Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
Hellllo Kick Acts and thank you so much for having me! My name is Deja Mae, well my name is Deja Mae Howell, but I go by Deja Mae for music. My family and close friends have called me Deja Mae since I was tiny, and no matter what I told them I promoted my band name to be when I was starting out, they would all say “I’m here to see Deja Mae” to the door person. So I stopped being clever and made my regular ol’ name my band name.
*Reason for the handle “wheresdeja” is because it’s what my family and close friends are ALWAYS SAYING “where’s deja?”. I disappear a lot, and run late a lot. I’ll hear my mom say it when I am just up in a different part of their house. I am merely a few walls and arches away, but still I am somehow deemed lost or missing.
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Elliott Smith, Conor Oberst, Son House, Mississipi John Hurt, Nancy Sinatra, Modest Mouse, Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, Fiona Apple, Cat Power, Etta James, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Ray Lamontagne,Mazzy Star, The Misfits… ahhh I could go on with this list for eternity, it seems. They all speak to the places inside of me no one else sees. It’s hard to explain, something in each one of these musicians/bands brings alive and soothes the pieces of me I thought broken, or even the pieces I celebrate.They are all extremely talented to say the least.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
My advice would be to take it seriously like you would any business, because that is exactly what it is, a business. The work is never finished, I am never not working. It’s important I stay focused and give myself deadlines otherwise things that are important get pushed aside for whatever comes with a deadline. Boundaries and Read more…
Recently James Lowe from Kickacts Magazine sat down with one of the very exciting artists on the scene.
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and where you can be found at on the web.
Hello Kick Acts! My name is AxelJordan. Musician born, raised and currently living in NYC … Land of Creativity! You can find me online via my website, www.AxelJordan.com My website is a directional page so be sure to take a look at my social media icons; Facebook, instagram, youtube etc.
Who are your musical heroes, influences & why?
Growing up in Brooklyn NY, I would say the music mostly heard around me was Hip Hop & R&B. I can definitely say that not only influenced my music but also my outlook on life in music. There’s a certain amount of honesty in Hip Hip and R&B. You say what you’re feeling. Whether it’s love or pain or anger, the music translates those emotions. I have a lot of respect for that and the artist who do it well. Mix that with Pop culture and you have AxelJordan!
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in playing music? Any pitfalls they should avoid?
My best advice to give is the advice I still currently live by … Continue doing what you’re doing. Not everyone is going to understand it. Not everyone is going to respect it. And you might feel alone a lot of the time. But in that silence and solitude, you begin to really find yourself; you begin to understand your creativity and the role it plays in the world. So keep going and keep striving.
Do you have a greatest gig story you’d like to share?
Man I have a bunch of pretty awesome stories. HA! For a while, I would bring my guitar to pretty much every underground spot in NYC to play my music. Didn’t matter the venue, crowd .. as long as it had a mic and a stool. I’m talking, I went to Hip Hop music venues, Soul & Gospel venues, Rock & Roll bars. I knew I didn’t really fit in and was often asked if I was sure I knew where I was. But I’d stay and wait for my name to be called. When it was I’d grab my guitar and head to the mic to sing. Sometimes you could hear the confusion in the crowd. Sometimes you could hear the annoyance from the crowd. But I wanted to sing and I wanted them to hear it. So I’d sing it would never take long before they gave in and started to enjoy it. I was living out my passion and creativity and for the most part other creative minds understand that and can find the joy in it.
On the same token as the above question. How about a “worse gig” ever story.
Nah, I don’t have “worst gig” stories. I mean of course, it’s a gig presentation of creativity and it doesn’t always come out the way you’d like but it’s all just to get better from. So no worst gig stories for me.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of boobs?
Creatively speaking, once you open up the doors of your creativity, it all comes pouring out. So I spend most of time learning about that. I make clothes, I paint. I dance. I do love to learn so I’m always open to new knowledge. And I love to have fun too. I like bowling and watching comedy. Anything funny has my immediate attention.
What do you think about the present music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
I don’t get to caught up in those arguments. The music is the music.
