Brit and Ivor Novello award winning Singer Songwriter KT Tunstall releases her timely new track – “Wash Ya Hands” – featuring Grace Savage and The Freelance Hellraiser on Friday June 5th. All proceeds going to War Child UK and WaterAid for their Covid-19 appeals. The upbeat pop track, laced with humour and sage advice, and inspired by the Covid-19 crisis in which we all find ourselves, zeros in on the most effective base line advice we have been given to protect ourselves and others – “Wash Ya Hands”! – turning it into a memorable dance floor mantra.
As KT puts it: “Lockdown has been strange and challenging for all of us. I haven’t found it easy to sit and make new music. However, “Wash Ya Hands” was a flash of inspiration to write something fun to dance to. The whole thing was done on our laptops during lockdown. The song is about how we move forward from this situation, whilst giving fans, friends and families a chance to involve themselves in making the final video – which I can’t wait to see come together!”
The track features a slick beatbox breakdown from much vaunted electro-pop Singer, Songwriter and 4x UK Beatbox Champion Grace Savage. “I knew Grace was the perfect featured artist for this as soon as I started putting the track together, she’s so badass!” adds KT.
Grace says of the project: “I met KT at HearHer Festival last year and we talked about how cool it would be to collaborate on something in the future (I think flutes and beatboxing were mentioned). A few months later, I got a call from her saying she’s written a track and asked if I’d be up for writing something for the middle 8 section. I have a lot of respect for KT and what she stands for plus the song is a banger, it’s fun, informative and all for a good cause so it was a no brainer! Chuffed to be a part of it.”
The lyric video for “Wash Ya Hands” (released on Monday June 8th) stars KT and includes instructions of how fans can submit footage to become part of a truly collective experience.
This is not the first time KT has involved her fans in a global #KTKollaboration project. In 2010, scores of her fans from all over the world were filmed playing the musical elements from her song “Glamour Puss” – the only original part that remained was KT’s vocal – the stunning video was then shared on KT’s YouTube channel. This time, fans will be encouraged to submit videos of themselves dancing, singing or playing along to the song and on June 26th the final result will be revealed.
Proceeds from “Wash Ya Hands” will be equally split between two charities responding to the Coronavirus pandemic – War Child UK and WaterAid
Rob Williams, War Child CEO says “It’s amazing that KT’s brilliant single is continuing our history of supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable children with the power of music. It’s the generosity of artists like KT that means right now our teams are on the ground delivering vital aid to those who need it most, Thank you.”
It goes without saying that war zones are already incredibly dangerous places, especially for children, but coronavirus is making life even harder. Crowded refugee camps and limited healthcare means the effects of the virus will hit these children hardest. Meanwhile many families risk running out of food in days as lockdown measures stop them going to work. War Child is helping families receive desperately needed food and hygiene kits and ensuring teachers and councillors can continue supporting children online and over the phone.
WaterAid’s CEO Tim Wainwright says: “We’re really excited to be working with KT Tunstall and grateful for her support through her handwashing song, which ties in perfectly with WaterAid’s mission for everyone everywhere to have clean water and good hygiene. Regular handwashing is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, but one in ten people around the world do not have clean water, and in poorer countries three-quarters of people have nowhere to wash their hands with soap at home. We’re working tirelessly to change this.”
WaterAid is racing to reach communities with clean water, handwashing facilities, and information about good hand hygiene, helping people protect themselves from diseases like Coronavirus.
KT adds: “Being affected by a global pandemic is hard enough, but imagine being a child in a war zone, or experiencing a lack of access to clean water on top of that.
These charities are doing such important work, now more than ever.”
KT Tunstall emerged in 2004 with Eye To The Telescope. She has since released 5 more critically acclaimed albums selling millions of records worldwide. Her songs have been used everywhere from the opening credits of the film The Devil Wears Prada to being used as Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign theme. Following the success of 2016’s Top 10 album KIN, the latest album, WAX, was released in 2018 and is the 2nd of a trilogy which explores the themes of ‘Spirit, Body, and Mind’. WAX focuses on the body and our complex relationship with physicality. KT is currently working on the final album of the trilogy, the as yet untitled ‘mind’ album, due for release next year.
