Natalie Clark Releases “Late Train”
Have you played any notable gigs, festivals or other events? Likewise radio or TV appearances?
At the request of Richard Branson I performed at the BBC Radio 1 Academy sessions, appeared on the Voice capturing the attention of Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera.
Are there any other interesting or amusing happenings – no matter how small – that the band have been involved with that would be of interest to those who like your music?
Natalie was chosen as KTLA artist to watch, performing at The Roxy and Greek theatre in LA.
Where was the single/EP/album recorded and who was involved in its production?
The sing was recorded in Los Angeles with Producer Todd Spadafore
Is there a particular ethos behind the single/EP/album or any particular music styles or events that inspired it?
I brought the song idea to Todd and then we worked through the production to try and create a powerful, fierce atmosphere
Please provide a one or two-line personal quote that can be attributed to a band member, about either the band themselves or the release. Obviously the more eye-catching this is the better.
I wanted a really tough and strong sound to reflect the lyrics and empower the listener.
Tommy All Along On the Making Of 'Things I Wanna Do'
What was the creative process like for this particular 'Things I Wanna Do?'
So much stuff goes on my mind on a daily basis that it’s hard to describe how I came up with the EP. There would be days when I’d be able to think or say some clever line, and I’d think, “Hey, this would be a good lyric”, and then build a song around that. Other days, I’ll have this melody stuck in my head, and do sort of a trial-and-error thing to see if it works better on a synth or on a guitar, and then the rest follows. And then other days, it’s a beat or a drum pattern that I get fixated on and see what type of chords work over the beat. There are also times when I’d watch some music theory video about chord progressions, and then I’d pick up my guitar and see how I can apply the things I’ve learned. The common thing with all these methods is I wanted to make sure I was writing songs based on my personal experience. That way, I can convey my thoughts and feelings through my music in a 100% genuine manner.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for 'Things I Wanna Do?'
Everything was performed, recorded, and produced from my bedroom (except drums and mastering). It’s messy. I don’t have a particular workflow, and I think going forward I should have one lmao. But for this EP, there wasn’t a standard process for each song. A song that had a synth melody come first (like the title track ‘Things I Wanna Do’) had a different workflow than a song that had the guitar riff come first (‘Roxy’). I’d start with whatever the main element of the song is, then I’ll add stuff in layer by layer until I have a rough demo track. I’d then send this to my drummer to record the drums. Once I get the drum track, I’d re-record anything that needs to be glued more to the drums (usually the bass and rhythm guitar), and then add some more elements to the song, such as lead synth and guitar parts. The mixing is the hardest part, as I’m not very good and I am still learning proper mixing techniques for the style I’m going after. Once I feel that the mix is done (and there have been many, many times where I thought it was done, but felt the need to adjust something anyway), I’d send it to the mastering engineer for the final output. I think due to the lack of a proper workflow, the entire process became more difficult than it should, but I gained a lot of knowledge and experience over the course of the EP’s production. No regrets, just lessons learned. I can still say it was a fun experience.
Which song do you like the best and why?
It’s got to be the title track ‘Things I Wanna Do’. I think it’s just a very in-your-face declaration of “Hey this is what I want”. I’m particularly also proud of that guitar solo (I know, it’s simple but I like it anyway), as well as the line “gotta feel how they feel, take what they take”, a reference to one of my favourite songs from The Chemical Brothers. I think it’s also a good summary of the album – all of the songs talk about things I enjoy or miss doing. The cherry on top is that I also get to drop an F-bomb lmao!
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I’ve been a musician for close to two decades now. Started in high school playing nu-metal stuff, went on to college playing keyboards for our reggae band, and in my early 30s, a bit of psych-flavoured reggae. This was also around the time when I started listening to indie music, courtesy of a local radio station that played these songs. When I moved abroad, I lost my sense of musical identity, if that makes sense. I tried playing reggae with some friends, and we got lucky to land a few local gigs. But then the pandemic happened, and everything came to a screeching halt. So I thought, “I’ve got nothing to do, and I really love how Real Estate, Beach Fossils, Turnover, Tame Impala, Mild High Club, Tennis, and all these other indie bands. They’re my heroes, and I should follow my heroes’ footsteps”. I picked up a cheap Squier offset from the Facebook marketplace, and Tommy All Along was created. It’s really just a continuation of my musical exploration from the past few years; a personal purpose renewed.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as a musician?
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I want to get so big that I’m headlining festivals and stuff. My anxiety probably couldn’t handle the fame and the pressure that comes with it lol. I just want to continue writing, producing, and releasing songs. I’m working on putting a band together, so I also hope to play some local gigs and festivals once we’re ready. Then from there, we’ll see where we end up. Maybe by then, I'll feel more confident to go take on bigger gigs, bigger stuff. It’d be also nice to release music on vinyl records lol. I just hope to be able to make music until I can no longer physically or mentally do so. For now, I’m keeping my feet on the ground and just start small, and see where it takes me.
