Sitting somewhere between arena rock and the classic sound of 1960’s soul singers, Philadelphia based band PHNTMS creates music bursting with vast soundscapes and colliding instrumentation. Together, Alyssa Gambino, Adam Jessamine, Mikal Smith, and Gene Murphy are bringing back rock music while simultaneously putting their own unique stamp on it.
PHNTMS’ highly anticipated six-track self titled EP soaks up the band’s amalgam of influences, ranging from movie soundtracks and bands such as U2, Biffy Clyro, Kings of Leon and Deaf Havana, to powerhouse soul singers such as Amy Winehouse.
Inspired by everyday situations, relationships, and growing up, the band aims to create a feeling with which listeners can easily identify. Gambino reveals, “I think as songwriters, we try to capture these moments and make them as detailed as possible. We’ll always be fascinated by the fact we can freeze these moments…”
Leading single “Back Burner” narrates two people dealing with bad timing and not being ready to take the next step into a relationship, despite there being a strong attraction. Vocalist Alyssa Gambino shares, “I’ve always kept a safe distance when having feelings for someone new and the ‘flame’ represents just that. For me, being placed on the back burner is a lingering reminder that I will be here waiting.” Featuring gritty guitars, a driving rhythm section and velvety vocals, “Back Burner” builds into a compelling and energetic release. “Towers” showcases dramatic crashing drums and determined melodies, highlighting Gambino’s impressive vocal range.
With half of the band identifying as queer, PHNTMS also hope to reach out to and support the LGBTQA+ community. Drummer Gene Murphy confides, “We openly talk about lesbian relationships in our music and we want to bring hope to anyone who is in the closet and doesn’t feel safe coming out. Whether you are out as queer or not, your identity is valid and if our music helps you escape heteronormativity for a brief moment.”
PHNTMS has seen success having performed opening spots for such acts as Kings of Leon, The 1975, Bastille, Fitz & The Tantrums, Empire of the Sun, Pale Waves, Emarosa, and Half Noise.
“Back Burner” is out now.
First a spark, and then a flame, until you’re on fire. My new song is inspired by the urge to whatever gives your life meaning, find your passion and run with it.
I have wanted to release my music for a long time, but never felt like it was the right time.
I called it “CSDS” (Crippling Self Doubt Syndrome).
Eventually the fire was burning so hot I couldn’t take it any longer.
Stream “Fire” using your preferred platform or on SoundCloud now.
I worked with producer Darcy Yates of JUNO award winning band, Bahamas, to develop my forthcoming EP, Kyler, which features “Fire.” It was an amazing experience to watch my musical ideas come to fruition.
“Fire” drives home the fact that life is short and can pass you by quickly…
Take that chance, learn that skill. Life is what you make it.
Thank you for your time,
Kyler Tapscott
Frank Moyo is a slow player in a fast world. The Canadian-Italian singer, songwriter and guitarist serenades like a busking bard of the 21st century. His Waves EP and singles “OK Dolce” and “West End” have already cultivated a reputation for Moyo in his hometown. But describing the singer as a suave, smooth and sultry voice with soft hands on the strings is too simple. Discussing feeling with the artist is more candid. “I want people to be able to imagine they are on a beach in Italy when listening to my music,” he says. But while one track might take you to the beach, “another may take you into a car going 180 miles per hour.”
Growing up in Toronto Moyo first learned chords as a child, picking up what he could from family, friends and later the live shows he could get into. It wasn’t long until his bandmates and him we’re sneaking into their own performances. With a taste that meanders from Motown to James Brown and Isaac Hayes to Italian icons like Lucio Dalla and Toto Cutugno, Moyo’s sound is hard to pin down. The folk- informed rhythms that Moyo employs on tracks like “OK Dolce” mingle with pop sensibilities and the laws of ancient attraction that seem as rooted in Greek mythology as they do Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues”.
As things speed up in an industry that’s begging to slow down, Frank Moyo is a voice of reason, and it sounds good.
