Please meet UK pop provocateur Willow Kanye, who has shared her new single “I Don’t Wanna Know” today. Listen here at all DSPs: https://willowkayne.lnk.to/IDontWannaKnow.
After releasing a slew of independent singles, Willow signed with Sony this year and released her major label debut single “2 Seater” just a few months back to buzz and acclaim, even receiving early love from BBC Radio 1. Now, the 19 year old is throwing her hat in the ring as one of the most vivid, genre-blurring pop provocateurs in music today. A keen visual artist with influences as far-reaching as fashion design giant Nigo and production mastermind Pharrell, she pools together the most lucid touchpoints of all her inspirations to build a sound as diverse as her creative palette. Willow can trace this eclecticism directly back to her childhood, being raised by a hip-hop and house-obsessed father and a mother who produced videos for the likes of Erasure and the Prodigy. James Brown, Nas, and MF DOOM were all significant early influences, and soon she was making her own musical discoveries, falling hard for artists as diverse as Tyler, The Creator, the Sex Pistols, Gorillaz, and Portishead.
Teaming up with UK hitmaker Oscar Scheller, “I Don’t Wanna Know” takes all of the attitude Willow has started to become synonymous with and ramps it up to 11 – taking cues from the old school rave culture that she is obsessed with by sticking a middle finger up to trolls over a drum & bass indebted production. It’s a high energy example of just how unpredictable a talent Willow is, and how easy she makes it look; the track is packed with hilarious one-liners that cut those who have bullied her online to size. An empowering anthem that deals with real life issues with a sense of confidence that feels refreshing in the landscape of pop today. The official video, along with a debut project and a HUGE announcement are all coming soon…
Photo Cred: Chase Hart
Led by singer/songwriter Guy Keltner, & drummer/visual-artist Ian Cunningham, Acid Tongue has been touring the world and espousing a timeless rock & roll sound with a DIY mentality since 2015. The touring band features a rotating roster of musicians from around the globe; with members based in Seattle, Paris, New York, London, Mexico City, Los Angeles, & Austin—lending fresh ears to the setlist for an ever-evolving live experience. Employing nostalgic riffs lifted straight from a forgotten jukebox and razor-sharp lyrics delivered in a childish croon, Keltner has built a large catalogue of material in a short period of time.
Dismayed by their hometown of Seattle’s devolution into a squeaky-clean tech bubble, Keltner & Cunningham formed a partnership to elevate their soul-drenched compositions beyond a suffocating local music scene. Their debut EP, I Died Dreaming (2015) garnered the attention of both the iconic radio station KEXP and a hyper-alert British audience— landing the band opening slots for the likes of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, The King Khan & BBQ Show, De La Soul, and Pacific Northwest legends The Sonics.
In the years to follow, the band set their sights on the global horizon—releasing their sophomore EP Beautiful Disaster (recorded in a London basement) in 2016, a handful of singles & cassette-only releases, and Guy’s autobiographical ode to his time living in New York City: 2019’s The Night We Broke Our Lease EP (recorded at a friend’s home studio in Brooklyn).
In 2016, Keltner and Cunningham co-founded their own record label, Freakout Records, and the annual Freakout Festival (now in its seventh year) with fellow Seattle music patron, Skyler Locatelli, and in 2017, released the band’s debut LP, Babies. The album’s singles—“Humpty Dumpty” & “If I Really Loved Her”—received substantial airplay and attention from college radio, playlists, and the underground indie-rock world. Acid Tongue continues to regularly tour across the United States, Europe, Canada, & Mexico, spreading their gospel of cynicism and emotional catharsis to an increasingly wider audience.
The band’s sophomore, full-length album Bullies was released the day the world completely changed: Friday, March 13th—and despite a global pandemic, the record still found global support from the likes of Rolling Stone France (which wrote a 5-page physical article on the band). KEXP called it “the sound of a promising band stepping into their purpose” and the album received praise from the Seattle Times, RIFF Magazine, & Sonic Boom Records as one of the Top Releases of 2020.
Guy & Ian made the best of the 2020 stay-at-home order by self-producing 15 new songs split across an EP and an LP. The first of these, Blossom, finds the band collaborating from afar with Canadian singer-songwriter, Calvin Love; Los Angeles psych-garage staples Death Valley Girls; Freakout Records-siblings, Smokey Brights; and Brazilian artist, Libra. Beyond the credited collaborations, the Friends on this EP also include Glenn Brigman of Triptides & Levitation Room, the vocal talents of Matan KG (Paper Idol), bass guitar sent from Australia by Dustin Bookatz (Pearl Charles), & the band’s consistent string-arranger Philip Peterson (Haim, Taylor Swift, Portugal the Man).
The songs of the EP are a soft reflection on the past year—with lyrics celebrating all of our friends finally coming back home and “Take Me To Your Leader”, written during the January 6th storming of the United States Capitol, reminding us to hope for freedom & hope for change.
