kahiem rivera, “sing about me”

kahiem rivera, “sing about me”

Kahiem Rivera’s new track “Sing About Me” is the result of a spur-of-the-moment, late night inspiration, and it is complemented with the beat of Kendrick Lamar’s song with the same name. Not only is the beat Kendrick’s – Rivera’s lyrics exude the same brutal honesty and harsh reality of growing up. However, the story that these lyrics tell is entirely his own. It is also extremely relevant to today’s society, even referencing the political discourse we talk about every single day:

“Fall of ’16, stuck inside and not seeing clear,
Plus we elected who?
Man, I need another beer.”

Rivera tells a very personal story – it is raw and real and quite dark at times. And with a little bit of help from Kendrick Lamar, he delivers an emotional, well-written track.

Keep up with the latest on Rivera here.

ben millburn, “call me king”

ben millburn, “call me king”

Baton Rouge-born and Austin, TX-based musician Ben Millburn has been gracing the psych genre with his own brand of beautiful, kaleidoscope-like tracks. His most recent – a single titled “Call Me King” – touts the talent that we are to expect from his upcoming debut LP, Sunglass Moustache. And though we have to wait until the autumn months to get our ears on that release, we’ve got the exclusive premiere of “Call Me King” for you right now.

Layering in from simple guitar chords, Ben’s relaxed, 60’s vocals – though sometimes abrupt – lead you on . a journey through a soundscape that is absolute perfection for those lazy summer nights. (Or, perhaps more specifically, those nights in the warm months that you allow yourself to slow down for a beat.) We’re big fans, so much so that we might insist that you refer to us as “King.”

Sunglass Moustache is out this September. Keep your eyes peeled for it here.

the chamanas “if you build it, we will break it”

the chamanas “if you build it, we will break it”

The Chamanas, a primarily Spanish based band on the border consisting of members Manuel Calderon, Hector Carreon, Paulina Reza, and Alejandro Bustillos, recently switched things up when they released their new single “If You Build It, We Will Break It” in English. Their new song has a deep meaning behind it, stating that nothing can hold them back, and that they will break down all barriers both physically and emotionally in their way.

In addition to this new single, they have a new segment of their NEA album coming out this summer, which will be released on July 20th, 2018. Their album will not only include new songs, but also new English tracks which will be able to broaden their horizons and gain a worldwide fan base, so that is a new upcoming album that you will want to keep an eye out for. While the band has hints of cultural instrumentals and songs, they also tie in aspects of pop music, which will appeal to the greater population. You may have already heard of this band due to their outstanding work with Portugal. The Man, and even a few other well known artists, but their new music/album is sure to break the barriers of anything they have ever done before.

Be on the lookout for their new music and if you ever get the chance to see them live, make sure you go in order to hear all of their new music! Keep up with them here.

kacy moon, “what do i do?”

kacy moon, “what do i do?”

Kacy Moon, a 24-year-old singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, has released a new track in collaboration with Australian producer Szabo. “What Do I Do?” is a far cry from her days as a world champion in martial arts. It’s a catchy dance-pop tune that fits right in with the upbeat nature of America’s top 40. You find yourself singing along to the chorus by the time it rolls around a second time. Also, the lyrics are relatable in the way that pop music tends to be. Moon laments about a past love who she can’t seem to forget despite their differences:

“Baby, then I look right into your eyes and I can’t help but to melt.
I feel it rewind and it takes me to a place I would rather be.
What do I do?”

The song is bubbly and fun, and seems to bring a bit of Moon’s own personality to the music scene.

Keep up with with the latest on Kacey here.

echo courts, “take away”

echo courts, “take away”

The four-piece band from North Carolina named Echo Courts has a new single and it is charming in every way. It is catchy, upbeat, and incredibly nostalgic. “Take Away” has this innocent, high-school-teen-romance-movie kind of vibe, which is what makes the song so appealing. It takes me back to the late nights at the local movie theater and bonfire parties in my friend’s backyard. It encapsulates the feeling of summer in the way that only indie pop can. Matching its easygoing tone, the lyrics are simple but poignant: “In the earliest of evenings, I know that you think of me … Well, all I’m asking is will you come take me away?” Echo Courts really delivers with their latest single, and is a testament to my high expectations for their upcoming album Room With A View, which comes out on July 13th

