20-Year-Old Atlantic City Entrepreneur Presents Atlantic City Talent Showcase (February 20, 2021)

PRESS RELEASE | Posted Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Axel Castillo, a 20-year-old entrepreneur from Atlantic City, NJ, has launched a talent showcase, in conjunction with Dirty Politics Studio & Apparel. The event includes music artists of various genres from the tri-state area. Judges include Billboard recording artist Lovari, among others. The event takes place on February 20, 2021.

Under the umbrella of his Cherry Bomb Entertainment promotional team, the February 20th event, a mere few blocks from the Atlantic Ocean seashore, will include some of Atlantic City's established artists on the scene, along with artists from the tri-state area. The event will be held at Dirty Politics Studio & Apparel (4403 Atlantic Avenue), an independently owned recording studio and clothing boutique, helmed by Jersey Shore natives Benjamin "Benji" Howard and Deron "Strandz" Leggete. This event will be the first of several by Mr. Castillo that will be produced throughout the year.

DJs Neff, Stev, and Mav provide the sounds. Guest judges include Lovari, who recently hit Billboard's Top 25 Dance Charts and iTunes Top 10 Pop Electronica Album charts, along with Adam Letnom, Nat Cruz, and Dirty Politic's Strandz. Hosted by Rook.

Scheduled to perform: omgxreem, NDETE (Skreechy/E2High/Yoshi), Kingoak, Young Cholo, Johnny Seed, FBN Kappo, Julio Fuaego, 28 Young G, Adonis YBC, Sway Valentine, Lil Ess, Zay TheSmoker, Rome Rose, Tony Newbury, Mophead TBC, E Class, Hoodiequel, Zuback.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-showcase-atlantic-city-edition-presented-by-cherry-bomb-concerts-tickets-138099325801

For more information, please contact cherrybombconcerts@yahoo.com

Interview with Chill Smith

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Monday, December 9, 2019

In August of this year, South Jersey rapper, hip hop producer, and audio engineer Chill Smith released his latest album, Chillville, YO, followed by a music video for his single, "blas•phe•my.” He is an Asbury Music Award nominated artist who has been performing for at capacity crowds across New Jersey for the past decade. Check out our interview with Chill Smith, below, to learn more about the inspiration behind his music and his plans for the future.

What's your name, where are you from, where are you based now?

I go by Chill Smith. I was born and raised in Paterson, NJ. I currently live near Seaside.

How would you describe your sound?

I'd describe my sound as contemporary East Coast hip hop, heavy 808s, trap beats with an East Coast flow.

Who are your musical influences?

I have a bunch of influences, but my most current influences have been Royce Da 5'9", J. Cole, Drake, Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar.

congrats on the release of your album, Chillville, YO. What can you tell us about the inspiration behind some of the tracks on it? Tell us a bit about your creative process.

I suffer from anxiety. My anxiety either forces me to hide or just go. A friend of mine, Chris Rockwell, released a track everyday in January. I’ve seen the results he got, so I decided to try something similar. By the time I decided to do that I was working two jobs, so releasing a track everyday wouldn't have been feasible. I choose to do it every Friday. I just wanted to rap, I wanted to have fun, I didn't want to make the beats, just rap, record and mix. I wasn't expecting to make this album, I was just picking beats and recording. I didn't even write lyrics, I just turned on the microphone and went off emotions.

First Video off Chillville, YO. Shot By: Chris Rockwell. Edited By: Chill Smith

Is there anyone who you actively collaborate with or would like to collaborate with in the future?

I don't really like working with people when it comes to my own music. I have to be left alone in my own space, but I'm glad I collab’d with the ones on the album, especially Heather Hills. Heather Hills has a video on Twitter with about 160k views of her rapping her verse off “Pepto Bismol”, which organically is my most streamed song.

Second music video off Chillville, YO. Recorded and Edited by Chill Smith.

Also, congrats on the release of your new music video for "blas•phe•my." What was the music-video-making process like?

That video was spontaneous. I just said "fuck it." I shot it on my cell phone after seeing Joker for a second time. I had several ideas, but over-planning slows me down. It took me two days to record. Most of the shots are me in my car. For the shots on the roof, I used a $5 stand from 5 and Below. I danced on that roof without music, I couldn't even tell if I was in the shot. I used a stock app on my laptop to edit the video. I'm proud of it.

What has your personal journey been like so far? How’d you get to this point?

My personal journey as far my music career has been great! I've been across the country, I've gotten to meet and open up for some great artists I admire and respect like Pharoahe Monch and Joe Budden. I got here by constantly working and taking risks.

Do you have any words of advice for people who share a similar passion, or have maybe faced similar obstacles/challenges?

Use your resources, don't let money get in the way. Surround yourself with people who have the same goals, don't expect everyone to listen to your music, it's your job as an artist to make people want to listen.

Finally, what are some ways that fans can connect with you online?

My website is www.chillsmith.com and all my social media is @chillsmithchill.

EP Review - LUCAS by Pyrex

By Sean McCall  | Posted August 13, 2019

Pyrex is the musical project of Luke Knoblauch from South Jersey. Pyrex describes himself as Ambient Rap, and debuted his first EP Lucas in September of 2018. Pyrex said, “I wrote this on my notepads app over the years and just turned it into music.” He also gives a special thanks to Jayradda, Kevin Dunne, Mike Kratz, and Nick Fysz for their contribution to Lucas.

The introduction song is “MSbang! (feat. jayradda)” which opens up with a vocal heavy hook that has you bopping your head immediately. The hook “Self-reflection is that all I ever know, are you just bored, or should I just take you home? Always texting on your cellular phone, I try to just let you go” cuts deep, and the song deals with coping with the emotional loss of a loved one. One of my favorites is featured on this track too: Jayradda (or Jorge Estrada) of comeupcomedown and Heather Grey. Jayradda has the prettiest voice, and it especially shines in “MSBang!” He has super tasteful vocal runs and emotional lyrics in this track.  

