“new and exotic electro pop” – Purple Sneakers
“one of Melbourne’s most underrated smash-smiths” – Project U
Melbourne singer-songwriter Evangeline has returned with her latest dark-pop offering, the moody anti-party anthem ‘Bad Parties’ featuring Los Angeles-based rapper Julius.
Stream ‘Bad Parties’ ft. Julius here.
Creating an impression of otherness from the opening line ‘You say to eat these vitamins, I’d have more fun if I try to fit in’, Evangeline evokes a sense of powerlessness that everyone has felt at some point, when displaced in an environment that doesn’t feel authentic to their self. Combining her equally hypnotic and haunting vocals, the chorus amplifies Evangeline’s ‘them versus us’ outsider attitude, ‘Bad parties, filled by people with perfect teeth. We’re just at the bad parties, distract ourselves with nicotine.’
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Starting June 2nd, Stereo is launching 4 albums with 20 new remixes each pack with the most relevant tracks of their history.
Steve Lawler, Hector Couto, Matthias Tanzmann, D-Formation, Andrea Oliva, Dosem, Matador, Roger Sanchez, David Herrero, Mark Knight, Rafa Barrios, Gorge, Oscar L, Joeski, De La Swing, Carlo Lio, Fer BR, Nick Curly, Ramiro Lopez, Matt Sassari, Mendo o Siege are just some of the artists that have participated in this milestone for the label.
Two decades of music, 20 years of Iberican Sound. The pioneering Spanish label founded in Madrid by Chus & Ceballos in late 1999 has established itself as one of the most successful and stable platforms in the electronic music industry. Its success and permanence in the international market confirm that. Among its great achievements are having exported a 100% own and recognizable sound, having achieved an enviable level of implantation in the American market, having discovered and promoted dozens of talented artists and having held events of its own across the world. It’s time to celebrate this vast musical legacy in the form of remixes with the STEREO2020 REMIXED series.
This release features over 80 new remixes divided into four albums grouped according to their genre. To beat the drum in such an iconic celebration, the guys have invited artists who have been a direct or indirect part of the label’s history. DJs and producers such as Steve Lawler, Hector Couto, Matthias Tanzmann, D-Formation, Andrea Oliva, Dosem, Matador, Roger Sanchez, David Herrero, Mark Knight, Rafa Barrios, Gorge, Oscar L, Josh Butler, Dennis Cruz, Joeski, Carlo Lio, De la Swing, Hector Vatos Locos, Danny Serrano, Junior Sanchez, Ramiro Lopez, Nick Curly, Mendo, Dee Montero, Fer BR, Dario D’attis, Matt Sassari, Miane, Senzala, Siege, Tini Gessler, Hoten, Lexa Hill, FNX Omar, Javi Bora, D-Unity, Sparrow & Barbosa, Andrew Meller, Piem, Loco & Jam, German Brigante, Drunken Kong, Tini Garcia, Marco Lys, Vidaloca, PEZNT, Simone Liberali, Paolo Martini, Collective Machine, Daniel Lera o Harry Romero among many others.
STEREO2020 REMIXED includes great classics from Stereo’s catalog such as ‘That Feeling‘, ‘Afrika‘, ‘Strong Rhythm‘, ‘In Stereo‘, ‘El Amor‘, ‘Iberican Sound‘, ‘Echoes from Doruma‘, ‘The Sun‘, ‘All I Want‘, ‘Lost In Music‘, ‘We Play House‘, ‘Black Rock City‘, ‘Senja In Bali‘, ‘Abisinia‘ or ‘Now or Never‘ to name but a few.
STEREO2020 REMIXED will be released one album a week: the 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd of June 2020.![]()
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Photo Credit: Colette Pomerleau
“Hypnotically blissed-out”
Gorilla vs Bear
“The electronic producer uses her equipment’s store-bought settings as a means to explore our melancholic modern world. Turns out she’s speaking in a language we all know by default”
NPR
New York born, Berlin based musician and film maker JJ Weihl is set to release her debut solo record as Discovery Zone having previously played bass and sang in acclaimed experimental pop band Fenster. Remote Control is out via cult Berlin label Mansions and Millions on June 5th. Discovery Zone announced her debut album with trippy video Blissful Morning Dream Melody which received praise from the likes of Loud & Quiet, Gorilla Vs Bear and NPR.
