‘The Knells II’ Combines Art Rock and Classical Sophistication on Second Album
The brainchild of guitarist and composer Andrew McKenna Lee, The Knells trace their roots back through nearly 1000 years of western classical music and refract them through the lenses of progressive, psychedelic, and experimental rock. On Knells II, releasing November 10 on Lee’s own imprint, Still Sound Records, the band further refines their unique sound with a collection of songs that seek emotional absolution beneath their dark-hued facades. Knells II is available via digital download, CD, and limited edition vinyl through the band’s page at Bandcamp.
New Single Flour Flour – “High School Video Game”
Emerging from the budding synth-pop scene of Berkeley, CA, Brian Baughn of Flour Flour is optimistic, but decidedly skeptical, regarding to the omnipresent zeitgeist within the Bay Area that the burgeoning tech industry will solve all society’s ills.
Accordingly, Flour Flour guns for nostalgia without glamorization, aiming for the little part of everyone that fondly remembers the process of growing up and self-actualizing in an increasingly technological world. “It’s funny,” he says thoughtfully, “how the technology you grew up with becomes a hallmark of that time in your life.”
The Humane Society of the United States honored Sidewalk Angels Foundation, founded by Grammy Award-winning artist Rob Thomas and his philanthropist wife Marisol Thomas and luxury beauty brand Moroccanoil tonight at the 2017 To the Rescue! New York gala at Cipriani 42nd Street. The evening raised $3 million for HSUS’ animal rescue efforts.
Actress Malin Akerman presented the Thomases and their Sidewalk Angels Foundation with the HSUS Compassion in Action Award for making real change in helping those who have no voice. In her speech, Akerman praised the Thomases for their immediate reaction to animals in need during the tragic hurricanes that swept the U.S. this year.
In their acceptance speech, Rob and Marisol Thomas thanked The HSUS for the honor and praised the organization’s unwavering dedication to helping animals out of harmful situations across the country.
Soulful Pop from Swedish Collective HUMAN #1
The debut single from HUMAN might be exactly the music 2017 has been yarning for- raw, emotional and strong. Let’s be honest, so far it has been a memorable year with climate denial, hurricanes and two loonies threatening civilisation as we know it with nuclear war. Not to mention tropical house…
TEARS FOR FEARS STILL RULE THE WORLD WITH THEIR GREATEST HITS ALBUM OUT NOW!
Following a sold-out summer arena tour highlighted by their triumphant UK return in front of 65,000-plus fans as special guests of The Killers during British Summer Time Festival at Hyde Park, Tears For Fears – Roland Orzabal [vocals, guitar, keyboards] and Curt Smith [vocals, bass, keyboards] – close out 2017 with the release of their first career-spanning Greatest Hits album, Rule The World. The collection arrives everywhere November 10, 2017 on UMe. It’s available for pre-order at the band’s official site now. Check out the full tracklisting below.
Not only does Rule The World feature classics such as “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” “Shout,” “Mad World,” “Head Over Heels,” “Woman In Chains,” and more, but it also boasts the first original music from the duo since 2004. This year, they recorded two new tracks-“I Love You But I’m Lost” and “Stay”-for inclusion on the collection. The single “I Love You But I’m Lost” bristles with the enigmatic energy of classic Tears For Fears, while the subtle acoustic “Stay” ranks among their most emotional fare. Both fit comfortably alongside the anthems that have defined three generations.
An intimate concert by seven-time GRAMMY award winning Lady Antebellum at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exclusively for Hilton Honors members as part of Hilton’s music program, Music Happens Here.
Hilton’s music program, Music Happens Here, gives Hilton Honors members access to top concerts, private meet-and-greets with chart-topping artists, one-on-one artist experiences, and exclusive concerts at Hilton hotels/resorts and in legendary music landmarks. This year, Hilton, in partnership with Live Nation and Spotify, launched an original music and video travel series, MusicHappens Here, which looks into some of the most iconic places around the world where music has been created, performed, and celebrated. The episodes released thus far examine the storied music histories of Los Angeles, London, and New Orleans
Giselle ‘not ready to grow up’ In Chilling 9-Song Release
NYC indie pop singer Giselle’s mixtape, not ready to grow up is set to release on November 17th, and we believe it would be a great fit for Skope Magazine. The 9-song mixtape offers a raw, aggressive take on traditional pop music in a tug-of-war between beauty and darkness. Giselle is perhaps most notable for singing the 2015 viral hit “diarreah song” featured on FX, which collectively garnered nearly 500,000 views on YouTube. Giselle’s not ready to grow up signifies the pop singer’s evolution with music that is honest and vulnerable, highlighting her dynamic vocal range and taking us on a rollercoaster from youthful innocence to the harsh reality of growing up in today’s society. Every song on the mixtape will be accompanied by a music video, all of which have been directed by women—offering a change of pace in a world in which women are often underrepresented.
