Features
Feature: An Evening With TA Thomas
![](https://107.23.166.203/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Screen-Shot-2022-07-24-at-5.34.38-PM-818x1024.png)
TA Thomas, aka Terence Tee can do it all. From teaching himself to play piano as a teenager, to playing in front of his mother’s packed-out congregation every week, stage presence was something he cultivated early in his career. Born and raised in the Mississippi delta, Thomas was practically born in church. While he was setting souls on fire on Sunday, he began honing his chops as a performer at local talent shows and developed a passion for R&B. “I’m a church boy, but I love R&B and I couldn’t take my shirt off on the gospel stage,” he laughs.
After leaving college to tour with Grammy award winning gospel group, James Fortune and Fiya, he was afforded an opportunity to form the highly acclaimed boy band, Next Town Down. With Next Town Down, he gained over 100 million streams and released musical projects, including The EP [2018] and Juliet [2019], which boasted collaborations with 6lack and Rich The Kid.
Terzel Ron caught up with TA Thomas (@terenceteee) at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles ahead of his performance to chat about his journey, career, and future goals.
Tell me about right now, performing at Unrestricted Live and what that means to you.
Man, to be honest with you, it’s really an honor. To those who aren’t familiar with LA, to be performing at the Roxy it’s an honor. Just to be here with this lineup, my brothers Tone and Davion, yeah I’m super excited and pumped for tonight man.
Totally. You said this is your first solo performance?
My first solo performance dude. It really is.
It didn’t sound like that!
I performed before. But there’s specifics to it. It’s my first solo performance with original records. Let’s say that.
You’re right at home on the stage. You’re wearing sweatpants and Gucci flip flops right now. That tells me that you’re very comfortable on stage, almost at home. Talk to me about the journey of getting to this point of comfort – growing up performing in church at the age of 5. Talk to me about what that upbringing did to you.
Man you know. I’m from a little small town in Mississippi called Hollandale. Of course, Mississippi being in the Bible Belt, I’m a preacher’s kid. Being in church, singing with my sisters from the age of 5 and 6, even younger to be honest man. To go to college and sing in the local nightclubs. I’ve been doing this for a while and I kind of find solace on the stage bro. It’s my comfort space. Looking out into the crowd and seeing somebody smile, the glow they’re holding and the light, to me that’s what it’s about. Being able to connect and being like “I can take you there.” That’s what it is for me bro.
You already know when somebody can really feel it. Does that give you extra motivation on stage?
Yeah bro. I’m a very spiritual person, you know. Being on that stage, I don’t take it lightly bro. I feel like it’s a spiritual experience for me.
You can’t take your shirt off when you perform Gospel!
You know what I’m saying? And that’s exactly why I had to go slip on over to R&B. I still got a lot of love for Gospel, through my sounds. Maybe I’ll have a spiritual project coming out. But yeah dude, being on stage man and being able to have all these songs come out and be Gospel influenced. That’s what I’m excited about.
Growing up in Mississipii, was performance embraced? I know your mom was a Gospel singer but a lot of times family can’t really see the vision.
Bro I think that was mainly outside of my family. My family always knew my passion for music. Being a fan of Tank at a very young age, I think I was able to straddle the fence a little bit between church and R&B. My family always knew I had a big drive for R&B. They didn’t judge me, they pushed me. I think it was moreso outside people that made me feel like I was doing something back.
I know you just mentioned Tank. Who are some of your biggest influences?
Man, some of my biggest influences are Tank, who is my brother, big homie. Mario, Brandy, Donnie Hathaway, Joe. That whole R&B sector of guys who are musicians. I play the keys, so I really connect with musicians as well. Donnie Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, those are just a few of my inspirations.
How many of them have you met?
I became friends with Brandy recently. Tank is big homie. Got a chance to chill with Mario.
Talk to me about linking with Next Town Down.
Bro, so it’s been almost 6 or 7 years now that I’ve known these guys. We met on social media, were following each other and someone thought of the idea to form a group. It just so happened that it was the time of the New Edition movie and some guys from Sony were looking to start a group. We started by doing covers on Music.ly, and it helped me find my sound because we were recording for 6 to 7 years non stop.