Tafari (pronounced Ta-far-eye) Anthony is a Toronto based artist whose music blends R&B, pop, and soul. He is a creator who embodies the spirit of the modern musician. Not just a musician, but a creator. Known for his sleek vocal tones, sultry melodies and music which oozes with personality, Tafari leaves listeners in awe – somewhat apt considering his name means “He who inspires awe”.
His influences range from artists like Prince and John Legend, to more contemporary artists like Lennon Stella and Charlie Puth, among others. Often described as a mix of Sam Smith and MNEK, Tafari creates deeply emotional songs that resonate across generations. “All of these artists are creating music that is pop in its own right, but also so different from each other”, shares the musician.
Following the release of his two previous EP’s, both of which received considerable notoriety in Toronto, Tafari made a conscious decision to take a break in 2018 and focus on creating new material which explored his own personal soundscape. “I wanted to take a moment to feel uncomfortable and nervous again. That break was crucial for me”. Now Tafari is unveiling the confident new single “Centerfold”. The track sees the musician taking a different direction, to what he calls his own interpretation of pop music. Soaring with atmospheric synths and cascading pop melodies, Tafari showcases his impressive velvet vocals, with a hint of sass. “Centerfold” is the ultimate “go fuck yourself” send off to a self centred ex-lover. Tafari confides, “I’m a pretty calm guy, but when I get to my breaking point, it’s hard to hold my tongue. This song was written from sheer frustration of trying to let him down gently and realizing that he just refused to understand”.
Working alongside Brandon Unis (Juno Nominated. Billboard Charted. 1X Gold Producer / Mixer), Kelly Alaina and OBLVYN, in Edmonton, Alberta, Tafari was able to illustrate his desire to create something out of his usual realm, pushing his boundaries. He explains, “I was in a new city, new space and with new people. I think all those factors combined allowed me to step out of my comfort zone to try new things, be open to new sounds and melodies, and be comfortable to be whoever I wanted to be that day”.
Thematically, Tafari’s music often details love, relationships, life’s hardships and finding self identity and worth in a world where most people feel they need to blend in to be happy. “I’m not afraid to write about those dark moments and truths that may be hard to hear. I would hope that my music would inspire someone to be less afraid of being themselves. Be less afraid of offending people by expressing how you truly feel. And to be less afraid of wanting the things you desire and deserve”.
Tafari’s music has been nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award, receives regular airplay on CBC Radio, with one of his singles being named one of CBC’s Most Influential Songs of 2016. He’s also performed with Shangela (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and New York’s up-and-coming pop star MAX, toured across North America and Asia as part of the award winning a capella band Eh440, as well as having performed at Toronto’s Dundas Square and Massey Hall and receiving praise from Michael Buble himself.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Eileen Carey now has one more award to add to her ever growing list of accolades. New Music Weekly has named Carey the AC/Hot AC Female Artist of the Year in their recent announcement of the 2020 New Music Awards. Carey, who has previously won five NMW awards, joins the impressive list of 2020 New Music Weekly Awards winners, including Billie Eilish, Lewis Capaldi, Jonas Brothers and fellow AC/Hot AC Male Artist of the Year, Sam Smith, to name a few.
Over the past few years, Carey has won numerous awards both as a country artist as well as for her musical transition from country to pop. Among her prestigious titles are Reverbnation’s #1 Regional Country-Pop Artist of 2019, Los Angeles Music Awards’ Crossover Artist of 2018, Las Vegas Producers Choice Honors Award for Female Solo Country Artist of 2018, and New Music Weekly’s AC/Hot AC Breakthrough Artist of 2019.
A well-versed performer, Carey has become a regular at festivals and fairs throughout the United States. Carey has shared billing with major acts such as Billboard Music Award-winning pop vocal trio Wilson Phillips, legendary folk singer-songwriter Don Mclean as well as Jefferson Starship, Rita Coolidge, and many others.
