Stream "Wicked Machine", the Newly Released Album by Sharkorama
Chicago based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cody Knauer aka @shark_o_rama has just released his self-produced, sophomore album “Wicked Machine”, and we’re excited to share it with you now!
Sharkorama is the solo vehicle of Chicago based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cody Knauer, and brings anything-goes energy and Midwestern swagger to a nostalgic sound that falls somewhere beneath the indie-rock umbrella. Cody says that “Sharkorama is all about joyous, nostalgic jams and introspective, lyric-forward folk tunes that don't take themselves too seriously”, and this sentiment is fully reflected in his first album “Abstractions”, which was released in 2015 (stream HERE).
Fast forward six years and Sharkorama has unveiled his follow up album entitled, “Wicked Machine”, which was solely written, performed and produced by Cody. “Wicked Machine” includes 12 tracks, and is a joyous racket ranging from folk-pop to garage-rock with some heavy 90s influences.
We’re stoked to share this incredible project with you, so listen to “Wicked Machine” now, stream it on Bandcamp, and connect with Sharkorama on his website and social media. Also, be on the lookout for our exclusive interview with Sharkorama and our in-depth review of “Wicked Machine” coming soon.
Evansville, IN Based Rapper Desean Releases His Brand New Album "SZN"
New to DCWS is the talented Evansville, IN based rap artist @mrsznleon who has just dropped his long awaited album entitled “SZN”, which follows his previous full length release from four years ago, "Champagne Gold".
New to DCWS is the talented Evansville, IN based rap artist Desean who has just dropped his long awaited album entitled “SZN”, which follows his previous full length release from four years ago, "Champagne Gold".
The 17-track project includes features from Veneno and Kaylah Goines, and production from Taylor King, Penacho, Black Mayo, SDotFire, Deltha, BeatsEra, Rob Kelly, J Patterns, River Beats, Ocean Beats, Accent Beats, Michael Marais, Ghxst, Martie Beatz, and ViexxBeats.
We’re excited to share this DOPE album with you right now, so listen to “SZN” below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Desean on his social media. Also, hang close to DCWS because our in-depth review of “SZN” and our exclusive interview with Desean are coming very soon!
Stream and Share “SZN” on: Soundcloud | Apple Music | Audiomack
Greta Van Fleet Announce Special "Strange Horizons" US Headline Shows
Grammy Award-winning band Greta Van Fleet will embark on a series of special events in the US later this summer named Strange Horizons, their only headline shows in 2021…
Grammy Award-winning band Greta Van Fleet will embark on a series of special events in the US later this summer named Strange Horizons, their only headline shows in 2021, at iconic venues in Nashville, Bridgeport and Chicago, finishing at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre. These performances follow the band’s extensive touring history, which saw them sell 1 million+ tickets in five continents over the span of three years.
“It is truly a monumental time in history to be able to perform again,” the band shares, “We are honored to experience these special shows with all of those who will be in attendance. Let us, once again, come together & celebrate the privilege of life!”
Tickets are on sale this Thursday, May 27 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com. There will be a Peaceful Army Fan Presale starting today, and a Local Venue Presale on May 26. See HERE for more info and a complete list of dates follows below.
The four-piece recently released their second album The Battle at Garden’s Gate to extensive chart success and critical acclaim, debuting at #1 Billboard Rock Album, #1 Billboard Hard Rock Album, #1 Billboard Vinyl Album, #2 Billboard Top Album Sales and in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. The band has also raised over $15k for various non-profits via collaboration products with apparel companies including Parks Project.
The Battle at Garden’s Gate explores the boundaries of the group’s artistry and reflects heavily on the individual members’ personal and spiritual growth during their rapid rise. “There was a lot of self-evolution happening during the writing of this album that was prompted by experiences I had, experiences we all had,” explains vocalist Josh Kiszka. “It’s reflecting a lot of the world that we’ve seen, and I think that it’s reflecting a lot of personal truth,” says guitarist Jake Kiszka.
Forming in Frankenmuth, Michigan back in 2012, Greta Van Fleet consists of three brothers, vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist/keyboardist Sam Kiszka, as well as drummer Danny Wagner. Together they have performed across multiple continents, sold over two million albums worldwide, performed on late night television shows, topped the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2019.
US TOUR DATES
August 5—FirstBank Amphitheater— Franklin, TN
August 27—Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater—Bridgeport, CT
September 3— Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island—Chicago, IL
October 26—Greek Theatre—Los Angeles, CA
ePlay and Chris Clemence Announce Digital and Physical NFT Sneaker Collaboration
ePlay Digital Inc. has announced that it is partnering with Chris Clemence, the American artist, to create an exclusive line of digital and physical sneakers for mobile games, NFT marketplaces, and the upcoming Klocked app.
ePlay Digital Inc. has announced that it is partnering with Chris Clemence, the American artist, to create an exclusive line of digital and physical sneakers for mobile games, NFT marketplaces, and the upcoming Klocked app. Clemence is a musician, artist, and in-demand tattoo artist that travels between L.A., New York, and Las Vegas in attempts to satisfy demand for his work. Clemence is also the owner and creator of Tattshoos, the tattoo style footwear brand he launched in 2020. ePlay and Clemence are collaborating to create digital innovations for ePlay’s mobile games and virtual worlds including Howie Mandel’s Howie’s Games, Robert Horry’s Big Shot Basketball, and ePlay’s upcoming running app, Klocked.
