doug deluca, “gimme love” {premiere}

doug deluca, “gimme love” {premiere}

Talented Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Doug DeLuca has been putting together a pretty stellar EP experience for us. But in the meantime, it looks like we’ve got the sticky sweet premiere for the “Gimme Love” music video to enjoy. What a perfect time to be sharing this one, as it matches the theme of Valentine’s Day so well. As the track sets seductive, soulful vibe for the most love-filled day of the year, the listener is entranced by the way DeLuca expresses his feelings so bluntly and in such a rose-colored light. Let yourself be dazzled by the vivid colors and fun, bottle popping experience that is “Gimme Love”.

Look out for the Hit Your Mark EP, and keep up with Doug DeLuca here.

rx soul, “sea change”

rx soul, “sea change”

If you’re into smooth listening, “take a pill” in the form of Los Angeles-based Rx Soul‘s most recent release “Sea Change”. The instrumentals – experimental, almost, in nature – have a full, robust sound that almost feels primal when coupled with Rx Soul’s airy, seductive vocals. With the success of last year’s “All The Way There”, Rx Soul seems to have hit his stride as a newcomer in the industry. In fact, as a newer artist, we have even more respect for him because he doesn’t shy away from the tough topics. As he explains, “I wrote this song after realizing that much of my time was spent searching for the next high and relying on finding it. It’s an expression of my own reflection at the time, waking up to where I’d been.”

Keep up with Rx Soul here.

rx soul, “sea change”

rx soul, “sea change”

If you’re into smooth listening, “take a pill” in the form of “Sea Change” by Rx Soul. The instrumentals are absolutely divine – slightly experimental but with this full, robust, almost-primal vibe to it all – setting the stage for the artist’s incredible vocals. Not only does Rx Soul seem to have an incredible taste for what works, but he’s completely vulnerable with his work, which gives us a deeper respect for it. “Sea Change” is actually about his own struggle, as he explains, “I wrote this song after realizing that much of my time was spent searching for the next high and relying on finding it. It’s an expression of my own reflection at the time, waking up to where I’d been.”

Keep up with Rx Soul here.

aire atlantica, “on my feet” (ft. emily terran)

aire atlantica, “on my feet” (ft. emily terran)

Thank goodness for incredible musical collaborations, as we enjoy indie hip hop sensation Aire Atlantica‘s new track “On My Feet”, which features the vocal stylings of Emily Terran. Beginning with an earthy, robust percussion section and Terran’s smooth as honey vocals, you’re aware even before Terran croons, “I’m just fine on my own” that she might feel that way, but this musical pairing is where it’s at.

With the slight tempo tweaks and fun beat, this song is enjoyed best as smooth listening, though we wouldn’t knock dancing to it. And whether you bust a move in a social setting, or just belt out the empowering and accepting lyrics in your mirror while you’re getting ready, this track should be a staple for every independent person.

Keep up with Aire Atlantica here.

rare diagram, “keep me” {premiere}

rare diagram, “keep me” {premiere}

Shot on the expansive and gorgeous Oregon coast and TIllamook State Forest – a beauty captured which the band is very proud of -, Rare Diagram brings us the exclusive premiere of the music video for their single “Keep Me”. The band is expertly comprised of Justin Chase (keys, vocals), Emma Browne (guitar, keys, vocals), Joseph Berman (guitar), Chris Marshall (bass), and Alex Radakovich (drums), and the song itself was written while Emma and Justin (who both make appearances in the video) were traveling in Argentina last year. Delivered mellifluously, “Keep Me” is a song about dealing with passivity in relationships and possesses a bittersweet feeling that only the Oregon coast could capture.

Director Hanna Hagen is the mastermind behind the video’s concept – which was inspired by the 70s vibe to the track itself – a movie-like quality to a tortured and beautiful plot line that could only be achieved by an array of vintage lenses and an incredible Director of Photography (Sean Conley). This video is also the perfect escape for those of us experiencing FOMO about not being able to go on luscious nature hikes in the dead of winter.

Let yourself get lost in this quirky, moving, and mesmerizing video.

Keep your eyes peeled for a record release in late summer 2018 via the band’s Facebook.

un âne gonflable, “stupid kids”

un âne gonflable, “stupid kids”

Berlin-based indie rock collective Un âne gonflable might be a band that always surprises with the way they pull off trilingual lyrics and catchy, quirky melodies, and this next chapter in their musical journey is something we all need in our lives. We’ve got the exclusive premiere of their music video for “Stupid Kids” right here. While the title would indicate that they are simply singing about “Stupid Kids”, the video is layered and has more of a serious and introspective tone to it.  When a group of friends is no longer just risking their pawns in a game – when the game becomes real – what happens? How will they manage a life of violence in this world that have somehow ended up in?

Their self-titled debut is due out on May. It is available for preorder here.

haux, “heartbeat”

haux, “heartbeat”

Alternative musician Woodson Black is doing more than his fair share of making extraordinary music. His latest release “Heartbeat” under his moniker Haux is an absolute work of art, balancing between dissonance and percussion in the most intricate and beautiful way. If you’re looking for smooth, soulful songs to add to your rotation, “Heartbeat” is 100% the song for you. It might even induce some tears if you’re not careful.

Keep up with Haux here!

fine china, “not thrilled”

fine china, “not thrilled”

It may have been twelve years since the re-issue of 1997 album The Jaws of Life on vinyl, but Fine China – comprised of Rob Withem, Greg Markov, and Thom Walsh – is proving they’ve still got chops, as they are set to release a new album next month on Velvet Blue Music, 20 years after they released their first album for the same label. Their latest track – “Not Thrilled” – gives us a little taste of what’s to come.

Withem wrote the song in one sitting, with the intent to create a pure pop single for the album. Glittering synth frames the track, a vintage UK punk tinge to the vocals as the soundscape finds its listener skipping, dancing, and even wiggling around. The lyrics might not hit the same high notes as the instrumentals, as Withem admitted, “The lyrics reflect common themes of my life as a middle-aged man; joy, anxiety, remorse, and melancholy.” But it’s beautiful to hear him touch on a wide variety of things in a fun way that is wildly attractive to the eardrums.