FL-born multiplatinum, genre-defying recording artist Tyla Yaweh uncovers the striking and cinematic music video for his latest single “City of Dreams” [feat. Chris Brown] today. Watch HERE. It remains a standout from his new album, Heart Full of Rage 2, out nowvia Epic Records/London Entertainment.
Stream Heart Full of Rage 2 HERE.
Helmed by director SHAPXO, the visual quite literally pulls viewers into Tyla’s mind. It threads together a series of elevated vignettes with a fashion-forward futuristic aesthetic. With time stopped, one trippy visual melts into another with Tyla on a white horse atop a skyscraper and Chris Brown’s visage singing from the center of a greenback spewed from an ATM, among other eye-catching moments. It might just be his boldest video yet.
In other big news, further showcasing his growing success, Tyla’s signature singles “High Right Now” and “Tommy Lee” (ft. Post Malone) just reached RIAA platinum status. Earlier this week, Epic Records and his management presented him with plaques.
Speaking to his appeal, he also recently lit up Emo Nite in Los Angeles, performing an unforgettable 30-minute headline set and leaving the crowd wanting more—which he’ll deliver on the road this fall.
Next up, he canvases the continent on the World Full of Rage Fall Tour.The 17-date trek will take Tyla Yaweh across North America, kicking off on October 24, 2023 in Atlanta, GA at Masquerade. The tour will take him through the US and Canada, hitting cities such as DC, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and more before ending in Houston, TX on November 25 at the House of Blues. See below for full tour routing. Get tickets at www.tylayaweh.com.
Heart Full of Rage 2 picks up where Yaweh left off on his 2019 breakout debut, Heart Full of Rage. The ten-track project notably boasted “High Right Now,” in addition to knockout collaborations with French Montana and the late PnB Rock. Since then, Yaweh has shared a slew of critical and fan-favorite anthems and has generated over a billion streams. Notably, notched his first Billboard Hot 100 hit with the platinum “Tommy Lee” [feat. Post Malone], served up the gold certified “Stuntin’ On You” [feat. DaBaby], and further collaborated with names like Wiz Khalifa, Gunna, Morray, RMR, Trippie Redd, and more. No stranger to the stage, Tyla Yaweh previously performed to sold out arenas on tour supporting Post Malone world-wide, toured North America with SAINt JHN, and raged on some of the globe’s biggest festival stages, from Rolling Loud to Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and beyond.
Heart Full of Rage 2 ups the ante in every way, boasting an exciting array of collaborators and exploring all the different shades of RAGE (an acronym Yaweh lives by: Release All Good Energy). It dives further into the budding superstar’s influences., mixing his signature melodic cadence with rock and emo, pop, and hip-hop sounds for an album that is uniquely Tyla Yaweh.
Tyla Yaweh Tour Dates:
Tuesday 10/24 – Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA
Friday 10/27 – Union Stage – Washington, D.C.
Saturday 10/28 – SOB’s – New York, NY
Sunday 10/29 – The Foundry – Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday 10/31 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA
Thursday 11/2 – Reggies – Chicago, IL
Saturday 11/4 – Loving Touch – Ferndale, MI
Wednesday 11/8 – Cervantes Other Side – Denver, CO
Saturday 11/11 – Fortune Sound Club – Vancouver, BC
Sunday 11/12 – Mission – Portland, OR
Monday 11/13 – Neumos – Seattle, WA
Thursday 11/16 – Brick and Mortar – San Francisco, CA
Saturday 11/18 – The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
Sunday 11/19 – Rebel Lounge – Phoenix, AZ
Wednesday 11/22 – Come and Take it Live – Austin, TX
Friday 11/24 – HOB Cambridge Room – Dallas, TX
Saturday 11/25 – HOB Bronze Peacock – Houston, TX
Real Boston Richey unleashes his anxiously awaited new album, Welcome To Bubba Land, out now via Freebandz/Epic Records. Listen HERE.
He celebrated the arrival of the project with the stunning, slick, and cinematic music video for the new single and title track “Bubba Man.” It serves as the perfect introduction into his world.
Watch HERE.
With 16 tracks on the Standard Edition and 20 on the Deluxe Edition, Real Boston Richey goes hard with no features. Instead, he highlights his voice, vibe, and vision front-and-center.
The opener “Ain’t Gone Lie” builds towards a chantable chorus where he declares his independence, “Only got myself, it’s just me.” On “Bubba Man,” the 808s practically erupt beneath his unmistakable warblng cadence as he proclaims, “I’m the Bubba Man.” Slick keys underscore his melodic delivery on the lyrical manslaughter of “Red Rum.” The project closes with “What They Did.” He flexes a ferocious flow punctuated by quotable rhymes such as “Lately I’ve been under the weather, dripped up in a Moncler sweater.”
Good things come in fives. Dropping his first rough cut as a high school freshman when he was just fourteen, Matthew Borley, couldn’t have known that five years later he’d be touring Europe, playing packed-out shows in the South of France.
Initially sparked by his father during his teenage years, he was Introduced to select verses from ‘90s hip hop pioneers and most controversial rapper of his time, Eminem, Matthew was profoundly impacted by his connection to Hip Hops cutting and unapologetic persona. Being put on the likes of Eminem, while most of Em’s lyrics were PG-13 at best, his father was careful to only show his son lines that connect at a deeper level from cuts like classic “Stan”. Not satisfied with only hearing bits and pieces, viisi did what any typical adolescent would do: he snuck out an old laptop and dove deep down the hip hop rabbit hole. Eminem led to Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre to Tupac. Tupac to Biggie. Soon enough, Matthew’s obsession provided an escape that quickly evolved and made way for viisi.
Based on the Finnish word for “five”, viisi represents past, present, and future. viisi returns to push the boundaries of what it means to be an artist in his ‘Liiminal’ series. Through his powerful and raw storytelling, his music transcends across unique and universal human experiences that have shaped him as an artist and individual. With a lyrical honesty and unwavering dedication to his craft, viisi is unafraid to delve into his personal experiences such as family struggles, fallouts with loved ones, career choices, failing, self-worth and more. Writing prose with messages of life and dreams and of merit and substance, his visceral approach to the story of his evolution will surely leave fans moved and stunned.
Miranda Joan is a Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, and musician. Born in Montréal, Miranda spent her formative years growing up on the north shore of Vancouver, filling diaries with emotions and experiences; creating a safe place to land for both her heart and her imagination that would go on to form the basis of her song writing. Her influences range from Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, and Carole King to Anderson Paak., Little Dragon and Robyn, drawing on both the classic and the contemporary. Miranda’s personal experiences and the artistic and spiritual energies of the places she has called home flow through intricate song writing and playful production to form a unique blend of Soul-Pop.
With the fluidity of growing up along the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver and the joy-de-vivre and creativity that Montréal exudes radiating through her music, Miranda has always sustained strong roots in Canada. A shy child, her first experiences of music and performing came from high school drama and musical theatre. Leaning into Soul, R&B and Jazz sounds, she found a natural home for her voice. Miranda began to shape her sound using her lifetime of journals and influence from the singer-songwriters of all genres that had fed into her writing process throughout her life. She moved to New York to study Jazz and opened her inquisitive sound and creative style to a host of artists and producers in her musical surroundings, as well as the grittiness and intensity of the city.
Establishing herself in the Brooklyn Soul/Jazz community, Miranda is the co-host and co-founder of Brooklyn’s Femme Jam (NYC’s first all-female led jam session); a community initiative to create a womxn-led space with an emphasis on female musicians that fosters inclusivity. Arts mentorship has been an important through-line in Joan’s career and for the past eight years she has been a music mentor with the non-profit SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young where she works with youth 8-18 who stutter.
