Amassing hundreds of thousands ofstreams and views, and arriving as a rising star in 2020, the 14-year-old American artist, CLOE WILDER announces today the release of her newest single and music video “Crying When I Shouldn’t.” The single was produced and co-written by Eric Scullin who has worked with RZA and Mark Needham (The Killers), with a special collaboration with three-time Grammy® Award winners and Billie Eilish’s mixing and mastering team, Rob Kinelski and John Greenham. “Crying When I Shouldn’t” is available today via all digital platforms HERE.
To celebrate the big news, the promising star shares the news that the official video will also be premiering at the big screens of the Universal Studio City Walk in Los Angeles, CA.
Watch the official video HERE.
Produced and co-written by Eric Scullin, Cloe also had the opportunity to collaborate for this single alongside Billie Eilish’s mixing and mastering team Rob Kinelski and John Greenham. The engineering and mastering professionals became three-time winners in the 62nd Annual Grammy® Awards 2020 with their contribution to Elish’s hits and career success, and today, they become part of a new journey with Cloe, releasing this stunning song that can transcend genres and generations.
“I’m afraid that this song will get lost in translation so let me clarify: Cry for yourself, it’s healthy. I’m promoting vulnerability and expression. I wrote this song with Eric Scullin when I was frustrated, I guess. I was confusing my feelings for letting somebody win when it’s not like that. You could say that we are entering my new “era” with this song 🙂 That’s why it feels so good to give you this. This was one of my favorite writing processes. The song was mixed and mastered by Rob Kinelski and John Greenham, one of the wildest parts of actually being a member of the industry is working with people you admire. You guys are crazy talented. Everybody has worked so hard on this single. I’m so grateful to all of you. I filmed this video with Joseph Yao and his team. I love this visual so much, I hope you do too.” expressed Cloe.
This single marks the beginning of a new chapter in her life, and Cloe’s career it’s on the verge of a major breakthrough and will be making her presence known stateside with various activation’s.
Growing up in Austin, TX, Gina Chavez didn’t pick up a guitar until she was in college. The instrument proved to be her ticket around the world. Since then, she has traveled to Japan as a cultural ambassador for the city of Austin. She also toured the world as a cultural ambassador with the US State Dept, performing to international audiences in 10 countries. To date, Chavez has won multiple awards, including 12 Austin Music Awards and the Grand Prize for the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. She topped the iTunes and Amazon Latin charts with her second album, Up.Rooted.
Chavez’s multi-ethnic folk-pop sound also won her spotlights on national TV and radio shows in the US. She has been featured on NPR’s three nationally broadcast shows: First Listen, All Things Considered, and Tiny Desk Concerts. Her performances garnered nearly 1 million views on YouTube and earned her a spot on NPR’s Top 15 Tiny Desk Concerts. She also was chosen to perform at The Kate on a nationally televised hour-long episode on PBS.
To date, the artist has released three award-winning albums that showcase Chavez’s versatility as a songwriter and performer: her acoustic folk-pop debut album Hanging Spoons (2007), her Spanish/English album Up.Rooted (2014) and her soul/R&B EP Lightbeam (2018).
Currently, Chavez lives in Austin with her wife, Jodi Granado. Together, they co-founded the Niñas Arriba, a college fund that offers full scholarships to a private, Catholic university for young girls in Soyapango, El Salvadore.
After the success of the original, Blaise drops an exclusive remix of ‘Get Up’ by DJ and producer Azello. A contagious rework of the Byron Stingily’s 90’s classic ‘Get Up (everybody)’ with fresh vocals from Stormzy collaborator Teni, the the remix is a fire rendition of the track. Generating some major heat the track has already gained support on the airwaves with Kiss FM on board supporting the single.
STREAM/PURCHASE: BLAISE – GET UP AZELLO REMIX
Following on from his previous single ‘Good Body’ which was given a glowing review by MixMag, Blaise’s continues to build his snowballing profile with support from DJ Target, Charlsey, Rickie & Melvyn. The track also went top 10 in the Music Week club charts and featured in the Love Island TV finale.
