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Stay connected with KUČKA:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | Bandcamp
Today Ivy League Records is proud to announce that Sam Teskey – lead guitarist, ARIA Award winning and Grammy-nominated engineer from The Teskey Brothers – will release his debut solo album Cycles to the world on Friday 8 October. Cycles is a cosmic journey, from sprawling, orchestral balladry to dissonant, ambient soundscapes, from folk to heavy psych-rock freak outs, it’s a surprising, thrilling and immersive listen. The album will be available to pre-order from today on digital, CD & heavyweight vinyl.
To mark the announcement of Cycles, Sam has released the first single and opening track off the record, ‘Love’ and announced his debut headline Australian tour, which includes shows across Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Castlemaine & Melbourne.
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Spektre welcome Rebel Boy to their label Respekt after the American artist has made a splash with his techno tracks on other imprints such as UMEK’s 1605 and Oliver Huntemann’s Senso Sounds.
The release features two solo original tracks by Rebel Boy that blend his trademark enthralling synth lines with intense atmosphere and thundering percussion.
Both of the hard-hitting tracks are in the explosive style he has also expressed when collaborating with other artists such as, Sam WOLFE, Frankyeffe and The YellowHeads.
Quickly rising through the ranks to make a name for himself on the global techno scene, this EP is yet another example of why Rebel Boy’s tracks have been picking up DJ support from some of the genre’s biggest names.
“The Ties That Bind Us” opens the release with the twisted euphoria of the compelling synth line underpinned by the thump of a chunky kick drum and grinding bassline. Dramatic clap sequences burst forth, and the breakbeat breakdown is the perfect change of pace, before the percussion slams back in after a drop of epic proportions.
“Strange Pulse” has high velocity rhythms with a pulsating bassline and eerie atmosphere cut by otherworldly textured effects. Reaching a crescendo in the main breakdown with snare rolls and a lurching bassline, it delivers an onslaught of peak time energy perfect for any dance floor.
BUY: https://www.beatport.com/release/the-ties-that-bind-us/3410904
Head Of Clouds is a Spanish artist and record label project based around cinematic sounds and compelling melodies both poignant and uplifting. Their first release “Almond Eyes” is out now and their second release “When Magic Happens” is out on the 12th of July. Excited to learn more about this stunning project, we decided to catch up with Head Of Clouds and ask them a few questions…
Where are you currently based?
I am based in Barcelona, Spain.
Could you describe your style for those who have never heard your music before?
I would not define my music with any concrete style. This is why I would tell those who have never listened to me to forget for a moment what is established, not to think of any musical style, simply to feel the music and enjoy the experience. I understand my music as a language, a different way to express my perceptions.
How did you first get into electronic music?
I have been familiar with electronic music for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a home where luckily Enigma was one of the classics. That says it all.
All that love for electronic music that I have been experiencing over the years awakened in me an early concern to explore the world of music production. At the age of 13, I started creating my first tracks.
What’s your local music scene like at the moment?
After this pandemic year, the scene has been really affected economically and emotionally. This emotional change has been reflected in the music, from productions to the musical criteria of the DJs. I think this change made an improve to our scene, since many artists have been able to remove the standards from their heads and finally do things with their hearts. Let’s not forget that music is art and not maths.
What inspired your artist alias?
When I began to articulate the project, I had in mind that the artistic name had to reflect in some way the essence of what I want to convey. I was constantly looking for inspiration in different artistic fields. Coincidentally, on a visit to the Dalí museum in Figueres, the inspiration I needed came in a painting form. When I saw “Man with his head full of clouds” I felt instantly identified and felt that the project should mention this beautiful piece and Dalí’s philosophy.
Have you released music under any other names?
Yes, but I prefer that no one knows that Spiderman is Peter Parker haha.
The objective of this project is to bring all the focus in the music and not on the artist identity. I do not want there to be any kind of prejudice for whoever is willing to listen to me.
How did you approach the recording/production process?
To compose each track I base myself on a perception of reality, how can I capture it through music and how can I cause this feeling to the listener. I am never thinking if the listener will like my music, I am just worried about if the listener will understand what I want to express.
Once I have the track in my head, I sit at the piano to find the chords that make me feel what I want to express. The rest is simply transferring the instruments in my head to the DAW.
There is no element in my songs that is randomly placed, everything has a meaning and a reason. And that’s how the creative process of these two tracks has also been. For the nerds, in my social networks I will go into the details behind Almond Eyes and When Magic Happens.
For finalizing the process of both tracks, I needed a very concrete texture, a full-bodied, sweet and creamy compression that I could “only” achieve with a Fairman TMC. So this is why I decided to visit The Mars Citizen Studio, who has one of the exclusive units we can find in the world. David, the owner, was also in charge of mastering the two tracks, and the result speaks for itself. He is one of the bests.
What equipment is in your studio?
My setup it’s very simple for now. The digital tools are very powerful.
Universal Audio Apollo Quad Firewire (Audio interface)
Casio Privia PX-S1000 (Digital piano)
Adam Audio SP-5 (Headphones)
PRS Standard 24 Limited Edition (Electric guitar)
2 x WARM AUDIO EQP WA (Analog Pultec style EQs)
JOEMEEK SC2.2 ver. 4 (Photo optical stereo compressor)
You recently launched your new label, could you tell us more about the project?
Head of Clouds is not only my artistic identity, it’s also a way of perceiving and expressing art. The alias and the label are merged with the intention that Head of Clouds Records will only release my music not focused on the dance floor. Each track is released with a piece of art made by another artist in his field, expressing his/her perception about the track concept. This artist can be a graphic designer, a photographer, a poet, a filmmaker or whoever makes art.
What do you like to do away from music?
I love doing myself reiki, it’s just a space where I can have a date with me. Nowadays we spend lot of time with other people and we forget ourselves.
I am also a big fan of riding motorcycles and travelling.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?
During this year the main project is and will be continuing making music with different artists, which result will be able to start listening from 2022. With these collaborations I intend to bring naturalness and new sounds to electronic music.
From September a monthly single will be released until the end of the year.
Stay tuned! 🙂
Epitaph Records is pleased to welcome the cathartically abrasive punk band The Muslims to the label. Taking inspiration from classic punk and afropunk roots, the Durham trio mix hardcore, rock-rap fusion, political satire & shared experiences as multi-racial Muslims into a powerful and spiritual deliverance. With their sharp lyrics, gut-wrenching rhythms and offensive satire the queer POC punk band is ready to convert everyday citizens into cultish Munks.
Today, the band share their new single “F*ck These F*ckin Fascists.”
“I started writing this song during Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial and finished it during the attempted coup,” recalls vocalist QADR. “What a time to be alive. As a person who fits the description of a so-called ‘Black Identity Extremist,’ I find it funny that our music and message, calling out racist violence, makes people more uncomfortable than actual racist violence. At least we’re cute, tender, and funny af.
Artists are the truth-tellers throughout history, and we’re just speaking our truth. Fascism was never wiped out, it just got more polite and calls itself a Richard Spencer now, whatever that is. We’re going to speak truth to power and have a damn good time doing it.
I hope our fans (aka Munks) get some coded message about destroying capitalism and the patriarchy, but only if they play it backwards. I hope this song inspires the next Munk to be themselves: to mosh in the mirror, cuss out racists, steal plant clippings from government buildings, and support their local Co-ops.”
CHECK OUT “F*CK THESE F*CKIN FASCISTS” NOW
WATCH | LISTEN
The Muslims formed in 2017, brought together by the aftermath of the 2016 election. They have since released three albums The Muslims (2018), Mayo Supreme (2019), Gentrified Chicken (2020), and one EP Inshallah: Tomorrow We Inherit the Earth (2020). The all-queer, black & brown Muslim punk band unapologetically use music as a vessel to call out racism, the American political landscape, and white supremacy. The Muslims have a lot to say and they aren’t afraid of hurting any feelings in the process.
The Muslims are QADR (vocals/guitar), Abu Shea (bass), and Ba7ba7 (drums).
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LITTLE SIMZ
SOMETIMES I MIGHT BE INTROVERT
Out September 3rd
Age 101
Pre-order HERE
TRACKLIST
Introvert
Woman ft. Cleo Sol
Two Worlds Apart
I Love You, I Hate You
Little Q Pt 1 (Interlude)
Little Q Pt 2
Gems (Interlude)
Speed
Standing Ovation
I See You
The Rapper That Came to Tea (Interlude)
Rollin Stone
Protect My Energy
Never Make Promises (Interlude)
Point and Kill ft. Obongjayar
Fear No Man
The Garden (Interlude)
How Did You Get Here
Miss Understood
Stay connected with Little Simz:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
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London-based trio Puppy have returned with a huge, brand new single ‘Angel‘, released today through the bands new label Rude Records. This is the band’s first new material since 2019’s ‘iii‘ EP and the first indication of where the band are looking to go sonically with their next set of releases.
Puppy talk about the meaning behind ‘Angel’:
“During 2020 we focused on trying to write the best album the world had ever heard. Our goal for this first single was to combine the power of ‘November Rain’, ‘Purple Rain’ and ‘Can You Stand the Rain’ times 1000. I think you’ll all agree that we massively succeeded.”
‘Angel’ marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the bands career. Having recently signed to Rude Records, they’re excited to finally be able to share the fruits of their creative labour. Crushingly heavy, explosively fun and laced with the group’s signature sense of melancholic melody, ‘Angel’ sets the stage for Puppy to unleash what they’ve been working on out into the world.
The band talk about the inspiration behind the video:
“We at Puppy have always wanted to incorporate the world of gaming into what we do. With the video for our new single ‘Angel’, we all felt that the time was right to branch out into the world on technology. When our initial proposal for a fully immersive Oculus Rift sci-fi fantasy in which our topless avatars do battle with intergalactic warlords was dismissed as ‘really expensive’ and ‘not at all believable’, we quickly suggested a Final Fantasy style concept in which incredibly muscular versions of ourselves went on quests and solved puzzles with giant axes. This was also apparently ‘a terrible idea’.
Our next approach involved a physically interactive training pod module in the style of Michael Jackson’s Space Scramble Training, in which we’d guide players on a perilous mission to Uranus. Our label threatened to drop us when we sent over the treatment. And so, we moved back, one console at a time, between operating systems and decades, until we arrived at the 8-bit capabilities of the NES, the only graphics system simple and cheap enough for us to try and imitate by ourselves. The result is our new video for ‘Angel’, a (not at all) immersive 8-bit gothic fantasy designed and animated by us with love and affection. We hope you enjoy x “
Puppy formed in 2015 when school friends Jock Norton (vocals, guitar) and Billy Howard (drums) met bass player Will Michael while working in a London bar; the three bonded by playing the soundtrack to cult 80s comedy Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and figuring out that Norton and Michael’s voices worked nicely together on Karaoke versions of Van Halen & Metallica. Later that same year, the band released their eponymous debut EP, a joyful blend of swooning power pop and beer-guzzling heavy metal, that quickly earned comparisons to acts like The Smashing Pumpkins, Dinosaur Jr and Weezer fronted by Papa Emiritus of Ghost. Early tracks ‘Forever’ and ‘The Great Beyond’ were picked up and used in the mammoth video game series Guitar Hero, opening up the fledgling group up to a huge new audience and satisfying their axe wielding inner-children at the same time.
A second EP quickly followed in 2016, and ‘Vol ii’ saw the band take their first major steps into the live sphere, with UK festival appearances at Download and 2000 Trees, rounding out a healthy run of tours with acts like Creeper and CKY. In between European tours with Kvelertak and Turbowolf, the band retreated to the studio in England to begin work on their debut album. The result of a lengthy recording process with producers Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Royal Blood), Neil Kennedy (Creeper, Boston Manor) and mixer Adrien Bushby (Placebo, Foo Fighters), ‘The Goat’ was released in January 2019, while the band were midway through an epic European tour with Monster Magnet. The album received rave reviews and cemented Puppy’s status as the oddballs of up & coming heavy music.
‘Angel’ is available worldwide now, via Rude Records
FOLLOW PUPPY
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Stay connected with Luke Hemmings:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
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Stay connected with Haviah Mighty:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Where are you currently based?
We are based out of Nova Scotia, Canada’s Ocean Playground.
How did you first start playing music?
Music and entertaining was something I enjoyed since I was a young kid. I picked up the guitar at age 12 when a couple of my good friends started learning guitar and bass while my best friend has been playing drums since he was five. Shortly after that we started a band writing our own material and covering songs from rock n’ roll heavyweights like Rush, Guns N’ Roses and Motley Crue.
What’s been happening recently?
A few weeks back we released our final single “Homesick” before the album release. This song features Christopher Thorn of Blind Melon and has been getting great reception from radio, and our loyal and new fans. We have also been busy planning and prepping for the album release. This includes rehearsals, social media connection, booking gigs, and lots of press. We recently had our song, “Overtime” off our new album play on the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs during a montage going into OT during game 4 where the Montreal Canadiens (our favourite team) won the game.
After a long hiatus where entertainment wasn’t allowed because of the pandemic we are thrilled to be able to start playing shows again in support of our new album.
Your new album ‘No Fools No Fun’ will be out on July 9, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I had an interviewer a few weeks back ask a similar question. He said very animated, “Where did you come up with this sound?!” Then began to describe what he was hearing to me in a perfect way. The interviewer at the time noticed the 60s Brit Rock vocal stylings combine with the 70s and 80s rock n’ roll attitude that was blended with a 90s image and 90’s/2000’s pop/rock sound. That was all mixed in with some doo-wop style vocals and harmonies that could work for a country band. This can be called, “Grease Coast Rock N’ Roll” which is our signature genre that is easiest describe as “Southern Power Pop Rock.”
How did you go about writing the album?
The album is all based on experiences I’ve had in my twenties. A huge growing decade where in the second half I found out who I really was and why the places I’ve been were so instrumental (pun intended) to the journey and my growth as a person. Songs like “Homesick” highlight my life on the road as a musician and sheet metal worker while “Sympathy Card” and “Read Between The Lines” are songs that are a “look in the mirror” kind of tracks; take ownership of your wrong-doings and don’t put blame on anyone but yourself. It’s an album of hard work, perseverance and to make sure you have fun in the meantime while doing all of this.
Where and when did you record/produce the album, and who with?
We recorded the album at Chalet Studio in Uxbridge, Ontario. A beautiful, secluded spot in the country that included our lodging for the duration of tracking. We began recording in the spring of 2019 where we tracked half the album then and the other half in fall of 2019. The album was produced by Brian Moncar (Alice Cooper, Our Lady Peace) and had guest producer John Angus MacDonald (The Trews) who produced ”Sympathy Card.”
How did you approach the recording process?
We wanted to create an album that best represented the energy we bring at our live shows so we did the album live off the floor with everyone tracking together at the same time. The vocals were overdubbed afterwards so there wasn’t any bleed into the tracks. This is definitely the way we’ll be recording for the rest of our career because it is the most genuine representation of who and what we are as a band.
What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of the album?
The most challenging thing was holding off on releasing the album. We had initial release plans of a Spring 2020 release, but the pandemic put that to a screeching halt so we had to go back to the drawing board. We worked hard to stay creative to not only to keep momentum but build our fanbase while not being able to perform live. We had the intention to release the album to go hand in hand with our live show so naturally that meant touring the album. With the world opening back up and our new release date of July 9th it seems that our patience will be worth the wait. The most rewarding part about it all was having a dream come into fruition. We collaborated with a slew of fantastic industry professionals on this album and the end product is something we can be proud of forever.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
The latest Foo Fighters album, “Medicine at Midnight” has been on heavy rotation for me for the last few months. They’re such an inspirational band. The good guys in rock n’ roll who we strive to be like. Good role models, amazing vibe and fantastic music.
What do you like to do away from music?
Honestly music consumes my brain a good 90% of the time. When I’m not doing music, I like to create posters/graphic work (that usually is for the band or my own solo work…whoops, haha.) I love to adventure and see what nature has to offer. Living in Nova Scotia we have such a beautiful landscape where hiking, road trips, and one-off breweries pop up from town to town. Adventuring would be my favourite pass-time besides music.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?
The remainder of our year consists of touring Canada in support of the album release. We’ll be doing multiple dates in the Maritimes all summer before heading to Ontario in September for gigs and some unfinished business. This trip will also include planning for album number three and a live album in between the two studio releases.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I just moved to a place called Stellarton in Pictou County and coincidentally down the road from my house is a spot called, “Andre’s Pizza.” I obviously was intrigued because the spot had my name which isn’t a popular one in the area so the first day here I stopped in. It turns out the restaurant is a music themed place that has a jukebox from Elvis’ Graceland collection, some of my favourite records displayed on the wall autographed and the best pizza you can sink your teeth into. I’ve been back there more than a handful of times and know it’s going to be another home for me, haha. On the other side of things about 10 minutes in the opposite direction is the studio we rehearse at called, “Sea Level Sound.” The band has been going here since 2016. It inspired a lot of songs from the album; “The Swedish Motel” and “Labels” in particular. The owner, Gord Stensrud is a great friend of ours and was also a guest on the “Labels.”
Twitter: @APandTheGiants
Facebook: /andrepettipasandthegiants
Instagram: @apandthegiants
Website: www.andrepettipasandthegiants.com
Title: Ride or Die (ft. Bobby Saint)
Label: Self-released
Florida native PLS&TY teams up with LA-based Barbados-born singer/songwriter Bobby Saint for the new collaboration “Ride or Die,” a feel-good summertime anthem that will transport you to being on vacation with your one and only. Featuring groovy but gentle melodies from PLS&TY and Saint‘s heartfelt, wide vocal talents, “Ride or Die” is a song you’ll want to play over and over again this season; it embodies love, positivity, and connection – all of which form the fabric of the beautiful human experience. Check out what PLS&TY had to say about the inspiration behind the new release below:
“‘Ride or Die‘ is a summertime, feel-good single that encompasses love & romance. Bobby Saint‘s vocals lead listeners to imagine time spent in tropical paradise with their partner. Together, Bobby Saint and I created a song that transmits the ethos of the PLS&TY brand: good vibes and good times. Enjoy.” – 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. After a collection of chart-topping singles including “Good Vibes” (#1 on iTunes US Electronic Charts), “Down For Me,” “Rebel Love (#1 on iTunes US Electronic Charts), and “Motives” (#1 on iTunes US Electronic Charts / Top 25 Billboard Electronic Charts), PLS&TY would see his productions Remixed by Grammy-nominated Morgan Page, Rusko, Cazzette, Bondax, YehMe2 (Josh from Flosstradamus latest venture), and more. His own remix of Genevieve‘s “Colors” was featured in a Hershey‘s chocolate television commercial that has amassed over 1 billion views. With his brand new “Very Special” EP released in April of 2020 that includes pop records with artists like Sean Kingston, Wifisfuneral, & Alex Aiono (of Netflix‘s “Finding Ohana“), PLS&TY is showing no signs of slowing down, even after a busy 2019 touring season which included A-List festivals Shaky Beats, Breakaway, Electric Forest, EDC Las Vegas, & more.
Title: Make Up Your Mind (feat. Jaden Michaels)
Label: Dim Mak Records
QUIX returns to Steve Aoki‘s Dim Mak imprint with his new single “Make Up Your Mind,” featuring Nashville singer/songwriter Jaden Michaels, a drum & bass gem with QUIX‘s signature emotive punch. The heavy DnB influence pays homage to QUIX‘s homeland New Zealand, where this dynamic music genre has always had a powerful following. “Make Up Your Mind” opens with a heartfelt, soulful voice by Jaden and rides on a steadily building bassline that culminates in a high-energy, goosebump-inducing drop. The track follows QUIX‘s earlier release “IDK Vol. 2” from earlier this year and is his second collaboration with Jaden Michaels, after 2018’s “Giving Up” who released recently her solo single “Every Last Thing.” Read on for QUIX‘s story on how “Make Up Your Mind” came to be.
“I actually started writing this beat last year during a twitch stream; funnily enough, Jaden had already sent me the topline months before. Essentially, I mashed up the beat with her vocal and surprised myself with how well they worked together. I’ve never made a DnB song like this before, and I wanted to challenge myself to incorporate the mainstream style with my signature style. Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoyed yourself, especially on that last drop” – QUIX
Hailing all the way from New Zealand, QUIX initially traveled to North America in 2017 for 10 shows and finished up doing an astonishing 42 stops. He has been tearing up the trap scene ever since, continuously shaking the new ground with his unique sound design. Coming off three headline tours in 2018, including Coachella and support on Steve Aoki‘s Kolony tour, QUIX had a break-out year with his “Illusions EP” on Dim Mak. It has racked up millions of plays and creatively merged genres with powerful vocals while staying true to QUIX‘s signature sound. He has also been honored by Spotify to feature on the cover of their two biggest international dance playlists, “Mint” and “Dance Rising,” and officially remixed the likes of Steve Aoki, GASHI, RL Grime, and more. Jaden Michaels is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. In her career as a songwriter, she has collaborated with some of pop music’s biggest stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Demi Lovato, Carly Rae Jepsen, Robin Thicke, and more. In 2012 and 2013 Jaden co-wrote one of the songs performed on the season finale of American Idol. Her songwriting work on Carly Rae Jepsen‘s album “Kiss” received the 2013 Juno Award for “Album of the Year.” Stay tuned for more music coming from these exciting and talented artists very soon.