Queer|Art, the national organization connecting and uplifting generations of LGBTQ+ artists, is pleased to announce the 2024 edition of Queer|Art|Pride—the 8th annual summer festival celebrating the brilliant artistry and resilience of NYC’s queer and trans communities.
This year, the organization partners with Body Hack (the collectively run party and mutual aid project fundraising for trans communities across the Americas) and Mister Sunday (the long-running NY Sunday party series) to host The Tuck, a nonstop weekend-long Pride festival. Taking over the entirety of New York City’s Pride weekend, the team will transform Nowadays’ 16,000-square-foot Ridgewood space into an extravaganza of indoor & outdoor festivities spanning Saturday, June 29th and Sunday, June 30th. The Tuck will fundraise for GLITS, an organization founded by Ceyenne Doroshow that provides immediate crisis support, healthcare access, and stable housing for transgender and sex worker communities in New York City.
Saturday’s packed slate of programming includes an afternoon celebration for queer and trans families organized by Kelindah bee Schuster, an arts bazaar complete with a clothing swap and local vendor fair, a movie night spotlighting emerging trans filmmakers, and sensational DJ sets by Heavy Pleasure, SCAAARR, Body Hack resident DJs Cisne and ARCHANGEL, as well as drag performances and an iconic back-to-back DJ set by Ceyenne Doroshow and Maya Margarita. After late night dancing, the party continues on Sunday with transcendent sunrise performances by Keioui Keijaun Thomas and Stefa*, poetry readings, a games lounge replete with video, card, and board games, and more.
Attendees will party on the dance floor throughout the entire 36 hour festival, and on Sunday afternoon Mister Sunday returns with a special Pride edition, Mx. Pride, with musical artist Ariel Zetina stepping into the DJ booth to serve up a flawless six hour set that blends techno, Chicago house, and Belizean punta.
The daytime festivities on both Saturday, 6/29 and Sunday, 6/30 are open to all ages, and at night shifts to 21+. Tickets can be purchased via the links below, or at the door.
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RSVP and Ticketing Links
Queer|Art|Pride @ The Tuck (Saturday, June 29, 12-10PM)
RSVP encouraged, donations to GLITS accepted at the door
– An afternoon celebration for queer and trans families
– An arts bazaar complete with a clothing swap and local vendor fair
– A movie night spotlighting emerging trans filmmaker
Body Hack Nonstop @ The Tuck (Saturday, June 29 10PM – late night Sunday, June 30)
Ticket purchase required in advance or at the door
– Nonstop dancing with DJs Heavy Pleasure, Ariel Zetina, Maya Margarita, ARCHANGEL, Cisne, Ceyenne Doroshow, SCAAARR, and more
– Live sunrise performances by Stefa* and Keioui Keijaun Thomas
– Games lounge with video, board, and card games
– Poetry open mic
More event details forthcoming at queer-art.org/pride
The Neighbourhood Watch’s story-driven blend of folk and indie rock clearly touched a nerve when they released their album Community Protected (2017). The album was a kind of anthology: a collection of songs about the dissolution of family, the philosophical angst of turning seventeen, and what it feels like to get a bit too high for your own good. Without any sort of label or industry support, the album racked up 10 million+ streams and became the main soundtrack for the indie film Midnight at the Paradise (2022). The DIY release laid the groundwork for the band’s future success.
They followed this release with the albums Goodbye Childhood (2019) and Lost in Bloom (2021). The records both honed in on the fear that often accompanies growing up—with songs about heartbreak, lost friendships, and the forced solitude of the COVID-19 pandemic. The albums received strong recognition, with features in the Toronto Star, blogTO, Exclaim!, and Indie88 contributing the albums’ 2 million + streams. More recently, the band’s song “20 Year Dream” was featured in a commercial for the international consulting company KPMG.
Now, the band is ready to release their fourth album: a meditation on family, illness, and loving what life gives you nonetheless.
Introducing shy FLW, the Norwegian artist who’s carving out her place in London’s R&B scene with her brand new single ‘Karma’. With a fresh blend of pop melodies and hip-hop beats, she’s creating a whole new vibe in alternative R&B, blending her captivating vocals seamlessly into the mix. ‘Karma’ is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
Meet daysormay. In the fall of 2010, three six-graders ignored all the trappings of typical teenage life and dedicated themselves fully to making music. Growing up in the small town of Vernon, BC, Canada, Aidan Andrews, Carson Bassett, and Nolan Bassett started out playing in cover bands before shifting to writing their own material. Now 24 years old, in Vancouver, with a full album and EP under their belt, the members of daysormay have no intention of slowing down.
The group has connected with 3-time Grammy and Juno award winning producer Chin Injeti (Dr. Dre, Drake, Eminem, Aloe Blacc, Anderson. Paak) and T-Minus (Lil Wayne, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd) for their next full-length album, MODERATION, set for release later this year. MODERATION will be released to the world on The Orchard-distributed label TAG Music. The record will be supported through daysormay’s dedicated online following and powerful live show, which has already graced stages at Reeperbahn Festival in Germany, The Great Escape in England, and Bumbershoot in Seattle, to name a few.
