Borne through a collective desire for creative performance and exquisite, edgy music, The Courtesans’ debut album ‘1917’ is a shape-shifting collection of works drawing influence from metal, electro-pop and the far reaches of dubstep. The band settled into the studio in late 2013 to make permanent their library collection of cinematic tracks, taking inspiration from…
Category: FEATURES
Feature stories and artist interviews
NICO & VINZ’ ‘BLACK STAR ELEPHANT’ MOVES TO OCTOBER 14TH + NEW SINGLE
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Nico & Vinz’ debut album Black Star Elephant will now be released on October 14th to include their next single “In Your Arms”. Black Star Elephant is currently available for pre-order at http://smarturl.it/BSEPO. First launched on YouTube in October of 2013 when the group was still going by Envy, “In Your Arms” has received almost…
TREBUCHET NEW VIDEO “THE END”
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Check out “The End”, the new video from Petaluma, CA indie folk-rockers Trebuchet here. For the clip, the band enlisted Jim Agius (director) and Tim Rose (director of photography) of Dogfilm, a collective that produces short films and music videos in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dogfilm also released a music video for Trebuchet’s “Lay…
SUMMER SONGS: WHAT MUSIC FESTIVALS HIT BIG THIS YEAR
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For decades, attending music festivals has been one of the best ways to cap of a great summer. This year, the crowds saw the emergence of Prince, the reunion of Outkast, and 2014 Emmy nominee Bruno Mars’ electrifying performance. Every year, most of these highly anticipated jam fests are packed with new and seasoned festival…
ANDREW COUSINS “EXCUSE ME MISTER”
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Andy C is a born entertainer with an energy that is infectious. His ability to express real life experiences through his music leaves listeners captivated and inspired. His sound is earthy and honest. Audiences are instantly connected to his lyrics as he tells stories of growing up, family and love. Andy’s father Neville introduced him…
DEJA MAE VIDEO “WICKED GAMES”
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Creating a captivating presence through her hypnotic vocals, merged with electric beats that enclose you; the LA indie duo, Deja Mae and Eric Wright have returned with their own rendition of The Weeknd’s, “Wicked Games”. The duo’s rendition is now available on SoundCloud as a free download and they have just released the music video…
MIGHTY OAKS SIGN TO ASTRALWERKS AND RELEASE NEW SINGLE “BROTHER”
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Continuing its legacy of signing pioneering artists across genres and geography, Astralwerks announces its newest signing MIGHTY OAKS with the debut single “Brother” out today and the upcoming “Brother” EP out October 7th. A full-length album is set for release in the US in 2015. The Berlin-based trio of international musicians – Ian Hooper (US),…
DAVID LYNCH & PETER IVERS “IN HEAVEN”
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David Lynch’s Eraserhead rests firmly at the top of that canon of American underground culture for which there is no genre. A staple of the dark underbelly of popular cinema that was originally only viewable at arthouse screenings or on the Midnight Movie circuit, Eraserhead is a truly unadulterated offering; and much of its sensation…
PREMIERE: FLAUNT VIDEO FOR “CODON (DIPPED IN ECSTASY)”
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Flaunt is an act that can be hard to pin down. Taking its inspiration from all different waves of music, Flaunt explores various landscapes on its album CODON with hints of indie rock, dub, house, ambient and experimental sounds all rolled into one trippy experience. This is not music for the easy-listening crowd as it…
EVERPRESENT “IN MY VEINS” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
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Everpresent is Matthew Cahoon, a unique vocalist, keyboardist, percussionist, and composer. Everpresent was created in January of 2002 to bring a unique blend of dark pop and alternative electronica the current musical landscape. The timeline has been an interesting evolution of musical experimentation combined with a certain degree of commercial appeal, diving into the dance…
FALL OUT BOY RELEASE NEW SINGLE “CENTURIES”
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Said Pete Wentz: “We never had a plan to jump right back into it after the whirlwind year we’ve had…but sometimes the song calls you. We started writing “Centuries” while we were on tour. Traveling the world for the last year we have seen, and been a part of, the landscape and fabric of music…
COURTNEY J. RELEASES ” LIT” LYRIC VIDEO
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Indie Recording and Entertainment Artist “Courtney J.” has released “LIT”. It is the first track released off of her forthcoming mixtape. The track includes a unique melodic trap sound which is married perfectly to her ambient and mystical vocal style. The Lyric video, shot and directed by both Courtney J. and 6ChamberProductions captures a dreamy,…
STOLI IS PROUD TO PRESENT A MESSAGE FROM ALVIN HARRISON
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Many of you Skope subscribers/readers are from nations all over the globe. I am sure at first glance, you might think, this guy is focusing on American problems which do not effect me. Well, whether you like it or not, and for better or worse, America’s problems and issues have a way of affecting everyone’s…
MAKING THE BIG LEAGUES: BREAK OUT STARS FROM THE WORLD CUP
