SKOPE NEWS FOR DECEMBER 14, 2016

The Desert Sea – ‘All Mine’ Single & Video

With a reputation for high-energy live performances, The Desert Sea’s unique blend of raw vocal melodies, earthy riffs and chest pounding rhythm’s, serve up a tasty cocktail that’s sure to leave you with a sore head and a vague recollection of what could’ve been the night of your life.

Having built some solid momentum with the release of the EP’s first single ‘Elevator’ earlier in the year, the boys are now ready to drop their follow up single ‘All Mine’; A blues rock thumper with hook laden vocal melodies and a signature guitar riff that’s sure to stick firmly in your brain.

NEROARGENTO Goes Solo With ‘One Against All’

In 2014, Alessio (aka. NeroArgento) started the electro metal/industrial band, The Silverblack with Claudio Ravinale. The Silverblack have already released 2 albums on Sliptrick Records, the first in 2015 and most recently, “The Silverblack” in September 2016. Now it’s time for NeroArgento to step out once again for his third solo album “One Against All”.

Bloom Twins release video for ‘Set Us Free’

20-year-old Ukrainian sister act Bloom Twins, have released the video for their new single ‘Set Us Free’, out now.

The exciting visuals take the viewer through a series of breathtaking extreme sports scenarios, featuring Go-Pro headcam footage from skiing, bungee jumping, scuba-diving and zip-wiring to name a few, and was shot in several countires around the world including the USA, UK, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Poland, the Maldives and of course, Ukraine.

COLDPLAY’S A HEAD FULL OF DREAMS CERTIFIED PLATINUM BY RIAA

Coldplay’s A Head Full Of Dreams has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. The news coincides with the one-year anniversary of the album’s release. Now all seven of the band’s studio albums have attained Platinum status (or above) in the U.S. A Head Full Of Dreams has sold more than five million copies globally.

The band’s new video shows Chris Martin recording a stripped-back version of “Everglow,” a song from A Head Full Of Dreams. The video, which was directed by Ben Mor, also features an excerpt of Muhammad Ali speaking to a live studio audience in Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1977.

The Brinks Release Live Performance Video of “Temporary Love” Today!

The Brinks have released a live performance video showcasing the lyrical depth of their hit-track “Temporary Love,” shot at PepsiCo’s Creators League Studio in NYC and premiered via Clash Mag yesterday. The PepsiCo Creators League Studio champions and provides a global stage, as well as premium creative studio experience and expertise, for rising artists, like The Brinks.

JABEE, “TRIED SO HARD”

Emmy award-winning Oklahoma City rapper Jabee presents the Todd Beats-directed music video for “Tried So Hard”, the Phen-produced single from Black Future, his new album featuring Chuck D, Brother Ali and Killer Mike as well as production from J57, Hannibal King and M Stacks.

Antonio Breez – ‘From The Slums’

Antonio Breez’ new single From The Slums off his anticipated TMN album, has been out for only one week and it is already a new favorite among his vast social media following and fans. With the momentum of the single and the acclamation received by his audience, Antonio Wasted no time delivering a sneak preview preview of the visual.

Chronixx Reveals New Video

Jamaican roots artist Chronixx, a pioneering force in the contemporary reggae movement, is proud to announce his biggest tour to date and his debut album title, both named Chronology.

This year alone, Chronixx & Zincfence Redemption Band headlined tours in Africa, Japan, Europe and North America and rocked major festival shows like Coachella (USA), Austin City Limits (USA), Lovebox (UK) and One Love (Italy) as well as supported the iconic UK rock band Stone Roses at Manchester City Football Club’s Etihad Stadium.

Loretta Lynn “Country Christmas” Video!

The video includes a performance of “Country Christmas” from Loretta Lynn and John Carter Cash inside the Cash Cabin Studio where White Christmas Blue was recorded and some never-before-seen personal home videos from Loretta’s family’s Christmases. The video is directed by David McClister.

Lisa Hannigan’s video for “Snow”

cclaimed singer/songwriter Lisa Hannigan debuts the music video for her song “Snow.” The track appears on her critically acclaimed album At Swim, which NPR Music declared, “…a triumph of Hannigan’s understated versatility…” and Associated Press proclaimed, “Lisa Hannigan’s graceful melodies champion At Swim.”

MATT WILLS RELEASES SET YOU FREE EP AND VIDEO

Following on from the release of BBC Introducing premiered track Set You Free, Matt Wills releases the Set You Free EP and drops the music video for its lead track on the same day.

