by Abby Trapp | Mar 7, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Santa Cruz, CA native Katie Ekin just released her new single “Little Moon”.The song almost feels outer worldly and is definitely worth the listen. Lines like “You breathe softly in my hair…”, I wouldn’t have it any other way”, and my favorite “you got your own little moon where you go, I go too” makes for a warm and comforting track. You’ll want to share it with a special someone or just blast it in a long car ride.
Keep up with Katie at katieekin.com.
by Katie Pugh | Mar 7, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Swedish artist KIDDO just released her debut single, “TROUBLE,” her first project of 2018. Previously referred to as “one of Sweden’s most exciting and creative songwriters,” KIDDO has written songs for Icona Pop, Dagny, Alan Walker, and more.
Her new single, “TROUBLE,” is an ethereal indie track that boasts KIDDO’s raw yet powerfully unique vocals blended with a futuristic, synth instrumental.
KIDDO describes “Trouble” as a song about escaping reality. “It’s about a time when I knew I had lost everything but it was too painful to face it so I tried to ignore the truth for a little longer in every possible way,” she states. The intimate lyrics pop against the simple, mellow instrumental. Lyrics like “leave trouble behind” and “take the trouble off my heart” let listeners on an escape adventure as KIDDO sings about letting go of responsibility and relying on love in a time of uncertainty.
KIDDO’s distinctively haunting vocals layered with the light, atmospheric instrumental provides the perfect background to any occasion. “TROUBLE” is a summer playlist necessity.
Keep up with KIDDO here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 7, 2018 | 5 to 7
Los Angeles-based alternative indie band BADTALKERS is at it again, their new track “No Pity” slaking any thirst for high energy summer beats by seducing its audience with easy-going, feel good vibes. Simultaneously, the lyrics themselves are incredibly serious and topical.
“‘No Pity’ touches on the gun violence and drug epidemic in the United States,” drummer Christian Edusada explains. “We wanted to reflect on our daily experiences living in urban communities, as well as current events involving police brutality, protests, and acts of terrorism within the country.”
We caught up with the guys, and here’s what they had to say:
How did you all meet?
We met through mutual bands and mutual friends, a few years back and decided to partner up to do something different.
At what point did you know that this is what you wanted to make a career out of?
We realized at a young age that music is what we’d love to make a living doing. We understand how far of a reach it can be in this oversaturated market, but we’ll see how far we can go.
Who influences you musically and non musically?
Musically, we have a wide range of influences from NWA to The Smiths. Non musically, Anthony Bourdain.
“No Pity” touches on personal experiences…was it difficult for you to share that in a public sense such as a song?
It wasn’t very difficult to share, as it’s something we’ve become used to. We understand how difficult it can be for certain listeners that have been affected personally, and can heavily relate.
As a young person in America do you feel it’s harder to be taken seriously on stances such as current events and national issues?
It’s always going to be tough, because everyone is different. Some people are open to having a conversation, while others will believe what they want to believe. Whether people take BADTALKERS seriously or not, we’re just utilizing the opportunity and platform we have to voice what we experience daily.
Your music has a political point; Do you believe it’s easier to create a dialogue through art such as your music?
It’s much easier for us, since music and writing is what we we’re best at.
What impact do you want to make for your listeners as an artist?
We want to prove, as minorities, that we can grow and be successful in a market that’s overpowered by artists fabricated with attraction and conventional music. We hope this inspires others to work hard towards their goals, and not let others decide for them, whether they can make it or not.
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Keep up with Badtalkers here.
by Kayla Hutton | Mar 7, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
“How can I believe” is the first track from Steve Barton‘s latest album Tall Tales and Alibis. “How can I believe in God when you’re the one who’s divine?”, that line is absolutely brilliant. Part 1 of this 3 album release is filled with predominantly acoustic, folk-ish style music with a lot of great vocal harmonies. “Shadow of the Bride”, even with it being acoustic has a hint of some old punk influences as the song speeds up and states, “I don’t know what to do, I don’t know what to do, about you.” There are some elements of surf rock, old punk, and David Bowie. Steve’s vocal range produces a low, soothing, yet haunting tonal quality similar to Johnny Cash.
