Today Madison Beer releases her highly anticipated debut album, Life Support, nine years to the day since her first post on YouTube. Candid, audacious and sonically eclectic, Life Support is a strong personal and artistic statement from a self-made star who refuses to play by pop’s usual rules. It sees Madison where she thrives – commanding creative control through writing her own songs, producing and creating her own visuals.
Expressing and inspiring a rollercoaster of emotions through spellbinding vocals over a broad-ranging sound-bed reflective of Madison’s own diverse musical tastes, Life Support is experimental, honest and ardent. The album explores mental health, the dizzying highs and rock-bottom lows of toxic relationships and the atypical life that Madison has led since famously being discovered on YouTube at age 12.
“Writing songs is like therapy for me.” says Madison. “That’s why this album is called Life Support. It helped me get rid of the darkness and see the light. My inspirations sonically are really diverse. I guess I’m not an easy artist to pigeonhole, and a lot of these songs are like nothing I’ve ever attempted before. All of me is laid bare on this album; it’s been a really fulfilling experience to create something that feels so true to myself. Making music taught me a safe way of being vulnerable. It forced me to put my feelings into words, to hold a mirror up to myself and translate that into something tangible. There was a time in my life where the promise of going to the studio was the only thing getting me out of bed in the morning. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s my lifeline. I can put something into a song and then let it go, send it out into the world. When fans tell me I’ve put a voice to something they’ve been feeling, it’s as affirming for me as it is for them.”
Growing up in Santa Ana, GUSPY fell in love with the local music, surf, and DIY culture. Having taught himself guitar, bass, and drums by the age of 15, his next obsessions became poetry and the art of punk rock. His debut, “STEEZ LUÍZ” is a psychedelic-turned-808 tale of love and heartbreak. This song is incredibly poetic, chalk full of stupid puns and metaphors. At its core, this song explores the dichotomy between the seemingly contradictory yet co-existing highs of love and the lows of loss.
Crimson Calamity celebrates the inspiring landscapes and memories of the west coast on new single, “Due West.” The Nashville-based duo, comprised of Mallory Trunnell and Lauren Harding, met as individual singer-songwriters rotating through the same venue circuit in Los Angeles. Their affinity for storytelling through songwriting and love of music brought them together, eventually inspiring Crimson Calamity. Their debut EP, “All in the Cards,” and follow-up “Gypsy Heart” received critical acclaim, with their most recent single, “Ghost,” featured on Stereo Stickman, Music Is My Radar and The Record Stache. Now, they tell the story of the land that inspired their music and molded their talents on new track, “Due West.”
With so many songs celebrating the south, Crimson Calamity knew it was time to pay homage to the West on “Due West.” Produced by Gena Johnson, every moment of the earthy instrumentation rings out with California Country influences. Between their heartfelt harmonies, whispering acoustic guitar, and subtle violin, the western influence permeates every melody of this reminiscent track. Their visionary songwriting takes listeners from the California coastline, envisioning sunsets over the crystal blue ocean, to views from the Rocky Mountains. There’s no picturesque landscape missed as the duo celebrates the homeland that raised them and their music. Crimson Calamity captures the nostalgia for a place that once held your heart and continues to be an influencing place in your life on “Due West,” out on streaming services.
Aibai is a 23-year-old producer based in Minneapolis. Her songs are filled with ambient, cinematic soundscapes that create a daydream-like atmosphere. Originally focusing on making electronic music, the young musician has started to diversify her sound in her recent releases, exploring more of the alternative, indie and R&B realm.
Inspired by electronic artists like Odesza and Flume, as well as indie/alt greats such as Clairo, Rex Orange County and Goth Babe, Aibai combines these two worlds, while giving it a unique flair of her own. She confides, “I decided to combine the genres and make an indie electronic EP. This first single “Glow” is a perfect example of that. With the indie vocals of Des who goes by Swims (and is the bass player in Early Eyes) combined with my ambient music, I was able to produce the indietronica sound I was going for!”
Sonically “Glow” is inspired by the outdoors and the feeling you get when you immerse yourself in nature. “Glow” features warm, laid-back vocals which shimmer atop the oscillating synths, while the layered harmonies resonate deep throughout your body. The chilled-out, slow-paced song emits an intoxicating, feel-good vibe that you can’t get enough of. Lyrically, the contemplative song talks about readjusting into single life and wondering what it will be like, now that your love has gone.
From a soothing ballad to an exhilarating electronic dance track, Tyler Shaw and Dzeko join forces to remix Shaw’s latest single “When You’re Home.” The world renowned Canadian DJ and producer took Tyler’s most romantic song to date and transformed it into an infectious club beat, proving Shaw’s sounds are bound to no genre.
“When I first heard ‘When You’re Home’ I instantly had an idea to do a remix to it.” says Dzeko on its inspiration, “This remix will give you a completely different take on the song with a more melodic house feel to it.” Tyler Shaw adds, “Dzeko is such an immense talent and I love his vibe so I knew he would bring the right energy to this. I knew I could trust him with remixing it.”
The remix comes after an already impressive start to the year. “When You’re Home” was Tyler’s first release in 2021 and originally produced by Grammy-award nominated Jon Levine (Dua Lipa, Alessia Cara, Bebe Rexha, Drake), and written by Tyler Shaw, Alex Beitzke (James Arthur), and Henry Brill (Jack Garrat). Garnering praise from publications including 1883 Magazine, American Songwriter, Marie Claire, Parade, Euphoria, and a wealth of international playlists including Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’, Apple Music’s ‘New Music Daily’ and the cover of Amazon Music’s ‘Fresh Pop’, the world is taking note of Shaw’s talents. With the release of “When You’re Home” and this latest version, Tyler’s momentum continues to rapidly rise as he breaks into both the US and UK.
A multi-platinum selling artist with a seasoned history in the music industry, Tyler Shaw is no stranger to collaborations as he has worked with some of the biggest artists across the globe such as Avril Lavigne, Fefe Dobson, Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé, Sarah McLachlan, Walk Off The Earth, toured with Selena Gomez and opened for massive international acts like Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes. The “When You’re Home” remix with Dzeko adds more excitement for Tyler’s future as he keeps us guessing for what’s coming next.
New York-based recording artist Coyote Eyes today unveils her newest single, “Chasing Ghosts,” an emotionally charged ballad backed by melancholic keys and swelling strings.
“Chasing Ghosts” is a cinematic yet visceral exploration of the ambivalence of a hollow love. It has powerful production from I AM SNOW ANGEL, Andrew Dixon, and piano and keys arrangements from Jared Chance Taylor. Inspired from a relationship with an emotionally unavailable man,“Chasing Ghosts” sees Coyote Eyes depict the toll of “living off of crumbs of love”. Though her attitude holds no anger or resentfulness, it is instead one of acceptance/closure and compassion.
Coyote Eyes on “Chasing Ghosts”: “It’s about being disappointed by the presence of someone and addicted to their absence … about letting go. Two broken people don’t make one whole person, but I forgive both of us for trying.”
Coyote Eyes is the dark-pop solo endeavor of Jo Eubanks, a multi-disciplinary artist based between New York City and Los Angeles. Known for her broad vocal range, the former southern debutante emerged as Coyote Eyes with a desire to explore duality in all forms in music that is, like her, equally tragic and seductive. She has been dubbed a “the Sylvia Plath of the Lower East Side” developing a poetically evocative lyrical style, drawing influence equally from her classical background as well as 90s grunge, compared to the likes of Alanis Morisette and Shirley Manson. After spending time in the Los Angeles songwriting scene, she has returned to New York City to work with Grammy award winning producer Mario J. McNulty (David Bowie, Philip Glass, Nine Inch Nails). Coyote Eyes will return in the coming months with more music.
