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INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: Tedy, Amanda Frances, Grand Canyon, POORSTACY, John K, Tom Walker, Lulu Simon, Allegories….

I’m Tedy, an LGBTQ+ Haitian-Canadian R&B singer/songwriter. I started out as the “Reaction King” of YouTube, amassing a huge following on social media for my videos. However, as time went on, I realized that there was something else I needed to do to fulfill my needs as an artist. I wanted to move forward – no matter the cost – and follow my dream of writing songs.

My new single, “I Wanted My Heart To Break” is the first taste of new music since my Boys Don’t Cry EP in 2020. I was so afraid of writing ballads my whole life; I was always worried I wouldn’t be good enough. This song was inspired by a pretty dark time in my life and the process of coming out of it, learning to accept myself for who I am, stand on my own two feet, and not be afraid of what others thought.

Listen to my exciting new song, “I Wanted My Heart To Break” on streaming platforms everywhere or watch the visualizer.

“We fight so hard for something that could let us down”

“I Wanted My Heart to Break” means so much to me. This song helped me get over my fear, put myself out there, and just express myself completely. When people hear this song, I want them to feel empowered, free, and ready to go for whatever they want regardless of the outcome.

Thanks for listening,

Tedy 

Photo by Erin Leydon

I wrote my new single, “making out with vampires,” to be blasted in your car while you’re scream-singing along. When you’re dancing around your room late at night. For anytime that you need a soundtrack to get over that person that you never should have fallen for in the first place.

Stream “making out with vampires” now on your preferred platform.

“Always hit me up like ‘baby you still up, right?’ 

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It must really suck to be allergic to the daylight” 


We all know someone who only seems to come alive and hit us up at 2am. I’ve affectionately started to refer to those types of people as vampires.

This track is about finally learning what love should and shouldn’t be, and how to protect my own energy. In short, therapy is awesome. 5 stars. Highly recommend. 

Thank you for listening!

Amanda Frances

“A flashback to the glory days of Seventies pop-rock, coed harmonies, electric-guitar jangle and California cool.”  ROLLING STONE


“The kind of hooks that lesser songwriters would give their i-teeth for” PASTE

Introducing Grand Canyon, who released their debut UK single ‘Heart Of Gold’ on

15th April, via Bodan Kuma Recordings. In an era of computer-made, beat-driven music, the Los Angeles based band, is the antithesis of modern pop music. Focusing on classic sounds and arrangements and drawing on the inspiration of 70s musicianship and timeless songwriting.

“Mining an amalgam of rock and Americana” BILLBOARD

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“A band that soars with confidence, equally adept at expressing Saturday night fury and Sunday morning reflection”L.A. TIMES

‘Heart of Gold’ is the first single from their forthcoming album ‘Forevermore’ released later this year. The band blend rock ‘n’ roll swagger, subtle country warmth, and classic unapologetic pop optimism.  Songwriters Joe Guese and Casey Shea turned Shea’s garage into a makeshift studio and taught themselves how to record, engineer, produce, and mix so not to delay the making and release of their new music due to the pandemic.

“I had done some recording on my own, but I have never really properly tried to mix a band album…mix a full drum set, all that sort of stuff,” explains Shea. “I spent the last year and a half teaching myself how to quote-unquote ‘mix’ and record. I’ve made enough albums, and I’ve been in enough rooms to know generally how to produce what I’m hearing in my head, as long as I have somebody that’s a good enough guitar player to play it.  Thankfully, Joe is.”

‘Heart Of Gold’ took shape rather mystically after an early draft of the song was attempted.  Casey says “We had laid down a bunch of acoustics, and I went for a pass at a rough vocal, so we could have something to listen to overnight.  During that take, in between about verse 4 and 5 (and no doubt because the song was dragging and going nowhere) I shouted “Oh Mary, Oh Mary.”  And it clicked.  The idea to bring it back to the source of all literature: that I was wandering through life lost in the desert, and at the moment when all hope was gone, I meet this Queen-like figure who saves me…in a bar of all places…”

Genre-bending hip hop and rock powerhouse POORSTACY has released a new single and lyric video, “Abuse Me (feat. L’exquisite Douleur)”, out now on 10K Projects. Listen/ watch HERE.

