Tendenciesis a raw, intimate account of queer coming-of-age. The debut album from the Austin-based experimental folk band Middle Sattre sees frontman Hunter Prueger confronting his internalized homophobia and shame leftover from growing up gay in the Mormon church and pivoting towards self-acceptance.
At its heart, it is a collection of stories that are intensely personal in detail yet universal in their representation of the queer experience. In “Sweet 16,” Prueger meets a friend’s dads and admits that while he thought he would feel proud, instead he is disgusted. He is overcome with guilt after piercing his ears on “Corrupted” – a practice that is forbidden for men in the church. But throughout the record, he sees a way forward. After years of suppressing his frustration, he finally allows himself to feel anger on “Seven Years Since the Fall,” and towards the end of “Imperfect Hands” he finds solace in the arms of another man.
With a background as a noise artist, Prueger has a penchant for finding inventive ways to play instruments. Thisnarrative of frustration and reconciliation is told through the rattle of acoustic guitars draped with chains and explosions of banjo strings struck with fidget spinners. Snares and velcro get repurposed as guitar accessories, and elsewhere instruments are time-stretched and granulated into barely recognizable forms, altogether creating a sound that is textural, prismatic, at times aggressive, and often devastatingly beautiful.
Middle Sattre originated as a solo home-recording project in Salt Lake City using a cheap microphone and discarded instruments acquired from working at a middle school. Gradually, Prueger looped in collaborators from around the country, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become an eight-piece band. In early 2022, he moved to Austin, TX with S. Wallace (vocals, keyboard) and Mitch Stevens (guitar, banjo, piano). From there the band grew to include Jordan Walsh (prepared guitar, drums), Juniper Card (guitar, drums), Kai Jasmin (viola, guitar), Sophie Mathieu (cello), and James Tabata (bass). After a year of regularly gigging in Austin, they went on their first tour in July of 2023.
Lyrically, their compositions are at once both mournful and hopeful, and Prueger’s soft-spoken, almost whispery vocals have an ethereal intimacy that creates a sense of being let in on a long-guarded secret. In both intent and narrative, the band’s work is composed of vulnerable introspections on the agonies of repression and the ecstasies of slipping loose from those bonds. Sonically, that abstract of breaking free from constraint carries over into the band’s unconventional use of traditional instruments. Middle Sattre is rooted in folk traditions but is not bound by them, unshackled in both sound and story.
Hot off the press, Melbourne, Australia’s Split System churn out energetic punk rock that will mentally transport the audience to a rowdy basement show. Cooked up behind the scenes during covid lockdowns, the band’s air tight sound and amphetamine swagger would suggest they have been playing gigs for decades. Their spunky dynamic and exciting stage presence have landed them bills with Amyl & The Sniffers, Cosmic Psychos, Hard-Ons, and C.O.F.F.I.N., amongst others.
Formed in 2002 ONOFF feature Lead Singer/Guitarist Paulie, Drummer/Backing Vocalist Stevie 10 Bears and Bassist/Backing Vocalist Dave.Following a number of successful European tours the band decided to relocate to the U.S in 2013. Since their move across the pond to Sacramento California, ONOFF have built a strong fan base due in part to their energetic live shows and consistent touring. Their momentum continues to gather speed, with multiple appearances on prime time TV and extensive airplay on major radio stations, ONOFF are gaining new fans across the globe by the second. Their hard hitting, energetic live performances have earned them sold out, headline shows in prestigious venues such as Whisky a GoGo, Slims, Bottom of the Hill & The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco and countless other venues, festivals & casinos across the western seaboard.
Comedic genius Kyle Gordon will be releasing his debut album Kyle Gordon Is Great on March 1 via BMG. Featuring viral smash hit “Planet Of The Bass (feat. DJ Crazy Times & Ms. Biljana Electronica)”, “Girls Are The Best (feat. Tanya McCabe)”, and “Ugliest Girl On The Beach (feat. Antonio Frankfurt)”, Kyle Gordon Is Great is the culmination of years of characters and genre parodies that Kyle has developed and perfected in his one-of-a-kind live shows.
Pre-save Kyle Gordon Is Great now at https://kylegordon.lnk.to/KyleGordonIsGreatID
We are excited to share FRANK’s anticipated new single “Sick Of Yourself,” which is out now. The track will be accompanied by an electrifying music video and additional visuals co-directed by the artist.
Award-winning singer-songwriter-guitarist Sarah King makes her long-awaited
full-length solo debut with When It All Goes Down, exploring life’s seismic shifts via her own singular strain of Gothic Americana. The latest in a string of singles, “Pretty Things” is out everywhere on February 2nd, 2024 and, after the subsequent release of the title track in early March, When It All Goes Down will drop on March 29th, 2024. Pre-order launches on March 1st, 2024.
vocal powerhouse Vince Freeman has released his new single “Blame Myself” the third from his highly-anticipated debut album Scars, Ghosts & Glory, out March 22nd. The anthemic soulful stomper is an ode to unapologetically owning the choices we make in life and speaks to the singer-songwriter’s journey of self-acceptance. In the accompanying music video, directed by Chris Boulton and Moss Davis, Freeman takes hit after hit, showcasing his resilience as he humbly holds his ground no matter what is thrown his way.
“Heart’s Desire” by Mary Middlefield is the new single that dropped February 8th. It’s the latest single from her upcoming EP, due for release this Spring.
Self-proclaimed “demented pop” chanteuse Eddy Lee Ryder makes her long-awaited
full-length debut with Sweet Delusions, synthesizing timeless songcraft, dramatic introspection, and infinite pop smarts to create a breathtaking song cycle of apocalyptic romance and anxious regret, badly broken hearts, and wishful hope for the future. Songs like the deceptively optimistic title track (out 1/31/2024) see Ryder – known to friends and family as Woodstock, NY-based singer-songwriter Liz Brennan – fusing chanson and country, indie and standards, into her own strain of modernist pop Americana, all informed by her distinctively wry sense of humor and classic rock spirit. “Sweet Delusions” is “for anyone holding on for way too long and expecting an unrealistic outcome,” Ryder states. “This song started about one person and finished about another person, which shows endings can be doomed in so many ways but the delusional trajectory is all the same.”
Having received support from the likes of BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamaq, BBC Introducing Wiltshire and Wonderland magazine for her 2022 debut EP ‘Electric’ and counting over 1 million streams for her song ‘Until We Meet Again’ on Amazon Music, London-based singer-songwriter Alice SK unleashes new aspects of her musical spectrum with twisted music video on alternative folk ‘On The Road’ due for release 26th January 2024.
