@skopemag news for June 10, 2019 @ 9:05 am est

Ritt Momney, your new favorite lo-fi indie artist shares new track, “On Love”

Ritt Momney (yes, you read that right) is the Salt Lake City lo-fi indie-pop brainchild of 19-year-old Jack Rutter. Today, he releases his brand new lead single, “On Love (An Alternative Response To Almitra’s Request).” The title is a nod to Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet,” a book consisting of 26 prose poetry fables. Rutter traces a lot of parallels between this book in his upcoming debut album, Her and All of My Friends, out July 19th.

“I wrote ‘On Love’ like a year and a half ago, when I was still pretty broken up about my ex. It’s really just a review of everything I learned about love as I was going through that.” – Jack Rutter

Lonas Releases Debut EP, Youth

Louis Johnson, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, has released Youth, his debut solo EP under the moniker Lonas. Out today, via Tone Tree Music, Youth marks Johnson’s first solo endeavor, a departure from his previous work with his duo, The Saint Johns. Reflecting on his self-produced EP, Johnson says, “Youth is an attempt to immortalize millennials’ nostalgia for the past and unprecedented anxiety about the future.”

Ida Mae Releases Debut Album “Chasing Lights”

Husband and wife duo Ida Mae (Chris Turpin and Stephanie Jean), have released their debut record Chasing Lights. Produced by Ethan Johns and released via Thirty Tigers, Chasing Lights has earned significant acclaim from publications including Rolling Stone Country who dubbed Ida Mae one of “10 New Country and Americana Artists You Need to Know”, and Billboard who calls the record “…the culmination of Turpin and Jeans’ journey from the alt-rock band Kill It Kid into the country blues of Robert Johnson, Son House, Charley Patton, and others, a musical path that’s proven fruitful in a very short time.” NPR’s “All Songs Considered” also featured the new record, noting that “…there’s a fiery element to what they do.”

The Way Down Wanderers

CARLIE HANSON’S DEBUT EP, JUNK AVAILABLE NOW!

Junk, the debut EP from tastemaker-approved, alt-pop maverick Carlie Hanson, was released today via Warner Records. Spinning wise-beyond-her-years stories of lost love through a cigarette-burned croon, the 19-year-old turns suburban discord into confessional pop on songs like “Back In My Arms.” The song is Carlie’s second and most recent track to appear on Taylor Swift’s playlist on Apple Music. Earning more than 6.2 million cumulative streams since its release in late April, “Back In My Arms” recently topped Spotify’s Out Now playlist, with a second track from the EP, “WYA,” coming in at #8. “WYA” has appeared on 28 New Music Friday playlists worldwide on Spotify.

Billy Raffoul Releases New Song “Easy Tiger” Today

Singer/songwriter Billy Raffoul releases a new song today. “Easy Tiger” follows the release of Raffoul’s Running Wild EP which came out on Interscope Records at the end of April as the singer began a tour supporting Parachute. “Easy Tiger” is available now at all digital retailers.

PHARRELL WILLIAMS RELEASES ORIGINAL SONG FROM NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY THE BLACK GODFATHER

Netflix and Epic Records announce the release of “Letter To My Godfather” written by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, as featured in the Netflix Original Documentary The Black Godfather. The feature film releases today globally on Netflix and in select theaters. The song releases today at digital retail, get it HERE.

The Black Godfather charts the exceptional and unlikely rise of Clarence Avant, a music executive whose trailblazing behind-the-scenes accomplishments impacted the legacies of icons such as Bill Withers, Quincy Jones, Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron, and Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Nicole Avant, a producer of the film and daughter of Clarence Avant, showed the film to Williams, who was instantly inspired by Mr. Avant’s pursuit of excellence for others. Williams began writing “Letter To My Godfather” the same evening.

Powerhouse Anna Rose Reveals Fiery & Powerful New Track, The Chariot, Billboard Premiere

Ahead of her highly anticipated full-length album due later this year and appearance at Nashville’s CMA Fest this week, fast-rising singer and musician, Anna Rose, has released a potent new song featuring her unique style of hard-hitting, soulful Americana. Produced by Paul Moak, the deeply honest and soulful track, “The Chariot,” is available everywhere now.

“‘The Chariot’ is a really special song for me,” says Rose. “I wrote it with Elizabeth Elkins in Nashville just a few days after one of our musical heroes passed on. Writing through the grief was an incredibly cathartic way to honor this person who had given us both so much inspiration.”

