So hey ho been a long time blogging but that’s because life events have got in the way but that hasn’t stopped me scouring the interwebs for new songs to blog about. And so it came to pass I was on Twitch when I young scamp called Enviticus popped up with this utterly epic song:
It’s a curious thing, isn’t it? When you meld Bring Me The Horizon with saxophone you get something delivered with such understated power and panache one wonders why there isn’t more sax in this genre; I think you’ll find the juxtaposition quite compelling.
As a side note, lots of folks use Twitch as a affirmation for their music; it’s empowering and important, as Enviticus explains “from the 20 years I’ve been making music, I never anticipated this. I was ready to walk away, but this community brought me back”.
I’m glad you didn’t Enviticus, so very glad you didn’t.
It’s been a long time music blogs fans and that’s because I’ve been away on top secret spying missions and being generally recalcitrant and remiss with the music blog. But along the way I stumbled across this gem via Chris Hawkins on BBC Radio 6 who describe Pattern Perception’s new single One More Hit as “something new to fall in love with”. I’m inclined to agree; think sultry, soulful, downtempo melancholic silk. Think some other metaphors if you need to. They’ll work. But this is stunning work via ‘Dave from Birmingham’, who sounds like a plumber who knows your divorced mum. I digress…
Hot off the press this week it’s a singer called Kylie Rothfield. According to the label PR “The Barrel” is the 2nd single from Kylie Rothfield’s upcoming album cycle and is a “soul-stirring indie pop track with some soulful R&B influences”.
What swung this for me, aside from the gorgeous vocals (Ann Wilson from Heart fame leaps to mind) and the wonderful production the clever use of modulations in the chorus which keeps this ADHD blog person very interested. As an aspiring songwriter this is the kind of clever musicality I aspire to; I don’t hear such refined use of melody common in songs I’m sent. Bravo Kylie!
An accomplished guitarist to boot, she has also been endorsed by Epiphone Guitars and has recently been featured on Epiphone.com, SheShreds, Bustle, Billboard and Rolling Stone for her performances. Who knew!
Up first and for the third time on this blog (a record), Christian returns with a deadmau5-esque slice of organic house featuring vocals by Henry Green. As usual, Mr Löffler’s production is on-point. The only mild criticism I have is I yearned for a bigger crescendo but this is my personal taste and should not detract from what is a very strong song indeed.
Conspiranoise – Sparks (lounge mix)
Barcelona-based electronic music producer Conspiranoise lend us this slice of delirious downtempo electronica. Vocals are superb although the PR never sent me their name :(. Not withstanding the track drifts effortlessly along and makes you forget what ever troubles you may be having today. Definitely one for long sunny evenings.
Siul – Intensity of Love
I kid you not, in Siul’s bio he writes “[I] remember buying reggaeton cassettes in his school when reggeton used to be illegal” and maybe for some that’s a damn good thing. I’m rambling but I thought that was hella funny. Intensity of Love may be a very commercial track, at least for this blog, but nevertheless it’s very strong and kinda grows on you the more you listen.
BIRD AKA JANIE PRICE – What The Night Knows
Janie is a half English, half Irish, multi instrumentalist and maybe a bit of a ringer having collaborated with some top acts such as James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers) , Andy Dunlop (Travis) and Hal Lindes (Dire Straits). But I digress and onto this song. Now, I was not convinced by the verse / intro as I didn’t particularly feel the vocals but once Janie switched to a higher register I was hooked. And got hooked further once the modulations and strings kicked in. Top track Janie!
Kavita Baliga – Shake It Off
Originally an opera singer, classically trained Kavita comes here with an almost Kate Bush sounding song about the exploration of “a woman’s internal struggle as she contemplates the life-altering decision of whether to have children”. Knowing that context my heart suddenly feels heavy and my eyes tear up. And that’s an enormous compliment.
未完成ブレイブ – 青く染める
I do like getting solid Jpop – or in this case – Jrock into my blog inbox. This song is very pleasant and features solid instrumentals and good song writing. For those in the know the track is very reminiscent of Scandal and Doll$box.
Bryant Barnes – I’d Rather Pretend
“A piano in the middle of a shopping mall or a guitar in the corner of a bedroom will beckon Bryant Barnes. As soon as his fingers connect to the instrument, soul and spirit fill the room” so reads the bio sent by the publicist. But it’s hard to disagree here. Moodboard: Super Tramp, Elton John perhaps. Bryan’s debut EP, VANITY, is out now on all major platforms.
B.Miles – Bad Decision
New York based B.Miles may be an artist to watch over the next year, and with 28 million streams for her previous song ‘Salt’, things seem to be pointing in the right direction. For fans of Feist ‘Bad Decision’ is certainly worth checking out. A song about a breakup and the intangibility of the language needed to express complex emotions this track drifts along in a melancholy, dreamy way. The only nit pick I have is the chorus needs a stronger contrast, but I’m being a bit of a princess; it’s a lovely song.
Hazel Rose – Muse
Hazel was born and raised in Switzerland by a “loving Danish mother and a wonderful Turkish father” so runs her bio and cites influences such as Billie Eilish and Hozier in her music. And you can hear that to some extent with ‘Muse’ but I can hear Lana Del Rey or Eliza Shaddad much more. This is a really enchanting track with solid vocals.