Laid-back keys escalating towards an obsessive indie groove rising up to a higher tempo intertwining with Alice SK’s post-midnight-feel silky vocals is what constitutes ‘On The Road’. Coming alongside a music video directed by Seb Gilmore, the singer-songwriter sits in the backseat of a vintage black car with her partner (played by Ed Piercy) while driving around the colourful and bucolic countryside of England. Escalating quickly into a black and white claustrophobic space, the perfect love story goes downhill as cracks begin to show and rose tinted glasses start to break.
Seb Gilmore explains: “The film was broken into a series of sub genres; a coming of age movie, a road film, a noir thriller, and a dark fantasy. Within these, it felt obvious to situate the house scenes in a noir black and white space that accentuated the monster her boyfriend was becoming.”
A commanding and modern voice representing the eternal nature of classic folk, Asia Chow today releases her cover of The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears.” Guided by her emotionally charged vibrato that swells to fill the entire universe, and a forlorn lap steel guitar that tugs at the heart, Chow’s reimagining of this pop staple truly reinvents it – Stream.
“I was listening to the song and was struck by the contrast of the more upbeat pop vibe and the sadness of the lyrics,” Chow shares. “I thought it would be interesting to try an alternative version — one that aims to highlight the more desperate voice the words can communicate.”
Asia Chow stepped triumphantly out into the indie-folk scene with her debut single “Days Unchanged” at the end of 2023. Her first delicate and confessional offering won the praise of Vogue China and Flaunt, as well as editorial support on Spotify’s Fresh Folk and Today’s Singer-Songwriters, as well as Apple Music’s Breaking Singer-Songwriter and Acoustic Memories. Relying on her own tenacity and creative community that surrounds her, Chow’s first release created ripples much larger than she could have initially imagined.
One of the fastest rising rock bands coming out of New York City, Quarters of Change, today release their album Portraits via 300 Entertainment. After decamping to Woodstock, NY, for two weeks, the band left with their most collaborative, exposed-nerve writing to date; something with a piece of each of them etched into it. Where their last album Into The Rift was staring into the dark tunnel ahead, Portraits is close to the other side, with the band surfacing for some light — Stream.
“The album is made up of individualized fragments that provide different perspectives and create their own little vignettes,” shares frontman Ben Roter. “I think of each fragment as a portrait, reflecting a separate emotion or moment. Overall, it dives into themes of addiction, isolation and exploration.”
Quarters of Change continued to put themselves to the test by self-producing this body of work back in the Big Apple, joined by a handful of collaborators including GRAMMY® Award winning producers Mikey Freedom Hart (Jon Batiste, Taylor Swift, Bleachers, Lana Del Rey) and Dave Tozer (John Legend, JAY-Z), in addition to fellow artist Charlie Burg and producer Brandon Shoop.
“We tried to preserve the beauty of what a performance by a band should be,” Roter explains. “When you hear the album, I hope you can tell we’re real humans playing instruments, and it’s honest.”
Long time friends House & Home and Suntitle are thrilled to share Split, a four song collaboration out now via Open Your Ears Records. Split features two tracks from House & Home, produced at The Bakery Recording Studios by Will Beasley (The Dangerous Summer, Handguns, Turnstile), and two from Suntitle, produced at Creep Recording Studio by Jake Clarke and mastered by Will Beasley.
“We’ve known House & Home since October of 2017 and instantly became best friends,” shares Suntitle. “They’re the best people and it kinda felt natural. We both had some songs sitting around and just decided it would be cool.”
Adds House & Home: “We’ve been close to Suntitle for over 5 years now. They’re like family. In that time Matt joined their band, Joe moved to Richmond, and we’ve just been bouncing ideas off each other for our own bands. It made too much sense to collaborate a little bit.”
Last year, the renowned duo Matmos released their critically lauded fourteenth studio album, Return To Archive, with Smithsonian Folkways. Constructed entirely from ‘non-musical’ recordings released by Folkways Records in the mid-20th century to celebrate the label’s 75th anniversary, the album earned widespread acclaim from reputable publications like AllMusic, Bandcamp, BrooklynVegan, DJ Mag, Exclaim!, Future Music, MOJO, Passion of the Weiss, Pitchfork, The Quietus, Talkhouse, Treble, Wire, among many others. NPR Music,in a special episode of All Songs Considered recounting their favorite experimental music of 2023,commended how Matmos managed to “re-contextualize a record label’s storied catalog.”
Today, Matmos and Smithsonian Folkways are celebrating the long-awaited arrival of the release on CD. To mark this occasion, they have released a new music video for album standout “Why?”. The Ed Apodaca-directed music video collages images to match the samples heard in the song. The track features sounds of humans trying to communicate with animals (dolphins, frogs) and other humans (children, people without larynxes) over a hasty four-on-the-floor beat. Matmos, along with guest artist Evicshen, skillfully cut, looped, and layered 92 frog-patterns, compressed the splashes of dolphins in water, and locked slices of enigmatic vocal experiments into pulsing, mutating loops.
Sonnet Simmons unveiled her latest creation – a triumphant anthem that encourages people to access their inner power and unite under a common cause. The single, “Set The World On Fire,” serves as a rallying cry for dreamers, believers, lovers, mothers, sons, and daughters to re-envision their dreams fearlessly: “ “Grab your heart, grab your boots, times ticking for you”
Sonnet passionately expressed, “We all have fire within us. It’s time to burn bright, my friends.”
Listeners are invited to download the single on Spotify, iTunes, or other digital platforms. They can also share their reflections on what it means to live their dreams and join the revolution by connecting with Sonnet on her Instagram page.
The Paley Center for Media today announced the schedule for the 41st annual PaleyFest LA, which will take place from Friday, April 12 through Saturday, April 20, at the DOLBY THEATRE in Hollywood. The nation’s premier television festival celebrating creative excellence, PaleyFest LA brings audiences together with television’s brightest stars from the most acclaimed and buzzworthy TV shows, and features screenings of special preview and premiere content with never-before-seen TV footage.
Citi Cardholders and Paley Members receive presale access to tickets starting on January 30. Additionally, the Paley Center Member community receives the exclusive Members-Only benefit of discounts on PaleyFest LA tickets, as well as presale access to tickets that allows for selection of the best seats in the house before they sell out, plus year-round benefits for Paley programs and events. To become a Paley Member, please visit paleycenter.org/join-us.
