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Today, Canadian singer-songwriter and JUNO nominee Kandle Osborne shared a wistful new entry into the Christmas song canon with “Christmas Mourn.” Riding orchestral sweeps and swelling background harmonies, the song finds Kandle longing and alone this year, surprised by “the many ways the holidays can make a girl mourn” in her trademark treacle-dipped voice. “The only thing that can help folks like us to deal with the loneliness of a covid Christmas, is to attempt to write our very own Christmas classic,” Kandle explains. It was partly written as a tribute to holiday standards by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley — influences Kandle and co-writer Debra-Jean Creelman (founding member of Mother Mother) quickly realized they shared a love for while collaborating over Zoom in November.
BOWLING FOR SOUP FRONTMAN JARET REDDICK ANNOUNCES HAPPY HOUR HANGTIME ONLINE SHOW SERIES
Bowling For Soup main man Jaret Reddick and The Dollyrots’ firecracker frontwoman Kelly Ogden have renewed their musical partnership as “Jaret and Kelly” – just in time for the holidays. Eighteen months on from their debut album “Sittin’ In A Tree”, the pop punk duo have unveiled a festive single just in time for the holiday season.
“Get This Christmas Right” is a two minute blast of warm, catchy Christmas spirit. It’s a track that will simultaneously bring on nostalgic feelings of holidays gone by, while also letting us all look forward to Christmases both present and future.
Essex born, London based singer Mercy Cartel releases her new single Falling
Today, Essex born, London based singer Mercy Cartel releases her new single ‘Falling’ via Polarface Music. Inspired by a socially distanced romance that blossomed during the lockdown earlier this year, ‘Falling’ was born amidst pain and grief. With elements of R&B, Pop & Electronica tinged throughout, the song is filled with her warm vocals, percussion-driven synths and a dreamy melody.
TiKA Explores Black Fantasy, Femininity & Sensuality In “Soothing Love” Video
Multi-disciplinary artist TiKA, has released the video for “Soothing Love,” the second single from her forthcoming album “Anywhere But Here” available on Next Door Records February 26, 2021.
For the “Soothing Love” video, TiKA was inspired to create the image of Blackness in spaces that have historically excluded the Black experience. Delving into the world of Black fantasy is one of the more important themes that TiKA loves to explore in her art and in her cinematic pursuits. Her driving force, she explains, is that “when Black people are represented in media, it’s rarely as the hero or heroine.”
RIAA Gold Record Independent Artist Peachy! Releases New Single
Peachy! is only 19 years old but he’s already received an RIAA Gold Record for the track “Falling for U” feat. mxmtoon (170 million+ streams) that he wrote between the ages of 15 and 16, amassed over 2 million listeners on Spotify, traveled to 11 countries and learned to speak conversationally in Korean, French, and Polish. He is a self-taught artist, teaching himself how to play the electric guitar, piano, and ukelele. This new single was written, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered solely by Peachy! and its release marks the beginning of his promotion for his new album to be released in Spring 2021. This new single marks the beginning of his promotion for his new album to be released in 2021.
Peachy! Mourns The Loss Of A Close Friendship On New Single “Blood!”
NOTHING SHARE “CATCH A FADE” MUSIC VIDEO
Today, NOTHING shares a video for “Catch A Fade,” taken from their latest album The Great Dismal released in October. The visual, directed by the band’s Aaron Heard, is a subtle celebration of the touring and live shows that haven’t existed this year, culling some of the band’s most memorable moments doing those things over the course of its career. The song is the fifth to receive a visual from the album following, “April Ha Ha,” “Famine Asylum,” “Say Less” and “Bernie Sanders.”
I AM BORN’s Visuals For Track, Like The Pain Offers Hope After Despair
Stacey Bournes, otherwise known as I AM BORN, has unveiled stunning visuals for track, ‘Like The Pain’. Co-director Natalia Nunn, I AM BORN and Blake Cyrier who was the main DP for the project, wanted to depict a tale of victory and a journey to peace; finding a place of self-love, balance and a healthy self-expression.
With so many of us struggling with mental health at this time, they wanted to bring hope by illustrating the fact that it’s possible to reverse any downward spiral we may find ourselves in and re-imagine life in any way we choose, as long as we don’t give up.
ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF: Revolver Magazine Premieres Immersive “Dolore di Orsini” Video
Following the release of her acclaimed new album, All Thoughts Fly, through Southern Lord in September, Swedish composer ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF presents an immersive new video for the track “Dolore di Orsini.” The new visual accompaniment to the song sees an exclusive premiere through Revolver Magazine today.
All Thoughts Fly sees ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF in solo instrumental mode, the entire record consisting of just one instrument – the pipe organ – representing absolute liberation of the imagination. Recorded with mobile equipment from Svenska Grammofonstudion in Örgryte New Church, in Gothenburg January 2020, All Thoughts Fly was produced and mixed by ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF and Filip Leyman, who both handled the organ sound design. The album was mastered by Hans Olsson at Svenska Grammofonstudion and completed with photography by Gianluca Grasselli and layout/design by Tina Damgaard.
JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW RELEASES VIDEO FOR HIS LATEST SINGLE “GONE”
Today, James Vincent McMorrow drops an incredible video for his latest single “Gone,” which is available now via Sony Music UK/RCA Records. Recently, James did a stunning live performance of “Gone” for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’s #PlayAtHome series. The track also premiered as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record in the World on BBC Radio 1 and has since been made Nick Grimshaw’s Tune of the Week.
RUSSELL! REVEALS “SCARLETT’S WEEKEND” VIDEO
Proudly hailing from Brampton, a tiny Ontario suburb just out of Toronto, RUSSELL! was raised on a steady diet of classic pop through listening to his radio with his mother. When he was a teenager, he met a songwriter who inspired him to pursue his creative talents. “I was experimenting with music already, but after I met him, I realized that I really wanted to make music,” he explains. “It sparked the creativity in my brain.”
Watch Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s official video for “Lift Every Voice and Sing” from MLK/FBI, the award-winning documentary
Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” is the legendary group’s rendition of the black national anthem, recorded for MLK/FBI, the forthcoming Critics’ Choice award winner for “Best Archival Documentary” and multiple IDA-award nominee. The official video for the song features footage from the film, and is co-directed by Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s Ben Jaffe and Kenneth Alexander Campbell. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is available now worldwide at all DSPs through Sub Pop.
JULIANA. and Izzy Pollak Reimagine Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me”
“I couldn’t be more excited to release my first Christmas song, especially during a time like this when I think everyone could use a bit more holiday cheer than normal,” shares JULIANA. “Christmas has always been a holiday that’s near and dear to me and being able to share this moment with my close friend and super talented artist Izzy Pollak is the icing on the cake. Izzy and I decided to re-do one of our favorite holiday tracks, ‘Santa Tell Me’ by Ariana Grande. With my pop-inspired songwriting and Izzy’s raspy vocal tone, we thought this song would be a perfect baseline to get our creative juices flowing and craft something unique and different from the original. We wanted to strip down the production a bit and focus on the lyrics because there’s so much emotion behind each word being sung. By highlighting the emotion of the track, we want to connect with listeners on a deeper level and give them something that resonates internally. We hope this song gets everyone feeling warm during the cold winter nights and brings some holiday spirit during a time where we need it most. Let the holiday countdown begin!”
MARCUS GRANT PROMOTED TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL COMMERCE, DEF JAM RECORDINGS
Marcus Grant – a seasoned and highly-respected industry veteran with deep foundations in artist management – who has worked with some of the biggest names pop, R&B and hip-hop, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Digital Commerce, Def Jam Recordings, it was announced today by Theda Sandiford, Senior Vice President, Commerce and Digital Marketing. In this senior executive role, Mr. Grant will continue his focus on streaming strategy, consumption growth, and marketing opportunities within the streaming eco-system. Based in Los Angeles, he will report directly to Ms. Sandiford.
Marcus Grant promoted to Senior Vice President, Digital Commerce at Def Jam Recordings
Lesibu Grand shares politically charged single “Hot Glue Gun”
Atlanta based indie-rock band Lesibu Grand is excited to share their latest single “Hot Glue Gun” premiering now exclusively with BrooklynVegan. The new punk track follows suit of the band’s previous single “WFS,” calling out America for its governmental corruption and many shortcomings in society. Alongside the new single, Lesibu Grand has shared a video that takes place in a nostalgic video game circa the 1990’s and follows our heroine on her quest to reboot a corrupted society. Fans can check out “Hot Glue Gun” and its epic music video now on BrooklynVegan.
NASHVILLE ARTIST DANIELLE CORMIER “EASES HOLIDAY HEARTACHE”
It’s a very personal song as Danielle explains, “Karlie and I had talked about writing a holiday song earlier in the year and then we both suffered tragic losses; her grandfather passed away and then my father passes away about a month later. After that I knew the song had to be about how different the holidays would be without such important people in our lives.”
Danielle Cormier Unveils The Video To Holiday-Inspired Single “This Time Last Year”
La Femme Releases New Song and Video “Disconnexion”
Two weeks after the release of their single “Cool Colorado,” La Femme has released another new song and video titled “Disconnexion.” It’s the third single from the band’s upcoming third album (details TBA).
glaive is a vocalist, songwriter and producer based in the mountains of North Carolina who began making music at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, releasing his first song on Soundcloud in April and attracting an audience with a steady stream of tracks like “astrid” this summer and “eyesore” last month.
PORTLAND POWER/THRASH SHREDDERS SILVER TALON UNLEASH “DECEIVER, I AM” SINGLE
The music video for “Deceiver, I Am” combines the rough-and-rowdy atmosphere of a shot-on-VHS live performance with the haunting visuals of the 1922 classic film “Häxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages.” Guitarist Bryce VanHoosen says of the video, “We wanted the visual equivalent of a drug-induced, lo-fi religious experience that started in a dive bar and ended at a Witches Sabbath. Using VHS handicam footage and clips from the demented 1922 film ‘Häxan,’ (director) GBRHL delivered in spades.”
Dead Girls Academy Deliver ‘Inside Out’ Music Video
Instantly intriguing with its compelling piano and violin orchestration, “Inside Out” is the latest video released from DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY. The song comes from the Las Vegas outfit’s latest album, Doves In Glass Houses, and features Black Veil Brides guitarist Jinxx on violin.
Watch BVB’s Jinxx team up with Dead Girls Academy on “Inside Out”
Brooke Daye Releases Emotional Music Video “EVERYTHING AND NOTHING”
Los Angeles-based pop artist Brooke Daye has released her stunning new music video for her poignant single “EVERYTHING AND NOTHING.” The track is from her debut EP, THE NARCISSIST, and explores the heartbreak of breakups and the pain of losing that someone in an instant. “EVERYTHING AND NOTHING” is now available for viewing on YouTube.
Brix Gives 2020 a Proper Send Off with New Holiday Single “Permission To Celebrate”
Brix shares: “Every year I write some sort of holiday song, and this year I sat down to write and was like WTF just happened in 2020. Looking back at the year we’ve all had, I felt silly trying to write something cheerful. Then I realized no matter what, we’re still allowed to celebrate. I hope this song can bring some joy to those who can’t be with the ones they love, who’ve lost someone they love, or who just need a little holiday cheer.”
HER NAME IN A CEMETERY: Decibel Magazine Streams Three-Song EP From Seattle Atmospheric / Depressive Black Metal Project
Decibel Magazine is currently streaming Demo MMXX, a limited-edition three-song cassette EP from Seattle-based atmospheric/depressive lo-fi black metal project, HER NAME IN A CEMETERY.
HER NAME IN A CEMETERY’s sole recording member – known only as “H” – remains largely anonymous and reclusive. The three tracks comprising the offering were composed and produced in a deep depressive state brought on by great change, familial loss, and psychological deterioration. Vocals were recorded on a particular “dark night of the soul” during this time.
XNilo, Anglo-Spanish R&B sensation, returns with brand new single “Badman”
Successfully blending influences drawn from the R&B and AfroBeat worlds to deliver an exotic track, XNilo teams up with Ghanaian Afrobeat artist and labelmate Modulo Thegabwoy to deliver the smooth yet bouncy single with underlying pulses of rhythm mixed by regular addition Award Winning Manon GrandJean fresh from mixing both Stormzy & Dave’s Award Winning albums.
(UPDATED) CANADIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME GROUP LOVERBOY RELEASES 40th ANNIVERSARY VINYL EDITION OF MULTI-PLANTIUM CERTIFIED SELF-TITLED ALBUM LOVERBOY
Canadian Music Hall of Fame group, LOVERBOY, celebrates the 40th anniversary of their 5x Platinum-certified, self-titled album Loverboy this year. To commemorate this sonic work of art, the group releases a special limited-edition vinyl of the legendary rock classic today via Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. Loverboy the album is available for purchase now.
Originally released in October 1980, Loverboy features many fan-favourite singles, including “The Kid Is Hot Tonight”, “Turn Me Loose” and “Little Girl” – the latter serving as the inspiration behind the iconic album sleeve artwork. Contemporary Canadian artist Barbara Astman was commissioned to create the cover art, and brilliantly typed the lyrics from “Little Girl” onto a self-portrait Polaroid as it developed. The 2020 special edition is printed with a full cover emboss on Astman’s typed text to pay homage to this process.
FRETLAND reveals pain of relationship dissolution in new song ‘Do You Think of Me’
Snohomish, WA – FRETLAND, founded by Hillary Grace Fretland is set to release their sophomore LP, Could Have Loved You, via Soundly Music on March 26, 2021. “Do You Think of Me” is the second single to be released from the forthcoming album, and it dives into the painful questions that are asked all too often at the end of a relationship. “I want to understand all parts of me that make me human so that I can share them, and so maybe someone somewhere recognizes themselves as the villain and learns to love themselves anyway.” says Hilary, “There’s so much shame in a failed relationship, we always want to know who’s at fault. It’s never been that simple for me.”
Premiere: Fretland’s Heartfelt “Do You Think of Me” Is a Song of Utter Intimacy & Longing
| NEW SINGLE | a requiem for a difficult year // Roxanne de Bastion – Heavy Lifting
With her brand new track Heavy Lifting, rising singer-songwriter Roxanne de Bastion delivers a beautiful moment of catharsis as 2020 draws to a close. A requiem for a difficult year, the Bernard Butler produced track is a timely piece that showcases the purity of Roxanne’s voice and her keen lyrical perspective.
Hear CLOUDS TASTE SATANIC ‘Vol. 2’ of The Satanic Singles Series Ahead Of Bandcamp Friday Release! [Heavy Psych/Doom Metal]
Instrumental Post-Doom quartet CLOUDS TASTE SATANIC are back with Volume 2 in their series of Four 7″ Singles. Entitled The Satanic Singles Series, each new single’s A Side and B Side are covers of tunes that have had a profound influence on the band but are not necessarily originating from the Metal/Doom genres.
The Satanic Singles Series: Volume 2, which comes out on Friday, December 4, 2020, features “Behind The Wall Of Sleep” (Black Sabbath, clearly Doom) b/w “If You Doom Me Now” (Chicago, clearly Not Doom). Two more singles remain for release in January and February 2021, all leading up to a new ‘Cloud Covered’ album, scheduled for release in March, with two additional tunes not included in The Satanic Singles Series.
Premiere: Clouds Taste Satanic ‘The Satanic Singles Series’ Volume 2 EP
OLDBLOOD: Cvlt Nation stream debut EP in its entirety!
