@skopemag news for december 30, 2018 @ 11 am est

Elaquent Signs Multi-Album Deal w/ Mello Music | + Free Single

Mello Music Group is proud to announce the signing of Canadian producer Elaquent to a new multi-album deal. We’ve been keeping it under wraps for a minute but can finally share it with the world. As for the signing, Elaquent says, “Really happy to be part of the team, so with that, a new beginning. Wanted to try a different, slower vibe with this one. Enjoy! Stay tuned!” Elaquent’s debut Mello Music Group album is expected in the first half of 2019, but to celebrate the new signing, we’ve got a new song titled “Vices” for everyone to enjoy.

Malani Bilyeu, founding member of legendary Hawaiian band Kalapana dead at age 69

Manifesto Records is very saddened by the tragic news of the death of Kalapana’s lead singer and original member Malani Bilyeu, who died yesterday at age 69.

Bilyeu was a founding member of Kalapana, formed in Hawaii in 1973. Along with co-founding members D.J. Pratt, Mackey Feary and Kirk Thompson, Kalapana went on to become one of the most popular bands in the history of the Hawaiian Islands.

In 2017, after 40 years, the original members of Kalapana were awarded all of the rights to their original recordings, and were finally seeing income on those recordings for the first time ever.

Malani Bilyeu, founding member of Kalapana and Hoku Award-winning solo artist, dies

BLOODY TIMES Release ‘Fort Sumter’ Lyric Video

German heavy metal band, BLOODY TIMES, have released a new lyric video for ‘Fort Sumter’, the song is taken of their new album ‘On A Mission’ due out on January 11, 2019, which also features ROSS THE BOSS (ex-MANOWAR), JOHN GREELY (ex-ICED EARTH) and RAPHAEL SAINI (EX-ICED EARTH).

Jay Thackery Explores Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Suicide

In a music scene that seems dominated by brooding men with guitars, it is difficult to find artists who employ both these elements while remaining original. Jay Thackery, a young music artist hailing from Preston, Lancashire, manages to do just that with the release of his EP ‘Rehab Diaries’.

Although ‘Rehab Diaries’ is his debut album under the name ‘Jay Thackery’, he has been on the music scene for several years now. He fronted a metalcore band in his youth, and played support gigs for well-known acts including Skindred, Flyleaf and Me vs Hero. He moved away from the metal sound in his late teens, and his outfit ‘Rumboy’ released several tracks with a more singer-songwriter feel, fusing together Savage Garden-esque vocals with Ed Sheeran style guitar.

Bon Iver Meets Ben Howard In Josh Howlett’s Reflective Single ‘Dover’

Joshua Howlett was born in Manchester but has chosen an unlikely location to act as the muse to his music – Switzerland. British indie-folk artist, Joshua, is now based in a chalet near Montreux, where he moved to as a child. Growing up experiencing British and Swiss culture, he ended up somewhere between the two, taking the music from his homeland and marrying it with the tranquil, breath-taking vistas of his new home. After learning to play the guitar, he developed a unique style and identity that he has been shaped and refined throughout his young career. As a result of living surrounded by mountains and forests, Joshua’s music is a melodic mix of folk and indie, influenced by current folk artists such as Ben Howard and Bon Iver, with soulful lyrics about real experiences, hopes, thoughts, anxiety and love.

Music Submission: Scotty Seed

“Pig” is a grunge rock track inspired by Nirvana’s “Negative Creep” about modern-day dating and hook up apps. “Pig” is an ode to Grindr culture since it’s a common theme throughout the app is Pig emojis and faces. Regardless if you use an app, it still is relatable to all races and genders, cause we all can feel slutty at times.