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London Based Rap Trio 3Smoke Unleash Their Self-Titled Debut Mixtape

Following the recent release of their documentary and accompanying visuals for stand-out single ‘Hoes & Trust’, the British rap trio 3Smoke have released their highly anticipated self-titled debut mixtape that delves into the groups reputable gritty sound.

 
 

Following the recent release of their documentary and accompanying visuals for stand-out single ‘Hoes & Trust’, the British rap trio 3Smoke have released their highly anticipated debut mixtape that delves into the groups reputable gritty sound.

Spread across 10 energy-driven tracks that continue to echo the nostalgia of grime in with hard-hitting drill beats, Paper Pabs, Bossman Birdie, and Milli Major unleash charged-up flows, gritty bars, and an unapologetic pen game from start to finish. Each brining their own sauce into the mix, this mixtape is seamlessly knitted together by the differing delivery styles and tones of the trio as they take listeners on a journey into some of their darkest realities. From the percussive introduction ‘Style’ to the eerie sounds of ‘Big Rich City’, the boys encapsulate London’s granular energy in tracks like ‘Rich In’ and ‘Ying’. Having navigated a boundary that sees the trio famed for classic grime drops on one side yet push into contemporary lo-fi drill beats on the other, 3Smoke have a fierce determination that has kept them central to the music scene.

Accompanied alongside a set of dark visuals for stand-out single ‘Hoes & Trust’, we journey through a selection of fast panning shots and strobe lights that correlate perfectly with the feel of the track. Each emcee boasts a varying flow alongside fierce street poetics to create the ultimate wheel-up worthy listen. With roots deeply embedded in British Black Music, Paper Pabs, Bossman Birdie and Milli Major first came together as part of Meridian Crew and Bloodline Family alongside comrades that include Skepta and JME. Shining a light on their rich heritage within the scene, the 3Smoke documentary, and the mixtape, unravel the tapestry of music, friendship and self-belief that has come from the unity of three highly prized rappers.

Listen to 3Smoke’s self-titled debut mixtape below, and connect with them on IG.

Connect with 3Smoke: Website | Instagram

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France's November Ultra Announces Her Debut Album and Shares the Title Track "Bedroom Walls"

Following the release of her single “le manège” at the end of last year, French singer-songwriter @november_ultra announces the release of her highly anticipated debut album “Bedroom Walls”, coming on April 8th. Watch the music video for the title track right now!

 
November Ultra new music
 

Singer-songwriter November Ultra is France’s latest bedroom pop sensation. Often praised for her deep and warm voice, November Ultra first entered people’s ears and hearts with the soothing DIY lullaby "Soft & Tender". Her first effort was quickly followed by the sweet and sour heartbreak anthem "Miel" and a maxi EP Honey please be soft & tender, which includes the gut-wrenching bonus track "The End." - giving us a taste of what she is all about: comforting, personal, intimate and always very cinematographic bedroom pop.

Following the release of her single “le manège” at the end of last year, November Ultra announces the release of her highly anticipated debut album Bedroom Walls, coming on April 8th via Republic Records. To mark the release November Ultra has released the album title track “Bedroom Walls”, an intimate lullaby and personal track about her life and what she's been through. It’s a touching folk song that brings us to the heart of the upcoming debut album: her bedroom walls, where she composed and wrote the record.

As a singer-songwriter, she divides her time between recording studios and her DIY bedroom-studio, working for others as a topliner/songwriter (Jaden Smith, Kungs, Barbara Pravi) while recording, exploring and producing her own songs on Ableton. November Ultra went viral on TikTok last summer when Camila Cabello posted a video on TikTok using the song ‘’Come into my arms’’ which went viral and saw November Ultra’s TikTok getting more than 8M views and a lot of Duet Me videos leading to her becoming one of the Billboard Song Breaker in August.

 
November Ultra new EP
 

Watch November Ultra’s music video for “Bedroom Walls” below, stream it on your preferred music service, and connect with her on social media.

Stream and Share “Bedroom Walls”

Connect with November Ultra: TikTok | Instagram | Twitter

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The Hamiltones Reintroduce Themselves as The Ton3s With New Music and Tour Announcement

Grammy-nominated viral R&B/Soul trio The Hamiltones recently reintroduced themselves to the world as simply @WeAreTheTon3s. With a brand new single titled "Better" unveiled on the heels of their surprise guest appearance at last month's Anthony Hamilton VERZUZ Musiq SoulChild show, The Ton3s prepare to hit the road for the We Are The Ton3s tour.

 
 

After years of making a name for themselves as Anthony Hamilton's crowd-pleasing backup vocalists known as The Hamiltones, the Grammy-nominated viral R&B/Soul trio recently reintroduced themselves to the world as simply The Ton3s. With a brand new single titled "Better" released to DSPs on the heels of their surprise guest appearance at last month's Anthony Hamilton VERZUZ Musiq SoulChild show, The Ton3s prepare to hit the road for the We Are The Ton3s tour. Meant to promote the group's new name and music, the tour kicks off in Jacksonville, Florida on March 18th and will run through May. New show dates will be announced soon, so be sure to keep an eye out and purchase tickets in advance here.

