Tom Walker, whose debut album ‘What A Time To Be Alive’ has never seemed more prophetic, releases a brand new single, ‘Wait For You’, recorded during lockdown.
There’s a sense of urgency in this deeply personal new track that resonates strongly during this current climate. Written by Tom, Joel Pott (George Ezra, London Grammar, Mabel) and Cam Blackwood (George Ezra), produced by Cam Blackwood and mixed by Spike Stent, Tom’s voice has never sounded better.
“This song is about a mate of mine who went through a life changing event as a teenager,” Tom explains. “It took a long time for him to heal and aspects of what happened have taken a toll on his life. Fast forward to now and he’s one of the most outgoing, positive people you could ever meet. It got me thinking that we can all go through tough times; it’s what you choose to do after that’s important. If something positive can come out of it, that’s a really special thing.”
The deeply personal narrative and emotion is reminiscent of much of Tom’s canon of hits especially ‘Leave A Light On’ and is the perfect tonic for these challenging times.
Tom, whose global streams have just passed two billion, was the biggest selling UK signed artist last year.
“What a way to kick off summer! You might wanna THINK TWICE about the new single by LA-based pop outfit Romance & Rebellion. The band digs deep into some heavy 90’s R&B vibes with the fresh-to-death ‘Think Twice’. R&R deliver bar after bar of throwback-inspired fire so infectious it will leave you singing, “Be careful what you wish for!”. Stream it now on all music platforms!”
The New York-based boundary-pushers have made a name for themselves in the spirit of change – building a movement from years of being told they were too rock for hip-hop, too hip-hop for rock. They boldly committed to creating music that defies these arbitrary rules of classification, which cemented the band as early pioneers in this current genre-blending and bending revolution. Oxymorrons have toured with and opened for the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Common, Gym Class Heroes, Waka Flocka, Ludacris, Rihanna, Salt N Pepa, Envy on the Coast, Fishbone, Astronautalis and more. Found synergy in brand partnerships with Dr. Martens, Rocawear, Microsoft, Journey’s, Taco Bell and beyond. Oxymorrons larger than life songs have been used in ads for ABC’s The Mayor and Converse, and featured on ESPN’s First Take. Over the years the band has received co-signs from Complex, VIBE, Hypebeast, Highsnobiety, Ebro Darden’s Beats 1, The Fader, Consequence of Sound, UPROXX, MTV, Alternative Press, and more.
Bellsavvy is a pop singer/songwriter with a strong attitude and musical identity. Based in London and raised in Brazil, the artist knows how to combine her latin roots and European influences to create a unique sound unlike any other. Encouraged by her mother who was a well-known pop artist in the 80’s, Bellsavvy always knew music ran deep through her veins. Even during her time as an actress and professional model, she couldn’t deny the undeniable connection she had to songwriting and performing and eventually took a leap of faith into exploring her true calling as a solo artist. With strong vocals, catchy toplines and a powerful edgy-pop style, Bellsavvy has a lot to say in her art.
Starting her career with MTV Brazil singing on the show “Studio Acesso Girls MTV”, Bellsavvy won over the hearts of over 1.8 million live viewers who all voted for her performance. Following her time on MTV, she was catapulted into the limelight, landing roles in movies, musicals and numerous musical projects around Europe.
Her debut single under the name Bellsavvy, narrates her own life experiences with the modelling industry and the devastating effect it can have on your mind and body. Following a successful modelling career, Bellsavvy’s body began to change and she suddenly started being rejected over and over again by casting agents. They would shame her for her change in weight and appearance and the constant denials quickly took its toll on the singer, brainwashing her into believing that her body was no longer good enough. These negative thoughts resulted in a loss of self-confidence and self-love and Bellsavvy soon had a mental breakdown. No longer recognizing herself in the mirror, she turned to songwriting to help her pull through. “Queen of My Mind” is her uplifting and self-empowering anthem about overcoming these inner battles, realising who you are, accepting it and understanding it, in order to truly be at one with yourself. She confides, “Queen of My Mind is a very personal, deep and emotional song. I wrote it about three years ago after a mental breakdown I had at the very end of my modeling career. I want others to feel the power we have when we love ourselves. Self-esteem, self-love and self-acceptance are the most powerful things we can have in us. It changes everything.” The songwriter has successfully crafted a song to show others that even when you hit rock bottom, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and with a bit of time and healing we can become the queen of our minds.
