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Charlie Gradon Offers Nostalgic New Single ‘Blurry Ones’
Sydney melancholic strummer Charlie Gradon takes a more upbeat approach on new single ‘Blurry Ones’ from his forthcoming sophomore EP.
‘Blurry Ones’ was written when Gradon bought his wife a vintage camera which took, as Gradon describes, “basically useless blurry photographs”. Born in his bedroom studio, the track sounds just like the blurry images Gradon sings of – nostalgic and reflective indie-rock.
Paul Grabowsky and Paul Kelly share a love of the classic collaborations between Frank Sinatra and Nelson Riddle (particularly In the Wee Small Hours), and Tony Bennett & Bill Evans (with whoseplaying Grabowsky’s has been favorably compared).
“All of the songs were already part of Paul’s extensive catalogue,” says Grabowsky of the project. “I transcribed them, and adapted them for the piano/voice combination. In addition, I threw in a ballad by Cole Porter called ‘Every Time We Say Goodbye,’ which Paul delivers in an understated, sensitive way. The performances are intimate, and shine a light on lyrical moments from the Kelly oeuvre. Paul is a generous collaborator, always listening closely to what I am doing, and giving me the freedom to bring my own interpretation to the songs. I think people will hear, and hopefully enjoy, the deep communication that we are bringing to the performances.”
Regard and RAYE unveil slick official video for smash single ‘Secrets’
Created in lockdown, the official video for ‘Secrets’ has drawn comparisons to neo-noir cult classic Drive, with a mysterious masked crusader skilfully navigating the late-night city streets by motorbike. It later shows the driver weaving through traffic in pursuit of a retro car that’s trying to make its getaway. The video is also a sequel to that of previous single ‘Ride It’, taking the audience further into this dark, moonlit world. We see Regard as the driver weaving through traffic in pursuit of the car seen in the ‘Ride It’ video trying to make its getaway.
Jerome Price remixes Adam Rom single ‘You & Me’
After dropping his first single of 2020 in February, Adam Rom keeps the momentum up with ‘You & Me’ featuring the silky vocals of emerging talent àB. The track is Adam’s most R&B leaning song yet and offers a fresh change in direction for the new decade.
Wugo | New single “Coachella” is out now!
With this new single, Wugo takes us into summer vibes thaht we’ve all dreamed of.
Rhythmed by sounds reminiscent of Daft Punk’s textural games, Phoenix’s flights of fancy and Julien Granel’s playful pop, “Coachella” is the anthem of a summer we’ve all been waiting for.
Contrary to the name it takes from the famous American festival, “Coachella” is an ode to simple pleasure and an invitation to relativism after this unprecedented situation.
Tate McRae – “vicious” Featuring Lil Mosey
Rising Star Tate McRae releases her brand new single “vicious” ft. Lil Mosey today via Ministry of Sound (listen & watch here). The pop driven track was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Mark Nilan.
NEW SONG ALERT! Bloody Heels “Farewell To Yesterday”
Ready for some more Bloody Heels? Enjoy their new single and 360° video, ‘Farewell To Yesterday’! As we keep shouting from the rooftops, if you love ’80s hard rock and metal like Slave To The Grind-era Skid Row, Mötley at their heaviest, L.A. Guns and newer era bands like Crazy Lixx, Crashdïet, Reckless Love, and the like, then this band is for you!
2020’s Most Patriotic States in America – WalletHub Study
With Fourth of July celebrations likely to be more subdued than usual this year due to COVID-19, and people protesting police brutality all across the U.S., the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s Most Patriotic States in America, as well as accompanying videos.
To determine where Americans have the most red, white and blue pride, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 13 key indicators of patriotism. Our data set ranges from the state’s military enlistees and veterans to the share of adults who voted in the 2016 presidential election to AmeriCorps volunteers per capita. Below are some additional highlights from the report.