The 2024 selections encompass a collection of the best programs that television has to offer featuring beloved shows celebrating their farewell seasons and milestone anniversaries, as well new shows certain to take their place among television’s most iconic series and current fan favorites. This year’s festival will open with a conversation with the stars of the award-winning The Morning Show (Apple TV+), which will be followed by events honoring Loki (Disney+), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) and Young Sheldon (CBS) both celebrating their farewell seasons, the highly anticipated Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix),
Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC) celebrating its 10th anniversary, Family Guy (FOX) celebrating its 25th anniversary with a live table read, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS).
“We are thrilled to present this star-studded lineup from award-winning shows to a much-anticipated debut, as well as special anniversaries and farewells to some fan-favorites,” said the Paley Center’s President & CEO Maureen J. Reidy. “We look forward to welcoming television fans back to the DOLBY THEATRE this April, and we extend our tremendous thanks to Citi and the William S. Paley Foundation for their generous and continued support of PaleyFest LA.”
“The Curb cast and I are looking forward to seeing you all at PaleyFest! Just a heads up, I may not sound like myself. Since shooting ended I’ve been passing the time by playing the Jew’s harp, which has damaged my teeth and given me a pronounced lisp. I have ordered special dentures from Estonia, but they may not arrive in time. Fingers crossed. In any event, see you there,” said Larry David.
“What better way to say goodbye to a show we love than with people who love it as much as we do at PaleyFest!,” said Young Sheldon Executive Producers Steven Molaro, Steve Holland and Chuck Lorre.
“We’re thrilled and honored to bring Avatar: The Last Airbender to PaleyFest this year, and we look forward to discussing bending, the Four Nations, and, of course, cabbages with all of you,” said
Albert Kim, Showrunner, Executive Producer, and Writer.
“While I’d been counting on a 24th anniversary celebration at PaleyFest, this is the next best thing, and I’m honored to participate.” said Seth MacFarlane
Since its inception in 1984, PaleyFest LA has celebrated the most acclaimed and impactful shows and stars including Lucille Ball, Barbra Streisand, George Lucas, Ava DuVernay, Norman Lear, and the casts and creative teams behind iconic shows such as The West Wing, Stranger Things, The Sopranos, The Simpsons, Mad Men, Mary Tyler Moore, Parks and Recreation, Will & Grace, The Walking Dead, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Outlander, and countless more.
While television fans eagerly await the start of PaleyFest LA, they have the opportunity to relive some of the festival’s best moments on the Paley Center’s YouTube channel. Some memorable highlights include conversations with the casts from Suits, Modern Family, black-ish, Lost, The Golden Girls, The Big Bang Theory, The Mandalorian, and many more.
PaleyFest LA supports the Paley Center’s many education initiatives including education workshops serving 10,000 youth annually, the PaleyImpact series featuring programs centered on today’s most pressing social issues and the role of media in our society, and the continued preservation of the Paley Archive, featuring more than 160,000 historically significant television and radio programs, as well as television commercials.
PaleyFest LA 2024 Lineup and Participating Talent*:
Friday, April 12 at 7:30 pm: The Morning Show – Opening Night Selection – Screening & Conversation with the Stars!
Featuring: Jennifer Aniston (Alex Levy), Executive Producer; Reese Witherspoon (Bradley Jackson), Executive Producer; and additional participants to be announced.
Saturday, April 13 at 7:00 pm: Loki – The Critically Acclaimed Marvel Studio Series – Screening & Conversation with the Stars!
Featuring: Tom Hiddleston (Loki) Executive Producer; and additional participants to be announced.
Sunday, April 14 at 2:00 pm: Young Sheldon – Share in the Memories at This Farewell Salute to the Acclaimed Hit!
Featuring: Iain Armitage (Sheldon Cooper); Zoe Perry (Mary Cooper); Lance Barber (George Cooper); Annie Potts (Meemaw); Montana Jordan (Georgie Cooper); Raegan Revord (Missy Cooper);
Emily Osment (Mandy McAllister); Steven Molaro, Executive Producer; Steve Holland, Executive Producer; and Chuck Lorre, Executive Producer.
Sunday, April 14 at 7:00 pm: Avatar: The Last Airbender – Highly Anticipated Series Makes Its PaleyFest Debut!
Featuring: Albert Kim, Showrunner, Executive Producer, and Writer; Jabbar Raisani, Executive Producer and Director; Gordon Cormier (Aang); Kiawentiio (Katara); Ian Ousley (Sokka); Dallas Liu (Zuko); Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Uncle Iroh); and Elizabeth Yu (Azula”).
Monday, April 15 at 7:30 pm: Late Night with Seth Meyers – A 10th Anniversary Salute to a Late Night Icon!
Featuring: Seth Meyers, Host &Writer; and additional participant to be announced.
Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 pm: Curb Your Enthusiasm – Laugh-Filled Final Season Celebration- Screening & Cast Conversation!
Featuring: Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman, Cheryl Hines, J.B. Smoove, Richard Lewis,
Ted Danson; and Jeff Schaffer, Executive Producer.
Friday, April 19 at 7:30 pm: Family Guy 25th Anniversary Celebration – Live Table Read with the Stars, Musical Performances led by composer Walter Murphy, and More Surprises!
Featuring: Seth MacFarlane, Creator, Executive Producer (Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin, and additional voices); Alex Borstein (Lois Griffin and additional voices); Mila Kunis, (Meg Griffin);
Seth Green (Chris Griffin); Rich Appel, Executive Producer and Co-Showrunner; Alec Sulkin, Executive Producer, Co-Showrunner and additional voices; Kara Vallow, Executive Producer; Danny Smith, Executive Producer and additional voices; John Viener, Consulting Producer and additional voices and more participants to be announced.
Saturday, April 20 at 7:00 pm: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – A Conversation with Stephen Colbert
Featuring: Stephen Colbert, Host & Executive Producer; and additional participants to be announced
*Events & Participants Subject to Change. Talent Appear Schedule Permitting.
For more updates on the complete list of programming for PaleyFest LA, please visit paleyfest.org, our Facebook page and follow @PaleyCenter on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn.
Paley Membership
Become a Member today and receive presale access to the best seats before they sell out and discounts to PaleyFest. For more information on the many benefits of Paley Center Membership, please visit paleycenter.org/join-us
Over the course of seven years, Bedouin (Tamer Malki and Rami Abousabe) spent a great deal of time finalizing existing material as well as composing, writing, singing and collaborating on new originals to create a deep listening experience showcasing their multidisciplinary talents. ‘Temple of Dreams’ was the culmination of these sessions and these remixes served as its continued evolution.
