@skopemag news – thursday – may 21, 2020 @ 1 pm est

@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope

ZIKAI SHARES VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE ‘CHAMPAGNE FOR BREAKFAST’ -WATCH HERE

With performances at Sweden’s Grammy and Oscar ceremonies to her name, Zikai is poised to take her domestic attention to an international stage. The 22-year-old has a flair for timeless songwriting matched by a voice rich with personality, poise and prowess. Her style is resolutely hers, but it echoes some of her key influences: Snoh Aalegra’s cinematic soul, Brandy’sthrowback R&B, Mabel’s crossover appeal and Dua Lipa’s postmodern disco.

Iron Wings (Lv) “Dzejnieks”

Latvian heavy/thrash metal band “Iron Wings” presents the album in their native language – “Dzejnieks” (“The Poet”).

Album is created as a concept album, album consists of 10 compositions, bringing to the forefront a story that brings the poet into the deeper depths of the mind as an image. An artist, an enjoyer of life, a fighter or a world citizen? With every question of existential and world problems, each song takes the listener to where he wants him to be free. The poet also represents a struggle with himself, whose thoughts and contradictions in the changing world. Not quiet and restrained until heroically insane, searching and at the same time losing himself to find his way.

London Alt-R&B singer Rasharn Powell releases new single Smithereens

London Alt-R&B artist Rasharn Powell is set to release his new single ‘Smithereens’ on 21st May. Following his recent single ‘Joyride’, ‘Smithereens’ is in collaboration with AB001, the artist moniker for producer Alessandro Buccellati, who has produced for the likes of Mike Sabbath, Kyle Lux, Tender, and Cailin Russo.

BEYOND SHADOWS Featuring Former MIDIAN members “Wolf’s Blood” EP Out Now

“This EP has been a long time coming. Daniel and I have lived a lot since our days in Midian, and we realized we needed music back in our lives”, said Chris Hawkins, drummer, Beyond Shadows. “As they say ‘timing is everything,’ and this time the timing was perfect. We wanted to deliver a sound that combined contemporary death metal style, punctuated with melody and harmony, including references to old school metal. I think we achieved that as we bring listeners along our storied journey.”

TODRICK HALL SHARES LYRIC VIDEO FOR NEW TRACK ‘MASK, GLOVES, SOAP, SCRUBS’

Many people have embraced new projects during lockdown, but the multi-talented Todrick Hall has taken it to the next level. On April 20th, he decided to write and record a project to lift the spirits of his legions of fans (3.5 million followers at YouTube, 1.6 million monthly listeners at Spotify). A little over a week later, that project was a reality when he released the ‘Quarantine Queen’ EP.

DARK SARAH releases second single, “All Ears!“, from upcoming album “Grim”

DARK SARAH continue the storyline of Orbs, Mörk and mystical, rabbit-headed people with their second single, “All Ears!”, of off their upcoming album, Grim, to be released on July 17, 2020 via Napalm Records.

The marching rhythm of the horror-esque intro rises to an all-encompassing theme that coalesces with Heidi’s blandishing vocals and the frightening story of Grim. The official music video (directed by Markus Nieminen) and the energetic soundscapes draw its listener deeper into DARK SARAH’s magical horror fantasy world, while the story behind “All Ears!” is perfectly visualized: The protagonist Luna casts a compelling spell over the citizens of Grim. As mighty as no one could have imagined, she rises, forming an army marching against their conjoint enemy – Mörk.

Califone Release Amazon Original Cover of Elliott Smith’s “Needle In The Hay”

Today, Califone released an Amazon Original Cover of Elliott Smith’s “Needle In The Hay,” which is available to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music. Out today on Amazon Music’s The Setlist playlist, the song finds the iconic experimental indie rock band tackling one of Smith’s most famed tracks.

BLACK RAINBOWS: get fuzzed up with new LP streaming in full!

Roma’s legendary stoner rock trio BLACK RAINBOWS share their eight studio album ‘Cosmic Ritual Supertrip’ in its entirety exclusively via New Noise Magazine, before its release this May 22nd on Heavy Psych Sounds.

Album Premiere: Black Rainbows “Cosmic Ritual Supertrip”

KAIROS 4TET unveil in-studio visual for poignant new single ‘The Body Keeps the Score’

Adam Waldmann, saxophonist, composer and Kairos4tet frontman releases his first piece of music in seven years, a deeply moving ode to his grandmother who would have celebrated her 100th birthday this month.

A “beacon of love and optimism”, her motto was “tomorrow may be a better day”. Scheduled for release later in the year, Waldmann decided to share the song, and his grandmother’s incredible story, today, saying “in these uncertain times, now feels the right time”.

Watch a beautifully lush new video for TENGGER’s “Water” off their upcoming album, Nomad, that’s out June 12th on Beyond Beyond is Beyond.

“Water” is off their upcoming album, Nomad, that’s out June 12th on Beyond Beyond is Beyond. It premiered on recently on Treble alongside an in-depth interview with Itta where they said the album is “as much an exploratory piece of progressive electronic music as it is a soothing and spiritual balm for restoration.”

Canadian band Dizzy debuts LA Priest Remix of “The Magician” today

“The Magician” appears on the band’s forthcoming record, The Sun and Her Scorch, which is set for release on July 31 via Royal Mountain Records. The new music has begun to receive early early praise—Stereogum proclaimed, “Rather, putting a skip in the step of their indie-adjacent balladry, Dizzy have landed on a pleasingly vibrant sound reminiscent of Maggie Rogers and Soccer Mommy,” while The Wild Honey Pie said, “Swathed in amber rays of late afternoon sun, the delightfully nostalgic track conjures flashes of those deliciously restless teenage years. Katie Munshaw’s lulling vocals paired with Alex Spencer’s ethereal guitar parts recall late 90s-era female-fronted indie-pop bands such as Sixpence None the Richer and The Corrs.”