South London Rapper Vinch Shares His Powerful Freestyle ‘Black’
After heavy protest in London few weeks back, Vinch returned home with mixed feelings and began laying down his thoughts. In one take he finished the song and, with the help of his friend, produced a video with powerful images of the recent London protests. It wasn’t long after being posted on IGTV, that Vinch’s message touched and resonated with thousands. Today you can listen to ‘Black’ on all streaming platforms released via Water Sound Recordings.
SOUR FACE REVEAL DEBUT SELF TITLED EP
Mixed by Anthony Kilhoffer (Yeezus, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy etc), this debut by Sour Face marks the introduction of an exciting new duo on the scene . Tackling subject matters about addiction in their music seldom touched upon, Sour Face are a surefire one to watch.
LOLA YOUNGRELEASES BRAND NEW VIDEO FOR TRACK ‘SAME BED’
‘Same Bed’ transports listeners back to the 90s with an R&B slow jam that is mellow, deep and smooth as silk. Lola uncovers her candid thoughts of love and lust with a brand new visual that was shot at her home during lockdown and directed by Tash Tung (Meduza, Gazelle Twin). The cinematic video focuses around the bed in her apartment and quickly transitions between sultry set ups that mirror Lola’s introspective thoughts:
TWENTY ØNE PILØTS RELEASE FIRST-EVER, NEVER-ENDING MUSIC VIDEO FOR “LEVEL OF CONCERN”
Twenty One Pilots have released the first-ever, never-ending music video with the help of their fans. Livestreaming now on YouTube, the groundbreaking video for Twenty One Pilots’ hit “Level of Concern” pulls in fan created content, in real time, live on YouTube. Powered by Imposium, every three minutes and forty seconds a new music video is created and streamed live to YouTube, containing brand new content from fans. Conceived by the band with award-winning storyteller and director Jason Zada, the concept behind the innovative digital campaign was to find a unique way to connect with fans during the pandemic, and give them an opportunity to share meaningful moments from their lives via the continuous video stream.
The Lazy Eyes release debut EP; Listen to “The Seaside”
With their first two singles, “Cheesy Love Song,” a dreamy, patiently unspooling piece of psychedelia, and “Tangerine,” a kaleidoscopic pop blur climaxing in a searing guitar solo, the young band showed off divergent sides to their sound. Today with the last song to complete the set, “The Seaside,” they take the adroit musicality of their previous singles and stretch them out to a sprawling, luxuriant, seven-minute journey. Replete with constantly shifting instrumentation, slippery guitar tones, and the dream-logic structure of Brian Wilson’s most adventurous excursions.
Music Legend David Essex Releases New CD “Unplayed Hits”
Legendary singer, songwriter, and actor David Essex is releasing a new album of songs rarely played live or played on the radio titled “Unplayed Hits.” The album is available exclusively from his web shop. There are 100 signed copies available as well.
Since the 1970s, David Essex has attained 19 Top 40 singles in the UK (including two number ones) and 16 Top 40 albums. Internationally, Essex had the most success with his 1973 single “Rock On.” It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in March 1974. It was nominated for a Grammy and reached No. 1 in Cashbox and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. He has also had an extensive career as an actor.
Joshua Van Tassel releases new single, “Eternal Turtle”
Joshua Van Tassel shares “Eternal Turtle,” the second single from forthcoming LP, Dance Music Volume II: More Songs For Slow Motion. An “ominous, yet still inviting” (Independent Clauses) proposition, “Eternal Turtle” meets at the intersections of “lush yet dark” and “ambient yet classical.”
UMI’s Introspection EP out now via Keep Cool/RCA, with short film by UMI and Jocelyn Woods
“Introspection is a reflection of my journey inward. I’ve never been more honest in my expression of self, and I hope that it serves as a reminder that our highest healing and growth comes from within,” UMI says. “The film is an extension of the music, creating a world for viewers to live in. The story is an apt visual metaphor for how interconnected life and our individual experiences really are. Unpacking themes of self-discovery, love, heartbreak, and family dynamics, Joce and I hope that people can find themselves in the film—that it can serve as a mirror inward.”
