Modern Tales, the new indie-electronic project from Swedish brothers Jonas Rathsman and Franz Novotny on RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Rose Avenue Records, released the music video for their debut single ‘Monster.’ A hazy, dream-like production directed by Andreas Kjellgrenn, the video provides visual context for Modern Tales’ wistful sound while bringing the track’s lyrics to life with cerebral choreography.
In perfect step with the track, the ‘Monster’ video chronicles its main character’s journey in self-liberation. Clouds of smoke, a neon-tinged palette, and surreal scenes of human interaction give off the impression that it’s a journey undertaken entirely within the character’s own head.
“Our new track ‘Monster’ is about liberating yourself from something (or someone) that is preventing you from evolving, and holding you back from being the best version of yourself. It’s about chasing your dreams one breath at a time. We think the song has a strong message that we wanted to visualize with a music video.” – Modern Tales
Modern Tales achieved individual success before joining together, Jonas as a melodic house producer, and Franz as a singer/multi-instrumentalist. Nurtured in the enchanting surroundings of Sweden’s West Coast, their songs reflect the human experience through beautiful, melancholic vocals and creative production.
Swedish director Andreas Kjellgren is extensively experienced, with ‘Monster’ being his second music video made in collaboration with Jonas, who also co-produced the film. Andreas’ personal mission to capture the shared experience of breath and feeling alive is well-suited to the track.
I wrote the first draft of “One Day I’ll Be Gone” when I was a 12th grade student in my hometown of Pickering, Ontario, thinking about how I would be moving away for the first time to attend university in less than a year.
I didn’t know where I would be going yet, which felt very exciting and full of possibilities. But at the same time, I felt sad at the thought of leaving my hometown and childhood friends.
Some of my older friends had graduated the year before and were already gone.
This song helped me come to terms with those changes.
Regardless of the context, this is a song about going for it, whatever ‘it’ is for you.
Not settling, becoming complacent or too comfortable.
We don’t know how much time we have or what crazy obstacle, adventure, or change life is going to throw at us next.
“One Day I’ll Be Gone” is about chasing down those special moments and experiences, and truly appreciating them in the moment…not wasting time ‘wishing and waiting’ for them to happen.
I hope that you can take this message to heart as you listen.
To the new and exciting adventures which await us all,
Alex Whorms
Hawthorne Heights have released emotional new single ‘Lucerne Valley’. The single is out now via Pure Noise Records and is the bands first new music of 2023.Stream the single – HERE.
Speaking about the new single frontman JT Woodruff said:
“My ideal world has basically nothing in it other than people. In a world of commerce and entertainment, I am a minimalist.
However, in terms of emotion and words of the heart, I am a maximalist. I try to be exactly where I am at that moment, with who I am at that moment. While writing this song, I was on a family retreat driving through the Mojave Desert, and I was looking out into the silence all around me. I was wondering to myself, who would intentionally move to a place so desolate, and I realised that person is me. I crave nothing from the chains and big box stores, and buying anything for myself offers me no satisfaction. So while writing this song I was thinking about how there is something comforting in loneliness, and how we have become overrun with notifications from someone trying to buy and sell our distractions. We look at our phones all day, and they wipe away all of our potential, by raining constant notifications. Maybe we are just a little too connected to each other, and we need to unplug and rewind. While in the headspace for The Rain Just Follows Me cycle, I have been using rain in different ways, as a metaphor, to describe the storm that is raging in all of us.”
Hawthorne Heights recently announced a run of co-headline shows with Armor For Sleep in the US throughout March and April with support from Spitalfield. The band will also be returning to the UK for Slam Dunk Festival in the UK in May 2023. All dates are below.
See Hawthorne Heights at the following dates:
16th March – Brooklyn Bowl, Philadelphia, PA
17th March – Paradise, Allston, MA
18th March – Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NK
19th March – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
21st March – Irving Plaza, New York, NY
22nd March – Roxian, Pittsburgh, PA
23rd March – Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY
24th March – House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
25th March – Elevation, Grand Rapids, MI
26th March – The Bluestone, Columbus, OH
28th March – The Echo, Dallas, TX
29th March – House of Blues, New Orleans, LA
1st April 2023 – Domain Northside, Austin, TX*
1st April 2023 – Vibes, San Antonio, TX
2nd April 2023 – House of Blues, Houston, TX
27th May 2023 Slam Dunk Festival – South 2023 – Hatfield, United Kingdom
28th May 2023 Slam Dunk Festival – North 2023 – Leeds, United Kingdom
A calming vocalist with a strong pen, songs by Olivia Reid rest well within the soul, with tempos mirroring the pace of a steady heartbeat, and lyrics that articulate the most intimate parts of the human experience. Her production style blends indie acoustics with exploratory electronic pop soundscapes, landing listeners in a visceral sonic world.
