Gathering of Strangers share their new single « Red and Gold »

Gathering of Strangers

New single « Red and Gold »

Spotify

Gathering of Strangers are one of Manchester’s most talked about rock bands at present. Combining captivating classic rock and the energy of your favourite modern-day indie pop artist, Conor, Tom, Andre, Bruce and Peter come together to form the explosive guitar rock five-piece. With thunderous high-octane energy, adrenalised anthemic vocals and rapacious riffs, Gathering of Strangers are creating a dynamic driving force into the rock scene.

Their latest single “Red and Gold” ignites that feel-good fever that is certain to spread love and spark a shared sense of happiness. Creating a euphoric soundtrack that perfectly depicts the moment just after sunset, the tune resembles the colourful illuminations of the sky. They explain, “Red and Gold is simply about having the time of your life with your lover or your family. Simply dancing from sunset to sunrise all night long.” Depicting synonymous summer moments with lavish lyricism, rocketing guitar melodies and blaring bass lines, they’ve created a truly exhilarating anthem.

Having sold out numerous shows up and down the UK over the past few years, Gathering of Strangers have found themselves performing at renowned venues including the O2 Ritz and Shepherds Bush Empire. With streaming numbers in the hundreds of thousands and impressive reviews from the likes of

Clash Magazine

, the phenomenal five-piece are proving to be true trailblazers of their time.

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Xades shares her new EP « Shaded »

Photographer Credits: Ronja Elisa Kappl

Xades

New EP « Shaded »

Xades (pronounced shades) is the newest creation of the DJ and curator known mostly under MSJY. Whilst MSJY’s DJ sets are known for their heavy bass drip and bouncy rhythmic darkness, Xades is an ode to the sweet latina soul hidden underneath the tiny powerhouse bouncing behind the booth. Whilst it is certainly new to hear the voice behind the sound, MSJY has been spreading her music all over the world for more than 8 years.

By using it as a portal to connect to people and interact with her surroundings, she enjoys exploring its various soundscapes with a sharp mind, sensitive ear and dedicated heart. The Dekmantel affiliated selector as well as a former resident at Amsterdam‘s De School, Groningen’s OOST and Berlin‘s Griessmuehle is known for thought- and playful sets that dig into bass and breaks adding dashes of her passed influences of trip-hop and IDM. As Xades, Jenny explores her voice and songwriting, extending her tentacles into different genres, serving a vulnerable exploration that transitions smoothly from dub, downtempo electronica and contemporary R&B. Her multiplicitous musical and cultural roots (Brazilian mother, Argentinian father, Swiss passport) seep through all the versatile layers of her sound.

Following the success of her recent singles « Shaded » and « Locked In », Xades is back and dropping her

Shaded

EP! Leading with focus track « Me Duele », listeners are served a groovy neo soul/hip-hop banger with hook reminiscent of her Latina background and the early Kali Uchis. Despite the sensitive title (« it hurts me ») and the nostalgic theme (missing her partner in a long distance relationship) the song breathes serious summer vibes including an infectious sax solo and Xades’ effortlessly melodious raps.

A perfectionist at heart, it needed a gentle push by her partner (in crime, music, and life) to find the confidence to share an album that proves that finesse for depth and layer her long-time listeners have always admired her for. She’s set to have an incredible year!

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Tyrin shares his new single « It’s All Alright »

Tyrin

New single « It’s All Alright »

Tyrin is a forever evolving creative mind, who’s never afraid to reflect on what keeps him up at night. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the evolutionary artist has a genreless approach to composition. Drawing musical influences from the earlier days of pop-punk and hip-hop, Tyrin started making music in 2010, where he felt obligated to create what people were expecting from him and explore the realm of rap. Maturing as an artist throughout his recent repertoire, his influences have united, working and performing alongside his band to produce a truly unique soundscape.