Bad Books Share Video For New Single “UFO,” New LP ‘III’ Out 6/14/19 (Loma Vista Recordings), Summer Tour Begins 6/19

Bad Books today released the music video for “UFO,” the latest single from their forthcoming new album, III, set for digital release next Friday, June 14th (out physically June 21st) via Loma Vista Recordings. Directed by Jeremy Hartman and Andi Lipo (whose recent credits include Rhye’s “Please”), the video was filmed at the volcanic Pisgah Crater in the Mojave Desert and premiered via a feature at The FADER, where Bad Books — Andy Hull, Robert McDowell (both of Manchester Orchestra), and Kevin Devine — discuss the creative process of making their anticipated first new album in seven years. Hartman explains, “We wanted to find a location that emotionally connected with the lyrics ‘what an empty gorgeous place.’ We found Pisgah Crater with some Google satellite help.

Ciaran Lavery releases new single, “Selene,” via a premiere on Earmilk

Award-winning troubadour, Ciaran Lavery, has released the new single, “Selene,” in anticipation of his next full-length release, due out later this year. “Selene” is the second half of a Double A-side release, following “Full Love,” which was released in May.

Oakland’s Guapdad 4000 Gets Freaky In His Range Rover in “Flossin”

With a con artist’s charm and a hustler’s work ethic, Oakland’s Guapdad 4000 is one of the most ambitious emcees in the Bay Area. Having a romantic night on the town with not one, but two beautiful ladies, Guapdad spits game on “Flossin,” his latest single. Switching between cooed melody and soft-spoken rhymes, Guapdad turns his indomitable charm towards the opposite sex, piling up an endless array of boasts and come-ons: “Played you like VHS, make a movie then rewind/I think I might drop you, so can we do it one more time/I got mountains of game, but you not ready for the climb.” In the video, Guapdad’s love is too big for just one woman, as he enjoys a date night packed with Range Rover rides, Mario Kart games, and…other less wholesome activities. “Flossin” is Guapdad’s first new single since “California,” his single with Yung Pinch & Chinese producer Harikiri.

FINISH METALLERS BLOODRED HOURGLASS SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM “GODSEND” JUNE 28TH VIA OUT OF LINE MUSIC

Finnish metallers Bloodred Hourglass are set to release their brand new album, GODSEND. The album will be available worldwide June 28th via Out Of Line Music. With three studio albums already under their belt, GODSEND showcases the quintet’s exemplary musical chops and melodic ability, establishing them as one of the finest groups working in the modern death metal genre today. To experience Bloodred Hourglass, check out the first video from the new album, “Waves Of Black”.

Jose Feliciano Releases New Single “En Mi Viejo San Juan”

Today, international superstar José Feliciano releases “En Mi Viejo San Juan” – considered by many Puerto Ricans to be the country’s second national anthem — via Anthem Records, his new label home through Anthem Entertainment. The new single is the first hint of more new music on the horizon from the beloved icon in the coming months.

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE RELEASE NEW ALBUM “DISGUISE”

Roadrunner Records’ group Motionless In White have released their widely anticipated new album, DISGUISE. Available today at all DSPs and www.motionlessinwhite.net, DISGUISE is highlighted by “Brand New Numb,” “Undead Ahead 2: The Tale Of The Midnight Ride,” and “Disguise” which features a haunting official video directed by Jeremy Danger and Travis Shinn. Recorded with producer WZRD BLD in Los Angeles, CA, DISGUISE follows Motionless In White’s chart-topping Roadrunner Records debut album, GRAVEYARD SHIFT.

Dark Pop Artist Viana Releases Debut Single “Wine & Roses,” Out NOW

Wine & Roses is a song about losing yourself in what used to be. We get hung up on our past, and often times we let it put a negative hold on our future. As we live more and more, we learn more and more, and it shapes us into the person we are meant to be. Even the adverse times in our lives make us who we are in the long run. The song ends with saying “Keep the magic close, if it’s all you know. The wine will always flow.” Meaning keep your passions close to your heart and keep moving, and you’ll get where you need to be. All of the lessons you learn along the way will bring you there. The chorus proclaims, ” I’m stuck with visions of you” meaning that what happened in our past becomes a part of us…we don’t ever forget, but we can move onto better times while carrying the lessons we’ve learned.

Sophia Messa Releases Follow Up Single “offyourface” Out TODAY!

