Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: BET Award nominees Young T & Bugsey, Jnel, Tessa Violet, Fatherdude, Peter Katz, Mathew V, Dysplay, Sheyi, Mikoh, Mike Ruby, Bakar, Josie Proto, TAKI…..

Nottingham’s superstars, and BET Award nomineesYoung T & Bugsey are back with another huge remix to their global hit, ‘Don’t Rush’  – this time in the form of a mega U.S remix featuring none other than superstar and legendary rapper Busta Rhymes.

Listen Here.

After the release of their huge Latin remix which featured the popular singer/songwriter Rauw Alejandro and equally huge remix with U.S rapper DaBaby – Young T & Bugsey have gifted fans with an astonishing link up, which will no doubt make fans of all ages go crazy.  On this remix, the iconic rapper Busta Rhymes comes through and shows just why he is who he is, with his unique and playful rap flow – an epic verse, to compliment this amazing track.

“Young T and Bugsey have officially made one of the biggest chunes of the year. I felt honored when they mentioned my name in the song and in doing so, that combined with how great the feeling is on the record. It’s like they rolled out the red carpet for me to get on the remix. Now that we’ve come together on this remix, expect the world to get mashed up a little more but in a great way though!” says Busta Rhymes.

“Getting someone like Busta on the remix was crazy. He is someone we both grew up listening to, so to actually have him jump on one of our songs and collab with us is amazing. It’s a moment! And his verse is fire,” says Young T & Bugsey.

rising electronic producer Jnel makes his return with a dreamy new single, “Ticking Clocks” ft Kyra Grove independently released.

“Ticking Clocks” is the third single from Jnel, artist pseudonym of LA-Native Justin Nelson. In the track, Grove’s sultry vocals delicately thread Jnel’s chimerical production. The head-bobbing drop is characterized by brass instruments and melodic synthesized chords.

I teamed up with vocalist Kyra Grove to deliver feelings of nostalgia and hope. In the middle of a big transition phase in my life, I wanted to write a song that captured the feeling of wanting to be a care-free kid again. I think most people can relate to a period in their young life where you’re pretty oblivious to the world around you, everything just seems to “work”, and there’s at least one special person you’re experiencing that feeling with.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

I wrote this really tender, nostalgia-inducing chord progression on the piano that captured that feeling perfectly. But I didn’t want the story to end there; I wanted the track to make it seem like you can find your way back to that special feeling again. That’s what inspired the powerful melodic brass section to come in at the drop. I think it brings an entirely different type of energy to the song, but does a good job of complementing the tender chord progression.

I sent the instrumental off to Kyra, and when she passed back the vocal demo I was blown away. We ended up iterating on lyrics for 8 months until we had everything just as we wanted it; in the end, we felt like we had really told a story. I think the fact that over half of the lyrics in the song are questions is very unique and special; it’s like Kyra is asking herself and the listener questions, is desperately wanting an answer, but the only response she gets is the music
– describes Nelson on the new tune.

artist and songwriter Tessa Violet has released new single “Bored” featuring indie-pop band MisterWives. The song is available everywhere now here. Watch the quarantine-inspired official video here, which features snippets of fans coping in isolation

Detailing the inspiration behind the dual-frontwoman powerhouse collaboration, which comes from Tessa’s debut album Bad Ideas and is currently seeing adds at alt-radioTessa notes, “Working on this collab with MisterWives got me thinking about why it’s so inspiring to me to see someone like Mandy killing it in the alternative space. I think as women in rock sometimes it feels like we’re ‘alt-alt’ — just a little but outside of what’s typically thought of as alternative. Having Mandy (and the amazing horn section of MisterWives) join me on this track feels like a celebration of that feeling of being a little bit different! I hope when my young fans hear us together, it lights something up in them. Sometimes all it takes is seeing someone who looks like you doing a thing to inspire you.”

MisterWives’ Mandy Lee adds: “I’ve been hooked on Tessa Violet since my friend introduced me to her music and getting the chance to have her tour with us last December (remember touring?!?!) was an absolute dream. I always try to bring out women on the road since it is a complete boys club and help grow what I like to call ‘Sistourhood,’ so getting to see her completely tear up the stage so effortlessly with her spunky personality and hair as vibrant as her sound sucked me in the whole set. So much so that I was then scrambling to get ready for my own set because that allotted time is usually for warmups and getting ready! Needless to say when Tessa asked me to sing on ‘Bored’ (the quarantine anthem she didn’t realize she wrote before the world got flipped upside down) I immediately was in. Getting to be on this song with her was as fun as when Tessa and I went to Disney together (remember amusement parks?!?)”

