As buzz increases around his rise to stardom, Toronto’s own KILLY shares the music video for his track “Destiny” today. It stands out as the first visual from his summer 2019 project, Light Path 8, available now via Epic Records.
Directed by frequent collaborator Adrian Bellaire, the clip intercuts surreal visuals with dark performance scenes. The dissonant production matches the eerie camera work as he dons various masks, channeling a spirit of gothic urban decay. Meanwhile, the hook immediately hypnotizes as the line, “Whatever goes around will always come around,” rings out before the twisted surprise ending…
Recently, KILLY shared the news of his signing to Epic Records via Billboard. Light Path 8accelerates the ascent of the 3x Juno Award-nominated multiplatinum hip-hop disruptor. Already, the project has amassed 20 million-plus total streams in under a month—adding to his tally of over half-billion streams of KILLY’s discography to date. Meanwhile, Hypebeastexclaimed, “KILLY continues to grow with Light Path 8.”
After receiving over 30 million-plus streams and drumming up critical acclaim, buzzing Seattle, WA rapper Travis Thompson is pleased to announce his debut album, Reckless Endangerment, due September 20 viaAMBAUM/Epic Records. Thompson revealed the album’s release date and artwork yesterday to his fans via a mural painted in real-time in his hometown.
Along with the album news, today he officially launches lead single “God’s Favorite” and its official music video, directed by Thompson himself with collaborator Dylan Fout. Over a lush beat, he bobs and weaves between hyper-charged rhymes and a divinely catchy chant, “I feel like God’s favorite.” In the hilarious music video, Jesus decides to take a “Me Day” with “the homies.” So, he floats down to Earth, smokes up with Travis Thompson and his crew, and rages in a stretch limo, at a tattoo parlor, and in the club. This particular story might not be in the Bible, but it could be worthy of a whole New-erTestament, nonetheless.
A true body of work, upcoming album sticks to a theme as wild as his wordplay. About its overarching concept, Thompson shared, “Reckless Endangerment is a misdemeanor. It’s living wrongfully. It’s a charge you get when you’re acting so recklessly you could get the people around you hurt. That’s kind of what my life is and what all of the homies lives are. We’re on this journey trying to find fulfillment, and we’re all lost as Hell trying to figure it out. No matter what, we bright each other with. To us, Reckless Endangerment is knowing better, but still choosing not to do better, yet never alone. It’s finding a substantial risk, and saying, ‘Fuck it’. Whether that’s right or wrong is up to you to decide.”
Heavy and suspenseful, the song showcases the band’s flair for soft tranquility and epic intensity. “Follow in my Footsteps” is a dark meditation on how war is passed down through generations. The song’s lyrics are from the point-of-view of a small boy witnessing his father departing to war and his solemn oath to continue his father’s crusade. Singer/Songwriter Peter Anthony wrote the song to be universal, stating “I was thinking about human nature. With all the horrific things that we as a species are capable of, they can start from such an innocent place.” Johnny Stranger began their journey in WA State, where they grew their following touring the Pacific Northwest and even moving to Boston to continue their concept album-making endeavors. Now, following a 10-year hiatus, the band is reformed in Los Angeles and releasing music from their forthcoming album: “Valkyrie”. Keep an eye on JohnnyStranger.com for blogs, updates, and show dates.
Intaya is comprised of Venezuelan born Pao Pestana and London’s Dom Martin. The two London-based musicians and producers conspired to create their own unique and potent amalgamation of cross-cultural music. Intaya’s sound is a commute to an electric Latin Caribbean Island in a London Tube train.
Pestana and Martin combine their shared passion for hip-hop and jazz with an undeniably present Latin soul and deliver it in an unexpected electronic music disguise. Exhibiting a combination of progressive beats, experimental form, vocal interplay and sophistication of harmony, all tied together with a catchiness that places it firmly in the contemporary music scene.
Intaya are delivering listeners with a refreshing and unexpected combination, perhaps something you’ve never heard before. Pestana explains, “I am naturally drawn to polar opposite styles of music, from very minimal composition, low-end frequencies and catchy melodies to complex compositions, arrangement and harmony. I guess these two worlds influences our music, once we merge them it feels less conventional, this makes my ears smile. We also take inspiration from visuals and situations we imagine, sometimes they come from our memories and dreams and others are completely made up or surreal.”
