Electronic | Interview: Mark Daisy Comes Out The The Gate Swinging With ‘Runaway’ Off Of Upcoming ‘Daisyland’ Album
Posted by VMan on July 6, 2023
Mark Daisy, a notable newcomer to the dance-pop scene, has recently unveiled his debut album, Daisyland – and the magical word that comes with it – spearheaded by the track “Runaway.” This uplifting composition beautifully merges vibrant melodies with introspective sound design, showcasing Daisy’s extraordinary musical vision.
The intriguing concept of Daisyland paints a picture of a world bursting with gorgeous flower colors and rainbows, where Daisy resides among ‘Speaker Creatures’ that contribute to the playful and harmonious atmosphere. “Runaway” acts as a gateway to this realm, inviting listeners on a transcendent journey in Daisy’s unique vehicle – the bubble-powered Daisy-Mobile.
Mark Daisy’s collaboration with industry talents such as Nicky Night Time, Noah Schy, and Nate Alford has undeniably impacted the development of Daisyland, crafting a distinct musical universe that awakens the senses.
This talent has worked in the music industry in a variety of ways, with this release being his way of dipping into something new he is passionate about. See what this guy is all about and check out the interview Mark Daisy did with us below.
Exclusive Interview
How did you develop the idea of ‘Speaker Creatures’ that inhabit Daisyland?
This record is about energy and joy. We weren’t taking ourselves too seriously and the music we were creating wasn’t either. Noah Schy and I were working on a song and started the kind of ridiculous discussion that you start many hours into making music, brainstorming who would live in and play in Daisyland. With an assist from my wife Tessa, we soon knew it was the Speaker Creatures. Small, silly beings who ran around and played music out of their chests. Imagine a cross between a toddler, a puppy dog and a rave.
Then, with my friend and true creative coconut Squid Spelman (see the incredible work she’s done with Sofi Tukker) we started fleshing out and envisioning. We brought the world we were creating to some friends at Linguini Studios who brought the Speaker Creatures, and Daisyland, into visual reality.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your artistic style?
Oh man, I don’t even know where to begin. I love and have been influenced by so much music. From Scott Joplin to ABBA to Avicii, and maybe a little 90s Jock Jams 🙂
For this project a friend of mine had a great framing – he said it was about “the quest for the schlager” – and Abba sits at the center of the schlager for me.
Can you talk about your experience collaborating with renowned talents like Nicky Night Time and Nate Alford?
Amazing! Nicky and Nate are incredible talents and wonderful humans. So much of creating for me is about the joy of collaboration, absorbing energy, experience and ideas while working side by side.
Nate is obviously an incredible vocal producer – part of what makes him so great is that he was able to help me understand more about my own voice, to help find the strongest moments and bring those forward. Obviously this was great on these records but going forward I have so much more wisdom about how to use my voice.
I was so excited to go work with Nicky – I’m such a fan of what he’s done. In our session he was rapid fire churning out melody ideas – able to discard one or expand and build out another so quickly. I really learned from him not to let anything be precious in the creation process – explore it, see if it works and move on if it doesn’t.
Are there any dream collaborations or artists you would love to work with in the future?
Anyone that wants to hop in and push the energy of Daisyland forward I am game! In a dream world? It’d be amazing to work with ABBA, SG Lewis, LP Giobbi, Sofi Tukker, Caribou or Purple Disco Machine.
How has 2023 been treating you so far?
This picture about sums it up. The sun is shining, the crew is healthy and Daisyland music is starting to go out in the world.
Albums | cozy kev Teases Heavier Sound With Incredible New Single “Holy Rain”
Posted by VMan on October 25, 2022
cozy kev is a Chicago-based producer taking listeners on a celestial journey through sound by blending together elements of ethereal future bass, shadowy hip-hop beats, and raw electronic trap. His new track “HOLY RAIN” is a great introduction to his music if you have not yet heard it, so tune in to the song above now and read a quote from cozy kev on the release after the jump!
“The first drop was really intended to make you feel cool. I thought of riding through a city with the top down, just feeling myself haha. The second drop was made to intensify the emotion of the song and really just summarize the whole idea as a constant buildup into that second drop. It gets heavier as well, as I’m trying to show people that I’m gradually getting into a heavier style of music.” – cozy kev
Albums | Howie Combrink Releases Summer Sunshine
Posted by VMan on August 23, 2022
Howie Combrink is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer based in Johannesburg, South Africa. His sound brings together a soulful and a beacon of positivity within the folk pop music space. With a new album coming out next year, he returns on the scene with his new single “Summer Sunshine,” a song which lends itself to many genres and influences, from the likes of Angus & Julia Stone to John Mayer. Tune in above now and read a quote from Combrink on the release below!