It’s hard enough for musicians and artist to truly express themselves and get noted for it. Why spend time trying to break that down because it might not be something we personally understand? Instead, I choose to appreciate the music and even the commentators. The judgements are equally as important as the praise. If understood and appreciated, they both lead you in path with the best you.
Hypothetical situation. You’re stranded on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the girls… Is it Ginger, Mary Ann or Mrs. Howell and why?
Why choose just one??? What about all three??? Mary Ann is a cutie though … something about those pigtails …
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
This past month I got the chance to release my first music video for my debut single “Release You”. Working on, shooting and releasing the video was such a great step for me in my career thus far. I’ve been singing and working on music since I was a kid and to see my music & my vision come to life in that video was really pretty awesome. I am truly blessed and grateful for that. If you haven’t done so, check it out on my website, www.AxelJordan.com
Looking forward to making more and the release of my album in the Spring 2014.
One of my favorite TV and cinema characters “Mr. Spock” played by Leonard Nimoy has just tweeted a press release stating he now has the infamous lung disease C.O.P.D. Despite saying he quit smoking over 30 years ago the damage has been done. Just goes to show you that even a Vulcan can’t always heal themselves. It’s a sad day for us Trekkies. His advice to anyone that smokes is simply this…
I applaud CVS Caremark (CVS pharmacies) for saying they are stopping the sales of all tobacco products in their stores by October of this year.
In conclusion…
It was Illogical for Mr. Spock to smoke but he did.
You also have a right to smoke and I don’t believe it should be taken away from you but it has been proven time after time after time (yes that many times) that cigarette smoking is dangerous and deadly to human health. Deadly to those that smoke and deadly to those that are exposed to it. I understand its BIG business but isn’t your health BIG too?. The Tobacco Industry puts additives into the tobacco to keep you coming back like a trained puppet and the Government makes billions off the sales of it but in the end.. You pay twice… Once with your money and second with your health. And really, why would you want to inhale the same chemical (Formaldehyde) they preserve dead people with???
It’s been all over the net since The Red Hot Chili Peppers took the stage for one song during the Super Bowl Halftime Pepsi show. Clearly one could tell TRHCP instruments weren’t plugged in.
So they sort of took a beating for not standing up to “the MAN” and insisting they play a song “live” they wrote 20 something years ago… Some called them sell outs and others called them posers… But in that world of being seen by millions of people at one time what would you do? Argue your point about being “true” to the music or sucking it up and having as much fun as you can with it? I think TRHCP guys did the right thing. They got their music once again out there in the modern world and not just on classic rock stations. Here is Flea’s tweet. I think it is open and honest and should stop all the “hating”. And obviously they poked “the MAN” in the eye anyway because you can’t fool the fans and they knew it but got away with it and hide it from “the MAN”. Hats off but not the socks to the guys in TRHCP.
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and where you can be found online.
Well alright then. I’m a Canadian pop artist currently based in Nashville TN. My favorite color is pink and my favorite food is pizza. My website is www.hearholly.com and from there you can find links to my Facebook page and Youtube channel and my Twitter is @hearholly. Follow me!
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
Hmm let’s see. Well to start, my Father, because he’s a self-trained musician with an amazing ear. Thanks for that musician gene Dad! My brother, Freddy because he paved the way for me by first taking the leap of being an independent artist. The Beatles, because they are the best band of all time, end of discussion. Mariah Carey because of her outstanding vocal chops and unique vocal style, and her staying power.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
There’s obviously no instruction manual, no hard and fast rules, which is what makes it exciting and terrifying all at once. I’d say do it as long as you love it, you can’t be in it for any other reason. Develop a tough skin. Get ready for a roller coaster ride, or a walk through a maze where most corners you turn end in a big wall that says “NO”!
Out of all the advice I’ve ever got about the music business, the best I ever heard was this: it’s all bullshit. Not in a negative way, but in the way that no one has all the answers, nobody knows exactly what they’re doing. If we did, everyone would be churning out hits 100% of the time forever. Is there a certain amount of talent and experience that determines success in the industry? Yes. But it also requires a perfect storm, which includes those things mixed in with timing, luck, and a big dollop of who the fuck knows. I dunno man, just do you and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. Follow your dreams kids!
