British-born, Brooklyn-based writer, singer, and teaching artist Raegan Sealy has perfected the art of finding light in life’s darker experiences through words and music.
Fusing soul, rock, and indie-pop with her distinctive velvety vocals and ballsy lyrics, Sealy delivers both haunting ballads and upbeat self-empowerment anthems with equal prowess.
Having supported Ice-T, Kae Tempest, Judah & The Lion and Shane Koyczan, Sealy has performed around the world in a plethora of venues, from classrooms to stadiums, including New York City’s Central Park SummerStage, The Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center, and Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.
A force to be reckoned with, Sealy is also an award-winning scholar and advocate. In 2015, she won a Fulbright award to study poetry for public engagement at The New School in New York City. Examining how music, lyrics and creative writing can help empower, heal and engage traumatized communities, she launched a nonprofit organization in 2017 which was supported by Lady Gaga’s Born This Way foundation. Her 2019 official TED Talk, also on the topic, was the first to be delivered entirely in rhyming verse, and received a standing ovation.
Sealy was also the recipient of the P.E.O. International Peace Prize in 2016 for her work to create more educational opportunities for young women. She was a Women’s International Leadership Fellow and Resident Fellow at the International House of New York in 2015-18. Her commissioned work includes pieces for Philadelphia Soul, the Fulbright Commission, and Tiffany Dufu. She has performed and led workshops for Erik Weihenmayer’s No Barriers annual summit, The Nantucket Project, TED, the School of Social Change, the International House of New York, AAUW and many more. In 2020, she was appointed to the US-UK Fulbright Alumni Advisory Council, where she continues to fight for increased diversity, representation, and access to higher and international education.
Raegan Sealy released her debut single “Make ’em Jealous” featuring the all-female choir The Gang of Angels on January 12th, which is the first of a series of singles to be released throughout 2023.
OHIO’S NICHOLAS JOHNSON BLENDS MIDWEST RUST-BELT ROCK AND SOUTHERN ROOTS ON HIS LATEST, SHADY PINES VOL. 2 (NINJA JAM RECORDS)
Kentucky-born and based in Cincinnati, Ohio, singer-songwriter Nicholas Johnson’s story is not a typical one, including moving to Milan, Italy and then getting kicked out of the country. Bringing it all back home on his fourth release, the seven-track album spanning twenty-six minutes, Shady Pines Vol. 2 (Ninja Jam Records), Johnson follows-up 2017’s Shady Pines Vol. 1 to complete the vision he originally had for the two-part project.
Shady Pines Vol. 1 (Ninja Jam Records) was the first half of the collaboration that found Johnson teaming up with acclaimed producer and engineer Patrick Himes (Ryan Adams, Ethan Johns, Lilly Hiatt) with the goal in mind to craft a recording that matched the intensity of his live shows. The result is a fiery brand of roots and rock that manages to sound both achingly familiar and fiercely original.
Tour dates:
3/03/23 – Monarch – Louisville, KY
3/04/23 – Urban Artifact – Cincinnati, OH
3/05/23 – Tip Top Deluxe – Grand Rapids, MI
3/06/23 – Space – Chicago, IL
3/07/23 – Gibson Music Hall – Appleton, WI
3/08/23 – The Bur Oak – Madison, WI
3/09/23 – Aster Cafe – Minneapolis, MN
3/10/23 – Kinkaider Brewing – Omaha, NE
3/11/23 – The Rino – Kansas City, KS
3/12/23 – Thelma’s Peach – Tulsa, OK
3/13/23 – The Stockyard – Ft. Worth, TX
3/14/23 – SxSW – Austin, TX
3/15/23 – San Jac Saloon – Austin, TX
3/16/23 – SxSW – Austin, TX
3/17/23 – SxSW – Austin, TX
3/18/23 – SxSW – Austin, TX
3/19/23 – Oak Park Retreat – Oklahoma City, OK
3/20/23 – Queen City Shout Festival – Springfield, MO
3/21/23 – Bowery Vault – Nashville, TN
3/22/23 – Fensteins – Indianapolis, IN
3/23/23 – Blind Bobs – Dayton, OH
3/24/23 – The Bridge Music Bar – Pittsburgh, PA
3/25/23 – The Bridge Music Bar – Pittsburgh, PA
3/26/23 – Rambling House – Columbus, OH
“I got kicked out of Italy in the early fall of 2016. Seriously. For context, I had an opportunity to move to Milan earlier in the year. Sold the car, the house, put most of my things in storage, packed up the dogs and moved into a tiny apartment in the center of the city. I loved it,” Johnson says of the experience. “However, there were huge errors with the filing of my visa – so on my birthday I was getting ready to fly to Munich for Oktoberfest and I got the call, ‘Happy Birthday, you can’t go to Germany for Oktoberfest and you need to leave the country immediately while this is being resolved.’ I was told it could take anywhere from three weeks to three months.”
Continuing, he adds, “As I mentioned, the house and car were sold. I had to rent a car and crash at my friends – I split time between couches and spare rooms in Dayton and Louisville. I had these songs I wrote that were just hanging out that I played for friends and they really dug them. They were the ones who referred me to Patrick and his studio in Dayton – Reel Love Studios. Come to find out he had worked with Ethan Johns and was the engineer on one of my favorite albums, Ryan Adams’ classic Heartbreaker. Patrick had moved out of Nashville and started his own studio dedicated to recording and producing Ohio music. It was a match made in heaven. I loved working with him, but it was brief because by the time we got to work in the studio it was nearly time for me to go back to Italy. We knocked out five songs in a couple days [which would become 2017’s Shady Pines Vol. 1]. After that, I really wanted to come back and work with him again. Volume 2 was that opportunity.”
