Uniting from Toronto and Northampton respectively, but now based in London, Shelf Lives is the brainchild of Sabrina Di Giulio and guitarist/producer Jonny Hillyard. At the forefront, the band makes energetic pop songs that bring the abrasiveness and physicality of punk back to a small, cramped house party setting. Creating music so rowdy you can practically feel the sweat on the ceiling and the sound of crushed cans under your feet, Shelf Lives have won over scores of praise from the likes of NME, Dork, The Line Of Best Fit, Clash, and Jack Saunders of BBC Radio 1.

Pairing hardcore punk’s brief bursts of energy with electroclash’s minimal and sleazy sonics, Shelf Lives raise themes of societal collapse and hyper-consumerism with a warped smile. Most recently, Shelf Lives prismatic brand of exciting electro-punk has enabled them slots at The Great Escape Festival, FOCUS Wales, Liverpool Sound City, and Glastonbury Festival.

A band of many facets with an effortless ability to blend various genres, Nature Loves Courage have been turning heads around the music scene for some time. Driven by an obsession with loops and beats, melodic pianist and lead vocalist McKenna Rowe set out to create her own set of lush beats inspired by industrial trip hop acts such as Massive Attack. With this in mind, Nature Loves Courage adopted bassist Jacob Bergman, drummer Garrett Smith, and guitarist Joe De Sa to further polish their electronic-forward production.

Now all based in LA, the four piece aims to bridge together the sonic worlds of experimental music and mainstream pop. On Nature Loves Courage, airy string orchestration keeps heady dub-inspired beats in check, and themes of nature and pagan magic balance out arena-ready rock chants. Out later this fall, their second EP continues to flex their lush, danceable electronic-rock sound with themes exploring the complexity of human relationships.

Joey Sachi is an electronic-pop singer/songwriter who has recently made Tokyo her home and creative playground. Growing up in a household where music was a pivotal and integral part of her life, Joey Sachi quickly became inspired to follow in the footsteps of previous pop icons. Originally hailing from Sydney, Australia, the eclectic music scene there exposed her to meeting producer Andy Mak (Vera Blue, KLP, Winterbourne). Newly bursting onto the scene, Joey Sachi‘s introspective lyrics and unique brand of emotional intimacy are bound to resonate with many.

Charlotte de Witte is a techno phenomenon. A poster child of a global movement who is dead set on exploring the outer fringes of electronic music and standing at the frontline of the ever-growing techno scene. Her trademark style is reflected not just in her meticulously crafted productions and carefully composed DJ sets but also in the sound of many contemporary techno artists, verifying her status as a trailblazer in the global electronic music movement. The KNTXT label owner’s career keeps surging at breakneck speed, and we might only have seen the beginning.

Coming off a VIRAL New York City takeover (which featured two sold out shows at Brooklyn Mirage as well as a guerilla-style, surprise set that closed down Orchard street for thousands) and her latest EP Drop (topping charts at #1 in less than a week), de Witte will be closing out her stacked Overdrive tour and campaign within the KNTXT Label with an EPIC West Coast takeover. 

In addition to de Witte’s all-nighter at Shrine (her first set of this length since her 10 hour performance at Flanders Expo in 2021) her second US takeover will also feature turbo-charged, immersive live music experiences in the market – More on that to come soon!

Tickets will officially go on sale starting Thursday, July 20 at 10:00 AM PST – Presale / Ticket link once live can be found HERE.

SILENT SKIES, the cinematic project of EVERGREY’s Tom S. Englund and acclaimed US-based pianist/composer Vikram Shankar (Redemption, Lux Terminus), have just released the first official video, “Construct”, cut from their dream-like third studio album, Dormant, out September 1, 2023 via Napalm Records.

The album’s shimmering opening track “Construct” calls for the listener to join the two musicians on a soulful journey, characterized by expansive atmospheres, iridescent textures, and contemplative lyrical introspection. From the very first note, listeners will get caught by the distinctive voice of Tom S. Englund, glimmering in yearning nuances and emotions spanning the gamut from despair to hope. Bonded with the instrumental majesty of Vikram Shankar, this is a maelstrom in which one will relish getting lost. SILENT SKIES present “Construct” together with an artistic and stately film, directed by American director Paul Moore and filmed by Moore and Patric Ullaeus, that beautifully and sincerely portrays that which really matters – just as SILENT SKIES does with their music.

SILENT SKIES add:
“We are thrilled to present ‘Construct’, the first offering from our new album Dormant. ‘Construct’ is an encapsulation of the ethos that informed the creative process for this new record. Musically it explores textures and soundscapes that are new additions to our sonic universe, but the reflective melancholy that defines what we do is still very much present. The conceptual theme for Dormant has been ‘conversations with life, about life,’ and in ‘Construct’, you will hear the first part of this conversation. We hope it provokes conversations within yourselves in turn.”

For Los Angeles-based neo-classical composer McKenzie Stubbert, making music is a little like going to therapy. Both are a slow process of self-discovery: grueling yet rewarding. “You can try to make these adjustments, but the best path forward in making art and therapy is to first listen to who you are and be honest about what that is,” McKenzie says.

On the Emmy-nominated composer’s long-gestating new album, Waiting Room, a rich and elegiac song cycle that draws upon film scores, neoclassical piano, and minimalist composers of the late twentieth century, McKenzie has found that honesty. It’s set for an August 18th release date via Curious Music (Harold Budd, Hans-Joachim Roedelius) on LP/cd/digital, and you can pre-order the album here.

