Erykah Badu, Nas, The Roots, Miguel, Jhene Aiko and More to Perform at Smoking Grooves Festival on March 19, 2022
A timeless Neo-Soul experience bridging several generations of artists will take place at the Los Angeles State Historic Park on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Smokin Grooves Festival will feature performances by Erykah Badu, Nas, The Roots, Miguel, Jhené Aiko and many others…
A timeless Neo-Soul experience bridging several generations of artists will take place at the Los Angeles State Historic Park on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Smokin Grooves Festival will feature performances by Erykah Badu, Nas, The Roots, Miguel, Jhené Aiko and many others, including contemporary acts like Smino, Sir, The internet, Flying Lotus and Thundercat, as well as Roy Ayers, Angie Stone, Musiq Soulchild, Dwele, and many more.
The full festival lineup is: Erykah Badu, Nas, The Roots, Miguel, Jhené Aiko, The internet, Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Smino, Hiatus Kaiyote, Sir, Little Dragon, Toro y Moi, Musiq Soulchild, India.Arie, Macy Gray, Angie Stone, Leela James, Talib Kweli, Roy Ayers, Dead Prez, Slum Village, Dwele Joe Kay, Ravyn Lenae, Phony Ppl, Bilal, Goapele, Fousheé, Free Nationals, Yussef Dayes, Charlotte Day Wilson, Domi & JD Beck, Unusual Demont, Daydream Masi, Blu & Exile and Jelani Aryeh.
There will be a special presale beginning Friday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. PT for guests who sign up for early access to passes online at smokingroovesfestival.com. Following the presale, any remaining tickets still available will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. PT at smokingroovesfestival.com. GA tickets start at $184.99 and VIP tickets (only available for guests 21 years of age and older) start at $399.99.
Follow the Smokin Grooves Festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @smokingroovesfest.
Interview: Queens' Own MoneyHouse Kev Discusses His DOPE Single/Video "Chop"
Big salute to Queens based artist @officialbosscuz who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his very DOPE single/video “Chop”, and much more.
“I feel like nowadays artists are always trying to keep up with a trend, which causes music to sound similar, mediocre, or non relatable. I use what I go through and how I feel as my weapon.”
What are some things/people/places that influence the music you create?
My number one influence is emotion. I feel like nowadays artists are always trying to keep up with a trend, which causes music to sound similar, mediocre, or non relatable. I use what I go through and how I feel as my weapon.
Sometimes it’s hard expressing yourself to people but for some reason once I connect with a beat its over, whatever is on my mind is coming out. Sometimes going out for a walk or driving through the city can help me brainstorm some ideas to write about as well.
We're huge fans of your new single/video "Chop"; what initially inspired you to write the track itself and how did you connect with its producer, Beatsbyroki?
At first the track was just another song I was working on in the studio, but I noticed a lot of people I let hear it were gravitating more to it than any other songs I made. Eventually I finished putting the song together and re-recorded it at my homeboy Ty Benjamin’s studio.
Normally I only work with production that’s made specifically for my sound and brand but something about this beat caught me, so I looked into the producer, who is Beatsbyroki, and I learned that he produced “Denied in UK” by Lil Durk as well as “Believe Me” by Rod Wave. With those credentials I had faith in his production and I reached out to him via email for the licensing rights and contract.
What do you look for in the production that you write to, and where generally do you find your instrumentals?
in my production I look for Melodies. Once I find the right sound that fulfills my niche I try to fill them in with words and stories. Instruments that I naturally gravitate to are pianos, acoustic or electric guitars, synths, and vocal samples. Generally I receive beat packs and emails from various producers I found liking to but once in a blue moon I’ll go through YouTube beats and find something worth writing to.
Regarding the very lit visual, how did you and the director, Kawal, come up with the treatment, and who was your leading lady?
Around the time of the shoot I was staying in the Hamptons, so everything kind of happened last minute. I ended up driving out to the city around 11/12 pm, at that time Kawal was busy with another client so I had hit up my mans Zeus Anderson who’s also an artist, engineer, and videographer to catch the scenes for me.
The night before I reserved a suite at Hotel Indigo in the Lower East Side so I figured I take advantage and use it for my video. The model I used is Coco aka chokola.goddess on Instagram. Her and I actually met in a deli, it was like 2am; I seen her with a friend and she definitely was standing out, so I ran down and got her info. At that time I didn’t know I would use her for my video but I kept her in mind and I believe everything happens for a reason.
Can we expect to hear "Chop" on an upcoming EP or album in 2022? If so, what can you tell us about the project?
I’m not making any promises, but I am working on an upcoming project surrounding the topics of romance, heartbreak, and betrayal, and “Chop” might actually play a part in the promotion of it or at least make it as a bonus track on the project.
With 2021 winding down to a close, what are some of your goals musically for the new year?
One of my main goals for the new year is to introduce my sound to the world. I’ve been working on my creation for a few years now and “Chop” was like a sneak peek of what I have in store. I also want to get more tapped in with the music industry so I’m looking into doing more features, more videos, and achieving some certifications in music production, recording, and more.
Stream and Share “Chop” on Spotify
Connect with MoneyHouse Kev: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Red Bull SoundClash Returns to the US With a Powerhouse Artist Line-Up This Week
Red Bull announces the return of Red Bull SoundClash to the U.S. for the first time in 10 years, with 4 shows this Fall in Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and Nashville. Red Bull SoundClash creates a once-in-a-lifetime live music experience, featuring two artists competing across two opposite stages, with the audience deciding the winner.
Red Bull announces the return of Red Bull SoundClash to the U.S. for the first time in 10 years, with 4 shows this Fall in Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and Nashville.
Red Bull SoundClash creates a once-in-a-lifetime live music experience, featuring two artists competing across two opposite stages, with the audience deciding the winner. The unparalleled event series will bring audiences and artists together for the chance to participate in an experience unlike any other. This is not a concert. This is a Clash.
Red Bull SoundClash enables artists to push their musical boundaries through exploring music styles, battling, repertoires, and artist collaborations while empowering the audience to become more than spectators to decide the winner. Inspired by the culture of competing soundsystems originating in Kingston, Jamaica, Red Bull SoundClash is set over multiple rounds as bands and artists musically duke it out with the recipient of the biggest crowd reaction (captured on a decibel meter) to be crowned champion. While these artists may be competing against each other at every turn, SoundClash is ultimately a celebration of the power of live music, collaboration, and creative empowerment.
