ALTERNATIVE ROCK RECORDING ARTISTS "HANDS OF SPITE" STOPS BY AND TALKS ABOUT THEIR NEW SONG "DUMB LOVE SONG" PLUS MORE ON THEIR ALBUM "LOVE SONGS FOR THE DUMB AND STUPID"

 

Hands of Spite Gets (Nearly) Sentimental with the Release of “Dumb Love Song”

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HANDS OF SPITE - DUMB LOVE SONG (21:04)

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By: Nadia Sobehart

 

Alternative rock band, Hands of Spite, has a new and unexpected single for listeners, the energetic love song, “Dumb Love Song,” off their latest album, Love Songs for the Dumb and Stupid.

 

Since we last checked in with Hands of Spite, the band is “still friendly-ish together.” Trapped in a hotel room in New Jersey, bandmates Austin, Sam, Zac, and Nate demonstrate their comedic skills as they share insights on their latest release.

 

“‘Dumb Love Song’ is a good snapshot of where we are as a band—our songwriting, lyrical content… We’re very silly guys. It’s a good representation,” tells the band.

 

“’Dumb Love Song’ is a high-energy, sappy song. It’s a warped love song with themes of classic Romeo and Juliet. It shows our lens of tainted love,” they explain. “It’s the most collaborative of the tunes we started with. Since we wrote it, we’ve become more collaborative writers. It’s the first song we wrote as a band instead of as one person writing and then sharing the demo. We wrote it organically together.”

 

After establishing the song lyrically, the band worked out a “cool, fun” hook to bring it all together. “We’ve been sitting on the song for a while. We wrote it almost two years ago and played it a thousand times. It still feels good, and we’re proud of it. We felt we had to have one romantic song on our album.”

 

The album actually contains one more love song, “Lover,” which the band dubs “a dumb love song.” “We’re not making fun of love songs. Being dumb and stupid is the theme of the album and our band in general.”

 

The Boston-based group consists of Austin Bullock (guitar/vocals), Sam Gelston (guitar/vocals), Zac Stein (drums/vocals), and Nate Belton (bass). Each member brings a unique range of influences and style to the group, resulting in the robust sound of Hands of Spite. From mid-90s punk to classic rock, many genres and musical elements can be found in their music. “We’re angry—after all, we’re called Hands of Spite. We’re a couple of sad, angry folks,” jokes the band of their raison d'etre.

 

Hands of Spite developed the content for their recent EP and current album during “one long stretch of writing” that was later split into separate projects. Their last EP, “Inchoate,” came out in January 2023 and energized listeners with introspective yet lighthearted songs. “Our EP had a loose, funky feel that our later songs don’t. Veracity but not chaos,” shares Hands of Spite. “The EP was a sampler. Our next album is an appetizer. If you’re into this style of music, come grow with us and stay excited for our music. Our songwriting gets more refined as time goes on.”

 

As for the current album, Love Songs for the Dumb and Stupid, “it’s a good, no-skip album.” It also features two upcoming singles, “Lover” and “These Days.”

 

Hands of Spite isn’t wasting any time with their mindset of ongoing musical creation. Later this year, the band will be releasing several singles. They’re also ready to record a third full-length album by the end of year.

 

“We’re perpetually writing music. Our second album is ready to go. Our third album is almost there. We’re always working on new music and what we have to offer.”

 

“We’re excited to promote the new single,” shares the band. “It’s been great playing our songs live and getting great responses. People really liked our last album and are looking forward to what’s next. Our next album is going to be a pleasant surprise for a lot of people.”

 

Make sure to stay connected to Hands of Spite on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

https://www.handsofspiteband.com/

: https://open.spotify.com/track/0wwtZMYu3YSBRloxgKmC2I?si=78i_Rdo5QdmI_JrRfc-_ww

https://www.instagram.com/handsofspiteband/

https://www.facebook.com/handsofspite

RECORDING ARTIST 'GIANNA MINICHIELLO" TALKS ABOUT HER NEW SINGLE 'STRAIGHT JACKET' PLUS MORE!

 With “Straight Jacket,” Gianna Minichiello keeps building a rock house of music

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Gianna Minichiello (29:31)

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By Kurt Beyers

“Straight Jacket” starts slow, mellow and acoustic. Then drums, bass and guitars kick in, Gianna Minichiello amps up her powerful, evocative, raspy voice, and suddenly we’re deep into rock territory.

Which is where she wants to be. In the two years of its making, “Straight Jacket” made the same kind of transition as Gianna herself — from pop to rock.

“Straight Jacket” will be released on August 18.

By 2021, when “Straight Jacket” was first written, she had almost a dozen songs out and had already transitioned to rock.

“When I first started, all those were pop songs,” she said. This was in 2017, when she was 15.

Since then she has put out several singles and an EP, Wronged. Amid the rock, one song on the EP, “Scared Me,” was rock disguised as a ’60s era American Bandstand tune.

“I wanted to have that doo-wop kind of sound to it,” she said. It is unlikely that American Bandstand ever featured a voice like hers, or sultry lyrics like “Scared Me.”

Yet “Straight Jacket,” in 2021, was poppy. “That’s why we revisited it and made it more rock. I didn’t want to do that anymore. I want to continue with the whole rock genre.”

The lyrics, all by themselves, vibe rock such that it is hard to imagine them in a pop song. In rock, however, they, well, rock.

No one hears me screaming but I do

I hear it echo echo why don’t you

I ain’t going to Heaven I’ll be damned

…

I’m a complicated explanation someone painted red

I’m the one thing that I fear most underneath my bed

Open the asylum let them all out

The “we” in the production of “Straight Jacket” is her and producer/engineer Chris Moon, who is credited with discovering the artist who became known as Prince.

“This was one of the first few songs I did working with Chris. He did the lyrics, but I did the melody.” It is one of only two songs in her body of work so far that has someone else’s lyrics. Working off Gianna’s melody, Brandon Bailey Johnson wrote the music.

“Chris sent me lyrics, and I was just brainstorming ideas and came up with the melody. That was all made two years ago. I recorded it then, and it sounded completely different than it does now.”

She has released seven songs since 2021. She composed the guitars for the latest, “Killed It.”

Her career took off in 2020, with “Dearly Loved,” which quickly hit more than 2 million streams. Her songs have gotten radio play in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, but she has fans in more than 150 countries across the world.

She has extensive experience of crowds, opening concerts for artists such as Jasmine Caine, a Nashville Female Artist of the year, and Curtis Salgado, an original Blues Brother. She has performed at festivals and music conferences, has appeared on Fox Television and ABC and has done commercial work.

She has appeared in Nashville several times, at Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk, the Commodore, Douglas Corner, Famous Nashville, and others.

August 18, the day “Straight Jacket” drops, she will use her powerful voice as a headliner at Nashville’s DRKMTTR. Tickets are on sale now on www.eventbrite.com.

Apple Music will host a pre-release for the song on August 11.

Gianna loves performing.

“It’s my favorite thing to do,” she said. “I love it! I would like to tour everywhere. I want to tour around the world. I want to go in different countries. I want to be able to take the music and bring it live and have the people sing it back to me. I just want a big mass of people liking the music as much as I like it.”

Explore her music and connect with Gianna Minichiello on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

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Amazon

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SINGER/SONGWRITER 'SASHA FRIEDMAN' STOPS BY THE SHOW AND TALKS ABOUT HER NEW SINGLE "FREE TO BE ME" PLUST MUCH MORE!

 

Singer and Cancer Survivor Sasha Friedman Brings Happiness to the Limelight with Latest Single, “Free to Be Me”

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SASHA FRIEDMAN (24:09)

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By: Nadia Sobehart

 

Eleven-year-old singer, recording artist, and cancer survivor, Sasha Friedman is here to tell the world that happiness is for everyone—and not reserved only for memorable events. Her new pop single, “Free to Be Me,” is an upbeat, vibrant song that reminds listeners to be themselves and find the joy in life, no matter what comes their way.

 

Released on June 9, 2023, “Free to Be Me” debuted at #7 on iTunes Pop Charts within the first 24 hours of its release.

 

Compassionate and caring, Sasha Friedman is driven to spread messages to help everyone around her. “I want people to be happy even when they’re sad, hurt, or broken. I want them to know they can be happy every day, not just on special occasions.” This compassion led Sasha to record a song that’s not only relatable but meaningful, too.

 

Sasha’s purpose is about “being true to yourself and living your dream.” Her music is an outlet for spreading happiness and positivity. “Free to Be Me” is a collaboration between Sasha and her production and writing team. “I came up with the story, and they came up with the lyrics and beat,” explains Sasha of the writing process. “Then I asked them to change the words and improve it in my own way. It’s so fun to make music. I get to enjoy making it and watch my music grow.”

 

Life hasn’t always been kind to Sasha Friedman, yet she continues to show us all what it means to find the silver lining and keep going. At age 10, Sasha began feeling a neck pain that led to the discovery of a massive tumor that revealed metastic Ewing sarcoma, a bone cancer that spread to her neck, arms, legs, and lungs. No child should ever have to face the physical and emotional pain of cancer. Sasha did so with grace and resilience. She turned to music to transcend the pain and loneliness of the hospital where she underwent a major surgery and chemotherapy. Fast forward to today—Sasha is in remission and excited to spend time doing what she loves: creating heartwarming music and sharing meaningful messages through her art.

 

Sasha’s passion for music began from a very young age—in fact, she began to sing around the same time she learned to speak. As she grew older, she found inspiration in artists such as Queen. When she began writing music, Sasha often turned to the themes of self-worth and resilience in honor of her personal experiences and consideration for others. By the time she turned nine, Sasha caught the attention of producers Cory and Julia Shuman of Little Bird Big Sound. With the help of Cory and Julia, Sasha began recording music, leading up to the release of her first single, “Free to Be Me.”

 

Sasha is excited to grow her music and continue to hone her skills. “I play a lot of instruments, but I want to try making my own beat or tune. I think it’s cool to make up your own. Music made me happy even on days when I was being poked and prodded—when I listened to music, it took me away from the hospital to somewhere else, somewhere where I felt free. I want to help people dealing with hard times to feel like that, too. I want to make people happy.”

 

Through her music and story, Sasha Friedman hopes to raise awareness for all the hospital patients who are undergoing similar experiences, whether fighting cancer or undergoing a major surgery. “Everyone goes through a hard time. I think and hope my music will help them get through it. I want to help make people happy even in the hardest of times.”

 

Make sure to stay connected to Sasha Friedman on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts @officialsashf.

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sashafriedman/free-to-be-me

https://www.instagram.com/officialsashf/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3wnCUxssEVAq0mjGnOSpav? si=8X6yYYZSSNmR8MPKPFqB8A

SINGER SONGWRITER "EMERALD M" STOPS BY AND TALKS ABOUT HER NEW SINGLE "NEVER MINE" AND MUCH MORE

 

Emerald M., a new talent, introduces herself to music fans with “Never Mine”

 

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EMERALD M PART 1 (14:07)

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EMERALD M PART 2 (3:43)

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By Kurt Beyers

 

To announce herself to the music world, 19-year-old Emerald M. has come out with a trippy, rock-poppy-punk bad-love song called “Never Mine.”

 

It’s a fun, fast-moving track about a girl who wants a certain man for all the wrong reasons but can’t have him.

 

And she’s good with that.

 

“It’s not personal,” she said. “It’s just a story I created about liking someone, then being okay with the way it turned out.”

 

You were never mine

Cuz you had her

I thought it was fine

To be the bad girl

 

Emerald, who is from Myanmar, just graduated from high school in London, England, where she moved for her last year and a half of school.

 

“I’ve always been into music, since I was a kid. But I started writing more songs in the pandemic in 2020. Before, I was an instrumentalist mainly, and I started writing songs  and got focused on singing more than just instruments.”

 

She has a smooth, lovely, low-register voice, fluid and expressive, and she clearly enjoys using it. It’s easy to see how she became focused on singing.

 

“Then,” she said, continuing the story of her entry into music as a profession, “I wrote a few songs in 2020, kind of like for practice and stuff. But last year I had a few songs that were good to release. So I started finding connections and emailing producers to help me out.”

 

In addition to abundant talent, she possesses drive.

 

She got as a producer William Lucey, a singer, songwriter, producer, instrumentalist from Ireland, now living in Boston. He has worked with such artists as George Harrison, REM, Alicia Keys and Mick Flannery and for almost 20 years was a member and songwriter for the Irish band Rubyhorse.

 

“We met online and worked on that song together for a few months. I started with a demo in my dorm room, and then I sent it to him. We finalized it at the beginning of the year.”

 

“My first intention was for it to be a very slow indie song with maybe just a piano accompanying, or a guitar,” she said.

 

But she has a brother who is into pop punk, “so I have a little of that influence in me,” and that influence contributed to “Never Mine” taking a different shape in her head.