The music video for Set You Free was filmed in and around London, and directed by Jackson Ducasse (Dua Lipa, Catfish and The Bottlemen, New Order).

Surfer Blood Shares “Matter of Time” Video

Surfer Blood’s fourth studio album, Snowdonia, is due out February 3rd via Joyful Noise Recordings. A sonic departure for the band, it’s their first release since 2010’s Astro Coast that lead singer John Paul Pitts has written and mixed alone.

Platform mark 10th anniversary with 15-track indie compilation!

‘With the demise of a music press that champions, or even barely mentions the underground and its emerging artists, it is to small labels such as Platform Records that we should be looking, small oasis of passionate souls who provide the momentum to get exciting, challenging and unique artists to a wider audience. And if Platform are just one of those hidden oases in a desert of dross and bland commerciality, then ‘This Is Not A Game’ is nothing less than a vital road map, without which you put your musical taste, if not your very life, in grave danger.’

This is Not A Game – Various Artists (Platform Records) – reviewed by Dave Franklin

Radiant Baby presents his new single ‘Gloss & Love’

Radiant Baby is the electro pop project of Félix Mongeon, a franco-canadian musician involved in Montreal’s blossoming Mile End artistic community. His self-released singles already attracted the attention of various Canadian blogs and magazines, cumulating thousand of plays in the process.

He brings back 80s flamboyance, re-actualizing new wave with playful synthpop melodies. R.B.’s visuals also draw from 80s inspiration, referencing pop art influences such as Keith Haring and the Memphis Movement.

Jesse Eplan Brand New Single “Dreams”

Having discovered a knack for music at the tender age of 7, NY Singer/Songwriter and Producer Jesse Eplan has grown leaps and bounds as an Artist in recent years. From learning how to play multiple instruments from drums to bass, guitar, keyboards, and discovering his immaculate voice playing in local bands throughout Long Island- the young star is shining once again with his brand new solo Debut Single “Dreams”. He is also currently working with Don Chaffin at DCity Studios in Huntington Village for the corresponding video. And as that star continues to rise, you can catch him performing at Revolution Bar & Music Hall Wednesday, January 11th for a LIVE TV TAPING of My Long Island TV’s Rick’s Rising Stars (which airs on Verizon FiOS1) and as a guest on Live It Up! with Donna Drake Monday, February 6th!

So Below Premieres “Hard” (Memoryy Remix) via Discobelle

New Zealand’s reigning queen of goth pop, So Below (a.k.a Madeline North) has unveiled a brand new remix of her latest single “Hard” – released today. Putting his own spin on the track is 80’s influenced electro-pop artist (and writer of the Chelsea Handler Show theme song) Memorry. Premiering the remix via Discobelle, Memoryy transforms the vibe from laid back dream electro to a more infectious and danceable, synth filled groove.

[Premiere] So Below – Hard (Memoryy Remix)

The Molochs “You And Me” Video

The Molochs premiered the video to their second single “You And Me” on Noisey. When talking about the video director Laura Lynn Patrick said, “You & Me parodies modern romance, through home video clips of a young woman on her honeymoon filmed by her love in Niagara Falls. We see the happy moments and the sheer innocence of young love, but deep down there is a sadness in her, an unescapable void in the romance. She escapes, and slips away into the rapid and powerful falls of Niagara. Inspired by the 50’s Marilyn Monroe film Niagara.” ,”You And Me” was also featured as the top pick on Hype machine’s Stack 120. It is the second single from the band, following their first single “No More Cryin'”. Both tracks will be featured on ‘America’s Velvet Glory’ out 1/13/17 via Innovative Leisure.

Daisy Hicks returns to the UK airwaves with her power-packed festive single “Christmas Without You”

The new Christmas song from English-born, Australian-raised singer/songwriter Daisy Hicks has been gaining huge support on UK Radio and is set to become a festive favourite for years to come.

If you are still looking for a beautifully written Christmas track to fill you Festive playlist, then you should have a listen to “Christmas Without You”.

“Christmas Without You” was written by Daisy Hicks and produced by Tim Laws, Pete Craigie and Chris Harvey.

Blak Emoji “Honey”

“Honey” is a propulsive electro-pop track that pairs frontman Kelsey Warren’s effortless R&B-tinged vocals (that might closest recall Seal) with analog synths and crunchy guitar riffs. The songs that comprise his debut Intro EP mix Warren’s tendencies as a brainy, substantive and complex writer with a fixation on vintage synths. Live, he is joined by bass/synth player Chris Gaskell, drummer Max Tholenaar-Maples and keyboardist Sylvana Joyce. Warren has made Blak Emoji his focus, tying together his longtime interest in alternative artists like Nine Inch Nails and Bjork, with a more recently re-kindled romance with electronic music.

Zavala shares euphoric “Protection Cloak” with Big Shot Magazine

Zavala (Alexander Zavala ) is a Chicago based electronic music producer born and raised on the outskirts of Chicago. For the past 15 years Zavala has been creating and defining a unique sound of his own with influences heavily based in golden era hip hop & house. A sound of which is dense in melody & textural soundscapes and is often described as a moody combination of the dark with the blissful, all built on a foundation of analog synthesizers, drum machines & samplers. Today he shares the blissful track “Protection Cloak” with Big Shot Magazine off his forthcoming debut album ‘Fantasmas’ out 1/13/17 on Fake Four Inc.

Premiere: Zavala – Protection Cloak

Son Volt Announces Spring Tour Around New Album

Son Volt has announced a 2017 spring tour in support of the their upcoming album Notes Of Blue, out February 17 via Thirty Tigers. The 10 songs that comprise Notes Of Blue, were inspired by the blues and unique tunings of artists such as Mississippi Fred McDowell, Skip James and Nick Drake. Last week, Garden & Gun premiered two tracks from the album, the gritty “Lost Souls” and “Back Against The Wall”, a song that would sit comfortably alongside any set from the Son Volt repertoire.

RICK ROSS ANNOUNCES NEW BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP WITH LUXURY HAIR CARE LINE RICH HAIR CARE

Music mogul and expanding entrepreneur Rick Ross has announced another new and exciting business partnership. His most recent business venture and perhaps the most unforeseen one is a close partnership with luxury hair care line RICH Hair Care. Rick Ross, also known as The Boss, has coined the “Rich” term as the title of one of his most successful mixtapes Rich Forever, his Instagram handle (@richforever) and will now use the word association to help further develop the RICH Hair Care brand. The news comes shortly after Ross announced his debut studio album under Epic Records, titled “Rather You Than Me” and his investment in the burger industry with Checkers/Rally’s restaurants.

Lia Marie Johnson Premieres “DNA” Live Acoustic Lyric Video Today

Singer, actress, and YouTube creator Lia Maria Johnson premieres a live acoustic lyric video for her debut single “DNA” today. The performance was filmed on top of the iconic Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood- watch it HERE.

Save Face Release New Music Video For “Folly”

Today we get to team up with The Alternative to premiere Save Face’s brand new music video for their song Folly from the album of the same name. This is their sixth music video from their latest album and was filmed exclusively at a New Jersey basement show, which capped off their extensive 2016 touring. Save Face released Folly July 8th on 12″/CD/Digital via Take This To Heart Records.

VIDEO PREMIERE: Save Face—’Folly’

Mr. Elevator shares first track and video “Sunshine Daydream”

Mr. Elevator – formed in Southern California in 2012 by Thomas Dolas and Justin Martinez (and their mutual love of Donovan) – eschews guitars for vintage synthesizers, organs, and electric pianos, distinguishing themselves within the fuzzy, distorted contemporary Psych-Pop scene.

darkDARK debut new track

“Following the success of their buzzy, downbeat debut “Moments”, LA duo darkDARK release their new single “Fake It”, premiering on The Line Of Best Fit.

On “Fake It”, the band – made up of Genevieve Vincent and Chris James – add some clout to the sparkling electro-pop of their previous release. Heavy distortion and delay are key components of the track, creating a beefy foundation over which the pair lay driving percussion and ethereal vocals. “Fake It” is the kind of song you’d except to hear in a sci-fi soundtrack – it’s grandiose, cinematic, and utterly futuristic.

Careers Economist Identifies Concerns for State of American Workforce

With a new U.S. Jobs Study revealing that “tectonic changes are reshaping U.S. workplaces as the economy moves deeper into the knowledge-focused age” amid the stark reality that lifelong skills development and training have evolved into mandatory, mission-critical facets of one’s sustained career success, it’s clear the 4th Industrial Revolution (i.e., the age of automation, artificial intelligence and robotics) has ushered in a brave new workplace. One reportedly prompting a “society-wide reckoning” relative to skills proliferation and other key next-gen concerns. And, rightly so, as the only thing constant in today’s tumultuous job market is change. We are entering an unprecedented economic era rife with peril and opportunity, alike.