His diversity comes as no surprise when you start turning the pages of his resume. Having a publishing deal at the age of 14, touring in a Beatles cover band, and in 1979 forming the band Translator. Some would go as far to say Steve and Translator were the first actual “alternative” band.
Part 2 of the album is more melancholic. It’s as simple as a man and his guitar. A more serious and emotive feel that opens the door to explore his depth a little further. “Haunt me tonight” being the most upbeat track on part 2, shows no shortage of Steve’s amazing way with words that really paint a picture you can see and feel.
“Promises and miracles pour like honey down the street.” Grim yes, but man, why didn’t I think of that. He is truly the master of analogies.
“Wake up in roses” begins Part 3 and does it full on. Horns, full band, rawk, and roll. It’s astounding this is the same guy. Like a change of season, this 37 song triple album release covers every spectrum you could ever desire. For me, the true shining moment on Tall tales and Alibis is “She is the girl.” Returning with a blues style that is complemented by an organ creating a nicely dusted and subtle psychedelic aftertaste. The beat is straightforward, simple, and that perfect repetition that makes you just zone out into the song. So I was little disappointed when the song ended, that so could have kept going.
Seriously, if you have never heard of Steve Barton, let “She is the Girl” be the track that opens the door. He has captured the fantasy and reality of “that girl” far better than Sting did with “Roxanne.” The entire album is loaded with actual storytelling style songs that do not skimp on originality or brilliance.
Don’t be put off by the 37 tracks, you can purchase each song for only $0.99 from Steve’s Website or get the entire 3 part album for only $14.95.
by Veronica DeFeo | Mar 6, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Molly Moore has just released “Tough Love”, the first single off her upcoming EP, Third Eye High. Moore has worked both as a part of the duo Cosmos & Creature as well as solo, as well as penning songs for other artists, including Lea Michele. “Tough Love”, created as part of her solo project, clearly displays her individuality and unique sound. Filled with tight beats and synthy backing vocals, “Tough Love” packs multidimensional aspects within a few minutes. Anyone who’s ever felt that no outsiders understood their relationship will resonate with this song; it’s the ultimate significant-other-or- nothing type of song.
Says Moore of her songs, “Dealing with human emotions isn’t always easy but I do think that we innately want to help each other. I want my music to leave people with hope amidst the ‘reality’ we are faced with.” Throughout “Tough Love”, Moore’s dedication to expressing difficult emotions authentically is evident.
Molly Moore will be dropping her brand new EP, Third Eye High, on May 11th. Until then, check out “Tough Love” for a taste of what is to come.
KEEP UP WITH MOLLY MOORE |
SOUNDCLOUD | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
by Madison Blom | Mar 6, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
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.
by Veronica DeFeo | Mar 6, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, Matthew De Ver has dropped his debut single, “The Gift & the Wound”. It is evident that talent runs in his family; Matthew is the son of poet and author Shel Silverstein. As is shown through his music, Matthew utilizes song to express a variety of emotions through layered symbolism and mellow tunes. “The Gift & the Wound” will appear on Matthew’s upcoming album, Surface Tension (A Tincture for Integrating Shadow). If the title of his forthcoming record is any indication, Matthew puts meticulous detail into the creation of his music, especially this album, which encapsulates the years of his life surrounding the passing of his father, specifically, his teenage years. “The Gift & the Wound” is a culmination of the artistry that has resulted from this time. Anyone who has an appreciation for attention to detail will take a lot from this track.
Matthew has also released a slightly trippy and highly symbolic music video for “The Gift & the Wound”.
Keep up with Matthew De Ver:
FACEBOOK // TWITTER // INSTAGRAM // SPOTIFY
by Madison Blom | Mar 6, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
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.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Mar 6, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Nuela Charles has been making strides in the music industry since her debut album Aware. The JUNO Awards-nominated soul singer-songwriter has released a new single titled “Do It Right”, which is an upbeat tune with a little bit of spice to it. The song starts off snappy with just the right amount of attitude.
“Do it Right” is catchy and has just the right amount of energy to get you up and dancing. The song sums up itself: if you’re going to do it, do it right and come correct at me.
Keep up with Nuela Charles here.
