INsiders Guide: Neva Dinova, Spike Polite & Sewage, Patrick Hardy, Rome Streetz & Daringer, Ransom…

It’s a new chapter in the history of Neva Dinova. Although the band are beloved by many, they’ve never had the same name recognition as their Omaha-bred peers and collaborators like Bright Eyes and Cursive. However that’s likely to change with the band’s reinvigorating new full-length Canary, which features a new lineup, fresh perspective and a sound that’s more urgent than anything they’ve created in the past. Neva Dinova frontman Jake Bellows has been consistently making music since the band’s self-titled debut was released 22 years ago—and has released music under his own name, including 2013’s excellent New Ocean—but he’s always stayed out of the spotlight, largely eschewing television, cultural trends and social media. While there was talk of reactivating Neva Dinova pre-pandemic, the catalyst ended up being an offer from Cursive to support them on tour last year in support of the 20th anniversary of their landmark album Domestica. 

“Initially I said no because we didn’t have a band at that point,” Bellows explains, adding that at the time the only members able to participate were him and longtime Neva Dinova drummer, Roger L. Lewis, who also plays in The Good Life. “[Cursive frontman] Tim [Kasher] asked what I needed and I said, ‘A bass player, two guitar players and a van,” Bellows explains. While this seemed like an unrealistic request for most bands, Kasher suggested that Cursive’s cello player Megan Siebe could play bass and volunteered himself and Ted Stevens to play guitar, both of whom had always been interested in playing in Neva Dinova. All of a sudden, they had a band. “Basically he removed all my barriers of entry and so I was like, ‘All right, let’s do it’ and immediately I wanted to play new songs,” Bellows explains. 

In that spirit, he immediately started sending demos to Lewis and Siebe and they began performing new songs live alongside fan favorites such as “Jesus’ Choir.” “I think after the fourth or fifth show, Megan was like, ‘I just want to be in the band,’” Bellows says—and the latest incarnation of Neva Dinova as a trio was born. After an East Coast run, the band returned to Omaha to record Canary at Make Believe Studios. “I’m trying to cover a lot more space in the band now because there’s only one guitar, so I write a little differently in order to cover that space.” (An understatement considering the previous lineups of the band featured three guitarists.) The result is an album that is more focused while still allowing for the occasional Neil Young-inspired guitar solo or unexpected sonic flourish. While previous Neva Dinova albums such as 2008’s You May Already Be Dreaming were labored on in the studio, the songs on Canary were honed on the road allowing for a largely live recording session that captures the visceral energy of the band. 

Spike Polite & Sewage, a band synonymous with the raw spirit of New York City’s underground punk scene, is a testament to the enduring vibrancy and rebellion of punk music. Led by the legendary Spike Polite, known for his work with Reagan Youth and Cheetah Chrome, the band has carved a niche in the punk world with their unapologetically raw sound and socially charged lyrics. They have captivated audiences with their dynamic performances across cities like Pittsburgh, Nashville, and Austin. With the addition of talents like Michelle Shocked on bass, Beast on drums, and Tony Romero on guitar, Spike Polite & Sewage creates music that is as gritty and honest as the streets from which they emerged. Their newest offering, “Punk Not Dead,” released on vinyl on 1/15, is produced by Ted Sabety for Solid Bass Records, and is a powerful mix of punk, rock, and industrial noise, encapsulating the band’s ethos of challenging the status quo and representing the voice of the disenfranchised. After strong reception, the project released in April 2024 on all digital streaming platforms.

Patrick Hardy is a spectacular songwriter out of Saskatchewan, Canada. His songs are a combination of everything one loves about emo – nostalgia, twinkly guitar notes, catchy choruses with gang vocals you scream with your friends at a show, lyrics that have you reflecting on choices you made in your past and how you want your future to look. 

