Bringin' it Backwards

We had the pleasure of interviewing Blake Lewis and KJ Sawka of The Private Language over Zoom video!

In one of the most uniquely offbeat collaborations of the year, celebrated pop singer Blake Lewis joins forces with EDM’s most accomplished drummer producer KJ Sawka to form The Private Language, a new project that combines cutting edge electropop, indie dance and future funk into one irresistible package. Their boldly unexpected debut single is a fresh take on the Tears For Fears smash ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’, spinning the classic songcraft of the original with state of the art modernist production. Released on Earth Day, the video for the song conveys an impassioned plea for peace and unity in these uncertain times.

Sawka and Lewis originally crossed paths amid the vibrant Seattle hip hop and rave scene, becoming fast friends and fellow musical travelers.  Lewis rose to fame as one of the most distinctive and memorable finalists on American Idol, winning over the world with his charismatic singing, beatboxing and scat-singing. He went to collaborate with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, releasing a top 10 US album and a #1 Billboard dance track. Sawka has been playing drums and producing for over 28 years, working with artists such as Illenium, BT, Amon Tobin, Andy Summers of the Police and dubstep supergroup Destroid. He is most known as the incendiary drummer for drum n’ bass legends Pendulum.

Look for more music from The Private Language coming soon!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Monique Nikkole over Zoom video!

Brooklyn, NY songstress Monique Nikkole and H-Town heavy hitter Lil Flip sparked magic with their combined talents for the new single “Red Bottoms And Lingerie”.

The chemistry between Monique Nikkole and Lil Flip is electric on this track and overflows on screen in the official music video! The anticipated new video features a fresh remixed remastered new version!! The new version was recently released with an official music video on all platforms!!

"Red Bottoms And Lingerie" is a pivotal song for Monique Nikkole. A lot different from her classic R&B/Jazz roots and her first release “Say Yes” that put her on the map. This song was presented to her by her manager Michael Stemley. It was written by Ray Lavender and produced by C Scott / JHott Scott. Monique loved it and viewed it as a challenge! It was a total style flip. Short choppy cadence, more of “today’s” R&B sound. Monique, being the enigma that she is, did exactly what she always does. Made it her own and put her stamp on...letting her signature adlibs shine. The original version for this song dropped in January and has enjoyed early success!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Tarah Who? over Zoom video!

Tarah Who? well, “she” equals “they,” and “they’re” a power duo masterminded by grunge-punk front-woman Tarah Carpenter, who channels explosive emotionality into rousing anthems alongside drummer/backing vocalist Coralie Hervé. Tarah Who? are set to release their new single “Illusion of Freedom” co-produced by Jason Orme (guitarist for Alanis Morissette) and Tarah, following the success of their 2020 EP “64 Women.” This EP was dedicated to 64 women who were detained in an immigration detention center in downtown LA on November 19, 2014 alongside Tarah herself. This powerful theme of immigration is something that crosses over into Tarah Who?’s new single as she examines her relationship with immigration having grown up in France, and now living in Los Angeles.

Tarah was born in France and began smashing away at the drums at just 14 years old, ignoring those around her who suggested she try her hand at a more “ladylike” musical pursuit. Willful, and somewhat stubborn, she honed her chops, forged her own creative path, and branched out to bass, guitar, singing, songwriting, and producing. After a fateful move to Los Angeles, Tarah made her solo debut as Tarah Who? at a warehouse party. It was a gig she found on Craigslist, and it proved to be the perfect opportunity to share the songs she had been writing privately. Soon after Tarah connecting with drummer Coralie Herve and this is when the current incarnation of Tarah Who? was born. Stay tuned to Tarah Who?’s socials (below) for more information on the release of “Illusion of Freedom” and what Tarah Who? has in store for 2021.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Ruth B. over Zoom video!

25-year-old multi-platinum Ethiopian-Canadian singer and songwriter Ruth B. is excited to share her new album Moments In Between, executive produced by Patrick Wimberly (Beyonce, Solange, Blood Orange, Ellie Goulding), on Downtown Records / The Orchard. Moments In Between is a raw emotional accounting of the anxieties and uncertainty Ruth faces as a woman in her mid-twenties, giving voice to her inner strife via warm vocals, shapeshifting textures, and hazy harmonies.

The new album serves as the follow-up to Ruth’s gold-certified 2017 debut Safe Haven – a critically acclaimed release featuring “Lost Boy,” a Peter Pan-inspired piano ballad that went viral when she was still a teenager. Ruth made a number of unexpected breakthroughs when creating Moments In Between: from revelations of being scared to ask for help (“Princess Peach”) to reflections on self-growth (“Situation”) and romance (“Holiday”). On Moments In Between, Ruth pushes her musical and personal dynamic to a new level of boldness and sophistication, embracing her most beautifully strange impulses while delivering her most impactful work to date.

From woozy R&B and pop beats to guitar driven tracks and folk-like reveries, the songs on Moments In Between showcase Ruth B.’s ability to seamlessly traverse a multitude of musical stylings, and will surely add to her 1.5 billion artist streams to date. Ruth B. credits her songwriting and storytelling abilities to her upbringing as the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants, listening to the music of her parents’ homeland alongside American icons like Stevie Wonder and Lauryn Hill. For this project, Ruth also worked with producers Justin Raisen (Angel Olsen, Santigold) and Doug Schadt (Maggie Rogers, Ashe) who encouraged her to dig deeper in the writing and recording process than she ever has before.

“Writing songs has always been therapeutic for me,” says Ruth, “and I hope that hearing my songs helps other people in the same way. Whether they’re feeling lonely or heartbroken or happy, I want them to know that someone else understands what they’re going through.”

We had the pleasure of interviewing Jesse Royal over Zoom video!

Jesse Royal - one of Jamaica’s most charismatic young stars - releases his sophomore album Royal via Easy Star Records. The singer-songwriter has been a key player in the island’s current reggae movement along with his contemporaries Chronixx, Protoje, and Koffee, and returns this summer with his modern take on the genre.

On Royal, Jesse’s messages are rich and conscious, possessing the fervor of reggae and Rastafari at its core while mixing in elements from a multitude of genres.

Jesse collaborated with like-minded colleagues to let the creativity flow. He tapped guest vocalists from the incarcerated dancehall legend Vybz Kartel, Grammy-nominated reggae star Protoje, Ghanian lyricist Stonebwoy, former Raging Fyah lead vocalist Kumar, rising Jamaican singer Samory I and the island’s versatile artist/producer Runkus on the 11-track set. The Royal album incorporates live instrumentation and programmed riffs, experimental and traditional sounds, all of which contribute to Jesse’s most impressive body of work to date. The rich production features Grammy-winning Sean Alaric (responsible for Koffee's "Throne" and Teyana Taylor's "Bad") who produced over half the album, along with Jesse Royal himself, Natural High, Dretegs, iotosh, Yared Lee, Romario Bennett (also known as Runkus) and Wayne Thompson.

The LP follows his 2017 debut Lily of Da Valley, which held the #1 spot on U.S. Billboard Reggae Album chart for consecutive weeks, but Royal is a much more liberating album for Jesse.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Matt Lutz, the founder and CEO of Music Benefactors over Zoom video!

Music Benefactors is a brand new company, taking a whole new approach to SEC registered crowdfunding with a sole focus on the music industry. Recording artists and independent music businesses are able to raise capital for new projects and monetize catalogs by partnering with fans and investors. Recording artists, indie labels, music publishers, venues and other music businesses are able to use the platform to further connect with fans. Unlike traditional crowdfunding, fans and investors share the income that the projects generate. Independent businesses can raise up to $5 million per year.

Today, Music Benefactors has officially announced and launched their first artist partnership with the band, The Latin Dead, a new band fusing the music of The Grateful Dead with Latin Jazz.

On the launch of Music Benefactors, founder and CEO Matt Lutz shares, "Music Benefactors wants to be the go-to funding source for the music industry. We can structure favorable funding solutions for nearly any independent music business; recording artists, indie labels, music publishers, venues, producers and music technology businesses.

"Music Benefactors gives artists the money needed to be truly independent. In the past, “independent” has meant not being signed to a major label and too poor to properly market music. We want artists to be well-funded independents with control of their music. Fans and investors help them accomplish this."

He continues, “Fans have always driven the music business. Our platform enables them to take larger roles in helping artists make great music. Fans are providing the capital, which allows independent artists and music businesses to compete and thrive in an industry dominated by enormous corporations.”

We had the pleasure of interviewing Mekka Don over Zoom video!

Mekka Don makes his highly anticipated return to music today with "Still Dope," an anthem of unity and upliftment highlighting the brilliance of Black lives.

Produced by Tha Audio Unit, Mekka Don captures a message of unapologetic self-love and a call-to-action of perseverance amid oppression and discrimination; racist systemic forces made to deter Black people from the light, love, and happiness that everyone has a human right to enjoy. Serving a music comeback filled with purpose and passion, Mekka Don cites the murder of George Floyd and other incidents as the watershed moments that sparked the creation of this exceptional anthem of Black excellence and exuberance.

"Sill Dope" marks Mekka Don's first music release since his 2018's Nip and Tuck," which received undeniable success with 500,000 views across social media channels via the #NipAndTuckChallenge, over +100,000 adds across editorial playlists, and praise from CBS Atlanta, Source Magazine, Right This Minute, ThisIs50 and more.

ABOUT MEKKA DON

Mekka Don is an artist, consultant, lawyer, author, entrepreneur, and host who has pushed the boundaries in music and business. He has become a vocal leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and was recently selected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Big Ten Conference's Equality Coalition.

Throughout his career(s), he has expanded the frontiers and sparked conversations about non-conventional ways to approach entrepreneurship, mentorship, and race relations. As a result, he has been featured in several media including MTV, ESPN, Bossip, New York Daily News, The American Bar Association Journal and many more.

As an author, Mekka Don published a fiction novel entitled, "Grime and Glory," which is a fiction novel designed to dispel stereotypes about Black athletes. The book was inspired by Mekka Don's experiences as a college football player at The Ohio State University. He is currently working on a children's book as well.

As a lawyer, Mekka Don has helped aspiring artists, celebrities, and athletes secure fair deals and just compensation. He has been a tireless advocate for his clients and has helped many of them avoid serious pitfalls. Some of his clients include SWV and Gareon Conley.

Mekka Don is committed to making the world a better place for all citizens and has been a mentor to many young people. He is outspoken on social media with a substantial following and is committed to being a positive mouthpiece for social justice.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel Baiman over Zoom video!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Major Murphy over Zoom audio!

Today, Major Murphy — Jacob Bullard (guitar, vocals), Jacki Warren (bass, vocals), Brian Voortman (drums), and Chad Houseman (guitar, keys, percussion) — share Access, their second album for Winspear. Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield says Access is “an album to blast at an unruly volume to soundtrack an experience one might have standing at that crossroads,” and it’s a record that exudes melodic exhilaration and earnest feeling while tackling adult themes of parenting, accountability, and building a sustainable artistic life.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Exit 216 over Zoom video!

Exit 216, the duo comprised of hit songwriter Steven Battey ("One Number Away" by Luke Combs, “Sugar” by Flo Rida, “Buzzin” by Mann) and Cole Burkett, has teamed up with songwriter and artist Nikki Williams on their new single, “Robbery".

Produced by David Mescone and co-written by Steven Battey, Nikki Williams, and David Mescone, “Robbery” is about carrying the unique and unmistakable style of confidence. Williams, Battey, and Burkett sing of entering and commanding a room and being entirely unapologetic. Make heads turn, let them stare, and don’t be sorry for it. Exit 216 and Williams want to spark inspiration for others to approach life in the same way.

Exit 216’s journey began in January 2020 when Battey was seeking a duo partner and was introduced to Cole Burkett. Battey had the idea of forming a duo that could incorporate and deliver a natural country soul sound without straying away from what country music listeners gravitate towards. After a few songwriting sessions together, the strength of the music was undeniable.  Together, Battey and Burkett formed Exit 216 (a reference to the exit home to Nashville International Airport).

Since their formation, the two have been writing and recording music that was set to be released in early 2020, but like so many other artists, due to the spread of COVID-19, release plans were halted.  It wasn’t until Battey co-wrote “Brother,” and the two came together to record the track, that they felt compelled to release the new song to enforce positivity, encourage others, and stimulate change.

While Steven was making his way in Music City, Cole Burkett was a high school student residing in Smyrna, Tenn. Burkett had an exceptional, raw musical talent for his age. Still, his sights were set on playing college baseball and continuing his education. The future of these two collaborating would seem highly unlikely.  Burkett graduated high school in 2017 and turned down a baseball scholarship to put his energy into songwriting. By the time he was 19, he already had a robust catalog of songs and began to garner the attention that would lead him to work with some of Nashville's top writers and producers. Burkett started to earn a name for himself for the gift he had, not only as a natural songwriter but as a premier vocalist and player.

We had the pleasure of interviewing TWO LANES and Panama over Zoom video!

We invite you to watch the official music video for ‘Rolling Back,’ the intercontinental collab between Berlin’s TWO LANES and Australia’s Panama. Directed by filmmaker Matthew Thorne, the film adds a striking visual narrative to the song’s smooth and classy musical groove. The film is about the many artists who have performed in Berlin and perhaps even called it home for a while. It was shot during a time when those performances and that life of the city hasn’t been possible.

When it comes to the story behind the song, being huge fans of Panama’s music, it was an easy decision for TWO LANES to include him on this unbelievable track. Leo, Rafa, and Jarrah share very similar backgrounds which helped them all to work together to create this soothing and delicate piece.

This is just the start of TWO LANES and Panama’s collaborative journey. “Rolling Back” has opened the doors to an endless amount of possibilities and provides creative freedom that the three are ready to pursue and explore for the years to come.

Be on the lookout for TWO LANES forthcoming ‘Reflections EP” - released June 18 on bitbird.

About TWO LANES

Perfectly balancing live instruments, analog synthesizers and electronic sounds, Berlin-based siblings TWO LANES started making indie-electronic music in 2018 as their outlet of an always evolving stream of ideas and their love for music. While Rafa has always been more into electronic music and music production, Leo was classically trained at The Juilliard School in New York City, which can be both heard and seen back in the live versions they make of their songs, their music, and the wide variety genres they produce. When graduating, the brothers decided to move to Berlin because of the city’s dynamic and young art scene.

TWO LANES released their latest EP ‘Lights’ in 2020 on bitbird, which was highly successful, garnering over 25 million streams and counting across platforms.

About Panama

Warmth, nostalgia, and melody: that’s the sound of Panama. As a singer, songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist, Jarrah McCleary has the rare ability to blend both live and electronic sounds in his music. It’s also a skill that allows him to paint every element in his songs, from the moment he first sits down at the piano to the final touches in the studio. 2021 has seen Jarrah work on collaborations with a number of artists across genres and all over the world. Most recently working with Ben Bohmer, Ta-ku, Satin Jackets, Pluko, Petit Biscuit, Poolside, and Bag Raiders.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Casey Conroy over Zoom video!

Looking toward the future, Casey Conroy knows if music doesn’t tell the truth - it’s not worth making, noting of her process, “I’m not interested in glamorizing myself just for the sake of being glamorous. It’s really important for me to reflect and make music about real people and real things.” With this vision in tow, as well as Earmilk and OnesToWatch features, Conroy is continuing her glowy indie pop journey after well received single “Say It” dropped late 2020. Produced and written alongside collaborator, Willy Colón, her upcoming EP, coming spring 2021, is introspective, yet bright, and speaks to the risks and rewards that come with life’s push and pull.

Exposed to music at a young age, the Orlando native spent time singing old Irish folk songs and honing her songwriting skills with her father. After finding her home at the piano, she found power in emotional ballads and began writing under the influence of Depeche Mode, Frank Ocean, Kimbra, and Coldplay, always gravitating towards artists that were “great songwriters first.” Ups and downs followed as Conroy pushed through an industry that looked to make her over, ultimately strengthening her determination to produce and write.

With an eye towards uplifting and collaborating with artists of similar mindset, Conroy is defiant in her will to bring like-minded fans together through her music. After months of preparation, homegrown from hours in her bedroom, Casey Conroy offers a glimpse into how trusting and expressing oneself naturally is inherent in pure pop joy.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Juna N Joey over Zoom video!

We had the pleasure of interviewing John Roberts over Zoom video!

EMMY nominated TV star, LGBTQ icon, comedian and nu-disco electronic artist John Roberts, best known as the voice of the lovable Linda Belcher on the hit TV show Bob's Burgers, released his debut album, Lights Out (via X-Bop). Produced by Junior Sanchez, it features guest appearances from Debbie Harry, Beth Ditto and babydaddy (Scissor Sisters).

John previously released two singles off Lights Out with accompanying music videos. Featuring Debbie Harry of Blondie, "Lights Out", also has a trippy animated video directed and animated by Kris Baldwin (Birds of Prey, Cartoon Networks DC Super Hero Girls) and secondly, the lead single "Freaks" with a video directed and choreographed by Nina McNeely (Rihanna, Bjork, Banks). John also released a "Freaks" (Remixes) album with tracks featuring Harry Romero, Tommie Sunshine & On Deck and Ant LaRock. The Harry Romero reached #1 on the Tech House Charts.

About John Roberts:

Hailing from Edison, NJ, John Roberts' deep-rooted love for music can be traced back to his youth. At the onset of the 90's he fell in love with the New York City rave scene and frequented the storied warehouse parties mythologized in movies like “Go.” He visited Other Music in the city’s fashion forward Village neighborhood on a weekly basis to buy new releases from Orbital, Moby and more.Going from music lover to being in a band was a no-brainer and Roberts found himself the front-man for Opti-Grab. The group released one album and toured relentlessly. Bringing things full circle, former tour-mates Blondie tapped him to drop some lyrical fire on “Love Level” from their critically acclaimed 2017 chart-topper Pollinator. "Looking," a wild anthem produced by Big Black Delta, followed in 2019, marked his solo debut with remixes by Tensnake, Junior Sanchez and Gerd Janson. The song—which landed at #19 on UK club charts--along with “Dirty Little Secrets” and “Lonely Boys Have Fun Too” appeared on his self-titled EP released last summer. Flashforward to 2020, Roberts entered the studio with longtime club friend Junior Sanchez for its follow-up. “Freaks”—out now—is one of the many songs the two collaborated which appear on Roberts’ Lights Out album.

On the acting front, John Roberts has gone from viral YouTube clips like “The Christmas Tree,” “My Son is Gay” and “Jackie & Debra” (generating more than 40 million views) to appearances on “The Tonight Show,” “Archer” and more in addition to multiple tours alongside Margaret Cho. He went on to join the cast of the EMMY Award-winning “Bob’s Burgers” as lovable & loud matriarch Linda Belcher which landed him first EMMY nod in the category of “Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance” (2015). The show is now in its 11th season with a feature film to be released spring 2022.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Montana Tucker over Zoom video!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Rozzi over Zoom video!

As we grow up, being vulnerable becomes harder. But for Rozzi, openness is a sign of strength. That’s how the LA-based neo-soul luminary has designed her “dangerously personal” new Hymn for Tomorrow EP -- the first installment of a new full-length album coming later this year -- due out July 2 on BMG. Mostly recorded in London and New York with a handful of stellar producers, including: George Moore (YEBBA, Clean Bandit), Andrew Hollander (Carly Rae Jespen, Coyle Girelli), Pretty Sister (Betty Who, Jordin Sparks), Michael Dragovic, Eric Leva and Jurek (Matoma, NCT Dream, Blackbear), and with Rozzi sharing production duties on “i dk,” Rozzi’s smoky, full-bodied vocals spectacularly amplify each song, as they move seamlessly from upbeat pop, funk and R&B to low-key acoustic ballads.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Anna Shoemaker over Zoom video!

Anna Shoemaker is a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter. Originally hailing from Philadelphia, the 26-year-old first made her mark as a Soundcloud sensation with her viral mashup of Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” and Chance the Rapper's “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” which she recorded on her bedroom floor. The song, which now has over 892K streams, caught the attention of fashion mogul SteveMadden, who signed her to his record label, 5Towns Records. Her debut EP, 'EastSide,' was produced by GRAMMY-nominated producer JT Daly and released in 2018.

In 2020 Shoemaker released her sophomore effort, 'Everything Is Embarrassing.'Shoemaker is now preparing to release her debut album packed with glistening, millennial anthems. The album will be released later this year via +1 Records.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Cinders over Zoom video!

Salt Lake City indie-pop-rock trio (and three best friends) Cinders recently released their rowdy new single “Growing Up”. Doused in melodic hooks and nostalgia for younger years, the track highlights the trials and tribulations of getting older, the societal and self-imposed pressures of adulthood, and the struggle of not losing yourself in the process. “Growing Up” is available on all DSPs.