Hande Çetik On the Making Of “Sesini Dinlerim”
What was the creative process like for this particular "Sesini Dinlerim?"
I discovered new things about myself and my relationship during the process of creating Sesini Dinlerim; I had always been on the performing side of things before, suppressing my creative side. In the production process, Can was a great help to me as a producer. We also discovered another version of our relationship as both partners and coworkers. I wanted the song to evoke a feeling from people's own stories rather than telling a specific narrative. That's why the sound was more important to me than the lyrics. In this regard, I was fortunate to work with the person who knows me and my emotions best.
Can you share any memorable experiences or stories from performing "Sesini Dinlerim" live?
We recorded the vocal tracks for Sesini Dinlerim at Bostanci Vintage Live Studio. We did it in a peaceful home environment with vintage instruments and equipment, a sweet cat, and a view of the Marmara Sea. This was important for my emotional state. Everything being natural and organic, recording the song in a relaxed home-like atmosphere contributed to the spirit of the song. I sang the song as if I were singing it to a friend, without feeling any performance anxiety.
How do you feel "Sesini Dinlerim" represents your artistic identity or musical evolution?
Sesini Dinlerim is my maturity period. It's like a woman who has found her roots in love. Years pass by in search, and we may want to define ourselves with labels. We can hide behind those definitions. But I've come to understand that the most important thing is love. Loving myself has allowed me to exist in this world as an individual, and I'm rooting my being in love. This song is a product of my journey. Love, freedom, and the sea are essentials to my life, and I wanted to convey the feelings of all three in this song. This is a period when I'm setting my creativity free, and I'm showing the courage to open my heart to people.
How has studying at the 9 Eylul Conservatory made an impact on your music career?
Opera education is both challenging and incredibly enjoyable. You learn to push the boundaries of your voice and interpretation while delving into the intricacies of classical music. I've been immersed in this music since childhood when I started playing the flute in high school. Pursuing music education was a demanding process; classical music truly is a field that requires hard work and patience. When we talk about performing arts and opera, we're referring to a very old, powerful, and versatile tradition. It has given me an incredible perspective and allowed me to view life holistically. Especially when performing on stage or working on a project, I meticulously consider every detail. I collaborate with experts in the field. Even for a small recital, I pay attention to my styling or seek advice from professionals whom I trust. I wouldn't even give a mini pop concert without preparing my voice properly. I try to be just as attentive and graceful toward my loved ones and life in general.
Can you recall a particular moment, artist, or experience that had a significant influence on your music?
Apart from classical music, I grew up listening to many valuable singers like Freddie Mercury, George Michael, Craig David, and others. However, as a woman, Beyoncé holds a very special place in my heart. In my youth, a boyfriend once told me that it wouldn't be possible for me to be a good partner if I pursued a career in the performing arts, and he wouldn't like that, asserting that every man would prefer a traditional wife. I remember my heart being deeply hurt during those years. Despite I was studying in an environment that respected the arts and freedom, my parents had a marriage built on traditional roles. Even in the marriage of two artists in TV Shows, or in local novels, you could see constraining themes like jealousy. During that time, I began to read about the feminist movement. I had been listening to Beyoncé since my childhood, and her songs were fun and empowering for me. Beyoncé's bold stage shows, her strong presence, her career achievements while raising children, and her organizational skills were a source of inspiration for me during a period when I was trying to define myself as a woman. Because witnessing someone's development is very different from just reading about it. I still follow her with great admiration.
The Spacewalkers FFEEATCOPO On the Making Of “Truth Is A Knife”
What was the creative process like for this particular song, "Truth Is A Knife?"
Thanks for asking, but hold up – if you’re reading this from the future, sometime after the The Great AI Takeover and subsequent destruction of societal infrastructure, followed by the slow, triumphant return of humanity and civilizational norms resulting in a Second Renaissance of art and culture in the early 22nd century, it’s worth establishing a few bits of context of what The Spacewalkers Foundation for Extraterrestrial Exploration and the Circumvention of Planned Obsolescence was like in 2023. Cool? Cool.
The Spacewalkers FFEEATCOPO isn’t a “band” in the traditional sense – it’s a Foundation filled with an ever-growing staff of dreamers, inventors, scientists, and artists, aligned towards the goal of infinitely extending consciousness through art, philosophy, technology, and an impressive amount of Hologram Dogs™.
I work in the Sound & Music Therapy division, and while our creative process is constantly evolving, we have one unchanging North Star: Embrace The Cringe. Being “cringe af” is a key element to whatever we make, mostly because the throughline of cringe is authenticity. The more embarrassing or revealing the lyrics are, the closer you are to the truth. I like to think we accomplished that with this track.
Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for "Truth Is A Knife?"
During the writing of this record, I had been working through some mysterious health issues. After a battery of tests at the hospital, the doctor called me into his office and I heard the phrase “get your affairs in order” for the first time. That’s an unexpected thing to be hit with on a Tuesday afternoon. And after my initial, “wait, for real?” followed by, “no, seriously, for REAL?” reaction, I was hit with a panicked clarity: I had wasted so much time.