Bringing his musical influence full circle, Tyrin recently unveiled “Its All Alright.” Exploring thematic discourses concerning mental health, he explains “My music is my outlet, and gives people the affirmation that they’re not alone.” Offering a meditative process to production, his latest release is complemented charismatically with cinematic visuals in his new music video.

Blessing fans with blaring basslines and an ecstatic realm of sound, “Its All Alright” is represented fantastically with dreamy hues and euphoric visuals, representing the nostalgia that pours into each second of the track. Hoping that listeners will find a minute for themselves within his latest tune, Tyrin continues, “It started with heavy Hip-Hop roots, and through the few months of working on it with my engineer the song started to evolve and mimic my true musical influences.” Offering a stunning representation, “Its All Alright” uncovers Tyrins truly impressive musical persona, as he explains, “I wrote this song to affirm that even with my flaws, I have value.” Sitting atop echoing vocal energy, relentless melodies and a truly encapsulating rhythm, his latest release and accompanying visuals make for an idyllic pairing.

Consolidating his sonic direction, Tyrin is rapidly becoming one to watch across the alternative genre, blending his love of hip hop and euphoric rap into something truly extraordinary. Having performed at numerous larger venues like Webster Hall and The Gramercy, to name a few, he is nurturing a blossoming community in the heart of New York City.

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Me Like Bees share their new single « Radio »

Me Like Bees

New single « Radio »

Stream / Download

Entitled « Radio » the track features colorful guitar riffs, driving rhythms and an attention-grabbing chorus for an invigorating upbeat indie rock anthem. The band confides on the release, « we often find ourselves in the midst of unpleasant circumstances and realities. “Radio” is a song about wanting to escape those realities, but ultimately learning to cope with them. »

“They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!” Psalm 118:12

No, this isn’t a Sam Jackson quote from the latest grindhouse inspired Tarantino film; it’s the impetus behind the Joplin, MO band Me Like Bees.

Formed on the heels of the 2000s indie rock scene, the band was started by college dropout, Pete Burton and former gas station clerk, Luke Sheafer in 2009.

The pair met while playing high school football together in Kansas; only to lose touch and serendipitously end up at the same college town in southwest Missouri several years later.

The duo shared a mutual affinity for the music of the aughts. Bands like The Strokes, Modest Mouse, The White Stripes and Franz Ferdinand, would serve as the catalyst to the danceable, guitar-driven rock that Me Like Bees would become known for.

“I remember the way I felt when I first heard Ball and a Biscuit by the White Stripes” Sheafer says, “That’s the moment I decided that yeah, this music thing is what I want to do with my life. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.”

Throughout its history, Me Like Bees has undergone several member changes, with Burton and Sheafer serving as the bands only constants.

In 2017, the pair were joined by current bass player, Jake Bennett.

Bennett was already familiar to the band, having served as the group’s touring merch manager for several years prior:

“You know it’s funny because he was our merch guy and didn’t even really know how to play the bass,” states Burton. “Our former bass player had suddenly quit, and we had a whole string of shows coming up and needed someone immediately. Jake locked himself in a room for three weeks straight and came out a monster bass player on the other side.”

The most recent addition to the band is drummer Ben Davis. Davis had been working as an elementary school counselor when he, through an unlikely series of events, heard that Me Like Bees was looking for a drummer. In true Kurt Warner fashion, Davis left his position at the school to pursue his lifelong passion of playing music. And yes, Me Like Bees is the NFL in this analogy.

Notably, the band released their first full length album The Ides through Loveway records in 2013.

In 2014, they won first prize at the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands in Hollywood California, beating out 20,000 other bands and securing a coveted spot on the Vans Warped Tour.

They worked alongside Goldfinger frontman and well known producer, John Feldmann for their EP There Will Be Time released in 2016.

In 2018, they partnered with Image Comics and artist Jeremy Haun for the release of their graphic novel inspired EP,

The Realm

.