Amassing over 1.6 MILLION streams on Spotify, the ‘Temple of Dreams’ remix anthology featured reworks from a prolific roster of electronic music talent including Damian Lazarus, Vintage Culture, Made By Pete, Robin M, LP Giobbi, Catz’ N Dogz, Harry Romero and Anja Schneider. Concluding this sojourn, the final ‘Temple Of Dreams’ remix offers a celebration of nearly a decade of creativity, collaboration and a testament to the transformative power of music.
Award-winning family music artists and podcast makers Andrew & Polly are thrilled to announce that their sixth album, Ahhhhh!, is nominated for a 2024 GRAMMY® Award for Best Children’s Album.
Kids and families nationwide know and love the music of Andrew & Polly from hearing their heartfelt, humorous hits on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live (“Grapes,” “Little Bitta You,” “Mom’s Name”), from their Parents’ Choice Gold Award®-winning podcast Ear Snacks, and from their songs and arrangements for Nickelodeon, Noggin, Netflix, and more. Three songs from Ahhhhh! have already hit #1 on the Kids Place Live chart.
Ahhhhh! celebrates the outrageous courage it takes to navigate the overwhelming feelings of childhood, parenting, and post-pandemic life. The album empowers kids to take on tough stuff by helping them think, feel, and sometimes even SHOUT their way through challenges in an ever-changing world.
“From the pandemic to politics to parenting three kids, it’s been like drinking from a firehose,” says Andrew Barkan, who navigates an additional set of challenges in life, work, and parenting as a blind person.
“Hasn’t everyone felt like that over the past few years? Just … Ahhhhh! It’s a lot!” adds Emmy-nominated songwriter Polly Hall. “Our songwriting suggests that we can look at small, everyday things to get at bigger, even global ideas.”
Emerging talent Seán Parnell, hailing from Kerry but now residing in the dynamic music scene of Cork City, is once again ready to captivate audiences with the release of his eagerly awaited third single, “Right Before I Leave.” Following the success of his debut release, ‘Over Feeling Down,’ and his second single, “What Can I Do,” Parnell continues to showcase his prowess as a singer-songwriter, offering a fresh and enchanting perspective on love and life.
In addition to the highly anticipated single release, Seán Parnell will be gracing the stage at Coughlans in Cork on March 15th. This live performance promises to be an unforgettable evening, where fans can experience the magic of Parnell’s music in an intimate setting.
“Right Before I Leave” is more than just a song; it’s a love anthem for the awkward souls among us. The single, recorded and co-written with Brién (known for his collaborations with Kojaque and Kean Kavanagh) in his home studio in Northern Ireland, promises to deliver a heartfelt narrative set against a backdrop of infectious pop melodies and subtle R&B-inspired guitars.
Parnell’s debut release, ‘Over Feeling Down,’ dropped on October 12th under Faction Records, receiving praise for its poignant lyrics and seamless fusion of pop sensibilities with alternative R&B-inspired production. His second single, “What Can I Do,” showcased Parnell’s growth as an artist and his ability to connect with listeners on a personal level.
Now, with “Right Before I Leave,” Parnell further solidifies his unique sound and emotive storytelling, offering a musical experience that resonates with audiences. Save the date: “Right Before I Leave” is set to be released on all major streaming platforms on February 2nd, 2024.
Seán Parnell’s musical journey has been marked by growth, and “Right Before I Leave” is a testament to his evolving artistry. As he continues to carve his path in the music industry, Parnell invites you to join him on this exciting musical adventure.
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Spanish Love Songs and Oso Oso have announced the dates of their upcoming North American co-headline tour with special guests Worry Club and Sydney Sprague.
Tickets for all dates will go on sale this Friday, February 2 and can be purchased at https://spanishlovesongs.com/#tour
Spanish Love Songs continue to celebrate the release of their highly acclaimed album ‘No Joy’ through Pure Noise Records, currently touring a sold-out European run with Heart Attack Man. This weekend the band performed a landmark show – a sold out headline gig at the famous Electric Ballroom in London – their biggest headline show to date.
This summer they will support Gaslight Anthem across select cities in Europe, along with a special commemorative show, performing their album ‘Brave Faces Everyone’ in its entirety taking place July 9 at Lafayette London. The show sold out upon its announcement with a second show expected to be announced soon. They will also return to Australia in May to support Luca Brasi. All worldwide tour dates, details and tickets can be found at: https://spanishlovesongs.com/#tour
LA-based post-punk band Agender share grungy, playful track and video “Jeans,” out everywhere now. On “Jeans,” the band beg for the tortuous details of their new lover’s romantic history, with white-and-denim-filled video to match that pays homage to 90s-era jeans advertisements and friendly sleepovers.
Out today, “Jeans” sees Agender trade in the all black outfits for denim and white as they embrace a new, lighthearted side. Lead singer Romy Hoffman calls the track a “desperate but endearing love song for modern times.“ Signature pounding drums and distorted guitars open the track with lyrics that cut to the chase, “I wanna know where your jeans have been / Oh baby, please tell me everything / I wanna know what your lips have done / give me the names of everyone.” Essentially, the song asks, “what’s your body count?” a rather crass question more common in recent years, but Hoffman isn’t a fan of this term. In Hoffman’s ideal world, the word “jeans” would signify the juicy–”how many places have your ‘lucky’ jeans been?”
Sung from the artist’s internal monologue, Hoffman wrote the song in the early stages of a new relationship, naturally a time when one might want to learn of their past, though it may hurt to hear. Hoffman adds, “I’m over-thinking out loud, and I want to torture myself. It’s not fun being an anxiously attached individual but it is a fun song!” Describing its sound, Hoffman says it features, “Fast downstrokes a la the Ramones and nice harmonies mask a messed up love song, akin to that of 60s girl groups.” The track’s credits include production by Hoffman and David Scott Stone (LCD Soundsystem), as well as mixing by Phillip Broussard (The Replacements, Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of A Down), and mastering by Bob Weston (Shellac).
The video, directed by Hoffman, is a departure from the group’s usual format of abstract visuals of the past. Hoffman says, “We’ve made a lot of music videos but none feature us, solely, playing as a band, in a studio. We thought it was about time we let the band shine and allow the song to pop.” While the band performs the song, a pillow fight of sorts breaks out, but using jeans instead of pillows, putting the band’s whimsical side on display.