Today, downtown New York native and swiftly rising pop artist Sophia Messa releases her sophomore single, “offyourface.” Billboard lauded the single for being an “easy-breezy tune that seems to roll right off the tongue” and for Sophia’s “rich voice.” Co-written by Amy Allen, (Halsey’s “Without Me”, Selena Gomez “Back To You”) “offyourface” is the latest incarnation of Sophia’s subtly dark, left-of-center pop sound, highlighted by flawless vocals, honest songwriting and irresistibly enjoyable hooks.

Eliot Lipp + Blockhead announce collaborative project “Lipphead”

Lipphead is the new collaborative release from New York producers Blockhead and Eliot Lipp. While the two have toured together in the past, Lipphead marks the debut of their collaborative recordings. Releasing June 21st, 2019 digitally and on 7″ vinyl, the self-titled EP includes two new songs “Slippery Fingers” and “Just To Prove.” Both songs hit the sweet spot between Blockhead’s groovy, sample based hip-hop and Eliot Lipp’s upbeat electronic funk. “Slippery Fingers” premiered exclusively via This Song Is Sick.

PREMIERE | Eliot Lipp & Blockhead Team Up As Lipphead On “Slippery Fingers”

K.Flay Releases New Single “Sister.” Forthcoming Album ‘SOLUTIONS’ Out July 12

The Illinois born-and-raised artist speaks on what her interpretation of sisterhood is and her inspiration behind the song: “Being a sister isn’t about gender or DNA. It’s about unselfconscious love. About saying I’M HERE, I LOVE YOU, IT’S OK TO BE YOURSELF, and hearing those words echoed back. Not because you asked for them, but because they’re true. Girls are sisters and boys are sisters. Dads are sisters to their sons. Mothers sisters to their mothers too.” Dedicating the song to her own step-brother and sister, she continues, “I’ve come to understand that family is created. Family is a verb. It’s something you build day by day, sometimes in the hot sun and sometimes when everything is going wrong.”

GYGAX Unveils Title Track To High Fantasy LP As Album Approaches Release Through Creator-Destructor Records

GYGAX delivers their third, and most triumphant album to date with High Fantasy, which arrives barely more than a year after their acclaimed Second Edition album. On High Fantasy, the band’s fantastic storylines come blazing to life in the nine brand new tracks, which surge with powerful riffs, incredible harmonization, and unavoidable hooks, from the first note to the last.

GONE WEST, FEAT COLBIE CAILLAT, RELEASE DEBUT COUNTRY SINGLE “WHAT COULD’VE BEEN” TODAY

Suddenly a creative incubator for four friends turned into GONE WEST, a fresh harmony, breezy melody group whose myriad influences landed somewhere between Laurel Canyon, Texas roadhouses, Appalachia’s harmony and the plains of the Midwest. In a short time, they were invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry and signed to Triple Tigers. For Caillat, who’d already collaborated with Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley, as well as CMA Song of the Year winner Liz Rose, it felt like a homecoming.

Grammy-Winning Saxophonist David Sánchez Releases New Album “Carib” via Ropeadope/Stretch Music

Today, Grammy-Winning Saxophonist David Sánchez released his new album Carib via Ropeadope / Stretch Music. Sánchez is celebrating the album’s release this weekend with performances at Jazz Standard in New York on June 7th, 8th & 9th.

Silversun Pickups Release 5th Studio Album, “Widow’s Weeds”

Bursting out of the Silverlake, CA music scene in the early 2000s, Silversun Pickups– lead singer Brian Aubert, bassist Nikki Monninger, drummer Christopher Guanlao and keyboardist Joe Lester– have maintained their independence throughout their storied career. They released their first three albums on the local label, Dangerbird Records, before founding their own label, New Machine Recordings, for the release of their most recent album, Better Nature. Now almost two decades into their career, they remain a vital and important rock band and have racked up ten Top 20 hits on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart, as well as over a million records sold in the US.

Silversun Pickups break down their new album, Widow’s Weeds, Track by Track: Stream

Victoria B.C. Indie-pop Group Bridal Party Premieres “Too Much” via Vents

Victoria, BC art-pop quintet Bridal Party have always had the goal of making pop music they like. Now with the approaching release of debut full-length Too Much (due August 23rd on Kingfisher Bluez) the band find themselves at a critical moment: as songwriters and collaborators presenting their personal vision.

PREMIERE: Bridal Party Release New Single “Too Much”