 

“The verses and the chorus are actually two different songs, from two different ideas I had at two different times. I put them together later because I had this idea for ‘Never Mine’ to be a little bit pop punk. I wanted it to be more upbeat, so I asked my producer to increase the tempos, and we added drums.”

 

Drums with a driving beat. And guitars, fast guitars. Not loud, but fast.

 

“This is my first song, my first, official debut single, just for me to get my online presence out there.”

 

She has several songs produced and ready to drop when she decides to put them out. She wants music to be her career, but, she says, she still has to go to university.

 

“I would still be doing music alongside that, and that’s going to be my main focus, music.”

 

Emerald hopes to begin playing shows before too long and put out an EP.

 

“And put that together very soon,” she said. “That would be my first ever big project, probably in the next year.”

 

Her bio lists her genres as pop, alternative, indie and pop rock, to which she has now added pop punk.

 

“With every song I’m doing right now, it’s all different vibes. I don’t want to stick to one genre and then follow a set of rules. I want to experience a lot of music styles. If someone asked me what’s my genre, I don’t really have one because it’s all over the place. I like to experiment with different sounds.”

 

Connect with Emerald M. on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=KZWI5NPF6tE&feature=share

: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/never-mine/1694085744?i=1694085745

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVH9v4qhTGG82eZyMwePsBw

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081956298784

https://www.instagram.com/emeraldmoemyint/

CRAZY-B DROPS NEW SINGLE "LOST" AND TALKS ALL ABOUT IT IN THIS Q&A PODCAST

Rapper Crazy8 Drops Fresh Rap “Lost”

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CRAZY 8 (12:51)

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By: Nadia Sobehart

New Jersey rapper, Crazy8 shows the world that passion and talent can exist behind bars. During his incarceration, the rapper has been working on fresh music to share with listeners all over.

His latest track, “Lost,” is a reflection of losing loved ones and facing the hardship that goes hand-in-hand with unfathomable loss. “The song came up one day during a time I had just lost my dad and then a sister,” explains the rapper. “It all came together into something. I was going through that and then it all built up and I kept saying the word ‘lost’ and turned it into a song.”

When it came to writing the song, Crazy8 struggled at first. “I was trying to come up with the beat, but it wasn’t clicking.” Through repetition and letting the song develop organically, the rapper was able to tune into the feeling and complete his rap.

Through word of mouth, Crazy8’s raps started to spread through the community. “I shared it with my brother and then others wanted to hear what I was writing. They started telling others about it and it spread.”

“I want lots of people to relate to it—especially those who lost people,” adds Crazy8. Creating music isn’t just his calling in life—it’s a way to give back and share commonalities with other people. He also believes in speaking his mind: “I never try to be someone I’m not.”

Music has been a long journey for the rapper. A fan of Lil Wayne and DMX, Crazy8 began rapping around age 6. He accompanied his uncle to the studio and played around with music whenever he could. Unfortunately, life took an unexpected turn.

Somewhere along the road, Crazy8 pushed aside his passion for music and caved to the street life. No stranger to incarceration—many in his circle had ended up there—Crazy8 wasn’t afraid of the consequences of his chosen path. His passion for rap resurfaced when he found himself incarcerated, wondering what his talents were at that point in life. It was then that he began writing again, creating notebook after notebook of raps across various genres. “I like to switch it up. Because different people relate to different things,” says the rapper.

Passionate about drill/love in particular, the rapper is open-minded to exploring his unique sound. One of his current projects is called K.F.C., which stands for “Kids Fighting Cancer.” The idea is inspired by the thought that life may be hard in prison or on the streets, but no one faces a harder time than a child going through cancer treatment.

With years ahead of him in prison life, Crazy8 looks forward to what he can achieve during and after his time locked up. “I can rap about anything I put my mind to,” shares Crazy8. In fact, the rapper is looking forward to sharing more songs this year. Alongside his producer, based in California, Crazy8 is working on more content to release in the near future. One project is his mix tape, “23 and 1,” coming out at the end of the month.

“I want people to tune in and understand my music and relate to it. If anyone would like to know anything, I’m an open book,” adds the artist. “Find me on social.”

