My song “Down to the Devil” is inspired by my own tendency to consider the worst case scenario and the “what if’s” that we all have in the back of our minds. Sometimes, we’re our own worst enemies.
The main hook “Take my oh-weary soul / Take me down, down to the devil” came as an idea after a period of watching an influx of prison shows on Netflix, with their southern influenced soundtracks, and I wrote the rest of the song around that southern rock vibe hook.
“Guillotine don’t mean a thing to me, When lucifer is waiting with open arms
This reign of terror is a revelry, and the death of the girl that I once was”
We even added real chain sounds into the production of this song by continuously dropping an industrial chain on the studio floor until it made just the right sound to use as a sample – I really wanted a piece of the original inspiration from prison shows to make it into the final version of the song.
Listen to “Down to the Devil” on streaming platforms everywhere.
Watch the official music video on YouTube.
I often find that in the beginning of my songwriting process I don’t intend to create a personal tie to the lyrics and usually lead the songwriting with melodies. But by the time I get about half way through and take a step back to look at the lyrics I’ve written about this narrator in the song, I always end up realizing, “Oh this is totally about me” and the traits I think I could improve on in my real life.
Thanks for listening,
Charlie PS
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This is Malade, the gloss-pop project of Montreal-based singer, songwriter and producer Camille Brown. RnB groove meets crafty pop in this playful, maximalist endeavor.
Unfortunately for me and many incredible people out there, we have dated some very run of the mill, mediocre men. “Give Up” is a ridiculously earnest break-up song. I wanted to push the revenge-pop agenda with this one and really lean into girlishness, feelings of betrayal and disgust.
Listen to “Give Up” on streaming platforms everywhere.
“Let the record show the case you were building
Forever-bombing me like I’m a fool
Your detonations of fairytale spoof
And in the rubble, somehow I knew”
This track has gone through more rewrites out of anything I’ve ever put out. I usually give up (pun not intended) on songs that take this much time to crack, but something about this one made me come back to it over and over. It was kind of like a puzzle I couldn’t finish and it was driving me mad. Now that it’s (somewhat) finished, I hope you enjoy it as much I do!
Thanks for listening,
MaladeInstagram 💔 Facebook 💔 TikTok 💔 Spotify 💔 Apple Music
THE IRREPRESSIBLES releases the transformative new EP ‘Self Love & Acceptance’.
Intended as a series of meditations surrounding the artist’s individual journey towards ‘Self Love & Acceptance’, this six-track collection marks the first new music from the alias of Jamie Irrepressible since the 2020 album ’Superheroes’. From long-developing moments of enveloping orchestrations, to more intimate reflections on the inner processes of enlightenment and expansion, the EP arrives a powerfully personal contemplation on Jamie’s personal story and finds the Yorkshire-born composer and singer-songwriter at his breathtaking orchestral-pop best.
Featuring the singles “Self Love” and “Transformation of Acceptance”, The Irrepressibles are also pleased to present the EP’s standout finale “Inner Child”, available to hear now HERE.
Clocking in at just over the 10-minute mark, “Inner Child” is an expressive, elating, and altogether epic new addition to Jamie Irrepressible’s songbook. With lush, absorbing string sections that expand with harmony and rhythm, they provide ample score to epiphanous words that mediate on the emotional journey that is life. As Jamie explains:
“Inner child takes us back to the essence of life – the scintilla – the spark – our inner child always has this and by remembering them and setting them free we become our innate nature… The piece becomes a meditation on this – and the emotional journey of life – which goes all the way into the inner child and then comes out dancing as the other musicians sing – with rhythms, ostinatos and melodies building to become an organic blossoming of musical shapes and a complexity of difference that hopefully inspires the listener to move in their own way.”
When this song came to me, the majority of the music was already written for a woman named Viv. I contemplated those file names for a while as I wrote the lyrics, and I decided that I liked how Viv.wav looked on screen, so I kept it. And now I have a song and a tattoo on my body named after a woman I only met like a month ago!
Listen to “Viv” on streaming platforms everywhere.
I listened to the song maybe twice before I went in to record it. I had about 15 minutes to write the lyrics and melody. All I knew was that I wanted it to be about losing yourself in the summer and that feeling you get when you’ve drank a little too much and you start to look at people a bit differently – but you realize you’re drunk so maybe it’s not that serious.
At the end of the day, I’m happy I was a bit rushed because I think it gives the song a sense of freedom. I didn’t have time to overthink the words or the melody so it really captures that “in the moment” type of feeling.
Watch the fun music video on YouTube!
My friend Hannah and I recorded the visuals on a 2008 canon digital camera or my phone, centered around a nostalgic retro vibe.
Thanks for listening,
San Francisco based indie pop duo corner club share their self-produced dreamy, intimate second EP in the rearview mirror out everywhere now alongside the nostalgic track “funny colors” out now. The latest song allows the duo to process the passage of time and look back on fond memories over a layered vocals, synth and field recordings. The official EP release show is tonight at San Francisco’s Cafe du Nord with tickets available now here.
The pair’s self-produced second EP, the sincere, earnest in the rearview mirror out today, sonically paints a poignant portrait of life’s highs and lows. It softly and effortlessly flows between songs that carry a familiar warmth and a raw, inviting openness that command considerable, worthwhile attention. Created in the midst of a cross-country move, the EP maintains the intimate story-telling and playful ambience of past releases while exploring new directions in genre, intensity, and emotion, showcasing the duo’s evolving sonic identity.
Over seven stirring, cinematic tracks, the pair dive headfirst into the trials and tribulations of their lived experiences, exploring topics like memories from a childhood home long gone, the generational grief of loved ones passing, and reflections on a slow-burning heartbreak. Impressively, two songs were recorded as live takes including “i’ll never say i love you first again” and “the ezra song.” Several friends pitched in to provide flute, bass, and cello on different tracks, and the project was mastered with their remote collaborator Kevin Tuffy in Berlin at Manmade Mastering.
Vocalist Du says the EP allowed them to reflect on their artistic journey and the life changes that fed their newest music. Du says, “When we think back to where we were the last time we released music–in a different city, in different relationships, and with family having moved on and around–a lot has changed. We tend to write about the feelings that are most biting in the moment, and now that the EP is finished, we’ve found that some of those moments continue to stay with us and some are no longer relatable, hence the title ‘in the rearview mirror.’” The project features more music than they’ve released before at one time, which gave them more space to expand and explore their sound and vision while maintaining their core identity. Du continues, “With a longer project like this one, we had the opportunity to experiment with new styles while hopefully keeping some of our usual atmosphericness and storytelling.”
Londoner and multi-hyphenated talent bryden will be a new name to most, but his new single “Faces,” out today, is the perfect way to get acquainted. Homely vocals and sublime lyrics intertwine to create a much-needed alternative in the singer-songwriter space. bryden will be playing at the Islington Academy on October 14th (tickets)
You can listen to Faces now; https://apollodistro.lnk.to/bryden
Speaking about the song, bryden who also is an actor said “Faces came to be after I’d just finished a run of this intense two-man play which showed the dramatic dissolution of a relationship and I couldn’t get rid of this weight on my shoulders when it finished: thinking about how life-altering what you choose to say or not say can be, and about how painful the end of relationships can be.
“At the same time I’d gone on a night out proper bursting to the brim tell my new girlfriend that I loved them. Heart filled up with longing, head screaming that you’ve been hurt before & it’s too soon etc etc.”
Those wishing to listen to more from bryden today can listen to his debut EP “The Rites” that was released earlier this year via his Linktree. The Rites was produced by Oscar Moos (Col3trane, boxboy, eyelar.)
bryden balances vivid narratives citing inspiration ranging fom a range of artists such as Frank Ocean, The Smiths, and Catfish and the Bottlemen. As a result, bryden’s enigmatic lyrics are infused with R&B melodies and rock undertones resulting in a unique and eclectic sound.
Hawthorne Heights have released a very special string version of their latest single ‘The Storm’. The single is to celebrate the bands current tour with Emo Orchestra that sees Hawthorne Heights play with their own hits as well as other emo classics with a full orchestra. Full dates below.
Speaking about the new single JT Woodruff added, “Hawthorne Heights has always been willing to live in a world of the non-traditional. We are a million albums into our career and just released our heaviest song yet. The most unnatural thing to do would be to add a full orchestra, which would match the heaviness with a featherlike delicacy, and that’s exactly what we did. We all grew up listening to the Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie double disc, and this was a great chance to live in that world for a little bit. We hope that our fans are willing to step into this world of majesty with us, get dressed up, and listen loudly when the lights go down.”
Basking in the last embers of late Summer, Montreal singer-songwriter – ALEX NICOL – is back with the new single “Working On My Tan”.
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE || WATCH VIDEO HERE
Exuding a warmth of sound, texture, and soul, the track arrives as the first taste of his forthcoming collection ‘Been A Long Year Vol.1 & Vol.2’.
Laced with gentle humour, laid-back alt-folk arrangements, and set to a relaxed pace that takes the world in its stride; on the surface “Working On My Tan” is a spacious and tranquil listen, but one that conceals a deeper tension brewing beneath.
A song that steps into the skin of someone who is not the complete vision of calm they project, Alex Nicol explains of its subject matter:
“[In “Working On My Tan”] the protagonist runs through a list of ways he’s trying to be present and live in the moment, but he’s clearly struggling to find a sense of lasting calm in an overwhelming world. Ultimately, the song finds its antidote for stress overload by connecting with the natural world, but also examines how difficult unplugging from the grind can be.”
“Working On My Tan” is accompanied by an artful official video by A, which finds a father-like figure enjoying the high life of freedom and the simple joys found in nature. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd5iwDQcxZs
The single is the first track to be cut from Nicol’s upcoming new album ‘Been A Long Year Vol.1 & Vol.2’, also announced today. Where ‘Volume One’, released earlier this year, was drawn from Nicol’s internal world, its partnering half ‘Volume Two’ finds him looking outside of himself to address more wide-reaching issues. With a slightly lighter application of the nuanced folk-rock style he’s been growing into, these additional five tracks find Nicol journeying outwards; moving past the grief and sorrow happening in his own head to explore bigger picture themes.
Though all of Nicol’s music is drawn from his thoughtful first-person viewpoints, ‘Been A Long Year Vol. 1’ was more reflective and metaphorical. However, the songs of its successor are far more overt and direct. Take “Simple Fires”, a track calling out the fossil fuel industry and their destructive practices. Or lead single “Working On My Tan”, which looks at how difficult it can be to disconnect from everyday pressures and instead seek solace from the natural world. Or the bittersweet eulogy “Song For Franz”, a song dedicated to his late uncle, that ultimately reflects a wider issue of how men are socialised to deny their emotions.
Showing different sides of the same coin, ‘Volume 1’ and ‘Volume 2’ come together in an album-length statement that showcases Nicol’s deft ability to intermingle the personal and the universal, the minutiae of human emotion and the complexity of global issues. Both parts will be available to listen to as one album from 1st December 2023. Lead single “Working On My Tan” is available now.
My debut album Time, Time, Time is about change, with stories that speak to love, loss, unfulfilled dreams and the inevitable passage of time.
It was a labour of love, three years in the making, working closely with producer Joe Grass. Inspired by my all-time favourite records, like For Emma Forever Ago by Bon Iver and Ma Fleur by The Cinematic Orchestra, the result is a very moving record, that takes place in autumn, somewhere by a lake or a river, about the humbling journey through life.
Listen to the dreamy title track “Time, Time, Time” and the full album on all
Watch the live performance video of “Time, Time, Time” on YouTube.
The “Time, Time, Time” video was shot in Cowansville, QC, on breathtaking land with wavering hills as far as you could see, golden trees all over and an enchanting old barn. We filmed in the late afternoon, with glowing sunlight and the sound of birds flying home. This late and withering autumn scenery perfectly encapsulated this song, and the album’s overall narrative of change. It was so perfect that an image of this scene is actually on the album cover.
These nine songs are now out in the world. I hope you enjoy listening to them, wherever you are, and whatever you’re going through.
Thanks for listening,
Marcus Lowry
GRAMMY-nominated global artist Matt B has released a new music video for single “JOLENE,” taken from his Afrobeats album ALKEBULAN, out now via Vitae Records. Incorporating a fusion of world sounds, the alluring downtempo track finds Matt confessing his affection to someone keeping him at arm’s length. In the accompanying visual — directed by PhillyFlyBoy and Matt’s wife, manager, and producer Angela Benson — we see him pray to Oshun, the West African goddess of divinity, love, and freshwater who is known as the granter of wishes, asking her to bring the love he desires into his life.
WATCH THE “JOLENE” MUSIC VIDEO HERE
On the track, Matt shares, “‘JOLENE’ is really special to me. It’s a song about forbidden love and exploring how to navigate those feelings. It speaks on the tragic feeling of when being with the one you love could completely destroy the relationship you have with your family. It makes you question: should you follow your heart or throw the love away for the sake of maintaining the relationship with family? This is exactly what I found myself faced with a long time ago when dating a beautiful woman who eventually became my wife. Both of us chose one another despite how our families felt about it.”
“The music video is a symbolic representation of the thoughts in my head and the feelings in my heart during that time, while also illustrating this using elements of African culture,” he adds. “You see the West African goddess, Oshun, who is the river goddess of divinity, femininity, love, and beauty. In the video, I pray to Oshun in hopes that she will grant me the desires of my heart and allow me to be connected with the love of my life. The water where Oshun dwells represents purity, divine generosity, and vulnerability.”
Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Kwasi continues to push boundaries with his distinct and genre agnostic aesthetic and sound. Following the success of his previous releases earlier this year, Kwasi is set to unveil his latest single ‘POISON’ on Friday, September 29.
With a stack of achievements under his belt, the Ghanaian-Australian artist merges his bold alternative hip-hop energy with vibrant indie and punk-rock soundscapes while navigating the depths of love, loss and self-discovery.
‘POISON’ is layered with hazy, indie guitar riffs and driven by upbeat drums as waves of cool synths wash over. Kwasi skilfully captures a bittersweet essence that ebbs and flows with his lyricism, weaving dreamy chorus melodies contrasted with briskly delivered verses. Laid over the shimmering backdrop his gruff vocals are engrossing and powerful all while feeling disarmed and warm.
Through the track, Kwasi lets his guard down and offers a self-indulgent perspective on heartbreak, finding solace in solitude and encouraging his partner to ‘run away, far away, cause this love is like poison’. Kwasi reveals:
“In ‘POISON’, I am caught in a daze of hopeful sadness, knowing the end is near. Hungover from intoxicating love, I romanticize the positive parts of the relationship, but deep down I know it’s best to just ‘Run away’.“
Kwasi’s distinctive sound and creative vision shine through with ‘POISON’. While lyrically, he encapsulates the complex emotions and conflicts of a relationship reaching its inevitable end, he also arouses that same feeling through the nostalgic but fresh production.
For the unfamiliar, Kwasi has been stirring emotions for a long time now and has shared stages with renowned artists like 360, Banks Arcade, Genesis Owusu, and more. His music has received widespread recognition, earning support from influential platforms such as Triple J, Purple Sneakers, MTV, AU Review, Scenestr plus editorial placements in Spotify’s Fresh Finds AU & NZ, The Drip and sadboi hours.
SPEARMINT are back with the AA-side single “Prince & Joni” // “Three More Songs On The Jukebox”, both of which will feature on their upcoming 2023 album ‘This Candle Is For You’.
LISTEN TO “PRINCE & JONI” || “THREE MORE SONGS ON THE JUKEBOX” NOW
A tribute to a little known story from the archives of pop, “Prince & Joni” is a colourful piano ballad that explores Prince’s encounters with Joni Mitchell. As songwriter Shirley Lee explains:
“They really did meet at various times. Prince was a huge fan of Joni and I get the impression that Joni was slightly bemused by it all. In our song, it goes a bit further… Prince is kind of ‘bothering’ Joni.”
Featuring Shirley and Simon’s distinctive harmonies, its elegant piano flourishes come courtesy of Scritti Politti’s Rhodri Marsden (who has also produced their upcoming album).
On the flipside, “Three More Songs On The Jukebox”, is an old-school, high-energy, high-romance love song of the definitively Spearmint kind. A song about late-night drinking and the conflict between wanting to stay out, but knowing that it’s time to go home; at little over the one-minute mark, it’s closing time before you know it… As Shirley adds of the track:
“There’s a little street called Hanway Street that connects Oxford Street in London with Tottenham Court Road. It used to be home to several record shops and bars. The staff entrance to the Virgin Megastore was there too. The record shops have gone now, but a couple of bars like Bradley’s remain, with its jukebox intact, and you can still enjoy a late-night drink along that street. The song is about my wife and I making nights last: “ten more minutes, one more drink”.”