He’s been releasing singles throughout the past year but is thrilled to announce his new album, ‘tiny’ will be released on September 13. It includes the singles “pressure”, “nothing wrong”, “happen” and “WASTED” which are out now and can be streamed wherever you consume music. Pre-save ‘tiny’ here. 

Born and raised in Southern Ontario, Patrick Hardy aka Patrick Shay is a passionate musician who has spent their whole life entrenched in music and songwriting. From starting classical piano at the age of six to playing in hardcore bands at the age of nineteen, there have been very few moments of time where Patrick wasn’t working to become a better musician and songwriter. While learning to record and produce at home, Patrick became increasingly involved in the evangelical church, eventually becoming a worship pastor. After deconstructing from the faith and ultimately leaving the church, Patrick turned his attention to behind the scenes, focusing on session guitar playing and mixing for others. While honing their skills by playing and working on hundreds of different songs, his production and songwriting chops were constantly sharpening up, inspiring him to try a hand at his own project. 

Drawing heavily from emo, post-hardcore, and pop punk music from the early 2000s to now, Patrick creates confessional and nostalgic anthems, steeped in the best parts of the genres. 

‘“tiny” is a journey through grief and loss,” says Patrick on the new album. “I tried to put that in front of a backdrop of ambience, rippling guitar playing, and catchy pop melodies. I wanted to explore growing in the opposite direction from friends and the weight of death. ‘tiny’ feels like a familiar face you can’t quite remember the name of, but also a face you will never forget.” 

Internet A&R’s, your prayers have been answered!  Rome Streetz and Daringer are joining forces for the highly anticipated collaborative project, Hatton Garden Holdup, which will be released on 10.4.24.  To celebrate the announcement, the duo has also dropped the project’s first single, “Starbvxkz,” which is now available on all digital streaming platforms. The duo also released a new visual for the single as well, which can be viewed below.

Hatton Garden Holdup is a project that has been anticipated since Rome and Daringer connected on Rome’s Griselda Records debut album Kiss The Ring.  Though they have moved adjacently since, the union has finally come to fruition, and Rome & Daringer deliver a project that is both raw and refined and pushes the envelope in terms of both sound and storytelling; blending street tales with production that is always captivating.

Rome Streetz is fresh off his quick-strike project, Buck 50, which he released earlier this year, and the final installment of his ambitious Noise KandySeries, Noise Kandy 5 which was released in late 2023. 

For the better part of a decade, Daringer has created a distinctive sonic landscape that has become synonymous with the “Griselda Sound.” Known for his ability to craft everything from dark, gritty canvases to more melodic, jazz-infused productions, Daringer’s influence has been felt across nearly every release from the Griselda camp, including Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway The Machine.  Daringer has also added his unique touch to projects from Action Bronson; Blue Chips, White Bronco, Only For Dolphins, Cocodrillo Turbo, and Johann Sebastian Bachlava The Doctor with Action Bronson, and he recently produced the entirety of Black Vladimir, a collaborative project with another of his “Fu*k That’s Delicious” cohorts Meyhem Lauren.

Rome & Daringer will also perform Hatton Garden Holdup in full for exclusive album release concerts on 9.9.24 in NYC at SOB’s and 9.24.24 in LA at the Teragram Ballroom.   Tickets for both events are now for sale. 

Rome Streetz & Daringer’s Hatton Garden Holdup will be released on 10.4.24 Via Roc Nation Distribution.

Ransom and V Don closed out 2022 with a pre-Christmas drop entitled Chaos Is My Ladder.  The sequel, offers even more bars, as Chaos Is My Ladder 2 unites two of the most revered MCs in the game, each known for their unparalleled lyricism and uncompromising style. The project represents a fusion of Ransom’s razor-sharp wordplay, Conway The Machine’s effortless flow and gritty storytelling, and production by V Don that complements the lyrical acrobatics Ransom and Conway display.

