Aura Blaze - Richard James Simpson

Aura Blaze - Open-Mindedness (E.P).

Award-winning Psychedelic Rock/Dream Pop artist Aura Blaze continues his kaleidoscopic musical and philosophical evolution on the illuminating new 3-song EP "Open-Mindedness". Aura Blaze is the brainchild of New Jersey-based musician Rhode Rachel, who writes, records and produces everything. This EP, out on the auspicious day of December 24, contains two new originals as well as is a cover of The Charlatans (“The Only One I Know”).

About "Open-Mindedness" from the Artist: Featuring 3 tracks packed with blazing energy, neon color, and a swirling galaxy of texture and innovative sound design, I can say with confidence that the Open-Mindedness EP is one for the record books.

Let the cover art speak for itself as a glimpse into the atmosphere of this release, with the sanctity of transcendental introspection blossoming radiantly through what Aldous Huxley would refer to as the “mind’s antipodes,” or the regions of the mind that one may reach through intense meditation or psychedelic exploration. It is an honor to offer Open-Mindedness as an aural adjuvant towards a deeper discovery of self, acting as a cosmic catalyst for elevated consciousness.

Originally intended as an early summer release, the recording process has been met with no shortage of setbacks, including an external hard drive that decided to crash at a significantly inopportune time during production. Thankfully, I was able to revive the recording sessions and I am happy to finally bring this EP to life amidst the adversity that challenged its creation.

Between the aforementioned crisis, changing careers, and buying my first home, it has certainly been a busy and turbulent year but eternal doth the ardent spirit rise, breaching heights unimagined, in the direction of divinity made manifest.

Suffice it to say, the culmination of the conquering of these respective trials and tribulations have refined the essence of the Open-Mindedness EP, shaping it into the strongest Aura Blaze release to date with respect to both production value and unbridled aesthetic. I am overjoyed at the prospect of finally being able to share these tracks with you. I thank all of you for your continued support as well as your patience in the interim. Rest assured the wait shall be worth it.

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

Richard James Simpson - Love Becomes a Stranger.

The first single off of Richard James Simpson's album "Sugar The Pill" is "Love Becomes a Stranger."  The song is filled with voluptuous strings, haunting, moody guitar, and lush vocals. The track is the last song on the album and it proposes the thought of love becoming a stranger in our world. It details a world of lying, guilt, distance, words not spoken, and the hope that love will ultimately not evaporate and leave us. The song features such musicians as Don Bolles on drums, who was in the seminal punk band The Germs; the exquisite string work from Katlin Wolfberg; bold bass by Wilton that brings to mind shades of Jaco Pastorius; all produced by Paul Roessler of The Screamers and Nina Hagen fame. Furthermore, the video features the outstanding ethereal and surreal footage from today's artist Grebo Gray.

Richard James Simpson's third solo album, 'Sugar The Pill', features such notable OG punk/rock icons as Jill Emery (Mazzy Star, Hole); Don Bolles (The Germs); Dustin Boyer (John Cale); Paul Roessler (The Screamers, Twisted Roots, Nina Hagen); and Geza X (Geza X and the Mommymen, The Deadbeats) - as well as these new top artists on the scene today: Grebo Gray, Wilton and Kaitlin Wolfberg. 'Sugar The Pill' offers mesmerizing, ethereal, powerful songs that evoke a unique sonic experience.

This hypnotic album harkens back to such albums as David Bowie's 'Heroes', incorporating experimental vignettes and songs with efficacious, hard-hitting tracks reminiscent of such acts as Bauhaus, Killing Joke, Laura Nyro, Roxy Music, Siouxsie and The Banshees, and Radiohead.

While leaning toward the experimental side, these mood pieces are fashioned in the Euro-American style for which Simpson is known: "The Wizard of Oz meets Eno" as the iconic Geza X once described Simpson.

The theme of the album is NOW. It is about a loss of love, the losspop of freedom and humanity, charged with the intention of bringing a voice to an era that is ready to awaken and squelch any encroachment on the fight for human dignity and rights. As the artist puts it, "If you don't think something is wrong, it is time to find your mind".

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

Midnight Clover - Misty Blues - Mojow

Midnight Clover - FLoW (Album).

Midnight Clover is an up-and-coming alternative rock band who consider themselves to be innovators in their genre. Brimming with talent, Midnight Clover’s alternative rock provides a refined version of the popular genre, as if their music is an ode to the classics while simultaneously being full of innovation. With their second studio album titled ‘FloW’, Midnight Clover has certainly exceeded the expectations of fans worldwide. 

Midnight Clover formed around 7 years ago when guitarist Johnie Stomp encouraged Amber ‘Clover’ Corby to sing. She taught herself how to structure songs and even helped recruit the band bassist Roman, and band drummer Jimmie. The rest is history. 

