Scorpius Magazine

Legendary Outlaw Angel, Harry Fields is Flying High After Rocking Las Vegas

Scorpius Magazine — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 18:27:06 +0000

By Steffon Olsen

Dark horse, independent singer-songwriter Harry Fields has become known as the “Outlaw Angel” in Las Vegas over the past 7-years, partly, because he’s helped so many people who have lost children at a young age, as he lost his daughter at a young age to a rare disease. As a singer-songwriter and live performer, his epic live performances on Fremont Street, the Strip, and throughout Vegas have brought him wide-spread acclaim in both the local and national consciousness.

Scorpius recently had the rare privilege of enjoying an unforgettable private concert in Harry’s own home in Las Vegas, wherein Harry performed some of his biggest hits as Derek Kennedy, his good friend/ music collaborator, complimented each of Harry’s songs with his signature ornaments and embellishments. After the concert, I had the chance to speak with the mythical independent icon and his friend in a rare interview.

Scorpius: Harry, what are some of the most impacting experiences, either sad or happy, from your earliest childhood, that have influenced your songwriting?

Fields: Grow’n up in Cedar Rapids Iowa, my dad was a great entertainer, he used to always play out at all of the bars. We lived in the hood and a lot of Motown players came through there, it was pretty exciting. I came from a big family and everyone played instruments. My cousins were pretty wild, they’d always get drunk and put a piano on a trailer and pull it down first avenue while one of em entertained the town.

We were very poor and my dad left us when I was really young. My town, Cedar Rapids, was a big music town, a lot always happening there. On Friday nights when my stepdad would take my mom out dancin, I’d fire up the color tv with the stereo full blast and listen to artists like Ray Price and Ferlin Husky and learned to sing all of their songs, an that’s when I realized that I wanted to be a singer.

Scorpius: Apparently, your grandmother was a well-known, local bartender and ran into a lot of Motown stars who came through town?

Fields: Yeah, she was a bartender in a famous bar. When Nat King Cole would come through town, he would jump on the piano and play for the crowd. My grandmother was 6’7, drank a fifth of whiskey a day, and could throw a full-grown man across the bar. Nat King Cole would smoke cigarettes and drink bourbon as he performed with a smile. One night, after he played a set, he approached my grandmother and asked, “Can I borrow five-dollars for a date and I’ll write you a check?” And so, she did and the check has stayed in the family ever since then.

Scorpius: When did you begin playing the guitar and writing songs and what was that era like in your life?

Fields: Well ya know, I always had that dream, and when I grew up over on the east side, on Oak Hill our house was surrounded by cemeteries. I’ve seen spirits, I’ve seen visions and I could see me on the stage ya know. When I was younger, I’d go down to the bar in the hood and a lot of famous people came through, ya know like Al Green and Gladys Knight. A lot of the upper Motown people had family there, so I’d go hangout there and shine shoes, so they’d let me go in the bar and set me on the bar and I’d be dancin and they’d say like, “This boy’s got rhythm!”

Then as I grew older, we moved to the other side of town and I’d practice playin and sing’n in front of the mirror by my closet as I honed my craft. Later on, I moved to Nashville and sold cars in a lot just outside of there. I’d always drive into town to see Johnny Lee and perform my songs. Over time, Johnny Lee and I became friends. I also had the chance to perform for a lot of the big names that would come through town, like Alabama. One time I was at a venue in Nashville and a guy walked up to me and said, grab your guitar and let’s go out in the hall. And after we traded licks for a while, I noticed that he sounded like Waylon Jennings, and I asked him, “Are you Waylon Jennings?” and he said, “no, I’m his brother Tommy.” And he kept complimenting me through that night as I performed my songs.

Another time, I was playin in a corner of a famous bar in Nashville, raisin money for St. Jude’s in honor of my daughter who died of a rare disease and Tracy Lawrence was sitting at one of the tables. He had his manager grab me and bring me to his table and he told me, “Harry, I want to be part of anything you do!”

Scorpius: Could you tell us a few of the songs that you’ve written, that have had the most meaning to you and why?

Fields: The most important song I’ve ever written, I wrote for my daughter, it’s called, “Fly Away.” She died very young of a rare disease and after she was buried, I cried over her grave every night throughout the following year. After some time passed, we had to have her moved to be buried next to my mother. When they were digging her casket up, it was rainin and once they brought her out the clouds rolled back, it stopped rainin, and the sun came out. Then when they relocated her to be next to my mother; on the day they buried her, it was raining again as they lowered the casket.

So that’s probably the most important and special song I’ve ever written. I was even gonna possibly have Tracy Lawrence record it.

Another one, the song that actually brought me here to Vegas is called, “Do It Again,” I’m a storyteller and have written a lot of songs but that’s another one that means a lot to me. It’s a powerful song and every time I perform it, the audiences’ feet get going and I have had so many fans tell me that they can’t get that song out of their heads. And I really keep’em moving when Derek and I perform together we really rock the crowd.

Scorpius: Derek Kennedy, what can you tell us about how you and Harry met and began performing together?

Kennedy: Well, we met at a party years ago in Nashville and then I didn’t see hide nor hair of him for a while after that. Then, sometime later here in Vegas, a girl I knew told me that she knew a solo artist who was looking for another guitar player to work with on a project, so we came to his house and Harry and I just started jamming together and before long we remembered that we had indeed met years earlier in Nashville. We’ve just been jammin and performing together in Las Vegas over the past three years.

Scorpius: Over the past three years of jammin together what can you tell us about the dynamics of your collaboration?

Kennedy: Harry and I have a pretty unique past; Harry basically writes the songs and I just try to interpret them and compliment them with my arrangements and guitar solos. We really have a lot of synergy that really add up to more than the sum total.

Scorpius: What can you tell us about what it’s been like raisin a little hell together?

Kennedy: Well, first of all, Harry takes his guitar with him everywhere, and when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere! Everyone in Vegas loves to hear him perform. I gotta tell you it’s always an exciting experience.

Scorpius: Harry, is there one more really popular song that you’ve written that is also a personal favorite?

Fields: The other really powerful song and a favorite among my fans is “Drink’n My Baby Back Home.” It originated when I was goin down to Texas a lot, and damn I love Texas.” I made a thousand bucks on Freemont Street one-night playn that song a few times in my set, everybody loves that song!” I love my fans and a big part of life is help’n other people and given’em their dreams back.

Scorpius: You were good friends with Stevie Ray Vaughan during the pinnacle of his career. What can you tell us about those times and do you feel that his style and spirit may have influenced your own songwriting and performance style?

Fields: Stevie Ray Vaughan was a very good friend of mine. We were in Austin, Texas and he was playin at Antone’s on sixth street, across the street from a venue I was play’n at, at that time. I met him originally through his brother, but I’d watch him perform years ago in my home town and he definitely, strongly influenced my playin. First time I’d seen him perform live, when I was younger, I said to myself, “That’s how I wanna be!” Over time I’ve felt him helping me. I’ve died 9 times and every time I couldn’t get into heaven, cause I already made a deal with the devil but finally I’ve turned around and made a better deal with God. So I’ve felt Stevie around still help’n me.

Scorpius: How did you decide to continue your music career in Vegas?

Fields: I’ve got influential friends in music and in other areas of life and had some good advice on it and I also knew that Vegas would become the entertainment capital of the world and it has.

Scorpius: What can you tell us about any upcoming projects?

Fields: Well, I’m gonna do songs as a tribute to Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash in the near future. I’m also gonna re-record and master my three top-songs I mentioned earlier for release in October of 2025. I’d also really like to find some kind of residency here in Las Vegas, in the near future.

The post Legendary Outlaw Angel, Harry Fields is Flying High After Rocking Las Vegas appeared first on Scorpius Magazine.

A Look Inside Klaus Meine’s Life in the Legendary Band SCORPIONS

Scorpius Magazine — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 19:15:45 +0000

By Michal Mitchell

Sitting at my desk, anxiously waiting for the clock to tick to 5:00 p.m. was how I spent my early evening. I was waiting to make a very important call, and not just any. It’s not every day you get to have an hour-long conversation with a rock legend. You bet I was a bit excited. Especially since that rock legend was singer Klaus Meine of the celebrated heavy-rock band Scorpions.

Lead guitarist Rudolf Schenker formed the band in 1965 in Hanover, Germany, recruiting his friend Klaus Meine for lead vocals. The two would form a friendship that would last over fifty years. Over the span of the band’s career, the group added rhythm guitarist Matthias Jabs, bassist Pawel Maciwoda, and former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee.

Not only is the German rock band well-known in their home country, but they are a worldwide sensation. The band has recorded several hits such as “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “Still Loving You.” Their famous lyrics and melodies have impacted audiences on an international scale.

The classic rock anthem “Rock You Like a Hurricane” soared its way to number 25 in the USA Billboard Hot 100 pushing its 1984 album Love at First Sting, from which the single is from, to number six on the US Billboard 200.

The emotional and romantic “Still Loving You” is certified platinum in France and is so popular – or rather romantic – that it reportedly started a baby boom in France. It is said the Scorpions are responsible for the country’s baby boom of ’85, where it’s apparently even been measured by France’s government for the increase in the country’s population that year.

And let’s not forget the power ballad “Wind of Change,” that stands as a rock anthem for many to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

With over 100 million records sold to date, the Scorpions are the most successful rock band in the Continental Europe by a long shot.

This hasn’t unfazed singer Klaus Meine at all. “Wherever we play a show, we get so much feedback from our fans around the world. It’s such a privilege, after so many years, [that] we play in front of three generations.” Meine says. “You see many, many young kids from up on the stage, going crazy, singing songs that were written before they were born, ya know? Which is – that’s a huge compliment. And like I said, there’s a privilege after all those years to have so many loyal, diehard fans in so many countries around the world.” You can sense a genuineness in his answer that shows the band really does care for their fans, and the fans them.

In excitement of his audience, Klaus tells me to search for “Scorpions Rock in Rio 2019” a video of their performance at the Rock in Rio festival in early October. I kindly oblige – I mean its Klaus Meine, how can you say no? What I find is a memorable performance marked by the band’s loving outpour of fans spanning all ages, singing and chanting with them.

“When we played Rock in Rio, a couple [months] ago, there were a hundred thousand, crazy, South American fans,” he says. “If you see that, you know this excitement, just share it. And this is the reason, we have so many young kids in front of the stage every night.

