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INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: KID CUDI, ‘Black Art is Forever’, The Revelries, PEARL DIVER, SUGAR BOY, Sara Diamond, Koven, SKINNY LISTER….

As part of his “To The Moon” 2022 World Tour, hip-hop star Kid Cudi will be playing London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday 15 November 2022. The show will be his first UK appearance since 2009.
 
Multi-hyphenate artist Scott Mescudi aka Kid Cudi will play 27 cities across the globe on his newly announced world tour, with his special London show following an extensive run of dates in North America, Europe and Japan. 
 
The announcement comes as Kid Cudi has recently unveiled the first single from his new record. “Do What I Want” was released earlier this month and arrives as a first glimpse into the artist’s brand-new studio album ‘Entergalactic’, due later this year. The album’s release will also coincide with the debut of Kid Cudi’s animated music series of the same name, produced in collaboration with Netflix.

Now in the wake of his continued success in the States, the actor and multi-platinum recording artist is set to bring his polished production and innovative perspective to UK audiences once more. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 24th June and are available from www.kidcudi.com/tour.

On Friday Night, Johnnie Walker and Blacktag joined forces to throw an epic celebration of Black Creators everywhere titled Black Art is Forever’ hosted by Kenya Barris.

Tied to Johnnie Walker’s newly-established First Strides initiative, ‘Black Art is Forever’ honored the first five recipients of the First Strides Studio Creator Grant Program – the brand’s ongoing grant program with Blacktag that offers funding as well as mentorship sessions from Kenya Barris.

The evening also toasted the release of Barris’ new Netflix documentary ‘Civil’ which premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. By hosting the celebration during the festival’s second weekend, Johnnie Walker and Blacktag hoped to present the opportunity of bringing new voices to the national film festival circuit and showcase their work.

To further celebrate, Johnnie Walker and Blacktag engaged singer-rapper 6lack, rapper Coi Leray, and singer-songwriter GoGo Morrow for some show-stopping performances:

  • As a new signee to Barris’ label at Interscope Records, Gogo Morrow opened the evening’s performances with her debut single “In The Way” also performing “Comfortable” and “With You.”
  • Coi Leray, who is set to kick off her ‘Trendsetter’ tour next month, took the stage next performing her hits “Blick Blick,” “No More Parties,” and “Twinnem.”
  • After flying in from his performance in DC, 6lack closed out the evening with “Ex Calling,” “Calling My Phone,” “Pretty Little Fears,” “PRBLMS,” and a toast to Black creators with Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

EDGEOUT Records and The Revelries are excited to share “Dizzy,” a buoyant and danceable new song in a string of anthemic pop-rock guitar-driven song releases via EDGEOUT Records. 

The Revelries began as the brainchild of the 24-year-old Monroe, Louisiana-bred vocalist/guitarist Beau Bailey in his dorm room during the fall of 2016 at Louisiana State University. They worked to transform their band into its own version of high-energy, U.K.-style Pop-Rock performing to audiences in local Baton Rouge dive bars to private events to venues across the Southeast.

In January 2020, The Revelries signed a development deal with EDGEOUT/UMG/UMe and entered into their program THE STUDIO where they recorded their first full-length album with GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Matt Wallace (The Replacements, Faith No More, Maroon 5). The band’s major-label debut is scheduled for release later this year.

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.  

Marking the Summer Solstice today (21 June), “Look For The Light” is the radiant new single release by Pearl Diver.

WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO || LISTEN ON SOUNDCLOUD HERE

The lead single and title-track of what will be the Oxford trio’s debut EP (released 15 July), it’s a stately piece of lysergic rock that nods to the classic works of Radiohead, Pink Floyd and The Beatles.

As drifting and dreamy, as it is ethereal and elatory, “Look For The Light” pairs lucid arrangements with lyrics that celebrate the transcendent nature of the human soul and the flame that flickers within all of us.

Written by lead singer and guitarist Matt Sage whilst on retreat in a hut overlooking the North Cornish sea; mesmerised by his shimmering surroundings and at one with the natural world, he found himself in a consummate state of being. As he explains:

“I was in a pretty deep and peaceful space within myself, in this beautiful setting, and I wanted to try and capture something of that feeling, and to express the simple truth that we all come from Love.” 

My new single, “Sugar Boy,” is inspired by a Hollywood-esque new romance that ends in heartbreak. This song pays homage to the classic romantic-style pop song.

The ‘hero’ at the centre of this track experiences misleading, unrequited love, a topic that is likely familiar to most. I enjoyed juxtaposing sad lyrical content with the upbeat and energetic melody of the song.

Humbled, yearning, and vigorous, “Sugar Boy” is meant to elicit feelings of nostalgia and empathy, as many of us have experienced such a situation first hand.

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🌷Stream “Sugar Boy” via your preferred platform 🌷

🌷View the official music video on YouTube 🌷

Thank you for listening,

Roye Trout

My new EP, SaraX, is the heightened embodiment of me – where I’m currently at, and what I want to share at this time in my life. I say heightened because it’s super bold, and I had to get out of my comfort zone to write these songs and share these messages. It’s fun, sexy, and full of life!

SaraX formed super organically to share a sexier, more lighthearted side of myself. It was produced by DJ Coco and Gage Brown, with the track, “Not All Fun Is Forever,” co-produced by me and Jay Century. I had a lot of fun working with the producers! We formed a new sound, and really explored new aspects of my personality and emotions.

Hear SaraX now via your preferred streaming platform.
Watch the official music video for “Not All Fun Is Forever” on YouTube.

Heartbreak, or breakups, don’t have to always be so heavy. Sometimes we can just enjoy the moment for what it is, and walk away from it better than before.

Love is meant to be enjoyed!

Thanks for listening,

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Sara Diamond

Koven Continue their String of Monstercat Singles with Emotively Fierce Record “Lions”Off Forthcoming EP ‘Higher Ground (Part 1)’

Stream –https://listen.monstercatmusic.com/lions-meq4

June 24, 2022 — UK-based duo Koven have continued to prove they’re a formidable force within the global dance music circuit. Katie and Max spent the pandemic in sonic solitude to build a project that would showcase their depth and range, bringing them a world tour as frequent headliners, sold-out shows, and most recently, a slot at this year’s EDC Las Vegas. Yet their grasp on the industry grows tighter through another fresh selection on Monstercat, following their last single, “Take it Away,” which featured the Parallax Orchestra – the same group behind Bring Me The Horizon and Architects’ UK #1 albums. Already garnering half a million streams as well as Radio 1 tastemaker support in the UK, Koven have bridged oceans with their sounds – something which their new record “Lions” is sure to capitalize on.  

Led with war-like drums opening an epicly sequenced introduction, “Lions” kicks into play with the same overtones which have made Koven’s records so instantly recognizable. With sweeping strings from the Parallax Orchestra again, and Katie following each instrumental high with soaring vocals, telling a story of hope and strength, the pair show there’s still more to discover within their soundscape. Max and Katie continue to create tracks that lend themselves to festival mainstages and arenas, taking fans into the depths of their emotions whilst providing a space to dance, too. “Lions” is another stunning feat from the duo, showcasing the diversity on their full package to come.

The emotion steeped within each one of their records has been a defining feature throughout their high-profile music placements in film, TV, advertising, and games. Alongside a 30+ date tour that stretches from Glastonbury and Reading Festival to North America, their global fan base is set to see one of the biggest summers yet from the pair. With their anticipated EP, ‘Higher Ground (Part 1)’ due to drop with Monstercat later this summer – a label that brought their ‘Butterfly Effect’ LP to the world, as well as its deluxe edition – Koven have officially broken into their own lane with the successes which lay in their wake a testament to this.

SKINNY LISTER hit the road this Autumn with a UK and European headline tour. 

Coming on the back of the release of their latest album ‘A Matter of Life & Love’, the tour will see Skinny Lister play across Germany and Switzerland before returning to the UK for a sixteen-date run culminating with a show at Islington Assembly Hall in London

With dates in all corners of the country, from Leeds to Portsmouth and Edinburgh to Wolverhampton to Milton Keynes amongst others, it comes in the wake of the band’s multiple sold-out UK shows last winter and their recent tour supporting pop-punk heroes Less Than Jake.

Let’s be frank: the word diverse gets overused in the music sphere. If we grab a dictionary and look up the word ‘diverse’, it’s likely that the Scotland-via-London brother/sister DJ twosome Beatnik [Statis and Nikki Beatnik] will be cited as an example, no hyperbole.

After years of contributing to London’s rich club culture via their Beatnik-themed parties, beloved YouTube channel, and having spun across many eras — from the Y2K pirate radio movement down to world tour arenas — the duo’s travelled background is reflected in their sonic output. Now, the pair is back with their latest full-length tape ‘Vol. 2’, a collection of six tracks that wanders through the worlds of drum & bass, R&B, dancehall, rap and electropop. 

‘Vol. 2’ isn’t a solo affair — there are plenty of noteworthy guest cameos. D&B belter ‘Never So Much’ features vocals from UK songwriting legend and performer Royston, who worked closely with Estelle on her debut LP ‘The 18th Day’. Electro-tinged pop banger ‘I See Ya’ sees the DJ duo tap Asian Hawk. On the other hand, EP centre-piece ‘Daisy’ features earworm-like vocals from rising London vocalist KX. For the six-track ensemble, you’d confuse your listening experience for a rollercoaster as Beatnik interweave a myriad of eclectic sounds. 

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A Santa Barbara native, Dawson Fuss has been singing his entire life, propelling him to pursue a career in music where he can transform emotions into lyrics through songwriting. “I come to life whenever I can perform in front of an audience,” he says. 

His unique pop sound is influenced by artists such as Ruel, Rex Orange County and Conan Gray. In a recent interview, Dawson said, “Singing makes me feel liberated. It makes me feel Free. Being able to be completely connected with my body and mind while simultaneously connecting with the audience makes me transcend to a different realm. Any kind of negative feelings I have beforehand immediately vanish as I ease into the space of the song. It’s magic.”

Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter Goldie Vargas is back with her second single, “Moving in Reverse,” which follows her debut, “Strawberry Kisses.” Both songs will be included on her upcoming EP, due out later this Summer.

Written during the first week of the pandemic, “Moving in Reverse” is a cathartic emotional release. Over dreamy, atmospheric production, Goldie’s honeyed vocals unfurl as she poignantly describes the fear, isolation and uncertainty she was feeling: “Days go by and I’m still trying to find the way to get out alive / Days go by and I’m still trying to get towards the other side.

Multi-platinum artist, philanthropist and entrepreneur Big Sean was awarded at the inaugural Juneteenth Honors Ceremony. Hosted by the Juneteenth Foundation, the ceremony highlighted Black excellence and those esteemed individuals who have an extraordinary track record of service to the Black community. The event aired on Fox Soul Sunday night. 

The importance of advocacy and service was instilled in Sean at a very young age by his late grandmother, Mildred V. Leonard. She was a World War II veteran and one of the first Black female officers in the army. Last Wednesday (6/15), Mildred’s battalion was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal at the Military Women’s Memorial. Mildred was part of Women’s Army Corps’ 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female battalion sent overseas during the war. The battalion’s success led to the desegregation of the military. 

Leading the charge, The Black Country-based newcomers are releasing the new single: “The Sea Has No Friends”; a stately slice of poetic rock out now in tandem with their brand-new EP ‘Doorway Conversations.’

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Expertly tapping into and memorialising a certain place and time in history, the latest single from Headshrinkers is a lofty expanse of a track that merges spoken-word lyrics with velvety vocal harmonies and opulent stretches of instrumentals. 

As gentle acoustic guitar strums and skillfully-crafted poetry descend into an exhilarating crescendo of steady and majestic drums, jubilant riffs and increasingly urgent vocals, “The Sea Has No Friends” ingeniously boasts the band’s breadth. Straying slightly from the rip-roaring post-punk of their earlier singles, the new track stays true to the band’s knack for capturing the imagination and evoking the sights and sounds of a specific — and at times long forgotten — moment in time. 

Of the story behind the track, vocalist and songwriter Garran Hickman explains:

“It was quite the reflective day when I wrote that piece. Words and melody were both written in half an hour. It’s just two entwined memories really: one is of my older relatives sharing stories of their loved ones in the war, and secondly the opening line, ‘the sea has no friends’, are words my dad used to describe the sea.”

I’m sharing Confessions with you, my new album born out of resilience and learning how to find strength in vulnerability. It’s about being compassionate with yourself, and others, because everyone is going through something that you probably have no clue about. Find your inner hero.

Have a listen to Confessions, produced by JUNO Award winner Ryan Stewart and myself: SoundCloud | Spotify | Apple Music

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However, the track “Power” is about speaking truth to those who are abusing their power. Seeking justice by finally standing up for oneself. Pain can be transformed into empowerment from the oppressive forces that want to keep us down and dim our light. “Power” can be used for good over evil.

Watch the accompanying lyric video on YouTube now.

Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t deserve to go for what you want.

Thank you for your time,

Rose Ranger

I’m Lyle Kam, Toronto-based singer/songwriter, producer, and new university graduate. I’ve spent the past five years balancing between creativity and engineering – writing, producing, and mixing my music, while also studying engineering at the University of Waterloo.

Now, as I turn my attention full time to creativity, I hope to shine a light on Asian-Canadian artists and inspire others with my message that nothing is out of reach with enough passion and hard work.

You can stream my new song, “somebody to you,” which is some of my most vulnerable and heartfelt work to date, on streaming platforms everywhere now.

I wrote this song, “somebody to you,” thinking about a past relationship where I was left conflicted, struggling to choose between my passions or the one I loved. I knew that person deserved everything, but I didn’t know if I could give that to them considering all the risks involved with what I was doing. Because of that, I started pushing them away, and it left me wondering, “What if I was better? What if I made different choices? Would it be worth it to be together?”

And I’ll tell myself that it’s too late / If it helps me live with my mistakes

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Since the release of my debut EP, Folly, I’ve really been focusing on just honing my skills and looking to create something more genuinely me. The last project gave me the confidence to go out and try new things and really just go bigger than ever before! Keep an ear out for more projects on the way soon.

Thank you for hearing me,

Lyle Kam

Cat and The Queen aka CATQ is Cat Montgomery, Toronto-based musician and multidisciplinary artist. The keyboard aka The Queen, is Cat’s first friend and has been her primary artistic outlet. 

Her musicality, live stage presence and on-camera persona is playful, raw, vibrant; she’s a straight up fire fueled rock ‘n’ roll good time when you see her perform. Her voice and stage antics are reminiscent of art rock turned stadium artists like Grace Slick, David Byrne, Kate Bush and Nina Hagen. 

CATQ’s songwriting skills and performance style swim from power ballads to indie art rock to banging pop anthems. With a raw and animal stage like presence, Cat cuts up the stage. She has a powerful vulnerable yet playful and raw interactive style – engaging with audience members – feels somewhere between cabaret and punk rock. Think 70’s style Bette Midler meets raw fire of Kathleen Hanna’s Bikini Kill and the costume action of Gaga. CATQ loves to perform with her backing band THE NEW ROYALS (Graham Mackey on drums, Jess Roveda on bass) – that’s when the party is in full effect. 

neill@outloudculture.com

Socials: @neillfrazer

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