“Born Out of Winter, Dreaming Summer” North Lakes on ‘Black Cat Music Volume 1’
Born out of the frigid winter, North Lakes bring back the vibrant summer, brewing the wonderful mix of power pop, proto-punk, and garage rock.
Photo credit: Andrew Cairns
“Winters in Atlantic Canada can be pretty miserable. It gets pretty easy to choose to stay at home and essentially hibernate for a lot of the year, so the songs tend to be from the perspective of someone who is reluctant to engage with people, places, and environments of that season,” said Nathan from North Lakes, “but the point is that you can find a lot of beauty if you get outside of your shelter.”
Born out of the frigid winter, North Lakes bring back the vibrant summer, brewing the wonderful mix of power pop, proto-punk, and garage rock. Featuring four high-energy, unique yet timeless tracks, Black Cat Music Volume 1 marks the beginning of a creative journey. A pinch of nostalgia recalling the classic modern rock sound mixed in with North Lakes’s intuitive visual sensitivity, Black Cat Music Volume 1 puts you in the scene while entrancing your ears. “Good for driving, good for dancing, good for daring to reach a little farther. We’re genuinely proud of these songs,” Nathan reassured us.
The journey of waking up and getting out of one’s own cave starts with “After The Drifts,” filled with mixed feelings and overthinking that gives the song a dangerous edge while contrasting the sonics. “Noise on the Anvil” lifts up the curtain and sees the ocean from the window, where the chill, surfacing soundscapes slowly melt the edge. “I like the invitation to ‘Meet me down at the concert hall with the night owls under the mirror ball, I wanna dance in a tape delay.’ That sounds like a pretty good night to me,” Nathan commented. “Jasmine the Flower” takes a dreamful retro down memory lane, while “Feel Nothing” steps boldly outside the door.
The creative process behind the band comes collaborative and interactive. “Typically, I write and record a bunch of demos. As a band, we choose our favorites and hammer out an arrangement or part ideas that would build upon what we already have. We mostly just stab in the dark until the light tears through,” said Nathan.
Interview & written by Katrina Yang
FOLLOW NORTH LAKES
Aura Davis Portrays “Bad Girl” in “What You Love”
Revolving around the fictional character, “What You Love” tuned into the dark, dangerous side while remaining the initial touch of a campfire feel to enrich the storytelling.
Photo credit: Karin Merz
Unfortunately, sometimes the version of who you are in other people’s discussion could derive far from your true personality. Gossips can be hostile in painting a person “the bitch,” while in reality, she might be the sweetest person you knew. Inspired by a betrayal Aura Davis experienced when she found herself being portrayed as a mean, self-centered, careless woman, she picked up the guitar and brought “the madwoman” to life.
Revolving around the fictional character, “What You Love” tuned into the dark, dangerous side while remaining the initial touch of a campfire feel to enrich the storytelling. Unlike the emotionally detached, man-eating woman in gossips, “What You Love” adds depth to the character. Deep in the sonics, the reverberant, atmospheric soundscapes have the hurt and lonely feeling in them that makes you wonder. On the surface, the bad girl is the heartbreaker who never sticks around, but deep inside, no one knows what she has been through.
There are so many layers in Aura Davis storytelling that fascinates you and keep you in the loop to explore the sonics and her lyricism. The guitar strumming creates a flaming texture underneath Davis’s vocal. Her cathartic performance has the emotionally charged moodiness that instantly draws you in.
D3lta Delivers Heartfelt Single “Hey You”
Spinning freely in sonic expressions, D3lta’s music is never about fitting in but creating its own rhythm where the story and inspiration are calling.
“I always try to follow the song and where it wants to take me rather than imposing a certain structure or sound. For the time being the most common element in terms of the sound, is that the production is based on live performances of people playing in a room together - which is unique apparently - and the very warm vibe that this creates,” D3lta.
Spinning freely in sonic expressions, D3lta’s music is never about fitting in but creating its own rhythm where the story and inspiration are calling. In “Hey You,” D3lta articulated the struggle of losing someone you once admired with emotional rawness and brutal honesty, bringing to life powerful, cathartic storytelling.
Light piano flows calmly in the background; the spotlights focus on D3lta’s emotive vocal. “Hey You” creates an intimate atmosphere to explore vulnerability, where the deep longing to reconnect with the person you used to know and the loneliness craved in. D3lta has captured those deep, rich feelings so perfectly in their lyricism. Immersive strings and a light backing choir; minimalistic percussion has a poetic touch in support of its storytelling, “Hey You” engages listeners with immersive, cinematic feelings.
The music video dances between the past and future selves performing to each other. It represents the idea of the child dreaming of becoming and the adult advising the younger self to break free from any restraints. “When I was young and had only just started to play the guitar or the piano, I would often sit in my room at night, open the lights of my bedroom so that it was reflected by the window, and imagine that I was in an arena performing in front of thousands of people,” said D3lta.
