Meet Carrie Lane, Musician

Carrie Lane is a musician who is excited to launch a 2016 tour with her new band, Honey Thief, a project that reflects her love for country music. The band is releasing their debut EP, Bad Idea, this month. Learn more about Carrie and Honey Thief by visiting www.carrielanemusic.com.

1. Where did you grow up, and what music did you grow up listening to?

I grew up in Montclair, NJ a suburb just out side of New York City. I grew up listening to a lot of the music that my parents liked when they were young. I remember my brothers calling the music "oldie moldies," but I never understood why they were making fun of it because I loved the music from the 60s and 70s that my parents played.

2. Honey Thief seems to bring together some pretty diverse musical influences. How do you describe your sound to people who haven't heard the band yet?

I guess the answer to that is that there is no true way to describe the musical style we have doing on; it's very unique. That is something that I definitely wanted going into this process. I wanted to be able to say that our music draws from so many different styles. If you say, "oh, I sound like Taylor Swift," well, what's fun about that? That person can go listen to a Taylor Swift song, and they probably already have. If you can describe your music by just comparing to one or two things, I don't think you're making music that is progressive or that is your own. In this business it is so important to keep trying new things and stay ahead of the curve.

3. What was your process like in writing the material for your EP, Bad Idea?

My producer James Strazza and I wrote each song a little differently. Nothing that he writes or that we write together ever starts the same way. A song might be influenced by a line or a concept lyrically and then music is written to it or vice-versa. We kind of just let what happen, happen. That is what kept the writing process so organic and, ultimately, gave the music such a unique sound.

4. What are your plans for the coming months in terms of touring and possibly recording more material?

We are going to be on tour in the NorthEast for March and April and then will have more tour dates announced in about a month or so. You can check out the official tour dates at www.honeythiefmusic.com! We are definitely going to keep writing while I'm on the road and continue to create new content throughout the year as well.

5. Is there anything else you'd like readers to know about Bad Idea?

Bad Idea is a very personal EP for me. Every song comes from a really authentic place in my life, and I think that is why listeners will be able to identify with it. I encourage everyone to take a listen and let me know what you think--I love interacting online with my fans especially on my Twitter and Instagram @HoneyThiefXX, so please give it a listen and let me know what you think! xo

Thanks, Carrie!

Meet Michael Hazani, Musician

Michael Hazani of the musical project Qualia has a new EP called Triptych just released on 9/15/15. The music is cinematic alt pop somewhere between Autre Ne Veut, Hans Zimmer and CHVRCHES. Qualia's previous release got great reviews and was featured on VICE's the Creator's Project among other blogs. Last year it also won the JSLC/Innovators in Music award.

Find Qualia's new EP on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, SoundCloud, and BandCamp. You can also follow Qualia on Instagram.

1. How did Qualia get started?

Qualia started around May of 2014 as a passion side project; I was writing for-pitch for film & TV spots--as well as collaborating with other singers and writers--and everything had to be custom-made to fit something or someone else. I ended up channeling the frustration into this project, made for myself, based on what I liked. Thankfully, since then this project has found its audience and the music seems to resonate with many others, which I'm truly grateful for.

2. When composing a song, what helps you create the specific sound you have in mind?

While the end result tends to be fairly structured, the beginnings are anything but--anything can spark up an idea, and the arrangement usually unveils itself pretty early on. Sometimes it feels like there's only one ideal way to express a particular melody or song, although of course that's never really the case. But it's a helpful road map to start with.

3. Would you tell us a little more about your new EP release?

This EP is called Triptych and was just released on 9/15. It features 3 songs that aren't linked in any thematic way--they're just the best ones I've written in a long while. It will be accompanied by two videos, and I'll be touring with it throughout the fall.

4. What influence do you feel that living in Seattle has had on your music?

I actually finished work on those songs while still in New York, before moving to Seattle earlier this year. But so far I've noticed it's a really eclectic live scene--also, being a winter person, I love the weather in Pacific Northwest, the very different feel it has. Just last week I made my girlfriend Douglas Fir Sorbet... turning trees into ice cream! That would have never happened back east but seems very appropriate here. And things like different weather and ambiance most certainly influence the music I write.

5. What are your plans over the next year--do you have some shows lined up, are you writing more music, etc?

There are many show dates currently being finalized in and around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest; check the website for actual times. I want to make it to the East Coast by next spring and play some shows there--I miss the vibe! And more music is always happening, but more good music--that's a rare commodity. If it's good, it'll find its way to the world!

Thanks, Michael!