INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: PIGEON WIGS, CAN’T SWIM, MOONRIIVR, Cassadee Pope, The Bankes Brothers, Moon Walker, Dean Ford, NuAsia, Pink Mexico….

Rising retro-revisionists – PIGEON WIGS – have unveiled the new single: “Hold Up!”.

The track is the Cardiff quintet’s first new music of 2023 and is taken from a brand new mini-album ‘Rock By Numbers’, due to arrive on 7 July via Clwb Music. 

STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE || WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

With their feet pressed firmly on the pedal and with no signs of easing off, “Hold Up!” sees Pigeon Wigs achieve a runaway sense of momentum as they unleash this spiralling rock’n’roll juggernaut. Fusing fuzzy riffs, foot-stamping drum clashes, gritty ‘60s-esque vocals, and helter-skelter melodies, the new track sees the band tapping into the classic rough-cut sounds of John LennonThe Stones and Creedence, while refracting them through the same retro/futuristic portal that has spawned us the likes of White Denim and Foxygen.

Of the new track, lead singer Harry Franklin-Williams explains:

“”Hold Up!” is about the sometimes long and dreary ways of normal life until someone special comes along and makes you want to go away on an adventure, live life as it should be and fall in love. It’s the sound of a sun rising on a world that you thought you knew, only to be surprised by all the things you’d never noticed before.” 

Written in Franklin-Williams’ old living room with lead guitarist Louis Jugessur on his first guitar, an old sunburst Yamaha, the track also arrives alongside a cosmic official video that stitches together a series of surreal animations to create a dizzying and deftly psychedelic dream-like world. Harry adds:

“I wanted the music video to feel like an intergalactic romp through time and space, and to achieve this we hired four different animators from across the world to make one section of the video each. I gave them the most basic instruction — “the car must keep moving” — and let them loose to interpret the video however they wanted. Their range of styles, cultural influences and personal taste made each world feel completely separate while still linking together.”

New Jersey rock band, Can’t Swim, have release a B-side single from their new album.  The track “must be nice (metaphorically speaking)” was written and recorded within 48hours and addresses what singer Chris LoPorto might have done, had he not had the band.

“must be nice (metaphorically speaking), is a song we didn’t have finished in time to record for Thanks But No Thanks.  But when we had some down time after our last US tour we got together to finish up some loose ends.” says Loporto.  “Lyrically, it’s about a path my life would have taken if I didn’t find music. Drinking and doing drugs, working a dead end job in my hometown. Reflecting over the last few years being on tour and seeing where I would have ended up without this band is the summary of the track. “

Blonde Hair Now is a celebration of the small moments in our days that make up our lives, a beautiful homage to the gravity of the simple everyday decisions that shape our world.

The recording is from the very first session we did in the studio, fumbling through the day trying to make light of what, if anything, MOONRIIVR might be. As the picture unfolded, we tried on numerous occasions to beat it but kept returning to this version, warts and all.

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This song imagines a world where it’s dancing in the RCA studios with the ghost of a young Elvis Presley or fast asleep between Richie Valens and Buddy Holly in the backseat of that ill fated flight.

It’s a track which is meant to conjure a sense of nostalgia for a memory that doesn’t exist.

And pleasure, mostly pleasure!

“Blonde Hair Now” is taken from Vol.1, our debut album which we liken to Buddy Holly meets Krautrock. We wanted to balance opacity and directness on this record, with wide ranging songs that focus on topics from climate change to navigating the schisms in friendships which developed over divergent pandemic politics.

“Blonde Hair Now” set the trajectory for the rest of the MOONRIIVR record.

We can’t wait to share more of our music with you!
Gavin Gardiner of MOONRIIVR

GRAMMY-nominated, Platinum-certified singer-songwriter, Cassadee Pope, shares the music video for her latest single, “People That I Love Leave”. Directed by Ed Pryor (Dierks Bentley, Mickey Guyton, The War and Treaty), the video finds Cassadee in an all-too-relatable scenario of self-sabotaging your relationships time and time again because of past heartbreak.

The video premiered earlier this week on Hollywood Life and you can watch it now HERE.

This song describes the difficulties of letting someone love you when you’ve been hurt in the past. I wanted the music video to illustrate the scenarios of how when a guy gets too close, I have a tendency to self sabotage,” shares Cassadee. “I also wanted to include an intense, high energy performance sequence to drive home that frustration and anger that follows.”

People That I Love Leave” was co-written by Cassadee, Ali Tamposi (Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson), Roman Campolo (Elton John, BTS), Nick Long (Machine Gun Kelly, Avril Lavigne) and Andrew Luce (Iann Dior, Role Model) and produced by CassadeeDan Swank, Mason Sacks, Hosu Yoon and Luce. The track was incredibly well received upon its release, garnering the attention of outlets such as Ones to Watch, American Songwriter, Rock Sound, idobi Radio, All Punked Up, The Honey Pop and more. 

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Always paving her own path in the industry since the beginning of her career, Cassadee begins a new chapter in her musical journey with “People That I Love Leave.” Having started her career as the frontwoman of beloved, pop-punk band, Hey Monday, “People That I Love Leave” marks a return to form for Cassadee. “This next project has an authenticity that I’ve never been able to tap into before now,” she shares. “Pop and rock music is such a staple in my creativity so to fully return back to that genre feels special and like coming back home.”

