UKs Leif Erikson share new single
Leif Erikson was the relatively little-known Icelandic explorer believed by many to have been the first Westerner to reach the shores of America (beating Christopher Columbus to establish a Norse colony in the New World). It’s a legend partly paid tribute to in this namesake of a new London five-piece, whose early material also explores that idea of escaping to a simpler, more innocent time. Slowly honing their craft, members of Leif Erikson have been friends from school since the age of 13: firstly forming bands together, and later tailing off into make-do jobs (chef, builder) whilst, as the title of their debut track suggested, looking for signs.
Mr. Byrd shares beautiful new single “Why God Why”
The track premiered on The Wild Honey Pie who said, “The heartbreaking track delivers in spades and is an excellent introduction to this young talent who holds the promise of creating much more lovely music for those of us who dig modern indie but also appreciate the sounds of yesteryear.”
RJ – “Thank God”
Thanks to his unparalleled energy and infectious sing-song flow, RJ is one of the most popular rappers in the City of Angels. Rising out of bed to make mischief on the Lord’s Day, RJ transforms the church to the club in “Thank God.” Teaming up with Memphis wild card Blac Youngsta, who brings an unhinged and manic energy to the proceedings, RJ leads his block like a congregation as they move to DJ Mustard’s beat. “Thank God” is the latest single from RJ’s recent MrLA album, following “Brackin,” which Pitchfork praised as “L.A. rap at its finest” and Spotify placed on its Most Necessary playlist. MrLA is the first release from 400 Summers, a joint venture between DJ Mustard’s 10 Summers and YG’s 4 Hunnid Records. Featuring appearances from YG, Quavo, Schoolboy Q, Ty Dolla $ign, Blac Youngsta, and Earl Swavey, MrLA is a trunk-rattling, club-busting collection of tracks, packed front-to-back with brilliant, sing-song bars.
Darius Rucker Hits $1 Million in Support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Nine years after first pledging his support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and the thousands of children the healthcare institution treats, Darius Rucker and his many friends have surpassed the $1 million fundraising mark following the music superstar’s sold-out eighth annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert, sponsored by A.O. Smith, on Monday night. This year’s concert, auction and golf tournament alone raised $402,000 for St. Jude, breaking the previous year’s record and bringing the cumulative total raised for all years to $1.2 million.
“You can’t help but be moved by the amazing work that St. Jude does,” says Rucker. “To raise this kind of money and awareness for them… for the families that rely on St. Jude, it’s just incredible. I’m so grateful to all our friends who came out and donated their time to be on the show– and Brooks & Dunn for surprising me onstage! Just wow!”
Sleepy Sun Stream ‘Private Tales’ LP On All Music
Sleepy Sun get it. Now five albums and more than a decade into making their own elusive brand of bold rock music, the Bay Area band isn’t interested in flooding our synapses with far too many ideas on their new LP, Private Tales. They’d rather let a grander vision unfold over time, rewarding anyone with the willingness to wait it out, to actually listen.
Los Angeles Rock Band Lunar Electric Premieres “Barnburner” Music Video
Los Angeles rock band Lunar Electric have released the visually inspiring music video for their new single “Barnburner.” The video is for the first single from their forthcoming visual EP, Auracle Bone Script. The “Barnburner” video can now be viewed via Alter The Press! or on Lunar Electric’s official YouTube channel.
Swedish Dream/Electropop Outfit Summer Heart Announces Upcoming Full-Length
It’s not so often that a band’s name truly reflects their sound, but when it comes to Swedish solo pop act Summer Heart (David Alexander), you can expect just that; hazy, sun- bleached tracks that are the perfect anthem to remembering hot July nights filled with skinny dipping and sleeping in.
Rugby Wild and his newest single “Scuffs”, that premiered via a carefree video today on Noisey. This second offering from his debut full-length Millennials, due out later this year, is a prime example of the LA-transplant’s California vibes and huge hooks accented by the sort of skillful wordplay that east coast emcees pride themselves. On “Scuffs” the Newark, NJ born emcee has proven yet again that he is a rapper to watch in 2017.
Norway’s Sløtface share new track ‘Nancy Drew’
Following the recent announcement of their much anticipated debut album ‘Try Not To Freak Out’ — Norway’s Sløtface are sharing new track ‘Nancy Drew’ one of the band’s most hard-hitting releases to date. Today they also release the track’s accompanying visuals, created by Norwegian illustrator / animator jellyvamps (Ida Neverdahl).
JESSIE JAMES DECKER TO RELEASE LIVE EP
Epic Records (Sony) singer/songwriter JESSIE JAMES DECKER is laying it out live with the release of her Blackbird Sessions EP this Friday, June 9. Recorded at the illustrious Blackbird Studios (Nashville) owned by John and Martina McBride, Blackbird Sessions features live versions of several of Jessie’s favorite songs. The 5-track project includes covers ranging from Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” to Rihanna’s “Love On The Brain” along with a stripped rendition of “Girl On The Coast” from her recently released EP, Gold.
Country music superstars Keith Urban and Shania Twain both took to twitter to praise the “sultry” (Nash Country Daily) singer’s cover of their iconic songs.
Amba Shepherd’s new single “If I Could”
Amba Shepherd recorded with the likes of Hardwell (“Apollo”, “United We Are”), Porter Robinson (“Vandalism”), Afrojack (“The Great Escape”), Tiesto (as TST, “Real Life”), NERVO (“Did We Forget”), Paul Oakenfold (“U Are”), Laidback Luke (“Neon Sunrise”) and many more.
West Coast Icon Ice Cube Premiere’s New Track “Good Cop Bad Cop”
“The same weight under a Trump Administration is starting to feel the same way as it did when daddy Bush was in the White House. It was the weight of all those policies geared against poor people who were trying to pull themselves up. I feel like that same attack is happening against the most poor and vulnerable people. That same ugliness is starting to rear it’s head again.”
ANGELSEED: ‘Dancing With The Ghosts’ Video Released
Dancing With The Ghosts, the brand new cinematic video from Croatian symphonic metal band, ANGELSEED, can be seen below.
The clip was filmed in Zadar by Igor Goic and KREATHIA Studio. The storyline is a slightly twisted exploration on the theme of soul cages. The fundamental idea of the storyboard is based on the five elements philosophy in Japanese Buddhism, known as godai, whose elements are Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void. Every element has its own symbolism. Opposed to the five elements, there’s a diabolical and materialistic demon queen, the creator of earthly imprisonment.
Jammz – ‘Oh Please’
One of the best from grime’s new school, Jammz, releases ‘Oh Please’ — his second single of 2017 following the anthemic, ‘Who’s That Girl?’
Produced by DJ Q, ‘Who’s That Girl?’ was supported by radio tastemakers Julie Adenuga, Sian Anderson, DJ Target, Rude Kid, Toddla T, Spyro and Logan Sama, as well as countless club DJs. It was described as a “new classic” by Complex and was recently profiled as one of the Best Songs of the Summer by The Fader, racking up over 200,000 plays across YouTube and Spotify. On ‘Oh Please’, Jammy takes things darker over a beat produced by Cory Syx.
Mogwai “Coolverine” official video
Mogwai have just shared a video for “Coolverine,” the first single from their forthcoming album Every Country’s Sun (out September 1 on Temporary Residence Ltd.). The stunning B&W clip, directed by James and Justin Lockey of Handheld Cine Club, manages an unlikely balance of apocalyptic imagery and austere hopefulness.
She Makes War “I Want My Country Back”
Bristol artist She Makes War has followed up her politically pertinent power pop anthem “I Want My Country Back” with an ambitious multi-band music video.
The video features leading UK post-rockers Thought Forms (including bassist Jim Barr (Portishead, Get The Blessing) plus three more band lineups of guest musicians and a crowd of slogan-bearing fans, showing compassionate strength in numbers against an ever more hateful media and calling out the likes of Theresa May, Paul Dacre and Katie Hopkins as complicit in this:
“I want my country back from unelected liars, hypocrites and sleazy hacks”
Jason Loewenstein Shares “Hey Hey” Track On Exclaim!
Exclaim! has shared Jason Loewenstein’s newest single “Hey Hey”, which will be featured on his forthcoming LP ‘Spooky Action’. When talking about “Hey Hey” Loewenstein said, “‘Hey Hey’ is a note to a friend reminding them not to take it all so seriously, If it’s a game, lets make it a good one. Lighten the F up!” Prior to this track, Jason released the singles entitled “Superstitious” and “Machinery”, the latter of which had a video released last week on Magnet. ‘Spooky Action’ is out 6/16 via Joyful Noise Recordings.
Ruby the Hatchet to Release New LP, ‘Planetary Space Child’
Philadelphia psych rock quintet RUBY THE HATCHET will release its new album, Planetary Space Child, on August 25 via Tee Pee Records. Recorded in an 1800’s era estate deep in the Pennsylvania woods with engineers Joe Boldizar (Retro City Studios), Zach Goldstein (Kawari Sound), and the band’s own Sean Hur, the record is the product of several weeks of self-imposed isolation. Planetary Space Child showcases seven richly layered songs that unite heavy, doomy psychedelia with acid rock, proto-prog and melodic, hypnotic songcraft.
British Musical Maverick Plan B Unveils “In The Name Of Man” Music Video
British musical maverick Ben Drew, better known as Plan B, has unveiled the powerful companion video to his new song ‘In The Name Of Man,’ taken from his forthcoming fourth studio album. Focusing around mass upheaval, the video sees the use of puppets to form a compelling and often shocking narrative, seeing people displaced from their home, juxtaposed against captivating historical footage of the past. ‘In The Name Of Man’ is the first musical release by the multi-award winning musician/actor/director in over five years. “In The Name of Man” is now available at all DSPs and streaming services.
Z-RO ANNOUNCES FINAL ALBUM NO LOVE BOULEVARD OUT JUNE 30
After two legendary decades in the game, Houston hip-hop icon Z-Ro unveils his 21st and final album, No Love Boulevard [One Deep Entertainment/EMPIRE], in stores and at all digital retailers on Friday June 30th.
In advance of the release, he premieres the music video for the new single “Belong to the Streets” today. Over an expansive beat, Z-Ro delivers bold and bulletproof bars before soulfully carrying the hook, “My heart belongs to the streets.” It’s evocative of the Texas style he pioneered and the airtight rhyming that cemented his status as a true icon.
MIJA RELEASES ‘TIME STOPS’ SHORT FILM SOUNDTRACK
Genre-hopping DJ / producer Mija has released the original soundtrack for her upcoming short film, Time Stops, a DIY and self-funded visual project coming later this year. This soundtrack sees Mija scoring four individual storylines within the film, all written by Mija and director Ryan Forever and animated by David Dutton of 8-Bit Cinema fame. The story will culminate in a final, longer-form short film which will be broken up into four episodic video releases throughout the summer, backed by Mija’s first all-original body of music. The first single and title track, “Time Stops,” dropped yesterday via Adult Swim’s Singles program, and today the soundtrack is out in its entirety via Mija’s own Never B Alone imprint. Stay tuned for the first episodic video and more from Mija coming soon.
Sleep Good Premieres “Somewhere” via Atwood Mag
Bohemian Grove is a secret encampment in Northern California frequented by politicians and global decision makers that gather once a year to participate in old world rituals and general high jinks (seriously). Aside from serving as confirmation that our government leaders are just a high functioning Fraternity it’s also a reminder that unseen forces often guide and direct our lives; for better or worse.
Whitehorse release video for ‘Die Alone’
Whitehorse unveils the video to ‘Die Alone’ taken from Panther In The Dollhouse. The video for “Die Alone,” from Massey Hall’s new Ghost Light Sessions, was shot on the theatre’s grand and storied stage and shows Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland’s exquisite harmonies and tones. From The Road To Massey Hall, an EP celebrating artists whose careers are intertwined with the venue’s history, to this striking stripped-down performance, Whitehorse’s reverence for this stage has become part of their story as well.
TENGGER CAVALRY Reveals Music Video for Politically-Charged Track “Independence Day”
Global Music Award-winning nomadic folk metal group TENGGER CAVALRY officially released their new album, Die On My Ride, last week via M-Theory Audio, in addition to kicking off their current North American headline tour with support from Felix Martin, Malphas, Sicocis and Helsott (see below for dates).
Today, TENGGER CAVALRY is following up with a fast-paced music video for one of the most politically-charged tracks on the new album, entitled “Independence Day”. Take a look at the video now, exclusively via Loudwire.
ENTER SHIKARI Release “Supercharge” Animated Video
Huge British rock mavericks Enter Shikari have shared the animated video to “Supercharge”, their raucous new track featuring grime legend Big Narstie. The single was premiered on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show as “Hottest In The World”.
The dynamic ‘Supercharge’ was penned last Summer when Reynolds and Big Narstie were introduced by mutual photographer friend Jordan Curtis Hughes. Reynolds then went on to produce the track, assisted by the bands live engineer Tim Morris and it was then mixed by David Kosten (Everything Everything / Bat For Lashes).
