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It's All Happening! Hosted by Nia Robinson is a show that talks in depth with some of the most elusive artists in the business. Nia dives deep into the underbelly of the music business with behind the scenes Interviews and music with up-and-coming alternative artists from around the world. That's pretty slayy! We also air on 91.5FM KUNV :)
Unknown Speaker 0:00
The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 Jazz and more the University of Nevada Las Vegas or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Unknown Speaker 0:16
Hey homies you are listening to it's all happening with me your host, DJ Robin. This is a show where we speak with artists, bands and students about genre defined music being a music enthusiast and the history of music and more.
Unknown Speaker 0:39
Hey, homies, it's DJ Robin and you're listening to it's all happening. What is up guys? So I am back from the holiday season and we're back. We're back with some new fresh music. And recently I had the wonderful opportunity to interview feel exams with my home girl, Sarah. Super cool interview. It was short, but it was very fun. And I learned a lot and we were just chilling with Felix, we're talking about his latest album that just came out and titled Gina. It's an r&b album. So so good, you guys. 97 new songs probably one of my favorite songs on that album. Super, super good stuff. And Felix Ames. He is an upcoming r&b singer from Milwaukee and he now resides in California. And he's about to go on a tour right now in Europe. Super, super talented artists. Even metal magazine said that this was his honest approach to discussing themes by his personal life. And then also, it just touched on so many relatable things about love discovering who you are finding yourself and realizing that none of it's even worth it. Because even when you think you have all the answer is you don't. And a lot of his fans have been saying that it's been really touching them ever since he released his first single shoe string. And then Jana the album is gonna bring in more of a neo soul sound while it's still gonna pay homage to classic r&b. We talked about how he uses Tik Tok as a tool to expose more of his music to wider audiences. And then we also talk about his tour coming up in Europe. And also he might be coming here to UNLV to play. So very exciting stuff. I hope you guys stay tuned and keep listening.
Unknown Speaker 2:21
I'll just jump in with the first question you have. We know we know that you just wrapped up the US portion of your tour for Gina. It sounds like you were in DC, Nashville, New York City, Dallas and LA. How did the tour go? It
Unknown Speaker 2:38
was amazing. So we we put together to before the album even came out. And I was like, I hope people come you know, because all you can do is like try to get the music to people. You never know what's gonna happen. And every show is packed. And it was amazing. Like, these are my first headlining shows. And it was crazy, because I've been in such a vacuum that we finished the album like a year and a half two years ago. So we've been waiting, put it out for so long. And the music still hits for me and it's cool to see that the music is hitting for everybody else to like it's the most full circle moment I've had.
Unknown Speaker 3:11
That's awesome. Um, are you able to save why there was a delay with like putting it out? Or were you guys just kind of trying to perfect some things?
Unknown Speaker 3:20
No. So I was negotiating my record deal. That was it. Oh,
Unknown Speaker 3:23
okay. Well, good for you for putting in extra time for that.
Unknown Speaker 3:27
Yeah, it was horrible. It was like grueling, but definitely worth it like me. You got it. It's one of those things that you can't shortcut on, you know. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 3:35
And you want to give yourself the best opportunity to to like actually, you know, make money off of this album. So good for you. Yeah, I've really been enjoying the album so far.
Unknown Speaker 3:45
Yeah, and so um, a lot of people actually found out about your music through Tik Tok. So, how would you say that you use social media to reach audiences or even potential fans? Are you a fan of tick tock? And how do you feel about like artists using tick talks to get ahead and also spreading out their music?
Unknown Speaker 4:03
Yeah, I think tick tock is like a tool. I think at any given point in history, there's always the most efficient marketing like he used there used to be no digital marketing and then digital marketing was born. And it just evolves every year so like, there's a certain way you reach people and there's like, places where your energy is best fit and that's like, tick tock. I watched the change so many people's lives I was like, I can't sit here and not take advantage of this you know, I'm saying so I think for me, I just tried to be natural on in convey who I am because that's like all I got, you know, I'm saying like, I'm, I'm not gonna be do I can't do a backflip like I'm not I don't have any crazy vision I do but I just make my songs and like, like clothes and so I try to just be natural and have that come across. You know?