Acid Tongue is currently at work on Arboretum LP out November 5th.
![Acid Tongue - Take Me To Your Leader (feat. Death Valley Girls) [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqClkFLOCQQ/hqdefault.jpg)
Canadain breakout artist OBLVYN made her Monstercat debut today with the beautiful future bass single, “Alive”. With its enchanting vocals, soft keys, and powerful chord stacks, “Alive” has all the makings of a melodic bass anthem you’d hear at Red Rocks. A classically trained artist, OBLVYN finds her stride in deep basses, groovy melodies, and crisp percussion, elements of her live electronic style that set her apart. Arriving as her second release of the year, fans can look forward to more music to come from this very talented producer on Monstercat.
OBLVYN shares, “People will never be replaced by machines. In the end, life and business are about human connections. And computers are about trying to murder you in a lake. And to me the choice is easy.”
Following recent singles “Flashlight” and “Dizzy Lifted”, CloudNone returned to Monstercat today with the rest of his beautiful six-track EP, ‘Last Train Home’. Featuring four new songs including the dreamy, downtempo single “u n me”, ‘Last Train Home’ is a testament to the producer’s versatile sound design, as the combination of euphoric synths, rich basslines, atmospheric pads, and catchy vocals transport listeners into an otherworldly dimension.
CloudNone shares, “‘Last Train Home’ was a journey that I largely created through my personal Covid lockdown. As time progressed, what unfolded was a story of my wishful exploration back out into a world that I longed to be a part of again, and I hope that each and every listener will be drawn into that sense of adventure.”
Since making his anonymous debut in 2018, CloudNone has firmly established himself as a tastemaker in the electronic music space. Thanks to his eclectic production style, CloudNone has received support from artists such as Tiësto, Oliver Heldens, Don Diablo, and more. Having just provided support alongside 3LAU at ILLENIUM’s record-breaking Trilogy shows, CloudNone has positioned himself for a massive year, with ‘Last Train Home’ setting the bar high.
John Power is a highly esteemed singer-songwriter from Allerton, Liverpool. Rising to fame as part of The La’s between 1986-91, Power went on to form Cast in the mid-1990s who found huge success throughout the Britpop era with albums including 1995’s ‘All Change’ (Polydor’s biggest-selling debut album of the time) and 1997’s million-selling ‘Mother Nature Calls’. Solo albums such as ‘Happening For Love’, ‘Willow She Weeps’ and ‘Stormbreaker’ released since the turn of the century, have cemented Power as one of the nation’s most revered songwriting talents. A fervour also continues to surround his activities with the reunited Cast proving the band’s enduring popularity to the present day. Collaborating with adidas Spezial for the first time, Power releases the solo single: “Grounded Truth”.
Credit 〰️ Becca Hamel
This song came out of a DM-slide from an ex. We had a brutal break up and I was pretty devastated by it at the time.
Five years later, after I had moved on, he conveniently started messaging me saying he loves my music and is “so proud” of me. It came across as condescending, like he felt he could claim some sort of ownership over what I had accomplished.
“Without You” captures the immediate frustration that comes with an unexpected/unwelcomed message from someone who had hurt you…
Yet then there’s the elated realization that they don’t have a hold on you anymore.
Listen to “Without You” now on your preferred platform.
Watch the official music video on YouTube.
“Without You” features production from Jack Emblem and Jesse Gold.
Facebook 〰️ Instagram 〰️ Twitter 〰️ Website
Devan
Lucca DL, a Brazilian-born rap artist, released his newest song, “Life of an Immigrant,” on July 6, 2021. The song details the uphill battle of a foreigner in America and calls for unity, inclusion, and an understanding of the contributions immigrants have made to the history of the United States.
“Life of an Immigrant” is coupled with a music video directed by Lucca DL. The independent artist raps in three languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and has a unique and versatile style incorporating intricate rhyme schemes. As a student at New York University, Lucca was inspired to vocally advocate for inclusion and equality for all minority groups by Spike Lee, a professor at NYU. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of other impactful immigrants, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Albert Einstein, Elon Musk, or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Lucca’s unique style incorporates serious subjects with humorous and relatable lines. Some of his notable past releases include songs called “Respect”, “Talk About It”, “Humble Brag”, “Satisfaction”, and “NYU Cypher”, which combined have totaled over 320,000 YouTube views this year.
This song, however, could be considered his most important one, because with a student visa set to expire, Lucca saw an opportunity in order to avoid having to leave the country: create a nationally recognized song in order to qualify for an 0-1 Visa for extraordinary performance in the arts.