Building upon Vol. 1, Shady Pines Vol. 2 combines his Southern and Midwest roots into a sound that is best described as Southern roots meets Midwest rust-belt rock: Heartfelt, earnest, melodic, and true to the soil he was raised on. Paying homage to the likes of Tom Petty, Jeff Tweedy, and even Bruce Springsteen, Johnson creates a rock record that has as much grit as it does polish.
Unlike Volume 1, which was recorded quickly, Johnson and Himes took their time on Volume 2.
“The beginnings of Volume 2 started all the way back in 2018 – flying back from Italy to Dayton to work with Patrick. So we’ve had quite a bit of time to refine things and take our time crafting the sound and style.”
The result, as he says, is an album that “genre hops a bit but it’s essentially Americana with an edge: peppered with rock and a little punk.”
Propelled by the album’s first two singles – “New Vampire” and “Middle of Nowhere, Ohio” – “Middle of Nowhere” opens the album with an Tom Petty-esque rocker, while “New Vampire” closes out Volume 2 with a late-night, folk-pop sleeper rich in vocal harmonies, rustic charm, and a soothing rhythm section.
“These songs bookend the album and encapsulate the theme and tone of the album – but they achieve it in different ways musically,” Johnson says of the two singles.
With the album done and set for release March 3, 2023, Johnson is excited to get the record out to the public, tour in support of it (as a full band, solo, and as a duo), and hope those that hear it take from it some experiences that he put into it.
“This record has been my primary focus since 2018 so my main goal is for it to be heard, enjoyed, and respected by as many people as possible. Hopefully, this will be a lot of people’s introduction to my music and like it enough to dig deeper into my catalog. And ultimately, I hope it’s successful enough to propel me to my next project.”
Rising Nashville-via-North Carolina singer/songwriter Caleb Hearn arrives with his new single “1/2 as good as her” via Nettwerk. The release is accompanied by Caleb Hearn’s tour announcement supporting Ron Pope and fellow Nettwerk labelmate, Lydia Luce, beginning next month. The 22-year-old artist belies his age penning tender tracks at the narrative crossroads of relationships, missed opportunities, and the lessons to be had from young love. However, with his latest offering, Caleb
shifts gears and focuses on his family roots. “1/2 as good as her” touches upon Caleb’s deep relationship he has with his grandmother and emphasizes the many experiences he had growing up. A song showcasing Caleb’s vulnerability, the song resonates with authentic, heartfelt, and relatable storytelling. No matter what was going on for Caleb, his grandmother was always there for him, being both his rock and teacher from a young age. “1/2 as good as her” pays homage to the woman that has been his guiding light from the very start. Watch Caleb capture his grandma’s tearful reaction to hearing the song for the first time on Instagram.
Caleb Hearn shares this about his new single, “I feel as if our grandparents tend to be the foundations to a family. The way that they raise their children tends to be replicated from generation to generation. I don’t think we truly grasp the amount of effort and hard work that our grandparents have made in their lives to build a family, a home, a lifestyle that is given to us to simply enjoy. Both of my grandparents never even went to college but worked so hard to give their kids a better life then they had, and that idea is just passed down by generation to me. I want the same for my kids. Sometimes I feel like we don’t truly understand what our grandparents had to go through to be who they are today. One of the lyrics in this song says, ‘It’s the lines from years of smiling and the softness of her hands.’ I think that line really explains how much effort and love my grandmother has given in her life. I’ve never seen her not smiling and it’s almost like the wrinkles she has on her face today are just symbols of her entire life.”
Hailing from Virginia, Ry Wittmore is a genre-blending lo-fi artist who’s big fun-loving personality shines through his songwriting. Growing up in Chesterfield, his life has consisted of music, skateboarding, and not much else. For Ry, “music was the only thing that made sense.”
Starting in middle school, he played trumpet in a few Ska bands and joined a garage punk band that never quite left the garage. Unfortunately, music created tension in his household early on as his parents didn’t see it as a viable career path. He was deterred from diving deep. However, after attending college, his world expanded and he was allowed to truly step into his artistry. Living near Virginia Beach at that time, Ry would frequent open mics and perform for parties where he met some of the creatives he works with to this day.
Ry’s music continues to evolve but he always focuses on melodic songwriting and blending in his wide breadth of musical influences. In 2023, he prepares for the release of his debut EP HI RY, due out 4/20. The EP projects a positive and energetic tone that’s perfect for starting off your day; Ry notes “We’re energy pushers.”
The young creative says he wants to “show the world that good people and good intentions still make things shake. There’s no big difference between me and the next artist, I just personally want this for me. I decided this is what I’m going to do with my life.”
Cam Kahin– a 20 year-old singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer based in Toronto, Canada who is set to make his UK debut at The Great Escape this year. His EP, WHEN IT’S ALL OVER, is set for release this Spring and taken from that is stellar new single, ‘ Try Again’. A fiery indie cut inspired by post punk, the track showcases Kahin’s versatile vocals over driving guitars. Written and produced by Kahin, ‘ Try Again’ looks set to further cement rising buzz around Cam.
Speaking on the EP, Cam states:
When I was making this EP, I was going through massive amounts of change. I wanted to make a body of work that reflected that change by stepping out of my comfort zone sonically and writing honestly about the side effects of getting older. When I’ve been at my lowest, I’ve looked to artists who write honestly and I hope to have that effect on my fans and listeners. My wish is for people to find comfort in these songs.