Elmore Magazine describes Carey as “a little bit cosmopolitan, a little bit country, and a whole lotta musical chameleon, one who effortlessly blends pop, rock, and country music.” Nashville Music Guide calls her songs “distinct, prominent messages about personal empowerment and emotional fulfillment.”
Check out Eileen Carey’s latest single “Finally” streaming now on all digital platforms.
Multi-facetted artist Maya Killtron returns in 2020 with “Fired Up” her follow up to 2019’s “Never Dance Alone”. The Toronto based singer, violinist and DJ’s now finds herself at home in Modern Boogie and Funk boasting a new EP full of lush strings, horns & big big vocals. 2020 also marks the launch of her own record label Never Dance Alone Records. In addition to the digital release of the EP, each single will be released as a limited edition 7”.
Recorded at Palace Sound in Toronto, “Fired Up” is a result of a partnership between Maya and producer Gil Masuda (Love Touch Records, The Precious Los). The EP features a long list of live musicians with arrangements all done by Killtron. The music is every bit as joyful as Never Dance Alone but rings out with more confidence and maturity.
Hi, we’re Forces.
I’m Jess and this [motions to the right] is Dave. Dave and Jess, Jess and Dave. It’s been that way for over 20 years. A time long enough that the lines between life, music and love have become beautifully blurred. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
The name ‘Forces’ implies a literal “joining of forces” between Dave and I, each contributing our power into doing the thing we love to do most: making music, together. But, it’s also rooted in our love of joining forces with our musical community, and our passion for creating experiences for our friends to play and perform together.
Forces became a thing in 2017 after we closed the book on a whirlwind decade of recording and touring with our former band, The Golden Dogs. That trip took us all over the world and we had the privilege to support great artists; biggies like Sloan, Feist, Bloc Party, Libertines, Kaiser Chiefs, Thurston Moore and even the late great Roky Erickson (twice!). One thing that still astounds us is the number of amazingly talented people who grew through our band who continue to do great things and are still our dearest friends: members of Zeus, Taylor Knox, Wax Atlantic, and Brave Shores, to name a few. All of these musicians, including Dave and I, cut their rock teeth in the Golden Dogs.
When the band ended, we started exploring in the studio making what we thought would be the next GD record, but deep down we knew that it wasn’t. What we were making was dancier. It was groovier. We were growing new skin, wearing new hats, trying on ideas of all different sizes. It seems fitting the song that inspired us into a new artistic direction is a song about inspiration itself.
‘Step in a Sway’—our second single, but the first we recorded—felt to us like a true departure both in style and attitude. It was our foray into layering tracks with metronomic, percussive loops, as opposed to the traditional power-pop approach of recording we were used to, a bed-track with drums, bass & guitar.
In the studio, we were inspired by different production styles—the big beat and hypnotic grooves of Liquid Liquid and ESG, the thin guitar and funky bass of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the alt pop of Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, New Order’s approach to dance pop, and the layered hooks of the Cure.
Forces is us embracing pure pop, and it feels right. Our rule is, if a song makes us want to get up and dance, then we’re on the right track.
Formed in London by childhood friends, Seven Spies are a three-piece band looking to infiltrate the ears of the world. Consisting of David Blomiley (vocals, guitar, piano), Olly Brown (drums, backing vocals) and an ever-rotating bassist taking form of old band members and musical friends, you can expect to witness a healthy dose of melodic riffs and anthemic choruses.
Seven Spies fuses the best of rock bands such as Muse and Radiohead, while highlighting vocals reminiscent of Jeff Buckley and Bjork. Billie Eilish’s use of intimate multi-tracking also makes an appearance throughout their music, along with the big riffs and fuzzy guitars of Rage Against the Machine and Jack White. This amalgam of diverse artists and influences, allows Seven Spies to carve out a pocket of sound that is entirely their own.
Their highly anticipated debut single “Chameleon” narrates the different faces, personas and behaviour we put on to negotiate our daily lives in different situations and the pressure people place on themselves to hide their struggles and internal demons to the outside world. Sonically the chorus shows a defiance against these pressures, external and internal, saying in the end they won’t overwhelm or control who or how we want to be. Blomiley confides, “The subject of the songs seems to be stuff that has been bubbling away inside of me for a while that I need to get out. I find song writing massively therapeutic in a way.”
