(Photo Credit: Rob Waymen Photography)
(Photo Credit: Rob Waymen Photography)
Strong and sensitive, Amanda Jordan is an independent country music artist who cares deeply about the world
around her and is using her natural musical gifts to make smooth strides as an emerging international presence
both in Canada and in Nashville. Originally from Smith Falls, Canada – just outside of Ottawa – Amanda Jordan was first spotted singing Patsy Cline’s “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” when she was a mere 18 months old by her caregiver. By 5 years old, she was performing at events around Ottawa. While pursuing a degree in the SingerSongwriter Program at Carleton University, she performed for a national audience as a competitor in
the 2015 Miss Teen Canada pageant before building a series of songwriting achievements through back-to-back
top ten finishes in the 2016 and 2017 ole Red Dot on the Spot Songwriting Competitions, as well as a placement in the finals of the 2018 Canadian Songwriting Competition.
On stage, she was one of the winners of the Kick It with Kissel contest, which saw her open for Brett Kissel in 2018 in Sudbury, Ontario, and was one of eight wild cards to compete for the last spot in the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase. Even while her career continues to blossom, Amanda Jordan remains devoted to a number of social causes. She has written many songs for organizations close to her heart, such as “Carry You”
for Boots 4 Pups, which trains service dogs for soldiers battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Away from country music, she is also a budding actress, having had two original songs used in the 2014 Lifetime film, “Killing Daddy” (AKA “My Father Must Die”), which she also appeared in. Amanda Jordan presently divides her time between Nashville – where she has been writing with the likes of Phil Barton, Jason Matthews, Daniel Ross, and Abram Dean – and Canada, where she has been recording with award-winning producer Jason Barry. With new music having come to fruition in the form of 2019’s contemporary country single, “Driving in the Dark”, Amanda Jordan is ready put her unique spin on the international country music landscape – and make it count.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=946jD0NSTYo
(Photo Credit: Malick Issa)
“When you’re first starting out with a new love, things feel a little unsteady – but so full of passion. My new song, “Gunshot,” is inspired by my own relationship. ❤️
You can listen to it on Spotify or SoundCloud now + watch the official music video on YouTube!
In the beginning, I was the one pursuing him. I knew we’d be good together, and I wanted so badly to win over his heart. It sounds like a funny game of tug of war, but once I drew him in and took my foot off the gas, he met me right there in the middle. “Gunshot” was produced by my favourite duo, Pops & Poolboy. Both the melody and the name of the song came to me during band practice one day. The mood was there, and the lyrics flowed naturally. The recording experience was particularly fun as I had to bring a good deal of energy. A lot of dancing went on in that booth!
With a tour in the works and more songs set for release next spring, 2020 is looking pretty bright. 💫
Thanks for listening!”–Claire Ridgely
Tiera Beverly is an R&B soul singer from the Bay Area. Now based in Los Angeles, the young songstress has been melting listeners with her distinct blend of old school R&B and fresh, modern elements. Born into a family of musicians, she credits her upbringing for her array of musical influences. With a father and grandfather (the famed Frankie Beverly) both musicians and accomplished artists, Beverly was propelled into the industry and has not looked back.
Leading single ‘Can’t Talk’ was produced by Jason Mater (Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Eminem) and Brandon Rogers (Alec Benjamin, Troye Sivan, Bea Miller) as well as mastered by Evren Goknar at Capitol Studios. The highly anticipated release oozes with sultry vocals, dramatic drums and soaring smokey harmonies, creating a throwback feel to Beverly’s love of 90’s girl groups. The track is brought to life with live musicians and twinkling keys, emitting a mesmerizing ambiance and showcasing her love for artists such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Aaliyah.
Thematically ‘Can’t Talk’ narrates the journey of youth and realizing that to reach your goals you need to put yourself first. Beverly reveals, “This song was inspired by what I view as the current state that we live in, as far as technology. I do like things about social media, but I do feel like we are in a world so fueled by the need for constant reassurance and instant gratification. I definitely think that a lot of people have such a short attention span and it can cause for insecurity in relationships”.
Engraving her own unique sound into the Los Angeles music scene, Beverly hopes that her music can inspire someone to come to the realization that it’s unselfish to be selfish every once in awhile. Using her past relationships as inspiration, she was able to take her experiences and mold them into a song, as a form of self-medication and healing. She confides, “I guess it kind of empowered me in a way. I hope that people in similar situations can find some kind of empowerment in my song as well”.
Tiera Beverly continues to bewitch listeners with her hypnotic melodies and seductive vocal tones, with ‘Can’t Talk’ slated for release late summer 2019.
Singer-songwriter Harrison Caldeira dropped his third summer single, “Man Up”, on August 23rd. The multifaceted musician wrote, composed, and produced the track, but unlike “Friends With Benefits” and “Silence”, the new record fuses together soulful vocals with an electro-pop sound. Caldeira continues to highlight his honest lyricism with a catchy instrumental lead by his signature guitar riffs.
