Natalie Shay is a 20 year old multi award-winning, indie pop/rock artist from North London. Deemed as one of London’s hottest emerging talents and having already acquired an impressive array of awards, Shay is ready to launch herself into the forefront of the industry, with her highly anticipated upcoming release.
As a classically trained guitarist from the age of five, Shay’s outstanding talents soon found herself accepted into the prestigious BRIT school, known for producing such prodigies as Adele, Jessie J and Katy B. Shay credits her time at the famed BRIT school for encouraging her independence, “It allows student’s to develop creatively and socially so that they are prepared for the world once they graduate”, explains Shay.
Shay’s experience at the BRIT school propelled her into a successful solo career, performing to sold-out audiences at some of London’s most iconic venues, including The Roundhouse, Ronnie Scotts and Brooklyn Bowl, O2. Her achievements to date include her long list of awards from ‘Best Undiscovered Talent’ London Music Award, Winner of The Guardian’s Music Award and two time winner of the Mayor of London Gigs. Shay has also had the privilege of sharing the stage with artists such as Soul II Soul, J P Cooper, Alex Francis and Sex Pistol, Glen Matlock.
Shay has found success with her single ‘This Feeling’ reaching an impressive number 4 in the iTunes singer/songwriter charts as well as her most recent single ‘Yesterday’ being placed in Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist in 9 countries. The songstress recently had the privilege of performing at the world renown Royal Albert Hall, as well as being the featured artist for BBC Radio London and receiving critical acclaim from publications such as Billboard, Clash and The Line of Best Fit. With an ever-dedicated fanbase and growing media attention, NatalieShay is set for an exciting 2019 with the release of her brand new track new single ‘People Like Me’. The infectious 80’s inspired indie pop track details the challenges that artists face and how social media can act as a mask, bringing a rose-tinted perception of what someone is really going through. \
Halia is adding a refreshing taste to the current soundscape of music. Steeped in elements of jazz, funk and neo-soul, the Londoner is about to serve up her first record ‘Waited Long Enough’, taken from forthcoming EP ‘Dreamland’, which sets the tone for a dynamic and vibrant pastiche of sounds that retain a signature groove throughout. She’s previously been tipped for greatness by platforms such as The 405 and Pop Justice and collaborated with Flohio on former joint ‘Lover’, which is a fantastic foundation as she debuts her first body of work.
Here’s what has been said about her previously:
“A massively amazing subtlebanger that manages to be big pop while also being a total broodfest.” – Pop Justice on ‘Absence of Love’
“What a voice. Halia Jack will snatch your breath for a quick moment if you aren’t paying attention with her weightless coo.” – The 405
“Halia Jack’s voice will undoubtedly shape the future of pop. INCREDIBLE DEBUT TRACK” – Too Many Blogs
Her contemporary and innovative interpretations of throwback styles hold within them an accumulation of different eras, fusing a variety of genres that inform her musical identity. The melodies are inventive, Jack’s voice is delicate yet powerful and her lyrics are compelling in both their ingenuity and simplicity, candidly capturing her daily musings and internal dialogue – I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t spellbound.
This band should not exist.
Heather was a practicing lawyer. Dave had an MBA and Taylor had been accepted to business school. Dave had the idea of creating a revival 90s alternative rock band, but a series of parallel tragedies made it something much deeper. Heather had a breakdown after her con man ex was arrested in front of her at the US border, and Taylor’s immediate family passed away in a tragic plane crash. They lost everything.
Transmuting their pain through song, they created Another Crush, a band about the things in life that you crush on and that crush you. Their sound is nostalgic with a fresh twist, marked by velvet vocals, catchy melodies and soaring solos. Their lyrics relay the difficulty in living with yourself, living with others, and in carrying on without them.
Another Crush is an indie rock band with a blonde tsunami for a frontwoman and lyrics that light up the darkest parts of your heart. United by a shared love of 90s rock, the group formed in Hamilton last year, forming an incredible chemistry and developing a fresh sound. Their new single – “Hope You’re Happy“ – is an arresting alt-rock track with a nostalgic sound and a fresh twist.
Photo Credit: Matthew Peters
Devin Kennedy adds another track to his hit list on blissed-out new single, “No Worries.”
