I’ve always been haunted by the feeling that we’re in a constant state of surveillance, and watchful eyes are always out there following us and aiming to steal our information. The latest track from the San Francisco Bay Area-based artist Skull Smith perfectly depicts this feeling in his latest retro synthpop/new-wave track “24 Hour Documentary”. The track begins with a bass line that reminds me of Depeche Mode’s famous classic Personal Jesus, followed by an upbeat keyboard line that sounds like a marimba. These contradicting sounds are accompanied by ominous and sometimes comic lyrics. I loved the chorus and in particular, the line that says “And the camera’s always rolling and the crew is always there” and its variation in the second chorus that says “And the camera’s always rolling and the film reel never ends”. Mr. Smith’s deep voice and skillful intonation work well with the song’s shift from the verses that feel spoken to the melodic chorus and that was an enjoyable transition. The bridge has some kind of talk-box or vocal layering with lower pitches and harmonies that showcase Mr. Smith’s immense talent. It’s great to hear lyrics that are not afraid to address the dark comedy we’re living in these days and the backdrop being a nostalgic 80s synth pop track makes this the perfect mix. I recommend this to people who are looking for something fresh and different from today’s mainstream music, but still highly accessible and catchy.
Light in Chaos by 7th SENSE
7th SENSE, originally from Bucharest Romania, continues to offer delicious and fresh glimpses of jazz, and this was further confirmed by the release of their latest album “Light in Chaos”, presented by the band’s leader and guitarist Laura Benedek.
7th SENSE presents us with 9 great selections that showcase their different styles of contemporary jazz. And their strong penchant for groove-based contagion, and the fresh soul graphics that adorn the music throughout this great album.
The concept of “Light in Chaos” is inspired by what the world has witnessed in the past few years of changing social and political issues, the constant threat of international conflict, the increasing cost of living, and the constant struggle and entry into a global pandemic created a very difficult atmosphere that then became a rare glimmer of hope. All done in a charming and elegant musical performance.
The light reflected in the melodies played with savory notes, trombone, percussion, and even guitar and piano seems to enchant, along with the soft sounds, making it hard not to fall completely in love with the work.
“Light in Chaos” is a sexy statement with its warm and vibrant opening “Two Moons”, whose choice as the opening song was a breeze, because it’s a perfect and welcoming introduction to a light, lively trumpet accompanied by piano, guitar, and rhythmic beats that make us smile.
Immediately followed by a wonderful ‘Pain’ full of threads, which surely came from a place of pain but also with some hope.
The sound in “Rozana” will seduce your mind as it caresses your body with a trumpet that penetrates every tissue of your being until it reaches your soul directly.
“Fretless” features vocals and the pairing of Benedek’s simple voice with vocalist Luiza Zan makes for a moderately ethereal and wonderfully ethereal experience.
“Mama’s Chest” takes us straight to the heart of a good 40’s club, where a drink awaits us with plenty of elegance and a great atmosphere.
There is free-flowing and almost effortless energy that travels through the album tracks to take on other exciting dimensions that reflect the album’s aesthetics. Comprised of band members Sergiu Bivol (trumpet), Lucas Contreras (guitar), Adi Stoenescu (Fender Rhodes), Gabi Matei (drums), and Benedek on bass, there is undeniable chemistry within the members of this band that creates true magic when they play together.
“Light in Chaos” is a delicious audio adventure filled with magic and spells that bring peace to the soul, along with moments of poignant devotion that make it fun, passionate, honest, creative, and exhilarating. And if you let him make you smile and think.
Where We Go by Nick LaRiviere and The Best Laid Plans
Nick LaRiviere and The Best Laid Plans have just released their latest single “Where We Go”; It is the title track from their upcoming new album “Get Ready!”.
“Where We Go” has contemporary elements with shades of jazz. It is a fun, refreshing, and positive song that features beautiful, repetitive piano notes. A drum drive is added to the mix shortly after, and the song builds on a one-minute kick. A swing and some adorably warm trombone notes from Nick LaRiviere himself.
Nick’s singing featured the song with some real quality moments and made for a distinct character, the ups and downs sounded great and the changes and additions of instruments throughout make for fun listening. He makes it an emotional song with cinematic features.
Strong and attractive, “Where We Go” contains all the elements needed for a summer anthem. The band features Nick La Riviere on trombone and vocals, Miguel Valdes on trumpet, Barrie Sorensen on sax, Kelly Fawcett on guitar, and Attila Fias on keys and vocals, Louis Rudner on bass, and Alex Campbell on drums.