Produced by Billboard HOT 100 producer David Lei Brandt (Lady Gaga), the compelling pop song is all about self-confidence, self-love and ultimately about becoming the “queen of your own mind”. The bold new single features confident vocals, determined beats and courageous lyrics, while soaking up influences from other fearless female pop artists such as Lady Gaga, Brittney Spears and Demi Lovato. Along with elements of 80’s pop, such as Depeche Mode, Bellsavvy is able to concoct an infectious sound, putting her distinct stamp on it.
The dramatic visuals for “Queen of my Mind” give a deeper insight into Bellsavvy’s experiences, while delivering it through a more playful and fantastical representation. Beginning with the singer receiving negative texts from her modelling agents, we see her go through all the emotions that come in hand with a mental breakdown. From the sadness, confusion and anger to ultimately ending up blossoming and becoming stronger than she’s ever been before and evolving into the queen of her mind. Every detail of the video holds meaning, with Bellsavvy paying tribute to her latin roots, both through costume and set design, while the choreography is crafted to symbolise different emotions. The high energy video shows the damage that body shaming can cause, but it also signifies the importance of discovering your true self and feeling confident in your own body. Emphasising how the female body isn’t universal, we see the dancers dressed in haute couture for curvy women, shining light on finding your inner warrior and being proud of who you are.
Bellsavvy hopes to use her inspiring story to help people in need, using honest and authentic lyrics to tell her story and connect with listeners on a deeper level. Her music has been hugely supported by LGBTQ+ communities around the world – a community who can empathise with the discriminations that she has endured. With the goal to encourage others to feel strong, beautiful and uplifted, no matter what anyone else tells you, Bellsavvy is on a mission and no one can get in her way.
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Alternative 808s artist, GARZI, drops the throwback visual to his anthemic EP closer “SUMMER”. The retro camcorder footage is a pairing that only serves to enhance the nostalgic feel of the track. “SUMMER” is GARZI at his most reflective and realizing how far he’s come. “I was mad then, but I think I get it now, I’m not the only one that this world revolves around” he calls out as he considers the anger and frustration of his youth. GARZI describes the simple premise behind the video, “SUMMER was shot with my friends over several weeks on my VHS camera while we were just living life and the vibe was captured perfectly. It’s a good insight into my life and I’m excited for everyone to see!”
Russian electronic pop sensation Mo_Ve creates stunning emotive releases with purpose. The singer’s love for music and creation started at just six years old. Influenced by her father’s love for western culture and Jazz music, a young Olga Move aka Mo_Ve created a 10 piece band in Moscow that soon performed over 800 concerts. Since then, the Jazz outfit has performed worldwide to millions, playing headlining tours in China and has even played on national TV.
Inspired by her love of pop music, Olga decided to create a new project entitled Mo_Ve. Unleashing her debut single “Sexy Talk” in the summer of 2020, the track highlights sultry smoky vocals, catchy hooks and synth electronic soundscapes. “Sexy Talk” is inspired by her own love story. Mo_Ve confides, “It was a distant relationship, I’m from Russia, he is from Germany and we first met in Dubai. It was a crazy passionate and unique connection, I had never felt before. Only one thing that we had after our first meeting was chat and our sexy talk.” Mo_Ve inspires others with “Sexy Talk” to hold on to true love, despite the obstacles a couple might face.
The talented singer-songwriter has a goal to inspire women to be outspoken and not worry about what society may think of them. Growing up in post Soviet Union, Mo_Ve had witnessed a myriad of situations where women were silenced from speaking their own truth. She hopes her honesty can help be a catalyst for change for a more open and accepting society where women can feel free to express themselves and embrace their own confidence. “Sexy Talk” is out now worldwide.
“6 Months” has now amassed nearly 15 million streams and continues to stay in the top 25 at Hot AC radio. John K also recently released a really fun quarantine video for the song.
