Photo Credit – Chase Thomson
Going to an event by myself for the first time ever led me to writing “Ghosts,” the song I am sharing with you today. I remember standing at the back of the room, feeling so insignificant and small. I felt like I wasn’t interesting, smart, pretty, or experienced enough. Even though on the outside you couldn’t tell, the social anxiety felt like it was just swallowing me. I found by talking to other people that we are not so different from each other; everyone has those fears and doubts sometimes. It can be comforting and reassuring to share those feelings.
Stream “Ghosts” via your preferred platform & watch the official music video for “Ghosts” on YouTube!
No matter how confident or put together someone seems, we all experience loneliness. “Ghosts” recognizes those insecurities, finding hope in the realization that we are not alone in feeling these emotions.
Thank you for spending time with this song,
Alexis Lynn
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rising electronic-pop artist HEBE conjures potent vulnerability in ‘Cards On The Table’, the final song and title track from her new EP, out now as an independent release via Kartel Music Group – STREAM IT HERE. HEBE will release a piano version of ‘Cards On The Table’ on 20th November – STREAM IT HERE.
“‘Cards On The Table’ is a love song exploring the vulnerability and doubt that come with the early stages of a relationship,” explains Hebe. “The frightening moment you put your cards on the table, you hope the time is right to let your guard down, expose yourself and be loved and accepted.” The five-track EP is an entrancing personal journey through the artist’s own experiences; from the vulnerability of being in long-distance relationship in the soul-laden, electronica-nuanced ‘Out Of Sight’, to tackling her fears and anxiety in last year’s Clash Magazine-approved ‘Hunting Me’. While the recurring theme of nature stands at the core of her song ‘Heal Again’.
“I regularly travel between The Netherlands and Uganda to visit my boyfriend”, explains HEBE, “it took some effort to find my place and mode of living, but moving away from the life in Amsterdam made me think about global developments in a new way, but also my views on friendship, our place in nature and expectations to be productive changed. This EP is an expression of what I saw, felt and experienced in that period.”
HEBE worked with some of the Netherlands’ finest musicians, including award-winning producer/mixer Huub Reijnders, drummer Martijn Bosman, pianist and vocalist Ruben Hein, who all contributed to the harmonious contrast of warm, catchy vocals set to pulsating electro-pop drums and synths of the EP. While the piano version strips the songs back to its bare, beautiful essence, with HEBE’s evocative vocals and absorbing melodies taking the centre stage without losing any impact. Her earlier releases, ‘The Beginning’ EP and the internationally acclaimed ‘Tell Me’ EP, have garnered upwards of a million streams on Spotify and have seen the support of international tastemakers including Impose Magazine, Noctis Magazine, Earmilk, Vice and Music Week, as well as airplay from Hoxton Radio, Fubar Radio and Reprezent Radio. ‘Cards On The Table’ is a collection of personal experiences and coming of age stories in which HEBE’s honest vocals nods to James Blake and Låpsley ability to create vulnerable and potent songs.
After steadily building his name in the UK music scene with a host of releases such as “No Corn” and “Tango” from 2018 onwards, Lavish K drops his first single of 2020 produced by Hannah V “Yo Sho”, a juxtaposition to his other tracks, showcasing a different vibe and element to not only his music but his personality. The track is a breath of fresh air, with positive, uplifiting vibes in the lyrics.
The vibrant 18-year year old from South London is still relatively new to the scene and has really only started taking music seriously. Before he saw it as more of a hobby after discovering he was good at it. He is now coming back with full-force and showcasing his new approach to rap with this single, fusing it with different melodies, and showing his love for diverse sounds and instruments which you can hear on “Yo Sho”. This will leave his fans and music lovers wanting more from the young artist.
“The track was made when I was in first year collage. Rimes got in contact with a female producer called Hannah V who made the perfect instrumental for me. A year later there’s a video for it. For a whole year I’ve had people hunting me down for the song they was even unfollowing me because I was trying to make it perfect. Now I can finally present it to the world”.
A laid-back, rap track, Lavish K is showing that he is a versatile artist who won’t let barriers stop him making music that he loves.
Following a string of impressive singles that firmly announced the rising star in 2020 including “Let Me In” and recent hit “Don’t Let Go”, Afro-Irish songstress Tolü Makay finally unveils her much anticipated debut EP ‘Being’.