In 2019 KT toured all over the world – both with her band in the UK and Europe, and solo in the US, Canada, Japan, China, Mexico and Brazil. KT also headlined a stage at Glastonbury Festival and supported Hall & Oates on their UK arena tour. She will be supporting them again for their 2020/21 US arena run.
For further KT news see WWW.KTTUNSTALL.COM
My first single of 2020 has that classic pop vibe, and good nostalgic energy.
Check out “Lovin’ You” ft. Divine Brown wherever you buy/stream your music:
https://ffm.to/lovinyou
I wrote “Lovin’ You” with Rykka and Arun Chaturvedi at a Songwriters Association of Canada camp. Produced by Arun, it went through several incarnations. This song reminds us of unconditional love. It’s full of positivity, and the supercharged feel-good vibes that spring/summer brings. It’s a jam for a car ride with the radio turned up, or a long run with your headphones on.
I hope this song changes your day for the better.
Donny Anderson ⭐️ Instagram ⭐️ Facebook ⭐️Twitter
“Loser” first appeared on my self-titled record, released this past September. I brought in Ria Mae to add her own touch to the song for the version of it that is a part of my Part II Project, continuing the album’s story.
This song was inspired by the inner monologue that often happens for me when I’m trying to work out how to open up to someone about my feelings.
Being vulnerable is hard and it always brings me face to face with the parts of myself I wonder if anyone will ever be able to love, or love around.
⛓ Stream “Loser Pt. II” w. Ria Mae on your PREFERRED PLATFORM now! ⛓
It was a lot of fun to dive back into the song after about a year away from working on it. I loved the idea that Ria and I could change the shape and the form of the song if we wanted to, that we could breathe fresh life into it by having her come into the studio.
I hope this song allows you to tap into the things which are sometimes really hard to say. It’s powerful to embrace the awkward, the vulnerable, and the uncertain times in our lives, especially now.
When I wrote “Loser,” I felt like I was reclaiming a piece of myself, and I hope anyone listening feels the opportunity to do the same.
Stay tuned for more reinterpretations from my record!
T. Thomason
FACEBOOK // TWITTER // INSTAGRAM
Ria Mae
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
Ariana-Flynn-Photography
Marin Patenaude’s confessional folk is deeply honest, inspired by the wildness of nature, the messiness of human connection, and the overwhelming desire to run away from it all. Emotional lyrics paired with softly powerful instrumentals craft stories that explore loving and losing, the fragility of the human condition, and stories of a rural upbringing.
The daughter of musical parents and the younger sister of Juno-award winning Pharis Romero, she was raised on folk and country harmonies. While it was a huge part of her upbringing, Marin didn’t initially look to music as a viable career. From landscaping for the rich to running through the woods with her dog, a backpack, and a surveyors map, scrubbing toilets to training horses, she collected many random and interesting skills and experiences to use as songwriting fodder. When travels through other disciplines and passions didn’t last, she made a record; a heavy collection of songs about heartbreak and displacement. A surprising first release, it’s full of gut punching beauty.
Following the release of her self-titled debut in 2016, Marin extensively toured BC’s festival circuit as a solo act, across Canada with Kenton Loewen as part of Dan Mangan’s house concert series Side Door, through Germany and Switzerland as a duo with Cole Schmidt, and worked as a session harmony singer in Vancouver for artists including Khari Wendell McClelland, Sam Tudor, Real Ponchos, CR Avery, Ora Cogan, The Crackling and many more. She opened for Sarah McLachlan at the 2016 Vancouver International Jazz festival at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, a personal career highlight.