Their single « Radio » details wanting to escape the unpleasant realities we often find ourselves in, but ultimately learning how to cope with such hardships. « Radio » is released in partnership with Honey Pit Music.

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Maygen & The Birdwatcher share their new single « He Ain’t Me »

Maygen & The Birdwatcher

New single « He Ain’t Me »

Spotify

Entitled « He Ain’t Me » the video « originated from a conversation Noah from our band and his wife jokingly had about all the small things about ourselves that make us feel important. Those small things tend to be what ends up making your relationship feel special and unique. This song is kind of an absurd way to pitch yourself to someone, based on those qualities. » proclaims Maygen.

The single is off of their upcoming EP

Bootleggin’ At The Flower Shoppe

set for release this September. Maygen & The Birdwatcher adventurously blur the sounds of country, bluegrass, folk and blues, which has placed them on festival stages with Old Crow Medicine Show and Grace Potter, all the way over to supporting Travis Tritt.

Coming off the successful release of their « stunning » (

Americana UK

) debut full-length album,

Moonshine

, which earned them Midwest Country Music Awards for both Album of the Year and Americana Artist of the Year, Maygen & The Birdwatcher are hitting the ground running. Described as « an exciting goulash of Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Florence + The Machine and Joe Cocker » (

MostlyMinnesota

), the band showcases original songs, fantastic harmonies, and tight musicianship that keep you anticipating what they’ll deliver next. In wanting to ensure the full spectrum of their sound is available to listeners, the band will be releasing a 6 song EP this summer called

Bootleggin’ At The Flower Shoppe

. The 6-piece went right back to Flowers Studio with Kris Johnson (same as Moonshine) and recorded their more energetic and good-timin’ songs that were written around the same time as Moonshine, but hadn’t gotten the chance to be properly recorded and shared with their fans. They like to think of Bootleggin’ as Moonshine’s companion, released less than a year from each other, with many different things to offer listeners that have grown to look forward to their diverse approach to songwriting. Maygen & The Birdwatcher adventurously blur the sounds of country, bluegrass, folk and blues, which has placed them on festival stages with Old Crow Medicine Show and Grace Potter, all the way over to supporting Travis Tritt. Keep your eyes and ears on this band- the fact they’ve only been playing together for two years, makes it all so exciting to see where they’ll go next.

Tour Dates

8/12/22 MN Bluegrass August Festival Richmond, MN

8/14/22 Lakewood Cemetery Mosaic Chapel – Minneapolis, MN

8/19/22 Meet Me Under the Bridge Festival – Wabasha, MN

8/27/2022 Trempealeau Hotel – Trempealeau, WI

9/2/22 Milk & Honey Ciders – Saint Joseph, MN

9/3/22 MN State Fair – Saint Paul, MN

9/4/22 Shaggy’s Summer Stop – Ashland, WI

9/9/22 Hazeltine Golf Course – Chaska, MN

9/22/22 Boats & Bluegrass Festival – Winona, MN

9/23/22 BOOTLEGGIN’ TOUR KICKOFF EP Release Show @ Hook & Ladder Theater, Minneapolis, MN

10/8/22 BOOTLEGGIN’ TOUR – La Crosse, WI

10/20/22 BOOTLEGGIN’ TOUR – Gibson Music Hall – Appleton, WI

10/21/22 BOOTLEGGIN’ TOUR – Reggie’s – Chicago, IL

10/22/22 BOOTLEGGIN’ TOUR – TBD – Milwaukee, WI

10/23/2022 BOOTLEGGIN’ TOUR High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI

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ari hicks shares her new EP « It’s Not That Deep: Chapter 1 »

photo credit Nichole Davis (ND)

ari hicks

New EP « It’s Not That Deep: Chapter 1″

Spotify

Released via AntiFragile, the six-track Chapter is an immersive experience of character play that salutes to a lustrous new sound coupled with the original hard-hitting vocals we know and love from the artist. On the release, ari confides,

“Chapter 1: My forthcoming album “It’s Not That Deep” is an all encompassing soundtrack of entering your Villain Era. Each Chapter a collage of stories and experiences that were derived to hone in on the concept of reclaiming your power. »

ari’s furious feminist energy is palpable, flaunting her genre-spanning style as she ricochets between themes of empowerment and bravado, giving listeners a first glance at ari entering her Villain Era as she pays homage to the death of a male centric narrative.