Having used her music for many years as a medium to speak her truth, ‘Being’ hallmarks a significant chapter for Tolü. Presenting her deepest thoughts succinctly in 7 tracks, she drives home the importance of self-love, self-assurance and self-confidence, using her own experiences as a backdrop to this musical journey.
With influences ranging from Soul to R&B and Pop, Tolü demonstrates her pedigree as a well-versed artist; ushering the dawn and awakening inquisitiveness with the ethereal opener “Hello Are You Awake”, she details the emotional transition from fear to hope with the soulful, opulent master stroke “Don’t Let Go”.
Through the acoustic swing of “Me Myself and I” and its Jazzy counterpart “Wild Thing”, the EP shares life lessons that challenge the status quo, concluding aptly on the soaring anthem “You Are Enough”. Purposeful song writing meets authentically soulful vocals and confident delivery that puts Tolü Makay shoulder to shoulder with her contemporaries.
This past March saw the release of queer singer-songwriter and co-CEO of Heart Lake Records, Witch Prophet’s sophomore album, DNA Activation – an ode to her Ethiopian and Eritrean ancestral roots, fusing jazz, hip-hop, soul and RnB with songs in English, Amharic, and Tigrinya. Co-produced by Witch Prophet and her partner SUN SUN, praised by press and music lovers alike, DNA Activation was shortlisted for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize.
Today, she shares the brand new music video for “Tesfay” taken from the record. Directed by Toronto-based filmmaker and photographer, Leah Vlemmiks, watch + share the official visuals on YouTube now. “Tesfay” is also available to stream on SoundCloud + Spotify.
“Tesfay” (translation: my hope) is inspired by the memory of Witch Prophet’s late grandfather who raised five daughters as a single father in Ethiopia after the passing of her grandmother. Instead of focussing on the traditional roles for women in his day, he pushed his daughters towards education and empowerment – a radical move for the time. The video concept came from Vlemmiks’ interest in capturing the true essence of Tesfay and telling a broader story about positive father-daughter relationships that are grossly underrepresented in media. Tesfay’s influence impacted not only his daughters but the woman she has become.
The “Tesfay” music video captures the joy and empowerment that a father passes down to his daughter using dance, documentary, and memory. The dance is all about these little moments between the two of them, evoking a deep sense that he’s passing down the confidence to be herself and move with pride through the world. It’s narrative swings in and out of memory elements and metaphors surrounding his five daughters and the power they possess.
Nashville punky pioneers of “rad dad rock”, Ghost Town Remedy, today announce their debut full-length release, Dry Spell. Due out on November 20th, the album is available in neon purple/orange crush splattered clear vinyl, as well as CD and digital formats via the band’s newly-formed Never Nude Records. Pre orders are now on sale, including deluxe bundles that feature a special T-shirt and bandana designed by Dry Spell artist Tom Lowell. Heck, there’s even a private show up for grabs, or your very own personalized Ghost Town Remedy song. Check out the options, here.
Dry Spell has been a long time coming since the early 2019 release of the band’s “Superglue” single. This track features on the album alongside the other previously-released singles “Lan Party”, “360 No Scope”, “Therapy”, “Holy Hangover”, and “A Lesson In Shapeshifting”. Fans can also look forward to five unheard new cuts.
A conversation I had with my fiancée one day led me to writing the track I’m sharing with you today, “always been you.”
I said to her, “The only person that can ever hurt me would be you, because you know all of my insecurities.” Then of course, I whipped out my notes and jotted down the idea. Later that night, strumming my guitar, the line “I only wanna be hurt by you,” came to me, a nursery rhyme-like melody that wouldn’t leave my head. When I fall for someone, I experience feelings of angst alongside that great love.
Yet if someone had to break me, I would only want it to be that person.
Take a listen to “always been you” wherever you get your music below.
Watch the official music video for “always been you” on YouTube, as well.
❌ https://kayladiamond.lnk.to/alwaysbeenyou ❌
When I think of this song, I always picture two kids falling in love for the first time being like, “Is this okay? What is happening? Is this supposed to happen?” It’s very innocent yet this compliments the complexities of falling in love. I used the imagery of my falling in love for the first time and wove it into the storyline of “always been you,” so now every time I hear it, I’m brought back to that time.