Xolydia Fuses 80s Vibe in Debut Single “Tune To You”
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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.
Seeg Showcase Sonic Versatility in “Echoes”
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Album Art: Echos
Seeg explores a wide range of sonic palettes in Echoes. From lucid, evocative dreamscapes to cathartic, electrified flames to cinematic lullabies, Seeg continues the sonic conversation with his listeners. Beauty storms out of chaos, the harmonious, sensuous touch of light gives the album a soft gaze that transcends the mood.
“Echelon” gives out a strong opening statement that storms into your ear with its edgy, contrasting soundscapes. Towards the end, it slowly lightens and transforms into a luscious, dreamful texture that paves the way for the further exploration of the meditative, peaceful, and introspective theme.
From “Hollow Light” to “Your Voice,” Seeg makes an elegant transition that gradually shifts the lightning, colors, and mood in each song, stripping through the heaviness in production but spiraling deep to the core. “Heart Don’t” is where the rhythm and energy rise up again with a vibrant, swirling, fuller sound that feels like a rebirth and celebration. “Lately I” drifts into a nostalgic, cinematic slow dance that continues through “Shadow.” “Rift” concludes the album with free-form improvisation that seems like a poetic end to a new beginning.
Sonic Wonderland: Fog Chaser “Foreign Morning”
Staff Pick
An inspired, illuminating sonic world where the creative ideas flow freely in the air. “Foreign Morning” has a childlike, magical innocence in it that makes you feel lighter and more peaceful while the warm sun recharges and renews your entire being. It welcomes you into a dreamy, rain-soaked sonic morning, witnessing the magnificence and brilliance of nature while it echoes and calls for your soul and emotions.
Fog Chaser’s music is delightful stimulating. It flows softly and brightly like a feather in the wind, taking you to unexplored territory. Like having a conversation with an old friend who you could connect to instantly on a soul level and the discussion always take you somewhere new. “Foreign Morning” is a track that is worth exploring.
Fog Chaser is the instrumental brainchild of multi-instrumentalist, composer, Matthew M. Evans who has had songs made appearances in the film Run the Race, TV shows, including Teen Mom 2, and on American Airlines in-flight radio. Exploring the sonic wonderland with cinematic, neo-classical influences, Evans brings you a genuine, beautiful experience.
ZøIE X Returns With Melancholy Single “sad girl thing”
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Photo credit: Raena Skyy
“sad girl thing” has a sensuous melancholy imprinted in the sonics that speaks to those lonely, vulnerable moments when someone invalidates your feelings. Through exploring and pearling deep down into those personal experiences, Zøie X brings forward a highly-relatable single that every twenty-something could easily resonate with.
Zøie X has an intuitive sense of rawness in her lyricism and sound. Co-written by Zøie X and Sarah Underwood, produced by Matt Harris, the smooth, airy soundscapes paint a light, fluid-like layer of beautiful sadness under Zøie X’s effortless, captivating vocal with a light touch of electricity.
Hailing from Nashville, TN, Zøie X is a singer-songwriter on the rising. Combining heartfelt piano chords with swirling beats, “sad girl thing” speaks directly to your heart, connecting with those early, coming-of-age experiences.
Lonely Boy Highly-Anticipated Chapter 1 of “LONELY PPL” is Here
Staff Pick
"Everyone gets their heart broken sometimes, LONELY PPL is my personal journey filled with trials and tribulations and the authentic vulnerable human experience that comes with heartbreak, healing and moving on. I'm very proud to share this personal gift from me to you, and I hope you love it just as much as I loved creating it." —Lonely Boy
Lonely Boy’s Lonely PPL Vol. 1 opens a gateway towards a world in which time has stopped. There’s no-compete the emotional richness and vibrant feelings that Lonely Boy creates. A throwback to the nostalgic smooth vocal of the 90s and early 2000s R&B with lush production, Lonely Boy sets the mood of amber and wine with tasteful moodiness. Exploring vulnerability with his unlimited creative energy, Lonely Boy creates music that you can fall deeply in love with within seconds.
“October” opens in a distorted, lo-fi blurriness that instantly sets you in the tender heartbreak. The warm, transparent texture and an intuitive beat highlight the heart-wrenching feelings in Lonely Boy’s storytelling. “Only One Night” explores a hollow, echoing sonic background that gives the ballad a surreal vibe. Lonely Boy takes you to another world with his captivating, evocative vocal that blends soul and pop with a special flavor.
“Sussex Drive” is a brighter and lighter track among the three that transcends the mood with celestial choirs and starry soundscape. The world feels richer and better when Lonely Boy’s music is on. It’s a feeling that you’re so deeply engaged in his sonic world that you miss his music even the player is on.
