@skopemag news – thursday – july 16, 2020 @ 1 pm est

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

RAZ & AFLA return with ‘Secrets & Lies’

Dance duo Raz & Afla are back from a short break after having ignited the airwaves in early 2020 with their addictive debut ‘No Touch’. It was picked up as Mary Anne Hobbs’ ‘Near Future Track’ on 6 music, Frankie Francis’ Amazing Radio’s single of the week and gained support from Radio 1 & 1xtra’s Toddla T, Jamz Supernova, Worldwide FM and more.

CARLA J EASTON shares bold new single & video ‘NEVER KNEW YOU’

Today Carla J Easton shares bold new single ‘Never Knew You’. A fiercely, unapologetic earworm that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Taylor Swift album. ‘Never Knew You’ was written following Easton being diagnosed with anxiety and beginning Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a therapeutic practice that aims to change problematic behavioural patterns. “I had a difficult year in 2019 and began CBT after being diagnosed with anxiety, low self-esteem and grief that had been shadowing my life since I was a teenager” explains Easton. “It’s important to recognise the people you surround yourself with and the support they can offer you”. ‘Never Knew You’ acknowledges the pedestal you can place someone on – what you hope they will be – and what happens when they crash down from that height. “But, on a positive note, that’s ok because you realise you now know yourself through the process,” she says.

Problem, Snoop Dogg, Freddie Gibbs – Don’t Be Mad At Me Remix

Multi-talented Grammy-nominated Compton musician Problem returns to his day 1 collaborators Freddie Gibbs and Snoop Dogg to remix his stand-out track “Don’t Be Mad At Me” from his recently released Coffee & Kush Vol 1 album. The remix brings 3 artists together as they put aside their egos to make amends with their queens. Produced by DJ Kai and Miles Rose, the hypnotizing track adds Freddie Gibbs’ raw scorching bars followed by Snoop Dogg’s smooth and seductive flow while Problem charms his way back in. Coffee and Kush Vol 1 is available now via Diamond Lane Music Group/Rostrum Records.

Dizzy & Gengahr team up for ‘Roman Candles’ remix

Dizzy’s frontwoman Katie Munshaw describes ‘The Sun and Her Scorch’ as a “self-heartbreak” record, in which she explores the qualities in herself that she is not so proud of and the flaws nobody wants to admit to. ‘Roman Candles’ sees her tackle the helpless jealousy that stems from watching friends grow and drift away, ultimately circling back to some of the core themes of Dizzy’s music; the restlessness of suburban living and feeling lost in your youth. While the original track sees Dizzy lean into their pop sensibilities and deliver a soaring, emotive ballad, the Gengahr rework breathes an energetic indie pop energy into the track, reminiscent of Hot Chip or Foals.

XXXTentacion’s Schoolmate, Lil T.O, Looks to Pick up the Musical Reins

Floridian artist Lil T.O is an artist it’s easy to become obsessed with but difficult to define. As likely to tap into the sounds of The Beatles, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry as he is his old schoolmate, XXXTentacion, his sound crosses from West Coast to East and back to the South and his base in Pompano Beach. His latest track is Beautiful – literally.

London’s SC.Undercover. Entitled “Morals” – UK Garage Pop Anthem // Mental Health Awareness

“Morals” tells the story of a character scarred by the darkness of his past, admitting his faults and showing his regret for the decisions made in his life, whilst seeking closure in a new world. Hoping to help others overcome their own struggles with mental health, SCU wants to share his experiences, shining light on a subject very close to his heart.

Semisonic Release Official Video for First Single in Nearly 20 Years “You’re Not Alone”

Today, the Grammy-nominated, Twin Cities-based trio Semisonic released the official video for “You’re Not Alone,” the group’s first new song in nearly 20 years. The single is the title track from their forthcoming five-song EP You’re Not Alone out on September 18 via Pleasuresonic Recordings/Megaforce Records.

Vusi Mahlasela Announces New Live Album “Shebeen Queen”

Vusi Mahlasela, the legendary activist and singer-songwriter known as “The Voice” in his native South Africa, will release a new live album of traditional township songs, Shebeen Queen, on August 14 on ATO Records. The “shebeen queen” of the title is Mahlasela’s late grandmother Ida (whom he calls Magogo), who raised him in the township of Mamelodi (meaning “mother of melody”), where he still lives today. Following her husband’s murder in 1961, Ida opened a shebeen (speakeasy) and began selling homebrewed beer (umqombothi) to make her living.

Afel Bocoum premieres new track “Dakamana,”

The song is a plea to Afel’s fellow Malians to come together at a time when jihad, poverty and tribal war have brought the country to its knees. He explains: “Malian culture doesn’t recognize divisive expressions such as: “northerner,” “southerner,” “black” and “white.” Let’s just say “Malian,” full stop. Social cohesion is our social security.” Alongside the gentle click of the calabash and the twang of the kamele n’goni (large “youth” harp), the song also features the trombone of Skatalites veteran Vin Gordon.