What does Next Town Down look like now?
We’re still tight, writing and creating together, and some of us even still stay together.
A lot of people have a certain perception about boy bands. One Direction was put together by a talent show, but you guys put yourselves together. Talk to me about that dynamic juggling friendship and being productive.
The years we spent together not in a creative mode made us really comfortable with one another. It created a brotherhood – just chilling, hanging, cooking. Music wasn’t even the subject of conversation. For us, we wanted it to feel like the living room. The process of creating records was so easy – no bumping heads. It was more like “bro, that’s definitely your part.”
What’s your favorite and least favorite part of being in a guy group?
When you hit that stage, you don’t have to hit it alone. If you’re having a shitty day, vocals not too clean, you can always depend on somebody. They negative stigma that guy groups dont work is the worst part. We’re all so different, and it can be a battle sometimes but we push through it.
What kind of performance rituals do you have before you get on stage?
I like to worship bro. Everything goes back to those roots. Prayer, gospel.
Any studio routines before you make a song?
The area has to be really clean. There has to be a scent. I love patchouli, I love woody. I love smoky scents. I’m real big on scents. It’s really setting the vibe.
You got candles in there?
Bro, all of that. Le Labo. I got rose petals too.
You serious?
Nah, no rose petals (laughs). That’s that Babyface right there, Ima let him have that.
What is your favorite song to perform live?
It’s yet to be discovered, because I’m just starting to perform my original music.
Have acoustic performances been a good marketing tool for you in order to help the masses see your music?
100% bro. I’m covering songs because I love it. To see the insights in my covers definitely gives me a look into my fan demographics. To see what people like responding to, whether it’s R&B or pop.
Is there a favorite song you like to cover?
Probably Joe’s “I Wanna Know.” That’s the one, not the two.
Have you ever thought about releasing a full length acoustic project?
Bro, you’re giving me ideas right now. I really would. I have a special relationship with the piano. Tank actually did two of those during the pandemic. All piano, two EP’s, no other instrumentation. No background, nothing.
I know you’ve covered Jasmine Sullivan, Usher. Have any of these artists reached back out to you?
Well, that’s how my relationship started with Brandy. As you know, she’s from Mississippi as well. She saw my cover and reached out on Instagram, and we became friends.
What was it like getting a random DM from Brandy?
I was like ‘this shit ain’t real.’ I was really geeked out. She invited me to the house and we just vibed out on the piano. I only cover what I like. I don’t even cover songs with the intention of them being noticed. Those 4, 5 minute covers, I know whatever comes from it is going to be something, because I don’t just cover shit for fun.
Are there any artists that you would love to work with?
Pharrell, Joe, Chris, Mario. Lil Baby, Ty Dolla Sign. Usher, Eric Bellinger, Jasmine Sullivan. Beyonce. Everybody that’s in the industry right now.
‘Is This Love’ samples ‘Can You Stand the Rain. What is the album creation process like, and to finally be at the finish line to a certain extent?
Dude. It was during the pandemic when we got started. I collaborated with this amazing producer named Harmony Samuels. And a bunch of top line writers, Varren Wade who wrote ‘Heartbreak Anniversary.’ Pooh Bear, wrote just about every Justin Beiber song that’s out there.
Any pre-show rituals?
We really big on the honey, bro. The ‘moisturization of the vocalisis muscles.’ The honey. No sugar. Chammomile tea, good for inflammation. No shit, I really have this down to the science. But yeah man, project dropping soon, I don’t have a release date right now. But I’m really excited, working with Harmony and the rest of these writers, creating this project. You know, just a young man in LA, experiencing love, in and out of love. That’s what this project is.
You left college to pursue your dream. How nerve wracking was that?
Probably the best decision I’ve made due to the opportunities I’ve come into. But one of the hardest, leaving in my Senior year. Bro. It was when I met the guys and we weighed. My people always knew my passion for music, and I couldn’t do both because I didn’t want to half ass. They got it. If it wasn’t for them, literally there wouldn’t be any of this. It’s my goal to finish it online, but my family tells me whenever you’re ready. College will be there, but opportunity will come and leave sometimes.