Self-produced by Blomiley and Brown in their bedroom studio and mastered by John Davis (The Killers, Lana del Rey, Royal Blood, Lewis Capaldi, Gorillaz) at Metropolis Studios, “Chameleon” delivers an intimate, yet polished result. Featuring gritty, raucous guitars, tenacious melodies and textured harmonies, showcasing Blomiley’s impressive vocals, “Chameleon” is an energetic release, bursting with both conviction and charisma.
With the hope their music may connect with listeners, allowing them to make their own relationship and associations, regardless of the intention or creation, Seven Spies are unleashing their explosive sound.
My new song, “Burn Again,” is about an ex that you still wander about from time to time. I want you to think about that relationship that didn’t make it, but that was still irreplaceable – the one that had all the fireworks back then.
Listen to “Burn Again” on Spotify 🔥 Apple Music
Watch the video for “Burn Again” on YouTube
This track explores the different stages of reflecting on a relationship, reminiscing about the good times after the tinge of resentment that colours a breakup. I worked with producer Ryan Stuart in Vancouver to make sure every detail of “Burn Again” was perfect, adjusting countless versions of the song.
The story behind the song comes from my past, depicted metaphorically in the video shot in southern California. I wake up in my home in the desert and set off to find something, searching throughout Sequoia State Park, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Malibu.
Filming the video was an incredible experience – I’m pretty sure my crew and I got around 9 hours of sleep total over 4 days. I honestly wouldn’t have changed a thing, except for when we nearly became stranded on a cliff in Sequoia State Park. That I probably could have done without!
It feels exciting to be releasing my first single of 2020. Thank you for engaging with this song.
Mike Ruby
Los Angeles-based Aussie artist Lili Kendall reveals her enchanting new single, “lonely empress,” the final tease from her upcoming full-length project, love, herself.
To execute her vision for “lonely empress,” Lili worked with Grammy-Award winning producer Syience (Beyonce, Jay-Z, John Legend, Mary J. Blige) and guitarist Javaughn Young White. The track opens with an atmospheric pop beat and Lili’s signature sultry neo-soul vocals, exploding over the course of the song with climatic production and instrumentation that transports the listener into Lili’s empowering, femme-forward dreamworld.
“This song is about choosing self-growth over a relationship,” Lili writes. “I wrote this song when I realized the relationship I was in was not allowing me to thrive and become the woman and artist I envision myself to be.” The title of the track was inspired by a tarot card reading Lili did for herself while looking for guidance — the card she picked was the empress.
Originally hailing from Brisbane, Australia, songwriter and artist Lili Kendall has been living in LA for the past two years, working on her craft and growing into her own. Ahead of her forthcoming debut project — love, herself — Lili has quickly lined herself up as a pop-R&B newcomer to watch with a string of honest and captivating singles and visuals. Set for release later this Spring, love, herself is a transformative and healing body of work that chronicles womanhood, self-empowerment, love, and life.
Listen to “lonely empress”:
https://ffm.to/lonelyempress
Natalie Shay is a 21 year old indie pop/rock artist hailing from North London. The multi award-winning musician has established an ever-growing presence, media acclaim and a loyal fanbase through her explosive live performances and viral-worthy anthems, recognising her as one of the UKs hottest emerging talents.
Combining her youthful and charismatic aura with her classical training and time spent at the prestigious BRIT School, Shay has finessed the ability to produce undeniably catchy music, whilst maintaining a musical maturity. Compared to the likes of Haim, Little Comets and Fickle Friends, the Londoner has absorbed a similar energy and dynamic within her new music.
