Feature stories and artist interviews
It’s strange how much humans are obsessed with angels. Heck, they even named a major league baseball team after one of these mystical beings. When a woman is described as being especially beautiful, she’s called ‘angelic’. Oddly enough, though, whenever the Bible mentioned angels, these were always males, never females. And you rarely, if never,…
Americana/folk singer-songwriter Sonja Midtune sat down recently with @skopemag to talk about her new EP, “Dreams Melt Away” (out now). @skopemag: Hi, Sonja! This EP (“Dreams Melt Away”) is really special. Tell us the story behind it. Sonja: I intended to make an EP of a bunch of older songs and looked for a producer…
Today, Norway’s rising artist ‘Red Moon’ (Joanna-Deborah Bussinger) shares the captivating video for her stunning new single ‘Emotional’. This intoxicating release is an elegant, otherworldly offering that shines a light into the depth of feeling, and the power it can hold in the moment. Fiercely in touch and in tune with her emotions, Red Moon’s…
“Slowly” is set after a long night of contemplation, when the morning cravings have set in. You’re aware of the problem, and want to make different choices, but the temptation is too much to handle. A bad habit can speak to you like a toxic love interest; that little whisper in the back of your…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope NINA HERZOG (Voice Of Odette From Sony Animation’s “The Swan Princess” Series) Debut EP The video for her latest single, “Lover’s Lullaby” premiered on AmericanSongwriter.com yesterday and can be seen on her official YouTube page here. Videos for her first two singles, “Changing Seasons” and “Least Resistance” can also be seen…
There is nothing Xavier Toscano can’t do – no place he won’t be and no genre he hasn’t mastered. Xavier Toscano is a jack of all trades and an expert of all. The San Francisco native can quickly adapt to the mood of the room or the people in the crowd; whether it’s an intimate…
Sojourner Truth was born centuries ago, but few individuals in American history were closer to the spirit of rock, soul, and hip-hop than she was. She was a former slave who became a passionate speaker on behalf of equality and humanity, and she remains an inspiration to everyone dedicated to unfettered self-expression. In the video…
Alex Lopez’s new album release Rising Up continues the impressive run of studio releases he has enjoyed since emerging on the scene in 2013. It is perhaps natural that newcomers, after a single listen, would draw superficial comparisons with the blues rock genre’s current commercial giant Joe Bonamassa. There are definite differences, however. Where Bonamassa’s six-string attack…
A beautiful slice of pastoral folk, Sylvie & Mandy go for a serene reflective stance on the hallowed “Broken Year”. The hushed tones of the piece command silence for they have a lovely hue about them. Such a wide array of instruments enters into the fray for they revel in a serenity of sorts. By…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Sways presents his latest hard hitting track ‘Repeat’ Croydon rapper Sways is back with his latest hard hitting release ‘Repeat’. Produced by Swiss Producer Ozo Beats, this is a very alternative instrumental, the melodies have a UK native sound, while the drums resonate with the European Underground scene. JANINA JADE Debut…
Toronto-based alt-pop artist, JULIANA EYE, is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and live support musician. After years of playing in bands and writing songs behind-the-scenes, JULIANA is stepping forward to showcase her own music in 2021. With pop at its core, her music draws influence from ’90s alt-rock, indie & dance music, pairing it with introspective and…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope One Thousand Motels: New Track / Video ‘Never Forget’, tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. Recorded between London, Memphis and Palm Springs, is the second album from One Thousand Motels and is released 30 April 2021 on Universal Music. One Thousand Motels is the band that developed from the core of…
Singing drummers may now be in vogue, but very few combine the masterful musicianship, vivid lyrics and expressive vocals one experiences with Alex Rex. In fact, few musicians have a CV as impressive as bandleader Alex Neilson. He’s drummed with some of the most eclectic musicians of the international underground; from Bonnie “Prince” Billy to…