She has performed on national tours, played sold-out and headline shows at well-known New York venues, provided backing vocals for the likes of The Killers, Shawn Mendes, Lorde, Kylie Minogue and Andy Grammar, and joined Sly5thAve at Montréal Jazz Festival with the Orchestre National de Jazz de Montréal, in a tribute to Dr. Dre. In 2021 she was selected as one of First Up with RBCxMusic Emerging Artists as she released her debut album ‘Windborne’, the follow up to her 2019 EP “Still”. Both releases received consistent radio airplay in Vancouver and Los Angeles and led to a sync placement on Canadian TV show The Strays. Recent singles “Overstimulated” and “I Love You, Dwayne” have received support from NPR, Consequence, EARMILK, Exclaim! and airplay from CBC and MountainFM in Canada and Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM) in the UK.
Blossoming out of what was originally intended as a one song collaboration, Miranda has spent recent years collaborating with Ben Carr AKA CARRTOONS on her sophomore album ‘Overstimulated’. “It is an album book-ended by songs of affirmation, of rooting, of returning to and loving oneself, intertwined with the messy, chaotic and interconnected web of my hopes, dreams, imagination, love, and heartache”, Miranda muses. Simultaneously leaning into and letting go of the excessive and overstimulating, the LP sees Miranda shift into a space of contemporary Jazz and Soul, where the instrumental and acoustic meets the electronic. Developed song writing and storytelling sits alongside production from CARRTOONS and additional offerings from the likes of Sly5thAve, Jake Sherman, Ben Williams, The Huntertones and Kristine Kruta.
multi-platinum selling and chart-topping recording artist iann dior releases his new single “You Don’t Even” via 10K Projects. Get it HERE.
Just in time to kick off the fall season, iann dior’s new track, “You Don’t Even” delivers powerful emotional vulnerability, opening up about the realities of an ending relationship. Masterfully capturing the essence of heartbreak and betrayal, the brand-new track invites listeners to connect with the universal theme of true love lost and the bittersweet memories it leaves behind. Against a backdrop of earworm melodies and heartfelt lyrics, iann diorr embarks through a cathartic journey of self discovery.
In January 2022, dior released his latest album on to better things. The album showcases his musicality, tapping into his alt-pop/rock sensibilities on tracks like “obvious,” which dior performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with Travis Barker, while still maintaining his capabilities as a rapper on trap influenced tracks like “i might” and “v12” ft. Lil Uzi Vert. The album has amassed over 180+ million streams and upon release landed as the lead album on the “New Music Friday” roundup on NPR’s “All Songs Considered” Podcast, who praised dior for “making a run at world domination with a seamless, genre-blurring mix of guitar rock, pop and rap.” The album received additional critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NME, and many more.
Eighty Ninety — the indie-pop project of brothers Abner (vocals, production) and Harper (guitar, production) — are back with their new single, “The Hard Way,” out today on all streaming platforms. Following recent singles “Face Like A Sunset,” “Stay Alive,” and “2 Carat,” “The Hard Way” offers another glimpse of what fans can expect from Eighty Ninety’s debut album. The album is slated for release later this year.
Overflowing with raw emotion, “The Hard Way” is a contemplative, cathartic love song. The track opens with wistful piano chords and Abner’s tender vocals. As it goes on, the song gathers momentum with additional synths, percussion, and guitar. “With the production we tried to evoke the sense of the relationship being increasingly tested by life, increasing the instrumentation with every chorus, almost like we are trying to break the song,” the duo explain. “But it holds — and by the end we’re hoping the swelling percussion and harmonies feel uplifting; there’s beauty in hope.”
Elaborating on the lyrical inspiration, they continue: “‘The Hard Way’ is about choosing to love someone no matter how much life intervenes. It’s about being brave enough to make the choice to completely commit to a person, no matter the risk. It’s about looking directly at all your fears about how things could go wrong and knowing that even if they all come to pass, it’s still worth it.”
Vancouver musician Colleen Rennison searches for light in the darkness on her debut solo album Persephone out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.
Produced by Felix Fung, who was tapped for his savant ability to conjure the vintage feel Colleen wanted, the duo’s own handpicked Wrecking Crew—including guitarist Stephen Fischer, bassist Max Sample, keyboardist Alexander Ward and drummer Shawn Mrazek—turned in a record that harkens back to the luxurious, cinematic work of showbiz queens like Bobby Gentry, Dusty Springfield, Linda Ronstadt, and Bonnie Raitt. It’s a fully formed, two-sided album of country, soul, and pop, hitting all the necessary points between Memphis, Muscle Shoals, and Motown.
“Persephone is an album that came out of necessity, and is a culmination of my years of working as a singer/songwriter,” says Colleen. “I finally managed to get most of it down after barreling violently through this thing called life. It’s filled with the sounds that have been the tapestry of my life, bleeding Disney and disco, gospel and country, Motown and Mariah through its threadbare seams.”
The song ‘Persephone’ has been slotted as the 3rd single, following the release of ‘I Do‘ back in June. The title track is pure thrills, speeding along like a dissolute partygoer hitching a ride with the Spencer Davis Group, but it’s also loaded with meaning.
“‘Persephone’ is an ode to my motorcycle, which is named after the Greek Goddess Persephone,” says Colleen. “It started as a joke, cause my bike is so old and beat up, and Persephone is such a pretty name, but after I started looking into the story of Persephone, I found a lot of parallels to my own life and an ancient archetype in the journey of falling in love with the dark side despite the purest intentions.”
Colleen burst onto the music scene in 2011 with blues-rock group No Sinner. The band made immediate waves with music critics comparing her to blues belters like Janis Joplin and Maggie Bell, but Colleen is entirely her own invention. Her voice is technically astounding, but the experience behind it inhabits every note. She entered the film industry at the age of five and that rootless existence as a child actor is still there in her undying commitment to the performance—nobody is more explosively honest or vulnerable onstage—and also in the demons that animate her.
No Sinner achieved enormous success abroad before hitting the wall, painfully, in 2016. Attempts to generate a new career in New York and Austin left the singer in a new kind of limbo, while the bad and dangerous situations persisted. Exiling herself to Vancouver Island only deepened the crisis. Back in Vancouver she was spat out into the Downtown Eastside, where things might have gotten worse—but didn’t. Miraculously, Colleen found the help she needed. She found the right friends, the right kind of support, the internal discipline, and, finally, the creative partner she always deserved. Persephone will stand as the truest expression of her art and her first true masterpiece.
The Hails release their long-awaited debut album What’s Your Motive. In ten tracks, the Florida five-piece perfectly display their penchant for well-polished experimentation and all-consuming storytelling. The LP is an orbit of grief and reconciliation over growing pains, both individual and with each other – Stream.
Building their own DIY studio in Miami a couple years back, the band curated their creative environment from installing the flooring to collecting furniture potluck style. Much of the album was written and recorded during consistent gatherings in this space, a surprising setting for the refined sonics of What’s Your Motive. Out of The Hails HQ their debut album was born, surely making enemies out of their retail neighbors.
Describing What’s Your Motive as an album born out of necessity for the band, their frontman Robbie Kingsley said, “We have very strong emotions towards each other. Sharing a common goal doesn’t mean that you always see eye to eye. There are days when we legitimately hate each other and there are other moments where we couldn’t imagine a life with anyone outside of the five of us. It’s a weird brotherhood that we’ve adopted. This is a key theme in telling the story of the record because we’ve gone over so many bumps in the road emotionally just to get here.”
What’s Your Motive is a progressively zooming out view of what happens when you break the cycle of complacency, an album with a worldview that expands as you listen further. Beginning with the opening track “Caligula,” titled after the famously cruel Roman emperor, the enemy at hand is introduced – you. Naming himself Caligula by the end of the song, Kingsley sets up the question of why am I killing myself and still not happy? He notes, “It’s weird how you can almost work against yourself in a way that actually progresses you forward.”
