NYC-based singer-songwriter Loren Benjamin announces his debut EP on May 21st while embarking on his first Northeast regional tour spanning sixteen dates from North Hampton, MA to Nashville, TN this spring. Loren Benjamin’s main musical influences range from The Beatles to Elton John, which are evident in his classic rock ‘n’ roll songs. …
Category: FEATURES
Feature stories and artist interviews
WATCH CO LA’S “MAKE IT SLAY”
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Co La is the primary project of musician and producer Matt Papich, whose explorations of sample-based electronic music have culminated in Moody Coup. Papich describes the working Co La method on Moody Coup as “employing the hegemony of delete.” He likes to be interrupted, and is fond of working in places where domestic concerns are…
SKILLET FLYAWAY TO ‘RISE’ VIP EXPERIENCE
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Skillet are heading out on tour starting June 14th to support their upcoming new album, Rise, releasing June 25th. During the tour, Skillet will stop in Nashville and Chicago to give fans a VIP experience to hang out with the band all day. Skope is launching a flyaway contest to send a winner plus a…
CHERRY POPPIN’ DADDIES LEAD SINGLE “I LOVE AMERICAN MUSIC”
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Cherry Poppin’ Daddies are happy to announce the release of “I Love American Music” on iTunes. The song is the lead single from White Teeth, Black Thoughts, the forthcoming full-length album from the Eugene, OR based band. Out July 16th on Space Age Bachelor Pad Records, the album marks CPD’s first jazz and swing-powered outing…
ELI MARDOCK OFFERS TITLE TRACK TO NEW ALBUM
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Speaking on the forthcoming full-length debut LP, Eli Mardock says “I think things that are dark can also be uplifting to our universal consciousness. Creating music that is always uplifting is boring in the same way that creating music that is always dark is boring. Life isn’t like that, it is more complicated.” Mardock’s…
GRENOUER VIDEOS FROM SEVENTH ALBUM “BLOOD ON THE FACE”
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Russian rock metallers GRENOUER, who have been active since 1992, have signed with Mausoleum Records, the legendary label from Belgium. In previous years GRENOUER were famous for playing extreme kind of music, yet today these ambitious performers switched over to songs with clean signing and high profile melodies. Their seventh brand new full-length album “Blood…
ARTISTS ON THE UP WITH LABELLED INDEPENDENT
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We take a look at some of the top independent artists in the UK in association with Labelled Independent, the new music podcast! At Labelled Independent, we pride ourselves on keeping our minds open. For those who may have read our contributions to Skope before, you’ll hopefully remember that the artists we recommend have only…
ADRIAN LUX NEW SINGLE “DAMAGED”
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For many, the name Adrian Lux will be synonymous with his breakout hit from 2010, ‘Teenage Crime’, a bona fide smash, which exceeded platinum sales in Australia and appeared on Swedish House Mafia’s debut album, Until One. Not only did it rocket to top the Dance Charts through out the world, it also went large…
VISAGE TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN 29 YEARS
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Founding fathers of the New Romantics and pioneers of the ’80s sound, Visage return with a new album Hearts and Knives. “It has been 29 years since the last Visage album and during that period it often seems like we have all lived through several lifetimes,” comments Steve Strange, the band’s creative force and flamboyant…
SAIDAH BABA TALIBAH VIDEO “HIGH”
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Toronto-based “stalwart soul-rock firebrand” Saidah Baba Talibah is excited to release a brand new video for her crowd-favourite “High”, off of her debut album “(S)Cream”. Aside from satiating hungry Saidah fans, the new video also serves to fuel the crowd-funding campaign for Saidah’s sophomore album. As a follow up to her crowd-funded debut album (S)Cream,…
COLUMBIA RECORDS SIGNS NINE INCH NAILS
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Columbia Records has signed Nine Inch Nails. The band will release a new studio album later this year. “I’ve been less than honest about what I’ve really been up to lately,” said Trent Reznor. “For the last year I’ve been secretly working non-stop with Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder on a new, full-length Nine Inch…
CONTINENTS PREMIERE NEW MUSIC VIDEO “PEGASUS, PEGASUSâ€
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Hardcore band CONTINENTS have premiered a music video for “Pegasus, Pegasus”, the dynamic track from their Victory Records’ debut album Idle Hands, on VEVO. Watch the video for an exclusive look into their explosive live performance and crazy antics as they transport music fans from all over the world, straight into the middle of…
THE BOOTLEGS’ NEW VIDEO IS NSFW
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After releasing their debut E.P “Knock Me Down” for free online, Toronto’s hottest indie rock band The Bootlegs are at it again, dropping a video for their single Fail to Recall. But The Bootleg’s first visual release isn’t your typical music video–the band and the video’s director Mitchell Sturm wanted to make sure of that.…
STOLI LEARNS WHAT IT TAKES MIKE REPEL TO RUN REFORMATORY RECORDS