Make sure to stay connected to Crazy8 on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

http://youtube.com/Crazy8-kp3nx

http://tiktok.com/crazy8_da_demon?_t=8dxrOE0PiAN&_r=1

https://instagram.com/crazy8_da_demon?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==

  

SINGER/SONGWRITER "KAYLEIGH WALKER" STOPS IN AND TALKS ABOUT HER DEBUT SINGLE 'PSYCHEDELIIC' AND MORE!

 

Kayleigh Walker opens the door to a star career with debut single “Psychedelic”

 

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KAYLEIGH WALKER (20:35)

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By Kurt Beyers

 

To introduce herself in the world of singers and songwriters, Kayleigh Walker has written, performed and videoed a track that lives up to its name: “Psychedelic.”

 

Kayleigh, from Essex, England, wrote a fast moving, musical mind trip featuring powerful vocals, delightful beats, and melodies that play off and build on each other.

 

“It’s just a real good, fun pop song,” she says.

 

“Psychedelic” releases today.

 

She is starting from scratch in her career as a singer-songwriter, but she is no ingenue. She is 32, and she has talent, experience, style and showmanship. All of that is on full display in the audio track, and along with that, in plain view on the video, beauty.

 

“When I was younger, I did a lot of advertisements, and I did quite a lot of modeling, but I just wanted to sing along to every song. I’d get a bit sidetracked. And I thought, ‘You know what? This is something I want to do. I want to be a performer.’ Growing up, I would sing every song on the radio, and then went into a band when I was in my teenager years.”

 

That experience gave her the desire to write songs, to sing her own music instead of other people’s songs. It also led to the experience with the industry that has her starting over.

 

She signed with an independent label and found herself “doing music and writing songs that didn’t really feel comfortable with me.”

 

“I’ve done everything that needs to be done, from writing a whole album, to being promised that it’s going to be released, to have good marketing behind it, and to then see it going down into a black hole. Overnight.”

 

It was, she said, “devastating,” but, she continued, “I don’t like to talk about the past. It’s not about the present, right?”

 

And that is how she comes to be starting over.

 

“It’s made me stronger,” she said, “and it’s made me think I can do this by myself. I don’t need other people to tell me what I can and what I can’t do, because this is my music. It’s finding that inner self, and that inner belief, which made me write ‘Psychedelic.’”

 

When music is your life,

You’re on a psychedelic high.

 

It’s the perfect song for starting over, joyful and defiant at the same time.

 

Turn the lights down low,

Ready for the after show,

…

Never coming down, never coming down

 

“And I was like, ‘You know what? It doesn’t matter. I’m going to start all over again.’ And that’s what I did.”

 

She highlights how fortunate she has been to find people who support her, people who believe in her and will back her up, get her in the studio and make her video.

 

The video was directed by Eline Powell with production and post-production by The Lennox Brothers. Powell, the Belgian actress who played Ryn in the TV series “Siren,” is also a featured player in the video. Lee and Wayne Lennox have made videos for Robbie Williams and Ellie Goulding.

 

Kayleigh has been writing songs, music and lyrics, for several years, developing the musical style that “feels right for me, and being true to myself as an artist.” She calls what she does “alternative’’ because it has pop, rock, jazz, “a little bit of everything.”

 

“So, alternative. Yeah.”

 

She has three songs ready to go, another in her mind and an album in her plans.

 

“I’ve always loved music,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed performing. I love writing, I love being in the studio. I just couldn’t imagine doing anything else. This is part of me, and I’m going to show to you, to the world, that I don’t give up. You open one door to another door. Life is like a trip, you know? You don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

 

In the middle of the bridge to “Psychedelic,” where Kayleigh is chanting “trip trip trip trip,” a male voice interjects, beween one “trip” and the next, “Are you there, Kayleigh?”

 

“Trip trip trip trip,” Kayleigh continues for another couple of bars, then, “I’m here.”

 

“Psychedelic” is the door opening to her new journey.

 

Connect with Kayleigh Walker on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts and go with her.

 

Website: https://kayleighwalker.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxwl8EB8MdM2Ev407Npvm3g

https://www.facebook.com/Kayleighwalkermusic/

https://www.instagram.com/iamkayleighwalker/

https://www.tiktok.com/@kayleighwalkerofficial

THE DEAD FILES RETURNS SEPTEMBER 7TH 10 PM ET/PT ON TRAVEL CHANNEL

 

Picking up where the season left off, psychic medium Cindy Kaza joins former NYPD homicide detective Steve DiSchiavi as lead investigator for seven all-new episodes of THE DEAD FILES. The two team up to help solve more incidents of devastating paranormal activity for beleaguered homeowners when THE DEAD FILES returns on Thursday, September 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Travel Channel.