Showcasing a different dimension of the pop singer, this Chapter acts as the start of her newest era. Featuring three brand new tracks as well as familiar favorites “Romeo Dies”

, “

Sucker”,

“

Shut Up »

and “Look Pretty”

.

We start off with the self-assertive pop anthem “Two Sides

”

followed by “Pull your Tooth” and “Jaded”, giving the euphoric darker sound and get-under-your-skin lyrics to end the chapter on an edgier note, offering listeners a more haunting glimpse into

Chapter 2

.

“

It’s Not That Deep: Chapter 1

follows ari hicks’s 2020

Kiss Me, Kill Me EP

, which introduced the world to her halloween hit “Kiss Me, Kill Me” Since then, the dark pop siren has firmly proved herself as a top artist to watch this year. Reigning as a Live Nation’s “Ones to Watch 2022” with nearly 200k TikTok followers and earning acclaim from the likes of

Wonderland, Vogue, ALT Press

and many more. Consider this an honest and bold storybook about unapologetically stepping into your power,

It’s Not That Deep

is an all encompassing soundtrack of entering your Villain Era. Each Chapter a collage of stories and experiences that were derived to hone in on the concept of reclaiming your power.

On the release, ari confides,

“Chapter 1: My forthcoming album “It’s Not That Deep” is an all encompassing soundtrack of entering your Villain Era. Each Chapter a collage of stories and experiences that were derived to hone in on the concept of reclaiming your power. Chapter 1 really embodies a lighter energy, its a little petty, a little savage but its FUN. It’s tapping into your feminine energy and taking these cookie cutter stories and giving them a bit of a plot twist, because why shouldn’t girls have their fun? Sonically and visually I aligned and designed each of these tracks with main character energy (hence why they all have an actual character). These tracks are for the brats, the girls that feel silenced, the ones that are entering their villain era selflessly or selfishly – I want this Chapter to be the voice for that.”

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Haley Johnsen shares her new single « Renegade »

Haley Johnsen

New single « Renegade »

Spotify

Entitled « Renegade » the song is « about fully stepping into who you are and what you’re meant to do in this life, which I believe is one of the most badass, rebellious things we can do. I needed to write this song to remind myself that even though I still struggle with my self-esteem and trust in myself at times, that I am still brave enough to be continuing to push through and follow my dreams. In this video made by the incredible Maris Jones, I get to become the superhero I always hoped I’d be for myself. Saving the world from evil storms of self-doubt and battling it with self-love and courage, one day at a time!” confides Haley.

Haley Johnsen is a Portland, Oregon-born musician with a knack for genre-bending and a hard-earned career path that is uniquely her own. Raised listening to powerhouse singers such as Brandi Carlile, Grace Potter, Eva Cassidy, and Bonnie Raitt, her greatest inspirations become apparent in her soaring vocals, introspective lyricism, and cross-pollinated style of indie-pop, and bluesy folk rock music. Whether her songs muse on the aches of self-doubt, the joy that can accompany nostalgia, or simply trying to stay afloat in tough times, her bona fide songwriting combined with her performance ability is bound to evoke an emotional response. “I want my music to encourage people to push through their challenges and continue to have hope and belief in themselves and their authenticity,” she says.