UK’s post-metal infused blackened doom purveyors OLDBLOOD team up with Cvlt Nation to premiere their atomic and cathartic debut EP ‘Arms to the Sky’ in its entirety, before its official digital release on Friday 4th December through Blood Blast Distribution.
Listen to the blackened monstrosity of OLDBLOOD’s “Arms To The Sky” EP
Like many artists, singer/songwriter Anna Rose thrives – and survives – on the road. But this year’s cancellation of live events due to the pandemic forced Rose to consider a different path.
Never one to let obstacles get the best of her, Rose kept making music and re-configured her sound along the way.
The result is a remarkable project called In the Flesh, a collection of all live, all stripped-down versions of the songs from Rose’s highly acclaimed album, The Light Between.
NEW VIDEO ALERT! Durbin “Kings Before You” ft. James Durbin, Chris Jericho & Phil Demmel
Hailing from the shores of Santa Cruz, CA, USA, modern heavy metal revivalist James Durbin is on the verge of releasing his boldest, heaviest album to date with the announcement of the debut album from DURBIN, “The Beast Awakens”. Coming February 12, 2021 via Frontiers Music Srl, fans can get their first taste of the album with the release of the video for ‘Kings Before You’ featuring Chris Jericho (Fozzy) and Phil Demmel (ex-Machine Head, Vio-lence). Watch the video HERE:
Nu Goth Artists grabyourface Reaches the Brink With Her New Album “Sea”. Signs With Negative Gain
French Nu Goth/Dark Electronic artist grabyourface signs with Dark Electronic label Negative Gain and will release her new album Sea December 18th.
Sea is a six track album about mental illness, or how anxiety and depression can push someone to the edge of life. It talks about abuse, PTSD and moral violence in very implicit and indirect ways, always sober, always modest and bashful.
Pretty shares new one-take single “By The Beach”
Pretty has been a project of lead singer Torin Craig for a number of years, and has evolved into what it is now. Going through several line up changes in the process while playing many shows around Ontario, the band has finally settled into a more mature and focused sound without losing any of the madness psychedelic music reflects.
Summer Heart continues his Animated Journey with Black Jeans
Fresh from relocating to LA in the midst of a pandemic, Summer Heart releases a new video continuing the animated theme which has been a mainstay in his new EP ‘Ambitions’, out now on Icons Creating Evil Art.
Gustaf (Royal Mountain) share new video and single “Design”
Vocalist Lydia Gammill explains: “Although the title of the song is not the refrain (“desire'”, we named the track “Design” because it is a commentary on how our desires and critiques of others are a product of our design.” Gammill continues, “Like in “Mine”, the narrator addresses an invisible critic, arguing that the ills we believe to be unique to ourselves are the result of an oppressive system. However, in the end we’re just shouting at the back of someone’s head as they leave the room.”
WATCH: BIIG PIIG SHARES THE OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR “FEELS RIGHT”
“The visual for ‘Feels Right,'” says director Molly Burdett, “is centered around a surreal night out: the video focuses on the emotion and connection among a group of people. I loved the idea of representing this concept in the abstract space of a cube, reflecting the sensation of a close group of mates being at the center of the world. The process of collaborating with such a brilliantly talented group of dancers to achieve this was absolutely amazing. Additionally not forgetting how epic it was to build a cube in the middle of an industrial estate! It was really important to find a location that felt unique – we wanted to find a space that felt like we could be anywhere, further emphasizing this ethereal and dream like world. We ended up shooting in an old grain store that felt as if it were completely trapped in time, making the experience even more special.”
MAC GOLLEHON: Legendary Jazz/Rock Trumpet Assassin To Release New Material Through Nefarious Industries In 2021
Nefarious Industries welcomes the legendary MAC GOLLEHON to the label’s genre-void family for several new releases in 2021.