“6 months” follows John K’s breakout single “if we never met” that is now RIAA certified GOLD with 170+ million streams and a remix featuring Kelsea Ballerini, all while being featured on Beats 1’s “Bop of the Week,” reaching #3 on Apple Music’s Today’s Hits, #2 on A-List Pop and reaching #11 at Hot AC Radio. The song was also featured on Rolling Stone’s “Songs You Need to Know” as well as Billboard, Forbes, Ones to Watch and more.
Earlier this year, the buzzing rising Florida-native performed “if we never met” on the TODAY show followed by a sold-out show at the Mercury Lounge in New York. Not only did he release a new version of the track featuring country superstar Kelsea Ballerini , but also teamed up for an official remix by Sigala. Additionally, he was featured on the cover of the coveted “Pop Rising” playlist on Spotify!
John K now gears up for the release of his debut album – due out this year.
K-Pop Rookie boy band, CRAVITY, release a euphoric music video for “Cloud 9,” off their debut album CRAVITY SEASON1. [HIDEOUT: REMEMBER WHO WE ARE]. “Cloud 9” is meant to showcase a different side of the nine members to their fans, with its upbeat sound and fresh visuals, as opposed to their debut single “Break All The Rules,” which MTV News referred to as “electrifying” and “rebellious.”
“We made many great memories through this track during the hot summer days! Whenever I listen to this song, it makes me think of delightful moments where we spent time together practicing our choreography, shooting the photos and the music video. It’s like a treasure, which makes me extremely happy” says Vocalist Seongmin. Wonjin adds; “This track makes us laugh together and brings us lots of energy and happiness. It makes our bond stronger thus making our teamwork improve. It helps us to unite as one.”
The video for “Cloud 9” follows the release of CRAVITY’s debut album, which caused a wave of intrigue and excitement here in the states, with mentions in PAPER Magazine, Access, iHeart, J-14, MTV News, Earmilk, and Rolling Stone who referred to their title track as “An anthemic track from the K-pop rookies that combines 808-style riffs with the melodic sensibilities of early-2000s boybands (extended dance break included).” In addition to that, CRAVITY made a splash on social media, debuting at No. 12 on Billboard’s Social 50 chart for the week dated April 25.
Rapper and Leader Serim leaves us with a final statement; “It’s a great pleasure that we are able to show our fans our very refreshing track “Cloud 9.” It definitely has a different atmosphere from our title track “Break All The Rules,” so please look forward to it!”
If you’re not too familiar with the rising star, his debut E.P ‘My OH My’, which has just released features ‘Wine N Bubble’ as the breakout record, it’s the perfect introduction to his skippy, vibrant and melodic sound. Featuring artists including rap sensation Romzy on ‘Gyal From Niger’, as well as Carz, Munie and RM, the EP is an eclectic mix of dance floor anthems, deeper reminiscent chill out tracks and hood bangers, with ‘Wine N Bubble’ sitting brightly between the dancefloor and the streets. Produced by Circa95, the track has a UK stamp all over it. With knock out synths, a rumbling bassline and a clicking backline, the instrumental draws on classic garage and grime whilst having today’s refreshing melodic flows from Tynee DuzDis.
Alongside the UK support of an artist with a bright future that has seen his videos premiered with the likes of Link Up TV for singles such as ‘F Your Ex’ and ‘Chosen’, Mixtape Madness for ‘It Gets Like That’ featuring Carz, P110 ‘Hoods Hottest’, tracks premiered across BBC Radio 1Xtra and performances at the O2 arena, Tynee Duzdis has taken his sound to the global stage too. In Atlanta he has recorded tracks with producers and musicians as a part of a PRS project, he has recorded and shot video to a few released singles in Canada and also New York, and has also performed in Jamaica.
Building his career using popular social media platforms YouTube and Instagram, he continues to amplify his sound with this debut collection of music.
Stay up to date with Tynee DuzDis by following his socials for news about upcoming releases & more.
My lyrics I’m learning more about being human and treating others the way I want to be treated, hit me more than ever within our current fragile moment in history. My new song, “Peaches,” celebrates the golden rule and the moments in which life is pretty great, whether that be enjoying a tasty dessert or catching a sunset on the ocean.
Watch the skatepark visualizer for “Peaches” on YouTube
Listen to “Peaches” on Spotify 🍑 Apple Music 🍑 SoundCloud
Grammy Award winning engineer Craig Bauer mixed the song which I produced. It has a half-pop-half-acoustic vibe and represents my sonic leanings and also my personality very well.
