Indie-Folk Singer-Songwriter Cujo Moon Releases His New EP "Bridges II"
Rising alternative folk singer @CujoMoon has released his indie-folk EP, “Bridges II” via Cujo Moon and Tone Tree Music, and shares the single “Sing Your Song”.
Rising alternative folk singer Cujo Moon has released his indie-folk EP, Bridges II via Cujo Moon and Tone Tree Music. Bridges I and Bridges II mark the musician embarking on his own solo adventure. On the EP, listeners will find the sterling single, ‘Sing Your Song’. While working in his earlier bands, the singer was featured on Coldplay’s website for the song ‘To The Moon’ and shared a stage with the Mild High Club.
Currently operating under the alias of Cujo Moon, Trevor Willmott, is originally from Lexington, Kentucky (USA) and settled down in Nashville, Tennessee. The musician has found himself working in several bands over the years including The Wild Jays, Dream the Electric Sleep and one half of the duo Neon Rain. His lyrics are self-healing as they are created from Willmott’s personal experiences with depression and anxiety. However, the singer-songwriter aims to provide a sense of hope during times of loss and sorrow. With soft, intimate moments, his own sound calls to mind the likes of Bon Iver, Ben Howard, and Jeff Buckley.
Cujo Moon’s Bridges II EP is the audio embodiment of a slow, Sunday morning with your lover. The smell of homemade pancakes and coffee drift through the air, mingling with the gentle indie strains and enhancing the forgiving ambience that permeates throughout the day. The EP features the talented vocals of Trevor’s partner, Rae Mercedes in the memorable single ‘Goodnight Black Sky’. Filled with hope, and tenderly unhurried tones, Bridges II takes a look at the intimate side of life and all of the complexities found within it.
The musician shares his thoughts on the EP: “Most of the writing and production process was done completely alone. The songs are a mixture of new and old but the production style was a new venture entirely. The strings, percussive elements, and epic layering of sounds were entirely new for me in this genre. Maybe it was the residue leftover from having been in a psych-rock band for 4 years; I just couldn't completely revert to acoustic guitar and vocals by themselves. One highlight from the recording process was tracking vocals for Goodnight Black Sky with my partner Rae Mercedes - I'm so happy we did the duet. Her voice took the song to another level and really brought the narrative to life. I'd like to venture into new territories with each new collection of songs that will follow these EPs - I'm not a fan of repeating the same sound over and over."
Listen to “Bridges II” below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Cujo Moon on his social media.
Interview: Canadian Electronic Producer Mediator Discusses His Debut EP "Mediator"
DCWS connected with London based, Canadian electronic producer Mediator for an exclusive Q&A to talk about his self-produced debut EP “Mediator”, and much more.
“...ultimately this EP became something akin to a final school project, where you took all the things you had learned during the year and applied it. ”
Congratulations on the completion and release of your debut EP "Mediator"; as its producer, how would you describe the development of the EP's 7 songs?
I would describe it as a funnel of trial and error. At its earliest period, back in 2017-2018, I was just testing the waters as a producer. I had no direction, no concrete goal, and barely any experience in writing electronic music.
As the years went on, and I continued to experiment, that experience and knowledge became greater and it started to aim towards the goal of releasing an EP. My plan was to produce a tune I really liked, post it casually on Soundcloud, and then when I had enough songs I would take them all down, re-mix them, and compile them into a cohesive album, which is--for the most part--what I ended up doing.
Were there songs that you recorded for the EP that did not make the final tracklist? If so, why did you decide not to include them?
For the most part, the songs that landed a spot on the EP were songs that were destined to stay. Three or four tracks were long-standing songs from months, even years before, and I was really attached to them.
The only song I pulled was the original opening track, called Nebula, which was the very first electronic song I was proud of. When it came down to the re-mixing process, it was giving me many, many issues, and I couldn't figure out how to fix them at the time, so I set it aside.
That led to the writing of “Penumbra”, which took elements of the final track, “Umbra”, and tied the opening and closing of the EP together.
Do you have any music videos in the pipeline for the EP's songs? If so, which one(s)?
I have a music video in the works for the song “Galileo”, which is going to dig hard into the Lo-Fi vibe of the song while also hitting the whole 'home made' theme that this EP is really a result of. Damesy, who features on the track, is helping me produce it all, too.
Would you say that there's an overall theme or concept that you had in mind while creating the "Mediator" EP?
Initially, there wasn't any theme other than "What can I achieve with what I know and how can I improve on it?" So, ultimately this EP became something akin to a final school project, where you took all the things you had learned during the year and applied it.
I had much experience in composition, but none in producing, engineering, and working with other artists. There isn't really any underlying theme, but sonically, I think the atmospheric and rhythmic veins in each song tie it all together in a sound I think suits me as a producer, which is why the EP is self-titled. So the theme is Mediator.
With the EP now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2021?
I have some ambitious projects on the drawing board, but those are still very early in development. I plan on releasing another 2021 EP with more of a cohesive theme and structure, so I'm currently working with some artists to achieve a fresh sound while also still being very much a Mediator production.
BandLab’s 30 Million-Strong User Base Unlocks New Waves of Musical Creativity
BandLab is excited to announce 30 Million registered users are utilizing the social space of their platform, and collaborating on music creation with ease. The Singapore-based company has seen a record 150% increase in users since 2019…
BandLab, the mobile-first recording, editing, and sharing platform, has quietly but surely built a passionate, active user base. It now boasts more than 30 million users, a 150% jump since 2019. Today, these users create more than 10 million new tracks per month.
This proliferation of song making activity on a mobile app points to a larger shift worldwide: the line between music maker and music listener is fading, and a greater number of “upstream” creators are diving into production. Since the launch of major streaming services, music industry eyes have been focused on engaging a wider global music audience by optimizing a commercial model for digital music listening. The industry has paid little notice to how accessible music making has become, especially with the maturation of mobile composition and production. Music makers worldwide, however, have already embraced the innovation and started creating. Many had been shut out from existing music recording and production paradigms--until now.
“We’ve seen activity grow naturally,” says BandLab CEO Meng Ru Kuok. “Last year, it exploded and it hasn’t slowed down. Even as circumstances changed in places around the world, creativity has remained a part of people’s lives.”
BandLab lets music makers record, edit, and post tracks. Users can grab some of many free custom sound and sample sets to add or play with as they go, and they can apply any number of effects to their creations. Unique to BandLab is the ability for users to work seamlessly on any device, all synched via the cloud, and to invite others to collaborate in real time with them. They can then choose to make the results public and get feedback and support from fans and fellow creators.
“Big numbers on BandLab are great, but what’s really exciting is the active usage of the product. Music making means you need to be active, not just passively scrolling a feed,” Kuok explains. “The scale of the usage around the world shows the democratization of music creation. We sit so far upstream, as close as you can get to intent to action. That’s why our users trend young and relatively more gender balanced than audio sharing platforms and studio tech traditionally have been. It’s extremely inspiring.”
The new shift and interest in audio makes this wave of creativity all the more intriguing. “YouTube made everyone understand they needed to be a video creator,” muses Kuok. “As audio continues to evolve and grow in importance, everyone needs to become a music creator.”
About BandLab
Founded in 2016, BandLab is part of music technology group BandLab Technologies, and is the flagship digital product in the organisation’s portfolio of music experience brands. BandLab’s best-in-class mobile music creation tools empower aspiring and professional creators everywhere to make music and share their creative process at an unprecedented level. Free to join, BandLab’s approachable software is based in the cloud and universally available on all platforms, making it the most accessible, collaboration-friendly music production platform anywhere. Users can self-release tracks and retain complete control of their music rights, giving artists full autonomy and allowing them to keep 100% of their earnings from monetizing their music. It reported its first million users in April 2017 and now has over 30 million registered users world wide.
The BandLab product family also includes BandLab for Education, an award-winning music creation platform with classroom management tools used by schools in over 40 countries worldwide, and Cakewalk by BandLab, a professional-level digital recording studio for career musicians and producers. Millions of musicians worldwide—including GRAMMY® and Emmy®-winning producers, composers, sound designers, and engineers—use Cakewalk products daily to produce audio for the professional music, film, broadcast, and video game industries.
Canadian Electronic Producer Mediator Drops His First EP, the Self Titled "Mediator"
Canadian electronic producer Mediator explores a familiar yet ethereal realm in his first official EP, the self-tiled “Mediator”, which consists of seven electronic tracks that span multiple subgenres from lo-fi to alternative EDM and synth wave.
Canadian electronic producer Mediator explores a familiar yet ethereal realm in his first official EP, the self-tiled “Mediator”, which consists of seven electronic tracks that span multiple subgenres from lo-fi to alternative EDM and synth wave.
Inspired by Puscifer, synth wave, and science fiction, Mediator creates an ethereal world with atmospheric soundscapes and groovy, complex rhythms that he hopes will transport listeners to their own sci-fi fantasies.
The electronic producer goes by the name Mediator, inspired by the producer’s personality type (INFP). Those with the Mediator personality type tend to be ‘open-minded, and imaginative, and they apply a caring and creative approach to everything they do’.
This couldn’t be more apt for the artist, who not only wrote and produced the album, but also engineered it – releasing a project that he has carefully and personally crafted from concept to release.
With a musical career that began as a five-year-old with a pair of drumsticks and led to the recent six-album acoustic release as Cooper Chasse, it seemed a natural progression for the artist to delve deeper into the source, creation and engineering of music.
‘The album Mediator has been arguably a couple of years in the making,’ Mediator says.
‘A couple of the songs were written a few years ago while in my process of learning electronic music, a genre that I barely listened to growing up.
"After a few years, and a lot of trial and error, the seven songs on this EP are a selection that I’m really proud of.
‘This album is particularly a test of my ability to engineer as well, and with every song that I’ve completed, I’ve learned something new about the whole process. I am still learning, and I hope I never stop learning.
‘There is something really special about creating something completely and entirely.’ Raised on rock and roll music and science fiction films, Mediator combines his two loves to create an atmospheric, groovy vibe.
‘The kind of music I really like to listen to is music that takes me out of this world, makes me feel like I’m in space and sort of just floating on a cloud,’ he says.
‘Or kind of like I’m in a 1980s science fiction film like Blade Runner. It takes me out of mundane reality and puts me into a sci-fi world and my aim is to make music that is listenable, not too experimental, while keeping elements of that type of stuff that I love doing.
‘That’s how I begin the writing process – ‘how can I make people feel like they’re floating around in space?
‘I involve a lot of rock elements to my music. I grew up on rock and roll, I grew up on metal. And I like to include a lot of rhythmic components – drumming is my native instrument, where I feel most comfortable, so I like to put a lot of percussive elements.
‘I feel like this peaks in the final track, Umbra, because Moon Mouse is a percussionist by nature as well, so the whole song is just a jam.’
As well as Moon Mouse, the EP also features collaborations with up-and-coming Canadian jazz and R&B artist, Tribbs (now known as Damesy).
A highlight of Mediator's debut release is his take on lo-fi, featuring Damesy, Galileo. ‘Galileo was the second track I asked Damesy to do. After Cyma, I felt like she needed a track that was more up her alley in terms of style. Something more R&B and chill, while still hitting the usual mark of atmosphere,’ Mediator says.
‘The whole process is sort of a surprise. I never know what I'll get when she sends me her vocal tracks and she never disappoints. I always feel like I'm laying under the stars and having an out of body experience, and Galileo is no exception. I know it has a tonne of potential when I can't get it out of my head.’
Interview: London Pop Singer-Songwriter Abi Mia Talks About Her Latest Single "Make Myself Tall"
Major thanks go out to @AbiMia5, a very talented London based pop singer-songwriter, who we connected with for an exclusive Q&A to discuss her latest single “Make Myself Tall”, and much more.
“...I realised that I had had enough of feeling belittled and disrespected so I decided to stand up for myself, ‘Make Myself Tall’ and refuse to be put down any more. ”
If you had to describe your music to a stranger in three words, which ones would you select?
Empowering, uplifting and authentic
Tell us about how you initially got started as a singer-songwriter and who were some artists that influenced you musically. Also, which instruments do you play?
I first started writing when I was about 16, inspired by my music teacher sharing some of his original songs with me. I was so in awe of the fact that he had created these songs and I wanted to learn how to do that as well!
I have been influenced and inspired by many artists including Demi Lovato, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, BTS, Sara Barelilles and Amy Lee just to name a few! I do appreciate strong vocals and songs with great messages and emotions that can really connect to the listener.
I play piano well enough to accompany myself in performances or to record a simple piano part on my tracks but I am very much working on improving those skills!
Congratulations on the release of your new song "Make Myself Tall"; tell us who produced it and what inspired you to write it?
Thank you! I have been very excited to share this track! 'Make Myself Tall' was produced by Noah Lloyd at The Online Record Studio, he is fantastic to work with and he has also produced more of my previous tracks!
It was inspired by an experience I had of being put down constantly by someone who was supposed to be my 'friend' because I wasn't doing things their way, so they assumed I was wrong. I realised that I had had enough of feeling belittled and disrespected so I decided to stand up for myself, 'Make Myself Tall' and refuse to be put down any more.
I stood up for my choices and made it known that there is more than one way to succeed, different things work for different people! It was a very freeing and empowering experience and I wanted to inspire others to do the same, to have the courage to walk away from someone who is putting them down, they are not people one should be around.
"Make Myself Tall" follows your prior releases "Here to Stay", "Enough is Enough", "This Life" and "Fly Your Way"; can we expect to hear these songs on an upcoming EP or album?
I am aiming to work toward an EP or album toward the end of this year yes! I love releasing singles but it is definitely a goal to at least start working on one near the end of this year once I have built up more momentum and it is likely some of my previous singles will feature in it!
In the meantime I have my next few singles lined up and I can't wait to share those as well!
With "Make Myself Tall" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2021?
I have many music goals for 2021 and I am so excited to make them happen! In terms of releasing music I plan to keep releasing singles until I get the chance to work toward an EP or album.
Once lockdown restrictions are lifted I would love to perform in as many live shows as possible with the aim of starting to plan a UK tour toward the end of the year as the feeling of performing live is just fantastic!
I also would love to get my music placed on films, TV, adverts and bigger radio stations and will continue to work on improving my songwriting and vocal skills whilst learning more about how the music industry works!
I will work hard to become a better artist and performer and I am excited to see how far I can go in 2021!
VICTIME Guitarist Simon Provencher Drops His Debut EP "Mesures"
VICTIME guitarist Simon Provencher has released his debut EP "Mesures", which finds the post-punk artist exploring some deeply studied and astute electroacoustic and free jazz infected music.
Mastering the art of frantic guitar playing, noise-making, and post-punk vibing as part of the Montreal band VICTIME, Simon Provencher has kept exploring the limits of his instrument on his own, discreetly delivering instrumental experimentations along the way. Bits and pieces slowly started to form a somewhat free jazz collage, flirting with electro-acoustic, and dominated by the reverberations and loops of the fleeting guitar. Simon has just released his debut EP “Mesures”, via Montreal’s independent label Michel Records.
Mesures is an EP that tells a chiasmatic tale, and the listening experience draws two very distinct sides that become part of a whole. What has started like a lonesome project, quickly became a territory for a creative conversation punctuated by the syncopated rhythms and percussions from Olivier Fairfield (Fet.Nat, Last Ex) and woodwind improviser Elyze Venne-Deshaies’ clarinets; A free canvas entrusted by Simon to both musicians letting the musical encounters shine by the unpredictability it would add to his music.
The three tracks opening the EP ( “Choix multiples”, “Mesures”, “Pesée”) find their roots in the very crude guitar played by Provencher, without any electronic pedals or external effects. He tied twine to the strings, wedged metal objects between the strings and the guitar’s body, and plucked mainly with his fingers, but also with a drumstick and drill. All elements that contribute to the electro-acoustic dimension of his sound. Fairfield’s percussion parts are perfectly bold, soft, yet present, just random and noisy enough to give a very welcome edge to the compositions. The clarinet parts complete the ethereal electro-acoustic jazz ensemble with the warm embrace of harmony.
“I like to say that some music is discovered more than it is written, and it especially rings true with this release.”
The three following tracks (“Toutes ces réponses”, “Et quart”, “Repus”) mute all the instruments, keeping only the clarinets clear and adding a line of feedback meticulously manipulated by Provencher. This second part of the EP wasn’t planned and came to the musician’s attention while he listened simultaneously by mistake to the 4 takes of clarinet at once. He was fascinated by the off-kilter harmonies and intertwined polyphony of the recordings. The whole thing seems to breathe and move slowly, created by the addition of seemingly unrelated, random musical moments. The record ends up sounding somewhat inspired by 70s psychedelic and spiritual jazz, an accidental precept, but still a welcoming comparison. In the end, Mesures is a collection of collaborations, happy accidents, and chance encounters combining themselves in a way that is greater than the sum of its parts.
“Mesures” is an EP in two halves with each side being a distorted mirror of the other. Listen to it now and connect with Simon on his Bandcamp.
Connect with Simon Provencher: Bandcamp
Evolfo Announce Their Album "Site Out Of Mind", Out June 18th, and Share Fuzz-Drenched Single “Strange Lights”
Brooklyn, NY garage/psych seven-piece @EvolfoMusic have announced their sophomore full-length, “Site Out Of Mind”, releasing June 18th on Royal Potato Family and share lead single “Strange Lights”.
Brooklyn, NY garage/psych seven-piece Evolfo have announced their sophomore full-length, “Site Out Of Mind”, releasing June 18th on Royal Potato Family and shared lead single “Strange Lights”.
Recorded in a single take in the tiny, sweltering attic-turned-recording studio of band leader Matt Gibbs' Brooklyn apartment, the driving rhythm and fuzz drenched guitar of “Strange Lights'' converge in hypnotic chaos to tell a non-linear story of frustration, helplessness, and multiphrenia in the face of rabid authoritarianism. “This song was never meant to be specifically about me and the time I was wrongfully arrested, we are loath to define the subject matter in such literal terms,” says member Gibbs. “However, it would be fair to say that this experience influenced my view of police and the judicial system, and that this particular set of lyrics would not have come to be without it.”
If the Brooklyn-based psych rockers felt pressured to repeat the successes of their 2017 album Last of the Acid Cowboys they certainly didn’t show it. One might think a band that racked up 6 million plus streams on their debut record would try to recreate this by doing more of the same. But Evolfo step confidently forward into fresh sounds and more vivid conceptual subject matter. They have flipped the world of their 2017 debut Last of the Acid Cowboys on its head, departing the earth bound adventures in melting landscapes, rat cities, and desert sojourns for metaphysical territory and the mountains of the mind. “We’re always going to be in a state of flux,” says Gibbs, who formed the group a decade ago, “I consider this to be an exciting, positive thing. We have to embrace our own change.” On their brand new album Site Out of Mind, Evolfo reaches far beyond the confines of genre to create a colorful echo drenched psych rock dream all their own. Adorned with a mind bending cover by visual artist Robert Beatty, the result is a collection of songs that are unexpected, absorbing, and blissfully tripped out.
Partially inspired by concepts pulled from sci-fiction and one group psychedelic drug trip, Site Out of Mind is a thrilling spiral into the depths of the spiritual mind and the afterlife. Lyrically, Gibbs says, it could be interpreted as a continuation of the loose concept that Evolfo’s previous album hinted at. “If the protagonist of that album died at the end of Last of the Acid Cowboys,” says Gibbs, “then this was the protagonist’s internal journey, flipping the landscape, and going through the mountain of their mind in that moment of mortality; perhaps a blurring of brain activity between dying and death, between life and the afterlife.”
Listen to “Strange Lights” now, connect with Evolfo on their social media and be ready to stream/purchase “Site Out of Mind” on June 18th.
Interview: Plainwell, MI Singer-Songwriter SPOOKY GLOOM Talks About His New Track "BORNDEADANTHEM"
Major thanks to Plainwell, MI based singer-songwriter and producer SPOOKY GLOOM who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his new track “BORNDEADANTHEM", and much more.
“SPOOKY GLOOM is the definition of devil on the left shoulder and angel on the right shoulder. Confusion in your own decision making...”
Congratulations on the release of your new single "BORNDEADANTHEM"; tell us about what inspired you to write the track and how you connected with its producer CO$TLY.
Super stoked for people to keep hearing this track. The inspiration for this track was definitely keeping the properties of cloud hip-hop but also digging deep let the listener know, just because the world is going to crap doesn’t mean you don’t have to keep trying to move forward.
All the people that wake up everyday that feel like they have a hole in their chest of depression, anxiety, etc. “all the dead they rise” People who feel they r born dead can rise above the label they’re given to find their way out.
As far as CO$TLY producing it, I am CO$TLY as well. I also make dubstep and edm under CO$TLY so all production I do is under that name and my vocal music is as SPOOKY GLOOM.
Can we expect a music video for "BORNDEADANTHEM” and will it be appearing on an upcoming EP or album this year?
Yes a video is going to be made for “BORNDEADANTHEM”. Me and my 2 brothers, Nate Scott and Brandon Scott started a production company called “FBN” (fuckbein’normal) that does music videos, events, lifestyle, podcasts, and such.
After my “xBLINDx” EP the first weekend of April is when we plan to drop the “BORNDEADANTHEM” video.
Tell us about your creative process when it comes to the development of new songs and what you look for in the beats that you select to write to.
When I make the beats I look for something that’s infectious. Something that will either make you move, think, or feel. Then when it comes to the writing process it’s always what’s on my mind at that moment. It’s all in the message you want to perceive so the listener feels your energy through your message. Like my unreleased song “Holes In My Shoes” feat Jaydn Violet is about how my ex turned into a pornstar and we had a rough upbringing and all my friends sending me messages that they saw her on Pornhub and all that jazz. Therefore my emotions were mad, sad, smug, and regret all boiled into this melting pot to make that song, but to always have a darker twist to it. No sugar coating. So then the listener could apply my hurts to better themselves.
What does your moniker, "SPOOKY GLOOM" represent, and what are some things that inspire you as a songwriter?
SPOOKY GLOOM is the definition of devil on the left shoulder and angel on the right shoulder. Confusion in your own decision making. So many demons grabbing you but another voice tempting you to make a better decision but it’s all a fight over the human mind to see if they fly or fall. You can’t see through the mist since the world is so cloudy and foggy. To lend a hand from the darker depths through my experiences in life. Confusion and all emotions are beyond real and I have them everyday. A spookier twist to the world that’s in gloom.
With "BORNDEADANTHEM" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2021?
I’m keeping my goals simple this year. Just achieve at least up to 2k followers on Soundcloud and a comfortable growth. I submitted to perform at L.O.U.D. Fest in Texas as far as shows go. But this year I’m shooting for upping my insights on all platforms and reaching as many souls as I can.
Ben Maxwell Releases His New Album Exclusively on Music Licensing Platform Bopper
@bopperlicensing, the music licensing platform for brands and advertisers, is announcing its first exclusive release by one of the numerous independent artists it champions. Artist, DJ, and producer Ben Maxwell will offer a new 10-track album exclusively on Bopper before its official release in April 2021.
Music licensing platform Bopper is announcing its first exclusive release by one of the numerous independent artists it champions. Artist, DJ, and producer Ben Maxwell will offer a new 10-track album 'Broken Love' exclusively on Bopper before its official release in April 2021.
“Artists are increasingly looking to partners who will promote and value their work appropriately,” explains Bopper CEO Gabriel Bouchard. “And we are always striving to help socially responsible brands and their agencies find high-quality independent music that fits their creatives’ briefs while helping independent artists increase their revenues especially now that live performances, their main source of earnings, are not possible. The partnership with Ben came together very organically.”
Though making and producing music may be more accessible in our high tech world, making a living off of them can still be quite difficult. Talented producers like Ben Maxwell are looking for ways to make more than fractions of pennies per stream off their songs, and Bopper is looking for trendy new music to license to advertisers.
Maxwell has made a name for himself as an electronic music producer, boasting nearly 25 million streams of his songs and remixes across SoundCloud, YouTube, and Spotify. From February to April 2021, his newest original music will only be heard on Bopper’s pre-cleared music platform, a catalogue designed for advertising and marketing agencies to quickly and easily license music for digital and TV ads.
Sync has become an important source of both inspiration and income for Maxwell, and Bopper was an ideal platform to try out a new release strategy. “I don't think anyone else is doing this,” said Maxwell about placing his music exclusively with Bopper. “You won't find my new album on any of these other sync databases. The reason for that is, other databases are just not as artist friendly. Most of the others are huge databases with subscription programs leaving very little money for the artists, but it’s a much more fair process at Bopper, and I want to be part of this family.”
A truly independent artist, Maxwell taught himself the music production ropes. Maxwell has been producing and DJ-ing since his early teen days, honing his talent with multiple instruments. He boasts a notable following of EDM and House music fans, remixing artists like Brittney Spears, Chainsmokers, RYDER, and Diplo, as well as a host of original tracks. Over the last 2 years, he has been working on producing the new album, and it has become, according to Maxwell, “the best representation of my work I have ever done, and really tells the story of who I am as an artist.”
Bopper’s head of music Greg Lozoff has kept tabs on Maxwell since 2018 when he first heard his single, “Right Now.” Lozoff recognized Maxwell’s talent right away and reached out to offer guidance and later friendship as well.
“We’re always on the hunt for new, exciting artists to work with. As the Head of Music, I make sure to set aside a good chunk of time every week to just listen to new music from a variety of different sources. I happened to stumble on one of Ben’s first singles on Soundcloud and I reached out right away to start the conversation about working together. When COVID hit, Ben let me know that he had been working on a new album, and that’s when the idea hit me to offer it as an exclusive to our clients, before it officially drops. Ben loved the idea and the rest is history.”
Listen to Ben’s brand new album, “Broken Love”, HERE
G4Jag and Mephux Release Their Brand New Collaborative Album "Regressions"
NY heavyweight G4Jag has cooked up again with Mephux on the beats for their brand new full-length album entitled “Regressions”.
Returning with their second collaborative project within the past six months Harlem, NY heavyweight G4Jag has cooked up again with Mephux on the beats. The resulting full-length entitled “Regressions”, boasts contributions from their fellow Lord Mobb brethren Flee Lord, Eto, BVNG’s, Aaqil Ali, Mercy Da Harlem Kid and Trillmatic (from Trillmatic Premium Goods).
Combining G4’s highly introspective and relatable to the have-not’s lyrical narratives over dusted jazz, soul and even samples from Russian sound-sources, it’s that head-nod music for the spirit. Another guest on the album is Mephux’s mother, Olga, who spits some flavor in Russian on the aforementioned joint built with Soviet samples.
Speaking on the album title, the emcee relayed “our last EP was Progression, which was dropped on 9-11 (I always drop a project on that date, I was two blocks away from the Towers when the planes hit, so it’s a form of reverence on my part). This release, Regressions addresses the steps we need for balance, including me as a man, a black-man, a father and as a human.”
Recently G4 has been on a tear dropping quality project after quality project in a quick succession. This includes for his own Fly Family imprint as well as for the newly formed super-collective Lord Mobb (under Flee Lord’s banner), Dough Networkz Presents and the Trust Comes First Music Group (38 Spesh’s label). He is also hard-at-work promoting his Fly Family artist Aaqil Ali including his role of executive producer for Ali’s recently released Dirty Spirits album.
Listen to the very DOPE “Regressions” album right now and connect with G4Jag on IG.
Connect with G4Jag: Instagram
Brisbane Based Rapper Blaq Carrie Comes Into Her Own With Debut Album "RUWA"
Brisbane-based Zimbabwe rapper @Blaqcarrie26 falls into her own with the release of her highly anticipated debut album ‘RUWA’. Listen to it right now!
Brisbane-based Zimbabwe rapper Blaq Carrie falls into her own with the release of her highly anticipated debut album ‘RUWA’.
The 9-track album showcases BC’s versatility and highlights the ever changing journey of her artistry. BC unfolds beautifully within ‘RUWA,’ leaving no facet of her life untethered, stripped bare for the world to hear and see.
BC’s raps with conviction, whether she’s emancipating herself on ‘2010,’ tracing back her roots on ‘Africa On My Mind’ to the smooth and vibrant track ‘Catch Me If I Fall,’ a song that screams vulnerability and strength, the album sees BC move mountains of emotions through her music.
On how she feels about finally releasing the album, BC says, “I feel I have definitely punched through the ceilings with ‘RUWA.’ Being a rapper in Brisbane has it’s pros and cons. I feel its great when you create but without a good booking agent you will unfortunately be stamped as the local supporting act whose’s always opening for others from interstate, this is just one of the issues I rap about in the album,”
“What I want is for everyone to see my versatility and how much I’ve grown. I’ve created 9 solid tracks for every type of ear,”
With talent oozing from her pores, BC is an independent artist who also created her own label. Having maintained a strong presence in the scene, BC was born and raised in Zimbabwe and is now based in Brisbane, Australia.
After releasing her debut single ‘Let There Be Hope’ in 2013 she experienced a break-out year, winning the Triple J Unearthed Spring Hip Hop Festival competition and winning the Queensland Music Award ‘Best Urban Song’ and the Australian Independent Award and Music Video Award as well. BC is ready to make 2021 her year.
Listen to ‘RUWA’ right now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Blaq Carrie on her social media.
Nashville Neo-Soul, RnB Artist TONYB. Releases the Deluxe Version of His Album "Flashing Lights"
Nashville based singer-songwriter TONYB. has released a new 18-track deluxe version of his acclaimed album "Flashing Lights", a collection of sonic stories of coming into adulthood.
TONYB. is a singer-songwriter from Nashville, TN. Heavily influenced by 90’s and early 2000’s R&B, he credits his range of musical and vocal dynamics to the likes of Aaliyah, D’Angelo and Usher.
His latest endeavor is his new 18-track deluxe version of his acclaimed album Flashing Lights. Created between Nashville and Los Angeles over the last few years TONYB. has amalgamated a collection of sonic stories of coming into adulthood. TONYB. explains the overarching themes of Flashing Lights sharing, “It’s a symbol of how life is ever changing and not everything will always be clear. Even in some of the challenging moments, even when everything is dark, you can still find the light.”
Covering an incredibly in depth tunnel of experiences and emotions, we get an insight into the vulnerability and raw, honest truths of TONYB.. The album ranges from more dance-worthy tunes such as “Take a Loss” to more emotional, delicate songs such as “Angels.” Overall the aura of Flashing Lights is a rich soulful, alt R&B delivery, composed of stunning vocal runs and an emporium of synths, drums and bass.
Leading single “Worst Way” is a collaboration with female artist Paris Laná. “Worst Way” was added to Spotify’s Best of 2020: Fresh Finds: The Wave (R&B) editorial playlist and has racked up close to half a million streams alone. Singing, “I want you back in the single worst way,” both artist’s vocals merge together effortlessly, combining their silky voices. “Worst Way” absorbs many sonic layers, emitting trap-like R&B claps, hi-hat heavy beats and an underlining pulsing, deep bass. The soft popping of the synths add a dream-like atmosphere to the tune, shimmering with so much complexity in both the lyrics, production and structure.
Included in the deluxe album is the new single “Serious.” Featuring harp-esque flares, heavy R&B beats and harmonic vocals, the track blurs into an all encompassing sound. The tropical synths precipitate soft, juicy feelings while the hook is the definition of catchy. “Serious” narrates the depth of a connection, oozing with emotion and passion.
Interview: New Plague Radio Discuss Their Single/Video "Methamphetamine Dance"
Major thanks to Los Angeles based band New Plague Radio who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss the music video for their single 'Methamphetamine Dance", which is featured on their EP "The Beeswax".
“All three of us are really fond of brutal foreign horror films and 90’s cartoons, so a lot of the music was written with something like Baskin or Darkwing Duck playing in the background. ”
What are some things/people/places that inspire the trio's creativity when working on new music? Is all of the music created by the trio produced in house?
All three of us are really fond of brutal foreign horror films and 90’s cartoons, so a lot of the music was written with something like Baskin or Darkwing Duck playing in the background.
Chief Redeye is a theme park fanatic, and his verses are typically written in line for the Matterhorn. Donovan is so obsessed with the Dark Souls video game franchise that he has worked references to them into almost all of our songs. He keeps saying he’ll stop and we do not believe him. We have a mastering engineer, but she’s the only other person who works with us. Everything else is just the three of us banging on the 18 or so instruments sitting around the house.
Congratulations on the completion and release of your debut EP "The Beeswax", which features "Methamphetamine Dance". Describe for us your creative process for the development of the song itself.
Chief Redeye brought a new verse to rehearsal about the adrenaline spike of a live performance and Donovan decided to try and re-interpret the cadence as a guitar riff. The rest of the song came together more or less by itself, with Donovan stitching the chorus out of an analogy he uses to talk about the feeling of existential panic.
As the director of the "Methamphetamine Dance" video, how did you come up with the treatment for the visual and do you look forward to directing more?
Redeye wrote a couple potential video ideas that were far too grotesque to actually film, but one of them featured a girl in a bathtub listening to us on the radio. Donovan, a frequent noise complaint recipient in his regular life, suggested we change it to a girl being rudely interrupted by her loud bandmate neighbors.
We had a blast filming it (didn’t sleep for 36 hours but still a blast) and are preparing to film a video for our second single, ‘Rock Like The Smiths’ here in the next week or so.
The "Beeswax" includes four songs; were there others that were recorded that you decided not to include on it? If so, why not?
There were a lot of songs that didn’t make the EP, most of which we will be releasing later this year. We felt those four songs did the best job of expressing what we like as a band. On top of that, when your last song is a near ten-minute rock opera about video game cannibals, it doesn’t leave a ton of extra space.
With the EP now released, what are some of New Plague Radio's goals musically for this year?
We just finished building a vocal booth in our living room (check it on Instagram @Newplagueradio I’m sorry we had to), so that should make recording smoother while the world is still on fire. We’re working on filming genre-bent rap covers of classic songs, so hopefully we’ll have that up on YouTube relatively soon.
We have a bunch more originals and videos on the way, of course. And Donovan has this crackpot scheme to build a screen printer and start sending people free band t-shirts, but we’ll believe it when we see it.
Stream and Share “The Beeswax” on Spotify
Connect with New Plague Radio: Instagram
The Best DJ Premier Beats Ever
While some producers rely on fundamental, one-size-fits-all beats, a DJ Premier track instantly stands out from the crowd. Production is the backbone of a solid rap song, and Premier helped set the standard high. Here are some of his most impressive beats.
Who is DJ Premier? If you don’t know, you were probably born after the year 2000, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Still, if you love hip hop, the art of production, and music generally, this American producer and DJ, otherwise known as Preemo, was one half of the iconic group Gang Starr, and plays a huge part in hip hop history.
While some producers rely on fundamental, one-size-fits-all beats, a DJ Premier track instantly stands out from the crowd. Production is the backbone of a solid rap song, and Premier helped set the standard high. Full of heavy scratching, raw loops, and impeccable timing, the aggressive nature of a Premier beat brings us back to the hungry hustle that hip hop is based on. He’s a big part of music evolving in the 90s, and entered the 2000s with full force, working with everyone from from Common to Jadakiss. Here are the most impressive beats by DJ Premier.
1. Gang Starr “Family and Loyalty” (feat. J Cole)
We had to start with one of his more recent tracks, just to prove that after decades, Premier hasn’t sold out, and still has that “it” factor that makes his music so addictive. Since Guru’s death, we lost that electric chemistry between MC Guru and DJ Premier, but we were blessed with this posthumous gem, which reminds us of hip hop’s true origins.
2. Big L “The Enemy” (feat Fat Joe)
Premier captures the signature grittiness of NYC rap once again, and despite being raised in Texas, he’s mastered the tough voice of the concrete jungle. “The Enemy” is dirty as can be - it’s a prime example of vintage Preemo, and we might like the unpolished version of him the best.
3. Jay-Z “D’Evils”
Premier has absolutely mastered the art of the piano sample. Want proof? Look no further than this Jay-Z track, which features a sample of Allen Toussaint’s “Go Back Home”, a jazzy juxtaposition that’s woven in to the hard beat flawlessly
4. Capone-N-Noreaga “Invincible”
Agile scratching and a flawless, catchy sample of "Hey Boy Over There” by Jimmie and Vella make “Invincible” a head-nodding banger to beat for many modern day producers. We’re not sure if they’ll ever be as good as this elusive talent.
5. Notorious B.I.G. “Kick in the Door”
If you got lucky enough to produce a Biggie track, that’s proof that you’re creme de la creme as a beat-maker. Apparently, the original Kick in the Door beat couldn’t cut it, so Diddy recruited Premier for a bulletproof makeover. Diddy said he needed a “Tunnel banger”, and this producer definitely delivered.
6. Nas “N.Y. State of Mind”
This 1994 track proves Premier a complete master and innovator of the keys. All it takes is one listen to this song off “Illmatic”. As you listen to that off-key chord that finishes off every bar, you’re transported to dark alleyways and nasty underground cyphers of another era.
7. D’Angelo “Devil’s Pie”
This 1998 classic proves that Premier can easily color outside the lines of hip hop, as he often did with his D’Angelo collaborations. A thumping bass and drums to match make for an explosive (though sultry) rendition that feels timeless, erotic, and perfect for late night listens.
Can’t get enough of these tracks? Check out Spotify’s 50 Best DJ Premier Beats playlist ASAP - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5nfwgkui49M5p99SPxK6Hf?si=1cfd22ef66364574
Clarian Makes History as the First Artist to Auction an Album, "Whale Shark", as NFT
Visionary artist Clarian making history as the first artist to auction his album, 'Whale Shark', as an NFT, ahead of Kings Of Leon. Besides making history here, Clarian is betting against the music industry that he can sell his new album for 100 thousand dollars in Ethereum.
Visionary artist Clarian announced the first NFT Music Album Auction ever, ahead of Kings of Leon, via The Golden Spoon on peer-to-peer marketplace OpenSea, March 4th. Issuing a challenge to the control that streaming giants such as Spotify have established, Clarian is betting he will sell his aptly titled new album Whale Shark for nothing less than 100 thousand dollars in Ethereum. On the album, listeners will find the noteworthy single ‘Strange Vibrations’. Up for auction is the one and only authentic copy of the album with the publishing rights included as an NFT. The auction ends March 20, 2021, at 4 AM GMT with the Electronic Music Community and Culture (EMC^2) room, on the Clubhouse messaging app, hosting the final album auction countdown.
The exchange of this artifact sends a powerful message and empowers a music industry in need of technological liberation. This is the first of its kind as a purchase of a music content on Blockchain, adding a deeper value of significance and responsibility to the bearer. In purchasing the release you will own the publishing rights to the album.
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are a new type of digital asset. Recorded on a secure digital ledger known as “Blockchain” each NFT represents a unique collector's item that can't be duplicated and, therefore, extremely rare. Decentralized Blockchain and NFT technology will lead the way to a much needed music and art revolution and it’s already starting to happen. Clarian believes that the sale of this NFT can empower an entire generation by restoring life and freedom back to the music industry.
Over the years, Clarian has been featured and acclaimed in places such as Rolling Stone, Sonar Festival, The Guardian, CLASH Magazine, BBC Radio, for his unique electronic surrealism, and has worked in the shadows as an engineer and songwriter for underground heroes and Grammy nominated artists alike.
Whale Shark is a collection of dark, woozy, synth-pop tracks underpinned by solid songwriting. Each track offers a unique adventure into the cool, subaquatic world of Whale Shark accompanied by surreal vocals that bubble to the surface of the enchanting experimental production.
Within Clarian’s lyrics for ‘Strange Vibrations’, we can find some unique insight to his mind: “I'm picking up strange vibrations ; She's going through transformations ; I'm picking up strange vibrations ; In the forest light, change awaits ; I'm going through transformations ; In the forest light, change awaits”.
Enter the “Whale Shark” NFT auction below, stream and share the album on Bandcamp and connect with Clarian on his social media.
Enter the “Whale Shark” NFT Auction
DMV Artist Heno. Announces His New LP "Death Ain’t THAT Bad", Out March 19th
Maryland-born LA-based rapper/vocalist/producer @mynameisheno has announced his new LP, “Death Ain't THAT Bad”, available on March 19th.
Maryland-born LA-based rapper/vocalist/producer Heno. has announced a new LP, “Death Ain't THAT Bad” available on March 19th. The album, which includes production from JPEGMAFIA & Anthony Ferraro along with features from ASTU, Ahmed Kazmi, Knyves Escobar, Kuya, and Bianca Brown is a philosophical mediation on stoic outlook.
Growing up in Takoma Park, Maryland, a neighborhood rife with law enforcement and violence, forced a young first-generation Ethiopian-Eritrean child to grow up faster than most. He realized at an early age that having control of your emotions was a mechanism for survival - a Stoic touchstone. Not having a name for it at the time, he eventually came across the writings of Epicurus, whose philosophies reaffirmed Heno.'s outlook on death, emotions; as well as finding comfort within the uncomfortable and the power of our perception.
A masterclass in precision Heno.'s command of flow on “Blackstarrr” is remarkable and is interspersed with infectious pop hooks. On the track Heno. explains “Blackstarrr is about fearing death being irrational because it’s the only thing that’s promised to us; based on the philosophy of Epicurus. We tend to have a negative perception of death; being an uncomfortable topic to talk about (in some cases taboo). Although I pull from my story as context for why I think the way that I do, this song (and album) aren’t really about me; I just want to have a bigger conversation about how we view and perceive things that make us uncomfortable and find comfort within that. Just because death is inevitable and the only thing promised to us doesn’t mean that we have to loathe or be afraid of it. It hinders our quality of life when we do.”
Heno.'s latest release "Parallel Timelines" is accompanied by a lyric video set to the juxtaposition of different parallels the song is a meditation on just that but ultimately surrenders to the acceptance of how things are.
Watch “BLACKSTARRR” and the lyric video for “Parallel Timelines” now, stream them on your preferred music service and connect with Heno. on his social media. Most importantly, be ready to purchase/stream “Death Ain’t THAT Bad” on March 19th!
Stream and Share “BLACKSTARRR”