INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: Haley Gold, Charissa, Sheenah Ko, Rowdy Rebel, Ludic, Allegra Jordyn, Kelsey Hunter, eaJ, Sunflower Bean, Dust in The Sunlight….

Twenty-four year old emerging singer/songwriter, Haley Gold, has spent the last year writing and recording her own original music after the split of all-star girl group DAME, managed by Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men. 

Drawing her musical influence from the artists, Julia Michaels, Miley Cyrus and, Lady Gaga, Haley is not seen without a notebook & pen in hand as she is constantly writing and flowing with ideas. 

Haley is not just a brand but a girl from New York sharing her personal stories through her guitar & lyric-centric music. She hopes to hit hearts & connect to those who can relate or feel the same way.

After Haleys break out single, “Butterflies” was released in June 2020; she remains an “open book” telling the stories about her past break-ups and “girls weekend” memories. “Montana” Haley’s third release made its debut on October 9th, 2020

Charissa lays it all on the table, scars and all. Through earthy Americana and laidback soul, the Burlington, Ontario, based songwriter gets real about heartbreak, true love, pain, and ecstasy, with lyrics that testify to well-earned wisdom far beyond her years. That vulnerability, combined with Charissa’s lush, flowing arrangements, makes her emotional debut EP, Love and Be Loved, a deeply affecting introduction to one of the most spellbinding new voices in roots music.

At heart, Charissa is a storyteller, and the best stories are ones that don’t shy from honesty. “With this record, I decided that I’m going to write what I might be afraid to say out loud,” she says. “I think that’s important as an artist, you know? Sharing your truth.” Love and Be Loved opens with a clear-eyed testament to that. On the uplifting single, “Scars and All,” Charissa runs through past compromises and brokenhearted memories, finding the courage to demand unconditional acceptance from a would-be lover. The bittersweet and impassioned “Can’t Have You” details the pain of loving someone who isn’t good for you, but the gentle “Starlit Sky” brings the balm. “Things don’t end ‘cause they’re good,” she sings. “They end ‘cause they should.”

Montreal-based synth-pop artist Sheenah Ko released her new single and music video for “Waterfall”. The new track is the second single from her forthcoming album “Future Is Now” (releasing on May 27, 2022).

 Listen to “Waterfall” HERE

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 Watch the music video for Waterfall HERE

 Sheenah, who is also a core member of Canadian indie darlings Besnard Lakes, hit the spotlight in 2020 with the release of her debut full-length album, Nowhere in Time. The album garnered substantial press, national radio airplay on CBC Radio in Canada, and a Top 10 spot on the NCRA Canadian Campus Radio Electronic charts. The video for her single “Wrap Me Up” won a UK Music Video Award for Best Choreography (beating out Beyonce and Tove Lo, among others), and went on to receive a 2021 Juno Nomination for Best Video.

 “I wrote and recorded this song right after I went for a hike along the Saguenay River and came across a hidden waterfall”, Sheenah explains. 

 “I was so inspired by the natural environment in this region that the song and its lyrics just flowed out of me, reflecting how I was feeling at that moment; lucky to be alive and in a beautiful environment despite how crazy and chaotic our world had suddenly become.”  As a result, Waterfall is about being more open to everything around you and paying more attention to the natural environment, and everything it tries to teach and give us.  Whenever I’m feeling down or low on energy, I go for a long hike, run, or ski, just to get as up-close to nature as I can. It immediately wakes me up and makes me feel amazing.  It gives me a boost of energy and renews my sense of being and joy.  Nature has become my therapy, and it has made me the stronger, happier person I am today.”

 The music video for Waterfall is dreamy and feminine, much like Sheenah’s music. She insisted the video be shot on the Saguenay River, which represented the song so perfectly. Despite the cold temperatures on shoot day, Sheenah says it was an amazing experience.

 “I hope you can feel the love and good vibes that we felt shooting that day, and how important it is to rock your femininity, and get outside more to experience the beauty of our world.”

Brooklyn-bred rapper and hitmaker Rowdy Rebel releases his new single and music video, “Rowdy vs Rebel.” The feature finds the rapper stuck in a Jekyll and Hyde dynamic: torn

between his aspirational self, Rowdy, and his reckless side, Rebel. The new song and video are now available. The video will also premiere with BET on Viacom’s Time Square Billboard on Friday April 8th  in New York at 12PM EST and 6PM EST.

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[Get “Rowdy vs. Rebel” here]

[Watch “Rowdy vs. Rebel” here]

“Rowdy vs. Rebel” is as vulnerable a look into the life of Rowdy Rebel as the NYC star has offered since his release from prison in 2020. Aptly, Rowdy reminds the listener that despite the progress he’s made, understandably, there are fibers of his old life that still linger. “Late nights, I’m out of my mind,” he raps as the beat quiets. “I talk to myself, and this [is] what I find.” He resists negative thoughts for a few short bars, then lets them win as the unmistakable drill beat kicks back in.

While their hometown of Vancouver, BC, Canada may be known for moody indie-rock, Ludic exude a delightfully bright and unique brand of groovy tunes. The Trio consists of Ayla Tesler-Mabe, Rhett Cunningham, and Max Cunningham. Drawing from great music icons such as Stevie Wonder and Steely Dan, and modern soul pioneers such as Hiatus Kiayote; Ludic seamlessly blend vintage and present soul, funk, jazz, and pop, creating music for a wide-array of listeners.

Beginning with the pursuit to create groovy sounds that are both playful and explorative, Ludic have quickly made a name as pioneers to a new formula of modern soul. With each of its members multi-instrumentalists and songwriters in their own right, the multi-talented trio create dynamic genre-defying music that speaks as an entity of its own.

Features rhythms reminiscent of 70s funk with up-beat soul and jazz-driven bass lines; with guitar licks that breathe the vintage precision and explorative interest of an early Jimmy Page or David Gilmour and dreamy soulful vocals; Ludic’s amalgamation of genres is undeniably timeless. With production in the hands of Ryan Worsley of Echoplant Studios, their music carries the capacity to reside on indie radio channels, while capturing the ears of musicians in search of sophisticated musical depth.

Despite the somewhat ominous song title, there is an undercurrent of optimism running throughout “Ruin My Life,” the new single from Toronto-based singer-songwriter Allegra Jordyn, released today.  In an uncharacteristically upbeat look at love, she ponders everything that could go right at the outset of a new relationship rather than focusing on what might go wrong.

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 Buoyed by an unmistakable 80’s influence, Allegra’s ethereal vocals swirl throughout the track, highlighted by a dreamy soundscape of steady drumbeats and accents of keyboard throughout.

 Listen to “Ruin My Life” HERE

 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/rtEu4wQ3uFw

 “When you willingly put yourself in a position of vulnerability, a lot of doubts can flood your thoughts, and you sometimes reason it’s not worth the risk,” she says. “I wanted to talk about my fears of commitment and heartbreak that have been prevalent in previous relationships, while also realizing there is a joy that comes from meeting someone that makes you feel they’re worth potentially setting yourself up to fall. You’re giving that person the power to potentially ruin your life, which is where the song’s title comes from.”

 Acknowledging that it’s human nature to spend an inordinate amount of time focused on everything that could go wrong, choosing to ponder the other side of the coin is a deliberate, conscious choice.

 “I wanted the song to show that while you might not be able to avoid the heartbreak in the end, it’s fun to explore the excitement and passion that comes from starting a new relationship.”

Singer-songwriter Kelsey Hunter’s is thrilled to release her new single “Let Me Burn” that is out now along with the music video.

Kelsey says “Let Me Burn was written about the relationship struggles within oneself. Using alcohol or nightlife as something to distract an inner conflict. It’s about a fight with the opposing sides of yourself.”

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Raised on blues and rock ‘n’ roll, Kelsey Hunter is an aspiring singer songwriter from New Jersey who now resides in New York City. Although most of her lyrical work is influenced by various singer songwriters such as Brandi Carlile, Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley, there’s a side of her that loves to bring the edge of rock & roll into her style. Kelsey intertwines her songwriting with the hints of Led Zeppelin, SRV, and even Guns N’ Roses to create her own unique mix. Hunter now uses her own vocal power to create the perfect combination of simplistic songwriting and gut wrenching performance.

She prides herself on her genuine stage presence and lyrical connection. Throughout her career, she has played at many New York City Venues such as Joe’s Pub, Rockwood Music Hall, and Rough Trade. She has also performed and opened with artists such as Sophie B. Hawkins, Leslie Mendelson, Will Evans, and one of her personal favorites – Foreigner. Kelsey released her self titled debut EP last fall garnering looks from CMT, Billboard, Country Swag, and more.

Korean-American singer, songwriter and composer, eaJ, has released his highly anticipated first single as a solo artist, today. Released with Soka Talent Group, home to artists like keshi and BoyWithUke; eaJ first performed “Car Crash” on the main stage at 88 Risings Head In The Clouds Festival at Rosebowl Stadium last November. His solo career had not yet even officially begun as he took to the most well-known main stage for Asian American music. Now in 2022, eaJ has moved back to his hometown of California and is ready for this new journey to begin with the release of “Car Crash.” 

Photo credit: Driely S

New York trio Sunflower Bean—vocalist and bassist Julia Cumming (she/her), guitarist and vocalist Nick Kivlen (he/him), and drummer Olive Faber (she/they)—are gearing up to release their long-awaited new album, Headful of Sugar, next month.

Today the band share new single I Don’t Have Control Sometimes”. On the track Cumming revels in a period of recklessness and instability that brought her to the breaking point that made this new album such a force. But there’s no darkness to mine here “I Don’t Have Control Sometimes” is a jangly, bright pop song reminiscent of The Cure, confident in its refusal to be apologetic. “I don’t care what tomorrow thinks/ Today I’m totally mine,” Cumming sings, her scintillating vocals communicating a witticism and self-awareness that swallows any suffering beneath.

Julia explains, I’ve always thought that my reckless side was both a gift and a curse, leading me to my best choices on stage but my worst choices in life. I dont have control sometimes is admission, acceptance, and almost celebration of the parts of yourself that are impulsive or maybe even insane.”

Photo credit: Rob Humm

Dust in The Sunlight return with their exquisite new single ‘Handful of Water’. 

Listen HERE

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The new single is a melting-pot of vocal harmonies, dreamy synths, layers of strings and brass all building up to a crescendo of carnival percussion and drums.

Written in the first moments of freedom post-lockdown, Handful of Water is a moment of new perspective and a reminder to trust your gut. Sharing more, the band explained: We wrote about that feeling of being cornered into a way of living or being with someone that doesn’t feel right… and kind of saying that life is too short for that. It’s very easy to dwell on things that have gone wrong, relationships that haven’t worked out, or people who have hurt you. A way out of that is to take a second to look around and realise how tiny and huge everything is at the same time. It’s very grounding. 

Handful of Water comes as the follow-up to the band’s first release of the year ‘Former Lives’. The lush moment of escapism was written as a response to societies insatiable pressures and expectations. Atwood Magazine described it as “A warm, lilting salve for the pressures to conform, Dust in the Sunlight’s “Former Lives” is a tenderly hypnotic song of escape and rediscovery”.

Heartfelt lyrics and emotive vocals have helped Jade Hilton evolve into her distinctive sound. The singer/songwriter from Toronto fuses earthly folk melodies over alt-pop beats. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign playing Division 1 tennis, she moved back home to Toronto and began releasing music. Jade is releasing her debut album “Unrequited” in April of this year.

Rising rock-pop star-in-the-making Dylan today releases her eagerly anticipated EP titled “No Romeo.”  It’s an empowering 6-track release that is the perfect companion to navigating relationships whilst preserving what’s important; self-worth and growth.  Fans will notice recent favourites You’re Not Harry Styles, Someone Else, Nineteen and the EP’s title track has made the tracklist along with two new exceptional tracks, Alone & Live Without It.  Dylan is currently on the road with Bastille before supporting Tate McRae in Europe (from April 30) all before her own US dates (this summer) and her upgraded headline dates in the UK (this fall) which includes a performance at London’s iconic KOKO venue.

Hailing straight from Hip-Hop’s capital, Rinchere (Formally known as Spectacula) is one of the most notable additions to the New York’s up-and-coming roster. Born to Haitian parents and growing up in Queens, music quickly became the sensation of this rapper’s childhood as he was introduced to R&B and Kompa at an early age. He soon fell in love with the beat and the rhythm along with music’s “ability to grab the attention of anyone who chooses to listen for 3-5 minutes, be it meaningful, emotional or just plan stupid”. Dating back to elementary school, music became his hobby and so did rhyme; more so, it became a savior at a time in which the then-youth witnessed hardships of his parents’ divorce. “If I did not have music as an outlet, I probably would have been very emotionally distressed”. From thought-provoking lyrics to innovative approach music, Rinchere remains a humble perfectionist. “I don’t think I reinvented the wheel or anything. I just feel like if more rappers spent time perfecting their, craft hip hop would be much better”. While focusing on musical development, From consistent releases to his independent business ventures, Rinchere continues to reassert his focus and dedication toward the creation process, creativity, and most importantly, toward hip-hop. “The World Watching” is Rinchere‘s new single, a conscious hip-hop song about the current state of the world. Richere confides, “In a way this project was inspired by the documentary The Social Dilemma. The internet is a powerful tool that has innovated the world in many positive ways but at the same time it has done irreversible damage to humanity. This project is a retrospect  on that. “The World Watching” is a 2022 revision of the Jay-Z classic “The Streets is Watching” and the video featuring & directed by Var Brown makes light on how much things have changed.”Richere’s single “The World Watching” is from his upcoming album Retrospect due out on April 22nd worldwide.

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NOA, the Dutch, Toronto born Pop/R&B artist blends vibrant, catchy melodies with resonant emotional themes — from relationships to female empowerment and self-realization. NOA’s artistic voice maintains a fun, lighthearted velvety tone that helps lift her fans above the noise and negativity of everyday life.

NOA was on Season 2 of CTV’s The Launch where she worked with Ryan Tedder (One Republic) and Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Records). She has been featured in Rolling Stone, Wonderland Magazine, Ones to Watch and Earmilk and has made appearances on SIRIUS XM and Global News ’The Morning Show’. NOA has been spotlighted on numerous Spotify editorial playlists including New Music Friday NL, New Music Friday Canada, Fresh Finds, Chill Hits (over 5 million followers), and Weekend Hangouts to name a few. NOA’s debut single ‘Caught Up’ hit the iTunes top 200 Pop Charts in the Netherlands landing at number 98 and was featured on Spotify’s editorial playlist Denmark’s viral 50. In 2020, NOA released ‘Motions’ which premiered through Live Nation’s ‘Ones to Watch’. NOA’s latest EP ‘Honeymoon’ charted at number 26 on the iTunes top 200 Pop Charts in Canada and was featured on Amazon music’s ‘Breakthrough Canada’ playlist. NOA is at over 3 million career streams worldwide and is averaging more than 100,000 monthly listeners across platforms; building an incredible loyal following in the United States, Canada and Europe.

$NOT just dropped the video for “Benzo” – Watch Here. “Benzo” is second in line for most brash track on Ethereal (closely following “Doja” with A$AP Rocky, of course) and the video is equally thrash. $NOT is joyriding in his 90s 500SL Benz to a party with his crew of roadsters popping wheelies on dirt bikes through South Florida. Just like the dynamic, synth infused beat, the “Benzo” video is chaotic and combative, but pure fun. $NOT did have to slow it down for a moment to fulfill his lifelong dream of running a gas station. Seriously, the man loves the store. “Benzo” was directed by NOTACHANCE, who also directed last week’s “5AM” video.

OceanatorNothing’s Ever FinePolyvinyl Record Co. / Big Scary Monsters“The cars break. Everything goes slow motion. There’s disaster and fire,” foretells Elise Okusami, describing her cinematic vision of the end of the world. Apocalypse is a subject she mined in acute detail and to critical acclaim on 2020’s Things I Never Said, her debut full-length as Oceanator. But in her most recent cataclysmic telling, she keeps the camera focused on the people who survive and need to keep on living. A couple escapes the wreckage in a classic pickup truck, their dog riding in the back. They find a new home in the woods and consider how to start over. “It could either be hopeful or negative,” Okusami explains of the tale’s ambiguous ending. “You’re either walking off into a nice sunset or going off into a black hole. For me, it depends on the mood; it can be both ways.”

Those speculative vignettes inspired polymathic Okusami to begin writing a short film—one she ultimately scrapped in favor of putting those themes to music. These vividly imagined scenes comprise the sunrise-to-sunset arc of her resplendent new record Nothing’s Ever Fine, the first Oceanator has recorded for Polyvinyl and the already-shredding project’s heaviest collection yet. This narrative of doom and hope told over the span of a single day is reinforced by a thrice-recurring leitmotif—appearing on the tracks “Morning,” “Post Meridian,” and “Evening”—composed on Okusami’s newly beloved Reverend baritone guitar. She used it to write several of the songs’ knottiest riffs, lending a gut-punching low register (perhaps indebted to her past experiences playing in thrash and hardcore bands). But like on previous Oceanator recordings, Okusami’s characteristic ease with bright hooks still shines, and the wide-ranging influences of ‘80s power pop, ‘90s melodic punk, Americana, film scores and Civil Rights-era vocal groups lend textured complexity to the collection. Okusami uses these sounds to explore anxious nightmares, nostalgia for late night adventure, the fog of depression, climate catastrophe and cautious optimism for the future. It’s material ripe for an end-of-days flick, sure; but it’s also the reality of living with the noise in your own brain in America’s 2020s. 

Hawaii born, California based artist Gavin Leatherwood returns today with his stunning single, Be My Lover, take a listen HERE. A name and face you you may recognize from Netflix’s Sabrina The Teenage Witch remake and  Mindy Kaling’s Sex Lives Of College Girls, Leatherwood has built himself a a powerful following, boasting over 3 million followers on IG alone alone. ‘ Be My Lover’ is a vibrant indie pop cut perfect for summer nights.  Speaking on the track, he states:

 

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When it comes to songwriting my basic instinct is to write songs that are slow in tempo. Melodic, calm, thought provoking. When I was working on this album my manager challenged me to write something more upbeat, light, fun, relatable. On a night out in LA at an exclusive club/restaurant, a very beautiful and very famous woman entered the place and when she did it was like a light went on in the room. Everyone turned their heads with eyes wide and jaws dropped, myself included. My heartbeat quickened and inspiration hit me. “When she walks in the room everyone takes notice.


Photo credit: Diana King

EDGEOUT Records and The Revelries share “Girls Like You,” the fifth original song to be released by the band via EDGEOUT Records.   

The Revelries bring full-sounding, guitar-driven Pop-Rock that recalls the sound and influence of successful Eighties Arena Rock, Power-Pop and Alternative artists.

The brainchild of 24-year-old Monroe, Louisiana-bred vocalist/guitarist Beau Bailey, The Revelries began in a dorm room during the fall of 2016 at Louisiana State University and transformed into an outfit that would perform its own version of high-energy, U.K.-style Pop-Rock to audiences in local Baton Rouge dives bars to private events and venues across the Southeast.

EDGEOUT focuses on the development and curation of young mainstream ROCK bands and artists that will be the future rock movement in the music industry. In January 2020, The Revelries signed a development deal with EDGEOUT/UMG and entered into their program THE STUDIO. 

After joining forces with EDGEOUT Records, the band went into the studio to record with GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Matt Wallace (The Replacements, Faith No More, Maroon 5) and will release their first major-label debut later this year.

You Said is a lively song about new love. I want to encourage listeners to go back into their own lives and remember that moment where they felt new love, and how exciting that feeling can be. After so much depression and isolation, it was refreshing to feel awake again.

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Throughout my time during the pandemic, I had decided to reluctantly join Tinder on a whim, to pass the time. I matched with a few people, but this one person had asked me to go out on a first date, which was basically a walk because nothing was open at the time. We went out on May 24th down by the river in my hometown, and we found a spot on the bay to sit and talk. Something that I thought would be an hour or two turned into six hours, I was enamored. That moment became the inspiration for “You Said,” which I wrote for my personal songwriting challenge in May 2020.”You Said” is from my self-titled album, Avery Raquel, a mix of Alternative Soul/RnB/Pop inspired from the 70’s. The collection of 12 original songs ranges from pop ballads to storytelling songs, groovy upbeat numbers & Neo soul influenced arrangements, and was inspired by my reflective thoughts during COVID. This album is the first that I believe is fully and entirely me.

Thanks for listening,

Avery Raquel

You Said by Avery Raquel

Miami-based artist & songwriter Peach Martine is back today with her fiery new single, “Romeo and Juliet.” “Romeo and Juliet” is a pop-punk fantasy. Pairing grungy, high-energy production with Peach’s striking vocals, it’s an untempered, in-your-face anthem that makes you want to scream at the top of your lungs. “‘Romeo and Juliet’ is the perfect song for your chaotic yet awesome love story,” Peach says of her new single. “It’s loud and high energy, with the same wit and flirtatiousness in the lyrics that keeps a relationship’s flame alive.”At just 19-years-old, Peach has already captured the hearts of millions with her clever, vulnerable songwriting that tackles the highs and lows of being a young woman in today’s world. Highly influenced by her hometown of Cleveland — the ‘Birthplace of Rock N Roll’ — Peach grew up listening to artists such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Dolly Parton, ABBA and The Beatles, as well as modern mainstream acts like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Lana Del Rey, all of which have influenced her unique sound. She plays multiple instruments, including piano, guitar, violin, electric bass and harmonica. At just 16, she was invited on American Idol where she astounded the judges with her original song performance and landed a golden ticket to Hollywood. Still in high school at the time, she decided instead to hit the road with High School Nation, which gave her a glimpse into the life of a touring musician.

SOPHIA ALEXA REVEALS STUNNING DEBUT EP, GROUNDWORK// LISTEN HERE

Having picked up widescale support and built a Web3 following on the back of her first few singles, rising newcomer Sophia Alexa today reveals her debut EP, Groundwork. Featuring brand new track Buried Alive, the project features Sophia Alexa’s dreamy combination of deeply personal songwriting and beautifully woozy vocals. Speaking on Buried Alive, Alexa states:

I wrote ‘Buried Alive’ at a time when I had become a bit of a hoarder, and I’d hold on to everything, down to pamphlets from a doctor’s office to every journal I’ve written in. It was a strange sentimental attachment to everything I owned. I wondered why people, including me, attach themselves to things, and it’s more than materialism, it’s having something permanent. The title came from this tv show called ‘Buried Alive’ about hoarders and in a way I related to them trying to fill some void or emotion with possessions.

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 Explaining the thoughts behind the EP in general, Sophia Alexa continues;

 My EP ‘Groundwork’ has quite a literal meaning as the title represents me laying the foundation of my journey as an artist. It includes all the years, experiences, and pain wrapped up in a few songs. I like to think of it as the beginning of who I am as a songwriter and an end to a chapter of who I was. each song allowed me to process a certain experience in the most honest and vulnerable way. I love to think of my songs as a moment in time, and this EP has allowed me to relive special and difficult moments in my life.

neillfrazer@hotmail.com

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