Speaking on the release of ‘Get Up’, Blaise says “The original is one of my favourite house tracks ever, so giving it a rework was a no brainer. It’s different from the original with a new female vocal from Teni, who’s amazing. I’ve gone down a more soulful route with it. It’s a track that’s really genderless, it works for a female or male voice and it’s just about coming together, whoever you are and having fun – a track for our times”.
Now a resident DJ in Dubai, Blaise has been touring the world and working on an album with a heap of collaborations – so watch this space!Stay up to date with Blaise by following his socials for news about upcoming releases & more.
As an artist, Elise Lieberth has never shied away from being vulnerable with her fans. Having been open about her past hardships and the process of healing, Lieberth continues to release music that allows others to feel heard. With this musical mission in mind, Elise Lieberth is now releasing her compelling single “I Need You”, out now on all streaming platforms. This single is another songwriting collaboration between Lieberth and fellow Denver artist Rachel James.
Behind a beautiful lilting voice, there lies a dark past that Elise Lieberth rose above, transforming into a fighter with big dreams. Having developed a love for singing and performing at a very young age, Elise knew that music would be her lifelong passion. Music carried her through some of the darkest periods of her life. Lieberth continues to transform her trials and tribulations into power songs carries an important message of hope.
With “I Need You”, she explores the power of a relationship in making through those hardships. Through the song, she encourages others to seek support from a loved one or partner when they feel lost in the darkness.
Reflecting on her personal inspiration for the single, Lieberth opens up, “When I co-wrote this song with Rachel James I was reflecting on a time that I was distancing myself from my husband and was crying myself to sleep over unresolved issues from my past while my husband was laying next to me had no idea. It wasn’t until I was honest with myself and my husband that I needed to seek therapy. Through that process, I realized I needed my husband’s support more than ever, I needed him to hold me at night, I needed him to be there for me emotionally, so that we could come out stronger and be able to say that we both stayed.”
“I Need You” is the fourth single from Elise Lieberth’s third original full-length album, Invincible. The album is currently only available through an exclusive pre-release on her website with the opportunity to receive a special signed copy and digital download.
Be sure to follow Elise Lieberth on social media to get all music updates and exclusive content.
I wrote “Mind and Soul” about a friend that I fell in love with in my mid-twenties.
We were “in the grey” and I didn’t know where he stood with the relationship, so I was afraid to tell him that I wanted more than just a casual fling.
Finally I got the courage to call him and tell him how I felt. I was scared of getting hurt, but I felt empowered by taking my life into my own hands and asking for what I wanted.
◐ Stream “Mind and Soul” via your preferred platform ◐
I think dating can be so hard in this day and age, with the illusion of choice that exists through apps and people playing games. It makes you afraid of expressing your honest feelings in a clear way.
“Mind and Soul” explores the playfulness and excitement of a definite attraction between two people, but there are also deeper feelings beneath the surface.
I hope you can connect with the sexy vibe of the music as well as the earnestness of wanting love.
Thank you for taking a listen,
Chynna Lewis
Jenny JAM is a London born, Los Angeles based soul-pop singer/songwriter whose music aims to encourage others to always believe in yourself even when times get tough. Her thought-provoking and sincere songwriting allows listeners to connect to her music, delivering an authentic message that has been captivating audiences across the globe.
With a background in musical theatre, acting and modelling, Jenny utilizes her dynamic singing talents and experiences to craft her own unique and genuine music. Inspired to write after a series of traumatic events, Jenny used writing as a form of release, wanting others to hear her story and learn from her experiences and mistakes. The overall theme of her music highlights turning negatives into positives. The musician explains, “You can always take the positive out of the worst of experiences, as there is always a lesson – no matter how big the price to pay is”.
Jenny draws from a panorama of influences ranging from jazz, soul and blues, to the classic 60’s rock bands including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac. Jenny reveals, “Amy Winehouse’s real and deeply honest lyrics mixed with her classic 60’s style jazz, has definitely made me feel that as an artist I can be more free to express who I really am, in the style I really want”.