“I saw an angel in the marble and I carved till I set him free” – a Michelangelo quote that would be etched in my mind as I started on my new journey in sobriety. A journey that, at first, would reveal the painful truth about myself and then reveal the genuine beauty and generosity of others. Finally with all my desperation and vulnerability revealed and all my substantial failures confessed, I could be free. Free to have others lead me, free to have others teach me, free to start over.
The album, Real Love, is in part about that spiritual journey and in part about the rediscovery of music and art. I wrote these songs to help me heal and to help me grow. “Emotionally insecure, wrought with fear, anger and self-doubt…all of it, buried under an ego designed to deceive and manipulate the truth of who I was to others and to myself” – this is the harsh and critical self-analysis where the story of Real Love begins.
Frankie Sharp, aka Natalie Franciska Sharp, is a Canadian actress, singer and songwriter from Vancouver, BC. When her acting career was temporarily sidelined last year due to the pandemic, Natalie decided it was the perfect time to develop her music career, and that’s when Frankie Sharp was born.
Stuck inside and living with an upright piano in her studio apartment, she started writing music, focusing her energy on an entirely different creative endeavour. In a mere chance introduction to Vancouver singer-songwriter/producer, James Faulkner, a music collaboration ensued. The result is Frankie’s first single ‘Wait is Over’ which was originally written about a potential relationship, exploring that nerve-wracking waiting game you play before you decide to “go for it” and admit your feelings to that person. Filmed at the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver, the song’s electric 80s inspired video is a collaboration with her director brother Alexander Sharp.
“For the video, my brother and I loved the concept of ‘going down the rabbit hole,’” says Frankie Sharp. “In the video, you see me drawn to this mysterious venue where I have this spontaneous performance experience, which ends up showing me what I’ve been longing for – to be a singer and find self expression. It is totally a parallel to my life, that I am finally tackling my music dream.”
Natalie’s acting career began shortly after she was accepted into Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, when she began working in film and TV with her first big booking on Supernatural. While in school, she snagged her first major feature Miracle Season, starring alongside Academy award winners, Helen Hunt and William Hurt, and directed by Sean McNamara (Soul Surfer). A few months later, she landed her first series regular, in the musical comedy show, Hit The Road. She played the role of Ria, daughter of Jason Alexander’s (Seinfeld) character, and the lead singer of the series. Recently she snagged the leading role in Baby Monitor Murders for Lifetime, the recurring role of “Anna” in the BH90210 reboot, and the latest villain “Sunshine” on CW’s The Flash.
Frankie Sharp’s debut single ‘Wait Is Over’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide.
DC resident Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers — an award-winning, prolific lyricist and composer, blending Americana, folk, blues, bluegrass, and funk into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. She is made for these times. Of Matthews, ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook says, “By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.
”Changemakers is the new, hope-fueled, love-filled, social justice album from DC resident Crys Matthews set for release later this Spring.
Photo Credit: Charlee Black
Chicago-bred singer/songwriter Mamii presents captivating new visual for lead single “Jamie,” leading the way into her upcoming debut EP Black Phoeniix, releasing March 5th. The accompanying music video for the single follows Mamii as she wrestles with unrequited love, singing soulfully and demanding clarity.
As we catch glimpses of motel rooms and cityscapes recorded on film, the visual feels as warm and as worn-in as the old lover she calls for. She brilliantly balances the energy between frustration and desire.
”With “Jamie”, I wanted to tell the story of an unfaithful lover who has trouble admitting their true feelings, which causes their partner to question her own sanity. It’s an important story to me because I’ve seen it play out time and time again in my own life and in the lives of my family and friends.” – Mamii
Mamii is a 19-year-old singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Hammond, Indiana. Hailing from a musical family, Mamii grew up singing and playing instruments in church and at home, and these experiences continue to shape her writing process. Both natural and otherworldly, her music is a juxtaposition of acoustic and electronic soundscapes that detail her coming-of-age in the Midwest and her experience waking up spiritually into an uncertain future.
Mamii’s recent EP Blonde Boy was featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Apple’s New in R&B playlists, and she has quickly earned the attention of artists such as Jacob Collier, Omar Apollo, Smino, Baby Rose, and Syd. Her debut full-length album Black Phoeniix is set to release March 5, and features artwork and creative direction from Mihailo Andic (Summer Walker, Drake, Lil Yachty) and executive production from 1Mind (Juice Wrld, Swae Lee, French Montana, NBA Youngboy). “It’s about trying hard to let go of something or someone that’s not good for you and building a new beginning for yourself,” she explains.
Breaking onto the music circuit with an explosive debut track. ‘Unruly (Freestyle)’, FME the Sierra Leone Londoner is ready to bring his exceptional, raw talent, liveliness and lyricism to the scene. The masked British rapper is here to deliver his message, joining experiences form London and Sierra Leone.
FME’s musical journey started when he was young , where he first showed an interest in music. His music is the journey of a decade with the tracks being brought together and finalised in recent times. The catalyst for FME was his time spent in prison where he discovered different styles and writing songs. He now has built a sound true and unique to himself.
The track is a catalyst of hard-hitting bars delivered in a well-defined manor, over a futuristic type beat, following the way of Drill with the lead melody played on an electronically created synth. FME tells anecdotes of his life with an unmatched energy on his debut track.
Visuals shot in De Beauvior support the songs narrative and matches the freestyle content with him and a microphone in front of the block. The slick imagery of a rainy day in London gives FME an iconic image for his first track.
This is just the beginning, he is not tied to one genre, FME has been working on his craft and is here to stay. Expect more quality in 2021.
Soft. Sensitive. Gentle. Well, none of those words actually describe Toronto-based alt-pop artist Josh Tavares, but he likes to think so. A music lover from an early age, his current musical influences include Lorde, Billie Eilish, The Neighbourhood, and most prominently Taylor Swift, who he says, inspires his current writing style, and in recent years encouraged him to take song writing more seriously. Josh began experimenting with original music at an early age, picking up the guitar when he was 10 and begging his teachers to perform his new songs in front of the class any chance he got – which wasn’t embarrassing at all…
Writing music is by far his favourite part of the creative process. Almost always starting with a title and working his way through the verses and chorus from there, his inspiration for writing comes from literally anything around him: his friends and family, TV shows and even occasionally eavesdropping in on a stranger’s conversation waiting in line for coffee. Song ideas can come at the most inconvenient times, almost always producing the most beautiful results.
Houston-bred rapper, lyricist Yung Pooda solidifies his status as one to watch for 2021 as his viral hit single “Chicken ‘N Grits” featuring Dreamdoll charts the Top 50 on Mediabase’s Urban and Rhythmic Charts. This week, the hard-hitting single debuts at #39 on Urban charts and #65 on Rhythmic charts as Yung Pooda stands as #6 on the indie artist charts. The Cool & Dre produced track, and highest debuting record on the radio charts this week, marks Yung Pooda’s second time achieving an entry on the Urban and Rhythmic Charts for his debut single “Repeat Dat” received the same gain last August.
