Freedom to Grow: an interview with capernum

From the initial spark of self-discovery during walks in nature to the culmination of self-acceptance woven into each track, Capernum shares the profound narrative thread that binds the album together. Delving into standout tracks like 'Farewell My Friend' and 'Underbrush,' we uncover the depth of emotion and storytelling that underscore their production, offering insights into the bittersweet farewells and enchanting entrances that define the album's essence.

INTERVIEW

Your debut album, "Forest of Fairytales," offers a rich emotional journey. Can you share the inspiration behind the album and how your personal experiences influenced its creation?

That’s a cool way to put it. That album has a special place in my heart because it was my first full body of work that I felt proud of after making music for years. I started working on it in March of 2021.

Around that time, I started going on walks through a path in my neighborhood, and one time I realized I hadn’t looked more closely into nature since I was a child. I took a picture of a small carved-out hill that stood above the rest of the ground and I stared at that picture daily for a while. The album sort of spiraled out from the idea that self-acceptance

is an actual place you have to journey to.

The forest became the ideation of that very thought. Track 1 starts with a story of self loathing and incapability, to the final track where I finally felt capable and able to love who I was as a person. I feel like as I made the album, I slowly discovered who I was and began to love myself wholeheartedly. As far as music that inspired it.

As far as sonic influences go, I would have to say folk music, Glaive’s earlier work and Quadeca.

"Farwell My Friend" and "Underbrush" are standout tracks from your album. What emotions or stories were you aiming to convey with these particular songs, and how did you approach their production?

Farewell My Friend was actually the last song I started for the album.

I felt like it needed to be a much more minimal singer-songwriter cut to really make it personal. A lot of people thought it was about saying goodbye to a friend, but I really wrote it about saying goodbye to who I was.

I was just about to head to college, and felt like I needed to cut out a lot of my bad tendencies to really move onto the next stage of my life. It’s a song about saying thanks to who you were and how far you’ve come, but it’s time for a change.

It’s a really bittersweet goodbye that also works in the context of the album which I found really beautiful.

As for Underbrush, the three songs before it are supposed to be kind of a prologue in that they occur before the start of the journey to self acceptance. Underbrush is meant to signify the entrance into the woods. It’s supposed to feel magical and almost legendary in a sense.

For the production, I did a studio session with one of my high school friends. The intro guitar was recorded on voice memos to get the cicada sounds which gave it a really raw feeling and connected it back to the theme.

We thought that adding dreamy, bouncy production with the soft folky guitar gives it a sort of simple, yet otherworldly feel. I think it really fits that sparkly fairy vibe.

If I could go back, I think I’d redo the vocals on that song, but I digress.

As a new artist, how would you describe your signature sound, and what elements do you believe set your music apart in the current music landscape?

I think for my music personally it’s really hard to box into one genre. I’ve tried glaive type hyperpop stuff, folk, synthwave, indie and just straight up weird experimental music. Especially on FOF, it varies pretty frequently. I think the most signature aspect of my music is my voice. It tends to be a little weird and different from a lot of artists I’ve heard. I’m still trying a ton of new stuff, I pretty much just make whatever I’m feeling at the moment.

I think what sets my music apart is my ability to piece together worlds through lyrics and soundscapes. Even with differing genres, I can make a project sound cohesive. I love to tell stories, it’s so much fun. Pretty much all of my songs tell stories or stick to a certain concept, some more simple than others.

The themes of loss, hurt, self-reflection, and conflicting desires are prominent in your work. How do you navigate translating these complex emotions into your music, both lyrically and sonically?

I think for lyrics it really comes down to just being as vulnerable as possible. All of those emotions are things I’ve really gone through. I’ve lost a lot, I’ve been really hurt and I’ve come a long way in my personal life. I really like being super authentic with my delivery and just letting my thoughts come out in their purest form.

I love to write, and I’ve never really been a freestyler, but I treat the lyrics very delicately in that I don’t force anything that doesn’t work. I keep trying until I find the best inflections to show how I’m really feeling.

With production, I think the translation of emotions comes down a lot to sound choices that evoke certain feelings and also knowing when to make a maximal versus a minimal sounding part. Sometimes the most minimal areas allow for the emotions and vocals to really come through.

That’s something that I really like doing, and doing really really soft simple songs has been a cool thing for me recently.

"Forest of Fairytales" suggests a thematic connection between nature and storytelling. Can you delve into the significance of this connection in the context of your album and overall artistic vision?

