@skopemag news – weekend / saturday – august 8, 2020 @ 12 pm est

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

BLACK EYED PEAS & ARTIST JACK COULTER SUPPORT COLOR OF CHANGE WITH SUCCESSFUL ORIGINAL TRANSLATION ART AUCTION ON CHARITY BUZZ

Black Eyed Peas recently joined forces with renowned abstract expressionist painter Jack Coulter in order to support Color of Change—the nation’s largest online racial justice organization.

Idol creator Simon Fuller and TikTok team up to assemble the world’s next music supergroup

Simon Fuller, renowned hit-maker and founder of XIX Entertainment, and TikTok, the short-form video app with a mission to inspire creativity and bring joy, today announced a ground-breaking partnership to discover the most talented music performers on TikTok and create a first-of-its-kind global music collective.

Through an in-app audition process on TikTok, Fuller – an entertainment industry icon and creator of the Idol franchise, which re-defined how television could provide a launch platform for music talent – will be looking for extraordinary undiscovered artists to earn a spot in the innovative group. In re-writing the rules of music discovery, Fuller and TikTok will bring fresh excitement and joy to the global stage and place the TikTok audience at the heart of the group’s development.

VICTORIA MONÉT RELEASES NEW PROJECT JAGUAR

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Victoria Monét has released her eagerly-awaited project JAGUAR, a boundless and uncompromising artistic statement speaking volumes to female empowerment and sexual freedom. In JAGUAR, Monét challenges ideas of gender roles, embraces her femininity, and owns her sexuality. “I want women to feel empowered, and I want men to get used to us talking about our bodies, our sexuality, our desires – all the things men talk about in regards to us,” she says.

ALIEN TANGO releases oddball-pop cut ‘Photosynthesis’ via GROUND CONTROL

London transplant from Spain, Alien Tango, releases new single ‘Photosynthesis’ on August 7th via Ground Control (who brought us Hinds, The Parrots, Melenas, Baywaves). It’s a chilled out psych affair, on which lilting bossa nova vibes carry his surreal snatched lyrical couplets. Originally a 15 second cut, with 1.5 million views an 34k shares, from his TikTok spawned 4 and a half minute album ‘Blink Pop Vol. 1’, he explains the conversion into a full song:

Another Sky Releases Debut Album ‘I Slept On The Floor’

The incomparable Another Sky have today released their debut album I Slept On The Floor via Missing Piece Records / Fiction. Having confidently stepped into the spotlight with their performance on Later… with Jools Holland, Another Sky has earned praise from Paste, The FADER, FLOOD Magazine, and NPR, who invited them in for a Tiny Desk Concert earlier this year to perform I Slept On The Floor album tracks “Brave Face,” “Avalanche,” and “All Ends.”

R&B SENSATION PALOMA FORD PREMIERES X TAPES—EMPOWERING NEW EP OUT TODAY

The wait has come to an end— today Billboard-charting, acclaimed singer/songwriter Paloma Ford releases her eagerly anticipated EP X Tapes. The 7-track project that compromises the unanimously applauded singles “Rain,” “Chrome In My Feelings” Live, and “Nights I Cry” along with the official lead single for the project “All For Nothing” featuring Rick Ross, and more, is available on all streaming services.

Joel Crouse’s New EP ‘wasteLAnd’ Out Now

“This project is near and dear to my heart for a lot of reasons. Musically and lyrically it felt more personal than ever. However, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t tears of frustration through the process,” shares Crouse. “Almost everyone who was attached to this project was going through some sort of challenge at the time, and I want to thank them for sticking it out with me to help finish it. I love the message and sound of this record.”

Joel Crouse Discusses Finding His Voice Again, Writing For New EP ‘wasteLAnd’

ME REX announces EP ‘Triceratops’ newly signed to Big Scary Monsters

Sometimes taking a break is the only way to reignite a passion. Having immersed himself in music from a young age, South London’s ME REX, aka Myles McCabe, saw early success with previous bands, but quickly became disillusioned with the music industry alongside an addiction to alcohol and battling mental health issues. However, the artist came into his own when he first began experimenting with electronic bedroom pop in 2018 in the solitude of his own home, leading to supports with the likes of Jeffrey Lewis and the Voltage, Chris Farren, and Onsind and tours in the UK and Europe with his constantly evolving new project. Now, he announces a forthcoming series of EPs, starting with ‘Triceratops’, out 28th August on his new label Big Scary Monsters. Today he shares new track Stellar Abattoir, taken from the EP.