Spence Lee is rising New Jersey rapper and songwriter has been honing his skills since adolescence. Originally rapping as Shotta Spence, Spence has embraced his birth name as a further nod to his Chinese and Vietnamese heritage and the platform he has as part of a growing but still relatively small Asian foothold in hip-hop. Championed by both EarDrummers and 88rising, two influential labels with vastly different presences in popular music, Lee is coming out of the gate as a consensus builder and putting his best foot forward on his anticipated upcoming album, due out in March.
Gibson, the iconic, leading American instrument brand has shaped sound across generations and genres of music, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved brands around the world. As part of Gibson’s commitment to artist-first culture, and music discovery, Gibson is proud to officially announce that singer, songwriter, and producer Austin Sexton will join Gibson as the brand’s first-ever Spotlight Artist. Gibson’s Artist Spotlight program will feature a revolving and diverse roster of musicians and provides emerging artists from diverse genres around the world with global exposure and services committed to their career growth.
“No matter where you’re from, music is the universal language, and I hope we get to talk for while! I’m excited for more people to discover my music through the Gibson Artist Spotlight platform.”
In order to challenge themselves, Stuck In The Sound abandoned their traditional formulas. 16 Dreams A Minute maintains an alternative approach detaching itself from indie rock’s rigidities while including punk tinged tracks.
As a producer, Ash Workman (Christine & The Queens, Metronomy, Ghost Poet, The Shoes) further pushed Stuck In The Sound’s comfort zone.
The album itself follows the singles “B/W Rainbow”, “Le soleil” and the latest track “Adios”.
Canadian electronic music artist and producer KASIA is celebrating the music video release for her current single, “Heartstrings”. The video is now available on YouTube.
Written and produced by the Vancouver-based artist, “Heartstrings” has a foundational sound in the house genre but is infused with bass house and pop elements while being enveloped in an ethereal house ambiance. Its catchy uplifting atmosphere is punctuated by heavy synth drops and honesty in its lyrics.
KASIA says, “The genesis of ‘Heartstrings’ comes from my own experiences of navigating the aftermath of an abusive relationship. Songwriting became my sanctuary, and creating melodies and verses was spiritually healing. For this song, I wanted to create a feeling of empowerment and a cathartic connection with the audience. For the video, I aimed to visually encapsulate the journey of resilience and self-discovery, weaving a tapestry of emotions that mirrors the transformative power of reclaiming one’s narrative.”
“Heartstrings” comes after a series of breakthroughs for KASIA in her entry and subsequent rise as an artist and producer in the electronic music genre. A former synth pop artist and international model, KASIA started making her own electronic music in 2021 and through her first wave of singles, she has earned representation from 9MM LABEL, 404 Deep House Records, and Powher Sound, while forming new creative partnerships with the likes of The Funk Hunters, Jonathan Campbell of Twelve Twelve Music, and Sam Ryan of SOS Music. On stage, she hit a new milestone in 2023 as a performer in the Rifflandia Music Festival in her home province of British Columbia.
In continuing her momentum, “Heartstrings” also serves as the first release from KASIA’s debut 2024 album, which promises to offer similar spiritual and energizing rewards to those listeners who discover it.
KASIA’s “Heartstrings” music video is available on YouTube. The single is also currently available on all digital streaming platforms.
Dombresky and London duo JADED release their Sound Of The Drums EP, a new collaborative body of work consisting of two house-heavy scorchers. The release arrives via Diplo’s tastemaking label Higher Ground.
Following last month’s perfect daytime groover “All For You,” Dombresky and JADED now unveil the knockout club weapon that serves as the EP’s title track. “Sound Of The Drums” gets down to business with a powerful, percussive bassline that’s fit for massive moments on the dancefloor. “Here I come,” the vocal echoes as adrenaline courses through the track.
Dombresky and JADED have formed a formidable trio not just in the studio but also on the road. The EP release comes in the midst of Dombresky’s LIFT OFF Tour, with JADED on board for 18 of the stops through North America, where they will hit flagship venues like New York City’s Knockdown Center and The Shrine in Los Angeles.
Although he hails from the laidback southern region of France, Dombresky’s penchant for invigorating four-on-the-floor beats is pure house bliss. The DJ and producer burst onto the scene in 2016 when he arrived in Miami as Quentin Dombres, a then-unknown talent with an impressive roster of funky, feel-good tracks. Today, he has become inextricably linked with industry heavyweights, including Blond:ish, Armand Van Helden, Diplo, Claptone, and MK, all of whom supported Dombresky’s early career endeavors as collaborators. This past year, he performed at Coachella while continuing to broadcast his passion project, Process Radio, which won him an Electronic Dance Music Award for Best Radio Show.
Dynamic musical duo BLVCK VIØLET, consisting of Harrison Walker and Sam Hurst, proudly presents their latest Pop masterpiece, “lonely in love,” released via Salt House Records. This emotionally charged single delves into the intricacies of a bittersweet love story spanning over eight years, inspired by Sam Hurst’s personal experiences. With lush vocals and a captivating melody, “lonely in love” narrates the challenges of a long-term relationship, focusing on communication and connection.The evocative lyrics, such as ‘lonely in love’ and ‘stranger cradled in my arms,’ skillfully articulate the emotional journey of two individuals acknowledging the inevitability of growing apart.
one of Britain’s most cherished soul & jazz singers, Sarah Jane Morris releases ‘The Sisterhood’ the brand new single and title track from her forthcoming album, out on International Women’s Day (March 8 2024) – her most joyously life-affirming album yet.
Co-written and produced with her right hand man Tony Rémy, ‘The Sisterhood’ track is an infectiously funky salutation to Aretha Franklin, with the groove and vocal snap of a dancefloor anthem, yet steeped in the classic gospel sound that Sarah Jane Morris seems to have absorbed into her DNA. The accompanying video includes live footage from her recent headline show at London’s Cadogan Hall, at which she debuted the entire record.
A representation of Sarah Jane’s roots, inspirations, and indefatigable love of contemporary music-making and its iconic pioneers ‘The Sisterhood’ album celebrates ten female stars who dominated the singing and song writing of the 20th century – Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, Annie Lennox, and Kate Bush.
“For more than twenty years I have been thinking about projects to celebrate women and our contribution to the history of song. This, at last, is it,” says Sarah Jane. “These are my ten singers, my essential lodestars. With these stories I tell my own, acknowledge my musical tutelage and identify the women who mean so much to me. This album is dedicated to all my musical sisters, to those who went before and to those still making music. Thank you for blazing the trail, for fighting for us all with your irresistible talent and your passionate resolve.”