The first single to be released from the upcoming album is “SIMMER.” Marking the beginning of their collaboration with Injeti, “SIMMER” narrates succumbing to your impulses. Andrews confides, “There was a point in 2021 when I had covid, and I was isolated in my room for a while. I was really struggling at the time to moderate my consumption of everything, I was giving into any and every impulse that showed up, and I didn’t care. So to me the song is speaking from that place, that state of mind of knowing you’re too far gone but not caring, and even leaning into it.”
“SIMMER” stays true to the band’s loved and acclaimed sound, whilst turning things up a notch. Emitting an almost menacing tone, the track features dark, hard-hitting beats and ominous melodies, mirroring the overwhelming urge to surrender to your compulsions.
daysormay are certain to turn heads with the release of MODERATION, due September 18th 2024.
acclaimed New York City-based electronic musician, producer and activist Moby celebrates the life of Benjamin Zephaniah with new track “where is your pride?,” out now taken from his 22nd studio album always centered at night, due out June 14th and available for pre-order now.
The propulsive, break-beat driven track is spoken word with a powerful message delivered in the late dub poet’s characteristically warm burr. “Where is your love? / Where is your faith? / Where is your hope? / Where is your place? / Where is your pride?” Moby is proud to share a track with the late Benjamin Zephaniah to continue to celebrate his life and notes their aligned ideals, “As a vegan activist, and as a wise and compassionate man, Benjamin inspired me for many years. I hope that ‘where is your pride’ honors his legacy and also draws people’s attention to his life, work, and principles.”
Benjamin Zephaniah was a British writer, dub poet, actor, musician and professor of poetry and creative writing. He was included in The Times list of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers in 2008. He won the BBC Radio 4 Young Playwrights Festival Award in 1998 and was the recipient of at least sixteen honorary doctorates. Zephaniah was also a vegan and animal rights activist.
Even by Moby’s standards, always centered at night is special. The album features 13 collaborations in all, from names many might recognize to others many undoubtedly will come to recognize. The captivating voices on always centered at night include Sudanese, Netherlands-based chanteuse Gaidaa, London-based, Burundian royal refugee J.P. Bimeni, and Kingston-raised, London-based Aynzli Jones. These are often personal songs, and the personal is the political, as is the border-defying nature of the work. Moreover, they’re crepuscular, conceived at twilight, with many of the styles of the last 30 years in electronic music coming to the fore, such as the trip-hoppy “we’re going wrong” featuring Brie O’Banion, the broken beat, almost drum ‘n’ bass influenced “medusa” (with the aforementioned Aynzli Jones), or the Latin house of “feelings come undone” with Raquel Rodriguez.
In his pursuit of new sounds, Moby has become something of a collector of voices. He’s a connoisseur of the timbre and texture of human vocal chords, whether sampling artists like Bessie Jones, Vera Hall or Boy Blue on Play, or working with superstars like David Bowie.
LA-based indie pop artist Sloan Golden attempts to maintain composure with her unflinching track and cinematic official video “Parking Lot. On her debut single, out now, Golden looks to ground herself in reality and talk herself down from an overwhelming bout of anxiety. The Luna Collective, who debuted the video for “Parking Lot,” says it “perfectly captures the disorientation and heightened anxiety of a panic attack.” Tomorrow, on May 16, Golden will perform live at the Breaking Sound Showcase in Los Angeles at Employees Only with tickets on sale now here.
“Parking Lot,” is an homage to the universal experience of long, meaningful parked car conversations in high school and the heart-pounding anxieties that come with growing up. Written with rising singer-songwriter Jensen McRae, the track explores real mental health struggles which led to these intimate moments that tethered her to reality. Golden shares, “I wanted the song to be the sonic encapsulation of what an anxiety attack feels like. I intentionally never mentioned the title of the song within the lyrics as I want listeners to be able to place themselves in their own ‘parking lots’ without me ever having to say it.” The track was produced by acclaimed indie rock musician Runnner (Skullcrusher).
The track’s accompanying video, directed by Madi Boll, mirrors these intense feelings and uneasy energy. Boll says, “A panic attack feels like everything inside of you is at hyper speed while the world outside is hazy and out of sync. This got me thinking about a world where everyday objects move in sync with our mental highs and lows, and thus ‘Parking Lot’ came to life.” Golden adds that the video depicts her lived experience of using her car as both a place to have hard conversations with both herself and others, and as a safe space to collect her thoughts. “My seventeen-year-old self, who sat alone in her car in the Best Buy parking lot having a meltdown, wouldn’t believe that all that pain she felt might’ve been worth something.”
Continuing to build anticipation for the upcoming tribute EP, Charley’s Pride: Songs from a Black Cowboy Vol. I, Americana/Soul/Rock artist, Danielia Cotton, releases her version of Charley Pride’s biggest hit, “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’,” on May 15, 2024. The first single from the project, “Roll On Mississippi,” has been lodged on the Americana charts since its release on March 18th (Pride’s birthday), and now, “Kiss An Angel Good Morning’,” is poised to join it. LISTEN HERE.