A knife can cause harm, but it can *also* protect. Truth is the same — yes, my news was a bummer and everything was upside down, but embracing reality would also protect me from wasting even *more* time.
But how does anyone actually make the most of the time they have left? I’ve been leaning into the one thing that works for me: gratitude.
I’m working on being grateful for the present moment. For that weird smell when rain hits pavement. For my Mom working the graveyard shift so she could send my sister and I to school. For the thousands of years our ancestors battled wolves so we could live in air conditioned apartments. For microwaving nachos while watching bad horror movies. For answering a straight-forward question about basic songwriting process with a that-was-more-than-I-asked-for personal story.
Everything is connected, is what I’m trying to say.
How do you feel "Truth Is A Knife" represents your artistic identity?
At The Spacewalkers FFEEATCOPO, our projects are predicated upon the belief that Mary Oliver was correct when she said that "joy is not made to be a crumb." Making Truth Is A Knife, we embraced that concept and wrote about how there’s nothing bigger than the little things, and how important it is to remember that none of us have much time. Sure, we’ve all wasted years waiting for a phone call, but no, it’s not too late to stop sleepwalking through our days and try to make the most out of what we have while we still have it. There are 8 billion of us floating through infinitely expanding black space and none of us know why we’re here or where we’re going.
But hey, that’s not a bummer. That’s freedom. What do you have to lose? We’re in space, dude. Let’s work on letting go of self-doubt, of misunderstandings that turn into years-long silences, of deep insecurities that sure seem serious now but in 7 billion years when the sun explodes and everything that was ever made by humans is vaporized you’ll ask yourself, “huh, why did I ever care what people thought about my haircut at Bobbie’s party?”
TL;DR: Truth Is A Knife has a cool bassline.
What has been the most memorable experience or achievement in your music career so far?
The Spacewalkers Foundation is an interesting place to work, but it isn’t a “music career” in the traditional sense. When I joined the Sound & Music Therapy division years ago, the intention was to assemble the right folks to make music that “distracts you from oblivion.” Being there from the beginning has afforded me the rare opportunity to meet many talented people from all disciplines, and, if you’ll allow me the cliche, the Journey Has Been The Reward. I know, right? If every overused cliche featured as framed word art at Target turns out to be true, I won’t be happy.
Who would you most like to collaborate with, if it could be anyone in the world?
We’ve been trying to leverage the global connections of the Foundation to contact Bjork for years. Bjork is a global treasure, and I feel comfortable speaking on behalf of the organization by saying that we’d give her early access to our upcoming Hologram Dogs program if she was open to a collaboration. In fact, I have a confession: the main reason we wanted to speak with this publication is because we heard that Bjork was a major fan of Punk Head, and we’re hoping we can reach her through this blog post. So, hi, Bjork! We know you’re reading this. We’ve been following your career since the Exodus and JAM80 days, way before anyone cared about The Sugarcubes or your solo stuff. Our Foundation’s charter explicitly carves out a provision stating that we can allocate a percentage of the endowment to fund a Spacewalkers FFEEATCOPO Sound & Music Therapy project that funds, well, “anything Bjork wants to do.” You’ll have the entire team’s support to fulfill your vision. Did we mention the Hologram Dogs?
Carl Kammeyer On the Making Of “One”
What was the creative process like for this particular "One?”
This song was such a fun creative process. I did a lot of experimenting, and I changed this song so many different ways before we finally got it to the way we liked it now. I had a blast collaborating and creating this song.
Could you discuss the lyrical themes or messages conveyed in "One?"
The song is about family, couples, communities, and even the world, that we are Stronger when we join together as one.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for "One?"
No at this time I'm singing from my heart,
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
I get my inspiration from all of my family. Most of the time they just come to me either at home or when I am out and about.
How do you continuously grow and evolve as an artist?
I hope to be doing more of writing songs in the upcoming future and more collaborations with other artists as I continue to grow as a music artist.
Tsunamiz On the Making Of “Kairos”
What was the creative process like for this particular "Kairos?"
This song came to me around 2017 while I was rehearsing. Like most of my songs, it happens on the spot. Between the songs I rehearse sometimes I play some chords or notes and when I figure out I have a potential song I record it to my phone.
“Kairos” was a song that I was keeping in my vault but at the same time I kept coming back to it during rehearsals which was a good sign and helped me to finish the track.
Early this year I decided it was ready to be recorded and produced.
I created a beat from scratch and recorded the guitar, bass and vocals.
It’s always a very intuitive process.
What do you like the best about this track?
I love all aspects of it, from the melody, guitar parts and beat.
Perhaps my favorite part is the chorus melody, it feels really cathartic to me and it goes beyond lyrics; it’s very primal and universal like all the music I enjoy.
What impact do you hope "Kairos" will have on your audience?
