INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: Chloe Lilac, ADÈ, Vanessa Silberman, Eileen Carey, Polartropica, ICON the GREAT, Joey Stylez, Raquel Lily, Joey Stylez and Carsen Gray, James Vickery, American Studies, Scarlet Rivera…..

Brooklyn-based artist Chloe Lilac has released a brand new single titled, “Obvious,” out now via RCA Records. The song is available everywhere now here. Watch the lyric video here. The song is taken from Chloe’s forthcoming sophomore EP, due later this year. 

A slick, pop/R&B track that takes a critical jab at the troublesome intricacies of a new relationship, Chloe describes, “‘Obvious’ is about being with someone that clearly doesn’t like you as much as you like them, being in denial about it and then realizing you’re better than that bullshit.”

“Obvious” marks Chloe’s 2nd release of 2020 following previous single “Here’s Your Song,” which debuted in January to critical love from outlets such as The FADER and UPROXX, who noted the track “shows another side of Lilac — one that’s more introspective.” Watch the “Here’s Your Song” official video hereLast fall, singles “High School” and “Special” kicked off the release of Chloe’s upcoming 2nd EP, each debuting alongside stunning official videos. Both tracks were given Spotify ‘New Music Friday’ placement and saw critical love from outlets such as Billboard, who called “High School” “an undeniably exuberant affair,” and Refinery29, who coined “Special” “a shot of some catchy nostalgia.”

Chloe toured extensively in 2019 including direct support runs with mxmtoon and Tessa Violet as well as headline dates in NYC and L.A. for Neon Gold Records’ ‘Popshop’ showcases. Chloe also performed at SXSW 2019 and has toured with other rising artists including Charlotte Lawrence, Sasha Sloan, and Rejjie Snow. Chloe documented her fall 2019 L.A. headline trip in a photo diary exclusive with Flaunt.

Early 2019 debut EP, Manic Pixie Dream, kickstarted a slew of critical acclaim that has secured Chloe Lilac a well-deserved spot as a top rising artist. PAPER proclaimed, “she’s shattering perceptions of damsels in distress simply by being vulnerable. But there’s strength in her vulnerability,” while Refinery29 included Chloe among their 2019 ‘Artists To Watch.’ Chloe has already enjoyed 19 million+ Spotify streams, a feat first kicked off by the 2018 release of “Stolen Liquor” which hit #1 on Hype Machine and sparked NYLON to claim the track “will have you reminiscing about those summer nights in high school.” Single “Summer” has attained 10 million + Spotify streams alone, sparking support from Ladygunn who debuted the track’s official video.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Chloe’s humble roots of sneaking out to perform on the streets of NYC by age 13 continue to inspire her artistry. Building her skills as a self-produced songwriter, Chloe began releasing songs in 2017 with her first-ever release, “Reckless,” breaking the Top 5 on the U.S. Spotify Viral Chart. Her early songs and live shows saw critical nods from outlets like DIY Magazine, who note Lilac’s “knack for an emotional gut-punch.”

Returning with his first release of 2020, DMV-area mainstay ADÈ (f/k/a Phil Adé) returns with a new single and music video, “DON’T CRY” featuring Trevor Jackson. Along with the new track, ADÉ reveals today that he will release his new EP wyd after? this Spring.

 Get “DON’T CRY” HERE via Epic Records/HighRes Global.

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Over feel-good, throwback production, the Silver Spring, Maryland rapper, producer, and songwriter fits right into the pocket of a soulful bass groove and simmering beat. His airtight wordplay carries deft rhymes as singer, songwriter, and Grown-ish star Trevor Jackson makes a show-stopping cameo and croons the hummable hook. The music video sees the two dynamic talents kicking it at a secret members only lounge, exclusive to the members of the “After Hours Club,” a secret society that will reveal itself more throughout ADÉ’s new project. Together, they cruise across the dance floor and towards the bar, emanating energy and charisma surrounded by a bevy of beautiful clubbers. It all culminates on a red-hot romantic tryst for ADÉ.

Watch it HERE.

“DON’T CRY” heralds the release of his forthcoming EP, wyd after? The project once again highlights his incendiary bars, songcraft, and searing sense of soul. Get ready.