I was going for a light hearted and unabashed spirit of joy with “Peaches.” It is important to recognize that there is a very heavy and negative landscape in the world we live in, so my challenge became about developing the song’s music to support its positive mood.
Hopefully when you tune into this song, it can help lift your spirits. Thank you for lending “Peaches” your ears.
John Brazell
I wrote “Half” reflecting on my identity as a mixed-race person. A few years ago I was asked to play Gilbert Blythe in the Charlottetown Festival’s production of Anne of Green Gables. It was one of the biggest honours of my life.
I was the first person of colour to play that role on a professional stage but I didn’t realize it until after an article came out where the headline read, “JJ Gerber first non-white actor to play Gilbert.” I thought to myself, “That’s not completely accurate.” My dad is white and my mother is black. Culturally I’m both white and black.
As I played the part I had numerous people come up and tell me what it meant to see a person like them on stage. Thinking about it, I realized that I hadn’t ever had that experience myself.
I wrote this song because I’m not just “half,” I’m whole. One side doesn’t take away from the other.
Listen to “Half” on SoundCloud // Spotify // Apple Music
One’s existence is a tapestry of stories, and “Half” is the embodiment of as many experiences from my life that I could include in a three-minute song.
I want people who are of mixed race to be proud of their heritage. By showing my pride in who I am, I hope others will be able to do the same.
Thank you for listening,
JonoJosh
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Artist and songwriter Tessa Violet has debuted the video for her brand new collaboration with Vancouver-based 3-piece daysormay, featuring on their new single “Role Model.” The song is the first single off the band’s upcoming EP slated for a release later this year via T∆G Music, where Tessa Violet is signed as well. Listen to “Role Model” everywhere now here, watch the official video here, and check out the artists’ dual-interview on the collaboration with Ladygunn + an exclusive on the song with Alternative Press.
Their story is incredible…
An independent artist blazing a path of her own, L.A.-based Tessa Violet released her debut album last year, Bad Ideas. The sole songwriter on all but one of the album’s tracks, the project received Spotify’s Times Square billboard and has seen widespread success with hit single “Crush” amassing 100MM+ aggregate streams. Singles including “Games” and “I Like (the idea of) You” drew widespread critical love from outlets like The FADER, Billboard, MTV News, V Magazine, etc. Watch her latest music video for “Bored” now here, which saw love from the likes of Flaunt and Sweety High.
Tessa spent much of 2019 touring including sellout headline tours in the U.S. and Europe, joining AJR, COIN, and Misterwives on direct support tours, and playing her festival debut at Lollapalooza.
Broken Bones Matilda create an enigmatic hybrid of sound, influenced by 70s rock to the early 90s surge of raw, post grunge bands they grew up with. Hailing from Bath and now based in London, the duo have been described as Nick Cave meets Fleetwood Mac, oozing raspy lead vocals and soaring harmonies over well-crafted songs.
Their latest single “Everafter” is a teenage romance song. Narrating young love and the feelings of insecurity and shyness you have when you like someone but don’t have the courage to ask them out, the song reminds us of those distant highschool memories and the voices inside that shout, “Hurry up or you’re gonna be too late!”
Taking an organic approach with their music, “Everafter” was recorded to tape at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios. Produced by Scott Barnett, the track delivers a dreamesque sound featuring warm guitar arrangements, beautifully hazy vocals and cascading harmonies. Emitting an almost hypnotic effect and bleeding with sincerity and authenticity, the duo share, “Working to tape you can get results sonically that you wouldn’t get digitally. It also brings an element of pressure to the recording as you need to commit to things and you have the added pressure of limited takes.”
Having performed at major festivals including Glastonbury, Wilderness, CarFest N&S, Pub In The Park and many more, as well as opening for the likes of Texas, Ward Thomas, KT Tunstall and Alice Wallace, the duo have been garnering notoriety from fans and critics across the country.
Broken Bones Matilda are about to embark on a two week virtual tour of UK breweries, raising money for #saveourvenues. Virtually crossing the UK, one craft brewery every evening, they will be flying the flag for independent businesses while simultaneously raising spirits as they go. The tour will also include local artists performing live drawing sessions, as well as surprises spicing up each show.
