By: Staff
La Need Machine released "The Mountain," an outstanding genre-bending hit from this Seattle-based band
Blending Americana, Indie Rock, Folk Rock, and Alternative Country, this song's message is particularly terrific. Contemplating its meaning while enjoying the music makes it even better. Positive messages are essential for personal growth, and La Need Machine delivers that here. They highlight how the world is divided between those who have life's necessities and those who don't, pointing out that money isn't always the solution. You can give whatever you have in abundance, whether it's love or helping an elderly neighbor with yard work. This timeless message is one that will undoubtedly make the song iconic.
The opening violin introduction is captivating and the energizing beats elevate the song's energy and tempo. With an upbeat and lively energy, the duo vocalists deliver an emphatic and heartfelt performance.
The following lyrics are just wonderful:
"But it's all good, yeah it's fine, as long as we're together we can beat any bad, any stormy weather"
What a great sentiment to share! It's not about accumulating wealth or putting others down to rise up, but about helping others reach our level and passing that love along. The whole message fits so well with the musical performance it will bring a smile to your face!
Pairing these vocalists was a wise decision; their harmonies are angelic, and the lead vocals are pushed forward, creating a joyful and empowering sound. A song's emotional impact matters most, and this is definitely a feel-good track! The production quality is top-notch, with each instrument perfectly balanced in the mix. You can hear every pluck of the guitar strings and every tap of the drums, creating a rich sonic landscape. The bridge section takes another cool turn, introducing an explosive guitar solo that adds depth and complexity to the arrangement. Fueled by the drum fills and catchy bass rumblings this track just keeps on delivering. As the song progresses, it builds to a powerful crescendo, with the vocalists belting out the chorus one last time. But it was the break in the music and the vocal solo that really sells the whole package. The energy is infectious, and you can't help but tap your foot or nod your head along to the rhythm. It's the kind of song that would be amazing to hear live, with the crowd singing along and dancing. The lyrics are relatable and down-to-earth, touching on everyday experiences that listeners can connect with. It's refreshing to hear a pop song with such a positive message, especially in today's often cynical music landscape. This track proves that you don't need to be overly dramatic or controversial to create impactful music.
If you need a pick me up and you want to elevate a powerful message check out La Need Machine and "The Mountain," today!
Wait, there's more!
We caught up with this exciting and emerging artist, for:
“The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello La Need Machine, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview! We've thoroughly enjoyed diving into your music and exploring your work, and now we’re even more eager to discover more about you, both personally and professionally.
When did you start making music?
Brian: When I was 15.
Elise: I started writing music when I was around 14 or 15. I started writing more consistently around 18 though.
Al: I started writing music at 16. My first song was called, “Three Bombs A Week.” It was my anti-war song!
Can you tell the fans something they might not know about you and why you create music?
Brian: Not really honestly, songs usually just sorta spill out of me whenever they do come to me for the most part. I'm mostly in a rush to get them down.
Elise: I want to communicate to other neurodivergent people that they are capable of what I am doing.
Al: I know it sounds corny, but I still believe in the power of art to make a difference in the world.
What first sparked the passion of the journey to create music?
Brian: I've always been very into music but in my teenage years Guitar Hero helped me get exposed to more music in general and from there I have basically wanted to discover as much music as I can and in turn it sparked my interest to write my own music.
Elise: I’ve always love to sing and perform. I started taking voice lessons in second grade, and throughout the years, I felt like I needed to start performing my own original songs, and not just covers.
Al: I got my first record player when I was 10 and I started collecting 45s. There was no turning back from there.
What emotion do you feel inspires your writing process the most, ie sadness, worry, happiness etc.?
Brian: Love. My natural state when it comes to writing is to express love. If I write about anything else it has to be because I've actively decided to write about something else.
Elise: I feel it’s mostly my darker side that inspires me to write. I don’t have very many happy songs.
Al: Hope
Can you walk us through your songwriting process and where the inspiration comes from for this latest project?
Brian: Honestly I just want to make something that can make people feel good. Something that will hopefully brighten their day.
Elise: I base most of songs on personal experience. And I don’t have a set genre that I aim for. I just sort of compose what feels right for the song.
Al: I’m watching the news and I’m seeing people that are takers and not givers. We are judged by what we do for others. I wanted to write about that.
Where do you create your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your finished work, ie self-mixed/mastered or another source?
Brian: La Need Machine works with producer Bear Davis. Everyone does multiple takes until we feel we have got the intended result that we want.
Elise: When it comes to finalizing, I at this point just trust Bear to make it sound good.
Al: We work with a producer, Bear Davis. And we mix and master with him, too.
What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?
Brian: Nothing with La Need Machine has been difficult at all. We all run like a well organized machine at this point and we have a synergy that just works.
Elise: All the revisions.
Al: We won’t put out a song until it hooks as hard as it can – both lyrically and musically. So, we keep working until we get there. It’s not bad challenging, it’s good challenging!
Is any part of your music's message or your personal purpose you feel fans should know more about? If so, what is that element, and why is it so important to you?
Brian: There isn't particularly, I just want people to have a good time and hopefully find something in our music that makes them feel good/inspired.