In 2019, ADÉ introduced the world to a new side of himself, while continuing to carve out a place among hip-hop’s modern elite. His tastemaker-approved EP, ALWAYS SOMETHING, boasted “SOMETHING NEW” [feat. Lil Baby], “SOMETHING FROM NOTHING” [feat. Rich The Kid], and “SOMETHING REAL” [feat. Wale Goldlink], and more. Meanwhile, it attracted unanimous acclaim. Billboard applauded “the six-track EP is a reintroduction to the hip-hop stalwart’s talents on the mic, backed by his refurbished sound,” HipHopDX claimed, “the switch brings the refreshing energy to validate his change in direction.” In addition to plugs from HYPEBEAST and more, Respect Magazine summed him up best as “an amazingly versatile talent.

About ADÉ:       

Initially recording as Phil Adé, DMV talent ADÉ delivered a string of independent mixtapes, singles, and appearances in addition to collaborations with everyone from Logic and Mac Miller to Raekwon and Bootsy Collins. Starting in 2013, he dove into honing his craft, writing in the studio with a variety of artists, perfecting his own sound as well as his live performance. He ultimately developed his voice immensely. During this time, he made extensive contributions as a writer and featured act to Wale’s #1 opus The Album About Nothing [2015] and Shine [2017], in addition to working with Raheem DeVaughn, Anthony Hamilton, Chris Brown, Eric Bellinger, Mýa, Trevor Jackson, Serayah, 9th Wonder and Bink, while gracing the stage on the sold out SHIN3 Tour. In 2017, he shared the solo single “No Fear” [feat. Tate Kobang and Saba Abraha], which soundtracked WWE NXT and clocked half-a-million streams. Upon the latter’s arrival, Billboard described him as “ready to seize his opportunity at rap stardom. However, he changed everything for 2019. He opted to go by simply ADÉ, signed to Epic Records, and cooked up his first EP of the label, Always Something—out now. With his new project, ADÉ continues to evolve and take his craft to new heights.

New  York-based (via LA), Alt grunge/singer-songwriter, Vanessa Silberman, dubbed the “DIY queen” and “ nothing less than a super human,”‘ by Audiofemme, announces her single,  “Who We Are”, the first in a series of monthly singles to come out in 2020. Drawing inspiration from anthemic rock, grunge, and raw punk, and exploring mixed elements of pop and hip hop production, “Who We Are,”  acknowledges how far we have come as human beings in our society and the world. Staying true to her DIY roots, “Who We Are” is produced, engineered, recorded, programmed, performed, mixed and mastered by Silberman herself. In addition to being a prolific songwriter, Silberman is also a record producer, engineer, and head of an artist development label, A Diamond Heart Production. Widely known for wearing many different hats in the music business, she has worked for heavy hitters, namely producer/songwriter Dr.Luke and many companies and studios ranging from the Foo Fighter’s Studio 606 to Epitaph Records. “With jangly guitars and vocals that can be described as punky sweet, New York artist Vanessa Silberman’s “Who We Are” makes a great case for a feel good anthem. Chock full of encouraging lyrics, the truly endearing element of the single is its unabashed be-true-to-yourself vibe that Silberman delivers in spades.” (PARADE MAGAZINE)

https://soundcloud.com/vanessasilberman/whoweare

Award-winning “Breakthrough Artist”, Eileen Carey shared her romantic single “Finally” in November and has followed it up with her breathtaking music video – which premiered January 6th, 2020 on ThisIsTheLatest. In creating the music video, Eileen Carey worked alongside her longtime collaborator producer-director Taner Tumkaya. Depicting a journey towards love, the stop motion animated music video is timeless and captivating. The music video has garnered over 74K views and was a perfect fit for Valentine’s Day.

With her single “Finally”, Eileen Carey amplifies those emotions we can’t describe with crystal clarity. “Strong emotions sometimes cry out for strong language,” Carey asserts. “These lyrics state in the plainest possible way what we feel but may be hesitant to say.” “Finally” also follows the international success of her chart-topping single “Meet Me Halfway”, released in May 2019. Both singles continue with Carey’s positive, uplifting musical style as well as her trademark take on love.