It’s important to talk about mental health. How is that managed for you?
It’s real simple. I love the Lord, I love God. I always create a space for him, trusting him to order my footsteps, direct my path. I feel like that’s something that will always keep me grounded. The Bible says you have to pray, fast, and meditate. I always try to do that and make time for God. It’s really taking care of your health, eating good food, the gym, having friends that eat healthy and work out, just a circle of healthy relationships and healthy boundaries helps you create a good framework in life. People will help you get back on track.
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Digital Cover
Feature: Ray Garrison (Silos Band)
![](https://soundofulive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/silos.jpg)
Ray Garrison is a writer, producer, and EDM DJ based in Los Angeles, CA. The multi-dimensional artist blends the genres of Pop, Heavy Metal, and Nu Metal. In 2022, the Garrison teamed up with David Rhemann, the drummer for Grandson, to create the Silos band.
The band includes members Philip “Proto” Nielsen (bass), Nick Dromin (guitar), and Ramon Blanco. They are currently signed to Judge & Jury Records and released their first single, “Flowers” – a new take on Miley Cyrus‘ acclaimed hit – on March 17, 2023.
Sound of U Live caught up with Silos frontman Ray Garrison to talk about his musical journey, upcoming projects, and more.
When did your music journey begin?
I wanted to be able to record myself playing guitar and uh like I was listening to Blink-182, and I wanted to like the guitar melodies that made me feel like I was high or something so I was like I wanted to be able to do that myself and make it home. Iit really just started with me wanting to be able to listen to myself and then later I was like, ‘oh it would be cool if other people listen too.’
Who are your top three inspirations?
Blink 182, Eminem and Bring Me The Horizon.
When did you begin taking it really seriously?
When I was 16. I would drive home from private school and there was this pro audio shop that was on the way home in downtown Atlanta. I knew that like all the big Atlanta producers got their gear from there, like Jermaine Dupree, Bush Walker, all these big time guys. I would just stop in there and look at stuff and then I would eventually show the guy at the front of my demos and he was like, ‘oh this is cool.’ That was where it started and then I learned a lot from them.
Were you self-taught from there?
Yeah, you know, I was a combination of self taught and then every time I went into the studio to record I like was a mutant fly on the wall. I was extra attentive and asked a lot of questions. Just like information.
When did you join Silos?
Silos was born in November of 2022. I was a solo artist, and then my friend David just parted ways with Grandson, and he wanted to be in a project that was more oriented around a band. And at the time, I needed a good drummer, and I really liked David.
I’d known him for years, and I always wanted to work with him. So we kind of had a meeting, a lunch, and then decided to start working on a new project. And almost instantly, I knew I was going to no longer do a solo artist thing.
And I was going to just mix. Just like natural chemistry.
Do you guys have any music coming out for the rest of the year?
We got a song coming out in June with DJ, with someone coming out in July with Escape the Fate. Nice. The title of the next one is ‘Hold Me Close.’ Right now, we’re putting out all singles from the album. So, I think that album is going to drop in the fall. It’s going to be on vinyl and CD.
Are there any dream collaborations that you have?
I’d love to do a song with Oli Sykes from Bring Me the Horizon. I’d say it’s a closer goal, within two years.
Is there anything that you think people should know about you?
Yeah, we have an awesome fan base emerging. We have a Discord where we’re in touch with our fans and kind of have a continuous conversation. So I’m going to plug that. “Silos Fandom.” There’s a link for it on our Instagram stories highlights.
Features
Feature: Devon Thompson
![Devon Thompson](https://soundofulive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Devon-Thompson-cr.-Kelly-Walsh-1-1020x685-1.jpg)
What are you looking forward to the most in 2024?
No bullshit. No bullshit 2024. That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m gonna like leave all the negative stuff behind and like try and change my mindset about certain things. So I feel like that’s, and also work harder and practice more. Just be more disciplined within myself, I think.
Can we say what those certain things are?
Yeah, practice sitting down and practicing my guitar every single day more. Because, it gets hard like when you play shows it’s easy to just like only play when you’re at shows or during band practice for me I want to sit down and be disciplined also not beat myself up over stuff that I can’t control.
