HoodTrophy Bino, born Tadashi Sayres, is a Los Angeles-based rapper whose music tells the story of overcoming hardships and leveling up in life. Raised by a single mother in a large family in Palmdale, California, and later in the tough projects of South Central LA, Bino was heavily influenced by gang life but found a vital outlet in music. His path led him to meet Soulja Boy during a stint in jail, which resulted in Bino signing with Soulja Boy’s S.O.D.M.G. label. Despite numerous challenges, Bino has turned his life around and now advocates for youth facing similar struggles, raising awareness about PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Innovative singer-songwriter/producer/performer/provocateur Boyfriend has announced the release of In The Garden, a visionary new concept album reimagining the biblical story of Adam and Eve through a feminist and queer lens. A radical fusion of music, theater, and social commentary, the hugely ambitious project – which blends bold storytelling and an all-star cast of genre-expanding collaborators including Scissor Sisters’ frontman Jake Shears, Billy Porter, Peaches, and Big Freedia – arrives Friday, May 9 via Big Freedia’s Queen Diva Music (distributed by The Orchard). Pre-orders are available now.
A fully realized artistic statement breathing new life into an ancient narrative, In The Garden is heralded by today’s premiere of the album’s second single, “FIGHT (Feat. Jake Shears)” available everywhere now. The track sees Shears – the iconic Scissor Sisters co-founder and Broadway/West End star (Kinky Boots, Cabaret) – bringing a spectacular theatricality to the role of Adam, here portrayed not as the first human but rather the brash foil to the saga’s leading lady, Eve (performed by Boyfriend). “FIGHT (Feat. Jake Shears)” follows In The Garden’s first single, “CURIOUS,” which was released last month.
“This song really showcases the way I’m re-interpreting these two characters,” Boyfriend explains. “Adam demonstrates his complacency, Eve demonstrates her defiance.”
Jake Shears says, “A queer, feminist reimagining of Genesis? Embodying the original man? Sign me up! I loved the idea of putting a new, rambunctious spin on the Adam character. Playing Adam has been such a blast because he’s this carefree, blissfully unaware hunk who’s never had to question anything—until Eve starts shaking things up. It’s cheeky, it’s thought-provoking, and it’s got that perfect mix of theater and pop.”
Slightest Clue combines post-punk, garage rock and dark pop into a patchwork quilt of genres in the hopes of creating something refreshing within the alt rock world. Each member provides distinct influences that the others uplift and celebrate within the art. With heavy and high energy live shows, and a consistent work ethic, Slightest Clue hopes to provide the X on the map for those in search of new and exciting music.
Philadelphia-based indie rock quartet Mo Lowda & the Humble release double A-side singles “7.31” & “Sara’s Got Big Plans” out now. On the delicately optimistic tracks with propulsive guitar riffs and magnetic melodies, the quartet find hope and peace in the late summer air and parting ways amicably with a former flame.
The band’s spirited, texturally rich fifth studio album Tailing The Ghost is due out June 20 and available for pre-save now. Recorded entirely on the road across America’s most scenic settings, the spellbinding LP promises to be the band’s most commanding, cohesive body of work yet.
Plus, the group will embark on a lengthy North American tour this summer and fall, with support from French Cassettes and Illiterate Light and a slew of festival appearances at Boston Calling, Green River and more. See a full list of dates below and grab tickets now via molowda.com/motour.
“7.31,” pulled from the date of the last weekend of July, emits a late summer, trance-like energy with its rolling groove and warm, echoed vocals. Lyrically, a gentle acceptance washes over the track–a quietly hopeful peace-making with change and the passage of time. Jordan Caiola (lead vocals, guitar, bass) explains, “‘7.31’ is a subtle nudge to remember to celebrate the small wins and come to terms with the fleeting nature of life. Folks are often terrified of change (myself included sometimes), yet it is an absolute of the human experience. Things shift and change and I think that’s necessary for any sort of growth or progress, whether it be on a personal level or society as a whole. ‘7.31’ says don’t be afraid.”
Propelled by rhythm guitar, compelling gang vocals and an unorthodox song structure, “Sara’s Got Big Plans” sends an ex-lover off with love and high hopes for what lies ahead, even if it’s not together. Recorded in the California desert, Caiola adds, “With no real “chorus” and multiple overdubbed unison gang vocals on every line (a page out of Royel Otis’ book), the production is meant to draw you in for a tale of well wishes to an old flame known for her beauty and her brains, but often misunderstood as she traverses adult life.”
