Dave has pretty much worn all the creative hats there are to wear. Musician, promoter, (small) record label boss, festival co-organiser, journalist, reviewer, publicist and everything in between. He now divides his time between writing about music and any number of other subjects from travel to games to social issues. He runs his own new music website and contributes to a number of UK based printed music magazines and a few smaller websites. He has spent the last ten years writing music columns for his regional newspaper though has recently given this up to spend more time with his record collection.
SkyDxddy delivers a new empowerment anthem with an accompanying video, “Medusa,” out on November 22 on all major streaming platforms.
Born in Canada to French parents, Elea lived in Hemmingford until age 5 when her family moved to Dharamsala, India for her father to pursue Tibetan medicine studies. She subsequently spent a few years in the south of France before moving to Bristol, UK at 16 to study music. Releasing a string of singles, “Lust”, “Trigger” and “Sacrifice”, to critical acclaim in her idiosyncratically “towering sound reminiscent of PJ Harvey and Feist”, she was touted as “a millennial Patti Smith”. Albeit being Gen Z, she decided not to correct the journalist for the (hopefully only partly) erroneous compliment.
Jody and the Jerms round off 2024 with the fast-paced yet emotive single ‘Winter Heart’, a bittersweet song exploring loneliness and hope. Rich in melody with an epic and uplifting chorus, this track features an appearance by acclaimed violinist Erica Nockalls of The Wonder Stuff, The Proclaimers and one-half of the acoustic duo Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls.
On a hot and heavy trail of singles ‘Nightshade and Cocaine’, ‘Payback’ and their latest offering ‘Ski Mask’, alternative rock maverick Love Ghost and industrial legend Tim Skold (SKOLD, Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM, Marilyn Manson, Motionless in White) are geared up for their debut Love Ghost x SKOLD album.
Formed in 2019, Bethlehem based Smooth Retsina Glow is one of the most dynamic and creative acts to emerge in recent years. Comprising Guitarist/Vocalist Colin Wolf, Vocalist Natalie Expraxia and drummer Quincy Wellen.
Finely crafted and lyrically astute songs tumbling with melody, ringing guitars and the odd keyboard doodle. “Rescue Me” was Barry’s first solo single release and his second single “The Sound” is released on Nov 15th. Stylistically, “The Sound” shuffles between the strut and stomp of Mod and the snark and swagger of New Wave. It’s a gobstopper popsicle of a song so suck it and see.
The band that got youth through lockdown. Currently residing in the wilderness…. Take us home!
Ellie Rollins, an exceptional singer-songwriter, hails from the beautiful Bay Area of California. With a musical journey spanning over two decades, she has spent the last 20 years immersed in the vibrant music scene of Hawaii and currently calls Los Angeles her home. Ellie’s musical style is a captivating blend of country, rock, blues, gospel, and bluegrass.
“Sunkissed Shadows” was brought to life in J Clark’s home studio over the course of a weekend, with additional content and production added over the following weeks. The track, a collaboration with long-time friend James Winans, delves into themes of psychological projection and personal growth, offering listeners a thought-provoking and immersive musical experience. Homunculus Algorithm’s ability to blend introspective lyrics with captivating instrumentals sets them apart in the music scene, promising a release that is as profound as it is memorable.
Tidal Water is the brainchild of Martin Hovden, a passionate vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Oslo, Norway. Martin, the primary visionary and financial backer, infuses his deep societal concerns and personal experiences into Tidal Water’s music. His background in project management and event production enables him to bring a unique blend of powerful rock music to life, enhanced by the collaboration of talented friends from his musical journey.
YOYOKA, a 14-year-old drummer, has been playing the drum since she was 1 year old. Born and raised in Hokkaido, Japan, she started performing live at the age of 4 and formed a band with her family when she was 5. At the age of eight, YOYOKA covered Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” and surprised the world when Robert Plant recognized her ability. She has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show twice. She is also the youngest drummer ever selected as one of the “World’s Top 500 Drummers” by Drummerworld and was chosen as the youngest ever in NewsWeek Japan’s “100 Japanese People the World Respects”.
Pjos is a Poland-based dreampop artist born in Brazil. Inspired by acts like Slowdive, Mogwai, and Sigur Ros, Pjos brings a melancholic and cinematic charm to craft his sound. Pjos’ music is characterised by its dreamlike essence, blending a wide palette of colours, textures, and movement into rich, cinematic sounds. This introspective and evocative style has become his signature.
The holidays hit different in Brooklyn’s honky-tonks. On Big Colored Lights, singer-songwriter Katie Curley transforms the familiar echoes of Christmas music into something more raw and revelatory – a collection that feels less like seasonal cheer and more like a snow globe of memories being gently shaken.
Recorded at Cowboy Technical Services with producer Eric “Roscoe” Ambel (Sarah Borges, Bottle Rockets), these seven original songs emerged from a personal challenge Curley set for herself nearly a decade ago: write one Christmas song each year. The result is a time capsule of evolving artistry, with each track capturing a different facet of the season’s emotional spectrum.
Recorded in a Cincinnati home studio, this six-track collection feels like you’ve stumbled into the most intimate gig of your life. Noah Smith and his band captured most of the tracks in full live takes, giving the EP an energy that’s hard to resist. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s a refreshing change from the polished productions we’re used to hearing.
Indie pop duo Aerolinea presents their new single ‘Nervous’, previewing their ‘All We Need’ album, the debut offering from this Argentinian-American project, which also sees a guest appearance by Failure drummer Kellii Scott. This eight-track record hits all music platforms on November 28.
An accomplished scholar of folk accordion hailing from the former USSR, Cafcae picked up the guitar while attending high school in Maryland. It was around this time that he began experimenting with writing his own material and went on to play in bands in Europe and North America.
Americana singer-songwriter Kyra Gordon releases her highly anticipated 8-track second album Traveler via Starita Records and produced by Kyra, Rachel Efron ( Arden Alexa, David Hobbes, and Norzin) and Brian Rodvien. The album is an evocative journey through five original tracks and 3 covers that mark Gordon’s evolution from her jazz-focused debut to a dynamic blend of alt-country, folk, and rock
“Free Yourself” is a song very close to Michael Beck’s heart, symbolizing a personal journey of self-forgiveness and emotional liberation. The lyrics encourage listeners to release guilt and self-blame, embodying Beck’s message of embracing one’s true self and pure potential. Inspired by the strength found in softness, Beck conveys the importance of recognizing ourselves as creations of the universe, a sacred force guiding us. With the words “You are not guilty, it’s time to free yourself,” the song invites a journey of healing and self-compassion.
The Pulltops new alternative rock song “Red Eye Open Sky” captures the haunting experience of late-night solitude on the open road, where every mile brings you closer to love yet reminds you of the emptiness left behind. With lyrics that explore longing, reflection, and the passage of time, the song paints a vivid picture of a “lonely satellite” navigating endless highways. Ultimately, the destination holds the promise of peace and reconnection.
In a world of cookie-cutter pop and algorithm-driven playlists, Singing River stands as a defiant testament to the enduring power of handcrafted American music. Imagine, if you will, a jukebox in a dive bar at the crossroads of time. That’s where you’ll find Singing River, spinning yarns and strumming chords that could have been birthed in the 1930s or dreamed up yesterday. It’s a sound that’s as comfortable rubbing shoulders with The Band as it is sharing a drink with the Traveling Wilburys.
Near Death Experience (NDX) count the cost of love in a stirring, soulful, funky new EP. Is love worth the emotional torture? That’s the question to ask yourself as you encounter the latest Near Death Experience (NDX) release ‘Thousands’. The collection of three versions of the song – Part 1, Parts 1&2 and ‘Lost in the Mix’ – expose the raw nerve of relationships so deep you share each others agony, ecstasy and longing to the point where it becomes too intense to bear.
Blending the poetic and the playful, Man With A Corduroy Heart is a British Americana artist whose music captures the beauty of mundane life. In 2024, he released his debut album, _Things Are A Little Bit…”, a record quietly created in his basement while his newborn slept. The album captures life’s gentle humour and tender moments from trying to get the baby to sleep with the music of Bob Marley to why having dreams is just too much effort, or how you can find love through watching Escape To The Country. The album has been praised for its authentic charm and storytelling.
“It’d Be Easy,” Anna Josephine’s latest folk-pop ballad, builds with intensity at every turn. With 3 key changes, dramatic percussion, and simple yet powerful lyrics, this song is perfect for belt-at-the-top-of-your-lungs playlists. “It’d Be Easy” tells the relatable story of the confusion that comes with reconciling the end of a relationship where love has run out. Anna artfully comes to terms with ending a relationship where she has grown apart from a partner who has done her no wrong.
Liverpool post-punk pioneers The Room are back with a new album, The Telling – a melodic blend of progressive, alternative pop and sultry post-punk, which is just as fresh and relevant now as it was when they first broke up in 1985. Firm favorites of the late John Peel, who hosted the group for four BBC live sessions, The Room have been compared to Joy Division and fellow Liverpool band Echo & the Bunnymen, with whom, along with visionary contemporaries The Fall, The Birthday Party and Tom Verlaine, they shared the stage with in the early 80s burgeoning post-punk movement.
The strikingly beautiful new EP Devil is Doubt sees Bouloudis return with her distinctive, brooding songwriting elevated to windswept new heights. The intricate, moody melodies have been bolstered by years of live shows into taut, powerful performances from Bouloudis and her band, and captured as moments that linger in the air as the last note fades. Bouloudis deftly blends elements of folk, gothic rock and jazz but in terms of sheer vocal delivery she’s a soulful rock and roller, at times calling to mind the visceral tones of Patti Smith or Etta James.
Musically, Sunrise pulls from a wide spectrum of influences. Vennis and the band weave together elements of the Manic Street Preachers and Gang of Four, mixing in flavours of REM and The Clash. The EP also nods to old-school blues and soul, all of which is seasoned with a rebellious punk rock attitude. The result is a genre-defying sound that merges different musical traditions into one seamless, politically charged cocktail.
Philadelphia-based art-rock duo Tulipomania are back with ‘I’ve Been Told – Absolution’, the first offering from their sixth album ‘Absolution’, inspired by an invitation from acclaimed author Jeff VanderMeer to contribute music as part of the publication of his latest novel -Absolution, the surprise fourth volume in his award-winning Southern Reach series.
NYC-based art-rock outfit Ecce Shnak (pronounced Eh-kay sh-knock) presents the single ‘Jeremy, Utilitarian Sadboy’, dedicated to 19th Century English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, whose skull is kept on display at the University of London. Their fourth release to date and first new music since 2019, they return to once again shatter notions of genre, while addressing weighty themes and notable trivia alike.
Rusty Reid is a Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle singer-songwriter writing melodic, guitar-oriented pop-country-rock songs, including many with modern liberal philosophical, political, spiritual content.
Based in the vibrant heart of Nashville, Meghan Pulles is an emo-positive genre-defying singer-songwriter whose artistry transcends traditional boundaries. With a gift for weaving together pastoral melodies and rich nostalgia, her music is a sanctuary of emotions, designed to resonate deeply with listeners. Meghan’s style dances between drenched folk, melodic pop, Americana, and indie, drawing comparisons to the lyrical intricacies of Regina Spektor and the gentle introspection of Joni Mitchell.
Uudee’s Swashbuckling Dandies are Mongolia-based collective with a transcendent, diverse, and free-spirited approach to music. Established in 2018 & led by Uudee himself who is a vital figure in Mongolia’s modern music & fashion scene, spearheads their open-minded and daring sound dubbed as Nowstalgia. An experimental band that experiments with genres & sonic textures to their will.. thus post-genre if you will.
Laurence O’s journey in music has seen many chapters, from his early success with the psychedelic rock band Hypnosis, to his wild live performances with The Sonic Jewels, and now with his latest project, Laurence O ‘n The Blistered Mirrors.
With his unique blend of Pop and Soul, coupled with his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, Ronzoni Hines is undoubtedly an artist to watch. His unwavering commitment to his music and his desire to connect with audiences on a deeper level sets him apart from the crowd and positions him as a rising star in the music industry. As Ronzoni continues to evolve as an artist and explore new musical horizons, one thing is certain – his passion, talent, and dedication to his craft will continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
London Town’s finest power-pop punk alt trio, Barking Poets, return with brand new single, ‘Arizona’. Get ready for a modern rock masterpiece. Arizona is the lead single to kick off Barking Poets latest era. It encapsulates all that’s best about those cheeky boys. Loud guitars …check. Catchy chorus …check. Clever lyrics…….check. Upbeat vibes….check. Recorded at Unit 13 studios in south London with acclaimed U.K. rock/indie producer Paul Tipler (Idlewild, Placebo, Reuben)
On the 8th of November 2024, Eddie Cohn released his poignant original single, “Stop Waving the Gun.” This emotionally charged track delves into the artist’s frustration with the pervasive gun culture in America. Recorded in Los Angeles with remote contributions from Seattle, the song features a fusion of organic elements like drums, bass, and guitar. With a powerful message advocating for empathy and a deeper understanding of human life, “Stop Waving the Gun” offers a raw and thought-provoking perspective on the societal issues that plague our world today.
Branson Anderson’s music takes on major influences from Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and the White Stripes to bring the public something pleasantly unique. Based out of Salt Lake City and originally from Logandale, Nevada, he recently quit his truck driving/mechanic job to pursue music full time.
