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Windy Seasons (Remix) by Eric Harmsen

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ERIC’S WIND FEELS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL AND GENTLE BREEZE TO THE EAR!

Eric Harmsen releases Windy Seasons, a tale filled with dreams, hope, reflection, confusion, excitement, and everything in between. Like the changing seasons, this remix is a musical journey that captures the highs and lows of shifting emotions. The music moves like the wind itself, unpredictable and full of life, taking listeners through a range of feelings that reflect the complexity of human experience.

Released on August 30th, 2024, Windy Seasons Remix features a trio of piano, electric bass, and percussion, creating a richly textured soundscape. Recorded in his hometown of Alpine, Utah, the track evokes the grandeur of a film score while remaining deeply personal and intimate. The interplay of instruments reflects the constant motion of the wind, with melodies moving in every direction. The piano leads with grace, while the electric bass and percussion bring grounding and rhythm, resulting in a piece that is both intricate and emotionally engaging.

Eric’s composition draws the listener into a world of contrast and beauty. The arrangement itself is masterful, with dynamic shifts that guide you from moments of calm reflection to bursts of energy and excitement. The music rises and falls like a breeze, delicate at times, yet powerful enough to leave a lasting impression. As the track unfolds, it carries a feeling of contemplation and peace, ending on an assertive and courageously victorious note. It’s a track that mirrors life’s unpredictable paths, with gentle moments followed by powerful surges of emotion.

Drawing influence from the world of film scores, Harmsen’s Windy Seasons is much more than just a remix. It’s a fully immersive experience that pulls listeners into its emotional depth. His musical storytelling allows you to feel the push and pull of the wind as it mirrors the ever-changing journey of life itself. The way the instruments dance together, creating a rich sound full of movement and color, makes this track a beautiful, cinematic breeze that leaves a lasting, peaceful impression. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to this masterpiece, consider this your sign! 

Burn Out by Groovy Banana

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JUST CHILL AND LISTEN – BECAUSE THE WORLD CAN WAIT!

Groovy Banana’s new single “Burn Out” is the perfect track for those moments when you just need to unwind and let the stress melt away. Released on September 30, 2024, the song touches on mental health and the overwhelming feeling of burnout, but it does so in a way that feels light, refreshing, and full of life. Gaga, with her soothing vocals, and Ben, playing a mix of instruments like the ukulele, guitar, piano, and bass, come together to create a sound that’s both calming and uplifting.

The song was recorded in Vanuatu, with the help of Paul and Isaac from Wan Smol Bag. Backing vocals by Kireni Sparks-Ngenge add an extra layer of depth, giving the song even more soul. From the first note, “Burn Out” draws you in with its gentle groove, but it’s the heart behind the music that really stands out. Groovy Banana, with their mix of French indie pop and exotic swing, creates a melody that speaks to the ups and downs of life, offering a sense of comfort and hope.

Gaga and Ben have been making music together for 15 years, and their journey across different countries, from France to Holland to Vanuatu, shines through in their diverse sound. The song feels like a blend of all the places they’ve been, with influences from their travels and the cultures they’ve experienced. Despite its upbeat rhythm, “Burn Out” carries a deeper message: even those who seem joyful can struggle with mental health, and it’s important to take time to heal.

Groovy Banana’s goal with “Burn Out” is to raise awareness about mental health, but in a way that doesn’t feel heavy or overwhelming. Instead, the song feels like a gentle reminder to take a break, breathe, and enjoy the present moment. Whether you’re looking to start your day on a positive note or wind down after a long day, this song is perfect for both. With Gaga’s warm vocals and Ben’s vibrant instrumentals, “Burn Out” offers a moment of peace and reflection, a little escape from the rush of everyday life.

Over the years, Groovy Banana has played in concerts and festivals across the globe, including the Fest Napuan, Vanuatu’s biggest music festival, and the Ukulele Festival in Melbourne. Their performances are known for creating a feel-good atmosphere, where you can just close your eyes and let the music carry you away. Their global experiences shape their music, and “Burn Out” is no different. It’s a song full of life, blending different genres and cultures into something truly unique.

If you’re in need of a break from the chaos of life, “Burn Out” is the perfect track to hit play, relax, and let the world wait for a while. Groovy Banana’s music, with its mix of joy and introspection, is a reminder that it’s absolutely okay to take time for yourself. Just chill, listen, and let the music do the rest!