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
I don’t do regrets, and I take all advice with a grain of salt. I appreciate advice, and I take it into consideration. But then I follow my heart and determine what’s right for me, at the time, to the best of my knowledge, and that course can never be wrong.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
There was a recent summer here in Nashville where we had the hottest day on record, ever. Did I mention ever? And I had a 3-hour gig out on a patio in the middle of the afternoon, no shade, no fan, no breaks. There are few things I hate worse in life than being hot. #First world problems.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
You’re giving me some really good ideas. And I’m also feeling like my hobbies are boring now comparatively. I like to play Texas Holdem poker. I actually like games in general, card games, board games. It drives my family crazy I think, it seems no one ever wants to play games as much as me 🙁
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
I’m not a get-on-my-soapbox music scene analyzer and criticizer. It’s the same as it’s always been and always will be; ever-changing, diverse, with some shit and some good shit. Each generation has their time with music, and then when that time is over you get to go “in MY day music was music, not this crap you hear today and blah blah blah” whatever.
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X Factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
I’m sure it’s both, who cares. I hate it when people get all high and mighty about music. Saying what’s good for the industry and what’s not, declaring who’s a sellout or who’s not worthy to be where they are. Judgey wudgey was a bear. Music is a come-one-come-all expression fest. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it, turn the channel, and let others get on with their lives. My personal opinion? I still watch American Idol. Although they are too mean in the way they produce the show and depict contestants during the audition process, and then too easy on them later during the judging process. They’ve got it backwards. As for The Voice, I wish they would make it so that the judges don’t see the contestants until the end of the season, maybe the final 3, now that would be a show!
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
I only download music that I’ve paid for, but I’m in the business so I’m close enough to know and feel the effects. It’s human nature, you may have one opinion, until it directly affects you, then suddenly that opinion changes. Is it wrong? Yes. But it’s too easily accessible and tempting for people. I have close friends that do it with music and movies too. You can debate about it until you’re blue in the face but the fact is, too late, what now?
It’s the job of artists and industry people to now figure out a new business model. Yes it creates hardship but it also creates opportunity.
Tell us something about you/each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
I really wish I had band members right now just so I could dish on them and tell you all their secrets. Like Billy’s an alcoholic (which fucks with our road schedule, he’s so unreliable) and everyone knows Brittany and I never got along but we pull it together just enough to record and then go our separate ways until the next tour. It would be so much more interesting…
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s Island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Dude, I love you but your references are way outdated. I’ve never seen that show. I know vaguely of the main character and the movie star lady, but if I chose I’d have to reveal my sexual orientation. We can’t have that.
If we were doing old shows we should have done Golden Girls. Oooh let’s do a “Fuck, Marry, Kill”! Okay hm, that’s a tough one. I guess I’d have to kill Blanche, because even though Sophia is close to the grave I’d miss her witty remarks. I’d fuck Rose for shock value and because she’s probably secretly a freak, and I’d marry Dorothy just for the challenge, and for the fact that she always knows the right thing to do. Okay now you go!
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
Oh my goodness what do you take me for? Yes and yes. I have a few let me check and see what I have here… Wings of Sound, that’s a good one. The Beatles, obvi. My Fair Lady, some classical stuff. Future goals: expand my collection by leaps and bounds, and release a vinyl album myself.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
Absolutely not! He’s my fellow Canadian and he’s adorable. I might slap him and say “what’s your problem? Pull it together. Don’t lose your shit now!” But seriously, when people say he isn’t talented I want to punch them in the face. Say what you want about the guy, you might not like his music, but don’t be fucking ridiculous. He can sing. He can dance. And he’s spanking most people’s asses in album sales.
But since we are on an island and we have time, I may teach him a new face to make for pictures. It’s always the same one, check it out, you’ll see.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
She or somebody in her camp is a marketing and PR genius. One day they sat in a room and said okay, what can we do to boost album sales and make everyone talk about you? Then they did it. Then you fell for it. The end. I don’t hate on Miley man. I got “We Can’t Stop” on my playlist just like I had “The Climb”. Whoever’s picking her songs is spot on. I do miss her long hair though can we convince her to grow it back out?
