Stream "Spirit Animal Club-House", the DOPE New Album by cunabear
Savannah, GA based rapper, producer, illustrator, painter and multi-instrumentalist @cunabear just dropped his latest album entitled "Spirit Animal Club-House". Check out this DOPE new project now.
cunabear is a Savannah, GA based rapper, producer, illustrator, painter and multi-instrumentalist who just released his latest album entitled “Spirit Animal Club-House”, featuring his own exclusive production. Along with his music endeavors, cunabear runs the BearTooth Collective, a multi-genre DIY music and artwork collective.
The “Spirit Animal Club-House” album is comprised of 14 tracks, filled with jazzy instrumentation and layers of electronic psychedelia that create an atmosphere entirely unique that allows cunabear to speak about subjects ranging from heart disease affecting his family to manifesting self-belief in times of crisis.
“Spirit Animal Club-House” is a record that comes in potently and it’s lush soundscapes carry you to a place where you can “sit and complain”. It’s the house of your best-friend, where you go to smoke and drink and escape, vent about your problems and your worries and hopefully leave with a slightly lighter burden on your shoulders than when you first arrived.
Speaking about the project, cunabear says “The "Spirit Animal Club House" is the home you enter when you've found yourself suddenly and heavily struggling to continue along The Path. Where you runaway to when your homies pass away, and your father's heart is decaying from stress & cigarettes, and your grandmother is fighting pneumonia, and your co-worker gets cancer. It's where you lay your fears to rest, where you bury your demons, wrestle your vices, and scream your complaints into hallways. Air the body out. Empty the vessel, scrub its nooks and crannies, wipe away the dust. It exists to house you & cleanse you on your journey. Use it only when necessary. The twisted webs this existence brings can tangle and ensnare for certain but, as a wise man once told me, "It's not the struggles that define you, it's what you make of those struggles. It's not the beatings the world throws at you that will hold you back, but whether or not you've made up your mind to give in and be beaten. Don't lie down, stand. Hold your guard. Strike only when necessary and refuse to be knocked down." .......when you leave the Club House, lock the back door.”
We’re excited to share this beyond DOPE new album with you now, so listen to it below, stream it on Bandcamp, and connect with cunabear on his website and social media. Also, stay close to DCWS because our exclusive review and interview with cunabear are both coming soon.
Stream and Share “Spirit Animal Club-House” on Bandcamp
Connect with cunabear: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Interview: Rep Talks About His New Collaborative EP With Tramel Entitled "But He is Strong"
Virginia Beach based artist Rep connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his newly released collaborative EP with Tramel entitled “But He is Strong”, and much more.
“I’ve always said that it’s [music] a universal language. It speaks to people of every race and in any environment. Today, there is so much unrest. A lot has happened in just half a year, and I think artists need an outlet to express because art is how we cope with things.”
Congratulations on the completion and release of your new EP "But He is Strong". What does the EP title represent to you and what are you most proud of with it?
I think I'm really proud of the diversity of the project. Each song is really different and has a different feel. I know the chill pop crowd will like something, the trap crowd will like something, and so on. I'm not a fan of just sticking to one sound. I want the challenge of doing more.
On this EP you worked with Tramel, as well as the Sweden based True Justice and MNPLY. How did you make these connections and what did they contribute to the project?
I honestly didn't know what to expect with this EP. Originally, Tramel and I wanted to work on a project together because He really wanted to get back into music, and then True Justice (who I've worked with before) wanted to produce an EP with several artists.
Tramel and I were the ones who were really pushing for this. So, we started formulating what we wanted this to look like. With covid-19 happening and quarantines, plus the fact that True Justice is from Sweden, we had a lot of texts and Facebook messaging going on to mesh everything together. It was definitely awesome to work as a team.
Can we expect visuals for any of the EP's six songs? If so, which ones?
Yes. The plan is to do something for all six songs. Maybe like a mini docu-series. Haha.
I haven't brought up the idea with Tramel and True Justice yet, but it'll come soon. I'm ready for it.
With the state of things in the United States and around the world right now, why is music so important to you as an outlet to express yourself?
I've always said that it's a universal language. It speaks to people of every race and in any environment. Today, there is so much unrest. A lot has happened in just half a year, and I think artists need an outlet to express because art is how we cope with things.
Fans usually think we create music solely for them, but it's our therapy first, and then we share it hopefully to benefit others.
If your EP could be the soundtrack to any movie, which one would you select?
Sheesh....that's tough. Can I just say anything with Will Smith? I'm going with that answer.
SyncFloor Opens its Search Platform to All, Offers Licensed Music for Podcasts
SyncFloor, the search and discovery company for sync, is announcing the public launch of its service as of June 8th. Now everyone can find great indie music for sync at syncfloor.com.
SyncFloor, the search and discovery company for sync, is announcing the public launch of its service as of June 8th. Now everyone can find great indie music for sync at syncfloor.com.
The platform lets anyone creating video find the perfect song for their production - from film and TV to advertisements and broadcasts -, and it lets them do so using natural search terms that fit the way music supervisors and other pros think about music. SyncFloor offers indie labels, distributors, sync agents and publishers a ready-made storefront to promote their catalogs for sync opportunities.