Growing up can be hard at times. The nostalgia of being a kid has been on our minds a lot lately. No bills, no jobs, no responsibilities. While writing the lyrics, we wanted to make the song feel different as well. It’s probably the most technically difficult song we’ve ever written because of all the changes throughout, but it makes it so much fun to play.- Cinders

Produced by the band and mixed by GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Phil Joly (Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, The Strokes), “Growing Up” is the first taste of new music since releasing their 2018 sophomore album Looking Forward to Looking Back. With two albums under their belts –including their 2016 self-titled debut –and another in the works, Cinders has toured the country extensively, captivating audiences and building a dedicated grassroots fanbase. The band’s infectious excitement and upbeat energy also caught the attention of NPR’s Bob Boilen, who glowingly reviewed the band at the DIY Musician Conference in 2018.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Gryffin over Zoom video!

L.A.-based artist/producer Gryffin has just unveiled a new single entitled “Best Is Yet To Come” with buzzing California singer Kyle Reynolds. Released via Darkroom / Interscope Records, Gryffin once again crafts the ultimate summer anthem with an engaging electronic soundscape heightened by Kyle’s soaring delivery and powerful hooks. The track and accompanying video showcase the promise of an endless summer as the world comes back to life. “Best Is Yet To Come” is available now via all digital retailers.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Amythyst Kiah over Zoom video!

Amythyst Kiah Earns Three 2021 Americana Music Award Nominations and Joins Jason Isbell and Valerie June as Most-Nominated Artist This Year

Nominated for Emerging Act of the Year and Song of the Year for “Black Myself” + Duo/Group of the Year with Our Native Daughters

Congratulations to Amythyst Kiah, who has earned three 2021 Americana Music Award nominations. She’s nominated for Emerging Act of the Year and Song of the Year, for the solo rendition of her Grammy-nominated song “Black Myself.” Amythyst is also nominated for Duo/Group of the Year as part of the all-women-of-color supergroup, Our Native Daughters. She joins Jason Isbell and Valerie June as the most-nominated artists this year.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Cmagic5 over Zoom video!

Rising teen talent, Cmagic5 is a young emerging high-octane and soulful Canadian vocal artist from Toronto, who started humming even before talking. At the age of 4, she began her musical journey performing in musical theater, dance performances, and vocal competitions. By the age of 10, she had already written, composed, and produced her own songs. At 16, she completed her classical vocal training from the world-renowned Royal Conservatory and is a vocal mentor to the Gen Z. She is also an advocate and ambassador for mental health awareness. Cmagic5’s musical inspirations include Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga, and Toni Braxton. Her music is contemporary pop fused with other genres of music, creating a refreshing blend of conventional sounds and futuristic vibes. Her soul-shattering vocals coming from a petite frame, have the power to evoke a profound response.

Her debut album, Ready to Run, draws on a mix of musical influences including rock, reggaeton, R&B, and classical, blending them into a modern pop sound. With catchy melodies and powerful lyrics, the album is a contemporary-pop whirlwind of self-worth and motivation, with a refreshing blend of old school vibes and futuristic sounds. Through an amalgamation of instrumentation, each track takes you to another world of magic, resulting in an engulfing experience.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Naomi Cowan over Zoom video!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Miliano over Zoom video!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Communions over Zoom video!

Revered for building euphoric, atmospheric worlds of sound, Communions have released their sophomore full length Pure Fabrication on Tambourhinoceros. The Danish rockers’ new record effortlessly straddles the cerebral and the visceral, marrying abrasive punk sensibilities from the artistic underground of Copenhagen’s Mayhem scene with anthemic indie- and pop-rock.

Introducing the theme of self-understanding which is at the center of Communions’ new collection, the new single goes one layer deeper, meditating on how one’s identity is embedded and intertwined within history and culture at large. “In all endeavors / It’s the architecture that survives / In history / People tend to recognize the statues / Not the slavery”. Though there is a cultural undercurrent to the song, it’s also just as much a personal statement on identity-crisis and confusion, inspired by Rehof’s experience of moving from Denmark to the United States and back again. ““Bird Of Passage” tries to put words to the themes of change and variability; that one is never the same person from one day to another,” explains lead singer Martin Rehof.

A 15-track collection of Odyssian scope, Communions weave an intricate tapestry from “cultural debris”. Pure Fabrication draws upon brothers Martin and Mads Rehof’s personal experience as much as it does from a collage of myths. The Danish brothers spent over a decade of their childhood and early teens in Seattle, only to move back to Copenhagen in the midst of their formative years. While Pure Fabrication is partly a bid at finding their place and self-understanding through the lens of stories and myths—a keen listener can spot traces of Goethe’s Faust, Shakespear’s Lear, Homer’s Sirens, and the Norse fate-holding Norns—at its core, it is something more: a meta-narrative on the human condition.

Following the arc of a reverse coming of age story through the journey of a fictional protagonist, Pure Fabrication opens on the themes of liberation, independence, freedom, transformation—the ingredients of a coming of age story—and the character’s pursuit of them.

After six years, three EPs, one album, countless shows and festivals across the globe, Communions is now led by Rehof brothers: Martin (vocals and guitar) and Mads (Bass) with “Splendour” still featuring the contributions of ex-bandmates Jacob van Deurs Formann (guitar) and Frederik Lind Köppen (drums). Fate, freedom, culture, love and identity are on trial in Pure Fabrication, as Communions question themselves and their world on this masterful sophomore album.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Wilderado over Zoom video!

Tulsa Indie-rock trio Wilderado has released their new single “Head Right” – available to stream on all DSPs via Bright Antenna Records. A confident and boisterous slice of rock n’ roll, “Head Right” builds on what the band does best – combining soaring melodies with lush three-part harmonies – and is the first new song released from their forthcoming debut album,  due out later this year.

Produced by Angelo Petraglia (Kings of Leon, Patty Griffin) and Chad Copelin (Sufjan Stevens,  LANY), “Head Right” is the first taste of new music from Wilderdo since releasing their 2020 single “Take Some Time,” which saw incredible remixes from alt-J, RJD2, Emancipator, and Kyle McEvoy & Ezzy. Formed in the California mountains in 2015, Wilderado has since accrued more than 70 MILLION streams across platforms and 3 MILLION monthly listeners. With several EPS and singles to their name, the band has built a passionate fan base through years of consistent touring with the likes of Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie, Pete Yorn, Judah & the Lion, Mt. Joy,  and Rainbow Kitten Surprise and main stage festival performances at Lollapalooza, BottleRock, Austin City Limits and more.Wilderado’s new single “Head Right” is out now!

We had the pleasure of interviewing DARA over Zoom video!

DARA is one of the biggest popstars in Bulgaria. Thanks to her alluring charisma, exciting personality and distinctive voice, she is part of the country's biggest music label Virginia Records since 2016. With over 60 million views on of her videos and 8 singles so far, all her tracks have been #1 in the Official Airplay Chart in Bulgaria. She has worked with top music producers like Chris Young, Jungleboi and Yoad Nevo, who works with artists such as Rihanna, G-Eazy, Kylie Minogue, Cara Delevigne, The Black Eyed Peas and Rod Stewart.

The award-winning singer made a smashing debut in 2016 with the single “Kvo ne chu”. The same year the track became the most rotated song on radio and TV in Bulgaria and peaked at #1 in the Official Airplay Chart. The English version “Onto You” was distributed to and broadcasted in over 15 countries. Her second single "Rodena Takava" peaked at #2 in the Official Airplay Chart for 2017. DARA was awarded “Best Female Artist” at the Annual Music Awards in 2018. DARA released two tracks in collaboration with the Romanian hit-maker Monoir for the song "My Time" and the popular Greek DJs Livin R and Noisy for "BTW (Bye, Bye)". In 2019 she worked again with Monoir on the song "Darbie". It became a massive pop hit.

In 2020, DARA once again topped the charts with the pop banger “Ai Ai” and created an English version, called “Fire” that was released internationally. In September 2020, DARA shared another very promising trap single – “MAMACITA”.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Jesse Barnett of Trade Wind over Zoom video!

Trade Wind are a band with one very clear directive: anything goes. Formed in 2013 as a means of exploring sounds and styles outside of their main projects, the group—made up of Jesse Barnett (guitar/vocals), Tom Williams (guitar), Andrew McEnaney (drums), and Randy LeBoeuf (bass)—have prioritized unfettered creativity above all else, channeling their four distinct musical personalities into an exciting catalog full of contrasts and contradictions. Now with the release of their third full-length, The Day We Got What We Deserved, Trade Wind are pushing that core idea further than ever before with their most unexpected sonic turn yet.

The members of Trade Wind each have extensive resumes that stem from punk and hardcore, and expand into all corners of music. Barnett fronts Stick To Your Guns, Ways Away, and his solo project Wish You Were Here; Williams plays in Stray From The Path; McEnaney is in Structures, END, and has performed live with disparate artists like Charlotte Lawrence, Tate McRae, and Kai; and LeBoeuf is an accomplished producer/engineer in his own right, working on recordings for bands like The Acacia Strain, Kublai Khan, and Gideon. But whereas those endeavors often involve the organic guidelines that develop in established musical projects, Trade Wind was formed specifically to throw any strictures out the window.

The Day We Got What We Deserved is sure to surprise even longtime fans who have come to expect the unexpected from Trade Wind. Each of their releases build upon what came before—from the driving post-hardcore of 2014’s Suffer Just To Believe and 2016’s You Make Everything Disappear, to the widescreen indie rock of 2019’s Certain Freedoms—but The Day We Got What We Deserved dives headfirst into sophisticated rhythms and stunning atmospherics that were previously only hinted at. A genre-blending amalgam of trip hop beats, lush soundscapes, and Barnett’s songwriterly melodies, the album began with the sort of long-distance collaboration that many bands turned to in 2020. Unlike previous Trade Wind releases the process began with McEnaney and LeBoeuf taking the lead.

The Day We Got What We Deserved collects these flashes of perspective and soundtracks them with the pulsating rhythms and dreamy instrumentals of McEnaney, LeBoeuf, and Williams, resulting in an album that feels otherworldly yet full of clarity and confidence. “If you look at our discography, you never get the same record twice,” Williams says. “Each album is its own standalone experience.” It’s rare for a band to be as daring as Trade Wind while still maintaining such a distinct identity, but as McEnaney puts it, “everyone in this band brings their own unique role and strength to the table, which is why I feel like any music we make together will always sound like us.”

We had the pleasure of interviewing Dispatch over Zoom video!

Celebrated roots rock band Dispatch have announced the release of their anticipated 8th studio album Break Our Fall out May 28th on Bomber Records/AWAL Recordings. Marking the band’s eighth studio release, the songs on this record speak not only to Chadwick Stokes’ and Brad Corrigan’s personal evolution, but to human nature itself, charting a course from denial and resistance to growth and acceptance through deep introspection and empathetic character studies. For Stokes and Corrigan, the only constant these past few years has been change – marriage, birth, death, departure – add to that an exceedingly tense political climate, long-overdue reckonings on racial justice/gender equality and a runaway global pandemic and you’ve got Break Our Fall, an album that enriches Dispatch’s distinguished legacy, on which the depth and breadth of the band’s stunning songwriting is displayed in full force.

The band has been teasing details of the album’s launch in recent months, having released six singles including fan favorite “May We All,” which is currently climbing at AAA Radio. The music on Break Our Fall is pure Dispatch – blending infectious roots rock with hints of reggae, folk, and blues, and the production is similarly lean and energetic, leaving plenty of space for some of the group’s most pointed, political lyrics to date. The result is a timely and essential album from a band still breaking new ground two-and-a-half decades into its storied career, an ode to resilience and survival that manages to find hope and joy on even the darkest of days.

The album finds Stokes and Corrigan more explicit and outspoken than ever, working with frequent collaborators Mike Sawitzke (Eels) and John Dragonetti (The Submarines) to craft a wide-ranging collection of cathartic songs. The album works its way through a litany of modern fears and frustration on the driving “May We All” and laments the direction of the country in no uncertain terms on the simmering “All This Time” (featuring soulful vocal contributions from The White Buffalo). Reality sets in with the heartache of missed opportunities and lost loved ones coming into sharp focus on songs like the bittersweet “As Old As I” and epic “Connie Hawkins,” which tips its cap to everything from Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen to The Cars and Violent Femmes.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Maasho over Zoom video!

Suburban Rockstar Maasho makes a comeback with his pop-rock anthem “Sad Machine.” After six months of cultivating new music with pop and rock production styles, this single is the first glimpse into his 10-song album ABESWRLD.

This song expresses a two-sided environment for both party animals who want to scream the lyrics at the top of their lungs, and wallflowers who find themselves alone in the bathroom with the sad machine pointed at them. The relationship between the lyrics and production creates a wavering atmosphere of both inclusion and isolation. The memorable hook coupled with hard-hitting drums and car-shaking sub-bass creates this tone. This is conveyed further through the use of the titular character ‘Sad Machine’ as the cover art and as the main focus of the entrancing music video.

“Sad Machine” follows Maasho’s latest single “BIG SHOT!” (feat. Sonny Miles) as well as three-part EP “World On Fire.” 2020 was a year full of finding ways to best express his lyrical storytelling abilities and, with ABESWLRD, Maasho has done just that. With over 13 million streams, playlisting placements on Apple Music’s BASE:LINE, and various Spotify playlists along the way, Maasho is ready to bring a whole new version of himself to the world... a.k.a. ABESWRLD.

Crafting indie pop, alt. hip-hop, and pop-rock hits, Abel Maasho is a 19-year-old Ethiopian genre-defying artist from Raleigh, N.C. He has been songwriting and making music in his dorm/hometown bedroom for two years. Since he began experimenting with music in 2019, Maasho has garnered over 13 million global streams gathering inspiration from artists like Jean Dawson, Tame Impala, Dominic Fike, and Childish Gambino. Maasho is bringing new Rockstar elements to the world of hip-hop and R&Bin 2021.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Livingmore over Zoom video!

Rising Los Angeles-based female-fronted alternative rock band Livingmore has released their sophomore full-length studio album Take Me, via Nomad Eel Records.

Anchored by glossy guitar and under the glow of neon keys, Livingmore convert kinetic motion into instantly irresistible rock anthems that shimmer, shine, and soar all at once. The quartet—Alex Moore [vocals/guitar], Spencer  Livingston [guitar/vocals], Mike  Schadel [drums/keys],  and Rodrigo Moreno [bass]—is ready to move listeners more than ever with Take Me. Produced by Schadeland mixed and mastered by Josiah Mazzaschi (Built To Spill, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Light FM), the 11-track album, recorded at Livingmore’s own studio, marks the band’s most collaborative body of work as well as their most personal, with an overall message of following your unique path.

Livingmore first came to life in 2014 when Alex and Spencer began collaborating while bonding over a wide swath of influences, including Garbage, The Hives, Roy Orbison, Modest Mouse, Wilco, Radiohead, The Cure, The Smiths, and more. As the duo continued to write, Mike and Rodrigo eventually joined the fold, and the group’s 2015 self-titled EP, Livingmore, gained traction online. Between countless packed shows and a performance at SXSW, the band dropped their first full-length album, OK To Land, in 2018, igniting a  buzz.  Since their debut, Livingmore has independently amassed over 2  million total streams.

With Take Me, the members of Livingmoreare opening up like never before, inviting all to join on the rollercoaster ride and its non-conformist path.

We had the pleasure of interviewing apob over Zoom video!

Aaron O’Brien (known as apob) is a multi-instrumentalist, writer and producer. Growing up in a small town in upstate New York, he began experimenting with music in local bands while teaching himself a variety of instruments. Curious at the concept of playing all the instruments in a band at once, he began experimenting with sampling punk, soul and hip hop, and eventually taught himself how to produce — affirming the notion of playing all the instruments at once.

After 9th Wonder showed interest in his production skills, he began honing in on his craft. apob recently developed, produced and co-wrote in the Pop/Hip Hop duo ‘Yes Please,’ before he realizing his unwavering connection to the indie rock and alt music space. Booking a one-way ticket to Los Angeles mid-pandemic, he’s found himself producing two full length projects from The Polar Boys and Ben Chandler, as well as working with Dora Jar, Odie, Mills, Carter Reeves, No Love For The Middle Child, and many others. He quickly caught the attention of producer/songwriter powerhouse Hallwood Media, signing with them for management at the top of this year.

With over two dozen releases and two full length projects set across Summer ’21, as well as a personal artist project, apob is poised to be a coveted name by the end of this year, and an exciting addition to the indie space.

We had the pleasure of interviewing The Blue Stones over Zoom video!

When Tarek Jafar and Justin Tessier formed The Blue Stones, they were facing uncertainty about who they were and where they were going. But they did know they wanted to make music together, and so they did, writing songs over time and eventually releasing their debut album ​Black Holes ​in 2018. As confident and self-assured as they are, that record was very much about the pair finding themselves, both musically and existentially, and deciding to pursue the rock’n’roll dream by jumping into a black hole of the unknown instead of choosing a more ordinary life-path.

The band drew the attention of producer, Paul Meany - the creative force behind alternative rock band Mutemath, and who recently worked with Twenty One Pilots, producing their fifth album, Trench. Needless to say, getting Paul involved provided the pair with a huge sense of validation.

Working with Meany didn’t just lead to The Blue Stones exploring – and creating – music in a different way than they had before, but it also led Jafar to approach and tackle lyrics in an entirely new light. Combined with the band’s nuanced and layered approach to their sound, it makes these songs resonate with a powerful emotional intensity.

The band has released multiple songs as singles leading into their highly anticipated sophomore album release, ​Hidden Gems​, in Spring 2021. The first of those is ‘Shakin’ Off The Rust’ – a song, as Jafarexplains, that very much serves as a mission statement for their renewed sense of confidence and newfound identity.

That much is clear from listening to the songs that the pair have crafted for their sophomore release. While ‘Shakin’ Off the Rust’ is probably the closest to the sound the band inhabited on ​Black Holes​, it also represents a clear and profound evolution – it’s more textured, more layered, and, yes, more confident than anything on the first record. That’s an idea the pair – Jafar on vocals and guitars, Tessieron percussion, and backing vocals – have woven into the fabric of the other new songs. Take, for instance, the restrained, layered, hip-hop-inspired vibes of both ‘Careless’ and ‘Make This Easy’, two songs that would be hard to imagine the band that made ​Black Holes ​recording, but which make total sense in terms of their new outlook and approach. Although The Blue Stones were always more than a blues-rock duo, that’s especially true now on ​Hidden Gems​.

The result was not just that The Blue Stones truly discovered who they were while writing these songs, but they’ve crafted something that shimmers with such purity and truth – musically and lyrically – that you can’t help but be swept up and carried off by these songs They’ve redefined who they are, but at the same time ensured they kept their identity intact.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Timid, the Brave over Zoom video!

Timid, the Brave is the solo moniker for Canadian songwriter Tim Selles. His 2011 self-titled debut EP, recorded with Scott Orr of Other Songs, was named one of iTunes Canada’s “Best Of” that year. After growing somewhat tired of the grind of solo performances and simple recordings, Selles recruited a handful of other Hamilton musicians to lend their talents to 2017’s LP, Firesale.

The forthcoming record, Vuja De, builds on that communal transition, featuring Nate Wall (King Park) on drums and percussion, Ethan Rooney (The Good Hunters) on bass, and Gareth Inkster on pretty much everything else. Set for a Spring 2021 release, the upcoming record chronicles the cyclical nature of life, exploring the possibility of finding new meaning in familiar experiences.

New singles "Black Cat" and "St. Maria" are out now! Full-length album to follow later in the year.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Eric Ryan over Zoom video!

For Toronto-based Alt-R&B singer-songwriter Eric Ryan, it all started with a guitar, YouTube and impressing a girl.

At age 12, the resourceful crooner taught himself how to play the instrument through video tutorials and although the relationship didn’t pan out, a seed of curiosity was planted.

In his early 20s, Ryan found himself embarking on his musical journey, one that he is actively honing today with his already masterful blend of alternative, R&B, neo-soul and lo-fi influences. His silky-smooth vocal stylings recall Daniel Caesar, while his open-book songwriting brings to mind Frank Ocean, both of whom have impacted the Filipino-Canadian.

Embodying an honest, saying-what-comes-to-mind lyrical approach in the vein of R&B titans who came before him, Ryan channels introspective and relatable experiences spanning love, heartbreak and the emotional spectrum of being human into his own immersive brand of the genre.

Eric has had a string of successful releases since his debut in the fall of 2019, garnering almost 2.5 million streams across all of his platforms.

On February 12, Ryan released his debut EP, “Dream State.” Over five tracks that expertly run the gamut of lo-fi-infused R&B, Eric invites listeners into his personal euphoria -- one that celebrates the highs and lows of being in love, as well as the ongoing journey and challenge in finding love in yourself.

From wanting to make the peak of a relationship last for eternity (the hypnotic, vintage R&B title track) and contemplating love lost (the meditative, harmony-laced "Stuck") to a life-changing breakthrough of self-realization (the hazy, swirling "Shine"), "Dream State" is an intimate introduction to one of alt-R&B's most promising voices.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Noah Cunane over Zoom video!

Noah Cunane recently released a new single and video, "F*CK ABOUT IT."   The bold and burgeoning artist attaches potent sonics and a palpable energy to the vibrant track, setting the stage for a 2021 EP that tells the tale of Noah's previous year.  Adding to an eclectic roster, the addictive song is accompanied by a cinematic visual that takes you on a wild ride inside Noah's mind.

Following up Noah's previous release "BOY WITH A BROKEN HEART", a track that tackles falling too hard in a relationship, "F*CK ABOUT IT" continues his tales of relationships and heartbreak through music.  With an 'IDGAF' mentality, the song offers up a hard-hitting beat paired with an extremely resonating message, delivering the perfect fun summer anthem for ditching bad relationships.

Noah has taken a new sonic direction after taking time off to focus on his mental health.  Propelled by this time, Noah leaned into creating a sound and image that felt more 'him.'   Finding himself back at his roots of punk pop-rock and emo-inspired sounds where his emotions are let loose, Noah took the challenges he faced and put it into his music. "I learn more sh*t about myself when I listen to my songs," he relayed.   "It's almost therapy to me," he continues, "I'm interpreting myself through my music...That's how people will know me through the songs."

Noah is "a small town kid who chased a dream" making music with heart, defiance, and artistry. He is surely a star on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.  Passionate for this next era, Noah is ready to share his story with the world and introduce the first chapter.

About Noah Cunane

Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Noah moved around throughout his childhood, residing in small towns such as Westchester, PA where he frequently got stuck behind horse and buggy. Music, however, was a constant. He devoted countless hours to learning guitar, and tirelessly worked towards actualizing his dream of music. At a mere 15-years-old, he made the move, alone, to China for a pop star training camp, and joined pop group C5.  It was there he exteriorized his work ethic and cut his teeth in the music industry; performing on Chinese television, appearing on talk shows, recording, and ultimately returning to the States with the newfound wisdom that he wanted his music to be solely his own. Noah's music started to make waves as he generated hundreds of thousands of Soundcloud plays under the name of Sachi, ultimately changing to Noah Cunane as he found his footing in the music scene.  Moving to Los Angeles full time, Noah linked with producers such as Roy Lenzo [Lil Nas X] and perfected his signature style. As buzz reached a boiling point, Noah landed a deal with 300 Entertainment and released singles "Medicine" and "Miami." This is only the beginning for Noah Cunane!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Tim Lopez aka Timothy Howls over Zoom video!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Leo The Kind over Zoom video!

Leo The Kindsure as hell is not wasting any time or energy on any “fake love” and neither should you. Showcasing the first single off his forthcoming album, ‘Sorry Mrs. Jackson,’ Leo Demands serious listeners in “Fake Love”.

Leo sets the scene with an upbeat, soulful rap song that will leave you no choice but to vibe and belt out how you are “not with the fake love”. The chorus, verse, lyrics, and sound reveal Leo’s journey to establishing his sound and honing his craft, allowing nothing to stop him from reaching his goals. He shows us the power and integrity within ourselves to pursue our passions without any distractions or transparencies. It is a powerful masterpiece that reminds us: if you want something, go out and get it.

The sound and beat throughout the entire track is the epitome of authenticity and intoxication to match the drive in his lyrics. The song opens with a high-pitched synthetic beat and an electric xylophone accompanied by a strong electric percussion building throughout the entire song. Leo sings about his defiance of fake relationships in order to focus on his future, the beat and sound create a deep, passionate feeling to push forward and never look back.  Not only will you be belting the chorus in the car but you may find yourself speeding down the highway as the beat strengthens and voices echo behind Leo’s lyrics.

“Fake Love” is Leo The Kind’s first release of 2021 and the opening single to ‘Sorry Mrs. Jackson’. After kick-starting his music career back in 2016, he is excited to continue pursuing his passion for making music that makes people feel good and shaping the way for other like-minded, independent talent.

About Leo The Kind:

Massachusetts native, Leo The Kind is a self-taught singer, songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist. Leo first discovered his musical prowess at the age of 9, making beats on his Playstation 2. He caught the attention of Grammy Award Winning producer and songwriter Swagg R’ Celious (H.E.R., Kehlani) and his Grammy Nominated production partner Keithen “Bassman” Foster.

Leo’s sound is described as alternative hip-hop driven by playful harmonies and lyrically touching upon modern urban culture. Debut EP, out Summer 2020, is a distributive discography dedicated to Leo’s way of living, staying true to himself as a one of a kind artist.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Nashvillains over Zoom video!

Nashvillains, a powerhouse trio of musicians began in the mind of Brett Boyett. From the band’s inception Brett, Troy Johnson, and Scott Lindsey have sought to create a new musical landscape by blurring lines between genres, bending the rules of convention and expanding the boundaries of country music.

The Nashvillains hail from Katy Texas, Beaver Damn Kentucky and Evergreen Colorado. All 3 of these guys earned their stripes by playing honky-tonks, festivals and major stages through out The United States. They have all separately left their stamp in the music industry in different ways. They have written songs for country music royalty, feature films, and television shows, while individually pursing successful artist careers.

Being fans of country music, pop, R & B, and rock the trio decided to approach this project from a different creative angle by pulling from their individual influences and diverse experience. When asked to describe their sound in an interview after a packed performance they quickly responded, “dark country with ingredients of cinematic music, while at the same time invoking the sounds trail blazed by the legendary bands, Pink Floyd, The Eagles and Johnny Cash.”

This group from flyover America is unleashing their unique brand of music for fans who are eagerly craving something unique that parallels the contemporary sounds of country music radio.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Mob Rich over Zoom video!

As much as the alt-pop duo's sound owes to the specific otherworldly chemistry shared by Los Angeles transplants Maxwell Joseph and Connor Pledger, the charming melancholy, adventurous soundscapes, and big hooks they conjure are built for everyone. MOB RICH makes intimate and bold music destined to build a broader community with kindred spirits. These are new anthems for the outcast.

The band's full-length debut, Why No Why, is a collection of conversations in musical form, draped in an effervescent atmosphere. Careening between wry observations and sharply optimistic affirmations, MOB RICH demonstrates a commitment to artistic authenticity on the record, on the stage, and screens big and small. Straightforward hooks, with flourishes of grand theatricality, collide with existential themes and joyful whimsy.

As people and musicians, Connor and Maxwell examine humankind's inherent need for belonging, the seemingly overwhelming obstacles of anxiety and depression, and feelings of ostracization and "otherness." The confessional nature of MOB RICH's songs, combined with darkly comedic self-awareness, is immersive and pure. Substream Magazine observed, "there's both a carefree attitude and some serious life discussions peppered in."

Emotional honesty and a keen sense of humor are vital pieces of the MOB RICH puzzle. The duo draws favorable comparisons to Tame Impala and early MGMT. A rhythmic punch like TØP and a swagger akin to Oasis intermingle in MOB RICH. They count Grandson, Broods, and Bishop Briggs among their collaborators and comrades. Already a staple of tastemaker playlists and radio formats with buzzing singles "Get High" and "Yoko Ono," MOB RICH joined the Republic Records roster via the seasoned A&R maverick behind Ariana Grande and The Weeknd. Big bass and bigger drums are almost always part of the soundscape, with rich diversity built over the top of it.

It was inevitable that, given the bond forged by Maxwell and Connor, MOB RICH would explore duality. They're optimistic that the comfort and confidence they've found in shared strengths and complementary differences will provoke and inspire. It's a phenomenon they've already witnessed in their short career and hope to expand.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Brooklyn Michelle over Zoom video!

Multi-talented recording artist and producer Brooklyn Michelle recently released her highly successful single and music video, ‘Come Here,’.

Originally released five years ago as a sample, via Soundcloud, the track quickly took off amongst listeners and Brooklyn’s growing fan base. Unexpected of the song’s massive success, Brooklyn quickly pulled the song, knowing all too well it deserved a proper release and instrumentals to accompany it. After months of perfecting the quality of the track, Brookly gave a proper release, accompanied by a music video.

About Brooklyn Michelle

Using her music as a coping mechanism, this San Antonio, Texas-based musician started writing her own songs and performing at the young age of 12. After years of struggling with undiagnosed diseases that led to mental illness, Brooklyn quickly put pen to paper and used music as the expressive outlet she needed to move forward in life. This was the creative process to her debut album, Lithium, which was a “beautifully chaotic” seven-year testimony to living with untreated Bipolar disorder.

Currently, Brooklyn is set to release her long-awaited second album, Placebo, in the Fall of 2021. Continuing to use her music as a creative outlet based on personal experience, the album will focus on the struggles of falling flat on one’s face and growing after a fallen relationship while dealing with the everyday struggle of a very serious mental illness. Contrary to her first album’s contrasting moods, this album will follow the story through its tracks, providing a harsh reality at the start that eventually blossoms.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Valley over Zoom video!

Valley is a Canadian indie pop group based in Toronto built up of Rob Laska on vocals, Michael (Mickey) Brandolino on guitar, Alex Dimauro on bass and Karah James on drums and vocals.

“Like 1999” follows the smash EP, sucks to see you doing better, which Valley released last year and includes the honest banger, “hiccup” (which gathered 200,000 streams in the first 48 hours) and “nevermind.”

With only two other self-written, self-produced, debut releases under their belt (including their EP This Room Is White and full-length MAYBE), the band has collected nearly 71 million streams on Spotify alone, a 2020 JUNO Award Nomination, support slots with Lennon Stella and The Band Camino on sold out North American tours in 2019, and a confirmed support billing with LovelyTheBand once the tour world reopens.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Merk over Zoom video!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Wuh Oh over Zoom video!

Scottish breakout composer, producer, performer, Wuh Oh has been creating a storm with his eccentric blend of pop, electronic, piano riffs and keyboard clicks coupled with his irreverent, in your face vocal delivery.

With over a decade of classical flute and piano training, Wuh Oh has built a reputation around the oddities of his avant-garde, left-field productions, and collaborations with the likes of The Magician, Myd, Hudson Mohawke and more.

Wuh Oh has gained recognition for singles including ‘Saxy Beast’, ‘Softstyle', ‘Zita’, ‘How Do You Do It’, and ‘Pretty Boy’ (remixed by no other than Hudson Mohawke) as well as his remix of Myd’s single ‘Together We Stand’ released via Ed Banger. The producer has recently been working on a plethora of remixes for the likes of Nothing But Thieves, Everyone You Know, Howl & Hum and more, with 2021 also set to bring in some exciting collaborations.

The rising artist has already received unwavering support from some of the biggest names in the industry including Annie Mac, Pete Tong, Sega Bodega, Jamz Supernova, Dance System, Busy P, Ed Banger and key tastemaker platforms including i-D Magazine, Wonderland, Dummy, Crack, The Fader, Colors and Mixmag where he was named a ‘One To Watch’ artist for 2020.

Wuh Oh has become renowned for his hyper-energetic live sets which see him merge DJing, prodigious keyboard playing and self-styled interpretive dance whilst performing in

flamboyant custom-made outfits. Last year, the Glaswegian artist was set to perform at the likes of Glastonbury, Lovebox, Reading & Leeds, The Great Escape and more which have now been postponed due to current circumstances.

Most recently he delivered 'Life', a collaboration alongside Belgian modern house selector, The Magician.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Pom Pom Squad over Zoom video!

We had the pleasure of interviewing POP EVIL over Zoom audio! 

Hard rock titans POP EVIL have set a career milestone as “Breathe Again” becomes the sixth #1 rock single in their overall history joining previous #1 hits “Waking Lions,” “Footsteps,” “Deal with the Devil,” “Trenches” and the gold-certified “Torn to Pieces.” The track is featured on the band’s upcoming May 21 album VERSATILE via Entertainment One (eOne) alongside previously shared singles “Let The Chaos Reign,” “Work” and “Set Me Free.”

If rock is dead, then POP EVIL is definitive proof of the afterlife. The Michigan-formed blue-collar band—which consists of vocalist Leigh Kakaty alongside lead guitarist Nick Fuelling, rhythm guitarist Dave Grahs, bassist Matt DiRito and drummer Hayley Cramer—have created an unpredictable album, as its name suggests, which presents their most ambitious rebirth yet. VERSATILE highlights the group’s distinctive sound by zeroing in on their juxtaposition of cinematic melodies, heavy grooves, fist-pumping anthems and timeless power ballads while building on their foundation of showmanship, raw relatability, and timeless hard rock hooks.

VERSATILE is available for pre-order now via the official POP EVIL merch store and all orders will include an autographed postcard from the band: https://www.popevil-versatile.com/. CD’s will be exclusively sold via Target, which will offer a two-disc deluxe edition version of VERSATILE. The special bonus disc will include the track listing from their 2020 #1’s LP. This consisted of all of their previous #1 singles listed above that were pressed on 180-gram opaque gold vinyl.

POP EVIL’s success story extends beyond the charts, the 1 million units of “total activity” across their catalog, and the 600+ million streams of their songs on major platforms–it’s the diverse group of fans the band has captivated with their relatable storytelling and undeniable catchiness on tour after tour with the who’s who of the modern rock genre.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Diamante over Zoom video!

Diamante spent her teenage years cutting her teeth at local gigs on the Sunset Strip to become the powerhouse performer she is today. A disciple of both P!nk and Guns N' Roses who doesn't fall into rockstar excess tropes or even sport tattoos, she devoted every waking minute to honing a signature "hard rock sound with a modern alternative edge."

Her unique and undeniable approach caught the attention of Better Noise Music, which signed her in 2015. She hit the studio with super producer Howard Benson [My Chemical Romance, Halestorm, Kelly Clarkson] to record what would become her full-length debut, Coming In Hot. With the release of her first album, Diamante undeniably stormed the scene in 2018 with a #1 song at rock radio (her collaboration "Hear Me Now" with Bad Wolves), along with a Top 15 song with her own single "Haunted."

Now three years later, and after extensive touring with bands like Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Chevelle, and Shinedown, Diamante is back in full force and shining brighter than ever before.

In 2019, Diamante parted ways with Better Noise and re-teamed with Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson of Judge & Jury as an independent artist to make her sophomore album American Dream. Diamante capitalized on her newfound and ultimate creative freedom and independence by being her own CEO throughout every facet of the album process. On working with Benson and Sanderson, Diamante praises that they were instrumental in "bringing my stories to life and pushing me to embrace my vulnerabilities."

American Dream shows exponential growth from Coming In Hot — both sonically and with its raw authenticity, proving now more than ever that Diamante's fearlessness to bare her soul in her music is what truly sets her apart.