The 2021 Red Bull SoundClash U.S. series kicks off in Atlanta on 11/30 with SHELLEY FKA DRAM vs Westside Boogie; Houston on 12/2 with The Suffers vs Tank and The Bangas; Nashville on 12/9 with Bren Joy vs Special Guest (TBA), and Chicago on 12/15 with Rico Nasty vs Danny Brown.
Find full event descriptions below:
Atlanta: November 30
A Love Renaissance Special: SHELLEY FKA DRAM vs Westside Boogie
Red Bull SoundClash teams up with Atlanta-based independent record label, management and multi-media company, Love Renaissance (LVRN), for one special night at The Eastern. In celebration of the Love Renaissance collective, R&B singer-songwriter SHELLEY FKA DRAM and Compton-born Westside Boogie will face off in a live, head-to-head clash for the ages.
Houston: December 2
The Suffers Vs Tank and The Bangas
Red Bull SoundClash joins forces with The Suffers vs Tank and the Bangas to celebrate the art, culture and musical genres of both headliners while showcasing their abilities in a ‘Queens of Gulf Coast Soul’ themed four-round face-off, featuring co-hosts Paul Wall and Big Freedia, special guests, and other familiar faces from the Texas and Louisiana music scenes.
Nashville: December 9
Bren Joy Vs Jake Wesley Rogers
Red Bull SoundClash comes to a Nashville audience with a heavyweight lineup that will feature Bren Joy vs. Jake Wesley Rogers clashing in a live experience unlike any other. In a special evening that celebrates each artist’s unique and exciting take on R&B and pop, this friendly clash will bring the heat with both artists delivering the best of their signature stylings across two stages all inside Nashville’s Marathon Music Works where ultimately, the audience will decide the winner.
Chicago: December 15
Rico Nasty Vs Danny Brown
The 2021 Red Bull SoundClash US series run culminates with two distinct and unparalleled hip-hop talents, both of which will descend on Radius for what might just be a show for the record books. D.C.’s lauded hyper-pop rapper Rico Nasty will clash with Detroit’s acclaimed “Hood Hipster” Danny Brown. These two artists are sure to create an indescribable energy.
For more information on SoundClash, visit the Redbull website, like the RedBull music Facebook page or follow RBM on Instagram.
Queer Darkwave/Synth-Pop Artist Brian Michael Henry Announces New EP, "The Horror! The Horror!"
New York-based queer darkwave/synth-pop artist Brian Michael Henry has officially announced the release of his new EP, “The Horror! The Horror!”, out everywhere January 28th, 2022, and has released the EP's first single, "Waiting".
New York-based queer darkwave/synth-pop artist Brian Michael Henry has officially announced the release of his new EP, The Horror! The Horror!, out everywhere January 28th, 2022. Along with the announcement, Henry has released the EP's first single, "Waiting".
When one thinks of horror movies, there are a few things that immediately come to mind—vampires, ghosts, knives, and blood-curdling screams. But for Brian Michael Henry, the genre carries with it a powerful romance, an outsider’s perspective on love, and a profound sense of longing. To explore the genre’s romantic facets, Henry created his latest EP, The Horror! The Horror!, a five-track collection of New Wave-inspired alt-pop tracks that examine love and desire from the perspective of classic horror characters.
The Horror! The Horror! may only be Henry’s second recorded release—following 2021’s Remote Work—but he’s no stranger to the stage, having made a career in opera and musical theater before diving head first into home recording at the height of the 2020 pandemic. “I’d never even really set out to record anything until the pandemic,” says Henry. “I just always did shows and performed other people’s stuff. I don’t really like to write songs about myself, but I started watching all these documentaries and horror movies during the pandemic and started writing as though I was one of the characters I’d been watching and then I became addicted to the recording process.”
While Remote Work was a collaborative effort between Henry and co-producer Colin Summers (aka Scrawnyman) and featured contributions from a handful of session musicians, The Horror! The Horror! is an entirely solo effort, a product of isolated late-night bedroom recording sessions, Henry’s self-described obsession, and a powerful drive to create something all his own. “I wanted to see what I could put out on my own without help,” says Henry. “On Remote Work, I hired a friend of mine to produce a lot of those, but for The Horror! The Horror! I was listening to a lot of Suicide, Depeche Mode, and Erasure and I just loved the idea that these bands were just two people or one person in a room doing it all themselves, and I wanted to do a full project that I did all myself.”
Throughout The Horror! The Horror!, Henry examines the humanity of monsters and the monstrosity of humans atop pulsing layers of cold electronic production that call to mind both John Carpenter’s signature synth scores and modern darkwave artists like Cold Cave in equal measure. Henry’s vocals, however, are reminiscent of Stephin Merritt’s signature croon and lend a notable warmth to each song, creating a more three-dimensional portrait of his characters and heightening the emotional resonance of the EP.
The Horror! The Horror! kicks off with “Waiting,” a dissection of obsession and stalking inspired by the films Single White Female and Fatal Attraction. At its core, “Waiting” is a love song and a pained exploration of longing, at once sympathetic towards its narrator, and acknowledging that her actions are immoral. From there, the EP continues with “Teenage Werewolf,” a thumping 80s synth ballad that utilizes werewolf lore as an allegory for addiction and alcoholism. “Ectoplasmic Love,” meanwhile, considers the loneliness that one may feel after exorcising a spirit from a haunted house, ridding the home of a constant companion and finding themselves truly alone.
Elsewhere on the EP, Henry engages in more playful fare, such as on “Vampire’s First Date” which molds the imagery and aesthetic of films like The Lost Boys and Interview With A Vampire into a bouncy song about immortality and flirtatious attraction. The EP closes with “Financial Serial Killer,” a twinkling, reflective track from the perspective of someone who falls victim to Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme and whose life is left in ruins, framing Madoff as a Michael Myers-esque slasher.
Although Henry’s background is in musical theater, his songwriting prowess and synth-heavy instrumentation throughout The Horror! The Horror! eschews any acute Broadway sensibility in favor of New Wave and post-punk influence, a recent development in Henry’s tenure as a writer and performer. “I used to hate the sound of synthesizers so much,” says Henry. “But as I’ve gotten older and listened to more synth music and film scores, it’s something I’ve grown to love. I don’t think these songs sound like a horror soundtrack, musically, but I wanted to capture some of those textures that synths provide.”