“While initially, my goal was to create a song that would help me stay in the country, the more important intention of the song is to advocate for inclusion and celebrate the incredible diversity in the United States. It’s not easy being an outsider, and that struggle can often go unseen, but through this song, I hope to help shed some light on these topics for audiences that might not necessarily have had much exposure to it,” Lucca said. “For my fellow immigrants, I’d like them to know that they’re never really alone in this journey. We are living in turbulent times, and I think this is a good time for us all to come together. So many hard-working immigrants have played a huge role in the development of this great country, and we’d love the chance to continue to contribute while being treated as equals.”
To counter a common anti-immigrant talking point, Lucca clarifies that he’s “not trynna take your job” and instead is “trynna pay (his) taxes and contribute to the squad.” While these lines may be oversimplifying a very complex issue, the point is brought home in the very last scene of the video, where we see a montage of many notable American immigrants throughout history, from all sorts of political backgrounds, and those photos all come together to form a cohesive map of the country.
The record features powerful vocals from Tiara James and dramatic speeches from JFK and Obama to drive the point home.
Lucca looks forward to getting back to performing live shows for both his music and as a stand-up comedian. Before the pandemic, Lucca was a regular host at the Gotham Club in New York City. He plans to continue to be a vocal advocate for inclusion and equality.
For more, follow Lucca DL on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Electro-singer/songwriter Michael Lazar celebrates every second of breathing and living on our beautiful planet with his new single “Few Breaths Away,” out today on all digital streaming platforms. “Few Breaths Away” is Lazar’s third single from his debut album, 51/49, set to release on October 8, 2021.
Lazar describes “Few Breaths Away” as special to him, “because it’s about celebrating every second you have air in your lungs and being grateful for the privilege.” He wrote the song with the intention of paying homage to both life and love.
Lazar states, “This song has a cautiously optimistic take on mortality, driving home the message that life could end at any moment. It urges the listener to always try living in the moment, and that if you’re lucky enough to find true love, hold onto it and never let it go.”
Having written and produced all the songs on his new album, Michael shares his own experiences of loss and rejection in the lyrics. Michael’s goal with the 51/49 album is to find and celebrate the beauty in each moment of life, including the dark ones, and perhaps inspire others to do the same.
Above and beyond, Jordn is a Los Angeles transplant that has a narrow focus with a universal understanding: live with purpose, follow your dreams.
Jordn is a native to a relatively unknown island in the Caribbean called Dominica.His sound is equally motivating and poignant, a humbling perspective against the backdrop of a cinematic soundscape. That’s the formula.
After collaborating with numerous artists, including co-writing songs for Chris Brown’s Indigo album “You Like That”, “Part of the Plan” and “Cheetah,” Jordn is gearing up to release his EP High Hopes. The first single “Blessed” immediately sets the tone for his upcoming project .“Blessed” drips with deep emotions and biting verses intertwined with smooth melodic runs, entrancing vocals, and powerfully dark downtempo hip-hop production by producer Nico. The track screams perseverance and self-mastery through heavy beats that ignite the soul.
A unique talent with a visceral worldview, Jordn is the pop conscious of the millennial. Welcome to the future.
Taken from the Mellotronics’ debut album ‘1/2 dove – 1/2 pigeon’ (out now on Landline Records), ‘Sick & Tired’ was also the first to be written for it. Fronted by Micko Westmoreland; a musician, actor and creative already well known for his solo releases under his own name and material as The Bowling Green; ‘½ dove – ½ pigeon’ is the first release in which he is joined by his backing band The Mellotronics including Nick Mackay (drums), Vicky Carroll (bass) and legendary guitarist Jon Klein (Siouxsie & The Banshees / The Batcave). A record packed with references to pop culture, philosophy, history and more, the album also features a stellar array of special guest musicians including The Specials’ bassist Horace Panter (who notably lays down the roving bassline on “Sick & Tired”), horn impresario Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey/Madness/Nick Cave), alternative violinist Dylan Bates (Waiting On Dwarfs/Penge Triangle), plus the late Neil Innes (Monty Python/The Rutles/Bonzos).
Following in this visual vein, the Mellotronics’ new video for “Sick & Tired” is a quirky and humorous addition to their creative catalogue. Inspired by pop-up books and developed by Chaos Engineer Ashley Jones (who also produced the accompanying 3 videos for the album), the video sees Jones innovatively utilise green screens to animate the different scenarios that inspired the lyrics of “Sick & Tired” as the band perform in the thick of it. Additional artwork is by friend of the band Peter W., who also worked on “Psychedelic Shirt”. The video is available to watch here:
I made the official music video for “Big Bad World” with Canadian director Dan Lemoyne. Dan created a world of stunning projection-based tableau for me to emote against; a personal existential crisis within a planetary existential crisis. Heavy social commentary hidden inside the levity of a whimsical melody on a bed of cinematic sound design. Watch and share on YouTube.