Sarah Jane Morris has been one of Britain’s great song interpreters since first finding fame in the 80s with bands like The Republic, Happy End and The Communards, singing on their chart-topping hit ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way.’ Since then she’s released 15 solo albums winning acclaim for her octave-vaulting contralto range which stretches from sonorous, reverberating low tones to a searingly soulful falsetto. Adding to her sweeping vocal palette she has developed an original lyricist’s expressiveness fuelled by a profound grasp of popular musical history. Stirred into that is an unflinching personal-political drive that has made social and sexual liberation and human rights issues the life-blood of many of her songs.
Over the past decade, those elements have coalesced in increasingly evocative ways – on landmark Morris projects including 2014’s Africa-dedicated Bloody Rain, 2016’s joyfully conversational Compared to What with guitarist Antonio Forcione, and the delicate and beautifully-arranged Sweet Little Mystery, a haunting valediction for Scottish avant-folk genius John Martyn, forged with guitarist and long-time collaborator Tony Rémy, who once again has joined forces with Sarah Jane, co-writing and producing The Sisterhood album.
‘The Sisterhood’ is a labour of love – a hard-won new triumph in an already prolific life at the cutting edge of contemporary music-making. Sarah Jane has stepped up to another creative level to create a richly referential, highly complex and strikingly original collection, clarifying the story of women in popular song. “It’s the best project I’ve ever been part of” says Sarah Jane with the passionate felicity of the true artist to the latest incarnation of her creativity. She describes her conviction simply: “It’s the passing of the torch from sister to sister”. Amen to that.
Ripping like all hell broke loose out of Brooklyn, NY, The Thing today releases their sophomore album The Thing Is. In eleven tracks, The Thing takes a firm hold on the reins of their instrumentation, knowing the exact moment to let go and let it fly off the walls. Commanded by lo-fi, gravelly vocals, the 11 tracks are an angst-inciting ride across psych-rock, grunge and Western stylings — Stream.
The band shares, “The name of the record tells it all. Our first record was written all over the place and over several years, but this time around we were committed to do it right. With more time on the road and honing our skills, we felt we could finally capture the sound of The Thing. That is the sound you hear on this record, raw, energetic and live, exactly what the Thing is.”
Built up by Zane Acord, Jack Bradley, Michael Carter and Lucas Ebeling, The Thing is on an endless crusade when it comes to achieving the exact sound they’re looking for, religiously indebted to the DIY forefathers who came before. Formed in 2022, The Thing jump started their success once they fell in love with being on the road and fans started experiencing their live shows. Committed to doing everything they can in-house, the band records at their East Williamsburg studio Onion Records, creates their own visuals, and has crafted a visual identity that marries the grit of the 90s with the effortless temptation of the 70s.
Prior to the recording of The Thing Is, the band members quit their jobs and gave up their stable homes to commit themselves to being out on the road. Dedicating full faith to the draw of being a band full-time, The Thing knew they couldn’t take this leap with one foot in and the other hanging out.
“To maintain the freshness and creativity, we took less than a month to write and record the album,” the band continues. “We built a recording studio in our manager Joe’s guest house and tracked everything live together, while Jack produced it all in-house. While recording, we implemented a three take per song rule in order to capture the live essence and avoid overthinking the music. We wanted this record to accurately capture the new excitement and freedom we were living in, while also conveying the pent up emotions of grinding in New York City for the past 2+ years to make this dream a reality.”
Indie band Gamblers have today released their latest single, “Pulverizer.” “Pulverizer” is the first track to be shared from the band’s forthcoming album Pulverizer, set to be released March 29, 2024. The band has also shared the music video for the infectious track and is available to check out now at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0G8zVoLfhY.
Speaking on the new single, lead vocalist Michael McManus – whose previous production credits include Maybach Music Group, Heems, & Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – shares, “Over the course of making and preparing to release this record, our band was starting to see some success but my entire personal life fell apart. Our last EP has now been streamed 10 million times, we had a single featuring Mick Jenkins become a fan favorite, we got signed to new management and distribution deals, but everything unraveled for me. It started with the death of my grandfather (who I was particularly close to) and the breakup of a seven year romantic relationship. Next, I was involved in a horrific car crash caused by a heavily impaired speeding driver that left me with a concussion, neck, shoulder, and back injuries, and severe PTSD – not to mention four other people involved in the crash were killed. Finally, and worst of all, my mother who I loved more than life itself was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and died. This song, and this record, are both called “Pulverizer” – because simply put, I’ve been pulverized by life.“
Los Angeles cinematic garage rock group The Drives make their first release of the new year with “Maybe I’m a Masochist” — out now via UnderCurrent. The third single from their upcoming second EP, the new track captures a sense of passivity in both the narrative and pace of the song. Experts of documenting their withdrawn emotions, The Drives have never shied away from using vulnerability to relate to listeners — Stream.
“This song is essentially about becoming complacent in a failing relationship.” shares frontman Andrew Levin. “In my last relationship, I had become so comfortable with being a part of an unhealthy dynamic that I didn’t even realize how unhappy I was. I was constantly focused on fixing a bunch of little problems that I never stepped back and saw how messed up everything had become. This song is basically about the guilt and regret I had for not realizing how bad things were.”
Dutch-Ghanaian alternative hip-hop melodic pop powerhouse Jay-Way releases his debut LP, Island Forgotten HERE. The 18-track album arrives after super producer Timbaland praised Jay-Way after hearing snippets of it on TikTok Live earlier this week. Island Forgotten is Jay-Way’s first full-length release through IVAV, a Curb | Word Entertainment division. Jay-Way will perform two live shows in Amsterdam to support the new album. Tickets are on sale now HERE.
“With this title, I want to paint the picture of living on your own island,” explains Jay-Way. Living on an island has several meanings to me. On your island, you’ve isolated yourself from your surroundings. It can make you feel more confident. Embracing your uniqueness. Not moving on anybody’s tempo but your own.”
Earlier this week, Grammy Award-winning producer Timbaland recognized Jay-Way’s sonics and poignant melodies after hearing snippets of Island Forgotten on TikTok Live.“You got a vibe. I want to hear more of your stuff,” he said. Complex NL posted a clip of Jay-Way’s interaction with the music luminary HERE. The album has magnetizing, self-reflective anthems that will give you the feels. The depths of Jay-Way’s introspection are manifest in each song. Today’s release includes the official music video for “Show Is Over” HERE to reinforce Jay-Way’s ambition to stake his claim as a need-to-know international artist in 2024.
