BUDDHAFISH MUSIC IS DESTINED TO BE MONTREAL’S HOTTEST NEW RECORD LABEL. Artist Development, Branding, Recording, Photography, Marketing, Music Production…who needs big mainstream labels anymore? With the ever growing saturation of generic pop artists and mainstream radio these days – We are all left wondering: Where has all the good music gone? Where are all the [...]
Manuel DeLaMare is this year’s TOP REMIXER – a prestigious award given by the biggest digital music store BEATPORT. He is first and foremost a musician, creating a global movement of good vibes through his music. Here is a glimpse into the life of this rising DJ. KA – What is your motivation to go [...]
Anna Liani’s journey began years ago as a teenager who was heading for certain fame and then, the nightmare hap- pened. The manager of her then young group completely “lost it” after he began suffering from depression – locking himself away with all their hopes and dreams held on a string. This caused a chain [...]
One night at a JoJo Flores session and you will be hooked. The man is really that good! Playing now for over 25 years, JoJo is from the school of the mixed tapes (remember when DJs used to make mixed tapes?!). That rare brand of DJs that had to make it the hard way: with [...]
Doing a magazine and choosing who to interview for Best of Canada isn’t as easy as it seems. But when it came time to chose Nelly Furtado as the best, this was an easy one! However it wasn’t so much because of all the awards and the great music that she had done over the [...]
When is a manager doing a great job? We think it would be when that manager manages to build the careers of his or her client while keeping a healthy low pro. If the list of talented people, both in entertainment and sports is any indication, Chris Smith is definitely doing a great job and [...]
There would not be a KA Best of Canada or even for that matter a KA Magazine without this person. She was the inspiration for the original KA and she remains a key figure in the creation and development of this magazine. Coupled with her role as ambassador for the MJH foun- dation, Ms. King [...]
Stephan Moccio is a genius. There it is in print, and we said it! To much beating around the bush, let’s just get straight to the point; this KA Best of Canada 2010 choice in the context of rare genius, should go to Stephan Moccio. Add to this, a gift of making the piano into [...]
After a few minutes with Mark Anthony (the DJ responsible for the crazy beats at the now famous ‘Black and Blue’ parties in Montreal), you know you are in the presence of the real deal. At the recent shoot with Mark for this issue of KA Magazine, we asked him to show us what he [...]
In fashion, there is a saying that just because you are able to put a print on a bought American Apparel T-shirt, does not make you a designer. The same can be said in the world of DJs, where with the advent of the “DJ stars” gimmick, has taken over from clear raw talent. Jojo [...]
There is probably no other profession that you hear more phrases of love uttered than in the DJ profession. DJ’s just love music, period. They love to rock the house, and they love the sight of a full dance floor — so much so that once they have the house on fire they are hard pressed to cool it down. On first sight, DJ Tito seems like just your average tattooed pretty boy DJ, but upon a short conversation add “lover” to the list please: Lover of music, life and family. Oh yeah an d take out the word “average”, cause there is nothing average about this DJ. KA — Music in it’s most positive seems to be all about the love. Was love the main factor in your choice of being a DJ? TM — Yes, my choice to work in the music industry was because since my childhood I have been in love with music . The first gift I asked Santa Claus for was for a Michael Jackson Thriller vinyl record. It is thanks to MJ that I realized that my life would revolve around music. KA — You have played practically in every major city in the world. Where have you received the most love for your music? TM — In Belgrade, Moscow and Sao Paulo and of course lovely Canada (just to name a few places) I received the most love for my music. In these cities, the crowd is only interested in music, just music, no non-sense. This is great for a DJ because he/she is able to play music that the crowd is really passionate about. KA — When you played at Paris Hilton’s live private Concert in Cannes, why was this party so much fun for you? TM — I don’t know if I would use the word “fun” to describe the party….It was business as usual… Paris is a cool girl but the people did not come for the music, they came for her. KA — You have played private parties for Francis Ford Coppola to Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee in between, but still you shun having your photos splashed about with celebrities — why is this? TM — LOL. I am too cool for the celebrities. I play for so many that it makes no difference. …No seriously, these parties were really private and the celebrities were there to have a good time and enjoy themselves so no photographers were allowed. KA — DJ’s have become “gods” to their followers in most cases creating fans who follow the DJs more intensely than the artists whose music they are playing, Where do you see this trend going.? TM — I don’t know if I am considered to be a “god”…But thanks a lot for the compliment. I have been in this business for the past 18 years and I have seen a huge evolution for DJs. This evolution is both good and bad. Good for DJs who really love what they do and are talented. And bad for imposters who pretend to be DJs but only do it for the money and not for the love of music. To answer your question, I am not sure where this trend is going becaus already 10 years ago it was said that DJs would no longer exist because of technology but look at what’s happening today…. KA — You have collaborated with cult DJs such as Carl Cox, “Daft Punk” then went ahead and dived right into playing with Hip Hop heavy weights Cut Killer and DJ Mase to name a few. How were you able to do this transition in a field where DJs become genre specific and entrenched in one particular style? TM — I am someone who adapts myself and I simply love music. Hip Hop, House…whatever its the same love. I am a House music DJ but my background is Funk, Soul, Blues and R&B. I believe that working with various genres is beneficial because it takes music to a different level. For me, working with different styles of music gives another dimension to my productions. KA — Which City in the world inspires you the most and challenges you to be your best always? TM — New York baby. New York inspires me…just like Jay-Z says. KA — How do you create down time to recharge your batteries? TM — The best way for me to recharge my batteries is spend time with my family. My aunt cooks for me, and I hang out with my cousins. This is great because it grounds me. In this business there is a lot of bullshit and its important to know where one comes from and who one is. Its with my family and friends that I seek refuge from all the fakeness that exists in the nightlife industry. KA — What’s on your personal playlist? TM — This is a difficult question for me. Like I told you, I love music…all of it. KA — What single act of unselfish love has created the most profound effect on you and how you [...]