Thank you for listening and supporting! 🖤
💎 KAYLA DIAMOND 💎
Photo Credit: Matt Blum
alt-pop sensation Kat Saul releases her new single/video, “Alright.” The new single will join “Monsters” and “I Love To Hate You,” on Saul’s upcoming sophomore EP, slated for release later this year.
“Alright” is an anthem that celebrates taking a chance on love, despite the risk of heartbreak. As with many of Saul’s tracks, “Alright” weaves infectious pop melodies and self-aware lyricism with alt-rock inspired instrumentals. She remains unrestricted by genres, expectations or trends, and, instead, writes straight from the heart.
“To me, one of the scariest challenges of becoming a sort-of-grown-up is getting out of my comfort zone. When my anxiety and depression swoop in like this dark cloud over my head, it’s easy to isolate myself from other people, closing off and taking shelter until the storm passes, but it never really does. And there comes a point where you have to decide whether to break down those walls or to let people inside them. It can be incredibly challenging, especially romantically… but when has easy ever been rewarding, you know? Love, risk and growth are what make life beautiful and worth living.”
Nashville-born, Los Angeles-based Kat Saul creates the kind of music that makes you want to dance, headbang, and cry — sometimes all at once. The 22-year-old pop singer-songwriter has always thrived in her own paradox. She was a high school cheerleader who played guitar in a rock band; she listened to Top 40 radio hits and early aughts rock records; she blasted Katy Perry records in her babysitter’s car and attended pop-punk concerts at her local skate park.
Saul hopped on the scene last year with the release of her debut EP, …From Unit 408. The five-track EP was a delightful introduction to Saul’s unique brand of unapologetic, left-of-center pop, and quickly amassed praise from tastemakers like We Found New Music, Atwood Magazine, and EUPHORIA. Her quickly rising star as both a songwriter and artist led to collaborations with industry heavyweights like John Rausch (Taylor Swift, P!nk) & Evren Göknar (The Killers, Snoop Dogg & John Lennon), and Prince Fox (Hailee Steinfeld, Quinn XCII) and gigs opening for RKCB and Great Good Fine OK.
Listen to “Alright” on all streaming platforms:
https://fanlink.to/katsaulalright
Watch the “Alright” music video:
https://youtu.be/E1IQEr8pxkc
During the pandemic, millions of people stayed home wondering what to do. LA-based millennial crooner Luke Carlsen used his time sheltering in place to record his first album (title TBA), which includes his debut single “What’ll I Do.” With his stripped-down acoustic version, the young baritone puts a fresh vibe on the American songbook classic written by Irving Berlin in 1923. To create the single, Luke worked closely with pianist/producer Patrick Tully (The Chainsmokers), alongside multi-platinum award-winning mastering engineer Alex DeYoung (Michael Jackson, BTS, Jill Scott), and studio engineer Nolan Shaheed (Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye). Carlsen’s new single, “What’ll I Do,” hits digital platforms on October 16, 2020.
At age 27, Luke Carlsen is far from new to the jazz scene. Since 2016, he has worked for the Disneyland Resort with both his 5-piece band and his 12-piece band performing traditional swing and jazz classics. After performing at a Frank Sinatra tribute at legendary jazz singer Barbara Morrison’s club for Jazz and Blues Month in LA, the floodgates opened for Carlsen to perform at several other prominent LA venues, including Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill, The Cicada Club, The Queen Mary, and many others. In addition, Carlsen’s vocal talent landed him a prominent feature in the first episode of the new HBO series, Perry Mason, starring Mathew Rhys and John Lithgow, which premiered last June.
“What’ll I Do” is the debut single and first of seven singles Carlsen plans to release over the next few months.
Born and raised in Calgary, Canada but now based in Berlin, singer-songwriter Cassidy creates stunning emotive indie pop. Embracing vulnerability, she finds influence in raw emotional experiences including heartbreak and existential life crises among other dark moments. Cassidy is known for her undeniable catchy melodies and addictively relatable lyrics, speaking directly to the listener like the words coming from their own minds. Her signature soulful vocals intertwine with moody, bass-filled beats creating a unique mix that is refreshingly new yet feels familiar.
Following her debut singles “Sex and Wine” and “Lying”, Cassidy returns with a touching emotional ballad. Entitled “The Devil”, the track was written a few years back on a piano with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and a broken heart. The single is autobiographical detailing the singer’s own heart wrenching experience with love and heartbreak. Featuring simplicity instrumentation, three-part harmonies and poignant lyricism, “The Devil” accentuates the hollowness of the emotional experience she faced.
Cassidy manages to captivate listeners with her transparency and raw organic sound. “The Devil” is out now.
Love. That weak in the knees, can’t breathe kind of love. Some envy it, while others are lucky enough to fall into it. But what happens when this love comes to a bitter end?
Out October 15th, The Indigo’s new release, “Dizzy,” is penned from the perspective of a scorned lover, reeling from the aftershocks of a tumultuous affair. Does he let go of what was, or keep reaching for what could be? With the release of their second single, the Nashville-based rock group serenades us as we ride along on the rollercoaster of human emotion. Dream-like vocals contrast against punchy, distorted chords, portraying the potential pain of being hurt again, or the eternal regret of what could have been – if things go well.
Influenced by a broad spectrum of musical genres, The Indigo was formed in 2019 by vocal leads Tanner Gray (guitar/piano/vocals) and Colby Wilson (guitar/vocals). Originally an acoustic duo, the childhood friends decided to expand their sound in 2020 with the addition of Gray’s college band mates- bassist Chase Porter and drummer Zach Corder. The band released their first single, “The Way You Say No,” in September of this year.
Check out the new single, “Dizzy”, by The Indigo, out October 15th! Can’t wait for the date? Watch this promo video for “Dizzy”. Be sure to catch The Indigo as they take the virtual stage at 6pm EST on October 17th at the Steadfast and Friends Festival.
photo credit: Carina Allen @rlyblonde
styling credit: Sionan Murtagh ig@sionanmurtagh
Brooklyn-based indie pop artist Middle Part creates synth-laden music in the hopes of making you feel something. Composed with honesty and sincerity, his music takes inspiration from both 90’s and early Millenium alternative bands. Middle Part was born when singer Andrew Selkōw moved to the deepest parts of Northern Alaska to find himself, after experiencing a major meltdown. Living in a shipping container in the isolated vastness of the Alaskan wilderness, Selkōw ignited his love for literature and music, with the musician sharing, “Art is important, no matter how you decide to approach it. There’s no age or formula so just create. It’s the most healing form of therapy I’ve ever experienced.”
Middle Part’s upcoming six-track EP I Wish I Was Alive is heavily driven by his personal experiences, his shortcomings, his struggle with depression, dissociation and overall loss. It’s about grasping the concept of death, getting older, mental instability and self-reflection. Selkōw confides, “I wanted to make sure and let go of my ego before I pursued music again so that’s a big theme in this record as well as the inability to connect especially when you’re compartmentalizing everything all of the time. I wanted to be really honest and vulnerable in this batch of songs. I’m so goddamn sensitive and hate to show it, but it just bleeds through all of my music.”
“& Cry” has the ability to feel 90’s while maintaining a modern approach. Featuring Smashing Pumpkins style guitars and haunting production that evoke Oneohtrix Point Never, “& Cry!” is a head first dive into the conflict of meeting expectations in a relationship and how we may sometimes fall short. The title serves as a refrain to encourage emotional release from the constant pitfalls. Set against a raucous breakbeat sample. Selkōw explains, “I think it’s supposed to be a very romantic plot but it has this dark side of not being entirely there if that makes sense. You want all these things, you think it’s great, but you’re mentally unfit to take it on. You don’t understand why, so just cry, it’s okay…I’m here.”
“Heartbeat” showcases Selkōw’s effortless vocals and atmospheric synths, resulting in a hypnotizing, dream-esque song.
Listening to Middle Part is like reading one of Selkōw’s journal entries and uncovering all the back and forth he has in his head on a regular basis. His honest songwriting grants people access to creating art in a safe space, admitting, “I just want people to relate. I so desperately want to connect and that might be the message.”
https://www.instagram.com/middle.part/
https://www.twitter.com/skeeterdarby