"In life there are a lot of things you can want, but in love, there's only one common thread when you know it’s real. You just want to 'get to know' that person, better and better, everyday." - The Ton3s on their new single, "Better".

Expect to hear and see much more from The Ton3s and their fresh, new style soon.

Stream and Share “Better”

Connect with The Ton3s: Website | Twitter | Instagram

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Pitchfork Music Festival Announces Its 2022 Lineup

The beloved Pitchfork Music Festival will return to Chicago’s Union Park this summer, Friday, July 15th through Sunday, July 17th. Now, the Festival announces the full 2022 lineup, including headliners The National, Mitski, and The Roots.

Pitchfork Music Festival July 15-17 2022

The beloved Pitchfork Music Festival will return to Chicago’s Union Park this summer, Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17. Now, the Festival announces the full 2022 lineup, including headliners The National, Mitski, and The Roots.

The Festival kicks off on Friday with The National, who played Pitchfork Music Festival’s first year in 2006, Spiritualized, Parquet Courts, Tierra Whack, Amber Mark, Dawn Richard, Tkay Maidza, Indigo De Souza, SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE, SPELLLING, Camp Cope, Wiki, Ethel Cain, and CupcakKe.

The festivities continue on Saturday with Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, Low, Magdalena Bay, Dry Cleaning, Karate, Iceage, yeule, Arooj Aftab, The Armed, Chubby & the Gang, Hyd, and Jeff Parker & the New Breed.

The Festival closes on Sunday with The Roots, Toro y Moi, Earl Sweatshirt, Noname, BADBADNOTGOOD, Cate Le Bon, Tirzah, Xenia Rubinos, Erika de Casier, Injury Reserve, KAINA, L’Rain, Sofia Kourtesis, and Pink Siifu.

This year’s lineup is a celebration of the rising indie class, and those who continue to pave the way for innovation,” said Puja Patel, editor in chief of Pitchfork. “Our goal was to highlight a diverse group of artists who are taking their musical genres to new heights, and I’m proud of how it’s come together.”

Since 2006, the Pitchfork Music Festival has consistently proven to be one of the most welcoming, accessible, and rewarding festivals around. Hosting 60,000 attendees of all ages from all 50 states and dozens of countries, the Pitchfork Music Festival showcases the best up-and-coming music from around the world, as well as special performances from touring stalwarts and legends alike. Featuring diverse vendors, including specialty record and craft fairs, the Festival works to support local businesses while promoting the Chicago arts and food communities as a whole.

Pitchfork Music Festival tickets go on sale Friday, March 11 at 10 a.m. CT. Currently, three-day passes are $200 and single-day passes are $99. The Pitchfork PLUS upgrade, including a range of exclusive amenities, is $399 for a three-day pass and $199 for a single-day pass. Payment plans are available for all ticket types. More details are available here.

For more information, including lineups, event news, and the latest updates, please visit PitchforkMusicFestival.com, facebook.com/pitchforkmusicfestival and follow Pitchfork Music Festival on Instagram and Twitter.

FRIDAY

The National

Spiritualized

Parquet Courts

Tierra Whack

Amber Mark

Dawn Richard

Tkay Maidza

Indigo De Souza

SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE

SPELLLING

Camp Cope

Wiki

Ethel Cain

CupcakKe

SATURDAY

Mitski

Japanese Breakfast

Lucy Dacus

Low

Magdalena Bay

Dry Cleaning

Karate

Iceage

Yeule

Arooj Aftab

The Armed

Chubby & the Gang

Hyd

Jeff Parker & the New Breed

SUNDAY

The Roots

Toro Y Moi

Earl Sweatshirt

Noname

BADBADNOTGOOD

Cate Le Bon

Tirzah

Xenia Rubinos

Erika de Casier

Injury Reserve

KAINA

L’Rain

Sofia Kourtesis

Pink Siifu

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BandLab Launches SongStarter, an AI-powered Tool Built to Fix Musical Writer’s Block

Social music creation platform BandLab has launched their latest feature, SongStarter – an A.I.-powered tool, integrated with their platform of best-in-class music creation tools.

 
BandLab SongStarter tool
 

Writing the very first note of a song can be surprisingly difficult. New creators may not know where to start. Inspiration can be tough to come by, even for seasoned creators. Other times, pinning down one of a million ideas can be overwhelming. For creatives who are eager to get started but need help getting past the blank screen, the team at BandLab is introducing SongStarter, a musical idea generator powered by artificial intelligence within the BandLab platform.

Built in collaboration with Google on TensorFlow, SongStarter generates unique beats, melodies, and chord progressions based on user input. The patterns it creates are for users to keep, royalty-free, and can be used as a starting point for rapping, songwriting, melody sketching, or just jamming out with friends. SongStarter is now available through desktop browsers and the BandLab mobile app.

To get started, BandLab users simply click on the dice icon through the SongStarter interface. For more customized results, users have the option to enter up to 50 characters’ worth of lyrics and emojis. However, no initial input is required. Within a matter of seconds, SongStarter will generate three new musical ideas, each completely different from the last.