Chaos Is My Ladder 2 promises to be one of the most impactful underground projects of the year.  Ran and Con bar up to the point that there is only room for one guest appearance, Lloyd Banks (who also made an appearance on CIML), who appeared on the project’s lead single “Higher Killer.”  The video for “Higher Killer” is available below. 

“When V Don and I were recording Chaos Is My Ladder, we planned on making a series of releases.  It wasn’t until we started recording CIML2, that we came up with the concept of bringing in a guest collaborator for each volume in the series.” Ransom recalls.  “Conway was the first and only choice for CIML2.  I know our fans will agree, it’s rarified air to get a project by two of the top lyricists in the game.” 

“Ran and Con are both top-tier lyricists; putting them together over my production is next-level pure madness…pure chaos” V Don adds. 

Ransom, Conway The Machine & V Don’s Chaos Is My Ladder 2 is now available!

electronic music icon Aluna teams up with rising New York DJ, producer, and party-thrower AQUTIE for their collaborative new single, “Ghostin’.” The track arrives as the finishing piece of AQUTIE’s Coolest In The City EP, with the deluxe version out now on Aluna’s Noir Fever label.

Hot on the heels of AQUTIE’s two latest songs (“Big Bag Bounce” / “Coolest In The City”), released in June via Noir Fever, Aluna hops on “Ghostin’,” a dreamy, four-to-the-floor club cut, to deliver her unmistakable vocals. The track arrives just following the first-ever Noir Fever writing camp in San Francisco at Empire Records in which Aluna and AQUTIE participated alongside a diverse group of Black and LGBTQ+ artists, including UNIIQU3, Roofeeo, RaeCola, Baby.com, Farrah Faux, and many more. 

Rising R&B Songstress, Dajah Dorn, shares a new video “Love U 4 Free” via Vinyl Crown Recordings, watch HERE. Hailing from the north side of Jacksonville, Florida, Dajah enters the world of R&B, weaving together her diverse musical influences and personal experiences to create a sound that is uniquely hers.

“Love U 4 Free” produced by Khari “Needlz” Cain, brings on the perfect summer feel. This track follows Dajah’s debut single, “I Don’t Want You,” and “Twice On Sunday” released via Vinyl Crown Recordings, offering a glimpse into her narrative. “Love U 4 Free” sets the stage for Dajah’s upcoming debut EP “Having My Way” set to release this fall.

Dajah Dorn in her own words: “I’m a lover girl so my music is always going to mention love in some way. After releasing my first 2 singles, my team and I knew the next thing we needed was something light and fun that you could dance to and “Love U 4 Free” was created. It’s all about loving through any circumstance and trusting the freedom that comes with that.”

Miami/NYC-based musician, producer and multimedia artist Stranger Cat announces her sophomore album Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces due out November 15 on North Street Records and available for pre-order now. Alongside the announcement, the songstress shares the sensual, confessional track “Witness” out now. Self-produced in bed recovering from a serious accident, the track came together while in a period of deep healing and deals with big questions: Is there a God watching our darkest moments? Does this omniscient force hear our prayers? On her creative mindset, “I was thinking, show your pain but make it sexy, make it art,” says Stranger Cat. “It felt like I was in an intimate relationship with my own body, writing to it as my Lover, my Muse.” Plus, Stranger Cat will perform live on September 25 in Miami at iii Points Open House on the Floyd Stage at 9:45pm.

The resonant forthcoming album allowed the artist to feel it all. Putting the pieces of their body back together, both physically and emotionally, produced a collection of work that required careful reflection and complete surrender. Delving into the challenging experience, Stranger Cat shares, “These songs were written during a three year period when I was forced to sort of drop out of life and recover, first dealing with difficult dance injury which required 1.5 years of rehab, followed by a serious accident which left me healing in a wheelchair for five months with both legs casted.” Confined to a bed, the ten tracks that emerged was an accumulation of the pain, frustration and yearning for a brighter future. “I channeled the longing for connection into these songs of desire.” The result is a cornucopia of orchestral synth pop with layered vocals, sparkly synths and 808 beat driven dance parties. “I wanted to give myself and the listener permission to feel everything–then dance and let it all go–the kind of dance you do alone when no one is looking.”  

