Vonnie Kyle just released her newest music video for her newest single, “Imperfect Parts,” and it has such a cinematic edge to it! The feel of the video was almost theatrical, but in the best way. The video itself mixed with the vibe of the song, created this cinematic type of music video, and I really enjoyed that.
The video managed to tell a story really well. From the beginning when she is first looking into the briefcase to the different objects making an appearance throughout different parts of the video, it all flowed really nicely together. “Imperfect Parts” is also very aesthetically pleasing. I really liked the lighting that was used as Kyle was playing the instruments, as well as the scenes that took place in nature. I particularly liked the part where she is walking through the greenery, it looks so beautiful. It was really amazing that she was shown playing the instruments that are featured on this track in the video! It adds something to the music video and even shows a different part of her musical talents.
Of the song, Kyle admits:
I wrote Imperfect Parts when I fell in love with my best friend. The timing was awful, to be honest; my marriage had just failed, Covid had just started hitting the US, and I was still trying to figure out where the hell I was even going to live. I was still punishing myself daily for having married the wrong person and then letting them down. I hadn’t processed any of this, yet there I was on the phone with this other person, every single night for hours on end, somehow feeling for once like I actually did deserve some sort of joy. I hadn’t felt real joy in years. I had been a shell of a human constantly making compromises to avoid facing a harsh reality, which was that I had been living a life I didn’t belong in.
This song wasn’t going to be on the record, originally. I had already written the whole thing and had no plans to add to it. One night though, I was sitting on the floor of my practice space after a long phone call with the person who is now my partner, and this whole song just sort of fell out of my brain. It didn’t take long to realize this was going to be the title track. It perfectly summed up all of the challenges that the whole record represents, and that’s self-forgiveness, acceptance and moving onward.
So, if you can’t get enough of Portland native, Vonnie Kyle, make sure to check her out and keep up with her upcoming releases.
Directed, filmed, and edited by Joshua Rivera (Rollstars Productions) Produced by Joshua Rivera (Rollstars Productions) and Vonnie Kyle
Sometimes fate finds us crossing paths with someone who will ultimately become our partner. Partner in love, partner in business, partner in creative endeavors… We see this fateful crossing within the music of Gawain and the Green Knight, a folk duo that is comprised of one of the most artistic engaged couples we have encountered. As Brooklyn-based Alexia Antoniou and Mike O’Malley rev up to release their forthcoming EP A Sleeping Place, the release of their new track “Fingers” gives us insight into what’s to come.
Expands Alexia:
This is one of the only songs I’ve ever written just about myself. Usually, when writing songs, I’m a little shyer. I take an emotion I’m feeling but give it to someone else to sing, so to speak- a frustrated medieval woodworker’s apprentice, a jealous French king, a determined 19th-century dressmaker.
But I was on an airplane with Mike a few years back. We hadn’t been able to get seats together. I had been reading Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles and finished it mid-flight and was just completely emotionally devastated. I wasn’t just teary-eyed, I was outright weeping- so much so that the woman next to me took one look at me and started turning up the volume on her little headrest tv. I managed to make meaningful eye contact with Mike across the aisle, and with a few gestures of the head, he agreed to meet me near the airplane toilets so I could cry some more on him. “Fingers” was inspired by that whispered conversation that came out of reading Song of Achilles. It’s a love song for my bandmate and fiancé, simple as that.
One of the first things of note – aside from the inescapably beautiful melody – is how the lyrics and instrumentation rely just as heavily on the space between the notes. We are absolutely enthralled with an artist that knows how to utilize the space between the notes as well, inspired of course by Debussy’s famous quote. (“Music is the space between the notes.”) Mike further affirmed our goosebumps by talking about just that:
As for arrangements, I picture so much of this song occurring in the void of space? Or some equally airless oblivion. So sparseness and reverb seemed the order of things – a little Rhodes piano here, a little bowed bass there. I wanted to ride the line of all-the-way-in-love and all-the-way-scared. And I wanted Alexia to sound like she was alone in the dark with a torch.
If you’ve ever experienced love at any capacity, this song is for you. Short and sweet, it is a testament to simple acts of support leading to a lifetime of love.
Sharkk Heartt, a moniker born from a period of starting completely anew in life, has released just 3 singles as such. But Lara Ruggles – the mastermind and solo artist behind the project – has seen transformation like no other throughout her music career. We are lucky enough to have the exclusive premiere of the new music video for her single “Work Fires” in advance of its release. And what a ride this particular video is!
Vivid, heart-stopping performance set to the backdrop of bold, gorgeous outdoor mural art made to look like natural landscapes. And all of this, from just the first two frames. Other ecosystems and landscapes are introduced to the fold, as a very literal interpretation of the lyrics can be seen played out by Ruggles and a male cohort in front of a mural, while she performs the song with grandeur to his unaware character.
Featuring talented dancers Kevin Hainline, Na-il Ali Emmert, Andrea Connolly, Emily Truman, Taylor Eason, Terry McCants, Betsy Ganz, Nanette Knight, and Micheila Karringten in differing habitats with the collective choreography stylings of Chezale Rodriguez, this music video enhances the very necessary need for community, especially in this time. Each movement perfectly timed to the danceable rhythm that has been created with Ruggles’ minimalist instrumentation approach and full, energetic vocals.
