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 Josey Milner, Country Singer and Anti-Bullying Spokesperson

Josey Milner is part small town teen, part road-worthy country starlet, and starting at only 17 years old, she turned heads and changed hearts with her debut US single, "Not Pretty Enough." The song thrust Josey into the country music spotlight, launching her anti-bullying campaign with Angels and Doves, and earning her a 2013 Independent Country Music Award nomination for Promising Young Artist, a Top 10 Hottest New Artist designation, and a Number One single on the world’s first independent country music chart, Indie World. Now, 19 and a recent Magna Cum Laude high school graduate, this CMT.com Top 20 Artist has taken her initial successes to greater heights with "Cowgirls."

Learn more about Josey by visiting her website, www.JoseyMilnerMusic.com, and by following her on Facebook, Twitter, and especially YouTube where you can check out her latest music videos.

1. How did you first become interested in singing, and what's it been like to have gained so many fans for your music at such a young age?

Growing up, I've always loved music. I was constantly listening to the radio, asking for CDs/artist merchandise as gifts, and singing whenever I could. It's just something I always caught myself doing. Before my music, I would sing the National Anthem at rodeos, and that led to me being invited to sing at the National Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis in 2010. From being heard on stage, I was then advised that I should try out the career. Since then, it has been this incredible journey with so much support. I could never thank my family, friends, and fans enough for everything they have done to help out with my music and just supporting me through it all. I am truly humbled. 

2. You're finding some great success with the release of your first singles. Do you have an album in the works?

I do not necessarily have an album, but I do have an EP that we are working on that will have five or six songs. 

3. What do you see as the importance of social media for musicians, and how do you decide what to post on your different social media accounts?

Social media plays a huge role in the music industry today. It allows you to stay better connected with your fans, and it also allows you to keep everyone updated of what you're working on. I run my social media as if I were talking to friends or family. I keep it clean and post some personal stuff, such as pictures, just to show that I do everyday life things as well. Just reassures people that I'm human, too. :)

4. You've been working with some really talented people in country music. Could you tell us a bit about the role of collaboration in your work when it comes to writing, performing, and recording music?

I have not collaborated with anyone yet, but it is definitely something I plan on doing. I think it is so cool when artists do music together because it allows the artists to reach out to other fan bases and sometimes even other genres. I have worked with some pretty amazing people in the studio, though, and that is always exciting! 

5. Finally, would you tell us a little bit about Angels & Doves and your role in working with this organization?

Angels and Doves is an anti-bullying organization that is focused on preventing bullying-related suicides. They go around and talk to schools about bullying and what you can do to help. Being a spokesperson for them, I spread the message about trying to end bullying and to talk to people if you ever need anyone to talk to. They're a really great organization, and I am extremely grateful to be a part of the group. 

Thanks, Josey!

Meet Billy Ulrich, Musician, of Post Trauma

Post Trauma is a Jagermeister Sponsored band from Fullerton, California that plays a blend of Country and Rock music, known to its fans as "California Country." Check out their music on ReverbNation and YouTube, and keep track of their upcoming gigs and album releases on Facebook and Twitter.

Billy Ulrich is a musician and songwriter who, in 2011, used the money he'd been saving in his vacation fund to build a music studio in his house. He's a health care practicioner by day, a rocker by night, and a full-time dreamer.

1. For listeners who haven't heard your music yet, how would you describe it?

Our fans have been calling it "California Country." I think that's because the songs are very focused around storytelling, but there's also a lot more Rock edge than you'd find from mainstream Country coming out of Nashville. It's very much music for regular people who go to work, people who like to have a good time, and people with a sense of humor. "Country Music for Democrats" is another term that's been flying around. I'm not sure why, since there is no political content in our record.

2. Do you have plans to tour soon in California and elsewhere?

We'll be getting up and down the West Coast this summer, and with a little luck, a national tour could be on the horizon soon.

3. How did you become a Jagermeister sponsored band, and what are the perks of this connection?

We've always had a taste for Jager Bombs and had several songs with Jager shout outs before any of this came about. "Nightshift" on our recent release is one of them. Some of the perks of being a Jager Band are that they send us co-branded merch, like guitar picks and shot glasses, that have both Post Trauma and Jagermeister logos on them. We've had the Jager Girls out to a lot of our concerts, too, which makes for a good time. We got to hang out backstage at the last Jagermeister tour, and man, what an experience. Being part of the Jager family has definitely become part of our identity.

4. What made you decide to produce Sleepless as half of a double album, and when will the second half be released?

I had about 25 songs that I felt were really good and needed to be recorded, but they had a wide range of styles. Some of them had a lot of twang and a sense of humor, while others were dark, introspective Hard Rock. So rather than speculate which ones would come out best, I thought it better to just record them all, and then after they were all done, I'd be able to pair up the songs that flowed best together without worrying about genre. It was a risky undertaking that tied us up for a year, so I feel very fortunate that my band mates were up for the challenge and trusted that my vision would someday come to life. Something like this could break up most bands out there.

Dreamless (part two of the double-album) is actually completely done and just sitting in my computer until May. It's a little darker and more on the Rock side. "Sleepless" has more sense of humor, and more Country. It has been getting great reviews, and I'm sure that when Dreamless comes out, our fans will understand the full picture.

5. How have sites like YouTube and ReverbNation helped you get the word out about your music?

YouTube has been especially helpful with getting our music video "Get Up in the AM" seen. It has around 10,000 views right now--and counting. We've had quite a few fans tell us at our concerts that they discovered us through the music video. We have another one on the way in just a few weeks, so I hope it will get the same overwhelmingly positive response. ReverbNation is great for connecting with other bands, especially as a Country Rock band in California. There aren't too many of us out here, so we have to stick together.

Thanks, Billy!