San Francisco based indie pop duo corner club share whimsical acoustic track and video “when i die” out everywhere now. The duo’s self-produced earnest, intimate EP in the rearview mirror due out October 6 and available to pre-order now. Despite its seemingly dark subject matter, the latest tender ballad with its airy, flowing production honors their lives and details their postmortem wishes.
Out today, “when i die” is a playful acoustic tune that imagines all the things the duo will miss when they pass. Vocalist Savannah Du shares of the song’s inspiration, “This song starts with a comment my mom made to me after my grandma passed, at a time when I wasn’t excited to be alive myself: ‘When I die, scatter my ashes, but not too close to the sea ‘cause I can’t swim.’” Making the track over the several months that followed, the song transformed into a personal reminder of the people, places, and experiences that the duo will miss when they’re gone, and has become an appreciation for the little things in life despite the title sounding a little bleak.
The track’s accompanying video sees the duo showcase their loved ones singing along to the song in front of some scenic and familiar backgrounds. The idea for the video was born as the pair began preparing for a cross-country move, and developed into a touching ode to their loved ones. Producer and guitarist Michael Zhang explains, “We hatched the idea of us recording snippets singing the song with all of our friends as we went from New York to San Francisco, with a few other trips in between. By my count, we ended up filming with about 70 of our friends and family, across ten different cities!” It took over nine months to compile, and though not everyone is included, Zhang admits, “It was impossible not to cry the first time we put all the videos together.”
Grammy-nominated Nigerian singer-songwriter Kah-Lo releases her anticipated debut album Pain/Pleasure via Epic Records. The album arrives following previously released hit singles ‘Runaway’, ‘GD Woman’, ‘Karma’, and ‘fund$’.
The long-awaited debut full-length from one of dance music’s most accomplished singer-songwriters, Pain/Pleasure is the culmination of Kah-Lo’s experiences throughout her career, cataloging everything from extreme bitterness to thrilling gratification. Pain/Pleasure is all about retribution for Kah-Lo; it’s a story about facing those who have wronged her and coming out on top in spite of them, regardless of the obstacles and the pain she’s faced in her quest for pleasure.
Throughout Pain/Pleasure, Kah-Lo sings about building self-confidence and learning to assert her dominance, themes present in both her artistic career and romantic life. Spreading her messages of self-love and female empowerment, the album is led by Kah-Lo’s unfiltered, unabashed lyricism and love for rhythmic, danceable production. Whether it’s discussing toxic relationships on tracks like ‘Unbothered’ and the titular ‘Pain/Pleasure’ or boasting respect on ‘My Name’ and ‘GD Woman’, Pain/Pleasure balances the duality of Kah-Lo’s sassy, sometimes cutthroat attitude with her sensitive and honest storytelling.
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_myIed9s4QB9uGYTHP5AiUF6UTyndHClNo
COLBIE CAILLAT
“I’ll Be Here” ft. Sheryl Crow
• “I wrote ‘I’ll Be Here’ with Brett James at my house in California about 13 years ago. We wanted to write an uplifting song for anyone to sing to whoever they love, including singing it to yourself because that’s important, too. Over the years, we recorded many variations of it, but this one is the original and my favorite and how it was always meant to sound. My heart is so happy and in awe that my lovely friend Sheryl Crow is singing it with me. Her legendary voice and calm tone so perfectly share the message of this nurturing song with me. And Jamie Kenney’s tasteful production took it all the way home.” – Colbie Caillat
• This track is the fifth 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.
MARIS
“Hot Guitar Player”
• MARIS releases “Hot Guitar Player,” a fiercely catchy, high energy track with a chorus made for screaming along to. The single follows her July release, “GOING YET!,” and is the second track out after her powerhouse debut EP, Gravity. With two more singles on the way before 2023 comes to a close, this rising indie pop queen is only getting started!
• “‘Hot Guitar Player’ is potentially one of my cheekiest and cheesiest songs yet. Part way through scratching out the verses, I realized I wanted to write a really cheesy love song and got attached to ‘I want you’ being the hook. True love defying all odds is the most romantic concept of all time. I’m so, so excited to have this out in the world. And it’s very easy to scream, so that helps for the level of shreddage that’ll be occurring live.” – MARIS
Being in a band is like running a marathon. You have to constantly try and be active and up to date with your portfolio. You have to practice and always try to work on your sound. “Run” is a song we wrote for our fans. In an unsure career of being a musician and trying to stay relevant, we wanted our fans to know we will continue this if they’re willing to join us for the journey.
Listen to “Run” on streaming platforms everywhere.
It’s also special to us because this was the last song of mine that I played for my father before he passed away this year. I told him this was the final song on our upcoming record and it’s about going forward no matter the resistance. He loved the song, and the record, and that’s why we chose it to be the next single.
Stream our debut album Night Talks wherever you get your music.
Back in high school I used to take my parents’ car (without permission) after they went to sleep and would pick up 3 of my closest friends. We would then go on driving adventures that we called “Cruises.” We would drive to Toronto, Windsor, Niagara Falls and drive back the same night. These places were 2 hours away from where we lived in London, Ontario. It was insane but these drives actually acted as a form of therapy for us. No one else was on the road and we just talked and listened to music the whole way there and back. We talked about whatever was on our mind and there was no unsafe topic. It only felt fitting then to call our debut album Night Talks.
Night Talks is a labor of love that was 2 years in the making. We’re proud of the work put into this project and had a blast making it. Now to begin working on the next record.
Thanks for listening,
Addison – Lost In Japan
Instagram – TikTok – Facebook – Apple Music – Spotify
Singer-songwriter – ALLMAN BROWN – has shared “Breathe In, Breathe Out”, the second single to be taken from a forthcoming EP (due this Winter).
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
A light-hearted helping of tranquil alt-pop, “Breathe In, Breathe Out” sees balmy beats and blissed-out vocals create a reassuring sense of calm amidst a backdrop of chaos and uncertainty. As Allman Brown explains of the new track:
“It’s a song about reassurance and being the safe harbour for someone in distress. It has a gentle groove to it that mirrors the theme of being calm for someone. It’s a soothing song in a soothing style ultimately.”
With its pacifying take on percussion and a heart-warming message at its core, each of the track’s verses lap like a gently rolling ocean tide against a serene shore.
“Breathe In, Breathe Out” also follows recent single “Bewildered” and arrives as Allman Brown puts the finishing touches to his third full-length album. With an upcoming EP in the works and planned for this winter in the meantime, Brown is inviting listeners to get to know him slowly, brick by brick, as he builds towards his latest long-player.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, before moving to London at age 11, Allman Brown made an introduction with his hit single “Sons & Daughters” (performed with Liz Lawrence) in 2013. The track proved a Spotify smash, amassing over 10 million streams worldwide as well as features on multiple TV soundtracks including Love Island, Suits and Made In Chelsea.
His debut album ‘1000 Years’ was released in 2017, earning critical acclaim for Brown’s tender balladry and folk-fuelled pop inspired by artists such as Bon Iver, Tracy Chapman, Paul Simon and Feist, before ‘Darling, It’ll Be Alright’ followed in 2019.
Performing new material and older favourites, Allman Brown will be embarking on a tour of Ireland with Seba Safe in October. Catch him at these venues as follows:
ALLMAN BROWN – TOUR DATES
7 Oct – GALWAY – Monroes Live
8 Oct – LIMERICK – Upstairs at Dolans
15 Oct – DUBLIN – Whelans
Mouths of Babes have released “Pictures of You,” the second single from their upcoming album, World Brand New via a premiere with Rainbow Rodeo. The highly-anticipated, self-produced follow-up to the duo’s award-winning LP, Brighter in the Dark, World Brand New will be released on October 6, 2023, and is now available for PRE-SAVE (streaming) and PRE-ORDER (vinyl and CDs).
