As a long-time uber fan of the insanely talented Frankmusik, I’ve always followed him through the ups and the downs, through the crazy and genius and through his indie efforts to the major labels. As one of those artists that consistently delivers razor-sharp precisioned pop perfection with a dose of cheek and realism, delving deeper into the mind of Frankmusik has always been an inviting challenge for me.

After parting ways with Universal and now releasing his own new material independently, I thought it would be a good time to catch up with Vincent Frank to chew the fat on the current state of the music industry, the inspiration behind some of his new indie tracks and why he’s returned back to England after his time in Los Angeles…

I feel you’ve gone through a soul-searching as of late with the move to LA to work with the majors out there and now you’re back in jolly ol England. What did you learn as a result of giving it your best shot out there and having now returned back to England without a record deal?
Depending on your personal limitations, expectations and what you want from yourself tied into a contractual arrangement with a third party organization such as a record label will really guide how someone will interpret this question. I myself moved to LA with no real reason to work with the majors in the US. When it came to LA there was no dream or vision, all I was doing was getting away from it all, or soul searching as you put it while I had the chance. I am glad I left because if things had been different in the UK with the release of my first album I may never have gone to America to experience living there for three years, something that many people never get to do in their whole lifetime; I got it out of the way before I was 28. I ended up working with Universal in the US but I didn’t really know why or what for as I felt I was back in the same shoes I was in when I was in the UK. I used to think I was running from potential success because I wasn’t ready for it, but what I have concluded on the last four years of my life is that I just didn’t believe the process, hence never fully backing the final result that was created. I find that I didn’t “give it my best shot” at all really. I was on a wave where I couldn’t see the coast. I was moving at a pace but with no bearings. Coming back home without a “record deal” made me see I was free and that I was grateful for the experience. It seems that you imply that by coming back without a “record deal” I was somehow left empty-handed. I would say not having a “record deal” led me to realize that a deal did not define me because I still had me, myself and I, which turned out to be quite a lot. A record deal is a great thing if you have no idea what you are doing, but I do now. I no longer see the need to be signed as I have seen the machine at work and I respect it for what it is. But is it for me? No.

There was a lot of internet chatter about “Do It In The AM” as being a false representation of Frankmusik. What is your response to that?
With “Do It In The AM” I made the best of what I had. Today I can now say I am proud of that album because of what I faced behind-the-scenes in making it. I have learned not to be ashamed of any of my creative output as it was only ever made with the best intentions. Was “Do It In the AM” a “false representation of” myself? No. Was it a result of someone who didn’t have all the facts at the time of making the album? Yes. I embrace making mistakes as it has helped me become the artist I am today, as I am now much more aware of my place within the arts and the goals I now want to focus on in the future. Mistakes are underrated and highly scorned upon in pop culture. I don’t see anyone holding Brad Pitt fully accountable for his role in “Cool World”. Mainly because there were hundreds more people who share the blame of making such a poor movie. But with music, its the guy with the biggest name on the CD case that gets the flack while everyone else suddenly becomes very aloof. Its just how humans work. Because of this reason I think there are less “challenges with trying to launch a successful, commercial pop album in this day and age” if you DO go independent. For label exec’s will be kicking and screaming to put their name to a success story but head for the hills if its not going to massage their ego’s and bonus packages. You see more often than not that the artist becomes the fall guy if the botton line ain’t looking as pretty as the artist did to label the first day they walked into their building to sign a record contract. That contradiction alone feels like a “challenge” I’m happy to shy away from, as for now I take full responsibility for my work on my own terms. I’ll make less money at first and because I write answers like this I will have a lot less friends who have glass-walled offices to work in. But hey, I’m out of the loop now so why should I care? I have nothing further to loose. I only have the minor details of knowledge and empowerment to gain and if those are not basic human goals for huge personal endeavor then I’m on the wrong planet.

There is a fantastic spoken word lyric on “The Line” from your “Far From Over” EP – tell us what you mean here…
I have made a promise to never speak of the person I wrote that about in interviews again. But I am sure you can figure it out. I’ll just say it was my poetic way of saying “not to rush into things”.