POORSTACY is currently on tour supporting nothing,nowhere along with carolesdaughter, guccihighwaters, and snarls. POORSTACY will also hit the road with Bring Me The Horizon and A Day To Remember on the Survival Horror European Tour in 2023.

Earlier this year, POORSTACY released a music video for his fan-favorite track, “Knife Party” featuring Oli Sykes, frontman of Bring Me The Horizon. The music video (which also features an appearance by Sykes) was shot at POORSTACY‘s Los Angeles show last fall and is taken from his latest album ‘Party At The Cemetery’ (out via 10K Projects). 

POORSTACY has also dropped music videos for “Jump” (produced by JMP, who previously has directed videos for XXXTentacion, Playboi Carti, and Denzel Curry), the album title track “Party At The Cemetery”, and “Children Of The Dark”

“I never realized how often I say the word ‘a lot’ until I wrote this song. The story is about that feeling when you can’t get someone out of your head, except for now that person is out of the picture. It’s about replaying memories over and over, thinking about the person you wish you never lost. A simple concept really, but I felt like it was one my fans would relate to right away. You ever mess something up so bad and then all you have left is the memory of how good it used to be? That’s A LOT.” – John K

BRIT Award-winning singer/songwriter Tom Walker makes an impressive return with the upbeat and addictive “Serotonin,” the first taste of new music from his hotly anticipated forthcoming second album. Get the song HEREat all DSPs.

Tom’s distinctive voice is gloriously showcased on this hook laden, sonically expansive track. “Serotonin” was written by Tom, alongside Gez O’Connell, who penned Dua Lipa’s “Hotter Than Hell,” and The Elements (AJ Tracey, Tion Wayne, Headie One) and was produced by Mike Spencer (Rudimental), alongside The Elements.

“Before the pandemic I spent four years chasing a serotonin hit, and that last gig that made me feel on top of the world. The last epic night out.” says Tom about the single. “It’s not sustainable though – you can’t wake up happy every day and you can’t have the sun without the rain. You have to find joy in the little things and learn to appreciate them day to day.”
The video, shot by Samuel Douek (Sigala, Craig David) in Mexico City, documents the difficult relationship between father and daughter. Layered with stunning color and texture throughout, the video comes to an epic climax with breathtaking performance shots from Tom in a hot air balloon.

On her 6th birthday, Lulu Simon blew out her candles and wished that she wrote “Lucky” by Britney Spears. While the universe couldn’t make that happen, it was clear to Lulu as she grew up that she was destined to write songs and make music. 

The upcoming music from the Los Angeles based artist was written during the pandemic, where Lulu was coming to terms with a lot of negative and painful things in her life that she had been sweeping under the rug. From those personal confrontations came a wave of creativity, and thus a cohesive collection of songs that oscillate back and forth between struggling to be alone, learning to be at peace with it and overall self-reflection.

The first single to be released from the project is “Being Alone is the Best,” a song about the hurtful demise of a friendship. The songwriter shares, “I went through very painful and transformative growth during the pandemic that opened my eyes to a lot of unhealthy relationships in my life. I wrote “Being Alone is the Best” in the midst of a gigantic friend break up, where all of a sudden the people who were meant to uplift me and bring me the most joy were making me feel like I wasn’t fun or worth being around, and I sank to the lowest, most insecure and unrecognizable version of myself. It was so sad and I felt such an immense betrayal of my love and trust that I was just totally lost. I wrote this song as a means of self-soothing, learning how to uplift and bring joy to myself, by myself.” 

