Feature stories and artist interviews
Blackwall and Laura J Martin. The duo recently announced their collaboration via the sharing of their debut single ‘Take My Picture’ which has already earned support from the likes of The Quietus, For The Rabbits, BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio Scotland & BBC Radio Wales. The pair first met whilst playing on the same…
New single & visuals from New York’s Jazz, R&B artist Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez. “Better For You” grapples with the gaze, focusing on the experience of being objectified and the ambiguous response to this reality. The song is most explicitly about sex and the ways in which heterosexual dynamics often prioritize men’s pleasure. Raina has recently been…
CASILIAN is a fusion between the roughness of rock and roll riffs, the tightness of electronica and the wonderful harmonies of folk music; packed together in an explosive trio. Their electric chemistry brings a sense of playful intensity to the places they perform, their light-heartedness and osmosis on stage make their live performances an experience…
There’s a good case to be made that there’s no city more important to the development of popular music than Memphis, Tennessee. It’s the home of the king of Rock and Roll, one of the cradles of the blues, the gateway to the Dirty South, and the birthplace of dozens of influential rappers and rap…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope ISLAND share new video for “Everyone’s The Same” | New single out now on Frenchkiss Records Today, London’s ISLAND have shared a new video for their recent single “Everyone’s The Same.” The surreal and cyclical new video (dir. by Joel Barney) sees frontman Rollo Doherty leaving his dressing room to join…
Marlon Boone embraces a nu jazz kick on the soulful spirit of “Dance With Me”. Here he makes the saxophone sing for there is a lushness to the overall sound. Everything here works positively glistening with a warm glow. References to Marlon’s approach abound, as he takes a page from Sam Gendel’s experimental yet highly…
The young British songwriter described as “the future of rock n’ roll” by Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses) is taking aim at politicians’ lack of conviction to climate change action with his latest single “Teenagers From Mars?”. In a track littered with lyrical references to the likes of Bowie, Elton John and Joni Mitchell—it’s 3…
Today, reggae singer Naomi Cowan releases “Energy”, her first single of 2021. Produced by Izy Beats (Koffee “Toast”, Jorja Smith & Burna Boy “Be Honest”) the upbeat r&b and reggae laced track serves as a cautionary yet charming mantra of protecting your peace and keeping your vibrations, aura and confidence high no matter what. “Energy…
There’s a lot to take in with Melanie Rogers’ latest single “Fever”. It is, first, the sound of someone breaking away from their musical past. Rogers, until recently, framed her musical art around religious concerns and making an impact in the Contemporary Christian genre. The thought of her writing, much less recording and releasing, a…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope OUT NOW: Indubious Releases New Album “The Bridge” on Easy Star Records Indubious’ highly anticipated full-length album The Bridge is out now on Easy Star Records. The record finds a strong balance between Indubious’ unique production and sound coupled with an all-star lineup of guests including Sizzla, Capleton, Anthony B, Jah9,…
“If I want you dead, you won’t hear about it,” raps Fresh Da Zoe on “No Sleep,” his latest single. He doesn’t sound particularly menacing, angry, or secretive; he makes the boast point-blank, almost cheerfully, utterly confident about his ability to eliminate rivals without breaking a sweat. That’s Fresh Da Zoe – effortlessly lethal, yet…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope UK singer/songwriter ROSE BETTS follows Justice League single with “Recovery” Rose describes “Recovery” as her most personal song to date, inspired by the messy end of a relationship. She says, “This song came from an experience that changed me and changed the way I write and sing songs.” Alt-pop/folk duo HARLOR…