Listen to “Waiting” below, connect with Brian Michael Henry on social media, and be on the lookout for “The Horror! The Horror!” on January 28th.
Artiphon’s Orba Unlocks Educational and Therapeutic Benefits of Music Making
Artiphon has been designing new musical instruments and apps that make music more approachable for people of all ages. Their newest product, a handheld all-in-one instrument called Orba, is being adopted by teachers and music therapists eager to use new tools to deliver the cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of music.
From beat-making workshops in Brooklyn to one of California’s largest school districts, a new wave of educators and music therapists are embracing emerging music tech to reach young people in fresh ways, tapping into the emotional awareness and intellectual benefits that music making imparts. These innovations have additional importance now, as many students have seen major disruptions to their school and home lives due to the pandemic.
Artiphon’s Orba in a remote-learning environment
Artiphon, a company at the cutting edge of music technology, has been designing new musical instruments and apps that make music more approachable for people of all ages. Their newest product, a handheld all-in-one instrument called Orba, is being adopted by teachers and music therapists eager to use new tools to deliver the cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of music.
Why Teachers and Therapists are Using Orba
Orba is intuitive, with just eight pads for playing drums, basslines, chord progressions, and melodies – all tuned to pre-set keys that let avid musicians and beginners alike start creating immediately. Orba’s highly-sensitive playing surface, combined with expressive gestures like Tilt and Radiate, add unique inflection to people’s playing even if they are new to music.
Orba’s adaptability is a big part of why teachers love it. Orba can be played as a stand-alone songmaker, with Drum, Bass, Chord, and Lead modes that can be recorded on the built-in looper. With an integrated speaker and headphone jack, it’s like having a music studio in your hands. Orba also connects to the software most used in classrooms, including Soundtrap and GarageBand, fitting smoothly with familiar workflows.
Empowered by the Artiphon community
Artiphon has been able to donate instruments to music educators and therapists, in part thanks to its own user community. When Orba launched on Kickstarter in 2019, over 12,000 backers were given an opportunity to “give one and get one,” whereby Artiphon shared the cost of donating an Orba to the field of music education, wellness, and research. To date, over 100 instruments have been sent to programs including Little Kids Rock, The Bob Moog Foundation, The Institute for Music and Neurological Function, and many others. (You can request a donation here)
Examples of Orba in the field
Campers like this young musician at Camp Mixtape use Orba to compose and record their own albums
Campers like this young musician at Camp Mixtape use Orba to compose and record their own albums
The non-profit Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory uses Orba to offer music lessons to incarcerated teenagers in the California correctional system to promote healing through transformative arts education.
The Anaheim public school district, with over 15,000 elementary students, is piloting Orba to support Social-Emotional Learning in its music programs. The curriculum, called Orba and Feelings, teaches students to use sounds, rhythms, and melodies to articulate their emotional states.
Notes for Notes, a national non-profit, uses Orba in its innovative distance-teaching program with Pittsburgh public schools, where instructors teach via Zoom to students in the classroom.
This summer, New York-based Building Beats taught a summer beat-making workshop to teens in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn, part of a community initiative to reduce violence exacerbated by the pandemic.
Music therapists, ranging from private practitioners to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, have found Orba to be a powerful tool when working with their patients for several reasons, including Orba’s ergonomic shape and feather-touch sensitivity.
A student at the Reece school customizes their Orba with the companion app
About Artiphon
Founded in 2011 and based in Nashville, TN, Artiphon designs smart instruments for the next billion musicians by combining hardware, software, and shareable content that anyone can play.
Launched via Kickstarter, the company’s hardware products - Orba and INSTRUMENT 1 - are award-winning handheld smart instruments that let anyone create music wherever they go. Their software products include Scan Band, an AR instrument lens in partnership with Snapchat, and Orbacam, an expansion of Orba allowing players to create musical videos enhanced with reactive visual effects.
Artiphon’s founder/CEO Mike Butera holds a Ph.D. in Sound Studies, and Artiphon’s investors include Warner Music Group, Shure Microphones, and other industry leaders.
Artiphon encourages educators and wellness practitioners to use its education discount.
Connect with Artiphon: Website
Pop Rock Band Pop Alma Release Their Second EP, "Tales of a Hopeless Romantic"
Listen to “Tales of a Hopeless Romantic”, the brand new EP by pop rock band Pop Alma.
Pop rock band Pop Alma have released their new EP "Tales of a Hopeless Romantic," available on all digital streaming platforms NOW. Pop Alma stems from a unique, multi-dimensional blend of pop, garage rock, and R&B backgrounds. Filled out with bold songwriting, "Tales of a Hopeless Romantic" is a breathtaking demonstration of darkness and light, sending listeners down a rabbit hole of twisted fantasy. Versatile and filled with rock energy, "Tales of a Hopeless Romantic" shows every facet of Pop Alma. About the EP, the band states:
“Our first EP was a first taste of who we are as a band. This one is us showing off what we’re capable of and how by just coming together with our own music tastes, we can truly make something so breathtaking yet so dark at the same time".
Originating as a solo effort, Jacob Rubiani recruited Alex Cordova to join what would eventually form into Pop Alma. These two, with a few friends, compiled a few songs that would eventually become the debut EP, SOMA. Soon after completion, Chris Thompson and Harley Von Pierce completed the lineup.
Their second effort, Tales of a Hopeless Romantic, is a first in many aspects. “ I’ve had my heart set on this project for the past couple of years, and I stand by each track. I always like to tell a story within the writing,” says Rubiani. This new project tells a tale of love, and love lost, through many different musical stylings. “Our first EP was a first taste of who we are as a band. This one is us showing off what we’re capable of and how by just coming together with our own music tastes, we can truly make something so breathtaking yet so dark at the same time,” says Thompson.
Listen to “Tales of a Hopeless Romantic” right now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Pop Alma on their social media.
Interview: Chicago Based Singer-Songwriter Maurice James Discusses His New Single "Angels Exist"
DCWS connected with Chicago based singer-songwriter Maurice James for an exclusive interview to discuss his new single “Angels Exist”, and much more.
