FiveSidedDice is a multi-genre music project from the coast of South Africa which was started in 2008 by Roscoe Nefdt. After eventually attaining an inclusive degree in music and music technology and after having done a year of a general diploma in music at Nelson Mandela University, the journey of FiveSidedDice remains ongoing, and the sound is ever-changing and evolving. With several full-length studio albums, as well as dozens of EP’s and singles, the music of FiveSidedDice and most other affiliated projects/artists is consistently being produced and is available for streaming/download across all major online stores.
Hard to put in a box, blending genres, Terra Tara loves to use different instruments to express her innate creativity! She plays guitar, mandolin, piano and all types of percussion. Having travelled the world with her guitar, she switched to mandolin because it was easier to carry while on the road, busking on the streets with her unique sound. On her travels, she learned many traditional melodies of Eastern European, Middle Eastern, Indian, Irish, Gypsy and Reggae that she implements in her music today.
Bad Guru is a dynamic genre-spanning rock band known for channelling life’s extremes into a sound that balances chaos and order. Other gurus will tell you to live in moderation. To refrain from forming attachments. To separate oneself from emotional whims. Bad Guru says to live in excess. To love one another and boldly love thyself. To really feel it all, in all its depth and intricacy. To feed the dark alongside the light. You’ll feel the pull of chaos and order, of dark and of light. Life isn’t simple, and their music reflects that.
Starlight Alice draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of country music history, yet infuses their sound with a modern twist. Their journey began in the UK, where they honed their craft and developed a signature style. As individual artists they have combined Spotify plays of over 30million.
Marky Wildtype is an Edinburgh-based songwriter/musician/producer who has been plying his trade and honing his craft under various guises for many years. Most recently, he has been providing the buzzsaw guitar backbone of the vibrant heavy-rock-meets-trad instrumental alt-folk band The Jig Show. If Destroyed Still True bold, confident affair. The songwriting has more depth and exploration, as does the instrumentation and production, while still keeping a strong focus on hooks, harmonies and memorable melody. At the same time, the subject matter is often deeply emotional, exploring the consequences of a tumultuous few years.
An Gof are a Penzance post-punk band. They play fiercely independent original music. Uniquely DIY in their ethos and deeply rooted in their sense of place. All the while remaining acutely aware of their own irrelevance.Their sound is heavily subsidised by menial office work and poorly paid labour – playing live shows rarely due to a distinct lack of interest in their art, alongside the cessation of European funding and an aversion to social media platforms.
With an aim to create works that are timeless in a new sense, incorporating elements of the contemporary and the modern, and earthy and the electronic, ZOE from Earth has created a world where we are all invited and welcome as our truest self.
This is an old school rock album. It’s 80’s and 70’s, it’s loud guitar and melody. It’s written about growing up in Florida. How isolated it felt. How hopeless it feels sometimes. It’s about death and hope. It doesn’t really fit in with other music. It wasn’t made to be popular.
After an intensive 6-month World Tour through the pubs and shady bars of New York, Amsterdam and Zurich, Urban Walrus found its way back to the recording studio and presents its new masterpiece, which undoubtedly has number-one written all over it.
From Nancy Sinatra to Amy Winehouse to Olivia Rodrigo, there’s a long tradition of empowering breakup songs in pop music. With “Party For One,” Long Island-via-Brooklyn singer-songwriter Leanne Gallati once again puts her stamp on the form with an unforgettable sense of flair. Where other artists often focus on the despair and longing that can grip us in the aftermath of a relationship, Gallati is having none of it.
At just 22 years old, Hans Halstead is a perceptive, powerful songwriter, with a maturity that appears almost beyond his age. A true storyteller at heart, Hans reimagines modern Country in the backdrop of traditional storytelling. Exploring the passage of time, a feeling of yearning for past relationships, and a detailed understanding that only comes through painful experiences, Hans embodies the North: tough-minded, hardworking, but irresistibly charming.
Chris Murphy is a musician with a distinct talent, his ability to nurture and maintain a multitude of musical identities that includes being a singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and producer. Even more daunting is his chameleon-like music persona that embodies a wide range of musical styles and influences from jazz, blues, country, classical, ethnic and electronic, resulting in a distinct original and powerful voice. He is that rare breed of musician that creates and performs in a wide range of musical worlds with ease.
Available in exclusive gold vinyl via Green Noise Records, L.A. Drugz is back during these uncertain times not to join in with the chorus of civil unrest but to melodically harmonize with gleeful indifference. Song titles such as Ooh Ooh Ooh and On The Street boldly remind you just what you’re getting here and L.A. Drugz sound like a harder backing group for The Shangri-Las but with the necessary stimulants required to charge ahead to more Punk tempos.
Across three distinct mixes, the “Song for George Harrison” single is one of a series of original song tributes Gareth Koch is writing this year. The project is a set of dedications to influential artists of the modern era. With “George” the Tasmanian multi-instrumentalist brings his usual virtuoso A-game.
Emerging Singer/songwriter Calliope Wren presents “Fading”, now available on Spotify and all the major music services. Calliope Wren’s latest single, “Fading,” is about letting go of control, submission to the universe. The lonely, uncomfortable, blissful journey of oneself. With “Fading,” Calliope Wren once again demonstrates her ability to translate deep, personal experiences into relatable and evocative music, solidifying her place as a rising star in the music industry.
“hope u feel ok” by Rob Eberle is a deeply emotional reflection on a past relationship that was torn apart by circumstances beyond their control. With its infectious melodies, nostalgic 80s vibe, and poignant lyricism, this track is the perfect anthem for those late-night drives down the 405 with the windows down, lost in thought.
Hearse Pileup is but one of the remaining living corpses that roam the wastelands of London, supposedly a major cradle of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s un-living heart, if you like. Between homogenised ashen Starbucks and Westfields you can possibly find them if you look hard enough, in one of the surviving toilet venues or squatted spaces.
80s hits are transformed on the album Orchestral Eighties – releasing internationally 19/07/24. The 14-track project compiles together music legends of the decade, including Rick Springfield, A Flock of Seagulls, and Cutting Crew to name a few, with a full orchestra that brings together fan favourites as they’ve never been heard before.
Get ready to immerse your audience in a mesmerizing sonic experience with Mannequin Deposit, the debut album by shoegaze post-punk mavens, The House Flies. With eight tracks blending dreamy pop melodies and dark, grungy goth influences, this album promises an unforgettable journey. From ethereal ambiance to raw intensity, The House Flies deliver a consistent tone while exploring diverse styles
An invitation to hedonism and all the pleasure and pain that it may entail or a warning thereof, we can’t quite figure out, can you? What’s obvious though with the fifth single by singer-songwriter Tom Minor, is that although his evident attempt at an Iggy Pop impersonation on the choruses may fall a tad short of being convincingly ‘Midwestern’, the Islington indie iconoclast manages to come into his own again, creating a unique sound we’ve come to expect from him and bringing us yet another new aspect of his evolving artistry.
London blends his usual swinging take on Jewish folk melodies with impressions from adventure jazz figures.
“Glittering Oblivion” is a guitarchitechtured shimmering of post-punk nostalgia; as if the Jesus and Mary Chain collaborated with 90125-era Yes, with Steve Lillywhite twisting the nobs.
Hailing from the drunken, sunken city of New Orleans, LA, McCloud has been playing their unique brand of melodic rock since their days attending LSU in the early aughts, when they would try to sneak in an original song or two in between Creed and Fuel covers at various bars around campus. Fast forward 20 years, wives, kids, and careers, and you will find a kinder, gentler, wiser McCloud.
If you like Ladytron, Death in Vegas, The Normal, you’ll love this. “Dial” is the first single from a forthcoming full-length from Darling Black music that is steeped in these electronic sensibilities, aiming to make you groove and dance in your vinyl & lace
Dick Aven is a saxophonist, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist originally from Birmingham, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa from 1983 through 1987 on full scholarship. There he played saxophone in the jazz band under legendary director Steve Sample.