In support of her second album, Marin joined Dallas Green’s Toronto based label Still Records. Sight Unseen was produced at Afterlife Studios in Vancouver, mixed by Karl Bareham, and mastered by Jaoa Carvalho. Marin took the reins on production, and enlisted the help of dedicated players she feels very connected to, musically and emotionally. They kept their hearts and the doors open for magical studio surprises, and the finished album reflects that open minded approach to sound.
Sight Unseen shows a louder, grittier side of Marin’s indie folk sensibility. Citing the influence of artists like Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Ani Difranco, Sarah McLachlan, and Neil Young, there’s an underlying darkness beneath the clear, free spirited melodies. For Marin, her songs are an extension of self–an opportunity to be as honest and real as she feels, something she has difficulty doing in the so-called real world. It’s big and it’s not always light. Though she’s a bright personality by nature, she often uses her music as a way to process grief. Her vocals are strong and technically trained, and she’s outspoken about the complexities of relationships and the uncertainty of our current political times.
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
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In today’s fast-paced music landscape, the barrier for entry has never been higher, and the stakes for garnering audience attention and making a lasting impression, never greater; yet SPRTYK (pronounced Sporty K) is successfully harnessing the power of word-of-mouth, and the influence of editorial tastemakers to win over new audiences one release at a time.
Born and raised in the Bronx, SPRTYK encompasses everything a modern rapper should be and then some. She’s undeniably an artist with a futuristic outlook and her reach extends past her own music. SPRTYK is the CEO of STAR CLUB ENTERTAINMENT where she works as the creative director and stylist for other acts in New York’s eclectic scene including A$AP Ferg and Privilege New York. A full creative force in her own right, SPRTYK is a versatile voice on the rise. The combination of strong lyricism, cut-throat delivery and a self-curated style comes through in everything she touches.
When SPRTYK pitched her latest single “Bad Temper” for Spotify playlist consideration, it was selected for three editorial playlists (Spilled Ink, Mellow Bars, Alternative Hip Hop) and two algorithmic playlists including the coveted Discover Weekly. Those editorial and algorithmic playlists have driven the track to nearly a quarter million streams. Her highly acclaimed debut “Helly Hansen” found itself handpicked by Apple Music editors for the platform’s sought-after, The New New York playlist, whilst the Amen produced/Loui Nova directed “Helly Hansen” music video featured on Revolt TV.
Directed by J. Chance + SPRTYK — the ‘Bad Temper’ visual follows the emotional highs and lows of a top female draft pick / artist-in-bloom determined to win against all odds as she fights to escape the all too familiar “angry black female” stereotype.
Shot on location in her native Bronx, NY, an unapologetic SPRTYK literally gives two middle- fingers to the oversimplified characterisations of being bad-tempered, hostile and overly aggressive as she deconstructs her game winning resilience to her therapist. She spits, “Had to face my fears, I could’ve built a pool six feet from all the tears, I bounced back with my circle aint no room for squares.”
Exploring the mindset behind her championship aspirations—the tone shifts from assertive honesty to SPRTYK’s cocky, All Star temperament as the video cuts to courtside action for scenes soaked in intense fan energy. As the franchise player for “Star Club Entertainment”, SPRTYK knows exactly what it means to play for everything on the line.
Styled perfectly, the video captures all the buzz and excitement as the former High School point guard dons her corporate team jersey in front of a legion of cheering fans and shoulders the enormous pressure of shooting from the line for the game winning bucket.
From NYC’s underground rap scene, SPRTYK is steadily establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with across the US and overseas. Her work has landed placements on editorial playlists, and the gamut of independent Hip-Hop publications. SPRTYK counts Father, Haleek Maul, Ty Bass, and Tim Vocals as just a few of the artists she’s supported live. Expanding on her full range of skillsets to include songwriter credits—SPRTYK recently joined forces with the UK’s Santino Le Saint on “Call You When I Get Home”.
With finishing touches complete on her upcoming “Because I Feel Like It” project, SPRTYK is set to continue being one of 2020’s favourite new music discoveries.