McKenzie’s latest single“Err”, out now, got the dual premiere treatment with the track coming on Monday via Stationary Travels, and the video premiering today via Headphone Commute. The former calls it “a hauntingly atmospheric piece built around two overlapping piano parts that blossom into what seems like a quiet explosion of rueful self-awareness,” while the latter showcases the tale of two ambiguously connected women trapped between worlds directed by Habitual Loss.

The album’s cover depicts an unusual image of McKenzie himself, rendered in an oil painting by his friend Zachary Johnson. The painting is based upon a photograph McKenzie’s wife and frequent collaborator snapped of him sitting in the waiting room of their marriage counselor. McKenzie saw the image and immediately saw an honest reflection of himself.

“And now the album is called Waiting Room,” McKenzie says. “We were two artists living together, coming out of religion, trying to make art but survive in an economy that doesn’t really support that. It’s pretty complicated. That waiting room was, I discovered, a self-imposed waiting room for me, waiting to emerge.”

Returning with their first new music of 2023, Southern California garage rock band Foxtide today releases “Hold On.” Combining a haughty aloofness in vocal delivery with experimentation in the stickiness of modern pop music formulas, the result is a windows-down-in-the-car, over the speed limit track. Coming in at the sweet spot of just over three minutes, “Hold On” harkens to the golden age of early 2000s rock, fueled by the modern DIY scene – Stream.

With a newly solidified band lineup, Foxtide is kicking off their next era of new music today, showcasing their mindset of not taking things too seriously and creating the kind of music that they’d listen to themselves. Previously dabbling a little more in easy-going, jazz-inspired, beachy tones, Foxtide’s new music leans into the intensity of their live shows that have won them a cultlike following in the SoCal scene. Over the next couple of weeks, “Hold On” will receive an official video treatment and fans can keep an eye out later this year for a new EP from the band.

On the new single, frontman Elijah Gibbins-Croft said, “’Hold On’ incorporates influence from early 2000s garage rock while bringing something new to the table. The track is really a song about nostalgia, self-doubt and forgiveness. While the verses are a conversation between oneself, the chorus is simply asking someone’s forgiveness.”

Seminal Little Rock, Arkansas queer tweemo band Everyone Asked About You has dropped “Handsome Beautiful,” the next single off the upcoming Numero Group release of ‘Paper Airplanes, Paper Hearts’, which compiles the band’s complete recorded works.

“Handsome Beautiful” was tracked in 1998 between their self-titled 7” and ‘Let’s Be Enemies’ LP, and is a building ballad that meanders around a simple flute and jangly guitar riff before exploding into a maelstrom of flailing and off-key harmony screams.

Stream the visualizer for the track “Handsome Beautiful” HERE.

The Deluxe 2xLP vinyl release of ‘Paper Airplanes, Paper Hearts’, includes the band’s ‘Let’s Be Enemies’ LP and their two and a half 7″s released between 1997-2000. The release is now available to pre-order/pre-save (including digital and cassette).

Pre-save/Pre-Order ‘Paper Airplanes, Paper Hearts’ HERE.

Stream the album teaser video HERE.

To celebrate the release of ‘Paper Airplanes, Paper Hearts,‘ Everyone Asked About You will play two record release show at Brooklyn, NY’s Saint Vitus on September 8 and 9th. Tickets available here:

September 8 Show w/ Death Party

September 9 Show w/ Caithlin De Marrais

Penned between heated sessions of MarioKart64 and Goldeneye, Little Rock high school quartet Everyone Asked About You developed their own take on the emo sound that was sweeping the midwest in the late-‘90s. Built around the twin guitar attack of Chris Sheppard and Collins Kilgore, the band was held together by drummer Lee Buford’s pulverizing drums and dusted with Hannah Vogan’s twee-adjacent vocals. Channeling Rainer Maria’s earnestness, the Promise Ring’s knack for melody, and the Rentals’ penchant for synth, Everyone Asked About You the biggest secret to come out of Arkansas since Whitewater.

Holy Ship! Wrecked has announced its 2023 lineup. Eleven years ago, Holy Ship! reimagined what a music festival experience and community could be, with its successor Holy Ship! Wrecked bringing this concept to land with even more potential for complete attendee immersion. From December 12-16, the event returns for four nights of luxury accommodations, top-tier music curation, and immersive entertainment at Hard Rock Riviera Maya on the shores of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

World renowned artists and fan favorites are scattered throughout the Holy Ship! Wrecked lineup, led by Grammy-nominated producer and Black Book Records label boss Chris Lake, plus Dirtybird label head Claude VonStroke and Relief Records trailblazer Green Velvet playing individual sets in addition to their collaborative Get Real superduo. Lineup highlights continue with iconic bass producer and Cyclops Recordings head Subtronics, multigenre producer and Young Art Records founder TOKiMONSTA, eclectic veteran superproducer Boys Noize, trap sensation TroyBoi, and pioneering UK producer Skream.

House music will find some of its hottest names represented including Late Checkout icon Chris Lorenzo, Hellbent Records head Cloonee, UK stalwart Eats Everything, groove-driven hitmaker Dombresky, and Terminal Underground’s Matroda. Returning Shippers can relish in some of the event’s most core memories with returning Holy Ship! regulars like Valentino Khan, Wax Motif, Justin Martin, Craze, Ardalan, and the fun-loving Desert Hearts crew of Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds, Marbs, and Porky.