Indie alt-rockers Moon Taxi have released their new single “Classics,” out today via 12th South Records. Equal parts fresh and nostalgic, “Classics” is an ode to the songs we all find ourselves singing along to while reminiscing on simpler times and moments that have ultimately shaped us into who we are today. The track is the first off Moon Taxi’s new album coming summer 2023.
“‘Classics’ taps into the alchemy of listening to music as a teenager. It’s such a crazy time of self discovery and identity formation,” shares vocalist and guitarist Trevor Terndrup. “Music got us through it all and helped us get to the other side.” Lead guitarist Spencer Thomson adds, “This is our ode to the songs that comfort us and usher in waves of nostalgia. The music and lyrics recall scenes of 90’s youth bliss, driving around aimlessly listening to burned CDs.”
Chicago-based psych-pop multi-instrumentalist Elijah Montez, the frontman and sole songwriter of Daydream Review shares a new hypnotic single “No Eternity” out everywhere now, that aims to imagine a future beyond a discouraging past and present. The kaleidoscopic debut LP by Daydream Review, Leisure, is due out April 7 and available to pre-order now via Side Hustle Records. The LP is also available to pre-order on vinyl here.
Daydream Review will be taking the new music around his home city of Chicago, IL this spring in celebration of the release. This month, the artist will play at G-Man Tavern, then in April at Cole’s Bar and will conclude on May 26 at Schubas Tavern with tickets to select shows on sale now via linktr.ee/daydreamreview.
The latest release from Daydream Review, “No Eternity” recalls the turmoil of 2020 from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the momentous Black Lives Matter protests that flooded the streets. The track aims to imagine what the future might look like if the past and present have felt so harrowing. Sonically, the track came together long before the lyrics did, and its dreamy, lush atmosphere compelled Daydream Review to follow it through and finish it. “Lyrically, it may be the closest to a song specifically about COVID–not the pandemic itself, but between the BLM protests in Summer 2020 and this change a lot of people have had to the nature of work, I had a hard time thinking of how things would look on the other side of it, and trying to make sense of the future when the only context you have is the past.”
LA’s own Kinneret delivers “Vienna Sunday Night,” a magical and sultry love song accompanied by a whimsical and theatrical visual. The psychedelic-indie-trap artist behind “No Wind Resistance!” pours her heart and soul into the record and performs on stage as a showgirl in the dramatic music video. “I wrote this about falling in love in Vienna,” she explains.
Kinneret also announces new album All That I Know due out March 24thand forthcoming 5-date tour beginning April 19th in Chicago. “All That I Know is about everything that I know – and I really don’t know a lot,” she joked on her Instagram announcement. She teased that it will include “shimmering synths,” “sexy bass,” and “magical harmonies.”
“Vienna Sunday Night” is the fourth installment of singles leading up to the release of her album. Others included “Soon You’re Gonna Know” with Dev Lemons, “Learn My Name,” and “Wizardry!” – which was recently highlighted on YouTube Trending, with Kinneret listed as one of their artists on the rise.
A self-described “psychedelic indie space cowgirl,” 20-year-old Kinneret exudes a unique, magnetic aura. She stands as a beacon of positivity, radiating love with her sonic palette and lyrical themes. Her brand is one of inclusivity and creativity, and those who love her, love her. Her single “No Wind Resistance!” has amassed over 150 million streams to date, featuring shimmery synths and soaring vocals over trunk-rattling 808’s and trap drums, hitting a niche previously untapped. With 350K followers on TikTok and over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Kinneret’s fanbase gets bigger by the hour. She’s building speed and preparing to drop her third album, which will feature Dev Lemons and MKULTRA, with production from 070 Sebastian, SpaceKing, and more.
Singer/songwriter Marco Giovanni has released the music video for his debut single “Straight Face,” out now. Marco’srefined vocals shine on “Straight Face” as he praises the shero in his life and reaffirms his devotion noting that affection, security, and stability are important for their relationship to thrive, and he won’t be coming up short. Silhouetted by strobing lights, the visual captures the vibe of the song with its bouncing tempo and warbling synths paralleling the idea that regardless of any obstacles that come in their way, their flame may flicker, but will never go out.
Burned-out mathematician turned indie-soul artist, Jeremy Voltz’s music is inspired by thinking deeply about the people in his life and what he’d love to have the courage to say to them. Reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, Hozier, and Stevie Wonder, he has a voice that is powerful and haunting, delivering hook-heavy melodies with universal, heartfelt lyrics.
In 2023, Voltz will be releasing his sophomore album, Running Away, a theatrical and hard-hitting exploration of bravery, both within ourselves and our relationships. Running Away is a collaboration with producer/artist, Oliver Charles, and is a blending of two worlds: Voltz’s indie-soul sound and Charles’ impactful, gritty pop production, interlaced with dark harmonies and virtuosic vocals. “We both wanted to create something exciting and almost beyond us, like a soundtrack for an epic action movie that doesn’t exist yet,” says Voltz about the new project. “What we came up with I like to call ‘battle songs for the empathetic.’ Electronic singer-songwriter rock that hits hard yet still feels vulnerable.”