“There is so much great music out there, music that reflects the unique perspectives and artistic visions of amazing musicians. Similarly, there are many in the film, TV, and video production world who are looking for just the right song,” reflects Kirt Debique, CEO and Co-Founder of SyncFloor. “The problem has been connecting the two sides, helping producers navigate a sea of possibilities to find the one track that works and is available to license. SyncFloor can make those connections.”
Podcasters face similar struggles. To serve this growing community, SyncFloor has applied its platform technology to create a new site specific to podcast producers, allowing them to find and license tracks for use in their podcasts. “Music can be just as important to a podcast as it is to an advertisement, in terms of creating the right vibe, but podcasters aren’t typically plugged into today’s complex sync licensing network,” Cestjon McFarland, SyncFloor Co-Founder notes. “Because of this, we decided to create songsforpodcasters.com, a version of our platform specific to their needs.”
Both syncfloor.com and songsforpodcasters.com demonstrate SyncFloor’s vision for a simpler, more efficient sync world. “Everyone wants real-time solutions in today’s fast-paced world,” says Debique. “We’ve built a platform that enables quick and easy sync transactions, while preserving and even enhancing the creative side of music discovery and the joy of finding the perfect song.”
About SyncFloor
SyncFloor is a revolutionary new marketplace designed to unleash the full potential of music in commerce. Whether you’re a music supervisor on a dramatic film, a music researcher at an advertising agency, an editor on a documentary, or a producer on a TV series, SyncFloor is your one-stop-shop for music from brands you already know and trust. We aggregate existing labels, publishers, distributors, sync agents, and artist catalogs into a single store with beautiful and innovative music discovery combined with a modern workflow and collaboration experience. And of course, when you're ready, hassle free clearance. Search for music the way you want to and clear it when you need it.
Connect with SyncFloor: Website
Interview: Dopecausewesaid Gets to Know Cult Shφtta
Proving themselves as one of the most outlandish and trailblazing artists’ coming out of Australia, Cult Shφtta have just released the visual for their track “Fkn Oath”. We connected with the Sydney based duo to get to know them more.
Proving themselves as one of the most outlandish and trailblazing artists’ coming out of Australia, Cult Shφtta are currently collaborating on music with artists’ including Creed The Kid (Brisbane) and Hideyoshi (Japan). A world-takeover set firmly on their minds, last year they performed in Thailand, at Atlantis Water Festival, and also reached 194k views on their single with local Thai MC, NGAZ YB.
On a constant journey to showcase original sounds and styles, Cult Shφtta’s latest offering showcases that they won’t be slowing down any time soon. The “FKN Oath” single has been featured on DCWS, as well as by trusted taste-makers such as I Am Hip Hop Magazine, FBi Radio, and more, alongside major playlists for Urban Flavour, The Drip, Local Hype and New Music Friday on Spotify AU/NZ.
We sit down with the Sydney based duo to get to know them more.
Tell us about your latest release and what inspired it?
The track is really me dealing with the internal conflict of falling in love whilst still heart broken trying to maintain a shield on my emotions.
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
MILF porn
How did you first start in the music industry?
Everything kind of kicked off when we met our manager Randy & we started taking everything a little more seriously.
What are you working on next?
Some big collabs with local and international artists. We are also focusing a lot of our energy on the Asian market.
What advice would you give others?
Work hard. Don’t be lazy. And if you make it before we do, remember who loves ya.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
Pharrell
Who is the dopest artist you know?
Lil Golo
What’s your favourite studio snack?
Soju
Interview: Vogue Villains Discuss Their Sophomore EP "Subglorious Songs For Subpar People"
We connected with the Vancouver Island BC, Canada based band @voguevillains for an exclusive interview to discuss their brand new EP “Subglorious Songs For Subpar People”, and much more.
“As a band we pride ourselves on never being locked into anything. We write what we have passion for and whatever comes out no matter what genre or vibe, always feels VV”
You've probably been asked a million times already, but how did the band form and where did the name Vogue Villains originate?
Vogue Villains started through the destruction of another band that ultimately lead to a wonderful collaboration between Lucas and Andrew. We'd been friends for years, enjoyed each others music but never had the right timing to do anything legitimate together. Once we got down to work it was like capturing lightning in a bottle, how could we have known each other for so long and not realized what the potential was!?
So from there we started writing and preforming while we CONSTANTLY searched for a name to call our new project. We both liked names that had the same letters in them and that looked cool on paper so we had that to start with, after talking about other words we liked eventually the word "villains" become pretty relatable to how people were treating us and each other and it just came to narrowing down that first word.
It seemed to us that making someone else the villain in your own narrative was pretty popular as well, so we settled on Vogue Villains because, I guess being the bad guy is just in fashion these days.
Congratulations on the completion and release of your sophomore EP "Subglorious Songs For Subpar People". Describe the band's creative process for the development of the EP's six songs and what it was like working with producer Tony Sharkey.
These are a mix of songs written before, during and after the release of our first EP "HAPPY." which was released in February of 2019. Songs like "So You Say", "The Arsonist & Gasolina" and "New Striped Coat" were being preformed already at the time though they have gone through changes here and there since, while "No Matter", "Subglorious" and "Let The Wrong One In" were all written just after the release and we took them on tour with us to test them out.