Subscribe to KA NEWS and receive a Free MP3 Download of Ashley King’s new single “VISUALIZE ME” To hear more of Ashley King’s Love Revolution Album, visit her site at www.ashleykingmusic.com (song playing on homepage of website)
Anna’s journey has been one that we all seem to be on: the journey to the heart. She feels that at the end of the day, this is the only game in town. To hear this song-bird bravely sing about love, it is obvious that she is a perfect addition to this “love” themed issue. Anna Liani has also decided that as an artist she is going to take the slow route to wherever it leads. Along with Montreal’s Buddhafish records (a sister company of KA magazine) Anna is committed to the “Old School” way of doing things, performing and growing her fan base from the ground up through love. Now that is definitely something to sing about. KA — This issue is about love, can you sing KA a short love song? AL — I love to be alone with u - I love to listen to you - I love the silence in you - the silence in your eyes - and I cry, I cry for you , when you leave me alone -Don’t let our love say goodbye, don’t let it fly away - Cause it don’t deserve to die, no it don’t deserve to die, not today, not tomorrow, never, never… KA — How much does love move you to create? AL — I can’t create without love…it’s impossible. KA — What is your creative process? AL — I do my best to forget what i know, what i heard, and what will happen. KA — Where do you feel most yourself ; on stage or off? AL — On stage I accept to be vulnerable and shy…….I’m free to do whatever I want! It’s scary but I’m at the right place, With my last show, watching myself on video was great. KA — What is your way of supporting charity? AL — I am supporting the My Heaven Foundation with my label buddhafish music, helping young children in the Caribbean. KA — The Anna Liani that we met last year is not the same Anna Liani that we are seeing today — What has been the change? AL — It’s true i have changed…for the better, i’m not sure! I’m a little more naughty!! Or nutty!! I’ve decided to have fun…accepting not to know. I’m jumping in and enjoying the ride! Letting somebody else drive the car!! Now that‘s a big step for me, but ..yeah it feels good! KA — What has been the thing that you have discovered about yourself in the process of creating your debut album? AL — Working with my producer is magic….he knows when I get technical and when I start singing with my mind…or just being a “singer”…. The work that we do is so right for me, because I’ve discovered the artist in me…being more than a singer….forgetting all that I thought I knew. I’ve discovered a very strong Anna and it totally feels good!!! KA — What is the single most unselfish act of love that you have experienced in the past year? AL — The greatest unselfish act of love is the one I have done for myself…accepting the voice that has been given to me and sharing it…. KA — How do you create alone time for yourself? AL — The most alone time I have for myself is in my car and in my shower…. KA — How much into love is Anna Liani? AL — She’s so much into love that she can’t get out! she doesn’t want to get out…not today, not tomorrow, never, never!!
KA–I discovered you and your music completely by chance, I was looking at Bjoirk’s video and your music came up as a suggestion. I loved completely your sound your video just blew me away, I subsequently sent the link to everyone that I felt would appreciate. How do you promote your music without getting stuck [...]
Singer/songwriter Ashley King’s journey to her debut album “Love Revolution” was full of ups and downs. This album, 4 years in the making, has seen this 23 year old artist grow from strength to strength. How did it take four years to make an album? Well, it seems this artist made a first album two years ago, but her range continued to grow at such a rapid pace, that she felt she needed to continue creating until the vibe was right, and until it clearly became “Ashley King”. Ashley’s sound has been described as a young Sade— but not necessarily in the vocal delivery (which in her case ranges from strong and heart wrenching as in the song “Love Revolution” to soft and seductive like the track “Never had a love like that”). This album is definitely not about having a single track that catches you, while the rest just hangs on for the ride. Ashley gives us all that she has, but leaves us knowing she still has plenty more where that came from.
Ayo is the child of a gypsy mother who passed on her love of travel, and a Nigerian father who raised her from the age of 14, and from whom she inherited her love for music. She was destined to be what she is today: a soul-full artist. With a silky haunting voice, the debut single “Down on my knees” propelled “Joyful” to sell over 750,000 copies worldwide.Ayo’s second collection of 13 songs “Gravity at Last”, continues the vibe of it’s predecessor, — deep and sensual,the songs are food for the ears. Even though this album is more musically diverse, the common theme remains love.
Nicole Jones and “City Lights — on CTV” follow in KA MAGAZINE’s footsteps by also introducing Montreal Artist ASHLEY KING to Canada, this upcoming Sunday Jan. 17th (after the 6:00 news) — This interview took place at the beautiful St. James Hotel in Montreal — where Miss King is scheduled to perform next Tuesday Jan. [...]
KA Magazine — Kevin Allwood — And the St. James Hotel created the most beautiful evening this past Tuesday December 15th, 2009 at the Xo Restaurant. The Ashley King LIVE at St. James Benefit Concert was to raise awareness for the My Heaven Foundation — Building schools and orphanages in Jamaica. Miss King delivered a [...]
In fashion, there is a saying that just because you are able to put a print on a bought American Apparel T-shirt, does not make you a designer. The same can be said in the world of DJs, where with the advent of the “DJ stars” gimmick, has taken over from clear raw talent. Jojo [...]
What is real… Photo : Kevin Allwood Set : Opus Hotel — Montreal Clothing : Kevin Allwood