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Fly Panda are exactly what I have been looking for. For a long time I have tried to find a band that combined dub-step style beats with vocals. Fly Panda do this, and then some.
Fly Panda consists of Lukas Ka$h, the group’s sleek rapper, Winter Rae who provides the vocals and Cory Bold who brings it all together in perfect chaotic harmony. He’s worked for artists including Chris Brown and Keri Hilson in the past, so he clearly knows what he’s doing. The group first made waves with the release of their cover of Carly Rae Jepson’s ‘Call Me Crazy’ and it’s even better than the original. Three months later they released their first EP, Pandamonium, and it certainly lives up to its name. They also formed the #STUNT movement which spreads a message of pride to inspire people to believe in themselves.
I caught up with Fly Panda to ask them everything from how the group started to ultimate world domination.
Vada – Hi Fly Panda! How did you get into music?
Winter Rae – There is a family rumour that there is a videotape of my birth. My parents knew I was a soprano as soon as my head popped out!
At the ripe old age of 2, after winning every cutest baby contest in Middle America, I made the decision to pursue singing professionally. Ever since that moment I’ve been swagging my way to the top!!!
Ka$h & Cory are riding my coattails.
How did you all come together to form Fly Panda?
Lukas Ca$h – One day I was walking the streets of Watts, CA and I seen a huge dice game jumping off. It was so poppin’ I couldn’t even see who was actually rolling the dice. All I know is dudes were walking away upset saying “She took all my money.” I finally peeked at who was rolling the D’s, and it was this random white girl. I said, “Yo what’s your name?” she replied, “Winter Rae, you tryna get yo money took?” Long story short she had a body guard with her named Cory, I told them I wanted to bring them to the studio to shoot dice there because a lot of rappers be there with money; we ended up recording a song, and then one thing lead to another and Fly Panda was born.
Where does the band name come from?
Cory Bold – From greatness.
Whose genius idea was it to combine rap and dubstep?
Winter Rae – Mine.
You describe your sound as “ratchet pop” – can you describe what you mean by this to our readers?
Lukas Ca$h – Regular pop music sonically has a type of bubble gum to it. It’s kind of cheesy. What we did is we created a style of music that bridges the gaps between Pop, Urban, Dance, Dub-step, and Trap, and we threw it in one pot and cooked up a ghetto gourmet. Ratchet usually correlates to a ghetto, raunchy, rough style of things, hence the name Ratchet pop.
You have a unique appeal in that your sound mixes pop, hip-hop, dub-step and ratchet pop. Who is your target audience, if any?
Cory Bold – Thank you. Heading for the world. That’s the target audience.
What is the #stunt movement that you recently featured on your (amazing!) cover of Carly Rae Jepson’s ‘Call Me Maybe’?
Winter Rae – Dr. Seuss said it best. ‘Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.’
Talk me through your free Pandamonium EP. Why did you decide to release it for free?
Lukas Ca$h – We’re in the music age where things are easily hacked or leaked or even discovered. My statistics aren’t accurate but I’m sure that more than 60% of music today is found online. Since we are currently a brand new group trying to make a name, we decided to make it easier for people or the consumer to enjoy the Fly Panda experience sonically by simply clicking a download button. Some teens or other people might not have a credit card or iTunes account to buy the album. Here take it for free. The best things in life are free, remember.
Do you have a favourite song from the EP? I personally love the message in ‘Star’ and the addictiveness of ‘I’m Awesummm’.
Cory Bold – Of course, and thank you for the love. All of the songs are in fact addicting, but something about ‘BEAST LIKE ME’ is intense. I like intense.
You’re based in the US and a large proportion of our regular readers are from the UK. Is coming to the UK something that you are interested in achieving? If so can we expect a tour at any time in the future?
Winter Rae – YES! We are so happy and excited to make our way across the pond to share our gifts with you! I’ll be on time, expect Ka$h & Cory to show up a few hours late.
As amazing as Pandamonium is, it is already leaving me craving more music! Seven songs just aren’t enough. When can fans expect more music to be released?
Lukas Ca$h – We’re currently working on new material as we speak. We’re developing a more extravagant and worldwide “Ratchet Pop” sound. The next project we release will be Pandamonium 2.0 after we secure our major recording contract. So the faster the fans come in, and the label get the check book right, the faster the music roll out.
You’re gearing up to release ‘Face Drop’ as a single from Pandamonium. Talk me through this song; what is it about and why did you choose it as a single?
Cory Bold – The hook states it all, “THIS MONEY MAKE HER #FACEDROP.” Live it up, party and make that money. We chose it as a single because it’s fun.
After ‘Face Drop’ what’s next for the band?
Winter Rae – TAKING OVER THE UNIVERSE AND LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT!
Many thanks to Lukas, Winter and Cory for taking the time to answer my questions and to Melissa Krispin for making the interview happen.
To find out more about the band and hear their music you can visit their official site at www.flypandamusic.com
