Feature stories and artist interviews
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Swiss alternative indie/folk/pop songwriter Claudio Bagnato released and streamed debut album ‘Nowhere’ // Out now on CD, LP & Digital on every platforms As announced a few weeks ago : after sharing some various audio and video excerpts from the effort with the singles “The Shower”, “Rainbow” or “Brighter Day”, former…
From coast to coast, and across the ocean, soul singer Tracy Layne has pursued music just as much as music pursued her. This time, she’s taking on Nashville as a solo artist. “Music has followed me through all the stages of my life.” Layne moved to Nashville last year, and instantly began working on her…
This one will make you pine for the days when a couple of guitars and more than a couple pedals were just the things to conquer college radio. Ultra Major’s “Disaster” is a few friends, a few chords, and one earworm late ’90s-style hit. This isn’t the gimmicky rock star stuff; it’s one of the…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Osees Share “Weird and Wasted Connection” Track, ‘Metamorphosed’ LP Out 10/16 On Rock Is Hell It seems that every time you turn around, there’s another Oh Sees slab. Long ago we lost all capacity to be surprised that this sturdy unit keeps putting out records and that they’re really good. You…
As much as it’s been true of his past works, and especially those to have won him the respect of critics around the globe, I’m not sure that the groove and its magnificent power have played as big a part in making a song work Ronnue as it does in the new single and music…
The title “The Diva” can only be bestowed to one person. And that person needs to be fit to uphold the title correctly. If we look at “the diva” requirements, one must be an entertainment guru, an international icon, and a primadonna with all of the talent and none of the temper. The only candidate…
New Sydney pop duo Cat & Calmell share their glittering debut ‘dumbshit’ today. Darting between darkly-lit pop and shimmering R&B, the duo’s first single reveals a talent for transforming conversations they have together and online, with their already present audience, into swirling, genre-fleeting moments of brilliance: Cat (20) and Calmell (22) have a rich history…
Following up from her recent Pop/Ballad single ‘Fool for You’, Melbourne’s Rnb/Pop singer-songwriter Sheralyn May got back in the studio to write and record her newest Rnb track: ‘Baby You’ produced by RMR Productions, which will be released on the 28th of September. With a mix of Rnb and pop, Sheralyn May in ‘Baby You’…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Hamilton Leithauser and Lucy Dacus Team Up for Duet of “Isabella” “Indie rock’s consummate renaissance man” (Under the Radar), Hamilton Leithauser, has joined forces with fellow indie-rocker Lucy Dacus for a vibey, mellow version of Leithauser’s “Isabella” out now on Glassnote Records. SEVYN STREETER RELEASES BRAND NEW SINGLE “KISSEZ” FEAT. DAVIDO…
Hailing from Belfast, now Liverpool based, Irish songwriter Lucy Gaffney reveals new single ‘Send Me Away’, out today via Frictionless Music. An imperious dream-pop tune, ‘Send Me Away’ embraces contrast. Lucy’s voice rests transcendentally on a motorik rhythm, whilst luscious background synths combine with at times spiky guitars. The persistent tension and release paints a…
Clearly a genius in his craft, artist Chrystian Lehr is creating music that’s fresh and exciting. And judging from his solid fan base of over 300K active social media followers and subscribers across Instagram, Soundcloud, Facebook, and YouTube, the world agrees. His soulful magic can be heard on his latest EP Offline, which features the…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope WELSHY RELEASES THE NEW SINGLE ‘HAITI’ It takes one spin of ‘Haiti’ to discover why it has captured the imagination of so many people. The topline, courtesy of Haitian vocalist Coralie Hérard, is irresistible: a gleaming mix of beauty, exuberance and sensual soul. It’s elevated by Welshy’s production, which skillfully highlights…
Waterplanet’s “Girl” is built upon a sparse backing of primarily rhythmic electric guitar. There’s drumming, but it’s relatively quiet. There is a counter melody provided by chimes. The vocals on the song’s chorus sound a touch like The Turtles sunshine pop of the Sixties (think “Happy Together”). The song’s title is a little deceptive. It’s…
