Shauna Clarke & Keith from KeepDiggin’ Productions [Interview]           Date: Oct. 1, 2015

Interviewer: Lyndsay Brown

All questions have been answered by Shauna Clarke unless otherwise stated. 

 

On Sept. 4, 2015 HOOKEDUPB MAG went to a recording studio downtown Toronto to meet with Shauna Clarke (Singer) and Keith (Founder- KeepDiggin’ Productions Inc.) for an interview. The KeepDiggin’ roster has some very talented female artists: Shauna Clarke, Christina Passion & Akua Jones who are all featured artists on the KeepDiggin’ Productions website.  I realized, and appreciate the idea that providing a glimmer of hope for female artists in Toronto that shined through during the interview with Shauna & Keith of KeepDiggin’ Productions is part of the company vision. Check out the HOOKEDUPB interview below, I think if you read carefully, and you are an up and coming musician there are some possible opportunities within.

1)     Tell us a little bit about your history with KeepDiggin’ Production Inc.’?

 

Yes sure, I’ve actually been with KeepDiggin’ for a very long time, before it was even KeepDiggin’. We have been making music for many years. I’m an R&B Singer and Song Writer. I write all of my own material. My sound is R&B, but it's also very experimental. People can expect to hear a fusion of different sounds and versatility, from my upcoming material. With a little bit of everything.

 

2)     Can you tell us a little bit about how you feel working with KeepDiggin’, and how is it beneficial to you as an artist, in comparison to doing everything independently?

 

My experience working with KeepDiggin’ has been amazing. I love KeepDiggin’ ‘cause it's like a family. We bounce ideas off of each other, and collectively work together to complete projects. Working with the KeepDiggin’ family has given me a place to freely express my creativity; which is so important! As an independent artist it’s a challenge these days to even be heard, and to be able to share music with the masses. It’s been awesome; it has truly been a blessing.

 

3)     I hear you will be featured on other artists work in the future, can you tell us a little about that?

 

Yes, I've actually worked with a few local artists. Currently we are recording new material, and I will be featured on a lot of songs within the KeepDiggin’ family; so you will be hearing a lot of me.

 

4)     Currently what are you working on?

 

Shauna Clarke: Currently I’m working on some new music, after this interview we will begin our recording sessions for the night. Look out for my song called “Awesome” it is scheduled to be released sometime next year. I’ll be sure to keep you up to date with any new music as it drops.

 

Keith: The process with distribution takes time. So we’ve gotta keep it moving, and continue to create. It’s not like music gets submitted, then it’s released and out tomorrow. Things have to go through the proper channels as well. As much as we would like to quickly release a single right away, the reality is it doesn't work that way. We have to get it done, and submit it… it’s probably going to take a few months before it’s available. We may want to even look at it from a marketing stand point, like maybe we should just let it sit in the back!

 

5)     Where will your focus be in the coming months: music videos, songs, performances?

 

Right now the main focus is really just in being here in the lab creating new material. Performances will definitely follow once these songs are released. At the moment I’m just working, and creating a lot of new music!

 

6)     We know that you have been working on a song titled “Awesome”, do you have any ideas for a music video that you can share with us? 

Well everything is still fresh, and in its early stages of us formulating concept. What I can tell you is It will definitely be a song and video that people can relate to.

 

7)     Being a Torontonian is there any annual Toronto event(s) or venues would you like to perform at as a major goal?

 

The Much Music Video Awards, and the Juno’s.

 

8)     Ok, so we are about to wrap up the interview, is there anything else you would like HOOKEDUPB readers to know?

 

Shauna Clarke: Stay tuned! There’s a lot in store. Check me and the KeepDiggin’ family out on: www.keepdigginproductions.com/

 

Keith: We’re just workin’! You know, just getting everything together! We’re literally gathering all the singles, gathering Shauna Clarke's content, along with other female artists as well (I won’t mention their names yet, but there’s three more coming after her as well). We are trying to gather up good talent. They don’t have to be known. If they have the heart, and the drive then we definitely want to work with people like that. You have to realize, that the people we’re working with aren’t going to have some super fan base or some crazy followers on a local scene. They’re just regular people, like everyday people, who are just working on their craft quietly, you know.  Eventually if someone hears it (music), it will ultimately come down to who believes in the artist, and if they believe in themselves to make it to that next step. I’m definitely offering the opportunity, but at the end of the day it’s about how far can we take it. It really depends on the artists, and depends on the company too (you know, behind the scenes).  We’re just trying to do the best that we can.

