Kelsey: The Young Pop Artist With Hauntingly Beautiful Lyrics

November 21, 2019 — Leave a comment

Kelsey is the up-and-coming pop singer from New Jersey that is bound to grab the attention of listeners with her captivating and intimate lyrics. Kelsey has always been inspired by music from a young age and has expressed how the music that could instantly take hold of her mood and emotions were the songs that stuck with her the most. The captivating words of such songs are what motivates Kelsey with her songwriting today.

Leading up the release of her debut track ‘Nobody’, Kelsey has posted pictures on her Instagram @kelseyvibesss of her sat down on the floor, handwriting ideas for lyrics and captioning the post with teasers of the lyrics for the track. Opening her world up to fans for them to see everything that goes into the songwriting process is something that Kelsey is passionate about, she has done this also by releasing part of a documentary about her music-making on YouTube. You can watch part 1 of the documentary now for a sneak-peak and insight into what Kelsey is all about!

Lyrically, the track Nobody alludes to the haunting experience of being lost to the memory of a loved one and feeling like a stranger to someone you once knew so well. It is a ghost story, speaking of the power that haunting memories of a lost lover can have.

Social Links for Kelsey:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyvibesss

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kelsey-vibess 

Out With The Old and In With The New

November 20, 2019 — Leave a comment

After losing their singer to a top West End production, it could have all been over, but Jody and the Jerms have emerged better than ever, and with a new vocalist taking center stage. Their new single, He Doesn’t Know Me Much At All, is a collaboration between guitarist Liam Jeger, drummer Alex Bridge, and newcomer Jody on vocals – who between them have performed alongside the likes of Radiohead and Supergrass.

Already having seen success overseas, receiving significant play on one of Spain’s largest radio stations, RTVE, Jody and the Jerms looking to announce their first 2020 live dates in the very near future.

The group previously saw much success as The Anydays, and are now broadening their musical horizons from the indie genre, infusing their sound with power-pop and new wave. With a fresh new look, and a fresh new sound, this is sure to only be the beginning for Jody and the Jerms.

Follow Jody and the Jerms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodyandthejerms/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-727099785/jerm-ngh-mstr1-441/s-Iiqxf

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4tgKs3XHY55tBPR4QTuDKe

Estelle California Releases Her Love Song To The Nation

November 11, 2019 — Leave a comment

Rising from a life that is nothing short of remarkable, Estelle California is a new soul singer who literally puts a piece of her soul into every song. Hailing from France, following the trauma of her fractured and abusive childhood, Estelle suppressed many memories to try and move on.

Estelle had found that she had lost her identity. The only thing she felt gave her freedom singing and creating music. Estelle felt herself drawn further and further away from Paris, the place that held so many dark memories for her. She travelled Africa and found herself fascinated, she was connected to the people and culture there.

The black community became something extremely important to Estelle, especially considering that she grew up in a family and a community that was profoundly racist – something that Estelle condemns and is now a passionate advocate for black rights, which is something that inspires a lot of her music!

Releasing her new single ‘Black Is The True Light’, the song is a tribute to the African American and African communities around the world who have constantly battled against division and hatred. Estelle;

“This song is the biggest love song I could have ever dreamed to have,” Estelle says. “It is my love, purpose and my duty to shine the black glory and the light of resilience that comes out of the darkness”.

Estelle’s forthcoming EP, My Name is Freedom, sees her backed by legendary producer and drummer Narada Michael Walden (Whitney Houston; Mariah Carey; Lionel Richie); ace guitarist Vernon “Ice” Black (Diana Ross, Anastacia; Babyface); James Henry and veteran vocalists Larry Batiste, Cornell Carter and Tony Lindsay.