Last month, “Chicken ‘N Grits” was the #4 most added track at Urban radio and his infectious single continues to organically grow across social media platforms such as Tik Tok and Shazam. With 33.5 + million views and 13,000 user uploads on Tik Tok and amassing the trending spot on Tik Tok and Shazam, Yung Pooda is standing apart from the new class of new artists with his continued developments at radio, streaming and social media portals.
This week “Chicken ‘N Grits” also entered into the world of gaming with the phenomenon Fortnite as highly-popular gamers such as Wolfiez, Hazard, K1nG, Jelty, Mitr0 zero-in on one of the most successful singles of the year. In support, an official Hit After Hit Mix for the single was released earlier this week on all streaming platforms. Check out the out-of-this-world lyric video for the Hit After Hit Mix here.
Jenny JAM is a London born, Los Angeles based soul-pop singer/songwriter whose music aims to encourage others to always believe in yourself even when times get tough. Her thought-provoking and sincere songwriting allows listeners to connect to her music, delivering an authentic message that has been captivating audiences across the globe.
With a background in musical theatre, acting and modelling, Jenny utilizes her dynamic singing talents and experiences to craft her own unique and genuine music. Inspired to write after a series of traumatic events, Jenny used writing as a form of release, wanting others to hear her story and learn from her experiences and mistakes. The overall theme of her music highlights turning negatives into positives. The musician explains, “You can always take the positive out of the worst of experiences, as there is always a lesson – no matter how big the price to pay is”.
Jenny draws from a panorama of influences ranging from jazz, soul and blues, to the classic 60’s rock bands including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac. Jenny reveals, “Amy Winehouse’s real and deeply honest lyrics mixed with her classic 60’s style jazz, has definitely made me feel that as an artist I can be more free to express who I really am, in the style I really want”.
Jenny JAM has acted in many notable films and programs under the name ‘Jennifer Moxham’ alongside renowned actors and actresses.
Through her music, Jenny JAM paints a dark picture of how life can be, but the message is always the same; the importance of always believing in yourself.
Presenting his second offering on the heels of the addictive comeback single “Arthur,” Huron John is back with “Trapped In A Lava Lamp. ”A warm embrace of bass and kick swimming in beautiful chords, “Trapped In A Lava Lamp” displays an introspective picture of wanting to escape the environments that have held you back forever. Combining a hazy but gripping guitar progression with mid-2000’s reminiscent pop-rap drums, “TIALL” strikes an area of internal nostalgia that you didn’t think was accessible until now. Now the 2ndtrack released off of his sophomore LP Cartoon Therapy, Huron John intends on keeping your attention this entire calendar year. Following his first full-length project Apocalypse Wow, which received acclaim from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, EARMILK, Coup De Main, Cover of Spotify’s Lorem+ more, John intends on answering the questions that his first album posed and closing this chapter of his immersive story. Through lyrical storytelling and captivating visuals surrounding Cartoon Therapy, there is a lot to be expected in 2021from independent artist Huron John.
https://soundcloud.com/huronjohn/05-trapped-in-a-lava-lamp/s-blHUTcOg3gp
Claire Reneé is a classically trained dancer who sings from the soul. Singing a combination of R&B, soul, Jazz, and pop while being heavily influenced by hip hop, this singer/songwriter’s raspy yet graceful vocals, along with her unique harmonies, always provide an incredible vibe and sound. Her natural ear for music and performance led her to study at Berklee College of Music and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.
Her upcoming nine-track album Wings is inspired by relationships and how we cope with both the beautiful and challenging sides of it, touching on certain experiences that help us navigate though these situations. Claire confides, “The human experience encompasses lots of different emotions. There may be some anger, sadness, clarity, visits from spirit guides and even epiphanies. We lead out by honoring that we want to change or see change in our lives. That includes doing work on ourselves, while reminding ourselves we will always push through and even find our Wings. Getting to the other side brings light and even empathy to the very same ones who hurt you, couldn’t show up for you, or wronged you in the past.”
Single “I’m Tired” narrates letting go of friendships that don‘t serve you and saying goodbye to people who mistreat you or take your time and energy for granted. Claires’ soulful, sultry vocals float effortlessly atop the sleepy melodies and jazz-soaked instrumentation, making the slow-paced track both hypnotic and intoxicating.
“Honey” is a love letter to the one who shows you and reminds you that you are not hard to love. Claire reveals, “Sometimes past relationships with people who made you feel like you were “too much” or in some way asking for a lot, make you feel like there is something wrong with you. Then you find people who remind you that love can be sweet, smooth, and beautiful because they are choosing to really see you and love what’s there in front of them.” Through muted tones and layered ethereal vocals, “Honey” shimmers with glowing guitar chords and fun drum cadence.
This multi-talented artist has quite a unique background. Claire began dancing at the early age of 4 and trained at highly esteemed dance schools such as The Dance Theater of Harlem and Alvin Ailey.
Following on from ‘Original’ and his collaboration with UK’s Chip on ‘Reality’, Vershon gives us ‘Stick By Me’, which marks the third single release in the run up to his ‘Only One’ EP.
Stick By Me was co-written by BRIT and Ivor Novello award winning artist and songwriter Plan B, in a studio session in Jamaica with producers The FaNaTiX (Giggs – Baby, Pa Salieu x Backroad Gee – My Family, Chip x Young Adz x Young MA – Lumidee),
STREAM/PURCHASE: VERSHON – STICK BY ME
Continuing the sensuous side of Vershon that we saw in 2017 with his global smash ‘Inna Real Life’. ‘Stick By Me’ highlights Vershon’s versatility as an artist, while maintaining the emotionally charged lyricism we are used to from him, coupled by his melismatic vocals.
The music video is a modern-day love story filmed in Fort Lauderdale, downtown Miami where Vershon now resides. It’s a flag in the sand moment for Vershon creatively as he shoots ‘Stick By Me’ in his new hometown, marking the beginning of a new journey in his life.
MUSIC VIDEO: VERSHON – STICK BY ME
Speaking on ‘Stick By Me’ and working with The FaNaTiX and Plan B Vershon says “Stick By Me’, is my third release from my new EP and was created whilst working with producer artist team ‘The FaNaTiX’. The FaNaTiX were in Montego Bay running a writing camp and on one of these occasions, Plan B was there working with them, they introduced us and encourage him to get involved in our session. Plan B joined us at the table with a bunch of laptops, a microphone set up and a room full of vibes and energy. It was days later, when my managers and FaNaTiX sent me links to his music, that I learnt who he is, his musical achievements, his work in the Film Industry as an actor and Director, and his charity work with young people, Plan B/Ben is cool and humble.”
Vershon has a unique style and lyrical choice and his name has quickly become synonymous with that of infectious music, his forthcoming six track EP masterfully balances his credibility with an international pop sensibility and bridges the gap between London and Jamaica assisted by a carefully curated line-up of guest features.
music artist, activist and fashion muse Layla Kardan shares ‘Underwater’, the fourth and final instalment of her debut EP ‘Abscission’ .
Written with producer Juan Ariza – whose production credits include Dua Lipa’s ‘Pretty Please’ – and songwriter Miette Hope, ‘Underwater’ serves another evocative and haunting slice of glitchy alt-pop. Lyrically audacious, Layla continues exposing the messiest parts of human behaviour, creating another powerful self-empowering song filled with a tale of love and loss.
Talking about the song, Layla says; “it’s a final plea for solace before drowning in a tumultuous relationship I desperately try to save but end up breaking myself in the process instead. It’s about being drained by toxic relationships that are one-sided, making me a ‘sucker for the pain’ with only myself to blame for my bad decisions.”
‘Underwater’ is the follow up to recents singles including the Wonderland Magazine-featured ‘Loyalty’, ‘No Place’ – in which Layla deep dived into a loveless relationship – and ‘You’, which served as an initiation to the empowering journey of loss-love and self-discovery offered by her upcoming EP ‘Abscission’. Highly praised by the likes of GQ, Vogue, Girls Are Awesome among others, with Spotify featuring her in SAWTIK – the platform’s new initiative and playlist celebrating female artists playing a pivotal role in shaping the music scene in the Middle East.
Layla is a Third Culture Kid, born in Belgium with Persian roots and Australian nationality, she currently lives in Dubai, her cross cultural background has influenced her music and, which is deeply rooted in human nature and aims to transcend cultural boundaries. Part of the new scene of artists redefining the Sound of the Middle East, Layla is more of a music artist, from working with charities including Unicef on the education of refugee children, to collaborating with some of the biggest fashion brands and including Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, as well as publications including Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Grazia, Vogue and Esquire, with the latter awarding her their Musician of The Year in 2018.
While I was on a camping trip with some friends, I went out to surf on a choppy day and got tossed by the waves pretty badly. When I made it back to shore, my body went into shock and I couldn’t speak with my closest friends.
I had never experienced anything like this before and was really embarrassed. I ended up walking back to my car to be alone for a while, and when I returned, I still couldn’t talk.
It was at this point that I brought out my guitar and started writing “Panic Attacks,” the song I am sharing with you today. The song blends upbeat production with lyrics that communicate how low I felt at the time.
After I wrote the first verse, I was able to speak with my friends once again and showed them the song, which fully expressed my emotions. When I returned home, I produced “Panic Attacks“ from my bedroom studio. The song communicates how it feels to experience anxiety; how it shows up at random points and can be triggered by external circumstances and traumas.
I hope that as you listen, you feel empowered to address and heal from your own personal struggles.
Serena Sun
I have really struggled with social anxiety and thought I had gotten past it when contemplating whether to attend a New Year’s Eve party a couple years back. The feelings re-emerged, which made me feel like someone had taken over my brain temporarily.
“Con Man,” taken from my upcoming album, ASHES, out February 26th, encapsulates one of the rare moments where I have written a song about my feelings in the moment, instead of looking back.
Click here to watch the official music video for “Con Man.”
Cuz everytime that I get sad, I get so scared I’ll fall into my past
These lyrics capture the defensive instinct I have after struggling with mental health issues a few years back. When something negative happens, my first thought is to protect myself from going to that dark place I left behind years ago.
The songs on ASHES centre around the theme of growth – growing out of toxic relationships, figuring out what you want in life, determining what it means to be treated properly by someone, or getting through a tough time and coming out smarter and stronger because of an experience.
I hope that you can hear your own experiences reflected in these songs.
Thanks for your support!
Josh Tavares
Exposure to West African music is increasing, but ‘All Night’ brings the East African danceable sounds in abundance to the U.K. Harmonize is a musician and entrepreneur from Tanzania flourishing in the native genre of Bongo Flava and is on course to take this local sound to a global scale.
Following his debut album ‘Afro East’ which has clocked over 11,100,000 streams on Audiomack, this track has its own path, taking influence worldwide from R&B and Afro-pop, its new and its ‘Afro-East’. This warm and rich sound enables only a joyful outcome. Attractive melodious phrases from Harmonize throughout are supported by an invigorating chorus from ‘Anjella’. Both voices sit in seamless harmony on the anthem.
In addition to his list of attributes, Harmonize is a very talented dancer, which is presented in the music video. A seductive setting, which follows our protagonist, Harmonize is on a journey through some beautiful scenes. Capturing a lovely community vibe it displays how Harmonize is one of the people. Throughout the video, amongst the picturesque location, there are hidden gems of happiness; from kids playing in the street to well-choregraphed dance routine. The video oozes positivity.
Having previously worked with the likes of Burna Boy, Mr Eazi, Yemi Alade, Phyno and more he is ready to push past his continent. The East African is currently clocking 6.7 Million followers on Instagram and more than half a billion views on his YouTube channel. The stadium touring artist is not finished achieving greatness. Conquering his region, Harmonize will continue to keep striving forward!
Faiyaz and the Wasted Chances are a raw Toronto garage pop band with virtuosic proto punk influences, cheekily modded for today’s listener.
Indie-pop singer-songwriter Hannah Hausman returns with a new moody music video for her 2021 debut “will i ever feel like this again?” out now via Quadio Records.
Written like a diary entry as she examines her innermost thoughts and emotions, “will i ever feel like this again?” echoes the key questions one asks themselves in an on-again off-again relationship. Speaking on the song, Hannah Hausman says, “I wrote this when I started to realize the person I was in love with was wrong for me. Our relationship was so toxic and I knew I needed to walk away, but he made me feel something I had never felt before. I knew I was being used and manipulated, but I was so scared of falling into apathy, so I stayed way longer than I should have. Writing this helped process my conflicting feelings and I wanted the video to showcase these same emotions that I felt while writing the song. “
Blending nostalgic analogue film and somber kaleidoscopic effects, the introspective video takes the bittersweet track to new levels as she navigates between apathy, heartbreak, and closure. Filmed throughout Downtown Los Angeles, the video alternates between three different scenes illustrating various phases of loss and acceptance. The blue room represents detachment and isolation. She explains, “In this scene I’m basically alone with my thoughts, trapped in my room trying to figure out what to do next.” The rain room depicts mourning and vindication as she washes all the lies away to start over again. Finally, the underpass shines a light on her newfound freedom. “This scene was super important to me because a year earlier, my ex and I had a photo and video shoot for a song we wrote together in this very same location,” notes Hannah Hausman, “It felt so freeing to come back on my own for the first time since.”
The LA by-way-of Tennessee artist kicked off the year on a high note with fans drawing comparisons to Chelsea Cutler and Quinn XCII and critical praise from 1883 Magazine, Culture Collide, MTV, Ones To Watch, among others. With over 50,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and over 1 million streams on her debut single “lost in brooklyn” from 2018, you wouldn’t believe that the artist on the rising act lost her voice for more than a year before releasing her latest tune. Fast forward to 2021 and a long battle recovering and rediscovering herself, Hannah Hausman is now making deeper and richer music than ever before.
The bleached-blonde indie pop original, Kid Hastings (AKA Jake McEvoy) takes bedroom-pop to a whole new level with the fully self-produced, written and performed in-his-bedroom song, “Backwards.” This single off his forthcoming EP and the accompanying video is out now via Ourros.
“Backwards” is the champion example of just how impactful simple sonic creation can be. The fully self produced song speaks to the struggles of uncertainty in romantic vulnerability wrapped up by a carefree and awe struck hook and an interpolated melody from Ray Noble’s legendary jazz standard “Cherokee.” Following the release of his previous single, “Call Me Up,” after a year-long hiatus, McEvoy calls on fluid self expression once more to cement his place as a true artist in control of his entire craft.