Alex Price is from Ontario, Canada, but if his single is true to life (which he says it is), he needed to go all the way to Los Angeles to finally fall in love. He explains how the song was inspired by his first trip to Los Angeles. He’d been playing a guitar riff over…
Matty Marz says his single, “Mine!,” took a full three years to create. That sounds more like Steely Dan, which also took that long – but to create full albums! He describes the song’s lyrics to be about “a blossoming relationship.” Let’s hope that relationship didn’t take three entire years to blossom, as well. The…
Ryan Todd Garza’s single, “These Arms of Mine,” is taken from his album Ekam. The song is a soft and gentle recording, featuring Garza’s tender singing voice, which is placed atop acoustic guitar and accompanied by supporting violin. The track also includes organ running through it. It’s a pretty, if extremely sad, song. The album’s…
From behind the scenes to center stage, Stacy Gabel embodies the fearless versatility of a crew member gone rogue. A past Nickelodeon promo producer and writer, Gabel found her way to the front of the camera with her avant-garde versatility as a creative. The Eastern Pennsylvania native is an icon in her hometown; with many…
Generating over 90 million streams and attracting widespread acclaim, tastemaker-touted alternative artist UPSAHL reveals a new single and video entitled “MoneyOnMyMind” today via Arista Records. The song sets the stage for the release of her highly anticipated sophomore EP, Young Life Crisis, out October 30th. Regarding the song, she commented, “‘MoneyOnMyMind’ has nothing to do…
Australian artist Chymes shares her new hypnotic, self-confident dark electronic-pop anthem “Worship.” Chymes, whose real name is Kiersten Nyman, explains: “Worship is about knowing your worth, knowing you are a work of art and that you should be respected. For me personally, it leans a little more towards inequality, but still being a bit fun…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope DUA LIPA RELEASES NEW SINGLE “LEVITATING” FEATURING DABABY Today, Dua Lipa has released her new single “Levitating,” a track that transports listeners straight to the dance floor. Produced by Koz & Stuart Price, this funk driven song features a guest verse from Charlotte native DaBaby, the GRAMMY-nominated MC who has claimed…
This August, she declared her independence with the uproarious, soulful, buoyant “In My Bag,” a duet with the like-minded R&B singer Dasia Gray. Today, the singer formerly known as Maxxy From The Trap keeps the momentum going with another fire-starter. On “In My Bag,” MaxKaella showed that she had it – with “Money Dance,” she’s…
The first few seconds of “Transmission” by Hemisphere sounds like the beginning to Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” It has the pop sheen that Springsteen created in the ‘80s while taking a break from the E Street Band. However, after an extended synthesizer part, the vocal kicks in – and it’s not at all…
Today, British singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist YUNGBLUD shares his brand-new song “cotton candy” (Locomotion / Interscope Records) from his forthcoming November 13 sophomore album, Weird! Fans who pre-order the digital album will instantly receive “cotton candy,” plus “god save me, but don’t drown me out,” “weird!” and “strawberry lipstick.” – https://yungblud.lnk.to/weirdalbum “‘cotton candy’ is…
Nessa Barrett is combating cuffing season on “if u love me,” her hypnotic new single out now on Warner Records. Backed by trap hi-hats and ominous 808 bass, she sings dreamily, but the message is haunting — a warning of the ways love can drive you to think, say, and do things you otherwise wouldn’t.…
Headie One has released his eagerly-anticipated debut album ‘Edna’. Dedicated and named after his late mother, ‘Edna’ is a cathartic and introspective concept album that sees the ‘King Of Drill’ at his most open and reflective. Embracing the lessons he’s been taught and using them to move forward. he stamps his claim as one of…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope EJ Worland Shares “Over The Pond” Single + Video Via XS Noize, More Music Out Soon Today, Aussie-crooner EJ Worland shares “Over The Pond” a soulful ballad drenched with a vintage sonic flair, while providing a refreshingly modern approach to songwriting. On the track, Glide praises how Worland “creates an emotional…
Better Noise Music rockers, Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts release their new single and music video “Same Old You”. The song, produced by the legendary Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and co-written with Atlanta-based writer/producer Butch Walker (Green Day, Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Pink, Taylor Swift) is a fun and upbeat rock…
