Something very cool to check out here-following up her well received debut EP Gutter Vision, Leeds born/ London based alt-pop up and comer Eden Rain offers the first glimpse into her second EP with Terry And Julie, a dazzling left-pop cut showcasing Eden’s attention grabbing vocals and her inventive turn of phrase. Inspired by Waterloo Sunset and long train journeys, the track is another stellar offering into a catalogue that is seeing Eden become a hotly tipped independent artist. Speaking on the track, Eden states:
I wrote ‘Terry and Julie’ in the first writing session I ever had with Josef (Page). I remember saying about how I liked songs that were a bit of escapism, it would be cool to write something that was about other peoples lives and less about me and whatever drama was going on in my life. I took inspiration from one of my favourite songs ‘Waterloo Sunset’ and wrote about the Terry and Julie in it that meet at Waterloo station every Friday night. The idea sort of snowballed quite quickly… and I reimagined it as a sort of middle aged crisis love affair where they’ve gone on to marry other people but they’re reconnected later in life and realising that they have feelings for each other ect. So yeah it’s a summery love song anthem meets prime time BBC ONE Drama starring Surrane Jones.
AZRA is a South Korean-born, Bay area-raised, now multidisciplinary Los Angeles based independent artist making waves with more than just her music. As an accomplished author (The Cupcake Theory), motivational speaker, dancer, model, and musician, AZRA has effectively established herself as a formidable force in music with a promise that any artistic expression she shares with the world will have substance, depth, and purpose behind them to uplift others along their life’s journey. She shares her story through her signature sound, which she has termed as “Substance Pop” – an entirely new genre of music that channels cathartic power pop, rock, dance, and metal influences with heavy 808 beats to electrify your entire body.
This EP is a chronicle of her artistic and emotional journey – it’s a human experience depicted through music. She has finally accepted who she is, what her ideals are and has let go of all negativity and demons. With this collection of songs, she send the message that the greatest rebellion is being yourself and living your life wholeheartedly and unapologetically. The EP perfectly encapsulates the sound that she’s been trying to find for herself since her first EP from 2017 and marks the beginning of a new era for AZRA.
Rising London-based producer, DJ and vocalist Albertina delivers her sultry afro-pop heater “Record” – via Gunjle.
Setting UK sound system culture ablaze with infectious afro-textures and an eclectic vocal range, “Record” instantly defines Albertina’s multi-dimensional soundwaves as a standout. Taking clear inspiration from innovative talent incl. J Hus and Rihanna while pulling touches from her Caribbean heritage, Albertina effortlessly glides atop sharp percussion and mellow rhythmics, displaying vibrant harmonies that shift to
assertiveness when exploring an exciting new love interest. Shining new light onto her stylish artistry that truly embodies the diverse sound waves of London, the rising star will no doubt continue her trajectory as one of the most exciting creatives emerging across the UK landscape.
Born to creative parents in West Yorkshire, Albertina developed a clear passion for expression as her artistic environment found refuge in a busy London setting. Establishing her talents through dance, acting and music, she quickly ignited a flame as a DJ gaining residency at BALAMII while playing some of the hottest clubs across London’s underground circuit.
Turning her focus onto developing a multidisciplinary skillset flourishing across producing, song writing and performing, Albertina recently showcased her artistry across her stunning EP Waiting 4 Life. Co-produced alongside fellow newcomer Jacob Samuel, the record beautifully reflected on loneliness and escapism while tapping acclaimed director Delphino (Potter Payper, Nia Archives), Molly Daniels (Nilufer Yanya) and Alexandre De Oliveira for a cinematic visualiser that seamlessly married the ethereal beauty of nature and an unpredictable prospect of technology into one striking production.
Already boasting critical acclaim from the likes of THE FACE, WONDERLAND, CLASH, NOTION, RADIO 1 and RINSE.FM, Albertina is carving her own path as a significant talent on the verge of mainstream realisation – get ready to see and hear a whole lot more.
Twenty-one and grief-wrecked, Angelica wrote “James” as a snapshot of a ‘situationship’ – a relationship based more on fantasy than reality. The song’s intimate production, helmed by Doug Schadt (Maggie Rogers, Ashe, Claire Rosinkranz), sets a suspenseful scene, with dewy pianos and delicate drums that invite Angelica’s fluttering, honeyed vocals to glisten.
Angelica’s narratively-driven lyrics showcase her storytelling talent, which won her BMI’s prestigious Nashville Songwriting Scholarship, selected by crossover country superstar Kacey Musgraves. In the basement piano rooms of Columbia University and the libraries of Oxford and Cambridge, Angelica honed her craft. Ghostwriting in Nairobi, researching conflict in Nicosia, and communing with a forgotten painter in Rome, she cultivated a distinctly imaginative, novelistic approach to songwriting.
“Singer-songwriter and producer, Olivia Reid is one of those rare talents that blends multi-layered production techniques and heartbreaking lyricism to create a complexity of evocative pop sounds that’s unlike any other music coming out.” – Earmilk, Artist to Watch Feature interview with Olivia Reid
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 a self-proclaimed “chronic 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, a gold record certification in Australia, and a feature on Spotify’s “big on the internet” playlist.
Following her debut EP Earth Water in 2021, Olivia Reid kicked off her new 2023 project with mesmerizing singles, “Runner’s High”, “Wounds (Healing)”, “Central Park West”, and “Nightmare Machine” which have received praise from outlets such as Wonderland, Earmilk, and Under the Radar with playlist support such as Apple Music’s Happy Pop and New Music Daily, Spotify’s Infinite Indie Folk, GLOW, and Noteable Releases, and Ones-to-Watch’s Now Watching.
Across lush strings (performed live by Harry Fausing Smith) and a smooth, crossover beat textured with vinyl scratches and R&B-jazz flavours, “Final Scene” theatrically captures the moment of closing the curtain on an unhealthy situation – delivered in what is shaping up to be a characteristically confessional lyrical style for the burgeoning, tastemaker-approved Immi Dash.
Retaining the soulful vibes of Dash’s previous work, “Final Scene” comes off the back of her well-received April release “Cold Heart” (watch), which saw the Liverpool-based, British-Trinidadian’s profile boosted through international acclaim from the likes of Wonderland, Notion, Mixtape Madness, Ones to Watch, Noctis Magazine, Fizzy Magazine, Alfitude and ENFNTS TERRIBLES amongst many others.
Now translating her online hype into tangible real-world moments, April saw Dash excitingly land the opening slot for legendary hip hop dons Slum Village on their recent UK tour; Dash also played a crowd-pleasing set at Liverpool’s 2ube Xtra at the Paul McCartney Auditorium.
“Final Scene” is Immi Dash’s first single from her forthcoming debut project, due out later this year.