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip-synching or real vocals?
REAL VOCALS. Are you kidding me? I can’t even.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
If I knew that do you think I’d be here talking to you? I’d be all over that shit.
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is… Why?
Ugh don’t make me choose. I will say this, there is an interesting phenomenon with Rihanna. She seems like the only artist that can stay in our faces year after year without anyone getting sick of her. Has anyone else noticed this? Why is that? Think about it. I love Rihanna by the way.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
Nah.
Favorite movie of all time and why?
I’m not good at narrowing down to just one thing. As you have seen I just go on and on and on. Let me say a couple: Dirty Dancing, because my Mom and I watch it every time we get together and it makes my Dad really mad. The Mummy, I don’t know why. Bring it On, delicious cheesiness. Okay how about this, favorite Disney cartoon: Hercules. Unless we’re talking old Disney movies in which case Sleeping Beauty. Okay I’m done now.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s where you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
Oh my gosh yay! Anything in the whole world? Let’s talk about me! Oh I know, I’ll practice for when I do Us Magazine’s “25 Things You Don’t Know About Me.” But don’t get mad or tell anyone when I reuse them later K? Here goes:
1. My Chihuahua Chickadee is the love of my life
2. Pizza is my favorite food (you may want to insert a “spoiler alert!” in the first question now)
3. I hate running. So much. I always have.
4. I love going to the movies. No really, I go and see like every movie that comes out
5. I have a phobia of birds
6. I had a near death experience when I almost drowned as a child
7. I’m extremely close with my family and they drive me insane!
8. I believe in aliens
9. My worst guilty pleasure reality TV indulgence is Love and Hip Hop
10. I’ve always been a night owl so I wasn’t allowed to nap like the other kids in
preschool
11. I started a club in elementary school called “The Cool Cats”
12. I’ve dyed my hair every possible color there is
13. My favorite southern expression is “Bless their little hearts”
14. I’ve been guilty of gossip in my day but I’m working on it (oops there’s that confession you were looking for)
15. My favorite comics are Dane Cook (screw the haters) and Eddie Izzard
16.I try to find humor in everything and usually do
17. I’m obsessed with makeup
18. My current celebrity crush is Tom Hiddleston. Yeah Loki, work it.
19. My favorite season is winter
20. I prefer to stay out of the ocean
21. I once played Dorothy in a school production of The Wizard of Oz
22. Coming up with 25 things is harder than you think
23. Maybe 10 or even 15 things would be more reasonable
24.I really enjoyed talking with you, it was so much fun!
Recently James Lowe from Kickacts Magazine sat down with one of the very exciting artists on the scene. The following is a written interview we conducted with the artist.
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and your band and were you can be found at on the web.
You can find me on the wed at @brianpsalms for the twitter on facebook at www.facebook.com/brian.psalms ,and we are working on the website and it will be when finished www.brianpsalms.com but it’s not ready yet.
Who are your musical heroes, influences & why?
Stevie Wonder is my music hero, because his music just hits you in the heart. I love how Jay Z has been able to stay in the game so long even at 40. And there’s more, but I don’t feel like talking about them.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in playing music? Any pitfalls they should avoid?
Just have fun. Music is suppose to be therapeutic, and yes you are suppose to per-fect your craft, but just have fun.
Do you have a greatest gig story you’d like to share?
Actually, my first gig was a big one. I wasn’t sure how the people were going to react to Christian rap, but they went crazy, and I got a lot of compliments on the lyrics. I was performing Still I Stand Remix.
On the same token as the above question. How about a “worse gig” ever story.
Really don’t have any worse gigs yet.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of boobs?
I am an athlete and I love sports. I love football, and basketball.
What do you think about the present music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
I like the present hip hop scene because all the beats sound like their from Down South, and being from Texas that is right up my alley.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear… Like their hobbies or something like that…
I speak in tongues in my prayer life. When I tell people that they always look at me funny unless their from a full gospel church.
Hypothetical situation. You’re stranded on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the girls… Is it Ginger, Mary Ann or Mrs. Howell and why?
I watched the show when I was younger, but can’t quite remember the characters.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
I hope people will give God a little time in their life. All God wants from you is a relationship, so if you can, put a little time out for him.
