A new edgy pop and rock release from Tsunamiz brings a flurry of energy and catchy hooks and rhythms left and right and it's all done with a tasteful and quirky approach that makes it all unique and addictive as well as danceable and quite fun.
The Looney Tunez album is a bit looney indeed but in all the best ways. You find yourself singing along by the last chorus of plenty of these songs and you can just tell how much fun the recordings were to perform for the artist.
There is an outstanding variety on this record and the basis is always this pop undertone whether it rocks more, or bounces more, or even both which plenty actually do.
The record features this almost gungy vocal style packed with memorable melodies and some fun and experimental production here and there that comes right alongside guitar lines that grab at you and keep you right they want you to be.
The songs are colorful, vibrant, excited, honest, and you can't really help shaking your ass in your seat, bopping your head, or jumping around the living room half the time.
You get a lush and full soundscape that has a cool looseness and tons of surprising changes when you least expect it.
The release really lets Tsunamiz shine and showcases some boppy and catchy songwriting with an added edginess.
With such a tasteful release, we wanted to touch base with Tsunamiz to find out where this all came from.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Let's kick things off with the Looney Tunez album . This record has such a great pop rock feel to it. Where did this album come from?
Thanks a lot. Like all of my songs and albums, it’s a mix of influences from artists I appreciate and look up to musically like: The Beatles, Nirvana, Beck, Pixies, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Radiohead, etc. Of course it all goes into my blender and I add it a twist of electronic music and hip-hop aesthetics. It’s pretty much an unconscious and intuitive process. That’s how I like to create. In the end it’s basically music I would like to ear. I suppose it has a punk spirit, pop sensibility and psychedelic and urban electronic vibe to it.
Buzz Slayers: This pretty much sums it up.
To be honest, when I see the term Pop Rock I always associate it with over commercialized bands and artists but I’m starting to come to terms with it. (Laughs) Pop is what we make of it... I also believe that If rock wants to survive it has to ally itself with electronic music and hip-hop culture and I don’t mean it in the same way nu-metal did it or like Machine Gun Kelly’s doing it, his rock material is embarrassing and sounds like Avril Lavigne... Sorry, Avril. (laughs) I’m not a crusader for rock. Rock happens to be one of my many influences. I do what I feel like musically. Hip-Hop is the new rock n’ roll and it’s going through its new wave phase just like punk rock did in the 80’s... It’s a global age, anything can be mixed, and that’s what excites me the most about music. It’s pure freedom and joy.
Buzz Slayers: When did this all start for you?
Since I remember I always danced and mimicked the songs I heard at home, wether it would be on the tv or the radio. I used to run around the house pretending to be Axl Rose, singing Guns N’ Roses songs, so rock was initially a great influence. Then I started getting into Nirvana and that was when I got my first guitar and started learning to play and sing songs.
During the process I began to write my own material and I also got into a lot of alternative rock and my hometown’s musical punk hardcore and nu-metal scene. I formed a band with friends that had all of those influences. We played shows and composed, meanwhile my musical identity kept evolving (and it still is).
Gradually I started to get into a lot of different types of music, from classical to hip-hop and electronic music. By the time I was on my late 20’s I started to produce my own stuff and decided to go solo. I love the musical freedom one has nowadays in terms of musical arrangements, thanks to music production software. There’s no limits!
Buzz Slayers: This record has some great styles! Can you give us some of your top musical influences?
Thanks! I listen to a lot of stuff nowadays, sometimes I don’t even know what I’m listening to... (laughs) I’m influenced by Nirvana’s and Beatles songwriting; The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Beck’s musical freedom.
Radiohead’s, Pixies, and PJ Harvey’s melodic sensibilities...
Hip-hop beats and aesthetics; electronic music as a whole, classical musical, ethnic and traditional music, and many more... I listen to anything I find its good... even songs I dislike have some good elements in it...
Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
As an independent artist, I currently manage my own social media, book my own shows and do the PR stuff to news sites and blogs, so that keeps me pretty busy. I also produce for other artists.
Other than that, I’m a street workout fan, it’s fun and healthy... I’ve been cutting down on the alcohol and drugs... I find it doesn’t work for me anymore. I’m more sharp and productive now. Sobriety is such an underrated luxury, I believe. I’m not preaching against drugs. If it works for you, that’s great!
Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?
I listen to a lot of music from Boiler Room Sessions, KEXP, Colors and CloudKid YouTube’s channel.
I also go back to classical music like Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart.
Also hip-hop like 50 Cent, Dr. Dre and 2 Pac: it always gets me pumped.
I also been listening to Brian Jonestown Massacre (they have such an extended catalog), Molly Nilsson, Boy Harsher, The Supremes, all kinds of stuff...
So much music from the past and present to listen to. So little time...
Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now?
Yeah, I have 5 shows booked until the end of the year in Portugal and Spain. More may come up.
Buzz Slayers: This album feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming bands out there?
People always tell you should appeal to specific niches but I’m of the opinion that true art and good music goes beyond genre. People feel it when it’s real.
This is the music business, but let’s face it: in some regards it lowers the quality of the art form, I believe... Just like when you replace good actors with good looking models... I would say this: work on your technical ability but only as far as your creativity needs you to take it.
Sometimes the simpler the better...
Believe in your vision and work really hard! Whatever you can do by yourself, do it! Don’t wait on others to do it for you. Time is of the essence. Stay true and be original and creative.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
If it all goes well they can expect 1 to 2 albums per year, and lots of touring.
I want to leave my mark.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Without you it wouldn’t make sense or it wouldn’t be sustainable. Thank you so much for the love and support! Let’s ride!