#aprilandvista

[sankofalady]

L’Overture. Divinely intuited upon waking, I heard these beginning chords in my head, by a song (Overture by April + Vista). 11-8-05. It’s been 13 whole years since you left this side, Mommy. I stand on the precipice of my memory banks swirling the mementos around with my finger longing to touch you in them smiling on the inside watering my face on the outside Today Back then Marked a new beginning life adjusting and bending to not hearing your voice in the physical Today Right now Beginning this day I rejoice I hear and see you clearly All around me I’m not without you I am you I get to have each new day an overload of blessings a life that includes you birthing new joy over grief A substantial prelude befitting for a butterfly remembering her beautiful wings. 💜🦋🐞 {LG} #maryannsdaughter #aprilandvista #overture #morningglories (at Jacksonville, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp697qsFb-l/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=127695v22k843

[inboldmagazine]

INBOLD MEETS: April + VISTA, the D.C. based duo defying genres and making music that appeals to them, not just the music industry.

A photo of the music duo April + VISTA. Photography by @agathapowa (Instagram). Interview and text by Nandi Ndoro and Trudy Painter. 

This interview was a part of our first printed issue. You can read more here. 

How did you two meet?

April: We went to college together but we didn’t know each other. We met when I reached out to Matt on Soundcloud and asked if he wanted to meet up in D.C. to talk about music and stuff. From that point on, we’ve been working together.

What were some of the helpful resources for you in DC when you were both starting out?

Matt: I started off working with a bunch of the rappers in the area. They were just starting out too and they were going to these open mics like Everlasting Life Cafe. That was one of the places where all the rappers and producers would perform on Saturday nights. It became the center of our little community. There, I was able to meet a lot of the producers, rappers, and creatives in the area that would help shape my sound.

April: In 2014, when Matt and I started working on music, there were still some resources in D.C. but they were dwindling. There were places like MOUSAi House, a warehouse that had spaces for artists to record, that was especially helpful for us. When that went away, we realized that there aren’t that many resources in D.C. for creatives. Over the years, they’ve been erased. Now, we normally just write at home and then go to studios afterwards.

What’s made you stay?

Both: Student loans.

April: Here’s a big lesson for anyone reading this: when you go to school… make sure you don’t get no loans. That’s something we didn’t realize until later on. Now we’re like, “Damn, we gotta pay these back. That sucks.”

Matt: If we could, we would dip. I love D.C. and the whole DMV area but I only started travelling last year. My first time going to L.A. was in June and I loved it there. I would love to spend some time somewhere else to see how I develop my sound or grow as a human but… student loans. On top of that, the community we have here has really helped us grow and if we were to move right now, we wouldn’t get another community as strong.

April: Yeah. We just recently got to a point where we’re travelling for music, like going on tour and taking extending leases, but we both still work 9 to 5 jobs!

Wow! What’s it like balancing all of that?

April: It’s very very hard. When we put out Note to Self, our second EP, we were getting to a very frustrated part of our lives. It sucked having to stay up and record then go to work right after. Now it’s getting even more strenuous because we have even bigger opportunities coming our way. Overall, though, it all teaches you a work ethic that I really like. We handle our own marketing and design because that’s the nature of our day jobs. So  our  jobs help us but balancing it all is hard.

That’s impressive. On a different note, we fangirled over how you guys work with other DMV artists like Goldlink. What’s that been like?

April: The biggest thing that I learned from working with other musicians was how to fall back and be a tool for someone to use. Being able to work in a team that doesn’t necessarily center around you is a skill in itself. I also learned a lot about the business side of music— what things to look for in a manager, how to negotiate splits, and other things like that. On the creative side, I learned how to think on my feet. Matt and I take a long time to develop our songs. We have to write at home, then go to the studio and perform what we’ve already made. Rappers don’t do that. They think on the spot. They get beats sent to them, write down all their lyrics, and then spit them out. As a vocalist, a rapper will say to you, “I want you on this song” and when you walk into the studio, you’ll have five minutes to think about what you’re gonna write. One time at a studio session, they had a whole choir waiting for me and I had to quick figure out how to direct an entire choir for the first time! It’s all really fun actually and it helps you become a fast thinker.

Do you ever feel pressure to create for a certain audience now that you’re getting more opportunities?

Matt: We do what we enjoy. There’s no pressure for us to make whatever we think are “tight songs”. We realize that for streaming services, record labels, or anyone listening to our music, it’s easier to put us in certain categories. We’re considered as a branch of R&B but we don’t only see our music as R&B. Our stuff is more experimental and it takes from a lot of different genres to just be called R&B. At the same time, we get a lot of opportunities because people think that we’re R&B. We’ll be asked to get on R&B songs or we’ll be thrown on big R&B playlists. We get money from this stuff. It’s cool, honestly, but we want to stay true to our own definition of ourselves.

