Rising Star: Azealia Banks

“They’ll forget your name soon,” Azealia Banks warns haters in her breakout Internet smash, “212.” Banks herself shouldn’t worry about fading from pop-culture memory anytime soon. The 20-year-old New Yorker has proven to be one of music’s most intriguing new shape-shifters since she started posting songs and videos online a few years ago. Fast-forward to today, and her cheeky black-and-white video for “212” has amassed more than three million-plus YouTube hits. What’s fresh about Banks is how she combines audacious charisma with lyrical naughtiness and genre hop-scotching: Over ultrafuturistic dance grooves, she sings like a bird (check out her glistening cover of Interpol’s “Slow Hands”) and spits rhymes like a sexpot (“I guess that cunt gettin’ eaten” goes the unforgettable hook of “212”), forging an irrepressible persona in the process. “The beats are like scripts, and the raps are my monologue,” says Banks, who studied musical theater before she took to the mike. Her frankness also makes for good copy: Her shots at newcomer Kreayshawn made their way around the Web in January, and she’s also voiced her opinions about Nicki Minaj, a fellow outspoken female MC, and graduate of New York’s LaGuardia High School (known to most as the setting for the movie Fame [1980]). “I don’t want to talk about Nicki Minaj anymore,” Banks groans. “At this point, I’m being scrutinized for everything.” Understandably, Banks doesn’t want anything to mitigate her speedy trajectory. She’s already collaborated with Paul Epworth—hitmaker for the likes of Adele and Florence + the Machine—and signed a major-label deal with Universal, which will release her debut album this fall. Karl Lagerfeld even invited her to perform at his home in Paris at a gala celebrating the launch of his new line, Karl. It’s all been quite a journey for Banks, whose current jet-set lifestyle belies her hardscrabble beginnings: Her father died when she was 2, and she was raised in Harlem by her mother. “Nowadays when I walk around, I get noticed, which is kind of weird,” Banks says. “It’s really just starting to hit me. For me, a 20-year-old girl from Harlem, it’s like … What?”


Photo: AZEALIA BANKS IN LONDON, JANUARY 2012.TOP: TOPSHOP UNIQUE. JEANS: GAP. UNDERWEAR: DANIELLE SCUTT. HAT: JIL SANDER. EARRINGS: STYLIST’S OWN. NECKLACE (FROM SUSAN CAPLAN VINTAGE): CHANEL. CHOKER: MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA. RINGS: FREEDOM FOR TOP SHOP. COSMETICS: NARS COSMETICS, INCLUDING LAGUNA BODY ILLUMINATOR, SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION, EYELINER STYLO IN NUITS BLANCHES, GLITTER PENCIL, AND LIP LACQUER IN HOT WIRED. STYLING: ROBBIE SPENCER. HAIR: NAOKI KOMIYA/ JULIAN WATSON AGENCY. MAKEUP: JANEEN WITHERSPOON FOR NARS/JULIAN WATSON AGENCY. HAIR ASSISTANT: VICTORIA HUTCHINSON. STYLIST ASSISTANT: ELIZABETH FRASER-BELL. SPECIAL THANKS: HOXTON STREET STUDIOS.

(Source: Interview Mag)

Rising Star: Space Capone

[ @spacecapone ]

Space Capone, also known as Aaron Winters,  is a Nashville based recording artist, currently on tour and prepping his debut album for release on January 24, 2012. Space is signed to AVJ Records (home to Nappy Roots & Colt Ford) and is definitely a breath of innovative fresh air to the music industry and especially to R&B. His debut album is produced by Calvin Turner (worked with Rafael Saadiq) and features horn arrangements by Jerry Hey (who arranged horns on Off the Wall and Thriller) and JR Robinson (Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Earth Wind & Fire, Eric Clapton) on drums. This cat has  #SoulPower, #aLotO’funk & really seperates himself with some of the best #falsettoPower to hit the stage yet. His music is often described as a mix between soul, funk, R&B, and disco. AntennaMag had a chance to catch up with Space Capone recently..check out the exclusive interview below and some his killer tracks.