Acid Coco Release ‘El Amor de Mis Amores’

Following on from the female-empowering cumbia of “Yo Bailo Sola”, the second single from Colombian duo Acid Coco sees them retain the Caribbean swagger but the rhythm and emotions have changed.

With a flow, that’s is almost like a tongue twister, “El Amor de Mis Amores” (The Love of All Loves) talks about that special and intoxicating love that we all experience at some point, that feels so deep when it’s happening, but then once it’s gone, it’s gone. “It’s about fleeting, intoxicating love,” says Andrea. “They were the love of our loves, but then they left and we got on with our lives”. Paulo adding: “It’s our way of talking about the tragi-comedy that we live every day of our lives. We’re used to making fun of everything.”

Bizarro-pop provocateur NANCY releases psych-drenched ‘Happy Oddities’ EP, out today (7th Aug) via B3SCI Records

Encapsulating pop meets strange through a blender and put back together in his own way, NANCY’s pop-oriented melodies, dreamy undertones and enigmatic, hard-to-pin style are reaffirmed throughout his newest batch of songs, with pulsating lead single ‘Call Me On Your Telephone’, melancholic follow-up ‘Orange Yellow Orange’ and trippy cover ‘Happy Days (As Made Famous By The TV Show)’ firmly catapulting the accidental rising star (and multi-personality auteur) back into the spotlight.

Avatar release bold new album ‘Hunter Gatherer’

A striking and bold manifesto, Hunter Gatherer, is an unflinchingly ruthless study of a clueless humankind’s ever-increasing velocity into an uncertain future, furthering the reach of the band’s always expanding dark roots. Recorded entirely to two-inch tape with producer Jay Ruston (Stone Sour, Anthrax), Hunter Gatherer exhibits everything that makes AVATAR standouts in the vast, rich landscape of heavy metal’s past and present.

Charleston-based songwriter Sam Rae (Brandi Carlile’s touring cellist) releases third album ‘Ten Thousand Years’ today!

Blending classical roots with an improvisational past Sam Rae brings a sense of wonder to her now alternative folk music. Compelling and from a past life, her music will encourage you to consider the living space in between the notes.

Roberto gets beat up by a cellphone in “goofy” indie R&B debut “Dorrigo”

Roberto is soon to be a household name. Growing up in Indiana, before traveling to Mexico by bicycle to reunite with family before taking a chance on Los Angeles, Roberto has lived a thousand lives already. As a Half-Black, Half-Mexican artist with Midwest roots, his music encompasses various cultures all rolled into one unifying sound. His debut single “DORRIGO” arrives today, and with its quirky indie rock vibes meshed with R&B soul, it has a little something for everyone.

Roberto Gets KO’d By Technology in His Playful “DORRIGO” Video

COLEMINE RECORDS DROPS YOUNG GUN SILVER FOX’S NEW LP AS PART OF THEIR ‘BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD’ SERIES

Canyons are places of mystery and beauty. The interesting thing is, while they are one of the great wonders in the history of planet earth and attract scientists of all kinds of disciplines, they have also been a popular retreat for artists and musicians. You will have heard of Topanga Canyon, Rickie Lee Jones and Chicago recorded here. Laurel Canyon is even more well known, a mythical place where Crosby, Stills & Nash developed their unique vocal sound while hanging around Mama Cass’ place. Or was it in Joni Mitchell’s house on Lookout Mountain? Ok, you get the picture. There is something unexplainable, almost magical going on in canyons.

PAINTED DOLL to Release New Album “How to Draw Fire” September 25th via Tee Pee Records

In the decades and even centuries to come, the year 2020 will be remembered for many things, most of them seriously negative. But even in this absolute fucker of a year, goodness still prevails. Part of that goodness is “How to Draw Fire,” the brand new album from Painted Doll, the unlikely duo consisting of death metal legend Chris Reifert (Autopsy, Death, Violation Wound, Abscess) and musician/comedian Dave Hill (Valley Lodge, Witch Taint).

