If holiday cheer is something that seems a little hard to find lately, then check out Toddie Time, a unique collection of holiday classics from Michelle Malone and The Hot Toddies. On all six holiday songs, The Hot Toddies dive into nostalgic hits while reinterpreting your favorite Christmastide classics that range from toe-tappers that swing to sweet ballads that pull on your heartstrings. Their fun new arrangements all their own that display Malone’s vocal prowess and Doug Kees guitar skills. Malone and Kees are joined by Tommy Dean on upright bass, and occasionally Chris Burroughs on drums.
A particular stand out is “Blue Christmas”, as their version features an electric guitar solo with extra rifs all around. Malone’s vocal style and mood on this track is such a fresh and new take on this bittersweet classic. Their arrangement on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” really showcases a great pairing of upright bass and electric guitar – making you feel like you’re back at your favorite neighborhood dive bar this holiday season, tapping your feet at some live music, and ordering a Hot Toddie. So go on, stream this holiday gift of songs today and be swept up in the cheer you’ve been looking for!
Jenny Lewis has unexpectedly teamed up with Chicago-based rapper Serengeti for the new track and subsequent music video for “Unblu”. As the lyrics create the feeling of yearning for someone who doesn’t seem to be emotionally available yet, the video enhances this longing desire by getting closer to the listener than would be possible had they not shot it with simple iPhone technology. In a way, it feels like a series of video diaries, put together to present to the person you are waiting for so they can see how your life has been while you have been waiting. “Unblu” is a not-so-subtle display of loneliness and fervor, tied together in a package of smooth and rich sonics.
Lewis and Serengeti say of the process of creating the song and video:
To accompany the music, Jenny made videos on her phone during the witching hours, editing while under the covers. Then Jenny texted the tracks to another People alumnus–Andrew Broder in Minneapolis—who co-produced and mixed the songs, taking them from Garageband phone music to music that gently thumps you. Music to dance around your living room in a Day-Glo bathing suit to. Music to go bananas to while watching the news & Forensic Files on mute.
The indie pop world welcomes new talent Elise Eriksen with her debut single “Less” featuring Shoffy, a song already proving that new fans will only want more and more from this young and talented soul. Norway born, Manhattan raised and LA based; 17-year-old Elise Eriksen juggles her schoolwork with her passion for writing and recording songs. After devoting years to playing piano, refining her vocal skills, and honing her songwriting craft, the 17-year-old has mined inspiration from artists as eclectic as Stevie Nicks, Alicia Keys, and Don Toliver to form her own emotionally honest yet feel-good form of pop.
The bass-heavy grooves and subtle 80’s texturing on “Less” bittersweetly complement the verses Elise and Shoffy trade on feelings around growing apart in a relationship. Elise’s vocal presence is this bright, up-tempo force that stays with the listener throughout the entire song. The harmonious balance of the lyrics delivers the hope still within the relationship with this verse: “’Cause I want less space between us / Less room between our skin and the bed / Less ways to keep us / From drifting apart the way that we did.”
With more music to come, make sure to keep an eye on Elise as she gears up for an exciting 2021! Stream “Less” today and keep up to date with Elise Eriksen on her Instagram page.
When Heather Porcaro decided to jump back into music as her form of self-expression, she did so in a way that bends genre lines. This is reflected in “Charleston”, a heavy tune that addresses the suicide of her cousin’s brother. What makes it even more personal is that it was co-written by her cousin. Together, they crafted a story that takes you through various moments of time, stopping along the way at the most crucial and captivating moments to tell their story. For example, these stops may include heart shattering details about the final conversation that they had with the person who is no longer around. More than just a journey through time, Porcaro does what she does best, giving a sprinkle of different genres. This magic touch ties the entire project together, giving listeners jazz, pop, and even rock elements and an opportunity to dissect while listening.
When sitting down to listen to “Charleston” for the first time, you should be prepared for a heavy theme running throughout the track. While heartbreaking and real, it offers a chance to reflect while also appreciating the musical complexities that Porcaro has to offer.
With her new single “Moonlight”, Gillian Heidi proves to her audience that she has both the talent to impress vocally and the ability to draw you in with catchy chorus melodies and stunning metaphors. What starts off as a gentle guitar strum and notes of insecurity turns into mid-tempo ballad about the feeling of security when looking into the eyes of somebody who shines light into your life. This security is not uninterrupted for Heidi. The track does not shy away from the fear that can still linger even in the most secure moments of our lives. It actually does a magnificent job of highlighting that the fear of the unknown with this person can be a fulfilling, promising experience.
