Garza

Moon Lies. The new remix is titled “Deep featuring vocals by Seann Bowe. Blue (Riviera Mix)”. Where The Moon Lies This mix encapsulates the sun, the was just released last November. Thievery water and summer nostalgia.” Corporation, like so many other bands, has Already the new remix is taken a break due to the COVID-19 pangetting quite a bit of attention. demic. This worked out to the band’s Earmark says that “Deep Blue advantage, as they have been touring almost (Riviera Mix)” exudes a smooth non-stop for 25 years. With the pandemic bossa nova tropical vibe that looming overhead, Rob Garza, working under flows from the track effortlessly. the name of his solo project, Garza, decided Once that deep bass hits alongside to take advantage of the situation to rework a catchy finger-snapping chorus, the song. it’s impossible not to get weak at In addition he has also put together a the knees and fall completely in new video for the song which takes you to a love.” tropical oasis filled some great underwater Elicit Magazine was scenes, divers, majestic mountains, and equally impressed with the new beautiful beaches. From frolicking in the release and says it is “a delicate sand to couples swinging in the wind and balance of rhythm, texture and people playing in the water, the video melody. [Garza] manages to push conjures up a beautiful image of tranquility musical boundaries while still that goes well with the music. Hell, it really remaining wholly accessible.” looks like fun. I’m ready to go there. Besides working on the 64 Rock and Blues International • September 2020

new remix and video, Rob has been busy working on a number of other projects. It also includes working on some DJ live streams based on the Yoga-inspired platform Live Kick (www.livekick.com) for what has been described as a “super high energy ‘Amplified Yoga’ class.” He has also put together a special playlist to be used in alignment with hotel/venue Surf Lodge in New York’s The Hamptons. Perhaps though, the most important thing he has done during this break has been starting his own Record Label, Magnetic Moon (www.magneticmoon.com). This new label will not only feature his own material, but also to several artists that he has now signed to that label. Rob tells us that he has signed some amazing talent to the new fledgling label, “We have some amazing new music from ToBy and Racquel Jones (from Thievery fame). Both of these artists are on fire.” GARZA (featuring Rob Garza of ToBy has already released his new debut EP, The Outside, this summer to some great critical

Thievery Corporation) acclaim. Under The Radar boasts, “His smooth flow and the sunburnt trap beats set the Releases backdrop for stories that range from reflections on Egyptian mythology to the tolls of excess

“Deep Blue (Riviera Mix)” and meditations on mortality.” Ladygunn also gave it extreme praise saying, “His music

Rob Garza Launches Label tactically melodic, as each song integrates a new level of MAGNETIC MOON dynamicality and variety, with aspects of lofi beats, rap, and hip By James Wilcox As Rob explains, this is “a perfect hop.” Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation soundtrack to the imaginary summer we Rob tells us that he is also getting has certainly been productive lately. He has never had, ‘Deep Blue (Riviera Mix)’ features ready to release his second solo EP that will released a remix of “Deep Blue” off his a summertime housey, loungey vibe perfect feature guests, Emeline, Seann Bowe, Yesac, critically acclaimed solo debut EP, Where The for pools, beaches or summer mix tapes, Racquel Jones, and Calica.

is skillfully rhythmic and

feelings with others. So, I cope with that by pouring all of my emotions into a song.” X starts off with the title track, “X”, which Producer Austin Payne, who also co-wrote some of the songs on the album tells us that, “it’s the concept of both the good parts and the bad parts of a relationship, unlike the other songs, which only focus on either the good or the bad. The title track encompasses and intertwines the good and the bad into one complete message.” That song is followed up by “Play It Safe,” “Selfish” and “So Long.” All of these three songs were previously released as singles. Willis tells us that the song “So Long,” “ describes the part of a relationship when you and your partner realize that you simply aren’t meant for each other.” Others songs on the album will definitely grab your attention. Take the song, “When I’m Loving U.” This song is about the “ unmistakable high that comes from loving someone uncondition

MULTI-TALENTED ARTIST ally.” “On ‘U Girl,’ for example, we wrote the basic

MICAH WILLIS TEAMS UP idea for the song in about five minutes,” shares Payne. “The flow was so fluid and natural.

WITH PRODUCER AUSTIN It’s definitely one of my favorites on the EP.” While the subjects of PAYNE ON NEW EP these songs cross a few barriers, it still illustrates Micah’s feel about how the music affects him. “There’s By James Wilcox out playing music with his dad. Since those just something magical about music,” he Micah Willis has just released his new days he has become quite a prolific artist. He shares. “It just makes me feel good.” EP, X, combining elements of pop, funk, and won four Downbeat Magazine awards before hip-hop, to create a sonic texture all his own. even graduating high This is not surprising at all, as Micah cites his school. He has also gone influences as The Weeknd and Fleetwood on to work and perform Mac. Teaming up with Austin to help him with artists such as Neon fulfill his vision on this project is producer Trees, James Valentine Austin Payne. When you listen to this new (Maroon 5), Steve Smith project, you’ll be able to tell the (Journey), and Jeff Coffin synchronicity developed between the two of (Dave Matthews Band). them. The two were involved throughout the For his new album X, whole process from writing the songs, to Willis bares his soul and mixing and production, which they did reveals his true self, together. something he doesn’t do “This was something neither of us had quite often. It can be much experience with,” admits Willis. But we detected in every song on thought it was important, given how personal the album, through his these songs are. We literally spent days on heartfelt lyrics and melodic tiny little sections to make them just right. It vocal tones. was a year-long process, but it was worth it.” “Each song I write For some of you out there hearing comes from a different about Austin for the first time, please be source of inspiration,” adds aware that he is not a novice to this vocation. Willis. “I find that my most Music is in his soul. He even comes from an honest songs are my best. I extremely musical family. His father is Blues generally don’t go out of singer/songwriter Kenny Neal. Austin started my way to share my