Currently, Eileen Carey is preparing to take the stage on March 13th, 2020 at The Rose, opening form legendary R&B artist Aaron Neville. Taking the stage at 7:00 pm, she  will be bringing her beloved vocal performance in a laid back unplugged acoustic set. Be sure to follow Eileen Carey on social media to get behind the scenes look of her preparations for the show!

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Polartropica is the music endeavor of Los Angeles based, dreamy space-pop artist, Ihui (eeway) Cherise Wu. Born in Taiwan yet raised in California, Wu has created a fantastical dreamland, successfully combining quirky pop melodies, futuristic synths and classical string arrangements, resulting in a genre of ethereal fantasy dream rock that you’ve never heard before. 

Polartropica fuses elements of complete opposites together with the outcome resulting in a unique, ethereal sound that defies all sonic worlds. Using both organic and synthetic instruments, Wu conceived a visionary dream world for listeners to escape to. Wu professes, “I wanted to create a healing, inspiring and empowering space with just the right amount of disco-party!”

Her debut album, Dreams Come True, perfectly encapsulates Polartropica’s entire ethos, creating a soundtrack to her very own magical intergalactic space. Wu shares, “I get to play and work with some of the most incredibly wonderful people in the entire universe, and we always try to have as much fun as possible.” Sonically the album is a delicious concoction of dreamy synth rock, fueled by stories of people, animals, world news and Wu’s experiences as a queer Asian-American living in California. 

The single “In Another Life” narrates karmic love and the feeling you get when meeting someone for the first time, but it instantly feels like a lifetime. The track features gliding honey-dipped vocals over laid back beats. Then there is “Can’t Hold Us Back”, which acts as a reminder of the love and power we have within us when faced with oppressive forces. Delightfully eccentric “Crystal Ramen” details the painful process of detaching from a relationship, idea or belief that no longer serves you. “Crystal Ramen” showcases Polartropica’s kaleidoscope of soundscapes, stunningly warm yet sporadic, palpable and experimental. Finally, the empowering “Solidarity” emphasizes the importance of listening and supporting one another. “Don’t let them divide us, we can accomplish incredible things when we fight together and support one another”, expresses the songwriter. 

Written with the intention to allow listeners to let their imagination run wild, Wu hopes her music creates little escapes from reality for anyone that is looking for a mini vacation. Having been crowned LA Weekly’s ‘Best Indie Pop Band of 2019’, as well as landing acclaim from the likes of  Billboard and LADYGUNN, among others, Polartropica is an artist to watch.

ICON the GREAT was formed when Zac Barnett (American Authors) teamed up with long time collaborator and best friend Evan Ambrose (Blacktop Queen) to try and create something raw, pure, and most importantly fun. “We both came in with clean slates of our musical pasts and laid down what felt natural and exciting. We crushed a case of Miller Lite’s, talked, hit record and let what happen happen,” Evan recalls. 

The result is ICON the GREAT’s first single “Back For More – Tripper Remix”, a ferocious emotional unloading about how nothing matters but you and the people you hold close. “Everything we create is the two of us and that’s it.” says Zac. “We write it, produce it, make the artwork, get our friends to help with videos and pictures, and if you want to come along for the ride then be our guest.” 

With a sound reminiscent of nostalgic 90s rap rock infused with modern alternative and underground SoundCloud hip hop, ICON the GREAT is here to prove that genres and expectations are a thing of the past. “The best part about music in today’s climate is the line between genres is dissolving quicker than ever. ICON the GREAT is here for everyone to let their demons out no matter where you’re from.”

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There are times when the arts call for activism and social duty, and there are times when you want to inspire people to have a good time and forget about their worries. This is one of those songs.

It’s about how fiery love can magically show up in your life, and seem too good to be true, as if something otherworldly that orchestrated it.

Listen to “Jungle Night” with Carsen Gray via APPLE MUSIC x SPOTIFY SOUNDCLOUD now.

Working with French producer RED ROCKERZ, the beats we get our hands on tend to be more uplifting with happy vibes. This came out of a late night session where we were laughing around, having fun, and in super playful moods. “Jungle Night” really nails that energy.

We touch base on the idea of light and dark. Life has its low points and it also has its ups. So enjoy those highs and when you’re stuck in a low just remember there are better times around the corner.