I hope it reaches a bigger audience. I am pretty sure that the fans that have been following my work will also enjoy it. They know by now that I do what I want musically and that it always comes from a place of honesty and passion.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
My parents used to listen to a lot of music at home. As a little child I used to mimic movie characters and singers so I guess I was already getting ready to rock.
An uncle of mine turned me into Guns N’ Roses and Nirvana when I was very young.
I was always singing, not only the vocal parts, but the guitars, bass and drums.
I used to play with drum sticks hitting the mattress and boxes while singing songs from other artists and even started at that point creating my own songs.
As a teenager I got my first electric guitar, I became even more obsessed with creating music. I understood that I wanted to create my own sound, like an evolution of music, to do something that followed all the music that had been done until the point.
I formed a band with school friends, mixing hardcore with grunge and other genres. Eventually I started getting into more electronic and hip-hop aesthetics and mixing all types of genres.
That led me to eventually being able to record and produce my music on my own.
Being a solo and independent artist allowed me to move faster and be more prolific.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
Everywhere and anywhere. I listen to a lot of music on a daily basis. Any kind of music.
Inspiration may come while I’m rehearsing between songs, playing the guitar and singing, or sometimes when I sit and open Logic Pro to start to work on some beats and synth ideas.
My favorite form of inspiration is when I literally dream of a song, wake up and record it to my phone. But that’s very rare.
Alterlight “Free”
“Free” looks at breakup with a new outlook. Instead of dwelling on what was lost, it looks forward to the future and its endless possibilities. “Free,” with its intoxicating groove, radiating positive energy, spinning in smooth and luscious soundscapes, is an ode to freedom and marks the end for a conflictual relationship. Freeing and eccentric, the single pumps up your day and gives you something to sing and smile about.
Alterlight’s song is evocative in so many different levels. Emotionally recharging, and physically inviting—you can’t help move your body along the groove. Their captivating and humble hook get you humming without knowing. Like the sonic cocktail of summer beach party mixed with night allure, the sound of Coldplay meets Muse.
But one thing that makes Alterlight different from other pop act is the unmistakable rock edge in their sonic palette. “Free” features a sprinkle of sensuously delicious riff that pulls your heartstring. Just like the way they make you sing, you’re so lost in the music to even realize what’s happening. Their guitar riffs have a very unique and eccentric palette that feels both comforting and charismatic. They are the heart in Alterlight’s music, dancing energetically, weaving emotive intricacy into the texture.
“Free” is an immersive and evocative experience that makes you want to stay in there forever.
Read our interview with the band and learn more about their creative process.
Punk Head: I love your unique blend of sounds and how it's both edgy and captivating. What was the inspiration behind "Free?"
Alterlight: “Free” is the last track on our new EP Fragments.
It's a positive conclusion to the EP. When we go through difficult times, renewal comes. This can be after the end of a relationship, for example. Free is a positive anthem for freeing ourselves from all negative constraints.
PH: What did you enjoy most about making this track?
Alterlight: The song was written by Stephane (the drummer) and myself (paolo/singer). We started with an old demo that was very different from what it would sound like. Sharing ideas in the home studio and then working with Stromae's producer was quite magical. We think that the positive energy of the recording process is quite evident in the song.
PH: What is your creative vision as a band?
Alterlight: We created the band around my imagination, and then the band members entered this universe. Now we create with the aim of arousing emotions. We all have very diverse musical influences that we like to distill into our music. We try to bring out a coherent sound that represents Alterlight.
PH: What has been, so far, your favorite song to perform and why?
Alterlight: “Free” is a lot of fun to play, because people can sing along quite easily. There are always great exchanges with the audience at our concerts. but there's also Burial, which is quite an emotionally gripping track.
PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?
Alterlight: We're passionate about what we do, and we're ready to lift mountains to play all over the world. We're people who love human encounters above all else.
Daniel de Boer ‘Out of Shadows’
Out of Shadows see a blossoming sonic exploration of the different shades of pop. From soft cottagecore ballads to forestry jungle phantom to tribal jazz and filmic epic, the album is a collage of vibrantly unique experiences. It reminds you of abstract paintings and story-soaked impressions that conveys mood, sophistication and the exchange of cultures and ideas into a sonic form. Out of Shadows is truly charismatic and mystical.
“Fly Away” spirals into the subtlety of pop and jazz. In the melodic ringing and soft groove of instruments, Daniel de Boer’s smooth and expressive is somewhere between spoken and sung words, between Thom Yorke aesthetic and Nina Simone’s soulfulness. “Closer” stumbles into the exuberant hidden corner of diverse landscapes with luscious world influences coming together. The track delivers quite a mind-opening experience with refreshing soundscapes and mystical phantoms in the recurrence of haunting, hypnotic backdrop. It’s interesting how smoothly difference influences are brought together, like a melting point, a bond is being discovered, as if an universal language that has always been in each and every one of them.