The new song comes on the heels of last week’s release of Tessa’s 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. Watch the “Role Model” official video here and check out Tessa and the band’s exclusive with Ladygunn.

An independent artist blazing a path of her own, Tessa Violet’s meteoric rise culminated with the fall 2019 release of her debut album, Bad Ideas, rounding out a breakout year for the rising artist. 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 130MM+ aggregate streams alone and earning a Genius ‘Verified.’ The album saw further support from the likes of Billboard, MTV News, and The FADER.

On the live side, Tessa spent much of last year cutting her teeth on the road and establishing herself as a captivating, fearless frontwoman. Catapulting her otherwise spunky, eclectic recordings to an intoxicating new level of raw, unabashed rock, 2019 saw Tessa and her shredding live band sell out headline tours in the U.S. and Europe, join AJRCOIN, and Misterwives on direct support tours, and play her festival debut at Lollapalooza.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Based in New York City, Fatherdude is a multifaceted vocalist and musician best known for his dynamically powerful voice and performance. Fatherdude is now entering the next chapter of his vision capturing a uniquely soulful and explosive sound that blends Pop, Electronic, R&B and Rock. Alias for acclaimed songwriter/artist Mitch Conwell, Fatherdude has been featured in Billboard, Dancing Astronaut, This Song is Sick, Vice, Earmilk, among others,  has worked with heavyweights in electronic music, such as San Holo and Benny Benassi as well as hip-hop legends Redman and Joell Ortiz, and has announced his newest release, Billions EP. The title track  was featured on ​​​​NBC’s S​ongland ​(​with guest artist ​Usher) which aired yesterday, on June 15, 2020.  Fatherdude is currently working with iconic, Grammy Award-winning duo, producers, and long-time collaborators, Brasstracks on his future Summer releases.

Credit: JustinBroadbent

“I Will Never Leave You” is a love song to self. When I first wrote that lyric, I thought it was for someone else, but it became clear that the person I was writing for was in the mirror.

Oftentimes the first person we sacrifice is ourselves, which ultimately means we can’t be of service to anybody. I’ve certainly been guilty of this at times.

I wrote “I Will Never Leave You” with Grammy-Award winning writer and producer Rich Jacques in Los Angeles, and it was produced by Derek Hoffman here in Toronto.

The whole writing experience had me so far out of my comfort zone that I felt like I wasn’t confined to any rules of what a Peter Katz song is supposed to sound like.

I wrote “I Will Never Leave You” for me, but I’m putting it out there for you. I hope you can spend some time with it, see what I put in there for you, and hopefully feel more connected and loving towards yourself through the experience of it.

Thank you for listening.

PETER KATZ

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

@danielkeenvideo

I wrote “Give It All,” my latest single, as a love song to my partner. Finding that most of my songs were sad, I wanted to switch things up and express my willingness to go with the ebb and flow together.

This track was produced and co-written by the amazing pop duo, Fly By Midnight. Our schedules lined up after over a year of trying to line up a studio session when I was in LA at the end of a writing trip, leading us to write and record “Give It All” in four hours.

I am so in love with everything about this song and I’m hoping that those of you who love bubble-gum pop connect with the essence that we’ve created here.

Listen to “Give It All” HERE!

This song is taken from my upcoming album, Two Faced, out August 7th, a labour of love which captures the spectrum of my moods, through their highs and lows.

I am not an artist that lives in one space and I am excited to share that breadth with you.

Thanks for listening!

Mathew V

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The pair (Eric Scullin and Devin Hoffman) have worked with everyone from RZA to Awolnation to Bon Iver and have now set their sights on their own sound, bringing their talents to the forefront using the name Dysplay. Inspired by everything from the alternative sounds of Phoenix and Tame Impala to the danceable vintage new wave of Brian Eno, Talking Heads, and David Bowie, the duo has put a personal & fresh spin on the new single and created an incredibly entertaining video to match.

About the song, the duo says, “The song is partly about growing up and feeling out of place or out of your depth sometimes. People can take on these characters to fight that a little bit and that’s how we approached the video while doing it in a way that kind of jumps through generations of music history. We wanted the visuals to parallel the different influences on the recording, with the kind of Beach Boys vocal harmonies going with the chorus-y guitar, etc. and we also wanted to start and end with the feel of an old live television performance from the Ed Sullivan Show or American Bandstand.”