The new single, “Pictures of You,” is about the all-too-relatable experience of being ghosted. “Even though the song felt incredibly personal when I wrote it, I can see now how universal it is,” multi-instrumentalist Ty Greenstein states, explaining that she wrote the song in an hour and didn’t end up editing a single word. “Being ghosted leaves you with complex grief, because the person is still alive, but you are essentially dead to them. And even if you try to move on, there’s all this evidence of your closeness — the millions of pictures of you together, the songs you used to listen to, the gifts and cards. So what do you do with that stuff? Keeping it feels hard, and getting rid of it feels like burning your past.” LISTEN HERE.
Buzzing out of Macon, GA with millions of streams and views independently, 21-year-old rap phenomenon Baby Jungle unleashes a hypnotic and hard-hitting new single and music video entitled “No Dissin” today via Epic Records. Listen HERE. Watch the visual HERE.
On the track, bells toll above gritty 808s as Baby Jungle’s incisive bars slice right through the soundscape with switchblade-smooth precision. He alternates his cadences and rhythms barely containing his energy. Through a soon-to-be signature rasp, he urges, “This shit come with the game, no I can’t help that,” before warning, “I’m about to spaz.” The music video directed by COTTO0VERDIDIT brings the song to life on-screen. It follows the rapper as he turns up in several locations with no shortage of cash, designer fits, foreign cars, and a cameo from friend, frequent collaborator, and 2023 XXL Freshman Class cover star, Luh Tyler.
“No Dissin” asserts Baby Jungle as a leader of the next generation of hip-hop. With an arresting flow and jarring unpredictability, Baby Jungle has clawed his way up with a sharp and slick vision of his own. After posting up millions of streams, he joined forces with fellow rising phenomenon Luh Tyler on the 2023 banger “Groove In,” which has reeled in over 603K Spotify streams and counting.
Stay tuned for more from Baby Jungle coming soon!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…again! You better watch out, you better not cry, because global drag icons and RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon are coming back to your town with the wildly successful, internationally acclaimed, The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show (Produced by BenDeLaCreme Presents). The international tour marks the duo’s biggest yet, featuring more cities, more shows, and even bigger theaters (including the iconic Dolby Theatre). The tour will run from November 7 – December 30 across the US, UK, and Canada with a new show written by DeLa and Jinkx that proves they’re still the reigning “queens of Christmas” (Entertainment Weekly). Tickets are on sale now at JinkxandDeLa.com.
Following the massive success of four previous holiday tours, and a cult-classic holiday film (The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special, 2020), fans can expect another year of fabulous spectacle, whip-smart comedy, brand new songs, and annual favorites. Join the sugary DeLa and the spicy Jinkx for an evening The New York Times says is “sure to lift your spirits and make you howl with laughter.”
BenDeLaCreme says, “With all the hatred, darkness, and misinformation flying around our world today, it is an honor and a privilege to spend the holidays with tens of thousands of audience members each year, creating joyous community spaces where we can gather strength through laughter and celebration. Whether you consider it the most wonderful time of year or the most troubling, we’re here to tell you… you’re right! So let’s make it our own.”
Monsoon adds, “It’s been a wild year, so let’s end it wildly. DeLa and I strive to entertain while we enlighten and enliven. The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show is not only a moment of respite, but also of community, at a time where we need our chosen family and community most of all. So add us to your holiday plans, or let us BE your holiday plans— either way, you’re welcome to join us.”
BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon are the sole writers of their holiday shows, a major achievement for two drag artists who tour at such a large scale. With BenDeLaCreme in the producer and director’s chairs, the show is entirely helmed by the queens themselves. Too often, queer and drag stories are written and produced by people outside of the community. The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show and BenDeLaCreme Presents are reminders why authentic queer storytelling is not only necessary but should be widely celebrated.
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show is co-written and co-created by BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon, directed by BenDeLaCreme, produced by BenDeLaCreme Presents (a company comprised of producers BenDeLaCreme, Kevin Heard, Gus Lanza, and Associate Producer Jin Moon), and promoted by AEG Presents Comedy Division. For more information, and to sign up for updates, visit jinkxanddela.com
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Tour Dates:
November 7 – Detroit, MI (Masonic Cathedral Theatre) *Preview Performance*
November 8 – Detroit, MI (Masonic Cathedral Theatre) *Preview Performance*
November 12 – Glasgow, UK (Theatre Royal Glasgow)
November 13 – London, UK (The London Palladium)
November 14 – Liverpool, UK (Liverpool Olympia)
November 16 – London, UK (The London Palladium)
November 19 – Indianapolis, IN (Clowes Memorial Hall)
November 20 – Cincinnati, OH (Taft Theatre)
November 21 – Toronto, ON (Meridian Hall)
November 23 – Montreal, QC (L’Olympia de Montreal)
November 24 – Montreal, QC (L’Olympia de Montreal)
November 25 – Hamilton, ON (FirstOntario Concert Hall)
November 26 – Buffalo, NY (Shea’s Performing Arts Center)
November 28 – Boston, MA (Boch Center – Wang Theatre)
November 29 – New Haven, CT (College Street Music Hall)
December 1 – Brooklyn, NY (Kings Theatre)
December 2 – Richmond, VA (Dominion Energy Center – Carpenter Theatre)
December 3 – Durham, NC (Durham Performing Arts Center)
December 4 – Atlanta, GA (Atlanta Symphony Hall)
December 6 – Pittsburgh, PA (Heinz Hall)
December 7 – Tysons, VA / DC Metro (Capitol One Hall)
December 8 – Philadelphia, PA (Kimmel Cultural Campus – Miller Theater)
December 10 – Chicago, IL (Auditorium Theatre)
December 11 – Minneapolis, MN (Northrop Theatre)
December 12 – Kansas City, MO (The Midland Theatre)
December 13 – Grand Prairie, TX / Dallas Metro (Texas Trust CU Theatre)
December 14 – Austin, TX (Bass Concert Hall)
December 16 – Los Angeles, CA (Dolby Theatre)
December 17 – San Jose, CA (San Jose Civic)
December 18 – San Francisco, CA (The Warfield)
December 19 – San Francisco, CA (The Warfield)
December 21 – Seattle, WA (Moore Theatre)
December 22 – Seattle, WA (Moore Theatre)
December 23 – Seattle, WA (Moore Theatre)
December 24 – Seattle, WA (Moore Theatre) *Matinee Performance*
December 27 – Portland, OR (Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall)
December 29 – Edmonton, AB (Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium)
December 30 – Vancouver, BC (The Orpheum)
Tyla has officially arrived. The South African rising star has her first viral hit with “Water” exploding on TikTok, totaling 61,300 creates total and 44,300 coming in the last week alone. The track is seeing correlated progress in streaming as the song is up to 6.4 million streams worldwide and growing fast with current daily streams totaling 685,000. Tyla has been building for this moment with “Water” being her 3rd major offering of the year following “Been Thinking” in January and the Ayra Starr assisted “Girl Next Door” in May.
Tyla helped promote the feel-good single with an incredible live performance of “Water” on Vevo DSCVR that left fans blown away by her ability to dance, her outfit, and most importantly, her undeniable vocals. Watch the hypnotizing live performance here.
Aside from the music, Tyla has had an eventful 2023. She started the year by opening for the European leg of Chris Brown’s “Under the Influence” tour. During the tour, she took a pit stop in Milan to sit front row at the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show right next to Kim Kardashian. She rounded out the trip by giving an unforgettable performance of her single “Been Thinking” at the official after party. Since the tour’s conclusion – Tyla’s been back in South Africa spending her time in the studio, hard at work on her debut album that is sure to shake the industry at it’s core.