“Big Bad World” is a dark nursery rhyme, nodding to the fairytale concept of the wolf. The chorus is sung as a condescending rationalization to the worst kind of person who justifies their bad deeds by burrowing in the womb of ignorance. Stream on your preferred platform now.
🐺 TikTok
Navel-gazing narcissism is rewarded in this constantly connected, depersonalized, and performative world. It’s about turning a blind eye to the horrors of humanity like ecological collapse, terrorism, school shootings, and crippling economic inequality while being distracted by shiny new tech, social media and the incessant gamification of social status.
Thank you for checking out my new single,
Anjulie
alt-pop artist Caroline Romano shares the official music video for her new single, “PDA of the Mainstream.” Hollywood Life exclusively premiered the video yesterday, calling it “witty” and “punk-powered.”
“PDA of the Mainstream” is an anthemic, punk-influenced pop number that gives the middle finger to the internet and all its toxicity. For the video, Caroline worked with director Justin Key to develop a visual concept that captures the familiar feelings of chaos, anger, joy, entertainment and excess that the internet invokes in all of us.
“The music video for ‘PDA of the Mainstream’ was my chance to yell directly at the internet,” Caroline says. “I wanted to visually create my own little version of the internet and how I see it, and I think I did that. There’s kittens and confetti and destruction, along with a whole lot of screaming. If that’s not representative of applications and the digital age, I don’t know what is. If I can’t beat it, I figured I might as well smash it with a hammer.”
Following the “PDA of the Mainstream” music video release, Caroline is also announcing her next single, “The Hypothetical,” set to release on July 30. Pre-save “The Hypothetical” here: https://onerpm.link/the-hypothetical
The lyrics to “U Really Don’t Give A Fuck,” the title track of my new EP, are about the idea of losing that intangible thing that is a relationship.
It’s not me, it’s not you, it’s us.
The death of that connection can feel so much like the death of an actual person, even though there’s no physical loss involved.
I was thinking about this one afternoon and the chorus melody came to me fully formed while in the shower. I immediately dried off, sat down, made a rough instrumental, and improvised both verses on the spot.
Every vocal part you hear on this recording is a first take because I knew I wouldn’t be able to capture that same feeling if I were to try to perfect it. Nothing was written down or planned out; it was just emotion through and through.
Listen to my UDGAF EP on your preferred platform.
Two very good friends of mine, Justin Trout of holymountain and Alice Kim of Hunjiya, reimagined “U Really Don’t Give A Fuck” in their own ways to put together this EP.
The holymountain remix is upbeat, electronic, and clubby, whereas Hunjiya‘s version is sassy, lofi, and upbeat.
I want you to come away from hearing UDGAF with the recognition that it’s okay to step away from a relationship that isn’t serving you.
It’s possible to acknowledge the need for space without that reality being depressing or grief-based.
Thank you for your time,
Daniel Loumpouridis
Keegan Powell is a Toronto-based songwriter and performing artist. Powell started his journey writing and recording in Teenage Kicks (Resolute/EMI) as guitarist on their debut album Spoils Of Youth recorded with Alain Johannes (Queens Of The Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures).
Powell shortly after went on to compose songs for Chastity (Dine Alone/Captured Tracks), on both their debut LP Death Lust (2018) and sophomore record Home Made Satan (2019). In the midst of this Powell also began to release several singles and EP’s under his own name. His debut single “The Door,” released in October 2018, premiered on Stereogum and followed shows in New York, Montreal and Los Angeles . His first EP of 2019 Is+Was featured singles, “Beginning Of Life,” featured on CBC radio 3, and “All The Love,” which sound-tracked acclaimed director Kazik Radwanski’s film, Anne At 13,000. His EP Headspun was released in November of 2019 and ranked in the NACC top 200, securing Powell’s first official charting position.
His latest singles “Rock N Roll Kind Of Night” and “There’s A Mountain,” the amalgamation of his musical ethos to date, have been featured on several radio stations across the country. Powell’s album is due for a 2021 release.
Margot Gordinier’s vibe is indie-rock and bedroom pop. Her first record was solely made on her IPhone, but even garnered praise from Del Water Gap. Barnard College also dug her sound as they interviewed her and had her play on their station “Bisexual Underground.” Right now, Margot is currently working on covering an Irish folk song.
MirandaJoan is a Canadian neo-soul and pop singer and songwriter born in Montréal and raised in Vancouver. Joan uses her multicultural upbringing from both French and English backgrounds as well as her reverence of music legends such as Stevie Wonder and Carole King and contemporary artists such as Erykah Badu, Anderson Paak and Emily King to craft a diverse and fresh sound in her music.
Joan recently returned to Vancouver after living in NYC where she performed on national tours and played sold-out shows at venues such as the Guggenheim, Joe’s Pub and The Town Hall and has been a headliner at well-known NYC venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, Rough Trade, and National Sawdust. In 2019 she performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival with the Orchestre National de Jazz, led by Sly5thAve in a tribute to Dr. Dre. Joan is a co-host and co-founder of Brooklyn’s Femme Jam (NYC’s first all-female led jam session) as well as a music mentor with the non-profit SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young where she works with kids 8-18 who stutter.
MirandaJoan has shared the stage and has worked with high-profile artists such as Andy Grammar, Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton), Christopher Jackson (Hamilton), Surf Mesa, Lorde and Shawn Mendes.
UK rap veteran K*NERS solidifies his position as one of Bristol’s finest with the release of the ‘Time Is Counting’ Remix. His thought-provoking chorus coupled with the smooth hip hop production provides the perfect platform for the featuring artists to deliver heavy-hitting verses.
The nostalgic feeling that this track brings, is complimented by the varying styles of the featuring artists. With a line up including the likes of Grim Sickers, Tanya Lacey, Genesis Elijah and Blacksmith, it delivers a sense of unity whilst proudly displaying the lyrical ability Bristol city has to offer.
With dynamic visuals that pay homage to the key elements of hip hop, flawless transitions, background graffiti, unique and eccentric vibes that contrast the realistic, down-to-earth setting for each scene, this video is really providing a taste of what the K*Star camp has to offer. This sentiment is mirrored when K*NERS explains that he is “keeping it real as always about what’s currently happening in the UK music scene.”
WATCH: K*NERS – TIME IS COUNTING REMIX FT GRIM SICKERS, TANYA LACEY, GENESIS ELIJAH, BLACKSMITH
‘Time Is Counting’ remix is taken from the eagerly anticipated K*Star EP Vol 2. The reach of this project surpasses national boundaries, with features from well-known artists in the UK and from America! The elevation of K*NERS talent is not only demonstrated by the calibre of contributing artists but also by the worldwide support. With Rap Legend ‘Chuck D’ from Public Enemy stating “K*NERS is always bringing that consistent fire from the UK”, as well as continuing support from countless radio platforms including BBC radio and Kiss FM. The support does not stop there, it blossomed into an invitation for K*NERS to perform at the BBC Airwaves Festival. This opportunity allowed him to take centre stage amongst some of the world’s biggest acts such as Rag n Bone Man, James Arthur, Gabrielle and many more.
The hard work that K*NERS has put into polishing and perfecting his craft is evident in the sheer number of bangers on his latest EP. With the GRM Daily release of the ‘Time Is Counting’ remix K*NERS demonstrates to the world that he is a definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Photo credit: Patrice Lighter
LA-based indie-pop artist, Jenna Kyle shares the title track, “Ojos,” from her debut EP today, along with a lyric video. This new bop is the second single from the Ojos EP, will arrive on September 3, 2021. The track represents a new era for the Los Angeles-based singer/ songwriter, producer and live electronic artist, who has actively been leaving her mark as one of the 2% of female music producers in the industry. Jenna Kyle supports women’s rights and LGBTQ equality and stands with The Ally Coalition.
On the new single, Kyle says, “Ojos is the first song I wrote and produced myself. It’s surprising how few women are producing music still, but the doors are definitely open and there’s a strong group of us out here doing it! I vacillate between feeling enraged that there are so few women in the profession, while simultaneously feeling proud to help hold the torch for the next generation of female producers coming up, all while battling the imposter syndrome many of us feel when saying “I am a producer, I produced this myself!”
One of the ways Kyle has explored her newfound producer prowess is to integrate a multicultural world aesthetic that is so uniquely her own. Jenna Kyle’s forthcoming EP is influenced by her travels over the past several years and her long time partnership and collaboration with Brazilian / Argentine drummer Bruno Esrubilsky (Mitski, Hedwig and The Angry Inch, The Band Joseph), which contributed to a globally-minded sound and an influx of Spanish and Portuguese lyrics.
She adds, “Over the past few years, pre-Covid, we toured through Southeast Asia, Europe, and visited South America every few months to be with family. I was immersed in the music and rhythms while meeting so many wonderful people. Language barriers can provide a new opportunity to communicate. You don’t need to understand every word I say to know what I mean. Exploring writing lyrics and poems in Spanish, which I’ve studied through college and since I was a kid, and Portuguese, which is a newer language for me, opened up a more creative process; there’s more room for experimentation within the new rhyme schemes. I don’t get as caught up on a word being cliche. Ojos and all my new music feels like an opening of sound and mind as a direct result of the freedom from self-imposed language constraints, and deepening my skills as a producer.”
Los Angeles-based artist and producer Olivia Morreale shares the music video for her single “Another Moon,” one of the tracks from her recently released ‘SPACE DREAMS’ EP. The music video premiered exclusively today on PopWrapped.
The music video is the brainchild of Olivia Morreale and filmmaker Amanda Prager. “This video was a long time coming, we had been planning in broad strokes for years to do something with one of my songs,” Olivia says. “We shot at random locations around LA — the beach, the desert, the city — and we were just trying things out and having fun.” The process may have been a DIY endeavor but the result is a cinematic watch featuring sweeping landscape shots, vivid neon-hued lighting, and an abundance of personality. “We tried to create something that would bring joy in our deepest, loneliest time,” video director Amanda Prager says.
Olivia Morreale released her electrifying EP, ‘SPACE DREAMS,’ on June 11th. Throughout the record, Olivia revolts against genre limitations, drawing from a myriad of influences ranging from classic jazz to electronica, alt-R&B to 70s-era funk, and soul to bedroom pop, while still crafting a unique soundscape all of her own. Lyrically, the EP examines the ways in which escapism can be accessed through imagination and dreams, mirroring the soothing, dreamy production that underscores each song. ‘SPACE DREAMS’ was created in close collaboration with producer and songwriter Eli Koskoff.
The EP has quickly garnered support from Spotify – who included the single “PARASOMNIA” on their ‘Fresh Finds: Pop’ playlist – as well as publications like American Songwriter, EUPHORIA, and Grimy Goods.
I’m dropping my third EP, drive in movies, on August 27th and am stoked to share the lead single, “movie nights,“ with you today.
Set on a park bench at night, highlighting the kind of spaces that can feel like a world of their own when you are a teenager, “movie nights“ is a song about your first brush with getting older.
Movies suggest that many of a teenager’s “firsts“ happen in well-lit, aesthetically pleasing spaces, when in reality, many of them happen in the most mundane, unassuming places.
drive in movies is a personal, cinematic collection of songs that chronicles key events in the life of a teenager: falling in love for the first time, losing someone for the first time, frustration with the world around you, and the speed in which one’s young life tends to change.
I look forward to sharing more new music with you very soon!
Ben Heffernan
LA-based dark-synth pop artist, L’FREAQ, shares battle cry title track, “Showgirl,” from her sophomore EP, Showgirl, due out on September 23, 2021 via Position Music. Furthering the story from the debut single and music video for “Gimmick,” it’s clear that the upcoming EP is absolutely stacked with metaphor, all-star fashion, witchy vibes and an important message about the role media plays with children — especially young women. L’FREAQ is turning trauma into triumph, tapping into her heart and getting out of her head.
From puppet to powerhouse (just like in The “Gimmick” video), L’FREAQ breaks free of the monotony and shreds through the brainwashed stereotypes, as she literally shreds on a guitar. “Gimmick” showed L’FREAQ embodying themes of resiliency in a time of self-doubt, combining heart-pounding beats with passionate lyrics about believing in the power that everyone inherently owns and nobody else can take away. It also emphasizes L’FREAQ’s expansive “robust range (Refinery29),” which is also on full display in her recent live and unplugged version of “Gimmick.” This new track follows in those footsteps and takes it further into a deeper love of music, family and personal freedom.
On the title track, L’FREAQ says:
“My mother on I have been on an incredible journey together. She is my collaborator, photographer, and inspiration. I was about 8 years old when my parents divorced which sent me into a deep spiral of sadness, and shortly after that, she started dating a musician who was an all-around bad character. This made my relationship with music complicated and eventually forced me to rediscover why I love it. The experience of being beholden to him from around age 8-18 was incredibly difficult, but my bond with my mother actually strengthened through this and I wrote this as a battle cry for her — “hold your hands up to the sky, feel the freedom as you cry POWER.” This song is a testimony to my relationship with my mother, a dedication to my delicate youth, and a reminder to anyone who needs it to stand in their deservingness and power.”
Myles Lloyd is an R&B singer from Montreal, Canada. His vocal presence and songwriting is filled with a careless emotion that can be defined as vulnerable, honest and when at its best, confusing. Filled with complex stories and real-life scenarios that have come to his attention over the past years, his music acts as a release when his thoughts are finally transformed into lyrics.
“Counting Days” is described by Lloyd as “the realest song I’ve ever made.” Touching on how the act of leaving your comfort zone can impact you by either showing you a new way of living, or by shining a light on your inner demons, the Canadian shares, “I hope that when people listen to this song they realise that they aren’t alone. Everyone is trying to figure themselves out during these times and are missing the way things used to be.”
“Counting Days” takes a darker tone through the production, leaning on a tropical array of moments. With huge bass sounds, a bittersweet feeling of melancholic euphoria and a diversity of dynamics each and every turn of the single is gripping. The backing vocals carry a haunting tone that drips over the R&B energy intertwined with pop sensibilities. His crystal clear vocals have a totally smooth tone making them moreish and comforting. Lloyd’s melodies and lyricism are like no other, eliciting an exotic feel and making this track totally unique.