Follow Estelle: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estellecalifornia/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/estellecaliforn?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/estellecalifornia/

Website: estellecalifornia.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4g53nwot4egpNrxyIhFLXU

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCguX8bajz65pWoTak_toA-Q

Singing Soldiers: Fighting the Effects and Stigma of Mental Illness

October 21, 2019 — Leave a comment

The Singing Soldiers defy expectation at every juncture – their musical skill is undeniable, their spine-chilling harmonies and contemporary, outlaw country style as well as their infectious personalities are undeniable but are at odds with the trauma they have lived through and continue to battle against. Both Graham Trude and Chris Earl have been directly affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition which impacts immeasurably on not only the sufferer but the family and friends around them. Determined to quash the stigma and misconceptions of the condition and to give hope and inspirations to others around the world, Frontline Soldiers is a single which will resonate with people from all backgrounds – touching, moving, profound yet uplifting, it’s a song which begs to be heard.

This is not a charity single made up of assembled supporters, nor a twee cover version by overly auto-tuned amateurs. This is the real deal, two music professionals and members of the Canadian armed forces who have joined together to put across a message of hope to those affected by PTSD – a number which according to The National Center for Biotechnology Information, exceeds 354 million people world-wide. Graham Trude is an Afghanistan Veteran and First Responder diagnosed with complex PTSD from his experiences and Chris Earl is a current serving military member who has family members struggling with PTSD. Chris and Graham are both signed Nashville Recording Artists and professional musicians who found each other and dedicated themselves to healing trauma through music therapy.

Already selling out large venues in their home country, The Singing Soldiers deliver an experience that can only be born out of experience. It is an evening of laughing and crying and relatable REAL-LIFE material that help our listeners know we truly understand. 

WOUNDED WARRIORS CANADA

“We are extremely proud to join forces with the Singing Soldiers. Chris and Graham are true ambassadors for the cause we serve and we thank them for their willingness to pay it forward to help us help our ill and injured Veterans, First Responders and their families.” – Scott Maxwell, Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada 

Secret songwriter steps into the spotlight

September 13, 2019 — Leave a comment

For many years, Nick Battle has been working behind-the-scenes within the music industry. His songwriting ability has gained him over 30 gold and platinum discs, and though he is far from a household name, his songs and collaborators most certainly are. Working with the likes of Sir Cliff Richard, Michael Ball and Gary Barlow (as well as kick-starting The Spice Girls), he boasts an impressive list of contacts. But that’s not enough for Nick.

Now is his time to take the glory, rather than giving his tracks away – he kept this collection for himself. ‘Love is a Long Road’ looks back on Battle’s life and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Inspired by the singers and songwriters who have influenced him most, this album continues from where 2016 album ‘Big Heart’ left off.

This new album is a chance for people to hear Battle’s music as it was meant to be heard, no artist interpretations, tweaks or re-writes, but the writers pure vision and authentic sound.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nick.battle.7161

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickBattle14

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbattleofficial/

Website: www.starstreetmusic.com

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/nickbattleofficial

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0c1nEm82KWIkvMpUYPVx2G

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0TUnetFN3M

Rocketsmith roll out feelgood-rock forged in friendship

July 12, 2019 — Leave a comment

When you consider that Rocketsmith’s roots trace back to the rural town of Pickering – which, per head, probably has one of the most vibrant music scenes in the UK – the formation of a band of this ilk makes perfect sense. In a place where there’s little else to do other than go to the pub, play music and be in bands (in this case, all three!), they embody the very nature of reet-good rock’n’roll. A fact that is reflected in the title of the EP ‘Balancing Act‘, which nods to balancing their hectic work lives with their desire to perform.

Collectively they are consummate performers both live and in the studio but strip away the rock’n’roll and you’ll find that Andy is an egg farmer, Hank is a painter and decorator, Anth is a tiler and Matt is an electrical engineer. Between them, they’ve played in countless bands over the years, but have always known of their desire to step out of the shadows with their own original material. A family friendly bunch, led with the track ‘Give Love‘, which stands as a resounding proclamation of all people really need to give to one another – Be it a smile, a laugh, a hug or any simple gesture that can change someone’s life for the better.