1. Antenna Magazine: You call yourself a “student of music,” how has this played into your career?

Space Capone: I believe being the student I am has place me in my own league.  The music I make doesn’t resemble that of another artist out there today because I’m listening to different things.  I’m drawing from different influences.

2. AM: What does your name “Space Capone” signify?

SC: It’s equal parts cool and mystery.  It signifies where I’m at and where I’m about to be…  A classy name with hints of rebellion.  To me, Space Capone is a fine champagne.

3. AM: How did your career begin? Why music?

SC: I fell into music by default.  I knew I wanted to do music when I realized I didn’t want to do anything else.  I dropped out of college and had the opportunity of hitting the road at the ripe age of 20.  MY father played in church and always had a guitar around.  I began playing when I was 12 or so… but didn’t realize it was what I wanted to do until much later.

4. AM: Tell AntennaMag readers about your hometown Indiana…

SC: I drove 20 minutes to school.  30 minutes to a movie theatre.  All corn fields.  One restaurant.  One blinking stop light.  Carthage, Indiana is littered with corn and soy beans.  That’s about it.

5. AM: What message are you trying to send your listeners?

SC: Take pride in what you do.  Have passion for something.Love.

6. AM: Tell us about your self-entitled album that is dropping on January 24, 2012…

SC: The debut album is full of uptempo pop songs that will make you dance.  John “JR” Robinson played drums on a few tracks.  Jerry Hey arranged the horns on “Back to the House.”  The video for the single “I Just Wanna Dance” is online now to check out.  I wrote the material over the past four years while on the road and living in Nashville.

7. AM: What artists have influenced you? How so?

SC: Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Bob James, AL Jarreau, the list could go on forever.  All these guys had a knack for the uptempo.  They were all good at more than just one thing.  They all appear in my songwriting, but influence me beyond that.  The way I perform live, the way I dress, everything I do revolves around what I listen to.

8. AM: You were invited to perform at Bowie’s “Young American” at Bowie Ball in NYC on December 17th. How was the show?

SC: The show was fantastic.  It was my first time at Le Poisson Rouge.  The crowd was very energetic, which helps the performance.  It was an honor being at the celebration.  I put Bowie on a pedestal.

9. AM: What is the concept behind your new video “I Just Wanna Dance?”

SC: Everyone was sold on the roller rink idea from day one.  The image just fits with the song.  The concept is pretty much… a good time at the skating center.  I’m being prepped by a good looking lady in the locker room prior to my big performance on wheels.  I even get to DJ my own tune before hitting the rink.

10. AM: Your sound can be described as a mix up of soul, funk, R&B, and disco how did this come about?

SC: It was the sound that came out when I sat down to write.  After listening to so much of one type of music over the years, I believe what I’m left with is an offspring of my influences.  I obviously made a conscious decision starting out to write music that promoted a feel good environment.  Once I realized that’s what I wanted to do, my research began.

11. AM: What has been your favorite place to perform so far?

SC: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

12. AM: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years?

SC: On Stage.

13. AM: What shows do you have coming up?

SC: I’m really looking forward to Mercury Lounge in NYC on the 29th.  We play Bowling Green, KY then Pittsburgh, then NYC and then Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut on that road trip.  It should be a fun run of shows.

14. AM: If you had to tell AntennaMag readers one thing to do to get some Space Capone swag what would it be?

SC: Come to a show!!  The single is also available on itunes if you need to be held over until the full album is released.

15. AM: Is there anything that you want AntennaMag readers to know about yourself?

SC: I’m a lifer.  Get used to my name.  Come rain or shine, I’ll be on stage representing my generation to the best of my ability.