“Summer Sunshine’ is a title that represents the happiness of summer and the way summer makes you feel. In this scenario, summer represents the love of my life and it is a reference to the idea that she makes me feel like summer. This is most certainly my favourite song I have ever put out.”
Hip-Hop | merry choppins and Tim Gent connect on “ib2up”
Posted by VMan on January 27, 2022
“ib2up” is one of the more catchy songs I’ve heard this week. The track is by Nashville based producer/songwriter Tony Esterly aka merry choppins and features a guest verse from local rapper Tim Gent. The high energy electronic and hip-hop hybird release is high energy and as smooth as ever. Check out a quote from MC on the release below and stream their new collaboration above now!
“ib2up started as a hook idea from Tim. I just kept coming back to it after the initial session and tried producing different versions behind it. It went from a hype anthem, to a chill trap beat, and many versions in between. I finally landed on this production on the 6th version of the song when I threw Tim’s acapella over a rap beat I was making, and it finally felt like the song had a home.” – merry choppins
Indie | Dennyiah Drop Video for “Sense Of The Rain”
Posted by VMan on January 7, 2022
Slovakian indie band Dennyiah return with one of their most captivating and hybrid releases to date, “Sense of the Rain”. This is the first piece of music I’ve heard by the band but this one is something unique and a great listen. Dennyiah, consisting of lead vocalist Denny and guitarist Lubos, the two-piece fuse pop, soul, country and blues to create their distinctive style and are known for never being limited to one sound. Tune into the visual for “Sense of the Rain” above now and read a quote from Dennyiah below on the release!
“It’s about the elusive sensation of an invincible life force coming from within. Losing the ego and idealised and pre-constructed idea of self. That’s when nothing around changes. The only thing that changes is your perception and the fact that it doesn’t have the power to go under your skin anymore because it’s always been disconnected from the true within. Bad things good things – it’s all the same – what matters is how much you let it drag you down. This song speaks about the short moment of enlightenment, about the deep connection to everything without the heaviness of reaction.”
Albums | Chaz Cardigan & The Gifted Connect For “Feels Like I Know You”
Posted by VMan on May 14, 2021
Nashville singer/songwriter Chaz Cardigan connects with L.A. based duo The Gifted for a feel-good new collaborative single called “Feels Like I Know You” that goes over a relatable topic that only some people are lucky enough to fully understand. The indie pop anthem proves once again that Chaz is a rising star in the alternative pop space and excites me for what’s next for his project. Read a quote from him on the meaning of “Feels Like I Know You” below and check out the track above now!
“Social media really nurtures this desire we all have to be seen, and to find intimacy with strangers. You see someone’s life in pieces every day on your feed, and your brain puts them all together, like, ‘yes, I know them, we’re close! Just yesterday they went for a drive to their parents’ place.’ We’re all guilty of becoming friends with people who have no clue we exist. “Feels Like I Know You” is about that disconnect between following someone at a distance everyday, and the easy, honest jump in logic to considering them a friend — or more. The weird consequence of everyone being a brand is that everyone, famous or not, we’ve all got these parasocial bonds with total strangers now; I really wanted to follow that idea to its extremity. Everybody’s a stranger, so no one’s a stranger; “1’s and 0’s, it’s just as real as skin”.” – Chaz Cardigan
Pop | Listen to Rei’s New Single “Give Me a Little Jazz”
Posted by VMan on January 30, 2021
With years of practice and performance under her belt, Rei is definitely an artist to keep an eye on. “Give Me a Little Jazz” is her latest tune and it delivers an incredible listen that gives the listener an uplifting feeling. Needless to say we’re excited for what’s to come. “My songs reflect the idea that while we’re all isolated to varying degrees both as individuals and groups, we’re all equal in our ability to appreciate music. I write songs with themes across different generations, genres, ethnicities, gender preferences, and social consciousness, from equality to the environmental crisis. I sing for the sad, the lonely, and the heartbroken, so they know they’re not forgotten,” she says. Tune in to “Give Me A Little Jazz” above now!