Kygo Releases Amazon Original “I’ll Wait (Orchestral Version feat. Sasha Sloan)”

As a part of the Amazon Music “Summer Sessions,” Kygo has also curated the “Summer Sessions with Kygo” playlist of electronic and dance tracks available exclusively to Amazon Music listeners. Kygo writes, “This is a playlist with some of my favorite songs I’ve been listening to this summer while at home enjoying a beautiful Norway summer!”

Gizmo Varillas ‘One Day At A Time’

Having recently released his widely acclaimed third album ‘Out Of The Darkness’, Gizmo Varillas’s career landmarks are coming thick and fast. From breaching the 30 million all-time stream mark to the album itself eclipsing 1 million streams in its first month of release, the new single One Day At A Time follows on from ‘Born Again’ which was named Jo Whiley’s infatuation on BBC Radio 2. The single has already been added to New Music Friday and amongst over 500 further playlists on Spotify including The Other List.

Ghostkid Releases New Song And Music Video “Start A Fight”

“Life can be hard sometimes and not always easy to navigate. This song is a personal representation of how I was feeling while going through some very hard times. I was feeling like a ticking time bomb every second of the day and “Start A Fight” is the moment I said to myself, enough is enough,” states frontman Sushi about the new track.

Cory Wong releases new album today; his 5th album release in 2020

Today, Cory Wong releases his fifth album in 2020, TRAIL SONGS: DAWN. The album was heralded last month with the American Songwriter premiere of the song, “Bluebird” featuring Chris Thile. TRAIL SONGS: DAWN follows the July release of its sister record, the quiet, contemplative and acoustic-based TRAIL SONGS: DUSK. TRAIL SONGS: DAWN is a more rollicking affair, but was also made on all acoustic instruments.

Cory Wong Talks About His Influences, Premieres “Bluebird” Featuring Chris Thile

Industrial-Electronic Project Chiasm Releases “Are You Okay?” Remixes For Bandcamp Friday

Industrial-electronic act Chiasm today releases a brand-new collection of remixes for her single “Are You Okay?” for the next edition of Bandcamp Fridays. The initiative kicked off in March to support artists impacted by the pandemic with distributor Bandcamp waiving its commission fees the first Friday of each month in order to put the money directly into artists’ pockets for each sale.

Dawes release new song, “St. Augustine At Night”; new album out Oct 2

Veteran rockers Dawes have announced today’s premiere of their profound new single. “St. Augustine at Night” is available at all DSPs and streaming services; an official lyric video is streaming now via YouTube.

“‘St. Augustine at Night’ is a song about one’s relationship to their hometown,” says Dawes’ frontman Taylor Goldsmith, “but also is a song about the varying degrees in which we all watch our lives pass us by.”

L’UOMO NERO to release occult blues rock EP trilogy on Desert Records

Albuquerque’s blues rockers L’uomo Nero (The Boogeyman) unveil all details about their upcoming EP trilogy based on a supernatural thriller concept. First EP ‘Andiamo Nel Deserto’ will be issued on November 6th through Desert Records, with first single “Nel Deserto” streaming right now exclusively on The Obelisk website.

L’uomo Nero Premiere “Nel Deserto” from Debut EP Andiamo Nel Deserto

LØLØ RELEASES NEW SINGLE “HATE U”

The track is the latest from the rising singer who continues to build momentum following the release of “Dead Inside,” which has racked up more than half a million streams across platforms in just under a month. She’s been previously praised by Earmilk for her “lush vocals” and Ones to Watch noting her, “alluring vocals… definitely enough to keep us craving more.” The singer has garnered over 12 million streams platform-wide with the help of her loyal and growing fanbase.

DOG DAY RELEASES VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE, “PICTURES”…full-length album, Present, out next week

Directed by Seth Smith, the video finds the band performing in a field surrounded by a myriad of mirrors. Coupled with lyrics that allude to the uncomfortableness of unfamiliar social situations, a driving bass line, and airy synths, the clip blends analog effects, tongue-in-cheek subtle humour, and a dose of surrealism to deliver a true-to-form Dog Day Venn diagram that underscores the fact that not everything is as simple as it seems.

Music Video: Dog Day Put Their Human Suits on for ‘Pictures’

Australian born, London based singer/songwriter Nick Kingswell – “Homesick”

Australian singer/songwriter Nick Kingswell sold his house and belongings and moved to London in an effort to push his music career. Drawing on his memories of Australia’s oceans, beaches and open landscapes, Kingswell runs these through the gritty filter of London’s big city. His music delivers a cinematic feel, layered with
dynamic movement and intricate guitars, all tempered with a deep emotionality.

Jamie Scott Release ‘How Still The River’

Jamie Scott has worked with some of the biggest names in music. Be it as a writer, producer, and often both, he has made a name for himself as the ‘hitmaker’ who has penned songs for everyone from Justin Bieber to Rag ‘N’ Bone Man. In fact, his writing and production credits amount to 50 million albums sold, 50 million singles and 10 billion streams on Spotify. By impressive comparison, his own artist projects, Jamie Scott & The Town and Graffiti6 have clocked up a combined 65 million streams on Spotify.

Jamie Scott – How Still the River album review

Squirrel Nut Zippers Announce New Album – Lost Songs Of Doc Souchon

Since 1995, the Squirrel Nut Zippers have sacked and plundered the old, weird America then sailed off to further distant lands. They have used New Orleans as their hideout and base of operations. Jean-Lafitte-like the hide in the lee side of barrier island, receiving goods and masking dark back channel deals; hiding in cellars or in plain view.

CARDI B MAKES HER HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED RETURN WITH “WAP (FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION)”

“WAP (Feat. Megan Thee Stallion),” produced by Ayo & Keyz, marks Cardi’s first release since her 2019 platinum certified single “Press.” To further celebrate today’s release, Cardi B is leading a very special Beats1 New Music Daily Radio takeover, highlighted by an exclusive roundtable conversation between the guest stars of the official video.

Flippin’ Gothic Fabp New Single ‘Stages Of A Name’

Flippin’ Gothic Fabp delivers pure fire on the hard-hitting lyricism of “Stages Of A Name”. The sheer physicality of the sound further emphasizes the power of his words. Bass positively crushes everything in its path for volume is a must. A slight riff intermingles within the intense groove further adding to the disorienting experience. Panning emphasizes his commanding presence for his vocals have a tight, taut quality to them. Cymbal crashes and snares help to keep the rhythm crisp, colossal, with an uncanny rawness to them that feels uniquely satisfying.

Cold War Kids share “Somewhere” from ‘New Age Norms 2

Cold War Kids have announced today’s premiere of their excellent new single, “Somewhere,“ available now at all DSPs and streaming services.

“I love this song,” says Cold War Kids’ Nathan Willett. “It’s very uplifting, but it has a sadness to it, a rock-iness that’s almost feminine and soulful. The line, I knew you were crazy/The night you shaved your head, my wife had this long, long hair and then shaved her head really short. Sometimes when you’re writing, little things pop up and you think, is that going to make sense? That’s to me the great thing about writing, when you can do something that’s very much based on a real thing but can be interpreted however by the listener.”

Penny and Sparrow Release ‘Live in Texas, 2019’

“Some of our best memories are at concerts,” says Andy Baxter. “The room, what you drank, who you were with, the banter between songs, the mess-ups, the moment you dig your elbow into the ribs of whoever brought you just to let em’ know that ‘damn, this is good’. It all matters. Last year, on back to back concerts in Dallas & Austin, we recorded over 4 hours of music. We honed it all down to the best 19 songs and we’re releasing it as our first ever live album. In a time where concerts are on an indefinite hiatus, we hope you love Live in Texas, 2019.”

The Driver Era Releases New Single “Places”

Known for their genre-bending musical style, THE DRIVER ERA are back with their latest single “Places,” out everywhere today via BMG Recordings. Written, produced and recorded by Rocky Lynch while Ross was in Vancouver filming Sabrina, the idea for the song developed in the car on his way to see his girlfriend. “It’s weird because I typically write songs about past relationships and experiences,” stated Rocky. “But this time, it was about a current relationship.. it was a really weird feeling.”

GWAR to Release 30th Anniversary Editions Of “Scumdogs of the Universe” October 30th!

It has been thirty of your Earth “years” since your Lords and Masters GWAR released what many consider to be the band’s career-defining album “Scumdogs of the Universe.” In celebration of this momentous occasion, GWAR are pleased as piss to unveil 30th anniversary versions of “Scumdogs of the Universe.” The album will be available on CD, Double LP, Cassette and digital and is available for pre-order.

GWAR to Release 30th Anniversary Editions Of “Scumdogs of the Universe” October 30th!