The previously shared lush, guitar-driven track “Canary” and its splashy animated music video sinks into the nerves of a budding new romance. RIFF Magazine praised its free-flowing, airy spirit, writing, “[‘Canary’] has a carefree yet grounded energy. Surf-pop-inspired riffs give it a familiar but fresh feel, perfect for fans of alt-folk with a summery edge.”
emerging indie-pop artist Matthew Ryan Thomas shares his latest single God do you hate me? In his new track, Matthew Ryan Thomas explores the complexities of growing up queer in a very religious town in Northern Ireland. It was written at one of the lowest points of his life, navigating coming out in a place where religion permeates every aspect of life.
God do you hate me? is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
ARC Music Festival, Chicago’s flagship house and techno festival, has revealed the lineup for its 2025 edition, returning to Union Park this Labor Day Weekend from August 29 to August 31. This year’s lineup marks ARC’s most sonically diverse and ambitious curation yet, featuring pioneering legends, next-generation tastemakers, and groundbreaking B2B sets that embody the festival’s spirit of innovation and celebration.
Over the last five years, ARC has become an essential meeting point for electronic music’s most influential figures, emerging stars, and underground trailblazers, set against the backdrop of Chicago – the birthplace of house music. A bounty of rich musical moments have anchored the festival’s reputation over its first four editions. Who could forget Eric Prydz bringing all three of celebrated aliases – Eric Prydz, Pryda, and Cirez D – to the event for its inaugural edition, Carl Cox and Green Velvet’s earthshaking B2B at the Expansions stage in 2024, or Hiroko Yamamura’s journey into the global underground for the weekend closer at Area 909 in 2023. It remains these multi-generational, scene-defying triumphs that make ARC more than just a festival – it’s a window into the past, present and future of sound and lifestyle that’s traveled from the Midwest to the world.
ARC 2025 delivers a lineup that spans multiple corners of the dance music spectrum, uniting icons with boundary-pushing artists. It’s only fitting that Eric Prydz returns his three alias festival showing of Eric Prydz, Pryda, and Cirez D for the second time ever in celebration of ARC’s five-year milestone. The lineup is further spearheaded by genre-defying superproducer Jamie xx, Chicago’s global house sensation JohnSummit, techno powerhouse AmelieLens, pioneering veteran Richie Hawtin, and high energy crowd favorite FISHER.
A cornerstone of ARC’s unparalleled curation is its showing of standout back-to-back sets, showcasing the festival’s core ethos of uniting the diverse global sounds of house music while honoring its Chicago roots. This year features a Chicago and Detroit meeting of the minds with Cajmere B2B Carl Craig, a pairing of legends with Green Velvet B2B Skepta Más Tiempo, and a first time back to back of Felix da Housecat B2B Mike Dunn. Added highlights include Chicago torchbearers Honey Dijon B2B Derrick Carter, underground luminaries Boys Noize B2B VTSS, hard-hitting mainstays Adam Beyer B2B Layton Giordani, and a meeting of new and old school with HAAi B2B Hiroko Yamamura.
ARC remains positioned at the bleeding edge of electronic music curation in North America, a barometer for what’s next for the season ahead and a platform on which new trends shine. In 2025, fans can discover the US invasion of UK Garage represented by Skream B2B Hamdi (UKG Set), the festival’s first ever drum & bass set with Sub Focus making his ARC debut, the eclectic high bpm stylings of Interplanetary Criminal B2B Malugi, and underground purveyors Eris Drew B2B Octo Octa, who have been largely responsible for permeating underground spaces around the globe with Chicago’s rich sonic ethos.
ARC will also spotlight some of the biggest names in modern house including the collaborative Duck Sauce project of A-Trak and Armand van Helden, Chilean-Swiss icon Luciano, Knee Deep In Sound founder Hot Since 82, Life and Death label head DJ Tennis, Canadian icon BLOND:ISH, Germany’s Loco Dice, Dirtybird founder ClaudeVonStroke, Swiss duo Adriatique, and Amsterdam tastemaker Ki/Ki. Additional highlights include Ireland export KETTAMA, South Africa’s DESIREE, Smiile founder ChloeCaillet, BBC Radio’s Arielle Free, Book Club Radio sibling duo TINZO + JOJO, the infectious sounds of Shermanology, and breakout sensation it’s murph.
General ticket sales start on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 12pm CT.Mastercard consumer credit cardholders have special access to presale tickets at ARC Music Festival.
Mastercard Presale starts Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 10am CT. Check out priceless.com/arcmusicfestival for details.
Born, raised, and based in Los Angeles CA, Gabriella Zauna has proven to be a jack of many trades. At just 19 years old, she has emerged as a multifaceted artist, blending her talents as a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer in the captivating realm of alternative dark pop, which she describes as pop music with a bit of an unstructured darker twist. A fusion of pop sensibilities with an evocative edge, she seamlessly weaves together melodies that linger in the shadows, inviting listeners into a world where emotions are raw and experiences are profound.
