Category: FEATURES

Feature stories and artist interviews

DECEMBER 2011

As we close out 2011 with 2012 looming ahead, it’s nice to know that one record biz constant is CHANGE. We lost “memorables” like Heavy D and Vesta, Beyonce’s expecting a little one, Rick Ross and Wale are doing big things, while Mary J. Blige is still blowing them away at her shows. As Niki…

PRINCESS SUPERSTAR HAS “XMAS SWAGGER”

The incomparable Princess Superstar is back with a new video just in time for the holidays! From 125th St. to Rockefeller Center to the bodega, there is no neighborhood left behind as Princess serenades the streets of NYC with a carol for those of us who think about beaded sweaters and Chippendales with Santa hats…

EL GANT “IRON EAGLE” VIDEO

After debuting his latest mixtape Rule By Secrecy on DJBooth.net, the NY veteran El Gant is pleased to unveil the visuals for the project’s first leak, “Iron Eagle”.

IMBOGODOM OFFER “HEIR LOOMS” MP3 FROM NEW ALBUM

‘And They Turned Not When They Went’ due out on January 24th. Following last year’s debut The Metallic Year and Alexander Tucker’s 2011 solo album Dorwytch, the duo compose, dismantle, and expand their unique brand of songwriting. Psycho-geographic sound worlds map central London’s deep dark loam and linger in the wind of New Zealand’s remote…

SAMI.THE.GREAT “DRESSER DRAWER” OFFICIAL VIDEO

sami.the.great is making big splashes with her upcoming self titled debut full length. the release date is january 31st but she is being featured in major national publications with interviews and reviews of this charming singer songwriter.

JUST MARRIED RETURN TO SKOPED OUT WITH NEW ALBUM & BABYBOY

So we are now under the two week mark until Christmas & Chanukah. Is it just me, or has the holidays become less about loved ones & more about how much can you spend for these big retailers? If these corporations don’t stop laying people off and trying to squeeze the middle class, who will…

NEW FROM BELGIUM IS ARROW HAZE

In existence less than a year, Arrow Haze, a Belgium group has already worked with the famous Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, Billy Idol).   Their first video Elly Kedward has stirred up international interest with its solid guitar and drum riffs.      

JESSICA CAYLYN TURNS HEADS WITH “JUST CAN’T HELP MYSELF” SINGLE

Jessica Caylyn is a California country-rock singer known for her powerful voice and audacious stage presence. At 10 years of age, she fell in love with the “natural high” of live performing, and Bay Area audiences were quick to fall in love with her. It wasn’t long before Jessica was singing the national anthem to…

KRASHKARMA OFFER DOWNLOAD “NIGHTMARE ON CHRISTMAS”

Holiday songs don’t have to be all Burl Ives and Mariah Carey. Hard rockers KRASHKARMA are here to make sure you have something to get you through the holiday season of nagging relatives and being snowed in. Titled “Nightmare on Christmas,” the heavy hitter will get you in the Christmas spirit even without the eggnog.

CHADWICK STOKES TAKES HIS MUSIC TO THE STREETS AT OCCUPY BOSTON

In recent months there has been an occupy movement that is sweeping our nation and has now gone global. It has been said that the movement is trying to bring focus on the human side and how our current policies are killing the very people that keep our economy thriving, the middle class, better known…

FIRE ON MCGINNIS ANIMATED “BEDLAM BOYS” VIDEO

The Alaska based five-piece band, Fire on McGinnis plays a sparky mix of Celtic, Irish and American rock. The band started as an unchecked offshoot from a larger bagpipe marching band called Stoller White Pipes and Drums. In the mid 00’s, the marching band was asked to hold a public recital.

LAURA WARSHAUER “I LOVE YOU MR. GRINCH” VIDEO

Laura Warshauer is closing out her whirlwind year in style with the re-release of her original Christmas tune, “I Love You, Mr. Grinch.” The quirky love song, written from the perspective of Cindy Lou Who, was penned last year after Laura made the big move from New Jersey to Los Angeles.

YOUNG RECORDING ARTIST LACING IT UP IN A “LUNATIC” KIND OF WAY

We have been introduced to many things New Jersey like: “Jersey Shore”, “Real Housewives of NJ” and “Jersey Boys” but nothing like a recording artist with a real “Jersey” attitude. Her style, passion and charisma resonates a Jersey personality. Her image mirrors her sexy yet stylish look and the cutting edge sound of her lyrics.

G/O HAS TAUGHT STOLI TO “DO THE DOROTHY”

I woke up this morning and I got to be honest that I am feeling it. So I decided to double up on features for the week. My guest today is authentic, fun, & confident. That is why I am so excited to have Giovannie aka G/O here to help me kick off the weekend.…

PONTIAK OFFER MP3 & VIDEO FOR ‘ECHO ONO’

The three brothers in Pontiak have reconvened to bring forth their latest album, Echo Ono, due out on February 21st.   While previous albums had been pieced together from hours and hours of rehearsals, this is their first piece constructed as an album from start to finish, each track contributing to the overall narrative of…

HOLLYWOOD FLOSS NEW VIDEO FEAT BRIAN ANGEL

Hollywood FLOSS is back with the video for “So Much To Say,” a song that features crooner Brian Angel and serves as a recent single from his latest album, One Fan At A Time. The video, directed by Rob Jay and edited by Justin Morrow, is a dedication to his love for hip hop, complete…

SEAN COONEY PREPS RELEASE OF NEW SINGLE “DEJA VU”

Cooney, a DC native now living in NYC, attended AMDA to study for Broadway shows and has also played in many professional Jazz bands. His trained voice seems even more at home belting out pop songs as he employs it’s crystal clear, cut through quality in wonderfully innovative ways. Sometimes notching it down a few…

LITTLE JACKIE RELEASES PROVOCATIVE VIDEO

Brooklyn pop soul duo Little Jackie is back with their sophomore release “Made For TV.” Producer/Programmer Adam Palin and Singer/Songwriter Imani Coppola first teamed up in 2008 to release critically acclaimed debut The Stoop which featured the hit single “The World Should Revolve Around Me.”

