Mortez Turn Grief Into a Cinematic Rock Anthem with Reaper

0:00 SPEAKER_02: Alright, in this episode, I talk with the pop rock band Mortez as they're sharing their dominating new track, Reaper, that just released July Tech. This is the duo's newest release since their single purgatory, which came out earlier this year. They step into a new musical era with Reaper as they infuse their signature cinematic energy with a fighting rock hook, making for powerhouse track. Let's get into it with Mortez.

0:32 SPEAKER_02: What's up? This is She Shreds with Rassanne, and today I am blessed with two beautiful guests from Mortez, the dynamic duo, that we're gonna talk to. They've got a new single out called Reaper that just came out July 10th. They've had some other really cool hits before that as well. But we're just gonna get to know these beautiful souls that I have here. I've got Brett Daniels and Rochelle Royale, who make up the dynamic duo of Mortez. Yes. So thanks so much for being on the show today, guys.

1:05 SPEAKER_03: Yeah, thanks for having us.

1:06 SPEAKER_02: Yes, we're excited to be here. So tell us a little bit about Reaper.

1:12 SPEAKER_01: What went behind making the song? Well, okay, I guess I'll start. I think in the beginning of creating Mortez, Brett and I, when we first started dating, I was like, we're not gonna do music at all. Because I've been through a lot. Women in music, shout out. And he was like, okay, that's fine. But that lasted like two days. And when we started to create music, we both came to the conclusion that we were both obsessed with like Danny Elfman and Tim Burton, and we wanted to create a universe, a world.

1:46 SPEAKER_01: If we were gonna have a band, we wanted to create a universe within the idea of the band. And so Mortez is actually what is the word when you fuse two words together? I can never celebrity couple name, but it's like an amalgamation or whatever the word is of Morticia and Gomez. So initially the music was very like, or still is very like orchestral and witchy and whimsical. However, I come from the pop world and Brett has played every song under the sun because like professional session player, right?

2:24 SPEAKER_01: So he knows his catalog of music is vast. But we we have a new manager, and she was like, So if you were to be placed on rotation for Sirius XM Octane, what song would we pitch? And I was like, oh shit, okay.

2:46 SPEAKER_00: Let's write something for it. Yeah.

2:48 SPEAKER_01: So we were like, we need to do like buy the book, rock banger. And we actually well, we have we have like six songs, but Reaper was the first one we got done in the in the rock category, like genre.

3:02 SPEAKER_00: I mean, besides some of our earlier stuff, but it was more of like, okay, let's stay focused on that, and have the start it of it. Like, because I like to make a lot of beginnings of songs like demos which ones that she's gonna get on, and that was the one that she likes. I have to have good songs. And that was it.

3:20 SPEAKER_01: Well, I mean, it's there's so many songs, and I think that's the issue with artists is like we're never done. Like, we want to work on this song and this song, and but when you have an assignment, it makes it a little bit easier because you have a deadline, and so but even with Reaper, it's kind of like, okay, what is the story? Right. And for me as a woman, I'm always like, How can I take my power back?com. Like, that's always like how I write. I'm always thinking about like how can I make it a message to my younger self?

3:56 SPEAKER_01: Because I'm always like, I just want to give her a hug. Like, I'm so sad for what a lot of us girls went through when we were younger. And with Reaper, it's kind of like and also it's weird because Reaper is about like death, and like none of us are making it out of here alive. And I think to some people it's kind of weird that I would write about that just because I have lost so many people in my life, including my mom. And so it's kind of like when you go through a lot of loss, you know. I think a lot of people that haven't been through that would be like, why would you write a song about dying?

4:33 unknown: Right.

4:34 SPEAKER_01: But it's almost like that's the therapy right there. Like it becomes therapeutic when you can transmute the terrible things and turn it into the movie, like the cinematic, like I'd rather watch Beetlejuice than go through that in real life. But if you have been through it in real life, how do we turn it into Beetlejuice? You know.

4:53 SPEAKER_02: Right. And you know, I I mean, not to get too off topic, but I feel like we as Americans are taught to deflect more away from death instead of acknowledging it and realizing that it is going to be a part of our lives and more unexpected than planned for. So I can understand what you're saying.

5:14 SPEAKER_01: Right. It's like when someone comes to a Mortez show, we want them to know that those topics are gonna be not discussed, but like sung about. And but we want to go through it with you. Like we want, we all want to hug each other and go through it together to heal together.

5:31 SPEAKER_00: Because I mean, I feel like the song itself isn't necessarily about like dying. Yeah, it's more of like, you can't get me, girl. Like, I'm not dying. Right. It's like the whole like the extenuating circumstance of the chase of death, you know, like trying to like you're always escaping it, and then it's like you know, kind of a funny, cheeky moment of the girl's like, I got a big head, you ain't gonna get me, you know?

5:52 SPEAKER_01: Like so it's like a whole like while you're alive, enjoy it, kind of a we and I'm sorry if I'm talking too much, just get in there with the No, I want to hear from you guys. Keep going. So we we we just shot the music video for Reaper, and the first thing that we needed was the storyboard. And so we had to make the story so clear for the director, the choreographer, the dancers. Like, they needed to understand what this song was truly about. So we gave everybody character, and so my character was Freya.

6:29 SPEAKER_01: Brett is the Reaper, the dancer, like contortionist circus girls are like the dark angels that are like protecting Freya from the Reaper. But they actually were so in the video, we see Freya telling the Reaper, you're never gonna get me. Like, I'm immortal. I have nine lives. I've made it this far, there's no way you're gonna catch me. And you know, the girls are like around her and like protecting her from him. Now, at the end of the video, we have this whole transition where the bridge comes in and she's like troubles calling, calling to me, ashes to ashes, set me free.

