Magik Squirrel is Just Nutz.A 2014 Reverbnation Break Out solo Artist Finalist from New England, a 2015 Hard Rock Rising Beantown 9 Finalist, Magik Squirrel, is now a band and things are getting pretty exciting. As a full band, the new album earned a #2016IPMA Nomination for the song “No Limits” sung by Thalia Bulhoes.
Not bad for someone almost 300 years old joined by some of the best young artists of the SouthCoast!
A professional entertainer, newspaper refugee, award-winning writer, youth music advocate, radiopoet, animal whisperer, radio GM… Dad… He woke up in 2013 after a dramatic experience and could all of a sudden play the music he always heard in his head. Original, unique, at times, surreal and always passionate, the change from solo artist to band has only intensified a multi-genre musical force.
Hear the prodigy guitarist, drummer, bassist, multi-instrument playing teen Dalton Neilan on “Just Nutz” CD along with the remarkable and Internationally recognized Thalia Bulhoes singing. The album also features more young artists from his youth program including Abbie Gracie.
“There is no age on stage,” says Magik, A.K.A. Ric Oliveira . “Just Artists.”Magik Squirrel, is making a nest on their own limb of the Music Tree!
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Magik SquirrelRIc Oliveira- Grew up in Taunton MassDalton Neilan and Thalia Bulhoes- Grew up in SomersetSal Lopez – Rehoboth MassDalton: Been playing instruments since I was 5Ric- I didnt decide. I just woke up a few years ago and it decided for me as I could all of a sudden play and write music.Thalia – Always loved to sing and love music.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Magik Squirrel
Well, Ric is a squirrel whisperer (you can see videos on youtube). And one day, he just woke up in 2013 and he could write music and play it for the first time in his life. So it seemed natural and unique.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Magik Squirrel
We have a number of songs available for free download. It helps you build brand awareness but it is also a self inflicted wound as you cant give away all your music and survive without making money.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Magik Squirrel Enter as many contests as you can, support other local bands and work hard at getting better, writing new songs and be persistent.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Magik Squirrel: Yes, of course we all make mistakes. You just keep going, sometimes we give each other the eye with a smile.The bigger mistake is playing with no passion. That is something that is worse than a wrong note.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Magik Squirrel We try and play festivals in the summer and gigs where we are playing a concert more than a set. We played a few festivals this summer. We are not much for playing in bars. One reason is that our members are not all legal age and also that we are performers not bar acts. Not many locations in our area that take local original music, mostly cover bands. While Thalia and Dalton often play as a duo cover act. the band as a whole, is only interested in playing our music with a few covers which we can play uniquely.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Magik Squirrel: As a solo artist,it was all Ric with artists joining in studio. But with the reorganization as a band, the new songs are a greater mix of memebrs creativity. Currently Ric and Dalton Neilan (lead guitar) and drummer Sal Lopez (Drums) working on the material for the third album. We are working on a song from Thalia soon. But as of now, the lyrics and melodies are written by Ric with each band member adding their personal touch to each song.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
You have to keep finding websites and platforms to place your music. reverb, spotify, soundcloud, mtv.com/artists cdbaby, etc.Magik Squirrel
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
magik squirrel Zappa’s most grotesque
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Magik Squirrel: I would put out a third and fourth albums and promote the hell out of them in Europe/southamerica
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Magik Squirrel. We record at Bongo Beach Studios with two-time Emmy nominee John Mailloux. .
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
magik squirrel: We psot on everything from twitter to facebook, instagram and anyplace else that offers us exposure to new fans. Sometimes we pay for exposure. It is about getting out there anyway possible
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Magik Squirrel
Would love to open for the living: Radiohead: Ironically, when Ric was a reporter when was the first American to cover and feature Radiohead. At the time, they asked if they could take a picture with him as it marked a milestone on their first american tour.At the time, Ric could not play or write music, just news. It just seems like ti would be full circle to open for them.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Magik Squirrel Well, as we have now become a band, you can expect us to redo songs from the first solo album which are sounding so much stronger now with Dalton and Sal. We are working on a live album and lots of videos to support hte 2nd Album Jsut NUtz which we released in July..
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Magik Squirrel Trying to grow wings
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Magik Squirrel It was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Refugee. Fionally, an artist who I discovered and not one of my siblings.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Magik Squirrel through magik of course.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Magik Squirrel: Just Nutz is out. There is nothing like it, multi-fusion, multi-genre, songs that are all different.
