Swedish artist and prolific songwriter SHY Martin (real name Sara Hjellström) has released a brand new single titled “can I call you back?” The track is available everywhere now here.
Delving into her struggles with mental health in a delicate and poetic stream of consciousness, “can I call you back?” is SHY at her most personal and vulnerable to-date. As she describes,
- “I remember first experiencing anxiety when I was turning 13. At the time I didn’t know what that feeling was, only that it made me very sad, and extremely lonely. Last year I decided to finally share my struggles with anxiety with the people who listen to my music. Even though I know mental illness is common, I never really understood how widespread it was until I started receiving lots of messages from people who were sharing their own stories and struggles. Starting that conversation felt so important for me, and to keep it going I need to keep being honest with my music. ‘can I call you back?’ is a continuation of that.”
The new single comes on the heels of SHY’s recent collaboration with fellow Swedish artist Boy In Space on “Still The Same,” which Ladygunn coined “a lustrous bop. Anthemic and free-spirited” in a joint interview with the two rising artists. SHY kicked off 2020 with January’s elegantly emotive “Slow,” which has already seen nearly 8MM Spotify streams. The songs are a precursor to a new EP expected later this year.
2019 saw SHY release a string of singles and collaborations solidifying her place among the top rising pop artists. Single “Make Us Never Happen” debuted with Forbes and saw top placement across many Spotify ‘New Music Friday’ playlists. Summer 2019 single “Same Old” and spring release “Out of My Hands” were equally well-received with support from the likes of V Magazine, PAPER, Idolator, and The Line of Best Fit, among others. SHY Martin also recently released a collaboration with Swedish duo NOTD on track “Keep You Mine.”
Since the release of her December 2018 debut EP, Overthinking, which featured standout singles “Forget To Forget,” “Good Together,” and “Just A Little Longer,” SHY Martin has amassed a collective 150 million+ Spotify streams. Her releases have generated widespread critical love, notably with PAPER naming SHY among their ‘100 People Taking over 2019.’
2019 also saw SHY Martin complete her first European headline tour, which traversed 14 cities and stunned audiences with her electrifying live show. SHY also supported Nina Nesbitt last December at her London show. Stay tuned for more tour news to come.
Producer/artist NATIIVE and sister duo KTJ & CARLY craft an explosive mix of electronic pop on their collaboration, “Holding On,” out now.
NATIIVE brings years of songwriting and production chops to the table. With over 13M+ streams, including his hit single “Memories,” NATIIVE has worked alongside industry heavyweights, including Ella Vos, Cailee Rae and Alexander Oscar. His tracks have been featured on New Music Friday, Chilled Pop Hits, and New Pop Revolution among several other curated Spotify owned playlists.
Combine his success with the rising star power of KTJ & CARLY and it’s no surprise you have a hit on your hands. After releasing their debut single, “On Your Mind,” the sisters were named Artist to Watch in 2020. They’re soulful vocals, and sizzling R&B vibes have captured the attention of fans, culminating in multiple sold-out shows at popular Los Angeles venues.
On the elusive dance track, “Holding On,” the magnetic vibrations are there from the start. The rhythm slowly builds to a booming, atmospheric chorus radiating with pulsating energy. Produced by NATIIVE, the pristine production creates a sonic landscape ripe for KTJ & CARLY’s haunting call and repeat vocals. Layers of synths and heady, seductive vocal arrangements ensure a repeat-worthy melody sure to be a mainstay on the club scene.
NATIIVE Ft. KTJ & CARLY’s new single, “Holding On,” out now.
MJ Ultra debuts an undeniably sexy, soul-infused R&B track with “Moonlight.” The alternative-R&B singer-songwriter has accomplished a string of successes over the past few years, including multiple music placements and a successful European tour in support of his independent debut album, “Ocean Drive.” His music has been featured on Dancing With The Stars and America’s Got Talent, and his collaboration with Barcelona-based DJ duo, Boxinlion, has garnered over 50 million streams worldwide. Additionally, he’s scored numerous original songs for film and television, including tracks for Universal Pictures “Bring It On: Worldwide,” Justin Timberlake’s “Friends With Benefits,” and Kevin James’ “Here Comes the Boom.” With the release of his newest single, “Moonlight,” off his upcoming EP due out later this year, MJ Ultra defines himself as an R&B talent that will only continue to rise.
