Category: Indie

Words By Joey Rochert.

Hello, Luis, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Ultraviolet’, what is the meaning? 

When writing ‘Ultraviolet’ I tried to encapsulate that feeling you get when you’ve been down on things, or come out of a bad relationship, and you meet someone new, and they just spark you into life. 

I don’t know if it’s necessarily a bad or a good thing in reality, but I think we all can relate to that feeling at one point or another. 

It’s also just about having a good time! I’ve been getting a lot of Jamiroquai comparisons with this one and I can’t think of a better compliment in all honesty. 

Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most? 

There are so many to choose from! For me a good artist is someone who wants to make you feel something and who constantly take their music in new directions. I listen to pretty much anything and there’s so much out there nowadays. If I had to really pick some out I’d say Bon Iver, Damon Albarn, Thundercat, Eric Bibb and John Mayer.

What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022? 

I think for me it’s how easy it is now to access or network with other musicians. There’s a whole world of talent out there to collaborate with and learn from! 

I say that but our drummer, Ben Newton, has been playing with me in various capacities for the best part of ten years now. I hope he’s okay! 

Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment? 

Not particularly, but I seem to write a lot of lyrics when I’m travelling somewhere. Must be something about it that gets my brain going. I literally wrote a track about that, it’s called ‘Stations’ and it’s on our upcoming EP. 

What is your first memory of music? 

Whigfield – ‘Saturday Night’ is the first song I can remember! It’s a bit of a nostalgia hit anytime I hear it now, which isn’t often! Banger still if you ask me…

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Photo Credit: Luis Morrison.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Hello, Shane, ‘Company’, a compelling release, where did you find the inspiration? 

Thank you! The inspiration comes from many sources. Everything from people in my life who inspire me with their passions, to movies that I love, to events in my life. This song comes from a time in my life during which I was grieving the loss of a loved one and the end of a long term relationship. I was trying to quiet my mental state by constantly surrounding myself with friends or being social and just creating external noise to ignore my actual feelings.  I wrote this song upon realizing that I needed to pay my underlying emotions some real attention. 

Is ‘Is This Art?’ an indication of what to expect with your future material?

Absolutely! I always plan to bring this level of quality, but I also plan to unapologetically develop, change and evolve as I grow. The surface level may shift over time, but my core will always be in music that comes from honest emotional expression.

How long does it take you to fully put together a track like ‘Company’?

It really varies, some of my best songs come to me all at once fairly quickly. For example, “Your Own Devices” was pretty much written in one day and the recording process took a few months, then mixing was another couple months. “Company” is a unique example where it was spread over about two and a half years. I wrote the chords and liked them a lot, but it did not turn into a song until about a year or so into its conception. It went through various slower iterations until I realized that it should probably be more of a dancey bop than a slow waltz. Once I realized that I recorded it and mixed it over the remaining months. I would say that in this case the amount of time was necessary. 

How do you know when a song is ready to sign off?

It is really hard to tell honestly. I still hear some of these tunes even after release and think “oh it would be so cool to add x,y, or z to it.” My rule of thumb is that once I am at a point where I am just trying to figure out what to add it is probably done. Ideas get stale and I think that momentum is important. You kind of hit a point of diminishing returns where everything you change makes it sound worse and that is how you know it is done.

What is your plan for the rest of the year? 

I will be performing and recording lots of music! Playing a few shows in Boston in May. My sister is having a baby so I will be there to visit and spread some music. In June I am back to Nashville for some more shows. For July I am going to the east coast again for a few more shows that are still to be determined, but we’re scheduled for one in Brooklyn on July 27th so you’ll have a chance to catch me there for sure. There’s also plenty of undetermined shows that I can’t quite confidently speak on yet. I plan to get some more music out by the end of the year too! I have plenty of backlogged material that I am itching to share with the world. Keep an eye out. 

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Photo Credit: Shane Pi.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Von Venn captivate with their new single, ‘Ghost.’ The new delivery taps into a contemporary indie rock realm while simultaneously bringing back nostalgic elements from the past.

