Category: FEATURES

Feature stories and artist interviews

New Video By Darrell Kelley “Money and Power”

The message behind Darrell Kelley’s music inspires others, touches hearts, feeds the souls, and influences lives for the better.American Gospel music is a big business, and has been part of the business plan of American Christianity for more than a century. As the American Christian Community has strengthened its ties together, the various forms of…

Sex People Offer ‘Cal-Island: Season 1’

Synthesized melodies, sizzling vocals and plastic-faceted basslines forge a batch of surprisingly authentic grooves in Sex People’s Cal-Island: Season 1, out everywhere this January. The debut EP from the much-buzzed Californian duo comes jam-packed with boisterous beats and cratering emotionality delivered through provocative lyrics and highbrow arrangements that defy mainstream pop’s stylistic limitations. Anchored by the…

Danise Esswein releases debut EP, ‘Love Is Here’

Danise Esswein’s fiery spirit ties together the passionately felt “Love Is Here”. Effortlessly combining elements of country, pop, rock with thoughtful Christian undertones the EP simply stuns. Guitar work goes for an intricate take, both going soft and hard, proving Danise Esswein to have quite eclectic taste. Arrangements build off each other, with each piece…

@skopemag news for january 11, 2019 @ 2:30 pm est

Louise Distras releases ‘Street Revolution’ EP ahead of UK tour Acoustic punk songstress Louise Distras has released her brand new EP Street Revolution. A collection of four straight-to-the-point, socially-aware anthems that speak out for the new generation and prepare for an exciting year ahead. Big Wild Unveils Dynamic New Single ‘City Of Sound’ American producer,…

Rick Shaffer Releases ‘Creatures of Impulse’

Rick Shaffer most certainly is a Creature of Habit, in a good way, because he sticks with a formula that works—KICK THE DOOR DOWN music. Shaffer continues to offer that distinct garage band effect that works so well and adds a classic touch to the overall sound. I had the chance to review Rick Shaffer’s…

Jess McAvoy Delivers The Joy of Love in New Single “Do What You Want”

Australian-born, Brooklyn-based songwriter and performer, Jess McAvoy has spent over two decades mining the human condition for her prolific output of music and lyrics capping off her founding years in Australia with a stunning collaboration with Goyte on “The Sailor.” A powerful vocalist and commanding live performer, McAvoy combines blues, pop, rock and astute lyricism…

LAUREN JAUREGUI RELEASES NEW SOLO TRACK “MORE THAN THAT”

Following the release of her first solo single last fall, singer-songwriter Lauren Jauregui is ushering in the new year with the highly-anticipated release of a brand new song “More Than That” – available everywhere now via Columbia Records. The track, written by Jauregui, gives fans a deeper look into what to expect from her forthcoming…

Introducing Dublin’s The Murder Capital

The Murder Capital ended 2018 as that rare thing: a band tipped from all corners without having released a single song. In an age where people and bands overshare by default, The Murder Capital have been doing the opposite. If you wanted to know about The Murder Capital, you had to get to a show…

@skopemag news for january 11, 2019 @ 11 am est

The Mrs Band Releases New Music Video, “My Tribe” Austin-based, all female alt-rock band The Mrs, today released their new music video for the song, “My Tribe,” on the newly released album “Five Minutes.” Devon Kay & the Solutions / Song Premiere – “Old Scent” Devon Kay & the Solutions are premiering their new song…

AV Super Sunshine releases “Candyland Volume 1”

AV Super Sunshine creates a sugary rush of pixelated happiness with “Candyland Remixes Volume 1”. Utilizing the template of EDM and completely turning it on its head, the songs are filled with a childlike sense of joy. The playfulness of the pieces comes with how the rhythm and riffs come to become one. By lending…

Jalal Andre a.k.a Glorybots releases new single “Nomad”

Glorybots opts for a beautiful, soaring sound with the haunting “Nomad”. Done with the greatest of care, Glorybots mixes indie rock with an industrial edge helping to give the song such potency. Rhythm have a driving force to them as they power through never too intrusive. By far though the true heart and soul comes…

2019 – Sarantos ‘Happy New Year’ Official Music Video

Sarantos offers a feel-good sound for the holidays on the highly optimistic “Happy New Year” a piece whose message lingers in the mind long after it is over. Quite joyous the song is a pure celebration. Nicely embodying the hope that comes with a new year, the melody is irresistibly catchy. By far the highlight…

