Showing posts with label strongboi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strongboi. Show all posts

Sunday, 2 August 2026

strongboi - Argonaut - Cassandra Coleman - Stephen Wilson Jr.

Photo - Dragos Chiriac
strongboi - think twice.

strongboi signals a fresh new era with ‘think twice’. "think twice is our playful first offering of our 2nd album, inviting people into the world of our favorite body of work yet."

Out now, ‘think twice’ is a hazy neo-psych jewel that taps into summer’s warmest energy. It offers the world a micro melodic mission statement. “We just want the music to be front and centre and for that to be all we can offer.’ strongboi share.

Charming and upbeat it’s only when you peel back the layers that you hear the vulnerability in not knowing where you stand. Meticulous layers of instrumentation and heavenly harmonies are peppered with strongboi’s unmistakable, signature seasoning that continues to put them on the map. ‘think twice’ is strongboi’s first single of 2026, however, as always they have been busy behind the scenes.


============================================================================

Argonaut - Hats Off (Extended Mix).

Fun, funky and fabulously 80s-influenced, Argonaut have just released their latest video single, Hats Off, filmed and produced by Dave Meyer. The single is taken from their new album, Interrupted, that despite the upbeat single in contrast plunges into the past year’s abyss, documenting breakdown, burnout, dementia and depression, alongside nostalgia, hope and healing.

"Hats off is the sound of the summer past and present, memories bought back by looking at old photos from when I was younger,” explains lead vocalist Lorna.  “I found a hat in a charity shop which reminded me of one I wore in a picture from when I was 15. Around this time, I also took a photography course, so I incorporated the camera and darkroom imagery into the lyrics. The synth sounds and bass are influenced by 80s bands such as Japan, Duran Duran, INXS, Human League - which worked well with the words."

With previous support from BBC 6 Music, NME, Radio X and as far as KALX, USA and ICRT, Taiwan, Argonaut brings new vibes to the new record, leaning into sounds of the eighties alongside syncopated bass, fuzzed up guitars and heartfelt harmonies.


============================================================================

Photo - Sophia Matinazad
Cassandra Coleman - Joan of Arc.

Emerging singer/songwriter Cassandra Coleman has released her new single “Joan of Arc,” available everywhere today through Warner Records. The new track arrives in the midst of a breakout summer for Coleman, who has quickly established herself as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices, hailed for her “immense talent” (Paste) and “an artist who refuses to be defined by any one thing” (Rolling Stone). With an ethereal opening that builds towards an epic conclusion, “Joan of Arc” flips the traditional heroic narrative with a perspective on the person left on the sidelines, forced to become a bystander and occupy the quiet, empty spaces in the wake of ambition and desire.

“‘Joan of Arc’ is the story of the one who stays behind — the one whose love is not enough to keep the person they love from going off on whatever grand adventure they must face alone,” stated Coleman. “It’s a story of grief and sadness at losing someone to a cause greater than yourself.”

“Joan of Arc” follows Coleman’s previous single “Maggie,” a wistful reflection on friendships lost by time and change. Upon its release, she performed a stunning rendition of the song for her television debut on The Kelly Clarkson Show. She also recently released the “ethereal…haunting” (Melodic Magazine) “Dying Star” this spring, which finds Coleman with eyes on the horizon as she envisions a prescient visit with her future self.

After closing out a European run of tour dates earlier this month, including a performance in front of her biggest audience to date at London’s Hyde Park opening for Mumford & Sons as well as select dates with Angus & Julia Stone, Coleman will perform this fall at Oceans Calling Festival in September followed by Austin City Limits in October.

============================================================================

Stephen Wilson Jr. - Hardwired (feat. Miranda Lambert).

Indiana-born, Nashville-based rising star Stephen Wilson Jr. just released his new single “Hardwired” featuring Miranda Lambert. Co-written by Wilson Jr., Jesse Frasure, Adam Hood, and Miranda Lambert, “Hardwired” is a vivid portrait of working-class perseverance that culminates in a stunning interpolation of The Pixies iconic song “Where Is My Mind?”. The song was released alongside a hypnotic and hair-raising visualizer directed by Jace Kartye.

“Hardwired” is anchored by Wilson Jr.’s signature gut string acoustic guitar playing that has earned him recognition from Guitar World and Premier Guitar, who recently featured him in a six-page print feature in their August 2026 issue.

“Hardwired” follows last month’s release of “Gary” (Live From CMA Fest 2026) and his most recent single “Preacher’s Kid,” which was named Song You Need To Know by Rolling Stone and was featured in Billboard’s New Music Friday Guide. All Country News proclaimed, “[the] sprawling, electrifying new track that arrives as both a statement and a reminder of why Wilson remains one of the most fascinating storytellers working today.”


============================================================================

Sunday, 2 November 2025

The Mammals - John Witherspoon - strongboi - Maya Delilah

The Mammals - Touch Grass (Volume 1&2).