As an avid collaborator, Reid has connected with audiences around the world via collaborations such as “Time is Mine” with Kidswaste, “What You Came Here For” with Jae Luna, and “Above the Clouds” with SŸDE – a track with over 20 million streams on Spotify alone. Also a chronic creative, Reid is constantly exploring new ideas in innovation technology, education, screenwriting, and podcasting – notably hosting the Spotify for Artists and Noteable series entitled, Song Start. There, Reid brought her multifaceted approach to production, songwriting, and human creativity to the table in conversations with the likes of Sam Smith, Victoria Monét, Take a Daytrip, and Hayley Williams of Paramore.
Following her 2021 debut EP Earth Water, Olivia Reid hit the ground running with the new 2023 single, “Runner’s High”. The single was warmly received by outlets such as Wonderland and Ones-to-Watch, and found equal support from streaming platforms, landing the energized tune on tentpole Apple Music playlists like Happy Hits, Virtual Hugs, and New Music Daily. The single leads the charge of Reid’s new six-song project set for incremental release throughout 2023. Fueled by deeply personal lyrics and boundary-pushing production, the collection of singles conceptually details an artist’s introspection, and their slow descent into madness.
Nearly a month after the audio was released, fast rising star Nigerian artist KHAID releases the video to his first single of 2023 ‘Jolie’, an Afro Classic song filled with themes of love.
The video is full of romance showing a couple’s intimate moments and connection with each other, with colourful and vibrant scenes. The video was directed by Neville Records boss Sydney Talker.
‘Jolie’ is full of smooth melodies and lyrics, dedicated to the girl he desires but can’t seem to pin down. He expresses his love to her, describing his attempts and persistence over a track drenched with an infectious hook, drumbeats and KHAID’s alluring voice.
He began nurturing his talent from the early age of 12 years old via freestyle videos and performing on the streets of Ojo, Lagos State Nigeria where he was discovered by Sydney Talker, one of Nigeria’s biggest content and owner of Neville Records where he is signed too.
His debut single ‘With You’ become one of the country’s top hits with over 3.7 million views on YouTube and 3 million Spotify streams. Following this, he released a 6-track project ‘Diversity’. He has now gained over 80 million streams on all platforms and is tipped to be the ‘Next Big Thing’ at the age of 18 years old.
Marking a fresh chapter for the year with a new EP on the way that is due to make an explosive entrance onto the music scene. KHAID is definitely one to watch.
Intergalactic Pop Supergroup, SG5, released their fiery new single “Firetruck,” yesterday. “Firetruck” marks the groups highly anticipated debut release, and the music video has skyrocketed to 3.3M views in just over 24 hours. Produced by BloodPop [Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Madonna] and Hudson Mohawke [Drake, Pusha T], Nylon refered to “Firetruck” as “[…] a rowdy and bold introduction to the band’s charismatic members and their immediate superstar appeal.”
A song all about the individual flame that burns inside all of us, and a love so pure that it shines brighter than hate or bad vibes; “Firetruck” is an introduction into the SG5 universe. By embracing the power within ourselves and hyping up our girls along the way, we become the hottest versions of ourselves. So hot in fact, that the forces of evil might be terrified and immediately need to call a firetruck to cool down the fire. The members elaborate; “Our debut in the U.S. almost still feels like a dream, but we would like to do our best to make SG5 known to people from all over the world. I hope that everyone can feel the girl power and energy that radiates from this song and video, and get excited with us!”
A child of Baltimore, Lauren grew to embrace the fatalistic spirit of the city in her work and art. With stunningly raw, haunting tones, Lakis is “a breath of fresh air in the music industry, arriving with her own brand of ‘delightfully gut-churning shoegaze’” (Flaunt). Authentic and honest lyricism, paired with lush, darkly romantic vibes, her songs are “a refreshing change from today’s polite rock…” (Earmilk).
Following the release of her debut full-length Ferocious with Cavity Search Records (Elliott Smith, Helio Sequence) in 2018, Lakis delivered audiences her slowcore heavy, baritone-driven follow-up EP, Sad Girl Breakfast. Both records were produced by Billy Burke (REL, Luna Lovebad) with additional engineering by Grammy-winning mixer Chris Kasych (Adele, Deftones, Phantogram, HAIM). Both releases have gone on to garner radio airplay on 40+ stations nationwide, and placement on 65+ Spotify playlists. Lakis has also licensed tracks to Dating Pains and The Drunch.
