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What’s ZAG listening to?
By: Edgar Vega
What song do you currently have on repeat and why do you like it?
I have this album that I'm listening to at the moment. It's Drogas Wave by Lupe Fiasco, which was released last September. The first half of the album tells a story of slaves during the transatlantic slave trade whom were on board of a sinking slave ship. Instead of drowning, they grew gills and are able to breathe and live underwater. They were called Longchains. Armed with long chains for arms, hence their name, they proceeded to drown other slave ships to free their people from slavery. Some decided to run back to Africa's shores, while others are supposedly present to this day in the middle of the Atlantic, guarding the waters. The second half of the album relates to current life of African Americans in this country, as a sequel 400 years later to the first part of the album.
The reason I'm in love with this album and consider it my favorite, is not only because of what I said earlier, but also because of the complexity of Lupe's lyrics and how he could tell a story so vivid only though words. I can proceed to visualize in my head what he's saying. Also, every time I listen to the album, I discover something totally new in what he's saying; and that's the beauty of Hip-Hop poetry.
How would you describe your music preference in general? What qualities make a song truly great?
My music preference in terms of Hip-Hop, I'd say I like Boom Bap and Lo-Fi, or anything that is sample based. Yeah, I listen to the occasional Young Thug when I'm tryna turn up, but for the most part my favorite artists are the J Coles, Kendrick Lamars, and the Black Thoughts. I've also been lately into R&B after listening to some of SiR's stuff and that new Anderson.Paak joint, Oxnard.
How does the music you listen to affect the music you make?
Lately, I've been drawing a lot of my inspiration from J Dilla and Lupe Fiasco. With Lupe, his lyricism motives me to up mine. I'm mesmerized by his worldplay, and I always aim to be more lyrical, while not reaching a point where people won't understand what I'm saying. Because what's the point of using complex worldplay if no one will be able to understand it, right? As for Dilla, his instrumentals don't need words for me to understand what he's saying. It's like his beats teach me how to vibe with the listener, and that I don't always need to be explicit with my message for people to understand what I'm saying.
What's Mehria Listening To?
by Mirabai Jyothi Kukathas
Mehria, what song do you currently have on repeat?
Two songs I have on repeat are Tayf (“Ghost”) and Maghawir (“Commandos”) by Mashrou’ Leila from their album Ibn El Leil (“Son of the Night”).
What is these songs about? How do they make you feel?
Maghawir (“Commandos”) is a response to two nightclub shootings in Beirut which took place within a week of each other, where two young victims were out celebrating their birthdays. The song confronts toxic masculinity and the lack of gun control in Lebanon. Tayf (Ghost) is about a brutal police raid on a popular gay club in Beirut, where its patrons were arrested and harassed. These songs confront trauma and hurt, corruption and violence, and at the same time play homage to the resistance within their communities will to persist and their fight for a world beyond pain. These songs are poems to those that dare to live and love despite oppression, and they humble me. They unsettle me and they incite a fire in me that connect my own identity and the struggles of queer, trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming folks in the west to transnational struggles against violence. Queer Muslims especially are incessantly and unceasingly expected to answer for the actions of strangers and systems that play equal part in oppressing them and then placing the blame on them as being their own oppressors. The band confronts realities that queer Muslims exist in a space that doesn’t allow for mourning, for when they are murdered and abused they are also named the murderers and abusers. Queer Muslims are also forced to be all-knowing and all-representing figures for their religion and country of origin. These multifaceted identities are oversimplified, treated as singular and stable while in reality the complexity and diversity of the Muslim world transcends singular representation. These traumas and struggles to heal from them within Mashrou’ Leila’s songs therefore resonate with many non-western and non-white queer, trans, gender nonconforming folks who exist at the intersections of oppression. Mashrou’ Leila’s music is representative of what it means to speak your truths, to advocate for your community and celebrate each other despite state violence.
How did you hear about this song?
I heard about the band Mashrou’ Leila and then this song through a playlist shared by one of my favorite poets, Alok Vaid-Menon. They are a trans-feminine and gender non-conforming Indian American performance artist who within an entire repertoire of publicly published pieces, which often assume the form of diary entries and visual selfie-poems, delve deeply into themes of diaspora, trauma, loneliness, race, gender, and street harassment; they also provide intimate renditions of their own non-linear healing processes and survival against violences enacted by white supremacy, gender binarism, and transmisogyny. I urge everyone to support their work through whatever means possible, they put so much love into this world!
What album or artist would you recommend everyone to try listening to?
Ruby Ibarra’s album Circa91. Ruby Ibarra is a brown Filipina poet and rapper, an absolute powerhouse that raps in both English, Tagalog, and the Tacloban dialect of Waray.
What's Edgar Listening To?
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists.
What song do you have on repeat and why do you like it?
“Dedicate” by Lil Wayne off his newly-released Carter V album, because it has a groovy beat with mad flow and mad bars. My favorite lyrics off the song is “And your water don’t drip so your garden ain’t sh*t”
How would you describe your music preference in general? What’s the most important thing for you in a song?
My music taste is all over the place. I listen to artists from Lil Wayne to Danny Brown to Capital STEEZ (RIP) to 6lack. The most important thing for me in a song is a nice baseline. Kinda like “Ronnie Drake” by Isiah Rashad.
How does the music you listen to affect the music you make?
Everything I make is basically a combination of everything I’m listening to.
What's Spingineer Listening To?
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists.
Spingineer getting down at Laundry in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Stephanie Muyco.
Spingineer is a DJ, beatmaker, and the Director of Development & Operations at Totem Star. He has been spinnin' for 22 years and has been working with Totem Star artists for more than three years.
Spin, what song do you currently have on repeat and why do you like it?
Lately, I've been listening to the Esma remix of No Label by Gabriel Teodros. I heard this pretty late after it came out almost 10 years ago when I was living in Los Angeles. Somehow I chose to make a Seattle mixtape (Listen Here) and stumbled upon it. I have had it in regular rotation since then. Now that I have been in Seattle for 4 years, it seems to get played more often. I even played it yesterday when I DJed at the High Point Healthy Families Celebration.
How would you describe your music preference in general? What qualities make a song truly great?
I appreciate all types of music and have love for many genres but I LOVE HIP HOP. My relationship with hip hop is complicated especially since I grew up in the 90s. I love hip hop that came out then but every decade after that I have been frustrated with new renditions of hip hop music but eventually came around to the new sounds, understanding the importance of the new style and its connection to the next generation of young people who are creating and loving it.
How does the music you listen to affect the music you make?
Being exposed to so many different types of music and a lover of hip hop, I am able to bring elements of different sounds and genres into the hip hop realm. I sample a lot in my beats but sometimes I try to connect that sample heavy hip hop beatmaking style with dancehall rhythms, blues guitar, and more.
What's Justus Listening To?
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists.
Photo by Amber Zbitnoff
Justus is a multi-instrumentalist and a beatmaker. He has been making magic at Totem Star for more than three years.
Justus, what song do you currently have on repeat and why do you like it?
The song I've had on repeat is Corduroy Dreams by Rex Orange County. I really like the tone he uses for his guitar and he has a unique voice that blends really well with it.
How would you describe your music preference in general? What qualities make a song truly great?
I listen to all music genres and the most important thing that makes a song good is if it was made with passion and feeling.
How does the music you listen to affect the music you make?
Most of the music I make are trap/hip-hop beats, but recently I've been getting out of my comfort zone and really trying to experiment with different sounds. Since I listen to all kinds of different music I have a good ear for what sounds good and what doesn't when I'm making beats.
What's Theomatic Listening To?
Photo by MXT Visuals
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists.
Theo, what song do you currently have on repeat and why do you like it?
Lately I’ve been listening to Kali Uchis’ new album, "Isolation." Melodically it sounds amazing and there's a ton of good vibes in the music. I’ve also been listening to J Cole’s "KOD." He spits a lot of real shit I can relate to.
How would you describe your music preference in general? What qualities make a song truly great?
My music preference is just anything with soul. I don't confine myself to a single genre, both as a listener and a artist. If I can feel the energy and I can vibe to it, then its good music
How does the music you listen to affect the music you write?
The music I listen to affects what I write because I get inspired by it. For example, growing up I listened to artists like the Blue Scholars, Ice Cube, Tupac, A Tribe called quest, Nas, and more. I learned thru all of them that through music you can really express yourself. Not only could you teach others about your experiences , but you could be vulnerable and speak out on sensitive topics, such as mental health, to let others know that it is okay to have conversations about those things. I learned a lot of ways expressing about mental through artists like Tupac, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Joey Badass. I learned about social injustice through artists like the Blue Scholars, Ice Cube, NWA, Public Enemy, and KRS 1.
What is Esther Listening To?
Post by Lashaunycee O'Cain
What's your favorite song at the moment, one that you have shamelessly on repeat?
My favorite song at the moment is "Call Them Brothers" by Regina Spektor. It is on the deluxe version of her “What We Saw From The Cheap Seats” album. Every song on that album is awesome, but right now thats my favorite.
What genre of music speaks to you most recently?
Recently, soul music has been my favorite. I am usually unaware of what music is within which genre, but I googled my favorite musicians lately, and it turns out they’re make mostly soul music (e.g. Allen Stone, Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, Daniel Caesar, Corinne Bailey Rae, Norah Jones, etc.).
Do any of your favorite songs inspire your poetry?
I’m not sure my favorite songs inspire my poems, but I would say my life inspires both the poetry I write, and the music I’m listening to. I use the songs I hear to enhance the feelings that are inspiring my poetry. Sad music for nostalgic poetry, lovey music for love poetry, music with stories for more storytelling poetry.