COLBIE CAILLAT
“Wide Open”
• “I think we forget to live in the moment sometimes. Especially with relationships, we’re always so worried about where it’s going to end up and we miss the journey that it’s taking us on. ‘Wide Open’ is about how people are ever-changing, so being open to what life has to offer you or what relationships can complement your life in that specific season becomes freeing.” – Colbie Caillat
• Written by Caillat alongside Alysa Vanderheym (OneRepublic, Luke Combs) and Jordyn Shellhart (Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town), the Jamie Kenney-produced track is endearing and hopeful.
• “Wide Open” follows “Worth It” and “Pretend” as the third single from Caillat’s forthcoming album Along The Way. To date, she has been honored with two Grammy Awards, earned numerous RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications, and accumulated more than 15 billion streams across her catalog.
CHLOE STROLL
“Run”
• Chloe Stroll’s debut single “Run” is out today. The melodic and futuristic single came out of a terrifying moment in her life that is thankfully behind her now, and the cathartic experience of writing the emotional lyrics became a form of therapy for Stroll.
• “My husband and I experienced a home invasion. It was a scary experience and thankfully we were both ok, but it took its toll so I wrote about it to help myself cope. With the help of my friend, singer Joey Myron, I was able to recall the feelings and turn something so hurtful into something beautiful.” – Chloe Stroll
• “Run” is the first of many soul-stirring tracks Chloe Stroll has poured her heart and soul into, embodying a life where music perpetually takes center stage.
London-based duo JADED returns to Diplo’s tastemaking house/techno hub Higher Ground to deliver a beaming, brass-laden new single, “Mirror,” featuring singer Indira May. The new track is JADED’s sixth appearance on Higher Ground, solidifying them as go-to mainstays for the label.
The production on “Mirror” features immense energy but is harnessed in a smooth manner from the start, with its uptempo groove, rolling bassline, and subtle melodic percussion. The soulful trumpet section from frequent collaborator King Crowney (of Rudimental) takes center stage during the breakdown and elevates the track to a new echelon. Paired with the hazy vocals from Indira May, the track has perfect peak-time dancefloor capabilities, as demonstrated during JADED’s EDC performance in 2023.
“We wanted to play around with the concept of reflection in humans,” JADED remark on the new track. “Usually, what you don’t like in somebody else is a reflection of what you don’t like within yourself. As humans, we are constantly mirroring others all the time without realizing it, and subconsciously becoming the people we surround ourselves with.” Indira May, who collaborated with JADED on their 2021 single “Lights Out,” portrays this idea in the lyrics:
I am your mirror
I am you, you are me
I am your mirror
Do you like what you see
JADED first formed in West London in the mid-2010s and draw inspiration from pioneering dance acts such as The Prodigy and Basement Jaxx, grime innovators like Dizzee Rascal and Kano, as well as pirate radio and formative nights at London clubs Fabric and Ministry of Sound. As producers, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists, the tight-knight duo are full of boundless talent and creativity, which has helped them cultivate a sound from a broad sonic palette whilst also making records for many other artists within the dance world.
“unhappier” is a song about heartbreak, but also about love. My hope is that people find comfort in the mundane emotions of jealousy and unhappiness, and really find some solace in the fact that those feelings are universal.
I had the word unhappy on my phone as a concept that I was interested in exploring. I always try to go into writing sessions with something to pull from as a jumping off point. I wanted to take the idea of I hope you’re happy and sort of do something clever with that.
This song was written for someone who is looking toward the end of a relationship, while still being in the relationship. It’s a breakup song written from the perspective of someone who really doesn’t wish that person well. At the root of it, though, it’s still a love song. So many songs are either all about I love you or all about I hate you, but it’s also more true to the human experience to feel different and sometimes contradictory things at the same time.
“unhappier” lies somewhere in between.
Not every songwriting session clicks, but this one did right away. We felt like we all caught a wave together. I was focused on putting together the live show, something that could easily translate on a stage. After my 2019 album lonesome was released, there was a long break of not doing sessions and writing things, and it took some experimentation. When I wrote “unhappier,” I knew I had locked in on a sound that felt like me. This was the feeling I wanted to have and find.
Every song I write leads me closer to the direction I want to go.
“unhappier” has brought me closest to the sound I wanted to be making.
laye 🌾🌻🤍
Rebuilder return today with the final taster in advance of their Local Support LP. “Stayin’ Alive” serves up a melodic gut punch as vocalist/guitarist, Sal Ellington lays bare the realities of grasping for a sense of mental wellbeing. He explains,, “Obviously the song deals with the topic of suicide. Depression and mental health issues can feel so debilitating, you can feel entirely alone, helpless even with tons of friends and people around.
It doesn’t ever necessarily mean you are going to try and kill yourself. Sometimes it’s just most of a feeling that I don’t want to be around anymore or exist. Can I snap my fingers and turn into a puff of smoke?”
Ellington explores these dark corners in depth throughout the song, but finds a light at the end of the tunnel with the repeated refrain that “we always find our way home”.
Local Support (out August 11th via A-F Records) is Rebuilder’s second full-length album and their most complete tribute yet to the gritty determination and good people that constitute the special character of their home state of Massachusetts.
Mohan Sivaloganathan – aka Ahmen – is the Batman of Social Impact as a nonprofit leader by day and hip-hop artist by night, while never losing sight of his most important roles as father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He has built a reputation as a Troublemaker for the status quo, orchestrating sustainable transformation and systems change for education, social, and racial justice. Ahmen draws on contemporary politics and his family heritage as a first-generation American to inspire lasting positive change. His goal is to shape culture through music and presentations that in turn, helps advance equitable opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
As Batman, Ahmen uses the power of music and public speaking to spark changemaking. He has performed and delivered keynote talks in partnership with the World Economic Forum, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Net Impact, NYU, Penn State, the University of San Diego, Independent Sector, Fordham, Synergos Institute, Centre for Social Innovation, Defy Ventures, and the World in Conversation Project, among many others. Ahmen’s footprint has impacted thousands of students, young professionals, philanthropists, and corporate leaders worldwide. His music has been featured on ESPN and HipHopDX, and his most recent album was in the College Radio Top 20 for eight consecutive weeks.
In his Bruce Wayne world, Ahmen serves as the CEO of Our Turn, the nation’s leading movement of students fighting for education justice. He strategically rebranded the organization, transforming it into the nation’s largest and most effective youth-led movement for education justice. Ahmen provides the strategic direction and leadership to advance equitable solutions that champion and enable systems change through grassroots and institutional capability building, as well as campaigning and messaging to influence policy at the highest levels. Since 2019, Our Turn has trained and activated young people as changemakers in 35 states; secured the endorsement of 20+ social justice institutions and influencers; and been featured in Teen Vogue, HuffPost, Fast Company, The 74, and more.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will see the debut of a new walkout anthem “Bring it on” featuring Tones and I, BIA and Diarra Sylla, artists representing different continents and a variety of musical influences.
Pre-Save ”Bring It On” HERE via EPIC RECORDS.