Her latest LP, Daughter Language, was released in 2021 with Green Witch Recordings. It has received critical acclaim from Flaunt, Wonderland, Earmilk, Ladygunn, Buzzbands LA, Grimy Goods, Atwood, and more, with 1st Day Fresh naming it “a rock gem…the music is equally as powerful as the message with an electric magnetism rarely found in today’s overproduced records”. Daughter Language was recorded at Seahorse Sound with Billy Burke producing and Chris Kasych & Samur Khouja (Devendra Banhart, Deerhunter, Chastity Belt) mixing.
Lakis and her full band have toured the West Coast extensively, having shared bills with Ringo Deathstarr, Holy Wave, Sea Wolf, Peel Dream Magazine, and Drowse. The band sold out the Doug Fir Lounge with Coastlands and Pacific Latitudes, as well as The Catalyst Santa Cruz, supporting Flor & Winnetka Bowling League. Lauren also performed a pair of shows with Grammy-nominated rocker Tracy Bonham. Prior to the return of live music, she performed several live-streamed shows, partnering with Bands In Town, Jam in the Van, B Side TV, Rock to End Rape Culture, KXLU, ACLU, and JuJu Live.
The upcoming album A Fiesta and a Hell was recorded in Austin, TX with Carey McGraw producing (Wild Child, Josie Lockhart), Elliott Frazier mixing (Ringo Deathstarr, Blushing), and Christopher Colbert (Mazzy Star, Starflyer 59, Leon Bridges) mastering. Leading single “TAKE MY HAND” is about “forgetting what you thought you knew, letting go and bravely opening your mind to something radically different,” confides Lauren Lakis. A Fiesta and a Hell will be released Fall 2023 with Green Witch Recordings.
Indie pop artist Meg Smith– Is taking Spotify by storm. Her last release was featured on NMF USA, Fresh and Chill, Fresh Finds, New Pop Picks and Pop rising and the cover of Next Gen Singer Songwriters. Coming off a recent SOLD OUT LA Hotel Café show and premiere on Wonderland, Meg’s unique artistic voice is connecting with fans around the world.
Meg’s newest 4 song EP entitled ROM COM POP and latest single “All The Things You’d Ruin” are out now. You can listen here .
Please check out her one sheet here. “All The Things You’d Ruin”, is a wistful take on the possibility of a new love going wrong.
Meg is the recent winner of the first BMI Charlie FeldmanAward for emerging talent. Her witty and confessional songwriting style has caught the attention of many. Her natural gift for creating insightful lyrics and earworms added to by her radio ready pop hooks with indie rock production, make her music infectious. In a crowded scene she manages to finds an original twist on modern relationships.
Originally from LA, but currently based in Brooklyn, Meg graduated from the Clive Davis Institute at NYU in 2021. She has been writing and performing consistently since she was 13 catching the eye of a growing and loyal fan base.
Her recent singles Cautiously Optimistic, and “Bad Things Not Suck” were much lauded by the press and featured on Spotify’s : Salt, Indie Pop,Young and Free, and Pop Rock playlists.
Her song “Cross My Heart I Hope U Die’ is now over 7 million streams (featured on Spotify’s Salt and Fresh Find’s and the cover of FRESH FINDS POP ) is the theme of EZRA the hit Vampire series on Apple TV and is slated foreven bigger things in 2023 !! It is also on the Netflix series 2 of Ginny and Georgia.
Tour Dates:
April 5 – Washington, DC – Jammin Java
April 6 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
April 8 -Boston, MA – Red Room at Café 939
Skofee is a rising pop artist based in Los Angeles. Her music is left-of-center while maintaining melodies that satisfy the inner earworm, featuring candid yet affecting lyrics and lush harmonies over decadent tracks.
Born and raised in Wichita Kansas, Skofee’s house was filled with bluegrass and folk music. After attending high school in Boulder, CO and college at the University of Southern California, Skofee took her love for the music she grew up with and translated it into a more pop-based sound. Her 2020 debut Polished EP received incredible reviews from the likes of tastemaker press outlets including Ones To Watch, EARMILK, and even the LA Weekly, who said, “Skofee’s sound is super-contemporary, combining indie and pop to create a gorgeous, lush and emotional alt-pop vibe that certainly recalls Alison Krauss as well as the likes of Lorde.”
2021 saw the release of the Post Pop Remix of her single “Spiderman” (Post Pop being the moniker of producer Stefan Skarbek, who has worked with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Jamiroquai among others). This uptempo reworking saw several months of airplay on local KROQ-FM, arguably the most influential Alternative radio station in the country. In July 2022, Skofee released an incredible duet with famed Dutch singer/songwriter/producer and Grammy nominee Cimo Fränkel – a remake of Fränkel’s hit single “Where Do You Hide Your Love” which saw support from tastemaker radio outlet KCRW and was placed in A-list rotation on Amazing Radio USA.