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Produced by Doug Schadt (Maggie Rogers, Ashe, WET), the emotional and autobiographical track sees the artist using her music as a form of therapy, allowing listeners a glimpse into her life, like reading pages of her diary entries. Described as “sensitive pop,” Lulu has created a shimmering anthem which glistens with soft, mellow synths, ethereal vocals and a dreamy, thought-provoking atmosphere. Lulu confides, “I think there’s a difference between being lonely and being alone, and being able to express both feelings without sugar coating either has really helped me to look inward at myself with much kinder eyes, and I hope that anyone who listens to my music allows themself the same kindness.”Influenced by modern artists such as Carly Rae Jepsen and Kim Petras, Lulu is able to fill a space in the current pop scene by bringing a singer-songwriter mentality to big pop productions. With Rolling Stone acclaiming her music as “the type of synth-heavy anthems that are needed for a perfect summer soundtrack,” Lulu is poised for success for 2022 and beyond.

There’s a moment during the making of an album where you don’t know if you’ll finish it. 

Endless was riddled with these cynical epiphanies. It’s unavoidable when you’ve spent over half a decade tinkering away. 

But as we closed in on the finish line, there was a sense that this could be the last work you ever complete. That spurs the process on, giving urgency. 

If you spend 14 years between albums, you want to make every note count.

Listen to Endless in full via your preferred streaming service – https://allegories.lnk.tt/Endless

Watch the video for our new single “Funny Way” on YouTube.

Funny Way” is in many ways the beating heart of Endless. It is chronologically the earliest recording on this album, bridging a gap between two musical worlds in our lives. “Funny Way” holds a unique and earnest place within our catalogue of music.

Allegories‘ recording process doesn’t allow for obvious endpoints. 

We set barriers before recording (no guitars, beat-driven, etc.) to limit the choices. 

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But that still leaves a lot of room for expansion, variations, refinement, and scrutiny.

The two of us made this album in a vacuum, without anyone hearing a note of it for over five years. That approach takes an almost arrogant level of belief, but with a remove that allows you to make ruthless decisions. Nothing can be precious. 

You have to trust your ears after you’ve followed your heart.

Allegories

Fab The Duo is a Los Angeles-based alternative duo, aiming to smash societal norms through music and love. Previously hailing from New York, the glamorous boyfriend pair, Greg Driscoll and Brendan Eprile, create music which intoxicates audiences with confidence. Fab doesn’t just stand for “fabulous”— it’s also an acronym that stands for Fierce Ass Bitches. 

Having experimented with a multitude of genres and styles, Fab have finally found their true sound in the alternative world— a little bit rock, a little bit pop, pure alt. Their latest single “Nice Guy” is inspired by the incredibly low bar our society has when it comes to dating men. The duo share, “Many men act like the world owes them (sex, a relationship, praise) for not being a terrible person and they often use the excuse of being “nice” to get away with terrible things. We all know a “nice guy”… it’s time someone wrote a song about it!” Written during the pandemic and after witnessing many of their friends deal with these “nice” guys, Fab wanted to shine a light on how they’re not always as good as they seem. Heavily inspired by early 2000’s pop-punk, such as Blink 182 and Bowling For Soup, “Nice Guy” emits a fun and fiery energy, with fast-paced, crashing percussion, crunchy punk rock guitars and passionate vocals, delivering an overall IDGAF attitude. Fab The Duo have had the privilege of performing to energetic crowds at The Bitter End, The Stonewall Inn, and The Cutting Room, as well as recently to the executives at The Madison Square Garden Company. Their music has been featured on notable press including Billboard, Advocate, HuffPost, and Hollywood Life, with Alt Press calling them “a group that should not be overlooked”. They were recently recognized by the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, winning the Song Of The Week Award for their song “Our Love Is Resistance”. Performing at large Pride Festivals in Austin, LA, and Burlington, Fab The Duo hope to to change the way people see queer, interracial love in the music scene and beyond. As they make break boundaries and stereotypes as the first gay couple to go mainstream in the music industry, they want their fans (or Fabbits) to follow this simple advice: Be You. Be Proud. And Be Loud!

My producer, Joe Thompson, and I have always wanted to cover Etta James’ tune, “I’d Rather Go Blind.”

The way James speaks so directly about the struggle of losing someone is such a genuine act.

At the time of recording this song and video, I was going through a challenging time in my life. It feels so vulnerable to see the results of my raw emotion and struggle that this is almost difficult to watch.

As soon as we started filming, the lyrics (and most likely, the fact that I was crying between takes) took everyone to this dark yet loving place where tears were being shed, but there were hugs and kisses floating around all night.

It felt like we were in our own universe for those six hours.

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Watch the music video for“I’d Rather Go Blind” via YouTube

 Hear my cover of Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind” on your favourite platform

The courage it took to write this song is hard to fathom until you have to film it while you’re going through a breakup.

It is an honor to have had the chance to tell this story in my own voice.

Thank you for lending me your time,

 Sam Casey

MOONWOOD are a Sydney-based band made of five friends from Australia, the United States and Canada. Jake (lead vocals), Justin (drums), Aaron (keys), Will (bass) and Paul (guitar) take their untamed analog synth lines, with dreamy guitar leads and introspective storytelling, resulting in a sound that is a fresh take on alternative rock.

Their new six-track EP Everything We Once Knew was primarily written over a period of 10 days in 2020 during a writing retreat. Jake shares, “The ten days we spent there would change our lives in ways we could not have imagined. Our little studio was set up at a solar-powered house in the middle of the bush, four hours west of Sydney. We set up our instruments, pressed record, and the rest was history. We couldn’t believe what we accomplished.” 

Thematically, the EP stems from a troubling time for lead singer Jake, where he was struggling to adjust to major life changes, grieving the loss of his grandmother, the separation of his parents and being thousands of miles away from his loved ones. Through the six songs, MOONWOOD have created a world where people can feel like they belong to a place, achieving their ultimate goal in composing this EP. 

Starting off with “Notice me” we’re welcomed by a bombastic sound of ambience and dreamy, flashing guitars. The very first lyrics state, “Let me be clear, you don’t know everything about me”, immediately allowing the listener to resonate with the feeling that comes from being misunderstood by others and the struggle to feel seen. 

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“Big Red Sun” is a song about a dysfunctional relationship which is easily distinguishable from the outset, but difficult when you’re in it and swept away by rose-colored glasses.

Then there is “Slow Down”, a track which illustrates the tension that surrounds conflict and the attempts to heal. It’s a song that speaks of love, patience, and tolerance. Building sonically throughout, it reflects the increasing tension between two individuals, navigating the need to repair and resolve the misunderstanding between two lovers, which is a result of their unspoken issues and differences.

The warm and passionate “Sydney Lights” describes setting one’s sights on the future and letting go of the past. Written about Jake’s own experiences transitioning from America to Australia, the beautifully melancholic track touches on the weight of not being able to travel, and consequently finding a new appreciation and gratitude for Sydney. Jake shares, “As a result of the pandemic, a lot of us have been sitting still, not being able to travel or leave the state. We have had no choice but to stay in our homes to think and reflect. It was in that place that this song was born. I remember growing a deeper appreciation of Sydney. Not being able to travel allowed me to fall in love with this city all over again.”

Bringing the EP to a close, “Us Against the World” is about going through the ups and downs in life with the ones you care most about. Something happens when you find someone who backs you and stands for everything you are. Jake confides, “This sentiment has been particularly relevant given the past couple of years have been extremely difficult, but the one thing that has grounded me, is staying close to the people I cherish. Being surrounded by the ones that you love is what really matters.”

Words For Her” is a love letter capturing the vulnerability of falling in love. It is taken from my just released album, Moody31, a collection of reflections on lessons learned in love and growth as I enter my thirties.

You can watch the official video for “Words For Her” via YouTube.

Stream Moody31 on your favourite platform below.

