Category: FEATURES

Feature stories and artist interviews

MANIKA & LIL TWIST RELEASE NEW VIDEO

Emerging pop recording artist MANIKA, managed by Frank DiLeo, Michael Jackson’s long-time manager, and revered-music coach CeCe Sammy of UK’s Pop Idol, releases her debut single on Wamaframa Records distributed by Sony/RED titled “Just Can’t Let You Go.” The song, featuring Young Money’s LIL TWIST, is impacting Top 40 radio on June 20, and is…

OPENSIGHT NEW VIDEO “ONLY WHEN”

“Only When”, the new video from colombian prog metal rockers OPENSIGHT can now be viewed on their official site. The track comes off the band’s new record “The Voice of Nothing”, which has received favorable reviews from various media over the world.

STOLI GETS TO CELEBRATE THE DEBUT OF DAVID 3D HODGES

I must say that I am in a great mood today. It is not everyday that I get to help announce the debut of a new Def Jam/Island artist and his new single “Angel.” If you are not familiar be ready to get to know David 3D Hodges. David has been making music since he…

A GREAT FATHER’S DAY GIFT – “MUSIC TO SHANK BY”

Created by record producer Michael Mugrage along with fellow co-writer Rex Fowler, this CD, entitled MUSIC TO SHANK BY, is the perfect accompaniment to R. Paul Rusher’s other two golf creations, the hugely popular HOW TO LINE UP YOUR FOURTH PUTT, and the newly released sequel, WHEN TO REGRIP YOUR BALL RETRIEVER.

PRAGUE AND SUNSET DRIVE

Prague is a popular three member group from the Tokyo area. Lead vocalist Yuta Suzuki, who is also the guitar player, and Kensuke Ito, drums, were high school classmates. They were members of the same after-school music club and spent many free hours playing and listening to music. After graduation, they enrolled in a local…

VANESSA CARLTON “CAROUSEL” MP3 HERE

The new release date for Vanessa Carlton’s upcoming album Rabbits on the Run is now July 26th.   Vanessa will hit the road in June to preview the album nationwide and perform three sold-out shows at Joe’s Pub in New York City (tour dates below).     Carlton will perform on The Tonight Show with…

A TRIBUTE TO PETER TOSH

When most folks hear the word “reggae”, an automatic worldwide reaction is usually, “oh, you mean Bob Marley!”. The same goes for “The King of Pop”, you think Michael Jackson, or any other genre that has a popular or internationally-known ‘face’ to go with it.  

KRISTA NEW VIDEO “HYPNOTIZED”

Raised in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, a neighborhood rigidly defined by cultural identity, where a stroll down the streets is a kaleidoscopic merge of colors, cultures, and flavors, Krista used her roots as inspiration to release debut album, Taking Back Brooklyn on J Records in September 2009 and opened for Kelly Clarkson’s summer…

FREE DOWNLOAD OF BUFFALO KILLERS NEW SONG “CIRCLE DAY”

Buffalo Killers are an American rock band comprising brothers Zachary and Andrew Gabbard with Joseph Sebaali. Quickly signed to Alive Records after sending a burnt CD with just their telephone number and name on it, their self-titled debut album was released in October of 2006.

JUNE 2011 SONICBIDS “ARTISTS 2 WATCH”

Welcome to another amazing month of music from the incredible musicians that make up the Sonicbids.com community. We have chose a select group of amazing musicians that will be speaking directly to the Skope readers. As always we encourage readers to dig deeper and check out their EPK’s.

NEIL FINN NEW BAND OFFERS “FROM A FRIEND TO A FRIEND” MP3

Master of pop song craft and front man of Crowded House, Neil Finn, and his wife, Sharon Finn have formed a brand new band called Pajama Club (formerly Pajama Party).   The New Zealand-based group also include local indie musician Sean Donnelly (SJD), and in its touring incarnation, former Grates drummer Alana Skyring.   Pajama…

JULIE WEISS RELEASES NEW SINGLE “NEW”

After graduating from Monmouth University (West Long Branch, New Jersey) with a degree in Music Industry, Julie found herself working at various independent record labels in New York City and for producers/studios in both Northern New Jersey and Manhattan.  

STOLI OFFERS A NSFW INTERVIEW WITH OMINOS

Man it is getting hot out there. I do not know if it’s the weather or this interview I am about to post with a metal band out of San Francisco by the name of Ominos. These guys have created a band that I was impressed by how they have totally immersed themselves in what…

JUNIOR GIANT VIDEO FOR “HEYLA”

Indie rockers Junior Giant will release their studio album True North exclusively on iTunes in May. The album was self-produced with the help of local Salt Lake City engineer/producer Jason Perkins. True North is Junior Giant’s follow up to their debut album, Blue Boy, released in 2009.

SORRY BAMBA OFFERS NEW MP3 “SAYOUWE”

After many years of Sorry’s tracks appearing on several highly sought after and very hard to find compilations of African (and more specifically Malian) music, Alex Minoff and Ian Eagleson (both of Extra Golden) have worked closely with Sorry Bamba to compile and restore this collection of songs for official release.  

NEVER SHOUT NEVER RAISING MONEY FOR JOPLIN, MO / VIDEO

Christofer Drew and his band Never Shout Never call Joplin, Missouri home. The 20-year-old singer/songwriter grew up and currently resides in Joplin. While Drew and his family were not harmed by the devastating tornados last week, many of his friends and band members were greatly affected.

STOLI IS TOUCHED BY SILVINA’S HIT SINGLE “NO SE PORQUE”

Well I have finally decided to return back to work after an incredible Memorial Day weekend. Summer is officially here and my guest this week is just perfect to help kick off my favorite season of the year. It is my pleasure to introduce a female Latin singer/songwriter that is the whole package by the…

ABM RELEASES “DAT BODY GYAL” FEAT QWES KROSS

ABM is back at it with his biggest single to date. ABM & his Platinum Trini Entertainment have teamed up with Qwes Kross of 50/50 Konvict Muzik / Universal which is the famous label of Akon & Lady Gaga. ABM has released the single on I-Tunes for purchase and the video is on Youtube now…

THE STRENGTH AND HONESTY OF DANE ESTOK

Singer/songwriter Dan Estok took the sadness of a childhood surrounded by family drug addictions to build strength and faith in himself and his music.   He prides himself on the complexity and diversity of his music which he says is pop/rock with acoustic influence “that can make you dance like a little girl but can…

MARC BLACKWELL RELEASES “BRING ME TROUBLE” VIDEO

Marc Blackwell’s debut album, “Bring Me Trouble”, is indie rock with growl and attitude. You’ll hear blues, Latin, pop and alt-country influences. There’s some quirky, some dark, some catchy, some moody and some fun. It’s got bad places, complications and dancin’ with Satan; pretty girls, barefoot girls and girls who hate Marc; witches, vampires and…

BLUE SKIES FOR BLACK HEARTS OFFERS “MAJORING IN THE ARTS” MP3

Born as an outlet for producer turned songwriter/lead singer Pat Kearns, Blue Skies For Black Hearts is comprised of a group of crack Portland music veterans, including bassist Kelly Simmons (Man of the Year), guitarist Michael Lewis (Lael Alderman, The Very Foundation) and drummer Paul Noel (Durango Park).  

MAKE $$ & GAIN EXPOSURE WITH THE SKOPE AD NETWORK PUB PROGRAM

Skope has officially launched the Skope AD Network. We are looking for websites looking to make some extra $$ by running Skope ADS on their site. Nomatter what your site covers if you have an audience or fans we invite you to join. We will also actively promote all sites within the network.

FREEDOM OR DEATH NEW VIDEO “THIS CROWDED ROOM”

The name, Freedom Or Death is a direct nod to the band’s desire to remain creatively independent. The band, at its core, is the music-making duo of Fernandez and Sway. Fernandez, a classically trained pianist has also been a DJ for over a decade, while Sway has been a driving force as a vocalist and…

STOLI WANTS TO BE THE 10TH MEMBER OF 7TH KIND

I love all music but I especially love music that is fun, instrumental, and experimentative. My next guest on this week before Memorial Day weekend has exactly what I am looking for. 7th Kind is a nine piece band out of Chicago, IL and their new album ‘Sea Monster’ is over 50 minutes of a…

LALI PUNA DEBUT VIDEO “MOVE ON”

“Move On” is the second video that London based artist Yu Sato (Best Music Video at the British Animation Awards 2006 for ‘Swanmeat’ by Subtle) has directed for the group. Watch the first one “That Day” over at Vimeo.

THE YOUNG, BRIGHT, & GIFTED HAZEL JADE ROGERS

At a mere 15 years old, Hazel Jade Rogers is stirring up some serious interest in the music world.     Besides her mezzo soprano range voice she plays drums and guitar.   She already has composed some of her own music and co wrote some  with others.

DALLAS AUSTIN’S ROWDY ELECTRONICS AND BKE PRESENT THE BEAT THANG

“We wanted everyone to be able to produce music the same way we do,” says Dallas Austin of the idea behind the Beat Thang.   The Grammy-winning producer-songwriter-“keyboard fanatic” and owner of Atlanta-based Rowdy Electronics is introducing this groundbreaking mobile music-making machine through a joint venture with Nashville’s BKE (Beat Kangz Electronics.) The Beat Thang…

CARLY JAMISON RELEASES DEBUT ‘EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON’ / MP3

Independent songwriter Carly Jamison releases self-penned debut album Everything Happens For A Reason featuring a stellar team of talent including two Grammy award winners, a Billboard chart topping guitarist, as well as established studio musicians. According to music blog Lucid Culture, it’s “a breath of fresh air – in a world of wussy waifs and…

ATLANTIC RECORDS PRESENTS LAZA MORGAN

In this Introduction of Laza Morgan, Laza speaks on his sound, touring in Northern California and performing his new music. Producer Julian Bunetta also gives his take on Laza’s style and authenticity of this music.