 Small Crush is today releasing a shimmery new single and music video, “Ecosystem,” about immersing yourself in the natural world and finding the immense in the small. The new single comes ahead of their upcoming sophomore album, Penelope, out September 15 via Asian Man Records.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWxxfduavvo 

“Ecosystem is an ode to every rock, bug, and plant that goes unseen but makes a huge difference in our world,” Small Crush says. With the band’s classic longing, indie-pop sound, “Ecosystem” strips away all the noise of day-to-day life, leading listeners down scenic backroads and into quiet forests, asking them to finally slow down. “We hope that other people can find comfort in our songs and have a soundspace to relieve some kind of emotion,” lead singer Logan Hammon said about their music. “Ecosystem” does just that.

The song is slow, meandering through each verse with careful intention. “I’m skipping rocks into the stream / It rushes over me / everything is right here / And it’s all I need,” Hammon sings with gentle wonder. Her voice is lilting and tender, backed up by the smooth stylings of lead guitarist Jackson Felton, drummer Allen Moreno, and bassist Joey Chavez.

Small Crush will also soon be embarking on a month-long tour with The Happy Fits, Windser, and Hot Freaks this October as well as supporting Jeff Rosenstock in November and December. 

Small Crush Tour Dates

Supporting The Happy Fits:

• Oct 6 – Tucson, AZ 191 @ Toole
• Oct 7 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
• Oct 8 – Ventura, CA @ Ventura Music Hall
• Oct 10 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst
• Oct 11 – Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
• Oct 13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union
• Oct 14 – Boulder, CO @ Fox Theater
• Oct 15 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada
• Oct 17 – Bloomington, IL @ Castle Theatre
• Oct 18 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II
• Oct 20 – Cincinatti, OH @ Bogarts
• Oct 21 – Lansing, MI @ Hall 224
• Oct 22 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
• Oct 24 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater
• Oct 25 – Wilmington, DE @ The Queen

Supporting Jeff Rosenstock:

• Nov 25 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
• Nov 27 – Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
• Nov 28 – El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
• Nov 30 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
• Dec 1 – Austin, TX @ Empire Garage
• Dec 2 – Dallas, TX    @ Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ
• Dec 3 – Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard
• Dec 5 – Denver, CO @ Summit
• Dec 7 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell
• Dec 8 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Hall
• Dec 10 –  Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
• Dec 11 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
• Dec 14 – Reno, NV @ The Holland Project
• Dec 15 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
• Dec 16 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo
• Dec 17 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park

“Ecosystem” is out now on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and other major streaming platforms.

In anticipation of the kick off of her August “Talk To Me Nice” tour, Sa-Roc has today shared her song of the same name and the first single from her forthcoming album. “Talk To Me Nice,”continues the tradition of Sa-Roc sharing a deep connection with her audience, with poise, tenacity and masterful skill. The new single, produced by Sol Messiah, takes a more assertive tone, as she focuses on challenging the industry while demanding respect from it. The sparse, yet menacing track centers Sa-Roc’s voice, showcasing her dextrous wordplay, natural wit and agility.
Sa-Roc has also shared the official video for “Talk To Me Nice,” with the visuals engaging with light and shadow in stark contrasts to symbolize the decentering and marginalization she and many others have experienced in life. The video, directed by David Maxwell, features guest appearances from dancer Storyboard P and members of the art collective Art Comes First, and notably incorporates Afro-punk aesthetics as well the jewelry and motifs of many Black, African and Indigenous cultures, as a symbolic nod to those cultures that have long countered the prevailing social narrative.
Following the release of her Rhymesayers debut, The Sharecropper’s Daughter, which featured official YouTube videos for hits “Forever” (6M+ views), “Goddess Gang” (1M+ views) , Sa-Roc has become arguably one of the most vibrant MCs in the world today. Okayplayer heralded Sa-Roc as “one of the most formidable microphone mavens in the game,” and NPR described her as “a modern day griot whose aura radiates calm in a world of chaos.” 

Leading global entertainment brand Superplastic announced its expansion into music today with an explosive performance by new 3D animated hip-hop duo Ghost Kidz, live on stage and streaming to over a million fans at Rolling Loud Miami 2023.
Ghost Kidz rappers Lil’ ILL and Filth-E broke into the festival’s sound booth, hacking the servers and hijacking the main stage in the minutes before headliner Lil Uzi Vert’s set. The pair took control of both sound and IMAG screens and improvised a raucous freestyle rap before premiering their first music video for the hit single “Goin’ Off,” featuring Vince Staples, to a crowd of tens of thousands of festival attendees and 1M global viewers on the livestream. Featuring lightning-fast verses by Lil’ ILL and Filth-E, “Goin’ Off” tells the story of how the group burst onto the scene, bolstered by scorching verses by special guest Vince Staples, a longtime friend of the brand and Superplastic collaborator. Watch the music video for “Goin’ Off,” here. “Goin’ Off” follows “HA HA,” the group’s rambunctious turn-it-up first drop, which features the duo’s trademark snarling verses over a rattling 808-bass heavy production. Leading up to the festival, Ghost Kidz spent several weeks on a haunted road trip from LA to Miami in their 1968 Lincoln Continental. The duo left chaos and destruction in their wake as they evaded the law and encountered guest vocalist Staples and Superplastic synthetic celebrities Janky, Dayzee, and Guggimon, the official manager of Ghost Kidz. When asked what they’re all about, Ghost Kidz rapper Lil’ ILL Ill said, “If I’m not macking yo girl, me and Filth somewhere out saving this shitty world!” Ghost Kidz are the first artists to be signed by Superplastic Records, and are distributed by Virgin Music. Previously shrouded in secrecy, their jaw-dropping festival moment revealed the true animated identities of Ghost Kidz for the first time. Lil’ ILL and Filth-E are voiced by two prominent hip hop artists, who at present have chosen to remain anonymous. In creating Ghost Kidz, the new label has teamed up with a committee of hip-hop legends who will continue to help shape the future of the project.