“Because they love the songs, they fell in love with the songs, they like what they see. They see a band that’s still out there with a lot of passion, a lot of energy, even after all these years. And it seems to be very attractive, after all these years.”

Three generations of fans – young and old alike – packed into an auditorium to see a band they are truly passionate for, something that wasn’t always quite as common to the band.

In the band’s 2015 documentary “Forever and a Day: Scorpions,” at one point Cliff Gauntlett, the band’s road manager and friend, pointed out the change in audience: “ten years ago, there was a lot of old people in the audience and we had ambulances outside to take ‘em in case they had cardiac arrests. Tonight, […] I saw a whole new generation.” In a short span of years, the band had gathered a new, younger fanbase. A new generation had found its way back to legendary rock n’ roll.

I ask him what he attributes this newfound fanbase to. Meine credits the band’s young fans discovering the Scorpions music – and pushing their way through the crowd to the front of the stage – to the power of the World Wide Web.

“I think it’s, like when you grow up and you have your favorite music, your favorite band. You probably don’t wanna share it with your brother, your sister, but you have your own thing ya know? And there’s always a new generation following up, and all of a sudden they discover, some good old rock. It’s kind of interesting how they find us. I think it’s about the internet, the World Wide Web and how the fans communicate on Facebook. I mean we have like around 7 million followers on Facebook and that’s like a world community watching every move we make. […] They know our music, they share the passion for hard rock, they share the passion for the band, and I think that somehow it translates into the next generation. The young kids check it out on YouTube, ya know? […] Maybe they’re scared away when they hear this band is out there for fifty years plus, ya know?” he chuckles. “It’s like: ‘What? I don’t go there to watch a band that’s fifty years out there.’”

Not many rock bands can keep up with the demands of a changing music industry, especially while keeping such an intense fanbase diverse in age. Yet here are the Scorpions, over fifty years strong, with thousands of screaming fans rocking out to their concerts and festivals alike, packed into auditoriums.

“I think it’s wonderful and very inspiring and motivating to keep going. Because we know, we have a worldwide audience, and we play a global stage. When we’re not in America we play all over Europe, over in Spain, we play in Italy, in Portugal, we go east in Poland, we play the Ukraine, and now in Russia. We’re pretty much, all over the place. We still enjoy it, very much. And there are not so many bands out there that do what we do.”

Back in 2010, the band had begun filming for their documentary: “Forever and a Day: Scorpions”. Thinking it would be their last tour – and then a goodbye for the band – the Scorpions wanted to film their final performances together for the world to see. But, as you might have noticed, the band is still together.

The band thought it’d be best to conclude their run with a farewell tour while they were still in good shape. But, seeing their loyal fans packed into auditoriums, singing their lyrics back to them like there was no tomorrow, might have changed their minds. The band decided they weren’t going to retire; they weren’t done with the Scorpions.

“I mean with every other year as we’re growing older, sometimes it’s tough ya know?” Meine says. “But the best part is when you’re up on stage and you see the fans – and they love the band, they know the songs, they enjoy the concert. The energy we receive, this is what keeps us going, and it’s fantastic.” He reflects for a moment. “We’re very privileged, ya know. We know that. We’re very privileged, and that we still can do this, on this level.”

The German band keeps proving they are strong enough. With dozens of songs and well over a dozen albums, fans can’t get enough of them. The talent of the band is incomparable. I mean, this is a band who has written and produced songs that have become a staple for what it means to write great rock music. I wondered if it was difficult at all for singer Klaus Meine to write lyrics in English starting out as a band, after all the band originates from Germany. Many artists who are native English speakers find writing meaningful lyrics hard. Not everyone can write lyrics in English as poetic and inspiring as the German rock band.

“Well, I mean I guess when it’s not your mother language, it’s like if you would start tomorrow writing and articulating your wonderful magazine in German.” Meine laughs. I agree with him, that would indeed be difficult. My German needs… let’s say some touching up.

“So that’s quite a challenge, I guess. It was not easy of course – in the early years – but, over all those years – and when the Scorpions became such an international band, spending so much time in the US,” he says, “with so many true members being from England, being from America, from Australia, from Brazil. It’s an international crew. So English became our second language. And writing songs these days in English, is obviously much easier than it used to be like 30, 40 years ago.”

When it comes to writing lyrics for the band, Klaus finds his inspiration on the road, touring his favorite countries with his bandmates. With even Utah’s Rocky Mountains being a goldmine of inspiration, he doesn’t need to search far before a great hook or title finds its way to him.

“I think about hook lines in English. It’s like the mind is so focused,” he says. Klaus starts talking about finding great lyrics and catchy titles, and you can hear the excitement build up in him. “Something like Blackout for example, but that is something – it’s so catchy. And it’s even in the not-English-speaking world. Everybody understands what a blackout is. But there are many, many song titles over the years, and some of them really became great hook lines. […] Like “Rock You Like a Hurricane” or like “The Zoo,”” he continues. “Wind of Change,” “Big City Nights,” “Still Loving You,” all those songs ya know? But they all started because [of] touring all over the world. And especially back in the ‘80s, touring in the United States, it was so very, very much inspiring. Ideas just came flying. Writing songs about what is life on the road – like sitting on the tour bus and driving overnight through the Rocky Mountains to Salt Lake City ya know?” He lets out a laugh at the mention of the city where I live.

I ask him if he’d come visit Utah soon for another performance. “I think so. We’ve always had a good vibe there. We always had very loyal fans from the old days when we played in the arena, to the amphitheater days, – at the USANA it’s called right? The USANA?” he asks. I reply with a ‘yes’ and am quite impressed the legendary rock singer remembers the specific amphitheater from which he played years ago (considering I’ve lived here most my life and can barely remember the name myself). I hesitate with my reply, but surely muster through a proud ‘yes’, with which Meine responds with a laugh.

“We always had a good time there, and it’s actually a beautiful spot. All those high mountains around. It’s just a beautiful city, it’s really nice, we really enjoyed that. […] Looking forward to coming back there. I know we have many fans there.”

Being a band that has travelled the world for over fifty years must come with a few handfuls of stories to tell. I wondered which era Klaus personally enjoyed as a rock musician with his bandmates.

“Definitely, the 80s were amazing and they were, I mean for every rock musician on earth. It was rock and roll heaven. It was just an amazing time, with so much fun, and I mean there were parties everywhere. The ‘80s – especially being on tour in the United States – were like a never-ending party. It was very inspiring to be on the road with all those amazing bands, from Aerosmith to ACDC, Ted Nugent, ya know in the early days,” Meine says. “Sharing the stage with all those amazing bands and musicians, it was just great.”

Klaus remembers a moment in particular, one where the Scorpions had chosen Bon Jovi as their opening act. Yes, that Bon Jovi. Before they were big.

“We pick Bon Jovi to be our support band, being our special guest, our opening act on a big tour in the United States,” Meine tells. “So, we basically – yeah it was a moment were they just played the clubs ya know? And all of a sudden, they played in front of the Scorpions [in front of thousands] in arenas every night.”

Being chosen as an opening act must have made the young Bon Jovi feel welcomed. After all these years, all the opening acts, the countries toured, which country had Klaus felt welcomed by the most? I’m sure he had a list of his favorite countries toured, but was there ever a country he had felt welcomed the band with open arms? I ask him.

“Which country welcomed us the most? Okay, that’s a good question. I think…” he pauses on this, and you can feel him thinking. I expect perhaps Brazil, as he had mentioned the excitement of the fans from Rock in Rio. Or perhaps the United States, as he had delightedly told me fond memories he had in New York City (and of course everyone I’ve met here loves the Scorpions). But instead I get an answer I didn’t expect, one with a beautiful message attached to it.

“When you really think about it, I think the Russians welcomed us really in a special way,” he says. “Because, when you think about the Germans and the Russians in World War II and all of history – and, I mean our parents came with tanks to Russia, and in ‘88 we came with guitars and rock music. The way they welcomed us with open arms was quite stunning. It was amazing.

“But of course, there’s so many different ways. Like the fans in Japan, when we played for the first time in ‘78, they were amazing and totally crazy as well because they fell in love with this German band. So, I could find something about every country probably. And of course, it was in the United States, they are the most, responsive and most crazy and loud audience in the world when they really like the band.” (Knew it). “When they like the band they come to a concert and the party starts right in the afternoon in the parking lot! So, by the time the band starts the show, they are really there, and they give you the loudest response. They are really like a wide, wide crowd, the American fans. Simply, we like it.

“But I could say pretty much the same thing about South American fans. Because in Brazil, and all over Latin America, the fans are really wild for rock music. We just went through – in Brazil – we played Rock in Rio in early October,” (Knew it). “And it was just amazing to be back in one of the biggest festivals in the world. It was simply amazing.”

It’s not a surprise that Klaus feels so welcomed by many countries. Not only does the world recognize their rock ballads and guitar riffs as a milestone in music history, but, to many the bands iconic rock ballad “Wind of Change” stands as a musical landmark in history, as an anthem to the fall of the Berlin wall.

“[It’s] more than you could ever expect from writing songs, you know?” Meine says. “I mean, writing songs for the band to play live, writing songs – maybe, if you’re lucky – it’s a song with good lucks of airplay on the radio. And if you write a song that turns out to be a big hit, that’s – I think – amazing, for every songwriter. Doing what we’re doing.

“But to write a song that turns out to be so very much connected with – like you said, a historical landmark – with such a very special world event like the coming down of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War- that’s connected with that – that’s more than you could ever think of in your wildest dreams.

“And of course it makes me very happy that people make this connection, even though it’s not a song about Berlin. It’s not a song about the coming down of the Wall, – it’s a song about Moscow!” he says. “But when I wrote that song it was just right after the Moscow Music Peace Festival when we came home, and filled with emotions and all the changes, I could see with my own eyes between ‘88 when we played and one year later at the Moscow Music Peace Festival, we saw the world was changing in front of our eyes. Being a German band, it had a much deeper feeling for me to play for thousands of Russian fans, than it had for Bon Jovi or Ozzy Osbourne who played also in Moscow with us. For them it was like: ‘hey dude, we rocked the Soviet Union, right?’ For us it was much, much, much deeper because of the history, because we grew up in the shadow of the Berlin Wall,” he says. “The Russian fans came to me saying: ‘Klaus, time of the Cold War will be over soon. It’s a new generation, and in the Kremlin [there is a] new leader, his name is Mikhail Gorbachev, and the world is about to change.’