“When I started writing this song, my girlfriend and I had just celebrated our fourth anniversary. At that time, I was experiencing several strong emotions such as gratitude and wonder, but most of all, love. In reflecting on my relationship with her, it hit me that I’ve been fortunate enough to love someone who loves me back truly. Out of that realization came the words that became “Angels Exist.”
When did you first start songwriting and singing? Were there any artists or bands that have influenced you artistically?
Growing up in church, I was constantly surrounded by soulful, meaningful, and energetic music. And every Sunday after service, I would run over to the baby grand piano to play. This sort of naturally transformed into me creating my own melodies, which then also led to me writing my first song, "Open Up My Eyes", in 9th grade.
The choir at my high school, Providence St. Mel, ended up performing it and I then went on to write the graduation song that the choir sang my senior year. And that's when it hit me, "Man, you might actually be pretty good at this!". And I've been writing ever since. Of course, there are strong church influences in some of my music but I also am very heavily influenced and inspired by John Legend and Coldplay.
Congratulations on the release of your new single "Angels Exist"; tell us about what inspired you to write the song, and whether we can expect a music video for it next.
Thank you! When I started writing this song, my girlfriend and I had just celebrated our fourth anniversary. At that time, I was experiencing several strong emotions such as gratitude and wonder, but most of all, love. In reflecting on my relationship with her, it hit me that I've been fortunate enough to love someone who loves me back truly. Out of that realization came the words that became "Angels Exist." I am also working on visuals, so be on the lookout for that!
Will "Angels Exist" be featured on an upcoming EP or album? If so, what can you tell us about the project?
I don't currently have plans to feature it on an upcoming project, but I am looking to release a long form project in the near future.
What are you most proud of with your debut EP, "Rear View", which was released in 2020?
I'm definitely most proud of the fact that I stayed true to my artistic self. Listening back to "Rear VIew", each song is a part of who I truly am, regardless of what is considered popular or hot right now. I'm very proud to be able to say that!
With "Angels Exist" now released, what is next for you musically?
I'm currently working on a new single that I am working to release early 2022!
Legendary Producer Pete Rock Partners With Tracklib For Beat Battle Competition
Tracklib is back with their signature Beat Battle Competition and this time they’ve aligned with legendary producer Pete Rock. Pete is looking to offer his insight as a sampling trailblazer to a new up and coming producer, so submit your beat by Nov 28th!
Tracklib is back with their signature Beat Battle Competition and this time they’ve aligned with legendary producer Pete Rock. Pete is looking to offer his insight as a sampling trailblazer to a new up and coming producer.
Pete Rock has also done an EXCLUSIVE interview with Tracklib to speak about his experience in the music industry and the use of sampling in his work.
Aspiring producers can create a beat using the 1970s soul classic “Handle With Care” by Ben Aiken from label Reservoir. The winning beat will be selected by Pete Rock himself, and Tracklib is rewarding the winner with the opportunity to work with Pete Rock in a virtual studio session, and win an autographed MPC Live II Retro Edition.
This competition will end on Sunday, November 28th; check out the Pete Rock interview below and connect with Tracklib on their website and social media.
Christina Aguilera’s Ladyland 2021 Headlining Performance to Stream on Moment House For One Night Only
GRAMMY® award-winning global superstar, singer-songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, @xtina, has announced that her LadyLand 2021 headlining performance will stream for one night only via the premium social live media platform Moment House on Tuesday, November 30th.
GRAMMY® award-winning global superstar, singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, Christina Aguilera, has announced that her LadyLand 2021 headlining performance will stream for one night only via the premium social live media platform Moment House on Tuesday, November 30th. Filmed at the iconic Brooklyn Mirage at the annual LadyLand music festival celebrating some of the very best of queer talent & gay icons, Aguilera will bring the complete live experience to fans around the world who weren’t able to see this performance in person. Watch a trailer for the Moment now HERE.
LadyLand 2021 marked Aguilera’s first performance back in New York City since her headlining shows at Radio City Music Hall in 2018 for her Liberation World Tour. For this special performance, Aguilera delivered a 40-minute set filled with her biggest hits and fan-favorites, including "Your Body," "Genie in a Bottle" and "Dirrty." The performance also included some fun surprises and appearances by Drag Race stars Aquaria, Milk, Jaida Essence Hall and Dahlia Sin.
Aguilera’s Moment will be broadcast to various territories around the world including North and South America, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, and the UK, Europe and Africa. Please see below for livestream dates and times by territory. Tickets are on sale now HERE.
Last month, Christina Aguilera made her highly anticipated return to Spanish-language music with her new single, “Pa Mis Muchachas,” featuring global Latin music superstar Becky G, explosive Argentinian rising star Nicki Nicole and Spain-based provoking songwriter and rapper Nathy Peluso. The single sets the stage for the arrival of Aguilera’s first Spanish-language album since Mi Reflejo in 2000. The album earned Aguilera a Latin GRAMMY® Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Album, and notably reached No. 1 on the Billboard “Top Latin Albums” and “Latin Pop Albums” charts, becoming “the best-selling Latin pop album of 2000.” It garnered a six-times Latin platinum certification from the RIAA. Now, after 22 years, Christina Aguilera has returned to her Latina roots with reignited passion.
LIVESTREAM DATES/TIMES BY TERRITORY:
North & South America
November 30th, 6PM PT
Asia, Australia & New Zealand
November 30th, 6PM JST/ 8 PM AEDT
Europe, UK & Africa
November 30th, 6PM GMT
Lecrae Shares First Episode of His New Financial Web Series, "Protect The Bag"
Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Lecrae, has dropped the first episode of his new six-part original web series, “Protect The Bag” on his YouTube channel to provide fans and viewers with a blueprint for building a financial legacy.
Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Lecrae, has dropped the first episode of his new six-part original web series, “Protect The Bag” on his YouTube channel to provide fans and viewers with a blueprint for building a financial legacy. The weekly “edutainment” episodes are produced in partnership with Experian, a leading information services company, and Lecrae’s production company, 3 Strand Films. “I am on a mission to spread the word on financial education because when I was growing up, I wasn't educated about money or budgeting and had to learn a lot about it the hard way," shares Lecrae. "I want to make sure others who grew up like me have the knowledge to build their own financial legacy. People need financial literacy broken down in ways they can understand and I’m excited to partner with Experian to present this content, produced by my production team, 3 Strand Films.”
Part scripted-sketch show, part guest-interview, Lecrae will tackle the basics of financial health with themes including budgeting, identity protection, saving, investing and more.
The video released on Tuesday, November 9th and you'll see a new one every Tuesday after that on his YouTube channel. "The Protect The Bag web series allows me to walk in multiple spaces simultaneously,” Lecrae said. “I get to host a show that continues the work of Restoration by educating people about financial literacy, but there is also an element of creativity and entertainment that pulls out the best in me."
Celebrity friends Coco Jones, WHATUPRG, Kyle Korver, Tyler Lockett, and Michael Porter, Jr. will join him to share the importance of credit education and understanding money matters.
“We are excited to partner with Lecrae on this innovative way to educate young adults on the importance of starting their financial health journey early,” said Abigail Lovell, Experian’s senior vice president of corporate social responsibility. “This unique partnership is like an authentic and hip master class, offered by an artist young adults admire, supporting consumers who may feel as if they don’t have access to financial tools.”
This partnership is part of Experian’s United for Financial Health program, a global financial recovery initiative that helps educate and empower vulnerable consumers and minority business owners around financial health. As part of this program, Lecrae has also supported the Home Preservation Grant, an Experian partnership with the NAACP to provide mortgage relief to homeowners negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Watch the first episode below. A new episode premieres each Tuesday for the next six weeks on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. EST/4:00 p.m. PST on Lecrae’s YouTube channel.
Connect with Lecrae: Website
Review: "Soul Clap" Album by TNV (That New Vessel)
Detroit’s own TNV (That New Vessel) shows off an impressive blend of old school and contemporary hip-hop influences with his self-produced, latest album, “Soul Clap”. Check out our review of TNV’s new project now.
Detroit’s own TNV (That New Vessel) shows off an impressive blend of old school and contemporary hip-hop influences with his self-produced, latest album, “Soul Clap”. Leaning into the conscious hip hop revival that has been going on recently, it is nice to hear an artist that also incorporates the lighter gestures of that sound in a way that feels reverent.
Elements abound throughout the tracks ranging from R&B, old school Motown, itself a shout-out to his Detroit roots, and a whole slew of other items brought together with ease. By far the highlight comes from TNV’s assured vocals. Poised, polished, and with a degree of contemplation, these lyrics linger on in the mind long after the tracks have ended.
A whole slew of influences enters the fray. On the chilled-out side of the spectrum, TNV draws from A Tribe Called Quest’s analytical approach. Everything here does lend itself well to that tenor, from the cadence of his voice to the way he carefully chooses his words, making each one matter. Heavy funk flavors bring to the forefront the triumphant spirit of Marvin Gaye, for the samples have a tremendous poignancy to them, along with his exploration of the world around him.
“Soul Clap” the opener and title track, starts things up on a high note. On “All Gas No Brakes”, featuring Reggie Rocc, the song’s infectious groove and symphonic spirit stuns. Little pieces matter a great deal on the swinging “Trapped”, featuring William, for they cut to the bone. Warped, warbled bass rumbles through on “Not Today”. Economic rhythms roll on by with “Follow The Smoke”, featuring Jaooo, for there is a calm in the center. Noirish “Just A Vapor”, featuring Kelo, takes on a sly glide, for the heady mix engrosses.
Verses get carefully balanced on the fragile “Vanity”, with Kelo, again. Tempos get it twisted as “Fix My Crown” feels geometric in its design. Nice nods to the criminally underrated Venice Dawn’s “Something About April” emerge on the highly catchy “Trapped Remix”, featuring William Cata. Closing things off with a serious kick comes the finale of “Delilahs Web”.
Done with grace and style, TNV (That New Vessel) features an uncanny ability to tie together tight verses with ease on the “Soul Clap” album. Listen to this DOPE new project now.
Stream and Share “Soul Clap” on: Bandcamp | Spotify
Interview: T. Gambine Discusses His Single/Video "New Thing", Featuring Sean DeVair
DCWS connected with Bryan, TX based Christian Hip-Hop artist @TGambine for an exclusive interview to discuss his new single/video “New Thing”, which appears on his album "T.Christ'D Up II: The Awakening".
“When I sat down listening to the tracks on this project, “New Thing” just stood out to me as a song that spoke to a new believer or someone who is going through a trial in life. I felt that at this time, it would be perfect for the first single and video.”
Salute to you on the release of your song "New Thing", and its accompanying music video. What inspired you to write this track and how did you connect with Sean DeVair?
Thanks, “New Thing” was created to let the listener know that no matter what you’re facing, God is doing a new thing in your life. It was produced by my close friend and brother Tank Dawg.
The track just had that good feeling sound to it. I knew it needed a singer for the hook, so I reached out to Sean DeVair. I’ve known him since before our Christian music days. We’ve been collaborating since 2010.
Sean DeVair was featured on “T.Christ’d Up I”, so I figured it would be a good idea to feature him on the second project.
As you mentioned, "New Thing" appears on your album "T.Christ'D Up II: The Awakening"; why did you decide to shoot a video for this song, and who directed it?
When I sat down listening to the tracks on this project, “New Thing” just stood out to me as a song that spoke to a new believer or someone who is going through a trial in life. I felt that at this time, it would be perfect for the first single and video.
Tell us about the "T.Christ'D Up II: The Awakening" album; how many projects have you released prior to this one, and do you have a favorite song on it?
“T.Christ’d Up II": The Awakening” is album number 9 for me. It’s a part two of an album I did in 2013. My personal favorite song on the album is a track called “Made It Through.” That track for some reason speaks directly to me.
When you started writing rhymes and recording, were you a secular rap artist, or have you always been a Christian Hip-Hop artist?
Music for me started at around the age of 14. I automatically had a thing for free styling; writing bars took a little longer for me to figure out though.
I was rapping secular until age 25. At the age of 26, I felt the call to go Gospel. Many kids were looking up to me, and I wanted to be a better example to the next generations.
My wife BC and I travel regularly to juvenile centers in Texas to minister to the youth using our gift of music and preaching sermons. We have an outreach called Grind4God Ministries based in Bryan, TX.
With "New Thing" now released, what's next for you musically?
Now that the “New Thing” video is out, we’re just focusing on trying to lead more souls to Christ through it. That’s our goal for all future projects.
The next video would be a song called “Fear” that features Sean DeVair and my lovely wife BC. We look forward to you guys seeing what God does through the ministry.
Stream and Share “T.Christ’d Up II: The Awakening” on Spotify
Connect with T. Gambine: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Interview: Conner Eko Talks About His Debut Single/Video "SINK"
Big thanks to Vallejo, CA based indie synth pop singer-songwriter @theconnereko who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his debut single/video “SINK”, and much more.
“At its heart, “SINK” is a song about someone who feels completely lost and depressed like he may drift away or sink into nothingness (aka that’s me), but instead out of cosmic randomness finds his soulmate and is saved by “sinking into her arms” (that being my wife, Nancy)”
We're blown away by your single/video "SINK", which is your debut release. Tell us about your creative process for the song's development and what inspired your lyrics from a songwriting perspective.
Thank you! I actually co-wrote some of "SINK" with one of my good friends from high school, Dan Ross. Him and I used to jam and try to write songs back in high school and in the early years after high school, but haven't attempted to co-write in quite a long time. He lives on the east coast, and I'm in California, so we hopped on a Zoom and he said he had a chord progression on the guitar that he was digging and I also liked it too. I was at my piano and he taught me the chord progression so we kind of jammed on Zoom a bit, then I came up with a melody and some lyrics on the spot and recorded the idea.
After that initial Zoom writing session, I took the song into my DAW (fancy producer acronym for recording software) and started playing around with some sounds and synths. Dan hopped on another Zoom with me and I played him some of the synths I was liking to go with it and had some fun just toying around. I remember coming up with the bass line super quick and then felt like it had a cool groove. Later that night, after our Zoom session, I stayed up and just sang over it improvisationally with whatever came out. Much of the final lyrics and melody just kind of came out naturally and solidified that evening.
Dan and I had another Zoom session and I played him what I came up with and he really liked it. I shared with him the lyrics I had written so far and he gave some great feedback about parts he liked and other parts that he thought could be improved with some ideas he had. Dan is really into space and astronomy, and knowing that I am also a PhD astrophysics student thought it would be cool to put some cosmic themes into the song.
At its heart, "SINK" is a song about someone who feels completely lost and depressed like he may drift away or sink into nothingness (aka that's me), but instead out of cosmic randomness finds his soulmate and is saved by "sinking into her arms" (that being my wife, Nancy). It has a lot of ocean, water, swimming, drowning, out at sea themes, but also those cosmic themes we came up with too (e.g. cosmic impacts/randomness, we collide (like planets forming), push and pull (like gravity/forces)).
Shortly, after the song was mostly developed, I got busy with other things and then got a bad concussion. My whole life changed like slamming on the brakes of a car. I found I couldn't do many things I used to, but the one thing I could do that didn't give me too many post-concussion symptoms was playing my piano, songwriting, and singing. In fact, the singing and songwriter was also a force of healing for this time and the accident, which caused me to have to take a leave of absence from my PhD program, gave me time to rethink life and what I wanted out of it, as well as the time to finish "SINK".
I contacted a good friend of mine in southern California, Xavier Delgado, guitarist of indie punk rock band, Corre Diablo, and he laid down the lead and rhythm guitars that shine in the intros, interludes, and throughout the song. Lastly, I sent the song out to mixing and mastering engineer, Mario Borgatta (credits on Foster the People, Muse, Bastille, biffy cylro, etc.), and then it was done!
You filmed the music video using your iPhone 12 Pro; how long did the video take to film and edit, and do you plan on self-directing your future visuals?
This was many months in the making. When I released "SINK" in August 2021, I was still suffering and recovering from my concussion with post-concussion syndrome. One of the many triggers that still gives me bad concussion symptoms, such as severe migraines, vertigo, nausea, etc. is too much screen time. I'm making big improvements as of today, but back in August it was a lot worse, and on top of that I had to have surgery on July 30 for another health issue unrelated to my concussion that made me anemic causing my post-concussion syndrome to be even worse. This surgery also left me bed ridden for several weeks and erased a lot of the concussion recovery progress I was making in the months leading up to it.
The week before the release date of "SINK", and just a few days before my surgery, I had a photoshoot with the amazingly talented former Hollywood celebrity photographer, Jean-Joel Lawrence of Serenity Lawrence Studios in Vallejo, CA. I had some ideas for the "SINK" music video in my head and one of them was to actually be swimming in some body of water to quite literally match some of the lyrics. Joel's studio is right down the road from Vallejo's Glen Cove Waterpark that borders the Carquinez Strait. I had brought an iPhone tripod with me to the photoshoot in case there was an opportunity to take some video of the photoshoot that may be useful for something and after the shoot felt inspired and spontaneous and went to the waterpark.
Completely by myself with no external speakers to the play the song to lip sync to, I set up the tripod and sang the song in different areas of the waterpark and the last shot I did wearing the same clothes from the photoshoot (you can see the same outfit in my press photos) I jumped into the water and swam out and back singing the song and crawled out of the water for the bridge part. It was absolutely disgusting, slimey, and I got cuts on my feet from the rocks. It was in the middle of a weekday and people were out walking and hiking staring at me. They probably thought I was nuts--some guy by himself singing dramatically while crawling out of the water! LOL! This also probably wasn't wise since I had surgery in two days and was still suffering from my post-concussion pretty bad, but I couldn't help myself.
My wife has a lot of good ideas that many times inspire some of my creative choices and after I told her some of my ideas for the video in addition to my worries of physically actually being able to execute them, she suggested that I just lay on the couch and sing it for the video. Since I didn't have capacity to finish the video how I really wanted to do for the release before surgery or after, when I got home from swim in the Carquinez Strait, I set up my iPhone on the tripod to look down on me while I relaxed with my Imitrex migraine medicine and lip synced to the entire "SINK" song. I released this as a lyric video with the song on release day since that was a lot easier to do than my original ideas.
After I started recovering from my surgery, I had the idea to take the footage from the lyric video and combine that with the Glen Cove water footage, but have it be like I'm dreaming in my concussed state how the song made me feel or like it was all a dream. This ended up being perfect as my concussion states have been quite trippy at times and this video idea personified what I've been going through perfectly. Since the song is about "sinking into your lover's arms" to save you, I wanted there to be all kinds of different people hugging so I got stock royalty free footage of many diverse couples embracing each other. The intro has me dreaming of being in space, but then landing on the island and being lost at sea to be later rescued by my love.