This year, I’m releasing a new single per season followed by an album in the late summer titled, 3 EYE HIP. Hope you stick around with me on this crazy ride!

Born in the Philippines, raised in New York and currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia, Raquel Lily is an independent singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist and online personality. She streams music performance and a variety of content, including live vlogging (IRL Streaming), Just Chatting, Social Eating, gaming and cooking on Twitch. Graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, Raquel left the medical field and dove head first into her creative pursuit in music and began online streaming in 2017.

Her upcoming debut, full-length concept album, I’m Leaving, features eight songs, narrating a coming of age story about someone going through their 20’s. Raquel confides, “Everyone’s been broken from something. You smoke some weed, you fall in love, they turn out to be a fuckboy, you’re with someone shitty, you break up, you ghost them, you still love them, you resign, you meet someone new and there’s hope again.”

Raquel confesses how her songwriting is a cathartic, emotional purge. With the simple objective to guide listeners through an impassioned ride, her songs are driven by genuine experiences from an introspective and honest place. Inspired by the likes of Whitney Houston and old school R&B, Raquel wanted to capture a similar essence of synth-heavy, soul soaked music. Her love for old soul groups and classics, including Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, also shines brightly throughout her music. 

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When superstar The Weeknd cited “Joey Stylez is a big inspiration” in a now famous video clip, it was a very fitting description. From the time he started his creative journey, to the present, he has always made music a tool to express his individuality. The Stylez part of his energetic persona says a lot about his ability to dabble in all genres of music including Hip Hop, Indie Rock & Pop. Nothing seems to intimidate his creative process as he paints abstract & timeless themes overtop of unique sounding productions. His catalogue has tracks with the likes of Grammy Award winning producer James Ho (Malay), band Dragonette and rappers Bun B & Ty Dolla $ign. In 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Television Network released an hour-long special which aired for over a year, detailing his rise from a troubled youth to an internationally recognized artist. The strong following he has built over the years has earned him a respectable online presence, and millions of YouTube views. When Stylez is not in music mode, he is also a successful visual artist with celebrity clients, and runs his own clothing brand, Stressed Street.

Ahead of the release of his highly anticipated EP ‘Overture’ on March 25th, rising British R&B James Vickery is thrilled to unveil the music video to his single “Pressure” (with SG Lewis) exclusively on Complex. The track premiered on Jamz Supernova’s BBC Radio 1Xtra show late last year, it went on to be featured on BBC Introducing Mixtape of The Year 2019 and picked up 15 Spotify New Music Friday placements amongst many others. ‘Pressure’ has already amassed over 5 million streams online.

The music video is Directed by Cameron Turnbull and produced by Lizzie Roderick of MDRNLOVE, it’s a playful video that show’s Vickery at his optimum.  Watch ‘Pressure’ (with SG Lewis) HERE.

The director Cameron Turnbull says, “The track had already been out and doing well for a while so it was important for me to try and match the energy and impact that the audience were expecting. It was a great video to create; we smashed through loads of set-ups in the studio over one day, but I think the high energy from that is ultimately reflected in the cut. As with most of my videos we tend to be quite ambitious with what we’ve got, with a lot of DIY solutions involved, they’ve miraculously worked so far and I think attacking them ambitiously is a lot more fun”.

South London’s James Vickery is the new face of UK R&B. With his COLORS video catching the attention of 17 million people in the first year as well as his partners of TH3RD BRAIN and Roc Nation. JV sold out the Jazz Cafe in London, had a peak slot at Glastonbury and played his debut US shows in LA (The Echo) and NY (Rough Trade) in December 2019.

Earlier this month Londonder Vickery released a brand new single ‘Spanish Rose, produced by Maths Time Joy & Louis Mattrs. It will feature on James’ brand new EP, ‘Overture’ which is set for release on March 25th through TH3RD BRAIN and features appearances from SG Lewis, Kenny Beats, Pomo and more. Pre-save the EP HERE.

Last week JV released the ‘LIVE From London’ version of ‘Spanish Rose’, shot at the stunning Rivoli Ballroom in London. The ‘LIVE From London’ series see JV perform his songs with a full band in unique locations across his hometown, expect more content around his videos and his creation process.