7:14 SPEAKER_01: She's kind of like, if you can't beat him, join them type of thing, but I'm gonna look hot doing it. So it's this transformation of she's wearing her black outfit and then she goes to all red, like just covered in red, this like huge bustle, which I'll bring over here in a second. Gotta show the people the bustle. Yeah. And so it's kind of like, listen, I'm going to the other side, but I just want you guys to know that I'm walking in my power while I'm doing it. And he's not gonna make me lose my strength just because I have to cross over, type of thing.

7:55 SPEAKER_02: Okay. So she's gonna do it her at her pace, how she wants to.

7:59 SPEAKER_01: Right. And some people are faced with like they have six weeks left to live, you know? And it's kind of like you have to live and own it and just be like, here's how I'm gonna live these this short time that I have left, you know. Like before my grandma died, she was still getting her nails done and wearing leopard and gambling.

8:21 SPEAKER_02: My God, I bless your grandma. My grandma was like that too. She was my abolita, she was, you know, wearing the the tiger print and she still wore her wig and made sure everything was looking good, all up until she really could not. But yeah, I think that's something that a lot of us could identify with and just understanding what went behind the lyrics and you know how Reaper came about. Because, like you said, uh it's not something that we always think about. And if we're faced with it unexpectedly, then that's really the time for that individual to finish writing their story, you know.

9:02 SPEAKER_01: Yeah. And and also it's like we're alive right now. Are we living? Are we truly living? And I feel like sometimes it's like you have to get sick to start eating healthy and taking care of yourself, or you have to be dying to finally start living your life. It's also like, are we living right now? Like while we're okay, because it is planet earth and it's really hard. It's really hard to be a human. So I'm just like, my gosh, I guess we need to just wear amazing outfits and like which you do.

9:37 SPEAKER_02: Let's talk about the outfits. Because, girl, you guys, both of you, you've got beautiful outfits, and I see you know that you even change, change it up, and you do a lot of uh thought into coming up with the outfits that you guys wear.

9:53 SPEAKER_00: Well, she would be a fashion designer.

9:56 SPEAKER_02: Yeah, where does the inspiration typically come from? Is it both of you?

10:00 SPEAKER_01: You know what? Okay, here's the deal. Hot take. When I when I find a band that I love, okay, and I could name drop right now, but I won't do that. It's like I absolutely am obsessed with their music, but then I'll look at their Instagram and there's no costumes, there's no wardrobe, there's no vibe. And I'm like, if I could just style them, it would elevate their music to the next level. The reason why we love Lady Gaga so much is because we're like, what is she gonna wear? What is the stage gonna look like?

10:34 SPEAKER_01: Like, if you're going to a show, you wanna see yeah, like give it to us. We want to see the outfits, the dancers, the set, the story. And I just feel like, especially in rock music, I think it's like t-shirt and jeans, which is totally fine. But there are those bands, like there's a new band that's out right now, Hot and Freddy, and they are just decked out in like Victorian circus gear. And I'm like, I'm here for it. It's crazy. Awesome.

11:04 SPEAKER_02: I'll have to check them out.

11:06 SPEAKER_01: Yes, and it's like, even if the song isn't that great, I'm like, oh my god, you guys are so brave for wearing that, and it looks so great. So I don't know. I feel like because I have had so many lives in the music industry and I I have quit so many times. Brett knows that, like, if I was gonna sign on to do another music project, I wanted to do it all the way, but have it be so authentic. And also, like, I don't want to be oversexualized as a female pop singer. That's just what you do, you know.

11:41 SPEAKER_01: It's like the lingerie, the latex, da-da-da-da-da-da. You know, you're up against Dua Lipa and Ariana and Tate McRae, and they're all literally in lingerie. And so this time around, I was like, oh my God, how do we elevate? Like, if La Roach was dressing us, what would he do? You know? And it's still like obviously a work in progress because it's like you have to have the money to be dressing like that, but we do what we can. Goodwill. Yeah. You go to thrift shops, you sew, you figure it out.

12:14 SPEAKER_02: That is awesome though, because that just shows that you have the drive, but that can become a huge asset for you in designing what you guys are wearing and making it your own. And I love uh there was one post that I saw on TikTok where um you and Brett had it was uh a red and black outfit that you guys had. It was it something that you skill that you picked up and learned along the way, or something that you've always done?

12:56 SPEAKER_01: Okay, lore. My mom ran three dance studios in the Bay Area. So, you know, like the cheesy stuff, like the rhinestoned, like finger elastic or whatever, like the princess gloves. I'm always wearing gloves, I'm always wearing rhinestones. Like, that's definitely because of the dance studio setting. Like when you compete, everything's covered in rhinestones. And like I I really did give up that life because my mom passed away and dance became this thing that was so painful for me. Brett is kind of the person that has given me so much love, like enough love to where I'm able to heal that part of me and I'm like diving into that side again.

13:43 SPEAKER_00: She was always a fashion girly though.

13:45 SPEAKER_01: I was always a fashion girly, but this is different.

13:48 SPEAKER_00: She makes it.

13:49 SPEAKER_01: Yeah. It's kind of like I it's I feel like my mom would not be happy. Yeah. My mom would not be happy with the stuff that I was wearing on the red carpet. But now I feel like Brett and I, she would have loved Brett and she would have been very happy with how we present ourselves because it it is more respectful. Family friendly. Yeah.

14:15 SPEAKER_02: And you know, I think that's another really good point that you made too, that you don't want to be over sexualized, you know, as a female, because I feel like uh most of the time it just naturally happens, and females are just you know supposed to accept that. So kudos to you, Rochelle, for you know, having that voice and creating something that is all your own and something that works for both you and Brett.

14:40 SPEAKER_01: And and it is like for me, because I don't want to judge anybody. Like, I think women should be in their sexuality.

14:48 SPEAKER_02: Some people like that. That's fine.

14:49 SPEAKER_01: Yeah. If you want to wear the lingerie, wear it, girl. Like the heels, the heels jazz thing is so hot now. Like, I feel like every girl either does heels or pull. And it's like, that's amazing, you know. But I think because I live that life for so long, I'm like I'm just like in a new era.

15:08 SPEAKER_02: Sure. And that's fine, you know, there's nothing wrong with that.

15:12 SPEAKER_01: Yeah. So And you're in a new era too.

15:15 SPEAKER_00: Yeah. What's your new era? Uh dress actually putting time into my costume. Just like I'll wear these jeans and a leather jacket and go play piano with people.

15:24 SPEAKER_02: So well, and I saw too, where you have a a wide variety of musical tastes.

15:31 SPEAKER_00: Me? Yes, Brett. You, Brett. I grew up on rock music and then found metal on my own, and that was like it for me in high school, and I started learning guitar and how to play it, and then went to college for it, and then realized I wanted to do film scoring because after I switched out of the drum program of MI, because I switched from guitar to drums, because it just wasn't it for me, and that wasn't it either. So I went to UCLA and studied composition so I could do like film scoring and stuff like that, and then COVID hit, and so I didn't get to finish the program.

16:05 SPEAKER_00: And then I just started like meeting people and trying to go around and find like a group of people to play with, and I finally did, and they're very LA jazz, and so it's like, okay, you have to learn how to play that now, and like learn all this, learn 12 songs in a night for tomorrow's show. And it was like so I just had to get really good at that and piano and jazz piano and classical stuff, and so I really love almost every type of music as long as it's good to me.

16:33 SPEAKER_02: So you know, but yeah, I so am I hearing that you you play guitar, drums, and piano?

16:40 SPEAKER_00: And bass and sing, yes. And I can write sheet music for orchestras, but I just don't have the budget for it yet.

16:47 SPEAKER_02: So wow. Do you have a favorite instrument?

16:51 SPEAKER_00: Probably the piano, because I can speak the most with it, but drums is the easiest in any jam session because I don't have to follow any sort of changes.

17:01 SPEAKER_01: But yeah, but I have to give him all the credit because I think for girls it's easier for us to do the content thing. Dudes are like, I would rather not, but he's such a good sport about it. And on top of that, being a true musician, if you're an actual real musician in your brain, you're not on TikTok. Like you're not doing, yeah, what you know, commercial artists are doing to make their brand blow up. And I'm like the brand girl. And so when I say that he's in a new era as well, I really commend him for stepping up and being like, I understand what it's gonna take to build our band and brand.

17:45 SPEAKER_01: And like having to do the social media stuff is just the bipolar opposite of what an artist wants to do. Like, especially a musician like this who just wants to play an instrument. Literally, like he just wants to play piano, guitar. Like, I could leave him in the studio for five, six hours, and he, you know, I have to make sure he drinks water because he's just so locked in. Very focused.

18:14 SPEAKER_03: Yeah.

18:14 SPEAKER_01: And let me say this there are a lot of artists that will never make it, not because they're not talented, but because the mental game that it is to build a brand is exhausting. It is it's so hard. And musical artists and dancers, like a lot of creatives, just do not want to do it.

18:39 SPEAKER_02: Right. And so I'm just like do you do you feel like do you feel like sometimes there's maybe some entitlement that other artists may feel, and that's why they don't want to do what they need to do in building their brand?

18:52 SPEAKER_00: I don't. I think it's just like a very difficult thing that like most people, some people aren't equipped to do. I think it's more of like the actual physical act of doing all the things that you need to get done. Yeah is hard.

19:08 SPEAKER_02: So it's it's more of that instead of saying, I think somebody else should be doing it for me. You've you seem out of it.

19:18 SPEAKER_01: I think there's layers to that. But what I would like to say first about that, I saw a clip on Instagram of a masterclass, and this guy, he was like a music executive talking to all of these young artists in the crowd. And he was like, it's not the music industry that's keeping you from succeeding, it's your nervous system that is keeping you from succeeding. And when I heard that, I was like, okay, number one, I don't fully agree with you, my man. But number two, he does have a point. Because I think what happens is when we're constantly on our phone and we're constantly like sitting here singing or dancing or you know, and then you have to sit there for hours to edit.

20:03 SPEAKER_01: I think it is a nervous system thing, and it just becomes like you against the clock. And then you feel guilty if you're not posting. And it becomes this whole sense. Yeah, it's like mental warfare, especially for an artist that is probably ADHD, probably autistic, probably dealing with a bunch of other like diagnosed issues that they have to fight on a daily basis. It's like a corporate person is not the same as a guitar player. It's two different brains. And so it's almost like these days the artist has to like force themselves to have a corporate mind.

20:45 SPEAKER_02: Yes, yeah, that right there I think sums it all up. And that kind of goes back to the question I asked earlier. If you think that some artists sometimes have a bit of entitlement when they think that somebody else should be posting for them or doing that, just because in the past, 10, 20 years ago, it was a corporate person that would be doing that and helping with the branding. And now these days, you know, it's DIY. We have DIY bands that start up all the time. And that's one of the very first things that's placed in your lap is you have to, you know, you have to be that person that's posting and putting the information out there, building your brand, your audience, and all that.

21:23 SPEAKER_01: There are artists that are signed to major labels, and what we're seeing nowadays is the fandoms will go on TikTok and they'll be like, Why are you not pushing this person's song? We know you're keeping them in jail. We know you're not helping our girl or our favorite artist blow up. And the label is like, well, they already owe us X amount of dollars, and we told them to do this, this, and this to make this clip of their song go viral. And it's just like the fans know now. The fans Literally know the system and how labels work.

22:03 SPEAKER_01: And now the labels are being called out for not doing their job. But the labels are like even if we put money behind this artist, an independent artist might go viral before them because nobody cares about celebrity or status. Like it's just all changing.

