We Speak Music

Sohodolls return with ‘What Kinda Love’

Published

2 months ago

March 14, 2024

Don Reed

Brand new Sohodolls single ‘What Kinda Love’ was written by central songwriter Maya Von Doll when she was in a really bad place in her life. She’d lost her job, was suffering from insomnia and anxiety, was out of a record deal and had just become a parent, and then lockdown hit and it seemed like her musical dreams were completely over. The track’s themes explore the feeling of your life slipping away and thinking the only place you’ll find excitement is in your daydreams.

Starting with gritty fuzzed-up riffs, ‘What Kinda Love’ drops into classic dark Sohodolls pulsating synth-based infectiousness, with their trademark sumptuous and seductive goth tendencies wrapping the listener in a thick gloss that’s hard to escape from without being addicted to the track.

“I wrote this song when I was in a bad place in my life. I had put on a lot of weight during my pregnancy, suffered from insomnia and anxiety, was out of a record deal and suddenly didn’t have the day job I’d always had. I had handed in my notice at my London office and was interviewing for new roles in the City when lockdown hit. I’d got to the final round of interviews for a finance firm and was banking on having a new career adventure but that all evaporated with Covid. I felt I was now in a lockdown within a lockdown. I had no music studio so I’d write this song on my walk to the supermarket in a scruffy tracksuit feeling invisible and like an utter unemployed failure. This was months before Bang Bang Bang Bang went viral giving Sohodolls a new lease of life and a new record deal.”, explains Maya Von Doll.

In Maya’s words, the song is about “how drained, weak and unfit you feel post-pregnancy, poorer and despondent. And with that came the fear that I was no longer independent, attractive nor strong. I had been feeling for a while that my dreams were over. I didn’t think I could ever find love nor be successful. So I thought ‘All of my excitement will now have to come from my imagination because it could never happen in real life’. And then I thought about that thought – the power I have always had to retreat into my mind and escape or exist there. I would pass attractive people that I would never meet and I thought it would be great to write lyrics about an invisible person relishing in her power of imagination. In it she could have anyone and do whatever she wants with them. She could also be the version of herself she accepts.”

A globally enforced lockdown revived Sohodolls classic ‘Bang Bang Bang Bang’ into an unexpected viral TikTok hit among the Gen Z glitterati and put Maya Von Doll back on track with her music career.It so happened that Madonna had posted a recording she made of her daughter Estere Ciccone performing her own original choreography to the track and as part of the ensuing TikTok trend ‘Bang Bang Bang Bang’ rocketed up the Billboard Top 50 and is now sitting on over 200m streams across platforms.

The new viral attention inspired Sohodolls to reform and release new singles ‘Letter To My Ex (Thank You Goodbye) and ‘Bad’ in 2022, which both picked up considerable press & radio attention, including airplay from Nels Hylton on Radio 1’s ‘Future Alternative’, Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio and features with highly regarded music blog Atwood Magazine. In early 2023 Sohodolls returned again to release a new re-write of ‘Bang Bang Bang Bang’ in a stand against gun violence.

Otabek Salamov (aka Needshes) produced ‘What Kinda Love’ and Future Cut (Lily Allen, Shakira, Rhianna) helped Maya Von Doll bring out the stomping hook in the track. It may also surprise some to know that 80s Billy Ocean track “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” is also an inspiration behind the song.

“There was a song in the 80s that had the hook ‘Get out of my dreams, get into my car’ and I thought ‘My life, my status is now the opposite of that 80s male rockstar” explains Maya Von Doll. “So, I flipped that sentiment to “Get out of your car and get into my dreams’ because that’s the only way I could ever have someone I desired”.

We Speak Electronic

ASPEN Talks New Song, Working with JWild, Performing with Lil Jon, and More

Published

11 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Meikhel Philogene

With his single, “Sweetest Mistake,” out now, we took some time to hear more from ASPEN. Read below to learn more about ASPEN, the story behind his latest single, and what’s to come.

Hi ASPEN! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

It is just my first name. I have an interesting name, so I thought that it fit well as an artist name as well.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I am originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, but I live in Miami now.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I went to Ultra a few years back, and I knew that I loved electronic music, but I didn’t realize how much I really loved it. Once I went there, I just had an overwhelming urge to pursue music myself.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Absolutely, my upbringing has been instrumental in shaping both who I am and my sound. Being in Miami, a melting pot of cultures and musical styles, exposed me to a variety of sounds. This diverse musical environment instilled in me a love for blending different genres and influences, which is evident in tracks like ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ The emotional depth and eclectic beats of my music are reflections of the vibrance.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

My sound can best be described as an emotive journey through soundscapes that blend electronic beats with soulful melodies. It’s about capturing both the highs and lows of the human experience, packaged within compelling rhythms that invite you to both reflect and dance. With each track, like ‘Sweetest Mistake,’ I aim to create a unique auditory experience that resonates on a personal level with listeners, drawing on elements from downtempo to more upbeat electronic vibes.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Outside of music, I enjoy exploring the vibrant art scene here in Miami, from street art to gallery exhibitions. These visual experiences often inspire the textures and layers of my music. I also stay active with lifting, which not only keeps me physically fit, but also mentally sharp and creatively fluid. Engaging with different environments and activities helps me to maintain a fresh perspective and brings new ideas into my music production.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Martin Garrix, Gryffin, and Tiesto.

What are some of your future music career goals?

Music for me has been about following my passion. So, as I progress in my career, I want to share my passion with others. For me, I just want my crowd to be engaged, and I want to make the lives of the people that listen to my music just a little bit better.

Now onto your release, ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ What inspired this song?

I was listening to ‘High on Life’ by Martin Garrix and just came to the conclusion that I really want to make a song like that. I love the message and the euphoric feeling that the song creates, and I wanted to recreate that.

What is ‘Sweetest Mistake’ about in your own words?

‘Sweetest Mistake’ is a captivating blend of introspective lyrics and dynamic melodies. Featuring the compelling contributions of JWild, this track explores the bittersweet journey of embracing imperfections and finding beauty in unexpected turns.

How did the collaboration with JWild come about?

We have some mutual friends, and I just DMed him on Instagram because I listened to some of his stuff and really liked his voice.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Sweetest Mistake?’

Go find love and put yourself out there. You will get hurt in life, but all of those experiences build you up as a person and make you into who you are.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

I played for a crowd of almost 10,000 people in a basketball arena with Lil Jon. Everyone really enjoyed the set, and I was just so happy that I could share the stuff that I was working on with all these other people.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

You have to be patient. In this industry you have to pay your dues, and you have to be patient in terms of your growth. Also, in life as a whole, you have to be patient in terms of your career growth. There is no such thing as instant success.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I am going to continue grinding and releasing music. I have been working really hard, and I have a ton of projects that I am waiting to roll out. I’m excited for everyone to hear them. I also have a headline show on June 15th at Hyde in the SLS in South Beach.

Where can we follow you on social media?

https://www.instagram.com/aspenofc
https://www.tiktok.com/@aspen.dj
https://soundcloud.com/aspenrg

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!