VNV Nation returns to the US for New Year’s Eve – 12/30 in Denver; 12/31 in LA – Tickets On Sale Now
VNV Nation just wrapped up their Automatic Empire Tour in the US and are now taking the show abroad to select cities in Germany and Spain. Harris will continue to perform the iconic albums Automatic and Empires in a series of small clubs. Nearly every single date SOLD OUT in advance of the tour but have no fear, Ronan Harris is slated to return to the states in December for fans who may have missed him this time around. Harris will be performing DJ sets at Bar Standard in Denver, CO on December 30th and at The Regent in Los Angeles, CA on December 31st to ring in the new year.
Rich Krueger “It’s That Time Again” [Christmas – Singer/Songwriter]
“It’s The Time Again” is a rootsy and soulful new Christmas track from the award winning singer-songwriter, Rich Krueger.
“I was inspired by a recollection of a memory about going to church at a midnight Christmas Eve service at our family church. I still have a soft spot for the Christmas season and love the secular songs, the department store windows, the cartoons and the films. But I can’t help but realize how much luckier I am than so many folks, and most importantly, that sometimes even men can rise above all the hubris and give back at least a little, men on the side of the angels.”
ADAM TK “V8”
Swedish synthesizer technician ADAM TK has left Stockholm for the mountains of Marocco to create his collected works V1-V10.
The Veer Union Release Official Lyric Video for “Last Regret”
Vancouver, BC based Rock / Metal band The Veer Union has released the Official Lyric Video for “Last Regret” off of their forthcoming box set, Decade: History of Our Evolution.
“I think we can all relate to at least one time in our lives where we wish we could have just made a better decision than the one we made in the past; in retrospect, as an artist, those mistakes that we make are also the same things that inspire us to make music from the depths of our hearts” – Crispin Earl
Meet Julia Mascetti: A unique and magical approach to storytelling through folk music
Julia Mascetti, having relocated from the UK to Japan, has brought the traditional folk of her homeland and allowed the influences of her new surroundings seep in. The result is a beguiling, haunting experience, featuring Julia, her harp and traditional Japanese sounds floating in and around her siren-like voice.
The EP is centred not just around her own feelings of being far away from a familiar land but of loss, disillusion and memories, which is evoked through delicate, spidery vignettes which evolve like dark fairy tales. There’s a Lynchian/Waitsian atmosphere which hints at sadness and loss but which balances this with a feeling that it is far more of a warning than a threat.
Jennifer Ann (Gabrielle Aplin/Black Honey) Shares New Track
Singer-songwriter Jennifer Ann has announced details of the ‘Take Me Home’ EP, set for self-release on 1 December, 2017. Initially from Circle Pines, Minnesota, the now London-based artist intertwines a classical music background with a compelling take on contemporary pop, fastening wistful vocals with a backdrop of gleaming soundscapes. Jennifer is now streaming the second single from the EP, ‘Fantasy’ – listen here.
Good Boy – The new EP “Shirk Life” out now!
Good Boy today release their scorching EP Shirk Life. Shirk Life is a whip-smart, catchy-as-hell snapshot of living in Brisbane in your early 20’s from one of Australia’s most exciting young punk bands.
Until recently, Good Boy never thought of themselves as a political band but sometimes the times just force your hand. Released last week with an incredible video (below), the EP’s first track ‘A Waste Of 122 Million Dollars (Taxpayer Funded)’ spits a self-explanatory message about the absurd and insulting marriage equality plebiscite. Similarly, ‘Fishing With A Shotgun’ and ‘Hell in a Handbasket’ seethe with frustration about the seeming non-choice between neo-liberal, right-wing and conservative politicians.
Modern Mimes Cover Iconic “I Don’t Wanna Be Me”
Fort Lauderdale based Future Goth duo Modern Mimes recently covered epochal Goth Metal legends Type O Negative’s 2003 “I Don’t Wanna Be Me,” and paired it with a visually alluring music video, and not only did the iconic surviving members approve, but quickly promoted the single and video ahead of release.
Bandsintown Opens Platform To Venues and Festivals
Bandsintown, the popular concert discovery platform, has opened up its platform to allow venues and festivals to claim their own official profiles and alert local music fans of new show announcements in real time. Venues will now be able to establish their brand presence, customize their profiles,and add and edit new events.
While over 15,000 promoters, venues and festivals have been using Bandsintown’s promoter service for years to create campaigns in order to reach fans and boost concert attendance, this marks the first time venues will have their own access to Bandsintown Manager, allowing them to publish events independently.
New Nils Frahm ‘All Melody’
For the past two years, Nils Frahm has been building a brand new studio in Berlin to make his 7th studio album titled All Melody, which will be released on January 26th, 2018 via Erased Tapes, before Nils embarks on his first world tour since 2015.