The EP seems to talk about the struggle of loved loss, battling with substances and vices, and the love of streetwear. Overall, Pyrex is portraying that although life can be tough and sadness prominent, he is still striving to live his best life.

The second track, “Happy”, is hands down my favorite track on Lucas. The hook “I just want to make my way back home” is one of the catchiest things I’ve heard. The beat is very upbeat and catchy. “Happy” brings you sadness, optimism, and nostalgia. Everybody interprets songs differently, which makes music so beautiful. This track definitely hit me with nostalgia, and just makes me want to drive my car blasting “Happy.”

The third track, “Dead,” opens up with an old-time sample, and discusses the topic of wanting to quit life; the overall idea of just feeling stuck and stagnant. I really love the second verse’s melody and choice of harmonies around the 2-minute mark. The beat and dissonance of the vocals gives me an older Kid Cudi kind of vibe.

“Kai” is the fourth track off of Lucas, and this is definitely up there with “Happy” for me personally. The beat and piano in the song is beautiful, and the lyrical content discusses the use of drugs, smoking, and drinking. The vocals are melodically beautiful throughout the song, but Pyrex’s vocals especially shine through towards the end around the 2:45 mark.

The second to last track, “Space Cowboy,” is another favorite that almost acts as a reprise and brings back the theme of “finding your way back home” that was introduced earlier in “Happy.” This track’s super spacey and dreamy, which is right up my alley. It definitely gives me an older Kid Cudi vibe again.

The last track, “Dreamin.In.Reverse.flp,” was produced by Jayradda and is another beautifully atmospheric track. The beat on this song has an uplifting feeling while still glowing with tension. I think this song concludes Pyrex’s EP perfectly, and the production value is Grade A.

All in all, I think this was a solid initial release. It talks about subjects that are tough to talk about, has a solid consistency of sound, and is purely authentic . Be sure to check out Pyrex’s single, “Truly Free”, if you’re looking for more Pyrex.

Instagram: @GUCCIBOYLUKE

Interview with Alexis Pellegrino (Lex Rex and the Dragons)

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Friday, April 13, 2018

NJ's Alexis Pellegrino, aka Lex Rex (Lex Rex and the Dragons), just release a new music video for her song, "Ain't Nothin," from her EP Tides (you can listen to Tides on Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Google Play, and Amazon).  Check out our interview with Lex, below, to learn about her style, musical influences, and the inspiration behind her new EP. 

What's your name, where are you from, where are you based now?

I am Alexis Pellegrino aka Lex Rex.  I'm originally from Northern NJ.  I am now based in Ocean County.

Tell us about your music.  How would you describe your style or sound?  Where do you record?  Who are your influences, musically?

Last year, I released a Hip-Hop single.  I don’t think people were expecting Tides to sound the way it does.  I went from spitting bars to singing.  It definitely put me out of my comfort zone for sure, but I’ve been writing pop music since I was in elementary school.  I finally decided to go with it.  I love writing melodies over some smooth synth or a nice beat. 

I recorded Tides at Eight Sixteen/Traxx East Studio in South River, NJ.  I absolutely love them there, they are like family. 

My musical influences are pretty wide ranged (I’d like to think).  Frank Ocean, MJ, Earth Wind and Fire, The Internet, Led Zeppelin, The Stones, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, The Weekend, Kanye West, The Stooges, Nirvana.  Growing up my dad would play Disco/Motown/Jazz/R&B…. so I would like to think I started off on the right foot as a kid ;). 

Directed by Christian Cordes. 

Congrats on the new music video! 

Thank you!  Because Tides has a throwback kind of feel, I’ve been figuring out ways to tie in retro design/film with modern day design/film.  I love it, mostly because you learn a lot about how far we have come in design, technology, etc. from studying the past.

What's the meaning or inspiration behind some of your newest songs?  How do you want people to feel when they listen to your music?

Honestly, the EP is about an Ex-lover.  A friend told me that this is “The saddest happiest sounding EP they have ever heard.”  The music is upbeat for the most part, but if you listen to the lyrics, they are rather deep/emotional/sad or coming from a place of hope for the future.  I hope people connect with my music.  I think there is a song for everyone on the EP, and I love how diverse it is.  It was honestly very challenging but super rewarding to hear the finished product.  I honestly wanted people to feel like there was hope for them even in a place of feeling worthless, low, and stuck in a bad place.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How did you get started with music?  What's been your personal journey?  Are there any artists, bands, or producers who you'd love to collaborate with one day?

I started getting into doing live music through dance/theater.  I fell in love at an early age.  Started dancing at age 3, and then it just took off from there! 

Current bands or artists I’d love to collaborate with would be Frank Ocean/SZA.  Both of them together would be ideal.  I am heavy on the R&B, always. 

What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar passion, or is maybe facing obstacles similar to what you've faced?

Keep doing YOU!  NEVER give up and NEVER second guess yourself.  Also, push yourself out of your comfort zone at least once a day, you’ll find you grow from stepping out of your own zone! 

What's next on the horizon for you?  Any upcoming shows, singles, music videos, or plans for the next album?

I will continue to release new music videos to go with the songs on the EP as well as some future live performance dates, TBA ;). 

Finally, how can people find you online? 

I am on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube!

Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexrexandthedragons/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LXRXNDTHDRGNS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexrexandthedragons/?hl=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsNZq756vBPGmbwSVAHwGiw?view_as=subscriber