 

DiSchiavi and Kaza combine their unique skills and perspectives to help solve unexplained paranormal phenomena plaguing property owners across America. Conducting separate investigations, DiSchiavi utilizes his detective skills, researching the facts around each location, interviewing witnesses, experts and historians about the hauntings, and digging into archives to gain a better understanding of each property’s history. As a psychic medium, Kaza uses her gifts to communicate with the other side, speaking to any entities to understand why they are still lingering in the homes.

 

In the premiere episode, titled “The Butcher,” Donalyn has dealt with the paranormal most of her life, but nothing ever felt threatening until her adult daughter, Regan, moved back in. Now in fear for her family's safety and her life, Donalyn reaches out to Steve and Cindy for answers to the activity tearing her family apart. After their separate investigations, Steve and Cindy reveal their terrifying findings, hoping to provide answers to the onslaught of dangerous activity and a path forward for Donalyn and her family.

 

Follow @TravelChannel and #DeadFiles on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for additional content.

SINGER / SONGWRITER "MASQUE" TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW ALBUM "MASQUED EMOTIONS (DELUXE) AND MUCH MORE!

 

Masque Releases Experimental Rock Pop Album with a Message of Hope

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MASQUE (20:28)

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By: Nadia Sobehart

 

Hawaii-based singer-songwriter, Masque, creates music that not only represents his experiences as a gay man—it flourishes because of them. His experimental rock-pop album, Masqued Emotions (Deluxe) is an anthology of sound from hard rock to lighthearted pop that is sure to speak to listeners across the board.

 

“Masqued Emotions is a collection of highs and lows dealing with mental health issues and experiences as a gay man across my life that I’ve compiled,” shares Masque. It’s inspired by people who shared similar stories (and Lady Gaga, too).”

 

The 13-song album features the single “Sunhat.” “The single, ‘Sunhat,’ is a more lighthearted part of the album,” shares the artist. “It focuses on when I do feel joy in life. It’s important to highlight when things are going well in the face of darkness.”

 

Overall, the album explores the lightness and darkness of the human experience. “The main message I want to share with listeners is that there will be tough times and struggles but also good times to live through,” adds Masque. Other tracks on the album include “Take It Off,” “Shame,” “No More You,” and “Microtrauma (Every Day),” all very distinct songs with their own style.

 

To write the album, Masque focused on his tried-and-true writing process. “I usually start with the lyrics,” shares the artist. “I’ll write out the topic I want to write about. Then I’ll give it a day or so and rewrite the lyrics, make sure they rhyme and are more subtle. When I’m satisfied, I’ll start with the melody, beats, and guitar using sheet music. From there, I’ll refine my lyrics and practice singing the song, changing words here and there until I have a demo I’m pleased with. I’ll send that to my producer and we’ll talk about it. He enjoys adding his own touch to what I send him, so the final cut can really vary.”

 

From an early age, Masque trained in classical piano performance and writing. He was a Queen aficionado and gradually expanded his musical palette from rock to pop (and many genres in between). By the time he was in high school, the young Masque grew in love with the spotlight, performing in his school musicals.

 

Over the years, Masque found himself settled into the corporate world, where he never quite felt at home. “I found a bubbling desire to break out into the music industry and focus on my art,” tells the artist. When the pandemic began in 2020, he took a leap of faith and focused on music as a full-time singer.

 

These days, he continues to perform frequently at live venues. “Live performances versus studio performances produce different songs,” explains Masque. “It’s the same song and melody but a different feeling. Live performances are about interaction and including the audience, having them feel your music in the moment.”

 

As he focuses on spreading the message of Masqued Emotions, Masque continues to work on new songs for his next album. “Right now, I am small, but my promise to myself and my listeners is that I will continue to make music and grow for the rest of my life.”

 

Make sure to stay connected to Masque on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

https://open.spotify.com/album/1NRG2B1X3hFMdTw9Vg6c6m?si=i44neIM5Rnynkc6eSiHxkw

Instagram: @masquemusique

Tik Tok @masquemusique

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc3jkOH6aNFn7mRZ4DAOAkw

SINGER / SONGWRITER 'AUBRIONNA' TALKS ABOUT HER NEW AFRO-BEATS SINGLE "DON DA DA" AND MORE CURRENT PROJECTS!