Unsettling Ambivalence of Happy Illusions
“My new single “Happy Illusions” was inspired from a weekend at an outdoor music festival. The environment alone was stunning; lush forests with enchanting art installations throughout the trails. The unsettling ambivalence of the place came from the juxtaposition between the people and the peaceful surroundings. My head spun from the irony both in relationships to nature and each other. I heard so many people say that they loved one another, which conceptually was beautiful, but realistically had me questioning the authenticity of the community.” – Lavender Child
Louis Brennan announces debut album ‘Dead Capital’
London-based Dubliner Louis Brennan has announced the release of his debut album Dead Capital, which will be out on February 28th. To coincide with the announcement, he has also released the new single ‘London’.
The track is a quirky, upbeat ridicule of the despair of London life with ironically joyful harmonies. The lyrics describe our all too common affair with documenting our daily mundane activities and follow Louis on his regular commute on the 277 bus.
A Foreign Affair Release Official Music Video for “Passing Through”
Sacramento Alternative Rock Band A Foreign Affair has released the Official Music Video for their single, “Passing Through.” Originally premiered on Tattoo.com, “Passing Through” is the first single off of their forthcoming LP, Empty Houses, due out November 25th.
National Youth Orchestra of China Makes its American Radio Debut
Ludovic Morlot and the National Youth Orchestra of China will appear on this week’s broadcast of NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley, the preeminent showcase for young musicians. The episode was recorded for a live audience at the Smith-McFarland Theater at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania on Friday, July 21, 2017. This special episode of From the Top can be heard by podcast and on stations nationwide during the week of November 13. Check listings, stream the episode, and download the podcast at fromthetop.org.
NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley: East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania / Show 344
Check Out Ari Lennox’s New Video “GOAT”
There’s no denying talent. History has shown us there’s something undeniably profound about great voices. From the beginning, their melodic gifts serve as soundtracks to our lives. Dreamville’s Ari Lennox is no different. A little over a year after the release of her EP PHO the soulful songstress releases a visual for “GOAT.”
Queen of Bounce Big Freedia Signs Deal with Asylum Records/Warner Music Group
The Queen of New Orleans Bounce, Big Freedia, is excited to announce that she inked a record deal with Asylum Records/ Warner Music Group. Asylum Records recently relaunched their US label after the success of their UK counterpart known for talents like Ed Sheeran and Rita Ora.
“I want to keep pushing creative boundaries,” says Big Freedia, “and Asylum is the perfect place for me to do that.”
STARCRAWLER ANNOUNCE SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM
What do you get when you combine elements of the Cramps, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne and The Runaways? You get STARCRAWLER.
STARCRAWLER are a Los Angeles rock band who formed in 2015 when 18-year-old lead vocalist Arrow de Wilde first met guitarist Henri Cash at their Echo Park high school. Shortly thereafter they were joined by the rhythm section of Austin Smith (drums) and Tim Franco (bass). The foursome play with squalling riffs and thundering beats, and their incendiary live shows, fronted by de Wilde’s otherworldly magnetism, are truly captivating. Gigwise (UK) recently stated that “Starcrawler are simply the most exciting – and best – band Rough Trade have signed in years.”
Fil Bo Riva teases debut album with first single “Head Sonata (Love Control)”
“Head Sonata (Love Control)” is a beat-driven tune, that introduces the album with a raw and ballsy energy, playful songwriting and a diverse and intriguing use of Fil Bo Riva’s voice. The multi-talented artist sheds light on a new musical expression:
“The title “Head Sonata” was just meant to be a name placeholder at the start. The song was built around the chorus guitar riff and the first time I heard Felix [A. Remm] play it, I felt my head spinning and it immediately gave me a trippy and repetitive feeling. A few minutes later I had the title written down. I simply liked the sound of it. These two words somehow translated my imagination of the songs soundscape… And since the track didn’t have any lyrics nor a melody for the first few months, the word ‘sonata’, literally meaning a piece played, actually suited the song very good. Finally, a breeze of inspiration came to my mind, I wrote down the lyrics and the song was finished. A “Head Sonata” was born.”
Vern Matz Shares “Trampoline” Via The 405
Today, indie rock trio Vern Matz share the lead track off their forthcoming self titled debut LP, due out January 2018. The 405 is premiering “Trampolines” stating, “On their debut single, ‘Trampolines,’ the band melds acoustic folk sensibilities with experimental flair, resulting in one of the most moving singles of the year.”
WiDE AWAKE Debuts New Single “How It Go (feat. Indiah)”
London-based duo WiDE AWAKE team up with rising vocalist Indiah on genre-bending single “How It Go.” Crescendoing ambitious synthesizers and sultry vocals into an epic drop, the single merges trap, R&B and pop together into a euphoric production.
Giraffage shares new video for “Maybes” ft. Japanese Breakfast
San Francisco producer/DJ Giraffage shares a new video for his song “Maybes” featuring Japanese Breakfast today. Directed by Jon Ryan and Ride or Cry, the video premiered via 88Rising and captures various snapshot life moments over the producer’s signature kaleidoscopic beats and dreamy synth-pop. It’s off his debut album ‘Too Real’ out now via Counter Records.