Take a trip with LUNA AURA and check out the new music video for her latest single, “CANDY COLORED DAYDREAM”, off her upcoming EP, THE FICTION. You can check out the new video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sRxCyrN41I.
“This video was a joy to make with my good friend Delaney Lloyd, who is an up and coming writer/director in Los Angeles,” LUNA tells us. “We felt inspired by the film ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ and really wanted to make something that felt stylish and fun.”
LUNA AURA is set to release her third EP THE FICTION on September 14th. The EP features the newly released “CANDY COLORED DAYDREAM”, as well as her audacious single “MONEY BAG” and the growling “LOST IN THE FICTION”. To hear more, tune in to Spotify’s Rock This, New Noise, Walk Like a Badass, All New Rock, Totally Alt, Rock Rising, Fierce Femmes, Pulp, and more…
Fans can also look forward to seeing LUNA AURA live as she hits the road with Slipknot’s Corey Taylor on his solo US tour this fall. LUNA will be joining the tour starting on September 15th in Wallingford, with dates to follow in Huntington, Orlando, Fallas, Albuquerque, and more before wrapping up in LUNA’s hometown of Los Angeles on October 5th. For a full list of shows, please see below or visit: https://linktr.ee/lunaaura.
Legend has it that Lizzy didn’t cry at birth; she sang. Onstage, she captivates – easily melting the audience into giddy sing-a-longs and ringing with joyful sincerity. The daughter of an American musical theatre composer father and French choreographer mother, her music evokes the romantic ardour of bygone eras. While her sonic palette ranges from cool and funky to grandiose and playful, her warm, crystal clear voice is what unifies her ‘sound.’
The great loss of Lizzy’s mother in her late teens fostered a yearning for truth that would come to define her art. A quality of longing infuses her music with a certain magic she came to dub “The Palm” in homage to her mother, Marie de la Palme. Her extensive travels after high school led her to settle among a community of artists in Berlin, where she flourished creatively. She divides her time now between Berlin and her native Southern California.
Stockholm indie/pop four-piece – GIRL SCOUT – have released new single “Bruises”.
Taken from their ingeniously-titled ‘Granny Music’, the second EP by Girl Scout (released on 29th September), this sumptuous new single precedes it.
Recalling the tenderest moments of Alvvays, boygenius, or Soccer Mommy, upcoming single “Bruises” is a spectral, brittle indie-rock ballad to rival the best. Showcasing lead singer Emma Jansson‘s vocal spectrum hitting new heartbreaker heights, it’s a song that offers winsome reflection beyond their years on those feelings of getting older and seeing those closest to you in a whole new light. As guitarist Viktor Spasov explains of the track:
“‘Bruises’ is a song about reaching a certain age where you realise that the grown ups and people around you aren’t really grown ups but just kids stuck in older bodies. It’s a song about trying to understand and forgive the wrongdoings or faults that people close to you may have and, in some ways, the whole track is a reminder for myself to try and choose love and patience instead of anger and irritation”.
The new track also arrives alongside a stellar live performance video directed by James Slater and filmed at RAK Studios in London. Watch here: https://youtu.be/HivWXZgpOpo.
“Bruises” is the latest track to be lifted from the band’s hotly anticipated second EP ‘Granny Music’ and follows recent singles “Boy In Blue” and “Monster”, both of which will also feature.
A collection that sees the Swedes honing their craft and breaking new ground both sonically and lyrically, the band say of ‘Granny Music’:
“There’s some heartland sounding stuff going on, and there’s a power-ballad, and then of course we have a couple rockers in there, too. We wanted to explore some new ground without abandoning the foundation we built with the first EP.”
Moving away from the nostalgic yearning and anxiousness that defined their debut, this time Girl Scout have found inspiration in the nuances of childhood memories, family dynamics and romantic relationships, with the band opening-up on more personal stories across its five tracks. “The dynamic spectrum of Granny Music is wider; there are both softer and heavier songs on this EP” they add.
Like its predecessor, the ‘Real Life Human Garbage’ EP, ‘Granny Music’ was produced by Ali Chant, with both set to be released as a special split vinyl together on 29th September (via made records).
Plotting a series of UK tour dates this Autumn, Girl Scout will also be jumping on the Coach Party bandwagon, with the two bands embarking on a 13 date stretch together between 26th September – 13th October. An additional stop at London’s Rough Trade East, will see Girl Scout launching their brand new EP: ‘Granny Music’ en-route. Details for all dates can be found below – with tickets on sale now.
Serving the Arlington, Virginia community since 1978, Doorways creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives. Doorways’ trauma-informed response to intimate partner violence includes a spectrum of fully state-accredited programs and services, from prevention and outreach, to community-based services, to shelter and housing. Doorways meets the needs of each adult, teen, and child they serve with individually tailored support, ranging from one-time crisis interventions to healing journeys which span across the organization’s continuum of care. As a nonprofit organization, Doorways relies on its supporters to help fulfill this mission. Through the generosity of partners and supporters, Doorways is cultivating a culture of safety and respect while providing safety, services, and healing to community members in crisis. Learn more and join the cause at www.doorwaysva.org.
In keeping with a string of recent releases from the Northern up-and-comer, “Skin” pays homage to the classic US R&B sounds Wallis draws artistic inspiration from with a retro twist, building to a seductively fiery chorus in lyrics which explore a divine love affair.
Hailing from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, Wallis is an unlikely R&B star in the making. Her ties to the working-class community of the town and its links to Northern soul formed her love of music at an early age, discovering an artistic contrast between her vibrant personality and sublime soprano vocals. She nurtured her talents at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, before following in the footsteps of idols like Adele and Amy Winehouse to train at the renowned Brit School.
Now credibly integrating herself into London’s underground R&B scene with airplay from BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and BBC Introducing, Wallis has kept a growing audience entertained with her impeccable vocal range, delivering gems like “Attitude” (which features Tottenham rapper Dun D), the stormy “FYI” and “Ain’t That Kinda Girl” – which Wallis recently performed in a dazzling set on the Big Top Stage at Isle of Wight Festival, supporting Flo and Example.
Through her music, the outspoken artist has been covering themes of class and social inequality, feminism, girl-power as well as equal representation, and Wallis’ dynamic music proves her to be an exciting new name on the scene for listeners to dive in and discover.
German emo punk/hardcore outfit SHORELINE have announced signing to Pure Noise Records. To celebrate the announcement the band have released new single ‘Needles’ and accompanying video.
Speaking about the new single singer Hansol Seung said, “We tried really hard to avoid just mimicking already existing music in the genre, especially because it is easy and common as a german band to become just a copy of what is already happening in North America. I do think we managed to create an original piece of music that is influenced by both our experiences in the European music scene and our creative partners such as Chris Teti who has been important for some of the more recent American hardcore records.”
I spent a lot of time in various intoxicated states during my first year of university. The title of “Memories” and this song’s lyrics are a self-deprecating statement about my inability to remember things well while drunk or high.
The message of the song is really, ‘I wish I could pay attention to all the fun I seem to be having.’
“Memories” sounds like it’s directed to a person, but if you listen closely to the lyrics, you’ll be able to tell that I’m actually speaking to the substances in a personified manner.
The guitar on this track is really wavy to demonstrate the wobbly nature of intoxication, and I wanted the chorus to be an intense moment of clarity where statements of intent are made, in an attempt to drive home the confusion of that time in my life in an accurate way.
In real life, I’d go through cycles of recklessness/abandon, then have moments where I thought I knew a direction I wanted to move in before it ultimately slipped away again. I think the song
reflects that well.
“Memories” is taken from my new EP, Sines and Symptoms, a collection of contemplative and self critical songs which discuss titular points in my life and the things that have formed me as a person.
Recording this EP with producer Ryan Worsley from Echoplant in Vancouver has given me a clearer picture of the landscape and where I might be able to fit into the music world.
