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Los Angeles-based DJ and producer Sam Blacky returns with “Munca,” a sultry tribal/afrohouse gem that sonically reflects the style of Sam‘s upcoming EP. As an avid traveler and citizen of the world, she has always created music with a strong global motif, from her 2021‘s “Body” to “Paradise” to 2022‘s “Colombiana.” “Munca” leads with driving basslines, tribal melodies, and sultry vocals that will whisk you away to an ethereal African paradise where you can dance the night away. The new single follows Sam‘s recent release “Bogota” from April, which was also her debut on one of the leading American dance-electronic independent labels, Thrive Music.

“‘Munca’ is actually my favorite record on the EP. When I was writing the melody, I immediately fell in love, and the tribal vocal I layered on top just worked perfectly and gave the song such a beautiful, almost ethereal tribal rhythm. I’ve been really inspired by Afro House and World Music, in general, the last couple of years – and my music, as well as my sets, are gearing more and more towards that vibe. It’s been a journey figuring out my sound in the public eye, as most artists do that far before they even launch their projects. Munca, as well as the other two songs, are another step closer in the direction of where I want to be” – Sam Blacky

Samantha Black is a multitalented DJ/producer and creator professionally known as Sam Blacky. Originally from San Diego, Sam spent several years in Australia, where she first fell in love with producing music and performing live. Since moving back to Los Angeles, music and performing have taken a front seat in her life. Sam has performed live across the world from 2017 to the present day, from Mexico to Ibiza to Bali, at some of the premier electronic festivals and clubs on the planet. During the pandemic, Sam released a series of videos on Youtube called “A New World,” live streaming sets from some of her favorite places in Mexico, giving viewers a taste of vacation vibes even while staying safe at home. Following the release of her first EP on her own label, Stabby Records, Sam has also released singles with Repopulate Mars, Terms & Conditions and now Thrive Music as well as an official remix for the viral TikTok single “Gaslight” by Inji.

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PLS&TY has been teasing his “3 Days, 2 Nights” EP nearly all spring and summer so far, and now fans can enjoy the full spectrum of his light-to-dark sounds with its official full release. While it features previously released tracks “Party In My Head” with Lost Boy, and “New Color” on the daytime side, the deeper, more underground sounding songs came in the form of “Yours” with Tudor, and “Upside,” featuring Ben Samama. PLS&TY now also includes 2 brand new tracks exclusive to the EP. “Limit” rides on euphonious melodies and an organic, rolling bassline for a groovy and easy-listening record, while “Echoes” opens with cinematic melodies and mesmerizing vocals for a euphoric transition from the beach to the dance floor. The EP makes a strong statement that PLS&TY can’t be put in a box of sounds or genres, and we can’t wait to ride along for the rest of his upward journey this year. Read on for his inspiration behind this multifaceted project:

“Are you up for a free ‘3 Days, 2 Nights‘ vacation? As the ‘3 Days, 2 Nights‘ project unveils, each song and album cover take inspiration from the day and night motifs/themes of the EP titling, progressing in the order of the tracklisting from day to night. There is something for everyone here – music for all moods, places, seasons, and times. The project stands on new ground for the direction of PLS&TY original music moving forward – born out of a place of freedom to create without bounds or borders, or in an attempt to fit the confines of a particular genre that fans may have previously known me for. I’m very lucky to include the talents of Ben Samama, Jocelyn Alice, Lost Boy, Tudor, and more. Enjoy my favorite body of work to date.” – PLS&TY

Tommy Leas, a Florida native – better known as PLS&TY – is burgeoning into the electronic dance music scene with his unique sound: languid bass, captivating vocals, and enough upbeat melodies to make anybody feel good. His music has amassed over 100 million streams across platforms – that’s if you don’t include a feature in a Hershey’s chocolate television commercial that has now reached over 1 billion views. PLS&TY‘s singles have charted on Billboard, have consecutively reached #1 on iTunes four times, and have been remixed by Grammy-nominated Morgan Page, Rusko, Cazzette, Bondax, and YehMe2. Tommy has also toured a bevy of A-list festivals, including Shaky Beats, Breakaway, Electric Forest, EDC Vegas, and more. After releasing his debut “Very Special” EP, which featured platinum-selling artists like Sean Kingston, Alex Aiono (of Netflix‘s “Finding Ohana“), Wifisfuneral, and more, 2020-2022 saw PLS&TY become an early adopter of the emerging NFT technology. PLS&TY has co-designed skateboard deck NFTs for Tony Hawk, as well as visuals for celebrity athletes like Floyd Mayweather and even members of Congress. Most recently, PLS&TY‘s NFT projects were referenced in Billboard at the #3 and #10 positions of Top Music NFT Sales in August and September of 2022 alongside Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and David Bowie. 2023 sees PLS&TY emerging with new music and an ever-growing global community of fans following his art, all while wielding the lighthearted “mind your manners” and “please and thank you” catchphrases.