Shay’s upcoming EP NAKED is a five-track release delving into the everyday experiences of a 21 year old, detailing relationships and life as a young musician. Continuing the songwriter’s love of 80’s soaked music, NAKED cleverly blends the best of era with modern flares. Shay expresses, “I love authentic 80s synth and drum sounds, but I also love modern pop vocal lines and effects. And of course lots of guitars. I try to include a flavour of each of those things in my music. It was very important to me that all of the songs had their own unique stamp and vibe but still all fitted and worked together under the same project”.
Leading single “Not The Girl” narrates the relatable situation of modern dating, but through a fun and lighthearted lens. “This song was written on reflection of a relationship, but more from a perception of understanding rather than a big ‘f*ck you”, shares the singer. However, years after finishing the song, Shay realised that the lyrics now took on a whole different meaning, depicting the feeling of sometimes not feeling good enough and frustrations towards working relationships. Sonically “Not The Girl” features upbeat buoyant melodies, effortless vocals and vivid storytelling lyrics.
“Owe It To You” shows a more heartfelt side of Shay’s songwriting, emitting a raw and truly personal essence. Thematically the single is about being in a relationship and struggling to resist temptation. Title track “Naked” shares the topic with “Owe It To You”, illustrating the breakdown in a relationship, knowing you have interest elsewhere but struggling to let go for the fear of being alone. The single sees Shay’s first time including brass instruments in her music, bringing the song to life through a vibrant saxophone solo.
Shay sold out two headline shows in 2019, with her music continuing to pique the interest of notable publications such as Billboard, Clash and The Line of Best Fit. To date she has collectively amassed hundreds of thousands of streams, with her single ‘Yesterday’ being placed in Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist in nine countries. Natalie Shay is a force to be reckoned with and we can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store. NAKED is slated for release 17th April.
Stay up to date with Deep Green by following his socials for news about upcoming releases & more.
Photo Credit – Sebastian Buzzalino
Starpainter exists in the neatly carved out spaces between rock and country and pop. They are distantly familiar, like a newly met cousin, but distinctly shiny and new. They wear their influences on their sleeves, with pride, showcasing strong songwriting and an affinity for classic folk and rock. They’ve created a record that is representative of a modern, new era of alt-country: a two-step here, a ballad there, a radio-worthy chorus in between. On this debut release, they have constructed a narrative of beauty, love, fear, and loss without seeming either too sweet or sorrowful. The songs are steeped in the tradition of prairie-born artistry with a pop sensibility that defies their youth. What it all comes down to is a carefully curated collection of fine songs that set them up for regular rotation for years to come.
All of life is a journey and the best journeys are those taken with friends. For the 5 members of The Mowgli’s that road has seen their friendship tested and rebuilt numerous times. From their earliest Venice, California days as a 10+ revolving cast of characters to their current line-up, the core members have evolved from playing midnight warehouse parties to the stages of the largest festivals.
While there have been many highlights – appearances on late night TV shows, incredibly rewarding collaborations with charities and electrifying performances in legendary venues among them – there have also been tests: Losing band members, battling with the stress of constant touring and maintaining their friendship, trying to remain both grounded and optimistic when things go amazingly well and when they don’t. But there have been benefits of creating deep bonds and close relationships, not least the marriage of singers Katie Jayne Earl and Josh Hogan in 2017. “Being in a touring band is hard work,” says Katie, “but inspiring. It only works because people care about the band and we have a core who support us, people who have both been there since the beginning and joined along the way. Those supporters keep us motivated.”
The release of The Mowgli’s first major-label LP Waiting For The Dawn in 2013 saw immediate success with the hit single San Francisco. The record – which focused on the joy of bringing people together – immediately connected in a cynical world. The band quickly found themselves playing to sold out crowds in clubs around the US and inundated by requests for press, sponsorships and partnerships. Appearances at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Firefly, Osheaga, Bottlerock and many other festivals followed as did performances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan and a stint as the SXSW House band for Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live (Bravo)
The follow up LP, 2015’s Kids in Love (which spawned the feel-good single I’m Good) saw the band explore personal relationships including their own inter-band ones, and their third LP Where’d Your Weekend Go? which came in the Fall of 2016, often found the band working on songs together from their very inception – giving much of the record a relaxed and communal feeling.
