Low Level Clouds is the Honolulu, Hawai’i-based project of Christopher Coats who, with the help of friends, has completed his debut, self-titled full-length album, a record that mixes breezy 60s and 70s melodic pop with an indie-rock bite.
“Gerardo Valez, a guru percussionist, told me, ‘no one is doing this anymore,’ but he said it in a way that made me feel he misses this pop-rock era I’m attempting to quote from. He was in the Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsy’s, so I am beyond honored to have met him and see him take an interest in the project. He found insanely cool rhythms that no one else could ever come up with.”
Another musician Coats is proud to have on Low Level Clouds is Bob Malone, “a master of the keyboards.” He filled in all those areas that needed more orchestration. He plays in John Fogerty’s band and recorded with Ringo Starr right after this project, so he’s definitely a top tier musician.”
He’s equally proud of every player who helped him bring this record to life. The highlight of the record for him, he says, is all those musical moments made by all those who made this record a reality.
“I love what others brought to the music. These were all written on acoustic so bringing them to fruition through a band was a great way to add interest to those otherwise static feeling areas.”
“The first drummer,” he continues, “Peter Park, moved to Portland after we recorded. But he and others, Seann Carroll for instance, each brought different strengths to different tracks. Bass players sometimes changed the sound of the songs so much I had to adjust to it for a bit. Greg Coates and Mike Love are so creative and both brought such now-integral lines, that I cannot hear the songs without their parts now. Amanda Adrain and Star Kalahiki’s vocals on ‘Heart Shaped Cliffs’ are another real highlight too. They added such beautiful parts that it sounds like a full choir at the closing round.”
Coats also likes to point out “Replaced by a DJ,” an upbeat rocker that fits perfectly in the middle of the album.
“The single most unique part of the whole record is the rap in ‘Replaced by a DJ.,’ he says. “‘From a band to a man, instruments to synthesized…’ Illisit is the only rapper I know of out here that really has a perfect delivery, in the pocket, and tough-sounding; he’s also maybe the nicest guy I met in putting this project together.”
An early highlight for him was what made him realize they were moving in the right direction is “what Zach Parlee brought with his exceptional contrapuntal vocal parts that we hashed out over acoustics. Of course there are many others that helped me get it all together, but those are some of the highlights for me.”
Low Level Clouds is a deeply personal record for Coats, who doesn’t shy away from telling stories in his lyrics, including the song “Hearted Shaped Cliffs,” about the ups and downs in relationships, singing “There through the heart shaped cliffs, with only you to run & jump it with” about his wife.
“My wife and I renovated our house once. I was working a lot on the house and had thrown out my back. In recovery, I was strumming my guitar while laying face up on the floor, because that was about all I could do, and just sort of came across the progression and melody first. It just captured the ups and downs of life & love for me.
Though he will admit there is a lot of personal lyricism in the album for him, he says he likes to “blend some fictional character with fragments of real-life experiences in prose.”
A diverse group of supremely talented friends, Sheer Element has already attracted a dedicated legion of fans and built up an impressive online presence with millions of views on their social media videos. Now, as they continue to ride a wave of momentum, Sheer Element is on the brink of worldwide stardom. The group’s three members, Izzy Kaye, Tabon Ward, and Jej Vinson, met while studying at The University of Southern California. After an impromptu cover of Ariana Grande’s ‘Only 1’ went viral, they realized they had something special and decided to dedicate themselves to making music together.
“We describe our sound as R&B/Soul – Pop. Since we are all very different artists that have come together to create this band our influences are from all over. Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder.” Says Tabon of Sheer Element.
Dedicated to putting a smile on listeners’ faces, this group continues their pursuit for more creative projects. Blending genres such as hip hop with pop melodies, and R&B, Sheer Element is an exciting and novel phenomenon sure to shine in their own colorful spotlight.
Trusted in the downtown Las Vegas arts community as one who helps to uplift others, Tree is a facilitator in holding space for artistic expression and the individual on a spiritual journey, easily funneling those two aspects of herself into her work. As an extension of that work, her new single, “Jupiter,” sets the stage for those attempting to understand one’s own emotions around what hasn’t made much sense in society. Produced by Steve “Jacaranda” Wilmont (OneRepublic, U2, Peter Gabriel), “Jupiter,” a synth-forward instrumental landscape is both ethereal and mystic, her voice offers a calm force in an otherwise chaotic world. Tree shares her experiences in song hoping to assist anyone willing to dissolve roadblocks placed along their paths.
Fast-rising indie-pop artist Dawson Fuss has released his most poignant single to date, “Free.” The picturesque pop track showcases his uncanny ability to turn his vulnerability into one of his greatest strengths. “It’s a song about longing to be your 100% true and authentic self and the complete joy when that wish comes to fruition,” Dawson explains. “Free” is now available to stream and download worldwide.
With “Free,” Dawson Fuss accomplishes one of the most difficult tasks a songwriter has: Tell one’s own story while providing a cathartic experience for listeners that inspires and captivates them. Through vivid storytelling and impassioned lyrics paired with an intoxicating pop melody, the track celebrates tackling one of life’s more arduous challenges–being honest with yourself about who you are and what you want. For Dawson, that meant accepting and embracing his own identity in spite of the internal and external forces that would coax one into doing the opposite. “Coming out was something I had always tried to avoid because I didn’t want to come to terms with being gay. I convinced myself that my sexuality was a burden to myself and others. However, after I finally realized that coming out was something to take total pride in, I was able to let go and feel truly ‘Free,’” he describes. In the short time that Dawson has been releasing music, he’s already enraptured audiences and garnered praise from a number of publications including The Santa Barbara Independent, Atwood Magazine, Indiewavves, Pop Wrapped, and more. The Santa Barbara Independent beamed that “he carries himself as if he were in his twenties, and he has the work ethic and introspection to show for it.” This latest offering further cements the compelling themes throughout his upcoming EP, Edge of Adolescence. Seamlessly tying the record together is a profound story of maturation and self-acceptance that connects with his audience long after the final song has reached its end.
Following on from his breakthrough release ‘Blue Maserati’ last year, rising UK talent Just George drops his incendiary new heater ‘Remind Me’ alongside psychedelic, smoky visuals directed by Jay Parpworth.
Trappy inflections on the production blend with guitar licks to create an exotic, sleek instrumental – a perfect backdrop for George’s autotune-laced vocal and falsetto. Revolving around themes of unrequited love and nostalgia, Just George states on the track: “Remind me is about a person you desire, but the complexities involved when that person is your type but you’re not theirs.”
‘Remind Me’ acts as a significant statement of intent from an artist that made serious traction last year as his debut received support across both BBC R1 and Introducing.
Well-crafted and polished, ‘Remind Me’ will continue the attention around an artist steadily carving is own lane in the UK landscape; Just George’s blend of considered vocal and natural ear for a hook will no doubt see him pick up further plaudits as he delivers the first of what will be a slew of new material this year.
Spellbinding UK talent Rudie Edwards releases artful video for ‘All Or Nothing’, plucked from her recent heartfelt EP ‘Worst Ways’. Blending organic instrumentation with euphoric pop sonics, ‘All Or Nothing’ accelerates into climactic oblivion as Rudie showcases her signature blood-rushing vocal capabilities. Accompanied by its intoxicating visual, exuding tasteful amounts of warmth and nostalgia, the Dover hailed singer-songwriter continues to embody all the qualities of a future-classic artist. Earlier this month the ‘Worst Ways’ EP emerged a stunningly potent and compelling body of work – and looks set to continue the attention forming around Rudie as a significant new name in the UK landscape. Consolidating the sense of an artist, writer and producer (Rudie co-writes and co-produces everything she creates), tracks ‘All or Nothing’, ‘The Saddest Song’ and ‘Jumperman’ showcase a rare ability to blend pop hooks and meaningful lyricism with a real persona. Rudie’s effortless command of her vocal talent acting as the bridge across the different moods, never waning in its appeal and ability to keep the listener on tenterhooks. Rudie’s emergence this year has already seen critical support across both sides of the Atlantic – with CLASH, NYLON, AV CLUB and MIXTAPE MADNESS amongst others all proclaiming a compelling new voice. Originally from Dover on the south coast of England, it was Edwards’ own musical ambition which eventually drove her out into the wider world, to arts school in London and eventually to the US – writing for the likes of CeeLo Green – before coming home and finding her own sound. With the kind of talent plainly on show with this, her first body of work – makes for a very exciting trajectory for the homegrown
star.
Showing no sign of ending his ascent, Houston-based rapper, lyricist Yung Pooda continues his rise with his latest single, “Forever Tippin,” featuring DJ Chose. This week, the 2021 Artist to Watch ranks #19 on Mediabase’s Urban Radio Airplay chart and is Top 25 on Billboard’s Urban Radio charts. Signed to It’s A 10 Records, Yung Pooda is one of the few indie artists to see this in-demand standing since the track’s release earlier this summer. Get it HERE and see the official music video HERE.
Recently, Pooda went on record with Hip Hop DX to say that the bond that he shares with H-town legend Paul Wall was in part one of the reasons he decided to re-work the classic Mike Jones’ “Still Tippin” hit featuring Paul Wall and Slim Thug—who also appears on the official music video.
Influenced by his H-Town predecessors from UGK to Paul Wall, Pooda tells Hip Hop DX, “[I] started by just listening to these guys and seeing them on TV, now I’m getting game from them…”
The Irish singer-songwriter Robert Grace is known for his straightforward, tongue in cheek tracks that often tackle issues many people experience, but rarely talk about openly. His hit single “Fake Fine” from last year, his most recent track “Self feat. Emma Steinbakken”, as well as other songs like “The Hurt You Gave Me” have garnered him tens of millions of plays on Spotify, millions of YouTube views, 1.8 million TikTok followers and a dedicated Instagram community. Now, the 28-year-old with the smooth and ultra-melodic voice is ready to release his newest tune called “Break the Silence”.
Robert’s first track for Columbia Germany / RCA US was ‘Fake Fine’ which went platinum in Ireland, spent five weeks at No 1 on both the Irish Homegrown charts and the Shazam Ireland Charts.
Alongside Dermot Kennedy and Niall Horan Robert was only the third Irish male solo act to have a top 20 hit in his native country last year.
Over the past number of months Robert has collaborated and written with artists and writers like gnash, KIDDO, KIN, Jamie Hartman (Rag N’ Bone Man), and Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran)
Over the centuries, love has been the universal subject of song and art. New York City-based singer/songwriter David D’Alessio gives his modern-day take on love in his upcoming EP, This Far Apart, out this Friday September 24, 2021. In his most personal project to date, D’Alessio shares his personal experiences in order to heal, turning his life’s more poignant moments into power ballads.
Written as a love letter to his wife, This Far Apart provides an unfiltered and honest insight into the complex topic of love. The overwhelming intense urge of wanting to be seen and feeling whole while simultaneously needing autonomy and individuality are a few of the core themes throughout the EP.
D’Alessio states about his new EP, “All the songs circle around the tension of proximity – be it mental or physical – and the way we simultaneously push our partner away and need their closeness… I kept thinking and struggling with how ‘we’re this close together, but we’re this far apart.”
Modern Original is an alternative rock duo formed by singer/guitarist Josh Hogan and drummer Andy Warren. Members of the alt-pop band The Mowgli’s, the two began writing songs during the 2020 lockdown, capturing their feelings, hopes, and the confusing ups and downs of that infamous year. Inspired by artists such as Tame Impala, Bleachers and Glass Animals but without any idea of genre or plan other than to make music they loved, they dove into everything from surf rock to sunny pop. Modern Original is reflective, positive, unfettered and honest – a response to a bleak time and a hope for a brighter future.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
