no prayers for november | november 2019

no prayers for november | november 2019

Hey ladies and gents and everything in between! It’s time to unleash the best new music video releases of November 2019, slowly but surely. We wanted to get these out a little earlier than usual because — though this time of year is usually the slow down season in the music industry — people are revving up their game and releasing far more material than we could have ever hoped for at this juncture in time. So we’re cherry picking our favorites and adding them here every single day. Check back throughout the month for more visuals you will absolutely adore!

Any particular favorite new video releases you think we should add to our roundup? Comment on Facebook and we’ll check it out!

most captivating new music videos of august 2019

most captivating new music videos of august 2019

August has been a beautiful, hot, wonderful month and we are so grateful to have so much new art available to us! We continue our monthly installment of the visual soundtrack, a Youtube playlist of new music videos that we love! Most – if not all – of these videos were released this month, so if you’re looking for new releases, this is your most up-to-date list. Check it out daily for the rest of the month for new additions, and come back anytime to relive August 2019!

nicholas altobelli, “tell me what i got to do”

nicholas altobelli, “tell me what i got to do”

Today, indie pop musician Nicholas Altobelli releases the music video for his track “Tell Me What I Got To Do”. A leisurely pace and a sincere host of lyrics give this song impact, as Altobelli lays vulnerable his desires. The video is interestingly shot, with warmth applied as if you’re viewing the world with rose colored glasses. But the subject matter is much more melancholy, matching the pace and composition of the track.

Get your first peep below, and let us know what you think on Facebook!

Vertigo was released August 2. Keep up with Nicholas Altobelli here.

yola @ chelsea market

yola @ chelsea market

Yola performed an intimate live set for YouTube Space in New York City’s Chelsea Market on July 22nd. Surrounded by cameras in a small studio, Yola and her band were unfazed by the fanfare, playing an energetic, infectious set as if no one else was in the room. Yola is an extraordinary performer; her voice takes flight, soaring on the wings of its own power, immediately capturing the listener. With her latest record, Walk Through Fire, Yola leaves no one untamed.

Largely performing tracks off Walk Through Fire, Yola peppered her set with a cover of Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “What You Do” off 2016’s Orphan Offering.

Just four days later, Yola performed at the iconic Newport Folk Festival. She also made appearances during other sets, joining Dawes and Brandi Carlile’s The Highwomen, along with luminary Sheryl Crow. Most incredibly, she joined Dolly Parton herself.

On August 10th, she’ll be opening for Patty Griffin at Lincoln Center’s Roots of American Music Weekend: Americanafest.

Keep up with Yola here.

the skints talk calling the “system” out, lines of communication with lifelong friends, and inspiration in their music

the skints talk calling the “system” out, lines of communication with lifelong friends, and inspiration in their music

The Skints are absolutely phenomenal. Past their live performance, their music is enigmatic, their personalities are so fun, and there’s just a sense of community around everything that they do. We were recently blessed with their presence in New York, where photographer Christie McMenamin got to hang out and take some portraits of the band, comprised of the phenomenal talent of Jon Doyle, Jamie Kyriakides, Josh Waters Rudge, and Marcia Richards. We got some time to chat as well, which gave us a glimpse into the lives of one of our favorite bands right now! Check out the interview below, and take a listen to the new album and peep their latest video while you’re at it!

 What was the first album or song you remember hearing, and do you believe that music has any bearing on how you approach your career?
First music I remember hearing I don’t know. First reggae song I ever remember hearing was my parents playing “Iron Lion Zion” when I was like three, which I remember cos I liked lions. First album I bought was the soundtrack of Space Jam on cassette. I don’t know if the first music I heard had any bearing on the APPROACH of my career more than “I like music”, I was say the music that had that bearing I found about 12/13 years old.
What is the origin story of The Skints? Was it a meet-cute?
I don’t know what a meet cute is, but we were all just local friends from school. Teenagers form punk band at school, very primitive! We started with the dream of playing our local venue (The Standard, Walthamstow, RIP) and never stopped.

