The synth-rock single “Rabbit Hole” by L.A. based trio Cherry Glazerr features vocalist Clementine Creevy as she whispers the chorus in our ear “Try too hard not to be distasteful, will you let me down the rabbit hole?” The lyrics are abstract enough to be personal without being specific to Creevy’s point of view. The tone of the song is dark and reminds us of a hot night, top down, drive as the street lights and neon streak past our speeding car. Sonically the song offers infectious electronic drums and synths as well as a cutting guitar solo that reminds us this is a band that can not only create a killer track, they have the chops to perform it too. Listen now or head over to the band website for videos and some gorgeous vinyl.
Author: ML1
benzii
Freezing cold beats and arrangements invoke a seriously dangerous landscape in this single, Defense Mechanism, by dream pop artist benzii. The vocal performance is white hot and reminds us of the very best of Florence and the Machine and Bjork while still presenting a very personal expression. We were fascinated by the video which had us worried about the fate of benzii as she is enveloped by the black water. Compelling stuff and we look forward to more by this artist (listen to the latest single Commodity now). Check out her Spotify and Youtube channels for more!
Cool Company
Old school, cool, funk vibes that get the speakers bangin’ and bootys movin. Cool Company’s latest single Foatin’ features a deep drum and bass groove, horns, and vocals that provide a time machine of sound. The duo has a knack for finding the pocket and staying right in it. This track features vocals by Philadelphia based Soul Pop artist Nic Hanson. The combination has us hooked on this low key dance record. Definitely check it out on the Music Life Now Spotify playlist as well as the bands website which also has some great merch too!
Cool Company
Nic Hanson
Swaye ~ Feel It
Indie pop rock has a new champion in the fresh sounds of Swaye. The latest single “Feel It” delivers a perfectly sage and satisfying song rich with distant chorused guitars, synth keys and driving drums. The vocals welcome you in and speak directly to the attraction of first love and yearning that all good pop tries to deliver. “Holding on to you, what do I have to prove? Close your eyes and take my hand, tonight we’re gonna make it”. Swaye wears their heart and influence on their sleeve pointing back to classics like Bowie and The Cure while maintaining a fresh and powerful modern presence. We look forward to more singles by this great artist and hope a full album, or EP, is in the works for 2021.
Listen Now
Numbah
Model, singer, actress Kylin Kalani has her sights set on target with this pop tune “Numbah”. Kylin’s lyrics flow with a hip hop style and somehow still capture the melody with precision and grace “Hey boy, you want my number, got the anesthesia to put you under” the track features up tempo body-movin’ synth strings, claps and beats. The song gives you a sense that under it’s playful veneer lies a serious emotion and mind that has no time to play games. Her style and flow are a wonderful departure from the somewhat sleazy motif of her contemporaries as Kylin puts her personality upfront rather than her appeal. Kylin is quickly making an international presence with her Instagram audience as an influencer, however she has us under the influence of her musical stylings. We can’t wait to hear more from this emerging artist!
Listen Now
EXUM
Midnight pop that tempts the senses with visions of inner voices and demons with “Dark Kept Secret”. EXUM provides a moody synth pop jam in a minor key. “I am the voice of your demons, I’m leaving”. The track has an infectious drum beat and enough ear candy to keep you listening as the repetitive chorus seeps into your consciousness and leaves an unsettled sense of wonder. Is this track reminding us of an emotional break up, dropping the cross of addiction, or maybe something more sinister? We don’t know, we have this one on repeat… also check out the video on YouTube.
Listen Now
Aqueous Live!
Indie rock-jam seamonsters Aqueous just released a new live album “Live! From Philadelphia September Eighteen 20” featuring the band as they expand and morph their way through an ever changing sea of sonic soup. If you love not knowing what will happen next and the pure joy of musicians pushing the limits, this album is for you. Aqueous features grooves and screaming lead guitars like many “jam” bands however their songwriting and vocals provide a welcome layer of depth and substance. Songs like “Burn it Down” showcase their prowess as both fluid musicians and provocative writers. The live album is extensive with numerous tracks over 15 minutes that have a way of putting the listener into a trance then shaking them out of it in a euphoric eruption. Another notable quality of Aqueous is the super tight drums and bass that have a modern pop electronic feel that propels these extended musical journeys. From trippy soundscapes to hard funk fusion Aqueous’ latest release has us getting down and feeling the vibe. No doubt fans will be stoked when the band gets back to touring in 2021 (fingers crossed)!