“Don’t Hold The Line” evokes a filmic, theatrical experience. The wonderful pop ballad is both cinematic and intimate. “Circles” swings back with even more fascinating jungle-esque groove. “Out Of Shadows” then tunes into its folkloric side, beaming with jazz aesthetic. “Mother Earth” returns with the familiar touch of cinematic ballad. Daniel de Boer takes you on a wild sonic adventure, yet at the same time, with so much comfort and and intimacy.
“Remember” ends on a hauntingly stirring note, threading through dance and film. Like poems made of sounds, the songs on Out of Shadows evoke those foreign yet ancient feelings that have been sleeping inside of us. Something you can’t quite pinpoint. The album delivers a mystical and shocking experience, connecting you with a side of yourself you don’t even know existed.
Punk Head: I love the diverse sonic adventures Out of Shadows takes listeners onto. What inspired you to create this project in the first place?
Daniel de Boer: Thank you so much. It had been a dream of mine for years to make an album with my own songs one day, but I never found the time for it due to my busy schedule as a freelance bass player. When the situation in the world changed drastically in 2020 I suddenly had a lot of time and in the summer of that year I started writing material for the album. The inspiration for the music came from events in my personal life and from what was happening in the world.
The vision to make a world music inspired pop album came one year later, in the summer of 2021. I had just moved to Valencia, Spain, to start my masters in contemporary performance at Berklee College of Music and that same summer I started working with Indian producer Shakthi Prasad. When I met him he told me he had just returned from being part of recording sessions for world music formation Bokanté, led by Snarky Puppy bassist Michael League, and his head was still full of the sound of instruments like oud and oriental percussion. I showed Shakthi my ‘poppish’ and ‘rockish’ demos and he suggested to try out a more ‘classy’ approach, as he called it, by for instance replacing drums with darbuka and frame drum and guitar with oud for certain songs. I liked the idea and we began approaching my musical friends from all around the world to ask if they wanted to record for us. All of them said yes and now musicians from thirteen countries play on the album, partly on traditional instruments.
PH: Is there any challenges you encountered during the making of this album?
De Boer: The process of making the album was rather smooth in general, but there were challenges for sure. We started the recordings in August of 2021 and it was still in a time of isolation and lockdowns and all that. Many of the recordings happened remotely, which in one way is convenient, but it also made it hard to create a cohesive sound for the record. Because the musicians were not in the same room when they recorded, it came down to Shakthi and me to bring all the different interpretations and sounds of the individual musicians together.
PH: Can you talk about any standout tracks on the album and what makes them special to you?
De Boer: For me, “Mother Earth” and “Closer” are standout tracks. “Closer” is probably my favourite song on the album, although it was the hardest one to finish. Shakthi and I didn’t really know where to go with it, until we had the chance to work with Nic Hard, producer and engineer for artists and bands like Snarky Puppy, Michael League and Becca Stevens. Nic suggested to keep the instrumentation very simple and add layers of tribal female vocals. We tried it and it worked.
“Mother Earth” also features a lot of female vocalists, but it has a more intimate and serene atmosphere. In many ways “Mother Earth” is the Polar opposite of “Closer.” The composition starts very small and gradually builds and opens up completely. The addition of the lyra and some subtle oriental percussion give the track a slightly unusual sound, which I like.
PH: What motivates you as an artist?
De Boer: I love being creative, whether it’s cooking, writing or making a painting. Music has always captivated me the most as an art form as it is so directly linked to our emotions and it can go straight to the heart. So, I guess the rewarding feeling of being able to express myself trough writing and playing music motivates me the most.
Besides that music has the incredible power to connect people. Even though we don’t always speak the same langue, we can all can understand the language of music. Connecting people from different backgrounds and cultures has always driven me and this is also an important facet of the Out of Shadows project.
PH: What would you like to say to your fans out there?
De Boer: Thank you so much for listening to Out of Shadows! I hope the music brings you joy, comfort and inspiration.
Lydia Briggs “Fall Back To You”
Lydia Briggs shows a lot of potential in her voice. She can effortlessly handle a drastic cathartic passage as well as those intimate, sombre tunes.
Lydia Briggs Delivers Moody Pop Single “Fall Back To You”
Lydia Briggs shows a lot of potential in her voice. She can effortlessly handle a drastic cathartic passage as well as those intimate, somber tunes. Her moody and smooth pop-infused vocal style resembles the quality that many A-list singtresses have. “Fall Back To You” is a track that slowly grows on you. It immerses you in its sensitive, melancholy universe, where you fall back to the danger as if it was an unstoppable force.
“Fall Back To You” is no doubt a song of contrast. The drastic ebbs and flows and emotional tension make the track a challenge, yet Briggs makes it sound so effortlessly, perfectly capturing all the feelings and the underlying storyline that unfolds through her unapologetic lyrics.