Sheyi is a soul singer-songwriter based in London. Her debut single ‘Stronger’ will be released on June 30th accompanied by a heartwarming music video that reminds us to stay connected even amidst isolation and uncertainty. It is a deeply personal song which reflects the essence of who she is as an artist. Sheyi penned ‘Stronger’ a few years ago and with all the recent events that the world is experiencing, this song now seems more fitting than ever. Sheyi wants to use it to address fear in a positive and empowering way by sharing the universal message that we are all the same. 

Stronger is my conversation with fear. It is me saying what I want to say to fear and finding a way to not let it control me. The idea for the video came from my me and my husband! I wanted people to show me their fears as well, so I asked my friends to send me a 10 second video of their written down fears. The video editor put them all together really well, and so that first image you see is really powerful It was amazing having all the support from friends and getting them involved. I then decided to sing in front of a wall of fears which also worked really well in the video.

‘Stronger’ got airplays on BBC radio London before its official release, creating high anticipation. Now more than ever, the song spreads love and hope despite the turmoil the world is currently in. 

Growing up while listening to the music of Anita Baker, Toni Braxton and Luther Vandross, Sheyi started writing songs at 15 to use her voice to make a difference in the world and tackle topics that matter. At this young age, she was given the chance to work with David and Carrie Grant, who helped her out with her early writing and remain an important part of her musical journey.  

She then had the opportunity to perform at large events including the prestigious venue Royal Albert Hall. Sheyi uses her gift to speak to and for people. She is also one half of the electronic duo called Clap and Thunder; refusing to stick to one music genre, she utilizes her voice to move people, hoping her message will resonate with people across the globe.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Photographer: Max Foley

Mikoh, a French-Canadian singer, songwriter and producer. Inspired by acts that vary from Grimes, The Weeknd, and Linkin Park, she creates hypnotizing sonic textures shaped by a lifelong classical training in music.

Her arrangements are evocative, hypnagogic and reflective, springing forth from her mind in the wake of a tumultuous coming-of-age.

“La la Land”, Mikoh’s latest single from the “Strange Lullabies” project is dark and dramatic. This track reflects the artist’s interpretation of social media’s impact on our online culture as well as our real lives.

Available to the public as of June 30th, 2020, this self-produced track was created to voice an opinion on the glamourization of the superficial aspect that influences many of us that spend any amount of time on social media, whether we realize it or not.

“La la Land” is engineered in collaboration with The Orange Lounge’s Anthony Jordan (Majid Jordan, Roy Woods, Pressa).

My debut EP, You Wrote These Songs, out now, has a little bit of everything: heartbreak, love, nostalgia, loss, angst, and hope.

Dance, shout out, and reminisce to You Wrote These Songs on Spotify 🌟Apple Music produced and co-written with Ryan Stewart (Carly Rae Jepsen), Jamey Heath (Andy Grammer) and Joel Stouffer (Dragonette).

Track 3 “Don’t Want You Back (wtf)” is an empowering, post-breakup liberation of realizing your ex never deserved you. Stay tuned for the fan collaborative official music video on July 10th.

This body of work means so much to me, in particular the ballad “Not Your Fault” about the emotions of losing my father as a teenager. He gave me words of advice that I continue to live by: life will be shorter than you think so do what you love everyday. I took that advice to heart, and that has led me to where I am today releasing this EP. 

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Thank you for your support. 

Mike Ruby

Christened as a rising star by an elite fan club ranging from Sir Elton John to SkeptaDominic Fike, Virgil Abloh and beyond, Bakar asserts and affirms himself as a genre-defiant maverick. He sent shockwaves through the culture with 2018’s Badkid project. Stitching together rock,  smooth R&B,, hip-hop, and experimental indie with a punk edge, the Camden, North London-born artist carefully perfected his patented style through his unique point of view. In 2019, his Will You Be My Yellow EP touted the breakthrough single “Hell n Back” as well as “Stop Selling Her Drugs” [feat. Dominic Fike]. He packed venues around the world while amassing nearly 30 million streams in less than a year’s time, while being named a major artist to watch by publications such as i-D, WonderlandThe Guardian and Pigeons and Planes. While grabbing attention with his sui generis sound and style, he became a face of the Louis Vuitton SS19 Campaign and has collaborated with the likes of PradaTopman and more. Defying creative boundaries, Bakar unassumingly incites a movement of his own.

Following a monumental start to her career this year, rising British talent Josie Proto today shares her debut body of work – Pub Songs: Volume 1 EP.