Multi-platinum award-winning rock band Lifehouse will release their first hits compilation, Lifehouse: Greatest Hits, on CD and all digital retailers July 14. The 18-track selection will include a multitude of their chart-topping hits, including “You and Me,” “First Time”, “Halfway Gone,” “Hurricane” and “Hanging by a Moment,” which was the most played radio track of 2001. CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER.
To mark the release, Lifehouse, which includes Jason Wade (lead vocals, guitar), Bryce Soderberg (bass, vocals) and Ricky Woolstenhulme Jr. (drums, percussion), will co-headline a U.S. tour with Switchfoot, starting July 23 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO, and wrapping September 10 at the Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco after a show on September 9 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.
NY’s House of Feelings share “It’ll Cost You”
Today, House of Feelings share their latest single “It’ll Cost You”, taken from the Last Chance EP, an apocalyptic disco record, out August 11 on Infinite Best. The track is about life during late capitalism — a techno nightmare that prays for disco redemption, owing as much to the proto-techno of Cybotron as it does to the glossy disco of Hercules and Love Affair. Film critic Kristin Yoonsoo Kim delivers the vocal.
Fun, synth-pop with an important message from HICARI
It’s a metaphorical representation of the song’s lyrical theme, tackling the subject of body image and the pressures to conform to modern-day, media perceptions of unrealistic beauty – something which lead singer Shai personally experienced while growing up. It is fun, playful and features sumo wrestlers.
Memphis’ brightest new rapper Tin Tenn
Tin Tenn was born and raised in Memphis, TN, and at just 23 years-old has taken the hip hop community by storm with his visceral lyrics and Southern-tinged sound. His debut single “Lucid Dreams” has already amassed over 40K views online since being premiered by The Word Is Bond in April. Tin Tenn was just named as one of the winners to be included in The Extreme Tour, which will take Tin’s music from North America to Europe, Africa and South America. The new single “Tin Outta Tenn”, which was recently premiered on Vents, is a testament to Tin’s roots and features classic southern production and Tin’s mind-bending bars.
BACARDÍ and Major Lazer Launch Music Liberates Music
Today, BACARDÍ and Major Lazer launch Music Liberates Music, a program designed to support the island music that inspires them by providing up-and-coming artists a chance to share their music with the world. Every time fans play Major Lazer’s new track ‘Front of the Line’ (feat. Machel Montano & Konshens) on Spotify, BACARDÍ will donate studio time for aspiring Caribbean artists. To listen to the just released ‘Front of the Line’ track and view the current tally of studio time.
Fruit Juice debut their single “Kimkimsee” out on Swoon Records
Olympia, Washington has a well known history as a mecca for burgeoning artists and musicians. The band Fruit Juice has without a doubt, developed into the retro-glam darling of the college town’s music scene. Now that half of the band resides in Seattle, their stature and influence is spreading to larger audiences.
Their first release, a five song EP titled Terra-Fi, showed us nostalgic elements of ’60s Psychedelic Pop, and ’70s era glam, while carrying us into a distinct, modern atmosphere of infectious energy, sparkling oddities, and 13 shades of eye shadow. You can expect that and much more on Fruit Juice’s first full-length album, Eat You Up. Recorded at Swoon Records with engineer Jeff Southard (Tangerine, Fauna Shade) and Bear Creek Studio with engineer Jerry Streeter (Brandi Carlile, The Lumineers, Secret Sisters) you can expect pristine production and fidelity, without missing any of their wild character.
Woolf’s new Single and Music Video produced by Diwon out today!
Future-folk artist Woolf releases his debut single “Fortress” co-produced by Diwon of Dreams In Static. Fortress combines Diwon’s hard-hitting drums with thick textures and haunting falsetto vocals alongside deep bass and growling guitars by Dugans, also of Dreams In Static. Woolf’s music blends layered harmonies and dark beats, composed of organic and synthetic elements, to create a sound that transcends genres. In an experimental sound first approach, the work disguises ardent, introspective lyrics in transformative textures and reverb. With a run time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds, the track is a meditation on existentialism, love, fear, and heartbreak.
High-Functioning Flesh announces ‘Culture Cut’ LP
Since the inception of Gregory Vand and Susan Subtract’s electro-punk outfit High-Functioning Flesh in 2012, the band has proven to be one of the most singular acts in years, defying the genre tag of “classic” EBM, as the creativity and fresh perspective they bring to the stage and studio has been instrumental in carving out a modern audience for the genre – elevating HFF into a category all their own.