Elise: The music I write stems from my own mental health issues a lot of the time. I want to use my music to make people feel like they’re not alone with these issues.
Al: Many of the member of the La Need Machine team deal with mental health issues. We want to bring light to this.
What has been the most motivating force in creating your music?
Brian: My love for Elise. I love getting to sing on these tracks with her and it has always been a dream of ours to perform professionally together so this has been an amazing experience for the two of us to experience together.
Elise: Thinking about the potential outcome, like the possibility that I could perform music for a living.
Al: Like John Lee Hooker said – “Let that boy boogie-woogie. It's in him, and it got to come out.”
What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date, etc?
Brian: Nothing about it is stressful for me.
Elise: Having to frequently go back to the studio to make revisions.
Al: Waiting for the music to get released!
If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
Brian: Something needs to be done about paying artists better than streaming services do, but in order to have a better system to pay artists a lot of restructuring of the entire music industry would need to take place and I don't see a better system coming along for the time being at least.
Elise: How restricting it is with artist creativity. I also don’t like that you more often than not need a lot of money to get to a professional level.
Al: How hard it is to get your music in front of decision makers in the industry that can make a difference for you.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
Brian: At this point I think we're most just excited to see how performing live goes. I feel that seeing how the band dynamics are live will be an exciting prospect.
Al: Resuming live shows. We’ve been focused on recording for some time, and now we’re getting back to performing.
What instruments do you play? Which is your favorite?
Brian: I play piano and guitar. Technically I am a more skilled piano player (I took 10 years of lessons) but I personally enjoy playing the guitar more overall.
Elise: I sing and play piano. Singing is my favorite thing to do though.
Al: I play guitar and bass. My Les Paul is my favorite!
Where do you currently reside and what is the live music venue scene like there?
Al: We all live in the Seattle area, and the music scene in Seattle has been incredible for a long time!
Tell us about the last time you performed. Where was the show, and what was your experience like?
Al: The last La Need Machine performance was at the Crocodile Café in Seattle. We love playing there!
Have you ever been on tour and can you tell us a little about the experience?
Al: La Need Machine has not been on a proper tour, but we are excited to do one!
Was there ever a time when you emotionally felt, “I can’t do this anymore”? Can you tell us why this happened and how you found the strength to continue?
Brian: Many times, but you kinda just gotta realize that that's life and get on with it. Life has a way of working itself out in the end.
Elise: Yes. I had a seizure and for some reason it made lose interest in everything, not just music. For a while, I wasn’t able to find joy in anything. One day, it was like a switch flipped and I was back to feeling good.
Al: When you get turned down by people in the industry, it can be tough. But I always figure – it’s their loss and they will be sorry they didn’t recognize the opportunity we gave them.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Brian: I would tell myself to focus more because it really does pay off if you dedicate yourself to something.
Elise: Start writing songs earlier, and be more consistent about it. Also, practice your piano more.
Al: Buy lot’s of Amazon stock as soon as you can!
What is your favorite song to cover?
Brian: My current favorite song to cover is one of my favorite tracks off the most recent Foo Fighters record called "Under You"
Elise: The Rainbow Connection.
Al: I Fall to Pieces.
What is your favorite quote?
Brian: My favorite current one to quote with Elise is "I'm dehydrated Bob." from The Incredibles, which we quote a lot when we work out together.
Elise: “Pretty?” It’s from an edited version of Aladdin.
Al: “What are you rebelling against, Johnny?” – “What do you got?”
How do you feel about social media?
Brian: I feel basically neutral about it. It is a tool and how you utilize it is what matters. You can use it in either healthy or unhealthy ways.
Al: It’s great to stay in touch with friends and family that move away.
If you could go on any late-night talk show, which would it be? And based on present life, what would be the topic of discussion?
Al: David Letterman. Paul Shaffer.
What is your favorite method of connecting with fans?
Al: Any method – live at shows, through social media, on radio shows.
When you reach the stage where you have the admiration and respect of other world-known artists, what band or artist would you love to call and say, “Let’s go on tour together”?
Brian: Some first choices for me would be Kings Of Leon, Rival Sons, Foo Fighters, Big Thief, Radiohead, and just too many to be named honestly.
Elise: Heart
Al: U2 and/or Social Distortion
We have experienced that many people perform acts of selflessness each day. Once your artistry has reached far and wide, how will you use that more powerful voice to have a bigger positive impact on our world?
Brian: If I did get to the point where my music made a lot of money my dream would be to donate to lots of dependable charities that give money to the poor all around the world.
Elise: I want to bring more awareness to neurodivergence, and encourage people with autism, or any mental roadblocks, to not be afraid to pursue their dreams.
Al: Keep supporting local and international charities – especially those related to mental health.
What is the most inspirational thing a fan, or anyone, has told or shown you about your music?
Brian: When 3 of my friends put on one of my songs and sang it word for word. That was probably the most fulfilling feeling I have ever had from any of the music that I've created.
Elise: I've made people cry with my original songs before. I feel that moving people that much with my music is one of the biggest compliments I can receive.
Al: That they want to cover one of my songs!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared this artist’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!
Check out this latest release and listen to more of La Need Machine on Spotify & YouTube.
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