When new love hasn’t been working out for so long, we tend to revert back to past relationships and feel like we let the right person get away. Our new song, “Summer Again,” romanticizes past experiences of young love.
Stream “Summer Again” using Spotify ⦽ Apple Music ⦽ SoundCloud
It is taken from our debut EP, tired., set for release on June 26th. We self-produced each song in the collection. “Summer Again” embodies a nostalgic vibe sonically, with guitars that enhance the lyrics’ story. This track almost entirely came together in a single day.
With tired., we have created our first holistic statement as a band. Most of the songs were written during a short time period in a very organic group environment. The songs on tired. celebrate our inspirations and display the full breadth of our work, from upbeat synth-pop songs to ambient, soundscape inspired ballads.
As summer approaches, we eagerly await sharing more of the songs on tired. with you. We hope that this first single can offer you moments to reflect and bask in the music.
Thank you for taking the time to listen,
MILQ
Crashing right into your living room.
I’m Crash, this is Adams. We’re from Toronto, Canada. Actually, nobody here really knows where Adams is from. I’ve been convinced he’s an extraterrestrial ever since he showed up in a full suit on the first day of second grade.
Growing up, we both had ears for the finer things, like Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, and the occasional 50-cent (at 7 years old I wanted to be a rapper – it was short lived). I began writing and producing music at my uncle’s recording studio and Adams became really good at guitar. We started making songs together and we’ve continued ever since.
We produce, write, sing, mix and master all of our music. We’ve spent the last year and a half finishing an album and curating our sound. We want to make you feel nostalgic, inspired, and we hope to provide a few laughs along the way. We will continue to manifest our reality and with each song, we will reveal a new chapter in our ridiculous story. Welcome to our living room.
Internationally acclaimed, multiple-award-winning singer-songwriter, Jenny Bruce, introduces her new artistic identity, GHOSTE. Today, she releases her new single “Brick by Brick”, a defiant declaration of grit and resilience. The track is from her new album, GHOSTE, produced by Matt Anthony, who has worked with Pat Monahan of Train, Darius Rucker, Shinedown, among other major artists. GHOSTE is set to release on October 31, 2020.
Filmed in New York’s Central Park on an iPhone with her family during the crisis and edited by her teenage son, the “Brick by Brick” video combines the classic French fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” with the “Three Little Pigs” fable. Both story and music video share similar ideology — protagonist characters defend and persevere against the big bad wolf. The wolf represents our fears trying to overwhelm and discourage us from moving forward.
For the past 30 years, Jenny Bruce, the artist behind GHOSTE, has had a successful music career as an independent singer-songwriter. She has released four independent albums and won multiple songwriting awards (Billboard, International Songwriting Competition, John Lennon and dozens more). Her songs have been heard on Dawson’s Creek, Ghost Whisperer, The Today Show, King of the Hill, All My Children, among many other national TV shows and independent films.
Now at age 50, she decided it was time to step out of that box. She says, “I created GHOSTE – ethereal electropop music that embraces who I am and what I believe in. I wanted a more dramatic, cinematic sound to capture my passion for life and music.” She teamed up with producer/composer, Matt Anthony, who helped her develop the pulsating, haunting tracks for her debut album as GHOSTE.
Photographer: Justin Wu
My new single – “Waste My Time” – is about that carefree moment when you’re going out to the party,
before you do the thing you’ll regret the next day.
Written with multi-Platinum songwriter Neil Ormandy (James Arthur, Bebe Rexha, Liam Payne) and producer/multi-instrumentalist Martin Wave (Chloe Lilac), it’s the sound of the endless summer after high school graduation when everyone is still young but finally trying new things — exciting and terrifying.
Instagram • Facebook • Twitter • Website
“Waste My Time” is available everywhere now!
My sophomore EP – Self-Titled – is set for release later this year.
Langston Francis
Taken from their joint project Men Behaving Badly, Hull natives Chiedu Oraka and DeezKid team up with Majestic for a mighty, garage fueled, warped bass, lazer riddled remix of ‘The War Chant’.
