Music Review – Shifty Eyes – Nowhere
Nowhere is a stylish and smooth track, fairly simple production, but sets a great vibe – just a rhythmic click and some dreamlike synths and sounds that take you back to the heart of R&B, Soul, and Hip-hop combined. The flow of the vocals throughout the track is pretty flawless, really easy to listen to, sets the kind of vibe that lets you really sit back and chill out. Everything sounds complete, a finished piece of art, the effort and the work has been put in to this music to make it the kind of track that is ready for you to pour into your life, you turn it on, turn it up, and just let go of your problems.
At the same time, it’s nice to hear the contrast between the verse, the second one in particular, and the chorus – the rap has an addictive amount of energy and passion, and then the singing part calms it all right back down. A really strong way to structure the song, keeps things moving, makes it more of a journey, more significant, lets it stand out from a lot of the much ‘safer’ tracks that don’t always dare to create that kind of juxtaposed character within their songs.
It works really well, makes for a great track, a calming vibe and a catchy melody. The singing vocal is really nice to hear, it’s quite subtle and gentle, almost whispered, but it presents that melody really effectively. The rap voice is striking to listen to, smart and soaked in style and confidence, never wasting a lyrics or a sound – everything seems well thought out and well placed throughout the track.
There wasn’t any particular lyric that stood out to me in this one, but the vibe created by the music and the voices on the whole overpowers any need for that kind of overly poetic undertone. The lyrics are strong, no doubt about it, I’d just be really interested to hear more. I feel like there’s a lot more to be said. The music is pristine though, it’s a great track, it has it’s own style and sound that really stands tall. Definitely an artist to watch out for.
By Rebecca Cullen
Travelling musician and writer from Manchester, UK.
Exclusive Interview:
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Shifty Eyes: They reached out to me via Twitter and music is my life, so of course I was down to share my story.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Shifty Eyes: I grew up in Sylvan Lake Alberta, a small tourist town in western Canada. Hip hop has always been a big part of my life from the cassette tapes in the basement to rugged freestyle rap in the streets. Going through my struggles as a youth made me realize how much I needed music in my life and how much it helped me connect with other people, while making positive impacts in their lives as well as mine.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Shifty Eyes: I didn’t choose this nickname, when I was young I put up with a lot of ridicule and accusations from all sorts of people. I always seemed to have the finger pointed at me, being the kid with the shifty eyes. I’ve heard the name ever since my early teens and it just sort of stuck.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Shifty Eyes: I think it’s a great way for all artists to communicate with fans at the touch of their fingertips and stream their music worldwide. Yes, I’ve definitely given my music away for free and streamed it online because I believe that people sometimes need to hear your music before they buy it.
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?
Shifty Eyes: Well, the first thing would be focusing on making great music! As for gigs, going directly to the venues management and asking them confidently if they’re interested in doing events never hurts. Having a professional EPK and a solid social media platform is a necessity.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Shifty Eyes: Of course I have, but I’m a freestyle artist at heart and great at improvisation so I can usually fix it and keep going without anyone noticing. I have ran out of breath before as well but caught myself, I notice more than anyone if it happens.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Shifty Eyes: Yes I’ve toured across Canada and the United States multiple times performing in a variety of venues. One time in New York City, I was opening a sold out show and before I even started my performance the crowd attempted to boo me off stage but i just killed the set anyways, and by the end the whole crowd was going crazy!
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Shifty Eyes: I write from life experiences and my inner emotions. When I write I try and keep it organic and unplanned, I just write what comes to mind at the time. Sometimes I will even pass out while I’m writing, wake up, then finish the track.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Shifty Eyes: Yes I do www.strongsoundarmory.com. I also use www.youtube.com/shiftyeyes, www.soundcloud.com/shifty-
eyes-1 You can follow me at these links.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Shifty Eyes: My mp3 player mostly consists of beats and more beats and some of my own music.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Shifty Eyes: I would invest it and make some crazy music and visuals with some of my favorite producers. Using the rest of the money to spread it around in its applicable markets as far as I could spread it touring along the way promoting market to market.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Shifty Eyes: In the near future I plan to upgrade to a full HD system. Right now I’m not even using a console in my home studio, just my Mac Pro with a good mic/pre-amp combo through ProTools with WAVES plugins for editing.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Shifty Eyes: I am always searching for new & innovative ways to get my music out to the world! I have always believed in working with the right people and focusing on making the music a great product to begin with so its easier to promote. I have had the most organic success through word of mouth and dedicating myself to interacting with fans.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Shifty Eyes: I’d perform with Tupac & Biggie at Madison Square Garden if anything was possible, because that would be classic and probably one of the craziest shows ever.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Shifty Eyes: At the moment we are releasing my first mixtape “A New Day” 03/25/2016 with production credits from multi-platinum, Grammy nominated producers and an exclusive original sound. As well I am in the studio at the moment working on my first LP, an underground style album that will be self titled Shifty Eyes. Up next after that is a project with a trio of producers from Canada, United States & Germany with a goal of a world renowned sound.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Shifty Eyes: I honestly have no idea probably nothing good that’s for sure! Music has always been my fuel for positivity! If I were to have a different career though, it would still probably be something in the entertainment industry.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Shifty Eyes: Yes its was Snoop Dogg presents the Eastsiders, I am sure it was a tape even, I remember hoping my mom didn’t find it.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Shifty Eyes: One thing one day at a time is all you can really do, I just try to keep my priorities straight. My family always comes first but they always fuel my music more and support me along the way so its easier to deal with.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Shifty Eyes: There’s so many things I’ve been working on with numerous shows booked, new music releases, upcoming videos, a tour in the works and some big international projects! This has already been a busy year and it’s only just begun!
