We’ve been waiting. Layne Harper is back with new music. The hip-soul artist with undeniable lyrical ability has teamed with up producers Miami Beat Wave to release a new EP, "Beyond Category 2." Recorded in only six hours, the concept project is a highly anticipated sequel to their initial collaborative release. The poignant, new songs are available for free download at whoislayneharper.com.
It’s been a while since we last caught up with Layne Harper. In advance of his show in New York City on Tuesday, November 11, he gave us an update!
It’s been a year since we last chatted, what’s new?
Feels like since we last had our sit down I’ve been doing show after show, which is great! On November 11th, I will be up in New York performing at SOB’s for BET Music Matters, this is my second show with them so I’m excited about that. Last but not least, I released a free project entitled “Beyond Category 2”, which is available at www.whoislayneharper.com so be sure to go download.
If a user could make a Cameo of anything using your song, what would it be?
Make a video with their family and friends, that’s what matters the most to me. I would like to mention this, I’ve checked out every video where fans added one of my songs to their video and I sincerely thank them for the continued love and support. There was a vast amount of videos I came across and it literally brought tears to my eyes seeing that. Anytime a user @’s me or tags me in the video I get the alert right away, but sometimes I just scroll and find amazing videos which has my song for the Featured Track on the users video. Again I say this, thank you!
How did you get hooked up with Miami Beat Wave?
I had a show at Grand Central in Miami with TDE’s Ab-Soul and Brandan Toledo from Miami Beat Wave; I threw the idea out there to make “Beyond Category 2”. When we first released Beyond Category in 2011 we received an overwhelming response and still to this date the project is rated 5 stars. We wanted to give the fans another EP to hold them over until my album “A Time For Everything” drops.
How did collaborating with Miami Beat Wave add to the track?
We already built the foundation back in 2011 when we first worked together so getting back in the studio to work on “Beyond Category 2” was a no-brainer. We had some special invited guest as well as musicians come through to the studio to make sure the project went in the right direction.
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Danielle Deodath is heading for great things. The 16 year old singer-songwriter has held a musical dream since she was six. In 2013, Danielle was a contestant on The X Factor. After being eliminated, she didn’t let it stop her. Incredibly talented, Danielle writes, produces, and records her own music. Earlier this year, she released her debut single “Don’t Care”. Trust us, keep an eye on this talent.
If you could watch anyone from history’s Cameo, who would it be?
Walt Disney - I feel like Walt would have loved to use Cameo to document anything that came to mind and, based on what he has given the world, I think we all know that his mind dreams up amazing things that can brighten anyone’s day.
Best film score ever?
There’s no doubt in my mind that “Grease” has the greatest film score of all time. There is not a person on this planet that does not dance when a song from that movie comes on. You know you’re thinking of one right now, too.
What will your first Cameo be about?
My first Cameo is a secret that will only be revealed when you follow me and find out what it is ;)
Who are three people that have inspired your music?
Well, the first and foremost person that ever inspired me to do anything is Michael Jackson, so it goes without saying that he has inspired my music because, without him, music wouldn’t even be music. If we’re specifically speaking about my debut single, a group of people have inspired it. My song is about overcoming negativity, and it was written based on my own personal experience from people (whom I will not name) who felt that they needed to take their disappointments and hostility out on me by spreading rumors about me and attacking me on social media sites. However, if it had not been for people that I had met while enduring these painful times, such as Allison, Jillian, Megha, Jordan, Sarah, Libby, Kat, and many others who stood by my side, this song probably would not have been made at all because I would have never received the positivity I needed to rise above all of the noise surrounding me. Those people as well as many more I can’t exactly name right this second (because this would get longer than it already has) have all definitely inspired my music and I am forever grateful for that.
Brightener is the moniker of solo artist Will Sturgeon, a songwriter living in various parts of Southern California. His debut EP, “Make Real Friends”, was written in a small sunny courtyard adjacent to his room at his mom’s house in Palm Springs, CA. Sturgeon spent six months in a post-college haze reading, walking his dog, writing, playing ultimate frisbee, making new friends, and reacquainting himself to the town he grew up in after being away from it for seven years. You can learn more at brightener.org.
Brightener is this week’s Cameo Featured Artist. We caught up with Will to chat about his favorite links on the Internet and ex-girlfriends influencing Brightener songs.
What’s your favorite thing on the internet right now?
I’ve been pretty holed up recording for the past few weeks, but one thing that slipped into my consciousness was a brilliant live recording released by a friend of mine, Huxlee. The song is called “22” and her voice is masterful.
If you could watch anyone from history’s Cameo, who would it be?
Probably Paul McCartney’s from the Beatlemania time. That would be crazy. Alsom what song would he choose??
Favorite things?
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
Best film score ever?
"A Charlie Brown Christmas", by Vince Guaraldi. I listen to that year-round.
Who are three people that have inspired your music?
My three most recent ex-girlfriends.
If your house was burning down, what’s the one thing you would grab?
Ugh….well I got this really sweet Juno 60 synthesizer a few months back, from 1982, but I guess I’d have to grab my computer, since it has my whole new record on it as well as all of the other recordings I’ve ever made. Hoping those 80’s engineers made those Junos flame-proof.
What will your first Cameo be about?
My first child’s birth - I’m gonna Cameo that little twerp’s entire life.
Five Tie City (FTC) is an Orlando-based, hip hop group formed in 2011. The group’s members include Micahel Red (Christopher Rosario), Chabo Reyes (Jason Reyes), and Jazz White (Joshua Beltre). Lead by Chabo, FTC is a collection of creatives coming together with a unified interest in style and art.
We hit Miachel with some questions about musical inspiration and his favorite gadgets. A power Cameo user in his own right, we were excited to hear what he had to say.
What’s your favorite thing (website, link, etc.) on the internet right now?
hotnewhiphop.com keeps me up to date with my favorite artists.
Favorite things?
My favorite thing would have to be between my phone and camera electronics. I like trying out new gadgets.
Best film score ever?
"The Godfather" and "The Dark Knight"
Who are three people that have inspired your music?
Fabolous, Biggie, Kanye, and Lil Wayne from time to time
If your house was burning down, what’s the one thing you would grab?
I would actually grab the closest person to me, but if it had to be a thing, it would be my phone.
What will your first Cameo be about?
My first Cameo would be about making breakfast.
Best concert venue on earth?
The greatest venue is the House of Blues in Downtown Disney (Orlando). It’s an amazing place.
LA duo United Ghosts creates a dizzying sound, mixing hazy guitars with lush synths and boy/girl vocals. While influenced by Kraut-rock, classic psychedelia, and shoegaze, the band is clearly focused on the future. The Cameo featured and standout track “Out of Love” has rightly been described as “effortlessly cool” (Volume Magazine UK). The song has a pulsing synth loop that makes you want to sprint to the nearest dance floor. You can find more of United Ghosts’ music at unitedghosts.com.
We spent a few minutes chatting Axel and Sha from United Ghosts. Their responses are memorable to say the least. Check out the full Q&A below!
What’s your favorite link on the internet right now?
Axel: BBC 6 Music, for their documentaries and top new music shows.
Sha: Lately my favorite thing is avoiding it… ;) I love listening to radio shows that play our music as they usually play other new stuff that I like. Intro with La is a cool chick who interviewed us in London.
If you could watch anyone from history’s Cameo, who would it be?
Axel: Salvadore Dali
Sha: I concur, and Robin Williams.
Favorite things?
Axel: Recording gear, vinyl records, Speaker Bear (a toy bear that plays iTunes out of his belly, got him on tour in Japan), synths, guitars, books, airplanes
Sha: Innovative music apps, rollerblades, video shoots, cities with cool art festivals & good public transportation, wasabi, swiss chard
Best film score ever?
Axel: John Carpenter movies for the amazing vintage synths, especially “Escape from New York.”
Sha: Soundtrack from “Vampyros Lesbos” (“Sexadelic Dance Party” by Manfred Hubler & Sigi Schwab)
Who are three people that have inspired your music?
Axel: It changes a lot, but I always come back to Kevin Shields, Michael Rother (of NEU!, Harmonia), and Bowie in Berlin. And Sha, of course ;)…ok that’s four!
Sha: Brian Eno, my crazy piano teacher Ms. King who had me sit on a real elephant’s foot with a zebra skin cushion while playing Chopin, Axel Steuerwald
If your house was burning down, what’s the one thing you would grab?
Axel: My Fender Stratocaster I’ve had since growing up. I once had to “retrieve” it from a bad dude in London who stole it.
Sha: My kitty, then the Rickenbacker bass. My first keyboard already melted to the floor in a friend’s apartment fire…
What will your first Cameo be about?
Axel: Maybe a dream. I had a cool one recently where I was in Tokyo and I could hop like I was on the moon, but I’d locked myself out of my apartment. I could almost fly but still couldn’t get back in!
Sha: Sailing away in a bathtub on the tsunami.
Best concert venue on earth?
Axel: Alexandra Palace in London. Best ones we’ve played: Troubadour LA, Roxy Prague, Hoxton Bar and Kitchen London, and White Trash Berlin.
Sha: Yep
Tell us about the last video you shot on your phone?
Axel: A huge, beautiful cross spider wrapping up a wasp outside a window in Germany.