STREAM/PURCHASE: THE WAR CHANT (MAJESTIC REMIX)
The northern pair have made a significant impact over the last year and have been cleaning the floor when it comes to jumping on freestyles and cyphers earning them some serious kudos in the scene. Single ‘Men Behaving Badly’ received an 8/10 rating from Mixmag with Chantelle Fiddy describing it as boasting genuine originality and they have also reeled in support across BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra as well as notable features across RWD, The Guardian and BBC Newsbeat.
As described by i-D magazine as ‘Yorkshire’s leading Grime artist’, Chiedu and longterm partner DeezKid met at The Warren Youth Project, where Deez agreed to volunteer in exchange for using their studio. Creating their own path, they combine Grime, Funky, Afro-fusion and Garage, with rave/club culture wrapped in their trademark humour.
Partnering with one of the UK’s top Garage producers Majestic, described by DeezKid as ‘One for the fist pumpers’. From start to finish the track is filled with contagious bubbly energy with a nod to the early 00’s club scene.
Speaking on the release the pair said “War Chant is a new garage classic, this one is carnage from start to finish and is perfect for the family bbq, your best mates kitchen party and if you dare to dream, the muckiest nightclub, you know them clubs where your feet stick to the floor. It’s great to have teamed up with Majestic, he definitely brought some energy to the table on this one”.
Check out THE WAR CHANT out now across all DSP’s.
Katherine Abbott is a free spirited folk singer/songwriter from England. Growing up in a musical household, she has been singing all her life and began writing songs as a teenager which led to pursuing a musical career through busking & performance. Influenced by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Bon Iver and inspired by the quest for freedom and the contrast between reality and dreams; Abbott composes songs on guitar that display poetic and thought provoking lyrical content and a haunting, soulful and soaring vocal delivery. Abbott’s songs blend contemporary subject matter with classic folk songwriting to create something truly unique & captivating.
Abbott began busking at the age of 16 and gigging in working mens clubs in Coventry and the West Midlands. After moving to the seaside town of Brighton, she started to play local shows and small festivals regularly, where she met and began touring with a band throughout Europe in 2010. This set alight her love of travelling which she pursued alone a year later, busking throughout Spain, living out of a rucksack and camping out. Later her travels took her further afield to India, New Zealand and Australia where she busked and played shows along the way. Tales of Abbott’s travels and the people she’s met on the road have greatly influenced her writing. Her lyrics are inspired by observing the contrast between people’s dreams and their realities. The shortcuts we take in order to reach the highs we’re hungry for and the loneliness that comes from lost dreams and the pitfalls along the way that block you from achieving your potential.
Her highly anticipated single “Lullaby for Lucas” is a song about forgiveness and not being so quick to judge others. Written after a man named Lucas, who she met whilst walking the Camino de Santiago, Abbott felt compelled to tell his story of an opera singer turned nomad. She explains, “Lucas was an opera singer in Vienna but had lost his voice and had taken to living a nomadic existence. We had a jam in a bar one night and he tried to sing but his voice just came out as this croak which brought him to tears.”
Recorded with the talented producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and friend; Jonathan Fletcher, “Lullaby for Lucas” glows with warm guitar melodies providing the backdrop for her delicate, ethereal vocals and storytelling lyricism. The minimalist arrangement allows for Abbott to demonstrate her ability to craft authentic music, creating a poignant and euphoric emotion. The songwriter confides, “I would hope in the moment the music may help someone to feel lighter in spirit. There’s so much beauty that exists inside our own minds and we can combat our daemons with it. I’m always dumb-struck by the transformative power of music.”