The Mammals make music for the moment—and the movement. Anchored in the fertile folk traditions of the Hudson Valley, this fiercely independent band blends string-band swagger with indie-folk heart and a radical spirit that feels both deeply rooted and urgently current. Co-founded by Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar (daughter of fiddle legend Jay Ungar), The Mammals emerged in the early 2000s with a mission: revive the rebel soul of Americana, and give it something real to say.

And say something, they do. Their songs straddle the personal and political, moving from love ballads and front porch reflections to rally cries for environmental justice, labor rights, and community healing. It’s protest music with hooks—think Pete Seeger meets Wilco at a modern hootenanny. Their harmonies ache, their fiddles fly, and their lyrics don’t flinch. The Mammals aren’t here for nostalgia—they’re here to make folk music matter again.

At a time when roots music can feel either too polished or too precious, The Mammals cut through with grit, grace, and a palpable sense of purpose. Whether they’re headlining a folk festival, recording in their own homegrown Humble Abode Studio, or showing up for a cause in their backyard, The Mammals carry on a living tradition: one where music doesn’t just entertain—it empowers.



============================================================================

John Witherspoon - One of Them (Album).

With human nature and stifled connection on his mind, Liverpool singer-songwriter John Witherspoon just dropped the highly anticipated third album, One of Them, this weekend. 

Meeting the high standards set by debut LP Showin’ up, Startin’ Again and subsequent record Heart in, Head Out, John Witherspoon’s latest project is both lyrically profound and thematically relevant in the face of modern culture. With One of Them, Witherspoon considers the different drawbacks of today’s technology and reflects on changing styles of communication as he takes inspiration from his own experience with phone addiction and its impact on his relationships. Feelings of disconnection carry throughout the eleven-track album, with resonant stories about everything from media and podcasts to money and painful relationships. Taking time in his writing process to create pertinent settings and characters, Witherspoon's narratives are carefully imagined. 

“Most of my writing is autobiographical, and I think One of Them offers a pretty even split of my light and dark sides, my positive and negative outlooks, my faith in humanity and my deeply cynical view of it,”  says John. “I recently told an audience that this album is about disconnection in a seemingly connected world.”

Showcasing Witherspoon’s signature blend of introspective storytelling and indie-rock sensibilities, the collection’s focus track ‘All my Venom’ explores a tumultuous relationship plagued by uncertainty and mixed emotions. The hook “I love you, but I could give you all my venom,” questions the fine line between love and hate, while the track’s instrumentation builds to emotional highs and melancholy breaks. In producing this track and others, Witherspoon experimented with fully outfitted live recordings that capture the raw energy of performance. 

“I can divide the making of this album into two contrasting chapters, that is the writing and the recording, though their timelines do overlap,” Witherspoon says of his process. “I say contrasting because while the recording was a magical team effort full of laughs and fun, the writing was all about solitude.”  

============================================================================

Photo - River Carothers
strongboi - favorite place / ep1.

Fresh off the back of a huge North American tour with Canada's finest ‘Men I Trust’, strongboi are reaching new heights and winning new hearts after playing over 31 shows this year. Brand new this weekend is ‘favorite place’, a gorgeous new offering that completes ep 1 as a heavenly bundle of infectious and innovative, genre-being tracks. Demonstrating a sound that feels truly timeless, thanks to a wild mix of influences, the EP showcases everything fans have come to adore about strongboi; swooning harmonies, slick basslines and that signature je ne sais quoi.

strongboi is a passion fueled project of long time friends & collaborators Alice & Ziv. Driven by a playful energy that lights up their live shows, the band pull out all the stops when performing. Originally this began with a super lo-fi vision of using mainly casio keyboards & toys, but today they have filled out and evolved as a full band project which lit up Village Underground at their sold out London show back in March. This dynamic setup also earned them the Anchor Award for Best Newcomer at Reeperbahn Festival last September. 

strongboi  released their self-titled debut album back in 2023 which took shape as a 7-track compendium of bouncing bangers and smooth, rolling grooves, all delivered with charming authenticity. 


============================================================================

Photo - Rae Farrow
Maya Delilah - California.

Maya Delilah has announced the Jan. 9 2026 release of an expanded digital Deluxe Edition of her debut album The Long Way Round, which adds four new tracks including the dreamy folk-pop confection “California” out a couple of days ago. The London-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist began her year by being named a 2025 Spotify “Artist To Watch” and made good on that promise with the release of her striking debut, which The Los Angeles Times called “a timeless and gorgeous introduction.”

Maya will be wrapping up her breakout year with European touring that includes headline shows, festival appearances, and opening dates with Lawrence including a hometown London show on Nov. 24 at the 02 Academy Brixton. Find more tour info at mayadelilah.com.

“This album is a combination of so many parts of me,” said Maya. “I get so influenced by different genres, people, places, and experiences that it’s always felt hard for me to fit my music into a consistent sound or mood. It took me a long time (hence The Long Way Round) to realize that it’s a beautiful thing to have a body of work that explores so many different influences.”



============================================================================

Saturday, 19 July 2025

Other Lives - Lydia Luce - The Hello Crows - strongboi

Other Lives - Show Us Some Love.