“I feel so privileged to have had my music fill stadiums as an anthem for NHL, NBA, and NFL teams,” says artist Chris Clemence. “ePlay’s apps and games give me a platform to push limits of art, design, utility, and NFTs in virtual worlds and gaming.”
The partnership between ePlay and Clemence connects the two multi-billion dollar industries of sports apparel and virtual goods where revolutionary design meets digital commerce and physical apparel unlocks digital utility. The collaboration further develops ePlay’s franchises, creating blockbusters through e-commerce and interactivity. Sports apparel interoperability with programmable media and in-game utility is uniquely possible with ePlay’s mobile sports, entertainment, and eSports NFT platform.
“Chris Clemence is a talented artist that everybody should know,” says Trevor Doerksen, CEO of ePlay Digital. “ePlay’s virtual worlds, games, and apps require sneakers and our programmable media approach offers in-game utility and advanced technical interoperability with new revenue streams in the intersection of art, sport, NFTs, and gaming.”
In February, a new start-up made history selling $3.1 million worth of NFT sneakers in just seven minutes. Some estimates put the market for “skins,” or digital wearables for digital avatars in games like Fortnite, Howie Go Viral, Big Shot Basketball and Klocked in the neighborhood of $40 billion annually.
About ePlay
ePlay Digital Inc. is a mobile game creator and publisher specializing in sports, esports and entertainment augmented reality titles, including their new augmented reality running app, Klocked.me, flagship title Big Shot Basketball and Howie Mandel mobile game collaboration - HowiesGames.com. ePlay is operated by an award-winning team of sports, gaming and eSports leaders as well as broadcast and digital technology industry experts, software engineers and athletes who have brought dozens of game titles to market for companies including Time Warner Cable, ESPN, Sony Pictures, AXS TV, Intel, AXN, Fiat, CBS, and others.
ePlay’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Mobovivo eSports specializes in augmented reality, mobile game development and mobile eSports streaming.
LA Based Indie-Pop Duo slenderbodies Release Their New Project "are we?"
Having spent the past months building buzz with a string of stellar single releases, LA based indie-pop duo slenderbodies reveal their stand out new project “are we?”.
Having spent the past months building buzz with a string of stellar single releases, LA based indie-pop duo slenderbodies reveal their stand out new project “are we?”, a sprawling body of work showcasing the razor sharp musicianship and sky reaching vocals that have seen the duo rack up millions of streams and widescale global press acclaim. The project arrives with a striking video for new single “mirror” (watch HERE), on which the band state:
"mirror is a song about coveting someone, falling in love with them and pursuing friendship even though you want nothing more than to tell them everything you feel about them. this song is painted over the backdrop of them moving away, and how at the last moment everything fades away except the feelings toward them. we wanted to make a song for those who find the time and space to share how they feel, as well as those who carry the feelings with them and aren’t able to express them to the person they love."
Listen to “are we?” right now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with slenderbodies on their social media.
Monstercat Celebrates the Most Active NFT Auction in Nifty Gateway’s History
Leading independent electronic record label Monstercat has announced its second official NFT drop on May 19th has earned $160,000 (USD) on the primary market via Nifty Gateway.
Leading independent electronic record label Monstercat has announced its second official NFT drop on May 19th has earned $160,000 (USD) on the primary market via Nifty Gateway. Now recognized as the best-selling music brand/label in the NFT community, Monstercat also celebrates its ODYSSEY ranked auction as the most active auction in Nifty Gateway’s history. Starting at 4pm PST, the auction saw bidders increasing their offers every five minutes or less over the course of six hours. Some of the largest NFT creators participated including 3LAU and fvckrender, with the highest bid reaching $6,000.
Across the three Monstercat collections featuring artwork from renowned comic artist José Delbo, music from Grammy-winning producer RAC, and unique vinyl records with each purchase, the ODYSSEY packs drew over $88,000 while the ODYSSEY auction brought in $70,000. Additionally, the IKON pack with 1,000 NFTs at $0.50 each, sold out in less than 15 seconds. The pack was only available to previous Monstercat NFT-holders, which gave fans an unprecedented opportunity to return to the digital collectibles space and engage with the community.
Interview: Tampa Based Artist Cody Presley Talks About His New Single "Before You Go"
We connected with Tampa based hip-hop artist @CodyPres for an exclusive interview to discuss his new single “Before You Go”, and much more.