Parting ways with their original label in 2017, The Mowgli’s released a pair of EPs: I Was Starting To Wonder (2018) and American Feelings (2019), each backed by national US tours and both exploring the “band experience” to a large extent. The first EP focused on travelling, missing home, looking for excitement in the daily churn of a tour, finding it in the back alleys and on the rooftops of America. The more recent EP American Feelings turned more towards relationships and connections, noticeable in Talk About It and Mr. Telephone which both harken to the lack of discourse and engagement prevalent in society today, especially with technology serving as both a facilitator and barrier. Says singer/guitarist Josh Hogan, “Communication is a very powerful tool. If we could learn to communicate in a healthy way, this place would be much less divided.”
Katie adds: “Talk About It started out being a song about communicating your way through difficult situations, but as it evolved, it became a song not only about having hard conversations, but about forgiveness. And it’s really special to me.” Whereas those songs look outwards, Hard To Love and Norman Rockwell focus inwards, taking a critical look at emotional failings in the former, and attempting to create a new reality to escape to in the latter.
“…Wonder” was supported by a deliberately small club tour. “It was exciting to get back out on the road, up close and personal with our fans who have stuck with us from the beginning,” says Katie. “We took a really needed break after [Where’d Your Weekend Go?] – after years of almost non-stop touring.”
“It was a relief to get back on the road and do something a little different for that tour,” adds Josh.
The band also travelled to Honduras and Guantanamo Bay last year, entertaining the Armed Forces during the week of July 4th. Truly an eye-opening experience, the two shows rank as unforgettable for the band. “You get that sense that people are really grateful to just have a connection with back-home – especially in Honduras,” says Josh. “It was so cool to feel that energy and look around when you’re playing and realize where we were and what it meant to everyone.”
Additionally The Mowgli’s are seeing visibility with the theme song to “Big City Greens”, Disney TV’s #1 animated show for which they were asked to write and record the title song. A chance conversation between a Disney TV music executive and a mutual friend of the band’s as to how he was “looking for a band with a vibe like The Mowgli’s” saw the band back in the studio immediately, and the raucous and frenetic track was delivered shortly afterwards. “We’ve all been raised on Disney” says drummer Andy Warren. “So, having them ask for a classic, vintage Mowgli’s song was kind of a dream come true. It was amazing how fast it came together and how well it fits with the opening montage!”
Their latest single “Weight On Me” is a mid-tempo mashup featuring hints of psychedelia, Jazz & rock n roll. The song talks about the pressures of keeping up with everyday life and taking on the weight of the world around you while keeping your head on your shoulders. It is the latest addition to their catalog of releases that are undeniably infectious and wholeheartedly relatable.
For The Mowgli’s, as for any band, this whole experience is a journey – and not always an easy one. It tests your self-belief, your stamina, your relationships and your mental and emotional health. “Since this band started we’ve been through a lot of changes: gained members, lost members, been shuffled around labels and learned a lot about the music industry,” says Andy. “Now it feels like we’re really independent again, refocused on curating our live show, more in touch with the business of being this band.” He adds “Our sound has evolved but we always circle back to the basic themes: love, feeling good, excited for life no matter what the day delivers.”
Always with a mission to bring hope and positivity into the world, The Mowgli’s have been involved with numerous charities including The IRC, Heal The Bay, Happy Bottoms and many food banks and homeless shelters.
The band is:
Joshua Hogan – vocals/guitar
Katie Jayne Earl – vocals
Matthew Di Panni – bass
David Appelbaum – keys
Andy Warren – drums
Meet Singer songwriter, Bryce Drew who is thrilled to release her new single “21” that is out now and featured on American Songwriter.
