introducing DARK BARDO, a collaboration between producers who have worked alongside Bjork, Childish Gambino and John Baptiste with a flair for mystique and sky reaching pop music. The band all started with a mysterious Christmas package that included a toy revolver, a Marshal’s badge, a Dominican cigar and a small esoteric book. The unknown sender’s name scribbled on the front appeared to read Dark Bardo, and so, the band was born. Their music is a kaleidoscopic carnival of mischievous freaks and scoundrels. Their first offering is a real statement of intent in ‘Wild Thoughts’, a collaboration with Grammy nominated Zimbabwean- American artist, Shungudzo. Featuring her standout vocals over an infectious arrangement, it’s an impactful debut. Take a listen below.
Prolific Canadian singer-songwriter Rebecca Lappa returns with new indie-pop anthem ‘Blue Lips’, out 24th February and announces her new EP ‘Tales of a Taurus’ (out May 2023).
Making music since the age of 12 in her native home of Edmonton, Alberta, Rebecca Lappa released six albums in quick succession between 2011 and 2016, winning over fans and critics alike, and has been nominated five times for the prestigious Canadian Folk Music Awards. Now Rebecca starts a new chapter, departing from the acoustic folk/rock that has distinguished her music so far, and boldly leaning into a new pop sound with her new EP ‘Tales of a Taurus’ (out May 2023). The first glimpse of it is provided with lead single ‘Blue Lips‘ – a captivating look into a ‘romantic with a hint of manic’ relationship, complete with addictive chorus, understated guitars and barely-there synths.
Rebecca Lappa: “Taking you into a world of frozen hearts and blinding snow, “Blue Lips” is a uniquely Canadian story about a friends-with-benefits relationship, combining heartache and excitement together like fire and ice. The winter imagery throughout the song brings forward the harsh realities of a situation where one partner is hoping the relationship will turn into more than it is.”
Born in San Francisco but raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Rebecca has been singing since childhood and plays multiple instruments. After watching Taylor Swift open for Brad Paisley, she decided “That’s like me. I want to do that.” Rebecca subsequently went on to be nominated five times for the Canadian Folk Music Awards, winning young Performer of the Year in 2015. In 2019, Rebecca was nominated for three titles at the Edmonton Music Awards, taking home the win for Singer-Songwriter Recording of the Year. Among her previous releases are 2016’s Reckless Heart, 2017’s Spirit EP and 2019’s Unfiltered EP.
Rebecca’s forthcoming 6-track EP ‘Tales of a Taurus’ is out this May on the Tonic/Fontana label.
A self-described “psychedelic indie space cowgirl,” 20-year-old Kinneret exudes a unique, magnetic aura. She stands as a beacon of positivity, radiating love with her sonic palette and lyrical themes. Her brand is one of inclusivity and creativity, and those who love her, love her. Her single “No Wind Resistance!” has amassed over 100 million plays on Spotify to date, featuring shimmery synths and soaring vocals over trunk-rattling 808’s and trap drums, hitting a niche previously untapped. With 340K followers on TikTok and nearly 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Kinneret’s fanbase gets bigger by the hour. She’s building speed and preparing to drop her third album, which will feature Dev Lemons, MKULTRA, 070 Sebastian, SpaceKing, and more.
The song is the lead-off single from WENDY, MY DARLING, a collection of twelve original, witty, and resonant indie rock songs from Glover that also serves as the soundtrack to an acclaimed indie musical of the same name.
“LA, I Love You” is a sweet and breezy shot of badly needed optimism that captures the sunny disposition of the City of Angels (“We’re only one hit away”). It’s packed with specific geographic shout-outs from Forest Lawn to Griffith Park that will resonate with locals.
The song aspires to join the canon of other love songs to cities throughout pop culture from “New York, New York” to “(Chicago Is) My Kind of Town” and “I Love L.A.” As Glover sings: “When the light is fading, you radiate — a shining star in any state.”
In addition to the album, Glover has produced a series of music videos to accompany the songs and the whole piece is part of an acclaimed stage show WENDY, MY DARLING which has been compared to “Wicked by way of Alanis Morrissette.” The Indie rock musical is a modern take on the classic “Peter Pan” story, which finds a grown-up Wendy Darling (one of the world’s most famous yet least examined literary characters) reclaiming her magic (without the need for fairies and pixie dust). Embracing her agency as an adult, she makes her own magic. Full of wit and catchy pop hooks, the show playfully explores the impact of storytelling and storytellers in our collective culture.
The “not-so-solo,” one-woman show stars April Wish as Wendy and uses video pieces, zoom calls, texts, and phone calls to build out the story. It also features Busy Philipps playing Wendy’s BFF, and Jon Cryer playing her agent.
The show played at two Canadian Fringe Festivals, winning awards at both (Fundy Fringe and Vancouver Fringe Festivals), prompting the Vancouver Sun to highlight the sold-out run as one of the Top 5 shows to see at the Festival. Glover and her collaborators are taking the show out again throughout 2023 – with performances slated for the spring at LA’s Whitefire Theatre and more to come.
ABOUT TAMMY GLOVER
Tammy Glover started her professional career in a house band at MTV. She’s toured the world with Sparks, as the drummer for the beloved underground band anchored by brothers Ron and Russell Mael and she appears in The Sparks Brothers, Edgar Wright’s celebrated documentary about the band. She’s also one-half of the indie rock band Thorcraft Cobra. She’s also a television producer, most recently serving as VP of Production for TNT/tbs/Tru-TV, a division of Warner Bros Discover.
She’s also awife and mother (her son sings backup on the record). Unsurprisingly – she’s based in her beloved Los Angeles.
rising R&B sensation Zae France makes his official Def Jam Recordings debut in collaboration with Compound Entertainment with the release of his new single “What It Do” featuring Fridayy (“GOD DID,” “Forever”). The Bizness Boi & Fortune Beats produced track takes listeners on a smooth, sonically soaring ride that bridges, at once, the new wave of R&B and the rawness and flavor of traditional R&B. Get it HERE.
Zae further shares, “What It Do has elements of what people are used to with the Zae France sound while introducing a newer sound that my day-one fans and new fans can vibe with. I’ve known Fridayy for a while, so working with him on this was organic and natural— we cooked up something with Bizness Boi & Fortune Beats that’s going to set the vibe for the rest of the year and show that the fellas got something to say too.”
Embarking in the next chapter of dominance within the space of R&B and beyond, Zae France’s reception leading to this point has continued to make waves globally, having just wrapped Ne-Yo’s U.K. tour last year and three sold-out shows in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York City. The North Carolina native has created a fan base over the years that attest to his overall range as a powerhouse artist and an all-around entertainer with his sensational live performances. Today, what also stands as the day of love, Valentine’s Day, Zae sets the stage for his annual Valentine’s Day performance taking place this year at The Bronze Peacock at House of Blues in Houston, TX.
Having picked up a good amount of buzz on her first two releases via new label home Avant Garden, Chicago born, ATL based up and comer Aáyanna continues to shine on stellar new offering, ‘ Kill For Me’. Laying sultry vocals over throbbing trap drums, the track is a very particular type of Valentine’s Day offering. Speaking on the release, Aayanna states:
Kill For Me will always have a special place in my heart because it was made in collaboration with my brother, Snowie, and someone who’s work I’ve admired for a long time, Dante. One of the best feelings in my opinion is being with someone who makes you feel safe and protected— somebody who doesn’t play about you, and I wanted to convey that with this song.
Iconic singer-songwriter-rapper-artist Brooke Candy arrives fully charged this Valentine’s Day with her new single, “Juicy Fruit,” available now at all DSPs and streaming services HERE. Co-written by Candy, Jesse Saint John (Britney Spears, LIZZO, Saweetie), Nick Weiss and Cecile Believe, the sex-positive, electro-powered track is joined by an official music video, streaming now on Brooke Candy’s official YouTube Channel HERE following its exclusive premiere earlier today via People Magazine.
Leon Thomas, the singer-songwriter behind some of the biggest albums in the past few years, including Drake’s Certified Lover Boy and Ariana Grande’s Positions, joins singer Coco Jones. Coco and Leon started as child stars on Disney and Nickelodeon, respectively, and they have been making waves in R&B with their current singles “ICU” and “Breaking Point.” Now, they are collaborating on this exclusive single with a cover of Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé’s “Until The End of Time.” This new rendition combines the smooth, full vocals of Leon and Coco to provide a dynamic updated version of Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé’s iconic duet. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Leon co-produced the reimagined version of the song along with D Phelps and Freaky Rob.
The rendition is even more of a full-circle moment for Thomas as he co-produced Snoh Aalegra’s Spotify Singles version of “Do 4 Love,” which was nominated for a 2023 GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance. When asked about the remake, Leon had the following to say:“First of all, I want to shout out Coco Jones for delivering a flawless vocal. She along with myself are really part of the next wave of R&B singers who are doing it for the love of the genre! Not to mention, it was such a pleasure to reimagine this classic song by Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake as I’ve been a fan of the song since it first came out!”
“raining on sunday” is my stay-in-bed-all-day national anthem. I want people to jam to it while they wait for their Door Dash order to get there so they can kick off their 24-hour Game of Thrones marathon. It’s a rainy day, lazy vibe nod to yacht rock that was inspired by an actual stormy Sunday during which I partook in a very similar version of the aforementioned activities. I hope listeners can chill away the stress and let “raining on sunday” ooze into their headspace and stay there until they get bored with doing absolutely nothing.” -This Coast Bias
Past Praise: “Put this in your headphones as you walk through town and feel your feet get lighter. This Coast Bias is well versed in emotive relationship-inspired electronic pop but also shows his teeth in the realm of twee on ‘make you happy’ and brings a new earworm to the world.” –Spill Magazine
“The Oklahoma City artist has just released his glowing new single “alright,” a dreamy, festival-ready anthem and the perfect escape for dark, cold nights”-Variance Magazine“latest single “still not ok” is a beautiful example of catchy pop meets compelling guitar rock, topped off with pleasantly powerful vocals.” – GlamGlare/Medium
Corpus Christi based recording artist UrFavxboyfriend unleashes a unique sound inspired by heavy metal. His chill, yet high energy creates a positive vibe, building up anticipation for future viral releases.
Fresh off a Druski-co-signed collaboration with DVBBS, Wiz Khalifa and Goldsoul for the buzzing single and visual “Sh Sh Sh (Hit That),” UrFavxBoyfriend is the talk of the town. On Feb. 5, 2023, SNL featured a British skit for its “Weekend Update” segment, highlighting his “SHHVFF SHHVFF” sound. In fact, UrFavxBoyfriend infuses the multicultural acapella element with his signature sound to distinguish his music from other artists. Several of UrFavxBoyfriend’s notable featured hits include “Pop That” and “Hit That.”
In 2023, UrFavxBoyfriend is slated to release new music and perform at collaborative shows with rapper Riff Raff and comedian Steven Briggs. Both shows are scheduled to take place later this year to further shape the emerging artist’s career.
Montreal-based producer and composer Aether today unveiled the second single from his forthcoming EP, ‘Moonstone,’ with the chill, downtempo track, “Tourmaline,” on Monstercat. Inspired by the way raw minerals form into polished gemstones, the new record sees Aether sample work from an original ambient composition and rework its structure through a refined soundscape of dreamy keys and atmospheric textures. While awakening a fresh perspective in his production process, the new record is cohesive to the upcoming EP’s gemstone theme and evolution of his sound.
Aether shares, “Originally built around an ambient foundation, “Tourmaline” was given its name through its prismatic nature and how its ambient roots glimmer through in new light.”
With over 22 million streams across all platforms, the Scottish-born artist continues to defy all odds being visually impaired with Retinitis Pigmentosa. He strives to challenge himself by stepping into new production techniques, producing video game soundtracks, and being multi-dimensional with his genres, all while using his specialized keyboard and audible tools. Aether will celebrate ten years of making music this year with ‘Moonstone,’ introducing a newfound ambient soundscape to his discography.
Gabrielle Union in conversation with Tarana Burke, takes center stage on our digital cover to discuss her upcoming role in the Apple Tv+ Series Truth Be Told and gives us an intimate look into her life with her husband and family.
“I looked at it as an opportunity to expand the conversation to try to be impactful. I’ve been talking about this for 30 years. Literally had the 30 year anniversary of my rape during production of Truth Be Told.” – Gabrielle Union
HelloBeautiful, a digital content property owned by iONE digital has released its latest cover featuring the iconic actress, Gabrielle Union. The latest digital cover puts a spotlight on Union as she opens up to activist and founder of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke, about her role as Eva in the Season 3 Apple TV+ Series “Truth Be Told” and the toll it took on her as she uncovered her past trauma.
Union portrays a high school principal who helps a true crime podcaster bring awareness to missing Black girls in their community. While speaking to HelloBeautiful, she also goes in-depth about finding herself throughout her career and navigating through being a wife and a mother.
During her interview with HelloBeautiful, Union states “I thought I was gonna be prepared. I was not. We had covered sexual sex trafficking in Atlanta on Being Mary Jane. And through those contacts, through that information, I was able to plug back in and get updated information. Cause you know who doesn’t sleep? Sex traffickers, human traffickers. And they have altered their strategies in the seven, eight years since we covered it on Being Mary Jane. So I needed to know what the victims were experiencing today. What grooming looked like; what straight up kidnapping looked like. Grooming takes a while, and the sex trade waits for no one. I just had to dive into personal stories of girls and women who have gone on record and shared their truths. And just each one moved me closer to Eva.”
Brooklyn, NY-based indie pop band Daisy the Great release the music video for the track “I Don’t Wanna Fall” from their sophomore album ALL YOU NEED IS TIME (available via S-Curve/Hollywood Records at all DSPs and streaming services HERE). The video features footage taken from their 2022 North American tour on stage, in the audience, and behind-the-scenes. It was shot by Alistair Barrell and edited by both Barrell and Kelley Nicole Dugan with coloring by Sara Laufer.
On the video and their upcoming tour, the duo had this to add:
“The “I Don’t Wanna Fall” music video is a compilation of footage from our most recent tour. It follows us on the road, backstage and on stage at the shows. We chose to pair “I Don’t Wanna Fall” with this very sweet docu-style footage because it felt really heartwarming and also heartbreaking to watch us so happy and in our element, tied up with this song about the temporary nature of good things. It feels important to remember to really live in the joyful moment when you’re in it, because everything comes and goes. The song was initially about a romantic relationship, but it brought new importance to the music to recontextualize it using our relationship with our audience and with live music in general. We love touring and we are very lucky to have our first headline tour EVER coming up this spring!!! We’re so excited to play all over the US. We hope you love the video and can’t wait to see you on the road.”
Los Angeles-based alt-rocker Annabel Lee announces her official SXSW showcase on Friday, March 17 at 11:15pm CT at Half Step in Austin, TX. The showcase also features fellow rising artists Indigo De Souza, Zella Day and Victoria Canal and is sponsored by Ari’s Take and Labelcoin.
Lee’s electrifying debut album Mother’s Hammer is due out March 8, and is available for pre-order now. A limited run on vinyl will be available exclusively at the official album release show on March 25 at LA’s Moroccan Lounge with tickets on sale now here.
Most recently, Lee shared the powerful final single of the project, “Los Angeles” out everywhere now. The most delicate and heart-wrenching song by Lee to date, “Los Angeles” is the comfort to which every hopeless creative can empathetically cry along. With a pulsating soundscape like an unstable heartbeat, the track lifts and falls as a trepid exhale.
Over 11 compelling tracks on the forthcoming Mother’s Hammer, Annabel paints a realistic portrait of the human experience that never hesitates to confront even the most grim aspects of her life. Conversely, Annabel matches these darker emotions with joyous moments, shining a bright light on womanhood with gritty, fiery energy as she finds her own strength and begins to fully trust herself. The music meets her where she is, putting both her artistry and humanity on full display like never before.
On her captivating stage presence, GrimyGoods wrote, “There is not a single moment in an Annabel Lee performance you are bound to forget.” Last year, Music Connection placed Annabel Lee on their list, Hot 100 Live Artists & Bands of 2022. Plus, Lee has caught the attention of several leading tastemakers like Billboard, LADYGUNN Magazine, EARMILK and GrimyGoods. After an appearance on Songland, Billboard lauded, “Ester Dean loves everything about Annabel Lee, and Leona Lewis declares, ‘It’s exciting to watch you.’” Plus, EARMILK called her music “high octane.” LADYGUNN Magazine says, “Sultry punk immortalizes in Annabel Lee.” Miles the DJ at beloved Los Angeles radio station KROQ said Lee’s single “Up” is, “One of my favorite songs right now worthy of your time.”
Spotify, Apple Music and VEVO have shown her support, including her earlier singles onto official editorial playlists like All New Rock, Created By Women, New in Alternative, and New Music Friday. Plus, Los Angeles radio stations KROQ and 88.5 the SoCal Sound have been spinning her songs “Up” and “Patti Smith” in recent weeks. Annabel Lee has made appearances at previous SXSW festivals and at Boston Folk Festival, in addition to her music being featured on HBO‘s Mrs. Fletcher trailer, FOX‘s Lucifer and ABC‘s The Rookie. Connect with Annabel Lee on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for the latest.
Brighton (UK) punks THE BAR STOOL PREACHERS have released new single and video for ‘Doorstep’. ‘Doorstep’ is the second single off their upcoming new album ‘Above The Static,’ which is out the 31st March via Pure Noise Records. Stream the latest singles and pre-order is available now – HERE.
Speaking about the new single ‘Doorstep’ frontman Tom McFaull said “A song for the party lovers and the brave hearted… Have you ever woken up in an old people’s home, disoriented, shaded from the night before, covered in glitter with the sound system still ringing in your ears? Well if you have, or if you’ve ever had an inner pocket/outer body experience, this is the banger for you. With a chorus bigger than the sun, and the catchiest riff you’ll hear all year, Doorstep is sums up exactly how it feels to go hard, and if your legs will let you, go home. The song is a deviation from the normal Preachers style of writing being described as ‘huge catchy rock riffs with an unrelenting energy and forceful melody’. If you want to party, press play and let this song do the rest.”
Recently named a Folk Alliance Band of The Day (The Pitch), Bandits on the Run now premiere the official video, “You Have Changed,” starring Tony-award winning actor, John Gallagher Jr. and Morgan Siobhan Green. WATCH HERE.
The concept for the clip – a French-new-wave fantasy about a person searching for an earring, which symbolizes much more than just an earring – came to bandmember Regina Strahorn in a dream. The next morning, she described it to her bandmates, Sydney Shepherd and Adrian Blake Enscoe, over coffee. “Since we knew we were doing a French-new-wave-inspired short film, we immediately called our friend with the most French name, Paul-Emile Cendron, who also happens to be a brilliant and daring filmmaker,” they recall. “He was able to balance the heartbreak of our story with moments of levity and charm, and literally he risked life and limb, perching on top of a moving vehicle to grab some of the moving bicycle shots.” They then created their dream cast of Green and Gallagher, Enscoe’s co-star in Swept Away by The Avett Brothers, both of whom have starred in Broadway musicals, to bring emotional depth to the silent roles.
“‘You Have Changed’ is about being torn apart, begrudging acceptance, and lingering love. It’s about the uncontrollable wellspring of grief that comes swooping in when life smacks you in the face, and you’re just not ready for it,” the band reveals. Written at a moment of uncertainty, when their futures seemed tenuous, they say that the creation of the song was a mediation on accepting reality. “It felt like the world was caving in under us and all of a sudden everything we loved and held onto had changed.”
The main character in “Nautilus” was inspired by a tiny Nautilus carving, a beautiful netsuke that Amy, the lead singer, happened upon by luck while in a little shop. It’s about the wisdom of life, far beyond our human thinking ways and the depth that exists if only we take the time to listen. “The listener is invited to journey down into the ocean with us, sinking beneath the waves as a scuba diver might, with the surface sounds further and further away, and life slowing down,” shares Amy.
The image of the sea at its lowest level—low tide—and the shore littered with an array of curiosities, presents a powerful metaphor for self-reflection. The idea of a “mental low tide” can be applied to those revelatory but fleeting moments after a hit of pot or a microdose, or upon waking up from a vivid dream. They can even occur in a random jolt of inspiration where a buried desire comes into consciousness.
Low Tide’s trippy and transformative music is a freewheeling adventure into heavy, blues-based riff rock, stanky funk, and sneaky adventures into sprawling psychedelia. Lyrically, the songs can be mystical, playfully irreverent, and enlightening—sometimes in the same song. “A lot of the subjects we write about are things bubbling inside of me—themes of finding one’s power, and rising like a phoenix as an allegory. I’ve been through a lot of trauma in my life, and I am waking up to seeing the things that held me back,” singer, composer, songwriter, drummer, pianist, and former marine biologist Amy Brookes shares.
The newly emerging band of seasoned musicians features Amy as the primary creative force—she writes the songs, sings lead vocals and harmonies, and plays drums, percussion, and keyboard. Her husband, Sasha Ames, is the band’s bassist and, sometimes, studio guitarist, and the trio is rounded out by a guitarist. Formerly, Low Tide has included Chris Amato on guitar, engineering, and production, and Harold Spiva on guitar.
LA-based singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist ROWA, has released her ethereal new single “Sweet Nothings,” today. An ode to the love affairs in life that just don’t seem to leave a good taste in one’s mouth, “Sweet Nothings” was written by ROWA in New Orleans, Louisiana and originally meant to be recorded as a single on a live studio album. ROWA eventually realized that the private investor behind said project desired to control her entire career, so she dropped the album deal and moved to Los Angeles to take things into her own hands and learn about music production. Now, a few years later, “Sweet Nothings” is finally being released all under ROWA’s own creative control. Having produced the entire song herself, “Sweet Nothings” showcases ROWA’s eclectic taste and creative abilities. A motown-inspired orchestral sample gives the track a sophisticated and nostalgic edge, while seamlessly being paired with four on the floor drums accompanied by live tracked congas in the intricate percussion section. ROWA’s vocals accompany this delicate yet punchy track adding
her smooth and honey-like approach to her vocal delivery. The lyrics behind “Sweet Nothings” show the intricacy of love affairs and how they often turn from sweet to sour. ROWA uses the metaphors of sweet treats, like honey and cake, to describe the early stages of a love affair hence the title “Sweet nothings” – a term to describe affectionate words between lovers. However in this song ROWA shares her frustrations of falling out of the “honeymoon stage” showcasing that often when one falls quickly in love they often fall just as hard out of it.
ROWA is releasing this self produced track the day after Valentine’s day for all of the lovers looking for a sassy approach to their scorned affairs. To listeners in the Los Angeles area, ROWA will be performing this new song at her long held residency “NYMPHSTATE” February 19th at General Lee’s Cocktail house in Chinatown Los Angeles. Accompanied by a studded lineup of local LA legends of the queer underground, ROWA has curated a unique event experience for those titled “The Creatively Insane”. ROWA has cultivated an environment for Los Angeles creatives and young professionals to link up and network with their local community, and can be expected to host more events in 2023 including her debut at SOHO HOUSE on March 17th.
Ahead of their UK headline tour this February – THE GULPS – have released a mind-warping official video for new single “Mirror Mirror” (out now, via Guindilla Records).
WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE
STREAM THE TRACK ON ALL SERVICES HERE
A contorted cut that arrives as a more-than-apt accompaniment to their shapeshifting indie-rock track, the video for “Mirror Mirror” is just like stepping through a hall of infinity mirrors and “explores the diverse ‘shards’ of human character” according to director Eilera Ellie.
Opening with a long take of frontman Javier in his own world, watching himself and his band perform on TV while the space around him remains still, silent and empty, he is soon discovered and dragged from this internal space back onto the stage of the outside world.
Recorded against the backdrop of London’s iconic Soho streets, Ellie adds:
“Many of us have a selection of alter-egos within us, putting various facets of our character on show when and where required. Similarly, within the video, scenes flicker between each band member ‘lost’ within their internal worlds, and being out on show for all to see. Each time they are in search of their one true self, until the two universes merge together.”
Dropping like a disintegrating disco ball hanging by its final thread, the track itself is similarly changeable as it swings between the slick indie stylistics of The Strokes in one moment to the zaniness of The Lemon Twigs another, all while doggedly throwing-off the straight-jacket of convention at every given opportunity.
Laced with laissez-faire lyrics that take their cues from the carefree class of the beatnik generation, “Mirror Mirror” finds The Gulps inspired by one of literature’s most liberating minds, Jack Kerouac, and fantasising about living a life less-ordinary.
As lead singer Javier Sola explains of the track:
“It’s a fantasy poetry of a normal day. Influenced by Kerouac’s book, On the Road, and its carefree attitude and sense of adventure. Trying to make the listeners feel reflected with the lyrics, looking at the mirror and feeling they’re part of the hedonism of just another day.”
Essex punk-rock risers – PET NEEDS – have unveiled a new video for “Ibiza In Winter”, and announced a range of live dates for 2023 including a support tour with The Lottery Winners.
WATCH “IBIZA IN WINTER” VIDEO HERE
Filmed when the band took a recent out-of-season trip to Ibiza, the new video unfurls as a somewhat desolate tour of the usually buzzing party island. A track about frontman Johnny “trying to remain creative, positive and to look after himself after a downward spiral”, “Ibiza In Winter” sees Pet Needs take things to a “much deeper, more personal” level.
Johnny adds:
“[The album] talks about me being quite self-destructive and recognising where I need to get better in myself. I thought I was writing a record that was about partying and I didn’t realise until we sat down and listened to the album from start to finish.”
Genre defying newcomer Coupdekat bursts into the ether with her new release ‘Superglue’ – the first taster from her forthcoming EP FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY, out 22nd June.
Emerging as a bright and dreamy bedroom pop gem, the bouncy production nevertheless juxtaposes the toxic subtext in Kat’s effortless vocals, painting a vivid picture of the frantic highs and emotive lows of young love.
Speaking on the track Coupdekat says: “I wrote it about a boy who kept popping in and out of my life for years. I felt like we were stuck together no matter how hard we tried to forget about each other. It discusses co-dependency and red flags in a relationship. It’s an homage to first love, self-reflection, coming of age relationships and my first love song!”
Since her first release in January 2021, Kat has released five singles as well as her debut EP, ‘Imaginary Girls’ – gaining traction from the likes of BBC INTRODUCING, BBC RADIO 6
and DUMMY MAGAZINE as well as Spotify Editorial playlists including ‘New music Friday UK’, ‘Our Generation’ and ‘Alternative Future’. Already supporting punk rock favourites Dream Wife and drum and bass duo Piri & Tommy, Kat sold out her debut headline show in at Peckham Audio in 2022.
A true creative, Kat has successfully combined her passion for film, photography, music and art into her own live events. Co-founded all-female identifying collective ‘Loud LDN’; now with over 50 members, the events have given a platform to showcase and champion female artists and creatives from around the country, picking up support across both the BBC and NME.
Icelandic wonder Heidrunna unveils glistening new single ‘YCBCC’ ahead of first-ever London performance at Paper Dress Vintage on March 8th.
Following on from Melodramatic, last year’s lustrous debut album from the Nordic import, Heidrunna now shares new track ‘YCBCC’ in anticipation of her first London live show at Hackney’s Paper Dress Vintage on March 8th – marking a very special moment for the Reykjavík-born singer.
As we’re greeted with the frosty sentiments of the winter months, Heidrunna turns to her melancholic past in ‘YCBCC’, reminiscing on a relationship that never was and drowning in the nostalgia of what could have been. Much like her previous releases, ‘YCBCC’ hones in on the heartache and catastrophes of love while maintaining her adoration for classic hooks, making Heidrunna a true expert in pop-making.
The release teases what fans can expect from her first-ever live performance in the capital; from glossy elated singles ‘Erasing You’ and ‘Borderline’ pulled from Melodramatic to testing the waters with brand new aural treats. Whilst tickets have now completely sold out, you can still sign up for the waiting list to be the first to know of any last-minute additions.
Drawing influence from old school pop songwriting, Melodramatic is the result of Heidrunna’s infatuation for greatest hits records. Simultaneously, she sought inspiration through the likes of Beach House, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lykke Li, Vanessa Paradise and The Weeknd to uncover the sonics she would soon utilise for her bold introduction.
Produced by Paco del Rosso, the left-field gothic pop of “Widow Dreams Forever” marries chic, dreamy guitars with airy synths and an off-kilter lyrical perspective for a characteristically uncompromising moment from the artistic French native.
Commanding attention through its strikingly artistic, editorial music video, the moody “Widow Dreams Forever” is another impeccable presentation of Silly Boy Blue’s endless creative ambitions – this time, taking audiences through a theatrical journey of freeing herself from the stigma of the grieving widow.
Making major waves with her breakout 2021 debut album Breakup Songs, the twelve-track collection instantly resonated with audiences thanks to Silly Boy Blue’s uniquely introspective outlook on heartbreak. Initially honing her writing skills in her previous career as a journalist, Silly Boy Blue moved away from the journalism field to pursue her musical dreams.
Finding quick success after scoring a major sync placement for her music on Netflix’s hit French series Plan Coeur, Silly Boy Blue soon hit the road on an extensive tour across forty dates – capping off a breakout year with a coveted nomination at the 37th Les Victoires de la Musique Awards and drawing attention for her show-stopping performance in a custom light-up outfit.
Now ready to build on the monumental success of Breakup Songs with incredible new music helmed in sessions between Paris, London and L.A, “Widow Dreams Forever” maintains the undeniable fact that Silly Boy Blue is on the cusp of an international breakthrough moment from the underground of the French capital – stay tuned for more to come in 2023 from this riveting new talent destined for stardom.
indie-pop’s tour guide for surviving adolescence, morgen releases her newest single “Sick of Me” and announces the March 9 arrival of her new EP BRAVADO. Created with writing and production duo The 87s (Mike Mac and Jordan Baum), the new track stomps up the stairs, slams the door, and rips the pages out of the diary, on her most guitar-driven track to date. Listen to “Sick of Me”.
“Sick of Me” arrives with a horror-inspired official video directed by Alex Kabundji . Set in a creepy Victorian house and staring morgen herself, faceless creatures lurk around every corner inspiring a cheeky sense of unease – Watch.
Casey Moon is a genre-defying multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and half of the production duo Zookids. Having handled production for artists such as Young Thug, Gunna and A Boogie with the Hoodie, writing for independent artists in the indie-pop world, and having played in a slough of rock bands over the years his style has absorbed an eclectic array of influences.
Over the course of 2022, Casey plans to release his trilogy of EPs: Fountains, Mirrors and Ashes. Each project Varies in genre and draws thematic influence from a different film or TV series. Listened to sequentially, the projects tell a story about growing up, love and loss.
Boasting a strong voice with an ear for pop melody, modern production and a dazzling live show, Casey is a truly singular act.
Asheville, NC-based psych rock trio The Get Right Band share funky, powerful track “Generation Happy or Dead” out everywhere now. The high energy indie rock song, along with its poignant lyric video, is an anthem for today’s generations to fight against apathy, to choose happiness. The band’s cinematic, timely LP iTopia, due out April 7 and available for pre-order now. Plus, The Get Right Band will hit the road to play the new music and longtime fan favorites live on tour this Spring throughout the East Coast. Tickets to select shows are available now, with a full list of dates to be announced soon via thegetrightband.com/tour.
“Generation Happy or Dead,” out today, is a fiery ode to the often confusing and overwhelming information overload that comes with existing today as well as a rejection of arbitrary societal norms. It dives into the desire to stay up-to-date with current events and the inevitable dopamine rush chase that comes from the light of a phone and a constant stream of notifications. The band confidently declares, however, that they refuse to become apathetic amidst the curated world that only exists online as they aim to determine what’s real and what isn’t. Frontman Silas Durocher explains, “We’re living with failing institutions, the death of long-standing ideas like “job + marriage + family = happy” or “if you go to college you’ll get a good job that will support you for life.”
Durocher continues, “‘Generation Happy or Dead’ is about fighting against getting lost in that wash, and fighting against falling into apathy. We sample Franklin D. Roosevelt saying, ‘This generation has a rendezvous with destiny’ because we believe the current generations can turn this whole thing around and can choose whether our society falls down the rabbit hole or not.”
Leaning into the technology-inspired messaging, the accompanying imaginative lyric video made by Durocher aptly takes the viewer through iPhone text conversations, a camera roll and eventually to the band’s own YouTube page where the lyrics can be seen in a video on their channel. The original Franklin D. Roosevelt speech that the song samples is played on YouTube and then the screen cuts to a group chat where the band collectively decides how to end the video, teasing their next music video release in the calendar application.
five-piece indie outfit The Hails unveil their next single “Breathless,” and announce a run of upcoming tour dates supporting The Happy Fits. Dreamily sliding from a leisurely guitar-driven stroll into a swanky groove, “Breathless” tier by tier climbs in intricacy until a sharp, punctuated ending on an exhale; each repeated listen prompting the discovery of new sonic elements – Stream.
A live show fan-favorite dating back to 2019, The Hails spent years tinkering with the track until it felt up to snuff with the potential they knew it had. Through the band’s own experimentation and guidance of longtime collaborator and producer Matt Lewin of Magdalena Bay, “Breathless” started to take on its final form, apropos to the polished sonic fingerprint of the modern band.
“We started playing this song almost four years ago and it has always stuck out as a great live moment for us and our crowds,” bandleader Robbie Kingsley said. “My vocals in the chorus are actually taken from our first recording session in 2019. After listening to the song so much over the past few years, I decided to retake my vocals in the verses because I knew I could give the song a better emotion and a better voice. It’s pretty cool that you’re essentially hearing my vocal style evolve over three years within a three-minute track.”
Pop duo Crash Adams has announced their signing to Warner Music Canada / Warner Records and released their latest feel-good anthem “California Girl”– listen HERE. Today’s release follows the duo’s previous high-energy singles “Give Me A Kiss,” “Caroline” and “Destination.”
Known on social media for their musical skits and their iconic red couch, Crash Adams have rocketed to success, quickly gathering over nine million new followers in a span of just six months across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Spotify before releasing “California Girl.” The new track is an instantly hummable tune, and the latest in a string of viral hits from the group who have made it their mission to spread positivity and inspire good vibes everywhere they go.
“We’re so excited to finally announce our signing with Warner Music Canada and Warner Records. Two years ago, we decided to spend all the money in our bank account and book a trip to California to chase
our dreams. It was a make-or-break moment and such an exciting point in time, and we couldn’t be happier with the team around us,” says the band. “We’re so happy that our fans finally get to hear ‘California Girl!’”
Over the past year Crash Adams has reached new career highs having generated over 1.2 billion views and 115 million audio and video streams across platforms. The duo is currently working new music with award winning producers and songwriters such as Justin Tranter (Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez), Captain Cuts (Bebe Rexha, Halsey, The Chainsmokers) and Dave Hodges (Avril Lavigne, 5 Seconds of Summer, Kelly Clarkson).
Stay tuned for much more to come from Crash Adams.
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
