With a dynamic voice and effortless cool, John K invites listeners to experience an eternal summer all year-round. The Florida native quietly cemented himself as an artist to watch and in 2017, Elvis Duran handpicked the independent rising star as his “Artist of the Month.” Not only did he land features from Nylon, Billboard, Huffington Post, and more, but he also staked out coveted real estate on top Spotify playlists such as New Music Friday. Within two years, he independently amassed upwards of 50 million streams and charted a bona fide hit in the form of “OT.” Signed to Epic Records in 2019, he brought the sunshine to soul on the if we never met EP, featuring stand out single “if we never met.” The track has since garnered 145+ million streams and received a performance on the TODAY Show. John K also teamed up with country superstar Kelsea Ballerini for a brand new version of the song, as well an official remix by BRIT-nominated DJ and producer Sigala. Now, current track “6 Months” continues the momentum and teases more to come.
Photo by SEAN BROWN
There’s a lot of finger pointing in my work.
You broke my heart. You left me.
It was time to recognize patterns and write from a deeper place of self-reflection. My new single looks inward.
Stream “L” on your preferred platform:
https://jesse-gold-music.lnk.to/tookanL
The juxtaposition of melancholic self-reflection and the summer bop feel makes “L” special. I wanted a carefree, fun mood for this track.
As much as I want you to be able to relate to the lyrics, I hope that the music makes you feel good.
JESSE GOLD
Website+Instagram+Twitter+ Facebook
Photo Credit: Justin Broadbent
My new song, “Like We Used To Be,” is about hitting that definitive end moment in a relationship. Somehow that person still holds this ability to make your heart pound and your palms sweat, but you reach a point where you’re able to feel the nostalgia of it all, without feeling like you need to go back. You can see a way to finally begin to move on.
When you’re finally ready to draw that line in the sand, to say ‘no more,’ you set in motion a new possibility. That finality triggers a lot of pain, but that pain marks the start of the healing and the growth.
The production of “Like We Used To Be” went through many incarnations, and I love where we ended up. It’s dancey and energetic with chopped up organic drums. With all my new music, I want you to be able to dance through your emotions, to feel it in your body first.
I hope this track permits you to fully feel experiences from your past without being trapped by them. To be able to look back, from a place of resolve, where you know that whatever it was… it’s behind you now.
Thank you for listening.
PETER KATZ
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram/ Website
Somewhere between the styling of Lauv’s penmanship and Julia Michael’s delivery lies Mike Ruby. Mike’s road to being an artist was far from a straight line. He began his career as a sax player after graduating from Manhattan School of Music, and then toured with the band St Lucia, subsequently appearing on their second studio album. While opening for Ellie Goulding with the band Mike fell in love with pop music and began wondering what life would be like at the front of the stage. He began self-teaching himself guitar, vocals and the art of songwriting. “The first 500 songs I wrote weren’t great, but you’ve gotta fertilize the field to grow a flower” says Mike. He goes on to say “Eventually with each song I wrote I started to find myself in the music.”
Ruby’s first love, however, will always be the sax. You’ll hear it embedded in almost every song on the album including songs like ‘Close’, Mike’s first release which hit #40 on the Canada pop charts, where the sax complements a contemporary pop topline to create the distinctive ‘Mike Ruby sound’. For Mike, playing sax was his escape during some painful teenage years. His dad died when he was 18. “I found myself escaping the real world through music” Ruby confides.
Mike opens up about the passing of his father in ‘Not Your Fault’, perhaps the most intimate and emotional song on the album. Co-written with Jamey Heath (best known for his work with Andy Grammer) ‘Not Your Fault’ is the song Mike never thought he’d write. “As a kid, losing my dad left me with questions, confusion, so many emotions. I never thought I’d be able to put all that in a song. When I sat down to write with Jamey and he started playing the piano and as I held in the tears I started to pour out the words”.
After creative speed dating with songwriters all over the world, countless red eye flights and over a thousand songs in his notebook, Mike Ruby is finally ready to share his debut EP ‘You wrote these songs’. “It’s exciting and scary at the same time” says Ruby. “Art is subjective. All you can do is share your experiences while being as honest as possible and hope it resonates with someone” He explains. Working with multiple producers including Chris Hartz (Childish Gambino) Nicky Paul (St. Lucia) and fellow Canadians Ryan Stewart (Carly Rae Jepson) and Joel Stouffer (Dragonette), this album has a song for everybody. ‘You wrote these songs’ expertly walks the line of fitting into the mainstream, with a unique musical twist and an honest voice that cuts through the noise.
Liberian-born, LA-based fashion designer, visual artist and musician TAKI GOLD uses his art, fashion and music for one purpose: to honor all women. In the month that celebrates Mother’s Day, TAKI’s debut single “Liberian Boy” comes out on May 15th and celebrates the women who raised and protected him as a young boy growing up during the first Liberian Civil War. “Liberian Boy” paints glimpses of the artist’s journey from his home country to Los Angeles where he lives today. The single is TAKI’s first release from his debut self-produced album, Girl God, which is set to release everywhere on July 24, 2020.
Growing up in the West African country of Liberia in the 90s, TAKI’s life would have taken a terrible turn had he not been under the care of a small group of women. One young female caretaker in particular, whom he calls his sister, guided and sheltered his mind and emotions during one of the most violent periods of his country. She taught him to see things in a positive light, to see beauty in his surroundings, no matter how terrible they were. The constant sound of artillery and missiles lighting up the sky provided his lessons for musical rhythm and visual art.
After being reunited with his parents and siblings in the US, TAKI took those lessons and taught himself how to write, play and record music. He studied poetry in college and wrote lyrics as poems. The songs that resulted now make up his debut album, Girl God, which became his homage to all women. Not keeping with one genre or sound, TAKI uses drums, organs, traditional African vocals and a variety of acoustic and electronic instruments to create each unique track. TAKI produced all seven tracks on the album with the assistance from Grammy and Emmy-Nominated Elliott Lanam, who helped to mix and master the project at Lanam’s recording studio – Hidden City Studios in Santa Barbara.