Josie has been steadily forging a path for herself throughout 2020, with her endearing, playful approach to music instantly capturing the attention of millions (as well as Lily Allen) via her confidence-inducing track “BTEC Lily Allen”, which immediately went viral across Tik Tok.

Follow up singles “Sliced Bread” (“a breakup song that’s not about crying into your pillow and burning photos of your ex”) and “Burner”, a playful critique on misinformation spread through social media, have been just as well received by the 19 year old’s rapidly growing fanbase, with a significant set of stats building for the British artist: 4.5M+ Tik Tok views, 50K+ across socials and 250K+ collective streams.

An intriguing young artist, Pub Songs: Volume 1 is an exciting window into the unique world of Josie Proto. Josie’s witty lyrical style – delivered in a quintessentially British manner – shines across the EP, capturing teenage experiences through her sharp, amusing song writing from a more matured, reflective angle. Paying full attention to all details of her craft, Josie skilfully brings these themes to light through the production’s usage of childish, naive, simple sounds; Game Boy synths and dinky pianos coated over toy-like drum beats.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Of the EP, Josie explained: “PUB SONGS: Volume 1 is a collection of angsty teenage pop songs in essence. Some of the songs were written when I was about 16 and others were written recently, but all of them will remind you of alcopops and crushes! I like to think that the songs in PUB SONGS really are a summation of my teen years and also of my personality. There are songs about escapism and wanting to run away and there are songs about hating the words ‘I Love You’; some are happy, some are angry and some are just plain moany! I think they feel like reading a bit of a diary that I used to keep or maybe a collation of phone conversations with best friends.”

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. With acclaim already coming in from top-tier tastemakers like CLASHEARMILK and Radio 1 amongst significant blog hype, Pub Songs: Volume 1 is a celebration of a well-earned buzz around the teenager and a marker of bigger things to come.

Tracklist:

1.     Sliced Bread

2.     BTEC Lily Allen

3.     Burner

4.     Wales

5.     3 Words

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Liberian-born fashion designer and musician TAKI delivers another track that speaks to women of his past. TAKI’s (artist name Girl God) new single, “Whole Thing”OUT NOW, features poetic lyrics and powerful piano playing describing his love and war affair with the ocean. This is the second release from his debut self-produced album, Girl God out July 24, 2020.

Growing up during one of the most violent periods of his country, the Liberian Civil War, TAKI witnessed the ocean being used as a burial ground. “Whole Thing” transforms the waves of war that he once feared into harmonic rhythms of love and peace.  The cover art of TAKI’s parents on their wedding day symbolizes a covenant we all have with our Whole Thing.

Be sure to check out the new single, “Whole Thing”, available on all streaming platforms now! Look for TAKI’s debut album, Girl God, out on all streaming platforms July 24th.

Budding artist Sonn continues to make waves with his latest single “Rumours” with New Zealand singer/songwriter Lontalius.

A masterful effort from the young producer, “Rumours” is thoughtful yet minimal in its approach. Relaxed, lo-fi production with integrated hints of electronica are the soft bedrock to this release; rolling percussion with lilting piano melodies at hand to lift the track. A beautifully controlled performance from Lontalius, his vocals mirror the serenity that “Rumours” exudes.

Sharing his sentiments on the new track, Sonn stated: “Rumours is about having a fresh start and leaving rumours behind you. I wanted to create something that is upbeat, freeing and sounds nostalgic, something to drive to.”

With his output crossing genres and borders alike, Sonn continues his steady reign as being one of the go-to producers for a vast crop of emerging talent; a frequent collaborator with the likes of Ayelle and Nakala. A loyal fanbase the world over that has seen him garner near 500K monthly Spotify listeners speaks to the gravitas he commands while yet to reach the peak of his powers.

With a forthcoming EP on the horizon, Sonn is poised to be one of the most exciting discoveries this year.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Choosing EDEN’s collaborative project as the perfect way to relaunch himself, D.C. based producer and DJ extraordinaire Alex Young unveils “Projection”, the first single of this new chapter.

A synth-laden, electronic soundscape complete with suspenseful bass and progressive knocking beat patterns inspired by classic Hip-Hop, Alex creates the perfect lo-fi, atmospheric aura. Not to minimal and never overbearing, the measure moves elegantly with an earnest and subdued performance that blends rap and vocals in an emotionally present way.

Crafting music years before his prime, Alex Young has amassed great amounts of acclaim from the early days of his Soundcloud releases, steadily progressing in ability and stature to a point that has seen him work with the likes of Halsey on her critically acclaimed platinum album Manic. Alex continues to strike a balance, translating his talent and musical ear into the DJ aspect of his art, bringing a euphoric energy that’s a welcomed addition to what EDEN is creating with the New World Tapes compilation.