Today, Discovery Zone shares lead single ‘Dance II’. On the single, Weihl says “I remember finding this beat on an old Yamaha keyboard and playing the chords on the guitar in my studio. I was absolutely elated. I was dancing around the room. In the beginning stages of writing the songs that ended up on this record, I lacked a lot of confidence. I’ve been making music and touring for the past several years with my band Fenster, but this project is the first time I ever tried to write and record music on my own.”
“At a lot of moments throughout the process, I really had to trick myself to keep going, to not give up out of frustration or fear of failure. I think the lyrics of this song really capture the struggle and ongoing conversation I was having with myself at that time” she continues. “Dance II deals with inner conflict, paradoxes, and the endless digital archiving of reality. Some funny thing I’m trying to find and capture in myself and in the world and save but can’t quite. The thing I’m chasing. A feeling. A song. Myself. Whatever it is. It’s a Dance, too!”
Her album Remote Control, with its palette of chimes, chirps and shimmers, is a glowing meditation on our contradictory moment in history. In her hands, the limitations of the default setting form a territory of unbounded experimentation, from the system-notification synth funk of “Dance II” to the trance incantations of “Blissful Morning Dream Interpretation Melody.” There are bits of sound collage and a lot of operatic robot choirs woven through tight emotional electronic pop.
Live visuals and music videos are a big part of Discovery Zone. Presenting a wild curation of green screen, found footage, and original material, the visual palette is one of digital bricolage – weaving narratives out of youtube videos, personal beach vacation footage, television commercials, early computer animations, and 3d renderings. Utilizing sci-fi and lo-fi aesthetics in the deep web, the sonic and lyrical themes of nostalgia, paradox, love, physics and philosophy are further explored and enhanced by visual journeys through second life and the funhouse mirror of the internet.
The accompanying music video for Dance II is a split screen of images in the background that are in conversation with each other either visually or conceptually with Weihl in the foreground in relation to those images. Compiled by Fenster bandmate Lucas Chantre, the video is compiled of mobile phone clips, little moments we see and shoot on our own.
PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM ON LIMITED EDITION WHITE VINYL
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Nat Vazer revels in the comfort of her own company and thoughts in new iso-inspired film clip for latest single ‘For A Moment’
“Her understated but infectious indie melodies, coupled with her smooth vocals mean Vazer’s tracks radiate with a humble indie buzz; and ‘For a Moment’ is another shining example of this.” – Get In Her Ears, UK
Rising Melbourne artist Nat Vazer is gearing up to release her anticipated debut record Is This Offensive And Loud? at the end of the month, and is kicking off the celebrations with a brand new video for her latest single ‘For A Moment’.
Celebrating the simplicity of a slowing lifestyle and the comfort of imagination, memory and deep rumination, the new video exemplifies the track’s dreamy nostalgia through the intimate lens of Vazer’s partner and photographer, Benjamin Joel. A collection of humble moments lost in time, the ‘For A Moment’ video captures the immense weight of wanting something forbidden and the overwhelming feeling of longing for someone you can’t really be with
“The video clip was filmed when stage 3 isolation began so our options became really limited as to what we could do. We could no longer film at the beach which is initially where we planned to film. So Benny and I started brainstorming together – we wanted the film clip to convey the intimacy, warmth and playfulness of the song. So we chose simple sets that would convey that: in my bedroom because it feels like a private, intimate space; in the car and the shower where it feels personal but a little bit silly. With the shower scene – we drew inspiration from famous shower scenes like ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’, the Decore shampoo TV ads from the 80s and 90s. Singing in the shower is the best, everyone knows that.” – Nat Vazer
“When you’re limited with what you can work with, I think being open to experimentation and playing with the few things that you do have is the key. It can help you find what works in the process, rather than heading into a project with a set goal in mind. In this case, we tried a lot of different things with camera angles and lighting positioning, and we were just open to experimenting on the set. We could afford to do that too as we had so much time in lockdown.” – Benjamin Joel
Birthed from frustration and confusion at the state of the world and her place within it, Nat Vazer’s debut album Is This Offensive And Loud? was recorded in 2019 in a room above a guitar shop in Collingwood, Melbourne. Vazer’s intricate and eloquent songwriting navigates social justice, empowerment, relationships and more with a stream-of-consciousness
A captivating live performer, Nat Vazer has toured with Lime Cordiale and supported the likes of Last Dinosaurs, #1 Dads, Carla Geneve and The Magic Numbers (UK). Her fast-growing reputation as an intimate songwriter and powerful live force has also landed her on the festival line ups of St Kilda Festival, Kyneton Music Festival, Changes, Not Fest and more. Her anticipated debut album, scheduled for release through beloved indie Melbourne label Hotel Motel Records on Friday 29 May, is sure to propel this intriguing singer songwriter from a beguiling one-to-watch, to an undeniable leading force of Melbourne’s thriving indie rock scene. Not long now until Is This Offensive And Loud? drops!
‘For A Moment’ single out now on
Spotify / iTunes / Apple Music / Bandcamp
Is This Offensive And Loud? LP is out Friday 29 May
Limited edition vinyl pre-order now available through Hotel Motel Records

Where are you currently based?
I have recently relocated to Melbourne, AUS
How did you first start playing music?
My skills began back when I was around 12 years old. While learning to edit videos In spare time… I became obsessed with music production.
How has your COVID19 experience been to date?
Weirdly good. I’ve been able to work intensely on myself outside of the music. Being able to read, learn and practise more skills and ideas has been great. Wishing it were better circumstances but where there is a crisis there is an opportunity.
Your Sophmore album is dropping on the 29th of May 2020, you’ve just released the single ‘Level With Me’ what influenced the sound and songwriting for this track?
I wanted to make some more upbeat and fun to counteract the weird times that are happening around the globe. The idea behind it came from the majority of the world being put in the same position.
How did you go about writing Level With Me?
Started like most of my songs with me writing some chords and putting sounds together. Just after that, the body started to take place. I Wrote the lyrics then had to sit back and take another look.
I ended up making a new beat behind and kept the lyrics and melodies.
Where and when did you record/produce and who with?
I produced this record in 2019 by myself in my apartment. Production, Lyrics Mix and master.
What programs/instruments did you use?
I produce my music in Ableton Live
What did you find most rewarding/challenging during the process of creating Level With Me?
Trying to figure out the correct way to structure and build the record. I actually had to call an Aria award-winning buddy of mine ‘Illy’ to get a second opinion.
Where can we listen?
Spotify, Apple, Tidal, Youtube and Soundcloud.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Im diving deep into the electronic scapes of Max Cooper and Floating Points.
What do you like to do away from music?
I like to read, study and practice psychology specifically in the mental health field.
What’s planned for 2020?
MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Get me with them burgers! Youll catch me hanging at a cafe probably drinking coffee.
“PRESSURE POINT”
SELF-TITLED RECORD OUT JUNE 5
The Ghost Inside have unveiled a new track from their forthcoming self-titled record out June 5 via Epitaph. The track, “Pressure Point,” is about the types of exploitative acquaintances who are quick to make someone else’s tragedy about themselves
“Almost all TGI songs take the listener on a journey from dark to light or from despair to hope,” explains bassist Jim Riley. “On this record we made a conscious effort to let individual songs explore different emotions we’ve been experiencing and not force them to have a positive turn. We feel like the album as a whole will give you that hopeful feeling, even though a song like ‘Pressure Point; might not do that by itself. Instead we embraced being pissed off and let it pour out through some of the most aggressive and pointed lyrics we’ve ever had. We try to avoid cursing in our songs but sometimes you’re just so fed up that nothing less than a big loud fuck will get the job done.“
LISTEN TO “PRESSURE POINT NOW”
Created with producer Will Putney (Every Time I Die, The Amity Affliction, Knocked Loose) and longtime friend/collaborator Jeremy McKinnon of A Day To Remember, The Ghost Inside is 11 songs of determination, deep resolve, reflection, and newfound hope. The self-titled album arrives as the follow-up to the band’s 2014 release Dear Youth, which debuted #63 on the Billboard 2000, and will be the first release since their tragic bus accident in 2015.
The band had worked on material for their fifth album prior to the accident that claimed the lives of their driver, the lives of everyone in the other vehicle, and resulted in multiple injuries for all of the band members. Jonathan Vigil (vocals) suffered from a fractured back, ligament damage, and two broken ankles. Zach Johnson (guitar) has since had 13 surgeries for a femur injury. Andrew Tkaczyk (drums) ultimately lost his leg. The band collectively came to see the ordeal as a moment to put their inspirational lyrics to the test. Songs that were once more philosophical in origin had become autobiographical.
The accident will always be a defining moment for The Ghost Inside, but never what defines them. The album taps into the raw emotional things they’ve been through, but the songs are not about reliving the worst day of their lives. “This isn’t about what happened to us,” Riley insists. “We won’t get lost in that one day. This is about our journey, our growth, and who we are.”
The ultimate victory for The Ghost Inside is their triumphant new self-titled album.
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Says The Blossom, “The night I filmed this footage to send to [Dani], I had finished my 2-week solitary quarantine after flying from LA to SYD, and it was the first day I’d been reunited with my family or even left the bedroom. I went for a bike ride and a joy ride with my dad when the sun was setting and he filmed me on his iPhone. As I felt the rush of the wind, hanging out the window of the car like a dog, there was still some sort of lonesome and uncertain energy surrounding me. Nonetheless, I felt “free” for that whole couple of hours we biked around my childhood neighborhood, now quiet and dead-still”.
Produced with Warp Publishing‘s Jessica Winter (The Horrors, Gorillaz), ‘Bored Baby Blues’ is one of several songs born from Lily’s recent studio residency with Future Classic. It is the last single to be shared from her forthcoming debut EP, Bleeding Buttercup, a promising body of work that’s both romantic and cinematic: HD, widescreen with the static cutting through.
‘Bored Baby Blues’ by The Blossom is out now, buy/stream it here.
Bleeding Buttercup EP
Out May 22

TRACKLIST
1. Bored Baby Blues
2. Kill My Mind
3. Puppy Dog Tears
4. Wish You Well
5. Won’t Leave My bedroom
Stay connected with The Blossom:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Bursting onto the scene with his hit single ’Home’ featuring Ben Alessi, accompanied by a powerful live show which has taken his music across the country and onto festival slots such as Splendour In The Grass, Beyond The Valley, and many more…
Melbourne based Producer/Songwriter Kuren has returned to the hearts of Australians with his new single LEVEL WITH ME. Without being tied to any one sound, tossing elements of his original electronic flare with fierce upbeat energy, the constantly evolving 22-year-old enigma is never afraid to keep you guessing.
Returning to the spotlight from his recent hiatus following the release ‘Melting Conceptually’ Kuren has since used the fruits of his experience to cultivate a force that embodies an identity he stands for. Not content with the label of ‘bedroom producer’, Curtis has since reinvented his craft to bind the sounds of his trademark electronic sound with lyricism to mark a perennial evolution as a storyteller.
His sophomore album ‘HOLY WAVE’ has been announced to release on the 29th of May. And first tastings have already seen support from national Media and Radio outlets such as Music Feeds, Triple J and more. Set to make more noise with his upcoming LP Kuren is boasting an 8 track project with collaborations from Ruku and Savilian.
To keep up to date with future shows and releases, follow Kuren’s socials below
to relax and enjoy some amazing food!!