 Aubrionna’s debut single “Don Da Da” shows the power of her artistry

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Aubrionna (26:09)

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By Kurt Beyers

Aubrionna’s debut single, dropping July 28, is a great pop-Afrobeat song, and a perfect introduction to a talented young singer.

It is only an introduction. She has more ready to drop, more already out.

“It’s a head bobber,” she said. “You just start bobbing your head because of the drum and the beat.”

She regards it as her coming out song, her debut on the world stage, “one of the biggest records that I have recorded.”

But, along with the catchy melodies and the joyfully defiant lyrics in Aubrionna’s strong, evocative voice, there’s a message: “It promotes positivity toward women, saying that they are queens.”

She the don da da

She ain’t looking for love

Said having the world ain’t enough

She want it all that’s a must

Don da da

“Don da da,” a term from her upbringing in East St. Louis, means a leader, someone who is confident in themselves, someone who knows what they want.

She is herself a don da da, she says when asked. That is part of the perspective on music she formed from listening to the women she idolizes, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Brandy and Tamia.

Part of that perspective is seeing Whitney’s ability to make the listener feel what she was singing, to carry the audience away with her music.

“And it was like, wow, if she can do it, I can do it. If she can make people feel this way from her music, I can do the same thing. It inspired me.”

It is a view of music as a force that can be projected, as from artist to audience, and adopted by someone — someone like Aubrionna — who can then develop power to make an audience feel her music.

Aubrionna herself used to be very, very shy.

“I really didn’t say much because I was scared of what people might think of me. Basically, I was just scared to speak. I didn’t know how to express my feelings until I started writing music, and that really gave me leeway to say what I want to say and feel how I want to feel without being judged for it.”

Having told that story, she says, “A fun fact is that ‘Don Da Da’ was originally written for my mother, Trenaz Wilson,” who was apparently not shy.

“She would tell me how back in the day, before I was born, she was confident, how she didn’t let a man take over her life, things like that. So I took that and put it in a song.”

She has four singles out, four more ready to release and one just completed for an upcoming album. Aubrionna does not yet have a name for it, but in the discussion about a potential name, two words emerge that are important to her: diversity and power.

Variety is in the album’s music, says her manager, Antuan Blanchard, who joins the conversation. The concept is like Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. No two songs sound alike.

“You got pop. You got Afrobeats. You got Top 40. You got a club record. You got pop. It’s just …”

Aubrionna finishes for him: “Diversity.”

They kick that around for a while as a possible album name.

Then Antuan says, “Or you can just call it Diverse Power.” That would be a good title, he says, because this is her first project, she is a powerful woman singing about powerful women, encouraging them with music full of positivity.

Whatever the eventual name, the album should come out sometime in September.

“We’re just waiting for Aubrionna to come up with the title,” he said.

Aubrionna, a don da da, is talented. She has a great voice, and she is in control of it and her performance. She is confident, and she knows what she wants.

“I want to go as far as I can possibly go with music, because that’s my first choice,” she said. “But I don’t want to be put in a box. I want to branch off into different things, such as fashion, movies, voiceovers, commercials, everything.”

See where she goes. Connect with Aubrionna on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqa3Kz7ks-6jn8KKinplIUA

HIP HOP RECORDING ARTIST 'JIMMY YITTY' TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW SINGLES "BLEACH" AND "FINESSE DEMONS" AND MORE!

Canadian star Jimmy Yitty is breaking into the US with upcoming album

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JIMMY YITTY (24:12)

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By Jenna Gengler

 

Canadian Rapper Jimmy Yitty has long been perfecting his craft. With insightful lyricism layered over eye-catching beats, his music is easy to get lost in. Most recently Yitty has been preparing for the release of his newest album, a project titled It Feels Like Hell and working his way into the American Market. In doing so, he is sharing two singles to get fans excited. The first single, “Finesse Demons”, was released earlier this year and “Bleach”,  the final teaser before the full release, has just come out.

 

“Bleach” delves into Yitty’s introspective journey, with lyrics that explore complexities of personal growth, struggle, and overcoming adversity. It tells the story of a failed relationship, filled with lies and deception.

 

This single expands upon how it feels to go through a relationship with so much mistrust. When there are so many things fighting against you, all that’s left is to concentrate on what is the most important to you. “It’s about focusing on your goals and not giving up until you get there,” he said.

 

Yittty hopes that his fans take the time to really listen to this track. “I think the contents of this song can be really relatable,” he said. “We all have relationships in our lives that aren’t as fully trusting as we want them to be.” The song is meant to be something that many can find solace or community in. Be sure to keep an eye out for familiar feelings when listening to “Bleach”.

 

Following the release of “Bleach”, Yitty is excited to share the full release of his new album It Feels Like Hell. The upcoming album blends the feelings that he expanded upon in his most recent single with the pain of losing a close friend. “I recently lost a friend to gun violence and this album is really focusing on that and melding it with my experience in past relationships.”  While parts of this project are heart wrenching, it is still filled with emotion and complexity. There is sure to be something in it for everyone.

 

As he finishes up the release of It Feels Like Hell, Yitty is looking forward to connecting more with his American community. Though he has already found a home in the Atlanta and New York scene, there is always room for more. He is already gearing up for his next US trip and can’t wait to continue expanding his network and continue growing his fan base in the states.

 

Be sure to stay tuned in to Jimmy Yitty on various platforms for new music, visuals and social posts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk6nIiuImk8

https://open.spotify.com/track/3cf5nNvLVjZ2gX6LhmnOjE?si=6bc0ee4102ff4c6e

https://www.facebook.com/SodaMoneyYitty

: https://twitter.com/sodamoney_yitty

https://www.instagram.com/sodamoney.yitty/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sodamoney.yitty

https://sodamoneyrecords.com/

AFRO BEAT RECORDING ARTIST "LOVINCE MCKENZIE" STOPS BY AND TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW SINGLE 'I KNOW YOU KNOW' PLUS OTHER CURRENT NEWS!

 

Lovince Mckenzie, The Afro Beat artist to know

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LOVINCE MCKENNZIE (35:52)

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By Jenna Gengler

 

Lovince Mckenzie is a musician who has been exploring the world of Afro Beat for the better part of the last ten years, floating back and forth between this passion and his work in the film and Entertainment world, he has had the opportunity to work with people across the industry. Most recently Lovince Mckenzie has been making headway with his music, focusing on standing out as an Afrobeat artist to watch out for with origins from Kenya.

 

Lovince Mckenzie’s new track “I Know You Know” is a project that blends his East African Heritage with the style of Nigerian Afrobeat Sounds and the visual aesthetics of the American West. Reminiscent of the hit track “Calm Down” by Nigerian singer Rema, the song is brilliant and easy to listen to.

 

“I Know You Know” is a song about connecting with someone you love. “It’s about when someone knows you so well that you don’t even have to tell them what's going on,” he explained. “They just understand you.” The song praises this kind of relationship and the beauty that comes out of knowing your partner so intimately.

 

Because Lovince Mckenzie is so heavily focused on cultivating collaboration and connecting his own work with other cultures, it is easy to see how “I Know You Know” blends his personal background with the West African culture of Afro Beat. “I actually went to Nigeria to record the song,” he said. “And then I went to Albuquerque, New Mexico to film the video with Daniel Zollinger of Sweetascinema, it is really a blend of all of these different amazing and rich cultures.”

 

Along with this drive to connect culture, Mckenzie is also hard at work to provide East African representation to the Afro Beat community. “So many East Africans love this music,” he said. “But we really don’t have many notable Afrobeat musicians coming from that region. It feels like a space that I can fill.” Mckenzie is doing just this, in making a name for himself and creating music that is simply incredible.

 

Following the release of “I Know You Know”, Mckenzie is excited about a collection of upcoming projects. Fans can look forward to another new project that is set to release in August of 2023 and can keep an eye out for some of Mckenzie ’s upcoming collaborations and video releases.

 

“I’ve got a lot of performances coming up this year,” he said. “I am really excited to be working with some friends to get some things done in the US, UK as well as back in Africa. There are a lot of shows and festivals in my future.”

 

Be sure to stay tuned in to Lovince Mckenzie on various platforms for new music, visuals and social posts.

https://www.lovincemckenzie.com/

https://open.spotify.com/track/1kASsIBTNQGdMtQQEBmNrg?si=7a5f2b16a03d49b9

https://youtu.be/FRgdjjCbuZM

https://www.instagram.com/mckenzielovince/

https://www.tiktok.com/@lovincemckenzie?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

https://twitter.com/lovimckenzie