Skofee’s sophomore EP, Joyland, touches on love, loss and the search for happiness in familiar places. Now released, the EP has several singles from the collection including her recent tropical house-tinged end-of-summer banger “Wind Up Hero”, “Quicksand”, a relatable 90’s pop fused anthem about letting go, and the lofi pop ballad “I’m Sorry I Killed Your Plant”.
boundary-pushing, multimedia artist Groupthinkshares “Gray” Get it HERE via 10K Projects.
Groupthink is taking notes from the indie sleaze movement with their new single “Gray.” Always known for blending genres, the new track combines their unforgettable garage rock motifs with the energy of some of his inspirations such as Crystal Castles and MGMT. Groupthink has had a busy 2023 so far; hosting an L.A. rave with The Hellp, opening on tour for their collaborator Kennyhoopla, and being featured in Pigeons and Planes’ February list of “Best New Artists.” The electrifying new track is part of the upcoming EP Before the Afters which features their last single, “Miss Carolina” featuring Carlie Hanson. Groupthink adds:
“We just wanted to make something that goes with everything. And Gray goes with everything. This was the first one we did for the EP, and it was our compass for the sound of rest of the sound of the project. Gray is the first song on the track list; it’s a manifesto of sound and vibe for everything to come after. The inspiration for this one came the long subway ride from uptown to Brooklyn after getting in a huge fight. That and the music in movies when we were kids. Gray is a colorful song, so we called it gray. What are you doing after this?”
Boston-born and Los Angeles-based multiplatinum global artist, entrepreneur, and style icon BIA returns with a hard-hitting new single entitled “SIXTEEN” out today via Epic Records. Fans will also be able to catch BIA performing her new single during her set at Rolling Loud California this Sunday March 4th in Inglewood, CA at the SOFI Stadium.
Primed for a major breakthrough with hundreds of millions of streams under his belt and widespread praise, rising critically acclaimed San Antonio, TX rapper Mike Dimes unleashes a new single entitled “Heavy Metal” today.
Watch to “Heavy Metal” HERE
Listen to “Heavy Metal” HERE.
“Heavy Metal” will be the first single from Mike’s upcoming debut album. Kickstarted by an old school sample, the track’s menacing thump underscores hard-hitting magnetic rhymes from Mike. The video directed by Will Bloom shows footage from Mike raging with hundreds of his fans in a local San Antonio WhataBurger parking lot. “Heavy Metal” serves as the follow-up to “FLEEK.” The latter has cracked 1 million Spotify stream in addition to earning acclaim. Brooklyn Vegan declared, “Mike Dimes caps off his biggest year yet with a great new single, ‘FLEEK’.”
2022 saw him engage a full-on barrage with fan favorite bangers such as “247,” “TALK2ME,” “HOME,” and more. Along the way, he has impressively tallied a quarter-of-a-billion streams in addition to inciting the applause of Consequence of Sound, Pitchfork, Billboard, XXL, and many more.
However, 2023 has all the makings of a star-making moment for the Texas spitter. It’s Mike Dimes’s moment.
Kid Prexy is a talented powerhouse who is making a name for himself in contemporary Pop, Hip-Hop, and Alternative music. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, the 15-year-old prodigy grew up and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. Kid Prexy has been playing guitar, drums and singing in the School of Rock band since he was 8 years old and has performed many live concerts in different music genres such as alternative, pop, rock, punk, grunge & blues.
In the summer of 2021, the promising artist recorded his first EP, Broken Promises, at 13 years old exuding an emo Rap and smooth melancholic style, inspired by the likes of Juice Wrld, Post Malone, Kid Laroi, Lil Peep & Xxxtentacion. Then in early 2022, he wrote and recorded five Lo-Fi Chill Acoustic songs for his second EP Lights in the Forest, which was inspired by BoyWithUke and Powfu.
Now in 2023, Kid Prexy is gearing up to release his third EP, inspired by Machine Gun Kelly, Jxdn & Blink182 to explore the Pop Punk and Alternative Rock genres that he loves to showcase his guitar and singing skills. The highly anticipated EP was produced by Grammy Nominated Multi-Platinum Producer Kevin “Thrasher” Gruft (Travis Barker, Machine Gun Kelly). Leading single “In My Head” is a riveting emotional rollercoaster, with moody vocals atop gritty guitar riffs and intense pop punk sonics.
Montreal trio Le Couleur have returned with new single “Sentiments nouveaux”.
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
A languid disco-pop track that flirts with heady ‘80s sounds, hazy late-night rhythms and electro-heavy, synth-laden beats, “Sentiments nouveaux” is an intoxicating new cut from the three-piece, padded out with twangy, contorted riffs and balmy vocals.