We also originally started working on this album before Rob had replaced our previous keys and ax man Nic, so lucky for us he jumped on to the project midway and spiced EVERYTHING up and help make it the album it is today!
Were there songs that you guys recorded for the EP that did not make the final track list? If so, why did they not make it?
There were other songs written at the time and one that almost made it on I believe called "Tell Me What You Are" but ultimately we decided that it worked better with some other songs we had planned for a future release and that we would keep it in our pocket a little longer. Fingers crossed you will hear it soon!
The EP's cover artwork is creepy and unforgettable, in the best way possible. Who did the artwork and what does it represent?
@gohomejerome on instagram did the artwork! We were just looking through artists that we liked online and came upon him. His stuff is unreal, so creepy and beautiful. We knew what we wanted it to look like and he was extremely helpful throughout the whole process, he brought the dead to life so to speak!
I believe the idea was to show what perfect people really look like on the inside and if that's what perfection is, we would rather be subglorious.
With the EP and new music video for "Subglorious" both released, what are some of the band's goals musically for the remainder of 2020?
2020 was supposed to be another tour, lots of shows to get our music into more ears and to continue writing the next songs but with the pandemic we were left with only writing to do, so instead we changed gears and started working on what comes next.
There will be more music videos coming and you might say writing is going, very well.
If you had to pick one song from the new EP as the most representative of who Vogue Villains is as a band, which song would you select?
That is a tough question. As a band we pride ourselves on never being locked into anything. We write what we have passion for and whatever comes out no matter what genre or vibe, always feels VV. So when we put this group of songs together we were all about taking different facets of our sound and intertwining them into a more rich and in depth feeling journey, despite being only a handful of songs. So to be honest, we couldn't choose one, they really are different Villains for different moments.
Stream and Share “"Subglorious Songs For Subpar People" on Spotify
Connect with Vogue Villains: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Hayfitz Shares His Debut LP "Capsules", Playing Virtual Album Release Show on June 14th
Brooklyn based multi-instrumentalist Hayfitz shares his debut album “Capsules”. In support of his release, Hayfitz is playing a virtual album release show from via Side Door Access and The Victoria House on June 14th.
Brooklyn based multi-instrumentalist Hayfitz shares his debut album “Capsules”. In support of his release, Hayfitz is playing a virtual album release show from via Side Door Access and The Victoria House. Join Hayfitz live from his Brooklyn bedroom on June 14th at 3pm EST.
The foundation of “Capsules” was recorded over eighteen days in a Seattle home surrounded by idyllic views of the Puget Sound and the region’s mountains and evergreens. The setting brought Hayfitz the emotional space to deliver the record with resolve, bringing intentional details to each song and distilling the franticness of a Brooklyn lifestyle.
“Capsules” took on its current shape in a secluded winter cabin in Parker, Pennsylvania where friend turned collaborator, Patrick Gregg, hosted Hayfitz for two separate week-long periods.
Each inspired by contemporaries like Andy Shauf and Chad Vangaalen, Gregg and Hayfitz collaborated to bring a range of woodwinds to the recording process, with Gregg playing everything from bass clarinet to saxophone. Gregg’s added aptitude in both modular and analog synthesis formed the underlying soundscapes that created a cohesive record, running Hayfitz’s demo midi sequences through various vintage synthesizers.
From there, collaboration became a key component to the album’s finesse, with Hayfitz bringing eight friends and acquaintances into his DIY studio spaces over the six month process, each collaboration painting a new layer of impactful, unfiltered work.
Listen to “Capsules” right now, stream it on your preferred music service, and connect with Hayfitz on his social media.
Interview: Maryland Artist Will Schaeffer Talks About His New Song "Hanging Low and High"
Thanks to Maryland based rock artist/producer Will Schaeffer who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his new song “Hanging Low and High”, which he created solely using @Ableton Live and its Kontakt plug-in.
“Most of the music I made before I did rock was really weird, almost like dubstep tyep stuff with vocals over it. That doesn’t work as well as a rock beat with vocals over it. It was a wonderful change too because now I’m in love with the rock and roll style of creating music, it’s very fun for me”
Congratulations on the release of your new song "Hanging Low and High"; we're blown away by it. Tell us about your creative process using Ableton and how long the song took to finish.
Thank you I appreciate your words.
The creative process I get with my music is very simple at first but then after some time gets more and more complicated. What I usually do is start off with a drum beat and riff or progression and then work out something that I can get into. Once I have a really good thing going, (which usually takes only about like half an hour or so), I have finished the very first part.
Sometimes a lot of what I make during this phase doesn't even make it into the final song, although the initial chord progression in “Hanging Low and High” was made during this first phase. Everything else was made during the the second phase. Once I get a good drum loop or riff or something I move on to the backing groove of the track. This part is necessary because a drum loop doesn't sound as good as a drum recording. So what I do is take some backing drum groove and then write my beat to that to give the song a live sound. That's important because a drum loop is a poor way to imitate a real drum beat, you lose lots of time having the same beat loop over and over again.
The next part is just arranging which is normal like any other producer would do. After that I sing vocals over the track which was taking a while for me when I wrote this track. I remember vocals taking like a week or so to get. I changed the lyrics a couple of times, sung it over and over again to finally get the vocals in the song.
Overall I'd say the whole song took about a month and two weeks to finish. I've had songs take me longer but that was I think the longest for this new album. It's a really cool thing but the shame is that even now I'm just figuring out how to tune the things right! It took me forever to figure out how to do it all with virtual guitars and instruments, but hey I did it, that’s all that matters right?
Listening to the song we would never know that you used virtual instrumentation and not live guitars and drums. How did you get started using Ableton and creating rock music through its software?
It all started back in my college years, from 2010 to 2013, when I started making electro music. I remember hearing Chromeo play and he says something like, "I made music in my basement for one year and now I'm up here now." I had thought that was pretty cool and decided to look into producing music. After a short time after that I downloaded a copy of Reason. I produced a lot of off the wall electro beats for a while. I was really into producing and would stay up late making songs and synths and other stuff all the time it was my passion.
I had a real interest in making music with software and just did it non stop for a while. I soon switched over to Ableton and started making more band oriented stuff. It took a while but I eventually discovered Kontakt and fell in love with it. I found out that Kontakt had an immense amount of power to it and you could virtually do whatever you wanted to. It took quite some time but I eventually figured out a way to get the super dinky Kontakt guitars to sound real and natural.
Even now I'm still perfecting the craft of VST's but I feel I've finally cracked the code and can create real life guitars with software. It makes me so happy to start up an Ableton set and using my tunings to create real life guitars and basses.
Will "Hanging Low and High" be featured on an upcoming EP or album this year? If not, what's next for you musically?
Yes, “Hanging Low and High” will be on my next upcoming album which will come out within the next year. Right now I am actually still perfecting the tuning with the virtual instruments and will hopefully have a full analog/digital hybrid soon. It sounds weird but this has never been done before, and its really difficult, but I believe right now I have really cracked the code on making real instruments with software.
By right now I mean after this songs was created so if you can imagine difficult, imagine something even more than that. You get to the very end and it turns out you have to do even more than what you expected. Right now next for me is SUPER HEAVY stoner metal type stuff. I was holding s guitar one day and thought, "Maybe I can use a real guitar to make a virtual one on Ableton” and BOOM that was it, instant metal stuff which I have never gotten before. It wasn't present on this song, but OMG now I'm making real heavy almost stoner metal type stuff it's really cool. It’s really sick honestly some of the stuff I've been making nowadays reminds me of Black Sabbath.
You've mentioned that the song was written about the Louv're in France; what about the Louv're specifically inspired your creativity?
Well for some reason I had vivid memories of the Louv're from watching some documentary about it some time ago. It stood out to me because of the design of the museum is so interesting and that makes it easy to remember.
I like to write lyrics from memories and when something is more memorable it's easier to write about. You know I could just write about my life working as a fruit juicer at grocery store but I feel like a song written about the Louv're is cooler. It's a really cool place and I wish I could go there one day.
What led you to change your music from electronic to more rock oriented material?
The change was very gradual, but over the course of a couple years I really wanted to do something different than dance music. Electronic music is easier when all you do is produce, but if you want to sing too then it doesn't work as well. I think as soon as I started singing I changed my mind as to what style of music I wanted to do. It's much easier to be a singer-songwriter than a singer-DJ.
Most of the music I made before I did rock was really weird, almost like dubstep tyep stuff with vocals over it. That doesn't work as well as a rock beat with vocals over it. It was a wonderful change too because now I'm in love with the rock and roll style of creating music, it's very fun for me. I think most of the times you start out at places you really don't want to be, but in the end you make it where you want to go. So for me, I've reached where I wanted to go in terms of styles completely by now. I've gone from a DJ to a songwriter and it feels good.
I write much more often than I would when I was making electronic stuff, and I'm learning much more about music, playing, instruments, everything, since I started making rock music. So overall it's been a long ride but I'm happy to have gotten where I've gone to.
Connect with Will Schaeffer: Bandcamp
Review: "Algedonic" Album by The BlueStocking
Moscow based rock quintet The BlueStocking offers a darkly beautiful theatrical ode with their debut album “Algedonic”. With a distinctly cabaret-like flavor, the songs churn intensely.
Moscow based rock quintet The BlueStocking offers a darkly beautiful theatrical ode with their debut album “Algedonic”. With a distinctly cabaret-like flavor, the songs churn intensely. Stylistically they draw from elements of jazz, cinema, progressive rock, and elements of improvisation thrown in for good measure.
Everything feels positively alive thanks in part to The BlueStocking’s fiery delivery. Instrumentally rich, the sheer number feels absolutely awe inspiring. Guitar riffs ring true as saxophones scream out into the air. Of course, the true unifying force of this entire journey is the power of the vocals which have a commanding presence. Lyrics are sung with urgency, propelling these tracks forward in a majestic manner.
Influences abound throughout the “Algedonic” album. The Dresden Dolls appears to be influential on their sound and style, for, like them, The BlueStocking goes for a bewilderingly dark noirish quality. For the less obvious, they choose the theatrical oddities of Mr. Bungle. Akin to that group, The BlueStocking refuses to be easily pigeonholed while they mess with tempo, rhythm, even style within a single song. All of it works wonders for the kaleidoscopic rush of color feels palpable, as the whole of the album has a gracious, lovely hue to it.
Setting things off on a high note is the tremendous wave of “Rhyme” where the song transforms itself into an absolute frenzy. “OCD” goes for a chaotic flair, with the piano playing emphasizing a sense of loss. By far the highlight the way the vocals, guitar riffs, and horns merge into a stream of consciousness stuns. Emotionally fraught, “Bulletinawallet” opts for an angular approach, for they draw from some of post-punk’s vigor.
Nods to a rambunctious jazz wafts into the air on “Never Ready”. Wonderful guitars emerge on the dreamy vibes of “Well” with everything going for a blissed-out style. “Awakening” has a righteous defiant stride to it while the rhythms ring true. Stripped down to the essentials, “Don’t Look Back” has a more intimate approach, going for something that feels subdued. Ambitious and sprawling the feral energy of “Look at My Face” brings the “Algedonic” album to a gracious finale.
The “Algedonic” album delivers a gorgeous celebratory procession, one that shows off The BlueStocking’s stark uncompromising vision.
Stream and Share “Algedonic”
Chillhop Music + Tracklib's First Album "Timezones: Saudades do Tempo" Exceeds 1M+ Streams in First Week
“Timezones: Saudades do Tempo”, @chillhopdotcom first album with @Tracklib samples in every song, exceeds 1 million streams in first week.
Tracklib, the world’s first and only service for quickly finding and legally clearing samples, and Chillhop Music, one of the world's leading platforms for instrumental hip-hop, have announced Timezones, a globe-spanning series of instrumental albums each focusing on a different area of the world--to be composed entirely of samples from Tracklib’s vast catalog. The first album, Timezones: Saudades do Tempo, features eight songs showcasing the sounds of Central and South America. Released last week, the album has already achieved 1M+ combined streams.
“This is the first time a full album has been released, where every single song is made with samples from Tracklib,” said Pär Almqvist, Tracklib CEO and co-founder. ”And love that it’s a compilation with some of the best artists in the lo-fi world.”
With 2.75M followers on YouTube and nearly 2M monthly listeners on Spotify, Chillhop Music is one of the world's leading platforms for instrumental hip-hop and lo-fi beats. In 2016, they were the very first to start a 24/7 lo-fi live stream on YouTube. In the last few years, Chillhop has moved from working with sample-based tracks to involving more original compositions and live instrumentation, which to save themselves from the headache that used to come hand-in-hand with the use of samples.
“Chillhop has previously stayed away from releasing music with samples of original music because of the legal complexities, which is something that Tracklib solves,” said Bas van Leeuwen, CEO of Chillhop Music, in the video linked above. “I think there's a lot of aesthetic and dynamic of a recording from a specific place and time that's hard to create from your own bedroom or studio. Sampling adds culture and authenticity, and perhaps even story, to a track. It's a way of creating music that we haven't been able to do for a long time. Now we can dig into this awesome music from the past and celebrate music that otherwise wouldn't be heard by our audience. This new Timezones series also allows us to work with talented beatmakers who just kill it when it comes to using samples in their music.”
Producers contributing to Timezones: Saudades do Tempo include Psalm Trees, Brous One, Scarlett, Planty Herbs, VYNK, Mo Anando, Misha, and Philanthrope, who made the album’s opening track together with Moods by sampling “Musica Suave” by Hermanas Nuviola.
“It’s great that Tracklib is encouraging people to make use of samples again,” said German producer and Chillhop Head of A&R Philanthrope. “It gives me a better feeling to know every sound is cleared, and that the original artist also profits from it.”
About Chillhop Music
Chillhop Music is one of the world's leading platforms for instrumental hip-hop and lofi beats. In 2016, they were the first YouTube channel to launch a 24/7 lofi livestream. Chillhop Music curates one of the world’s largest Spotify Playlists “lofi hip hop beats - music to study/relax to (lo-fi chill hop)” with over a million subscribers.
About Tracklib
Tracklib is the world’s first and only digital platform for legally clearing samples, solving a big problem in the music industry: a vast majority of all sampling is done illegally because of the complexities and high cost usually involved with sample clearance. Tracklib's extensive library consists of over 100,000 original recordings—everything from Mozart to Isaac Hayes—and can be licensed for sampling for as little as $50.
Tracklib’s revolutionary solution has been embraced by artistic and industry giants such as Ludacris, Questlove, Jazzy Jeff, and Zaytoven, who have publicly praised the company. Artists who have released songs with samples from Tracklib include DJ Khaled, Mary J. Blige, Lil Wayne, BROCKHAMPTON, Phantogram, and J. Cole also used a Tracklib sample for his 5x Platinum single “Middle Child”. Tracklib launched in 2018 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with representation in New York City and London.
Stream and Share “Timezones: Saudades de Tempo”
Connect with Chillhop Music: Website
Connect with Tracklib: Website
Interview: Elly Ball Discusses Her New Single/Video "Jasmine"
We connected with Toronto based singer-songwriter and directer Elly Ball for an exclusive interview to discuss her new single/video “Jasmine”, what she’s most proud of with her 2018 debut EP “She Too Was Naked”, and much more.
Photo Credit: Vaibhav Dalal
““Jasmine”, as well as future singles coming from Phresh and I, are one-off collaborations while we both are finishing solo EP’s. It is a way to get out of our own heads and move past creative blocks that happen when you are writing alone.”
Congratulations on the release of your new music video "Jasmine". What led to you to decide to film a visual for the song at home during quarantine?
Thank you! It's going to be a big year for me as an emerging artist really introducing myself to the world for the first time. I had planned to dive deep into live shows and being on the ground as part of the music community here in Toronto, but the option to play shows this year has become very challenging and limited as a result of the pandemic. I thought, how can I show who I am what and I have to give now, so as venues begin to open up I have something that can help me get on that shortlist.
Regarding the song itself, which was produced by Preshtones, what was your creative process for its development, and what inspired your songwriting?
The "Jasmine" instrumental was actually the first song Phresh had ever sent me. I love anything with a dark, worldly edge to it and right away fell in love with his production. As he sent more and we began to write and co-produce future tracks, “Jasmine” stayed pretty dormant until COVID.
“Jasmine”, by coincidence, is also the name of my partner's mother who I am very close to, and she was in the high risk demographic for the virus. Despite my fear of losing her, one thing her Hindu beliefs have taught me is that death is its own journey and is beautiful in its own right. It is a story that can be told with love and grace, and no one ever truly leaves us. They are waiting peacefully on the other side.
Can we expect to hear "Jasmine" on an upcoming EP or album this year? If so, what can you tell us about it?
“Jasmine”, as well as future singles coming from Phresh and I, are one-off collaborations while we both are finishing solo EP's. It is a way to get out of our own heads and move past creative blocks that happen when you are writing alone. It also allows me to react to what is happening in the world here and now, while my solo work is where I get to dive deep into my own story, exploring inwards rather than outwards.
What do you look forward to the most from an artistic standpoint when the city of Toronto is finally opened back up post-quarantine?
Being able to simply explore. I love riding my bike around the city, experiencing new places, and meeting new people. That is where I learn and grow as a person, and what inspires new stories to write.
I find connection through a screen very challenging and have felt quite disconnected.
If you had to describe your music to a stranger in three words, which ones would you select?
Darkly sensual and cinematic.
What are you most proud of with the debut EP you released in 2018 entitled "She Too, Was Naked"?
Just getting it out there! I come from a classical and theatre upbringing, so it was my first time working with a DAW.
I learned so much about myself and my style while gaining incredible respect for what great producers and engineers do. It was scary to put out work you know isn't close to being on par with the industry standards yet, but it still represents a huge part of you. Only up from here!
Interview: They Call Me Sauce Talks About His New Single "Expensive Dessert"
Major thanks to Kansas City rap artist and hip-hop educator @mynamesauce for connecting with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his new single “Expensive Dessert”, and much more.
“...The energy and connecting with people. Seeing people dance, or wow at my lyrics, etc., bring me much joy as an artist. Also travelling and seeing cities/things I wish I did when I was a kid”
Congratulations on the release of your new single "Expensive Dessert"; tell us about your creative process for its development and how you connected with the producer Vikaden.
Thanks, I appreciate that! I made “Expensive Dessert” a few years ago for a project surrounding Valentine's day. I only released it through my Bandcamp, for fans signed up through there as well as a brief release on Soundcloud, where I connected with Vikaden. Since then I had taken the song down and only used it for lived performances. I have done this song live in over 30 cities on tour and for festivals and since I’m not on the road right now, I figured I drop it on all retailers and a follow-up to my March release "Make You Sing."
What are your thoughts about the hip-hop scene in Kansas City overall in 2020? Are locals generally supportive of homegrown talent and are there a lot of venues to perform at?
The local scene has grown tremendously on the underground circuit and in the industry. We have Grammy nominated/winning producers and well-decorated musicians who still work within the local scene via productions, recording and more.
I think now more than ever, the up and coming artists, even those younger than myself, have a greater chance and making big strides in the industry. Names like Kye Colors, A. Sean, Love, Mae C., etc.
The scene has it's issues like any other but with OG's like Tech N9Ne, Rich The Factor, and The Popper, we have been making lots of progress. There are becoming more and more venues that let Hip-Hop in. Kansas City is known worldwide as a Jazz city but the Jazz scene here is still small compared to the rock band, acoustic and country style of music. Our entertainment scenes have been more friendly to Hip-Hop as we have grown our followings and our stage performance.
Tell us about the We Are R.A.P. Hip-Hop Education Program and how it originated.
We Are R.A.P. was created by me and my friend/band member Kartez Marcel in 2017. It's essentially a Hip-Hop education program that uses creative writing, entrepreneurship and technology to give middle and high school aged a platform to speak about their issues, a safe space for creating with an art form they are familiar with, and a way to learn about careers in the music industry on and off the stage.
To be short, we both were doing similar programs and joined pieces of ours together for a bigger impact. Now we have created multiple songs and music videos with our students as well as partnerships with local school districts, libraries and organizations.
With "Expensive Dessert" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder or 2020?
Well I had 20+ paid gigs and a 10-city tour that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis so I'm hoping to get back on the road. These last two singles were to help keep myself relevant while not on stage as well as producing new music for my supporters.
I am working on a collab album and an EP to round the year off. Outside of that I have been learning the Facebook ad world, playlist submissions, and more online music stuff while building my home studio.
What do you enjoy most about performing your music live and do you have a favorite song in your catalog to perform for an audience?
The energy and connecting with people. Seeing people dance, or wow at my lyrics, etc., bring me much joy as an artist. Also travelling and seeing cities/things I wish I did when I was a kid.
Favorite songs to perform are of course "Expensive Dessert," "Black Men Set the Mood," "Blow Up," and "Alive" which is performed with my other band mates of NuBlvckCity.
Connect with They Call Me Sauce: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Interview: Four Oaks, NC Based Band HeartMouth Discuss Their "I Think the World is on Fire" Music Video
Major thanks to Casey Allen, Harrison Beam and Tyler Daniels of @heartmouthmusic who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss their new single/video "I Think the World is on Fire", and much more.
“HeartMouth has a very simple meaning - I like to write very honestly about the human condition and all the emotions that come along with that. I write from the heart, and try and portray those thoughts as vulnerably as I can out of my mouth”
How did you guys come together to form the band and what does the name HeartMouth represent?
HeartMouth originally was a solo project for me to just start over fresh and finally write music that I’ve always wanted to with no compromises. Along the journey, I realized how lonely it was doing it all by myself. I missed playing with other musicians, and it was amazing having Tyler and Harrison jump on board and be able to collaborate again.
HeartMouth has a very simple meaning - I like to write very honestly about the human condition and all the emotions that come along with that. I write from the heart, and try and portray those thoughts as vulnerably as I can out of my mouth.
Congratulations on the release of your new music video for "I Think the World is on Fire"; tell us about what inspired you guys to create the song initially, and who directed the visual.
Thank you! ITTWIOF initially came from a state of just looking around and taking in everything going on in the world - not just with COVID, but also the Australian fires, wars, politics, and all of it - this just seems to be a time of uncertainty, and I think the song captures that uncertainty.
I initially came up with the idea of the song itself. Harrison took charge on the video and all of the visuals behind it, and he captured the feeling behind the song perfectly.
Is "I Think the World is on Fire" a part of an upcoming EP or album the band will be dropping this year?
We have no album plans as of yet, and we probably won’t start thinking too hard about EPs until 2021 gets here. However, we have plans on releasing new singles every 6-8 weeks for at least the rest of the year, and that has been going well so far.
With Four Oaks being no more than 30 minutes outside of Raleigh, what are your thoughts about the music scene in the Triangle in 2020 for your genre of music?
Raleigh has one of the best music scenes, period. Once this virus is behind us and we can all play shows again, I can’t wait to see the Triangle explode to be the best it’s ever been.
With "I Think the World is on Fire" now released, what are the band's goals musically for the remainder of the year?
Initially, we had planned on booking a TON of shows and really hitting anywhere and everywhere that we could. Given that isn’t an option for right now, I’m still excited to be able to be releasing new music and gain more of an online fan base. It looks like that’s gonna be our main focus that is still tangible for this year.
Connect with HeartMouth: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
JJ Wilde Announces Her Upcoming Album "Ruthless" and Shares New Single "Cold Shoulder"
@jjwildechild, the Billboard chart-topping rocker announces her anticipated debut LP: "Ruthless", due out on June 12th, and shares her new single "Cold Shoulder".
JJ Wilde, the “soul-stirring” (One’s To Watch) Billboard chart-topping rocker announces her anticipated debut LP: Ruthless (Black Box/BMG). The album features brand new Wilde songs as well as some of her most beloved singles, including: “The Rush,” which recently became her most successful single to date garnering over 3 millions streams globally; all of her 2019 EP, Wilde Eyes, Steady Hands tracks; and her devastating ballad from January, “Funeral For A Lover.” After years of playing, performing, and paying her dues, Wilde is ready to unleash her first full LP, carving her name into the alt rock genre as one of the genre’s most exciting newcomers.
Ruthless standout track “Cold Shoulder” has also dropped, tapping into the kind of 70s New York vibe that might be more familiar with Some Girls-era Rolling Stones; the track blends back-beat grooves with her signature power-chord release in a way unlike anything she’s done yet - a taste of what’s new to come with Ruthless.
“After sitting on these songs for what seems like forever, I am over the moon to be able to finally put this one out, especially at a time like this,” Wilde says of the new song, “with everything going on and the industry at what seems like a stand still, I feel very lucky to still be able to create, write, and put out music. Cold Shoulder is one of my favourite songs to perform live. It is an angsty cry for recklessness, and to feel alive.”
Earlier this month, Wilde’s “The Rush,” a brooding and bluesy ode to independence that’ll be on Ruthless, topped Billboard’s Canada Rock Chart, sharing the top ten with modern rock legends like The Killers, The Black Keys, and Billy Talent.
The new songs on Ruthless mark an exciting next chapter in Wilde’s evolution from a fan-favorite underdog touring alongside The Struts, Incubus, The Blue Stones, The Glorious Sons, and more to one of rock’s most promising rising songwriters and performers. “Knees” is a thrilling album opener, both a classic break-up kiss-off and a formative mission statement for Ruthless: “This album has been a long time coming and I am so excited to finally be able to share it. It started out as a writing trip to LA and over the course of my first year being signed, through many personal ups and downs, gains, losses, new experiences touring and traveling, I feel like this album perfectly represent the years of my life leading up this moment and all the changes that I have gone through, good and bad. Between struggling to pay bills working multiple dead end jobs, toxic relationships beginning and ending, it's all in there. Ruthless will give listeners a first and very personal look into my mind, heart, and everything in between.” “Breakfast In Bed,” a song Wilde was able to write and finish within hours of striking inspiration, is a giddy and empowering as the song’s namesake, with the kind of riff that recalls ‘00s New York rock ‘n’ roll. And album closer “Feelings” finds Wilde in a more somber mood - and it might be her most experimental and sonically adventurous song yet.
Listen to “Cold Shoulder” right now, connect with JJ Wilde on her social media, and be on the lookout for her new album on June 12th.
Stream "Algedonic", the Debut Album by Moscow Based Quintet The BlueStocking
Moscow based rock quintet The BlueStocking have just released their debut album entitled “Algedonic”; listen to it right now and be on the lookout for our in-depth album review coming soon.
We’re very excited to introduce you to The BlueStocking, a quintet of three gals and two gentlemen from Moscow, Russia, who create rock music with post punk undertones and a tinge of dark cabaret. Comprised of band mates Kira Mikheeva (lead vocals and keyboard), Hellen Dergaus (drums), Kat Soloviev (bass and backing vocals), Egor Gavrilin (saxophone), and Ilya Gorohvodatskiy (guitar), The BlueStocking has been described as “a soundtrack for a movie Tim Burton is yet to create”.
The quintet has just unveiled their debut album entitled “Algedonic”, which means “pertaining to both pleasure and pain”. Speaking about the project, The BlueStocking says, “Focusing on our earlier creations, it’s a showcase of the variety of styles which shape our sound: from the anthemic prog-punk manifesto of “OCD” and the ethereal lullaby of “Well” to the bluesy cabaret blockbuster “Never Ready”, with the epic roller-coaster of “Look At My Face” as the finale”.
The “Algedonic” album features eight songs, and we guarantee that you’ll love each one of them. We look forward to sharing with you both our review of the album and our interview with Kira, Hellen, Kat, Egor and Iiya very soon. In the meantime, rock out to “Algedonic” below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with The BlueStocking on their social media.
Connect with The BlueStocking: Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp
Interview: Lancaster, PA Rap Artist Eugenio Oliveras Talks About His New Track "LUV"
Shout out to Lancaster, PA based rapper and producer @ninesixvi_ who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his new track “LUV”, featuring Surf-O, and much more.
“...I gotta say moments like these whether it’s with my family or friends inspire me the most. Time is something we all can’t take back in our lives regardless, so I try to value and maximize as much as I possibly can.”
Congratulations on the release of your new single “LUV”. How did you connect with Surf-O who is featured on the track and how did you end up deciding to use that instrumental?
The gratitude is highly appreciated, thank you. Surf-O is actually a close friend of mine that I’ve met back when I wasn’t even in high school or making music yet.
Originally, the song was recorded by him as he freestyled the majority of it, then from there we reshaped the composition and structure of the record.
We work a lot together, so we’re usually recording over a bunch of random beats that we chose from before buying and releasing the finished product.
What are some things/people/places that inspire your creativity as an artist and producer?
I’m actually chilling by the beach right now. I gotta say moments like these whether it’s with my family or friends inspire me the most. Time is something we all can’t take back in our lives regardless, so I try to value and maximize as much as I possibly can.
Tell us about the hip hop music scene in Lancaster, PA. Are locals supportive of homegrown talent and are there venues available for emerging artists to perform?
Well, there’s a few small venues. The Chameleon Club probably gotta be the more popular one from them all in my opinion.
As for the artists, there’s a lot of emerging, young and competitive guys out here. The city is small, too, so the local support system is also a saturated competition to be a part of, but it’s a part of the journey and sport.
When it comes to the development of new instrumentals, what software/hardware to you use to make beats? Also, when do you know when a beat you are working on is finished?
I use FL Studio, Cubase, and Logic. When I make beats, I write at the same time, so when I feel like the whole record is ready to be manifested, I construct the whole beat, then add my vocals.
With “LUV” now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of the year?
I look forward to continuing to build my catalogue and brand most importantly. I got a lot of unreleased music to let go of all-year round. As far as the collaboration behind “LUV”, Surf-O and I got plenty of other vibes in the vault, too, so stay tuned!
Connect with Eugenio Oliveras: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud
Listen to Ultra_Eko's New Single "Yellow Redux" and Win $50!
Today marks the release of "Yellow Redux," the newest track from South London-based hip-hop artist Ultra_eko. Listen to “Yellow Redux” right now and win $50!
Today marks the release of "Yellow Redux," the newest track from South London-based hip-hop artist Ultra_eko. Immediately melodic with funky guitars, lush synths, and clanging keys, the release showcases the artist’s precise vocal flow and lyrical wit.
Follow Ultra_eko on Spotify and listen to “Yellow Redux” for the chance to win $50 in this exclusive giveaway. Click the link below to enter!
Enter The “Yellow Redux” Giveaway Now
Connect with Ultra_eko: Instagram | Soundcloud