 

 

CONTACT INFO for Shauna Clarke:

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/iamshaunaclarke

IG:

https://instagram.com/iamshaunaclarke/

 

CONTACT INFO for KeepDiggin’ Productions:

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/KeepDiggin1

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/KeepDigginInc

IG:

https://instagram.com/keepdigginmedia/

>>>>>UHOOKED? 

*MIC GUTZ*, #Toronto Rap

By: Lyndsay Brown

 

Mic Gutz is a Toronto underground Rapper & Producer who has been on the scene for many years dropping mixtape after mixtape, putting out well produced videos, and  doing live performances some of which shared the stage with the likes of Redman, Ghostface, Sean Price, Cormega to name a few! There really are levels to this industry; Mic Gutz has built a strong brand around his music making big moves by collaborating with other likeminded people, placing him on a ‘top dog’ level.

 

Further, Mic Gutz is part of a music related group T.H.C (Team Head Crack) as a collective the group recently released a mixtape “THC Presents- The Half Ounce” on audiomack, and two music videos “THC- The Shootout (Remix)”, and  another ‘straight of the press’ made public Oct. 15, 2015 called “IN T.O EVERYDAY”. JEESH, Mic Gutz puts in work!

While currently working on team projects he also just dropped his own mixtape titled “Me Against the 6ix” [Explicit Content]. “Me Against the 6ix” has 18 tracks featuring other GTA Rappers; some examples are: Dre Barrz, Mark Jordan, and Spade of Citizen Kane among others. Mic Gutz last music video on his YouTube Channel is “4 My City” featuring ‘iconic’ Canadian Rapper Choclair expresses their devotion for Toronto and everything in it. If you haven’t already heard of Mic Gutz go to www.youtube.com/biggutz to watch and listen…if you do know his music be sure to check out all this new stuff.  The HOOKEDUPB MAG website has both new mixtapes under “Mixtapes” tab- click the mixtape cover art to stream!

Show support by commenting or hitting the share button- ‘love is love love’.

 

 

>>>>>UHOOKED? 

Kacy Hill Releases Debut EP “Bloo”

By: Lyndsay Brown

 

So, everyone should know I like Kacy Hill song “Foreign Fields”, and I have been waiting for her EP “Bloo” to come out; well the wait is over, it can be streamed on Spotify NOW.  Kacy Hill’s music is calm relaxing in both her voice, and melodies.   The EP “Bloo” has five songs the track list is as follows:

1)      Foreign Fields

2)      Arm’s Length

3)      Shades Of Blue

4)      Foreign Fields Yung Gud REMIX

5)      Arm’s Length Bodhi REMIX

Kacy Hill is a breath of fresh air with her new sound, and "Bloo" is actually going on my top picks list to play when I'm in a  'chill mood'.

Did you listen to the EP “Bloo” yet? What did you thinks of it?

Source: Spotify

 

 

>>>>>UHOOKED?

#EvanEgerer Soulful Rock, West Coast

By: Lyndsay Brown

 

Rock and Soul is the definition of Indie Singer/Song Writer, and Guitarist Evan Egerer from Tri Cities, WA.  One can tell that Evan has a burning passion for music almost immediately after listening to his music, and watching him go through what seems to be a very natural process of musical progress.  “Distance” is the title of his Debut EP released April 2015 all three songs: “On My Way”, “Carry Me home”, & “Distance” written by him himself (available on iTunes). A fun fact regarding the EP is that the songs can sound like he has a full band playing along with him, but Evan uses a Looper Padal. Evan not only writes his own music he also does live acoustic covers of other hit songs like: Bill Withers, Adele, Imagine Dragons, and many more on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/evanegerer . You hear all the time on shows like American Idol that when covers are performed a musician should ‘make it their own’ Evan Egerer definitely does this by changing notes to suit his style, and replacing other instruments like piano with guitar. Picking your favorite Evan Egerer cover song is ‘like being a kid in a candy shop’ if I had to pick a favorite it’s got to be classic Bill Withers- “Grandma’s Hands” if you’re not familiar with this song you might know the later made Hip-Hop song Blackstreet- “No Diggity” ft. Dr. Dre & Queen Pen which derives from “Grandma’s Hands”!!

Go take a listen to both his EP “Distance”, and the cover songs on YouTube; you can thank me later.

 

 

>>>>>UHOOKED?