@skopemag news for December 12, 2018 @ 10 am est

Wilder Maker’s Gabriel Birnbaum Shares New Song “Stack The Miles”

Today, Gabriel Birnbaum shares new song, “Stack The Miles.” This is the first solo release from the frontman of critically-lauded cosmic Americana group, Wilder Maker. Known for an arresting vocal performance, Birnbaum’s solo material boasts a compelling, gristly likeness to Randy Newman and Bon Iver at once. He upholds his reputation for inventive songwriting, but brings powerful new focus upon emotion with deliberate instrumentation and folk sensibility. He’ll debut the new music at Mercury Lounge in NYC on December 18 with Office Culture.

Yves Jarvis – Formerly Un Blonde

Yves Jarvis is a clean slate, a recasting of Montreal-based musician Jean-Sebastian Audet. Audet previously created under the name Un Blonde, a name which he says was, at one point, all he wanted. But of course, things change. “Now I’m at a place where I feel like when I hear it, I don’t like it because I don’t identify with it at all,” he continues. “I knew I needed something that I could identify with.” Each aspect of Audet’s work is immensely personal, and Yves Jarvis reflects this literally. Yves is Audet’s middle name, while Jarvis is his mother’s last name.

THE NATIVE HOWL Sign to FM Music Management

The Native Howl have entered into a management deal with FM Music Management. They have joined FM Music Management’s impressive roster which includes Nonpoint, Adelitas Way, Through Fire, SHIM, Kataklysm, Royal Bliss, Deadset Society, Keith Wallen, Spoken and more. “In addition, The Native Howl have announced a US headlining tour to coincide with the vinyl releases of their last two albums. This includes 2018’s double-album Out of the Garden and Into the Darkness and 2016’s Thrash Grass, which spent 8 weeks in the Top Ten on the Bluegrass Billboard Chart. The tour will begin in their hometown of Detroit, MI on January 26th at Saint Andrew’s Hall and concludes with the Rock Legends Cruise, which sets sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on February 14th.

GASHI RELEASES “NO FACE NO CASE” FT. GIGGS VIDEO

Jimmie Allen Makes History Again with Breakout Hit “Best Shot”

Less than one month after breakout singer/songwriter Jimmie Allen made history as the first black artist to launch their career with a No. 1 at Country radio, the hot newcomer sets even more records with the return of his debut single, “Best Shot,” to No. 1 on the Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

Mikky Ekko’s “FAME” music video premieres at KCRW

The official music video for Mikky Ekko’s new song “FAME” is premiering today at KCRW. Of Ekko and his acclaimed new album, FAME, KCRW declares, “Mikky is one of the warmest, genuine songwriters…The album showcases that, as his warmth comes across in his songwriting and storytelling.”

Video Premiere: Mikky Ekko – “FAME”

Motown Playlist Inspired by Mrs. Obama’s Memoir Becoming, Released Today

Today, Michelle Obama paid her first visit to Hitsville U.S.A., home to the Motown Museum. Located in Detroit at the site of Motown Records’ first headquarters/recording studio, the museum’s mission is to preserve the legendary label’s legacy and to educate and motivate people, especially youth. Mrs. Obama attended a roundtable discussion with young men of color from Wayne State University, moderated by actor, comedian and Detroit native, Keegan Michael Key. Mrs. Obama was also joined by her brother, Craig Robinson, and Motown President Ethiopia Habtemariam. The event, sponsored by Motown, was organized by Mrs. Obama’s Reach Higher initiative, which is hosting similar community events in each of the cities on her 2018 book tour.

OTF Signee King Von Dramatizes a “Crazy Story” in a Charismatic Video

With a steely intensity and a soft-spoken charisma, King Von’s lyrical realism caught the ear of Lil Durk. Flexing his expert storytelling ability, Von recounts a tale of a robbery gone wrong in “Crazy Story,” his latest single. Von mimics a conversational patter, packing his story with intimate detail, but also building in digressions and brags: “I’m just laughin/Coulda been a pimp, the way I move my lip/I be speedin’/Coulda been a driver, the way I push the whip.” In the video, Von enthusiastically relates the story to his boys, intercut with dramatized clips of the gripping story. “Crazy Story” is an excellent introduction to King Von, showing all the skills that convinced Lil Durk to sign Von to his Only The Family label.

GRAMMY Award-Winning The Okee Dokee Brothers Release “Winterland”

The Okee Dokee Brothers have curated a special winter-themed Spotify playlist featuring songs from Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Norah Jones, Bon Iver, Regina Spektor, and a couple of songs from Winterland.

Frankie Smallz ‘Make A Wish’

Hailing from Moody, Alabama by way of Louisiana, Frankie Smallz is an independent hip-hop artist whose new single, “Make A Wish”, explores obtaining the realization of hopes and dreams while learning to deal with the trappings of success.

Amy Jay – “Grief” Official Video

New York, NY singer-songwriter Amy Jay releases an official music video for “Grief” – the first single from her sophomore EP So It Is – on December 14th. Directed by Casey Sincic, the video is a reflection on leaving your old life behind and the feelings you get letting go of the past. Shot on the streets of New York, the video moves through the narrative of a young women embarking on a new adventure and moving to a new place. Along the way the story builds to the cathartic release of her throwing away and casting off the burdens of life that she’s been carrying with her along the way.

Matt LeGrand “White Christmas”

Matt LeGrand brings his sultry vocals to the classic Christmas favorite, “White Christmas.” Wrapped in a subtle R&B vibe, the holiday single packed with doo-wop sensibilities and pop flavor, effortlessly ear-worming its way into your mind. This track will have you grooving right into the holiday spirit with an immersive blend of hooky melodies and LeGrand’s classic soulful stylings. Check out Matt LeGrand’s “White Christmas.”

Yalee “Hollyhood” New Single!

DJ SNAKE RELEASES ANIMATED VERSION OF “TAKI TAKI” VIDEO

DJ Snake has shared an 8-bit animated version of the video for his global hit single “Taki Taki” featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna, and Cardi B. Released in September, “Taki Taki” has amassed over 1.5 billion total combined streams to date.

Cap Carter – ‘Thrill’ Single & Video

Having gone through an emotional year with the breakup of his band, the loss of a friend and a personal bout with his mental health, Cap Carter bounces back with a return to his singer-songwriter origins bringing along with him a fusion of R&B and indie-rock in his transcendent single Thrill.

The Raven Age announce new album, headline tour & single ‘Fleur De Lis’

British metal five piece The Raven Age continue their unstoppable rise as torch-bearers for the next generation of UK metal. Their brooding style of monstrous guitar riffs and pummelling rhythms are entwined with powerful melodies and moments of quiet subtlety, adding a touch of epic finesse to their sound which has seen them deservedly play alongside the genre’s giants such as Killswitch Engage, Mastodon, Tremonti, Anthrax, Iron Maiden, Ghost and many more.