Innovative ambient music artist Drifting In Silence, in partnership with EJRM, has released a mesmerizing music video for the third single, “As You Drift Away” from the latest album, “Timeless: without beginning or end; eternal.”

The music video underscores the track’s narrative, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in an eternal journey of tranquility. Collaborating with EJRM, the track layers sonic richness and depth onto Drifting In Silence’s signature serene soundscape. This evocative audio-visual experience encourages viewers to embrace Silence, seek comfort in solitude, and traverse the corridors of their mind in a timeless mental and spiritual exploration.

Esteemed director, designer, and CG artist Yuri Sato (@yuri.rrty) contributed to the project’s immersive experience, adding a visual dimension that perfectly complements the enveloping musicality. Sato’s exceptional talent for creating immersive CG environments transports the audience into an ethereal world that echoes the ambient soundscape.

“As You Drift Away” stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in enhancing the artistic experience. As with the rest of the album, the track is anticipated to leave its audience deeply moved and, most importantly, in a state of profound peace.

https://driftinginsilence.bandcamp.com/album/as-you-drift-away

rock band Psychology have released their debut single “First Contact,” the first offering from their forthcoming self-titled debut album via Cart/Horse Records out Friday, September 8th. Inspired by the moment front man John Atkinson met his wife, the track soars with a blended balance of hazy vocals, a thick drum groove, and buzzing guitars that transition into a masterful guitar solo.

LISTEN TO “FIRST CONTACT” HERE

“I had the main riff for ‘First Contact’ for a while, which was influenced by Black Sabbath, and was waiting for something to come to me to make up another section of the song. I really wasn’t looking for any particular fit… just something else,” John shares. “One day I was waiting for a friend to pick me up to head out of town for a weekend and he was a few minutes late. I was packed and ready to go, so I sat by the door and picked up a guitar I had sitting on a stand and the part came right out. He showed up less than 5 minutes late. Who knows if he had been on time or even later, what would’ve happened with this song?”

“First Contact” is the first single from the 11-track album which speaks to the heart and the head of the listener through its collection of love songs and sees the band find their bearings as they tap into the challenges of everyday life – regardless of the difficulties faced. Psychology was recorded at Nuthouse Recording in New Jersey with John performing guitar, bass, and vocals, accompanied by drummer Dave Richman, produced by Tom Beaujour (Nada Surf, The Juliana Hatfield Three), and engineered by Tim Foljahn (Townes Van Zandt, Sonic Youth).

As the vision of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer John Atkinson, Psychology crafts cerebral rock uplifted by shoegaze fuzz, waves of distortion, and provocative and poignant vocal musings. While earning his masters degree in Educational Psychology at Temple University, John was inspired after learning the positive effects music can have on the brain — including fending off Alzheimer’s and early dementia — and soon decided to tune up his guitar skills and make music of his own. Now, John hopes to share the affirmative power of music with the rest of the world.

Ghost Hounds have released their blues-rock-fueled album First Last Time via Gibson Records, HERE. The 10-track album features singles “Last Train To Nowhere,” “Make It Shake,” and “Dirty Angel,” which have received praise from American Songwriter, SPIN, Consequence, and more. Along with the album, the band has now premiered a stunning cinematic music video for “Last Train To Nowhere” – watch the video HERE.

Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Connie Talbot releases her vibrant new music video for single  “Growing Pains”. The track itself is symbolic of Talbot’s experiences growing up in the limelight, bringing this sentiment to life, the newly released video features Connie and playful animations with captured moments of her life. Shot by Bradley Howard, the video is a rolling visual of inside Connie’s mind as she works through the realisation that growing pains are inevitable and that they’re OK. 

Side-stepping away from her “Dark Lullaby” sonic, introduced by single “Easier Pretending You’re Dead”, “Growing Pains” instead presents itself as an upbeat number with twinkling melodies and bouncy beats. The mood-shift between these two tracks is a shimmering display of Connie’s ability to shift from raw, evocative ballads, to playful, pop anthems, with absolute ease. 

Behind the joyous backdrop, there is an important sentiment, not to be ignored. As a child star with a voice that soundtracked the international stage in 2007, Connie’s lyrics “if i hang on tight and focus, picture better days” speak of the less glamorous side to being in the public eye. 

Expanding on this sentiment, Connie explains; “Writing this song came in a time in my life where I had just moved out and decided I was going to write my first ever independent EP as an adult. Growing pains for me is about struggles of growing up and how we never really stop growing. I grew up in the music industry, which did come with its lows as much as the highs were amazing. I feel like there is an unspoken pressure especially when you hit your twenties to have your whole life together, I hope this song reminds people that struggles in the past make us who we are today, and the truth is- we never stop learning and growing and it’s okay to not have your whole life together. Do we ever have our life together lol?  Not to be cliché- but we really only have one life, I want to embrace every “growing pain” I have been through and no doubt will go through.”

Building off the esteemed CLASSIC line of studio monitors, KRK delivers an industry first in pro audio with the new limited-edition signature artist release, the KRK Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss. Designed in collaboration with the legendary Producer whose work has been featured on eight GRAMMY-winning albums, these eight-inch studio monitors offer all the features that have cemented the CLASSIC 8 monitors as Storch’s speaker of choice. Limited to only 500 pairs, each CLASSIC 8ss–aka Scott Storch model–offers a distinctive gold chrome electroplated front baffle, as well as Storch’s logo and signature, making it a unique solution for any professional engineer, mixer, and/or Scott Storch fan.