Andy has commented how, on a personal level, Rocketsmith helped him through a trough of depression and elevated his sense of self-worth and confidence. In the true essence of what forming a band is all about, that love for meeting new people and that feeling of winning over a crowd are in equal parts overwhelming.

The EP ‘Balancing Act‘ (Out Now) was written over the autumn of 2018 and early 2019, incorporating two previously recorded tracks ‘Hope in the Beat‘ and Give Love backing up Jenny, Chasing Ghosts, Beautiful Soul and Real Life – six songs that the band feel are the strongest material they’ve recorded to date.

See Rocketsmith Live

July 13th – Rocking All Over the Wold, Easingwold

August 18th – Rocketsmith live at Tribfest! Tribfest, Driffield

September 13th – Apollo Bar, Scarborough

September 15th – The Little Angel, Whitby

September 22nd – Sun Inn Beer Festival, Pickering

November 23rd – The Little Angel, Whitby

December 7th – The Lettered Board, Pickering

December 20th – Market Hall, Scarborough

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocketsmithuk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rocketsmithuk1

Website: https://www.reverbnation.com/rocketsmith

Family values light up songwriter’s path to stardom

July 11, 2019 — Leave a comment

After being wrongfully expelled from Bolton School until the age of 16, it was at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Blackburn where songwriter Joel Rothwell nurtured his ability and pursued his dream of a career in music. Following on from the acclaimed released of single ‘Just Don’t Know‘, it’s apparent that the stars have never seemed too far out of reach, and with roots forged very close to home. A childhood spent with his eldest sister Rebecca imitating their musical heroes has led to formulating a creative partnership which has seen them writing together for a number of years.

With a stylishly crafted formula of honest story-telling accompanying his guitar-driven electro-pop sound, the first of 4 inspired songs recorded with Brighton producer Toby Scott – ‘Just Don’t Know’ tells the story of a chance encounter, forbidden attraction and the inherent dilemma faced from within.

It was recording and preparing to release his debut album under the Steelworks Studio label, under the support of songwriter and producer Eliot Kennedy (famed for working with the likes of the Spice Girls, Bryan Adams, Lulu and Take That), that led to Joel taking part in his biggest gig to date. The Vulcan Experience aircraft hanger at Robin Hood airport in Doncaster was host to a sell-out charity event that raised over £65,000 for Help for Heroes, in which he shared the stage in following none other than Gary Barlow.

Joel is now based at a studio in the vibrant Spinningfields area of Manchester, while also having spent time writing and recording at Tileyard Music in London alongside chart musicians such as Sigala, Mark Ronson and Ella Eyre. Through a blend of passion, talent and determination, Joel firmly believes he has what it takes to stand out in such a competitive industry and match the ambition of his dreams.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatjoelrothwell/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatjoelrothwell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelrothwell

Website: http://joelrothwell.com

Horizonz show ‘Blind passion’ to prove original music isn’t a ‘dying breed’?

July 5, 2019 — Leave a comment

“There are hundreds of Indie bands with trendy sounds, but we do good old fashioned music with a modern twist”

Devon-based Horizonz have often found themselves turned down for gigs, purely due to their devotion to original music – which they’re frequently told is a ‘dying breed’. While being 4 guys who all hold down full-time jobs alongside their joint passion for making music, these are very much local lads looking to make music larger than their surroundings.

All their music has been recorded in a local studio, engineered by Andrew Doc Collins, who they regard as something of a genius in piecing together the elements of their alt-country inspired soft rock. Their latest single ‘Better Days’ released 5th July, discusses a common theme of a relationship which is on the verge of collapse due to unhappiness, and even possible violence, while also clutching at straws that things will work themselves out in the end. As the chorus line goes: “I need to see if there’s still part of you, that’s sorry for all the things that you said..”