Growing up as a competitive gymnast, Haley quickly learned how to be a daredevil and step outside her comfort zone. This influenced her musical journey by prompting the prolific songwriter to take inventive and unexpected risks sonically at an early age. In the span of about three years, Haley wrote around 200 songs in her parents back shed, with the most memorable songs being added to her debut EP,

Through the Blue,

which was released in 2015. She followed up with her second EP,

When You Lit The Sky,

in 2017, along with a handful of singles and national tours. It was through her critically acclaimed 12-track debut album,

Golden Days,

where she gained much deserved recognition and ignited the interest of Allen Stone who appeared on the album. Later that year, Haley began touring with the power-trio sister-band

Joseph

and with EDM/Indie pop artist

Big Wild,

who she currently works with as a bassist and back-up vocalist. During her first Europe tour in January of 2019, Haley was further granted the opportunity to record an acoustic album entitled

London Sessions

at the Legendary Abbey Road.

Her 2021 single “Goner” was written in a bathtub in a vintage trailer in the midst of having an existential crisis. The songwriter confides, “it came to be about the romanization of nostalgia; the longing for what once was our youth and also the fear of death. It’s about my own internal struggle trying to stay present and at peace with who I am now, where I am now, and realize that my childlike self is still very much alive in me. It’s a reminder that I don’t need to be afraid or insecure with where I am in my life.” Featuring honey-dipped vocals, breezy guitars, and sweeping 70s inspired folk rock soundscapes, “Goner” is a sun-drenched melancholic daydream.

With her release « Higher » Haley Johnsen explores « not giving up on yourself. It’s that feeling of knowing that no matter what, you’re going to continue growing, continue dreaming, and that in itself is the greatest high. Knowing that you’ve built that trust within yourself to keep going even when life has worn you down, » she confides. Featuring a stirring melodic hook,

orchestral percussion and dreamy slide guitar, « Higher » is the perfect anthem of self love.

Haley Johnsen’s single « Common Ground », « was written during the Summer of 2020, which felt like the precipice of an even deeper divide being carved between our country. Circumstances of the pandemic lead us to be more reliable to our devices, more obsessed with the news, and more at odds with our family and friends who had differing views. I wrote this song about my own sadness and frustration with the reality of this political landscape. How taking a stand on something I believed in only furthered the divide between the ones I loved. This song is a desperate plea asking society, are we ok with this? Are we capable of coming together and finding common ground, or is it too late? »

With her latest single « Renegade », Haley Johnsen crafts a song all about stepping into who you are as a person and to follow your dreams. Johnsen wrote this song to remind herself that she is brave for pursuing her goals.

Her full length twelve track album

GONER

is about « this constant push and pull between confidence and self doubt. Fear and trust. This longing to be PRESENT with myself. To be grateful for who and where I am. Not worrying about the past or future, or getting caught up in the desire to constantly WANT as opposed to just BE, » confides Johnsen.

GONER

is quirky, dramatic, soft, somber, eclectic, and energetic.” Kinda like Haley Johnsen.

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UWUW Announce debut LP with lead single “Scattered Ashes”

UWUW

New single “Scattered Ashes”

Spotify

Self Titled Album Releases October 21, 2022

UWUW (pronounced you-you) have just announced the release of their debut, self-titled LP with their lead single

Scattered Ashes

. With some of Toronto’s most experienced and revered musicians making this project possible, it’s no wonder why the sonic presence of this project demands your attention and doesn’t let you go. The impressive cast of players includes Jason Haberman of Dan Mangan and Yeahsun, Jay Anderson of Badge Epoque Ensemble, Biblical and Lammping, and Ian Blurton of Ian Blurton’s Future Now, Change of Heart, and C’mon. Giving the songs a voice are two of Toronto’s most distinctive songwriters: Chris A. Cummings aka Marker Starling, adding his distinct, easy-glide, story-telling charm to

Box Office Poison

, and

Scattered Ashes

, and Drew Smith (Bunny, The Bicycles), providing his trademark, 60s harmony pop and lyrical prowess to

Staircase

and

Landlord

.

Scattered Ashes

is the first offering from their upcoming self-titled album on We Are Busy Bodies, due out October 21st, 2022. Fans of Euroboys, T2, and Manfred Mann Chapter Three will be enamored with these exceptionally crafted and exciting compositions.

The lead single

Scattered Ashes

breathes soul and rock, while blurring sounds and influences which call to mind James Brown’s horn section and the compositional layers of experimental Beach Boys recordings. In response to the meaning behind his lyrics, singer Marker Starling says, “I attempted to shoehorn every stray apocalyptic thought I had circa Summer of 2021 into the song, including readings from the screenplay of Jean-Luc Godard’s Alphaville (1965). The world is ending, or perhaps, as Sun Ra believed, we’re already past the end of the world. You might end up dying for a cause, or even « just because. » Who knows what tomorrow may bring, and like The Zombies, being forever Hung Up on a Dream—in this case, a lost vision of a kind of hippie or punk utopia—is the only way to live your life, the only way to maintain a healing state of mind”.

UWUW came into being when Jay Anderson and Ian Blurton came together through a run of shows, backing mutual friend and singer/songwriter, Kate Boothman as her drummer, and guitarist, respectively. Anderson suggested bringing in Jason Haberman, a talented bassist, who Anderson had seen play with Toronto indie-folk band, The Wooden Sky. Realizing they didn’t want an instrumental record, they layered on bright horns and smooth vocals, lifting the songs from instrumental jams, to the undefinable yet distinctive sound that is, UWUW. Saxophonist, Jay Hey, was brought in to provide horn arrangements, along with Tom Richardson on trombone and Patrick McGroarty on trumpet, all three contributing on every song. The result is a blissfully cool album with music that will appeal to all listeners, from record store snobs, garage rock slobs, and even psych-pop heartthrobs!

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Photo Credit: Colin Medley

Lydmor shares her new single ‘LSD Heart’

Lydmor

New single ‘LSD Heart’

Lydmor is the moniker of Jenny Rossander. Since the release of her debut album 10 years ago, Jenny has effortlessly remained an unpredictable, new artist with the rare ability to stay timeless. She has become notoriously known for never compromising for the art, always challenging herself and the listener, making Lydmor one of the most renowned artists to come out of Denmark.

In December 2021, Jenny went to Oslo to play the final show of a long-awaited European Tour but eventually, the production was hit by COVID-19. Determined to finish her tour, Jenny sat down by the piano at the venue and played a fully acoustic Lydmor-concert to the astonished crowd. The morning after, she was supposed to fly home to Denmark for x-mas and New Year’s but instead, Jenny booked a studio on a tiny, remote Norwegian island and isolated herself completely.

“I knew, I had to create music without the possibility of hiding myself behind layers of sounds and endless editing. I needed something real with room for everything that’s beautiful, unpleasant, intimate and free. It was a frightening but necessary process to me, that instantly developed into a no break kind of get-mad-or-die-trying session of hugging and fist fighting myself,”

Jenny Rossander tells.

The new Lydmor album is entitled ‘Nimue’. It’s going to be an organic, lively and naked experience incorporating the natural sounds of the waves from the Norwegian sea and Jenny’s steps as she walks through the snow and across the creaking wooden studio floor to sit by the piano – as if the recordings invite the listener to take a seat right next to the artist herself.

‘LSD Heart’ is the piano-driven lead single – a teeth bite of a feminist song, critiquing modern art, gender structures, as well as flirtingly presenting an alternative way of loving and existing in modern society. ‘LSD Heart’ is an acoustic remake of a 2019-Lydmor single and the new album will consist of remakes, new songs and covers.

Last year, Lydmor released the multifaceted electro-pop album, ‘CAPACITY’. It was later followed by ‘The Last Call’ – the title track for the critically acclaimed movie, Venuseffekten – that was praised with the award for ‘Best Song’ at this years’ prestigious Danish movie awards, Robert Prisen.

The release of ‘Nimue’ will be followed by an acoustic tour this autumn. Then, what happens next, no one but Lydmor knows…

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