Both songs are accompanied with official videos courtesy of Moth Media check them out here: “Prince & Joni” // “Three More Songs On The Jukebox”.
The double A-side, “Prince & Joni” // “Three More Songs On The Jukebox” will be available digitally and on limited-edition 7-inch single.
It follows previous single “Melody’s Mother’s Jam”, with all three tracks set to feature on upcoming album ‘This Candle Is For You’ (out 17 November 2023). Spearmint’s first album since 2021’s acclaimed ‘Holland Park’ promises to be equally ambitious. A dizzying multiverse of an album, ‘This Candle Is For You’ will cover a wide array of themes, including the search for a missing sister, the ways we remember lost loved ones, the story of John Gavin, the James Bond star who never got to make a film, late-night drinking in Soho, the joys of B-movies & video nasties, changing attitudes to mental health, the plight and wonder of older cats, the reaction to the death of Sarah Everard, and the afterlife. It will be their 60th release on their own hitBACK label.
Spearmint will premiere the album live and in-full, alongside tunes from their last album ‘Holland Park’, at London’s Hoxton Colours venue on 5 December. Tickets are on sale now here. Further shows are due to be added for 2024. Stay tuned for further details soon.
JIMBO was founded in 2017 after guitarist Joe Narducci and drummer Jacob Tessier met in a stairwell on their way to an audition for a university music club. Shortly after meeting each other, they joined up with bassist and vocalist Alex Van Der Heyden to complete their sound. Within no time at all, the three had made a name for themselves in the Kingston, Ontario, music scene. In 2022, JIMBO added guitarist and vocalist Claudia Northey who has helped JIMBO reach new heights musically.
Their new song “Ship I Can Sink” is a cheeky take on a breakup song, and a literal pun on a “relation-ship.” Lyrically, the song tries to capture this realization and acceptance while shrouded in a generous dose of self-pity.
This song, like many melodramatic numbers, is in response to a break up that Van Der Heyden experienced last summer. It is possible that a relationship, romantic or other, can bring out the worst in you and though you are committed and comfortable in a certain place with their company, the only way to make change is to sever that person from your life. To draw on “Ship I Can Sink,” Van Der Heyden felt as though during the relationship’s course that he had lost himself at sea and it was time that he went down with my ship.
New York City based bassist, composer and educator Hannah Marks shares gentle, hopeful ballad and Twin Peaks-inspired video, “Jessie’s Lullaby” out everywhere now. A single release party and free show will be held at Ornithology Jazz Club on October 9 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Marks’ empowering, full-length debut album, Outsider, Outlier is due out October 20 via Out Of Your Head Records and is available to pre-order now. Celebrate the forthcoming LP at the official LP release show at The Jazz Gallery in NYC on November 3 with tickets on sale now here.
Out today, the dreamy, atmospheric, and tender, “Jessie’s Lullaby” quietly closes out an otherwise tumultuous album. Initially, the track was written for Jessie, a gentle but anxious dog Marks was watching one summer, but overtime, its meaning has shifted. Marks shares, “I now realize that this song was foreshadowing the immense struggle and change that was about to come in my life: moving to a new city and leaving an abusive relationship.” After significant personal growth, Marks is able to look back on the experiences that brought her to this song, instead of living in their midst. Marks continues, “Having now healed from the difficult experiences that led me to write this album, I can truly agree with my lyric, ‘what scares you first will help you grow.’”
Irish singer-songwriter, Holly Munro unveils latest single, ‘Open Ended’ following the announcement of her debut EP Up Against Your Nature to be released 3rd November via Kartel Music Group. With support coming in from BBC 6music and Radio X for her two previous releases, Holly will also be performing at this year’s Ireland Music Week this week as one of the 50 artists chosen to highlight the best of Ireland’s deep bench of emerging talent. Stream Open Ended here. Watch video for Open Ended here. Pre-Save Up Against Your Nature here.
‘Open Ended’ is the final release before her EP release in November. Written about the power of perseverance, it’s also about overcoming obstacles and defying the odds. Holly says, “I think there is one line that really captures the essence of the song: “The things I thought would kill me, I’ve befriended, nothing’s ended”. That lyric holds so much meaning because it’s about breaking free from self-limiting beliefs and fears that hold us back. It’s about realising that we have the ability to be our best selves and achieve great things”
Based in Dublin, Holly Munro is a songwriter who creates electronic infused folk-pop songs. In an unusual position, Holly is releasing her debut EP with an already extensive touring schedule under her belt. Her distinctive sound has earned her appearances at festivals like All Together Now and Electric Picnic, as well as opening slots and performing backing vocals for acts such as her siblings Hudson Taylor and global star Hozier. This great family connection and touring schedule has led her to playing shows across Canada, UK, and Europe, crafting a legacy for herself before even releasing a song under this name. Holly’s education, consisting of a degree in Interdisciplinary Arts from her time spent studying in The Netherlands and a Diploma in Augmented and Virtual Reality, has led her on a creative path where the visual elements she puts out are as important as the music itself.
Speaking of new single ‘Open Ended’ she continues, “I wrote ‘Open Ended’ during the month of April, and I think you can feel a sense of springtime renewal throughout the track. It’s like a fresh start, a time for growth and transformation. There’s this underlying theme of possibility and the idea that no matter what we’ve been through, there’s always an option to heal and move in a different direction”
Psychedelic cosmic explorers – SOLAR EYES – are set to release “Top of the World” on 4 October, the mesmerising first single to be taken from their self-titled debut album. Pre-order ‘Solar Eyes’ here.
Strap yourselves in and prepare to be transported to ethereal realms far away as the Birmingham-based cosmic cohort unveil a celestial wall of sound inspired by the legendary songs of Jesus and Mary Chain and The Ronettes.
Alongside the track’s release Solar Eyes will also be playing a special launch show, and their biggest hometown show to-date, at Birmingham’s The Printmakers on 14 October. Tickets available here.
“Top of the World” follows a debut springtime jaunt to SXSW earlier this year, as well as the success of a special BBC Introducing live event in Kidderminster and a triumphant twirl at The Great Escape,
After the flash, bang and wallop of their three previous sun-dazzled EP releases — ‘Dreaming Of The Moon’, ‘Alcatraz’ and ‘Naked Monkey On A Spaceship’ — the sonic surfers are now turning their sights toward the release of their debut album. ‘Solar Eyes’ is a veritable and vivacious rock’n’roll blast, and is set for release on 16 February 2024.
Solar Eyes is the brainchild of talented core duo Glenn Smyth and Sebastian Maynard Francis. WIth a blend of cosmic melodies and immersive sonic landscapes, the pair have already hung, drawn and quartered comparisons to Primal Scream, Chemical Brothers, ELO and the twanging ambiguities of Messrs Morricone and Pizzorno.
The group’s three previous EPs have also attracted the attention of Steve Lamacq, John Kennedy and The Observer, and gained placements on renowned TV programmes including Match of the Day and Football Focus.
A native of North Liverpool, Bobby West grew up in the suburb of Anfield Liverpool His first foray into music came by forming the band Broken Men, a following grew quickly leading to tours of England and Russia, and later Europe, supporting Echo and The Bunnymen. West now embarks on a new project with his band The Outsiders, with a debut album produced by legendary artist and producer Bill Ryder Jones, what could go wrong.
MadameNoire.comand Cassiuslife.com,digital content properties owned by iONE Digital, have launched ‘Say It Loud: Black, Queer & HBCU Proud’ in celebration of Homecoming Month. ‘Say It Loud: Black, Queer & HBCU Proud’ is an original series starring current Morehouse College student and business owner, Silver Horsley, and Albany State University Alum, Obio Jones.
In Part 2 of the series, Both HBCU Alumni discussed their experience attending an all-black school and being apart of the LGBTQ+ Community. During their conversation, Jones and Horsely spoke on the task of staying true to themselves and their sexuality, while navigating through school.
During the conversation, Jones opened-up about his journey and shared that during his time in school, he was not open about his sexuality. “I wasn’t openly gay on campus. I played ‘the closeted roll’. I was very mysterious, and I think helped my experience in terms of doing things and being active. I was Mr. Albany State, and I was able to pledge but I think at the same time if I could go back, I don’t know if I would have taken the same route.”
Following up his triumphant return to the music scene with his first solo release in three years, Swedish electronic music extraordinaire Kasbo is back again with his second offering of the year, a warm, blissful new song titled “Alive,” which is out now via ODESZA’s Foreign Family Collective label. Alongside the release, Kasbo hints at a new forthcoming body of work to come in the near future as he embarks on an adventure that explores catharsis and escapism through dance music.
“Alive” serves as the perfect sonic mixture of Kasbo’s past and future as he calls on the euphoric elements of his production that his fans adore and the forward-thinking, uptempo rhythms that reflect his evolving passion for the dancefloor. Anchored in the moment with a soothing, four-on-the-floor pattern, Kasbo conjures a whirlwind of heavenly synths, pads, and vocals that culminate in a swell of music that washes over you. Always displaying transparency as an artist, Kasbo details the moment that he knew “Alive” would be his next release:
“I think you are constantly looking for what that next inspiration to write a record will be… never knowing if today or tomorrow will be the day you find that moment or idea that makes you realize what it is you want to say.
A few months ago, I was working on “Alive,” and something just effortlessly clicked. There was something about the song that felt like the next direction and sound for Kasbo. It encompasses everything I love about electronic dance music–the euphoria, the sense of adventure, and escape that happens when you remove the distractions.
The last few years have been a lot of finding myself and what I want to put out next into the world. I had been working on a bunch of demos but “Alive” is the first song that to me really begins to represent what’s next in the Kasbo world.
Being able to release this track as well as seeing the response to “The Way You Had Me” has given me so much inspiration to dive back into my demos and build out that next big body of work.” —Kasbo
Rich in cathartic songwriting and unmistakable vocal talent, ‘Miss You’ is a must listen for anyone navigating a break-up. Born from processing heartache, Oliver Keane’s new single is an impressive dose of relatable reflection. Sharing more he explained: At the time of writing the song, I’d been sitting in my flat with the blinds closed for two weeks with the same thoughts going round in my head. I decided to try and get those feelings out into a song which in time became “miss you”. It was months of going back to the song trying to get it perfect but eventually I came to terms with the fact that emotions aren’t perfect and there are flaws to the way we feel as humans, and that allowed me to finish the song and accept the imperfections in it.
Miss You is about trying to find hope during a breakup, and the pain and heartache that comes with it.
Miss You is produced, written and recorded by Oliver himself, shining a light on his talent for production. From a young-age he has been evolving his technical skills and has also been writing and producing for other artists including Nieve Ella and Abby Roberts
Derby-born Oliver Keane has been making a name for himself as an emerging singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer since he launched. In the run up to his debut EP ‘16mm Dream Sequence’, which dropped only last year, Oliver had already scooped much praise from the likes of Complex UK, Clash, Wonderland, Variance magazine and more.
Returning today and still just 20-years-old, Miss You marks the next chapter for this exciting artist on the rise. Oliver’s already formed a loyal fanbase across the globe with over 1.2M likes of Tiktok and 60K followers across his social media accounts.
With the live music scene now back in full force, Oliver has been making his mark, touring the UK and Europe extensively with acts such as The Snuts, GAYLE, Only The Poets (22 dates across EU) The Academic and Giant Rooks as well as a string of European festivals.
Having grown up in a house full of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, Oliver’s sound was initially influenced by guitar music. He began learning to play the guitar himself at the tender age of 9 and it was quickly established that he had a special talent for making music, with a gift way beyond his years for writing lyrics. Later on Oliver took to more indie leaning bands such as Catfish and the Bottleman which influenced his sound further, bringing it closer to what you hear today. Sat on a wealth of impressive genre-bending indie/alt-pop, you won’t have to wait too long before Oliver Keane is a well known name.
Alternative pop artist ROKI started writing and producing music at a young age as a creative outlet, and later headed up multiple bands. After taking a brief hiatus from music to pursue her love of filmmaking, she returned, producing new tracks with Ben Kaplan (Mother Mother) and Winston Hauschild (Wanting Qu). During the process of recording her debut solo album, MOTHER, she experienced the greatest changes and challenges of her life: becoming a mother while losing her own. The latter spun her into a darker state, and unsure how to process her grief she poured herself into her music.
2024 will herald a new era of sound for ROKI with her Lovable EP – dreamier, brighter, “loved up” and hopeful for new possibilities. With the message of trying to make love work, she was inspired to write “Hand’s Up” following a tiff with her partner. “There’s always going to be ups and downs,” she reflects. “[It’s about] figuring out how to navigate the ebbs and flows with more grace and understanding…sometimes you just have to put your hands up in the air, and say enough” to keep the peace.
Sacramento, California’s The Seafloor Cinema have announced their brand new self-titled album The Seafloor Cinema, out 1st December 2023 via Pure Noise Records. Pre-order available now – HERE.
On the new album, the band said “This record really feels like “us”. It’s as crazy, technical, pretty, soft, and heavy as we wanted it to be. We left the studio with Beau Burchell (Saosin) feeling like we really captured a record that described us as musicians, as people, and as friends. Beau Burchell really helped guide us in a direction that helped us capture the sounds in our head. He made sure our personalities were seen and heard within the music he captured.”
To celebrate the announcement the band have released two new singles off the upcoming album ‘If This Were A Film’ Feat Onlyfriend and ‘The Lesson (.44 Magnum)’ Feat Aaron Pauley from Of Mice And Men. Stream both singles – HERE.
the wonderful LÉON entered a beaming new chapter in her career, as a newly independent artist, with the release of “Pretty Boy”, which is the first single to be taken from her forthcoming album.
Today, LÉON shares the official music video for “Pretty Boy”. A story by LÉON and Directed, Edited, and Colored by Natalie Sakstrup, follows the loving relationship of two boys. It is a pure and tender depiction of love and beautifully pairs with the soundtrack of “Pretty Boy”.
Watch the music video for “Pretty Boy” below
South Carolina’s SWEET SPINE Looks Like Shoegaze’s Brightest New Stars In The New Visual For Their Viral Breakout Hit ‘Darkness’
Following the release of their viral breakout hit “Darkness,” there has been an explosion of interest in the young trio both online and IRL throughout the Carolina scene. On first listen, new listeners are immediately struck by the powerfully dynamic instrumental arrangement and haunting vocal from lead singer Fox – with new fans amazed to learn they aren’t listening to Nirvana, Deftones or Bright Eyes and equally amazed to learn the ages of Fox (19), Evelyn (19) and Brannan (22).
Watch the official music video here
Filling the Kurt Cobain-shaped hole in the heart of alt-rockers everywhere, “Darkness” has truly caught fire. In the two short months since its release after an outpour of demand for the full version after posting a short snippet: the track has crossed 1M Spotify Streams, been used thousands of times on TikTok, and landed on every relevant editorial playlist imaginable – including Shoegaze Now, Fresh Finds: Rock, emo right now, and New Alt-Rock Mixtape.
As a result, SWEET SPINE is booked and busy performing nearly every weekend throughout Columbia, Greenville, Charleston and beyond – winning over audiences with their highly energetic performances and impressive stage presence.
To match the intense energy of “Darkness” and bring viewers into the dark world of SWEET SPINE, for the accompanying music video the group scouted out some of the most eerie locations in SC: from a literal abandoned asylum, to a graveyard, to a misty lake straight out of a horror movie.
The visual gives viewers a sense of what it might be like to attend one of their increasingly frequent shows at bigger and bigger venues throughout Columbia, Greenville, Charleston and beyond – the teenage shoegazers somehow oozing with the confidence and charisma of veteran rockers as a very blood-like substance drips off their hair in between head bangs in some of the spookiest settings imaginable.
Brooklyn-based alt-rocker Moon Walker shares fervent track “Monkey See, Monkey Do” out everywhere now. Alongside the release, Moon Walker announces a publishing deal with Limited Edition Music Publishing/Warner Chappell Music.
The experimental, timely third LP Apocalypticism by the rising rocker is due out October 20 and available for pre-order now here. Plus, catch Moon Walker live across the U.S. as he continues his debut tour this fall with support from Nordista Freeze. Tickets are on sale now via listentomoonwalker.com/tour.
In addition to the new music, Moon Walker is proud to announce his freshly inked publishing deal with Limited Edition Music Publishing/Warner Chappell Music. In a joint statement, Greg Sowders & Marc Wilson, Co-Presidents of Limited Edition Music Publishing, joyfully state, “Moon Walker not only has an incredible rock sound along with catchy songs, he has something to say. Nothing is more important to us than a message. We welcome Moon Walker to the family and can’t wait for the world to hear this record.”
