CARSEX Show They Are A Force To Reckon With On New “Human Interest” EP
When it comes to the songs of “Human Interest”, the just released EP by CARSEX, “Sitting Ducks” gets things underway, with no holding back their L.A. punk routes and prowess in the process. It makes for a grand entrance and is a killer opener for the EP. Next up, “Crooked Canvas” is a fiery tale of how the blind lead the blind, and how much of the population are just “sheeple”. The album title leaves much room for interpretation through imagination, but it can also be summed up as a study of modern times, which takes a degree of sophistication usually not found in old or new punk. This is much more, as it crosses over from underground to mainstream hard rock avenues.
The energy throttles back to a more contemplative, mid-tempo grooved there with “Beyond The Trees”. CARSEX takes us on a trip through a slower tunnel to get there with this trippy song about a dream of a serial killer in the forest. I rate this as one of the deepest tracks on this release, even though it is nonreality based – it’s still about a form of human interest. “Fuck This” is a straight ahead banger formed from rage at the status quo, and is a fierce and unforgiving track.
“Landmine” is another trippy story, and the band flexes their musical muscles in a new direction. They showcase their energy in the video, with director Chris Michael describing it as having the effects of an bad acid trip…. They use blues and reds for emotional effect as they blaze through the song in this performance video. I like everything about this song and video, as it shows the growth of the band both lyrically and in their playing.
The musicianship is high quality throughout, and showcases these seasoned players as a cut above the rest. The vocals of Nigel Burk and his and bassist Jeremy Schott’s lyrics, move things forward in a thoughtful manner. There are strong hooks and solos throughout – but in a more economical fashion that get the point across without being too overwrought. “D.K.C.” is another skull cracking hard rocker with a grunge meets metal attack, featuring sizzling guitars and a moving theme involving school shooting with Burk putting in one of his finest efforts. Everything about this song is great, so don’t skip it, put it on repeat until it clicks. After a few listens – you’ll fully understand the emotion behind it – with Burk’s voice carrying it all the way home.
“Stella” gets to exit the stage in grand fashion, with a smokey tale about a sultry rock star’s ups and downs. The song itself is a slinky hard rock number with explicit lyrics to describe the tale, with Burk laying down some of his gnarliest screams, and some of the best guitar work on display of the entire EP. This is by no means a leftover closer, as it would go just as well as an opener and that is why “Human Interest” is consistently good from front to back, start to finish, and why CARSEX are a force to reckon with.
Gwen Waggoner
Who Let the Dogs Out (Hodgee Films, 2019) Only Boston Screening!
Tuesday July 22, 2025, 7:00 PM
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
60 Seaport Blvd., Boston MA, 02210 Trailer:
Tickets: https://drafthouse.com/boston/event/who-let-the-dogs-out-live-qa
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Baha Men’s global pop sensation, Who Let the Dogs Out, OPEN is presenting screenings of Who Let the Dogs Out, a documentary film following artist Ben Sisto from Seattle to the UK as he attempts to gently nudge-back against the concept of individual authorship in favor of a view that art is a collective process. Produced by Hodgee Films, Who Let the Dogs Out made its debut at SXSW (2019), was a hit at Hot Docs (Toronto), and was later adapted into an episode of the popular podcast 99% Invisible. In addition to the Boston screening, the film will play at the Providence Public Library alongside Sisto’s collection of some 300 pieces of research materials and ephemera.
The Boston screening will be followed by a live Q&A with Who Let the Dogs Out writer Ben Sisto and critic Oscar Goff of The Boston Hassle.
Some kind words:
“…niftily balances a tightrope equation of “how much is this a white paper and how much is this an entertaining movie,” — Observer
You’ll never hear that damn song the same way again, that’s for certain.” – POV Magazine
It’s all just very confusing.” –A/V Club
About Ben:
Ben Sisto is an artist who lives in Providence, RI with his family, including a dog called Andie. He is the world’s leading expert (unchallenged) on Who Let the Dogs Out. Back in the 2000s, Ben lived in Boston where he organized many concerts, parties, and flea markets at places like Mass Art, Great Scott, and The Milky Way.
Ronnue Releases “Like A Virgin”
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CONCERT REVIEW: COLLECTIVE SOUL 6-26-2025 – MGM NORTHFIELD, CLEVELAND
By R.M. Engelman
Since getting together in 1992 and releasing their first album three years later, the band has maintained a steady loyal following. Not only do the fans continue to fill the seats, the audience can pretty much sing along with every song. Quite an accomplishment to their longevity. A major plus is that the band still features founders Ed Roland and his brother Dean, and bassist Will Turpin who joined early on. Other members drummer Johnny Rabb and lead guitarist Jesse Triplett have become established members. They now have 12 albums (one double) in their catalogue. Their touring schedule always remains filled.
The band kicked off with Why P.2, and then led into Mother’s Love off the new Here to Eternity double album (recorded at one of Elvis’s previous houses). Right as Rain followed off the recent Blood album. With the exceptions of Not the Same and Keep it on Track (off the new album), the majority of the balance of material was of their classic “Greatest Hits” variety. The group naturally finished off their set with the classic hit Run, where all of the band members file off the stage with just Ed singing and playing the 12-string.
After all of these productive years, frontman Ed Roland might be more animated than ever. He entertained with various commentary and stories, and of course solicited audience participation. The evening consisted of Ed playing to the crowd wearing a hat, without a hat, without his coat, putting on an audience supplied T-shirt, and letting loose his ponytail. They joked after the show that the guitar tech also doubled as a “Hat Tech”, when he retrieved and delivered Ed’s hat back to him.