JSJ | Joshua Säde James is an emerging Canadian artist, born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo. His talents have carried him across the world; performing whenever and wherever he can. J obtained his Honours Bachelor Degree in Musical Theatre Performance at Sheridan College, alongside winning the Sheridan: Pop Award (For Outstanding Performance); he was born for the stage. JSJ has dreamed of becoming a recording artist ever since he first laid his eyes and ears on pop Diva Christina Aguilera. Later influenced by artists like Whitney Houston, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande & More, J’s voice, songwriting, and artistry continued to grow. He was first noticed by Toronto-based label HardMD, founded by critically acclaimed songwriter and producer, Craig McConnell. JSJ has released two EPs via HardMD: “Mirrors & Smoke” and “A Very JSJ Christmas”. Soon after he found success being given the opportunity to write with Sony Music Brazil artist PRINSH, Jettlag Music and WADD, to be featured on the track “Save me From Myself”. JSJ’s WSC award winning single “I’ll Wait For You” reflects the trials and tribulations of a long-distance love. You can also listen to J’s latest single “Gone” – a Gemini’s lament to love – alongside his label released collab with Vancouver producer, Outr3ach, “Runnin”. J has found multiple successes online over these past two years, accumulating over 2 million views on Facebook, 150k streams on Spotify alone, and over 300k views on his YouTube channel. J has also been featured in multiple news outlets and blogs, such as: Canadian Beats, Record World Magazine, The Tinnitist, and many more. JSJ incorporates a message of self-worth and love within his music & live performances uhhhh, by letting everyone know: “you are worthy, you are loved, and you are imperfectly you”.
Singer-Songwriter, and record-maker Chayla Hope, has teamed up with Initial Talk [Dua Lipa collaborator] for the release of her “Long Way” remix. Given the retro sound that “Long Way” already exudes, the song is a tribute to the sounds of the new jack swing era, and Initial Talk’s remix pushed the song in a ‘90s house direction, referencing the sounds of the Chicago scene in particular to unlock new melodic frontiers for Chayla’s topline vocal. A blending of talent that came to fruition naturally given their shared passion for the sounds of ‘80s and ‘90s pop, Chayla first discovered Initial Talk after hearing his remix of the Perfume Genius song “On The Floor” back in 2020. Chayla elaborates; “Long Way” is a total nod to Janet Jackson and Quincy Jones, and I knew eventually I’d want to remix the song. Initial Talk is my favorite remixer, and it’s been a dream come true to work with someone who I can check off my bucket list.” A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community who found her performance identity doing drag, Chayla’s powerful voice provides an indelible sonic throughline exploring heartbreak, infatuation, loss and the feelings that make us human. After spending over two decades fronting rock bands in her hometown of Cleveland, Chayla Hope made her solo debut in 2022 with the release of Damn, Feelings. An album featuring songs mixed by 12-time GRAMMY award winner Josh Gudwin [Bad Bunny, Justin Beiber, Dua Lipa], Chayla was uniquely involved in every step; returning to her former employer Gotta Groove Records to press the vinyl herself alongside Wax
Mage Records. Two versions of the 7-inch vinyl were released on Valentine’s day, a pink swirl and Wax Mage customs, which you can purchase HERE. The Wax Mage custom sold out immediately, and there’s only a few of the pink swirl left. The vinyl singles include “Love in Lo-Fi” and “High,” both featured on her debut album Damn, Feelings, and pressed in collaboration with Wax Mage Records. The never-before-seen pink Wax Mage label that adorns each is symbolic of her journey and unique to her releases with Wax Mage Records.
Emerging Bristol/Sydney based indie pop-rock band – Dande and The Lion – release their new single “Children of the Hour” out today (23 February).
STREAM “CHILDREN OF THE HOUR” ON ALL SERVICES HERE
A shimmering slice of synth-laden indie-pop that glints like a glitterball strung amongst the smoke on a hazy dancefloor, “Children of the Hour” recorded by the band in their base of Sydney.
A song all about being playful in the moment and following the feeling, rather than over-thinking things, Natassa Zoe explains of their new single:
“I was sitting in Centennial Park in Sydney waiting to be picked up. I’d just finished reading a play called ‘The Children’s Hour’ and that kicked off the songwriting process. My ride was late which allowed me to finish the entire song all in one go which was kind of cool.”
Blending breezy indie-rock with bouncy electropop, the band cite a range of influences from Wolf Alice and Metric, to Cannons and The Naked & Famous, all of which fed into the DNA of “Children of the Hour”. Produced by Xavier Dunn and mixed/mastered by Klaus Hill, the resultant track is a mesmeric cut that sees ardent intimacies erupt into explosive, danceable choruses. As Natassa adds:
“”Children of the Hour” centres around the push and pull within an intimate relationship: the idea of meeting someone who takes you completely off-guard and shakes up your world in a totally unexpected way. So much so that you start creating excuses to see them and thinking about a future with them. But despite all of those feelings it never quite matches up: for whatever reason you’re both just out of touch.”
Ray Laurél Releases Stellar New Single, ‘TEMPTRESS’// Listen HERE
Establishing themselves as one of 2022’s breakout artists with the reveal of critically acclaimed debut EP Manic Pixie Dream Boy, London based polymath Ray Laurél reveals their first new work of 2023 in genre challenging new cut, TEMPTRESS. Showcasing Ray’s versatile vocals over warped production, the track builds to a scream along chorus that will stay with you long after first listen. Speaking on the release, Ray states:
‘TEMPTRESS’ is an ode to energy vampires and narcissists. Sometimes light attracts moths and warmth attracts parasites… PROTECT YOUR ENERGY!
Rising North London rapper and creative Chri$DaPrince drops his hotly-anticipated EP Black Is Black.