The latest endeavour from the Irish superstar, New World Tapes sees him collaborate with some of the finest boundary-defying artists from around the world resulting in a multi-genre body of work. With a new release every week exclusively on his label, the eventual 12-track project will be available also on vinyl. A beautiful gift despite the interesting times we are in, EDEN’s curation of artists allows a truly innovative collection of music that adds meaning and purpose in the face of the treacherous global landscape at present.

Moontower is an indie-electronic three piece combining left-of-center pop melodies with French House inspired production. At the center of the group is a high-energy live show that has solidified Moontower as one of the most promising new artists in alternative music. Though not far removed from their May 2019 debut EP, Moontower has already toured the country with the likes of The Driver Era and Night Riots and opened for YUNGBLUD, COIN, Bad Suns, and The Cold War Kids. Moontower has also reached international markets, playing their first festival at Reading and Leeds in August 2019. At present, the band is hard at work in the studio, pushing their sound with the help of Big Data, Foreign Air, and more.

Moontower has been deeply engaged as leaders in the fight for gun control. Leaning into non-partisan gun-buyback programs, the band has mobilized their diverse and highly-engaged fanbase to raise thousands for the cause.

Backed by Tom Windish & Steve Strange, Moontower looks to continue to build their career on the road in 2020, playing their first headline shows outside of Los Angeles in support of four new singles to be released in 2020.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

https://www.facebook.com/thisismoontower/

https://twitter.com/thisismoontower

https://www.instagram.com/thisismoontower/

I’m reaching out to share my new song, “Sad Girl Summer,” with you. It was written at the beginning of last summer, which ironically went on to be one of the best summers of my life! ❤
The song is all about letting go of both things and people who aren’t worth your precious time and energy. Instead, “Sad Girl Summer” celebrates the people in your life who are deserving of that commitment.
Watch the official video for “Sad Girl Summer” on YouTube now.
Stream “Sad Girl Summer” via your preferred platform, too.
Thanks for listening!
Maisie Peters

The Trusted are Southend-on-Sea natives Dave Batchelor, Dale Holt-Mead, Fin Cunningham and Tom Cunningham. Initially starting out in secondary school, the band bonded over their mutual appreciation of a strong melody and atmospheric, edgy pop. Sharing an enthusiasm for 21st century Brit-rock led by the likes of Catfish and the Bottlemen and The 1975, as well as classic late ‘70s new-wave icons such as The Clash and Elvis Costello, The Trusted thrive off their unique fusion of post-punk energy and storytelling. 

Thematically, The Trusted explore topics about human emotion and their perception of the world, including political and social upheavals, adulthood and life’s hurdles. They confide, “Our music is all about feeling; everything we write means something to us, whether it comes from a happy place or a sad place inside of us. We want people to ‘feel’ our songs. When they listen to them online or come to a gig, they can see and hear that it’s all about emotion, energy and soul!”

Following the release of the acclaimed “Wild Love”, the band unveil “The Innocent”. Jangly guitars, upbeat drums and rich vocals emit a potent and feel-good sound, bursting with vibrancy and charisma. “The Innocent” is essentially a reaction to the band’s own naivety and inexperience. Evoking a mini indie, cinematic melodrama about wanting to deconstruct and reassemble the world, the song is a playful reaction to American ideals of believing you can do anything.

The four-piece combine their amalgamation of influences from indie / alternative rock and blues, to Jazz, hip-hop and mainstream pop, to create their diverse sonic palette. Tom shares, “I don’t think we are aiming for a certain kind of ‘sound.’ For us, if it sounds and feels good, we follow it. Popular music culture is so layered, it’s really hard to stay in the same lane. With ‘The Innocent,’ we were kind of going for that cinematic indie thing.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Possessing an irresistible charm, undeniable wit and infectious personality shining through their adventurous brand of youthful punked-up indie rock, The Trusted are both a refreshing tonic, and a barrage of fireworks rolled into one. Seamlessly switching from mellow, artfully constructed melodic thoughtfulness into wild, explosive moments of raucous brilliance, there’s a surprise around every corner within The Trusted’s music and songwriting, all executed with an undeniable measure of passion and grit.