Allen Green – Eighties Baby
Ooh baby ooh baby ooh yeah. Seemingly having a hot tub time machine Allen Green – hailing from the year 1984 – gives us this massively funky bass line driven track. If you’re a sucker for Cameo, George Benson, Chaka Khan, Tom Browne then you’ll be right at home with this sexy wee number.
I went to the BMC conference where I had 6 sessions with A and Rs from a bunch of labels, the list included the likes of Defected and Armada. Here’s what I learned and how it could help you if you ever go to one, which you 100% should.
You get 15 mins with each label.
For your demos have a USB with 3 of your best songs, contact info and social media stats. If they like your first song they’ll play the other 2. For your USB stick for the love of god bring a mac USB converter so they can play it. The label likes to listen on their own sound set up and not your headphones. Although one label wanted me to play my demos on my laptop. Bring a laptop as backup too.
All labels will ask you about your social media stats and a couple were checking my socials in real time as they listened to the demos, this included demographic checking tools they have. They ask about Spotify monthly listeners specifically. One label had checked out an alter ego I have which had zero Soundcloud followers. When I arrived they had that on screen and asked me what was going on and I had to point them to another account. Just have this data to hand.
The bigger labels said they usually scout out artists who are already on other labels and have an established act, then they will approach them, not the other way around. It is rare they’ll sign things on the spot. Although this does happen.
Get your demos right. Don’t play them the wrong one so double check. This happened to another person.
Leave them the USB stick with all your demos and contact info and pick up their business card. If you give them a USB stick and things don’t work out for you during the session, don’t ask for it back, I mean, obviously.
If things go well they will ask you a bunch of stuff about you and what you want, maybe why their label. Be honest and if it’s just “I like making clown core music because its ace” then that’s fine.
You’ll make lots of excellent contacts. So have even more USB sticks to hand out during networking.
Summary The conference opens doors if your music is liked by others who may never get to hear it because of their difficult to reach label channels and A&R folks. A few other producers got tracks signed to various places on the day FYI. It worked for them and could easily work for you too.
Seeing as we’re fans of dreamy pop over at the blog, this remix of The Kaleidoscopes song featuring Swiss Music Awards nominee Shuttle caught my attention recently. Remixed by Corserine, this is an unusually jazzy take on the original vapourwave:
I think it’s a song about a boxing match, or a failed relationship though I’m not sure which, either way fans of Japanese band Night Tapes, Tame Impala and even M83 would be well served by giving it a spin. It’s great!
We wish Shuttle the very best on his nomination now voting is closed.
Well hey ho it’s that time again where I round up a few songs I’ve heard recently and rather liked.
So lessgo!
Noting But A Nightmare – She Always Ruins A Good Time
I think what swung this for me was the song title. One particular person single handedly ruined what was meant to be a very special holiday in Ibiza. Verily, sometimes folks mess things up for everyone.
She Aways Ruins A Good TIme’s solid verse builds into a super strong chorus that reminds me ever so slightly of a Blink 182; but there’s also another post-punk band who had a chorus much closer to this but for the life of me the name of which escapes me. Maybe you can help out in the comments?
Waves_On_Waves x Crimewave x Death By Algorithm – Messed up and Fell in Love
A very melancholy and understated track borrowing heavily from the likes of The Sisters Of Mercy and Depeche Mode, Messed Up And Fell In Love builds into a deeply reflective and absorbing song.
I could elaborate but that sums it up very succinctly and you like brevity my dear readers.
Paint and Copter – Another Dimension
The production may be a bit shaky and the verse is perhaps pretty dull but I liked the chorus. But the main reason for including this song is the vocals are AI. As the band explains:
With that AI-powered engine, we can give her words and melody to sing. Even though we are writing the words and music, they are from her perspective.
And it’s interesting. I’m not sure AI will replace songwriting because you still need a good mechanism to filter out bad ideas; nevertheless, the idea of getting an AI to be your band’s vocalist appeals to me especially if you can control what they sing. Thoughts folks?
Benjamin Ingrosso x Olly Alexander – Kite
Charming wee song this. It may be really poppy and happy with shades of happy camper Mica but I can also hear bits and pieces of Tame Impala in here. A very strong song with a damn catchy chorus.
Chérie ifẹ – Good Girl
And last on this list is newcomer Chérie ifẹ who tells me she “started writing late summer of last year” and is already producing some very intriguing material.
Good Girl is one of those unusual songs which leaves you unsure at first but on second and third listens digs it’s claws deeper and deeper until you realise resistance is futile. For sure fans of Ling Tosite Sigure and uber obscure Scottish band Laki Mera take note.
Now, the caveat here is the mixing and production may not be the most professional but she’s trying to do everything herself which is no easy task. But that aside, I really think Chérie is an act to keep an eye on.
And City Pop! And Vapourwave! All win here! Too many exclamation marks!!!! Oh nose!!
I can’t fault this kind of stuff and it’s exactly my jam. Very Tame Impala, very Kaleidoscopes very….good. I’m super late to the party though because this came out aaages ago. Who cares. When you hear good music, you need to share, right?
Tais toi just means shut up. No you shut up! I digress. I heard this on a Twitch stream and it got me all thinking “you just don’t hear many songs like this these days…sigh….”. The production may need a wee bit of love and attention but the intent is there: a really strong song in the tradition of early Marillion or heavier version of early 80s Dio. Oh to hell! Let’s fling Rush in there while we’re at it!
Najinsan!!!!!!!!! 