“Work Fires” was created in a moment where Ruggles realized she might sometimes like to be a work fire for someone. Her personal anecdote? A music manager promised to come to her show and she was excited at the idea of being managed by him professionally. Yet, he ended up changing plans last minute. Explains the artist, “He’d gotten ‘caught up in a work fire. I had this fleeting, petulant thought of ‘I want to be one of your work fires.’ And then that became this catchy phrase that I kept tossing around in my head and started to add onto while I was still on the road.”
Rare is it to find a musical duo that totally creates an ambiance all their own with the way their voices blend mellifluously into instrumentals. But let me tell you… duo Colin & Caroline can make a cover song all their own in a way I have never experienced. Luckily enough, these two have a history – they’ve known each other since high school and are now happily married – that informs their melodies, taking you on new, genre-bending adventures with each release.
Today, as part of the gradual release of a slew of incredible cover tracks over the winter months, we have the exclusive premiere of the duo’s new cover. Originally made famous by Jason Mraz, you’ll find yourself enveloped in clouds with this rendition. Try it on for size below!
SUMif is releasing her new single, “Move Out”, on June 26. The electro-pop artist takes us through a rough patch of a whirlwind romance. With a catchy chorus and lyrics echoed throughout, she stands her ground in a relationship and pushes for her partner to move on from a past relationship. It sounds like there is a clock ticking in the background at one point, as if time is going to run out if changes aren’t made. SUMif shares a past experience in a relationship and gives listeners something to belt in the shower, similar to artists like Tove Lo and MØ.
Steph Wells, SUMif, reflects on the inspiration for this track specifically by admitting “When I wrote this song I wish that someone had given me this advice: If you start dating someone who lives with their most recent ex and is in no rush to move out, do yourself a favor and run.”
Following the singles “Collide” and “Want Me”, the San Francisco-based artist continues to release songs showing her bold emotionality. If this is what her debut album is going to look like, we can’t wait to see what else she has in store. Check out the new single “Move Out” and be sure to keep an eye out for SUMif’s debut album set to release later this year.
14 year old Madden Novogratz has just released her first single, entitled “Rain”. The young singer hails from Brooklyn, New York and is just coming onto the music scene.
Novogratz is sweet and angelic and “Rain” is a pleasant journey tinged with spirituality. Her voice is mature and controlled as she effortlessly slips in and out of her head voice and moves into a more commanding tone on the chorus, demonstrating skill beyond her years. Pounding tribal-like drums drive the bright and upbeat tune, empowering the listener and maybe, just maybe, making them want to go dance through a forest in a rainstorm (after quarantine is over of course).
“Rain” is now available on all streaming services.
Americana-rockers NicoleBoggs and the Reel are releasing their new single, “I’m Gonna Break Your Heart”, a self-aware confession from someone headed down the wrong path and only capable of reckless love. The single precedes the group’s upcoming EP, None of Your Business, a 70’s style rock n’ roll revival to be released in July of 2020.
The single features distorted bass and tight harmonies as Boggs powerfully navigates the honest track. Of the single, the front woman says, “As a songwriter, I’m always looking for a new approach to tell a story and it felt bold and empowering to tackle a subject I’ve only heard from male artists. I flipped the roles and had to get inside the heads of some dudes that screwed me over.”
A fiery guitar solo breathes additional life to the track, which retains all of the sweet grit from live performance due to the fact that it was (impressively) cut in front of a live studio audience at legendary Ocean Way studio in Nashville.
“I’m Gonna Break Your Heart” is available everywhere on April 24th and EP None of Your Business is to be released in July of 2020.
Tomorrow, DoublePlusGood – expertly comprised of Erik Carlson (Singer/Writer), Shawn Michael Thornhill (Guitar), Cole Johnston (Drums), and Jacob Marsh (Bass) – releases their latest track, an otherworldly, slightly nostalgic somehow, song befitting of a true romantic. “Northern Lights” is equal parts dramatic and entirely soulful, intense and relaxing. It is very much like a very palpable, true romance, and we’re all in.
Get your first listen below with our exclusive premiere.
Nashville pop outfit MarqueeMayfield (Who’s rumored to have been a country-pop industry plant in addition to an actual robot in his former life, stand by for debunking) is releasing their new single + music video on March 6th, and this one is GUARANTEED to drag you down memory lane.
Mayfield takes us into a pastel paradise via this majorly nostalgic music video inspired by none other than the 80’s own Miami Vice. While those familiar with Mayfield’s work are sure to recognize the 80s influence from his music, viewers are now treated to seeing his music vision come to life right in front of their eyes through the iconic staples of the era brought back for this video, and it’s sure to have them busting out their ‘Party’ fanny packs and neon-colored, geometric-printed windbreakers from back in the day. Roller-blading and polaroids and cassette players, oh my!
Be sure to check out this throwback inspired number for yourself via our exclusive premiere below and see how many 80s references you can spot, including but not limited to a particularly well-done tribute to Miami Vice’s own fashion icon Don Johnson. We see you Mayfield, and we’re here for it.