Author Archives: Chanhong Luu

Get to Know the Artist: Ryan Hobler

by Chanhong Luu on

This week’s featured artist is Ryan Hobler. In one of the more entertaining interviews we have done with an artist, Hobler refuses to characterize his music into a stock genre. “Ultimately, I just want to be categorized under ‘Good Music,’” Hobler said. “If you’re the type of person who knows how to relish in a quiet moment of a crazy day, or if you’re the type of person who wants to know how to relish in a quiet moment of a crazy day, then you should definitely check out my music.” If you’re that type of person, then check out Hobler’s latest single “The Day We Last Spoke” from his latest album The Elusive Yes and continue reading to learn more about an artist who exemplifies Gadfly’s mission by encouraging listeners to think “critically about themselves and the world around them.”

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Get to Know the Artist: Husband

by Chanhong Luu on

Meet Michael Paolino aka Husband, a rock-n-roll artist from down under. Paolino has been entertaining his whole life but just recently released his debut album, The Money, on January 23. For Paolino, music is a way for him to challenge society’s norms—“I think our environment and culture is becoming increasingly unnatural,” Paolino said. “Music is my way of sharing my frustrations and wonderment about the world around me.”

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A Leading Man, John Cho, and Selfie

by Chanhong Luu on

GQ Qi (Jack Yang) is a talented and handsome actor who can’t seem to get a break. That is until he lands a coveted role on a television sitcom. The only problem—the role is for a character named Kung Pao, a Chinese foreign exchange student. Not only is his name offensive but also the lines and mannerisms assigned to him. Fed up with the blatant stereotyping, GQ foils a plan to expose the executive producer of the show, Mitch Lebowitz (Bruno Oliver). He enlists the help of a production assistant, Kelvin Kim (Raymond Lee), but once again GQ can’t catch a break because the role is so coveted that Kim turns against GQ for an opportunity to replace him as the star.

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Get to Know the Artist: Sunshine Riot

by Chanhong Luu on

This week’s featured artist is rock and roll band, Sunshine Riot, composed of singer/guitarist Jonny Orton, bassist Jeff Sullivan, lead guitarist Mark Tereault, and drummer Chris Alvardo. In an age where electronic-pop has emerged, Sunshine Riot’s music embodies classic rock and roll. The band also enjoys living the rock and roll life from the “shitty motel rooms” to meals at gas stations. Their sophomore album, Black Coffee Sigh, will be released on January 13. Check out “This Is A Raid,” a song from the album here and continue reading to learn more about Sunshine Riot!

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Get to Know the Artist: Kai Altair

by Chanhong Luu on

Atmospheric electronic rock artist Kai Altair offers an insightful opinion in her interview with Gadfly Online: “All genres of music are beginning to fuse as the world comes together in global connection. The music I am creating is a product of a planet in communication.” In addition to creating a product of planet in communication, Altair wants her music to “communicate that which cannot be spoken in words alone.” Her new album, Dreamwalker, is set for release in February of 2015. The album “explores themes like lucid dreaming, time travel, metamorphosis, and sacred bliss all with the goal of conjuring alternate realities and transporting audiences to a dreamlike place.” Continue reading to gain some more insight on Altair’s philosophies and beliefs and take a listen to one of her latest singles, “Shadows Dance,” here.

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Get to Know the Artist: Michael Persall

by Chanhong Luu on

Michael Persall is finally following his dream of making of music for a living after realizing just how delicate life could be when his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer his senior year of high school. He has an EP out right now titled This and That, but this is not his first attempt of following his dream. While publicized as his debut EP, This and That is actually his second EP. “I removed the first one from the Internet because well, it just wasn’t good at all,” Persall said. In am industry-dominated world, not many artists would dare doing what Persall did for the sake of excellence. Continue reading to learn what else Persall does in order to create quality music and check out one of his singles from This and That, “Twice.”

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Get to Know the Artist: Every Flavor Weather Machine

by Chanhong Luu on

When you hear or read the words, “Every Flavor Weather Machine,” you don’t immediately think of music, but that’s precisely what Every Flavor Weather Machine is. The band is an octet, something you don’t see very often in today’s popular music. They use a bassist, trombonist, drummer, trumpeter, saxophonist, percussionist, vocalist, and keyboarder to create the many flavors in their music. The flavors that the band offers include funk, soul, blues, gospel, and rock and roll. Some of these flavors or songs have meaning, and some just make you want to dance, according to front man and songwriter, Ben Anshutz (keyboards/vocals). Read more of Gadfly Online’s interview with Anshutz to learn how the band got their name and more, and be sure to check out EFWM’s latest single, “Do What I Can,” here.

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Get to Know the Artist: Lion’s Mouth

by Chanhong Luu on

“We have never heard the same comparison more than once, which makes us feel like we have created a sound that really is Lion’s Mouth.”

Meet Chelsea Zareczny and Sara Wexler, together known as the indie-pop duo, Lions’ Mouth. In preparation for their self-titled debut album dropping today (November 18th) on Bandcamp, Amazon, iTunes, and more, the duo talked to Gadfly Online about how their experiences, from volunteer firefighting to elementary school bands, have brought them here today and how their album fits into their overall career arc, which hopefully includes touring where the duo “thrives under stage lights.”

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