LISTEN NOW
The Shoos
The Shoos latest single “Distance” is a moody, ethereal rock anthem! The song features evocative vocals surrounded by rich chiming spaced out guitars that break free into razor sharp power chords and driving drums. The epic shout chorus is perfectly complemented by personal verse lyrics like “Many times I’ve tried to trace your heart on mine and I’m always left asking… can we go the distance?”. The band has a deep discography that is a treasure trove of indie rock however we are truly loving the new album “Rescue Room” as it has a maturity and seasoned musicianship that is often missing in modern rock. Definitely check it out now on all platforms and dig the great video for “Distance” on YouTube!
LISTEN NOW
Where Are You?
The powerful indie rockers Sometimes Julie return with a triumphant new album for 2021. “Where Are You?” opens with the thunderous track “She Can’t Kiss You” that brings the heat fueled by hard rocking guitar fire and explosive drums then captures you with the sensational lead vocals of Monica Sorenson. The song reminds us that rock-n-roll will never die especially with a bittersweet edge like this! Sometimes Julie are socal natives and that heritage is beautifully displayed on the track “Knew It All Along” that delivers both a hint of their California roots as well as Sorenson’s singer-songwriter depth. As the tune’s sonic mist clears we are greeted by a beautiful chorus “Where are you? You know I’m all in”. Other tunes like “Own Kind of Savior”, “If Only” and “Quiet” provide a vibe that harkens back to bands like The Beatles, Pretenders and U2 blending soulful rock with upfront personal vocals. The influences on this album are staggering from hard rock to emotional pop, as well as the top-shelf musicianship. The tune “Arachne’s Pride/Minerva” opens with a stellar nylon/flamenco style that has us dreaming of a desert sunrise before sliding into a pop-friendly rock anthem and awesome lyrics like, “I want to hold love and hate in the same hand” need we say more? The album closes on a perfect pop-rock note with “Counting My Lucky Stars” which focuses on love and positivity as Sorenson’s vocals again take us by the hand and burn the emotion and soul of the music directly into our heart. Our favorite tune of many makes its appearance about half-way through the album “Walk Among the Dead” opens with a bombastic drum groove as the song reveals itself as a minor key anthem with dark lyrics like “live like no tomorrows, no yesterdays, eyes open, heart empty, ‘cause empty hearts don’t break” are enveloped by hard driving lead guitars. The song delivers the emotional yet tough edge that this band has made their trademark. If you want to rock or love a singer-songwriter, or just want to hear a stunningly powerful female vocalist, definitely start listening now! Check the band’s website to buy the album and check for upcoming shows in and around the San Diego area. The album poses the question, “Where are you?” well luckily we found this group and we are right here for the long haul.
LISTEN
Music is a powerful tool
We were thrilled to catch up with U.K. soul-pop artist Naëve and learn a little more about her latest single and new band!
- Naëve thank you for taking the time to talk with us today! Let’s start with the new single L.A.M.E. we hear a very personal experience there, where did this song come from? Self love. Sometimes, when we are in a relationship, we forget about how important it is to love ourselves before attempting to love someone else. It’s an empowering message.
- Your soul and jazz influences are obvious but the song also has a strong pop sensibility. How do you manage to fuse your influences and also create something so accessible? It all comes from instinct. For me it’s finding a smooth passage between genres, what ‘feels right at that moment’, underlining their points in common. Historically, we had several gradual transitions between Jazz and the following genres, until we reached pop music. It’s a natural succession, with the difference that today, we know every single transition, so we can use them without being limited to an historical progression. The aim is to attract today’s generation to genres that made the history of music, in a simpler way and to be easily metabolised as well.