We’re The Bankes Brothers and our new single, “Things I’ll Never Learn,” speaks loud and clear to the age-old problem of being drawn to entanglements of the heart that just shouldn’t be. It rings true with all of us in the band as we think back on broken hearts from relationships that we just weren’t suited for.

Stream the lighthearted yet nostalgic “Things I’ll Never Learn” on all major platforms now.

We formed in a pool hall one Friday night in 2017 and played our first gig less than a week later. Within three days of that show, we had written a handful of original songs, including an early version of what’s now the closing track from our forthcoming In Waves EP.

Produced and recorded by indie legend Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat, The Zolas, Mounties), the EP is the culmination of our wide-ranging influences – from Elvis to The Strokes, Paul Simon to Pixies – coming together in a way that defies sonic parallels yet remains welcomingly familiar.

Excited to share more new music with you soon!

Thanks for listening,

The Bankes Brothers

Brooklyn-based alt-rocker Moon Walker returns with his latest gritty single “American Dream Come True” out everywhere now, along with an accompanying video. Over an irresistible guitar loop and fuzzy, distorted vocals, the track explores the impacts of a toxic work culture that runs rampant throughout the U.S.

Later this month, the musician will kick off his first-ever U.S. tour in Philadelphia, PA on May 31 with support from Baby BugsAnnabel Lee and Similar Kind on various dates. Tickets are on sale now via listentomoonwalker.com/tour.

“American Dream Come True,” out today, tackles toxic American work culture and its damage on mental health. Though the track is filled with Moon Walker’s signature skepticism of the nation’s culture and norms, the latest single marks a notable shift in the rocker’s approach to making music. Moon Walker says, “It was my first time using samples of any kind and the vocal performance was quite a bit less melodic than my other music. Lyrically, it serves as a commentary on “hustle culture,” while also discussing the depression that comes as a result of it.”

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Its accompanying video, directed by longtime collaborator Madison McConnell, is the start of a new chapter of Moon Walker, one that sets the tone for much more to come. The video finds Harry Springer, the man behind Moon Walker, face to face with his alter-ego–Moon Walker the musician. McConnell reveals, “The video takes you into a fever dream following Harry and his alter ego, Moon Walker, where Harry begins to lose himself within his alter ego. This video is the preface for what’s to come in a chain of music videos that will follow.”

Moon Walker praises McConnell’s vision, adding, “She always interprets my songs in the most unique, interesting way and she is truly a master at communicating her interpretation, visually. This video was as fun to film as I hope it is to watch.”

Rising pop-rock artist Dean Ford has released the music video for his latest single “Electromagnetic” and officially revealed the details for his new EP Dream Fever, out June 2nd. Opening with a flurry of ominous synths, the electronic-tinged track is driven by ambient textures and a pulsating beat as Dean delves into the feeling of finding your way back to the one you love against all odds. The accompanying animated music video takes the viewer through an action-packed story of star-crossed lovers and the intense connection they share.

NuAsia is a remarkable band that represents the rare but growing presence of Asian artists in the country music scene. Based in Los Angeles, the band is composed of highly talented musicians of Asian heritage who share a deep passion for country songs. Led by Roshan Seresinhe, the visionary behind their debut album, NuAsia is set to break new ground with its unique sound and powerful storytelling.

At the forefront of NuAsia is the stunning and gifted lead vocalist Saint Cloud, who co-wrote all the original tracks on their forthcoming album, Quiet Violence. Saint Cloud, who is of Vietnamese descent, showcases her exceptional songwriting skills in each of the album’s six original tracks. On keyboards is Isamu MacGregor, a phenomenal musician of Japanese descent who brings an incredible depth of talent and experience to the band from his years of touring with Colbie Caillat. On lead guitar, the fabulous Mark Flores, who is of Filipino descent, owning an impeccable resume, is considered one of the top Asian guitarists in California.

The band’s rhythm section is made up of three incredibly talented musicians of Sri Lankan descent. Dhammika (DJ) Jayasinghe on bass guitar, Janesh Ruwanpathirana on percussion, and Roshan Seresinhe on drums, who also serves as the band’s leader and executive producer. With a range of ages from 20 to 60, the band proves that music truly has no age limit, and their collaboration creates a unique and memorable sound that showcases their collective talent and passion.

Queens, NY, crushing indie project Pink Mexico, today share their new album Mirrorhead. This sweeping collection of 11 songs is the band’s fifth studio album, and their first for Californian label Quiet Panic.

On MirrorheadRobert Preston Collum and company take the surfy indie rock that pervaded their previous album releases and pushed it into the darkest sonic corners yet. While the band’s most recent album Idiot Piss Illiterate (2020, Broken Clover Records) rode on a frantic garage rock undercurrent, Mirrorhead swaps ragged pace for bruising waves of heavy sound (“Junkie Smile”, “Victimhead”, “Shame”) interspersed with moments of stripped-back exposure (“Fuck It I Quit”, “Muring Calm”). The result  is Pink Mexico’s most definite and tangible work. “Mirrorhead” is not only a record but a recollection of memories and experiences embroidered through experimentation and through the reconstruction of self. Through the unknown, Collum revisited music writing and re-imagined his work, tracing a new and personal path.