The Awning, the ethereal folk duo comprising multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters Darragh Purcell and Evan Flaherty, are set to release their second single, “Empty Plateau,” on September 20th, just ahead of their performance at Ireland Music Week 2024, Oct 1st-4th.

Following the success of their debut single “July,” this new track continues to showcase their unique blend of lush production, traditional elements, and otherworldly harmonies reminiscent of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes.

The duo had an impressive 2023, performing at high-profile events such as Whelan’s Ones to Watch, Indiependence Festival Cork, and Masters of Tradition in Bantry, where they appeared alongside long-time influence Sam Amidon.

About “Empty Plateau” the band say..“Empty Plateau” is a poignant exploration of the deep complexities within a fractured family relationship. The song captures the yearning for a connection that was never fully realized, weighed down by trust issues and painful betrayals. It conveys the heartbreak of witnessing a loved one’s self-destructive behavior and the relentless cycle of hope and despair that follows, leaving a lasting impact on those who care the most.”

Don’t miss the chance to experience The Awning’s captivating live performance, where their
enchanting sound truly comes to life. Catch them as a showcasing act at Ireland Music
Week 2024. This is an opportunity to witness one of the most exciting new acts in the Irish music scene.

Acclaimed electronic musician, producer and activist Moby shares a cassette remix of “Precious Mind,” featuring India Carney, along with a self-directed video. He will release the Quiet Home DJ Mix on September 12th, featuring new and unreleased versions of music from the always centered at night album out now.

Moby hands in a new cassette remix of his India Carney collaboration “Precious Mind,” that featured on his widely acclaimed 2024 album always centered at night, deftly transforming the jazzy haze of the original into a widescreen trip-hop epic. A procession of swooping strings, resplendent synth lines and swooning pads underpins India’s emotive delivery. 

Moby also returns with a second DJ mix called Quiet Home DJ Mix, featuring new and unreleased versions of music from always centered at night. As the title suggests, this mix leans into playlisting themes of relaxation, study time and offers some dreamy alternate takes on the album from Moby himself at a similar laidback tempo.

Even by Moby’s standards, always centered at night is a bit special. The album features 13 collaborations in all, from names you might recognize to others you undoubtedly will come to recognize. Lead single “dark days” was recorded with acclaimed soul-jazz singer-songwriter Lady Blackbird, a defiant, rhythmic work propelled by her alluring, deep vocals and earnest soul. Other collaborators include serpentwithfeet on the achingly beautiful “on air,” and Benjamin Zephaniah on the propulsive, break- beat driven “where is your pride?,” a spoken word with a powerful message delivered in the late dub poet’s characteristically warm Handsworth burr. “As a vegan activist, and as a wise and compassionate man, Benjamin inspired me for many years,” says Moby. “I hope that ‘where is your pride?’ honors his legacy and also draws people’s attention to his life, work, and principles.”

When life gives Danny Darko of The Microphone Doctors & Cory Cullinan (a.k.a. Doctor Noize) lemons, they make “Lemonade,” a new music video and single from their recently released album, Mood Food. The “Lemonade” video and single are out today, September 10, 2024. 

Watch the “Lemonade” video HERE.

“Danny and I both had rather unconventional childhoods that required us to make lemonade out of lemons in some respects,” says Cory Cullinan. “’Lemonade’ perfectly encapsulates everything about the fun and philosophy behind our album, Mood Food. The song was a heartfelt blast to make, and we think that comes across.”

Danny wanted to write a summer anthem similar to Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” and “Lemonade” was born. “I felt it really represented Danny when I heard his lyrics and rap,” explains Cory. “Writing the music under those lyrics took no time at all, and then we added an expanded final chorus and a section for me to sing that brought the song’s joyful philosophy into full perspective. Plus, I got to sing like Queen.”