Enter jobs economy analyst, personal branding coach, visionary and futurist Larry Boyer, President of Success Rockets LLC—a firm uniquely helping people and businesses anticipate, prepare and respond to the volatile and dynamic changes caused by disruptive technologies, economic turbulence and omnipresent business failures by building “the business of you.”

The State of American Jobs

Vita and the Woolf’s astute “Qiet” video hits Impose

Driven by the anthemic voice of front woman, Jennifer Pague and supported by the dynamic drumming of Adam Shumski, Vita and the Woolf melds cross-genre influences into a unique, powerhouse electronic style and have captured the attention of both the Philadelphia scene and more and more national fans as well. Their head-turning live show has since grown to reflect both the range of Pague’s operatic vocals and the music’s shape shifting, soulful synth pop energy.

Outerloop President Mike Mowery Launches Outerloop Coaching

Dedicated to educating the next generation of music business entrepreneurs, Outerloop President and CEO Mike Mowery is thrilled to announce the official launch of a new educational initiative under the Outerloop umbrella, Outerloop Coaching. Outerloop Coaching consists of online courses, webinars, e-books, and mentoring for aspiring managers and self-managed musicians. Mowery shares everything he has learned in two decades in the business so you can learn how the 21st Century music business really works, and can work for you. Along with signing up for coaching and Mowery’s free e-newsletter, current and aspiring music industry workers will be treated to a free download of “Music Management Primer: The Business of Being an Artist,” written by Mike Mowery and Paul Phelps. The e-book is a primer in basic concepts for aspiring managers in the 21st century music business, providing much more detail on these concepts and more advanced additional concepts within the online learning materials through Outerloop. H

Coaching

COKEGOAT: Chicago Death Doom Sextet Issues Hilarious Drugs And Animals Synopsis At PureGrainAudi

Chicago death doom sextet COKEGOAT self-unleashed their Drugs And Animals full-length late last month digitally and on 180-gram 12″ vinyl. In celebration of its release, PureGrainAudio is currently hosting a hilarious track-by-track breakdown of the record as relayed by the band.

“From inside comes outsides,” writes the band of “Nurture.” “Voices like rungs of a ladder connect. What we have created together takes the horrible and the beautiful and births one strong floating entity. Only blood holds the bond in the end, as in the beginning. We call this one our menstrual minstrel. We’re usually pretty drunk.”

Year of Suns Deliver Dreamy, Vulnerable Vibes on Debut EP ‘Songs For Silence’

Last week, new project Year of Suns — the brainchild of singer/songwriter Chris Matthews — released its debut EP, Songs For Silence, via Los Angeles based record label Milk + Gum. The album has received praise for its dreamy and vulnerable vibes from notable outlets including BuzzBands.LA, Magnet Magazine, Impose Magazine and more. Today, MySpace premiered the official video for single “Plain Sight.”

Four years ago, Chris Matthews recorded a homespun EP of seven songs after losing his father and uncle within six months of each other. While the recordings were shared only with his friends and family, they captured an essence that was both haunting and human in nature, and became the grounding for future Year of Suns material. In the weeks following his recording sessions, Matthews moved from Miami to Los Angeles where the music was quietly fostered and cultivated for the public’s ears.

Premiere: Year of Suns, ‘Hard to Forget’

Talons’ Premiere New Single from Upcoming Broken Circles Comp via Stereogum

About Everything Melts Vol. II: Contrary to what the world wants you to think, the holiday season sort of sucks. It’s not just the usual stresses associated with these end of the year celebrations—the pressures of present-buying and complicated travel commitments, the tense family dinners and surreal work gatherings, consumerism’s relentless tug-of-war with religion; it’s also the frigid weather, the perpetual darkness, the icy sidewalks and silver skies, the salt-stained buildings and gutters of grey slush.

Talons’ – “Driving Home From Shows”

The New Up’s new bass-driven single

San Francisco’s The New Up are preparing to release their new album Tiny Mirrors on 2/3, and in anticipation, today they dropped their new track “Falling From The Sky” with Pancakes & Whiskey. Highlighted by a driving base line and growling guitars, the track is about finding strength during difficult times. It’s intensely introspective, raw in emotion, and cinematic in scope.