Dark pop outfit Radclyffe Hall have released the second single, “OMG”, off their forthcoming full-length debut. Following up to their premiere single “Dare to Dream,” “OMG” exhibits Radclyffe Hall’s continued exploration of dark pop, both in music and lyrics.
“OMG” is musically reminiscent of 2013 breakout Lorde, characterized by a strikingly heavy, dark and open ambience enhanced by frontwoman Dhy Berry’s vocal harmonies that echo in cavernous waves.
Earmilk describes “OMG” as having a dark pop feel with “menacing and synthy 80’s stylings,” noting, “Because some people are always leaving, whether physically or within their own minds, and when you realize it that is the “OMG” moment that you dread and a feeling you can’t shake.”
“Frontman Dylan Von Wagner has a voice that wavers between uncertainty and rock ‘n’ roll confidence, and he’s one of the few modern-day vocalists I have a hard time comparing to anyone else.” – USA Today’s Pop Candy
“Imaginary People’s lead vocalist, Dylan Von Wagner, has the kind of voice you don’t hear much anymore: there’s a vibrato to it, and an occasional yelp, and a good-natured snarl, all of which might put the listener in mind of Elvis or Jerry Lee Lewis.”–Interview Magazine
“Sounding like Eddie Veddar and Tiny Tim Harmonizing in a meat cooler, Dylan Von Wagner’s shivering warble grabs you straightaway.”–Rolling Stone
“Von Wagner is a commanding presence, expressive and elegantly bombastic”–Pitchfork
“…as much of a throwback as it is a dance party-starter.”–Nylon
The world we see in Imaginary People’s video for “Miles” is an honest day in New York City, but somehow slightly more fanciful. Perhaps it’s the carefully constructed cinematography, the 80’s boom box perched nostalgically on a shoulder or the radical and unapologetic dancing. As the main character leads us from symmetric backgrounds to a pulsing dance floor, we see how many ways this song can be boogied to.
Imaginary People have created a pure, unadulterated sound, utilizing Dylan Von Wagner’s surprisingly unique vocals, as well as a dance-happy synth and pulsing drums throughout. This track creates a vibe that could easily apply to a sweaty strobe lit dance floor or playing pool in a dimly lit pub. Half blues, half punk, half something completely their own, this video is a perfect match for a sound is as unique as this guy’s dance moves.
With his magnetic presence, it’s difficult to divert your eyes from dancer Menelik Puryear. Von Wagner explains to Pop Candy, “Menelik is dead serious about dancing; he literally danced for seven hours straight and has no problem shaking it in front of anyone.”
Miles is the b-side to the equally as energetic and danceable “Fever Nation,” which premiered earlier this summer.
NYC-based jam band Jesus On The Mainline announces the release of their debut self-titled EP. Their sound is reminiscent of rock greats The Black Crowes and Janis Joplin, while simultaneously drawing influences from blues, jazz and funk classics like Stevie Wonder, Louis Armstrong and Quincy Jones. This fifteen-piece band fuses jazz, soul, bluegrass and rock for an improvisational music experience that is unique from show to show.
Lead Vocalist Andrew Neesley is an award-winning musician, who flavors this unique musical collective with his contemporary jazz background. He performed with the Grammy-nominated Bobby Sanabria Big Band, while receiving his advanced degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Jesus On The Mainline formed in 2012 in New York City and currently features a rotating cast of fifteen active members. Singers Mel Flannery, Amanda Brecker and Tim Emmerick compliment frontman Andrew Neesley’s lead vocals, while a sprawling five-piece instrumental section lead on the horns, percussion, keyboards, and guitars.
Neesley has played renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, The Apollo Theater and The Jazz Standard. He has also been awarded the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer’s Award, the Student Award for Best Engineered Studio Album for DownBeat Magazine and won the National Trumpet Competition. Jesus On The Mainline has played sold out shows at famous New York venues, such as Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge.
You can listen to the full EP stream below that Crave described as “…A rising sound that swells like a wave as it blends the spirit of Aretha Franklin into a soulful dance-romp through territories inhabited by Fitz and The Tantrums, Portugal. The Man and beyond.”
From Richmond, Virginia comes a new pop/R&B artist who is ready to share his music and message with the world. For as long as he can remember, Rayvon Owen has dreamed of a life dedicated to a music career.
Rayvon began his music career at a very young age singing in choirs, touring with gospel artists and performing in local musicals. He continued to pursue a performance career while studying Commercial Music at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. While in Music City; Rayvon began crafting his skills in writing and performing around town at popular events, venues, clubs and showcases.
Influenced by legendary artists such as Lionel Richie, John Legend, Katy Perry, and Stevie Wonder; Rayvon has developed his own voice as a powerful performer and reflective songwriter. Rayvonʼs goal is to entertain his listeners and create an immersive experience that leaves his audience inspired. Through hard work and dedication, Rayvon has a bright and promising future ahead of him.
The singer has released his latest single “Rescue.” Co-written by Ryan Key, the front man for Yellowcard, and Steve Aiello from 30 Seconds to Mars, and produced by Seth Jones, the track offers big production and bigger vocals reminiscent of Usher’s “Without You.”
The track seamlessly blends together elements of electronic, R&B, pop, and dubstep to create a pop anthem perfect for any time. Rayvon’s EP Cycles is set to release in August.