PAGES. Release Roof-Lifting Single “BLACK AND BLUE”
Staff Pick
Photo credit: Jack Jamieson
Evocative, addictive, and explosive, PAGES. walks between the delicate line of rock and pop. Produced by Joseph Schmidts,“Black and Blue” explores an immersive, fuller sound that compresses the lit energy of rock n roll with the luscious, entrancing soundscapes of pop. Intricate yet intensified build-up pushes the track towards each sonic high, “Black and Blue” tackles obsessions and consequences of the night in a sonic dangerously haunting manner.
“Black and Blue” has an attitude that really grows on you from the very first sound of their swooping riff. The backing vocal adds a layer of sensitivity into their sound, where the lead vocal has a devil-may-dare sort of feel. Rhythm guitar paves an intensified, past-paced soundscape underneath the heating soundscapes.
Formed in 2019, PAGES. is a Scottish pop-rock 3-piece band. After nearly 18 months of hiatus due to the pandemic, the band is back with their highly anticipated sophomore release, “Black and Blue” taking another step forward into realizing their unique creative vision.
X: THC Shares a Unifying Message in “FALL DOWN SEVEN TIMES, RISE UP EIGHT”
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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.
Gigantic Hand Drops Haunting New Single “Saint Joan of Arc”
Song of the Day
Photo credit: Sarah Tamar
Chant-like vocal brewing in an emerging fuzziness and booming pads while glockenspiel decorates the skyscape like glitters and stars. The persistent, echoing lyricism draws you into an introspective space where the repeating line “the lines are forming, they push into waves” leaves a burning mark in your memory.
“Saint Joan of Arc” by Gigantic hand compresses a rare combination of artistry and powerful storytelling into a single creation. Inspired by the French heroine Joan of Arc, who led France to victory during the Hundred Years’ War with England and later burned alive on the stake for witchcraft, “Saint Joan of Arc” subtly explores a darker, ancient event with their uniquely electrified soundscapes.
Joan of Arc was born in medieval France, believed that God has chosen her to lead France to victory in the hundred years’ war with England. With no military training, Joan convinced Charles to let her lead an army and achieved a momentous victory over England and its allies. After Charles was crowned King Charles VII, Joan was burned alive on a stake for witchcraft. She was only 19 at that time. 500 years later in 1920, Joan was officially canonized as a Roman Catholic saint.
James Bakain Shines on “Use Me”
Staff Pick
Simplicity meets the urban luscious night-lit aesthetic, the chill, late-night vibe is charged with the rush of oxytocin (the love hormone), “Use Me” brings you the excitement and passion of youthful love as if time has stopped. Innocent but not lacks of complexity, the 17-year-old London-based writer/producer showcases his solid songwriting and production that exceeds his age.
Written and produced entirely by James Bakian in his home studio, “Use Me” explores sonic storytelling through electric soundscapes. The flowing symbolizes the rush of a fast-moving relationship, where passion is confronted with real-life issues. It has a fierce, passionate feel that is almost addictive, while the smooth, urban synth pads paint the surrounding that puts you under the city night.
James Bakian shares a fresh, authentic sound that takes a few steps forward beyond the current trend. Driven by passion, the young writer/producer stays true to his work. With a natural complexity in his sonic palette, it’s hard to imagine what the artist could be capable of in the future, but it’s surely going to exceed your anticipation.
SINGLE REVIEW: CHARLIE STEADY “UNFULFILLED GENIUS OF MARTIN STREET” and “GREYHOUND”
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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.
SINGLE REVIEW: SCOTT ROCCO “SOUTHERN LOVE”
Song of the Day
Photo credit: Tamara Lee Carroll
Scott Rocco is a brilliant and powerful storyteller. His lyricism puts you in the front row as if both witnessing and engaging in each memory where he reflects, reveals, and captures the powerful images and moments in life with his words. His genuine, cathartic vocal delivery reaches deep into your heart and soul that connects you with profound feelings you thought you have long forgotten.
Rocco’s music makes you get in touch with the pure, beautiful, almost magical experiences and emotions in life. As a singer-songwriter, the element of guitar is often overlooked by the listeners, but Scott Rocco layers his storytelling with his guitar playing as well, bringing a raw, flowing touch to his aesthetic.
“Southern Love” opens with a grounding, hypnotic guitar passage that paves a beautiful soundscape underneath Rocco’s nostalgic storytelling. The warm southern vibe is rich as the sunshine where the slides and familiar wholesome sound recall the country, rock vibe. Tender, light, and sparkling, yet deep and complex with a speck of bittersweet, “Southern Love’ is inspired by the realization after a breakup that no matter what happens, the love and connection will always stay true. The song has an unforgettable heartfelt, passionate sound that leaves a mark in your heart.
