Daniel Szyller On the Making Of “Summer Kiss”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Summer Kiss?"
Hi! Thank you for this space. The idea came when I was composing the material for The Celestial Immigrant album (my debut album). It was winter in 2022 and I wanted to feel the Summer and enjoy a picture in my head...I guess it's a poetic way to express the love for summer. It's a romantic tune that I am very proud of.
What do you like the best about this track?
I like the fact that I do an odd system for the verses and then switch gears for the chorus. It has a nice stunning effect. And obviously the ending is very romantic. I love that because it's very 60s in style.
What was your favorite moment in making the music video?
We added scenes from our live concert, which is fantastic by the way. So for me it was just about playing live and enjoying. Thibault Graillot, the video producer did a great job with the images and the synchronization. I love the part of the roler blades lol
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Honestly, when I was very little, I was already singing and imitating opera singers at the house. I guess I was sensitive to music. Bands like Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Hendrix and The Doors were huge inspirations. It's like I have the need to express myself and each song is a different trip.
What do you enjoy most about performing live and connecting with your audience?
I enjoy talking between songs and having an actual conversation, It's like a therapy for me. Playing music and seeing the faces of the people attending. I tell many stories hehehe...
I'm a story teller and each song is a cinema in my head. So for me to actually do that in front of people is trully gratifying. It's the same amount of satisfaction as of sex!
Xolydia Fuses 80s Vibe in Debut Single “Tune To You”
Feature
Photo credit: Evelina Ohlsson
Xolydia has an identical aesthetic that easily separates her from others. She isn’t afraid to step out the line to create something as unique and radiant as the way it is. Fusing a touch of nostalgic 80’s swirling retro beat with contemporary pulsing electronics, the artist opens the sonic pandora box for a treasure hunt.
Spinning between the ethereal soundscapes of dream pop and symbolic art pop with a touch of glitch and fuzziness, Xolydia achieves a multi-dimensional, atmospheric, cinematic sound like no one else. In “Tuned To You,” she examines the psychological dynamics in dysfunctional relationships and goes into the patterns in behavior that lead to destructive love.
The song is a sonic metaphor that reflects on the romanticized representation of love/relationship in art and society. Featuring a series of unconventional elements that tangles in a classic, vintage tone, “Tuned To You” is fascinating to ponder.
SINGLE REVIEW: CHARLIE STEADY “UNFULFILLED GENIUS OF MARTIN STREET” and “GREYHOUND”
Discovery
Photo credit: Bekah Izard
Mellow vocal and immersive soundscapes, “Unfulfilled Genius of Martin Street” and “Greyhound” are the A&B side singles from Charlie Steady’s upcoming sophomore album Magpie. Versatile and introspective as he is, Steady introduces us to contrasting sound palettes in the two tracks that spiral down different sides of the story.
Revolving around the main character Magpie’s journey to becoming a rock star, “Unfulfilled Genius of Martin Street” bounces off a reggae-inspired rhythm and smoky harmony into its overall indie aesthetic while unraveling an odd encounter with someone much older whose life path resembles your own. The encounter very much felt like a horrifying trip to the future, which takes us to a slightly stripped-down B side, “Greyhound” that dives deeper into Magpie’s inner thoughts when it comes to risk-taking and new beginnings.
Compared to the mystic, woozy A side, “Greyhound” exposes a vulnerable side of the storytelling that appeals to the listeners. Fusing a heartfelt acoustic with light percussion, the song spirals country, folk, and rock with a vintage, classic glare that reminds you of sounds of The Beach Boys and The Beatles.
ALBUM REVIEW: STRANGE & THE FAMILIARS “STRANGE WORLD”
Discovery
Photo credit: Jordan Henline, Daniel Joseph
Strange World is a record that goes beyond music into theatrical storytelling, narrative, and visuals where different forms of art weave into a fictional world paralleled to us. Stephanie Strange invites you to see the world through a melancholy lens of wonder where she takes you on a journey, traveling between landscapes.
In the world of Strange, everything is possible. Music doesn’t have boundaries and is not defined by genre. Stephanie Strange was never limited by instrumentation or rules, she followed the sounds where they naturally lead to what the ears desire. Her intriguing storytelling instantly drags you in but it is her refreshing, sensitive perspective that makes you linger. In “Agent Strange,” music is her sword that penetrates the lies and ugliness of the world, while “This Is A Test” shows a whimsical side that makes you fall in love.
There’s a special sensibility and connection when she approaches the dark and frightening, somehow in her world, the eerie soundscape and horror stories have emotions where you are in touch with their loneliness and sorrow, empathizing and finding solace with the characters. “Meet The Nightmares” paints loneliness with a deep-felt melancholy that evolves into a heart-warming slow dance, wherein “She’s A Nightmare,” Strange again turned the spotlight to the “monster” with a compassionate tone as if she could relate and understand them.
“I started creating Strange World as a way to cope with the changing world. I kept feeling like I was out of time and place in a world gone mad and that there was no room for me. I think that can make people feel unhinged. The Strange World is a place that people can visit to help them understand that they’re not alone in this,” said Stephanie Strange.
Written by Katrina Yang
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THE COOKIE JAR COMPLOT “NEO”
Discovery
Photo credit: Nathalie Nicola
From an ethereal, stary skyscape, “NEO” drifts into an emotive soundscape as the interplay continues to evolve between the percussion and guitars. A captivating riff emerges from slightly chaotic sonics, surrounded by familiar, unfamiliar colorful Northwestern European influences, The Cookie Jar Complot brings to us an enchanting, stimulating encounter with“NEO.”
Experimental elements freely improvise and interact with more rooted musical traditions. The dance of jazz meets an indie rock sonic environment, weaving the flourish, fruitful melodic ideas. It swirls and twirls, brewing in the air.
“NEO” has a vibrant, orange aura in its expanding sound and storytelling. Layers of guitar intertwine and interact, from one conversation to another, the story continues. Thematic throwback brings back a different feeling each time. In the butterfly-like reverberant background, a new adventure unravels.
Based in Luxembourg, The Cookie Jar Complot is an instrumental indie duo of Sven Schmeler and Gilles Glesener both are active and experienced musicians involved in many other acts and projects. Drawing vast influences from their musical background, the duo creates a variety of color palettes rich in content and expression.
Written by Katrina Yang
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PREMIERE: SEAN GRINSELL “R IS FOR REDEMPTION”
New Music Friday
Music speaks louder than words in Sean Grinsell’s R is For Redemption. Revolving around words starting with the letter R, R is For Redemption is a collection of epic sonic poetry.
Hailing from Chicago, United States, Grinsell is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. Inspired by Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Deep Purple, and Christone Kingfish Ingram, the artist narrates blues first.
“Rogue” is full of personality. A bossy guitar carries out a captivating idea while the flamboyant, flaming synth is pumped into the sky. Darker, contemplative keys navigate themselves into the melodic ideas. Destiny rings in the cinematic statement. A low, soulful moan concludes the first half.
Photo credit: LaMar Price
Being thrown into a festive second half filled with cheerful keys, notes chase its tails in a circle. Then the theme returns with an anthemic development, hovering over the scene.
“Rush” portrays the idea of rush featuring a stirring bass and brisk percussion. Sequential melodic ideas are slightly psychotic. The track takes a darker turn towards the end. On the contract, “Rift” is a slow dance with a bluesy, groovy atmosphere.
“Reflection” enters a reflective space where the time is still. The track paints a sensitive, transparent environment, evoking thoughts and feelings. Adhering to a thematic characteristic, it’s hard not to expect a grand gesture. Through-the-roof guitar solo creates a special moment of self-expression.
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