The sultry, seductive sounds of “Moonlight” creates an atmosphere ripe for candlelit nights under the moonlight. Awash in a sleek, smooth melody, MJ Ultra’s vocals sway effortlessly to the beat of the rhythm, like a yearning slow dance with the one you love. The perfect backdrop to a lover’s night in, this ode to the feminine uses ancient themes to praise the beauty of the female form. The track reverberates a heated sensuality that billows with each rhythmic bump and grind, the perfect track to add to that lover’s playlist. The neo-classic R&B single shines a spotlight on MJ Ultra’s undeniable talents as both a soulful vocalist and a talented songwriter.
‘Brumtown’, as described by TT x Raph is a reminiscent track. They go on to say “Brumtown is a song celebrating the city of Birmingham. We outline some of the city’s much loved and recognized attractions around Birmingham that we enjoy visiting. Being from Birmingham, we’ve had certain challenges that we have faced but no matter where we go and what our career has in store for us, we back Birmingham One Thousand Percent.”
Stepping it up and stepping out with a major introduction to themselves, TT x Raph level up for their new joint. With an undeniable work rate, the duo are best known for their catchy hooks and with a unique sound described as ‘wavy trap with a pinch of afro-swing’, and as they deliver ‘Brumtown’, be prepared to see a lot more of them throughout 2020.
My new song, “Something to Lose,” was born from a romance that eventually bloomed into a relationship. At the time, my heart was healing so it was a safe, trusting space where love could flourish.
You are capable of love, even if you feel damaged and broken.
Watch the “Something to Lose” video on YOUTUBE now.
You can also listen to the track on SPOTIFY ⚡️APPLE MUSIC.
DYLYN
FACEBOOK ⚡️TWITTER ⚡️INSTAGRAM
Captivating, critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Ben Wylen is thrilled to release his brand new single “Lover’s Blues” and featured on Earmilk. This empowering and emotional track showcases Ben’s raw dynamic vocals around a notion about love that people may confront in their everyday life.
Ben says, “One of the concepts about love that has always been the most intriguing to me is the idea that you might hate the person you love and simultaneously desire them. This is the ultimate paradox and one that lies at the heart of this song.”
“Lover’s Blues” is the third single off of his debut solo album “People Say” set to be released on Nov 6th, 2020. He recently released his musical gem “Veins” and the self-discovery title track “People Say.” Each song on the album will be released on the first Friday of each month leading up to the release full LP.
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.
Acclaimed New York City soul-rocker, Lisa Ramey has released her anticipated debut full-length album, Surrender. The album is a follow-up to Ramey’s debut EP, I Am… Lisa Ramey, where she first enticed listeners with her unique funk-meets-R&B sound in 2018. On Surrender, Ramey gets candid about life, love and music. This album comes on the heels of her tremendous success on The Voice in 2019, where she garnered rave reviews from national music fans and media alike. Entertainment Weekly called her “a force to be reckoned with,” while Newsweek lauded her as “a natural performer.”
Ramey’s wrote all 13 tracks on her Surrender album over a four-year period. She wrote each song from a different aspect of her life. Her song “Creeping Along” shows her fear of rodents also known as musophobia. Her single off the album, “You Ain’t My Friend” – a gritty, rock and roll song – displays the artist’s experiences with the perils of friendships. Each track takes you on a different journey through Lisa Ramey’s powerful lyrics and vocals.
During these chaotic times, Ramey partnered up with a leading streaming platform Twitch.tv to host her virtual album release event on March 27th. During the event, Ramey along with Broadway star Tim Young, who opened for her. She also provided links for viewers to donate to two charities, The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and MusiCares. With the aid of 2,400 viewers, Ramey was able to raise over $3,600.00 for both causes.