The Las Vegas-based band released their debut record, Turner, in 2016, and have previously also released two EP’s titled ‘Lovage’ and ‘Never Bring Me Down’. ‘FloW’ features eight tracks and was recorded at June Audio Recording Studios in Provo, UT. 

Gaining inspiration from influential bands like Led Zeppelin, Midnight Clover aims to harness the lyricism that would propel them to greater heights. Such lyricism can certainly be appreciated in the music video ‘Danny’, their first single off ‘FloW’. The video celebrates the ‘80s, and adds effects of dragons and various psychedelic backgrounds as the icing on the cake.

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

Misty Blues - Freight Car (feat. Justin Johnson).

2019 International Blues Challenge finalist, Misty Blues, is led by lead singer/band founder Gina Coleman. The band is based out of Berkshire County, Massachusetts playing original and traditional blues with hints of jazz, soul, funk and tent revival gospel since 1999. The band has recorded with Charles Neville and Joe Louis Walker, and opened for contemporary blues artists like Tab Benoit, Room Full Of Blues, John Primer, Albert Cummings and Michael Powers. 

Misty Blues performs extensively throughout New England and has toured New York City, Harrisburg, Mishawaka, Knoxville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Muscle Shoals, Clarksdale, Memphis, New Orleans and Ontario Canada. The band recently earned an Independent Blues Music Award nomination for the best contemporary blues song. The band’s original recordings have wide radio airplay in the U.S. and UK.

In the summer of 1999 Gina Coleman was performing in the Williamstown Theatre Festival production of A Raisin In The Sun. That production featured the acting of Ruben Santiago Hudson, Viola Davis, Kimberly Elise and Gloria Foster. Coleman was cast as a gospel singer. Nearing the end of the show’s run, Ruben Santiago Hudson gave Coleman a cd collection entitled Men Are Like Streetcars. He told her that her voice was well suited for the blues and urged her to take that next musical direction. Coleman heeded his advance, and after 20 years, Misty Blues has stood the test of time.

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

Mojow - Tree Little Queen / Magic Soul Music.

Armed by a symphony of songs melding and marrying together seamlessly, eclectic musical trio MOJOW is sending ripples in Rock, Soul, and Funk genres.

Chateau Landon, IDF/Pays de Loire, France — December 3rd, 2021-Driven to rock the world of listeners of Soul, Funk, and Hard Rock, MOJOW marks their return into the music industry, with yet another scintillating single. With their exciting original EP titled, “MAGIC SOUL MUSIC”, the band mixes together rhythms and beats seamlessly. With their characteristic use of the Baryton sax, MOJOW includes the musical prowess of the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist Nanex Crooner, complemented by Jean-François Guédon (Youl) on drums and Benjamin (Benjamin Kurpisz) on baritone saxophone, spinning magical rhythmic combinations. “MAGIC SOUL MUSIC” forms the band’s third 5-track EP, characterized by all that the French trio is good at and more. 

On the crossroads of Rock, Funk, and Soul, “MAGIC SOUL MUSIC” marks the culmination of a journey that began in 2016, when Alex (Nanex crooner) offered Benjamin and Youl to try a new musical experience in a trio. The band’s musical compositions feature drums and vocals accompanied by the baritone saxophone which makes the bassline.

Taking on 2021 with their tantalizing and immersive Hard Rock music with the song called ROBOT, MOJOW’s latest release dropped on June 21, 2021, and highlights the band at their very best. Having already captured audiences at more than 30 gigs in France, the group is now looking forward to furnishing their EP’s physical and online album release with international digital distribution, radio, web, satellite broadcasts, etc.

“With Mojow you have something that belongs to you because there is a skillful mix of influences so that we say to ourselves: here it makes me think of such and such a group … well the next bridge we go back to another one which has chosen we do not expect”, says the journalist of radio france regarding their music.

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

Gemma - Jeremy Macklin

Gemma - Μασέτι.

It’s been less than two months since Gemma introduced themselves with their debut album and took us along on an ambient, electro-rock journey entangled with the Cretan folk music. This time Gemma returns and shares with us a different aspect of their music creativity!

With the drums, percussion, loops and bass they create a rhythm that makes the body move and on the other hand, the electronic ambience, the enchanting voice and the eerie sounds they make the mind travel. Maseti is a mystical, dance track which carries us in its raving world!

A sharpened knife, Maseti for Gemma is all about the contrasts, the conflicting elements and the choices we make. In a society where anything that exceeds the limits of regularity is considered reprehensible we must gather the strength to cut down our shackles, stand strong in the face of fear and let ourselves be free to express what we truly feel. A party beyond restrains!

Gemma consists of Danili Evangelia (voice, loops), Kaparos Giorgos (production, composition, loops, synths, guitars), Mavrogiannakis Nikos (drums), Paschidis Anastasis (bass) & Spinthourakis Apostolis (percussion, lyrics).