Out today, the fierce “Monkey See, Monkey Do” builds over a foreboding beat with Moon Walker’s signature cutting, spirited vocals that instantly command attention. It was the first track written for the forthcoming project that ultimately set the tone for what was to come. Making the song encouraged the artist to get creative, as Moon Walker explains, “I was staying at my parents house with limited resources so I had to make do with what I had.” The synth heard throughout was made without a synth, and with a guitar instead. Moon Walker adds, “I didn’t have a shaker or tambourine, so I used a box of sprinkles.” After playing the song live across the country all summer, Moon Walker is thrilled the studio version can be heard everywhere now.
The previously shared guitar-heavy rock tune “Give The People What They Want,” carries some of the rocker’s most potent lyricism yet. Moon Walker says, “I essentially wanted to return to form and write my best straightforward guitar-centric rock song. It’s funny how this song would have fit like a glove on my other two records but is, arguably, the most out of place song on this one.”
On the forthcoming project’s sound and expanding beyond his previous work, Moon Walker continues, “I spent so much of this record trying to subvert my typical tendencies as a songwriter. I was leaning heavily on things like samples and synths to differentiate from the typical guitar/bass heavy music I made.”
ringleaders of SoCal’s thriving surf-rock scene, Sun Room, capture the energy and chaos of their garage jams on new single and upcoming EP title track, “At Least I Tried.” Barely making it through the week, but remaining totally unphased by it, the band shows that they’re just along for the ride. Produced by Zac Carper of FIDLAR, Sun Room got to team up with one of their biggest musical influences from growing up in California. The two-and-a-half-minute ripper runs from Monday to Sunday, seeing the band lose their keys, crash their car, and an appearance from recurring character in their music, their van getting towed – Stream.
Next week, fans can keep an eye out for an official video to accompany “At Least I Tried.” The coming months will see even more music from Sun Room as they work their way towards the At Least I Tried EP later this Fall.
Frontman Luke Asgain said, “The second I dropped out of school and Sun Room started touring, a bunch of my friends suddenly thought I had all this money, all of sudden, and thought I had it all together… but that wasn’t true at all. If anything, life just got more hectic in an almost comical way. Going on tour, especially because we were winging it, things go wrong more often than not, and you just gotta laugh it off and try to figure out where to go from there.”
He continues, “Some of our favorite stories from the road are when everything goes completely wrong and you just end up sitting there dying laughing at yourselves because you can’t believe how wrong things turned out. I think that’s kind of where ‘At Least I Tried’ came from – finding fun in the chaos of life and being in a touring band.”
We’re Sunshine Express (a.k.a. S.EX), a band who is about the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.
When we began making music a few years ago, it all started with an AKAI sampler. We’d load it up with unusual samples and smack the hell out of the pads, maybe running it through a guitar pedal or two. This unrefined approach gave the sounds an aggressive edge, one that fused spectacularly with live instrumentation.
“I LUV SEX,” our latest release, sees our group graduating from experimental recording project to living, breathing band. Our goal was to convey our dynamic performance style as much as possible, to capture (rather than manufacture) the chaotic, communal spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.
We recorded live as a group, without a click, in the same room. The track mixes rock instrumentation with experimental sounds like pad synths and Mario 64 sound font samples.
It includes our band’s signature elements:
AKAI sampling, hard-tuned vocals, and an ambient aura.
You can hear “I LUV SEX” on all streaming platforms.
Watch the official music video on YouTube.
The video, co-produced with our label ROUTINE EXPLOITS, gives an immersive sense of our live show: lo-fi grit, an atmospheric aura, and a chaotic, communal energy. It features members of our local following, the Musical Militia, and live-mixed visuals by our projectionist, CllrDwllr.
Many people helped us! Just to thank a few: Matt, Liam, & Evan from our ROUTINE EXPLOITS family, Amryn, Ty, and the Musical Militia.
Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy.
MattUU
Singer & guitarist of Sunshine Express
Larkin Poe – the GRAMMY® Award-nominated duo of Georgia-bred, Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell – are thrilled to share their new EP An Acoustic Companion, featuring stripped-down versions of four fan favorites and is available on all US and UK DSPs and streaming services via their own Tricki-Woo Records today.
“In our world, almost all of our songs start out ‘acoustic,’” says Rebecca, “with quiet beginnings at the kitchen table on an acoustic guitar. In recording ‘An Acoustic Companion’ we really enjoyed stripping a handful of our songs back down to their roots and we hope folks will enjoy getting an earful of these songs as they originally came into being.
- Emerging indie pop-rock artist, Harley
Luck, has re-released his debut single, “Stay,” under his new moniker. The
re-mastered track was originally penned in Harley’s bedroom during April of 2020,
and carries the emotional weight of those early days of the pandemic. As the world
grappled with isolation and uncertainty, Harley turned to music as a means of
expression. This song, one of his earliest works, emerged as a testament to his
songwriting and production skills.
“Stay” paints a vivid picture of the struggle to hold on to someone when the world was
forcing everyone apart. The onset of the pandemic forced Harley to confront the reality
of distancing from friends, connections, and a fleeting crush. Those two weeks of
infatuation, coinciding with the pandemic’s emergence, served as the song’s primary
inspiration. Harley describes “Stay” as a song that may seem like a heartfelt love
ballad written by a 17-year-old, but it holds profound personal significance as a
benchmark of his growth as an artist. He emphasizes his commitment to embracing
change and personal evolution through his music, stating, “My songs are a method to
verbalize the emotions that are difficult to express so that I can move past them and
continue to grow.”