The Berklee College of Music graduate has seen rapid success since his string of singles in 2018. These days, his music is everywhere, with successful rotation on Los Angeles radio stations as well as features on “Today At Apple Playlist” in Apple stores nationwide, and BMI’s Music Monday. He’s partnered with “’Steereo’ to stream his music for over 100k listening minutes in Lyfts and Uber’s across the U.S. In 2018, he was awarded “Best New Emerging Artist” by Hollywood Music in Media and sold-out his first headlining show at Los Angeles’ Peppermint Club LA. Hard at work on new music, Kennedy has an EP dropping this Fall.
Devin Kennedy’s chill “No Worries” is an anthem for the anti-FOMO crowd. Written and produced by Kennedy, the lite-R&B track glistens to a cool groove, the perfect backdrop for Kennedy’s wistful falsetto and soulful aesthetic. All about settling into the quiet of a moment with the one you love, “No Worries” is the perfect soundtrack to a romantic night in or a quiet dinner with friends and family. The bossanova-infused groove and layered vocals build an atmosphere of relaxation, reminding us all to be in the moment and let go of negative influences. Devin Kennedy uses his flawless songwriting and memorable sound to craft this soulful summer night single, “No Worries.”
Jitensha is an indie music duo based in Montréal. The project consists of Canadian musician David Martinez and US-born performer Erin Rose Hubbard. These two charismatic musicians create upbeat, insightful, songs with a highly emotional concept, combining catchy melodies and indie aesthetics with understated song writing skills. The pair focuses on personal themes such as self-discovery, determination and empathy. Jitensha is the Japanese word for bicycle, which serves as a metaphor for the power of human energy. The direction you choose, and the energy you put in, determines where you end up!
Artist Quote: “For nearly all our songs, we have written the music and lyrics together. When we started Under Control we were driving between Portland and Eugene and having a chat. I (Rose) had heard a rumour about David back in Vancouver, and asked him if it was true or not. He was taken aback – it definitely wasn’t true. We talked about how one can overcome that nagging feeling of being misunderstood. It’s the idea of having all your dirty laundry out on display that inspired the music video. All you can really do is try not to sweat the small stuff. We were working on the verses on the drive and finished the chorus by the time they got to Santa Cruz.”
Lorine Chia, debuts the video for her addictive new single, “Needed.” The Cameroonian West African-native and Baltimore transplant grew up with music in her soul. From the moment she picked up the guitar and began writing songs, inspired by the musical culture of Baltimore and artists like Coldplay and Kanye West, she knew she found her calling. Since then, her career has seen a rapid rise as she’s collaborated and written songs with hitmakers like Machine Gun Kelly, Janelle Monae, Wiz Khalifa, The Game, Jim Jones and Young Jeezy. But it’s her own soulful and distinct sound that has captivated fans, first via her “SoundCloud First” campaign which garnered her over 10,000 streams, as well as the release of her single “Life without a Dream” which premiered on Oprah’s “Queen Sugar.” This year, she was selected by Pusha T as a featured artist for the Adidas Sound Lab Grant, solidifying the hard work, dedication, and passion she brings to every aspect of her career. Her work has been featured in major publications including Rolling Stone, Complex, and Billboard, where they’ve praised her honed vocals and trademark style. With her new single, “Needed,” she allows her personality and pumped up positivity to be the focal point on the vocal-driven track.
In the video for “Needed,” Lorine Chia exudes confidence and positivity as she sinks into the expanding notion of falling in love. The simplistic video is a testament to taking time to love yourself before you love anybody else. As she wanders through her apartment in different states of undress, viewers sense the bubbling anticipation and pure bliss she’s experiencing, a charisma that perfectly lends itself to a song wrapped in feel-good vibes. Chia’s affinity for self-love and acceptance lends itself well to the story, one that allows the grooving rhythm and hook-filled melody to speak for itself.
My name is T. Thomason, I grew up in rural Nova Scotia (Antigonish, same hometown as the Trews lol) with my mom and dad and cats and dog. My parents are both in the arts as well (mom, Shelley Thompson, is probably best known for playing Barb in Trailer Park Boys, or the step mom in Labyrinth) and have always been incredibly supportive of me pursuing this wild life. I put out 3 records between the ages of 14 – 19 and then took a little break from music. During that break I worked all kinds of jobs from being grilled cheese sandwich artist to being a peer counselor at a crisis counselling centre in Toronto for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness (they are similar jobs, tbh).