Video contributors: Filming: Aleksandros Iliakis, Montage: Kaparos Giorgos, Dancers costume design: Eleanna Apostolaki, Artistic make up: Athina Veridaki, Lighting: Manos Foustalierakis (Quality Sound), Konstantinos Papadopoulos, Juggling performance: Efi Lempesi (ovaproject).

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

Jeremy Macklin - Half Full Cup.

While it’s essential to happiness, taking time to focus on what we’re grateful for can be challenging — especially with the world overflowing with trials and tribulations. Thankfully, Cobourg, ON country singer-songwriter Jeremy Macklin shares that quintessential life wisdom with his new single and video, “Half Full Cup” — available now!

The song not only pays homage to the blessings found in the everyday, but also lands alongside the Cobourg, Ontario artist’s EP, We Bring the Fire. The five-track debut features previously unveiled singles, “The Beer Drinking Song,” “Small Town Pride,” the album’s title track “We Bring the Fire,” and more — and adds to Macklin’s collective 1 Million streams across platforms.

“Yeah, I’m sippin’ on a half full, feel good feeling,” Macklin declares in the latest display of his signature brand of high-octane, joyful jams. The perfect elixir to soothe troubled times, “Half Full Cup” inspires smiles, potent life perspectives, and all-important toe-taps by way of this multi-talented driving, energy-plus country rocker.

To create this positive party-vibe anthem, Macklin and co-writers Jesse Slack, Adam Newcomb, Daryl Scott, and Rob Morden honed in on the desire to provide an antidote to the pandemic blues. “We wrote ‘Half Full Cup’ during these difficult times to help us all stay positive,” he shares. “The sentiment was: Don’t give up, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself with a drink or two.”

Beyond that straightforward sentiment, “Half Full Cup” turns a spotlight on the negative and unhealthy aspects of the selfie generation.

“Yeah we all want what we ain’t got, the grass is greener ‘round the block
It’s just so easy to get caught up in the mirrors and smoke
It gets to you, it gets to me, sometimes it’s harder than it seems”

“I wanted to write a song that referenced social media, and how many of us compare ourselves and our own lives to those we see on our tiny, handheld screen,” Macklin reveals. “We shouldn’t allow all of the ‘filters’ to influence our lives in a negative fashion.

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

Sad Daddy - The Magic Epic

Sad Daddy - Cold Rain.

Little Rock and Hot Springs, AR/Austin, TX foursome Sad Daddy will unveil "Cold Rain," the second single from their brilliant new LP Way Up In The Hills.

This track shows off the less grassy/more folk-pop side of the band, and it's one of my favorites from the record. Band member Joe Sundell, who wrote this one, was inspired by the loss of control we were all going through at the start of the pandemic--both as individuals and as a society--and how it made some of us feel like the walls were closing in. The imagery is powerful - there's a man whose life is turned upside down and finds himself in a hole at the bottom of a lake. It's the idea that as things keep progressing the way they are, we all have to jump into this new reality and learn to swim.

Sad Daddy's four members, Melissa Carper (upright bassist who released her critically acclaimed LP Daddy's Country Gold in March), Brian Martin (guitar), Joe Sundell (banjo), and Rebecca Patek (fiddle), all conspired and united in the Arkansas woods in 2020 to create Way Up in the Hills. "Cold Rain" features Rebecca Patek's yearning fiddle, porch stomps, and their signature four-part, goosebump-y harmonies.

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

The Magic Epic - Sally.

Toby Juan AKA The Magic Epic grew up in suburban South London and moved to the coast after falling in love with Brighton where he began writing his own music in 2013.

He worked as a hod carrier and then became a full-time busker after having enough of carrying bricks and cement one snowy morning in Redhill. Many years of busking has allowed Toby to perfect his craft and overcome his performance anxiety. His influences include John Lennon & Otis Redding but he's often likened to early Billy Joel. Sally is a beautiful track about a friend of Toby's who was a dancer and was heavily into the clubbing scene.

Her health suffered, which was a constant worry for him and then Sally had a brief fling with a guy they both knew and she became pregnant. She never looked back at her clubbing days and her health restored, she started to glow like never before when her child was born. They were there for each other through their hard times and so this inspired Toby to write the song to honour the battles she went through to become what she is today. Sally also made him godfather to her child.

The song is about knowing what love is for the first time and how having her child saved Sally. The track also features Iain Hornal from 10CC and ELO on backing vocal and bass guitar whilst the video was shot by Andy Baybutt who was behind the promo for The Verve's Lucky Man'.

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

Lasse Matthiessen - HVOB - Timo de Jong

Lasse Matthiessen - Closer.

Hot off the heels of the release of his new EP ‘Coordinates Remain’, Danish artist Lasse Matthiessen is set to release a perfectly reflective new single for Xmas time, ‘Closer’.