After all, we are in front of a sophisticated, but at the same time simple, well-made, and objective musical work. It is a song that grows within and awakens joy in the listener as if a beautiful day is about to begin and every obstacle that life imposes upon us is overcome. Not surprisingly, Nick was inspired by the spirit of West John Mann’s real-life battle against Alzheimer’s disease and showed a certain insight.
Nick LaRiviere says, “I wrote this song around the time that Spirit of the West frontman John Mann was struggling with Alzheimer’s,” says Nick La Riviere. “While I didn’t know personally him, I perform regularly with another Spirit member, Geoffrey Kelly, and heard about his struggles. The song is a personal take, stating that I want to achieve as much as I can with the time I have on this earth, and hopefully do something worth remembering, like he did, even if I can’t remember myself.”
“Where We Go” is a sweet song that will satisfy your senses with its unique melody, making you want to hear more from Nick LaRiviere and The Best Laid Plans.
New Kicks by Gully
Gully just released his 3rd single this year “New Kicks”, an upbeat alternative song with a fresh sound and an eclectic combination of instruments all layered together to create the perfect harmony and coherence. Each of these instruments has an individual identity and part without overshadowing the other, giving you an experience like no other. The UK-based artist started his journey by releasing his first debut EP “Student Blues” between 2019 and 2020, it was incredibly successful that the songs combined reached over 100K streams on Spotify only. A year later he released a new single “Carpe Diem” which reached over 10K streams. Gully kept his success streak with his latest 2 singles released earlier this year, “See the Sun” which reached over 10K streams, and “The View” with 4K streams on Spotify only.
“New Kicks” is no exception with its remarkable sound and romantic yet fun and hip lyrics in which he tries to embody how much he wants to dance with someone by saying he’s willing to sacrifice his “New Kicks”, and that’s how much he’s willing. The song came to life with the help of a group of talented artists and Gully’s undoubtful creativity. The song cover was photographed by Luke Shadrick, mixed by music producer and sound engineer Amy Sergeant, and mastered by RedRedPaw Mastering. He was joined by a group of artists and instrumentalists who will also be joining him on stage soon like Doug Wells on trumpet, Julian Kirk on bass, and Guy Hobley on saxophone. Keep a close eye on this one for he has no intention of slowing down soon.
Why Do You Lie by Jeremy Rice
After the attention his 2019 album “Jeremy Rice and the Legendary Fist of Takinawa” drew, Canadian artist Jeremy Rice returns with the first single off his upcoming album “The End of the Highway” that’ll be out October 2022. Rice released “Why Do You Lie” as the first taste off his upcoming record alongside a bright super cool video, that was edited and animated by Rice himself, and man, now I can’t wait for the album to drop!
Ok, I need to make this clear, Jeremy Rice’s “Why Do You Lie” will take over your ears and repeat button right from its very beginning. The vocal harmonies at the into – which were derived from the chorus – take us directly to the super entertaining verse, a groovy bluesy piece with catchy vocals and incredible bass and guitar work with the perfect tone. The chorus is an insanely catchy mash of harmonies with an eargasmic smooth melody that all started with an intense excellent organ build-up. The bluesy solo after the 2nd chorus celebrated the rocking roots of “Why Do You Lie” and Rice’s old-school influences and shook the song’s dynamics before getting into another singalong ride with the chorus that takes us softly to a smooth outro.
“Why Do You Lie” is a simple catchy tone with a killer hook that shows Jeremy Rice’s top-notch music writing skills, he succeeded in creating a colorful poppy tune with rocking roots and remarkable melodies that’ll stick inside your head and leave you humming “whyyyyy, whyyyy, whyyy whyyyyyyy….” for a long time after your first listen. Looking forward to “The End of the Highway” to see what Jeremy Rice has in store, cheers!
Interview With Stacey Jackson
- First of all, I would like to congratulate you on remaining consistent since you started and on being an inspiration in music, fitness, and motherhood. You have an inspiring and fulfilling career. I would love to hear from you firsthand what was the driving force for all of this -the turning point in your life that made you pursue making music professionally?
Aww, thank you so much. That’s very kind. To be honest, I always had this dream since I was a kid and I never had a real chance to pursue it. And after I had my four kids I realized as they were growing up that I didn’t want to be an old lady thinking “what if…“ or “I should have….”. I didn’t know where to begin other than joining a band…. But I ultimately aligned myself with a charity here in the UK called Music for Youth which coordinates nationwide music festivals for young people. I had this idea of using some of these amazingly talented kids performing and playing instruments all over an album of cover tracks. One of the records of that album got remixed, and there I was sitting between Lady Gaga and the Scissor Sisters on the dance charts. I think that was the official jump start of my journey.
- Last year you re-recorded and re-released your track Live It Up, how does that make you feel? And how do you think it would resonate with today’s audiences compared to 10 years ago?
It was crazy that I had a chance to do that and relaunch a record I had done with Snoop Dogg — the record was featured in a Hollywood film called Reboot Camp and it happened to also be the tenth anniversary of the song so we had it remixed and remastered and literally “rebooted” the track. Having some amazing and current remixes on the record definitely opened up a lot of doors for me, especially to be able to introduce it to a whole new generation of listeners.
- In June of 2021 your weekly music show “Stacey Jackson in the 80s” premiered, and I’m a pretty big fan of the 80s and its nostalgia even though I haven’t lived through it. Why do you think people love that decade’s pop culture in particular and prefer it over other eras?
Ha, well lucky for me that they do! I think the 80s was just such an eclectic era for music plus the launch of MTV also changed the way music was listened to. In fact, MTV definitely catapulted the second British Invasion bringing synth pop to the forefront and also was a key factor enabling artists to express themselves not only musically but also in terms of fashion.
- Do you think any big artists from the 80s would be as relevant and influential nowadays? And do any relatively new and big artists these days have an 80s feel to their sound too?
Over these past few years, a lot of artists have been influenced by the sounds of the 80s. The more obvious ones would be The Weekend’s “Blinding Lights” and Dua Lipa “Physical”. But being able to use contemporary sounds in the studio now with a proper nod to the 80s is literally my dream. I think so many 80s artists can easily be relevant today. Kate Bush proved that with “Running Up That Hill” after it aired on Stranger Things”.
- If you could name some artists (not necessarily from the 80s) that influenced your music and singing style, who would they be?
I love Diana Ross and the Supremes. My dad used to play their records in the house while I was growing up. I love Motown — I think that’s where I get my “belting voice” from haha. But when I became a teenager, for me it was rock and more rock. I loved Van Halen, Guns n Roses, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Whitesnake… And then in the later part of the 80s, I used to teach aerobics, and having a good (and fast beat) was really essential so I started listening to a lot of dance music like Black Box Ride on Time or Let the Music Play by Shannon and Bomb the Bass… loooove that track!
- Since the release of your latest single Urgent (and its accompanying EP of remixes and alternate versions), how are people receiving it, from your point of view?
I’ve been soooo grateful, to be honest. It’s always a risk when you do a cover. But the reviews have been so amazing. I really am humble by all the love so far. I even had radio stations reaching out to me on social media! I think people really needed to get out and party this summer and this record definitely deliver.
- How different was the creative process, considering this is a cover and not an original like the rest of your work these days?
That’s a good question. I actually went back into the studio after listening to it a few times and redid all the vocals. I wasn’t happy with how I approached it at first. I really wanted to keep the integrity of the melody but I want to add real energy and life to the song. It’s a record that is supposed to make you want to get up and dance or move so, I felt I needed to implement a sense of “urgency to the vocal — pun definitely intended!
- Do you hold any particular memories you relate to the original song and the time it was released?
Yes! I do! I was 12 and I tried out for a charity fashion show and that was the song we had to walk down the catwalk too. I didn’t get a place in the show haha! Apparently, I was too short!
- After this endeavour, do you feel like you could implement another cover or reimagining of a song in the forthcoming album, or will it be focused on the originals?
I’ve released a few other “Stacey-ised” covers of 80s records in the past — Whitesnake’s “Is This Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9EjUrN-fFw and Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKOidHr2bHI and I love doing it. But for me, I really do love the creative process of writing a brand new original track. My new EP is of all originals in the same sort of influence as my single Flipside which did really well out there and went to number one in March on the global digital radio charts.
- One thing I love about your version of Urgent is the beat. What made you want an electronic dance beat rather than the rock drums the original song had?
I’ve been in that lane for quite some time. I like re-imagining records and making them my “own” style. Plus the people that have been following my career in the dance music world know what to expect when I put out a cover. I love making people happy and getting them up and dancing.