If only we knew ‘What Lies Ahead’ for us or maybe not such a good idea since I’m a firm believer in living in the present. And speaking of the here and now, I have to admit after hearing this 2015 album for the first time in 2021, I was blown away! I’m a sucker…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope KING OF ASGARD release new video single ‘kvikr’ Swedish blackened death veterans KING OF ASGARD have released a video clip featuring the famous and mysterious runestone from Rök for the track ‘kvikr’ as the second single taken from their forthcoming album “svartrviðr” (“black wood”), which is slated for release on May…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Elizabeth Nistico is Revenge Wife: Releases Anti-Capitalist Bop “Manifest” Out Today It takes a lot of skill to elegantly blend comedy and horror to reference a bad personal experience. However, with fearlessness and a heavy dose of camp and vulnerability, Revenge Wife makes it seem so graceful on her new single…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope TERRA ODIUM – Feat. TESTAMENT Bassist STEVE DI GIORGIO – Announce Debut Album “Ne Plus Ultra”, Out On June 11th Progressive metallers TERRA ODIUM have announced the release of their debut album, “Ne Plus Ultra”, coming out on June 11, 2021 via Frontiers Music Srl. Today, the band has released their…
Today, pop rock trio Waterparks release a brand new single and video “Numb” via 300 Entertainment. “Numb” is the latest installment of “Waterparks Wednesdays”, where the trio debuts a new release on Wednesdays leading up to the album. “Numb” is a high-energy and deftly-produced track featuring Awsten’s killer vocals and an effortless flow. The song’s…
Fatima Al Qadiri today announces her return to Hyperdub, with a suite inspired by the classical poems of Arab women. Her new album Medieval Femme, out 14th May (with a vinyl release due 23rd July) invokes a simulated daydream through the metaphor of an Islamic garden, at the border between depression and desire, where the…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Oh the Humanity! “Gainesville” Premiere Oh the Humanity is gearing up to release their Self-Titled debut LP on Hellminded Records this April and have just dropped their second single. “Everyone in Gainesville (Looks like Someone I Know)” is a love song to the annual punk rock festival The Fest. Listen, if…
Em Nacirema, a hip-hop artist from Queens, Jamaica, puts his musical talents in full force in 2021 as he looks to develop his career. Nacirema is a laid-back artist who makes vibey music that everyone can enjoy. His most recent release, “Timeless,” has been getting recognition in the industry and ranks at #7 on iTunes…
A single pair of red sunglasses received as a gift became a defining moment for rapper Red Shaydez. “Red” epitomizes her ambition and ambiance, while “Shaydez” symbolizes her view from the world behind the tinted lens and her nickname. The Boston native established her name in her local scene and beyond. Her creativity expands apart…
Italian workhorse of a producer and songwriter Gabriele Saro graves us (again) with a pair of exciting unconventional party anthems in the form of “Breathing” and “GANGSTA”. For some context, Saro is kind of a force of nature when it comes to music, having a major background in music work for film and has done plenty for both documentaries…
Coming in with the sounds of dueling trashing guitars and a guttural roar of voice, that’s how Pistols at Dawn’s new single “Voices” starts. It’s a song made of pure raw energy and emotion especially given how to lead vocals Chris Pierson imbues so much power and emotion to phrases like “erase from the start,…
It’s not often you come across a group that feels both nostalgic and new. Well, The Pink Dust is proving to do just that. The dynamic duo is made up of Roy Mitchell-Cardenas and Cliff Littlefield, yet it’s hard to believe from listening there are just two instrumentalists involved. The Pink Dust effortlessly fuse a…
Of late, there has seemed to be an onslaught of new wave rock taking over, yet a new band is setting out to school us all on the timeless roots of the rock realms. Drawing Arrows are the upcoming alt-rock outfit relishing in the real roots of rock. With their recently released EP ‘Rojo,’ you’ll…
Fredo Viola is perhaps one of the most intriguing artists to come onto my radar of late. His sound is innovative, imaginative and (as an aspiring musician myself) pretty inspiring. Whilst citing influences in the realms of Kate Bush, White Noise and Benjamin Britten, Fredo’s musical magic lies in the “strong focus on emotional catharsis”.…
Manchester singer-songwriter Caoilfhionn Rose (pronounced Keelin) has today shared a new song from her luscious, soulful new album Truly. ‘To Me’ is about feeling a connection with nature and life. “I love going on long walks and the healing power of nature is a recurring theme in a lot of my lyrics. I have a…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope the new theWorst music video ‘yes regrets’ (VID BY SPARXSEA) The official music video for ‘Yes Regrets’ by theWorst, the band that Alternative Press calls “…the glorious love child of Joan Jett and Kurt Cobain.” The song is the title track to the upcoming sophomore album by the band and is…
Indie pop/rock singer-songwriter Vanessa Peters unleashes a new single, “Valley of Ashes,” on April 9, 2021, from her forthcoming album, “Modern Age” (out April 23, 2021). The sinuous song rides a melancholy music bed that would have been at home on ’70s or ’80s radio yet still sounds stunningly fresh and modern. @skopemag is pleased…
If you were a music fan in 1998, you knew it well: “Be Careful,” the debut single by the Chicago soul and R&B singer Sparkle. It was one of the year’s defining songs – a fresh, nuanced, remarkably deep tale of romantic entanglement and revenge, set to a slinky beat – and it marked the…
Summer Dennis is the featured vocalist of Summer Dennis & Rhymes. She is a classically trained musician and vocalist who is able to sing all genres. She has performed as a lead vocalist in Gospel, R&B, Rock, Pop and Classical formats. She can competently sing all ranges from first soprano through alto Summer’s vocal performance…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope MUSIC NEWS: RIIVER BRUKES ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF NEW VIDEO “LOVE ME LIKE U DO” The talented Riiver Brukes is making her mark again. Riiver Brukes unusual gritty and soulful voice brings a powerful edge to some amazing hook laden songs, and is influenced by a broad spectrum of genres and…
The Silent Boys are back with another album set to colour our daily soundtracks as we ease into Summer this year. Whilst delving into their discography, it’s evident that The Silent Boys know a thing or two about penning a hit, their latest single being no different. ‘Last Time’ is the sensational single set to…
Beyond Here is bursting onto the scene this year with their recently released debut album ‘New Dangers’. The formidable four-piece is elevating their airwaves with their astounding alt-rock sound. Beyond Here began as frontman’s Anthony Douglas’ passion project, swiftly attracting the spectacular skills of drummer Jonathon Tuckness, guitarist Jon Wisecarver and bassist Logan Hatcher. This…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Curtis Walsh and Anna Pancaldi deliver the official video for their stunning new single ‘Bend’ Working in collaboration with director Morgan, the new visuals look to create a reflective awareness that we are all experiencing due to the pandemics restrictions. Because of the lack of social contact and everyone forced to…
Poetic value is never limited to lyrics in good hip-hop, and this narrative is fearlessly reinforced in the new single “Emotions” from JLC. Backed by Jay Bang, JLC unleashes a brutally honest and unquestionably expressive jam in “Emotions” this spring that refutes the very notion of solid rap being singularly linguistic; on the contrary, songs…
Dare we say Fate Will Come creates vintage 80s heavy metal? The title track on the band’s Heavy Heart release borrows liberally from various classic metal bands from that era, including a riff structure much like many memorable Van Halen FM radio staples. The net effect is a group that sounds a bit like a…
It doesn’t get any smoother or more vulnerable than Nathan Harrington’s new single, “Hold On Me.” Described as something of a Reggae crossover act, the 21 year old, Nathan Harrington, could possibly cater to every cliché we have come to lazily subscribe to. The thing is though, he really isn’t a prototype, at least not…
Imagine the opening montage of Rocky III without the iconic Survivor track, “Eye of the Tiger”. Imagine “The Sound of Silence” omitted from The Graduate. And imagine Romy and Michele dancing to anything but Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. The songs are seared into our brains, almost as much as the…
Americana/folk singer-songwriter Hope Dunbar sat down recently with @skopemag to talk about her new album, “Sweetheartland” (out now). @skopemag: Hi, Hope! This album (“Sweetheartland”) is one that taps into a feeling of strength and resilience. Tell us the story behind the album. Hope: At the end of 2019, I went into the studio knowing I…