“Charley Pride picked seemingly simple tunes, yet they all had underlying messages that spoke to everyday life for the listeners,” Cotton says about country music’s first Black superstar. “After one listen, I knew I could find a way in and make it mine.” Of this hit, written by Ben Peters, Cotton continues, “The lyric, ‘Kiss an angel good mornin’, and love ‘em like the devil when you get back home,’ speaks to the dichotomy of a woman with respect to the parts of herself she displays within her relationship to keep things fresh and new. The playfulness of the track musically and vocally reflects this, while the hook is infectious as a summer hit you play to let your hair down.”
Cotton considers the forthcoming record a tribute not just to one of her musical idols but also to her family, especially her grandparents. “My grandfather, or ‘Pop-pop’ as I called him, was an extraordinary man and an incredibly memorable male figure in my life, having never met my father,” Cotton says. “He was a quiet, humble, closeted country music fan. Being the type not to hide things about himself, I found it quite interesting that he liked Charley Pride and kept it on the down low.” Just as Pride forged a path as a Black artist in a predominately white world of country music, Cotton’s grandfather worked to become a respected and loved figure in a small town with only a handful of Black residents, where Cotton and her family, including her 103-year-old grandmother, still reside.
Gearing up for the summer, J Hus is set to headline this year’s Wireless Festival on July 13th in London, UK alongside 21 Savage. If that wasn’t enough, today he is back with new visuals for fan-favorite track “Alien Girl,” taken from his acclaimed album Beautiful and Brutal Yard. Watch HERE.
The dual music video was a collaborative project with Sony Music’s 4th Floor Creative team, Black Butter, P4SD & Picnic Studio. The visual presents two intertwining videos with mirrored narratives – Alien Girl’s world and Brutal Boy’s. It allows viewers to toggle and explore both Brutal and Beautiful galaxies as they are immersed in themes of self-discovery, isolation, and sexual fantasy. At the end, users receive a score based on the time spent in either galaxy, also viewers can unlock a 20% discount off official merchandise and the opportunity to win tickets to Hus’ Wireless performance this summer.
The unique interactive project showcases Picnic’s sleek 2D animation style, bringing to life the afro-beat inspired track from Hus’s critically acclaimed album Beautiful And Brutal Yard (B.A.B.Y). P4SD were charged to build and essentially realise all the interactive elements of the video.
Picnic commented, “We listened to the song and absorbed the lyrics – playful innuendos about sex and sci-fi – and it spawned a whole concept of two videos in two worlds playing out in the exact same time and composition but with two differing ends of the sexual anxiety spectrum…We were inspired by the separate art departments used on ALIEN (1979) where Ron Cobb and HR Giger answered their briefs without seeing each other’s work until way into production.”
https://aliengirl.jhusmusic.com
With her debut album, The Lost Ones, just weeks away from release, Florrie reveals a stunning new single, Never Far From Paradise. Filled with intricate melodies, emotive lyrics and an anthemic, upbeat chorus, Never Far From Paradise is sure to be a fan favorite. This is the third song to be heard from the album, The Lost One sand the final taste ahead of the album’s release on June 14th. Speaking of the track, multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer, and songwriter Florrie said,“I wrote Never Far From Paradise looking back on a difficult period of time in my life, in a way giving advice to the person I was then, reminding them that even in what feel like the darkest times, there’s always a light around the corner. I wanted to capture a feeling of optimism and euphoria in the production, to counteract the more poignant lyrics, and I hope that’s what people takeaway from the track when they listen. It’s my favorite track to play live, there’s something really powerful about singing and drumming this one together!”
London-based indie-soul musician Gigi Williams shares her brand new single ‘Boulder’, which acts as a soulful gem that offers listeners a glimpse into her upcoming EP coming later this year. ‘Boulder’ is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
One of the brightest voices emerging across the pop landscape, Paris-born artist and creative Eugénie returns with a high-calibre vocal performance across “Mess It Up Mad” – via Filature Recordings.
Bursting with dystopian soundwaves depicting growth and the endless battle towards enlightenment, “Mess It Up Mad” offers some of the most vulnerable self-expression we’ve seen from Eugénie to date, with powerful wordplay blossoming from grief to cathartic as the rising star navigates a fading love interest. “I don’t know how to make you happy. You said you were but then you left me” she pleads as swirling synths and
intimate vocal harmonies shift focus towards her own inner spirit, perfectly capturing a moment of self-realisation that begs the question: “How am I today?”. With Eugénie’s stunning falsetto closing out the record, “Mess It Up Mad” encapsulates vulnerability and effortlessly inspires a new wave of free thinkers who seek solace in their creative and eternal journeys.
After dropping her debut single “Puis Danse” in 2016 (4M+ streams), Eugénie suddenly stepped back from the high of initial stardom – substituting official releases with unmissable English covers of classic French releases, accumulating well over 4M views in the process.
With a cult fan base growing across Europe, Eugénie returned to the ether with “Maryland”, an electro-pop collaboration alongside dynamic production duo Elephanz. Amassing over 15M streams and counting, her raw-chic aesthetic started to garner heavyweight attention from both music and fashion spaces.
