Pop Music

Dennis J. Leise Sits A Spell And Tells Us – Among Other Things – What He Would Not Do If He Didn’t Have To

Published

5 months ago

February 9, 2022

Da Mixx

There’s a wry humour to Dennis J. Leise and his music, and it’s very easy to pick it up when you listen to his songs for the first time, such as the quite witty and very insightful, ‘Nobody’s Coming’, which he released in 2019, and now his latest single, ‘I Only Do It Cause I Have To’. When we were given the opportunity to ask him a few questions, we were excited at the prospect of Dennis’s answers – and we weren’t disappointed.

We’ve been following your music career for a while now, since ‘Nobody’s Comin’, back in 2019. We think that if there’s one word to describe you, it’d be “no-nonsense” (okay that’s technically 2). What word would you use to describe yourself?

The one I endeavor towards is either “Real” or “Genuine”. Through all I do, work, music and otherwise, I feel like I’m at my best when I am able to successfully convey that what I am doing is one of these things.

We like your no-nonsense attitude in your music, where does it come from, and have you always been like this? Did there come a point in your life where you decided you’d had enough?

The no-nonsense aspect is surely informed by the life I’ve led. Being next to the youngest of 10 kids instilled a bit of acceptance of some cold realities in life early on–again, this applies to kind of everything–compromise, support, understanding and acceptance or the opposite for any of these things, so it’s always been there. I think it wasn’t until I got older and into countercultural things like Jazz, Punk music and also had an awareness of “Outlaw” country that I found some kindred ideas to work from. It wasn’t until years later that I was gifted a guitar that was found in a dumpster, and then some years after that toward getting proficient with it, before I began to really get out to voice myself.

How did you get into music in the first place? Was it something you always wanted to do from when you were a small boy, or did it come up on you gradually?

It’s a little weird–my parents neither one had any musical capabilities, but there was always music in my family. Nearly all of my siblings played an instrument in high school. They each also had their own tastes in music which in some way rubbed off on me. It wasn’t until college that I began to really get into my own interests that were different from what everyone else in my family was listening too. I used to play trombone, but didn’t really start playing guitar until after I moved to the Chicago area.

You upped sticks and moved from Chicago to Gary, Indiana, where you have a farm. If you had the choice, which would you prefer, farming, or making music? Do you feel more inspired by the rural life than when you were in the city?

That’s a really great question. There are aspects of the music that I really enjoy. I’m blessed with some incredibly talented musician friends that make my studio experiences something that keeps me buzzing for days and sometimes weeks after. It is like going for a massage or some kind of therapy. The farm stuff is more of a daily therapy/routine. More and more promoting and performing music is more of a hassle that I could eventually find myself doing without. I guess I prefer more of a quiet life, so I think the farming would win. Luckily I can do both. Gary is a bit post-apocalyptic, so having it plus the rural of my more local life does inspire what I have going on in some of my music.

What’s your favorite instruments to use and why?

I have an old National Resonator that is probably my favorite. It’s my solo gig guitar and it’s been with me through much. It has a tone that is just spectacular. I also have an electric guitar that is made out of a washboard that sounds better than it ought to and it’s a good trick–it catches the eye and as people are watching, they begin to listen and then I sometimes win them over into believing that I actually know how to play! Those are probably my top and primary 2.

The music video for ‘I Only Do It Cause I Have To’ shows you going about your chores on the farm. What one thing would you prefer never to do ever again?

Live paycheck to paycheck while being in a massive amount of debt. It’s part of what has driven and drives me to do what I do, because I have to.

What question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview, but nobody ever does?

What do you think people could do that would make the world a better place?

You can find out more about Dennis J. Leise and his music online on Facebook, and Twitter. Watch the music video below for ‘I Only Do It ‘Cause I Have To’, and read our review here.

Dennis J Leise - I Only Do It Cause I Have To [Official Music Video]

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Pop Music

Jedward Save The Best For Last With Incredible Glasgow Show At G2 The Garage

Published

2 hours ago

July 4, 2022

DJ Hittman

It’s almost like a homecoming whenever Jedward perform in Glasgow. Sure, they’re from Dublin, and still live there, and the vast majority of their work since the start of their career started has been in London; but Glasgow is where it all began, with them first stepping out onto the X Factor stage and John saying, “Glasgow! How you feeling tonight!”

And even though that was a very long time ago – 13 years even – Glasgow certainly took John and Edward to their hearts, and their love was evident last night when they performed at G2 at The Garage, in Sauchiehall Street.

While the set list for the show was much the same as the previous two, there were some distinct Scottish elements, including a rousing all audience rendition of The Proclaimers’ classic, ‘500 Miles’, a snippet of The Bay City Rollers’ hit, ‘Bye Bye Baby’, and a drink of a can of Irn Bru.