- When did you start singing and how did this all start for you? Do you play other instruments too? All in all, I started singing before I could even speak properly, I was very young. Professionally, I started singing (and studying singing) at the age of 16. In time, I got curious about other instruments as well. So much so, that I received my first keyboard at the age of 3. I can also play accordion, guitar, a little bit of harmonica and bass (still learning).I am currently planning to start shortly with drums.
- We noticed you have some live stream events on your website. Do you have any upcoming events that our readers should check out? How about live in person dates? I am not really fond of live streams events, as the part that I love most of my job is to connect to my audience in person. Although, considering the situation, I will try and upload some originals and covers during the following months. For live dates, I hope to be able to plan something during the summer (as we had already had a few gigs canceled), it depends on when it will be actually safe again to have live audiences at our shows, hopefully very soon. Browsing music Festivals as well, let’s see what happens…
- We can hear the larger sound on the new single and also saw the photos on your website, can you tell us more about your new 10 piece band and the recording process for L.A.M.E? That is actually a little trick of ours. I play live with my incredibly talented Big Band (we are 11) but the songs are actually written only by my producer and I. I have been lucky enough to find someone that is on the same line, artistically speaking and that gets the ‘chaos’ going on in my head.The only one who can manage to put all that in order (artistically): Mr. Itay Kashti from Blue Room Studios. I’ve been lucky enough to find energetic young musicians that are blessed with the ‘play for your life’ kind of motivation.The line up, so far consists in Kash Funk on guitar, Alessandro Iannicelli (aka Alex) on drums, Kyle Lapsley on bass, Benji Bown on keys, Cerys Anderson, Phoebe Brooks and Dominique de Comarmond as bvs, Sam Loveless on trumpet, Mason O’Keefe on sax and Pau Hernandez on trombone.We managed to play only one gig (due to the lockdowns) but still, that very gig earned us to be shortlisted for the Yamaha London Boogie & Blues future stars competition finals, for a chance to open for Jools Holland at Mayfair so, all in all, so far, so good!
- With such a wide array of sounds can you tell us what artists, or bands really influence you? My absolute muse is Aretha Franklin, I absolutely love her octave jumps (that I use very often). But also, Nina Simone, James Brown, Elvis, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, Janis Joplin, Benny Goodman and everything in between.I like to listen (and be influenced by) several apparently different genres from which I take my inspiration.I’ve been singing Opera and heavy metal as well so, is very much anything can happen.
- What’s next for you as an artist? Touring, Festivals. I love the connection you create with your audience on stage and I am starting to miss that very much. I will also release my debut album in the following months, we’ll see what the future may bring. I’m quite positive for the future of this project and I believe it will have a great and positive impact on people.
- What do you do when you’re NOT working on music? I get all crafty and artsy.I am an artist at heart so, painting, drawing and anything creative.I love nature as well so, you can easily find me taking care of my garden, greenhouse (yes, I grow peppers) or my beloved Orchids (I believe to have 6 of them by now). I decided to take the plunge and take a leap of faith in avoiding having a side job (9 to 5), as I want to concentrate on music.
- Before we go, what do you want to say to fans of the music? Stop following the numbers, start following your heart. More and more, you ‘can buy’ your way to ‘success’ as an artist, not many people know what is hidden behind. So, discover and support your local bands, go to their gigs, buy their merch, follow them on social media. Create your own trend in music taste, don’t let others ‘impose’ it on you. Pretend great music.Live it under your skin. See, I remember this quote from the day of my graduation (I believe she quoted it from somebody else’s) that still is pretty alive in my head and heart, it goes pretty much like this: “Today, on your graduation day, try and think that you didn’t graduate in music but as a Heart Surgeon. As a Heart Surgeon, you will have thousands of people coming into the room with any kind of condition. Someone will come with a broken heart, someone will be in love, someone will come there in anger, someone else in pain.Someone will need to be saved. No matter what condition their hearts will come to you, it’s your responsibility on how their hearts will come out from that room.” Music is a very powerful tool, use it wisely!