Racking up an impressive three million streams for his previous releases and garnering acclaim from the likes of Complex, Wonderland Magazine, Elevator, Rolling Stone India, Live Nation’s Ones to Watch, Earmilk, Source, Revolt and Hip Hop DX, to name a few, Myles Lloyd is rapidly becoming an artist to watch for 2021.
im Rose and producer D Did That (Darien Newton) and have been on a Lofi Hip Hop road trip— making beats in Tim’s van recording studio “Vanna White.” The final destination is unknown — pit stops along the way include Paisley Park, Dilla’s Basement, the Hard Hitting Drum Factory, John Mayer’s ranch in Wyoming, and possibly some pit stops for pizza from Delicious Vinyl. Good beats for the road — wherever it may lead!
Tim Rose Bio:
Tim Rose is a funk/soul songwriter from Honolulu, Hawaii, he has ‘Soulful’, ‘Funky’, and ‘Smooth’ regularly equated with his music. His voice is a rough blue silk— his guitar playing a deep funk pocket. His 2018 release “<3” was created after years of sacrifice and soul searching deep in the funk jungles of Hawaii. The visual album counterpart to this music was funded by his fans to the tune of $30,000 on Kickstarter. Before the Pandemic he was performing full time; touring regularly and playing shows all over the world. Today has a combined social media following of 15,000 and over 500,000 views on YouTube. His latest music video “Visuam Album” was released in 2020. He’s opened for Allen Stone, and headlines successful club shows in Hawaii (Blue Note), Los Angeles (Hotel Cafe), Seattle (Triple Door), Portland (Fremont Theatre), San Francisco (Boom Boom Room), as well as performed at NAMM show 4 years running, and finally as a featured performer on Sofar Sounds. He is endorsed by Roland, QSC, Earthworks Audio, Reunion Blues, and Pig Hog Cables.
Darien “DDidThat” Newton Bio:
Darien Newton is a multi-instrumentalist and music producer living in Los Angeles. Over his three-year career, he has made waves in LA’s local R&B scene, producing singles for some of LA’s most promising singer-songwriters. As a product of the church, he has drawn inspiration from the gospel greats: Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, and Israel Houghton. Through their use of lush R&B chords and funky gospel grooves, he has developed a sound reminiscent of classic “feel good” gospel while mixing the hypnotic feel of Neptunes-inspired R&B. His love for gospel has opened doors for him musically — playing drums for Gospel chart-topper “Vashawn Mitchell” and International recording artist Sunny Badu. In 2018, he left his comfortable musician lifestyle in Oahu, Hawaii, to pursue a full-time music production career in Los Angeles. He released his own 5-track EP titled “Q Tapes Vol. 1”, co-produced a song for Virginia-legend “Mad Skillz”, and produced the latest single “Truth is” for Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart’s winner, Christopher Watson. As a self-taught drummer and pianist, he has earned his keep in the live music scene, playing drums for the likes of rapper Too Short’s signee Mercy Collazo and opening for G-Funk pioneer, DJ BattleCat. 2021 has seen Darien explore new roles, taking on the position of Lead Producer for the online children’s show “Boogie’s Library”. There, he provides the show’s music, along with setting the show’s creative tone. His exposure in the LA production scene has garnered attention from Interscope-signees “333 Rockstars”. Darien worked with the group’s artist “333 Versace” and has even produced a song for him.
This week, Houston-based, emerging rapper Yung Pooda continues to make a name for himself as his new release, “Forever Tippin” beats out stiff competition from major label artists to be the #1 “Most Added” record at urban radio. Get it HERE.
Yung Pooda joined forces with fellow Texan rapper/producer DJ Chose to collaborate on “Forever Tippin” which is a reworking of the classic “Still Tippin’” by Mike Jones, Paul Wall and Slim Thug– who makes a cameo appearance in the riveting “Forever Tippin” video. Less than a month to release, the video has already garnered over 1 million + views and counting and received widespread critical acclaim.
Global drag icons and RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon are taking the stage once again in a post-apocalypse-mas extravaganza certain to make this yuletide gayer than ever! That’s right… After a year of doom, gloom, and zoom, the Queens of Christmas have risen from the rubble to unearth your favorite holiday tradition with a 25-city tour of The Return of The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show, LIVE! (Produced by BenDeLaCreme Presents) across the U.S., U.K. and Canada from November 13 – December 30, 2021. This run marks the biggest tour for Jinkx & DeLa’s holiday show since its wildly successful inception, as they return with their signature whip-smart comedy, brand new songs, and a few perennial favorites.
General on-sale begins July 23, 2021 at 1PM ET, and an exclusive fan presale begins on July 20 at 1PM ET.
In exclusive statements to Entertainment Weekly, BenDeLaCreme said, “After a year in captivity Jinkx and I are bustin’ at the seams and rarin’ to go! Waiting for Santa is NOTHING compared to the excitement I feel to be back in theaters, sharing the holidays with the chosen family we’ve collected around the globe!” Jinkx Monsoon added, “I’m thrilled to be back on tour with my sister DeLa, celebrating the holidays the way I was meant to: boozed up, bawdy, and on display.”
For the past three years, Jinkx and DeLa have owned the holiday season with their critically-acclaimed sold-out holiday tours (To Jesus, Thanks for Everything in 2018 and All I Want for Christmas Is Attention in 2019). In 2020, BenDeLaCreme produced her first-ever film under BenDeLaCreme Presents with The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special (Hulu / PVOD), a 60-minute variety special made for the screen. The special debuted to critical acclaim and solidified itself as a global queer holiday must-watch for years to come.
The Return of The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show, LIVE! is produced and directed by BenDeLaCreme, co-written and co-created by BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon, and associate produced by Kevin Heard. For more information, and to sign up for updates, visit jinkxanddela.com.
BXB LOVE — the nom de plume of Canadian-born, Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and artist Natasha Pheko — shares the official music video for her second single, “IGNORANCE SONG,” premiering on FLAUNT.
“IGNORANCE SONG” is a bold, gritty alt-rock number that celebrates the shedding of one’s prescribed labels in a world that encourages us to define ourselves before fully understand who we are or all that we can be. Landing somewhere between telling a story and visually expressing a vibe, the “IGNORANCE SONG” music video represents LOVE’s experience of bursting out of the constructs she had created for herself. Finding herself wandering the streets of LA, wanted by the constructs she had escaped, LOVE throws a big F*CK YOU to the powers that be as she refuses to succumb to the fear that would encourage her to hide, blend in, or run. Instead, we see LOVE displaying an uninhibited expression of play, rebellion, and freedom.
“One thing that I’ve loved about creating and sharing this project thus far is that it’s allowed me to tap into dreams, ideas, and modes of creative play that I hadn’t really connected with since I was a kid. Making this music video was literally an opportunity for me to live out part of my childhood rockstar fantasies” LOVE says. “Smashing shit, shouting into the camera, riding in the back of a sick car with beautiful people, jumping around in the sunset, guitar solos, clothes that made me feel like a bad ass… I mean…. come on! It was a blast!”
Talent emerging from the “new West Coast” has been described as sharp, impactful and raw – words that also characterize Los Angeles-based rapper MoThoro and his new full-length album NOW OR NEVER Exploring universal themes of perseverance, self-doubt, and vulnerability, MoThoro’s new album, NOW OR NEVER is out now on all digital music platforms.
The budding artist and entrepreneur began to carve out his own lane in 2017 with the release of his successful album trilogy, ThoroLyfe, a musical project MoThoro released while attending the historically Black college, Hampton University. Now or Never shows a more mature artist, who for the first time takes a hands-on approach with mixing and mastering the 13-track album in his Los Angeles home studio.
KiNG MALA is an alternative soul artist based in Los Angeles. AKA Areli Castro, the El Paso born musician pens songs which touch on themes from lust, sexuality and badass femininity. Not afraid to spill her guts, the songwriter set out with the hopes to spark confidence in both herself and her listeners, creating music that will make you walk taller and speak louder. Both her music and visuals experiment with masculine tropes, sharing “There’s something about taking something traditionally masculine and wearing it as a woman that makes me feel really powerful.” These masculine threads weave throughout everything she does, hence King rather than Queen and “MALA” which roughly translates to “bad bitch” in Spanish. Sharing her feelings from the bottom of her heart KiNG MALA encourages you to dig deep and connect with your inner-self. Life is messy and we shouldn’t feel ashamed to show our emotions and speak our minds.
Her latest single “Mercy” emits prowling energy, with minor and major notes at war, the song encapsulates the good and the bad of being human. This song sees Castro asking for forgiveness for all the things in her life she did when she was learning and growing. Striving to be a good person, she is known for her kindness and loving tendencies, but like many, she often battles with mental illness and the darker parts of her mind. She confides, “I have said things I will regret forever and every day I search for the good within me and search for the proof that those things are not who I really am. Sometimes all you can do is forgive yourself and look for the good… that’s what this song means to me.”
Kicking off the track with a glass piano motif and tender vocals, “Mercy” gradually adds layer by layer, before diving into a slinking melody over pops of the gritty bass sound. Sharp pulses ooze fear, mirroring the darker alter ego, while her signature vocal textures scream femininity and angelic tones, bringing the shadows into the light and reminding us that the good always outshines the bad.
“Mercy” closely follows the release of her viral anthem “She Calls Me Daddy” which has garnered over two million streams to date. KiNG MALA has a significant and dedicated following across her social media and has been praised by the likes of PAPER Magazine, Live Nation’s Ones to Watch, Wonderland Magazine, V Magazine, Refinery 29, Flaunt Magazine, The Line of Best Fit, LADYGUNN and American Songwriter to name a few.
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