A lot of people are really upset with themselves when they like especially living here when you feel like and you’re an artist and you feel like, ‘God, I wish I was doing more. I wish I could. Why don’t I have this, why don’t I have this,’ like you can’t control that the only thing you can control is your personal growth and what you put into it and like you know if if you got something like it you’ll get it out if you really work hard. You can’t just sit around, you can’t expect it to come to you. You have to work for it. I think that’s a really good piece of advice to give artists in general because you know we’re in a new game social media, and a lot of it is like creating content yourself, and I know artists are making a lot more of their own music videos in a way that I’ve never seen before, have you noticed that? – I have noticed that because, you know, TikTok did that. TikTok made like making your own mini music video a thing. So I actually think it’s amazing because it allows artists to have more freedom with what you do.
I think that’s really special and it’s really, but it’s also really, really hard to do that, because this is what you have to do. Every day, I’ve struggled with that. I used to hate it and now I’ve like changed my mindset we’re like no I’m gonna like do this and embrace it and really show people like what I’m about.
I think everything is easier when you have a team of people and people who just really like add to your circle as time goes on. They see your mission and your vision.
Has it been easy for you to find your team?
It, surprisingly, has been easy. It’s because I’ve been putting myself out there. It’s been easier. And I have a wonderful team that I’m working with right now already.
But I’m always looking for, like, expansion. We need more people involved. We need all the people involved. You know, your fans are your team. You know, you are your team. Like, everyone a part of it is important.
So, like, that being said, I’m always looking for new kingdom. to work with and being over minded So like I feel like it’s easier now.
What other goals do you have for the year?
My goals are to be be more social. I can easily double down and just just be by myself and working on stuff, but my plan this year is to make more friends and to be more social with my family, friends and with new people. I push myself further this year. My music breaks down barriers and standards for female guitar players. It’s a big one, because we’re still it’s still really stigmatized.
Talk to me about that stigma that female guitar players face.
So many women are scared to play guitar, and a lot of them tell me they’re like I am too scared to get up there and play it or even if they do play if they’re like, um, ‘I’m the rhythm guitar player,’ or whatever. You don’t see a lot of female guitar players out there because it’s so stigmatized. If they’re not like an insane shredder people are like you got them stuck it happens so much and i’m a Gibson sponsored artist, so i they saw something in me that gave me hope to keep pushing myself so now i tend to only play in three pieces. I’m the lead guitar player and lead vocalist this year. That’s what I’m going to push on people because I have some really not that good like okay like that’s fine.
It used to get to me and now I’m like just use that to practice practice and be disciplined and safe off it just do it you know that’s what I’m doing.
Do you think that female artists in general also get that sort of stigma and is it coming from the butthurt men?
Absolutely. Yeah, no totally. It’s the main the main thing like I get comments online that are like, you know They can be really really derogatory and and it’s you know what it’s Generally men or very jealous women who don’t like themselves and hate their lives. And I’m like, ‘why do girls girls hate me? Why do certain men hate me?’
And it’s nothing that you’ve done. It’s just you have to remember that there are people that just love to hate you out there.
They love it, especially because you’re doing what they want to do. They want to do what you’re doing. And you just have to, like, you literally just have to understand and recognize the personality traits. They’re like, no, that is not a person who is cool or, like, wants to help or even knows what they’re talking about. about, you know what I mean? Tell us a bit about the music that you have dropping this year though. Do we have anything to look forward to in the first few months? Actually, I have a new single coming out in like a week and a half. And my goal for this year is to have a songwriter and I want to be a part of it. really, really creative with what I’m doing this year. All my music videos are like mini movies type situations, like the Twilight Zone kind of, and I like creating… I really just want to pay homage to the universe and a whole… I mean, to put it simply, a sort of vibe on everything.
Like with my branding, with my merch, like this is… is I don’t know if you can see it – oh I have a lot of teeth in in like my merch stuff like that and in my songs just like really Really visceral and really guttural, but also have been also with an imperial edge And I want my music videos to translate that it’s gonna mean soon So I want to be cohesive so new singles out and then we’re gonna have and I have a lot of music dropping this year. And I’m playing a lot of shows shows and that’s what’s been happening this year So yeah in January 17th.