The rest of the bands interaction throughout the performance shows they are having just as much fun entertaining. During the start of the show, the members gathered on the drum riser cheering on the percussion.
Collective Soul is a must see for any old or new fans. If you want to see a band just stand in place in front of a mic for an entire set, these aren’t those guys!
– https://collectivesoul.com/#tour
Indie Pop-Rock Star Abigail Fierce Releases New Song “14 Cigarettes”
Abigail Fierce is the real deal. With over 5.7 million streams under her belt on Spotify alone, Abigail Fierce’s potential for mass appeal is palpable. The LA-based completely indie artist is unafraid to be herself. And what is she, exactly? Fiercely authentic. She doesn’t seem to edit herself based on what she wants people to see, which is evident in her diverse music catalog, that ranges from the melancholy folk song, “I Just Wanna Feel Okay Again” to the raring pop-punk LGBTQ+ anthem “Scream It to the Whole World”.
Abigail’s upcoming single “14 Cigarettes” is the next chapter in her music journey. Weaving all of her favorite genres to make something truly special, Abigail Fierce seems to have seamlessly found a bizarre yet intoxicating crossroad between Taylor Swift and Courtney Love. On the track, you’ll hear 2010’s singer-songwriter & 90’s grunge influence, creating the perfect modern day indie sound. Swirling electric guitars and angsty vocals will have you recalling Alanis Morissette & Ed Sheeran at the same time. You may even think of Billie Eilish or Fiona Apple, Miley Cyrus, circa ‘Flowers’ or ‘Hannah Montana’. When Abigail flat out screams on the bridge, not only do you feel her emotional turmoil, but for a quick moment you think…is this emo? You’ll hear Abigail’s true love for all kinds of music throughout her whole discography, but this song really brings them all together in a way that works, and still feels cohesive.
As always, Abigail’s lyrics draw a clear image in your mind and elicit a poignant, often visceral, feeling. The song’s most poetic moments lie in the verses. With lines like “Err on the side of disconnect, our love always had side effects” and the killer opening lyric “We didn’t die a natural death, you killed us with disrespect”, Abigail Fierce, the sole writer on the song, proves that she could hang up there with Bob Dylan & Taylor Swift, all while maintaining a dark, haunting edge à la Kurt Cobain. Simply driving the message home on the chorus, Abigail sings: “Now it hurts me to think of you driving away in your old Mustang, with my cassette tapes on the dash. When you left you took a piece of me, 14 cigarettes & all my best memories.” A break-up song at its core, it covers the full span of heartbreak, from still being in contact with your ex, missing them, being angry at them, and then – on the exploding, chaotic bridge – being mad at yourself, and finally admitting that you saw the red flags all along. (All within the span of under 4 minutes.)
Abigail says the song is inspired by Abigail’s love for vintage cars and a real-life trip to the desert with an argument that led to erratic driving, and that sickening feeling of when red flags become reality.
“Everyone in the business always says ‘fake it til you make it’ but I hate fake sh*t. l’d rather work quietly and then let the music speak for itself.” It’s also worth mentioning Abigail’s other career: acting. She can be seen as Wendy in the Hulu series “Love, Victor”, as well as the NBC show “This is Us”, Netflix’s “American Vandal” and the LeBron James produced Paramount+/Nickelodeon movie “Fantasy Football” starring Kelly Rowland (from “Destiny’s Child”). Abigail latest project is starring alongside mega-influencers Bryce Hall & Hannah Stocking in the 50-Cent produced horror satire film “SkillHouse”, slated to premiere in theaters July 11th, 2025. A versatile and charming young actress, her skill also shines through in her award-winning music videos
New EP “Compulsion for Approval” by Cagri Raydemir
Compared to his previous releases, Compulsion for Approval has a more organic, acoustic and leaner approach.
Life By The Numbers: Noble Hops Raises a Glass to Grit, Grace, and Gospel Truth
There’s a sunbeam of soul cutting through the barroom dust in Noble Hops’ latest single “Life By The Numbers,” and for those with ears to hear and hearts cracked just wide enough to feel, it lands like a gentle hand on a weary shoulder. This is a song that doesn’t shout, it doesn’t beg, it doesn’t pose. It just tells the truth the way an old friend might, leaning over a pint at twilight, telling you how to survive with dignity intact.
Released on July 4th—a day bursting with fireworks, noise, and nostalgia—”Life By The Numbers” is a different kind of declaration. Not of independence, but of presence. Of personal accountability. Of hope that’s earned, not handed down. Written by frontman Utah Burgess, the song isn’t reinventing the wheel—it’s greasing the axles of something far more enduring. Real life. Hard-won lessons. The kind that don’t come wrapped in a TikTok trend or a self-help meme, but in early mornings, aching hands, and the small mercies of blue skies and shared burdens.
The track begins like a porchlight flicker at dawn. A working man’s rhythm, steady and unadorned. Guitars hum with grit, not gloss. Drums move like footsteps on gravel. Tony Villella’s guitar knows when to speak and when to shut up. Johnny “Sleeves” Costa and Brad Hulburt hold down a rhythm section that doesn’t posture—it supports, like true friendship. And then comes the unexpected magic: Miss Freddye.
Miss Freddye Stover, Pittsburgh’s beloved Lady of the Blues, slides into the track like church on a Sunday morning you didn’t know you needed. Her vocals arrive not with bombast, but with the weight of lived experience. Her presence in the bridge doesn’t just elevate the song—it anoints it. Gospel doesn’t mean fancy robes and choirs. Sometimes it’s just a nurse coming off a shift, walking into a studio on Mother’s Day, and delivering salvation in a single take.