Ahead of their hotly anticipated debut album Lacuna, August 11th on House Anxiety / Marathon Artists, Childhood have released the new single “As I Am” via Stereogum who writes: “a finely honed pop song, one that grooves and shimmers under its sighing neon sheen.”
The track is taken from the London group’s debut album Lacuna, which was recorded with acclaimed producer Dan Carey at his studio in London. WithThe Guardian describing Childhood as “undeniably exciting and relevant” and Pitchfork as “an exciting young British rock band delivering their spin on luminous guitar pop”, Lacuna is looking set to be one of the albums of the summer.
Check out this remix of “Falls Away” by Jack Savidge of Friendly Fires
There’s something about Green Stone Garden’s music that remains as elusive and genuine as their home city of Darwin. A remote sensibility, mixed with urban longing. Sometimes you want to escape; sometimes you can’t believe you’ve found paradise at your doorstep. As forthcoming single “Steam” muses, “It’s like the city let go of the rain”.
Together since 2011, alt-rock band Green Stone Garden has become emblematic of the Darwin music scene. They have received critical and industry recognition with the band winning the rock category of the ‘2013 Northern Territory Song of the Year Award’ for single “The Island“ and lead singer Mike Meston winning the Folk category in 2012. The band was a finalist this year for two of their new tracks, “Steam”and “Just a Spark” (yet to be released).
Green Stone Garden have supported the likes of Boy and Bear, Cat Empire, Gomez, Jeff Martin, Husky, Dappled Cities and Big Scary, all of whom have permeated the band’s melodies, storytelling and performance, along with the far away influences of Grizzly Bear and Lou Reed.
“The Island” from North EP (released May 2013) garnered airplay around the nation including spot-play on Triple j and also reached a top ten position in the AMRAP charts. As Home and Hosed host Dom Alessio said, “What can I say? This is just an excellent song”. The band was a Triple j Unearthed spotlight artist in May 2013.
After a three-state EP tour, the band featured in the 2013 Darwin Festival. Combining their songs with members of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra and Darwin’s own Choir of Man, the band rendered a wide-screen concert experience.
This year, GSG has returned to the studio to once again work with celebrated Australian producer Steven Schram (San Cisco, Paul Kelly, Calling All Cars) in Melbourne, with mastering by Grammy nominated Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Chet Faker, Arctic Monkeys) in the US. The result is the expansive new single “Steam” – set to be released 18 August 2014 – showcasing a new sound for the band and accompanied by a second interstate tour.
SLAPTOP DJ:
7/26: Los Angeles, CA @ The Standard Downtown (stage 1-2pm)
8/2: San Francisco, @ The Independent (w/ Viceroy, Autograf)
“From ethereal bells to organic percussion, vocoded vocals to glitched out hi-hats, and even a trumpet that shreds (YES. A TRUMPET. THAT SHREDS.), it’s hard to believe this is Slaptop‘s first release.” – Kick Kick Snare
“Don’t mistake the carefree sounds for something overly simple, though, because his ability to blend together jazz, house, and pop into a well-balanced song is second to none.” – Hilly Dilly
Only three weeks ago, Slaptop’s debut track “Sunrise” came out and immediately shot to the top 5 of iTunes’ electronic charts and top 3 of the Hype Machine charts. Now, the track’s video premiered via SPIN, which called it “…influence of the electronic-funk of Daft Punk, Slaptop decorates the “Sunrise” with twinkly xylophone and super auto-tuned vocals that suggest we all “go out in the darkness and look for the sun.”
The single was revealed via This Song Is Sick, which gathered over 100,000 streams in the first 2 days.
“Mainland’s “West Coast” cover doesn’t stray far from Coconut Records’ original. It feels a little more filled out thanks in part to an electric guitar instead of an acoustic one, but the song is perfectly in tact, and it sounds as good as it did when it was released back in 2007.” – Pigeons and Planes
CATCH THE BAND LIVE playing
The Launch @ TBD Festival October 4, 2014
Sacramento, CA (line-up includes Justice, Blondie,
Fragile Creatures are a band from Brighton on a mission to restore Britain’s reputation for original guitar pop. They come equipped with an inventive songbook full of instant classics led by catchy melodies, tight harmonies, clever arrangements and great lyrics.
“Sunshine” finally paves the way for the release of this delayed début, an upbeat and appropriately summery number. Fragile Creatures plan to make the EP available as a free download through their Bandcamp page as a thank you for the patient faithful – two years is a long wait between releases!
London collective Jungle has premiered the video for latest album cut “Time”.
The “Time” video arrives a week before the release of Jungle’s highly anticipated, eponymous debut album out July 15 (14th in the UK) on XL Recordings. Identified by Rolling Stone as a “New Artist You Need To Know”, Junglehas already been described by New York Times as “a beguiling and promising introduction“, by NME as ” the pop-art album of the summer” and Time Out exclaims “the group’s steamy, grooving, creeping neo-soul tracks are something pretty special.” Jungle is available to stream in full exclusively via ITUNES.
Meanwhile the collective will return to the states this fall with a seven-piece Jungle live experience that will perform on over 20 dates across North America, in the largest set of rooms the group has played to date. The group will also make stops at Lollapalooza, Treasure Island and Corona Capital Music Festivals. See full list of dates below.
Musically Amusing 