Mangaluru: One of the most electrifying live music performances this season took place during last weekend when three talented music performers/groups took the stage at G6-the Music Cafe near Valencia here – and when they began playing, the audience knew it would be treated to an unforgettable live shows. Amy Noelck-a talented singer-song writer from Dallas-Texas,USA, MG and Main- a husband and wife duo (Shawn and Tamme Samuel) from Kochi-India and our local talented 5 piece band ‘Black Velvet’ gave the music buffs of the education hub-Mangaluru what they wanted in the world of music. The artists performed so well at all the three gigs, that the audience called for encores to give them little more than what they got!
It was indeed a weekend filled with music, music and more live music at G6, that satisfied the music lovers with all kinds of music from classic rock, soul, folk, pop, rock/hard rock and charismatic. All this and much more was experienced by the revellers at Mangaluru’s hottest, loudest and happening fun place G6- where other days you can dine and wine with the Dj spinning the best peppy and foot-tapping numbers- and if you have hidden talents of singing, you can even get up and “Karaoke”.The music beats, the friendly staff and people, the brew and food makes this “Music Cafe” a very pleasurable mixture of ingredients. So if you are looking for good food (burgers and more), Good Music (Dj, and Live bands), Good Fun (Karaoke, craziness etc)- let G6-the Music Cafe be your next fun-n-frolic destination.
Amy Noelck :
Amy Noelck is a talented singer-songwriter from Dallas, Texas who wants to use her music to impact people all around the world. Through songs of love, heartbreak and hope, her folk/pop sound and charismatic personality have captured the hearts of everyone who hears her music. She is passionate about helping others, and using her gift in music to do so. All of the proceeds from her new “Amy Noelck” album will be given directly to organizations like the A21 Campaign and Traffick911, that are helping to end human trafficking world-wide.
Speaking to mangalorean.com, Amy said, “Several months ago, I was offered an opportunity to move to Kochi, India to work with ElevateX, a humanitarian organization with the vision to elevate human potential by helping people achieve dreams by using their gifts, passions and economic engine (specifically through music, athletics, film, and leadership). Hot, beautiful, spicy, humid, and colorful. I moved to India couple of months ago, to work at ElevateX. ElevateX was created to help individuals, communities and companies grow. Through music, sports, health and leadership we get to help and encourage others become all they desire to be, no matter where they are coming from. I worked specifically with the underprivileged children and orphans attending our music camps and classes”.
“I try to write music with lyrics that reveal the transparency of life. I love God, and I love people. I write about brokenness so those that are hurting and longing for something to fulfill them, will see that they are not alone. We are constantly searching for something that will give us peace and joy through the struggles of this life, but, I am confident that lasting peace and joy cannot be found in anything—unless first found in Jesus. It is my hope and prayer that not only my songs & lyrics would represent God’s character, but also every aspect of my life.” added Amy Noelck
Excerpts from the interview with Amy:
Q: Can you tell us about the formation/reformation of the group?
I began songwriting when I was in college, and started playing shows around Dallas, Texas during that time at coffee shops and pubs.
Q : Do you think singer/songwriters are the best of their own work or do you believe some cover versions can be better then the original?
I think the idea of “better” belongs to each individual listener. I like to do covers of songs by artists I like (Example: Fix You by Coldplay), but my version sounds very different than the original. I think you can appreciate the differences, and each artist should make each song their own and not try to be exactly like another artist.
Q : Since you are in the music industry what are the steps do you plan on taking to reach your goal?
I hope to continue writing and producing music albums. Music is a hobby of mine–not my full time job. I enjoy it being that way.
Q : What courses/classes would you recommend someone to if they want to be a successful musician in the music field?
I graduated from Southwestern University in Dallas, TX with my Music Education degree. There were many classes there that helped me understand music and songwriting better. I also began piano lessons at a very early age. I think if you get children into learning music early in life they are better equipped to become successful in a music career of some kind. There are a lot of songwriting books and classes. Continue learning and study how your favorite artists write.
Q : What kind of music influences your song writing? Are there any artists that inspire you?
Yes, many! Life inspires me to write. I love writing out of feelings and emotions. Love or heartbreak. Hope or healing. I love many styles of music, but specific artists that inspire me include: John Mayer, Coldplay, Adele, Kate Nash, Ingrid Michaelson, Lord Huron, The Staves, The Civil Wars, Mutemath, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
Q : Are you planning on releasing any music CD of your own shortly? What’s next stored for you ? Any upcoming events?
I have released my own album of original songs. It is on iTunes and Spotify under, “Amy Noelck EP”. Hoping to continue releasing songs and playing at shows.
Q: What’s your advice for budding musicians who want to reach greater heights?
I think the best advice I can give is to play and write what you love. Do what makes you happy. Don’t get into music for the money or the fame–you shouldn’t pursue anything in life for those reasons. You should wake up every day and enjoy what you are doing. If you enjoy writing–write. Keep writing and make music that is all your own. Play for people that love your style, and don’t try to be something that you aren’t.
MG and Main :
Performing the best Western hits and some of their own compositions, the husband and wife duo-Shawn and Tamme Samuel showed that they are very nearly unequaled in this repertoire. The couple are remarkable musicians. They possess musicality and an impressive technical mastery of their respective instruments, and they play with an infinite range of expressions and emotions. They began performing together couple of years ago, and this long relationship has honed their collaborative skills. They are keenly in tune with each other, and this, perhaps, more than anything else, contributes to the success of their performances.
Their playing can be described with one word: captivating. They mesmerize with their passionate playing to hold the audience spellbound. The audience gave the couple a well-deserved applaud. Their performance was filled with a potency that gave the music life and vibrancy, and the two tore into it with an intensity that was overwhelming. All I can say is that they are a dynamic husband and wife musical duo whose personal connection lends poignancy to their music and spark to their performances. Pulsating, heart stopping reels and jigs, their music defies an audience to remain seated–simply exhilarating! Whether mesmerizing the audience with a slow harmony or busting bow hair on foot-stomping hoedowns, the duo delivered, straight from their heart.
Their music blends elements of folk, soul and pop. After getting married in January of 2014, Shawn and Tamme took a leap towards their future by moving across continents from their roots in New York to a new home in Kochi, India. Since then they’ve started on a journey of discovering their blended sound and sharing it with the world. The duo is set to release their first collection of songs, recorded in Nashville (US) this month (Nov) or so. Their uplifting, live performances have been enjoyed by thousands of people in New York, Nashville, Dallas, Seattle, Houston, Bengaluru, Kochi, Varkala Beach, Delhi, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap and other popular live music venues in the US, Vietnam, Cambodia and India.
Q: Can you tell us about the formation/reformation of the group?
MG & Main was formed because of a passion shared by both of us for music. Music has always been a part of our lives and sharing that love was one of the main reasons we moved to India – to be able to give the gift of music especially to those that may not have access to it. That’s what we do through our project MyOneSong. The music we create through MG & Main is an overflow of that.
Q : What do you feel about the music industry today?
There is a big shift happening right now in the way music is being consumed and that is essentially causing artists to reconsider the way the market and distribute the music that they create.
Q : Do you think singer/songwriters are the best of their own work or do you believe some cover versions can be better then the original?
I think think covering other people’s music is a beautiful thing and anything that is not the original will have a flavor that will be appreciated by those that follow the artist. However creating original content is the epitome of creativity and that is what we need more of.
Q : Since you are in the music industry what are the steps do you plan on taking to reach your goal?
Our goal is to do what artists have always done. Create more music and play more live shows. We also plan on creating some music videos for our songs.
Q : What courses/classes would you recommend someone to if they want to be a successful musician in the music field ?
The songwriting course on Coursera offered by Berkley School of Music is really great. And free!
Q : From your experience so far, have you found to be most challenging? And how are you dealing with it?
Being that we are a two person act focused on our vocals our biggest challenge has been appealing to crowds that want a “full band”.
Q : What kind of music influences your song writing? Are there any artists that inspire you?
Johnny swim is one of our biggest inspiration. We are also influenced by Coldplay, Mutemath, U2, Lauryn Hill, Adele.
Q : Are you planning on releasing any music CD of your own shortly? What’s next stored for you ? Any upcoming events?
Yes. Our 4 track EP will be released soon. You can stream it now at www.MGandMain.com. We’ll be touring throughout India in Dec and Jan.
Q: What’s your advice for budding musicians who want to reach greater heights?
#nevergiveup. Also the best thing to do is to record yourself and listen to make changes. You are your best critic.
Black Velvet :
Band Black Velvet currently based in Mangaluru is presenting this charity event which will be the first of its kind to happen in Mangaluru, with the proceeds of the event going towards youth driven non-profit organization called ‘Make A Difference’ (M.A.D) that works nationally, to empower children at risk, in various shelter homes and orphanages. Apart from music, the event will also feature some dance performances by the dance crew-‘Friction’. There will also be food booths serving Mangalorean specialities and other snacks.
‘Black Velvet’- the Band is the brainchild of artiste Rayan D’ Souza and aspires to be the powerhouse of the music scene in Mangalore. The band members consist of fresh-faced youths Miss Ria D’Souza and Danny J on vocals, Rayan on keyboard, Jill D’souza on drums, Clyde Lobo on lead-guitar and Floyd Pereira on bass. The band revives tracks ranging from Pop, Rock and Funk to EDM and redelivers them in the form of invigorating covers and unique musical interpretations. The band’s song list during the live show included hits by Dire Straits, Bon Jovi, Eagles, Shakira, Jason Marz, Seether, Scorpions and many others.
The band “Black Velvet” has been a much appreciated live act throughout Mangaluru and surrounding areas. The band members have colourful embodiment of talents that spreads positivity around them. Their performances and their music has brought a sense of freshness which grabs the listener with a new found energy. Their unique western rock influences has brought them firmly into the spotlight of mainstream.Their music is full of life and you will enjoy their performance when they go live. It is the expression of four distinct musical sensibilities that dissolve into each other to bring forth a truly unique sound. Their music is often so well blended that you will experience the honey like smooth consistency in it. No doubt, ‘Black Velvet’ is one of the upcoming thrilling, innovative acts on the music rock scene, with the unique reputation of enthralling audiences in any kind of setting-from college music festivals, concerts to pub gigs.
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