by Abby Trapp | May 31, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
LA-based producer Josh Pan just released his latest single, a track titled “Wait For Me”. Pan collaborates on his latest with the duo X&G. How do you change the expectations of what EDM and electronic should sound like? Easy, just listen to “Wait For Me.” What I thought would be a rock track, soon shifts to sounds of electronic piano and organ. Combined with ethereal sounds of synth and unexpected bass drops, “Wait For Me” proves to be one of a kind. It even incorporates a jazzy, gospel feel with the ever present sound of electronic keyboard. “Wait For Me” will keep you listening and wondering what will happen next. On his latest single, Pan really takes creative liberties by incorporating folk-rock into a familiar electronic sound. What’s even more, is Josh’s ability to create a memorable vocal sound as a baritone on “Wait For Me”. The track is unique, and if you’re like me and love new music, then “Wait For Me” is for you.
Keep up with Josh here.
by Kayla Hutton | May 31, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Michael Kight grew up in Dublin, Georgia, playing guitar since age 12. Influenced by Motown and Elvis as a child, he later came into his own inspired by the sounds of 90’s R&B. Always having a deep-rooted passion for music, he moved to Nashville and played with several musicians as well as took up producing. Wanting to break out and establish himself he auditioned for The Voice. Before auditioning for The Voice, he played guitar for Season 3 artist Amber Carrington. Now it’s his time to shine and front the show with his single, “Clear”, and we have the exclusive premiere. Here is the scoop on the sound of the new single.
“Clear” begins like a true R&B hit. Smooth and soulful vocals with soft jazz keys. As the intro transitions to verse joining the mix is a laid-back hip-hop beat and a slow romantically grooving bass line. Michael has a great mid-range voice that may throw some listeners as he sounds extremely ethnically cultured. He can also hit those high notes without any breaks, shakes, or vocal strain. Pre-chorus he is accompanied by reverse synth notes, finger snaps, and excellently placed vocal overdubs. The bass and drum find perfect harmony as they pump and pulsate like a beating human heart. It’s a deep punch as they strike, but it’s not overpowering to the song. It’s the right amount of slow jam and subwoofer teasing bass.
While the lyrics are semi-romantic asking a girl to be clear in her intentions, it’s pretty clear she caused a little damage. Enough to question if it was real, to begin with. It’s a real question as he states “even if hurts.” The midsection has a creative synth replicating jazz horns. The build is subtle and the song comes back in in a way that is refreshing. Allowing the music to be felt before slowly fading away.
It’s been made very clear that Micheal Kight has the vocal range, instrument and producer skill, a lot of experience in the background and is now ready to take and own center stage.
Find more details on his website and don’t forget to follow him on Facebook for more.
by ImperfectFifth | May 31, 2018 | soundtrack
These are the songs I listen to when I want to sit back and close my eyes and just vibe out and forget about everything around me.
by Meredith Schneider | May 30, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Nashville-based folk rock artist Jerry Castle has been making waves with his brand of Americana for quite some time now, and we’re absolutely thrilled to announce that we’ve got the exclusive premiere of his brand new lyric video for “Room to Dance”. The sweet, slowly meandering track about a special connection between two people is absolutely beautiful, allowing for his rough vocals to add a depth to it all that might not otherwise be present. And while the lyric video is pretty straight forward – providing the lyrics scrolling across a red – at times glittering – backdrop, the song itself provides some introspective moments that will help you welcome June in a positive mood.
Says Jerry of the track:
“Room to Dance” was the very last songs written for the album. I had already mastered the album, so obviously I had no intention of putting any additional songs on it. But one day in Nov 2017, my buddy Carey Ott came over for a hang and we got into this conversation about the magical impact that strangers sometimes have on your life. The next thing you know, we had our guitars in hand, trying to write a song about it. It wasn’t until we wrote the first line of the chorus “you’ve got to get out of line while there’s time, time to take, time to take a chance” that I realized this song fit right into the theme of the album and I started getting really excited about it. A day later I was recording the song in my studio. Collectively, it’s one of my favorite songs on the album and it has the least amount of instrumentation of any song on the album.
“Room to Dance” is available now. Keep up with Jerry Castle here.
by Abby Trapp | May 30, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Scarlet Sails just released a new video for their latest single “Hideaway”. The rock band is made up of Russian born Olya Viglione, former The Dresden Dolls drummer Brian Scarlet, guitarist Mark Kohut, and bassist Kevin Jones. “Hideaway” follows up on the band’s 2017 debut album Future From The Past. Now, “Hideaway” is just the first of many 2018 projects for the rock band. Inspired by retro rock, Scarlet Sails brings a fresh twist on a classic sound on “Hideaway.”
The video is visually aesthetic in turn. Set in a Victorian-era setting, we see Olya playing ukulele from her vanity, and searching up and down the halls for her ‘hideaway.’ “Every thing I do, every thing I say…you’re my hideaway,” sings Olya with airy vocals. The song comes together with guitar solos and very present drums. Combined with Olya’s distinctive voice, Scarlet Sails really breaks through on “Hideaway.”
Keep up with Scarlet Sails here.
by Meredith Schneider | May 29, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Vanessa Carlton – whose career skyrocketed with the release of her debut single, “A Thousand Miles”, in 2002 – is well-versed in what makes a single work. With her latest series of releases, she shows the world a different side of her musicianship. Her cover of Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” is the third in an installment of six that she has vowed to release over a timespan this year. Its reverb-soaked predecessors include Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”, with three more surprises to come over the next three months.
Check out Carlton’s slightly twangy, modern take on a Neil Young classic, and keep up with the rest of her releases below.