Vandenberg Release New Video For “Skyfall”

Vandenberg has never really been away, but the band that carries his proud name has returned, after an absence that lasted for more than three decades. Vandenberg is very much alive again in a young, fresh and all-revised 2020 version.

REVENGE Streams New Album ‘Strike.Smother.Dehumanize’ in Full!

Extreme black metal titans REVENGE are now streaming their new full-length, ‘Strike.Smother.Dehumanize,’ in its entirety a day ahead of tomorrow’s May 22 release. You can stream the album in full –

DISCLOSURE’S NEW ALBUM, ‘ENERGY,’ SET FOR AUGUST 28 RELEASE ON CAPITOL RECORDS

Today, GRAMMY®-nominated U.K. duo Disclosure announced the August 28 release of their new album, ENERGY, via Capitol Records. Disclosure, comprising brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, also shared the title track and accompanying video. The clip is their first official video in five years.

Wilderun To Release ‘Veil of Imagination’ on 7/17 via Century Media Records

Boston’s Melodic Death Metal band Wilderun (for fans of: Opeth, Sons of Apollo, Mooth Tooth), who recently announced their signing to Century Media Records via Billboard, is gearing up to re-release their album Veil of Imagination on July 17th. Let me know if you would be interested in reviewing or interviewing the band about the release.

Caveman Share “You Got A Feeling” Video Via BrooklynVegan

A centerpiece of the NYC scene, Caveman have returned after a long hiatus, with their first new music since 2016. Their EP “New Sides” was surprise released earlier this month and today, they are releasing a video for “You Got A Feeling”. “This song is kind of about the anxiety of feeling trapped in a situation. Sort of a cabin fever type thing,” says singer Matthew Iwanusa. “I filmed it all in Brooklyn but was able to get my friend to film his cabin where he was. Seemed fitting for how the world is right now.”

RO JAMES RELEASES NEW TRACK “TOO MUCH” FT. MIGUEL

Last week, James released “Plan B” ft. Brandy which was met with great critical praise. Variety explains “the soulful jam is one of [Ro’s] strongest tracks to date” including it in their “Top 5 Songs of the Week” while UpRoxx also included the track in their “Best New R&B Songs From This Week That You Need To Hear.”

DEVILDRIVER to Release New Full-Length Album, Dealing With Demons I, on October 9, 2020

Respected standard bearers for 21st century metal, DEVILDRIVER have spent almost the last two decades pursuing a course of uncompromising artistry and nonsense-free dedication to the road. Led by the prolific Dez Fafara, the Californian crew have earned their reputation as one of the hardest working bands on the planet, while issuing a steady succession of brutal but distinctive albums along the way.

LA-based pop prince Thunder Jackson releases second single “Find Yourself”

Today, LA-based Thunder Jackson releases his new single, “Find Yourself”, released May 20th via Vero Music / ADA. The track release arrives alongside a stunning neon-lit music video, directed by MTV Music Video Award nominated director Dano Cerney.

“Find Yourself” is the long-awaited follow up to Thunder Jackson’s debut single “Guilty Party”. Released in 2017 under a veil of mystery; a frenzy of global press support followed, accumulating millions of streams as a result. Now, Thunder Jackson is ready to tell his story, with the release of “Find Yourself” being an apt first step.

THE HATE CLUB Releases New Single “A Dying Dream”

Heavy Metal / Industrial artist THE HATE CLUB has released his latest single titled “A Dying Dream” via The Label Group/INgrooves.

Grotesque and fearless, satyrical and anxious the amalgamation of his musical prowess crashes a cascade of ramming distortion, raw vocals and signature production style onto listeners heads.

Wayley – Debut Single, ‘What’s It Gonna Take’, Out Now

“Recording this track was like nothing I had experienced before, coming from the world of Americana music. I worked with engineer Tal Vaisman to translate any ideas that producer Andre Kaden Black and I had into incredible parts. We collaborated with session players to lend “What’s It Gonna Take” the authenticity it needed, including live horns. It was fun trying to incorporate pedal steel guitar into a pop song!” – W

Jimmy Webb and Joni Mitchell – Stories from the Songwriting Legend

Legendary and lauded songwriter, singer, pianist, arranger and producer Jimmy Webb has a magnificent catalog of his own songs to draw from whenever he performs. Ranked in the top 50 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time (“recognized today for his unique explorations of themes of loneliness and individuality in the American landscape”), his catalog boasts contemporary classics that are indelible compositions, such as “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “MacArthur Park,” “Up, Up and Away,” “Still Within the Sound of My Voice,” “Galveston,” “Highwayman,” “The Worst That Could Happen,” “Didn’t We” and more. Glen Campbell’s hit recording of his song “Wichita Lineman,” was just inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

Jimmy Webb and Randy Newman – Stories from the Songwriting Legend

DANIELIA COTTON Music Video Premiere: ‘Cheap High” Confronts Wealth’s Addictive and Isolating Power in These Times

The music video for widely acclaimed blues-rocker DANIELIA COTTON’s new stomping anthem, CHEAP HIGH, from next week’s album release, A Different War, premieres today at American Songwriter, noting how “Cotton’s raspy voice is tinged with anger and frustration, but she channels her powerful vocal delivery into a cathartic triumph by the song’s end.”

Video Premiere: Danielia Cotton Has Had Enough Of The “Cheap High”