Coyote Eyes, the musical project led by singer-songwriter, Jo Eubanks, has released her latest single, “Lightning Strikes,” today. This new single, penned by Coyote Eyes herself, marks an artistic collaboration with the accomplished musician and producer, Jared Chance Taylor, for the second time. Thematically, “Lightning Strikes” explores the intriguing concept that life’s path may be guided by the belief that “if it’s meant to be, it will be,” ultimately leaving the course of destiny to fate. The song delves into questions of faith, destiny, and the interplay between preordained destinies and the choices individuals make to shape their own futures.
Coyote Eyes reflects on the dichotomy of life experiences, where some individuals
seem to effortlessly navigate life’s challenges, enjoying harmonious relationships,
successful careers, financial stability, and fulfilling family lives. These individuals, often likened to artists who are “discovered” just by walking down the street or who embark on lifelong love affairs from their first encounter, seem to effortlessly align with the universe. “Lightning Strikes” ponders whether it’s easier to have faith or trust in a larger cosmic plan when everything consistently falls into place. Conversely, the song acknowledges those who face greater trials and tribulations, struggling for years to find love or stability, while seemingly encountering closed doors in their pursuit of dreams. “Does that mean that ‘the universe’ doesn’t want them to have all those things? Or that their fate isn’t happiness, love, and abundance?” Coyote Eyes wonders.
Singer/songwriter Malek Hanna is set to release an inspirational earworm of a dance track with his new single, “We Can’t Stop” out October 15th. The Lebanese American musician has been performing and writing since his youth, where he started singing in his church choir. After launching his career as a pop artist, you might recognize him from performances at high profile events at The Vatican for the Pope, the National Anthem for the LA Lakers, and on The Voice — Arabia. His stint on The Voice provided the exposure needed to launch his music career, and his unique musical showcase, Melange, a multicultural celebration and lineup of powerhouse independent artists and musicians. His most recent single, “Which Way To Go” inspired the Philedalphia Women’s Film Festival with his award-winning music video directed by Monique Impagliazzo and starring TikTok star Devon Weetly.
His newest track launches slow and timid, Hanna’s warm vocals mingling effortlessly with a quiet solo piano, whispering a message of hope. It’s an introspective moment that explodes into a synthy, beat-driven wonderland making “We Can’t Stop” an unforgettable dance track worthy of the repeat button. Co-written with former The Voice contestant Raed Safe during the pandemic, the two collaborated to craft an inspirational message that reminds us to work together and never give up. Produced by Xavier Cevrin, soaring melody, waterfall harmonies and hammering dance grooves are the perfect backdrop to the positive reminder that the world is a beautiful place, if only we come together to make it that way.
A child of Baltimore, Lauren Lakis grew to embrace the fatalistic spirit of the city in her work and art. With stunningly raw, haunting tones, Lakis is “a breath of fresh air in the music industry, arriving with her own brand of ‘delightfully gut-churning shoegaze’” (Flaunt). Authentic and honest lyricism, paired with lush, darkly romantic vibes, her songs are “a refreshing change from today’s polite rock…” (Earmilk).
Following the release of her debut full-length Ferocious with Cavity Search Records (Elliott Smith, Helio Sequence) in 2018, Lakis delivered audiences her slowcore heavy, baritone-driven follow-up EP, Sad Girl Breakfast. Both records were produced by Billy Burke (REL, Luna Lovebad) with additional engineering by Grammy-winning mixer Chris Kasych (Adele, Deftones, Phantogram, HAIM). Both releases have gone on to garner radio airplay on 40+ stations nationwide, and placement on 65+ Spotify playlists. Lakis has also licensed tracks to Dating Pains and The Drunch.
Her latest LP, Daughter Language, was released in 2021 with Green Witch Recordings. It has received critical acclaim from Flaunt, Wonderland, Earmilk, Ladygunn, Buzzbands LA, Grimy Goods, Atwood Magazine, and more, with 1st Day Fresh naming it “a rock gem…the music is equally as powerful as the message with an electric magnetism rarely found in today’s overproduced records”. Daughter Language was recorded at Seahorse Sound with Billy Burke producing and Chris Kasych & Samur Khouja (Devendra Banhart, Deerhunter, Chastity Belt) mixing.
Lakis and her full band have toured the West Coast extensively, having shared bills with Ringo Deathstarr, Holy Wave, Sea Wolf, Peel Dream Magazine, and Drowse. The band sold out the Doug Fir Lounge with Coastlands and Pacific Latitudes, as well as The Catalyst Santa Cruz, supporting Flor & Winnetka Bowling League. Lauren also performed a pair of shows with Grammy-nominated rocker Tracy Bonham. Prior to the return of live music, she performed several live-streamed shows, partnering with Bands In Town, Jam in the Van, B Side TV, Rock to End Rape Culture, KXLU, ACLU, and JuJu Live.
Her new album A Fiesta and a Hell was recorded in Austin, TX with Carey McGraw producing (Wild Child, Josie Lockhart), Elliott Frazier mixing (Ringo Deathstarr, Blushing), and Christopher Colbert (Mazzy Star, Starflyer 59, Leon Bridges) mastering. Leading single “TAKE MY HAND” is about “forgetting what you thought you knew, letting go and bravely opening your mind to something radically different,” confides Lauren Lakis. “TERROR TEARS” the second single is a battle cry against the media propaganda machine, government hypocrisy and lies, that is set to 80s punk/goth rock inspired beats and reverb soaked guitar and vocals. Her latest single “Leave Your Window Open” is a typical love song with a vampire twist! A Fiesta and a Hell is out via Green Witch Recordings.
10/6 – Dallas – Three Links10/11 – San Antonio – Studio E (live stream performance)10/12 – San Antonio – Vice Versa10/13 – Austin – Swan Dive 10/14 – Houston – Axelrad10/26 – Long Beach – Alex’s Bar10/29 – San Francisco – Neck of the Woods11/1 – Los Angeles – Genghis Cohen
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