While the creation of “Backwards” speaks to McEvoy’s knack for pure musical mastery from the comfort of his own bed, the single’s accompanying video extends to showcase the magic one can make from the humblest of tools. With no budget and the help of his dear childhood friends, McEvoy devised a music video concept that called on his discipline and determination as an artist. While the video is a stunning scene of shifting identity, it is entirely filmed backwards at twice speed making McEvoy teach himself to sing the song backward at twice speed for full effect. The result is whimsical wonderland to the tune of McEvoy’s truest self.
Preach Management announces the launch of Preach Records, in Partnership with Universal Music Group/Ingrooves and beatBread, today. Preach Records is an innovative and artist-first record label based out of Los Angeles, CA and Hamburg, Germany. Founded by LA-based Jay Cohen [CEO] and German-based Daniel Baldock [CMO], Preach Records is breaking artists on a global level; with offices in LA, London and Hamburg + partners in Canada and SE Asia. Rather than replicating the distributor model (who rarely provide artists with enough support) or the major label model (who take all of the rights and have too large/bloated rosters), Preach Records’ smaller/selective roster allows for hands-on focus from the entire team; that not only allows them to focus on playlist pitching, but instead the goal of building an artist’s career holistically to take them to the next level. With a history of breaking records in the US and in Germany/across Europe [Sir the Baptist, Dylan Dunlap, BEKA], they are uniquely positioned for streamlined success.
Preach Records has also announced their debut roster today, which includes artists ranging from many different types of genres and backgrounds. Choosing to launch a label during the pandemic was a risky move, but it hasn’t stopped Preach from signing a full roster of multi-talented artists. Many of which the Preach Records team hasn’t even physically met yet due to COVID, these artists put their full trust in a team they felt would hear their needs and work with them in tandem; signing contracts virtually with a champagne toast through Zoom. This debut roster includes: MacKenzie Bourg [The Voice, American Idol], Dear Silas, Jackson Breit, iToldLexi, Tim Riehm, Muntu. The signing of Dear Silas encompasses one of the main purposes for the launch of Preach Records. Previously signed to RCA Records, he made the decision to leave the major label world in order to control ownership of his masters and have a more engaged team around him. By joining forces with Preach Records, Dear Silas will have the freedom and support that he’s been striving for to take his career to the next level. Preach’s partnership with Muntu allows the label to step up on the Global side of things; as he is already one of the top songwriters in Germany, with 3 of the top 15 songs on radio, and is signed to Sony Music Publishing. Further reenforcing their global reach, the core Preach Records staff includes Americans (Jay Cohen, Aaron Boyd, Samantha Friske and Jack Wonham), a Hawaiian (Damon Madera), a Canadian (Victoria Giddings), an Irishman (Niall Cash), a Brit (Thando Zulu), Germans (Luisa Lion and Lea Fromme), a Swiss (Jenny Uder) and an Australian (Daniel Baldock).
Singer-songwriter Andria Piperni is creating a jazz-tinged fusion of alternative R&B and soul, reminiscent of Corinne Bailey Rae with a Daniel Caesar twist. In 2018, her debut single “Say Something” made its way onto Canada’s R&B/Soul iTunes chart, and her music has since ranked on iTunes charts around the world (France, Italy, Japan) as well as garnered acclaim from Refinery29, EARMILK, Popdust, and more. Most recently, she landed a sync placement in RW&Co’s upcoming Spring/Summer 2021 campaign and was selected as a national finalist for #FirstUp with RBCxMUSIC, earning mentorship from major Canadian artists such as Jessie Reyez. With 2020 bringing a whole new outlook on life as we know it, Andria delivers her own reflective collection of waking moments in her debut EP “Who’s Counting?”, set to release in spring of 2021.
NYC Pride announces the official theme for 2021, “The Fight Continues,” as the kick-off to this year’s events and programming. In a time of tremendous adversity for the community on many fronts, “The Fight Continues” reflects the multitude of battles we’ve been fighting as a country and as a city. With the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, issues of police brutality, the alarming murder rate for trans POC, economic hardship, climate disasters, violent efforts to disenfranchise voters, our rights as a community being questioned at the level of the Supreme Court, and more, we are in the midst of many different fights.
“Within this acknowledgement of what we’re fighting for and the challenges we face, we also must find the strength – together – to continue the fight,” said André Thomas, NYC Pride Co-Chair. “We’re fighting for ourselves, fighting for the BIPOC and trans members of our community, and fighting for future generations. By making this the 2021 theme for NYC Pride, we acknowledge all that we’ve accomplished and look towards what still needs to be done. NYC Pride events offer an opportunity to gather in community and highlight the diversity, resilience, and power of the LGBTQIA+ community, giving us the energy and spirit we need to continue the fight.”
NYC Pride is also unveiling its 2021 visual campaign. Captured by photographer Cait Oppermann, this year’s campaign features a multitude of queer, trans, and BIPOC members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, including Gia Love, José Thomas, G Xtravaganza, Krishna Stone, and Reid Jefferson.
The NYC Pride 2021 roster of events will take place during Pride Month this June. Among this year’s major events are the NYC Pride March on June 27th, which will be presented in a virtual format as well as to-be-determined in-person elements, and The Rally on June 25th which will feature a diverse array of speakers and activists in a virtual format. PrideFest and Pride Island will also return on June 27th, with further details to be revealed at a later time. Other key events include Pride Presents, the Human Rights Conference, and Family Movie Night, all of which will be featured in virtual formats for 2021. Our series of Savor Pride events kicked off this year in January, with a new chef each month from January through June. Rounding out the calendar will be our second annual Black Queer Town Hall.
“We’re pleased to continue to be able to offer a diverse roster of programming this year,” said David A. Correa, Interim Executive Director of NYC Pride. “In 2020 our world dramatically changed very quickly and in a matter of weeks we were forced to pivot to virtual programming and cancel many of our events. With much more time to prepare in 2021, we’re bringing back many of the events we were forced to cancel last year, most notably Youth Pride which will engage LGBTQIA+ youth, many of whom are grappling with the absence of in-person connection.”
For more information about NYC Pride 2021 visit: [www.nycpride.org]www.nycpride.org.
NYC Pride is accepting applications for the Pride Gives Back grant, which is focused on financially assisting non-profit and community organizations within the local New York metro area looking to create programs/events in 2021. The majority of our NYC Pride directed contributions focus on programs and organizations that support LGBTQIA+ causes. For 2021, NYC Pride is looking to provide funding for programs specifically assisting the following segments of our community: Transgender, POC, Elder, HIV/AIDS, and Youth.
To submit an application for Pride Gives Back, complete this form.
By becoming a strong independent person with a success-oriented mind, there is very little that can stop you reaching your dreams. My new track, “OMW (On My Way)” featuring Siera, is about not letting distractions get in the way of your true purpose in life.
It is written to those people who consciously or unconsciously try to bring artists and entrepreneurs down by telling them to follow safer career paths in an attempt to prevent them from becoming the best version of themselves.
The most challenging aspect of the process was dealing with COVID-19 related lockdowns while working on the vocals and the lyrics of the song. I am very much used to being in the same room with my fellow songwriters and bouncing ideas around. Siera and I collaborated over phone calls and emails, reading and editing each other’s versions of the song until we were both happy with it.
This song shows so much of my personality with its upbeat nature. “OMW“ shows my musical creativity, flexibility, and diversity. I hope you find joy in hearing this track and that it makes you want to get up and dance!
FVZ
Photo Credit: Lara Callahan
Mexican-American artist, activist and actress Alma Grace is sharing her new single, “Girl Fight.” The single is the first to be released from her upcoming EP, ‘FRIDA,’ due out on May 5th.
