LJR |
Hailing from Maryland, LJR is a tenacious and passionate pop-rock artist who strives to empower and inspire his audience to live their lives to the fullest.
LJR’s love for music was first sparked at the age of five, when after seeing countless of his father’s shows and watching his older brother learn guitar, he took up the drums. From there his natural talent soared, and he began to sing and play piano, leading worship during services at the evangelical mega church Grace Community Church he attended in Maryland. As a committed evangelical Christian, he spent his childhood and adolescence dedicated to sharing the word of God, but, faced with a variety of intense challenges as he approached adulthood, he began to question his faith and made the courageous decision to exit the church. Although leaving his religion behind was one of the hardest things he ever did, the events that occurred during that time would develop into a deep part of the motivation that continues to fuel his music career today.
Holding tight to the core values he learned growing up, LJR has written countless expressive and transcendent songs influenced by the beloved catalogs of renowned artists such as Peter Gabriel and The 1975. Seamlessly blending ‘80s-style pop beats with alternative rock guitar solos, his music is tremendously anthemic and infectious while conveying remarkable vulnerability, speaking to those parts of the soul that yearn to heal and grow.
LJR has opened for platinum-selling singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson and acclaimed duo A Great Big World, and his distinctive, resonant style has won him fans around the globe. As he enters the next phase in his career, he is determined to share his compelling stories with the world and is transforming his experiences into powerful lyrics that explore self-love, realization, and acceptance. By fearlessly sharing the scope of his own inner demons with others, he aspires to provide his listeners with a sense of comfort and to encourage them to discover the strength that they’ve had within themselves all along. “I want them to feel that they are not alone,” he says, “and to create a deep feeling of hope and energy for change forward into their lives.”
LJR is currently preparing to release his 12-track debut album “When the Sky Began to Fall,” which he will share with fans one song at a time beginning on April 30. Recorded over the course of three years, the album promises to showcase LJR’s brilliant songwriting skills and will serve as a testimony to the last decade of his life, detailing his personal evolution through discussions about his insecurities, relationships, and journey through faith. “I hope it brings a deep joy and hope to people’s lives,” he shares about the album. “I’m also really excited to create sacred moments with people at shows. I think those times are opportunities to share the deepest parts of ourselves while freeing others to do the same.”
For Fans Of: Walk the Moon, The Fray
Follow LJR:
https://facebook.com/lukejustinroberts
https://instagram.com/lukejustinroberts
https://patreon.com/ljr
https://youtube.com/lukejustinroberts
https://tiktok.com/@lukejustinroberts
RUTH LYON |
Ruth Lyon is a singer-songwriter of intense honesty and an impulse to say it how it is. Making a unique brand of ‘baroque-pop’ she bares her soul with courage and conviction – full of stark self-reflection but also a knowing nod to the absurdity of life. She returns to drop her latest single “Fast Food” on July 23rd.
Upbeat and effervescent, “Fast Food” is an irresistible pop gem that draws you in from the get-go with Ruth’s captivating and confident vocal delivery over an incredibly danceable rhythm section. It’s impossible to stay still while listening to Ruth’s lighthearted take on an almost nihilistic sense of timelessness many of us felt over the past year. Supported in the chorus by more captivating melodies and euphoric brass, “Fast Food” will grab a hold of your attention and not let go.
In 2019 Ruth released her first single “I’d Give It All” (under the name Ruth Patterson) which received support from 6 Music, Radio X and Spotify editorial. In 2020 Ruth cemented herself as one of the North East’s most important voices, when Sage Gateshead named her Artist-in-Residence. Over the course of the year, despite being thrown into turmoil by the pandemic, Ruth released two more singles, the evocative “Sink or Swim” and “Somebody Else”, for which she received the PRS Women Make Music award and was named as BBC Introducing in the North East’s Hot Tip 2021.
Co-producing with Rhiannon Mair (Laura Marling, LUNA) and Cameron Craig (Amy Winehouse, Katie Melua) Ruth explores her different identities – from the louche rock star to the bittersweet poet, looking for love and a place in the world. Classically trained but with an eye for the catchy chorus and bright, pop melodies, Ruth sweeps from self-questioning piano ballads and lush string arrangements to hands-in-the-air indie bangers. With the raw energy of a young disabled person who has constantly had to adapt to life’s twists and turns, her introspective and sometimes droll twist on storytelling brings up questions you never knew you should be asking.