Swimming Lessons. SUCH a wonderful album. So well-rounded, and so laser-focused on a unique and beautiful soundscape adventure. Anyone have a favorite track off that album, or a song you revert back to to make you feel a certain way?
Wow, thanks so much, that’s very kind of you. My favourite changes all the time, but today I’m gonna say “Stop Looking Back”; I think it’s the most musically mature song we’ve done.
On “Restless” you vocalize criticism on the government and media. Totally warranted. Was there any piece of you that might have been nervous about releasing a track like this, or was it an obvious inclusion on the album from the get-go?
Nah no way, we’ve been calling our government, the media, the “system” out on their shit from when we first starting writing songs and that’s not going to change.
You have some incredible features on this album. What ignited the conversations to include Protoje, Runkus, and Jesse Royal on tracks, and how did you approach them to work on it? Had you already had those established friendships?
Protoje and Jesse Royal we had met and formed road friendships with those 2 guys with about 5 years ago at festivals in Europe. We’d stayed in touch, always linking up with Protoje to hang when he was in London and playing on a bunch same festival bills around the world, and had been saying to one another “let’s do a tune” for ages. We also did a secret support for him in a tiny club in a Parisian suburb once! Jesse came over and played this pop-up Skints party we curated called “Nice Time” a couple years back and we went to the studio the day after and wrote a DIFFERENT song to Love Is The Devil, maybe that will see the light of day some point! So yeah those were totally organic connections, and it was Protoje that put us on to Runkus a few years ago, who was also a fan of ours as we are of him, and we connected off the back of that.
You chose blue vinyl for your recent album release. What inspired that decision?
The album is called Swimming Lessons and we love colour vinyl!
You have been touring the last few years almost non stop. What have been some of your favorite memories of this time on the road?
Man, so many. Japan completely blew all of our minds, I’d say that was the most different place we’ve ever been. Even down to getting the train as to being on the road, the pace of touring is just different out there.
 
But also… any crazy fan stories or random happenings on tour that are just too bizarre or funny to not talk about?
Ah man, we been touring for like 10 years haha! We once stayed in a terrifying hostel in Berlin with unfinished paintings on the walls. Portraits with no eyes or mouths. Scary.
You guys seem to get along really well. How have you kept your heads on straight while touring together for such a long time? 
We’ve spent so much time around each other we actually operate like a family. We just try not to push each other’s buttons, communicate honestly and healthily and try to be respectful of one another as we operate. Also gotta just laugh through the madness!
Anything else you’d like to share with us? 

Big up everyone supporting and showing love, it means the very most!

___

Keep up with The Skints here.

cool off from the summer heat with our fav new music videos of july 2019

cool off from the summer heat with our fav new music videos of july 2019

The summertime is enchanting. The sun is out, our schedules are insane but we are much more likely to enjoy it at this point in the year. It’s hot outside, but my friends are still finding the time and energy to play four outdoor softball. I, however, am sitting inside. I’m raking in the cool air, spritzing my plants, and watching new music videos like it’s no one’s business. Below, find some of my favorites from July so far. Our little list includes Jagwar Twin, Of Monsters and Men, GRAE, Emily Hackett, Modern Love Child, Bat For Lashes, Shinedown, Goblin Prince, Ivan Ave, and more!

Keep your eyes glued to this soundtrack for the rest of the month to see more new videos pop up!

boy epic, “drama”

boy epic, “drama”

Last week, dark alt-pop musician Boy Epic released the brand new music video for his track “DRAMA”. The song’s direction was definitely dictated by its name, and the music video insinuates the same. From the very beginning, striking contrast in color and shooting elements make you feel like you’re part of an insanely dramatic storyline.

Inspired by pop culture fixations Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Blade Runner, and Love, Deah + Robots, the video is an alternate reality that is something we might be very, very into. Check it out below!

Keep up with Boy Epic here.

june 2019: new videos, no holds barred

june 2019: new videos, no holds barred

Alright. You all know what we do around here by now. Mid-month, we release genre-inclusive soundtrack features that are jam packed with new music videos specifically for your viewing pleasure. We know that people exist in the world that curate playlists to evoke a specific emotion, or to bring people back to a specific point in time.

These soundtrack pieces are not specific. These soundtrack pieces will jump from hip hop to indie rock to alternative to gospel and back again, and there’s not much we’re truly willing to do about it. Because, as the month’s cause would suggest, love is love. Music is music.

Bring me everything new, no holds barred!

Check back all month for new music videos throughout the end of June 2019!