I really loved your work with Colette Carr – especially Killswitch. Colette told us her side of the story with that track, how was it for you during the creation process of Killswitch?
Firstly, thank you. I loved the work I did with Colette too as she is a really hard-worker and I really cracked the whip with her but she took it well and we delivered some great music during our time working together. “Killswitch” was a challenging track in terms of production and subject matter but I think Colette nailed the mood of the track and did a great job on the vocals. Colette is a trooper and I respect that.

“Map” really hit home for me when I first heard it. Have you had your heart broken lately? In love? In your career?
Damn you really do want me to dish some dirt! Well all of the above I guess. But this song was not a “why me?” song, instead it was a “get your ass in gear Vincent you have a job to do now stop feeling sorry for yourself” kind of song. As I said earlier I cannot speak about the person who inspired this song but I do feel its very relatable. I like to keep all of my songs personal enough that I enjoy the power of them, but just impersonal enough that anyone else can relate to them in their own way.

What did you miss most about being away from England so long? What had changed when you got back from your LA adventure…
I missed the people and the history. I missed the terrible weather and the grumpy people. I see the surface attraction towards LA but when you are in the thick of it and have come from somewhere that seems to be the cultural polar opposite then it does come as a bit of a shock. I would like LA a lot more if it rained once a week. The things that had changed back home were just seeing so many shops closed down. Its sad to see a lack of growth being projected in such a physical way.

There is a lot of talk lately about the music industry moving more into subscription services like Spotify and Google and more direct artist to fan social revenue streams like Pledge Music. Where do you think the industry should be heading in 2013 from the independent artist’s point of view…
I have no clue. I just make music man. I would like to think I am becoming more business savvy. But the pledging and kickstarter routes to me just don’t sit well. If my music does not move people enough for them to want to come to a show or buy my music then I don’t feel the next logical step is to beg for money. I see the appeal, I really do but different strokes for different folks.

I think it’s kind of sad that the commercial music industry only focuses on just a few select artists every year. Do you think the music industry will ever open it’s arms to more than just 2% of the artists out there?
I really couldn’t care less what the label industry focuses on. It goes back to that “why me” attitude. If the artist is focusing on their output as much as they can be then really you can and should survive. To flourish I think that comes down to the consumer preference. Radio will always be paid to play what they are told to by labels and we will go out and buy what we hear and see the the most on those label-subsidized media outlets. I have made a clear realization that as a free artist I no longer see the labels as direct competition. I am outside of their system now therefore I no longer see myself succeeding in their system by proxy and why the hell should I? Art is art, if you are making it for the right reasons then you should be happy with what you get and anything else is a nice surprise. If you want to play the chase radio game and monetize your creative output game then prepare to die by that sword as money comes and goes as do labels and the mediums in which it can make money from music. Be aware of the business mechanics but do not be a slave to them as when you make money the carrot for finding creativity it more often-than-not stifles your true ability.

EDM – here to stay or another passing fad?
I hope Educated Dutch Mormons are here to stay.

What are you listening to right now? Let us in on something brilliant on your playlist that maybe we haven’t heard yet.
Easy. Cara Salimando.

What’s next for Frankmusik?
After my US tour I will be starting work on my 4th studio album which will be my first concept album. After that I intend to get straight back on the road and tour my music again.

Frankmusik churns out more quality electronic pop than most others and if you follow him and his website, more-than-likely you’ll get a lot of free music to enjoy at home and at his shows when he tours the US.

London based pop artiste Valentina makes an imposing impression with the majestically sumptuous track “Ladders”.

Brought to prominence by her collaboration of a year ago with Hotchip’s Joe Goddard  on the slinky dance track “Gabriel”, Valentina now unleashes her own collection of haunting and esoterically engaging tunes via the “Wolves EP”.

Here demonstrated through the misty and mystically opaque sheltered “Ladders”, Valentina’s vocal qualities have soul stirring capabilities, criss crossed in a Jessie Ware  /  Alex Winston amalgamation.

With a chorus of sublime organic enlightenment guided by soft synths and an embellished guitar twang, “Ladders” folds in seductively sophisticated ripples of eerie nostalgia, that if today you imagine you were to set foot into the Twin Peaks “Roadhouse” 20 years on you might well expect something like “Ladders” to be rockin back the hearts of the bikers watering hole .

In the vast, annoying sea of reality television stars trying to make a career for themselves in the recording industry, thankfully not many succeed, see Kim Kardashian and Heidi Montag. However, few do hop on the reality show bandwagon after experiencing some success in the field of music, such as Kandi Burruss of Real Housewives of Atlanta fame, who wrote hits for Destiny’s Child and TLC.

Star of Bravo‘s newest addicting show, Newlyweds: The First Year, former B3 member Blair Late experienced worldwide success with his band and once secured a development deal with Columbia Records before settling down with his husband as an entertainment reporter. Music must have been calling Late’s name because he is back with a new single, written as a gift for the man of his dreams. How sweet is that?

“Love Calling“, originally written as a ballad for the first dance at his wedding, has been given the Top 40 touch by Bravo and transformed into a sweet love song one couldn’t help but dance to. Late recalls the first night he met his now-husband Jeff Pedersen, “It was love at first sight, one a hot summer Sunday night“, he sings. Being from Odessa, Texas, Late’s voice carries a country-like vibe that fits in with the pop production, similar to the style of Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift. The new single is the artist’s first time back in the recording studio after departing from Columbia and hopefully not the last time with hear from Blair.

While the song may follow a similar Top 40, radio-friendly formula, the lyrics are personal and become the highlight of the effort. Late’s vocals are strong and sincere, telling the story of how he met his husband. Set to be featured on Newlyweds: The First Year in an upcoming episode, and currently featured in Andrew Christian’s newest social video, “Love Calling” is an adorable letter to one that steals your heart with the first look. The dance beat certainly doesn’t hurt.

Here we are again in one of our favourite states here at EQ Music, blissed out on the ethereally magical music from Bim.

Denmark and Rebecca really know how to hit our electro hotspot with their beyond beautiful and emotively rich tones.

The A1 music makers take their performance out yonder into a barn, and no we don’t think this has happened in no cow shed but more of an out-house maybe, as there’s not a Wellington boot to be seen.

As ever it is the music that stands tall.  This episode from “The Barn Sessions” features the track “Highlight”, which is of course brimming with all the Bim shaped goodness we’ve come to expect, soothing synths, glowing vocals and a whole lot of huggable warmth.

A euphorically eclectic triumph for Bim.

Photo by Andreas Öhlund

Australian / Swedish  twinned sister act Say Lou Lou, bring to life their eclectically dreamy new pop offering “Julian” with a cinematically dramatic presentation.

Capturing the sophisticated mood and chilling essence of the track, the duo place a dynamic storyboard thriller that sees the dream pop darlings embroiled in an illicit love triangle that sparks a sinister chain of events.

Happen the doubled up lovelife is partly accountable to being a twin thing! share everything,  do everything, think alike together, including being double crossed, but oh yeah sharing a man is probably a touch too much as the consequences of may ultimately fall foul of Julian.

Suitably a spine-tingling dream pop winner!

Elyar Fox on the other hand, 17 year old London kid and YouTube cover uploader has the edge with the added maturity on his side.

Fox’s debut original material “Colourblind” is rife with jangling mainstream pop candy that is sure to whip up the teen market into a frenzy of girly giddiness.

To be honest for all it’s hype “Colourblind” is totally an epidemic of cheeriness armed with an infectiously breezy hook that will end up playing on your mind all day and oh gosh did we mention those cute dimples also!  all of this together and this is just the lyric video!

An especially frothy pop tune “Colourblind” is yours for FREE DOWNLOAD at  elyarfox.com

Now that Swedish House Mafia have called it quits the members can return to making solo records. It has been less than 2 months since their final performance and Swedish producer Axwell has already announced a new album and concert dates. The album, “Center of the Universe” will arrive later this year and kicks off with a cutting edge interactive video that gives fans an entirely new way to connect with the tune. In true Axwell fashion the progressive tune is fueled by its feel good energy and lyrics. It is this approach that gave Axwell his own copy of the key to my musical heart.