“Tropical Nites (Ursula 1000 Remix)” by Roman Angelos

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Transport to a Tropical Island with
“Tropical Nites (Ursula 1000 Remix)” by Roman Angelos

As soon as you play “Tropical Nites (Ursula 1000 Remix)” by New York-based collective Roman Angelos, you are transported to a tropical land where birds chirp and the trees wave their branches in the wind. It is a journey through the mind, body and soul that takes you to a much more beautiful place than the mundane city life that you might be living – unless you are already on a tropical land, in which case, this is perfect to be blasted on the beach!

 

Roman Angelos consists of composer Rich Bennett on guitar, Brittany Anjou on vibraphone, Ben Zwerin on bass, Spencer Cohen on drums, Dennis Boolyoins on percussion, Rose Rutledge on flute, Kai Sandoval on trumpet, Nadav Nirenberg on trombone, and Deidre Rodman-Struck on piano. 

“I have been an admirer Of Ursula 1000’s work for a while now, hearkening back to the early 2000s,” shared composer/guitarist Rich Bennett. “After I completed the Tropical Nites LP he was the main person I wanted to have do a remix of one of my tunes; I could think of no one better to understand the nature of this music while also bringing it into a new setting that has an appeal to a wider audience. Upon my first listen, when I heard the sounds of birds and ambient tropical sounds in the background, I knew that we had a spot-on killer song on our hands.”

And indeed, the song is very therapeutic. It features the jungle-like sounds of a tropical island that includes certain animals, birds, and the occasional vocalizing of a soft humming by a female vocalist. It closes with a swooshing gong that leaves you wanting more! 

“Silver Lining” by Lady Mercedes

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A Beautiful Blend of Harmonies in “Silver Lining” by Lady Mercedes

Facing the world with a smile makes everything run a little smoother, doesn’t it? Promoting such notions is Lady Mercedes, a US-based jazz singer in her latest single “Silver Lining” which invites you to simply look on the brighter things in life. Whether it is the sun shining, or the stars glistening, there’s always something to uplift you in your surroundings!

The soulful jazzy voice of Lady Mercedes shines through the song which features the soft piano keys and the uplifting beat that immediately transports you to somewhere where rainbows and butterflies engulf you with happiness. It is impressive to hear Lady Mercedes glide effortlessly through the vocals, offering one vocal run after the other, with perfectly-executed harmonies that tickle your ears. 

“Silver Lining” takes a shift midway to tell a story of finding light in the darkest of places, with the chorus adding levels to the uplifting process with an extra full sound of instrumentals that compliment Lady Mercedes’ vocal abilities further to the point of perfection. The song then ends with the vocal manipulation of her voice that features harmonies wrapping up the melody on a mellow note that leaves you in a dreamy state. 

Something to know about Lady Mercedes is that she was classically trained, and she maneuvers through the musical realm from gospel, blues, to soul and R&B effortlessly. She was part of the gospel choir at University of Oregon for eight years, before she became the Director of Celebration Arts & Administration at Valley and Mountain UMC. 

Her message? “To spread joy, inspiration, and the unifying power of harmonies,” and she sure did that with her latest release, and we can’t wait to listen to the upcoming ones! 

 

FOMO by Carson Ferris

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The teen wonder from Provo strikes back with another earworm that’s delightfully punchy and streamlined. Carson Ferris is growing steadily into stardom with songs that consistently improve in quality, intricacy, and scope, with ‘FOMO’ as the latest testament to his growth as an artist and a songwriter.

Utah-based singer and songwriter Carson Ferris is a child wonder. 14-years old, Ferris jumped onto the pop scene roughly 2 years ago, and with singles that are always improving, there is no slowing down in sight for the young pop star. An artist who is always on the lookout for new concepts and lyrical ideas, as well as always aiming to improve his work from the production perspective, it is easy to plot the trajectory of Ferris’s improvement.

 

With ‘FOMO’, Ferris is singing whole-heartedly about the fear of missing out that a teen might struggle with while pursuing their dreams instead of necessarily acting their age, and the autobiographical aspect is something that is appreciated from Ferris. Sharing fears and hopes with listeners and fans requires boldness that Ferris does not lack on. Musically, ‘FOMO’ is a bombastic and energetic pop number that is a pleasure to behold. Superb production value, arrangement, and melodies, ‘FOMO’ is layered to perfection. A radio-friendly hit through and through.

It is always exciting to see how far Carson Ferris came along between each release and the next, and we are pleased to report that yes, Ferris is still on the upward spiral to better production, more lasting impact to his lyrics and songwriting, and most importantly, to more fans and generally more enjoyable songs.

