The Bronx have released their highly-anticipated new album, Bronx VI, out now via Cooking Vinyl Australia. Alongside the album release, the band have also debuted a Craig R. Stecyk-directed video for the song “Peace Pipe”.
“Working with Craig Stecyk on the ‘Peace Pipe’ video was the first fit and a dream come true,” says Matt Caughthran of the Joshua Tree set performance clip. “The feel of the song matches Craig’s aesthetic perfectly and honestly just being around him is very inspiring. His style and vision will always be completely original and unique. They just don’t make ‘em like CRS anymore!”
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Indie singer songwriter Neeko returns with her first single of the year, ‘How Deep?’ – the stirring title track of her anticipated debut EP. Weaving folk-laden pop melodies that gently buoy listeners into a state of utter serenity, Neeko sees music-making as a deeply cathartic practice. Her debut single ‘Deep Sea Diver’ was released independently last year, captivating audiences with its siren harmonies and spacious production that uplift Neeko’s impressionable voice as one to be celebrated. Now, the rising artist is thrilled to share the track’s sister release, ‘How Deep?’ and announce the exciting news of her forthcoming EP of the same name, just around the corner.
No stranger to the Melbourne music scene, Neeko has played countless shows around the country, sharing stages with the likes of Danika Smith, Allysha Joy, T Honey (aka Maple Glider) and even the Grammy Nominee Eric Roberson. Outside of her solo project, Neeko has performed backing vocals and contributed to an array of local outfits, including most notably playing drums in Melbourne psych rock outfit, Tomgirl. The band have been billed on prominent lineups such as Strawberry Fields and have supported industry heavyweights, Mildlife and GODTET among others. We had a chat with Neeko to delve into the inspirations behind her new single, dream collaborations, her various improvisation pursuits and what she’s got coming up on the horizon.
Hi Neeko, congratulations on the release of your new single ‘How Deep?’. Can you tell us a bit what this song means to you?
This song is a very personal love song and reflects a very specific time for me in a break up journey. It was a moment of feeling overwhelming love and joy.
How did the song come about and who did you record it with?
This song came pouring out one night as the feelings of such intense love were too overwhelming not to be expressed! Literally could not contain it in my body, hence the song was born. I recorded this song with my dear friend Jonathan Collins in his bedroom studio.
Have you always made music? When did you start?
I have definitely always loved music. I was always singing when I was a kid and was always forming little bands with friends. It wasn’t until I was 19 that I started playing guitar and that’s when I really began writing songs.
How would you describe your sound?
I have explored many different sounds in my song writing journey, but at the moment the songs that have been coming through are more intimate folk-like songs that tell a story. The aesthetic of my recorded music is very centred around the backing vocal arrangements which is my favourite part of the recording process! I absolutely love creating vocal arrangements.
You started the improv women’s showcase BLUME (Boss Ladies Under Musical Elevation) in Melbourne back in 2017 and another jam night in Alice Springs in 2018. What do improvisation and jam sessions mean to you, and how important is collaboration?
I love this question! I feel very strongly about improvised music because I feel it is how I have learnt how to play. I remember in the beginning of my musical journey going to friends’ parties where there was jamming going on and I longed to be a part of the jams but found that I had SO many insecurities to break through to feel like I could. It took a long time before feeling comfortable with feeling uncomfortable basically. I then became super passionate about creating warm and nurturing musical environments for people to be able to break through their own fears as I did. I firmly believe that music is for EVERYONE and you don’t need to be a virtuoso to play. For me, collaboration is an essential part of how I grow musically.
List a few of your top dream artists to collaborate with or perform with and why.
I would love to collaborate with Moses Sumney! His backing vocal arrangements inspire me so much. Would also LOVE to collaborate and perform with Jacob Collier! I feel we share a similar philosophy on music and he just seems like the biggest sweetheart!
You’ve only had one other release under your solo project Neeko, with your debut single ‘Deep Sea Diver’ last year. How does ‘How Deep?’ compare to this and what evolutions has your music taken on over time?