April: Yeah, these are things you have to think about as an independent artist because how you’re categorized in general can determine how many people come across your music.

What’s been one of the most exciting things you’ve done as musicians?

Matt: We did a tour with Little Dragon. We were like Little Dragon superfans when that happened.

April: Yeah, going on tour with them was crazy. We were so shook. It was basically going on tour with your favorite band of all time.

Matt: Exactly! I would say the most exciting thing is a tie between touring with Little Dragon or with Goldlink. That was my first ever tour so it was a big moment. It was also my first time going overseas.

April: Yeah, we went to Europe for the first time last year.

Matt: We also did Colours in Germany which was so cool.

That’s awesome! That video is blowing up by the way.

April: We know! It’s exciting. We stopped looking at it though just in case we get negative comments.

Everyone loves it! You even got a shout out from Masego. If you could give advice to teens who are pursuing music, what would you say?

Matt: For producers, don’t take it so seriously when you’re starting out. That takes the joy out of it sometimes. You should take it seriously once you get to college.  Also, at that age, you’ll start to see people who have “figured it out”. Don’t mess up your own self-image because you feel like you need to be like them. It wasn’t until after college that I really began to fall into who I really am.

April: When you’re in high school, you think to yourself: “I’m aspiring to be a musician… I’m aspiring to be a creative.” You’re not aspiring. You are that person already! So stop saying that. I’ve learned that in the music industry, especially as a female, everyone is looking at you like you’re the least experienced person there. If you start recognizing now that you’re not “aspiring”, by the time you get to an important point in your career, you will already have the confidence that you need to stand tall in who you are.

[ediphotography]

April and Vista 11004XXT

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKd2Xsjq3P/

April + VISTA, on stage.

PHOTO: © EDI Photography / ediphoto.com

[tapecase-space]

LOUISE Episode 44

https://bff.fm/shows/louise

thank you for listening

@sza @karifaux @jeandeaux @sabapivot @21savage @smino @phoelix @vanjess @dojacat @pivotgang @aprilandvista @mereba @mahalia @junglepussy @nappy_nina @masego @medasin @kaytranada @rapsody @georgia.muldrow @pinksiifu @maesumaesu @amindi @kilokish @saintrecords @nonamehiding @sango_ @blondieofficial

thank you for listening

[mo-boombox]

Quarantine Tunes

Quarantine Tunes: Taking advantage of this awkward time in America to share some good music.

Stuck in bed looking for new music

As I lay here in social isolation, I find myself going through the black holes of Youtube Music and Apple Music. My findings have been rewarding, to say the least. I’ve enjoyed a plethora of music, some old, some new, and some that you might be familiar with. Even if that’s the case I would like to take this awkward time in America to share with you my Corona…

[ohmuthafuckingwell]

Listen to If Light Escapes by April + VISTA #np on #SoundCloud

[thfctry]

APRIL + VISTA

“OWN2″ & “HOW TO GET BY”

https://soundcloud.com/aprilandvista/how-to-get-by

https://soundcloud.com/aprilandvista/own-2

[jadalareign]

@jyoty’s latest @rinsestagram episode aired this morning featuring her interview with @smino and a soulful + sultry guest set by me. the episode is now up on @soundcloud for your listening pleasure. thank you so much for having me @jyoty! 💘 the link is in my bio + tracklist below. - 1. @aprilandvista - Fo’Sho 2. @ettabond feat. A2 - Surface 3. @thequincat & @6lack - Mushroom Chocolate 4. @ellevarner feat. @wale - Pour Me 5. @elujay - Leisure 6. @jamesdavis - Something To Talk About 7. @jarreauvandal feat. Hollie Carmen & Jay-Way - Moonlight 8. @gwenbunn - Yours 9. @ezracollective feat. @jorjasmith_ - Reason in Disguise 10. @hopetala - Lovestained 11. @devintracy feat. @jrobbdaproducer - Lovinuu (92 Colby Remix) 12. @youngzilo - Don’t Waste My Time 13. @pitrrsugr - Just like My 14. @kaytranada & @vanjess - Dysfunctional 15. @anderson._paak feat. @4everbrandy - Jet Black 16. @buddy feat. @kentjamz, @bas, @guapdad4000, @jidsv & @arilennox - Link Up 17. @iambyhaze - Magnetic 18. @rayanajay feat. @duckwrth - Love Me Like 19. @lionbabe - Sexy Please 20. @saintrecords - BINZ (@ric808sound Dance Rework) (at Rinse FM) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwwzb_HFRJz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xhocm37c7ebb

[stclaircastro]