The new single continues a bold new change in direction for Matthiessen which he fleshed out with ‘Coordinates Remain’. Having previously built up a large following with a folky sound, the EP and ‘Closer’ push in a bigger, atmospheric, electronic direction. The works are Matthiessen’s most experimental and effect-bearing pieces to date. 

The striking change in sound and new material was inspired by a dive back into the memory banks of Matthiessen’s past during the lockdowns of 2020. Having re-visited many child-hood haunts and feelings during this time, the music plumbs deep depths and eschews genre categorization, combining a feeling of melancholic dystopia with big electronic-pop moments and then evading the listener completely in a mysterious nostalgic shadow. 

‘Closer’ seems to have refined this melange of intriguing gorgeousness superbly. On the track, Matthiessen explains, “I wrote the song ‘Closer’ two years ago in Berlin in a warm apartment situated in “party street” in the Friedrichshain district with the producer Hannes Butzer. I arrived three hours early by mistake and had to go back home again to the shared apartment I lived in with a German artist and painter.
Sometimes when I was away he used the apartment to paint and he had just finished a series of prints printed with some kind of toxic fluid and the smell was all over the apartment as was his prints: On the table, on the floor and on the walls – his black paintings and prints. I wrote the outline of a ‘Closer’ then, on my old piano and I guess I was kind of influenced by all these impressions.” 

The invitingly intimate soundscape on ‘Closer’ is characterized by the piano played by Philipp Milner (from the duo Hundreds) and the pumped bass-beat at the end of the song after the last chorus with Matthiessen’s vocal sounding heavy with emotion. The progression from haunting cinematic atmospherics to pulsating infectious anthem shows an uncompromising songwriter at the top of his game, who’s not afraid to take risks in order to create exhilarating sonic magic.

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

HVOB - Capture Casa.

Following four studio albums and one live album, HVOB are about to release their sixth album: TOO is an angry, tender, vulnerable, determined account of a generation's search for life. The album explores extremes in concept, content and sound. It breaks with the tradition of releasing the entire album following the advance release of a number of singles. The eight tracks from TOO will be released individually and sporadically. This way, the album grows into an eventual whole over a period of six months.

HVOB share the second part of their 8 track album in new single ‘Capture Casa’ - out now.

am i too cold/ am i too old / am i not good for you
am i too quiet / am i too tired / am i too much for you
- from "Capture Casa", TOO, HVOB

The song marks a return to the Austrian duo’s signature melodic techno. The track juxtaposes Anna Muller’s delicate vocal against building atmospheric soundscapes. Capture Casa follows the announcement of new album TOO and first single ‘Bruise’ and celebrated video

TOO is dedicated to the state of mind of a generation in search of inner and outer belonging: the album captures a life in the dichotomy of one's own and other people's expectations, in the feeling of not living up to these expectations, in renewed attempts to free oneself from these expectations.

The first track from the new HVOB album "Bruise" was released on November 18th. The eighth and final track from TOO will be released to coincide with the start of the world tour in April 2022.

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

Timo de Jong - Unparalelled.

Timo de Jong has released the track 'Unparalleled'. This is the lead single from his new EP 'Dawdle'. For this EP Timo works for the first time with a producer, Thomas Olivier (Hackensaw Boys, among others). Before the Corona epidemic, Timo played more than 100 shows a year, but during the last period he has been forced to focus on what he does very well; writing new songs. He will present the result of this on 19 December in the Neushoorn, Leeuwarden.

Timo himself says about this new project: “This EP means a lot to me, because it's the first time that I was able to really let go of things during the process. Working together with Thomas has not changed my sound, but has improved and refined it. I believe that I have made great growth.”

During the past year, Timo de Jong and producer Thomas Olivier have been working on the music together, from demo to the final product. A conscious choice was made for a characteristic sound with an appreciation for a warm and natural-sounding production. For example, all vocals were recorded with a microphone from the 1950s and all songs were recorded live. Lyrically, 'Unparalleled' is a helping hand, a musical heart under the belt in which Timo shows that love songs don't have to be all doom and gloom.

Timo de Jong is an authentic musician who lives for (and from) live performances, of which he has already performed more than 600. That includes three successful tours through England, and performances in Germany and Belgium. Whether it's an intimate living room concert or a band performance in a pop hall, Timo does his thing, and that thing is: making good music.

He makes his music in order to realize, to tell and to heal. In doing so, he takes experiences of himself and those around him, and then writes a universal and appealing text about them. Behind the scenes, Timo de Jong has been refining, improving and crystallizing his music for several years now. He moved from folk to rock 'n' roll, eventually arriving at Americana.

The EP's release show is on today in the Neushoorn, Leeuwarden. The EP will first be released only on CD and will only be available to listen to on the streaming platforms in its entirety in 2022.

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