As a Mexican-American, Alma Grace has always felt a strong connection to Frida Kahlo. Grace first learned about her through the Frida decorated matchboxes and coasters her Grandmother would bring back from Mexico City. As she grew older, she became fascinated by the ways in which the Mexican painter redefined beauty standards and broke down the boundaries placed on gender, race, and sexuality. The ‘FRIDA’ EP is both an ode to a groundbreaking artist and an autobiographical journey through Alma Grace’s own life.
The first single from the EP, “Girl Fight,” was inspired by Alma Grace’s favorite Frida story: after her husband Diego Rivera cheated on her, she had an affair with the same woman. “At it’s core, it’s a bi-sexual and feminist anthem that rebels against the trope of women fighting over men,” Grace writes, “we’re better off standing by each other.” The resulting track is a poignant and empowering pop anthem.
Alma Grace is a 20 year-old activist, artist, and actress born and raised in New York City. Her mixed musical influences are reflective of a globalized upbringing— she learned how to love from Selena, make witty comebacks from Shania Twain, and turn pain into art from Lauryn Hill. As an activist, she attended her first protest at the age of 13, has volunteered with community-based organizations in Harlem, and has worked in both the Bronx and the U.S. Senate to defend immigrants facing deportation — a cause close to her heart as a second generation Mexican American.
When it comes to her art, Alma Grace is no less impressive — she has performed on Broadway and Lincoln Center stages, been featured at the Tribeca Film Festival, and acted in films and tv shows alongside Tobey Maguire and Ed Zwick. Last year, Alma Grace launched her musical project with the release of her first single, “Adios Maria.” She continued to roll out singles throughout the year, landing Spotify playlist support, blog buzz, and a rapidly growing fanbase.
Listen to “Girl Fight” on all streaming platforms:
https://ffm.to/bra0apv
Photo Credit: Demarquis McDaniels
Gaining buzz right out of the gate, Los Angeles-based pop singer and songwriter Annika Wells shares the music video for her debut solo single “Fuck Being Sober” today. Watch the Logan Fields(Slayyyter, Rod Wave, Cupcakke)-directed video HERE. Get it HERE via Vol. 1/Epic Records.
At the beginning of the visual, Annika shakes off her slumber still wrapped in glitter and covered in sharpie. She proceeds to drink her way through the best night ever with her day-one girl gang as whipped cream, fireworks, and loads of alcohol get put to very good use over the course of the evening. The clip brings the song to life with its carpe diem message, youthful bliss, and dizzying nostalgia.
Attracting tastemaker attention, she recently sat down with American Songwriter for an in-depth interview about the song and so much more.
“Fuck Being Sober” sets the stage for more music from Annika coming later this year. In fact, on Valentine’s Day she hopped on Instagram to cheekily tease her new song, “Love Sux,” due soon.
Annika’s voice has coursed through popular culture as a writer and as a vocalist. She has notably penned tracks for acts like The Jonas Brothers, PRETTYMUCH, BTS, and Steve Aoki, to name a few. Additionally, her vocals powered “Nightlight” by Illenium and “Run It” by Midnight Kids, which both captured #1 at Dance Radio.
“Fuck Being Sober” introduces Annika as an unapologetic, unfiltered, and undeniable new voice for pop. Get ready for a whole lot more soon.
Captain Cuts is a multi-platinum selling songwriting, production, and DJ group based in Los Angeles. The trio is composed of Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon and Ryan Rabin (also a member of Grouplove). Together they have produced and written massive songs for artists such as Walk The Moon (“Shut Up And Dance” & “One Foot”), Bebe Rexha (“I Got You”), Grouplove (“Tongue Tied”), Tove Lo, Halsey, and The Chainsmokers, among others. Their songs have an aggregate of more than 1 billion streams and over five million sales.
Since emerging in 2018, AJ Mitchell has consistently asserted himself as pop’s most dynamic new leading man. Averaging over 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, he impressively leaped past the 1-billion stream mark within three years. In addition to being named a Vevo LIFT artist and MTV Push artist, Variety championed him on its “Young Hollywood” 2020 list.
Global electro-dance pop sensation Betta Lemme and her debut smash hit “Bambola” climb back onto the charts following an epic sync placement on Netflix’s number one film ‘To All The Boys: Always And Forever’ which premiered earlier this month. The official soundtrack was critically acclaimed by the likes of Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, PopSugar, Refinery29, Seventeen, Teen Vogue, among others, and features incredible talent including Anna of The North, ASHE, BLACKPINK, Charli XCX, FLETCHER, Spice Girls, and more.
Speaking on the resurgence of “Bambola,” Betta Lemme says, “The song that never quits… I’m honored that some people still choose to listen nearly 3 years later. ‘Bambola’ was written during a time when I had the freedom to be 100% unapologetically myself and I think when an artist has that privilege, it helps them be disruptive in what tends to be a sonically redundant world.” On the massive spike in Shazams, she adds, “Shazam charts are always truly the most touching and, personally, the biggest compliment because it’s a direct testament to the power of a track. In a world of fake clout, you just can’t fake Shazams.” Ironically, the track was written after one of the worst dates Betta Lemme has ever been on. She jokes, “…yet it became the soundtrack to one of the most iconic dates to hit Netflix screens in 2021. Go figure! One person’s trash is another person’s gold and I’m here for it.”
Photo Credit: Marcus Jolly
ancouver-based singer-songwriter Russell Gendron released Homebody, his third outing under the band moniker Bill Jr. Jr. And today, he’s premiering the video for his latest single ‘Blue’. Watch the video here.
Gendron wrote ‘Blue’ at a time when he was faced with making an important life decision: “‘Blue’ is about how I imagined I’d feel if I didn’t move with my partner to Montreal. She had a school thing coming up over there and I had my life thing here and so I had to make a decision to stay, or to go with. Writing the song was a way for me to get closer to my decision: I realized that I’d be so “bluuuuuueee” if I stayed around here doing the same old stuff, so I took the plunge. ‘Blue’ is a sort of a country song but made strange or “off”, which is why I like it so much. It’s a twanged out and lush version of a known and old timey idea.”
Much like the video for his previous single, ‘Dear Neighbour‘, ‘Blue’ is shot in 360 degrees creating a fun and interactive video experience, while showcasing Bill Jr. Jr.’s lo-fi 90s slacker vibe.
Bill Jr. Jr’s new album Homebody is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit billjrjr.com.
Often plans and dreams get disrupted by reality, sometimes permanently. When the opportunity to continue pursuing your dream presents itself, you take it. Raymond Castronovo did just that, 30 years after putting his music career on the backburner. After raising a family and building a successful construction business, the Brooklyn-born artist brought together a group of talented NY musicians to create the band Streetwise. The group gives 50’s style rock ‘n roll a modern twist, with their newest single, “Dream Girl,“ released today from their debut album Crossing Bridges, due out March 26th on DayQuest Records.
The guitar-driven love song was written by Castronovo and recorded in his self-built studio in Riverhead, NY. The musicians on the track include Joe Martinez (Chubby Checker, Irene Cara) on bass, Paul Glazer on lead guitar, and Carl Obrig on saxophone.
With his new band, debut album and own record label, DayQuest Records, Castronovo is ready to spread his music across the globe. Check out the new Streetwise single, “Dream Girl,” out now, and their debut album, Crossing Bridges, coming out on March 26th.