Deon “Shoplift” Williams, known as music artist “Shoplift Spittz”, is an established entertainer from Detroit, MI. Upholding an outstanding career in music under the local label Do Something Ent. Shoplift has worked with and/or toured with artists such as Fred Da God Son, Tabius Tate, Obie Trice, Lil Boosie, 50 cent and many more. Touring…
When the environment you grew up in was filled with negativity and toxicity, it’s hard to walk away from the pessimistic noise. Jake Inzerra did, though, and he made it out of Connecticut to New York City by strutting away in his 6-inch stilettos, of course. His homophobic classmates were ruthless with their attacks, but…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Artist David D’Alessio Releases New Music Video for “Throw Yourself In Front Of It” Challenges are what make life compelling. Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful. New York based acoustic singer-songwriter David D’Alessio announces his new video for his latest single, “Throw Yourself in Front of It,” set to release…
“I don’t work for you” gives you an immediate feeling of empowerment and can play on emotions that amplify your self worth, or simply no longer being a victim of labor that no longer fulfills you. The bass and quick wit production (produced by @trianglxs & @kurtisycreative) may take you on a trance as Dyna’s…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope SOFTCULT RELEASE NEW SINGLE GLOOMY GIRL Of the track, vocalist and guitarist Mercedes Arn Horn explains: Gloomy Girl is a song about depression. Not only the emotional and physical toll it can take on you as a person, but also the people in your life. Emotional baggage can be a burden…
Produced by Black Rose Beatz : From Hiway’s album “Damaged Goods” Available now on all platforms After writing and producing the the song “Top Floor” with Tech N9ne, California rapper and rising star started planning the video, filmed on location in Kansas City, MO, and directed by Mel Mojares. “With such a big name attached,…
Even a saint has his bad days, and temptation taunts the greatest heroes. The struggle against our baser impulses has been a motivating theme in rock music since its very beginning, and it remains as relevant as ever. Christian Cantello of Sin For Saints has done his share of hard thinking about sinning and salvation…
It might seem unlikely that your new daily soundtrack would have a moniker based on the current chaotic climate, yet Merit Maker has released an album setting out to prove that wrong. Philadelphia based Joe Stanton is the musical mind behind Merit Maker and is soaring to new sonic heights with his ever-evolving discography. This…
Marty cut his metal chops with Cacophony followed by Megadeth, and hasn’t stopped shredding (he dislikes the term) since. Marty has resided in Japan for a while now adapting to their culture and music, and regularly appears on Japanese TV shows. If you’re looking for innovative song structure and a lot of power/speed guitar here…
Gearing up for a very special summer, Lissie celebrates a decade of her seminal 2010 full-length debut with the expanded Catching A Tiger (Anniversary Edition), which is out on June 25 via The Orchard. The Anniversary Edition includes five new songs, four of them previously unreleased, all recorded during the original Catching A Tiger sessions…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Grammy Winner Judith Hill Releases New Album Baby I’m Hollywood! Grammy-winning artist Judith Hill has released her new studio album Baby, I’m Hollywood! via Regime Music Group. The 13-track record is a vibrant, defiant personal statement, a thorough excursion into the annals of Black music: past, present and future. Rich in…
With nominations for Best Pop Artist and Best New Artist at Spellemannprisen (the Norwegian Grammy Awards), millions of streams and growing acclaim, SKAAR is a star in her homeland. Also making significant progress internationally following her debut EP ‘The Other Side of Waiting’ and the breakthrough hit ‘Higher Ground’, SKAAR will release a new collection…
Mexican-American artist & activist Alma Grace is releasing “Aventura,” the second single from her forthcoming debut EP, ‘FRIDA,’ due out on May 5th. Alma Grace has always felt a strong connection to Frida Kahlo. She first learned about her through the Frida adorned matchboxes and coasters her Grandmother would bring over from Mexico City. As…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope DETROIT’S NEWCOMER TAY B LINKS WITH LIL DURK FOR “STASHBOX” Bouncing boss-life bars off one another with an undeniable chemistry, Tay B & Lil Durk come together on their new single “Stashbox”. Produced by Will-A-Fool, who combines haunting vox synths with a boss-battle bassline, “Stashbox” brings the Detroit and Chi-town rappers…