An early co-sign from haute-couture fashion house Chanel catapulted the rising talent into the spotlight, all building up to the release of her stunning 2022 EP Moment In Time – a complex retelling of her life experiences and the ongoing struggles with heartbreak, lust, vulnerability and self-expression. With tracks blending UKG and DnB textures, her introspective, potent lyricism remains a significant strength across the project. Quickly earning serious praise from the likes of ANTIDOTE MAGAZINE, CLASH and BBC R1’s Jack Saunders, her striking aesthetic facilitated editorials with fashion tastemakers including NOCTIS MAGAZINE, MIXTE MAGAZINE, F-WORD and BOYCOTT – a clear marker of Eugénie’s bold artistry and creative evolution blazing to new heights across international waters.
Based in Paris, SACHA is the musical project of multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer Sacha Arnaud, formerly known as Johnny Longlegs. Following years of creative work and touring with many different artists and bands in the Berlin and Paris scenes, SACHA is now unveiling his debut EP, CHANGE OF HEART, a turning point of his career and the start of a deep search for authenticity, as he delves into themes of family and identity.
In anticipation of the upcoming EP, SACHA has released two live performance videos of songs that were written under the moniker of Johnny Longlegs. These are 100% live, with no edit and all filmed in just one shot by the talented Reuben Bocobza, who used analog camera lenses on his digital camera.
“Nothing Else” was written about a period of time where SACHA didn’t have his own place. Living a vagabond lifestyle, the songwriter shares, “I was free flowing, moving from city to city on tour, working on music or just visiting friends and family. It was an incredible experience but it also shed a lot of light on how lonely I feel a lot of the time and for that, this song is precious to me.” “Nothing Else” features gentle plucky guitars that accompany SACHA’s velvet vocals, before spine-tingling harmonies enter resulting in a simple yet celestial release.
rlyblonde – the project of Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Carina Allen – presents the music video for her new single, “Dumb Blonde.”
The “Dumb Blonde” music video was produced and directed by rlyblonde through her new production company, HOT CREATIVE. Viewers who have seen past rlyblonde videos might recognize small easter eggs throughout the video — look out for old video outfits featured as props, callbacks to past releases, and a breaking of the fourth wall that mixes fantasy and reality.
“Directing and producing my own videos is such an integral part of making music for me,” she elaborates. “I’m not just writing songs, I’m building an entire visual world for people to escape into.”
After years of being the go-to photographer, videographer and creative director for New York’s favorite indie acts, rlyblonde reintroduced herself in 2023 as a DIY rock darling with the release of her debut EP, ‘Fantasy.’ She released 5 self-directed & produced music videos alongside the EP, performed at iconic venues across New York City, and captured the attention of key tastemakers like The Luna Collective and Unpublished Magazine.
Keen to continue growing and evolving as an artist, rlyblonde has been working with producer and multi-instrumentalist Robbie Guariglia (The Veronicas, Oh Honey, Native Sun) and is now ready to reveal a whole new chapter of music.
Within three months of his debut release, Barrack gained over 100K+ streams worldwide, fueled by organic Spotify discovery/playlists and fan-created YouTube content from his dedicated followers.
Liam, who graduated from Bishop’s University in Quebec, did a joint degree in Music and Computer Science. While he thoroughly enjoys the latter, he loves Music above all else, and has dedicated himself to learning multiple instruments including guitar and piano.
Iceland Airwaves has announced the second wave of artists joining its already stacked lineup, taking place from 7th – 9th November 2024 in Downtown Reykjavik. Marking its 25th Anniversary edition, ticket & travel packages for 2024 are available now.
Leading today’s announcement are frontrunners Overmono, the Welsh electronic music duo—made up of brothers Tom and Ed Russell—are renowned for their live set, spearheading festivals across the globe. In the wake of their acclaimed 2023 album, Good Lies, the XL signees will inject even more life into the already bustling itinerary.
On the complete opposite side of the genre spectrum, but with the same danceability, comes the beloved English indie-rock band The Vaccines. With an endless supply of anthemic favourites, The Vaccines’ reputation across the live circuit guarantees them to be a tremendous addition.
Branching into the world of hyper-pop, this year Iceland Airwaves has welcomed New York-based Chinese singer, songwriter, performance artist, and DJ Alice Longyu Gao. High-energy and fantastical, Alice’s intriguingly leftfield craftsmanship is a diverting addition to the festival’s 25th Anniversary edition. Also announced today is the eccentric, anonymous, British dance-extraordinaire Lynks. Donned in their range of eye-catching self-made masked costumes, Lynks and their crew of backing dancers will surely provide a set full of carefree, self-affirming, irresistible pop.
Iceland Airwaves also recruited newcomers making seismic waves in their respective scenes, notably, Leeds quartet English Teacher. Fresh off the back of their UK top ten debut album, This Could Be Texas, the band have swiftly made the jump from best-kept secret to widely revered, with that praise extending to their eclectic live performance. Nestled alongside them, you’ll find Dutch indie-rock band Personal Trainer, the Amsterdam-based collective who, despite their ever-changing lineup, maintain consistency in their catchy, rhythmic prowess.