Gabriella’s journey into music began early, with the melodies of her soul finding expression as early as seven years old. Fueled by personal experience and an inner battle with herself, her art became not only a means of expression but also a lifeline during moments of deep depression. Through her music, she discovered a language that transcended the limitations of words, a conduit through which she could channel her innermost thoughts and emotions.
Embracing the role of a “one-woman band,” Gabriella takes full ownership of her creative process. From inception to execution, she meticulously crafts each element of her music, breathing life into her compositions with a rare authenticity and vulnerability. Her dedication to her craft is evident in every note and lyric, as she strives to create art that resonates deeply with her audience. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of artists such as Lana Del Rey, RAYE, and The Japanese House, Gabriella is enamored with the power of lyrical writing that transcends the conventional boundaries of expression. She revels in the ambiguity of metaphor, crafting narratives that not only engage the mind but also stir the soul.
Beyond her musical prowess, Gabriella possesses a rare gift: synesthesia. For her, each song is not merely a composition of sounds but a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and shapes. This sensory disorder infuses her music with a palpable authenticity, as she draws upon the kaleidoscope of sensations to breathe life into her creations. The color blue, in particular, holds a special significance in her artistry, serving as a visual anchor amidst the swirling depths of her sonic landscape.
With each song she shares with the world, Gabriella Zauna invites listeners on a journey into the depths of her soul. It is a journey marked by moments of introspection, passion, and unbridled creativity—a journey that resonates with all who dare to embark upon it. As she continues to weave her sonic tapestry, one thing remains certain: Gabriella Zauna is an artist poised to leave an undeniable mark on the world of music.
San Franciscan artist Grooblen returns today with “How Are You?”, a pensive cautionary tale about the slippery slope towards allowing yourself to be taken advantage of.
Grooblen singer/songwriter Ellie Stokes explains, “I think I inadvertently put myself into situations where I become the point person to do a favor for someone else, and in particular (more rare, now!) instances that becomes my only role… At one point last year, a lot of these moments were adding up and overwhelming me, and I realized that with certain folks, when I set that boundary of not just being the person to hit up for something, I was disregarded entirely.”
Veering between shimmering laid back jazz pop and swirling psychedelia “How Are You?” provides a place for Stokes to explore the sadness, confusion, and frustration of this situation. The song has been a pillar of the recent Grooblen live show and through those regular outings on stage was steadily workshopped into its final recorded form, captured in studio with no overdubs. Original Grooblen drummer (and brother of Ellie) William Stokes features on drums.
For the “How Are You?” video Stokes taps the striking animation talents of Ian Starling, who she shared a bill with on a solo jaunt to NYC back in 2022. The two quickly became friends, with Stokes noting “I still need to get a tattoo from him next time I’m out there! Ian is a very talented artist of many mediums and I thought his psychedelic style would be perfect for ‘How Are You?’.”
rising West-London four-piece rock band Sterling Press have released their latest single Concrete Trampoline. With a gritty, garage rock-infused sound and an unrelenting energy, the band once again prove why they’re one of the most exciting emerging acts to watch this year.
Concrete Trampoline is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
Rising Nigerian, LA-based artist, producer and creative Uche unleashes ‘HOW TO DIE’ – alongside focus track and visual for “FN”, the first instalment taken from his highly anticipated two-part album ‘HOW TO LIVE/HOW TO DIE’.
Cutting a new space across the underground with incendiary bars, potent soundwaves and sharp art direction, Uche’s creative and disruptive edge on ‘HOW TO DIE’ sets serious levels for a new prospect firmly crashing into wider consciousness.
Innovatively dropping ‘HOW TO DIE’ first, Uche begins where the story ends; mirroring his artistic evolution surrounded by darkness before his next instalment ‘HOW TO LIVE’ brings us into the light.
Emerging with authority and menace, Uche’s internal battles become distorted through the intoxicating lens of temptation, lust and anarchy which leads him down a dark, destructive path before ultimately letting go. Through intricate wordplay and his frantic eclecticism, the young talent rises in the face of adversity and leans into the chaos, serving as some of his rawest and most vulnerable work to date.
Speaking on the record, Uche explains: “’HOW TO DIE’ is a compilation of angst, fearlessness and desire. Rooted in crashing out, I learned to understand that death is the most important stage of life. This album is me speaking to evolution, shedding old skins, and becoming one with letting go. This project is so important to me because it brought me back to life.”
He adds: “In order to truly live, one may have to kill parts of their current self.”
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