Sha: Phantogram and the moon at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
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Kiings are a Milwaukee-based production/DJ duo composed of musical chemists, Sean Foran and Chris Siegel. The group came onto the electronic scene with their debut single “Explain Myself” and the accompanying, viral music video. When not touring, Kiings has been preparing their debut record and unleashing tracks to the world, including a remix of James Vincent McMorrow’s “Cavalier.”
Kiing’s featured track “The Storm” has been on repeat all summer at Cameo HQ. Dreams come true and we caught up with Sean and Chris to chat about musical inspirations and favorite fast food joints.
What’s your favorite link on the internet right now?
Chris: The internet is a constant source of inspiration for me, particularly in discovering new music. One local Milwaukee DJ’s mix show has been on repeat all week — Tarik Moody’s Rhythm Lab Radio.
Sean: Hillydilly.com & old Howard Stern episodes on YouTube.
If you could watch anyone from history’s Cameo, who would it be?
Sean: Malcolm X
Chris: Banksy
Favorite things?
Chris: Diversity, innovation, open-mindedness, peace, love, art, and Checker’s (the fast food chain that is).
Best film score ever?
Sean: “The Godfather” Chris: A toss up between “Superfly”, “Taxi Driver”, “Garden State”, and the newest of the bunch — “Drive”. I must say a lot of people slept on that “Osmosis Jones” soundtrack, though (The St. Lunatics and Solange, man.)
Who are three people that have inspired your music?
Chris: The Clash, James Brown, Pharrell Williams
Sean: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Timbaland
If your house was burning down, what’s the one thing you would grab?
Sean: Jimmy the dog, carrying my laptop on his back.
Chris: There’s a good chance I’d crash through the window with my laptop, external hard drives, and Blue microphone in hand (while hoping my sneaker collection would take note).
What will your first Cameo be about?
Chris: Kiings in the studio making assorted looney tunes.
Sean: Sonics and the nature of the universe.
Best concert venue on earth?
Chris: My favorite concert venue to date is the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee, WI (where the monstrosity of a music festival known as Summerfest occurs). We opened for A-Trak/Dessa last year for and Girl Talk/Robert Delonge this June. On side note, this marble quarry near Verbania, Italy where Clark played would be quite ill.
Tell us about the last video you shot on your phone?
Chris: Graffiti sightings in Brooklyn.
2014 has been a good year for Nashville rock and roll group The Wans. Their new album "He Said, She Said" was released today. Produced by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons, Jason Isbell) and mixed by Vance Powell (Jack White, Arctic Monkeys), the albums channels both the classic rock of Led Zeppelin and the grunge of ’90s bands like Soundgarden, but with a modern twist. Constantly in motion, The Wans have a fall tour in the works, with a special stop at Austin City Limits. Learn and listen more at thewansmusic.com.
To get more familiar, we chatted with Simon from The Wans about awkward situations and musical inspirations. Check out the Q&A!
What’s your favorite link on the internet right now?
I’d have to say the ALS fail videos on YouTube are pretty amazing.
We spend a lot of time in the van, so we’re constantly finding the most ridiculous meme’s. It keeps us pretty entertained. Also we were watching Jurassic Park in our van and started looking up Jeff Goldblum on YouTube and stumbled upon this video of his laugh. We now laugh like Jeff Goldblum whenever we get in awkward situations. This is a 10 minute video of Jeff Goldblum laughing. Enjoy.
If you could watch anyone from history’s Cameo, who would it be?
I’d like to see a Cameo video by Nick Cave. That guy is one of the most interesting people in the world. Next to the Dos Equis’ World’s Most Interesting Man, of course.
Favorite things?
Gin and tonics (it’s what we drink to be productive in the studio. Sometimes it works… sometimes it doesn’t), Vintage guitars, Vinyl records
Best film score ever?
Probably “Rushmore.” We were watching that in the van and I forgot how amazing that soundtrack is.
Who are three people that have inspired your music?
Joe Strummer, Leonard Cohen, John Lennon
If your house was burning down, what’s the one thing you would grab?
My dog Lola, but if she was outside, it would be my 1963 Fender Jaguar.
What will your first Cameo be about?
It’ll probably be at our next show at Austin City Limits Music Festival. We usually take shots of the crowd before we play and get them to interact with us.
Best concert venue on earth?
Hands down the Ryman in Nashville. The acoustics there are the best I’ve ever heard. It’s also our dream to play there at some point.
Tell us about the last video you shot on your phone?
The last video I shot on my phone was side stage at Forecastle Festival watching Beck perform. It was a mind-blowing show and we were literally within arm’s reach.
Fleurs’ music fits perfectly between dreamy shoegaze and synth-laden pop. The Echo Park group formed only a year ago, but they have already carved out a name for themselves in the LA music scene. Their single and Cameo featured track "In My Head" very well could be the jam of 2014. Keeping the momentum rolling, the band is busy putting together a second EP for their label Gold Format Recordings. You can find more of their music here.
We checked in with Jack and Simon from Fleurs and asked some hot-button questions.
What’s your favorite thing on the internet right now?
Jack: I wanted to show Simon The Rutles - a group of British actors who created a Beatles mockumentary. They re-wrote all the well known songs and only slightly changed the chords and melody. It’s brilliant.
If you could watch anyone from history’s Cameo, who would it be?
Simon: Andrew Warhol
Jack: Jesus, duh
Favorite things?
Jack: Floral and orchestral arrangements. Cloud formations.
Simon: Coffee, beer, having a laugh, making musique. In that order.
Best film score ever?
Jack: Anything by John Williams. But Max Steiner’s “Gone with the Wind” score is very good as well.
Simon: “The Little Mermaid”
Who are three people that have inspired your music?
Jack: I feel very inspired by Igor Stravinsky and Chris Martin. But Sarah Harmer taught me to write.
Simon: Always changing, but recently: Melody Prochet, Trish Keenan, and Bradford Cox.
If your house was burning down, what’s the one thing you would grab?
Jack: This has actually happened to me - I grabbed my cat.
Simon: A pair of shoes so my feet wouldn’t get dirty outside, yuck…
What will your first Cameo be about?
Jack: Clouds
Simon: Accidental footage of me trying to use Cameo.
Best concert venue on earth?
Jack: I imagine it to be beneath the Aurora lights.
Simon: Red Rocks or the George Lopez show?
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We cannot get enough of Swear and Shake’s big hook americana. Lead singers Adam McHeffey (guitar, banjo) and Kari Spieler (guitar) met on the campus of SUNY Purchase College. Shaun Savage (bass) and Ben Goldstein (drums) later joined the group, and Swear and Shake started gaining momentum, recording their first EP. In the summer of 2011, Swear and Shake began creating Maple Ridge, named after the barn in which it was recorded. Produced by Ben, the album was released the following summer. The “Folksy, foot-stomping rock” album (The New York Times) has garnered positive reviews from Teen Vogue to Time Out New York.
Swear and Shake has been keeping busy - recently sharing the stage with acts including The Lumineers, G. Love & Special Sauce, and performing at Governors Ball. The band is currently touring in support of a new EP, Ain’t That Lovin’.
Cameo features three, incredible Swear and Shake songs. We had the chance to catch up with the band while they are touring across the East Coast. All four members jumped in and discussed musical inspiration and what can be found in their camera roll. Find more of Swear and Shake’s music here.
What’s your favorite thing (website, link, etc.) on the internet right now?
Kari: This video of Joaquin Phoenix’s forehead.
If you could watch anyone from history’s Cameo, who would it be?
Ben: Roberto Bolaño
Favorite things?
Shaun: THESE are a few of my favorite things.
Best film score ever?
Adam: Man, I love the score for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, written by Jon Brion.
Who are three people that have inspired your music?
Kari: Three people that inspired my music are Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Fiona Apple, and also this woman who fronted a country band at a dude ranch I stayed at when I was a kid. She was so incredible.
If your house was burning down, what’s the one thing you would grab?
Ben: My cats, Mikey and Louie. Do Mikey and Louie count as “one thing?” They better.
What will your first Cameo be about?
Adam: The best videos I take are never planned! But so many fun things happen on tour. I love the new slow motion function on the iPhone so I will definitely utilize that.
Best concert venue on earth?
Shaun: Red Rocks Amphitheater seems like a dream. It’s always been on my to-do list to play there and I just caught my first concert there not long ago. It’s such a beautiful place tucked into the mountains of Colorado, the atmosphere is so inspiring.
Tell us about the last video shot on your phone:
Adam: I’m making a lyric video for our new song “Good As Gone.” I shot a bunch of footage from the drivers perspective with my phone on the dashboard. I’m going to overlay some text and put it online soon.
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This weekend, Cameo dares you to create a 6x6 format video. Inspired by Vimeo’s classic 5x5 Weekend Challenge, the 6x6 concept is simple: six clips, each six seconds long. Nothing more, nothing less. The constraints will help facilitate selective creative decisions and the theme of your video can be literally anything. Be creative!
To enter the challenge: share your 6x6 video with the hashtag #CameoDare by Tuesday, August 19. And that’s it! One lucky/skilled video creator will win a free Vimeo Plus account for one year! If you’re already a Plus member, you’ll get another year.
Get creating!