“And with all those emotions, when I came back home, I wrote the song. It was like, not foreseeing the future. I felt, it was just in the air. This change was coming. And of course, when it really happened a few months later, after I wrote that song, even then nobody thought about releasing that song as a single. It was part of the Crazy World album; it was released in ‘91.

“Because everybody thought: ‘we are rock band, ya know? First single is a rocker, second single is a rocker, okay maybe third single we can get away with a ballad.’ And “Wind of Change” was released in ‘91 and the Berlin Wall came down two years earlier. But then that song went around the world and became such a smash, and then people picked it up, and it became like the anthem for the coming down of the Berlin Wall. Because the people probably could feel the power of the message. I mean it’s a song of hope. Hoping for a better world, joining together, coming together instead of separating each other even more. And too many people lost their life, when they tried to live in the free world, when they tried to overcome the Berlin Wall. So, it’s a very emotional thing, and we lived so close, it was part of our life.

“And when that song came out, it obviously touched a nerve. It described a moment in time, before the Berlin Wall came down and that I guess makes it strong. It makes a connection for so many people that it became the soundtrack to this historical event.”

I remind him of his translation of the song into Russian, further connecting more people to the meaning of the song.

“That was the hardest thing, of course, [translating it to Russian]. And Mikhail Gorbachev invited us into the Kremlin just ten days before he resigned, before the end of the Soviet Union. And I think he invited us because of the Russian version, which was quite a – coming from a German singer- it was quite a move to make, you know?”

Hearing the history of the Scorpions through singer Klaus Meine – their tours, fans, experiences, stories, – I wonder what piece of advice he would give his younger self for the long-journey ahead.

“I would say: Klaus just keep going. Take a little bit more care of your voice. But keep going, you’re doing good!” he says in excitement. “And to believe in friendship. To believe in teamwork. And there’s a future ahead of you. You know? Just keep going, and enjoy life, and enjoy the fact that you can live your dream.”

Indeed he has.

After our call, the one that had previously left me anxious in anticipation for, I feel a sense of calmness from a conversation that was – in all realness – a genuine reflection on one man’s life work. I decide to re-watch that Rock in Rio video Klaus Meine raved so much about. Instantly I am transported back in concert with them, as if I’m actually there. I am reminded once again of the power of legendary rock music, a power the Scorpions prove to still possess for over fifty years strong. As I listen to the band play their triumph of a song “Wind of Change” for thousands of fans, I conclude that their music has no farewell tour or expiration date, it will live on well past their fifty-five years. I am confident, as I hear the fans whistle the tune that left a mark in history. I can feel it in the air.

The post A Look Inside Klaus Meine’s Life in the Legendary Band SCORPIONS appeared first on Scorpius Magazine.

Ryan Rostrom: The Samurai Guitarist

Scorpius Magazine — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 23:04:47 +0000

Mists rise from the crater at Mt Fuji’s peak as Ryan Rostrom gazes down into the looming abyss. It’s tranquil yet terrifying standing on the top edge of a volcano but this sees to be exactly where Ryan belongs. With the explosiveness of a raging volcano and the cool composition of evening mountain air, Ryan Rostrom is becoming recognized internationally as the next big thing in music: the new generation guitar hero.

The guitar hero. For decades they dominated the music scene with solos and riffs that defined pop culture. Each brought their own style but they all had one thing in common: they inspired us with the sound of their axe. After decades of fizzling out of mainstream music, fans are eager to have them back. But where do you find one? Who will answer the call?

In a small mountain town in Utah, we may have found the answer in Ryan Rostrom. Working from a music studio and currently producing his second album, Ryan is already starting to explode onto the international scene. Having already performed with over 50 different singers across 4 continents, Ryan knows what it takes to succeed. Since starting his solo project three years ago, he has already won numerous awards and recognitions and has performed for tens of thousands of people.

“Ryan has brilliantly fused together technical virtuosity and chocolaty rich tones into melodies that take you places that your heart and your ears have longed for. I would recommend seeing him live.” -Ronda Nielsen (founder of R Jeans Entertainment)

His rapid success is no coincidence. Anyone who has seen him perform can attest to his supremacy of the live stage. One booking agent cried the first time she heard him play. She described him as having, “the tone and technique of Eric Johnson and the smile and confidence of Donny Osmond wrapped up in a package.”

Ryan grew up traveling the world, spending a majority of his childhood in Tokyo, Japan. “I grew up in Japan. It’s a part of me. I love their focus on zen and harmony,” says Ryan.

Ryan brought the zen with him everywhere he moved and naturally found himself surrounded by top-notch people. He found world-class musicians to perform with in multiple cities. And excelled in the business world. He found no shortage of attention from the ladies as he dated the likes of cheerleaders, athletes, and even an international runway model. He also carried on his family tradition of playing tennis tournaments and was ranked by USTA as one of the top 20 players in Utah for his high school age bracket. Having climbed to the top of so many different mountains and obstacles already, it’s no surprise that he’s quickly rising the ranks as a powerhouse musician.

“I was diagnosed with insomnia in 7th grade in Japan. It was rough. There were nights when I’d lay in bed until the sun came up. The western doctors didn’t offer much help so I went to an oriental witch doctor named Dr. Wakita or Waki for short. After going through some massages and aromatherapy, he prescribed me with a bonsai headband to wear at night to increase blood flow to the brain. It actually helped quite a bit. I no longer fight the sleepless nights but rather use them to listen to music and soak in inspiration.”

Ryan has been involved with music forever. After starting piano lessons at a young age, he later joined bands as a keyboard player, drummer, bassist and finally guitarist.

“I’ve always loved music but I didn’t seriously consider it as something that I could make a career out of until just a few years ago. I remember sitting backstage before a show one day and I sunk into the couch, eyes closed, and just felt the energy of the show. The crowd was blaring, the opening acts were amazing and I could really feel the power of the music. It was absolutely electric. I could feel in a very real way that music is something worth committing a lifetime of work to.

“At the announcement of my name, I walked onto the stage and improvised a guitar solo that would win me 2nd place in a national competition sponsored by Elton John’s guitarist. There was electricity pulsing between the crowd and me and I just fed off of their passion. It was amazing.”

Ryan brings a genuine vitality and otherworldly mystique to the stage and it creates an emotional journey for the audience. It’s been rumored that his music conjures ghosts from the Far East. There have been claims of sightings of Japanese aurei at his concerts.

Ryan is currently focusing on playing corporate events and school assemblies in addition to regular public shows. He is also writing new music for his highly anticipated upcoming album “Six String Symphony.” He is also planning a Scandinavian tour set for June 2018 after the after the release of the new album.

The post Ryan Rostrom: The Samurai Guitarist appeared first on Scorpius Magazine.

Kent Rigby

Scorpius Magazine — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:40:13 +0000

By: Steffon Olsen

After Dedicating His Life to Recording Independent Artists Through His Label, Midnight Records Productions, the Local Producer is Only Getting Started and Ready to Rock On!

Iconic music producer Kent Rigby has been termed a renaissance man by those who know him best. In addition to being the founder of Midnight Records Productions, Rigby is also a sculptor, professional architect, independent artist/musician, custom guitar maker, and pillar of the Utah Arts Alliance as well as the community.

Rigby has selflessly served local musicians, bands, singer-songwriters, as well as visual artists for many decades as his way to give back to and support the local arts community.

Scorpius was honored to enjoy the privilege of interviewing a prolific music producer.

Scorpius: What can you tell us about where Midnight Records Productions began?

Rigby: The name Midnight Records originated from a band I was in back in the 80s called, “Us at Midnight”. I started recording the band practices with a Tascam Port-Studio four track cassette recorder and caught the recording bug. Later, I had a home studio in the living room, and it just kept getting bigger and bigger. My wife kept asking, “Is this going to take over the whole house?” ‘Rigby says with a laugh.’ I decided I needed to do something with all of the recording equipment so I talked with Derek Dyer, Executive Director for the Utah Arts Alliance, a 501c3, and asked if we could get a building downtown, where we could have both the art gallery and a recording studio. He said yes, so we rented the old Inkley’s building on Main Street, where the Eccles Theater now resides. We set up the art gallery in front and built a recording studio in the back. And that’s where Midnight Records Productions began 15 years ago.

Scorpius: You’ve signed and produced a lot of incredible independent musicians on your label over the years, what can you tell us about some of the artists, bands, who you’ve worked with, that stand out to you?

Rigby: I currently have 16 active projects. One of my favorites is Patrick Maloney, he’s a classic rock guy. He plays guitar and writes his own songs. He brings in some great drummers and bass players to record his project and sometimes Patrick will play bass himself. We turn up the amps to have a lot of fun!

I’ve also lately been working with a country/rock band called, “Bulletproof”. They perform at the Westerner a lot. They’re a really great band; we’ve recorded four songs and recently finished the mixing process.

I’ve also been working with a young singer-songwriter, Aaron Davis. He has played most of the instruments, including drums, on 12 Indie Rock songs that he wrote years ago and needed to get finished up.

I’m also working with a heavy metal band called, “Death Persona.” That’s been fun a lot of fun because I have a hard rock and heavy metal streak in me, ‘Rigby says with a big smile.” So, it’s great to get the ‘screamo’ going, loud guitars, as well as big bass and drums. So that’s thoroughly enjoyable for me.

I’ve also been recording a band named “Strawberry Cough,” they’re some younger artists who play the shoegaze rock genre. They’re fun, energetic guys and play all-original songs, it’s a different idiom in the rock vein and I really enjoy them a lot.

I’m also working with a young rapper, Caleb Marcy. He has a couple of producers who are working with him and a guy who makes killer beats. He’s an extremely talented young rapper. He writes really well, works really hard, and has a great personality. I think he’s got a lot of potential to really go somewhere.

Jake Martin is another incredible artist who plays Indie Rock, he’s really cool. Jake’s got a great voice and it’s really fun to record his music. He has written some great songs with really catchy relevant lyrics and addictive melodies.

Adrian Cassaba is another local singer-songwriter I’ve been working with. His father-in-law, Jeff Bryant is the drummer. Those guys have been really cooled to work with. They write all-original songs with poetic Dylan-Esque lyrics.

Night Crew is another original indie rock band that I’ve been recording off and on for a couple of years that shows real potential as well as My Friend Zero. Both will be back in the studio soon.

Marv Hamilton is a contemporary folk artist with a fabulous voice. We’ve just started recording violins and bass on a couple of his songs and we’re getting ready to begin working on a new blues song he’s written.