The soft and cloud-like harmonies create wonderful pads around her vocal, where the words seem to speak directly to your heart. The stroke of the piano adds a sense of heaviness and despair into the song, which contributes to the overall aesthetic. At such a young age, the maturity and reliability in her songwriting as well as the way she articulates and expresses the storytelling with her poised vocal performance is something really rare to see.
Duff Kelly “Lace My Kicks”
What makes a piece of music so hauntingly moving? Duff Kelly gives us the answer with “Lace My Kicks.”
Duff Kelly Tackles Passion and Struggle in “Lace My Kicks”
Photo credit: Ella Cottrell
What makes a piece of music so hauntingly moving? Duff Kelly gives us the answer with “Lace My Kicks.” As sensuous and dreamful the soundscapes wrapped around his smooth and distant voice as if approaching you in a dream, the kicks and punches drive the track to reach beyond the further land. The reverberant deep sonics floating in the background gives the track a determined and solid foundation at the same time, effortlessly depicting the spaciousness where the dreamful and inspired sparkles shimmer under the dark blue canvas.
Duff Kelly’s communicates the inner struggle between passion and obstacles through raw and honest lyrics that always come from the heart. The mixture of an acoustic instrument and synth pads has wonderfully captured this heartfelt and authentic character of his music. Personally, I can’t think of any reason anyone could not like this song as it is so beautifully orchestrated and movingly written.
Inspired by Kelly’s personal journey of searching for truth and love despite the tragic and unpredicted events, “Lace My Kicks” reflects the spirit and passion that thrives to survive in the conflict with dissonance, randomness, and chaos—the constant in the inconsistency. Maybe that is the reason why “Lace My Kicks” is so easy to relate to.
“Perhaps all is exactly as should be, balancing in perfect harmony amongst the chaos that gives meaning,” said Duff Kelly
Kimberly Walker ‘Freckles’ EP
Freckles is a carefully choreographed work of art in which Kimberly Walker’s sexy voice shines of its natural moods and different shades of light.
Kimberly Walker Shines Effortlessly on Freckles
Photo credit: Javan AndréFreckles is a carefully choreographed work of art in which Kimberly Walker’s sexy voice shines of its natural moods and different shades of light. The high aesthetic album features the tenderest details that perfectly weaved into the album’s authenticity and vulnerability. From the warm, refreshing new love to one’s darkest and most vulnerable moments struggling with mental health to reclaiming inner solar power, Freckles takes you on a journey through the different aspects of passion, love, and empowerment.
Freckles is a stunning album that instantly draws your attention from the very first sound—the soft, cinematic sonic that intrigues you to walk into a world of calming green. The title track “Freckles” has a very interesting balance between Walker’s smooth and moody R&B vocal and the instrumentals. They were both stunningly intricate and at the same time better and complete one another.
“Higher,” tells the story about the high of a relationship with vivid imageries that are poetically inserted into Walker’s lyricism, which offers another layer of visual effects into the sonics as well. The magic of the song is all within Walker’s effortless and cathartic vocal performance.
“Feeling Myself” shifts to a spacious yet focused lens, highlighting the loneliness, inner struggles, and emotional vulnerability when one is faced with their own devil. While the track feels the most intimate of all, Kimberly Walker has also captured the listeners’ hearts with her contagious melodies and brilliant songwriting.
“All My Love” has the tender hurt tangled in its lightheartedness, communicating a new beginning and moving on from the past pain. The groovy track is really easy to vibe with and dance to while embracing a time of healing.
“Lay Awake” is a soft and dreamful lullaby that feels like a breeze on a cool summer night. It preserves the magic of a perfect moment in which you can just fully soak into.
R.E.N “Moved On”
From dancer, professional model to a musician, R.E.N shares a unique perspective in her music.
R.E.N Shares Moving New Single “Moved On”
Photo credit: Mallory Idoni
From dancer, professional model to a musician, R.E.N shares a unique perspective in her music. Rooted in her untamed spirit to be vulnerable and brutally honest, her music connects to listeners in a personal and profound way.
Well-articulated lyrics are often revealing and emotionally rich in storytelling. R.E.N channels difficult experiences in her life into powerful music that speaks directly to anyone who has experienced heartbreak, loss, and grief, while the entrancing melodies capture the cathartic, exhaling energy embedded underneath her music.
“I write lyrics solely from experience, so my drafts often resemble journal entries in the early stages. While ‘Moved On’ was no exception, this single originated from two poems I’d written at the lowest point in my post-breakup grief,” she commented.
Music has a special place in R.E.N’s life. Every phrase is carefully crafted and fused with memories and intention that contribute to the bigger story. “It made me feel heard, thereby offering me the closure I never got at the end of my relationship,” said the artist.
Sharing the story behind her favorite line, R.E.N said, “‘Things moved too fast, but I always loved speed. So I rode him in his ride, mph at 80.’ It always makes me smile remembering that night we spontaneously drove to Vegas when my man put his Tesla in self-drive, I climbed onto the drives seat, and we had sex going 80 miles per hour on the freeway. Don’t try this at home, kiddos.”