 

Warm Lips Cool Heart by Eddy Delmonico

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The classical, melodic warmth of Eddy Delmonico’s ‘Warm Lips Cool Heart’ weave together 60s melodic sensuality with modern pop cleanliness in one gentle and warm, guitar-driven ballad, with good-hearted words, and an ample sense of style.

Recorded entirely with a team of collaborators in Las Vegas, ‘Warm Lips Cool Heart’ portraits its artist as a truly remarkable songwriter. Eddy Delmonico’s vision, leading the arrangement on this single, is nothing short of singular. While the song does not aim to break any ground, it is in the wholeness of the deep groove, lush mix, pretty words, and warm composition that ‘Warm Lips Cool Heart’ truly begins to take shape as a delightful piece of mature, vintage pop.

From the onset of the rotary-spun guitar strums, the delightfully tight lock between the simplistic but effective drum and bass parts, and Delmonico’s restrained vocal pacing, elongating the syllables, essentially emphasizing each single one, we find ‘Warm Lips Cool Hearts’ to not only be very enjoyable, but also exceptionally well put-together.

The mix is also superb. The multiple layers of instrumentals weave a rather rich tapestry of sound to support Delmonico’s sublime vocal leading. Likened to Elvis and Orbison, it is not hard to see where the comparison comes from. But while Elvis excelled in swagger, and Orbison in technical prowess, Delmonico’s subdued and approachable delivery might make a good impact in the areas of soulfulness.

KOTO by ShaDashRon

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ShaDashRon’s ‘KOTO’ is an explosive piece of alternative hip hop that is tingling with the electronic and the experimental. A bit of an anthem, ‘KOTO’ is forward thinking and energetic.

Based in Brooklyn, New York, ShaDashRon is a three-piece rap outfit fronted by Dash, spacebar the god, both rappers, supported by blckteeth on production duty. ‘KOTO’ is the title of ShaDashRon’s latest single. A challenging piece of progressive hip hop, ‘KOTO’ is rich with inventive sampling and hits hard with liquid flows and engaging rhythms.

A track about embracing the journey and finishing the mission at hand, ‘KOTO’ is defined by the rich vocal sample that lends a lot of classical grace to the hazardous composition. The contrast between the vocal sample and the abusive, acidic subbass creates an intangible sense of danger. KOTO’s vibes will ensnare the listener before unleashing its unrelenting bars upon them.

Gorgeously produced by blckteeth at their studio, ‘KOTO’ has a fulfilling mix with murderous bass, gripping trap beats, and a ton of atmospherics to support the fantastic flows from both rappers. ‘KOTO’ is a fantastic effort that is tight and punchy and endlessly entertaining.

New Alternative/World Group The Beatroot Road Unveils Debut Album

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‘Underground Roots’ is the first release by the up-and-coming Alternative/World group called The Beatroot Road. Funky, light and fun, the lyrics carry a deeper meaning for the band.

It’s a song of hope – talking about the strength of 
roots to withstand the seasonal changes of the overground world, whether they be in
plants, music or life: “So if you wonder how the underdog can manage a grin, it’s cos the
roots are underground and the blood moves within”

The Beetroot Road is a brand new project spearheaded by Mark Russell with violinist Hazel Fairbairn which operates more like a collective, with established artists coming together to release one track every six weeks, eventually leading to their first album in Spring of 2025. The concept is to explore a varied musical landscape with complex drum beats at the heart of each song. Whilst ‘Underground Roots’ has an African/Latin vibe, fans are put on notice that this is not the only style the group will undertake.

Russell says his style is hard to define, but ‘Underground Roots’ is a good representation of the complexity listeners can expect from the group, the track itself being a true fusion. Kenyan vocalist Lucinda Karrey was recruited for this track along with FukiAnditi on backing vocals, lending her sunny, simple style to the complex drums and production. Russell plays all the percussion in this track, with many traditional African instruments like the conga and cabassa, but adds a surprising twist with the bodhrán, a traditional Irish drum.

The video is also a fusion, with multiple layers going into the finished product, with 3D animation from Griang and Mesut C. from Türkiye, with live footage of Lucinia shot in Kenya by Alfie.

Stay tuned to see what this project comes up with next!

Independent Music Promotions

Are You Shure? by GIARDINI OORT

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Giardini Oort’s amazing work “Are You Shure?” belongs in the ambient electronic and experimental subgenre. Released on October 11, 2024, the single, created by Italian musician Andrea Para under the Lagnofono Factory label, is a wonderful example of sonic exploration that combines modern electronic sounds with a deep, depressing ambiance.