The most beautiful music videos are, quite often, ones made by photographers; those who understand the art of the still image are often best equipped to capture and sequence moving pictures. Great photography requires a sense of composition, lighting, shading, shot selection, balance, and poise, and young Egija Smeile is an extraordinary photographer. She’s already…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope Problem’s soulful and inspiring music video Keep Ya Head Today, Grammy-nominated Compton artist Problem releases a new music video for “Keep Ya Head,” the soulful introspective opening track from his album Coffee & Kush Vol 2 available now. In the Joshy Gonz & J. Benavente directed video, Problem takes you on…
Meet Ellen Alexander, a Russian model set in the buzzing about of Los Angeles. She has been going since the age of 14 years, understanding her fantasy of progress stateside. Presently considered to be as her home, she ventures to the far corners of the planet for her vocation, prominently having worked in the US…
The Nude Party have released their sophomore album, Midnight Manor, today via New West Records. The 12-song set was recorded live-to-tape over six days at the Outlier Inn in upstate New York and mixed by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Kurt Vile). Midnight Manor is the follow up to their critically acclaimed self-titled debut which found…
For most of us, it’s safe to say, that this recent lockdown has halted even the best-laid plans this year. Yet for one rising star, the gift of time and solitude was far from wasted but used to birth the beginning of a blossoming musical venture. This captivating young creative is known as Raíz, a…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope LAUREN AUDER SHARES NEW SINGLE “QUIET” Written by Auder and produced by Danny L Harle (Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek, Superfruit), “Quiet” unfolds with a delicate intensity, each moment illuminating the hypnotic power of her voice. While the track opens on a sparse arrangement of stark piano tones, that dreamy minimalism soon…
Warner Music Canada / Atlantic Records recording artist CARYS has released her debut EP To Anyone Like Me today. Featuring the hit singles “Princesses Don’t Cry” which has garnered an incredible 70+ million streams around the world, and “No More,” which is already a Top 20 hit at Canadian radio, To Anyone Like Me is…
Dua Lipa releases her new single ‘Levitating’; the track transports listeners straight to the dance floor. Produced by Koz & Stuart Price, this funk driven song features a guest verse from Charlotte native DaBaby, the GRAMMY-nominated MC who has claimed two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and has captivated listeners with his high-energy…
Brandishing her boldest release to date and hurtling towards the forefront of the emerging indie elite, Isle of Wight native Lauran Hibberd’s slacker pop rampage hits full throttle with explosive new cut ‘Boy Bye’, out October 8th. Teaming up with esteemed producer Suzy Shinn (Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy, Dua Lipa) in…
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope THEY. AND WALE JOIN FORCES ON ” LOSING FOCUS” With The Amanda Tape fast approaching, LA-based duo THEY. give us one more glimpse of what is to come in the stunning new offering, Losing Focus, a stellar collaboration with DC rap legend, Wale. Blending the top-notch production of Dante Jones, soulful…
ABOUT “Heartstrings” – It’s a song I wrote about a mushroom trip I went on, and the introspection that occurred on how much love and appreciation I have for someone; it was all so damn gushy and cute that I found it to be kind of disgusting and embarrassing. It was also on the heels…
LA by-way-of New Zealand artist Kelsy Karter is excited to release her debut full-length album, Missing Person, out everywhere today via BMG. Featuring tracks like “Liquor Store On Mars” with The Struts’ Adam Slack, the punk driven anthem about owning your individualism “Love Me Or Hate Me,” and the stand out single about living life…
Louisville’s signature beverage, the Mint Julep, is a combo of bourbon, sugar, water, crushed ice, and fresh mint. None of that matters, though, because you’re not going to find Joey Phantom anywhere near such a precious concoction. The rising star in Louisville hip hop keeps it simple and keeps his recreational provisions in a shoebox…