Edward drinking Irn Bru – Photo Credit: Lisa Hafey

Many fans had travelled to Glasgow for last night’s show, quite a lot had attended all three, while some went directly from Manchester, due to not having got tickets for London, or choosing to have a break in between. Still others attended London and Glasgow back to back; but regardless of how many concerts or which the fans attended, they were there, reunited, as if the three long years since they’d seen each other, and of course their faves, John and Edward. While the Jedward fandom is largely social-media based, with their fans making firm friendships with other likeminded people from all over the world, there’s no substitute for meeting in person. Having said that, many of the audience shared their view of the show on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, so those who couldn’t make it would still be able to feel part of the community. Much has been said about Jedward, but for those who *get* them, and *love* them, they become like family, and this extends to the fans too. While the fans all know each other, John and Edward know, or at least try to know, each and every one of them. The Jedward fandom is in essence actually a multitude of different, individual fandoms, with each having their own relationship with the twins, that might be slightly different to everyone else’s, but no less valid.

There’s no greater example of this relationship than their meet and greets that happen before each show. These started last night shortly after 4pm, and were still going at nearly 7. Never once did they slow down, or complain about how many people were there, but instead, they remembered personal points about each person, and chatted, while photos were taken. They gave each person their own experience, and made them feel special. After all, they’ve not seen us for 3 years either!

Special mention must go to the two girls who won tickets to last night’s show courtesy of a competition on Jedward’s TikTok account. The pair were so keen to be in the front row that they stood outside for the 3 hours of the meet and greets, just to be at the barricade. That’s Jedication!

Jedward mentioned that there will be further concerts in November. With their fifth album set for release this autumn, there’s certainly a lot of Jedward content on the horizon, and we can’t wait!

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Pop Music

Jedward’s Sold Out Concert At London’s Camden Assembly Was Extraordinary!

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2022

DJ Hittman

The Jedward journey continued last night with an extraordinary sold out show at London’s Camden Assembly.

Singing most of the same set as the Manchester show, they added several more from their latest album ‘Voice Of A Rebel’, including ‘Thirsty’, and ‘Follow My Whispers’.

The show coincided with London’s Pride Parade, and so John and Edward highlighted the event, borrowing a Pride flag from the audience while singing their song, ‘Good Vibes’, which contains the lyric, “pour me a rainbow I need colour again”. They also gave a call out to the LGBTQIA community – adding a letter J (for Jedward) to the end.

Like the previous evening, there were several songs sung a Capella, as well as the acoustic session – ‘Nothing Compares 2U’, ‘Wonderwall’, and ‘Teenage Dirtbag’, and a mashup of three of their songs, ‘Never Better’, ‘What’s Your Number?’, and ‘Girl Like You’.

Just like the Manchester show, a lot of the newer members of the audience have come from discovering Jedward on TikTok, which is clearly a great platform for them. London has always been a major hub for Jedward, and so it should come as no surprise that this show sold out; it was great to see fans new and old mingling and enjoying each other’s company, united in the shared love of John and Edward.

The Jedward Juggernaut moves tonight to Glasgow’s G2 at the Garage. Limited tickets are still available via Ticketweb.

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Pop Music

What Song Does Eddie Munson Play in ‘Stranger Things’ Finale?

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2022

DJ Hittman

There’s a lot on the minds of Stranger Things fans after the Season 4 finale. But now, fans have the answer to what song Eddie Munson performed during the final episode of the show.

Warning: Stranger Things Season 4 spoilers ahead!

Earlier this month when the Stranger Things teaser trailer was released, fans saw that Eddie would be playing the guitar on top of a trailer in the Upside Down during a lightning storm.

TikTok users began analyzing the clip to see what chords he was playing to see if they could determine what song he would be performing. Some TikTokers theorized that it was Europe’s “The Final Countdown” while some correctly figured out the tune.

Eddie Munson (played by Joseph Quinn) dedicated the song to Chrissy before breaking out into an epic guitar solo. The song turned out to be “Master of Puppets” by Metallica. The song is the title track from the band’s 1986 record.

This season, other artists like KISS, Journey, Talking Heads, The Beach Boys and Kate Bush had their music featured in the hit 80’s-themed Netflix series. Quinn actually used music to get into his character.

“I listened to a lot of heavy metal and that was my… God, it’s impossible to not sound pretentious when you say it, but, yeah, that was my way in,” he told Entertainment Weekly.

Prior to filming, Quinn actually began playing guitar after watching Jack Black in the 2003 cult-classic School of Rock.

“I’ve played since I was 7, and I’ve had huge breaks,” he shared. “I wouldn’t consider myself a brilliant guitarist, but I can play it. That was very lucky because those scripts came out, I think, at some point in the pandemic. I did start practicing pretty furiously.”

Watch the epic scene, below.