What’s are you releasing?
It’s called I love you, but it hurts like hell.
Who are some of your favorite musical inspirations from Los Angeles?
Well, I don’t don’t sound anything like her, but I love Phoebe Bridger’s ability to be anti. So like what LA is not, and I think that’s really cool.
So I like that she can do that. How about some of your most influential artists that you listen to growing up that have really kicked yourself? Yeah, growing up. Blondie is a big one for me.
I have a lot of 80s music and 70s music. has really shaped what I do. So Blondie and then a big big goth like inspiration to me, Suzy and the band she’s really big and then some newer stuff like or kind of newer some like some deftome stuff some my bloody Valentine stuff and it’s harder for me to find newer inspirations just because like I don’t know it’s just it’s it’s hard it’s hard for me and then uh yeah so
those are some of my inspirations for sure. Dice was there anything else that you want to grab about before being grabbed? Yeah I think that a lot of people don’t talk about again what I said before about how disparaging this can be and how how much self -doubt can be involved with this um and I have been my worst enemy base in doing this and um you know my I think a lot of that has to do with people you surround yourself with. You can tell who really supports you and who doesn’t and who are out to get you, who poses your friends, but they’re not. Make sure you surround yourself with loving people and people who value you really.
Some talk about it enough here, especially with people who aren’t from here and who are from here. It’s just like both. So find the right people who lift you up. Both of you guys are in a relationship sort of thing. And also, just walk out of the bullshit. It’s what I’m going to do this year and I’m going to work on it.
So for everyone who’s struggling out there with, you know, artist identity, sort of the like, “What am I doing?” You’re here for a reason, you’re here for a reason. And just believe in yourself. Believe in yourself.
Don’t talk but thank you for your time. Thank you so much.
Features
Feature: Leonte
![Leonte](https://soundofulive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/BAD9A27F-5E2A-4B76-B7A2-8CCEFE7BA2BF.jpeg)
Leonte here! Tell us a little bit about the different things that you do.
Yeah, so I mean, first and foremost, I’m a person. And I like to be that way. I come with a lot of emotions and a lot of ideas and feelings that I bring into my art and my work. I’m a model. I love to create very vivid images and stuff with posing and stuff like that. I’m also a creative director for a magazine called Lex Style Mag. It’s about creating a vibe between fashion and music, and really creating a home for that to collaborate and become real is something important for us.
But I also make music. I’m a singer. I make like alternative R&B, pop and rock vibes. I’m really just taking all of those and really just adding my own spice into it, adding a little bit of me and really my goal with that music is to create an environment and create an environment where people can feel emotions that they may not you know be privy to or may not have understanding of but you know they can empathize with the pain, empathize with the joy, empathize with the yearning, love, right? I want to create an environment that you can experience those things safely amazing so how long have you been doing modeling yeah so I’ve been modeling for 10 years I’ve been singing all my life I started off in my church choir shout out yeah so for like most people that started off in the church like singing was a big part of my life it was a big part of my life I expressed myself. I started making my own music physically about a year and a half, two years ago, is when I actually started that.
How has your journey in fashion really impacted your journey into music?
Honestly, I think the fashion in the music industry is so interwoven that it was like a seamless transition. I went from, you know, trying to figure out how to… create very vivid pictures and, you know, how to do really crazy poses to, like, saying, “Well, how do I create a vivid sound with my voice?
If I do this type of movement while I’m singing, will the sound come out differently from this?” Right? So everything just kind of translated differently, right? Saying like, “Okay, well, when I do this performance, I want to wear this type of outfit so that it conveys this message while I’m performing this song.” Right? Really aligning the fashion with the music and the tone with the environment to create a full image and a full picture is kind of where that fashion piece really really locked me in.
As you said, you are now involved in the magazine. What has it been like going from being the model to being the subject and actually having that creative control?