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Emerging indie talent Josie Proto today releases “Burner” – the third single from her upcoming debut EP Pub Songs: Volume 1.
An intriguing young artist, “Burner” is another exciting window into the unique world of Josie Proto and her witty storytelling. Reminiscent of “Foundations” era Kate Nash, Josie’s lyrical style – conversational, occasionally tongue-in-cheek – shines across “Burner”’s blend of dinky pianos, sunny guitar strums and Josie’s quintessentially British vocal delivery.
Of “Burner” – written by Josie with Ben Matravers, brother of Easy Life’s Murray Matravers – Josie explains: “I wrote ‘Burner’ with Ben Matravers in March. A lot of false information was being spread about COVID-19 and we were both experiencing similar feelings of escapism. The song came about because we felt inclined to use social media due to its benefits, despite having to deal with its consequences. Jokingly, we wrote about the idea that the only way to escape social media was to ‘live in a cave’. Our intention was to write a song that felt like a release rather than an attack on social media. The video was created completely in lockdown. With a little help from my sister and my iPhone, I recorded and edited ‘Burner’ in my local field and my back garden! I wanted to create something that people would laugh at and enjoy watching. ‘Not taking myself too seriously’ was the idea I was going for!”
Garnering instant validation from Gen-Z internet, Josie’s debut song “BTEC Lily Allen” immediately went viral across Tik Tok to rack up over half a million views, thanks to the track’s universally relatable message of not giving in to hateful criticisms and learning to be your own biggest fan. The track also resonated with the real Lily Allen herself, who Josie now also counts as part of her rapidly growing fanbase.
With international support rolling in from tastemakers like CLASH Magazine and Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1, Josie has quickly accumulated 200K+ Spotify streams for her music, with her Tik Tok videos reaching almost 5M plays and countless cover versions of her songs popping up – proof that she’s a future emotional hero in the making for the younger generation with her sharp, amusing storytelling capturing everyday experiences and turning them into exciting, light-hearted forms of escapism.
Inspired by the vulnerability of Carole King and Nina Simone as well as the everyday relatability of Madness, at just 19 years old the British teen is taking all these formative sounds and experiences somewhere new. And like those song writing greats who inspired her, it’s Josie’s multi-faceted approach to her craft – where the production, visuals and compelling storytelling all go hand-in-hand – that make her truly exciting.
He is a Universal Music Award Winner and has collected a number of other awards including the Oscar Peterson Award, Standard Bank Award for best original composition and Most Promising Performing Solo Artist. Francois was also awarded finalist in the IAMA, John Lennon, and USA Songwriting competitions. He has worked on projects with Universal Music Group UK and has shared the stage with various artists including Grammy winner Jon Bellion (Rihana Eminem), Genuwine, Shawn Desman, Karl Wolf and Sebell.
Netflix’s new dance film, Feel the Beat ─ directed by Elissa Down and starring Disney’s Descendants’ Sofia Carson ─ utilizes indie singer/songwriter Francois Klark’s dreamy, evocative song “Always” as a character and story piece. The song, originally appearing on Klark’s 2018 debut album, Love, captures the beauty and hope of Down’s latest feature. The story follows Carson’s character April, who, after failing to find success on Broadway, returns to her small hometown and is reluctantly recruited to train a misfit group of young dancers for a big competition.
In the production’s casting stage, Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance) stumbled upon the song and used it to backdrop the audition process. Down was instantly infatuated with the song’s stunning melody, feeling it embodied Carson’s character and eventual arc, and decided to weave the song into the film.
“Always” not only bookends the film with a beautiful orchestral version performed by Sofia Carson herself ─ but the piano ballad prominently features in the film’s climax, a dance sequence choreographed by Michaels dubbed the “petal dance”. Additionally, its melody is peppered throughout the beautifully orchestrated film score (Amie Doherty, Michael Yezerski)
The release of the film is accompanied by a Spanish version of “Always” (“Siempre”) performed by Carson, as well as an official ASL music video by Francois Klark starring culturally Deaf American Sign Language interpreter Sage Lovell and choreography by Matthew Fata featuring dancers Katie Hazard and Ian Chubb. Feel the Beat (screenplay written by Michael Armbruster and Shawn Ku) boasts an impressive ensemble cast: Wolfgang Novogratz (Sierra Burgess Is a Loser), Donna Lynne Champlin (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Enrico Colantoni (Veronica Mars), and Lidya Jewett (Hidden Figures), among many others.