While not previously discussed in the media, but wowing their audiences nonetheless, their distinguished keyboard player is not only self-taught, but also completely blind! So easy is this to forget that the band themselves often have to remind themselves to guide him off-stage at the end of gigs!

“We often forget Jason is blind and walk off all the time and then have to return to get him because we forgot he couldn’t see. Jason’s personality is brilliant, his sense of humour relating to the condition is outstanding.”

After noticing a decline in ‘traditional’ or ‘dad-rock’, Horizonz are looking to spark a resurgence of focus on guitar-based music with a strong emphasis on vocal melodies. They have proven to be staunch in their commitment to revitalising the magic in live performance, honing their formula of big choruses, tight harmonies and energy levels to leave audiences hypnotised.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/horizonzband

Twitter: www.twitter.com/horizonzband

Instagram: www.instagram.com/horizonz_band

Website: www.horizonzband.com

Film Noir inspiration gives rise to ‘dark dance’ project

June 21, 2019 — Leave a comment

It’s been almost a decade since Izabella Clare and Rob Varley of ‘dark dance’ duo Mai Eve walked out on their last band. Disillusioned and fed up of compromising on the music, image, direction and commitment of other members, this paved the way for a new project producing an unholy crossover of EDM and rock.

“We like to think our uniqueness comes from combining rock structures with club beats with a throwback to 80s synth sounds. Our primary goal is simply to entertain.”

Taken from the forthcoming ‘Silverscreen’ EP, debut release ‘When You Scream‘ is Mai Eve’s first attempt to cross over into dance and was produced with the club scene in mind. With a beat that’s generally uplifting, the subject matter is much darker, discussing themes of abusive relationships from a woman’s perspective.

“We take a lot of inspiration from the black and white films of the 40’s and 50’s… We hope that when you listen to our music you visualise a scene and feel the emotions”

With Izabella having spent a number of years in recovery from illness this, however, did afford Rob time to discover his love for EDM and a passion for production. Together, they bring their extensive experience in heavy melodic rock and align it with a love for sequencers and analogue keys to produce tracks that curl themselves around your consciousness with or without invitation.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaiEve.EDM

Website: www.maieve.com

Unlikely union sparks 90’s trip-hop revival from ARLS

June 20, 2019 — Leave a comment

Energizing something of a revival in 90’s trip-hop blended with 80’s synth atmospherics is ARLS – New Zealand-based duo Bravo Bonez and Alba Rose. Enlisting legendary producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers; Super Furry Animals; The Chills) to produce a debut single which looks already to be figuring amongst the years best new tracks. The bizarre collaboration between university student Alba and perpetual planet-traveller Bravo, found the pair hit it off musically following a ‘coffee date’ pushed for by their respective mums, from which they stayed in touch and arrived where they are now.

Front and centre of ARLS is Alba Rose, a vocalist whose gift for melody and imbuing a track with emotion belies the fact that she is still studying at university. Bravo Bonez travels the Earth constantly and is the enigma of the band. As composer and arranger, he hides a wealth of music experience behind his shades, bringing the darker elements of the 90’s trip-hop scene along with the ethereal splendour of Cocteau Twins at their peak. The perhaps unlikely union is entirely in keeping with the bizarre genesis of debut single: LUCKY. A throwaway hummed vocal sent as a voice memo by Alba to Bravo became an earworm neither of them could shake.

Aligning themselves with a mysterious atmospheric essence, akin to that of Massive Attack, LUCKY’s lyrics are grounded in reality and tell of wrenching yourself from an unfulfilling relationship, reminding yourself you’re strong enough to emerge from the pain whilst delivering a sideswipe at the person they’re leaving, that they were lucky to have what they’ve lost.

Throughout the track, there is a sense that vocals are announced with a degree of pain, a lack of belief in her words, but also a belief that it’s not worth continuing this dead end if the result is that of it ultimately draining her.

LUCKY is due for release 1st August this year

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arlsmusic-455110685055868/

Instagram: @arlsmusic

Website: http://arlsmusic.com/