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Hello to all on this rainy Wednesday in New England. It feels so good to be back at it. Last night I did what I like to call some “drunk downloading” on my Kindle Fire. For those that do not know, that is when you indulge in some cocktails and download every song you love…
AXWELL RELEASES “CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE” + WTP13
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Fresh off the back of Swedish House Mafia’s sold-out world tour, International DJ & Producer Axwell, today unveils a sneak peek of his long awaited track “Center of the Universe”. Anticipated for a few years now by his fanbase, the remix debuted on Pete Tong’s BBC Radio 1 on May 10th. The original…
DESRAN POSTS “JUST THE SAME” VIDEO
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Desran’s new Promo CD “Spotlight” was recently released on Dec. 9th and features three hot singles “Spotlight, Not Trynna, and 1Way Call.” Presently Desran is shooting scenes for his online video single “Back To The Basics” and his first commercially released single “Find Our Way”, which will be released this summer 2013 and as well…
DEVON ALLMAN NEW VIDEO
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Here’s the Devon Allman video, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”, from his Ruf Records solo-debut, Turquoise, released on February 12th. This rock classic is a duet with label mate and Blues Music Award winner, Samantha Fish, whose vocals are sassy and smart; melding with Devon’s strong rich voice. I am hoping you will be interested…
JIMMY RAE ON POINT WITH MAXIM SENIN
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Get ready to wrap your brain around this lyricist from Latvia enjoying the sunny side of California. Whether it’s good, old-fashioned “California Dreamin’”or a dream of one day playing with Sting or Eric Clapton, Maxim Senin is definitely on the right path. Maxim had an excellent quote that I’d like to share with…
EXCLUSIVE: FERESHTA UNLEASHES THE MAGIC BEHIND ‘CULTURAL COLLISON’
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Back from an incredible recording session in Rio de Janeiro, Afghan-American rocker and peace activist Fereshta is determined to show the beauty that can be made when three great cultures collide. Produced by Grammy Award winner Alan Sanderson, the record combines Fereshta’s love for American rock n’ roll with her exotic Afghan heritage and takes…
LEONARD FRIENDS REMIXES HAIM “FALLING”
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R&B whiz kid Leonard Friend takes on the catchy single from the the buzzed about Los Angeles sister trio HAIM. Friend re-imagines the song with sparkling synths, a slowed down drum that gives a nod to Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit” (aka the sample for Biggies “Juicy,”) old Zapp records, Phil Collins and TLC. https://soundcloud.com/leonardfriend/haim-falling-leonard-friend…
NEW MUSIC HAYES “ON THE BLOCK”
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Hayes is back with a new single, it’s called “On The Block”. The Floyd Mayweather / Money Team backed Hayes releases his newest single off of his upcoming EP, rolling out this summer. Check out Hayes’ new single “On The Block”. In case you missed it check out “Images” below. Feel free to post it…
STEVE RYAN’S NEW ALBUM ‘BOUNDLESS MOMENTS’
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Energetic is the first thing that comes to mind upon hearing the opening track “Real Time” from Steve Ryans latest album “Boundless Moments”. Hearing an actual band is a refreshing change of pace for this writer, usually Singer/Songwriter types heavily rely on electronic arrangements to convey their lyrics and vocal abilities. Steve’s band is more…
KYLER ENGLAND VIDEO “WE RISE LIKE SMOKE”
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Chances are, you’ve heard Kyler England, who “sings like the clouds opening up from heaven” (Pen’s Eye View) – you just might not know it yet. But the combination of being featured on Tiesto’s single “Take Me” – the first from Club Life Volume 3: Stockholm, and her new video “We Rise Like Smoke,” is…
NATALIE GELMAN VIDEO “MOST THE WHILE”
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The video was shot in a very eco-friendly way with one camera in Los Padres National Park and in Ojai, CA, where Natalie currently resides. It was shot, directed and edited by Brent Florence with no other crew or hair/makeup involved. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU4GCIXoGjw Born and raised in NYC, Natalie Gelman is an incredibly driven singer-songwriter whose…
HAPPY LIVES FOCUS TRACK “FEELING RIGHT”
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“The idea of the band isn’t to be one style; we change and want to make different music. The goal is to trust yourself to get weird and follow an idea regardless of yourself. If it gets ugly, or gay, or electronic, let it.” explains the Neo-pop group. Happy Lives strive to stray from their…
MAY 2013: MKM NOTES FROM THE SOUND TABLE
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APPETIZER: As summer approaches, I impress upon you to stay abreast of what’s going on with my favorite people, like the Georgia Music Industry Association, where THE SONGWRITER comes first! We’re making some BIG THINGS happen, so log on and JOIN at www.gmia.org. My other favorite people include the ANYTHING BUT MONDAY girls. This hit…
POLLY A SINGLE FOR “PICK YOUR POISON”
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Polly A recently released her independent album, ‘My Heart in Focus’ in February of 2012 and has received rave reviews. Signed to Columbia Records in 2005, only to not be released, Polly A. has seen her fair share of setbacks. However, a voice like Polly A’s is not easily silenced. She attracted the attention and…