“For years, the KRK CLASSIC 8 monitors have been essential to my artistic music-making process,” says Scott Storch. “To now have personalized versions of my favorite studio monitors is an exciting venture for me. Designing these monitors has been such a cool experience–one that you don’t often see happen. I’m honored that KRK chose me for its first-ever artist collaboration. I can’t wait to see everyone rocking the Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss monitors.”

“We are excited to launch our first artist signature series model and with none other than Scott Storch, an innovator in production, and a legend in the music industry,” says Sterling Doak, Senior Director of Marketing for Gibson Brands. “Scott has consistently been supportive of KRK, between his initial adoption of the original CLASSIC 8 models in his studio, and serving as a mentor for the KRK Kreator Classic, Scott’s partnership with the Gibson family has been a significant one. Now, the KRK Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss allow us to showcase Scott as a marquee artist. This signature model was designed with Scott to emphasize the eccentric, unique flair that brought him to the level of notoriety he has today.”

Described by the band as “music for people who bought 45s from 1965 to 1975”, “Like it Like I Do” is nothing short of a sweet love letter. With a crooning melody adjacent to a Mamas & Papas song, the track describes the bliss one feels shortly after falling in love. Throughout the ditty, the fears of being alone forever are uncovered, which now become replenished by the narrator meeting their perfect match. In the excitable two minute number, we hear Kenny and Inez McLain’s buttery vocals working in unison. The end result is a track that feels as if it’s been dug out of a time capsule from the mid 1960’s to early 1970’s.

Exbats Bio:

Now, with the world turning again, The Exbats are poised to attack more hearts and ears with “Song Machine” . It’s another slab of sonic references to the golden era of rock singles played with a modern urgency. Singer/drummer Inez McLain has evolved into a majorly confident representative of her very own heart and soul, belting out the songs her father Kenny crafts about their charmed, occasionally fraught, yet beautiful lives together. Impressively, Exbats is able to find a tenderness in their sound without losing the sensibilities of pop. Altogether, Arizona-based Exbats are effortless time travelers– who’ve set the dial for the early 1970s as they incorporate the sonic magic of the Partridge Family, Muswell Hillbillies-era Kinks, and Brian Wilson into the crux of their musical ethos.

“if u know, u know” is second single off Tamar Berk’s upcoming album “tiny injuries” out August 18th!

LA based indie pop artist Laura von Mari releases her vibrant new single “Forevermore” today. Written and produced entirely by Laura, she also collaborated with engineer Greg Ogan (Britney Spears, Sean Kingston, Rihanna) to bring a retro feel to the track’s production that is reminiscent of old-school Justin Timberlake. despite its lyrics giving the impression that it is about a romantic partner, the song is actually about someone who she loved like a role model. “’Forevermore’ is about someone who let me down when I trusted them and made me feel small. She was older and pretty and feminine and all the things I was jealous of. I hope it empowers listeners to revisit times when they felt powerless with a newfound sense of strength. Sometimes we owe it to ourselves to condemn those who betrayed, hurt or belittled us when we were vulnerable.” – Laura von Mari

iconic global nightlife institution CircoLoco has announced their CircoLoco Halloween, alongside their US partner, New York City’s leading underground events collective Teksupport. CircoLoco’s highly anticipated return to New York will see the Ibiza mainstay host two nights of parties soundtracked by the world’s most noteworthy house and techno tastemakers. 

This year’s marathon CircoLoco Halloween celebrations will feature performances from grime legend Skepta, who recently launched his new label Más Tiempo, Keinemusik members Rampa vs &ME, Innervisions co-founder Dixon, desert house duo Bedouin, Crosstown Rebels head and Day Zero founder Damian Lazarus, rising Dutch duo ANOTR, Detroit legend Seth Troxler, and a B2B from fellow Motor City visionaries Moodymann and Carl Craig. 

The billing continues with Life and Death label head DJ Tennis vs Turkish-Italian DJ Carlita, Ellum Audio boss Maceo Plex, Israeli DJ and producer Guy Gerber, Canadian icon Blond:ish, Ireland’s Mano Le Tough,  Berlin-based duo Mind Against, melodic techno titan Innellea, CircoLoco resident Chloe Caillet, and New York native Mink. 

Spawned in 1999 as a Monday after-hours party at Ibiza superclub DC-10, CircoLoco has since expanded into a globally renowned music project, hosting events across the world. CircoLoco’s no frills approach and forward-thinking lineups has perpetuated the underground spirit of its Balearic roots for the past 20 years. Sitting at the confluence of club culture, high fashion and technology, CircoLoco’s dance floor has sparked collaborations with world renowned brands such as Off-White, Adidas, and a partnership with Rockstar Games, which led to the founding of CircoLoco Records. 

Led by founder Rob Toma, Teksupport have spent the last decade shaping the nightlife landscape of NYC through their cutting edge production, unparalleled musical curation, and never-before-used locales. Pushing the boundaries of traditional nightlife, Teksupport have been the driving force behind some of the most important collisions of club culture, high fashion and technology in recent years. The pioneering event visionaries expanded beyond NYC to throw events across the nation, positioning themselves as the premiere partner for stateside takeovers from global institutions such as Time Warp and Mayan Warrior.

Individual day lineups to be announced in the coming months. 