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The Norwegian multi-platinum artist returns with his new single – “Endless Summer,” in collaboration with the British singer-songwriter Zak Abel, just as the hottest season of the year kicks into full swing. This euphoric dance-pop tune perfectly captures the carefree and blissful essence of its namesake. It opens with organic melodies that move into a euphonious chorus consisting of a groovy bassline and understated percussion, complemented by the positive and hopeful message in the chorus. Abel is one of the most prominent electronic dance music vocalists in the game with hits like “Freedom” with Kygo (202 million streams), “Ten More Days” with Avicii (92 million), “Bad” with Don Diablo (93 million), “The Power” with Duke Dumont (54 million), and many more. “Endless Summer” is another gem to add to this list, following Walker‘s single “Dreamer” from earlier this year as well as the most recent “Hero,” featuring Sasha Alex Sloan. On the other hand, Zak Abel is now on the cusp of something special as his eagerly anticipated new album – “Love Over Fear,” will be released on August 25 on BMG. In the meantime, “Endless Summer” already received over 1,5 million organic impressions on social media platforms before even being officially released, which makes it sure to be on rotation for all the memorable moments with friends and family this summer.

“Like most people, I’m always looking forward to summertime. It’s the most exciting and blissful season, and it’s the best launchpad for joyful moments with family and friends while I’m on the road. It was these bright moments that inspired me to create a song that captured the buzzing mood into an everlasting summer soundtrack, and Zak Abel’s talent brought it to life in a way only he could do.” – Alan Walker

“This might be the most euphoric song I’ve ever been a part of. Working with Alan on ‘Endless Summer’ was a great experience too, so It just makes me wanna jump around and smile, and I’m sure people will react just as me when listening to our track.” – Zak Abel

Alan Walker

Continuously delivering thumping beats and hypnotic records, 25-year-old Norwegian producer and DJ Alan Walker is truly a force to be reckoned with. With over 115 million followers across his social platforms, 8.7 billion YouTube views, and over 50 billion audio and video streams, the young artist from Bergen, Norway, is nowhere near kicking his feet up anytime soon. Alan Walker arrived on the music scene in late 2015 with his debut hit single “Faded,” garnering over 1.7 billion Spotify streams and a massive 3.4 billion YouTube video views. Being the 19th most-watched music video on YouTube, the single also left him with a BRIT Awards nomination for Song Of The Year, as well as a Norwegian Grammy win in the same category. After building a massive social following and releasing a string of successful singles like “Alone” and “Darkside,” collaborating with artists like Ava Max, Noah Cyrus, Sia, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay, the chart-topping debut album “Different World” arrived in late 2018 and is currently approaching 5 billion streams on Spotify alone. While holding a pristine track record, Alan has played over 700 headlining shows and festivals to date, including Coachella and Tomorrowland, in addition to selling out his worldwide arena tours, Aviation Tour, and Walkerverse Tour. In 2022 Alan released his third album, “Walkerverse Pt. I & II.”

Zak Abel

Zak Abel is a British singer-songwriter, who first rose to fame after supplying guest vocals on Gorgon City‘s UK Top 20 hit single “Unmissable.” Penning his own songs as a 14-year-old and uploading videos of his work to YouTube eventually led to him signing a record deal in 2014 and meeting influential music producer, Joker. Zak and Joker released a four-track EP in 2015, shortly followed by Zak‘s solo project “One Hand On The Future,” where he collaborated with Tom Misch on “Beautiful Escape” and Kaytranada on “Say Sumthin.” Through these early collaborations, Zak felt emboldened as a writer, setting him up perfectly for the release of his 2017 debut album, “Only When We’re Naked.” This body of work saw him channel his creativity into pop spheres for the first time, and it significantly increased his stock as a writer too – being asked to pen hit records for the likes of Kygo, Avicii, R3HAB & ZAYN, and Paloma Faith & John Legend. Now signed to BMG, his own music blends soulful vocals with R&B and pop. The smokey 2021 release “Be Kind” made it into Airplay Charts in various European countries and the Top 30 Hot AC in the US and has been the defining direction for his upcoming second album. Alongside music, Zak is an ambassador for mental health charity CALM and speaks openly about issues surrounding this topic, as well as channeling themes of identity and mental struggle into his lyrics. He has already had a spellbinding 2023, playing the King‘s Coronation along with releasing a string of impeccable singles. Possessing one of the most impressive British male singing voices of his generation, his music emanates an instinctively soulful, funky feel, with an ability to fast-track an insatiable chorus.