Abbott has performed up and down the country playing acoustic sets at festivals including Glastonbury, Rollright Fayre and Secret Garden Party and some of her personal highlights include playing in venues of great renown including Ronnie Scott’s & The Troubadour in London, as well as being invited to perform at the commemorative Nick Drake Gathering. Abbott is set to embark on a year of touring in 2021, showcasing her latest work with an array of releases lined up for the coming year. The cinematic and dreamlike “Lullaby for Lucas” is currently available worldwide.
https://www.instagram.com/katherineabbott_music/
https://www.facebook.com/katherineabbottmusic/
https://twitter.com/katherinesings8\
My debut single, “Everything About Me,” is available on all platforms now:
https://www.dawsongamble.com/directory
Inspired by a number of influences over the course of a few years, it started off with that first hook, I’ve been on the Southside of the city, drinking whiskey, and now the message is more about showing everything about me, and vice-versa, and then questioning how this person could go and walk out on us.
Give ALL of yourself, open up and show that side of you. Yeah, maybe most of the time it won’t end up being reciprocated, but wouldn’t you rather be totally 100% yourself throughout the relationship? And though doing so may get you hurt, at least you never compromise who you are as a person to mold into someone’s fake misguided interpretation of who and what you are.
Follow me on Instagram where I have brand new GIFs searchable in Stickers, and a face filter. I’m on TikTok too!
Thanks for listening,
Dawson Gamble
There’s a place that exists somewhere between the past and future, that isn’t now. A kingdom of flamboyance, eccentricity and otherworldly hues and a desire for charm beyond the physical. This is where you will find Katie Wood, music for the electric, songs that permeate the heart, lyrics that reveal your power, and a voice to remember. Welcome to her world.
Following the successful release of “Steve”, Wood is unveiling “Uh huh Yeah”. The self-produced track narrates the singer’s struggle with agoraphobia and the powerless feeling it entails. Wood confides, “I couldn’t face leaving my flat, let alone go to work or see my friends and I just felt so powerless. So the song is about that feeling and in many ways accepting it as a way to move on through it, I do believe that you have to face your fears to overcome them.”
“Uh huh Yeah” depicts everything that comes with agoraphobia – the frustration, anger and resentment, but also hope and self-acceptance. Detailing the journey of finding light at the end of the tunnel, Wood has crafted a poignant song of sincerity and self-discovery. “Uh huh Yeah” features muted tones, 80’s drums and emotional, raspy vocals reminiscent of Haim meets Kate Bush. Drenched in ethereal backing vocals, Wood has established a distinct sound and strong identity that is entirely her own.
Wood’s music is immersed in emotion, using writing as a form of escapism and expression. The musician shares, “All of my music has a kind of sarcastic charm to it, even though I mainly write about my own life experiences I don’t actually take myself ALL that seriously and it’s part of who I am – to use humour alongside somewhat depressing and solemn subjects.”
The London based artist is heavily inspired by the likes of post-punk and new wave bands such as Blondie, The Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen, as well as the glam rock days of T. Rex and Bowie. Soaking up the heavy, distorted sounds of these artists, Wood presents it in a beautiful and graceful delivery.
Having garnered acclaim from the likes of Billboard, MTV and the BBC, Wood hopes that her music will continue to enable others to feel powerful and like they’re not alone in this world. She is on a mission to help listeners be as authentic as possible and to overcome their hardships and fears.
https://www.facebook.com/katiewouldnt/
https://www.instagram.com/katiewouldnt/
https://twitter.com/katie_wouldnt
Coe is a representation of a new breed of artist, combining a fusion of rap, trap and pop with distinctive melodies to create meaningful content. Making a poignant return, his new record, with accompanied visuals for ‘Lockdown’ he continues to play with sounds, style and genre on his journey to discovery.
STREAM/PURCHASE: COE – LOCKDOWN
‘Lockdown’ visuals perfectly capture the hauntingly quiet London Underground whilst the song takes influence from the world pandemic of COVID-19. Met with a myriad of feelings following the announcement of lockdown, Coe felt frustrated, upset and subdued when he was contacted by a good friend Lukas Nathanson, a producer based in Sweden, who asked him to freestyle over his beat for Instagram and after listening for 30 seconds, Coe felt his emotions and creativity spark.