Currently working on his debut album James Vickery is going to hit the ground running with timeless, soulful R&B tunes that will ‘make you feel something’. JV’s distinctive voice and look, combined with his incredible vision for how his voice fits into a song allows for a completely unique take on R&B despite being born deaf in his left ear, and landed him as one of Complex’s British R&B/Soul Artists to watch out for in 2020.

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In March 2020, right in time for spring break, American Studies will release its debut single, “Panama City Blues.” A jukebox juxtaposition, “Panama City Blues” takes Larry and the Loafers 1960 rock-n-roll obscurity of the same name and turns it into a modern, vibrant, and psychedelic club anthem — engaging a new set of teenagers and college students in much the same way it did in the century prior. In other words, it’s Beach Blanket Bingo gone Beach Blanket Banger! And there will be more to come when American Studies drops its first LP later this year. 

Like “Panama City Blues,” American Studies, the duo of Bryant Saxon and Ryan “Inkline” Howell, works within a collision of styles and sensibilities – both rooted in a love of obscure records. Encouraged by his father, Saxon (who owns and operates the Earth Libraries label), was introduced to the world of record collecting in the mid-90s – particularly the sounds of 1950-60s rock-n-roll and R&B. Howell is a noted musician, producer, and emcee, known primarily for his solo work as Inkline, and as one half of punk-forged hip hop mavericks, Nerves Baddington

Though Earth Libraries is committed to a broad range of new artists (new albums by Human BeatBurnin’ MoonSeriouslyBitter Calm, and the forthcoming Wray album are all worth your attention), the idea of making new songs by sampling the original recordings that Saxon and his father had uncovered, collected, and preserved, became a passion project of its own. To get the ball rolling, Saxon sent a set of recordings to Howell. The collaboration quickly produced interesting results thanks to the contrast of vintage guitar tones and vocal styles with beats influenced by world music and modern R&B – all while adding complex layers of psychedelic effects. Knowing they had sculpted something fresh and unique, American Studies officially came into being. 

To bring the source recordings into the digital realm, Saxon and his father had long ago began the work of carefully recording the best known copies of these records and then meticulously removing pops, clicks, and surface noise – elevating the audio to a quality worthy of the original master recordings. The remastered tracks were then shared via CD-Rs to other record collectors but rarely surfaced to official releases, except for an occasional appearance on bootleg European compilations. 

To make sure that the releases were authorized, and the stories of recordings could be fully told, Saxon began the arduous process of tracking down the original artists. In time, he began to forge relationships with these artists, who now range in age from 70 to 90 years old. 

The ultimate payoff from that hard work will be these lost classics – and their modern offspring – finding the audience they so richly deserve.  History lessons rarely slap like this!

World-renowned violinist and composer Scarlet Rivera blazed the trail for rock violinists when she was featured on Bob Dylan’s legendary Rolling Thunder Revue in 1975. Today, she proudly announces the release of her new single and vocal debut, “Dust Bowl”. Rivera co-wrote  the song with her producer, Tim Goodman, about the 1930s ecological disaster in the US midwest. The song is on Rivera’s EP, All of Me, the first release to feature Rivera on both violin and lead vocals. Her 12th solo body of work, All of Me is set to release on April 17, 2020 on Bright Sun Records

On the All of Me EP, Rivera combines her versatility as a world-class violinist with her singing and songwriting skills to create six original songs. The songs cover various topics from women empowerment and political power to self-identity and the wisdom one gains from living life. The EP also includes the track “Songbird” that pays homage to iconic singer-songwriter and Rivera’s contemporary, Joni Mitchell.

Originally trained as a classical violinist, Rivera explored adapting the violin into several other music genres and styles, including Americana, rock, new age, Celtic and world music. It was this innovative spirit that got the attention of Bob Dylan in 1975. After an impromptu audition, Dylan asked Rivera to perform on his 1976 album, Desire, that went double-platinum and was considered one of the biggest albums of his career. Dylan featured Rivera on every track, being impressed with her versatile playing and improvisational skills. He later invited Rivera to accompany him on his Rolling Thunder Revue. This year-long tour featured a lineup of legendary artists, including Joni Mitchell, Mick Ronson, Roger McGuinn, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, among others. 