Melbourne Alt-Folk Artist Timothy Wolf Unveils New Single ‘I’ll Be There’ from Highly Anticipated LP ‘Winter Song i’

Melbourne, July 12, 2023 – Award-winning alt-folk artist Timothy Wolf returns to the music scene with his most intimate single to date. Titled ‘I’ll Be There,’ the track saw Wolf take home first prize in the ‘Listen Up’ National Songwriting Competition 2022. With its thought-provoking lyrics and emotionally charged melodies, ‘I’ll Be There’ invites listeners to overcome their inner demons amidst life’s tempestuous storms.

Penned during the tumultuous year of 2021, when Melbourne endured extensive lockdown measures, this introspective alt-folk-country ballad serves as a remarkable introduction to Wolf’s highly awaited second studio album.

For years, Wolf has carefully held onto these songs, contemplating whether they belong solely to his personal catharsis or have a place in the wider world. However, as he embarked on a collaborative journey with his band ‘The Blue Roses,’ Wolf discovered a transformative power within these compositions that demanded to be shared.

Reflecting on the significance of these songs, Wolf reveals, “They encapsulate a period in my life that I don’t often revisit fondly, but they serve as a powerful yardstick for measuring the progress we have all made.”

Embodied by haunting strings, captivating percussion, and ethereal pedal steel, ‘I’ll Be There’ takes listeners on an emotional odyssey through relationships affected by the isolating impact of lockdowns.

Wolf further adds, “If these songs can assist anyone in processing pain or finding solace during these challenging times, I believe it is worth sharing them with the world.”

‘I’ll Be There’ is slated for official release on July 14, 2023, marking an eagerly awaited milestone in Timothy Wolf’s musical journey. Listeners can look forward to experiencing a harmonious blend of compelling storytelling and heartfelt melodies in this remarkable single.

The release follows Timothy Wolf’s critically acclaimed debut album recorded in Byron Bay with Dan Frizza (Tones and I, Mitre Boy) yielding the breakthrough track ‘In Your Arms Again’ and a sold-out show at Melbourne’s Nightcat. 

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When Aussie producer Wasteland (Matt Riley) signed his first music publishing deal, he was told not to bother moving from Perth to Sydney as it wouldn’t be financially viable.  3 years and 60 million streams later, Wasteland has conquered Sydney and now has his eyes set on LA. 

Wasteland has been writing across genres with a speciality in hard-hitting pop and all forms of electronic and dance.  Co-writes include iconic Armin Van Buuren and Timmy Trumpet along with dozens of local and international acts.  Also releasing his own music Wasteland has had various nominations and won awards including Pop Song of the Year at the Western Australia Music Awards for his own release Grid.

Wasteland has worked heavily in his production duo Cressbrook and have built a reputation of being effective and inclusive collaborators.  Their work spans the LGBTQI+ space with producing and DJing sets for Bicon artist PENELOPE and Jack Vidgen.  Wasteland is now delving into LA labels and artists saying:

“I am so excited to be working a lot with US based dance labels, such as Dim Mak and Ultra.  I am also working with some A level top liners over there such as Jex, Morgan Keller, Riel, and then diving into the world of Pop and working with developing artists.  LA is somewhere I really connect with and is whee I see my future”

2023 is an interesting time for the music industry as it is evolving faster that most can keep up.  Wasteland credits having his finger on the pulse, staying culturally relevant and knowing what the industry and A&R are looking for sonically. With regular trips to the US and Europe to attend conferences and networking opportunities, Wasteland blends a business approach with his creative skill, not banking on luck but creating the moments for himself.

Instagram www.instagram.com/wastelandmusic

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West Australian alt-indie acoustic singer-songwriter, Jay Wood is about to unleash her eagerly awaited single, ‘Initial Pulse’ on Friday, July 28th, 2023. This release marks the second single from her upcoming EP, ‘Respire,’ scheduled for release on 1st September. Jay Wood‘s latest single promises to captivate audiences with its heartfelt lyrics, soothing melodies, and profound messaging.

Produced, mixed, and mastered by the talented team at Norman Solander Studios, ‘Initial Pulse’ holds a special place in Jay Wood‘s heart as it represents her personal journey of rediscovering life and falling in love.

“This song was the first song I painstakingly managed to write after a long-time re-learning how to play my instruments post-accident” – Jay Wood

After a long period of re-learning to play her instruments following a life-altering accident and a Catastrophic Traumatic Brain Injury, Jay Wood poured her emotions into this song, depicting the joy and excitement of new love, with ‘love’ representing a deeper meaning of life itself. The title ‘Initial Pulse’ symbolises those first beats of the heart when encountering someone who sparks a newfound love and rejuvenates life—a fresh start filled with hope and anticipation.

Jay Wood‘s music is an embodiment of her life experiences and her unique ability to connect with listeners on an intimate level. Her skilful lyricism, passionate vocals, and humble demeanour allow her to effortlessly tug on heartstrings – offering insight into her own soul as well as encouraging reflection upon one’s own life experiences. Jay‘s unique thoughts about love, life and everything in-between come alive through honest yet unconventional and at times “in your face” lyrics which touch audiences deeply.

With a songwriting style reminiscent of artists such as Phoebe Bridgers and Maggie Rogers, Jay creates music with gentle melodies paired with deep narratives, making for an immersive listening experience.

It is Jay’s hope that through the release of her EP ‘Respire,’ she can convey an inspiring message of resilience and determination. Although confronting numerous difficulties – from disability to being told she would never work again – Jay is living proof that human spirit remains resilient despite all odds. Her music serves as a powerful reminder that each of us has the ability to overcome adversity and reach for our dreams.

With ‘Initial Pulse’ and her 1st September forthcoming EP, ‘Respire’, Jay Wood invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Her music serves as a reminder that we each possess the power to shape our own destinies and find fulfilment no matter the obstacles life presents us with.

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“10 Years of Westwood Recordings” Album, Consisting of Fresh Tracks From The Funk Hunters, Defunk, Moontricks, Stickybuds, K Theory, LIINKS, and More is Out Now

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Vancouver-based Westwood Recordings celebrates 10 Years of the label’s stunning achievements with a month-long schedule of special releases, starting with “10 Years of Westwood Recordings” – an album that perfectly complements the label’s party-ready but sonically very diverse sound. Featuring tracks from label bosses The Funk Hunters as well as Defunk, Moontricks, K Theory, Stickybuds, Kotek, LIINKS, and SugarBeats, Westwood truly pulls out all the stops for this one. Opening with “Freak” from The Funk Hunters and Defunk, the release kicks off with grimy basslines and serrating synths with catchy distorted vocals. The journey continues with Moontricks‘ funky swing-influenced midtempo “Nebulizer” and K Theory‘s “Outlaws,” which incorporates hip-hop vocals into ethereal bass music melodies. Then over to Stickybuds‘ funky organic electronica “Family Man,” featuring Glen David Andrews, and later onward to Kotek‘s drum & bass sounds in the form of “Dance With Me.” The album concludes with LIINKS‘ balladesque “One Thing About Me” and the closing SugarBeats‘ “Wild Cat” for a dark, grimy, and headbanging good time.

Since its creation in 2013 by Nick Middleton – 1/2 of The Funk Hunters – Westwood Recordings has had multiple notable achievements (listed below). With that impressive portfolio, we can only assume that the next few years will be even bigger and better for this one-of-a-kind Canadian imprint.

“Celebrating 10 years of Westwood feels surreal. It is a milestone I’m really proud of. What started as a passion project for our own music has grown into a community of artists, creatives, and like-minded music lovers that has exceeded every expectation I’ve had. This month-long celebration is a showcase of the best of the past, the present, and the future. I can’t wait to see where the next 10 years take us.” – Nick Middleton, Founder & CEO of Westwood Recordings

Selection of notable highlights:

– Westwood has worked with 200+ artists of varying genres over the past decade
– 2019 & ongoing: Shambhala Music Festival, Canada‘s premier and longest-running electronic music festival, joined forces with Westwood Recordings to present a Westwood stage takeover branded “Friday Night in The Fractal Forest” annually since 2019.
– 2020: Westwood launched Westwood Sounds in partnership with Splice, delivering coveted sample packs from their artists
– 2020: The Funk Hunters became the first electronic act to receive Canadian Independent Music Association‘s (CIMA) Road Gold certification
– 2021 & 2022: Westwood joined forces with Monstercat for the fifth and sixth annual Monstercat Compound Event, programming a Westwood stage takeover presented by Pioneer DJ
– 2021: Westwood‘s artist So Sus received JUNO nomination for Dancing Recording of the Year for his “Voices EP”
– Westwood has been running annual sold-out events in Vancouver at the legendary Commodore Ballroom in partnership with Live Nation. These include Westwood‘s annual Halloween event as well as The Funk Hunters long standing “Funk The Halls” show that tours across the country and culminates every year the weekend before Christmas with two back to back sold-out nights at The Commodore

Notable syncs:

– Spiderman: Homecoming (trailer) / Sony Pictures (Song: Stickybuds x K+Lab – “Clap Ya Hands Now“)
– Peloton (commercial and socials) / Peloton (Song: The Funk Hunters x Defunk x Akylla “Warn Ya“)
– The White Lotus Ep. 203 / HBO (Song: CITYWALKR “Sabre“)
– Sex Lives of College Girls Ep. 201 / HBO Max (Song: Akylla “Holding On”)
– Just Beyond Ep. 103 / Disney+ (Song: Sparkee x Def3 “Feelin’ Right“)
– One Of Us Is Lying Ep. 205 / Peacock (Songs: KR3TURE x Adrea Castiano “Only One (CVMRN Remix)” + Goddexx “U Down“)
– Valorant Tournament “First Strike” / Riot Games (Song: The Funk Hunters x Stickybuds x Flowdan “Empire“)
– Swiffer Wet Jet 21/22 National Campaign / Swiffer (Song: The Funk Hunters x CMC & Silenta “Tribute“)
– Dollface S2 Ep. 207 / Hulu (Song: Austero x Dub Princess “Humans“)
– 911:Lonestar Ep. 201 / FOX (Song: K+Lab x Melodownz “Good Juju“)
– Ode to Muir (film) / Teton Gravity Research (TGR) (Song: Moontricks “Home“)
– And more on Netflix, Disney+, HBO/Max, Hulu, Sony, National Geographic, YouTube, Facebook, BET, Peacock, Swiffer, Quibi, Sportsnet, FOX Sports, Comedy Central, Peloton, Riot Games, Universal, FOX, MTV, Nickelodeon, Syfy, CBC, NBC, TNT, TBS, Teton.

Future plans, to name only a few:

– In 2023 Westwood is expanding their partnerships with Live Nation to take Westwood Halloween across Western Canada with dates also in Calgary, Edmonton, and Victoria
– Westwood continues to feature Westwood curated stage takeovers at some of Canada‘s leading music festivals, including Rifflandia Festival, Shambhala Music Festival, and more.
– The reunion of Chali 2na and Cut Chemist for a full length LP, two of the founding members of the renowned hip hop group Jurassic 5, due out in 2024
– The Funk Hunters biggest album yet, featuring hi-profile collaborations with artists like Big Gigantic, Dr Fresch, Chali 2na, The Sponges, Kotek, Liinks, and many more, due out in 2024
– On the business expansion side of things, in addition to focusing on more branded events, tours, and Splice sample packs, Westwood will be launching a new music distribution service in 2024, expanding its reach significantly across the music landscape, not just as a boutique highly curated label, but as a distribution arm for independent artists with access to new technology, enhanced accounting services, and the ability to tap into Westwood‘s existing sync and licensing networks
– In addition to overseeing Westwood, Nick Middleton will also continue to lead the management of Midnight Agency (with longtime business partner Grant Paley), Canada‘s award-winning boutique booking agency now representing over 40 artists. Midnight is focused on building new revenue streams, harnessing new technology, and helping their acts navigate the ever-changing demands of delivering art and shared live music experiences.

Nick Middleton:

– Producer. Engineer. Talent Buyer. Artist Manager. Label and Agency Owner. Nick‘s career path is guided by the enduring principal that business can be pleasure.
– He’s produced and engineered remixes for world-class talent like U2 and Imagine Dragons, and built a legacy of independent music, art, and events under his acclaimed imprints and music companies, Westwood Recordings and Midnight Agency.
– Today he’s focused on building forward-thinking organizations and digital platforms tasked with empowering the next generation of artists. He is the current CEO of both Westwood Recordings and Midnight Agency.
– Head Talent Buyer for acclaimed Canadian music festival, Rifflandia where he has booked world-class acts such as Iggy Pop, Lorde, Diplo, Run The Jewels, Shaquuille O’Neal, Charli XCX, Herbie Hancock, Cypress Hill and many more.
– Middleton‘s other engineering credits include: Big Gigantic, Dr Fresch, Aloe Blacc, Glass Petals, Elohim, Kota the Friend, and Brasstracks, as well as official remixes for global stars such as U2, Selena Gomez, Imagine Dragons, Gramatik, Haywyre, Opiuo, Dub FX and more.

More info on Westwood Recordings / Nick Middleton / The Funk Hunters:

Westwood Recordings: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Nick Middleton: Facebook | Instagram | Website
The Funk Hunters: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify