I wanted it to feel like acceptance. Saying acceptance makes it feel a bit stiff, when really the vibe is like, f*** yeah everybody, hell yeah, and if you can’t get down with this, f*** off...

Obviously, it is much easier to keep in touch, exchange files and information. But nothing compares to the real organic work. That’s where the magic begins and it’s impossible to achieve it through the synthetic connection. Especially when the music is spontaneous and interactive...
The role that labels used to play pre-internet adoption had much more to do with building up an artist, and getting them to where they need to be to become superstars. Today, the artist builds themselves up on their own...
You thought we were done with just astrxl.awards this year? Nah we had to step that s*** up...
You enter this wormhole, the room disappears and you're thrown into a bunch of patterns, and stuff like that. There wasn't a lot of color...
I knew that Jeff Rosenstock was going to have a good opener for his tour, so I decided to show up right as the doors opened. Small Crush was first to take stage...
The stage background was a sight to behold, being an American flag with the stripes changed with rainbow colors representing the pride flag. Where the stars would be, they were replaced with the numbers 666 and a ring of weed leaves...
Nearly every Thursday night, we would park our cars at Comps and have a listening party for which ever rap album we chose to listen to when the clock struck midnight...
I don't know how I've gone this long without seeing Kendrick or Keem. I was supposed to photograph one of their shows back in Vancouver in 2022...
RANDOM

Center stage were several instruments, including guitars, keyboards, synths, sequencers, and much more. Seamlessly, FKJ flowed between all of these inputs, performing in a unique/multi-faceted set.

I took inspiration from the somewhat schizophrenic yet entertaining behavior of a few cats I've owned who purr for attention and then sink their teeth into you without reason or warning.

I started out making hip-hop beats and sing a lullaby songs on those beats in my bedroom from 1999 to 2001 - I would say I am one of the first to make music in my bedroom...

With any record I make, I am usually just trying to capture a vibe that's a mix of memories, unaddressed problems in my head, things that I like and then me trying to present them in an unusual way...

The idea of protector, the album, to me, is sort of about. Caring and love. So the message is that everyone is a protector, and should strive to be, and to protect the people they care about and be protected in turn...

'Blue Rev,' combined shoegaze + indie pop aesthetics to create a masterpiece of an album. On Rate Your Music, the album is currently ranked 8th for all releases in 2022, 'Belinda Says,' was Pitchfork's (2022) song of the year, and the band garnered praise from critics and audiences alike...

Yeah, I converted three years ago. My grandfather converted in prison during his 44 year stint. It kinda just trickled down for me...

Everything needs to make sense together. It's easy to create music that is overbearing when you have six instruments on stage. You have to make sure every single one of them is playing something that is contributing without smothering...

Mike Dean, the self-proclaimed 'synth goat,' is the producer behind some of the most impactful projects released in recent popular culture. His short list of credits includes Kid Cudi, Kanye, Travis Scott, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, and hundreds of others...