The band have seen success garnering hundreds of thousands of plays on Spotify alone, along with support from major radio players including Tom Robinson of BBC 6 Music, Gary Crowley of BBC London, Ollie Winiberg of BBC introducing, BTTV and Charlie Ashcroft of Amazing Radio. The band have successfully brought their recognisable new wave-esque, alt-rock to the stage. With an increasing number of prestigious live shows under their belts, fans have not been left disappointed by their hypnotic and mind-blowing live sets. Prestigious gigs in London and across the UK have been followed with two successful tours of Northern Italy where the band now have a huge following. “The Innocent” is currently available worldwide, off of Kerry On The Cake records. 

https://www.instagram.com/thetrusted_/

https://twitter.com/thetrustedband

https://www.facebook.com/thetrusted

ABISHA returns with “One Night” – an irrefutable alt-pop and R&B jam that sets the tone for a new chapter in her story, following her Scorpio EP (released February 28, 2020). The new single arrives on the heels of a busy Pride and Black Music Month including performances on Buzzfeed’s IGTV for their Pride x BLACK/OUT series and Pride.com’s PRIDE:INSIDE virtual festival (with Chloe Lilac, Dorian Elektra, Gia Woods, VINCINT, + more). With sweet, playful, and sexy lyrics backed by her slick vocals, ABISHA delivers another stunner for the summer –  LISTEN / WATCH HERE.
According to ABISHA, “‘One Night’ was one of those songs that just needed to be written. I had so much emotion inside me and I needed so badly to release it. It’s an apology… reminiscence and closure in the form of a song. As soon as I got to the studio, the words poured out because it was so fresh within me. Toby Scott nailed the production instantly and encapsulated the message perfectly.”
At the top of the year ABISHA released her debut EP Scorpio which reeled in support from 1883 Magazine, Billboard / Billboard Pride, BBC Introducing, COLORSXSTUDIOS, Earmilk, gal-dem, DJ Booth, Fault, Nation of Billions, NYLON, Pop Justice, Pride.com, Gay Times, and many more. “Body to Body” – the final single to be revealed ahead of the EP – was featured on Apple Music’s Best New Music and Spotify’s Fresh Finds: The Wave official playlists. Other songs that complete the EP include title track “Scorpio” as well as “Real Life” and “Love Like This” (a wistful, two-fold ballad packed with a profound message about undeniable love and LGBTQIA+ acceptance) .
In each song she shares with the world, ABISHA embodies a quiet self-possession, an element especially evident in her sophisticated yet soulful vocal presence. But for the 25-year-old singer/songwriter, that confidence follows from overcoming profound insecurity, a journey closely tied to coming of age as a gay person of color in her homeland of Devon. Imbued with both raw sensitivity and understated power, ABISHA’s music intimately documents her transformation through the years – and ultimately speaks to the urgency of representation, and the radical beauty of self-acceptance. “Growing up black and gay in a place that’s largely white and where I didn’t know of anyone else who was queer, I had this feeling of being different for most of my life,” ABISHA confesses. “There wasn’t anyone around for me to identify with, and there weren’t even many popular queer artists back then – so for a long time I wanted so badly to be what I thought was normal. Now that I’m discovering who I am as an artist, I’m also discovering who I am as a person, and I’ve finally gotten to a place where I’m happy to stand out and express myself every way I can.”
Her debut “All That” launched in 2017 via tastemaker brand and magazine Highsnobiety while her follows ups [“Project X,” “Nothing Matters,” “Confused”] were well-received and led her to coverage from the likes of Clash, Complex, Covers, Dazed, Euphoria, Gay Times, i-D, NYLON, Red Bull, and The Line Of Best Fit to name a few. ABISHA’s signature electronic-pop tinged R&B sound landed her on several DSP playlists including Amazon’s Proud, Apple’s Best of the Week, Spotify’s New Music Friday UK, This Is How We Do, Spotify & Chill, and Soultronic, and TIDAL’s .wav and Rising: Pop in addition to editorial playlists such as Gay Times’ Queer & Now, i-D’s Best New Music, and The Independent’s Now Hear This. Marrying up her enthusiasm for art, fashion, and music, ABISHA has also worked with top brands from ASOS to Barbour International, PUMA, and Superdry.
Although ABISHA initially struggled with uncovering her artistic voice, she experienced a major breakthrough after several months of collaborating with Mike Chapman [an iconic songwriter/producer known for his work with FKA twigs and on such history-making albums as Blondie’s Parallel Lines] and Simon Pilton, writing on her own and sketching a batch of songs that included her mesmerizing debut single “All That.” As she maintained the momentum with singles like the elegantly experimental “Project X,” the brightly textured pop anthem “Nothing Matters,” and the passionately-charged “Confused,” ABISHA continued to refine and expand her artistry, eventually linking up with Three Bears Entertainment, co-writer Dantae Johnson and producer Pete Boxsta Martin to work on new content.
As the only mixed-race student in school and throughout her childhood (her mother’s English and from Devon, her father’s of Jamaican descent), she also studied dance for much of her childhood, but felt a deep unease at dance school. “In dance class you’re in front of a mirror the whole time, and I was always so aware that I didn’t look like the other girls,” she says. “They were all mostly petite and blonde and blue-eyed, and I was this chubby mixed-race kid with big, curly hair, and I used to cry because I desperately wanted hair like theirs. I was never bullied or anything for being different, but I had this very strong feeling that I didn’t fit in.”
But once she’d settled in London, ABISHA began to find the sense of belonging that had eluded her back home. “For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people who looked like me, and it felt amazing to not be the odd one out anymore,” she says. Finally finding comfort in her own skin after exploring the world beyond Devon, she’s opening up about the racism she’s faced, insecurities she’s dealt with due to her race and her sexuality while also flagging that there’s a lot left to improve on and grow from.

All throughout Scorpio, ABISHA’s lyrics unfold with a directness that also reflects that greater self-assurance, as well as a heightened clarity about her mission as an artist. “Over the past year or so I’ve thought a lot more about what I want to convey with my music, and so much of that is about empowering people through sharing my experiences,” she says. To that end, she’s begun exploring ways to use her music, visuals, and singular fashion sense to fully embrace what sets her apart. “I think it’s so important for artists to be open, because it helps other people to feel comfortable with themselves – especially people who come from a place like I did, where they don’t have anyone they can relate to or talk to,” she says. “I’d love for my music to get through to people and help them understand that how they feel is completely okay, and they don’t ever have to hide who they truly are.”

ABISHA is currently in the studio and plans to release new content throughout 2020.

Jordan York returns to drop his latest captivating single ‘Local Legend.’ The hip-hop/rap release features a unique production and mesmerizing vocals by the artist that will captivate any hip-hop fan. Every year has significant competition when it comes to being proclaimed as a true summer anthem. If you are looking for it, it’s Jordan York’s ‘Local Legend.’ From the press of play, listeners are engulfed in the world the artist creates with his no-frills approach. The single offers dark tones, a driving beat, a speaker-rattling bassline, and an infectious vocal melody that will have people hooked. With motivating and detailed lyricism, this emerging creative maintains a fully charged arsenal of high octane music that supports the fact that he is the next force in the industry. ‘Local Legend’ serves to motivate people to believe in themselves and fight for what they believe in. Jordan York delivers melodic bliss with lyrical depth across the release. To hype the release, Actress Aarti Mann (The Big Bang Theory) joined York to highlight what it means to be a Local Legend. The message-heavy release is a must-listen and a must-add to your summer playlists!

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

BINNY is the moniker of Maryland born and bred musician. His name derives from the Vietnamese 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 Ariana Grande, Drake, Kim Petras, Justin Timberlake & Mariah Carey, pulling elements of the soulful, R&B greats and powerhouse vocalists.  

Following the release of the debut single “Retrograde”, BINNY is unveiling “Deep End”. Narrating connecting with someone on a deeper level beyond the shallow aspects, the song touches on unintentionally falling for someone, acting as an anthem for f– boys with feelings. BINNY reveals, “Personally, I’m afraid of expressing intimate emotions but this song talks about letting go of any fears and diving into all of those romantic feelings and enjoying it.” 

Mixed and mastered by Ellis Tucker (Sabrina Claudio, Kehlani), “Deep End” incorporates a variety of aquatic sounds, emanating a blissfully, floaty feeling through rippling beats and tranquil melodies. Inspired by the likes of Lana Del Rey, Jhene Aiko and Sabrina Claudio, BINNY wanted to invoke a similar sound of subtle vocals, pulling listeners in and seducing them. The ocean plays a big part both sonically and visually, with BINNY confiding, “Unfortunately, I was unable to go to the actual beach during the making of the video because of Coronavirus, so I used a projector to display ocean and water ripple images on a blank wall in my basement to shoot in front of.” Capturing the beauty and vastness of the ocean, “Deep End” portrays a calming atmosphere, bleeding with emotion and romance. 

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 Cappella (ICCA) on Broadway.

https://twitter.com/binnyiscoming

https://www.instagram.com/binnyiscoming/

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Processed with VSCO with preset

I wrote “City Lights” when I was 16, a song about my dreams of a picture-perfect relationship. It’s something I wish I had—both back then, and to this day.

Even though I’ve never experienced it, I wanted to create this story where it does play out. In this song, I paint this dreamy picture of being with a loved one under the city lights and the night sky.

Revisiting the song now gave me a chance to make it something closer to the music I listen to nowadays, using production that I feel more closely fits the lyrics.

Listen to “City Lights” using your preferred platform now.

I feel like I’ve watched too many coming-of-age stories. It sucks to feel like you’ve never had any main character moments in your own life, unlike what you see in those movies and tv shows.

I wrote this to try to capture for myself, what it might feel like to live a life of young and carefree moments. I hope that when you listen to “City Lights,” you can feel those moments too.

Thank you for spending time with this song,

Kennen

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Divine Astronaut are an electronic group featuring singer Livvy Holland and producer/multi-instrumentalist Moonhead. The duo describe their sound as night-time music that is downtempo, alternative electronica with trip hop and industrial elements. 

It was somewhere above 35,000 feet over Europe in August 2019 that the band came to fruition, with Moonhead lamenting the absence of electronic acts from the 90’s in the current musical soundscape. With Holland in agreement, the duo vowed to start an electronic act and upon landing in Eastern Europe, they started working on their debut album. 

Their debut album, Made Not In Berlin, is due for release in 2020. Following the release of their first single “Undone”, Divine Astronaut are unveiling “Voices”. Narrating the opposing voices we have in our head, going on all at once, the song touches on how these voices can pull us in all sorts of directions and impact our growth, sense of self-worth and life. Holland confides, “The source of these voices can be from any challenging situation, upbringing, or beliefs, resulting in a lot of noise in the brain! And regardless of how dark our own inner voices can be, this song is an affirmation that we can keep our hope and love for existence intact amid all the external and internal naysaying.” Sonically “Voices” showcases soaring harmonies and strong, confident instrumentation which emits an almost menacing atmosphere.

The stunning visuals for “Voices” were shot at Dracula’s Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania. The video perfectly captures the haunting nature of Dracula’s mythology and how haunting our own voices and inner demons can be.

Divine Astronaut’s music is influenced by a wide range of producers, bands and singers. Moonhead has said that producers Trevor Horn and BT have been inspirational and cites bands such as Portishead, Bjork, Enigma, Peter Gabriel, Massive Attack, NIN and Radiohead as influences. A common theme throughout the duo’s music is the beauty in emotionality and the darkness inside ourselves and in all things. Holland shares, “There are some heavy aspects to what we do and it’s very groove based. There are also some heartbreakingly beautiful moments in the music that are just lovely to sit in. Much like life.”

As Warm Audio Featured Artists, Divine Astronaut are partnering with the pro-audio manufacturer on the release of “Voices” to give audiences a chance to win a Warm Audio WA-47JR microphone. Sign up here for your chance to win!

https://www.facebook.com/DivineAstronaut/

https://twitter.com/divineastronaut

https://www.instagram.com/divine_astronaut/

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

neillfrazer@hotmail.com

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

INsiders Guide

Consisting of all queer women, Razor Braids‘ soaring harmonies and magnetic sound create a cathartic sound unlike any other. From performing at 2023 SXSW and 2023 Boston Calling opening for The...

EXCLUSIVE interviews

A longtime fan and proud member of the Playing for Change team, Jake couldn’t be happier to help lead this incredible organization. With a...

INsiders Guide

Comprised of brothers Max (Vocals, Guitar), Jake (Drums), and Nate Knoth (Bass, Vocals), along with Mitch Garcia (Keys), and Andrew Deters (Guitar), The Skinny Limbs bring a bright...

ENTERTAINMENT

Do LaB continued an electrifying and star-studded Coachella Weekend One on Saturday, April 13. Check out highlights from day two below: The Do LaB...

Music

Trust issues have never been this prolific. Future and Metro Boomin, the dynamic duo behind the biggest Hip Hop album of the year, WE DON’T TRUST YOU,...

Music

Using her powerful voice and buoyant spirit, Tori Kelly has racked up Platinum certifications and hundreds of millions of streams to become one of...

Music

UK star Mimi Webb arrives today with her brand new single, “Mistake”. The single coincides with the kickoff of Webb’s supporting role on Benson...

The Review

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson Back to Black is a movie that wears its heart on its sleeve. With the simplicity and naivety of a...

Advertisement

Copyright © 2023 Outloud! Culture

Discover more from OutLoud! Culture

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading