Showing posts with label Maya’s Radio Orchestra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maya’s Radio Orchestra. Show all posts

Saturday, 14 June 2025

heddlu - Chorus of Courage feat. Mèr - Maya’s Radio Orchestra - Ryan Dunn

heddlu - Wish You Were Her.

The Welsh Electronic & Indie Artist 'heddlu' has a new single 'Wish You Were Her' out this week via Zawn Records. Heddlu is the new musical project by Rhodri Daniel. The Ceredigion native was a founding member of renowned Welsh band Estrons who had a major impact on the industry having gained rave reviews from the likes of NME, Vice, DIY and Clash to BBC Radio, Radio X, Ultimate Guitar, The Guardian and Independent.

After finishing the band in 2019, Rhodri became aware that his hearing was severely damaged. Years of touring the live circuit had taken their toll, Rhodri ultimately being diagnosed with hearing loss, tinnitus and severe sensitivity to noise. The effects were so acute, Rhodri was unable to play live music, leading to him composing his critically acclaimed debut album (Cantref, 2022) in his head whilst completing the entirety of the Wales Coastal Path (900 miles). His family and namely his sister, were great sources of comfort and hope during this difficult period. Serendipity led Rhodri back to music, and heddlu was born. Meaning ‘Police’ in Welsh, from the words ‘peace-force’, heddlu's music has been true to its’ name, offering a force of peace to the songwriter.

Rhodri spent the next few years writing and experimenting with new sounds and instruments as his hearing slowly recovered. Whilst writing and recording his 2nd album, life found a way of both disrupting and influencing the creative process, leading to multiple re-writes and an entire album being erased. Eventually, despite the interruptions, heddlu’s 2nd album, ‘Tramor’ - was completed. Meaning ‘Overseas’ in Welsh, ‘Tramor’ is series of intimate and volatile songs, detailing years of loss, estrangement, trauma and hope. 

“Wish You Were Her”, is the 2nd single from heddlu’s 2nd album ‘Tramor’, it is a raw emotionally charged track that pleads for someone close to grow into a better version of themselves—driven by equal parts frustration and love. Both confrontational and compassionate, it’s a self-aware lament that blurs the line between calling someone out and looking inward, capturing the messy beauty of caring deeply and hurting honestly.

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Chorus of Courage feat. Mèr - Let's Fight. 

Chorus of Courage and singer-songwriters Mèr (Cindy Doire and Sarah Burton) unveil “Let’s Fight,” a powerful new single that confronts the emotional trauma of narcissistic abuse and the difficult journey toward self-liberation. With unflinching honesty and a calm, cinematic soundscape, the track captures the moment of finally breaking free from manipulation, gaslighting, and cycles of harm — and the quiet strength it takes to say “I’m done.”

Chorus of Courage, a collective rooted in amplifying the voices of survivors of violence provides a home for Mèr’s new song, which resonates as both an act of personal healing and a statement of solidarity for others navigating similar experiences.

Written from the aftermath of emotional abuse, “Let’s Fight” challenges the futility and toll of toxic relational dynamics. “Have you ever had a friend or lover who always wanted to pick a fight? It’s an exhausting cycle of manipulation and hurt,” states Burton. “‘Let’s Fight’ is meant with irony and calm, as if to say, ‘I won’t fight anymore.’”

Though its title may suggest conflict, the song’s intention is the opposite. It’s about reclaiming peace.

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Photo - Laura Meek
Maya’s Radio Orchestra - Garden Variety. 

Glasgow-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Maya’s Radio Orchestra returns with her emotionally intimate and rhythmically immediate, genre-blurring new single ‘Garden Variety’. A harpist, fiddler, vocalist, and string arranger, Maya combines classical instrumentation with modern pop textures to striking effect. In ‘Garden Variety’, disco-inspired strings, layered harp, and urgent percussion underpin lyrics that examine the often-blurry line between compassion and overreach.

“It came together after I gave someone what I thought was helpful advice — but it clearly wasn’t wanted. That made me reflect on the balance between caring for others and maintaining your own wellbeing.”

The track began life as a sparse harp-and-voice demo but transformed after a collaboration with drummer Edwin McLachlan, who brought in an unpredictable, high-energy drum part. Maya re-composed the strings in response, drawing from 70s and 80s disco orchestration. The final result is a confident blend of genres, grounded by the refrain: “You don’t like my common garden variety advice / Your rage blooms, and I’m terrified.”

Originally from a village near Cheltenham, Maya moved to Scotland to study theology — later switching to physics — before turning fully to music. She trained in clàrsach (Celtic harp) and pedal harp at Edinburgh College and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and now works as a performer, arranger, and session musician. Her music fuses traditional instruments with unexpected influences, often layering harp and fiddle over bold textures.


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Ryan Dunn - Lovin' You.

Leicester (UK) born singer-songwriter Ryan Dunn is set to make waves with the release of "Lovin' You' which is available to download and stream now. An irresistible, soul-infused floor filler that seamlessly blends vintage charm with contemporary energy.

Drawing inspiration from the golden age of 60s soul and paying homage to the Motown greats, Lovin’ You transports its timeless essence into the 2020s, delivering a fresh, dynamic sound.

Formerly the frontman of Leicester four-piece Gazelle, from which he gained a reputation as an exceptional songwriting talent, Ryan has embarked on a bold new journey, channeling his deep-rooted love for the retro sounds of the 50s and 60s into an exciting new project. But this isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a carefully crafted fusion of past and present. After months in the studio refining his signature style, Ryan emerges with a sound that captures the best of both worlds.

With Lovin’ You, Ryan Dunn is not just introducing his debut single— he’s bringing a rich musical heritage into the future with style, energy, and undeniable passion. 

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Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Maya’s Radio Orchestra - Nora Kelly Band - Blusher - Ruby Waters

Maya’s Radio Orchestra - Suntrap.

Maya’s Radio Orchestra has released the luminescent new single “Suntrap,” available on all streaming services this Wednesday, May 3rd.

"Suntrap" is a song about Maya’s uncomfortable realization that capitalism and the need for productivity are incompatible with human nature, and are having a detrimental effect on communal mental health. The song hints at dusty underground jazz bars with sweeping strings, swirling harps and honey-like vocals, with an understated piano underpinning the structure that fully supports the warm arrangement.

It’s easy jazz but with elements of classical music and triphop, a melting pot of influences coalesce supported by Maya’s masterful writing and playing of strings, harps, piano and glockenspiel. The expanded jazz band is punctuated with glittering whispers of synths from producer Lauren Gilmour whilst lazy drums reminiscent of Portishead or Zero 7 keep us in a dreamlike trance.  

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Nora Kelly Band - Lay Down Girl.

Montreal quartet, Nora Kelly Band, have returned with  their new single, “Lay Down Girl,” and announced their debut album, Rodeo Clown, which arrives August 25 via Mint Records. Rodeo Clown was written by Nora Kelly, produced by Kelly with Ethan Soil, and mixed by Pietro Amato (The Luyas/Belle Orchestre). Pre-order Rodeo Own here.

Going clown-mode runs deep in this first single and its accompanying music video. When people think “clown” they think funny, or maybe creepy, but always of that painted smile. For a song about overcoming one’s tendency to people please, a painted smile makes for the perfect metaphor. Watch the uproarious video directed by Gabie Che.

“The lyrics to this song were direct advice that I was giving to myself, to stop being a ‘Lay Down Girl’,” notes Kelly. “To stop staying put, acting sweet and putting everyone else first. Other people’s approval had been my priority for so long that over time my connection to what I liked and what I wanted had become weak. The lyrics are advice to this former self, with a chorus that chants, ‘I’ve been a fool…I’m going back to school, but this time my education’s gonna be ‘bout myself.”

"Lay Down Girl" was hatched this way in the first months of the pandemic. Like everyone else, Kelly had a lot of time for introspection and for feeling scared and lonely, realizing that she had surrounded herself with ‘cool’ people but not necessarily people who supported her, the way she supported them. "It was painful to realize but ultimately caused me to make changes in my life, including walking away from my post-punk project DISHPIT and toward my dream to play in a country band,” continues Kelly. “'Lay Down Girl’ will always be a catalyst song for the Nora Kelly Band, because in its lyrics I’m giving myself the advice to start the band before the band even existed."

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Blusher - Backbone.

Meet Blusher, the confessional Melbourne-based 3-piece who make euphoric pop music, laced with chaos, camaraderie and an unbridled gritty confidence.

Today they announce their debut EP, aptly titled Should We Go Dance? – set for release on Friday 14 July via Atlantic Records/Warner Music Australia. The news comes alongside the release of their brand new single, ‘Backbone’ - a powerful anthem about the aftermath of heartbreak - and ahead of the trio’s international debut at Brighton’s The Great Escape Festival. The trio have also been announced as special guests, joining Swedish pop powerhouse Tove Lo on her upcoming Australian headline shows having already supported Aurora earlier in the year.

Speaking on ‘Backbone’, and how it came from the whiplash and aftermath of a breakup, Blusher explain how they wanted to "sing about the way that heartbreak can strengthen and empower friendships. It’s a fiery, energetic love song to the friends who have your back through it all. Backbone is aptly named, its themes of power, confidence and deep friendship are the foundation of our band."

The new single is accompanied by the music-video-quality-visualiser which features Blusher in their alter-ego ‘choose your fighter’ personas. Speaking on the concept behind this, they explain; "when we first wrote the song, we had visions of 80s workout routines/Charlie's Angels/a “choose your fighter” moment in an anime video game.  It made us think about what our video game characters would be. We saw ourselves channelling an element in each of our verses. Miranda’s verse is powered by fire and lit by red brake lights, Jade’s, a watery moment with a tear filled champagne glass, whilst Lauren’s air bending bridge propels you to the dance floor and breathes new life into you."

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Ruby Waters - Flash Flood.

Today, JUNO Award-nominated, indie/alternative rock artist Ruby Waters has dropped her newest single “Flash Flood” via Wet Records. Waters continues to push the envelope with her heavier sound and unapologetically raw and sensuous lyrics with “Flash Flood”, remaining forthright in her convictions to being her true authentic self.

After recently selling out her 2022 North American Soaking Wet Tour, Waters is coming off her widely received US based Spring Chicken tour. This month she will head to The Great Escape festival in Brighton, UK for a handful of shows and will continue her tour into the United Kingdom.

With a 2022 JUNO Nomination for Alternative Album of the Year and two top five singles at Alternative Radio under her belt, Waters is more determined than ever to continue bringing her most authentic self to her craft with a promise of new music and exciting news coming in 2023.

Hailing from the small town of Shelburne, Ontario, Ruby Waters' journey is much like her music - eclectic, always evolving, and unfeigned. A Métis person born to two artists, music has always been a familiar presence. Since her 2022 Juno-nomination for alternative artist of the year, Waters has continued to push boundaries and blaze her own trail as one of North America’s most promising independent artists. To date, her highly acclaimed sophomore EP, If It Comes Down To It (2020), has amassed over 12 million global streams. She has also sold out headline shows across the US and Canada and plans to bring her show over to Europe and the UK for the first time in 2023.

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Ruth Lyon - Caswell - Looms - Chwaer Fawr

Photo - Valentyna Vasylevska (c)  Ruth Lyon - Poems & Non-Fiction (Album).  Ruth Lyon has just released her remarkable debut album ...