I started making music again after figuring out some life stuff (mainly that I had to change my name, pronouns, and start testosterone hormone therapy while figuring out if a career in music could still be a thing), and had the amazing good fortune to be chosen as a participant on CTV’s The Launch, after releasing an EP and a few singles on my own. Through a roller coaster of a time, I ended up being “launched” on the Launch, and released the single HOPE. Things have been a bit nuts since then and I’ve had a few experiences I could have never imagined, that I’ll never forget like…
-Recording with Alex Hope, who’s produced music for Troye Sivan, Tove Lo, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Tegan and Sarah,
-Showing up at a Troye Sivan concert and being on the guestlist
-Playing the Bell Centre to a sold out crowd with Marie-Mai -Attending the 2019 Junos with a backstage pass as Sarah McLachlan’s guest
-Having a song in the top 40 at Canadian pop radio
-Seeing my own Godzilla face on a Spotify Billboard above the Toronto Eaton Centre!
Other than all that nuts stuff, I have a cat I love, her name is Marnie. I do some acting here and there – just played the lead in a teen horror movie called Halloween Party that my mom was in too and is picking up some steam at genre festival in Europe. I’m a float ambassador at the Floatation Centre in Halifax….and recently I’ve been converted to the obsession of bouldering! Wee!
Junaco is the foundation of Shahana Jaffer and Joey LaRosa. Born in the unincorporated mountain town on the outskirts coastal Northern California, the duo found an escape from musical conventions. Fleeing the rituals of rushing through songs, away from the nonsense of worrying, a budding partnership was found based equally on half-parts progression and melody. Mellow bursts of epiphany and pleas of gentle seduction give way to driving grooves in Junaco’s music, leaving the immediate fan with a delicate, instantly familiar and completely unassailable batch of songs.
Jaffer, a natural talent whose limbs were too long to dance, met a counterpart in LaRosa, a guitarist and percussionist’s dream who from a young age had been told that “musician” wasn’t an achievable career. Though conventionally unlikely on the global scale that a Pakistani songstress would find her way into the creative adventures of a drummer from Indianapolis, they found in their partnership a desire to make music for music’s sake; to write honest songs that meant something true enough for themselves, that someone else might be able to take it and make it true for them, as well.
The forthcoming EP helmed by Omar Yakar (War on Drugs, Perfume Genius) from Boulevard Recording, whose engineering and production prowess brought this young and refreshing outfit’s mountainous incubations to life. The duo initially set out with the intention of nothing but creation and expression and resulted in a stunning collection of tracks detailing the emotions of freedom. Jaffer reveals, “The underlying theme is about coming to terms with experiences and hardships we have faced and finally putting them out there. It’s very healing.”
Junaco hope to create music that will leave listeners feeling a sense of connection and closeness to. With the aim to remind others of our innate human emotions, Junaco’s debut EP highlights just how similar we are at our cores.
Edgy rock musician Troi Irons new music video “Lost Angels” is out now and and featured in Parade Magazine. The music video was directed by Tori.
Troi says, “The Lost Angels video is me creating images and tropes I couldn’t find anywhere else. You know when you google “black model,” you get all these tropical colors, girls in jungles and leaves and orange… it’s so one-dimensional. I directed this video, hoping the images I make end up on someone’s moodboard. Steal my shit – I don’t care. This is what it’s like to be black and coming of age in the city of angels, in the middle of the shady entertainment industry, and going to school making decisions that will change the rest of your life.”
“Lost Angels” is the second single that Troihas released this year. Her first single “Strangers” is out now as well and has received praises from Flood Magazine and Live Nation’s Ones To Watch.
Troi Irons is music’s gifted anomaly. She is female in a genre where they are few and far in between; still she manages to stand out from the rest. What’s different about her makes her special. You can hear and see it in her vulnerability with the gripping lyrics along with having raw and realness in her sound. All she does is music and she hopes that the simplicity she showcases makes an impact on her fans as much as it does for her. What you see is what you get with Tori Irons and the music she creates.
Keep a look out for more music throughout the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_a9gBdXogM
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