In question 1, I kinda went over this, but I’ll go more into the abstract ideas I’ve had about this. Nature feels very open and freeing, and there’s so many stories being told just within wildlife. Animals trying to survive and bees pollinating plants.

It’s all very beautiful to me.

The openness really is fitting for the idea of self-acceptance. Self-acceptance is really just the mind being open enough to love yourself through any and all of the mistakes you make.

Nature is going to continue to play a pretty strong role in much more of my music to come. The possibilities with concepts and imagery in nature are endless really.

Your ability to vocally express intense emotions is a notable aspect of your music. How do you approach the balance between vulnerability and strength in your vocal delivery?

Vocals are something that is so cool to me. That’s where I really got my start with music. I’ve always been a vocalist, but adding production elements is something I didn’t start until a year before the album.

I like approaching the balance like anything, I think there really should be a good mix of vocal intensity on an album, depending on what you’re going for obviously. In my music, I really like to go more intense on vocals when feelings are even more heightened. I like to dramatize things a lot. And when a song feels like it needs to be more soft and visceral I like to really commit.

Vulnerability is something I really relate to more with a softer delivery. It feels quiet and heartfelt. I like strength when it comes to more catchy earworm songs. However, they should still have some pauses in their intensity at points to make the highs feel higher.

Overall, vocals are still something I’m constantly working on and trying to improve, so I think I’ll continue to get better at facing that balance.

Are there specific artists, genres, or even non-musical influences that have played a significant role in shaping your artistic style and approach to music?

Definitely. My biggest artist inspirations when I started were Juice WRLD and Convolk.

Rip Juice.

Now I would say my biggest inspirations are Bon Iver, Quadeca, Jane Remover, Underscores, Quedronol, The Microphones, Patrick O’Neill, and Brakence. A lot of these artists are exploring sounds I’ve always wanted to try out, and I think elements of their music are going to show up in my new stuff in a lot of cool ways.

I can pick songs from all of these artists’ recent bodies of work that are influencing specific songs I’m working on. Genre influences for me right now are really mainly folk, grunge, rock and experimental stuff in general. I definitely need to branch out more. For non musical influences, a lot of it comes from photography accounts I see on twitter, they inspire me quite a bit and help me to brainstorm visuals for my music.

I love the album movie for “I Didn't Mean To Haunt You”. It gave me some really interesting ideas for visuals. A lot of anime’s are also pretty influential for my style. “Mob Psycho” is a great example of a really visually stunning world that tells a really beautiful story.

I’d say places and atmospheres are probably my biggest inspiration right now though. I like emulating feelings of being somewhere while you aren’t. It’s cool for world building.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for 2024, both in terms of musical exploration and any potential new projects on the horizon?

I have so many goals for 2024. A few years ago, I made a lot of metric based goals, and slowly I’ve moved away from that.

Numbers are my last priority, while making art that I can be proud of is #1. I think my goal is to drop more music next year. This year I only dropped four songs, albeit one of them took me 6 months to perfect.

As of right now, there will be a new song in January called “Quilt”, and it’s a really soft, super short little winter themed acoustic song.

Really proud of it, and I’m excited to kick the year off strong. I’m hoping to drop a single like every other month at least for the rest of the year. So after “Quilt”, expect another song in February! I think I want to go back to some of the sounds I’ve explored before that are more poppy for sure, and I’m interested in exploring grunge which I’ve never really dabbled in.

As far as new projects go, I just started working on my second album. I’m excited to see where it goes, but I can’t really say too much other than it blows anything I’ve worked on out of the water. Depending on how long it takes, there might be an EP or two before it.

Super stoked for the album and its world.

In your creative process, do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into the right mindset for writing, producing, or recording music?

My favorite ritual for when I really want to feel the song is turning all the lights off in my room and recording with just light from my computer screen. It helps me fill in creative gaps because the dark helps me to visualize and feel things that aren’t there more closely.

I also really like making a song and then lying down and closing my eyes to see how it feels to really zone into the song. When I’m immersed, that’s how I know I’ve made something special.

I also work best from 12 am to 4 am so staying up late has sort of become a habit for me.

As your audience grows, what message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from your music, especially those who are encountering your work for the first time?

I think it’s super cool to see my growth since I first started. Even back then, I had people say that my music made them feel things that they hadn’t felt, or that my vulnerability was comforting. Some people say they just enjoy the music.

One thing I really want listener’s to get out of my music is an escape and the feelings that I try to portray. I also want to show people that anyone can make art. It doesn’t matter how many people it reaches, or how good it is.

