INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: Tom Walker & Masked Wolf, Delv!s, Moon Kissed, Gentle Party, Nami, DJ Macau & Tabitha Fair, Maxi Millz, Heidrunna, Mugun, Jess Chalker, Natalie Shay…

Following the release of his first music in two years, BRIT Award winning singer/songwriter Tom Walker releases the heartfelt video for “Something Beautiful,” his rousing collaboration with chart-topping Australian rapper Masked Wolf. Watch HERE and listen to the song at all DSPs HERE via Epic Records/Relentless.

Filmed in LA and directed by Anastasia Delmark, the video for “Something Beautiful” perfectly captures the moments of beauty and tenderness that can be found even during the hardest of times. “After the past two years being stuck at home, it was amazing to get the chance to go to LA to shoot this video with Masked Wolf,” Tom said. “It’s come out as one of my favorite videos and we had so much fun working with Anastasia. She is an incredible director and her vision and narrative really brought this video to life.”

Masked Wolf’s fame grew exponentially last year with the re-release of his track “Astronaut in the Ocean.” The song quickly accrued more than 75 million streams in under a month, eventually peaking at number four in Australia and reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100.

Tom, whose global streams have passed two billion, was the biggest selling UK signed artist of 2019 and is now working on new material. Expect a new album next year.

In prelude to his first album Bla Bla Blue, to be released early 2022, Delv!s the young Belgium singer-songwriter with a unique soul voice unveils his new EP ‘Walk Alone Tracks’.

 We’ve known it for a while, Belgium is home to great music. Only today, it’s particularly the Flemish side you have to keep an eye on to discover boundless and devoted projects, with notably an innovating rap scene and a growing electronic scene of artists ready to trace the steps of pioneers like Soulwax. Soul wise, Delv!s is one of the revelations of the moment. A surname accenting his rock origins before hitting the stage, 30-year-old Niels Delvaux owes just as much to his demeanor as to his brown mop of hair and obvious love of music.          

Because the artist is rather discrete. Which isn’t simple when you hover at two meters tall, and it becomes rigorously impossible for few to hear your voice when walking in the footsteps of the giants of soul and its divas. In order to hold on to a shed of light, Delv!s hired the services of an avatar, a figurine that resembles him and plays his role in the “Rebelman” clip, the first extract of his upcoming album, revealed last July.

A pop-psych hymn layed in the groundworks which we find today on the EP Walk Alone Tracks. Accompanied side by side with images, the adventures of the muppet, but also musically apprehending another one of the many facets of Delv!s.

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NYC-based synth-pop trio, Moon Kissed, share their sophomore album, I’d Like To Tell You Something Important, today, and tonight they’ll celebrate at their sold-out album release party at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, NY. Along with the new album, the band released a brand new music video for focus track, “Saturday Night.”

Vocalist Khaya Cohen says, This album, like Moon Kissed itself, is meant to be taken and used as permission and a tool for coming into one’s own and feeling confident in one’s skin. Everyone should have their own journeys with the album and make it their own. For me (Khaya,) this album very much speaks to my experience as a woman. It starts out light and flirty, then gets angry, then gets broken down and sad, coming to terms with some harsh realities. It is very much a catharsis and healing to perform and experience for me.”

Described as “lush and somewhat mischievous, yet shimmering with melancholy” (Dave O Rama, BC Musician Magazine), Gentle Party is a chamber pop trio that pioneers an expansive sound distinct to their West Coast roots. The distinct voices of each member triangulates to create a sound that is dream-like, pandemonious, playful, and evocative.

Harpist Elisa Thorn (The Giving Shapes, HUE) and JUNO-Award winning violinist Meredith Bates (Pugs and Crows) weave a lush bed of strings with acoustic virtuosity and electronic processing for the hauntingly evocative voice of Jessicka (Hunting, Jessicka) to rest on.

Their debut album, Jouska (2017), was long-listed for the Polaris Prize and enjoys radio play on CBC. Their sophomore album, God Complex, will be released in January 2022. With the generous assistance of Canada Council, in spring 2022 they will also be launching a project called Re:mix, a participatory music creation process that will culminate in the digital release of a compilation album of completed remixes by various artists.

Cape Verdean Platinum producer & songwriter Nami readies his introduction to the world as an artist by unveiling a 6-track mixtape entitled Demos For Drake. Paying homage to the melodic rapper’s influence on the ever expanding genre, Nami’s first EP is a collection of songs inspired by Drake and the diverse range of sounds he’s explored over the years. On the project, Nami flexes his rapping skills for the first time and executive produced each record, offering a peek into the process behind-the-board.

 At just 19, Nami has earned platinum recognition for his work and has collaborated with some of today’s hottest artists including Ariana Grande, RUSS, Bryson Tiller, YBN Cordae, Earthgang, Amine, and many more.

Billboard Dance charting producer, songwriter and global DJ Macau has teamed up with Grammy-nominated powerhouse vocalist Tabitha Fair to release his latest dance single, “Fly” (Potent Mixes). Intended to inspire everyone to be the best version of themselves, the uplifting end-of-summer anthem features Fair’s soaring vocals that have also been featured on stages alongside Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Sting, Snoop Dogg, John Legend among numerous other huge acts. In addition to the single, “Fly” has also been released as a two-part Fly Remixes collection, which include 16 remixes by internationally acclaimed DJs Bruno Knauer, Edson Pride, Julian Marsh, Pumpkin Spice and Bugie, LRDZ, as well as Grammy-winning Hex Hector, Latin Grammy-nominated Robert Eibach and Macau himself. The “Fly” single and Fly Remixes Part One and Part Two are available now on all streaming platforms.

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Ever wondered what some of our favourite British musicians would sound like in front of a live 10-piece brass band? The rising online platform BrassHouse have recently unveiled the first episode of their unique music series alongside spiralling artist, Maxi Millz.                    WATCH: BRASSHOUSE PRESENTS – MAXI MILLZEach filmed at the iconic Electric Cinema on Portobello Road in London, BrassHouse have created a nostalgic and picturesque music series that captures the best of British music through a divine framework. Set to feature a boast-worthy lineup of artists for season 1 including Shaybo, Pa Salieu, Miraa May, Kojey Radical, Knucks, Raye, Etta Bond, and Col3trane, R&B crooner Maxi Millz graced the stage for the first episode. Taking place in front of a live audience, each artist is given a 4-song set that consists of 3 live brass renditions of their own songs, plus a cover chosen by them. Capturing an old-school feel, the red-tinged lens navigates the listener as Maxi Mills graces the stage with his thought-provoking and laid-back sound.

Iceland’s brightest new pop act Heidrunna emits an effervescent glow in her upcoming new single, ‘Borderline’ – a frenetic electro-pop celebration, out October 21 via Absolute Label Services. 

Showcasing Heidrunna’s whimsical vocals to great effect, the synthetic ‘Borderline’ is a bouncy, harmonious utopia that promises to send you into a synthesized frenzy. Here we find Heidrunna wrapped around moments of indecision and finding herself on the “borderline” of romance: “Every time you say you love me / I’m on the borderline / I know I shouldn’t waste your time / It’s hard enough to find love / How could I think living with you would mean no more pain, and sorrow.”

Heidrunna: “A friend of mine was going through a hard time in a relationship and didn’t know how to let go. Borderline is about that feeling when you need to do the right thing and have a clean break, even though you know it’s fucked up and that’s the best option for you but you just can’t see the wood from the trees.

The accompanying visuals for the track exhibit Heidrunna’s imaginative aesthetic; one that’s been showcased throughout all of her musical creations thus far.

With a voice so effortless she makes it look easy, Reykjavik’s Heidrunna’s delicately nuanced tone has perfected itself through her time being a member of an Icelandic girl choir, before inherently moving further into the spotlight and becoming the lead vocalist in native pop troubadours, Cigarette.

Posing as one of many artists championing Coventry’s vibrant scene, Mugun showcase his lyrical dexterity and dauntless approach in brand new release, ‘Walking Street’.                    STREAM/DOWNLOAD: MUGUN –  WALKING STREETUnderpinned with an eerie and skittering production, ‘Walking Street’ is bursting with energy from the offset as Mugun explains: “Walking Street is a street tale with the addition of vibes to it. It stands apart from the typical street as it doesn’t fit the norm. I wanted it to capture the confidence you get after going to all the places your parents warned you not to go”. Reputable for his self-assured presence, Mugun’s fire-flows and refined pen game sit centre stage in this hard-hitting release. Housing textures from all walks of Rap, Mugun’s ability to intertwine complex bars in with dynamic flows, not to mention his staggering flare, set him apart from other rappers in Black British music.

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Australian-in-London and renowned singer-songwriter Jess Chalker is perhaps best known for being one half of Australian new-wave duo We Are The Brave. She is also a highly sought-after composer and producer, having worked collaboratively with a plethora of respected artists and musicians around the globe, including Sam Fischer, Vintage Culture, Isamachine, Gold Kimono and Passenger. Jess was also part of a GRAMMY-winning team that co-penned Lisa Loeb’s lead single on her kids record Feel What U Feel. Recently, she composed the original track “Darkest Hour” for the Amazon Original show Panic, performed by Tate McRae. Now Jess embarks as a solo artist in her own right. She releases single “Cynical” on 21st October 2021 across all the usual streaming and download platforms.

“Cynical” is taken from her debut solo full-length album Hemispheres– due November 5th via Jess’ own imprint 528 Records. Prior to this,  Jess Chalker’s album teaser “Don’t Fight It” went to  #1 on Hype Machine and was named to The Guardian’s list of “Best New Australian Music.” Jess has also shared the album tracks “Dance in the Rain” and “West Hollywood”, the latter of which was named to Spotify’s Global Fresh Finds and Pop Hits playlists. The follow up track “Stupid Trick” (released with a stunning video) is currently one of the most downloads songs nationally on Australian community radio and was also named to The Guardian’s Best New Australian list. Jess executive produced the album, enlisting the help of co-producers/ co-writers/ additional instrumentalists Dan Long (Local Natives)Josh Humphreys (M83) and Ox Why (her former We are the Brave bandmate). The album was mixed by Billy Centenaro (Sara Bareilles, Lukas Nelson); and mastered by John Davis (The Killers, Lana del Rey.)

Natalie Shay is an indie-pop artist hailing from North London. The multi-award-winning musician has established an ever-growing presence and loyal fanbase through her explosive live performances and unforgettable anthems, recognising her as one of the UK’s hottest emerging talents. Her relatable lyrics touch on love, self-discovery and the everyday experiences of a twenty-something. 

 Combining her youthful and charismatic aura with her classical training and time spent at the prestigious BRIT School, Shay has finessed the ability to produce undeniably catchy music, whilst maintaining musical maturity. Compared to the likes of Haim, Little Comets and Fickle Friends, the Londoner has absorbed similar energy and dynamics within her new music, resulting in a sound that oozes with passion and allure. 

 Energised and glowing with her signature pop vibrancy, “New Wave” talks about the butterflies and excitement of entering into a romantic direction with someone. There is an uncertainty of not knowing how it will play out, but also a desire to remain in a bubble of amorous emotions. “New Wave” also touches on how the end of a relationship gives you a fresh slate to kickstart into a new chapter, better and wiser than before. Shay confides, “After a relationship, there’s that little period of time where you need to find your way, then the new wave comes and it’s a super exciting start of something new”.

“New Wave” is doused in bright 80s inspired, pulsing synth beats with a tropical, funky edge and backing melodies making you feel warm, summer-ready and alive. Written alongside Kaity Rae (The Shires, GIRLI and Liv Dawson), the lyrics burst in passion and flutters of nerves, delivering a relatable anthem for those new lovers. 

Shay continues to pique the interest of audiences across the globe. Garnering attention from notable publications such as Billboard, Clash and The Line of Best Fit, to name a few, as well as landing Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist in nine countries, Shay has collectively amassed hundreds of thousands of streams. She has also worked on EDM tracks with the likes of Grum and Kryder, racking up over 2 million streams to date. In 2018 she was asked to be part of the jury for the UK Eurovision competition. With her second EP in the works and a show at Camden Assembly on November 24th, Natalie Shay is an artist to watch.

neillfrazer@hotmail.com

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