Once the ideas are presented, users can test out different moods for each one by clicking a button with day, dusk, and night icons. This feature provides takes on various instrumentals, keys, and beats-per-minute for the same musical composition, allowing users to select the style that suits them best. Finally, users can open up the chosen idea in the Mix Editor of the BandLab platform and tweak it further, or repeat the same phrasing. Alternatively, they can keep rolling the SongStarter dice until they land on the results they want.

SongStarter marks the start of BandLab’s foray into AI-powered tools to help creators progress in their music-making journeys. Additionally, in alignment with BandLab’s mission of breaking barriers to music creation, SongStarter is free and easy to use. Once users have the foundation of a song, they can continue to personalize their work and share with the ever-growing BandLab community, which now features over 40 million users – ranging from first-time creators to GRAMMY-winning producers.

We are thrilled to launch SongStarter. It is like having inspiration on-demand,” notes BandLab CEO & Co-Founder Meng Ru Kuok. “Our team designed just the solution for those personal ‘eureka’ moments. SongStarter is fun to experiment with and serves as a resource that creators can keep coming back to again and again. The musical possibilities are endless.

About BandLab

As the flagship digital product of BandLab Technologies, BandLab is a leading social music creation platform with a global reach of over 40 million users. Through its best-in-class digital audio workstation (DAW) and audio hardware division, BandLab empowers creators to make music and share their creative process with musicians and fans on an unprecedented level. The BandLab product family also includes BandLab for Education, an award-winning music creation platform with classroom management tools, and Cakewalk by BandLab, a professional-level digital recording studio for career musicians and producers. BandLab Technologies is a subsidiary of Caldecott Music Group.

Try it for yourself here: www.bandlab.com/songstarter

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Turkish Alt Rock Band Bits in Pockets Announce Their Debut EP, “The Bits”, Due April 29th

Turkish alternative-rock band @BitsinPockets announce their debut EP, “The Bits”, due April 29 via MMY Records. With the news, the band share the first single and video “Collette”.

 
Bits in Pockets announce their debut EP The Bits due April 29th
 

Turkish alternative-rock band Bits in Pockets announce their debut EP, “The Bits”, due April 29 via MMY Records. With the news, the band shares the first single and video “Collette”.

“Collette” has a frantic yet carefully crafted pace - its deft dynamics and restive beat straining at the shackles of a brief, frustrating lockdown relationship. Dönmez’ guitar chimes in and around burbling bass as rhythmic cascades thunder past like a missed last train.

The track is described by songwriter Emre Arduman as, “a pandemic story wrapped in a relationship story. I started dating a girl in the middle of the pandemic and surely it was bad for me.”

It felt a bit off-beat at first - the conversations were not quite there in terms of the flow. I was doing all the events that I wanted to participate in: going to movies, car rides, sitting together on a roof with the view of the bosphorus, yet it felt wrong to be there. She left me more hopeless in the pursuit of raw emotion. I could never quite tell what she was thinking, what she was feeling. The song is the honesty I dared not to confront of pandemic frustration wrapped in a relationship.”

Bits in Pockets is high school friends vocalist Arduman, guitarist Derin Dönmez, bassist Ata Tuna, and drummer Tibet Ahunbay. The quartet became an international and often online phenomenon, with members contributing from the UK and Canada while at college, between spells of feverish face-to-face creativity back in Istanbul.

Bits in Pockets’ name refers to those random yet soul-feeding scraps of nostalgia found forgotten in garments: ticket stubs from heady nights on the town; mementos of your first flat and all that it meant to you; detritus from cherished friendships, recalling chapters of raw, adolescent joy.

The Bits EP similarly captures snapshots of stories, many of them Arduman’s experiences as a student in bustling, cosmopolitan London. It documents an existence shared by so many in a globalized but now restricted society: visceral and virtual, multi-national and ultra-local, together yet all too often alone. The record celebrates and savors those moments of eyes-locking intimacy and simple human connection that defy an increasingly impersonal planet.

 
Quartet Bits debut EP The Bits
 

Watch the brand new visual for “Collette” below, connect with Bits in Pockets on their social media and be ready for their EP, due out April 29th!

Stream and Share “Collette”

Connect with Bits in Pockets: Twitter

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K-Pop Star Wonho Shares His First Single Album "OBSESSION"

K-Pop singer-songwriter-producer, @official__wonho, has released his highly anticipated single album, “OBSESSION”. Consisting of two tracks written and composed by Wonho; “OBSESSION” is his first release of 2022, following the release of “Blue Letter” in September.

 
K-Pop singer-songwriter Wonho new song and video OBSESSION
 

Singer-Songwriter-Producer, Wonho, has released his highly anticipated single album, “OBSESSION”. Consisting of two tracks written and composed by Wonho; “OBSESSION” is his first release of 2022, following the release of Blue Letter in September. “I’m grateful that I’m able to greet my fans with my first single album in the year 2022. It feels like we are starting a new year together! I'll try my best to show great things to you all this year” Wonho says of this release.