The “Lemonade” video signals a new era for Cory Cullinan’s Colorado-basedproduction house, Reach Studios.  Cory invested in a video production room, production gear, and a staff member known for her creativity — Sidney Cullinan — to learn to use it all. 

Los Angeles, CA & London, UK – September 10, 2024 — Trafalgar Releasing and the Tom Petty Estate are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated big screen debut of TOM PETTY: HEARTBREAKERS BEACH PARTY. The lost 1983 cult classic documentary, directed by legendary Rolling Stone journalist and Academy Award-winning director Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire), will screen in cinemas worldwide for two special nights only on October 17 and October 20 (on what would have been Tom Petty’s 74^th birthday). Fans will experience Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers like never before with a new introduction from Crowe himself and an all-new 20-minute cut of unreleased outtakes from the acclaimed director. 

The Used frontman’s Bert McCracken has announced fall tour dates for his solo project, robbietheused. 

Following the success of his latest singles, “The Feels” and “Just a Little Bit,” robbie will be embarking on the highly anticipated, 5 stop fall tour kicking off on October 30 in Anaheim, CA, followed by shows in major cities: Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York City. The tour will wrap up on November 5 in Asbury Park, NJ.

With more new music to come, artist presale begins tomorrow, Wednesday, September 11 at 9am local time accessible with the password: THEFEELS. Tickets will be on sale to the public on Friday, September 13 at 9am local time. 

For a full list of dates and to purchase tickets, please visit: https://robbietheused.com 

2024 Fall Tour Dates 

October 30 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues Anaheim – The Parish

October 31 – Los Angeles, CA –Echoplex

November 3 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl 

November 4 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre 

November 6 – Asbury, NJ – House of Independents

“My solo project has been a lot about rebirth and a way to reconnect with my childhood love for pop music, so to be able to say that robbietheused is playing 5 LIVE SHOWS and gets the opportunity to sing these songs in a room with you guys is a dream come true I’m so fucking excited, nervous, grateful… Thanks for being here See you there, Love Robbie” 

United Grind co-founder, Vice Souletric, is a conscious Hip-Hop artist and producer that rekindles the days of true skool hip hop in a modern-day form.

The Ohio native boasts a four-album discography featuring appearances and production from Talib Kweli, Benny The Butcher, 9^th Wonder, Skyzoo, Hi-Tek, Young RJ, Guilty Simpson, REKS and more.

Now, Vice returns with his most powerful and diverse collection of music to date with Vice For President 4, which includes the Ohio emcee’s trademark clever bars, over top-notch production from some of Hip-Hop’s elite beatsmiths; including Pete Rock, Nottz, Apollo Brown, Young RJ, JR Swiftz and Vice himself. 

Vice also called on some of the genre’s most respected emcees; including Slum Village, RJ Payne, Elzhi, The Musalini, and his United Grind family.

Vice For President 4 will complete Vice’s VFP series in a rousing fashion and promises to place Vice Souletric in the discussion of top-tier artists carrying the torch for Hip-Hop delivered with a message.

After announcing his new project with the aptly-titled “Vice For President,” (produced by the legendary Pete Rock).  Vice is back with “MW,” which features the legendary Slum Village and Play Havoc teammate HiJinks.  “MW” is an anthem for the Mid-West-based alliance and further cements Vice as an artist to watch in the underground community.   

“MW” featuring Slum Village and HiJinks is now available at all DSP’s!

Vice Souletric’s Vice For President 4 will be released on 9.17.24. 

Following an action-packed summer of international shows, Faux Real have returned to share “Hi Tension.” Available now via City Slang Records, the latest single from the visionary Los Angeles-based Franco-American art-pop duo previews their debut record, Faux Ever, due October 11, 2024. Today’s track mixes pulsing synths with the Faux Real’s signature high-voltage melodies, bringing cutting lyrics to the forefront over-revving engines and punk-tinged riffs. An official music video for the song also premieres today, featuring brothers Elliott and Virgil Arndt having a literal record-breaking party in the desert, complete with flamethrowers, dirtbikes, and the biggest moth you’ve ever seen.