(Photo Credit: Omar Guerra)
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Folk bluesy singer-songwriter Cat Clyde new acoustic album, Good Bones, is out now via Cinematic Music Group. Good Bones is comprised of songs from her critically-acclaimed albums, Ivory Castanets and Hunters Trance, along with a brand-new track “Toaster.”
In support of the new album, Cat has painted artwork for each song from the record and is running contest here: https://catclyde.ffm.to/prints. Along with this content Cat will be doing a live stream concert on her YouTube page on Saturday, June 20 at 3PM EDT at https://youtu.be/qDSkFrpxRLI
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.
There, in the spiraling pattern of petals on your favorite houseplant, in the cell structure of the pineapple on your counter, even in the double helix of your every strand of DNA, is the golden ratio. The mathematical equation is ingrained in organic beauty, a set of specific factors overcome by biological charm. That same paradox powers the debut from Chicago duo Gold Star Gold Star, their take on classic radio pop fascinating in its studied precision, knowing subversive choices, and undeniable warmth.
On Introducing… Gold Star Gold Star, the duo of Adam Miller and Adam Obermeier use the language of bands like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Motown acts–and then twist the dial ever so slightly away from what you’d hear on AM radio. “It comes out with this Lynchian effect of taking something very familiar, and even a slight difference feels a little bit weird,” Obermeier says. “Those exciting moments are in our blood. It’s pop music, so every second needs to be exciting.”
Miller and Obermeier met at a party as students at Columbia College in 2015. “We just started talking about the Beatles, and it moved on from there,” Miller says. Shortly thereafter, they joined with four other Chicagoans to form indie pop outfit Jungle Green. As that band returned from a recording session in Los Angeles in 2017, its members split off into new combinations and projects to kickstart their creative process. For their project, the Adams (as they are often called) decided to set a restrictive genre formula for themselves. But rather than find themselves stuck in a box, Miller and Obermeier explored their adoration of every millimeter of the box’s interior and built dazzling new worlds within it.
The crackling bar band rollick “Brand New Start” provides the ideal opening, vintage organ buried underneath a rich piano and tight harmonies. Later, hushed ballad “How Can I Show You” waltzes through a tear-streaked memory. “Morning comes/ And gives/ You back so tenderly/ From a dream,” Miller sings, wind chimes tinkling as if powered by his sighs. The talk of precious love and angels from above on clap-along “Play It Cool”, meanwhile, echoes Jan & Dean’s California harmonic breeze.
From the earliest inklings of Introducing…, the duo split every element of the album’s recording, aided by fellow Jungle Green member Vivian McCall as producer. Each Adam would come up with song ideas, picking up guitar, bass, piano, percussion, and even lyric-writing as the ideas struck. On day one, they set out to write a track that could fit on Rubber Soul, complete with sublime mono recordings and detailed arrangements. However, their twist came in removing any hint of ownership or control in its lovelorn lyrics. That first song, the swooning “If You Only Knew”, sways in a sepia breeze, every signifier of love hanging in the balance; the plinking glockenspiel and falsetto vocal falls balance against rubbery bass and waves of guitar.
The duo wrote and recorded the track in a single day, and then aimed to write an entire brace of songs in that same process–one a day, until they had an album’s worth. But as they dug deeper, the resulting songs demanded more detailed attention. “From the early ‘60s to Phil Spector to the Beatles, they put way more time and attention into mono mixing than they did their stereo mixing,” Miller explains. And more than an aesthetic, the duo’s recording process was aimed at directing their woozy hyper-emotionality right to the heart. “Working with mono, you’re literally down a dimension, so you have to be a little bit smarter in how you arrange, mix, and EQ,” Obermeier says. “Neil Young has said that mono comes at you, while stereo places you inside the mix. Mono allows you a perception of time and movement that you don’t have in stereo.”