Lyrically, “Life By The Numbers” is what Springsteen might call a prayer for the broken. “One two three, if you listen to me, I can tell you how easy it can be,” Burgess sings with a knowing grin. Easy not because life is easy, but because we complicate it with fear, blame, and forgetfulness. This is a song that remembers. It remembers to get up. To stay kind. To finish the fight with grace.
And that bridge—God, that bridge. “There’s only two sides to that dash, a left one and a right. The first one’s where it all begins, and the last one is how we finish the fight.” It stops you. It hangs in the air like the last breath of a long story. It reminds you that legacy isn’t in what you leave behind, but how you choose to carry yourself through the middle.
Recorded at Rattle Clack Studio with producer Jazz Byers (who adds his own percussive fingerprints), the track is raw, real, and refreshingly unvarnished. It feels more like a lived moment than a manufactured product. Even the cover photo—taken with the band bathed in sunlight outside a tavern in Freeport—tells you what you need to know. This isn’t about branding. It’s about being.
“Life By The Numbers” is Noble Hops at their most grounded and giving. They’re not shouting from a stage—they’re singing from the heart, in a language we almost forgot how to hear. It’s not a protest. It’s not a party anthem. It’s something rarer: a reminder. That we’re all made of the same stuff. That kindness costs nothing. That you don’t need a script to be alive. Just a little sunshine. A little soul. And maybe, just maybe, someone like Miss Freddye to help you find your voice when it matters most.
–Lonnie Nabors
Rising Folk Artist from the Midwest
Though it may seem like a small world, you have probably never heard C. Charles Jones; whose gruff musicality with off-pitch singing resonates with a blend of many influential sounds——— the folk of the east coast to the Bakersfield sound, from pop to R&B with theatrical elements of jazz sprinkled in between.
Following his debut “Blowin’ Smoke” which failed to meet commercial success in December 2024, his second album “Feelin’ Big in a Small World” has got radio stations spinning around the country.”
https://soundcloud.com/c-charles-jones/sets/feelin-big-in-a-small-world-1
“It is an imperfect album,” Jones explains, “…I recorded the entire thing on a SANYO tape machine from the early 2000’s…… the compression is strong, the instrumentals are out of tune……but hey, I like it.”
Being his second collection of songs, Jones explains that he has yet to find the end to his experiment, saying that he is not quite satisfied with what he is looking for in a song. “Feelin’ Big in a Small World” is considered the awkward stage between puberty and adolescence.
“I want my songs to have a narrative,” Jones explains, “….track by track, I want them to correspond with one another……..for me, this album is a monologue on “ego death” in today’s culture…….the title track “The Man on the Moon” foreshadows the idea of an ego-crazed individual who is misunderstood by the world…..and the story goes from there; a path to self-loathing and back. I’m not sure.”
Just Enough: Rachael Sage On Embracing Unconditional Love And Stepping Into The Spirit Of Pride Month
Rachael Sage has just unveiled ‘Just Enough’ – a serene vintage pop-meets-folk gem encapsulating the joy of unconditional love and friendship without judgement and the restrains of adulthood. We chatted to Rachael about maintaining this perspective, her upcoming album, ‘Canopy,’ and how she hopes to uplift and shed light on the LGBTQ+ community.
Let’s start with your new single, Just Enough. Can you tell us the story behind it?
“Just Enough” was sparked by my longtime, continued friendship with someone I used to date years ago, but now we have the most easy-going, unconditionally loving friendship. We would do just about anything for each other, but there’s no pressure or judgement. We both feel like we can be exactly who we are, utterly ourselves…and after one particular day hanging out together, that inspired me to write this song about unconditional love, in a somewhat old-fashioned, retro, and wholesome musical style. I wanted it to be something that hearkened as much to my Dad’s doo-wop era as to Lenny Kravitz. With a fun, uptempo groove – a rarity for me, since I often write on piano!
The track feels like a soulful exhale – a gentle reminder that simply being ourselves is enough, even in a demanding world. Why is this message particularly meaningful to you?
Having been inspired by a longterm friendship with “more than friend” origins, it felt to me like a perfect song through which to channel the message that there is no “right” way to love. If “Love is love is love” then love is also the infinite variety of types of relationships that can be as valid and meaningful – whether platonic or romantic. What matters most is that we love and are loved…it’s a way of being, an ongoing choice to accept and appreciate other people as well as oneself as the walking miracles we are. I can love someone as much in another country who I see a few times a year as I do a good friend I have tea with every month in my neighborhood. I can have a 5 minute conversation with a perfect stranger who I will never see again, and we can exchange dignity and respect and that is a kind of love, a a soulful way of interacting and remaining open and connected, in the world.
It’s a kind of meditation to live this way, and it becomes more and more difficult when we are constantly told by social media or toxic people we may encounter that we are not enough. But we are! We are born innocent and playful and open and creative, and then the grind of adulthood and stress can slowly chip away at our self-esteem and positive purpose. I still believe music and art have the power to bring us back to that feeling of openness and community, and therefore to encourage to be more of our best selves well after a concert is over. So this message, really, means everything to me because I’m a die-hard music fan who’s experienced the message through other artists over and over and it’s saved me many times. It’s also a really fun song to sing with my bandmates in three-part harmony, and to see their smiling faces single the line “love like a bottle in a soda shop”!
The single’s release aligns with Pride Month. How does its message connect with the spirit of Pride and support for the LGBTQ+ community?
I will always leap at any opportunity to remind my fellow LGBTQ+ friends and family that they are just enough – and that being what people sometimes snarkily call “extra” i.e. “too much” is also just enough! I am sometimes perceives as one of those kinds of people because I dress theatrically even in my daily life, love bright colors and just march to my own drum, so to speak. Kids were especially mean to me in grammar school and I was badly bullied for reasons I could never understand, but then eventually I found my tribe, my people and all the things that made me odd or an outsider eventually became my strengths. Like most young artists, I spent too much time and energy early in my career worrying about industry approval, and heeded too much advice from people who just didn’t “get” me. That also applied to partners in relationships and it took me a long time to come to the place of self-love, acceptance and confidence I have now where I can honestly look in the mirror and love the person I see, inside and out. I’m sure being a cancer thriver has a lot to do with that…but regardless: I am more than happy to be that voice who is very clearly saying: I see you, I honor your uniqueness, and you are loved, during Pride and every other day of the year!
Your music often carries a nostalgic, uplifting quality. Do you hope to inspire or comfort listeners – especially those in the LGBTQ+ community?
I am an equal-opportunity entertainer and uplifter – but certainly the LGBTQ+ community deserves all the love and encouragement and appreciation possible, especially during Pride! One of the things I strive most for is to have my shows feel safe and inclusive for as many types of listeners as possible: younger, older, any/all sexual orientations, gender identities, nationalities, ethnicities. The message underlying many of my songs is one of resilience, acceptance, inclusivity and also trying to forge understanding via humor and shared experiences. I’m always happy when people come up to me after my sets and confide personal experiences to me that they feel resonate with certain songs or stories I’ve told onstage. Sometimes people just want to feel seen, to feel acknowledged and ironically, just by listening – even though I’m the one who just played! – I think there’s a real comfort to that, and an opportunity to be present and fully myself, so others feel they can be, too…
This single offers a new glimpse into Canopy, your upcoming album. With songs that feel like emotional refuge, how does Canopy reflect your personal truths or healing journey?
There is a pretty wide variety of songs on my forthcoming album – stylistically it’s super eclectic in a way my last few haven’t really been, even though I always try to have wide dynamics on all my records. About 70% of the material is brand new and very consciously reflects what I wanted to create as far as a collection of songs that encourage the listener to hold only hope and light and resilience even in these overwhelming times. The other 30% are songs that I composed as a teenager, that I’ve toyed with including on other records through the years but this time, they finally felt like they belonged. Among them is a song called “Kill The Clock” that I originally wrote about chasing status, and the seeming ridiculousness – from my teenaged perspective – of things like country clubs that exclude anyone, or how wearing certain brands make you “cool” or not. But even beyond that, at the age of 14 I could see how certain jobs my friends parents had stressed them out that the minute they walked through the door they had to have a drink before they could talk to their spouse. I don’t think I could write that song now because it was a child’s view of a warped adult dynamic. It has a very different meaning now to me when I sing it but feels resonant with our social media obsession, in a new way.
Similarly, my song “Colorized World” was written when I first discovered my attraction to other women, and it’s a pretty literal chronicle of my first girlfriend encouraging me to come out to my parents. She was telling me, in so many words, that the strength it would take for me to be honest about would only magnify, if I could overcome the fear. The song is a metaphor of living in black and white versus technicolor, and likewise, has a totally different meaning to me now all these years later. I included it as evidence of my own healing, my own truth as expressed early in my life and career, and to remind myself of just how timeless and crucial the message acceptance and safety is, no matter the “era”.
How does Canopy differ musically from The Other Side? Were there any specific influences that shaped the sound or style of this album?
I think this is the album I might’ve made next, after “Character”, had there been no pandemic. But there was – so like most people it took me a number of years to fully re-inhabit myself, to let go of all the fear, neurosis and numbness that being isolated and surviving such a surreal and painful time of loss, entails. This record contains more of the essence of who I like to think I am – on a good day! – than any of my previous, but gratefully it is also the most collaborative album I’ve ever made so my band The Sequins (my core players and special guest members) have really helped to take these arrangements and performances to the “next level” creatively and dynamically. Immediately after lockdown I think we were all just so happy to be making music, period, and it was a bit more desperate and perhaps thrown together a bit more recklessly. I’ve always written pop songs and probably always will – but the vision was very strong for this record to lean hard into each player’s ability and willingness to contribute their talents, so I hope that joy is palpable…from the harmonies to the string and horn parts, to the guitars.
The foundation of the album is a group of musicians I’ve played with for many years but haven’t necessarily encouraged to totally let loose and be themselves rather than to interpret the specific sounds I heard in my head. I’ve always been a composer first, a producer and then a vocalist. For this record I tried to let myself be a singer and instrumentalist first, and then trust that gathering this group of amazing musicians would naturally lead some beautiful recordings. I hate to use the “m” word because I still feel very much like a kid most days of the week, but I do think this is my and my band’s most mature recording so far. What that means to me is that we said “yes” more than “no”, and let the process lead us to some unexpected places as much as realize the plan I walked in with. I don’t really listen to other music while I’m making music, but I did a lot of painting and am always looking at art, all the time. I think this was more of an “impressionistic” phase for me, and I would go so far as to say that while I was recording I embraced orange and yellow – new colors for me – probably because they’re colors I”ve never loved to paint with before but decided I should give them a chance; now of course they’re my favorite. Metaphorically that’s pretty loaded!!
You’re currently on tour in the UK. What do you enjoy most about performing live, and how is sharing the stage with The Sequins bringing fresh energy to your shows?
My favorite thing about performing live is helping to create something unique to each audience, that’s a kind of catharsis that hopefully, will leave them feeling uplifted and inspired. I am so fortunate to play with such incredible musicians and touring with Kelly Halloran (violin) and Will Wilde (harmonica) is a huge pleasure. They’re both so soulful and melodic, always aiming to support the song but also to imbibe the material with a quality of freedom and surprise. They keep me on the edge of their seat with their solos!
Can fans expect any surprises from Canopy? Is there something unexpected they might discover?
There are actually a few songs I wrote as a kid that are on this record. It finally felt like they belonged. I reworked the arrangements and it felt like a gift to my teenage self to have my band reinterpret them in a grownup way. Aside from that…there’s a Buddy Holly cover, an instrumental, and more guitar songs than piano songs! I can’t wait for folks to hear it – it’s definitely a dynamic smorgasbord, musically!
What does your creative process usually look like—and did recording this album teach you anything new or shift your approach in any way?
Because I also run a record label and spend a certain amount of time touring, my creative process can be challenging to cultivate and essentially requires me to book time with my engineer, gather musicians either in Upstate NY at my home studio or another studio where I like to work in Connecticut, and treat that time as if it’s absolutely sacred. My phone is relegated to “emergencies only” and I behave a bit as though I’m on a meditation retreat and the only thing I’m allowed to think about or do is music! It sounds like I’m kidding but as someone with ADD who has a lot of additional responsibilties – other artists to tend to and so forth – I have to get a bit extreme about avoiding distraction and the best way for me to do that is to use all my powers of persuasion to convince the people around me that whatever seems timely can probably wait until I’m NOT recording…and to also apply that discipline to myself!
It is really true that time is the most precious commodity – aside from health – and yet somehow time when creating seems to expand. It’s magical how that works and it’s because creating is such a natural state and other things seem to suspend. As far as learning anything new making this – my 17th! – album, I suppose I learned how to let go a bit and trust the process more. I pre-planned less and came up with most of the ideas on the spot out of pure necessity, but I think it actually really benefited the music to do that, and credit the players involved for being able to roll with so much spontaneous composing and arranging of parts on my end; these are incredible musicians with the very best ears who can absorb anything I hum or tap out on a keyboard in real time, and make it feel like we’ve been playing it together forever. It’s a joy when things come together that easily, and I really do believe that “casting” the right people around you to help tell the story is such a gift!
Finally, what’s next for Rachael Sage? Are there more songs waiting in the wings, or are you planning a creative pause?
I’ll be touring pretty solidly from now through the end of 2025, so that’s going to be at least 6 months of steady shows. Hardly a pause – except to make the odd video or to present some of my paintings at a handful of art exhibitions this summer/fall – but it’s what I love to do most…so I’m incredibly excited to bring this music to audiences far and wide, and to share the stage with some amazingly talented peers, along the way! As far as more songs, I’m always ready with a notebook or voicenotes on my phone, and try to be open to song ideas every day so it’s never a scramble when I’m finally ready to do my next album. At this point, I’m super focused on “Canopy” and the shows on my calendar, but next year listeners can expect a live record, and hopefully some touring in Europe as well as the UK!
OLIVIA MILLIN Releases “TTYL”
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@skopemag news – thursday – june 26, 2025 @ 9 am est
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FACTOR EIGHT’s stunning new Visual ‘Waiting For The End’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnJXY8ptwd8
New C.R. Gillespie Album ‘Island of Women’ out August 2025 on sound as language + “Indoor Habit” Single Streaming Now
https://sal.lsnto.me/island-of-women
Athens Community Arts and Music Festival returns Saturday, August 2
Salt Lake City’s GRILLFEST Resurrects w/ 2025 Lineup – Judicator, Silver Talon, Advent Horizon, Michael Barrow & The Tourists, Seizure, Celestial Wizard, Arsenic Addiction, and more!
https://linktr.ee/grillfestutah
CLAIRVOYANCE: Decibel Magazine Premieres “Blood Divine” From Polish Death Metal Outfit; Chasm Of Immurement To See Release July 18th Via Carbonized Records
https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2025/06/25/track-premiere-clairvoyance-blood-divine/
Toronto’s Bree Taylor Ignites Country Music with Fiery New Single “Wake Up!”
https://open.spotify.com/album/6iO7wwA1u9kt0YIIVHZwzb?si=lFOvtkYYTYiJCeAfncLSSA
Recorded on Analog Tape, Noizzy Releases Concept Heavy Album “Dreamland”
https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/album/3GknhJPLdXRpMHIga6wWWO
Dan Sindel Drops Dual Rock Anthems: “AMBITION” & “FREEDOM” Out Now!
https://open.spotify.com/track/76PMzhDAHBvRgiMnXl2Yyq
ODUMODUBLVCK UNVEILS VIDEO FOR “PITY THIS BOY” FT. VICTONY FOLLOWING ELECTRIC CITY SPLASH PERFORMANCE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcBHxnu5xOc
Awaiting Abigail Ignites the Scene with Explosive Debut EP BAD MIND!
Evan Redsky’s “Cosmic Carousel” Premieres on APTN’s AMPLIFY
A Stick And A Stone: Philly/AZ-based drone/experimental/folk act streams new track off ‘Conspire’ album ahead of Friday’s release
https://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2025/06/21/song-premiere-conspire-to-kill-him/
Chicago’s Woes Releases New Live Performance Video ‘Dying Thoughts’ Today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6delXi9OXE
Dead Mall release ‘100% Pure Poison’ ahead of debut album release
Felicity continues to tease upcoming EP with latest single ‘I’ll Have What He’s Having’
https://lnk.dmsmusic.co/felicity_illhavewhatheshaving
Reminder: SATIN WHITE Release New Album BORN and Music Video for “Well-Born” – Out Now on All Platforms
Felicity – ‘I’ll Have What He’s Having’
https://lnk.dmsmusic.co/felicity_illhavewhatheshaving
BLOOD ORANGE: “The Field”
https://bloodorange.lnk.to/thefield
No Cigar release new single ‘Clean’, announce album + Aus tour
The Scorpions announce ‘From The First Sting’
https://scorpions.lnk.to/FromTheFirstSting
Meg Ward drops bass-charged EP ’69 Percent’
For Nina share new single “Swallow”
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/fornina/swallow/
Feel the wind: Chilli Beans. drops their emotional new EP “the outside wind”
https://asab.lnk.to/CB_theoutsidwind
Fast-Rising NYC-based singer, producer and DJ Lumia prepares to release debut EP “Kite” OUT TODAY
Heads up – “Swallow” new single from Dublin three piece For Nina out Thurs 26th | Prev. support from DIY, TLOBF
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/fornina/swallow/
Fashion Press Release: Introducing 3AM Luxury
Ben LaMar Gay releases “Yowzers” on DSPs + shares powerful live video for “I am (Bells)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cuk4OLhK7uQ
Moletrap return with striking and melodic new single – ‘Middle Of The Land’ is Out Now on all streaming platforms – Lost Dialects / Identity
https://song.link/gb/i/1794013285
Michele Ducci releases “Why You?” and full “Film for Songs: The Great Book of Nature” videos!
https://youtu.be/xfden5kMmLA?si=D0dnKsgSxhrqmrnH
Circus Mind Explores Creative Burnout with Humor and Groove with New Single, “Waste of Time”
Circus Mind Explores Creative Burnout with Humor and Groove with New Single, “Waste of Time”
Out June 27th on All Streaming Platforms
New York, NY — Indie rock-funk collective Circus Mind returns with their newest single, “Waste of Time,” available on all streaming platforms starting June 27th. With a signature blend of wit, groove, and self-aware lyricism, the band delivers a tongue-in-cheek anthem for every artist who’s ever asked themselves, “Why am I doing this?”
At first listen, “Waste of Time” grooves with infectious energy—but dig a little deeper and you’ll find a pointed and snarky reflection on the existential struggle of being creative in today’s world. Written in the trenches of indie artistry, the track captures the very real feelings of burnout, self-doubt, and the constant push-pull between passion and practicality. Circus Mind always has one foot in the funky classic rock 70’s and another in Power pop or alternative vibe. “Waste of Time” has 70’s flavors of SuperTramp, Steely Dan, Joe Walsh and Paul Simon and more modern sounds like Ben Folds, Fountains of Wayne, Wilco, and Jellyfish.
“‘Waste of Time’ is perhaps a humorous way to look at the angst and despair that us creative folks and indie artists can feel from all the forces working against us on our journey,” says the band. “The uphill battle of distraction, schedules, finance, promotion, organization, and social networking can make one question: why do we do this at all? It certainly isn’t for the money!”
But in classic Circus Mind fashion, the despair is met with defiant joy. The song emerges as a cathartic celebration of doing what you love—regardless of the outcome, recognition, or reward. As the lyrics suggest, Don’t fight it. Just do it.
“Waste of Time” follows the band’s tradition of combining sharp lyrical commentary with a rollicking, genre-blurring sound. For fans of artists like Steely Dan, Little Feat, and early Phish, Circus Mind continues to carve their own path—one that’s unpredictable, deeply musical, and always unapologetically honest.
LISTEN TO “WASTE OF TIME” – HERE!
Out June 27th on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major platforms.
ABOUT CIRCUS MIND:
Circus Mind is a New York-based rock outfit and the brainchild of ringleader Mark Rechler. The band’s latest release “Bioluminate”, a delightful mashup of rock and Nola funk mixed with late-Beatles pop, received rave reviews from Relix, The Rocktologist and countless other entertainment news outlets. The band features
Mark Rechler on Keys and Vocals, Brian Duggan on Guitar, Michael Amendola on Sax, Dylan Niederauer on Bass, Steve Finkelstein on Percussion and Dan Roth on Drums. Circus Mind is able to daringly swing from jazzy grooves to reggae roots then shoot out of a cannon into rock without missing a beat.
The boys deliver a modern take on influences such as Traffic, Steely Dan, Little Feat and Mott the Hoople while mixing in NoLa influences likeDr. John, The Meters and The Neville Brothers. Over the course of their career, Circus Mind has performed at Jazz Fest, The Fat Friday Annual Mardi Gras Ball, Brooklyn Bowl, The Capitol Theatre, B.B. King’s and many other prestigious venues.
Follow Circus Mind:
Linktree | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify
Brett Altman Puts a Shakespearean Twist on Modern Dating with “Pretty Long Island Girls”
Brett Altman Puts a Shakespearean Twist on Modern Dating with “Pretty Long Island Girls”
Out Everywhere – June 27th
Hoboken, NJ – June 27th, 2025 –It’s 3am. Romeo and Juliet just met at a bar in NYC…Romeo lives in New Jersey and Juliet’s been told never to cross the Hudson River.
New Jersey-based artist Brett Altman will release his upcoming playful summer pop single, “Pretty Long Island Girls,” on June 27th, 2025, across all streaming platforms.
Brett says, “Every Long Island girl says they never go to New Jersey.” He joked with his producer that Jersey and Long Island have this obnoxious rivalry nobody can solve. Despite the insults these girls may throw at his home state, he still finds himself attracted to them.
“Forbidden love is kinda hot.” Brett adds, “‘Pretty Long Island Girls’ is the first single off my upcoming third album titled ‘This Is Me’ which will be released Spring 2026. This album is an attempt to bridge my honest and vulnerable side with my silly and playful one.”
Brett is set to release a new single every six weeks for the next year. A Long Island girl and a Jersey boy are never written in the stars. Their families would never allow such a union. Although the two places are almost mirror images, the idea of one side losing its child to the other remains unthinkable. But a boy can still dream.
Listen to “Pretty Long Island Girls” – HERE!
About Brett Altman:
Pop Artist from New Jersey. Oldest Sibling. Rehabilitated Hopeless Romantic.
Now you know everything about Brett Altman…. kidding.
“Previously on” the last 34 years of Brett’s life:
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Brett grew up in a household obsessed with American Idol
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His college roommates peer pressured him into trying out for “Penn State Idol”
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He won that competition and performed in front of 17,000 people (crazy shit)
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He then got a corporate job and a long distance girlfriend. Music took a backseat (such a cliche)
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They broke up and he made his first EP to try and win her back (he didn’t win her back)
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Brett moved to Hoboken and formed his first band at 27 years old
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He began gigging in NYC. At first the crowds were big, then they were small.
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Then a pandemic happened. Then another break up. Then Brett nearly quit music.
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A friend convinced him to write songs again in Nashville. Two weeks later he had a full length album.
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He released “Abundance”. The song turned heads. He began performing again in NYC. The crowds grew bigger.
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After 10+ years, Brett finally left the “nine to five”. But first he had to write another album.
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He is now in full-time artist mode and on the verge of releasing an anthem for all the snatched hot chicks at every bussin’ darty this summer in the Hamptons :)
On to the next episode…
Follow Brett Altman:
Xennedy Cambelle Releases New Single “Memory Lane”
Xennedy Cambelle Releases New Single “Memory Lane”
Genre: Pop, Moody Pop, Dark Pop, RnB
New York, NY — June 25th, 2025 — Rising dark pop and R&B singer/songwriter Xennedy Cambelle is set to release her new single “Memory Lane” on Wednesday, June 25. The song finds Xennedy reflecting on love, regret, and growth, delivering a rich, soulful track that resonates on a profound level.
“Memory Lane” highlights Xennedy’s ability to blend raw vulnerability with cinematic production. Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Josh Monroy, the song adds a powerful dimension to her catalogue and underscores her artistry as a songwriter who is not afraid to illuminate the more complex chapters of her own story.
Listen to “Memory Lane” HERE!
This release comes on the heels of her previous single, “Monster”—a hauntingly moody pop track that explores the shadowed side of love and temptation — and “Consent”— a song influenced by artists like Dove Cameron and Billie Eilish, reflecting her own experiences through rich, atmospheric production.
Xennedy has been actively performing around New York. Her live performances bring her cinematic songs to life, captivating audiences and adding a rich dimension to her recordings.
As a songwriter, Xennedy Cambelle uses her art to illuminate the journey into womanhood — honoring vulnerability, transformation, and empowerment. Whether on stage or in the studio, her mission is to connect with her listeners through universal stories of love, change, and rebirth.
Follow Xennedy Cambelle:
THE RISE OF A PHOENIX
Welcome to the secret diary of Edidion, a young man with soul, a voice that melts hearts and melodic tales we all can relate to.
Soaring to the top five position on the Amazon Music charts with catchy lead single “Getaway” in 2023, Edidion returns with his sophomore effort “PHOENIX” his first full length project since 2015’s “Statistic”.
“PHOENIX” is a well-crafted body of work that showcases Edidion’s growth and development as a vocalist and songwriter. It shows the density and substance of Edidion like never before. The creative musical arrangements, sweet but in-your-face lyrics and unique sound, “PHOENIX” bridges the gap between golden-era nostalgia and futuristic R&B/Pop. The opening track “RECKLESS LOVER” is a soulful ballad that sets the tone, “GHOSTIN’ ME” a flawless tribute to UK Garage and Edidion’s London roots and title track “PHOENIX “reminiscent of Marvin Gaye classic “What’s Going On” and “Man In The Mirror” by Michael Jackson is why this EP is undoubtedly Edidion’s magnum opus.
The meticulous and intentional sequencing of the track list build into detailed walls of sound that create a feast for the ear. Edidion is quickly cementing his place as one of the brightest new talents on the R&B scene with his impressive ability to adapt to any genre and live performancesthat leave audiences in awe.
“I went through heartbreak, rejection and so many other things at once which almost broke me. I found healing through songwriting and learned that I’m stronger than I thought I was. When you listen to this EP I want you to feel empowered and know that after the storm the sun will shine again” – Edidion
“PHOENIX” is available now on all music platforms.
For more info please visit:
Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / Official Website
Orphan Prodigy Releases “Traitor”
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HANDLES TDNB HITS #2 ON ITUNES HIP-HOP CHART WITH “THE STYLE OF LIFE” AHEAD OF EP LAUNCH
Artist: Handles TDNB
Lead Single: The Style Of Life
EP: Pressure on the Curb
Release: 18 Of July 2025
West London rapper and fashion creative Handles TDNB is making serious waves ahead of his new EP Pressure on the Curb, as the lead single “The Style Of Life” climbs to #2 on the iTunes UK Hip-Hop/Rap Pre-Order Chart and reaches #6 on the iTunes UK Hip-Hop/Rap Songs Chart, outperforming big names like Central Cee, Will Smith, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. These independent chart achievements — powered purely by grassroots fans and street-level hustle — build powerful momentum for the EP, which drops on 18 July 2025.
A gritty, cinematic project that captures the tension and triumph of life on London’s inner-city frontlines, Pressure on the Curb is the latest chapter in Handles’ self-made journey. From selling 100,000+ CDs hand-to-hand to performing at Wembley SSE Arena and SOBs NYC, Handles TDNB has carved out a unique lane where fashion, survival, and storytelling collide.
“Style is survival. This project shows the pressure — and the shine — of the curb.”
— Handles TDNB
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
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Performed at Wembley SSE (X Factor), Jazz Café Camden, SOBs NYC
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Live interview on Shade45 XM Radio with Lord Sear, co-signed by Sway in the Morning
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Opened for Ace Hood at O2 Indigo, Skepta and A$AP Rocky on the Red Bull Tour
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Winner of NYC’s Fred the Godson Rap Battle
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Sold out headline show in Düsseldorf with streetwear brand about.midnight
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Featured in BBC Radio 1, MTV UK, Complex, Wordplay Magazine
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3M+ Spotify streams, 4 iTunes UK Hip-Hop bestsellers, and 70K+ YouTube views on “Close”
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2025 collaboration with Indian megastar Yo Yo Honey Singh (3M Spotify / 3M YouTube)
ABOUT PRESSURE ON THE CURB:
Blending London street poetry, Caribbean rhythm, and fashion-forward aesthetics, Pressure on the Curb is an unfiltered look at the beauty and brutality of life in motion. The project was inspired by Handles’ own journey — from pirate radio and college media studies to battling 30 MCs in NYC and topping the iTunes charts.
Lead single “The Style Of Life” sets the tone: a bold anthem shaped by grit, clarity, and cultural pride.
Connect with Handles TDNB
Instagram: Handles Tdnb Instagram
YouTube: Handles Tdnb Youtube
Spotify: Handles Tdnb Spotify
Website: Handles Tdnb Website
Orlando Kallen Releases “don’t worry baby”
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GSimone to Release “Celebrate Our Lives – DJ Edition” on June 12, 2025
14-Track Album Blends Afrobeat, Dance, and Soul for a Global Sound Experience
New York, NY — Music industry legend and Hip Hop culture pioneer GSimone is set to release her new album, “Celebrate Our Lives – DJ Edition,” on June 12, 2025. This electrifying 14-track collection delivers a powerful fusion of Afrobeat, dance, soul, and remix-driven energy—crafted to ignite dance floors and uplift spirits.
Featuring remixes from her acclaimed project “Such A Feelin,” alongside new original tracks, the album is a vibrant soundtrack for joy, resilience, and rhythm. True to her signature style, GSimone blends message with movement, encouraging listeners to not just hear the music—but to feel and live it.
“Celebrate Our Lives is an invitation to dance, to heal, and to honor our journeys,” says GSimone. “It’s music for the people—created with love, truth, and that signature global sound that unites us all.”
Simone G. Parker, known artistically as GSimone, is a trailblazer whose decades-long career spans music, activism, and cultural leadership. As a singer, songwriter, producer, executive, and philanthropist, she has worked with iconic names such as KRS-One, Mad Lion, Channel Live, Shelly Thunder, and Kid Capri, helping shape the voice of a generation.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, GSimone draws from deep roots in Hip Hop, Soul, Gospel, and R&B—blending influences from Anita Baker to Mary J. Blige. Her global reach continues with fan favorites like “I Know, You Know, Goodbye” featuring Mad Lion, and “Such A Feelin” still earning acclaim across platforms.
Beyond music, GSimone’s impact includes her foundational work with the Temple of Hip Hop, her creation of the philosophical system Acronology, and her commitment to youth mentorship, prison reform, and cultural education.
With “Celebrate Our Lives – DJ Edition,” GSimone delivers a joyful, soul-lifting experience that underscores her legacy and offers the world a reason to move—physically and spiritually.
“Celebrate Our Lives – DJ Edition”
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Available on all major streaming platforms
Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1JFY3inWfJ2MUOV41MAfPL
More info: www.gsimone.com
Follow: @gsimoneofficial
SHAB Releases LIPSTICK: Glitter-Soaked Disco Fever
Glossy red lips. Champagne fizzing on ice. A sun-drenched pool shimmering in cyan. And a diva attitude that could light up the Strip. Welcome to “LIPSTICK,” the glitzy, high-octane new single from global pop siren SHAB – a shimmering cocktail of vintage Hollywood glam and glitter-soaked disco fever. One listen and you’re hooked.
While most songs tiptoe into summer, “LIPSTICK” struts in on stilettos, dripping with instant-icon energy. Drenched in sugary vocals and bathed in radiant synths, it’s a glitterbomb of pop perfection. Co-written with hitmakers Damon Sharpe and JHart, the juicy track taken from her acclaimed album ‘One Suitcase’ feels like a bold announcement. SHAB has arrived, she’s owning the spotlight, and she’s turning the celebration of femininity into a full-blown spectacle.
Then there’s the video – a dream-drenched ride straight into a cinematic L.A. fantasy. Think silk sheets tangled in flirtation, poolside phone calls on a retro landline, and hair as high as the drama. It’s an unapologetic throwback to 80s decadence with a modern twist of sass and empowerment. Beneath the bold fashion and golden-hour glamour lies a message that hits deeper. This is about claiming your power, celebrating your allure, and stepping unapologetically into your own story.
So don’t let the summer heat go to waste. Dive into “LIPSTICK,” SHAB’s most intoxicating release yet, and let the fantasy take over.