These songs are most definitely connected. How Deep? is the antidote song to Deep Sea Diver. I recorded Deep Sea Diver in my room last year which was a really beautiful intimate experience. I have very limited knowledge about recording so it is much more lo-fi than How Deep?. Recording with Jon definitely allowed me to create a bigger sound that I would not have been able to do on my own.
What’s next for you?
I have another single coming out in October before dropping the whole EP in November which I’m very excited about! I would love to be touring this music next year but I guess we will have to wait and see given the current state of the world. Fingers crossed for us all!
Finally, where can we stay up to date with future Neeko releases? Plug yourself!
You can find me on instagram as @neekomusic which is where I post all of my upcoming things. If you would like to check out my music head on over to Spotify or if you want to purchase my music go to neekomusic.bandcamp.com and buy a song for only $1.50!
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Twitter: @SDrysdaleMusic
Facebook: @SamDrysdaleMusic
Instagram: @samdrysdalemusic
Website: www.samdrysdalemusic.com
Where are you currently based?
I’m currently based in Toronto, ON. It’s become my home over the last five years. We’ve been making good cocktails and good music.
How did you first start playing music?
I started playing music when I was 15. I have two musical parents and originally viciously rejected playing any instruments/being musical. I found it naturally when I got into my early teens and ironically became really inspired by all the music my parents had played around me. Pink Floyd, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Carol King – that’s what I grew up listening to.
What’s been happening recently?
Publicly, nothing. Behind closed doors, the creation of an entire world. We’ve been redefining what “Sam Drysdale,” means artistically. I have love for my debut EP “Vicelove,” but it didn’t fulfill me. The project we’ve just finished was truly synthesized in my blood.
Your new single “Dream About a Girl” is out on August 25th, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
The soundscape you’re hearing is the brainchild of super-producers Andrew Martino and Joey Verskotzi. We wanted to capture something that had lyrical weight but also some tempo. The idea for the song actually came to me in a dream that caused me to question the relationship I was in at the time.
How did you go about writing “Dream About a Girl” and what does the single mean to you?
I wrote this song with Andrew “Marty” Martino and Alexandra Soumalias on a day that I had no intention to write a single – it seems to always happen like that. We originally wrote the song with the mindset that it was a ballad but Marty insisted we put some thick snares behind the verses and the song really took shape from there.
Where and when did you record/produce/master the single and who was it with?
The record was produced by Andrew Martino (Toronto) and Joey Verskotzi (Los Angeles) and was mixed by Howie Beck. Mastering was done by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel Mastering.
How did you approach the recording process?
Honestly. The most important factor in the creation of this record has been relentless honesty. Lyrics are the world to me and making sure we had painted the picture as articulately as possible was crucial for me. I’ve also recently discovered how to be more laid-back in regards to my vocal delivery and it has given me a lot of space to experiment.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I try to keep my playlists fairly fluid but I think you’d probably find an overwhelming amount of; JP Saxe, Alexander 23, The Weeknd, John Mayer, James Blake, Talk, Pop Smoke, and 6Lack.
What do you like to do away from music?
I like cocktails with playful garnishes. Preferably in the sun and close to the water.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?
We’re going to begin introducing people to this world we’ve created. More music, more visuals, more live shows. The only thing I care about is making a deep stamp on this industry and showing continuous thanks and appreciation to my team for having my back.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
There is a restaurant in Toronto called Manita that I believe makes the best Burger in the world. From there I’ll typically end up at a dive bar. Usually Local’s Only or Laissez Faire (Toronto). The grungiest parts of Hollywood also have a special place in my heart.
Twitter: @SDrysdaleMusic
Facebook: @SamDrysdaleMusic
Instagram: @samdrysdalemusic
Website: www.samdrysdalemusic.com
Title: Okay!
Label: Purple Fly
The NFT-fueled record label Purple Fly welcomes three new artists to their ranks with another genre-bending new track. DJ SODA, Lost Chameleon, and Ahin of the group MOMOLAND bring a blend of K-pop and electronic dance music to the table with “Okay!“. Opening with pristine vocals, the track quickly ramps up with a combination of groovy melodies, energetic synths and a bouncy bassline that make for a feel-good, radio-friendly gem. The unexpected twist is the R&B-influenced vocal riff, which adds the perfect layer of complexity to this dynamic track. Press play on “Okay!” to be taken on a multifaceted sonic journey that exemplifies Purple Fly‘s commitment to releasing only the most cutting-edge new music.