DEAR LIONS OFFER “EXACTLY THE SAME” MP3

A lot of comparisons have surrounded the indie-rock band Dear Lions since first releasing their self-titled debut back in the spring. They’ve ranged from Jens Lekman to The Smiths, even all the way to Big Star, but while their influences are notable and often evident, what makes their music so enjoyable are the warm and…

THE TURBO CHARGED ENGINE THAT IS TURBOTRONICS

Turbotronics’ calls their debut album “Love Slave”   “an electro powerpop gem”. They compare themselves to Joy Division, Prince, Electric Six and the Doors. They are well known for their unique music videos including “Crush” “International” that was shot in flight on an airplane and for a dark number “Mind Fuck” as well as a…

ANDREW JOHNSTON OFFERS DOWNLOAD “SOMETHING YOU ALREADY KNOW”

Canada has always been a great importer of indie pop. From Sloan to The New Pornographers, you never know what the Great North will produce. Meet your new favorite musical obsession, ANDREW JOHNSTON. Taking a page out of the book of great indie bands and stellar Canadian acts, Johnston will have your attention faster than…

SKOPE TICKET GIVEAWAY: AVENGED SEVENFOLD & HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD TOUR

Hollywood Undead have now joined Avenged Sevenfold on the “Buried Alive” Tour. In celebration of the tour, the bands are giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky winner for each date of the tour AND a huge Grand Prize at tour’s end including a bunch of sweet autographed shit from all of the…

THE TROPHY FIRE VIDEO “TIRED EYES”

In their video for “Tired Eyes” from their album Modern Hearts, viewers are entertained by a heart-felt story line. The main character of the video represents one every day person (just like you and me), and it is obvious that he is missing a good number of people whom he loves. The video bounces between…

PUBLIC JONES OFFER MP3 “JINGLE BELLS”

With the Holiday Season already here, what better way to get ready for Christmas than with some dance floor cheer. Public Jones’ new version of the holiday classic “Jingle Bells” combines a fun and fresh update on the familiar vocals with electro house choruses and a dubstep verse.

SONIC AVENUES OFFER “TELEVISION YOUTH” MP3

Montreal’s Sonic Avenues play poppy garage punk with a bit of a French-Canadian accent in the vocals.   Dirtnap Records has its finger on the pulse of the booming Montreal/Ottawa power pop scene and Sonic Avenues’ “Television Youth” (out Jan 15) is no exception.   Think dark, nervous and scratchy, with a sugary-sweet finish.  

STOLI & KiB KICK OFF THE HOLIDAYS IN STYLE

To say that we have got it going on this week would be an understatement. I am looking at a 4 day weekend filled with turkey, stuffing, drinks, family, music, and relaxation. Sometimes the timing for when we have a guest on Skoped Out is perfect. That is with this emcee from Perth City, Australia…

ACTION BRONSON & STATIK SELEKTAH “WELL DONE” VIDEO

Qualified chef-turned-rapper from Queens, New York, newcomer Action Bronson has built up a loyal following since he decided to leave the kitchen for a recording studio only 18 short months ago. However, the man Rolling Stone Magazine recently called the “Artist to Watch” didn’t stray too far from the kitchen, as he is well known…

THE MINDFUL RICHARD BURR

Richard, from Central San Joaquin Valley, California has been performing up and down the coast of California and most recently as a solo singer/songwriter. Richard’s first CD “Mile After Mile” His second independent release, “This Winter’s Chill” has drawn comparisons to some of our greatest comtemporary songwriters including: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen & Steve Forbert.

CUBIC FEET OFFER “LIVING END” MP3 OFF NEW ALBUM

In 2002, Mark Davison was vacationing in St. Thomas, taking some much needed chill time and celebrating the recent release of Superconnector, the fourth album by Cubic Feet, the popular indie band the singer/songwriter founded in the mid-’80s with guitarist/keyboardist Woody Lissauer.

CHRIS BATHGATE DOES NEW VIDEO IN 3D

Michigan-based singer-songwriter Chris Bathgate has debuted a new video for single “Big Ghost” in an original and amazing 3D format by Giant Eel Productions. Following a year of touring, several hometown festival appearances, a NPR Tiny Desk Concert, and a recent performance at CMJ ’11, he continues to support his acclaimed full length release, Salt…

ALL HAIL THE EMPRESS OF ELECTRO-ROCK!

Once upon a time, a mad scientist took the soaring emotive vocals of Amy Lee, mixed it with the ethereal quirkiness of Kate Bush, and backed it with the dark electronics of Depeche Mode. The result was Alia Lorae. She has been described as a “hybrid of Lady Gaga and Marilyn Manson,” and her powerful…

LEONARD FRIEND OFFERS MP3 “SERIOUS MUSIC”

In the winter of 2010, frustrated Brooklyn songwriter and multi instrumentalist Alex Feder nearly gave up on his childhood ambitions and quit music. Instead, he chose to move across the country to Los Angeles and create an alter ego in the form of R&B singer Leonard Friend.