Since then, Rivera has gone on to be featured on recordings and tours by many other major label artists, including the Indigo Girls, Tracy Chapman, Eric Andersen, Keb’ Mo’, Peter Maffay, David Johansen and Sylvia Tyson of ‘Ian and Sylvia’, and five-time Grammy winner Cindy Cashdollar. She also released 11 solo albums of her own, including genre-bending Celtic and rock albums that cemented her place as one of the world’s most prominent and versatile violinists of her time. 

Rivera was recently featured in the 2019 film, Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese. The film includes captivating original footage of Rivera both behind the scenes and performing live on tour with Dylan in 1975.

Today, Rivera is pleased to introduce her latest rock EP, All of Me, which features the artist’s vocal talents as well. The EP’s producer, Tim Goodman, assembled an impressive lineup of recording musicians for this project. They include: Mike Finnigan on keys (Bonnie Raitt, Crosby Stills and Nash, Jimmie Hendrix and many more); Steve Ferrone on drums (Tom Petty and Eric Clapton); Jimmy Haslip on bass (the Yellow Jackets, Chaka Kahn, Jeff Lorber and Bruce Hornsby); Andrew Kastner on guitar, Bill Bergman on horns (Jack Mack and the Heart Attack); Tim Goodman along with young Blues phenom, Delanie Pickering, on guitars.

Check out Scarlet Rivera’s newly released single, “Dust Bowl”, from her upcoming EP, All of Me – out April 17, 2020!

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Photo Credit: Tyler McIntyre

‘Control of Me’, the new single from Top 40 charting dance pop artist RIELL, is out today on all digital music platforms, along with the spellbindingly dark and gritty video. Watch here

Following the release of ‘Stubborn’ earlier this year, Control of Me’ is the 2nd track to be released from RIELL’s debut album PARADISE which will be out in October 2020. And as the title suggests, the song is all about control and the power dynamics at play within relationships. 

‘”Control of Me‘ is a heavy, groove driven track inspired by a relationship with a moth-to-flame dynamic,” says RIELL. “Even with the relationship being monopolized by this dynamic, the song acknowledges the fact that people only have as much power over you as you give them. In this song, it happens to be someone I gave a lot of control over me and I liked and went along with it. At the end of the day though, I knew they only had control of me for as long as I gave it to them as that is how that power always works.”

The ‘Control of Me’ video is the 2nd in a series of 5 connected videos filmed in Toronto that will be released ahead of RIELL’s debut album, PARADISE, later this year. The project was written and developed over a period of two years while touring around the world, coming to fruition in places like England, Costa Rica, India and Canada. Produced by Robbie Townsend, Biometrix and featuring M.I.M.E., the album revolves around themes of self-exploration, an obsession with hardship and the impact of perspective on reality.

In addition to being an internationally touring and Top 40 charting dance pop artist and songwriter, RIELL is a highly sought after topliner and vocalist in the EDM scene. She is currently working with popular EDM producers such as Egzod, Besomorph, and Unknown Brain (1.5 million monthly listeners). In the past year, her feature work has accumulated over 15+ million streams, 25+ million views, landed spots on prominent Spotify curated playlists, been supported by prominent DJ’s such as The Chainsmokers and Martin Garrix, and has been a part of notable compilation albums such as NCS: ELEVATE (2019).

RIELL’s new track ‘Control of Me’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services. For more information, please visit: iamriell.com

This past Friday, elusive hip/hop artist Ash Woods shared his debut single with the world, “Temptations,” independently-released. 

Featuring production by Kansas City-bred, electronically infused indie-pop artist Brooks Brown, and catchy, flowing melodies from Ash WoodsTemptations aims to set the expectations high for the young artist.

When Brooks Brown played the beat for the first time, Ash Woods recalls envisioning a group of Motown musicians in tuxedos performing a modern love song. 

“The story, the emotions, and the eventual transition into a spaceless dimension all helped us modernize what was in my imagination.”
– Ash Woods describes on “Temptations”

Ash Woods is a self-declared polymath, a term that delineates his string of creative endeavors. Despite having a great aptitude for computer programming, philosophy and creative writing, Ash currently finds his most innovative potential in music.