Proceed with no caution, I only speak in riddles and accept blood offerings 💉🔮💉🌡🌡🌡🌡🔌🔌 // many many thanks to the family @otherfeels @aprilandvista @ddaawwkkiinnss @lundazi @quannumthrow @aquatic.gardener @uptownartsdc @mapsglover // #internetdruglords #hackdeath #cmpvtrclvb #sayless #mood #UPTOWNARTHOUSE (at Uptown Art House)

[mrch0colatchaud]

Function feat. Goldlink, April George, Cheakity (prod. by Supah Mario) by Ciscero Devil's Pie EP coming soon. Goldlink - @goldlink April George of April + Vista - @aprilandvista Cheakity - @Cheakity Supah Mario - @supah-mario misterneek - @misterneek

[rapseyrecommends]

Glow End Theory 001 by TOMIYEYO Life is a balance of masculine and feminine energy. The masculine energy has dominated for a while and has resulted in a shift into feminine energy to regain that balance. With that being said, I'm proud to be sharing the stage with these talented women. Come out and show support for these beautiful beings who put their soul into their art 💕✨ CMPVTR_CLVB PRESENTS GLOW END THEORY 001 Mix curated by tomiYEYO Live Performances by: @aprilandvista @yayabeybay @oddmojo Resident Djs: @tomiyeyo @kleonaptra @jessic_nt Presented by: @cmpvtr_clvb Visuals by: @quannumthrow flier design by: @urbnshmn TRACKLIST @hiatus-kaiyote - Laputa Solange - Cranes in the Sky (@Kaytranada remix) @win32 - Undeserved (feat @Emily Raymond and @Heartmath2) @aprilandvista - Daggers @oddmojo - Fearless freestyle @yayabey - Celie Jr. Fertile Ground - You @jimmyedgar - Dreamz Come True (feat. @Rojoproto) Clara Hill – Nowhere I Can Go @baegod - Lucid

[amoessaw]

FIRST | "The First Candlelit Dinner" [S. 2. Ep. 8]

Robin and Charles' relationship is tested when Robin gets an opportunity in New York. Written and Created by Jahmela Biggs,  Directed by Desmond Faison.

 "So Here It Goes"

Alex Isley

lovealexisley.com

ttps://twitter.com/lovealexisley

www.facebook.com/LoveAlexIsley

 "Glass Boxes"

Joy Jones

www.facebook.com/pages/Joy-Jones/

www.amazon.com/Godchild-Joy-Jones/

 "Love Is"

MoLuv

https://twitter.com/moluvmusik

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/moluv/

  "Lantern"  & "If Light Escape"

April +Vista

www. soundcloud.com/aprilandvista

http://aprilandvista.com/

(their graphic is the guy and girl with no title)

 "Sweet Vodoo Love"

Keithian

www.Keithian.net

https://soundcloud.com/keithian

 "Come and Get It" & "FYIWW"

Drew Anthuny

Soundcloud: Soundcloud.com/Drew-Anthuny

IG: @Drew_Anthuny

 Keep up with Issa Rae Presents:

Twitter: http://bit.ly/IRPTwitter

Facebook: http://bit.ly/IRPFacebook

 Follow Issa Rae:

Twitter: http://bit.ly/IssaRaeTwitter

Instagram: http://bit.ly/IssaRaeIG

[robluis]

Unfold Radio up on Tru Thoughts and 1BTN Mixcloud pages. Swipe for tracklistings #truthoughts #unfoldradio #1btn @tru_thoughts @aprilandvista @1btnradio https://www.instagram.com/p/BqjzxxcHcF2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rtdsd97n78jb

[goodsocietyla]

We were truly blessed to witness @thejujuexchange and @aprilandvista last night, who completely tore up the venue with their genre blending styles. Jazz done MAD justice. 🙌🏼 . . . . #jazz #soul #hiphop #music #electronic #keys #violin #trumpet #drums #bass #losangeles #la #goodsociety #goodsocietyla #thejujuexchange #aprilandvista #jubilee #exchange #real #talent #instrumental (at The York Manor)

[youngwealthdmv]

Top down: JAY IDK, April of April + Vista, Beau Young Prince, and Innanet James all Maryland and Washington, DC artists that were represented for 2017 All Things Go Festival.

We Congratulate all these artists for their efforts to put this area on the map for the next wave of talent coming out of the DC metropolitan area.

Check their sounds here

April + Vista: https://soundcloud.com/aprilandvista/sets/note-to-self-1

Jay IDK: https://soundcloud.com/jayidk1/tracks

Innanet James: https://soundcloud.com/innanet-james

Beau Young Prince: https://soundcloud.com/beauyoungprince

[saracurtin]

You gotta hear @aprilandvista from #DC. Her voice 🍯