INsiders Guide: Talii, BAYNK, James Clayton and 888

Orlando-based artist Talii has released a brand new single titled “Front Seat.” Describing the new single, Talii told Billboard, “the title refers to moving your ego out of the driver’s seat and allowing your true self to take the wheel,” adding, “it’s a representation of appreciating and loving the person I’m becoming…it reflects my growth and evolution not only musically but within my life overall.”

Taking influences from her Trinidadian heritage, “Front Seat” embodies a boldly executed blend of pop/r&b set against a rhythmic dancehall infusion and earworm lyrical melodies. Born into a family of diversely talented musicians and performers, Talii wasted no time exploring her musical path. She began singing at age 3 and started playing piano and writing songs by age 7. “Front Seat” is Talii’s first release of 2019 and follows only two previous singles. She made her first debut with July 2018 track “Lost,” which was produced by G.Bliz (Teyana Taylor, JOHN.k, Darion Ja’Von). Talii later followed with “Mouth,” an addictive track that puts a playful twist on Talii’s signature smooth R&B-meets-soul style.

Telling compelling stories rooted in authentic experiences and bolstered by her smooth and soulful vocal, Talii is a trailblazer in the neo-soul / r&b lane and a veritable one-to-watch in 2019. WIth new single “Front Seat,” Talii has raised the bar and it’s only up from here. Keep your eyes peeled on more to come as well as news on a debut EP, expected to drop later this year.

New Zealand producer and songwriter BAYNK has released his highly anticipated sophomore EP,Someone’s EP II, following his acclaimed 2017 debut. The EP is a seven-track collection showcasing his pristine electronic production and innovative crafting of sounds, and features international talents including Sinéad Harnett, Glades, Martin Luke Brown and Hablot Brown. Alongside the previously released singles “Water,” “Off Limits,” and “Settle,” there are four brand new cuts for your listening pleasure including brand new single “go with u.”

After a truly rapturous performance at Coachella, BAYNK will embark on a summer tour throughout five countries, playing to crowds across the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Towards the end of his run of dates he will be performing at Lollapalooza, HARD, and the prestigious Life Is Beautiful, where he joins Billie Eilish, Zedd and RÜFÜS DU SOL on the line-up.

Montreal based artist James Clayton makes folk-rock music that captivates listeners with his earnest lyrics and striking melodies. After dropping out of college and moving to Berlin in 2016, James honed in on his musical identity and started to gain recognition with his energetic and emotionally intense live performances. Combining a commanding voice, deft fingerpicking, and evocative lyrics, James is cut from the same cloth as of Kurt Vile, Adrianne Lenker, and Mark Kozelek.

Clayton’s new song “Avalene” captivates with earnest lyrics and striking melodies. His folk-rock music is simultaneously energetic and emotionally intense, with a commanding voice, deft fingerpicking, and evocative lyrics.

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Resting confidently within layers of synthesizers and demonstrative drums, Denver, Colorado based 888’s Critical Mistakes EP and “Everybody Can’t Complain” their latest full length album, rests a poignant and recurring message- “Don’t give up.” Throughout the course of the infectious Alternative-Electro sounding songs, road-tested frontman Danny Stillman repeatedly reaffirmed the significance and impact of staying the course. Regardless of life’s accomplishments and catastrophes, the band, rounded out by (drummer) Danny Cooper, definitely accentuate the importance of continuing on. Critical Mistakes EP opening track and lead single “Critical Mistakes” professes “Come wake me up before I die and never get to live,” before adding “let the tide wash away my critical mistakes”. Unwilling to rest easy, 888 is consistently pushing forward and actively reaching for more.

That tenacity bleeds through the entirety of their new single “Pins & Needles”. Combining the enlightenment that complements growth in personal and emotional relationships, the single also explores the drive to succeed and change in relationships that accompany this era of life. “Pins & Needles” explores temporary infatuation accompanied with unsurmountable heartbreak. Placed impeccably over an ambiance of optimistic and animated orchestration, a contrast of hope and reality are flawlessly achieved. The duo has come of age as a collective who’ve together spent over a decade conquering numerous styles of music in several different bands. The blending experience with personal growth in both musical taste and talents has culminated into a spry and animated explosion of sound.

The duo won KTCL’s 2015 “Hometown For The Holidays” competition in both fan voting and live performance categories, cementing their place in Denver’s burgeoning music scene and garnering the attention of radio stations all across the country. 888 has since headlined Alt Nation’s Advanced Placement Tour, opened for Andrew McMahon, The Rocket Summer, and secured festival appearances at summer staples like Lollapalooza, Firefly, Bottlerock, ACL, Hangout Music Festival and more.

neillfrazer@hotmail.com