Register For Ticket Presale HERE 

Dippers‘ 2023 full-length, Clastic Rock for Goner Records, doubles down on Ford & crew’s supernatural skill at something possessed by only a tiny handful of very special entities that exist under the voluminous banner of indie-jangle/pop: Immediacy. You won’t even realize you’re listening to indie-jangle/pop (or whatever term one prefers), cuz it takes just a few seconds of the gorgeous down-strummed acousti-riffs tumbling down the stairs across opener “S.I.M.” for this thing to own your ass. The album is filled with stop-start dynamics that work to create hooks within hooks (a trick at which this band excels), especially on “Comment’s Grip”. “Staggering the Recipe” could easily pass the blindfolded taste test as a lost nugget from the late Chris Knox/Tall Dwarfs, while Nicole Thibault of Thibault and Minimum Chips brings excellent trombone chops (also a name from the Dippers’ Thigh Master pre-history) to “Encouragement in Brackets,” “Drop to Inoperant” & “Takings from the Bar;” and visual artist Nicky Minus makes an appearance on flute for “Recurrent Sight.”

Only Fire, the 24-year-old music producer and DJ from Zagreb, Croatia, ignites airwaves with his latest release, “Up n Down,” available today at all DSPs. A certified end of summer banger written and produced solely by Only Fire, “Up n Down” is the latest offering from the yet to be announced EP, due this fall.

Back with their first new music in three years, Los Angeles psych rock mainstays Levitation Room today release their single and video for “Scene for an Exit” via ONErpm / The Reverberation Appreciation Society / Greenway Records. Marking an open-minded shift for the band, the new release sees them meticulously branching into all other facets of rock, a theme that will paint their next musical era – Stream.

Funk-driven and vastly textural, “Scene for an Exit” undulates in rhythm and intensity, mirroring the highs and lows of a relationship coming to an end. Elevating the sound they first introduced themselves to the world with, Levitation Room trades in some of their laid back antics to allow a fuzzed out electric guitar to reign over this new offering. Carrying on California’s long history with psych rock, while adding a distinctly modern flare, Levitation Room resides in a musical pocket of their own.

Lead singer Julian Porte said, “’Scene for an Exit’ was one of the first songs we wrote on this forthcoming album. It’s a song that came naturally to us while we were jamming in our studio one day, so nothing about it was preconceived. I was going through a breakup at the time, so the lyrics reflect the end of a relationship and the feeling of rejection after the attempt to reconcile, hence the chorus line: ‘I don’t want you around.’”

Today’s official video directed by Alfredo Lopez, opens with a breakup voicemail, setting off a chain of reactions as the protagonist moves through the post-split motions. Out on a tear, roughly chopping off his hair and bingeing his vices, he is plagued by flashes of the woman and can’t stop seeing her around – Watch. 

Seattle Alt.Pop band PRETTY AWKWARD sings about Friends With Benefits in their new single “Woozy”, available now — listen HERE.  The groovy, funky track tells a story of the irresistible pull of reconnecting with an ex to fulfill a mutual need when under the influence – even though the relationship can be toxic.

The band’s Austin Held says “Lyrically, ‘Woozy’ was inspired by poking fun at the kind of relationships that one can have when they’re a young, misguided adult. When you initially vibe with someone it can seem like innocent young love.  But over time it can evolve into an unhealthy and intoxicating “situationship”. It’s one that our main character can’t help but keep returning to over and over again – because it feels so good in the moment”.

Canadian pop artist Kyle Richardson is celebrating his current summer single, “Anything”, which is available across all digital streaming platforms with an accompanying music video on YouTube.

Written by Richardson and produced by Grammy-nominated Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Kelly Rowland), “Anything” is the artist’s second of three singles to drop this year in advance of his debut album, “Louder Than Words”, that arrives in the fall.

With a focus on melody and emotion, “Anything” features lush and expressive vocals to go along with a smooth percussion and an engaging guitar hook that maintains the consistent pop flavour and caring sentiment of the song.

Speaking about his new single, Richardson says, “I wrote ‘Anything’ to be sweet, with a heartfelt message; In any relationship, simple acts of kindness can mean everything. Whether it’s romantic or familial or friendship-based, it’s important to show people what they mean to you and to be there for them the way they have been for you.” 

For the Vancouver-based LGBTQIA+ artist, “Anything” follows the release of Richardson’s spring single “Can You Hear Me”, which re-introduced him to audiences after a 4-year release hiatus. An enthusiastic songwriter to go along with being an artist, Richardson has written with a variety of Canadian artists, including Carly Rae Jepsen, DYLN, and Garrett Neiles. He also provided guest vocals on Bobina’s 2016 single, “Love is the Answer”, earning earned over 1.5 million Spotify streams across its accompanying remixes. As a performer at multiple Pride events around his home city, Richardson remains a steadfast supporter of diversity and representation in music.

With the release of “Anything”, Richardson is primed to connect with modern pop enthusiasts from all walks of life through the single’s universal and inclusive themes of kindness and gratitude.

He says, “I want ‘Anything’ to be a celebration of the meaningful relationships that people have in their lives and to inspire them to let their loved ones know how much they mean to them. Say what’s in your heart and don’t take anything for granted.”

Kyle Richardson’s “Anything” is on all digital streaming platforms and on YouTube, as well as Canadian radio.

Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand, has shaped sound across generations and genres of music, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved guitar brands around the world. Today, Gibson Custom Shop is proud to announce a partnership with acclaimed musician and songwriter, Miranda Lambert, with the new Gibson Miranda Lambert Bluebird, her first-ever signature guitar. The rare Gibson acoustic guitar is made in the USA, hand-crafted in the storied Gibson Acoustic factory in Bozeman, Montana by Gibson’s expert acoustic luthiers. The new Miranda Lambert Bluebird from Gibson Custom Shop is now available worldwide at authorized Gibson dealers, and on www.gibson.com.