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Pre-Save/Pre-Order Album HERE
Following the recent taster tracks (‘How We Living’ and ‘I’m On Your Side’) – dropped from Michael Franti & Spearhead’s forthcoming 17-track album ‘Work Hard and Be Nice’ – comes ‘I Got You’, the first official radio single.
‘I Got You’, as Franti explains, is ‘a dance jam that is about how we have our friends and lovers back through all the highs and lows of life. Pretty suitable for right now.”
‘I Got You’ is out now through
Thirty Tigers / Cooking Vinyl Australia.
Where are you currently based?
I’m currently based in Brisbane, Australia
How did you first start playing music?
I started playing violin when I was 4 years old… It’s always been a passion of mine.
I was part of many orchestra’s and ensembles growing up.
I had been told by various influential people that I would end up as a concert violinist, but that direction changed when I started improvising and experimenting with music; and that’s when I realised I had an interest in Middle Eastern and Balkan sounds.
My singing came later on… I was actually embarrassed to sing in front of people for a long period of time … I truly didn’t think I could sing.
When I turned 18, I took an interest in song writing and music production and that’s kind of where it all began.
What have you been working on recently?
I’ve just released my new song called “Tøngue Tied” which came out on the 21st of April.
I’m now preparing for my next release which comes out this month on the 20th called “Not My Vibe”; – so stayed tuned for that!
Your new single ‘Tongue Tied’ is out now, what influenced the sound and song writing? How did you go about writing Tongue Tied?
Using my emotional pain and turning that into my art is kind of my escape and how I deal with things… It’s actually very therapeutic.
I feel a lot and I am very in touch with my emotions… when I feel, I write.
In the past I’ve allowed certain toxic behaviour from others to control me emotionally to some degree…
I never felt like I was fully in control of my emotions, but rather allowed people to treat me the way they wanted to, just to keep the peace.
I’m a very empathetic person… It’s my nature… in the past I would always try to please everyone before pleasing myself… and that would often be to the wrong people.
Writing Tøngue Tied was about me re-gaining my power and self-worth, as well as my healing process and journey.
Where and when did you record/produce? Who did you work with during recording/producing? Who did you work with during recording/producing?
My producer and close friend Brandon Jonak really helped me overcome a lot of insecurities and allowed me to express myself artistically.
I’ve worked with a number of producers in the past who have been controlling in some form or other – whether that be related to lyrics or melodies or whatever.
I remember I worked with one producer who constantly berated me… they would say things like “oh that was sh*t” or “why would you do that, that was absolute rubbish”- things that would really crush me as a song writer and artist. I ended up hating writing with this person as it was always about what they approved or didn’t and there was no sort of ‘collaboration’ between us but was all one sided.
When I first worked with Brandon, he sent me home with this random beat he had made 5 minutes before and said, “Do whatever you feel sounds good, then send it back when you finish”.
I remember ringing him literally the day after and was so anxious as to whether he was going to like it or complain about something and make me change it… I remember the first thing he said was “wow this is amazing Sophie…So this is the way we are going to work – I’ll do my thing, you do yours, no pressure, no stress, our creativity combined!”
From that moment on, I felt comfortable and able to really challenge myself and had finally the freedom to really create music that I loved.
Anyone who’s been in similar situations knows how important it is to have good dynamics between yourself and your collaborators.
Please tell us about how losing your hearing has affected you and how you are dealing with it:
Waking up one morning and completely losing your hearing in one ear without any previous health issues doesn’t really seem possible… but it happened, and I’m left with a completely and permanently deaf ear.
I didn’t think I would be able to continue music and there were a lot of obstacles I had to face.
A whole year later and it is what it is. I’ve come such a long way to heal and to accept what happened.
My whole lifestyle has changed because of this but it’s only given me more desire to want to help others.
Having a disability isn’t just about the physical aspect.
There’s the anxiety and depression to deal with, bullying, acceptance, rejection and much misunderstanding from people… it’s real and I’ve experienced it.
Because of my suffering, I feel I need to be a voice for those who are also experiencing and struggling with disabilities… and that is exactly what I’m going to do.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
At the moment I’m listening to a lot of house remixes. I go through weird stages where I’ll listen to a specific genre for a period of time and then get bored and go to another completely random genre.
Who or what influences your sound?
Jhene Aiko has been a massive influence. Her music, her lyrics, her persona, has helped me a lot in my personal growth.
She’s an artist I truly admire.
Doja Cat has influenced the Urban/Hip-hop sound that I’m now incorporating into my music.
What do you like to do away from music?
When I’m not doing music, I’m painting, I’m drawing, I’m learning a language. I’m a creative. I also have ADHD, so my mind constantly wanders, and I get more easily distracted than most, so I need to be doing something at all times.
Please tell us about your experience being an Australian with an Albanian Royal connection:
My family found out we were bloodline descendants of Albania’s national hero “Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg”, who is my 14th generation great grandfather, back in around 2011.
The importance of what this man stood for and his legacy didn’t really resonate with me at the time…I was growing up far from Europe, so culturally I was a bit naïve to say the least.
Now as time has passed and having visited Europe several times, I understand his role in European and Balkan history – I am incredibly proud and in awe of his achievements.
I’m so lucky to share his blood and I feel it’s my duty now, with my platform to really spread the word as to what a great man he was.
What’s planned for 2020?
Unfortunately, Covid-19 has really put a stop to a lot of things this year for me. I was planning to tour around Europe and perform at various places.
Right now, I’m continuing to write and produce more songs and see where life takes me.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Vietnamese food… Hands down. Place to hang would probably be in the studio.
www.instagram.com/sophiecastriota
www.facebook.com/sophiecastriota
Beloved Aussie outfit Immigrant Union are dropping yet another blissful slice of psych-rock on the lofty new single ‘Soldier Field’, out today Friday 8 May. Dipping into the outfits’ renowned alt/folk/country tropes but with a healthy dose of psych, Immigrant Union’s latest offering rounds out a trifecta of easy listening tracks set to feature on their forthcoming third album Judas coming out midyear via Cheersquad Records & Tapes.
‘Soldier Field’ follows previous singles ‘New Win’ and ‘Jewels In The Sky’ in another dreamy melodic mantra that is at once introspective and cathartic. Featuring newcomers Ben Street and Paddy McGrath-Lester who join founding members Brent DeBoer (The Dandy Warhols), Bob Harrow and Peter Lubulwa following the Courtney Barnett-trio departure of ‘13, ‘Soldier Field’ presents some of the band’s most explorative sounds yet. Dreamy layers of guitar, a tinkling of chimes and a bubbling drone create a soft psychedelic undercurrent for Deboer’s tender lyricism to nestle upon as he recalls a time of great loss and the relief of coming out the other side in one piece.
STREAM / EMBED ‘SOLDIER FIELD’ VIA BANDCAMP
“‘Soldier Field’ is a song Brent wrote while he was on tour with his other band The Dandy Warhols. He was in Chicago playing the Lollapalooza Festival. He took a taxi to a restaurant near Soldier Field where he stood staring up at the sign and started thinking of his family and friends back home. A couple of lyrics here and a couple there and the song was basically finished on the flight home to Australia. To Brent, it sort of feels like a follow up to his song, “Shameless” off the Immigrant Union 2016 LP, Anyway” – Immigrant Union
In their decade or so of existence, Immigrant Union have toured extensively both domestically and internationally, playing festivals and club shows, the world over. The trio-turned-sextet-turned-
Immigrant Union band members:
Brent DeBoer
Bob Harrow
Peter Lubulwa
Ben Street
Paddy McGrath-Lester
‘Soldier Field’ Credits:
Recorded at Tower Court Studios, Melbourne
Mixed at The Odditorium (Portland, Oregon, USA) by Brandon Eggleston
Mastered by Ed Brooks
‘Soldier Field’ single out now via Cheersquad Records & Tapes