From an early age Coe’s life has orientated around music with his father being one of the leading pioneer producers of the well-respected ‘Strictly Rhythm’ label, which helped dictate the house scene in the 90’s. Following on from his father’s footsteps Coe began producing house beats which progressed into pop and hip hop beats. He then discovered where his true passion lies; songwriting.
Speaking on the release Coe says “The track ‘Lockdown’ is an expression of my thoughts out loud. I am making a statement that I am strong, wise and my parents taught me to look deeper and not just bend the knee to society and its leaders. In the current lockdown situation there are people dieing, hungry or simply struggling; is this just a coincidence?“.
With creative artillery in abundance, ’Lockdown’ has an emotive and vibe and captures the tone of many a lockdown experience, the record is also the first track recorded and mixed under the independent label GG Entertainment.
Check out LOCKDOWN out now across all DSP’s.
2020 started with a roar for SoCal’s Chloé Caroline after the release of several successful singles throughout 2019 and a major move from Nashville to her home in Los Angeles. Stellar performances followed at The Sundance Film Festival’s BMI “Snowball”, The Analog, Hotel Café, and the iconic Bluebird Cafe in January, propelling her career forward with multiple industry endorsements. Her singles received substantial airplay on all streaming platforms and terrestrial radio across the globe and her music videos added to BBC, Radio Disney, CMT, Nickelodeon, and other high profile video channels.
Like so many other artists Chloe’s career came to screeching halt with the onslaught of COVID19, but instead of stopping she has persevered going into a creative whirlwind. The result is two finished full-length albums, the first, Everywhere I Go to be released June 5th, 2020 with a series of short form visual content for social media. For Chloé the title track reflects her reverence for the classic songs and artists of the 70’s she been so influenced by. “Jamie Houston (Producer) and I made a conscious decision to lean in on the old school production styles which ended up ironically making it sound really fresh against the current wave of pop…the lyrics and sound are intentionally reflective and nostalgic…the listener looking back on a fading love”.
A prolific songwriter, Chloé co-wrote the lead single Everywhere I Go on a rainy afternoon with #1 hit songwriter Larry McCoy (Thomas Rhett “Make Me Wanna). “I brought in the concept of writing a Bee Gee’s/Earth Wind and Fire influenced song and Larry whipped out these crazy jazz chords which I flipped over as they are not typically used in Nashville…like me he thinks way outside the box”.
Larry McCoy reiterates this musical kismet stating, “ The day we wrote “Everywhere I Go” I knew it was something special. The groove and melody were so different and Chloé sings her tail off…you will know what I’m talking about when you hear this song…it is amazing!
The process of writing and recording the Everywhere I Go album began as Chloé Caroline’s first Pledge Music campaign in 2018. Chloe’s fans generously donated, but Pledge went bankrupt and pocketed a large chunk of the money leaving her to self-fund the project and merchandise.
While this album features 5 previously released singles it also contains 9 new original songs including a fan remix of her ever popular single Gypsy Daughter. With “live” music on the back burner for the remainder of 2020 Chloé will focus on live streaming several upcoming shows with Live X Live and BMI Music to take her music and songs directly to her fans.
Fyah Roiall (pronounced “royal”) is one of Jamaica’s most exciting rappers at the forefront of the emerging “grimehall” sound (also sometimes referred to as “traphall”), a new forward-facing subgenre of Jamaican music that combines American trap, UK grime, and dancehall. Having announced his album pre-order with the single ‘Nobody’, he follows up in quick succession with the high octane “Energy” which is available now via Easy Star Records.
STREAM/PURCHASE: FYAH ROIALL – ENERGY
Premiering via UGHH, ‘Energy’ champions the ‘grimehall’ sound. Delivering rapid scattergun flows injected with raw, tangible ‘Energy’ across the jagged electronic synths and military thumping bass, the influence of grime stomps its mark on the record whilst his native patois and dancehall shaped lyricism twists the sound naturally in to its own unique form. Speaking on the release Fyah Roiall says “So one day I was thinking about some of my haters – specifically other artists who don’t really f”ck with me – and I was just genuinely wondering what is it about me? Like I had to ask myself, what don’t you like about me? Cause even if you hate me your still gonna move when I’m on stage soo…After medz-ing that for a bit, it became clear to me that it was my ‘Energy’.
