@skopemag news – Christmas Eve – december 24, 2020 @ 12 pm est

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

Actual Villains Drops Cover Of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion”

Since its inception in late 2015 Actual Villains has been an evolving project. Formed from the dissolve of the singer’s prior band, Close to Home (Artery Recordings/Razor & Tie Records) Andrew DeNeef and his former guitarist set out to continue their signature blend of pop-punk and metalcore with their first single “Cave In”. These two parted ways in 2016 shortly after releasing the self-titled Actual Villains EP. The project sat in hiatus for a few months until Andrew moved back to Phoenix, Arizona where he met producer and guitarist Hiram Hernandez, a former label-mate from the band The New Low and former guitarist for Glass Cloud. The duo released their first single “VOID” in 2019 and have been busy in the studio writing new tunes for 2021.

Ren Liu Releases Dreamy EP ‘Prayer For a Stranger’

‘Sweet Dreamland’ Video Accompanies Singer-Songwriter’s Debut Collection

For singer-songwriter Ren Liu the most satisfying adventures in life have come from clearing emotional hurdles. Her new EP Prayer For a Stranger inspires those who continue to dream.

Ren was born in Urbana, Illinois and grew up in the midwest with parents who immigrated from China. For Ren and many others, America is a “Sweet Dreamland,” where musicians and artists can live their lives creating inspiring and beautiful songs.

Emcee Sweetheart – Tycons Be

This video is made from royalty free stock footage and was produced in part by ai technology. Tycons Be is available exclusively on bandcamp and the visual was released on YouTube. Karli Gabrel is also on the title album For Our Life.

Milwaukee Alt-Rockers THE KEYSTONES Debut New Single “Cut To The Chase”

The Keystones are an alternative rock band based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born in Waukesha, the very same place as the electric guitar, the members of this unique, out-of-the-box rock group hail from the golden era of grunge guitar, one that’s full of heavy tones and hypnotizing garage beats that dance between Brit-indie-rock and new-age modern rock sounds. They’re a far cry from the glitzy, indie pop groups that seem to fall out of the woodwork these days, and they’re okay with that. Why? Because their goal isn’t to find the glossiest sound. In fact, it’s much bigger than that: they want to make the town that created the guitar as we know it proud.

Spencer Sutherland Drops ‘Indigo’ EP

Soulful alt pop singer and songwriter Spencer Sutherland releases his stunning Indigo EP. After a number of impressive hit singles released this year, the Indigo EP encapsulates Spencer Sutherland’s ethos — to create music that is both confessional and euphoric to listen to. Featured on the EP are previously released tracks like “Wonder” and “Too Many Friends” and includes new tracks like “Bored” and the invigorating title track “Indigo,” co-written by friend and fellow artist Olivia Holt.

Dark brooding rockers The Beauty Of Gemina unveil the video to new single ‘Friends Of Mine’

Iconic Swiss band ‘The Beauty Of Gemina’ released a new single ‘Friends of Mine’ via TBOG Music. The single is taken from their forthcoming album, ‘Skeleton Dreams’ that’s out in the UK on 5th February 2021.

‘Friends of Mine’ as told by the writer Michael Sele, also the frontman and mastermind behind The Beauty of Gemina, is “a kind of a swan song. At the end I ask a fictional audience. Who will be at my side at the end? What will be remembered? What will be left?”

Hear The Aislers Set’s “Cold Christmas” that’s out now on Suicide Squeeze!

Out now on Suicide Squeeze, the standalone holiday duet was recorded in 2010 and has a timeless sound that nods to the holiday classics of the 60’s and their own take on jangle pop that made them famous.

“A surprise single from beloved indie pop group Aislers Set marries the charm of C86 with the festivity of Phil Spector’s Christmas album.” Bandcamp Daily naming it New & Notable

Peter Bjorn and John’s “Endless Play” EP out Today Along with John’s “GongGong”

Peter Bjorn and John’s Endless Play EP is out today via INGRID along with the John penned and produced single “GongGong.” Recorded with Hans Stenlund (Lykke Li, Wild Nothing) at the Ingrid Studios in Stockholm, “GongGong” was mixed by Patrik Berger (Lana Del Rey, Icona Pop, Charli XCX) and the entire EP was mastered by Henke Jonsson at Masters of Audio in Stockholm. “GongGong” is the third and final track, following Peter’s “Season of Defiance” single and Bjorn’s “Gone Gone Gone” single. When asked about “GongGong” John had this to share…

“This song is about eros, emotional schizophrenia, the ambiguous feeling of desire, the fear of falling for someone and the art of self-control. I wanted the music to have the same ambiguous and perplexed feeling as the lyric so when we were recording it, we played the song over and over again, and every time we started from the top, we all changed instruments. So on this song, Peter, Bjorn and me play guitar, bass and drums, on the same song and for the first time.” – John

Barry Gibb’s “Butterfly” featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings debuts today

Gibb continues to receive widespread attention ahead of the release, including an extensive profile at The New York Times, who praises, “Gibb’s voice on ‘Words of a Fool’ is strong but also spectral…Nearly six decades after he first sang on a record, it remains one of the most otherworldly instruments in popular music.” He was also recently featured as part of Rolling Stone’s “Musicians On Musicians” issue speaking with Jason Isbell, where the pair discussed each other’s work as well as collaborating on album track, “Words of a Fool.”