“Bring It On” is Produced and Co-written by multi-Grammy award winning producer RedOne. The anthem, which will also be used for future FIFA tournaments will be played for the first time at the opening match between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park, Auckland, on 20 July, and officially released the following day.
With the announcement of the new anthem, FIFA continues to build on the FIFA Sound strategy announced in early 2021 and to connect with audiences worldwide through the shared passions of football and music.
The entertainment strategy was conceived to create innovative and meaningful connections between football fans, music enthusiasts, players, artists, and the game and songs they all love.
“By bringing together voices from Africa, Australia, Europe and North America, this song symbolizes how music – and football – can unite the world,” said FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura.
McKOWSKI is the all-new alter ego of Mark McCausland, one half of the critically acclaimed Irish duo The Lost Brothers, and previously of the Deltasonic band The Basement.
Returning to his old label with a brand new solo project, today he is pleased to present “Lake”, the first insight into an upcoming album entitled: ‘Notes From The Boneyard’.
McKowski’s debut solo album will promise 10 purely instrumental tracks of atmospheric folk and otherworldly soundscapes destined to seep into your soul. Intending to guide listeners through a haunting universe of sounds known only as ‘The Boneyard’, he opens its gates today with its leading track “Lake”.
Taking primary inspiration from a spine-chilling scene in the 1960s horror flick ‘The Innocents’, Mark McCausland explains how “Lake” came to be:
“This track is inspired by an old black and white horror movie from 1961 called The Innocents, particularly the scene with the lady by the lake, also mixed with a little bit of Elephant Man carnival atmosphere for good measure. I captured the song in my house during the twilight hour of lockdown, and recorded it as it was writing itself, stream of consciousness style. This is the first track I did for the album, although at the time I didn’t realise I was making an album.”
Creating a sinister atmosphere through its sparsely entwined acoustic guitars, keys, and strings, “Lake” also features a ghostly pedal steel courtesy of Dave Murphy, while Laura McFadden layers-in its mournful cello. With Declan Gaffney (St. Francis Hotel) also adding some of his magic dust to proceedings, the track was all written, recorded and mixed in just one day.
Capturing the very essence of ‘The Boneyard’ in visual form, “Lake” is accompanied by an official music video by Gavin Wood, which will transport those who dare into a glitchy world of bleak woodland scenes and spooky carnival footage. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/NjbCjDBRwww
Taken from the upcoming album ‘Notes From The Boneyard’, McKowski’s debut promises to be a must-listen for fans of soundtracks, the surreal, or simply those searching for the unexpected. Like the wooden beauty of Angelo Badalementi’s ‘Straight Story’ mixed with the dark synth undertones such as Carpenter-esque Moog; it’s the ideal companion for those pensive days and long nocturnal hours.
Speaking about his vision for the new album, McKowski adds:
“For me the best stuff comes from that dance between good and evil, light and dark. It’s a balancing act. This album started off as a small candle burning, the only bit of light in a vast dark cave. I needed to balance out the dark with some light. The spark of music was the seed, and this record is the first branch of the tree that grew from the fire. In the process I accidentally soundtracked my surroundings in real-time and ended up with this creation. I’m not sure exactly how I would describe it, but if my life was a movie, this would be the soundtrack.’’
Fast-rising Liverpool five-piece – REIGNMAKER – have released their debut EP ‘We Go Round’ today, via Modern Sky UK.
The release is led by soaring title-track “We Go Round”, an optimistic ode to the band’s growth as artists and as close friends.
Fusing swelling indie-rock melodies with buoyant choruses and bittersweet lyricism, the new track syphons Reignmaker’s knack for creating colourful tracks that feel heady and euphoric but loaded with a sting in their tail.
Of the new track, the five-piece explain:
“This song is very special to us because it’s a reflection of our journey as musicians and as friends. We poured our hearts and souls into this track. It’s a celebration of the ups and downs of life, and how we keep moving forward no matter what. From the lyrics to the driving rhythm section, “We Go Round” is a true representation of our aspiring sound and style.”
An assured introduction to the band’s spellbinding style and vision, “We Go Round” is the title-track of the band’s debut EP. A testament to the band’s tight musicianship and sonic creativity, the extended release also features the bouncing, retro rock-infused “Thirteen’s Fate” and ethereal instrumental track “Interlude”.
With its arresting take on indie instrumentation, compelling vocal harmonies and earnest lyrics, the EP takes listeners on a dynamic journey that recalls the volatility of youth and its inevitable up-and-down emotions.
Having quickly risen up through the underground scene of their native Liverpool, indie quintet Reignmaker have already established their own distinctive style. Channelling youthful spirit and their charismatic scouse personalities to create a sound that radiates uplifting optimism, the band combine swelling rock’n’roll textures with soaring vocal choruses and lyrics filled with a striking poignancy.
With two stellar singles already under their belts — “Find My Own Way” and “Stay Behind” — the band have been tipped by BBC Introducing and Steve Lamacq and are quickly becoming one of the most hotly-anticipated young bands in the North West.
Fresh off the back of a hometown headline show at the O2 Academy 2, Reignmaker have also recently supported Jamie Webster at Liverpool’s Pier Head and London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire and amassed packed-out crowds at Neighbourhood Weekender and Liverpool Sound City. With their sights set firmly on a bigger hometown headline show for the end of the year, catch Reignmaker at festivals across the country this Summer. Full dates and details below.
REIGNMAKER UK LIVE DATES 2023
AUGUST
04 BINGLEY Bingley Weekender
25 WARWICKSHIRE Camper Calling
OCTOBER
14 LEEDS Live At Leeds
14 MIDDLESBROUGH Twisterella Festival
Lady Wolfe releases beautifully-crafted pop with her debut album ‘Siren’
Speedy Enix Records (sister company of The Fan Carpet) have released Lady Wolfe’s debut album SIREN, now available on Spotify and all major streaming platforms!
The incredible Lady Wolfe presents her debut album – featuring 10 tracks of her beautifully crafted pop – written, performed and produced by Lady Wolfe. Tracks include: Warrior, Supernatural and Envy along with the BRAND NEW title track: Siren.
Lady Wolfe will be celebrating her album release with live dates tbc, including a London show.
Tracklisting:
1. Siren
2. Still Wearin’ My Crown
3. Love Killer
4. Warrior
5. Just Dessert
6. Dominate Me
7. Keep Lying to Yourself
8. Envy
9. Supernatural
10. Warrior (Remix)
On the heels of the new EP, What a Nasty Woman, pop-soul-cabaret songstress, Rachel Burns, releases the video for “Triple D’s,” a titillating song about the three things a powerful man wants in a woman: Demure, diminish, defer. “The patriarchy wants women to be subservient, to diminish our personality, and they want us to defer to men,” Burns explains. “Traditionally, and still in many circles of society, men-especially those in power-want a woman who is obedient, diminutive, and supportive of whatever a man wants. I believe women have strong instincts and intuition to be strong leaders-not followers. Unfortunately, a lot of women throughout time have disassociated from and suppressed their power. This leads to an underlying resentment, and anger-I try to channel that anger into humor and funny songwriting. Laugh until it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Canadian bass music legend and HypnoVizion label head Rezz releases her anticipated goth-themed IT’S NOT A PHASE EP. The 7-track rock-tinged EP arrives following previously released singles ‘Blue In The Face’, ‘Signal’, and ‘Embers’.