The visuals for “Better Than You” are reminiscent of Queen’s infamous “I Want To Break Free” video which depicts the band as housewives, yearning to break free. Perfectly representing the meaning of “Better Than You”. Jenny JAM has acted in many notable films and programs alongside renowned actors and actresses. With the hope to follow a similar path with her music, the singer continues to preach the importance of always believing in yourself, with ‘”Better Than You”.
The Weeks‘ new single “This Dance” celebrating their 14th anniversary as a band is out now and can be heard HERE.
The band says, “Amazingly, someone in the band took note of the date of our first practice back in Florence, MS. March 3, 2006. Pisces band. We’ve always used this date to celebrate internally; a reminder to ourselves that what we’re doing here is special and unusual. Who can say they joined their first band when they were 15 and that’s the only job they’ve ever had? This year we wanted to bring the celebration to our fans. They’re the ones who got us here. “This Dance” is the first in a long line of singles we’re releasing in 2020. We recorded it with the inimitable Beau Bedford at Modern Electric Studios in Dallas, TX, and she’s a dancer. Turn it up.”
This past year, the band released their new album Two Moons.
Two Moons was recorded in Nashville with Eric Masse (Rayland Baxter, Mikky Ekko, Robert Ellis). Visit the band’s store at crookedletter.net for exclusive bundles.
Raucous Mississippi rock combo The Weeks got its start in 2006 while all four members were 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, Comeback Cadillac, 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.
Britt is the pop alias of acclaimed composer and Emmy-winning actor Brittany Allen. She is self taught in music production, and writes, produces, and mixes all of her own tracks. Britt also functions as the editor and main videographer of her music videos.
Allen is the composer of the indie hit What Keeps You Alive, (IFC) the third film she and partner (filmmaker Colin Minihan) collaborated on, which Allen also starred in. The film premiered at SXSW, was named a NYTimes Critics Pick and one of Rolling Stone’s Top Ten Horror Films of 2018. Allen’s score was released through Lakeshore Records and on vinyl by Burning Witches Records, and was featured on Vulture – alongside some of the genre’s top contemporary composers – Entertainment Weekly and CBC Q. Her second feature score, for the soon to be released “Z” won “best score” at the Sin City Film Festival, and will premiere on AMC’s streaming service, SHUDDER this Spring. A recent write up wrote that “Z’s secret weapon is Brittany Allen, who provides a soul-tugging score and created the unsettling artwork for the film’s imaginary friend.” Allen heads to SXSW again this year to support her most recent composing venture, with the film “Selfie”.
Before shifting her sights to music, Allen built a vast resume of work as an actor on both sides of the border. Most recently, she played fan-favorite Popclaw, on Amazon’s hit show “The Boys” from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. She was also opposite Taylor Schilling in “The Prodigy” and in the latest installment of the cult SAW franchise, “Jigsaw”. Her first two films with her partner Colin Minihan, “Extraterrestrial” and “It Stains The Sands Red” premiered at Tribeca and Los Angeles Film Festival, respectively. After starting her acting career as a kid in Toronto, on shows such as Bomb Girls, Schitt’s Creek, The Listener, Falling Water, Taken, Allen’s first big break in the US came when she landed a regular role on the long-running soap opera All My Children. She went on to win an Emmy Award for her work on the show.
Allen is a multi-hyphenate of the truest sense, an artist who is just beginning to show her multitude of colours.
Husband and wife Americana duo, The Danberrys, officially released their single “The Mountain” in February. The song quickly drew praise, with American Songwriter noting their musical shift to an “…outlaw country style with pivoting riffs and beats.” Now, The Danberrys slow it down and explore the weight of trauma in their latest single, and album title track, “Shine”, out this Friday on all streaming platforms.
“Shine” lyrically delves into the process of healing from childhood trauma. The Danberrys carefully crafted the track to convey the mining for one’s innate divinity by mending the pain from the darkness. Reflecting on the creation of the single, Dorothy Daniel says, “‘Shine’ is about finding forgiveness when there has been no justice, no apology, no explanation – forgiveness for the sake of releasing yourself. It’s about journeying steadfastly towards the tiny seed of light within and setting it on fire. The lyrics reflect the hard-earned skill of existing in more than one place within yourself once, learning to accept and even embrace the dichotomy of darkness and light.”
Not only is “Shine” the title track off The Danberrys’ upcoming album, releasing May 8, 2020, but also the second official track release from the project. With 12 new tracks, “Shine” departs from their signature acoustic sound to capture elements of rock, blues, and folk. This new musical direction lets the pair venture into a darker atmosphere as well as allowing their self-written lyrics to stand tall. Shine will mark The Danberrys’ third full-length album.
Currently, The Danberrys are elated to release “Shine”. To continue exploring the meaning behind “Shine”, The Danberrys will be releasing a music video for the track. Directed by Scot Sax, and filmed on Dorothy Daniel’s family’s land in Charlotte, TN, the music video will depict the story of a child escaping and healing from a nightmare. Be sure to check out The Danberrys on social media and check out “Shine”, once available on all streaming platforms.
Hailing from Québec, Alexandra Lost is the brainchild of veteran songwriter Jane Ehrhardt and composer/producer Simon Paradis. It was formed as a vehicle for expressing their love of classic pop arrangements, vintage synthesizers and well-crafted songs. After releasing two critically acclaimed singles, Alexandra Lost played some of Québec’s finest indie festivals, where their vibrant live show was described as “imposing” and “magnetic”. 2020 will see the band release their first full-length album with Pantoum Records.
Photo Credit: Bliss Catherine
Los Angeles-based duo Carrousel — the project of Joel Piedt and Sharon Piedt — are sharing the official music video for “A Solitary Soul,” one of the tracks off their newly released EP, ‘I Wasn’t Well.‘
Carrousel took the challenge of shooting the “A Solitary Soul” video entirely on iPhones. Instead of feeling stifled by the device limitation, Joel notes that it actually “sparked something creatively” for the band. Throughout the video the duo don 50s-inspired sci-fi spacesuits and even shot at the same location used for some of Star War’s Tatooine scenes, creating a highly cinematic and otherworldly visual experience that unites reality and absurdity all at once. With each new visual and single release, the LA-based duo embrace their artistic freedom and welcome listeners and viewers into the world of Carrousel.
Influenced by a broad spectrum of sounds ranging from the blues, to psychedelic rock, to shoegaze, to new wave, Carrousel are determined to carve out their own sonic universe. Their futuristic pop melodies wane toward the prophetic, delineating several genres at once with enigmatic cohesion, and surprising grit. Alongside the bevy of new visual content, Carrousel will also release a 10-track album later this Spring titled Magnificent Desolation, an homage to Joel’s hometown of Memphis.
Los Angeles-based Aussie artist and songwriter Lili Kendall is presenting the official music video for her single “i am my own.” Made in collaboration with feminist filmmaker/director Caroline Iaffaldano, the highly cinematic video revels in extravaganza and absurdity, following Lili through a trilogy of intergalactic travels.
Known for her kitschy and camp visuals, filmmaker Caroline Iaffaldano creates art that challenges the status quo and unravels certain societal standards applied to women. In the “i am my own” video, Lili voyages through the depth of the universe, experiencing love in several forms along her way before ultimately finding the truest form of love and expansion within herself. “Regardless of the planet or galaxy she ends up in, Lili lands in her own body and is able to receive herself in her limitless capacity she calls home,” Iaffaldano writes.
Lili Kendall wrote “i am my own” while trying to find comfort in a time of transition and doubt — her move from Brisbane, Australia to Los Angeles, California. Through self-exploration, Lili came to the realization that she can be her own home, her own temple, her own safe place, and her own familiar feeling. It’s about loving and honoring the relationship with self.
22-year old Lili Kendall is setting herself up to be a pop newcomer to watch. After rolling out a number of enchanting singles in 2019, Lili’s debut project, love, herself, is set to be released in early 2020. love, herself is a transformative and healing body of work that chronicles womanhood, self-empowerment, love, and life. ”I have found peace in the lyrics of these songs,” Lili writes, “writing this project has been how I processed and released all that I’ve encountered over the last two years. I hope listening to these songs has the same effect on people that they’ve had on me.”
Emerging Canadian DJ/Production duo KYNGS releases catchy pop tune featuring folk artist Fagin
The Canadian based DJ/production duo Kyngs will be releasing their follow-up single to “Let U Go” with Florida based folk singer Fagin. Kyngs single “Let U Go” was a successful record that almost amassed over 5 million streams. Their single “DR_NK” (pronounced as drunk) shares the same uniqueness, flow, originality and relatability as “Let U Go” and offers catchy rhythms with a strong melody. “DR_NK” is a song that is truly universal. From its lyrics, style and feel, listeners from across all genres can move to its fun tempo. This single is a perfect fit for a setlist at a day party, an easy addition to a shuffling playlist for happy or upbeat music, or a song you play driving down an open road.
“DR_NK” tells the story about a lover coping with his recent break-up with a partner he dearly loved.
“The breakup wasn’t negative and was due to circumstances outside of their control. He uses partying with his friends to numb his pain, although he knows that that’s not a good road to go down. Regardless, he’s got to do what he’s got to do, and decides to pretend like everything is okay.”
DR_NK’s narrative is familiar to many people, making its storyline incredibly understandable to an extremely wide audience.
KYNGS is a Canadian DJ/production duo consisting of Ashton Adams and Josh Polasz. The multifaceted duo spans a wide range of genres from Hip Hop, EDM to genres across popular culture. The duo was formed in 2011 focusing greatly behind the scenes. Over the years the two have had the opportunity to work with artists from across the world helping them mold and develop their sounds.
Individually both Ashton and Josh have rich backgrounds in music. At a young age of 7, Ashton learned to hone his skills as a drummer, guitarist, and finally leading to his new love, production. Similarly, Josh had experienced working closely with a number of bands across Canada helping create and produce records that would also mold his skills as a producer.
All of these experiences have helped sparked their desire to inspire people through their music. Their new single ‘DR_NK’ is now available on all digital platforms.
“Opening Scene,” our new single, is a pure distillation of how I feel about love and the superpowers it possesses.
My brother and bandmate Sal and I self-produced the song, recording it at Revolution Studios, our go-to studio when we are in Toronto. We developed an intimacy within the music which celebrates the love between two people.
“Opening Scene” is the song for after the happy ending, for when you defeat all the odds and climb all the mountains to get to a place where your day starts with watching the sunrise in your lover’s eyes.
I have always believed that life is a collection of stories and that no moment should be taken for granted. Waking up next to someone that means something to you can be the best opening scene to your day.
Thank you for listening, and thanks to Live In Limbo for the exclusive premiere.
E of SoulNidus
Canadian artist, noelle, is a 19-year-old emerging pop talent with a modern R&B edge.
noelle has been singing since she was barely old enough to walk. Initially finding her footing through YouTube, noelle amassed a following of 94.2K subscribers resulting from her viral covers of timeless classics and today’s biggest acts, most notably Post Malone and Sabrina Claudio.
noelle was raised on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario, in a family and community that surrounded her with music. Her upbringing exposed her to a vast range of musical genres, from Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan, to the pow wow drum and native wind flute from her Indigenous roots. Just like many others, noelle’s high school years were full of highs and lows, and music quickly became her outlet. Expressing her thoughts and emotions at her piano, coupled with a reality she sought to transcend, noelle began writing her own music as a therapeutic form of self-expression. The artists’ whose words she once personalized through her covers, soon became the major influences behind her own music. After graduating high school in 2017, noelle signed her record deal with Wax Records, and has spent two years developing her sound to create a modern blend of R&B, pop, urban, and jazz influences.
noelle’s pop ballad repertoire harnesses the powerful contrast of the darkness she sees in the modern world. Coupling thought-provoking lyrics with melodies that will both emotionally and physically move her audience, her words remind you how it feels to experience the world and love as a teen today
Los Angeles based rock group Wax Charmer release their debut EP Suburban Replay, featuring the singles “Emblem” and “Downstairs,” along with two new tracks “The City” and “Social Currency.”
Wax Charmer, which includes three of the original members of local mainstay Jubilo Drive, are motivated by a lot of today’s current issues like climate change and political unrest. As artists, they’re utilizing their platform to speak out and ignite conversation amongst their community of fans and supporters. Tastemaker publications like Buzzbands have called them “bold” and “thought-provoking” (The Wandering Ear), while longstanding indie pub Glide Magazine gave the band praise comparisons to Steely Dan. A series of contradictions, the gentleman of Wax Charmer combine widely contrasting tastes and musical styles. Their diverse collection of influences ultimately makes its members more informed and nuanced musicians.
What the eclectic group have composed with Suburban Replay is a strong and powerful debut stacked with four tracks that could hold their own in any setting. With just the right amount of nostalgia pulling from 70s and 90s rock, they’ve crafted something inherently familiar yet immensely prevalent. What might be easy to dance to in a dim-lit setting can also make for a heavy headbanger with the full-band in a live setting. The energy comes from their cohesiveness as a band that’s performed together since college and have found their optimal output.
Suburban Replay is, to put it simply, a social commentary on modern America. The EP kicks off with “The City,” a song that explores the legendary Los Angeles from the perspective of those who’ve grown up as part of its history, with a guitar solo that makes it easy to get lost in a Hollywood daydream. The guys then take it a step further with “Social Currency,” diving into the problems with social facades and the benefit of being true to yourself and others. “Make sure your life is optimized – the perfect house, the perfect wife. But that’s a front and we all know that what we see is just a show.” After ‘the self’ has been secured, Wax Charmer survey the outside world. “Downstairs” juxtaposes nostalgia with distortion, while “Emblem” rounds out the project with perhaps the heaviest message, looking at the repetitive history of oppression as it continues today in society.
Vocalist J.H. Kleinman explains further, “All of the lyrical metaphors came from phrases that I would write down after waking up, typically inspired by current events. Ranging from climate inaction to mass distraction, it’s a blended perspective of the times no matter.”
Suburban Replay has a lot of offer as an EP, yet it’s just the start for the new group. They’ve already got a second EP underway and set for release later this year. Fans can catch them at their release show at 8pm on February 27th at the Resident in downtown Los Angeles (details here). Glide Magazine put it best when they said, “it’s hard not to get excited about what we can expect from this rising group of young rockers.”
Wax Charmer is J.H. Kleinman, Henry Kuckens, and Jacob Lauing. Connect with the band on social media and streaming for more new music and artist updates.
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 with an EP release show at Camden Assembly on the 16th April (tickets available on DICE).
pluko is releasing his second single of the year, “the lovely one.” The new single comes just ahead of pluko’s performance at CRSSD Festival in San Diego on Saturday, March 7th.
Coming off the release of his pop-leaning collaboration with Nate Traveller, “blessings,” pluko opts for a euphoric instrumental moment on his newest release. Marked by soaring synth work, grandiose percussion, and infectious bass, “the lovely one” allows pluko’s production skills to stand at the forefront. “I really wanted to step outside of my comfort zone for this one. I wanted to challenge myself to create a huge burst of emotion that still kind of felt like a ‘drop’ too,” pluko comments. “This track was a huge breakthrough for me and my journey as an artist. After I wrote it, I felt as if I had just broken down a massive wall. There’s nothing better than that feeling of being onto something fresh and exciting.”
With merely 2 years of activity, 19-year-old pluko has gone from bedroom producer to main stage act. Hailing from the small town of Hollidaysburg, PA, Sam Martinsen — the mind behind the pluko project — has racked up over 50 million plays across platforms while securing festival slots at major North American festivals like Coachella, Firefly Festival, and HARD Summer. In 2018, pluko released his first full-length album, ‘sixteen,’ via Odesza’s Foreign Family Collective and joined the dance duo at their annual Red Rocks show. Last year saw the independent release of ‘CLASS XIX‘ and the announcement of pluko’s own record label and collective Splendid Society. In addition to his own releases, pluko has also become a go-to producer for official remixes, re-imagining tracks for Tycho, Hayden James, Mansionair, Odesza, and more.
pluko’s bass-filled tracks glitter with imagination and forward-thinking production techniques. He consistently pushes the boundaries of his own musicality, creating colorful records that feel authentic and fresh. With more releases on the way and a number of confirmed festival slots, 2020 is set to be a breakthrough year for pluko.