Named by Rolling Stone as the “singer who’s breaking hearts just as quickly as he’s breaking stereotypes,” Wonho is set to continue pushing his own creative limits by exploring different themes within OBSESSION. Wonho further explains the meaning behind “EYE ON YOU”; “Sometimes there are people who look at others with stereotypes, as if they were wearing colored glasses. In the music for "EYE ON YOU," you’ll see there are CCTVs that follow me, representing one's gaze. The track originally started off with the theme of one's gaze, but as I progressed with the songwriting, it turned into a topic that one could apply to various stories. In my opinion, it could also be interpreted as a love song, and apply to many different scenarios.”

The b-side track, “Somebody,” showcases a more vulnerable side of Wonho as a storyteller and songwriter. You can feel the emotions as you fully immerse yourself into the lyrics; “I'm all alone in the world full of strangers. Blank faces staring I'm patiently waiting. I need someone to hold on. Take me back to where I belong.” In an interview Teen Vogue, Wonho compares the feeling of being alone to a wolf; “the feelings behind these lyrics are comparable to the image of a wolf being alone, and left in the dark” he explains.

Listen to the “OBSESSION” album right now, stream it on Apple Music and connect with Wonho on his social media.

Stream and Share “OBSESSION” on Apple Music

Connect with Wonho: Twitter | Instagram

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Los Dells Festival Announces 2022 California Line Up, Including Becky G, Don Omar and Christian Nodal

Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the iconic Los Dells Festival will finally make its highly anticipated return on April 2nd. The festival will feature Becky G, Don Omar, CNCO, Eladio Carrion, Sofia Reyes, Christian Nodal, and more.

 
LOS DELLS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT 2022
 

Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the iconic Los Dells Festival will finally make its highly anticipated return on April 2, 2022, and announces the artists who will form the incredible lineup for its fourth edition, which will take place this year for the first time in California at San Bernardino’s N.O.S. Events Center.

Conducting its previous three editions in Wisconsin, Los Dells Festival became the first major festival to organize a multi-genre Latin music lineup in the Midwest upon its initiation in 2017 and is acclaimed for its highly curated bills that bring together the most innovative, in-demand artists in Latin music. This year, the festival promises to be a jaw-dropping, high-energy celebration of music and culture, offering a welcome and vibrant return to live music in the post-COVID era.

During the one-day event, fans will be able to enjoy music of all styles with origins across North and South America, from regional Mexican to reggaeton, rock to pop, and so much more. Among the major acts that will take the stage this year is 3-time Latin Grammy Award winner CHRISTIAN NODAL, one of the most talented and critically acclaimed young stars in regional Mexican music today, is also a must-see, along with legendary Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and rapper DON OMAR, aka “El Rey,” who has delivered some of the biggest hits in Latin music throughout his nearly 30-year career, such as “Danza Kuduro” and “Dile.”

Singer, songwriter, actress and activist BECKY G is also part of this year lineup, the 24-year-old global superstar’s achievements include two number one hits on the Billboard Latin Airplay Charts (“Mayores” & "Sin Pijama”), a starring role in "Power Rangers," and guest-starring in Fox TV’s Emmy-winning “Empire" series. International sensation and award-winning boy band CNCO, which has seen colossal success since their formation in 2015, taking over the music charts with major worldwide hits such as “Hey DJ” ft. Yandel, “Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos),” and “Mamita,” will without a doubt bring their infectious energy to San Bernardino on April 2 as well.

Among the extensive list of other notable acts joining the Los Dells Festival 2022 lineup are ELADIO CARRION • SOFIA REYES • ADRIEL FAVELA • ALLY BROOKE • BANDA RENOVACIÓN • EL GRAN SILENCIO • SIDDHARTHA • SILVANA ESTRADA • YEͶDRY • ANA TIJOUX • CHESCA • SOFÍA VALDÉS • FUERZA DE TIJUANA • JESÚS MENDOZA • MONOGEM • ANDREZ BABII. Together they provide a rich sampling of the magnificent variety of artists and genres that form the landscape of today’s diverse Latin music scene. More artists to be announce soon.

 
LOS DELLS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT 2022
 

Tickets for Los Dells Festival are available starting on February 25 at 10 AM PST via www.losdells.com and http://ticketon.co/a9dda with General Admission tickets starting at $99 and VIP tickets at $175, while supplies last.

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Soundrop Partners With TIDAL to Expand Distribution For Artists

@Soundrop is now distributing to @TIDAL, allowing them to participate in TIDAL’s fan-centered royalty model. In addition to getting Soundrop artists’ music to TIDAL, Soundrop is working closely with the artist-centered streaming service to develop new opportunities for artists.

 
Soundrop x Tidal partnership for artists royalty model
 

Soundrop is now distributing to TIDAL, allowing them to participate in TIDAL’s fan-centered royalty model. In addition to getting Soundrop artists’ music to TIDAL, Soundrop is working closely with the artist-centered streaming service to develop new opportunities for artists.

TIDAL has been one of our most requested distribution partners. On top of that, TIDAL has made some industry-leading commitments to its artist-founded roots. One big one: It’s launched a fan-centric payment model that will serve Soundrop artists well,” explains Gabe Herring, Soundrop’s Director of Business Development. “We are excited to work with a streaming service that is both popular with our creator community and that shares our passion for supporting artists.”

Rather than aggregating payouts, TIDAL will directly connect usage and royalties from individual listens by HiFi Plus users. TIDAL’s Fan-Centered Royalties contrast sharply with the pro-rata system that pays artists according to their relative popularity. A fan-centered approach stands to benefit niche artists with dedicated followings, the kind of creator Soundrop was made for. “We work with a lot of constant creators, especially those who’ve gathered a community on a specific platform but who need music distribution to supplement what they’re already up to,” explains Herring. “We make sure our artists are getting their content to as many possible fans as possible, wherever they listen.”

Soundrop artists are psyched to get their tracks to TIDAL, including those from the video game music world, one of the many creator communities Soundrop serves. “A lot of people have been asking for it, and now it’s finally happening!” enthused Qumu, a video game-inspired music creator whose YouTube channel boasts more than 230K subscribers. “Gotta love Soundrop for making it happen, and for all the amazing stuff they do for the video game music community in general.”

Record label and influencer Trap Music Now, who runs a YouTube channel with more than 3.7 million subscribers, says: “TIDAL gives our artists and producers a high fidelity platform to garner a larger audience and more exposure. With Soundrop and TIDAL, Trap Music Now is able to offer artists an unparalleled edge in marketing their content to new fans in new ways.”

About Soundrop

Soundrop is the song distribution and monetization service built expressly for creators. For a one-time fee—only 99¢ per track—Soundrop gets songs to the world’s top streaming music platforms, provides free cover-song licensing, and automatically splits royalty payments between collaborators. Creators from across YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and many other platforms trust Soundrop to meet their music distribution needs with a few clicks and without any hidden or recurring fees.

About TIDAL

TIDAL is an artist-led global music and entertainment streaming platform that aims to create a sustainable, artist-first and fan-centric business model for the music industry. With innovative experimental features like direct-to-artist payments and fan-centered royalties, TIDAL is empowering artists to redefine their place in the music industry. Available in 61 countries, the streaming service has more than 80 million songs and 350,000 high-quality videos in its catalog, along with original video series, podcasts, thousands of expertly curated playlists, and artist discovery via TIDAL Rising. TIDAL is available in Free, HiFi, and HiFi Plus tiers, with the HiFi Plus membership offering access to immersive audio features like Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) recordings, Dolby Atmos Music, and Sony's 360 Reality Audio recordings. TIDAL is part of Block, Inc., a global technology firm creating better tools to expand access to the economy.

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Marloe. Lays it All Out With Her New EP "the pieces in between"

Brisbane’s pop sweetheart Marloe. has opened up her world and delivered the ‘the pieces in between' EP. Listen to this great new release now!

 
MARLOE. new music
 

Brisbane’s pop sweetheart Marloe. has opened up her world and delivered ‘the pieces in between'. Her second studio EP out now.

At the beginning of 2021, Marloe. was going through a wave of emotional findings and a new chapter in her songwriting. Hitting the studio with Brisbane’s up and coming producer HARRY FOX, Marloe. left no stone unturned in the creation of the EP. Themes of love, confusion, sexual awakening and hopefulness are the centrepiece of ‘the pieces in between’.

Having worked with Grammy-nominated producer Matt Bronleewe, Marloe. knows the rigorous ask to write, record and perform at the highest level. Finding success in the US, she landed a Nissan ad and a #1 single on What's In-Store Music Charts which has over 1 million streams on Spotify alone. Her sophomore EP shows enormous growth as an artist, and her recent highlights of supporting Eves Karydas and co-writing a song with Kate Miller-Heidke, signal its time for Marloe. to take the next step.

The most courageous story behind the EP was Marloe.’s journey towards self-expression and acceptance as a bi-sexual woman. Her willingness and that of her fiance to accept and thrive within her strength gives this EP the emotional spirit and freedom to empower everyone.

Sharing what this EP means to her, Marloe. says:

The pieces in between is about all of the tiny fragments of ourselves we usually hide away from the world. It’s about saying the things we’ve been told not to, exposing our addictions, kissing the girls, being a victim to our minds and overall just letting go of the bullshit and being unapologetically ourselves.”

Marloe. will also be performing her new EP in full at the classic West End venue The Bearded Lady on the 24th of February 2022. There she will be showcasing her amazing vocals with a live band and getting ready for a year full of shows.

On a finishing touch Marloe. expresses:

“I spent many many hours in the studio with my producer HARRY FOX writing these songs, leaving a little piece of myself in each and everyone one. If the EP were a book, each song would represent a different chapter in my life, all shaping the parts of who I am today. I hope you enjoy it.

There is something beautiful when you can feel an emotional rawness in each melody that as a whole, creates something truly special. ‘the pieces in between’ is exactly that.

 
Marloe. new EP the pieces in between
 

Listen to Marloe.’s brand new EP, “the pieces in between” right now, stream it on your preferred music service, and connect with her on social media and her website.