Thank you for spending time with my music,
Liam Barrack
Following a hugely successful debut EP, with singles championed by BBC Radio 6, Radio X, Amazing Radio and more, VALA return with Bleed Together, the first of 5 new tracks and the opening of a new chapter. After the success of the I Love The Sound EP VALA make a side-step, diving deeper into their tight and urgent songwriting.
With a genre-crossing sound, VALA, are a fusion of indie rock and pop, incorporating melodic hooks and smooth guitar riffs which has seen them likened to indie giants like The Strokes, Willie J. Healey and more. The band have also announced two new shows, returning to London for the first time in over a year the band support Soft Lad at Notting Hill Arts Club with Close Up Promotions on November 2nd. After conquering The Big Smoke, VALA will return home to Manchester to headline The Deaf Institute with support from Foxglove for S.J.M. Concerts on November 17th. Guestlist is available for both shows for journalistic purposes, please just get in touch.
anglo-chinese talent aimei 媚 bursts her way into the UK scene with her electrifying debut song “V&V”.
Although new to the UK scene, aimei 媚, is no stranger to the musical arena, having found great success in the Chinese charts with her former EP. This time round she is reintroducing herself and entering an exciting new chapter as the experimental, genre-diverse artist we hear on this debut.
Listen Here & Watch Here
Speaking on her makeup of her musical expression, aimei 媚 shares “As someone of British and Chinese descent, it has allowed me to enjoy a fascinating and cross-cultural upbringing having lived and studied in many countries. As I have been able to experience different music from different cultures, It has really allowed me to explore a variety of soundscapes ultimately developing my own sound in which I hope to coin ; pop noir.”
“V&V” is an explosive alt-pop/electro track which gets us nicely acquainted with the unique sound of aimei 媚. The steady build up to the chorus and booming beat are heavily inspired by her love for drum & bass, which is fiercely cut with a catchy-pop melody.
aimei 媚 sums up the inspiration behind “V&V”- “I think for a long time I felt responsible for other people’s actions and emotions. Over time the roles of Victim & Villain became more apparent to me in several unhealthy relationships emphasising the need for people to step up and take accountability for their actions. Making this song left me in a place where I wasn’t so confused anymore, I can’t control how someone reacts to things, or treats me, but I have learnt to protect my energy from someone who’s a villain”
The creation of meaningful art can only occur in moments of despair or triumph; there is no gray area.
iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (short for waseskwan iskwew, meaning “blue sky woman”) is a creator whose catalogue drips of a spectrum of emotions and is powered by resilience. Following several seasons of high highs being met with low lows, iskwē retreated south to Mexico and inward to her soul, and painted a 10-song masterpiece to illustrate the gut-wrenching roller coaster that has been her recent life.
Nīna is the opus of iskwē’s rebirth. Nīna is the Cree translation for “me”, and was chosen as the title to this full-length album as an ode to the album’s deeply autobiographical elements. The album is the sonic manifestation of the divine feminine explored through vignettes of love, passion, anger, betrayal & loss.
To bring her incredible stories to life, iskwē teamed up with 7x Grammy nominee Damian Taylor (Björk, Arcade Fire, The Killers, Bomba Estereo), who co-wrote and produced Nīna while iskwē was living in Mexico City. The culmination of their sounds resulted in an offering of ethereal eclecticism, reminiscent of the sensuality of late 90s R&B with the most delicious twist of Esthero.
Allow Nīna to seduce you as you bathe in the mysteries of iskwē’s Canadian Cree Metis Culture and feel hints of tropical sea breezes and electrical current of Mexico City. This album is a Realist’s journey through the deep, visceral experience of love. It’s an ode to the journey back home to ourselves; the most beautiful odyssey from the imagination of a storyteller well-travelled.
For as much as Jada Kingdom twists together dancehall, R&B, pop, and jazz, the Jamaica-born songwriter also merges moments of introspection, seduction, and empowerment. Born and raised in 7 Mile Bull Bay (Gold Shore Lane) on the east side of Kingston Jamaica, she resided in a two-bedroom home with her mother, brother, and sister—sharing a bed with her siblings. The family used showers outside and cooked outdoors as well. Despite “growing up in a really rough and dark place,” Jada wrote poems at only eight-years-old and was inspired musically by the likes of Nina Simone, Diana King, Sade, Minnie Ripperton, and Amy Winehouse. At the age of fourteen, she left school, waitressed, promoted events, and modeled. She even launched her own swimwear line and organically built an Instagram following of millions. In 2017, she dropped her debut single “Love Situations.” By the end of the next year, she popped off internationally with “Banana” and the “Banana REMIX Challenge,” amassing 4.4 million Spotify streams and 3.5 million YouTube views. The FADER hailed her as “Jamaica’s alternative voice of pain.” During 2020, she served up the mixtape, E-Syde Queen (The Twinkle Playlist) #Snacksize, in between collaborating with everyone from YFN Lucci, Popcaan, and Vybz Kartel to Davido, Skillibeng, and Aluna.
A storyteller first, New Jersey born and bred IX Wulf has embarked on a musical journey that spans over two decades. His passion for music was ignited at a young age, growing up with a father who was a wedding singer. Surrounded by the timeless classics performed by his father’s band, IX Wulf developed a deep connection to the art of singing and performing. Inspired by legendary artists like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Usher, he set his sights on becoming a musician himself.
At the age of 10, IX Wulf stepped into the studio to record the first song he ever wrote. From that moment onward, he honed his skills as a R&B singer, songwriter and producer, pouring his emotions and experiences into his music. The journey hasn’t always been smooth, with its fair share of ups and downs in the music industry and in life, IX Wulf persevered, using music as a means of healing and self-discovery.
The artist-to-watch has a unique approach to his music that extends beyond the audio realm. He treats each song as an act and has created a forthcoming visionary EP, incorporating his love for film and storytelling. Through carefully crafted scenes, he brings the narrative to life, presenting a multi-dimensional experience for his audience.
Creating and developing his debut EP, ‘Heal Yourself First,’ was a process that spanned over several years and serves as a personal reflection. Each song represents a different act, coming together to form a cohesive narrative. Drawing from his own experiences and emotions, IX Wulf weaves a tale of self-discovery, love, heartbreak and the importance of healing yourself before attempting to heal others.
With ‘Heal Yourself First’, IX Wulf aims to convey a powerful message of self-love and personal growth. He wants his fans, both old and new, to connect with the overarching story and find solace in his music. Through his soulful vocals and poignant lyrics, he invites listeners on a journey of introspection and healing.
In addition to his talents as a vocalist and songwriter, IX Wulf also takes on the role of producer for the majority of his releases. His creative process begins with crafting the music, allowing the emotions to guide the soundscape. From there, he freestyles melodies that fit the mood and lets the lyrics flow naturally.
Beyond music, IX Wulf nurtures a deep passion for the world of film. As an actor himself, he aspires to write, direct and produce films. With a versatile and ever-evolving musical style, IX Wulf is poised to captivate the world with his talents and leave a lasting impact on the R&B scene.
The world is watching Kevin Ross. As a record-breaking pioneer and R&B artist who is reshaping the music landscape, this is an independent artist paving the way for other artists to follow.
With upwards of 100 million streams across platforms and unparalleled historic feats, Kevin Ross recently became the first independent artist in music history with two simultaneous singles in the Top 20 of the Hot Adult R&B Airplay Chart. Additionally, Ross broke a radio record with his hit single “Sweet Release”, which had the longest run as the #1 requested song on Sirius XM’s Heart & Soul.