Using modular synthesizers as their main sound source, “Are You Shure?” is an instrumental tune producing an immersive soundscape. Like ambient and experimental music, where the emphasis is more on changing textures and moods than on verse-chorus-verse forms, the structure is non-traditional. The music moves freely, gradually layering organic, natural sounds that fit its Scottish highland inspiration—that of mist and rain.

With their electronic pulses and ambient drones producing a thick atmosphere, modular synths give the song a unique character. Every note and sound sensation in the careful sound design captures the listener in the scene of rain-drenched castles and introspection areas.

Inspired by many ambient and cinematic electronic performers, most notably Brian Eno and his “Music for Airports” series, which similarly emphasizes creating space rather than melody, Giardini Oort’s work here draws inspiration from Particularly his “Selected Ambient Works,” the song also bears the ghostly and introspective undertones of Aphex Twin’s ambient compositions. The song is a great fit for film or other visual media since the cinematic technique evokes soundtracks by musicians like Cliff Martinez and Jóhann Jóhannsson, so providing a visual quality.

Like Boards of Canada, who have been renowned for creating soundscapes that feel related to memory and environment, the track blends the synthetic with the natural. Rooted in its evocative portrayal of Scottish settings, “Are You Shure?” equally catches a special mix of nostalgia and reflection.

This is an instrumental, hence vocals or lyrics are absent. Still, the lack of vocals accentuates the song’s whole image. The absence of human speech helps the listener to project their ideas and emotions onto the music, therefore keeping the attention on the abstract emotions expressed via the synths and electronic textures. This lack accentuates the introspection of the song, therefore strengthening its link to loneliness and introspection. 

Regarding production, “Are You Shure?” is notable for its excellent sound design. The modular synths give depth and a three-dimensional sensation while the precisely layered textures reflect Every component is deliberately arranged; the synthetic (electronic pulses and drones) balances the organic (rain and mist-like noises). The mix of the song emphasizes its atmospheric elements, therefore enabling the listener to be surrounded by the audio world.

The song’s ambient quality is enhanced by the minute use of reverb and delay, therefore producing the impression of space and distance. Comparisons to music for atmospheric films help the song to feel cinematic and vast from the production values.

“Are You Shure?” appeals to listeners who value the blending of nature and technology inside the music as a background electronic experimental track. Often used to accompany meditation, introspection, or visual art, it belongs in the field of soundscape music. Though specialized, the intended audience is committed listeners who enjoy musicians such as Brian Eno, Jon Hopkins, or A Winged Victory for the Sullen.

The song’s intellectual foundation is around ideas of introspection and solitude. Together with the somber, rain-soaked backdrop, the title, “Are You Shure?” challenges listeners to consider and probe themselves. Scottish Highlands and castles’ aural images convey both isolation and timelessism, as if pushing the listener to think more deeply, existentialistically. The song’s sad and introspective message is conveyed without words; the music itself paints a clear emotional terrain.

Giardini Oort’s immersive audio work “Are You Shure?” welcomes the listener into a very meditative and evocative environment This is a path for listeners that value pictures and emotions rather than a conventional pop form in their music. “Are You Shure?” is a striking and artistic piece whether utilized as a backdrop for visual media or calm thought.

Old Hands by Maddy Carty

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‘Old Hands’ is Maddy Carty’s infinitely sweet new single. A blend of touching melodies and heartfelt words, masterfully mixed and lovingly delivered by a fantastic soul singer, ‘Old Hands’ is a worthwhile new release in support of Maddy Carty’s much anticipated EP Otherhood.

A singer and songwriter based in London, England, Maddy Carty is an artist proving that she’s capable of hitting great emotional depths with ‘Old Hands’. A thought provoking single about the enduring nature of love and its evolution with the passage of years, ‘Old Hands’ is a sweet song, and that sweetness is pleasantly serviced by almost all of its individual elements.

The song’s soul beats, restrained and ever so charismatic, change shape fluently between the song’s verses and choruses. The change is abrupt but miraculously smooth, feeling just like a palpitation in the song’s heartbeat. The song then has a rich instrumental to boast. From its smooth and textural electric piano arpeggios, lush -but subdued- strings, to Carty’s impassioned and heartfelt delivery, and the composition itself which sounds familiar and warm, ‘Old Hands’ is an exceptionally heartwarming song.

The mix, done by Carty’s old friend and talented producer Alex Bayly, is the last piece of this beautiful puzzle. A balanced mix that compliments everything the song has to say, ‘Old Hands’ is a beautiful sounding new single that got us all very excited for Carty’s upcoming EP.