The Free Label formed in 2017 and is made up of six musicians from Toronto, Canada. With a collective love of 80’s disco, 90’s RnB, they got their start playing house parties and dive bars, hence the name “your moms favourite party band,” until their 2019 release of “All Night” which took them to new heights touring internationally. Their notorious live set impresses attendees with their balls-to-the-wall technical abilities and leaves a lasting impression with their exceptional crowd engagement that facilitates a highly dynamic, sweaty, dance-focused show. With a sound that is both unique and infectious, The Free Label has taken the music world by storm and will be touring in North America, Europe, and South Asia / Japan all throughout 2023.

“Shine,” the first single from their debut 2024 album, features Braxton Cook who played saxophone on Mac Miller & Christian Scott’s projects as well as produced for Taylor Swift. This song is a laidback anthem that celebrates individuality and encourages listeners to embrace their unique qualities and shine like a superstar.

The group is composed of lead vocalist Josh Daniel, guitarist Malik Mungo, keyboardist Cole Mendez, and bassist Mathew Fantini. The band is known for their free-flowing approach to creating and performing music, where all members are simultaneously vocalists, multi-instrumentalists and producers.

Born in Ethiopia and raised in South Minneapolis, Mati has quickly established himself as a vital new voice in music. Rapping and singing with dexterity and cutting close to the bone with incisive, confessional writing, he’s shown versatility across styles while maintaining a singular vision. With his debut EP, Thoughts In Cursive (June 23, AGAINST GIANTS), Mati channels a lifetime of experience—the gospel music of his mother, his father’s refugee journey, and the wisdom of his older siblings—all into one of the most unforgettable introductions in recent memory. 

Still just 22 years old, Mati isn’t letting any possible eventuality get in the way of the now. “I’m an overthinker,” he admits. “I think about the past and the future a lot. But I’m trying to teach myself to be present.” With Thoughts In Cursive, Mati offers a prismatic look at just how much joy and longing, anguish and relief, ego and humility can be suspended in a single moment in time.

Mati grew up in South Minneapolis, having moved there around the age of three from his native Ethiopia. His father had fled their home country first, landing initially in Los Angeles before coming north; soon he sent for his wife and four children, of whom Mati is the youngest. 

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Mati always knew he had a talent for writing, but through most of his school career, this manifested in poetry filling his math and science notebooks. Still, Mati found another medium to be a more natural outlet. The first piece of recorded work that he released to the public was a spoken word piece inspired by the civil unrest that followed George Floyd’s murder in the spring of 2020. “It was just something I wanted to do—felt obligated to do,” Mati says of the politically minded passage. “It wasn’t meant to be anything that got myself attention.”

Despite his obvious gift for language, Mati was still finding his voice. Through the gospel music that filled his house influenced the passion you hear in his work. Critics and audiences took immediate notice, he earned rave reviews from local and national press, with Minneapolis’s The Current calling him a “vibrant new voice” and Earmilk calling “Please Don’t Tempt Me” a “refreshing anthem for the summer months.”

Rachel Burns, the cancer-surviving mother of two has been an outspoken activist both on the streets, where
for years she dressed in a Wonder Woman costume protesting the Trump administration, and in
her music – using her voice as a beacon of positivity and a vessel for change. A graduate from
the New England Conservatory of Music with a degree in Classical Vocal Performance, Burns
has always had at least one foot in the music world, captivating audiences in Boston as well as
her native Washington, DC with a mix of pop, country, jazz, and blues songs. After 25 years
working in business and playing music on the side, she was ready to let her inner songbird soar and 2022 saw the release of Burns’ debut EP, Living My Breast Life, a five-track collection that employed a mix of humor and hope to tell her breast cancer story in a unique way.

For Burns, songwriting is her way of celebrating life and spreading joy, and she brings an animated spirit and unique personality to her sophomore EP, What a Nasty Woman, a record of resilience and protesting the patriarchy while celebrating the power of feminism. Blending soul, pop, country, and more, Burns’ new EP is at once theatrical and emotionally charged, with deeper meanings embedded in every song.

Indie rockers Dakota 66 have released their debut album, If Not Now, When, a self-reflective work that details their experiences over the last ten years of their career. Touching on themes of love, loss, ego, joy, friendship, and youth, the album gives listeners a glimpse into the various identities the band has claimed throughout time. If Not Now, When premiered onThe Big Takeoverprior to its official release and is now available to stream and download on digital music platforms worldwide.

From start to finish, the album takes on various personas through its wide range of sonic elements that give listeners something new with each track. From “Bubble,” a song true to its name, as it celebrates the memories of tender, delightful moments and the radiance of human connection, to “Shine,” a bold cinematic masterpiece that embodies the joy and fulfillment of being alive, every song adopts a fresh angle on the experience of growth and being human in the lives we lead. While each track stands out in its own way, If Not Now, When remains true to Dakota 66’s overall sound as artists and songwriters. With every unique combination of pure, affective vocals, expressive percussion, and masterful guitar riffs, the album is an authentic showcase of the band’s observations made in life. Listeners are guaranteed a well-rounded emotional experience, as these four creatives bare their souls through a mixture of emotive lyrics and intense production.

Brooklyn based artist Elliot Lee fuses dark pop melodies with edgy vocals and innovative electronic rock soundscapes to create an unpredictable sound, acting as a voice for the voiceless. Elliot Lee holds an awareness of what music that is unhindered by norms can do for the underrepresented. This bravado oozes through the cracks of their homemade music, with tracks that are laced with late night slumber party confessions and existential cognizance. Inspired by the feeling of loneliness, Elliot’s music acts as a reminder that you are never alone. Their new single “Fun” ” is “a song about neurodivergence masquerading as a song about wanting to be famous. In a way the two feelings share a very similar space in my chest, so I wanted to capture that overlap—and while fame and neurotypicality sound nice on the surface, I also know how much I’d lose if l ever achieved either.“ confides Elliot. 

London-based artist Barny Fletcher has released a brand new single titled “WOO!” The track is the first single from Barny’s forthcoming debut album, Lonestar, due out summer 2023 via Guin Records. Listen to “WOO!” now here. Watch the official videohere.

An exuberant anthem that sets the stage for Barny’s forthcoming album project, the song showcases Barny’s impeccable lyrical flow alongside slick, ethereal production that solidifies a clear level-up for the budding artist. Speaking on the track, Barny describes, “This song came about during a 40 minute jam session with production trio PBnJ, who work from The Eagle’s iconic Doghouse studio, nestled deep in the heart of LA’s Westside. WOO! is a celebration of the kinda love that makes you feel truly alive. It could be a person, place, an experience, a time. Like damn. WOOOOOOOOoooOOO! It’s an adrenaline rush, and the beauty is, people just get it.”

Rooted in themes of young love and self-discovery, the forthcoming album boasts a collection of songs written against the backdrop of a road trip to California, each song revealing a bit more of Barny’s journey while continuing to spotlight Barny’s magnetic energy and charisma that have defined his artistry since Day 1.

Last November, Barny was tapped to be featured on the first BBC 1xtra x BBC Introducing collaboration for BBC Introducing LIVE at the legendary Maida Vale Studios in which he recorded 16 bars for the collaboration. This launched as part of BBC Introducing LIVE, celebrating 15 years of BBC Introducing. See Barny participating in the Rap Cypher 1Xtra here

boundary-pushing, LA multimedia band Groupthink shares before the afters. Get it HERE via 10K Projects.

Taking notes from the indie-dance and French electro pop movements of the early 2010s, Pigeons & Planes “Best New Artist” indie dance powerhouse, Groupthink’s before the afters is LA’s answer to the resurgence of indie sleaze. Mixing palettes of French electro, indie dance, and dance punk, the result is a sonic gestalt of childhood memories that have been compressed into the present day. It feels good, it feels bad, it feels everything at the same time.

The energetic new EP features some of their latest singles such as “Dressed For a Funeral” featuring Sunday Scaries, “Dancing On My Grave” featuring KennyHoopla, and “Gray.”  Constantly blurring the lines of genre, before the afters is a testament to Groupthink’s diversity in taste, sound, and aesthetic.

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Inspired by the legendary movie Project XGroupthink shows that they know how to throw a party in the “Dressed For a Funeral” video. The new video showcases the massive 1,000+ guest party that Groupthink and Sunday Scaries hosted in Los Angeles. With cameos from Brent FaiyazMatt OxDeto BlackDosha Deng, and more, the footage will definitely give you FOMO.

FERAL FAMILY let-loose their highly anticipated EP ‘PLAYTEST’.

The new collection arrives in tandem with the release of its electrifying opening track, “Fractured”, also available to hear today.

STREAM ‘PLAYTEST’ EP HERE || STREAM “FRACTURED” HERE

Their debut extended-play release, the ‘PLAYTEST’ EP finds the Yorkshire noiseniks delivering 5 tracks of ferocious, Doomsday-baiting post-punk ripe for our times. From the cataclysmic Dune-inspired “Spice King”, to the slithering gothic-rock stylings of “Wee Van Bee”, or the intense industrial clamour of “Smother”; the band make their mark with a dark, brooding collection of songs that meld the gothic and euphoric with invigorating results.

Opening this Pandora’s box is the pulse-quickening “Fractured”, which is also out now. A song about dual-identities and the dawning realisation of deception when it’s been staring you in the face, lead vocalist Jamie explains of the track:

“”Fractured” channels the complicated relationship of having a double-life paraded right in front of your eyes, understanding its insidiousness but ultimately fearing the fire of confrontation.”

Scottish six-piece – PARLIAMO – are back with the new single “Matters Like”, out today.

STREAM ON SOUNDCLOUD || YOUTUBE || SPOTIFY

Arriving as the band’s grittiest, stickiest offering to-date, it sees Parliamo’s usual bright rhythms and funky basslines, traded-in for howling Suede-esque electric guitars, low-slung hooks and unconventional choruses. 

Like a migraine growing under the noon-day sun, “Matters Like” has a burbling, off-kilter intensity quite at odds with the brilliant sunshine that baked the Summer of 2022 in which it was written. Finding nuanced inspiration during those mind-melting times in the Fontaines D.C. track “Roman Holiday” and the spring reverb bass of The Last Shadow Puppets’ second record, the band’s Jack Dailly and Finn Freeburn Morrison began assimilating both into a new track that would mark a moody left-turn for the band.

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A song about finding confidence in a new relationship and the overcast feelings that can come hand-in-hand with it, vocalist Jack Dailly explains:

“”Matters Like” has a moodier sound than most of our previous output, with its screaming guitars and echoing hi-hats. This mood fits well with the lyrics, as the song touches on feelings of uncertainty and internal conflict. It’s a song about insecurity in a fledgling relationship and the plethora of emotions which come with getting to know more about someone than you might have bargained for.”

Keeping the feeling of summer alive, Abi Jenaé is continuing to bring that positive energy with her latest release, ‘Owo’. Following on from the March drop, ‘Empire’, Abi is building her supporters up for the release of her forthcoming EP ‘Love & Hustle’ via Afrotown Records.

STREAM/DOWNLOAD: ABI JENAÉ – OWO

Tapping in at just under three minutes long, ‘Owo’ is an unapologetic release that explores the financial freedom that comes with having money. It’s an anthem for the hustler community! Emphasising the lack of problems when being able to live her best life, the rhythmic production enables Abi to glaze her infectious lyrics and vocals atop with ease. Dipping in and out of the English and Yoruba language, Abi commented, “Owo” means “money” in my Yoruba language, and “mo fe owo” means “I want money” so it really is a song about wanting money.” On a mission to prove herself as an artist to watch, ‘Owo’ is yet another stand-out single from the songstress.

Speaking on the release  Abi explained, “When I wrote the track, I was inspired by an old school song called ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’, by The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie and Bad Boy Records. However, with my song ‘Owo’ I was more optimistic about having more money and no problems! This is what people in the world can relate with. When I was writing the lyrics I laid a foundation of love, power and ambition to add to the main topic of money. The song has a fun, laid back, cool vibe to it. It depicts the lifestyle of a real-life hustler in the midst of the challenges and financial struggles in life.”

Boys Like Girls, the iconic pop rock band that defined a generation, are back with a new single, “Blood and Sugar” (Fearless / Concord Records), their first new music release since 2012. The song is available on all major streaming platforms today with an official music video streaming now on the band’s YouTube channel; WATCH.

“Blood and Sugar” is a raw and honest portrayal of the human experience, exploring the theme of indulging in something bad for you, despite knowing the consequences. As Martin, the band’s lead singer, explains, “Thematically the song is fairly simple, an empty calorie relationship that’s so delicious you don’t care. You’re willing to deal with the crash. It continues to beat you down yet you keep coming back for more pain…almost like you’ve learned to love it. Why this obsession? We’re only skin and bone. Humans. Just blood and sugar, really. I think everyone has an infatuation with something bad for them. Cigarettes. Sports gambling. Porn. Internet validation. Pills that change the way you feel. Buying too many shoes. I know I spend a lot of time trying to fill the empty hole where drugs used to be. I spend most of the time trying to fill that hole with “perfection.” But in the end…nobody’s perfect. Hey. we’re only blood and sugar, right?”

The day has finally arrived! British pop/dance artist JASMINE IS’ debut album HEAR is out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.

To mark the occasion, JASMINE is also releasing a 3rd single ‘Passion’ (following ‘Love of Money‘ and ‘Miss You While I’m Sleeping‘), along with a music video for the track. Produced by Philip Larsen (Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry), this uplifting, soulful pop groove crushes on living life with empathy and compassion.

“Compassion is something that is truly lacking in the world right now,” says JASMINE IS. “I wanted to write a song that conveyed this message but at the same time, needed it to feel hopeful.”

JASMINE and Philip had a somewhat unique working relationship when recording her new album HEAR. Being intensely private and avoiding phone and video calls, JASMINE’s preference was to communicate only via messaging and the odd voice note while sending files backwards and forwards for the first year.

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“We were very much a lockdown production,” says Philip. “We are on different continents as it is, so it probably wouldn’t have worked in person in any case. The fun part was that we communicated mostly via WhatsApp, exchanging short fire messages with vocal ideas, inspirations and music demos. Almost all our communication was musical by nature and that meant for a flurry of ideas on each song. And in the early stages when we were just finding our feet, we could try our own ideas out in full, before sharing them. This is a great way to do things, as there is no fear of embarrassment when an early idea needs a bit of development before being shared with your co-writer. I don’t think we would even be able to work in the same room now as it would upset the flow and creativity!”

CHLOE JANE
“No Patience (No Tengo Paciencia)”

• “‘No Patience (No Tengo Paciencia)’ is about losing patience with someone in a relationship. I gave someone so much of my time and energy, and all I got in return was gaslighting and them lying to me.” – Chloe Jane

• The song was originally written in English over a reggaeton/pop production. Chloe Jane translated the entire song into Spanish and she and her producers, SameSame, chose the best parts in English and Spanish and combined them.

• The music video was shot in Ibiza, Spain, where Chloe Jane’s parents met and where Chloe has spent summers DJing.

rising multi-genre artist Eden Rain reveals her debut EP, Gutter Vision. Arriving with new track Close To You, the body of work justifies the hype Eden has been building over the past few months, a collection of songs built on inventive production, gorgeous vocals and tongue-in-cheek, heart on sleeve songwriting. Speaking on the release, Eden states:

Ever since I was a kid ive always over romanticised everything-

a crisp packet dancing in the wind, The juice that collects at the bottom of a dustbin ,rats on the tube platform.

My mother called it gutter vision- my eye is always drawn to the gutter first and I see the world from bottom up. I try take that approach to songwriting a lot of the time- making songs about the little feelings and  moments in life.  

This EP is a mix of falling in love for the first time, trying to figure out my brain, and stealing my other friends bad romantic decisions for songwriting content.

Los Angeles-based electro-pop artist BUZZ shares her otherworldly debut self-produced EP On Matters Of Searching out everywhere now. Alongside the complete collection, BUZZ shares the romantic, sweeping track “Different Sun” out now with an accompanying dreamy, futuristic visualizer. The philosophical EP imagines life beyond traditional human society, unbound to time and space, in search of something greater.

Crafted mostly during a trip to the mountains outside of Los Angeles, the self-produced debut EP On Matters Of Searching out today is an eight track examination of humanity, nature, science and healing filled with confessional lyrics and inventive production. Granular synth beds and tasteful choirs lace many of the songs along with sounds of satellites falling out of earshot and percussion from field recordings of branches being stepped on or water dripping off stalactites from an ancient undiscovered cave. BUZZ says the EP, “is a love letter to a life beyond humanity, and beyond time. It’s a wormhole I’ve dreamed of entering and gladly losing myself in.”

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rising female producer/DJ HoneyLuv and house icon Seth Troxler release their anticipated collaboration ‘Sex & The City’ out now via Tuskegee Music. The release also marks the return of Seth Troxler and The Martinez Brothers’ label imprint, Tuskegee Music, following a 4-year hiatus.

Sampling Chicago house icon Paul Johnson’s 1998 ‘So Much’, ‘Sex & The City’ oozes with the old-school rhythms and new-school flow that have bonded HoneyLuv and Seth Troxler. First teased with MK’s remix, ‘Sex & The City’ is a seductive blend of sleek synths, deep basslines, and rhythmic percussion. Fusing generational elements of house music, ‘Sex & The City’ mixes Seth Troxler’s iconic sound with the flirtatious energy and sultry tones present throughout HoneyLuv’s catalog. An homage to Paul Johnson’s house classic, ‘Sex & The City’ encapsulates Tuskegee’s ethos of honoring the roots of dance music. 

Regarding the collaboration, HoneyLuv said, “To even be in the same room with Seth is an honor but to collaborate with him on a track is a dream come true. Seth has been one of many of my inspirations during this journey of mine. This song is definitely the essence of what house music is and what the future will be and I’m so happy Seth was able to help create that with me”.

Oslo-based American singer-songwriter Luke Elliot shares new video ‘I (Who Have Nothing)’ from his third full-length album Let ’em All Talk out today on all digital streaming platforms via Icons Creating Evil Art. Watch video here

First recorded in 1963 by Ben E. King, ‘I (Who Have Nothing)’ has been covered by many artists, including Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, and Status Quo, putting Luke in esteemed company. 

“This song was introduced to me by my publishing company,” says Luke. “I was describing a sound I had in mind, and they sent me Tom Jones’ version of this gem. With the original music written by Luis Bacalov for Joe Sentieri (later to be used by Ben E. King), I fell in love immediately. This is the only track on the album I did on the first vocal take. I thought it was gonna be impossible to pull off, but it was magic. The band created their own musical world for this song, primarily conducted by Freddy Holm and Bebe Risenfors.”

Play On Shakespeare, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to exploring the world of Shakespeare in performance through translation and adaptation, today announces their Summer 2023 Season.

Summer 2023 Season:

Building upon Play On Shakespeare’s mission to enhance the understanding of Shakespeare’s plays in performance, Play On Podcasts bring timeless tales directly to modern audiences. The series – presented by Next Chapter Podcasts in partnership with Play On Shakespeare – has released MacbethPericlesA Midsummer Night’s DreamCoriolanusKing LearTwelfth NightHenry VMeasure for MeasureThe Winter’s Tale, and The Tempest over the last two years.

On June 12, Play On Podcasts will release episode 1 of Love’s Labour’s Lost. Set at Howard University in the 1930’s, this production of Justin Wilder’s translation features an all-Black cast directed by Nelson Eusebio with sound design and music composition by Lindsay Jones. In the Play On Podcast series Love’s Labour’s Lost, everyone is a traveler and music is universal! Featuring Tonya Pinkins, Russell G. Jones, Ashley Bryant, Tiffany Rachelle-Stewart, Walter Coppage and Matthew Elijah Webb.

Additional 2023 titles will be announced shortly.

Listen here.

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Research in Action: Play On Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s Globe
July 12
Location: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse [London, England]

Shakespeare’s Globe holds an ongoing Research in Action series that gives audiences a chance to be a part of the Globe’s exploration of early modern and contemporary performance culture. Research in Action: Play On Shakespeare will focus on Play On’s translation project. Professional actors and writers will share scenes and speeches from Shakespeare’s works in modern verse translation, and discussions—led by Play On Shakespeare’s President and Co-Founder, Lue Douthit, and the Globe’s Head of Research, Will Tosh—will be interspersed throughout the event followed by an interactive experience for the audience. What do we learn about Shakespeare’s plays by putting the English of then and now in conversation? 

More information here.

Romeo and Juliet
Theatre Space North East
Translated by: Hansol Jung
Directed by: Corinne Kilvington & Jamie Brown
July 13-16
Location: 1719 (former Holy Trinity Church) Church Street East [Sunderland, England]

With crime and youth violence on the rise, a young friar arrives in Verona, hoping to bring peace. Those hopes are shattered when a street brawl brings challenges right to his door. But when a young lad, Romeo, asks the friar for help to marry Juliet—two people on either side of a feud challenging the city—the friar sees a way to bring the conflict to a close. If only he could make it work. Merging contemporary Sunderland with an ecclesiastical Verona, this production combines a professional cast with community members to bring to light the challenges facing our community.

More information will be available shortly.

The Tempest
Theatre Space North East
Translated by: Kenneth Cavander
Directed by: Corinne Kilvington & Jamie Brown; Musical Director: Lawrence Neale
August 17-20
Location: Marine Walk [Sunderland, England]

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Prospero and her daughter Miranda are castaway on the island of Sunderland, along with all the remnants of their city’s long discarded shipping industry, banished from their home by a usurping sister. But when an opportunity for revenge presents itself, Prospero and her magical spirit Ariel bring those to blame to the island’s shore, and the fun begins. Featuring a local community chorus alongside a professional cast, this production brings Sunderland’s seafaring history to life against the setting of the north sea.

More information will be available shortly.

ACMRS Press [Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies] continues releasing Play On Shakespeare’s translations in print. All 39 titles will be published over the next several years.

Monstercat, one of electronic music’s most influential independent record labels, today adds two powerhouse acts on its extraordinary roster, sensational dance duo Adventure Club and unstoppable bass maestro Jessica Audiffred. Adventure Club’s world-renowned stylings and widespread acclaim have positioned them as forefathers of melodic dubstep. The duo have earned accolades to their name including Grammy and Juno nominations and Gold record accreditation, and have amassed multi-millions of streams across all platforms. Jessica Audiffred is cemented as Mexico City’s bass icon, having curated one of the country’s leading bass festivals, Mad House, and is currently soaring across the globe taking over upcoming festival stages including Tomorrowland and EDC Las Vegas. Serving as an Adidas ambassador in Mexico for the last 5 years, she has partnered with the brand for ‘Live Session’ pop-ups and female empowerment campaigns in the region. Last year, she collaborated with bass tastemaker Excision. 
The momentous entrance on the label welcomes an electrifying single from Monstercat’s newest additions with their first collaborative record, “You Found Me,” featuring the stunning vocals of singer-songwriter Clara Park. Unearthing an undeniable synergy, the record leads with tinkering bass chords and emotive toplines that are bound to leave listeners mesmerized this upcoming festival season. Adding to Adventure Club’s collection of heart-tugging and high-energy records, the single sees Jessica Audiffred continue to push boundaries as she leans into a slower BPM than her usual adrenaline-pumping repertoire. 
Adventure Club shares, “We love watching new artists come into the scene and seeing their journey. So many of them really provide so much value to the scene by pushing it forward and making sure it stays alive. It’s always refreshing to see someone as talented as Jessica get recognition, with reason of course. She really is a blessing to the scene. Sometimes, all it takes is a tweet and great friendship is started.”
Jessica Audiffred adds, “Working with Adventure Club has been so easy and organic! We finished the song so fast and I feel like you can definitely feel both of our styles being combined in here. This is such an amazing emotional track that I love playing at the end of my sets.”
Hailing from Montreal, Canada, the sensational dance duo Adventure Club have been staking their dominance in the electronic dance circuit for over a decade. Always pushing boundaries in the scene, this new record showcases their commitment to expanding their craft among electronic sub-genres. Adventure Club’s impressive career has resulted in Grammy and Juno nominations, as well as Gold record accreditation. The two also deliver unforgettable performances that leave crowds mesmerized from all around the world. Fans can look forward to experiencing their music live during upcoming sets at Sunset Music Festival, Tomorrowland, ÎleSoniq, and more. 
In just a few years, Jessica Audiffred has become Mexico City’s leading bass authority. From launching her own label, gaining the likes of Skrillex and Flux Pavillion, sharing credits with bass heavyweights such as Excision and Borgore, and now Adventure Club, next she’s gearing up to headline one of the leading bass festivals in Mexico City, Mad House: Doom, next month. She will also bring her energetic stage presence to upcoming performances at EDC Las Vegas, Tomorrowland, and more to come. Stay tuned for more music from Jessica soon. 

Italian-brother duo Amedeo and Matteo Giovanelli AKA Mathame have joined forces with Grammy-award winning producer Tiësto to release a new single collaboration, ‘Feel Your Ghost.’ 
 

Pairing ethereal vocals with a reverberating beat and thumping bassline, ‘Feel Your Ghost’ blends Mathame’s futuristic sonic vision with Tiësto’s sleek signature sound, evoking a sense of 90’s rave nostalgia. The collaboration serves as a full circle moment for Mathame, who have been long time fans of Tiësto.


In their own words on the project Mathame said:   


“The collaboration is the result of a couple of years of exchanging ideas about music and the past, present and future of electronic “dance.” It was at WMC Miami that the spark was lit when we got to hear Tiësto, who immediately fell in love with the idea of collaborating. In two days he completed the track and debuted it at Ultra, it was an incredible moment.”

prodigy multi-instrumentalist and electronic music producer Daktyl and acclaimed poet and songwriter Benni Ola release their long-awaited Chaos Theory (Part 1) EP via TOKiMONSTA’s Young Art Records. Building on the buzz generated by their highly-regarded singles ‘Matrix’ and ‘Say No More’, Daktyl and Benni Ola’s debut collaborative body of work is now available in its entirety.  