World-renowned NYC trumpet assassin MAC GOLLEHON has toured and recorded with an endless roster of rock, pop, and jazz artists since the 1970s, appearing on over two-hundred gold and platinum albums from the likes of David Bowie, Duran Duran, Onyx, Madonna, Blondie, Billy Ocean, Hall & Oates, Chaka Khan, Buddy Rich, Al Jarreau, Sheena Easton, Nile Rodgers, Patrick Adams, Mick Jagger, Grace Jones, Hector Lavoe, and hundreds of others. Anybody who has heard Billy Ocean’s “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car,” Blondie’s The Hunter LP, or Onyx’s Slam album has shared a life experience with GOLLEHON’s prominent contributions playing.
A Grateful Lament: Singer Songwriter ERIC BAZILIAN Shares Video For New Single “I Miss Everything”
Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Eric Bazilian, based in both the U.S. and Sweden, has been sitting out the pandemic in Stockholm and taking advantage of his forced immobility to indulge in a serious creative jag. On his new single titled appropriately “I Miss Everything,” Bazilian, the co-founder of the chart-topping band The Hooters, channels his frustrations in verses that surprisingly, express a sense gratitude even as he shouts out for the life he’s missing an ocean away. The song transforms even further at the cathartic, guitar driven chorus—it’s completely uplifting. “I Miss Everything” is truly a sublime slice of power pop created in solitude in his Stockholm basement. Bazilian produced and mixed the track and plays guitars, bass, keyboards and mandola. Hooters drummer David Uosikkinen contributed from Philadelphia and Martin Stibernik mastered the album from his studio in Slovenia. “I Miss Everything, the follow up to his recent single “Heaven Ain’t Gonna Save Us,” will be released digitally on December 4 and is taken from a forthcoming full-length album.
ICYMI: Multi-platinum artist Tyler Shaw gets into the holiday spirit with “Maybe This Christmas” via Sony Music
Multi-platinum artist, producer, and singer-songwriter Tyler Shaw comes bearing gifts with a cover of the Christmas classic “Maybe This Christmas” – originally by fellow Canadian Ron Sexsmith – via Sony Music.
Ahead of new music slated for 2020 and 2021, the nostalgic holiday song showcases Tyler Shaw’s smooth vocals that warm the heart like a cozy sweater on a cold winter day. Produced by Tyler himself, the rich harmonies and festive production instantly invoke all the feelings of the season and is a perfect addition to your holiday playlist.
Cf Watkins finds beauty in longing with new video premiere
For the atmospheric clip, Watkins turned to director Griffin Hart Davis, who was also at the helm of her previous offering, “The Tell,” to interpret the story. “Griffin rented a huge gymnastic trampoline for the slow motion shots. As soon as I got on set for the first day of shooting, he asked if I could jump up as high as possible, get my body parallel to the trampoline, free fall with my eyes open, and then catapult myself back up… all while looking relaxed. I just remember looking at him with my mouth wide open, and saying, ‘Let me see if I can remember how to jump on it first!'” Watkins laughs. “I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to get the shot he wanted, but after many takes we got it- and I was very sore the next day!”
Bad Brains Reissuing Their Albums, Kicked Off by ‘Pay to Cum’ 7 ” in February
“Bad Brains, the righteous and ferocious Washington, DC-based rastapunk quartet who arguably invented hardcore, have won back the rights to their back catalog. In the near future, they will undertake an extensive remaster/reissue campaign. The records will be issued on a custom imprint, Bad Brains Records via Org Music.” Alternative Press Magazine
Here’s when you can get the back catalog of punk icons Bad Brains
Voodoo Bloo releases powerful debut album, Jacobus
Using music as a way to process, to heal and to grow as a human, New Zealand’s Voodoo Bloo has created a powerful collection of furious rock music in his debut album, Jacobus.
A nine track studio album that has been born out of dark times for Voodoo Bloo (aka Wellington songwriter and musician Rory McDonald), Jacobus is an album of twists and turns, a narrative rollercoaster driven by emotion and urgency.