The duo’s name pays homage to their mono aesthetic as well as their own repeated name, doubling up on the name of a Los Angeles studio space that acted as the home for the “wall of sound” and sessions for Pet Sounds, The Association, and Ritchie Valens, all the way through to Sonny and Cher. The Gold Star Gold Star sound falls into that scope as well; Miller and Obermeier follow their inspiration to whatever pure pop brilliance catches their eye. “There was a week where all we were listening to was a lot of Serge Gainsbourg, and you can absolutely hear it on the album,” Obermeier says.
Each song is full of unexpected moments that jolt listeners out of the classic reverie: the wood block on piano stomper “1-800”, the fluorescent fuzz guitar solo on “Talkin’ Need My Friends Blues”, the trickling water on elegiac “Sun Staying Down”. Those twists and turns amass into a language all Gold Star Gold Star’s own. “We don’t want to do the same thing over and over again,” Miller says. “We put unique limitations on each song, and then wound up with something unique every time.”
I think it’s becoming a pretty universal truth that everyone seems to be living a better life, especially by the purely objective metrics of what one sees online.
They definitely don’t have nearly as many bad days and hours of boredom, right? Everything they do must be action packed, exciting and self-actualizing?
My latest song, “Concrete,” is about a “friend” of mine who seems to have moved on to greener pastures and left me behind to drudge through my dreary existence without them.
Watch the official lyric video for “Concrete” on YouTube
Stream “Concrete” via Spotify ⧫ Apple Music ⧫ SoundCloud
There is some beauty in our darker sides. The songs I write are to tell stories that I need to say, things that fester inside if held for too long. La poésie est dans la rue.
“Concrete” is the start of something bigger. I’ve got several songs coming down the pipeline in the near future that should paint a clear picture of my mission statement.
Thank you for your time,
Peter Drucker
Photo Credit: Cindy Nguyen
Toronto-based R&B/pop artist Erez Zobary has a timeless voice, in more ways than one. Raised on Stevie Wonder and Amy Winehouse, Erez’s soulful vocals echo the sounds and styles of her youth. Lyrically she is raw and uninhibited, writing openly about universal, yet highly personal, feelings of self-worth, uncertainty, and vulnerability. Combined with her down-to-earth sense of humour and natural charisma, which she displays online and onstage, Erez engages with a growing fanbase who resonate deeply with her message of empowerment, and find joy and connectivity in the community she has fostered.
Over the last five years, Erez has played to audiences around the country, from sold-out shows at venues like Lee’s Palace and the Taste of Danforth festival in Toronto, to packed theatres at TEDxQueensU in Kingston, and the National Music Centre in Calgary, as a participant in the RBC Master in Residence Program with Steven Page. In 2019, Erez was selected by HoneyJam as one of Canada’s up-and-coming female artists.
Erez has released 3 EPs in collaboration with various artists, including Enoch Ncube of MONEYPHONE (Erez & Enoch Love You, Twenty), and Brahny (Love and Lots of Sleep), to create music that combines her distinctive sense of storytelling with experimental sounds, and diverse genres. In 2019, Erez partnered with frequent musical collaborators Adam Eisen and David Lipson to create her first full-length project, July Clouds, which received national attention for songs like “Love Me” (CBC Song of the Week) and “Before I Knew You” (Spotify Fresh Finds).
Now Erez turns inward, at a time of great self-discovery and uncertainty, to create a collection of deeply personal songs. On her upcoming project, Erez draws from the anxieties, challenges, and changes facing her, and many like her, who are searching to understand themselves.
World music artist Ajeet releases her new single “Dance Of The Moon” along with a music video available here
Ajeet has said that, “Dance of the Moon” sings to wildness in the night and the endless spaces of the dream world. It invokes ancient lore telling of spirits in other realms, who at times offer glimpses past the veil between us. We wake from dreams, and they slip away like dust at our fingertips, but a feeling lingers. This song moves to capture that lingering feeling of the space between worlds, and open to the wild beauty and potent mystery of the imaginal realm.
Ajeet is a world music artist weaving inspiration from traditional Irish folk to mystical and meditative soundscapes. The band comes together from Spain, Ireland, and the United States to offer a musical experience that 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.
After harkening backing to their dance roots with HAZE OF HEARTS for the final edition of the ELECTRONIC SAVIORS, TRADE SECRETS returns with THESE OTHER LIVES – a new multi-part musical series. Part One, a digital EP, is set for release July 10th, 2020 via Distortion Productions.
