Interview with MilkMan. Debut Single "Tuna For Dinner (FMHA)"

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Monday, March 22, 2021

If you’re looking for a catchy garage pop tune to carry you through the day, look no further than "Tuna For Dinner (FMHA)”, the debut single from indie artist MilkMan. MilkMan is the solo project of Eric Schwartz of the West Long Branch alternative rock band Malibu. Check out our interview with Eric (MilkMan) below, to learn how he’s been keeping busy during these unusual times.

What is your name, where are you from, and what do you do?

My name is Eric Schwartz, I'm from Maryland, and I'm currently a student at Monmouth University.

For first-time listeners, how would you describe your sound?

While I think I'm still trying to nail down my sound, it's currently kinda a mix of garage rock and indie pop. I call it garage pop, but genre names are meaningless so call it whatever you want.

Who are your musical influences?

I draw influence from garage bands like The Strokes and The Libertines along with more indie pop acts like Rex Orange County and Her's.

Congrats on the release of your debut single, "Tuna For Dinner (FMHA)"! Where did you record/who produced it?

FMHA was all recorded and produced by myself in my house. I dedicated a spare room to make a small studio setup which is where I recorded vocals, guitars, keys, bass, etc.

What's the inspiration behind the song?

I didn't really have any direct inspiration for making the song. One day I just wrote a chord progression, decided to record it, then it all went from there.

What inspired you to start this side project of “MilkMan”? How does it compare/contrast with your work as a member of the band Malibu?

While I love working with Malibu and making the music we put out, I've always wanted to dive a little more into the indie side of things. I also always wanted to challenge myself by self-producing and releasing my own music. MilkMan's music is a little more garage rock and indie, while Malibu's music tends to be poppier and more modern alternative rock.

What is your songwriting process like?

I start off almost all my songs just by messing around until I find a nice chord progression. Then I gradually add layers until I have a full instrumental. The lyrics usually come afterwards based on the vibe/sound I've created. Having said that, I do have a note in my phone full of lyrical one-liners I always pull from. My songs are usually based on personal experiences and emotions that I go through. Having said that, the "fuck my heart again" lyric was a reference to the final scene in The Sopranos, where Tony has a heart attack and utters those words as the screen cuts to black.

Do you come from a musical family or are you a trailblazer?

My family has always loved music, but I've really been the first to play multiple instruments and create my own music. When I was three and heard "Tomorrow Never Knows" by The Beatles, I decided right then and there that I wanted to become a musician.

What have been some of the highlights that you’ve experienced so far as an artist?

I'd say putting out my debut single was definitely a highlight. Not much else has happened after that.

What’s next on the horizon for you? What are you most looking forward to in 2021?

I'm currently working on producing my second single, which should be out around May (hopefully). I'm really looking forward to putting out more music as well as collaborating with others to expand my production portfolio.

If you could collaborate with any artist, producer, or musician -- living or dead -- who would it be and why?

I would collab with Scott Joplin, the king of ragtime. I've been looking to incorporate more ragtime into my music.

What words of advice or encouragement would you give to other artists — or really anyone — who’s trying to make it through and stay mentally healthy during this pandemic?

To quote Lance Armstrong, "Viva la Loca Vida"

Finally, where can people find you online?

Instagram: @milkmanmusic_ twitter: @eschwartz99. I have really good tweets.

Interview with Via Ripa. New EP "While It Lasts"

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Via Ripa are a four piece rock outfit based out of Long Branch, New Jersey. Forming in summer of 2019, Via Ripa already has two EPs out; their latest “While It Lasts” was released 2/14/2021. Their blend of influences lead to a unique, energetic sound, with a familiar New Jersey attitude. Unfortunately due to the pandemic, after Via Ripa’s first three shows, venues were shut down and the group was forced back to their practice space. Luckily for us, the group has been hard at work and are showing no signs of stopping. I reached out to the band to see how they have been keeping busy in the wake of their latest release, as well as what is next for Via Ripa.

When did Via Ripa first form? 

Via Ripa: Mike and two of our friends (Sam Macpherson and Kyle Kieper<333) had started writing songs together and posting them on YouTube in like 2015/2016, and they called that Via Ripa, but only did that for about a year. Fast forward to the summer of 2019, and Matt, Mike and I (Sean) started jamming together and eventually got our drummer Nick in the mix. We got the okay from Sam and Kyle to use Via Ripa as our name in the beginning of 2020, but I guess you could say Via Ripa has been around for a little while. 

Who were your influences when starting the band, have those influences changed?

As far as influences go, all four of us come from varying backgrounds with varying interests in genres and artists.  Personally, mine (Nick) range from jazz artists like Louis Prima, Art Blakey and Benny Greb to bands and artists like Streetlight Manifesto, Jack Johnson, PUP, Vulfpeck and Led Zeppelin.  Sean was listening to a lot of Slaughter Beach Dog, Skeggs FIDLAR, bands like that, and Mike was on a big Jimmi Hendrix and The Smiths kick. Matt is more into blues and progressive, like Ariel Posen. That said, we feel that our sound is a result of all of these bands and evolves due to the wide variety of our own personal influences

When did you start writing for your latest release, "While It Lasts"?

Over the summer we sat down and kind of just wrote whatever popped in our head. I think in total we wrote 11 songs and ended up recording 10 of them in a two day span, with some over dubbing sessions in the following weeks. “Summer is Dead” was a reworked version of the song Mike wrote in 2015, but all of the writing for the “While It Lasts” was done in the summer.

How has the pandemic influenced how the band functions (i.e. practices, songwriting, recording)?

We had our first three shows in a two week span before COVID shut down live music, so it really sucked going from full steam ahead to doing nothing. We didn’t have practice for the first few months, but we slowly got back into playing and writing. I think the time away from practice for a little allowed us to write material in our own space and bring it to the band and then have it take a whole new shape and sound. The live music shutdown also changed the way we feel about releasing music. We could have put out a ten song album, or two five track EPs, but staggering our releases and creating anticipation for our next songs, that has really been the best way for us to present our music to people. 

Any bands you are looking forward to playing with once shows come back around? Venues in particular?

Sean — Loveseat Pete!!!!!!!!! And I would love to get back to The Saint and The Brighton [Bar], but House of Independents and any 4333 Collective show would be really cool, too. 

We would also love at some point to start branching out to NY, Philly, and Boston. Nick’s got a bunch of friends and bands out there from touring and school, which is pretty great.

How have you all been maintaining your sanity throughout the past year?

We haven’t. This band is full of neurotic basket cases who cannot be saved from themselves. 

Future plans/releases?

We have a direct-to-vinyl session with Leesta Vall on April 3, and we will be putting out another EP, 5 songs, in the near future.  We are also always writing and pumping out new songs, so at some point or another we will record those, too! But definitely give our new EP, “While It Lasts”, a listen.

Via Ripa is
Nick Marinelli — Drums
Michael Pinckney — Voc/ Guitar
Matt Smentkowski — Vox/ Guitar
Sean Cuddy — Bass