Unknown Speaker 4:47
That's really nice. Yeah, I think a lot of people to like, are like, oh, you know, social media is overrated, but I think social media and just like building up your own platform is one of the biggest tools The artists have right now to lift themselves up and like get in touch with fans. So that's for sure your things and it's, it's cool that you see the value in that too. So we also wanted to know, is there any artists that you would kind of compare yourself to for people who are just discovering you? Are there any artists that you'd say influenced how you make music?
Unknown Speaker 5:22
I would say I'm like, I like to compare myself to people. But I would say I'm like the, the new. I always need I always make sure I say the right words. So things come off the right way. But I think I'm like the new iteration of soul music. You know, I think like I pull from Maxwell Maxwell D'Angelo music so child like Erykah Badu and like old random, this too. I'm a record collector, too. So I like just listen to a bunch of, I just love music. So I pick it apart, put it back together and find what I like, whether it's like a texture, or a certain instrument or a certain tone, or body or certain harmony. I'm just like, I got onto this all the time. And I can't remember the question. I just think
Unknown Speaker 6:08
that's cool, because I'm literally the same way. Yeah, no, that's an awesome answer. I'm literally the same way I I've, I love picking apart music. I love going on finding especially like at thrift stores, or even like going like record stores and like, like finding artists who I like and then buying this record that I never even knew that they put out in the beginning of their career. And like you just find out even more songs. I feel like that's super cool. Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 6:32
and I think too, is like, there's so much magic in music that was never really discovered. Like, I find some that is so obscure. I was picking this off the covers, like either they're funny, or they amuse me, or for some reason, I just liked them. And, like I found some real weird like Tinky Tonk like country, kind of, I don't know. They were like it was like country song music that this is this guy named Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin brothers. But just like, just like that, where I'm just like, chilling at the crib smoking, enjoy, listen to this album and trying to like put myself in this guy's shoes. And I don't even know, like, his level of success. He's probably barely living off the music still, or like, it wasn't a huge success. So it's like, what was his story? Like, you know, I'm saying how was he feeling in this moment? That's this is really cool. It's like a time capsule.
Unknown Speaker 7:20
Oh, definitely. Agree. Music is like the closest thing we have to like, a time machine. Like the closest thing was
Unknown Speaker 7:28
crazy. It is. It's really weird, honestly. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 7:33
And the fact that so much music even sounds so high definition back from like, even 50 and 60 years is crazy. It's like what do you mean, this was made in 1972? And then obviously, you know, they do make the remasters, you know, years later, but even like, my still play records, I'm like, how did they do this? And like, how did they get the reverb, right? Like, you can hear how the guitars are so clean. And
Unknown Speaker 7:56
they used to have, like bands used to rehearse before studio sessions, like they used to get the music ahead of time, rehearse together to like, perfect it. And then they go to the studio, where like, now it's kind of the opposite, where you go and come up with the idea and make it right away. That's like how I do it's like a jam session. Ya know, it's interesting how, like doing things, different ways can kind of get the same result. But there's certain things like the band, you can get the same feeling from having a full band as rehearse, or just like me and my friend in his living room, you know what I mean? It's which is really interesting. No, I
Unknown Speaker 8:28
love that. It's like, and also you guys, I know you guys do like hundreds and hundreds of takes to put the right one on the album. So it that's just I
Unknown Speaker 8:35
don't, I don't do very many takes very many takes. I like I took vocal lessons for a lot of years. So I like really, very anal about that. It's and I just really, I don't like wasting my time. So I'm like, I tried to do like a couple takes and then just go from there. You know? I really hate wasting my producers time. That's what it is. It's so uncomfortable. Because I'm like, This guy is sitting here listening to me, like this note up a million times. I feel so bad.
Unknown Speaker 9:01
It's like Damacy judging me or what I
Unknown Speaker 9:04
know. And he's like my best friend. I've been working with him for like four years. I'm like, I still self conscious about it.
Unknown Speaker 9:10
No, you're all good, though. I mean, you have a beautiful voice and you make super great music and it Yeah, like you're saying earlier, it does give me like old school r&b vibes. Yeah, absolutely. So we noticed for Gina, that album was licensed to Def Jam Records. And just want to say congratulations, for signing with Def Jam Records. Um, so can you talk about what exactly that music license means? And how did that happen? How did Jeff say Yo, Felix, we want you on our team? Like that is crazy. Amazing. It
Unknown Speaker 9:46
was. Thank you first off, I think so what so basically, I own my music still, they license it from me for a term it means and that's why it took so long to negotiate because they wanted to own my music and my lawyer was like, No. And they were like, Yeah, I was like, No. And we like completely walked away. Then eventually they're like, Okay, well, you know what I mean. So that's just like the business part of it. But it happened from Tiktok. So the CEO 10 G, I think we have a, we have a mutual friend. And he sent him my Album because I finished the album, I just finished the album. And then I was like, shocked, I was planning to shop it around or like make something go viral to then sign to a record label without Ma. And the CEO text me like, I love the album, like we gotta get up soon. I said, today was boom, boom, boom. At the same time, I was like talking to this manager, I was talking to multiple managers trying to like, vet everybody, because like, there's a lot of people trying to work with me and a lot of weirdos trying to work with me like all at once. And I had to just feel people out. So I was on the phone all the time. But an event just working with my manager, Lefty managers, Cam, and Justin. So I started working with them. We had a meeting with Def Jam and pulled up and I told them exactly what I wanted to do. And then just took some time and negotiated and we put it together. And then this year, we've just been putting together everything else and like building the world out. So it's exciting next year is going to be really like this year was a setup for next year. Basically. That's
Unknown Speaker 11:11
awesome. Yeah. So would that technically be you? So you're technically still considered an independent artists then? Because
Unknown Speaker 11:21
Because I'm still signed to the major label, but I just own my music. Not every artist assigned to the label owns their music. But if they have a good lawyer they do.
Unknown Speaker 11:34
That's yeah. That's awesome to hear. Yeah. So switching gears, we wanted to talk about the album art for Gina, kind of looks like you're underwater in the picture. How did you guys create that cover art? Is there a connected meaning with the album?
Unknown Speaker 11:49
Yeah. So I was actually I had the flu really bad when because I had so I flew to, we had flights to or had flight, a flight to fly to Sacramento where my creative director was living. And we had everything but it was 1000s of dollars to like, set the suit up with Airbnb with the pool that started for underwater gear and dish. And I woke up with the flu and I like could not move and we went and I had to be done. I get there and the pool is cold. So we're in this cold pool. It was cold in Sacramento. And I'm just like sick as the whole time. But what I wanted to capture was like, so orange is the main color in the rollout. Because that's like the color I see when I close my eyes that like deep orange. And that same feeling is like congruent for me to being underwater. The stillness, you know, it's like, I think, I want people I felt a certain stillness when I was making the album. And I wanted to put people in that headspace when they consumed out. You know, Oh, okay.
Unknown Speaker 12:54
So it's, like an essence then like, actual like water theme. Right?
Unknown Speaker 13:01
Exactly. And like butter is just very universal, too. I think it just it was more of the feeling that I was aiming for. Yeah. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 13:08
So it looks like you're also holding someone's hand. Is that? Is that any special meaning? Or was that just kind of how you guys shot it? No. So
Unknown Speaker 13:15
that I wanted it to be kind of ambiguous. But like it was, because it's unclear if I'm like holding their hand or they're helping me or I'm saving them or whatever. I just think that represents the way we need each other as humans. And like that we also need a higher power. And it's kind of like however people interpret it. Everyone has said something different. But that's what I was aiming for. Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 13:41
that's really cool. Yeah, I appreciate the thought behind it. Because I think that makes it even more special for you to have a really important intention to the, to the album and to the art to bind it. Yeah, for sure.
Unknown Speaker 13:54
Do you have a favorite song from your album, or any track that you feel like resonates with you the most?
Unknown Speaker 14:01
I feel like right now it's 2 million. It changes like monthly. And I've went through every song has been my favorite song at some point. But right now it's 2 million like, for the past few weeks. That's cool.