“I’ve always loved music and it was always my brother showing me all new things while I grew up, starting with my brother giving me his OutKast album, that made me fall in love with hip hop...”
Big salute to you on the release of your new single "Before You Go"; tell us about how it connected with its producers Vaegud and HXRXKILLER2, and why you chose their instrumental.
Thank you, I found a lot of their projects while surfing through the web and when I heard their samples and sound choices it just kinda clicked for me. I knew I could make something out of this project they started. That I could really take it home. It all went together perfectly for me, with the mood and attitude I was bringing in for “Twenty7”.
Speaking of "Twenty7", it is dropping very soon; what can you tell us about the project and how did you choose the songs?
I love this project, it’s very emotionally raw for me involving the ups and downs that can happen in one's mind.
We ended up choosing the songs that fit best for the image and story. We wanted every song to invoke a feeling.
Tell us about how you got started making music and the artists that influenced you when you were younger.
I've always loved music and it was always my brother showing me all new things while I grew up, starting with my brother giving me his OutKast album, that made me fall in love with hip hop, eventually moved into poetry, I joined chorus, then I started making music for myself.
I grew up listening to everything from Guns n’ Roses to Shaggy. I’d have to say the punk scene and midwest are some of my favorite sounds and had a heavy influence on me. Of course, my biggest idol is Lil Peep, he opened a new lane for a lot of artists including myself.
From a sonic and thematic standpoint, how is "Twenty7", different from your first EP "There's Always Tomorrow"?
I found my sound and energy. Some events in my life changed views and relationships that I previously had between the two albums. With more relatable experiences I feel people can just be more in sync with. The two albums are on very different spectrums, I was still learning a lot with the first album. you can really sit back and hear the growth in the “Twenty7”.
How would you describe the music scene in Tampa for emerging artists such as yourself? Are there a lot of venues to perform and engage with music fans?
To be honest, it’s very separated and a lot of cliques, we tend to steer away from that and focus on what we got going on, but there are always opportunities to perform at great venues such as The Orpheum.
Connect with Cody Presley: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Interview: Austin's Tvlormvde Discusses His Brand New Single/Video "Nurse Joy"
We connected with Austin based alternative rap artist @Tvlormvde for an exclusive interview to discuss his newly released single/video “Nurse Joy”, and much more.
“Austin made me the artist I am now, that’s on my momma. The people, the vibes, the drugs, it all made me become the truest version of myself.”
Big ups to you on the release of your new single "Nurse Joy", as well as its music video. Tell us about your creative process for the song's development and your collaboration with Beat Demons.
Thanks a lot! But yeah for "Nurse Joy" I was eating a combination of bad and healthy food while binging Snowfall trying to come up with a new flow for what my team had introduced me to. They showed me this new style of music called Hyperpop, which is essentially a fast paced 808 thumping rap song with pop elements.
I've been working with Beat Demons for about a year now linked up with them at the beginning of the pandemic through my OG who seen me going so hard on my own and thought we'd make the perfect team.
Recording “Nurse Joy” was no joke man; it was hard work. That flow on the verse technically left me no air to breathe so I had to practice holding my breath while rapping fast and in key. Then the 2nd part of the hook was totally different. MCH, one half of the "Beat Demons", had me pushing my vocal range to get that sound you hear. I'm honestly so glad it came together the way it did.
Regarding the song's music video, how did you and Trent Owens, its director, come up with that insane visual?
Your not gonna believe this but I sketched out every scene, every outfit, and every style of shot for every scene on this poster and showed it to Trent Owens, the videographer, and together we made every idea come to life.
We filmed it at this new production house 30 mins outside of Austin named "Trailer Park Studios" and we did numerous Zoom calls tryna get the video just right. To be honest I was tryna make like a modern day Kanye video with a Tvlormvde twist.
"Nurse Joy" follows your dope release from last month, "Reminder"; will these two tracks be featured on an upcoming EP or album this year?
"Reminder" really dropped in December of last year; just gave em' the music video for it a month ago, it was the 1st taste of what the "Beat Demons" and I have been working on ya know like a formal greeting. “Nurse Joy” is the lead single and more representative of the sound of the EP coming this July.
Being from Houston originally, who were some local artists that had inspired you when you decided to take your musical talent seriously?
Man I miss Houston so much I cant even cap, but back when I was young in Houston I use to have this CD player I would take everywhere and I be bumping this Slim Thug and ESG mixtape all the time. Like If it wasn’t Slim, it was Zro or Lil Keke for sure.
The combination of singing and rapping going on in the city really made me wanna do this music shit for real.
Following up on the last question, now that you are residing in Austin, would you say that its environment and people influence you from a songwriting standpoint at all? If so, how?
Austin made me the artist I am now, that’s on my momma. The people, the vibes, the drugs, it all made me become the truest version of myself.
In Houston I gained my confidence but in Austin I learned to channel it through everything I do. Austin isn’t perfect ya know but as far as sparking creativity and unthought of ideas, this place has an abundance of energy that could shape your craft for better or worse.
Right now I'm just tryna impress myself and whatever that leads to I know will change the sound of music forever, I'm confident in that.
VUNG Sparks New Era With Highly-Anticipated Album "SINCERE", Due Out June 4th
Nigerian afrofusion pop/R&B artist VUNG is releasing his album “SINCERE” on June 4th. The project was inspired by VUNG’s breakup with an ex…
Nigerian Afrofusion artist VUNG is releasing his pop/R&B album SINCERE on June 4. The project was inspired by VUNG’s breakup with an ex - “I speak on my journey as an artist and the trials and benefits that come along with it as well as the love I had for my ex and how life is now without her,” says the rising artist. Centered around love, heartbreak, and life’s ever-changing journeys, SINCERE is relatable for listeners of all backgrounds. With the album, listeners get a diverse array of vibes that are simultaneously complimentary of each other. Tracks like “GO ROUND” urge for dancing while “SINCERELY YOURS” shows off VUNG’s romantic side.
Mixing pop and R&B, VUNG has found confidence in his music and his uniqueness. In the early days, he was apprehensive about where his sound would fit in between genres, but he felt there was an audience waiting for it. After his first releases were well-received beyond expectations, VUNG knew he couldn’t stop. He pulls influences from artists like Drake, Wizkid, and Saint Jhn - all majorly impactful artists in the hip-hop/R&B world. SINCERE demonstrates the work that VUNG has invested into himself as a person and artist. He is also releasing a music video for his latest single “SOLO” from the album to accompany the project.
VUNG is a Nigerian afrofusion pop/R&B artist who started writing music at the age of 8, beginning with hip-hop then venturing into other genres. He worked tirelessly to develop a sound that felt authentic to who he wanted to be as an artist. “I was going through a lot and couldn’t really find any song that could express how I was feeling at the time, so I was like I’ll create what I want to hear personally and that was how I came about my sound,” says VUNG.
He went on to release his first project in 2020 then released a follow up in early 2021 building his audience and fanbase with his unadulterated lyrics and silvery vocals. After his first releases were well-received beyond expectations, VUNG knew he couldn’t stop. Next up for VUNG is his album SINCERE, releasing June 4th.
Interview: House of Whales Talk About Their New Single "Can't Wait"
Big thanks to Oakland, CA based band @HouseofWhales who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss their brand new single “Can’t Wait”, and much more.
“Can’t Wait” was the accumulation of a few years of work. Rico brought a rough draft to Danny and Aunnoy back in 2017 and the three workshopped it for about two years...”
What does the name House of Whales represent and where did it originate from?
The name House of Whales came from Aunnoy's wife Renae. After we were forced to change our name from Treehouse, we made countless lists and couldn't agree on a new one.
Renae came up with the name combining our love for animals and our want to keep some association with our previous name.
How did you all initially meet each other and then decide to form the group?
House of Whales has gone through a couple changes over the years. The group was originally formed in Chicago by Aunnoy, Rico, and bassist Mike Ruby back in 2010 under the name "Treehouse". After Mike left the group in 2016, Rico and Aunnoy took a short hiatus and eventually decided to keep the project going with long-time collaborator DJ/Producer Danny Varela. When Rico and Aunnoy both found themselves living in the Bay Area, the three started jamming with bassist Luis Mayorga. The group had instant chemistry and after numerous writing/jam sessions we officially announced our new lineup at the RAW artists San Francisco showcase in July 2019.
Congratulations on the release of your new single “Can’t Wait”. Tell us who produced it, what inspired its creation and how you connected with Adam Ness.
THANK YOU! "Can't Wait" was the accumulation of a few years of work. Rico brought a rough draft to Danny and Aunnoy back in 2017 and the three workshopped it for about two years. During that time Aunnoy was able to get Adam's vocals recorded in Chicago, but the track wasn't where everyone wanted and we simply hit a wall. In 2019 we decided to open the song back up with fresh ears and like magic everything fell into place. The finishing touch was Luis on bass and the rest is history!
We connected with Adam through Rico. Adam performed at a monthly open mic that Rico was hosting (shout-out Gala community) and everyone was blown away with his incredible vocals. It was only a matter of time before the two would find an opportunity to work together.
Can we expect a music video for “Can’t Wait” next and will be featured on an upcoming EP or album this year?
We'll be dropping an animated lyric video for "Can't Wait" later this month and are currently working on a couple new singles that are set for release this year.
We also have an album and docuseries in production for 2022.
With “Can’t Wait” now released and the country starting to re-open, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2021?
Play some live shows, travel, and hug our family/friends! We've been working on producing a live show that we'll be sampling throughout the Bay Area this year.
We're also working on a docuseries that highlights all of our healing journeys and will be taking us out to Costa Rica a few times over the next two years.
Connect with House of Whales: Website | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter
Tove Lo and Blake Kathryn Reveal "Crypto Tits" NFT Collection, Launching May 15th on Nifty Gateway
On Saturday May 15th @ 6:30pm EST on @NiftyGateway, @ToveLo x @BlakeKathryn will launch their “CRYPTO TITS” collection comprised of four never before seen audiovisual collaborations featuring exclusive unreleased music by Tove Lo.
Tove Lo is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Swedish recording artist known for her raw, confessional uncensored take on traditional pop. Tove has always put visuals front and center in her work – from her unforgettable Lady Wood iconography to the multiple short films accompanying her album releases – and recently received a Grammy nomination in the Best Music Video category at the 2020 Awards. Always in pursuit of new frontiers of creative expression, Tove has immersed herself in the possibilities of the NFT space, and arrives today with her genesis collection CRYPTO TITS (a nod to her 2017 hit single "Disco Tits") in partnership with the inimitable Blake Kathryn, complete with all new original unreleased music written and produced by Tove Lo. Blake Kathryn is one of the most respected names in the NFT space as the top-earning female crypto artist, who recently collaborated with Paris Hilton on her Planet Paris collection, setting the Nifty Gateway single auction record of over $1.2 million for its 1 of 1 auction piece.
On Saturday May 15th @ 6:30pm EST on Nifty Gateway, Tove Lo x Blake Kathryn will launch their CRYPTO TITS collection comprised of four never before seen audiovisual collaborations featuring exclusive unreleased music by Tove Lo. A portion of proceeds from the collaboration will go to supporting Black Girls Code and Carbon 180.
Tove Lo first entered the NFT space earlier this year, supporting crypto artist Young & Sick’s NFT fundraiser for independent venues, purchasing one of his auction pieces and lending her likeness to his Nifty For NIVA portrait series. The two part fundraiser raised over $250k for independent venues and NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) and received support from Shawn Mendes, Disclosure, Dillon Francis, and more with coverage from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Variety, et. al.
On the collaboration, Tove writes:
“I’m very very VERY excited to share this collaboration with the amazing digital superstar Blake Kathryn! I’ve been exploring the NFT space for a while now and it’s super inspiring to me. Blake’s creations feel like new and different worlds to me and I love to create immersive experiences around my albums and shows, so this process was just awesome and mind expanding. And in a year where I couldn't bring my live shows to people it was amazing to be able to build a world to share with you in the digital realm, even if we can't be together IRL.
After a year spent inside and online, surreal places and dreams take shape. The music I have made for these pieces was very freeing to make. Impulsive and raw. I hope you love the art as much as we loved making it, and we are thrilled to be directing proceeds to two causes very dear to us, Black Girls Code and Carbon 180.
This space is a whole new creative outlet and a merging of worlds, and best of all is shining a light and recognizing so many brilliant digital artists out there! Thank you so much to my partner in crime on this project, my forever crypto queen Blake Kathryn – this collaboration was a dream come true and I'm so excited to bring this collection into the world with you.”
On Friday May 14th @ 6pm EST there will be a Discord voice AMA on the Nifty Gateway channel. Plus a Clubhouse launch party will happen on Saturday (details TBC).
Connect with Tove Lo: Instagram | Twitter
Connect with Blake Kathryn: Instagram | Twitter
Connect with Nifty Gateway: Website
Interview: Melbourne Singer-Songwriter Karen Harding Talks About Her Debut Single "I Didn't Realise"
We connected with Melbourne based singer-songwriter Karen Harding for an exclusive interview to discuss her debut single “I Didn’t Realise”, and much more.
“The creation of my song, ‘I Didn’t Realise’ was interesting, in the fact that I never created the song with the intention of sharing it with anyone. At the time, it was purely me.. at home.. alone in Covid-19 lockdowns...”
Congratulations on the release of your debut song "I Didn't Realise"; tell us about what initially inspired you to write it and your creative process for its development.
The creation of my song, 'I Didn't Realise' was interesting, in the fact that I never created the song with the intention of sharing it with anyone. At the time, it was purely me.. at home.. alone in Covid-19 lockdowns.. sitting in front of my piano and exploring and reflecting on a breakup that I had experienced some time back. It was a song to help me process the way that I was feeling and to acknowledge how far I have come since that time.
The amazing thing about songs that you write for yourself, is that they just flow out of you.. there is no structured creative process.. it was as if the song were written for me and I was just playing it, as I was hearing it for the first time.
When the song was complete, I began sharing with a few people and saw that the song was resonating with others. That's when I decided to share the song.
From there, I worked with an amazing producer, Josh Hennessy from Pivotal Music, to bring the song to life.. this is the finished product you can hear when you listen.
Do you have a music video in development for the single and will it be featured on an upcoming EP or album this year?
I do have a music video, coming out on Friday, 15th May 2021. The video was recorded at a country property that my parents own in a small country town in Victoria, Australia called Laanecoorie. It's surrounded by beautiful Australian bushland and wildlife. A stunning set to record a music video!