ICONIC DRUMMER LIBERTY DEVITTO “SOLDIERS ON” WITH NEW MEMOIR OUT TODAY

Also out today is DeVitto’s new memoir, Liberty: Life, Billy and the pursuit of Happiness. The book traces a musician’s journey: early childhood bands, a rise through the local club scene, wedding bands, building a career, his first tours, and then a juggernaut of success, excess, and stardom with Billy Joel. Liberty is a tale of following and fulfilling your dream, a love story of a drummer and his drum, and an inside look at the music and career of Billy Joel from the man who viewed it from the best seat in the house: the drum throne. To order the book, please click here.

SIMON COLLINS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR NEW ALBUM “BECOMING HUMAN”

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of Simon Collins new album, “Becoming Human”, on September 4, 2020. Today, Simon has released the first single and video, the title track to the album.

PAPÁ KUMBÉ “CUCHO”

“CUCHO is an album that seeks to put Colombian sounds on the radar of clubs and festivals around the world; but also so that we, as Colombians can dance and enjoy them in our daily lives. These sounds remind us of our neighborhood parties, “says Deezy, Vj of the band.

Abby K Releases “Rock The Rock”

Abby K is leading the charge with her recent release called “Rock The Rock”! After someone made the comment that rock n roll was no longer a thing Abby decided to show them it is still here, and it is still rocking – the young musicians still believe in it and Abby is rocking it.

Will Butler to return in September with second solo album Generations, shares new song “Surrender”

In the five years since Will Butler released his debut album, Policy, he’s toured the world both solo and as a member of Arcade Fire, released the Friday Night live album, recorded and released Arcade Fire’s international #1 album Everything Now, earned his master’s degree in public policy from Harvard, hosted a series of touring town halls on local issues (police contracts, prison reform, municipal paid sick leave, voting rights), and spent time raising his three children.

Elliot Moss Shares New Single “I Heard!,”

“‘I Heard!’ is about being trapped by the idea of happiness. That there’s always something better for you, but you don’t know how to get it. Or can’t get it right now,” explains Moss. “I thought the song was done and we even had a video in the works. But as quarantine started up, being physically trapped squeezed out the last of the idea, sort of the final straw. Something about longing for the things that I didn’t realize were making me happy helped me to recalibrate what life might feel like when it returns to normal.”

Nelson Kempf shares title track from debut album, Family Dollar

“Family Dollar,” the title track from Nelson Kempf’s debut album is about something we’ve likely all faced at one time or another: money troubles.

Nelson explains: “This song is a moment to moment meditation in an attempt to stay mentally and physically afloat under the crushing weight of credit delinquency, pre-foreclosure, etc.”

Toronto post-punks Teenanger (Telephone Explosion) announce Good Time LP/Share “Touching Glass”

Toronto’s esteemed DIY scene purveyors, Teenanger are today sharing their new single ‘Touching Glass’, the first to be lifted from their forthcoming sixth album Good Time which is out via Telephone Explosion Records on October 2, 2020 – listen to the track here. The new record, which comes mixed by renowned Toronto musician, Sandro Perri, follows previous releases that have found the band share stages across North America and Europe with the likes of METZ, Ty Segall, Death From Above, Dilly Dally, Dish Pit and more.

Dana Gavanski Shares New Single “At Last I Am Free”

The ethereal tones of Serbian-Canadian musician Dana Gavanski can stir a breeze and destroy like a storm. Today, following the release of “I Talk To The Wind,” she shares the second single to be taken from her forthcoming Wind Songs EP, a collection of covers set for release on August 14th via Flemish Eye.

David Newton & Thee Mighty Angels Share New Single w/ Eddie Argos

‘”It is basically a fun list of some of the songs that had a big impact on young me. I didn’t put too much thought into it really, it’s not a definitive list and there are so many missed out, I just picked the ones that rhymed ha ha. When Eddie said that he’d love to do the vocal on it I asked him if he wanted to omit or add anything, and he said no, they are ones that he would pick. I think maybe that’s one of the reasons why we hit it off when we first met, over a dozen years ago now. We would stay up late laughing and listening to records at my pad in Joshua Tree, and this led to me making an album and touring Europe with him as part of Everybody Was In The French Resistance..Now! in 2010.” – David Newton

Nomad Carlos X The Artivist – Psyche Gauge (Official Video)

Nomad Carlos provides motivation and takes listeners into his psyche from his home city of Kingston over a cinematic instrumental from The Artivist on his new single Psyche Gauge from their upcoming EP The Psyche. The song also comes with a DavidEnco-edited visual that combines the Metal Gear Solid video game with comic books effects and incarcerated Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel.

Dark electronica artist ARSWAIN releases indulgent new video “Pleasure”

If you’ve been looking for the logical next step after spending your entire quarantine wearing down your Aphex Twin, Massive Attack, Portishead and Brian Eno records, fear not – LA’s electronica rising star Arswain (Freddy Avis) is here with an exciting new entry in the world of dark electronic music in the form of his latest cinematic single and video “Pleasure”.

al Riggs & Lauren Francis announce Bile and Bone. Out Sept. 18th on Horse Complex Records

“‘Boyfriend Jacket’ is about that moment in a relationship where things start to run like a well oiled machine, and you’re wearing each other’s clothing, and meeting up after work. And how great all of that feels. This was the first song Alli Rogers mixed for us and she knocked it so far out of the park it went into another park. It was all the proof we needed to have her do the whole album.” al Riggs

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