The editing of this idea took several months to complete as I needed to watch my screen time with my condition and I could only work on it a little everyday, but I did the best I could and finally finished it in October 2021. I'd love to direct and make future visuals and videos, but would also really love to grow to a point where I can hire or have others work with me on my team to help produce them so I can focus on songwriting, producing, performance, and singing. I'd also love for fans to help make future visuals one day!
Sorry to hear about your accident which caused you post-concussion syndrome and other health issues; how has that situation impacted you as an artist, and do you plan on finishing your PhD once you have recovered?
Thank you. It has been a struggle for sure and this past year I have suffered more health problems than my entire life. Songwriting and singing is what I am most passionate about in my life, however, several years ago I took a break from writing and performing and got so busy with pursuing another passion--science and education. I dearly love science, astronomy, and science education as well, but my top passion is writing and performing music. Being away from this for many years increased my lifelong battle with depression. When I got post-concussion syndrome, the brakes on all the "business of life" stopped to a halt. I found solace and healing in playing and writing music again and a rush of new writing and inspiration hit me.
This has been the biggest silver lining in my struggles with these health issues--it brought me back to music and stronger than ever. I am writing better songs than ever and feel empowered more than ever to never let singing and songwriting go. It is deeply a part of who I am.
Yes, I do plan to finish my PhD once I recover. I still find astronomy and the cosmos inspiring and interesting, and researching it is humbling and rewarding. I think science, although not perfect, is one of the best inventions of the human species and has the power to change the world for the better (or destroy in the wrong hands). It has given us a stage of technological prowess to harness the ability to inadvertently cause planetary change and either the wisdom to intentionally change it for good, or the folly to let our seemingly clever inventions destroy ourselves. I want to work on changing the world through science to save our future, push open new discoveries, and inspire everyone for a better tomorrow.
However, and even more so, I hope to do this through my music! Did you know that Brian May, lead guitarist from Queen, is also a PhD astrophysicist? Me doing music and scientific research and outreach do not have to be mutually exclusive.
What can you tell us about your upcoming single that drops on December 3rd entitled "Christmas Morning Goodbye". Can we expect a music video for that as well?
I grew up celebrating Christmas as a child, but as an adult I don't think much of it anymore. So even though my family still celebrates Christmas, I don't consider myself a "Christmas person", and I definitely do not enjoy putting on Christmas music most of the season. Bah humbug! No, I'm not the Grinch, but I get annoyed when you hear Christmas songs in October and would never think in a million years that I would write a Christmas song.
Then one morning in late September, I woke up early in the morning and went straight to the piano without any coffee and "Christmas Morning Goodbye ' basically wrote itself. I'll blame the concussion, but I actually really love this song. It is not your traditional Christmas song both in its sound and content.
For the song, I synced up with New York City/Nashville based producer, Isaac Sharp. Him and I have been working hard on finishing in time for a December 3, 2021 release date. Isaac has been amazing and has really helped me bring out some of my best vocal performances, as well as helped me grow as an artist. Isaac and I are playing on most instrumentation of the track, with Peter-Michel Natishan of Celerity Sound on drums, Frank Soriano on some of the guitar work, and gospel/jazz singer, Joyce Grant, on background vocals with me. As of writing this interview response, six-time Grammy award winning mixing engineer, Jimmy Hoyson, is mixing the song, and then it's off to Mike Cervantes at Foxboro Studio for mastering! I'm very excited about how the song is going to turn out!
I hope we can make a music video for "Christmas Morning Goodbye", but we're in a time crunch and I still have to watch my screen time. However, necessity and crisis are the mothers of invention and sometimes creativity so we'll see!
With 2022 right around the corner, what are some of your goals musically for the upcoming year?
I have a lot of songs that have poured out of me since dealing with post-concussion syndrome, the pain, increased depression, changes in life, etc. I also have learned a lot about life and what I want out of it. I learned that I cannot ever let my singing and songwriting disappear again from my life--it is at heart who I am and I need to write songs and perform them to survive.
In 2022, I will release new music and hope to do an entire EP, or if we can find funding, an entire album. I plan to also begin to form a backing band and start to play live performances. Since the release of "SINK", I have made some great connections with talented people to work on my creative team and hope to grow it even more moving forward. I want to take my music, songs, and productions to a whole new level and continue to do so for the rest of my life.
In 2023, I will strive to exceed what I've done musically and reinvent myself and will continue this trend for the rest of my life. Our time on this planet is too short and I have a lot of important work to do to share with the world.
Stream and Share “SINK” on Spotify
Connect with Conner Eko: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Review: "Many Waves Later" Audio Visual Album by LIGHTS AT ELEVEN
Check out our in-depth review of the newly released audio visual album “Many Waves Later” by @LIGHTSATELEVEN.
Central Texas based producer LIGHTS AT ELEVEN explores a lovely, sunlit sonic realm with the blissful “Many Waves Later” audio visual album. A nice tuning into the aquatic world helps to lend the sound a sense of pure joy. The inclusion of samples throughout the work hints at a greater history, one that he holds nothing back on while he explores. Stylistically elements of dub, ambient, IDM, pop and more filter into the fray. By keeping it all timeless it proves to be impossible to pin down time-wise, for LIGHTS AT ELEVEN includes both old-school and contemporary references in how he chooses to sculpt the sound and the accompanying visuals.
The references have an abundance to them making sure to bring in pieces of Future Sound of London’s “Lifeforms” release. Similarly structured to that album, LIGHTS AT ELEVEN makes sure to incorporate a whole slew of different layers. On the more modern kick of things, the hypnagogic pop hints bring to mind some of James Ferraro’s looser, more carefree pieces. With the James Ferraro nod, they are both mysterious yet, at the same time, quite joyful.
Cleverly “When Can We Take Our Shoes Off?” takes that common question and transforms it into a surreal experience. Beats feature a nimbleness with “So Sudden”. “The Man From Sweden” brings a bit of Boards of Canada’s nostalgic lens into the fray. A jazz-like quality defines the wild trip of “Poet Vagrant”. Quite expansive “Como Ondas” washes over everything with a true giganticness. Tight grooves hold the attention with “Contra La Corriente”. On “Permanent Cellular Alteration” has a seedy underbelly. A fantastic buildup occurs on the heavenly “Under The Vapor Streetlights/Above The Breathing Blacktop”. Slow-moving with its gait comes “Speaking In Tongues”. Drums hit with a poignancy on the dazed “Soy Mal Pintor” with the electronics virtually getting torn apart in the background. Heavy hits of the drum give “Gitano” a hip-hop flavor. Reflection works at the heart of the energetic “Kerouac”. “Mas Muerto Que Disco” has a swagger to it. Tying it all together and bringing it home “I Go Where I’m Sent (In The End, You Will Understand)” ends things on a mystical kick.
The “Many Waves Later” project features the undeniable talent of LIGHTS AT ELEVEN in creating a universe entirely of his own design, both audibly and visually, proving to have a highly unique voice.
Watch, Stream and Share “Many Waves Later” on: YouTube | Spotify
Interview: LIGHTS AT ELEVEN Discusses His Brand New Audio Visual Album "Many Waves Later"
DCWS connected with Owen Cassidy aka @LIGHTSATELEVEN for an exclusive interview to talk about his newly released audio visual album "Many Waves Later", and much more.
“...when it comes to my own inspirations and influences, it’s a severely mixed bag, totally eclectic. Nature (specifically the desert), foreign languages, tons of music, street noise, human experiences, crazy stories, heroic degenerates...”
Congratulations on the completion and release of your new audio visual album "Many Waves Later"; tell us about your creative process for the development of the 14 songs and accompanying videos.
So, as far as process and production is concerned, this album was a revisiting of those things for me. Usually, the sampling and music happens first when I take on a larger project like a visual album, and a lot of the original sound sketches/experimentation files were created pre-pandemic. At that point I didn’t really have a general direction I was interested in taking them.
I was pretty burnt out after finishing my MFA, and wasn’t really ready to start anything significant. So it all kind of went on the back burner. I still continued to sample, collect, archive, write, etc. I think those things have just always been instinctual parts of my process.
As more time passed, I seriously started to overthink my work, doubt my process and outcomes, that sort of thing. I even debated ‘killing off’ the character of LIGHTS AT ELEVEN at various points. Mainly out of frustration. It had a lot to do with where I was mentally and emotionally, the way that I perceived things were going on around me.
Then, in Spring of this year, a good friend of mine who teaches at Chowan University in North Carolina, asked me to do a graphic design show/exhibit with another one of our buds from grad school. That was my sign to ‘get to work’.
The show was called ‘NostalgiaVision’, and general nostalgia is what I had in mind when I was working on these tracks and videos. I wanted to make something that made me contemplate of my audio-visual conditioning and education I received as a young kid, reexamine my process, and find out again why it is I do all this stuff.
Were there songs that you recorded that did not make the final cut of the album? If so, why did they not make it?
Oh yeah, for sure. Maybe about 8 or 9 of them. I think a fair amount of people (creatives included) don’t think about the number of failed projects, file iterations, lemons, etc. that don’t fully develop during the creative process. Like for every final exported file, there’s probably a ton of iterations or outcomes that totally suck or just don’t quite ‘make the cut’.
Usually, the more time I spend with a project, the more I’m able to tie together certain ideas, aesthetics, and themes. And of course, there’s always tracks/files that just can’t be contained within those. Or they just end up draining me for one reason or another. Also, when it comes to my work, I prefer to set time limits, not timelines.
What are some things/people/places that inspire the music that you create, and what about Central Texas makes it the perfect place for you as a designer and musician?
Haha. Well, I don’t think I’ve been anywhere perfect yet, but I will keep y’all posted. That being said, I grew up here, and am generally comfortable in my environment. It is somewhat rural, I live in a small town near San Antonio, but it’s far from remote. The other thing is that I try to travel as much as I can. That to me, is the perfect part. Being somewhere I can create effectively for the most part, while having that continuing exposure and education to other places/influences.
But when it comes to my own inspirations and influences, it’s a severely mixed bag, totally eclectic. Nature (specifically the desert), foreign languages, tons of music, street noise, human experiences, crazy stories, heroic degenerates, psychedelia, too much T.V., memes, skateboarding culture… I’m gonna stop now.
With "Many Waves Later" album now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2021, heading into the new year?
I’d like to get some decent traction with this release. I’m not sure exactly what that looks like, but just move my practice forward overall. I would really like to try and gig this music in some capacity. Maybe try something different like scoring somebody else’s work.
Other than that, just keep doing my thing. Collect, document, archive, repeat. Process. Repeat process.
When someone listens to and watches "Many Waves Later", what do you want them to take away from the experience?
I mean, it would be super satisfying if people contemplated their own feelings and visions of nostalgia, possibly keying in on the more seemingly obvious themes like color, sound, waves, noise, etc.
But there are tons of hidden meanings, references, samples, and stories. Too many to list, and even then I would forget some. All that deep, heavy stuff buried in the layers of sound and video, I put that there for me. I think that’s why I’m ok with the viewers/listeners interpretations, whatever they are. If they explore those things, find a connection with them, that’s amazing. I would love that. If nothing else, I just hope people can see the amount of work and love in it. They don’t need to overthink it too much.
What does the album's title, "Many Waves Later", represent?
^^^^^
(Insert intensely vivid and deeply poetic explanation here)
^^^^^^
Stream and Share “Many Waves Later” on Spotify
Watch “Many Waves Later” on YouTube
Connect with LIGHTS AT ELEVEN: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Detroit Based Rapper/Producer TNV Releases His New Album "Soul Clap"
TNV is a Detroit based rap artist and producer who has been featured on DCWS before and now he returns with his latest album, “Soul Clap”. The self produced, 14-track project features Reggie Rocc, William Cata, Jaooo, and Kelo.
TNV is a Detroit based rap artist and producer who has been featured on DCWS before and now he returns with his latest album called “Soul Clap”. The self produced, 14-track project features Reggie Rocc, William Cata, Jaooo, and Kelo.
Speaking about the “Soul Clap” album, TNV says “The inspiration behind Soul Clap is to celebrate the moments in life, especially when it's a change for a better you. Each song directs you to an inner perspective even during these current times. Enjoy I put my heart in this album”.
Listen to “Soul Clap” below, stream it on Spotify and connect with TNV on his website and IG. Also, be on the lookout for our upcoming album review and interview with TNV.