experienced it quite like I described you would feel inspired to want to experience it or even reminisce on your own enjoyable experiences.

NEW STYLE by Kyino L. Cunningham

This a the new style
Way the whole place a do
This a no world dance
This a no bogle
If you summertime fine
This a fi you
Time hot, so road Haffi do
Oh yea
Issa summertime feeling
Wanna get lit for no reason
So hot so we ain't summertime freezing
Money haffi make
Cause we got summertime dealings

Straight from Mobay
To Saint Tropez
When it's summertime
We ain't got time for Play
If you ain't ready
Just move out the way
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money
Aye eh eh eh
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money
Aye eh eh eh
Culinary So we favorite dish is money

New style
Way the whole place a do
This a no world dance
This a no bogle
If you summertime fine
This a fi you
Time hot, so road haffi do
Oh yea issa summertime feeling
Wanna get lit for no reason
so hot so we ain't summertime freezing
Money haffi make
Cause we got summertime dealings

Straight from Mobay
To Saint Tropez
When it's summertime
We ain't got time for play
If you ain't ready
Just move out the way
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money
Aye eh eh eh
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money
Aye eh eh eh
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money

What a nice sight
On a pretty summer day
Everybody chilling with
A little shawty
Take a walk on the beach
Have an ice cold jelly
Everybody a dance
When the music a play ayeee
When the summer breeze
Hits riiiiight
I don't wanna leave outside yeaaaa
it's the summer time season
Wanna get lit for no reason

Straight from Mobay
To Saint Tropez
When it's summertime
We ain't got time fi play
If you ain't ready
Just move out di way
Culinary so we (our) favorite dish is money
Aye eh eh eh
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money
Aye eh eh eh
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money

New style
Way di whole place a do
This a no world dance
This a no bogle
If you summertime fine
This a fi you
Time hot, so road haffi do
Oh yea issa summertime feeling
Wanna get lit for no reason
so hot so we ain't summertime freezing
Money haffi make
Cause we got summertime dealings

Straight from Mobay
To Saint Tropez
When it's summertime
We ain't got time fi play
If you ain't ready
Just move out di way
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money
Aye eh eh eh
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money
Aye eh eh eh
Culinary So we (our) favorite dish is money

New style
Way the whole place a do
This a no world dance
This a no bogle
If you summertime fine
This a fi you
Time hot, so road haffi do
Oh yea issa summertime feeling
Wanna get lit for no reason
so hot so we ain't summertime freezing
Money haffi make
Cause we got summertime dealings

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]]><![CDATA[Meet the Artist: Hell-y]]>Thu, 27 Dec 2018 19:32:54 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/thoughts-for-thursday-meet-helly-y

Ma ora c´è il sole che piano piano asciuga le (mie) lacrime
Ed io chiudo gli occhi e penso a te

But now there is the sun that slowly dries the tears
And I close my eyes and think of you

I don't speak Italian but listening to this song I can feel the layers of emotion. During the holiday season, we all reflect on family and friends who are no longer with us. Close your eyes and think of your loved ones when you listen to this song.

I met Hell-y in NYC at a master class I gave that was arranged by Giuseppe Lopizzo of Ex Musica. I was immediately drawn into her spirit. Ely is someone who shares her whole heart with the world. We all need to follow her example!

Ely shared a little about the background of her song:

My mom was Italian and these words came naturally to me. The melody is a bit nostalgic. If it wasn’t for the words which came right to me I would have kept it instrumental but the images were already in my mind too. It kind of describes how I sometimes feel, quick moments of sadness and tears and immediately it disappears like the summer rain and suddenly the rainbow comes out. It’s ups and downs. The sun that dries my tears is my warm mummy’s hand that caresses my face when I'm down and crying.

IO by Hell-y

La Pioggia scende sulla città e sul mio viso scende già
In grande fretta la gente va (io) sto ferma li e penso dentro di me

Soltanto io, nessun altro ma io
Potrà capire cio´ che c´è in me e sapere
Soltanto io, forse anche Dio
Potrà conoscere il segretto rinchiuso in me

Ma ora c´è il sole che piano piano asciuga le (mie) lacrime
Ed io chiudo gli occhi e penso a te

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]]><![CDATA[Meet the Artist: Sayak Das]]>Thu, 20 Dec 2018 16:28:05 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/thoughts-for-thursday-meet-sayak-das

Sayak Das of Roy Juno

You’re in the game to play it
I played the game to change it

Why are you in this crazy music business? Is it to share your artistry or to play the crap-shoot of the game? Those at the top don't have all the answers. Be honest with your intentions no matter the road you choose.