Reflecting on the single Caldeira says, “This song is about trying to live up to someone else’s standards. It’s impossible. Throughout my life, I’ve been told to ‘buck up’ or ‘man up’ when I was being vulnerable with someone. And, that hurts and can make you doubt who you are. But, like the chorus at the end of the song, I’ve learned to redefine what I think of the phrase and make it my own. Because being vulnerable is being true to who I am. And I think men, especially, find that challenging, but it’s an inescapable part of being an artist and reality of being human.”
This new single proceeds the success of his June release, “Friends With Benefits” – the first song written and composed with a new musical direction in mind, and his July single “Silence”. Both tracks explore different elements to Caldeira’s sound and have led the way for his more energized record, “Man Up”.
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Harrison Caldeira started creating music in his secluded home amidst his West-Indian family. He released his EP, The Equinox in 2017. The record focused more on an acoustic effort with intensely emotional lyrics praise for “sound[ing] like heartbreak”. Something in the Air declared, “With each song, you can feel the intensity and emotion all the way through. If there had to be one new indie-folk album to listen to on a wintery morning this year, it’d be this one.”Caldeira altered his playing and recording style since his EP – moving to use his electric Hagstrom guitar.
Currently, Harrison Caldeira is celebrating the release of his new single “Man Up”. Be sure to follow Harrison Caldeira on Social Media to stay up-to-date on his new releases.
“The Creature represents the Ego and how it can get in the way of your development. It can seem like quite an uncomfortable venture to dive into yourself and see what you want to change, but I’ve found that so much of my happiness comes from some form of letting go. I wanted to write a song about what it feels like to let go of negative routines and develop more positive ones that cultivate who you really want to be.
I envisioned the music video for “Creature” from the POV of someone in the thick of ego dissolution. I want you to feel like you’re on a mental adventure while trekking through a forest with no real sense of physical direction. You’re too focused on the process in your mind to move in a linear fashion, so things get distorted and a little funky along the way.
My Coming To EP is out on September 27th, and includes “Creature” alongside three brand new songs. Hope you like what you hear!” —Shawn Kerr
The Astronots are an American rock’n’roll outfit, spearheaded by its founding members, Niko Giaimo (Vocals/Guitar) and Allee Futterer (Vocals/Bass). The two are established musicians in their own right. Futterer has had years of cutting her musical teeth, backing some of the biggest names in the Los Angeles music scene, while Giaimo was an integral member of the scoring team behind productions such as Dexter and Dishonored II. The two come together on The Astronots, combining elements of their quintessential Los Angeles upbringing, classic rock, and west-coast cool. Now completed by guitarist Eddie Campbell, the group continues to wow audiences across the nation.
Inspired by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Alabama Shakes and Kings of Leon, the trio have crafted an EP oozing with gritty guitars, explosive percussion and raw energy. The highly anticipated Cotati is brought to life through its organic instrumentation and authentic lyricism. “We really wanted to capture something honest. The songs cover a variety of issues.. school/public mass shootings, anxiety, drinking, love, pain, passion, cheating.. I think we managed to create individual genuine stories in each song. I think the theme would be honest perspective on many of life’s challenges”, they reveal.
Leading single ‘Wandering Eye’ is a quirky love song. Based on a true story about a couple the duo grew up with. Giaimo reveals, “They had an insanely beautiful Cinderella wedding, but not long after that the wife started cheating, and the husband was secretly gay and going out with his friends in women’s clothes. They were both cheating on each other in different ways, and somehow, everyone knew about the cheating except for the couple themselves!!! They ended up splitting up and are now both happily married in new relationships!”. Sonically the single features 60’s soaked melodies, soaring harmonies and an infectious toe-tapping rhythm.
The Astronots palpable garage sound has lent itself to placements on film and TV, as well as curated playlists and blogs. The Astronots song, ‘Black Milk’ from their 2017 E.P Strange Terrain was featured on the CBS hit television show Life in Pieces. While their song ‘Begging for More’ was placed in Andrew Garfield’s 2018 feature film, Under The Silver Lake.
(Photo Credit: Hampus Hjellström)
Swedish artist and renowned songwriter Elina (real name Elina Stridh) has released a brand new single titled “Free.” The track is available everywhere now here.
A folk-inspired ballad bursting with lush melodies and self-reflective lyricism that shoots straight for the soul, “Free” tells a heart-wrenching story that is all too relatable. Elina reveals, “I had a bittersweet feeling writing ‘Free.’ We tend to live our lives in all places but the present, chasing after everything we don’t have and forgetting what’s right in front of our eyes. The story of the song is about losing yourself in the memories of a love that has ended, wishing you’d seen the beauty of it while it was still yours. Love is never easy or flawless, but you had a true version of it. In the rearview mirror you’re looking back at it with different eyes knowing that being with this person was the greatest freedom of all.”