Originally signed to Motown records, Kevin Ross formed his artist-owned label Art Society Music Group (AMG) in 2019. Since then, Ross has garnered over 100 million streams across platforms, multiple Billboard charting songs, and a strong presence in both film and television. His work has been celebrated by Rolling Stone, Billboard, BET, Vibe, Essence, Good Day NY, and many others. Ross has collaborated with renowned artists such as Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Tank, Ne-Yo, and T.I., and has earned nominations from the Soul Train Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and iHeart Radio Music.
Leftfield Yorkshire rockers – FERAL FAMILY – have shared new single “This Side Of Me”, a brand new single to be taken from their debut album due early next year.
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The first new music from Feral Family since they released their debut EP ‘PLAYTEST’ earlier this year, “This Side Of Me” is an antagonistic and antsy exploration of internal skirmishes that blister in the unconscious and constantly threaten to erupt.
A fuzzy and industrial-tinted anthem that sees churned-up riffs convulse against clanging drums and foreboding vocals that feel reminiscent of the troubling inner-thoughts that make up the tracks subject matter, singer Jamie explains:
“This Side Of Me” conveys the idea of inner-conflict and the struggle to maintain a positive facade while dealing with personal demons. It tells the story of a person who is waiting to experience a past feeling once again, however they blame themselves for not being able to control their emotions. Despite surviving through difficult times, they eventually break down emotionally and leave a mark on someone else’s life.”
Already previewed by Radio X’s John Kennedy, the DJ said “I couldn’t resist playing it”, whereas BBC Introducing’s Alan Raw praised the track as “brilliant!”. And there’s more where that came from… An electric statement of intent from a band bristling with a new vengeance, “This Side Of Me” arrives alongside the announcement of Feral Family’s self-titled new album, which is due in January 2024.
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As their name suggests, Feral Family are hungry and relentless: it’s in their DNA. Quietly simmering away in the seaside town of Bridlington on the East Coast of Yorkshire, their music has been hailed as “a perfect blend of haunting vocals mixed with an in-your-face sound akin to Foals” by BBC Introducing.
With a string of previous singles gaining airplay on the likes of Amazing Radio, Total Rock and BBC Introducing Humberside, Feral Family have attracted attention from a range of tastemakers including The Independent, God Is In The TV, Soundsphere Magazine and more. The band’s previous single “Smother” was also praised by When The Horn Blows as “like a drug [that] hits the spot once again” and Flare Music dubbed earlier release “Spice King” as “a catastrophically raw form of originality… Unfathomably strong.”
The band released their debut EP ‘PLAYTEST’ earlier this year — an impressive five-track release which bottled the lightning of their mesmeric live performance in the studio. Wildly independent and utterly driven, Feral Family continue to have a raison d’être to become known as one of the UK’s most crucial live bands.
Canadian singer-songwriter, entertainer, TV personality, and women’s music pioneer Connie Kaldor is celebrating 45 years in show business with her 18th studio recording Keep Going, set to be released on October 20th. The album’s first single and title track is out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.
On lead single ‘Keep Going’, Connie gives us a post pandemic anthem with a rhythm that won’t give up, so we won’t either. It’s full of wisdom learned from a life on the road—when you’ve toured as many miles as she has, the things that keep you going are the people that you meet, the songs that connect and sometimes, just putting one foot after the other.
“It takes perseverance to get to this many years as an independent musician,” says Connie. “This track has the drive to keep you going, perhaps through jobs that are repetitive, under appreciated, often poorly paid but necessary: ‘You need a buck and you’ve got a dime.’”
CHLOE JANE
“They Don’t Like You”
• Rising New York-based pop singer, songwriter, dancer and DJ (whew!) Chloe Jane releases her latest single, “They Don’t Like You,” a shimmering summer bop Barbie track celebrating the relationships that really matter in life. Chloe’s voice is electrifying, and her music is undeniably pop – super rhythmic and infectiously melodic. Previous releases have landed coveted spots on editorial playlists across platforms and noteworthy press coverage from the likes of Paper Magazine. This Gen Z pop queen will be back with her next single, “Summer Fling (Teddy Cream Remix),” on October 13th. Mark your calendars.
• “‘They Don’t Like You’ is a fun song I wrote inspired by a relationship I was in with a guy who did not like my friends, and my friends did not like him. At the end of the day, my girlfriends will always come first because guys will come and go, but keeping your friends who love you and support you close is really important I believe. I hope this song can inspire people to know their self worth and not let anyone come in and shake up their relationships with the ones you love.” – Chloe Jane
WESSON is a British alt/rock band led by singer/songwriter Chris Wesson. Based in Milton Keynes, the four-piece band was formed under the mutual decision to find like-minded souls who needed music as part of their everyday life and essence to their being. Along with bassist Callum, guitarist Jimmy, and drummer Dale, WESSON creates music which is relatable, conversational and meaningful.
With each band member coming from a different musical background, WESSON soaks up an amalgam of influences, resulting in a collective mix of pop, punk rock and indie with soaring vocal parts and an overall sound which is entirely its own.
Their latest single “Second Chances” is the result of wanting to create something that was upbeat and summery with a feel-good essence. The inspiration came from reflecting on past experiences. Imagining and hoping for a different outcome but realising you cannot change the past. We have all made mistakes along the way. It is the hope of a ‘second chance’ that sometimes drives us to change or work harder, but this song is ultimately about coming to terms with the past. Chris shares, “I’m not alone in having made mistakes along the way. So I hope this song gives some hope and comfort to those harbouring regrets and resentments, it can be a lonely place reflecting on a painful memory, hearing a song like Second Chances reminds me that I’m not alone, and that definitely helps. We’d hope it might lend itself to someone who is travelling or moving from one place to another, in the same way that their minds are moving on from dwelling on the past and celebrating that departure in their thought patterns.”
Aiming for modern production on a retro styled song, “Second Chances” has one foot in the past and the other in the present. Familiar yet unique, the track is reminiscent of the likes of The Buzzcocks, The Libertines, and The Ramones, with vocal harmonies influenced by The Beatles and The Beach Boys.
Emitting a gritty rock undertone, bold melodic bass riffs and driving drum beats, WESSON delivers a soundtrack to everyday life events, touching on reflections and memories that pass them by. Their organic approach to songwriting allows their music to be honest and identifiable. Spreading messages of living unapologetically, the band hope to help listeners find peace and acceptance in their life. They share, “We want to help make their troubles fade away and give them a moment of escapism from whatever it is that they are going through.”
Having gigged across the UK, supporting artists such as The Bluetones, Callum Beattie and Lucy Spraggan, WESSON are set for an exciting 2023, with more releases and gigs to be announced soon.
North Carolina-based artist Tyler Ramsey is thrilled to announce his new album New Lost Ages, due out February 9, 2024 via Soundly Music traverses genre-bending terrain, and is as indie and psych-rock as it is singer-songwriter. The first single “New Lost Ages” (title track) sets the tone for Ramsey’s new project. With artfully crafted layers of guitar, synth, and piano atop a heavy backbeat, the track is reminiscent of the best of Lord Huron and Father John Misty – catchy whilst tackling complex acceptance of reality.
“This song is about letting go of innocence and facing the reality of a society that is in decline. One that is refusing to change course or even pause itself,” Ramsey says. “It’s searching for hope in all of this. It’s wanting my children to be able to experience this world with wonder and joy and not have to carry the weight of our mistakes.”
This fall Ramsey will be playing select shows throughout the Southeast, including AMERICANAFEST on Sept 22, in Nashville, TN.
Tickets, and up to date information can be found at tylerramsey.com.
TYLER RAMSEY LIVE
September 22 @ AMERICANAFEST | Nashville, TN
October 13 @ Bourgie Nights | Wilmington, NC
October 14 @ Flat Iron | Greensboro, NC
October 21 @ Asheville Masonic Temple | Asheville, NC
October 22 @ Eddie’s Attic | Decatur, GA
October 27 @ NeighborhoodTheatre | Charlotte, NC
singular South African artist Muzi releases two new singles – ‘Milk & Honey’ featuring British rapper The Last Skeptik, and ‘Light’, off his forthcoming album uMUZI, due out October 13th via Fool’s Gold Records. Along with the pair of singles, Muzi has announced the tracklist for uMUZI.
Offering a glimpse into the dynamic, genre-fluid sounds of his upcoming project, ‘Milk & Honey’ and ‘Light’ are a compelling pairing. ‘Milk & Honey’ is soft and earthy, blending The Last Skeptik’s minimalist hip-hop approach with Muzi’s magnetic production. Surrounded by warm synths and muted trumpet melodies, Muzi and The Last Skeptik share their holistic message: “In a world of excess, in the land of milk and honey, I choose less. I choose my introverted nature. I choose myself,” says Muzi.
Its companion, ‘Light’, flaunts Muzi’s spirited house inclinations. Rolling percussion, shiny synths and groovy basslines lay a charismatic backdrop for Muzi’s soulful vocals as he smoothly transitions between English and Zulu. A beautiful dedication to his late mother, ‘Light’ is about commemorates the familial values that have remained with Muzi as he’s transitioned into parenthood. Muzi explains, “‘Light’ is an ode to my mother. Keeping me sane through the darkest times. My light.”.
Toronto-based artist, Alyssa Rose Hunt, who is poised to take the music world by storm with the release of her highly-anticipated album, Magnetic Muse Chapter 1. This alternative R&B/Soul album is a two-part masterpiece that symbolizes the yin and yang of musical expression. Magnetic Muse Chapter 1 serves as the yang chapter, characterized by bold instrumentation and lyrics that explore the initiation of romantic pursuits.
Standout track of this album is “You,” a soul-stirring composition that delves into the desire to be with someone so profoundly that solitude pales in comparison. Drawing inspiration from legendary artists like Amy Winehouse, “You” embodies a bluesy soul vibe with a mix of old-school and contemporary sounds. This track, positioned as the second song on the album, takes listeners on a rollercoaster journey with its dynamic contrasts, creating an authentic and emotionally charged musical narrative.
My new song, “Shine the Light Inside,” came about during an artist residency. I lived in a hotel room for three months in downtown Calgary where I wrote and recorded music within the isolation of my suite. My early music career was informed by DIY home recording and experimenting in unorthodox ways whereas my last two full length records were full studio productions with a lot of collaboration.
I wanted to make something weird by myself, playing with bizarre sounds and structures. I used the cheapest midi controller I could find, one microphone, an interface for guitar and bass. Featuring a freeform noise sax solo from Jairus Sharif, I’d love for you to hear “Shine the Light Inside,” a song about a billionaire’s rocket going off course à la Major Tom, available now on all streaming platforms.
The visualizer was made by Gino Serpentini who is a music producer signed to Flying Lotus’s label, BrainFeeder. He’s a regular at my favourite coffee shop, and I love his music and digital art. I asked him if he would be interested, and he was. His stuff is really far out. Check out what he made to accompany “Shine The Light Inside” on YouTube.
This track will be featured on my upcoming Split EP with Chad VanGaalen. It’ll be out on October 23rd, and I hope you dig it.
Matthew Swann 💫 Astral Swans
Alis Vibe is a rising pop artist from Milan, Italy. She has been making a name for herself with pop music that inspires her listeners to dance and, at the same time, share a deep message. Her intentional music represents her desire to raise awareness and develop a sense of community among her listers. Alis views herself as a singer and a performer who conveys a message of freedom and love to the world. Her influences include the legendary Freddie Mercury, the iconic visionary Lady Gaga, and other extraordinary and modern artists like Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa. However, behind her pop style is an important influence from folk, soul, and blues artists such as Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Tracy Chapman, Joss Stone, Etta James, Alis Vibe has released two singles and aims to release her bigger project in the US soon. The project she is working on and the singles released are about freedom of expression, universal love, self-confidence, divine timing, self-belief, and trusting the process. She believes in spirit guides and uses her music to encourage listeners to follow their own spirit’s guidance.
Every artist goes through a rebirth, for sisters Summer Joyner and Torrey Joyner that evolution began with a life changing experience that altered their world forever. JOYNER’S highly anticipated debut album traces the story of the year following the loss of their mother. From painful grief, to falling in love, and becoming someone new, the album is a free fall into the unknown of starting over. Full of dreamy synth-pop tracks that will make you want to cry and dance your lil face off, ultimately the record is about finding happiness again. “The journey of grief isn’t all sad, but it’s deep. Making this body of music was our cocoon as we each became someone new. Happy, sad, madly in love, this record captures it all with a kaleidoscope of color.”
Coming off the back of the successful release of ‘Control, Alt, Delete’, Po Purple unveils the official visuals for his latest drop “Corey”. An upbeat, melodic drill joint produced by Razz Beats that speaks on the life of a young menacing troublemaker who later in life had to deal with the repercussions of his actions.
Po Purple combines Drill-fuelled beats, his raspy tone, witty lyricism, melodic synths, and a cutting-edge instrumental with heavy bass throughout. inviting fans and listeners alike to get more acquainted with him as he hones in on his craft,
Speaking on the single Po Purple commented “My second release to the world of music, and I’m going for it full throttle. My name is PO and I like purple, and I say worddd”.
Sweden-born producer, songwriter and vocalist MASAKA returns to the ether with his second single “ATV”.
Displaying a multidisciplinary musical approach that pulls fragments from contemporary R&B, indie and alternative rap, the Ugandan heritage artist envisions a complex journey through heartbreak and reconciliation across “ATV”. With spacey guitar licks and electric vocal layering mixed by Fredrik Okazaki (Yung Lean, FKA Twigs, Skrillex), the striped-back, dystopian instrumental set pace for the rising talent to explore a fading love interest and the distress and confusion that takes control.
Visually depicted through the dark and mysterious visualiser, MASAKA becomes the narrator of his own melancholy, a therapeutic outlet for him to express a deep-rooted sense of self-pity stuck in limbo that eventually manoeuvres towards true enlightenment.
Speaking on the record, MASAKA mentions: “ATV is about the abstract rush of self-pitying intoxication that a breakup can give you. It’s the ambivalent narrator in your head who starts talking right before the credits start to roll. You can feel things are about to come to an end and that there’s nothing you can do but try and salvage whatever pieces of self-worth that are within reach. Maybe you bargain one last time but really that moment is about realizing that your time together belongs in the past tense.”
Sheffield indie-rockers – LITTLE MAN TATE – have shared details of their first studio album in over a decade, ‘Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life’ (out 17 November 2023).
The announcement follows the release of the band’s new single “Undercover Lovers” last month, and comes ahead of a UK headline tour this October.
Picking up right where they left off over ten years ago, ‘Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life’ sees Little Man Tate deftly tap into the band’s original unremitting magic with a fresh, fully-grown twist.
Available on vinyl, cassette, CD and digital from 17 November 2023, the record captures the four-piece’s original indie charm with a nod to the lives, loves and losses they’ve experienced during their time on hiatus. As frontman Jon Windle explains:
“We became known for writing observational songs with interesting characters in them, often based on people we knew or had met. When we sat down and started writing again we didn’t want to move away from that, but we are 15 years down the line now so reference points change. We’ve been through marriages, loss, having kids, some of us getting divorced, and I think that comes across in the music. It’s still Little Man Tate… it’s just Little Man Tate a bit more grown up!”
Earlier this year the band also shared the first bit of new material to be taken from the album, “Undercover Lovers”. A playful hark back to the golden days of indie-rock, the rampant rollercoaster of a track sees runaway riffs thread their way through playful, bouncing choruses and Little Man Tate’s distinct tongue-in-cheek take on storytelling.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
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