As the story goes, his father could replicate any sequence of musical notes (strictly by ear) on his guitar, before his untimely death in 2010.

At 10 years old, Ash was left to raise himself. Growing up, Ash resorted to DIY forms of learning to teach himself to solve math problems in grade school, code with C++, and begin making music with his Blue Snowball microphone on GarageBand. He attributes his eccentricity and individuality to an up-bringing of looking beyond customary notions of education

Across the hall in his freshman year dorm lived Corey Goldglit, who upon hearing Ash Woods’ underproduced tracks, inserted himself as a pillar in the Ash Woods vision. Corey then introduced Ash to the third pillar, Brooks Brown.

After amassing years of written compositions, Ash Woods is finally ready to share his creations with the world. Stream his debut track, “Temptations” at the links below, and be on the look out for more from Ash Woods in 2020.

Temptations by Ash Woods

Meet pop singer, KP Wolfe who is thrilled to share her new single “You Can Call Me” that is out now. 

“You Can Call Me,” produced by GRAMMY®Award-winning Andrew Dawson [Kanye West], co-written with Lauren Christy of GRAMMY®Award-nominated production powerhouse The Matrix [David Bowie, Rihanna]  and starring back to back winner of Adult Video News Female Performer of the Year Tori Black, KP Wolfe seduces her audience with a primal, provocative, and powerful pop song.

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KP Wolfe says,  “It’s about that all-consuming type of love. The kind where you’d do anything no matter the cost. That intimacy that brings out all the desperation and loneliness because now you have something to lose.”

“I wrote this song about the idea that love can overpower rationality and you kind of lose yourself in it. Writing the storyboard, I wanted to flirt with the line between love and obsession.” 

KP wants to challenge the norm of casting models and adult actresses as twerking props behind a male artist. So she cast iconic adult actress Tori Black as her love interest. 

When asked about casting Tori in her music video, KP explains “I wanted to show Tori as someone involved in a tender, loving and complicated relationship. Besides being a superstar in her industry, Tori is this amazingly sweet and compassionate person and I wanted to cast her in a role that reflects that. As women we can be both sexual beings and the romantic lead. And I think that’s a feminist as fuck dichotomy.” 

A woman lunges into the crowd as her voice rings out. All of the passion, pain, and power from her music drain into smeared makeup, cathartic tears, a trail of glitter, and a triumphant wail. KP Wolfe shows no fear. The Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter channels a primal intensity into loud, lush, lusty, and lively pop music underpinned by rock attitude. Following a star-making turn as part of A Night With Janis Joplin, she makes her solo debut in 2019 with a scorching and spirited singular style. Recently, she settled on the West Coast, splitting time between Joshua Tree and Los Angeles. Simultaneously, NOFX and Air Supply tapped her for collaborations and she constantly wrote under the radar. In 2018, she buckled down and focused on crafting what would become her solo project alongside high-profile collaborators such as Lauren Christy of GRAMMY®Award-nominated production powerhouse The Matrix [David Bowie, Rihanna].

We wrote “Someone New” to channel the dark, cold mood one goes through when dealing with an unexpected breakup. This was one of the first songs that we worked on together. It took some time to feel comfortable releasing something so personal.

Listen to “Someone New” through Spotify ➤ Apple Music ➤ SoundCloud

The song is based on a rough demo that Sidny had written. Chaix played around with a few wildly different takes before finding the right sound. He really wanted to emphasize the anti-drop: build everything up, then pull it all away for a super minimal, head nodding drop.

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The content of “Someone New” is somewhat daunting, yet we found ourselves bumping to it thanks to the bounce of the song’s production.

Oftentimes, it’s common to experience a fluctuation in emotions when coming out of a relationship. “Someone New” describes that series of after effects.

Thank you for listening,

Sidny x Chaix

Fake Shape is an Alternative-Indie band from Hamilton, Ontario that formed in September 2018. All five musicians offer their own aesthetic, creating music that falls between funk, indie-rock, pop and ambient electronic. They have been writing and recording at Fort Rose in Hamilton and are getting ready to release their debut EP, Night Swim. The songs drift through contrasting mindsets and morphing textures like navigating a solitary swim through dark water.