Bryce says, “I feel that most music and movies and novels make it seem that love is a thing you first find in high school. Personally, I think I’d always had the age 21 in my head because thats how old my parents were when they met, plus, most of my favorite singers were singing about true love/ heartbreak by that age. It hit me one night in college that I was 21 and had yet to find anything close to love. I called my friends to go out to dinner and they were all out on dates. ’21′ was my emotional response, trying to find patience and understanding, questioning the struggle it has been for me to find a sense of belonging in another person the way the majority of people seem to come across so easily.”
She recently release her new single “Lucky Number” along with the music video that can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SLU6eIEnLA
Originally from the cultural melting pot of Miami, Florida, 24 year-old Bryce Drew’s music can be similarly described as a melting pot of genre. Influenced by artists such as India.Arie, Joni Mitchell, Amy Winehouse, and Tracy Chapman, Bryce has an identifiable freedom in her vocal phrasing, guitar playing, and picturesque storytelling which she uses to blend pop, folk, and soul. After spending four years in Nashville studying Songwriting at Belmont University, Bryce relocated to Los Angeles, where she is currently recording with Grammy-winning producer Greg Wells (Adele/Dua Lipa/Katy Perry) for her debut project. The two are currently featured in an 11-episode series on pureMix.net called “Start to Finish”, documenting the creation of Bryce’s song “Lucky Number” from the very beginning of the songwriting process all the way to mastering. Bryce can be found around LA performing at classic venues such as the Hotel Café and has recently toured as the support act for Nina Nesbitt.
Fritz comes from a family of seven children, which undoubtedly provided a cacophony in the Hutchison household that would serve Fritz well in later years. His desire to make sense of all the sounds in his head led him to attending an acclaimed high school for the performing arts. Through his studies, Fritz began writing songs and composing lyrics to fit his creations. He took his songwriting and drum kit to form the seminal Kansas City folk and later electric rock group She’s A Keeper. After a long spell with SAK, Fritz joined forces with The Sextet, a contemporary groove jazz group that continues to make waves in the Midwest. Fritz has provided percussion for a diverse range of musical groups, including the acoustic pop/folk Miki P and The Swallowtails, singer/songwriter Claire Adams, and the gothic American roots Freight Train Rabbit Killer. Fritz currently plays bass in the much-loved rock and country The Grisly Hand, and he also plays guitar and sings in the classic country Lorna Kay’s One Night Stand.
With such a lengthy and broad pedigree, Fritz realized it was time to step out from the shadows and make his mark with his own unique sound as a leader. Working with Joel Nanos of Element Recording Studios, Fritz has crafted the remarkable Wide Wild Acres as his debut. Blending sounds from pop, R & B, and Americana, stylistically the songs move in several directions, often inside the songs themselves. 2020 sees Fritz taking his songs and his band outside of Kansas City to spread his own brand of rock and roll to the masses.
BAD is comprised of NYC based duo Julia Brex and Jackson Hoffman. Having met in high school, the two have been writing and recording music together for over eight years. While they mainly focus on pop songwriting and production for other artists, BAD was formed a year ago and born out of a passion for funk music.
Following the release of their acclaimed single “Sweat”, which received multiple playlist adds, the duo are set to release “Dirty Laundry”. The funk pop track is a playful take on airing out your deepest secrets in a relationship. The duo reveal, “We all have baggage that we carry with us, so before you get too deep into a relationship with someone, you want to make sure they can handle all of the parts of you.” The tongue-in-cheek track features kaleidoscopic synth soundscapes, a vibrant horn section and layered vocals.
Inspired by their love for funk grooves and pop sensibilities, BAD pulls elements from throwback funk and soul, 90’s and early 2000’s pop and R&B and contemporary pop and hip-hop. The duo express, “We essentially want to be what a Prince and Max Martin collaboration could have been!” Brex and Hoffman succeed in creating a sound which allows the music to come across as nostalgic yet fresh, throwback yet brand new – imagine Quincy Jones, Earth Wind & Fire, Michael McDonald all working in 2020 and Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Lizzo, if they worked in 1980.
A frequent theme throughout BAD’s music if an overall sense of fun, lightheartedness and self-empowerment, with the utmost desire to make people feel-good and move.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