“Free” is Elina’s first new song since her May 2019 debut EP, In Hindsight. The EP was a bold first statement for the budding artist, with standout singles “Wild Enough,” “Champion,” and “Here With Me” sparking a run of 60 million+ Spotify streams and counting.
Before debuting her artist project in April 2018, Elina had already made an impression as a highly sought-after songwriter, penning hits for artists such as Zara Larsson, Astrid S, Maroon 5 / SZA “What Lovers Do,” among many more. In total, her songwriting catalog has generated over 1 billion streams.
Growing up in a small village in southern Sweden, Elina began exploring creativity and story telling at a young age. She learned to play guitar in 8th grade and was eventually admitted to renowned Swedish songwriting academy Musikmakarna (whose alumni include LÉON, Skott, NEIKED) where she developed her skills at a higher level.
With a razor-sharp lyrical sensibility, Elina’s songs tell delicate stories of the vulnerability and uncertainty that makes us unapologetically human – beautifully flawed and courageously resilient. Inspired by the strong history and tradition of Swedish songwriters (Björn and Benny [ABBA], Max Martin, Cheiron, et al) Elina’s craft has not gone unnoticed, garnering multiple awards including the 2018 ASCAP Pop Award for Maroon 5/SZA’s “What Lovers Do,” Best Singer-Songwriter in the Ivor Novello Awards and a Denniz Pop Award nomination. She was also honored with the Swedish Publishing Awards’ ‘Song of the Year’ for “Sexual” by NEIKED (which she co-wrote).
The transition from songwriting to her own artist project has been a vulnerable yet ultimately enlightening path for Elina, who notes, “I had written a few songs I really loved but hadn’t been picked up by any artist, so I decided to release them myself. Creating this artist ‘persona’ and everything is still very alien but making music on my own terms has been such a healing experience.”
With an upcoming sophomore EP, of which “Free” is the first taste, Elina is set on continuing to explore the depths of human emotion in the most raw and human ways. As she describes, “It’s important for me to try and shine more of a light on the value of self-esteem, especially with the pressures we all face in today’s society. I want to continue exploring that down the road with my next EP and hopefully reach a point where I can make a real difference using the platform I’m lucky to have.”
(Photo Credit: Jasmin Storch)
Swedish artist and groundbreaking songwriter Nea (real name Linnea Södahl) has released her debut single “Some Say.” The song is available everywhere now via Milkshake / Sony Music Sweden here. Watch the official video now here.
“Some Say” is a bold debut from Nea, which delicately explores the depths of human desire and courageous perseverance in the face of unrequited love. Cleverly sampling the melody of Eiffel 65‘s 1998 smash “Blue (Da Ba Dee),” the song stems from a personal story, of which Nea describes, “We wrote the song after a conversation with a friend of ours. He is gay and is in love with his friend, but this friend is in a straight relationship. The song is about love that you can’t attain but that you can’t give up on.”
Further discussing the song’s official video, Nea adds, “We wanted to make the video as real as possible, so we cast real couples instead of actors. I think it shines through in the video that their love is honest and that their stories and struggle to get to that love is real. The director, Leo Adef, did an amazing job making this vision a reality.”
Leo Adef is an Argentinian director based in Barcelona. Through his lens, Adef explores sexuality and adolescence with an intimate, yet almost voyeuristic look. Leo has collaborated with brands and publications such as Saint Laurent, i.D, and Nowness. The video is edited by Pau Luzón, whose recent credits include Rosalía‘s “Milionària + Dio$ No$ Libre Del Dinero” video.
While today marks the reveal of Nea’s freshly-minted artist project, she has already made major waves as an in-demand songwriter, most notably a writer on Zara Larsson‘s international multi-platinum “Lush Life” as well as credits with Tove Styrke, Grey, Maggie Lindemann, Tinie Tempah, Axwell & many others. Having won multiple songwriting awards including the Denniz Pop ‘Rookie’ Award and the ‘Topliner of the Year’ Award by SKAP (Swedish Society of Songwriters, Composers and Authors), Nea’s songwriting catalog has generated over a billion streams.
Born in South Africa where Nea’s parents had moved their young family to combat the apartheid system of the time, Nea developed a fighting spirit early on – a fire that has driven her artistry since day one. With heritage stemming from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, & Finland, Nea moved to Sweden as a child and has built her foundation there, in life and in music.
Nea is also active in philanthropy, having traveled back to her birthplace of South Africa to work with Star of Life, an organization spreading HIV awareness in schools through music. She has also worked with global non-profit Nvak, which provides youth music education in developing countries, especially for women and girls.