Following the announcement of their 5th studio album Volume V (out October 10 via Play It Again Sam), Other Lives come back with new song "Show Us Some Love". It’s a love song of sorts, with all the passion and complexities that a relationship contains, in this case, it’s evoked by dialogue between the Gods and man: “about why the other won’t give enough love,” lead singer Jesse says.

Other Lives is an American band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma, by multi-instrumentalists Jesse Tabish, Jonathon Mooney, and Josh Onstott. Known for their cinematic sound and orchestral arrangements, the group emerged with a distinct musical identity that blends classical influence, emotional depth, and sweeping melodies. With roots in the windswept prairies of the Midwest, they’ve built an international following through their expansive live performances and richly layered studio recordings. 

Now a five-piece band, the group includes vocalist and songwriter Kim Tabish and producer-percussionist Danny Reisch, adding new textures and creative collaboration to the fold. Across five albums, Other Lives has continued to evolve, expanding their sonic palette while staying grounded in their original spirit of experimentation and storytelling. Their music is both intimate and epic, drawing on a range of influences that span from chamber music to post-rock and modern folk. Whether on stage or in the studio, Other Lives remains dedicated to crafting immersive soundscapes that resonate deeply and endure.


============================================================================

Photo -  Katie Silvester
Lydia Luce - Mammoth.

Nashville-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lydia Luce has announced her new album Mammoth, is due out October 31st. Produced with longtime collaborator Jordan Lehning (Kacey Musgraves, Joy Oladokun, Caitlin Rose), the new record documents Luce’s triumphant journey of self-discovery and finding a sense of peace. Along with the announcement, she shares the album’s sweeping opening title track, which was inspired by her winding road back to physical health after a period of debilitating chronic pain that forced her to step away from music. Arriving with a dreamy music video filmed in the great outdoors, “Mammoth” also sets the tone for the upcoming album, which incorporates nature recordings into the soundtrack for this current chapter of tranquility.

About the new song, Luce says: “‘Mammoth’ was written with Jake Finch and Collin Pastore, two incredible producers/songwriters. I loved writing this with them, we kept the guitar parts from the day we wrote it because they are so incredible! The music video was created with Jason Lee Denton and Aliegh Shields. We hiked over 30 miles on the Rocky Mountains with my husband Ryan assisting. It was an incredibly magical time in nature with buds. Grateful that we have this time capsule of a video to remember it.”

In 2023, Luce was diagnosed with a herniated cervical disc, bilateral carpal tunnel, tennis elbow and an inflamed bone. At one point, the pain was so bad she could barely hold her instruments. She was medically advised to stop playing at the time but music is her life, quite literally, as an artist and session violinist, and she continued until the pain was so bad she finally had no choice. Surgery, plus a newfound understanding of her body, has left her in a much better place. “I had never asked for so much help,” she says. “I couldn’t open or carry anything. But now I’m happy to say I’m stable, strong and playing my instruments again.”


============================================================================

Photo - Kelly Baker
The Hello Crows - Red Flag.

Castle Records, Atlantic Canada’s only Indigenous run label, is announcing the label’s first album release from Wabanaki-based band The Hello Crows and sharing the new single “Red Flag.” 

The band's self-titled debut is set for release on September 30th, coinciding with Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Day—a fitting moment for such a resonant and heartfelt record. The album is a bold and clear take on heartland rock that centers indigenous stories and incorporates the native musical traditions of the Wabanaki band, composed of Dylan Ward, Judie Acquin, Emilio Quinn Bonnell, & Mattie Comeau.

Quote from the band on "Red Flag" - “A soulful reflection on red flags in love, this song stands as an allegory for the deep-rooted warnings, betrayals, and unresolved tensions between the Government of Canada and the Mi’kmaq Nation.”


============================================================================

Photo - Daklis
strongboi - one thing.

This week, strongboi share their latest single ‘one thing’ as they head off on tour with ‘Men I Trust’ around the US. Radiant and full of joy, the release of ‘one thing’ offers a much-needed dose of respite from the world’s darkness. Guided by Alice’s angelic vocals, the track delivers an encouraging moment of quiet self-assurance amongst the buoyant keys and joyous melodies.

The upcoming tour with Canadian indie greats ‘Men I Trust’ will be taking strongboi across North America. ‘one thing’ is the third single to be teased from strongboi’s upcoming new EP and follows on from ‘special’; a blissful offering that arrived back at the end of May. tmrw magazine described it as ‘a stand out example of strongboi's signature playful passion’ and today’s new single looks to be a stellar next step.

strongboi is a passion fueled project of long time friends & collaborators Alice & Ziv. They began with a super lo-fi vision of using mainly casio keyboards & toys, but today they have filled out and evolved as a full band project.


============================================================================

Agnes Obel - Rachel Bochner - Willem James Cowan - Oh Louise

Photo - Alex Brüel Flagstad Agnes Obel - Laymelli. Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Agnes Obel announces her new studi...