Hitting just where it should — amidst our deepest desires, intrinsic drives and the naivety of our first times — “Sentiments nouveaux” is a potent exploration of the senses as the band dive deep looking for “a sensation or an exaltation” that pushes them right to the edge.
The track arrives as the band’s first new offering since awaited second album ‘Concorde’ in 2020, a record that took a brand new approach and saw Le Couleur explore vintage influences reminiscent of the faded charm of ‘70s erotica, while dipping into the distinctly rich tones of psychedelia, disco, yéyé and French chanson.
Robert Perlick-Molinari is Brooklyn’s do-it-all artist, performer, writer, vocalist, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and industry executive. As ½ of French Horn Rebellion, the “delightfully bizarre” (Vice) indie-dance band, he has 100+ million streams across platforms, a GRAMMY Award shortlist for electronic album of the year, official remixes for Beyonce, Sia, Two Door Cinema, and extensive touring experience. As label-head of toucan sounds, he curates the finer elements of house, disco, and techno, releasing music for Brooklyn’s best in electronic music with multiple reviews in Resident Advisor, and spins on the BBC. As a DJ, he has performed on 4 continents, headlining and sharing the stage across multiple genres – on the disco tip, (Felipe Gordon, Breakbot) – to house (Anthony Nicholson, Miss Kittin) – to indie dance (RAC, Digitalism, Miami Horror) – and many more. In the studio, he has credits with some of the most influential artists of our time, ranging from pop (Purple Disco Machine, Autograf), to underground house (Ron Trent, AceMo), to alternative (MGMT, Two Door Cinema Club). He’s been mentioned in The New York Times, Billboard and The Huffington Post. LA Weekly said, “We wish America had a million bands like this,” while in the UK, The Guardian regarded FHR’s music as “killer dance-pop.”
New York-based songwriter Lyric Christian wants to bridge the gap between black female songwriters and the pop charts. Raised in Atlanta as Lyric Christian, Lyric writes songs inspired by her personal experiences and emotions- specifically, reckless love and heartbreak, about badass women who never hesitate to throw a little shade. Lyric moved to New York to attend the prestigious New York University Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. During her time there she discovered her passion and knack for songwriting after being chosen to participate in one of Warner-Chappell Music Publishing’s songwriting camps. Although a performer from a young age, Lyric decided at that moment that she wanted to pursue songwriting as her main focus. A classically trained pianist and vocalist, Lyric draws upon her years of performing experience when penning her songs.
Lyric’s writing influences span from Bebe Rexha to Julia Michaels, Ryan Tedder to Priscilla Renae. Her favorite artists and vocalists are among the greats in the history of music: Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, and Nina Simone. Lyric has played shows in both Atlanta (Variety Playhouse and 7 Stages) and New York (Arlene’s Grocery, Joe’s Pub, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and The Delancey). She also has a successful career as a model for various fashion brands. Lyric recently released her debut artist single “Either Way”. She also appeared on I.M Yoni’s “Premier” EP – Lyric co-wrote and was featured artist on “I Don’t Want Anybody”. Other cuts and collaborations by Lyric include “WTF” recorded by Rhea Raj (added to Spotify’s New Music Friday France and New Music Friday North Africa) as well as collaborations with artist Alice Longyu Gao (“Karma Is A Witch”) and pop artist Katini who opened for The Chainsmokers at the Forbes 30 Under 30 summit, performing their song, “Free.”
Scottish indie breakaways – SHAMBOLICS – are back with one of their most immediate singles to date: “Take It Or Leave It”.
Streaming on 3 March, the release comes ahead of a brand new EP ‘U Serious Boi?!’ this Spring, plus an extensive UK tour in April and May 2023 which kicks off in Glasgow. All dates are listed below, with tickets on sale now here.
STREAM “TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT” ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Striking a neat balance between jangling Britpop sensibilities and sticky late-night ‘80s-inspired grooves, “Take It Or Leave It” steps into a relationship that’s heading down a one-way street with no easy way back.
As vocalist Darren Forbes explains:
“We wanted to write a tune with a bit more of a groove and a bit more space. I think this track has a summery feel to it too. When we wrote it we already had the chorus and bassline and just worked the chords around that. The lyrics are pretty much about someone who is making an effort with someone but getting none back, and they’re pretty much just saying: ‘take it or leave it’.”
Following on from earlier singles “What’s Going On In Your Head”,“Like A Breeze” and most recent release “Living In Shadows”, their latest track is taken from Shambolics’ new EP ‘U Serious Boi?!’, their debut release on tastemaker imprint Scruff of the Neck Records.
Produced by Chris Marshall at 7 West Studios in Glasgow, the ‘U Serious Boi?!’ EP traverses through gritty rock’n’roll, retro-tinted indie, and danceable pop. From the hands-in-the-air anthemia of opener “Like A Breeze”, to the gentle guitar ballad “Living In Shadows” or the feedback-drenched Smiths-y waltzer “Never Gonna Change”, it’s a collection that finds the Shams diversifying their sound, growing in confidence and at the top of their game. Complete with a searing version of fan favourite “Sharp As A Razor” (Live At SWG3 Glasgow), the EP testifies to the power of their unbeatable live gigs too. ‘U Serious Boi?’ is set for release on 14 April 2023 on the Scruff of the Neck imprint, with tracklisting as follows:
SHAMBOLICS – ‘U SERIOUS BOI?!’ EP TRACKLIST
1. Like A Breeze
2. Living In Shadows
3. Take It Or Leave It
4. Never Gonna Change
5. What’s Going On In Your Head
6. Sharp As A Razor
Giving in to demands of fans across social media, London-via-Türkiye pop force Selin comes through with the theatrical ‘sad girl’ anthem “LOVERS HURRICANE” – her second official English single under Warner Music Türkiye. With highly personal yet relatable lyrics written by Selin with Gil Lewis
(Blithe, BEKA, Aleyna Tilki) and acclaimed singer-songwriter Sarah Close, “LOVERS HURRICANE” takes shape as a powerfully emotive, sweeping ballad about a lost love affair which didn’t get the fairy-tale ending it perhaps deserved, as well as the maturity of having to learn from the past and move on – further realized in the music video’s stormy, dramatic visuals. Artistically off-setting with the pop-rock vibrancy of last August’s “cool” (watch), the cinematic production on “LOVERS HURRICANE” is the perfect backdrop for Selin’s rich and full-bodied powerhouse vocals to take centre stage in a truly spectacular vocal performance – delivering the poignant, heartfelt lyrics with candour, which have already begun resonating with fans on TikTok, who have organically started creating POV videos using the track.
Speaking about “LOVERS HURRICANE”, Selin said the following: “I had been wanting to write about a specific situation playing on my mind; as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised that I needed to come face-to-face with what those feelings were. The song talks about that feeling of ‘what could have been’ with somebody; on the day I wrote about it with Sarah and Gil, it all just sort of came out. I didn’t want to fully forget about it, so I think writing this was almost like finishing a book, and now it’s ready to
be shelved – but who knows, maybe one day this book will be revisited… I hope you can sing, scream, cry, and laugh to this song.”
Melbourne four-piece – TEENAGE DADS – have today released their highly anticipated ‘Midnight Driving’ EP, along with focus track “Goodbye, Goodbye Again”.
STREAM ‘MIDNIGHT DRIVING’ ON ALL SERVICES HERE || “GOODBYE, GOODBYE AGAIN” HERE
Already racking up over 1.6 million streams on Spotify, the ‘Midnight Driving’ EP features recent electrifying singles “Hey, Diego!”, and “Exit Sign”, the band’s Hottest 100 debut single “Teddy” and title track “Midnight Driving” released just last week, as well as two additional unreleased tracks.
“The EP is about perspective. How things look from one point of view, and how they can change over time from another outlook. The songs feel like diary entries, documented internally, like conversations you have with yourself when you go Midnight Driving. A constant, internal form of therapy almost,” the band explain.
Tackling a variety of genres across the EP, the release sees Teenage Dads take a slight sonic detour from their distinctive upbeat, experimental sound and adventurous storylines, uncovering a side of their sound that is a little older and a little wiser, yet just as catchy and sonically adventurous.
On new focus track and EP closer “Goodbye, Goodbye Again”, the band further dial down the tempo to truly embody the knowledge that: “Saying goodbye isn’t always easy, and “Goodbye, Goodbye Again: dives into the desolation you meet at the end. It might not be over forever, but for now it is.”
As vocalist Jordy explains “While this was written at the point of a breakup I had been through, it seems the song also takes on the general idea of how difficult it is to say goodbye, whether that’s to a friend, to family, a lover, or even an aspect of your life that you are leaving behind: moving away, starting a new job, retiring.”
Following a wildly successful tour of the UK & Ireland in 2022, JOSHUA RADIN, has confirmed his return for a new stretch of live shows throughout April 2023. Tickets are on sale now here.
Accompanying his upcoming shows with a touching and nostalgic new single, “This One’s For”, the track is released on 3 March 2023 and inspired by one particularly memorable night in Dublin…
STREAM “THIS ONE’S FOR” HERE || WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Joshua Radin’s gorgeous new single, “This One’s For”, sees the singer-songwriter offering a love letter to close friends and family, who may not realise how much he thinks about them while he’s away on the road. “I wrote this song for all the people in my life, close friends and family, whom I love dearly, but because I’m a traveller by nature, I don’t see them as often as I’d like.” While the song captures a feeling of longing that’s universally felt, it was inspired by one particularly exciting night in Dublin, Ireland that left a lasting impression on Radin. He adds:
“Many years ago, I found myself on tour in Dublin,” Radin recalls. “After my performance, some of the loveliest Irish people brought me to a famous pub for drinks, as one does in most cities but especially in Dublin. After the pub closed, I was introduced to the concept of a ‘lock in,’ when the bar legally must close so they lock the front doors, but they keep serving drinks for those lucky enough to have been invited to stay and hang. We passed my guitar around all night, everyone playing songs. It was the first time I had ever played for people without a microphone, and I was forced to sing loudly, strum loudly, belt with a voice I never knew I had. This was a seminal evening for me. So I wanted this song to sound like me and my buddies were locked in a pub around 3am, drinking, playing songs, living life.”
“This One’s For” follows the release of Radin’s latest EP, ‘though the world will tell me so, vol 1’, a breathtaking collection of songs that were inspired by his time on the road in 2022. Rather than wait for inspiration to strike, Radin seeks it out wherever possible. To that end, in the Autumn of 2022, he left his material existence in the rearview, grabbed a backpack, packed his guitar, picked up a pen and a pad, and sought new stories to tell. “I felt like I was going to live the life of a kid on a gap year after high school,” he smiles. “However, it has helped my writing and my soul. I feel so much freer.”
Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet are back with their ecstatic single “Work It”.
Arriving in tandem with a brand new official video today, the track heralds a wave of new activity for the Manchester collective, with fresh music and live dates all on the agenda for the year ahead.
WATCH THE “WORK IT” VIDEO HERE
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The opening track of their current album, ‘It’s Been A While, Buddy’ (out now on Stardust Works via AWAL), as its title may suggest “Work It” is a heart-pumping, pulse-quickening, funk’n’soul workout. A fusion of elastic basslines, brassy breakdowns, and piano-house hooks, Ríoghnach Connolly leads it all from the front with her commanding soulful vocal.
The track is also paired with the B-side “You Go To My Head”, the band’s laid-back take on the Fred Coots-composed classic, which was famously covered by Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday among others. Initially recorded as a distraction from the humdrum of lockdown, it sees the light of day for the first time in 2023, with this final studio version given its finishing touches by Werkha.
Speaking about “Work It” and how it came together with their current album, Phil Howley of Honeyfeet says:
“I love all of the new songs as they’ve all got such different personalities but I do really love “Work it” for its drama and scope…. The recording of this album I found to be one of the most inspirational and educational experiences of my whole musical career. We got to all work together in one space and got to watch the pieces come together before our very eyes. It was a truly democratic writing process, where we could listen and respond to each other in real time And then at the end of the day you could listen back and see that you created something really interesting. It was this process that I found to be such an enlightening and rewarding experience. I’m incredibly proud of the new material.”
Rachel Bochner is a New York based singer-songwriter. With a passion for turning the trials of navigating your twenties into pop music anyone can sing along to, and through refreshingly honest lyricism, Rachel is unafraid to own the thoughts, mistakes, and emotions we tend to shy away from. Giving grit to vulnerability, Rachel melds the dark with the whimsical, creating a musical thumbprint that could only be recognized as her own.
Her latest single “Sucker Punch” is the first track to be released from her upcoming EP. The type of song you’ll want to scream-sing in your car when you’re in need of free therapy, “Sucker Punch” is the cathartic soundtrack of a post-heartbreak revenge fantasy. Over moody, distorted guitars and heavy layered bass tracks, the track says to hell with the high road… being petty is WAY more fun.
Speaking about the single, Rachel shares, “Sucker Punch is the kind of song where there was a clear emotion I wanted to convey that I think so many people can relate to, especially right after getting your heartbroken. I love that the song sits in this revenge fantasy and lists out all these things I could do to get back at the person who hurt me, but at the end of the day, it’s just me lost in my head trying to make myself feel better.”
The narrative behind “Sucker Punch” sets the tone for the rest of the EP, as we see the songwriter delving into the things we do to make ourselves feel a little better, even if they aren’t the healthiest. A delightful concoction of songs that dance between vulnerable, melancholy, energetic and playful, Rachel provides us with soundtracks to listen to when we want to get in our feels, vent our frustrations when someone does us dirty and straight up party to. The artist adds, “I’d encourage listeners to unapologetically feel their feelings, NEVER take shit from unworthy men, and remember that even when you’re sad, you’re still hot.”
With her debut EP set for release later this year, Rachel Bochner is certain to make some waves. Her fiery, relatable and playful sound is sure to become your newest addiction.
Award-winning Americana collective Morganway continue their upward trajectory with latest single, ‘World Stopped Running’, ahead of their UK headline tour this spring and forthcoming new album Back To Zero out May 5th.
Placing themselves in a different world from previous release ‘Wait For Me’, which showcased the band’s darker, rockier influence, ‘World Stopped Running’ was written during lockdown on a retro synthesiser and features bassist Callum Morgan on lead vocals.
“I was cooped up at home and playing around with synth patterns,” Callum recalls. “I can’t play the keyboard well at all, so when I started this riff it was pretty primitive, but something about it stuck. I combined it with a more folky, protest song I was working on and the riff became the chant the song is built around.”
Still unable to perform together, Callum sent a demo of the song to the band. Upon hearing, there was initially some resistance.
“I admit when I first heard the tune it was a dark time and I was jarred by its somewhat childish frivolity,” says Nicole J Terry, who plays fiddle in Morganway. “I have come to see it more as an act of rebellion at the situation that created it – why not just sing your heart out with joy if that’s all you can do? It shows the importance of supporting the visions of your bandmates. Unity wins.”
Despite the underlying fears of the time, it was also unity that inspired the song, sparked by a conversation with a friend, who suggested Callum should write a hopeful song about the future.
“That message fitted with the upbeat, major key synth riff, and even though there is a slight protest element to the lyrics, they are above all a celebration” continues Callum. “‘World Stopped Running’ as a phrase may sound quite literal regarding lockdown, but I think it’s more about facing something together, like the future, like change. You’re not running away anymore.”
Alberta-based singer-songwriter Justine Vandergrift unveils her new country flavoured single ‘Ain’t What It Ain’t’ out now on all digital streaming platforms.
‘Ain’t What It Ain’t’ is the 2nd single from Justine’s new album Mountain Standard Time, which is set for release on March 17th. With lines like, ‘It’s all smoke and mirrors and pictures you paint’, ‘Ain’t What it Ain’t’ is a quick little number with an old-time bluegrass feel that playfully speaks to modern day feelings of disenchantment.
“Writing the song, I imagined an elderly character who has used the saying ‘it is what it is’ as a way of coping with challenges and adversity throughout their life – a farmer whose crop is ruined by bad weather, a factory worker laid off because of a shifting market, a teacher trying to help a student progress in a system that’s not designed for them,” says Justine. “But at some point the aphorism fails to satisfy – this pensioner has come to a breaking point in their life where resigned acceptance is an inadequate response. They’ve begun to see and understand the greater systems at play in their environment, and to realize that the struggles and suffering they’ve endured are not the collateral damage generated by the cold indifference of the universe, but rather the inevitable results of corporations and institutions saying anything to further their own interests.”
The Aquadolls release the single and video for “Sneaky,” the freshest cut off of their upcoming record, Charmed. Produced by Chris Szczech (The Goo Goo Dolls) in Los Angeles, the new song puts the angst surrounding the uncertainty of a relationship directly under a microscope; this close study fueled by a gritty sound that juxtaposes the heaviness of bands like The Breeders and Veruca Salt, and the hopeful dreaminess of shoegaze bands like Cocteau Twins and The Jesus and Mary Chain – Stream.
Instead of attempting to escape these simmering feelings of doubt, the self-coined “mermaid rock and rollers” lean into them, opening the floodgates and letting all of their inhibitions pour into this bombastic cascade of sound. Daydreams about tender nights spent tangled under sheets must cease — there is only room for these anxiety-ridden intrusive thoughts. “Am I just your late night sneaky little thing?” lead vocalist Melissa Brooks questions; though, she’s not entirely sure if she wants to know the answer.
Further expanding on today’s single release, Brooks said, “’Sneaky’ tells the story of the uncertainties of what could come from a late-night hookup. Unsure if the other person is growing feelings or only physical attraction, this song shows the struggle of being someone’s dirty little secret.”
Bassist Keilah Nina continues “A nostalgic tune about that sickly, sweet feeling you get in your gut when you start feeling a little more than lust for that late night hookup. For when you’re stuck in a state of wondering if they feel the same way, or if you’re just wasting time fantasizing about what could be.”
Don’t you ever miss those good ol’ days when you had no cares or responsibilities? Now that I’m in my 30s it’s getting harder to get all our friends together and just hang out.
When we recorded “Barely Listening,” I was frustrated with the lyrics and completely scrapped them. I slept on it, then came back the next day with a new set of lyrics that I felt still captured the feeling of those growing pains – though the original working title stuck.
Check out “Barely Listening” on streaming platforms now.
This one’s for the boys!
Christian Turner
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