Check out the debut single “Liberian Boy” by multi-talented artist TAKI, out on May 15th. Look for TAKI’s debut album, Girl God, out on all streaming platforms on July 24th.
Trilingual dance-pop sensation Betta Lemme is back with “I’M BORED” out globally today via Ultra Music. The new single landed her on the cover of Amazon Music’s Fresh Pop (CAN) and a slot on Spotify’s New Music Friday (CAN) among other playlists worldwide – LISTEN HERE.
A glaring sonic departure from her collection thus far, “I’M BORED” is the isolation anthem of 2020 that almost didn’t see the light of day. Lifted from the archives, the track co-produced with Jonas Jeberg (Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Hayley Kiyoko, Bebe Rexha, Panic At The Disco’s “High Hopes”) has taken on a loaded new meaning since she initially wrote it in 2019. “I’M BORED” picks up where her last release “Play” left off and immediately flips the script. Rather than igniting a dance party for all this time, the Montreal-born artist cleverly urges everyone to stay at home and save a life in light of the novel coronavirus. Backed by a brass melody, she professes, “Swiping armies / Robot zombies / Posts for money / Ain’t it funny? / So while you dance all night and live your best life / I’m bored / I’m bored / I’d rather fantasize than join that ride / I’m bored / I’m bored”
According to Betta Lemme, “‘I’M BORED’ was written as a joke but then real life became a joke and as a result, the song had to become real.” She adds, “The world has been turned upside-down. Some are taking it worse than others, some are on the front lines, but for the most part I feel lucky that I have the ability to stay home and be bored because right now being bored is an absolute privilege. I’m choosing to see the glass half full while being fortunate enough to do my civic duty in pajamas.” “I’M BORED” arrives after a one year gap in content. While Betta’s aim is to deliver certified-bops for you to dance and cry to, a purposeful duality is always present in her work lyrically. You’ll certainly find these intricacies in her 2019 club hit “Play” co-written with Jesse Saint John (Britney Spears, Charli XCX, Kim Petras) and Danny L Harle (Carly Rae Jepsen, Superfruit). At face value, PAPER dubbed the track “the sexy, sinister lovechild of the Vengaboys, Britney Spears, and Benny Benassi.” However in her interview with the magazine she elaborates, “The world is in peril. People are forgetting how to genuinely connect with each other… Imagine if the world displayed more inclusive behavior – the happiness would be contagious.”
No one hit wonder, Betta Lemme upholds an undeniable track record including “Give It” (which premiered via NYLON), “Kick the Door” (which premiered via L’Officiel), and US press coverage from the likes of Billboard, C-Heads, Earmilk, Flaunt, Live Nation’s Ones To Watch, Magnetic, Perez Hilton, Pride.com, and more. The rising star has also been commended worldwide, garnering attention from Cosmopolitan, Elle Magazine, Grazia, MTV, TED, and more.
It all started with an organic collaboration with Grammy-nominated duo Sofi Tukker on “Awoo” which Betta co-wrote and lended vocals on in 2017. One year later her official debut single “Bambola” went viral seemingly overnight and now has over 100MM views on YouTube to date . The song additionally peaked on the charts at #1 in Israel, #4 and certified Gold in Italy, and #50 Worldwide. Betta Lemme’s first ever live performance was on one of Italy’s largest national TV programs Che Tempo Che Fa with over 6 million viewers, followed shortly after by multiple major Italian festivals including Wind Summer Festival and Battiti Live. Both festivals were televised with over 3.5 million viewers. Her French TV debut was an acoustic piano performance of “Bambola” live on one of the most watched and influential TV shows in the country C à vous followed by a live performance on Touche pas à mon poste! where she surprised the audience by shredding her guitar.
Every Betta Lemme song is a movie, or at least part of a movie, a scene set for supreme drama and impetuous romance and sometimes a little lovely tragedy. With her opulent sense of melody, the singer-songwriter dreams up dance music that not only elicits beautiful movement, but builds entire worlds inside your mind. Each of her forthcoming songs are sprung from an elaborate dreamworld where her icons are her closest companions, all designated an essential role – Freddie Mercury is her father, Gaga’s her older sister, Liberace’s her decorator, etc. When sculpting a new song, she often chooses two disparate artists and envisions their unlikely offspring (e.g., the musical baby of Nine Inch Nails and Britney Spears). Other times, Betta imagines songs as soundtracks to very specific movie moments, such as a dance-track-in-the-works she conceptualized as a Quentin Tarantino fight scene. A trilingual artist of Italian descent, Betta performs in Italian, French, and English, threading her vocals through a lavishly textured sound that echoes her eclectic obsessions: orchestral pop from the ’60s, dance music from the ’90s, David Bowie, Missy Elliott, Burt Bacharach. It’s this unparalleled approach that marks Betta Lemme as one to watch and a force to be reckoned with.
Connecticut born and singer-songwriter lex, has released his new single “All Over Me.” A pop track filled with silky melodies, crisp vocals, and lush production, depicting a plateauing relationship that is only revived through disagreements and chaos. “All Over Me” tells the story of a tumultuous relationship that has come to its breaking point. Both parties see the relationship deteriorating before their eyes, but somehow find passion when they are in the midst of an argument which makes it difficult to let go. It’s easy to assume this song is based on an experience lex faced first hand, “All Over Me” was actually inspired by an episode of the comedy show “The Office.”
“Brian the camera guy, tells Pam and Jim that he’s separated from his wife. He tells them that the relationship actually only feels alive when they’re fighting. I thought that was such an interesting perspective, so I wrote down “all over me” on my phone. Then I thought it’d be cool to write it with the double meaning of her being physically all over him when they’re out in public, pretending that the relationship is great.” – lex
The use of melodic and rhythmic melodies, an infectious hook and fresh production complimented by lex’s smooth and sultry vocals in “All Over Me” create an encaptivating track perfect for pop radio. Growing up in Connecticut, New England, lex’s musical journey began at the age of seven when he started taking piano lessons. His passion and interest in music only grew stronger while he was in high school and he expanded his reach to other instruments and singing. lex created his first home studio while in college, here is where he learned to produce his own music and really dove into what it meant to be a lyrical storyteller. Since then he has relocated to Nashville where he has been living for the past five years, perfecting his craft and exploring songwriting with several well-known people in the music industry. With over 500,000 streams on Spotify from previous singles, lex is excited to share his new collection of songs with the world.
Break The Rules is the perfect re-introduction to Joella the artist. Known on Twitter for her thoughtful, but hilarious perspectives, Joella is skillful in bringing these thoughts into her music. In this breakout record, Joella is tired of the cliche love experience; tired of the same narrative where women must experience pain, embarrassment, and hurt in order to truly be loved.
“Fuck that!” Joella says. “I’m tired of feeling like I have to allow someone to do harm to me or hurt me in order for them to understand how to love me.”
Opening for major artists like Ty Dolla Sign, Jeremih, Eric Bellinger, Sevyn Streeter and more, has helped Joella hone her skills over the years. “Who are you and where did you come from?” asked a wide-eyed label manager after being captivated by her performance at The Roxy in Hollywood, CA. Heard on shows such as “Married to Medicine,” and “Dance Moms, this Jersey native has been able to expand her fan base, drawing in an audience that has been looking for connection. Joella’s ability to connect with people through her lyrics, her unique tone and unique image is exactly the breath of fresh air R&B is looking for.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/break-the-rules-single/1511558881
Nashville-based musician Jeffrey James shares the official music video for his new single, “Aftermath.” Working within the creative confines of lockdown, Jeffrey pieced together home footage of himself and his wife in Trouville-sur-Mer in Normandy, France. A sweet, authentic glimpse into James’ own love story, the “Aftermath” video brings the romance of the piano-driven ballad to new heights.
The new video comes on the heels of Jeffrey James’ appearance on NBC’s Songland, where Jeffrey worked with Ryan Tedder on an original track titled “We Could Be Heroes” for Country legend Martina McBride. Earlier this year, Jeffrey released his ‘East London’EP. Recorded in London with engineer Geoff Swan (Charli XCX, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay) and producers Jackson Dimiglio-Wood (Shawn Mendes), Dan Weller (SikTh), and Dan McDougal (Liam Gallagher), the 5-track record beautifully fuses Jeffrey’s Nashville influences with the UK’s blue-eyed soul sounds.
Over the past few years, Jeffrey’s soul-infused alt-pop sound has been paving the way for Nashville’s buzzing pop scene. He’s opened for acts like X-Ambassadors, Rachel Platten, and Hanson, and has performed at festivals like Firefly, Bonnaroo, and Forecastle. His music has received millions of plays across platforms and praise from Billboard, 1883 Magazine, Variance Magazine, and more. In addition to his original music, Jeffrey has also penned tracks for numerous artists including Megan Davies, Tungeaag & Raaban, and LU2VYK.
Mia Schuster’s wistful new single, “Always,” will have you reflecting on the power of your most positive moments. The North Dakota-native began playing guitar at eight years old, taking her love of music and eventually turning it into a path that would become her career. After moving to Los Angeles to pursue her goals, she began working on her upcoming debut album, “Happy (Again).” Her debut single, “Land,” was featured in Atwood Magazine, and she’s performed her new tunes throughout Los Angeles, including at the famous The Hotel Cafe. With a bright pop sound that’s an equal mix of all her influences, which range from soulful jazz to contemporary pop, her music radiates with positivity, hope, and yearning.
Mia Schuster captures the unique combination of wistful sadness that comes with growing older on her new single, “Always.” Inspired by a gathering with her hometown friends, Schuster takes that impactful moment when you understand how quickly things are changing yet remain thankful for the joy of your present experience, and turns it into a vibrant musical story. Produced by William Henderson, the tracks exuberant piano-driven melody dances alongside Schuster’s emotive vocals, which give weight to knowing that you’re living through something you’ll always carry with you. The arrangement swells, all piano and rhythm, with a heavy happiness as she sings, “change will surely come, but our paths still are strung to the world that we always knew.” She mixes hope and gratefulness with the power of letting go through inspiring lyrics and an emphatic, earworm pop arrangement.
For anyone who’s lived in a moment knowing it can’t last, this song for you. Take a listen to Mia Schuster’s “Always.”
Photography by Elliott J. Tilleczek
Tafari (pronounced Ta-far-eye) Anthony is a Toronto based artist whose music blends Pop, R&B and Soul. He is an artist who embodies the spirit of the modern musician. Not just a musician, but a creator. Known for his sleek vocal tones, sultry melodies and music which oozes with personality, Tafari leaves listeners in awe – somewhat apt considering his name means “He who inspires awe”.
His influences range from artists like Prince and John Legend, to more contemporary artists like Lennon Stella and Charlie Puth, among others. Often described as a mix of Sam Smith and MNEK, Tafari creates deeply emotional songs that resonate across generations. “All of these artists are creating music that is pop in its own right, but also so different from each other”, shares the musician.
Having taken a break from music in 2018 to focus on creating new material which explored his own personal soundscape, Tafari returned early 2020 with the release of “Centerfold” – a pop anthem which took both critics and fans by storm. Following closely in its footsteps is the infectious “Live in a Dream”. Narrating the struggle to find contentment in your current situation, Tafari confides, “We are constantly trying to strive for more, and I know personally I feel a great deal of failure or shame if I don’t live upto expectations. Far too often in my career I’ve had many people try to tell me who I should be and try to mold me into something that they’ve already seen. The promise of a greater future if you do this and that, had me do many things I would’ve never done in order to chase someone else’s vision. But I had to slow down and stop worrying about what I don’t have, and who I don’t know and be happy to live my own personal journey.”