In blending elements of classical training with pop sensibility, Gareth Inkster has created a sound that is both parts intricate and harmonically complex, yet catchy and memorable.
The Hamilton, Ont. singer-songwriter has been feverishly releasing music since 2018, with a discography that already spans eight singles and an EP, with much more on the horizon.
Inkster is an active member of Hamilton’s arts scene writ large, performing often on stage and in-studio with many artists, notably including Walk off the Earth, Scott Orr, Timid the Brave, Low Chord, to name only a few.
Inkster has been called a case-study of the modern, self-made indie artist. Having taught himself the ropes from sound-engineering, to mixing, to marketing, Inkster continues to develop his burgeoning skillset. This, coupled with his increasing momentum comprises a bright future for the young writer.
mmmonika has returned with a new sound and honest narrative with the release of their new single, “Don’t Do It.” Leaning into their contradictory song writing style, the single serves as an anthem for children of today riddled with anxiety of what the future may or may not hold. LISTEN HERE.
Since their last release, Very American!, mmmonika’s bassist John DeBold won his first GRAMMY® award for his production work on Vampire Weekend’s Father of The Bride. Additionally, mmmonika also announced their North American tour, including dates accompanying Atlantic Records’ Wallows, beginning May 14th.
“Don’t Do it,” is in essence, simply raw mmmonika. Calling on inspiration from the early days of D.A.R.E. commercials, mmmonika further proves they are going to do whatever they want, and push their own narratives. “Don’t Do It” features a conventional rock persona that’s stripped away to bare essence.
Lead singer, Ryan Yoo, is extremely open about his mental health struggles and utilizes music as an outlet, not only for himself, but for those going through similar hardships. Ryan and the boys of mmmonika hope to provide a voice to those who aren’t ready to use theirs yet.
mmmonika’s debut EP, Very American! is available now for streaming and download HERE. The debut EP includes “I Can’t!”, described by THE FADER as a “gentle synth-pop eruption. Tracks also include “Swamp Time!”, a single and music video in which ONES TO WATCH declared mmmonika as “your new favorite indie band.” mmmonika is set to release their second EP later this spring.
mmmonika is what you’d get if you turned a losing game of Jenga into a boy band. The Los Angeles based quintet is comprised of John DeBold (bass), Gabe Durastanti (guitar), Grant Milliken (keyboard), Nick Velez (drums) and Ryan Yoo (vocals, guitar). The group makes happy music for sad people through playful melodies and contradicting lyrics. mmmonika has caught the eye of The Fader, Ones To Watch, Earmilk and more, by throwing away the macho narrative and embracing freedom of expression. mmmonika’s music exists not to offer answers, but to make it okay to ask the questions.
(Credit: Alma Bengtsson)
Swedish-born artist ANFA, who comes from Balochi/Iranian roots, has released the official video for her debut single, “Fukk It.” Watch the video now here.
The song is available everywhere now here and is released via Cosmos Music. A bombastic debut, set against driving beats and fiery lyricism, “Fukk It” takes a cold, hard stare at social media and its detrimental ubiquity in today’s society.
Speaking on the video, which was directed by Maria Lashari and filmed by photographer Linus Morales, ANFA describes, “In the video we dive into the psychological aspects of social media. A frustrated story depicted through a mix of shots on iPhone and film.”
Meet singer-songwriter Ben Wylen. He is thrilled to release his new single “Veins that is out now along with the lyric video that is featured on Buzzbands.la.
Ben says, “When I wrote this song, I was really into writing stories that could be interpreted in two completely unrelated ways. Depending on who you are, you might think this is a love song. It’s not. At least not in the way you might initially think.”
“Veins” is the second single that Ben has released that is featured on Ben’s debut solo album People Say. He recently released the title track “People Say” that is out now as well.