Stream and Share “the pieces in between”

Connect with Marloe.: Website | Twitter | Instagram

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Singer-Songwriter Mae Krell Delivers Her New EP "Imposter Syndrome"

Fresh off a North American tour, New York-based singer & songwriter Mae Krell releases her new EP, 'imposter syndrome.' The 4-track EP is the culmination of Mae’s artistic and personal development over the past two years.

 
Mae Krell new music
 

Fresh off a North American tour, New York-based singer & songwriter Mae Krell releases her new EP, 'imposter syndrome.' The 4-track EP is the culmination of Mae’s artistic and personal development over the past two years: “I’ve grown up, begun to gain confidence as an artist, and had the opportunity to have my voice really listened to in every step of the music making process. With all of this positive change still comes doubt; and often really intense imposter syndrome, at least for me. This record is about pushing through it because you know it’ll all be worth it.

The EP is named after the final single to be released, “imposter syndrome,” but was actually inspired by an experience working on one of the other tracks on the EP. Explaining how it came to be, Mae says, “while working on ‘phantom limb,’ Jakob Leventhal (producer) brought in an incredible pianist to play on the track. While sitting in the studio I had this overwhelming feeling of not being talented enough and feeling like I shouldn’t be there. Imposter syndrome is such a common feeling, especially for people from minority backgrounds, and it really hit me like a truck that day. That was then followed by going home and writing this song. Over the course of the 'impostor syndrome’ EP, Mae masterfully and heart-wrenchingly dissects the relatable feeling of self-doubt. The songs are melodic, intimate, and packed with cathartic lyricism that will strike a chord.”

At just 22 years old, Mae exudes a musicality wise beyond her years. Influenced by revered singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, Phoebe Bridgers, and Gregory Alan Isakov, her songs are intimate reflections that confront trauma, self-love, and personal truths. With a distinct folk-pop sound and introspective lyrical chops, Mae has earned millions of streams across her repertoire with multiple tracks breaking 500K. With a multitude of career milestones already under her belt, Mae is taking it one day at a time and focusing on writing and recording songs that reach new emotional heights.

 
Mae Krell new EP Imposter syndrome
 

Check out “Imposter syndrome” below, stream the EP on your preferred music service, and connect with Mae on her social media.

Stream and Share “Imposter syndrome”

Connect with Mae Krell: Website | Twitter | Instagram

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Liverpool Alt Rockers The Mysterines Announce Their Upcoming North American Tour

Liverpool alt rockers @TheMysterines have announced their first ever North American shows for May 2022, to celebrate the release of their debut album ‘Reeling’, due March 11th.

 
Liverpool alt rockers The Mysterines US tour
 

Liverpool alt rockers The Mysterines’ have announced their first ever North American shows for May 2022, to celebrate the release of their debut album ‘Reeling’, due March 11th via Harvest Records. Tickets here and pre-order the album here.

About the new shows which will see the band play across the United States and Canada, the band say “We're so excited to be making our debut tour in North America this May. We grew up loving so many artists from the US and Canada, so we can't wait to be over there playing shows and meeting new people in those venues and cities that we have read about for so long. It's the next chapter in The Mysterines story.

 
The Mysterines US tour
 

Last week The Mysterines shared the final single from the record ‘Dangerous’, complete with a stunning music video filmed and directed by frequent Nirvana collaborator Steve Gullick. Imbued with brawny blues rock and infectious britpop sensibilities NME called the track "an uninhibited new single that will easily make converts of ’90s alt-rock diehard", with Louder saying “The Mysterines are on delectably smouldering, stylish form on Dangerous” and DIY Magazine "sleazy and dark, ‘Dangerous’ is a loud masterclass in alt-rock."

The Mysterines are a true force to be reckoned with. Barely out of their teens, they completely sold out both their 2020 and 2021 headline UK tours, are BBC Radio 1’s Future Artist for January as well as one of Amazon Music UK’s Ones To Watch 2022. This is alongside having supported Royal Blood, The Amazons and Sea Girls on tour, alongside headlining the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds. Their fans include tastemakers NME, Independent, Metro, MOJO, DIY, Dork, Upset, CLASH and Gigwise.

The Mysterines debut album ‘Reeling’ was made under the watchful eye of acclaimed producer Catherine Marks (Wolf Alice, The Big Moon, PJ Harvey) over three weeks in between lockdowns at Assault & Battery studios in London, recorded live to capture the intensity of the songs. “It’s a pretty ambiguous title for most people, but for me ‘Reeling’ sums up every emotion of the album in just one word,” says Lia. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” she explains.

Grief, self-destruction and heartache run heavy through the record, but all are brought together by the blackest of humour. The dirty desert blues of ‘Life’s A Bitch’ was actually meant to be the first single, “but it turns out I say ‘bitch’ too much on it,” chuckles Lia. Other tracks run the gamut from the grunged-up country of ‘Old Friends, Die Hard’ to the giddy, free-falling ‘On The Run’, Lia’s unique take on the tale of the teenage runaways in Terrence Mallick’s iconic Badlands. Then there’s the creepy, cultish ‘Under Your Skin’, which is The Doors by way of The Manson Family and the Stooges-esque ‘The Bad Thing’, of which Lia says: “It’s the most fun to play, and the words I find really funny as well – I’m digging someone up from the grave that I used to love.”

Connect with The Mysterines: Website | Twitter | Instagram

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racOS Turns Web3 Social Tokens Into a Living, Evolving Artist Platform For Fans and Supporters

With the help of artist incubator and creative technology studio HIFI Labs, artist RAC is taking this fan community experiment to the next level: linking tokens to real utility and community with racOS, a web-based home that will let $RAC holders do more with their social tokens.

 
racOS Web3 social tokens
 

Grammy-winning musician RAC was one of the first artists to issue a web3 social token in 2020. Upon release, his most dedicated fans received a direct stake in his success along with the ability to contribute meaningfully to his career. Now RAC is pushing this innovation further, teaming up with HIFI Labs to launch racOS, a web-based home linking all $RAC holders.

A platform that is artist and fan controlled and created, racOS provides a space where token-holders can engage with each other and access a variety of experiences. From the homepage, fans can connect their wallet to verify their $RAC token holdings and unlock several immediate benefits, including exclusive music playlists and a portal to a Decentraland experience for token holders only. The major feature, powered by Coinvise, is a service that enables RAC Patreon subscribers to claim $RAC tokens each month commensurate with their Patreon membership tier.

$RAC and racOS serve as a model for artist DAOs: how artists can build and own their own platforms. “The term ‘direct-to-fan’ has been overused and under-delivered on for too long; and for the first time in the history of the internet, we’re finally seeing this lofty idea begin to materialize for artists,” says HIFI Labs CEO & Co-founder Joe Barham. “At HIFI Labs, we’re building for a future in which artists – not platforms – own the networks, communities, fan experiences, and relationships that revolve around their artistic vision; and we believe that DAOs offer artists the first true opportunity to build, manage, and collaborate with their fans."

I’m so excited to unveil the latest update to $RAC,” says RAC. It’s another chapter in reshaping the creator economy and engaging with my fans in the most direct way without a sea of intermediaries. This is just the beginning.“

When RAC noticed during the pandemic that his audience on Twitch was exploding, the success proved to be another Achilles’ heel for his community. This wasn’t the first platform RAC built a large following on: Starting in 2007, RAC had amassed followers on everything from MySpace to Soundcloud, where he amassed a following of over 5.5m.. Yet, with each new platform, RAC struggled to connect his whole audience.

To help bridge this gap, RAC announced $RAC in October 2020. $RAC was minted on the Ethereum blockchain as a way of connecting RAC fans independent of any one platform. RAC created a record of fans who had supported him in some way over more than a decade, including music purchasers on Bandcamp, merch customers, Twitch subscribers and Patreon supporters. A program was built to allow these fans to come and collect $RAC, commensurate with the support they provided.

Right away, RAC saw the onboarding of many new people to Ethereum who had never interacted with a blockchain or a crypto wallet before. Holding $RAC tokens became a requisite to join certain channels within the RAC Discord Server. Using the open-source Ethereum tooling now popularly known as “web3,” RAC created a permanent record between him and his most avid fans, more akin to a cookie in your browser than a coin on a blockchain.

At the same time, popular “social clubs'' emerged in the web3 ecosystem. They became known as DAOs, and some act as instigators and investors in promising experiments like $RAC. In 2021, the Ethereum-based community known as The LAO made a contribution to the $RAC community in exchange for an organizational role. Using this contribution, the RAC DAO, the decision-making body of the $RAC platform, leveraged their relationships with the music and tech idea incubator HIFI Labs to build out a new experience for fans.

Called racOS, this new experience is a web-based browser app that will serve as RAC’s main website - but also as another congregating place for $RAC holders. Inspired by a 90s operating system aesthetic, ripe with its own “applications,” racOS is a nod to the endless flexibility of web3 enabled experiences but perhaps even more so - reaffirming this idea that the artist is at the center of all experiences related to them.

RAC is showing how tokens allow us to add a new layer to the technology stack of the internet —and this is what web3 is all about,” explains HIFI Lab’s Head of Crypto Jack Spallone. “Future experiences for $RAC holders are only limited by what is built to integrate with them. There is now an entire emerging ecosystem compatible with this layer of the internet, making RAC and the corresponding token a pioneering example of how artists can find durability in the technology they use to connect with their fans going forward.”

About HIFI Labs

HIFI Labs is an artist incubator and creative technology studio on a mission to help musicians grow their careers sustainably and own their success via web3 technology and classic artist development. With a focus on ArtistDAOS, A&R and Web3 utility, HIFI Labs is building tech, tools, and custom systems that empower artists to optimize their fanbase, create their best art, and break through the noise while retaining control of their careers. The overall company vision is that one day, musicians will own their art, control their career, activate their own ideas, and make the decisions that shape their creative identities with direct support from their communities and fans.