THE PRESETS VIDEO FOR “FALL”
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The Presets just released their new extraordinary video for “Fall,” from their latest album Pacifica. Directed by Clemens Habicht (previously directed stellar videos include Bloc Party and Tame Impala), “Fall” sees Julian and Kim in one almighty infinity plummet from the heavens above. Shot in rural France, it’s Point Break meets an extreme sports ballet…
KEYLESS DEBUTS VIDEO FOR “EVERYTHING”
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Keyless, a pop solo artist from Memphis, TN, has released his debut album “Hot Shot” today May 21st. Recorded at The Noise Factory Studios in Memphis TN with producer Dave Cowell (aka DJ Unlock), the album is filled with radio anthems. The video for the album’s first single “Everything” can be viewed at the…
MAY 2013: TOKYO CALLING
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One Ok Rock, usually written as ONE OK ROCK, is a major label Japanese rock band formed in 2005. The founding and current members, are Taka (vocals), Toru (guitar), Ryota (bass), and Tomoya (drums). The band originally had five members, but Alex, a 2nd guitar player was found guilty of groping a girl on the…
MUSIC MANAGERS, BOOKING AGENTS, CONTRACTS, & MUSIC ATTORNEYS
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I. Music Industry Managers, Booking Agents, Music Attorneys – Over 240 Recommended Music Managers and Consultants – Over 80 Recommended Music Booking & Talent Agencies – Over 80 Recommended Music & Entertainment Attorneys “The Music Industry Management & Booking Directory is an investment that could pay off many thousand-fold financially…” ~ Ray Cavanaugh – Skope…
RANDY JACKSON LEAVES IDOL BUT TAKES ON SISTER SPARROW & THE DIRTY BIRDS
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“Fiery brass and gospel infused funk” (LA Times) band Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds have partnered with Grammy Award winning producer and esteemed American Idol Judge Randy Jackson to produce their upcoming EP, Fight. Joining Jackson in the studio in March, powerhouse vocalist Arleigh Kincheloe (Sister Sparrow) along with The Dirty Birds recorded the…
AMANDA RAYA POSTS “WITHOUT NO DOUBT”
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Toronto-based singer/songwriter Amanda Raya is not your typical angst-filled teenager. The visually-impaired fourteen year-old may not see the world the same as her peers, but her music shows a startling depth of vision. Amanda has been playing piano since the age of five and has recently added guitar to her repertoire. Learning by ear, she…
TAL NATIONAL UNVEILS NEW CUT FROM ‘KAANI’
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Tal National are from Niamey, the capital city of Niger. Their music is joyously hypnotic, a highly unique contribution to West African guitar music. With its lightening fast rhythms and rotating cast of vocalists can be heard the history of Niger as a cultural crossroads along ancient trade routes. Collected within the former French colony…
STOLI’S MEMORIAL DAY IS BEER & MUSIC & BBQ WITH THE NONREFUNDABLES
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Hello world on this beautiful Tuesday morning. It would not be right to not mention that Ray Manzarek, founding member of The Doors, died at 74. We not only mourn Ray but we also celebrate the music & legacy that he has left behind. That is always what I found so amazing with music is…
LOWLAND HUM POST “WAR IS OVER”
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Lowland Hum, the multisensory artistic collaboration of husband and wife duo Daniel Levi Goans and Lauren Plank Goans will self-release Native Air, their first full-length album on August 6. The self produced Native Air was recorded at Daniel’s parents’ home and mixed by Rick Parker, who’s recent work with Lord Huron they admired. The album…
GRAVEYARD LOVERS POST “LOVE AND HUNGER”
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The spirit of rock ‘n roll is exhumed, drenched in heavy blues riffs, and smeared with earthy grit by Brooklyn’s Graveyard Lovers, a band “unmatched for both quality and energy.” (CMJ.com) Comprised of Zach Reynolds (guitar,vocals), Tricia Purvis (Drums), and Orion Wainer (Bass), the three intertwine their deepest, darkest melodies and passionate…
JIMMY RAE QUESTIONS STOLEN IDENTITY ON ALL ACCOUNTS
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Watch your back because here comes Stolen Identity stealing the show! SI is a trio of two female singers and one male vocalist with crazy good harmonies and one Popilicious sound. This UK-based group mixes Pop and Dance to make up one fun ‘n’ bouncy groove. Promoting their debut single “Entice You”…
TARTU POPI JA ROKI INSTITUUT NEW SINGLE
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It’s not very often that you hear about psychedelic pop music coming from Estonia, but that’s about to change. Tartu Popi ja Roki Instituut, (translated: Tartu Pop and Rock Institute) is from the university town of Tartu, Estonia. The eight-piece rock collective drew inspiration from their time spent growing up in the once Soviet governed…
KEZNAMDI HERALDS HIS ARRIVAL WITH NEW EP
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The fast rising contemporary reggae artiste Keznamdi has been blazing a trail across the musical landscape with thought provoking lyrics woven together to form infectious melodies and has now heralded his arrival to the reggae scene by releasing his first EP, appropriately dubbed, Bridging the Gap. Watch Keznamdi: http://www.youtube.com/user/keznamdi/videos Listen to Keznamdi: https://soundcloud.com/keznamdi Keznamdi, who…