Island Forgotten crystallizes Jay-Way’s cosmic aesthetic. His reflective sensibility is relatable as he pours his heart on distinctive soundscapes with notes of hip-hop, pop-punk, house, and afro beats. His lyrics explore self-discovery, love, compassion, acceptance, and, most importantly, vulnerability. Synthesizers, 808 drum loops, and electric guitar riffs all evoke the neon nostalgia of the 1980s on “Shawty Goodnight” with genre-defying bops like “No, I’m Not Ok,” “Only One I Think About,” and “Running Out of Love,” exemplifying his boundless ethos.
Since gaining national acclaim for the viral collaborative single “Summertime“ with rap icon Snoop Dogg and labelmate Steven Malcolm, Jay-Way continues to manifest his wildest dreams. He spent time touring through Europe supporting RINI’s sold-out “Past The Naked Eye Tour,” earned a Berlin Music Award nomination, and performed his first arena show in front of 15,000 people at EO Youth Day HERE.
His album celebrates these milestones and follows his 5-track EP Only One I Think About, which assembled tracks like “Highs & Lows” into one playlist. Island Forgotten is a far cry from his award-nominated debut release, Jaynalysis, but expands on the spirit of this breakout EP, No, I’m Not Ok, to create an all-inclusive music experience intersecting genres enhanced by Jay-Way’s faith in his power as a voice for the next generation.
Sirencore songstress BANSHEE has released the new single and music video for her cover of Lana Del Rey’s “High by the Beach“, which can be seen HERE. She also has announced her upcoming album ‘SIRENCORE’ out in March.
Banshee (aka Rachel Knight) says “‘High by the Beach’ is a siren song that resonates deep within my soul. To me it’s an anthem of resilience—breaking free from toxic situations, prioritizing one’s self, finding comfort in nature. The Sirencore version is reimagined to mirror how the lyrics feel to me.”
JOHNNY ST. GRACE IS A VOCALIST AND COMPOSER HAILING FROM THE HILLS OF CINCINNATI. BUILDING ON A FOUNDATION OF APPALACHIAN FOLK AND GREGORIAN CHANT, HER HAUNTING MELODIES AND EVOCATIVE LYRICS ARE OFTEN DESCRIBED AS “DANGEROUSLY HYPNOTIC.” THE UNRESTRICTED SOUND OF HER SONGS EXPLORE THE OUTER LIMITS OF POP MUSIC. TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION METHODS SHINE THROUGH THE FUTURISTIC BEATS, EMBODYING HER PURSUIT OF THE “NEXT” AND EVOKING A PLACE OUTSIDE OF TIME.
Middle Sattre, the Austin-based indie-folk octet led by musician/composer Hunter Prueger, are releasing their debut album Tendencies this Friday, February 9th, via Sad Tree Records. The project has quickly become a vital part of their local music scene, known for their vivid and heartfelt narratives that speak to the queer experience. Taken along with the collective’s willingness to deviate from conventional norms of songwriting, Middle Sattre subvert expectations of what a folk project can be. To help bring all of the project’s nuances into focus on the record, Middle Sattre had the album mixed by David Tolomei (Girlpool, Beach House) and mastered by renowned engineer Heba Kadry (Bjork, L’Rain, Sufjan Stevens).
Today, in anticipation of the release, Middle Sattre shared a music video for “Dallas,” a sincere and cleverly written song that crescendos with electrifying guitar. Speaking to the song’s backstory, Prueger offered: “Dallas is about an old friend who I had a hand in converting. He later came out to me, and I left the church. I’m not usually one for big guitar solos, but I felt like this one just said everything that I couldn’t figure out how to say with words.”
The music video consists of a series of fleeting hand-drawn images animated by Middle Sattre’s own S. Wallace, who directed the work alongside Prueger. On the process, Wallace remarked: “Hunter came up with the idea for the video’s overall pattern—little drawings appearing, moving around, and then disappearing. I had Hunter send me all the random footage he could find on his phone and spent a lot of time excavating my own archives, so it ended up being this patchwork of both of our memories. Shared Austin memories, individual Utah and Iowa and Michigan and Tennessee memories. Ones that are serious and ones that are silly. All of it equally meaningless and meaningful. What it feels like when you already house so much grief and joy and life says, ‘Good morning! Here’s another tomorrow for you. Keep moving.’”
9T Antiope is the duo of Paris-based, Iranian musicians Nima Aghiani and Sara Bigdeli Shamloo (aka SarrSew). Since coming together in 2014, the project has released music with labels like PTP, Eilean, Hallow Ground, Flaming Pines, and Unperceived which have garnered praise and support from outlets including Boomkat, FACT, Pitchfork, Tiny Mix Tapes, The Wire, and VICE/Noisey.
Today, 9T Antiope returned to announce their latest album,Horror Vacui, slated for release on April 12th with American Dreams. The announcement was made along with the release of “Shapeshift,” the album’s opening track. The single serves as a mysterious, atmosphere-setting introduction to the work’s concept, which examines what sounds have been and what they’ll become, and the nature of memory, dementia, and decay. 
Visionary art-pop duo Faux Real once again expand their sonic horizons with their new single, “Rent Free,” available now via City Slang Records. The song arrives alongside an official music video – directed, produced, styled, and edited by Faux Real – premiering today on YouTube.
“In ‘Rent Free,’ hope flirts with despair, and the rain makes way for the rave,” say Faux Real’s Virgile and Elliott Arndt. “It’s a euphoric lament on the fragility of love, and the solace of dancing with total abandon.”
Elements Music & Arts Festival, the premier immersive electronic festival of the Northeast, has announced the phase one lineup for its 2024 edition returning to Long Pond, Pennsylvania on August 9-11. Elements is the ultimate arena of exploration, where music, community, art, camping, and adventure coalesce in perfect unison. Best described as an escape unlike any other, the festival is co-created by those who embark on the journey, fostering a home for childlike wonder and a creative space for like-minded individuals.
As Elements prepares for its most ambitious year to date, the festival has now released the phase one lineup, and will feature over 100 acts across multiple stages throughout its magical art-filled forest. Fans can expect the same level of world class electronic music talent that Elements has become known for curationally, where there is truly something for everyone.