”I have been playing Gibson acoustic guitars for so long now, so to be able to partner with such an iconic brand to create my own version of the classic Hummingbird is a dream come true,” shared Lambert. “I hope this encourages musicians everywhere – especially young girls – to pick up a Bluebird and chase the same dream that guitars have made come true for me.”

“At Gibson, we’re always seeking ways to lift up the voices of artists who have shaped the sound of genres, and Miranda is a trailblazing artist that represents the best that country music has to offer” says Codey Allen, Director, Cultural Influence-North America at Gibson Brands. “Her immense talent, authenticity, and dedication to the craft of songwriting, as well as her unwavering commitment to encourage more girls and women to play guitar are what inspired us to create the Miranda Lambert Bluebird Acoustic guitar.” 

After decades of experience as a multi instrumentalist, recording artist, music publicist, artist manager, and everything else in between, these aspects have fused together and spawned a new musical landscape in the world of Montao.
Following the incredible success of his single releases to date, including a plethora of international radio support, multiple blog features, and playlist placements, Montao returns with string of releases dropping throughout the rest of 2023 under the umbrella of Def Pressé Records.

His up coming collaborations will include tracks featuring Slug (Atmosphere), Copywrite, Koncept, RoQy TyRaid, and Lane Shuler.

His music transcends from the depths of quirky samples, sofa style beats, and paints a cinematic story based around all the elements of the stories he creates combining elements of Trip hop, Hip hop, and Lo-fi influences.

Encapsulated amidst the terrain of a curious and sometimes confusing world, Montao is putting things right…one beat at a time.

crucial Detroit artist DJ Minx shares her newest single, a gritty ode to her city, “D Town,” out on her own label, Women On Wax. The single also comes alongside two remixes–one from Kevin Saunderson’s legendary Detroit trio Inner City and the other from Byron The Aquarius. 

Staying true to her mission of spotlighting the Detroit sound, Minx dedicates this release to the city that she’s championed her entire life. Since earning her past-due stripes in the house/techno scene after being a trailblazing figure for 30 years, nothing stands in her way. Minx now is taking full control of the narrative, continuing to use her own vocals on original tracks (as heard on “The Throne”), and lets her mission be known in the lyrics: “Go ahead and sit down / I’ma handle this now / Born-and-raised in D Town / Where we don’t f*ck around.” Heavy and unforgiving, “D Town” features a naughty blown-out bassline and relentless percussion.

“I’ve found my musical style, and I’m delivering another round of it to you in this release. I was born and raised in the D, and we are family all around this city,” remarked DJ Minx about the track. “ I created D Town for my love of Detroit, the people, its history, and culture. I hope you feel it like I do,” she added.

One of California’s finest house/techno exports, VNSSA, is back on Diplo’s Higher Ground with another scorching release, ‘Touch Me’, out today.  A true peak-hours warehouse belter that summons massive energy with its deep bassline and ravey acid elements, the track marks her third release on the label following ‘Music4TheMasses’ and ‘Rave Grave’ with Walker & Royce.

From releasing music on some of the country’s most forward-thinking house labels (Dirtybird, Rules Don’t Apply, Slothacid, Techne), constantly touring from coast to coast, and recently starting her own ‘Super Creep’ radio show, which airs on SiriusXM (via Diplo’s Revolution), VNSSA has been one of America’s most sought after artists in the genre. Her sound doesn’t stop there, however, as she also dabbles in breaks, techno, and disco. 

“My biggest influence on this track was late 90’s dance”, VNSSA said about the release. “I was listening to a lot of Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy, Underworld, Orbital, and Faithless at the time, and I wanted to make something that had that vintage rave feel, told in my voice,” she added.

Grammy-nominated Nigerian singer-songwriter Kah-Lo releases her sultry new single ‘Runaway’. Following ‘GD Woman’, ‘Karma’, and ‘fund$’, ‘Runaway’ serves as the fourth single off Kah-Lo’s forthcoming debut album pain/pleasure, due out September 8th via Epic Records.

The final taste of pain/pleasure, ‘Runaway’ showcases the depth of Kah-Lo’s genre-blending ways. Embellished with soft, danceable percussion and deep, plucked basslines, ‘Runaway’ is a sensuous landscape for Kah-Lo’s lush vocal performance. Flaunting smooth R&B tones and an amapiano flare, ‘Runaway’ strikes a powerful balance between the self-confidence she’s exhibited throughout this project and her gentler side as she entices her lover with her lustful lyricism. An alluring duality of her commanding presence and sensitive soul, ‘Runaway’ continues pain/pleasure’s mission to expose the many layers of Kah-Lo. 

On the track, Kah-Lo says, “‘Runaway’ is me paying homage to my roots and culture. I love the fusion of amapiano and pop music, and I wanted to express a softer side of myself with this record.” 

Philippines-born, Las Vegas-based multi-faceted musician, Ez Mil, who both raps and sings, shares the highly anticipated, layered deluxe version of his second album, DU4LI7Y: REDUX, out everywhere now. Plus, the musician shares the lyric video for recently released track “Realest” featuring Eminem and new track “Podium” out now following his recent signing to Eminem and Dr. Dre‘s Shady Records/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records. Mil joins the likes of 50 Cent as only a few of the artists signed directly to all three labels.

Out in full today, DU4LI7Y: REDUX, which features artwork done by Ez Mil himself, expands on the original work to begin a new chapter–only this time–supported and approved by two of the rising rapper’s longtime idols. Ez Mil emphasizes the importance of his own vulnerability and its role in creating the best, most authentic music he can make. Mil says ultimately, his creative process includes, “just putting my thoughts out there and wearing my heart on my sleeve. It’s my journal. My music is my story.”