I met Sayak Das a couple years ago at the LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival. He was very serious about his voice and asked me many questions on vocal health. I went to his show (with a former band) and was struck at how natural he was as a performer. Looking around the room I noticed I wasn't alone with my impressions. His effect on stage was mesmerizing. When an artist digs that deep to bare all you can't help but be moved. I look forward to seeing and hearing more from Sayak and his new band, Roy Juno.

I asked Sayak the meaning behind the lyrics of Glory:

The song is satirical in nature, very sarcastic. The image in my mind is that of a corporate employee chewing out this months new intern. Someone with afforded status holding over someone they view beneath them. At it's core, Glory is a a narrative in which an anti-hero is the main character, a personification of the inflated ego that I feel like I struggled with in my last project. Even if I wasn't outwardly cocky, I think my insecurities showed themselves in a nasty, ego-laden way. It's layered for sure, and I don't expect anybody to truly understand it the first time around, but it's based in personal and observed truths about a bad character trait.

GLORY by Sayak Das

Oh boy am I in trouble?
Hate to burst your bubble
But isn’t honesty so wonderful?

Like talking in a mirror
With a message laced with fear
I drift between my dreams and the pressing need to dissappear

Lucky for me, lucky for you hindsight is 20/20
I’m trying to bury, bury
The things I cannot carry

People like me, people like you are very different really
You’re in the game to play it
I played the game to change it

Drown me in glory
Don’t you let anybody know what you want
Cause nothing else matters to those at the top

Lord knows I’m made of rubble
Gold thrones were never subtle
Maybe none of us are fit as king

If you ever get sick of feeling useless and act impulsively
Watch me live my life so death can’t steal a single thing

Lucky for me, lucky for you hindsight is 20/20
I’m trying to bury, bury
The things I cannot carry

People like me, people like you are very different really
You’re in the game to play it
I played the game to change it

Drown me in glory
Don’t you let anybody know what you want
Cause nothing else matters to those at the top, you heard me?

Life’s too short but it feels so long
Life’s too short but it feels so long
Life’s too short but it feels so long and I don’t know why I try
To keep this up when it feels so wrong
This life is too short but it feels so long

Glory
Don’t you let anybody know what you got
Cause nothing else matters to those at the top, you heard me?

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]]><![CDATA[Meet the Artist: Mary Hood]]>Thu, 13 Dec 2018 16:45:28 GMThttp://zuketunes.com/blog/thoughts-for-thursday-meet-mary-hood

Being a dreamer in this world’s the saddest kind of alone 

Sometimes dreaming is the only means of escape. It's a strange kind of comfort when an artist can articulate the uncertainties that you feel. When you are lost in your dreams, remember to put it into music to share with the world.

Mary Hood is an artist's artist. She reminds us to take chances with our art. Her lyrics can stand alone in a book of poetry. Her voice is quiet and smooth. You need to stay still and pay attention. Oh, but when you do, you will feel yourself drawn in to an other worldly place that feels like a safe haven from the cacophony of life.

I asked Mary what inspired her to write Roulette:

"Roulette is based off wanting to believe in something or someone but finding it difficult to uncover the truth. People only 'hear what they want to hear' and 'see what they want to see' to justify their beliefs. 'Cover our ears when the gunshots ring out' was in reference to the shootings. I’m desperate to uncover the truth and figure out where to go and what to do but I’m finding it hard to do in the midst of all the bullshit and hypocrisy around us. People aren’t listening. They’re just talking over each other and blindly turning away when something immoral happens to justify their own beliefs. It’s like Lord Of The Flies."

ROULETTE by Mary Hood

We’re all looking for something to believe in
Worshipping the shapeshifter in the TV
People see what they wanna see
It’s no surprise you avert your eyes when he changes back into the monster he’ll always
he’ll always be

Cover our ears when the gunshots ring out
We hear what we wanna hear
Another one down
Evidence written in blood
Murderer in the clear
Swimming in a tank of sharks just trying to survive
Out here the living don't even know what it's like to feel alive, feel alive

Turn the radio on I can sing the words before I hear them
  In all this noise, silence is my only friend
  Peel back the wallpaper see what’s behind it
  I don’t know what’s missing but I’m trynna find it

Sell your soul to the industry
You might get it back eventually with interest
Don’t sweat
It's just Russian Roulette
We play on
Who runs the factory making children without minds of their own
Being a dreamer in this world’s the saddest kind of alone

Watch ‘em rot behind a desk swallowing words they’d like to say to their boss
Back at the station, doors are closing and the trains taking off
Well I pay my respects to the dreams that never made it on
and I pay my respects to the hope buried on the front lawn

Turn the radio on I can sing the words before I hear them
  In all this noise, silence is my only friend
  Peel back the wallpaper see what’s behind it
  I don’t know what’s missing but I’m trynna find it

Here comes the train
Rolling down
It’s coming our way
Jump right on, don't think about it
It’ll be gone as fast as it came
Don’t know where it’s going but at least it’s going

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