Yndling is the dream pop project of Norwegian artist Silje Espevik. This musical endeavour is the result of wanting to take complete creative control over her music. Through delicate soundscapes and oscillating synths, Yndling invites listeners into her own world, offering a place of escapism and resonance through her lyricism.
Her debut single “Childish Fear” is composed of a hushed, muffled bassline, beatific drums, flows of shimmering synths and hypnotic, celestial clouds of production, creating an engrossing paradise of sound and a melancholy atmosphere. Produced by Adrian Einestor Sandberg, the track drips in intimacy creating a stunning contrast to the story behind the tune which entails her fear of intimacy. Yndling divulges, “The song is about that stage in a relationship where there isn’t really that much new and exciting to discover about each other, and capture the fear that I might not be enough once the shimmering glow of first expressions fade.”
The dream-pop artist has an ability to create magical, dreamy soundscapes that are haunting and emotive, originating a fresh new sound and giving insight to an array of mixed emotions allowing listeners to have a raw view of her heart. “Childish Fear” gradually develops a thicker texture resulting in a full bloom of sound. The vocals are tender and ethereal, the backing vocals are almost unrecognisable as a voice floating throughout the track creating a wash of a dazy utopia to indulge in. Yndling shares, “I wanted to communicate a mood or a feeling with the song that evolves and becomes more consuming as the track unfolds.”
Yndling takes influences from artists and bands such as Beach House, Tops, Crumb, Hatchie and Mazzy Star. When it comes to songwriting, the Norweigan artist often allows her feelings or experiences to engross her for a while in order to fully submerge herself in the reality of the emotions. She explains, “I think there is so much power in letting a feeling or experience be all-consuming, just for a little while, and I really need that to write music.” Along with always trying to be as honest and vulnerable as possible, Yndling has an understanding that when writing, it is important to “throw away the fear of being too honest or maybe telling a truth that’s not recognized by everyone else and that may feel a little too close for comfort.” Yndling offers a kaleidoscope of imagination and feeling throughout her music and ensures her lyrics are just as positively affecting.
Manchester outfit Sea Fever share ‘Crossed Wires’, the first single taken from their upcoming debut album set for release in Summer 2021. Check out a live version of ‘Crossed Wires’ from Manchester’s Carlton Club here.
Talking about the song, the band says; “Crossed Wires is a song about running away from confusion, untangling yourself and heading into clarity. We live in a whirlwind of information and wired up to technology. It’s about breaking free from it. We deliberately stayed away from our comfort zones and tried to create a sense of euphoria. We’re always gonna be driven by Mancunian melody but we try to mix it with futuristic, soaring sounds and dark escapism.”
Sea Fever is a five piece collective fronted by Iwan Gronow (Haven, Johnny Marr) on vocals and guitars, alongside singer Bethany Cassidy (Section 25), the collective also features New Order’s Tom Chapman and Phil Cunningham – with Tom on bass, guitars, synths and programming and Phil on guitars. Powering the band’s pulsing beats is Elliot Barlow, who is joined on the band’s debut by New Order’s drummer Stephen Morris.
Sea Fever explains that their coming together as a unit felt inevitable: “We’d wanted to work with each other for ages, so when we finally sat down in the studio, the band just seemed to come together naturally. It felt like we were really free to explore the kinds of music that have always inspired us, we dug right through the record crates of our minds to shape the sound of Sea Fever.”
Fusing intelligent electronics and clanging guitars, underpinned by soaring and hypnotic strings, the band has already picked up early support from the likes of Chris Hawkins on BBC 6 Music.
sserting herself as an elite MC with tens of millions of streams and critical praise, buzzing Sacramento, California rapper and #RUNWAYCHALLENGE queen Stunna Girl unleashes her latest mixtape, Stunna This Stunna That, today.
Get it HERE via Epic Records.
Earlier this month, she set the stage for the project’s arrival with the lead single and opening track “Still Smoke” which she freestyled in the studio. Reupping Axel Foley’s classic theme from Beverly Hills Cop, she shreds through the REEFA produced beat with teeth bared and knockout bars on point. In addition to putting up numbers across streaming platforms, it reached #11 on Spotify’s premier hip-hop playlist “Rap Caviar.” Meanwhile, UPROXX claimed the song “solidifies her presence alongside the latest wave of fire female talent in rap music.”
Watch the “Still Smoke” music video HERE on VEVO/YouTube.
Watch the BTS from “Still Smoke” music video HERE on VEVO/YouTube
Her rapid-fire flows, head-turning bars, and endless attitude drive Stunna This Stunna That at high speed. On the project, “Ask About Me” couples an unshakable chant with punchy verses over throwback production. She lives up to the title of “Unfuckwittable” by tearing through a bass-y beat with no apologies. “No Real Bitches Left” affirms her outlier status, while the melodic conclusion “Where You Belong” illuminates her vocal range.
[CREDIT: HIGHLINE ENTERTAINMENT]
Singer-Songwriter-Producer, Wonho, has released his highly anticipated solo mini album, ‘WONHO 1ST MINI ALBUM Part2. <Love Synonym #2 : Right for Us>,’ today. Within a few hours the album took over the #1 spot on the iTunes K-Pop Albums Chart, trended all over Twitter Worldwide, and is currently sitting at #3 on the iTunes Pop Albums Charts. With the release of his album last September announcing the start of his solo career, this album is a continuation of his ‘Love Synonym’ series and meant to dive deeper into Wonho as an artist and continue to solidify his story. Wonho’s debut last year resonated with fans all around the world, with the album quickly climbing to No. 1 on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, and ranking high on the iTunes charts in 30 countries and Billboard World Digital Song Sales Charts. On top of that, he wasted no time taking the U.S. Market by storm; receiving notable mentions from publications such as PAPER Magazine, MTV News, Access, iHeart, Teen Vogue, Refinery29 and Rolling Stone who stated “Performed entirely in English, the sweeping, piano-driven ballad showcases Wonho’s delicate falsetto, as he sings about protecting a cherished love despite all costs.” Without having released any music yet this year, Forbes has already named Wonho as one of “The K-Pop Solo Stars Who Could Break In America In 2021.”
Zoe Zobrist is releasing her new single “Fade Away.”
“Fade Away” is both an exercise in self-forgiveness and an acceptance of unresolved trauma. “It’s about growing pains and healing as you work your way to and from different chapters in your life,” Zobrist writes. “It’s about looking towards something better while also embracing the process that it takes to get there.” Zobrist’s dusty vocals and stripped-back acoustic guitar guide the track with a raw intimacy that immediately envelops the listener into her thoughts in a way that feels like a peek inside her diary. In keeping with her 2020 singles, “Fire,” “Who You Gonna Be,” and “All My Friends Are Dead,” “Fade Away” is another defiant, deliberate, and deeply personal addition to her fast-growing repertoire.
Hailing from Dallas, Texas and now living in Los Angeles, singer-songwriter Zoe Zobrist crafts songs that are as personal as they are dynamic. Like many of her contemporaries, her love affair with music began at an early age. She was just 5 years old when she learned to play piano and she began writing songs only 2 years later. But her passion was fully ignited when she stumbled upon her father’s 70s-era record collection in the garage of her childhood home and fell in love with the hard-hitting choruses and memorable melodies of classic rock.