Honestly, becoming the creative director of Lex Style magazine is one of my biggest accomplishments today. I think being in charge of the visual outlook of a project such as Lex Style Mag has put a huge weight on my shoulders that I’d love to take on. It’s really giving me the opportunity to take my wildest dreams and put it out into a visual medium and share it with the world is something that I don’t take lightly. I think it’s something that takes a lot of time and effort, it takes a lot of attention and I think because of that I’ve been able to take all of my years of modeling and understanding what poses look good and what poses don’t.
Kind of the energy behind the photo and what clothes will look good and what poses. I’ve been really able to create really detailed outlines of like this that I want to create and I think that’s something that you know I’m looking to bring out the best in myself for this magazine and for others. I also do freelance creative direction for other brands, so it’s like always fun to be able to express myself in this place.
All of the work that you do is truly so inspirational and incredible. What do you think is the hardest part about continuing that?
Thank you so much for joining me. Being a artist and how you feel. I think the hardest part about consistently releasing creative pieces is understanding your value but also understanding the value of the people around you.
I think as, when you’re the model, everything’s centered around you and how you’re feeling and what you’re getting paid, like you’re, you know, the experience. you’re getting, but when you’re really the creative director, when you’re really at the top of that situation, it’s more about, okay, how do I make sure these people that are helping me create this vision that I have feel valued and feel, you know, I see the best of our abilities and feel comforted in these aspects. I think that’s one of the hardest things because, you know, obviously in this world, you live in and you want to cut down on costs as much as possible, but also it’s like, you want to pay. people what they’re worth, so they pay for what they’re worth. I like saw that, it’s like trying to get people with disabilities.
What has been like your biggest inspiration, both in fashion and music?
I played football in college. And so a big inspiration in my fashion sense was Odell Beckham Jr. Like, he was getting big and popular in football. His outfits on and off the field were always the same. The field outfits were always icy and dripped out with the signed sneakers, the custom likeness, you know, how he used to do it.
But then off the field, it was also him showing up to events drippy, showing his style off. I think things like that really pushed me to actually work towards being more creative with my outfits on and off the field. In terms of music, I think somebody that really inspired me was Juice Wrld, I think I will say “Lucid Dreams” came at a time that I needed it.
And I think, you know, just that being his day… debut, like, hit that popped off for him and that was the one that caught me and then ever since, like, I listened to every single song that he put out like, that was someone that really inspired me to be more of a leader, but he also inspired me to just be creative, I don’t think you could ever say, “Oh, Juice Wrld’s gonna rap like this on this flow.” It was always something completely different than his last song, something completely, you know, new but it had the same feel, the same environment around him, right? And, you know, he had a way of talking about like really hard subjects with a light tone that made him want to party while you’re listening to it, right? Which is something that I want to create, but also different. So for mine, like, I definitely don’t take as much of the drug abuse and alcoholism into my music. It’s complex idealist, you know, abandonment. Heartfelt pain. The concept of, like, where you’re supposed to be and, you know, like flirting. I want to do, like, really, like, take those archetypes and really create stories in my music. I think that’s really what I’m focusing on right now.
I think that’s really the beauty of music. You’re able to take inspiration, and take ideas, while also interacting with your own personality, your own blood, which is so incredible and great to see from you.
And what are we?
So what I’ll say right now is there’s going to be an influx of art, an influx of modeling and an influx of music. Right now my goal is in this 2023. year are to get three good releases and build up a catalog behind them so that I have a lot to push out for everybody, as well as create four really good covers and magazines to release out to the public and to collaborate with as many talented artists as I can. Like my goal is not to get up there by myself, my goal is to bring everybody out here at 50 and I think that when we create a community of people that support each other and uplift each other in this fashion and music space, that’s when we really drive, right? Because you’re only as good as your network, and it’s only as good as how many people you have with you in your team, right? And, you know, what they like to say is network federally, don’t network forward.
Because you never know who in your circle is going to be the next one up, and you’re all riding together. So that’s going to be good. there. So, it just supports people around you, it supports the day one, it’s going to come the day zero, it’s going to rock. Well, I am so very excited to see what’s next for Beyonce. Everybody should be on the watch for what’s coming next. He’s going to be hitting us with new music, have sure new books, new shoots. So please be on the lookout for him!
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