“This is a song that was originally written in 2020, to disrupt the stillness of lockdown – we love how full-on it is, unapologetically shiny, mischievous and disjointed,” say Faux Real. “We’ve always been drawn to the daredevil figure in American lore, it’s kind of a theme throughout the album. This was one of our attempts at capturing its bold, brash and burning spirit. Often we start imagining a video because we feel the themes jump out at us — with ‘Hi Tension’ we could almost “see” the song as much as hear it.”

Per Störby Jutbring is an award-winning Swedish composer, pianist and artist. His music is rooted in the Scandinavian airy sound, blending traditional orchestration with modern electronics and minimalism. Piano, strings, strong melodies and ambient landscapes, organic and electronic.

On his upcoming album Tenants Of Misty Mansion (According To The Landlord), Per invites listeners into a whimsical and eclectic musical wonderland, blending lo-fi charm with hi-fi grandeur. The full LP is out October 18th via HOOB Records

Check out new single & wild new video for “Poodle Riot” via YouTube, out today. It’s a post minimalistic piece, combining Western classical music with the high energy and propulsion of rock and pulse-based minimalism. Built on a repetitive chord structure, it was originally composed on commission especially for the Malva Quartet (Linnea Viklund, Knapp Brita Pettersson, Maria Jonsson, Maja Molander), but in this version Per Störby Jutbring adds his intense piano playing.  ”This one room in my mansion, is totally dedicated to poodles. Big, medium, small, white, gray, black and pastel colored, Poodles, poodles, poodles. I grew up with an amazing poodle who has had the greatest importance in my life. My loneliness made him a brother from another mother. I was fifteen when he died (he was sixteen) and it was my first real sadness. Nowadays, being hopelessly allergic to dogs, I love watching them happily thrive and make their evil plans in the mansion. And of course, starr in my video.”

Grammy-winning live electronic trio RÜFÜS DU SOL announced their highly-anticipated forthcoming fifth studio album Inhale / Exhale, out October 11, with a new single “Break My Love” via Rose Avenue/Reprise Records. 

Pre-order Inhale / ExhaleHERE. Listen to “Break My Love” HERE and watch the official “Break My Love” music video HERE.

Inhale / Exhale marks a new creative groove for the band, an era that is defined by enjoying the process and creating from the now while binding organic and electronic. The album encompasses the themes that have endeared fans for over a decade – romance, heartbreak, euphoria, despair – through a medley of sprawling, mature soundscapes. Inhale / Exhale will serve as the follow-up to the group’s 2021 album Surrender, which featured the Grammy-winning lead single “Alive”.

Seven Hours After Violet, the groundbreaking new project from Shavo Odadjian of multi-platinum rock band, System of a Down, featuring Taylor Barber (Left To Suffer), Morgoth (platinum-selling producer and guitarist of Winds of Plague), Alejandro Aranda (Scarypoolparty, American Idol) and Josh Johnson (Winds of Plague) have dropped highly anticipated debut single “Paradise” today. The release also marks the launch of Shavo‘s new joint label venture, 1336 Records, in partnership with Sumerian Music Group. Fans can stream “Paradise” now HERE and watch the accompanying music video HERE

singer-songwriter Sydney Sherrill has released a new music video for her latest single, “Shadow.” The bittersweet track is about coming to terms with a break-up and wanting the best for the other person, regardless of how you may feel about the ending of the relationship itself. In the accompanying music video, directed by Bryant Bural, Sydney embodies the visual representation of the shadow of a person who leaves a lasting mark on you and always follows you around.