Also announced today is Benefits, the furiously outspoken Teesside punk outfit. Revered for their DIY havoc, Benefits will bring their previously word-of-mouth reputation, but now widespread acclaim, to Reykjavik. They are joined by New York post-punk band and multi-media collective cumgirl8. Creating across music, film, and fashion, the four-piece historically walk the line between sincerity and satire, but at its heart, their output to date is liberated and subversive. Brighton’s Lambrini Girls are also set to perform, the electric and defiant group who have been riling up every festival crowd they step in front of. With an unrelenting voice and the music to match, the three-piece’s no-nonsense attitude has opened a special place for them in punk lovers’ hearts.
Another guitar-led UK favourite will join them in Reykjavik this November, esteemed South-London musician Wu-Lu, the project in front of multi-hyphenate Miles Romans-Hopcraft. The artist/producer has been a consistent presence across London music scenes, and he continues to create, evolve, and express himself alongside his array of musical friends and family.
Despite pulling the most exciting names from scenes worldwide, Airwaves bring attention to their home ground, boasting a range of Icelandic artists. Amongst those, you’ll find Gabríel Ólafs, the Icelandic pianist, composer, producer, Decca Records US recording artist, and co-founder of the Reykjavík Orkestra. Ólafs is celebrated for his range of influences, from electronics to Norse tradition to Nature. Joining Ólafs will be Elín Hall, a rising Icelandic pop star and actress, following up her celebrated record Heyrist í mér made alongside The Vaccines’ Árni Hjörvar.
Celebrating two and a half decades of bringing Iceland’s thriving creative community together with some of the world’s strongest new music talent, this year’s edition promises to be one of Airwaves’ most exciting to date.
“We are incredibly proud to be celebrating not only 25 years of Iceland Airwaves, but 25 years of playing a key part in the careers of some of the world’s most talented artists,” says Ísleifur Þórhallsson, Festival Manager for Iceland Airwaves. “Over the years, we have seen many of our Airwaves alumni grow from strength to strength, often developing into some of the industry’s most acclaimed artists. It is an honour to continue to bring new talent to Reykjavik and share our beloved Icelandic community with the world.”
Iceland Airwaves is dedicated to booking gender-balanced line-ups as part of the festival’s ongoing work with Keychange and having honoured the pledge just as soon as it was signed in 2018, gender parity still remains a vital part of what the festival represents and the community of creatives that it reflects.
Today’s lineup announcements precede the array of exciting details still to come. Full details of the festival’s acclaimed industry panel conversations, keynotes, and network parties will soon be announced, alongside details of special performances and partner shows.
Tickets and travel packages for Iceland Airwaves 2024 provided by Icelandair are now on sale at a first-release price for a limited time. For more information, see: https://icelandairwaves.is/tickets/
Virginia-based singer/songwriter/producer Ryan Wright creates songs that don’t make sense on paper–an ethereal voice singing angsty lyrics over confectionary synth-driven hooks. Her lyrics–at times profane, often tongue-in-cheek, occasionally devastating–reveal a searing wit and a sensitive heart. Her arresting voice embodies the kind of teenage heartache that is deeply personal and yet universal and timeless.
Her latest single, “Quarter Life Crisis” marks a new direction for Wright, as she ventures from clean indie guitars and crunchy production, married with a Roy Orbison-esque melody, into a bubble grunge sound with punky production and an edge that cuts deep. Heavily influenced by female artists like Mitski, Momma, Veruca Salt, and Blondshell, the result is a crossover between the grunge production of the 90s and the very female led category of bubblegum pop.
Wright confides, “Quarter Life Crisis is the very essence of what it feels like to be in your early 20s to mid thirties. Although the age gap is vast, the feelings are mutual because in reality it’s not easy to become an independent adult. The song nurtures the very real feelings of the fear of becoming an adult and falling further and further away from youth. The song has a bit of longing that still clings to the urge to act young and dumb like you did as a teenager, but you’re stuck in your twenties feeling like your life is maturing way faster than you are. Quarter Life Crisis is the anthem for the trials and tribulations of aging.”
Olive Louise is the embodiment of ‘Don’t gild the Lily’. With production heavily laden in soaring strings and floating harmonies, her music has been associated with the dream pop, indie folk, and Americana genres. With a past like hers one might expect her to be less of an open book after losing both of her parents before the age of 15. Instead, Olive’s poetic lyrics feel so intimate it’s as though she is speaking directly to you. “My father used to tell me, “you don’t paint apples red or flowers more vibrant” and that is always in the forefront of my mind. I don’t want my imperfections washed out. You can be soft and have grit.” Sporting a Victorian-like disheveled “au natural” look, her visual world is eerily nostalgic. “The events in my life have forced me through so many huge changes. I never could have seen my life going the way it has. It’s had a profound effect on what I resonate with. I understand not fitting in and moving around and trying to make sense of things without time to, and so that’s the imagery I’m drawn to and the music I write reflects my lived experience.”
Her latest single “No Medicine” features blissful vocal melodies, dreamy lush sonics and chamber pop infused keys. She confides, “There’s no fix that can rid the world of pain or suffering. Nothing changes the fact that we are all here for a short time and are all doing what we can to feel like our time here means something. I often wish things in my own life had played out differently, and I often find myself afraid of what the future will bring.”