Speaking about the single, Ruth said “Over the last year, I morphed into these strange characters taking on different personas, discovering my green fingers in my backyard, delving into DIY, spending a huge amount of time in the bath and getting all dressed up just to drink pink fizz on my couch covered in takeaway boxes. It has been fantastic to have that space to do what I want…no pressure. It’s the kind of tune you want to bop to but it’s also about unlearning the societal pressures of how we portray our fake, perfect lives on social media and warped beauty standards. I loved making the video in my living room bringing all these characters to life and generally getting a bit weird! There’s so much beauty and creativity in imperfection and I celebrate that.”
‘Fast Food’ will be released July 23rd via Pink Lane Records.
S T R E A M
L I V E
July 25th – Latitude Festival – BBC Introducing stage
July 31st – Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK – Alphabetti Theatre
Oct 20th – London, UK – Colours (supporting Martha Hill)
Oct 27th – York, UK – The Fulford Arms (supporting Martha Hill)
Oct 28th – Hull, UK – New Adelphi Club (supporting Martha Hill)
Nov 21st – Newcastle, UK – Brave Exhibitions Festival
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INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE
KHARTOUM |
With a huge amount of support coming in for their previously shared efforts ‘Vultures’ and ‘Took It All Away’ in recent months, KHARTOUM continue their ascent with the unveiling of their latest single ‘Benny’ from their forthcoming EP released via Young Poet.
Channelling the same 70s era Rolling Stones aesthetic they have brought to all of their material so far, ‘Benny’ sees the group venture further into that smooth and enticing realm of bold, groove-filled indie-rock. With its fresh, glittering production measured up against a sweet and soaring chorus, their newest release showcases their gifted songwriting abilities which we can expect to hear more of throughout their upcoming ‘Vultures’ EP.
Accompanying the new single is the new video, directed by Khartoum’s own Oscar Dunbar, when discussing the new video he is quoted:
“Inspired by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Bonnie & Clyde. Benny & Alice are our hero’s and their story is a snapshot of a relationship in flux, time stands still as our protagonists race towards the unknown. I was very lucky to work with the most wonderful actors in Danni Spooner and Zinzi Caine. I wanted to modernise the old formula for a film based around a couple by working with actors from the under-represented LGBTQ+ and Black community. My long-term collaborator Richard Bell ACS was the cinematographer and this project has been a labour of love for us both. We hope you enjoy.”
Formed in 2017, Khartoum have received numerous plaudits over the last few years, with many comparing them to Wolf Alice and Sunflower Bean alongside heroes Primal Scream and The Rolling Stones. After playing their first ever live show at the Musée du Louvre in Paris and building up a loyal following tearing up stages across London, the band have recently come off a sold out show at The Old Blue Last in the capital and are lined up to play Lattitude festival later this month.
With their monthly residency at London venue Laylow seeing the likes of Sir Mick Jagger dancing in the front row, as well as the band taking to the venue’s rooftop to perform a set to Londoners via a drone camera during the first COVID lockdown, they have also received support from the likes of Spotify (Hot New Bands), Apple Music, CLASH, BBC Introducing on Radio1, Hoxton FM, Amazing Radio and Rinse FM, and their performance at Glastonbury 2019 was described by renowned music journalist Neil McCormick as “capturing the true spirit of the festival” and “the essence of Rock n Roll”.
The ‘Vultures’ EP will be released via tastemaker London indie Young Poet on the 20th August.
L I V E
1st July – The Old Blue Last, London
9th July – Laylow (monthly residency)
16th July – Chalfest
31st July – Laylow
D I S C O V E R
www.khartoumband.com
www.instagram.com/khartoumband
www.facebook.com/KhartoumBand
www.twitter.com/_KHARTOUM_
ALICIA WALTER |
Following on from the release of her highly-praised debut solo single ‘Prelude’ earlier this year, singer and songwriter Alicia Walter, formally known as the lead singer behind the Chicago-based art-rock outfit Oshwa, is now continuing the support for her first solo studio album ‘I Am Alicia’ with the vibrant new offering ‘Suit Yourself’.
Much like what we heard on ‘Prelude’, ‘Suit Yourself’ sees her branch out from behind the confines of her previous outfit to explore a bolder and more multifaceted direction. Accompanied by the stunning Falyn Huang-directed video, we see Alicia show off her fresh and exuberant spirit as she sings and dances around a beautiful, old house in upstate New York.
Speaking about the new release, she said, “Suit Yourself” is a motivational anthem empowering myself to follow my dreams and do what I want to do in life, “cause babe, this ain’t that long of a ride.” I’m asking myself to stop worrying about what everybody else thinks or about what’s “right,” and to show up for myself and chase my wildest dreams —because the universe might just deliver!
