boys, “hollywood”

boys, “hollywood”

Coming out of 2017 with a wildly successful tour under their belts and hailed as one of the best up and coming bands of their generation, dream-pop band BOYS has released their first track of the year, “Hollywood.” Not only has this track already attracted listeners from all over the country, but this golden age group also has faithful fans throughout the United Kingdom. To add to this powerhouse of a band, members Ross Pearce (vocals), Mike Stothard (guitar), Kane Butler (guitar) and Dan Heffernon (bass) have already started to gear up for another line of performances on stages old and new.

“Hollywood” is simply an extension of the foursome’s already dynamic repertoire. Not only does it showcase all of the same sounds and tendencies that are so iconic to the songs they have released in the past, but they also bring a whole new energy. The experiences gained over the last year of touring and performing have only brought BOYS to a whole new level that is sure to propel them forward in the industry. In regard to their recent success the band stated, “Having gained new experiences and ideas from the time we spent in the US together, whilst there we started talking about leaving behind our lives in London and starting a new one in Hollywood, even if it wasn’t a realistic idea.”

Keep up with BOYS here.

kiki halliday, “kiss me”

kiki halliday, “kiss me”

Unique and fresh are just two attributes that Kiki Halliday brings to the table when it comes to her new and upbeat track, “Kiss Me.” This new blossoming artist is currently based in the Nashville, but her love for music is deeply rooted in her hometown Los Angeles. Not only does Halliday have a defined and fully developed sound that is impressive for such a young budding artist, but she also has a clear direction of where she wants to go as she progresses in her career. Her music thrives on luscious melodies and bluesy beats that have touched the hearts of her fans throughout the country. She also showcases light heartfelt lyrics that tie her tracks up with a bow.

Recently, she released, “Kiss Me” as a tribute to a love that she lost as she moved across the country this past year to pursue her potential in music. In her own words she explains, “Writing this song made me feel like I had almost grasped love, that I would have it someday.” The acoustic vibes of this song encompass the heartache that comes only when a person has to choose between two loves. With this new track out for the world wide streaming web to love, Halliday continues to work hard to reach new heights and lifelong dreams.

Keep up with Kiki here.

stay inside, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out

stay inside, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out

Poetic realism is the bread and butter to Brooklyn based band Stay Inside. With their words and artistry, they are able to speak of real issues not only discussed on the television, but also experienced first hand by the musicians themselves. Vocalist and guitar player Bartees Cox Jr. recounted an experience that he had on night as he was walking the streets back to his home:

A cop ran up on me one night when I was walking home – he thought I was somebody else. Things got heated and I couldn’t de-escalate the situation – we were totally alone and I thought I was going to die. I’m black, so when I’m out alone at night, I try to stay extra aware so I can avoid stuff like this, but this song is about how sometimes there’s not a lot you can do and how it’s terrifying. By the end, I’m begging for an apology – and moreso for people to acknowledge that the lasting impact of slavery and oppression is why these power dynamics exist.

Throughout the EP,  nuances of subject aforementioned by Cox adorn the lyrics of their tracks. It is refreshing to have such artistry hit the stages that speak up for the minorities and do not allow for social norms to obstruct the difference between equality and injustice.

Keep up with Stay Inside here.

andrew grant, “before”

andrew grant, “before”

Since returning from the international stage under the well-known moniker DJ Cobra, Andrew Grant has felt that he has truly reconnected with his passion. Although he loved his time spent with his talented colleagues, making music that mesmerizes the listener and captivates the soul. Most recently, Grant has released his newest track, “Before” that catches the listener’s ear and holds them in suspense with his blooming base lines and beautifully crafted lyrics. Not only does Andrew Grant have the unique talent of portraying a story within his music, but he also invites his listeners to follow him along a journey of self-doubt that leads into a form of rebirth and new beginnings.

From the start of his career, Andrew Grant has always been an ambitious underdog that would constantly prove his worth in the music career by stunning the community with his tracks. As a student, Grant would spend hours calling record labels in order to sell himself as the Hip-Hop music director the University of Arizona. Of course, he has come a long way since then and has had the opportunity to perform on some of the biggest stages and in front of Hollywood celebrities. Now that he has returned to his roots, dedicated fans of DJ Cobra are preparing to be blown away by future new releases.

Keep up with Andrew Grant here.

mating ritual, “u + me will never die”

mating ritual, “u + me will never die”

Distancing himself from other projects that seemed to tie him down has in turn freed Ryan Lawhon from self inflicting bondage. Since his creation of Mating Ritual – a solo project-turned-duo featuring his brother Taylor – that has just barely reached its year mark, Lawhon has found that his ability to create honest, textural songs has virtually exploded and he has started to experience success like he has never seen before. Speaking of his self discovery as a solo artist Lawhon writes, “…I have always put rules on my songwriting to preserve some (possibly false) sense of continuity with myself. For MatingRitual I let these hesitations dissolve and allowed the songs to go where they needed to…” Now that these binds have been broken, Lawhon’s newest release, “U + Me Will Never Die” has already started to see success among fans throughout the country.