In a stunning display of freedom, Gillian Heidi lets the world know loud and clear that she has the creativity to narrate a story that progresses from those starter nerves to a full-on prance around nature’s most beautiful displays. All in all, she really is the one taking darkness and turning it into moonlight.
While clubs and after hour parties are still unfortunately on hold this year, there are no restrictions on anyone still craving music that channels a good time. New York reigning electro/rap artist Heather Hills is definitely serving up a good time with her new song “Get Dun”. Just over the four minute mark, it’s an infectious dance track blended with Hill’s witty, confident rap verses and a humble beat sprinkled with an 80’s twist. Her verse on getting ready shows off her high intensity and independent charm, “Treat it like a first date / Throw on the paint, brush out the mink / The lashes to blink, lip nude kinda pink”.
Heather Hills is on the artist lineup of Trans Trenderz, a black trans owned organization aiming to help trans artists achieve mainstream success while feeling empowered and respected for who they are. On being signed to this label, Hills was elated at the chance to truly be herself and make the music she wanted to. “Life taught me that everything that I am will hinder my progress. If I wanted to move forward successfully, I would have to mold myself into an ever-changing idea,” she says of her time putting out music before this new endeavor. “This opportunity, to me, presents itself as an award for always refusing to conform. It represents the value in following your OWN path and showing the world that what makes you different, makes you powerful”.
Stream “Get Dun” today, and check out the new music video for a euphoric look into her mood and style.
The gift of music is always the best and I was recently gifted a vinyl remastered copy of Sign ‘O’ The Times by Prince. And it is the best.
Originally released on March 30, 1987, the re-release on September 25, 2020, was a much-anticipated balm for this year of canceled live tours and shows. The songs on Sign ‘O’ The Times sound as fresh as they felt to audiences 30 years ago. Prince created a tour de force with wide-ranging genres, rock-solid vocals, and lyrics that stand the test of time.
Although “Sign ‘O’ The Times” and “U Got The Look” were the two singles off the album that got the most attention, there are so many more choices that will become favorites on your playlists. “Play In The Sunshine” and “Housequake” are back-to-back songs designed to get you moving. “If I Were Your Girlfriend” also never disappoints.
I have discovered my own new favorites – “Starfish and Coffee” is one of those. Written by Prince with Susannah Melvoin, it sparkles with fun lyrics and bright beats. It’s catchy and surprising. Additionally, Prince performed it with The Muppets in 2016, which makes it that much better!
I have played Side B of Album number Two three times now while I write and I see a fourth play in my future. “The Cross”, “It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night” and “Adore” are the three songs on this side. They are completely different from each other, but each one is brilliant.
Sign ‘O’ The Times is becoming one of my favorite albums in my collection. Although I was aware of, and heard, all of these songs over the years, I had never purchased the album to listen to in its entirety . Now that I have it, I will make up for lost time.
From the band Wax Owls comes a coming of age tale that takes us through fortresses in the forest and late-night rides through the back streets of a small town. It is a narrative about what it is like to have somebody there through the various phases of getting older. The track sees the band taking a trip down memory lane, a trip that is supported by bright guitar strums and commanding drums. This trip works to leave the listener with a feeling of calmness and warmth to counter any coldness that the year has left with them.
The song also proves to be the perfect companion for a drive into the sunset on an old country road, or a walk by the lake during morning’s sunrise. The best part? It accompanies anybody who is currently experiencing a path filled with darkness and fear and lights the way.
Hannah Grace has been praised by music legends like Lady Gaga, and you only have to press play on her new album, Remedy, to understand why. From top to bottom, this album is the story of finding and losing love, and in the end, becoming sure of yourself. Tracks like “Feels Like Home” and “Different Kind of Love” are the optimistic phase of falling in love. Both songs reflect on the past with the hope to move forward in what could be a safe and loving relationship. Grace does little to shy away from the more heartbreaking parts about falling in love, however. “Missing the Show” details the struggle of saying goodbye to a lover but recognizing that the back and forth has proven to be unsuccessful and therefore, it is time to move on. The more celebratory pieces like “Blue”, “How True Is Your Love”, and the darker layered “Live Like Love” represent the freedom and openness that we all long for in our lives.
With the help of radiant choirs, powerhouse vocals, and dance breaks when needed, Grace’s Remedy covers important ground when it comes to falling in and out of love. Not only does she give insights on how to love, but she also gives us an idea on how to heal.