She debuted her first single in 2018 and has since gone on to rack up over 40K monthly listeners and praise from publications like Under The Radar Magazine and Culture Collide. She has also performed and toured across North America, gracing the stages of iconic music venues like The Viper Room, The Troubadour, and Dallas Fort Worth’s Six Flags Amphitheater. In 2019, she was featured in John Mellencamp’s tour documentary that played on-screen during his “John Mellencamp Show” North American Tour.
Zobrist has spent the past few years refining her sound and experimenting with different styles, ultimately leading to her unique blend of classic rock inspired indie music.
pop darling CAPPA is releasing her new single, “Colder,” the second single from her forthcoming 2021 EP.
“Colder” is a testament to CAPPA’s knack for creating catchy yet clever pop numbers. It’s an instantly infectious track tethered by snappy pop grooves, sparkly synths, and CAPPA’s honeyed vocals. “I wrote this song about when you’re going through a breakup and trying to replace the person but nothing quite feels the same,” CAPPA explains of the inspiration behind the track. “You want to feel a warm body next to you but it never feels quite like it did with the person you were in love with.”
Since her 2015 breakout, “Hush,” which premiered on SPIN and was later featured in a Victoria Secret ad, CAPPA has released two EPs – ‘CAPPA‘ & ‘Queen of Hearts‘ – and a steady stream of effervescent singles. Over the years, CAPPA has been championed by key tastemakers like NYLON, Glamour, Entertainment Weekly, and Billboard. Her songs can also be heard on hit TV shows like Riverdale, Selling Sunset, and Siesta Keys, as well as in commercials for Lady Gaga’s HAUS Laboratories and Under Armour.
Originally hailing from Philadelphia, CAPPA first landed in Nashville and quickly became synonymous with the emerging pop scene there. Buoyed by her success in Nashville, CAPPA made the leap to Los Angeles a few years back and has continued to expand her resume as an artist, songwriter, and vocalist. Well-known for her hypnotic vocal stylings, CAPPA has featured on tracks for major electronic acts like SNBRN, Dirty Audio Justin Caruso, and TELYKast, and curated an exclusive vocal sample pack for SPLICE.
After eclipsing 10 million-plus streams and drawing praise from NPR, HYPEBEAST, Consequence of Sound, and more, acclaimed Los Angeles singer, songwriter, and artist India Shawn returns with a new single and music video entitled “Too Sweet” [feat. Unknown Mortal Orchestra] today.
Get it HERE via Epic Records.
The D MILE produced track is the perfect counterpoint to India’s dynamic vocals, Unknown Mortal Orchestra sonically craft a downtempo dreamscape punctuated by a simmering bass line and steady beat. She dips and in and out of the production’s ebb and flow before carrying the seductively sunny and soulful refrain. The accompanying music video directed by madebyJAMES depicts India in the midst of a head-turning photo shoot. She trades out numerous high-fashion looks before breaking through the lens and captivating the photographer. “I remember watching an interview of Aaliyah talking about her love for alternative music. I think that’s where my deep dive into alt & indie rock began.” says India. It’s been a goal of mine for years now to create the kind of music that I listen to. I’m happy I’ve finally manifested that with Too Sweet ft. Unkown Mortal Orchestra”
Jessie Lee is a Canadian based singer and songwriter who’s all about reflections, revelations and romance. Her light, but expressive, vocals comprised of catchy melodies make for easy listening. Jessie’s love for songwriting began at age five with piano lessons and an obsession for poetry. After dabbling in guitar, drums & vocal lessons, she soon realized music was more than just a hobby; it was a creative outlet that she needed to pursue. To further her career, she attended college and became a vocal major in jazz and contemporary music.
Although it’s been three years since the release of her solo EP, First Love, she has kept busy songwriting and working with exceptional artists, producers and writers. Her latest single, “Body Sings,” is a collaboration with producer, Daniel Espina, and an exciting expression of getting lost in the benefits of true love and real connection. The combination of electro/indie bedroom pop vibes, mixed with Jessie’s angelic vocals, will have you floating and feeling inspired.
This is the new single and collaboration from Los Angeles based Perry Bancs and New York singer-songwriter Gem Chantelle. Entitled “Alone Tonight”, the track details not feeling ok mentally but the desire to have someone near physically, even only for an evening. Featuring R&B-tinged vocals, over a kaleidoscope of chilled out beats, the duo have crafted a deliciously seductive pop track. Both Perry Bancs and Gem Chantelle have a dedicated fanbase on Spotify with hundreds of thousands of plays.
Photo Credit: Mitch Francis
Vancouver musician Nickolaj (pronounced Nickolai) is excited to announce the release of his new single ‘First Place’ out today on all digital platforms. The track is the lead single from Nickolaj’s debut EP Step Into The Light, which is set for release this summer.
Step Into The Light is produced by award-winning composer Adrian Emond and was recorded entirely by Nickolaj and Adrian in their respective home studios. Working remotely between Vancouver and Calgary, they were able to find ways to collaborate on the album virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The uplifting pop-driven first single, ‘First Place’, is a song about feeling victorious, successful and confident.
“I wanted to affirm that I believe in myself and my abilities,” says Nickolaj. “‘First Place’ is ultimately a song about greatness, and by sharing this song, I strive to inspire others to pursue their definition of greatness.”
Choosing freedom over fear is the driving force behind Nickolaj. After living in Denmark during his adolescence, Nickolaj moved to Vancouver where much of his formative years were spent listening to The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alicia Keys, Prince, and Michael Jackson. He spent his early 20s performing in intimate lounges, historic venues and local festivals, gaining acclaim among his peers, and then two years at music school further nurtured the prospering songwriter. Nickolaj’s unrelenting devotion and energy now propel him into a blossoming solo career.
Nickolaj’s new single ‘First Place’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more info, please visit nickolajmusic.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ4zRzp5K48&feature=youtu.be
Multi-award winning vocalist, songwriter, and producer Natalie Nicole Gilbert demonstrates her musical versatility yet again, this time with her new dance pop album, Don’t Blink. Having released over a dozen albums of original music ranging from EDM to jazz to alt pop-rock, Gilbert glides back to the dance/pop realm with her 2021 album. Produced by Latin Grammy-nominated producer, engineer and remixer Robert Eibach (Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Lopez), Gilbert’s Don’t Blink album drops on February 26th.
On her new 10-track album, Gilbert includes her 2020 original dance cut “Morning Light,” (which was considered for a Grammy in the Best Dance category), and an unreleased extended cut of the track. Six of the other nine tracks are the artist’s soulful interpretations, in both radio edits and extended mixes, of “Exhale” (Sabrina Carpenter), “We Are the Flyers” (Lara Fabian), and “Whatever We Started” (Richard Marx). Gilbert’s renditions of the 1985 hit single “Broken Wings” by Mr. Mister and Demi Lovato’s 2017 powerhouse single, “Sorry Not Sorry,” round out the album.
Guest collaborators on the album include violinist/composer Andrew Joslyn, cellist Eli Weinberger, pianist Warren Pettey and vocalist Lisa Ramsey (NBC’s The Voice). Eibach produced the instrumentation of 9 of the 10 tracks on Don’t Blink. Multiple award-winning TV/film producer Jonathan Still (Dancing With The Stars, Shameless, Inside the NFL) produced and arranged “Broken Wings” on the album.
Robert Eibach says, “Don’t Blink was a fun album to work on, as we created a unique and cohesive blend by combining electronic elements with Natalie Nicole’s powerful voice.”
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