The inspiring new single encourages others to dream like we used to when we were children – dream despite the obstacles, setbacks, and alternate routes that try to stop us. Fight for what you want, take back your power and find contentment in your current situation.
“Live in a Dream” sonically has a rebellious feel to it. Produced by Alexander Flockhart (Off Bloom, What So Not, Vera, Kill J, Malou Prytz), the two connected with each other on SoundBetter (Powered by Spotify for Artists) and instantly resonated on their mutual goal of creating genre-bending pop music with an edge. Tafari was aware of the UK pop scene and as a result the new single incorporates elements of afro-beat and a reggae inspired marching anthem. With influences such as HolyChild, Seinabo Sey and Labrinth, the new single emits a very matter of fact approach. Determined beats, resolute lyrics and vivacious pop soundscapes all ascend into a dynamic and completely addictive track, highlighting the singer’s powerhouse vocals.
Tafari has seen success with his music garnering acclaim from the likes of PAPER Magazine, Earmilk and Variance Magazine, to name a few. He has been nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award and receives regular airplay on CBC Radio, with one of his singles being named one of CBC’s Most Influential Songs of 2016. The singer has also performed alongside Shangela (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and has performed at Toronto’s Dundas Square and Massey Hall.
Elise Howard reflects upon love and loss on her new single, “Edison Bulb.” The Texas-born actor, singer, and songwriter began performing at just five years old. She moved to Los Angeles at a young age to pursue a career in acting, making appearances on the Disney Channel, and learning on studio sessions for” Dreamgirls and with artists like Anita Baker. In college, she started writing music, and after finding solace and inspiration in this new emotional outlet turned her attention to her music career. Today, she’s been hard at work promoting her debut single “Few Words,” and finishing up her debut project due out later this year.
On “Edison Bulb,” Elise Howard paints a heartbreaking yet optimistic version of loss. Completed after the death of her father, a gaffer in the lighting department for film and television, Howard explores the depth of her loss in perfect prose. Her velvety vocals lift and fall over a beautifully harmonic melody, giving breath to the highs and lows we experience when it comes to many different kinds of loss in our life. From a whispering piano to perfectly crafted layers of vocals, “Edison Bulb” is an illuminating reflection of loss that is bound to inspire us all.
Mixing the cadence and rhythms of 60’s soul and 70’s rock with modern country, The Prairie States was born out of a desire to put a fresh touch on a classic design. As recipients of the 2018 ACMA awards for Rising Star and Fan’s Choice, 2019 ACMA winners of Group/Duo and Video of the Year, as well as 1st place in the Project Wild Artist Development Program, it’s proof that this Edmonton based band is moving in the right direction.
Mat Cardinal, Jeff Dick, Mike Nash, Doc deGroot, and Jay Der formed The Prairie States in 2017 and immediately started writing songs for their full length album, Lost In The Right Direction. Independently released in June 2018, it was nominated for the ACMA Album Of The Year and included three radio singles, which all broke the top 100 Mediabase Canadian Country Chart.
Their current single, “Low Life,” is a bumpin’ tongue-in-cheek song about how the high life is no life for them. It’s all about finding joy in the simplest of things. To accompany the release of the song, the band teamed up with a home town business, Sea Change Brewing Co, to create a custom “Low Life” branded beer to accompany the song.
The Prairie States have been out on the road and wowing crowds with their undeniable live show. In their short time as a band, they’ve shared stages with Aaron Goodvin, Clayton Bellamy, and most recently Brothers Osborne and Canadian legend Charlie Major while kicking off the 2019 Big Valley Jamboree.
With a stack of brand new recordings already completed and even more underway with CCMA and Juno award winning producer Bart McKay, this band shows no signs of slowing down.
Daniel Mann Teel explores the clarity of discovering who you truly are in the video for his new single, “Obsessive.” Hailing from Huntsville, Alabama, the singer-songwriter grew up inspired by the soulful sounds of Stevie Wonder and the hooky melodies of Michael Jackson, alongside introspective modern day artists like John Legend and James Arther. His blue-inspired sound leans on life experiences, from his many childhood moves to the delicate burden of self-discovery. Teel’s newest single “Obsessive,” was produced by close friend and Grammy-nominated producer, Sam Ashworth (H.E.R. “Hard Place”), and is a powerful introduction to the talented songwriter.
In the music video for “Obsessive,” Daniel Mann Teel creates a moody and uncertain world that mirrors the experience of shocking self-discovery. As the protagonist struggles with coming to terms with the dark and light sides of who she is, the audience sees her hit with earth-shattering moments of clarity that alter the very world she’s created for herself. As her relationship falls apart, and she struggles to understand what’s happening, the cinematic experience takes us through a fraught-filled rollercoaster of moods and emotions. Between moments of intense self-reflection, Teel weaves the magic of his words and his own emotive charisma, making for a captivating storytelling journey. Check out Daniel Mann Teel’s new video for “Obsessive.”
BINNY is the moniker of Maryland born and bred musician Brian Lim. BINNY derives from the Vietnamese name, Trị Bình, which means peace. Having sung before he could even talk, BINNY’s musicality runs deep in his veins. Growing up in a family of musicians, the artist learnt piano from the early age of six, before self-teaching the guitar and eventually onto songwriting.
Having worked with numerous artists and producers, BINNY soon decided to go it alone, enabling his music to follow it’s true path and ultimately shine with authenticity. BINNY seeks inspiration from a multitude of artists including Drake, Lolo Zouai, Celine Dion, Kim Petras, and Ariana Grande, pulling elements of the soulful, R&B greats and powerhouse vocalists.
Leading single “Retrograde” details yearning to be with someone you shouldn’t and trying to fight the lure and temptations. BINNY confides, “I’ve definitely experienced being infatuated with someone that may not be the best influence on me, but I’d risk it all to put them first. It’s inspired by the unexplainable reasons one may continue a relationship that’s toxic.” The songwriter is also keen on astrology, taking notes of behaviors people have when Mercury is in retrograde, which plays a big part in the narrative. Sonically “Retrograde” highlights impressive falsetto vocals, smooth, seductive lo-fi beats and silky R&B melodies, illustrating heart and emotion.
Admitting how both listening and writing music is equally therapeutic, BINNY hopes that by conveying his true emotions and thoughts may act as a form of medication for audiences. He also strives to represent Asian American’s in pop culture and mainstream music, something that he feels lacks enough recognition. He shares, “I hope to be a part of that change and be inspiration for other Asian Americans who want to pursue music.”
BINNY is also a fashion enthusiast, using style to express himself. The singer shares, “It’s also important for me that my music is translated visually in what I’m wearing.” Aside from songwriting, BINNY also grew up doing theater in school and took part in numerous productions. In college, he was a part of an award-winning a capella group that got to compete in the International Championships of Collegiate A Capella (ICCA) on Broadway.
https://twitter.com/binnyiscoming
https://www.instagram.com/binnyiscoming/
World music artist Ajeet, new single “When She Rises” is out now along with the music video that is featured on American Songwriter.
Ajeet says “Each stage of the moon’s cycle has an essence and a feeling. ‘When She Rises’ invokes the feeling of an inward turn, and tells the story of quiet strength rising out of times spent in solitude and life’s shadows. In this it reflects the feeling of the waning moon; a decent through the inner layers to a deeper place within. This musical journey is not separate from nature, not separate from the ebbs and flows of the human heart. The song is a companion and a sanctuary to carry with you as you move through these ever-changing cycles of life in all it’s shades.” Ajeet is a world music artist weaving inspiration from traditional Irish folk to mystical and meditative soundscapes. The band come together from Spain, Ireland and the United States to offer a musical experience which transcends boundaries and takes listeners on a journey through song. Soaring harmonies and poetic lyrics meet harp, African and Latin percussion, Acoustic guitar and Irish instrumentation for a musical exchange with deep roots in melody and sonic texture. Ajeet’s creative process extends beyond live performance to her recording studio, where she produces and engineers her own records. She is a multi-instrumentalist weaving Bodhrán,piano, whistles, flutes and more into her live performances and recordings. Celebrated as #1 on the iTunes World Chart and Billboard Top 10 New Age Chart, Ajeet’s music continues to be embraced by communities around the world.
Christian Lopez is an indomitable voice you won’t soon forget. At just 24 years old, he’s accomplished a career that countless singer-songwriters could only dream of. With his eyes set on the future, he’s hit a new stride as he drops his explosive single “Sick of Me” out now – WATCH HERE.
Through his evolution of self and sound, Christian’s focus has always remained on purposeful yet intimate lyrics backed by unfiltered vocals and guitar. The “Sick of Me” official video takes that notion to heart and demonstrates the intentionality in every aspect of Christian’s work. With the expansive Mojave Desert of El Mirage, CA providing the backdrop, director Nicholas Jandora sets a minimalistic but visually stunning stage where Christian’s prowess once again takes the spotlight.
Written in his California home and recorded at Revolver Studios, the track is an effervescent anthem built around three major power chords that explore the anxieties in the relationships you foster. This universal sentiment made its way into Christian’s own psyche after years. He confesses “I would play shows and wonder why these people actually weren’t sick of me? A natural thought I guess, but it even ended up stemming into my relationships. The truth was, I didn’t want to be alone, and that old identity needed to fade in order to bring this new one to life. The one that could survive, the one I am today.”
Following his cross country move from Nashville to Los Angeles, Christian has had a commanding start to 2020 with “Sick of Me” marked as his fourth single this year. His first release, “Sip Of Mine,” premiered with American Songwriter while the feel-good video made its debut on Billboard. Soon after, the multi-instrumentalist shared his acoustic guitar-heavy single “Who You Really Are” via Sounds Like Nashville and garnered the attention of PopMatters for his release of the strings rendition of the track. In April he revealed “Finish What You Started” via GibsonTV which further demonstrates his ability to shift between genres.
You could say music is a birthright for Christian – born and raised in a musical West Virginia home with piano lessons starting as early as the age of 5 and a record deal by age 18. Having made his critically acclaimed debut at an impressive 19 years young (Onward) and an equally beloved follow up album at 21 (Red Arrow) via Blaster Records, Christian has set himself on a forward looking path as an independent Americana/folk-tinged, pop artist.
Rolling Stone raves “flies straight through multiple eras of rock, pop and country. Organic sounds are favored over electronics, while [his] versatile guitar playing provides a millennial take on everything from Eighties rock to timeless folk. Sly, generation-bridging vocals are the common thread, and as interest in Americana rises, Christian Lopez could connect the dots for many young listeners.” In addition, Christian was picked as Belk’s Modern Southern Musician ambassadors and landed on bills with Zac Brown Band, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, and Tim McGraw to name a few. He’s also a veteran of popular indie and folk festivals like The Vans Warped Tour, Merlefest, Floydfest, and AmericanaFest. No longer a newcomer on the scene, Christian has racked up accolades from American Songwriter, Billboard, CMT, Cowboys and Indians, Glide Magazine, NPR, Paste, PopMatters, The Boot, and more.
Charm La’Donna, the VMA-winning choreographer behind brilliant work by Kendrick Lamar, Rosalia and more, blesses this release day with her debut single, “So & So.” The track is produced by Grammy winner Bongo ByTheWay, and you can watch its lyric video below.
“So & So” – stream/download
Lyric video
Though La’Donna is making her musical debut with us today, she has been a name to know in the music industry for the last few years. Her renowned choreography and creative direction work, from appearing on Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. tour and 2018 GRAMMYs performance, to engineering the dance sequences that earned Rosalia’s “Con Altura” video the VMA for Best Choreography, has earned her a stout reputation. And she’s refusing to limit herself, as the chorus to her new single alludes to.
“I am not so-and-so, or so-and-so
I am gold, you should know”
You can keep track of La’Donna on her Instagram, where she’ll be keeping fans updated on what’s next with her musical journey. “I’ve been doing music for a very long time; I’ve just never put it out. I’m finally in a place where I am ready to be vulnerable and share this other part of me with the world.” she told Forbes. “You might have a bad day or month and want to give up but [you’ve] got to keep going.”
“So & So” is available now.
For all of love’s agonies, Calgary soul-roots singer-songwriter Jess Knights isn’t sulking over old wounds. On her debut full-length, Best Kind of Light, due out on June 19, 2020 (postponed date due to COVID-19), Knights comes out on the other side of love and loss without all the bitterness, and a sense of self-assuredness and feminine confidence. Of the 11 songs contained on Best Kind of Light, there are traces of the blues, but this one is firmly rooted in classic soul. Recorded in Toronto with award-winning producer Joshua Van Tassel and the crème de la crème of songsmiths and sidemen, including Donovan Woods, Joey Landreth, R. Grunwald, and others, the album brings into focus the moody, dimly-lit spectrum of Knights’ classically-trained voice, which has drawn comparisons to U.K. luminaries Amy Winehouse and Eliza Doolittle. While her debut 2017 EP Won’t Wait captured the grit of the dive bars where she found her voice, the polish of Best Kind of Light places her in sleeker settings. Indeed, it’s a sign of where she’s headed, and the only way is forward.
Malaysian artist alextbh has debuted a brand new single titled “Between.” Listen to the song everywhere now here + watch the lyric videohere, which Alex produced and animated himself.
A dark pop/R&B track showcasing Alex’s slick production work and piercing melodies, “Between” is the latest track to see a release from his upcoming debut EP, The Chase, set for a June 12 release via EMPIRE. A skilled songwriter and producer, much of The Chase is self-written and produced and marks the culmination of a breakout year for the rising artist, whose single releases have amassed 50 million+ global streams.
On “Between,” Alex notes: “I wanted to see how comfortable I could be with my sexuality in my songwriting. It feels empowering to write something explicit in a physical context and I guess it’s something I should explore more often. Queer bodies are human bodies and there’s nothing wrong with trying to frame that intimate moment and showcase it.”
Last week, Alex was a featured performer on 88rising’s online music festival ASIA RISING FOREVER celebrating Asian talent from across the globe, which drew love from outlets like NME, HYPEBEAST, and Billboard. This week, Alex was invited by PAPER to guest DJ on their curated night of Club Quarantine, a Zoom party inspiring strength in the queer and queer-allied community amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Alex was also featured on an episode of BBC’s Music Life this spring alongside Yuna and mxmtoon.
“Between” follows previous single, “Moments,” which EARMILK coined “electric R&B wrapped in liquid pop gold,” while Billboard described it as “a smooth and hypnotic electro-R&B escape.” The track was released alongside a stunning official video. Watch/listen everywhere now here. “Moments” follows December single “superstore,” a sultry downtempo track that sparked love from outlets like FLAUNT and Billboard, and he performed the track in a live session for MTV Asia as their April 2020 Spotlight Artist.
On the live side, Alex has already shared stages with the likes of Khalid, Sevdaliza, and Jess Connelly, and most recently joined Yuna as direct support on her European tour. He has also played festivals such as Good Vibes Festival in Malaysia, Laneway Festival in Singapore, and Lalala Festival in Indonesia, and is confirmed to play Jakarta’s We The Fest 2020.
Anxiety is in the air right now.
It feels like there’s an infinite amount of things to be anxious about.
The pandemic. The environment. The economy. Being a musician with zero back up plan. Relationships. What to eat for dinner. Whether you have allergies or you’re about to die.
No matter how big or small the situation, my level of anxiety remains consistently off the charts.
The new single, “FUYL,” is about the anxiety I get when everything is going great in a relationship and I’m super into the person but I’m 100% sure I’m about to ruin it.
This is the first single off my sophomore album Loveless Metropolis.
Loveless Metropolis is about mental health, modern love, autonomy, addiction and independence. Sonically, the whole album has a sort of vintage romance vibe, but the lyrics are playful, biting and tongue in cheek.
🍋 Watch the video for “FUYL” via YouTube
🍋 Stream “FUYL” via your preferred platform
Bernard and Rachel Chadwick are the husband-and-wife duo that create pop/rock music imbued with love and artisanship. Theirs is an enviable creative relationship built around making more of themselves and the world through collaboration. The band started while Bernard was earning his MFA at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California. It was a way for rock to fuse into art and art to fuse into rock. This became the exact intention of their music going forward. The band’s incorporation of pop sensibilities, ethereal vocals, insightful lyrics and rock undertones give them a sound that is unique, fun and sure to keep you grooving.
“Costa Rica” is a story about the moment Bernard and Rachel met and how they instantly connected to something magical happening in the universe. Bernard shares, “I was in the jungle digging some stairs down to a waterfall, then up walks this cute 17 year old girl in ripped up jeans out of nowhere. She was there to visit for a couple of days, she sang and played guitar (blackbird by The Beatles). It obviously made an impression on me.” The track highlights descriptive lyrics of their love story, accompanied by bright melodies, and tropical soundscapes reminiscent of the jungle.
Their summer single Heartbreak Away, released in July 2019, was featured on Apple Music’s Breaking Alternative and Alt Pop playlists. They are currently working to release their third full length album, coming soon.
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Phtoto By Kelsea McKulloch_Eden
Party Nails (née Elana Belle Carroll) joined choir at 8, picked up the viola at 10, and the guitar at 11. By 12 she was playing original songs at open mics around her hometown of Chatham, New York, and at 17 picked up production. After moving to Los Angeles in October of 2014, Party Nails waitressed, made music and didn’t do much else. A year later Neon Gold premiered Party Nails’ first single “Break” which was followed by “No Pressure” and “Better” in 2016, and finally her first music videos and EP in 2017, the same year PVRIS took her on their North American tour (along with Canadian artist Lights). In 2018 she self-released her debut album, Past Lives and Paychecks, and in 2019 scored a few short films and continued to tour, supporting Bad Bad Hats, Eve 6, MitiS, and co-headling with PRXZM and Cannons. A frequent collaborator, she has written and provided vocals for Battle Tapes, Getter, MitiS and produces and engineers other artists between tours. She supported Australian artist Donny Benét at the top of 2020 and will be headlining a US run later this year in support of her sophomore album You Don’t Have To Go Home But You Can’t Stay Here.
Her first album was about love and money. This one is about booze, family and night-time. The title, You Don’t Have To Go Home But You Can’t Stay Here, comes from what they say after last call at a bar or a party, at the end of the night. Party Nails confides, “I was drinking a lot, and eventually quit, so a lot of the lyrics are about a state of inebriation and time of night, the positive, negative and in between. Other songs touch more on feeling connected or disconnected from people you love. There is a lot of masking of the truth going on in the world today, and this permeated my music during the making of the album.” The majority of the album is co-produced with Benjamin Greenspan and mixed by Ryan Nasci, while the first single “Take Me Somewhere” was a collaboration with producer Summer Heart.
Party Nails’ sophomore album You Don’t Have To Go Home But You Can’t Stay Here is currently available worldwide.
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Californian singer-songwriter, Cody Lovaas’ new EP, Pull Out Couch, Is out now along with the music video to his single “OH NO!” (featuring ROZES) that can be viewed at Hollywood Life.
Cody says, “’ “From love that tried to withstand geographical struggles, to a twenty one year old trying to figure himself out, to a five year long cat and mouse relationship, i wrote all these songs when i first moved to los angeles, sleeping on my manager’s pull out couch.”
“’OH NO!’ is about a girl who was the perfect excuse for me to act like an idiot. this is the classic and cliche story about the guy who ignored the little dude talking on his shoulder and muted his inner voice.”
Pulled Out Couch EP is a collection of empowering and emotional tracks showcasing Cody’s raw dynamic vocals around a notion about love that people may confront in their everyday life. Cody says, “From love that tried to withstand geographical struggles, to a twenty one year old trying to figure himself out, to a five year long cat and mouse relationship, i wrote all these songs when i first moved to los angeles, sleeping on my manager’s pull out couch.”
Last year Cody released his debut EP Honestly that is out now as well. The EP is available at https://smarturl.it/HonestlyEP – which includes “Talk Slow” and “Finally Falling.” “Finally Fallen” and “Talk Slow” have garnered over 60 Spotify playlists including New Music Friday as well as being featured on Apple playlists such as Best Of The Week, Today at Apple, Breaking Pop and more.
Along with his streaming success he has also already received 4 IG placements and featured in 37 YouTube videos by 29 unique creators. The total reach for the YouTube creators is 9.5M which garnered a total of 860k+ views.
Cody Lovaas has simple and confessional lyrics in soulful vocals, melodic acoustic performances, and smooth pop production. Lovaas plays with the boundaries of pop, acoustic, and electronic music, crafting a variant that retains pop’s effortless melodies while exchanging the genre’s cosmetic compositions for sincere and wistful love stories.
Lovaas’s records have premiered on Billboard, Idolator, Culture Collide, Ones to Watch and We Found New Music. In 2017, he released his debut single, “Lie,” which garnered over 5M plays and appeared on Spotify’s Chill Vibes and Pop Chillout playlists. The following year, he dropped “Find,” a single produced with artists Shallou and Kasbo that reached 20M streams as well as “Prove It,” which earned 3M streams and a place on Starbuck’s Coffeehouse playlist. Lovaas’s most recent releases Talk Slow and Finally Fallen gained over 70 playlist placements as well as.
Lovaas was fourteen and performing at an intimate open mic in his beachside hometown of Carlsbad, CA, when he caught the attention of Jason Mraz, who promptly began to mentor him and develop him as his protégé. Lovaas quickly emerged as an intuitive and prolific songwriter. Throughout his teenage years, he found his way up the coast and into studio sessions in Los Angeles. By writing hundreds of songs before the age of twenty, Lovaas cultivated an honest and impressionistic style. Today, his writing draws on a youth spent falling in and out of love and demonstrates the restraint and maturity of a seasoned artist.
Los Angeles based artist Lucy & La Mer continues to spread cheer with her latest EP “I Feel Better Now”. An advocate for mental health awareness, Lucy’s sound is a whirlwind of joy, camaraderie, and liberation. Her welcoming stage presence and distinctive style have led to bookings around the world, and her shows have become pep rallies for self-love and inclusivity. Lucy & La Mer “focuses her message on self-love, care and honest expression.” (EARMILK)
Alongside the captivating singles “Got That Thing” (heard internationally on a Dove Commercial) and “Blue Dress” (featured on Billboard), her new crowd-chanting tune “Together” perfectly captures the silver lining of our world’s current emotional state during quarantine – Togetherness. During this challenging time, people all over the world are coming together to care for one another. In her new music video, fans and friends of the Folk Pop singer send their positivity and encouragement through selfie videos submitted from their homes.
“Tour might be canceled for this year, but the music isn’t canceled. Our love for each other isn’t canceled. And in these low times, we need to lift each other up more than ever,” said the singer. Although live shows have been postponed, Lucy continues to stream online concerts and encourages her fans to stay positive and look for ways they can help others. Her sophomore ep “I FEEL BETTER NOW” is now available everywhere.
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Folk bluesy singer-songwriter Cat Clyde is thrilled to announce her acoustic album Good Bones, comprised of songs from her critically-acclaimed albums, Ivory Castanets and Hunters Trance, to be released on June 19th via Cinematic Music Group. As a preview, Cat has released the acoustic track to “Mama Said” today and is featured on American Songwriter.
Cat says, “This is the song that really inspired people to dig deeper into my music. It was the one that was heard and shared the most when I was first starting out. I’ve never released an acoustic version of it and wanted to put it out in its original and simple form, where it all began.”
When fans pre-order the album, they will receive the insta grat track of “Mama Said” – her online store also features bundle options that include a poetry book and/or vinyl.
Poetry was always something Cat did on and off in her daily life. As she was crafting the LP, she felt like it was time to put herself out there more to her fans through her poetry.
To date, Cat’s first two albums, Ivory Castanets and Hunters Trance, have amassed over 30 million streams worldwide. She has been touring solo for the past three years alongside artists such as Detroit’s renowned singer-songwriter, Rodriquez (of acclaimed documentary, Searching for Sugarman), and rocked a sold-out tour in Europe with Shakey Graves.
During her last tour in 2019 she went on the road with a full band for a 2.5 month headlining tour, where she had the space and company to stretch out inside her songs and play them live for the first time with a fuller sound, truer to the tracks on the recordings. Cat says, “I wanted to record this acoustic album as sort of a time stamp of all the days of playing live, just me and my guitar. I really wanted to capture the more simple and stripped back vibe, closer to what the songs sounded like playing alone. Some of my favourite versions of songs that I love and really resonate with me are in a very basic and simple form, and I wanted to share that side of my songs as well.”
Cat Clyde continues the classic sounds of yesteryear. With influences ranging from Etta James to Karen Dalton to Lead Belly; hers is a mix that goes down smoother than a neat glass of mellow Kentucky bourbon. No longer do you need to reach for your trusty sifting pan and river boots to find gold. You just need to know one name.
Nashville’s alternative rock band, Blackout Balter is thrilled to announce their new album Animal, to be released on July 24th. As a preview, the band has released the first single “Red Letter” that is out now and featured on American Songwriter.
Blackout Balter says, “I wanted ‘Red Letter’ to punch the listener in the face—to push the idea that rock music is both attitude and melody; passion and nuance.” “The album ‘Animal’ plays with the notion that we’re all just animals at our core; and, when we’re backed into a corner, sometimes our claws come out and our true core is exposed. In a way, all of these songs are a call to break down doors, to be yourself, and to stop at nothing to do what you want to do.”
Blackout Balter’s feverish attitude is evident right out of the gate with Animal fiery opening track and lead single, “Red Letter.” Beginning with a rush of guitar feedback that spills into an onslaught of raw urgency, Cohen and co. paint a portrait of a parallel universe where fame becomes their failing.
Animal is a rush of punk and alternative rock energies, ready to seize the moment and arrest the senses. An unapologetic assertion of love, struggle, and leaving, the band’s aptly-titled Animal speaks to human nature at its most visceral core: When gut instinct supersedes logic, and our inner animal roars. Fourteen tracks of pure adrenaline offer a stinging introduction that inspires, excites, and pushes us to attack our dreams.
Blackout Balter’s first full-length album, produced by Grammy-winner Jeremy Ferguson (Cage the Elephant engineer and producer), and assisted by Grammy-winner Emily Lazar (David Bowie, Cold Play), provides 14 tracks of pure adrenaline that inspires,
Their first EP, Twist And Bend, featured Dave Keuning (The Killers), and received critical acclaim
by the famed Consequence of Sound and Paste Magazine media outlets—two of America’s most important music magazines; and the album charted on CMJ’s “Top 200” and was named an FMQB “Top 25 Album” while being spun on some of America’s most important radio stations, to include KROQ.
Francesca Louise is a London based singer-songwriter originally from the North West of England. Combining stunning folk/pop songwriting, sparkling with Joni Mitchell influence and Carol King inspired vocals which tell a thousand secrets, Louise’s sound reaps authenticity and pure honesty. Bleeding with meditative melodies opening a door to escapism, her music acts as a melancholic medicine to people’s lives.
Inspired by the likes of Billie Marten and Lucy Rose, as well as Fleetwood Mac and strong piano players such as Tom Odell and Rae Morris, Louise’s music channels emotion and intimacy through her use of conversational instrumentation and poignant lyricism.
Louise’s upcoming debut EP entitled Melancholic Antidote is a collection of personal experiences, life lessons, emotions and growth. Detailing topics such as love, career, family, goals and themes which resonate with the general listener on a more personal, intimate level, with the hope to create music which is of comfort, enjoyment and reassurance. The songwriter confides, “Music is a powerful tool, it is antidotal, it is motivation, it is therapy, it is home for so many people. I think that my responsibility as a singer-songwriter is to create something that people can listen to and feel at home with.”
“Ride the Waters” is a self-empowerment folk/pop track based on how one can be self-dependent and find success on their own. Louise explains, “So many young girls feel that they need someone beside them to be able to progress and find success in their lives, but this song suggests the opposite. It is an encouraging anthem for independent and powerful young women.” The empowering song highlights upbeat percussion, fun, colloquial lyrics and animated guitar melodies.
Louise has seen success having supported the likes of Nashville based indie folk-rock duo The Harmaleighs, brit-pop band Echobelly at St Pancras Old Church in London and Juanita Stein, the former singer of Howling Bells. With radio plays and live sessions with BBC Introducing and independent radios alike, as well as taking festival slots in 2020, Francesca Louise is making her way up the musical ladder and is showcasing her capabilities across the UK.
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