Debut single ‘Guaguancó’ (pronounced Wah-wahn-co) was conceived whilst Pestana was daydreaming about being back in Choroní in the North Coast of Venezuela under the Caribbean sun. The influence of the country’s stunning magical coastline and surrounding mountains are absorbed into the music with the use of vibrant soundscapes and Latin rhythms. Co-produced by Oli Barton-Wood (Flamingods, Vels Trio, Nubiyan Twist, Tom Odell), the single highlights Pestana’s soulful vocals, textured drums and sun-soaked melodies.
Martin reveals, “Guaguancó is a homage to a traditional style of music that we love from Cuba that involves powerful interlocking drums, voice and dance. Having experienced it up close in Havana and studied it ever since, I wanted to use it as an influence but not replicate it as such. We built the song with this inspiration as well as the beach of Choroní, this brings a certain vibe, and the music is a nod of appreciation to this style of music and to Paola’s memories of the Venezuelan Caribbean coasts.”
They have named their first EP Not Your Typical Tropical Dream with the desire to challenge the typical perceptions of Latin women in the pop music industry and encourage their listeners to explore the world and re evaluate people’s cliches towards different cultures, all whilst having a dance. ‘Guaguancó’ is from their debut EP, due late 2019.
“I’m so stoked to be releasing my EXIT EP this fall, and even more excited to share a new song off of it with you today! watch the official video for “Solace” through CelebMix’s exclusive premiere or on YouTube. you can stream “Solace” on SoundCloud or Spotify, too. This is gonna sound a lil cheesy… but it’s very important to have that person who makes it all feel better when everything is going wrong. “Solace” is about just that- when everything else sort of just fades away and you’re solely present in that moment.
i’m super excited for EXIT to drop, and have big plans of touring and writing even more new music. hope you dig what you hear!
thanks so much for listening”—KYŁO
“Before I became a songwriter, I grew up with a passion for art in all forms. I studied classical violin starting at the age of 5 and dabbled in saxophone and violin as well as writing and painting. I graduated with a degree in Astrophysics at University of Alberta before realizing I wanted to pursue music full time.
I’m currently working with Trey Mills on my debut album, Monochrome, which deals with themes of love and the media, delving deep into how TV and movies create unrealistic expectations for romantic relationships. My first single from the album was just released. “What About You” is meant to make people think about the different sides of the story in a breakup. Almost everyone can remember an instance where they felt blamed for something their partner was guilty of as well. I wanted the production and the vibe of the song to compliment the lyric and set it up as an anthem for people going through goodbyes. The sentiment speaks to how all relationships are two-sided affairs and shifts the focus from blame to deeper reflection.
Keep an eye out for my album later this year.
Thanks for listening,” —Dempsey Bolton
Alex Bent + the Emptiness is the recording and performing alt-pop/R&B solo project of Saskatoon singer Alex Bent. Likened to that of hip-hop/R&B artists Post Malone, Joji and Frank Ocean, Bent mixes his own twist of nostalgia with the current trends of the genre.
His debut EP, Vanilla Blue, has been streamed over 55,000 times on Spotify and was voted #6 on SaskMusic’s Best Saskatchewan Albums of 2018 List. The EP has also received significant press from outlets such as Earmilk and Hip Hop Canada.
Bent’s new album, Baby, is set for release on August 23 and was mastered by Trevor Case of Case Mastering (Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliot). The album features contributions from Brockhampton affiliates singer-songwriter Jack Larsen and producer Connor Barkhouse as well as Samurai Champs’ Merv xx Gotti and Jeah.
Alex Bent + the Emptiness has been an active live act since 2016 playing opening slots for Phantogram and Cub Sport, as well as being featured at Canadian Music Week and NXNE in Toronto, ON in Spring 2019. With a western Canadian tour currently in the works for fall 2019, Bent plans to spend the year touring in support of his upcoming album.
Born in London, raised in Québec, and of Persian background, he considers himself being a human on this earth, for now.
His love for songwriting and musical projects filled up many years, however at one point he made the decision to put his own music aside for some time, in order to concentrate on many artists that have a conscious message to send out in the world for encouragement and inspiration to others. His main interest & goal with music is to have the listener experience the natural synergie that music has with spirituality. He believes that music can help to heal people in different ways.
Borza has worked on many records throughout the years by either playing, writing, producing or engineering with artists such as the McGarrigle sisters, Emmylou Harris to Laurin Hill. However came the moment where he noticed his musical endeavours did not feel complete if he himself didn’t complete & put out his own music as well amongst his fellow artist friends and partners.
He released a first alternative/folk EP called “playing with time” in December 2016, and this year Borza will finalize a full length record that will have essences of alternative pop, folk & reggae, that will be produced by his dear friend Malcolm Burn (Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois). The 1st single “Be Amazing” from this upcoming record was released on April 26th 2019 and has been added to over 225 playlists on spotify so far.