Be sure to check out Surrender, the debut full-length album by bold soul-rocker Lisa Ramey, available on all streaming platforms!
I wrote “New World” to convey the feeling of alienation in a world full of constant innovation.
The inspiration for this song came as I was walking through a park in Australia, listening to a new record on repeat. I came across a group of dogs playing together, while their owners were standing side by side staring at their phones, devoid of any communication.
Witnessing this juxtaposition, the lyrics came to me right away as I raced home to lay some music down underneath the idea.
I worked with Cody Taylor of Fiend Recordings in Vancouver, who produced the track. It was a really fun and challenging process for me, as I played every instrument on the recording.
I hope you can groove to “New World” and connect with its theme. Although we’re more connected than ever, sometimes it can feel like we’re more divided than ever before.
Thank you for engaging with my song,
okabe
https://soundcloud.com/okabemusic/new-world
Midnight Vesta is a folk-rock band based out of Toronto, ON. Since the release of their debut EP, ‘The Sleight of Hand’ the band have been working the 401 and expanding an audience with their live performance. After solidifying their lineup in 2017 the band released their first LP, ‘Seconds’, which saw them shift from a banjo driven folk group to a guitar laden quartet, smothered in harmony. With successful national tours, airplay on community radio as well as the CBC, Midnight Vesta continues to establish themselves as a band with unprecedented work ethic and multi-generational appeal. They are set to release their second LP in early 2020.
The L.A.-raised brother duo have carved out a fresh genre of indie-pop that breathes life into today’s music scene. The Lagoons, composed of Ryan and Joey Selan, found music at a young age. Their love for music evolved to writing, producing, and recording all of their own music in their home studio and have become multi-instrumentalists along the way.
The production duo’s unique blend of genres was first heard on their debut single California and was followed up by Gems EP & Escape EP. The Lagoons have been featured in Netflix’s series “Easy,” in a BMW ad with Kate Upton, and played across Bose stores worldwide.
Their most recent singles Milagro, Give It Up For Love, and Love To Love You have received rave reviews from tastemakers and fans. In addition to being added to numerous Spotify playlists including New Music Friday, NPR has included The Lagoons in their Heavy Rotation for ’10 Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing’ and “Song Of The Day”. The duo will be releasing their upcoming album Spring 2020.
Mak10 and Nasty Jack have been pivotal members of the grime scene since the beginning. Mak, as a DJ mastered his craft from a young age, always showing versatility and evolving his sets by including his own productions whilst specialising in Bassline, Garage, Grime, Dubstep and Drum and Bass. His career started with the infamous Nasty Crew with his brother renowned DJ Marcus Nasty, helping develop some of the biggest names in the genre such as Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Ghetts, D Double E to name a few.
Nasty Jack is known for his swaggy in the baggy style, synonymous with the pioneering grime collective, his lyricism, prolific work rate and energy has seen him influence Grime as a producer, MC and creative director.
Nasty Crew (Natural Artistic Sounds Touching You) were at the forefront of the Grime movement with one of the most popular shows on Deja Vu and with releases such as ‘Take You Out’ and ‘Girls Love Nasty’.
Together they are a force to be reckoned with, having grown a loyal fanbase over the years and with a chorus that you will play over in your head from the first listen of ‘Love Life’, the visuals show Mak10 and Nasty Jack living their best lives with beautiful women and good alcohol.
Check out LOVE LIFE out now across all DSP’s.
Photo Credit: Val Rios
Meet Almondmilkhunni – the seductive Latina break-out creating dreamy pop soundscapes tinged with R&B and layered with warm, ethereal vocals. The singer, songwriter, and undeniable b*tch from down the block, just released her debut self-titled EP via Electric Feel Records — LISTEN HERE
Single “Bandana” samples Usher’s “U Remind Me” over hypnotic production and combines Almondmilkhunni’s signature fluttering, floating vocals and attitude, which Billboard praised as a “swaggering kiss-off.”
Can we set up a new music feature, news post, or interview? We’d also love to be included in any new music roundups or playlists
You need to experience the sweet, sass, and sultry that is the essence of Almondmilkhunni for yourself!
To say Almondmilkhunni has done it all, might actually be understatement. The girl’s trip has taken her from growing up in the church, to putting herself through college by dancing, to turning heads with a handful of viral social media posts, and finally doing what she was always meant to do, flexing her true power as a pop-R&B disruptor. Emerging in 2019, she gathered over 2 million streams, signed to Electric Feel Records, and attracted all kinds of tastemaker praise on her first two singles “Grapefruit” [feat. Evander Griiim] and “Henni Heartbreak”.
Say hello to Rozette, and sink your teeth, into BITE—the big, powerful, wild, fun, sexy, quirky and SO empowering it’s-basically-selfish spring anthem you didn’t know you needed.
Rozette has been sharing her big, powerful and technically masterful voice across North America for the past decade. With the power of Gaga, the attitude of Pink and the old-soul maturity of Adele, Rozette’s upcoming EP combines and unleashes her #sorrynotsorry, empowering, feminist spirit like none of her previous work.
BITE is about indulging in all those things you want, that for some ridiculous reason we’re still led to believe aren’t acceptable, or worse, “lady-like” to want. Things like: confidence, sex, spontaneity, being loud, being sassy, and behaving with an utter shamelessness throughout it all.
Following BITE, “Fallback”, Rozette’s LGBTQ tribute, will be released July 8, just in time to soak in the empowering vibes in high summer.
Sizzy Rocket is presenting her new single “Smells Like Sex.” Inspired by the lyrics of Marcy Playground’s 90s hit “Sex and Candy,” “Smells Like Sex” is Sizzy Rocket’s loud, bold, and unapologetic declaration that she likes to — put simply — fuck.
“I knew that I wanted to make a sex positive anthem, something clever and sexy but still smart. Like, how do I talk about pussy in a fun, intelligent way?,” Sizzy writes of the thought process behind “Smells Like Sex.” Marked with provocative lyricism, a pounding bass-heavy trap beat, and rap-pop vocal stylings, Sizzy Rocket holds nothing back on the new single. It’s a sex positive anthem twisted with Sizzy Rocket’s signature in-your-face energy. “Smells Like Sex” marks Sizzy Rocket’s second single of the year, following up on the February release of her gritty alt-rock video/single “THAT BITCH.”
Sizzy Rocket is the cool best friend you wish you had growing up — the one who doused herself in glitter and moved to New York to start a punk band. And that’s exactly what she did, along with booking her own shows at underground clubs and releasing secret songs via Dropbox to her rabid Twitter following. During her time in New York, Sizzy worked with top tier producers, leading to a deal with UMPG. In addition to her own original music, Sizzy has also written for all the cool girls of pop, like Noah Cyrus, Bea Miller, and Hey Violet.
In 2016, Sizzy released her debut album, THRILLS. The album’s lead single, “Bestie,” became a viral sensation, receiving praise from the likes of New York Magazine, PAPER, and BUSTLE. Since her initial breakout, Sizzy has continued to cultivate a cult-like following with the release of her 2017 mixtape Hot Summer and her 2019 sophomore album GRRRL, which was supported by a sold out, self-booked US tour with chloe mk.
When she’s not trading fan mail with her cult, Sizzy is building her own independent record label, designing and packaging her own merch, and booking her own tours. Sizzy challenges what it means to be a pop artist in 2020 with her DIY approach, openly queer and unapologetic lyricism, and her genre-blending musicality that takes influence from punk, rock, pop and beyond.
Listen to “Smells Like Sex”:
https://sizzyrocket.lnk.to/SmellsLikeSex
While it’s been a long journey from conceptualization to release, I realize now that this project is really a culmination of everything I’ve done since I started really taking this music thing seriously, or perhaps even earlier than that.
The whole EP was produced by Goldchain and I, with some other collaborators (Matt Kahane, Quin Kiu, Elijah Woods, and Julian Psihogios) chipping in production on the songs they helped write. Funnily enough, one of the biggest recurring problems throughout the lifespan of the relationship Cheap Therapy was written about, was that I travelled/worked too much and didn’t have enough time to dedicate to her. That theme continued into the creative process of this record, where everything was fairly run-and-gun and we worked whenever we had the time/some kind of place to go.
Cheap Therapy started off being about me and some things I was going through, but now it’s really for all of you.
Thank you for listening.
EZRA JORDAN
– Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Website –
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.
https://www.instagram.com/johnnystimson/
https://www.facebook.com/johnnystimson
https://twitter.com/johnnystimson
Born in North West London, Treasure’s family relocated to the Countryside in the early 2000’s trading the busy city life for the suburban serenity, a feeling present throughout his catalogue. Inspired by the likes of Frank Ocean, Choker, HOMESHAKE, The Internet and D’Angelo, his laidback production and genre-merging tendencies provide a nostalgia based backdrop for his lush soulful harmonies. Treasure wears his emotions on his sleeve. He transverses his musical world with this heightened sense of vulnerability, creating a space where he and the listener can rest at ease with no fear of judgement.
Following the success of his debut self-titled album, Treasure is unveiling a nine-track EP entitled Suffocation & Air. The anticipated release oozes with a hypnagogic pop vibe, delivering lethargic yet funky synthscapes with 80’s tinged falsetto vocal arrangements. The EP narrates Treasure’s own life experiences, focusing on self-acceptance and love in all forms. The songwriter shares, “I’ve always struggled to fit in and can’t find my place in this industry or world even, but I’m okay with that. Music is my way of protesting my unapologetic individuality.” Suffocation & Air is Treasure’s own unique take on indie rock, peppered with jazz-tinged vibrations. As an exploration of opposites the EP emanates dark, moody tones, with an intimate ethereal sound.
Leading single “You & I” details the struggle of expressing emotions and the musician’s fear of leaving the house after going through a traumatic assault. The song depicts the process of feeling free after a long period of emotional imprisonment. Featuring haunting vocals, minimalistic melodies and textured harmonies the song is reminiscent of a dream like state, floating between worlds. Then there is “More” – a track which speaks for itself. We live in a material world where we are always craving more. Treasure confides, “I’ve come from a working class family so when I started earning all I could think of was spending money on material goods because that’s what everyone else was doing. Little did I know that no amount of material could fill the void.” “More” showcases funk-fuelled basslines, donning a guitar-driven backdrop, taking listeners on an emotionally fuelled, downtempo journey. With cascading vocals and twinkling synths, “Where have you been?” chronicles the journey of finding one’s self.
Treasure has seen success with his previous releases garnering extensive playlisting from the likes of Spotify official playlists, COLORS, Apple Music and Starbucks. Suffocation & Air is currently available worldwide.
C. SHIROCK is Chuck Shirock – founder, frontman and primary writer for internationally acclaimed band, SHIROCK. The new music from C. SHIROCK is an evolution and a distillation of his previous work, cutting to the core of his identity, with a power and clarity not heard before. Blending anthemic choruses, musical builds and releases with heartfelt and personal lyrics, the new music from C. SHIROCK delivers a vulnerability, urgency and an aching vocal that is uniquely his own. Driving rhythms and bass are anchors to the soaring melodies, layers of keyboards, and programming that call to mind the emotive, intelligent pop music of artists such as Peter Gabriel and David Bowie.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, C. SHIROCK has lived in the Philippines, Scotland and Nashville. Coming from a family of creatives and musicians, he grew up the oldest of four, playing piano, writing and composing from a very early age. His mother was a professional ballet dancer, his father an avid guitarist and his grandfather an accomplished jazz pianist.
The cultural influences of C. SHIROCK’s upbringing, both musically and melodically, can be heard in his latest releases. Seamlessly blending his refined melodic and pop sensibility with years of classical training and hints of Phil Collins, Prince, and The Cure, C. SHIROCK has established a defined and modern sound. After going through major life changes and transitions, C. SHIROCK decided it was time for a change of identity and took the leap from playing in his band SHIROCK, to going it alone. “I viewed it as a continuation or an evolution or sorts. It’s been incredibly freeing and liberating to chase whatever turns me on…to create without inhibition”, reveals the musician.
Continuing to carve out his unique place with this new project, C. SHIROCK unveils “All We Have Is This Moment”. The stunning track narrates being present, as we never know what tomorrow will hold and glistens with ethereal synths, haunting vocals and twinkling percussion. The songwriter confides, “Never has this song felt more true – with so much uncertainty in the world, so much fear and so many questions, all we have is today. For me this is a constant reminder to live fully wherever I am. I’ve wasted too many days living for some future that I don’t even know if it will come. It’s a song about learning to ‘live immediately.’ – a phrase from one of my favorite philosophers, Seneca.”
C. SHIROCK has found success with his music featured in multiple TV networks including MTV, NBC and ABC, as well as working with brands such as American Eagle and Hollister. He has performed at major summer festivals in front of hundreds of thousands of people across the US and UK, alongside acts such as Twenty One Pilots, Cage The Elephant and Manchester Orchestra, to name a few. Outside of his music, the songwriter is also a professional model landing his face on campaigns across the globe. He has further involved himself in charity work, where he has partnered with various homeless and poverty-focused organizations.
Los Angeles alt-rockers WEATHERS are kicking off 2020 in style, dropping a new single that’s as danceable as it is relatable. Known for serving up lyrics with real substance, Weathers have channeled a particularly personal experience in “Feel Good” and offered up a vulnerable alt-rock bop for the ages. With the help of award-winning producer /songwriter Tim Panotta (Coin, Walk The Moon, St. Lucia), the song melds a myriad of retro and modern musical influences balancing the solemn lyrical content with punchy, upbeat instrumentation.
Acclaimed Los Angeles singer, songwriter, and artist India Shawn unveils a pair of brand-new singles entitled “Cali Love” and “Not Too Deep” [feat. 6lack]. These mark her official debut for Epic Records.
Get ‘Not Too Deep’ [feat. 6lack] HERE and ‘Cali Love’ HERE
She also shared the music video for “Cali Love” via Okayplayer. Watch it HERE. In the visual, she dons a gorgeous and glimmering cannabis crown with each pre-roll covered in Swarovski crystals and her body is adorned in other stunning amulets and jewels. Bathed in heavenly light and through a haze of smoke, she croons sultry verses in front of a rose wall before posing a ponderous and passionate question, “Will you find true love in L.A.?” Over production from D’Mile [Rihanna, Justin Bieber], her voice takes flight.
On the other end of the spectrum, “Not Too Deep” [feat. 6lack] pairs her breathy vocals with delicate piano and off-kilter hi-hats. Both songs illuminate her psychedelically spun projection of neo-R&B. They also pave the way for her new EP–coming very soon.
About the songs, she commented, “As a SoCal native, I couldn’t see myself calling anywhere else home; I just haven’t had great luck dating here. In ‘Cali Love,’ I’m asking, ‘Where do you find a true love in L.A.?’ When I wrote ‘Not Too Deep,’ my head and heart were in the admiration, appreciation, and simplicity of newfound love. It reminds of one of my favorite Osho quotes, ‘If you love a flower, don’t pick it up. If you pick it up, it dies, and it ceases to be what you love. So, if you love a flower, let it be’.”
Beyond a fruitful songwriting career with credits for the likes of Chris Brown, Diddy-Dirty Money, and more, she has stirred up palpable buzz as a solo artist. In addition to a Solange co-sign, HYPEBEAST has called her voice “angelic,” while Okayplayer has praised her “sleek vocal treatments.” Rolling Out promised, “On the radar artist India Shawn is a singer-songwriter with an ethereal voice.”
Fall in “Cali Love” with India Shawn now.
My new song – “Danger” – was inspired by a specific experience I had with a guy that I was seeing. It was that kind of situation where you just know it’s going to end, and it’s not going to end well. Everything just happens so fast, and you’re almost blinded by your emotions and feelings towards the person… but a little part of you all along was telling you to be careful.
Listen to “Danger” on your preferred streaming platform now.
This song is about getting over someone that I somehow knew would end up hurting me. I’m hoping that if you hear it, that it can give them that sense of closure if you’ve gone through a similar breakup.
There is a strength in knowing you overcame something that had the potential to consume you.
Christee Palace
Donovan Woods is “no stranger to making music that tugs at the heart-strings” (FADER), he wins the 2019 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) Roots Album of the Year award for his 12-track LP ‘Both Ways’ (4.20.18). Known for his work alongside artists like Tim McGraw, Charles Kelley, and songwriter circles in Nashville, Woods won a JUNO Award earlier this year for the same album, but this marks his first ever win at the CCMAs.
‘Both Ways’ has been recognized by FADER, Rolling Stone, Billboard, American Songwriter and others, praising Woods’ knack for intimate storytelling. An advocate for females in country music (see post-CCMA social post here), Woods recorded “I Ain’t Ever Loved No One” acoustically alongside CCMA Female Artist of the Year, Tenille Townes.
Woods — whose “songs are worth a million bucks” (WXPN / NPR) — will open for Ruston Kelly this fall, with shows in New York City, Los Angeles, D.C., and other major markets. Next weekend, Woods will debut new music and make his Pilgrimage Festival debut. For tickets and more information, visit donovanwoods.net.
Raye Zaragoza (pronounced ray zay-rah-GO-zah) is an award-winning singer-songwriter who carries an acoustic guitar and a message. Her quiet yet powerful song “In the River,” written in response to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota, garnered half a million video views, national media coverage, and a Global Music Award and Honesty Oscar. Her forthcoming sophomore LP recorded with Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, First Aid Kit) will be released in 2020.
Writing about social issues comes naturally to Raye. “As a woman of color in America, social issues are things you deal with and see every day of your life,” she says. “I write about my experience and oftentimes my existence has been laced with injustice.”
Raye’s debut album, Fight For You (independent, 2017), displays her compassion, dedication to justice and equality for all, and keen eye for the seemingly small daily moments that become our most meaningful memories. About the record, Raye says, “This album is about finding yourself and finding your voice. It’s about maturing and realizing that you can make a difference if you so choose.”
Raye performs her music all over the United States and Europe. Her music has been featured on Billboard, Popmatters, Earmilk, Democracy Now! and on numerous lists of the best modern-day protest songs, including those by Paste Magazine, What Culture, and Overblown. She has also performed live sessions for Paste, Daytrotter, and FNX.
Raye has spoken on panels at Bonnaroo and SXSW on topics ranging from preventing sexual violence to engaging her fanbase as an independent artist. She has toured in support of Dispatch, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Kiefer Sutherland, William Elliott Whitmore, Dar Williams, Donovan Woods, and many more.
“Speaking truth to power, Raye Zaragoza is a voice made for our times.” – PopMatters
A debut comes with pressure to succeed. Ontario-based country singer-songwriter Ryan Langdon doesn’t sweat it too much, though. With his debut EP, Lit in the Sticks, he exudes a confident mix of earworm hooks, small-town trouble-making, and feel-good songwriting that positions him as one of country music’s most promising newcomers. He lands somewhere between Chris Young’s bellowing bass and Jason Aldean-sized showmanship, but he always stamps his songs with his own swagger and style, too.
“It’s a guaranteed good time,” he promises with essential cut “Crossfaded,” a nod to drinking and smoking in tandem, Willie Nelson style. “Mix it / Roll it / Drink it / Smoke it,” he urges the listener to be present and take each moment by the horns – in whatever way that manifests. Elsewhere, songs like “The Dirt,” a guitar-laden shuffle, and the smolderin’ “Feelin’ That” permit Langdon to fuse a brawny vocal tone with a fresh contemporary flavor.