An intimate body of work representative of Rezz’s past, present, and future, IT’S NOT A PHASE is a roadmap through Rezz’s sonic influences. A sign that her goth roots are more than just a phase, her latest EP harnesses the alternative rock references of her youth and the modern electronic tendencies that have driven her catalog. Her most vocal-driven project to date, IT’S NOT A PHASE features collaborations with Alice Glass, Silverstein, Johnny Goth, Grabbitz, MKLA, Raven Gray, and fnksyd, along with an appearance from Polyphia guitarist Tim Henson.
The EP opens with ‘Signal’, an edgy alt-rock anthem with Grabbitz that offers a window into the dark and dramatic sounds Rezz experiments with across the project. Spiraling through the moody guitar melodies of the MKLA-assisted ‘Haunted Eyes’ to the distorted basslines and supernatural vocals of ‘Blue In The Face’ with Shadient and fknsyd, IT’S NOT A PHASE is an alluring blend of dynamic builds and midtempo drops, all through a rocktronic lens.
The EP continues to explore the different facets of rock music, leaning into the angsty balladry of ‘Embers’ with Raven Gray and the slow-burning eeriness of ‘Blurry Eyes’ with Johnny Goth. Enlisting Canadian rock band Silverstein and Polyphia guitarist Tim Henson, ‘Dreamstate’ swirls with the gritty tones and tormented lyricism reminiscent of Rezz’s 2000s emo influences. The EP closes with ‘Not Enough’, a daring cut featuring former Crystal Castles frontwoman Alice Glass that pushes the boundaries of Rezz’s genre-bending style.
Brooklyn-based alt-rocker Moon Walker shares the title track out everywhere now, along with its accompanying video from his experimental, timely third LP Apocalypticism due out October 20 and available for pre-order now here. On the title track, Moon Walker staunchly condemns anti-semitism with hard-hitting lyricism and relentless instrumentation to match. Plus, an all new set of tour dates across the U.S. this Fall with support from Nordista Freeze are on sale now via listentomoonwalker.com/tour.
The project’s title track, out today, was written in response to the recent wave of anti-semitism brought on by people like Kanye West and Majorie Taylor Greene. The potent track emerged when the realization of just how deep anti-semitic rhetoric runs in America began to set in. With pounding drums and unwavering conviction, the rocker’s heartfelt message amplifies as the song unfolds. Revealing his personal connection to the track and its meaningful subject matter, Moon Walker says, “My family came to America during the Pogroms in the 20’s so I’m well aware of the horrific history that has plagued my ancestors. Since I was a kid, I’ve been made fun of for my hair and my nose and for looking ‘too Jewish.’ I have, however, never felt unsafe as a Jewish American.” Despite encountering anti-semitic graffiti in his neighborhood and his social media comments being flooded with anti-semitism and neo-nazis, Moon Walker is unafraid to embrace who he is and is committed to standing up against the dangerous vitriol that continuously plagues society.
The track’s accompanying music video, directed by frequent collaborator Madison McConnell, is a defiant commentary on the dangers of succumbing to the status quo and societal norms and seeks to stand up to and resist these harmful systems of oppression. McConnel says, “The “Apocalypticism” video embraces the duality with light and dark. The apocalypse is the victory of dark over light. The imagery used in the video starts with harry and his alter ego. Harry’s alter ego or Mr. Hyde creates a virus using pieces from harry as it slowly kills him. I also tried to juxtapose a vision of the dystopian world we live in with the delusions of many that there are no problems.”
Lauren Dejey shared her brilliant new single “I’m Not Ready” and now there’s a new visualiser which is a perfect companion. Expect captivating vocal melodies collide with vibrant production that builds and builds whilst it shapeshifting at every twist until it explodes into full color. Lauren is currently putting the finishing touches on an important EP release this Fall.
Watch the visualiser now; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKGG1wnP728
Adding “I’m Not Ready” to a playlist? You can do so here; https://apollodistro.lnk.to/laurendejey
Speaking about the song, Lauren explains “I’m Not Ready is a song about turning 25 and having no idea how to be an “adult”, the pressure and confusion that comes with getting another year older.”
Watch the music video for “I’m Not Ready” Here
Lauren Dejey, is an alt-pop artist from South East London. Writing songs since the age of 10, her dark humor intertwines with cathartic honesty and razor sharp production.
Keep updated with Lauren via Instagram;
Defining your own truth is an artist’s most important battle. For bilingual pop maven Aiza, it comes with the territory.
The Montreal-born, Toronto-based artist found her earliest creative outlets on the stage, falling in love with musical theatre in high school before finding her rhythm as a singer-songwriter. As a member of various Montreal bands, it was in weekly, improvised genre-bending jam sessions, and working alongside musical heavyweights like Beyoncé’s former musical director/bassist Divinity Roxx and former guitarist in Prince’s New Power Generation, Kat Dyson, where Aiza found her footing as a stage performer. “It taught me to trust myself on stage,” she explains. “You don’t always know if you’re gonna hit the mark, but you have to take leaps of faith.”
Born to Burundian parents, visiting Burundi in 2017 deepened her already strong connection to her roots, with her creativity offering another way for her to tap into her lineage in more intentional ways. Surrounded by the sounds of her rich culture, Aiza describes the rhythm and connective spirituality of Burundian music that found its own way into her own. “It’s all about thanking God for the blessings, asking God for protection, and it was always playing in the background,” she explains. “I don’t consider myself religious, but I’m very connected to spirit… so there is always an element of knowing that you can create the life that you want when you’re tapped into spirit.”
Kalila Badali is an alternative folk/pop artist and registered psychotherapist based in Toronto, Canada. Kalila’s music invites her audience into an ethereal, yet groovy space with an intricate guitar picking style and vocal loops to explore the intersecting themes of mental illness, ecology, and feminism.
She officially launched her music career in 2019 with the release of the EP “Perfectly Collapsing” (shared on plantable paper to reduce waste).
Her current EP, “Panacea” has received funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and FACTOR Canada and will be released in July 20th 2023. She has been described as “bewitching” and “ethereal” prompting comparisons to Florence + The Machine and Kate Bush.
Kalila also has a unique and vibrant psychotherapy practice working with neurodivergent, LGBTQ2SIA+, and arts workers and providing Music-Integrated Psychotherapy. This has led to offering workshops to emerging artists on musician’s mental health.
https://kalila.bandcamp.com/album/panacea
Having been described as the Antichrist of Drill, East Londoner TeeZandos is ripping up the rule book of being a rapper and doing things her way, with a pen way beyond her years, she returns with ‘Veteran’.
Known for continuously pushing the boundaries and leaving an indelible mark on the scene, TeeZandos has unmatched lyrical prowess and undeniable charisma, with over 240,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone and millions of streams on releases such as Page 45, Phone Call and breakout single Need Focus, she is one of the most exciting rappers to emerge in recent years.
‘Veteran’ serves as a testament to her journey as an artist with her ferociously defiant bars representing growth and her unwavering determination.
Never conforming to the ‘norm’ TeeZandos knows what she wants and how to get it, having signed with rap veteran Corleone at GB Records after approaching him with her bars at just 14 years old, she has continuously been proud to declare that she ‘wants to be the oddest one’ and with her introspective lyrics that transcend the typical rap narrative, she offers a glimpse into their unique perspective and leaves a lasting impact on listeners.
Toronto musician Sandra Bouza leans into her blues-rock roots with her new single and video‘The Bottle’ out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.
The third single from her new album, A Sound In The Dark, set for release on September 29th, ‘The Bottle’ is about Sandra’s struggle with addiction and how alcohol and drugs were such a big part of her identity that she had a hard time separating those parts from the healthy parts that she wanted to keep in her sobriety.
“‘The Bottle’ is a song I wrote from the perspective of the person I used to be when I was using, and all the different personalities that came out of my ‘partying’ persona and the conflict between all of those characters,” says Sandra. “The many different angles and reflections in the video represent all of those different personalities, and never really knowing which one is the real Sandra, just like you would see in a person struggling with addiction.”
Known as a musical shapeshifter, playing R&B, Soul, Rock, and everything in between, Sandra has a lot to offer through her music and life experience. Having spent a large part of her life in Spain, as well as travelling to far corners of the world, Sandra’s worldly vision is evident in her songwriting. Sandra lets her stories breathe in songs that are deeply personal.
• Indie rock artist JACK releases “7TH AND HAMILTON” today. Named after the deadliest intersection in JACK’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska (due to the current drug epidemic), “7TH AND HAMILTON” depicts the happy turned haunting progression of drug abuse.
• This single leads to JACK’s forthcoming debut album Sad Songs in C Major, written and produced with 5x GRAMMY-nominated producer/engineer Rick Carson of Make Believe Studio
• This track is for fans of the sound and lyricism of early-day legends such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Billy Joel.
LA-based producer and instrumentalist Edward White releases his new Endlessly EP, out now via Dirtybird Records.
Swirling with a flare for funky melodies and jazz-inspired rhythms, Edward White’s latest three-track EP opens with its soulful titular track, ‘Endlessly’. Offering a diverse musical landscape, ‘Endlessly’ charms with sultry vocal chops and groovy accents. Moving into the next track, ‘Vert’ counters the shiny tones of ‘Endlessly’ with gritty layers of reverbed basslines and meticulous percussion. The final piece, ‘All I Want Is You’, is a wondrous blend of its predecessors as it incorporates the soft synth-driven characteristics of ‘Endlessly’ and rolling two-step drumbeat present in ‘Vert’. Closing with a dreamy blend of indie and lo-fi house inspirations, ‘All I Want Is You’ is intimate and warm, swelling with the romantic sentiments that echo the track’s title.
Describing the EP, Edward White said, “All these tracks are connected with a similar thread of two-step drum patterns, while the darker, frenetic energy of ‘Vert’ is juxtaposed by the upbeat, optimistic chord stabs in ‘Endlessly’ and romantic pad sounds in ‘All I Want Is You’. I spent a lot of time trying to finish ‘Endlessly’ and when I added the main vocal, the whole track seemed to fall into place. I really like the idea of thoughts and feelings being endless (like a love for family and friends) in a world where materialistic things are very much not.”
Indie rock singer-songwriter, Kath Myers’ new album, Bad TV is out now.
Bad TV was recorded and mixed at Verdugo Sound by Myers’ pal and co-producer Aaron Stern. Myers and Stern recorded her first record, Sensitive Groups, at the beginning of Pandemic in Stern’s then untreated garage.”
Tranquil Los Angeles indie-rocker Kath Myers displays herself candidly and with so much raw expression you cannot help but be completely drawn in. Myers’ haunting sound is pure seduction. Her frank messages are the ideal contrast to her mellow, warm tone creating a delicate honesty that will cut you to the core. Inspired by artists that add an enchanting air of humor to their work, she is influenced by greats such as Warren Zevon, Bill Callahan, David Berman and Liz Phair. Her sound, paired with her truthful tongue and cheek lyrics creates a wholly blissful listen. Myers admits, “It can be very therapeutic for me, when I’m in a dark place to somehow write a rather silly song based on those feelings. It can take some of the power away and make me realize that at the end of the day, they’re just that. Feelings. And the sad ones come and go, as well as the happy ones. So we may as well just have some laughs about all of it.
Myers is set to release her second full-length album entitled Bad TV. The wistful offering touches on themes of anxiety, depression, toxic relationships and fear of rejection. “Bad TV” is a gentle yet strong piece dealing with extreme depression and feeling as though an outside force completely takes over your body and brain during these times. “So Brave” is a tender yet bold narration of longing to be vulnerable like someone you know who wears their heart on their sleeve. “Come Through” is a song filled with infectious, snappy soundscapes all about turning into the very person you despise.
Brooklyn-based alt-pop artist Birthh shares shimmering love song “Puppy“ out everywhere now. The latest whirling, tender love song captures the distinct volatility that comes with the early stages of falling in love. Birthh’s forthcoming cinematic, kaleidoscopic third studio album Moonlanded is due out September 1 and available for pre-order now.
Birthh’s world turned upside down when she met her current partner, and “Puppy,” the rhythmic, mellow love song out today, finds Birthh joyfully learning to navigate this life-altering experience. The exhilarating new relationship is one that causes Birthh to ask, as reflected in the lyrics, “Ooo shit, how could I deserve this?” On the song’s inspiration, Birthh reveals, “When we started dating I had no words to express the way they made me feel–the heat, the passion, the shimmering, iridescent, purple energy I feel around them.” Like many songs on the project, this one saw several changes to its style throughout its creation. Birthh continues, “Each version was made to express a different side of my feelings for them. At first it was a sweet ballad–I wrote it when we were 1,200 miles apart–then, after we reunited, I felt the need to make music she would want to dance to.” Ultimately, it became a track Birthh is truly proud of with a beat that lingers in her mind. “I kept the lyrics and made the beat you hear, probably one of the most fun rhythms I’ve ever made.”
GRAMMY-nominated, Platinum-certified singer-songwriter, Cassadee Pope, shares her brand new single “Almost There.” Co-written by Cassadee, Nick Furlong (blink-182, 5 Seconds of Summer, Papa Roach) and Christina Galligan (Gnash, Aespa) and produced by Furlong, “Almost There” shows a different side of Cassadee that she’s never explored before with her songwriting. The track is a bold and sensual song that encapsulates feeling comfortable in your own body and the thrill of delving into new experiences with a partner you care deeply about.
Listen to “Almost There” now HERE.
Speaking on the track, Cassadee shares, “I think a lot of us are taught from an early age that indulging our desires is shameful and not ladylike. It was only when I started to shed that shame and embrace my sensual nature that I began feeling like myself. For this song, I wanted to let people see a side of me they haven’t seen before and validate them in their own desires.”
Today, Cassadee also shares the accompanying music video for the track. Directed by Ed Pryor (Dierks Bentley, Mickey Guyton, The War and Treaty), the low-lit, in-the-mood music video plays off the sensual themes of the song itself. Watch it now HERE.
Esteemed producer and All Day I Dream fan-favorite Tim Green is back releasing on Lee Burridge’s renowned imprint, offering an EP full of melodic gems. The Night Is Blue EP includes three enchanting compositions – the record’s A side is its titular track, and the B side contains tracks ‘Gold of Gold’ and ‘Jewel’. Never failing to deliver top-quality music, Tim Green returns to All Day I Dream to add another phenomenal release with the label to his catalog.
Tim Green has demonstrated his mastery across the spectrum of electronic music during his 15 year career. Having initially made his mark with a series of notable releases for Sven Vath’s Cocoon imprint, his evolution to a deeper more melodic sound has won him an army of adoring fans. Outstanding remixes for artists as varied as Paul McCartney to Ben Böhmer or Perry Farrell to Mathew Jonson and the introduction of Tim to the All Day I Dream family were all pivotal moments in his upward trajectory. Indeed since 2020 Tim has released multiple EP’s with the label including iconic tracks such as ‘Tears’, ‘Vacation To Life’, and ‘Moss’.
The EP opens with its titular track; Tim kicks off the record with an isolated rhythm, starting things off soft, but gradually increasing the volume and the energy of the mix as more and more elements are incorporated. A playful, carefree melody dances above Tim’s masterful foundation of clean yet nuanced percussion, spacey pads, and a resonant bassline. The beautiful vocal samples introduced during the track’s first breakdown juxtaposes the tension building within the instrumental as filters are applied. Following the second breakdown, the final section of ‘The Night Is Blue’ is euphoria inducing – as tension is released from the instrumental, we hear the lyrics clearly for the first time, resulting in pure ecstasy. Tim certainly sets the tone for the rest of the EP with this track – be prepared for two more instances of melodic magic to come on the B side.
Regarding the EP’s title track, Tim reveals: “I actually started writing ‘The Night is Blue’ on a plane! At least its core elements. Like the drums, leads, bassline, etc. I was coming back from Dubai, from playing an All Day I Dream show with Lee Burridge the night before. I absolutely loved Lee’s set so much and the songs he was playing. I got super inspired and spent the whole seven hours writing the song. So it was always intended to be released on All Day I Dream, and feels happily full circle that it’s being released on the label!”
Announcing the release of debut record, Young Old Man. The new album for indie alternative/folk artist Albert Kass was produced in his hometown of Los Angeles by Grammy nominated producer Billy Mohler.
Kass has returned to writing and performing after two careers and two decades: “Call me a late bloomer. All the perceptions were there. But I didn’t feel I was called to music until now.”
The album is a coming-of-age tale—a culmination of years of original songwriting and a coalescing of sound, style and aesthetic. The young old man: broken-in yet modern, vintage vibes that echo of tomorrow. Raw with an edge but softened with bittersweet nostalgia, like the worn leather of a favorite jacket.
Tightly edited with 10 songs, Young Old Man remembers the purity and clarity of youth, and how the joys and miseries of growing up take on energies of angst, abstraction, and the sarcasm of adulthood. “I wanted to feel that in song,” he says.
The sound production is minimal, to enhance intimacy and his easy, deep melodies. “Stripped down is what my life sounds like now. Like ‘Shallow Sea,’ putting my soul, inside-out, on display.” Kass utilizes only voice, acoustic guitar, upright bass—featuring soulful bowing on tracks like ‘The Void’ and ‘Awake’—and simple percussion. The result is less extreme, with easy, haunting hooks, arpeggios, as well as a subtly visceral quality, like on ‘Hurricane.’
Odario is a storyteller, a hip-hop junkie and a lover of many musical soundscapes. He is embedded in the beat and submerged in the bass. His solo project expresses all of these qualities; tackling the many sides of poetry. Odario’s parents grew up in a small village in Guyana. The music will reflect the raw heat of South American villages as well as the unique and intimate migration to the north. Odario is known for his work in Grand Analog (as songwriter and frontman). His distinctive voice and insightful lyrics have been part of the Grand Analog sound since their debut album, Calligraffiti, in 2007.
As a performer and personality, Odario wears many hats and describes himself as a raconteur, an actor and a DJ. He’s currently hosting CBC Music’s afterdark program. Odario has also been featured on a number of other artist’s tracks including the Halluci Nation single Ba Na Na with Haviah Mighty. In 2020, he released his debut solo single, Low Light (In This Space), featuring Dawn Pemberton which received significant airplay on tastemaker Los Angeles radio station, KCRW. That same year, Odario also toured across Canada opening for Bedouin Soundclash and released his Good Morning Hunter EP. Produced and co-written by film composer Todor Kobakov, the EP was described as “cinematic hip hop.”
My new EP, Uncovered: Volume II, featuring my cover of
“What a Wonderful World,” has been released into the world.
I wanted to record this song for my upcoming wedding.
Life has thrown us so many curveballs, especially in the last few years.
I think it’s important to take an occasional step back and realize that there is so much beauty in this world. We overlook so much of it sometimes.
In a way, this cover is a reminder to myself to live with a little more gratitude.
Take a listen to my nostalgic rendition of “What a Wonderful World” and Uncovered: Volume II, in its entirety, on your preferred streaming platform.
This EP is a collection of covered classics.
Each song is so iconic even though they all come from different genres.
I typically cover songs by females so as to avoid comparison on the vocal, so I knew that by covering songs by male singers I had to approach the vocal completely differently and really start from ground zero in terms of what I wanted each song to sound like sonically.
There are very few songs that can live in such a simple vocal piano arrangement.
“What A Wonderful World” is definitely one of them.
The song itself doesn’t need anything else. We wanted to keep both the piano and the vocal delivery really simple to just focus on the song, the melody, and the poetry.
Thank you for spending time with this cover.
I hope that you enjoy this entire collection.
Theo Tams
Rock and blues guitarist and singer Garret T. Willie is thrilled to announce his debut album Same Pain to be released September 15th. Today he releases his second single off the album titled “What It Means To Me”.
The single is a deep-meaning ballad that showcases a softer side to Garret while still maintaining his epic guitar playing skills. Previously to “What It Means To Me”, Garret released his first yearning blues-rock single “Love Hangover”.
Garret says, “That’s a real deep song, that one. It was years in the making. I came up with the riff a long time ago, in my teenage years. I was screwing around with ‘open-D’ tunings because I play a lot of slides – it’s like relearning the guitar, to quote Keith Richards, although his is an ‘open-G’ tuning but I couldn’t sing in that key so I went to ‘D’ and it seemed to suit my voice a lot better – and I just started exploring everything you can do with an open D.
“So, anyway, I came up with the riff and whatnot and I had lyrics that were originally more about my late brother Marcus, who passed away when I was 16 and was my best friend and was a sort of light in my life when all around me was darkness. But then somebody close to me and close to my ex passed away, her sister. And that kinda hit at a weird time for me. Nobody’s ever ready to lose anybody, especially when it’s a tragic death. So essentially it’s about sitting there in Vancouver and thinking about back home and how I’m alone and I’m lost and I don’t really know which way is up or which way to go and I don’t really know my purpose in life, and just being full of fuckin’ trauma and all that stuff, y’know? It’s what happens when things like that happen. You can’t think because your whole life is upside-down.”
Brooklyn-based fuzz punk duo Punt, are excited to announce the Friday September 22nd release of their long awaited sophomore album titled The Heat (PRE-SAVE). Alongside this announcement they share the first taste of The Heat in the double-headed form of “I’m Bad” b/w ”Take Me Home”.
With “I’m Bad” the duo deliver a fearless dive down the rabbit hole of tenacious ambition. Vocalist/bassist, Eli Frank explains, “it’s about not knowing how to get what you want, but you know you’re meant to be doing big shit. It probably won’t happen, but fuck it cuz it’s all about the ride anyway. That ride into the pits of hell baby.”
“Take Me Home” finds Punt placing heaving hooks front and center as Frank explores the twisted mind of a boozed up “macho idiot out to pick a fight”.
British singer-songwriter and producer, PEARL, invites you into a verdant and ethereal world, where nostalgic synths nestle round delicate and dreamy vocals, descriptive lyrics weave images into the listeners eye and a biophilic world is created, one that encapsulates.
Growing up in the English countryside, much of her childhood centred around building dens in the forest. Her lyrics nod to natural themes, transporting you to a distinctive sonic world, where her organic, classically trained soprano vocals juxtapose synthetic instrumentals. PEARL is the result of wanting to explore and create a soundscape that she could live in and is authentic to who she is, as the artist confides, “PEARL is my birthstone and holds a lot of symbolism for me. I finally feel grounded and sure of myself.”
PEARL’s debut EP, WHERE I GO, showcases four tracks which touch on the theme of acceptance. Each song was written as a way of processing emotions and events and moving on from them in a positive way, with PEARL sharing, “Writing these songs was a really reflective process, I would look back at a memory, make sense of it, and plot a path through. It was really cathartic.”
Recorded and co-produced at Urchin Studios with Matt Ingram, the EP is sonically inspired by the likes of Sylvan Esso, BANKS and Maggie Rogers, as well as the lyrical imagery of Ben Howard. Dancing delicately between indie pop, alt pop and synth pop, WHERE I GO is an intoxicating amalgamation of celestial vocals, echoing synths, pulsating beats and shimmering melodies.
PEARL explains, “Music is very visual for me, and I love to create little worlds around it. This EP is verdant, a secret spot in the garden with round velvet chairs, cocooned and warm, with soft edges and lots of plants. I look at the music as biophilic, the synths, drums and production are the architecture, and my voice, the organic sounds, and the lyrics are the green and natural elements that run through…I’ve always had an overactive imagination!”
Having already garnered support from numerous Spotify editorial playlists, PEARL is carving out her own unique place in the music industry, as she asks listeners to join her on an exploration into a new magical world, where lush landscapes come alive in harmonious symphonies.
Flaunting the year’s most sought-after voice, undisputed “Melody God” and R&B phenomenon Fridayy unveils a brand-new single & music video entitled “When It Comes To You,” the second single off his long awaited debut album set to drop in August. Listen to “When It Comes To You” HERE via Def Jam Recordings. Watch the official music video to the awe-inspiring single HERE.
The visual, directed by Dragan Andic (a.k.a. The. 97), finds Fridayy at a wedding altar as hypnotic guitar wraps around a sparse, cloudy beat as his instantly recognizable vocals take hold. He sets the scene as he proclaims, “It was love at first sight, girl, when you walked in.” The momentum builds as he carries a chantable chorus, “I won’t waste no time,” uplifted even higher by gospel harmonies.
“When It Comes To You” lands in the wake of “Don’t Give It Away” [feat. Chris Brown]. The latter has already posted up 7 million Spotify streams and 3 million YouTube views on the music video in addition to earning critical acclaim. Beyond plugs from That Grape Juice and more, Rap Radar hailed it as “grown and sexy,” and Vibe noted, “Fridayy lures one in with the catchy groove.” XXL touted it among “The 13 Best New Hip-Hop Songs This Week.” Check out his XXL Freshman Freestyle as well!
Maintaining incredible momentum, Louisiana-born rapper Onsight Deeda serves up a new single entitled “I’m Wit It” out now via Cash Money Records today. Get it HERE.
The track’s ominous soundscape fuses intense cinematic strings with a thick bass line and anxious beat. Onsight Deeda sinks his teeth into the production with sharp rhymes, alternating between catchy choruses and an up-tempo lyrical barrage. He makes a proclamation, “We ain’t the same ‘round here,” as he paints a vivid picture of his rise against all odds across the production.
It lands in the wake of “Hit They Block,” which has already amassed 320K YouTube views and counting on the music video. Meanwhile, HipHopDX and more featured it.
Plus, its predecessor “Don Dada” reeled in 301K YouTube views on the music video. AllHipHop.com sat down with him for an in-depth interview and proclaimed, “the rising star has one hell of a story to tell, and he wears his heart on his sleeve through the music.”
Indie pop sensation James Hersey is thrilled to release his new single “Can’t Say No” that is out now along with the music video that can be viewed at . This is the fifth single from his upcoming album Let It Shine to be released on September 15th.
James says, ” I wrote this song the day a friend called me at 6am crying on her way to work. She’d finally reached a fork in the road – it was either her mental health or the relationship that would survive, not both.”
Since last year James has been releasing the singles “Cut Me Out” , “Right Where I Am”, “Fake Love” and “Ghost Me” that will all be featured on Let it Shine as well.
The album, produced by Jochen Naaf, features a puristic approach to recording with live instrumentation and a neo-vintage sound handcrafted in the studio with his friends Antonio Fortino and Daniel Schreiber on bass and drums.
rising Scottish electronic/DJ/production duo LF SYSTEM release the official music video for their single “Dancing Shoes (Take Me Higher)”. Watch HERE. Shot in NY by director Christelle De Castro (Kaytranada & Kali Uchis and Coco & Breezy), it focuses on the taxi journeys of vibrant party people as they venture out into the night.