Keep up with Vanessa Carlton here.
by Meredith Schneider | May 28, 2018 | 5 to 7, singles
Nashville-based country duo The Dryes – fittingly comprised of husband/wife duo Katelyn and Derek Drye – are prepping to unleash 2 4-track EPs to the universe over the coming months, with impressive first single “Amen” being the introductory gem. With robust vocals, honest lyrics, and harmonies that will rattle you to the bone, this duo looks to be staking a claim in the country/roots genre that won’t soon be forgotten. With all of the excitement around what’s to come, we caught up with the two for a quick minute to get some perspective. Hear lead single “Amen”, then check out their words below!
What inspired you both to get involved in music together?
Katelyn: We started dating and for the first couple months we occasionally would sing together and thought it was fun. Derek was in another band and I was starting to get in the music scene back in North Carolina, our hometown. Then, one of Derek’s step uncles passed away. Someone in the family said “Hey! You sing (Derek)…and so does your girlfriend…we would like you two to sing for the funeral.” So that’s what we did. We very much remember that day. It was the first time we realized that we had a specific chemistry when we sang together. We felt the energy between us and talk about it often when people ask us.
Your latest single “Amen” is set to be released May 18th. What was the music making process like behind that song?
Derek: I had a guitar riff I kept coming back to. Katelyn wanted to write an upbeat jam about how we met, as we met when she was in the church choir. The co-writer, Alexa Cruse, came up with the melody of “Can I get an amen..” which got us all stoked and we took it in that rootsy/swampy vibe. The verses came out easy, cause we just took the main moments and feelings we both felt in a new relationship. Singing “can I get an amen” seemed perfect since Katelyn was in the church choir. We asked 6 of our friends to come and do gang/choir vocals in part of the song to add that element.
What inspiration would you both like to get your listeners to take away from “Amen”?
Katelyn: Don’t be too serious when you first start a relationship, have a little fun!
Why was “Amen” chosen as your lead single?
Derek: It hits you right in the face. Aside from the wall of guitar fuzz tones, the song showcases Katelyn’s vocals and I love getting to rip it up on the guitar in addition to singing. It’s exactly the type of upbeat jam that we wanted. It’s sexy.
What is your favorite thing about making music with your spouse?
Katelyn: You’ll hear all of this in the EP, but honestly it’s healing to us to sing these statements to each other, fun or serious. No matter the vibe of the song, it’s going to have to be honest. Like any marriage, we have our arguments, and disagree on quite a lot. We know that we have to be quick to forgive and prioritize what’s important. It would be pretty boring if we agreed on everything.
Derek: You kind of have to take turns being the punching bag for each other. Not in an abusive way, but a “here’s what I’m really dealing with” way, and “I know you can take it because you understand me” kind of way. When we write, we listen for those statements. They might be take-aways from how we got through something, or they might be a fun upbeat commitment to each other that we sing even when we don’t feel it. The feeling doesn’t make it less real, so we know that when we write, we can eventually tap into an incredible place together. It’s all about leaving room for it. We all tend to think that to be creative, you first have to be inspired. That’s actually not all true. We schedule time to write, and whether inspiration happens or not, we’ve at least shown up and left room for it. So NOW, inspiration happens more than ever because of that. It’s these little things that create big results.
What is the best piece of advice you both could give couples that want to make music together?
Always be open to constructive criticism. Brush offense off and learn to take each others ideas and run with them. Be okay with the fact that you would do it differently. Do it their way anyway. And you’ll get the same in return if both parties are listening. When you have that trust, you know that ultimately the other person is looking at the bigger picture of things – whether they’re wrong or right.
What are your future plans following the release of “Amen”?
We have a show in Nashville on May 23 at The Basement as a single release/new music celebration. We also have our 2nd single coming out in June, and we have EP Vol 1 coming later in the summer. We are excited to release this music and look forward to sharing it with the world.
by Abby Trapp | May 28, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Nashville based singer/songwriter Connor Leimer just released his latest single “Brooklyn,” which has heartfelt but sweet lyrics and paints a bittersweet picture of love. “I never know just how to feel, I never know just how to feel about you,” sings a confused Leimer. The chorus “You’ll go back to Brooklyn and leave me here” absolutely tugs at my heart, as will most of this song. While the lyrics aren’t the brightest, the feel of the song has an upbeat bop to it. With a jazz feel, Leimer is reminiscent of Michael Buble, but in indie fashion. “Brooklyn” is a simple yet meaningful song that suits a rainy day, or a corner spot in a cafe, reading an old book. This is just the beginning for Connor, as this is the first song off of his upcoming project with Nashville sensation Matt Rollings.
Keep up with Leimer here.
by Madison Blom | May 25, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
After premiering on Ones to Watch, Sophia Black’s latest single, “Blessed” is out, acting as a taster for her up coming EP. Throughout the track, listeners become immediately uplifted by the upbeat and lively nature of Black’s bright soundscape. Not only is this single full of energy, but there is so much personal meaning in the lyrics for the artist herself that the emotion in each line is almost tangible. Since her first appearance on stage in 2014, Black has been working to master her individual sound and really hone in on her wide variety of cultural backgrounds that range from Native American to Japanese. Her last EP was released in 2015 and was the home of not one, but several international hits that garnered several million views.
With all of this excitement surrounding the release of “Blessed,” Sophia has commented on the origins of this spunky new single. In her own words she stated, “It felt like all I could think of was bad stuff,” she recalls, “so when I got into the studio with Naz, I started writing down every positive opposite of what I was thinking… and voila! Blessed!”
Within this track, Black was able to capture this sentiment perfectly with the hip, bring beats and her amazing, dreamy vocal skills. Now that she is back on the radar, fans around the globe will be looking forward to her next EP, Hi Sweetie.
Keep up with Sophia Black
here.