New Video By JORDAN ASTRA “ALL BLESSINGS”

Even if you’re lucky enough to catch a direct flight, the travel time between Toronto and Melbourne is close to twenty-four hours. That’s a full day in the clouds, somewhere between the earth and the heavens, in transit to a final destination but nowhere in particular. A trip like that gives the traveler plenty of…

Freunde releases new Single “My Heart is a House”

Zurich’s Freunde channel the gods of American country music in their new songs “My Heart is a House” and “Probably Maybe,” but make no mistake about it – their sound is anything but a throwback. Fusing together influences that span both the western and eastern folk lexicon whilst compressing big melodies into sly, unpredictably brooding…

New Video By Stewe “See You Later”

Stewe is a present-day renaissance man. He brings talent and expertise from across the entertainment industry to his flows, constructing lyrics that are throat-cutting. Refusing to take anyone alive, he has earned his title as a host, artist, actor, and entrepreneur with his business ViceTeam. As a versatile force, he creates a crisp and modern…

@skopemag news for january 10, 2019 @ 2:30 pm est

Ella Vos’ new EP due January 25, debuts video for “Ocean” Kyoto’s Otoboke Beaver returns with Itekoma Hits! Out April 26th on Damnably Records, Stereogum premiered the video for “Anata Watashi Daita Ato Yome No Meshi” calling it “pure insanity. They fry flowers, eat hair with chopsticks, and smash cake and spaghetti in each other…

@skopemag news for january 10, 2019 @ 11 am est

Hollow Hand Share New Single Ahead Of Debut Album Hailing from Brighton, the project is spearheaded by Max Kinghorn-Mills. Occupying a space between Super Furry Animals and Soft Machine – Hollow Hand’s debut album is out now, via Talkshow Records. New Remixes By Famed Madonna Backup Singer – Donna De Lory – For Immediate Release…

@skopemag news for january 10, 2019 @ 9 am est

EMINEM SIGNEE – BOOGIE PREMIERES NEW SINGLE & VIDEO “SILENT RIDE” Eminem-signed, Compton-bred rapper Boogie has shared a new single and video titled “Silent Ride.” With the track released via Shady Records/Interscope Records, the video for “Silent Ride” is directed by Gina Gammell and Malcolm Washington for Vanishing Angle production company. Sweden’s Westkust share first…

Dizzy Box Nine Release New Music ‘Pop Fantasy’

LA-based Dizzy Box Nine return after 2017’s – Electric Illusion, with the full-length release – Pop Fantasy. This is an indie-pop outfit by all means, but they do make efforts to be accessible with short and precise pop tunes that rock without hesitation. They provide a well-balanced mix of catchy jingles, along with a couple…

Gary Gibson releases ‘Yahboy!’

It’s likely Gary Gibson’s Yahboy! Is an album of steel drum music like you’ve never heard it before. Be honest: When you think about steel drums, you picture a group of lively players wearing colorful clothing and performing on a scenic beach, right? Now — in the most Rod Serling voice possible — picture if…

@skopemag Exclusive Interview Q&A With Tatiana Eva Marie

Jazz singer, Tatiana Eva-Marie, was born into the music world. Surrounded by music and an artistic lifestyle, her vocal talent seems to come natural. She was recently named “one of the best young singers around” by the Wall Street Journal and listed on Vanity Fair‘s rising jazz stars. 1. How would you classify your music? Well, as…

@skopemag news for january 9, 2019 @ 1:30 pm est

VOS Unveils New Video For ‘Serious’, Announces 2019 UK Tour Dates UK alternative R&B duo VOS unveil their brand new video for their latest single, ‘Serious’ via TMRW Magazine. Directed by the band and edited by Rowan While, the video captures a gorgeous visual metaphor of the feeling of instant connection with someone. introducing Upbeat…

Penelope Robin Latest Single & Video “Some Girls”

In the age of iPhones, social media and ever-growing technology it can be easy to forget the immense power of a young child’s own imagination. But building a magical world of her own creation doesn’t seem to be much of a problem for singer/songwriter Penelope Robin, who’s lyrics bring these feelings to light in her…

African Songstress FATi Takes The American Music Industry By Storm

Liberian born vocalist, FATi, to the American music industry and general public. Known for her distinctive vocal styling, the exotic beauty recently released her debut album, “L.O.V.E.,” produced by Ghanaian-based Many Music Records, in December 2018. The album’s title single, “Love,” immediately soared to the top of music charts in Ghana, where she currently resides,…

New Video By Mama SpanX “State of Groove”

Mama SpanX (“SPANKS” as in “Mama spanks us!”) is a multi-member soul/rock/funk group made up of highly experienced and virtuoso musicians from the various musical genres. With strong influences by artists/bands such as Tower of Power, James Brown, Gladys Knight and Ike and Tina Turner the bands musical emphasis is on strong melodies/lyrics and grooves…

@skopemag news for january 9, 2019 @ 11 am est

Single: ethemadassassin – Animal House ft. J.Bond, O.G. Bobby Ne’gro, & Pisto Pop Jesse Saunders 35th Anniversary Remix Press Release Jesse Saunders, known as the Originator of House Music, released the world’s first House Music recording on vinyl. ‘On & On’ isn’t simply the first house record of all time — it’s also among the…

@skopemag news for january 9, 2019 @ 9 am est

Ferera Swan Announces Emotional Debut Single “Second Time” Emerging singer-songwriter, Ferera Swan packs a compelling vocal laced with a ton of emotion. Swan is ready to introduce her artistry and heap of talent with her brand new single “Second Time,” slated for debut on February 1, 2019. Curry and Cloves – If you think marriage…

Tough On Fridays Present “Live at Texas Indie Fest”

I got my first taste of Tough on Fridays back in August 2018 when I reviewed their single “The Waywards”, (https://skopemag.com/2018/08/02/tough-on-fridays-the-waywards). What I heard then was one uninhibited sound by two strong females living up to Cyndi Lauper’s famous song “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”. Tough On Fridays were having fun for sure sure…

THE COATHANGERS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

After 12 years of relentless touring on a steady flow of EPs and LPs, underground rock mainstays The Coathangers took a moment to recalibrate and reconfigure before diving into the creation of The Devil You Know, their new 11 song album due out March 8 on Suicide Squeeze Records. Recognizing that each member had become…

@skopemag news for january 8, 2019 @ 11 am est

Could this be the hottest upcoming UK artist? “Allow me to introduce myself, I go by the name of Acesiz, you may have heard of me before, I’m an upcoming rap/hip-hop artist from London (UK) & I’ve just released a brand new single entitled ‘Countless Times’ which has received tons of positive industry feedback and…

@skopemag news for january 8, 2019 @ 9 am est

CIVL Releases Brand New Single “On Some” feat. Kristenic0le Michael Kepko, set out to kick the year off with a bang. In late 2018, former vocalist, Kepko, transitioned his full band, Civil Youth, to a become a pop solo artist, named CIVL. Today, CIVL has released, “On Some” (written by Kepko and Evan Seeberger), featuring…

ShaQ:Muzik drops new Single “Let Me Be the One”

Tweets by ShaQMuzik On an ethereal wave of glowing guitars and decadent synthesizers, ShaQ:Muzik comes careening through the stereo and into our hearts with the all-new single “Let Me Be the One,” a soulful, dreamy love song that captures the warm, comforting feeling that arises only through finding the love of another. ShaQ:Muzik doesn’t waste…

@skopemag news for january 7, 2019 @ 3 pm est

LA’s Sean Pawling – New Single Honors An Immigrant’s Journey Across the US Border The new single from LA’s Sean Pawling accompanies a Central American immigrant woman trying to get across the US border, and highlights her dogged determination for a better life. “Rio Grande” centers around trombone melodies as they expand across the track…

Noisebody – New EP and shares single “Breakfast Theme”

Noisebody is a jazz synth-driven pop project started by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Noah Barker. After graduating college in 2011, a 6-song EP titled You Are Here was recorded in Louisville, KY and released under the name “Noise New York”. Upon relocating to Brooklyn in 2012, Barker reformed the band, changed its name and released…

@skopemag news for january 7, 2019 @ 11 am est

Jason Matu – “I Don’t Wanna Do It” “This is one pretty fun, IMO. It’s about a jerk who was trying to rip me off, but you know I’m not all about that. It didn’t happen, and then I told that guy to take a hike. But before that, I wrote a song about how…

New Video Sho Zoe “Bossin'”

Sho Zoe’s musical journey began with the gift of an organ at the age of 5 from his father. Playing in the church and listening to Hip Hop throughout his teen years eventually led him to recording in the studio. It was during that first introduction to the technical side of music that he developed…