Alongside the deluxe album release, Ez Mil shares the latest track “Podium,” that reflects his experience as a rising rapper and someone who others might admire. Ez Mil shares the song is, “dedicated to the powers that be. It sheds light on how rappers or writers sometimes feel like politicians with the truth behind what they say and the fear they feel of what might happen as someone in a position of influence.” Aware of his role as someone with a platform and a microphone, Ez Mil hopes to make friends and family proud as he propels into the next phase of his flourishing career.

Powered by lithe, expressive vocals, dexterous raps and songwriting know-how, Ez Mil’s latest level up is the product of talent, hard work and a keen knowledge of his own audience — in this case, that crowd happened to include Slim Shady himself. In February, Ez Mil released the video for his DU4LI7Y single “Up Down” on Virgin Music. Noting the similarities in their percussive flows, Eminem’s fans quickly picked up on the new release. About a month later, Eminem heard the song, and Ez Mil drove from Vegas to Los Angeles where he met Dre and Eminem for the first time, leading Eminem to share the track online with the words, “This is why we signed him.” Ez and Eminem then stayed in contact and recorded their collaboration, “Realest,” a certified showcase of rap acrobatics. 

singular South African artist Muzi announces his forthcoming studio album uM​UZI, due out October 13th via Fool’s Gold Records. Along with the announcement, Muzi has released his new single ‘eMtunzini’, out now.

Following his widely-acclaimed 2021 INTERBLAKTIC, which heralded praise from Zane Lowe, Billboard, Complex, The Fader, and more, uMUZI sees the ‘Zulu Skywalker’ return to Earth, grounded by his memories and the desire to reconnect with his late parents. 

Crafted as the soundtrack of his family’s Toyota Cressida, uMUZI is a conflux of the music he heard in the car growing up, the sounds that would later influence his own artistry, and the stories he’d tell if given the chance to take one last family road trip. uMUZI analyzes Muzi’s relationship with his father, who passed away when he was 11, and his own experience with fatherhood and raising his daughter Zeno. For Muzi, this album is about introspection and growth; the ability to reflect on one’s history and use those lessons as motivation towards a brighter future. 

Inviting listeners to the first taste of uMUZI, ‘eMtunzini’ is a romantic tale through Muzi’s soulful blend of house and disco. A retelling of his parents’ love story, Muzi smoothly flows between his native Zulu and English as he details their first date in a heartening attempt to celebrate his origins as an aural autobiography. Muzi describes, “‘eMtunzini’ is a reimagining of how my parents met. It’s the beginning of a love story, the beginning of me.” ‘eMtunzini’ is an introduction to the warm, vintage tones listeners can expect on uMUZI. Its arrangement of shiny synths, groovy basslines, and harmoniously layered vocals add a depth and richness reminiscent of ‘80s synth-pop with hints of Muzi’s afro-house inclinations. 

It was 45 years ago that John Lydon rearranged pop music – for the second time – with the introduction of innovative experimentalists Public Image Ltd. Almost a half-century on, PiL are an avowed musical institution (and, since Lydon wrested control from record labels roughly a dozen years back, they are truly independent, releasing records on their own PiL Official Ltd label. Today, Public Image Ltd. have released their vital eleventh studio album End of World worldwide by PiL Official Ltd via Cargo Records/Redeye USA, HERE. End of World is available everywhere on vinyl, CD and digital, a 2x LP is available on white vinyl at independent record stores with a special neon green edition exclusive to PiL Official / Cargo Records.

On Tuesday, August 15, a limited edition digital pressing of End of World will be released that unlocks access to exclusive videos, previously unheard versions of songs, scanned lyric sheets, illustrations, audio interviews, and more. For more information on the End of World digital pressing, visit: https://artists.serenade.co/publicimageltd.

On End of World, Lydon, refuses to fall back on any tried-and-true formula or convention – even his own. Take “Hawaii,” the album’s hypnotic first single; over a bed of pulsing toms, languid saz and plucked upright bass – courtesy of long time PiL compatriots Bruce Smith (drums), Lu Edmonds (guitar) and Scott Firth (bass) – he delivers his most vulnerable and moving vocal to date, a love letter to his late wife of nearly five decades, Nora, in which he reflects lovingly on a shared moment in time – the two of them “drinking mushroom tea and watching them dangerous waves all day long,” as he recalls – in a house on Oahu’s north shore. It’s an intimate and stripped-bare performance, but also one, Lydon says, that speaks to the universal “we.” “I would say it’s got precious little to do with me and a lot to do with the problems many people face. But the only way you can deal with it is by being honest with yourself.” If you have yet to be acquainted with the sympathetic reverberations of “Hawaii,” you’re in for a treat. But be forewarned: If you expect End of World to present, as some have surmised from that one song, a “kinder, gentler John,” we can only say, well, you’re in for a surprise.

https://lnk.to/EndOfWorld

“Bedolina” combines an infectious stew of alternative rock, indie-electronic, and refined pop melodies. Lyrically, the album dissects the imperfections with the modern age and the ways in which human beings course through them. A handful of the tracks feature notorious figures in the indie rock scene, including Charlie Hall and Robbie Bennett of The War On Drugs on drums and piano respectively, and Frank McElroy of Dr. Dog. on backup vocals. The end result is an excellent display of the unexpected, with pulsating tracks that give an off-kilter, more rambunctious Radiohead feel to tracks with vocal timbres similar to Peter Gabriel.

Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer