One of the many musical outputs of Noah Tabakin, Ssssnake is a hip hop-, funk- and soul-fueled project with a wild, joyous vibe and one heck of a live show. Twenty-plus years of singing and making music has helped the multi-instrumentalist perfect his latest persona, who is probably most at home on stage than anywhere else in the world. The first album from Ssssnake is Hostile Snakeover, a 10-track rollercoaster tinged with sexual edge, humor, and pure grit, and you can now stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Cee lo Green, Jamie Lidell and Justin Timberlake should check it out.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Hip-hop soul, big beats.

Q: What can the fans expect from Ssssnake in 2013?

A: A national tour with the New Belgium Brewing Company’s Music festival the “Tour De Fat”. Album number two, tentatively titled “ssssnake tracks”. As many videos as possible to accompany the album release. Treefort Music Festival in Boise, ID. Lots of West Coast shows.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on your last album?

A: The last record had a few tunes I used as a place to process the darkness around my divorce, Blood and Cut Till My Blade is Dull were inspired by my ex-wife for sure. A few celebrated the upside of my new relationships in the tunes Slow and When I Lay you Down. Under the Snow is about how things turning out in the aftermath of problems and def had images from Chicago winters with the green grass waiting to spring out. Deep Down was inspired by watching the documentary “American Hardcore”, It reminded me of my early musical days and the power of aggression in songs, so that one is a little rough and tumble.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: Recently I had been working on a number of new tracks and feeling like none of them were jelling. I decided to stop working and working them to death and try to make a new tune from scratch. I was in Austin in my girlfriend’s living room and a few hours later the song Poseidon from my forthcoming record was done! It felt way better than the tracks I had been working for months. I love it when tunes just fall out of you. I usually work and re-work the hell out of track so it’s refreshing for a tune to pop out quickly.

Q: Who has encouraged you the most to pursue a career in music?

A: My family have all been super encouraging. My step father managed my first band for 10 years which would probably make him the most supportive, but mom, non step dad and even my grandparents always fully backed me. I’ll never forget my grandfather when he was in his 70’s being at a show with a bunch of young folks, he came up to me after and referenced a song specifically and said how he liked the lyrical content. I was amazed that he was paying that much attention, that he wasn’t just there to show face, that he was interested in what I was doing.

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: You can do it! Go hard after it and fail a bunch. If you still want to pick up the mic after some pretty tough/embarrassing experiences, then don’t ever stop. It’s super challenging but life is lived in the challenging moments.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: I love the road. I have build my life around touring. I went in on a building with a friend and rented it to tenants before ever living there. I used the advance money I got from the Tour De Fat to buy a big Sprinter touring van and hit the road and I’ve been living in man van touring hard for over a year now. I say I’m home free not homeless…

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: I like all aspects of music a lot, but performance is by far my favorite. The pure focus that comes from executing the music as perfectly as possible and nailing engaging performance is where I feel truly in the moment. The most present I get in life is during performance.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: I had a great piece of advice handed to me when I was in college from Ben Harper, who was just starting his career at the time. He told me if you want to make it your job treat it like a job, put in your 40 or more a week. Music is a lot of fun but to make it work you got to work!

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: I would have loved to have seen Ray Charles in his prime.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Ssssnake music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

English indie rockers Mystery Jets have been building their success since their 2006 debut LP, Making Dens. Last year saw their fourth studio album, Radlands, even hit number 40 on the UK Albums Chart. Soon to release their first live LP to coincide with Record Store Day 2013, we asked guitarist William Rees a few quick questions. Fans of The Libertines and Pink Floyd should definitely take notice.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Thats a hard question to answer…ok, i’d say our sound is a ‘roaming, restless rendez-vous of any/everything we’ve ever been through’… (thats 9 words, sorry)

Q: What can the fans expect from Mystery Jets in 2013?

A: Different Disguises.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the Radlands album?

A: Austin, Texas was a huge influence on the songs of Radlands. It’s a liberal dot in the republican ocean of Texas and for about two months it became our home and writing spot. We knew we were looking for something before we headed out there, a certain unnameable that we could hear in early Neil Young records and the Mick Taylor Stones’ albums, but whether or not we ‘d find it we couldn’t be sure. Really, Austin and it’s colourful characters are the fabric that Radlands is printed upon, it offered itself as a context for our songs and when we finally realised that we were off and running with it.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: There’s so many occasions, it’s hard to pick one. Someone in our band thought it’d be a great idea to get bag pipes on our song Lorna Doone (off the Serotonin LP), so we googled bag pipe players in the London area and what walked through the door was a very lost looking young man who’d just clocked off from his stock-broking job in the city. He had his suit jacket tucked under one arm and an electric bag pipe in the other. After he’d showed us all his skills with a rendition of the Star Wars theme tune, we sent him to the recording booth and quickly realised that he was completely tone deaf. Not a single note he played was in tune. To add to this he kept popping into the loo’s and coming back with the sweats ( a mid-song snort we all presumed) until the last time when he emerged wearing a penguin mask. It was then that he played his part perfectly and disappeared into the night….£500 richer.

Q: Who has encouraged you the most to pursue a career in music?

A: Henry has been a huge part in that. From teaching us our first Buddy Holly renditions on spanish guitars to bank rolling early tours and releases before we got signed. Our management company Urok have been fantastic too, giving us great advice on our songs, remix/writing work and of course endless tours with some of our favourite bands.

Q: What advice could you give a young musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: Work hard, regularly, play your ideas to friends, find the things that excite you the most and emulate them.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: I love touring, it’s like stepping onto a roller coaster, only it lasts for 3 weeks instead of 3 minutes.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Both, when you’ve done enough of one it’s time to be doing the other and vice versa. Touring and recording are two sides of the same coin and they need each other.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Turn your guitar down please.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: The Rolling Stones at Hyde park, with King Crimson in support.

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Here at Groovebug, we’re excited by lots of the young rising stars in electronic music. One who particularly caught our ear is Clockwork, with his debut release Squad Up EP on Dim Mak, which was closely followed by a string of remixes for Steve Aoki & co. His second EP - the massive Titan EP - was released on Mad Decent, another giant in modern electronic music. With his latest release Surge EP just being released this week, we had to catch up with the young rising star to ask a few questions.

Q: What is going on right now for Clockwork?

A: Music, airplanes, clubs, hotels, and my bed.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve had writing making a track? Either actually producing it or the situation that inspired it.

A: Most of my newer tracks have been a lot of fun to make, because I can feel myself more and more developing a sound of my own, which is incredibly rewarding. I’ve recently done a handful of collaborations as well, which have all been great experiences in their own ways. When collaborating, you get a whole new perspective on how to approach making music, which naturally helps you grow as an artist, especially when it’s coming from someone you respect.

Q: Who has encouraged you the most to pursue a career in music?

A: I’ve had a very strong support system along the way, from my family and friends, to fellow musicians and bloggers, but my close friends are the ones that have been the most encouraging and influential in my decision to pursue this full time. My two best friends and managers have been with me since day one and are now running a successful management company, so it’s been amazing being able to grow along with them. All of my friends are still young and hungry, and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Q: You’re on the road a lot, in the past supporting larger names or opening at massive events. How has touring changed for you over the past 3-4 years, how has touring impacted your career?

A: Touring has been such a big influence for me in this past year, especially after my original productions have been picking up. Although I sound cliché, being able to play something that I’ve created fully on my own and have it get an amazing reaction is, in my opinion, the best experience you can have as a musician.

Q: Recently your side-project RL Grime got a lot of notoriety after you dropped the massive Mercy remix. Care to talk about the RL Grime project for a minute?

A: I started RL Grime a couple years ago just for myself to see how I could branch out musically. I was starting to make tracks that touched on more of what I’ve always listened to, which is Hip-Hop. A lot of my closest friends are involved with that scene one way or another, so it was a pretty natural progression for me. Now I’m able to play RL Grime tracks out as either project, which has been dope.

Q: You’re signed to Dim Mak and Mad Decent… be honest with us how does it feel to be involved in two of the most prominent electronic music labels out there right now?

A: Dim Mak and Mad Decent are amazing labels in their own way. I grew up on the music they were putting out so it’s given me a lot of confidence to be able to release with both of them.

Q: Which artist would you most like to work with, dead or alive? And why?

A: HudMo.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: I would say the making of Diplomatic Immunity. Being in the studio and witnessing Dipset in their prime would be a dream come true. (Fun Fact: I got my name from the Juelz Santana track Clockwork).

Q: The Titanic is sinking and you’re the DJ… what are you spinning?

A: I Will Always Love You (Avicii’s ‘Iceberg’ Remix) - Celine Dion

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LA-based rock band Sad Robot had an explosive 2012; their debut album 1.0 dropped in the fall (which you can stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app), their lead single Hold On was picked up for a spot on the Season 8 premiere of ‘Bones’, and they finished up featured in Purevolume’s ‘Top 10 Unsigned bands’. Expect to hear much more of them in 2013, with new works and a major tour on the horizon. Fans of Kings of Leon, Muse and U2 should definitely check out the Sad Robot sounds and stream their album on their Groovebug artist page.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Dirty Fuzz Pop Indie Rock.

Q: What can fans expect from Sad Robot in 2013?

A: New EP, new full length album, new music videos, and our first tour.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the 1.0 album?

A: This album is full of songs inspired by the masses with the message to stand up for yourself and each other. The grafitti album artwork reflects the message of the everyday working man struggling to be heard and the songs “Sing” and “Hold On” shout that message loud and clear.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: The secret album-only track Pussy Pop recorded during the 1.0 sessions. This song was inspired by Jack Daniels and a saying we created during the recording process which basically meant “job well done”. The song was recorded on a hijcked Omnichord and our drummer sings on it. Its also on youtube and is worth a listen (:

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: Be true to yourself and do as much as you can on your own. Write something you’re proud of and find a good chemistry of people to work with and play everywhere. Most importantly dont give up.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: Playing live has helped us develop a fan base. It has brought us closer together and gotten our music sounding tight. It’s also helped us gauge new material before we record it. The first time we played our song “Hold On” in front of an audience everyone asked us about it immediately. That song ended up getting placed on the television show “Bones” and became one of our most popular songs off of 1.0. Playing live has definitely improved our songwriting and is the most fun and honest part of being in a band.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Both. There is an electricity when you play live that is instant gratification and recording is such an incredible creative process. The best for us is when were able to capture the best parts of playing live in the studio.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Be nice to the soundguy.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Woodstock.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Sad Robot music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

Groovebug presents the latest in our Artist Feature Video Series. Check out our interview with, and a capella performance from Laura Warshauer.

Laura Warshauer is a singer-songwriter from central New Jersey. Her sound certainly carries something unique, as recognized by BMI and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame when they awarded her the first ever (Buddy) Holly Prize, an award that is reserved for onw performer per year who exhibits “true, great, and original” qualities. From releasing her debut EP on Island Def Jam, she went on to form her own label (Pink Chariot Music) for the release of her first full length album, The Pink Chariot Mixtape, which you can stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper and Kate Bush should definitely check it out.

On Her Current Projects: “I’m in the process right now of working with a producer P.J. Bianco […] I feel like this music we’re making is the evolution and kind of the dream for me of what I’ve always wanted to be making.”

On Her Team: “You learn as you go that’s its about the people, about the team, and you kinda fight to be surrounded by people that are positive, that are supportive, that are real with you.”

On Touring with Bob Schneider: “Amazing to be on tour with someone that you respect so much. I feel like I came away from that experience having learned the most incredible things. From Bob, from his band, and from his fans.”

On Her Songwriting: “You wanna honor the sensibilities of where you came from, but when you’re alone writing these songs in your bedroom you’re thinking of U2 and Bruce Springsteen and how they rock stadiums and you think ‘wow, what does that feel like’ and how can I go after that weight and that sensibility and how can these songs transcend, keep their essence and get to that bigger place.”

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