Following their striking debut on DKA Records in 2014, High-Functioning Flesh delivered an exceptional step forward in their sound on their sophomore effort for Dais Records, the “Definite Structures” LP in 2015. Since then, High-Functioning Flesh has toured extensively with label mates Body of Light and previewed their caustic shift to a more refined, hardened signature with their “Human Remains” single in 2016. We now find High-Functioning Flesh at their sharpest and most poised position to date within their newest album: “Culture Cut”.
Folk Radio UK premieres dreamy folk from Builder of the House
Yesterday, Portland, Maine-based indie folk duo Builder of the House premiered their new single “Evergreen” via Folk Radio UK, who noted, “The chorus of vocals is just another element that demonstrated Cimitile and Heeschen’s uncanny knack at pulling together elements that heighten the song still further”
Bandmates Rob Cimitile and Elliot Heeschen create a unique, worldbeat strain of folk music that welcomes their listeners in from the cold digital world to enjoy a warm potpourri of all-embracing indie pop.
Beiju shares first track “Movin On”
Raised in the outskirts of Paris, Caitlin Seager was heavily influenced by contemporary jazz and the avant-garde art world as a child before moving to New York City at 18. She began singing in the growing Brooklyn DIY scene at such venues as the storied 285 Kent alongside local stalwarts like DIIV with her group Night Manager, culminating in full-length releases on Fire Talk and Big Love. As the front singer in Night Manager she developed her acrobatic vocal style that has become her signature.
DAGNY RELEASES OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR “WEARING NOTHING”
After hitting #3 on Hype Machine’s Popular Chart & #5 on their Most Blogged Artists Chart, hitting Top 20 on the Spotify’s US Viral Chart and Top 25 on the Global Viral Chart pop-art songstress Dagny’s “Wearing Nothing” has no signs of slowing down. Today, she has released the official music video for the record that is sure to be a song of the summer contender. See the official music video here!
American Songwriter Premieres Emily West’s New Video for “Symphonies”
Creating a collection of songs that burst with cinematic imagery and paying homage to the sadness-tinged yearnings of a torch singer, Emily West’s Symphonies displays the grit and hope of Dorothy in Wizard of Oz and resides on the Hollywood 101. The singer and songwriter has created a lush, cinematic EP resembling, according to her, a “dark Disney record,” which will be released on August 18. American Songwriter exclusively premiered the video for the soaring, powerhouse title track today.
Emily West Celebrates Everyday Life in New Video for “Symphonies”
At the intersection of age-defying wisdom and undeniable trap-n-b bangers you will find Garren, Los Angeles’ velvet voiced rising star. In his latest visual for “You Know That,” Garren recruits fellow Think It’s A Game artist YFN Lucci to trade empowering verses, reflecting on their come-up from atop high-rises and the streets of long-forgotten neighborhoods. Interspersed with shadowy shots of Garren bestowing his hard-earned knowledge upon a younger figure, the reflective visual for “You Know That” adds new layers of depth to the already compelling track.
Robotaki’s “Monkey Bars” Is the Summer Hit
If you haven’t already, now would be a great time to check out rapidly-rising producer, Robotaki. The Canadian artist has shown remarkable consistency in releasing music that procures a wide range of emotions, with his newest single, “Monkey Bars,” showing off his dynamic skillset in abundance. Robotaki opened up and had this to say about his newest single on globally-renown Majestic Casual imprint: “Monkey Bars was meant to capture the euphoria of being with someone you love during the summer.
TOWN MEETING DROP NEW TRACK “WEST OF SEATTLE”
Having shared the stage with Bob Dylan, Third Eye Blind, Tancred, and Jill Andrews, Town Meeting will be appearing at an evening with The Avett Brothers on June 1 on The Magic Hat Stage. With their sophomore release, Town Meeting continue to carve out their place alongside the greats in their genre. Soon after the lineup was solidified, the band played shows with Sturgill Simpson, Willie Nelson and Old Crow Medicine Show and dropped their debut, If I Die (2016). Over the past year, the five have been putting the finishing touches on the Geography series.
Warbly Jets Share “Alive” Remix
LA’s Warbly Jets burst onto the scene last November with their debut single “Alive,” an infectious jam that infuses the grit of straightforward rock ‘n’ roll with the catchy hooks of Britpop. Since then, the song has racked up an impressive amount of plays and garnered praise from the likes of LA Weekly, KROQ, and Beats1’s Matt Wilkinson, who called the track “gutsy, melodic, and catchy-as-hell.” It was also used as the official song for Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green SS17 line and earned the band slots opening for acts like The Dandy Warhols, The Mystery Lights, and Night Beats.