22:20 SPEAKER_00: Right. Oh, I was gonna say, as far as the entitlement goes, I think if you've made it far enough where somebody can do content for you, then congratulations. You know, like you should be for sure. For sure. Like absolutely, I deserve it. You know.

22:35 SPEAKER_02: Yes, please. I'll definitely sign the check for that. Yeah. I just think that it's and this is just somebody, you know, from an outsider's perspective. If you are, say, a DIY band, you're just now getting started, the entitlement is not going to work. You're, you know, you've got to put that work in yourself because nobody's going to do that work for you for free. If they do, they might do it for maybe a couple days and then they realize, oh wow, this is very time consuming. So yeah.

23:04 SPEAKER_01: Yeah. Whenever I see singers from the Y2K era who are still doing the damn thing, I'm like, I mean, I'm one of them. You know what I mean? Like, I cannot believe that I'm still trying to do this shit. I think a lot of people are like, I'm just gonna get married and have babies and like call it an effing day. Like, it is, it's so hard to continue to start over. But I think in life, if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, it just is what it is. Like you have to continue to start over and try again.

23:36 SPEAKER_01: And it's like we all have to upgrade the way that we like run, you've got to find a way to stay relevant.

23:45 SPEAKER_02: And you know, it's it's very tough because you do, you have to be willing to change and be open to change. Um, because if you don't, you're going to be left behind.

23:55 SPEAKER_01: Yeah.

23:56 SPEAKER_02: And there's there's a million and different ways in what that means when you are left behind. Because then you're talking about personal choice and how they, you know, carry on from here. So yeah. How do you feel, you know, thinking about the music industry how it is now compared to when you did start out, Rochelle? Do you feel that they're do you feel there's more benefits? Is it tougher?

24:20 SPEAKER_01: I just I think for me, because my mom died before like pretty much before I got to LA. So I didn't have a mom and dad. I always tell younger artists, please make sure that if you don't have parents, you need to have one or two people protecting you. Because I went to LA with a vengeance and I was like, I will do whatever it takes. A lot of artists are like that. And you get stuck in these awful situations, whether it be a person, a contract, experiences over and over and over again where it's not a good experience because it's either not safe.

25:00 SPEAKER_01: Being a woman, I mean, you're especially in my day, men were just hitting on all the girls and taking advantage of artists and telling them, I'll make you a star, blah, blah, blah. I feel like Gen Z these days, they're like, oh, I'm sorry, are you gonna pay me? Like, I'm gonna call my mom. Like, it's just so different now. I think it was just the wild west. And when I moved to LA, I could taste the fame. Like celebrities were everywhere. I was around celebrities. I got a record deal with Q Prime.

25:37 SPEAKER_01: I was on the radio. Like it, it happened within a three-year win. But right before it happened for me, terrible, awful things also happened to me. And the body keeps the score, right? And so it's like a lot of us were not working it out in therapy. You just don't say anything, keep it all a secret, and just try to go succeed. And then eventually you're running on fumes and no one's there for you. And there's just no way to make it out alive. Like it's I started the podcast so that I could tell, or my podcast so that I could tell my story and have mainly other women, but like also the men too, because they have their side of the story.

26:17 unknown: Sure.

26:18 SPEAKER_01: Like a lot of a lot of male artists go through terrible things too. And I had to start the podcast to bring people on to talk about this, all the things that happen. Because I think there are people that have fabulous experiences. And nothing bad ever happens to them. And so, how would they ever relate or no?

26:39 SPEAKER_02: Exactly. But now I'm really sorry to hear that you had to go through very traumatic experiences like that. You know, just meeting you for the first time and hearing you talk and looking back at, you know, some of the things on your socials also, I was like, this is a definitely a fierce woman. So, you know, it's it's very unfortunate that you had to go through what you did go through, though. And for that, that's you know, that's something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemies.

27:09 SPEAKER_01: But all you can do is like stay alive to tell the tale, and hopefully you can help other people, you know, with their situations. Like I love talking to young singers who are women, you know, that need advice or like don't know. And I'm just like, okay, don't drink, don't go to the party. If he's hitting on you, he's not it. Like, tell your parents, get a lawyer. Like, it's just, I just wish I had someone doing that for me, you know? Because it just makes all the difference. And now Brett and I are together, and I feel so safe and so loved.

27:49 SPEAKER_01: And his parents are so amazing that I'm just like, this is a miracle from God. Literally. I feel like my mom and my grandma are up in heaven and they just like put Brett and I together.

28:01 SPEAKER_03: I didn't have a say.

28:05 SPEAKER_02: I mean, I'm blown away that Brett can can hang on for the ride because it's a lot dating a woman that's been through you guys are, you know, seem to even each other out. And, you know, even in just uh looking at the the the post with when you're working on your videos, you're putting together anything from the outfit changes to the choreography and all of that. The two of you, you're both involved, and you can tell that you guys vibe with each other well. So it's definitely a good easy.

28:37 SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I mean, it's not easy. Like, oh my God, if for uh shout out to all the couples who have a business together because like nobody can lie that it's like peaches and rainbows and or whatever you say, like rainbows and sunshine all the time. Like, it's hard. You have to learn how to take two completely different personalities and mesh them together. And we do butt heads, but if we didn't, then how boring would that be? Like, I need her to be opinionated, yeah, and and um tell me no. I never do.

29:09 SPEAKER_02: Yeah, for you don't ever tell her no.

29:12 SPEAKER_01: Yes, he does.

29:14 SPEAKER_02: I'm sure you do. I'm not supposed to all the time now.

29:19 SPEAKER_03: I'm like, please, baby, one more video.

29:24 SPEAKER_01: Um, but yeah, I know how hard it is for both of us in different ways. It's hard, but we do love each other, and that's it right there.

29:34 SPEAKER_03: It's evident.

29:37 SPEAKER_01: Where do you see Mortez being in say a year from now? Yeah, we really we want shows. We really want to tour. I know that we will.

29:46 SPEAKER_00: Like an American tour, maybe just a west side, west coast, or at least something to start next year.

29:54 SPEAKER_01: We have three show dates that we're waiting patiently to announce. So at least we get to like end the year with shows, which is great. But uh yeah. But like the big the big picture like endgame would be a world tour with an orchestra and the dancers, like the whole shebang.

30:16 SPEAKER_00: Yeah, like story, okay, yeah.

30:20 SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and that is why you would you would want to compose that, right?

30:24 SPEAKER_00: Oh yeah. The dream dream being on stage with the city. I think that would be fabulous. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Not just like a one-off at the Royal Albert Hall, but like a Han Zimmer type deal where he tours doing his stuff, but we do our stuff. Yeah, and we have uh we're plans to make an album, this which we have one more single to release before we really start diving into that. But so that's coming out next year too.

30:50 SPEAKER_02: Yes. So when can we expect for the next single to be released?

30:53 SPEAKER_01: Well, we're compinging vocals for our first class tomorrow. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow. We'll see. Yeah, so we're like chipping away at it. We're getting it done. It's so hopefully next month.

31:05 SPEAKER_02: Well, that gives us enough time to enjoy Reaper because it is a beautiful song. And I love the uh the guitar riffs in there too.

31:14 SPEAKER_00: Thank you. That's always a blessing.

31:19 SPEAKER_03: Okay, so what I was gonna say.

31:22 SPEAKER_02: Yeah, before you forget, did you say that you had an uh an outfit too that you were gonna show us?

31:28 SPEAKER_01: Yes, okay, I'll show that first. So wait a minute. Okay, so this is the bustle. I love that. And then this is like her head.

31:41 SPEAKER_02: I love the corset body.

31:42 SPEAKER_01: Yeah. So that was.

31:44 SPEAKER_03: You designed that? Yeah. Goodness. I love it.

31:49 SPEAKER_02: That is gorgeous. You are really talented, Rochelle.

31:53 SPEAKER_03: Thank you. Thank you.

31:54 SPEAKER_02: So, what do you guys do with all of the the costume pieces?

32:00 SPEAKER_00: Well, so far they're all hung up or put over there, and they're just, you know, waiting for their next debut on something.

32:06 SPEAKER_01: Yeah, we have a costume room and racks, racks of stuff. But um, yeah.

32:14 SPEAKER_00: One didn't use here. No.

32:15 SPEAKER_01: But what I was gonna say about single releases is like we did just release Reaper. I feel like we just released Purgatory. And during lockdown, one of my favorite girls, Queen Herbie, she was releasing EP after EP. And I'm like, oh my god, is this the formula? Like, do you just release a bunch of EPs and then you blow up? And now I feel like artists were thinking, like, we were all on the same wavelength of like you have to release as much music as you can. And then now it's so funny because we're seeing all the memes for like, how wait, I have to promote another song.

32:56 SPEAKER_01: I just released one. Like it's so wild.

33:01 unknown: Yeah.

33:02 SPEAKER_02: I know that comes up sometimes in other interviews where we talk about you are to again just to stay top of mind and relevant, it's releasing single after single instead of coming out with album after album. And you know, is that going to be the new standard going forward? You know, it's I mean, that's it seems to be what it is right now.

33:25 SPEAKER_03: Yeah.

33:26 SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I think what we do know is the industry changes every five minutes. Everyone has like a new theory on what works and what doesn't work. I just am like a believer in consistency. I think you just have to like keep your eye on the prize. And if you if your team isn't great, then continue to like find people that can help you. I think like your team is everything. And then staying consistent.

33:56 SPEAKER_02: Would you say that staying consistent for you is important, uh, especially where there are so many different variations that somebody could throw at you because you're an artist, musician, a band. And, you know, whether it be an app or you know, try this approach, use this tool. Do you feel that staying consistent will help you to stay grounded and not get distracted when so many different things are coming at you as artists?

34:22 SPEAKER_00: I feel like you have to adapt. I mean, it's like if this is gonna work, give it a try. And if it doesn't, then go back to what was. You know, I I just I that's how I feel is it's like, well, what I would love a new app to like push to playlists or something, like a new website to do that too, because it's like I'm already looking for all of those and submitting to anyone if I can. And it's like, well, if something new comes along, I'll give it a try if I can afford it. Try it, you know.

34:48 SPEAKER_01: Yeah, but also I think like there's something to be said about how do you feel internally, like inside of your body, your subconscious mind, like because I feel like that will drive the final outcome. You know, it's like if you're truly like finding joy in what you're doing, which is hard for me, which is what I love about Brett, because the music gives him joy. Whereas for me, I'm still trying to heal from my past experiences. And I think in order for anyone or anything to really find its place in the realm of success or whatever, I think it's it has to, and I hate the word authentic, but it has to be so authentic and so like this bright shining light coming out of you.

35:37 SPEAKER_01: Like you like Brett and I have to believe wholeheartedly that what we're doing is it. And I think that's what separates the artists who really make it. I mean, sometimes I think that there's industry plants, I think that there are artists that really just get a leg up because of the situation or whatever, but I think lucky, yeah. I think you know, universal law is so real, which is believing, believing, like your thoughts.

36:09 SPEAKER_02: Yes, reality, yeah, and I think that does pour into authenticity. So we hear that word a lot. That's like one of the big buzzwords, you know, authentic, authentic, authentic, but yeah, where it is. It is really is as an artist, though, if you're authentic and you're pouring that into what you're putting out, into your output. So people pick up on that. That's why music is so universal, because it all gives us a feeling, and it's gonna be based on what that music is that you're hearing and what you're picking up from it because of what the artist is putting into it.

36:49 SPEAKER_00: Especially with all the AI stuff. It's so much more important to be a real person.

36:56 SPEAKER_00: Cause yeah, it's just scary. It's hard to compete with a it is streams on a song that nobody actually wrote, you know?

37:04 SPEAKER_01: It's like it's like we're just we're up against so many crazy things. It's oversaturated, the AI and it's just like, okay, live. Like we're alive, we gotta adjust.

37:19 SPEAKER_00: Keep chugging along.

37:20 SPEAKER_01: Yeah, you gotta just do the damn thing, regardless of what you're up against.

37:25 SPEAKER_00: And make the music that makes you happy.

37:28 SPEAKER_02: Right. Yeah. And as long as you're feeling it, then you know that's that's a big piece of it. There's so like I said, there's so many feelings that music can can give someone.

37:43 SPEAKER_00: Some of them can't handle any of it.

37:46 SPEAKER_02: Losses, trauma, to, you know, laughing. Somebody who's hardly had any bad days in their life, which is I feel uh few and far between these days, but I don't get it with the AI music though. I mean how can somebody how can that just come out and somebody become a fan?

38:10 SPEAKER_03: I mean I mean, I don't know.

38:13 SPEAKER_02: To me, it's just it just doesn't make sense.

38:18 SPEAKER_03: No, I haven't.

38:20 SPEAKER_01: You know, from like a corporate standpoint, like for Doritos, and then they go create a song about Doritos through AI and throw it on the commercial, and we're seeing that all the time now. Where the lyrics are like Wagovy, like eat what or take Wagovy and your life will be amazing. And it's just like this girl singing for her life.

38:45 SPEAKER_00: She ain't a reader, but it's AI.

38:47 SPEAKER_01: So it's like, I understand the business people are like gagging over it because it's so helpful for their like agenda. But for artists, we're like, oh my god, hello. And then on top of that, all the platforms are just taking songs, albums, all this music down. And if you're a real artist, it's like there are actual real humans that are being clocked for AI, and they're like, no, I'm a real human. And then you have to fight to get your music put back on the platforms. So that's crazy. That that is, I don't know.

39:26 SPEAKER_00: Also, how like Spotify has a limited amount of budget that it sends out to all of its musicians, and so like the AI are stealing from the real people already in our job. And it's yeah, and I mean this even as the business thing goes, especially any music company or anything, if they do anything AI, then it's a huge controversy throughout the world, like Diadario right now. Have you heard about that?

39:51 SPEAKER_02: No, I haven't. Tell us.

39:53 SPEAKER_00: They uh they were doing a string demo, and one of the uh the people who makes music for them or whatever, the song came out with the video to promote new guitar strings, and the song was completely AI, and everybody was just calling him out, and Diadario was lying about it and saying, no, it's not, but that's I mean, there's been more evidence that's come out since saying the guy who made the track didn't tell Diadario that he used AI until after, so they had to like come up with the cover story, and he lied about it, and it was all this huge thing, and it's like musicians now.

40:28 SPEAKER_00: Like we went to a party, a birthday party from our eight-year-old cousin Paisley, yeah, and uh for some reason our song was on, and we were like, Oh, that's great. And then the rest of the playlist was entirely AI, and nobody noticed. The rest of the playlist Nobody said anything but me. And I was just happy.

40:51 SPEAKER_03: But also scary. Yeah. Because yeah, the the the average listener can't tell, I think.

40:59 SPEAKER_02: That right. Yeah, so you know, it's just I I think that it's uh it's definitely a very it's a huge disservice for one, and two, for those that are, you know, just don't know enough to tell AI apart is pretty bad.

41:14 SPEAKER_00: And it's hard to tell sometimes. Like she would she found a couple artists because she does her artists of the week or whatever. And I remember there was one she showed me and she's like, This girl is insane, and I'm like, this girl isn't real.

41:27 SPEAKER_03: That's why she's insane, because she doesn't exist.

41:32 SPEAKER_01: Well, I mean, on a good note, on a happier note, I mean, we're not on tour, but there is a live music boom happening, and I think it is because musicians, well, a lot of bands that were famous a long time ago are now touring because it is their only source of income. Like they need to make money now, and so which is great because now it's like people are buying tickets to go see live music.

42:04 SPEAKER_00: So at least there's that, you know, it's and there's the fight for like cheaper ticket prices, which is better for audience goers, so that more people go. So I feel like there will be more live participation coming up.

42:15 SPEAKER_02: Yeah, well, definitely, you know, rock is not going anywhere, metal's not going anywhere for sure. And there has been, um, I think even a stronger resurgence of the older artists coming out. Yeah, like you said. Um, and I think COVID did play a part in that too, because you know, we're shut away from all these interactions and you know, just thinking back to all of the events, concerts, any kind of social gathering that was canceled. And then, you know, when we were able to attend concerts again, my God, us adults, you know, we're like pushing it at the time it was like, yeah, we're in our 40s and you know, 50s, and we're like kids in the candy store being able to be in concert again, you know, to hear your favorite artist right out there in front of you.

43:07 SPEAKER_02: It's like, is this happening? We don't have to wear a mask. We can, you know.

43:11 SPEAKER_01: So yeah, damn COVID.

43:15 SPEAKER_03: Yeah.

43:15 SPEAKER_01: So it might be the end of an era, but at least it will end with a lot of live music, at least for the next 10 years. Let's hope.

43:24 SPEAKER_02: Let's see what live music is here to stay for sure. And that is uh a big part of my podcast and my platform is you know, to highlight the the musicians who are out there and going and doing it. So, you know, from those that are just starting out to, you know, those that have been doing it for years and are still putting in the effort and it's real, and you're connecting with your fans as well. What is, I guess, what is some advice that you would give to somebody who is newer and starting out?

43:54 SPEAKER_02: Brett, how about we just play in the background, you know, the uh the Rob Schneider character and some of the uh happy Gilmore? Movie, so he's always the actor, you can do it. Right, right. You can do it. What about you, Rochelle? What kind of advice would you give to somebody who's newer in the music?

44:11 SPEAKER_01: I hesitate to say how I feel about this, but because I'm so old school, it's kind of like, oh, you're a great singer. That's awesome. What is the concept? Like, what is the brand? What are you selling? What is your story? Why are people gonna love you?

44:30 SPEAKER_00: What's the thing I'm gonna hold on to?

44:32 SPEAKER_01: Because I think a mistake a lot of artists make is they'll get on stage and sing a pretty song, but we're like, we don't even know who you are, though. We need to know who you are. What is the DNA of the music and your aesthetic and the story? Because I think people want to invest in the fantasy that you give them. And so it's like, but then again, it there's there's girls like Billie Eilish who put out Ocean Eyes that flew up. So, you know, it's like maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. But Billy still has a universe that she built that has changed.

45:12 SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I mean, it's definitely been the pieces were put together as she was already a star. But I think if you don't have the setup to blow up from one single, because let's be real, she did, then make sure that we know who you are. Tell us your story. If you have the courage to talk in front of the camera, I know that that's a big thing, is like TikTok live and talking to the people about your stuff. Like whether it's like the day-to-day grind or like just how you did this, how you made that. Yeah, the behind the scenes, but truly like what you go through as a person so people can connect.

45:56 SPEAKER_02: Well, I can tell you as a fan, I am more of the old school, so I would I can appreciate like the storytelling behind kind of building that up. You're adding the pieces there when you're putting the music out, not bit by bit.

46:10 SPEAKER_00: So yeah, and I feel like we're always refining, you know, like each song tells a different kind of story in our universe and different things. So it's kind of fun because you know, even though we are a set in stone brand, it it morphs and changes every two months or whatever.

46:28 SPEAKER_01: As long as you stick to like an aesthetic and a message, then you can like, you know, like refine the brand and but I think one thing that will always remain true for us is that if you are coming to our show, you can definitely dress up like a witch.

46:41 SPEAKER_00: Should or nice whatever, just dress up in a costume and see yourself and be crazy.

46:47 SPEAKER_01: Like I want you to be magical and witchy. Okay.

46:50 SPEAKER_00: Because I feel like it's the weirder that we can be, or like the more out there, like the more comfortable people feel being that way when they come to see us.

46:59 SPEAKER_03: Yeah.

47:00 SPEAKER_00: And that's what I want is them to be able to have a space where they can feel comfortable being their weirdest selves as long as they're safe and don't harm anybody.

47:08 SPEAKER_02: Sure. Yeah. So dress up and bring bring your witch and become a Mortezian.

47:16 SPEAKER_03: Yes.

47:19 SPEAKER_02: Well, before we end here, let's ask you a few odd questions that you probably have not had a chance to even think about. So that's why I'm gonna do that. Are you ready?

47:31 SPEAKER_00: Yes. If it's about garden gnomes, we had that last time.

47:35 SPEAKER_02: I promise, no garden gnomes. All right. So someone hands you a million dollars, but you can never make music again. Let's say a billion. Let's let's up that. Okay, we know a million goes like water these days. So someone hands you a billion dollars, but you can never make music again. Are you taking it?

47:53 SPEAKER_00: And I give it to her because I'm not taking it. I'm not taking it.

48:00 SPEAKER_03: All right. Brett said he's out.

48:02 SPEAKER_02: Rochelle.

48:04 SPEAKER_01: I mean, if I was forced, I would definitely want to be an advocate for women and build the podcast and like do public speaking and I would I would definitely dive into that to like help people.

48:21 SPEAKER_03: So she's gonna be able to do that.

48:22 SPEAKER_01: All right, so you yeah, you would take it. But if I had to, that's what I would do.

48:25 SPEAKER_02: If you had to. Okay.

48:27 SPEAKER_01: Yeah.

48:28 SPEAKER_02: How about this? What's the dumbest argument you've ever been into with another musician?

48:33 SPEAKER_00: What's our dumbest? Okay, okay, go ahead. Say ours. I don't know. How about chords?

48:40 SPEAKER_02: About chords.

48:42 SPEAKER_00: Yeah, just going through songs, and it's like, well, it's a G6 here, and they're like, no, it's whatever. I don't know. Because I don't I don't have any memorable dumb arguments with that. I have like moments where it was like, we played this show three nights in a row, and then on this last time you got the chord change, like the key change wrong. And it's like, why would you do I don't know? From someone I thought was better than me.

49:08 SPEAKER_02: All right. One more crazy question. What song instantly turns into turns you into an obnoxiously enthusiastic fan?

49:17 SPEAKER_01: I feel like when we're running Well, if we're running like mundane errands, it's really hard for me to like go to Walmart or CBS. Like it just drains the life out of my body. I swear to God. And so I'm always like, can we just put on 90s dance? Because all of those songs are so like it's not that they're funny, because like respect, but it does make you kind of chuckle, and it is kind of like funny. Like it's fun to listen to the 90s dance stuff, like pump up the jam.

49:50 SPEAKER_00: And I would say A Little Peace in Heaven by Vincent Bold, which was the drummer's like opus before he yeah, and so that was always my I would sing every note if he came off.

50:01 SPEAKER_02: Okay, nice.

50:03 SPEAKER_00: Kind of a messed up story of a song, but you do? How about their new stuff?

50:07 SPEAKER_02: Not so much. I like the old stuff better.

50:10 SPEAKER_00: I was gonna say you would be the first I've heard the lights.