Pearl jam, Foo Fighters, Accept. They are all hard hitting rock bands with a no bullshit attitude They play “real music”*
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in playing music? Any pitfalls they should avoid?
Don’t give up when you realize that no one gives a shit. There are 7 billion people out there so there will always be some one out there that adores you. You just got to find them. But be patient. *
Do you have a greatest gig story you’d like to share?
We played our first show ever opening for 3 Doors Down at a sold out 3000 capacity venue. That was pretty extreme. My mom didn’t have the guts to see the show lol. :o)*
On the same token as the above question. How about a “worse gig” ever story.
When we played an acoustic set in San Antonio and there was a giant fan on stage that made it impossible to hear each other. I could only follow the vibrations on the floor but at one point I looked over my shoulder and saw that the band wasn’t playing the same song as I was!! Epic fail!!!*
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off I the side of the road? Draw pictures of boobs?
I paint and draw portraits and build guitars. In fact the guitar I play live is home build. *
What do you think about the present music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
I think that the music scene is in bloom in general. It’s just harder to pick the prettiest because there are so many to choose from these days. The audience though should relearn that music is not for free just because there is so much of it! It is still hard work and it’s not getting easier with streaming and file sharing. *
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear… Like their hobbies or something like that…
I have no ideas what their hobbies are. We are all complete strangers to each other! I know that we all eat sleep and shit music 24-7 though :o)*
Hypothetical situation. You’re stranded on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the girls… Is it Ginger, Mary Ann or Mrs. Howell and why?
Mary Ann. I’m a brunette guy*
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
HEY YOUNG PEOPLE! BUY YOUR MUSIC AND HELP YOUR LOCAL BANDS! SPOTIFY AND OTHER STREAMING SERVICES DON’T PAY THE MUSICIANS. YOUR MONEY ENDS UP IN RIHANNAS WALLET IF ANY! *
A member of the new wave band from 1976 to 1986, he plays on their biggest hit, 1980’s “Whip It.”
Alan Myers, the third and most prominent drummer of the band Devo, has died, according to a tweet by drummer and current Devo member Josh Freese. Myers had been battling cancer.
Myers joined Devo in 1976 and left a decade later. He can be heard on the new wave band’s biggest hit, 1980’s “Whip It,” which reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Myers also appears in the song’s iconic video, joining his bandmates in black, sleeveless turtlenecks, and their trademark headgear, where he is shown playing a set of Synare 3 drum synthesizers.
His style of drumming became near legendary thanks to such seminal albums as Devo’s 1978 debut, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! And 1980’s Freedom of Choice as well as the concert movie Devo Live 1980, issued by Target Video in 2005.
Hellllo Kick Acts and thank you so much for having me! My name is Deja Mae, well my name is Deja Mae Howell, but I go by Deja Mae for music. My family and close friends have called me Deja Mae since I was tiny, and no matter what I told them I promoted my band name to be when I was starting out, they would all say “I’m here to see Deja Mae” to the door person. So I stopped being clever and made my regular ol’ name my band name.
Hello Kick Acts! My name is AxelJordan. Musician born, raised and currently living in NYC … Land of Creativity! You can find me online via my website, 
to truly express themselves and get noted for it. Why spend time trying to break that down because it might not be something we personally understand? Instead, I choose to appreciate the music and even the commentators. The judgements are equally as important as the praise. If understood and appreciated, they both lead you in path with the best you. 
One of my favorite TV and cinema characters “Mr. Spock” played by Leonard Nimoy has just tweeted a press release stating he now has the infamous lung disease C.O.P.D. Despite saying he quit smoking over 30 years ago the damage has been done. Just goes to show you that even a Vulcan can’t always heal themselves. It’s a sad day for us Trekkies. His advice to anyone that smokes is simply this…
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and where you can be found online.
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s Island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and your band and were you can be found at on the web.
When we played an acoustic set in San Antonio and there was a giant fan on stage that made it impossible to hear each other. I could only follow the vibrations on the floor but at one point I looked over my shoulder and saw that the band wasn’t playing the same song as I was!! Epic fail!!!*