People Say is a gorgeous, confessional 12-track record defiant in the face of what the whispers say, and rules others think people have to live by. It follows in the footsteps of the heartrending and inspirational songwriting of Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan, with nods to modern artists like Coldplay, Lady Gaga and Hozier, who he sees as carrying on that spirit.
A trip to London resulted in a chance meeting with producer Danton Supple (Coldplay, Morrissey, U2), with the pair eventually heading into London’s State Of The Ark Studios to record the songs together. They made a good fit: Wylen providing the gut wrenching, emotional guidance to the songs and Supple’s expert production work helping to realize these songs’ wonderful potential. Members of Elbow (drummer Richard Jupp) and Starsailor (bassist James Steflox), string arranger Audrey Riley (The Cure, The Smiths, Smashing Pumpkins) and Grammy Award winning mixing engineer Steve Fitzmaurice (Sam Smith, Lewis Capaldi) helped flesh out the album to its gorgeous state.
Each song on the album will be released on the first Friday of each month, leading up to the full album “People Say” on Nov 6th, 2020.
Photo Credit: Kang Li Zhou
Vancouver indie funk rock group Raincity are pleased to announce the release of their ‘Crazy’ video, premiering exclusively on Aesthetic Magazine today.
‘Crazy’ is a track from Raincity’s self-titled EP which was released in June 2019. The ‘Crazy’ video was directed by Wayne Chung and Bailey Wood, who also did their ‘Give This Up’ video, and features artwork by Vancouver artist, Taka Sudo, who created the cover of Raincity’s latest EP.
‘Crazy’ is a song with a strong feminist message, so Raincity wanted the release of the video to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8th.
“‘Crazy’ is a song about betrayal and gaslighting,” says Raincity vocalist Clare Twiddy. “It talks about a relationship where the other person is hiding information from you and making you feel crazy for looking into it. We wanted to portray the same feeling by showing ourselves on display in an art museum and having the critics look through us as if they weren’t hearing us. The stark contrast of lighting in the video and the shots where the critics are missing, allude to the experience of thinking ‘it’s all in my head’ which are the last lines of the song.”
Raincity (known then as Raincity Blue) recorded their debut album Stuck on Replay in 2017 and released the album to a sold-out audience at Vancouver’s Wise Hall in January 2018. Throughout 2018, the band progressed to the Top 100 of CBC Searchlight, performed at a number of festivals (including Victoria’s Rifflandia and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival), and won contests including: the Hard Rock Casino’s Rock the Mic, Music Heals Covers for the Cause, and The Roxy Launch Project.
The band recently won the Best in Vancouver band contest and opened for Vancouver funk legends Five Alarm Funk at The Commodore Ballroom in December 2019. Raincity plan to spend much of 2020 on the road and will be releasing a brand new single this summer.
Tidbits about song and video- I wrote this over two trips to Japan. The initial idea came from lavender bath water my first time in Tokyo. The second time around I traveled to an onsen in the mountains, and was soaking in this beautiful outdoor pool in the mist, hoping to feel exalted or something.. of course I didn’t, and actually felt kind of miserable.. but that in and of itself was sort of the transcendent moment! This is all coupled with a vision of a Hollywood party (specifically one in Laurel Canyon that Father John Misty might host…), and feeling excluded, laughing at the ridiculousness of it all… yet also feeling bad about NOT being included and wishing to have a piece of the pie. For the video we focused sex/racial tensions.
Jett’s work is colored by themes such as family, her identity as a mixed heritage woman, and the complexities of colonial history. “Our identities are colored by the context in which we are in – the way we grow up, our appearance, and our basic interests and beliefs”. It is through this belief that she channels her desire to seek out the true roots of individuality.
Sonically influenced by a variety of sounds from different eras, Jett’s music is built from pieces of the past with an essence of the future. With the desire to spark conversations about identity, the singer/songwriter confides, “I am inspired to tell not only my and my family’s histories, but a broader story of culture – to be a conduit for those stories and to find more innovative ways to express them.”
Empowered by issues surrounding women’s rights, social and political reform and questions around justice, Jett hopes to contribute towards conversations for affecting change. Having performed at prestigious venues including the renown Carnegie Hall, Jett Kwong is ready for the next installment of her journey.
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