Purple Fly is an independent imprint utilizing cryptocurrency’s hottest frontier as a platform for the spectrum of electronic music. The label’s goal is to support collaborations of all forms of art, connecting music and stunning visuals for an immersive experience that spans the sonic realms of trance to trap. Purple Fly releases NFT directly on its official website with each music drop, enabling artists to have access to direct support from their fan base while expressing their creativity.
DJ SODA has proven herself to be more than just a successful DJ; her stellar fashion sense has earned her brand partnerships and modeling gigs for DIOR, GUESS, K-Swiss, New Balance, Nike, Mac, Joy Rich, Nixon, Diamond, Chanel, and more. She released earlier on Barong Family, Spinnin’ Records, and more. On the other hand, Lost Chameleon bridges the worlds of anime and electronic music, undeniably bringing a unique, cci-fi packed character into the K-pop scene. One of his goals is to make his manga comic a huge success. MOMOLAND made their debut through the reality show “Finding MOMOLAND” and starting with the release of their first mini album “Welcome to MOMOLAND.” The group is currently continuing their musical activities as a six-member crew that each possess unique talents. Some of their most notable singles include “BBoom BBoom” and “BAAM.” These new additions to the Purple Fly crew have DJ SODA, Lost Chameleon and Ahin of MOMOLAND joining Laidback Luke, BLVD., Fatman Scoop, Shaquille O’Neal, Sevenn, and more as part of the Purple Fly family. Keep an eye out for more groundbreaking releases from Purple Fly in the near future!
Title: Awakening
Label: Protocol Recordings
Nicky Romero returns in the disguise of his alter-ego Monocule with the eighth release “Awakening,” an underground gem featuring vocals by British singer/songwriter Sarah De Warren. The new track wastes no time packing a punch, opening with rhythmic synths and deep, growling basslines. De Warren‘s ethereal vocal riff is carried on euphonious melodies, making for a sonic experience that is meant for late-night club energy. “Awakening” follows Monocule’s recent release “Ways To Heaven” with Jamis featuring composer/pianist Michael G. Moore. Earlier this year, Monocule also dropped his “Monocule Volume 2” EP, which has already amassed over 2.5M streams on Spotify.
After taking the world by storm with early hits such as “Legacy” with Krewella and #1 single “I Could Be The One” with Avicii, Nicky Romero quickly proved that his talent is ever-evolving and here to stay. After launching his Protocol Recordings imprint in 2012, the renowned performer, producer, and label head continued his personal successes with a string of high-profile releases, ranging from collaborations with Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Mike Williams & Amba Shepherd, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, W&W, DallasK & XYLØ, Timmy Trumpet and Steve Aoki & Kiiara to remixes for the likes of Robin Schulz, Kygo, Rita Ora, Steve Aoki, Martin Garrix, Jess Glynne and more. While showcasing his label’s roster via his weekly Protocol Radio show, Nicky Romero continues to innovate and evolve during these unprecedented times in the music industry. In 2020 he launched his alter ego Monocule, which is dedicated to Nicky‘s never-ending passion for darker and underground vibes. Deep and growling basslines, emotive vocals, and dark and cinematic melodies – this is the sonic spectrum that Monocule represents since his debut release, and we can’t wait to hear more.
Coffee is everywhere: on restaurant menus, on the kitchen shelf of almost every home, in the hands of passersby and PlayAmo players. It has become an integral part of everyday life, but often even those who cannot imagine their morning without the characteristic aroma and taste of coffee know too little about their favorite drink. The world of coffee – multifaceted and complex, and sometimes even the basics of coffee science can surprise. We have collected 5 simple facts that will help you better understand what kind of drink has taken such an important place in our lives.
Coffee Is a Berry
Let’s start with the basics: where does coffee come from? We’re so used to it that we often don’t even think about its origins. Of course, first of all, coffee is a drink. It is made from roasted, ground beans, but how is it made? The beans actually develop inside the coffee berries that grow on coffee trees. Two beans are formed inside a single berry, but there are exceptions – whole, “twin” peaberry beans. Peaberry fruits are considered rare and usually account for no more than 5% of the entire crop.
Arabica and Robusta Are Types, Not Varieties
What does the label “100% Arabica” on the package mean? Often lovers of the drink think that arabica is a variety, although we are talking about a type of coffee. There are many species of the coffee tree, but only a few are cultivated to produce beans, mostly Arabica and Robusta. Arabica, also known as “Arabian coffee,” is considered the most common and popular variety. There are many more varieties, however, among the most famous are Brazil’s Yellow Bourbon, Ethiopia’s Irgacheffe, and Jamaica’s Blue Mountain. Sometimes to get new facets of taste and aroma, roasters mix different varieties of Arabica and Robusta and get coffee blends. In the Specialty Coffee category, these blends are called blends or blends.
Water Quality Affects the Taste of Coffee
Many factors influence the taste and aroma of coffee: brewing temperature and time, the quality and variety of beans, degree of roasting, and even water quality. The same coffee can unfold differently depending on how it is brewed. Coffee gourmets often experiment and brew their favorite coffee with cold and hot water, with mineral water and even with melted water – the taste changes amazingly.
Those who want to learn how to feel the different notes in coffee and catch even the slightest differences, you should start with a simple comparison of varieties from different countries. Each of them has its own characteristics and unique coffee notes. The Nespresso MasterOrigin collection allows you to evaluate the tastes of the far corners of the world. It includes rare coffees from Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Colombia, Indonesia, and India.
In these countries, farmers use unique ways of gathering and processing beans to get the flawless taste and unique flavor typical of their country. For example, in Nicaragua they use the “black honey” method, which involves leaving as much of the coffee berry pulp on the beans as possible for 30 days under the sun, allowing them to absorb the natural sugar. And in Colombia, farmers use the late-harvest method, which is difficult and risky, but which allows the berries to fully ripen and the beans to fully develop their properties.
Lighter Roasted Coffee Has More Caffeine Than Darker Roasted Coffee
This fact may seem counterintuitive if you are unaware of how the roasting process works. The light roasting process evaporates less water and goes through a lower temperature, so the caffeine stays in the beans. The rich flavor and bitterness of dark roasted coffee give the misleading impression that it has more of an “invigorating” substance, but in reality, it is the opposite: if you are afraid of staying awake because of caffeine, dark roasting is a better choice.
The Most Popular Coffee in FinlandFor Coffee Lovers: Five Things About Coffee You Might Not Have Known
Surprisingly many people, the world leader in coffee consumption is not Italy or Brazil, which are traditionally associated with this drink, but Finland. It is followed by Norway and Iceland. Apparently, in cold countries, people try to warm up with coffee or escape bad weather in cozy coffee shops. But perhaps their leadership is in jeopardy, because interest in coffee continues to grow around the world, and a huge “club” of coffee lovers is replenished daily.
How do you think this EP represents SoSo as a band now, compared to the band you were when you first came together?
One of the cool things about this EP is that you can see the different influences shine through depending on the track. “Skywriter” for example, has hints of alt-rock or prog that had stuck around from old projects. “Yeah Nah” on the other hand is probably the most straight up Punk song we’ve done and is probably a pretty good indication of our goals to play Offensively Average music and just straight up have a damn good time.
“I Wouldn’t Call This Success…but It’s Close Enough” shows us developing our sound and identity. Having learned from the first EP, our new stuff is more focused, and with greater production influence from Mr Stevie Knight. We’ve started playing some of these tracks live because to be honest it’s kinda hard not to.
Is there a particular track/s that still stick out for you as a fave?
For me “Wasted Time” has to be the standout from this EP. It’s not as radio friendly as perhaps some of the other tracks with it’s long build up, but I’m stoked with how it turned out. It’s fun as hell to play live and Rhys’ lyrics really hit those nostalgia feels.
‘The Great Escape’ is the single we heard before the full EP came out; can you tell me a bit about how that song came together, and what you like most about it?
“The Great Escape” started out as one of our more traditional up pop-punk tracks. The chanted “check this!” which is my personal favourite part of the song came about during the very early stages of writing the instrumental, and the rest of the melody was formed around that. We tend to write all the instrumentals first, so coming up with a melody that fit with the chorus lead was super important.
There’s some great tunes on here that make us miss live touring – what do you miss the most about constant shows?
Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ve ever had the luxury to have a consistent touring schedule! Our first ever show was cancelled in the first COVID-19 lockdown, and it’s pretty much continued with that theme since then. We did manage to string together a couple of shows with varying levels of restrictions in place, and especially when we were able to have a standing crowd, the atmosphere was awesome. I think people are really hungry for live music at the moment, so there’s a LOT of brilliant chaotic energy in the room.
You guys were getting some good momentum going as live performers before we went back into lockdown, too. What has been the best thing about playing with your bandmates?
Apart from the standard drinking beers, hanging out with your best mates and getting rowdy, one of the coolest things about playing shows has been experimenting with lighting and effects.
If people are going to make the effort to navigate the restrictions and take a punt on the show being able to go ahead, then you bet we’re going to try make it worth their time. Plus, even just the smoke machine on its own is a bloody good laugh.
How important has music been for you during the last year or so?
It’s hard to explain without sounding like a total cliché but music is pretty much all we do! Whether it’s writing new material, coming up with ridiculous ideas for skits and merch, or just hassling our mates to come out to shows.
If there is anything about this EP, what is it about this record that is gonna keep the fires burning until we can see you guys live again?
With any luck it won’t be too long until we get back to playing shows (fingers crossed). Until then we might have to go back through the archives for all the dumb content we took while writing the EP to see if there’s anything we can release to keep you guys entertained.
I Wouldn’t Call This Success..But It’s Close Enough is out now.
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed
Where are you currently based?
Los Angeles, California!
I have been singing ever since I could talk and had solos in preschool and elementary school choir. When I was old enough, I joined the school plays and started to sing on the altar at church. That’s where it all started!
I’ve been performing live here in Los Angeles and am so excited to be building hype around my first ever EP!
Being named Jersey Boy after being so inspired by the sound that floods the place I grew up, was a defining moment in recognizing where I want my sound to go. Not only having the influence of my past but working with producer Joe Pepe to really bring that sound to life and trusting him to take it in the right direction.
This EP was written so linearly, which is why I had decided to release it as a unit. The songs felt like the perfect batch of stories packaged into a moment of time.
Jersey Boy was produced and recorded with Joe Pepe at his studio in Burbank! I kept sending him songs and being like “Can we do this, can we do that? I have another one!” He really made this project come to life! I then had it sent off to mix engineer and friend, Carl Bahner who resides on the east coast. Then the song was sent overseas to mastering engineer Nic Di Lorenzo in Australia. It has been quite a journey!
Having recorded in several different studios, I knew what I was getting into with this project, but it’s always fun to work with new people and see their workflow. Joe is a beast. He produced these tunes efficiently, making for a very smooth delivery (once we established a vibe), and let me tell ya, we cranked out vocals on our last day together. We both had committed to a long, hard-working day in the studio that consisted of recording and comping all vocals! It was very rewarding once it was done.
As summer shows come to a close, I am already planning on a few more showcases for September and October. Stay tuned!
Truthfully, the pandemic and lockdown forced me to take myself more seriously and get extra creative. This helped me realize what I want to do with my career and what I have to continue doing to be a successful artist.
Design and create for my artist project and other client’s musical projects. I love developing concepts and designing release rollouts. If that doesn’t count since it’s in the same realm, haha, I like video games and going out to try new food and drinks with friends.
I am currently listening to Courtney Govan’s new single “before (not after)” what a musical masterpiece!
Heading back to Nashville to finish some MORE tunes! Might be a fun little surprise thrown in there as well 😉 and of course, more shows!
What’s your favourite gig that you’ve ever played at and why?
Space NYD Would be definitely be a highlight for me, Kobra Kai played early in the day to a wicked crown, and then I ended up hosting High Contrast’s set to a packed crowd absolutely going mental. Being NYD everyone was ready to party and line-up didn’t disappoint.
You just released new music, what made you drop it now?
I think it’s time, it’s relevance with the single people can relate too, my commentary on life and how I perceive what we’re all going through.
How would you define your style of music?
I am a mixed bag, this release is more of a modern hip hop vibe, however the other tunes on the release are definitely more grimey. Previous releases have been very Boom Bap focused solo, and with a mix bag of all underground bass music with Kobra kai.
Have you ever written songs that were more a fantasy than based on real life?
Every rapper exaggerates the truth to some extent, I have definitely framed some lyrics around fantasy more than real life. I am not a massive storyteller, however there’s been some moments over the years for sure.
Tell us about your upcoming album:
The new EP is all 140bpm and the production handled from 3 producers from the UK – Kayos, A-Zee and Chedda. It’s me having fun over a few different styles, however staying consistent on the same BPM. Some serious, some not so, but I think cohesively it works as a project hence the release. You have varied sounds, Who are you is a beat circa Boy in the Corner, where Voices just has a heaving Bassline. The two singles On Sight, and No Sleep are also completely different to one another. There’s a lot of variety across the release and it’s only 4 tracks.
Worse For Wear x The Partae
What is your name and role within the band?
Hi, I’m Curtis Heinz and I am the lead vocalist and guitarist in Worse For Wear Where are you currently based?
Currently based in Brisbane
How did Worse For Wear form?
A mutual friend introduced me to our drummer when I moved to Brisbane. We hit it off and started writing. Not too long after that I convinced my brother to make the move up from Adelaide and play Bass. That was back in 2013 and we’ve never looked back.
Your new single ‘Don’t Look Down’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
This song was influenced by our pop punk roots. We reworked the song to be a fast 2min singalong as a homage to where we’ve come from.
How did you go about writing the single?
As mentioned, it was a previously released song that we had all connected with. We wanted to bring it back for our debut and thought that moulding it to fit the flow of the record was the best way to go about this.
What does this track mean to you?
This track is special to me; the lyrical content is dark and reflects on an experience that has stuck with me for many years. Be sure to check on those around you.
Your new album will be out September 3, what was the process of writing an album like for you?
This record, being our first full length body of work, includes songs that span our whole existence of being a band. It was a slow burn. Also, this being the first time we were able to demo and really spend some time on the production and flow of the songs made it possible to create our best music to date.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
We were lucky enough to work with the very talented Nick Wilkinson. He was a one stop shop and is responsible for what you hear on Sure To Leave A Mark.
Please tell us about your collaboration with We Set Signals Nick Wilkinson, how did it come about and what was the process like?
We had met Nick previously around Brisbane, playing various shows. We also became familiar with some of his production work that we were very impressed by, so when the opportunity to work together arose it was a no brainer. The process was great, and his knowledge and skills really brought our vision to life.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?
We, like everyone in the music industry currently, are hoping to get out and play shows. We are rehearsing and in the process of putting together a new live show which we cannot wait to share.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Currently I’m really digging Modsun’s “Internet Killed The Rockstar” record. It’s on repeat! What do you like to do outside of music?
On weekends I love to get out and play golf.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
At the moment you can’t go wrong with all the top notch restaurants down at Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane. The lads and I are always up for a long lunch!
Produced, mixed and mastered by Nick Wilkinson (We Set Signals), the song takes theme from a negative experience and aims to bring some light into the dark. Vocalist Curtis Heinz explains: “‘Don’t Look Down’ is actually an older song we decided to rework and bring back for the album. Paying a little homage to how we have progressed as a band over the years. The inspiration behind the lyrics came from a tragedy that hit close to home. We wanted to flip that experience into a positive feel good tune that we can play for years to come.”
“Don’t Look Down”, “Time” and “Friends” are out now and available everywhere. Debut album ‘Sure To Leave A Mark’ will be available Friday September 3.
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