VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021
Riston Diggs If it seems like rapper / hiphop artist / actor Riston Diggs is prolific, it’s because he is constantly in motion. “I’m always in the studio recording, you can catch me in one any day of the week. If I’m not performing, I’m recording,” he said good naturedly. Earlier this year he issued an EP, 1986, and just a few months later he already has a new release, The Drill Sergeant, while
also taking on a major role, as Zander in the online TV series, Neon Hatchet. As if that wasn’t enough, you can also find him performing locally with a new band, The Gravities. What inspired the creation of the Drill Sergeant EP? “While working on the last project, 35 produced by Banyon Bachman, he mentioned he’d been making some drill beats and wanted to see what I could do to it,” Diggs said. “Instantly my manager/ executive producer came up with the title, The Drill Sergeant inspired by our military careers. Drill is a subgenre of rap from Chicago, it’s a very popular sound amongst the youth.” What sets this release apart? “What sets this release apart from my other projects is that it’s my shortest solo project and it’s aesthetically inspired by my military career with songs like
“General Orders” and “Work Party.” It allowed me to bring my mature state of living to a youthful sound.” In addition to keeping busy musically, he’s happy with the turn acting has taken. “I started working on Neon Hatchet earlier this year in Princeton, West Virginia,” he explained. The director, Scott A. Martin casted me years back as an extra for another film. He really believed in my acting skills early which helped me build the confidence and to later be casted as Zander in Neon Hatchet. I really had a blast playing Zander especially because it gave me a chance to embrace the comedy side of acting and really have fun with the role.” Diggs notes there was some cross over with his regular career. “I was also able to incorporate some rapping which was so awesome for me,” he said. “Season 2 I’m hearing we will learn a lot more about Zander’s personal life, so be on the lookout.” Diggs plans to continue his solo career full tilt, but also plans to increase his activities with The Gravities. “My plans with The Gravities are to continue to perfect our stage show,” he remarked. “I’m so honored to be a part of the band. It has opened up and extended my musical range and allowed me to use my voice in ways I’ve not. I also get to be around some of the most talented musicians around, their youthful energy keeps me motivated. And yes we’re currently working on a project as well, very exciting!”
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Diggs has played numerous gigs this year, but a clear bright spot was his stint on the Wonderbus. “Performing on the Wonder Bus has been the highlight of the year. Getting to perform on there with my friends cruising around different parts of the city spreading good vibes, yeah its
been the funnest of times this year for sure. Shout out to Tim Pyles.” 2021 has been a busy year for Riston Diggs, with 2022 set to offer even more good times, recordings and television shows. “In 2022 I’m looking forward to more opportunities to perform, collaborating with fellow musicians and brands and of course releasing more music for the people to rock out to,” he said Season 1 of NEON Hatchet is available on YouTube for your binging pleasure! https://youtube.com/channel/ UCNz1SQswPpHddjo_oDUOczA
New & Upcoming Releases Nicey Nice World - Nonsectarian. “The half baked tracks were recorded in 2014,” said the group’s Marcello Radulovich. “They consisted of 8 electronic compositions I created with my iPhone using an app called Kaossilator by Korg. I presented these tracks to the lads, at that time
Mike Watson (fretless guitar), Barney Firks (fretless bass) and Nathan Hubbard - drums, with Jim Call and myself always present as founding members of the band. They came in and played along to them, added a great organic musical quality. Took me a few years of on and off work on these songs to get them to this stage, something like a finished product.” Due to the current world condition, there will not be any live events to promote Nonsectarian. “All this Covid stuff has turned the world upside down so there won’t be a release show/party, just putting the album out there because I think a lot of people would enjoy hearing this music. I’m really happy with how it turned out.” Night Crickets is the name of a new band featuring David
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bum, Stardust & Satellites, via Red House Records. The new release is produced by Oliver Wood and Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers, with the first single, “Conveyor Belt,” out now. Poltz heads out on tour alongside The Wood Brothers beginning January 25 in Rochester, NY
J (Bauhaus, Love And Rockets), Victor DeLorenzo (Violent Femmes) and multi-instrumentalist Darwin Meiners. Their debut 13-track album, A Free Society, is out January 21 via Omnivore Recordings. On February 18 Singer-songwriter Steve Poltz releases his 14th al@LocalUmbrellaMedia
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