Spitbite is a band dedicated equally to big sound and impactful song craft. Their debut single, “Final Form,” was inspired by a personal friend of the band who went through a physical evolution that has resulted in the appearance of their true self, in which they truly feel themselves.
John Guidroz is a Louisiana-based singer/songwriter who blends elements of folk, pop, rock and other genres to create a sound that is truly his own. His new album, Another Shot, is set for release May 17, 2024. Three singles — “Another Shot”, “Running”, and “Jukebox”, were released earlier this year.
Chris Murphy is a musician with a distinct talent, his ability to nurture and maintain a multitude of musical identities that includes being a singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and producer. Even more daunting is his chameleon-like music persona that embodies a wide range of musical styles and influences from jazz, blues, country, classical, ethnic and electronic, resulting in a distinct original and powerful voice. He is that rare breed of musician that creates and performs in a wide range of musical worlds with ease.
With such a solid band with whom to collaborate, Escreet can’t help but bring his triple-A game.
Carniwhore is a band based in Stoke on Trent, UK. The band consists of unique members including The FreakShow, I-Mad dog, Ex Al, Scarecrow, Babydoll, The Captain, and Smidsy the Clown. Carniwhore is dedicated to bringing a new edge to unsigned music. Their unique selling point is ‘The Freakshow’.
Colorado-based folk artist Brian Mathew is set to release his latest single, “Old Flames,” on June 28th. This charming and reflective tune delves into the wistful memories of past loves, bringing a fresh yet traditional folk sound to the forefront of his music.
Max Norton is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. Songs of hope, change, and having a good time are the central themes of his work. Max wrote, recorded, produced, and played every instrument on the songs that make up his debut EP, Each One Is A Movie. Drums will always be the anchor to his songs along with lyrics that transport the listener to a timeless place. Max grew up in Tampa, Nashville, and now resides in London.
Do you ever feel your life is like an extra in someone else’s film? Is the real action somewhere else? Are you therefore on the edge of things and not front and centre? The second single from Matt Saxton’s new album is a quirky upbeat song exploring this universal feeling. Drum loops move the song along and the brass and saxophone stabs give it a bit of an 80’s vibe. Look out for my little saxophone solo at the end!
Having built a cult following after being included on Stereogum’s albums of note for their Son EP as well as their DIY tour to Japan/USA in 2024, Icarus Phoenix is preparing to release their fourth studio album in August 2024.
A true artist and songwriter world-renowned for his prolific, heartfelt alt-rock love songs, Stephen has released ten albums to date, with his eleventh on the way. His body of work was culled from a lifetime of experiences, including those as an engineer, a Hollywood actor, a custom builder, and a TV host. Though Stephen lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, his family hails from New Orleans and New York. His Italian grandfather was a multi-instrumentalist during the roaring 20s and an aunt on the French side of his family was a fabulous blues singer. His music was influenced by great rock and punk bands heard throughout the mid-Atlantic in his 20s and 30s, as well as by a good friend — a Beatles fan — who introduced him to his first chords on an acoustic guitar at age 16. Stephen currently writes all of his music and performs in the Charlottesville, Virginia, area.
“This americana/folk rock song is narrated by a man with a young family dealing with crippling debt. There are moments of hope, but it’s quickly taken away… a subject most of us can relate to. I’ve been told the song has Tom Petty vibes. My last single was featured across Canada on all Corus rock stations as the Undiscovered Gem of the Week! Sonically, this song just feels good, lyrically it resonates with all.”
“Deluge” is a short melancholic song that blends a soft guitar riff with beautiful lyrics, and a soft piano gently playing countermelodies.
South East London Post-Punk/Alt-Rock 4 piece. With their debut album released 2023, The Bloodstreams are a full blown songwriting ensemble with a trio of vocals from Jasmine (Keys), James (Lead guitar) and Danny (Bass) on the front line, blaring an energetic melodious layer of dark whitty word-smithery alongside a cacophony of piano synth, guitar noise and ferocious drumming by Nico, which has earned them a badge of unorthodox, unpredictable range stretching across decades of rock n roll, punk, funk and prog.
After the ballad ‘One life’ Harry Kappen thinks it’s time for a more uptempo song. It became a rocksong with a lot of acoustic and electric guitars. ‘Cool Cown’ is an urgent appeal to humanity to slow down and contemplate. Realize what’s real important for you and the people around you.
Bay Area music veteran Izzy The Gent has been producing alternative new wave post punk out of East Oakland. His current project Everything But The Everything started as a one-man band before becoming a studio collaborative. Performing live was the next step.
When performing live: Everything But The Everything longtime collaborators, vocalists Sophia Prise and Tobias Hawkins front the band while guitarist Ian Dowd (Fire In The Hamptons), drummer Chad Roxxit (The Hot Takes, Chad and Scott) and Izzy handle the rest.
Canadian indie folk trio Wild Remedy presents their debut Songs From Home EP and the video for ‘Wild Remedy’, created and animated by: Jordan Van Der Linden. This is an honest collection about the realities of growing up and becoming, all set to dance-worthy rhythms and unforgettable melodies. Making music that radiates like a beacon of hope, this all-female trio of Ottawa-born musicians’ music is rooted in a love for chilling harmonies and all things folk.
London-based indie electronic artist Rodney Cromwell presents his new Exercise Class EP, released on June 14 via Happy Robots Records. As with all output from this retro-futuristic songsmith, Cromwell’s new output is just as fitting for the indie-disco dancefloor as a sweaty exercise studio. The title track is a case in point, with its fun video, animated and directed by Martin J Langthorne.
Formed in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire in 1996, History of Guns8 became frontrunners of the UK’s *Wasp Factory / FuturePunk scene of the early 2000s and their 2004 single ‘Your Obedient Servant’ was ultimately championed by The Quietus and Mick Mercer as one of the “thirty best goth singles of all time”. The band went on hiatus in 2012, returning with the album Forever Dying In Your Eyes in 2022. They then set about finishing an electronic project they’d begun in 2008.
Edinburgh-based folk-rock troubadour Boulder Fields has released his debut album With All The Other Ghosts via Scottish indie imprint Let There Be Numbers. With a career spanning decades, he has mastered the art of blending folk, Americana and indie rock. The result? An engaging, stirring musical tapestry.
Brooklyn post-punk outfit Clone presents their debut CL. 1 album, just in time for the summer solstice. Released via Portland label Little Cloud Records and North Carolina’s 5BC Records, this is an album born from a seemingly lost wellspring of shared imagination and a youthful transformative power.
Americana / southern rock stalwart JC Miller presents his new single ‘Before Nightfall’, released via American indie imprint Tilt Records. The Detroit-born guitarist and songwriter, now based in Southern California, has always been a searcher, long driven and inspired by vintage Americana. On this new offering, he explores the atmosphere and mood of history in a tremendously catchy track.
Dick Aven is a saxophonist, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist originally from Birmingham, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa from 1983 through 1987 on full scholarship. There he played saxophone in the jazz band under legendary director Steve Sample.
Sun Way Street is an international duo consisting of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist . Their first 3 song EP was released in September 2023.
“Hollow” is a ballad revolving around indifference towards the tragedies of war if they are not relatable personally. Verses pose philosophical questions as to why we became hollow and indifferent, while choruses emphasize on hope and resolution. Meaningful, profound lyrics throughout the song and added instrumentation highlighted by a violin create bitter yet hopeful soundtrack to self-reflection, becoming akin to therapy.
Anacy has landed many Spotify editorials, including the cover of the Pop SA Today in Africa playlist and Fresh Hits. Her song has currently been number one on GAQ Radio’s Top 10 chart for two weeks and is also at number nine on the KC Radio Top 10, dominating radio and streaming platforms.