- Besides your TV show, you also have a regular guest slot on Liverpool Live radio, chatting every Thursday morning alongside Roy Basnett. How did this come about and how different do you think doing radio shows is from doing TV?
Roy is a real gem. I can chat with him for hours. He makes all his guests feel so comfortable. When he first reached out to me to join him regularly to discuss all things the 80s I think I said yes before he even finished his sentence. Radio is different than TV for the obvious reason that there are no visuals so your conversations HAVE to be engaging and relevant. The big plus with the radio is that I can chat to him in my PJs if I want! Haha!
- Name one artist, living or dead, that you would love to tour the world with.
Well, I guess it would have to be Diana Ross! And probably Def Leppard and Foreigner of course! Oh and I think Freddie Mercury has to be on that list!
- Last but not least, what is one message you wanna tell mothers, 40-year-olds, or anyone who thinks they cannot establish a music career because of age or personal life pulling them back?
Support is soooo key. Your partner and your family have to be on board because they will have to be your cheerleaders in your journey. Small steps at first but when a door opens… go in it, and take the risk cuz you never know what can lie ahead. Just remember to believe in yourself, believe in your passion. Because it’s never too late to live your dreams.
Same Song by Sadie Nix
Sadie Nix has a beautiful talent that bloomed at the age of 38 during the pandemic. She comes from the UK, releasing her latest single “Same Song” on the 27th of May, 2022, with some old vibes that are so nostalgic.
Sadie faced some creativity during the pandemic in 2020 that inspired her in a way to finish her first two singles. In addition to having her dreams come true, as she mentioned in one of her posts when BBC Sussex & Surrey picked her song to be the introducing track of the day on the “Danny Pike” show, she had dreamt of being on the radio since she was young. Well, I hope you get that voice out there because you’re going to be loved for your authentic being in the music industry.
Her storytelling in her lyrics is extraordinary in a way that gets her song popping out into the world with the experiences that she faced. “Same Song” is so fun, and energetic, and at the same time, the lyrics show a lot of strong emotions.
Sadie illustrated her abilities to write and sing when she recorded it at the Oceanville Way Recording studios. Quoting from one of her posts, “I was really worried I would feel like a fraud or didn’t belong in a place where such amazing artists had recorded.” But she mentioned that the team made her feel welcome and got her to feel comfortable, which got her to produce an amazing talent.
I am looking forward to listening to more of Sadie’s voice in her upcoming album “Friends Get You Killed,” which will be released later this year. Keep an eye out for the anthemic pop music she makes.
Interview With Sadie Nix
The UK-based artist, Sadie Nix, is one of the most innovative artists. She started her music career at the age of 38 and bloomed during the pandemic. Let’s have a peek at her story behind making her music.
1. Tell us more about your journey and how you started making music and started developing an interest in doing music.
I grew up in a house where music was always playing and some of my earliest memories have music in the background. I was always involved in music during school and have always attended as much live music as possible. I used to write and sing when I was younger but never did anything with it until I was gifted the time over lockdown to really start getting back into it!
2. Has been in a military family influenced the way you create your music? Can you tell us more about yourself, what inspired you to create music at the age of 38, and describe your background in brief?
It really exposed me to so many different people and musical styles whether it was rap, country, or rock music, each state/region in the USA has a different style or musical genre that is prevalent, and I was exposed to so much. I think as well coming across so many different people and backgrounds really shape my songwriting.
3. Have you performed live on stage before? If yes, tell us about it and how did you feel.
Since I started doing my own music during a lockdown, I haven’t played it live yet but watch this space! However, I would like to think there have been some wicked karaoke performances over the years
4. What is the story behind your latest single, “Same Song”?
I think the story is one a lot of people can relate to really. It is about being with someone who you have given so many chances to and every time they mess up, you get the same excuses or the “same song” and you finally get sick of hearing it and moving on.
5. Tell us how you managed to get through the pandemic and develop your music skills in writing and creating music.
The pandemic was a gift really for my music, I got so much time back to create and develop my skills. The internet is an amazing thing as the ability to use Zoom allowed the ability to still collaborate and create.
6. What can you tell us about the album you’re going to release later this year “Friends will get you killed”?
The big thing is that I want it to be a proper album that tells a story and can be listened to from start to finish. I know that is not the trend at the minute but I still love to listen to albums as they were intended and I hope that my audience will enjoy that as well.
7. Tell us more about your future plans for your music project. And are you looking forward to collaborating with different artists?
