Interview and Music Review for ‘Be You’ by Ace

The classic and vintage sounding piano that brings this track into the spotlight is dark and almost haunting to listen to, it sets a mellow yet serious tone for what will follow. You then get this unexpected fusion with the modern synth sound, and all the while this barely audible leading vocal plays out in the background. The whole track makes for a fairly haunting experience, almost like you’re slowly gliding down some dark and abandoned hall way, through the stories of many lives, but with so much going on that you can’t really pick out any individual moments or lines.

The music to this piece is extremely creative, a whole lot of different sounds and samples are played with and combined to build up this sound scape. In many ways, the faint sound of a heavily reverbed leading vocal adds to the overall effect of the music, but in another way – there really are times when you wish you could make out every word. The flow sounds relentless, continuing without pause, from start to finish. It sounds impressive, it would be even more impressive if you could hear the lyricism, hear the smartness in the lines, hear the thoughts as they are expressed. On the whole, however, the music sounds unusual, it leaves you feeling like you’ve really listened to something, or experienced something.

It would be great to hear the leading vocal just a little further forward in the mix though. It would be impressive to hear the artist bear his soul right there in the forefront of the music. But even having said that, there is something intrinsically artistic and thoughtful about this whole track. There’s a manic sound to it, mixed with a whole lot of peace and reflection, there is just the clarity of that poetry remaining that would really make it outstanding, and it could well be something as simple as a slight remix. There’s something great here though, almost certainly.

By Rebecca Cullen

Exclusive Interview

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Ace’: I’m a 20 year old artist and father born in Chicago, IL. I grew up in Lincoln, Ne better know as the Mid Coast. Ever since I could remember I’ve always been a major music fan. I’d say listening to Drake, Jay Z and Ice Cube is what inspired me to become an artist.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 Ace’: Honestly it’s a funny story. Me and my childhood friends Marvin, Zacc and Teddy were watching Paid in Full and the part where Calvin wants Ace to put him on and Ace told him “he was too hot in streets and that he need to be lowkey.” Marvin, Zacc, and Teddy all said that me and Ace were so much alike because we both moved behind the scene.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Ace’: I think online sharing is genius. It let you share your music worldwide at the press of a button. Yeah I have gave away music for free! I’d do it for charity that’s without a doubt.

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?

Ace’: The best advice I could give you is to pursue your dreams everyday. Be fierce about pursuing your dreams but most of all stay humble and true to yourself and your music. Never doubt yourself!

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Ace’: I get inspiration from all over but I would say my main inspiration is my daughter! Usually I hold my daughter with all the lights of and just let the instrumental play at least twice before I start writing

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Ace’: I don’t currently have a website but hopefully by the October/November it will be up and running. I use sound cloud to share my music. Https://www.soundcloud.com/dntewggns

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

 

Ace’:I would go to Costa Rica with my daughter and her mother and just make music and enjoy our time together. Also I would make a collab with Drake and Future

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Ace’: Coast 2 Coast mixtapes helped me a lot with promoting as well as Twitter. Self promoting and friends worked the best for me. Soundcloud : Https://www.soundcloud.com/dntewggns

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Ace’: Yes. I’m currently working on a remix to Heaven or Hell. It’s for all the fallen black lives across our nation

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Ace’: I would probably be going to some college getting a lecture every other day.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Ace’: It’s a lot of hard work and time management but making sure I take at least a hour out of my day to sit down and just focus on my music . I would also say my girlfriend Alicia plays a big role in this.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Ace’: If everything goes as planned hopefully a new tape by December and a lot of singles along the way!