Find more of Esther on Instagram: @4sourtangerineswalkintoabar
Or on Facebook: Esther Eidenberg-noppe
What Is Sharmaine Listening To?
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists
Sharmaine, what song is really speaking to you at the moment?
I would say a song that's really speaking to me right now is "Rise Up" by Andra Day
What makes the song so special to you?
This song is special to me because it touches on so many emotions that I have felt and it reminded to keep fighting even when it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
How does the song reflect with what you see in your real life?
This song reflects what I see daily. People who are in my life that deal with depression, People who deal with suicidal thoughts. People who feel like giving up or actually give up. It's a reflection of what I've been dealing with these past months with depression and it's empowering to hear what Everyone deals with, something hard to explain like depression... reflected and executed so well in a song.
What Is Abel Listening To?
https://www.gofundme.com/AbelACLU
Take a quick glimpse into the current vibe, inspiration, and story of Totem Star artists.
Abel, what song do you currently have on repeat?
The song that I currently have on repeat is "Change" by J. Cole. In the broader sense, the song just talks about how change is to come: change in racial inequality, change in our habits, and change in the obstacles we face.
What do you really like about this song?
I really love the long because of the beat and the occasional vocal parts that intertwine with the rapping. The song really just gives me hope; there is better to come and there will be better days. I listen to this song whenever I am working on stuff, and especially when I need some motivation. I started listening to J. Cole since his Forest Hill Drive album, so I listened to his 4 Your Eyez Only album when it came out as well.
Do you have any other music recommendations?
I recommend people to listen to Frank Ocean, specifically the songs Biking, Pink + White, and Nights. Just really love the vibes those songs gives and it reminds me of summer.
What Is Seneca Rose Listening To?
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Seneca, what song do you currently have on repeat recently?
Currently I have had "Gun" by Allen Rayman on consistently! Also, my favorite band in this universe is Tame Impala and I love their song, "The Less I Know the Better."
How do you compare and contrast your favorite songs from your own music?
I don't have a determined favorite song because I have such a diverse diet in my music, and it wouldn't make sense to compare and rate to me. Also, I'm incredibly indecisive. That shows in my music, but I guess what I mean is that I don't like to limit myself to any genre which to some people would seem really indecisive-- "PICK A GENRE, ROSE!" I can already hear it.
Do you find yourself interpreting parts and styles of your favorite song into your own artistry?
Of course, music reflects through every inch of my day-to-day human experiences. I take sections of my favorite songs as more as, "Why did this song work?" "Why do the lyrics hold prominence to me?" "Why do I relate to this song or the artist who made it?" "How do I see myself in this song?" and, "How would others see themselves or recieve this artist?" I feel I think this way because I am truly a student of passion and I'm never listening to a song or watching a movie that I'm not taking time to decipher and study in analysis.
What album or artist would you recommend everyone to try listening to?
This question is a bit hard to answer because I'm low-key a hipster. I'm trying not to give away my "You probably wouldn't know them..." albums. "Low Wishes" by Air Review is definitely something I'd recommed for anyone who is into any sort of folk pop or alternative. My go-to album right now is Michelle Branch's, "Hopeless Romantic."
What Is Mirabai Listening To?
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Mirabai, what song do you currently have on repeat recently?
Currently I've found myself listening to "Ring of Keys" from Fun Home, which is a musical by Lisa Kron based on Alison Bechdel's graphic novel. The song is sung by a child, which gives the song a really pure, youthful, but experienced sound, which I really like. All her life Alison has been told not to act or present in certain ways, because it's wrong or 'not what women do', and she notices this adult women presenting herself how she pleases and being so confident and normal about it. Alison feels this huge surge of connection with someone else who embodies who she wants to be and what she wants to look like.
How do you compare and contrast your favorite song from your own music?
I listen to a lot of 70s music, musical theatre soundtracks, and R&B. And I listen to 80s synth pop whenever I'm sad; it's my thing. Personally I'm just getting into writing music, so I haven't really discovered my "sound" or anything. I'd like to think that my music is/will be influenced by the kind of stuff I like. It would kind of suck if it didn't like the music I made.
What album or artist would you recommend everyone to try listening to?
Well, of course I'd recommend you check out Ring of Keys, which makes at least me cry regularly. Also, I know it isn't for everyone, but I recommend checking out more musicals. Some of them are really cheesy, but there are a lot of really good ones or at least ones that make the cheese factor work to their favor. I really like them because I can listen to a story through music.
What Is DJ Classified Listening To?
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What is your name and what do you do at Totem Star?
I am Devonte, stage name DJ Classified, and I am a music producer.
Devonte, what song are you really feeling at the moment?
"Rock Star" by Post Malone
How did you hear about this song?
A couple of friends recommended it to me.
What draws you to this song?
The melody and the background sound kind of like my style.
What are 3 words you could use to describe the song?
Soothing, calming, and pretty comfortable.