Showcasing a rare lyrical talent that portrays real-life hardships and the perils of a young Black creative in London, the Congolese-born artist has delivered an intoxicating record that transcends any expectation of contemporary UK rap. From hip-hop and jazz, to drill and everything in between, Black Is Black elevates the grit associated with inner-city life and the precarious circumstances that have shaped the emcee’s artistry today. A captivating and fully-formed body of work, Chri$DaPrince’s sharp, potent new EP will continue the attention around him as a formidable name in the UK landscape.
Experimenting with an array of unconventional sounds, the record opens with “HOW LOVE HURTS” – a soulful track laced with spacey samples and sharp percussive
textures, as his conscious raps discuss poetic justice when resurfacing against past adversity and the vigorous journey towards self-recognition. Swiftly transitioning to his latest high-octane release “ENVIOUS”, the artist manoeuvres through trap-heavy sonics backed by cold, melodic cadence, setting pace for the rest of an EP that illustrates his flair and deeper penmanship.
Helena Li is a Toronto-based singer and songwriter whose musical journey started in Beijing in the 90s, years before she moved to Canada in her late teens. After spending some time in the music industry as a professional, Helena made the bold decision to embark on her dream path as a recording artist, and break boundaries for artists with Asian immigrant backgrounds in North America and beyond — a dream which has come to fruition with her debut single, “Montana.”
To craft her unique, story-driven brand of pop, Helena draws inspiration from Western pop legends including Ali Tamposi, Marina and The Diamonds, Ava Max, Sia, and Florence + The Machine, infusing the synthesis with a unique blend of Eastern
elements. Accompanying her unique brand of music with authentic lyrics based on her personal experiences with love and life, Helena’s goal is to write songs that people can relate to, whether it’s identifying with elements of her stories or her heartfelt expression of her feelings.
The release of “Montana,” which was produced by Grammy award-winning producer and former Ludacris collaborator Josh Igloo Monroy, marks the official debut of Helena’s vibrant, upbeat, and colorful musical style. The title is inspired by a mystery person — Helena’s first girl crush whose name she never found out — and tells the story of the discovery of her new orientation, a pivotal moment during her years in Vancouver’s historic Davie Street neighborhood.
2023 will see Helena release a slew of new music, starting with an EP that will explore a new range of stories inspired by her love life, followed up by a danceable summer single — both of which will be officially announced in due course.
I’m Polyarto, am a French singer I sing afro afro mb, love songs, and pop in French . I have been singing since I was a child and I have always loved it. I wish i performed in various venues around the world. My music is my passion and I strive to create beautiful songs that will touch the hearts of my listeners.
“Could It Be You” marks the first single from the Korean American singer, songwriter, and model. After spending countless hours in the studio writing and recording with various music producers, she was connected with GRAMMY nominated songwriter and producer Poo Bear (Justin Bieber, Usher, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez) and the two immediately locked into a creative flow. Kylin’s dynamic vocals and amplified personality were brought to the forefront as the two developed her cultivated and confident sound.
Outside of music and with a fashion-forward presence, Kylin has already won the hearts of supporters around the world garnering over 700K social media followers. At only 17, she has shined on runways at New York, Los Angeles, and London Fashion Weeks, as well as Miami Swim Week and has landed a string of campaigns for Apple and LeapFrog among others.
“Could It Be You” is the first taste of what’s to come from Kylin as she prepares for an exciting 2023 and we’d love to have you on board as an early supporter!
North West London drill rapper Chinx (OS) has only been releasing music for the past year but his consistency and fan base are second to none. Having already released two singles in January ‘Trap Fashion’ and ‘5am In North West, the run up to his debut mixtape release ‘One Sided Story’ is in full swing as he drops ‘Ain’t Got Time’.
Chinx (OS) has made a name for himself with his viral release such as ‘Fish O Filet’ and his debut release ‘Secrets Not Safe’, it was originally taken down by the Met police but then the decision was controversially overruled by META marking the second time in history that this has happened.
‘Ain’t Got Time’ produced by M1 On The Beat highlights Chinx’ raw and unfiltered yet often cheeky lyricism with the accompanying visual shot amongst beautiful scenery in Wales, juxtaposing the darker lyrics.
With a passion for music from a young age, tuning into channels such as MTV and Channel U, Chinx really is beginning to make his own mark on the UK music scene.
Theo Tams has reached the stature of a bona fide music veteran by now, but he’s also at the beginning of something new.
The Canadian singer, songwriter, and performer has been playing since his teens and releasing music for the past 15 years. He has three albums and three EPs to his credit, along with a formidable collection of singles and…oh yeah, that championship run on the sixth season of Canadian Idol in 2008. Tams has put together a body of work that’s substantial and diverse. It speaks of an artist whose mission is growth and adventure — building upon his proverbial laurels, rather than sitting on them.
With each step, Tams has made a stride forward, and sometimes even further. That’s certainly been true of the past few years, particularly with the series of three-song Trilogy EPs he’s embarked on, with the third just arriving and taking him into even more new sonic and lyrical terrain.
“I think I’ve just gotten a lot more unapologetic in the process,” Tams, who lives in Toronto with his partner and their 11-year-old daughter, explains. “The biggest thing I notice when I listen back to the music that I’ve released before is I had no clue who I was or what I stood for. I really was just trying to check the boxes of what I thought made an artist, realizing that by doing that I wasn’t checking any of them. I was living up to this veneer, this shiny, perfect kind of image I felt like I created, and I don’t think that’s life. Life is messy and it’s hard, no matter who you are or where you’re from or what your background is.
“That’s what my music needed to reflect for me to really feel like an artist. So my whole new approach in music has been an exercise of saying ‘yes’ and allowing myself to do whatever I think is right.”
Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, announces Flo Milli as the next artist in their Ctrl. series with performances of “Conceited” and “Bed Time” premiering today off her debut album, You Still Here, Ho?. Previously, Flo Milli worked with Vevo for Ctrl performances of “In The Party” and “My Attitude,” as well as a Ctrl.At.Home performance of “Weak.” She was also named a 2020 Vevo Artist To Watch, performing “19” and “Not Friendly” for the series.
Vevo’s Ctrl series highlights the work of hard-hitting, cutting-edge musicians making an impact in today’s music scene – both emerging and established. These artists demand attention, and Vevo’s Ctrl shines a deserving spotlight. Flo Milli’s performances follow sessions from Rick Ross, Common, Rapsody, Fat Joe, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Fabolous, A$AP Ferg and more.
23 year old Alabama born rapper Flo Milli has taken the Internet by storm in her short ascent. Releasing her first official track “Beef FloMix” on her SoundCloud in late 2018, she had gone viral by early 2019 on TikTok, marking her breakout success and she hasn’t let up since.
Known for her bubbly delivery and aggressive bars, in July 2020 she took the internet by storm once again with the release of her debut mixtape, Ho, why is you here?, exuding unapologetic confidence and empowering females with experiences shared in her music. 2021 proved to be another incredible year for Flo, as she was nominated for Best New Artist at the BET Awards and Best Breakthrough Song at the MTV VMAs for her feature on Baby Tate’s “I Am.”
Most recently Flo returned, paving a new era where she pays homage to her favorite pop culture moments with powerful black females, launching singles “Ice Baby,” “PBC” (Pretty Black Cute), and “Conceited.” This creative vision culminated in her debut album, You Still Here, Ho? via RCA Records.
Ahead of their UK headline tour this February – THE GULPS – have released a mind-warping official video for new single “Mirror Mirror” (out now, via Guindilla Records).
WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE
STREAM THE TRACK ON ALL SERVICES HERE
A contorted cut that arrives as a more-than-apt accompaniment to their shapeshifting indie-rock track, the video for “Mirror Mirror” is just like stepping through a hall of infinity mirrors and “explores the diverse ‘shards’ of human character” according to director Eilera Ellie.
Opening with a long take of frontman Javier in his own world, watching himself and his band perform on TV while the space around him remains still, silent and empty, he is soon discovered and dragged from this internal space back onto the stage of the outside world.
Recorded against the backdrop of London’s iconic Soho streets, Ellie adds:
“Many of us have a selection of alter-egos within us, putting various facets of our character on show when and where required. Similarly, within the video, scenes flicker between each band member ‘lost’ within their internal worlds, and being out on show for all to see. Each time they are in search of their one true self, until the two universes merge together.”
Dropping like a disintegrating disco ball hanging by its final thread, the track itself is similarly changeable as it swings between the slick indie stylistics of The Strokes in one moment to the zaniness of The Lemon Twigs another, all while doggedly throwing-off the straight-jacket of convention at every given opportunity.
Laced with laissez-faire lyrics that take their cues from the carefree class of the beatnik generation, “Mirror Mirror” finds The Gulps inspired by one of literature’s most liberating minds, Jack Kerouac, and fantasising about living a life less-ordinary.
As lead singer Javier Sola explains of the track:
“It’s a fantasy poetry of a normal day. Influenced by Kerouac’s book, On the Road, and its carefree attitude and sense of adventure. Trying to make the listeners feel reflected with the lyrics, looking at the mirror and feeling they’re part of the hedonism of just another day.”
Beans on Toast – will release the powerful new single: “Against The War”.
One year since the war in Ukraine began and with the Doomsday clock closer to midnight than ever before, the UK folk singer returns with a timely protest song that needs little explanation.
As Beans says:
“Against the War is a protest song. It’s a song about peace written in a time of war. It wasn’t an easy song to write, but like everyone, the horrors of the Ukraine invasion have been at the forefront of my mind for the past year.”
From Neil Young to Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and countless more, the greatest folk artists have always used their voices to make a stand against conflict. Continuing in that tradition, the message from Beans on Toast couldn’t be plainer here, as he sings: “Peace is what I’m standing for and I’m Against the War”.
London-based artist Prince of Falls offers up a stunning new music video to accompany single “Holding Back” – an addicting record that blends 80s influence with trap soul percussion.
The visual feeds into the dark and introspective nature of the song and serves up impressive visual effects that illuminate the moody scenes. “Girl, I need you like I need my drugs / It’s so hard to love / It’s always the problem when you numb the pain,” he sings as he moves through the city in a glimmering daze.
Alongside the release, Prince of Falls also announces forthcoming EP Somewhere Doing Something; a project that highlights his expansive mind and life outlook. Although the scene in London can often feel “same-y” and stagnant, he often finds himself in new places and getting caught up in surprising situations.
Emerging from the depths of London, Prince of Falls is a 25-year-old Nigerian-born, Greenwich-raised artist whose mystical melodies range somewhere on the spectrum of dark R&B and intimate rap. The hypnotic beats take listeners into a more private corner of the human experience. Forever chilled yet pulsating with purpose, it is in this way that Prince of Falls is determined to continue to connect with people all across the globe.The resulting sound is incredibly unique and has achieved over 40 million streams across all DSP’s.
To understand his vision, it’s important to look back on his upbringing and the journey that has shaped his multidimensional creative mindset. Having grown up in Nigeria, Prince of Falls’ musical ear was shaped by his mum’s love of gospel music and hearing his dad play hits from Nigerian artists such as P-Square and Styl-Plus. Over time, the young artist was slowly introduced to pop tunes coming out of the US. Reminiscing on the freeway he’d joyfully dance along to music by artists like Rihanna. “I remember dancing to “Pon de Replay” at home and my aunty saying how I obviously liked expressing myself with and through music. It was true and, looking back, I guess I took that on board.”
artist-producer Mike Sabath and his band The Moongirls return with the retro-leaning, funk-heavy new single “Sexy!” Listen HERE via Warner Records. The track’s vintage aesthetic is reflected in the accompanying video, which finds the group and their entourage throwing an unforgettable fashion show. Watch the striking, black-and-white video HERE.
Grounded by a pulsing beat and baseline, the infectious single is a feel-good earworm of the highest caliber. “What you love, what you hate, write it down ‘cause I cannot approximate,” Sabath sings over slick, ‘70s-referencing production. “I don’t know, but if I had to say, your standard is perfection with expensive taste.” The result is a soulful funk opus designed to ignite dance-floors everywhere.
“This piece is all about everyone’s sexiness, how we all can feel sexy in our bodies no matter the shape or color or gender… it’s just a matter of letting that part of ourselves out and in the land of Mike Sabath & The Moongirls, let it shine baby!” Says Mike Sabath
Rather than stick to the script, compromise, or follow, DDG has confidently and charismatically blazed his own trail through hip-hop and business. Hailing from Pontiac, MI, he has quietly asserted himself as a multiplatinum music artist, and trendsetting entrepreneur. Since 2016, he has vaulted to the upper echelon of the culture, adorning top publications, picking up plaques, and eclipsing 1 billion streams. After a series of independent singles, he initially graduated from buzzing force to rap star on his 2019 debut, Valedictorian, which boasted the gold-certified banger “ARGUMENTS.” However, he reached the stratosphere in 2020 with the inescapable “Moonwalking In Calabasas (Remix)” [feat. BLUEFACE]. It marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and went platinum. Along the way, he collaborated with everyone from YoungBoy NBA and Queen Naija to Coi Leray, Tyla Yaweh, Masked Wolf, G-Eazy, and G Herbo. Following his 2021 project Die 4 Respect with OG Parker, fans overwhelmingly voted him on to XXL’s prestigious “Freshman Class” cover, and he landed on the covers of KAZI Magazine, PREME, and UPROXX. However, DDG blasts off to another level altogether in 2022 with It’s Not Me It’s You.
Danelle Sandoval is a Filipino-American artist based in Los Angeles, CA. After posting a YouTube cover of “Tuesday” by ILoveMakonnen ft. Drake, the song was remixed and went on to receive platinum awards worldwide while reaching the #1 spot in over 70 countries on iTunes and Shazam. The viral hit has amassed over 1 billion streams online. Following the global success of “Tuesday” Danelle has performed on national television in Germany, has written for other artists including Paris Hilton, and has focused on releasing original music. After releasing singles and an EP throughout the years, Live Nation’s Ones To Watch explained that Danelle “has established herself as a polished pop star, and her airy voice layered over hypnotic electro-pop production is something we simply can’t get enough of.” Earmilk has also described that, “Danelle creates a beautiful chemistry of extraordinary storytelling and 90s infused R&B to depict an honest picture of the struggles she’s had to face in today’s society and how she’s overcome adversity to become the boldest, truest version of herself.”
With more music to be released in 2023, Danelle has refined her sound to represent the places and genres that have inspired her and her creativity the most, from Toronto’s out-of-the-box production and NYC’s jazz influences to LA’s R&B/pop scene.
Love You Later — the project of Nashville-based artist and songwriter Lexi Aviles — is back today with “Girl With Headphones,” the first single from her upcoming EP, ‘From The Window Seat,’ out May 5th.
Love You Later’s signature brand of effortlessly cool alt-pop shines through on “Girl With Headphones.” It opens with a pulsing fuzzy synth arp before blooming with sweetness as Lexi’s dreamy vocals kick in. It’s a cinematic and nostalgic song that wouldn’t feel out of place in a coming-of-age movie.
She adds, “‘Girl With Headphones is about feeling out of place, like you’re the only one living in your world. Things were feeling very dim at the beginning of this year and it made me think about how when I was kid I would feel like the main character in my own indie film, staring out the window of the passenger seat and romanticizing everything the world has to offer. There’s a true vulnerability and weight in this song as I pretty much admit I haven’t been feeling like myself lately. The song also comes with a sense of letting go and realizing maybe that’s what’s stopping me from being truly happy. ‘Girl With Headphones’ is about me, the main character, experiencing what it feels like to grow, let go, embrace the unknown, move on and return to myself. It’s a cathartic rollercoaster.”
Ukrainian-born singer-songwriter, Natisa Gogol, just released her new single in February 2023. Entitled “Wind Of Hope”, the song was written by Natisa after she had escaped from Ukraine to Prague earlier this year, and “when all that was dear and important to me had to be left behind.” It was produced by US-born, Prague-based songwriter and musician Gregory Darling, whose latest co-write, “Lucky” – with Julian Lennon and Gregg Alexander (New Radicals) – recently spent two months in the Top 40 of the Billboard Triple A.
“Wind Of Hope” is heart-wrenching stuff – ‘Tell me why they broke into our house/Tell me why they tore apart our lives?’ sings Natisa, and then, at her most-bulletproof, ‘Love will rescue us/Ukraine lives in our hearts’ – showcasing a voice at the outer limits of perfection, a mellifluous, brittle instrument so finely poised and positioned as to be able to claim land rights of its own. It also accents a common theme running through Natisa’s songs: love. “Love is like air,” says Natisa. “it is everywhere.”
Born in 1988, in the city of Dnipro in Ukraine, Natisa attended the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Performing and Circus Arts, before graduating to become a soloist for the state academic orchestra, an institution that saw her collaborate with DJ Shiller, as well as 1970s Afro-German-Carribean, disco/funk vocal supergroup, Boney M, an outfit who are still massive in Ukraine. Natisa cites jazz as an influence, although her musical heroes include artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, Elton John, Barbara Streisand, Madonna, and Mariah Carey, and you can sense the influence of some of these artists on Mantra, Starting To Get Used To and Birds, songs likely to surface on her debut album due to be released in 2023.
Hailing from Detroit, MI and Dallas, TX, MCs and multi-instrumentalists Bobbi Lanea and Folayan Kunerede met at a music college in Los Angeles, CA. They immediately hit it off and began collaborating with each other, eventually naming their group, Flyana Boss. Folayan and Bobbi create infectious, hip-hop anthems embodying the spirit of fly-ness and boss-ness. They aim to entertain, make you laugh, and always remind you that you are listening to the direct descendants of all the lady bosses that came before them through generations of humanity, from Cleopatra to Harriet Tubman to Michelle Obama to Beyoncé!
When you take the wheel, you control your own destiny.
An accomplished singer, songwriter, producer, and performer, Kevin Ross determines his course on his own terms. The Washington, D.C.-born artist elevates R&B through eloquent songcraft, rich sonic architecture, and downright traffic-stopping vocals. Since launching his career in 2016, he has quietly risen to the forefront of the culture with over 100 million streams and counting, #1 Billboard entries on the Adult R&B Songs Chart, and countless sold-out shows. Now, he continues to forge ahead with more music in 2023 under his artist-owned label Art Society Music Group (ASMG).
“I never wait around for anybody,” he explains. “I’m always making music with collaborators and by myself. Producing is part of who I was supposed to be all along as an artist. That’s not just an artist who can sing, but an artist who can write, produce, perform, and execute at the highest level possible in order to deliver to the masses.”
Kevin vividly recalls his first memory of music, listening to Lisa Stansfield’s “All Around The World” from his car seat as a baby. He went on to obsess over the likes of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, and Smokey Robinson. Following his high school years at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, he earned a scholarship and degree from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music. Settling in Atlanta, he initially made waves behind-the-scenes, penning hit-charting tunes for the likes of Trey Songz, Toni Braxton, Tank, and many more.
As a solo artist, he wrote, recorded, and produced “Long Song Away” in 2016, toppling both the Adult R&B Songs Chart and the Urban Adult Contemporary Chart at #1. In between collaborations with Kevin Hart, Ne-Yo, and T.I., he built a bulletproof solo discography highlighted by The Awakening [2017], Drive EP [2017], and Audacity Vol. 1-2 [2020]. From the latter, “God Is A Genius” generated over 13+ million streams and counting across platforms. Along the way, he also toured alongside legends Babyface, KEM & Maxwell, in addition to picking up nominations at the Soul Train Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and iHeart Radio Music Awards.
In 2019, he founded Art Society Music Group as the home for all of his releases. With Kevin at the helm, 2021’s Drive 2 [ASMG/Empire] represented another high achievement. It bowed at #1 on the iTunes Top R&B/Soul Albums Chart, while “Looking For Love” vaulted onto the Top 10 of the Billboard Adult R&B Radio Play Chart.Beyond acclaim from Billboard, Rolling Stone, and BET, Washington Post proclaimed, “Ross doesn’t sound like he’s trying to find a musical identity. He knows who he is, and his album reflects that.”
“Drive 2 definitely shows growth,” he notes. “It’s been five years since the last one. I was producing a lot more on the second installment. I’m way more confident in my ability. It’s leaps and bounds better than the first. It’s all just time, growth, and awareness.”
Not many artists begin their career with ‘Deathbed Confessions’, but then HANNAH ROSE PLATT isn’t your typical artist…
Readying a record guaranteed to give you goosebumps, Xtra Mile Recordings are thrilled to present the label debut from their latest signing. A singer-songwriter with a penchant for the peculiar and a multi-instrumentalist who relishes a murder-ballad, Hannah Rose Platt will release her upcoming album ‘Deathbed Confessions’ on 19th May 2023.
Offering a first peek into this collection of curiosities, Platt is delighted to unveil: “Dead Man On The G Train”, from the record
Genre-bending Irish musician and producer DAVID KITT has shared two new tracks ahead of the release of his ninth studio album ‘Idiot Check’, out 31st March 2023 via RE:WARM.
LISTEN TO “TILL THE END” HERE || LISTEN TO “BALANCES” HERE
PRE-ORDER/SAVE ‘IDIOT CHECK’ HERE
Following January’s single release “Wishing Well”, David Kitt shares two new tracks today: “Till the End” and “Balances” (both featuring Katie Kim).
Of the AA-side release, Kitt says: “I decided to release ‘till the end/balances’ as a double a-side digital single because they come together on the album and they feel thematically and musically connected. They’re both abstract songs that explore commitment, memory, the miracle of endless love and the transformative powers of awe and wonder. They both feature Katie Kim on vocals, her vocals on till the end really transformed the song and made it one of my favourite pieces of music that I’ve ever been involved in. Thanks Katie!”
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