Langdon is firmly radio-friendly, but he plants his songwriting in authentic celebrations of real life. “When you smiled back at me, girl / That’s when I knew / You were the best night of my life,” he reminisces on “Best Night,” a sweet, romantic mid-tempo dedicated to his girlfriend and the first night they met. “Still can’t believe / That we talked to three / Shouting over everyone / Sure, we had some beer / But looking back, it’s clear / It was you giving me a buzz.”
Langdon’s Lit in the Sticks EP – produced by Karen Kosowski (Brett Kissel, Melanie Dyer) – combs life’s beauty, charm, and light – a getaway of sorts from a dark, cold world. “Don’t take life too seriously,” he says. “This EP is all about having a good time. There’s a good rhythm to it, too, and it makes people want to dance.”
In early 2019, Langdon took several trips to Nashville, co-writing predominantly with Kosowski and Emma Lee (Kira Isabella, Tim Hicks), which resulted in a songwriting spree and a sturdy set of songs. “Songwriting is definitely not easy. You really learn that it is a job,” he says. “There’s a reason some of these people are the best of the best. It’s an amazing process when it’s all finalized and you write a good song. There’s no better feeling.”
With a booming lower register, and a great knack for melody, it’s hard to imagine Langdon as anything other than a country singer. Growing up in Niagara Falls, he took the lead from his athletic father, who played collegiate football for the University of Tennessee, and originally had ambitions to become a sports star.
Langdon dabbled with songwriting, picking up a guitar in high school and playing around at various coffee houses, but college took him to Buffalo, New York to play baseball. Music only seemed like a hobby, a backseat pleasure that hadn’t quite wrangled him in yet.
“People were shocked I could sing,” he remembers of a song called “I Remember,” one of his first original compositions. “Everybody in high school knew the lyrics. It wasn’t the best song in the world. I was always a melody writer. Melodies always come easy to me.”
Time would prove to be all that he needed. Langdon, whose entry points into music run the gamut, from Hank Williams Jr. to Prince and Guns ‘N Roses, blends a rough, country-rock sensibility with a keen eye for radio gum – the kind that’s addicting and lingering with you for days and days.
Langdon is currently riding a wave of early success. Last summer, he performed at the CMAO Awards (Country Music Association of Ontario Awards) and enjoyed a nomination for Rising Star. His song “Lit in the Sticks” is closing in on one and a half million streams, a perfect primer for a debut that explodes with arena-worthy energy and earthy intensity you won’t soon forget.
Langdon’s Lit in the Sticks EP keeps time with the current country landscape but allows a bit of grit to soak through. “I wanted to write something edgier that showed off my bottom end vocals,” he says, noting the synergy with his producer and co-writers. The newcomer is bound to turn a few heads, and his arsenal of must-hear tracks, including fire burner opener “Buck Wild,” is about to put him on the map for good.
Photo Credit: Sam Bryant Knolton
pop/R&B artist and songwriter Lili Kendall will release her debut project, love, herself, a transformative and healing body of work that chronicles womanhood, self-empowerment, love, and life. Today, Lili presents the final pre-release single, “third degree love crimes” alongside the love, herself pre-order.
“We do some crazy shit for, and in, love. And that’s what inspired this song,” Lili writes of her new soulful, emotionally-driven ballad, “third degree love crimes.” Created in collaboration with her good friend and producer SLMN, Lili shares that the writing process was a breeze: “It was just one of those songs/feelings that was lying dormant in us waiting to be heard, and nothing was going to stop it that day.”
Originally hailing from Brisbane, Australia, songwriter and artist Lili Kendall has been living in LA for the past two years, working on her craft and growing into her own. Leading in to her debut full-length project, love, herself, Lili has teased a number of vibrant, empowering singles and visuals that have been championed by tastemakers like FLAUNT, Enfnts Terribles Magazine, and Popular TV. Stay tuned for love, herself out April 22nd.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