It's amazing that you mention an EP.. I am in the initial processes of putting together an EP, with the aim to release on Vinyl down the track. I don't think that 'I Didn't Realise' will end up on the EP, but I do have some new tracks that I have written on my guitar and cannot wait to get them out and share with the world!
You began playing piano at the age of 6; were you self-taught and what about the art of music creation drew you in closer as you got older?
I did begin playing piano at the age of 6.. when I started, I was having classical piano lessons, which I continued until I was about 17 years old and completed all my piano exams. After that time, I stopped playing for a long while.. What I didn't realise at the time, was that those piano lessons set a foundation for my music that is now allowing me to create the music that I do now.
I was always a person who loved to create.. I loved ideas.. music.. art.. exploring.. but I also struggled a lot with self belief.. I was very shy and would have a hard time sharing my creativity with the people around me. As I have gotten older, I have put a lot of work into discovering myself and starting to work through some of these challenges. I would say that the art of music creation has always been there for me, but I have now come to a point where I am so excited to share my creations.. That I see my music as an opportunity for others to see and feel something that they may not if they never heard what I shared.
How would you describe the music scene in Melbourne for emerging artists? Is there a huge network of music fans who seek out new music and are there a lot of venues to perform at?
The Melbourne musician scene is amazing.. During Covid-19, I set up a platform, called Sounds On The Couch (www.soundsonthecouch.com), to enable artists to perform online during lockdowns. This platform became such an amazing way for me to connect with so many artists, particularly those around Melbourne. It inspires me so much to see how all the Melbourne emerging artists do support each other; there is such an incredible close knit community, that network, play together and encourage each other through their journeys.
In regards to venues, there can always be more venues for live music to be played, especially original music, but there are quite a few that do allow artists to play their own music. As venues are opening up again, it's amazing to see so many shows happening around Melbourne. I think we definitely have a much greater appreciation of live music since it was taken away for a time.
With "I Didn't Realise" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2021?
I have another single, which I plan to release in the next couple of months, which was also written during lockdowns. I am really looking forward to getting this out and sharing the cover art. During lockdowns, I was also doing a little painting; I am planning to share one of my paintings as my cover art for my next release.
I am also beginning to work on an EP, with the songs written on guitar and then to release on vinyl.
Beyond releasing, I will see where the wind takes me, but I am looking forward to exploring more gigs, connecting with more amazing artists and maybe some collaborations. If you're an artist reading this and you would like to consider a collaboration, definitely reach out to me!
You mentioned that you've performed in a duo and band; how have those experiences helped to mold you as a solo artist?
Working within the duo was an incredible opportunity for me to grow. I experienced a lot of performing and developed my songwriting skills; it also helped me in working as a team.
I believe that everything that you do is a stepping stone to whatever you do in the future and working in this duo really helped me develop as an artist.
Connect with Karen Harding: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Interview: Singer-Songwriter Tyler Meacham Discusses Her New Singles, "Nothing is Easy" and "Unknowing"
Major thanks to Richmond, VA based singer-songwriter @tymeach who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss her new singles “Unknowing” and “Nothing is Easy”, and much more.
“I wrote “Nothing Is Easy” as a companion piece to “Unknowing” and I wanted it to capture the feelings I had while waiting for the tide to turn.”
Congratulations on the release of your two new singles "Nothing is Easy" and "Unknowing"; what specifically inspired you to write the songs?
These two songs sum up all of the emotion, grief, hope, and precarity of the last year. I wanted to put a release together that sort of bookended life as an artist during the pandemic before moving on. "Unknowing" was written a few years ago and re-emerged as somehow way more meaningful to me now that it ever was before. It's an ode to ambiguity, which is a necessary, although sometimes painful part of life.
I wrote "Nothing Is Easy" as a companion piece to "Unknowing" and I wanted it to capture the feelings I had while waiting for the tide to turn. I was feeling all of the weight and finitude of the last year while waiting, somewhat impatiently, for things to change.
Tell us about your collaboration with Chip Hale; how did you two initially meet and decide to work together?
Chip and I began playing music together 3 years ago. He joined my band as the bassist and ended up becoming my partner in love, life, and music. He has a great ear for production and is a creative force in every project he's part of.
During the pandemic, we moved out of the city to a small house and began building a home studio, which now allows us to make music without limits. We challenge each other in many ways, but he wants the music to sound as good as it possibly can and that's all I can really ask for.
Can we expect music videos for these two songs, and will they be appearing on an upcoming EP or album this year?
I've released a one-take acoustic video of "Unknowing" and you can look out for "Nothing Is Easy" at the end of the month.
As for a full length record, stay tuned. All of my live shows were cancelled, so I spent the last year writing and recording quite a bit. The music is very different from these two acoustic tracks, but a song like "Unknowing" is very malleable, so there may be another version of the track on the way.
Being based in Richmond, VA, how would you describe the music scene there for emerging artists? Are there a lot of venues to perform at and opportunities to showcase new music?
Richmond has an incredible live music scene. I've heard it described as underground, but I can guarantee you, it's very much above-ground, alive and thriving. There are so many talented artists here across many genres.
We're a city that loves art and music, and I'm pretty sure we have the most craft breweries per capita, so there's a lot of space for performing artists, and there's something out there for everyone. The pandemic certainly put a strain on our local venues but as things begin to reopen, just about all of those venues have made it through and are starting to host shows again. We've also got a handful of places that offer outdoor, socially distanced shows which I'm sure will be popular over the summer.
With "Nothing is Easy" and "Unknowing" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2021?
I have so much more on the way and I'm very excited for all of it. If all goes well, we're looking forward to playing lots of shows and touring, and introducing people to some new indie music they didn't know they needed.
Stream and Share “Nothing is Easy” and “Unknowing”
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Airbit Launches Playlists, Curated and Collaborative Beat Collections to Showcase Producers’ Best
@Airbit has launched a new feature to support producers and showcase their beats and sounds. Airbit Playlists will help beatmakers and soundcrafters highlight their best work and reach more potential artists on and off the beats marketplace.
Airbit has launched a new feature to support producers and showcase their beats and sounds. Airbit Playlists will help beatmakers and soundcrafters highlight their best work and reach more potential artists on and off the beats marketplace.
Playlists on Airbit come in three flavors:
Curated: Airbit and its producer ambassadors will curate playlists of beats
Collaborative: Airbit will allow users to create their own collaborative playlists
Unlisted: Private playlists producers can share, even with people who don’t have an Airbit account
“We're passionate about making sure the right beats reach the right people for the right projects. Playlists will help our team and our users spread the word about the beats that are out there, as well as continue to build and support our community of creators,” explains Wasim Khamlichi, Airbit CEO. “We'll be adding new playlists regularly, updating them, and recruiting high-profile contributors to make sure artists and content creators get access to the perfect beats for their project.”
The new feature is rolling out with help from Symbolyc One, a prolific producer and Airbit advisor who’s worked with Drake, Kanye West (S1’s first GRAMMY win came for “Power”), Meek Mill, J. Cole, and many, many others. S1 presented Airbit’s first celebrity-curated playlist, on May 6th. After dedicating years to building his career, S1 has chosen to sell beats online exclusively via Airbit, something new for the seasoned music professional.
“Just because you can’t see things happening, doesn’t mean they’re not happening. In the 13 years before working with Kanye, I had a lot of failures and a lot of mishaps, but all of those things were preparing me for that particular moment,” he says. Through it all, he emphasizes, community matters: “It’s so much easier to accomplish a goal when you can collaborate with others and build a community of creatives all supporting each other and moving together toward a mutual goal. And that’s exactly what I see with Airbit.”
About Airbit
Airbit’s mission is to make music more fair with an online marketplace where producers can sell their beats and artists can buy those beats at a fair price. We provide a wide array of selling tools, as well as user friendly music monetization services. Airbit is one of the most trusted and well-known names in beat-sales. Airbit was founded to champion producers, and offer them a creative career path through licensing, selling their music when they want, how they want.
How the Vocal Effects Processor Changed Pop Music Forever
For decades, the music industry treated autotune as though it were a shameful thing. Singers who used autotune were frowned upon and considered sellouts. Here’s a look at some hits and artists who dared and fared well with the vocal effects processor.
For decades, the music industry treated autotune as though it were a shameful thing. Singers who used autotune were frowned upon and considered sellouts. The idea behind this was that a singer's voice should be 'pure', any artificial glossing up was considered fake and undignified. Plus the contrast between the autotune supplemented sound and the singer's live vocals was always disappointing and often horrifying. Autotune was treated a little worse than ghostwriting. It was seen as the music industry's photoshop, and singers who used autotune were considered talentless and unserious artists. So, how did autotune become such a force in the music industry? How did autotune become such a beautiful form of creative expression?
Here’s a look at some hits and artists who dared and fared well with the vocal effects processor:
California Love
In the year 1995, Tupac released a monster hit called "California Love". This track is considered one of the first hits to feature autotune though the autotune didn’t stand out too much, functioning only to supplement the mesmeric beat. However, the difference it added to the track was very recognizable. The autotune effects added to the vocals in the chorus gave the song an almost ethereal feel, adding a dreamy feel to the song's energy and bounce.
T-Pain
Although Kanye’s use of autotune was futuristic for his time, it would be wrong to not mention T-Pain’s influence. T-Pain might not have been as creative as Kanye in his use of autotune, but he used it heavily and extensively, and it became his signature sound. T-Pain’s use of autotune, in spite of having amazing vocals without the effects, proves that the autotune sound is appealing and in high demand.
Kanye West
Autotune allows the voice to be stretched and manipulated in ways that, prior to its invention, were simply impossible. To find out about how the vocal effects processor works, you can read more on this blog.
A decade later, autotune would take the industry by storm. Kanye West is arguably the artist who pushed the boundaries of autotune use, crossing genres with the sound and using it to transform his voice into an instrument. The best example of this is his track 'Runaway' from his album 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'. This track features an autotune boosted vocal solo that can easily be mistaken for a guitar solo. Kanye was able to use the autotune as a tool to enhance his ability to create melodic sounds using his voice, the autotune effect allowed him to edit his vocals however he wished, making his imagination the only thing limiting his sound.
Believe
Cher's 'Believe' was released in 1988 and is considered to be the track that popularized the autotune sound in pop culture. Not only was the sound unique and different, the audiences also loved it, making the track a smash hit. ‘Believe’ was special because it showed just how flexible the autotune tool was and opened artists and audiences up to potential new sounds and possibilities for music. It also changed the way artists perceived the human voice as a musical instrument.
Autotune In Recent Music
Today, artists in all genres use pitch correction technology to enhance their sound and, sometimes, create new sounds. This is most evident in Hip Hop wherein the alternative sound, which relies heavily on autotune, has taken over. Most songs on the BIllboard Hot 100 are drenched in autotune. The autotune sound is so central to today’s pop music that if it didn’t exist, today’s music would sound completely different.
Rappers like Lil Wayne also used the sound to improve their delivery and add a touch of melody to their sound. Another reason the use of autotune has increased significantly is the emotional range it allows artists to express. Artists use autotune to create howling and haunting vocals that convey the depth of their emotional expression. Slurred and warped autotune enhanced vocals are also becoming increasingly popular.
Rappers aren’t the only ones taking advantage of autotune in modern times. Most pop musicians use autotune to gloss up their sound and give it a luxurious feel that perfectly matches the glistening aesthetic of pop music. Artists like Lady Gaga, Kesha, and the Black Eyed Peas use autotune to its peak potential and create futuristic and otherworldly sounds with its assistance. For many artists, autotune is essential for their sound, even if just used minimally, such as in the cases of Katy Perry and Chris Brown.
Another genre that is autotune heavy is EDM (Electronic Dance Music). There’s no better example of autotune use in EDM than Daft Punk’s entire discography. Daft Punk experimented with autotune and created a futuristic sound that mimicked the science fiction/cyberpunk aesthetics. The result was a unique and original style of using autotune that has been adopted in numerous genres and mimicked endlessly.
Final Thoughts
It’s fair to say that autotune use crept into the music industry and has absolutely dominated the sound of popular music in recent years. The success of autotune is owed to the creativity and bravery of artists like Dr Dre, Daft Punk, Kanye, and Cher. Autotune is a dominant force in the music industry. By the looks of things, it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Review: "Off The Grid" EP by Kai Akili and Malik Ismail
Chicago based rap artist Kai Akili and producer Malik Ismail embrace a sound that feels simultaneously nostalgic yet futuristic on the lush “Off The Grid” EP. Check out our review of their DOPE EP now!
Chicago based rap artist Kai Akili and producer Malik Ismail embrace a sound that feels simultaneously nostalgic yet futuristic on the lush “Off The Grid” EP. A neat trick for sure, the duo pulls it off in a way that feels so easy-going. The collection is rooted in hip-hop, yet brings into the fray elements of dub, pop, reggae, jazz, and a whole slew of other styles while remaining incredibly catchy. Together they create impeccable hooks that linger on in the mind long after the music has ended.
Kai and Malik offer a duality of sort in terms of how they create this sonic ecosystem. Each takes the path less traveled and it really does make all the difference. For Kai ’s rhyme schemes, he actually proves to have a playfulness and optimism behind it. Nods to Madvillain’s delicate and giddy storytelling, there is a true joy that comes to inform his narratives. His speed of delivery brings to mind some of Busta Rhymes’ spirit, a rare feat.
On the production side of things, Malik presents a psychedelic array of samples under his thumb. Within the field of the sampling itself, he draws from easy-listening standards that touches upon Daedelus’ bespoke worldview. Every single beat has a carefully hewn edge to it, going for a slightly tropical, even Bossa-Nova flavor to it.
A delicate shuffle introduces the collection on the trippy ethos of “Journey”. Here Kai and Malik double-down on the tempo, making sure that the layers whirl about in a fantastic glowing presence. Glitch effects work wonders on the dreamy-eyed presence of “Moon”, with the nimble beats adding to the sense of glee.
The desire to rise above inform the whole of the piece, making it the highlight of the collection, right down to the acidic tinge of the synthesizers out in the background. “Let It Go”, featuring Maushéa, has a luxury to it, for the song’s hypnotic groove cycles through in a soothing wash. Pure chill radiates through the light and airy finale of “Too Lovely”, featuring Zhane and Glory Randall.
The “Off The Grid” EP shows Kai Akili and Malik Ismail working in unison to sculpt a sparkling piece of art. The EP is DOPE and deserves your full attention right now.