LA-based singer-songwriter Zarema unveils a powerful new chapter with her emotionally resonant remix of her single "Closure" with David Alexander, alongside an extended remix for deeper, immersive listening. The remix follows the Vic Latino remix which was released in October and paves the way for the official original version of “Closure,” which is produced by John Russell.
Originally written in the aftermath of a deeply personal loss, “Closure” was born from Zarema’s experience of losing a close family member to COVID during the earliest days of the pandemic — a time when hospital visitations were impossible and so many families were left without the chance to say goodbye. She began writing the music for the song in late 2020, completing the lyrics months later as the emotional weight of that sudden loss settled in. The result is an achingly sincere pop ballad about grief, unanswered questions, and learning to live without the comfort of closure.
“My latest song was inspired by the unexpected loss of a family member,” Zarema explains. “So many of us never had the opportunity to be there in those final moments. I began writing a song in response — to honour that feeling and, hopefully, help others feel less alone in it.” The David Alexander Remix reimagines the song through a more expansive, atmospheric lens, amplifying its emotional impact while giving it a fresh, club-ready pulse. It retains the heart of the original while opening the track up to new audiences and new emotional textures. With the Extended Remix, listeners are invited to fully sink into the mood and message of the song.
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Ker’s “Wondering on Giants” Marks the First Step Toward “Converging Paths” A reflective debut single from the Scottish songwriter introduces a thoughtful new voice preparing his first full-length album From a quiet corner of Scotland comes a project several years in the making. Ker the musical identity of producer and songwriter Barry G. K. Thomson has released “Wondering on Giants,” the first public glimpse of a forthcoming 13-track debut album titled Converging Paths. It is an understated unveiling, yet one that carries the weight of someone arriving at music later in life with conviction, care, and the unfaltering sense that this new chapter has been waiting patiently for its moment.
Ker’s story begins not in studios or rehearsal rooms, but in the long arc of influence that shaped him well before he ever picked up a guitar. A childhood stirred by the crackle of a 78rpm Elvis record, a glimpse of The Beatles on an Edinburgh airport tarmac in 1964, and the presence of artists like Hendrix, Dylan, Neil Young, and the expansive sound worlds of Yes and Pink Floyd all of these found their place in the background, remaining dormant until the time was right. That time arrived unexpectedly in 2014 in a music shop in Kalispell, Montana, where a simple decision to start learning the guitar quietly set this entire project in motion.
From there, a path unfolded. Local musicians offered guidance. Songs emerged first in the country tradition, then gradually widening toward Ker’s own interests in melody, narrative, and atmospheric sound. A garden studio was built, piano studies began, and the first outlines of an album took shape. Throughout, he maintained a songwriter’s curiosity: Why do some phrases resonate? What makes a melody linger? And how might lyrics reflect personal experience without becoming overly confessional? Converging Paths is his answer to those questions, and “Wondering on Giants” serves as the opening note of that larger conversation. The single introduces listeners to Ker’s methodical yet instinctive songwriting.
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Big Stir Records - 25 For '25: The Big Stir Records Hit Machine.
Big Stir Records is proud to presents a look back at our stellar release slate from the past year: 25 For '25: The Big Stir Records Hit Machine. The title may be tongue-in-cheek, but the tunes here sum up an extraordinary year for the label, showcasing tracks from 11 full-length albums and a handful of superb standalone singles, compilation highlights and much more.
It was a watershed year for Big Stir Records and our partners at Spyder Pop Records: between the two imprints, we fielded new records from no fewer than four bonafide Power Pop Hall Of Fame inductees (20/20, SPLITSVILLE, THE SPONGETONES and THE FLASHCUBES), brought fans the final album from genre progenitors SORROWS, and welcomed LA scene hero and former Brian Wilson bandmate NELSON BRAGG to the family. There were international indie pop dispatches from Finland (THE BABLERS) and the UK (THE GOLD NEEDLES) and acclaimed new records from CHRIS CHURCH of North Carolina and Detroit's CROSSWORD SMILES.
And we brought legendary psychedelic rock pioneers STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK to the label with a new single and the promise of a full album in 2026.
There were more signs of things to come, with singles from THE LEGAL MATTERS, THE JACK RUBIES and THE CORNER LAUGHERS (all on deck with full-length releases in the coming year) and roster mainstays like the legendary GRAHAM PARKER, sparkle*jets u.k., THE ARMOIRES, LIBRARIANS WITH HICKEYS and more.
You'll find them all, along with a few surprises, in our look back at the tracks you loved – and some you may have missed! – on this collection of contenders for anyone's Best Of 2025 lists.
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UK dark-electro duo, Palindrones has just unveiled their double A-Side release containing the tracks, "Abraxas" & "The Brightling Star" as well as a new video for "The Brightling Star". Palindrones is an emotionally immersive, captivating, dark electronic duo from South London. They take listeners on a shimmering and cathartic sonic journey with dreamy industrial synthpop, infused with pounding rhythms, haunting, evocative vocals and esoteric ambiance.
"Abraxas", taken from Palindrones’ third album Chapter Two: The Slender Blade, conjures a space where chaos and harmony intertwine: brutal, distorted breakcore rhythms crash and convulse beneath a weaving, joyful melody. The result is both blissful and violent. "Abraxas" itself represents a duality: the sacred and the profane, the serene and the savage. In its volatile balance, the track captures the space between ecstasy and annihilation, where contradiction becomes transcendence.
"The Brightling Star", a brand new companion piece to "Abraxas", continues this theme of unity and connection but rises from a dark and fiery chaos to bring resolution and renewal. The music grows gradually, until all elements converge in a crescendo of pulsing trance. The song’s central truth is that individuality and unity can coexist in a shared heartbeat. "The Brightling Star" is an anthem of hope, redemption, and the transcendence that emerges when forces align in perfect, radiant balance.
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Nashville based Too Hot for Leather this week announce their Superhero Tour 2026, including a performance at NAMM 2026. They are a dynamic rock band hailing from Nashville, blending the raw energy of classic rock with modern influences to create a sound that's as electrifying as it is unique. Known for their high-octane performances, the band captures the essence of 70s and 80s rock with powerful vocals, soaring guitar solos, and a rebellious spirit. Drawing from influences like Paramore, Guns N Roses, and Muse, Too Hot For Leather has quickly earned a reputation in Nashville's thriving music scene.
Formed by a group of seasoned musicians who share a passion for rock's golden era, the band's chemistry on stage is undeniable. Their live shows are a spectacle of tight musicianship, flashy stage presence, and pure rock 'n' roll attitude. With a growing fanbase and a commitment to keeping the heart of rock alive, Too Hot For Leather is making waves beyond Nashville, captivating audiences wherever they play.
The band tell Beehive Candy - "We are starting 2026 off strong! We head to the west coast to perform at NAMM 2026 and then we are hitting the road back east! This is our first major tour, revisiting cities like Cincinnati, Charlotte and Atlanta, while playing for our very first time in cities like Cleveland, Louisville, and Birmingham. We can’t wait to see our fans in these cities and meet new ones! We have one more thing that we are very excited about, but we can’t quite tell you about it yet. Stay tuned!"
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Dwight + Nicole, based in Burlington, Vermont, traces its musical roots through the blues, soul, and R&B traditions by exploring the spaces between these genres, connecting them with themes found in dream pop and alternative rock. Dwight Ritscher’s warm, soulful tenor would be the envy of many bands, but it is Nicole Nelson’s four-octave vocal range that wowed a national audience during season three of NBC’s “The Voice.”
Dwight, the band’s principal songwriter and guitarist, first started performing live as a child with his grandfather, and it wasn’t long before players were sneaking him into blues clubs around Monmouth Park, New Jersey to man the tubs. Nicole, also a major songwriter for the band, plays bass, her first love was the musical theater, but she also explored musical expression through flute and violin.
Dwight started his first bands while in college in Burlington, and, after graduation, he relocated to Boston where he further developed his craft on stages throughout New England. Meanwhile, Nicole was being recognized as a standout jazz vocalist throughout Boston. Their paths crossed around town, and they discovered they shared an obsession with the soul and blues greats like the Staple Singers, Albert King, and Etta James. As a result, it wasn’t long before Ritscher and Nelson formed a duo.
Dwight + Nicole, the duo, began with Dwight on electric guitar and Nicole on tambourine, with both stomping their feet for the beat and singing in harmony. The couple later moved to Vermont, where they met and joined forces with powerhouse drummer Ezra Oklan and keyboard wizard Leon Campos, thus completing the band. They have toured throughout North America with Mavis Staples, Melissa Etheridge, and Norah Jones, among others, as well as performing as headliners.
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