“In the video, we see me at home, getting up out of bed and becoming who I want to be. We watch as “pretend” —playing dress-up with different personas and careers, dreaming up what I could be —becomes reality, me stepping into my fullest potential (and, suitably, a glam power jumpsuit!).”
With an other-worldly force guiding her, Walter self-imposed a deadline for completing what would properly present her as a solo act, taking all elements of production on herself for the first time. From March to October of 2018, the challenge of bringing such an ambitious project to life took her from her new surroundings in NYC to the quiet of the Catskills upstate; the frenetic pulse of storied concert halls like New York’s Village Vanguard and some of the apartments of the 18 musicians she met and collaborated with throughout her recording process. Facing burnout just two weeks before she was to wrap the LP, Walter met producer/mixing engineer Devin Greenwood –and was again reminded the voyage is just as, if not more, important than the destination. Together, the two re-worked Walter’s version of the completed album for another full year at Greenwood’s Brooklyn studio, The Honey Jar, and finished the journey with album mastering by the highly sought after engineer Heba Kadry (Bjork, Japanese Breakfast, Mars Volta).
Alicia Walter’s new album ‘I Am Alicia’ will be released on the 17 September via Sooper Records, with the new single ‘Suit Yourself’ out on the 20th July. Her previous release ‘Prelude’ is available to stream now.
W A T C H
D I S C O V E R
https://www.iamaliciawalter.com
https://www.facebook.com/iamaliciawalter
https://twitter.com/iamaliciawalter
https://www.instagram.com/iamaliciawalter/
https://www.youtube.com/aliciawalter
https://aliciawalter.bandcamp.com
DAVE STEWART |
Love is back in The Bahamas. Grammy Award winning Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics (the legends that brought us Sweet Dreams!) has released his new song, “Love’s Coming Back,” as a gift to The Bahamas and the world to celebrate the return of travel to the beautiful destination.
The new track features vocals from Bahamian artiste Dayonna and backing vocals by Grammy and Brit-Award winning artist Joss Stone and available for download on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Deezer. Take a peek of the music video, featuring passionate Bahamians and children while backdropped against The Bahamas’ idyllic beaches.
The song will be used to raise funds in support of youth and environmental projects. Not to mention that a slew of A-List supporters are on board including The Beatle’s Ringo Starr, Martina McBride and more.
The Bahamas (DONATE HERE) is grateful for Stewart’s work and welcomes his message to support the Island’s youth and environmental projects to ensure The Bahamas continues to be a unique destination for generations to come.
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Continuing to prove his superstar ability, Pimlico rapper and producer Kadiata resurfaces with brand new visuals to single “Guess What” featuring fellow UK hotshot Knucks – taken from his highly anticipated EP Lost, This Winter.
Fresh from recent successes, the in-form Londoner delivers another flawlessly skippy beat laced with soft piano key samples throughout, laying the foundations for an exceptional back-to-back approach from two of the UK’s hottest rappers right now. Providing an addictive slow-tempo soundtrack intertwined with soft vocals and lyricism from the pair, “Guess What” provides a timely reminder of Kadiata and Knucks’ positioning in the very upper echelons of the UK rap scene.
Marinating his sense of identity across his teenage and early adult years, Kadiata has been able to craft an undeniable palette within the UK’s experimental hip-hop landscape, using his acquired childhood tastes to continue concocting a worldly sound that always straddles a multitude of genres. Incorporating his tongue in cheek approach to story-telling throughout a plethora of releases, Kadiata continues connecting with listeners through his charisma and natural charm wedged in-between his wordplay – racking up millions of Spotify streams and over 250K+ monthly listeners, while also winning tastemaker acclaim from the likes of NOISEY, HYPEBEAST, COMPLEX, TRENCH, DUMMY, GRM DAILY, BBC 1XTRA and his own performance for COLORS.
But it’s Kadiata’s craftsmanship as a producer for others which has begun to build on his notoriety as one of the most promising acts in the city in 2021. While balancing and developing his own musicianship, Kadiata has aided in the construction of Che Lingo, Sam Wise, JGrrey, Miraa May’s careers by producing a number of singles for them, as well as other artists nationwide.
With two sold-out shows at London’s The Waiting Room to look forward to this October – alongside his joint venture “Enemies” with Jords and Masego continuing to make an impact – Kadiata is sure to continue rising throughout 2021.
More on Knucks
Hailing from South Kilburn, Knucks has been an undeniable force within the UK rap scene having released a plethora of acclaimed records such as NRG 105 and his debut single Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Selling out headline shows, supporting the likes of Not3s and Wretch 32 as well as garnering attention from I-D, WONDERLAND, HUNGER and NOTION to name a few, 2021 is set to be another milestone year.
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