Launched as a Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1 with Clara Amfo, the track itself has been a consistent club staple soundtracking the summer. Stream the song HERE at all DSPs and stream the “Más Tiempo” mix by Skepta and Jammer HERE.
Conor Larkman and Sean Finnigan are LF SYSTEM. The Scottish DJ / production duo had a phenomenal 2022 when their track “Afraid To Feel” exploded. It spent eight weeks at #1 on the UK singles chart, and is the longest running Number 1 dance record (equalling fellow Scot, Calvin Harris’s hit “One Kiss”). It has already exceeded 270 million streams and has been certified 2 x Platinum in the UK, as well as Platinum across Europe and Gold in Australia, and was nominated for ‘Song Of The Year’ at the 2023 BRIT Awards. They followed up in the Autumn with another single, “Hungry (For Love)”, further flexing their disco muscles.
In the UK they recently headlined the second stage (King Tuts) at TRNSMT festival Glasgow (watch on BBC iPlayer), plus also performed at Creamfields, Parklife, Glastonbury, and EXIT. They still have more outdoor festival slots lined up atTomorrowland, Ibiza Rocks, WeAreFestival and Reading & Leeds. Full list below.
07/13/2023 Beat Herder Festival, Sawley
07/21/2023 Tomorrowland, Belgium
07/22/2023 Standon Calling, Standon
07/29/2023 Ants (Radio One Weekend), Ibiza
08/13/2023 Ibiza Rocks, Ibiza
08/19/2023 Elrow, Ibiza
08/26/2023 Reading & Leeds Festival (Reading)
08/26/2023 WeAreFSTVL, Essex
08/27/2023 Reading & Leeds Festival (Leeds)
Canadian indie pop/alternative band New Friends are thrilled to release their new single “Sad Sugar” is out now.
The band says, “It’s a bold and exciting alternative indie pop track that’s about meeting someone that you know isn’t good for you, yet you can’t stop obsessing over them. During the session, we took a few trips to get fish and chips and the salt must’ve incited the sugar theme to balance our pallets. For this song, we really wanted to capture the energy of our live set and knew from the first demo that this song was going to be kick-ass live.”
“Sad Sugar” was written in collaboration with JUNO-nominated producer Derek Hoffman (Arkells, Ralph, Silverstein).
In support of the new music, the band has announced new tour dates. See all tour dates below.
New Friends went viral with the very first song they ever recorded, “Purple Candy,” when they were practically strangers — now at 5.5 million streams and counting — scattered to their respective homes during covid, recorded and released more songs, then won Slaight Music’s life-changing It’s Your Shot contest. The resulting EP, Camaro, was recorded with the $100,000 studio and promotion prize.
New Friends had already recorded with producer Brad Delson, Grammy-winning guitarist of Linkin Park, and after the It’s Your Shot win, they were able to work with even more outside producers including Finger Eleven drummer and Arnold Lanni protégé Steve Molella (Stuck On Planet Earth, Gus, Kayla Diamond), and TV/film composer Brian Rivlin. They also self-produced a couple of the songs, and co-wrote for the first time with a handful of outside writers. But mostly, it’s the four of them.
New Friends — comprised of players from all over Southern Ontario, lead singer Stefan Boulineau (Windsor), guitarist Cole Wilson (St. Thomas), keyboardist/lead writer Ayden Miller (Orillia), and Conrad (Waterloo) — have experienced success at breakneck speed, landing L.A. management and a top booking agent. They played their first show in November, 2021.
“Sad Sugar” is streaming everywhere at https://music.newfriendsmusic.com/sadsugar
Tour Dates
September 7 – Buffalo, NY – Rec Room
September 8 – Kingston, ON – The Broom Factory
September 9 – Hamilton, ON – Supercrawl- Murray Festival
September 14 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground
September 15 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwell’s Concerts & Events
September 16 – Detroit, MI – PJ’s Lager House
September 18 – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen
September 20 – Boston, MA – Sonia
September 21 – New York, NY – Sultan Room
September 22 -Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo
September 23 Ottawa, ON – The 27 Club
Ready to light up the summer, country trap king Jamie Ray rolls out his brand new ALTOID COWBOY EP via Against Da Grain/Epic Records today. Listen HERE. To celebrate its arrival, he also just dropped the music video for the single “UH HUH” [feat. Tay Money] – watch HERE.
On “UH HUH,” a twangy guitar loop gives way to an 808 bounce as Jamie’s dynamic drawl stomps all over the beat. He promises “That country money different” before declaring himself, “Strip club cowboy.” All attitude, Tay Money pulls up with a fiery verse of her own, asserting herself as a tried-and-true trap cowgirl. In the accompanying visual, models surround Jamie in a mansion as he raps to the camera. Tay spits bars in the bathroom, twerking and rhyming without apology.
ALTOID COWBOY sees Jamie perfect his signature style. On “RODEO,” he leans into the countrified instrumentation with an anthemic refrain, “Fuck it on up.” Elsewhere, melancholic guitar barely contains an eruption of hip-hop drums on “SLIDING.” We continue to RIDE into his most romantic record on the project with this melodic banger then, there’s the finale “COUNTRY TRAPPER OF THE YEAR.” Rustic harmonica wails as he delivers bold and braggadocios bars with a proclamation, “I’m the motherfucking country trapper of the year, goddamn right we make it happen over here.” Check out the full tracklisting below.
Acclaimed producer and songwriter, ROWA, has released her highly anticipated single “Low Jewel,” marking a significant milestone in her remarkable debut year of 2023. Accompanying the release is a visually stunning music video that invites viewers on a captivating journey through the “ROWAVERSE,” an interactive 3D realm conceptualized by ROWA herself and brought to life by talented 3D artist and musician Vinyl Williams. “Low Jewel” is a sonic masterpiece that embarks listeners on a modern interpretation of the mythical allure of “the siren.” ROWA’s distinctive production style mesmerizes and relaxes, crafting a listening experience that stands apart from the mainstream pop and indie music scene. The music video for “Low Jewel” commences in a surreal jungle environment inspired by the surrealist castle built by Sir Edward James in the 20th century. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Gaudi and Salvador Dali, ROWA aimed to recreate a waking-life manifestation of “The Garden of Eden,” a space where limitless growth and artistic expression flourish. The castle structure, devoid of practical function, epitomizes the essence of art itself, serving as a feast for the eyes and a vessel for evoking emotional responses from the human experience. In her incantation, ROWA invites viewers to join her at the edge, pushing the boundaries of creative practice and reality through her interpretation of eternal bliss. As the journey unfolds through the enchanting “ROWAVERSE,” viewers are guided through a series of meticulously crafted environments, each originating from ROWA’s vivid imagination. These include a heavenly Greek-inspired temple adorned with glass pillars and a celestial cave suspended in a star-filled abyss.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