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This year’s World Cup created some new stars for the world of soccer to recognize. While most were already well known in their home countries, the global stage provided by the World Cup shed light on just how good these players are, and what they bring to the team. James Rodriguez The aggressive midfielder from…
WILL DAILEY VIDEO “SUNKEN SHIP”
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Boston’s Will Dailey hit a career milestone with new album National Throat that debuted in the top 20 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. National Throat, inspired by a souring relationship with Will’s former business partner, is Dailey’s first release in seven years without a major label and the first charting position of Will’s career. Dailey…
NETA TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE “SILLY LIFE”
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NETA is the new project from producer/guitarist Neta Weisman with his new album “Heroes In A Tale” due out in 2014. The album is preceded by the single “Silly Life” in September. Neta grew up playing with the likes of Rami Fortis and Berry Saharov touring Europe in the 80’s and early 90’s as well…
JAGGED JAYNE SINGLE “AVALANCHE”
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Jagged Jayne emerged in September last year as an energetic and oh so quirky six piece. They explore sounds from a haze of musical influences and develop an infectious vibe on stage. The group all met at Sydney’s Australian Institute of Music and are made up of ‘The Brads’ on drums and bass, Jake on…
ETANA VIDEO “TRIGGER”
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Etana is happy to announce the release of her brand new album I Rise, available Oct 28, 2014 on VP Records. The beautifully-orchestrated set is helmed by the legendary Jamaican multi-instrumentalist and producer Clive Hunt, whose credits include Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Peter Tosh, Rolling Stones, The Wailers, Grace Jones,…
MUSIC: MORE THAN THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE
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Music has been an integral part of society throughout time. Even Neanderthals are believed to have made music. Most folks recognize intuitively that music is important to them in specific and unique ways, but what is it about music that makes that so? Researchers are just beginning to answer that question, and are finding some…
GENTLEMEN THE COLLEGE DAYS ARE OVER SO SHED THE ‘FRAT BOY’ LOOK WITH THESE QUICK AND EASY TIPS
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There is nothing dapper about distressed jeans and a T-shirt. Nothing at all that says, ‘I am a professional and I can handle my business.’ So unless you have your own company, you cannot possibly hope to be taken seriously for a job when you still look like a teenager. Congratulations on graduating by the…
17 YEAR OLD FROM BOSTON STANDS UP TO CURE ARTHRITIS
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The Arthritis Foundation, New England Region has named Annierose youth honoree of the 2014 Boston Walk to Cure Arthritis. As youth honoree, Annierose will put a face to arthritis and share her story, helping the Boston Walk to Cure Arthritis reach its fundraising goal of $350,000. Lucy Beth Fraser, 13 years old of will join…
ROAM, INC. INTRODUCES ROPES: THE NEXT GENERATION OF EARPHONES
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ROAM, Inc., creator of the next generation of earphones, releases Orange “ROAM with SU2C” Ropes in collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer. The Orange Ropes will debut exclusively in the digital lounge during the Stand Up To Cancer roadblock telecast on September 5 and will ship for the 2014 holiday season. The Limited Edition Orange…
CLOUD SEEDING “MIRAGE” FEAT ALEXA WILDING
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Cloud Seeding continues its collaborative project with their sixth single, “Mirage,” featuring Alexa Wilding. Serra quickly gained an admiration for Alexa’s dark and visual music when he stumbled across videos for her songs “Black Diamond Day” and “Knife.” He contacted the singer and the two became fast friends over snacks in the West Village. “I…
THE LIVING SISTERS BRING CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER
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The sounds of the holiday season will be sweeter this year with The Living Sisters’ new album Harmony Is Real: Songs for a Happy Holiday. The Living Sisters – Eleni Mandell, Becky Stark, Inara George and Alex Lilly – have created a musical present so jubilant that it could make even Scrooge break out the…
ROOMRUNNER SHARE FIRST TRACK “CHRONO TRIGGER”
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After a much-needed break from nearly a year and a half of constant touring, Roomrunner are extremely pleased to announce the follow up to their critically acclaimed Ideal Cities LP in the form of Separate, the long-awaited EP that will see release via Accidental Guest Recordings on October 21. Listen to “Chrono Trigger”, the first…
TIM RHOADES SINGLE “THREE MONTHS”
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Tim Rhoades has been described by a critic as “eloquence bathed in enticing melody seeping from a sensual soul”, which is a poignant and accurate description of this indie alt-folk artist. Tim is a master storyteller. A charismatic native kiwi boy with clean good looks and a musical talent that’s been instilled by his passion…
DARIAN RENEE POSTS “PARTNERS IN CRIME”
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Pop vocalist Darian Reneé has released a new single from her dynamic and astonishing sophomore release. “Partners In Crime,” which can be heard HERE, is the second track off the September 23rd EP entitled The Other Side Of Someday. Darian had this to say on the title of the release, “The title of the EP…
BIKE THIEF “THE BURNING PAST”
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The MuseBox today announced the release of Stuck in a Dream, the debut full-length from Bike Thief. According to The Portland Mercury, the chamber pop created by Bike Thief on Stuck in a Dream is filled with “moments of remarkable, terrifying beauty.” More information on Stuck in a Dream and Bike Thief’s upcoming tour dates…
STOLI LOVES TO ZONE OUT AND LISTEN TO SEBASTIEN PARENTIN
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Hello there to all music fanatics all over the world, it is so good to see you all. Before we begin I have to applaud MTV Jams which I get on Comcast. They are not afraid to play indie videos from artists coming up and that is crucial. In other news, many industry folks have…
ANGELA SHEIK VIDEO “BRING IT ON”
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A truly groundbreaking musical force of nature, Angela Sheik’s enigmatic style presents a dynamic challenge for anyone trying to capture or pin her down with simple phrases or traditional categorizations. On her new album “Home Before Dark”, the soulful music innovator opens up a world of sonic, rhythmic and compositional possibilities that have driven her…
NOA MAY TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE “PLAY ME”
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Noa May has a voice like Jekyll and Hyde. Her breezy lilt can be heard whispering on one side while the monster on the other passionately spits her poetry. May is a Human Rights Lawyer by trade, but more than that she is a traveler, an artist and a poet. Her new single “Play Me”,…
THE CASE FOR BRINGING MUSIC BACK ON WEBSITES
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Nothing is more annoying (or jarring) than visiting a website and being blasted with music, right? It either causes users to back clicking away (especially if they’re getting caught passing time at work) or scramble to figure out the volume. It’s a guerilla warfare tactic of websites and it has thankfully been put to bed,…
CELEBRITIES AREN’T JUST ON THE MIC: THEY’RE ON THE CARDS TOO
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Bingo and celebrities have always been synonymous. The fun and simple game doesn’t just attract the public, but a number of different celebrities too. Whether they are calling the lucky numbers or playing themselves, celebrities have often picked up their bingo dabbers and visited local bingo halls. As the game ages and changes, celebrity culture…
THE PROS AND CONS FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING AN ART DEGREE
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From the time you were young, drawing pictures and creating paintings were two hobbies you always enjoyed. All throughout your primary and secondary school years, you pursued classes in the field. Now, the time has come to decide upon a college major, and you want to know the benefits and consequences of obtaining a degree…
TOKYO CALLING: ASTROATTACK
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Buy a ticket in to any regular week-end, multi-band event at a music venue, and usually the line-up may be a mixed bag. A beginner band, a good band, a band you like, and a band no one likes. Sometimes there is a band you think will be good ~ someday. Sometimes there is a…
TOKYO CALLING: DIR EN GREY
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Dir en grey is perhaps the quintessential heavy metal act when it comes to Japan. Forming in 1997, members consist of vocalist, Kyo; lead guitarist, Kaoru; rhythm guitarist, Die; bassist, Toshiya; and drummer, Shinya. Having been together for 17 years, the band not only has a firm grip on how to play music, but the…
INSPIRED BY THE CURRENT EBOLA CRISIS THOUSAND DAYS RELEASES “ONE TRUTH”
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A renowned scientist who has been covered by CNN, MSNBC and the Smithsonian Magazine, frontwoman of alternative rock band Thousand Days, Pardis Sabeti, wrote “One Truth” after she learned her colleague Dr. Shiek Humarr Kahn contracted Ebola while treating 80 patients at one time. The track, which also features the voices of six amazing women…
MOSES GUNN COLLECTIVE DELIVER “SHALALA” VIDEO
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Moses Gunn Collective is a 4-piece psych-rock band from Brisbane, Australia. Combining psychedelic dream pop with soulful crooning and howling riffs, the band creates music that feels classic and refreshing all at once. The sound comes from an eclectic mix of established musicians and draws from their individual projects (Orphans Orphans, The Belligerents, The Furrs,…
THE PREATURES NEW SINGLE “SOMEBODY’S TALKING”
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Sydney, Australia’s five-piece rock band The Preatures released EP Is This How You Feel? on Harvest Records in October 2013. The title song, “a mid-tempo, feel-good, groove-based confection that explodes into one of the year’s best choruses,” was named Best New Track by Pitchfork, and the band was declared a CMJ Artist To Watch by…
GRADUATION GOALS: TIPS TO SURVIVE YOUR SENIOR YEAR
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If you are headed into your final year of college, you’re nearing the end of a long journey. While it is tempting to slack off and do as little work as possible in your last year, don’t give into the temptation. Take a look at some tips on how to approach your senior year of…