Picking up where their debut album BEFORE WE VANISH left off, THESE OTHER LIVES PART ONE takes what Regen Magazine described as “hauntingly evocative melodies with a blend of dark post-punk tones and synthesized ambience” and pushes Trade Secrets into new territory. The new series finds Trade Secrets further expanding their rich sonic palette, taking the listener on a cinematic journey of distance and desire in the digital age.
The opening track, a Vangelis-inspired instrumental entitled OUT THE PICTURE serves as a gateway not just into the EP but the project as a whole. “It’s about longing. For a connection to a person, to a place, or to a moment, no matter where, when or even how”, says TS founder F.J. DeSanto. Intimate and moody while retaining their electronic dance roots, Trade Secrets’ lush soundscapes and deep textures usher us through back alley bars, late night phone calls and the morning after.
Written, recorded and produced in various locations around the world by the band, the EP was mixed and mastered by Trade Secrets’ own Mike Venezia, who reveals “sonically, this new body of work focuses more on space, texture, and tension and release – more dynamics, more drama.” The band are joined once again by special guests James Meays of Missing Words and Alex Gonzalez of By An Ion. “There’s something elegant in this, something deep where all of the songs make sense together as a whole,” says Damien Polak who sings on the new synth-driven song FREQUENCY. “The EP is like four different emotions of the same or four distinct moments along the same day.”
To visually represent the entire project, DeSanto sought out acclaimed photographer Liam Wong after seeing Wong’s work in his recent book TO:KY:OO. “When I first saw Liam’s photos, I was blown away by how he captured the true heart and soul of where I was writing the songs. It’s the closest I’ve ever seen someone capturing the imagery and feeling that was in my head when conceiving Trade Secrets.”
THESE OTHER LIVES PART TWO is also set for release as a digital EP later in the year and then both EPs will be combined into a limited edition CD which will feature tracks that are unique to the physical version. Says DeSanto: “I think with this project, we have hit upon what I feel is not only the best version of Trade Secrets, but the best collection of music I’ve ever done. These songs are laser-focused and I think we have spent the last three years building to this moment. It’s all come together perfectly. I have always felt that my best skill is to bring out the best in very talented people, almost like a conductor of sorts, and we have truly found our groove together. I’ve been very lucky to have these guys step up once again to deliver something that I feel is a declaration of what Trade Secrets truly is.”
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Meet rising Swedish indie pop singer, Ellen Krauss who is thrilled to share her new single “Bali” out now through Tiller Inc. licensed to BMG Recorded Music and featured on Ones to Watch.
Ellen says, : “(Uncontrollable attraction, Quarantine, Corona, Dream away , travelling – Bali).
“This song is about a steamy date. Simple as that. The girl I wrote it about had planned a trip to Bali. “Maybe this song will play a different role now than when I wrote it, because of Corona. People now have to fantasise about a hot vacation instead of actually going places. But that can be fun too.”
At just 19 years old, Ellen Krauss has already received praise from some of the world’s biggest musical icons, such as super producer Max Martin and pop star Carly Rae Jepsen, and been awarded the Rookie Artist of the Year at the Denniz Pop Awards in Sweden, as voted for by a panel including pop sensations Tove Lo and Laleh. Her debut single and LGBTQ acceptance anthem, ‘The One I Love,’ has racked up over 12 million total global streams since its release last year, and was added to over 1,500 playlists, including Spotify’s New Music Friday (Sweden).
Entirely self-taught, Ellen has been flexing her musical skills since the age of four, and she spent most of her youth writing songs in her bedroom in Stockholm, or in South Africa where her family occasionally lived. Inspired by a diverse group of artists such as Ed Sheeran, King Princess, Dire Straits and Bruce Springsteen, her music is also imbued with the rebellious spirit of youth. She is outspoken about LGBTQ equality, women’s rights, and pushes back against the traditional social structures that a young girl should fit into. It all manifests in her charismatic, playful and thoughtful songwriting. “I want to look at what makes us similar,” Ellen says about her music, “and try and bring people together.”
Keep up with Ellen on her socials for more music, touring updates, and additional exciting news to be announced.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