KOSOVAN DJ REGARD REACHES #1 AT DANCE RADIO WITH “SECRETS” FEAT. RAYE
LAND OF TALK SHARE VIDEO FOR NEW SONG “FOOTNOTES”
All 11 songs on Indistinct Conversations were written by Powell, who also produced and arranged the tracks together with bandmates Mark “Bucky” Wheaton (drums/keys) and Christopher McCarron (bass). The album is a dreamier, more acoustic-driven work than prior Land of Talk releases; it was recorded in Wheaton’s home studio, and has the intimacy of a private document. The songs were created as a therapeutic space where Powell could retreat from the world.
Bill Frisell Announces New Album ‘Valentine’ out 8/14 on Blue Note Records
Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell has announced his newest project Valentine — the debut recording of his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston — which will be released August 14 on Blue Note Records. Frisell has also released the album’s closing track “We Shall Overcome,” the Civil Rights anthem that he holds dear as a message of hope in all dark times. “I’ve been playing the song for years, and I’m going to keep playing it till there is no need anymore,” says Frisell. “I can’t help but hope that day will come.”
“A GHOST FOR HELEN”, FIRST SINGLE AND VIDEO OF VAMPIRES OF ROME
A Ghost For Helen is a kind of Heavy Goth song with an Electro-Industrial flavor inspired by the sound of The Sisters Of Mercy, Fields Of The Nephilim and Suspiria but played with the modern approach of bands like Rammstein, Lord Of The Lost and Lindemann.
Tiger Army Releases “Last Ride” Music Video
“I wrote this song on an all-day drive to buy a vintage guitar – it started with the rhythm of the road, so it seemed natural to involve cars in the visual representation. Hot rodding and Kustom cars started in Southern California and like our music, are a lifestyle – there’s a lot of crossover between the two. ‘Last Ride’ was also written at night, the directors referenced film noir techniques to achieve the video’s feel.”
Alabama Shakes guitarist Heath Fogg returns with Sun on Shade June 26
Fogg produced Sun on Shade and wrote the album’s nine tracks. He was joined by Alabama Shakes bandmates Ben Tanner (keyboards), Zac Cockrell (bass) and Steve Johnson (drums), plus a few local friends. They recorded the album at the Muscle Shoals studio of Tanner, who engineered. In addition to Buchanan, vocalists include Sam Doores (Deslondes, Hurray for the Riff Raff) and Shonna Tucker (Drive-By Truckers).
E^ST RELEASES POP ANTHEM “I WANNA BE HERE”
As the final reveal before her debut album, I’M DOING IT, E^ST has released a mighty pop anthem, “I WANNA BE HERE”, produced by Jim Eliot (Halsey, Ellie Goulding, Kylie Minogue).
“I wrote this song at a really difficult time in my life, and it’s almost like I wrote the song that I needed to hear,” said E^ST. “This song is about realizing that just because life feels impossible, that doesn’t mean that it is impossible… And that as long as you’re trying something, there’s always hope.”
Ken Francis Wenzel (Americana, root-rock singer-songwriter) releases new single, “Healing Heart,”
Wenzel says, “I wrote this song on a Sunday night in late April, deep in the middle of quarantine. At that time, we had yet to hear any whispers of re-opening the country, and we were all left with our own thoughts on how to get through it.” The initial idea came to him as he woke up, and he had it finished by day’s end. “COVID-19 was already political by then, and I wanted to describe common themes that we all, as people, were dealing with: isolation, uncertainty, fear, worries about getting sick, getting our loved ones sick, wanting to ‘do something’ but not knowing what, financial pressure, depression, all of it,” he says. “At that time, there was no light at the end of the tunnel, and I wanted to try to shine a light somewhere.”