South East London musician and vocalist Ashley Henry delivers “Mississippi Goddam”, a stylish reimagination of the iconic anthem by Nina Simone – via Naïve Records.
Well over 60 years after its original release, Ashley Henry brings his dazzling brand of contemporary jazz to a timeless classic. Displaying his dream-like falsetto, the rising talent effortlessly glides across smooth piano licks and broken beat rhythms to capture the essence of frustration, hope and the ongoing struggle for freedom in society.
Elevated by a political focus delving into Black history and the powerful civil rights movement in the 1960s, Ashley conveys echoes of the past in every note of his playing, ultimately driven by the spirit of one of the most important legacies in the culture.
Speaking on the track, Ashley states: “I was first asked to do a rendition of this song a few years back for a TV show – At first, I almost refused – the shoes were way too big to fill, but then I started to think about the meaning of the song and the relevance it still has today. When Nina Simone sang “Mississippi Goddam”, she expressed so much – frustration, anger, anxiety, resistance, and somewhere in there at the same time, hope or knowledge that a different reality of freedom was not only possible, but necessary, and had to be demanded.”
Blondestandard, also known as Caroline Grace Vein, truly embodies what it means to set the standard. Born and raised in the vibrant cultural landscape of LA, Caroline’s early exposure to the eclectic mix of sounds and stories within the city’s entertainment scene has deeply influenced her artistic journey. This journey took a dramatic turn with a challenging cancer diagnosis shortly after releasing her first two singles, transforming her path not only into a battle for health but a profound period of artistic and personal growth. Through two years of adversity, Vein channeled her creativity into writing and recording through her treatment, deepening her craft and connection to music.
Her sound, a dynamic fusion of alternative rock tinged with pop sensibility and enriched by funk grooves, reflects the depth of Vein’s eclectic influences and her personal evolution. Defined by authenticity and emotional depth, blondestandard stands out as a distinctive voice in the indie music scene.
Emerging from the iconic Factory Records label alongside the likes of JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have solidified their place in music history.
Introducing “Volume,” the new EP from THE NAMES! Prepare to be swept away by four mesmerizing tracks that add another dynamic and eclectic chapter to their illustrious discography, just before the highly anticipated release of their upcoming studio album, “Encore!”.
Kicking off with the beloved single “Far From The Factories”, THE NAMES deliver their signature blend of introspective lyricism and atmospheric instrumentation. It’s a sonic journey from the streets of Manchester to the avant-garde realm of Andy Warhol’s New York City, all captured in an intimate video set against the backdrop of Belgium’s industrial landscape.
Next up, “Mort D’Amour” takes us on a lyrical odyssey through the complexities of love, set to a mesmerizing blend of trip-hop beats and romantic melodies. It’s a tale as old as time, echoing the timeless tragedies of Romeo & Juliet and Tristan & Isolde.
“Watching For The New World” follows suit with its catchy hooks and cinematic grooves, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a future that may not be as bright as it seems.
And just when you think you’ve heard it all, THE NAMES surprise us with “Laudanum”, something completely different (but not too much?), a hauntingly beautiful piano/voice composition that delves into the mysteries of art and literature, narrating mesmerizing explorations of the impact of mind-altering substances on creativity, the whole underscored by Michel Sordinia’s unmistakable vocals.
https://thenamesofficial.bandcamp.com/album/volume-ep
Oklahoma born singer-songwriter Greyson Chance returns with a beautifully tender piano ballad titled ‘Rearview Mirror’. Showcasing the artist’s deeply powerful voice and vivid storytelling abilities to the highest degree, the song marks the starting point of a new era for the artist. Crafting a deeply personal brand of indie leaning pop music, Greyson is taking listeners on a journey from who he was, to who he is now.
Speaking on the release, Greyson Chance shares; “Writing Rearview Mirror has ultimately been a study in patience. I’ve made a lot of music in the past year, trying as an artist to make something that felt bigger than me, and I pushed myself a lot. It took a while to trust the process and to believe I could do it. Rearview Mirror is the first song to come of a very inward chapter in my career, and I am grateful now to have taken the time to make something I’m very
proud of.”
She’s back! After a 9-year hiatus, Winnipeg blues-roots guitarist and singer-songwriter Romi Mayes returns with her new single ‘C’mon Baby’ out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.
‘C’mon Baby’ is the lead single from Romi’s new album Small Victories set for release on June 28th. On this track, Romi borrows from Tom Petty’s Honey Bee, creating a sexy, seductive song about what goes on in your mind when you want someone but choose to say nothing.
“I started writing this song in 2010 when I was driving home from a solo tour to Manitoba from Ontario,” says Romi. “The highway outside of Sault Ste Marie was closed all the way to Wawa, so a line up of semi trucks and I were all stuck in Batchawana Bay for the night. Luckily, there was a motel on the highway and they had just enough rooms, food, and beer to keep us happy. I played an impromptu show for the truckers and then went to my room. No cell service, a white noise fuzzy tv screen and a blizzard. I stayed up all night and only came up with a couple of the parts, but played it over and over again til sun-up.”