My energy cannot be killed, replicated nor concealed. You can’t copy Fyah Roiall or destroy me either.”
Roiall, born Brandon Wedderburn, has always been out of step with the mainstream both musically and personally. While Jamaica plays a key role in the foundation of hip hop, it is lesser known how much of an impact hip hop, trap and UK grime has had in return on Jamaica. Giving his own unique spin to the much loved, homegrown genre of UK grime to create ‘grimehall’, Roiall has already started to attract the approval, support and praise of the scene, which has led him to release a remix EP with Uncommon Records (Glastonburys’ The Commons Bass Party turned label). He made his BBC Radio 1Xtra debut as part of the stations major programming in Jamaica for their “Big Yard” series and has also featured in Becca Dudleys “DEADLY Beats” with the support set to spike once again with his influx of new creative, genre-bending music.
Always a keen listener to the music that filtered back to the island, Roiall draws inspiration from the creative lyricism and complex wordplay found within it. He was always drawn to the more political voices in early hip hop and conscious black American pop culture, when rap was a powerful voice for disenfranchised black youth. Roiall is also very much a product of Jamaica’s rich musical heritage. Rapping in his native patois, using his flow to paint pictures of real life situations embedded in a complex understanding of his cultural and historical place in the world, Roiall’s lyrics bring the past, present and future to life. Normally incredibly private, Roiall’s songs provide a window into his thoughts, to a place where his observations can be said openly and shared with other “free minds” around the world. Being considered outside of what’s expected in his home country is no easy task.
“The place traditional AS FUCK,” says Roiall. “They stick to their tradition. You’re not supposed to be this way or look like that. FUCK THAT. I’m gonna do what I fucking want.”
Roiall’s dreadlocks, nose rings, and stretched earlobes may be a common look for baristas and punk bands from the States, but his body modifications stand out in Jamaica – and not necessarily in a positive way. This is why Roiall would have a hard time breaking through in the Dancehall market – he doesn’t follow the rules. His look, sound, and creative openness are completely unacceptable in today’s Jamaican music climate, at least until he proves his concept abroad
These are just some of the diverse inspirations and life experiences that have poured into UNDERRATED. “Making music is my way of curating my museum,” Says Roiall. Involved in every level of his music, from producer and engineer to creative director and even videographer, Roiall throws himself in from vision to execution. Though he is heavily involved in every aspect of what he puts out, he also gets assistance from producers Covsnsel!, SOSDynamikz (Koffee), Space Age Rasta on these tracks.
The album’s title is meant to showcase genuine talent over contrived creativity Roiall explains, “’Underrated’ is usually an ugly word; no one wants to be considered that, but being overrated isn’t good at all, either. Being ‘underrated’ is the real deal. My aim is to pull the focus in the direction of the underrated, because I think that is where the real talent is; everything else is over saturated.”
Fyah Roiall is thrilled to release his full length album and hopes his listeners understand that “Myself and my music are all one in the same. I am my music, my music is me. If you truly know one, then you know the other, it’s that deep.”
Roiall is in a unique position to bring the legacy of Hip Hop and Bass Music back to the tiny island where it all began decades ago. He is more in touch with the current global market than his Dancehall-centric Jamaican contemporaries, and he is more authentic than the foreign producers and artists that capitalize from the trendiness of Jamaican-derived genres Jamaica may not be comfortable with his look or creative freedom yet, but, with this new project, UNDERRATED, it won’t be long before the entire world realizes how underrated Fyah Roiall is. It also might be the last time you associate that word negatively.
Check out ENERGY out now across all DSP’s.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
