Ervin Munir’s new track “Did I Miss It” just landed, and I can’t get enough of it. He’s really nailed that whirlwind feeling of falling for someone fast—like he’s singing right from his own heart into ours. The acoustic guitar is warm and grounding, and when Aeron Z Jones brings in those electric guitar riffs, it’s like the song lifts off.
Ervin’s vocals are also genuine; you feel every lyric as he sings about that first spark and the rush of emotions that follow. After loving his last track, “My Heart,” I was excited for this one, and it doesn’t disappoint. Folk fans, this is one for you!
Award-winning Julia Thomsen’s latest composition, ‘Shine a Light’, is a soothing and elegant addition to the “Keys For Calm” compilation from the Contemporary Classical Collective, supporting mental health awareness. The track features a gentle yet captivating piano arrangement, flowing with a majestic aura that takes me straight to a serene, reflective space.
Julia has become a master of writing alluring melodies and this one shines through, with each note evoking a sense of peace and calm. ‘Shine a Light’ beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the project, offering solace and mindfulness through music. It’s a deeply moving piece and you can take a listen below.
Beautifully radiant and with a shimmering glow which leaves a lasting impression, ‘Bonnie Lochan’ by Julia Thomsen sends goosebumps down my spine for the all the right reasons. Moreover, this piano composition by the award-winning music creator from London is everything I could have hoped for from Julia and then some!
Picture this, sat beside a beautiful lake with the sun beating down on your face! Then, play this track and you will be sent to a world where stress cannot enter. The flow is serene and the arrangement keeps me in a peaceful trance for the entire duration.
Marsha Swanson is the progressive pop star who keeps on delivering! Here she explores nostalgic feelings with ‘Still Remember’. Her vocals are divine and potentially her most compelling yet as she serenades the soul from the start. Also, the music is beautifully put together with many mood shifts occurring as it progresses.
‘Still Remember’ dips in and out of sad and happy realms. It is a journey with us one minute being taken down a pathway of longing before then being propelled forward with a joyous momentum. It is a great offering from Marsha Swanson and one to add to our collection!
Prophetic Psychosis are back and they are back at their best with new track ‘Seeds of Stars’. This indie rock delivery hits all the right notes for me and I couldn’t be more thrilled! The vocals are powerful and compelling, while the mix is filled with a multitude of sounds and styles.
There is a fresh vibe present on this track which brings something new to the table. Also, although it is lengthy, it still feels as though I could listen to this for hours. The music is a stand-out for me too with a quality akin to some of the best indie stars on the planet right now.
My girlfriend (Dorothy) at the time was a very independent woman, whereas I was abandonment phobic. This song is about my relationship insecurities then.
How did Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s style influence this track?
I was listening to her songs around the time I wrote it. Obviously, my songs are very different from her pop/dance stylings. We are completely different artists. But I always felt the bridge in “Going Nowhere” was reminiscent of one of her songs (I wish I could remember which one). Also, the conversation I’m having with my girlfriend in the song reminds me of the conversations Sophie Ellis-Bextor has in many of her songs.
How do you blend folk, country, and pop in “Going Nowhere”?
It’s not a conscious choice to do so. Influences are in my head and that’s what comes out. I often aim for a strong chorus and the instruments I use lean towards folk/country.
What message do you hope listeners take from “Going Nowhere”?
It’s ok to be insecure, but you need to talk about how you feel with your partner.
Can you tease any details about your upcoming second album?
There will be 10 or 11 tracks. “Felixstowe”, “Chase the Moon”, and “Going Nowhere” will be on it. There is also a short song about my dog Maggie on it (she died in May 23).
Renowned No.1 Billboard Blues artist and award-winning blues rock guitarist, singer-songwriter Mike Zito is set to perform an exclusive show at London’s premier music venue, Sound, located within the legendary Cumberland Hotel (formerly the Hard Rock Hotel). Known for its rich musical heritage, having hosted legends like Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, the hotel will be the perfect backdrop for this highly anticipated night of blues rock.
Zito’s performance on Saturday, October 19, 2024, will be his only show in the UK capital this year, making it a can’t-miss event for blues fans. He will be joined on stage by a remarkable lineup, including legendary musicians Matthew R. Johnson and Doug Byrkit. The setlist will feature songs from his Billboard-topping 2024 album, Life Is Hard, alongside beloved tracks from his extensive career. With the album dominating the Billboard Blues Album Chart for over twelve weeks, it’s been praised as a groundbreaking achievement in Zito’s already illustrious career.
“London’s calling, and I am super excited to play the UK again,” said Zito. “The UK audiences have always been supportive of me, my family, and my music.”
This special London show promises to deliver an electrifying evening of raw emotion, powerful blues performances, and an electric atmosphere, all in the intimate setting of Sound at the Cumberland Hotel. For London blues fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness Zito’s magic up close.