We have so much freedom to express ourselves but some people choose not to. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just that if it’s something you’re interested in, what’s holding you back from trying something new?

Making art has shaped who I am as a person, and I’m so grateful that it’s such an accessible thing now. 

~

STREAM CAPERNUM

Introducing Mekhi Fayson and His Captivating Album "Coastlands"

With a fusion of genres and thought-provoking storytelling, Mekhi takes listeners on an enthralling journey through his personal experiences and heartfelt emotions. In this interview, we have the privilege of gaining profound insights into the creative process and inspiration behind "Coastlands." Mekhi shares how themes of true identity, self-discovery, and heartbreak guided the album's creation, resulting in a rich tapestry of introspective lyrics and captivating narratives that resonate deeply with listeners.

Within the album, Mekhi introduces a meticulously crafted fantasy world, where characters and their intricate emotions come to life. Drawing inspiration from influential films such as "ATL" and "Boyz N the Hood," Mekhi infuses intention into every aspect of these characters' physical presence, lending an added layer of depth to their stories. "Coastlands" is a reflection of Mekhi's personal journey, shaped by poignant experiences that have left an indelible mark on the album's lyrics and overall narrative. The songs serve as a means for Mekhi to navigate his own path, offering listeners an intimate connection to his profound self-exploration.

Mekhi highlights the profound impact our actions have on shaping the paths of others, emphasizing that even the smallest gesture can create a ripple effect. The characters within the album embody the diverse causes and effects that shape their lives, offering a poignant reflection of the interconnected nature of humanity. "Coastlands" stands as a significant milestone in Mekhi Fayson's artistic journey, showcasing his growth and maturity as an artist. It serves as a testament to his lifelong dedication to crafting a musical legacy that resonates deeply with listeners. Read out full interview with Mekhi below.

What inspired you to create "coastlands" and explore the genre-blending concept?

what inspired me to make coastlands was my teenage years. I had been through a lot of different shifts, moved different states, and explored many different experiences. I felt like at some point in my adult years I’d have to address those things. whether it was me isolating & doing shadow work to heal, or use the fuel to create art. I did both however, releasing it in a musical format helps tell the story to the masses.

Can you elaborate on the fantasy world you have built within the album? How did you develop the characters and their emotions?

Saqid Nasty & Mekhi Fayson. Two polar opposites of self. Sadiq values his own selfishness then anything. he’s hard to read and physically doesn’t show much much emotion. Mekhi is the more vulnerable and doesn’t lack emotional intelligence. When it was time to develop the characters into an actual physical concept, I took to my inspirational films. “ATL” & “Boyz N the Hood”. Everything had intent. From the shoes, location & attitude towards the environment. The story isn’t finish yet, I still have more things in plan.

How did the themes of true identity, self-discovery, and heartbreak influence the creation of this project? I felt like a lot of the times I was searching for myself throughout this process of the album. I’m half Puerto Rican and black, a lot of my ancestors aren’t alive to this day, I don’t have any trace back of my linage at all. It discouraged me a lot because i felt like I had nothing to go back to. it made me depressed. At times I’d even lose myself inside relationships, not realizing when I didn’t have much identity it would be come a big influence on my love for the person. but once they leave me I am left with myself searching again. It had come to ahead when I realize that I am the person to recreate that linage in some form or way. wether it’s creating a musical legacy or pull a bob Marley and have a bunch of kids across the world.

Could you share any personal experiences or stories that shaped the lyrics and overall narrative of the album?

Well… R33 is a pretty cool example lol. when I lived in la, I had got blessed and come up on some money. I’ve wanted a Beamer for the last few years so I went to Craigslist to get it. found the perfect one, cheap and all. I don’t know if I was flexing it or I had evil on me or some but I’d get toed, crashed in it, broke down, and toed again before I could get a chance to say good bye. I say “you just wanna take me out .. do that on my own, had the E38 bitch..” I actually I had control of my own destiny no matter who was jealous of my car.

How did you approach the transition from trivial issues in one song to more philosophical themes in the next? Can you provide examples?

I think it was based on the time of my life when I was making these songs. I made Aksumite when I made back home from la and named it a year later. I didn’t know what the song meant when I wrote and recorded the demo months before. same with Catch up. I never truly realize how heavy or how much the song has an effect on me until months later. so really it’s just whatever happen at that point in time of my life, a say came after grieving those things that happen. So it can take a lot of time for those existential moments to settle in.

What message were you aiming to convey with the idea that there is more to discover beyond water, trees, and existing?

that there is more. more then we see. I’m not gonna say I’m some spiritual teacher or guide… but Ive had a lot of spiritual experiences in life and knowing that it is more. one day I had a thought.. trees maybe the only living thing on the planet that’s eternal. they have lived many times before us. who’s to stay they weren’t a young women in the past life? these things we have on earth are merely just experiences, however when we cross dimensions were meeting long lines of universes we can’t even comprehend.

How do you believe the album reflects the concept of human existence and our connection to cause and effect?

I don’t know what law of physics that is but.. we all change each others path. I realized that no matter how small the cause is…. there will always be an effect. it’s like a ripple in the universe. however tho, this album also shows the experiences me and the features may have shared. Ocean/Summer interlude is a great way of this. It’s a young lady not really sure of big the ocean is, knowing the a ship is her dependency and the ocean is on fire, what if she is left to fend for her well-being on this boat.. so it’s important to say this album conveys many different causes and effects on the people within the story and displays them through the characters.

Were there any specific musical or artistic influences that played a significant role in shaping the sound and style of "coastlands"?

The musical & artistic influences I went with weren’t specific. I listen to a wide range of music. I love radiohead, so I can see the influence on “Traffic” or “Checking in.” I’m also a big fan hip hop fan, so Griselda a bit on “Obsidian” & “R33.” I love 90s R&B, specifically SWV & Aaliyah so you can maybe hear that on “Catch up” or “ Double Vision.” I don’t always listen to things for the influence, it’s just whatever I’m listening to at the time… it may come on the mic.

Can you talk about the creative process behind each track on the album? How did you decide on the order of the songs?

Each track was a different process but evidently the same. When I was la, I was a songwriter for a bit so I’d always create demos to shop around. “Catch up” was a demo at first & developed to a first, then a feature overtime. So I decided to just make demos to these beats and sit with the ideas, so how long they stuck and which ones left. I would also play some of the demo tracks at early shows to see how the crowd responded & go from there to develop the track even more. So it was just a demo by demo process for me.

Did you face any challenges or obstacles while creating "coastlands"? How did you overcome them?

One of many obstacles I faced was constantly moving. Not having a great place to settle. For like two years I was kinda moving from place to place. Staying with a homie cause I may be homeless or just the people I’d stay with didn’t want me there. It affected me a lot and my process of making this album. I had some money, not a lot. I worked two jobs also. I was working every day for like 6 months and I was still making demos but didn’t have time to develop them. It took me time to get a stable spot in condition and nice place to record. Once that happen, it became much better to finish the album.

How do you envision listeners connecting with the emotions and storytelling within the album?

I want the listener to dream when listening to this. Wolf by Tyler the creator made me do that. Creating a story & expanding my imagination. It’s a way to keep in touch with my inner child. When I found out about the Wolf Story line, I didn’t have many friends at the time to talk about it with. I wanna build a community and allow those people further this story line. It doesn’t just start within this album, it goes all the back to my catalog.

Can you discuss any favorite moments or highlights from the production of "coastlands"?

haha no lie my favorite moment on the production side on this album is… See Me. Some people don’t know but I’m singing in the beginning in such a high falsetto that it blends into the melody of the beat. It’s something me and my boy Kyle (executive producer) geek over. Another personal favorite is Ocean/Summer. I produced both of those tracks.

Are there any particular lyrics or lines in the album that hold special meaning to you? If so, can you share the story behind them?

On Traffic I say “living, living like they out to get me man.” I use to be super paranoid because of my teenage years, some days I think I grow out of it then boom. So I think that’s just permanently me forever haha. It’s all good tho, gotta stay on Ps & Qs.

How do you see "coastlands" fitting into your overall artistic journey and evolution as an artist?

I actually told my homies Kyle, Jeron & Josh it took me my whole life to write this record. So I see it as a great introduction into the rest of my musical career and a great album to listen to me at my most mature stage. I still have some growing to do of course.

What do you hope listeners take away from the experience of listening to "coastlands"?

That you can be whoever you want in this world. This is your life. It’s always been that way. Never allow anyone to dictate your experiences as bad or not the way to live. Living is so dynamic and we can only control our responses to those things. Be kind to yourself. Love is in everything we see and touch. So be there ready to recognize it

ImYoung: The Inspiration and Sound of #Inception

In this exclusive interview, we dive into the creative mind of ImYoung, an underground musical artist who is making waves in the industry with his latest EP, "Inception." ImYoung takes us on a journey, sharing the inspiration behind the project, the evolution of his music, and the unique sound that sets it apart from his previous releases.

"Inception" is a rock project that draws inspiration from ImYoung's early roots in music, channeling the energy of the 80s rock sound and the iconic band Green Day. With the EP, ImYoung aims to break free from the mundane and inspire listeners to seize their dreams, offering a much-needed escape from everyday life.

Can you provide us with more details about the inspiration behind your EP, #Inception? Were there any specific experiences or influences that shaped the project?

Inception was originally a full on rage project - which got cut down to four songs, due to the project coming up early next year. Inception is basically a project to release the listener from everyday life and motivate him or her as much as possible.

How would you describe the overall sound and style of this project, and how does it differ from your previous releases? Are there any specific musical genres or artists that inspired the sound?

The project is straight up a rock project inspired by my early roots when entering music. Inspired by the 80´s and the infamous band green day!

Walk us through the creative process behind the EP. Did you have a clear vision for the project from the beginning, or did it evolve and take shape over time? Were there any unexpected twists or turns along the way?

The vision for the project was always clear - we wanted to make something that was going to make the people move and create a drive. Showcased the EP in Norway earlier this year and it was amazing. 300 people jumping in mosh-it's which was definitely crazy.

Each song on #Inception carries its own unique vibe and message. Can you provide us with a deeper understanding of the meaning and themes behind each track? Are there any personal stories or experiences that influenced the lyrics?

#Inception carries songs that creates a world for the listener- the message we wanted to forward was to go and get it. Focus on whatever you are doing - if it's going to school or launching your brand.

Collaborating with P-Flow on one of the songs is an exciting feature of the EP. How did the collaboration come about? Can you share any interesting stories from the recording process, and what made P-Flow the perfect fit for this particular track?

Me and Flowman have been locked in for some time now and after he invited me to warm up for him in Oslo, Norway I invited him over to London to cook up. We all combined have almost 10 demos but when this track came along I knew it was the perfect fit for the project. Always big love to my brother for putting me on!

Among the four songs on #Inception, is there one that holds a particularly special meaning to you? If so, can you elaborate on why it resonates with you on a deeper level?

I love this project just cause it simply projects something completely different than the earlier projects. I have no favourite song in particular, I love all the songs equally haha.

As an artist, how do you feel your music has evolved or grown since your last release? Are there any specific lessons or experiences that have contributed to your artistic development?

Definitely the fact that this last year I have been way more tapped inn with the production side of things. Started to get back on my beats so that definitely reflects on the project.

#Inception carries a range of emotions and messages. What message or emotions do you hope listeners will take away from experiencing this EP? Is there a particular reaction or connection you aim to evoke?

My main message for this project is that life to precious to care about everything all the time - sometimes you just have to focus on yourself and what you need to do.

Did you experiment with any new musical elements or techniques on this project? How did you incorporate them into your signature style, and what impact do they have on the overall sound of the EP?

For this project it was more of returning back to known waters and building on the rock sound even more. Proud of everyone involved - super proud of the outcome in total.

Balancing artistic vision with commercial appeal can be a challenge. How do you navigate this balance in your music, ensuring you stay true to your own creative instincts while also appealing to a wider audience?

Definitely something you always try to think off when releasing and building your brand - this time around we went with a different sound, that was recived surprisingly well by the people.

The release date of October 6th, 2023, holds significance for #Inception. Can you discuss why you chose this date and how it relates to the overall concept or themes of the EP?

No specific meaning by the drop date, the project was originally meant to drop the 29th of September but we had to push it back due to clearance of the samples.

Are there any specific goals or milestones you hope to achieve with this EP? Whether it's reaching a certain number of streams or connecting with a particular audience, what are your aspirations for this project?

Definitely something that stood out for us was how the people recived the new rock sound - which was very inspirational.

Once the EP is released, how do you plan to promote and share it with your fans and new listeners? Are there any innovative strategies or platforms you'll be utilizing to get the word out about #Inception?

We have released this project focusing on the core fanbase and applied a lot of pressure when it comes to promoting on TikTok etc..

Looking ahead, what can we expect from you in the future? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're excited about and would like to share with your fans?

The 6 of November we have new release coming up with a very talented singer, which we are very excited about. More music and more shows coming up!

Finally, as an underground musical artist, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are looking to make their mark in the industry? Are there any key lessons or insights you've gained from your own journey that you would like to pass on?

Always been a big fan of supporting my fans and also to focus on what you need to get done. Music can be a hard industry to be in, but as any other thing in life you have to lock in and go get it.In addition to this I want to say big ups to Nefarious Supply for always showing love and letting us come on here and speak about the project! Big love as always<3