You may experience a little cognitive dissonance when listening to Sylvie & Mandy’s single “Broken Year” while watching its accompanying video. That’s because its lyrics are sad. It’s highly unlikely anyone would ever describe a good year as one that’s broken, after all. “Let the judges be fair,” these two folk singers request, “this was…
“Real Music comes from the soul, and it comes from the South.” So says Snypa, a man who can’t seem to drop a single that doesn’t hit. That southern hip-hop sound and mentality runs in his blood, just as much as his shared roots with first cousin Al Green. Snypa’s been making his own way…
First thing that I noticed when I hit play on ‘The Blue Sky Sessions’ was the stellar guitar playing by KD Bantz. KD isn’t just a super-talented guitarist but he also adds in vocals, dobro and harmonica on the new album. ‘The Blue Sky Sessions’ also includes: Tim Beeler on bass, Will Brown on percussion,…
Onism E is putting the indie rock realms to rights with their recent album ‘Survivors’. The four-piece outfit is embarking on an adventure of astounding audio experience, with ‘Survivors’ pushing the envelope on what indie-rock means to us. Furthering the canon of fantastic female forces, Eline Chavez fronts the group with all the passion and…
Garnering praise from Nylon, Refinery29, People, and more, rising 16 year old singer, songwriter, and actress Dylan Conrique shares an infectious, dark-pop new single and music video entitled “After All” today via KYN Entertainment. On the track, shimmering piano and a laidback beat glisten beneath her dynamic voice. Co-written with Hilda Stenmalm (BTS), Teodor Runsiö,…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Brooklyn Latinx singer/producer Quelle Rox announces debut EP, shares hazy indie r&b track “No Surprises” Raquelle aka Rocky is a Latinx (Puerto Rican and Cuban) singer, songwriter and producer based in Brooklyn. After graduating from NYU and delving into the world of production, Rocky began her musical transformation. Drawing her sound…
WRYT definitively has one of the more exciting alt rock sounds to come out in some time. The new two-song self-titled EP is just a glimpse of songwriting cued up for the times, with modern undercurrents. Where other bands and artists rely on floundering, aggressive rage, WRYT delivers an equally combustible punch with enlightened lyrics…
Ink to Spill songwriter Bob Sauer recalls a carousel of moments when marking the most crucial memories of his fathers decade-long battle with addiction. In the band’s relatable new single “Hyd’N”, they revisit these memories, noting the personality transformation of Bob’s dad both before and after consumption. While this is not an easy-listening hit, Ink…
Soulful Pop R&B artist, JERRICA ALYSSA, is excited to announce her single “Feelin’ New.” The potent, gotta move energy of this track definitely gives dance vibes reminiscent of music played in Jerrica’s home as a kid. Filipina-Canadian, multi-instrumentalist Jerrica is a real BOSS with unusual flavors: conservatory piano skills, producer chops and a well earned…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope TCHAMI REMIX OF SURF MESA & MADISON BEER’S “CARRIED AWAY” IS OUT TODAY A pioneer of the future house movement, Tchami is best known for his globally respected records, “Afterlife (feat. Stacy Barthe),” “Adieu,” “Promesses” and “Praise (feat. Gunna),” one of the hit singles from his widely acclaimed 2020 debut album,…
A Song about being emotionally unavailable and not being able to love in a relationship, visuals was shot in NYC. Born Shawn Hall, Shawn2Hot was raised in Georgetown Guyana and migrated to America when he was 16 years old. His first introduction to Hip Hop he says was Snoop Dogg- Doggystyle Album, It changed his…
Newcastle-upon-Tyne based artist Marq Electronica returns with yet another stand-out track. This time round, he presents ‘Bad Bones’. With a flair for songwriting and immense lyricial talent, Electronica delivers again. With honest words interwoven with funk-laced musical arrangement, this trippy blend of music and voice is brilliant. ‘Bad Bones’ is something different from the dance…
Known for her emotionally piercing vocals and a cool but relatable air of confidence, Donna Missal today shares the addictively catchy new single & visual for “sex is good (but have you tried),” produced by Sega Bodega (Lapsley, ShyGirl) via Harvest Records (Lauren Auder, Death Grips, Ebhoni). Missal first created an a cappella version of…