“Shadow is one of the first songs I wrote for this project and it’s one of the first songs that was an honest retelling of my own life,” shares Sydney. “I am so proud of this video and thankful for everyone involved to make it come to life. I think it really shows how lost you can feel during heartbreak and I’m so so excited for everyone to see it.”

 All dressed up with nowhere to ghost? Beloved kids’ musician Laurie Berkner gives the season of costumes, candy, and jack-o’-lanterns a “BOO-st” with a friendly, hour-long Halloween show, A Laurie Berkner Halloween Special, set for release Friday, October 11 on Laurie’s YouTube channel. 

Special guests will be children’s musicians Fyütch, Aura V, and Patty Shukla.

“I had so much fun dressing up and making Halloween video magic for my Halloween Special this year,” says Laurie Berkner. “It was a true pleasure to have Fyütch, Aura V, and Patty Shukla be a part of it and join me in my Magic Costume Room. I hope my musical hunt for the right costume adds to the joy that this wonderfully child-centered holiday already brings to so many kids and families!”

 the freshly minted record StrataSonic Records officially unveils itself with a brand new release from Parisian house music mastermind and Apollonia ringleader Dan Ghenacia. Ghenacia’s three-track Rouge ou Noir EP is out now. 

The title track opens up with looped, funky guitar riffs and neon synths, which wind their way through dusty, dynamic drums. “Chilly” bustles with a blend of louche rhythms and rugged synth arps that dart about the mix—it also gets a low-slung, dubbed-out mix to round out the release. Ghenacia’s knowledge of house music, which he’s accumulated over the last 25-plus years DJing, hosting essential parties, and running vital labels, is crystal clear on this fantastic new solo EP.

“Everything unfolded at a dizzying pace,” says Dan Ghenacia on creating the new EP. “Five days in a dream studio in Los Angeles led to Rouge ou Noir, a surreal and psychedelic experience with funky vibes. Stratasonic, this young label, is showing boundless creativity with its team to maximize the release’s impact.”    

Romania-born, Nashville-based melancholy romantic Vlad Holiday has today announced that his debut record, My Favorite Drug, will be released on November 15 via ONErpm. Along with this news comes the second single “Closer.” Feeling like a covert mission, or a secret known only between two lovers, the deeply layered song seems to endlessly build before it is quickly punctuated — Stream. 

Today’s release features guest vocals from Cage The Elephant’s Matt Shultz, who is also a co-writer on the track. For careful listeners, Shultz’s voice can be heard singing the “ah ah ah ah” hook and some repeated “closers” in the outro.

On the single, Holiday shares, “This is a love song. It introduces the romantic element of the album. It’s about going with the flow and letting the universe do its thing, rather than forcing things into existence.”

Florian Christl‘s new album Donau – to be released on November 8th on Sony Classical – is a musical journey from the source to the mouth of the Danube river that unites ten countries. 

This album features twelve atmospheric compositions inspired by the graceful beauty of nature and the diverse musical traditions of the majestic cities and regions along the Danube. Christl explores places like Vienna, Budapest, and the Danube Delta, incorporating local musical elements into his compositions. He is accompanied by the traditional Bavarian folk music ensemble “Seeger Saitenmusik,” accordionist Vladislav Cojocaru, violinist Kristina Šuklar, cellists Raphaela Gromes and Alik Lysiùk, former members of the Odessa Opera Orchestra, and his regular ensemble.

From a young age, Florian Christl was fascinated by how the waters of the Vils River, flowing through his hometown Amberg in Germany, could find their way to the distant sea. It is the Danube that connects this small river with the Black Sea far to the east. Covering 2,857 kilometers from its source in the Black Forest to its mouth near the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, the Danube cross through half of Europe and cultural hubs such as Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and the greater Bucharest area. As a vital route for travel, the Danube has facilitated the exchange and development of Europe’s shared cultural heritage, particularly evident in music.