I’ve also been working with Kim K. Jones; she’s an artist manager and she’s bringing in some bands for recording services.

Lavish is an incredible female rapper I’ve worked with for several years and she’s getting ready to record some more new songs. She’s a great rapper with a ton of energy and a lot of really good songs.

J Knight is also another great rapper I’ve worked with for a while, who I’m hoping to see go far.

At the old Main Street studio, I worked with Max Pain and the Groovies, Lucid 8, Oh! Wild Birds, JJ Jennings, Whitney Mower, as well as many other very talented local artists.

Scorpius: You’ve been an architect by day, throughout all of these years that you’ve invested the rest of your time to Left Bank Gallery, the Salt Lake Gallery Association, the Utah Arts Alliance and Midnight Records Productions. What can you tell us about that? I’ve been doing architecture for 51 years. It’s what has allowed me to support visual art and collect the recording gear and extensive, eclectic collection of instruments I’ve brought together to help give back to the community. When I was a young guy in a band, there was nobody around to help and when we went into the studio, we had to pay $75 an hour to record our music. When you’re young you can’t afford to do recording at that kind of rate very much. So, realizing I had all of this equipment at home, I decided that I wanted to put it to use to support and help the young artists in the community. We do it as a non-profit studio so we can offer affordable recording services.

Scorpius: You’re also a sculptor; what can you tell us about that?

Rigby: My current work has been mostly involved with ceramics and mixed media. I use different materials combined with ceramics. Lots of exotic hard woods and some pit and raku fired pieces that have a very organic aesthetic to them.

Scorpius: You’ve been a custom guitar maker for several years. What can you tell us about that facet of your life?

Rigby: I have been buying raw electric guitar bodies and necks, doing the finishing, installing the pickups, pots, switches and hardware. However, I recently got a large Black Walnut slab for starting from scratch. The first guitar from the walnut slab will likely be a flying vee since there is a vee shaped pattern in part of the wood grain. I love guitars and have been making art objects since 1970, so building guitars was a natural extension of that. I enjoy customizing them for hard rock and metal.

Scorpius: If you could give one word of advice to aspiring independent artists and bands, what would it be?

Rigby: I always tell young artists to do it because you love it.

Scorpius: If you could formulate one thought from all of your years of helping independent artists realize their dreams and your selfless Service to your community through Midnight Records Productions and the Utah Arts Alliance, what would it be?

Rigby: During the past 27 years of being involved with the local arts scene, I’ve been very fortunate to have been able to contribute in some small ways, it’s been an absolute honor for me personally.

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Foreign Figures Have Become a Force to be Reckoned with in the Music World

Scorpius Magazine — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 16:54:24 +0000

By: Steffon Olsen

In July of 2014, a group of guys came together to form a band. It was just something they were going to do for fun, outside of work and school. However, these guys soon realized that their band could be so much more than just a hobby. After only two and a half years, this band called Foreign Figures has just finished a national tour and is getting ready to record their second album.

Manager and Creative Director, Lance Lowry describes Foreign Figures as the musical baby of Imagine Dragons, Coldplay, and One Republic— all very unique and iconic bands. It is possible that Foreign Figures could be the next Imagine Dragons, Coldplay, or One Republic. Their passion and dedication to their music surpasses all expectations, and they have a clear vision for their future. “Our dream is to play on the freakin’ moon!” says Eric Michaels, lead vocalist. These young men have literally set the stars and sky as their limit. “We’re always going to be evolving,” says Eric. They are always looking for new ways to write or different sounds they can add to their music. That is going to be a huge part of their new EP that will be released in 2017. All of the guys want to focus on world sounds by using subtle influences, like the African drums in “Come Alive,” or the Japanese influence on “Paradigm.” Seth Dunshee, lead bassist talks about how these aren’t typical “rock band” instruments, but Foreign Figures doesn’t want to be a typical rock band. They want to write more songs besides the ones that could be featured on the radio or licensed for a film. “We want to be able to write whatever comes into our heads,” says Seth.

The biggest driving force behind their music is being able to connect to their audience. Each member of the band talks about how much the dedication of their fans means to them. “We want to do what our favorite bands have done for us,” Seth explains. Eric adds that he wants their songs to become the fans’ songs; he hopes that his lyrics will help listeners feel understood and that there is someone who recognizes their struggles. “Everyone has their own demons,” he says, “I’ve been helped most in my life through music,” and so Eric wants his music to be able to do the same for as many people who will listen. Lead guitarist, Jonny Tanner, says that he and the band will try to ask themselves, “am I loving my audience?” and, “am I showing the audience how much I care about them?” Steve Michaels, Eric’s brother and drummer for Foreign Figures, describes a recent experience that he had with a fan: “She approached us and said that she listens to music in her room a lot and writes down the names of the songs she likes the most. She told us, with tears in her eyes, that our music touched her heart and impacted her more than any other music she has ever heard before. She said it with so much sincerity and passion and you could feel how much she meant it.” The band members are all overwhelmed at the amount of people they have reached in Provo. Each of them talk about how they used to beg their friends and family to come see their concerts, but now all they have to do is post on social media to sell out a venue.

One of their most recent shows was in front of more than 10,000 people at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City where they opened for Lukas Graham. This year they have also had the chance to share the stage with American Authors and X-Ambassadors. Foreign Figures has been lucky enough to have most of these opportunities come knocking on their door, but they know that won’t happen forever. One of their biggest goals for 2017 is to connect with more people in the industry so they can continue to build their fan base and reach people with their music. They would love to have the opportunity to open for more bands as well as collaborate. Seth says that they would also be very interested in commissioning songs for movies or T.V. He thinks it would be a great way to develop their song writing skills as a band, and Lance points out that Foreign Figures is also a “one-stop shop” since they write, record, and produce all of their music themselves.

Foreign Figures is a completely independent band. They are lucky enough to have a guitarist that is also an audio engineer. Seth brags that Jonny is likely the best audio engineer in Utah, and Lance calls him a genius and “Jack of all trades.” Jonny has been a studio engineer for six years, and he was the one who mixed and mastered Foreign Figures’ debut album, Paradigm. Every single member of their team brings a different skill or talent to their business. Jonny and Seth both compare Foreign Figures to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles because of the unique mindset each band member brings to the table. Steve says that the business side of the band is really invigorating, and he really likes being in charge of things like booking. Seth is really awesome at the social media side of things, so he is able to bounce ideas off of Lance, who is in charge of branding. The band members all mention how Lance has been a great addition to the team because he is able to direct their creativity.

Lance Lowry is an entrepreneur who started his own video production company. He has known Eric and Steve since high school, but first got involved in working with Foreign Figures by helping them produce two of their music videos. Eventually, the band convinced Lance to manage them and he has been a part of the team since June. Lance’s knowledge of business and entrepreneurship has been a huge asset to Foreign Figures. He calls the guys “artrepreneurs” because they are artists who are turning their art and creativity into a business. The entire band is also very grateful for Lance’s networking skills; he speaks to people at the shows, makes connections, and gathers feedback so the band can focus on putting on a great show.

Their live show is what Foreign Figures prides themselves in the most. Lance is very confident in the show that the band puts on. “We know that when people see the live show they’ll be converted,” he says. The band has been very focused on branding themselves as a live act. At their last concert in Orem, they took a huge amount of live footage that they are going to use to produce live videos. Seth talks about how the live concert is where the band members take a lot more liberties with the songs than they have written— Jonny even plays different solos than the recorded ones on the album. Eric describes the live show as a rollercoaster. There are quiet, intimate moments with Eric at the piano, and then the next minute they are playing an upbeat radio song. He talks about how he and the other band members are all over the place. “I feel like I have a different side that comes out on stage,” Eric says. The entire band is very proud of their stage presence. Each of the four guys used to be the front man of his own band. Because of this, they each have their own captivating energy that they bring to their concerts. Lance says that another cool thing is that every member of the band is someone’s favorite; you can hear each of their names being chanted from the crowd at a live show.

Eric, the lead singer grew up being classically trained on the piano. His mom was also a fan of the Carpenters and Nat King Cole, who influence his more soulful side. Eric’s dad was a rocker and introduced him to Journey, who really inspires him as well. The first time he remembers feeling music on an emotional level, however, is when he was watching a movie and the song “Clocks,” by Coldplay started playing. Eric describes how he felt something magical come over him, and he immediately went home to look up the song and learn it. Soon after, Eric became interested in singing, so he started taking voice lessons. As he started performing, he received such a warm welcome from his audiences, which motivated him to keep pursuing music. He said that he never really thought about music as a professional career while he was growing up, but it kept calling to him.

Steve and Eric did everything together growing up. His fondest memories are of training for the wrestling team with both of his brothers. Steve is amazed at the hard work Eric has done to get to this point in his career. “I will tell you,” he says, “Eric didn’t become as good as he is by natural talent or luck, this kid worked harder than anyone else to earn it. I like to call him ‘the machine.’ When he puts his mind to something, he never stops!” Steve also started learning music at a young age. He remembers how he would really connect with the beat and rhythm of the music he listened to. When he was eleven, he started learning how to play the drums. Neil Peart really inspired him to take his drumming to the next level, so Steve continued his drum career alongside guitarist Jake Workman while they were in high school. Steve was also the lead singer of that band, so he was able to develop more of his musical abilities.

Seth Dunshee, the bassist for Foreign Figures, is also amazingly talented. He first started playing in bands because he wanted to be a cool rock star, but he realized that he had a knack for the guitar once he started playing. Seth never took formal lessons, and taught himself the notes and the chords on the guitar. Then, when the original bassist of Foreign Figures left the band, Seth stepped in and learned the bass. He says he is so much more comfortable playing the bass than he ever was playing guitar, and he would probably say no if the band asked him to play guitar again.

The guitar parts are left up to Jonny Tanner, or Jonny T. He actually started playing the guitar in jazz band when he was in middle school and high school, but he also grew up around classic rock bands like Journey and Boston. Those bands have influenced him quite a bit as well as The Edge from U2. Like The Edge, Jonny wants his guitar playing to support the lead vocalist and help the song shine rather than himself. Jonny also has a degree in audio engineering, so he is also the one who produces the band’s music. He recorded, edited, mixed, and mastered the entire Paradigm album; however, for the new album that Foreign Figures is working on, he will pass the editing and recording onto another engineer, and once the songs are cut, he will mix and master them.

The band is really excited for what the future has in store. They have been working very hard on their upcoming EP, and they are hoping to plan Spring, Summer, and Fall tours for 2017. “We’re not doing this because it’s convenient,” Seth says, “This is what we are going to be doing for the rest of our lives.” Eric adds, “We’re not rich, and I might never be rich but I am okay with that because it is all about the passion.”

If you want to collaborate with Foreign Figures, reach out through social media or email management@foreignfigures.com. If you want to see them live reach out at booking@foreignfigures.com and/or, watch for tour dates in your area by following them on Facebook, YouTube, twitter @4INFIGURES, or Instagram @foreignfiguresofficial. Their next show will be in Midway, UT at Midway Town Hall on February 3, 2017 from 8pm to 9pm.

The post Foreign Figures Have Become a Force to be Reckoned with in the Music World appeared first on Scorpius Magazine.

Internationally Acclaimed Filmmaker, Actor, and Writer, Emmitt Thrower, is Taking the World “Beyond the Limits” of its wildest Imagination

Scorpius Magazine — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 17:05:47 +0000

By: Steffon Olsen

Emmitt Thrower is one of the most powerful and strikingly original forces in the independent film and theater world today. The revolutionary director, actor (Pigs in a Bowl) and writer began his prolific and distinguished career as a stage actor/playwright. He garnered international acclaim, early in his career, with his undeniable acting genius and stage presence. Some of his most remarkable performances included the iconic Malcolm X (Billie and Malcolm: A Demonstration), Muhammad Ali (Barry White: Guided by Destiny), to the revolutionary Patrice Lumumba (A Season in the Congo), from the legendary Paul Robeson (Red Channels), Jesse Jackson (Fulani) and Jackie Robinson (Stealing Home) , Satchel Paige (Satchel), to the irreverent comedian Richard Pryor and Jean Paul Marat in Marat/Sade.

As Thrower established himself in the film industry, he quickly became known as unpredictable and enigmatic among audiences and peers. He challenged Cinematic styles and the established approaches to filming, never concerned with following the rules. He never allowed any man-made boundaries, nor his limitations to hold him back. His approach to both life itself and filmmaking is inspiring and brilliantly creative. His charismatic and original signature interwoven into each of his films is undeniable and compelling.

hrower has won countless awards ( IMDB films and awards ) around the globe for his provocative and emotive documentaries and short films as he continues to rock the Independent film festival circuit with each new masterpiece. He is well-known throughout the world for championing disabled artists and bringing to light the disgraceful discrimination of disabled artists within the film and music industry. His documentary film, “Disabled Artists Showcase: Creating Our Spaces,” among many such projects, has already given a resounding voice to disabled artists around the world and brought to the attention of the film and music industry, the importance of addressing the issue of discrimination against disabled artists.

Currently, Thrower is in collaboration with Demeter Lorant a multi-award-winning Filmmaker from Hungary on Beyond The Limits, a new short film series project that explores disability in the Twilight Zone. The project features uniquely original sci-fi, horror, and fantasy stories from the perspective of mentally and physically disabled people. His latest autobiographical, full-feature documentary, “New Borning: A Bronx Tale,” has been blowing up throughout the film world. Recently, Thrower garnered two awards at Scorpiusfest for Best Documentary Short (Disabled

Artists Showcase) and Best Music Video (So Hip-Hop).

Scorpius recently had the honor and pleasure of sitting down with the iconic filmmaker/artist. Upon entering any room, his presence is immediately recognizable and powerful, yet he exudes a relaxed savvy, and humble demeanor.

As I began my conversation with the iconic filmmaker, I sensed his genuine nature and candid personality.

Scorpius: What can you tell us of your career as a stage actor/playwright and what are some of the most successful theatrical runs you’ve done? Memorable experiences in theater?

Thrower: My inaugural role as Duke Senior in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” performed in the picturesque setting of Fort Tryon Park in NYC, was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Stepping into the world of theater at nearly 35 years of age was a daunting prospect, but the thrill of bringing a character to life on stage was intoxicating. From there, my passion for the craft only grew, leading me to delve into portraying a diverse array of historical figures at the Castillo Theater. It was at the Castillo Theater that I found my niche, immersing myself in roles that ranged from the iconic Malcolm X to the revolutionary Patrice Lumumba, from the legendary Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson to the irreverent comedian Richard Pryor to just name a few. Each character presented its own set of challenges and rewards, demanding both emotional depth and historical accuracy in portrayal. Performing the Patrice Lumumba character in Martinique, with the esteemed playwright/poet, then mayor, Aimé Césaire in attendance, stands out as a particularly poignant moment, highlighting the power of storytelling to bridge cultures and generations.

Scorpius: What is the most powerful and influential force that inspires you as a filmmaker/storyteller?

Thrower: Perhaps the most profound influence on my artistic journey has been fatherhood. Crafting impromptu bedtime stories laced with the sounds of classical music for my three sons sparked my love for storytelling. This experience ignited a desire to communicate my ideas and experiences to a broader audience. It was this innate passion for narrative that ultimately led me to venture into the realm of filmmaking.

Scorpius: Your award-winning documentary, Where is Hope: The Art of Murder was an enormous success. Where did it come from and what can you tell us about it?

Thrower: “Where is Hope: The Art of Murder,” my award-winning feature documentary exploring police brutality against people with disabilities was born from a chance encounter with Leroy Moore Jr., founder of Krip Hop Nation, a worldwide organization of disabled poets and musicians. Leroy is a disabled poet, journalist, and activist. Collaborating with Leroy on this project was both a labor of love and a deeply personal endeavor. Despite facing numerous obstacles in securing funding, we remained steadfast in our commitment to shedding light on this important issue. The documentary’s eventual release and distribution through Kanopy Educational Streaming Services to colleges, universities, and libraries worldwide was a testament to the power of perseverance and the potential for film to effect social change.

Scorpius: You’ve recently won awards throughout the international film festival circuit, including Scorpiusfest, for both, “Disabled Artists Showcase: Creating Our Spaces” and “So Hip-Hop,” featuring two Emmy Award Winning Disabled Artists, Keith Jones, and Toni Hickman. What can you tell us about those?

Thrower: In recent years, my work as a filmmaker has continued to garner recognition on the international stage. Films like “Disabled Artists Showcase: Creating Our Spaces” and “So Hip-Hop,” featuring remarkable performers with disabilities like Keith Jones and Toni Hickman, have received acclaim at film festivals worldwide, helping to amplify disabled and marginalized voices in the entertainment industry. I have collaborated with Keith Jones over the past 12 years or so on numerous projects. The latest is his song and music video “Magnificent” where I portrayed a character named Marcus, an OG and his mentor who helps to guide him on a mission to have a positive impact on a community.

Scorpius: You’ve recently released a riveting and emotionally charged new documentary, New Borning: A Bronx Tale. What can you tell us about it?

Thrower: “New Borning: A Bronx Tale,” is a feature-length autobiographical documentary chronicling my life in the Bronx following a life-altering stroke. My life follows in unison the redevelopment and renewal of the Bronx after it had experienced decades of its historically debilitating trauma. What began as an audiobook project evolved into a visual journey intertwining music, images, poetry, and narration, offering a candid glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of rebuilding a life in the aftermath of adversity.

Scorpius: “Beyond The Limits,” the revolutionary and enthralling new film series you are creating is now in pre-production. What can you reveal to us about it at this time?

Thrower: I am excited to embark on this new creative endeavor with “Beyond The Limits,” a groundbreaking film series exploring disability narratives in a manner reminiscent of the sci-fi series The Twilight Zone. Twilight is one of my all-time favorite shows and Rod Serling has been an inspiration for me. We are in pre-production currently and preparing to launch a “Proof of Concept” Kickstarter campaign to help raise funds for the pilot series episode as well as looking for other supporters wanting to help make this project happen. We expect to begin crowdfunding in early July 2024. We hope the community of people with disabilities and others will be responsive and actively get behind our efforts. I am inspired by the opportunity to challenge perceptions and ignite conversations about the lived experiences of disabled individuals in our original and authentic series.

Scorpius: If you were to die tomorrow and you could leave one last message to the world, what would it be?

Thrower: I have no plans on dying and will be around forever. But I fully expect to transform into my next carnation and the beginning of a new journey. .But If tomorrow were my last day in this form, my message to the world would be clear and simple: Wear clean underwear, Act with Love, and Never leave home without it.

Check out some of Emmitt Thrower’s unforgettable films today by visiting the following links:

Where is Hope: The Art of Murder

www.kanopy.com/en/product/where-hope-art-murder-police-brutality-aga

It’s Only A Number

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXR8a1-Rjko

A Blind Man Stood On the Road and Cried

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tflRIr1I56g

SO HIP HOP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jimiAyCgIu4

Disabled Artist Showcase on the DISORDER CHANNEL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3aQ3er_VBU

SILENT SELLERS: Street Vendors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgivrCcnha4

Music Video and short film “Magnificent”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNnObWEiPkI

The post Internationally Acclaimed Filmmaker, Actor, and Writer, Emmitt Thrower, is Taking the World “Beyond the Limits” of its wildest Imagination appeared first on Scorpius Magazine.

Norwegian Filmmaker Anders Teig is Making Waves and Discovering New, Undiscovered Lands in the Independent Film World

Scorpius Magazine — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:59:12 +0000

By: Steffon Olsen

Viking filmmaker, Anders Teig, from Norway, was first inspired to move in the direction of filmmaking at the age of five, when his brilliant directorial gift led him to begin writing and producing small live plays, bringing together, cast and crew. As Teig continued to develop as a filmmaker in the direction of his dreams, he had the privilege to work with a few well-known, accomplished actors at a young age, including Ian Mckellen.

Now, decades later, Teig has become one of the most celebrated new director/writers in Norway and throughout the independent film industry.

Two of his previous short films, include “Rubbish Robbers, which has won several international awards. The rebel filmmaker has also published a novel called, “ The Peculiar Bust at Cimetiere de Montmartre”, a thriller set in Paris in the 1960’s. He has also founded the publishing house, “Bergen Book Brewery”. Other short-film masterpieces in Anders Teig’s impressive early career, include: Haikeren (2013), Mordier Actum(2021), and Skuddene Pa’ Boergenhus(2021).

Scorpius recently had the pleasure of revisiting the Viking filmmaker to do a follow-up interview for our 10-Year Anniversary issue.

Scorpius: Scorpius originally discovered you just four years ago when we had the unforgettable pleasure of watching one of your recent short films, “Rubbish Robbers,” a hilarious, black comedy which became a huge hit at independent film festivals around the world and starred, Calle Hellevang Larsen, one of the most popular comedians in Norway. There was also a tour de force performance by Sigurd Sele. You have before and since produced a couple of other masterpieces, including: Haikeren(The Passenger) (2013), Mordier Actum(2021), and Skuddene Pa’ Boergenhus(2021).

What can you tell us about the back story to each of these films?

Teig: The backstory of “Haikeren” or “The Passenger” is quite curious—I met an American in Norway, Carl Elmore, after connecting through a filmmaking website. We shared ideas, and one concept he brought to the table involved a man endlessly driving around with hitchhikers. I transformed this into a short film about a solitary figure picking up a blind hitchhiker, desiring only company, not particularly concerned with the hitchhiker’s destination. We were incredible happy to cast Kristofer Hivju, known for “Game of Thrones,” as the main character. His participation was not only lucky but also an immensely educational experience for me.

“Rubbish Robbers” arose from a completely different source. In my efforts to secure funding for the post-WWII film “Skuddene på Bergenhus” and repeatedly facing rejection, I channeled my growing frustration into a new script. My intent was to write something easily fundable, set in a single location, and during a two-day whirlwind, I conceived a story about a team of professional robbers featuring Calle as the beyond belief hopeless fool. Initially perceiving it as too absurd, I shelved it, only to rediscover and appreciate its humor a year later, much to the producers’ delight. Despite Calle’s busy schedule, we shaped our production timeline around him, and to our amazement, “Rubbish Robbers” has enjoyed international success, defying my expectations about region-specific humor.

Thanks to the success of “Rubbish Robbers,” “Skuddene på Bergenhus” finally received the green light. The story materialized all at once one day, but I felt I did not have the skills to be able to write it at that time, but post-“Haikeren,” I had honed my skills. It took a committed eight-year partnership with my producer Trude Refsahl to create what became my most significant film to date.

Scorpius: Looking back on your childhood, what was one of the most powerful and impactful experience you may have had that influenced and inspired you to move in the direction of storytelling and filmmaking?

Teig: Reflecting on my childhood, a potent memory that nudged me toward storytelling was listening to the beloved Norwegian children’s story “In the Forest of Huckybucky” by Thorbjørn Egner. At age five, I took passages from the play and got my friends at kindergarten to make it into a play with me directing. We showed it to the other children and the adults after a couple of days rehearsing, revealing early signs of my directorial inclinations.

Scorpius: Can you name one particular filmmaker who has been your greatest inspiration in your career as a filmmaker?

Teig: Filmmaker inspirations shift, but the action-adventure epics of the 80s, crafted by geniuses like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, had the most profound impact on me, giving me the desire to recreate those kind of cinematic experiences.

Scorpius: Who has been one of your favorite actors to work with on your recent projects and what are possibly some experiences have you had with them which may have influenced your choice?

Teig: Choosing a favorite actor to work with is a challenge, more like impossible; however, working with Kristofer Hivju for my first film was incredibly instructional. Observing him inhabit his role and provide a wealth of different adjustments for each take showed me the depth of an actor’s craft. However, every actor I’ve worked with has left an indelible mark on my films and me.

Scorpius: What is the most powerful driving force behind your filmmaking?

Teig: The most powerful driving force in my filmmaking is the compelling need to bring the stories that abruptly appear in my mind to life, much like sudden inspiration struck for the novel I wrote. It’s a long and arduous journey from thought to screen.

Scorpius: You’re known for being a dedicated husband and father, how has your family influenced your career as a filmmaker?

Teig: My family, particularly my wife Marianne, is the cornerstone of my filmmaking endeavors. With me balancing a full-time job at TV 2, managing film and book projects, running a publishing company, and venturing into computer game development with the talented Darroch McNaught—all would be unfeasible without my family´s support.

Scorpius: Norway is one of the most popular countries amongst filmmakers throughout the world, due to its vast, scenic location options. What have been your favorite locations you have chosen to shoot in the past and what locations do you possibly still have your eye on for future projects?

Teig: Bergen’s allure is unmatched, and the city’s cinematic offerings are a prime example of Norway’s potential as a filming location. While being a proud «Bergenser», I look forward to showcasing my hometown further and seeing more filmmakers discover its beauty.

Scorpius: If you had to recall two of the most evocative and memorable scenes you have ever shot, which have inspired you to continue on as a director, what would they be, and why?

Teig: Looking back, two scenes stand out: my cringe-inducing acting debut in “Rubbish Robbers,” which deepened my respect for actors, and the elaborate execution scene in “Skuddene på Bergenhus,” an exhilarating immersion into big-budget filmmaking that was such a fantastic experience on so many levels.

Scorpius: Is there anything you can tell us about current irons in the fire, as far as future scripts, films you’re working on?

Teig: Currently, I’m engaged in two documentaries: one on the street art scene in Bergen, and the other is an artist transforming trash into art across Europe. There’s also a comedy short on the horizon, featuring Calle Hellevang Larsen and Sigurd Sele, set to hit the festival circuit in 2026. And I’m poised to transition feature scripts into productions by the summer of 2025—if there are any interested producers out there.

Scorpius: If you could impart one word of advice to the younger generation of filmmakers, what would it be?

Teig: As for advice to the younger generation, believing in oneself is paramount—as is recognizing that, while we may never equal the legend of Scorsese, perseverance through the arduous fun of filmmaking is the path to greatness. Write, shoot, edit – repeat. It is really all you have to do.

Now do it!

The post Norwegian Filmmaker Anders Teig is Making Waves and Discovering New, Undiscovered Lands in the Independent Film World appeared first on Scorpius Magazine.

Double-Neck Guitar Demon and Legendary Independent Singer-Songwriter, Terence Hansen is Still Rocking Fans from Amsterdam and Europe to Park City, Utah

Scorpius Magazine — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:52:02 +0000

By: Steffon Olsen

Terence Hansen, also known as the double-neck guitar demon, has seduced and entertained fans around the world with his undeniably original sound, haunting, songs, and brilliant musicality for over two decades. His unwavering dedication to pure, independent artistry and mind-bending musical virtuosity are two of his most beloved signatures among his fans.

Scorpius has been following his career since our inaugural issue ten-years ago and enjoyed an awesome reunion interview for our anniversary issue.

Scorpius: In your early youth, what are your first memories of music? Was there someone close to you who influenced your decision to dive into a career as a singer/songwriter, professional musician?

Hansen: My parents and my grandparents. None of them play musical instruments, but they are all audiophiles. I think my earliest recollection of music was probably my grandpa whistling. He was a great whistler. My grandmother used to play me music she recorded off the radio onto her reel to reel. One song would be jazz, the next one would be Classical, Flamenco, Rock and so on. She has a very wide range of musical taste. She took me to my first classical concert and my first musical when I was about 8. When I was little mom used to have me and my sisters listen to Igor Stravinky’s ‘The Firebird’ and visualize a giant firebird to help us calm down and go to sleep at night. ‘3rd Stone From the Sun‘ by Jimi Hendrix and ‘Breathe‘ by Pink Floyd were also songs she would have us actively listen to and visualize what was happening, using our imagination. But I never pictured the actual musicians. It was more of a movie in my head. My mom also loved Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Carole King, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Earth Wind and Fire, The Doors, and Billy Joel, to name a few who ended up having a huge influence on me. My dad was the one with the loud stereo in his car blasting classic rock off the radio”

Scorpius: Scorpius had the great privilege of discovering you 10 years ago, upon the debut of our first issue of Scorpius Magazine. You have since gone on to create one of the most unique and eclectic careers of many independent artists in the world. Are there any experiences or moments over the past decade as an independent artist that you recall, which were intrinsically pivotal in your career?

Hansen: Well first, thanks for your support all these years, through thick and thin! Lol! I agree with your description of my career, but I also think this isn’t so rare for artists to have multiple genres and skill sets nowadays, it’s almost required! I’ve always been curious about all kinds of things. It’s interesting to me that some of these things overlap, and some are completely unaware of each other!

As far as experiences or moments over the last decade goes, I can think of a few…

Through my narration and scoring work with Dutch Poet Han De Kluiver, writing, acting, and performance in the Dutch theater production ‘60 Years of Guitar‘, and producing various Dutch musicians, see a pattern here? I eventually (via producer Jos Van Oost) made the move to scoring Dutch Modern Dance productions. I am currently on my third collaboration with choreographer Marjolijn Breuring on ‘Equilibrium’, which will debut in March 2025. I am also the musical director for the Dutch theater production ‘Water’, which will debut in December 2025.

I have also, since our last interview, 10 years already?!!! retired (2022) from education! After 35 years of teaching private lessons, group lessons, clinics, band coaching, music directing, volunteering, and finally culminating in co-founding the successful non-profit, Salt Lake Academy of Music (SLAM), I am now focusing on performing, production, composition, and other multi-media related things.

Scorpius: What could you tell us about the background story behind each of your albums, beginning with your first album, “Some of my Ghosts”?

Hansen: Oye! How much space do I have here? I will try to be brief…

‘Some of My Ghosts‘ 2015 (available on most online platforms)

Most of these songs arose from sad events in my life. A lot of funerals…

But it was also a breakthrough in my singing, production and songwriting skills. It took me years to make. I also had a great band that I had already toured with and performed a lot of the material, so it is very organic, yet tight. We recorded some of it live to analog tape at Mark Fasbender’s old studio, so the tracks have a great band vibe. Eclectic mix of styles…

‘Guru’ 2016 – (available on most online platforms)

I think of this album as much of a continuation of ‘Some of my Ghosts’ because some of it is leftover material from it, as well as what I considered new at the time. Most of the songs on it are very Existential. I had been through a long period of writing music with these kinds of themes, and I would say this was the culmination of that kind of writing for me. VERY ESOTERIC lyrics, yet…POP-ish! Still, some of my favorite stuff to play and sing.

‘Baktune’ 2018 – (available on Bandcamp.com)

This was the first of many live acoustic crossed neck guitar instrumental trio albums to come! Music on the edge, no rehearsal, just…. GO! Upright bass and drums vibing with mostly simple, modal jams. Fun stuff!

‘The Ballad of Ben and Ivy’ 2019 (unreleased)

I’m still excited to put this album online! Originally, I wrote, recorded, and mixed the whole 50-minute album in 3 months, and from there a few of my European fans got a copy and that was it. I began to remix it so I could release it online but then the pandemic happened and shortly after that my father died after being denied health care during a heart attack. I wasn’t able to do much after that. Now I have most of the songs ready. I really want people to hear it. It is only my acoustic crossed neck guitar, my voice, and vocal harmonies. It’s also a concept album. It’s wild, and it still haunts me. The music came through me like a channel, in the fastest amount of time I have ever started and finished any album. Each song was composed with the intention of musically describing each of the 9,10? or 11 human emotions….

‘Asymmetrical’ 2023 (available on most online platforms)

This song as well as ‘Nothing Left to Lose’, ‘Nihilistic Fable’ are the first singles released from a new batch of Metal influence music I started recording back in 2022. I had quite the writer’s block for a while, and I also had a lot of rage and anger. One of the things that got me through that time was Death Metal. Yes, you heard right. I discovered if I turned up super loud and lied in the fetal position on the floor, it soothed me. I had never listened to it before then, but I understand it now. You could say the music for my up-coming album is the polar opposite of my preceding one! No, I don’t do the growling or screaming, and DM folks would probably say it’s about as heavy as Neil Diamond, but for me it’s more of a return to my Metal/Grunge/Prog roots. Also, I have a few new instrumentals for the crossed necks. I’m going to be releasing more singles online soon!

My other albums are scores for the Modern Dance productions ‘Brielle Danst HOOP’ 2022, ‘NEXUS’ 2023, and in March 2025, ‘Equilibrium’.

These are a completely different genre from any of my albums! Classical, Avant Garde, Electronic, Ambient, with some crossed neck guitars sprinkled in. I’m very proud of this music! It excites me to use a wide pallet of instrumentation for color, and the challenge of making it work for the dancers and choreographer, Marjolijn Bruering.

It is a very collaborative process between us, and very rewarding!

Scorpius: You have been dedicated to mentoring the new generation of independent artists through your volunteer work with local non-profit organizations dedicated to helping them find their footing in a tumultuous day and age. Is there a role model from your life who may have inspired your work with the new age of independent musicians?

Hansen: Yes, I consider myself lucky when I was growing up to have had a lot people who gave their time freely to me, sharing their skills, expertise, and passions. My grandfather was always game for a project in his woodshop, my grandma always had the music, art, and travel adventures, my mom was the literary, craft, and constant example of mastering anything she set out to do. When I was in junior high, my ex-girlfriend’s stepdad, Robbie Robinson of the Tempo Timers recorded two 8 min epic Metal tunes from my first band. We had been playing our instruments for 9 months in his studio and he needed test subjects and he was always letting me in there after that, and never charged a dime. I could go on and on about all the folks in my old ‘hood’ that were like that! No one had any extra money! Pay it forward.

Scorpius: How do you feel about the commercial music industry today? Do you have any interest in getting signed to a major or independent label?

Hansen: “I never aspired to be a professional musician to begin with. Art was my first love. I always wanted to be a creative artist. I have always tried to go down my own path and create my own style. Whether it was a drawing or a song. That is my own cross to bear. I have always been very stubborn about trying to create something that I can feel is truly my own. Okay I’m weird. I have never wanted to be a popstar. I have never submitted anything to a record company in my life. That has been my own choice, so I really have no beef with anyone who wants to try to make it in the big time. That is a whole different skill set than I have. I respect anyone who can sing, dance, and take directions from 10 different people at once and be a personality 24/7 steadily until they are consumed and spit back out the other side of the entertainment industry. Either way it’s a lot of work to be a musician and/or a performer. But I did try listening to the radio the other day…”

STILL YUP!

Scorpius: You have been touring Europe for over a decade now, what originally caused you to gravitate towards Amsterdam and the surrounding countries and embark on your decade long love affair with Europe?

Hansen: I was fortunate enough to meet Jos and Anita from the Netherlands, they made it all happen for me. They believed in me and didn’t give up on me!

Scorpius: You’ve had a particular special relationship with Amsterdam, where you enjoy one of your strongest fan bases, what can you tell us about your most memorable performances and experiences in Amsterdam and the custom guitar that you had built by a local artisan there?

Hansen: I have performed all over the Netherlands, as well as Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Romania, Belgium, France, and England. I am lucky to have made some great friends there! The very first crossed neck guitar was conceived by Jos, myself, and guitar luthier Richard Heeres in Den Hauge. It took a year and a half to design and build. It was a dream come true, but with the new learning curve of tapping on an acoustic vs. 2x electrics. It created many new possibilities and hurdles! Alas, after 15 years of service, she (my Heeres acoustic) is in retirement, and I am now sporting a KLOS carbon fiber custom crossed neck acoustic that was reverse engineered from the Heeres. It is also the next level! The sounds I’m getting now are AMAZING. I literally have solved most of the technical desires I’ve had over the last 30 years. Now I am the only obstacle! Lol!

Scorpius: As a true independent artist, untouched by the malady of lust for fame and fortune, what advice would you impart to the new generation of young, up-and-coming, aspiring artists?

Hansen: BE AUTHENTIC. For better or worse, I am happier because even when the business gets difficult, I am still connected to the music and vision that drives me. My extreme individuality has probably worked against me as much as it has for me, because my music wasn’t made for everyone to like, or my guitar, or my face for that matter lol! But in the end, I can’t control what people’s taste preferences are, so I’ll just be myself. Be potent.

The post Double-Neck Guitar Demon and Legendary Independent Singer-Songwriter, Terence Hansen is Still Rocking Fans from Amsterdam and Europe to Park City, Utah appeared first on Scorpius Magazine.

Visionary director, writer, animator, and rebel, Demeter Lorant, is Dancing With Demons and Angels

Scorpius Magazine — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 16:51:31 +0000

By: Steffon Olsen

Visionary, director, writer, animator, and rebel Demeter Lorant was beamed down to earth from a lesser known planet, in a universe far, far away in 1982. His voracious appetite for evocative, beautiful madness is apparent in each meticulous stroke within his short film masterpieces.

His prolific career launched from the New York Short Film Festival with his short film, “Lag”, which garnered the award for Best Editing. His next films, “The Black and White Royal Flush,” and Urine journeyed into the fascinating and obtuse realm of horror. Lorant would eventually venture into the world of animation while taking on another enthralling adventure directing and producing over 50 music videos for indie bands and some of the biggest metal bands in the world.

In 2010 Lorant founded Full Screen Studio, which would go on to become one of the leading companies in the world for producing visual content for events and creating projection mapping projects throughout Europe.

His affinity for horror films was unstoppable as he assailed the bounds of the independent film world. “Lucky Girls” explored the 70’s Exploitation Cinema and French New Wave Extremism. HIs next creation, “Possessed By Aliens,” was a more light-hearted, family friendly science fiction short about a boy who has to spend a week with his grandmother before discovering that she is possessed by aliens. The film was a huge success on the festival circuit being Officially Selected by more than 40 festivals world-wide and received numerous awards which thrusted Lorant into becoming an internationally recognized force as a uniquely abstract and unpredictable director. His latest offering Sileo, is an apocalyptical animated short about an AI Robot who’s yearning to meet his creator drives him to embark on a fascinating journey across a fallen city to find the god of his program. The animated gem has garnered an award for Best Animated Short at Scorpiusfest 2024 and is currently rocking the international film festival world as it boldly takes on the deepest question of AI.

Scorpius Magazine had the recent privilege of interviewing Lorant, one of the independent film world’s most provocative and innovative visionaries,

Scorpius: What is the most unforgettable and impactful moment from your childhood that compelled you to move in the direction of becoming a filmmaker?

Lorant: I cannot really boil it down to one specific moment, it was a gradual shift towards horror and science fiction. Around the village where I grew up it was quite easy to find dead animals or animal corpses, I always found that fascinating. At the age of around 10 I got introduced to the Steve Jackson / Ian Livingstone fighting fantasy books and I became a huge fan and book collector, even going as far as to map the surrounding forests and swamps as the world of Titan. I was around 12 or 13 when I saw John Carpenter’s The Thing for the first time and it has stayed my favourite horror movie ever since – I think seeing that really opened up the door for me to become a film director.

Scorpius: Of the first films you produced earlier in your career, which was your favorite and why?

Lorant: I’ve made a bunch of amateur films before 2003, even a feature film which I haven’t seen for more than 20 years. It was a great experience but I wouldn’t go back to them, they are no diamonds in the rough for sure. My first really successful attempt at a short film was 2003’s Lag, which is about a guy who wants to kill his wife’s lover, but time shifts and he actually shoots himself – much like you have a lag in multiplayer games and sometimes bullets get delayed. It had a great festival run and got an award gor best editing at The New York Short Film Festival. That was the first time I was really satisfied with what I did and it felt like a real movie.

Scorpius: What inspired you to move in the direction of animation and what can you tell us about where your passion for it began?

Lorant: My father is a painter so I was interested in visual arts since I was born but a still image didn’t seem to cut it for me. I was around 13-14 when I first tried playing around with Autodesk Animator Studio Pro for DOS and I was amazed that I can create animations with it from my own drawings. Until around the age of 17 all I wanted to be is an animator and work on animated films or series, but when I actually got to a proper animation studio where they were doing classical cell-animations I realized that sitting in a dark room for 10-12 hours a day and drawing phases of characters for months might not be for me, so I moved on to live action filming, but animation stayed with me it’s just not my main focus.

Scorpius: You founded Full Screen Studio in 2010, which has become one of the most successful studios in Hungary and Europe. What can you tell us about its evolution and success?

Lorant: In 2009 I started to create special projection mapping animations as an experiment and I submitted one of them to a national mapping contest here in Hungary called Paint Up! – there I’ve actually won the first prize. After that I got a lot of inquiries from different companies and agencies to create mapping animation for them – after a while I had so many projects that making a studio was the only solution to keep up with them – so I’ve founded Full Screen Studio together with Gábor Sz. Nagy, who I used to work with as a VJ back in the day. For the first few years we exclusively worked on events creating animations and we took part in a lot of competitions around the world. We took home awards from Poland, France, Japan and a lot of other places. After 2015 we slowly started to shift our focus to TV productions, creating animated backgrounds for talent and music shows. Right now, we are shifting our focus again, this time to be a full-time film production studio.

Scorpius: What can you tell us about the era in which you were producing music videos for indie bands? Which bands created the most memorable experiences and what can you tell us about them?