Borza’s songs & music are about enlightenment’s he’s had that’s helped him with different situations in life, and he likes to share these moments with people, just like he does with his friends & family.
They say things happen for a reason. Dance pop singer-songwriter, Red Tan, rises from the depths of depression to create music to express herself and inspire others who have been knocked down by life. This Fall, she will release her debut EP, Don’t You Dare, dedicated to her late husband, who strongly encouraged her to return to music right before his untimely death in 2017. Red released the title track, “Don’t You Dare”on Friday, July 26th, with a music video to follow in early August. Her debut EP, Don’t You Dare, hits the digital streets on October 13, 2019, the 2nd anniversary of her husband’s death.
Wolves have released their latest single “Say The Word”. This single is leading to an EP release August 30th and a headlining set at the Troubadour. The band’s debut single, “Animal” reached terrestrial and satellite radio, media base and billboard charts, and has lead them to create a strong fanbase in LA. They are growing in the community rapidly and they hope to create a safe place for anyone to come enjoy the music.
In many ways, Connor Morand has broken his own barriers throughout his musical journey. Originally born in London, Ontario, Morand developed an appreciation for all musical genres very quickly. Beginning as a folk artist, he searched to find his own artistic identity while still maintaining his love of diversity.
Enter Morand’s 2017 release of “Everything Is Gold / Believe”, a double-single project that showcased his ability to transcend into the alternative pop realm. The release was promoted with a stunning around-the-world music video for the lead single, “Everything Is Gold”, which spans 60 locations and four continents over six months of filming. This caught the attention of multiple TV and radio networks across Canada, including MuchMusic, CBC, CTV and Global News.
While many suggest that Morand continue to ride on the success of that release, he is more interested in continual craft development, the mark of a true artist. His newest single, “94 Corolla”, is a hip-hop infused pop track that explores the idea of life’s biggest moments happening in familiar, average spaces. Specifically, two lovers entrenched in a moment of potential heartbreak in a 1994 Toyota Corolla.
The song was co-written and co-produced with fellow Canadian artist UNBLOOM, whom Morand has also worked with to co-write and perform as guest vocalist on UNBLOOM’s 2019 release “Best Believe”, a hook-driven electro-pop banger that has been described as “impressive (Atwood), “outstanding” (LeFutureWave), and “thoughtfully crafted” (The Music Mermaid).
Morand has a lot to be thankful for, and continues to create thought-provoking, powerful records that are a breath of fresh air in the vast musical landscape.
“I worked with Grammy and JUNO award-winning producer Chin Injeti on this track who also helped with the songwriting process. We were inspired to write a song about Chin’s father passing away knowing that other people could relate to a similar situation in their own life. The recording process of this song was very organic and fluid. As we began writing, we shared a lot of other personal life hurdles that have made us stronger. It was an intimate experience; we shared, listened, and inspired one another.
Some people will connect with the soulful and funky vibe of the production, whereas the words of the song will resonate with others. Whether it’s through the music itself or the lyrics, I want people to hear the story being told — to simplify, love can ultimately bring us joy and pain. We don’t have to choose one emotion, it can be both.
Thanks for listening,”—iamtheliving
(Picture Credit: Bridgette Aikens)
The Weeks‘ new single “Paper Mache Houses” is out now with the music video premiering exclusively on Parade Magazine. “Paper Mache Houses” is the second single off the band’s new album Two Moons, to be released on September 13th. Two Moons was recorded in Nashville with Eric Masse (Rayland Baxter, Mikky Ekko, Robert Ellis) and is available for pre-order now. Visit the band’s store at crookedletter.net for exclusive bundles including limited run vinyl, cassettes & CDs.
“This song is about taking in the world around you. It’s about weeding out the bad parts and negativity, so you can absorb and enjoy the little things that make us all human.” shares Cyle Barnes, the lead singer from the band.
In support of their new album, the band has announced their headline Fall US tour running September 12th through November 16th. The tour will feature support from Spendtime Palace, The Vernes, Future Thieves, H.A.R.D and The Minks on selective dates. Raucous Mississippi rock combo The Weeks got its start in 2006 while all four members where still in high school. Staffed by twin Brothers Cyle (lead vocals) and Cain Barnes (Drums), Samuel Williams (guitar, vocals), and Damien Bone (bass). They released their debut album, Cadillac Comeback, in 2008. Their swaggering, sludgy, and slightly southern indie rock was further expanded with the release of five total albums including four studio albums and one live project.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