The outbreak of the war in Ukraine deeply resonated with Florian Christl, highlighting the sense of interconnectedness. Inspired by Romantic program music, especially Smetana’s “The Moldau”, Christl conceived the idea of musically interpreting the Danube on a concept album to promote peace in Europe.

“The thought of how the Danube connects my hometown directly with Ukraine stuck with me. The river symbolizes a turbulent, tragic history of wars and migration in Europe, but also a continuous exchange that has shaped European culture, as seen in European music,” explains Florian Christl.

Refuge. Resilience. Redemption. For TT, that’s what music has always represented: an opportunity to turn life’s challenges into something beautiful and empowering.  

Diagnosed with a chronic kidney condition as a child, TT spent years dealing with the physical pain and emotional trauma of a disease that left him crippled at a young age. As he relearned to walk, he found comfort in music — not only the musical theater songs that his mom sang around the house but a wide mix of country, classical, and rock & roll. Those influences would eventually inspire Man on the Corner, his upcoming debut album, a genre-bending record rooted not only in TT’s eclectic musical tastes but also in the observations made, lessons learned, and social implications that resulted from his health challenges.

TT’s new single, “Let Us Breathe,” was ignited by a terrifying incident when a large fire overtook his California neighborhood. After rescuing his dog, TT spent several days fighting fire at his house, neighbors’ homes, and a nearby canyon, resulting in second-degree burns and smoke inhalation. Produced by Sound + Vision Co., the accompanying video was inspired by TT’s real-life experience.

 Wendy Eisenberg (Editrix, Bill Orcutt Guitar Quartet) releases their highly anticipated 2xLP Viewfinder via American Dreams. The acclaimed New York City-based guitarist, improviser, songwriter, and poet is a cornerstone of various music scenes in New York City. Eisenberg found their footing in the contemporary avant-garde underground collaborating with the likes of John Zorn and Joe Morris. They expanded beyond improvisation in the bands Editrix and Birthing Hips, which explored gnarled strains of heavy indie rock. Eisenberg has hit an even stronger stride in recent years, performing in Bill Orcutt’s Guitar Quartet and collaborating with the likes of Shane Parish, David Grubbs, Caroline Davis, and countless other music luminaries. In true Eisenberg fashion, Viewfinder sees the dynamic musician defying convention, emphasizing their freewheeling, jazzy outer limits.

The first sounds of Wendy Eisenberg’s Viewfinder—two guitar strings, recursively plucked; tentative, hiccuping drums; a trombone testing its brassy stance against the song’s nervous undercurrent—creep in, tidal, echoing opener “Lasik’s” ambivalent ode to optical transformation. “Got my eyes fixed up,” Eisenberg begins, “I stayed awake and watched my eyes grow stronger; watched everything get clearer.” On the second syllable of clear–er, an abrupt vocal downshift, like a skip in the vinyl, or as if their newfound clarity has briefly faltered. It’s a minor detail, but that’s the sort of artist Eisenberg is—“healing takes forever,” they reminds us—and the kind of musicianship on display for the duration of Viewfinder.

https://wendyeisenberg.bandcamp.com/album/viewfinder

Rising artist Yasmina Moonlight released her debut single “Habibi (My Baby),” out today via LPME Records/Studios. On the rhythmic pop track infused with Arabic drums, Yasmina showcases her vocals as she speaks on letting go and moving forward, exploring the complexities of navigating heartbreak and its emotional challenges. 

“‘Habibi (My Baby)’ was deeply inspired by my own experiences with a challenging relationship,” Yasmina explains. “It was incredibly hard to let go of someone who, despite their toxicity, had once made me feel loved and valued. I was blinded by the affection they gave me, making it difficult to see the negative aspects of the relationship. This song represents a turning point for me – standing my ground and refusing to return to that toxic environment. It’s about finding strength in moving on and recognizing my own worth. Sometimes you have that sunken feeling in your heart missing that love, but there is no turning back now.”

Email:neill@outloudculture.com
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