Yung Stakks |”Swing My Door (feat. G Herbo)” | DJ Service

Chine Music’s Yung Stakks is back with another Westside Chicago street anthem. Bringing along fellow Chicago rap star G Herbo on the Glazer & KXVI produced “Swing My Door”. Yung Stakks delivers a high energy flow to describe his fast-paced lifestyle, getting money in the streets and enjoying the luxuries it affords. Follow Yung Stakks on all platforms to stay up to date with him and his campaign.

WEST COAST RAP SUPERSTAR KING LIL G DROPS NEW ALBUM 90’S KID VOL. 2

West coast rapping sensation, King Lil G, releases highly anticipated album 90’s Kid Vol. 2. The album makes its official premiere following the release of various singles earlier this year that was met with global acclaim and attention. 90s Kid Vol. 2 is now available via all DSPs and streaming services.

Haviah Mighty rises to the “Occasion”

Haviah Mighty today shares “Occasion,” her second single of 2020 since her breakthrough, Polaris Prize-winning 2019 release, 13th Floor. “Occasion” is a product of an early pandemic-induced instagram livestream and evolved into a track she simply couldn’t let evaporate with just one online session. It’s reflective of her own insuppressible confidence, unstoppability and the fact that – even at the swell of the unknown at the beginning of lockdown – music as a whole cannot be stopped, either.

Small Town Titans “You’re A Mean On, Mr. Grinch” (Official Music Video)

In 2019, Small Town Titan’s music video for their cover of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” went completely viral with well over 40 million combined views online.

The song hit #2 on the iTunes Rock chart, only being surpassed by Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

It has also been added by countless radio stations across the country, and the buzz is continuing to grow in 2020.

Artist: Chris Mifsud – Track: What’s This?

This cover is from the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas. I love this movie and I love the song “What’s This”! So I put this rock/metal version together with my friend Joey Than! Had a blast putting our twist on it in time for Christmas!

Artist: B Barber – Track: A2G

Continuing to share his love for this genre of music, B Barber has established an Independent Net Label, Integrated Music Group LLC and enlisted specialists in areas of product delivery to produce quality releases embodying “Dope” New Boom Bap music to add to our playlists.

Anabel Englund drops debut album Messing With Magic

A ten-track LP, Messing With Magic is a stunning collection of vibrant, emotion-tinged vocal house tracks. It also features a string of collaborations with some of the most adored artists in dance music. Things kick off with MK and Nightlapse’s remix of ‘So Hot’, a killer club rework that has racked up 9 million Spotify streams and counting, with house icon MK reappearing later in the record on ‘Underwater’, a slick, synth-driven cut that sees Englund’s delicate vocals take centre stage. Hot Natured tastemakers Lee Foss and Jamie Jones both also make an appearance, lending their midas touch to the infectious bassline of ‘Warm Disco’ and silky house vibes of ‘Messing With Magic’ respectively.

JD Days – Evergreen Christmas

Christmas fans will be able to unwrap their present early this year. JD Days is surprising new fans with his latest Christmas Single Evergreen Christmas. The timeless Christmas love ballad “Evergreen Christmas” has all the spirit and warmth of classic Christmas music and the sounds of John Lennon.

Science Man Releases Video For “Give The Ghost To Me”

Buffalo, NY’s lab rat Science Man is back with a new LP Science Man II and this time with Big Neck Records fanning the flames. SM II cranks the gas and doubles the dose on the maniac fronted, drum-machine driven, relentless guitar attack that was his 2019 self-titled debut on Swimming Faith Records. Cannibalizing one limb of rock and roll to augment the nasty, bashing ability of it’s other more punk appendages. Think if Hot Snakes started playing only basement gigs with weirdo hardcore bands after listening to Big Black and Judas Priest in the van all day. Science Man II takes shape while flowing seemlessly though a unique blend of punk/hardcore/garage/rock and roll in just under 20 mins.

CAMILO PREMIERES HIS SPOTIFY PROGRAM “EL RINCÓN DE LA TRIBU”

The Latin GRAMMY® winner and current GRAMMY® nominee Camilo has premiered his Spotify program titled El Rincón de la Tribu (La Tribu’s Corner), whose title refers to his loyal fanbase. On this program, fans can enjoy curated songs recorded by himself and other artists, along with his personal commentary. The show has been embraced in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, the United States, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, and promises to captivate more countries with each new episode.

As the first Latino artist in any language to debut a program on Spotify’s new Show With Music listening experience, the renowned singer, songwriter and producer welcomed as his inaugural guest the Venezuelan singer, actress and director Evaluna Montaner. In an engaging dialogue, they shared anecdotes, experiences and music.