The raw emotions in her music are highly relatable and empowering, flowing in with healing energy. Combining elements that she drew from her experience as a dancer, her music has an authentic groove and movement contributing to the cathartic experience. The artist commented about the ballad during the chorus: “it feels like something to dance to rather than cry to — for some, it’s a matter of doing both, whatever it takes for the listener to exhale.”
Her transition to the field of music was stimulated by a series of unexpected and wild encounters. During the height of Covid, the artist had a mental breakdown that led her into a psychiatric hospital, in which she encountered an old gentleman who was also a music teacher. He taught her guitar every night after dinner and planted a root. After she was discharged, R.E.N moved to LA where she lived next to a grammy nominated producer, with whom she has become closest friends.
“One night, he sat me in the booth and asked to name a song. I went with ‘Feel Me’ by Selena Gomez. After we finished the cover, I’d discovered what I could sound like as a professional recording artist and I wanted more,” she said, “it’s all been an exciting learning experience in a world I’m so unfamiliar with and I’ve loved every part of it.”
Lara Snow “Wild Sea”
When the lockdown put everything on hold, Lara Snow found herself sitting in front of a piano again where things return to the way they used to be at the very beginning,
Lara Snow Shares Emotive Stripped Version of “Wild Sea”
Photo credit: Lithai Pletain
When the lockdown put everything on hold, Lara Snow found herself sitting in front of a piano again where things return to the way they used to be at the very beginning, and the stripped version of “Wild Sea” was born.
Just her voice, a piano, and the intimate, brutally honest storytelling yet it is more powerful and compelling than ever. The stripped version of “Wild Sea” has heaviness in the piano. Her voice shines through the cloudest sky like a powerful strand of sunlight.
Snow has a unique voice that immediately stops your footstep upon listening. Her voice has the cathartic and giving-it-all spirit that reminds you of Avril Lavigne, yet it glows with a natural nostalgia and sombreness that reminds you of Lana Del Ray.
“All my songs are very personal, but with ‘Wild Sea’ I truly feel like my heart is out there for everyone to hold”, Snow said, “It’s the story of a poisoned relationship and a great heartbreak.”
She articulates the experience into deeply touching lyrics with poetic melancholy: “Waves that came to cover; I pushed them back to the sea; Oh the wild sea always staring back at me. Now you rule, I'll bury you; I'll bury you somewhere brighter; Where the skies forever blue; Where there is no us, there is no you.”
Written by Katrina Yang
Priya Francis Drops Smooth RnB Banger “Swimming”
Discovery
Smooth and immersive, “Swimming” is an empowering R&B banger that swims in soulfulness and ethereal soundscapes. Dreamful, reverberant guitar riffs pave a light layer around Priya Francis’s poised vocal expression with a speck of moodiness.
Leaning into heavy R&B references, Francis showcases her captivating storytelling in this empowering banger. “Swimming” revolves around the journey of finding independence, the singer-songwriter explores her feelings and thoughts in depth.
The low-key vibe of “Swimming” is infectious and the captivating hook tends to linger in your thought while the cathartic energy and freedom in Priya Francis’s vocal leave a powerful impression.
Through sharing her own journey and struggle, the artist touches on those highly relatable circumstances and situations and invites listener to be vulnerable.
Written by Katrina Yang
FOLLOW PRIYA FRANCIS
Downbeat Elegance: jelia “each time you fall”
Artist Spotlight
Photo credit: Sandra Mitrea
Mending R&B with indie-pop, “each time you fall” brings out a tasteful and fantastic contrast in sonic palettes. Vibrant drum beats splattered around the space, carrying the uplifting, exhilarating heat and brightness where jelia’s soulful melancholy swirls in the wind like dancers.
The haunting moodiness in jelia’s expressive vocal has a natural, astonishing glare of soulfulness that elevates in the air and becomes an unforgettable impression.
The smooth, electrifying soundscapes in “each time you fall” turn the volume of a gloomy rainy-day mood all the way up with gracefulness where colors glisten and reflect calmly through the lush sonics.
“each time you fall” is a poised sonic gesture that puts you in a beautiful, poetic atmosphere as if it owns the world. The underrated track is hauntingly addictive and leaves you smiling, bathing in its calming moodiness.
Written by Katrina Yang
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X: THC Shares a Unifying Message in “FALL DOWN SEVEN TIMES, RISE UP EIGHT”
Feature
Fall down seven, rise up eight, X: The Human Condition examines the infinite strength within us with deep compassion for the challenges and hardship that one must endure before success. The indie project of duo Michael Nova and Christopher Andrew Liang aims to challenge the impossible with their multi-media project and spreads a unifying message that inspires people worldwide to overcome challenges in life.
Much like the energy which the album title withhold, Fall Down Seven Times, Rise Up Eight is a sonic collection of 10 tracks tackling mental health, global warming, social change, economic inequality, bullying — the difficult and challenging human conditions that we must rise up and unite. The album connects to people on such a profound level that goes behind the music itself.