Gary Cox, the project’s brains, is up to the challenge! The music is full of potency, and no energy gets lost as it progresses. Also, his vocal performance leaves an impression on the soul, and we’re reaching for the replay button when it concludes!

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Photo Credit: Von Venn.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Shane Pi’s single, ‘Company’, is a sensation. It’s an awe-inspiring delivery, and the new musician from Nashville doesn’t hold back when it comes to demonstrating his ability.

The single is the first from his new EP, ‘Is This Art?; and it stands out with a distinct personality. His vocals are impressive, and the plethora of sounds that emerge in the mix keep us engaged for the duration.

Shane shines with zeal and creates an experience unlike any other. He also demonstrates his versatility as a musician, generating a hybrid sound that blends in nicely with the contemporary landscape.

You can listen to ‘Company’ below.

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Photo Credit: Shane Pi.

Words By Joey Rochert.

The Brouhaha get back to business with their new single, ‘Rain Down’. It is a track that instantly conveys the feel-good juices flowing, and it will be playing out for a long time as the year unfolds.

The band hails from the south of England, and they rip it up here with ferocity! Furthermore, Callum Mckenzie makes an immediate impression with a difficult-to-resist vocal, and the music gets the feel-good juices flowing throughout the body.

‘Rain Down’ is a mix of several styles, and there is so much going on in the track that it keeps us fascinated from beginning to end. Also, given its versatility, it will come as no surprise to discover a wide range of new music listeners flocking to hear this one.

Check it out below.

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Photo Credit: The Brouhaha.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Italian pop-rockers Artic Baba smash it with their new single, ‘Mr. Crazy’, which is out now!

The band takes us on a journey with their innovative approach to music composition, and their delivery takes a significant step forward. The vocals reach out with zeal, and the intensity is tangible! The guitars reverberate with warmth around the speakers, and the drum rhythm creates a cadence that gets the foot-tapping in a frenzy! They also leave an impression with their performance, making us want to hit replay once it concludes.

Check it out below.

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Photo Credit: Artic Baba.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Glitch Project’s new release, ‘No More,’ is out now and serves as an early Christmas present.

The new track from the two-piece from Turin picks up from where they left off with, ‘Wane’. It has a similar structure, and although it sounds different to the last, it could almost be a carry on given that the narrative leads us to a similar place. Furthermore, Maida, the vocalist, discusses our culture and the things around us and the inner psyche.

Check it out below.

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Photo Credit: Glitch Project.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Joshua Gelfand’s current track, ‘The Only Place You Know,’ from his recently released album of the same name, thrills the soul.

Joshua rises to the occasion with majesty and offers one of the most captivating releases to emerge from the scene this winter, taking the listener on an expedition from the start. His vocals are memorable for all the right reasons, and he employs his musical savvy to create a soundscape that you won’t find anywhere else.

Check it out below.

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Photo Credit: Joshua Gelfand.

Words By Joey Rochert.

The spectacular new lyric video for UK singer/songwriter Adam Giles Levy’s song “Last Of The Light” is out today.

The new video offers compelling poetry, revealing that the singer is an influential songwriter and a fantastic wordsmith. Also, the latest version of the track, remixed by Thomas Atlas and mastered at The Priory, has been revived, and it immediately welcomes the ears.

Check it out below.

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Photo Credit: Adam Giles Levy.

Words By Joey Rochert.

With this new cover of the Oasis classic, Jay Ebby East returns even more supersonic than before.

The Essex-born indie rock singer is in top form here, demonstrating why he is one of the most praised rock singers of our time. He has a unique approach to music, and while he keeps the track tight to the basis, he incorporates new components that give even more flair as the song goes.

Jay digs deep into his toolkit vocally and rises to the top with gold. Similarly, the production’s intensity is stimulating, and it’s difficult not to get dragged in as it approaches the melting point.

Check it out below.

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Photo Credit: Jay Ebby East.