Headliners for the 2024 edition include some of the most electrifying names in dance music, from chart-topping stadium-filling superstar Illenium, to a Redux set from pioneering GRAMMY-nominated DJ and producer Kaskade, the darker shades of forward thinking producers Liquid Stranger and LSDREAM, and the head-splitting sounds of Excision.
The depth continues with GRAMMY-nominated melodic bass pioneers Slander, a back to back from Black Book Records head Chris Lake and Hellbent Records boss Cloonee, hard hitting versatile trap producer TroyBoi, a back to back throwdown from Sullivan King and Kayzo, plus D&B favorites like Sub Focus and Dimension.
The heavier leaning sonics will be well represented, led by the likes of Claude VonStroke’s iconic Barclay Crenshaw project, multi-talented French artist and Odyzey Music label head CloZee, standout bass producer Of The Trees, and multi-faceted rapper and producer Wreckno.
Fans will also find their footing behind familiar house favorites like the Desert Hearts crew of MikeyLion, Marbs, Porky & Lee Reynolds opening the Thursday early arrival kickoff, plus Canadian production duo Bob Moses, ABRACADABRA icon BLOND:ISH, party-starting production duo Walker & Royce, emerging stars VNSSA & Nala treating fans to a b2b set, Chicago’s underground riser Azzecca, and melodic techno tastemakers Township Rebellion.
Trying different things isn’t limited to the fans at Elements, where several artists will play rare sets under special projects showcasing another creative side of their style. This includes the otherworldly drum & bass sounds of Blanke: ÆON MODE, the live band performance of Boogie T’s Boogie T.Rio in addition to his individual performance, the sound healing and ambient bliss of LSDREAM’s Lightcode, and the techno-tinged frequencies of Slander Presents: Before Dawn.
Tickets On Sale Now
the grunge rock band The Suicide Disease have announced their latest single, “Constellations,” released under Zodhiac Records and produced by Ricky Armellino of Ice Nine Kills and KJ Strock (Machine Gun Kelly, Crown The Empire, Motionless in White, We Came as Romans).
Presave “Constellations” Here
The group will share their most sentimental song yet, a ballad written as a love letter to loved ones lost. The track aims to communicate with those that are no longer with us, reflected as the stars in the sky that disappear during the day, leading to the reality that they are no longer with us.
Knowing first hand the affects of their namesake, the chronic pain disorder disease Trigeminal Neuralgia, The Suicide Disease make melodic metal music that offers solace to people dealing with loss. Having grown up in a lonely beach town, the depression of the south shore has seeped into the band’s sound, granting them the ability to address pain in a way that leaves listeners feeling less alone.
Existing in their own genre with nodes of New Order and The Cure, The Suicide Disease recorded their first demo on a cassette tape in 2021 and drove around with a boombox in hopes that they could share it with the right people. The four piece was discovered at a show by Steve Feinberg, who took on managing the band and shared with Ricky Armellino to produce.
“I heard the band’s demo and absolutely fell in love so we all decided to make a batch of songs together at my studio in Lancaster.” – Ricky Armellino
The Suicide Disease wear their heart on their sleeve, and masks on their face to reflect the irony of society constantly masking their pain. The Suicide Disease is able embrace loss and speak to the emotions of pain and recovery with the hopes of helping people to cope with mental health struggles.
Swiss folk-pop artist Mary Middlefield is proud to share her latest single “Heart’s Desire”, available now across music platforms. The track follows December’s single “Atlantis”, and is the latest from Mary Middlefield’s upcoming EP, due out this spring.
Continuing the Swiss artist’s position as a leading alternative pop artist, “Heart’s Desire” showcases evocative lyrics and an enveloping, ethereal atmosphere enhanced by lush guitars. Detailing the horrors of statuatory rape, manipulation and grooming, “Heart’s Desire” sees Middlefield delivering a casually brooding tune.
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Emily James proudly shares the aLtErNaTeS, Pt. 1. The first in a two-part series, Part 1 explores the flurry of complex emotions that arise in a relationship, detailing the slow demise of romance through an artfully
crafted six-song story arc. From the excitement of newfound love (“I’m Not In Love/Who Would’ve Thought”), to the denial of red flags (“Lost Cause/Uncalled For”), and finally the examination of unhealthy relationship patterns (“Down The Line/One More Hit”), Emily’s dynamic musical arrangements and thoughtful lyricism take the listener on a raw, emotive journey. Listen to the aLtErNaTeS, Pt. 1 on all digital retailers (here). “I came up with the aLtErNaTeS concept because I find I always have a multitude of feelings about one moment. I think we all do,” Emily explains. “For instance, we tend to show our ‘external emotions’ to the people around us, while our ‘internal emotions’ are the ones that come out when we’re alone. The music essentially illustrates the range of emotions that go into a single situation.” As part of the series, Emily unveils the final chapter “One More Hit,” a spirited song about the complicated post-break up feelings when we can’t just let the relationship go. Addicted to romanticizing, keep my vices in disguise, she sings with conflicted passion.
Detroit house and techno icon DJ Minx returns to Diplo’s Higher Ground label to release her new single, “Taking It Back.”
Featuring a classic synth line that ascends to dancefloor euphoria, she sticks to her guns on this track with lyrics written and performed by Minx herself that transport listeners to her early days as a DJ in ‘90s Detroit. “We’re going back to the old school / Techno and house under one roof / We’re going back to the old school / Underground raves ground rules.”
“All the feels on this one,” DJ Minx comments on the track. “Going back to my underground roots.” The release is aligned with Black History Month in the US, reemphasizing the often overlooked fact that both techno and house were originated by Black artists in Detroit and Chicago in the 1980s.
Getting the recognition she’s long since deserved, Minx has a massive touring schedule ahead in 2024, with stops in NYC, Paris, Barcelona, Brussels, and Lisbon, including a b2b set with techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson at EDC Las Vegas and some massive plans for her stage at Detroit’s longstanding flagship electronic music festival, Movement.
Toronto’s budding lyricist Blair Lee releases “Grow,” the fourth single from her newly announced EP. She today also shares that LIMBO will be available in full on April 19. “Grow” pulls something hopeful out of the mundane; leisurely but with intent. Lee’s fluid, breathy vocals exhale life into an introspective thought, but she isn’t bogged down by it — Stream.
“‘Grow’ is about the twists and turns of life,” shares Lee. “Thinking that you’re off course as life changes and goes through cycles, but learning that you’re right where you wanna be after all.”
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