Andy Hanson is an Americana singer-songwriter from Eau Claire, WI who writes real songs for a reeling world. The music Andy is inspired to write walks a fine line between melancholy and empathy, all the while emphasizing fierce originality. Throughout all aspects of his writing and performing, Andy Hanson embodies the belief that life is hard but music can help.
As a mum who fuses home educating her son and an active passionate singer-songwriter, Blenko, aka Rebecca Simmonds, marks a notable presence in the modern digital age of the music industry. Formerly the frontwoman of Anna’s Bones, Blenko is set to release her own unique eclectic blend of emotions and experiences with the debut EP, Rebecca, this November.
J. Radøy, aka Papa J, the main producer and beats architect, lays the foundational grooves, setting the stage for M. Hovden, aka Tidal Water, who co-produces, writes, and delivers the lyrics. One of the upcoming singles, “Papa J’s Digital Stereo Noise,” serves as Hovden’s humble ode to Papa J’s unique musical approach and the dynamic synergy of our duo. Together, they infuse each track with a distinct identity. Jim Lehner from Tristeza & Tidal Water contributes live drum elements to some tracks and has composed and produced the synth track “Miami.”
West coast psychedelic rock outfit Tombstones In Their Eyes presents their new single ‘In Your Eyes’, the final single from their Asylum Harbour album, out November 19 via Kitten Robot Records, an album that pulls past the pain, numbness and chaos reflected on their previous album Sea of Sorrow.
Liverpool-based The Wood presents their debut single ‘Thornside Walk’, a song of hope, redemption and eventual triumph, and the second taste of the duo’s debut Days album, out on November 22 via Riverdream Records.
Judas Goat and the Bellwether is the love child of Pete Vincent, a multi-instrumentalist from Yeovil and Sara Vian, a singer/songwriter from Frome; described as indie-rock alchemy, transforming leaden woes into sonic gold with sweet, melancholic riffs, moody basslines & powerful, nuanced vocal performances with luscious harmonies.
London-based four-piece blending industrial, goth rock, shoegaze, and post-punk to create heavy, dreamy soundscapes, woven through with introspective lyrics which explore the darker side of human nature. Each member comes from a different country with their own background and musical projects – they found their common playground in The Silent Era by drenching instruments in distortion and reverb and exploring various aspects of alt rock.
Citizens of YEAH! are actually a citizen of Newcastle upon Tyne (U.K.) The citizen was active in the Peterborough music scene in the late 90s , but lockdown revived a dormant passion for writing, recording, and producing music.
“After my last album Tiny Injuries was released in 2023, I could feel myself slowly emerging from the dark cave of grief. Some days I would feel more positive and excited about things, but then other days I would take ten steps back and be right back there. I desperately want to change, to feel okay, and there is also a side of me that wants to hold onto the sadness. Sometimes holding onto the sadness of loss is the only thing that keeps that person around, and I struggle with the fear of forgetting them. All the songs on _Good Times for a Change”_feel like meditations on being somewhere in between the willingness to let go, and the desire to hold on… a time capsule of the internal dialogue I have with myself everyday.”
Mark Montijo began playing original material in clubs and festivals in the mid-1960s. During an era when folk music was melding with topical rock and roll, his influences included then-unknown singer/songwriters like Jackson Browne, Tom Waits, and JD Souther, who played the same West Coast listening clubs that he did at the time. Mark performed both as a solo artist and with bands before leaving the music scene to do other stuff.
The new single from Rocky Bottom, “Scary Movies” is a love letter to horror movies and how they can be compared to everyday life. It comes via the Nashville-based artist’s upcoming full-length album.
With their latest ep Dark Passengers, King In Yellow’s music is a testament to their journey of self-discovery and sonic exploration. The EP draws inspiration from influences like The Smiths, Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, and more, delving into themes of alienation and loss. Tracks like “Lucid Dream” pay homage to ’80s new wave and horror, while the title track “Dark Passengers” meditates on feelings of depression and grief. With upcoming shows in Binghamton, NYC, and Hudson, King In Yellow invites listeners on an exhilarating sonic adventure, promising an innovative and soul-stirring musical experience.
After 17 electric singles and 3 high voltage EP releases, Electric High’s first fully charged album is finally here! Colorful White Lies is out Friday, September 27th. Available on LP, CD and streaming, through Apollon Records.
Born to loving and caring parents of Yemen ancestry, Doron Karavani was raised during childhood years in Israel. As of pacifist nature, he made a decision not to join the I.D.F., left for India at the early age of 17, and as a free bird, fell in love with traveling, exploring, associating, and making friends with people of all nations.