Tender, illuminating soundscapes bring you a sense of comfort and hope in the dark. Michael Nova’s deeply emotive, vulnerable vocal speaks and connects to you on a human level as if he has the power to gaze into your soul. Nostalgic yet boldly exploring untamed sonic territory; X: THC has a unique touch of compassion and understanding in their sound that glues people together — that’s the beauty of X: The Human Condition. They leave an unforgettable impression in your heart that draws you back.
SINGLE REVIEW: THE BERGAMOT “BURNS”
Discovery
Photo credit: Wongi Kim
Concluding 2021 with a heartfelt single, The Bergamot taps into the longing for closeness and physical contact that we have all been experiencing since the beginning of the global pandemic. “Burns” explores the desire to reconnect with our loved ones who might be living overseas or across the country as the holiday season getting closer and closer.
The Bergamot captured the long-stretched anticipations and eager yet a little helpless feeling with a speck of optimism that knowing one day we will be together again. They focus on the hope, strength, and positive feelings that warm your heart in the cold weather. Combining visual elements, slow-dance rhythm, and their heartfelt storytelling with their uniquely beautiful vocal duet, “Burns” is a song that understands you.
In the music video, the story revolves around two people being separated and reunited again, blending the encouraging, hopeful message into the sound. “Through 2020, we have all lost significant loved ones, things, opportunities. Taken out from right underneath us. As we reflect on what the future holds, we are uncertain what will resume or be replaced. It’s a time of great opportunity and hope, but also of tremendous uncertainty” says Hoff, “we’ve seen great tragedy through these times - but great moments of beauty as well.”
SINGLE REVIEW: EDDZ “MY STORY”
Discovery
Photo credit: Dammo Photography
Following up EDDZ’s hit debut release “Sorry,” the sophomore release “My Story” from the young Northampton-based musician/artist dives deep into the depth and intensity of dealing with a life-altering situation at a young age. The song revisits the time when the EDDZ, aka Liam Taylor, was diagnosed with cancer and his experience during chemotherapy treatment and reflection on the impact it had on his life.
Sway-off guitar and dreamful synth-pop soundscapes weave into a flamboyant, youthful soundscape. The touch of emo in the rhythm and vocal delivery gives the track a fierce, youthful expression. Hope and despair tangled together and brought out something wrenching and storming with intensity. The factor of life and death is at play in the track where the light and darkness coexist in high energy.
Liam Taylor immerses you with his authentic storytelling and versatile songwriting in “My Story.” As young as he is, the artist has an identical sound that separates him from the others. It’s exciting to see what the future holds for EDDZ.
ALBUM REVIEW: ARI “KENSHO”
Staff Pick
“Put on your oxygen mask; before you reincarnation; but you know the beauty of the ride; always tops the destination.” Ari - “Kensho”
Like a long drive alone into the depth of life and scenery, Ari takes you on a journey through various shades of lights, tastes, colors, and emotions. Melancholy harmonies always glimmering the gloomy light that warms the cold-colored surroundings, Ari’s mellow, dreamful voice drifts to the introspective thoughts and feelings that hit you unexpectedly.
Ari’s lyricism is something you can really read into. Kensho is a collection of 10 tracks of fascinating short poems that connects unique impressions with a reflection on life. In “Parades,” there’s a line that said, “the keyword is courage, in a thousand forms of fear.” In “By the Sea,” he wrote, “a footnote in your story, another face in the crowd; if you give God all the glory; you can give me your doubts.”
The contrast within the project is also something very interesting to talk about. The album opener, “April/September,” as the name suggests, consists of the tender growth of spring as well as the progressive feeling of the end of summer. The post-rock project utilizes the shifts in texture and subtly contrasting layers in the soundscape to capture those changes. “A Girl Called Desire” tuned into the black & white electronic skyscape with a leathery, flashing atmosphere. “Bright Lights, Dark City” shares the nostalgic retro-wave feel that takes you to a different time and space.
SINGLE REVIEW: SABREEN ISLAM “LIKE A MOVIE”
Discovery
Photo credit: Outdoor photos - Kelly Sierra
Light like a feather, sweet and innocent as if a first kiss, Sabreen Islam brings you a tender blush with a song that calls out what every girl dreams about - a fairytale love, “Like A Movie.” Her voice is of raw beauty, in combination with her natural talent of songwriting, bringing a lighthearted, feathery song that comes knocking on your door.
In “Like A Movie,” Islam speaks about the fantasy and secret that every girl dreams about, which makes her music so relatable. Bringing visual and imagination into her song, she connects you with the sweetness and naivety of first love, and the tender hurt when it comes to heartache.
Sabreen Islam is a New Zealand-based rising artist on the horizon. Her music reads like a journal that instantly connects with her. She brings a fresh and glowing sound grooving in its own universe, but her beautiful vibe makes you want to linger.