Young Clancy is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter/producer who creates rough, pillowy music with thoughtful lyrics inspired by Neil Young and gritty, inventive production inspired by Kanye West.
He’s just dropped a smooth, soulful new track titled “Level,” which draws inspiration from rawer, more aggressive 70s soul – The Four Tops, The Ruffin Brothers, Gene Williams. “Those wild vocal performances, how saturated and beautifully messy some of those records sound.” Watch the visuals on YouTube // stream “Level” on Spotify.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da2oW0eCAbM&feature=youtu.be
Adera is a indie/pop duo from Vancouver, BC, Canada which formed in 2016. Its unique sound came from years of experimenting with the same songs until its founders Tomás Valenzuela and Tiffany Calderbank landed on something they felt they hadn’t heard before. Adera most recently orchestrated its sound and live show to include saxophone, guitar and drums while still holding onto its vibrant synth sounds, introspective lyrics and soft vocal tones.
In October 2018 Adera was invited to play Sofar Sounds: Vancouver, a live music series held in more than 400 cities around the world. From this the band’s single ‘Hollow,’ a track engineered, produced and mixed by Tom Dobranski (The Zolas, We Are They City, Said The Whale), was chosen to represent Vancouver on a global playlist titled ‘Sofar Sounds | Now Playing’ on Spotify.
Later in the same year Adera was selected to play Whistler Film Festival 2018 to showcase its songs to movie and television music supervisors and executives. Adera was also one of a handful of independent bands to receive funding from Amplify BC’s Career Development Program, a government-funded music initiative managed by Creative BC to promote the development of BC artists. The band’s members are currently using their funding to record their second EP which is set to be released in 2019. To follow them on their journey visit aderamusic.com and find them on Instagram at @aderamusic
Asmik is an electro-pop singer/songwriter. Born in Armenia, Yerevan, at the age of three she moved to Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine with her family and eventually made the decision to move to Los Angeles to further her career. Her polished and dynamic sound is built around the soul, delivering listeners with an atmospheric and passionate release.
Growing up in an artistic family, with a father an artist and a mom a dancer, Asmik always knew that she was following down the same creative path. She started singing on stage from the age of 15 and was a lead vocalist in a national jazz orchestra in Europe. The young songstress who speaks five languages, has already accomplished so much as well as becoming a finalist in The Voice of Ukraine. Her performance of “Dziwniy jest ten swiat” reached two million views on YouTube within a week. She was also a participant in “Depi Evratesil” (National selection for Eurovision Song Contest).
Inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson and Jazz classics such as Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and Aretha Franklin, it’s evident as to where Asmik credits her soulful vocal tone. Elements of her love for EDM artists such as Rufus Du Sol, Diplo and Kygo, also bleed into her sound. “I’m inspired by who I am today because I am at the point in my life where I trust myself more than ever. I want my music to encourage all girls to be confident and appreciate themselves”.
Leading single ‘NICE’ is produced by Grammy Award-winning PK (for Chris Brown – Fine China) . Featuring ethereal synths and vibrant electronic soundscapes which ebb and flow among the throbbing percussive beats, ‘NICE’ builds into an infectious chorus. The single narrates life experiences, poignant moments and certain milestones throughout her journey. Detailing the ups and downs of relationships, her music covers themes from love and happiness, trials and lies and successes and failures. Asmik confides, “My life looks like a roller coaster, it took me high and at one point can threw me down. I am writing about it today because I feel differently about myself. I now know who I am and what I am capable of. I am also much stronger than I was before and I feel that I have something meaningful to say”.
Asmik is ready for the next chapter of her prolific musical journey, with ‘NICE’ out now.
(Photo Credit: Danny Lane)
Gavin Haley is delivering an acoustic duet of “Show Me” with Canadian singer/songwriter Sara Diamond. “Show Me” is a resounding reflection on love, and the stripped-back version brings the poignant lyricism into focus through the duo’s mesmerizing harmonies. The acoustic track is being released alongside a live video of the duo performing at Los Angeles’ Kingsize Soundlabs.
After being fans of each other for quite some time, Gavin and Sara decided that an acoustic duet version of “Show Me” would be the perfect foray into collaborating together. Just like Gavin, Sara sees music as a healing tool that inspires others to look inward and appreciate the myriad of feelings that come along with being human. On the recording process, Sara writes that it was a “warm and friendly” experience.
A former professional cyclist turned musician, Haley’s genre-bending approach to pop pairs a plethora of contemporary influences with introspective lyrics, underpinned by an enduring sense of hope. He prefers to concentrate on the storytelling, crafting narratives that feel accessible at all levels. “My music will make you feel good,” he explains simply.
Gavin Haley is only days away from joining Ashe on her North American tour, kicking off on September 10th at Union Stage in Washington D.C. Tickets are available here.
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