Unknown Speaker 14:13
That's that's definitely one of my favorite gets stuck. It gets stuck in my head every time I listen to the album really like 97 Nissan, I love it. Yeah, and then of course, there's like shoestring and all of the like bend and break or sorry, Ben don't break all those kinds of things. But yeah, those obviously are like people love those. And then 2,000,097 Nice honor, like the little nuggets. You just find two. Yeah. That's really cool. Yeah. So like I mentioned to you earlier, we have been following your work for a little while. I've been really impressed by your musical talents. It's really cool to see what you've done and where you're gonna go. Can you talk a little bit about your evolution as an artist over the past few years, however long you've been making music and where you kind of want to go next?
Unknown Speaker 14:58
Yeah, so I've been Making music for a really long time, like eight years. And I think like, for me, there's a certain patients that has to come with it because I was never in control of it. And I'm still not in control of this at all, like it's playing out really well. But I had, I don't know, I was putting forth the same effort five years ago and not getting any results. So it's just like, I think I have a certain amount of gratitude that allows me to just keep pushing, you know, and like, this album, I treated with so much care. And the next album, I'm gonna treat with so much care, I just really care about the dish I do, and what represents me. So I think that's kind of the next phase.
Unknown Speaker 15:36
So you think like, however long you've been making music is kind of a driving factor to keep you going forward and keep you pushing.
Unknown Speaker 15:43
I think I don't have a choice really, like I have to make music. And that's like the, they say like the most broken people have like the most beautiful dishes to say. And it's kind of true. And I don't like romanticize struggle by any means. But I think there's a certain beauty in like, getting through hard times. And that's universal and relative, obviously, it's just what it's just very clear to me that it's what I'm here to do. And I'm so committed to it and feel it so deeply, and have seen the effect it can have on people. So I'm like, You know what I mean? I have like a I'm married to it. I'm married to the game. I hate myself.
Unknown Speaker 16:21
Yeah, we got you doing? Um, once again. Thank you so much for meeting with us today. It's really cool to hear you talk about this. I hope we can keep watching what you do it sounds like there's no way if I'm not wrong.
Unknown Speaker 16:34
Yeah. In the works in the works. I thank you guys so much for having me.
Unknown Speaker 16:38
Thanks for like, it's really cool to talk with you and me, you
Unknown Speaker 16:40
guys are gonna spring festivals. Let my management now because I'm like trying to do a spring like college run. So anything like that I would love to be a part
Unknown Speaker 16:49
of oh my god, you guys. That was the amazing interview that I had with Felix, my co partner Sarah and I had the wonderful chance to interview him. It was super fun. It honestly felt like we were hanging out and felt like we were back in California even though we weren't his new album Gina is on all streaming platforms. And some of my personal favorite songs I've been listening from that album are 97 Nissan and taxi driver and also Felix is probably going to be in Las Vegas I want to say very soon so you guys definitely stay on the lookout because he might be playing out here see you soon by
Unknown Speaker 17:31
numbers don't lie Don't wait for me. Same sky different nice please fall in a DE NADA mundane always seems wrong place at the right time you found me she can change me
Unknown Speaker 17:53
say a lot of other things that I don't know
Unknown Speaker 18:00
me Don't hold me any closer you may gain this
Unknown Speaker 18:10
I don't want to say too much I want to say too
Unknown Speaker 18:19
changes in exchange the Snowball
Unknown Speaker 18:30
or you know as diamonds while I was waking up to the Cyrus that we are not the same though. I was wondering with a chain 97 Nissa stick to talking about that we agree on a norm hi hat he put up with my credit that the sun is setting his salary by the things that I don't know
Unknown Speaker 19:00
don't hold me any closer you may
Unknown Speaker 19:08
say to say.
Unknown Speaker 19:47
Don't want to say to us I want to say to we don't gotta talk bottles. We can take the pressure off. Which is strange. Isn't it strange to snow at all This
Unknown Speaker 20:32
Kalevi Petrakis
Unknown Speaker 20:50
matter what I do
Unknown Speaker 21:03
was gonna say so
Unknown Speaker 21:22
I've been cold for a minute I miss Jackie know myself last time we myself we can kick in this best notes keep with the same on you I guess I'm not the same shirt
Unknown Speaker 21:55
waiter waiter for the other day I see was
Unknown Speaker 22:25
it doesn't matter
Unknown Speaker 22:45
say so.
Unknown Speaker 23:25
Second to
Unknown Speaker 23:26
none
Transcribed by https://otter.ai