Lorant: I started to make music videos back in 2000 and kept making them until around 2010. It was a great era for alternative and underground music in Hungary, the club life was buzzing and a lot of legendary foreign bands were playing gigs in Budapest. I’ve managed to work with alot of amazing Hungarian bands and also some foreign ones. Mostly I tried to stay with music I liked, so I did a lot of videos for rock and metal bands like Blind Myself, Idoru, Thimble or Embers. In 2009 I even managed to go on a small European tour with Machine Head as their VJ, sleeping in the same tour bus with Rob Flynn was an amazing experience as a long time Machine Head fan.

Scorpius: Possessed by Aliens, what can you tell us about it?

Lorant: It was a more light hearted experiment after creating one too many way too dark films. I’m proud of that short film, it looks and feels great, although I’m not sure I will ever venture back to such a family friendly story. Our main actress playing the granny was Márta Holler unfortunately passed away shortly after shooting finished. She had a huge body of work in film, television and theatre. It’s a strange feeling that my short film was her last project, if she can see it from where she is I hope she is satisfied with how the film turned out.

Scorpius: Sileo was a huge hit at Scorpiusfest and is currently making big waves on the international film festival circuit. Where did it originate, and were there any unconscious threads within the film that were inspired by the current, cusp of AI that the world finds itself upon?

Lorant: The basic idea came from the Ship of Theseus thought experiment about whether an object is the same object after having had all of its original components replaced. – I wanted to adapt this to a robot with AI because I thought it would be an interesting base conflict to have a robot be afraid of losing its identity. As the production progressed I tried to put in as many ideas and questions into it as I could without forcing anything. Since the short was made 99% by me it doesn’t even have a storyboard or final script, everything was coming together in my head and drawing it down as a storyboard instead of making the shot itself seemed like a waste of time.

Scorpius: What is on the horizon for you as a filmmaker and where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Lorant: I really feel like my life is shifting right now in a different direction. So far filmmaking was more like a thing I do on top of everything else, but I want to change that to be a full time filmmaker, making genre feature films from low to mid budget, selling them on the world market and actually making money that way. Right now I’m knee deep in the production of my first “real” indie horror feature titled Dreamland Awaits. I’m really optimistic regarding the festival and distribution chances of it, so if everything goes well I might get my next project going pretty soon. My plan is to build a strong indie studio here in Hungary where I want to produce genre movies, horror, sci-fi, action, thriller etc. Some of those will be my movies but I’malso actively looking for co production partners and talented like-minded fellow filmmakers. Hungary is a great place to shoot movies, some of the big Hollywood productions have already realized this from their experiences producing the latest Dune movies, Blade Runner 2049, and many others. Now it’s time for the indies to discover Hungary.

Discover some of Demeter Lorant’s greatest films:

Sileo, Animated Short 2023:

https://filmfreeway.com/SILEO

Possessed by Aliens, Sci-fi, 2020:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWGrM06kuPs&t=9s&pp=ygUTcG9zc2

Lucky Girl, Horror, 2016:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBe8fExbK4M&ppygUXbHVja3kgZ2ly

Nothing, Animated Short, 2012:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCm3_Mh25Oo&t=3s&pp=ygUWbm90

Royal Flush, Horror Short, 2004:

https://youtu.be/6gUtkQ2Ag3I?si=kdklcUf0KsAJOu4U

Lag, Sci-fi Short, 2003:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQvLaieG1_0&pp=ygUSbGFnIGRlbWV0ZXIgbG9yYW50

Music videos:

Angertea, Seeds of Hell:

https://youtu.be/2kGi9oTjbn8?si=zk_SOSrbwQeIQsDQ

Embers, Within my Soul:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN0gg9h2sew&pp=ygUVZW1iZXJzIHdpdGhpbiBteSBzb3Vs

Blind Myself, Go Get a Life:

https://youtu.be/f5Aebp0gJX8?si=n5bJWwz_niEqpfXm

Thimble, Counting…153426

https://youtu.be/lAw3j57oCUw?si=5_AVH0peNJeWeeJk

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Robyn Cage, the Unpredictable, Enigmatic, Red Haired Songstress Who Originally Rocked the First Cover of Scorpius Magazine 10-Years Ago, Is Still Lighting the Independent Music World On Fire

Scorpius Magazine — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:29:10 +0000

By: Steffon Olsen

Ten years ago, on an icy January morning, underneath a brilliant, clear, dark blue winter’s sky in Park City, Utah; Robyn Cage rocked the first cover of Scorpius Magazine’s inaugural print issue, as the crisp, glossy copies landed at local businesses throughout the famous ski town. The gorgeous, evocative songstress had just set Park City on fire as the hottest new singer/songwriter in town, as well as her own piano in her “Burning Now” music video, from her first album, “Born in the Desert”.

Since then, Robyn Cage has gone on to produce multiple albums, ep’s, and singles which have become celebrated by her fans, internationally. Cage has ascended to become one of the most hailed and beloved independent artists in the world.

Robyn Cage has even recently been touring with Brit Floyd and writing a new musical, “Black Friday,” which she’s hoping to produce in New York City soon.

However, despite her success, Robyn has always stayed true to Park City, the ski-town that gave her her first breaks. She even still performs regularly at Prime Steak House on main street, in Park City., Utah.

Scorpius Magazine had the great privilege and thrill of a ten-year reunion with Robyn Cage in an epic interview with the fiery, unchained, red-haired songstress.

Scorpius: If you could travel back ten years to your first interview with Scorpius Magazine for a moment and recall where you were at as an artist and in your personal life, what could you tell us?

Cage: That was a time of intense artistic discovery for me. I was figuring out who I wanted to be as an artist, what I wanted to say and how to say it. It was an exciting time, mostly thanks to the incredible artists I met around then who I began collaborating with, and still work with to this day.

Scorpius: Now, 10- years later, after conquering Park City and the rest of the world as one of the most original and celebrated artists on the international music scene, what could you tell us about the moment you’re in today?

Cage: Well, I can’t say that I feel like I’ve conquered the world! I’m currently moving into a new phase of my career. I’ve been writing a musical for the past several years, and I’ve loved that process so much and I’m hoping to write many more musicals.

Scorpius: What could you tell us about the origins and inspiration behind each of your albums, ep’s and singles you’ve released over the last 10 years, beginning with your first album, “Born in the Desert”?

Cage: Born In The Desert really centered around self-exploration and self-expression. I was experimenting with different sounds, themes, genres, vocal techniques… finding what made me unique and how it all fit together. Slow The Devil was a reaction to the huge changes in my community, my country, and the world at large. Each song was a personal story, but also a microcosm for something much bigger. A Million Years of Stone was my divorce album, exploring themes of life, death, endings, beginnings and personal freedom. Lovers and Monsters was an acoustic collection of waltzes, and each song was a different kind of love story.

Scorpius: You’ve shot some epic music videos as an independent artist, are there any memorable experiences, that you can recall, during the filming of the videos that stand out to you as memorable or humorous?

Cage: For Burning Now, I wanted to set fire to a piano for the final scene, but right as we were getting ready to shoot, it started to rain. We had trouble getting the wet piano to light, so we drenched it with lighter fluid. It suddenly became an enormous bonfire, and fortunately the wind was blowing away from me. If the wind had changed direction, I don’t know if I’d be here today.

Scorpius: Is there a particular song/s that you’ve written that have a haunting or unforgettable back-story?

Cage: Slow The Devil came to me in a dream. I woke up with the full song in my head.

Scorpius: Is there a singular driving force behind your life as an artist or a fire that burns within your soul that you could attribute to your inspiration and success?

Cage: The need for self-expression has always been the thing that drives me.

Scorpius: Of all the live shows you’ve performed, is there any particular experience that made a powerful, meaningful impact on you in your career as a live artist?

Cage: I headlined a concert at the Deer Valley Amphitheater, and for the final song, “Theatre Noir” a bunch of kids ran up to the stage and danced. It was such a beautiful moment of shared joy and celebrating our differences, and I’ll never forget it.

Scorpius: If you had to use just one word to describe the last ten years of your career as an independent artist, what would it be and why?

Cage: Searching. I still feel like I’m searching- for myself, for answers, and for the meaning of life. It’s like putting together pieces of an impossibly intricate puzzle.

Scorpius: What can you tell us about your new musical, “Black Friday”?

Cage: BLACK FRIDAY is a satirical dark comedy, with music inspired by “A Nightmare Before Christmas” and the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” BLACK FRIDAY isn’t like any musical you’ve ever seen. An interactive & immersive experience, this is new theatrical experience for adventurous audiences. With hook-laden alt/pop songwriting, BLACK FRIDAY’s creators draw on influences as wide-ranging as Depeche Mode and Michael Jackson, all the way to Little Shop of Horrors.

WARNING: This show contains adult language, sexual content, nudity, violence, and drug use… All the fun stuff.

Synopsis:
It’s Black Friday at your local Costco, or “ShopMo,” when a global apocalypse forces all shoppers to quarantine. A psychopathic pageant queen, a conspiracy theorist, an environmentalist influencer, a doctor, a marine, and a drunken stay-at-home dad take refuge from Online Shopping Zombies or “Cyber Zoms.”

Amidst power struggles and budding romances, these monstrously talented shoppers sing and dance their way through the Shopocalypse. However, tensions rise as supplies dwindle, until their only hope for survival is to escape to the American Dream Mall.

When our very existence is threatened, can we join together and learn from past mistakes? Can we forego instant gratification to preserve the future?
Or will we just go shopping?

Scorpius: What can you tell us about the recent world tour with Brit Floyd as their soprano backing vocalist?

Cage: Touring with Brit Floyd has been a dream come true. Our sold-out show at Red Rocks was one of the more magical nights of my life.

Scorpius: What projects, albums, singles, tours are you currently involved in that you can share with Scorpius?

Cage: I’ll be touring the US and Canada with Brit Floyd again this year from April-June, and I’m developing a musical called BLACK FRIDAY, which I’m hoping to bring to NYC.

Scorpius: If you had one day left to live and a concert grand piano in front of you, what kind of song would you write?

Cage: When I’m not writing for a musical or a specific assignment, I can’t really control what comes to me. I would just have to open myself up fully to the moment and see what came.

The post Robyn Cage, the Unpredictable, Enigmatic, Red Haired Songstress Who Originally Rocked the First Cover of Scorpius Magazine 10-Years Ago, Is Still Lighting the Independent Music World On Fire appeared first on Scorpius Magazine.