Ticket Details
General Admission (standing) tickets are priced at £30. For £49, the “Blues Package” includes entry, a main course, a dessert, and a cocktail of your choice from the SOUND CAFE Menu.
‘My Heart’ is the new single by Ervin Munir and it has a warm feel, perfect for the changing season we are in currently. But, the lyrics are quite the opposite to the warmth generated by the music. Moreover, Ervin speaks about the challenges of feeling lonely in a relationship, mostly when we feel shut off from our partners.
The music is beautifully crafted and in terms of musical ability, Ervin and his producer Aeron Z Jones step it up a gear here! I also really enjoy the guitar solo in the later parts of the track and the fast-paced finale!
What inspired you to reimagine “Walking In A Dream” with guitar?
I had been inspired by fellow acoustic folk guitar artists from hearing their incredible sounds and felt that the original piano version would work well for a guitar version giving it a different feel to the original.
How did the collaboration with Strings Of Light come about?
Lawrence Libert originally approached me and we both loved what each one was doing and I loved his sound so we decided to come together to work on walking in a dream guitar. I sent him the original and he then recorded it beautifully adding a very special delicate touch to it.
What emotions or scenes do you hope listeners feel with this version? Complete relax and wind down perfect for a summer backdrop. Morning sunrise or evening sunset.
How does “Walking In A Dream Guitar” differ from the original?
It is similar to the original but with a few subtle layers going through the piece and a beautiful ending. However, it changes the way you feel and what you can imagine – the original piano solo was a love song feeling while as the title says you feel like walking in a dream. Whereas the guitar version is more meditative.
Why is this piece a perfect addition to a summer soundtrack?
It makes you envision the warmth of the summer sunshine – the evening sunsets or early morning sunrise with cicadas in the background. Perfect for playing in the background with a meditative feel.
I think we have all probably experienced being in the company of someone who asserts “My way or the highway”. Sometimes this can be a strength, an ability to know oneself well and to preserve healthy boundaries. At other times, where collaboration is required, a lack of flexibility and an inability to compromise can be self-limiting.
Working in different bands and song-writing set-ups over the years, I have observed both ends of the scale. I have also seen similar issues played out in the work place of family and friends as well as in romantic relationships or families with their children. When I wrote this song, I was thinking about people who have particularly fixed rigidities/rules about what they will do or won’t do for a variety of different reasons. I was interested in exploring the fine line between someone’s will and their capacity when it comes to change. Some people have the will but not the way and vice versa.
I was also interested in the question of influence and how far a positive relationship can go towards expanding a person’s window of tolerance. Sometimes, we experience people who appear to be great enablers of change in others. In contrast, we can experience other examples where there is still no leg room, even in emergencies! It takes time as well as different settings to learn where the boundaries are. It is easy, however, to either over-estimate or under-estimate a person’s capacity to be either fixed or fluid.
How does “My Rules” fit into the theme of your album “Near Life Experience”?
The ambition to really live as opposed to nearly live, is not about fulfilling all your dreams, travelling the world or bungee jumping. It is about living life consciously. Whilst there is much that we cannot control, by being as self-aware as we can, it means that the choices we can make are more likely to be authentic. This extends not only to ourselves but in interaction with other people. When applying this within the context of “My Rules”, I am reminded of the Serenity prayer “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
What message do you hope to convey with this song?
To bring out the complexities of these issues so that people can reflect further on their own experiences. To encourage thinking around when and whether self-imposed or external rules are either helpful or a hindrance.
How did you approach the song-writing for “My Rules”?
Like the majority of songs that I write for myself (as opposed to commissions or songs for other artists), it literally wrote itself very quickly. When I have been thinking about something for a long time, it is always brewing like a tea in the background. By the time I come to sit at the piano, it usually means there is something I am ready to express. Once I have found the chords that fit the emotion I am feeling, it won’t be long before a few useable lyrics pop out in-between random words that I sing whilst focussed on the melody. When I pay close attention to what words do emerge, I am then able to filter out the important ones and grasp what the song is about. From this point on the rest of the words will follow quite easily.
What can fans expect from the official video for “My Rules”?
A lot of fun and humour! When adults become stubborn or blocked in their thinking, whether in a band, board meeting, or political battle, they can appear regressed, much like playground antics! Just as there is a difference between a healthy challenging of authority, versus complete inability to take direction, there is also healthy artistic integrity, versus a devaluing of other people’s contributions. Humour can be a useful way of gaining perspective, so I thought this would be a good way of telling the story. We interchange the same dynamics (a figure of authority, alongside a rule breaker and a bystander) within two different settings commonly associated with rules and hierarchy. There is also the backdrop of a literal tug of war, which is also the metaphor running through the song and video. It illustrates the central premise, which is the underlying question of whether any movement will be possible with someone who struggles to compromise.