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Check Out J Ru's DOPE New Autobiographical Album "XIV XXVIII"

After releasing 2 EP's and 1 album in 2021, Washington, DC Rapper J Ru has dropped his most ambitious project yet, the 14-track autobiographical new album "XIV XXVIII", on digital platforms

 
J Ru new music
 

After releasing 2 EP's and 1 album in 2021, Washington, DC Rapper J Ru has dropped his most ambitious project yet, the 14-track autobiographical new album "XIV XXVIII", on digital platforms. Having faced depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and self-image issues throughout his life, J Ru has used the gym and music as ways to overcome and transform a negative into a positive. "XIV XXVIII" finds J Ru's vocals fully seasoned and surprisingly unique, with a lyrical flow worthy of multiple listens. The production and music are dense, soulful and immersive.

Regarding the album, J Ru says:

"Music has been a driving force throughout my entire life, right from the very start. It's both core and vital to who I am as a person. It took forever and a half to put all the pieces together, but my latest release, XIV XXVIII, gives you insight into who I am as a person, and provides some life stories if you scratch beneath the surface. The project is also specifically designed for you to draft away, turn the volume up, and bob that head. The economy of words and infrastructure of them on the album, is something I'd like for you to pay special attention to as well. I hope you'll take some time to go and listen to this day dreamer. Peace and Love, J Ru"

 
J Ru new album XIV XXVIII
 

Check out J Ru’s DOPE new album now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with him on his website and social media.

Stream and Share “XIV XXVIII” on Soundcloud

Connect with J Ru: Website | Twitter | Instagram

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The Happy Pill Academy Unveil Their New Concept Album "Postcards to and from a Doomed Civilisation"

London, UK-based Lo-Fi Grunge/Alternative project The Happy Pill Academy have released "Postcards to and from a Doomed Civilisation", a concept album that hits close to home. Listen to the project now.

 
The Happy Pill Academy new music
 

The Happy Pill Academy are from London in the United States of Britain. It is a mostly one-person endeavor but that one person maintains a healthy relationship with the other completely fictitious members of the band. This alternative reality project blends together character-driven lyrics, Lo-Fi riffs and an altogether fresh perspective on the post-grunge scene.

London, UK-based Lo-Fi Grunge/Alternative project The Happy Pill Academy have released "Postcards to and from a Doomed Civilisation", a concept album that hits close to home. Musically, the album features ample sonic experimentation, raw, emotive vocals, unfiltered lyrics and perhaps one of the most touching Nirvana covers to surface in some time (on "All Apologies"). Call it cognitive dissonance, but the end result is simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring. This release is recommended for fans of artists like Eels, Frank Turner, Cleaners from Venus, Dr. Lotech and Nirvana.

Speaking about the album, the band say:

“POSTCARDS TO AND FROM A DOOMED CIVILISATION is a life-affirming yet soul-destroying album about a robot who goes on holiday. From a tearful farewell to disappointing sight-seeing trips, kidnapping attempts and home again(?); our intrepid mechanical protagonist is ever-hopeful that they will find meaning in a meaningless existence.”

Postcards to and from a Doomed Civilisation album

Listen to The Happy Pill Academy’s "Postcards to and from a Doomed Civilisation" album now, stream it on Bandcamp and connect with them on social media.

Stream and Share "Postcards to and from a Doomed Civilisation" on Bandcamp

Connect with The Happy Hill Academy: Twitter | Instagram

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Stream the Self-Titled Debut Album From UK Concept Rock Band Flavour Nurse

UK-based concept rock group Flavour Nurse have released their self-titled debut album, a mystical, progressive collection of music and an artistic statement 4 years in the making.

 
Flavour Nurse new music
 

Flavour Nurse is a concept rock band known for their unique style of progressive & mystical Arcane Rock.

The band are one of the pioneering acts of the LovAnaverse - a music universe franchise set to feature a wide range of concept artists, each with their own unique musical style and story to tell. Flavour Nurse consists of frontman Gaius Black, bassist Sobias Sheim, guitarist Raven Van Rijn & drummer Croon. The four make up a dynamic act of Faewarian musicality, elven-like folk from the far reaches of the Celestial Sea, entwining music & magic to raise the vibration of the universe.

Having once lived a life on earth as a theatrical live band in London, UK - Flavour Nurse released their debut single 'Side Effects' in February 2018. The creators later shifted their focus to developing LovAnaverse online, returning as a band in 2021 with the completion of their self-titled debut album. The record is a statement piece four years in the making, procured from the band's definitive collection of songs performed in the original live show. The music offers an immersive experience, constantly evolving with elaborate arrangements and intricate detail. Each song a journey of its own...

The album begins with the ominous tones of Dystopian Galaxy, a dark and dramatic orchestral introduction that leads into the light of the Flavour Nurse. Majesty, A Million Miles (Disappear) & Love is the Reason showcase the band's anthemic rock sound, with grand orchestral arrangements and spiritual themes. The band go on to showcase different flavours of their sound throughout lovestruck bopper Heart Baby Love, debauch rocker Kickin' Around & the stripped back Shelter from the Rain. Side Effects takes its place on the record as the band's debut effort, as well as the epic finale Eleven of Fire, which closes the record with an enriched sense of musical magic.

Flavour Nurse debut self titled album

Listen to the “Flavour Nurse” album now, stream it on Bandcamp and connect with the band on their website and social media.

Stream and Share “Flavour Nurse” on Bandcamp

Connect with Flavour Nurse: Website | Instagram | Twitter

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