Everyone has personal moments that mark their love story. These cherished memories belong to them, regardless of how small or insignificant they are. I hope you are able to reflect on your own intimate moments as you listen. 

I wrote this album to value and validate the experiences that we have, as well as to honour our growth as people.

Moody31 is an attempt to connect love to other parts of life. 

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The more I connect the parts of my life to each other, the more life makes sense and holds further beauty.

L y d i a P e r s a u d

Jason Maxwell is a singer-songwriter & recording artist known for his high-energy performances & approachable personality. Jason’s unique approach to posting creative content online coupled with his genuine eagerness to engage & interact with his listeners has helped him garner global viewership with +70 million views across social media platforms.

With +1.5 million digital streams under his belt, Jason has released +20 songs & his quality of output has not gone unnoticed. Jason has been featured on several editorial playlists including Spotify’s Country Favourites & Live Country playlists, Spotify’s Country Hits station, Apple Music’s New Music Daily & New in Country playlists & Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Country, Certified Country & Fresh Alternative playlists. Jason appears for a cameo performance in the 2021 worldwide Netflix release “Full Out 2” which features “Girls Like To Dance” on the official movie soundtrack.

GANZ, A.K.A Jordy Saämena, is an Amsterdam based producer/DJ extraordinaire who developed his masterful blend of hip-hop and electronica from a young age. Overtime, GANZ’s sound has evolved, seeing him explore new territories and experimenting with indie, pop and avant garde music. His latest releases showcase his time spent playing with a multitude of genres and ambient soundscapes, creating something that is truly unique to GANZ. 

“If I Could Be Loved” featuring vocals from Eline Mann explodes with colour and vitality. Speaking of the collaboration, Saämena shares, “I really liked her voice and specifically the raw edge which made her voice sound unique to me.” An overwhelming surge of electronic sounds and textures fills the track, with oscillating beats and the ultimate dance worthy melody making this an infectious and vibey anthem.GANZ has embarked on an artistic takeover of the musical world, with his music catching the attention of tastemakers like Complex, Stereogum and Hypebeast. On top of his musical output, GANZ has maintained a heavy touring schedule. He’s supported Keys N Krates and Destructo separately on North American tours and performed multiple times in Australia, including a gig at Splendour In The Grass. 2022 is set to be an exciting year for the producer, with numerous releases slated for throughout the year.

Long Beach-raised R&B singer/songwriter Kendy X makes her highly anticipated debut with the release of Misplaced EP out now via Rose Records. An evocative collection of songs that magnetically draws listeners in with her poignant and amative lyrics dazzled with her indomitable sense of confidence, Misplaced celebrates the strength in choosing yourself and forging a path of self-love in the most heaviness of times. The title hints at Kendy X’s continued growth on this journey.
 
Misplaced can mean a lot of different things, depending on who you are,” Kendy X shares. “Personally, I misplaced who I thought was. I would belittle myself and not step into my power. I was lost. At the end, I found myself.” “This project is about finding yourself and becoming the woman you are meant to be and not changing for anybody.”

Nice Vice is a new artist from Toronto, Canada. His upcoming debut EP, First Dose is a collection of songs written over the last two years.  Nice Vice’s take on Rock n Roll is honest and unique. Blending sounds of the new and the old, this first collection of songs gives the listener a broad range of what he is capable of. With smooth and surprising transitions from soft to heavy, the powerful voice and captivating lyrics touch on themes of new love, lost love and introspection.

Growing up in Toronto under heavy influence of The Tragically Hip, Pearl Jam, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Counting Crows to name a few, The 90’s hold the tightest grip on Nice Vice’s musical inspirations. Only picking up a guitar for the first time 5 years ago, it’s all come together relatively quick, Nice Vice also plays every instrument on the EP.

Nice Vice is currently working on recording a full-length album and plans to release it soon after the EP comes out in mid-2022.  With double the songs and more range, the EP is a nice taste test of what’s to come in the future. 

neillfrazer@hotmail.com

Socials: @neillfrazer

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