When Daktyl and Benni Ola come together, a special synergy is unlocked. The duo creates music for creation’s sake – fostering an authentic relationship that results in honest art.  It’s not every day these radically different worlds of electronic music and spoken word poetry collide – the end product is something special, music that exceeds the sum of each individual artist’s contributions.

Chaos Theory (Part 1) features four tracks that showcase the duo’s unique sound, which blends Daktyl’s production prowess with Benni Ola’s powerful vocals and poetic lyricism. The EP includes singles ‘Matrix’ and ‘Say No More’, alongside two previously unheard cuts, ‘Bricks’ and ‘Nirvana’.

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rising Texas-born rapper Saxkboy KD, the first Houston-born artist signed to Cash Money Records, unveils an intoxicating Chopped and Screwed version of his EP The Show Must Go On with That Mexican OT. Get The Show Must Go On (ChopNotSlop Remix) HERE via Cash Money Records.
 
Produced by OG Ron C, SAXKBOY KD’s The Show Must Go On (ChopNotSlop Remix) version, adds a dynamite dimension to the original The Show Must Go On EP which was released on March 3rd and just crossed 2 + Million Streams Globally.
 
Chopped and Screwed, originated in Houston, Texas, when the late Robert “DJ Screw” Davis stumbled upon the art while making a mix tape by playing a record at a slower speed.  The tempo is slowed, or ‘screwed,’ while, at the same time the lyrics and beats are ‘chopped.’  This format became popular with DJ Michael “5000” Watts ‘screwing & chopping not only hip-hop, but all genres of music.

as Powel, who specializes in “creating harmonious illusions of sound.” Powel is a longtime family member of Lee Burridge’s All Day I Dream imprint, having first released on the label in 2015. Releasing his four track Piano Reeves EP on May 19, Powel returns to All Day I Dream to release his first record with the label since his The Beauty of a Polaroid album in 2020.

A pianist since youth, Powel’s extensive experiences from a lifetime of performing with bands and orchestras has imbued his music with depth and complexity. Finding inspiration in the people and places he encounters on his travels, Powel draws from a vast and nuanced musical palette. Piano Reeves epitomizes Powel’s unique touch as a producer, weaving together warm celestial vibes, airy atmospheres, and delicate rhythms.

The record opens with ‘Slightly Frozen’, which sets the tone for the rest of EP. The track begins with optimistic pads layered over an intricate percussive pattern. At around the two minute mark, fluttering woodwind riffs create a sense of adventure- foreshadowing the emotive journey to come from this body of work. The rest of the track takes the listener on ups and downs – Powel’s music has resonance because it is so expressive and intricate, creating a listening experience that transcends the boundaries of conventional dance music.

The rising Philadelphia phenomenon Poundside Pop returns today with an infectiously incendiary new single and video entitled “Flamerz 6” via Epic Records. After quietly building a massive underground following out of the City of Brotherly Love, he emerges with a vengeance and a vision like no other. Listen HERE

On the track, an ominous beat underlines his inimitable cadence as the vocals croak over the punchy bassline and trap 808s. He leans into menacing rhymes with magnetic intensity as he repeats the chantable hook, “Make it clap like a handgun. Pop delivers an equally scorching video to accompany the track, check it out HERE

It follows last year’s fan favorite WOCK AND ROLL (PURPLE EDITION). Posting up over 1 million streams highlighted by “BOGUARD” [feat. DJ Drama], it earned widespread critical acclaim. In addition to plugs from Attack the Culture and more, Lyrical Lemonade predicted, “I believe Poundside Pop is primed for a breakout year, and Daily Chiefers proclaimed, “Poundside Pop’s eclectic music style is the perfect blend between sounds of Philly street rap and others in the same region who lean on the artsy, psyched out side of things. 

“Money & Problems” also landed high-profile syncs in BET’s Klutch Academy and Real Husbands of Hollywood.

JULIANA EYE is a dynamic, unapologetic alt-pop artist based out of Toronto, Canada. Her brand of indie-pop is inspired by the nostalgia of ‘90s & early ‘00s alternative rock and post-punk aesthetics. A love of infectious pop melodies fused with melancholy informs her ‘danceable sad bangers’.

Debut EP, ‘LATE BLOOMER’ is a 6-track homage to EYE’s teenage self. Drifting through themes of escapism and nostalgia, LATE BLOOMER became a way to revisit her youth and make sense of the growing pains. Featured single, ‘THE DRUGS AREN’T WORKING’ is a fever dream about driving recklessly through life with no direction when your vices no longer offer you an escape from reality.

Born and raised in the Toronto suburb of North York, JULIANA took to music obsessively at the early age of thirteen as an act of teenage rebellion against her traditional upbringing. She spent the majority of her adolescence playing guitar and writing songs in her bedroom, while also performing in a number of bands in the Toronto music scene. EYE later went on to work as a session keyboard player with various artists, and has since performed across Canada, US, UK & Europe.

JULIANA EYE will be writing and recording more music over 2023.

Email: neill@outloudculture.com

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Socials: @neillfrazer

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