MARIS
“Julia Roberts”
• MARIS releases “Julia Roberts,” produced by Jeremy Hatcher (Harry Styles, Maggie Rogers). She is playing Boston Calling on May 24 alongside Ed Sheeran and Reneé Rapp, and also has an upcoming Pride event with Kid Sistr on June 9 at LA’s iconic Harvard & Stone.
• “‘Julia Roberts’ is a musical documentation of a time in my life where I watched Pretty Woman obsessively because I was so lonely after moving to LA by myself, and it was the only thing that could make me feel better. Lyrically, it explores the inner dialogue I have while being attracted to women, yet still seeking external male approval. I was looking at myself and other women through the male gaze with a sapphic lens and dancing around the issue of being a queer woman attracted to women, but also competing with them.” — MARIS
alt-pop singer-songwriter Karina Stone shares her latest single ‘ghostwriter’. Known for her poignant storytelling and unique blend of pop melodies with alternative undertones, Stone’s newest track offers a compelling narrative on the struggles of modern dating. ‘ghostwriter’ is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
Take a listen to ‘ghostwriter’ below:
Speaking on the inspiration behind her new single, Stone shares; “‘ghostwriter’ is a bit of dark humour about modern dating…messaging is so weird – sometimes it can feel like there’s two completely different people behind the keyboard!”
In ‘ghostwriter’, Stone delves into the complexities of contemporary relationships, weaving a haunting melody with introspective lyrics that resonate deeply with her growing fan base. Once again, Stone showcases her continued evolution as an artist, demonstrating her ability to craft immersive experiences that linger long after the music fades.
With her debut EP slated for release later this year, Karina Stone is gaining significant momentum. Her previous singles, ‘daylight robbery‘ and ‘afterparty,’ served as the perfect introduction to her new artist project, and gave listeners an intriguing taste of what else is to come soon.
Rising Greek-American pop starlet EVANGELÍA punctuates her recent momentum with the release of her new EP, Alpha/Beta, available now. Following the release of her most recent single, “California Lullaby,” EVANGELÍA updates her catalog with a succinct offering, reinforcing her unique influences and supercharging her North American Feels Like Greek Summer Tour, which is currently underway.
Alpha/Beta can be streamed here at all DSPs.
Currently in the midst of her Feels Like Greek Summer tour, EVANGELÍA gave a rousing pre-release show in New York City’s Bowery Ballroom just last night. The 12-date trek is EVANGELÍA’s first North American run, and wraps in early June in Seattle, WA. Tickets to the remaining dates can be purchased at evangeliamusic.com, and the routing can be found below.
Alpha/Beta is now available.
Alpha/Beta Tracklist
Disc 1:
Fotiá
Páli (English Version)
Ónira
Disc 2:
Fotiá (Evangelia x Eleni Foureira)
Páli (Greek Version)
Ónira (Greek Version)
Feels Like Greek Summer Tour – Remaining Dates:
May 18 Baltimore, MD – Metro
May 23 Philadelphia, PA – The Filmore
May 30 Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy
May 31 Phoenix AZ – Valley Bar
June 2 San Francisco, CA – Café Du Nord
June 5 Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s
Underground house heroes Gettoblaster and Nathan Barato unite for new single ‘The Move’ featuring Tony Duke out now via Dirtybird Records.
‘The Move’ was born out of a chance meeting with Indian beatboxer Tony Duke in a Denny’s in Dallas after Gettoblaster’s performance at Lights All Night. Awe-struck by Duke’s scat vocal, Gettoblaster and Nathan Barato found immediate synergy as they produced the track, adding overzealous percussion and rolling basslines to provide nonstop rhythms. Duke’s very first vocal in the world of electronic music, the track marks a vibrant return to the label for Gettoblaster and debut for Nathan Barato. ‘The Move’ is a hypnotic house heater that will have clubland absolutely addicted.
Raised on Chicago’s underground sounds, Gettoblaster has created his own futuristic warehouse style. His releases on Defected, Glitterbox, Repopulate Mars, Basement Leak, Hot Haus, Desert Hearts, and their own Aliens On Mushrooms imprint are well rinsed by Claptone, Dom Dolla, Shiba Sann, Danny Howard, Patrick Topping, Solomun, Chris Lake, and more.
rapidly rising UK-based band daydreamers release their brand-new single “Beach House.” Get it at all DSPs HEREand watch the visualizer HERE.
Based in London and lead by singer Riley—who also writes and produces all of the music—the alt-pop group is additionally made up of friends Aurora on bass, Jay on drums, and Marco on Guitar.
Having just released their debut single “Call Me Up” last month, the band is quickly establishing itself as one of the most exciting and freshest voices of 2024. “Beach House,” their second official release, is a sun-kissed jam full of Riley’s signature addicting, earworm melodies and nostalgic lyricism. It captures the essence of sunlit drives, perfect for the brighter months ahead.
“‘Beach House’ is about the feeling of looking back on a memory of summer romance through rose tinted glasses,” says Riley. “You want to live in the moment that you’ve idealized in your head, but you know it’ll never last forever.”
Excitement for the act has already been noteworthy, with the four-piece band impressively selling out their first-ever headlining show at London’s Camden Assembly in just two days last month, all before ever releasing a single song. Needless to say, more new music and performances from the quartet is much anticipated by their ever-growing fanbase. Up next, daydreamers are set for a festival-packed summer with performances at BBC Introducing, Latitude, Reading & Leeds and TRNSMT. “Call Me Up” is already off to an incredible start, with over 4 million streams to-date and early love from BBC Radio 1 and platforms like MTV. Already, daydreamers have amassed over 30 million video views across social media. Look for this to continue over the coming months as more new music is set to be released very soon from one of the world’s most exciting rising acts.
Seasoned artist Marty Thompson is set to bring the beat with his latest album, Love Makes Better People, dropping on May 17, 2024. The album’s lead single, “Love Makes Better People,” showcases Marty’s unique ability to craft songs that are both deeply personal and universally relatable, fused with its uplifting message and catchy hooks. Amid the rising popularity of psychedelic soundscapes, Love Makes Better People showcases Thompson’s soulful storytelling that sets him apart. Drawing inspiration from the timeless music like the Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, and U2, Thompson weaves together intricate melodies, thought-provoking lyrics, and infectious grooves that will transport listeners to a realm of cosmic rebellion and self-discovery. 
Alien bass producer/DJ Shlump has dropped his new single ‘Drum Beats Go Like’ out now via HypnoVizion.
For his HypnoVizion debut, Shlump has unleashed a powerful original that will wobble throughout festival dancefloors this summer. True to his alien bass aesthetic, ‘Drum Beats Go Like’ blasts into an out-of-this-world scorcher laden with zippering synths and grizzled basslines. A high-octane journey into the vast depths of hypnotic bass music, Shlump has delivered a jaw-dropper with ‘Drum Beats Go Like’.
“I was listening to a bunch of Aphex Twin and Squarepusher, and got inspired to try something different. I thought it would be cool to do a track that took inspiration from that style of drum work. When I listen to old IDM one of the things that stands out to me is it’s unpredictable and exciting because the track goes places you never imagined. I wanted to make something that had this type of effect fused with some heavy bass. This is the basic thought process and intention I had when making ‘Drum Beats Go Like’.” – Shlump
Pop punk star Huddy is back and better than ever with his high energy EP, Love Bites, and this time he’s teaming up with burgeoning platform Passes.com to help celebrate his big release! Known for his viral TikToks as well as his involvement in confounding Hype House, Huddy is the original E-Boy boasting over 40M+ followers across platforms. The brand new EP marks a new heartfelt era for Huddy as he explores love and heartbreak as he comes of age. Huddy brought out some of the most exciting musicians and artists in L.A. including Machine Gun Kelly, Yung Gravy, Larray, Jessica Belkin, Johnnie Guilbert, Jake Webber, and many more. The freshly turned 21 year old adds: “I am really excited to host a big party for my EP release since I haven’t thrown one in a minute and I’m genuinely stoked to be surrounded by all my loved ones and the amazing supporters who’ve been by my side through it all. Passes has been a great partner to throw this event with and I’m grateful for all their support on my EP Love Bites. I’ve been loving my time on Passes. Connecting with the fans 1:1 has been so fulfilling and I’m going to be posting exclusive party content there after the party as well as doing live streams, clothing hauls, Q&As, etc. My fans mean everything to me so this is a super special opportunity for me.” 
Since 2015 The Dream Eaters have evolved from a dream pop band into a full-on video art project with an extensive catalog of weird and darkly humorous music videos of their catchy pop songs. The duo started working together after vocalist Elizabeth LeBaron, originally from Calgary, started working at the same bar as singer/songwriter Jake Zavracky, originally from Boston, in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn NY.
The pair made several EPs before releasing their first full length album We Are A Curse in 2017, followed by their second album, Pagan Love, in 2018, and toured frequently all over the Eastern US and Canada.
In 2019 the pair started working on a web series called “The Dream Eating Freakshow” which they began releasing in September of 2020. Since then the band has released hundreds of videos on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube and have grown a cult fanbase.
First Hood River, Oregon’s, now the world’s alt-pop darlings, flor, today release their newest single “Kick It.” A fuzzed out, knobs dialed all the way up type of track, “Kick It” tells judgmental onlookers to shove it and be on their way. A more confident, provocative take from flor, the band continues showing their vast songwriting range as they explore the joy of their newfound creative independence — Stream/ Watch the visualizer.
Vocalist Zach Grace shares that, “This song is weird because it’s inspired by so many different experiences. It’s tied to the real world by the bridge which is just an affirmation to my partner who blazes their own trail. When ditching the status quo, trying things your own way can leave you isolated and alone. You have to remember that the eyes of onlookers don’t have to elicit feelings of judgment, but instead can be a gift of encouragement and awe. And if it is from a space of judgment, well that’s their issue to sort out, not yours.”
Continuing, “It’s also inspired very loosely by ‘Into The Spider-Verse.’ I took my own interpretation and inspiration from the film and created a character in my head that is so ridiculously cool that people just can’t understand the weight of them. I wrote them this song.”
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