16. AM: Is there any music that you are listening to now that you can recommend to AntennaMag readers?

SC: Absolutely.  Any Bob James album.  If you don’t own “Thriller” or “Off the Wall” by MJ you should feel bad about yourself.  Also check out the albums “I Am” and “Powerlight” by Earth Wind & Fire.

(Source: Antenna Magazine)

What’s The Best Time to Release Your Album ?

[This guest post was written by Jem Bahaijoub, the founder of Imagine PR, a music marketing and PR agency based in Washington, D.C.]

All too often, musicians rush their new album’s or EP’s release without considering what the best time-frame for that release may be. Just because your album is done doesn’t mean you have to rush it out – there are numerous factors to take into account before you confirm your release date.

Here are some tips on how to schedule and promote your album’s release: 

If You Can’t Ship It, Don’t Promote It
Don’t announce your CD release show or release date until you have your physical or digital product in hand! Most of the time recording, manufacturing, and artwork take a lot longer than expected. Don’t start creating hype about your release date, unless you are certain you can deliver the product to your fans! This also applies to your CD release shows. If you don’t have your physical product to sell at the show, then this is a wasted opportunity!

What’s the Best Quarter For You?
Each sales quarter has its own advantages and disadvantages. The fourth quarter, for example, which runs from October to December, is traditionally the most competitive time of the year to release an album. All the major labels and big independent labels are releasing their latest products, and therefore consumer and media attention is often focused on established acts. That leaves little space for unsigned or local acts. It may be a good time of the year to start a  teaser campaign by covering a well-known holiday song and posting it to your Youtube channel or using it as a free download. This will help you build up your fan base, tap into the fan bases of other artists, and maintain your visibility during the manic holiday music season.

By contrast, the first quarter of the year, January to March, is often the best time of the year for a new artist to release, as it’s the least competitive. Media is on the look out for what will be hot in the new year, so it’s perfect timing to introduce yourself to bloggers/journalists/radio producers etc. However, it may be hard to draw a big crowd for your CD release shows as consumers will be watching their bank accounts after the Christmas spending spree. The Valentine’s Day period is one of the biggest sales periods of the year so also think carefully about your release around this date.

The second and third quarters are festival time, and a lot of editorial space in music media will be dedicated to festivals. If you have managed to secure some festival slots, then this is a great time to have a new product out in the market place. You can harness festival fever to your advantage. Be aware of key holiday dates like July 4th when people often take vacations, or big sporting events; consumer, media and gig attendance will be low around these periods.

Know the Time-Line of Your Target Market
For example, if you’re targeting college kids, then be aware of term time dates, college radio schedules and lead times for college gig bookings. Don’t release an album over the summer when everybody is on vacation.

Plan a Comprehensive CD Release Tour in Conjunction With Your Release
Journalists will want to see that you are in demand as a live performer before writing about you. Keeping that in mind, it’s important to note that the two quietest touring months are January and July. That can make it difficult to find other acts to partner with on gigs.

Ensure Your Music Fits the Season
Is your new album/EP jam-packed with summer tunes? Are they winter-y and romantic?  Again, think about creating bonus tracks to exploit holiday themes in order to capture the imagination of new fans.

Be Aware of Lead-Times
Typically, magazine editors plan their issues three months in advance. This means that, even for the biggest artists, PR reps need to notify editors about upcoming releases several months ahead of time.

In comparison to established acts, your release date won’t be “newsworthy” to the media, so you will have the flexibility to work your release for six to nine months. You should still be aware of editorial lead times as many journalists will want to link album reviews with your tour dates. Even for short-lead media, such as online magazines or blogs, the process of introducing yourself, sending out information and following up takes time and persistence.

To summarize, make sure you thoroughly research the following factors before confirming your release date:

• Sales periods across the year.
• Holiday dates and festival dates.
• Editorial timelines and factors affecting limiting editorial coverage of new artists.
• Local, regional and national events that may interfere with gig attendance and fan outreach.

Remember, do not rush your release. Plan, plan, plan!

(Source: WeAllMakeMusic.com)