Keep up with the band here and try to catch them on tour.

the little miss, “american dream”

the little miss, “american dream”

Based in Los Angeles, singer Hayley Johnson also known as The Little Miss has recently released her new single “American Dream”. In “American Dream”, Johnson ties in folk music along with a traditional beat to give you that sweet summer feeling. The song can make you feel a number of emotions depending on how you yourself interpret what the “American Dream” is actually perceived as. It can be either you striving to be happy with your own dream, or just feeling free in a world of captivity. The song talks about the stereotypes of what the American culture is, or what it could be. The strong vocals in the song make you wonder what really is the “American Dream” while also giving you the urge to listen to this song over and over again due to the strong sense of emotions portrayed throughout the song. Admits Johnson:

I wrote “American Dream” at a time when the tension in our country felt palpable. This was five years ago. Now, seemingly more divided than ever, I questioned whether or not I should release a song that sounds so blindly idealistic. To be clear, “American Dream” is not an endorsement of this country as it stands now. I don’t think that it is unpatriotic to think that we can do better than this. The American Dream, as it has been fed to us – Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – has not delivered on its promises for many (if not most of us). So, while the song yearns for this made-up, sepia-toned time that never existed, it notes exactly that: that it never existed. We’re enchanted by our own, but very limited folklore – the pioneers, the Wild West, the civil war, the nuclear family, the moon landing, etc. We have romantic notions about who we are and who we’ve been, and it is tempting, for all of us, to want to wear those rose-colored glasses. But in order to become better, and in order to progress, we need to take off the glasses and take a good look in the mirror. We all want the same thing: to feel proud of the country we call home – we just need to accept the fact that it might be healthier to learn from our history rather than glamorize it. The lives of so many depend on it.

If you are in the need of finding some good, emotional summer music, be sure to check out The Little Miss for substantially strong vocals and meaningful songs.

muncie girls, “picture of health”

muncie girls, “picture of health”

English trio Muncie Girls are cooler than ever in their new video for “Picture of Health,” the lead single from their second album Fixed Ideals, which is set to come out on August 31. Lead vocalist/guitarist Lande Hekt, along with guitarist Dean McMullen and drummer Luke Ellis, create an anthem for friendship with a sound that is reminiscent of the early days of Paramore and 90s pop-punk. The video captures the song’s theme in a real and organic way, right down to the silver fidget spinner. This is a modern-day representation of what it’s like to maintain a friendship and how we tend to get in our own heads, worrying about problems that don’t even exist. “Picture of Health” is a song that everyone can relate to, with a poignant video that emphasizes the importance of platonic love that is very refreshing to see.

Keep up with the band here, and don’t forget to preorder their upcoming album.

tempesst, “a little bit of trouble”

tempesst, “a little bit of trouble”

Following some of their other tracks such as “Tidal Wave” and “Sunflower Lady”, up and coming band Tempesst recently released their new single “A Little Bit Of Trouble” which connects alternative and indie genres along with a little mix of old-time, traditional folk music that sets up the perfect mix of genres so anyone can enjoy their unique style of music. “A Little Bit Of Trouble” is the perfect song to listen to if you are cruising through the countryside during the summer, or just looking for a good time. Tempesst uses their distinctive sound and music style to create a somewhat relaxing yet exhilarating song that will make you want to go on a summer adventure, and maybe even cause a little trouble yourself.

Make sure to stay up to date on Tempesst if you are ever in need of some good summer vibes.

shaman elect, mind the ether

shaman elect, mind the ether

Shaman Elect just released their 13-track debut album, Mind The Ether. The Brooklyn-based alt-electro-psych-rock collective has some smooth feel on “Woman in Black”, very expressive about specific feelings. The band has the electric guitar in gear, striking a cord with listeners quite literally as the lyrics take hold. My personal favorite, “Ships Ahoy”, has a quick beat to it, and expresses the thoughts of a woman waiting for her love. The cool vibes with a rock feel make it worth listening to again and again.
Check out Shaman Elect on soundcloud where you can find 4 released singles, all of which have caught the attention of music seekers all around the world. Their rich rhythms and inspired performances lead the listeners to enjoy and experience a release through music.

You could find them on Facebook // Instagram // Twitter
**co-written by Meredith Schneider