EP REVIEW: AUDRI “SWAN SONG”
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Photo credit: Audri
Audri’s music has the power to permeate the walls and illuminate the surroundings with its unique storytelling and frequency. Spiraling between folk songwriting and a rock-fused dreamscape, Swan Song is a spectacular collection of three distinct stories/characters that reflect and discuss situational, behavioral, and emotive conditions.
In Audri’s creative process, she treats the songs like each unique identity that evolves, creates, feels, and tells stories, which results in her seemingly impossible contrasting range of sound palettes that no one else could create. Her music isn’t defined by genre or influence, but the story and characteristic itself, which also gives her the freedom and space to nurture the creative flow.
Her songs have the deeply engaging vibe that instantly drags you into their storytelling that goes beyond lyrics or sound but the song itself as a whole. “Dear Ramona” opens the EP with a sonic letter that tunes into the tender, expressive nostalgia. “Happening” dives into a dark, introspective mental space where the thoughts fly crazy under the deep water. “Relax” opens with a moody guitar that swirls into an upbeat, light-hearted message. Like a strand of light, the song casts away the darkness with its good vibes and positivity.
SINGLE REVIEW: JULIAN MUDD “GROWING PAINS”
Staff Pick
Photo credit: Emma Petrin, Adrienne DeFaria
Luscious and dazzling, Julian Mudd showcases his unconventional theatrical storytelling and multi-layered production with his debut release “Growing Pains.” The track continues to stimulate and restimulate your sensation with a variety of new and fascinating sonic elements. Dreamful twirling orbs melts in the wah-wah guitar soundscape, “Growing Pains” is a song that you can never get tired of.
Almost too good to be true, the captivating chorus whispers into your ear with its almost overly addictive melodies and soft, ethereal voice, planting the roots in your head. It only occurred for two times, but it hits you hard and continues to echo in your head even after the music has stopped.
Combining Julian Mudd’s background in music theatre, pop production, and software engineering, the debut release “Growing Pains” was created around the vision to merge generative music with NFTs where listeners could interact with the music and create their own version of the story. Revolving around the theme of change, where one has to take the frightening first step away from the comfortable, “Growing Pain” taps into this experience with its sonic storytelling.
SINGLE REVIEW: MYSTIK FOOL “I’M ON MY WAY”
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Photo credit: JC McKearnin
Healing harmonies and untamed melodies weave into the salty coastal taste of adventure, sunshine, and excitement. Ukulele meets swooping bass while the dreamful sound design and electrified soundscape blossom into new visions, “I’m On My Way” takes you on a sonic rollercoaster.
“I’m On My Way” has a laid-back vibe mended into its positive energy that recharges and renews your energy like a road trip down the coastline. Born out of the contrasting feeling of wanting to further the wild adventure while longing for the tenderness and comfort of home, the song is highly relatable and tunes into the rumbling bones we all share.
Like sponges that have absorbed all shades of influences, experiences, and genres, Mystik Fool brings out a sophisticated, vibrant combination of sonics that reveal the rich history of the band. Formed in 2016 by brothers Galen (lead vocal) and Simon Deery (Bass), and later joined drummer Michael Lear and guitarist Will Coccia in 2018, the four-piece band is heading towards the direction of a beautiful, wild, inspired brand new sonic world.
EP REVIEW: GEORGIE “OVERDUE”
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Photo credit: Megan Fletcher
Georgie has an overwhelmingly unique, stunning aesthetic that touches on darkness, fragility, brokenness, and vulnerability with her soulful, sensitive vocal that tastes like mint and black cherry while the multi-layered, vividly powerful sense-fused production permeates your sensation and immerses you with its deep moody atmosphere.
As a vocalist, Georgie’s expressive vocal style has the versatility to capture the subtle shifts in the storytelling in detail while her brilliant tonality becomes a new addiction to the ears. As a songwriter and producer, Georgie created a neon-infused, unique world that compresses vivid imageries into sounds. Mesmerizing melodies and immersive moods get under your skin and shift the atmosphere in any space. She takes you to an artistic world where the light and darkness are tangled together with complicated feels and stories.
Weaving R&B, soul, dark-pop together into her own vocabulary, “No Hope” opens with a glitchy, immense dark pop where her voice slowly swirls and twists. It submerges you into its world that is built on echoing layers. “39” features a simplistic guitar, electronic soft beat and highlights the storytelling in her voice that really captures the dark melancholy, while “Don’t Worry” tunes into the fuzzy rich vibe with hanging piano chords and wavy pads where the catchy melodies create a natural nostalgia.
SINGLE REVIEW: THE BERGAMOT “BURNS”
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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”
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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.