50:13 SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah. I was definitely a fan when uh they came out. It was the song that uh it was on their first album, Unholy Confessions.

50:22 SPEAKER_03: Oh, yeah. That's their great song.

50:25 SPEAKER_02: Who in the hell are these guys? Because I have got to go buy their well, CD at the time. We still got CDs, so I just aged myself. Don't tell anybody. I may, I may or may not edit that part out.

50:40 SPEAKER_01: It is so crazy when you hear a masterpiece, it's like, how did they even find out right and let alone another one?

50:49 SPEAKER_02: Even his well and his voice, too, you know. I mean, he's uh he's had to learn a lot of things to take care better care of his voice.

50:57 SPEAKER_00: He's had like three surgeries at this point. But I mean, thank God he didn't take care of it for those records so that we all got to experience that exactly. Like, yeah, you know, you you just guys keep touring, doing whatever, but we'll just stick to these albums back here.

51:14 SPEAKER_02: Yeah. Uh well, Ozfest was still happening when I got to see them for the first time live.

51:20 SPEAKER_00: Yeah, mine was Aftershock in 2012, 2013, I think.

51:25 SPEAKER_01: And then mine was when Brett and I went to Disneyland and we saw one of the players at Disneyland. We saw Matt. Really? Yeah.

51:34 SPEAKER_00: We didn't say hi, but we saw him talking to people.

51:37 SPEAKER_02: So Okay. How do you feel about that? I mean, do you feel that uh fans should leave celebrities and artists alone when they're out seen out in public with their friends or family? What are your thoughts on that?

51:52 SPEAKER_00: I think if you're with a fan, like with family and they look like they're trying to avoid people, then yes. But I mean, I don't know. I feel like when you get to a certain amount of celebrity status, it's like that's what you signed up for. You know, so it's like you shouldn't be angry that that's what you were getting when that's what you wanted.

52:09 SPEAKER_01: I told Brett to wait until we're backstage and we get to meet the band for real. Because I'm like, if we meet them like this, it it won't be as special. So I'm like, just have faith. We're gonna just see them for a show.

52:24 SPEAKER_02: Absolutely. Well, and I mean that question goes for you guys too, you know, once you start touring and getting out there.

52:32 SPEAKER_01: I mean, do you have do you have that now where people will come up to you and we have we have like for me for me throughout the years, it's it's been like men or like certain fans of other celebrities that will then kind of latch on to me because they see me in a photo with another famous person. And so that has happened to me. Some of those people have kind of like latched on to Mortez because of that little chain thing. And then I think I think that in LA, I don't want to be specific to LA, but I think that there are well, okay.

53:14 SPEAKER_01: When you go to a red carpet, there's a bunch of people there that will print out your eight by tens and they'll have you sign them so that they can sell them on the internet. That happened to me and a lot of the people that I would go to events with. And I'm just like, I in my mind, I'm like, I'm a nobody, but like, you know, it it ends up happening. So you don't really have to even be famous for things like that to kind of occur. But because of where we live, I think we're not like we're like in the studio, like being hermits.

53:46 SPEAKER_01: So we're not really like out there all the time doing shows. We like came here to heal and record. So it's kind of like, you know, we don't really give the people the opportunity to like do that.

53:58 SPEAKER_00: I mean, when I was playing around a lot in Hollywood, when I would get when people would like recognize me from a show or something that I did, that was always really nice.

54:07 SPEAKER_03: And they would be like, hey, Brad, what are you doing?

54:09 SPEAKER_00: And it's like, hi. I love that.

54:11 SPEAKER_02: Yeah. See, total validation.

54:14 SPEAKER_01: Yeah. But I I do think for the girls, like, please have somebody protecting you, because I think it can get weird with like the men. It can just get weird.

54:25 SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I feel like just all as long as you're safe and respectful of the person.

54:30 SPEAKER_01: Yeah.

54:31 SPEAKER_00: Like if they don't want to be able to do it.

54:33 SPEAKER_02: Well, and have somebody that you can trust, you know, not somebody that was just, you know, you cross paths with and they're all of a sudden gonna be taking care of you, and you've only known them for a week.

54:46 SPEAKER_03: Right. Yeah.

54:50 SPEAKER_00: Like yeah, pictures and stuff, I'd be fine with them as long as we get the right angle and lighting for her, then we should go.

54:59 SPEAKER_01: Man. Yeah. Yay.

55:01 SPEAKER_02: Well, guys, I just want to thank you so much for coming on and talking with me today. I am definitely a new fan of Mortez. And uh, for those of you listening, you've got to check out Reaper, their new single that came out July 10th. They've got some more, another single coming out here that I'm definitely gonna be paying attention to when you guys release that as well. That'll be exciting. And go check them out. They're out available out on all streaming platforms. And is there anything else, Brett and Rochelle, that you want us to know about Mortez before we go?

55:31 SPEAKER_00: Keep a lookout because our music video should be done soon, and we'll be posting that about that everywhere. Okay.

55:39 SPEAKER_01: And definitely I would encourage anyone that wants to get to know us is watch the live shows on YouTube. That is like the best way to kind of see what we do in our element, is like the live show clips.

55:53 SPEAKER_00: And yeah, the more people who watch it and sign up and want to come, the bigger it'll be. Yeah, and the better it'll be for everyone. So it's like, Mark, come on over, you know. Help us grow.

56:05 SPEAKER_02: Absolutely. Well, you guys are going places. You're a beautiful couple, your songs are beautiful, the lyrics are you can tell they come from the heart and they come from a place of experience. So thank you again so much for just talking with me and sharing a little bit about both of you. And I can't wait to see where you're going next.

56:28 SPEAKER_01: Yes, thank you.

56:30 SPEAKER_02: All right, everybody. Well, this has been Brett Michelle with Mortez. And if so bad, Steve Wow.