When I heard his collaboration with Steve Edwards in, “Watch the Sunrise” I knew he would be a constant name in my library. Unlike some electronic producers, Axwell’s sound has always been about making people feel good. It is no wonder he has partnered with Danish brewery company Carlsberg and the “Where’s The Party?”campaign. Like the perfect blend of gin and tonic, Axwell and Carlsberg will uplift the world with their major music event at the Swedish Maritime Museum. 9,000 lucky fans in Stockholm will experience the museum as a raging dance party.

While you wait for the release of the new album you can get inside the music by watching the new interactive video here. Follow the leading man as he searches for the party. The video relies on you to #followthebeat. Now that is a true fan connection! You can watch the official video on May 21st, the same day as the new Daft Punk album. This summer will be a great year for many genres in electronic music. 

I am thrilled to see Axwell back as a solo star. I can feel the sun rising and a powerful return of good progressive house!

Electronic fans have a lot to be thankful for.

Did you know Frankmusik has got his hand in on a new pop prospect? Yes the recording artiste / pop producer is steering a new bloodline through his creative sphere.

In an uncanny likeness as himself to ear and eye as Frankmusik, the new charge is Kentö and he shows nothing but an instant delivery of smoky vocal goodness, tinged with a pop rock edge to layer over the signature blips, bleats and beeps at the steerage of impressario Frankmusik.

The collaboration have recently released together Kentö’s debut piece the “Complicated EP”.

Imparting further insight into this EP, it’s rather like going for a rummage into the earliest Frankmusik online archives “The Heaths Of Thornton ”, the precursory material prior to release of his debut album “Complete Me” and in direct alignment too.

All becomes clearly focused when listening to title track “Complicated”, along with the EP’s other tracks “Runaway” and “We Are Fire ”

Cut from the same cloth as Vincent Frank, our first impression of Kentö is a good one, but consider that it will be even more appealing when Kentö further imprints his own quirks and identity upon his music. Overall though, the “Complicated EP” is a sound beginning and one that showcases Kentö as a real contender as a future pop name in his own right and not just seen a Frankmusik understudy.

BONUS: Download the Prince Persona remix of “Complicated” right here, right now!

Didn’t we just know that this new album campaign for Fenech-Soler’s sophomore album, now unveiled, as “Rituals” would be just kicking with their precision piqued electro infused indie-pop.

Preceded by two stellar introductory teasers, the thunderously synth glorious “All I Know” and the evocatively lush sonic soundscape of “Maiyu”, Fenech-Soler add more heat in delivering “Rituals” debut single “Magnetic”.

Whereupon F-S’s signature sound is given a juicy injection of exhilarating, frenetic  pop lustre and summery fist pumping vibe.

To my mind, the bands self-titled album remains an eponymous body of work, a timeless classic, which has seen a lifetime of loving plays by me personally, a factor which initially at that time set my mind to ponder when basking in it’s afterglow can an sophomore similarly carry through in matching that bite of adrenaline steeped indie pop call to arms as delivered it’s predecessor.

The preceding two soundbytes and the unveiling of this deliciously hypnotic debut demonstrate that my concerns were unfounded and that Fenech-Soler are definitely to be seen as a band stamped with longevity.

Photo:  Anna Izabela Beta

Bright and bubbly, budding Polish pop starlet, Margaret proves very much a pop minx in the making. The fashion blogger turned singer has titivated her way across Europe with bouncy sing-a-long pop song “Thank You Very Much” in tow, accompanied by a NSFW hype video that isn’t really NSFW at all as a pixelator pixie has pixelated  the body parts out of  this video, but nevertheless initially found itself slapped with a YouTube ban.

So Margaret has courted controversy with her antics, but the video does actually impart an important message of “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity” in being that some social groups are stigmatised for the way they choose to look.

Margaret gives us a very tongue-in-cheek outlook upon this issue in the video for “Thank You Very Much” – where-upon Margaret portrays a rebellious fashion loving teenager whose parents throw a naked Birthday Party for her Naturist Father and his friends.

Strikes me, how appropriate to come to the party in your Birthday Suit, and I happen to think that fashionista style guru Gok Wan, he who imparted tips upon on our nation on “How To Look Good Naked” would have his work cut out with the magnitude of this lot wouldn’t he! But overall, peoples you should feel good in the skin your in.

From it’s pop journey around Europe “Thank You Very Much” impacts the UK from June 16th