It's Easy by Fake Shape

Life isn’t about simply taking risks. It’s really about choosing the right risk. You could say that pop singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Johnny Stimson chose rather wisely.

After landing high-profile syncs on The Vampire Diaries and Trophy Wife and building a growing following, the Dallas native urged a European booking agent to get him a show in London. He had a gut feeling something would happen in the wake of it, so he went across the pond for the gig. The next day, he got a rather unexpected, yet extremely welcome call. Stimson reveals, “Someone at the show knew Elton John, told him about my music, and Elton called me the next morning,” he smiles. “In the following months we built this incredible partnership. I recognized the importance of taking risks, because it was the only way I would’ve been able to do this.”
 
Drawing from influences as diverse as The Beatles, Tom Misch, Sam Cooke, and Frank Ocean, Stimson brings a distinct sense of soul to pop music—not only through his silk-smooth vocals, but also through his impressive skills on each piano, guitar, and bass. Stimson fuses funk-fueled soundscapes with soulful R&B rasp and leaned-back grooves, creating and maintaining an irresistibility throughout his music. Inspired by interesting chords and theoretical elements, Stimson’s releases mix the organic with the electronic. He confides, “I want to continue to have sonic variety in my music, but to have common thematic and musical ideas that help the songs work together to tell a complete story”. 
New single “Hard to Say Goodbye” features Stimson’s gorgeous melodies over chilled out beats with R&B flavor.  “Hard to Say Goodbye” is about being homesick even before you leave home.  It is about noticing every bit of perfection on your way out the door. 
 
Stimson has seen success with his single ‘Holding On’ garnering the title of most Shazam’ed song by an unsigned artist in the UK, as well as reaching Top 40 in the UK’s iTunes charts. Last year, his single “Honeymoon” went viral in Indonesia and landed in #2 spot on iTunes. He has topped the Spotify Viral 50 charts in ten countries, accumulated over twenty five million hits on Spotify alone and received acclaim from publications such as Billboard, Idolator, Refinery29, MTV Buzzworthy, Nylon, GRAMMY.com, and more. Having toured with the likes of SoMo and Tori Kelly, as well as headlining his own shows across Asia, Stimson is ready to continue the next chapter of his musical career.
 

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Pop/R&B artist Rayvon Owen is thrilled announce his new EP, Las Virginia, to be released on April 3rd. As a preview, Rayvon has released the new single, “Honesty”  and featured on Billboard.

Rayvon says, “In many ways, ‘Honesty’ sums up the entire concept of Las Virginia as an album: the dichotomy between where I’ve been and where I’m going, and how those two halves ultimately make me who I am right now, in this moment. It’s about honesty and dishonesty—with each other, but more importantly, within ourselves.”

Las Virginia reflects Owen’s journey of growth, as well as the combination of where he came from with who he is now. Authenticity is a common theme within the native Virginian’s music; past EPs delved deeply into themes of personal authenticity, self-confidence, and love. It took awhile to get there, however.

Owens says, “It’s all about my internal yin and yang, growing up in the east but now living in the west, and the battle of who I was taught to be versus who I am becoming.”

Owen’s glowing collection of pop gems—layered with textures of soul, R&B, and incandescent synth—have earned attention from the likes of People Magazine , Huffington Post , USA Today , and Billboard. Recent singles have included: “Flexin’ My Vibe,” with a feature appearance from the “Selfie Kid,” Ryan McKenna; “Tonight” with a feature from Matillo; “Like a Storm;” and “X,” which Owen credits for inspiring the vibe of Las Virginia .

Other significant appearances and accolades have included being Elvis Duran’s “Artist of the Month” (Jan/Feb 2018); performing his single “Gold” on the TODAY Show; winning the “Rising Star” award at the 2015 L.A. Music Awards; having “Gold” featured as Nylon Magazine’s “Best Releases of the Week” (Jan 2018); and receiving nearly 3 million YouTube views combined of his covers of “Ignition” and “Don’t Let Me Down” with Postmodern Jukebox

Whether onstage, in the studio, or deep into the songwriting process, Rayvon Owen strives to entertain his listeners, while also creating an immersive and inspirational experience.

neillfrazer@hotmail.com

 
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