Lyrically, the track speaks of the moment where the week day worried vanish and true personalities are let wild. Throughout the song the dreamy synth loops entice listeners to dig deep and let their funky fly. It is clear that without the bind of social norms and expectations,Mating Ritual will find success among the truth seekers and the lovers of carefree music.

Keep up with Mating Ritual here.

candace, new ruins

candace, new ruins

Since their debut as a group in 2009, Candace (formerly known as Is/Is) has created a name for their group in the music industry. Together, Sarah Rose (guitar/bass/vocals), Sarah Nienaber (guitar/bass/vocals), and Mara Appel DesLauriers (drums/vocals) have worked long hours and are happy to announce that they are releasing their next full length album March 2, 2018. Just days after President Trump was elected, the girls decided to take their talent to Iowa to work on new material and continue the momentum that they have been gathering for years now. Not only is Candace releasing this new album, but in order to share their music with fans and music lovers alike they will also be going on tour around the country in the coming months.

Not only have they been gathering fans and followers since the formation of their band, but they have also been working on solidifying a sound that would be uniquely theirs on and off the stage. Their newest album, New Ruins, is proof of their success and work in trying to hold their own in the music world. All of the tracks featured on the album capitalize on their ability to bring out delicious melodies and dreamy rhythms. With so many records and tracks out for their fans to enjoy, it is hard to deny that Candace is a band to keep an eye on!

Keep up with Candace here.

mia lj, “human x lovebomb” (ft. archrfox)

mia lj, “human x lovebomb” (ft. archrfox)

Despite the fact that Mia LJ  is only 19 years old, her future in the music world is becoming more and more secure. With the release of not only her first collaborated track, but she has released several new singles and has announce that this summer she is planning to drop her very first full length album. “Human x Lovebomb” was a combined effort between Mia LJ and Archrfox and has really helped her rise to a new level in her music career. Even more impressive is the video that was created accompany this new release. No doubt Mia LJ has been hard at work in order to gain the experience that she so desperately desires.

Ever since her childhood, Mia LJ has been obsessed with music, and was inspired by music legends  Jimi Hendricks and Lenny Kravitz. She also found solace in plucking the six strings on her guitar as she grew up surrounded by a rich supply of soul. When asked in an interview where she finds inspiration for her music she responded, “When it comes to writing music, I am not as inspired by my past as I am by now or the future. Lyrically, words just spill out of me. Occasionally, I use memories of frustration and lust as inspiration when writing about my past experiences. From a more subconscious perspective, self-prophesying lyrics are my favorite. They come with much ease as watching dreams go from my head to reality is incredibly invigorating.” Now that she has built this solid foundation of talent and inspired works, surly there is nowhere to go but up.

Keep up with Mia LJ here.

the dtease, “slapshot”

the dtease, “slapshot”

Santa-Barbara based power rock group The DTease has what it takes to make their way up the carts alongside with some of the greatest names in the industry. Their newest release in preparation to their album release April 20, is proof that their future is bright. “Slapshot” is as engaging as it is entertaining which is exactly the effect that this group was going for while they were creating it. In the very foundations of the production of this track The DTease wanted to deliver what they call, “much needed CPR,” into today’s music scene. No doubt, they have struck gold. This new release is unlike most of the music that has been released in the past ten years let alone since the turn of the century. There is so much energy in the recording of “Slapshot,” that it is sure to have the fans begging for an on-stage performance that is sure to bring the house down.

Notably, this band has the unique ability to remain solidly embedded in the rock genre without the heavy darkness that occasionally seems to creep into the tracks of other artists. Overall, there is a clean, well written vibe to this group that will bring them to where they want to be in the music world as well as in their careers as performers.

Keep up with The DTease here.

snow villain, “torches”

snow villain, “torches”

NY-based alternative rock project Snow Villain has just released the new single ”Torches”, ahead of the upcoming EP 1 which is scheduled to be released April 27, 2018. All of the music that has been released by this group has featured raw, real sounds that highlights an honest view of central figure Grant Goldsworthy’s life while writing all of the music. Not only are the vocals perfectly adapted to match the rawness of the instrumental artistry, but the guitar riffs radically enhance the listening experience and bring exhilarating energy into the room. Unlike their other releases in the past, “Torches” has made the group dig deep inside themselves in order to portray the emotion behind the lyrics of this track.

Not only is their music lyrical genius, but is also highlights personal struggles that are faced by the general -public. Namely, self discovery and redefinition of the self. Although this band prides themselves on being, “often misunderstood, but appreciated,” there is something is this song for everyone and has the potential to reach a very general and wide audience. Currently, the band is looking forward to the EP release in April, but fans are hoping to hear more from them as soon as possible.

Keep up with Snow Villain here.