The big thing for me at the minute is finishing the album and playing live. With playing live, it will be amazing to work with other musicians in that capacity and I can’t wait to work with other artists and producers on the remaining tracks of the album. You learn so much from working with other people.
8. The lyrics in your first single, “Taylor Case (that means you),” are interesting. Can you tell us the story behind it, as it feels emotional?
Like most of my songs, the lyrics are rooted in some truth in my life but then I try to create a story. I think with Taylor Case it is really about being surrounded by people who would be happy for you to stay where you are even if you are not happy or living the life you want and sometimes you need to think about what you need, even if it might hurt someone else.
9. What is your favorite quote that gets you going and inspires you to continue on your journey?
“Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History” not that I want to be badly behaved as such but I see it as pushing the boundaries and not letting people tell you, you can’t.
10. What inspires you the most when writing your lyrics?
I really try to start with personal experiences and then work through how I can make them relatable to others as we all tend to have a lot of shared experiences. So the songs are sometimes rooted in my real life but I tend to them make characters and finish telling the story that way.
11. Can you tell us more about when you went to record in the OceanWay recording studios and how you felt?
At first, I felt like a complete fraud, Carrie Underwood was in the studio I was using the week before! But they were amazing and the minute I put the headphones on, I felt so comfortable and happy like I was meant to be there. The studio is now my favorite place to be!
Into the night by Sweeter Than Sorrow
All songs are created to serve a purpose. A message from its creator to the audience, an outward expression or a stance towards something, or just to provide a pleasant feeling to its listeners. Yet, some songs speak far louder than others.
Sweeter Than Sorrow is Mattias Wahlberg’s solo project. Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, and known for being the bandleader of the folk-pop outfit Sombre View, Mattias is no newcomer to creating intricate and charming pop tunes with a sophisticated edge. His latest effort comes in the form of “Into the Night”. A stripped-down lullaby with a boundless feel and introspection.
Inspired by the loss of a loved one, and the sudden announcement of a new life. It’s not hard to see how contradicting events can induce such bittersweet confusion. The song is a lulling, piano-driven piece with a gentle upright bass to accompany Mattias’s trembling delivery. Heartfelt, torn between two lands, and laced with sadness. Mattias implores his love to surrender and gently pass into the peace of the darkness, while the composition gently shifts underneath, playing an oppressively minor-sounding progression, leaving no room whatsoever for light to pass through any crevice.
Having personally endured the loss of a dear one recently, I found my hair standing on the edge and experienced shivers listening to this piece. Simple and direct, full of emotion and honesty, this is a piece of work that leaves no room for interpretation. It’s here to be the last goodbye, and it does so in a fitting way that can only be achieved by an artist that’s brave and unfazed by showing their true heart.
Arioso in Red by Dave Mohan
I quote the famous words of Douglas Adams when I tell you that “Beethoven tells you what it’s like to be Beethoven and Mozart tells you what it’s like to be human. Bach tells you what it’s like to be the universe.” And originating from this universal appeal that Bach’s compositions have, songwriter/recording artist Dave Mohan decided to rearrange and reimagine Bach’s Arioso (BWV 156) entitled “Arioso In Red”. The composition features original lyrics and vocals, with multiple collaborations that Mr. Dave brought along to give this composition a different flavor. The vocal performance by Carolina de la Muela feels like a broadway musical. It’s not standard classical operatic singing, but rather a more modern method suited for musical theatre or RnB. Kudos to this amazing lady for the forward placement, the terrific use of head and mixed voice, and most importantly the tenderness of the singing itself that gives this piece more romance than the melancholy of the original. As for the composition itself, the predominance of the piano over the strings makes you feel like it’s a neo-classical piece, but there’s so much respect for the original composition making it qualify as a classical music piece that just happened to be made in 2022. I’m sure Bach himself would’ve been so proud of this track, as it feels like what he would’ve made himself if he was living in our modern times and had the same tools Dave Mohan had when he was composing this piece. The way the song begins softly made me feel like it will have a Jazz flavor or drastically change things up, especially with the double bass and the modern vocal style. But to my surprise, the song kept true to its classical elements and had a more stripped-down and calm second half. This calmness made me envision the song in a Broadway musical or a movie with a sad love story, where this song would perfectly fit its climax. In conclusion, I have to say this new arrangement of Arioso reminded me of the way Clint Mansell rearranged Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake for the Black Swan movie; the essential and most gripping melodies are all there, but the transitions and pacing are authentic and appealing to classical and pop audiences alike.