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UK artist Alex Lleo has been creating lush, soulful melodic music since childhood, touring and performing as a teen throughout the UK and Europe at the turn of the decade, then breaking onto the scene with two back-to-back releases in 2018. Three-track EPs Park Studios, JQ and Emanate each caught the attention of fans and industry alike with their raw honesty and contagious mellow vibes, garnering Alex Lleo an international, dedicated fan base. Now the rising artist is thrilled to reveal his first new material in two years, with his stunning new single ‘4:05’ out Friday 10 July via AWAL.
Grounded in acceptance and undulating with reciprocal gratitude for both himself and others, Lleo recalls a moment of introspective clarity on ‘4:05’. Wrapped up in exquisite vocals, a soft tinkering of keys and warm guitar melodies that stick with you long after the final strum, ‘4:05’ is an emotive number as familiar as a home, yet fresh like a long-awaited summer holiday. Recorded in New York City with Alex Lleo’s full six-piece band and produced by Sahil Ansari, ‘4:05’ is a stunning display of Lleo’s uncanny ability to somehow stop you in your tracks and propel you forward in the same breath.
STREAM ALEX LLEO ‘4:05’ ON BANDCAMP
STREAM ALEX LLEO ‘4:05’ SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC
“‘4:05’ seemed a unanimous choice to start us off. I think everyone just instinctively knew how this one needed to be, ‘cruisey’. It also felt pretty fitting from a personal point for me. The idea for this one came during a moment of weird uncertainty about not only my music, but some relationships that had suffered thanks to some poor decision making. This idea of ‘go out for yourself for once’ was set as a sort of reminder to anyone that often puts others before themselves, to take time out and recharge. It was my attempt at trying to acknowledge and thank those people in my life, whilst simultaneously prompting the value of independence for everyone!” – Alex Lleo
Growing up in the small town of Lickey Hills in Worcestershire, England, Alex Lleo has always found inspiration in nature, constantly referencing it in his work and seeking it out in his travels, touring extensively throughout the UK, Europe, and most recently the U.S which lead to recording a bulk of new material in New York. Cutting his teeth with a formative residency in the alps of Norway, Alex Lleo’s seasoned musicianship has since seen him support the likes of Leif Vollebekk and Matt Corby, plus headline his own shows in Scotland, and back home at London’s famous St Pancras Old Church.
‘4:05’ is out Friday 10 July via AWAL
Spotify / iTunes / Apple Music
Bandcamp
‘4:05’ Credits
Alex Lleo – Composer, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Quinn Devlin – Fender Rhodes, Piano, Juno 60, Rainstick
Zach Calluori – Electric Guitar
Andy Shimm – Electric Bass
Jordan Wolff – Drums
Eli Aleinikoff – Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
Sarah Cicero – Vocals
Sahil Ansari – Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Shakers, Tambourine, Maraca
Mastered by Christian Wright, Abbey Road
Biordi Music is proud to present Pistol Pete & Enzo’s first new release under their label ‘The Top’. The new single, which goes by the same title – ‘The Top’ – is out now and is the beginning of a new journey for the Australian rap duo, who have returned harder and stronger than ever.
Pistol Pete & Enzo are well known within the industry for their raw and lyrical bars and ‘The Top’ remains true to their style while also showcasing a more diversified version of themselves. Through the new single it is evident that one of their greatest strengths in the Rap Game is the use of word play. From one-liner puns such as “Put ‘em on the board cause they’re never gonna notice (know this)” to references from renown Disney movies, “if they’re lying (lion) about the king then they can get scarred,” the duo have no trouble piecing together sophisticated and unique lyrics. ‘The Top’ delivers a strong message of resilience and perseverance, an insight to their life and come-up as they make a significant return to the scene.
Pistol Pete & Enzo say, “’The Top’ is a track that showcases our versatilities in the current Australian rap game. Being in this game for some time now we’ve copped lot of love but also a lot of hate. In this track we are stating that ‘The Top’ is where we are heading regardless. This track is uplifting and has a feel-good vibe, but at the same time we stay true to our ways and we still talk our talk. ‘The Top’ is just the start of our new journey and in due time we will be there!”
‘The Top’ is released through Biordi Music, written by Pistol Pete & Enzo and produced by RELYT.
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Adelaide indie songwriter Josh Kroehn is marking his first release for 2020 in the striking ‘Never Found’. Letting his natural tone and lyrics take prominence, the acoustic driven song is an evocative release from the young artist, who is continuing to define his creative identity on record.
With influences ranging from Ben Howard to City and Colour and Bon Iver, it is clear that Josh Kroehn holds particular focus when it comes to articulating his songwriting in an especially emotional way. Previous releases have praised Kroehn for his musicality as a guitarist and depth as a songwriter, while ‘Never Found’ is showing maturity in his output.
Recorded at Island Studios in Adelaide, ‘Never Found’ came together at the end of last year, documenting personal change and realisation. Releasing this music in a period of lockdown and forced self-reflection, Kroehn acknowledges the significance of the song to him now. “I’ve found that the more I stay true to myself, the less involved I feel in certain relationships and friendships. I feel like in the past, I’ve tried becoming something I’m not in order to keep people happy, which I don’t want to do anymore as it took its toll on my own happiness.” Josh Kroehn
‘Never Found’ is one of the songs that Kroehn has incorporated into what will become his debut album, which is starting to take its final form. Until then, Kroehn is using this opportunity to introduce himself to more listeners and preparing for post lockdown music and touring opportunities. Along with the release of his new single, a music video for ‘Never Found’ accompanies. “The music video was directed, filmed and edited by myself. It tries to tell the story of how times have changed and I am a different person now, who perhaps was never a different person at all, but rather was led by a desire for acceptance.” Josh Kroehn
PRAISE FOR JOSH KROEHN
“His artistry is truly one of a kind and you can’t find another Josh Kroehn anywhere else”
Buzz Music
“The Adelaide based musician crafts rich, textured rock tunes that stretch out far beyond any particular genre…”
Happy Mag
“A modern exposition of confessional rock.”
AMNplify
‘Never Found’ is out now.
Website | Facebook | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed | Instagram
Diving straight into the strong and driving rock influences, Sydney’s Marvell are back with another bright single for 2020 in ‘19 Homes’. The track comes at a turning point for the group, as they anticipate a brand new chapter for the band looking ahead at new music.
For fans of bands including Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters or Boy and Bear, Marvell have distilled a charming, rogue-ish energy into the new single, making ‘19 Homes’ an immensely fun track to sink one’s teeth into. A familiar sound for those schooled up on the five-piece’s raucous style, ‘19 Homes’ is also a perfect introduction for any newcomers to the Marvell fold.
Recorded with award-winning producer and composer Jan Skubiszewski (John Butler, Dan Sultan) out at Red Moon Studios in the Macedon Ranges, ‘19 Homes’ is a result of sessions spent refining and continuing to define the sonic identity of the band. Off the back of March’s ‘Brainwash’ release, and with more music still in the wings, ‘19 Homes’ provides a great snapshot of where the band is now.
Pouring a love of classic songwriting in with fresh and contemporary indie-rock influences, Marvell’s music is grounded in melody and emotional storytelling. Between brothers Max and Tom Marvell’s distinctive vocals and a rhythm section that is relentless in its energy, Marvell is coming through stronger than ever as the music community continues to rebuild and take steps back into the spotlight, as lockdown restrictions ease.
The band worked with director Tom Muir and producer Daniel Pollock in bringing the music video for ‘19 Homes’ together – taking the idea of an open house and turning it on its head, flourishing into a fun, house party setting instead. Yearning for the time where we can do it again in real time, the video serves as a little substitute for what is on the horizon.
PRAISE FOR MARVELL
“This one is passionate and has me thinking of Stereophonics. A big sound from Marvell.”
Triple J, Declan Byrne
“They definitely left some debris in the Canberra music scene and it left us wanting more!”
BMA Mag
‘19 Homes’ is out now!
Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram
Back in April, local label Tremorverse Records put the call out for music students across the globe to take part in an isolation curation of sorts, for a chance to be featured on their compilation album Songs From Home. Created in collaboration with Melbourne’s Box Hill Institute, Songs From Home brings together emerging artists from Music Institutions throughout the world to share songs created in response to the unprecedented times we’ve found ourselves living in.
Music students responded and we are proud to release an 11-track album, traversing everything from neo-soul to alt-folk, and electronica to ambience. With songs to soundtrack either the deepest of meditations or the loudest of house parties, Songs From Home presents a powerful snapshot of the immense creativity of our extended music community, with something for everyone surely to be found in its tracklist.
TREMORVERSE COMPILATION SONGS FROM HOME
TRACKLISTING
1. ‘On Hold’ – Trad Ukiyo
2. ‘Modern Logic’ – Eve.
3. ‘Lately’ – ReWire
4. ‘Tremor2020’ – Hack
5. ‘Heat’ – Icy, The Freeze
6. ‘No Face’ – No Face
7. ‘AM Meditations’ – Jameson Clarke
8. ‘Alpine Camp’ – The Nice Age
9. ‘A Song Of Songs’ – Jödanr
10. ‘Lord I Believe In You’ – Tony Thomas
11. ‘Are You Still There?’ – Keka Oetro
The compilation’s focus tracks feature songs and first releases from some artists including ‘On Hold’ by Melbourne neo-soul four-piece Trad Ukiyo, the lo-fi RnB mantra of ‘Modern Logic’ by Eve., the dreamy self-titled sounds of No Face, plus Hack’s dancefloor filler ‘Tremor2020’, and ReWire’s Stevie Wonder cover of ‘Lately’. The album obliterates genre boundaries by exploring the many multimodal soundscapes that music students have to offer.
“We are honoured to be apart of ‘Songs From Home’ — a wonderful initiative bringing creatives together, during what has been nothing short of an eventful 2020.
‘On Hold’ represents a journey of self reflection and solace. It could be a time, place, person; be what it may, we hope it serves as a vessel for inner peace and resilience. Thank you again to Tremorverse Records for this opportunity.”
– Gabrielle, Adriano, Brandon and Fergus (Trad Ukiyo)
Songs From Home is available to stream via AWAL from Friday 10 July, with all funds raised from the compilation going directly to the students involved, giving these emerging acts a leg-up through this time of great difficulty. So head to Tremorverse Records’ Bandcamp page and be sure to snag yourself a copy!
Songs From Home compilation out Friday 10 July via Tremorverse Records and AWAL.
The Lemon Twigs have done it again with another shot of adrenaline straight into the vein of the American pop scene. ‘Live In Favor Of Tomorrow’ is a euphoric dance in the clouds which brings you close enough to God to slap him five. Time is an antiquated illusion when you play this puppy loud. Judy Garland twerks on Galileo to the sound of jangly guitars and drumming we haven’t heard since Jerry Lewis jammed with Lars Ulrich at Woodstock 2069. Every-day horror is a day at the beach in the land of the infinite. Is that a mushroom cloud, or the Buddha doing a cannonball at his holy summer pool party? These are the kinds of thoughts likely to ripple through your mind during the song’s relentless 3 minutes and 24 seconds. So take your shirt off and take a dive into infinity with The chosen Lemon Twigs.
The D’Addario brothers wrote, recorded and produced the forthcoming album entirely on tape at their Long Island home studio, Sonora Studios in Los Angeles, and Electric Lady in New York City. ‘Live In Favor Of Tomorrow’ is preceded by “excellent” (Flood) lead single ‘The One‘ and “thrilling” (NME) sax-driven single ‘Moon.’ Songs For The General Public is out August 21 on 4AD / Remote Control.
The prodigiously-talented duo first emerged as The Lemon Twigs in 2016 with their debut LP Do Hollywood, whose show-stopping melodies mined from every era of rock quickly earned fans in Elton John, Questlove, and Jack Antonoff. Go To School, the ambitious 15-track coming-of-age opus, followed in 2018 and solidified the band’s reputation for building grand walls of sound around an audacious concept.
The 12-track album will be released on August 21 digitally and on CD, limited translucent red vinyl (only available via indie stores and the 4AD Store) and standard black vinyl. Pre-order here: thelemontwigs.ffm.to/
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QLD Gold Coast-based artist Black Rabbit George has just revealed the release date for his new album ‘Warren’ (due August 28) and his mesmerising new single ‘Fingers Radio’ – produced and mixed by the artist himself at his home studio.
‘Fingers Radio’ is a dreamy melting pot of psychedelia, folk and indie-rock. The sweeping track is driven by its steadfast rhythmic section, deft guitar work and ethereal vocal melodies that hover elegantly above. Unwavering from start to finish, ‘Fingers Radio’ never loses its momentum and immerses the listener into a pensive dream like state.
The Black Rabbit describes the motivation behind ‘Fingers Radio’:
“I spent a lot of time isolated at home toying with ideas I’ve had over the years. I’ve pretty much lived in the studio for the last 6 months, just toying with where I can take the things I’ve learnt and how they all make sense together. ‘Fingers Radio’ is one of the songs that came from these sessions.”
Black Rabbit George is a new incarnation for Tijuana Cartel’s guitarist/singer/songwriter Paul George. It’s an opportunity for Paul to further explore the acoustic guitar that is at the heart of Tijuana Cartel and to pursue his long-time interest in folk and roots music.
“Tijuana Cartel remains a core driving force in my life and I’d never want to leave it behind,” explains the Black Rabbit. “But at the same time, I want to follow a path that embraces the great loves in my life: my guitar and the wealth of stories that life simply places in your way.”
Black Rabbit George’s previous releases have been strongly supported by the likes of triple j, Double J, FBi Radio, PBS FM, 4ZZZ, RTR FM, Radio Adelaide, Bay FM and online blogs. He’s toured the country extensively multiple times and earned himself a small, but cult like following that come out in droves when he’s performing.
‘Fingers Radio’ is available worldwide now
FOLLOW BLACK RABBIT GEORGE
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International Music Summit (IMS), the premier platform for business, culture and education in global electronic music, will present and publish the findings of the annual IMS Business Report on Thursday July 16 at 17.00 BST in an interactive Zoom webinar. The report will feature full and detailed data on the last twelve months in the electronic music industry, including the impact of the global pandemic and the total value of the industry pre and post virus.
For the first time in its ten year history the report will be debated, examined and fully dissected in a live debate directly after the sixty minute presentation by author Kevin Watson. Moderated by Billboard Dance Editor Katie Bain, the analysis will feature commentary and insight from leading industry experts, to be announced next week.
The IMS Business Report is an annual leading study that provides vital statistics on the growth of the electronic music industry across the previous twelve months. Used by professionals across the industry and referenced in widespread news reports and studies, it is an essential tool for the electronic music business. The 2020 edition will reveal the impact of the pandemic and illustrate how the electronic music industry has reacted to this turbulent and unprecedented year, helping to steer decisions that will lead to future recovery.
The report will provide a global snapshot and examination of many areas of our sector, including information on artist income, festival and club cancellations, growth markets, DSP’s, the impact of streaming and associated revenue and how electronic music is competing for a share of the global music ecosystem against other genres including Hip Hop and Rap.
Comprised of three sections, ‘In Review’ will highlight the electronic music business year pre COVID-19, including recorded music, DJs & live acts, clubs & festivals and companies & brands. ‘2020 So far’ will examine the direct impact of the pandemic, finally ‘Industry Value’ will reveal the all- important estimated value of the global electronic music industry, which in 2019 stood at $7.2bn.
Participants of the interactive webinar will be able to engage with the assembled panel of experts, ask questions, provide opinions and vote in polls. Webinar places are limited and will be filled on a first come first served basis, to join the conversation click here. The presentation and debate will also be lived streamed on IMS and Billboard Dance Facebook pages for those unsuccessful with registering for a webinar place.
DATE: Thursday 16 July
TIME:
LINK TO REGISTER: Click here
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As the release of his ‘L.A.’ album continues to draw closer, Tensnake is keeping his fans on the edge of their seats with yet another extraordinary record. The fourth album single to see its release after ‘Rules’, ‘Automatic’ and ‘Somebody Else’, ‘Strange Without You’ (feat. Daramola) sees the German studio magician touch down on leading dance music label Armada Music with one of his most personal records yet.
Only adding to the sheer diversity of his ‘L.A.’ album, Tensnake’s ‘Strange Without You’ is as musically magnificent as you can expect from its creator. With lush background pads, sounds that harken back to his early hit ‘Coma Cat’ and radiant, relatable vocals from Daramola working wonders in tandem with the beefed-up beats, this multifaceted record is tailored to deliver the best possible dance floor experience at any time or place.
‘Strange Without You’ is a very personal song for me. I wrote it after a breakup and the idea was to combine into one song the excitement of beginning a new relationship and the strange emotional state you often find yourself in after a breakup. Daramola captured the vibe perfectly and translated it into a bittersweet love song you can also dance to.” Tensnake
Daramola, the Nigerian, Miami-based singer, songwriter and music producer who charted on Billboard several times and produced for multiple artists including Grammy award-winning rapper Lecrae, added:
“Tensnake sent me the record and I immediately knew where to take it. His music resonated with my sound and my vibe; everything came so naturally.”
After getting his first taste of critical acclaim in 2009 with his ‘In The End (I Want You To Cry)’ EP, Tensnake has been cementing his status as a dance music pioneer every step along the way. The Hamburg-born DJ, producer and label boss secured U.K. chart success with 2010 single ‘Coma Cat’, officially remixed songs from the likes of Aloe Blacc (‘I Need A Dollar’, 2010), Lana Del Rey (‘National Anthem’, 2012), London Grammar (‘Hey Now’, 2014) and Duke Dumont (‘I Got You’, 2014), collaborated with Nile Rodgers, three-time Grammy-winner Stuart Price, Jamie Lidell, MNEK, Fiora and more for his debut album ‘Glow’ in 2014, and snatched up over 70 million streams on Spotify to date. And now with a brand-new artist album in the pipeline, Tensnake is taking all the right steps to ensure that this year will be his best one yet.
Tensnake ‘Strange Without You’ is out now on Armada Music
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The oh so amazing and not so new kid on the block Isabel Wood delights our ears and touches our souls with her fresh new atmospheric Pop/Indie track ‘Mind Reader’ an emotionally immersive song from a talented songwriter that unveils Isabel’s frustration with people not expressing what they’re thinking, a topic that resonates with people from all walks of life.
Hailing from the beautiful Sunshine Coast – Australia, Isabel’s tranquil vocals, honest, open and revealing lyrics coupled with her delicately woven melodies intertwine to take the listener on climatic ride of musical wonder.
‘Mind Reader’ Premiered on Triple J on the 8th of July to a howl of praise from music listeners across Australia and the world.
Keep your ears peeled and your eyes wide open as Isabel Wood has many more musical blessings on the way.
Produced by Tom Eggert (of MTNS), mixed by Aidan Hogg (Jaguar Jonze) and mastered by Grammy Award winner William Bowden.
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