#vlmg

After dropping her debut title  "Persona," Meilani comes back with a softer and more personal sounding record. Accompanied by acoustic guitar and  lush strings, and some surprising transitions, "Cherry Rain" shows off Meilani's ability to captivate listeners. 

In a world of pure imagination and inspiration

A glimpse into the mind of Sunnie Moon

by Sarah Wilder

  When I first heard Sunnie Moon's music, I thought about Willie Wonka from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. More specifically, as there are two versions now, the original character played by Gene Wilder. If you have not seen the original (and only watched the remake to swoon over Johnny Depp), I do encourage you to watch it. It's a less creepy version. Wilder portrayed the character with such awe and admiration. Even though there's times where it does seem a bit...wild...Gene always positioned himself as Commander in Chief of his business establishment, the Chocolate Factory.

With that said, back to Sunnie. Like Wilder's portrayal of Willie Wonka, you can't help but respect him. He sits calmly, pondering his choice of words. Dishing out his thoughts in relaxed, calculated increments. What did he say you ask? Well, let me show you.

When asked how he would personally describe his own music he said, “It’s very imaginative. I've been told that my music inspires a lot of imagination and that’s just off the music alone. But as far as lyrics, I wouldn't want to say it’s based off of conscience because it is several conscience topics but it can be very playful at times as well. Very light. Simple and to the point. Imaginative and simple to the point.”

Yes, a lot of artist say this. However, as you know from countless interviews from your favorite artists, many of them grab inspiration from a wide variety of sources (or not). So we had to ask, where do you get your inspiration? His reply was, “One of my biggest is this artist from New York named Mocky and he is someone I was introduce to by my friend Marcus. Mocky is a jazz musician but he’s not your typical jazz musician he plays a lot of orchestral music. It’s weird how he does it but it’s very inspirational. But off the musical standpoint, it’s interesting to see how he puts it all together. It inspired me to put more to my music. I also have to give it up to Andre 3000 and OutKast because I've always been a fan of their music. I love that they’re always been creative they always had a message to the music and they always gone beyond. And Lupe Fiasco who by far, in my opinion, one of the only to give props to respect. I also give respect to blues and jazz musicians.  After watching how they put their music together and the reason why they do it, was the prominent reason why I started doing music.”

  Now here is where I might be breaking some news to you. Sunnie Moon is not an old musician like Wonka was an older candy factory owner. Dude is in his early 20s. But I'm sure you know that all professionals in their craft had to start somewhere. We asked him when did he start doing music? He said, since he was in the 10th grade. Further explaining, “It was because my friend got Fruity Loops and I didn't know how to work it so I got mad. I went and got a Reason 1.5 and use to be in my basement slaving over that project for hours. I would be on the computer for 8-10 hours even on school nights as I would have to be at school at 6. I wouldn't come out the basement, I use to come home and would get in so much trouble because of that.”

If you've ever read articles about whoever inspires you in your craft or talked to a mentor in your craft, you know that to be successful at what you are trying to do, it takes a lot of hours of dedication. A lot of commitment. It's not just for play; there is a targeted group of people whose lives you want to impact. What kind of people is Sunnie Moon trying to reach, audience wise with his music? Who does he want to get jumping out of their seats or nodding at home as his music pours readily out of their speakers? His reply was this: "I would like to say all more likely people in general who aren't trying to live a facade. Live a life that is stereotypical. There are a lot different people who listen to music because they feel that they are that type of person like trap or hood music. There are some people who do and some who don’t. I never really like people who listen to it and try to be like or portray themselves in that type of manner because music isn't for that purpose. When you listen to what the artist had to say about what the song was really for it wasn't for that reason. So I just make music for that type of person who’s trying to get through the day. Who had common problems or just for people who want to hear something different from the norm. That’s the type of people I hope I reach."

I'm sure, as you're reading this, you know that that's a wide variety of people. It may even be you or someone you know that you like sharing good music with. It's what many long term artist use as a plan of action. However, long term artists also evolve their sound over time. So we had to ask, what is Sunnie Moon's future goals for his music? He said, “To be successful. No really, To expand. I want to do so much. I really want expand on not just music but the aspects; creative and recording. Different things to do in terms of experimental and really take my music beyond where it’s at now. I want to hit the mass. It really is the success in reaching people. “

True Grit and Tough Love

A brief interview with VaunDoom

by Sarah Wilder

    You can learn a lot about someone just by Googling them. My name shows a lot of surface things such as that I'm black and I'm white (maybe not both). I have a brown fro and straight blond hair. I'm a doctor, I'm a traveler, I'm a character in a movie. There's so many different Sarah Wilders' that you may or may not be sure if you can pinpoint who I was on a crowded street.

  However, if you did a quick Google search on VaunDoom, you'd learn a few surface things. Maybe they're old bits of info, maybe not. He's in his early 20s, from Ohio, a Cancer, loves his child and enjoys food. Now I could tease him a bit about other things that came up in the search but I won't (you could go ahead and do it, if you're brave). But what we're going to talk about right now is what comes up at the top of the search engine: his music!

    P.A. First off, how would you describe your music?

“My music is hip hop at the core. It's grimy, hard and aggressive yet beautiful and gracious all at once. I call my rap “combat rap” for its right in your face with raw high level technique lyrics along with a raw beat with grimy drums with beautiful samples. I try to make my hip hop as fearsome and gigantic as I can. You would say my music has the thunderous spirit of Beethoven.

  P.A. Where do you get your inspiration?

The music itself and my desire to be one of the world's greatest musical visionaries.

  P.A. When did you start doing music?

9th grade

  P.A. What kind of people are you trying to reach, audience wise with your music?

Absolutely everyone. My music is art and there's everything anyone can ask for but most of all I want to give back my value to maybe impact people and make their value greater. My music is sinister and vicious but there is always a concept in my music and that is to encourage whoever's listening to become the greatest person they can become.

  P.A. Lastly, what are you future goals for music?

To dominate the entire hip-hop industry...and spread my art worldwide...I have so many ideas and I'm excited to get them out soon.